You, Me & the Alter(cations) - Farmeed AU

27.

"Sab kuch theek thaak hai, bas batana tha ke mein kal aa raha hoon." Farjaad spoke over the phone as she relocated the money plant pot to the corner by the window. The sudden plan was definitely what he did not anticipate and decided to water his plants before he leaves, passing that duty to Yusuf after that.

"Ye to bohot achi khabar suna di! Any special reason? Tum warna itni jaldi nahi aate, ab tou pichle chaar meinhon mein ye tumhari teesri trip hai." Nighat asked surprised. Farjaad always had a reason as well as a notice in advance of when he would come. It would be a sudden notice, but she would know a few days before. The overnight information was sudden to her, but she was delighted.

"Wo, mene aap ko bataya tha na ke I am ready to take over, us silsilay mein aa raha hoon, aur thoda aur bhi kaam hai" He straightened up and glanced at the pot, it looked right but something was off, he could not tell what. He would later on ask Umeed.

"Farjaad I'm very happy to hear this." Nighat beamed, Farjaad sensing her genuine excitement at his arrival. "Mein Reen-"

"Ma, abhi ye baat nahi karni." The instant switch to Reena made Farjaad wonder how deeply his mother must have thought of his future. The next thing she decided to bring up was something he absolutely did not want to hear, it was frustrating but also alarming.   "Araam se baat karein ge once I am there." Farjaad had decided, that once all evidence is gathered and they were ready to present the case, he would tell Nighat about everything that had been going on behind their backs in the business.

Letting her know now would not be as sensible considering there were still things that needed to be gathered and he found it ineffective so share such a heavy and disturbing news through a call. Being in person would also help since he would console her on the fraud they had been facing. She would be hurt once she discovered what their so-called family member had been up to.

"Okay, theek hai." She did not budge any further, aware of Farjaad's clear agitation for that topic. She also thought of it better to discuss in person since that would prevent him from doing the subject again and again.  "Driver kis time par bhejun?"

"Mein khud aa jaun ga." He reassured her. Airport cabs were easily available.

"Okay, khayal rakhna." Nighat ended the call, sighing once it ended and looking in front of her. "Farjaad tha."

"Kheriyat?" Asked Reena, sipping on her coffee. She had been listening to Nighat but not really certain on what the conversation was. All she knew was, he was coming.

"Kal aa raha hai." Nighat smile, the excitement visible on her face. It was always exciting to have Farjaad around. Before, he would rarely present himself. As of recently he was more active, visited more often, it made Nighat extremely happy and caused her to wonder what change had happened for him to be so active. She came to a conclusion that it was the interest in the business that he gained.

"Baba ne kaha tha aap ko na bataun, surprise mil jaye ga." Reena hid her smile, and Nighat's eyes widened.

"Tumhe pata tha?" She asked, tone filled with surprise and joy.

"Wo ke rahe thay ke ab mangni kara kar usko kahin aur jaane dein ge." She smirked and Nighat's ecstatic expression turned bewildered. That was a big commitment.

"Really?"

"Tayi ma overdue ho gaya hai, it's time." Reena sat up, one leg crossed over the other, earrings dangling along her chesnut hair. "Aur wese bhi if you let him be, he will never find someone. Koi hai hi nahi jo Farjaad ki life mein adjust kar paye gi. He's too rigid for that."

Nighat knew there was truth to that. Farjaad was a complex character, he was picky and precise and in his own world that only made sense to him. It was only a blessing that Reena wanted to commit to him, and Nighat could not be any more delighted to have a daughter-in-law who could also be a friend to her. Reena was his perfect match.