18. 𝐇𝐚𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐚𝐛 𝐊𝐚

Presuming Mr. Angrez might be asleep, I don't bother peeking through the curtain of his room and draw them to the side in one swift motion, only to see him wide awake and sipping fresh coconut water.

Tabiyat kharab rakh ke bhi iska khaana band nahi hua.

I sigh, flashing him an exaggerated smile. "Assalamualaikum, Mr. Mareez."

"Walaikumsalam." He grins.

Iski to smile bhi kahin nahi gayi.

Ya Allah, kis mitti ka banaya isko aap?

"Haal kaisa hai janaab ka?" I ask, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice.

"Kiya khayal hai aapka?" he replies, attempting to sing along.

"Tum to machal gaye, oh ho ho," I continue, smiling wider.

"Yu hi phisal gaye, ah ha ha."

Laughing to myself, I walk around the bed and plop onto the bar stool beside him. His playful banter always has a way of lifting my spirits.

"No, but seriously, how are you feeling?" I ask, my tone turning more sincere.

"Much better," he says, and I can see the truth in his eyes.

Wo to dikh raha.

"I know." He takes another sip, his lips quirking up around the thin blue straw.

"What?" I ask, settling on the tiny stool by the stretcher.

"That I look better." When I frown at his words, he adds, "You're loud without realizing it sometimes."

Deciding to ignore his comment, I take a look at the pile of bouquets he's received.

"Impressed?" he asks in a sickly goofy tone.

"Poor people don't know the Muaaz I know."

"Charming? Sweet? Funny? Caring?"

"A hungry monster who is always hungry for anything and everything."

"There! It's your evil nazar that brought me here. It's you!" he accuses, pointing a finger at me dramatically.

"Heyyyyyyyy!" I swat his hand away, laughing. "You left me with no choice, eating everything. Also, insaan dua padhte hain khana khane se pehle."

"Your nazar is so strong no dua works. Mashallah."

"You are so rude!"

"Not more than you!"

We end up staring at each other in a playful glare until I snap out of it, feeling a warmth in my chest.

As the banter dies down, I can't help but notice the way his eyes sparkle, even in this hospital room. I catch myself staring at him a little too long and look away, my cheeks growing warm. There's something about the way he makes me laugh, the way he sees through my façade, that tugs at my heart.

"Anyway," I clear my throat.

"How's things at work?"

"Alright, I guess."

"Awwwww, you miss me." He flashes me a sickly sweet smile making me contemplate if I should tell him the truth or not. If I do, he'll be proud and if I don't he'll say I'm lying.

"To be honest," I pause briefly. "I did."

He looks at me as though taken by surprise.

"You what?"

"What?"

"What did you say after, to be honest?"

"I did."

"You did what?"

"I missed you."

I could see the slow tinge of pink creep up his cheeks, as he pressed his lips together and looked away.

"Are you blushing?!"

"Erm, nope." But I wasn't buying that because he definitely was with the way he bit his lip and just couldn't meet my eye.

I quickly fish my phone and click a picture, laughing my ass off at the scene.

"Oh my God!" I clutch my stomach, trying to get my breathing back to normal. "Aahh! Oh my God! Guys can blush too." I blow a breath.

"Of course, we can blush. Are we not human?!" Mr. Angrez feigns offense, pretending to be deeply offended by my revelation. "How dare you expose my secret blushing abilities to the world?"

I just continue laughing, holding my phone up to show him the picture I took. "This is going straight to my 'Moments to Remember' album."

He tries to snatch the phone playfully, but I move it out of his reach with a mischievous grin. "No way, this is blackmail material for life!"

He rolls his eyes in mock exasperation. "I swear, you're going to be the death of me with your antics."

"Hey, you signed up for this the moment you decided to go on with the project" I tease, finally showing him the picture.

He looks at it, shaking his head but unable to hide a small smile. "Alright, fine. But only because you promised not to use it against me in the future."

I nod solemnly, still grinning. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

We lapse into a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company. It's moments like these that make me forget about the hospital setting, the sickness, and everything else. Just two friends bantering like old times.

"Ms. Noor?" Muaaz says after a while, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being here."

"Did you think I'd leave you to die like that?"

"Errr—" He scratches his neck and looks away, his silence answering my question.

"Itni bhi buri nahi hoon main!" I claim, feeling genuinely offended. I think my face shows it too.

"Hey, hey, I didn't mean to offend you," he says quickly. "I just know you don't like me here and want to get rid of me as soon as you can."

My dill went Ouch,  aching at his words. But he continued nevertheless.

