𝟏𝟔. 𝐘𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐤𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡

"Tori main saare hi bandhan zamane ke re, torongi na mein waada."

This line of the song has been playing for the last 10 minutes or so because Shef and Ruby are prepping for yet another reel right in front of my cabin.

"Aadha hissa mere to dil ki kahani ka tu, piya main baki aadha."  I sing along, humming to myself as I watch them attempting the steps a couple of times and still not being able to pull it off.

Huh. Noobs. All of them.

I put my head down and try and get some work done only to look at them struggle a few moments later. With a sigh, I push to my feet and exit my cabin.

"What's up?" I ask, leaning on the glass wall with my arms crossed.

"Shef is making me shoot this reel and I don't want to." Ruby conplains.

"But I want to! Tumako step karne nahi aara to nahi shoot karna hai bolre tum, Ruby." These two can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, fighting like teenage sisters over the same guy they have a crush on, I tell you.

"Nahi karna hai to nahi karna hai bolta na insaan."

"Insaan ki baat alag hai," Shefali says, raising a hand in the air. "tumhari baat alag hai."

"Shef, tum--"

"Acha, stop it." I clap my hands, putting an end to their banter. "I'll do it with you, Shef."

Her face lights up like a Christmas tree and she squeals like a child. "Perfect! So this is the step--"

"I know, I know. I can still pull it off if you wake me from deep sleep."

And that was not a lie.

Ruby steps back, giving us the space we need to do our thing.

"Rolling,"

With our backs facing the camera, I wait for the cue, anticipating the moment when the music will flood my ears. As soon as the first notes reach me, my body reacts instinctively, the familiar choreography etched into my muscles. I throw my arm to the right, then to the left, moving with the rhythm. Twirling around gracefully, just as the step requires, I suddenly collide with a man's chest.

"Woahh!" I exclaim, startled.

It's the same chest I'd accidentally laid my hands on the other day—soft, creamy, and unexpectedly cool under my fingers. The familiarity sends a jolt through me, my heart skipping a beat.

"Careful, Ms. Noor," Mr. Angrez says, his voice a low murmur that only I can hear. The lights failing from the ceiling catch his profile, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the soft curve of his lips. He looks down at me with that glint in his eyes, a secretive sparkle that makes me feel like we're sharing something private, something the rest of the world isn't privy to. His faint smile is both reassuring and mischievous, a blend that makes my pulse quicken.

He gently releases my elbows, his warm palms lingering for a moment longer than necessary before he steps back. The absence of his touch leaves my skin tingling. As he resumes his walk to wherever he was heading, I can't help but watch him, my mind racing.

His stride is elegant, a confidence that draws the eye. My thoughts are a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity, replaying the brief contact and the electric undercurrent that accompanied it.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Guess I didn't move a muscle and continued to stare at his back as he was moving away because Shef had to jump on me to bring me back from whichever LA LA land I was teleported to.

"Kidher madam?" She snaps her fingers at me looking between me and Mr. Angrez.

"Nahi," I mumble, shaking my head. "Kuch nahi,"

"Kuch to hua hai." Ruby sings, flashing me a smirk.

"Kuch ho gya hai," Shef continues.

"Urghhh! God, you guys!" I escaped into my cabin but it was of no use as they were just a step away and followed me in.

"Main to kabse bolri thi, acha handsome hai banda."

"Haan, tu ich nahi thi interested."

I was sandwiched between the two, Shef on my left and Ruby on my right as they took shot after shot at me, firing their vishesh tipni at me.

"Arey, insaan nahi hai kiya une? Itne ache bande me interested nahi hai hone? Na muskaan andhi hai, na gungi hai, na behri hai."

"Nahi hai, I agree." Shef argued. "But aankhon pe alag ek patti bandi rehti. Jo hatne me time lagati, usually. Isiliyea, aap insaan ko dekhte kaafi time se lekin jo switch rehta wo at a particular time pe off hota. Usse pehle koi bhi samajh me nahi aata."

