Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 3 : The Sulaimaans

“I'll return soon but you have to promise that you'll behave and will take all meals on time.”

Zunera was instructing Vijay as she stood in the hallway with her suitcase, ready to leave.

“Okay Appi. I promise.” - Vijay nodded, intertwining their pinkies together. Just then the lights went off, making her sigh.

‘The bill has not been paid. AGAIN.’

She sent the kid inside and turned to leave. The hallway was dark sans the light coming from the door leading outside, giving it the feels of a tunnel, from where she saw two people entering. The light in the background was making it hard to see and she could only form their silhouettes. Shrugging, she moved from side to give them way but still collided with one of them.

“Shite! First this darkness and now a bump. Splendid!” - came a female voice which Zunera doubted she had heard before.

“Oh com'on Kuku. Don't behave like a cranky child.” - came a male voice and this time, Zunera froze in her steps.

She was SURE she had heard that voice before. But WHERE ?

“I hope you are alright.”

That voice again. It sent a fluttering sensation to her heart. Something, she had never felt before.

Before she could answer, the female voice interrupted.

“You should be asking me that! I'm the one suffering here! Now let's go and get done with it. I want to leave this place ASAP!” - she exclaimed. Her tone filled with disdain at ‘this place’.

Zunera couldn't see but she felt the girl dragged away the guy down the hallway.

‘Siblings!’ - she thought, shaking her head before finally making her way outside.

~

“Aafiya! Where's Abhi ? It's been so long since I last saw him.” - inquired Jahan'ara, the matriarch of Sulaimaan family.

It was 5 in the evening. Aafiya was sitting with her mother-in-law Jahan'ara in the main hall, waiting for the men of the house to come. Jahan'ara Begum was a lady of grace even in her mid 60s. Graceful sarees, neat hair buns, was her style. Spectacles, due to weak eyesight but could easily recognize Arbaaz even from a mile. So when she said so long, she meant just that morning.

“Here is Abhi!” - Arbaaz announced right that moment, entering the hall with a big silver trophy in hands.

Aafiya and Jahan'ara stood in happiness and he engulfed them both in a big hug.

“Mera bach'cha! I knew the trophy's yours this year as well! I just knew it!” - his grandmother exclaimed, as she pulled back and warded off bad sight from him. Her eyes a little moist.

“Dadi jaannn...” - his tone softened as he softly brushed the tears away.

Everyone in their family knew Jahan'ara was touchy for her younger grandson. A little extra soft towards him. A little extra happy on his achievements. A little more sad if he's hurt. It just was natural to her.

“All the love to Abhi. Not fair Dadi jaan.” - came a voice from behind and they turned around to see Arish entering along with their father, Sulaimaan. They both were in formals, a clear indication of coming straight from office.

Arish was a couple of years older than Arbaaz but the bond they shared didn't have that gap. They were like bestmates. Each other's stalwart support. Specially Arish to Arbaaz. He loved his younger brother more than anything.

“I'm in the line as well Ammi jaan.” - Sulaimaan said, smiling and they all laughed.

“You all are fighting for no reason. Because it's common knowledge that Abhi is the undisputed king of my heart.” - Jahan'ara stated dramatically.