Okay so this sticks to the OG chracterisation. Here's the brief in case you forgot:
Shahzaib and Isra figure out others are the culprits, but they need hardcore proof. So they are pretending to fight in front of the world. They talk to Hammad, who says he will check Naina's phone, Razaa is gonna be on Sameera duty. Which leaves Khala Jaan and Nimra. So our couple decides to use Nimra's one weakness against her, aka her desire for Shahzaib.
*****************
PART 1
âIsra? Can you come with me, please?â I was instructing Zareena, when Shahzaib came jogging towards the kitchen.
âSure, just give me a minute?â I asked him. âI am giving her the list of ingredients for your favourite truffle cake.â He nodded, tapping his foot irritatingly near the pantry, biting his lip. I rolled my eyes at his childishness and quickly explained everything to Zareena. Soon, I went to Shahzaib, motioning him to move. He grabbed my hand and started to walk briskly towards our room.
So impatient?
âShahzaib!â I panted when we entered our bedroom. âSlow down! Do you want some lovinâ or what?â
âHuh no! Not right now!â He blushed and ran his fingers through his hair. âSit and hear me out okay?â
Okay. Weird.
âOkay soâŚI know someone here is upto some kind of shit. How is it that Haaris always turns up everywhere we are? And you said you informed mumma that you were going to see your mother and she refusedâŚit does not add up.â
âRight.â It was all dawning on me now. âThat makes sense. But how are we going to find out?â
He sighed, âIt canât just be the two of us. We need more people who can help us.â
âBut who will?â I asked him. âI donât even know whom to trust.â
He pursed his lips, âHow about Hammad?â
âBhai might be of helpâŚâ I thought out loud.
âHe wonât blab in front of his wife for sure,â Shahzaib agreed.
Quickly I picked my phone and dialled my brother, putting the phone on speaker. After about three rings he received the call, âHi chotu.â
âBhai!â I said. âListen, are you alone?â
âYeah.â
âAre you sure no one is around you?â
âYes, I was driving, tell me what happened.â
âThis is urgent. And youâre on speakerphone. Shahzaibâs also here.â
âOh. Hi Shahzaib.â
âHi. Okay listen, this is extremely important and private, promise me you wonât tell anyone.â
âAbsolutely not, but is everything okay?â Bhai's voice was laced with concern.
âWe are okay. Just have some questions for you.â I said reassuringly.
Shahzaib continued, âWhen aunty was admitted in the hospital, the night you were in Islamabad, who all did you call?â
âThe caretaker, Saima and some hospital for ambulances. Why?â
My heart sped up, âDid you not call Haaris?â
âUhh nope.â
Oh shit.
âHe said he was informed by you!â Shahzaib said urgently. I heard his breathing pick up in anxiety. Not knowing what else to do, I squeezed the back of his hand. His responding smile was everything.
âI did not call him, Shahzaib.â
âAre you a 100% positive?â
âListen Isra, I hate that the root cause of mummaâs deteriorating health is living in Shahzaibâs house, but if I am making amends then I am genuinely doing it.â
What?!
âI donât get you. I thought you were getting over what Shahzaib did,â I said.
âNot Shahzaib. His mother.â
âWhat did mumma do?â My husbandâs voice dropped an octave in anger.
Bhai sighed, âI promised myself I would not tell you two.â
âHammad, this is extremely important. With the kind of things going on, its impacting our marriage.â
âOh myâŚokayâŚso, your mother came over on the day of your Walima and told us that we were the ones who tied Isra to you for your wealth. And she did invite usâŚbut said we would be shameless enough to show our faces.â
Silence.
Tears pricked the corner of my eyes as I looked at Shahzaib. He had an expression of bewilderment and pain, his eyes boring into mine. A tear slipped down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away.
âHammad, what are you saying?â Shahzaib said, his voice gruff and shaky.
âThe truth,â Bhai said. âLook, I know this is about your mother, but if it comes to my sisterâs marriage, I wonât hide anything.â
âNo no no,â Shahzaib replied. âYou did the right thingâŚI just donât know what to say.â
âFace it Shahzaib, this is who she is. Donât tell me she and that other girl never badmouthed Isra in front of you.â
âSheâŚhasâŚâ Shahzaib nodded, nostrils flaring in anger. âOther girl?â
âYou know, fair, short, straight long hairâŚcalls her âKhalaâ.â
âNimra!â I exclaimed, eyes widening.
âI cannot believe she lied to us,â Shahzaib muttered.
âAre you okay?â Bhaiâs voice came through the speaker.
âYa I just⌠can you meet us?â Shahzaib asked. âIn 2 hours, I will text you the address.â
âSure.â
âAnd one more thing, do you doubt anyone from your house? If my mother is possibly in contact with Haaris, then I want to make sure I check all the options.â
âMy wife,â Bhai was pretty direct. âSheâs the only one who is saying things against Isra.â
âCan you find something? Anything?â
âIâll try. I need to keep the call now if I want to reach your place in time.â
âOkay, weâll see you there? Donât tell anyone.â
I cut the call and looked at Shahzaib, who had his face buried in his hands. âHey,â I said gently, standing up. âCome here.â He moved closer to me, resting his head on my torso while I stroked his hair gently. âSweetheart it okââ
âNo, its not,â he growled. âIsra theyâve crossed all boundaries. ThisâŚthis is irredeemable.â
âBut now we know the truth, yes? We can do something about it,â I coaxed him, kissing his forehead.
