Imran's POV,
It's been an hour since I am doing swimming to calm my mind. But it feels like it doesn't want to calm down anytime soon. I can't stop thinking about Heeba. The way she vanished from the party and her opinions about love and marriage just shook me. It's in replay mode. Why would someone have such harsh thoughts about it??? I thought every girl had many fantasies about her marriage and the love of her life. But you prove me wrong here as well. She was an exception in this regard as well. She is like a Pandora box that has many secrets inside her. Every time I try to find something about her, she creates more questions than answers.
After that party, I haven't seen her since. I have gone to her office for work and asked about her. They said she was on leave. And no one knows why?? However, the information I have about her suggests that she never takes leave unless it's necessary. That too for not more than 3 days. But today it's been a week. She has not been to the office. Oh, God!! This girl drives me crazy. I was getting frustrated about it. I ran my fingers through my hair. And again swimming. It's the only thing that helps me to calm down. But today it doesn't seem to work. This was the first time I tried to find something and failed horribly.
I came out of the pool when I saw my secretary coming. I looked at him. He has a blank expression on his face. I couldn't tell from his expressions if he succeeded or not. I waited for him to speak, but he didn't. His silence made me furious. I shouted at him,
"What!! Will you say something?? Or does your mouth forget how to speak??"
I know I being harsh. But he knew better than anyone else how desperate I am about her. And after being well aware of it he didn't speak. Then I don't care if I am being harsh or anything. I would kill someone if they try to test my patience. And he was no different.
"No, sir. I can't find anything special about her other than her family and very few friends. She keeps her private life way too private. She loves her family, always cares for her siblings. In the evenings, she sometimes walks to the nearby park. She doesn't leave anywhere other than the office. The siblings have dinner every weekend at different restaurants. Pretty much it. I try to find out more about her likes and dislikes. But couldn't find a way. Other than her family and herself, I don't think anyone else would know something. Even her neighbors say she doesn't talk much other than greetings." I hummed while keeping my forefinger and thumb on my cheek thinking about it.
"And what about very few friends??? Any details about them." I asked.
"Nope!! Not much. She had this girl who calls herself Heeba's best friend. Although Heeba has never said anything like this, she does tolerate her. And she has a cousin who is pretty close to her. She often speaks with him." He replied, wondering if he had left anything behind!!
"HIM!! You mean a boy." I asked raising my eyebrows.
"Yup!! Boy. But he is engaged. And that too her crazy best friend. They both aren't present in the city as they left on some vacations.""What about Asad?? Did you get any information about him?? He seems quite close to her."
"Yup!! He is the only friend she has at the office. He has always been with her. He has been friends with her for four years now." He answered immediately.
"Having always been close to her meant??" I asked, not liking his choice of words.
"I mean he is always supporting her, helping her. No, not that way," he said, trying to avoid confusion.
"And then ....." I paused when I felt someone behind me. I turned quickly only to find,
"BOOOOOOOM!!!" My sister tried to scare me. I looked at her with wide eyes asking, 'What the hell are you trying to do??' look. She cried while slamming her leg on the floor in frustration.
"Bhai!! Can't you just pretend to be scared for once when you know I am trying to do it??"
"Are you a 5-year-old kid, Aiman?? It's no secret that we took you from the seaside. And we don't have any proof of your real age. But from looking at you, I can say you're definitely not a 5-year-old girl. Then why behave like that??" I teased her.
"Yeah, you are right. You are not my real brother. But it's not me whom Dad and Mom took from the seaside. It's you." She replied back sarcastically.
"I know Mom told you this. Because she didn't want you to be hurt. That's why she lied to you."
"Ohh! I see...." She got distracted when Dad came.
"You guys are fighting again. I highly doubt that you two are my children." Dad said as he looked toward us.
"DAD!!!" We both shouted in unison.
"What!! You both can joke, I can't," he said laughing at our reaction.
"Yeah, sure!! You can do anything, dad." Aiman said while smiling.
"Why is he here?? Anything special?? And you swimming. Not a pleasant coincidence." He said keeping his hand on my shoulder and continued,
"What happened?? What's bothering you son?? It's been a while since you came here. All good!! Is there something you want to tell me??" He said being worried about me.
He is highly aware of his children's habits and moods. It didn't take him much time to understand that I was restless. I sighed, thinking I couldn't tell him about her now. I don't want to raise his and mom's hopes when I don't know what to expect. Cause last time I checked, my parents asked me to settle down with their business partner's daughter saying they were eager to play with their grandchildren. I mean why do you want me to get married?? Get Aiman married. Her children will also be your grandchildren. You can play with them as well. I shook my head to discard these thoughts and focus on my worried dad.
