Junoon..Tere Ishq Ka
Chapter Three - A Trick of Fate
"Yeh Sanam kahan hain?" Dilshad paced the hallway countless times before she heard the doorbell ring and rushed to answer it.
"Asalaam walikum" Rehaan said politely and his sisters peered out from behind his back and smiled.
"Tum kaha thi!" Dilshad shouted at the same time.
"Umm.. Walikum Asalaam" she said, a bit embarrassed.
"Badi Ammi. I'm sorry. Actually it's a long story. Vo kya hain na..." Sanam stuttered.
"How did you get hurt? Ya Allah! Is it hurting? What happened? That's it. We're going back to Punjab!" Dilshad yelled as she took in Sanam's condition.
"Badi Ammi calm down! I'll explain everything. First meet Rehaan, and his two sisters Nazia and Shazia"
Turning to the three, she said, "And this is my BadiAmmi"
She told them to come inside however they politely refused as they were getting late. Sanam thanked them once again, and Dilshad did too, as she realized they would have helped her.
Sanam stood at the door as they went back to the car. Suddenly, Rehaan turned around and made his way over to her.
"Rethink your decision, and if you accept my offer, stop by at the address on this note at 10:00am sharp tomorrow morning, okay? If not, I guess I'll have to look for another cook. Allah Haffiz. Or haan, if you need help to bring your stuff over, let me know. I left my mobile number on that note as well."
"Rehaan I don't think I'd be able to accept this offer. I am very grateful for you helping me out today, and I wish I could repay you, but I can't leave BadiAmmi aur Haya. I'm sorry"
"It's okay, Sanam. I understand." He then went to his car and left.
Dilshad noticed this exchange between them and smiled inwardly. She could tell they were from a rich family but Rehaan was so pleasant and humble. She thanked Allah for allowing Sanam to meet and be helped by such a good soul.
Sanam went inside and explained to Dilshad what happened. She left out the part about Rehaan's offer because she didn't want Dilshad to feel as if she were giving up a job opportunity because of her.
Some tears and a good scolding later, Dilshad hugged her and kissed her forehead.
Sanam was occupied thinking about Rehaan's offer. A job, she wanted but she would have to stay away from BadiAmmi and Haya. What to do!?
When dinner was ready, all sat and ate in silence, which was overbearing even for Haya. She noticed how Rahat robotically ate and then stod odup to leave.
"Rahat beta!" Dilshad called.
"Ji?"
"I wanted to talk to you."
"Ji kahiye" he responded politely but Haya rolled her eyes, as she knew he wanted to run away from there.
"Actually, I noticed you have a cook to help you out. I'm sure you might have a maid too but beta there is no need for this. Main hoon na. I can cook for all of us."
"Nahi. You don't need to do all this. Don't stress out yourself."
"It's not stress beta. And besides, I'm staying in your house, it's the least I can do""
"But still. Dekhiye, you're like my BadiAmmi too. I can't have you doing hard work in the house. And this was once your house, it still is. You're not a burden so please stop talking like this"
"You are very strange Rahat beta"
"Kya?" he asked, perplexed.
"You consider me your BadiAmmi, yet you won't give me the right of cooking food for you? This is not done."
"Lekin.."
"Lekin kuch nahin. Decision is final. Tomorrow I'll let Nafeesa know"
"As you wish" Rahat agreed, realizing he had no other option.
"Goodnight" he added before retiring to his room.
~~~
Next morning 7am:
"Auto! Auto!!" Sanam shouted, flinging her already outstretched hand into the air as another rickshaw sped past her.
"What's wrong with this place yaar? So long I've been trying to get a rickshaw. I hope I won't be late. Ya Allah! It's already 7. I only have half hour to reach"
She panicked and panicked until finally she was successful in hailing a rickshaw and headed off to her destination. She had an interview this morning with Bhopal's leading construction company. With Rahat's help, she found out that the company may have vacancies. She remembered how strained Rahat looked when she'd asked him.
"Ajeeb ladka!" she muttered thinking of his uptightness.
"I.C. stands for Ibrahim Constructions? Ya Allah, Ibrahim is Rehaan's last name. Could it be..." she wondered as she got out of the rickshaw and went in.
"Arrey! Yeh log mujhe goor goor kyun dekh rahe ho?" she muttered to herself.
"Ya Allah! What has this girl worn? It's smaller than a handkerchief!" Sanam was appalled as she walked to the receptionist, who watched her narrowing her eyes.
