On the other side, Maryam was also being very shy, but happy. When she reached home, she found the house is locked meaning parents weren't home. She was with Raza.
'You can wait in my house till they come. ', he approached.
'No, it's okay. I've got the keys, buddy. '
She started unlocking the door.
'Your parents must be with my parents. Do you have the keys of your house? '
He answered while feeling the keys in his pockets, 'Um... I don't have the keys. You're right, I'm also home alone. But, never mind! I'll wait on the stairs. '
'Oh, no! Come on, Raza. Are you kidding me? When your friend's here, why'd you ever be home alone? '
She opened the door and after going inside, invited him.
'Oh, it's okay. I'll roam around till they come. '
'You would sit on the stairs and roam around, but you wouldn't come to my house. Huh? '
She fully opened the door and complained, 'Raza, I'm going to feel very bad if you don't come. '
'Okay, okay. As you say! ', he chuckled and entered in.
Maryam put her bag down and shoes off. She asked him to wait in the lawn and went in her room to change. He quietly relaxed on the chair and stared at her moving here and there. He did something suspicious next. As soon as Maryam locked the door of the room, he quickly stood up and rushed towards the door to peep through the crevices between the two panels! Mr. Irfan wasn't wrong, Raza wasn't the type to trust, apparently. He had his mask on when Maryam was infront.
As soon as Raza stood there, Maryam opened the door. She saw him so close that she was horrified. He immediately acted well saying he came to pick up the newspaper lying near the door.
'What happen, Maryam? I'm just getting bored. (giggles). ', he said while showing the newspaper. He walked back silently and began reading the newspaper, while she stared at him with doubt. She, for the sake of hospitality said, 'There's water on the table if you need. '
She closed the door again. Raza again got up. He was trying very hard to see through, though, through a tiny crack, he managed to see her. She was putting on her dress, but he saw her back. As he felt her coming towards the door, he rushed to the chair, disappointed. She came out and noticed his face look.
'Your face tells me there's some bad news. '
He got scared if she saw him spying. He was sweating with nervousness.
'What are you-you saying, Maryam? ', he stuttered. She slowly stepped towards him, putting hand on the newspaper, she asked casually, 'What's the bad news that made your face go pale? Huh? ILA or something? '
He was relieved. He turned casual and said, 'Don't talk about ILA. It sucks. '
'Hmm... You know, people in the class conceive so many things about us. Everyday I find, at least, one dayscholar asking me about our life before and after ILA. In front of them, I feel like a celebrity and they're the interviewers (chuckles innocently). ', talking of these things, she went for face wash.
Raza was sitting with hands hung on the chair's support and legs folded widely. He kept staring at her with a sort of wrong sight, but she had no idea about it. When she turned back, he began drinking water in a slow manner, some water dripping off his chin. Then only, she noticed his different sight, but tried to ignore it. She cleared throat hesitantly and sat on another chair near him, while he didn't tune out. She kept smiling at intervals so as not to show discomfort. She was in a dilemma. Finally, when he'd quenched his thirst, he turned normal and asked, 'I never asked you, but did you go to the Shareeq Office last time? '
'Huh?... No. Did you go? '
'Nah. '
'Why? '
'I don't really do formal meetings. '
'But, these meetings are for our goodwill. '
'Ah! Then, why didn't you go there? '
She was reluctant, having flashbacks that she never willed to see. '
'I had um... headache. Yeah. '
'Why? What happened? '
He was a little too much into the matter.
She shook her head because how could she tell him that it was due to his behavior that day now when both had moved on from all of that?
'I've heard the streets to the Office are scary... Especially, at night. '
'Hmm. ', she softly hummed as she was reminded of what happened in Street no. 69.
'I walked through one street one night and I felt like, someone's chasing me. I turned back and no one was there. I was afraid, so I never looked back to that street. '
She was relating to each one of his words.
'Oh! '
'Hmm. It's not anything horror, but feels like someone can attack you anytime. The street's always empty.
