While opening the gate, the watchman smiles at me, and I reciprocate.
Flashback:
I was walking in front, carrying the luggage, ignoring all the attention from the neighbours who were attending a function on the same floor; she was walking behind me, carrying luggage and a handbag.
Their gossip session started,
'After a squabble with his mother, he'd come here'
'But look at how far he's gone now; he's brought a female along. This is wrong. Che che… Respected family members reside here.'
'We need to speak with the secretary right away.'
I was considering speeding up and dismissing all of their comments.
"Excuse me, aunty." I instantly came to a halt when I heard her speak.
"What?" one of the ladies asked.
"We are lawfully married and he is my spouse. I have a marriage certificate if you need proof. I'm hoping you've seen one and are aware of it. I just thought of a way to save you time instead of talking to the secretary about this" she said sarcastically.
"Marriage? He'd abandoned his home and is currently unemployed."
"I believe you failed to pay attention. I'll say it again. He is MY SPOUSE. I don't understand your concern because I have no problems with anything. Let me be clear: I'm not going to tolerate any further insults directed towards my husband. So, please, keep your distance from my personal affairs" she ended with a smile.
"Sorry"
"Sorry aunty, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Farhat. Nice to meet you."
********************************
When memories of her first day at my apartment come back to me, I smile proudly once more. Anyone would be proud to have her in their life because she fights for everyone in public and private. Her responses are occasionally insightful and admirable. When I get close to my front door, my legs come to a halt.
Flashback:
I barged in the door happily and as usual, the home was silent.
"Oi Hitler… Where are you?"
I moved around looking for her because there was no response. She was not in the bedroom, study room, or kitchen, and the washroom was also empty. I was sitting on the bed, contemplating dialing her. I discovered papers beneath the table lamp. There was a letter addressed to me.
It was written as follows:
'Do you remember this date? I sincerely hope you do; we've been married for six months. So, as promised, I'm here to make good on my word; please double-check those papers.'
My heart rate increased as I rapidly checked the papers, which revealed that they were divorce papers. When I saw her signatures at the end, my heart broke into a million pieces. I focused on reading the letter.
'I don't break promises, as you can see. This misfortune is now leaving your life. You're no longer responsible for anything. You've done a great job with your responsibilities, and I'm confident you'll do the same with your responsibilities as a brother and son. And I hope that this truth of a temporary marriage will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As promised, I will not expose anything to anyone under any circumstances, and I will make certain that no one from my side will ever question you. Thank you so much for being here with me and for tolerating with me. Sorry. I'm sure I've hurt you a lot of times, both knowingly and unknowingly. Best wishes for your future endeavours. Congratulations on your accomplishment.
You deserve more.
Stay Happy,
Farha.′
********************************
The entire house is dusty, yet everything is in its proper place. One by one, I gather up the papers that I had scattered around the bedroom earlier. During the two months I was here, after she left, I read that letter several times.
'You're still her saiyaan ji, legally. You haven't yet signed the documents. It's destiny that she's returned to you out of nowhere,' My heart wants to persuade me.
'How could she just abandon me like that? What was wrong with her that she couldn't sense my feelings for her? Why couldn't she understand that she was not just my responsibility?' I ask my heart.
'You'd never confessed it to her directly.'
'However, she usually grasps everything quickly. Then why not this?'
'But you know one more thing: she loves you too.'
I can't deny that 'I shall wait till she comes back to me herself. I'll never force her to do something she doesn't want to do.'
'What if she doesn't show up at work tomorrow?' My brain questions.
I have no answers.
'She will come, and she will never leave this time,' my heart reassures me.
'Ameen' I say quickly.
She is already waiting for me in the waiting area the next day when I arrive at the office. After ten minutes, the receptionist sends her in, as I instructed. She's in the seat in front of me.
"I need this project finished in one month, no more, no less."
"There will be no prolongation. I'll finish the work in exactly one month and go."
"I understand. You will always stick to the contract's terms." I sneer at her, and she scowls. "There will be a farewell party after the completion of work. Mrs. Risha will be attending it, right?"
"I hope so. I'll ask her and get back to you; if she says no, there's no need for a party."
"Why? Do you intend to depart without informing again Ms. Farhat?"
"Shahrul ji," her eyes flare with rage.
I correct her, "Mr. Shahrul." I take a few steps around the table.
"Sorry" she becomes silent as I stand on her left side.
I can see the trauma on her face as the silence is killing her.