"Tum kaun ho?" she said with a hint of disgust.
"Actually I came for an interview. PA's post"
"You? Madamji, this isn't your village place. Chal. Get out of here"
"But.."
"This is Bhopal's best company. Very high class. We don't hire such uneducated, village type people"
All the other employees around her started laughing at her and making comments about her salwar kameez.
"Behenji, please leave!" The receptionist taunted.
Sanam was infuriated.
"What do you think of yourselves? Just because you barely wear any clothes means you're better than me? Fine. Even I'm not dying to get a job in a place like this. High class my foot. And you can tell your boss ARI that I said so myself. Disgusting people" she gritted her teeth and stomped out.
"That certainly could not have been Rehaan's company. Such narrow-minded and ghatiya log!"
As she walked out and down the steps to look for a rickshaw, Ahil entered. They passed right next to each other but neither noticed.
"ARI Sir" all acknowledged as he walked in.
The receptionist, Nida, put on another coat of red lipstick, which was unnecessary due to the fact that her face already resembled a colouring book, and approached Ahil.
"Good morning, Ahil" He stared at her with menacing eyes and she corrected herself quickly. "I mean ARI"
"Good morning." he said curtly and continued walking.
"Sir"
"What Nida?" he snapped.
Her face fell. He stopped and was confused. Normally he would encourage her flirty advances. What happened so suddenly?
"Sir actually you wouldn't believe what happened" she said, feigning shock to get his attention.
She then launched into the story about how a village girl insulted him and his staff.
Ahil was seething and vowed to embarrass her so badly if he were to ever see her again.
He was about to go to his cabin when he realized he left an important file home. He then left to go get it.
~~
Sanam jumped in another rickshaw and got on her way.
She decided to check other places for vacancies but ended up disappointed.
Finally she decided, maybe it was fated that she had to take up Rehaan's offer.
She told the driver the address and thus, she was on her way to Ibrahim's mansion.
Ten minutes later, with a spluttering sound the rickshaw stopped working and came to an abrupt halt.
"Oh no!" she cried. "It's 9:15am and the stupid rickshaws won't stop." she complained, trying to hail another rickshaw. She looked up at the sky and saw angry, grey clouds gathering. She prayed to Allah miyan to let her get a rickshaw before the rains unleashed.
Meanwhile, Ahil was driving to his home and his car stopped as he had a flat tyre, a few metres down from where Sanam's rickshaw broke down.
"Shit!" he exclaimed, along with other colourful words.
He quickly ringed up the mechanic who said he would take at least 20 minutes to come but promised to hurry up and reach as fast as possible.
"What the hell! Ugh!" he snapped as he waited impatiently. He decided that he might have to do something he never did since years ago.
He would have to use a rickshaw.
Ahil Raza Ibrahim never travelled by rickshaw. But with his file at home and his meeting at half ten, and the fact that it was already almost half nine, he had no choice.
"Auto!" he yelled but to no avail.
He walked up a bit and continued calling out for a rickshaw and finally one stopped.
Sanam too had stopped the rickshaw.
"Dadda this address" she cried.
Same time Ahil ran up to the rickshaw.
"Tum kya kar rahe hain? Yeh mera rickshaw. Move"
"What do you think of yourself? I called it first. It's mine"
"Nahi. I did"
"No"
"Yes"
"Listen Mr. I'm running late for a job. So please leave me alone"
"You think I have all the time in the world?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Listen. I wouldn't dream of begging to take a ride in a rickshaw okay. Just today my car isn't working I'm helpless so this is my rickshaw. Now move from here" he scowled.
Back and forth they went, with rickshaw Dadda watching from side to side at them before he gave up and drove forward and took in an old lady and sped off.
"What the hell!I t's all your fault!"
"Mine?"
"Yes yours!"
"Listen Mr. You were just boasting about your car? Well go! Go to your car. Ya Allah! These big people and their big people talks" she muttered.
"What did you say?"
"All of you are the same. Especially that ARI bas***d and his company"
"Excuse me!" Ahil bellowed.
"Yes it's true. Rich people feel they know everything. Disgusting. Always look down on us" she snapped.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"What does it matter? HUH?"
Ahil was about to reply when his phone rang.
"Ji. Really? Okay I'll just come" he spoke while Sanam tried to call a rickshaw.
