Chapter 11
Abrar Point of View
“Relax, cool down, I meant no harm,” Rony said, raising his arm up in defeat.
I decided to just focus on work as I was in no mood to argue with him, it was a new position and it comes with a lot of work.
“At least show some respect” Kaif bashed Rony. “You are dragging his wife in conversation and you want him to cool down? Does that make sense?”
I did not want the situation to be more complicated.
“Can I know from when you guys started associating with Abrar, now that he has something you can benefit from, it’s all jokes and smiles, hypocrite?” Kaif snapped.
“Ignore this Kaif. We have a lot of work to do,” I said, trying to dissuade him.
“Ah! Someone is having an attitude now,” Rony barked again. I tried to stay calm the way I used to be. I glanced at Kaif and indicated to keep calm too.
“What a player you are, Abrar! Who knew there would be a player behind this decent face? Trapped a rich chick!” Rony spat. I heard all of them laughing but preferred to stay calm.
I should be used to the disrespect by now, they never thought of me as an equal but at the same time, they knew nothing of my situation.
After office hours, I rested my head on the desk as I was very exhausted. My head was pounding and my eyes were burning because of the lack of sleep.
Today was very stressful and with the constant flares from my co-workers everywhere I just felt tense. I am just glad the day has come to an end.
“Buddy, come on. Got to go.” Kaif taps on my back as I lift my head.
“You look very tired” he said looking worried as he helped me arrange my desk.
I am so happy to have my friend with me here in the same office.
“Sort of,” I mumbled, cleaning my desk area.
“No worries you will get used to it, and don’t pay attention to all those fake ass people,” Kaif said referring to our colleagues and I could not help but laugh as he made a funny expression. “Go home soon. Your wife must be waiting for you with a cup of hot tea,” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows at me with a sly smirk on his face.
Gosh, he was so dirty-minded.
“She doesn’t know how to cook,” I chuckled, remembering the morning incident and how pissed she was while making her own breakfast. At last, she ended up having those bread toasts.
“Oh! That’s fair enough. She belongs to a rich family. Never mind. Love is more important than some stupid skills,” he said while still laughing.
“Yes,” I responded knowing fully well there is nothing like love between Zoya and I. We walked out of the office together cracking jokes just like normal.
“To be honest, I’m glad that you moved on. I hope Nikhat’s memories won’t haunt you,” he said, surprising me as to why the sudden mention of my ex.
“Those memories stopped haunting me a long ago, Kaif,”
It had been many years since we separated. So it was easy for me to move on as I had a huge time to heal.
We walked to the metro station and climbed up. I hoped Zoya had handled herself well in my apartment. She should do that on her own as she was the one to trap herself in this mess. However, I was still worried about her as I hadn’t gotten any call from her. Right then, I realized she wouldn’t be able to call me as I hadn’t given her my number. It disturbed me immediately. She was injured. Moreover, she was alone at my place. I should have given her my number. How could I forget that?
“What happened?” Kaif was seated beside me. He noticed my reactions.
“Zoya is alone at home. She had injured herself and I forgot to give her my number,” I said and quickly realized my mistake. I said something I shouldn’t have.
“She doesn’t have your number?” Kaif asked, looking surprised, with a confused expression on his face.
I was so stupid. I felt like slapping myself for being such an idiot.
“No. The thing is you know I have two numbers. I didn’t give her the second one and recently I sent out the second sim card of my phone. She doesn’t have that one” I said, trying to rectify the situation and make it less suspicious.
“Oh! Why don’t you call her and check up on her”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“No. I will be at home within 30 minutes. I don’t think I would need to call her now,” I replied. Zoya had made me the greatest liar, I cannot believe I was lying to my best friend so effortlessly.
I reached my place impatiently and opened the door with my keys. After entering inside, I noticed she was not in the living room. I instantly panicked thinking something bad might have happened to her. I immediately ran towards her room to check.
“Zoya” I yelled as soon as I entered the room.
She turned around to look at me with a confused expression on her face, I sighed in relief knowing she was okay but then I noticed she was holding something in her hand, she was holding a photograph.
I rushed to her and snatched the photograph from her hand and into my pocket.
“What are you doing?” I shrugged.
“Who was that girl? Your girlfriend?” She asked as she crossed her arms and raised her brows at me.
