2
I want to be in a relationship with him too.
But I'm not so cheap or shameless that I will go with a man knowing that his family sees me as dirt and beg for them to accept me.
", Her voice cracked at the end despite her effort to sound firm.
Safiya nodded slowly, her expression softening. She understood exactly where this was coming from.
" You saw right how his mom treats you and how she treats me? "
A flicker of guilt passed through Safiya's eyes.
She remembered every moment she had stayed silent.
Every time Ahaan's mother ignored Adira, every time she chose peace over confrontation.
She knew she was partly at fault. But she also knew speaking up would only worsen things for Adira.
And that helplessness had always kept her quiet.
" He is too rich, Safiya. " Adira finally whispered, the words barely audible.
" So are you. " Safiya replied immediately, almost sharply defined because she refused to let Adira shrink herself like that. The first person who needed to believe in her worth was Adira herself. If she didn't, the world would only follow her lead.
" Maybe, but not like you two. He is an heir to an old money empire. " Adira reasoned, her voice filled with quiet defeat.
" But tere papa bhi touh doctor hain, aur aunty teacher. You are from a good family too. ", Adira nodded faintly, though guilt still lingered in her chest.
(But your father is a doctor and your mother is a teacher. You are from a good family too.)
" Maybe. But not rich like them. Aur mein non veg hu, woh pure veg.
Woh bhi ek problem hain. I can't go even a day without chicken and he eats veg food.
Usme bhi no garlic, no onions, no potatoes.
I'll die like that. Upar se mein florist ka kaam kar rahi hu, NET clear nahi ho raha.
Uski mummy touh mujhe ghar chhoro, unke area mein bhi na jaane deh.
", Safiya let out a quiet breath, absorbing every word.
(And I eat non vegetarian food while he is completely vegetarian.
That is also a problem. I can't go even a day without chicken and he eats veg food.
That too without garlic, onions, or potatoes.
I will die like that. On top of that I am working as a florist and I am not able to clear NET.
His mother wouldn't even let me enter their area, forget their house.)
" Stop saying all that about yourself. You are the best person I and Ahaan have.
Once you clear NET, you can do what you want.
Florist ka kaam karna buri baat nahi hain, every job is respectable.
As for your dietary choices, you have the right to eat what you want.
", Adira's eyes softened slightly. She knew Safiya was right.
But knowing something and believing it were two different battles.
" Aunty jouh kitty party mein jaake smoke karti hain, uske baarein mein hum bolte hain kya... " Safiya added, rolling her eyes.
(That aunty who goes to kitty parties and smokes, do we say anything about that...)
" Yaar mat bol esa, Ahaan ko bura lagega. " Adira mumbled.
(Don't say that, Ahaan will feel bad.)
" Tu idhar udhar ke baatein mat kar, mujhe yeh bata Ahaan ko reject kyu kiya. You like him, I know that. ", Adira stood up abruptly, her back stiff.
(Stop diverting the topic and tell me why you rejected Ahaan.)
" Mujhe baat nahi karni. I might just accept Sameer's proposal. ", Safiya's brows furrowed instantly.
(I don't want to talk. I might just accept Sameer's proposal.)
" You rejected Sameer even though he asked you out so many times. You told Sameer you like someone else, but when you rejected Ahaan you didn't say that. That means you like Ahaan. ", Adira clenched her fists, instantly regretting ever sharing details with Safiya.
" Ahaan likes me but his family hates me. Why should I be with him? I have self respect. " she snapped, turning around sharply, her eyes blazing now.
" HOW LONG WILL HE FIGHT FOR ME? HOW LONG WILL HE FIGHT FOR US? ". Safiya was taken aback, her eyes widening. She had never seen Adira like this. But before she could respond, her gaze shifted past Adira and froze.
A man stood behind her.
" Always... ", Ahaan's voice came softly, yet it carried a certainty that made the air still.
Adira froze, her heart drumming against her chest as the air got stuck in her lungs. She had just confessed to him.
Before she could react, his arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her gently into him. He rested his chin against her shoulder blade, his presence warm, familiar, and overwhelming.
Tears slipped down Adira's face instantly.
" Why are you here? " she asked, her voice trembling.
" Where else should I go if not here? " he whispered near her ear.
