NAUSHAD-MEHER HAQ SE : TU HI ZINDAGANI

Wanted to write on Naushad and Meherunissa since a long time, even before the webseries got released. 😛Gave a guest appearance of Charu (Meherunissa/Surveen) in my story 'Rajveer-Naina Kuch To Log Kahenge Alternate Story'. 😆Today finally got a chance to start a story on this beautiful pair. Thanks to @Raj_Naina_LRL (Ayesha) for sharing that she is thinking about starting a NAUHER story that I finally decided that it's really a high time and I should seriously consider writing a story now on NAUHER. Ayesha do bring your story real soon, looking forward to reading it. 🤗

So here I am starting this story.

This is officially my first story on Naushad-Meher; first story based on HAQ SE!

No part of this book shall be reproduced in any form or by any means - electronic or mechanical.

RNpoint1857

"Abbu!",

"Aalia aap yahan kaise ayin?",

"Wo maine Raheem uncle ko phone karke kaha ke wo mujhe yahan le ayein. Aur main yahan aa gayi",

"Aalia, bhai ye to galat baat hai apki. Aap agar iss waqt yahan rahengi to apni parhayi kab karengi aap? Ab school na jane ka matlab ye to nahi na ke aap parhayi hi na karein?",

"Main yahan Meher Didi se milne ayi thi Abbu!",

"Apne unse abhi tak sorry nahi bola na?",

(Naushad-Meher's background tune begins as he remembers Meher and feels guilty)

~*~*~

The ringing of her phone distracts Meher. Her mind which was occupied with the thoughts of Aliya and her boss - Dr. Rizvi gets distracted because of the phone call.

Smiling throughout, she checks her cell phone. As soon as her eyes fall on the phone screen and she discovers the number flashing on the screen, the smile vanishes away with in moments.

Her heartbeat picks up pace. Moments ago she was having her most pleasurable time and now she has to endure this - a dark secret of hers! She has been avoiding this for many days. She decides to deal with this now, to get into a conclusion, give it closure! She doesn't realize this is just the beginning of the closure!

Naushad lays his daughter on the bed and starts arranging the sheets and her toys that she brought with her properly.

Aliya addresses her father, nervously.

says Naushad, whilst preparing her bed.

she asks, nervously.

This catches Naushad's attention. Surprised, he turns to look towards his daughter. With his brows creased, he asks,

wonders Naushad.

says the little angel, nervously.

This drags Naushad's attention. His heart clenches as he realizes how afraid his daughter is of him.

Inside her heartbeat increases, as she gets afraid that anytime her father might end up scolding her.

Before he could react, she adds further,

Taking a deep breath, Naushad slowly sits on the sofa, around Aliya's feet.

Looking at his daughter lovingly, he explains,

Aliya lowers her eyes, feeling guilty.

explains Naushad, lovingly.

says Aliya, her heart contracts all the more on realizing that her father doesn't like her Meher Didi.

Smiling at her innocence, her father explains her lovingly,

Looking back towards Aliya, Naushad explains her,

explains Naushad.

Sighing, he adds,

promises Aliya.

smiles Naushad, lovingly.

Aliya nods her head into affirmative.

asks Aliya, hopefully.

This comes skips Naushad's heartbeat and he feels guilty about scolding Meher. He considers Aliya's words.

Naushad stares away, giving it a thought, while Aliya waits for her father's decision holding her breath, staring him throughout, nervously. Naushad looks back towards Aliya, all serious. With in moments he smiles with all his heart.

The far stretched smile relaxes Aliya, as it confirms that her father will apologize to her Meher Didi and hence she won't be denied to meet her Meher Didi again! And this also leads her to hope again that she might finally get a chance to meet Bano and checkout her jamming session.

As for Naushad, his daughter's request gives him a hope, that he and Meher are going to talk to each other, again!

requests Aliya, stretching the word 'please' to emphasize on it.

Naushad takes a deep breath and stares her, after few seconds he smiles. His smile confirms that she is about to meet her Meher Didi!

While Naushad was with his daughter, Meher receives the call.

she says to the caller.

And hearing the reply of the caller, she replies back,

After few moments of hearing the reply of the caller, she says,

as she says this a lump builds in her throat.

Her eyes start welling up gradually.

she trails off, getting emotional.

She gets another reply from the caller.

she says, controlling her emotions.

she asks, her eyes start welling up.

she says crying, in a shaky voice.

But she controls herself yet again, she won't break down! Not in front of the caller at least!

She gets yet another reply from the caller, which irritates her to the core. Unable to resist herself any longer, she shouts,

and in anger she throws away her phone in the bush.

After gaining back her equilibrium, she realizes what she has done. She looks here and there through her peripheral vision to notice if someone has seen her throwing the phone or not. Satisfied that no one has, quickly she picks up the phone from the bush and starts fixing it. Suddenly through her peripheral vision she realizes someone's eyes are on her.

She looks up towards the stairs and discovers Naushad standing there, his hands tugged into his pockets, staring her seriously. This skips her heartbeat. She gets startled! Goes numb! Her ears start warming up instantly, out of embarrassment. After few moments of stare when her mind starts working, although in slow pace, she decides that today if he asks her anything regarding the caller, she of course won't be able to set the question aside or ignore it altogether, that's his effect on her! But this she would surely ask - Who is he to ask her that? If he dared to cross his limits, she wouldn't shy away from crossing her limit! But deep down both know that they don't have any limit set when it comes to a matter between the duo!

"Boyfriend ke saath argument hua hai?",

he asks, all serious, in a no nonsense way!

Meher begins to explain but he doesn't even let her say anything, and continues,

"Don't worry, pyar mein aksar aisa hota hai!"

