Chapter 35: 7| Vasl

Tumne socha hai kabhi

koi sochta hai tumhe

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5 years later

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Faiza wrapped the embroidered chaadar around her shoulder as she was getting ready to go to the Montessori.

She has become more sophisticated and mature. She is the teacher in Montessori and she loves to be around kids.

"Ammi, ham duphar tak aa jayenge. Phir ham dono saath mai lunch karenge," Faiza smiled at her mother.

(Mom, I will be back by afternoon. We will do lunch together)

"Sehrish ka call aaya tha. Wo kal aane wali hai zoha ke saath," Her mother said making her excited.

(Sehrish called me. She will come tomorrow with Zoha)

Faiza was the best khala to Zoha. They met twice a year as Sehrish lives in kuwait.

"Accha. Ammi, ham chalte hai," Faiza said tightening her hold on the shawl.

(Mom, I am going)

"Dhyaan se jaana," Her mother reminded.

(Take care)

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"Ab ham subah subah kaha se change layenge. Aap rakh lijiye," Faiza said with a frustrated sigh to the autorickshaw driver.

(From where I will bring change. You keep it)

She entered the Montessori when she saw a peon coming towards her.

"Madam Ji. Aapse milne koi aaya hai. Wo abhi aapki office mai hai," Peon informed her and she nodded her head.

(Madam, someone came to meet you. He's in your office)

Faiza put her chaadar on the hook and fixed her hair. She was wearing a wine red color kurti and beige grey color pants. Her chiffon dupatta was hanging around her neck.

She took out some files from the desk and went to her office.

Her eyes went wide when she saw a man in the suit. His back was facing her.

"Aap ka naam kya hai?" Faiza said in a cold tone while putting the files on the shelf.

(What's your name)

"Arsh naam tou suna hoga," Arsh said as an amused smile spread across her lips.

(Arsh. You must have heard of it)

Faiza frozen as she heard that voice after so many years. She was still in a daze as a file fell from her hands.

Arsh bend down and helped her in picking the files.

"Aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?" Faiza asked with an emotionless expression as she sat on the chair.

(What are you doing here)

"Aap? Tum kabse mujhe itni izzat dene lag gai?" Arsh asked with an amused smirk playing on his lips.

(Since when you start giving me so much respect)

"Actually ham jise jaante nahi hai na usse aap se baat karte hai," Faiza said in a sarcastic tone making him chuckle.

(I give respect to the one who I don't know)

"Jhoot tou na bolo. Ham ek dusre ko bohot acche se jaante hai," Arsh said fixing his blazer.

(At least don't lie. We both know each other very well)

"I don't think so. Five years is a big time and a lot of things have changed. I will be really happy if you will stop interfering in my life," Faiza said with a serious expression.

"Mamma, hamari drawing kesi hai?" A four-year-old girl enters her office interrupting their conversation.

(Mom, how's my drawing)

Noor has chubby cheeks and big eyes. She had a pigtail hairstyle.

"Noor, aapki drawing tou bohot acchi hai," Faiza said kissing her cheeks.

(Your drawing is so good)

"Aap ne uncle ko salam nahi kiya," Faiza reminded her to which she put her tiny palm on her mouth.

(You didn't greet the uncle)

"Assalamu alaikum, uncle. Hamara naam Noor Zimraan Ali hai," Noor said forwarding her tiny hands.

(My name is Noor Zimraan Ali)

"Walaikum Assalam," Arsh replied and ruffled her hair.

"Aap apni class mai jaiye. Ham thodi der mai aate hai," Faiza said to Noor.

(You go to your class. I will come in few minutes)

Noor smiled and went to her class.

Arsh clear his throat and tapped his foot anxiously.

"Mujhe nahi pata tha ke tumhari beti bhi hai," Arsh said hesitantly.

(I didn't know you had a daughter)

Faiza raised his eyebrows but decided to play along.

"Aapko bohot si baat nahi pata hai," Faiza said in a sarcasm filled in her tone.

