Chapter 44
At the porch, Safiya adjusted her heels, about to step out, when suddenly-
" Meri param sakhi... ", Adira's voice rang out as she rushed in and practically jumped onto Safiya.
(My dearest best friend...)
Safiya caught her effortlessly, laughing.
Rida and Mansi shrieked in panic seeing Safiya almost stumble back.
" Kitne din baad dikhi tu... ", Adira said dramatically.
(Seeing you after so many days...)
As if they hadn't just met last night. Safiya played along, as always.
" Yarrr aur sexy hogayi hainn... Jeeju bhi lucky hain yarww meri chhamak challo ko le gaye... ", she teased, before shamelessly slapping Safiya's ass.
( You've become even sexier... brother-in-law is so lucky he took away my dazzling girl...)
" Abeh tuneh bataya nahi traditional pehenna tha... Hum logon ne toh chic classy look decide kara tha na. ", Safiya complained with a pout, suddenly feeling conscious.
(Hey, you didn't tell me we had to wear traditional... we decided on a chic classy look, right?)
" Heh? Mujhe laga traditional pehenna tha... ", Adira said, genuinely confused.
(What? I thought we were supposed to wear traditional...)
" Change karegi tu? Ya phir mein change karu? "
(Will you change or should I change?)
" Nahi chhor woh manhus machchar aata hoga, late ho jayenge... ", Adira said, dragging Safiya along, referring to Ahaan.
(No leave it, that unlucky mosquito will be here soon, we'll get late...)
" Ab aagayi hain toh breakfast karle... ", Safiya insisted.
(Now that you're here, at least have breakfast)
" Nahi abhi toh peth khaali rakhna hain... Pura din toh bas khana hi hain. ", Adira grinned.
(No, I need to keep my stomach empty... we're going to eat all day)
" Rida, Mansi... yeh meri dost hain Adira ",Safiya introduced.
(Rida, Mansi... this is my friend Adira)
Both of them moved forward, about to bow but Adira immediately grabbed their hands instead.
" Hello, areh yeh dono toh bari pyari hain. ", she said warmly. Both the girls smiled, muttering quiet thank you's
(Hello, oh these two are so adorable)
" Safiya aapi aap woh heel na pehne... ",Mansi said hesitantly.
(Safiya sister, please don't wear those heels...)
" Kyu? ", she asked perplexed.
(Why?)
" Woh sahab ne mana kiya hain... aa-aapko chot lag gayi toh... ", Rida added nervously.
(Sir has forbidden it... if you get hurt...)
Safiya's gaze followed towards them. No camera in sight as she had thrown those away. Her expression hardened and jaw tightened.
" Kidhar lagaya hain camera batao. "
(Tell me where the camera is installed.)
They didn't answer and her irritation only grew. That's when she noticed the camera near the flower pot at the porch, she shook her head in dismay..
" Adira nailpolish pakdaiyo zara... ", she said coldly.
(Adira, pass me the nail polish)
Adira handed it over, confused ans curious. Something was definitely about to happen.
Safiya's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk before she lifted the heel in her hand, angling it just right so the camera could capture it clearly.
She showed the camera how big the heel was before wearing it again. There was something teasing in her eyes, something deliberate. Then, without breaking eye contact with the lens, she picked up the nail polish and smeared it across the camera, the glossy liquid blurring the view into a hazy red.
Adira watched the entire act with sparkling amusement, her eyes widening before she burst into laughter. " Jeeju touh bohot hee italian mafia coded hain.. ", Safiya let out a laugh, shaking her head lightly.
" Haan 365 days ka sasta Massimo... "
(Yeah, a cheap version of Massimo from 365 Days..)
Both of them laughed together like evil witches, their voices echoing in the room.
" Ese bhi mat bol. Pyaar karte hain bohot tujhse. Teri security ka bhi khayal rakhte hain. " Adira added, her tone softening slightly as she remembered that Zaviyar, despite everything, was very concerned with everything that involved his 2ife.
(Don't say that either. He loves you a lot. He takes care of your safety too.)
" Kuch bhi.. ", Safiya dismissed, though the corner of her lips twitched faintly. She turned away and walked out, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
(Whatever..)
As she stepped outside, her gaze fell upon two guards already waiting near the car, standing straight, alert.
" Assalamualaikum bibi-ji... ", both of them greeted in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.
Adira immediately burst into giggles. " Bibi-ji... "
Safiya shot her a sharp glare, her eyes narrowing.
" Kuch hee dino mein heeramandi ki bebo jaan ban jayegi ", Adira laughed loudly, almost snorting at her own joke, unable to control herself, " Dithan Dithan dhin- ", Adira acted before laughing at the thought.
