Chapter 2
Haya had unknowingly given away one of Rahat's most prized possessions, a token of his deceased wife Naaz. Rahat had a few token of memories of Naaz which were very dear to him. Her essence was there in those. Those tokens were which kept her alive for him. Haya did not know it was Naaz's dupatta which she gave away along with the bundle old clothes and in exchange had gotten a utensil. When he questioned her on this matter she remained quiet. An enraged Rahat had scolded Haya and he had asked her to her face if she was deaf and mute that she did not respond to his question. He went back to his room after giving her a warning that if she wished well of her own self she should not come in front of Rahat. Haya was in tears at Rahat's words. He had unknowingly hurt her deeply.
Haya was in her room and from what she had understood by reading Rahat's lips was that she had done a huge mistake by giving away the dupatta. She realized that it meant more than something to Rahat. It was of great importance for him. She was troubled that she had caused pain to him unknowingly though. She had to apologize to Rahat for the mistake she did.
A troubled Rahat paced in his room. He could not get the sight out of his mind. Tears, he had brought tears to a girl's eyes. He could not bear the sting which her tears brought to his soul and heart. He had to apologize for his mistake. Rahat opened the door of his bedroom and walked over to Haya's room. The door was open. He saw her stand in front of the mirror.
Haya saw Rahat's image with hers in the mirror of the cupboard. Their eyes met once more and they had the same intense eye lock they had been having from the first time they saw each other. Without breaking the eye contact Rahat took one more step forward. Rahat was about to knock and ask for her permission to enter but before he could Haya slam the door shut.
Rahat was shocked and angry at Haya's actions. He went back to his room and shut the door and locked it from inside. Haya heard Rahat slam shut his bedroom door. She opened the door of her bedroom and tilted her head to look at the door of the room opposite to hers. That door was closed. She too shut the door of her bedroom. Haya turned and once again looked at herself in the mirror.
Haya stood in front of the mirror and talked to herself. I know that Rahat must have felt hurt and insulted when I slammed the door on his face. Par main kya karoon? I do not want any such thing happening between us which happens in TV serials.' Haya looked at herself in the mirror and she saw Rahat standing behind her. She screwed her eyes shut. She opened one eye slightly to peek a look at the mirror. She did not see Rahat. She opened both eyes and double checked, no Rahat's image could not be seen in the mirror. She looked all around the room and he was not there. Whew! She sighed of relief. Haya then palm smacked her forehead for her silliness. She giggled as she remembered an incident which led her to slamming the door on Rahat's face on seeing his image with hers in the mirror.
Flash back.
Haya and Sanam were at their home in Punjab. Dilshad loved watching daily soaps. Dilshad had gone to the hospital and had asked Sanam to watch her favorite show and then give her an update of the episode. There was going to be a major twist in the track. Haya did not like watching daily soaps. She believed in real and not reel life. Sanam forced her to keep company so Haya had to watch it. Sanam too liked watching them but had to catch up on repeats as she worked at the dhaba. Sanam was munching on popcorn.
Sanam: Haya come and sit with me. Let's watch the episode together. Badi ammi ne mujhe bataya tha ki aaj koi zabardast twist aane wla hai.
Haya(Signs): Sanam you know that I don't like to watch daily soaps. Haqeekat se kitna door hota hai ye sab. Aisa kuch nahi hota real life mein.
Sanam: Haya reel real se hi inspired hota hai. Come let's watch it. OK now see this scene. It is a very crucial point in the show. The heroine is getting married to someone. Look she is standing in front of the mirror. Ok now see that guy he is her childhood friend. Look look look he is standing right next to her and their images are seen in the mirror. Tch! She is being taken to the mandap for her shaadi to that loser. Now koi twist aayega and isi mandap mein uski shaadi uss mirror wale ladke se ho jaayegi.
Haya(Signs): Chup. Sanam things like this don't happen?
Sanam: Yes hota hai. It happens in every serial. Who knows when reel becomes real life? Who knows maybe one fine day you are standing in front of a mirror and a man's image is seen with yours aur tum dono ki jodi ban jaaye? Mirror ne bana di Jodi. Oye hoye Haya aur uska mirror wala.
