Tabish's POV,
I was in my office trying to focus on my work, but couldn't. My mind was busy thinking about this week. After we came back from the hospital, Rayan explained the whole situation to my furious Ammi and stayed at my house only as it was late. He left early in the morning without waking me up. And this whole week he didn't contact me. This is the longest time we didn't talk. And as far as I know him, he shuts himself off from everyone when something is bothering him. He's way too skilled at hiding his feelings. I was pulled out of my fantasy when Abid came to my cabin. I called him inside.
"Sir, the presentation you told me to prepare for the investors is done!! Shall I show it to you??" Abid asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"So, this is our design. We have covered all the elements." He explained the entire presentation.
"It's all right, but please make the changes I told you to make."
"And sir, I have talked with the investors. At the start of the project, they wanted you to monitor it yourself. For that, you have to stay in Bangalore for maybe 5-6 months. I haven't given them a reply yet. You can talk to them and tell them your decision." He told me about their demand.
I took a deep breath, thinking I had no choice but to accept it. After all, they are investing crores of money in this. And I will be assured that the foundation will go as we have planned. I thought about accepting it, anyway. As soon as I had completed my work, I called Rayan. He didn't answer the phone during the first call. I again called him. In the end, he picked my call.
"Heyy, why are you calling??" He asked. This is not the usual Rayan style. Whenever I used to call him, he would get very excited.
"Why can't I call? What happened? Or should I take permission before calling you??" I tried to cheer him up.
"No, I didn't mean that. I was just asking." He replied.
"Ohh!! I know it's your packing time. I wanted to ask you, can we meet tonight? At our regular spot. What say??" I asked him. It was a minute of silence on the other side. I wondered what caused him to think so much about it.
"Heyy, are you there??" I asked him again, not getting any reply from him.
"Yup!! I am there. Actually, I am quite tired today. So I don't think I could come." He said, trying to avoid meeting.
"Ohh, really. Do you remember those times when I was tired, and you told me to meet, no matter what??" I said, trying to change my approach.
"So what?? It's my right as your friend. I can call you to meet whenever I want. Understand!!" He replied, being provoked by my accusation.
"Then the same goes for you!!" I smirked when he explained my point.
"FINE!! I am coming." He said, gritting his teeth when he realized I had tricked him.
"Good. Should I come to pick you???" I asked.
"Nope. I got my bike back. I will come on my own. Don't worry." He said and hung up the call.
I took all my stuff and left the office. I was the first to reach there. And after 10 minutes, he also came. We both parked at a distance. We started walking barefoot as usual. But not like usual. He wasn't ready to start the conversation. I hold his wrist to stop him from walking further. We sat there. He has his knees close to his chest and his chin on his knees. He was looking at the sea. The silence between us never made me uncomfortable. But today it did. I wanted him to speak, and that's why I called him.
"Care to tell me what's happening??" I narrowed my eyes to indicate he had better not hide anything from me.
"Nothing. Nothing is happening. Just old stuff." He replied in a low voice.
"You think I'm a fool. I can't see how you are behaving?? After our last meeting, you didn't call me once. And let me think when was the last time Rayan Shaikh didn't talk to me for an entire week?" I asked him sarcastically. He was constantly lying to me and that pissed me off.
"What do you want to talk about??" He asked, exhaling a sharp breath.
"Heyy, I know you are bothered because of your girl. But you should also understand her. Think from her perspective. When you call your sister and some stranger, answer it and say she's in hospital. What would you do?? She just freaked out. And all her worries came out as anger at us. She just lashed out because she was worried." I said, while keeping a hand on his shoulder, trying to make him understand. He was looking at his feet instead of me. This boy!! Why is it so difficult to get his emotions out??
"Ohh!! If that's not the reason. Then maybe you weren't so serious about her." I asked, raising my eyebrows. This caught his attention. He looked at me with widened eyes. He was shocked would be an understatement. I internally smirked. I knew it!! If you want Rayan Shaikh to speak out. You just hit his weak spot. And one of them is to accuse him of something he didn't do. And then hear him speak out.
"I don't think she wouldn't be my girl anymore. I just ruined our first meeting. I didn't want to shout at her. It's just..... I couldn't stop myself. I wanted our very first meeting to be special. And it's not that I didn't know why she lashed out. I am upset about my behavior. Do you think after this she will ever want to see my face?? I haven't been able to stop thinking about her this week. I want to meet her and apologize. But I don't dare to do that." He said in a low voice and again put his head on his knees.
"Heyy, don't think like that. You can't just give up already. If you feel sorry for your actions, don't sit and feel guilty. Apologize to her. I know she will understand. And since when Rayan Shaikh has started getting afraid of a girl and waited for the right moment. As far as I remember, you were the one you kept saying 'we should never wait for the right moment, just take the moment and make it right.'" I said, trying to give him some hope. Instead, he just chuckle at my speech.
"Dude!! It's simple to say and very difficult to do. I, too, understand it now." I replied. And again, he continued,
"What are your plans for tomorrow?? I was thinking we should go somewhere. It's been a while since we spent a day together. I wanted to go to Imagica. What do you think??" He said, trying to change the topic.
He looked much better now. I didn't want to spoil his mood. So, I agreed with his plan. I tried to tell him about my trip to Bangalore, but couldn't. Thinking he was already dealing with many things, I didn't want to add one more to the list. We decided on the meet-up time and returned back to our home. The entire ride, I kept thinking about how and when I should tell him about it. Finally, I decided I would do it tomorrow when the time is right.