I gave her words her a thought because they were true to an extent. I've heard legendary stories about my parents and Machi and Ranchu where similar things happened to them with each other where everything was a mess until it wasn't and suddenly it all made sense and the puzzle of life came together, forming the bigger picture.

"Sahi boli nai Muskaan main?"

"Haan," I say honestly.

"Iska matlab Muskaan ka switch abhi on hua!" They cheered, giving each other a hi-5

Oh Goddd!

"Do me a favor, please leave," I tell them, trying to keep my voice steady, though I can feel the strain of frustration creeping in.

"Do me a favor, stop living in denial," Ruby retorts, crossing her arms over her chest and fixing me with a knowing look.

"Ruby--"

"Accept the fact," Shefali interjects, her tone firm and unyielding.

"There's nothing to accept," I insist, my voice wavering slightly.

"Tell him you like him," Ruby presses, her eyes boring into mine.

"I don't--" I start, but she cuts me off.

"At least tell yourself you like him," Shefali says, her voice softer but no less insistent.

"It's not true," I say, crouching down to pick up my phone, hoping the action will provide some distraction from the conversation that's becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"Delulu is not the solulu," Ruby quips, her voice sing-song yet serious.

"I don't like him!" I nearly shout, the words echoing around the room, my heart racing from the intensity of the confrontation.

"Don't like who?" Oh dear God, why is he materializing out of nowhere like this today?"

I freeze, my heart pounding even harder now. Slowly, I rise to my feet, my phone clutched tightly in my hand as if it could somehow shield me from the embarrassment that's flooding my system.

Mr. Angrez stands there, an amused smile playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Well?" he prompts, raising an eyebrow.

The room falls silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Ruby and Shefali exchange glances, their expressions a mix of guilt and anticipation.

"I... uh..." I stammer, my mind racing for a plausible excuse, but coming up blank.

He steps closer, his presence commanding the space around him. "It's okay," he says softly, his voice filled with an unexpected warmth. "You can tell me."

His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. My cheeks burn, and I can feel the weight of everyone's gaze on me. Taking a deep breath, I muster what little courage I have left and meet his eyes, searching for any hint of judgment or amusement.

Instead, I find understanding.

Maybe Ruby and Shefali are right. Maybe it's time to stop running from the truth. But admitting it, especially now, seems impossible.

"Mr. Angr-- I mean, Mr. Hussein," I start, my voice barely above a whisper, "I..."

He leans in slightly, encouraging me to continue. The world seems to hold its breath, waiting for my next words.

But before I can speak, Ruby steps in. "We were just talking about how much Muskaan admires your... work ethics," she says quickly, shooting me a supportive smile.

Mr. Angrez chuckles, the tension breaking slightly. "Is that so?" he asks, his eyes still locked on mine.

I nod, grateful for the lifeline Ruby has thrown me. "Yes, your... methods are quite effective," I manage to say, hoping my face isn't as red as it feels.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," he says, his smile widening. "Keep up the good work, Ms. Noor."

With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me to release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Ruby and Shefali immediately crowd around me, their eyes wide with excitement.

"You see?" Ruby whispers, her voice filled with triumph. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Hard ki bachi," I smack her arm. "'Muskaan admires your work ethics?' Really?!"

"Wo time pe jo muh me aaya boldi re, sorry."

We fall silent for a but after which both Shefali and Ruby take their leave, leaving me alone in my cabin. Not even a second had passed after the two exit and in comes Mr. Angrez himself.

"What was that about?" he asks, clearly not buying any of the nonsense Ruby spouted.

A sigh escapes my lips. "None of your business," I reply, dropping into the chair with a huff. "Don't you have work to do? Go and chill in your cabin."

"I would if I had one." He mimics my actions, sighing as he settles into the seat across from me. "And I had stuff to do with you."

