SaHil FF - The Phoenix - Chapter 8 - Page 14 - Page 6

Chapter 4

"REHAN!" Aahil screamed as he blindly reached for Rehan through the smoke.

"REHAN!" he tried again and started coughing as the smoke slid into his lungs. People in the small tourist village near Colva Beach were scrambling for safety.

As the wind whipped away some of the smoke, Aahil saw Dr. Aydin helping Haya to a clearing. They were both bleeding slightly and Haya was limping a little but they didn't seem to have any life threatening injuries.

Thank Allah that badi ammi stayed back at his haveli while the youngsters ventured out into the town.

Lucky thing the good doctor had business in Goa and decided to come along' Aahil thought as he resumed his search. He marked the spot where they were so he could find them again after her found Rehan.

And her.

He had to find her! His own life depended on it.

Aahil stumbled over debris as his mind replayed the series of events that led him here.

TWO DAYS AGO...

Sanam came screeching through the doorway with a proudly smiling Rehan striding in behind her. Aahil, who had come in about half an hour earlier, Dilshad, Haya and Aydin sat in the living room and were pleasantly chatting about the current events when Miss Toofani burst through the door screaming like a banshee.

They all stood up and Sanam launched herself into Dilshad's arms. She was still in coherent and babbling but badi ammi just held on to her and laughed with her.

'Now that's totes adorbs! Pagli!' Aahil's inner monologue started before his man card waved itself in front of his eyes. 'Erm... you are losing it. Now shake it off and man up like a boss!'

Aahil cleared his throat and knew exactly how to diffuse this situation. 'Operation Make Sanam Mad was in effect!'

"Don't you have an inside voice, you silly girl? Besides no one can understand what you are saying when you mumble so speak clearly." Aahil tossed to the bubbly girl welded on to his badi ammi'.

Sanam stopped mid shriek and turned to face him.

"Don't you have some girls to go flirt with ARIBEK?" Sanam sassed him

"ARIBEK? That's new" Aahil raised his eyebrows.

"Not really. It's for Aahil Razaa Ibrahim Bhopal ke Emraan Hashmi'." Sanam explained to everyone.

"What can I say badi ammi? I used to be a terrible flirt but now I'm really good at it!" Aahil flashed a full toothed smile at Sanam.

She twisted her mouth at him and put her bag down.

"I hope you are doing right by those girls" Dilshad interjected though she knew of Aahil's past from some of the conversation she had with Sanam and Rehan.

"I try badi ammi but it's like I become a habit to them." Aahil smoothed as he ran his hand over his beard.

"Well, it's a habit I suggest they learn to kick." Sanam retorted. "...with both feet!"

Everyone chuckled softly as Aahil's hackles started to rise.

"Anyway, badi ammi. Forget him - I have the greatest news! I just won the cooking competition at school and the grand prize was a trip for four to Goa. They also have an instructor led class there that will be paid for as part of the prize. Isn't that amazing?" Sanam beamed.

"She was masterful in the kitchen, badi ammi, and she worked hard to beat out the other competitors." Rehan chimed in from Aahil's side.

"You were there?" Aahil questioned quietly as Sanam was recounting the experience for Dilshad and Aydin with some gestures for Haya.

"Yes, she asked me to come to support her as badi ammi wasn't feeling well. She didn't have anyone else" Rehan looked at Sanam as he spoke.

Aahil could hear the pride in Rehan's voice and an intense pain he didn't understand radiated from within him.

"Next time you have to go run after her, please tell me so I don't have to wait on you. It's very annoying. I'm a busy man and Aahil Razaa Ibrahim waits for no one! Got that?"

"Ji, Aahil Bhai"

"So, that means..." Sanam's voice surpassed all other conversation, "... that Badi Ammi, Haya and Rehan you are all coming with me to Goa this weekend!" Sanam clapped excitedly and ran to hug them all.

Rehan and Aahil wore the same stunned expression on their faces.

