Chapter 50 #6
Adeel spared them a single glance through the windshield before accelerating away, disappearing onto the road as recklessly as he had arrived.
Zaviyar merely shook his head. The childish display wasn't even worth reacting to.
Safiya gave him an apologetic expression, but he ruffled her hair, making her smile.
Without another thought, he steered the car back onto the road and drove away from the courthouse.The silence inside the car lingered for several minutes.
Safiya stared absently out of the window while Zaviyar occasionally glanced in her direction.
Then, without warning, he slowed the car and pulled over beside a roadside stall.
A tiny smile tugged at his lips. He knew that look on her face. Something was bothering her.
" Why stop? " she asked without glancing outside.
" Sweet corn. ", he said enthusiastically.
" I don't want to eat it. ", she shook her head. His brows drew together in confusion. That was unusual.
" Reallyy think again. ", he tried to persuade her. She remained firm.
" I'm sure. Lets go..", Zaviyar nodded without insisting.
Instead of driving towards home, he quietly changed routes.
A few minutes later, the car came to a stop beside a peaceful riverside park. The evening had begun melting into night, and the soft breeze carried the scent of the river through the air.
" Why are we here? ", she asked, seeing him stop the car.
" to clear your head. ", he said with a shrug, before smiling at her.
" Zaviyar, let's just go home. ", she insisted, not in the mood to do anything else.
" No, we need to clear your head. "
With that, he stepped out of the car and walked around to her side.
When she made no move to get out, he opened the passenger door before unbuckling her seatbelt himself.
Without giving her another chance to protest, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back, effortlessly lifting her into his arms.
A surprised laugh escaped her lips as he adjusted his hold, making sure she was comfortable before carrying her towards the park.
The riverside was peaceful. Only a handful of couples wandered along the pathways, enjoying the cool evening beneath the fading sky.
Zaviyar finally set her down gently in front of him.
" tell me what's wrong ", he held her shoulders and made her sit on the bench, facing the river and he sat beside her.
" nothings wrong ", she shrugged, closing her eyes as the cold winds flew past her curls.
"Oh really?", One eyebrow arched in disbelief.
Before she could react, he lifted her up in his arms, and spun her around several times.
A burst of laughter escaped Safiya, bright and genuine, echoing through the quiet park, " stoppp, I'm dizyyy"
He finally stopped, steadying her before she stumbled forward into his chest.
Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him, resting her forehead against him as though she had finally found somewhere safe enough to breathe.
" What did sajal say? ", she asked, looking at him through her lashes.
" nothing with which you should concern yourself ", he murmured gently pecking her lips.
" I already know her list, one one she uses to spread rumors about me.", Safiya frowned.
" And what she says? Is that true? Whatever you say, I'll believe your words ", Zaviyar asked.
" Somewhat. ", Safiya nodded. " I'm not some saint. After passing the exam, I got the opportunity to work under a man who was dad's friend and he handed over cases to me which helped me climb the ladder quickly. "
" I already told you that I represented people who were bad, sometimes. The guilt ate me from inside but I had to prove my skills, that I was capable. ", She lowered her gaze, her voice growing quieter with every confession.
" I took every chance I got. But in that path, I might have forgotten what it is like... ", she sighed, " to be human. "
Zaviyar gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks with quiet tenderness.
" You're right. If you get an opportunity you should take it. ", he caressed her cheeks, " but not against your morals. What's the use of money if it is not enough to satisfy you? If you can't sleep properly at night? "
His gaze never left hers. There wasn't an ounce of judgment in his eyes. Only understanding and acceptance.
" I'm no one to judge you, just know that if you ever get tired, you can always lean into me. ", Her eyes softened as she searched his face, as though trying to convince herself that he truly meant every word.
" Would you accept me even if the whole world hates me? ", he cupped her face, and have her a kiss.
" Kya tab bhi tum mujhse utni hee mohabbat karoge jitni ab karte ho? ", a smile spread across Zaviyar's face. The kind that reached his eyes.
He kissed her again, as if answering every question.
" Hamesha karunga jaan. ", the rest of the evening slipped away quietly.
They walked hand in hand along the riverside, talking about everything and nothing at all.
