RULES
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE...
OS: The enchanting stranger
It has been nearly two month since this incident happened and Nazim still wasn't sure if it could be called as such. Then to be honest nothing really happened. The only thing that took place was a young woman walking by, long shiny hair dancing in the wind and large dark and beautiful eyes meeting his own for a fracture of a second while her angle chains sang a lovely enticing melody. He was brought out of his thoughts when Vishal lightly boxed him in the shoulder and asked "Hey are you going to concentrate on the shooting or will we be repeating this scene for the umpteenth time? You know I have something better to do then watch you missing your cue time and time again". He was saying it in his natural jolly way but Nazim could see that irritation wasn't far away. 'Concentrate Nazim. Stop thinking about it!!', he ordered himself silently and then turned to his friend and smiled a little sheepishly. "Sorry mate. I will concentrate now, honest." "Okay, take care but if you don't you have to treat me for dinner" Vishal laughed.
Yawning Nazim stood in the changing room. Finally the shootings were done for today but thanks to him everyone including himself had to work extra time and now it was nearly 11pm already. He hadn't messed up any scene after his friendly banter with Vishal and so didn't need to treat him to dinner so the younger man had left already. 'But where am I going now? I don't want to cook myself tonight so better go out and get something' he thought and decided to go to the high street near his home to get something from his favourite restaurant, which served very healthy food. On his way to it the young woman intruded into his mind yet again. He wondered where she was; who she is; how she is and if he would ever see her again. 'See her again? Please don't be ridiculous. Alone Mumbai has over 12 million inhabitants so there is no chance at all that you see her again, idiot' he scolded himself while he was stepping out the car. But just then he heard an angle chain singing behind him and a pleasant laughter. He quickly turned around and there she was the woman, who had occupied his mind for the last two month. She was standing with a group of girls on the other side of the street. They seemed to have a great time laughing and joking about.
He didn't know what to do. Should he got to
them or not and if he did what should he say and what if they regocnised
him? so many question, which he couldn't find an answer to. He was a
celebrity now, there was no mistaken. SNS was the most popular Indian
serial in the moment and most people knew it or at least knew the faces
of the leading actor to which he belonged. 'Stop being a worry ward' he
scolded himself. 'Just go near them and see what happens' With this
order to himself Nazim crossed the street a few meters behind the group
of girls, in which centre his enchanting stranger stood. Smiling and
laughing. He heard her say "Oh Ahlam stop your nonsense that is never
gonna happen" and right that second all other sounds were wiped out to
him, only her lovely voice came through. And so he did not here Xarina's
reply "But Nazma we are in Mumbai so why shouldn't we meet Nazim around
here? There is a small chance" "Yes there is" Fahima, Vibha and Kristin
agreed, whereby Kristin had a distant look in her eyes. Ahlam, who saw
that, laughed and said "But Kristin there is absolutely no chance for
you to meet Vishal. So stop dreaming and come back to earth!!" The
dreaming girl was brought back to reality and glared at the younger and
smaller girl. "Can't you stop being a pest every five seconds babe?" she
asked and on the chatter went accompanied by happy laughing and fake
angry outcries.
Nazim on the other hand had moved closer to
them. Very slowly but know he could see Nazma's face from close up again
and decided that she was even more charming then he had thought or
remembered from their short encounter two month ago. Now even the other
people on the street and sidewalk didn't exist for him anylonger. He
already colided with two persons without realising it and still went on
until he bumbed into Fahima. The young girl swirled around to complain
about the harsh treatment but then stopped in her tracks and starred
open mouthed at the handsome devil standing before her, who just kept on
starring over her head at Nazma. The other girls had fell silent as
well and weren't shocked any less then Fahima. 'Oh how I wished I would
have standed where Fahima stands, then he would have bumbed into me' all
but two where thinking. Nazma was busy blushing deep red under Nazim's
open stare and the memory of him having read her short story about Gohem
in which Ahem tied Gopi to the bed. 'OMG what should I do? This is so
embarrassing!!! Does he know I wrote that story and that is why he is
starring like this at me? But how could he know that it is me?' she was
wondering. Nazim on the otherhand was getting irritated now because
Nazma had dropped her gaze to the floor and he couldn't see her eyes any
longer. Therefore he closed the last distance between them with three
big steps and grabbed her by the chin to raise her gaze again so he
could see into the beautiful darkness of her eyes. "That is better" he
mumbled under his breath and smile warmly at Nazma, who felt like
fainting right that second.
Vibha fainted just that second
and Ahlam, Fahima, Xarina and Kristin got into a laugh flash, which made
Nazma glare at them. Distracted she just pushed Nazim's hand from her
chin and stepped past him to confront her friends but just as she was
stopping before them she felt a strong hand grabbing her wrist and
pulling her backwards. Stumbeling she fell backwards trying to find some
hold to keep herself from falling she reached out her free arm. Just
then a strong arm wrapped itself around her waist pulling her close to a
hot and strong body. Shocked she looked up to see Nazim's face really
close to hers and it was coming even closer until she could feel his
warm breath caressing her face.
Nazim had been really irritated
when his angel had brushed off his hand just like that and walked passed
him without paying attention to him at all. He hadn't noticed the
ruckus the immature girls had made so didn't know why she was going away
from him. That is why he grapped her wrist to keep her by his side.
Pulling her towards her she fall into his arms, which he liked. Her body
perfectly matched his and it felt like holding his other half to Nazim,
still enchated he pulled Nazma even closer till his lips where only
inches aways from her lips. Time stopped for him until the clicking of a
camera brought him back to reality.
His eyes widdened in shock
and he looked down at Nazma and their interwined bodies. Slowly he put
some distance between their lips and helped Nazma to find her balance
again. Then he looked around to see what camera he heard just now. 'What
did I do? Idiot!! Gawar!! Stupid!!' he scolded himself, while Nazma was
thinking "Idiot, stupid, gawar!! why didn't you kiss him, when you had
the chance?' She to turned around to see what Nazim was looking at and
there stood Taniks with her camera taking one pic after another with a
huge smile on her face. "Come on smile Nazim and Nazma" she said and
took some more pics of them. The other girls where still giggling and
pointing at the two of them. Colouring dark red Nazim turned to Nazma to
apologise for his behaviour however everytime he opened his mouth one
of the girls made a joke and got the other ones laughing loudly.
"Woh ..I.." Nazim started
"Did you here that? He sounds just like Gopi does, when Ahem questions her", ahlam was saying.
"I want to say .. erm" Nazim tried again
"and he has problems to get the word sorry out just like Ahem. Men I tell you" Xarina was laughing.
"Erm... woh.."
"and
back to gopi stile" Kristin cried out and put her arms around Fahima's
shoulder to keep upright and not fall on the floor with laughter..
Now Nazim had enough his head snapped around and he glared at them angrily.
"wooow
if that is not the famous Ahem Modi glare!!! Thank you lord for giving
me such a gift" taniks said faint hearted and clicked some more pics
"STOP
IT!!!" Nazma shouted, embarassed with her friends behaviour. She turned
to Nazim to apologise for her friends but he just decided that he
needed to talk to her alone away from her friends and therefore had took
hold of her arm again and now pulled her away from them.
Nazma walked into the lounge and threw her house and car keys into the porcelain swan above the fireplace. She's learnt from experience that if she put the keys there then there would be no mad rush of hunting the keys in the morning. She kicked off her shoes and sank into the easy chair. It had been a hard day. Four weeks until the end of term and her workload had increased. Her class of Year 0's (4 to 5 year olds) were taking part in the nativity, carol service and she was also helping out with the school's production of "A Christmas Carol." She was so tired. She glanced at the clock. 10pm. She should have something light to eat and then go to bed.
She quickly made a sandwich and returned to the lounge. Picking up the TV remote she switched it on. A news programme was reporting that the patriarch of Naz Industries in India had passed away from a heart attack. News, which deeply saddened her. "Grampy had died?" she thought to herself and remembered the times she has spent with him. When all around madness ensued he made sure that he added to it. She smiled wistfully and wiped away a tear.
Checking the time she picked up her mobile and tapped in the numbers of Naz Mansions. Ensuring that she used the numbers 141 to ensure that her number was withheld.
The phone rang loud in the Naz household. Slicing through the early morning silence. Nazim was already awake. Reaching over the side of the bed he picked up the cordless from its cradle.
"Hello?" There was silence at the other end. "Hello?" Nazma held the phone to her ear and closed her eyes. She hadn't heard his voice in such a long time. Why did she miss him so much? "Hello? Who is this?" he demanded, getting irritated. "It is 4am in the morning. I don't know who you are but have you got any concept of time?" OK so he had been awake but he wasn't going to be magnanimous. He was about to continue and then stopped. 4am in the morning? There could only be one person. His face softened. "Nazma?" he spoke softly. "Is that you? Speak to me please?" At the change in his tone Nazma snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at the display on the phone and cut the call and then slowly felt her resolve crumbling. Remembering the hurt and humiliation she had suffered she allowed herself to cry.
"IT WAS HER!" he stared down at the phone. "She had called and he had wasted time by going on about being disturbed! He didn't even get the chance to say sorry or even to see how she was. He brought up the caller id. Nothing. Anger built up in him. In a fit of pique he threw the phone across the room and listened in satisfaction as he heard it break.
Nazma dried her eyes. "You idiot," she muttered to herself. "Get a grip!" Putting the phone down she picked up her dishes, deposited them in the kitchen and went to bed.
***************************************************************
FIVE YEARS EARLIER
Nazim opened his eyes and rolled over on to his stomach. Putting his arm out he expected to feel the soft body of his wife. Only she wasn't there.
"Damn." He thought to himself. She always woke up before him. "When am I ever going to get the chance to surprise her with breakfast in bed although he could think of other things to surprise her with. A wicked grin lit up his face as she emerged from the bathroom. He propped himself up on one hand. "I thought you were going to wake me for our early morning run. Don't tell me that you have already been." Nazma giggled and sat down on the end of the bed.
"You looked so angelic sleeping. I thought it better not to disturb you."
"Ah, but you have disturbed me now." He sat up and reached for her, "and now the angel is no more. The devil has risen." He grabbed her by the waist, tipped her onto the bed removed the towel and lay on top of her. Nazma gave him a wicked look.
"So? Is that what you are calling it now."
"Can't think of nothing better. He said. Grabbing both of her hands and placing them above her head he leaned in for a kiss and applying pressure on her thighs, positioned himself in place. Nazma moaned and stretched out her body enjoying the sensation as he entered. Still holding her hands he looked directly into her eyes.
"Avinash? Would you like some juice?" Nazma offered to pour the juice. Avinash gave her a withering look. Nazma took the hint and put the jug down and sat with Nazim. Ever since she had got married she had met with a considerable amount of animosity from Avinash, Nazim's older brother, and didn't really understand why. The rest of the family treated her as one of their own. But him! He had big problems of his own. The big jerk.
"Nazma? Are you going to university today?" Grampy asked. Nazma shook her head.
"No Grampy. I have no lectures today."
"Good. You can help me with a few problems I am having with my computer."
"Going to uni!" Avinash spat. "The place for a married woman is in her house. Why do you think that you are so special that you can badger this family into allowing you to continue your studies? And what is this sports sciences anyway? What type of mickey mouse degree is that?"
"Lay off her bro." Nazim replied. "What is it with you." Nazma was riled. She confronted him.
"If my family have no objections with me finishing uni, why should you?" Avinash stood up. The contempt clear on his face.
"They are not your family." He stated. "Don't ever make the mistake of thinking that!" Nazma opened her mouth to reply but Nazim stepped between them.
"You would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself. Now I don't know what your problem is but lay off." Avinash gave both Nazim and Nazma a dirty look and stomped off. Grampy looked upset.
"Take no notice of him. He was always an angry child and is now an angry man. I don't know what goes on in that mind of his."
Two weeks later Nazim was getting ready to go away. He had been selected for an award and had to fly to the US to collect it. He hated to leave Nazma but she had her finals coming up and accepted that they would be a priority.
She helped him pack. She was sad but she knew that he would be back soon. He took a call on his mobile telling him that a car was ready to take him to the airport.
"OK. I'll be down soon." He cut the call. Walking over to Nazma he pulled her close to him and hugged her. "I hate doing this." He said and kissed the top of her head. "But it's only for a week or so. Before you know it I'll be back." He held her at arm's length. "Try ad concentrate on your studies. I know you will be thinking of me 24 hours of the day." She looked up at him.
"Oooh. You are so smug. As it happens I might think of you for say about five minutes, then I'll get on with things." He pulled her close and she laughed.
"Well how about me giving you something more to think about." He placed his hand at the top of the blouse, making his intentions clear. Desire reflected in her eyes but she managed to bring herself from the brink.
"And leave the car waiting." She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a long lingering kiss. "For now, this will have to do."
"Just a couple of days." He winked and picked up his case. "I'll call you once I land."
Nazma was concerned. Three weeks had gone by and still Nazim wasn't home. He'd rung and cited a few hiccups with his return but promised that he would be home in no time. Nazma pottered about at home. Her finals were over and she had the whole summer with Nazim to look forward to. That and wanting to share that little bit of news she received from the doctor. She felt elated and was thankful that Avinash was not around to dampen her mood.
Finally he was on his way home. He sank into the back seat of the car and groaned. He had spoken with Nazma but even her enthusiasm couldn't bring him out of the darkness that had engulfed him. No, he was not looking forward to being home.
It was late as the car pulled up outside the house. Grampy was up to welcome him and explained that he had sent Nazma to bed. Seeing the look on his grandson's face he knew that he had made the right decision.
"You'd best come to the study." He said and went into the house. Nazim nodded and followed him.
"What has happened?" the old man looked across the table at him. Nazim sighed and stared back. Confusion, pain and remorse etched on his face.
"Grampy? While I was in the US a situation happened." Grampy sat back in his seat. "So the boy went off the rails a bit." He thought to himself. "He could hardly be blamed for that." Grampy shrugged. "These things happen. Why don't you put it behind you?" Nazim shook his head.
"No Grampy. While I was there I got married!" There was a gasp of shock. Both looked at the door to see Nazma standing in the doorway. Tears welling up in her eyes. With a strangled sob she ran off down the corridor to her room.
Nazma lay on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. She had cried her heart out. Trying to make sense of it all she fell into a fitful sleep.
Nazim stood outside the bedroom door. His eyes wet with unshed tears. Maybe Grampy was right. He had got himself into this situation and in all reality he had to sort it out. Until he did he would have to keep away from Nazma. He'd hurt her so much already. Putting his head in his hands he slowly sank to the floor silent sobs racking his body.
She awoke as the light streamed through her bedroom window. Without thinking she out her hand out to the other side of the bed and found it empty. It wasn't slept in either. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She was hurt and the fact that he had not come into the room last night hurt even more. She allowed herself to cry long and hard. Once the tears had dried up. She steeled her resolve. She was not going down without a fight.
Nazim would not even meet her eyes at breakfast. More so he had chosen to sleep in the guest room. She clattered the breakfast things and dumped Nazim's breakfast in front of him. Avinash, the jerk, had come back like a bad smell and he sat opposite her and smirked. He had found out about all that had happened and was not letting any opportunity pass without goading her. Eventually she got so fed up that she poured the whole jug of juice over him and ground his breakfast into his face. She sat down and glared at him. Avinash was mad and bellowed like a madman. He lunged for Nazma but she was too quick for him. Grampy stood up. Anger evident on his face.
"Avinash! Leave the table. Is there any time of day that you are home when you are not causing trouble. Now go to your room and get cleaned up!" he ordered. Avinash muttered few curses and giving Nazma a murderous look exited the dining room.
"Nazma, Nazim? We are caught up in a very awkward situation. Nazim. You need to tell Nazma what has happened and see if we can find a way to resolve it."
"What is there to tell, Grampy. He went away and the next thing I know is that he got married. How can that be? How is it legal?" Nazim looked crestfallen. She wouldn't even take his name. Grampy looked at her gravely.
"It is legal, I'm afraid. As a Muslim, he is allowed to take another wife and I have made a few enquiries and a full nikaah ceremony was conducted.' Brown eyes rounded on Nazim
"Don't I get a say in this. I thought that as your first wife that I would be given that right at least!"
"Nazma, I had no intention of striking up a friendship let alone get married. I don't know how it happened but I married Lauren. I couldn't just abandon her?!" Nazma drew in a sharp intake of breath.
"Lauren," she spat. "You even dare to take her name in front of me! Next you'll be telling me that she is here and that you are moving her in!" There was an uneasy silence. "No!" she exclaimed in shock. "Why the hell can't you divorce her and send her on her way." Grampy put his hand on her shoulder.
"We'll have to wait 28 days before a divorce can be performed." This was getting worse and worse. She flew at Nazim and beat on his chest with her fists.
"You slept with her!? Why don't you just kill me now." and collapsed sobbing into his arms. Nazim's self control was held by a very thin thread. He wanted to hold her in his arms and soothe away her hurt. But she was beyond that. She was mad.
"I didn't sleep with her," he protested, "At least I don't think I did. Nazma. I was not myself when all this happened."
"So what do you call these?!" Avinash appeared and threw down a handful of photographs. Photographs with Nazim and a pretty blond girl, dressed in wedding finery taking part in the ceremony. Seeing the pain on Nazma's face he smirked. She picked up one or two of the photos scrutinised them further and threw Nazim a dirty look. Then without a word she turned on her heel and went up to her room.
(*The weeks that followed took their toll on Nazma. Knowing that her rival was under the same roof stressed her out. Neither woman had made an effort to approach the other. The last straw was when she lost her baby. True she hadn't been taking care of herself but Avinash himself had had a hand in her "accident." And even admitted to it to her when she was alone. She also found out the reason for his animosity. The fact that her father had refused her hand in marriage to him. That night she lay under her bed sheet quivering and sobbed. Sobbed for the baby she lost, the end of her marriage and the helplessness she felt.
As soon as she was back on her feet she decided that she had to leave. It was not a decision she took lightly. Nazim had thrown himself into his work and was hardly home. He'd leave first thing in the morning and return last thing at night. He refused to give her a divorce. Lauren was indeed pregnant and as the law stood he would not be able to give her a divorce and therefore decided that it would be unfair to agree to a divorce. Unable to take anymore Nazma contacted a few family friends and had quietly put the wheels into motion for her departure from the house.*)
Writing a note for Nazim she tiptoed to his room. Peeking round the door she saw that he wasn't in the bed. She was about to turn and leave when she spied that he was sat in the armchair asleep. She left the note on the desk and looked down at his sleeping form and stifled a sob. Everything had started off so perfect but ended up so wrong. She bent down and gently kissed him on the lips while he was sleeping. Without another look back she left the room.
Nazim watched soundlessly as he watched her exit the room.
Two hours later she was on the plane taking off for the UK. She eased back in her seat closed her eyes and prepared to sleep
PRESENT DAY
Nazma pulled into her usual parking space outside school and sighed. Just under 2 weeks to go. She consoled herself. She hadn't slept well since she had heard about Grampy's passing. But if she was true to herself it was because she was thinking about Nazim. Every evening she would see him in her room and she would reach out for him. He would come towards her but when he got close enough Lauren would appear and he would disappear. Never mind once school broke up she would get as much sleep as she needed.
Ms Townsend, registrar, came looking for her as she reached her class.
"Mrs Ali" she chirped. Nazma smiled broadly at the sound of her voice. Comrades in arms and together anytime there was trouble brewing. "How are we this morning?"
"Fine, Ms Townsend. What trouble have you brought to my door this morning?"
"Mrs Ali? I never bring you trouble only joy" she laughed. "There is a new student starting today. Her name is Samara and she only arrived in the country last week. Her English is limited so she may be shy." Nazma loved it when a new student started.
That's good. So you will bring mum over when she arrives?"
"As always,' Ms Townsend replied and tottered off.
Nazim was going through some paperwork in the study when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." he called out without looking up. Lauren stepped into the office.
"Hi. Can I get some paperwork from you?" He looked up at her. His eyes void of any emotion.
"What papers do you need?" He stood up and walked over to the window. Lauren sighed to herself. Five years she had spent in this rat hole of a country. Five years and he never acknowledged her as his wife. Yes he gave her his title but that was all. He kept her comfortable, never wanted for any thing but he never gave her any of himself. She had thought that things would have got better after his first wife had left but instead they had got worse. He had punished her for five years but most of all he had punished himself.
"I need to make mine and Talia's passport. I thought it would be nice to go and visit friends. Can I have the original marriage certificate?" He turned round.
"I will get it for you tonight." Lauren nodded and left the office. Barging into Junaid, Nazim's best friend and deputy CEO of the company. He watched Lauren as she strode down the corridor. He smiled at Nazim.
"Everything OK? He asked and shut the door. Nazim turned round and motioned Junaid to take a seat and sat down.
"Depends on what you consider OK." He replied morosely.
"I have something to cheer you up." Nazim leaned forward in his chair. Junaid carried on. "I have located Nazma." Nazim's eyes lit up.
"Where."
"Well not exactly where she lives but where she works. My sister is in London and she has enrolled her daughter, Samara at the same school. I took the liberty of taking a copy of the photo you have on your table and sent it to her." Junaid leant back in his chair and smiled. "Her mission. If she chooses to take it is to befriend Nazma and report back." For the first time in years Nazim beamed and his eyes glittered with a look of anticipation. He had a lot of work to do before he finally would be able to see her. He walked round to the side of the desk. The gratitude on his face showed how much of a burden he head been carrying. He hugged Junaid.
"Thank you" he said. "You have done more for me than a brother could have done." Junaid hugged him back.
"We have still got a way to go. No need to thank me."
"For the first time in years, I feel like I want to be home." He picked up his briefcase. "Why not come home for dinner?" Junaid shook his head.
"Mum has got relatives visiting. She wants me home. But you go. I'll keep you posted."
Nazim sat on his bed and removed his shoes and socks. He took the tie off and threw it on the bed and then went into the en suite. He re appeared changed and refreshed ten minutes later lay down and got ready to sleep. Then he remembered Lauren's request. He pushed aside the bedcover and walked over to the small safe in the corner of the room. Pulling out the file with all the certificates and important documents he sat on his bed and snapped on the bedside lamp. He located the marriage certificate and pulled it out. He had locked it away the minute he had gotten home and never really looked at it. He read it from top to bottom and then stopped in horror.
It was not his signature on the certificate!
