Unwanted Relations

Chapter 9

Winter morning always have a late start, the weather was cold, while everyone was having breakfast in their house and that too was the scene in this beautiful and enormous haveli, where the members of the haveli were peacefully having their breakfast.
Mehr sits down on the chair, " asalam alaikum dadi." She greeted her grandmother, in response to her she smiled warmly and sat down on the head of the table. Everyone was already there except one. Who had a habit of being late now.

The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, only to last a little longer. Umer entered the dining hall, the only person missing. He smiled at his grandmother and greeted her before having a seat.

Everyone was there, chit chatting like a happy family. " how are you?" Umer asked grandmother.

She smiled at his question. " I'm good now that you are here." She said with the same warmness in her eyes.

" of course, now who would be happy to see us, right Raza bhai?" Mehr complained in a teasing smile and asked Raza's opinion. He smiled at her and nods his head.

" that's not it. For me you all are equal." Grandmother said to Mehr with a smile, her statement was serious, she also understood her complaint.

" when will you stop being jealous of me?" This time it was Umer's turn to tease Mehr.

Mehr rolled her eyes at his statement and eat her food, Umer smiled at his gesture as he succeeded into annoying her.

The atmosphere was light, warm, some occasional smiles and chats on the table. All of this seemed to fade away when a servant came to serve some fresh fruits.

" Nasreen ask that girl to serve tea." Grandmother said to the servant, her voice was neither light nor warm. But firm.

" I'll do it, she hasn't came downstairs yet." Nasreen informed, she knew well it was about Noor.

Grandmother looked at her with a hint of surprise and then at the wall clock. " what do you mean? She hasn't been awake till now?" Her voice had sarcasm but it was insulting. Nasreen herself got quiet, she had no answer to that question.

" Now why are you standing here? Go and see her. Will she be sleeping all day." Her voice was now stern, she changed instantly.

Umer who was engaged in a conversation now looked at his grandmother. He was aware of her dislike but he also couldn't stay quiet at the moment.

" No need for that, you can go." Umer said to Nasreen signaling her to leave and she left immediately.

But this time grandmother looked at her, he knew well about her questioned expression.

" Noor is not well, she is resting." He said casually and even at that time his focus was on the food in front of him.

Before grandmother could say anything Mehr interrupted. " She isn't well? What happened to her?" She asked him.

Umer looks at Mehr. "Just a small injury on her ankle, it will get better." He said normally, like it was no big deal to him. His gesture had no effect of tension or being worried.

" injury? Now what is this new drama?" This time grandmother asked, she was clearly taunting.

" why would she fake anything, I'm worried about her." Mehr again said, her voice was low, she lowered her head.

Grandmother looked at her. She had an aura that could make anyone in this house quiet. No one ever dared to disrespect her. She sigh. " Mehr. Don't involve in something that doesn't relates to you." Her voice was firm.

Mehr was quiet. She couldn't say anything, she was looking at her plate. Everyone else too, was now silent. The tension was palpable. Umer sigh, he never wanted to upset his grandmother, especially her. He also becomes quiet.