Meanwhile, Safiya sat there like a completely uninterested audience member in a live drama. Her fingers tapped lightly against the bush behind her where two of Zaviyar's men were hiding. They were literally crouched behind the bushes.
Eating all different types of popcorn. Caramelized, spicy, salted, and butter glazed popcorn. It was their first time trying it.
When they noticed Safiya staring, they paused awkwardly and then, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, offered her some. They forwarded the box towards Safiya who grinned at them.
Safiya took it.
Now she sat comfortably in the middle of the bench, while on both sides the two men slightly peeked their heads out from behind the bushes, fully invested in Ahaan and Adira's emotional scene.
She had already confiscated their phones and bluetooth speakers earlier. They were supposed to protect her and she had allowed it on one strict condition that Zaviyar would not get any updates. Before they could inform him, she had snatched their phones like a pro.
" Ma'am try this caramel popcorn. " one of them whispered.
Safiya happily took a handful. Her eyes shifted forward just in time to see Ahaan and Adira leaning dangerously close. Her expression changed instantly.
She raised both her hands and covered the eyes of the two men sitting beside her.
" Ayeee don't peek at them. " she scolded softly.
After all, this was clearly not something these poor men were trained to witness. Safiya, however, watched everything without blinking.
Her version of Ron and Hermione had officially started eating each other's faces. When Ahaan and Adira finally pulled apart, slightly breathless and completely unaware of their audience, their eyes landed on Safiya. She sat there with a disgusted expression, popcorn in hand.
" Oyo book karke du? " she asked flatly.
(Should I book an Oyo for you?)
" Nahi, mene already kar liya. " Ahaan replied with a grin.
(No, I have already booked one.)
" Chee gande aadmi, mein tumhe talaaq deti hu. " Adira said instantly, pushing him away.
(Ew disgusting man, I divorce you.)
" Areh baby mene apne liye kiya hain. Woh mujhe ghar se nikaal diya na dad ne. " he said with a shameless grin, as if he had been expecting this reaction.
(Baby, I booked it for myself. Dad threw me out of the house, remember.)
" Oh my god, what is happening with your phone?
", Adira said, her voice laced with shock as she leaned forward, her eyes widening at the screen that was flooded with notifications.
More than fifty missed calls from his mother blinked back at them, along with dozens from his father, the numbers almost looking unreal.
" Woh mera app launch hogaya na, aur dad ko pta chal gaya that the one competing with his company was mine. Well, Dad ne galat aadmi ke saath panga leliya you know. ", he said with a careless shrug, as if the chaos on his phone meant nothing to him.
( My app got launched and dad found out. Well, Dad picked a fight with the wrong person, you know. )
" Huh? ", Adira and Safiya reacted at the same time, their confusion perfectly in sync as they exchanged a quick glance before looking back at him.
" Kyu tune kya kiya? ", Safiya asked, her brows knitting together, completely perplexed by his nonchalance.
( Why, what did you do? )
" Itne maheeno se jouh gayab tha do you both think I was travelling the world wasting his money? ", he raised a brow at them.
( All these months that I was missing, do you both think I was travelling the world wasting his money? )
Both of them nodded without hesitation, earning themselves a sharp middle finger from him. He rolled his eyes at their audacity but continued anyway when they glared back at him, unapologetic.
" I was travelling to make business partners and show them my product. The best way to advertise your product is by being a customer and showing them how awesome and helpful your product is. ", his tone shifted slightly, something more serious slipping through as he spoke.
He then casually took out the sim from his phone, holding it between his fingers for a second before crushing it effortlessly. The tiny piece of plastic snapped under the pressure as if it symbolized something much bigger.
" They saw the potential, and boom. I landed a partnership. ", he grinned at them, pride flickering in his eyes.
But both the girls found it hard to believe. The same guy who barely seemed to care about work, who always acted reckless and unserious, had been planning something this calculated behind their backs.
" How did you do that without an office? ", Adira asked, genuinely confused. She had rarely ever seen him working, let alone building something like this.
" From my gym of course. ", he replied simply, watching as both of them tilted their heads in confusion, clearly not following.
" Matlab? ", they asked almost together.
( What do you mean? )
" You remember how I played and won various online games? ", they both nodded slowly.
