Posted:
Part 8:
Aahil waited really late with the boys so that he could come to find Sanam asleep. When he got into the room however, she was not fast asleep on the bed. She was crying in the bathroom. He could just tell from the small sniffled sobs coming from behind that closed door. They were the kind of sobs that chilled him to the bone. Sanam Sobs.
Aahil: Sanam? Sanam? Come on outside.
He didn't think she really would. The door burst open. She attacked him, showering him with her fists.
Sanam: Where were you!? Where were you!? How can you desert me like this!?
He didn't think she really would. The door burst open. She attacked him, showering him with her fists.
Sanam: Where were you!? Where were you!? How can you desert me like this!?
Aahil: You were with the girls!
She was not listening, she was just beside herself in anger. He put his arms around her trying to stop her.
Sanam: You didn't want me to come with you! You should have just told me you were embarassed by me. Why DIDN'T.YOU.TELL.ME!? I wouldn't have come! I hate you! I HATE YOU!
Aahil confused: What are you talking about!?
Sanam: You won't even talk to me! Ignoring me all day! (She threw softer punches at him as she tired).
This was what it was about. The ignoring got to her.
Aahil grabbed her hands and put them behind her.
Aahil: LISTEN! Stop it! (She got her hands out and fought him) Stop it, right now! STOP! I am not embarassed by you, okay!?
Sanam in a broken voice: You didn't talk to me all dayyy...
Aahil swept her crazy hair back and spoke softly: You wanted me to talk to you?
Sanam's bottom lip trembled, the cheeks pink-ed - looking embarassed for her outburst. She was found out. She wanted him to talk to her. She wanted his attention.
Sanam looked away: It's because I am a cook, isn't it?
Aahil, not thinking, rested his cheek on her head: I missed you too.
She looked up. God, those huge watery eyes. Those beautiful, pink tinted cheeks. Those full lips. He loved this...woman...so much. Something creeped up inside him. Something primal. It made him want to shield her from everything. Like he could destroy anything that hurt her with his bare hands.
Before he knew it, he was bent down, claiming those luscious lips. God, she was heaven.
Sanam was in awe, she had wondered what that upturned upper lip felt like. Wonderful, she concluded. What kind of man had poutier lips than a woman? Her husband did. Beautiful, kissable lips. She couldn't believe she was kissing a man. She was kissing Aahil. Her Aahil.
Her hands went around his neck of their own accord, tugging hair, pulling him closer.
Her hands went around his neck of their own accord, tugging hair, pulling him closer.
He felt the tip of her tongue graze his lip. Something rang in his ears, a small, deafening tone that made your ear go warm. What was he doing!?
Before she knew it, Aahil broke away. He looked guilty. He regretted this, Sanam could tell.
Aahil blinked and walked away. Sanam wobbled, trying to balance on her weak knees. Her eyes silently followed him as he went and turned on the TV, switching channels like a crazy person as she stood rooted to the spot.
He stopped at a channel. A familiar woman was advertising a lipstick. A woman they both knew.
Sanam blurted out: Isn't that the girl from the haystack?
Aahil stopped dead: What?
Sanam simply stated: The girl, from the haystack. In Punjab. You two were having sex.
The normal Sanam would never say this so casually, but something about this moment made her feel invulnerable, careless. It was the high of shocking him.
Aahil's jaw dropped: You...you saw?
Sanam: Yes. You almost ran over Haya, I went after the car to accost you.
Aahil stared at her, horrified, for a few painful seconds.
Aahil stared at her, horrified, for a few painful seconds.
He burried his face in his hands: Arrrgghhh...
He was pulling at his hair, humiliated. Sanam. Sanam had seen him. Like that.
Sanam: She's a model?
He was speechless. How could she be so matter of factly about this? She had seen him have sex with this woman!
Sanam: So that's your type. (The woman on TV immitated an orgasmic sound as she lay on a bed with a naked man and licked her lips, "Long stay color!"). No wonder I repell you (she said more quietly).