(You didn't know many things about me)

"Is Zimraan treating you well?" He asked rubbing his neck.

"Ab zyada ho raha hai, Arsh. Stop pretending as you care for me. Just for your information, I am still not married and she isn't my daughter. She doesn't have a mother. That's why she calls me mamma," Faiza said in a frustrated tone.

(You are pretending too much)

"I do care for you," Arsh said as his throat bobbed.

"Please, arsh. Stop pretending. We both know the truth. You never care about me for once before leaving for America. You never called me in those 5 years. You have just destroyed our beautiful friendship," Faiza said with frustration dripping from her voice.

"Just to let you know, I always cared for you. Those 5 years were also not easy for me," Arsh said raking his fingers through his hair.

Before she could reply, he was out of her sight.

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"Hamne aaj aapke liye biryani banayi hai. Aur aap khaa hi nahi rahi hai. Kya soch rahi hai aap?" Anisa Begum asked as she saw Faiza playing with the food.

(I made biryani for you and you are not eating. What are you thinking)

"Ammi, hame bhook nahi hai," Faiza said pushing away the plate.

(Mom, I am not hungry)

"Kuch baat hai tou aap hamse share kar sakti hai," Her mother said reassuringly.

(You can share anything with me)

Faiza heaved a sigh and raked her fingers through her hair.

"Ammi, aaj hamse arsh milne aaye the montessori mai. Paanch saal se ek call nahi kiya aur aaj milne aa gaye," Faiza said as her lips pursued into a pout.

(Mom, arsh came to meet me in the montessori. He never called me in those five years and now he dared to came to meet me)

"Arsh aaye the. Aapne unhe dinner par invite karna chahiye tha na," Her mother said making her scrunch her nose.

(Arsh came. You should have invited him for dinner)

"Ham unko kabhi bhi apne qareeb nahi aane denge. Unhone ne hame bohot hurt kiya hai," Faiza said with a pout.

(I will never let him come near me. He has hurt me a lot)

"Faiza kabhi bhi hame maazi ki baaton ko pakad kar nahi baith jaana chahiye. Hame apne mustakbil ke baare mai sochna chahiye. Agar aapki ek maafi se sab kuch theek ho sakta hai tou aapko unhe maaf kar dena chahiye," Her mother advised.

(We shouldn't let the past affect our future. If everything can be alright with your forgiveness, then forgive him)

"Ham itni jaldi nahi maaf kar sakte hai," Faiza said with a huff.

(I can't forgive him so easily)

"Ek din tou aap unhe maaf karengi na tou abhi maaf karne mai kya burai hai. Aur aap bhi arsh ko bohot acche se jaanti hai. Wo uss tarah ke nahi hai. Zarur koi wajah rahi hogi," Anisa Begum smiled.

(You will somehow forgive him one day. Then why you are not forgiving him now. You know Arsh very well. He isn't like that. There must be a reason)

Faiza nodded her head but she was still in a daze.

"Ab aap zyada mat sochiye. Aur kal aap montessori mat jaayega. Aapko dekhne ke liye koi aa raha hai," Anisa Begum said making her eyes widen.

(Don't overthink. Don't go to montessori tomorrow. Someone is coming to see you tomorrow)

"Mamma," she whined.

(Mom)

"Kabhi na kabhi tou aapko shaadi karni haina. Agar aapko koi pasand ho tou hame bata de," Her mother said in a mischievous tone.

(You have to marry someone one day. If you like someone then tells me)

A picture of Arsh came across her mind but she shook her thoughts away.

"Hame koi pasand nahi hai. Aapko jaise theek lage, aap dekh li jiye," Faiza said in a low voice and went to her room.

(I don't like anyone. You can do whatever you like)

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"Aapi, itna dark lipstick kon lagata tha? Wo log hame dekhne aa rahe hai. Abhi tak hamari shaadi fix nahi hui hai," Faiza groaned as sehrish applied her the shades of maroon lipstick.