Haya hit Sanam with a pillow to make her stop saying stuff like that to her. They both engage in a pillow fight. Haya could not get that comment of Sanam out of her head. She used to make sure that no man's image was seen with her in the mirror.
Flashback Ends.
Haya was scared that what Sanam said if it would come true. Rahat was the first man whose image was with Haya's in the mirror. She was scared what if something would happen between them. She was scared but not in concern with Rahat but it was his sister Munisa. She treated Dilshad and Haya very badly. She could not bear if Munisa were to insult Dilshad on Haya's account or to blemish her upbringing. Haya too did not want anything for her personal life. She never wanted to leave her grandmother. She dreamed of a man on a white horse but that was natural for any girl her age. That did not mean she wished for it to come true. Haya's entire life was about her cousin and their grandmother and she wanted it to be that way. She did not go in front of Rahat the entire day.
Rahat thought she was being arrogant. She should have come and apologized but she did not. He was in his room fuming at Haya's actions.
Rahat: How dare she? Mere ghar mein mere ghar ke ek kmare ka darwaza mere moonh par de mara. I just can't understand her. Ek toh galti uski thi uapr se main maafi maangne gaya... And what did she do? She slammed the door on my face... Ek minute main uss se maafi maangne kyun gaya? What do I care if I hurt her or her sentiments? Why should I be affected if she is miffed with me?... No she does not affect me, she can never have an effect on me. In a way it is good that she is avoiding me. Warna main dupatte ke baare mein soch soch kar Haya par aur gussa karoonga aur utna hi uske baare mein sochoonga...
Haya and Rahat both were playing the game of cat and mouse. They were both sure that the other had no importance in their life yet it was very important for them to avoid the other. Shoaib had seen this cat and mouse game of Haya and Rahat. He did not like it one bit. He did not like that though Haya and Rahat were trying to avoid each other their eyes searched for the other even if it was just to avoid coming face to face. He had become obsessed with Haya in a very pervert way. His eyes lustily followed her where ever she went. He did not leave a chance to touch her when she served him anything. Haya understood his intentions but she could not tell anyone especially Dilshad because they needed the shelter that Rahat's home provided them.
Haya was in the kitchen preparing for lunch. Dilshad and Munisa were in the latter's room where she was making Dilshad iron all her clothes. Shoaib was as usual in the living area with his lusty eyes fixed on Haya. Haya's dupatta was being an obstacle and was giving her trouble while doing the preparations for lunch. Shoaib saw this. He found another reason to come close to her and touch her. He came and stood behind her. Haya sensed him behind her so she turned back and was shocked to see him stand so close to her that their noses were centimeters apart. Haya tried to back off but the kitchen counter behind her did not let her.
Shoaib: Haya meri jaan! Why are you trying to get away from me? My intentions are very pure towards you. I can here to help you. Kisi ki madad karna toh accha kaam hota hai. I have noticed ye dupatta tumhe tang kar raha hai na? I will remove everything from your life that will trouble you just like I will remove this dupatta which is troubling you. Phir araam se apne soft soft hands se mere liye delicious khana babao aur mujhe apne haathon se serve karna. Chaho toh khila bhi dena.
Haya felt like puking on hearing his disgusting words. She wanted to get away from there. Shoaib was about to remove Haya's dupatta from her body. She could not do anything to stop him. He had caught both her hands behind her back. Shoaib's hands were centimeters away from her dupatta. Somehow she mustered all the strength she could she lifted her leg and from between Shoaib's legs kicked the high stool making the utensils on it fall making a loud noise. Munisa heard the noise.
Minusa: Kya hua? Haya now what have you done? Ruko abhi khabar leti hoon tumhaari.
Shoaib knew that Munisa would come down at any given moment. He was scared of Munisa finding out his true face as he lived off of his wife's paternal property. He escaped from there in time. Haya smiled as she saw a scared Shoaib just like he used to scare her when she was alone. Now he would understand the feeling of being scared but not being able to share it with others. When he was escaping from the kitchen he tripped on the vessels which were lying on the floor. Shoaib limped his way out of the kitchen. He went away from home. Munisa saw from the top of the staircase. Haya had not caused any damage so she went back to her room while cursing Haya of course. She told Haya to make some pakodas for her as she was tired as a result of al the work she was doing. . Haya went back to her work and was making batter for pakodas.