Sanam looked at Dilshad, who smiled and nodded her head. She walked over to the boys and stood in front of Rehan, "Ever since I came to Bhopal you have been my one true friend here - A light always helping me through the darkness.

If it weren't for you I may never have had the courage to enter that competition or the confidence to win. With you in my corner, I felt I could conquer the world. So it would be an honor, not just for me, but for my family, if you could accompany us to Goa. Would you come with us?"

Sanam's speech didn't leave a dry eye in the house. Dr. Aydin had even signed the speech for Haya to understand what was going on. Dilshad turned around and quickly dabbed the corners of her eyes.

She sent up a prayer of thanks, "Ya Allah! Thank you for bringing such wonderful people into our lives - Dr. Aydin, Rehan and Aahil. Please always keep my girls and these men happy and safe."

Aahil was unusually quiet. He had frown lines across his forehead and Rehan knew he didn't like what he just heard.

"Sanam, it's very nice of you to offer but I have to work with Aahil Bhai this weekend on a project that Sunshine Corporation was trying to muck up. I'm really sorry I can't go." Rehan said quietly as he watched the flames of excitement extinguish in Sanam's eyes. He also felt disappointed but he knew Aahil would never let him go off with this family for the weekend.

Rehan understood Aahil better that Aahil understood himself sometimes. He knew that Aahil wanted to fit in with this family so much so that he cut out all the time he fooled around with girls just so he could spend time with them.

He also knew that even though he fought with Sanam like the devil, he never put her in harms way or was extremely mean to her. He cared for them all and he felt as though the family belonged to him.

The truth was that Rehan had also begun to think of this family as his own and for a quick minute he wanted to say to heck with Aahil and ride off into the sunset with them. But reality reared its ugly head and he knew his position - never a winner when it came to Aahil.

"W-what do you mean you can't go?" Sanam's lip quivered. "You have to go. I only won this because of you."

She turned to Aahil, "Can't you let him go one weekend without work? He works so hard already and you never give him a break. He deserves one and he should come with us this weekend!" Her eyes welled up with unshed tears.

"Sanam, please try to understand..." Rehan felt his heart pull at the sight of her tears.

"You should go Rehan" Aahil finally spoke up while staring Sanam in the eye. He too couldn't stand the sight of her tears and in a weird way he found himself wanting to make her happy.

"But we have to finish the tenders and submit those bids before Sunshine Corporation does something underhanded to try and snatch this deal from us." Rehan reminded Ahil.

"True but who says you won't be working... that we won't be working? Where are you all planning to stay?" Aahil enquired.

With renewed delight, Sanam ran over to her bag to get the information. "It's a budget hotel near Colva Beach. Where's the name?" She traced her finger along the page to find the information.

No, that won't do at all for my girls.' Aahil rebuked in his mind.

"Perfect. Since Rehan and I have to be working on this deal why don't we all stay at my haveli in Goa. Its near Colva Beach and we can get you to your class with no trouble." Aahil finished casually.

Sanam's mouth gaped open and Dilshad went next to her. She smiled as she took her finger and lifted Sanam's chin close. "That's very kind of you beta but we don't want to put you out of your way."

"It's no trouble badi ammi. I would be honored if you would all come and stay with me." Ahil gave a little bow and kept his eyes coyly on Sanam waiting for her reaction.

Dilshad looked at Rehan who was stunned at first but then had a wide smile. She took that as a good sign then looked at Haya, who was kept up to date by the Dr, and she nodded in agreement.

She then looked at Sanam who was still staring in disbelief at Aahil.

"Sanam?"

"Huh?"

"Would that be ok with you if we stayed with Aahil and Rehan?"

Sanam felt her cheeks get hot and she lowered her eyes to the floor. "If you think that's ok badi ammi then yes."

Aahil let out the breath he was holding with a whoosh. Me and HER? In Goa for the weekend? What was I thinking?' But when Sanam raised her eyes and met his all the warmth she usually kept for Rehan peeked out at him.

That jolted him right down to his toes! Whoa! What was that?'

