In The Midst Of Serendipity

|Chapter 15| An Abrupt Proposal

Shab-e- Mairaj Mubarak everyone!!!
Here's another update for you all. Do share your thoughts. Also thank you lots for showering love on my previous novel "Connected Souls". I am thinking of writing a bonus chapter. If you all are interested to read then please do tell me in the comments.
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Shiza's POV (Edited)

Shehnaz Ammi looked at me with no expressions. Her usual smiling and welcoming face was devoid of any smile. She was just staring at me. I exhaled and walked towards her. I took the bag from her hands and placed it on the table. She was quiet. I sighed and said

"Please have a seat."

She sat down and I also took a place infront of her. I was little curious of why she came here. She was not even looking at me few days back and now she's here to talk to me. I really don't understand the reason of her arrival. She was still quiet and I decided to ask

"Do you want tea or coffee?"

I stood up cursing myself for being so ill-mannered. I was about to leave the kitchen when her voice stopped me

"No, come back here."

I immediately halted in my steps and sat down back on my seat. She was now looking directly at me. She then asked

"How are you?"

I looked at her wide eyed. I mean I wasn't prepared to answer such a basic question. I answered anyways

"I'm good. How's your health?"

She sighed heavily and leaned back in the sofa while answering

"Honestly, speaking no one could take care of me like you."

I don't know why but her comment made me smile. She was the only member of the Mirs that treated me nicely and humbly. Otherwise, the others one were pretty hostile to me. They don't really care about me but only Shehnaz Ammi looked after for me. She was the motherly figure I never had. So, her complimenting me filled my heart with warmth. She then stated

"How's life treating you?"

Well, that's a hard question. I am still finding the answer for it. I don't know if I can lie to her. She is the purest person I've ever met and I don't want to strain our relationship.

I was always honest with her and now just thinking about lying to her was making me feel nauseated. I answered with no sugarcoating

"It's been hard since I left the Haveli. My family and I had to face alot of challenges and poverty doesn't provide much of a support."

At my answer, her eyes softened and something like guilt or sadness appeared in them. I don't want her to be guilty for the crime she didn't even commit.

She was unaware of the conspiracy that Zohra aunty did and her blaming herself is not suiting well with me. So, I shook my head and told her

"Don't blame yourself. You're the least person to take the blame, please."

She smiled and said tenderly

"Come here."

I stood up and went towards her. As I sat down, she caressed my hairs and stated

"I'm so sorry, beta. It shouldn't have happened."

I shook my head and mumbled lowly

"It wasn't your fault, Shehnaz Ammi."

She shook her head and justified

"Nhi beta. Ye meri galti ha. Agar main khamoosh na rehti to shayad tum aj bhi meri dekh bhaal krrhi hoti."