Alina was ecstatic when she got selected for an internship in Noida's best Architecture firm- Infinite Designs. Her parents were apprehensive, but she was positive and determined. Only if she knew she was going in for a rollercoaster ride that woul...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Uzma walked into the kitchen, then asked the cook and butlers to gather in front of her. They obliged.
'What are you cooking for Chote Saheb?' She enquired. They gave a continental dish menu. Hearing this, Uzma was annoyed. She sighed heavily maintaining a rigid posture and sternly asked them to stop doing what they were cooking. She straightened, raising her chin with pride, - 'You help me with chopping the vegetables and preparing the masala.' – she tugged the edge of her Pallu in her petticoat, - 'I cook for my son.' She said with authority. They all nodded without any protest. Uzma let out a deep breath. She asked them to ready everything whilst she changes from her banarasi saree.
Haider came home, tired. At the entrance, AK stood humbly and took a briefcase from him. He loosened his tie and asked another butler to prepare his bath. As he removed his coat, he walked into the living room.
'Hania!' He called. The young girl sat who was comfortably seated, crossed legged into the posh cream-white leather sofa was startled upon hearing her elder brother's authoritative baritone. Quickly, she switched off the TV and turned to look at him.
'Big Brother.' She leaped from the sofa and hurried to him. Hania welcomed him with open her arms but before she could hug him, he stuck both his palms and she stopped mid-way.
'I am sweaty and, well, smelly.' He teased her, mocking her tone from previously in the morning. Hania chuckled and hugged him, nevertheless. They parted quickly.
'You are home, my son.' Uzma arrived with a wide smile. Haider's expressions turned grim. As she approached him, he walked towards her and without sparing a glance at his mother Haider passed by her. Her smile faded and she clenched the helm of her saree. Hania held her mother's shoulder and squeezed it gently.
'Mom!' She side hugged her. Uzma pressed her lips tightly and pushed her arms away. Hania watched sadly as she walked towards the sofa room and fell on the sofa with a thud. She didn't like how her big brother treated their mother. Ever since she has gathered her senses, she has seen them at the cold war. Their mother initially didn't bother much with Haider but in recent years, she has realized her mistake and decided to mend things between them. But he seemed uninterested.
Haider took a dunk into the hot bathtub and emerged out after a minute. He gasped for breath, as he leaned against the cool marble wall and rested his arms on the bathtub. He clenched his teeth and slammed a fist into the hot water. When she knew he hates her then why does she bother for him? When he was vulnerable and needed her the most, she wasn't there. Instead, she got married and had a child. That child was pampered while her elder child was neglected and tortured. Both the children were her own flesh and blood then why the discrimination? Perhaps because one was unwanted, unplanned whilst the other was wanted and important. Haider rubbed his face with his palms and let out a muffled sigh.
After the bath, he slipped into his bathrobe and walked towards his wardrobe. As he picked out his casuals, the silence in his room was punctured by the loud ringing of his phone. A smile crept on his face as he read Alina's name flashing on the screen.
