"Mujhe jhelna mushkil hai nader," she said with a smile while her gaze was fixed on the table.
("It's difficult to tolerate me, Nader")
"Main jhel lunga," I replied.
("I'll manage")
She looked up towards me, then continued.
"Mai khubsurat nahi ho...
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"How's the tea, Nader?" I asked as I sat down beside him.
"It's good," came his dry response, and Aziz's curt reply started making me uneasy. He doesn't usually talk like this-what happened to him all of a sudden? He was happy just a while ago, even kissed me on the cheek, and I didn't even say anything that could upset him. So why has Shahjahan's mood suddenly change?
While thinking this, I glanced over at Ezzeh, who was saying something to Tamir. Within moments, both of them stood up, and without even looking at us, took their tea and coffee and headed towards the lounge. Ezzeh was in front, and Tamir followed her with his eyes cast down.
Then, I turned my gaze to the grump sitting beside me, who was just sipping his tea in silence, wearing a cold expression.
"What's wrong with you, Nader?" I asked sternly, though I was worried. I didn't know why, but I don't like it when he sits silently like this-I've become used to his voice.
"Nothing," Aziz replied again in that same dry tone, and now frustration and anger started to build inside me.
"Seriously, Aziz, nothing? Then just go! Why are you sitting here?" I asked him, being completely done with his silent behavior.
"The tea is good, that's why I'm sitting here. Otherwise, I would've left by now," Aziz replied sharply without even looking at me, his eyes fixed on the tea.
"Did I do something, or are you upset with me?" I asked gently, setting aside my anger and frustration and trying to approach him.
"How can I not be upset, Uns?" Aziz placed the empty cup on the table with calm restraint, looking at me as he asked.
And today, when I looked into his blue eyes, I felt like I was the reason for his anger. There was some hidden pain in his eyes, but what had I done?
"Why are you upset?" I asked, pushing the conversation further.
"You're really asking this, Uns? If you keep saying such things, do you think I'll want to talk to you?" At this moment, Aziz looked like the most troubled man in the world.
"What have I said that made you so upset, Nader?" I asked gently, placing my hand on his.
"You can't use your weapons now, Begum," Aziz said with a straight face, trying to pull his hand away but failed when I kissed his right hand and then looked at him.
"This is unfair, Uns," Aziz said in an accusing tone.
And seeing him bend before me like this made me feel a strange sense of satisfaction.
"What did you say when you gave me the tea, Uns?" Aziz tried to be stern again, but his voice came out soft.
"What's the big deal in that, Nader? Everyone has to go one day," I said casually.
"Mere liye bahut Badi baat hai, Uns. Tumhari jaan mein meri jaan basti hai, kyun nahi samajh aata tumhe?" Aziz's voice cracked a little this time, and his face turned pale.