"See. The mechanic has come. I won't compete with you for any rickshaw. Goodbye" he said righteously.
"Bye" she shouted, sticking out her tongue.
He turned and walked away from her towards his car
A flash ripped through the sky suddenly, and the clouds bellowed in response as a shower of rain fell onto them.
He ran into his car quickly and started it. He was about to drive off when he saw her.
She was standing in the rain.
Fretting over her lock of hair which was now plastered onto the side of her face. She pouted trying to remove it, but flattened her lips in defeat and let it be. She had a bruise, he guessed, on her forehead. She held her dupatta over her but gave up as it was not much of a help and let the rain soak her down. She seemed to enjoy the rain. A whisper of a smile was evident on her face. Something felt familiar about her. Her face, her eyes, something. She almost resembled the dargah wali ladki but Ahil wasn't sure. Nahi. Her eyes were more beautiful than this girl's eyes right? Just then she bolted her head up as if suddenly remembering why she was there and continued yelling for a rickshaw.
He drove up and stopped to the side of her and opened the door.
Sanam sucked in her lip and furrowed her eyebrows.
"Badtameez ladka!" she shouted before slamming his door and running to the rickshaw that had conveniently stopped for her in that moment.
And just like that, Ahil's momentarily lapse of arrogance disappeared and he fisted his hand around the steering wheel very tightly and drove off in a rage.
Ahil tried to take a shortcut to reach his home faster but ended up in a truck load of trouble as the road had been blocked due to the heavy rains.
Meanwhile, Sanam reached Ibrahim Mansion and was welcomed by Rehaan, who was surprised she had shown up drenched.
"Aap theek hai? How come you came? And I thought you weren't coming? If I had known, I would have come to pick you up!"
"Actually I decided to accept your offer so suddenly. And well, there was a lot of rain."
"OH okay. Lateef!" he called out.
Sanam didn't know if to laugh or cry. Lateef was... something.
"Rehaan Saab?" she.. no he... well... Lateef asked.
"Give her a dry change of clothes and show her where her room is. This is Sanam. She is our new cook and care taker"
"Ji" Lateef complied.
"Chalo" she exclaimed, grabbing Sanam by her hand and pulling her along hallways to her room.
"Waise, these may not be as pretty as mine but they're nice clothes. After all I must have different clothes. After all I'm a DD"
"DD?"
"Delicate Darling, DUHHH. Oh ho Sanam. You have so much to learn!"
Sanam's eyes widened and before she knew it she was racking her lungs with laughter till she coughed.
She and Lateef warmed up to each other really well and after she changed Lateef showed her around.
"So Lateef, who lives here? Rehaanji... Nazia, Shazia... who else?"
"Just Rehaanji, Nazia, Shazia, and their older brother, meri Laad Saab, Ahil aurr" before Lateef could continue, she went into a dreamland, propping her face on her hands.
"Ummm Lateef, who else?" Sanam asked.
"Hellooo" Sanam snapped her fingers.
"Sorry! It's just... ahhh Ahil Miyan!"
"What's so great?"
"HUI MAA. Everything about him is great!"
"He must be like Rehaan then. You know what Lateef. I think everyone here is so warm and humble despite being from such a wealthy background"
"He's not exactly like Rehaan. Meri Ahil Miyan is so muscular. Oye hoye. And attitude bhi hain. But he has a heart of gold."
"Hmm. But Lateef. How come you're checking him out? Aren't you supposed to like gir..."
Lateef raised her eyebrows and screwed up her face.
"I mean, uhh no! Very nice. Your Laad Saab!" Sanam said quickly and Lateef smiled again.
"Anyways, Daadi also lives here. She wasn't so well recently but now she's recovering slowly."
"Oh I see."
"Yeah. She has dinner and stuff in her room though. I take it for her, so when you finish cook, let me know okay?"
"Sure"
Lateef then left.
Sanam then called up Dilshad and told her that she that she got a job at Rehaan's place. Dilshad thanked Allah for giving Sanam an opportunity so quickly. She was a bit disheartened Sanam won't be with them but she knew she couldn't convince Sanam and neither did she want Sanam to feel worse. She wished her Good luck and told her to call soon.
Chapter Four - The Confrontation
By this time Ahil reached home.
"Ahil Bhai" Rehaan called out to him as he entered the house.
"Yes Rehaan?"
"Actually, I know we needed a new cook. Remember that girl I told you about? Who saved Nazia? Well she needed a job so I offered her a job as our cook. I know I didn't ask you before but..."
