~PLACID~

CHAPTER 6

Kavita's words provably didn't go unheard as Tara stared at the lady devilishly.

The daughter in law rushed outside to attend the guests.

"You escaped today my darling", the old lady muttered.

" But it won't be for long so till then relax ", she smirked.

Miles away...

Duha heard a knock on the door. She rushed to open it to find Asad with a plate of dabeli in his hands.

She took it from him nodding her head in gratitude. Asad smiled at the innocent face in front of him.

" Can I come in?", he asked to which Duha permitted.

"Please don't be offended by brother's remarks. He isn't bad. He's just a bit tensed."

Duha lowered her gaze and nodded accepting his words. She pulled out her hands gesturing him to tell her what bothered his brother.

"Ohh. Don't be worried please. I bothered you in vain. There's nothing"

Duha on the contrary didn't leave the topic and continued her sign language. Asad was comfortable as he worked with an NGO for deaf and dumb kids during his college. Understanding Duha without speaking was his right hand job.

"Our mother is coming this weekend. I guess that's the reason he's stressed"

Duha held her hands to her chest, her eyebrows raising up in perfect angle.

"No, No. You are not an issue. Its just something else."

Asad's hesitance didn't go unnoticed by her and she gave up on pestering him further.

"Anyways. You eat this before it gets cold.", he walked off for his work.

But as he reached down he heard a quarrel. Well what could it even be. Once a couple hits the 7 year itch its nothing less of a battlefield. Farhan and Arfia were no exception.

" See I don't understand. Where the hell is this going?", Arfia retorted.

"Where is it going? I told you ammi is coming this weekend"

"When was it planned?"

"What planned? She informed me last week"

"And you are telling me today?", Arfia stood with hands on her hips. A pose that gave the impression of "Beware-am-offended".

Farhan stared at his wife and caught glimpses of his brother at intervals. Asad stood outside at the window enjoying their war.

" Are these manners?", Farhan's voice startled Arfia.

"I should ask you this", Arfia fumed.

" For God's sake am talking to my brother. You pig, get in", he pulled Arfia out of his way.

"Yes brother", Asad suppressed his laughter.

" Don't you dare laugh. Is this a way to eavesdrop someone's fight?", Farhan pulled his ears.

"Why blame him? Blame your voice box for that matter"

Farhan and Asad stared at each other with a straight face.

"Asad did you know of the new developments?", Arfia questioned him to which he lowered his eyes.

" Wow!! so everyone knows except me. I guess even Duha knows it by now", Arfia shrugged her shoulders.

"She's up in her room. Why blame her?", Farhan frowned.

" Well I did tell her. So technically even she knew that Ammi will come by weekend", Asad smiled sheepishly.

"And the lady of this house is garbage who is sidelined for no reason", Arfia sat on the chair banging the table.

" Please!! Its a table and not tabla"

"You are caring for this piece. Is it?"

"Ufff", Asad rubbed his forehead with his fingers.

" You are over reacting", Farhan folded the newspaper and threw in a corner.

"Have you even thought what are you going to say when she arrives?"

"Exactly!! That was what I meant when Duha was here. But you felt I insulted her", Farhan retorted.

" Mr.Husband get one thing clear. Its not Duha anywhere. Its you and me", Arfia stood up straight looking into Farhan's eyes.

"I should leave", Asad cleared his throat.

Arfia nodded. Asad left the duo at their own mercy.

" What are you going to tell her when she asks about a child? Its 7 long years dammit.", Arfia raised her eyebrows.

"We are trying", Farhan replied

" Exactly!!! Since 7 years we are trying.", Arfia raised her hands flinging her hair in frustration.

"There's no other way", Farhan replied.

"There is. If you have enough guts."

"Tell her the truth? Isn't it?"

"Obviously", Arfia supported.

"Impossible", Farhan denied.

" Why?"

"She'll ask me to marry again", Farhan replied sadly.

" As if I'll let you", Arfia barked at him.

"See I told you. Am hanging on a cliff where no one will pull me", Farhan made a puppy face.

" Stop fooling everyone. You aren't cute. Straighten your face please."

They saw Duha with the plate on the door.

"Yes dear", Arfia called her inside.

Duha handed her the plate staring at the mess around.

" Come with me Duha. Help me in chopping vegetables.", Arfia said.

"And you.. Pick up the newspaper", she snapped her fingers in front of Farhan.