Finding Love

Chapter 9

As the taxi came to a slow and lazy halt, Kabir and Saif got out of the vehicle, helping Noorie out as well. Then the luggage was hauled out, with great exertion, by three large, well built men, much to Noorie's amusement. Eyebrows raised, she looked at an exhausted Saif, who rested his palms on his knees, trying to catch a breath.

"That wasn't so hard, you twit face. Stop acting like you moved Mount Everest!"

"Excuse me, Princess. I'm sorry for your narrow imagination and exposure. I pity you, honestly, for that, was not an easy task!", Saif scowled at a guffawing Noorie.

"Indeed, Mister Prince! You'd know!"

"Shut up the two of you. Please.", that was enough to bring both Saif and Noorie back to reality, with a snap.

Taken aback by Kabir's sudden shift in temperament, Noorie and Saif kept staring at him, all the while, till he paid the taxi driver, hauled the three bags single handedly, and stood before them, left eyebrow raised in question, lips pursed in a painfully straight line, his towering height seeming even more intimidating and formidable, his eyes bearing simply no emotions. What stood before them, was the tyrannical employer, who wanted 'the goods to be delivered everyday, no excuses entertained!'

"Am I so charming now, that my brother and my best friend have to gawk at me, awestruck? Move on, guys! Please!", Kabir stated, in a most disinterested tone, as he walked past the two staring pigeons, and onto the gravel path at the huge gates of the palatial mansion before him.

Humongous gates, with hawk eyed guards, a gravel path running all along, up to the drive through, to the pillars at the entrance of the haveli with well maintained gardens on either side of it, there stood the 'Shah Aashiyaana' in all its splendid glamour, of large windows, towering pillars, soaring high enough to touch the skies. Kabir's eyes roamed over the stately mansion, as he took in its intricacies, like the ivory carving on the front pillars, and the soft giggles that floated through the air, twanging a chord deep down within his spine.

Staring into the dial of his Rolex limited edition, slinging the blazer of his Oxford blue pinstripe suit across his right shoulder, the sleeves of his crisp white button down, folded just a little lower than his elbow, hair tousled, and face bearing the exhaustion and tiredness of the journey, Kabir Abdullah walked into the Shah Estate, up to the main door, with Noorie by his side, and Saif right behind her. As they stood in front on the huge main door, Kabir took one moment, to throw a glance at Noorie's side, trying to gather the emotions that streaked through her being, in that moment. He then held the huge brass knob, and knocked twice at the rose wood door, waiting for a response.

In no time, the door was opened, just as enough as a sliver, by a lean, middle-aged woman, dressed in painfully plain colored clothes. She stared at them for one long moment, waiting for a response or pleasantary. Receiving none, she looked Kabir in the eye, as she inquired of their presence and purpose.

"Yes? How may I help you?"

Not knowing how to respond to that question, Kabir glanced at Noorie, before carefully choosing his words, and placing them before the lady.

"We're here from London. I'm Kabir Abdullah", he answered in response to the lady's query, assuming her to be a domestic help. Since Noorie showed no sign of recognition towards her, he wasn't sure if she knew her or not.

The lady stared through the sliver, the door slightly ajar, at Kabir, before peering to his left, to find Noorie, on the wheelchair. She looked at her for a fondly long moment, before her face broke into a smile, and she emerged from behind the safety of the massive door, to kneel beside Noorie, taking her hand in her own rough one, before a small tear trickled down her cheek.