(In a few days you'll become Heeramandi's Bebo Jaan)
" Chhup hoja saatwi fail ", Safiya snapped, irritation laced in her tone as she walked ahead toward the guards.
(Shut up, you seventh fail)
She paused briefly, turning back just enough to blow a kiss toward the camera, her expression softening for a fleeting second.
" Bye bye avi... ", she whispered gently into the cameras, smeared nailpolish over it before continuing forward like nothing had happened.Then, stopping in front of the guards, she spoke again, her tone now calm but firm.
" Aap loug yaha mujhe Safiya bula sakte hain... ", The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly confused.
(You people can call me Safiya here..)
" I'm going out and i don't want anyone following me.
Okay... " she instructed. Again, the guards looked at each other, hesitation evident.
Their loyalty was torn between Zaviyar's strict orders and Safiya standing right in front of them, giving a completely opposite command.
Zaviyar had told them to obey her and now she was telling them to ignore him.
Safiya, after finishing what she needed to say, turned only to find Adira pacing back and forth restlessly, the phone pressed against her ear.
" Kha hain tu? ", Adira almost screamed into the phone, her voice loud enough for Safiya to catch a faint shout from the other side. It was Ahaan.
(Where are you?)
" Ahaan aata hee hoga. Uski gaadi mein hee chalte hain... ", Adira said, cutting the call with a dramatic sigh.
(Ahaan must be on his way. We'll go in his car..)
Safiya simply nodded and slipped her car keys back into her bag. Just then, the atmosphere shifted.
The wind picked up suddenly, strong enough to send strands of their hair flying wildly. The sunlight grew sharper as clouds drifted away, bathing everything in a harsh glow. And then came the sound. A loud, revving engine cutting through the silence. Both girls instinctively looked toward the gate.
A Thar slowly came into view, its presence commanding, dust swirling slightly around its tires.
For a second, both Safiya and Adira expected it to turn inside. Instead, it sped past revealing a sight they didn't expect to witness anytime soon. A boy, dressed in gym shorts, a loose gym t-shirt, headphones covering his ears and a cap pulled low, came racing in on a bicycle.
Ahaan.
He sped into the driveway with unnecessary confidence, braking dramatically near the porch. He attempted a stunt, like those done in movies.
Only for the bicycle to slip.
And he landed flat on his butt. The cycle toppled right over him.
Safiya and Adira slowly turned to look at each other. There was a silent understanding between them. Both nodded looking at each other and hooked their arms.
Without a word, they turned toward Safiya's car, completely ignoring the disaster on the ground. They genuinely hadn't recognized him.
" Areh Oye Oye ruk jaao... ", Ahaan called out, scrambling up in panic.
(Hey, hey, stop...)
He rushed forward and grabbed Adira's wrist. He was just about to grab Safiya's hand when suddenly, one of the guards stepped in. In a swift, effortless motion. He flipped Ahaan.
Literally flipped him!
Safiya gasped, her eyes widening in shock. Adira, on the other hand, collapsed onto the floor laughing uncontrollably, her laughter echoing loudly. Rida and Mansi, standing nearby, struggled to hold back their giggles at the sight of Ahaan lying defeated.
" Mazah agaya.. bhai once more. ", Adira said between laughs, encouraging the guard who now looked slightly terrified of her reaction.
( That was fun.. brother, do it once more.)
" Mein aate ki bori hu kya jouh utha ke fek diya... ", Ahaan groaned, pushing himself up while rubbing his back in pain.
(Am I a sack of flour that you picked me up and threw me like that...)
" Kha se uthake laayi ho yeh mushtande... ", he complained, glaring at Safiya.
(Where did you bring these bodybuilders from...)
Safiya silently raised her left hand, pointing toward her ring finger, making it very clear that they were Zaviyar's men.
" Iske eji-oji neh bheje hain... ", Adira added, elbowing Ahaan in the stomach. Ahaan's expression instantly shifted from annoyed to terrified.
(Her husband sent them...)
" Tum dono mujhe ignore kyu kar rahi ho? ", he asked, crossing his arms, clearly offended.
(Why are you both ignoring me?)
" Tu touh car laane vala tha na... Aur yeh kesi haalat mein aaya hain. ", Safiya said, scrunching her nose as she reached up to fix his hair, which looked like a complete bird's nest.
(You were supposed to bring a car... and what kind of condition have you come in?)
" Areh yaar, woh papa neh mera account bandh kardiya aur ab mere saarein cards decline horahe hai. Garage bhi lock kardiya. ", Ahaan said dramatically, though he didn't look bothered at all.
