The Remaining Story

《Chapter 7》

"Shehzad! What have you done to yourself?" Aarav jabbed him with his shoe in an attempt to wake him up.

"What's the time?" Shehzad asked groggily. His head was pounding and if he had the strength, he would punch Aarav to make him quiet.

"7am. Get up", he lifted him by his arm and dragged him to the bathroom like a kid. I'm going to fire this guy, he thought knowing too well what was going to happen next. Placing him under the shower, Aarav turned it on, drenching Shehzad in cold water.

"I swear I'll fire you this time" "I'm your boss, dammi...", Aarav walked outside ignoring Shehzad's threats. He did this everytime Shehzad was drunk and Shehzad said that everytime he was pushed under cold water.

He thanked God for reaching before Wardah or the nurse woke up and found Shehzad.
Wardah had clearly mentioned to keep alcohol away from her and the fact that Shehzad was laying drunk on the floor, just a few feet away from her door would create trouble.

"Such simple demands she had, and this jackass is still messing it up," he grumbled to himself and took out his phone.

"Nitin ji, Shehzad will not be coming at 8. Postpone the shoot until afternoon," he spoke to the director.

"I know I confirmed this timing when you asked. But it's Shehzad, what else can I say?", he tried to calm the annoyed director.

"I hadn't asked him before confirming. He was sleeping. Tell the crew to come back in the afternoon", he lied. He hadn't asked Shehzad beacuse he knew he wouldn't agree to it. While he deserved some time off from work, after the havoc caused by his wife, his absence would raise questions and attracting any sort of media attention was dangerous for him.

"Well, just tell them it's Shehzad's order. Let me see who fusses or doesn't turn up then," he disconnected the call, knowing that one sentence would keep the entire crew including the director in check.
***************

Isn't that Shehzad's voice? He sounds upset," Wardah asked Mala on hearing the commotion outside her room. She had just stepped out of the washroom and glanced at the clock. 9 o'clock. What could have happened?

"Take me outside," she told Mala.

"Have your breakfast first."

"Later. Take me outside," she repeated and Mala wheeled her outside the room.

"How could she do this?" Shehzad yelled at Aarav. They were staring at the TV screen in anger and shock.

Wardah read the news flashing on the screen, 'Breaking News: Ella files complaint against husband Shehzad. Accuses him of molesting her. "Domestic violence cases will be dealt with severely"- AK Singh, PI.

A very beautiful and innocent looking lady was shown talking to the media. Ella, Wardah realised. She couldn't believe someone so innocent-looking could be so shrewd.

"Why is she doing this?" Shehzad flung the remote and Wardah flinched as it's pieces flew in different directions.

"Molestation! She's ruining my image!," he yelled staring at his wife on TV. "She's lieing, dammit!" his face was red with anger.

"Sit down, Shehzad," Aarav tried to calm him.

"No! Sit and do what? Watch that bitch file false complaints? Watch her ruin my image? I have never even touched a woman without her permission," he plopped down on the couch, raking his hand through his hair in frustration.

Wardah didn't know Ella. She didn't even know Shehzad except for what she learnt about him yesterday. They hadn't talked after their discussion in the hospital. There was nothing logical to explain herself but she knew he wouldn't molest or disrespect a woman.