Chapter 35
Author's POV:
The next morning, Malik Mansion’s grand hall buzzed with the quiet clatter of teacups and the rustle of newspapers. Almost the entire family was gathered—like always—but today there was a different tension in the air.
Shagufta Malik sat stiffly, her face pale with unease. She exhaled a long sigh before breaking the silence.
Shagufta (hesitant, guilt-ridden):
“Hum apni beti ki harkat ki wajah se bohot sharminda hain ap sab se…”
Her husband Rashid Malik, who had been pretending to read the paper, slammed it shut and growled.
Rashid (coldly):
“Beti? Usko beti kehne mein bhi sharam aati hai mujhe ab.”
The words hung heavy in the air. Hayaat flinched slightly, while Saad and huzaif shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
But before anyone could reply, Nafeesa Malik spoke, her tone sharp with disapproval.
Nafeesa:
“Ap logon ko kya ho gaya hai? Woh sirf apki nahi… hamari beti bhi thi. Maloom nahi kaha galti ho gaye hamari parwarish mein… agar achay se parwarish ki hoti humne toh aaj ye din dekhna na padta.”
Her voice trembled, not with guilt but with the weight of pride and regret mixing together.
Shahbaz (dismissing the matter):
“Chhodo… uske bare mein baat karke mood kharab na karo apna. Ye batao, Nafeesa, nashta tayar hai ya nahi?”
Nafeesa immediately forced a smile and turned to her husband.
“Aaj sara nashta Ramsha bana rahi hai.”
A faint smugness tinged her voice.
Shagufta (adding sweetly):
“Shohar ka dil jitna chahti hogi… bohot hi achi ladki hai. Kaash hamari Aayat bhi aisi hoti.”
Hayaat, who had been quiet until now, couldn’t stop herself. She leaned forward, voice steady but edged with sarcasm.
“Peechle 8 saal mein kabhi paani bhi khud se nahi laya unhone… aur aaj nashta bana rahi hain?”
Rashid shot her a glare.
Rashid (warning tone):
“Hayaat! Badtameezi mat karo.”
But before Hayaat could even bow her head, Huzaif chuckled and spoke up.
Huzaif:
“Kya galat kaha Hayaat ne? Sahi toh keh rahi hai. Aayat ke aate hi ‘achi bahu’ ka drama shuru ho gaya hai.”
Shagufta’s lips parted, ready to scold, but before she could utter a word, the kitchen door swung open.
Ramsha entered gracefully, wiping her hands on her apron, her face lit with a proud smile.
Ramsha (sweetly):
“Sab table par aajaiye, nashta ready hai.”
As she placed the last tray down, Nafeesa stood proudly, her voice loud enough for the whole family.
Nafeesa (mocking tone):
“Huzaif… drama hi sahi, lekin apne shohar ka dil jeetne ke liye koshish toh kar rahi hai. Kash Tumhari behan be aisa karti.... Abhi tak toh madam ki shakal bhi nahi dikhayi di. Mahraani abhi tak so rahi hongi.”
The comment drew a ripple of chuckles from some, smirks from others. The family began to move toward the breakfast table.
Just then, heavy footsteps echoed on the marble staircase.
Rayyan descended, his expression calm yet unreadable, and sat at his usual place at the head of the table.
Nafeesa (pointing deliberately):
“Dekho, Ramsha subah se nashta bana rahi hai, sab k liye … aur wo ladki jise tum biwi kehte ho? Wo kidhar hai?”
Before Rayyan could respond, Aleena Malik smirked and spoke.
“Sabko pata hai… hamesha se late uthti hain wo. Abhi bhi so rahi hogi.”
But Rayyan’s lips curved in the faintest smile as he finally spoke.
“Wo subah sawere uth gayi thi. Fajr ki namaz aur Qur’an padha. Uske baad morning walk par bhi gayi. Aur ab upar office ke liye tayyar ho rahi hai.”
The room fell quiet.
Ramsha ne gajar ka halwa rayyan k samne rakha
Ramsha (sweetly forcing a smile):
“Maine tumhare liye gajar ka halwa banaya hai rayyan.”
Before Rayyan could answer, another voice cut through the hall.
Aayat.