Meher doesn't understand why his words pinch her so much. Just moments ago she was prepared to retort back if he dared to cross his limit. But now that he has, all that she does is lower her eyes, as if accepting his thoughts. Only if she would have dared to make him understand the situation! But why would she? Afterall he too jumped into conclusion without asking her all about the matter! When he doesn't have faith in her, then he doesn't even deserve any explanation.

Meher lowers her eyes, inside her heart gets divided into two and begins a war. Where half of it pleads Meher to confront Naushad and explain the situation to him. There half of her heart asks her to stay strong and deal with the situation herself. Telling him won't make the situation easy. It would rather affect his life too, adversly, just like it has affected her life! It rather still is! Does she want that?

And that's it the second half wins the argument over the first half of her heart!

As about Naushad, only he knows how much courage it took him to blurt out those words! Imagining Meher with someone else is torture enough for him, let alone verbally saying that! But no! he won't let this happen again! He won't let his heart break again because of a woman. Not this time! It's good that he got the alert signal before his heart crossed the limit!

"Aisa kuch...",

begins Meher, lowering her eyes, only to get interrupted by Naushad,

"Aliya apko yaad kar rahi thi!",

his sudden intervening comes as a surprise for Meher, she looks towards him.

She goes dumbstruck yet again! It wasn't easy to calm her inner turmoil and answer him, but she did it! She didn't ignore his words. She rather took it as her duty to reply him back. Courtesy or something else, say whatever, but she did reply! She didn't say NO to you!

And here he is showing audacity to ignore her reply? What is he? Why is he doing this?

Had someone dared to touch her cheeks this moment, that person must have realized how this situation she is into, is affecting her.

She wants to tell him something! explain him something! but what? she knows not!

Accept it Meher despite the fact that you are feeling glad that he didn't ask you anything about the phone call, deep down you wanted him to ask you about the same! You wanted him to take the initiative to start this conversation. Because deep down you know, that only he has the power to drag you out of the chaos you are in right now. You know only he is someone who might lend an ear to your story and in the end won't leave you all alone.

Having said that, Naushad gives her a look that explains how he is disappointed on discovering what he discovered, and leaves for Aliya's room not caring to even know whether she is coming or not.

As for Meher until he vanished from her sight, she kept expecting that may be now he would turn and ask something? Anything? His cold behavior towards her instead of calming her down, gives her adrenaline rush! What a contrast! How can someone do that to her? How can hedo that to her?

Realizing that he won't listen, Meher lowers her eyes and gains back her equilibrium. She reminds herself that she is about to meet Aliya, she can't keep that look of horror on her face intact.

~*~*~

As she reaches the thresh of the room and finds Aliya busy spending time with her father, a smile automatically touches her lips. Her eyes twinkle seeing Aliya indulged into playing with a doll.

"Meher Didi!",

Aliya's innocent and melodious voice fills the room.

Naushad half turns his face to right but avoids looking towards her. Giving her all the signals about how he is not in any mood to talk to her. But when are you ever ready to talk to her anyways Naushad? Oh yes, may be then when you need to scold her for her deeds!

Meher's smile diminishes a little as she feels awkward at Naushad's presence there.

"Meher Didi aap mere paas akar baitho na!",

says Aliya innocently.

Meher smiles a little and nervously walks towards Aliya, fully aware that Naushad might not like it after the fiasco that took place. But she of course can't avoid Aliya's demand. What would she say anyways, that no, she can't get closer to her, or else her father might hurt her again? Though not physically but emotionally?

With a throbbing heart, Meher reaches Aliya, ignoring to look towards Naushad. While Naushad stares her as she crosses by him to reach Aliya.

As she sits next to Aliya, Aliya tells her,

"Meher Didi, Abbu aap par aj  gussa ho rahe the na?"

Her bold statement skips Meher's heartbeat. She widens her eyes a little secretly at Aliya, indicating her to drop the topic. Aliya does understand what her Meher Didi wants but inside, she promises herself that although she is afraid of her father, but she would protect her Meher Didi from him and hence ignores her Meher Didi's widening of eyes.

Nothing goes unnoticed by Naushad - neither Meher's nervousness; nor Aliya's innocent boldness.

Inside, Naushad smiles, enjoying witnessing these two girls - his personal possessions!

Whatever it is, Meher would never let Aliya think anything negative about her father. He might be a strict boss to Meher, but he loves his daughter immensely and Meher is completely aware of the fact.

"Nahi Aliya!",

says Meher, widening her eyes a little, out of surprise.

"Beta Abbu ko apki fikr hai!",

explains Meher.

Her words have their effect on Naushad. His cheeks start warming up by her warm gesture towards Aliya and knowing-unknownigly towards him as well!

"Aur jab humein kisi ki fikr ho, aur unko kuch ho, to hum aksar aise hi react karte hain jaise apke Abbu ne kiya!",

explains Meher.

(Naushad-Meher's background tune begins)

The fact that she understood his position, swells Naushad's heart. But he chooses to keep it a secret.

Aliya doesn't understand why but she gets the urge to hug her Meher Didi, not for herself, but for her Meher Didi. As if she can feel it that she desperately is in need of a hug.

The sudden assault from Aliya's side, comes as a surprise for Meher. But soon she smiles and hugs her back lovingly.

"Ab aap Abbu se gussa mat hona!",

whispers Meher into Aliya's ear whilst hugging her.

This makes Aliya to broaden her smile. The realization that her Meher Didi doesn't only care about her but about her Abbu too, swells Aliya's heart with joy. She has never witnessed such concern for herself and her father, both, coming from someone, for a long time now. In Meher's arms, Aliya feels like this is her home; this is where she belongs!

As for Meher, her eyes get on the verge of brimming with tears. First the call; followed by Naushad's taunt and now this immense love from Aliya the three different emotions, make it difficult for Meher to bear them altogether. She looks heavenwards just to control her tears; refraining them from falling.