“That’s none of your business, Have some manners. Is it right to touch one’s stuff when the person isn’t around?”
“I’m not interested in touching your stuff,” she responded with a disgusted look. “I was making some space in the drawer to keep my stuff and I found this. She is pretty.”
“I know she is. You don’t need to tell me” I felt like my little privacy had been invaded, I hated this situation right now.
“Tell me who she is. Your girlfriend? Listen, I know it’s not my business. But I don’t want to cause any problems in your relationship. So you better tell me about her, everything about her so that I can tackle the situation wherever she is around or things go wrong,” she explained.
“Don’t you think you have created enough problems for me?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Maybe I have. But I can save things from going worse,” she joked.
“Not everything is a joke, She was my ex-girlfriend and she is married, so there is nothing to worry about,” I said in a blank tone.
“Ouch! That’s why you look depressed all the time,” she joked.
“It’s not funny,” she could be so childish sometimes.
“I know. But it might be a good thing” she said as we walked into the living room.
“How is that?” I asked her, confused by her statement.
“Come on. Do you believe in Taqdeer (Destiny)?” She asked me.
“Yes. I do, I replied to her and drank a glance of water.
“Then you must know that we get the person who is in our Destiny, not the one whom we love.” She surprised me with her words. I get surprised every time she utters something sensible and fair.
“Right, I sighed and looked at her. How is your back pain?”
“Much better. I can walk now,” she said with a bright smile which illuminated her features.
She was indeed a very beautiful girl, but just stubborn.
“Sorry. I forget to give you my number. I hope you didn’t have any problem,” I said as I poured myself a cup of water.
“You surprise me,” she said, hopping on the kitchen counter and crossing her legs as she sat down.
That was very unladylike.
“How?” I looked at her in confusion.
“I made so much mess in your life last night. Still, you are caring. I appreciate it,” she said suddenly looking serious.
The way her moods change could give someone a migraine. Could she have multiple personality disorder?
“I’m still pissed at you, Zoya. However, I consider you my guest. You are staying at my place. I must take care of you. My mother has taught me to be good to my guests”
“Oh! That’s the thing. All momma’s boys are decent,” she teased.
“Hey, don’t make fun of the things released to my mother,” I shot her a glare.
“Ok, sorry!” She waved her hands.
“Did you have your lunch?” I asked her, changing the topic.
“Yeah. I had ordered it.”
“Great.”
I walked towards my room and slammed the door.
I just wanted to rest, I needed no drama for now, anytime I was close to Zoya something always happened.
Today my morning was more rushed than any other day. I hadn’t slept well so I woke up late. Zoya had created chaos when she saw some cockroaches and slipped against the floor. People made a crowd outside my apartment to inquire about Zoya. Among all these things, I couldn’t take a shower this morning, which caused a severe headache, so I took my towel and went outside. Zoya was doing something on her phone at the dining table. I glanced at her and went inside the bathroom.
I turned the shower on and closed my eyes. My head is aching very badly. I needed a long nap to reduce this, no medicine could work. After 15 minutes I turned off the shower and wiped my hair with the towel. Wait! What the heck! I blurted out in my mind. I forget to bring my clothes and Zoya was exactly on the opposite side of the washroom.
How would I bring my clothes? I was not used to bringing my clothes into the washroom as I lived alone.
However, I couldn’t walk out wearing a towel in front of her. Great Abrar!
Great job! I mocked myself. I couldn’t call her as she would definitely remind me of the incident which happened this morning. What if she taught me? Besides, I had no choice left. I hesitated but earned the courage to call her.
“Zoya,” I called her.
“What?” She replied in a blank tone.
“Act… actually I…,” I stuttered, figuring out what to say next.
“Did you meet some cockroaches too?” She asked in a sarcastic voice. “Talk to them. They are your friends no? This is why you lived with them for so long.”
“No!” This girl was so annoying sometimes. “Nothing like that. Actually, I forgot my clothes,” I said in a low tone.
“What? What did you just say?” She asked me again. Bullshit! I knew she would make an issue of that too.
“I forgot my clothes,” I said a little louder. The next moment, I could hear a roll of laughter. She was laughing at me. Now, that was called a true embarrassment. She was definitely enjoying this.
“Zoya” I called but got no reply. She was still laughing.