" Uss paise ka kya achaar daalta. Rent peh ek floor leliya tha, aur waha ek part gym bana diya only for women and ek part mein apna office. Gym se floor ka rent nikal jaata hain... "
( What was I supposed to do with that money. I rented a floor, turned one part into a gym only for women and the other into my office. The gym covers the rent of the floor... )
Adira looked at him, visibly impressed now, a soft admiration settling in her eyes.
" And why only a women's gym? ", Ahaan answered in a way that carried the quiet confidence of someone who had actually thought things through.
" Because women want a comfortable space to exercise without men and there are few gym only for women. I remember how you were complaining about it and decided that would be for the best ", Safiya nodded slowly, understanding his reasoning before suddenly patting his back.
" Saabaash.. ", she said before hitting his back harder than necessary, making him wince.
( Well done.. )
" Aur ab? ", Safiya asked, narrowing her eyes slightly, already assuming he was going to do something dramatic next.
( And now? )
" Apne family ko sayonara bolke Dr Dibyojyoti Chakroborty ki beti ko agwa karunga... ", he smirked, watching Adira's reaction carefully.
( I will say goodbye to my family and kidnap Dr Dibyojyoti Chakroborty's daughter... )
Adira's eyes widened instantly, her breath hitching as she gasped, hearing her father's name so casually from his lips.
" Tumhe mere Papa ka naam kese malum hain. ", she asked, confusion and suspicion mixing in her tone.
( How do you know my father's name? )
" Areh mujhe mere honeh vaale sasur ka naam kese nhi pta hoga.... ", he winked at her, his smirk only growing wider.
( How would I not know my future father-in-law's name? )
" Tumhe bataya kisne... ", she frowned, trying to recall how he could possibly know.
( Who told you? )
" Mrs Nandini Verma ne... ", he replied casually, as if it was nothing important.
" tumne mummy se baat ki... ", Adira gasped, realization dawning upon her.
( You talked to my mom... )
That explained the strange behavior of her parents over the past few days, the mysterious smiles they kept exchanging.
" Baat? Mummy ke haath ka patishapta bhi khaya. I'll admit tumhare papa se thora dar laga. Esa lag rha tha ki ek galat shabd aur woh mujhe machli ka chara bna denge. "
( Talk? I even ate patishapta cooked by your mom. I'll admit I was a little scared of your dad. It felt like one wrong word and he would turn me into fish bait. )
Safiya burst into laughter at that while Adira just stared at him, half shocked, half trying to process everything.
" Aur kya baat ki tumne unse... ", Adira asked, a little nervous now, worried he might have said something reckless.
( What else did you talk about with them? )
" Direct gaya aur bola ki... Isse pehle ki mein aapki beti ko bhaga ke leke jau, aap please mujhe apna jamai bana lijiye. ", Adira rolled her eyes instantly, already imagining how nervous he must have been while saying that. Her father was sweet but was quite strict.
( I went straight and said... before I run away with your daughter, please make me your son-in-law. )
" Maan Gaye papa? ", she asked, a hint of hope slipping into her voice.
( Did dad agree? )
" Haan maan gaye na. ", Ahaan mumbled, pulling her closer into his arms on the bench, holding her as if the answer itself had brought him relief.
( Yes, he agreed. )
Safiya visibly cringed at their lovey-dovey act, looking away dramatically.
" bas ek mahine ke liye roz uncle ke clinic ke bahar hartal karna para... ", he added casually.
( Just had to protest outside uncle's clinic every day for a month... )
Adira slapped her forehead, her doubts now completely confirmed. Her father definitely did not like him.
" So, Adira Chakroborty do you take Ahaan as your boyfriend. ", Safiya asked, already looking disgusted at their display. The random drama of the moment felt like some cheap ceremony, the wind slightly rustling the bushes behind them, as if even nature was forced to witness this.
" I do. ", Adira said softly, and before she could even process it, she was pulled into another kiss.
Safiya shook her head, turning away dramatically
" Kameeno mujhe bhul gaye... I can't believe I'm the harry potter in this trio... ", She let out a sigh, missing her own chaotic pair.
( Idiots, you forgot about me... I can't believe I'm the Harry Potter in this trio... )
" Tere ginny weasly ko bhi bula le fir", Ahaan said..
