Mistress Asthana

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: LIGHT O LOVES II

                *****Ahmad*****

"Why Ahmad? Why? What made you think it was your duty to redeem her freedom?" My Father questioned. I took in a deep breath, ready give him a reply.

"Forgive me father for interrupting. but, can we invite them in please? They've been standing for a long time now" Fannah pleaded. Father scrutinized her for a short while before giving a curt nod. I took that as my cue to go in.

I walked inside the room, with the girl clinging to my arm, like her life depended on it. I sat carefully on an empty seat, and gestured for her to sit beside me. Several pairs of eyes were boring holes into my skin. I could also feel the sheer irritation seeping out of the pores in their bodies. I couldn't really blame them though, I guess that should be expected when you show up with a girl from a red light district.

"Here, I believe you have a long story to tell, drink some water before you start" Fannah offered a glass of water. I was in no mood to drink anything, but I accepted it anyway. I took three small sips after muttering Bismillah, and set the water on a side stool.

I saw Fannah dispensing water from the dispenser, then she surprised me by offering it to the girl sitting beside me. "Water" she offered. The girl accepted it and downed everything at once. "Shall I get you more?" Fannah asked, but she declined, shaking her head vigourously. She whispered a small thank you, it was barely audible, I doubt Fannah heard it.

"Father, Mother, with your permission, I'd like to go to my room. I can't sit here and watch this headaching scene. On the one hand is a man of royal blood, Shamelessly bringing a light o love to his home, and on the other hand, is his wife being all supportive and happy about it." Aleena's sour voice twisted the dagger that was buried deep inside my heart. She was already on her feet, waiting impatiently for her request to be granted. She really couldn't stand me. My very own Aleena didn't think I deserved to be listened to.

"No Aleena, sit. This is a family issue, and you're not allowed to be absent" Dad denied her request. She glared furiously at the girl before resuming her seat. "Fannah, I believe he's well rested now, permit his majesty to give us the explanation that you so believe he has, will you?" His words, full of sarcasm, were cold as ice. It didn't skip my notice how the fire of my action was attempting to burn Fannah because she chose to support me when no one thought I deserved it. The same Fannah I never thought was worthy of me. Indeed, life's irony is the cruelest.

Flashback

It was a breezy morning and I was at the site somewhere close to the outskirts of the city, supervising the Marjan hotel project. Marjan was our sea themed hotel, taking the shape of a giant seashell, surrounded by coral reefs.

"Wow! I'm really in love with this building, I can't wait for it to finally be completed. I already have the perfect ideas for the interior decor. Ahmad, This hotel will be heaven once I'm done. The Asthanas will surely go green with envy." Namrud chirped like an excited bird, earning a little laugh from me.

"Come on, in as much as I dislike the Asthanas, I'm not interested in making them jealous, that's a petty thing only Namrud would think of that" I retorted. Namrud made a show of giving me an epic eye roll.

"Yeah, whatever. They'd be jealous. And, it'll make me happy to see them unhappy" he deadpanned. Namrud was such a friend that he went ahead to inherit the Animosity the Santalma and Asthana family held against each other.
"Hey, I need to go home now. Mama has been calling" he informed as he fished out his phone from his pocket.

"Alright, Mama's boy. Let me walk you to your car" I teased. He gave me a light punch on the arm and we both laughed heartily.

"You know I'd rather be a Mama's boy than anything else in this world right?" he whined like a child, ending with a little pout.