Standing at his place, Naushad enjoys witnessing the love that Aliya and Meher share. But Meher's dilemma too doesn't escapes his eyes. He knits his brows as it become difficult for him to decipher her present feelings and thoughts.

Slowly, as Meher gets hold on her emotions, her eyes fall on Naushad and discovers him staring her. She realizes that his stare is not a glare but it's different! Feeling uncomfortable by that possessive look of his, Meher slowly lowers her eyes. Her doing so, makes Naushad to realize what he was doing, he lowers his eyes too, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Clearing his throat, Naushad intervenes,

"Ahmm... chalo Aliya, apko ghar chor dun!"

Meher and Aliya look towards Naushad. Naushad gets taken aback on witnessing the sadness in the eyes of both Aliya and Meher. Clearly they are enjoying their moment together and don't want anyone to end it.

Aliya, unable to resist herself, asks her father,

"Abbu kya main Meher Didi ke saath aur kuch der reh lun? Only two minutes!",

she gestures 2 with her fingers and tilts her head to the left.

Meher who finds her gesture so adorable, unable to control herself, for the first time intervenes in a matter between the father-daughter duo saying,

"Awww... Aliya... of course hum saath reh sakte hain, only two minutes!",

Meher mirrors Aliya's gesture, smiling loving at her.

"Only two minutes!",

repeats Aliya.

Still maintaining the gesture, Meher smiling constantly, says,

"Okay!",

blinking her eyes lovingly at Aliya.

At this point Naushad intervenes, bearing a sarcastic smile on his face, which of course innocent Aliya takes as a genuine smile but Meher!

"Nahi Aliya Dr. Meher ko aur bhi kaam honge; aur bhi logo se milna hoga!",

taunts Naushad.

His reminding her all over again of the incident that took place moments ago, drains the blood out of Meher's face.

"Aisa... aisa kuch nahi hai Dr. Rizvi!",

explains Meher.

"Well that's none of my business!",

says Naushad, the smile intact on his face, but the way he looks at her, explains Meher, how much it means to him!

Meher stares him, her blushed up cheeks and the smile vanished from her face, explain Naushad how much his words are affecting her, just the way Naushad wanted!

Remembering Aliya's presence yet again, Meher plasters back a smile on her face and turns to look towards Aliya. Aliya doesn't smile back, knowing that her Meher Didi is hurt. Not having courage to say anything to her father, she wraps her Meher Didi into a tight hug.

While Aliya hugs, Meher pats her back lovingly and looks towards Naushad, pleading with her eyes to keep the discussion for later and not in front of Aliya.

Giving her a last look that reflects his anger towards her, Naushad turns to look towards his daughter. Sighing, he walks to her and sits next to Aliya such that Meher is sitting to the right of Aliya and Naushad to the left.

As the hug ends, Aliya smiles looking towards Meher. Meher reciprocates the smile. Naushad doesn't miss anything!

"Apko bhook nahi lagi Aliya?",

asks Meher.

"A...hunnn...!",

says Aliya and shakes her head into negative.

Meher smiles on her gesture.

"To kal se firse school jane ke liye ready ho aap?",

asks Meher.

"Mujhe kal school nahi jana!",

says Aliya making a puppy face.

"Awww... kyun Aliya? Aap school nahi jaoge to badey ho kar apne Abbu ki tarah doctor kaise banoge?",

asks Meher, lovingly.

"Mujhe doctor nahi banna!",

says Aliya, wrinkling her nose.

"Doctor nahi banna!",

exclaims Meher.

Hearing their on going conversation, Naushad realizes, he has never cared about asking his daughter what she wishes to become when she grows up!

But then can he be blamed for that? A child of Aliya's age, should it be put into priorities list of a parent to think about what she wants to be as she grows up? Or rather what he wants her to be as she grows up? But the initiating of such a conversation from Meher's side, does make him to wonder!

Is it because of this that they say a father can never provide as much care to a child as a mother?

Meher looks towards Naushad in astonishment. Her pursed lips tells Naushad that she is making fun of him. He knits his brows, staring her, indicating her not to mock him.

Laughing still, Meher shifts her attention back on to Aliya and asks,

"To fir apko kya banna hai?"

"Mujhe Bano Didi ki tarah singer banna hai!",

says Aliya.

Her innocent wish clutches Meher's heart. She doesn't even know what might be the consequences if she dares to become a singer in a place like Kashmir. Meher slowly looks towards Naushad. Naushad gives her an understanding look. He feels guilty for having scolded her earlier. The possessive father took over a practical doctor; practical person.

Lowering his eyes, he thinks about apologizing to her, but his male ego comes in between!

Holding Aliya's hand lovingly, Naushad starts explaining her,

"Aliya, apna raasta khud chunne mein koi burayi nahi hai. Aap badey ho kar kya banna chahte ho isse mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Bus ye hai ke sahi raaste par chalna. Kabhi kuch aisa mat karna ke Abbu ka sir jhuke. Aur na hi kissi se kabhi darna. Beta succhai ke raste par chalna kafi mushkil hota hai. Par uss par chal kar, thoda zid; thoda khud par bharosa rakh kar hi hum apne sapno ko pura karte hain. Aur iss mein kuch galat nahi hai!"

Saying that to Aliya he looks towards Meher. More than to Aliya, his words were indicated towards Meher. And Meher doesn't fail to realize that. A knot forms in her throat as she realizes that he does understand.

Naushad realizes that Meher hasn't talked to her sister Bano yet! She must be very tensed about her. But here she is taking care of his daughter. The realization clenches his heart but he doesn't speak to her about the same. After all she has committed mistake by taking his daughter along, it is her punishment, he won't ask her whether she talked to her or not. And then if she had time to talk to 'that person' who so ever he might have been, so she must have had time to talk her sister as well for sure.

