Chapter 32

“Who was that girl?” Maizah asked strictly. Danish furrowed and glanced at his father who was looking sincere, which means something was wrong. 

“Which girl?” Danish asked, If Mizah were in front of him instead of the other side of the screen she had already pulled Danish's ear. 

“The one who was crying, what were you doing with a girl at midnight?” Asked Anzala with anger but Danish narrated the whole story about Usman's death and Aisha's condition. People often believe that a truthful person has nothing to fear. But the reality is different— Even the most honest soul can feel fear when speaking the truth, especially when they know the listener may never believe them. However, Danish knew his parents would trust him. 

Maizah and Anzala were sad to know everything. 

“I didn't talk to my parents in front of her, it could trigger her pains and longing.” Danish muttered and Maizah hummed. 

“Fine but,” she took a pause. “For how long will you stay alone? I have talked to Adnaan and Sara, take your wife from here and live with her.” Danish's heart clenched with an unknown pain. 

“Have you asked her?” he muttered. 

“Ask whom? Fayra?” Maizah furrowed. 

“Hmm? Is she ready?” Danish questioned in a dead voice. 

“Isn't she ready?” this time Anzala asked but Danish's silence gave an odd reply. 

“Is there something wrong between you two?” Anzala asked but Danish was again silent. 

“Danish, tell me.” Maizah asked but Danish sighed and shook his head. 

“Nothing just… I wonder if she is okay with all these things or not. Nothing else.” Anzala and Maizah looked at each other. Their son, who usually didn't lie, was clearly lying. “I have some work. Talk to you tomorrow.” And the screen was not showing his face anymore. 

“What's going on?” 

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Danish picked the mobile phone to call Fayra and dared to dial her number. Surprisingly she received the call without any delay. “Hello,”

“How are you?” This was the only question Danish asked in a hushed voice.

“I… I wanted to talk to you but…” she stopped, 

“But?” 

“Umm… I'm sorry.” She muttered, her voice heavy like a stone. Danish was shocked to witness this change all of a sudden, the girl who was publishing him without any of his fault now being sorrowful? How and why? “I shouldn't distrust you, Arsh isn't a nice man, I was wrong but…” she stopped again. 

“Why do you stop after every but?” He asked, a smile mingled with a lighthearted sigh. He didn't remember after how long he was feeling like he was alive. The one whom he loved to infinity was confessing that she understood her mistake.

But… why in love people become not only blind but dumb and idiot too? Why does every word from the beloved sound like a love song or a confession of love? 

“Are you crying? Idiot.” He asked with a smile. Could he be more happy? Just now Fayra accepted her mistake. 

“No, I'm not crying, why would I cry?” She sniffled “I have a cold, that's why…” she explained and Danish sighed. 

“Take care of yourself.” 

“Hmm… trying to do it.” And there was silence on both sides. 

“Mujhe aapse baat karni thi…” she muttered. 

(I had to talk to you.”

“What else are we doing right now?” He asked happily without knowing what she wanted to talk about.

“Who brought up the topic of farewell? You?” Suddenly her voice turned hard, no emotions other than anger and disappointment. 

“I don't know who brought it up, I myself got to know just a few minutes ago.” He was honest, as always.

“I need some time.” She replied in a flat voice and Danish closed his eyes. 

“How much time?” He asked. An endless pinching silence spread everywhere. “Hello? Fayra? Are you there?”

“I don't know how long. Until I feel comfortable to accept this marriage. Until I feel comfortable with the thought that we both are husband and wife.” She muttered, Danish's heart clenched.

“Okay.” His voice held pain. 

“Hmm…” She had nothing to say. 

“Fayra, tumhe meri yaad nhi aati?” This question worked like a dagger in her heart. Eyes filled with tears. 

(Fayra, Don't you miss me?)

How could she tell him how badly she missed him everyday and every night? From childhood to adulthood she had no one else other than her Danish Bhai, he was her best friend, her caretaker, her protector, her hero but not her love. And now when he came out as her husband she felt uncomfortable with the thought of his closeness. She hugged him a thousand times in the past, many times she listened to scolding from Sara to maintain a distance between both because now they both are grown up but she never paid attention, And now when he came closer she felt her hands shivering, heart beating marathon and throat turning dry. From the time Danish left the home she silently watched her empty chocolate jar, no one refilled it. There was no one to smuggle her a double cheese pizza and burger at midnight. There was no one whom she could emotionally blackmail to make her assignments. She was all alone. But… she wasn't ready to accept Danish as her husband. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of him coming closer to her as a husband. 

“Nhi aati.” She lied while sniffing. This time it wasn't because of the cold, but she was actually crying. However, those two words were enough to break Danish. 

(No, I don't.) 

“Okay, Bye.” And the call went to an end with a beep sound. 

Did he deserve this treatment in return for love? 

Closing his eyes he rested his head with the headboard and took a deep breath, before he could think anything, unexpectedly a face came into his eyes. No one else but Aisha and her tearfilled eyes. 

