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
‘Isra? Can you come with me, please?’ I was instructing Zareena, when Shahzaib came jogging towards the kitchen.
‘Sure, just give me a minute?’ I asked him. ‘I am giving her the list of ingredients for your favourite truffle cake.’ 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?
‘Shahzaib!’ I panted when we entered our bedroom. ‘Slow down! Do you want some lovin’ or what?’
‘Huh no! Not right now!’ He blushed and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Sit and hear me out okay?’
Okay. Weird.
‘Okay so…I 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 refused…it does not add up.’
‘Right.’ It was all dawning on me now. ‘That makes sense. But how are we going to find out?’
He sighed, ‘It can’t just be the two of us. We need more people who can help us.’
‘But who will?’ I asked him. ‘I don’t even know whom to trust.’
He pursed his lips, ‘How about Hammad?’
‘Bhai might be of help…’ I thought out loud.
‘He won’t blab in front of his wife for sure,’ Shahzaib agreed.
Quickly I picked my phone and dialled my brother, putting the phone on speaker. After about three rings he received the call, ‘Hi chotu.’
‘Bhai!’ I said. ‘Listen, are you alone?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Are you sure no one is around you?’
‘Yes, I was driving, tell me what happened.’
‘This is urgent. And you’re on speakerphone. Shahzaib’s also here.’
‘Oh. Hi Shahzaib.’
‘Hi. Okay listen, this is extremely important and private, promise me you won’t tell anyone.’
‘Absolutely not, but is everything okay?’ Bhai's voice was laced with concern.
‘We are okay. Just have some questions for you.’ I said reassuringly.
Shahzaib continued, ‘When aunty was admitted in the hospital, the night you were in Islamabad, who all did you call?’
‘The caretaker, Saima and some hospital for ambulances. Why?’
My heart sped up, ‘Did you not call Haaris?’
‘Uhh nope.’
Oh shit.
‘He said he was informed by you!’ 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.
‘I did not call him, Shahzaib.’
‘Are you a 100% positive?’
‘Listen Isra, I hate that the root cause of mumma’s deteriorating health is living in Shahzaib’s house, but if I am making amends then I am genuinely doing it.’
What?!
‘I don’t get you. I thought you were getting over what Shahzaib did,’ I said.
‘Not Shahzaib. His mother.’
‘What did mumma do?’ My husband’s voice dropped an octave in anger.
Bhai sighed, ‘I promised myself I would not tell you two.’
‘Hammad, this is extremely important. With the kind of things going on, its impacting our marriage.’
‘Oh my…okay…so, 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 us…but said we would be shameless enough to show our faces.’
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.
‘Hammad, what are you saying?’ Shahzaib said, his voice gruff and shaky.
‘The truth,’ Bhai said. ‘Look, I know this is about your mother, but if it comes to my sister’s marriage, I won’t hide anything.’
‘No no no,’ Shahzaib replied. ‘You did the right thing…I just don’t know what to say.’
‘Face it Shahzaib, this is who she is. Don’t tell me she and that other girl never badmouthed Isra in front of you.’
‘She…has…’ Shahzaib nodded, nostrils flaring in anger. ‘Other girl?’
‘You know, fair, short, straight long hair…calls her “Khala”.’
‘Nimra!’ I exclaimed, eyes widening.
‘I cannot believe she lied to us,’ Shahzaib muttered.
‘Are you okay?’ Bhai’s voice came through the speaker.
‘Ya I just… can you meet us?’ Shahzaib asked. ‘In 2 hours, I will text you the address.’
‘Sure.’
‘And 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.’
‘My wife,’ Bhai was pretty direct. ‘She’s the only one who is saying things against Isra.’
‘Can you find something? Anything?’
‘I’ll try. I need to keep the call now if I want to reach your place in time.’
‘Okay, we’ll see you there? Don’t tell anyone.’
I cut the call and looked at Shahzaib, who had his face buried in his hands. ‘Hey,’ I said gently, standing up. ‘Come here.’ He moved closer to me, resting his head on my torso while I stroked his hair gently. ‘Sweetheart it ok—’
‘No, its not,’ he growled. ‘Isra they’ve crossed all boundaries. This…this is irredeemable.’
‘But now we know the truth, yes? We can do something about it,’ I coaxed him, kissing his forehead.
‘Yes we can…yes we will…’ he whispered against my torso, kissing there through the fabric. I smiled and pulled his face up, giving him a peck.
