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.
******************
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.
āWhoās it?ā
āIsraā
There was a moment of silence. āOh Isra. Come in,ā she said, slight venom and triumph evident in her voice.
I hung my head low and entered the room, āI hope I did not disturb you.ā
āNot at all!ā 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. āWhatās wrong beta? Come sit and tell me everything.ā
Of course you want to know everything. You want to use it against me.
āThank you,ā I sniffled. āI donāt know where to start.ā
āWherever you want to start from, beta.ā Had I not known her truth, I would have thought she is genuine.
āAunty, Shahzaib and Iā¦weāve been fighting,ā I said, faking crying.
From the corner of my eye I noticed a slight smile on her face, which she hid immediately, āWhat happened? I thought everything was fine?ā
āIts just thatā¦I cannot understand why he wonāt listen to me. Or agree to what I am saying,ā I fake-wept. āDonāt wives have the right to tell husbands what they deem wrong?ā
āOh they do. Most absolutely do,ā she replied. āIf you donāt mind me asking you beta, what is the issue exactly.ā
I hiccupped and looked at her. āThe presence of our exes is causing problems, aunty.ā Not.
Her eyes gleamed, thinking she won, āOh no! That will not do! You know what Isra, I will talk to him. You donāt worry, I know my son very well and know exactly how to explain this situation to him okay? You relax and take a break.ā
I started to cry harder, hoping she would do what I wanted her to do.
She panicked, āIsra, stop crying! Oh hoā¦Zareena? Zareena! Get some water here now!ā
I hid my grin, covering my face with my hands. Zareena must have reached the market to buy the ingredients for Shahzaibās truffle cake.
Aunty did not stop calling out though, āZareena! Zarā God these maids are so bloody incompetent! Just wait here okay, Isra? Iāll be right back.ā
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. Haarisās 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
Weāre working on the same goal.
You need to go to the hospital right now.
From: Haaris
Why?
To: Haaris
Israās there. So is Shahzaib. Her motherās fallen sick.
From: Haaris
Iāll 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. Shahzaibās 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 involvedā¦that 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. Noā¦that 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 thatās 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. āHere you go,ā she said. āYouāll feel better.ā
I pretended to take a small sip, not trusting her. If all I knew she would have drugged my water. āThank you aunty.ā
āYou donāt have to thank me. I am like your mother only.ā
Liar.
I still smiled at her. āAuntyā¦would it be okay if I go stay at my motherās today? I cannot stay with Shahzaib tonight, I need a break.ā
Oh the sadistic pleasure in her eyes. āNo problem. Iāll inform Shahzaib.ā
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 ā¤ļø
Wru?
To: Shahzaib ā¤ļø
M done
From: Shahzaib ā¤ļø
Did you find anything?
To: Shahzaib ā¤ļø
Discuss @ other place.
From: Shahzaib ā¤ļø
OK.
Starting mineā¦come 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 Nimraās back to me. Shahzaib noticed me, relaxing his shoulders. Nimra of course did not notice it. No one would except me.
āWhatās the matter, Shahzaib?ā Nimra asked him. āYou look stressed.ā
He sighed dramatically, making me grin. āMarriage is the matter.ā
āOh no!ā She could not even fake remorse. āIs there anything I can do?ā
āNot really,ā he replied. āThings are tensed between Isra and Iā¦I really donāt know if things would get better.ā 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, āIt will be okay Shahzaib. Donāt worry. I am here for you in anyway you want.ā
That stress on anywayā¦b**ch.
āThanks Nimra.ā Shahzaib forced a smile on his face. āIt means a lot.ā
āAnytime.ā
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 faƧade. I decided to agree with the latter, very difficultly. I could be claim my husband later tonight.
āListen,ā Shahzaib said, getting up suddenly, which caused Nimra to drop her hand. āCan you do something for me?ā He asked her, adding a smile by the end of the sentence.
Nimraās eyes were shining, āAnything.ā
āI need to go to a meeting right now and will be back tomorrow. But I think Iāve damaged my phone during my fight. Can I take yours?ā
Hesitation crossed her face and my heart sank. Think Shahzaib, quick!
āNot if you donāt want to,ā he added hurriedly. His expression got softer, eyes gentler. āBut I donāt know who else to ask. I cannot tell my mother now that Isra broke my phone, can I?ā
āIsra did?ā She quipped. āShahzaib, you can take my phone! The passwordās 1990.ā
āAre you sure? I donāt want to be of any inconvenience,ā he asked her for confirmation, giving her puppy-dog eyes. Sneaky sneakyā¦but great job baby.
She smiled shyly, āYou could never be of inconvenience. Take it, you can return it to me tomorrow.ā
āThanks Nimra.ā He smiled at her. āIāll get back to work now, if thatās alright with you.ā
āIāll get you some tea.ā
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.
āBefore you say anything,ā he started. āI know I am in trouble tonight.ā
āYou got the mobile so youāre safe for now. But I donāt want to having tea with her, so get out of her.ā
He chuckled and came to hug me, āBaby donāt get jealous. It is a part of the plan. If it makes you feel any better, I flinched when she touched me.ā
āNot good enough but it will do for now,ā I said, kissing his cheek. āNow leave and I want you to wait at Our Spot.ā
āGotcha.ā 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 Shahzaibās 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 Shahzaibās 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 Haarisās 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.
āThat was quick,ā he commented. āCouldnāt stay away from me?ā
I rolled my eyes, āJust drive.ā
āSo you can stay away from me?ā He pressed on, loving to annoy me.
āThis particular habit of yours will never go away, I assume?ā I countered.
āNope.ā His lips popped the āpā. āBut you did not answer me.ā
āIāll show you tonight,ā I replied, earning a huge grin from him.
āThatās my girl.ā
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 Bhaiās car was already there and Razaās was parked a few meters away.
āHey,ā 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 Nimraās phone out, while I got mine.
āNice,ā Razaa commented, recognising the device in Shahzaibās hands.
āWasnāt easy.ā He replied.
āMustāve helped that she fancies you,ā Bhai added, smirking slightly.
Was I just witnessing the men bonding at the worst possible time?
āBoys, we can do this later.ā They snickered at my comment. āPreferably when I am not around.ā
āSorry,ā Bhai said. āSoā¦whoās starting?ā
Razaa unlocked his phone immediately, āYou wonāt believe your eyes when you see this.ā
331