He didn't have time to think about it though. Miss Toofani swept everyone up in her undeniable enthusiasm and they were off.

The next day everyone was packed and off to the airport. Even Dr. Aydin managed to come along. He said he had some patients he needed to check on there so it all worked out.

Aahil thought that sounded too convenient but invited to him to stay with them at the haveli so he could keep an eye on him. There was just something about the doc he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Chapter 5

ONE DAY AGO...

The boys worked quickly and efficiently in the morning and sent the tenders off. After they all settled into the plantation style haveli Aahil had the groundskeeper bring around two jeeps for them to go exploring.

In his jeep sat Badi Ammi and Haya and in Rehan's jeep sat Dr. Aydin and Sanam. "'Of course she's with him' Aahil rolled his eyes as he slipped on his glares and said, "Let's roll out!"

They all went around the villages, looked in a few shops and ate brunch at one of the locally acclaimed restaurants. All through brunch Miss Julia-Still-Is-A-Child, kept complaining that it needed pudine ke chutney and grudgingly Aahil admitted that it would have made it taste better - but only to himself of course!

Sanam's class was close by so Rehan took her to the class while the doctor came with him and the ladies back to the house to relax a bit. Aahil felt as though they were being followed but couldn't find a car that was staying on them as such. They got back to haveli without any disturbance so he shook it off.

Two hours later the phone rang and Sanam informed everyone that they were invited to dine with the instructor at his exclusive beach restaurant later that night.

Aahil called Rehan up and told him to buy the ladies something nice to wear for dinner. He argued that he didn't want to be embarrassed by Miss Toofani's bhenji types dressing style.

Later that night, the boys all gathered in the living room waiting for the ladies to get ready. Dr Aydin favored a pair of black slacks and a red shirt, Rehan was smartly dressed in khaki slacks and a turquoise shirt, untucked and sleeves rolled up to the elbows and Aahil wore white linen trousers with a navy blue shirt and matching white linen blazer.

Then the girls started filing in one by one. Badi Ammi, Dilshad, came in first wearing a beautiful green and purple modern lehenga. It was simple but elegant - just like her.

Haya came in next with a silver lehenga as well and everyone noticed how taken Dr. Aydin was with her. Haya blushed at him and went over to stand next to badi ammi.

"Ok we're getting late." Aahil said. "Rehan, why don't you take this lot and I'll see if I can hurry up Miss Toofani."

"I'm almost done. Go ahead and start the car I'll be right out!" Came the frantic voice from up the stairs.

"She's going to be late for her own party!" Aahil stated as they all walked out to the cars. The full moon was shining brightly in the sky.

As Rehan and the others pulled away, Aahil leaned against the hood of his car and stared at the moon. 'If only I had told Daisy to meet me here. Then we could have had some fun tonight. Oh well, I'm sure there will be plenty of other possibilities - the night is still youn..."

Aahil's thought froze mid sentence as he glimpsed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to the steps at the front of the house and pushed himself off his car.

His arms involuntarily dropped to his sides and his mouth gaped slightly.

Sanam stood on the steps fidgeting with her blood red saree. He couldn't breathe.

'Ya Allah! Blood red was now my favorite color of all time!'

She was stunning with minimal jewelry only some beautiful, sparkly earrings and her hair was left loose but swept on to one shoulder. His reaction was primal and instinctive.

'Mine' his mind and body claimed.

All thoughts of other women flew out of his head and the only word he could think of was... Sanam.

Sanam looked up at met his eyes and time seemed to stand still. The wind danced on their skin but neither felt a thing. They kept staring at each other.

'How does he always manage to look sooo good? He's just perfect! His eyes are just... Sanam! What's wrong with you?' She shook her head and gave herself a mental slap.

She straightened her back and slowly made her way down the steps never taking her eyes off his.

'Now I understand why all those girls fall for him. If he looks at them like this then they would fall right into his trap. But you are not just any girl. You are Sanam Ahmed Khan and your badi ammi raised you better than that. Ah, but if only...'