~*~*~

After sometime

Assured that Aliya is fast asleep, Meher pats her lovingly one last time, smiling, looking at sleeping Aliya. Aliya was to go home with Naushad, but here she ended up sleeping in the hospital itself, soundly. Unable to resist any longer, Meher bends towards Aliya and kisses her forehead lovingly. Naushad happens to enter the room at that moment and gets surprised on discovering Meher there. He checks his watch and realizes that it's late and she must leave.

With his hands tugged into his trousers pockets and his hesitating eyes on Meher, Naushad enters the room and takes Meher by surprise by speaking suddenly,

"Bohot der ho chuki hai. Apko ghar jana chahiye".

His voice skips her heartbeat and drags her out of her thoughts.

"Hmmm...?",

she says involuntarily, getting out of her daze and looks towards Naushad.

Her eyes tell Naushad about her disturbed state. She surely wants to be with her sister and then the way he treated her after that phone call, she must be going through a lot of turmoils. Naushad realises this yet again and secretly feels guilty.

Smiling sarcastically, Meher, still in a state of daze, says,

Her words drag Naushad's attention. He stares her seriously, starting to feel her pain.

says Meher, her eyes welling up gradually, her voice shaky. She smiles sarcastically whilst uttering these words.

Naushad lowers his eyes slowly, he starts feeling a kinship with Bano.

her teary eyes blink as she remembers the moment she is describing.

laughs Meher.

This makes Naushad to laugh too, noiselessly.

says Meher, looking towards him with a new determination in her eyes.

Naushad gives his full attention to her, a smile stretched on his lips.

she confesses.

Naushad could feel her happiness. Smiling, he knits his brows a little and turns his head just a little towards right, as a gesture that he is hearing her and wants to know what did she do to make Meher proud of her?

Meher says proudly.

Anger surges through her as she says,

declares Meher, in a shaky voice, but still the determination and pride are evident in those eyes of Meher which are looking towards Naushad.

Smiling, Naushad nods in affirmative.

Naushad motivates her.

She feels all the more nostalgic as she realizes that he is not against her. They stare each other transmit their emotions to each other through their eyes. Where on one hand a little smile stretches on Naushad's face there on other hand Meher stays serious.

After few moments of enjoying the eye lock, Meher lowers her eyes out of hesitation. Her cheeks warm up again. But this time the feeling is much different than the previous time!

he addresses her for the first time by her first name and that too the informal one. He could have said Meherunissa, keeping the formal touch intact. But he doesn't realize why he decided to call her Meher! May be because her co-doctors call her Meher? Or may be Meherunissa is a lengthy name to take; time consuming may be? Or could it be something else?

This skips Meher's heartbeat. When has Mr. Sadu; Mr. Chauvinist; Mr. Judgemental turned cordial? Did she miss something? Any new gossip about him may be? All these thoughts make Meher to blush as she realizes she is thinking rubbish.

Meher stares him waiting for him to speak further because she herself after hearing him calling her by her first name, is at a loss of words!

Despite understanding how this affected her, he doesn't make any effort to rectify himself and address Dr. Mirza instead like always!

hesitates Naushad.

This certainly hurts Meher!

Had it been someone else instead of him saying those words, she would have felt offended then too but would have politely declined the help. But the help coming from no one else but Naushad Rizvi, is certainly not acceptable to her.

She hasn't still forgotten their first encounter where he taunted the Mirza women!

states Meher, clearly.

This contracts Naushad's heart as he realizes that she took him wrong.

Meher lowers her eyes as she understands that he reply has hurt him. Then looks back towards a smiling Naushad, his head bowed. Smiling, but sarcastically; feeling guilty.

She waits for him to look towards her to know that he is fine. He does look up towards her again, the smile intact on his face. His twinkling with pride on her.

Giving him a last look, she leaves. Inside she regrets the fact of choosing to have a normal conversation with him at first place, despite knowing how narrow minded he is!

It's about to strike eight in the morning and still there is no sign of her in the hospital. She surely is punctual. So what is it that is taking her this much time to reach the hospital?

Dr. Rizvi sitting in his cabin, whilst checking the reports of his patient gets impatient to get the glimpse of Dr. Mirza. 'Khadoos', 'Akdu', 'Pohncha hua dakhal andaaz' name him whatever you like but this she cannot deny that he is much more punctual than the careless Dr. Mirza. Careless! Well at least in the books of Dr. Naushad Rizvi, she surely is that. This adjective is a new addition today otherwise uptil yesterday he has already awarded her with many other objectives! One such adjective is - secretive!

Secretive, oh yes that she surely is. But could you blame her for that Dr. Rizvi? Leading a life with zero friends has turned her secretive. Living a life full of obstacles has turned her quiet.

the voice of his angel, comes as a surprise for Naushad.

Putting the file down, he looks towards his daughter.

asks Naushad, pleasantly surprised.

says Aalia, beaming with joy on being in her father's cabin.

asks Naushad, lovingly.

says Aalia, her face expression falls as she mentions that.

Naushad's smile vanishes too, gradually.

asks Aalia, sorrowfully.

Naushad looks towards his daughter apologetically, feeling guilty.

The opening of his cabin's door drags the attention of both Aalia and Naushad. Aalia, swivels her chair she is sitting on to get a proper view of her father's visitor.

The face in front of the father-daughter duo succeeds in making the hearts of both to flutter. The only difference they have is where on one hand Aalia freely expresses her happiness on witnessing her Meher Didi, there Dr. Naushad keeps his emotions under check. Well at least that's what he feels, otherwise if asked to Meher, she perfectly reads his approval and excitement about her presence there in his cabin.

Excited, Aliya runs to Meher and hugs her tight wrapping her arms around Meher's waist. Meher loses her equilibrium for a moment but gains it in moments.

Sitting at his desk, Naushad knits his brows as he feels that she is not well.

Meher knits her brows, closing her eyes as the pain surges through her and she endures it.

Naushad gets tensed!