"What stuff?" I ask, giving him a suspicious look.

His smirk widens, a mischievous glint flickering in his eyes, making my mind wander to other possibilities. "Work stuff, you filthy-minded human," he says, amusement dancing on his face.

Oh.

I feel a flush creeping up my neck, embarrassed by my own assumptions.

"Yea, of course-- That's what I meant." I clear my throat, turning my face away briefly to hide the embarrassment.

"Jhooti." He says. More like 'Ju-ti'. He seriously needs to work on his Urdu.

"So you can read my mind now?"

"Effortlessly."

"Ahan." I lean my elbows on the table, and entwine my fingers. "What's going through my mind now?" I challenge.

He studies me for a minute, before mirroring my pose again. "You're wondering who 'Layla' is and why'd she FaceTime me so late in the night? You also want to know why I sleep shirtless."

Uhh, how does he know all that?

I blink at him and go pfftttttt. Cuz,holy shit! All of the things he said was true to every alphabet. How on Earth did he manage to do that?

"Not true." I affirm.

"Which one?"

"All three of them. Untrue."

"Liar." He says leaning back in his chair and flashing me one of his lazy smiles.

"You're bluffing."

"That doesn't mean they are not true."

"Well, they are."

Am I that transparent? How can he put everything word for word? I should have more control over my expressions. Can't be Carlos Sainz here.

"She's not my girlfriend." He states. And I know exactly who he is talking about. Yet I decide to play dumb.

"Who?" It's clear from the look he shot me he knows I know.

"Layla." He says anyway. "She's just my cousin. Oh, she's your cousin too."

"You can get married to your cousins." I say feeling a strange pang in my heart as the sentence rolled off my tongue.

"I will, but not her." He mutters, reaching out for the stack of my post it's and peeled one off.

"Do you have more cousins?"

"Yes." He says, his eyes focused on the piece of paper. Again with that pang in my chest but only stronger.

"Are they all in the UK?"

"Some of them are here as well." He frowns, flipping the folded paper over and about.

"And yet you're staying with us. Wow, Mr. Angrez."

Muaz said after a beat of silence. "I sleep shirtless cuz it's comfy and convenient."

"A cotton undershirt won't hurt." I offer, absentmindedly squinting at the file I had opened on my screen. Noticing the sudden silence we were engulfed in, I take a peek at him from the corner of my eye.

"You ok?" I inquire when I see him caressing is stomach with a pained expression.

"Yeah. Just nauseous for some reason."

"Do you want me to order something for you?"

"Nah, should be fine." He says and pushes to his feet. "Anyway, you carry on and remember, we have to visit the site again In a couple of days."

"I am aware. But where are you going? Thought you said you have no cabin."

"I don't and I'm only wandering around like a dervish."

"Aye wallah, bey." I place my hand on my heart like they did in Resurrection Ertugul and bid him farewell before adding; "Just please don't bother anyone."

"Yes, ma'am." He salutes and exits my cabin.

Going back to the file, I reach for my stick notes out of habit and was about to note something down when I see his collection of origami.

A small, intricately folded rose catches my eye first. Made from a pink post-it note, its delicate petals curl outward, almost lifelike. Next to it lies a heart, crafted from a red post-it. Its edges are sharp and precise, yet the folds convey a sense of warmth and care. Lastly, there is a swan, elegant and graceful, its wings slightly spread as if about to take flight.

I can't help but smile, admiring Muaaz's creativity. Each piece is a testament to his patience and skill. I pick up the swan, running my fingers over the crisp folds, appreciating the craftsmanship. It's impressive how he can turn something as mundane as post-it notes into these little works of art.

Chuckling softly, I shake my head. "Ye ladka," I murmur, setting the swan closer to me and away from the paper work sprawled on my desk.

My heart tricks my hand to grab my phone and scroll through the list of apps on my screen. And before I could make sense of what I was doing, the snippet of a song begins to flow from the speakers.