He looked closely at the signature, trying to make sense of it all and found that he couldn't. Try as he might he had no recollection of taking part in the ceremony or when exactly he had met Lauren. He had woken in his room the following morning to see her crying and felt his world crash down around him. He picked up the file and flicked through the papers and came across Grampy's letter, given to him the day before he died. He had been too upset to read it then and figured that now would be a better time than any. There were a number of documents within. The last will and testament, which had been drawn up weeks beforehand. Nazim scanned through it and rested on the amended part. Grampy had disowned Avinash and had made him sole heir to his estate! He knew Avinash had been in a foul mood and had not even attended the funeral and here was the reason why. "But why would Grampy disown him." He mused. The last sheet was written in Grampy's writing. He lay back against the pillows and started reading.
"What the '." He jumped off the bed. Fate was playing a cruel joke on him today. Grampy's letter laid bare what had happened that night in the US. He had been the victim of an elaborate hoax and that it was carried out by none other that his own brother, Avinash. Grampy had investigated the events leading up to the ceremony and had only received the results in the recent weeks preceding his death. Grampy pointed out that Avinash had drugged him heavily and had staged everything in an act of jealousy and revenge.
A red mist settled in front of his eyes and he lashed out. He heard glass smash and pain shoot through his hand quickly followed by a sticky sensation as blood oozed from the wounds. He looked down but all he could think was "Five years! Five years of pain and separation for something which turned out to be a lie?" His first thought was to locate Avinash and confront both him and Lauren but then decided against it. No. The most important thing was to go to Nazma. Tell her the truth and bring her back.
He stood at the vanity and dialled Junaid's number via speed dial. The cradling the phone in the crook of his neck he opened the tap and let the cold water wash away the blood.
"Hi Junaid," he spoke as it connected. "Sorry to call you so late. Listen. Is there any way that you could arrange to get me a seat to London? Doesn't matter which airline or cost. I need to leave straightaway." The bleeding was beginning to lessen. Grabbing a towel and the first aid kit he started to dress his wounds.
"You sound pretty urgent. Everything alright?"
"I hope it will be." And he narrated to Junaid what he had discovered.
"No!" Junaid replied, shocked. "But how come you didn't pick up on the marriage certificate?" Nazim asked himself the same question.
"I wish I knew," he replied back. "I was in so much despair, that I didn't bother to check it out and then so much happened in between with losing the baby and Nazma leaving that I was too numb to give it a second thought."
"So you are going to London to bring her back?"
"I'm going to London to persuade her to give us another chance. I hope to god that she will."
"OK. No worries. I'll go online now and see about the tickets. I'm coming with you. We can stay with my sister. I'll call back soon." Nazim cut the call. His hand was beginning to hurt now. He popped a few painkillers and went back into the room and started to pack. More importantly he picked up all the paperwork he had been looking at and popped them into his briefcase. They were essential to his efforts to reunite with Nazma.
Nazma closed her eyes against the headache that was building up. She had gone over this a dozen times.
"Girls, please. It is not "When Shepherds Washed Their Socks At Night but When Shepherds watched their flocks at night. Now please can we try again? Who has been telling you this line?" 'Joseph' stood up.
"Miss it was some of the girls in the big school. They told us to sing it like that." Nazma smiled at the girl.
"That may be so, but I want you to sing it the way I have told you. OK?" she daren't shout as this would upset the whole class and she didn't have the energy to placate a class full of 4 to 5 year olds. "Whose idea was it to give the nativity to Year 0's this year?" she questioned and then caught a glint in the music teacher's eye. She shot him a look as if to say "I'll get you later for this!" He smiled and started the first few chords and Nazma smiled with relief as the students sang perfectly. "Two more days two days and it will all be over for another year. Hopefully it will be someone else's turn." She thought to herself.
Nazim and Junaid strode into the arrivals terminal after clearing customs. Junaid's sister, Janaat was waiting for them. After greeting her brother she extended her greeting to Nazim. Seeing that both men were in need of rest she quickly led them to the car. Nazim fell asleep as soon as the car left the airport.
"He must be really tired." Janaat observed in her rear view mirror. Junaid agreed.
"Yes he is. Probably the first time he has slept properly in a long while. He's popped a few painkillers as well. He'd cut his hand before we left but wouldn't go to get it seen. He's been hiding it from the airline staff as best he can. Otherwise they might not have let him fly."
"Quite a risk. No worries. I can call out Dr Delaney when we get home. He can take a good look at it and dress it properly. Oh, by the way. Before you get totally relaxed and accuse me of not telling you, Samara has her nativity play on Thursday. Thought it would be a good idea for Nazim to see Nazma while he is a crowd. I don't know how she will react if she sees him on his own. She seems really nice. How could he do that to her?" Junaid sat back in his seat, closed his eyes and sighed.
"Family politics," he said. "Damn stupid family politics." He didn't need to say anything else. Janaat nodded all too aware of the problems that families created.
The following afternoon Nazma herded her class into the hall. Parents and carers had been arriving since two and the hall was beginning to get packed. She smiled. It was funny how the anticipation showed as eagerly on the faces of the audience just as the excitement showed on the faces of her charges.
"Right everyone. In your places, please. I will be in to front row so if you get stuck look at me and I will tell you what to say. Has everyone got that? Good! Now good luck everyone." She came out and took her place in the front row not even thinking for a single moment that he was there.
Nazim watched as Nazma walked off the stage and into the front row. For a minute he thought he was going to stop breathing. She was stunning! She looked taller than he had imagined her but just as beautiful. He smiled and sat back as the lights went down and the children started their nativity.
Nativity play over Nazma stood with their class as she taught them how to bow. The audience as always cheered their approval. She smiled and looked out into the audience and felt a little hand tug at hers. She bent down to hear Samaara.
"That's my Mamu." She whispered and pointed out at Junaid. At that exact moment Janaat tapped Nazim on the shoulder and he turned round. "Come and see him?" Nazma put her hand on Samaara's head.
"Why don't we go and get your coat. Then we'll come back and meet your Mamu." Samaara beamed.
"Yes, miss" and skipped along to class to collect her belongings with the rest of the class. Nazma picked up one or two of the crowns which had been left by the wise men and followed her class. "Talia. No running please and Tumi don't forget your coat today. Mummy wasn't very pleased when you left it on the fence yesterday." She tutted to herself. She had become a right mother hen.
The music teacher, Jacob, knocked on the classroom door after the last of the students had been picked up. Nazma had met Samaara's Mamu for her sake and ensured that she had everything before she left. As always, many times she would find the odd PE kit or overall which had been left behind.
"Hi Nazma. Some of us are off to 'The Three Hammers' for a drink after school. Are you coming?" Nazma smiled at him. There was no secret that he fancied her and her colleagues had cajoled her often enough to go out with him. She had always flirted with him and he was aware that she did not think of him in that sense but he always persevered. Today was no exception.
"I'm sorry Jacob. Thank you but I can't. Tonight's my last junior Jujitsu class before Christmas. Another time perhaps?" Jacob's face fell but he recovered quickly.
"Sure. No problem. But if you change your mind ''"
"Thank you but I won't."
She moved around the room picking up the odd book, pencils and toys that were left out. She picked up a stuffed toy and stroked it absentmindedly thinking about the upcoming holiday and then sighed heavily. Holidays were always hard. At work she had plenty of distractions but holidays were when she missed him the most. Yes, he had broken her heart. But deep down she loved him. She smiled to herself bitterly. If he were to walk back into her life now? What would she do? Throw herself at him? Cry in his arms? She threw the toy in the designated box. And sighed heavily. "Like that was going to happen."
It was almost dark when she eventually reached her car. She was thankful that as it was the run up to the end of term she did not have any work to take home so she could get home and quickly change into her gear and go straight to class. Everyone else had left and she was the last to leave and felt wary. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she dropped her case and whirled round, fist ready to strike and mustered all her energy to hold back the strike.
"Hello, Nazma." She looked incredulous. For the first time in months she had thought about him and here he was. If she had asked for anything else today surely her wish would have been granted. Slowly she calmed down and lowered her arm. "Use that a lot, do you? He asked. She looked down at her fist and then back at him. She relaxed her fist.
"Only when I have to." She replied. "Er? What are you doing here."
"I wanted to see you." He stepped forward. Nazma reached for her keys activated the central locking, quickly opened the door and stood behind it using it like a barrier. "I have missed you." She rolled her eyes. After everything that had happened, he had the cheek to miss her.
"OK, so you've seen me." She said, "Now if you don't mind I need to get home." She sat in the car and started the engine. He held the door open and leaned down.
"Can we just have a chance to sit and talk?"
"Not at this moment in time. I have a class I need to get to. Call me." She said with a hint of sarcasm and grabbed the handle to shut the door. He stepped back.
"She drove off without a second glance." He thought to himself as he watched her car drive off down the hill. Car headlights switched on at the access to the country park. Nazim walked towards it. "This might be harder than I thought." He mused.
Junaid looked at him expectantly. But by the look on Nazim's face he thought better not to say anything. Nazim sighed.
"It's not going to be easy." He finally said. Junaid put the car in gear and drove off. "Do you want to give it another try tonight?" Nazim shook his head.
"No, I need to think. She's not going to be the pushover I thought she'd be." He shook his head as if to clear it. "Why did I think that she's welcome me with open arms? She's had five years away from me and has made her own life."
"You love her?"
"Yes. Even through those dark days. But she distanced herself from me." Junaid shrugged.
"So don't be beaten. She's still the same girl you married. So she's grown up a bit but she would have even if she was still with you." Nazim took in all that his friend was saying to him. He would need to work harder at regaining her trust. There was no way that she would let him just walk in and say sorry.
Nazma pulled into the garage and cut the lights and then the engine. She hit the wheel in annoyance than anything else. He had found her! And she had to use every ounce of control she had in order not to fall into his arms. She sat back. She needed to know why he was here. But she would wait for him to make a move. There was no way that she would go running after him. Seeing the time she quickly ran into the house grabbed a bite to eat, changed into her kit and rushed to the leisure. It would not do if the Sensei was late to class.
"Thank God, its Friday!" Jacob sat down on the bench next to her. Nazma agreed. "Got any plans?"
"The usual," she replied, "shopping, cleaning, washing and I have three swimming classes." Jacob looked around to ensure that there were pupils around.
"Any chance of you coming out with me tonight?" Nazma looked at him. He was persistent. She smiled at him.
"Jacob? How long have you been asking me to go out with you?" Jacob grinned.
"Since forever. I know that you keeping saying no, but a man can dream can't he?" Nazma shook her head.
"I don't want to give you the wrong impression. I like you as a friend. I like your company. Can we leave it at that?"
"But you'll come out tonight. It is the staff meal tonight so there'll be a group of us. And I promise, no expectations." A student came running up to Nazma, cutting short the banter and handed Nazma a note advising of a delivery for her, which was being kept in reception. Curious. Nazma went along to the reception office.
The PA's office was filled with the smell of roses. She looked up as Nazma knocked on the door and smiled broadly. She picked up the huge bouquet that was on her table and handed it over.
"Someone has an admirer?" she said. Nazma looked at the flowers. Two dozen red roses. She inhaled their scent. There was only one person who would have sent these. She looked at the card. Yep. True to form. There was no message. Just his signature.
"Let's just say that a certain someone is trying to make amends." She said to the PA and then turned as she heard two of her students behind her who had come to collect the register.
"Miss, you have flowers!" They exclaimed in unison, wide eyes as only four year olds could be.
"Yes, I have flowers. Now come on, quickly take the register." She turned to the PA. "Thanks." The PA shook her head.
"Not me. Thank him, whoever he is." Gathering her two charges she took them back to class.
The flowers generated a lot of interest. From colleagues as well as her class. Her four year olds sat at their desks practising their shapes but continued to look at the flowers. Eventually, they could no longer wait. A hand went up.
"Miss?" Nazma looked up.
"Yes, Jaanaki," Jaanaki stood up. "Miss? Who gave you those flowers?"
"Miss. Are they from your boyfriend?" Nazma laughed.
"Now what makes you say that. Now go back and practice your shapes." The whole class started clamouring for an answer. Nazma looked over at Liz, classroom assistant for her class but Liz shook her head.
"You're on your own," she laughed, "Besides I am curious as well!" Nazma quietened down her charges, who by now were getting hyper.
"OK everyone. On the rug for story time."
"But Misss?" came the wail from Tumi. "We want to know." Nazma knew that she would have to answer them before they got really worked up.
"Sit down quietly Tumi. I won't start until you are all sitting quietly with your fingers on your lips." Each student took her place on the rug and sat in silence watching expectantly. Nazma looked in merriment as Liz had also taken her place an the mat and mimicked the pupils. "I think, Mrs Graham that there is no need for you to sit on the mat" and she indicated the chair. Liz winked and sat on the chair. Nazma took a deep breath. "The lovely flowers are from my husband." Ten pairs of eyes looked back at her. A hand shot up. Nazma looked over. "Yes, Jessica?"
"What is his name, Miss?" Best not to give them too much information.
"He is called Mr Ali." Tumi's hand shot up again. "Yes."
"When did you get married? Where are your photos? Why didn't you invite us?" The whole class clamoured with their questions. "Miss were you a princess when you get married?" Nazma quietened them down. She picked up a book from her desk
"Shhh, girls you are getting too loud. Now sit down quietly and listen to 'the very hungry caterpillar' and if you are very good I will give you all a flower to take home with you." She nodded at Liz who picked out ten roses and checked then for thorns, then wrapped them in tissue paper for the girls to take home at the end of the afternoon.
Nazim sat in the car and inspected his hand. It was healing nicely. He'd come along with Junaid to collect Samaara and was parked a couple of cars down facing Nazma's car. He smiled to himself. She would have taken delivery of the flowers. She had always loved red roses.
The school traffic had dispersed and he waited for Nazma to show. He did not have to wait too long and she was carrying the roses he had sent. He smiled and exited the car. Junaid started the engine and turned the car around and drove off home.
She saw him get out the car and stopped. She looked at him, then at the flowers then back at him and smiled faintly. He walked up to her. She put the flowers on the back seat and straightened.
"I take it that you sent the flowers. Thank you." She placed her case in the back as well.
"I'm glad you like them. How have you been?" She shrugged.
"I've been ok."
"God! This was like extracting teeth," he thought. Nazma looked past him and saw that the car he had travelled in had departed.
"So he wants to come home with me. Well she can chat to him about old times and then show him the door." She focused on his face. He had asked her something. "What?"
"I asked if you were doing anything tonight? Thought we might spend some time together." He stared at her. Did he just see pity in her eyes!?
"I actually have plans for tonight. You see I am going '." She didn't get to finish. Jacob came cycling down the hill and stopped next to them. He nodded at Nazim and turned to Nazma.
"See you tonight, then? 7.30 at Oscaz"
"OK. I'll see you there," Nazim watched as Jacob rode off down the road.
"Who was that? He asked stiffly.
"A colleague!" she shot back. She was in no mood to explain herself to him. He leaned against the car, barring her from getting into the driver's seat. "What?" she asked frostily.
"Just a colleague?" he questioned.
"If I say he is, then he is." She shot back. "Now if you don't mind. I would like to get into my car now." He moved aside and she noticed his hand. "That looks painful." He looked at his hand.
"It's getting better." He reassured her. She looked at him. He hadn't changed much, just got older. She looked for the car, thinking it may have come back for him.
"Where's your lift?"
"Junaid has taken Samaara home. I thought that perhaps we could talk."
"Oh, I suppose so!" and she indicated for him to get in, put the car in gear and drove off.
She let him into her house and with a flick of a switch bathed the hallway in light and then carried on to the lounge. She put the keys into the swan, put the flowers down and rounded on him.
"Why are you here?" He was taken aback and hadn't expected her to be so forthright. He took a deep breath.
"Nazma, I made a huge mistake five years ago. I have regretted every day since then." He stood in front of her. "Will you come home?" Nazma stared at him silently. For years she had dreamed of this moment had waited for him to come to her. But he never did and she had resigned herself to being alone. But he was here in front of her asking the question she had yearned to hear. And now that he was here what did she feel. Nothing! She had buried her pain and had started to live some semblance of a life. Finally she spoke.
"You don't know how long I waited to hear you say that. When I first came here I thought that perhaps you would come. And then you didn't. I figured that you had decided to live your life with Lauren, so I didn't make an effort to contact you either. Thought it would be better to forget you." She turned away, afraid that her eyes would betray her." He put his hand out and touched her arm.
"Did you forget me?" She shook her head.
"I couldn't. We had something together. I couldn't forget that. But you hurt me. And that was very hard to accept." He wanted to reach out and touch her. Hold her in his arms and soothe her pain away. But there was still distance in her eyes. He would need to regain her trust.
"Nazma. It wasn't that I wanted to come after you. After you left I was caught in a mire and I just didn't know how to deal with it all. So I regressed into myself and for years threw myself into my work. To be honest, there was not a single day that I didn't think about you."
"Liar. You found someone else and then just rejected me." He was thrown. She didn't sob or shout. But in a self assured way she had just made her feelings known. Feelings of hurt, of anger and of rejection. He removed his hand from her arm.
"Nazma, whether you believe me or not. I am asking you to come back in my life. In recent days I found out that we were both victims to someone's vendetta. I did not get married."
"Are you expecting me to believe you?" This was a joke. He was playing a cruel joke on her. She looked into his eyes and was shocked to find that they mirrored her own feelings. "Could he be telling the truth!?" She put her hand out and stroked his cheek with the back of her fingers. He raised his hand and covered hers with his in silence they stood reacquainting themselves. Finally she stepped back. "I'm not quite sure what to believe, Nazim. But I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt. However," she glanced at her watch, "I have to get ready as you know. Help yourself to a bite to eat. Do you want me to drop you off at home on the way to the restaurant?" Nazim shook his head.
"No I'll get Junaid to come and pick me up. I won't eat."
"OK." She replied and went upstairs to get ready. Nazim dialled Junaid's number and picking up an addressed letter gave him the address. He then waited.
Nazma came down the stairs. She had decided very carefully how to dress. She wore a cream v neck jumper belted in at the waist, a tartan skirt in beige and brown check which came to just above her knees, black tights and high heeled shoes. Make up and jewellery were simple. Nazim stared. She looked so elegant. Perfection. They both allowed each other a small smile. He because she looked so good. She because she had him hooked. She grabbed her coat and keys.
"I can still drop you off at home." His phone rang. He looked at it.
"No need," he replied, "Junaid is here." After locking up she turned to Nazim. "Can I see you tomorrow?"
"What time. I have to go shopping in the morning and then I give swimming lessons until late afternoon at the leisure centre."
"Tomorrow evening, then.
"OK. Got to dash." And left him standing. Nazim walked towards the car parked at the roadside and got in. Junaid grinned.
"Home?" Junaid questioned. Nazim shook his head. He showed him a piece of paper with the address of the restaurant.
"We are going to that restaurant as well." Junaid looked concerned.
"Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean if she sees us she may get mad."
"It's a chance I am willing to take." There was no way that he would let Nazma be in the company of that teacher friend of hers. Meeting him briefly today confirmed that he wanted to be more than a friend.
10.01.2012
Nazim was in a foul mood. The evening hadn't gone his way. The restaurant had been fully booked. Junaid has persuaded him that it was futile to wait and had taken him home. But he couldn't get the image of Nazma out of his mind. They way she looked tonight and then the way she had dissolved into a fit of giggles at something her colleague had said, wiping away the tears of laughter from her eyes. He wanted to be with her and wanted her to want to be with him.
At home he was restless and finally collecting the car keys from Junaid decided to go out for a drive. He drove for a while, made a few wrong turns but eventually ended up outside her house. Engine off, lights off he waited. He didn't have to wait long.
She parked her car, collected her handbag and keys and made her way to the front door. She looked up at the faulty street lamp which fizzled out leaving darkness. She quickly locked the garage door and hurried up the steps to her front door. Just as she got to the door she felt a hand on her shoulder. Quick as a flash she struck out with her fist and made contact. Then stamping on her assailant's foot she took the opportunity to run and shut the door behind her. She had to preserve herself. Now was not the time to kick seven shades out of anybody. However, the door was pushed open with such force that it knocked her backwards. Stumbling, she looked at who it was.
Nazim stood in the doorway, face as black as thunder, breathing heavily. The side of his cheek was beginning to redden where he had been hit.
"Are you going to greet me like this all the time?" He practically growled stepping in and shutting the door. Nazma smirked. Obviously he was not aware of the dangers of creeping up on her.
"How was I to know that it was you? Besides, respectable men don't ambush ladies in the dark." She threw back and there was almost a challenge in her voice.
"So if you had known it was me you wouldn't have struck me?" Despite himself her smiled. There was a glint of mischievous in her eyes. Looking at him squarely in the face and extremely deadpan she replied.
"I would have hit you harder."
He stood infront of her. For a while nothing was said. They looked at each other, properly for the first time since they met. He hadn't changed much. Nazma thought. Yeah he was older and he had garnered a certain air of arrogance about him. Despite herself she reached out and touched his cheek. Stroking it with her thumb. "I should get you some ice for that." He shook his head. "No need." He leant in and placed a kiss on her cheek as if testing whether it was safe to do so. Nazma dropped her handbag on the floor and shrugged off of her coat. Standing up to her full height she put her arms around his neck and met his kiss with hers. Gentle at first and then followed by a sense of urgency. She helped him out of his jacket and without breaking the kiss ran her fingers through his hair. His hands went immediately to her belt and discarded it on the floor. He cupped her face with his hands and deepened the kiss, taking the opportunity as she sighed to slip his tongue into her mouth. With urgent fingers she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it free from his pants, exposing the expanse of his chest to her eager lips. Grabbing her hands above her head he pinned her against the wall with his leg strategically placed between hers keeping her in place and kissed the soft skin of her neck moving down to the V of her sweater. Like a woman possessed she rubbed herself against his leg. There were no words. He looked at her and saw the need that mirrored his own. He stepped back and without saying a word led her into the lounge. Throwing the cushions onto the floor he lay her down. Releasing her from her skirt and tights he removed the last piece of barrier between them both and positioned himself. He hesitated for a moment, worried that maybe it was too quick but she raised her hips up to him and taking his cue plunged himself into her and then held still. She stiffened against him, sinking her fingers into the hard planes of his torso. After the initial discomfort she relaxed against him and began to enjoy a sensation that she had missed so much over the past number of years. He picked up the pace, fast and furious, taking her with him, wanting release. To feel that nothing else mattered. Not here, not now. Just listening to her moans with each thrust until they melted. And then complete release. He sank on top of her, breathing heavily, before coming down to earth. He lifted himself up onto his arms and looked into her face, feeling guilty. It was too quick. He should have had the presence to hold back. Nazma was covered in a light sheen of sweat. Strands of hair were plastered onto her forehead. She looked at him and tried to blow the strands away. He brushed the strands away and she smiled up at him. He returned her smile and kissed her.