Staring Meher, his forehead bearing lines of tension, he calls Aliya,

"Aliya, jao jakar Dr. Azam uncle ko ye files de aana",

he extends a file to Aliya.

Aliya looks towards Meher, her eyes reflect her disappointment on having to leave her Meher Didi. Meher understands her situation, so does Naushad.

Meher looks towards Naushad to check his expressions. The seriousness tells Meher that he has something important to discuss with her.

Knowing that he has something serious to discuss, Meher turns to address Aliya, bending down towards Aliya, in the process her back hurts, but she tries to control her feeling of pain and hurt in front of Aliya and Naushad.

"Meher Didi apke Abbu se baat kar lein, fir apse bhi special appointment le kar baat karengi. Okay?",

smiles Meher, despite the pain.

Her words make Aliya to beam with joy. The expectation of seeing her Meher Didi in moments were enough to make mend up Aliya's broken heart.

Aliya hugs Meher in joy and leaves. While she leaves, Meher stands up straight again she feels an acute pain on her back. She controls her urge to hiss in pain, completely aware of Naushad's presence around her. Standing up, Meher stares Aliya leaving. Meher's face bearing the smile in front of Aliya, diminishes gradually, seeing her go.

As she gets assured that Aliya is gone, she turns to towards Naushad.

Never meeting his eyes, she asks him,

"Ahmmm... yes Dr. Rizvi. Kya apko kuch kaam tha?"

Naushad notices how she is avoiding to look towards him. He doesn't even fail to notice her reactions. She is not well! She is behaving weird! He mentally calculates.

He walks towards her, his eyes constant on her; his brows creased.

Meher feels a bit uncomfortable, especially because of the sudden silence in the cabin. It makes the prevailing situation all the more awkward. Her heartbeat picks up pace. Cautiously, she pulls the sleeves of her kurti down, despite the fact that they were already arm length but still she couldn't help but pulling them more, if that was possible! At that moment Meher wished the sleeves were longer than they already are!

Nothing goes unnoticed by Naushad. She is certainly acting weird today. Is she nervous of him? Naushad suddenly feels guilty for scolding her the previous day, for he takes this hesitation a result of yesterday's heated argument.

But then didn't they have a light hearted conversation too? She surely was better than what she is today. Has it gone that bad last night with Bano?

Naushad doesn't understand why, unlike other times, today he wants to politely ask her to take her seat. And so he does,

"Dr. Mirza please have a seat",

he says, gesturing towards the chair which was earlier occupied by Aliya.

"Ahmm... no doctor that's fine. Aap please jaldi batayein apko kya kaam tha, so that I can resume with my work. Actually I just came and got to know ke apne mujhe bulaya tha",

says Meher, trying to avoid looking towards Naushad as much as possible.

That reminds Naushad and he asks,

"Apko aaj aney mein itna waqt kyun lag gaya? Aap to usually waqt par aati hain?"

Whilst asking this, Naushad notices how she is pressing her wrist lightly. Giving it a slow massage.

"Ahmm... haan I am sorry, wo... Bano se baat karte karte kal sone mein late ho gayi. Isliye aaj jaldi uth nahi payi!",

says Meher, still ignoring to look towards Naushad.

"Oh! I hope you slept well and ab apki neend puri ho gayi hai?",

asks Naushad, concerned.

His question skips Meher's heartbeat. She somehow found his asking this... intimate!

She looks towards him and the way she stares him, makes Naushad to realize that with this question of his, he could touch her heart! Although it didn't have a great affect on her but something did change!May be her look towards him?

Shyly, blushing, Meher replies back,

"Yes... Yes Dr. Rizvi... I... I did sleep well last night, thank you".

The formal tone does irk Naushad, as a result he knits his brows lightly but with in moments the crease was gone, like magic! But Dr. Rizvi may be you are too late to do that, she noticed anyhow.

Clearing his throat, Naushad asks his next query,

"How is she? Apki behn... and aap please baith jayein. I am sure you can spare few moments from your busy schedule for me? Or is it that I don't deserve even this much?"

His last two questions skip her heartbeat. She realizes he is getting angry again! She gets nervous. She doesn't want to deny him. She of course isn't doing this on purpose, to show her anger towards him. But how can she sit?

Her expression changes, hurt visible in her eyes. Meher replies,

"Dr. Rizvi please. I sincerely apologize for last night and...",

closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, she opens them, looking towards him, she says,

"I... I don't hold any grudges against you. So you don't have to do this!"

Till this moment, Naushad was believing that may be he can look above her determined self. But at this moment he surely is regretting of having thought that. Giving her a chance, starting with her something other than the regular cold war, he was prepared for that but may be she is not meant to be friends with him. With this attitude of hers towards him, she doesn't deserve his friendship at all!

Blinking his eyes, pressing them with a little more pressure while closing them, out of irritation and anger towards Meher's secretive attitude in front of him, Naushad looks back towards her, in anger and irritation. But this time his anger is slightly different than other times! This time he doesn't want to punish her. He rather wants her to open up in front of him. So that he gets to know her cause of worry and eradicate it altogether!

But wait! Why would you do anything for her Dr. Rizvi? Why do you care about what's causing her trouble? Of course she is mature enough to handle any situation. Why suddenly today are you getting desperate for her to share with you her cause of worry?

"Boyfriend se patch up nahi hua kya abhi tak?",

his sudden bold question takes Meher  by surprise.

She stares him in utter disbelief, widening her eyes. How could he do that to her? How could he make her feel vulnerable in front of him so easily?

"It doesn't matter to you. So why this fake concern?",

she asks, hurt and anger visible in her voice.

This reminds Naushad unfailingly, how she was trying to justify that she wasn't talking to her boyfriend, but he didn't allow her to complete!

