Kashish POV,
After finishing all my work, I jumped on my bed and grabbed my phone. I was scrolling my phone when Ammi came and asked,
"Kashish, did you talk to Hiba??? She said she'll be back till 10. But it's 10.30 now. She hasn't come!! I am getting worried." I rolled my eyes at her statement and said,
"Ammi, do you remember your elder daughter ever been to a party? How can she tell you when she will be back? It's a party, after all. Not a school where they will have to leave on time. Furthermore, let your daughter enjoy it. She had never been there before. And Asad bhai is there with her. He will inform me if anything happens to your daughter. You know she does not need anyone to protect her. Your girl can beat anyone who wants to test her patience. So, don't worry. " I replied with a chuckle.
"We are talking about your Aapi, Kashish. She's never late. Whenever she tells, she always comes back. And even though she can't, at least she would have informed us."
Ammi was getting worried about her. After listening to what she said, I started to feel a bit worried as well. It would be weird to think she would enjoy parties. She even hates family gatherings. It's not exactly her thing to attend gatherings. But I didn't want to make Ammi more anxious about it. So, I said, trying to lessen her discomfort.
"OKK!!! If she didn't come in half an hour. I'll call her. And tell her to come back soon. Happy now!!"
"Why don't you call her now only??"
"Ammi she would think we are disturbing her. And she's 25. She can take care of herself. You go and take some rest. I'll let you know when she comes. OKK!!" I made her understand.
She sighed heavily and turned away. After she left, I thought to give her a call. I didn't want to do it in front of Ammi. I wanted to have some sisters talk with her first. I was getting a bit anxious as well after what Ammi said. So, I took my phone and dialed her number. She took a bit longer to pick up my call than usual. However, I thought maybe she didn't hear it at first because of the loud music. As soon as the call was connected, I shook my head to discard those awful thoughts. I didn't want to know about my weird thoughts.
"Heyy, aapi. When are you planning to come back?? Don't worry, Ammi and Abbu are not asking me to do it. They are more than pleased that you decided to go outside the office, and so am I. The person who can take care of her messy family can also take care of her!! But don't tell me you are enjoying it. Ms. Hiba Khan is enjoying the party. Oh my god!! Date to be remembered. I...." She did not respond to my blabbering, so I stopped. Again, I continued speaking with a suspicious tone.
"Hello, appi. Are you there?? Hello..." someone stopped me in between and said,
"Hello...."
"Who are you??? Asad bhai, is it you?? Why are you having her phone?? Answer me!!" I shouted.
"I am not Asad. I wanted to inform you that your aapi is admitted to the hospital as she had an allergic reaction. She's in XYZ hospital." My anger flares at him.
"WHAT!! She ate apples. She knows how terrible it can be for her. She would never do it on her own. Someone must have made her eat it mistakenly. I am coming there right now. And you must tell me what happened exactly?? And if something happens to my aapi. I will sue you. Remember that!!" I warned him and cut the call.
My whole body got numb. How will I inform Ammi Abbu about this?? My mind stopped working. Should I go there alone?? Or should I inform them?? Whom should I call?? My brain got occupied with many questions. But then, I thought of going there with Hamdan. Once we get there and check how sick she is, we will inform Ammi Abbu. Yes, that should I do. With that, I marched into his room and opened it loudly. He got scared because of the sudden noise. His phone fell from his hand.
"What the hell, Kashish aapi?? You gave me a mini heart attack. I was about to change. What happened?? "Why didn't you knock??" he asked keeping his hands on his chest.
"Hamdan, Kashish, don't fight. It's getting late. You should sleep now." Ammi shouted from downstairs.
"Yes, we are headed there." I replied back to her. Hamdan was looking at me with confused eyes. He raised his eyebrows, asking, 'What's going on??' I told him to keep quiet. Did they go to their rooms?? I wandered downstairs to find out. Coming back to his room, I closed the door.
"What's happening?? Care to tell." He said coming towards me.
"Listen to me carefully. Don't panic. Now we have to go to XYZ hospital." I muttered to him. I saw his eyes widen as he stared at me.
"Why?? What happened?? Did you get hurt?? Show me, where?? Is it hurting too much??" He bombarded me with his questions and started checking me out to see if I am injured somewhere or not!! I hit his forearm and said,
"I am not hurt. I am totally fine. Listen to me, first. Aapi has been admitted to the hospital. She had an allergic reaction."
"WHAT!!! AAPI ATE APPLES!! HOW CAN----" I kept a hand on his mouth to stop him from shouting.
"Are you mad?? Why are you shouting?? Ammi, Abbu will hear us. Keep quiet." I scolded him. He removed my hand from his mouth and asked,
"But why don't you want to inform them?? And how did you get to know this??"
"Ammi has already been worried about her. I don't make her stress more. First we will go. After seeing her state we'll think if we should inform them or not!! Understood. And I got to know when I called her and some other guy picked up. And said she is admitted at the hospital due to allergic reaction."