Rahat was in his room reading the newspaper. He called out to Munisa who was busy in her own work so did not pay attention to Rahat's call. Rahat came out of the room and saw Haya in the kitchen. She was mixing the batter for the pakoras. He called out to Munisa.
Rahat: Munisa ek cup chai!
He under the pretense of calling Munisa wanted Haya to hear him and give him a cup of tea. She did not turn back to0 look at him nor did she get to making tea. Rahat thought she was acting out because he scolded her. He did not like her avoiding him. He went and stood behind her. Haya once again felt someone's presence behind her. She thought it was Shoaib once again. She shut her eyes and tried to control her anger. She remembered how Sanam had slapped a guy once who had tried to hit on her. Her sister was her source of strength. She decided in her mind that one more time Shoaib would try to misbehave with her she would give him a tight slap and show him his place. Rahat unknown to the ill happenings with Haya at the hands of Shaoib asked her for tea once more. When she did not respond he had had enough of her childish behavior. Rahat tapped Haya on the shoulder. With anger and disgust on her face she turned raising her hand and by mistake ended up slapping Rahat.
Rahat stood there with pakoda batter and his hand on his right cheek. Haya and Rahat were both in shock. He could not believe that she slapped him! Neither could she believe that she slapped Rahat! Her mouth formed a perfect o'. She covered her mouth and closed her eyes. She regretted it big time and tried to explain it to Rahat but he did not stay there to listen to her explanation nor was he interested in her apology. He locked his room from inside. Haya cleaned her hands and knocked on his door but he did not open the door. Haya was angry at herself. She was sitting on the swing.
Great work Haya! Now you have one more reason for apologizing to Rahat. First you gave away the dupatta, then you slammed the door on his face and now you have slapped him! They say to err is human but Haya this is just too much. Humph! Now how do I apologize to Rahat? Wo toh darwaza band karke baithe hain. By the way why did he come to me? I should ask him but kaise.'
Haya smiled as she got an idea. She went and stood near Rahat's window. She saw him standing with his back towards the window. She saw him raise his hand and the movement told her that he was pressing his forehead. He needed tea. That is why he had come to her. She decided to make a strong ginger flavored tea for him. Rahat was going through that antique chest once again. He felt the need to be close to Naaz'a memories and away from Haya. He was not even lost in Naaz's memories for 5 minutes when there was a knock at his door. He opened it and it was Haya with a cup of tea. Rahat wondered how Haya knew he needed a strong cup of tea. He took it and thanked her for it. Before Haya could... He closed the door. She felt bad and also understood how Rahat must have felt when he wanted to say something and she slammed the door on his face. She could not say sorry to him but she had made arrangements so as to he would come to know that she wanted to apologize. Haya had written sorry' on the saucer and hoped Rahat accepted her apology. Rahat saw the sorry on the saucer and smiled. Kis kis baat ke liye ye ladki sorry kahegi?'
A couple of days later Haya was in the living area and she was working on a dupatta. Shoaib had not learned his lesson even after Haya had almost got him caught red handed. He had become more pervert and excited ever since Haya's leg had passed through the inverted V his legs made as he closed in to her. He wanted her now more than ever because he liked a woman who put up a fight and he got to force him on her. This was the first time his so called charm was not working on a girl. Haya knew that he was around but she did not leave from there. She did not want him to know that even though she had gathered the strength to get him caught she was scared of him. She did not pay any attention to him. In her nervousness she pricked her finger. Shoaib jumped at the chance. He came and held her hand.
Shoaib: Oh ho Haya meri jaan! Zara dhyaan se. See your finger is bleeding now let me take care of you.
Haya took her hand away from him and was leaving from there. Shoaib pulled her by her upper arm and was not going to let her go that easy after what she had done the last time. He was about to put her finger in his mouth and suck it to sooth her pain. Just then Rahat came to the living area.
Rahat: Kya hua Shoaib?
Shoaib got scared and was angry that Rahat always came at the wrong moment. He changed colors like a chameleon. He behaved as if he was taking care of Haya.
Shoaib: Dekho na Rahat Haya is so careless. She pricked her finger with the needle. I am asking her to show it to me so that I can put the band aid par dikha hi nahi rahi. Haya it is ok I can do this at least much for you.