‘So we have Bhai on our side.’
‘Yes. But Isra, this also means Haaris was informed by someone else to go to the hospital.’
‘Would Nimra or Aunty…’ My voice trailed off. ‘That seems unlikely.’
‘After what just happened, I would not say unlikely,’ he replied truthfully. ‘Although, I don’t have proof.’
‘Exactly…where did they meet?’
‘One person may know,’ Shahzaib raised his eyebrow, giving me a knowing look.
‘Shahzaib no.’
‘Isra yes.’
***********
‘You ass.’ I bit my nails, sitting on the bed as Shahzaib cornered a terrified looking Razaa into the wall. ‘You 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?’
‘Shah, I,’ Razaa stuttered. ‘I was not aware this is how far they would go.’
‘So you would only open your mouth if I would bring divorce papers in the hour or Isra would demand a “Khulla”? What kind of a brother are you?’
‘The disgusting kind!’ Razaa yelped. ‘Look I am sorry! I had no idea this was happening. I mean the Harris thing, I don’t know, But yes they are all plotting together, mumma, Sameera and Nimra.’
‘You little b**ch, you need to earn my trust now okay?’ Shahzaib was seething with fury. ‘If anyone comes between Isra and I, they are dead meat.’
‘Okay!’ I stepped between them, pushing Shahzaib off Razaa. ‘He apologised Shahziab, and he was also the first and only person to accept me in the house.’
‘Well he will prove his loyalty now. And be careful if you double cross me—’
‘I won’t, I promise,’ Razaa said earnestly. ‘If this is how Sameera is…I don’t want her.’
‘Maybe you guys can work it—’
‘No Bhabhi,’ he interrupted me. ‘If someone has tried to break apart this family for their selfish motive…I don’t want that in my life.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then time for you to prove yourself,’ Shahzaib said dominantly, putting an arm around my waist. The gesture made Razaa smile. ‘You will get hold of Sameera’s 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.’
‘Done, Shah. I promise I won’t disappoint you,’ Razaa squeezed Shahzaib’s shoulder. ‘I’ll see you there.’
Shahzaib waited until Razaa left the room. When the door shut, I found myself in his embrace instantly. ‘I am so so sorry,’ he whispered. ‘I didn’t know.’
‘Its okay,’ I murmured, embracing him tightly. ‘We’re in this together.’
‘Yes. Which actually leads me to the next two people…Nimra and Mumma.’
‘What about them?’
‘We have to check for proof.’
‘Oh,’ I pulled away to look at him. ‘What do you suggest?’
‘You chose.’
‘Nimra won’t let her guard down around me. So I guess you will have to tackle her,’ I muttered, not liking my husband would go close to that vile human.
‘Only if it is okay with you. I might have to sweet talk her,’ Shahzaib said.
‘Uh!’ I groaned, burying my face in his chest. ‘I hate that woman.’
He chuckled, ‘I am not a fan of hers either. But we gotta do this okay? We’re on the clock.’
‘Still,’ I continued to mutter.
‘Baby come on,’ he coaxed me. ‘Okay, how do I prove she means nothing to me?’
‘You don’t have to prove anything,’ I sighed. ‘But there’s something you’re gonna need to do.’
‘Anything.’
‘Pretend 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 mother’s.’
Shahzaib smirked, ‘My my baby. Didn’t know you were so smart.’
‘Now you do.’
‘Mmhmm.’
‘So come on, yell and leave!’
‘Before that, I want something you have,’ he said, grinning mischievously, his eyes darkening.
I bit my lip, blushing, ‘Shahzaib…’
**************
‘My knees and elbows hurt,’ I complained, while fixing my hair.
‘Good!’ Shahzaib replied, dabbing himself with a towel, trying to make himself presentable.
‘What was that, 5 minutes?’
‘Its called a quickie!’ He huffed.
I giggled at his tone, ‘You’re insatiable.’
‘So are you. Now fight!’
We moved closer to the door, he motioned me to start.
‘You are horrible!’ I yelled out loud. ‘I can’t believe you!’
‘I can’t believe you!’ He yelled back.
‘Get out!’ I pushed him towards the door. ‘Out of here!’
‘Gladly!’ Before he opened the door, he quickly tugged me to him, kissing me. ‘Love you.’ He said softly.
‘Love you too.’
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.
Jhanak
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