( Call your ginny weasly then. )
'mera vala touh tom marvolo riddle hain, handsome bhi hain aur red flag bhi', she giggled at the thought
( My one is tom marvolo riddle, handsome and a red flag )
[ ?????♀? Sorry to the ones who don't get the harry potter reference, also idk if I have Adira and Ayaan any surnames before this. So bear with me on this. ]
_____________________________________
Safiya walked inside the house late at night, her steps slightly slow, exhaustion finally catching up to her after spending the entire day out with her friends. The laughter, the teasing, the chaos of the day still lingered in her mind as a faint smile played on her lips.
They had come back to her house earlier, sitting together for a while before Adira and Ahaan eventually left, booking a cab. She had watched them go, shaking her head at their antics, unaware of how much time had already slipped by.
Zaviyar had called her a few times initially, checking on her in his usual way. There was always that underlying possessiveness in his concern and she was sure he must have warned Ahaan a hundred times to keep his distance from his wife. The thought made her lips twitch slightly.
But somewhere in between, her phone had died. Completely. And with it, her sense of time disappeared as well.
As soon as she stepped inside, the quiet of the house wrapped around her. The soft yellow lights, the familiar scent, everything felt grounding after a long day out. Her eyes immediately fell on her mother, sitting comfortably on the couch, a cup of tea in her hand while she spoke on the phone.
" who are you calling? ", Safiya asked, slipping off her shoes as she walked closer, noticing her mother dialing a number.
" Riffat bhabhi... ", Safiya nodded slightly. She had spoken to Riffat in the morning, right after sending her outfit to Zaviyar, the memory flashing briefly in her mind.
" Hello, assalamualaikum bhabhi", Rabiya greeted warmly as the call connected.
( Hello, peace be upon you sister-in-law )
" Walaikum salam Walaikum salam Rabiya, kese hain sab loug?", came the reply from the other side.
( Walaikum salam Rabiya. How is everyone? )
Safiya quietly turned on the speaker before moving closer, wrapping her arms around her mother. She rested her head against her shoulder, letting out a soft breath as she melted into her embrace.
There was something about her mother. That faint scent of baby powder, soft and comforting, wrapped around her senses, making her feel like a child again. Safeand ptotected.
Rabiya gently caressed her hair, her fingers moving with warmth and familiarity.
" Bas bhabhi, hum touh badhiya hain. Aap bataiye "
( We are all good. You tell me )
" Mein touh bas Safiya ko call karne hee vaali thi. Yaha toub afra tafri mach gayi hain, abhi abhi doctor gaye hain bas. ", Riffat's voice came through, strained and heavy, her worry impossible to miss.
( I was just about to call Safiya. There has been chaos here, the doctor just left. )
The words hung in the air, shifting the entire atmosphere in an instant. Safiya straightened slightly, her brows pulling together as unease crept into her chest.
" Kyu kya hua? ", Rabiya asked, her brows knitting together as unease crept into her voice.
" Zaviyar ka bp shoot kar gaya. Idhar Safiya gayi, aur idhar yeh pura din bas tension leta rehta hain.
Mene kha ki ek baar call kar louh usse- bata dou lekin nhi, woh kehne laga ki khamkha Safiya tension legi.
Aur ab phone kar rha tha par Safiya ka phone bandh aaraha hain.
", Riffat spoke, her voice controlled but laced with worry.
As she finished, she turned to Safiya, her eyes searching her face as if trying to understand something deeper.
( Zaviyar's blood pressure shot up. Safiya left from here, and since then he has been restless the whole day, just worrying. I told him to call her once and inform her but no, he said Safiya would worry unnecessarily. And now when he is calling, her phone is switched off. )
" Ya allah, doctor ne kya kaha ", Rabiya exclaimed, her hand instinctively flying to her chest as concern overtook her.
( Oh God, what did the doctor say? )
Safiya sat there, stiff yet composed on the outside.
She had taken all the phones from the security guards earlier, a small rebellious act of control but had still allowed them to keep watch over her from a distance.
At that moment, she had not even considered that Zaviyar, deprived of any update, would spiral into such worry.