âYes we canâŚyes we willâŚâ he whispered against my torso, kissing there through the fabric. I smiled and pulled his face up, giving him a peck.
âSo we have Bhai on our side.â
âYes. But Isra, this also means Haaris was informed by someone else to go to the hospital.â
âWould Nimra or AuntyâŚâ My voice trailed off. âThat seems unlikely.â
âAfter what just happened, I would not say unlikely,â he replied truthfully. âAlthough, I donât have proof.â
âExactlyâŚwhere did they meet?â
âOne person may know,â Shahzaib raised his eyebrow, giving me a knowing look.
âShahzaib no.â
âIsra yes.â
***********
âYou ass.â I bit my nails, sitting on the bed as Shahzaib cornered a terrified looking Razaa into the wall. âYou knew everything, all of this. Why the f**k did you not say anything? Have I not been a good brother? Have I not given you everything you have ever wanted?â
âShah, I,â Razaa stuttered. âI was not aware this is how far they would go.â
âSo you would only open your mouth if I would bring divorce papers in the hour or Isra would demand a âKhullaâ? What kind of a brother are you?â
âThe disgusting kind!â Razaa yelped. âLook I am sorry! I had no idea this was happening. I mean the Harris thing, I donât know, But yes they are all plotting together, mumma, Sameera and Nimra.â
âYou little b**ch, you need to earn my trust now okay?â Shahzaib was seething with fury. âIf anyone comes between Isra and I, they are dead meat.â
âOkay!â I stepped between them, pushing Shahzaib off Razaa. âHe apologised Shahziab, and he was also the first and only person to accept me in the house.â
âWell he will prove his loyalty now. And be careful if you double cross meââ
âI wonât, I promise,â Razaa said earnestly. âIf this is how Sameera isâŚI donât want her.â
âMaybe you guys can work itââ
âNo Bhabhi,â he interrupted me. âIf someone has tried to break apart this family for their selfish motiveâŚI donât want that in my life.â
âAre you sure?â
âYes.â
âThen time for you to prove yourself,â Shahzaib said dominantly, putting an arm around my waist. The gesture made Razaa smile. âYou will get hold of Sameeraâs phone and check if there is anything related to Haaris. And I want proof. After you are done, you will sneak out to my other house. I want you there in two hours.â
âDone, Shah. I promise I wonât disappoint you,â Razaa squeezed Shahzaibâs shoulder. âIâll see you there.â
Shahzaib waited until Razaa left the room. When the door shut, I found myself in his embrace instantly. âI am so so sorry,â he whispered. âI didnât know.â
âIts okay,â I murmured, embracing him tightly. âWeâre in this together.â
âYes. Which actually leads me to the next two peopleâŚNimra and Mumma.â
âWhat about them?â
âWe have to check for proof.â
âOh,â I pulled away to look at him. âWhat do you suggest?â
âYou chose.â
âNimra wonât let her guard down around me. So I guess you will have to tackle her,â I muttered, not liking my husband would go close to that vile human.
âOnly if it is okay with you. I might have to sweet talk her,â Shahzaib said.
âUh!â I groaned, burying my face in his chest. âI hate that woman.â
He chuckled, âI am not a fan of hers either. But we gotta do this okay? Weâre on the clock.â
âStill,â I continued to mutter.
âBaby come on,â he coaxed me. âOkay, how do I prove she means nothing to me?â
âYou donât have to prove anything,â I sighed. âBut thereâs something youâre gonna need to do.â
âAnything.â
âPretend to fight with me. That way no one will doubt our disappearance. They will think you went out in anger and I went to my motherâs.â
Shahzaib smirked, âMy my baby. Didnât know you were so smart.â
âNow you do.â
âMmhmm.â
âSo come on, yell and leave!â
âBefore that, I want something you have,â he said, grinning mischievously, his eyes darkening.
I bit my lip, blushing, âShahzaibâŚâ
**************
âMy knees and elbows hurt,â I complained, while fixing my hair.
âGood!â Shahzaib replied, dabbing himself with a towel, trying to make himself presentable.
âWhat was that, 5 minutes?â
âIts called a quickie!â He huffed.
I giggled at his tone, âYouâre insatiable.â
âSo are you. Now fight!â
We moved closer to the door, he motioned me to start.
âYou are horrible!â I yelled out loud. âI canât believe you!â
âI canât believe you!â He yelled back.
âGet out!â I pushed him towards the door. âOut of here!â
âGladly!â Before he opened the door, he quickly tugged me to him, kissing me. âLove you.â He said softly.
âLove you too.â
He pulled the door roughly and stormed out, walking past Nimra and Sameera, who were lurking. Both of them failed to hide their smiles.
Game on bi**hes.