Finding Love

Chapter 21

*A/N: My apologies for the typos this time. Will look into it asap. Happy Reading!

The thick overgrowth of greenery around, and the absence of loud, raucous laughter, crackling through the air, gave the Shah Aashiyana an eerie aura. The sun beating down with a matching rage, didn't help ease matters. As the cars hauled to a grunting, fatigued stop, right outside the main portico, five tired souls stepped out, sans rucksacks and backpacks. The past four days had been the most happening days in the last two weeks. Noorie had so much to excitedly chirp about for the rest of the month. Saif had become even more calmer, and was slowly acknowledging the idea of 'love,' though he wasn't still so sure. Ayat had filled her diary with many more musings and scribbles, and Aaqib had negotiated the best of business deals in the most serene cities, motivating him to better himself. Salima had grown fond of nature, and, though she spoke just about how much was necessary, her mind and soul were always alert, and she soaked in the beauty and serenity of Ajmer. She had helped Noorie with the tedious exercises, and had helped her with little movements, like twiddling the toes, and occasionally, trying to stand up; all behind closed doors. Kabir, for that matter, had enough worries to drown himself into, for the rest of his life as a human. He had picked up enough clumps of stress and anxiety for his grey-cells to rake over, until his tresses turned grey too.

"Oh, you're home! Come, come. Come in," Razaak greeted the Jing-Bang at the door. Pacing across the hallway, his stride was smooth, as the heel of his polished shoes echoed against the gleaming marble flooring. "I see, its Tuesday today."

His statement echoed so harshly against the walls, that involuntarily, Aaqib looked up, meeting his father's stern gaze, that seemed to have transfixed on him, his eyebrows raised, as he waited for Aaqib to take the cue and steer the conversation to the end.

"Ye- Yes.... Its.... Tuesday... Abbu...-" Aaqib stuttered through, as he suddenly remembered about a meeting that he had missed, the night before. But, before he could even try to mumble an explanation, Razaak stood, walking over to his son, "Yes. And, I believe you were supposed to be reaching Agra last evening? I see, you're more than fifteen hours late." He stared right down at Aaqib, a flicker of annoyance sparking in his eyes.

"Abbu, ac-"

"Silence, boy! I'm not yet finished."

A hush of dead silence fell over the room, as everyone waited for Razaak to speak.

"You were supposed to be here, only for that one meeting. Do you know who the meeting was scheduled with?" Razaak paused, waiting for Aaqib to respond. Aaqib stared at his father, as his palms inched just a little behind him, trying painfully not to slip down the plush fabric of the couch.

"You were supposed to negotiate a deal with the Bokhari Group, Aaqib Shah. And now that you've missed the meeting, it's next to impossible to get another slot for –"

"The Bokhari group?" Aaqib was surprised, and also terrified. He was trying to figure out the least offensive way, to break the news of his alliance with the CEO of the Bokhari group, to his already enraged father.

"Yes!" Razaak bellowed, surprising Kabir and Saif, and shaking up Noorie and Ayat.

"Abbu, I know the CEO of the Bokhari group personally. Kabir did mention about a realty venture that they were partnering for, and when he asked me if we would like to invest in the same, I too agreed. We in fact even met the CEO. Rather, chanced upon him, in Ajmer itself," Aaqib paused, as he waited for this part of the information to sink in. When Razaak straightened his countenance, Aaqib decided to continue. But before he could utter another word, Kabir spoke up.