Pissed off Naushad asks her again to sit, raising his voice, almost like scolding her out of irritation. Knowing that she won't listen. He holds her by her wrist to pull her and make her sit. Of course his pull wasn't  a harsh one; just a dominating one though. But he realizes that she hissed in pain, although he didn't put much pressure on her wrist. Her hiss affects Naushad. He gets tensed and looks towards her. Meher quickly lowers her eyes and gains her equilibrium.

But Naushad understands that she is hurt. And this fact pierces his heart. In a shock, he leaves her hand immediately. Meher avoids looking towards Naushad, feeling guilty of having hissed. She didn't want him to know that there is something amiss with her. But why, she knows not! May be she just doesn't want to bother anyone with her problems. Or may be she doesn't want to bother him with her problems! Or may be she is too scared to tell him because deep down she knows he would surely retort back, which she doesn't want. Which she is afraid of!

Naushad stares her, shocked. Staring her, he tries to decipher what has happened with her. But he fails to conclude anything. And by her gestures he understands that she herself would say nothing.

After gaining back his equilibrium, he walks towards his desk's drawer. Pulling it open with a jerk, never looking away from Meher, he brings out a tube of ointment. Shutting the drawer with a loud noise such that it skips Meher's heartbeat and she shivers, he walks back to her. Dragging a free chair, placing it opposite to hers, he sits facing her.

Witnessing his on going attitude, Meher gets scared that he might pull her hand with a jerk again. She silently gets ready for enduring yet another pain. But to her surprise, Naushad holds her wrist just above the hurt area. As he pulled her, he had witnessed the mark on her wrist so he could calculate that where should he touch her to hold her such that she doesn't get hurt or go through a burning sensation. And slowly he pulls her hand. It doesn't hurt her at all. She goes numb though by his polite gesture. Her eyes brim with tears not out of hurt; but by the fact that he didn't hurt her!

Removing the cap of the ointment, pressing the tube, he puts the ointment on her wound. The sudden contact of the cold ointment with her burning skin makes Meher to shiver and she lightly holds Naushad's hand to gain strength and support her body weight. For that brief moment, Naushad looks towards her; their eyes meet. Naushad succeeds in reading the hurt in her eyes.

Staring her for sometime, all serious, Naushad shakes his head, closing his eyes as anger surges through him afresh - she still won't tell him! And takes a deep breath to calm down his anger that is towards her stubbornness.

On the other hand Meher gets relaxed understanding - he won't ask!

Slowly he rubs his index finger on her wrist to spread the ointment. The impact of the ointment and his touch together create a havoc in her mind.

Having completed with applying the ointment, Naushad sighs and looks towards her and finds her staring him with a little smile on her face. This skips his heartbeat! She doesn't really smile at him. This is new!

He stares her, waiting for her to explain but deep down he knew, she won't!Lowering her eyes, while Naushad continues staring her, she asks,

"Ahmm... apko kuch kaam tha?"

Tired sitting in the same position especially because with him she doesn't understand why she remains more alert. No, not that she doubts his gentleness. Secretly she accepts that despite the on going rumours about him murdering his wife, she trusts him! His eyes... those eyes seem to be of that of an innocent. His immense love for his daughter... such a heart can never hurt anyone; kill anyone!But wait, hurt anyone? Doesn't he hurt you everyday by his taunts and comments?

Meher rolls her eyes in her mind, and shoo her subconscious off! This is different and his taunts and comments on her is... different! She blushes thinking that.

So now you are enjoying his taunts and comments that he throws towards you?

She rolls her eyes again!

Meher changes her position a bit that she gets reminded of her back pain! She hisses in pain.

Naushad gets concerned again,

"Are you fine Dr. Mirza?",

he asks in urgency.

Meher smiles apologetically and nods her head in affirmative, lowering her eyes. Naushad knows she is lying!

Taking a deep breath to control his frustration, he asks,

"What made you to roll your eyes?"

His sudden question skips her heartbeat and she widens her eyes.

"Aisa... aisa kuch nahi hai Dr. Rizvi!",

she says nervously.

Naushad narrows his eyes on her. Meher lowers her eyes out of hesitation.

Relaxing, Naushad rests back on the chair leaving her. Giving her space to leave but he keeps staring her pushing the back of his chair with his back, such that he is swinging to and fro in the chair in a slow pace.

"Nahi kaam nahi tha, bus apki behn ke barey mein puchna tha. Aap late bhi ayin aaj to... bus isliye.",

he says, hesitantly.

Meher smiles hesitantly, and replies politely,

"Thanks!"

Naushad tilts his head slightly towards left, as a gesture of asking - why?

"For your concern!",

smiles Meher.

Naushad notices that she has turned polite. She isn't angry on his asking about her family. This brings a smile on Naushad's face. Meher smiles too, looking towards him.

Getting a little serious, Naushad apologizes,

"I am sorry Dr. Meher!"

His sudden apology takes Meher by surprise.

"Aap sorry kyun keh rahe hai Dr. Rizvi?",

asks Meher, confused.

So much she has gone through since morning that for a moment she could grab the reason for his apology.

"Mere kal ke bartaw ke liye!",

he says, feeling guilty, bending forward, resting his hands on his desk, such that his fingers are intertwined.

His words touch her heart!

She realizes that he is deeply sorry. 

Knitting her brows, smiling sadly, she bends forward too and places her hand on his hand, looking at him. Her sudden resting her hand on his, skips the heartbeat of both Naushad's and Meher's alike.

(Naushad-Meher's background tune begins)

In the process, as she bends forth again with a jerk, she yet again gets reminded of her back pain. She purses her lips to control her hiss and shuts her eyes tightly. This happens so quickly that she doesn't get time to hide it from him.

"Dr. Mirza kya hua?",

he asks immediately, after feeling her hand on his. He gets tensed with in fraction of seconds of feeling elated, placing his other hand on her hand.

"Nahi... nahi nothing Dr. Rizvi. I... I am fine",

she tries to assure him, gaining back her equilibrium and plastering a smile on her face.

