Tillim's Bullet

Chapter Thirteen; His Favorite Sister

Jannat

"Khalid Ibn Walid? Son of Mr. Rashid?" I pointed at him. My face filled with disbelief.

I couldn't read his expression. He had a poker face on. "Who is that?" He asked.

"Don't lie to me. My last name is Jannat Shah and as far as I know, there's no one new in our company whose name ends with Shah." I said. "And why were you stopping Mr. Carol from talking?"

He kind of looked dumbfounded.  He blushed a deeper crimson red. Scratching the back of his neck he asked, "You think I am faking my identity?"

I didn't know why he would do that. He didn't have any reason to scam me or whatever but ever since we met, whatever he did seemed to be very suspicious.

I didn't know what to say so I just stared at him as if daring him to say the truth.

"I am not a rich fellow's son, you know. I am merely the son of a housemaid and my father? I never saw him. So in the case, if you think that I am a rich man's spoiled son then I merely have nothing to do."

He never saw his father? I looked at him shocked. How could I misunderstand it like that? This must have hurt him a great deal. "I-I am sorry." I stuttered out.

The hurt in his eyes was visible and it made me feel worse. "I am really sorry for misunderstanding you. I don't know, maybe I was just really paranoid, you know."

He said it was fine so I just decided to leave it at that. He insisted on walking me home but seeing my shocked face he didn't stretch it further. If my brothers saw me hanging out with a man outside the house I will not be alive any longer.

---

The smell of freshly made biriyani hit my nose. I licked my lips. My sleep was almost disappeared but I continued to enjoy my slumber on the weekend as I felt fresh lemon juice in my mouth. Lemon juice?

I opened my eyes. Aakash's face came into view as he was pouring lemon juice into my mouth. As he saw me open my eyes, he immediately backed off with a mischievous grin on his face. Inaya was suppressing her laugh, but seeing my expression, she busted out laughing.

I threw a pillow at him as he ran out of the room. I followed him. "Edike ay tui. Aakash," I shouted. (You come here, Aakash.)

He ran down the hall as I followed him. He made me follow him in the entire hall. "At least, I let you do your morning run." He said and went behind the couch to dock from the couch pillow that I threw on him.

"You don't have to worry about my weight, you motka." (Fatto.)

"Look who's talking. In a few weeks, you won't be able to fit through our gate. We have to make a new one for you." He shouted and ran again.

As I was following him, I almost tripped when Sadid Bhaiya caught me. Aakash went behind his back. "What are you two monkey's doing so early in the morning?"

"He put lemon juice on my mouth while I was sleeping," I complained while pointing at him.

Sadid Bhaiya in his usual attire, a suit, and his expensive watch and slicked-back hair held Aakash from behind and gripped his ear. As he whined in pain I smirked at him.

"Have some shame, will you? You are twenty-five." He said.

Ammu came to the scene. "Oh gosh, what's going on?"

Aakash somehow got rid of his grip and went behind ammu. "Your kids are torturing me, Aunty." He complained.

I looked at him in disbelief. "Y-You-"

"Okay, stop it now," Ammu said. He was always Ammu's favorite.

I pouted and went back to my room. As my precious sleep was ruined anyway, I decided to take a shower. Inaya was still there in my room. She laughed when I entered and ran to her room as well.

Aakash, Inaya, and Other relatives and Saleem bhaiya's friends were staying in our house for Zainab Apu's wedding. Today was the mehedi ceremony and thankfully, in Zainab apu's mehendi, Tillim Apu was present. Though she was at the office working, she said that she'll be here anytime.

I was excited today. I chose so many dresses but I still didn't know what to wear. The house was bustling with guests.

As I was done showering, I wore a shalwar kameez and went downstairs. Moumi Khala called me to eat as I sat down. Aakash sat in front of me with a grin as I playfully acted to smack him.

Sadid Bhaiya sat on the head chair. "Eat your food, will you?"

"Yeah, By the way, Bhaiya what will you wear today?" I asked.

"Anything." He answered bluntly.

I scoffed a little. Zainab apu was there with everyone. Today she looked a little better. Tillim Apu has been taking care of her constantly so she cheered up now. Her brightness reappeared.

"Jannat,  do you know where is my old laptop-?"

"Where is Tillim Apu, bhaiya?" I asked him cutting him off.

He looked at me. "How would I know?" The side of his veins popped.

"She is your favorite sister, so you'd know." I showed him a toothy smile.

He broke the small glass that was in his hands as I gasped. Everyone looked shocked. "Bhaiya!" I shouted.

Blood ran down his hands to his breakfast and he looked at it with his usual calm face. Ammu and Moumi Khala got worried as they wrapped his hand with a towel.

His eyes were blood red as if I committed a crime by asking him of Tillim Apu.