"Ye lardka haye Allah kaisa hai deewana,

Kitna Mushkil Hai Tauba Isko Samjhaana,

Ke Dheere Dheere Dil Beqaraar Hota Hai,

Hote Hote Hote, Pyaar Hota Hai.'

The song ends, leaving a lingering sense of warmth and amusement. I return to my work, with his small gesture adding a bit of brightness to my day, and the song playing softly in the back of my mind.

⚜️

I flip my wrist, noting the time and realize how late we are.

"Mr. Angrez!" I knock on his door, where he's locked himself since breakfast. "Jaldi karo, we are late."

I hear shuffles from the other side and the sound of the flushing of the toilet. He appears seconds later, something very, very wrong about him.

"Kiya hua?" I ask, taking in his sunken eyes and pale face.

"Ah, nothing. Let's go." He said, almost  wheezed and leaves the room immediately causing me to frown.

Does he have an upset stomach? I wonder, stepping in his washroom and sniffing around like a dog.

Nope. No sign of bad odour.

"Ms. Noor." He calls from the living room. "Kara Uncle is here."

"Coming."

For those who wonder who Kara uncle is, it is Karamat, our good old driver. But cuz Mr. Angrez was overwhelmed by his long name,  he decided starting small was the better option. Hence, it is Kara for now because that's how we're teaching him.

Kara-Mat. Untill his proficiency level in Urdu goes from emerging to developing.

We make it outside, bidding farewell to everyone present in the house. Abbu joins us as we put our shoes on, and his gaze sharp gaze lands on Mr. Angrez, brows furrowed slightly.

"Kiya hua isku?" He asks right away noticing something was off about him.

"I don't know. Aapko bhi kuch alag dikha?" Abbu's silence gave away his agreement.

"Sambhal kar jao. Tabiyat theek nahi hai uski. I'll make sure to keep my phone on me today." With that said, he walks away almost scaring me.

Oh, okay.

Sadia speed walks in my direction straight from the kitchen with a bottle in her hand. "Bibi, this for Muaaz. Lemon water. Drink and Stomach feel good."

I thank her, and exit through the front door to see Mr. Angrez already sitting in the car with his eyes shut and head leaning on the seat. He briefly opens his eyes when I join him and shut the door behind me.

"If you're not feeling well, we won't go." I tell him.

"I'm OK." He says with eyes still shuts.

I decide to not bother him and stay quiet for the rest of the ride, glancing his way every 5 minutes until I hear his soft snores.

How cute.

Uncle takes a left turn which had Mr. Angrez's head fall on my shoulder with a thump. I freeze under the weight of his head and the fact that its resting on my shoulder. I expect him to jolt awake and sit upright but he doesn't.

Using my pointer finger, I push his head back on the headrest where it stays for a couple seconds before crash landing on my shoulder again.

*huffs*

I use my middle and my index finger this time to push his head back in the upright position where it stayed for barely 10 seconds before I felt the weight of his head on me.

*huff*

This time, I slide my palm against his cheek and push him away again and sigh. But no use, no time had passed until his head landed right on my lap.

*thump*

"If you're playing me, it's a very bad idea." I say to him like he can hear me. But he doesn't and continues to snore.

Uncle takes a left turn, causing Mr. Angrez's head to fall onto my shoulder with a gentle thump. I freeze, feeling the warmth and weight of his head against me. I expect him to jolt awake and sit upright, but he remains peacefully asleep, his breathing steady.

Using my pointer finger, I gently push his head back onto the headrest, where it stays for a few seconds before crash landing onto my shoulder again.

Huff

I use my middle and index fingers this time, carefully pushing his head back into an upright position. It stays there for barely ten seconds before I feel the familiar weight against me once more.