Rahat looked at Haya and understood at once that she was feeling uncomfortable in Shoaib's presence. He decided to make her understand that she needed to be precautious of Shoaib. He could not say it in those exact words as he was afraid that it would hurt Munisa and also Shaoib would turn his sister against Dilshad and Haya. Munisa was the only family he had. He did not want her to get trapped in Shoaib's web of lies and leave from their home. Rahat thought it would be safe to take Haya's side and for her not to know that he is doing so. He did not want her to take him in the wring sense. Whatever he was doing for her was out of respect and as humanity towards her.
Rahat: Shaoib, Haya ko sui chubhi hai she has not cut her hand with a sword. There is no need to make a fuss for such a minimal thing. Aur tum Haya, you should do your work in your own room. Living area koi jagah nahi hai ye sab taam jhaam phaila kar rakhne ka. And if you want to do your work here in front of everyone kaam karte waqt atihaath barto so that other people do not have to worry for or fuss over you. Is there no way you can protect yourself from these needle pricks? Kitchen mein se band aid lekar laga lo. Shoaib I am sure from now on Haya will be careful so you do not have to leave your important work and come to her aid.
Haya was already hurt as Shoaib had misbehaved with her and on top of it Rahat behaved in an aloof way in concern with her pain which she was sure he saw in her eyes. She picked up her stuff and went to her room. Rahat too went to his room. They were both in pain. Haya was sad with Rahat's attitude and Rahat was sad because he had to be rude towards Haya. Rahat plopped angrily on his bed.
Rahat: I don't know if she understood what I meant. I hope she does not take me in the wrong sense because I scolded her and told her to do her work in her room and be careful if she does it anywhere else in the house. I know 100% guarantee hai she must have misunderstood me. Usne toh jaise kasam kha li hai meri baat na sunne ki aur na samajhne ki. I have to do something to make her understand.
Rahat smiled slightly as he thought of a perfect gift for Haya. He made a call. After 15 minutes the doorbell rang. Munisa answered the doorbell. She saw that a gift pack had come for Rahat. She was about to open it but Rahat came and snatched it from her. He took the gift box to his room leaving behind a shocked Munisa. Rahat was thinking of ways to give it to Haya. He was not sure that she would accept it from him. After dinner Haya and Dilshad finished up in the kitchen before going to the lawn. Rahat saw his chance and went and kept the gift on Haya's bed. When Haya saw the gift she thought Dilshad got it from her. She opened the box and it was just the thing she needed.
Haya(Signs): Badi ammi thank you so much! Main jaanti hoon ki ye gift aap mere liye layi hain. This is just what I needed.
Dilshad: Gift? Which gift? I did not get any gift for you. Waise bhi when did I go out of the house that I would get a gift for you? Haya even if I would get a gift for my princess it would not be this. Nakli hi sahi koi zevar laati main.
Dilshad was too tired so she went to sleep. Haya went out to the back lawn and sat on the swing. Haya looked at the gift and wondered who got it for her. She thought maybe that pervert got it to impress her but no why would he? If it would be up to him he would prick all her fingers and suck them to sooth her of her pain. Then Haya thought of Rahat. Could he have? His words and the incident of that afternoon played in her head. She remembered him telling her to take precautions while doing her needle work. She looked towards his room. She saw him play the guitar. Rahat felt something strange. He looked out of the window and his and Haya's eyes met. They had an intense eye lock.
After a few minutes Haya ran away to her room. Yes he got it for her. She smiled at Rahat's sweet gesture. Rahat had brought the gift for her. It was inexpensive but had a deep meaning to it. He had got a pair of decorative needle thimbles for her. A beautiful smile appeared on her face. She picked up a plain while cloth and began to create a beautiful design on it.
Haya(Thinks) : Rahat ne mere liye itna special gift laya hai. I should get him something to say sorry for all the things I have done so far and also to thank him for this sweet gesture. But what should I gift him?
Kya tohfa doon main tumhe, Jiss se tumhaari khoi muskaan laut aaye,
De doon apni khusiyaan saari, Jo tumhe sukoon aaye...
After a lot of thinking she finally knew what she needed to get for Rahat which would be a perfect gift to give him when she apologized. It would be a tedious job to get it but she was ready do anything for Rahat's smile and apology.
