Chapter Five
"Good morning Mr Chaudhary!"
Sahir raised his finger, indicating silence as he answered the call. The team quietened immediately. "Yes Mr Shekhawat. Tell me."
"The designs you had sent are just fabulous. Out of the world I must say."
Sahir allowed a small victorious smile to slip through his lips. "Saiyyara never disappoints its clients Mr Shekhawat."
"Indeed, indeed. I totally agree. The cream one with red, green and gold is going to create history in the world of designer wear. I have emailed you the signed contract. I trust you can be ready with the final product at the specified date?"
"Yes." His fingers automatically clicked and opened his inbox. Sure enough. The email was ready and waiting. "My team will deliver the finished product two weeks from now. Khuda hafiz."
"Good day to you too Mr Chaudhary."
"Sir, two weeks?" Linda asked in a slightly nervous voice. Her boss always had a tendency to push everyone but this latest project seemed to be taking the cake. Ten masterpieces to be created and delivered in two weeks and it was not as if the rest of their work was going to stop just to get this one done. Agreed that the sketches were ready but still..
"Yes Linda. Two weeks. Your team has given the sketches so now go to the next step. Start your work."
The team hightailed out of the cabin before he could complete the sentence. And barely a minute later, Arzoo firmly knocked once on the glass door and waited. Neither moved their eyes away from the other as they stared through the transparent door separating them. The Arzoo he knew wouldn't have waited outside. In fact she would have barely taken time to knock at all. She walked like she owned. Not now though. Now she just waited. Locking his jaw he nodded his permission.
"I won't take up too much of your time sir. I just came to hand over my resignation formally," she said extending the neatly folded A4 size paper.
He took the paper and opened it. He didn't know what he expected. Maybe something that started with Sahir Gabbar Chaudhary. But this one was a neatly printed out extremely formal letter of resignation. She cited personal reasons and even thanked the team and Saiyyara for giving her the chance of working with them.
Thoughts completely masked behind his facade, he looked back at her. She hadn't once blinked or shifted her eyes away from his, her own cogitations hidden away. "Have you forgotten Ms Arzoo Nausheen Khan that you have a three year contract with Saiyyara?"
"No sir. I have not forgotten. But that is hardly going to be a problem since I'm sure you would have already put that contract through your shredder."
He showed her the contract she had signed. "As you can see, it's not in the shredder. So unless you have decided to break the contract, in which case, you would need to pay a total sum of three lakhs to Saiyyara," He looked at her flushed cheeks almost dispassionately. "No? Then I suggest you stop wasting my time and get to work." He went back to downloading the contract. "They liked your design the best so you have your work cut out.."
"How do you know which design is mine?"
A perceptible tensing of his shoulders. "I know who does what in Saiyyara. Now if you are done interrogating me.."
"So you will not accept my resignation."
"I never said that. Pay the amount and you are free to walk out any time you want."
He waited for her to pursue the issue. To dig her heals in. So her next statement took him aback. "In that case, I need a day off sir."
"Why?"
"I need to go house hunting. The place I'm staying right now is rent free. But the owner hates us. And I realized that I was becoming the very thing that I always despised. A leach."
Her eyes caught his slight flinch as if her words had lashed him. The movement was very slight and she wouldn't have caught it had she not been looking for it.
"No day offs for the next two weeks." His words jerked her back. He didn't give her a chance to open her mouth. "No offs for anyone in your team until the designs have been made and delivered to the client. I have already sent the email to everyone about this. No offs, no weekends. Nothing until this is done. Now, if that's all.." he gestured the door.
More questions added up to her already confused mind. He told her to get out. Now he was closing all the doors to make sure she doesn't leave. He hated her, didn't he? She was a gold digger in his own words. But when she said the same thing about herself, why did it look like she had hurt him? Why was she thinking so much? She had already decided she would move out. That she would start over. So why were her instincts still screaming at her to dig? What was there to dig except piling up more hurt and insults? She had always been the one big on self-respect. Where was all that now? Even her broken heart was telling her that this was important. That she had to know. What was she? A glutton for punishment?
"If..if you had to do all over that again, would you do the same thing?" She couldn't keep her eyes from beseeching him. To help her make sense of everything that has happened. She hated it..him..and the see-saw was killing her already mutilated heart.
"Yes." His one word fell into the silence of the cabin.
"Z-Zaki said it was about t-the deal."
"It was always about the deal. Now get out." But the next second his gaze turned black and contrite. He looked like he wanted to snatch those words back. The last time he had uttered them she had left in the dead of the night and.. "Linda..Linda is waiting for you. She needs your help. Go and get to work."
His breath shuddered out in relief as he saw Linda meeting her right outside his cabin and dragging Arzoo along with her.
****
"Bhai, what are you doing? Haven't you hurt her enough? What has she ever done to you bhai?" Zaki stormed into the dining area where Sahir was trying to have a late night dinner alone. Alone. Always alone. "Honest to God I never pegged you for a sadist. I just met Zara and she told me that her appi wanted to leave and you mouthed some hogwash about the contract and stopped her."