They haven't met for five years. First meeting is at the vegetable market she i s buying tomatoes
She was shocked to see how much he had changed from the chubby little bablu she knew!!
he was very cute.she could not believe he was her bablu.she slipped on a banana peel and fell.
Fahaad who had been lost in Fahima's beauty ran to save her! He slipped on the same banana peel and landed ontop of her. Fahima blushed and looked away while Fahad marvelled at her beauty. He reached out his hand and she spat on it !
He smiled even wider at this gesture, recognizing that she still hates him like she did in childhood. While, his feelings were mutual back then too, they may be different now.
He wiped
his hand on her head.Fahima was even move annoyed when she saw his wide grin.
(Wait did he get up yet? how else would he have gave her a hand..duh)
"I guess some things never change huh Fahi", remarked Fahaad and
wiped his slimey hand off on her head. "Hey
! How dare you wipe your hand off on my head", shouted Fahima.
"How dare you spit on my hand !", Fahad responded with equal anger.
They both stood there fuming with anger for a few minutes. Then, they
snapped back to reality. Fahad looked around the floor and saw squashed
tomatoes everywhere.
"Sorry about..all of this mess. Here, let me buy them for you".
"No, that won't be necessary."
With that, Fahima walked away from him to buy lemons. When suddenly, a molvi
came into the picture! he shouted and started dancing around waving a
sword. Fahaad grabbed Fahima's hand and ran out of the market.
Fahaad
and Fahima, still holding hands, stopped running. A few seconds later, they
bursted into uncontrollable laughter. They felt as if they were children
running from their parents again.
When
they stopped laughing, they looked at each other and would start all over
again.
They realized they still were not out of danger, they started running again.
They both hid behind a booth while the molvi ran past. Fahaad grabbed
hold of Fahima's waist and pulled her closer to him. they looked into each
others eyes suddenly Fahaad kissed her on the mouth. She bit him.
He
sucked on his bitten lip and then taking her head in his hands have her a huge
french kiss. His hands moved from her head to her neck. That little bit
where the pulse is. He broke the kiss and then followed his hands with
his lips. making her catch her breath. His lips met hers yet again. When
their lips parted, Fahima spoke with a shaking voice.
"Is that all you got? Tsk tsk tsk. I think you can do better Babloo."
Fahaad accepted the challenge and deepened the kiss. He shoved his tongue
inside her parted lips and tasted tomatoes in her tongue.
"How about that?", questioned Fahaad.
"You call that kissing? I've gotten better kisses from my grandfather! Let
me show you how it's done fellow", remarked Fahima. Fahaad smirked at her
confidence and before she could do anything, he stepped back and started
walking away.
Fahima was astonished to see his courage to leave her hanging like this. She
yearned for more but she knew she would have to wait. However, she was not
going to let him leave. She ran after him rugby tackled him and sat on
his lap. She leaned into him ready to kiss him when she felt something
weird. Something small and hard was poking at her.
"You always did have a little one, didn't you?", said Fahima.
"Thats my key ring" he said "but if you want to feel the real
thing I can arrange that."
"Hmm. Maybe later but right now, I want to catch up with the years we have
missed ! Let's go to the cafe down the block."
"Sorry sweetheart, that will have to wait til tomorrow morning. We'll have
plenty of time to chit chat later but for right now, we've got some other
plans."
At this statement, Fahima's face flushed a bright red that she thought
impossible to happen.
"Hmm. Maybe later but right now, I want to catch up
with the years we have missed ! Let's go to the cafe down the block. He
held out his hand. "Please don't spit in it this time."
She smiled at him and placed her hand in his. At the cafe he found a secluded
table ordered two cold drinks and sat down. "So. What have you been
up to? Are you still studying?" Fahima nodded and took a swig
of her drink.
I's still at school." We had run out of tomatoes and mum asked me to get
them. He remembered the squashed tomatoes.
"What did you intend to do with them? Make ketchup!" She
swung for him and he grabbed her hand laughing. "Hey I was
joking. You really have an anger issue. Should get that seen
to." "I am stressed," she replied. "Di is getting married
in two weeks time and we are preparing some of the food in advance. I am
tired out." Fahaad took Fahima's hand in his and studied her
fingers. He looked up.
"Will I get an invite?" He thought that if there was a wedding
he could sit and watch Fahima in all her finery and not feel guilty.
"Now that you're back, do you think my mom would forget to invite you? You
know how fond she is of you." It was true. When we were kids, my mom would
spoil him even more than me. Maybe that's why I hated him.
"Speaking of aunty, how is she doing? I have missed her so much". And
I have missed you, he added in his mind.
He missed my mom and not me!! I can't believe this guy.
"Oh, she is fine. She loves to talk about you", said Fahima.
Fahaad was lost in his thoughts now. He stared at the wet pavement through the
window. He watched the tiny droplets fall down the window. He smiled,
remembering the times when they had a race with these raindrops to see which
one would reach the bottom first. For some reason, he always won at this game
which made Fahima furious. He loved seeing her face turn pink, signaling that
she was angry.
He looked at Fahima once again as if just realizing she was sitting here with
him.
"And how have you been?" At this question, she shrugged.
He knew the answer too well. She had cried so much when he had told her that he
was moving.
He tightened his grip on her hand and gazed into her eyes deeply.
"I promise, I will never leave you again."
Fahima smiled a fake a smile and nodded.
She thought back to the time when Fahaad was her hero. Her chubby hero. He
saved her from her evil cousin's schemes to try to get her in trouble. But her
smart Babloo would always know what they were up to and would rescue her from
their hands, just in time. He had always been there to protect her from
everything so when she found out that he was going to leave, she was scared to
pieces. Not just scared, but also heartbroken. Somewhere in the back of her
mind, she had always loved him. She was scared to admit it though.
There was something else she was afraid of. Worse than her cousins, possibly
more evil than any other creature. She shuddered as the memories flooded back
and forced herself to block them. She had became an expert on putting away this
particular person's memories. Fahima was in her deep,dark world. She didn't
realize Fahaad looking at her, intently. Those knowing eyes stalked her every
move. They caught her shuddering. He moved to sit next to her. Fahima was sobbing
heavily. He pulled her head into his muscular chest and let her cry her heart
out, and spoke soft, soothing words to comfort her. He knew the reason behind
this outbreak. Another time he may have stood up and went straight to the
treacherous man's door but right now, she needed him more than anything.
Fahima finally stopped when she had shed the last of her
tears. From the table in front of them, they heard loud familiar girlish
giggles, following a male's laughter. Fahaad looked at Fahima and asked,
"That can't be them!" Fahima's lips turned into a bright,wide smile.
"But it is them. Oh, Come on! We always knew they would end up
together".
Fahaad turned his head around to peek at the couple. Sure enough, it was them!
Vishal and Kristin.
Vishal had his arm around Kristin's shoulders and was whispering in her ear,
making her giggle.
"Yes, but I never thought he would have the nerve to confess his feelings
to her !" Fahima laughed inside her head, remembering how scared Vishal
was to talk to Kristin.
"A lot has changed Babloo"
"Including us", added Fahaad with a smile.
"Including us", Fahima repeated.
They sat there, staring at each other with wide grins on their faces. They
talked about every humorous memory they could think of and also about their present
lives. Fahaad and his family had moved to the U.S for better opportunities in
life, as so many others have. They were back in India to visit everyone they
left behind. Not him though, he was back for Fahi and Fahi only. Fahi and
Babloo hoped to never part again, to never leave this place. Hoped that time
would stop for them so, Fahaad won't have to return to U.S. They ignored the
subject entirely, focusing only on the moment they had right now and how much
they were enjoying each other's company. But Fahima had to know when he was
leaving.
"When are you going back?"
"Never if I could help it."
"Answer me Babloo. When? How much time do I have with you?", her last
question was barely audible.
Fahaad sighed. He did not want to ruin the moment but he knew how stubborn
Fahima is.
"Two months"
Fahima nodded slowly. Aching silence took over them. Neither knew what to say
or do anymore. They sat there looking longingly at their intertwined hands,
drinking in the sight that would disappear in two months. He finally, broke the
silence.
"Come with me Fahi", he pleaded.
It rained heavily outside. Lightning flashed several times before the sudden
realization of time hit Fahima.
"Oh my God! It's dark already. My parents are going to kill me!"
They had lost track of time, as usual. Their parents would always shout at them
for coming home late after playing outside with each other. Being together made
them forget everything around them. That's why they liked spending time with
one another.
"I'll come with you", said Fahaad insantly,"They won't scold if
they see me."
"Yes, but what about when they ask us where we have been! No, they would
start suspecting things."
"What's wrong with that?"
The question threw Fahima off and she froze. She realized that she didn't know
the answer. Why would it be wrong?, she asked herself. In fact, it's only the
truth. It is bound to be revealed to her parents.
However, back at Fahima's home, a surprising blow waited for them. It seems
that their parents already know what they have been upto, before they even
reached home.
Fahaad and Fahima started to stand up from their seats when
they heard cheers and applauds within the cafe. They stood up and found the
most pleasant sight of all. Fahima's face lit up as bright as a candle seeing
the scene in front of them. Fahaad wrapped his arm around Fahima's waist and
ushered her towards it. They joined the crowd and started to clap joyfully and
yelled words of encouragement. There they were. The same couple who was
giggling and laughing a while ago. Vishal was on one of his knee, his
outstretched hand held a dazzling diamond ring.
"I remember how frightened I was of you when we were kids. Frightened to
admit my feelings towards you. Frightened, thinking about what you may think of
me if you found out. Now finally, I have the courage to ask you this. I love
you and I want to spend my whole life with you. Will you marry me Kristin? The
"Awww's" filled up the cafe and brightened the atmosphere somehow.
Fahima stood there watching, astonished with glee for them, with her head
resting on Fahaad's shoulder and his arm around her shoulder.
"SAY YES ALREADY YOU DUMBASS!!! ",screamed Fahima.
Kristin's excitement could not be described in words. She knew the voice
yelling at her to say yes and listened to it.
"Yes ! Yes Vishal Ofcourse! YES!", she squealed with affection.
The cafe thundered with the sound of the customers standing up and clapping,
happily for the couple. Vishal and Kristin were too busy kissing and embracing
each other to notice their surroundings when Fahima and Fahaad rushed to them
to congratulate them.
They all circled around in a group hug with the girls jumping and crying with
joy.
"When did you come idiot? Didn't even tell us !," accused Vishal.
"I was a little busy with someone", he said and glanced at Fahima.
Vishal and Kristin looked at each other, knowing that they will soon be as
enchanted as them.
They congratulated them, hugged them and teased them. Then, remembering that
they had to depart as it was already dark, they said their goodbyes and hurried
to the thunderous house.
Fahi and Babloo, now holding hands, started walking to Fahima's house. The
smell of mud lingered around them and small puddles surrounded the path they
walked on. It still rained lightly and silently.
"Shouldn't we be running, right about now?", wondered Fahima.
"We are already late Fahi. A little more late won't hurt", replied
Fahaad and stopped suddenly.
"I believe we have unfinished business to take care of before we enter the
house,"
She didn't understand what he meant and looked at him, puzzled.
"Don't worry, I will show you what I mean", he added with a wink.
Fahaad stepped closer to Fahima. She moved back. He took another step. She
moved back another. She was afraid because he can be so unpredictable at times.
She kept moving back until finally, her back hit against the trunk of a tree
and they stood under the shade of the tree. She gulped. He gazed at her
intensely and moved closer till there was no space between them left, He put
his hand on her chin to pull up her mouth to his and kissed her ever-so gently,
as if she was a piece of glass. She melted at his touch and put her hands on
his shoulders. This was their first official kiss, filled with only love and
passion, not lust. Their breaths had quickened and they were lost, feeling
nothing but each other's lips. Their lips parted but their faces remained close
to each other, their foreheads touching. Their hands on each other's necks they
stood there, opened their eyes and discovered other's feelings through their
eyes, they needed to leave soon now and they knew it. They sighed sadly in
unison and let go of each other.
They started walking again, quicker this time. Fahima looked at her cell phone
and saw 30 missed calls and from her house ! She yelped in horror, even more
afraid. She started running the rest of the way and Fahaad followed her lead.
They reached her house in a nick of time. There waited both, Fahima and
Fahaad's families. They stood out in the front porch, looking worried and disapproving.
They also someone that sent utter shocks through them, he gazed at them up and
down, disgustedly. Fahaad and Fahima looked at each other and knew they were in
a heap of trouble. It was none other than the Molvi who they ran from in the
morning, who was now pointing a finger at them and yelled,
"There they are ! Your evil, naughty children! The ones committing
unforgiving sins!! Repent in the name of Allah! Ask for his mercy!!"
Fahima just stared down at her feet, not being able to meet
her elders' eyes. Meanwhile, Fahaad,being the brave one as always, spoke up,
"With all due respect, I would like to clarify that what you saw was only
part of what happened"
"Oh, so now you will tell me what I saw or did not see", said the
Molvi with a loud laugh.
Fahaad had always been respectful to his elders but this man was testing his
patience. He took a deep breath and attempted to speak again.
"No, I -",
"Dont say another word son !," said his dad in a strict tone.
"Thank you Molvi sahab for informing us but this is our family matter now.
Please leave us to solve it"
The molvi was not expecting this reaction. He made a weird gruff noise, nodded
and left.
The families stared after him, then turned their gazes on the couple, their
heads bowed down in shame.
"We didn't expect this from you two. Needless to say, we are very
disappointed", spoke Fahima's mom in a stern voice.
Then suddenly, Fahima's soon-to-be-married sister put a hand on her mouth, her
face red in the attempt to control her laughter and finally let go. Soon,
everyone broke out in boisterous laughter. The couple waited for them to finish
cracking jokes about their shocked faces.
"Alright, alright that's enough ! Stop teasing these two poor
children," insisted Fahaad's mom.
"Poor children? They didn't even tell us about them !," said Fahaad's
brother in a complaining voice.
"Wait, can someone please tell us what's going on?", asked Fahima
"Tell you both what's going on huh ?How about you tell us !! Fahaad has
only been here one day and you've already turned into Romeo and Juliet?",
teased her sister.
The couple turned red in embarrassment and realized that their families were
happy that they were ... What were we? Before we could answer this question for
ourselves, everyone rushed towards us.
The elders put their hands on their heads and pulled their cheeks. Fahaad's
brother took both of their hands and put them on top of each other.
"Hai hai main mar jawan !", hooted Fahima's sister.
"You both are made for each other ! You look so cute together!", exclaimed
her mother.
Finally, when their teasing was done, they started to hug each other, being
excited that they will be relatives now. We're getting married ! What? This was
happening too fast for both of them. Just when they thought that their horror could
not get worse, her parents announced that they will get married with her
sister. That's only a month away !! Fahima wished she could disappear into thin
air like smoke. Fahaad was concerned for Fahima more than himself. He knew she
would be terrified at the fast pace everything was happening. He had to stop
this and though, enjoying everyone's celebrations, he cared for Fahima more
than anything. He could see that she was smiling awkwardly at everyone who came
towards her; she did not look too happy as to where this was heading to. They
were family and he knew they would understand.
"Hey guys. Everyone, Please listen up !! I don't want to ruin the moment
but I will have to. I would be the luckiest man on earth to get married to
Fahima, but we need time. We understand that you guys are very happy for us but
you did not even wait for us to say anything. As you said, I have only been
here one day, I want to spend more time with her and not rush or force this
marriage onto her."
Their smiles vanished. He despised himself for doing this now. There was only
silence. No more talking, no more excitement, nothing. Fahima was smiling
however, seeing how much he cared for her approval and comfort.
"I agree with Fahaad and don't worry. We will get married but when we are
ready. We have been away from each other for so long, we need to get to know
each other now", added Fahima.
"We're sorry. We were so lost in joy that we did not think to even ask you
guys. We are not angry. In fact, we are proud of your decision. Marriage is not
a joke and should not be taken as one. We will not force anything on to you
guys," said Fahima's father.
The smiles returned again to let the couple know that they respected their
decision. Fahima's family went into their house and Fahaad's family went into
theirs, which was next door. They had gotten some relatives to clean it, so
they could stay in it. Fahima's sister came back to get Fahima.
"Mr. Hussain, may I please borrow my sister from you for the night?,"
she asked sweetly.
Fahima's famous oh-you-are-so-dead glare pierced into her sister.
"Yes, Ofcourse Alysha Di but make sure you return her back to me, safe and
sound," he replied in a mischevious voice, staring at Fahima consumingly.
She wanted to run away from his gaze and she did when her sister dragged her
into the house. He stared after her as she disappeared into the house. He stood
there smiling broadly and sighed. Just as he turned around to walk to his
house, something light hit the back of his head. He looked up and saw Fahima
standing at the window of her sister's room. He looked down to see a paper
ball, picked it up and saw her neat handwriting that wrote:
Good night Babloo
(:
He smiled, kissed the note and put it in his jeans pocket. He looked up and saw
Fahima blowing him a kiss, he stretched his hand to his side , pretending to
catch it. Then, he opened his fist and kissed his fingers. Fahima giggled and
turned her head when her sister called her name. She took one last look at
Fahaad and closed the window so he could not see her blushing. He felt the note
inside his pocket and thought out loud,
"The night's not over yet Fahi.".
He took one last look at the closed window and walked to his house.
Fahima was flying over the moon. She walked up to the bathroom of her room and closed the door behind her. She reflected back on everything that happened that day. She stripped off her clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water trickle down her body. The warmness spread over her body and she thought about Fahaad's warm breath on her face. The thought sent chills down her bare spine, making her have goosebumps. She grabbed the shampoo and rubbed it onto her hair. After half an hour, she finally felt satisfied with her clean hair. Then, she scrubbed her body down with soap. She was still thinking about Fahaad and how it felt to be touched by his lips. She touched her wet lips and blushed. Finally, she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She came out of the bathroom, smiling and lost in her own world with only her and Babloo. He stood leaning against the wall next to her window, also smiling and lost in his world.
She was breathtaking with only a towel wrapped around her dripping wet body. My eyes traveled from her feet, to her legs, to her waist, to her neck and finally, to her face. Her wet, disheveled black hair was a little shorter than her towel that ended at her mid-thighs. Her angular face was turning redder by the second and her pink lips looked delicious. Water droplets traveled from her face slowly to her long, thin neck. Her eyes kept roaming around at the ground, unable to look at me. She wrapped her arms around her chest as if that would protect her from my gaze.
"What are you do-", she was interrupted by his
finger on her wet lips.
How does he move so swiftly, so silently?
"You look stunning", he whispered in a voice that made her heart beat
faster. Her eyes were still on the ground which made him angry.
"Look at me, not my feet!" he demanded.
Her gaze started moving up to his face, slowly and steadily. Her breath stopped
when she reached his eyes. His intense, jet black eyes stared back at her. She
recognized those eyes too well; it was the only thing that had not changed. He
had matured so handsomely. His eyes matched with his silky, jet black hair
which was neatly combed to the side and away from his forehead. His nose was
pointy and wide, his square jaw had light stubble to prove that he was a man
now. He licked his dry, light pink lips. The heat of their bodies was rising in
the close presence of each other. She did not know what to say or what to do.
They just stood there, feeling the warm breaths of each other on their faces.
She shivered.
She stopped looking at the features of my face and fixed her gaze on my eyes. She let out a half-smile. I knew she was uncomfortable and felt awkward.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you would walk out
looking..'..like this"
The room was dark except for the moonlight pouring in from the window he came
in from. It made her look even more beautiful. He wanted to touch her, to
feel her smooth skin but he refused to fall for these temptations. He would not
take advantage of her while she was vulnerable and insecure, not like that
monster did. This made him more determined so, he turned around and
walked a few steps further away. She let out a deep breath that she didn't know
she was holding and admired him for being such a gentleman.
"Thank You", she said with her lips curving into a small smile.
Fahima grabbed her night clothes from the closet and went into the bathroom to put them on. She struggled with the clothes because her hands were shaking so much. She finally came out of the bathroom. He was lying on his side, staring at empty space. She grabbed a new towel and dried her hair. She wore a plain, white t-shirt and Mickey Mouse pajama pants. He chuckled when he spotted many tiny Mickey Mouses on her pajama pants. She raised an eyebrow and looked at him questioningly. He shook his head in response. She went back to drying her hair. Meanwhile, he stared at her dreamily.
"And what are you looking at?"
"An absolutely beautiful girl."
She found a small pillow and threw it at him. It landed smack dab on his face.
"Flirt"
"Oh, you are so going to get it now!" He sat up and started to get
off the bed. She started to giggle wildly when they heard footsteps. Both of
them froze and looked at each other, panicky.
"Fahima!!", her mom yelled and knocked at the door.
Fahaad rushed to hide into the bathroom. She opened the bedroom door and replied,
"Yes, Ammi?"
"I heard laughter. Do you know what time it is?"
"Sorry Ammi. I was talking to my friend on the phone."
"Alright. Go to sleep now."
"Ok Ammi."
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Fahaad was laughing
silently and fell on the bed.
"YOU ! Stop laughing! You will definitely get me in trouble one day."
"Me? No, sweetie. I rescue you from trouble when it finds you."
She dropped on the bed next to him, exhausted from all the heart attacks she
had today.
"You've been here one day and have caused so much chaos already!"
"Don't be such a spoil sport. Admit it. You had fun."
She did have fun. He pulled her head into his chest and wrapped his arm around
her waist. She put her arm on his stomach and her other hand held his hand. He
kissed her fingers one by one and laid them back down. He buried his face into
her hair, sniffing in her shampoo's fragrance and she buried her face into his
chest, letting his body's scent fill her nostrils. "You do know that you
have to go soon right?"
"You love ruining the mood don't you? Just be quiet and enjoy the
peace."
She cuddled closer to his warm body, and indeed, enjoyed the peace. She felt
protected when she was in his arms, like nothing could harm her. A feeling she
hadn't gotten in years since that...incident. She put those thoughts away and
instead, imagined about her and her Babloo again. She let herself relax and
feel safe.
Fahima stirred in her sleep, waking up Fahaad from his calm sleep. He jerked his head and saw that the clock read 4:12 AM. When taking his arm from her waist, she started talking in her sleep.
"Don't leave me, Babloo. Please don't leave me,"
she whispered in her sleep, her eyes closed.
He soothed her by kissing her forehead and stroking her forehead gently with
his palm. She stopped murmuring and went back to her deep sleep. He put her
head on the pillow carefully and took his arm out from under her waist. He
picked her up from the edge of the bed and placed her on the centre. While
doing so, her shirt lifted up, showing light scars where severe wounds had once
been. He traced her scars with his index finger and his own similar scars
around his stomach and his back. He grimaced in pain, his eyebrows curled up,
remembering the painful memories.
