OBSESSION (COMPLETED)✔

CHAPTER 10

'Pa!' Shad gushed happily as Feroz opens the door. Feroz's mouth drops open and his eyes widen with shock when he sees his son standing in front of him. His gaze falls on the luggage beside him.

'Aren't you happy to see your Rockstar' Shad pouts faking disappointment. Feroz is numbed with shock, he shakes his head and smiles widely when reality dawns on him.

He engulfs his son in a tight hug, tears forming in his eyes instantly. Shad hugs his father back.

'Fatima...Fatima...' Feroz called his wife. A middle-aged woman comes at the door frowning. Her scowl turns into shock on seeing Shad standing at the door.

'Ma!' he exclaimed and hurried towards his mother. She beamed happily as her son hugged her.

'Oh, My God! Badmash put me down.' She sequels, slightly scared as Shad lifted his mother twirling his mother around.

Feroz asked Shad if he had come by public transport or if someone had picked him up.

'Eifad had come' Shad said flopping on the sofa and stretching his leg. Feroz's and Fatima's smile fade. They glanced at each other.

Feroz and Fatima, especially Fatima is not comfortable with Eifad, like everyone she feels Eifad is strange and wants Eifad away from her son. Feroz on the other hand, doesn't get good vibes from her and so he prefers staying away from her.

Fatima and Shad had arguments over this many times. Feroz has given up talking to Shad about her.

Shad leans against the sofa resting his head on the back of the sofa, his eyes closed. He is damned tried and having a throbbing headache. Fatima announced she will make hot "Elachi wali Chai", it will help with his headache.

'Yes please, Ma' Shad sighed, his eyes still closed. Stupid jetlag!

Eifad enters her cabin, she sits on her chair and stares at her palm. The palm Shad had held. She could still feel his touch lingering there. She brings her palm closer to her nose, she closed her eyes inhaling his scent. A smile appearing on her lips. She had been missing him, his touch, his feel. Two years seemed like eternity for her, but now with him coming back her happy days has returned.

After two long years, a smile comes back on Eifad's lips, a smile that only Shad can bring, his presence and closeness can bring. After all, he is the only one in her life.

*

Rhea glanced at the wall clock, its 12am and Shruti hasn't returned yet

'Call her' Hashim said munching on the chicken curry his daughter had prepared. Rhea nods her head, as she is about to dial her number she backs out thinking it won't be wise to disturb her. Shruti shouldn't think her to be a nagging clinging room-mate. Instead Rhea sits down beside her father and plates dinner for herself.

'Beta! I will be leaving tomorrow, but don't think that you are alone. I am always there for you. And you needn't worry about me either just focus on your work and make me proud' Hashim advised his Rhea, as they sit on the sofa after having dinner. Rhea nods her head, she bites her lower lip fighting back her tears that are threatening to fall.

Hashim smiles sadly, his own eyes clogged with tears. He hugs his daughter and kissed the top of her head.

'It's Okay to cry, Bacha' He pats his daughter's head. Rhea wraps her arms around her father and breaks down crying.

'I am going to miss you, Papa!' she cried in her father's arms.

It's around 1am when Shruti comes, she had spare key and so she doesn't ring the bell thinking it might disturb Rhea and Hashim. She is startled to find Rhea lying on the sofa, she looks slightly uncomfortable. Shruti takes a step towards Rhea but finds she is in deep sleep and so she doesn't think it to be wise to wake her up. Shruti ignores her and goes into her room.

'You have packed everything, Papa?' Rhea asked for the nth time as she and her father sat at the back seat of a cab heading to the railway station. Hashim nods his head and placed his palm on her shoulder and smiles at her 'I will be fine, you focus on your career' he said and she nods her head hugging her father from side.

'Train is fifteen minutes late' Rhea said glancing at the LED board and then at her watch. Hashim sighed, typical Indian railway. He asked Rhea not to worry and they made their way towards the platform, platform 10.

Fifteen minutes later the train arrived, Rhea climbed in first with Hashim closely following her dragging his luggage along with him. Rhea keeps glancing at the ticket and the seat numbers walking in the congested narrow aisle of the cramped train.

'Here Papa!' she said pointing at the seat that has been assigned for her father. Hashim smiled and bends down pushing his luggage under his seat.

'You should go now' He said straightening up

'Oh, Papa!' Rhea said and hugged her father. She is feeling emotional once again. Hashim hugged his daughter back for brief moment and separate their frames

'You are my strong bacha, Haina! (Hashim held Rhea's cheek wiping her tears with his thumb, she nods) then focus on your work, and stay away from the wrong and other things that might distract you...make me proud' Hashim said, his voice quivered. Rhea nods and hugs her father once again. Tears make their way down both their cheeks but neither of them stopped their tears and let them fall- at times it's okay to cry.