The thought trailed off as she stood almost nose to nose with Aahil. He hadn't said a word to her since he saw her and that made her nervous. Didn't she look ok? Was she trying too hard to impress? Did she mess up her makeup?

She cleared her throat shaking Aahil out of his reverie. "Shall we go?" She said invitingly with her blood red lips.

'What did she just say?' Aahil's mind tried to process the situation but his mind, along with the rest of him, was mesmerized by her lips. She could have told him to go jump in the sea and he would have happily complied.

He too cleared his throat. "It's about time. Don't you know that we're going to be late and it's all going to be your fault!"

Sanam, expecting atleast some acknowledgement for the efforts she made, felt put off and hurt that the words never came. "I was ready on time and now I'm ready to go and you are just standing here" she fired back.

"Get in the car already and lets go" Aahil reached around her to open the door. The soft scent she wore enveloped him and he it was all he could do to keep himself together.

She climbed in and as he shut the door he noticed something on the ground sparkling in the moonlight. He bent down to retrieve it and saw it was an anklet.

Her anklet. He rubbed it between his fingers as the curious wind dipped down to see what he was up to. As the cool air hit his face, Aahil closed his eyes and thought he heard Sanam's voice on the wind beckoning him.

"Waqt bhi thehara hai, Kaise kyun ye huaa

Kaash tu aise aaye, Jaise koi duaa

Tu rooh ki raahat hai

Tu meri ibaadat hai

Aaa"

Apne karam ki kar adaayein, Kar de idhar bhi tu nigaahein

Sun raha hain na tu..."

A siren's call. He opened his eyes and smiled to himself. He tucked the anklet into his pants pocket as he got up. He would give it back to her... eventually.

He got into the car, made his way down the drive way and then gunned the engine once he was the open road. He put the top down and adjusted the windows so her hair wouldn't get messed up.

He tried not to look at her but in the moonlight, with those earrings blinking like beacons in the night he found himself drawn to her again and again.

He kept speeding and she gripped the seat as he turned a corner. As he moved his hand to shift gears her hand came up to adjust her saree. His hand caught hers and they both came down on top of the gear shift.

His entire body crackled with energy and, unbeknownst to him, Sanam was experiencing the same earth shattering feelings.

Aahil felt that primal force rip through him again as he shifted the gear with her hand under his holding the gear shift. Ya Allah, if he couldn't concentrate on the road they were never going to make it to dinner.

She slowly pulled her hand out from under his, not wanting to cause a fuss while he was driving. They drove the rest of the way in silence and kept stealing glances at each other while the other wasn't looking.

Once they got to their destination, she all but jumped out of the car and ran into the restaurant. Just as well' Aahil told himself as he scrubbed a hand down his face.

'What universe am I in? Miss Toofani aur meh? No! Never! Never in a...Ya Allah she looked so beautiful!'

Aahil jumped out of the car and made his way into the restaurant. The server guided him to the private beach front area set up for about twenty guests. His people' along with Miss Toofani were being introduced by the chef to all his guests.

Aahil felt the pride swell in his chest as he heard the chef compliment Sanam's skills and the diversity of her palate to his esteemed peers. Sanam blushed with the compliments and they all applauded her for her accomplishments.

'You deserve it Miss Toofani. You've worked hard to get here. Enjoy it!' Aahil smiled and turned to go to the bar to get a brink. He ordered a sparkling water as he was driving and with his drink in his hand he turned around to survey the crowd.' There must be a distraction in here somewhere.' He tried to convince himself.

Unfortunately, the only feeling he got was of dread. He got that feeling of being watched again. He took his drink and made for the group hoping to speak to Rehan alone for a few minutes to sort out the situation.

If he thought he was bad, Rehan was completely mesmerized by Miss Toofani. He openly stared at her and she responded to his looks with shy smiles.

As Aahil approached them, he heard Rehan's voice get low and say to Sanam, "MashaAllah! You are more beautiful that the moon tonight - n-n-not that you aren't beautiful every night. But tonight you look exquisite!"