She descended the staircase with confident steps, her hair tied back neatly, wireless earbuds tucked into her ears. Her sharp voice filled the hall as she scolded someone over the call.
Aayat (furious, on call):
“Arjun! mujhe wo file mere table pr chahiye hain .... Agar mujhe wo mere office k table mein na mili 11 bajay Tak ...toh sabko is k consequences bear karne ho gay... Yaad rakhna."
Her words cracked like a whip, shocking the entire family. This wasn’t the quiet, submissive girl they remembered. This was someone else entirely.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Ramsha’s proud smile faltered when Aayat casually pulled out the chair right beside Rayyan—the very one Ramsha was about to take.
Aayat (coolly, as she sat):
“Thanks.”
Ramsha froze, fury flashing in her eyes.
Ramsha (snapping):
“Ye jagah meri hai.”
" Arjun, mein tumse baad mein baat karti hoon."
Aayat cut her call, turned her head slightly, and looked Ramsha straight in the eye.
Aayat (mocking):
“Haan, kuch keh rahi thi aap?”
Ramsha (hissing):
“Drama band karo apna… aur meri chair se utho.”
Aayat (smirking):
“But jaahan tak mujhe yaad hai… tumse pehle ye chair meri thi.”
She calmly picked up a piece of toast. But before she could take a bite, Ramsha grabbed her hand.
Ramsha (furious):
“Maine kaha utho!”
Before Aayat could respond, Rayyan’s voice cut in, sharp.
Rayyan:
“Ramsha, tum kahi aur baith jao. Ab Aayat baith chuki hai, kisi ko nashtay se uthana sahi baat nahi hai. Aur ye chair shuru se aayat ki hi thi....”
Nafeesa (interjecting):
“Nahi! Ramsha sahi keh rahi hai. Ye jagah hamare ghar ki bahu ki hai. Aur wo Ramsha hai.”
Rayyan opened his mouth to argue, but Aayat suddenly placed her toast back and smiled faintly.
Aayat (calmly):
“Theek hai. Ramsha yahan baith sakti hai.”
The whole table turned to stare at her in shock.
Saad (confused):
“Aayat, tum kya keh rahi ho? Ye jagah tumhari hai!”
But Aayat ignored him. She took a small bite of toast, chewed slowly, then stood and pushed the chair toward Ramsha.
Aayat (sweetly, almost mocking):
“Betho.”
Ramsha hesitated, confused at the gesture.
Aayat (tilting her head, smiling wider):
“Kya dekh rahi ho? Betho na.”
Reluctantly, Ramsha sat. Aayat slid her plate in front of Ramsha.
Aayat:
“Ye lo. Nashta karo.”
Ramsha’s face burned with anger.
Ramsha (spitting the words):
“ Tumhara damagh kharab ho gaya hain kya? Mein tumhara jhoota khau gy socha be kaise..? "
Shahbaz slammed his fist lightly on the table, his voice full of disgust.
“Tumein sharam bilkul nahi aati? Ye kya badtameezi hai!”
Aayat’s smile vanished, her eyes cold.
Aayat (dangerously calm):
“Badtameezi?”
Ramsha (hissing):
“Haan. Badtame.....”
But before she could say more, Aayat cut her off.
Aayat (leaning forward, sharp):
“ Par tumhe toh meri cheezo ki aadat ho Jani chahiye, nahi?
.... Mere kapde, mere jootay, meri jewellery, mera kamra, meri chair…
sab toh meri hi use ki hui cheezay hain , meri utran hi li hain hamesha tumne.
. aur yahan tak ke mera shohar bhi.... Khud ka kya hain tumhare pass? Batao mujhe ? ..."
Ramsha (angrily)
" Aayat tum hadh...."
But aayat intrupted,
" 8 YEARS.... 8 saal thai tumhare pass, per tab be tum ne apni jagah nahi banayi balkay meri jagah hi li ... Tumhari khud ki aukat hain kya? apne dum pr tum ne paya kya hain? Sotan ho ya dasi samaj hi nahi a raha? Aur ab Itne sab ke baad nashta karne mein tumhe sharam aa rahi hai?”
The words hit like thunder. Hayaat, Saad, rayyan and Huzaif burst out laughing, quickly covering it up with fake coughs.