Flashback
She lay on the coarse, jagged gravel road, her teeth were clenching down hard on the handkerchief tied around her open mouth. Her eyes, blood shot red from crying and shedding innumerable tears and her waist was oozing blood from many of the harsh bruises and cuts. He stood up from the same gravel road that he had been kicked and pushed down to several times but was still determined to reach her. Although this time, he clutched a large, heavy rock with both of his hands and aimed it at the ruthless man's head. It hit the side of his head, the impact knocking him unconscious. He walked over and fell next to her, both bleeding ferociously.
He opened his tightly shut eyes, unaware of when he closed them. A single tear fell down from his eye to her waist. It was the first and the only time he had failed to protect her. He had failed her.
The sun's radiance beamed through the window, illuminating the room and waking up Fahima. She was covered with her blanket, awaking from her tranquil sleep with no nightmares. Nightmares had become a part of her sleep and she had long forgotten the delight of a peaceful sleep. She sat up, smiling at his consideration when she spotted the blanket around her. She felt something smooth under her hand. It was a note.
You look beautiful while sleeping.
She blushed. He sure knows how to impress a girl, she said to herself. She stood up yawning and walked over to the window to open it. She found another note taped to it.
You look beautiful while blushing.
She blushed and smiled like a madwoman. Then, she turned and walked to her bathroom, wondering how many more of these notes she was going to find. The answer was on the mirror.
You look beautiful while smiling.
She was expecting to find one on the toilet seat or the shower saying "You look beautiful while naked" but let out a sigh of relief when she didn't. She was right, he is incredibly unpredictable. She brushed her teeth, washed her face and walked out to comb her tangled mess of hair. She regretted not braiding it but was too dead-beat to do anything last night. On her mirror was yet another note waiting for her.
You look beautiful with messy hair.
She smirked at this one. He must have thought about my every step, every thought, and every reaction. Taking a look around to check for more notes, she took off the ones she had found and put them under her mattress. A knocking sound coming from the window startled her. She opened it and saw a bed ragged Fahaad in the window across from hers, his hands resting on the window pane. He looked so captivating that she wanted to just stare at him all day. He turned to get a notebook & marker and came back to the window. He wrote:
GUD MORNING, BUTIFUL
She turned to look for a notebook and a marker also, when she finally found them; she wrote down something and turned the notebook to face the window. It read:
THNX 4 EVRYTHING
He shaked his head indicating that I did not have to thank him. Suddenly, her door started banging and she heard Alysha yelling,
"Are you still sleeping? Wake up, Sleeping Beauty!
Breakfast is ready."
"I'm awake already. I'll be down in a minute," she yelled looking at
her door. She turned back to the window, gave an apologetic look to Fahaad and
waved a goodbye. They both left, unwillingly. She went to eat breakfast while
he went to take a shower. When she reached the dining table, she sat down with
a growling stomach. She realized that she did not eat anything since yesterday.
Since, she was reunited with her Babloo, he had turned her life upside down.
She felt so alive, so new, and so happy. Her train of thought was interrupted
by her mother.
"Stop smiling and eat. And what happened to the tomatoes and lemons you
were going to buy?"
She turned pink with embarrassment and picked up a slice of bread. She felt her
mother's strong curious gaze on her, making her nervous.
"Sorry Ammi, I ran into Babloo yesterday and forgot. I will bring them
today."
She was surprised she could even find her voice.
"Ofcourse! You found your Majnu again and forgot about everything
else", her sister said mischievously. Her mother smiled at Fahima and
scolded,
"Leave your younger sister alone ! You focus on your marriage right
now."
"Yes, let's talk about your Majnu for now," Fahima added and hit her
shoulder against Alysha's.Thank You Ammi! You are my savior, she
whispered to herself.
He thought about how to see her wonderful smile again. He had promised himself after last night that he would give her all the happiness in the world. Not just because he felt that he had failed her but because he loved her. I love her. I..love 'Fahima. He stood there standing in front of the mirror and thought out loud,
"I- 'l-ove you'. Fahima"
He repeated the words to himself and wondered how he would ever say them to her
if he stuttered to even say them to himself. He was in no rush though. He
wanted to give her joy for the time he had with her then, he would think about
the three cursed words. She would come with me, wouldn't she? Does she love me?
Why else would she tell her whole family that she would marry me? He was
beginning to despise falling in love now. He always stayed away from that
feeling until now. It was coming on so instantly and with such force. It only
encouraged him more to face it, to face that he loved her. He wanted to go
scream it to the entire world. That's when his brother, Abid, walked in and he
wanted to go hide in a corner with those feelings.
"Someone looks happy", he remarked
"Oh,Really. Who?" He looked around for an invisible person. Fahaad
wondered when he had started smiling.
"Admit it Bro, you're going looney over Fahima Di."
"I never denied it. It was pretty obvious when I said I would be the
luckiest man on earth to be her husband."
Abid chuckled at that and was beginning to annoy him when he carried on,
ignoring his brother's irritation.
"Speaking of your marriage, when is it happening?"
"You'll be the first one to know, you nosy cow. Let's go eat breakfast. I'm
starving ," Fahaad insisted to change the topic and was glad that he left
it.
Fahima finished her breakfast and went to her room to change
her clothes to go to the market again. When she entered her room, a paper ball
sat on the floor directly across from the window. She opened it.
Meet you at the market? I promise no squashed tomatoes this time. No
promises on everything else.
She blushed and looked outside. Fahaad was smiling, charmingly and waited for
an answer. She wrote her answer in the same piece of paper, crushed it up and
threw it directly at his head. He caught it before it hit its target. Show off,
she thought. His grin became wider when she glared at his action. He smoothed
out the paper and read.
Sure. I was going there anyway. Be outside in 10. Let's avoid molvis this time
also.
He looked up and gave one sharp nod as if saying, "Deal". They were
both came outside and stared at each other from head to toe. Fahi looked simply
gorgeous dressed in a simple cotton dress, the kameez was beige,
quarter-sleeved, with purple flowers and below that was a plain purple churidaar
salwar, the dupatta was a contrast of both the colors and was draped in the
front to cover her chest. Babloo wore straight legged dark blue denim jeans and
a light gray shirt with many thin, black horizontal stripes, the sleeves pulled
up to his elbows.
"Sorry for making you forget about the tomatoes and what not."
"Oh, don't worry about it. You're paying now."
"Why? Because I caught the paper ball before it hit me?"
"Maybe."
He laughed and gestured to the road with his head.
"Let's go."
They wanted to hold hands again but they were frightened that someone might
recognize them, considering the molvi incident. As they were walking, they saw
a beggar sitting on the sidewalk trying to soothe her two children crying,
vociferously. Fahima's heart melted instantly at the sight. She always had a
soft spot for children and always gave money to beggars with children. She had
stopped mid-step and stared at them absently. Before she could say anything,
Fahaad knew what she wanted."Come."
They walked over and surprisingly, both took out a 500 rupee note at the same
time and leaned down to hand it to the lady. She stared at the money then back
at them. Her eyes filled with sparkling tears.
"Thank You !! Thank You so much!!! My children have been hungry for days
and now I can feed them at last! May god bless you both and keep your
relationship safe and your lives always filled with happiness."
The couple looked at each other and smiled.
"No need to thank us and we aren't married", Fahima said shyly.
"Not yet, but you love each other deeply. I can see it from the way you
both look at each other."
She blushed. He nodded at the lady, smiling. She took leave and walked away, he
started to walk after her when the beggar's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"She has endured great pain as a child. Take care of her."
"I will. Always and forever." he replied without turning, watching
her bargaining with a street vendor.
He walked over, heard the price and started to hand it to the vendor when a
hand snatched the money away.
"This guy is asking for too much money for these tomatoes! Don't you have
any value for money Babloo?"
"It's not about the value for money. You standing here and arguing for ten
minutes to save 10 rupees is just ridiculous, not that I don't enjoy the
scene."
She went pink in anger. Yes!, he thought. He yearned to see her angry because
she looked even more adorable. To add fuel to the fire, he snatched the money
out of her hand.
"Plus, this is MY money so, I can spend it however I want. Here you go
bhai"
She stood there giving him her death glare and he smiled wildly like an idiot
back at her.
"Ugh. You!"
"Yes sweetheart?"
It took all her might to turn around and walk away, leaving him to carry the
heavy bag of tomatoes which he did effortlessly. She rolled her eyes. After
buying the lemons, they started to make their way back.
"I can't imagine you carrying all this alone. You should be glad I'm
here!"
She never thought about how she was going to carry all that.
"Well, thank you Babloo, The Superman!"
"It is my pleasure to serve you malady."
She laughed, causing him to laugh with her.
"I missed you", he admitted.
She stared at him, shocked by the sudden confession. So, he missed her after
all, she said to herself.
"I missed you too. I missed you very much."
Her sorrow showed through her eyes.
"I'm so sorry that I left you. I hated to but I had to. My parents refused
to leave me behind. I begged to them, tried to convince them but nothing
worked. Especially after what happened to you, I didn't want to leave you in
that state. I-"
She stopped walking and faced him.
"Stop it Babloo. I never asked for an apology. I understand why you left.
It wasn't your fault. None of it. So, don't hold yourself responsible for'.for
what happened. "
"But it was my fault Fahi. If only I had reached you in time. If
only'" he said this in such a soft tone, it made her heart flutter.
"Stop worrying so much. What's done is done."
"No, it's not just done. It has affected you more than you realize. You
were in such a state of shock and I was there so don't deny that it changed
you. You stopped smiling, stopped laughing, you stopped LIVING."
Her eyes were clenched closed tightly. She did not want to hear anything
related to the incident or how it made her. When she opened them again, her
eyes were blurry and she realized she was crying. Immediately, he knew he
should not have brought it up. He hated himself now. He reached his hands
out to comfort her but she backed away. She wiped away the tears and smiled her
fake smile.
"It's ok. I'm fine. Everything's fine."
"No, it's not", he said calmly but she detected
the hint of anger in his voice.
"Look, I don't want to talk about this right now."
"You're right. Let's just drop all this stuff to your house and we will
come back to talk then. Sooner or later, you will need to let it out
,Fahi."
"B-"
"No! I don't want to hear it. We are going to drop this and come back
outside to talk. I know just the place."
She was taken aback by his demanding voice but she knew he was right.
"Why do you always have to be right!" she muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Can we go home now? We have to come back to
talk also right? Or have you changed your mind now."
He chuckled and they walked home together.
"I'm back, Ammi!" Fahima yelled when she walked through the door.
Her mother was cooking something and stood up with a smile
seeing Fahaad walk in after her daughter. He put everything on the counter and
curled and uncurled his fingers.
"Fahima, you made him carry all this by himself? He's only been here for
two days and you have given him no time to rest. You sh-"
"Its fine, Aunty. Plus, your daughter is too weak to carry anything this
heavy," he interrupted, went behind her and put his arms around her neck,
his face next to hers, while staring at Fahima. She knew he had always thought
her as a second mother and her mother always gave him more love than she did to
her own daughter but she didn't like him hugging her mother. She scorned at him
with jealousy and anger.
"Me and weak? Come here! I'll show you how weak I am"
"I'm not getting into this! Let me go you two!" her mother insisted.
They chased each other in circles around her mother and then obeying her, he
ran to the living room and she sprinted after him. Her mother sighed happily
and yelled,
"Fahima ! Leave him alone and go tell your sister to get ready. We are
going out to shop for her wedding clothes."
"Jee Ammi", she yelled back. "I'll get you later!" she
said, pointing at him.
He walked to her mother while she went upstairs to her sister's room. Her mother looked at him and smiled gratefully.
"Thank You."
"For what?"
She sighed sadly this time, paused and replied.
"After you left, she just sulked, locking herself in her room. She hardly
talked to anyone. She did not go out with any of her friends. But now that
you're back, she seems happy again. So, thank you for bringing our old Fahima
back to us." He took one of her hands and held it tightly between both of
his palms.
"Am I not like your son? Then, why are you saying thanks to family. I love
Fahima with all my heart. I promise, I will never let anyone hurt her and I
will always keep her happy." Her mother looked at him proudly, her eyes
filled with tears of joy.
"I know you will son. I completely trust you with my daughter and I know
you will always protect her."
They heard footsteps coming down from the stairs. Alysha turned and saw Fahaad holding his mother's hand. She was wiping her tears with the back of her other hand.
"Have we interrupted something?"
"No, no. We were just saying that we should marry you off as soon as
possible," he remarked. She blushed. Fahima put her arm on one of her
sister's shoulders and put her other hand on her waist.
"Yes, I agree. Look at how quickly she got dressed to go buy her wedding
clothes!"
"Ammi ! Look at how these two are teasing me!" she said in a
high-pitched whiny tone.
"You dug this hole yourself, Alysha. Now you will have to climb out
yourself also." her mother answered.
"You too Ammi?" She stomped her feet. "You all are ganging up on
me now but when I'm gone, you will miss me!" They didn't want to think
about that, so her mother hurried to go shop with her. Meanwhile, he dragged
her to a familiar place to talk. She gasped looking at it.
"You know, after you left, I did not even want to look at this place
again. It only reminded me of you more."
"Well, you won't need to remember me when I'm right in front of you. Come
on." He wrapped his hands tightly around hers and walked to it.
It was their tree with F + F etched on it. It stood alone,the big oak tree was filled with bright green leaves, its branches going every direction. The trunk was relatively thin compared to other trees and leaned to the right. The ground underneath had luscious grass growing. She walked closer to it and traced the letters with the fingers of her free hand, a small smile creeping upon her lips.
Flashback
"Are you scared Fahi?"
"No ! I just..".
"You are scared ! Fahi is a scaredy cat. Fahi is a scaredy cat. Fahi is
ascaredy cat.", he chanted til she turned pink with anger.
"I am NOT SCARED!" she yelled.
"Then prove it, climb this tree with me!"
"Fine!"Sweat was beading at her forehead, she was afraid but she
would not let him win. She closed her eyes and locked her first foot on the
trunk and put her arms around it. Then, she put her second foot on the trunk;
she moved her feet as if she was walking and moved her arms up as she went up.
She looked down and regretted it. Her heart pumped fast and loud, she heard and
felt it in her head. She stretched her foot out to reach the branch and it
slipped, causing her to fall. She landed on her feet but had twisted her ankle.
Fahaad came down on the ground with a thud.
"Are you okay?"
"No! My ankle hurts. Ammi's going to kill me now!" Though her mother
was getting use to her frequent injuries, she always scolded her for not being
careful. Days later, he brought her to the same tree saying he wanted to show
her a surprise. Our initials were carved into the trunk.
"This will be our tree from now on. We don't have to climb it. We can just
sit under it."
That's how it became their tree. They came everyday and played under it, never daring to climb it again. She snapped out of her flashback and looked at him with determination.
"I want to climb it, Babloo."
Fahaad stared at her with widened eyes in disbelief.
"You want to climb the tree?" She nodded.
"No. Well, not right now anyways. We've come here to talk; we can climb it
after we are done." She looked disappointed but he wouldn't let her escape
from discussing this right now. She sat down with a huff and he sat next to
her, still holding her hand tightly.
"Give me a moment to gather my thoughts."
"I'm ready when you are." She looked down and took a deep breath. She
knocked down all the walls she had built to protect herself from that memory
and let it take over her for the first time since that day, the day that
changed her.
Flashback
They were walking home from school, the road eerily silent as usual except for their laughter. Their parents always warned them to not walk through that way because it is very isolated with no people, cars, animals, or sounds. It only encouraged them when their parents told them to stay away from that road, so they decided to go that way. They stopped their chattering promptly when they heard a man's beastly laughter slice through their ears, echoing through the empty street.
"Babloo, it's a ghost!!! There's an evil spirit
living here!!That's why our parents did not want us coming here!" she said
in a shaky voice.
"There is no such thing as ghosts Fahi!"
"Is too. Come on. I will prove you wrong!" They followed where the
sound was coming from and hid behind a tree. He looked over from his side, only
to find four men in a circle, looking down at something.
"See! I told you that there is no such thing as ghosts," he whispered
to her. But her attention was not on the men but at what they were staring at.
The man laying there wore tattered, dirty clothes, stained with blood around
his chest. His face was covered with fresh, dripping blood and mixed with the
dirt from the ground. He had cuts all over his face made from a sharp knife.
His eyes were shut, purple and swollen; his nose was broken and gushed out
thick, dark blood. He stirred and groaned in pain. One of the men stomped on
his face with his shoe. She turned her head away and tried to stifle the yelp
that surfaced her throat but it was already too late. The men turned around and
looked straight at her. Before Fahaad could take a look at what she yelped at,
he saw her run and he went after her.
She began to narrate to him what she saw that he did not, her voice breaking when describing the man.
"That's what changed me, the fact that the world wasn't all fairy tales and rainbows. That there could be such evil people living in it. I had always been guarded by my parents, by you, by everyone from the cruel world that we live in, never letting an inch of violence reach me, an inch of the real world that when it did, I didn't want to believe it. I shut my eyes and wanted to pretend it was all a nightmare. I never even had nightmares until that day! I would wake up at midnight every night, wailing and shouting at monsters in my dream to leave me alone. They never did; they kept chasing after me." She was sobbing heavily now. He let her flow out the pain with her tears but held her close to him. She wiped them off and continued.
"To add to my misery, I found out you were leaving. It wasn't your fault alright. I don't blame your parent, not after what happened. Any parent would do the same. We couldn't afford to move though so we had to stay in this hell hole. It scared me even more to think that I would live there all alone without my shield, my protector, my rock. I only trusted my family. I didn't go out with my friends nor talk to them. I became afraid of the world and shielded myself from it. I made barriers around myself to prevent anyone from getting close to me. It was the only way I knew to deal with the situation, that's how the new me came about. A quiet, reserved, insecure Fahima, who refused to interact with the world at all, scared of what it may do to her. And then, the world changed yet again for me. You came. You broke down all the walls I made around my heart and claimed it as yours. You made me smile again. You gave me my life back in just two days. You did what my family could not do in so many years. You made me realize that there was evil but also good in the world. That you can't live feeling scared of the world. You have to face your fears."
She smiled at him bravely. He realized that her pain was deeper than he realized and that it would take much longer than two months to heal.
"Is that why you wanted to climb the tree?"
"Yup" And as if a bolt of lightning jolted him awake, he pulled her
in for a tight embrace, tears falling down his cheeks. He whispered in her
ear,"I'm so proud of you." He backed his head away and found her
lips. She felt as if they were floating in air. For the first time, she
discovered something changing inside her, making her have an adrenaline rush
and respond stronger. She let herself feel the dizziness that overcame her,
clinging to him as if it was the last time. Their lips pressed on each other's
more confidently than ever. They did not speak of the feeling growing inside
them; they expressed it through touch instead. Neither wanted to stop, just
wanted to embrace each other tighter and never let go. They held each other
closer, both hands on each other's waist. They both moved away, panting,
their faces red, their lips still tingling from the lingering kiss. After catching
their breaths, they looked at each other and smiled. He broke the long silence.
"Let's climb this tree then, shall we?"
Ahlam walked slowly toward the college she had been for the past years, all the other people around her were running to their old friends and having lots of fun. But for her she no more had a close friend, she had moved far away, to England while she was still in the USA. She remembered how she had made friends with her, when she was getting bullied by the senior girls, but time flew and now she was a senior, not the mean one but the helpful and kind senior.
In her daze she walked up to the classroom and went to her usual seat. She looked out the window and saw a long white car park at the front gates and a driver came round to open the door. She stared, wondering who this person was. Maybe a trustee of the college she thought'
'Excuse me?' she turned quickly towards the door and found a student looking lost. She got up and helped the student as she had asked. She was directing her towards the library, and instead f just telling went with her. She had forgotten about the long white car that was near the window.
She new she had a good ten minutes for the lesson to start so she walked slowly introducing her self and talking about the school while the other girl just nodded. Ahlams timetable flew out her hand with the sudden rush of the wind. 'wait, im just getting the timetable', Ahlam said to the student named Nazma. (hahaha) she ran over to get it. She never saw it coming! While she ran a group of people surrounding a boy came round and while Ahlam was running she slipped on some water and BAM. Tripped the boy over as well. He fell on top of her and their faces touched. Ahlams face tingled at the touched and her heart raced. Ahlam stared wide eyes at this handsome new face, who she had never seen around college before. His face was so pale and he stared at her beautiful face with his beautiful hazel eyes with olive green specks in them they stood out like a brown spot on the. She felt his breath on her face and wanted to lean in for a kiss. But she had never kissed anyone before so there was a moment of awkward silence but it was filled with a tint of love. He bought his face closer and was about to say something then'. 'ahlam you okay' namza came rushing besides her. Suddenly he got up and looked at her with a look of frustration on his face. Ahlam got up at the same time. She inwardly cursed namza for breaking the moment! 'what is this, cant you see where your going?' He said. 'chill man, faizaan, it was an accident Nazim spoke to Faizaan. Nazim was ailently staring at nazma at the same time. He liked the cute new girl.
But on the other side faizaan just stared at Ahlam. And Ahlam said a quick apology and rushes away not trusting herself to speak and embarrass her further in front of this guy who she had mixed feelings about'.
Later that day'..
'Nazma, that was so embarrassing!' Ahlam spoke to nazma. She
felt utterly stupid about the morning and it was lunch time, she had joined
with nazma. They were getting on well. Hmm.. replied nazma. She was thinking
about the guy that had told faizaan to calm down, she didn't know his name but
loved his looks. 'what hmm?' Ahlam clicked her fingers in front of nazmas face.
This girl was a pain in the but at the moment. 'ahlam, I want to apologise for
the incident this morning?'
what? Ahlam looked questioningly at her.
'it was me who had accidently drpooed the water where you had fallen, my water
bottle had slipped and fell on the floor, im really sorry' Nazma made puppy
eyes to melt ahlams heart.
'what it was you?' argh, thanks' Ahlam replied in a huff, 'okay, whatever, but
I feel so silly at the moment'..well don't worry I think he has probably
forgot.
