VEILS OF ROSE

CHAPTER 7️⃣

          🌟AUTHORS POV🌟

Retiring to the bed, surrendering themselves to their dreams is the best feeling after the end of the tiring day. Courtesy of the starry night, everyone was sleeping in their respective homes. A person is staring at Sara in her room, as if admiring her with a tinge of smile on his face, making it glow in the moonlight. With utmost love and care, he was caressing her hair gently as if scared to wake the pretty little thing.

In the next morning, Sara woke up from a much-needed sleep and a jovial mood. After making her way towards the bathroom and taking a warm shower, she went for a jog to a nearby park. Asma was going to the kitchen but stopped looking at Sara's door, which was ajar. Not finding her at home, she searched for her mobile to ask about her whereabouts only to see her text, informing her about her going out for a walk to the nearby park.

Roshni, too, woke up and went ahead, not finding Sara at home. She asked about her to Asma. Asma informed Roshni about her going for a jog. The doorbell rang, indicating someone's arrival, only to receive an unwanted guest, Mrs. Preeta Dhillon, who was a lead gossiper of the building with a long nose poking into everyone's matters. Asma invited her inside, making Roshni frown at her, indicating her annoyance regarding the said individual.

"Good morning, Mrs. Dhillon. I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence early in the morning," asked Roshni with a sweet yet fake smile.

Not able to digest Roshni's extra sweetness, Asma cut her off, telling Mrs. Dhillon to take a seat. "Would you like a cup of coffee, Mrs. Dhillon?" asked Asma.

"You shouldn't have to do the formalities, Asmaara. I'll take anything you bring, including plain water. I'm just here to converse as I've not talked to you for a long time. So, I thought to drop by today," replied Mrs. Dhillon, in a sweet voice that can give you diabetes.

(These aunties I tell you 🤣🤣. This is their major trait - killing with a sweet voice just like a bitter gourd dipped into sugar syrup. 🤣😏🙄🧔‍♀️)

"Oh! Asma, she doesn't need coffee. You should throw—I mean bring some chilled water for her," said Roshni, smiling at her, making her smile falter a bit.

"Yes, yes, just bring me a glass of water," said Mrs. Dhillon, making Asma bite her lips, stopping the grin threatening to escape.

"I've heard the commotion Asmaara. The police came and arrested Sara and Roshni, taking them along," said Mrs. Dhillon, making Roshni glare at her.

#FUN FACT - MRS. DHILLON IS SCARED OF SARA SO SHE CAME ONLY AFTER SEEING HER EXITING THE BUILDING. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

"No, you've heard wrong. Due to some fake charges made by a crazy stalker, we were very respectfully, I might add, taken to the police station, and after settling the matter, we were respectfully sent home without any charges," said Roshni, answering her with a stern expression.

"Oh. By the way, Mrs. Ghosh told me that Asmaara hugged a man when she was on your floor and even exited the building yesterday with him, holding his hand," said Mrs. Dhillon, making Asma become stiff listening to her.

Sara entered the apartment with a bright smile, but listening to the conversation happening inside faded the smile on her face. "The man you're talking about is her fiancé. I don't think she needs to take your or anyone else's permission to meet him or hold his hand for that matter," said Sara with a cold expression, making Mrs. Dhillon gulp.

She stared at Sara, looking scared. Apart from Sara, she talks about everyone's affair not caring about the consequences, but in front of her, she becomes mute. "No, Sara dear. I was just casually asking about it. My intention was not to make her feel upset," stuttered Mrs. Dhillon.

"So please refrain from doing so next time, Mrs. Dhillon. You should think before spreading baseless rumours, and next time, please restrict yourself from coming here if you want to collect gossip to entertain yourself with other people's misery," said Sara, making Mrs. Dhillon leaves without another word.

"You should not listen to her nonsense every time," said Sara, taking Asma in a gentle hug.

"Okay, now done with a down face. I'm hungry. I need breakfast," intervened Roshni, earning an eye roll.

"You're hungry 24*7," said Asma, making Roshni frown.

Proceeding to the dining table with Roshni munching on an apple, Asma prepared breakfast. Sara came after changing, taking a seat. "I'm thinking of searching for another apartment," said Sara.

"Yeah, I'm also thinking the same," said Asma.

"Let's start the search for a new apartment," said Sara.

"Okay, so let's start mission new apartment," said an overenthusiastic Roshni, making the duo laugh.

After breakfast, they left for their respective workplaces. As Asma was heading to the elevator, her phone rang, displaying her Grandma's number. She answered cheerfully and promised to visit soon. After disconnecting, she saw several missed calls from Noorie. Dialling back, she barely got to say hello before being bombarded with Noorie's rambling.

Noorie: "Asma, I have a very important meeting today. I think I dropped my important pen drive in your apartment during my last visit. Please bring it for me, quickly. Okay, after reaching the building, give me a call. I'll be waiting. Thank you. I love you. Bye."

Asma: staring at the phone

"Why are you looking at the phone like you're going to murder it?" asked Roshni.

"Not the phone, but Noorie," said an irritated Asma. She explained Noorie's situation, told Roshni and Sara to go ahead, and went back to the apartment to retrieve the pen drive.

After finding the pen drive, she hailed a cab and headed to Noorie's office. Upon arrival, the receptionist wouldn't let her in without a prior appointment or an employee escort. Asma tried to explain but had to wait.

On her way to the waiting area, she bumped into someone—Jay Chauhan, a charming man who apologized and struck up a polite conversation. As they chatted, Ishaan walked in and spotted Asma. Surprise lit his face, and she smiled warmly at him.

"Maara, you here?" he asked, hugging her.

She blushed, "Noorie forgot her pen drive, so I came to drop it off."

Jay: "Do you know each other?"

Ishaan: "Yeah, Jay. Meet my beautiful fiancée Asmara Jiwaani. Maara, meet my good friend and business partner, Jay Chauhan."

Jay looked momentarily stunned but recovered with a pleasant smile.

Ishaan then instructed the receptionist: "She's my would-be wife. Let her in whenever she comes."

Asma was giddy with joy inside but stayed composed, replying to the receptionist politely.

Noorie finally arrived, apologizing profusely.

Asma: "Don’t make it a habit. Next time, I won’t run here."

Ishaan helped smooth things over. Noorie left for her meeting, and Ishaan asked, "Are you going home or office now?"

Asma: "Office. Bye."

Ishaan: "You’re not going alone. I’m dropping you. Come on."

---------