Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 19 : In Search Of Peace

The next morning was quiet in Sulaimaan Manor. Arish, dressed up in a beige suit, ready for office, quietly opened Arbaaz's room door and peeked inside.

Arbaaz was sound asleep.

He had woken up around 1 in the night but hadn't spoken a word. Not even to his grandmother or brother. Arish, with utmost difficulty, had managed to make him have a glass of juice but that was that. He would never forget the empty eyes of his brother as he had lain down again and sleep engulfed him. And was sleeping ever since. Clearly, the sedatives were affecting him.

Closing the door, he came downstairs to the main hall and found Sulaimaan standing infront of Jahan'ara, coaxing her to have breakfast.

“I told you na! I'm not eating anything until Abhi is fine!” - came Jahan'ara's curt reply.

Walking towards his grandmother, he kneeled down infront of her.

“Dadi Jaan... Abhi will be so hurt when he'll get to know that you've been skipping meals because of him. Do you want that ?” - he asked gently, making her tear up.

“But Abhi-”

“He'll be fine! Absolutely fine! Good as new I PROMISE!” - he said with conviction, holding both of her hands in his. “Please eat something...” - he requested.

She kept looking at him with troubled eyes but the assurance in his eyes eased her somewhat. She nodded and stood and he took her to the breakfast table where an equally distressed Aafiya was seated.

Last night, Jahan'ara and Aafiya had an argument. Where the former had accused the later of responsible for Arbaaz's condition.

But Arish knew better.

He had been awake the whole night, running the wheels of his brain to get to the possible reasons for Arbaaz's condition. And his mind had clicked on just one person.

Zunera.

He was sure she was involved in this because Arbaaz had broken down after he had uttered her name. Now the scenario could be either she was not fine or she had done something which had hurt Arbaaz. Whatever it was, he would find out.

“You won't join us for breakfast ?” - Sulaimaan asked as he turned to leave.

“No Dad. I have an important work. I'll have something in the office.” - Arish said, bidding his family bye and stepped out of the house.

~

Sharp at 9, Zunera reached Sulaimaan Group Of Industries contrary to her usual routine of coming early with five or ten minutes to spare. The reason was clear.

Unable to face Arbaaz.

She was in an excruciating pain since yesterday when she had stepped out of his office. And when she had reached home, had screamed her lungs out. Cried her eyes out. For causing so much pain to such an angelic soul. For breaking his heart into pieces. But God was witness, she had hurt herself even more. Arbaaz was the best thing that ever happened to her and she had lost him by her own hands. He was ‘once in a lifetime blessing’ and she...

Sigh.

No point of it all now. Now it was just crying of a lifetime.

Wiping her freshly fallen tears, she stepped into her cabin to find Arish sitting there. She blinked in surprise before greeting him.

“Good Morning Sir.”

He looked at her intently before motioning her to take a seat.

“Morning Zunera.” - he greeted, surprising her again by not addressing her professionally. “My use of your first name would have indicated that what I'm here for is not professional but quite personal.” - Arish said and a chill went down her spine. Their could be only one topic between them which was not professional.