"But why did she eat them in the first place??" He asked. I so wanted to punch his face to ask this stupid question. I narrowed my eyes at him and answered,
"Idiot!! Why would she eat it on her own?? Either she ate it by mistake or someone deliberately mixed it in her food!! If you are finished with your questions, go and change fast. We have to go. HURRY!!"
With that, I pushed him to the washroom. After 5 minutes he came out. We took his bike's key and quietly left the house.
Sana's POV,
To say I am happy would be an understatement. I am feeling like I am on cloud nine. Finally, after so much struggle and work, she is gone. I thought attaching the wine glass to my lips. But, then my mind snapped back at me saying it's just for the time being. I shouldn't be too happy about it. But why won't I?? Even if she is only away for a shorter period of time at least she is not in front of my sight. I hate her immensely. Ever since she came into my life, she had snatched something significant from me. And she doesn't even know about it. Nor she, nor anyone. But when someone steals something too special for you. Hatred is natural. All the while, dad pays too much attention to her, her thoughts, her opinions, and her decisions. If possible I would have erased her from the face of the earth. I was pulled out of my thinking when I heard my dad calling me.
"Heyy, Sana. Did you see Hiba??" He asked. My face got pale. Can't he talk about someone else?? I looked at him and answered, taking a sip of my wine.
"How would I know where she is??" Do you think I am her secretary or something?? She is not worth my attention. Go and ask someone else!!" He sighed at my reply and shook his head and again asked me,
"At least do you know where brother is?? He has vanished from the face of the earth."
"Nope. I didn't see him either. Ask his friends. And bhai doesn't talk to me unless necessary. So, why will I keep a check of his whereabouts??"
"Why don't you guys sort it out?? How long will this sibling war last?" he asked with sadness in his voice. I love him. I can't see him upset. But, what can I do when my brother doesn't want to talk to me?? I can't beg him to do that.
"Dad, can we just talk about something else, please??"
"OKK!! But like what??" He asked me back.
"How about you share your happiness with me about this deal?? It has been a while since you got the deal. You forgot that you even have a daughter. You don't share things with me like before." I replied with a pout to lighten up his mood.
"I am truly thrilled. Though, I am not surprised. I have seen Hiba working so hard for it. And when she puts her mind to something, it's impossible that she won't succeed. Taking a glass of orange juice from the waiter, he commented, "I admire her determination and dedication to her work." Why can't he talk without including her in between. I was frustrated about it.
"Dad, why are you so obsessed with her?? Is she doing some sort of black magic on you?" I asked being frustrated with him. He laughed while keeping a hand on my shoulder and replied,
"It's nothing like that, you silly girl. I really like her. If possible I would like to make her my daughter-in-law!!" He said, huffing at the end. As soon as I heard these words, my drink spilled onto my dress. Which I am least interested in, and I looked at him with a horrified face. Thinking he must be joking or what!! He was looking at my dress with a worried look and said,
"OH MY GOD!!! What happened to you?? You OK!! You spill the whole drink on your dress."
"Dad first tell me, you were joking!!"
"Why would I?? She is perfect for it. She can handle our family and business very well. And mostly your brother. He needs someone like her." He explained.
"But dad you know, Bhai likes someone else. You can't force him to do it." I reminded him that his son likes someone else and he should stop dreaming about Hiba.
"Yeah, I know that!! I can't force my son. I just wish she is also someone like her." He replied, feeling sad that his wish would never come true. But I couldn't be more grateful for it. Seeing someone you hate from the bottom of your heart everyday would be no less than a punishment for a thing you didn't even know. I pushed aside my thoughts.
"Delighted to know." I said and took a sigh of relief.
As one of his friends called him, he took off from there. I decided to go somewhere more silent than here. As I was on my way to search for a place, I heard Asad talking to a female employee of ours.
"Heyy, can you please go and check on the ladies washroom if Hiba mam is there or not?? I saw her heading there. But she hasn't returned since then."
"Yeah, sure!!" She replied.
I smirked at myself thinking that she wouldn't be there or anywhere else. She would be in hospital, probably by now. And if not, who cares!!
(Flashback)
"You can't even do such a small task. Why did I give you the money??" I scolded the waiter whom I told to give Hiba the juice.
"Mam, I told her to take that juice as you suggested. But she said she didn't want to have it right now." He replied as he looked down.
"You idiot---" I stopped myself from scolding him further. It's no use crying about what has happened!! We should think of the future. I calmed myself and thought of another idea.
"OK!! Now listen to me carefully." I said and handed me new orange juice mixed with apple. And continued,
"Take this juice and be near her. Whenever she feels thirsty, you should be there to offer her this one. Understood!! Don't let anyone else take it. Just be close to her. And give it to her as you have the opportunity. Understood!! This time, there should be no mistake. Now go." I explained to him my plan and told him to go away.
He was always behind her, as I had told him. But she wasn't ready to have it. When everyone was busy asking Asad about his crush, she finally took the glass and drank it in one go. I clapped my hands together in happiness. After so long time she finally drank it.
(Flashback ends)
I looked at Asad who was waiting outside the washroom for that female employee. I shook my head at him, thinking, poor boy, what will he do when he will know she has already left??