Chapter 2 : The Humiliation

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“Ayma agar yeh joke hai toh bohat hi bura hai...” - Zaid was on call with Ayma as he stopped his Audi behind the lane of cars at Jaffer Villa.

“Acha baba sorry. Was just pulling your leg.” - came Ayma's reply.

Zaid heaved a sigh of relief. “Means tumne mana kar diya na rishte walon ko ?”

“Ab tumne hi kaha tha ke handle kar lo, toh maine karliya.” - Ayma said huffing.

Finally, Zaid smiled. “Shukarrr. Main aaj hi Baba se baat karta hun humarey bare main.”

He pulled out the keys from the ignition switch and opening the door, stepped down. The first thing his eyes caught were the golden metallic 3D letters on a wall.

Mubashira & Rahib.

Biting the inside of his cheek, he buttoned up his blazer and walked inside the garden.

“Baad mein baat karta hun.” - he said to Ayma before pressing the button on his earbud to end the call as his eyes had caught sight of Mubashira.

She was stood with her friend, her back facing him but even then, he could recognize it was her. Her dressing sense and styling had always been class apart. Even though they were always stood against each other in office and had their differences, he had to admit that she carried herself with unmatched grace and elegance. that was why, when he had seen Rahib at her birthday party a couple of months ago, he was utterly lost as to why was a girl like her, getting engaged with a guy like Rahib ?! It was beyond him.

“MJ!” - he called out.

She turned around at hearing her name and for a second, he felt everything stopping. She had, shockingly yet successfully, outdone herself. And keeping the fact that one would never find Mubashira Jaffer looking dull, that was saying something.

“Zaid!” - her lips curled into the same superior smile he was accustomed to.

She excused herself from her friend and walked towards him with her ‘Mubashira Jaffer’ grace. Her dark grey eyes were even prominent due to her perfectly doned eyeliner. Her minimal jewellery, makeup, the dressing, everything was perfect. And the surety of looking perfect in her eyes, that arrogance, just added to the effect.

“What a surprise! Mujhe laga nahin tha tum aaogey.” - she said with a smirk.

“Kese nahin aata ? Jaffer uncle ke liye itna bada din hai after all.” - he said with a sweet smile.

Their tones were laced with sarcasm. Both knew their sweet smiles were silent taunts at each other.

“Aur phir Rahib se humdardi bhi ho rahi thi. Everyone will be congratulating him at his loss. Koi toh ho jo uski qismat par afsos kare.” - Zaid said, smirking.

Mubashira's expressions hardened. He saw anger flash through her eyes but she forced a smile on her face.

“Rashk karengy sab uski qismat par. Mubashira Jaffer se shadi hone ja rahi hai uski. He is the luckiest man on earth.” - she declared, smirking.

“Aur hai kahan yeh tumhara luckiest, would-be fiance ?” - he asked with a sickly sweet smile.

Her arrogant smile returned. “I am sure koi last minute surprise plan kar raha hoga mere liye. He loves to give surprises and presents.” - she said and moved aside to most probably call Rahib.

Zaid snorted. “Wo khud hi ek tohfa hai.” - he muttered under his breath and walked away to greet Jaffer who was stood with Asif and other business associates at a distance.

Mubashira's phone dinged, announcing a message. Upon opening it, she found it was an audio from Rahib. Smiling, she played the audio and held the phone close to her ear to listen.

‘I am sorry Mubashira. Main janta hun main ghalat kar raha hun tumhen is time yeh message karke but.. main yeh mangni nahi kar sakta. I'm sorry.’

The ground beneath Mubashira's feet shook like an earthquake. All the colour drained from her face and she started trembling.

“Dad!” - she rushed towards her father.

Zaid's forehead creased as he saw Mubashira trembling. Her body was shaking and fury dominated her senses which was evident from her eyes and face.

Jaffer's face paled as well as he played the audio message. Their actions were garnering the guests' attention and murmur broke among them.

“Kya hai yeh Dad ? Yeh koi mazaq hai ?” - Mubashira stuttered, her voice having the same shiver as her body. “Phone karen use aur abhi ke abhi bulayen!”

She snatched her phone back and started calling Rahib repeatedly, only to receive the answer of ‘switched off’. In a fit of rage, she threw her phone that smashed into a wall. The cameras flashed on end and it snapped last of the patience outta Mubashira.

“WHAT ARE YOU GUYS CLICKING AT ?! THIS IS ENJOYABLE FOR YOU ALL ?!” - she shouted at the top of her lungs. “STOP. WITH. THE. CAMERAS!” - she pushed the cameras away, causing the media to stagger back.

Zaid, feeling empathetic in that moment, moved towards her to handle the situation and, somehow, Mubashira.

“Okay calm down!” - he said and put his hands around her figure to stop her from getting violent over the cameramen. “Guys please, give some space.” - he addressed the media humbly.

Mubashira was not listening. He held her by the arms and started dragging her into the house which was one of the difficult tasks he had ever done. She was a force of nature in her normal mood. Manhandling her while she was out for blood deserved some appreciation.

“I WILL KILL HIM! HOW DARE HE INSULT ME LIKE THAT! I'M MUBASHIRA JAFFER DAMNIT!” - she was screaming all the way to her room, trying to free herself from his hold.

“ZAID IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE DAYLIGHT THEN LEAVE ME RIGHT THIS INSTANT!” - she threatened as they entered her room. He ignored her and tried to make her sit on the sofa.

A maid, who had followed them, stood holding the tray that had a glass of water. Zaid picked it up and brought it close to Mubashira but she jerked it away, causing the water to spill on the floor and glass breaking into pieces.

“NAHIN PEENA MUJHE PANI! NAHI CHAHIYEN SYMPATHIES! AUR TUMHARI TO BILKUL NAHIN ZAID!” - she glared dead into his eyes. Panting due to sheer anger. “OOPER OOPER SE HAI YEH SAB! ANDER SE TOH BOHAT KHUSHI HO RAHI HOGI NA TUMHEN ? KE AAKHIR MUBASHIRA HAAR GAI!”

Zaid stared at her dumbfounded. That was SO not the case. He agreed he and Mubashira didn't go along well but that didn't mean he would stoop so low to enjoy someone's misery.

He opened his mouth to contradict but her state worsened. She clutched her hair with both hands and her trembling became violent.

“Nahi ch'horungi main Rahib ko...” - she murmured lowly, shaking her head.

“Mubashira...” - Zaid touched her arm, anxious. But she didn't seem to register his voice or presence. “MUBASHIRA..” - he took hold of her shoulders and made her face him.

“NAHI CH'HORUNGI MAIN USE!” - she was chanting it like a mantra. Her breathing laboured.

He watched in horror as her voice slowed down to a whisper while chanting that and eyes started to close. His arms went around her waist just in time as she lost consciousness in a nervous breakdown.

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