(Oh man, dad shut down my account and now all my cards are declining. He even locked the garage.)
" Uncle faltu mein touh esa kuch karenge nhi, tune hee kuch kiya hoga... ", Safiya narrowed her eyes knowingly.
(Uncle wouldn't do something like this for no reason, you must have done something...)
" Yeh pucho kya nhi kiya hain isne... ", Adira rolled her eyes.
(Ask what he hasn't done...)
" Uss din isko body massage chahiye tha touh thailand chala gaya... ", Safiya shook her head, unsurprised.
(The other day he wanted a body massage so he went to Thailand...)
" Ab thore hee din pehle isko strawberry carette khana tha touh paris chala gaya. ", Adira continued, frustration evident in her tone. Safiya noticed it. That edge in her voice. It wasn't just teasing anymore.
(And just a few days ago he went to Paris just to eat strawberry carrette...)
" Tu office mein kaam kyu nhi karta. Itna bada empire rakha hain... Woh koun tera chacha ji sambhalega... ", Adira reprimanded him.
(Why don't you work in the office? You have such a big empire... who will manage it, your uncle?)
Ahaan just shrugged, completely unbothered.
" Tum ho na sambhalne ke liye... ", he winked. Adira immediately shoved him away.
(You're there to handle it, right...)
" Muh na todh du mein tumhara... ", she hissed.
(Should I break your face...)
" Todh dou, lekin agar meri shaadi nhi hui touh tumhe hee mandap mein bethna parega... ", Ahaan teased. Safiya didn't miss the blush on Adira's face.
( You can break my face, but if I don't get married then you will have to marry me. )
" Ab jaana hain bhi ki nhi... ", Safiya interrupted, already moving toward her car. She paused, turning back to look at Ahaan from head to toe.
(Are we going or not...)
" Yeh pehen ke jayega tu? ", he simply shrugged.
(You're going to go wearing this?)
" Haan... Isme kam handsome lagrha hu kya... ", he said, flexing slightly, showing off his chiseled biceps.
(Yeah... do I look less handsome in this?)
" Yeh dono pretty ladies koun hain... ", he added playfully.
(Who are these two pretty ladies...)
Before he could say anything more, Adira grabbed him by the ear and twisted it hard.
" Tum mere saath chalo... ", she dragged him along.
(You come with me...)
And just like that, chaos followed them wherever they went for the rest of the day.
____________________________________
Safiya, Adira and Ahaan sat at their favourite dhaba-cum-cafe, the warm glow of yellow lights falling over their table as the aroma of spices filled the air. The place was simple, loud snd bright in a way which led them down the nostalgic lane of their high school days. It was their go to place.
While eating mirchi with dhokla, Adira suddenly coughed, her face scrunching up as the spice hit her throat harder than expected. Her hand flew to her mouth as she struggled to breathe properly.
Ahaan's chair scraped loudly against the ground as he stood up immediately, panic flashing across his face. Without wasting a second, he grabbed the water bottle and brought it to her lips, his other hand rubbing her back in hurried circles.
Safiya leaned closer too, gently placing her hand on Adira's head, her touch soft and grounding.
" Dheere dheere nahi khaa sakti. Atak gaya na galeh mein... ",, Ahaan scolded, his voice laced with anger but his actions betraying pure concern.
(Can't you eat slowly? It got stuck in your throat, right...)
" Thik ho? ", Safiya asked, her brows knitting together as she watched Adira carefully.
(Are you okay?)
Adira nodded, her eyes slightly red from the coughing fit.
" Yes, I'm fine now ", she said softly, taking another sip of water.
" Woh the food suddenly went in through the wrong pipe... ", Adira added with a shy, embarrassed smile.
" Kya karu mein tumhara... ", Ahaan muttered, rolling his eyes as he finally moved to sit back down.
(What am I supposed to do with you...)
Just then, his ringtone cut through the moment. His phone lit up with a call ID that made his expression instantly shift.
It was his Mom.
" Ek second ", he said, picking up the call.
(One second)
The change was immediate. The warmth drained from his face, replaced by a tight scowl. His posture stiffened, shoulders tense, jaw clenched. Within seconds, the cheerful boy was gone, replaced by someone guarded, controlled.
" Yes, mom. ", he answered, his voice flat, almost robotic.
" Aap yahan... ", Ahaan suddenly shouted, his head snapping toward the entrance of the dhaba.
(You are here...)
All three of them stood up instantly. Safiya quickly paid the bill before walking out with them.