"Rehaan. Why this formality? This house is as much yours as it is mine. You can make decisions too. In fact, good that you gave her the job. The least we can do to repay her right. Anyways I'll just take my file and go back to work. Bahut urgent meeting hain"
"Theek hai Bhai"
And five minutes later he left for office again.
~~
"Sanam, I didn't even ask you, how are you feeling now?"
"Much better. Shukriya!"
"Good" Rehaan replied. He noticed her playing with the end of her dupatta. She looked as if she wanted to say something.
"Uh, Sanam, do you need something?"
"Actually Rehaanji, I was wondering. I know I'm here as a cook right. So I should cook right? But I don't know what you people eat? What time? I can't find Lateef either. Ya Allah"
Rehaan laughed slightly.
"Rehaanji?"
"Well I basically work for you now right?"
"Oh please. In theory yes, but leave out these formalities. You're part of this home now. And we have dinner at 7:30pm, lunch at 11:30, well whoever is home, and breakfast at 7am. As for dinner tonight, you can make anything. It doesn't matter. Make something easy to prepare, I know you still need time to recover fully. And make sure you take your medicines on time. If that's it, I'll take your leave."
"Shukriya. Umm one more thing" she replied.
"Mmm?"
"I was wondering if after dinner I could go home. Actually I need to get some things from home"
"Actually it's raining. I wouldn't be doing right to send you out after dinner. Hmm. If you don't mind, I'm on my way out, I could stop by your BadiAmmi. Maybe you can call her and ask her to get your things together. If not, tomorrow morning we can arrange something?"
"Thanks so much! I'll just go and call her"
"I'll bring them after work them Allah Haffiz"
After calling Dilshad, she went to the kitchen.
"Wow. Even though they are such big people, they are so humble. Certainly not like those filthy bas" she started off and didn't realize she was raising her hand to slap the air, when Nazia appeared in front of her looking shocked.
"Sorry!" Sanam said sheepishly.
"It's okay! Actually Rehaan told me you're staying here now. Shazia is out with her friends and Lateef is busy doing some other kaam so I thought I'd keep you company!"
"Aw okay! Well I was going to start preparing dinner"
"Great. I don't know how to cook anything. Can I watch you? You know, our last cook, she was so old and strict. Ya Allah. Even if I wanted to try to learn from her I couldn't! Now I have a friend and you can teach me too right?"
"Of course Nazia!"
And just like that Sanam made another friend on her first day. Maybe it wasn't going to be half as bad.
~~~
Later that night:
All were asleep beside Sanam. She tossed and turned. Her life had taken such a big turn in no time. She felt so uneasy. The storm outside made it no easier. The banging of the windows stirred her before she shut them. She could still hear the gusts of winds and the howls outside and the rain droplets stomping angrily down on the roof.
She decided to do her Namaaz. Talking to her Allah would definitely bring an ease to her restlessness.
She draped her dupatta. Even though she wasn't in a dargah, she draped it fully, covering everything but her eyes. Usually she would leave her face exposed but something about this strange foreign place made her feel to cover her face. Maybe it was just a voice in her head. Whatever the reason was. She did.
She was about to lay out her mat when a blinding streak of lightning struck, taking all the lights in the house with it.
She jumped up and hurried out to get candles. She was even more uneasy now wading through the darkness. She silently prayed as she walked through the unknown hallways, down to the kitchen.
Coincidentally, Ahil had now got in, after a long day at work.
Sanam was standing in the dining room, and was about to light a candle with the matches she obtained in the kitchen, when she felt a presence close to her. She quickly lit it. She hadn't heard any bedroom doors opening so she knew everyone was sleeping. Her heartbeats took off on a wild chase and she held the matchbox possessively in her other hand as if it gave her some reassurance, being her only weapon. A shadow of a man formed on the curtains in front and her breathes became ragged. She saw his shadow get closer to hers and struck the match at once and spun around, intending to burn the intruder.
Instead she bumped into a strong, hard, cluster of muscle and was steadied when she nearly fell, the candle still in her hand, the match box and the now blown out match sailed to the floor. She opened her eyes and...
"TUM?" both whispered, their voices entirely reflecting their shock.
The only light was from the candle between them, held in Sanam's left hand, her right hand on his shoulder. His arms which had kept her from falling still held her, one at her shoulder,one on the small of her back.