"Also, my lying ability is worse than my Urdu therefore I don't even try fibbing."

Still, I want to make this clear. So, here goes.

"It's not that I don't like you." I start in a small voice. "I thought you were a reason for the Civil War in our house, which you aren't, and that keeps you off my radar. Also, we have a job to do. So, I can't let you go until it's done."

"Does that mean I am stuck with you for the next couple of months?"

"Sahi pakde hain." I smile at him, reaching for the ripe coconut lying by his stretcher. I use the mini knife that lay on the floor and poke a hole when two large hands grab the giant nut and pull it away.

"That is for me!" Muaaz said.

But I am left utterly speechless when the coconut collides against his chest with me as a plus one because I still had my hands on it until I didn't.

"Oops!" And very filmily, my hands go around his neck with no sign of the coconut anywhere. I landed in his arms, my side against his torso as he held me firm in place.

It was the very first time I'd seen him this up close with his eyes open and him being conscious. Dark pools of brown, expressive and sharp, looking me in the eye, almost through my soul. Thick well-shaped brows and even thicker lashes with a natural curl to them, only adding intensity to his gaze.

My mind began playing dirty as it takes in the lower half of his face. It tricked me into picturing that straight, slightly freckled nose running down the length of my neck. The stubble on his otherwise clean-shaven cheeks tickling me. And those lips doing indescribable things that even the slightest thought is making heat pool in me.

"Careful," He says softly, not loosening his grip in the slightest.

Acha hai, mat chodo.

Muaaz smiled like he heard what my filthy mind said. That charming, infectious, and bright smile that is managing to do funny things in my stomach. His eyes crinkled the corners, adding depth and sincerity to his expression.

The sound of curtains being drawn violently shook us back to reality.

"Aur ye patient ko-- Ooffoooooo!" The intruder, who turned out to be a nurse, exclaimed.

I quickly unlooped my arms and pushed myself to my feet, tugging at my clothes and running a hand to smooth my hijab. Muaaz too, runs a hand through his hair and clears his throat, not meeting my gaze.

"Ye patient ku to Daxsaab ki zaroorat ich nahi hai. Inke chahne wale bohot acha khayal rakhre inka."

*coughs*

"Waise aap hai kaun?" She asks me.

"Patient ki cousin hoon. Inko hospital bhi main aur mere Abbu laye the."

"Cousin," The middle-aged lady repeats taking a moment to scan me up and down. "Acha hai. Allowed hai na tumlog ko? Acha hai."

Excuse me?!

"Khair," She dismissed the topic like she just hadn't just proposed for us to get married and moved on with the task at hand.

"Kal subha discharge hai patient ka. Tum care karte jaisa hai iski isiliyea tumaku bolri. Bukhar abhi nahi hai, leken agar aaya aur kum nahi hora to leke aajao. Bland and easy to digest food dene hai inko. Chawal,toast, banana, boiled potato. No spicy, or heavy meals allowed. ORS aur naryal paani dete raho. Antibiotics din me ek bus hai. Samajh gaye na?"

"Haan." I nod, trying to wrap my head around the things she blabbered.

"Phewww!" I sit back on the stool, after  she left us alone, putting the curtains back in place.  "That was awkward. Where is my--" I look around, and on not finding it anywhere, walk around the bed to find the coconut lying on the floor. "Oh, found it!"

Thankfully I hadn't pierced the knife deep enough to pop a hole, which I will do now. Walking back to the stool, I slice it open and slide a straw into it.

"Are you for real?" He asks.

"Why? Can't I enjoy one of my favorite drinks?" I ask, sipping the fresh coconut water.

"Guess you can." I shrug, enjoying my drink. "What other drinks do you like?" He asked, after a brief pause of silence.

"Sugarcane juice." I say, doing the Italian hand gesture.

"Sugarcane juice?"

"You don't know?!" He shakes his head. "Bichare Mr. Angrez. You obviously watch Bollywood movies, I assume?" He nods. "Some movies that show punjabi culture have the long green sticks similar to bamboo?"

"Mm-hmm."

I lose myself for a second, pausing to notice the way his brows are  furrowed at the moment, adding to his air of concentration. Thankfully I was quick to bounce back which saved me further embarrassment.

"That's Sugarcane. Here, they extract its juice fresh right in front of you, top it with lemon and ice and serve cold. Abbah! Boleto paani aara muh mein. I'll make sure to introduce you to it once you're back to normal."

"It's a date, then."