Naushad clutches her hand, staring her throughout. Anger surges through him afresh.

Meher feels the pressure on her hand, looking towards their hands, she looks towards him, surprised.

Plastering a smile on her face, she says,

"Ahmm... I guess mujhe ab chalna chahiye. Waise bhi apke class ka bhi time ho raha hai!"

Naushad doesn't reply and keeps staring her, his brows knit.

Meher with her eyes gestures him to set her hand free.

Realizing that he has been holding her hand, Naushad sets it free immediately.

Meher smiles awkwardly. Naushad lowers his eyes too, feeling guilty.

Nervously, Meher stands up. Thankfully it doesn't hurt her. Giving him a nervous smile that he doesn't reciprocate, as his mind gets clouded with the thought that she is keeping something from him, he just stares her, his brows knitted lightly. Giving him a last look, she leaves.

Sitting on his chair Naushad witnesses the change in her walking pattern.

~*~*~

As she walks a little away from his cabin, her phone rings. The number flashing on her mobile screen drains the blood out of her face yet again.

Nervously, she receives the call.

"Hello",

she says, with no tone of excitement on getting called up by the caller.

She gets a reply from the caller.

"Sochna bhi mat! Kal jo tumne mere saath kiya...",

and she ends up crying. The situation she just handled in Naushad's cabin was more than enough to break her down and now this call! Unable to control her emotions even till she reaches the washroom, she bursts out into tears.

She gets a reply. Anger surges through her afresh.

"What do you mean leave le leti?",

she scolds the caller. Her heartbeat picks up pace out of anger.

"Tumhara aur mera rishta ab khatam ho gaya hai. Khuda ke liye mujhe phone karna band karo! Tum mujhse akhri baar milna chahte the na mil liye hum akhri baar. Ab tum mere barey mein sochna bhi mat. Tumhari gandi nazar kal...",

she trails off, feeling disgusted and cries more. She covers her mouth with her duppatta to keep her sobs soundless.

"Please mera peecha chor do... tumhara mujhe waise dekhna...",

she shuts her eyes tight and cries more, enduring the flashes of his that's coming in front of her eyes.

She gets a reply!

"Nahi... nahi... meri baat...",

she says, frustrated.

But before she could continue further she hears the sound of beep. The call has been ended without even caring to listen to her reply properly! That leaves Meher frustrated.

Having ended the call, she looks heavenwards, crying silently.

Looking straight, she calms herself down. She knows she will have to face her boss - Dr. Naushad Rizvi again anytime soon. And she knows he is too quick and accurate to read her! She needs to plaster a smile on her face again.

Gaining back her equilibrium, she last time turns to look towards Dr. Naushad's cabin. And what she discovers, drains the blood out of her face!

Standing at the entrance of his room, he stares her, his brows knitted together. His that angry glare makes her to go weak on her knees. How she is managing to stand, only she knows. Finding him standing there, takes away all her strength. She shivers as cold air hit her.

He doesn't ask her anything. Glaring her throughout, he walks to her. Meher stares him dumbstruck!

"Mohobbat jab humari takat ki jagah humari kamzori bann jaye, usse tod dene mein hi samajhdari hai!",

he says, staring her throughout.

"Aisi... aisi koi baat nahi hai!",

says Meher, lowering her eyes.

"Aur jo baat hai, aap mujhe batana munasib nahi samjhtin!",

he taunts her.

Meher looks towards him. He stares back, challenging her to tell him!

After fighting her dilemma for some moments, she finally comes to a decision and says,

"Main batati hun!"

Naushad's heart skips a bit - finally she is ready!

Back into Naushad's cabin

"Wo mere professor the college mein!",

"Main shuru se hi kafi chulbuli thi. Mera kisi mard se koi wasta nahi tha. Apne doston ke saath main jitni aazad rehti hi; utni hi khamosh aur band rehti thi ladkon ke samne.",

"Hum chaar behne, Ammi, Abbu, Khala, meri zindagi aksar inhi logo ke ird-gird ghumti thi."

"Kuch dost the jo, unke saath college mein hansi mazak ho jata tha warna ghar aatey hi mera pura time main apni family ko deti thi."

"Main college ke 2nd year mein thi jab meri zindagi mein ek shaks aya... mere professor ke roop mein."

"Pehle din se hi sari ladkiyan unn par jaan chidakne lagi."

"Kyunki mujhe inn baaton mein kabhi koi diljaspi nahi thi isliye maine zyada dhyan hi nahi diya."

"Ek roz ki baat hai, main apni ek dost se milne ek class mein ja rahi thi..."

*Flashback*

"Allah iss ladki ko bhi abhi mujhe lab mein bulana tha. Main already aaj late ho gayi hun ghar jane ke liye",

"Hi... aap meri student hain right?",

"Yes Sir!"

"Thank you",

"Excuse me!",

*****

Next day in his class

"What do you think? Anyone...??"

"You... the one in yellow!",

"I... I am sorry... Maine... maine apka question nahi suna!",

"Agar main aise hi subko chorta raha bina punish kiye to subko aadat ho jayegi mere class mein dhyan na de kar; kisi aur hi baat mein dhyan dene ki! So it is important that you get punished!",

"Kahan dhyan tha apka?",

"Ahmm... sorry Sir main... main agli baar se dhyan...",

"Ye... ye maine notes complete kiye hue hain. Aap... aap chahein to aap dekh sakte hain...",

"Ye... ye aap kya kar rahe hain?"

"Oops! I am sorry. Actually dhyan hi nahi gaya...!",

"Main... Main chalti hun...!",

"Iss khamoshi ko ek nayi shuruat samjhun?"

"Aazma kar dekhiye humein. Zindagi jannat na bana di to kehna!",

"Kisi par itni asaani se aitbaar karna, fitrat nahi humari.",

"Hum par aitbaar na karne ki wajah to bataiye? Kya khata hai humari?"

