The Strange Path
Recap: Aarzo decides to reconsider her decision about not leaving the house and had a small discussion with Zohaib that left both of them surprised in a way.
Chapter: 20
The bright orange sun arose from the east and started shining yellowish rays all over the land. A similar light ray fell over on her face, making it glow like gold. Aarzo smiled and snuggled in the warm shawl she wore over her sleeping suit. She watched from her window that how the magnificent sun rays hit each house and lit it brightly. It was going to be a perfect warm day after such a cold night, Aarzo thought. After a sleepless night of tossing and turning in bed, she decided to just sit and wait for the morning light to enter and bring a new hope on this new day. She still had a decision to make…such a decision…which has now even stolen her sleep.
What should she do? Who should she listen to? Her family members who truly love her. Or her heart, which was being selfish as of now. Somewhere in her heart, even she knew that it is the right choice for her to move to London…but when it comes to leaving the house all other thoughts are overpowered by the firm decision of not leaving this house. It was the hardest decision that she has to take in her life till now. This was now more of a responsibility to her than just a mere decision to take…this was a verdict on which the rest of her life depended on. She sighed loudly as she realized this sudden burden on her mind…of taking a sensible decision! Aarzo shrugged all these thoughts away and headed downstairs for the garden to get some fresh air and just relax after a night of nothing but…disturbance.
She watched Aarzo as she watered the plants one by one, with so much care. She shivered as a cold breeze past by her. Afia was standing barefoot on the dark green grass which was still wet from the dew drops of last night. She had been constantly watching Aarzo's actions as to how she first took a stroll around the garden and then cheerfully started watering the plants. Even though she pretended to be relaxed but Afia knew what kind of a hassle her mind was going through…she knew that Aarzo was getting weaker from inside…this job of taking a decision for herself is killing her on the inside.
"Hey!", Afia said loudly in Aarzo's ear as she saw her busy watering her plants. "Afii!! You scared me.", Aarzo said irritatingly. "Sorry! You need any help?", Afia asked. "No. I am done!", she replied putting the steel jar on a side, "Let's go on the swing!", Aarzo said as she heading towards the swing. Afia just nodded and followed behind her. "When did you wake up? You and Shiza were in a deep sleep when I came down.", Aarzo sounded confused. Afia smiled and shook her head. " Well I got up from the sun ray that hit right on my eyes and then I saw you going out of the room…so just out of curiosity I followed you behind.", Afia said giving a nervous smile. "So Ms. Afi, that means you were here all that time, spying on me?", she asked, pretending to be angry. Afia bit her tongue and just nodded her head affirmatively. "Actually you looked quite worried so I just decided to give you a little time to be by yourself.", Afia said in her defense. Now it was Aarzo's turn to get nervous. "umm…who …who said I was worried? I …I am just fine!", she blabbered. "Aarzo please stop this acting infront me atleast…I know that I can't do much to help you out but one thing is for sure that I will always be there to support you!", Afia took Aarzo's hand in hers, to give her comfort. Aarzo suddenly hugged her tightly and broke down completely as she cried her heart out.
"What should I do Afi? Every time I try to persuade myself to move down to London…all the memories of dad just come flooding infront of me…I can't leave this house….I … I know…I….I am being very childish….but….", Aarzo was unable to continue further and held onto Afia more tightly, crying even harder. "Aaru! Look, if your dad was here…then just think what would he want for you? He would have wanted you to be somewhere safe, get a good education so that you can be a good lawyer like him.", Afia tried to explain but Aarzo was crying constantly with hiccups…looking ever so miserable. Afia held Aarzo's face and made her look towards her. "See Aarzo, I know one thing is for sure…that wherever your Dad is right now…he would never want to see you in this condition…nobody does…we all care about you a lot Aaru! Do you want to ruin this new day…and start it by crying with these salty tears?", Aarzo nodded her head sideways, in negative. Afia wiped Aarzo's tears with her hands and gave her a big bear hug. "I know Aaru that you want to make your Dad proud of you…and that is all you have to remember…don't stress yourself so much.", Afia said slowly and got up to go and fresh up.
Aarzo decided to just sit back for a while, as she watched the different kinds of birds fly freely in the blue sky. She leaned back on the swing and closed her eyes. She just wished that she could be one of those birds and just fly freely with open arms in the sky…escape from all the tensions of this unfaithful world.
