A week had passed since that unfortunate night. Aida was avoiding Haashir like the plague and that amused Haashir way too much. He would just sit in a room with her, his family present, and she would become self-conscious and leave from there. Her attitude and actions entertained Haashir and he was enjoying what was happening with her. He didn’t want to go forward and confront her about the way she was behaving. He wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine and he loved every bit of it. Right now, he was lounging in a chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him as he watched her talk to his mother animatedly.
Rameen entered the room just then, flashing a huge smile at Haashir she turned to Aida and handed her the cordless phone.
“Di, there is someone calling from the office to talk to you.” She said and slid on the chair next to her. Aida thanked her, excused herself and walked to the adjoining to talk on the phone.
“Hello, Aida.” The cold, chilling voice at the other made her blood freeze.
“Surprised to hear from me again after so many years, aren’t you? Well, you do know, why I am calling again?” he gave a small, eerie laugh at that.
“Of course, you know. That is only you know what nobody know but I’m telling you Aida, if someone else comes to know, then you will bear the consequences, got it?” Aida’s throat constricted and she was frightened. She wanted to call Haashir but she was frozen, the creepiness of the voice kept her immobile.
“Oh, and yes, keep your childhood friend Haashir off my back. Good day.” With that, the line on the other end of the phone went black. Aida’s knees buckled and she collapsed on the floor in a dead faint.
****
Haashir was getting impatient. Where was she? More than forty minutes had passed since she had gone to attend the call and still she hadn’t returned. Who was she talking to anyways? He felt irritated. He mentally counted five more minutes and then stood up, ready to go looking for her. The lights in the dining room were switched off, searching his way in darkness he managed to make it to the door when his foot hit something. His hand went to the light switch and the room flooded with light suddenly. Aida lay there, unconscious, the cordless phone beside her. Her arm was splayed wide and that was what had hit her hand. Looking at her deathly pale face, panic set in.
“Mom… Maheen…Rameen…!” He shouted on the top of his lungs. All of them came running into the dining room, taking in the scene. Rameen was the first one to scream Aida’s name and clung to her while his mother restrained her. Haashir checked Aida’s pulse, which was quiet faint. Maheen handed him a glass of water which she had brought from the kitchen. Haashir sprayed a small amount on water on her face and Aida opened her eyes, adjusting to the people standing around her. Haashir’s face loomed in front of her, worry apparent in his eyes, at Rameen who was already crying and the worried faces of his mother and sister. She tried to get up but Haashir restrained her, pressing the cup of water to her lips to take a sip. She complied.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Aida didn’t believe that she would be able to talk so she nodded and tried to get up but her knees buckled.
“Haashir, let’s take her to her room. I think she needs to rest.” His mother quietly suggested.
“Yes, mom! You are right.” He gathered Aida in his arms and took her upstairs to her room, Rameen following them. She was scared and upset, he could see. As soon as aida was in bed, she had regained her strength and turned to smile at Rameen.
“Meen, I’m fine.” She said, trying to calm her. Rameen flung herself at her and hugged her, tears streaming down her face.
“Don’t ever leave me, Di, please don’t ever leave me. After mom, it’s only you I have got.” She cried, hugging her all the while.