Heeba's POV,
We all were sitting in the living room doing our work. Ammi left to buy some groceries. Kashish and Zainab were talking about her new dresses and makeup. Sometimes, I wonder whether I am the defective one or them?? There were few common topics between them and me. Zainab and I don't know how we've managed to maintain our friendship so far. It's been like 15 years since our friendship. I am so thankful that she is here with me till now. Although I never say it to her, but I love her even with all the stupid things she does. My endless thoughts came to a halt when Arman came back after attending his call. He sat beside me, keeping a hand on the sofa head, turned towards me.
"So, what's up, grumpy?? How did it happen??" He asked. I exhale a breath.
"Can we just talk about something else other than that?? It feels like I have been diagnosed with AIDS. It happens sometimes, leave it. Why do you all are making a big deal of it??" Frustrated by the same question, I replied. He chuckled at my statement and shook his head.
"You and your sarcastic replies." He said. "So, what about mama and mami?? Any updates on stuff??" he continued.
"Nothing new. Same old."
"How much??"
"Maybe two or three!!"
"In one week??" He asked being surprised.
"Yup!! Don't underestimate them. They have a lot of stamina." I replied with a thumbs up.
"Dude!! Even your stamina is excellent. Is there some kind of supernatural power in you?? I would run away if it happened to me. Dammi was right. You are a true angel."
I smiled weakly, thinking about Nani Ammi. I miss her a lot. How can both sisters leave me in less than a year?? My dammi and Nani Ammi were sisters. They both die within 6 months of the gap in between. First, Nani Ammi and then dammi. I miss them so so much. I was pulled out of my fantasy when his phone rang. He excused himself and walked away. Kashish was also rushing to get ready as she had to go to her friend's place. Zainab came and sat at Arman's place. Before she could say anything, Arman came.
"Hey, girls, I have to leave right away. I have some serious work to do. Zainab, can you go back yourself?? I might not be able to drop you." He asked Zainab, and she nodded. He kissed her forehead and turned away saying 'I love you'. She blushed at his act. She looked at me when she felt me staring at her.
"What??" she asked, trying hard to hide her blushing. She looks cute with a red face.
"You changed my brother. Last time I checked, he would never do that." I said, trying to sound serious. She turned tomato at my mere sentence.
"Shut up!! It's not like that." She replied, hitting my shoulder.
"So.... how was your vacation?? Did you enjoy??" I asked. I know this question will start her non-stop talking. And I did it on purpose. Till the time she talks, I only have to listen. Cause I know when she started asking questions, I will be speechless. She kept describing how she loved Shimla and how Arman took care of her like a princess!! After an hour of her talking, she finally stopped.
"How's Asad??" she asked.
"He's good!! A while ago, he asked about you as well." I replied.
"You know, he sent me the pictures of you at the party. You were looking breath-taking in that golden dress. I told you, tight dresses will look perfect on your figure." She said, while giggling.
"Shut up!! Do you know how uncomfortable I was in that dress?? It felt like I wasn't able to breathe. How you and Kashish wear it all??"
"Ughh!! Leave that. By the way, who chooses that dress for you?? Cause' your choice can't be this good." She said while rolling her eyes.
"Asad. You know, he made me do a whole fashion at the mall. And after that also, he didn't bother to ask my opinion about anything." I told her, being frustrated thinking how he ignored me. She laughed at me and said,
"It's good that he didn't ask. He's also aware that you can't choose anything nice for yourself!!"
"Are you really my friend or not?? Cause' I never felt like that." I asked, while narrowing my eyes at her.
"Ohh!! My baby. Don't be sad. I am your friend only. And I can't deny the truth as well." She said and again started laughing.
"Fine!! You keep laughing. I am going to my room." I said and stood up to leave. She held my wrist and made me sit again, arranged her posture, and said,
"But, my love, have you were thought why he cares so much for you?? Why he is always there for you whenever you need him? And didn't leave you like others because of your cold behavior."
"Zainab, please don't start again!! You know I don't like to talk about that topic. I have other things to do. And one of them is to stick with my family. I don't believe in this bullshit." I replied her knowing very well, where could this conversation head if I didn't stop it now.
"After seeing me and Arman as well. Look, Heeba. I know you think every couple fights like your parents. But it's not true. Just because you saw some unhappy couples or marriage, you don't have to do the same to yourself. I know your family needs you. But what about your heart and soul?? Have you ever thought about what they need?? Till now, you have shut yourself. Thinking about oneself doesn't make you selfish. And who said you can't be there for your family after that?? Don't forget you are also a human. Don't forget to take care of your heart while saving others. Just give yourself a chance to feel it. Not everyone's fate is the same." She said while caressing my arm, trying to make me understand. I looked down. Not knowing what to say or do??
"But what about Nani Ammi and Dammi?? You know what happened to them?? I am afraid, Zainab. I don't want to end up like them or Ammi." I said in a very low voice just so she can hear.
"As I said, Heeba, not everyone's fate is the same. You are afraid like the same happens with you. And what if I say it will happen all opposite of it?? You don't know what's written in your destiny?? Just try to embrace it. Don't fear it!!" she said with a smile.
But I couldn't bring myself to believe it. I have kept my heart locked, safe from everyone. I don't know if I will be able to handle it if someone hurts me. Everyone thinks I am strong. But the truth is, I am not. I have just protected my heart well till now. I expected nothing from anyone. Expectations hurt more than any person. And I don't want to do that.
A/n: Heyy my readers!! Hope you enjoy this chapter. I may not be able to update much next week as my college is getting reopen. And I have to prepare many things before it. So, I will try to update as soon as possible. And if I didn't update any chapter next week, will try to make up it to you by giving 3-4 chapters together.