"Arey sunno to... naam to batati jao...",

"Meherunissaaa...",

"Aur tumhari saza ka kya?",

"Mil gayi...",

"Mil gayi?",

*Flashback ends*

"Tab kya pata tha, ye such mein ek saza hi hai. Meri zindagi ki subse badi saza!"

"Fir kya hua?",

"Fir unhone mujhe phone karna shuru kiya. Roz subah college jane se pehle unka phone aata tha puchte the ke kab tak pohnchungi. Unse pehle kabhi kisi ne mera iss tarah se college pohnchne ka intezaar nahi kiya.",

"Unki ye tehzeeb achi lagti thi.",

*Flashback*

*Aap college ke liye nikal gayin?*

*Jee bus panch minute mein niklungi.*

*Agar aap kahein to main lene aa jaun?*

*Apko mera ghar pata hai?*,

*Kal ghar tak aya tha apke!*

"Allah!",

she swears, unable to believe him.

*Kisika peecha karna achi baat nahi!*

*Kisika kahan kiya? Aap hi ka to kiya!*

This makes her to blush all the more.

*Baaton mein apse jeetna aasan nahi.*

*Hahaha!!! *

*Chaliye ab jaldi ayiye apke ghar ke bahar khada hun!*

"Kya?",

*Flashback ends*

"Bus aise hi humari dosti hui. Rishta aur gehra hua. Ab mera zyadatar waqt unhi ke saath guzarta tha. Wo nahi bhi hote the to unhi ki baatein sochti thi. College mein wait karti thi ke kab unki class ki bari aye.",

"Fir?"

"Fir... Unka janamdin aney wala tha. Bohot khush thi main. Bohot taiyariyan ki thi maine.",

"Dr. Mirza... Dr... Dr. Mirza... Meher...",

"Chua mujhe usne!",

"Main... main... mana kar rahi thi usse...",

"Mujhe... mujhe sahi nahi lag raha tha wahan...! Main fir bhi wahan rahi...!"

"Kyunki wo chahta tha ke main rahun wahan!!",

"Mana kiya tha usse maine... mujhe nahi jana aise...!"

"Nahi jana?",

"Jab wo mujhe lene aya tha usne mujhe nahi bataya tha ke hum kahan ja rahe hain; kon kon aa raha hai uske birthday party par."

"Maine usse kaha... ke maine bhi party rakhi hai... par... par usne bola ke uski party mein kayi log ayenge...!"

"Aur maine...",

"Maine to kisi ko nahi bulaya tha!!!",

"Kyunki maine socha tha ke sirf hum dono honge. Ek saath... shanti se... pyar se... uska birthday celebrate karenge!",

"Par wo mujhe le gaya. Main bhi chali gayi!"

"Raaste mein usne apne kuch aur doston ko bhi gadi mein bithaya! Teen... teen dost!",

"Main... Main pehle uske bagal wali seat par baithi thi. Pehle do (2) dost aa gaye aur peeche baith gaye. Fir jab teesra dost aya... usse pehle usne mujhe peeche baithne ko keh diya. Ye keh kar ke usse apne ek teesre dost se raaste mein kuch discuss karna hai.",

"Mujhe bohot ajeeb laga... maine usse kaha bhi main kaise aise do (2) ladko ke beech...",

"Uss waqt behs karna maine munasib nahi samjha, isliye main chup chap baith gayi, ye soch kar ke iss mein konsi badi baat hai bus kuch der ki hi to baat hai.",

"Gadi agey barhi!",

"Wo mujhe chu rahe the! Dheere dheere, subse chupa kar!",

"Main koi hungama karna nahi chahti thi, isliye maine shant ho kar usse kaha ke mujhe ghar jana hai.",

"Usne kaha ke main uska birthday bina celebrate kiye kaise ja sakti hun?",

"Wahan pohnchi to dekha sub mard the! Mere alawa koi bhi ladki wahan nahi thi!"

"Mujhe... mujhe sahi nahi lag raha tha! Mujhe nahi jana tha. Maine usey kaha dheere se ke ke main comfortable nahi hun... par usne mujhe khudke saath hone ka dilasa diya."

"Fir?"

"Party shuru hui. Sub hansi-mazak kar rahe the. Wo mere paas aya. Mujhe laga yahi sahi mauka hai, gadi mein jo hua uske barey mein baat karne ka."

"Atey hi usne mujhe hug kiya. Sub the wahan. Aise sub ke samne... mujhe bohot ajeeb lag raha tha. After all humare rishte ko shuru hue abhi waqt hi kitna hua tha? I wasn't habitual to all this. Especially public displaying of affection, that's not my thing!",

"Mujhe chor kar wo apne doston ke saath tha. Main bohot akeli and out of place mehsus kar rahi thi.",

"Even uss waqt bhi uske kayi doston ki nazar mujh par thi. Par wo... wo meri taraf dekh bhi nahi raha tha!",

"Tabhi unn mein se ek mere paas aya aur mujhse baat karne ki koshish ki."

"Pehle main chup rahi. Fir socha agar baat ki to shayad meri situation koi samjhe and mujhe help kar de?"

"Maine usse request ki ke wo log mujhe wahan se janey dein. Main wahan nahi rehna chahti. I was into tears by then...!",

"Thank you!"

"Maine aj tak kisi se ye baat share nahi ki. Iss baat ki kitni frustration chupi thi mere ander, iss baat ka ehsaas mujhe aaj ye baat share karke mehsus hui!",

"Fir?",

"Kisi ne meri baat nahi mani.",

"Fir..."

*Flashback*

"Come on Meher bus ek kiss ki hi to baat hai!",

"Please... main aise... mujhe nahi karna...",

"Come on Meher. Tum kisse sharma rahi ho?",