Because I can't let her go. I can't. And I WON'T. Now get lost. Sahir's silent scream went unheard.
"Bhai, look at me. LOOK at me." Sahir indulged him. "Don't you feel pity when you see her?"
No. I don't pity her. I admire her. She might look soft but her spine is pure steel. Just look at the way she pulled herself together after what happened. Why the hell would I pity her?
"It might have all been a game for you. But she LOVED you bhai. With all her heart."
I know. And the memory of that all-encompassing love will stay with me till my last breath. Maybe even after that.
"Are you listening to me? It was my mistake. I told you that. I was the one who mistook her feelings. You want to punish someone, punish me. Why Arzoo?" Sahir gave up the pretense of eating and stood up. "I can't make sense of your behavior anymore. You are not the brother I once knew.."
"She would leave and go where? Search for a house in this huge city? Get a job with practically no experience?" He stood toe to toe with his baby brother. "Listen, you in your Romeo mode might think this world survives on love alone but that is just stupid. To survive you need money. Where is she going to get that? From you?" His smile turned derisive and taunting. "And we all know where you get your money from, don't we? Every paisa that you spend comes out of my pocket." Point made, he took his seat once again.
A small frown of doubt marred Zaki's brow. "So you're trying to protect her?"
Sahir sighed with forced patience. "I'm just saying that if I do end up paying for her, I might as well get something out of it. That project needs to be done in two weeks and her design is an integral part of it."
"So it's business?"
"It was always business Zaki. You know it." Zaki shook his head and walked away but the pensive frown on his face remained.
Neither saw Arzoo just a few feet away the curtains obscuring her slim frame, listening to the whole exchange. So was he protecting her or was it business like he said? Why can't he say something for once and actually mean it? Tired, drained of all energy, yet determined to get through the next few minutes, she squared her shoulders and walked into the dining hall.
"Excuse me sir?"
Sahir, who had lost all his appetite after his conversation with Zaki, had just been about to walk back to his room, stopped. And ensnared her with his dark eyes. That was all it took. One look. And neither seemed capable of averting their gaze. Forcibly reminding herself of the purpose of her visit, she extended a slightly bulging envelope to him. He didn't take it.
"My family and I have moved back to the outhouse this evening sir. I have asked around and found out how much it would cost to live in a house of that size in this area. This is the rent for the last two months. I will start looking for another accommodation at the first chance I get." With an impatient huff, she took his hand and placed the envelope in his hand. "And please don't worry. I neither took the money from your mother nor your brother." She whirled and left only to come back before he could blink. With a soft clatter, she threw a few things on the dining table. His eyes took in the roll of cotton, gauze, savlon and some kind of ointment. "And you better clean up and bandage that hand of yours. " Her smile was full of sarcasm. The derision rivalling that of Sahir Azim Chaudhary. "All your hard work..everything you have put yourself through in the last few days would go waste if you have to spend the time in the emergency room when you could be signing your..deal." The last word almost an obscenity spewing out of her mouth. "Allah knows I'm sure you would find a way to blame that on me as well."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka1JNhprlag
Sahir couldn't take his eyes from her retreating back.
Kaise Batayein, Kyu Tujh ko Chahe,
Yaara bata na Paaye
Baatein dil o ki, Dekho Jo Baaki,
Aankhein tujhe Samjhaye
Tu Jaane Na Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na Tu Jaane Na
His fingers traced the items she had practically thrown at him with utmost reverence.
Mil ke bhi hum na Mile tumse na jaane Kyu
Milo ke hai Fansle Tumse Na jaane kyu
Anjaane Hai SilSile Tum Se Na Jaane Kyu,
Sapno hai Palko tale Tum Se Na Jaane Kyu
She saw his hand? How? When? Does this mean she cares? Was she still..despite all that has happened, trying to take care of him? Hope unfurled. Back in his room, on his bed, like an obedient student, he started cleaning his wound. Not even wincing at the sting of the antiseptic. With a wild flutter of wings, Asharfi chose that moment to fly in and land on his shoulder.
Ghayal Gabbar Chaudhary.
Sahir threw away the soiled cotton before taking out the ointment. "Welcome madam," there was a hint of joy in his deep baritone. "You're early today." Then he showed his palm. "You see this? Guess who gave me this ointment? Arzoo. Now stay still. I need to bandage this or she will scream some more tomorrow."
Nigahon mein Dekho jo hai bas gaya,
woh hai milta tumse hu ba hu..
Jaane teri Aankhein thi ya baatein thi
Wajah hue tum jo dil ki aarzoo
Dr Arzoo.
Sahir grinned at the parrot's words but his eyes remained hopeless. "Dr Arzoo indeed. She hates me Asharfi. Her eyes and words spit venom at me. I know I deserve all that and more. And yet.."
