Zeeshan was currently pacing to and from at the bottom of the staircase. Earlier, he had deposited his sister's shopping in her room and helped his overdramatic brother take 2 of his bags (which was all his shopping) to his room. That was ten minutes after he had seen Parvaiz go into Ayesha's room.
What was taking the man so much time to leave the room? There was someone eager for information here. Unfortunately, Zeeshan was spotted by his mother at the same moment.
"Is there any necessary reason that you are standing here for the past few minutes?" She raised an eyebrow as she inquired.
"I was just…just…"
Zeeshan was at a dead end. He was rarely (never) caught speechless. Why was it that his brain shut off at the moment he needed it the most? Just then, Parvaiz descended the stairs and they were joined by Zeeshan's Chachi (Paternal aunt) and Parvaiz's Khala (Maternal aunt).
"Khala, can I please ask for you to not let anyone in Ayesha's room until she comes out on her own?" Parvaiz requested.
Zeeshan thought he heard ringing in his ears for the next few seconds. His heartrate began racing at an alarming rate at the concern in Parvaiz's voice. His brows furrowed and his lips pursed as his mother asked the dreadful question.
"'Is anything wrong with Ayesha?"
"No," he heard Parvaiz reply, "Ayesha is just undergoing some emotional confusion and I would really appreciate if she is given the time to sort through it on her own."
Was this guy mad? Could he hear himself? Why would he want to leave his sister to deal with emotional stress on her own?
"Well, maybe we can help her through it. What happened?" He heard his Chachi ask.
"Ayesha thinks it is wrong for her to enjoy the little things in life so early in her life. She thinks that she should be in mourning until a suitable date. I just think some solitude would be good for her to see that life moves on, regardless of whether we like it."
Zeeshan heard murmurs of agreement chorus around him a while later. He turned his gaze to the top of the stairs, then down the hallway, to where her room was. Now he understood the phrase "So near, yet so far."
Ayesha woke up the next morning feeling an extreme thirst. She checked the time and it was exactly six in the morning. She risked a glance at her bedside drawer and found the jug of water empty. Great, now she had to get up to get water for her body that was already a large percentile of water.
She groaned and shifted into a sitting position, pulling her hair into a knot. She then looked for her dupatta (scarf) and placed it over her head. She put on the fuzzy slippers her brother had brought with him and trudged out of her room, jug in hand.
She reached the kitchen to find Zeeshan's mother in a lavender salwar-kameez, already at work. She was rolling parathas (flatbread) while simultaneously cooking them. Ayesha greeted the lady and proceeded to the water dispenser.
"How are you feeling dear?" She heard Zeeshan's mother ask.
"I'm fine."
"Well, you bet you're only fine. You fell asleep pretty early and haven't eaten anything after lunch." Despite Ayesha's shock, she continued. "I insist you join me for breakfast. Actually, I order you to have breakfast with me."
Ayesha kept staring, even as the woman moved from the parathas to heat something up from the fridge.
"Can I help?" She timidly offered.
She was however shut down with a "No, dear. I wouldn't want you to worry yourself over something menial as this. Why don't you sit down while I finish then we'll go eat?" She offered with a smile.
Ayesha was only able to nod.
She watched as the very experienced woman flawlessly worked around the kitchen. She seemed to know where every single thing was in the huge kitchen. It didn't even faze her when the tea threatened to boil over the surface of the pot. Once she was done, she motioned for Ayesha to follow her into the dining room.
Entering the dining room, Ayesha was met with the man with dark eyes. He had his eyebrows raised as he saw her enter with his mother from the kitchen. Turns out, Ayesha's mind forgot to remind her of the fact that it was a ritual for Zeeshan to have breakfast with his mother every morning.
She watched as his walked around the table to sit near his mother. Her gaze refocused on his biceps as he took off his suit blazer and placed it on the back of his chair. She knew she was staring. How does one stop staring at someone again?
"Assalamu aleikum." She heard him greet.
Zeeshan had had a sleepless night once again. He couldn't seem to catch a break from that woman. What was wrong with him?
The evening before, after the little scenario at the bottom of the staircase, he had resorted to solving office issues instead of letting his brain loll over the woman a few doors down the hall.
He called his secretary up and had him deliver files at his house. Then he got to reading every single file from start to finish, even though he had been working with some of the clients for a longer period and had read their files multiple times before. He was done with about 5 when his little sister informed him of dinner.
He delayed going to the dining room for a few minutes, not wanting to seem eager. However, when he arrived at the dining room, everyone was seated except for the honey-brown eyed gorgeous girl. He took his place next to his mother and waited as his mother plated food for him. Her especially-obnoxious-at-the-time brother, was busy stuffing his face with curry at the time. Zeeshan hoped the spices in it would give him loose stools.
It was a childish thought, but the man wouldn't let up anything about Ayesha for the rest of the dinner. Sufficient to say, Zeeshan wasn't able to stomach anything and had left his plate untouched for the rest of the dinner. Eventually, towards the end of dinner, his grandmother (Allah bless her) inquired after Ayesha. Her brother explained that he found her asleep a while ago and decided not to disturb her.
Turns out her brother wasn't as obnoxious as he seemed after all.
So, after dinner, Zeeshan was left with no other option but to continue reviewing files. After reviewing files, he worked on brainstorming on future projects and prospective clients. And continued doing work until dawn.
Eventually, he stood from the study desk in his room and stretched before going through his daily routine. Soon enough, he descended the stairs while snapping his watch on the left wrist. He walked into the dining room to find the barrier between him and sleep. She was still in the same clothes as the night before so he guessed she had just woken up. Her eyes stayed on him as he took his suit blazer off and placed it on the back of his chair. His eyes however, were busy scanning her to confirm that she was in good health and had no signs of pain or sorrow whatsoever.
He sat at his place and began scooping little amounts of food for both his mother and himself. Ayesha was still standing at the other end of the table and only moved when Zeeshan's mother asked Ayesha to sit in front of her.
His mother watched as Zeeshan and Ayesha locked gazes while she sat. Now, Zeeshan was seated in between his mother and Ayesha.
"So, Ayesha, what are your plans for today?" His mother asked.
Immediately, Zeeshan's attention diverted from the plate of food to the being on his right.
She took a sip of water and cleared her throat before speaking.
"I don't have any plans." Her timid voice sounded.
"You must have something to do? It is the day before Eid." His mother insisted.
"I don't have anything important to do, but Bhai might have plans already in order."
"Your brother seems to be planning everything for the both of you. Doesn't it bother you that he doesn't ask for your confirmation before planning?"
"No," Ayesha replied, her voice defensive,"I don't mind. I was dependent on my parents before him. They planned almost everything for me. I am still trying to rid of the habit of hiding behind the both of them whenever something small happens. If anything, I am grateful he is putting up with me."
"Hmm, and that reminds me. What is your opinion on the topic of marriage?"
Zeeshan was quick to turn to his mother and give her a warning gaze. It was very intruding of his mother to ask her such a personal question so straight-forwardly. He would have appreciated a little subtlety from her side. But then again, he wasn't complaining.