Rashid’s face turned red with rage.
“Aayat! Hadh par kar rahi ho tum ab!”
But Aayat ignored him completely. She leaned closer to Ramsha, voice dripping with poison.
“Tumhe pata hai mujh mein aur tum mein farq kya hai? Meri cheez koi use kar le… toh main usko dubara dekhna bhi pasand nahi karti. Mujhe second-hand cheezein kabhi pasand hi nahi ati.”
She calmly picked up her plate, walked to the other end of the table, and sat beside Saad.
Ramsha, trembling with rage, forced a smile.
Ramsha (mocking):
“Agar tumhe itna pasand nahi koi tumhari cheez ko haath lagaye… toh phir wapas kyun aayi ho yahan? Rayyan ke paas?”
Aayat laughed, turning to Nafeesa.
Aayat (mocking sweetly):
“Taii Ammi… aapki favorite bahu ne toh aapke betay ko cheez bana diya. Aur wo be second hand cheez.”
Nafeesa’s lips parted, but words failed her.
Aayat stood, walked toward the kitchen, and returned with a can of kerosene oil and a lighter.
She placed them beside Ramsha’s chair.
Aayat (low voice, deadly calm):
“Khadi ho jao.”
Ramsha hesitated, but something in Aayat’s eyes forced her up. Aayat grabbed the chair, dragged it to the center of the hall, and doused it with oil.
Rayyan:
“Aayat! Ye kya kar rahi ho—”
But one sharp glare from her silenced him.
She flicked the lighter. Flames roared to life, engulfing the chair in fire.
Everyone gasped.
Aayat turned, her eyes locked on Nafeesa.
Aayat (smiling coldly):
“Ab batayiye, Taii Ammi… kya aapka beta bhi cheez hai? Kyunki cheezo ke saath toh main aisa hi karti hoon.”
Without another word, she walked out of the hall, her heels clicking against the marble.
The flames of the chair were still burning in Malik Mansion’s hall when Aayat stepped out into the crisp morning air. The family’s shocked gasps still echoed behind her, but she didn’t look back once.
Her black car waited at the gates. She slid inside smoothly, adjusted her sunglasses, and pulled out her phone.
Aayat (calmly, on call):
“Arjun, I told you… Mujhe kisi be haal mein file desk mein chahiye hain. Don’t mess this up again.”
She cut the call and exhaled. Her expression softened only when her phone buzzed again—this time, a message from Hayaat:
“Api… can I meet you at your office today?”
Aayat typed back a single word.
“Come.”
~
The glass walls of her office reflected the skyline. Aayat returned from a meeting, files in hand, when she found Hayaat waiting nervously inside her cabin.
Hayaat (standing quickly):
“Api… mujhe maaf karde please. Us waqt… 8 saal pehle… main apki help nahi kar payi. mein janti hoon ap humse naraz hain per apiii Allah gawah hain maine ap per kabhi Shak nahi kiya ...api mei—”
Her voice cracked. Aayat placed the files on the desk and smiled faintly.
Aayat (softly):
“ pehle toh saans lay lo. Itna kon bolta hain, wo be eik saans mein.... Aur Tumse main kabhi naraz ho hi nahi sakti, Hayaat. Kyunki ek tum hi toh thi… jisne hamesha mujh par bharosa kiya. Us time be jab sab mere khilaf thai...”
Tears welled in Hayaat’s eyes.
“ Sirf mein nahi...Saad bhai aur Huzaif bhai bhi… abhi tak guilt mein hain wo dono. Roz kehte hain… agar us din tumhe support kar dete toh sab alag hota. Jis raat ap ghar se gaye thi , agli subah wo Milne ay thai ap se, ap ko kehne kay unhe ap par bharosa hain .. pr jab wo pohanche unhe pata chala ap chali Gaye hain aur rayyan bhai nay 2ri shadi kr li hain... us din se wo dono bohut taqleef mein hain appi....”
Aayat’s eyes flickered with pain, but she didn’t allow the emotion to stay. She changed the topic smoothly.
“Chhodo purani baatein. Tum batao ab kya kar rahi ho aj kal?”
