Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 14 : Hold on! What ?

It was half past 9. Guests had left but Aafiya had asked Shahbano and Kashish to stay the night so they were lounging on a couch in the main hall. The latter's gaze was fixated on Zunera who was sitting with Jahan'ara on the front couch because the elder lady had insisted for her to stay for a while longer.

“Did you enjoy my dear ? I hope Abhi didn't bore you out...” - Jahan'ara said, looking at Arbaaz who was standing beside the couch.

“Absolutely not Dadi Jaan. He is... a very pleasant company.” - Zunera replied, causing Arbaaz's eyes to nearly pop out.

Was she serious or just taking a mickey outta him ?

“Did he show you around ?” - Jahan'ara asked and she became quiet. “Abhi... you didn't show her the house ?” - she asked with a frown and Zunera quickly intervened.

“Arrey no! He offered but I refused saying... some other day.”

”That wouldn't do at all. Shifa!” - Jahan'ara adressed her granddaughter-in-law who was seated with Shahbano and Kashish on the sofa.

“Jee Dadi Jaan ?” - Shifa asked, instantly coming to stand infront of Jahan'ara.

“Show Zunera around. And take care of her okay ? She's our special guest.” - Jahan'ara instructed meaningfully and Shifa nodded her head in understanding.

“Com'on Zunera.” - she turned to Zunera with a humble smile that encouraged the later to stand up and follow the former.

“It's been very long since I have taken a tour of the house. I think I should go along as well else I'll forget the pathways...” - Arbaaz whispered conspiratively in his grandmother's ear.

Her head fell back in a hearty laughter as her grandson followed the girls upstairs. Her heart was full seeing him happy. And she would let no one come in between him and his happiness.

~

Shifa and Zunera were chatting animatedly when Arbaaz joined them. The duo looked like long lost sisters in a fair. Shifa grinned when she saw her brother-in-law walking towards them.

“Yes Abhi ? Did we forget something downstairs ?” - she asked controlling her smile.

“Uh... no. Actually... Bhaijaan is calling you!” - Arbaaz said, nodding his emphatically.

“Really ?” - she asked, grinning that said ‘you can't fool me’.

Arbaaz's face flushed, making his sister-in-law chuckle. Shaking her head, she left but not before ruffling his hair affectionately.

He made sure Shifa was gone before he took Zunera's hand and entered his room. She, once again, started fiddling with her bangles as standing in his bedroom felt extremely personal. Before she could get anymore nervous, he opened the door to his art studio and led her there.

She got fascinated in a heartbeat. He was a skilled artist. His paintings had finesse. Along with a liveliness that was a reflection of his personality. Her gaze fell on two paintings which were covered by a white cloth and it peaked her interest.

“Uh... not those!” - he said in a hurry. ”They are... incomplete.”

She could easily sense the lie in his tone. And now, she wanted to see those paintings at any rate. Moving closer, she took the cloth off one of them and froze.

It was a painting of her eyes. Her face covered by the baby pink dupatta just like that day.

“Do my eyes really look like that ?” - she asked in a trance as she trailed her fingers on the caramel orbs.