Chapter Synopsis:
Shahzaib uses emotions to trap Nimra while Isra uses her intellect to access Khala Jaan's phone. Nimra behaviour irks Isra, but Shahzaib himself is uncomfortable. Later the two sneak out without anyone's notice to the other house, where they meet Razaa and Hammad in order to piece everything together.
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PART 2
I sneaked my way towards Nafisa Aunty's room, cautiously looking around. Shahzaib and I had come up with a lie that we knew would work.
Time to get to it.
When there were enough fake tears in my eyes and I noticed her sitting on the bed, I knocked on the door.
âWhoâs it?â
âIsraâ
There was a moment of silence. âOh Isra. Come in,â she said, slight venom and triumph evident in her voice.
I hung my head low and entered the room, âI hope I did not disturb you.â
âNot at all!â She was taken aback after seeing my appearance. The last thing she would expect was to see me in such a state, even though I knew it was fake. âWhatâs wrong beta? Come sit and tell me everything.â
Of course you want to know everything. You want to use it against me.
âThank you,â I sniffled. âI donât know where to start.â
âWherever you want to start from, beta.â Had I not known her truth, I would have thought she is genuine.
âAunty, Shahzaib and IâŠweâve been fighting,â I said, faking crying.
From the corner of my eye I noticed a slight smile on her face, which she hid immediately, âWhat happened? I thought everything was fine?â
âIts just thatâŠI cannot understand why he wonât listen to me. Or agree to what I am saying,â I fake-wept. âDonât wives have the right to tell husbands what they deem wrong?â
âOh they do. Most absolutely do,â she replied. âIf you donât mind me asking you beta, what is the issue exactly.â
I hiccupped and looked at her. âThe presence of our exes is causing problems, aunty.â Not.
Her eyes gleamed, thinking she won, âOh no! That will not do! You know what Isra, I will talk to him. You donât worry, I know my son very well and know exactly how to explain this situation to him okay? You relax and take a break.â
I started to cry harder, hoping she would do what I wanted her to do.
She panicked, âIsra, stop crying! Oh hoâŠZareena? Zareena! Get some water here now!â
I hid my grin, covering my face with my hands. Zareena must have reached the market to buy the ingredients for Shahzaibâs truffle cake.
Aunty did not stop calling out though, âZareena! Zarâ God these maids are so bloody incompetent! Just wait here okay, Isra? Iâll be right back.â
As soon as she left the room, I spotted her phone at the nightstand. Jackpot. It would take her at lest 10 minutes to return with the water, more than enough time for me. Quickly I unlocked the phone, keeping an eye on the door. First thing I looked up was her contact list. My blood froze when I found it. Haarisâs number was one of the most dialled and was saved recently. I got my phone out, taking pictures of her call logs and everything. Next, I opened her WhatsApp. Haaris was there too. The chat boiled my blood.
From: Haaris
Thanks again for the bail.
To: Haaris
Weâre working on the same goal.
You need to go to the hospital right now.
From: Haaris
Why?
To: Haaris
Israâs there. So is Shahzaib. Her motherâs fallen sick.
From: Haaris
Iâll say Hammad called me.
To: Haaris
Keep me updated.
My hands were shaky but I took the pictures swiftly, closing the app and placing the phone back where it was. Genuine tears threatened to spill. Shahzaibâs mother is the mole? She had been informing Haaris about my whereabouts, that is how the creep would turn up everywhere. So if his mother was involvedâŠthat means Sameera and Nimra were too.
What kind of a family was this? What kind of a mother was she? She got sadistic pleasure by inflicting pain on her son. She was the happiest when her son was not. NoâŠthat is not what good parents do. This family was toxic, totally and completely toxic. And Shahzaib did not deserve such a mess.
One sentence did not make any sense to me though. Haaris said something about a bail, but thatâs never happened, has it? How come I had no idea of this?
The sound of footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts. Nafisa Aunty entered the room with a glass of water. âHere you go,â she said. âYouâll feel better.â
I pretended to take a small sip, not trusting her. If all I knew she would have drugged my water. âThank you aunty.â
âYou donât have to thank me. I am like your mother only.â
Liar.
I still smiled at her. âAuntyâŠwould it be okay if I go stay at my motherâs today? I cannot stay with Shahzaib tonight, I need a break.â
Oh the sadistic pleasure in her eyes. âNo problem. Iâll inform Shahzaib.â
Like hell you will. You think this is an opportunity to create misunderstandings.
I smiled and left the room, towards the pool area when my phone buzzed.
From: Shahzaib â€ïž
Wru?
To: Shahzaib â€ïž
M done
From: Shahzaib â€ïž
Did you find anything?
To: Shahzaib â€ïž
Discuss @ other place.
From: Shahzaib â€ïž
OK.
Starting mineâŠcome quickly.
As planned, Shahzaib would sweet talk Nimra and get hold of her phone. However, he wanted me to be around in case she behaved inappropriately. In English, it meant if she tried to get into his pants.