Aahil couldn't stay in her sight anymore. He was burning up with humiliation. Now he locked himself in the bathroom as quickly as he could. His cold hands wrapped around the door knob, holding it in place.
The words came back to him as Aahil thought back. No wonder she was always so accusatory about him and his women. She had actually SEEN him. Voyeurism, isn't that your thing, she had asked. GOD. This is what she meant.
The woman who would eventually become his wife had seen him at it with another woman. How would he react if he saw Sanam with Rehan that way, even before marriage!? She would never have him. Never. No wonder she considered it an insult to be loved by him. He was the guy who f**ked women on the side of the street like some animal in heat as far as she was concerned (and she was not entirely off the mark back then). She was the one who woke up for Farz prayers. They were worlds apart. He was practically a degenerate in her eyes, the kind that didn't even bother to get a room.
The woman who would eventually become his wife had seen him at it with another woman. How would he react if he saw Sanam with Rehan that way, even before marriage!? She would never have him. Never. No wonder she considered it an insult to be loved by him. He was the guy who f**ked women on the side of the street like some animal in heat as far as she was concerned (and she was not entirely off the mark back then). She was the one who woke up for Farz prayers. They were worlds apart. He was practically a degenerate in her eyes, the kind that didn't even bother to get a room.
Around 3 am, Sanam heard the click of the door as Aahil came out in the dark.
He quietly took some sheets and a blanket from the cupboard and tried to make a bed for himself on the floor.
Sanam: You can sleep up here.
She sensed him startle.
Aahil gruffly: I am fine.
Sanam pleaded: Please. I am sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up like that. I didn't mean to embarrass you.
He stood frozen on the spot by the bed. She tugged at his hand.
Sanam: Please come to bed.
Aahil in a broken voice: You don't really want that.
Sanam: Please.
Aahil lay down quietly beside her, maintaining his distance.
There was no hope anymore. He couldn't give himself a chance, there was no way he could expect Sanam to. Who could after such an introduction to him?
There was no hope anymore. He couldn't give himself a chance, there was no way he could expect Sanam to. Who could after such an introduction to him?
Sanam whispered: I know I am judgmental, I try not to be with you, but I can't help it.
Aahil: I know.
Sanam: You don't understand. I was brought up very conservatively. Haya and I both were brought up with very set moral ideas. I know you are high society, those things sound like jokes to you. But in my world, they matter a lot. I don't mean to be judgmental about your life.
Sanam: You don't understand. I was brought up very conservatively. Haya and I both were brought up with very set moral ideas. I know you are high society, those things sound like jokes to you. But in my world, they matter a lot. I don't mean to be judgmental about your life.
Aahil resignedly: I lived very frivolously by any standard.
Sanam struggled to explain: I am afraid that is the life you are accustomed to...like you cannot leave it.
I can leave it. I have. I left it for you, he wanted to scream. But she wouldn't believe him. He wouldn't have if he was in her place either. They were just worlds apart.
Sanam: I am sorry if I came across as judgmental in any way. I know this marriage is counting its last days, I have no right to expect anything...Aahil? Aahil?
He didn't answer. He couldn't. Yes, she was happy to give him what he had asked for in anger. Their divorce. It was impending as far as she was concerned. The guys were wrong again. Patience would not win her back.
Sanam: I am sorry if I came across as judgmental in any way. I know this marriage is counting its last days, I have no right to expect anything...Aahil? Aahil?
He didn't answer. He couldn't. Yes, she was happy to give him what he had asked for in anger. Their divorce. It was impending as far as she was concerned. The guys were wrong again. Patience would not win her back.
Next morning...
The beautiful sound of monsoon showers woke Sanam up from her soft, deep slumber.
She wanted to cuddle.
That was the first surprising thought in Sanam's head. She wanted to cuddle and stay in bed. Smell the showers against the earth and take in the freshness of shiny, watered down leaves of grass.
Sanam reached for Aahil.
The beautiful sound of monsoon showers woke Sanam up from her soft, deep slumber.
She wanted to cuddle.
