Love Thy Enemy ~ A ZaiRa FF

Chapter 3 : Everything's Messed Up

“Sir, Mubashira ma'am keh rahi hain unhen bhook nahin.” - a servant informed Jaffer at the breakfast table.

Jaffer sighed and motioned the servant to leave. It's been a week to the engagement fiasco. Mubashira was immediately rushed to the hospital at the nervous breakdown and had been discharged the next day but she was not recovering from the humiliation she faced. Moreover, right after returning from the hospital, she went straight to Rahib's house to confront him but got the shock of her life at finding her best friend, Hina there. Apparently, Rahib fell in love with Hina and hence refused to marry Mubashira. That information proved to be the last nail in the coffin. Jaffer feared Mubashira would go through another nervous breakdown but on the contrary, she turned quiet. The betrayal from her best friend and would-be fiance rendered her speechless. Ever since, she had isolated herself in her room and was shutting everyone out.

“Is tarah toh yeh larki pagal ho jayegi...” - Jaffer expressed his worry aloud to Rayyan who was seated at the breakfast table.

‘I wishhh...’ - Rayyan thought to himself, chewing his sandwich. ‘My path will be clear then...’

Rayyan was 6 years old when his parents passed away in an accident. Jaffer, feeling empathetic for his late sister's only child, took custody of Rayyan and took him home to live with himself and Mubashira. Rayyan had heard from the relatives that his father was a businessman as well but in the last days was going through crises. After his death, the company and house were auctioned to pay off the debt he had taken in order to save the business. Rayyan cursed his luck. Even though, Jaffer had never treated him less than a son, it always felt like Mubashira was superior to him. Otherwise why was she the COO of A&J Industries whereas he was being offered a job as an employee on completing his education ? If anyone tried to make him understand that he didn't hold any right on Jaffer's wealth according to the law, Rayyan simply overlooked it.

“I will be right back.” - Jaffer said standing up and left the dining room.

“...after a failed attempt of coaxing your maniac daughter.” - Rayyan completed after Jaffer with a snort and took a sip of orange juice.

~

Grabbing his car keys and mobile, Zaid descended the staircase and entered the dining hall to find Asif and Kashmala at breakfast table. He was dressed in casuals as it was Sunday and office was off, but he was ready to go to the hospital. Ayma's brother was admitted there since the night before after a mild cardiac arrest hence Zaid intended to pay a visit.

His sister caught his eyes and tilted her head towards their father who seemed lost in thoughts.

“All okay Baba ?” - he gently asked, bending over a chair.

Asif came out of his thoughts and nodded slowly. “Yeah. Just... worried about Jaffer.” - he said gloomily. “I still can't wrap my head around last week's events. The humiliation Mubashira faced then the betrayal by her childhood friend... horrible.” - his body gave an automatic shudder.

“I swear if my friend had done something of the sorts, I would have killed her without any regrets.” - Kashmala deadpanned.

Well, killing someone was extreme but Zaid did agree what Hina and Rahib did was completely wrong. Knowing Mubashira, he knew her nature would have drifted Rahib away but that DID NOT mean it gave Hina and Rahib the licence of backstabbing. If you don't like something, SPIT. IT. OUT. then and there instead of smiling on the person's face while your hands are busy digging a hole beneath their feet.

“Mubashira is not recovering from that evening. By the time Jaffer controlled the media from spreading the pictures and videos, the damage had been done. And this is affecting Mubashira even more. The humiliation, that insult...” - Asif sighed, placing the knife and fork back on the plate. He was unable to eat properly these days out of concern for his best friend.