Outside, a Fortuner stood parked, its presence loud even in stillness. The driver stepped out and opened the door as Ahaan's mother emerged, her expression already twisted in visible disgust. LHer eyes swept over the surroundings, then over them.
" Tum jaante bhi ho tumhe agar media neh ese dekh liya touh kya hoga Ahaan ", she whisper-yelled, her body trembling with restrained anger.
(Do you even know what will happen if the media sees you like this, Ahaan)
Her gaze then shifted. It landed on Safiya and Adira as they walked closer. And suddenly, her entire demeanor changed.
" Hello, Safiya beta. Kesi ho tum? ", she said warmly, stepping forward to hug Safiya and placing her hand over her head affectionately.
Hello Safiya dear, how are you?)
" Bohot pyaari lag rahi ho. Mujhe pta chala tumhari shaadi ka. Congratulations, bachcha. ", she added with a sweet smile. But her eyes remained cold.
(You are looking very lovely. I heard about your marriage. Congratulations, child.)
" Thank you aunty, you are also looking very nice. ", Safiya replied politely, though she could sense the tension hanging thick in the air.
" Namaste aunty... ", Adira greeted softly, her voice respectful. Only for Ahaan's mother to look at her with ignorance and irritation which she tried not to express.
" Haan... Namaste namaste... ", his mother dismissed casually, barely sparing her a glance.The difference was sharp enough to sting.
" Tum dono apni image ka thora khayal rakha karo.
Yeh kesi jagah khaane aaye ho. Tum hee isse samjhao Safiya.
.. Kahi mehenga restaurant mein jaaye. Your tastes are turning cheap.
.. and I can see why? ", she said, her words were smooth but her intent was quite evident.
Her gaze shifted deliberately toward Adira on the last line.
(You both should take care of your image. What kind of place is this to eat? You explain it to him, Safiya... you should go to expensive restaurants. Your tastes are turning cheap... and I can see why?)
Adira's eyes filled instantly, humiliation burning under her skin.
" Mom... Bas, please leave. You are ruining our quality time. ", Ahaan said, gripping her arm tightly, trying to lead her away.
" Safiya beta... Please come visit us sometime. ", his mother said sweetly again, squeezing Safiya's hand before turning away. The driver opened the door and she got inside.
The car drove off, leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than before. The moment she was gone, Ahaan turned to Adira, guilt written all over his face. She stood there, still, trying to hold herself together.
" Adu I'm really sorry for mom's behavior... ", he said immediately. Adira nodded, unable to trust her voice. She already knew his mother hated her.
But this... This level of public disrespect. She would never forgive that woman.
" Guys, i- I'll leave please mere bina hee continue karo. ", Ahaan mumbled, his voice low as he turned and walked away.
(Guys, I will leave... please continue without me.)
Safiya watched him go, then turned to Adira. Without saying anything, she gently held her wrist and led her toward the car. The drive was quiet.
Soon, they reached the nearest park, the same one they always visited during their holidays. The familiar place felt different today. They settled under a dimly lit tree, the soft glow of a nearby lamp falling over them.
" What's going on between both of you? ", Safiya finally asked, her voice calm but firm.
" Nothing... Nothing is going on. ", Adira replied quickly, her tone defensive like she was trying to silence her own thougjts.
" Adira... Please yaar stop hiding things from me. ", Safiya said gently, placing her hand over Adira's.
The last string of composure broke. Tears slipped down Adira's cheeks, quiet and heavy, carrying everything she had been holding in.
" I'm not hiding anything. Everything is in front of you. " Adira hiccuped, her voice lacked its usual steadiness. Her fingers twisted together in her lap and her eyes, instead of holding Safiya's gaze, kept drifting away as if the truth itself was too heavy to look at.
" Adira... I will not force you to say anything, but I can see the tension between you two. ", Safiya crossed her legs slowly, leaning back against the bench with a calmness that only made her words feel heavier.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Adira, observant and far too perceptive.
" There is nothing between us, nor will there ever be anything between us. " Adira protested, a little too quickly, a little too loudly. The slight tremor in her voice betrayed her and Safiya caught it instantly.
That shakiness was not denial. It was fear, it was confusion confusion. It was feelings she was trying too hard to bury.
Safiya tilted her head slightly, studying her like a puzzle she had already solved.
" Ahaan proposed, didn't he? " she asked, her tone casual. Adira's breath hitched, her eyes widening in shock as she looked at Safiya. For a second, she forgot how to respond.
" And you rejected him? Why? ", Adira turned her face away immediately, her jaw tightening. Shame crept into her chest, mixing with doubt, making her heart feel unbearably heavy.
" What else can I do? Have you seen how his family treats me?