Huff

This time, I slide my palm against his cheek, feeling the slight stubble as I gently push him away again. I sigh, but no sooner had I done so, his head finds its way onto my lap.

thump

“If you’re playing me, it’s a very bad idea,” I whisper to him, knowing full well he can’t hear me. But he just continues to snore softly, his face relaxed and content. I can't help but smile at his peaceful expression, feeling a strange sense of comfort despite the situation.

"Rakhlo Amma sar uska." Looking in the plain mirror I realize he's been watching us the whole time because we were in a red traffic light which usually takes ages to go green.

"Ji," I mutter, and look out of my window.

An idea pops into my mind. Fishing out my phone from my bag, I turn the camera on and start taking selfies with this sleeping beauty, making all sorts of goofy faces. I stick my tongue out, puff up my cheeks, and even pretend to be asleep beside him. Each click of the camera feels like capturing a moment of pure, innocent fun.

I glance at his perfectly styled hair and mischievously decide it needs a makeover. Giggling softly, I play with his hair, ruining his neat hairstyle for a messy middle parting. To my delight, I find a pair of pink tick tack pins in my bag and carefully place them in his hair, securing the new style

Taking the longest strands of his hair, I start to braid them, my fingers working quickly and deftly until he looks like a comical version of SRK from Pathan. After each new hairstyle, I can't resist grabbing his cheeks with one hand and snapping another picture. His face remains serenely unaware, providing the perfect contrast to my playful antics.

I have a good laugh before undoing my artwork, feeling a warm glow of happiness. My fingers comb through his hair, restoring it to its usual brushed-back style. I take my time, enjoying the sensation of his soft, dandruff-free scalp beneath my nails.

With a satisfied sigh, I rest his head on my shoulder again, smoothing his hair one last time as if nothing had happened. He snuggles closer, still lost in his dreams, and I can't help but feel a wave of affection for this unwitting partner in my fun.

Cut to a few moments later, Mr. Angrez and I were strolling in the courtyard with the new plan of the fort. The sun was shining bright overhead, with no wind whatsoever. My partner had long finished his nimbu paani but still doesn't look any better. We were sweating, our hands moving to and fro to fan us.

"I had no idea the weather was going to be so harsh," I say, continuing to walk.

"I think I'm going to pass out," he mutters meekly, clutching his hair with one hand while the other goes around his stomach.

I shake my head at his antics and press on. "You're not so weak, Mr. Angrez. The British weren't. They were so powerful they didn't leave us for three whole centuries. Do you have any idea how they managed South Asia back then when India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh fell under a single big banner? Divide and—"

I glance over my shoulder and frown when I don't see him following me. My heart skips a beat. "Mr. Angrez?" I call out, my voice trembling slightly.

Turning around fully, I see him hunched over, his face pale, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. Panic surges through me, and I rush back to him.

"Muaaz! Hey, are you okay?" I ask, my hands slightly shaking as I reach out to cup his face.

He looks up at me, his eyes glassy and unfocused. "My name--"

"Huh?"

"You... you called me Muaaz," he whispers, a faint, surprised smile playing on his lips despite his obvious distress. He sways on his feet, and I quickly wrap my arm around his waist to support him.

"Come on, sit down," I urge, guiding him to a nearby rock. "Breathe slowly, okay? Just take deep breaths."

As he tries to follow my instructions, he looks at me with a flicker of surprise and something else in his eyes. "You know," he starts, his voice barely audible, "I always thought... you were strong enough for both of us."

Did he just crack a joke? What am I supposed to do? Laugh or slap him?

Before I can respond, his eyes flutter shut, and he goes limp in my arms. "Hey, hey, hey. Muaaz! Muaaz, stay with me!" I cry out, my heart pounding in my chest. I lower him gently to the ground, my hands trembling as I check his pulse.

Feeling it faint but steady, relief washes over me, but the fear remains. I cradle his head in my lap, my fingers brushing through his hair. "Please, Muaaz, wake up," I whisper, my voice breaking.

🍋🥤

Thanks for reading 🫰🏻

Seen you in the next chapter.