Starlit Promises (ON HOLD)

4. Whispers Of Fate

The Khan mansion buzzed with the arrival of close and distant relatives from across the country for Bahram and Rabia's engagement party. Greeting few of them she sauntered towards grandap's room. As she approached his room, an unpleasant note echoed through the air as she heard Abbas engaged in a heated argument with her grandpa. She had hoped to meet her grandpa before leaving for college, but the bitter exchange of angry voices made her swiftly change her course, unwilling to be a witness to any morning drama.

As she walked towards the driveway, she spotted Arshad waiting for her. He must have returned last night. Cheerfully, she greeted him, and during the drive, she kept asking him about his relatives in the village. He patiently responded with a kind and warm smile. 

"Why can't he be more like Arshad uncle?"
She thought bitterly, recalling his poker face. Shaking her head to dispel his thoughts, she resumed pestering Arshad with questions about his village. She had always been curious about village life and had the desire to experience it for a few days.

Her daydreaming ended as the vehicle jerked to a stop in front of her department. She stepped out and scanned her surroundings, quickly spotting her girl gang.

***

After attending back-to-back classes without any time to eat and enduring an unusually hot day, she felt tired. Thankfully, when she finished her classes and rushed to the parking lot, she found Arshad waiting for her. As usual, she greeted him and got into the car. Trying to engage Arshad in conversation, she sensed that something was off with him. Deciding to let him be, she remained quiet for the rest of the journey. Upon arriving at Khan mansion's driveway, she hurriedly got out, intending to fill her empty stomach, but her steps faltered when she saw him and Khadija carrying stuff from the guest house to the servant quarters.

Turning to Arshad, she asked, "What's happening here?"

Arshad shook his head with pursed lips and drove towards the garage. Hamna rushed past, carrying cleaning and dusting supplies towards the guest house. She stopped Hamna and inquired about the situation. 

Hamna informed her, "Guests are coming for Bahram sir's engagement party, and they will be staying in the guest house."

Confused, she asked, "Then where will Khadija Aunty be staying?"

"In the servant quarter," Hamna mumbled before dashing towards the guest house.

Her head started spinning upon hearing this. Struggling to breathe, she saw him walking towards her, and her breath hitched. He paused momentarily, and she felt her heart painfully squeeze in her chest as she saw a flash of raging emotions in his eyes before he masked it with impassiveness and walked past her. He was her favourite uncle's adopted son; how could they treat him this way?

She rushed to Grandpa's room and opened the door in a rage. He was sitting in his recliner, engrossed in some books.

"What's the matter, my doll?" Grandpa asked, looking at her angry face.

"Why are you not doing anything?" she questioned sharply.

"What am I supposed to do?" he replied, closing the book.

"You know very well," she retorted rudely.

"Fida," he called out in a reprimanding tone. "Behave."

Taking a deep breath, she approached him and said, "Grandpa, why is Khadija Aunty sent to the servant quarters? You know she was Altaf Mamu's friend. She isn't a servant."

He opened his book and focused on it, avoiding the topic. "You shouldn't involve yourself in such matters."

"Grandpa—"

"—Go, freshen up and eat something. You must be hungry."

Clenching her jaws at Sher Khan's dismissive attitude, she felt the painful reality that her opinion held no value in the Khan mansion. She had no right there. Blinking away tears, she stormed out of Grandpa's room and slammed the door of her room, throwing her bag she collapsed on the bed while sobbing. The pain, suffocation, and helplessness overwhelmed her, making her forget her starvation.

***

She woke up to the sound of a loud thunderstorm, rubbing her eyes and wincing because of the shooting headache. Memories of the previous events flooded back. Determined not to succumb to more tears and hiccups, she got out of bed, grabbed a casual dress, and disappeared into the washroom. A shower made her feel a little lighter, but her growling stomach reminded her of her hunger. She didn't want to face anyone from the Khan mansion and wished she could just disappear. She felt a pang of longing for her real home and decided to call her father, despite not having spoken to him in four months.

With furrowed brows, she stared at the contact number, contemplating for a few moments before tapping to call. After a few rings, the call was picked up and she heard him say hello. She gulped, hearing his voice after so long.

"He-hello papa," she mumbled.

"Yes, Fida?"

"I want to go home." At her request, there was a momentary pause.

"You are home, Fida."

"No, papa. I want to be in MY home."

"What nonsense, Fida? Don't behave like a kid. I know your grandpa is taking care of you, so don't act like you are not happy."

"Papa—"

"—I'm busy right now. I will call you back later. Don't trouble anyone there." He interrupted her before ending the call.

Clutching the phone tightly, she fell to her knees, her body shaking with sobs, and her heart throbbing with pain. After gathering her emotions, she wiped her tears, washed her face, and applied light makeup to hide the signs of her breakdown. Determined to shut out the chaos in her heart, she left her room. Initially, she thought of walking to clear her mind before facing anyone, but seeing the rain outside, she sighed and headed towards the kitchen instead.

There, she found Khadija busy cooking something. She greeted her, and as Khadija smiled back, she couldn't help but admire the strong woman before her. She wanted to hug Khadija and apologize.

"I am sorry." 

She wanted to say, but instead, she simply said, "I am hungry."

Khadija nodded and began preparing a club sandwich for her, knowing that dinner was still some time away.

Happy reading!!