Hayaat (sighing):
“Saad bhai ke saath kaam karti thi aj tak… lekin ab job dhoond rahi hoon. Main khud kuch karna chahti hoon, apni pehchaan banana chahti hoon.”
Aayat leaned back in her chair, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Toh phir tum yahan kaam karogi. Mere saath.”
Hayaat’s eyes widened.
Hayaat (shocked):
“Main? Lekin api… main—”
Aayat (interrupting):
“Monday se join karna. As a CFO.”
Hayaat (stammering):
“Chief… Chief Financial Officer? Api, agar mujhse koi galti ho gayi toh—”
Aayat stood, walked over, and placed her hands on Hayaat’s shoulders.
Aayat (firmly):
“Kuch nahi hoga. Mujhe tum par bharosa hai. Aur waise be mujhe bharosay walay log chahiye hain , aur tum per toh mein ankh band kar k bharosa kar skti hoon.”
Hayaat’s tears spilled. She nodded.
Hayaat (smiling faintly):
“Monday se… pakka.”
The two shared a rare, warm hug.
~
Later that evening, Aayat walked into the towering AK Group building. Guards nodded respectfully as she passed, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
When she reached Ayaan’s cabin, she pushed the door open casually—only to freeze.
Ayaan stood there, his jaw tight, his hand gripping a gun. The barrel was pressed against a man’s temple. Two guards flanked him, ready to drag the trembling man away.
The man whimpered, “Please… mujhe chhod dijiye… mujhse galti hogy boss....”
Aayat (dryly, leaning on the doorframe):
“Lagta hai galat waqt par aa gayi.”
But the moment Ayaan’s eyes landed on Aayat, his entire expression shifted. The storm in his gaze softened, and with a sigh, he lowered the gun.
Ayaan (to guards):
“Le jao ise.”
The guards dragged the man out. The cabin was suddenly quiet, save for Ayaan’s heavy breathing.
He turned, eyes locking on Aayat.
Ayaan (half-smiling, voice low):
“Main soch raha tha… is k baadab tumse milne auga.”
Aayat (smirking):
“Dekho… us se pehle main khud hi aa gayi.”
Ayaan chuckled and shook his head.
Ayaan (teasing):
“Lagta hai mujhe kuch zyada hi miss kar liya tumne.”
Aayat folded her arms, pretending to think.
Aayat (playfully):
“Qabool toh nahi karna chahti thi kabhi… par kar deti hoon. Bohot miss kiya tumhe. Tumhari bakwas ki bhi aadat ho gayi hain mujhe ab.”
Ayaan pressed a hand to his chest dramatically.
Ayaan (grinning):
“Mera charm hi kuch aisa hai. Koi mujhe bhool hi nahi sakta.”
Aayat laughed softly, shaking her head.
Aayat:
“Bakwas... Yahi bakwas hi toh hai bas tumhari. Jis ki waja se mein tumhein bhool hi nahi pati.”
The two shared a moment of easy laughter, something rare in Aayat’s life these days.
But soon, Ayaan’s face turned serious.
“Sab kaisa chal raha hai? Malik Mansion mein? Ramsha aur… baaki sab?”
Aayat’s smile faded into steel.
Aayat:
“Badiya. Aur tumhari taraf se bhi kuch badiya hone wala hai, I assume?”
Ayaan smirked.
Ayaan:
“Consider it done. Ramsha ki maa… bohot jaldi bankrupt hone wali hain. Main already kaam shuru kar chuka hoon.”
Aayat’s lips curved into a dangerous smile.
Aayat (calmly):
“Good.”
Aayat:
“Waise… us shakska kya hua? Kuch pata chala? ”
Ayaan's fingers tightened against his files, but his voice stayed steady.
Ayaan,
“Junaid.”
Aayat's jaw tightened at the name.
Ayaan:
“Bangalore shift ho gaya hai. Ramsha har mahine usse paise bhejti hai. Expenses ke liye...”
"Kab tak wo yaha hoga?"
Ayaan smirked, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous.
“Maine apne bande bhej diye hain. Kal tak… wo tumhare samne hoga. Don’t worry.”
Aayat’s cold smile matched his.
Aayat:
“Perfect. Time for old debts to be cleared.”
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