(Sister, who put on such a dark lipstick. They are coming to see nor marry me)

Faiza was wearing a salwar kameez. It was the lighter shade of sea green color with the delicate golden thread embroidery on the neckline.

"Zoha, aap kitni pyaari lag rahi hai," Faiza cooed kissing her niece's cheeks.

(You are looking so cute)

"Aap zoha ko chodiye. Apne aap par dhyaan di jiye. Aur tameez se pesh aayega," Sehrish glared.

(Leave zoha and concentrate on yourself. Behave properly there)

"Aapi, ham bacche nahi hai," Faiza groaned.

(I am not a kid)

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Faiza put the dupatta on her head and put her gaze down.

She entered the living room and her eyes went wide when she saw him.

"Arsh tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" Faiza asked hesitantly as she saw him.

(What are you doing here)

He was wearing a black crisp shirt and a matching blazer. He was looking handsome as ever.

Arsh smiled and stand on his feet.

"Arsh tumhaare liye rishta laaya hai," Her mother said hesitantly.

(He brings the proposal for you)

Faiza was beyond shocked at the newly discovered information. Her gaze went to his mother who was smiling at her.

"Ham tumse nahi shaadi kar sakte, Arsh," Faiza said in an audible tone as tears fell down her cheeks.

(I can't marry you)

She moved away from there as fast as she can. Faiza locked herself in the room and sob loudly.

Arsh was still in a daze at what exactly happens. He didn't expect her to act like that.

"I am sorry on behalf of her. I will talk to her," Anisa Begum said in an apologetic tone.

"Aunty agar aap ko theek lage tou mai Faiza se akele mai baat kar sakta hu?" Arsh asked.

(If you allow me, can I talk to her alone?)

"Haan. Aap baat karle usse," Anisa Begum permitted him.

(Okay. Talk to her)

Arsh knocks on her door but she wasn't opening it.

"Faiza darwaza kholo. Kuch zaroori baat karni hai," Arsh said with an exasperated sigh.

(Open the door. It's important)

"Hame aapse koi baat nahi karni," Faiza cried at the other side of the door.

(I don't want to talk to you)

"Faiza ek baar meri baat sun lo. Mai phir chale jaunga," Arsh said in a frustrated tone.

(Once listen to me. I will go after our talk)

After few minutes, she opened the door.

"Tum kya chahte ho, Arsh. You can't come back after 5 years and expect me to marry you. You didn't even tell me before going nor you called me all those years. I didn't cry even at my sister's wedding but I cried when I had found out you were gone. I just lose my best friend. Aur ab tum rishta le kar aa gaye ho. Itne jaldi rishtey nahi bantey, Arsh," Faiza said as her voice was devoid of any kind of emotions.

(What do you want)

(Now you bring the proposal for me. This can't happen)

"I am so sorry, aiza. I never wanted to hurt you. I was facing so many things in my life that I took my decision out of impulsiveness. Mujhe maaf kardo," Arsh said wiping her tears.

(Forgive me)

Faiza put her head on his shoulder as she tightly clutches his arms afraid to let him go.

"I didn't let all these years got wasted. I did something for us. Tumhe bohot pasand aayega. Mujhe ek mauka do. Mai tumhe zara bhi niraash nahi karunga," Arsh said drawing circles on the back of her palm.

(You will like it. Give me a chance. You won't be disappointed)

Faiza nodded her head with moisture in her eyes.

"I will be waiting," Faiza said forcing a smile.

Arsh stand on his feet when his gaze went to the same paayal that he had given her.

"Tumne abhi tak sambhal rakha hai?" Arsh asked in an amused tone.

(You still have it)

"Tumne diya tha. Aise kaise nahi sambhalti mai," Faiza smiled.

(You have given ur to me. I would have to take care of it)

"I will pick you up tomorrow. There's a surprise for you," Arsh said with a genuine smile.

Before she could reply, she was out of his sight.

A surprise that will change her heart.

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-Fatima