Everyone was silently eating breakfast. The central clock played the hourly alarm, as it struck 11. "So, any important plans for today?", Zohaib asked, surprising everybody. Aarzo quietly ate her breakfast, still nibbling on her sandwich. "You know what, I think we should go somewhere for an outing…like an amusement park? What say Aaru?", Ali said nudging Aarzo, who was sitting across him, beside Zohaib. She looked up and just shrugged her shoulders. "How about we go for shopping? And anyways I have to buy a gift for mom and dad!", Shiza exclaimed in excitement. "Gift for mom and dad? What's the special occasion Shizu?", Zohaib asked looking confused. "Bhaiyya! Don't you remember? Mom dad's anniversary is coming up in a few days. I knew you wouldn't remember! I want to keep it as a surprise and they are anyways going to come back tomorrow…so why don't we go today? Right everyone?", Shiza talked nonstop. "Ahh! How can you talk so much? Doesn't your mouth hurts from it?", Ali tried to annoy her. "No it doesn't monkey man!", Shiza retorted back.
"Who did you call a monkey man?", he asked irritated from the name.
"You and who else? Nobody else here acts like a monkey except you! It's pretty obvious dear…but I guess your common sense isn't working properly…tu tu tu…my poor monkey man!", Shiza decided to annoy him a little more.
"I am NOT your "monkey man"! Get it? You….you….you…ms. monkey women!!....yes... that's what you are…monkey women!", Ali said patting his back for coming up with such a name.
"Hey…you copy cat…copying me off!", shiza got irritated.
"Shutup you…you chatterbox!!", Ali replied.
"Okay, now cut it out both of you! Sit quietly and finish your breakfast.", Zohaib said a bit strictly. He glanced sideways to see Aarzo giggling. Soon she burst into laughter, holding her stomach. "Sorry all! But hahahaha…oh my God! You guys are so funny…hahahah…am so sorry …", she apologized unable to hold her laughter. In seconds, everybody else including Shiza, Afia, Ali and even Zohaib burst into laughing…like maniacs. It was indeed a funny moment.
"So it's decided that we will be going for shopping today?", Zohaib asked after they all calmed down. "Yeah!", Shiza said loudly. "How about we go for a long drive after that?", Afia suggested. "Great idea! You are the best Afuu!!", Ali said but suddenly remembered the 'card' incident and sulked, making a sad face. "Urghh! This boy will never let me go without apologizing!", Afia thought and said a little sorry for wasting the whole calling card.
*Knock*Knock*
"Can I come in Madam Aaru?", he did a fake cough to get her attention. She looked up from the novel she was reading. "Is it really you Mr. Ali?", she asked pretending to be suspicious. "Yes. Aaru! Why, do I look okay?", he got confused and looked in the mirror checking himself. "How come you are behaving in a mannered way with me today? Am I dreaming?", she decided to pull his leg. Ali went to her and pinched her arm. "See, you are not dreaming! Now, stop it Aaru…I came here to talk to you but you are not even paying attention to me!", Ali pouted, making a sad face. "Oh…so Mr. Ali the great also knows how to get angry! Okay. I am listening. What do you have to say?", Aarzo put the novel away and folded her arms, showing that she is only concentrating on him now. "Stop staring! I didn't ask for that much attention now!", he replied nervously. Aarzo just sighed and give in a small laugh that Ali would remain the same, always.
"So when are we heading for the shopping trip?", Ali asked after a moment. Aarzo just shrugged her shoulders. "I am not coming Ali!", she said seriously. "What? Where? No…you ….you have to come with us to London…no Aaru …that's not fair!! Please, think about it again!", Ali said in a bewildered state. "Ali. Relax! I was talking about shopping! I don't feel like going anywhere today! You guys go and enjoy.", she said reopening the folded page of the novel, where she left off earlier. Ali sighed a sigh of relief; atleast she wasn't talking about coming to London. "Aaru, come on buddy…You have to come. It will help you take your mind off all the stress and help you relax.", he tried to convince her, but to no avail as Aarzo just denied. 'How can she say no? See, she is not even looking up at me….reading that silly novel!' Out of frustration, Ali snatched the novel right from her hand. "That's it! You are going to listen to me. We are going and you missy are also coming with us! I don't want any excuses Aaru! You have to come Aaru…If you don't go then I won't go as well. I don't care! Either you come or I'll stay back, even though I really want to go!", Ali said and left the room angrily, leaving Aarzo puzzled and mystified.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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