She was traumatized, but managed to chuckle and say, 'Don't try to scare me. '
'No. It actually happens. '
'I don't know anything about it luckily. '
'Oh, I hope you never do. And, be alert if you pass that street again. '
'Hmm... (realizes) "Again"? '
'Yeah, yeah. I meant, uh... Ever! Ever pass those streets! '
'Okay... '
'Hmm. By the way, do you know about the next meeting? '
'Never heard. '
'Yes. Next meeting in the Office is going to happen anytime soon. ', he said excitedly.
'What for? '
'Who knows? But, will you go there? '
'Uh... I'll try. And you? '
'My Abbu told me to go next time. '
'If you go, tag me along. '
'Fine. But, all my friends will be with me. They're boys. So, do you mind it? '
'Yes! ', she protested. 'I mean, er... It's okay. You could go. I'll be fine. '
'Why don't you ask your group of friends to join mine? ', he happily offered.
'My friends don't go there... But, hey. I think Alina goes. It's okay. I and Alina will go together. '
'Oh, I know Alina. She's very pretty. '
'(chuckles) Yeah. She's a really nice girl. '
'Not nicer and prettier than you but. ', he teased.
'Stop, Raza! '
They had talked about things for few more minutes when Amma and Abba knocked at the door and Maryam opened it. As Abba walked in, he gave an obvious reaction. He went ferocious, along with his umbrella.
'What are you doing in my house? '
'Abba! Stay calm! He was home alone! '
'So were you! '
Raza was frightened.
'My house was locked. '
'Don't you have its keys? '
'No. '
'I'll tell your father to give you the copy. '
'Raza, don't go without having lunch with us. ', Amma urged in meanwhile.
'Yes, Raza. ', Maryam supported.
'Raza, dear. Your parents are home. ', Abba nicely threatened. Raza quickly picked up his bag and rushed home saying, 'I'll better leave. My parents might be waiting for me. '
As Maryam mouthed "I'm sorry" to Raza, Abba heartfully locked the door. Raza had no dignity or respect in Mr. Irfan's house. The only thing that connected him to that house was Maryam.
'Abba, why do you be so rude to him? ', Maryam nicely asked while setting the plates.
'I don't trust him at all! He says he doesn't have the keys which is not possible. Never let him in when you're home alone, Maryam. I said what I said. '
After lunch, Maryam came in her room and lied on her mat, thinking about Mihran.
'Oh, God! I can't believe it was me who said "where Raza won't know" (laughs shyly) Ugh! Cringe!...I don't know why I still want to meet him even after knowing he's the Player! All I've heard of him and seen him doing(in the lab) isn't impressive on me. But, he's nice to me. I don't want to make bad boy my friend. But, I feel like he's good guy deep down. He must've slept with many girls (clicks tongue) . I couldn't make someone my friend around whom I'm not comfortable. But, I'm very much comfortable with him, and I guess, it'll only get better with time. I couldn't make someone my friend who I'm unsafe with! But, how am I unsafe with someone who has saved my life twice? Which is the one I want to befriend? The Player Mihran Or the saviour Mihran? Which one is it? I'm confused. Maybe, that's why I want to know him even more. He has a charisma that he succeeds to have girls into, but he'd got me some other type of way. I imagine if Abba finds out about Mihran, he's going to hate him. He despises Raza so what can I say about Mihran? And, I don't even know if he also wants me as friend or am I the only despo? Even if I want, I know I can't go around with him because of Raza. I don't know why Raza seemed different to me, today... Never mind. I just hope Mihran gets my clue. If he doesn't solve it, it's going to be pretty embarrassing, so embarrassing! (whines) Ugh! No! Like, imagine! Well... I'm excited! I'm not sure he'll get my notions. His lifestyle is totally different from mine, but let's see what happens. (turns side) There's a reason he's the Prince of dreams of every girl. Oh! Oh! I should take rest for sometime, and pray he stays in senior block tomorrow... '