preference delights

Fail to Retain

Chapter 13

Zareena could no longer bear the growing weight on her heart. Day by day, her mother-in-law grew weaker, her appetite fading to almost nothing. Dadi never complained, but her frail body betrayed the silent suffering she endured.
Desperate for a solution, Zareena thought that perhaps her daughter, Zarmeena, could take Dadi to a more advanced hospital in the city. Just as she made up her mind to discuss it with her children, the doorbell rang.

"Zareena, keep working. I'll get the door," Dadi said, her voice fragile but resolute.
Moments later, a loud thud echoed through the house. Panic surged through Zareena's chest. She rushed toward the sound, heart pounding, only to find Dadi lying unconscious on the floor.

"Amma! Amma, open your eyes, please!" Zareena cried, tears streaming down her face. Her fears became reality.

At the door stood a man, frozen in shock, holding a packet of vegetable seeds. Snapping back to reality, he stepped forward and said,
"Sister, don't worry. I'll take her to the hospital in my pickup."

Without a second thought, he scooped Dadi into his arms and gently placed her in the backseat of his truck. Zareena, mind racing with worry, quickly gathered her chaddar, wallet, and house keys. After leaving her keys with a neighbor for Ahmed's return from college, she climbed into the truck, cradling Dadi's head in her lap, whispering prayers as they sped toward the hospital.

Meanwhile, Leena had been waiting for Salaar for five agonizing hours. Each passing minute stretched unbearably, frustration gnawing at her patience. On the verge of losing her composure, she made a decision. Determined, she grabbed her purse and marched toward Salaar's quarters.

As she stepped into the main lounge, she realized it was her first time in this part of the house because Salaar never encouraged her to be here.

Salaar's portion truly depicted his personality-immaculate and elegant.
The architecture was reminiscent of Taimur and Nazli's home, yet the interior was different-more alluring. She spotted Salaar's trusted servant, Zubair Chacha, dusting the room. Unlike her, Salaar, Taimur, and even Faizan held Zubair in great respect, as he had practically raised Salaar as his own child.
But to Leena and Nazli, he was just another servant.

"Where's Salaar?" Leena demanded, her voice sharp with arrogance.

"Madam, Sir Salaar was up all night with a headache. He's resting now," Zubair replied cautiously, sensing her intentions and choosing his words carefully. He was always very protective of Salaar.

"Fine. I need to use the restroom. Where is it?" she asked, still dismissive.

"The guest room, on the left. I can show you, ma'am," Zubair offered politely.

"No need, I'll find it myself," Leena snapped, her tone dripping with entitlement, as though she owned everything in this house along with its owner.
"Bring me a cold coffee," she ordered. Before Zubair could reply, she took a book from the table and pretended to be engrossed in it. Reluctantly, Zubair left out of courtesy.

Once he left, Leena tossed the book on the table and headed toward the corridor. She set off, scanning the rooms one by one. The first two were empty, neat, and well-decorated. But in the third room, she found what she had been craving-Salaar, deep in sleep, unaware of her presence. His slightly tousled hair fell over his forehead, partially hiding his handsome face.

Leena froze, captivated. For months now, her only goal had been to catch just a glimpse of him. Her love for him had grown into an all-consuming obsession, so deep that she was willing to give everything-even her life. Unconsciously, she found herself moving closer, her heart deaf to any reason, only wanting the moment to freeze. All she wanted was to spend her whole life in that moment, with the man she had loved since childhood, who had now become her obsession.

She perched on his bed, so close she could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing. Her heart raced wildly, as if it would burst from her chest. She leaned in, closing the distance between them, her lips throbbing. But suddenly, a voice shattered the stillness.

"Zubair, is Leena here?" Warda's panicked voice called from outside.

Meanwhile, at the campus canteen, Zarmeena collapsed onto a chair beside Sajid and Sajida, exhausted.
"I'm completely drained! Getting stuck with Sir Baqir sucks the life out of you," she groaned.

"And you two are a stain on the word 'friendship,'" Zarmeena teased, pointing toward them both.

"Zaro, how could you say that? I'm the one who collected all the sports forms, even though I don't care about sports at all," Sajid sulked, as usual.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Useful, but you haven't finished the job," Zarmeena shot back sarcastically.

"Zaro, you're so ungrateful. I counted all the forms, and you rechecked them yourself," Sajid reminded her.

"True, but you didn't meet that arrogant Salaar. I regret suggesting him to Sir Baqir," Zarmeena sighed in frustration. She was stuck between Sir Baqir and Salaar.

"Don't call him arrogant. He's the most handsome guy on campus," Sajida chimed in, rolling her eyes with a bashful smile.

"Shut up," Zarmeena and Sajid's voices rang out in unison, leaving Sajida speechless.

"I swear I went to his department, but he wasn't there today!" Sajid said, pinching his chin to make Zarmeena believe him.

Just then, Zarmeena spotted Fahad, Jawad, and Zawyaar entering the canteen. Sajida's eyes sparkled at their sight.

"Let's see if you're telling the truth," Zarmeena said firmly, waving the boys over.

As they approached, she asked, "Do you know where Salaar Malik is? Sir Baqir needs to know his decision about the swimming club presidency," she exclaimed casually.

Before they could answer, Zarmeena's phone buzzed.

"Hold on, it's my mom," she excused herself, answering the call. "Hello, Amma?" In seconds, her face drained of color.

"In which hospital?" she choked out, tears welling in her eyes. Grabbing her bag, she ran toward the parking lot, her heart pounding as she hurried to her bike.