Then the bell went for the next period, both the girls got up from their chairs and made their way out of the canteen. 'I have biology next, then final lesson chemistry' Ahlam spoke looking at the timetable but straight away remembered the incident. She had not forgotten the handsome face. 'okay, I have P.E theory lesson next'. 'see you later by the gates'. Ahlam walked to her lesson and went the seat at the back of the class, it was her comfort zone in biology for when she got bored, it was the only table with an empty seat next to her. But this comfort only lasted for a few minutes'
Just then Faizaan walked in. she knew he was going to sit next to her because there was not seats left! She just hid her face in embarrassment, but then she was happy as well. 'right Faizaan can you please sit next to Ahlam'' he made a confused face and the teacher pointed towards the back and saw that Ahlam was not seated there, because Ahlam has hid under the table, not helping at all to disappear. 'Well, she will be here any minute'. He shrugged and walked up to the table. While he approached Ahlam composed herself, too late he was there and just stared at the girl who was looking in her bag under the table. Ahlam got up quickly but on the way banged her head on the table 'Ouch' she whispered to herself. Shit, shit, shit! Why do I always make a fool of myself infront of handsome boys? I seriously need to leave school'..ASAP!! but boy he was handsome, the way he looked at her sent shivers up her spine, and she blushed harder turning a crimson red!
'umm, so it's you again' he spoke in his velvet voice, so alluring and engaging. Tentatively Ahlam licked her lips. She so wanted to kiss those luscious lips, but she was so sure she would not have a chance after these two most embarrassing incidents! 'oh hi' she replied. Nervously she sat back down on her place on the bench and he slid down next to her. He placed his hands down first and touched Ahlams thigh lightly on the side, an electric shock went up her body, he eyes shot up and Ahlam looked up at him in horror and at the same time happiness. Why am I feeling like this? She looked at him but he was unaware of the situation he had put Ahlam into.
Then the biology lesson started'..and it was about puberty for both males and females.., which made it even more embarrassing. 'So let's start with the woman's puberty signs first' the teacher, Mrs Fahaad exclaimed. Now Faizaan turned towards Ahlam and said in a joking manner 'you must know a lot about this' and winked. He winked at me!! Ahlam was over the moon but then realised what he had just said and blushed, and looked quickly down into her exercise book'..
'So Ahlam, would you like to answer the first question as you seem to have hid at the beginning of the lesson?' Mrs Fahaad said lightly. A murmur of laughter went around the class. Faizaan looked up at Ahlam and said do you need any help. He had a sarcastic smile on his face. Ahlam burned with more embarrassment and finally got a few words out of her mouth. 'ummm, they grow taller and pubic hair and'.' She trailed off. She couldn't get herself to say more. Faizaan had a mocking smile on his face and whispered to her 'periods start oh and yeah, breast develop' and looked away with a smirk on his face leaving Ahlam to feel more stupid and embarrassed. 'ahlam, it that all you could come up with?' the teacher questioned raising an eyebrow at her. 'well, as Faizaan said periods start and breast develop'. Faizaan turned his head around to look at her, he had a look of disbelief written on his handsome face. Ahlam had a playful smile on her face and remembered how she and her friend had made a guy run after them, so get his attention. Ahlam had done that for her dear friend.
Now she used that technique for herself, she started to feel more comfortable after what she had said.
in the theory P.E. lesson!
'good morning class, well u are all new to the college i see, i am Miss Smith (hope thats fine) , but you can call me kristin'. Nazma looked at the teacher and had a good feeling that her lessons were not going to be boring. 'we are just waiting for a few senior students, ah here they are!' kristin looked towards the door, nazma turned and saw the boy that was with faizaan. she looked at him, when he saw her his smile widened and winked at her. nazma just blinked thinking what the hell was happening, she was a junior and he was a senior. 'come on in boys and girls' kristin excalimed happily. 'this is nazim, vibha, xarina and vishal, but he is another P.E teacher'. the teacher pointed to each of them. 'nazim, it was...what a lovely name thought nazma, and it goes well with my name, nazim and nazma sitting in a tree...she sang in her head...
'these senoirs have taken p.e. aswell, so they will be here every so often for this year to help you in this course...nazim can you start off please'
'sure why not, it will be my pleasure' nazim gave a little bow and stood up straight, he looked directly at nazma and when he saw her blush he thought 'she is so cute, i want to bite those cheeks'. he smiled to himself in wonder... he talked o about the course, every so often glancing at nazma whose name he still did not know. he made sure he had her full attention, not caring much about the other students...throught out that whole time nazma had been staring at him, wide eyed as he spoke, made gestures. he was so fluent in his english and every muscle in his body made her want to go up to him for a hug...have to wait though...at this rate i wont be a long time...nazim hardly gave a chance for the other seniors to speak...
'right fill in your forms, and sign it, these are for your safety and agreement to take part in the course' kristin handed the forms out to all the students'...
the senoirs walked around letting the students inrtroduce them selves. but Vishal stayed at the front and talked to kristin, who seemed very pleased by the fact. ( i wont include vishal-kristin love story, d.w.)
nazim walked straight to namza, he made eye contact, not breaking it till he reached over her shoulders. he placed his hands on either side of her and breeathed on her neck. it feels so good thought nazma. he spoke on her back 'so, whats your name?' he glanced at the sheet and at the very top of the page it was scrawled nazma in itallics. what a lovely name he said. nazmaz heart pace quickened, she tried to turn around, but she was unable to because she was blushing hard. his hot breath made goose bumps rise on her skin, she shivered, seeing this nazim wnet closer to her and was near her cheek, he leaned in, then abruptly pulled away when he heard Xarina call him, as they needed to go to thier lesson. he winked at her and went out the class. all he said was 'see you around' and thought closer to me...
In the biology lesson
'What the hell was that?' Faizaan asked.
'nothing', Ahlam replied sounding uninterested. In fact she was really happy
that he was talking to her, it felt good to be back in those good time, with
her best friend.
'aha, I can see that' he replied in a accusing tone.
'you two seem to be very interested in this subject, then Mr Ibrahim, why don't
you answer some of my questions' Mrs Hussain exclaimed in a strict tone.
'yes madam, ask me anything you wish, the spotlight is on me?' Faizaan said in
a arrogant manner. 'well, well, okay then as you helped Ahlam a lot with the
answers why don't you tell me what are the signs of puberty for males?' Mrs
Hussain fired at Faizaan.
'well, that's easy, pubic hair, taller, more muscles as you can see he held up
his arm to show the strong muscles, and testis start to produce sperms'. He
replied quickly. 'thankyou for your contribution Faizaan. 'umm, I think you
forgot the most important factor, do you need help reminding?' Ahlam questioned
in a laughing tone. 'really, you think your smart, tell me then.' He replied
equally in a laughing tone. 'facial hair, the ones I can see on your face' she
said, and bursted out laughing. Faizaan's
hand flew up to his face, he looked at her in shock. He felt his smooth
skin under his hand and made a mock stern expression. the bell went and the
lesson had ended.
Mrs Hussain walked up to the pair and looked into their exercise books. 'seems you did not copy down anything here at all'. 'sorry ma'am, I will catch up' Ahlam replied and slipped out from her seat and left Faizaan to the hands of the teacher. 'where are you going to copy your missed work from mr?' the teacher asked, clearly irritated by the fact that the pair had hardly paid any attention this lesson. 'don't worry Mrs Hussain, I wil get it off Ahlam' he smiled at his idea to get the book off her to copy the work. He smiled his charming smile and strode out the classroom. Ahlam was waiting outside and saw that he was coming so she walked hurriedly towards her locker. Faizaan was right behind her. 'what your problem' he said. 'aha, nothing, it just you are my problem' she replied smiling to herself. Faizaan grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, then let go, stepping closer to her. Ahlam stepped back, until she could no further go back as she was against the locker. He came right close to her face. Faizaan placed one hand on the right side of her face and one hand on the left side. Ahlam could smell the delicious smell of aftershave from Faizaan's handsome face. Faizaan looked straight into her eyes and never drew them back, he held Ahlam's gaze. 'So I am your problem, is that right?' he looked at her. Ahlam nodded although she didn't want to. He leaned in closer, close enough so that Ahlam could feel his breath on her face. His eyes had not broken contact as yet. 'Well then, this problem will keep you busy for a very long time' he winked at her, lightly planted a kiss on her cheek, then in a swift movement strode off with a he grin on his face, and a shell shocked Ahlam who was unable to move for a good few minutes'.
In the next lesson Ahlam could not concentrate at all. Her
mind kept wondering back to Faizaan. He had just kissed her on the cheek and
went away! Did he think he could get away with it? Ahlam thought angrily.
Although she liked being close to him she was not easy to get. Whatever, I
never gave him permission to kiss me, she huffed. As the chemistry lesson
progressed she tried to concentrate but the concentration only lasted for a
while, he kept disrupting her concentration.
Finally the bell went and the college day had ended. Ahlam headed towards the ladies toilet, on the way she found Nazma who was buzzing. She narrated what had happened in her P.E. class. Ahlam 'ooed' and 'aahed' at the right places but her mind was on Faizaan. Ahlam stood in front of the mirror in the toilets. Her hand flew up to her cheek where Faizaan had kissed her. She got a handful of water and wiped the place and with a tissue rubbed hard to remove any trace of his kiss on her face.
Ahlam had accidently rubbed so hard that her cheek had gone red where he had kissed it. 'oh no' she groaned, she tried to cover it with her scarf but it didn't reach out till there. 'Nazma, hurry up will you, I have to go to the library, I need to copy some work', Ahlam was literally screaming. She was very frustrated. On the other side Nazma was applying her makeup perfectly. Just in case she thought happily. 'Why are you getting dressed up? Are you impressing your family members, you are going home for god's sake!' Nazma jumped and stuffed her belonging into her back and with a final look into the mirror she walked out with Ahlam.
'Umm, Ahlam what happened to your cheek, it looks really
bad, did you get bitten by a fly?' Nazma asked innocently.
'What, does it look like I've been
bitten by a fly? It was'', argh nothing'. She didn't want Nazma to know or
anyone else what fly had caused this.
'Why are you so angry Ahlam?'
'just, I am!' Ahlam knew she had to calm down and not scare Nazma with her
intolerable anger. She turned towards Nazma and said 'okay am going to go to
the library and then go home, what about you?
'Shall I stay with you, my parent are at work and won't be home till another
few hours'
'that's great, let's go'. They headed towards the library.
On their way, Ahlam received many funny looks because of her cheek; she just
glared at them and rushed, dragging Nazma who just couldn't help but laugh.
They found a quite place to sit where no one would disturb them. Ahlam took out her biology exercise book and workbook to copy necessary notes. Nazma was staring at something in the other side of the library, Ahlam followed her gaze only to find Faizaan and the gang sitting on a table and laughing, and Faizaan punched the boy lightly on his right and quietly whispered something to him. The boy glanced over his shoulder and stared straight pass Ahlam and to Nazma. Nazma giggled quietly. Ahlam glared at her, and she shut up immediately.
'That's him, nazim, he's so hot!' Nazma whispered happily.
She saw them coming towards then and signalled Ahlam that they were coming.
Straight away Ahlam straightened up, and put her scarf properly. What am I
doing she thought
'urmm, why are you getting all ready Ahlam, who do you want to impress?'
Ahlam ignored her. She carried on writing her work and was half finished. She
felt all twitchy and thought why they are not here yet.
She was just about to turn around when she heard his velvet
voice. 'What happened to your cheek Ahlam' he enquired so softly. Ahlam felt
her cheeks go hot in embarrassment. To make it even worse Nazma said 'she got
bitten by a fly'. Faizaan burst into laughter uncontrollably and held his
stomach. Ahlam wanted the ground to swallow her at this moment. She looked up
and glared at Faizaan. Nazma was too busy to notice Ahlam's discomfort and was having
a great time drooling over Nazim who was moving closer to her and sat down few
spaces away from her. She batted her eyelashes and turned a shade of pink. They
were enjoying the company.
'Why don't you join us' Nazma invited Faizaan
Ahlam could not believe this girl, she could not tell the obvious situation of
her friend.
'What fly was this then' he winked at her. Ahlam had not said a word till then. If she did she would scream the place down. He sat down close to her, inches away. She could again smell the aftershave, it smelt so good, and Faizaan inched closer. Ahlam couldn't help but take a sharp breath, taking in the smell of aftershave. He then smirked at her making her annoyed.
'it was really annoying and I really want to kill it now'
Ahlam said in a mock sweet voice. Next to her Faizaan ripped a piece of paper
and scrunched it into a ball and threw it over his shoulder. It hit the
librarian, Maddy, she turned around and glared at Ahlam, Faizaan was sitting as
if nothing had happened. Ahlam rushed up to the teacher and apologized.
'This is a place to study, not to mess around' Maddy said.
On the table Faizaan quietly took the biology book and slipped it into his bag.
He signalled nazim to leave. Nazim said a sweet bye to Nazma and they left. All
this time Nazma was too busy talking with nazim that she did not realise
Faizaan stealing the book.
Ahlam returned and was hugely pleased to see that the boys had gone, frustrated
she sat down and was about to continue writing her work. 'Nazma,
where-is-my-book?' Ahlam asked frustrated.
'Ummm, I don't know'.
Then it hit Ahlam, Faizaan needed to copy his work as well and she had left him
in the class to deal with Mrs Hussain. And he had told her he would get it off
me.
He was not going to get away with this.
Ahlam reached home after school and was very tired, she went up to her bedroom and laid on the bed, her mind wandered to Faizaan, she remembered his lovely face and the incidents that had taken place in just one day. She closed her eyes and replayed the incidents in her head. The first meeting, the first touch, the first words exchanged. She drifted off to sleep.
His beautiful hazel eyes with olive, green specks in them, they stood out like a brown spot in the sun, stared at her beautiful face. His skin so pale with a shade of red, it was near her face. She held his head between her hands and bought it closer to her face. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him. She looked deeply into his eyes which were full of passion, he leaned in for a kiss, his lips brushed against hers, and he lightly kissed the corner of her mouth and moved to the other corner. He then planted a soft kiss of her lips, and then deepened it. It was as if he was drinking from her otherwise he would not survive. She felt like she had stepped into a different world that only consisted of them. Slowly he pulled back and looked into her eyes. She smiled her first kiss so perfect, so calm and so soft.
'Buzz, buzz, Buzz' Ahlam's phone buzzed on the table next to
her waking her up suddenly from her beautiful sleep and dream. She looked at
the caller ID, and saw that it was none other than Nazma. Then she remembered
the dream, it was so nice and perfect. Just say that happened in real. Ahlam
shudder at the thought. First I need to sort this guy out! Glancing around her
she looked at her phone and realised that she had a text message waiting to be
read. She groaned and opened the text message Nazma just sent her it read
wuu2? I'm really bored,
can u come down my's?
120 E 87th Street
I need help dressing for
tomorrow :/ plzz
Naz xx
Ahlam read the text and glanced at the clock, it read 4:35 pm. I have enough time, wondering why she needs help choosing dresses. I don't know what kind of girl she is. Seriously, she falls for a guy on the first day back. You're not any better. Make friends with someone on the first day and get into trouble with a guy on the first day back. Ahlam remembered the library incident and hoped Nazma would help her with what she was going to do. Ahlam grabbed her bag and headed for the door. she found the house and went to ring the bell. Just as she knocked the door opened and Nazma was standing there, she ushered her into the house and they went to her room.
'I like your house' Ahlam complimented.
'Thanks, now tell me what to wear tomorrow' Nazma said hurriedly. '
Why, what is so special tomorrow?' Ahlam enquired.
'nothing really, I have theory P.E lesson you know''' Nazma trailed off.
'oh, so its about impressing someone, that someone whose friend stole my book
today, and you were too busy with that someone, that you didn't even pay
attention' Ahlam responded.
'I'm sorry about that, I did not even know that he took the book' Nazma said
regretfully.
'What's the point now? I have biology tomorrow and needed to complete my work
which I was unable to'
'oh well, tell Mrs whatever that Faizaan took the book'
A grin spread over Ahlam's face as she knew what she had to
do to make him pay. Ahlam looked at Nazma, who was looking very confused at
what Ahlam was planning in her mischievous head'
Ahlam narrated the plan to Nazma and they both agreed on what they had to do.
The girls picked what Nazma should wear the following day and had a great time
laughing at their plan.
'Good night Nazma, see you later in school tomorrow'
'Bye, are you sure about your plan?'
Ahlam winked at Nazma as to indicate that she was fully prepared.
At home Ahlam prepared some sheets for her plan and done some biology homework.
She used the internet to do her homework because someone had stolen her book.
She put the stuff in her bag and went off to bed and hope Nazma had done her
part of the plan. At night Ahlam couldn't get to bed, she was restless and excited
thinking about what will happen tomorrow.
After a long time she drifted off to sleep. And she did have dreams but
they did not consist of Faizaan, but of her best friend, who she missed dearly
still.
The next morning she woke up early, fresh and excited.
'Ahlam beta, you woke up very early today and you look so excited' Ahlam's
father enquired at the breakfast table.
'Nothing daddy, just looking forward to today's lessons, especially biology'.
Her dad gave her a funny look and finished his breakfast and left for work.
Ahlam gobbled her breakfast and ran out the house, she needed to go early and
Nazma was waiting for her at the corner.
Nazma was waiting patiently, she checked her bag to make sure she had what
Ahlam had told her to get. She saw Ahlam running towards her laughing; it was
like the old times Ahlam thought.
'You got it?' Ahlam was getting very impatient, she couldn't help it and to make it worse biology was fourth period but the good thing was that it was after lunch so she had plenty of time prepare and do what she wanted. She smiled in glee.
'Yes, here it is' Nazma held up the packet of stink bombs in
her hand and Ahlam smiled in satisfaction. But this was only part of the plan''
'Okay, this is what we need to do' Ahlam explained again to
Nazma who was nodding her head, but she was annoyed at Ahlam for repeating it
to her again and again.
'I understand, you know' Nazma said little annoyed
'Yeah, I know you do but I don't want anything going wrong or then I will be in
trouble'. Ahlam said.
They headed to their classes. On their way Nazma stopped at
her locker, she needed to get something. She opened her locker and took her
stuff out. Put it in her bag and saw that her coat somehow was stuck in her
bag. She decided to pull it out so she flung her arm out behind her and she had
managed to hit something really hard.
'Oof that hurt'. The voice came from behind.
Nazma froze thinking that would that be? 'Shit, I'm done for' she thought out
loud. Next to her Ahlam was standing their giggling. Nazma turned and to her
embarrassment she saw nazim standing right behind her. On her right Ahlam was
laughing hard. Unable to hold her laughter she winked at Nazma and walked away.
She managed to ruin her day already, wonder how my day goes Ahlam thought. She
left Nazma to deal with it.
'My god, I am so sorry' Nazma was apologising profusely. He just nodded and looked at her from head to toe. She was wearing black pencil heels followed by black skinny jeans. And she was wearing a loose, flimsy top, but had a black top underneath. It reached half way down her thighs.
'You look beautiful but I have to be careful not to get on
the wrong side of you' he said smiling at her.
'I am really sorry, I didn't see'. She was looking anywhere but at his face.
'No seriously, it's okay'. He smiled a dashing smile, and walked away leaving
Nazma really embarrassed. She just wished that he wouldn't mention this
incident in front of anyone.
In the first two lessons Ahlam was restless and unable to hold her excitement. Now she was in her third lesson, mathematics. She kept looking at her watch, impatiently waiting for the time to fly but the time was going ever so slowly. She was even thinking about Nazma, poor soul, she was getting all dressed for him and the first thing she does is hit his torso. She laughed silently but was quickly stopped when she saw Faizaan enter the class. She stared at him and a slow smile spread across her face, this time there were two empty seats in the class. One next to her and one next to Azzam, another fellow student in their class, her best friend had a crush on him. She had thought he was okay, but her best friend was head over heels for him. She laughed at her memory not realising that Faizaan had chose to come and sit next to her.
She smiled at him; she knew if that she never kept her mouth
shut she would scream at him.
'Have you lost anything' he asked deliberately, he was smirking at the same
time.
'No, I don't think I have, I have everything with me' Ahlam replied referring
to her plan. Ignoring him she looked at the board and tried to concentrate on
her work but she was unable to as she could sense his gaze following her every
move. She tried to look relaxed but it didn't work.
'You seem very tense, any problem' he asked kindly, but he
had done a mistake, he had only made her more irritated than she was with him.
'No, and you can mind your own business'.
'Someone's pissed'
'whatever, I think you are going to be pissed soon'. She mumbled to herself.
She felt satisfied with what she was going to do. He deserved it!
'Did you say something?' he questioned unaware of the situation he was putting
himself into.
Ahlam never replied, he would get his answer very soon.
For the rest of the lesson he didn't say anything and continued with his work, so did Ahlam.
As soon as the lunch bell went, Ahlam stuffed her belongings into her bag. Next to her Faizaan was already out the class. Rushing out the class Ahlam never looked where she was heading and bumped into something hard. There Faizaan was standing just outside the class. He had a huge grin on his face.
'Have you calmed down?' He teased. Ahlam huffed and moved on
his other side to get away from him. She needed her time to make the plan go
into action and this boy here was not helping at all. I know he might ruin the
plan Ahlam thought gruffly.
'Move out the way, I need to go.' She said.
Ah, she looks so cute when she angry, looks like she up to something. Faizaan stared at Ahlam who was trying her best to make herself unobvious to what she was going to do. Wonder what she's up to he thought. He liked this girl; she was different from the rest of the girls. She wore a headscarf that covered her hair and he imagined it to be mid length and a dark colour. Her clothing was simple. She wore black jeans with a long white top that came to her mid thighs.
'First tell me why you are looking so worried' he stated. He
wasn't being nosy but he was just curious. He knew something was up but didn't
ask directly instead he asked indirectly.
'Or what are you up to that you are in such a rush' he added.
'Mind your own business, why should I tell you anyway?' she threw back. Looking
clearly annoyed.
'Who are you to me anyway?' she put in. Faizaan smiled at her stubbornness. He
had never encountered anyone so stubborn before
'Why don't you join us for lunch then, I'm sure your friend would love that. And hope you do as well.' He hoped she would not turn down the offer; he would enjoy some company after all he was new here and only knew Nazim who was close family friends. The only family friend he had.
Faizaan, what are you doing?' Nothing Ammi, just playing some games on the PSP' he replied. He knew that his mother loved him very much and would not let anyone harm him. She smiled at him lovingly although he knew that she would tell him to stop playing because they both knew his father's anger. Just then his dad walked into the room and in anger scolded him. 'That's all you can do, you have nothing else to do, never sitting to do any learning. I don't know what son we have been given with.' 'Leave it, he is still young let him enjoy his youth.' His mother replied to his father. Faizaan did not want his mother to get into trouble because of him. 'Sorry Bauji, I will do my studying now.' He smiled reassuringly at his mother and went away.
He snapped away from his memory when he saw Ahlam looking at him with curious eyes. He chuckled silently to himself. 'Okay, you joining us or not?' he asked again.
'If you insist.' Ahlam replied. Ahlam was happy, at least this would make her plan more successful. Faizaan moved to the side.
'Ladies first'.
