Thank you all for waiting for so long. I have been moving and too many things went wrong lately in my personal life, hence, I had to take some time off. Hope you are all here still. The next part will be up very soon.
Part 10:
The sun's rays broke through the floor to ceiling windows in a fresh burst of protest. Khushi squinted against it as the tiny beams of light played hide and seek with her through the curtain openings.
Khushi looked around: Arnavji uth gaye? Itni zaldi?
He got under the light blanket.
Arnav: Rather sleep.
Sanam was warm. Too warm, she thought, as the birds chirped outside her windows. A soft breeze came in through the verandah and breezed by her. What was she to hot then, she thought sleepily.
Someone moaned.
Aahil.
She was in Aahil's arms last night.
Sanam struggled against the dead weight on her and peered up at him. He was hot, not she. He was hugging her and making her too hot.
Sanam wiggled her hand out and touched his forehead as he slept. The alarm bells went off in her head.
Sanam: Aahil!? Aahil (she struggled up as he let go and turned around, groaning). Hai Allah, Aahil, you are burning up!
Aahil said something incomprehensible as she quickly adjusted her dupatta and went to find Khushi.
Arnav remarked: 101 degrees. Good job, mate.
Aahil grunted.
Khushi: And you thought we will get a cold, how long were you out there drenching?
Aahil sneezed hard while trying to breathe as Sanam fussed over him.
Sanam: Drink this (she shoved a lemon colored hot liquid to him).
Anjali: It's Theraflu. It will help with the sore throat. Drink up Aahil, I will make you some soup.
Aahil could only hear the hens clucking as he closed his feverish, watery eyes. He sneezed hard and looked up to see Sanam's wide eyes looking at him pitifully.
Aahil: You all shouldn't be here. You will get the cold too. Just give me some time and I will be fine.
Sanam: Keep quiet and stay under the blanket. I will go and help with the soup.
Khushi was finally dragged away by Arnav, still talking and giving tips.
Arnav: You want to give him a headache with all that fussing? Come away, give the man some space.
Khushi: But kara...
Arnav: He already has the theraflu. Aahil, make sure you drink that stuff mate. Imad swears by it.
Aahil nodded.
Anjali assured Sanam that everything will be fine as Sanam trembled away with the tray of soup.
Sanam found him angrily propped up against the head board when she came in.
Sanam: Di made you soup.
Aahil: Not feeling (he sneezed hard) good after the flu thing. Can't.
Sanam put the tray down and sat on his bedside.
Aahil: Keep your distance. Or else you will get it too.
Sanam: No chance of that, is there? You probably already gave it to me overnight.
Aahil looked away, embarrassed: My apologies then, you came up wanting to snuggle.
Sanam: Maine kuch kaha?
Aahil, grimly: Well, keep your distance now.
Sanam ignored him and shoved a spoonful of chicken broth down his throat. What were you doing out there in the rain?
Aahil: You should talk...rain dancer.
Sanam: I am used to it. Khushi and I took precautions and we weren't sitting there chilling for hours.
Aahil: Whatever.
She shoved another spoonful down: Irresponsible. What were you doing out there for so long anyway?
Aahil ruthlessly: None of your business!
The last morning's thoughts pierced back into his head. Divorce paper, he had to file divorce papers. Not worthy.
The kisses from last night played havoc in his head. No spark. Here his world was turning upside down and she felt no spark.
Sanam watched Aahil as he pondered moodily. She couldn't fathom how anyone could look that spiky and cuddlesome at the same time. His fanlike eyelashes flicked this way and that as he pouted resignedly.
Without thinking, overwhelmed by love, she swooped in and softly kissed his naturally cut bottom lip.
Unaware of his shock, Sanam thought those fringed little lashes deserved kisses too. She kissed each eyelid as those little hairs tickled her lips tantalizingly.
Aahil pushed her back: Stop it! What do you think you are doing!?
Sanam snapped back in embarrassment: Why can't I!?
Aahil was shouting: Because you are tormenting me! Stop trying to get so close to me, alright? I have had enough of your curiosity. Just because you saw me have a meaningless tryst with another woman doesn't mean I can perform like a stud for you! (More softly this time) I can't do that with you.
Sanam's body burned up in humiliation as she understood his full meaning.
Sanam: Oh yes, how clumsy of me. How could I forget, I am only a servant. Forgive me, Nawabsaab, I will NEVER touch you again!
She got off the bed and started angrily gathering her things.
Aahil shot back: That is not why I said that and you know it! Stop pretending to be clueless.
Sanam did not speak or look at his direction as angry tears bubbled up to her bloodshot eyes.
Aahil, with a sinking feeling was quickly loosing his indignation: None of this means anything to you... You don't even feel a spark yet you subject me to this when you KNOW it means so much more to me.
She sipped up the suitcase and made for the bathroom.
Aahil called after her: Yes, run away after having your say, why don't you? You could rather deny that I have feelings that accept that I love you. Even a man like me can have feelings. I am SORRY it is such an "insult" to you, but I am not going to give you meaningless fun just because you think I am easy.
Sanam slammed the door on his tear-streaken face.
Sanam's heart was beating too fast. Her thoughts too wrecked to process any of this. What happened to them everytime they came remotely close? After every kiss they would be thwon back as if hit with an electric shock. And then a big fight would follow. He always ran so hot and cold. Always misunderstood her intentions. Does wanting him mean she wanted to use him? Didn't he want her to want him!?
Aahil would not knock and say sorry this time, even if she was crying in there. It was a struggle sustaining anger against her. Only guilt ate at him inside most of the time when it came to Sanam. Guilt and all-consuming love.
She had been nothing but kind to him all morning when he probably did little other than give her a cold. So she couldn't love him the way he loved her. How could he punish her for that? This was his comeuppance for serially breaking hearts. Sooner of later it had to catch up to him. He knew the girls he dates did not always share his view of casual dating. They had hoped for more by agreeing with his terms. And now he was in their position. Hoping for more from a person who couldn't and wouldn't give him more. Those girls eventually resigned, he should do the same rather than faulting Sanam...
As these two made their convoluted defenses, Arnav and Khushi's tiny kitten, LG, slowly made his way along the lushly carpeted floor of the room.
Something white in his peripheral vision moved. Aahil tried to rest. He watched warily as the cat made its way to Sanam's door and scratched.
A Godsent, thought Aahil.
"Meow...meow."
The door swung open after a few more pitiful pleas. By this time Anjali's Anisha had crawled her way behind the cat's tail.
Without sparing him a word or glance, Sanam picked up the cat and child and left the room.
Sanam missed the look of adoration in Aahil's eyes as he admired how good she looked with the two babies in her arms.
Anjali thanked Sanam for brining Anisha back.
Anjali: She is very hard to keep track of thse days. Just learned to walk and she is already keeping us all on our toes.
Imad put his daughter back in her crib: She keeps following LF everywhere. That cat is in mortal danger. She bit its tail the other day, Sanam. Little minx.
Sanam smiled.
Imad: How is Aahil doing?
Sanam's eyes grew dark: He's fine.
Imad: May be some rest and fussing over and he will be.
Sanam: He can take care of himself, certainly doesn't want anyone else's help.
Imad and Anjali exchanged meaningful looks. Edited by Marybarton - 10 years ago
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