Hum pass ho ke bhi tum aas ho ke bhi,
Ehsaas ho ke bhi... apne nahi..
Aise hai hum ko gileh..tumse najaane kyu..
meelo ke hai fansle..tum se na jaane kyu..
tu jaane na..tu jaane na..
tu jaane na..
He fell back on the bed and waited for Asharfi to walk over his chest. He showed her the envelope filled with money. "She gave me this. Any idea where she got this money from Asharfi?"
Arzoo sold chain. Arzoo Zara.
His fingers fisted and crushed the envelope, his eyes turbulent with helpless fury. Arzoo.
tu jaane na..tu jaane na..
tu jaane na..
****
"Appi, you gave the money to Sahir sir?" Zara asked, coming to sit beside Arzoo.
Arzoo nodded before taking her sister's hand in hers. "Thank you Zara. I didn't want hi..anyone thinking that we're just on for a free ride. And I couldn't have done that if you hadn't given the money you got from that assignment. I know it's your money..your hard-earned money. Allah knows I didn't want to take it.."
"Appi, stop. I understand. I know I haven't been the best sister till date. But whatever happened in the last few days, appi, that changed me. I realized how dependent we all were on you. Your strength. But..but when I saw you like that..all scared and broken..I didn't know what to do Appi. I got scared and there was no you to hug me and tell me that everything was going to be OK. I took it for granted all these days. Took you for granted. Thought you were just bossing everyone around. Hated it and you. You were trying your best to take care of us and I.."
Arzoo closed her sister's mouth. "Zara, chup. Allah knows, it was not your mistake. The last few days made me also realize a few things. I have always treated you like a troublesome kid. Never knew my Zara has become a responsible adult until she turned around and became my pillar of support."
"But appi, ammi had kept that chain safe for your nikah. And now you've sold it off without telling her," Zara despaired.
"Don't think about that now." She took Zara's hand in hers. "And I promise you that from now on I'll share both my joys and my problems with you."
"Thank you Appi." Zara's face lit up as she hugged her sister. "But truth be told, I couldn't have done it without Sahir sir's support."
Arzoo Nausheen Khan, mujhse nikah karogi?
Meri zindagi mein pehlese koi hain. Mein shaadi shuda hoon.
Her fingers curled into fists as her eyes turned turbulent in helpless agitation. Sahir.
****
"Jahaara..Jahaara..please listen to me." Zaki quickened his stride to reach Arzoo who had been on her way to the office. She stopped but didn't turn around or smile like she usually did. In fact she looked like she resented having to stop. He stopped before her, his smile slipping and falling off at her blank look. "You're still angry with me Jahaara?"
"Zaki I suggest you don't ask me questions for which you already know the answers."
The light in his eyes dimmed as his gaze turned contrite. "I know I deserve all your anger Jahaara. You gave me the gift of your friendship and I..Jahaara, what I told you..I wasn't lying. I really do love you. I know you don't want to hear it and you don't feel the same way about me but I will wait. I will wait for you to heal. I will wait for you to forgive me. I will do whatever it takes to win back the trust that I have lost." He looked determined as he reached inside his jacket and took out a folded paper. "This is my first gesture in trying to show that your trust in me was not misplaced. The DNA report. It came just now. It proves that I am not the father of Samaira's child."
Arzoo didn't take the paper from him. Just looked at him with deep, probing eyes and asked, "Did you show it to Sahir sir?"
He shook his head. "My first instinct was to come to you."
Arzoo looked ready to slap him again. Only the thought of Alvira being her mom's friend stopped her. "I don't even know what to say to you Zaki. The issue that I had the right to know first, you went and told your brother. And now this one? This one your brother has the right to know first and here you are. Whatever I did at that time I did because I thought it would give time for you and Sahir sir to figure out.." She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Please, now go and show it to him." She turned to go but stopped. "After all your philandering ways, the one time you speak the truth, none could dare take your word for it. You have the proof now in your hands. Hope it was worth it Zaki."
****
After all your philandering ways, the one time you speak the truth, none could dare take your word for it.
The words kept ringing in Zaki's ears. He had been deeply offended that even his mother hadn't trusted him enough to give the benefit of doubt. But Arzoo was right. He never gave them any reason to trust him. But he would change. He had already changed. He had changed when Jahaara entered his life. Now he would strive to be a better person. If Sahir bhai gave him a chance, he would show that he could and would be a better person. Squaring his shoulders, he knocked and entered his brother's cabin in Saiyyara.
"Bhai, assalamualaikum."
Sahir closed the file. "Walaikum salam. I was just about to call you. Rahman saab and Samaira are on their way. Today evening you're going to stand up, take responsibility and announce your engagement to Samaira."
Zaki extended the report to his brother. "Arzoo is right bhai. I never gave you any reason to believe that I could be saying the truth. So I'm not asking you to. I have the proof now. This is the DNA report."
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