Wait! I said that first! Me!' Aahil's mind retaliated. He was mad at himself for not having the gumption to just tell this slip of a girl she looked good tonight.

Sanam saw Aahil approaching them from the corner of her eyes and she felt the emotion overtake her.

Sanam look at Rehan with tear filled, appreciative eyes and said in a whispered voice that she knew would carry to Aahil. "Thank you Rehan. Your words have made me feel even more beautiful. You don't know how much they mean to me." She put her hand on Rehan's shoulder and smiled her special smile for him.

Aahil wanted to rage just then, breaking everything in sight.

"Mine! Only mine!" his mind screamed.

Saved by the chef! Sanam's instructor announced that dinner was about to begin and everyone would have to find their place setting. The chef broke up all cliques by sitting different people next to each other.

Dilshad, Haya and Dr. Aydin sat at the head of the table with the chef. Rehan shrugged his shoulder and smiled apologetically at Sanam as he found himself between two scantily dressed girls.

Sanam didn't have much luck either as she found herself sitting opposite Rehan but between two local romeos who were vying for her attention. She shrugged her shoulders back at him as if to say 'It's ok.'

Aahil was seated on the same side as Rehan but in a similar predicament with the scantily dress girls. His seat mates were very friendly and touchy feely.

His brows furrowed in confusion though as Sanam's looked up and saw how comfortable he already was with his seat mates. Her mouth was set in a grim line as she stared right into his soul for a few minutes.

She never met his eyes after that. All through dinner she tried to make conversation with Rehan across the table or anyone else besides the two idiots sitting next to her.

Every time one of them 'accidentally' touched her hand Aahil wanted to break his fingers. He didn't know why he was feeling so possessive about her but if this dinner wasn't over soon he was going to go all caveman up in the joint.

Thankfully the rest of the dinner flew by and soon they were on their way home. He switched driving duties with Rehan but insisted that they drove ahead and he would drive behind.

When they got home Dilshad and the ladies thanked them for a lovely evening and they all went upstairs for the night. Aahil put his hand in his pocket and felt Sanam's anklet.

In that moment, Sanam stopped at the top of the stairs and her eyes bored right down into his. He felt the Earth stop and the only thing he could understand was his heartbeat.

He felt his heart beating in his fingertips. It took him a moment to realize that those fingertips were holding on to Sanam's anklet. Her red, delicious lips were slightly parted and so invitingly that Aahil almost forgot the rest of the household and was about to follow her up stairs.

Sanam broke the eye contact and headed to her room. Aahil shook his head to clear his thoughts and remembered that he had to tell Rehan about the sensations he had earlier in the day of being followed.

He found Rehan in the kitchen getting some water. He discussed it with Rehan but changed the subject when Dr. Aydin came in for a drink of water. There was still something about the doctor that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Aahil then bid them good night and headed to his own room, which was directly underneath Sanam's. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing it would just open up and drop Sanam into his arms. He turned and faced the opened window and gave into sleep while staring at the moon.

The wind twirled the leaves in laughter as it noticed Sanam mirror the exact same actions before drifting off to sleep.

Chapter 6

PRESENT DAY...

"BOOM!" The sound ricocheted through the tiny village bring Aahil back from his reverie.

"REHAN" he screamed and then coughed again.

"AAHIL BHAI" came the reply and Aahil felt his body respond with relief at the sound of Rehan's voice. Rehan was the closest thing he had to a brother and a best friend and if anything have ever happened to Rehan he would be lost.

Through the smoke Rehan came with Sanam in his arms. She was unconscious and bleeding a little from the scratch on her head. She was wearing some local clothes she was trying on when the blast hit.

Aahil's heart stopped beating as his brain kicked into gear. He led Rehan over to a clearing close to Aydin and Haya and tried to take Sanam out of Rehan's arms.

Rehan's eyes blazed at him as he held on to Sanam tighter. He wasn't letting her go.

His eyes screamed "Mine!" just as Aahil's did the night before.