" Bas khayal rakhne ka kehkar gaye hain. Zyada problem nhi hain" , Riffat said.
( They just advised to take care. It is not very serious.)
Her words were meant to reassure, yet the strain in her voice betrayed her calm fa?ade.
" Ajeeb ittefaq hain bhabi, idhar Safiya ka bp down horha hain udhar Zaviyar ka bp shoot ho gaya. "
( What a strange coincidence, sister-in-law. Here Safiya's blood pressure is dropping and there Zaviyar's has shot up.)
Safiya immediately shot her mother a sharp glare, her eyes flashing with annoyance at how casually that information had been revealed.
" Yeh touh kuch nhi Rabiya. Jouh ladka bachpan se apne dadaji ki tarha subah bas parathe khata tha aaj woh dahee aur fal khaane lga.
Jesa Safiya khaati hain. ", Rabiya's eyes widened, her surprise evident.
Safiya simply shrugged, trying to brush it off with logic.
Maybe he just wanted to eat something healthier. Maybe it meant nothing.
( This is nothing, Rabiya. The boy who since childhood used to eat only parathas in the morning like his grandfather has now started eating yogurt and fruits, just like Safiya.)
But somewhere deep inside, a quiet voice whispered otherwise.
'But he doesn't like eating yogurt.', Her own conscience refused to let her dismiss it so easily.
" Aur yeh ladki jouh subah paratho ko haath bhi nhi lagati, aaj achanak se parathe khaane ki zidd karne lagi. Mene touh alag se uski favourite pancakes bhi banayi thi, bas ek khaya usne. Mein touh hairaan hogayi. "
( And this girl who does not even touch parathas in the morning suddenly insisted on eating them today. I even made her favorite pancakes separately but she only ate one. I was so surprised.)
Safiya stomped her foot lightly, irritation bubbling inside her at her mother's continuous revelations.
She had eaten parathas in the initial days of her marriage and again when she had gone to Azamgarh. It was only because she did not want to appear rude or overly demanding. There was no rule that she only ate yogurt bowls. But then again.
'You have been eating that since you turned fifteen.', The voice in her head returned, softer this time, yet more persistent.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She hated how obvious it all sounded when spoken aloud. She did not want to seem desperate. She did not want anyone to notice.
" Dono ko ek dusre ki aadat lag chuki hain. ", Rabiya chuckled, gently cupping Safiya's cheek.
( Both of them have grown habitual of each other.)
" Sahi keh rahi ho. Zaviyar bethak se aate hee Safiya ko pukarne laga. Kabir ne yaad dilaya baad mein ki woh nhi hain. "
( You are right. As soon as Zaviyar came from the sitting room, he started calling out for Safiya. Later Kabir reminded him that she was not there. )
Safiya shifted in her seat, her discomfort growing. A part of her felt exposed, like her private emotions were being discussed openly. Yet another part of her felt something warm bloom inside her chest.
" Miya biwi ka rishta touh ese hee touh hota hain. ", Rabiya said.
( This is exactly how the relationship between husband and wife is..)
Safiya leaned back, letting out a quiet breath, waiting for the conversation to move forward.
" Safiya hain... ", Riffat questioned softly, noticing Zaviyar looking at her with quiet expectation, his eyes carrying a restless urgency.
" Jii- woh... Ghumne gayi thi dosto ke saath aaj. Abhi thori der pehle aayi hain... Mere saamne hee bethi hain, call du usko. ", Rabiya offered, but Riffat shook her head gently, already knowing her son.
( Yes, she had gone out with her friends today. She just returned a little while ago. She is sitting right in front of me. Should I give her the call? )
" Koi nhi. Usse aaram karne douh, thak gayi hogi. ", Safiya grinned mischievously at her mother before quickly getting up and rushing upstairs.
( It is alright. Let her rest, she must be tired.)
Her steps were hurried, almost impatient. She entered her room and immediately plugged her phone into the charger, her fingers slightly trembling as she powered it on.
Meanwhile, Zaviyar sat on the bed, his posture tense, his gaze fixed on Riffat as she spoke on the call. There was a silent question in his eyes, one he did not voice but could not hide either. He was looking at his mother with expectant eyes waiting for her to give the call to Safiya.
The moment the call ended, his phone screen lit up.