Chapter 49 #5
Slowly, she lifted both hands, cupping his face as though it was the most precious thing she had ever held. Her thumbs brushed lightly against his jaw before she closed the remaining distance herself, pressing another soft kiss against his lips.
This time, there was neither awkwardness nor hesitation.
Only the quiet familiarity they always managed to find in each other's arms.
Hand in hand, they stepped out of the room together.
As they descended the staircase, the comforting aroma of freshly prepared breakfast drifted through the house, wrapping around them with the warmth of an ordinary morning, one that felt extraordinary simply because they were sharing it.
"Safiya didi, yeh aapke shohar hain?", Bano asked excitedly, practically bouncing on her feet as she was seeing Safiya's husband for the first time
(Safiya didi, is he your husband?)
Safiya smiled, unable to hide the fondness in her eyes.
"Haan."
(Yes.)
"Assalamualaikum.", Wajahat greeted Zaviyar warmly as he stepped forward, taking his hand with fatherly affection before guiding him towards the dining table.
(Peace be upon you.)
"Wa-alaikum assalam."
(And peace be upon you too.)
The words left Zaviyar's lips politely.
But the warmth vanished from his face almost instantly.
The easy smile he had worn only moments ago disappeared without a trace, replaced by a rigid expression that hardened every feature on his face. His shoulders straightened, his jaw clenched almost imperceptibly, and an invisible wall seemed to rise around him.
Safiya noticed it immediately. The transformation was startling.
It was as though the affectionate husband who had been teasing and kissing her upstairs had ceased to exist the moment her father entered the picture.
Standing here was Nawab Zaviyar Raza Khan. Reserved and guarded.
"Aao, betho.", Wajahat gestured towards the chair beside his own.
(Come, have a seat.)
For a brief moment, silence settled over the dining room. Zaviyar walked towards the chair.
Reaching the chair beside Wajahat, he pulled it back with quiet courtesy and looked at Safiya. A silent invitation.
Safiya hesitated only briefly before taking the seat. Only after ensuring she was seated comfortably did Zaviyar move away. He chose the chair beside her.
Deliberately placing Safiya between himself and Wajahat. The gesture was subtle.
He simply didn't want to sit near Wajahat and he definitely didn't want to say it directly.
As conversations resumed around the table, Safiya suddenly felt a hand settle over her thigh beneath the table. She looked down instinctively.
Zaviyar's hand. His fingers tightened around her thigh with a grip firm enough to make her jolt in her seat. His touch was enough for her to feel every ounce of the silent restraint behind it.
His face remained perfectly composed as he looked ahead, responding to Wajahat with measured politeness.
" Bhai - sahab told me you brought the will papers that Baba left for me. ", Wajahats abrupt question made all of them look at him.
Zaviyar didn't look, simply sipped at his tea, but Safiya could feel the sudden tightening of his fingers. Only Safiya knew how tight his hand was holding onto her.
He truly hated her father with everything he had. Which was exactly why sitting across the dining table from Wajahat Shah, pretending everything was perfectly normal, felt like the longest punishment of his life.
"Zaviyar, beta... sharmao mat. Tumhara hi ghar hai." Rabiya smiled warmly as she stood, reaching for the hot cases one after another.
(Don't be shy, son. This is your home too.)
"Ji, Chachi." Zaviyar replied with a respectful nod. The moment he sat down, Rabiya took it upon herself to fill his plate.
One spoon of dal, then mixed vegetables, followed by chicken tandoori and another curry.
Safiya watched the mountain of food grow higher with every passing second before biting back a laugh. Zaviyar's expression grew more helpless after each serving, yet he was far too polite to stop her. Until another chapati landed on his plate.
"Chachi... bas. Yeh bohot hai." He finally protested with an awkward smile.
(Aunt... that's enough. This is more than enough.)
"Arey, khao. Abhi tak toh tumne bas do roti-"
(Oh, eat. You've only had two rotis so far-)
"Do aur aadhi." Safiya corrected from beside him without even looking up from her food.
(Two and a half.)
Rabiya shot her daughter an unimpressed look before turning back to Zaviyar.
"Haan, bas itna hi khaya hai. Ruko... maine tumhara safiya matar paneer bhi banwaya hai." She beamed, opening another casserole.
(Exactly. You've barely eaten. Wait... I even had your safiya's matar paneer made.)
The rich aroma filled the room instantly.
Safiya gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest.
"Haww, Ammi! Aapka bas chale na, toh aap unhe apne haathon se bhi khila dein. Mujhe toh kabhi itna pyaar nahi mila.", Rabiya didn't even bother denying it.
(Goodness, Ammi! If you had your way, you'd feed him with your own hands. I never received this much love.)
"Bachpan mein ese bhi Zaviyar ko hi khilati thi main.", Safiya blinked.
(Before you came along, I used to feed Zaviyar first.)
"Sach mein?", She looked at Zaviyar again.