"I'll get to work right now."
"Good. I hope the presentation will be ready in the afternoon."
She stands up and nods, 'Yes.'
"You have to work here until I can arrange you a cabin," I say, blocking her way. I make a gesture toward the sofa and coffee table.
"Here?"
"Any Issues?"
She nods 'No' and walks over to the sofa.
My heart whispers, 'Can't you see she's awkward with you? But she's not going to say anything. Don't be cruel to her.'
'This time I'm not ready to understand what's left unsaid by her.'
'But you can never say 'No' to her, you remember that, right?'
'I'm pro at saying No.'
'But not in her case. Saying no to her is the most difficult thing for you. And you have no idea why.'
'It won't be the same this time; I'm not going to agree with everything she does.'
'She would have left you for some reason or misunderstanding.'
'But, if she didn't tell me, how would I know?'
'Let's see how the next 30 days go. Everything will be resolved.'
'I hope so.'
The reminder for the next meeting brings my conversation with my heart to an end.
After lunch, she approaches me and says, "Presentation is ready; we can begin our meeting in half an hour."
I agree, and she returns to her place. Amir's vaccination reminder appears on my screen.
"Today, we should take Amir for his six-month vaccination," I tell Saba in the call, "Be ready; I will come and pick you up right now."
Then I turn to her and say, "I have important work to do, so I'm leaving now."
"Presentation? Tomorrow morning?"
"No. Today's work must be completed today. I'll return."
She checks the time, which is already 3:00 p.m., but she just nods in agreement and I leave.
Since 7:00 p.m., I've been stuck in traffic. I'm also checking my mobile to see if it's a call from her or my office receptionist. But not yet. At 8:55 p.m., I park my car in my office parking lot, and I'm sure she drove away enraged. The car I had allotted for her isn't here. Nonetheless, I walk towards my cabin and open the door. She has gathered her belongings and is making her way to the front door.
I inquire authoritatively, "Where are you going? I told you I'd return, and we will have our meeting today."
"Can you tell me what time it is? You are very irresponsible to arrive late" she retorts me.
"This is my office. Everything will be done as per my wish. This meeting is taking place right now. That's final."
"Oh, really? Then you can hold your meeting with anyone. My working hours are up, and I'm leaving. Bye." She casually walks past me.
I grab her right hand and pull her back to make her stand in front of me where she was already standing, anxiousness gripping my mind, "You can't always leave whenever you want. Understood?"
She doesn't appear to be terrified of my rage; instead, she gives me a harsh stare.
"There were no pre-determined working hours in our contract. I'll cancel the project if you leave. It's entirely up to you."
"All right, fine. Let's get this meeting started" she says as she shakes off my hand.
Following her presentation, we have a detailed discussion about the project and finalise the plans.
"Good. Site work can be started from tomorrow then."
She nods as a gesture of paying attention to me.
I say sarcastically, "And there were a few things you left unsaid in the belief that it would be easily understood. Because not everyone understands, you may need to clarify it personally."
She lifts her right brow.
"I mean, workers won't be able to decipher your designer's code, therefore you'll have to explain it to them."
She nods in agreement and checks her watch; it's 11:15 p.m. "So happy? Meeting over?"
"Thank you," I say, nodding.
She quickly wraps up everything and exits the board room.
'Did you notice she is wearing your bracelet behind her watch?' my heart whispers.
When I held her hand and felt the faint trace of a bracelet behind her fabric lace, my hope, and trust in her grew a hundredfold.
I'm blushing, and after a long time, a genuine smile appears on my face. In blushing, I forget that she was angry and went out alone. Then, I flee. I see her at the entrance, unhappy over not being able to get a taxi.
"I will drop you," I say standing next to her hiding my blush and smile.
"No thanks"
"It's late; you won't get a taxi now."
"What's your problem?" she asks, staring at me as if she'll tear me apart with her eyes. "That meeting was your concern, and it was over, right? Is a drive with you included in your contract? Will you cancel the project if I say no? Why are you so worried about me right now? Please leave. I'm already irritated."
I didn't move.
"Fine. Then I will leave," she walks across the road.
A truck approaches at a rapid speed, flashing lights, and horns. When she sees it approaching her, she freezes.
All of my joyful feelings faded in microseconds, and fear took over. I dash forward and immediately pull her towards me before the truck passes us at a great pace.
We're still alive and safe. In a fraction of a second, I was able to save her. Otherwise? I can't possibly imagine it.