"No, dad. It's nothing like that. He just came to give me a report for this month. I couldn't check it in the office yesterday. That's why. And about swimming, I was just missing you, mom, and my lovely little sister." After saying this, I try to hug her. But she pushed me and said,
"Bhai!! Stay away from me. You are all wet. Go change first."
"By the way where is mom?? And how is Phupo now?? In an attempt to change the subject, I asked him, "Is she better?".
"Yes, your phupo is much better now. And about your mom, she traveled to Delhi to meet some clients. She wanted to handle him personally." Dad answered.
I huffed thinking mom never has time for us. Since childhood, my dad has been there for me and Aiman. Mom was often busy with her business and other things. And we used to tell her to spend some time with us. Dad always used to interrupt us when she was busy and he would play with us. It doesn't bother Aiman much since she has accepted it. But I always feel the absence of motherly love in my life. I wish she could also be there for me like other's mothers.
"We need to go inside. I'll change and come." I replied, thinking it was pointless to expect something that wouldn't happen.
Heeba's POV,
While browsing my laptop, I looked at the latest report Snehal sent me about the project. I looked at the door to see whether it was locked or not?? And then I got busy with my work. Before Ammi or Kashish could see me working I decided to put everything back in its place. I don't know in which language should I tell them that I am fine and can return back to work?? But as I said before everyone in my family is unique. They just don't get it. While I was working, I forgot to check the time.
Suddenly, the door in my bedroom opened revealing Kashish. Shit!! I cursed. We both looked at each other. And then her eyes moved to the laptop. I mentally facepalmed myself thinking I am screwed now. She kept her bag at its place and headed to the washroom. I was taken back at this sight. If Kashish does not speak to the person she should talk to, it means she is upset. And the silence is the way she shows that. I came back to earth when I saw her coming out of the washroom with a towel in her hand. Throwing it on the chair, she went into the wardrobe to take a fresh pair of clothes. I kept my laptop from my lap to my study table. And went after her.
"Kashish, it's not what you think!! I was resting all the time. But Snehal called me asking for some approval on the latest report. I was just checking it. I---"She interrupted me saying,
"I told Snehal not to disturb you as you are sick. She won't send you the project report if you don't tell her to. Don't lie to me, aapi." Disappointment was clearly heard in her voice.
"She is right, Heeba. Why can't you just rest for a while?? Is it so hard to do?? Or did we ask a bit too much of you??" Ammi came to our room and said with anger in her tone.
"Do you have any idea how stressed out we were when we found out you were admitted?? Do you even realize how significant you are for this family or for me?" Kashish asked with tears in her eyes.
"We just told you to rest for two weeks can't you even do that??" Ammi said folding her hands to her chest. I scolded myself for not keeping track of everything in time before they came. And now I have to listen to their scoldings.
"OKK!! You don't want to rest, right?? Then let me call Zainab aapi to inform her about your recent incident. And you got admitted to hospital also." She said while trying to hide the smirk coming on the face.
I widened my eyes at her. Is she serious right now? Was the first thought that came to my mind. She is blackmailing her own sister now!! My thoughts got interrupted when Ammi's phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and came to me, keeping her hand on my shoulders, she sighed."Heeba please take care of yourself. We need you. And we love you. Remember that!!" She said giving me a pleading look. I just nodded at her not knowing what to do else??
She left our room. Now it's just Kashish and me. She gave me a last glare and walked away to change. I sighed heavily and sat on the bed. Yes, I need to be strong to keep this family stick together. I have to be there for them. I looked up and saw her coming towards me. But, her steps halted when we heard my phone ringing. We both looked at the caller ID and I was shocked. But before I could receive it Kashish snatched the phone from my hand. She smiled at me devilishly.
"Speak of the devil and she calls." She said and received the call.
"Heyy, Heeba. Did you forget me?? You didn't even call me once after I went away. But it's fine. I am back now. And I won't let you ignore me anymore. I just called you to tell you that I am coming to your home now. I'm on my way. And Arman is with me. Please make something for us. We are starving." The voice from the other side said.
"Hii, Zainab aapi!! It's Kashish here. You are more than welcome here. And aapi won't be able to make you something as she is...." Kashish said to Zainab intentionally stopping in between to make her anxious. And afterwards furious at me.
"Why?? What happened to her?? Is she ok?? Kashish tell me what happened?? Please!!" I could hear Zainab getting tensed up. Kashish gave a 'you are gone now' look with a smirk plastered on her face.
"Aapi you are coming here only. Come fast we have lot to catch up on." She replied to Zainab.
"Yeah, fine!! I'll be there in 10." She said and hung up the call.
Kashish threw my phone at me and headed downstairs to cook. I took a deep breath and sat on the bed again. Thinking about what will happen now when that chatterbox comes to know about everything. Why do I only have all this crackheads in my life?? I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a door bell. And knowing very well who it might be!! I silently prayed to God to give me strength to face the upcoming thunder.