Ahlam rolled her eyes, and walked forward. Walking next to her Faizaan asked
her if she had done her biology homework.
'I have, all set and done'. She referred to her plan happily. Things were going
her way.
As soon as they entered the hall Faizaan asked if she would
like anything to eat. He wanted to fit into the crowd. 'Oh thanks, but no. I'm
fine thank you'. Ahlam didn't feel like
doing her plan, he seemed to be very nice to her.
'Not like I was going to get you anything anyways.' He said smirking. That's
it, he's had it Ahlam thought to herself.
In the lunch hall Ahlam and Nazma sat next to each other with Faizaan on her right and the other boys. The boys were messing around cracking silly jokes about their teachers and their lessons.
Ahlam whispered to Nazma 'Get the bombs out'. Nazma was too
busy looking at nazim that she never heard Ahlam. Ahlam took out the sheets of
paper from her bag and saw that Faizaan's bag was right next to her chair. This
is going way better than I thought. She turned around and saw that Nazma had
not even moved an inch. She shoved Nazma in the ribs.
'Ouch' Nazma said.
'Quick, get them out'.
'Oh, sorry.' Nazma dug in to her bag and got the bombs out.
Silently Ahlam took one of them and put it into the paper and folded it. She
smashed her fist onto it and shoved it into Faizaan's duffel bag.
'What are you doing?' Ahlam looked up shocked and saw
Faizaan staring down at her.
'Nothing, just putting the straps on my shoes properly' Ahlam replied sweetly.
Faizaan gave her quizzical look and just then the bell went.
They all grabbed their bags and made their way out of the hall and into their lessons. Ahlam winked at Nazma and happily went to her biology lesson.
When she entered the class Faizaan was already sitting at the back with his equipment out. Ahlam started her act. 'Mrs Hussain, shall I collect the homework in?' Ahlam smiled her sweetest smile possible at her biology teacher.
'Thank you Ahlam, you are a star. I need to prepare some
sheets for the lesson anyways.'
Ahlam whizzed around the class and got all the homework in. she finally went to
Faizaan and collected his homework. Taking his homework she put it separately,
she took the sheets she had prepared yesterday and changed his sheets, stuffed
his homework into her bag. She went near
the front and took her homework and put it in front of the pile followed by
Faizaan's.
Plan complete she thought.
At the back of those sheets of those photocopied homework was written:
BIOLOGY SUCKS, SO DOES THE TEACHER.
And the homework to label the female and male organs was done very badly,
everything was labelled incorrectly but out of mercy she had put some right
answers.
Ahlam returned to her seat only realising that the stink bombs effect was really bad, it was really horrible. Ahlam couldn't stand this and pinched her nose shut with her index finger and thumb. Faizaan's face was scrunched up, and he did not look pleased at all. Faizaan was looking very irritated by the disgusting smell.
She looks so cute like this, and I wonder where this smell
is coming from Faizaan thought. He looked at Ahlam, who was not enjoying the
moment but she was looking happy. At least she is smiling now, she doesn't even
look guilty like this morning, he murmured to himself.
'What are you looking at?' she questioned him.
'Just wondering where this horrid smell is coming from.' Faizaan nodded his
head towards Ahlam.
'What?!?!? Um I think you should check your bag first,' Ahlam blurted out
before she could even stop herself. Shit, shit, shit. I can't even keep my
mouth shut. Now he is definitely going to know where the smell is coming from
Ahlam was cursing her own self. She never shut up and this was the result of
her big mouth.
'Why would I need to check my bag, not that the smell is coming from me
anyway.' Faizaan replied clearly confused.
Ahlam glanced around the class and could see that all the students were highly
aware of this stench that filled their biology class. They giggled and turned
to see where the stench came from, no one had the slightest idea that it was a
stink bomb.
'Class, what is this? Where is that absolutely unpleasant smell coming from?' Mrs Hussain asked the class. Her tone was strict and she looked displeased, whether it be at the stench or this joke someone was pulling. 'Anyone want to own up? Or do I need to go and check to see who it was?'
Silence filled the class. Ahlam couldn't help but snigger. She was enjoying every single moment. She looked at Faizaan, who sat their innocently glancing around the class to see any signs of guilt showing on anyone's face. But everyone looked normal. Then it clicked, Ahlam had told him to check his bag but he had not. He was about to reach down to get his bag but realised that if he did then it would look as if it was him who had made the smell. Faizaan wanted to know what caused the smell but he had to wait for the lesson to be over. He heard Ahlam chuckle and suspected that it would be her. Not wanting to burst her bubble right now, he just smiled warmly at Ahlam who didn't even notice that he had clicked on. Mrs Hussain ignored this stupid prank and decided to continue with her lesson. The lesson was normal and they got on with their work.
Although Ahlam looked normal she was still impatient to know what will happen in the next lesson of biology once the homework was marked. But she had to wait as the next lesson was a day after the next. She was so restless that she felt like getting out of her seat and shoving Faizaan's homework in the teachers face so she could be content with her success. But not everything was in her hands, she had to wait and also keep her mouth shut in case she spilled the beans, which she had spilt half already.
During the lesson Faizaan glanced at Ahlam work and saw he neat handwriting scrawled across the page. He wished his was similar but not everything in his life would be perfect along with some other things.
Faizaan come here now! His father bellowed Faizaan rushed into his father's presence and his head was down. That day Faizaan had been in trouble at school for saying something to another student, he swore at the student because he had pissed him off. But he would never explain and even if he tried his father would not hear him. His mother tried several times to take his side but his father's stern look was enough to shut her up also. Later she would come to him, apologise o behalf of his father but Faizaan let the matters slip. He couldn't keep a grudge against his father because it would affect his mother. 'What do you think you are doing in school? Is this what I have sent you for?' his father barked at him. Faizaan knew best and remained silent, but his silence irritated his father. 'Answer me!' he shouted. They were stood in the grand living room of their mansion. It was huge. Their mansion was well known in the city they used to live in. they had recently moved. IBRAHIM MANSION. 'I was just'.' Faizaan trailed off as his father glared at him. 'I want you to run my business after me; I don't want you to ruin my business.' That was what it was all about, family name, business and prestige. His father had never asked him what he wanted to do.
Near the end of the lesson the smell had disappeared and everything was normal. But Faizaan was lost in his own chain of thoughts. 'Faizaan, Faizaan, the bells gone. It's time to go home.' Ahlam was speaking to him. She tapped his shoulder breaking him from his thoughts. Oh yeah, back to home. He stood up tall, and took his stuff making his way out the class. He didn't even respond to Ahlam. She went out after him. And turned the opposite side to him, off she went to find Nazma.
'Mission accomplished!' Ahlam screeched to Nazma. Both girls stood at the lockers. Ahlam was jumping in joy and Nazma was telling her to quieten down. Other students were giving the weird looks. Ahlam described the entire lesson to Nazma, she was laughing with her, enjoying their success. While Ahlam narrated their deeds a shadow was standing away from them listening to every word spoken between the girls. It smirked to itself, turned around and walked away'. Ahlam and Nazma were completely unaware of this stranger.
Faizaan wanted to walk home but then the car pulled up near the school gates; he had told his dad that he did not want to announce that he was rich. But his father, being his father always done the opposite to what he had said, not like he ever would listen to him. The driver made it worse by coming round to the passenger door and opening it for Faizaan.
'Leave it kaka, I can do it myself, thank you!' He quickly climbed into his car and the driver shut the door behind him fulfilling his duty or else his master would give him an earful. 'Kaka, can you please wait a few blocks away from college in the future please.' The driver just nodded.
Faizaan was happy; although he could be angry he was feeling normal. He had heard Ahlam talking to Nazma about their plan, he was slightly irritated that he had not even realised but was glad. His entire life, previous school were non dramatic, ne was never in trouble, he never really had the fun, people were afraid of him, but they had their reasons. He remembered the bag, Faizaan took his bag out and emptied it out on the seat; he saw a sheet of paper with something wrapped up in it. He already knew what it was, smiling he took it out. At least people treated him normal.
So you are joining my
college? Looks like you are going to have a lot of girls following you' Nazim
said cheekily to Faizaan. 'After all you are a rich, handsome boy!'
'No nazim, I don't want to publicize that I am rich, you know what it's like, I
hate to show off.' Faizaan replied. 'I want normal friends, I mean those who
don't follow me for my money, it is annoying. I hope dad does not be a trustee
of the new college and everyone will know about me.' 'Chill Faizaan, your
secret is safe with me. I know you don't like your richness.' Nazim laughed. His
friend hated the rich parties ,and the rich people in, every party the two hang out together avoiding
those rich business men who sucked up to their parents.
In his previous college Faizaan was never mistreated, no one teased him they feared that they would be in trouble. They respected him. Some girls flirted with him just to show off, he never paid any interest. He looked for fun, he ended up with the rich boys who showed their priority. Once he had bought a friend home who was not equal to their social standing, but he had come to help with their project. His father had seen him and insulted the boy, he never returned and the word had spread in school. No one from the lower social standing tried to befriend him, they thought he was like all those other rich boys.
Faizaan was glad, now he was ready for some fun. First time someone had played a real prank on him. He remembered Ahlam's face, which was full of life, she was loud, mischievous and gorgeous, the girl he is starting to like although he did not know her properly. But he wanted to know what the consequences are and what would happen. It had only been few days of school and a lot had happened. He had a feeling that the coming year was going to be great.
They pulled out, outside Faizaan's home. He opened the car door himself this time and smiled at kaka who then moved the car away. Faizaan in his happy mood entered the house, seeing his father his smiled faded immediately. He said Salaam to his father and rushed to his room. 'Oh shit, I forgot, if Dad finds out about those sheets that Ahlam have written then?' Faizaan was worried, not only him but Ahlam would also be in trouble. He paced around the room wandering what to do, but never came up with a good enough plan. He let it be, he would have to face his father's wrath.
Later in the day Faizaan was on his laptop, doing some homework and playing games at the same time, he didn't feel like doing any work. His mind wondered back to Ahlam, she pulled that stupid prank, he knows about it as he had overheard it but she didn't know that he knew. He didn't want to burst her bubble. Faizaan directed himself to Google translate and typed in Ahlam, he put the translation from Arabic to English. The word dream came into the translation.
Such a beautiful name and meaning! And my name means favour.
Faizaan thought to himself.
He went onto his face book account and logged in. he wrote Ahlam's name into
the search box but he didn't know her surname that failed he thought! Just then
he heard a faint knock on the door.
'Come in' he said.
'Chote sahib, the food is ready, please come down for dinner.' The servant told
him.
'Please don't call be sahib, just take my name, I don't like it.'
'Ji sahib, sorry Faizaan.'
At home Ahlam was busy with the cooking; she was humming at
the same time.
'You look very jolly today, just like the morning, is there something you would
like to share' her dad said to her popping into the kitchen!
'Nothing dad, I'm just feeling good.' She replied smiling widely to her Dad.
Her dad gave her a funny look and went away.
Ahlam thought back to the day's events, at first she felt contentment, no one messes with Ahlam, or you will pay. But she wondered if what she did was right, but with what she had written in the sheets, she was not sure. She had written that biology sucks and so did the teacher, was that extreme? Nazma had also asked if she was sure with her plan, and she had ignored. If my dad finds out? Ahlam thought, then what will he say, he doesn't even like me near boys, what will he say. Ahlam thought she had taken the wrong step out of stupidity, how will I rectify it? She just hoped no one would find out''.
One of them would be in trouble, if one confesses one would be saved, if one accepts then the other would be saved, who will be the one who is saved?
The next day Ahlam walked to school still thinking about her deeds, she was confused, did he do something that bad that he deserves this? Shall I go up to him and tell him what I have done? No, I don't want to get into trouble! Ahlam wondered what to do. Forget it! She just huffed and walked into the building to find Nazma.
'Ellow Nazma!' Ahlam said in a cheerful tone.
'Hi' Nazma replied plainly.
'What happened to you? Why are you looking so down?' Ahlam inquired seeing
Nazma sulking.
'Not seen your crush, have you?' Ahlam teased her friend.
'No, guess what I saw right now?' Nazma cried in frustration, she looked very
update and annoyed at something.
'Okay, tell me what happened and what you saw!!'
'Nazim!! I hate him now!!' Nazma cried out loud. She narrated her story'
Nazma walked happily into school hoping that she would see nazim in P.E again, but fate had written something else. She was walking towards the library when she saw what she never wanted to see. Nazim was walking down the corridor with another girl, not only that but he had his hand around her waist. He saw Nazma and smiled and the girl looked as if she was enjoying every moment, who wouldn't enjoy it? Being in the arms of a handsome boy. Nazma felt like screaming at him. but she knew better and gave a tight smile back and stormed off.
'That's bad, don't worry hun. You can do better' she
encouraged her friend to be happy and get over nazim. But it didn't help Nazma
looked very upset.
'Okay, don't be upset, well go for a movie tonight, okay?' Nazma just nodded.
Ahlam had no biology or mathematics that day, so she never had a chance to see Faizaan, and didn't ponder over the right and wrong! Later in the day Ahlam and Nazma went to the cinemas to watch a movie.
'Let's watch Breaking Dawn'
'Nah, lets watch''..urmm' Ahlam didn't know what to watch so she agreed with
Nazma and went to get the tickets. In the line Ahlam spotted Faizaan and Nazim a
few spaces ahead of her.
She stepped out the line and went to them.
'Hey guys, what are you doing here?' Ahlam asking although it was obvious.
'Why do people come to the cinema?' Faizaan
said laughing. Nazim just chuckled.
'Whatever, can you get me two tickets please? Nazma is here with me.' Ahlam
said sweetly to nazim, she glanced to make sure that the girl was not there,
she wasn't, Ahlam felt relieved that Nazma's evening would not be ruined.
'sure, go we will come. Faizaan why don't you go with Ahlam to get some
popcorn' nazim suggested.
'k man, meet you there.' Faizaan walked with Ahlam to get popcorn.
Nazma spotted them and she walked over to them, she figured nazim would also be there, she scowled at Ahlam who shrugged and told her not to be affected by his presence. Faizaan went to get popcorn and the girls stood waiting for them.
'Chill Nazma, the girls not there. She might not even be his girlfriend, don't worry!' Ahlam assured her friend. Just then nazim appeared, on seeing Nazma his face lit up and he smiled at them. Nazma was irritated, he has a girl friend but flirts as well. So cheap she thought.
They went into the cinema hall and took their seats, the girls sat in the middle with Faizaan sitting next to Ahlam on one side and nazim sat next to Nazma on the other side. They waited for the movie to begin.They went into the cinema hall and took their seats, the girls sat in the middle with Faizaan sitting next to Ahlam on one side and nazim sat next to Nazma on the other side. They waited for the movie to begin. As the movie began the lights went out completely and the cinema hall darkened. They concentrated on the movie.
Nazma was stealing glances at nazim although she was angry with him. On the other side Ahlam was munching on the popcorn and staring intently at the screen. Faizaan was just looking here and there, he wasn't much interested in the movie, so he plugged his earphones into his iPod and listened to music, and Ahlam gave him a funny look! Nazim knew that something was irritating Nazma as she seemed not at all calm and was looking frustrated. Will have to ask her later, he thought.
'Hello nazim' someone whispered and they all turned except
Faizaan too busy with his music.
'Oh Hi Jasmine.' Nazim replied nicely. It was his sister's best friend.
'Join us, we don't mind.' Nazim glanced towards the group as if to make sure.
Nazma gave a tight smile and Ahlam looked at her friend quietly and gave her a
just deal with it look.
'Oh thanks.' Jasmine made herself comfortable next to nazim and nazim did not
look at all bothered.
On the screen the movie had reached the *** scene, Ahlam blushed. Thank god it's dark in here. She looks sideways on her right and looked at Faizaan. At that precise moment Faizaan turned his head towards Ahlam and winked. Shit, what was that for? She thought to herself angrily. She mutely continued watching the movie, so did the rest of them.
Nazma was not enjoying the movie at all. That kabab mein haddi. Argh, wonder who she is Nazma thought to herself. I hope she is just a cousin or a friend, or then'.okay, calm down Nazma instructed herself. Soon the movie finished and so did Nazma's discomfort.
She grabbed her bag and rushed out the cinema hall; Ahlam
shot an apologising look to the rest of them and went after Nazma.
'Nazma, what's wrong with you? Leave it'
'Ahlam, I want to go home now, I will take the bus' Nazma just replied plainly.
'okay, I thought we would have gone for some pizza but oh well.' Ahlam was
disappointed.
'Next time, hopefully, I'm not in the mood! And it's really late, 9pm.'
By then the rest of them had joined them and Ahlam told them that Nazma was leaving as she wasn't feeling very well.
'I will drop you off' nazim offered, Nazma looked at him
confused. 'I am going that way, jasmine is coming my way as well.' Nazma's face
fell.
'Yeah, sure.' Nazma said half heartedly, said goodbye to them and walked out
the door followed by nazim and Nazma.
Faizaan and Ahlam were left. Ahlam had wanted to walk home
with Nazma but as she had left she now had to catch the other bus and on the
other hand Faizaan was in no rush to go home.
'So?' Faizaan said awkwardly.
'So what?'
'You going home then?'
'Yeah, that is the plan.'
'Shall I drop you home? We can walk it if you don't mind.' Faizaan suggested
and expected an answer in the positive and he got it.
'Yeah, that's fine by me.' She said.
Together they walked out of the cinema hall and into the cold streets of Georgia. The night was cold and the wind was blowing. Ahlam looked into the sky and saw millions of stars reflecting back. The moon shone in the dark night and bought light into the sky. It looked beautiful; Ahlam looked as if she was noticing for the first time the beauty of the night. She smiled gently and noticed that Faizaan was in his own world as well. The wind blew hard and Faizaan broke from his trance and saw Ahlam shivering.
Ahlam had only bought a thin jumper because she had expected to come by bus but that had not happened. Faizaan being gentlemen took of his jacket and placed it around Ahlam's shoulders. She smiled at this gesture of his and thanked him. Ahlam and Faizaan started talking about their previous schools and interests and Faizaan told Ahlam that he was interested in singing but his father was not fond of his interest.
'Really? That's cool, or are you just joking?' Ahlam joked
'no, serious, shall I sing for you?' Faizaan asked cheekily. Ahlam nodded in
agreement thinking that he wouldn't sing and was only joking. They had reached
half way to her house. Just then Faizaan walked ahead of Ahlam and started to
sing.
You're insecure
Don't know what for
You're turning heads when you walk through the door
Don't need make up
To cover up
Being the way that you are is enough
Ahlam just shook her head and giggled. But he continued to
sing.
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you
Baby you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground it aint hard to tell
You don't know
Oh Oh
You don't know you're beautiful
Suddenly Faizaan took Ahlam's hand and twirled her around,
they crossed the now empty roads.
If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe
You don't know
Oh oh
You don't know you're beautiful
Oh oh
But that's what makes you beautiful
Faizaan walked around Ahlam, she found herself blushing, but
still he continued to sing.
So c-come on
You got it wrong
To prove I'm right I put it in a song
I don't know why
You're being shy
And turn away when I look into your eyes
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you
He held her hand and pulled her gently along with him around the corner of the
block. They were a few blocks away from ahlams house now and she let go of his
hand and started to remove his jacket off her shoulders. She didn't want to,
she could smell the delicious smell of his perfume and inhaled it. But she took
it off before he noticed. Faizaan hadn't stopped and was still signing.
Baby you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground it aint hard to tell
You don't know
Oh oh
You don't know you're beautiful
If only you saw what I can see
You'll understand why I want you so desperately
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe
You don't know
Oh oh
You don't know you're beautiful
Oh oh
But that's what makes you beautiful
They had now reached the road on which Ahlam house was on
and Faizaan had stopped singing.
'Indeed, you sing beautifully' Ahlam said smiling.
'It was more beautiful because I sang it for you' he replied, his voice
sounding very sincere.
They had now reached the road on which Ahlam house was on
and Faizaan had stopped singing.
'Indeed, you sing beautifully' Ahlam said smiling.
'It was more beautiful because I sang it for you' he replied, his voice
sounding very sincere.
'My pleasure.' He said chuckling.
Ahlam and Faizaan walked towards her house, Ahlam stopped outside her gates and
remembered that her dad could come out any second. Just then the dorr of her
house opened and her brother came out. She rushed towards Faizaan, grabbed his
hand and pulled him away from the sight of the house and her brother.
'Whoa, what are you doing' he said laughing.
'Shhh, my brother' she whispered. She never realised that they were very close
and her hand was on his chest. She peeked over her side to see if her brother
was still there. He was busy locking his bike, but she wasn't get out till I
was safe.
Faizaan looked at her beautiful face, she was so close, he could feel her breath on his face. She averted her eyes towards him and realised their closeness. He looked into her eyes. They stood like this for a good few minutes just then Ahlam's phone started to ring, she immediately took her hands off him and dug into side bag to find her phone. She fumbled with her bag until she found her cell phone. It was her dad on the other end asking when she will be back.
'Few minutes dad, I'm just on my way'. She replied rapidly.
After she had switched her phone off, there was an awkward moment of silence.
'Um, I'll go now' she turned and started to walk away.
'Wait, umm give me your phone number' he said awkwardly.
'oh sure, note it down' they exchanged numbers and waved goodbye and Ahlam
walked to her house, before entering the house she glanced at him once more. Faizaan
was stood there till she was safely in the house.
When Ahlam reached her room after meeting her family her
phone started to ring, she read the caller id and it was none other than
Faizaan. She smiled….
On the other side Nazma and the other two were making their way through the streets and in less than 5 minutes they had reached Jasmines house. She turned to Nazma and nazim, bid them good bye and walked to the door. Before she entered her house she waved at nazim and gave a small smile to Nazma. Now Nazma was very sure that something was going on between them. She couldn't stand this but then she realised that she was getting worked up for no reason. She liked Nazim but she never knew if he liked her. But then what was that in P.E. lesson she thought.
'Hello?' Nazim clicked his fingers in front on her face and
bought her out of her world.
'Oh, what?' She questioned.
'What world have you been in, I have been calling you for the past minute.
Nazim had stood there admiring Nazma's cute face. She looked gorgeous in the moon light. The slight wind blew her hair onto her face but Nazma had not noticed. She was too busy in her deep thoughts. He stood there without interrupting her, just watched all the emotions pass over her face. He thought of what she might be thinking of.
'Oh nothing, just…..' She trailed off.
Nazim stepped closer and placed the strand of hair covering her right eye behind her ear. She blushed at their close proximity, which did not help. He made her heart beat faster than a cheetah and her breathing difficult.
'You looked beautiful Naz' he whispered in her ear.