That was the first surprising thought in Sanam's head. She wanted to cuddle and stay in bed. Smell the showers against the earth and take in the freshness of shiny, watered down leaves of grass.
Sanam reached for Aahil.
His side was empty. Sanam looked around the room. He was not there. The bathroom door was ajar.
Sanam got up, worried. Had she forgotten to put her hand on him at night? Did he have a nightmare again?
The clinking of teacups in the hall reached her ears as she opened the door. Before Sanam could peek around, Khushi sped past with a tray full of teacups in hand. Arnav followed with a creamer, looking harassed.
Khushi's voice was ringing with joy: Hurry up and come to the courtyard, Sanam! We are dancing in the rain!
Arnav: Khushi be CAREFUL! The coffee is hot!
Khushi's voice floated back to her ears: Hurry, hurry!
Sanam followed, strangely mystified by the joy emminating from Khushi.
Someone else liked rain as much as she did.
Someone else liked rain as much as she did.
As they came to the back courtyard, a giant swimming pool came into view. The whole marble courtyard was high up, looking over dewy, rainy Lucknow - as a palace should.
Khushi was gleefully pouring cream on the coffee and clinking teaspoons against the fine bone china with no care in the world.
Khushi could barely stand still: Barish mein bhigenge! Jalebi khayenge!
Sanam asked Arnav: Have you seen Aahil?
Arnav: No. He must be here somewhere. He will come around. Have some coffee before you join this crazy woman out there, it will keep you warm.
Arnav: No. He must be here somewhere. He will come around. Have some coffee before you join this crazy woman out there, it will keep you warm.
Sanam wanted to. She wanted to so badly. The smell of the coffee beans wafted under her nose as the monsoon rain raged ahead.
Sanam: Aahil...
Khushi interrupted: He will be here. Where can he go this early in the morning? Come Sanam, sip sip! Laad Governor's orders, he won't let us go otherwise.
Sanam smiled and took a cup of coffee. Something about Khushi just blew her shyness away. The princess put people at ease. It was very easy to be at home with Khushi, even in a palace.
Sanam: Aur log?
Khushi interrupted: He will be here. Where can he go this early in the morning? Come Sanam, sip sip! Laad Governor's orders, he won't let us go otherwise.
Sanam smiled and took a cup of coffee. Something about Khushi just blew her shyness away. The princess put people at ease. It was very easy to be at home with Khushi, even in a palace.
Sanam: Aur log?
Khushi: All asleep! Di is tending to Anisha, the little one's having a fit. Probably all that sugar from last night.
Arnav: And Imad will have to get that scolding for giving her the sugar before he can come down.
Arnav: And Imad will have to get that scolding for giving her the sugar before he can come down.
Khushi: More rain for us! What say Sanam? Finish your coffee, quick!
Sanam finished quickly, still wondering where Aahil was. Something niggled inside her. A worry. A sense of forboding...despite the warm coffee in her system.
Khushi pulled Sanam out into the rain from the sitting area. Her distracting happiness made Sanam forget her worries for a while.
Khushi pulled her around in a criss cross. Both laughing.
Sanam shouted against the thunder: I feel like a school kid again!
Khushi shouted back: I never stopped feeling that way!
Sanam shouted against the thunder: I feel like a school kid again!
Khushi shouted back: I never stopped feeling that way!
Sanam: This is incredible!
Khushi: Yup! Laad Governor, music!
A smiling Arnav put the ipod on the soundbox and touched on.
Khushi: Not that one, the other one!
Arnav: Ok, stop giving me orders Khushi!
A smiling Arnav put the ipod on the soundbox and touched on.
Khushi: Not that one, the other one!
Arnav: Ok, stop giving me orders Khushi!
Khushi stuck out her tongue, still making circles in the courtyard with Sanam.
Nan na re nan na re nan na re na na re...
"Barso re megha megha..." knocked Aahil back into focus. He looked across at Lucknow drowned in white smoke. The cloud of monsoon rain. He loved it. The colors of Lucknow battled against the fog to shine against the rain. Not all colors had the gift of the sky's blue to blend in with the white and grey wrath of monsoon. They could only interrupt the foggy world these forces created around them.