I knew he had decided to do this in the study, so I rushed towards it. The door was slightly ajar as expected and I could see Nimraâs back to me. Shahzaib noticed me, relaxing his shoulders. Nimra of course did not notice it. No one would except me.
âWhatâs the matter, Shahzaib?â Nimra asked him. âYou look stressed.â
He sighed dramatically, making me grin. âMarriage is the matter.â
âOh no!â She could not even fake remorse. âIs there anything I can do?â
âNot really,â he replied. âThings are tensed between Isra and IâŠI really donât know if things would get better.â To add to the drama, he placed his head in his palms.
I nearly walked into the room to punch Nimra when I saw her move around the desk and place her hand on his shoulder, âIt will be okay Shahzaib. Donât worry. I am here for you in anyway you want.â
That stress on anywayâŠb**ch.
âThanks Nimra.â Shahzaib forced a smile on his face. âIt means a lot.â
âAnytime.â
I had not known what true jealousy and possessiveness was until this very minute. My heart was screaming at me to go into the room and claim what was mine, but my brain was telling me to calm down, it was all a façade. I decided to agree with the latter, very difficultly. I could be claim my husband later tonight.
âListen,â Shahzaib said, getting up suddenly, which caused Nimra to drop her hand. âCan you do something for me?â He asked her, adding a smile by the end of the sentence.
Nimraâs eyes were shining, âAnything.â
âI need to go to a meeting right now and will be back tomorrow. But I think Iâve damaged my phone during my fight. Can I take yours?â
Hesitation crossed her face and my heart sank. Think Shahzaib, quick!
âNot if you donât want to,â he added hurriedly. His expression got softer, eyes gentler. âBut I donât know who else to ask. I cannot tell my mother now that Isra broke my phone, can I?â
âIsra did?â She quipped. âShahzaib, you can take my phone! The passwordâs 1990.â
âAre you sure? I donât want to be of any inconvenience,â he asked her for confirmation, giving her puppy-dog eyes. Sneaky sneakyâŠbut great job baby.
She smiled shyly, âYou could never be of inconvenience. Take it, you can return it to me tomorrow.â
âThanks Nimra.â He smiled at her. âIâll get back to work now, if thatâs alright with you.â
âIâll get you some tea.â
I ran into the next room, hiding behind the door until she was gone. When the coast was clear, I sneaked out and tip-toed to the study. Shahzaib was smirking at me, shaking the phone like a trophy.
âBefore you say anything,â he started. âI know I am in trouble tonight.â
âYou got the mobile so youâre safe for now. But I donât want to having tea with her, so get out of her.â
He chuckled and came to hug me, âBaby donât get jealous. It is a part of the plan. If it makes you feel any better, I flinched when she touched me.â
âNot good enough but it will do for now,â I said, kissing his cheek. âNow leave and I want you to wait at Our Spot.â
âGotcha.â He kissed my forehead in return and exited the study. I made sure everything was in place before sneaking downstairs from an alternate staircase route, which ended near the adjacent wing of our bedroom. I walked casually towards the poolside, noticing Shahzaibâs car gone. Smiling inwardly, I pretended to book a cab and got out of the gate.
The Spot, was actually a spot very close to Shahzaibâs house, around 10 minutes walking. It was where I would pick him from at times when he was not driving so that we could go out on dates. Never did I expect we would be utilising the spot in this way. But I made sure to glance around at all times, including for Haarisâs car. Fortunately, there were no signs.
My heart fluttered when I spotted the Toyota SUV waiting for me. Rushing to it, I got in. Shahzaib had put on a cap and sunglasses.
âThat was quick,â he commented. âCouldnât stay away from me?â
I rolled my eyes, âJust drive.â
âSo you can stay away from me?â He pressed on, loving to annoy me.
âThis particular habit of yours will never go away, I assume?â I countered.
âNope.â His lips popped the âpâ. âBut you did not answer me.â
âIâll show you tonight,â I replied, earning a huge grin from him.
âThatâs my girl.â
We drove in silence for the rest of the journey, my hands interlaced with his left one, only letting go when he would switch the car from D to P and vice versa.
When we arrived, I noticed Bhaiâs car was already there and Razaâs was parked a few meters away.
âHey,â I murmured, keeping my head low. We all stepped in quietly, getting inside the house. Razaa and Bhai sat on the dining table across us, their phones on the table. Shahzaib got Nimraâs phone out, while I got mine.
âNice,â Razaa commented, recognising the device in Shahzaibâs hands.
âWasnât easy.â He replied.
âMustâve helped that she fancies you,â Bhai added, smirking slightly.
Was I just witnessing the men bonding at the worst possible time?
âBoys, we can do this later.â They snickered at my comment. âPreferably when I am not around.â
âSorry,â Bhai said. âSoâŠwhoâs starting?â
Razaa unlocked his phone immediately, âYou wonât believe your eyes when you see this.â