ArHi FF: Love and Other Four Letter Words DSCNTD - Page 7

Simi, this is amazing! Sorry I haven't been commenting lately but I promise I've been reading! Loved this update and the flashback was beautiful! Thanks for the pm 😃

LOFLW Part 3:

Fatty walked in, trembly, and after nodding at Shaida, ran to the restroom, lest her tears be seen.

She remembered the words and blows she had left her house to.

"Run! That's all you can do, useless bitch!"

Then the blows. The ones that never failed to bring her to her knees. They hurt less than the words. They had driven her to almost suicide.

She bent over the sink, and sobbed silently, her lips stretching painfully over bruised skin as she wailed. She wailed for her lost childhood. For the brother she once had.

She heard knocks on the door, and looked up at herself into the mirror. Her gray eyes were pink. She would move over that by saying she had drunk too much last night. Then she tentatively looked to the almost purple marks on her jaw, where her stepmother had left no mercy. She tried to smile, and winced. Then, gritting her teeth, and opening up the messenger bag she had brought into
the bathroom, she pulled out the antiseptics she had been using since she was six. The door banged open, but she didn't let her concentration waver. She knew it was Khushi. It had always been Khushi, for the last ten years. She allowed herself to be spun around, and silently treated, throughout which she sat still. Then Khushi ventured to her cheek, and she couldn't hold back her hiss of pain. Khushi frowned.

"Again? What did she blow up on this time?"

"My s**tty outfit."

Khushi looked her up and down. The cargo shorts ended two inches above her knees, and the black Bob Marley shirt was a slight V-neck.

"I've seen her in worse."

She turned her around, and brushed the silky black hair over her shoulder, bringing the shirt up to look at the whip marks from last time. The welts were still there; they wouldn't leave, but they were definetly better.

"All done? Mom?"

Khushi stiffened, and Fatima Ahmed realized her mistake.

"Wait, Kay Bay! I didn't mean-"

"It's fine."

Her tone was short, and succinct.

Fatima stumbled after her, then decided that she would need to do more than apologize. With a brilliant smile on her slightly marred, yet still beautiful features, she whipped her phone out to talk to Salin Bhai, who doted on her like a sister.

"Bhaiya! I need some help!" she was unable to keep out the note of guilt in her voice, and Salim nodded knowingly.

"You said something to Khushi, didn't you?"

"Yes," her tone was pleading now. I called her mom."

The other side was quiet, save a sharp intake of breath.

" You shouldn't have."

"Bhaiya, it was a-"

"You shouldn't have. You of all people should know why, Fatima jaan."

She knew she was forgiven when her brother's favorite endearment was used. Others found it strange, and it was one of the many catalysts her mom blew at her for. She found it adoring, comforting to know that her Bhai considered her his 'jaan'

"So, Azaad, Shalen, and Eesh will be there soon. Ask them, jaan. They will help, as I am busy. I'll meet you later."

She hung up, enveloped in a sense of relief that only Salim would bring, and opened the door to the three guys in her life.

"Fatty!" three voices chorused, and she was enveloped in the smell of Coldwater, Polo Green, and Kenneth Cole. She smiled, and winced again, bringing a look of extreme rage to Shalen's face.

"Again?"

"Y-yes."

"Clothes? Or us?"

"Both."

He pulled her towards him, and kissed her, long and hard. When he let go, she was trembling, and close to tears.

"I'm sorry babe."

She shook her head, and gently cupped his face, kissing his forehead.

"Let's go."

He took her hand, and led her back to the rest of the group.

Shaida sat hand in hand with Eesh, smiling sweetly. Azaad stood a little away, smiling, but trying hard not to. He looked up as Fatty and Shalen walked in, gazing in each others eyes. He coughed as Khushi walked in, and the two couples were startled out of their reveries.

Khushi barked orders as soon as she entered, not caring whether the others were busy. Salim Bhai was waiting. It wouldn't do well to get him angry now,

The last shipment was in the trunk, and she had to go in and shower, She looked up as the three guys came down the stairs. Eesh came first, his sharp, angular face foreboding as always. Then came Shalen, a happy glow on his cute, cherub-like features, and lugging a cart from one side. Than came Azaad. His nimble fingers were drumming a rhythm on the other side of the cart. His eyes were sparkling, but a bit red, and as he came to land in front of Khushi, she gave him a slight slap on his head.

"Again?"

He merely grinned sheepishly. "I'll stop soon, Kay Bay!"

But Khushi wasn't paying attention. Her eyes were trained on the idol that lay on the ground, and the sindoor that had flown up to cover her maang. She remembered the day it had washed out in front of the mosque. She pushed Azaad aside roughly and ran up the stairs. It had been exactly twelve years.

"What? What'd I do?"

"It was in her.. In her maang."

Azaad's mouth dropped into a perfect 'O', and he reached a hand out to the stairs.

Then the two girls came downstairs, Fatty in a gray California Republic sweatshirt and jeans, with red doodled on converse. Her hair was in a bun, the first few layers falling across her face. Her ear piercings were on show, and she had put in her favorite, the one that snaked around her ear in the shape of a rose. Shaida followed behind her, in a Burberry coat, her hair perfectly curled, and the matching luggage set firmly in her hands. They were extremely different, but complemented each other perfectly.

The boys led the girls to the living room once again, where the rowdily watched a game of soccer. Khushi walked in, her hair damp, and her eyes slightly swollen. Azaad turned around first and let out a long whistle. "Damn, girl!" She was wearing a black kurta with light embroidery that was typical Lucknowi style. Her shawl covered her head, and her jeans were gone. In their place were leggings. She had a black duffel, and looked dressed to kill.

The doorbell rang again, and Khushi went to open it.

"Salim Bhai!"

Tee Hee! I hope at least some of you want to know who Salim Bhai is! Well,you have a picture to go by!! Please like and comment, add add 'purplekidPMs' for PMs!

And yet another surprise! The first person to comment gets to read the next update before everybody else!