This was going to be messy. Rehan became extremely possessive of Sanam just then and it seemed as though something had shifted within him.

Aahil could see the fierce protector emerging from Rehan but he was no less. This wasn't the time for that now though.

He let Rehan hold her and they checked her vitals to make sure they were ok. Her pulse was good and she had no other injuries so Aahil told Rehan to meet up with the doctor and take Sanam and Haya home.

"It was the goons from Sunshine Corporation. I saw them just before the explosion happened." Rehan growled as he stood up with Sanam in his arms. "They will pay dearly for this" and she stormed off to find the car to head home.

Aahil knew Sanam was in good hands and decided to stay and help the people even though his heart screamed at him to go home.

He helped bring the injured to the make shift triage the police had set up for medical care and gave his statement to the police about a possible attack on them by the Sunshine Corporation.

He described the feelings of being followed and the incidents that led up to the blast.

Hours later Aahil took out his phone to call the house but noticed that his phone was dead. He was exhausted, dirty, hungry and he just wanted to see Sanam to feel better.

As he was about to get into his car, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He turned around and his eyes bugged out of his head - in front of him, stood Sanam, with the dressed cut on her head, completely dirty and shaken.

She launched herself in his arms and wailed. He was so shocked to see her that he held on to her and kissed her hair. He finally felt at peace with her conscious and in his arms.

Then it dawned on him... where was Rehan?

"Sanam. Sanam. Listen to me. Where is Rehan? Where is Haya and the doctor?" Aahil commanded in a loud voice to get Sanam to come out of her hysterics.

"R-r-rehan? He was right there and then he wasn't"

She put her hand up to her head and swayed. "Take me home. Badi ammi? Badi ammi?" Sanam's voice started to falter. Aahil scooped her up and put her in his car.

He rushed around to the driver's side and he sped off once they were safely buckled in. He would come back and look for Rehan once Sanam was safe at home.

He drove like a maniac all the while glancing behind to make sure they weren't followed. When he got to the house, he raced around to her door and gently scooped her up in his arms.

He ran up the stairs screaming, "Badi Ammmi! Rehan! Badi Ammi! Someone! Please help us!"

He put a now unconscious Sanam on the couch while he still screamed for help. Dilshad came up behind him breathless.

"Aahil beta are you ok?" Dilshad panted. Rehan came running out of his room too still covered in blood.

"I'm fine badi ammi but Sanam... she needs help. She fainted. Is Dr Aydin here?" Aahil was frantic.

Rehan came up behind him and his eyes went wide with shock! Aahil grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"How could you just leave her? How could you? You know how special she is" he hissed.

Rehan still didn't say anything just stared wide eyed at the unconscious Sanam.

"Get the doctor now!" He screamed.

"Sana... " Dilshad whispered as she came close to the sleeping girl. As she saw Sanam laying on the couch, however, the glass of water she carried in her hand slipped out and shattered on the floor.

She put her wet hand to her mouth but some of the drops of water splashed on to Sanam's face.

Sanam stirred as the water hit her and Aahil's relief knew no bounds. He crushed her against him and he felt her sag with relief of being safe.

"Badi ammi" she tried but it came out hoarse as her throat was dry.

"Badi ammi" she said again this time in a louder voice but it seemed to echo as it coming from both sides of the room.

Sanam pushed herself into a sitting position and looked directly at Rehan. She gasped and she clutched Aahil's shirt in fear.

He turned around to see what had terrified her so and he couldn't believe his eyes.

He blinked and blinked again unable to believe what he was seeing.

In the hallway, standing behind Rehan, was an exact replica of the woman he held so dearly in his arms.

Wow...im in love wiz dis ff...u r a brilliant writer..thanks for 3 updates in a row.

Res

just amazing so seher wapis aa gayi thats gr8

dhasu update
ek dam dhamakedar
3 parts in a row thanks

You completely spoiled us with 3 updates in a row!
Love the story, it's progressing really well!
Can't wait to read the next parts!

Oh My!!