As the last traces of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, Zaviyar leaned down and captured her lips in a gentle kiss beneath the painted evening sky.
Only after the darkness had completely settled around them did they finally make their way back home.
_______________________________________
The Same day
( at night )
The door to Wajahat Shah's study stood half-open.
Safiya knocked twice before pushing it further.
The familiar scent of old paper and sandalwood greeted her as she stepped inside.
Shelves lined every wall, filled with leather-bound files and law journals collected over decades.
Her father sat behind his mahogany desk, spectacles balanced low on his nose as he read through another contract.
Without looking up, he extended a hand.
"The file?", Safiya placed the thick blue folder before him, "It's complete, i corrected the clauses. "
Only then did he lift his gaze. "Everything is in here?"
"Yes.", He opened it, flipping through a few pages before giving a satisfied nod.
"Good. I was planning to send it to Bakshi for correction but you made my work so much easier. ", Silence settled between them. Safiya shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers tightening around each other. His eyes remained on the file, reading the file before him.
"Baba, i wanted to ask something...", Wajahat nodded for her to continue, but didn't look up.
" Haan beta, bolo. Tum jabse aayi ho, mein kaamo mein uljhaa hua hu. Sorry beta, thik se baat karne ka bhi mauka nhi mila humein ", he smiled at her.
" Baba, Zaviyar and i are leaving the day after tomorrow. And i don't see anything packed. ", Wajahat looked up from the file.
" I didn't get you? What do you mean? ", he looked at her perplexed.
"When are you leaving for Azamgarh? Last time I spoke with you, you said everything was almost settled. The transfer of the main office to the outskirts. ", The question made him pause. He slowly closed the file.
"We're not going.", She frowned, her hands clutching into fists.
"What?", the gravity of the single word made Wajahat straighten.
"Our business settlement there has been disrupted. The investors backed out yesterday. Leaving right now would destabilize..", She simply stared at her father, talking about logistics.
"...What did you say?", her voice turned sharper, her breaths growing heavy as she felt a tightening in her throat.
"We're staying here. You mom and I can't leave now. ", his words landed like stones. Her heartbeat quickened. Wajahat rounde ethe table and reached out to hold her, "Safiya-", She shook her head, taking a step back.
"No, Baba. You promised me.", she snapped, her body shaking in fury, "It wasn't in our hands.", Wajahat reasoned, " It is not possible until the investors approve."
" It is in your hands. You promised me.", Her voice rose, "You told me that once everything was settled, you and Ammi would move to Azamgarh. You said I wouldn't have to live there alone."
Wajahat sighed heavily, " I know what I said."
"No." She laughed bitterly. "You don't. You don't understand how important this is for me. ", She looked away, blinking rapidly.
"The only reason I agreed to that marriage..."
Her voice cracked. "The only reason I signed that contract was because you promised I'd still have my parents near me. And now, you are acting like... Like it doesn't matter at all ", Her father looked at her with shock.
She was always calm, composed when telling him things, but now she was shouting at him.
"Safiya, listen to me.", he started but was cut off by her.
"No, you listen.", She pointed toward him, months of buried frustration surfacing all at once, "You know I never wanted that marriage. You know i never wanted anything to do with that bloody village or their people. "
"I know.", he nodded, holding her shoulders, trying to calm her down. She withdrew from his hold, "You know I never wanted that haveli. That status or money. "
"I know, Safiya. But-"
"You know I only agreed because I believed you.. because I knew you would never disappoint me."
" But if we move, the company- ", he tried to reason, but she showed him her palm. He recognised this. It was always something Zaviyar did when he didn't want to listen to anyone speaking nonsense.
" i earn more than enough to support you and mom. You don't have to worry about business. ", she said, without blinking.
" Even if we could move now... it wouldn't be appropriate.", She crossed her brows, looking at him for an explanation, " what do you mean? Why would it not be appropriate? ",
"You're married.", Wajahat said, "So? I am married because of the condition that I get to stay with you? Its berserk that I even need to tell them that I want my parents with me. As if I need their permission. ", she rolled her eyes, 'to hell with those traditions.'
"Your husband deserves his privacy. Parents living nearby would only interfere with your married life.", a humourless smile spread across her lips, "My married life?", she scoffed.