Opening his eyes with a jolt he glanced at the wall clock. 

Dialling her number he waited for her to pick it, and a sad voice echoed from the other side. “Hello?” she was upset, but today she wasn't crying. 

“Tumne kuch khaya?” he asked. 

(Have you eaten something?)

“Not yet.” 

“Why?” 

“Umm… I'll have something soon.” She replied in a dead voice.

“Have you even cooked something for yourself?” He again asked and she stayed silent. Danish knew the meaning of this. He cut the call and walked towards the kitchen. Picking up three packets of noodles, he went to Aisha's apartment. Rang the doorbell and waited for the girl to open the door. Soon a dull face opened the door while maintaining the dupatta on her head. 

“Aap?” She was surprised to see him on the doorstep. 

“I was also hungry,” he stepped into the apartment and Aisha saw him without blinking. 

“Will you make it or I have to serve myself?” He asked me to go towards the kitchen. Aisha grabbed the packets of noodles and picked a saucepan. Today Danish was determined to talk to her because somewhere he knew, he couldn't look after Aisha for a long time, he had no right to come to her home every now and then especially when she was alone. He knew his boundaries. 

“Danish.”

“Aisha.” 

They both called each other at the same time. 

“Hmm?” Aisha hummed but Danish being a gentleman shook his head. “After you.”

“I was saying that…” she took a short pause before resuming, “tomorrow I'll go to Baba's office for some legal procedures, as well as for my job.” Her voice was dull at the end. 

“Job?” Danish questioned. Surprised. As far as he could remember, once Aisha said that she didn't want to do a job because she hated taking orders. He was silent after this but nodded. 

“You were saying something.” She transferred noodles into two bowls.

“Hmm, pI was saying…” Danish hesitated but continued. “Don't you have any relatives? I mean…” he tried to arrange some words but couldn't. He wanted to ask this question from the time he attended Usman's funeral because he noticed no relatives there. Aisha put one bowl of noodles in front of him and shook her head while taking her seat opposite to him, 

“Ammi and Baba were from different castes, they went against their families to get married. Their families broke every single tie with them and announced a boycott for those who stay in contact with them so that they could set an example for the upcoming generation.” She tried to smile but couldn't. Danish was shocked to hear this. 

“All these things really happen? I thought it's all about the stone age!” he muttered. 

“It happened with my Ammi and Baba.” Aisha sighed and looked at Danish for a long moment before continuing. “Ammi and Baba struggled for many years to get forgiveness but some people's egos were bigger than love. Baba’s family was ready to accept him if he would divorce Ammi, but Baba never agreed! He announced bravely that he would never leave the girl who left her family behind for him. That's how Ammi and Baba’s love won but, the ego of their families also won. Baba and Ammi shifted here. When I was born here, they both again tried to contact their families, sent them letters and my photos, called them numerous times but each time they got no reply until one day a call was answered from the other side, it was my grandmother. Maternal grandmother. She refused to accept me, as well as Ammi and Baba. And after a few more days a letter came back from Baba’s family which was holding a torn picture of mine with a similar note that we are nothing to them. It was the last time when Ammi and Baba tried to contact them. I became their world. They become my world.” She smiled with tearfilled eyes. Danish was seeing her silently. 

Was she really the same cheerful Aisha? 

“Sometimes I wonder how it feels to have a family? Unfortunately now I have no one.”

“Umm… why don't you think about getting married?” Danish asked and Aisha suddenly looked at him, the 1question in her eyes made Danish nervous. “I'm sorry if it's too personal but..  I said it because… umm… I am concerned about you, for how long will you live alone?” 

“Don't be sorry. Even thank you, At least someone thinks about me.” She smiled a little and pointed towards the bowl of noodles present in front of Danish. 

“Wanna get married? Rishta dhundu tumhare liye?” Danish asked with a smile, he was sure if Aisha got ready he would consider one of his friends or a second cousin. 

(Should I search for a match for you?)

“You're sounding like a match maker.” She rolled her eyes but laughed after a long time. 

“I'm serious.” He stressed his words which turned Aisha's face pale. 

“I don't want to get married.” She shook her head but Danish noticed wetness in her eyes.

“May I know the reason?” She looked up suddenly. After a long time she found someone who was asking about her pains. She forgot to avert her eyes from his face and an alone tear rolled down which she immediately wiped away.

“I was supposed to get married two years ago, but suddenly Ammi passed away, Baba fell into a dig of depression. I not only lost my mother's love but father's love too. Baba distanced himself from the world, he became an entirely different person who talked to none. He needed me. I couldn't be selfish to leave him alone and make my new family.” She took a pause and drew out a long breath, maybe trying to mend something which was broken beyond imagination. “I asked that guy and his family for some time until Baba recovered and they gave me only one month. I broke the engagement. I couldn't leave my Baba alone when he needed me the most.” She looked at the bowl of noodles, they started turning sticky. “I did everything to pull him out from that pain but failed. He would ignore everyone, sometimes me too. He was reserved for his prayer mat and his room but…” Aisha took another pause and smiled a little while looking at Danish. “I was surprised when you came with him for dinner. He was talking to you with a smile. That wasn't less than a miracle.” Danish silently watched this girl who was hiding so much pain behind her smiling face.

