A Delightful Tragedy

13. Help

S H A R I Q' S P O V

Pagal ladki. Dumb girl, never understands that I am trying to help her. But no, she would never listen to me. First of all, she shouldn't have tagged along if she didn't want to stay here. I knew this was gonna happen and I warned her too.

Now when I am ready to drop back at her home, she doesn't want to.

Anyway who cares?

A few hours later, it was dinner time, when the long dastarkhan was spread on the dining table and we all were present to of course fill in our stomach. But, where is Uméma? She is not here. Ugh God, do I need to search for her now?

I was just going ask Maya about Uméma when I saw Uméma, herself rushing towards me.

"What's the rush?" I held her arm as she breathed out.

"Who the heck-" She looked around and realised that it was not us alone. She put on a fake smile and getting closer to me gritted. "Told your family about my middle name?"

I was shook after I heard what she said. Tch, another problem.

"Um-"

"Arey Layla, Majnu don't you guys wanna have dinner?" Insharah's voice reached my ear as Uméma jabbed me in the chest making me hiss.

"Of course, we will." Uméma answered her.

"Then come already, only you two are left- or wait, would you guys like to have it privat-"

"We are coming." Yes, only this was left for me and Uméma to say the same things at the same time.

"Oh, please do then." Insharah teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Uméma-"

"Shariq, first sit at your place before everybody thinks that we just couldn't get over each other, which is actually the total opposite." She rolled her eyes.

We finally sat down to join for the dinner.

"Arey won't you serve your husband?" Aunt Zakera's taunting voice reached my ears as she turned to look at Uméma. At this point, I don't know why, suddenly all the bustle quietened down.

Another drama.

"It's okay, Aunt. I can perfectly serve myself." I gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"Shariq, beta it's a tradition, don't you know? I am not lying. If Amma (Shariq's dadi) and Sarah baji (Shariq's mom) were here they would have told you the same thing." She continued. Which stupid tradition is this? Ugh Mom where are you? Right, she went to rest because she was extremely tired of the journey and Dadi always has her dinner very early because she has to take medicines at certain amount of time.

"Uh, not a problem. I will serve him right-" Uméma started when I cut her off.

"It's okay, I ca-" She in return cut me off my stamping on my foot. What even in the world is this girl? Has she gone mad or something.

"I-I will serve him." She looked at Aunt Zakera who raised her eyebrows but nodded nevertheless.

"You need to see a psychiatrist." I stated as she started filling up my plate.