He chuckled at the look on her face, stepped back and walked forward. When Nazma never followed he went back took her hand in his hand and pulled her along with him. All the while Nazma kept glancing at their locked hands and hoped that this wouldn't be the last moment between them…
Xarina could hear his husky voice through the door. Every day it was the same. She sat out at her desk thinking about him while one after the other, other girls were treated to his gorgeous smile and twinkling green eyes. For some reason he never directed his charm towards her, it was all reserved for his patients. She might as well have been part of the office furniture rather thanhis living breathing secretary.
she decided she had enough of it. So the next day she decided she needed to catch his attention. She arrived wearing tight pants and a small sleeveless tshirt showing a lot of cleavage and her midriff. The doc was amazed looking at his plain timid sec wearing such clothes. She went up to him and said i need a breast examination.
The doc asked, "Only a breast examination? " and winked at her.
"If you think something else needs examining then you go right ahead doc, I'm all yours", said Xarina ,seductively
The doc smirked at her and said
"that might be necessary" in his husky voice green eyes twingling at
her. Again his eyes went from her highheels over her tight pants to her
breast and then up to her mouth. Xarina worse blushing but tried to
cover her embarassment by asking him, if they can do the examination
right now. "when is the first patient coming? I am sure we will need
some time for this" he said in return and smile naughtily. "erm ... erm
..." Xarina stammered to occupied by the docs closeness due to him
stepping even closer towards her.
he came close to her put his arm under her shirt and flicked open her bra and removed the straps from the side.
His hand reached for the back of
her neck and bought her mouth closer to his. They kissed each other
eagerly. He picked her up by the waist and made her sit on the desk
while still kissing her. Her legs wrapped around his waist tightly and
pulled him closer. He broke the kiss and hurried to pull of her shirt.
Meanwhile, she loosened his tie and let it fall. Then, started
unbuttoning his shirt, he put his arms by his side and wriggled free out
of his shirt. Their breaths were heavy and impatient for each others
touch.
Again Xarina put her arms around the doc's neck grabbing his soft hair with her fingers and pulling him even closer while kissing him hungrily. Their tongues met and danced an ecstatic rhythm. Impatiently Xarina pulled his waiste even closer to her with her legs while moving against. But just as his hot hands were pulling up her skirt Mrs. Singh was walking in. She is a very old lady, who is nearly blind and has problems with her healing, too. Shocked Xarina and the doc stayed in their tight embrace and looked at the old lady, who slowly made her way towards them.
xarina got really shocked she ducked under the doc s table.the old lady was on side of the table and james her hot doc was on one side.he sat on the chair. She tied one of his legs to the chair with her bra and his tie.then she sat on his lap and started kissing his earlobe and nose.the doctor shivered with excitement but tat was not all the desperate old blind lady was ranting about how she was not able to breathe after walkin for small distances.she caught hold of his arm placed it on her chest.
'Unbelievable!!' Xarina thought angrily as she saw that. The old lady, who's first name is Ahlam, had placed his hand on her left breast and pressed it down hard with her own hand on top. For her age her breast were still firm and well sized. Since long she had longed for the touch of the sexy doctors of her. It was true that she was nearly totally blind but it hadn't been this way two years ago and what she had seen then had been very yummy and exciting. So she was sure that his looks haven't changed that much. Two years she had waited and battled with herself but now it was enough. She wouldn't live forever and was sure he could plessure the doc really well. "Can feel my rapid heartbeat it surely is some illness. I am also feeling this funny tingling feeling down below" the old lady went on complaining. 'this old hag!' Xarina wanted to scream. But if that old woman wanted to have a fight she could have it.
Xarina was determined to have
the doctor for herself. She yanked his hand away from the old lady's
chest and put it on her larger, firmer breasts. She smirked at the doc's
widened eyes at this gesture.
"Now, feel the real thing doc", whispered in his ear.
he rubbed at the pointed peaks with his thumb then he weighed her generous breasts in his palms, encircled them with finger massaged them drove her wild for more and whispered "I used to wonder why u word such loose clothes. did u think they hid the fact that u had large breasts? believe me all i wanted to do was this. And he put his tongue on it.
Xarina was about to moan in pleasure
when her delight was suddenly disrupted yet again by an aged, shaky
voice and she was brought back to earth. "Doc, I know that our age
difference is very far apart but I can feel our connection" ()
"You feel it too huh?", looking straight at Xarina.
"Yes, I do," said the old lady.
She
felt the temperature of the room rising up and outstretched her arms
and lips, expecting the doc to be in her embrace. Instead, she heard
things falling down nearby. She felt a pencil fall in her lap, rustling
of paper flying around surrounded the room. But the noises she heard
next were even more loud and intense.
Xarina had tiped her head back
and while doing that she kicked the chair and poor doctor who was tied
to the chair fell down on top of Xarina. This was the loud thud ahlam
singh had heard.
"Doctor are you okay?" the old lady was asking.
"Yes" came the breathless reply. But it hadn't been the doc who said it
but Xarina who felt herself being pressed very intimately pressed to the
junction of her legs. Pleassure shot through her body as she never has
known it and so she hadn't thought about the situation. "Who?" Ahlam was
starting to ask but was interrupted by the doctor who said in a husky
deep voice that his secretary Xarina had just come in and tripped. She
seemed to be hurt at her upper leg (really upper) and that he would need
to look at this right now. so he asked her to leave the room for a
moment. While he was talking to Ahlam Xarina, who still hadn't snaaped
out of her pleassure high, moved herself in a way which took him deep
inside her. To not moan out loud she had started to sink her teeth in a
arousing way in his shoulder.
Ahlam who was still confused
about the happenings was getting up slowly. "I should go now?" she asked
confused and sounded like she didn't want to go. Yeeess!!!" came the
husky moaning answer from Xarina, who still couldn't care the least
about her surroundings. She moved restless against him trying to force
him to response. The doc however still hold on to a little bit of his
senses, which might be due to him being used to such sensual situations
unlike Xarina. He tried to hold on to the last threads of his sanity and
told Ahlam that Xarina has a lot of pain and it would be really kind of
her to leave now. "Please come back in the afternoon, then it will be
your turn as soon as you come in, Mrs Singh" So Ahlam agreed grudgingly
and left the room.
With a naughty smile the doc turned to Xarina
again, who was still overwhelmed with the hot tingling feeling which was
spreading everywhere in her body but especially strong at the junction
of her tights, which she pressed against his lower body in rapid
movements. "and now to you" the doc said in a deep voice feeled with
sensual promises.
Xarina rubbed up against James and reached up to give him a deep kiss that left him wanting more. She rocked feeling him reach deeper and deeper within her until she reached the pinnacle of release and shattered into a million pieces. The pain in her leg long forgotten and replaced by the intense pleasure she was feeling. She kissed James once again and wriggled out from under him, she proceeded to get dressed while James looked at her though passion glazed eyes.
"Why are you getting dressed?"
"Gorgeous though you are James, it's time for me to go."
"But I'm not finished with you yet!"
She zipped up her trousers and walked up to him, his hand reached out to graze her breast, but hse caught it before it could reach it's destination. She brought his hand to her mouth and sucked each finger lingeringly watching the passion grow in his gaze. She reached down between his legs and clasped her shirt moving back and finishing getting dressed.
Once she looked less ravaged she let him loose from the chair and made her way to the door, when suddenly she was jerked back against a solid chest.
James nuzzled her neck and pressed the juncture between her legs making Xarina gasp and moan. With the last bit of sense she had she pulled herself away and reached the door. She knew she had James at a disadvantage.
"I'm going to give you 15 minutes Dr, before I let the next patient in. Then I'm gone." She looked him up and down lingering on the most enticing parts, biting her lip. By leaving him unfulfilled she was suffering herself.
"Xarinaaa!" James groaned. She nearly gave in then.
"No! I'm going home in 20 minutes. If you want me you know where to find me." She walked out hoping that he would take up her challenge."
James looked at the shut door and the light of challenge replaced the passion in his eyes. He was going to make her beg.
15.01.2012
Xarina got home and headed straight for the shower. Thoughts of what James had done to her and what she had done back to him had kept her worked up the entire journey home. She'd been unable to stop herself from moaning out loud at the feelings he had aroused in her. This had caused a few looks to be directed her way on the tube. A cold shower was just what was needed, especially if she was to cope until he made his way to her. She was sure he would come.
James had been at a steady state of arousal for most of the afternoon. Thankfully his afternoon clinic had been short, so he was able to indulge in thoughts of making Xarina writhe around under him, moaning, begging and screaming for release.
Highly strung she waited. She'd been so sure he would come for her, but as the hours passed her confidence dwindled. Maybe she should have stayed and been glad of what she was getting at the time? She'd lusted after James for months, waiting for him to notice her and now when he had she'd left him.
The doorbell chimed and Xarina was brought out of herself doubt. Hope built in her but she battened it down, after all it might not be him. She opened the door to see James lounging against the wall waiting for her. His eyes roved up and down her body and Xarina remembered what she had been wearing whilst awaiting him. She stood up straighter so he could get the full impact of her in her lacy babydoll lingerie. From the look in his eyes she could tell he was impressed.
"You open the door to anyone like that?" He asked, her raising his eyebrow.
mutely Xarina shook her head.
"Well then I am privileged!" He walked up to her and kissed her deeply and passionately, invoking a response from deep inside her, sensing that Xarina was close to completely melting in his arms, let go of her and stepped inside the house leaving her panting on the doorstep.
Xarina turned to see him walk to the sofa and sit down. She frowned, wondering what he was playing at him. She'd thought that he would be as hungry as she was and would waste no time in picking up where they'd left off. She'd felt his hunger and the response of his body during that kiss, but now she was puzzled. She followed him into the house, slowly, closing the door and glancing over at him.
Vibha was extremely irritated. All day she'd been run ragged picking up this and finishing that!! College hadn't been brilliant either, her coursework hadn't been completed and the lecturer had only just given her the extension she so desperately needed. Now the bus she needed to take home was delayed and it was freezing!! The rain from earlier had left puddles all around and unfortunately the line of people waiting was so long she had ended up nowhere near the bus stop.
Lost in the thoughts off all she had to do she hadn't noticed the car drive past her so close until a splash hit her across the front of her body and face.
All the rage and frustration of the day culminated and she reached down and picked up a stone. With all her might she flung it at the car and screamed!!
"What the hell??? Can't you see where you're driving???"
To her horror the car stopped.
"Oh shit" Vibha exclaimed
The car reversed and Vibha looked down towards the floor wishing for the earth to open up and swallow her whole. She could feel all eyes on her.
She heard a door open and slam shut and saw a pair of black shoes stop in front of her.
She heard a door open and slam shut and saw a pair of black shoes stop in front of her.
She started shaking, because it was cold and because of what might happen. She looked up, tracing her eyes from the black pair of shoes, to the legs and getting near the waist, she saw a slightly big bump, embarrassed she moved her eyes further up to his waist and stomach. His shirt was tightly sticking to this man's body and she could see his toned stomach. Vibha carried on looking up until she reached his face...
She was awestruck!
A gorgeous man stood in front of her with an angry look on his face. A shiver went down Vibha's spine.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked her in the most husky, gravelly voice she'd ever heard!!
The sound of his voice almost mesmerised her until she remembered she was stood in the middle of the street covered in mud.
"You can talk! Look at the state of me? You did this with your beast of a car!"
"So? You could have just stopped me. Throwing a stone is just childish."
"Yeah well I lost my temper. Just look at the state of me!"
The man looked her up and down. Vibha cursed herself for drawing attention to her body. "OK that's enough."
The man smirked. "Well I apologise for causing such distress." He reached into his pocket and got out a card. "Here's my card. You can send me your dry cleaning bill." He turned and walked back to his car leaving Vibha staring after him. She looked down at the card and saw the name. Sahir Khan.
Vibha was really angry at the man, who was
called Sahir Khan. She reached home and went straight to the bath and
changed her clothes. She went onto her laptop and checked her email.
There was one from a laundry company. She read the message thinking why
would a launderette email her. How did they have her email? She read the
email closely and saw it was just a spam. She was glad. Then she
remembered Sahir Khan. He had told her to send the bill to him. She got
up and dug into her coat to find the card. She peered closely at it. Oh,
so he was the CEO of khan and co companies? Seems that he is rich, but
such and arrogant fellow. She thought to herself.
She went
straight to her laptop and googled Sahir Khan, there were many of him
with ladies, what a player, and she cursed him. Instead of checking her
mails she stayed on the net reading so many articles about Sahir Khan,
eventually falling asleep near the laptop.
He
walked upto her. His eyes were full of passion and love, she couldn't
hold his gaze and looked down and turned around, he came near to her and
pulled her towards him with the end of her dupatta. She was facing her
back towards him. She felt herself being pulled into his strong and wide
chest. He nuzzled his face into her neck in between her shoulders.
Lightly he nibbled at her ear and whispered 'u make me hungry'', she
shivered, the words were full of passion, he couldn't resist so he
turned her around and bought her face closer to his. He leaned in for a
kiss, and sucked on her bottom lip. She responded equally well. She
slipped her arms around his neck and hugged her body to his. The kiss
deepened, both their tongues in each other's mouth. She couldn't
breathe, they both separated for some air after the long kiss, and noses
touched!! Then he was moving further and further away from her, away
from her reach
Vibha woke up suddenly, what? What was I
dreaming about this stupid arrogant man! With a huff she went back to a
dreamless sleep.
The next day Vibha was even more annoyed. Her sleepless night hadn't helped her much. All night thoughts of that man kept popping into her head, and when she'd finally managed to sleep he'd invaded her dreams too.
She'd only met him once! And what she'd found out about him she hadn't much liked. Why was her mind stuck on him? She looked at her watch and realised that if she didn't get a move on she'd be late for her first paired session with her best friend. She loved working with her friend Zaira who she'd met at college. Today they were meeting up at a cafe instead of college to get on with their paired project.
Vibha ran to the cafe and saw Zaira waiting there impatiently.
"Zo I am so sorry!! I completely overslept and have raced here!"
"Vibha I've been waiting here forever! You know I only had an hour today! My brother will be here in 30 minutes now."
"I know but it couldn't be helped. Honestly when I tell you what happened to me yesterday you'll feel sorry for me too."
"Why what happened?"
Vibha related everything that had gone wrong yesterday from the morning til the time when she'd been splashed by that arrogant man!!!
"And then he placed his card in my hand and walked off! Can you believe the audacity? Like I'm going to go begging for dry cleaning money. Honestly Zo I hope I never see that man again. He just put me over the top yesterday."
"Seems like he made a big impact." Zaira murmured. "Waise did you get his name?"
Just as Vibha was about to tell her she heard a voice from behind her,
"Haan did this man leave his name?"
Vibha turned around in shock at the sound of his voice!
Her mouth dropped and her eyes shot open wide when she saw him standing there.
"Bhai!" she heard Zo exclaim, "How long have you been listening to our conversation?"
Bhai didn't look happy. In fact he was fuming.
Ever since he had known Vibha he had always had a soft spot for her and
here she was talking about some other guy.
I've been here long
enough to hear what was being said. You ought to be ashamed of
yourselves." he spat. He did not know that Vibha was recalling her
dream and stomped off. Zo shrugged her shoulders. She turned to
Vibha.
"Ignore him." He's cranky cos he hasn't got a job yet. So what was your dream guy's name?"
"Sahir Khan." Zo squealed.
"The
Sahir Khan!" Vibha looked visibly surprised. "Vibs! Why don't you
look him up? Who knows, it may have been a dream but sometimes dreams
come true."
"So do nightmares." Vibha said sorrowfully.
Why had she told Zo the details of the dream?? And now Zaffar bhai thought she was a pervert. She wouldn't be able to look him in the eye from now on!!
"Chal you stay here I'm going to catch up with bhai, I told you I needed to go home early. See ya and don't be too lost in his thoughts!!" Zaira gave her a hug and ran after her brother who was sat in the car waiting for her.
"Come on hurry up!" he shouted.
"Bhai there's no point taking your anger out on me! Just because you fancy Vibha! I told you didn't I that she wasn't interest. Anyway bhai if bhabhi found out you were eyeing up other girls she'd claw your eyes out!!!"
Vibha got up and decided she might as well work from home. She picked up her files and her smoothie and spun round to smack right into a solid hard chest.
She looked up... to see Sahir Khan in front of her.
"Oh Shit." She murmured. Both of them were covered in sticky orange liquid.
'Argh, can't you see where you are going' she angrily said to him.
I think you should see where you are going' he accused equally.
'I forgot to send the bill, don't worry I can add the bill for this dress to she replied sarcastically ignoring his comment.
He gave a fake laugh. 'Watch where you are going lady'
I have a name thank you very much' Vibha replied still angry
'oh what is it? I am called...accident probably' he said in a mocking tone and turned to walk away.
Excuse
me, whose going to get me another dress to wear the rest of the day?
Vibha enquired annoyed. She looked at her nice dress filled with orange
smoothie and then glanced at his blazer which also had orange on it.
'I have a spare for me, but I don't do girls, right?' he said laughing.
'Yeah right, probably have so many girls underwear under his car seat, such a player' she thought angrily to herself.
'Why don't we go to the mall and get you something to wear' he said calmly.
'No thank you. I don't need alms' she replied heatedly.
Vibha stomped off to the bus station to catch the bus to get back home and change.
A few minutes had passed and it started to rain heavily, she got soaked and the bus had still a while to come.
Meanwhile
a black car rode down the road and stopped just next to Vibha, she
looked at it and the windows were tinted so she couldn't see who was
inside. The windows rolled down and it was none other than Sahir Khan.
'Get in; let me drop you home at least.' He said.
Vibha
sat in the car and stared out of the window. The rain was falling
heavily now and it was difficult to see out into the road ahead. The
car turned down a country road. It hadn't gone quite far when it
started to make a funny noise. Sahir swore and manouvered the car off
the road and promptly got it stuck in the mud. He glared a Vibha as if
blaming her for the car's malfunction. Irritated he pulled out his
phone to make a call to someone who could help. Looking at his phone he
realised that it was slow on power. Reaching across to the glove
compartment he grabbed hold of the charger and promptly dropped it at
Vibha's feet. His head was almost in her lap as he reached down to pick
it up. Vibha looked down. At first she thought to grab her file and
hit him on the head with it but he moved slightly and she jumped. She
had never allowed any man to be this close to her and she felt nervous.
Finally, he got hold of the charger, connected it to his phone and
plugged it into the cigarette lighter. He turned to glare at her and
stopped. She was wet through and her dress stuck to every inch of her.
Hair dripping wet, she looked like a little wet kitten. An angry wet
kitten. In spite of himself he smiled reached over and stroked her
cheek. At first she rounded on him but, just like a kitten she mewed.
Enjoying the sensation of his hand on her cheek. Undoing his and her
seatbelts he leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth, slowly and
gently making contact with her. Despite herself she found herself
responding to him and sighed. He nipped at her lips and as she opened
her mouth to sigh he explored the inside of her mouth with his tongue.
She leaned back and moaned. She could feel his hand on her
neck, working its way lower until it came to the soft swell of her
breast. His hand slipped inside the dress, exploring, cupping and
stroking. He removed his hand and moved lower as if it had a mind of
its own on its way to finding its target. All the while keeping the
intensity of the kiss. Vibha moaned against him and shifted in her
seat. She felt as if she was going to pass out. Grabbing his head in
her hands she pushed his head lower and as if understanding what she
wanted he started to nip gently at the skin of the breast which he had
earlier exposed. "Vibha," he moaned, "Vibha"
Vibha jumped and
stared at him. He glared at her. She was one hell of an awkward
passenger. She hadn't answered one single question he had asked her.
Vibha looked with glazed eyes and then realisation struck. Utterly
mortified she threw her file at him and let herself out of the car and
ran.
"What the ..." Sahir exclaimed as Vibha exited the car.
"She was mad. Damn barking mad!" He undid his seatbelt and got out of
the car. "Vibha. Stop! Where are you going?" They were nowhere near a
major road or town and if she ran there is no telling where she would
end up. He ran after her. "Vibha! You damn idiot girl. Stop!" The
rain had made it difficult for Vibha to run and she had already lost one
shoe in the mud. He had gained on her and with a voice the exuded
authority her told her once more to stop. She froze in her tracks.
Gasping for breath. Placing her hand on a tree trunk she bent forward
catching her breath. A strong hand whirled her round. "What?!" he
gasped, out of breath and angry as hell. "In the hell do you think you
are doing?" Vibha turned on him. She was angry at herself for getting
carried away but more so because she had run. Eyes blazing. "If I
ran, it was because of you. You make me feel as if I am nothing. Since
we have met you look down at me. Just cos you are some Mr hotshot
CEO." "That was a bit rich." she realised as she was shouting. She was
angry at herself for letting herself get carried away with that
scenario in the car. She wiped the rain and her tears from her face.
His face softened. He never liked seeing a woman cry and there was
something about her that made him feel protective of her.
"Look," he
said gently. "Come back to the car. We can wait there until the
weather subsides and help arrives. He put his arm round her and walked
back to the car.
"Ouch" Vibha winced. She had lost her shoe and had
managed to step on a thorn which had embedded in her foot. Sahir
looked down and saw the blood mingling with the rain water. He picked
her up and strode to the car.
"I have a first aid kit in the car.
I'll get that cleaned and dressed for you." Reaching the car he placed
her in the back seat. Grabbing the first aid kit and a bottle of water
from the boot he washed the mud and debris from her foot. He got in the
back seat with her and locked the door. He placed her injured foot on
his lap and pulled the thorn out and dressed it. Finally, he was done
and looked up at her and the world stopped. She was leaning against the
door, breathing heavily. Her chest rising and falling with each
breath. Mentally he slapped his forehead. "Why did he give her such a
hard time? She is gorgeous."
His hand was unconsciously drawing
circles on her calf slowly making his way up to her knee. Vibha
gulped. Her foot encountered a growing sensation in his lap and her
breathing quickened. She was having the same effect on him that he was
having on her. He removed her foot and laid it gently on the floor and
leaned over and lay over her. He kissed her forehead, the side of her
face. The corner of her mouth and then her lips.
"Oh god," she
thought. "This is happening for real. It's not my imagination running
wild. He deepened the kiss, tasting her, kissing her as if drawing out
her very soul. He shifted his position so that his hands could explore
every inch of her. He moved her dress aside so making it easier for his
hands to caress her breasts and then breaking the kiss to move down to
them, kissing the very top of her cleavage. They roamed, caressed her,
making her whimper. His hands went underneath the dress and stroked her
thighs, but not quite reaching where she wanted him to touch. She
practically sobbed. Calling out his name. But he held back. He moved
back to her lips. Placing his body over hers. Vibha was going insane.