“So, that's the reason you invited me for dinner every now and then?” She asked but she shook her head. 

“Sach batau?” 

(Can I be honest?)

“Mujhse hamesha sach hi kehna, jhut nhi.” He twisted some noodles around the fork and she also mimicked his act silently. 

(Always be honest with me.)

“I felt sad for you that you're living with your family, and the second reason was Baba’s smile.” She mumbled without making eye contact, now she was having noodles.

Danish lifted his eyes and saw the girl who was secretly dealing with the loneliness of her life, he down his eyes, resumed having noodles. Aisha lifted her eyes and watched the person sitting opposite to her, today she got someone to share her feelings with and got a listener, a friend, a truthful and trustworthy person. 

“Mujhse sab puch liya apne baare me aaj tak kuch nhi bataya aapne.” Aisha's voice broke the glass of silence present in between them. Danish looked up and realised that he hadn't told this girl anything, and maybe Usman never shared his information with his daughter. 

(You asked me everything about yourself but till date you have not told me anything.)

“I belong to Lucknow. Years ago my grandfather set-up a real estate business and now my fath...” she stopped him.

“I know these things, I heard many of these details when you informed Baba, don't start telling me about your family business and all… I'm asking how many members are there in your family? Your parents, your siblings… okay?” She smiled a little and Danish nodded with the same smile. 

“We live in a huge mansion. Uncle aunty, cousin sisters… Though our portions are separated by walls but we don't care, that's our home, we all are one family. I have one sister who is already married and making her husband's life difficult with her clumsy nature and idiotic tantrums and demands.” She laughed on the introduction of Bisma, Danish was also looking happy to share this information. After having another bite of noodles he continued, “My parents are always ready to press each other's throats. Our morning usually starts with mummy's shouting because dad intentionally created some reasons.” he shrugged and Aisha's eyes widened. 

“What? That's so… I'm sorry but why does your dad do so?” 

“It's their love language.” He laughed but Aisha was unable to digest. What kind of love language was that? “They love to crack jokes, silly jokes.” He rolled his eyes at the end. Aisha forced a smile but she was still unable to digest this. 

“And…” this time Danish's smile dies on his lips. “Ek pyaari si biwi hai meri, jo abhi tak meri zindagi mein shamil nhi hui hai,” he smiled again and Aisha saw him with questioning eyes. Just a moment ago he informed me that his parents crack some silly jokes. Was he also doing the same? A smile broke on her lips and soon she giggled.

(I have a cute wife who hasn't become part of my family yet.)

“Wife wala part achha tha.” She was still smiling wholeheartedly but Danish furrowed, 

(The part related to your wife was nice.)

“What's funny?” he shrugged. 

“It is a joke. Right?” 

“Of course not!” Danish pulled his mobile phone out from his pocket to show the pic in which Fayra was sitting beside him in a bridal attire, but looking like a dead person, on the other hand he was sitting like a shocked dummy. 

“You never told me you're married.” She muttered trying to force a smile but after seeing that pic she was unable to feel happy, she was seeing the amount of discomfort they both held in between each other. She wanted to ask the reason behind those dead expressions present on the faces of the bride and groom but she didn't find it in herself to poke her nose in a personal matter. But she couldn't help and asked a few more questions. 

“She is looking much younger than you.”

“Hmm, Seven years age difference.” he muttered, Aisha lifted her eyes. 

“But she is beautiful.” She smiled.

“Beautiful without a brain.” he muttered while placing the mobile on the table, he had no intention to say this aloud but Aisha somehow read his lips, resulting in her bursted out in a laugh. 

“Chhoti hai abhi, brain development me thoda time lagega.” She rolled her eyes while standing up from her place as she already took the last bite of noodles. 

(She is still young, it will take some time for brain development.)

“Chai?” She asked and Danish suddenly looked at her. He had been missing chai and coffee from Fayra's hands. 

“Sure.” he nodded. 

“What happened suddenly? Why did you turn dull?” She asked, forgetting her pains in the presence of this man. 

“Nothing.” He muttered walking towards the kitchen and started doing dishes. Aisha tried to stop him but he was okay with it. 

“Missing… what's her name?” She asked suddenly. 

“Fayra.” 

“Missing Fayra?” She asked and Danish looked at her then silently resumed doing dishes. 

“Danish? Is there any problem?” She asked 

“Aisha, I don't want tea, I'm sorry but…” he shrugged. “I'm going.” And he walked away with long steps. Aisha saw his back, while he walked out the door and then out of the apartment. 

“Was he crying?” she muttered after remembering his eyes. Did she really notice the wetness in his eyes? 

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