Chapter 28

1.4K 101 20
                                    

Hussain drove the car on our way back home. He's been so quiet the whole journey. I still can't understand his behaviour at the restaurant. His hug was different. I don't know how but it was. I brushed off the thoughts as the car halted. We were outside Zaid's place to drop him. We bid our goodbyes and he walked inside.

"Aage aake beth jao." Hussain told me, looking at me through the rear view mirror.

I got out of the back seat of the car and got in the passenger seat. Shehry was asleep in the back seat.

There was complete silence in the car until Hussain spoke.

"Pata nahi mujhe kya hota jaaraha hai..." He said. I looked at him. His eyes were fixed on the road. "Main.. main khaufzada hojaata hoon, Qirat." He added.

"Kis cheez se khaufzada?" My voice came out almost as a whisper.

He opened his mouth to say something but my phone's ring tone stopped him. I looked at my screen. It was Zaid. I received the call.

"Ghar pohanch gaye tum log?" He asked.

"Nahi, abhi raaste mein hain. Pohanch jayenge aandhe ghante mein." I replied.

"Yaar. I'm sorry mere dimagh se hi nikal gaya ke tum logon ke ghar khaase door hain mere ghar se. I should have asked you guys to stay over." He sounded very apologetic. "Mom is also scolding me." He added, chuckling.

"Arey no worries. Khala ko bolo we're almost home." I replied, smiling.

"Acha chalo, ghar pohanch ke message me, yeah?" He said.

"Sure." I responded.

"Cool. Allah hafiz, then." He said and we hung up after I replied with 'Allah Hafiz'. I brought the phone away from my ear and held it in my hand.

"It was Zaid, asking if we reached home." I told Hussain.

"Hmm." Was his short reply.

"Tum kya keh rahe thay?" I asked him, reminding him about what he was saying.

"Hmm? I-I don't remember." He clearly lied.

"Nahi batana, na batao. Jhoot mat bolo mujhse." I told him, looking out of my window. He stayed quiet.

About 20 minutes later, we reached home. I got out of the car and shut the door.

"Subah mein driver gaadi laa dega." He said, looking in front of him. He didn't even step out of the car.

I walked straight inside and then heard the car accelerate. Ammi was in the lounge, watching TV.

"Assalam alaikum ammi." I greeted her. "Aap soyi nahi?" I asked her.

"Walaikum Asslam beta." She smiled. "Haan, bas jaa hi rahi thi." She added. I know she didn't sleep because I wasn't home and she wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully until and unless she saw me at home. I smiled.

"Chalen, ab sojaaen. Its late. Main aaj ki trip ke baare mein aapko kal bataoongi. Bohat maza aaya." I told her and she nodded, smiling.

"Shabh bakhair." I said and kissed her cheek.

"Shabh bakhair, meri jaan." She replied.

She then walked to her room and I, to mine. I was so tired that I didn't even bother changing and just plopped myself on my bed.

Hussain's p.o.v.

Kya karne jaaraha tha tu, Hussain? An inner voice asked. I was about to confess my feelings to her. Shayad uss waqt woh phone call ke interrupt karne ka yehi matlab hai that I better keep my mouth shut. Pata nahi kya reaction hota uska? I ran a hand through my hair. I laid down on my bed. Although I was damn tired, sleep was no where near. I stayed in bed and kept thinking about her. What if I lose her...again? I shook my head. Nahi, aisa nahi hoga. I just kept staring in the ceiling till sleep finally took over me.

---

I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision. I took a look at the mobile clock and it was about 10 am. I didnt go to work today because I couldnt wake up in the morning. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I did the everyday routine of washing my face and brushing my teeth. When I was done, I walked out of the bathroom. I changed my clothes and then walked out of my room. I went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning." I greeted Ammi and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good morning, beta." She replied, smiling. "Baitho, main naashta lagaa deti hoon." She added. I nodded and took a seat at the kitchen dining table.

"Kal ki trip ke baare mein kuch nahi bataoge? Kaisi guzri?" She asked, toasting the bread.

"Achi thi. Bohat maza aaya." I faked a smile. I did not like yesterday at all. She frowned a bit.

"Bas bohat thakan hogayi thi... Shehry ne shopping ki na..." I laughed, sounding as casual as I could. Her frown changed into a smile.

She served me breakfast and walked out of the kitchen after sometime when she heard the phone ring.

I ate my breakfast while wandering in my own thoughts. Main inn chaar paanch dino ke liye uske cousin ko uske atraaf bardaasht nahi kar paaraha hoon... 2 mahine baad kya karoonga? I need to stop thinking like this.

I brushed away the thoughts and finished my breakfast.

---

Qirat's p.o.v.

"Whaaat?!" I exclaimed. "Aaj raat?" I added.

"Haan yaar. An important exam has been rescheduled and the new date is February 20 which is in 3 days. I need to get back ASAP." Zaid explained from the other end of the line. "So dad booked the first flight available." He added.

"Hmmm, I understand." I replied. "I guess I'll miss you." I added, knowing what his reply would be.

"Ufff! Iss ehsaan ka shukriya, Qirat jiii!" He said exactly what I thought. We both shared laughed. "But don't worry, we're meeting after two months and you're gonna be with us for three whole months toh we'll have a lot of fun together." I could sense the excitement in his voice.

"Haaan insha Allah. Can't wait to get there!" I excitedly replied. "Acha, chalo, tum packing karlo, I'll talk to you later." I added.

"chalo okay." He said and we hung up after bidding each other goodbye.

I walked to the kitchen and got myself a glass of juice.

A few minutes later, my phone rang and I picked it up. It was Ammi. She wasn't home today since she had a couple of meetings. She left early morning.

"Assalam Alaikum!" I greeted her and she replied with a 'walaikum assalam'.

"Meeting kaisi thi?" I asked her.

"Bohat achi thi. Abhi thodi der mein doosri hai." She replied. "Mera bacha bore toh nahi horaha hai?" She added.

"Ho toh raha hai but koi baat nahi manage karlega." I replied smiling.

"Awww, meri jaan kahin doston ke saath bahar chali jao." She suggested.

"Nahii, not really in a mood." I said. I heard the doorbell ring.

"Ammi koi aaya hai." I said. "Lemme see." I added, picking up my dupatta from the chair. I walked towards the door and opened it. It was Hussain. I waved at him and he smiled.

"Ammi, Hussain aaya hai." I told Ammi.

"Chalo achi baat hai, ab tum bore toh nahi hogi na." She said.

"Jee." I replied, smiling.

"Acha meri jaan, dusri meeting shuru hone wali hai. I'll call you after that." She said. "Allah hafiz." She added and i replied with 'Allah hafiz' before hanging up.

"Andar aao, bahar kyun khade ho." I said, chuckling.

"Um, kahin baahar chalte hai?" He made it sound more like a question. "Mausam kaafi accha horaha hai." He added.

"Hmmmm, okay!" I cheerfully said. Mausam sach mein bohat acha horaha tha. "Tum betho, main change kar ke aati hoon." I added, since I was wearing a plain shalwar kameez and dupatta.

I turned around to walk towards the staircase but I was stopped as he grabbed my wrist.

"Zaroorat nahi hai... you look great." He said, smiling. His eyes had something magical in them. "Chalo." He added and we walked to his car.

Kahi AnkahiWhere stories live. Discover now