The flame in between them flickered, contrary to their eyes which were now locked in an intense gaze.
Ahil was in a trance. "It's you" he whispered huskily, his eyes dreamily drowning into the pair of eyes he thought he'd never get to look into again.
He saw her fear suddenly subside and wonder and confusion took its place. Only her eyes were visible. She was actually here. The dargah wali ladki! He got lost in her two never-ending depths of beauty while she herself was stunned. The candle light was enough for her to realize he was the same badtameez ladka from today. But why was he staring at her like that? And why did she like it? She felt herself shiver, and she wasn't even cold. It was him. She remembered him. His stubble. His eyes. As she looked into them she came to the same conclusion. There was a coldness, something so intense she felt light headed. And then behind it was a soft vulnerability. Tonight it was more present in this moment than that day at the dargah. There was something glistening in his eyes, a flicker of hope. She felt herself relax in his arms momentarily.
As if on cue, a gust of wind blew and her dupatta came flying right off.
Ahil's eyes widened. How could it be? As if he needed further assurance, he looked down and saw the taveez the Baba gave her tied on her arm. It really was her. They were the same person. How could he not know this? He should have realized. He himself had imagined looking at her face. How could he not realize this beauty only belonged to one person. While she was in the rain, it crossed his mind but he couldn't seem to put two and two together.
"YOU?" he exclaimed, coming out of his trance.
In that moment, the lights went on again, leaving Sanam and Ahil to play off their fate. No hiding in the dark anymore.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped.
"Me? What are YOU doing here?" He regained his composure.
"I work here! Stop following me!"
"Excuse me? Why would I follow you? This is my home!"
"What? Nahi.That can't be. This house belongs to well-mannered, respectable people who are helpful and understanding to human emotions. What would you do here?"
"Now you're crossing your limits?"
"You're crossing your limits! Let.me. go." She haughtily echoed and he let her go and pushed her away.
"Shh. Everyone is sleeping. And you better don't wake up Daadi especially!" he reprimanded softly, pointing towards Daadi's room. She remembered Lateef had told her that room was Daadi's.
"Oh my. You really do live here" Sanam face-palmed.
"Yes. Now tell me what are you doing here?"
"Rehaan hired me"
"Rehaan? But he said he was going to hire the same girl who saved... This makes no sense"
"But I am that girl?"
"What?"
"What were you just saying about the girl who saved.?"
"None of your business. Besides that couldn't have been you"
"How are you so sure?"
"Because you are just arrogant and stubborn and bossy"
"WHAT? For your kind information, Mr..." shecrinkled her eyebrows and questioned him with her perfectly, almond shaped eyes.
"Ahil Raza Ibrahim"
"Right, for your kind information, Mr Ahil Raza Ibrahim, I saved your sister Nazia okay"
"Oh I see. You did that in exchange for a job right? All you women are the same!Anything for money." He spat.
"Gadha! What a pig! What a sexist pig!"
Ahil pulled her to him, digging his hands into her arms, grinding his teeth, his eyes red with fury. When he pulled her, the candle fell and blew out.
"I saved her out of the kindness of my heart. But I won't expect you to understand that. You rich people always think of us like this. Rehaan is so different from you. I can't believe you're part of the same family. No you can't be his brother."
"SANAM!" Rehaan bellowed.
Something about Rehaan's outburst and the sudden change of emotion in Ahil's eyes signaled to her that she had entered a NO-entry territory with her statements.
The lights came on just then.
Ahil released Sanam from his grip.
Sanam's eyes welled up.
"Sanam you can't say these things to my Ahil Bhai. You have no idea what you are saying"
"Lekin Rehaan, you don't know the kind of person he is. I've met him already."
"Listen. Ahil Bhai is the best. He may he harsh but he never does anything wrong. Ahil Bhai has done a lot for us. This is our family matter. But never say something like that to Ahil Bhai again." he said sternly.
Sanam was a bit confused when he said family matter. What that had to do with anything?
"Rehaan.. forget it" Ahil said.
Sanam looked to Ahil and found him storming off towards his room, perhaps.
Sanam then ran off to her room in tears.
Rehaan stood there. He wondered what Sanam meant by saying she'd met him before. And why did she say things like that to Ahil? She was not that type of girl. What was the matter with these two? And why did Ahil react the way he did?
These thoughts circled his brain before he finally gave up and retired to bed as well.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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