Unwanted Relations

Chapter 3

Noor came out of the dressing room. She was relieved now, comfortable. The jewellery took a lot of time to take off, but what surprised her was when she stepped inside the room and couldn't see anymore. It was dark, all around. No light. She felt like she was standing there with closed eyes. She looked around trying to get a hold of her surroundings. After a few seconds her vision got used to the dark. She carefully reached the couch, and sat on it. Noor was never used to sleep or stay in dark rooms, she even slept in some light. And now, it was all dark, she couldn't see anything. Noor sat on the couch, for a few minutes, closing her eyes she wanted to sleep, but she couldn't. She couldn't get any sleep in this room. It was when she remembered about Umer. Was he sleeping? So early? She thought. She didn't make a noise, afraid that he would wake up. Her heart was beating a little faster, she wasn't used to such darkness.

Suddenly, she remembered about her books. They were in her previous room. Noor opened her eyes as soon as she realized that the books were in her room and she is here. What if someone cleans the room tomorrow and find those books? Her mind raced. She sat up straight. If anyone find those book then it will not end of good for her. Noor was now worried.
" I should take them before anyone can see." She thought and it was the final decision she made. She carefully stand up from the couch. unable to find the door in the darkness, carefully going towards it. Noor put her hand on its handle. She opened the door slowly, not wanting to make a noise. As she stepped out and closed the door behind her she sighed in relief. She was comfortable now in the lightning. The haveli was empty, everyone was sleeping. There were only dim lights in the huge marble corridors, enough to see. She got downstairs and went outside. The problem was, her room was not inside the haveli but in one of the servant quarters. She was shivering slightly from the cold. Noor wrapped the shawl tightly around her. She reached her room and went inside. Walking inside into the familiar surroundings, however small, however bad, she felt home. She got towards her old wardrobe, and takes her books out. But she didn't leaved. Instead she sits on her bed and opened the book. She didn't want to go in that room especially now when the lights were switched off. She leaned against the bed frame and started reading.

After a few hours, she heard the call to prayer. Noor sat up, closing the book. " what time is it?" She asked herself. It was dawn, time of fajr. She was shocked that she was reading for such a long time. Was she so immersed in her book? Noor then closed the book and went to pray. After praying she was in a conflict to go back or not. Umer was sleeping, he wouldn't notice and the main problem was the switched off lights. She didn't want to sleep without any lights. She picked her book up and before she could decide anymore, the door opened. Noor was startled. She turned around and hide the book behind her. She was more afraid after seeing who it was. It was Umer. He stand there in the doorway looking at her. His expressions were serious. " what are you doing here?" He asked. Noor couldn't answer in the first 5 seconds. She clutched the book in her hands, still hiding it. " I-I...I couldn't sleep, that's why I came here." She said, it was just a half-truth. Umer looked at her and then his gaze fell on her hands behind her back. " what are you hiding?" He asked. And Noor was more than nervous. She couldn't even answer him. " n-nothing." She lied.
" it is something. Show me." He takes a step towards her. He could see she was lying. Noor takes a step back. Still holding on to the book. She shakes her head slightly.  " it is nothing." She once again lied.
" show me your hands." He ordered. He could see she was hiding something, but what?

Noor's palm was sweaty now. She was out of excuses. " He is investigating like I'm hiding some drugs." She thought, she didn't have the courage to say to his face. " it is nothing." She said again. This time her voice was betraying her. Umer stepped towards her again. " what are you hiding. I'm asking this the last time." He warned. He was himself curious now. He wanted to see what she was hiding that she was so scared off. Noor was now out of excuses and answers. She showed the book to him. " please, I'm sorry. I was just being bored. I will not read anymore. I promise." Before Umer could even say anything Noor quickly apologised as if she wouldn't get the chance later. Umer looked at her, there was irritation on his face. So she was hiding a book? Really? He thought by himself. All his curiosity was gone now. " So much drama for a book." He thought again as he looked at her. " how did you get this?" He asked. Umer knew there was only one library in the Haveli. Which of course Noor could never have access to. Because its keys are usually with his father, or brother. Moreover, Noor wasn't allowed to the library especially to read. He knew how everyone didn't liked the idea of that. " from the library." She answered in defeat. Umer raised an eyebrow. " where did you got the keys from?" He asked again, this time with curiosity. Noor was silent for a moment. She lowered her head. She was not sure to answer or not. " I...got them. From uncle's room." She answered, truthfully but she felt like she has been embarrassed in front of him that she couldn't even look him in the eye. Umer looked at her, he was silent for a moment and then he said,
in a plain voice. " so you stole them." He wasn't asking.

Noor was surprised at his choice of words, but she was still silent. She had no proof nor any evidence to prove him wrong. He was right though. She was feeling embarrassed. At this moment she wanted to go in somewhere and never come back.

" where are the keys now?" One more question.
" I put them back in Uncle's room." She said with what a little courage was left. Noor was so embarrassed that she couldn't even look at him.

Umer stands there for a second. He didn't said anything. No questions. He turned around as to leave. Noor was surprised at his sudden departure. She looked at him. " ap kaha jarahe hain?" She asked. ( where are you going?)

Umer turned to face her. " to sleep at this time of course." He replies. Noor couldn't ask anything more nor did he gave her the opportunity to. He left. Leaving her alone. She stands there, trying to process all the things that just happened.
And then she felt like never seeing him again. " he must be thinking I'm a thief or something." Noor thought in disappointment.

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The sun has risen up. The room was filled with sunlight coming from the window. He opened his eyes, feeling exhausted. Umer takes his phone from the bed side table, glancing at the time and using it casually. It was like a habit. He sat up on the bed, his dark brown hair was messy. He run a hand through his hair. He removed the blanket and get up.
After a while. He took a shower. He came in the room, wearing his formal suit. He wore a white shirt. As he bend down to take his watch from the dressing table, his gaze fell on the figure sleeping on the couch. He looked at her. He didn't remember when last night she go to her room and when did she came back. And now, she was sleeping peacefully in his couch, in his room. He never shared his room in his 27 years of life with anyone and now he had to share his room with a child. He immediately lowered his eyes, not looking at her. Out of respect? He couldn't know. He opened the door and left the room.

                                         *...*...*