How happy monsoon rain could be. And how depressing. It can either wash away your worries or actually rain on you. Depending on your mood that is. Ususally, it washed away his grievances away but today...today it was raining on him.
Aahil sighed.
Aahil sighed.
It was all over now. Well and truly over. Sanam could never give him a chance. She expected him to go back to Bhopal and file divorce papers for her.
He was sitting on the steps leading down from the courtyard, drenched from head to foot. He looked up behind him. There were people on the courtyard, they hadn't seen him. He got up and walked toward them.
There were two girls playing by the swimming pool. Their shrill cries of happiness carried back in the breeze to reach his ears before they themselves came into focus.
Sanam. Sanam and Khushi.
There were two girls playing by the swimming pool. Their shrill cries of happiness carried back in the breeze to reach his ears before they themselves came into focus.
Sanam. Sanam and Khushi.
They did not see him. Arnav stood in the covered sitting area, looking indulgently at his wife. Even he hadn't yet spotted Aahil in his white kurta against the monsoon backdrop.
Aahil's eyes drank Sanam in, unnoticed.
Sanam was in her sky blue dress. The wet fabric clung to her in all the right places, the now drenched skirt heavily danced behind her as she and Khushi ran about. Khushi was pulling Sanam over to the swimming pool.
Aahil cried out: Wait! She cannot swim!
His voice did not carry too far from the other end. The wind just ate it up and carried it away.
Without thinking, Aahil ran across the marbled floor toward the girls. He grabbed Sanam's hand just as Khushi was about to jump.
Sanam smashed against someone's chest...hard. She blinked.
Sanam: Aahil!?
Khushi finished for her: You were outside!? This whole time!?
It was still raining hard.
Aahil: Have you forgotten that you cannot swim!? What were you about to do!? Have you gone mad?
Sanam looked at the swimming pool.
Khushi apologetically: Sorry, I didn't know. We were just going to keep to the light end.
Arnav came up behind them with an umbrella: What's the matter?
Arnav came up behind them with an umbrella: What's the matter?
Aahil angrily: She can't swim and she was jumping into the swimming pool!
Sanam defensively whined: Khushi was with me.
Aahil: Khushi barely weighs two pounds! You think she could pick you up if you drowned!?
Sanam: We were just having some fun! Besides, you don't weigh anything in water.
Khushi provided: Arnav was here anyway.
Aahil threw back his head in frustration. He should not be getting mad at his host.
Arnav: I was here the whole time. Chill man. Come, let's have a coffee. It will cheer you up. Let the girls enjoy.
Arnav: I was here the whole time. Chill man. Come, let's have a coffee. It will cheer you up. Let the girls enjoy.
Sanam and Khushi's angry eyes bore into him accusingly.
Aahil let go of Sanam with a warning: Don't go into the pool.
When he looked back, Sanam defensively dipped her toe in the pool. Her lips were pursed in that defiant way of hers. She challenged him to say something. Khushi burst out in giggles. Aahil looked away, annoyed.
Aahil: Since when are you so chill about all this? This is madness.
Arnav: You were just out in the rain yourself Nawab Saab, you are not in a position to talk about madness. But to answer your question, sometimes you have to give into their whims. Khushi loves it. See how gleeful she is? Yes, she might wake up with a fever tomorrow... Sure, it is irresponsible (he handed Aahil a coffee), but I have to let her have her fun. Be herself.
Aahil grunted and sipped his drink, feeling more alive.
Aahil grunted and sipped his drink, feeling more alive.
Arnav: You look white at a sheet.
Aahil: Well, I thought she was about to drown!
Arnav smirked: You are whipped. So whipped, Aahil Raza Ibrahim.
Aahil looked away, reddening.
Thoughts on the writing?
Part 9: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/4112367/ss-the-nawab-of-bhopal-part-11-preview-pg-43
Thoughts on the writing?
Part 9: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/4112367/ss-the-nawab-of-bhopal-part-11-preview-pg-43
