OBSESSION (COMPLETED)✔

CHAPTER 40

Shad had slept for half an hour; he couldn't sleep more than that. He is worried for Eifad and so decided to check on her. He quickly freshened up and got dressed in a white and black printed shirt matched with denim jeans. He folded his sleeves and combed his hair. He left his house stating he is going for some fresh air in the park. He didn't tell his parents the truth that he is going to meet Eifad as he knew his parents might not let him go to her. Shad rang the doorbell and waited patiently for someone to open the door.

'Hello, Dheem Kaka' he greeted the middle-aged butler. He smiled back and moved aside to let Shad in.

Shad heard people talking in the living room. There is a sound of laughter, Shad frowned and walked towards the living room.

Shad saw a male figure sitting on a single sofa, his back facing him and Aisha is happily talking to the person. Both are having tea and are chatting; there are plates of some snacks as well. Eifad is not here. Shad turned to leave; maybe she is in her room. Aisha looked up

'Shad!' she called. Shad looked at her. The man also turned around. He seemed to be in his early forties and looked familiar, but Shad couldn't recollect properly. He seemed to be a distinct memory.

'Hey, Shad. Long time buddy' the man said standing up. Shad smiled politely at him. To his surprise, the man hugged him. He hugged back.

'Arey yaar, you have grown up to be a handsome young man' He said patting Shad's shoulder. Shad continued to look clueless. Aisha smiled widely. The man frowned at Shad

'You didn't recognize me? I am Amaad, Eifad's cousin' the man, Amaad, introduced himself.

Shad frowned trying to recollect. Rewinding his memory, he remembered Amaad. Shad was fifteen when he had met Amaad for the first time; Amaad was twenty-four then. He is Eifad's third maternal cousin; he had come on holiday for a week. He didn't come after that.

'Oh, Amaad!' Shad smiled and hugged him. Last time, when Amaad had come, Shad was super impressed with him. Amaad knew all cheat codes for every video games, and Shad enjoyed playing with him. Amaad was also an expert in sports. Shad was mesmerized with him and looked up to him. But Eifad never seemed to like Amaad. She used to run away whenever he came; she used to tremble, fumble and sweat badly. Shad had always wondered why? Amaad is such an amazing person. Sweet, kind, playful, and energic much like Shad himself. Then why Eifad had always, feared Amaad. Shad asked her many times, but she never replied. This too remained as one of Eifad's mysteries.

'Come, have tea with us' Amaad said, his arm around Shad's shoulder. Aisha also insisted, but Shad refused, he wanted to meet Eifad, and he said he would meet her first. Aisha said she is resting in her room. Shad politely takes his leave.

He climbed upstairs and knocked at Eifad's door. There is no response. He thought she must be asleep and decided to leave but then he felt like something is wrong. His sixth sense alarmed him. He twisted the doorknob to his surprise it is open. He opened the door slightly; he peeked in.

'Eifad' he called cautiously. The entire room is dark, except for the dim light peeping from behind the curtain. The window is open, slight wind fanning the white curtain. The room looked more like a room from a horror movie.

'Eifad...' Shad searched for the light switch next to the door. As his eyes adjust to the darkness, he could see better. He frowned looking at a figure sitting in the corner.

'Eifad!' he called and hurried towards her. Eifad is sitting leaning against the wall, her knees pressed against her chest. She is shaking. There is a horrified expression on her face, her eyes red and swollen, dry tear stains on her cheek, her lips dry and her skin pale. It looked like she had seen a ghost. Shad panicked. He wondered how long she had been this way.