(Really?)
He sat stiffly in his chair, shoulders tense, every movement careful and restrained. There wasn't even the faintest smile on his face.
Strange...
If Ammi adored him this much, then what changed? Why was he behaving as though he couldn't wait to leave? How did they suddenly go from being a happy family to being so distant?
Leaning towards her father, she lowered her voice.
"Baba... hum toh kal raat ki party ka bacha hua khana khatam karne mein lage hue hain... aur idhar Ammi, Zaviyar ke liye garma-garam khaana bana rahi hain.", Without missing a beat, Wajahat sighed dramatically.
(Baba... we're busy finishing last night's party leftovers, while over here Ammi is making fresh, hot food just for Zaviyar.)
"Hum toh ghar ki murgi hain, beta. Hamari keemat toh daal barabar hi hoti hai.", Safiya burst into laughter.
(We're the taken-for-granted ones, dear. People value us no more than plain lentils.)
Before either of them could continue-
"Kuch kaha aap dono ne?", Rabiya's voice rang through the dining room. Father and daughter immediately straightened in their seats like two schoolchildren caught gossiping in class.
(Did you two say something?)
"Yahi hamara naseeb hai, beta. Jo mil raha hai, chup-chaap kha lo.", Wajahat cleared his throat.
(This is our fate, dear. Eat whatever you're given without complaining.)
Safiya nearly choked trying not to laugh. A moment later, her eyes widened in horror. Zaviyar had calmly torn off a piece of paratha... and dipped it into the bowl of matar paneer.
She looked at her mother as though witnessing the greatest betrayal known to mankind.
"Ammi... hawww! Damad kya mil gaya, beti ko hi bhool gayi aap. Mujhe bhi zara matar paneer taste karwa dijiye.", Rabiya folded her arms and gave her an unimpressed look.
(Ammi... wow! Now that you've got a son-in-law, you've forgotten your own daughter. At least let me taste the matar paneer too.)
"Kyun? Kya hua tumhari keto diet ka? Uhhh... kya kehte hain usse... Haan calorie deficit diet ka?", Safiya pouted dramatically.
(Why? What happened to your keto diet? Or... what do you call it... calorie deficit diet?)
"Bas... ek pal mein paraya kar diya aapne. Jaiye, unhe hi khilayiye. Mera kya hai.", She turned away with an exaggerated sniff. Rabiya rolled her eyes before picking up the serving spoon.
(Wow... in one moment you've made me an outsider. Go on, feed him instead. Who cares about me?)
"Nahi. Tum bhi khao.", She scooped some matar paneer onto Safiya's plate.
(No. You eat too.)
Safiya immediately reached for another bite.
Before she could, the spoon in her hand stopped midair. Zaviyar had quietly held out his hand. Without saying a word, he gestured for the spoon.
She looked at him in confusion before placing it in his hand. He scooped up a small bite, held it out towards her, and waited. Safiya stared, at him but he didn't move.
Finally, giving in, she leaned forward and took the bite. Soon, he was absentmindedly feeding her while she happily ate, chatting with everyone else as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Rabiya smiled to herself.
"Shabash, Safiya. Mere kehne se toh Zaviyar khaa nahi rha tha. Chalo, tum dono saath hi kha lo.", Safiya obediently continued accepting every bite.
(Good, Safiya. He wasn't eating much food when I was insisting. Come on, now the two of you eat together.)
A few moments later, Rabiya frowned.
"Arre... yeh kya? Safiya beta, usse bhi toh khilao. Maine saath khaane ko kaha tha, sirf tumhe khaano ko nahi.", Safiya nodded.
(Oh dear... what is this? Safiya, feed him too. I said you both should eat together, not that he should only feed you.)
"Rukiye, Ammi. Pehle main aapke shehzaade ko khila deti hoon.", Turning towards Zaviyar, she lifted the spoon in front of his lips with an innocent smile dancing in her eyes.
(Wait, Ammi. Let me feed your prince first.)
"Shehzaade... muh kholiye zara. Aaa-", she said with a baby voice.
(Your Highness... open your mouth. Aaa-)
"Aaouch!", Safiya yelped as Rabiya walked over and gave the back of her head a light smack.
She immediately clutched the spot dramatically before turning towards her father.
"Dad, dekhiye na! Ammi phir se violent ho rahi hain.", Wajahat looked up from his plate with all the seriousness of a lawyer defending his client.
(Dad, look! Ammi is becoming violent again.)
"Rabiya, koi baat nahi... bachchi hai.", Rabiya narrowed her eyes at her husband.
(Rabiya, let it be... she's just a child.)
"Aapko bhi time-out pe laga doon?", Without another word, Wajahat quietly lowered his head and resumed eating.
(Should I put you in time-out too?)
"Dhokebaaz.", Safiya stared at him in utter betrayal. Rabiya returned to her seat before looking at Zaviyar.
(Traitor.)