aurore - an unusual love story √

part nineteen

Jai signed papers while Sonara stood a distance away, quite uneasily.

She looked around to see if someone was watching, no one did but the discomfort stayed along.

Jai returned finishing the paper works.

" All done. I'm such an idiot. Why didn't this place strike me earlier??
Actually, I stay so detached from family and business affairs that these things just brush off my mind. "

Sonara didn't really know what could be a correct gesture at the moment.
A women's hostel, that too such a posh one, was a distant dream.
If someone else would have offered her this, she would have straightway negated. But somehow she couldn't say a no to Jai.

He was trying to help, he was messed up in his own life. And disheartening him with a no again, was something even her high self esteem didn't allow her to do.

Sonara realised that Jai was superficially the pampered one, but actually a neglected family member, who wasn't ever allowed to decide or take measures for anyone around him on his own will. She knew, this human was raw and unused, a pure sensation to her heart. And she, even after realising this, like everyone else, couldn't snatch his pleasures of helping another tattered soul.

Jai kept talking,
" I remember Dad and Maya discuss of a woman's hostel they had helped in setting up, here in Bandra. Faintly recollecting the name, we reached here. And I confirmed at the office. They were too pleased to have me. You will be allotted one of the finest rooms. "

Sonara kept standing, lost in thoughts.

" By the way, Som will be here soon. You will have a job, he has great contacts.

And also, I've introduced you as my friend's sister. You know right, this place belongs to my damned family business, and I'll have to face a huge lot of questions for this. Hence, you are Som's sister. "

Sonara spoke for the first time.
" We belong to different religions. How could I be his sister? "

Jai stared at her as though he hadn't ever heard something stranger.

" Oh come on, I have already enrolled you as Sona Choudhari. And not Sonara Parvez. You have been cheated by your husband, and you are completely lost in this city with a little child. You are Som's cousin, but the family isn't even ready to accept you back. Hence you are here.
This is the story. Got it? "

Sonara grew stern. Extremely stern.
Then distinctly uttered,

" I never asked you to bring me here and make up stories, Jai! I could very well meet my former landlord and get a roof over my head.
I would have happily taken your help, in fact I was, when I know I cannot pay the bills. But if I got to fake my religion, my life, just for a roof, I can well stay on roads. "

Without waiting a second, Sonara walked out of the lounge to the road, with a whimpering baby and a baggage that felt quite heavy now.

" Really dude? Are you doing this Sonara?? " , Jai was walking behind her.

Sonara stopped.

" Jai, you know what your problem is? You have a great heart, but you boast a lot. And you think, others, specially those a step lower than you, don't have things they can be sensitive about as well.

It's as if, how can someone talk of luxuries like religion and self esteem, when all they have is not even a penny to their names??

Thank you for everything, Jai. "

Sonara started walking again.
This time Jai went ahead and blocked her path.

" Where do you think you are going? It's eight in the night. You are alone with a baby. Is it the right time for your lecture sessions again, Sonara begum? Now, you know what your problem is?
The flags you keep raising.
Religion flag, minority flag, self esteem flag....

You don't see my side at all!!

My father, how many times will I need to remind that he cannot stand Muslims!! I don't exactly know, but he really got some blow in the past, the hatred is not baseless!

The office has a board, that reads, Dogs and Muslims not allowed. Can you imagine??

I am myself shocked and way shattered at certain revelations I'm going through in life. And then too I'm trying to help you, but you.... "

Sonara smiled, quite sarcastically.
" And I'm trying hard to accept your help. But sadly, with your recent comments, I cannot get back to that place that doesn't allow Muslims and dogs. Neither am I a non-Muslim, nor consider dogs unworthy. "

" Sonara, for god's sake stop being so touchy!! Why even?? If I got to take up an Islamic name just for the sake of my benefit, I would do that without a second thought!! Like if I land in Pakistan, I might even take up a new name!!! "

" Obviously you may under worst circumstances, because you aren't born in Pakistan. But I'm born here and have full right to stand up with my own identity. " , Sonara felt sweat beads form on her forehead.

" For god's sake will you stop this Sonara??? I cannot, just cannot leave you alone in the middle of the night to find a dwelling! Forget what you have done till date. Please Sonara, I know you are strong and everything else! But I'm not!! If I get to hear something happened to you or god forbid to Humaira, I cannot ever forgive myself!! "

Sonara stared at Jai. Suddenly, he looked extremely helpless to her. She felt sad for him, but.....

" Jai, there are a lot of other women's hostels out here. If you wanna really help me, why don't you take me to any of those, where neither do you have to make up stories, nor hide my identity.
I promise I won't flag my self esteem while you pay my bills until I am capable myself. But Jai, I cannot accept a room in this hostel.

Please, try and if you can, understand. "

Jai stared at her sadly. And then scratched his head. Next he began swiping his phone.

" Yeah, there's a YWCA mess nearby.

Come, let's go. "

A smile crossed Sonara's face.

And surprisingly, Jai's as well.

Somehow, the placard hit his conscience a lot as well.

' Muslims and dogs not allowed. '

Somehow he did wish Sonara didn't get back there, deep in his heart. But didn't find an alternative.

Jai knew, the first thing he needed to do back home was to talk to Maya..

She had a story to tell, and Jai needed to listen to that, for a clearer view of life.

Sonara tucked Humaira within her dupatta.
Somehow she didn't want to break Jai's heart at all, thanks to Allah who struck her with the other way out.

----

These two humans are polls apart.
How will they overcome the differences, and mostly importantly, the misjudgements of the society??

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