She was fully clothed but practically making out with a man she had
only met the day before. But the sensation of his body lying over hers,
placing pressure where she needed it most took her over the edge and
she tried to reason with herself. Before she could think any further
she felt the need for release and to save herself from screaming out
loud she bit into his shoulder. It took a while for her to come back
to reality. Panting and looking into his eyes, she promised that if she
ever got the chance that she would gratefully repay him for what he had
just done for her. He was breathing heavily as well and looked at her
in astonishment. She was unique and there was no chance that he would
let her go. Once the car is fixed he's taking her home. And this time
there will be no clothes involved. He sat up and opened his mouth to
say something only to be interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He
reached forward and picked it up.
"Sahir." Listened silently and cut
the call. He turned to Vibha. "The breakdown company have located us
via the GPS on my phone. They will be here in ten minutes. We'll go to
my place first and then we'll sort out a dress for you. OK?" Vibha
nodded, dumbstruck unable to say a word. All she could think of was "if
that is what happened when we're fully clothed, without them I'm gonna
die!" She leaned back in the seat and sighed.
While waiting for the car Vibha's phone rang. She looked at the screen, "Oh shit."
Sahir looked at her and raised his eyebrow. "What's wrong now?"
She glared at him, all her previous antagonistic feelings brought to the fore and answered the phone. "Mummy, hi."
Sahir looked at her as she went red listening to what her mother was saying to her. "Ji mum I would have been home on time… No the bus didn't come so a friend was giving me a lift… woh his car broke down… No mum I said her, really I said her. Sahira. She's new."
Vibha looked round at Sahir's snort of laughter and glared at him again.
"Haan mum I'm listening… A rishta! You never told me people were coming to see me! I just thought your friends were coming... A car's coming mum I'll be straight home. I'm really sorry. "Vibha put the phone down and saw that Sahir was frowning. She wondered what had happened to him. She heard the noise of another car and realised that a replacement car had arrived. "Um if you don't mind can you drop me off at home first, my mother is waiting."
"I heard." he said curtly.
Why the hell was he being short with me? Vibha thought but her mums scolding was still uppermost in her mind for now.
"Yeah so can I go first?"
He looked at her. How can she go back to normality after what we've just shared? And this talk of rishta's has her all in a hurry to get home.
"Come on then I'll drop you off first." He got out of the car and walked straight to the replacement car, not even helping her out. What's his problem? I was right the first time he's just an arrogant egotistic man! How could I let him go so far?
She got out of the car and looked down at herself "Oh shit!" She got out her phone and rang her friend. "Zo I know you're busy but can you take out a little time?" She said while walking to the other car where Sahir was now waiting in the driver's seat. She got into the passenger seat told Sahir the address and carried on her conversation. "Bring me some clothes I need to get changed before I get home… You know I told you aunty Tahira was coming round to see mum today? Well she's come but not on her own… they're all here including Ibrar… yeah they're coming to see me and I look a mess… never mind what happened. Just please get to outside mine quick."
Vibha glanced at Sahir who was glowering at the road and had increased the speed of the car, in her ear she could hear Zaira getting excited about the rishta and then she heard her mention Sahir.
"Why are you mentioning him?.. Whatever!.. Listen just stop going on about it ok, get to mine so that I don't embarrass myself in front of aunty Tahira and Ibrar."
Sahir was sick and tired of hearing her gushing over this guy. How dare she! She was his!
He turned on the music, loud, so that she'd put the phone down.
"Zo listen just get there now." She put the phone down and turned in her seat, she switched off the radio. "What is your problem?" He ignored her and carried on driving. "Oi I'm talking to you" She started tapping at his shoulder to get his attention, he grabbed her hand, hard, and placed it back on her lap, never losing his concentration on the road. Fine! If he wants to ignore me then I don't need his attention either.
After five minutes of silence the car finally stopped and Vibha noticed they were outside her house. She was about to open the door when he grabbed her hand and locked the doors with his other hand.
"What are you doing? Let go of my hand!"
"I haven't grabbed your hand to let go of it now." He looked into her eyes meaningfully.
"I don't know what you think you're doing but I've got people waiting for me inside."
"I heard, poor guy."
"What do you mean poor guy?!"
"He's probably got his hopes all up but he doesn't know one important thing. You're mine."
Vibha looked at him in shock. "You're mad! Just because I temporarily lost my mind in the car doesn't give you any rights over me!" She tried to shake her hand free but he just tightened his grip and pulled her closer. "What happened between us was special you know it and so do I." He reached over and lifted her into his lap. He brought her head down to his and kissed her, deep full of passion which awoke the corresponding passion from deep inside her. She tangled her hands in his hear while she moaned into his mouth at the pressure increasing inside her.
Sahir broke the kiss and looked at her passion glazed eyes and asked her huskily, "Deny me if you can but don't lie to yourself. So gorgeous, let him down gently."
Vibha scrambled off his lap and hurried out of the car without looking backwards. Sahir looked at her go until she reached to where her friend was waiting and drove away with the image of her clear in his mind.
As soon as Zo saw Vibha running towards her she burst into laughter. "What happened to you?"
"I slipped in the mud."
"Acha so why are your lips swollen? And you can't possibly be this breathless from the little distance you've just run. What have you been up to?" She teased her friend.
"Shut up I don't have time for this!! They're all inside waiting." She dragged Zaira into the shed, "Give me the clothes, we're just going to have to manage in here. By the way you're coming in with me, if mum asks how we got here tell her that Sahira dropped us." Vibha was busy getting changed while giving Zo all these instructions.
"Sahira? We don't have a friend called Sahira, why does that name sound so familiar? Sahira…Sahira…Sahir! Oh My God!!!! Was that Sahir Khan in that car? What were you doing with him? Or shouldn't I ask?" Zo giggled seeing the expression on Vibha's face.
"Don't you dare mention it when we get inside. It's bad enough that Ibrar and Tahira aunty are here. Honestly I told mum when she mentioned it last time that I don't want to marry Ibrar, I've grown up with him so I can't ever think of him in you know that way."
"I thought you wanted to impress him? Isn't that why you asked for the clothes?"
Vibha rolled her eyes at her friend. "Zo you saw the state of me! How could I go in front of both mine and Ibrar's family like that? You've got love on the mind Zaira! You need a man of your own!"
"Well you've got all the men running after you! Sahir Khan and now Ibrar!"
Once dressed Vibha dragged Zo out of the shed and took her into the house. "Don't mention that man ok!" she hissed at her.
Both families were sat there blatantly waiting for Vibha. Vibha greeted everyone and apologised for being so late. She noticed that Ibrar wasn't even looking at her but somewhere behind her. She turned back and saw that the focus of his attention was Zaira! And Zaira was no better! She was staring back at him.
"Mummy me and Zaira will be right back, we got caught in the rain. We'll freshen up and come down." She pulled Zaira upstairs with her.
"Zaira!!!! What on Earth! You and Ibrar were full on in front of the families making eyes at each other!! He's such a besharam! His family is here for me and he's making eyes at my best friend? It's a good thing I found out before I said yes!"
"You said you weren't saying yes!" Zaira said stricken, eyes wide.
Vibha giggled and gave her a hug, "I'm not going to silly! I'm just teasing you. Any way this means I can get Ibrar to say no to his parents and I can say no to mine. Let me freshen up a little and then we'll try and get Ibrar on his own."
The girls went downstairs and Vibha was expected to do all the things people expect of a girl who's being "seen". She had to make tea and serve it to everyone, and sit next to Tahira aunty with a scarf on her head looking demure. She was amazed that no one noticed that Ibrar and Zaira only had eyes for each other. She poked Zaira who thankfully was sat next to her, to remind her to do her part.
"Ouch!" Everyone turned to look at Zaira, who regained her composure and did what she was supposed to do. "Auntyji don't you think that Vibha and Ibrar should go and speak to each other, after all everyone is talking about them."
"Zaira beta you're right but on their own..?"
"No aunty I'll be there with them too, and we'll just be in the other room."
Vibha had been watching Ibrar while Zo had been speaking, he was so transparent! His shoulders had drooped when Zo had mentioned him being alone with Vibha but had perked right up again when he found out she'd be there too.
"That's fine kids. You go and talk and then be back here to tell us your decision." Everyone smiled as the three of them headed off to the other sitting room.
Once in the room Zaira sat down and predictably Ibrar sat down quite close to her. They were both acting like lovestruck idiots and Vibha decided to get her own back on both of them, Zo for her teasing and Ibrar for letting himself be persuaded to come here.
"Ibby…? Why are you sat all the way over there?" She said in a sweet voice. Both heads spun round to look at her. She came and sat down next to him and touched his arm. "Do you know when mummy told me that Tahira aunty wanted to ask for my rishta I couldn't believe it!" She batted her eyes at him and saw the horror fill his. She had to try very hard to stop the smile from spreading on her face. "I've always thought we had a connection," she said trailing her fingers up his arm, while slyly glancing at Zo who looked shattered! "I'm so glad you came."
"V-vibha y-you've got it wrong." Ibrar stuttered in horror and Vibha couldn't hold her mirth back any longer. She started laughing at both of her friends and punched him in the arm.
"You're a complete idiot Ibrar!! Why let yourself be persuaded to come here? What if I'd said yes?? You should have seen your face!"
Vibha got up and sat down on the other sofa. "Don't worry Ibby I would never marry you! Especially since I've seen you looking at my best friend like that. I'm surprised nobody noticed out there. It's love at first sight here!"
Ibrar and Zo looked at each other and blushed.
"Now that's cleared up I want us to go tell the parents that we don't want to get married. You two can sort your own love life out in your own time! Just get me out of this!"
Meanwhile Sahir had got home and noticed that Vibha had left her bag in the car. Now he had the perfect excuse to see her again.
The next day it was Saturday and Vibha was glad. The past two days she'd had to step out of her house and had bumped into, quite literally yesterday, to that man. You love his name Vibha, so just say it. "Sahir." She whispered. She caught her reflection in the mirror and saw the dreamy look that was plastered on her face. She shook herself out of these wholly inappropriate thoughts and reminded herself of his arrogance. "Sahir!" she stated in a completely different tone. "Thank god it's a Saturday," she said out loud, "I can spend all day at home without stepping out. At least I'm guaranteed not to see him today!"
Sahir got up with a smile on his face. His dreams had been full of the haughty minx and he loved it. Her smile, her arrogance, her haughtiness everything about her filled him with something.
He remembered how he's left her yesterday and it came back to him. The guy who'd been coming to see her. He knew instinctively that Vibha could have been riled enough to go against her instincts just to spite him. Well there was only one way to find out. He glanced towards the corner of his room where her bag lay.
He smiled thinking of how easy she'd made it to get to her.
It was after lunch and Vibha had been hiding out in her own private sanctuary, the conservatory. She thought back to what had happened last night. The three of them, Zo, Ibrar and her had decided to come straight out and tell the parents that they wouldn't suit. Vibha had been expecting fireworks but it turned out that the parents weren't as blind as they'd taken them for. The parents hadn't missed the looks that had been shared by Zaira and Ibrar and while they'd been making their plans the parents had also guessed that the rishta was definitely a no. Thank god that had been so swiftly sorted. Now Zo and Ibrar were going to get to know each other. She was thinking about the fun she was going to have when the two finally got married when she heard the murmur of voices from the lounge. She got up to see who it was and was shocked breathless.
What was he doing in her house? And why was her mum speaking to him so nicely, where was her dad in all this? There he was shaking hands with him! What was going on? God what if he opens his mouth in front of her parents?
"Vibha?" her mother shouted out. "Vibha!"
Great there goes the plan of staying out of his way. She looked around for her scarf and put it around her neck and walked out. "Ji mom?" she said avoiding looking at him.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Ji?"
"That you lost your bag? You can be so careless!"
"My bag?" She remembered having her bag yesterday. She didn't remember bringing it back into the house though! She looked at her shocked. "Maa I-"
"She didn't even realise she'd lost her bag! I don't know where her mind is Vibha ke papa but it's not where it should be."
Vibha glanced at Sahir and saw him smirking slightly.
"Be grateful that Sahir beta found your bag and brought it home. If it had been anyone else they wouldn't have bothered!"
Beta???? Sahir beta??? He's only been here ten minutes. But at least now she remembered where she'd left the bag!
"Yes Sahir beta I'm very grateful for you bringing back my daughter's bag yourself. A big business man like you must be so busy all the time."
"Uncle I believe that no matter how successful a person gets he should still remember what is important in life."
"That's a very good way to live your life." Her father turned to her. "Vibha go make tea and bring snacks in for Sahir." As Sahir tried to demur her father interrupted. "No beta, today is the first time you've come to our house and you brought back Vibha's bag so I'm not letting you go without you eating something. Vibha go quick."
"Ji papa." She walked to the kitchen and looked back to see the three sat there talking like long lost whatevers. What's his game? Why is he here?
She made the tea and brought out snacks to see the three still chatting and laughing away.
Sahir noticed her walk in the room. She looks gorgeous in the white salwar kameez she was wearing with the baby pink scarf draped around her. All his urges were telling him to grab her and take her away to somewhere private. He put all his intent into his eyes as he locked his gaze with hers, she blushed and looked away.
She slowly made her way to the table and put down the tray avoiding looking at any of them, face trained towards the ground, to hide her scarlet cheeks. She poured the tea and handed it to everyone. She felt him brush her hands and her eyes met his, she could see the twinkle in them. He was amused at her discomfiture.
She glared back at him, lifted her head and walked to the other sofa. Half an hour passed with her getting more and more uncomfortable. She looked at the clock and remembered something with relief.
"Mummy I'm sorry to interrupt but you and papa had to go to Mrs Mehta's now didn't you? Look at the time you're going to be late!"
"You're right! Thankgod me and your papa are already ready for it." Vibha's mum and dad got up and looked at Sahir, "Beta I'm sorry we're going to have to go."
"It doesn't matter aunty, even I should be making a move. If I could just go to the washroom?"
"Beti show Sahir the washroom. Beta we're going to have to run now, it's already late. Sorry to dash away but make sure you do come back again."
Vibha took Sahir upstairs and turned to see her parents leaving the house! Why are they leaving me with him? How has he got them wrapped around his little finger? This wasn't supposed to happen!! He was supposed to go too.
They reached the top and Vibha started rushing to show him the washroom.
"It's j-" she started when he pulled her close to him. Shocked her eyes flew wide open. "What are you doing?!"
"I missed you." He murmured into her ear sending a shiver down her spine.
"You're crazy."
"Did you miss me?"
"I don't even know you." She moaned as he nuzzled his way down her throat. He moved her dupatta out of the way and nipped her throat as punishment for avoiding the question, sucking it better at her hiss.
Vibha's hands went up in order to pull his head back but just managed to tangle within his hair and keep him there. Sahir smiled and asked another question, interspersing each word with a kiss up to her lips. "Did. you. dream. about. me?"
How the hell does he know? She shook her head but Sahir had seen the truth. "Me too." He stated before capturing her lips in a kiss that took away her senses. Her slightly parted lips were crushed against his own. He spent his time tasting her and used his his tongue to lick a lazy passage along the vulnerable curve of her mouth, then gently bit her swollen bottom lip. He resumed the kiss and staked his claim on her. Vibha's defence crumbled and she threw herself wholeheartedly into the kiss, giving as good as she got. The passion between them held her mesmerised, she had no reasoning left. All she knew was that this man was hers and she was his.
They broke apart and looked at each other. Sahir brushed her hair away from her face. She was breathing heavily as was he. "I dreamt of you. You invaded my dreams gorgeous. I couldn't sleep all night!"
"Neither did I." She whispered.
"So why lie?"
She blushed and looked down. He lifted her chin to make her look at him. "So my haughty miss can blush too?" He teased. In response she glared at him. He laughed and lifted her up in his arms, she instinctively put them around his neck. "I don't know what I like better, the glare or the blush. Now which is your room?" He followed Vibha's instructions and once there laid her down on the bed, himself lying down next to her.
"Now sweetheart tell me, did you let him down gently?"
Vibha glared at him remembering the way he had practically ordered her to say no to Ibrar. "No I said yes!"
His eyes glinted and he clasped her hands, lifting them above her head, he came on top of her and kissed her ruthlessly, making her moan and groan into his mouth, he ground himself against her making her moan even more. She tried to bring her arms down in order to grab him, whether to claw at him or bring him even closer she didn't know.
He left her mouth and placed kisses down her neck to the cleavage that was enticingly shown.
"Sahirrr!" she moaned helplessly, "Please!"
"Please what?"
"Sahirrr!!" She writhed under him trying to find the elusive release she needed from the exquisite torture he was bringing about her body.
"Did you say yes?"
Still defiant she answered, "Yes!"
He was impressed at her tenacity and lowered his head again this time aiming for her breast. He kissed around the nipple that was begging for attention through her kameez. Vibha's moaning increased at the attention he was giving to her body everywhere but where she needed it most.
"Don't do this to me!!! Please!"
"Tell me what I want to know." He said lightly brushing her nipple with his tongue causing her to inhale sharply.
Vibha was torn between her stubbornness and the prospect of release.
"OK, I lied, I said no now ple-" As soon as he heard what he needed to know he decided to give Vibha the release she needed. He attended to her needs, deriving pleasure from hearing her moan and scream. It was all for her.
He ground his hips against her and sucked her breast through her clothes until she screamed and fell to pieces under him. He rolled off her and gathered her into his arms, until her trembling subsided.
Some time later they both stirred and looked at each other.
"You're so arrogant, so sure of yourself."
"You're so haughty and self righteous."
"You're too handsome."
"You're too beautiful."
Vibha reached over and kissed him lightly.
"You're mine." He said clasping her hand.
"You're mine." She said entwining her fingers through his.
He smiled and lifted her onto his lap. "Took you long enough to admit it."
She smiled at him and made her self comfortable, punishing him as she did, seeing him close his eyes and moan made her smile even further.
"Minx!"
"I researched you. When you covered me in mud, I googled you."
"And what did you find?" He asked absently tracing a pattern over her flat stomach.
"Well I know you're a hot shot business man, like a business tycoon prodigy type."
"You don't approve?"
"No I don't mind that…"
"Ah so you did find something you don't like."
"They say you're a player." She avoided looking at him while she said this.
"And what if I am?"
"Then I don't want you playing with me!" She tried to scramble off his lap and he pulled her back down so she was half lying across his torso.
"You're such a wild cat! I only asked what if! Listen sweetheart the media will say what they want. More than half the girls they link me with I've never even spoken to, just passed at a party or function."
"What about the rest of them?" She asked jealously.
"I'm only interested in one girl. The wild cat on top of me." Vibha's heart beat faster at hearing him say that.
"Sweetheart when are your parents coming back?"
"Around 7 why?"
"I don't want to worry you but it's half six."
Vibha jack knifed up and looked at him horrified. "You need to go! They can't see you here! What are they going to think if they come back and you're still here? They'll think I'm a s**t!"
Sahir pulled her to him and put his lips over hers.
"Don't you dare call yourself a s**t!"
"Well what else are they going to think? They don't know that we've met before!"
"Fine I'm leaving. But you have to call me. Tonight. If not I'll be back here."
"Ok I'll do it but you have to leave now!"
"No kiss?"
Vibha looked at him longing to feel him against her once more. She chewed on her lower lip due to the hunger building up inside her. She knew that if she kissed him she wouldn't be able to stop. "No kiss please! Just go!"
They walked hand in hand to the door and reluctantly left each other. Vibha watched him drive off longingly and then raced up to her room to tidy herself up. In the shower she relived each moment she had spent with him.
Dinner that night was a very different experience for Vibha. She'd been nervous that her parents would straight away notice something about her, but they were busy in telling her the gossip of their friends. Vibha tuned out their words and disappeared into her dream land where she remained until her mother called her name. With the amount of irritation in her voice Vibha could tell that it was not the first time she'd said her name.
"Ji maa?"
"Where is you concentration these days? First you lose your bag, now I'm calling you and you're in your own world!"
"Mummy I just have a headache. C-college has been a little hard work lately."
"Beta if you're unwell then go rest in your room."
"Ji papa." Vibha was glad to get out of there. It had been bad enough being caught once she didn't want to be caught again!
She got into her room and locked the door. She looked at her bed and blushed, laying herself down and inhaling the scent of Sahir from her pillow. She shook herself out of it and giggled. Giggling? What on earth is wrong with me? She sat up and decided to ring Zo, it would be interesting to see what she'd got upto with Ibrar.
An hour later Vibha was still on the phone. It was now 9 o'clock, but she'd been so excited talking to Zaira. Her love life was running amazingly smoothly. In one day she'd managed to see Ibrar and fall madly in love. From what Zo had told her they were a match made in heaven. They're likes and dislikes were eerily close.
Vibha had laughed out loud when Zo had descried their tentative hand holding and thought back to her own, now what could she call it? Was it a relationship? Well whatever it was it was vastly different to Zo and Ibrar's love story.
Finally realising the time she hung up and remembered Sahir's words to her. Should she call his bluff? Or should she ring him? Thinking on it would be safer to ring him rather than have him turn up – that really would open a can of worms at home.
Sahir was getting impatient. She was so stubborn! He'd told her to ring! He should have got her number!! He was fast running out of patience and picked up his car keys, just as he was about to step out his phone rang. He didn't recognise the number.
"Hello?"
Silence greeted him until he heard a voice say "Um hello? This is Vibha."
"Sweetheart you've kept me dangling all night. Any later and I would have been climbing in through your bedroom window."
She gasped. "Really?"
"Truly."
"Well I have rung you now." He could hear the defiance back in her voice.
"That you have. Are you missing me?"
"Why would I miss you? You've only been gone a few hours."
"Avoiding giving me a straight answer again?"
"I'm not avoiding."
"You been thinking about me?"
Vibha decided she'd be honest.
"Yes! Have you been thinking about me?" She shot back at him.
"Constantly."
"Oh!"
"Meet me tomorrow."
"No!"
"You know you want to."
"It's Sunday. What am I supposed to tell my parents?"
"You want me to talk to them?"
"No!"
"Sweetheart you need to learn to say yes!"
"You need to ask the right questions!"
"Listen sweetheart, I'm not letting you go. So we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other."
His voice was sending tingles down her spine. He was mesmerising her.
"Ok" she whispered.
"I'll be round to collect you for lunch."
"No! I'll meet you at the caf."
He chuckled into the phone. "My wild cat's scared of being caught?"
"I'm not scared! But I don't want them asking questions."
"Alright Vibha, I will be impatiently waiting for tomorrow." He paused, "Sweet dreams sweetheart I know mine will be." He hung up leaving Vibha with a stupid grin on her face.
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