And in that moment, amidst the laughter and banter, I realize that maybe, just maybe, this unexpected friendship might turn out to be the best thing to come out of this hospital stay.

⚜️

"She said, soups, toast, rice, banana, boiled potatoes."

It was the early hours of a weekday, with Sadia taking the day off that left Mumma and her minions to do breakfast for the day.

"That's basically easy-to-digest food," Mumma said in response.

"Yup. Also, he is supposed to have only ORS or naryal paani."

"Electrolytes, basically."

"Yes. And no spicy food. Aur kuch heavy bhi nahi dena hai usko."

"Meri jaan, I know." I was giving out instructions just like the nurse had said you me, hoping I didn't leave anything as Muaaz was just brought home from the hospital.

"Waise baaji," Farha cuts in, ready in her abaya to leave for college. "Aapko itni kyu fikar hori?" She asks popping a bingo chip in her mouth.

"Kyunki wo nurse meko bole as she knew I was the responsible one between us two."

"Wo to theek hai. But phir bhi, aapko itni fikar kyu hori?"

"Insaan ko either food poisoning hoti ya dehydration. Aapke ladle ko dono bhi ek saath hogya." I turn my head to look at Mumma as another thing popped in my mind. "Wo nurse ye bhi boli ke body temperature monitor karte rehna hai. Also look for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea."

"Hmm. Koi khaas wajah hai jisse aap itna concerned hai Muaaz bhaiya ke liyea?" She prodded.

"He thinks I hate him." I confess with a sigh.

"Don't you hate him?" Farha asks.

"Hate is a strong word. Aur main nahi karti especially after the bet I lost to him made it clear that is not a part of whatever fued is between the two men."

"What bet?" Mumma asked.

Without thinking twice, I blurt out cuz I just can't stop talking. "Arey jis din Muaaz ghar nahi aaya tha raat me-- oh shit!" I slap a palm over my mouth.

I was not supposed to say that!

Looking at Farha in front of me she gave me the look which meant i am in trouble. Slowly turning to face my mom, I shoot her a nervous smile.

"Jis din Muaaz ghar nahi aaya tha...?"

She motioned for me to complete the sentence with a raised brow, giving me the death glare that equalled the stare of Gopi Bahu's MIL. Or maybe scarier.

I shut my eyes, accepting my phooti kismet. "Uss din I was supposed to speak to abbu and see if he is concerned for him in the least. And if he did that meant Muaaz was in the clear and could continue to live with us."

I open my just in time to see Mumma lunge forward with her spatula in hand after me while I shriek in pure terror and run for my life.

"Beghairat insaan! Itna vahiyaat decision tum kaisa le sakte--" I circle the dining table, trying to keep the distance between her and I.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" But she was quick to close the gap that made me change course and run in the living area.

"Usko tum ghar se nikalne wale they--" I hop on the couch, the spatula barely scraping my hand and I jump over, Heading into the first room that had its door open.

"But he didn't go--" I try to reason, and jump on the bed. This time earning a proper whip on my butt.

"Aysa idea dimagh me aaya kaisa--"

"Owwww!" I cry, rubbing my butt cheek. "Mumma sahi me mar lagi meko."

"Tumhare harkatan ko dekh ke ye bohot kum hai!" She exclaimed.

"What the--" a huge figure appears out of nowhere and I waste no time making it as my human shield.

"Arey, jo hogya so hogya!" I say from behind a wal of muscles. "Purani baaton pe mitti Dalo."

"Mumma, what happened?!" And it had to be Mr. Angrez who has been home for less than an hour.

"You tell me!" Mumma said, pointing her spatula at him. "Kyunki aap bhi Barbara ke shareeq hai iss me."

"What is she talking about?" He asks me, looking over his shoulder.

"I accidentally spilled about our bet to her." He looked shocked at first then disappointed that I couldn't keep a secret. "I'm sorry!" I say to the both of them.

"Sorry?! Andaza hai tumako zara--" Now mumma was properly angry and I am not the best person to cool her down. Never was.

"Acha!" Muaaz starts. "It's OK. It was for one night only. It's done." He cooed.

"Doesn't matter! She had no right to send you away like that." I cowered under that spatula that came my way but before it could touch me, Muaaz moved between that thing and I, taking the blow which was meant for me and didn't even flinch.

"Oww! Mumma, you hit Muaaz!" I say as though I could feel the pain and caress his bicep but he paid no attention, keeping his gaze fixed on her.

"I volunteered." He said. "It was my decision, my idea entirely. All Noor did was agree to the deal."

"Don't cover for her, Muaaz." Mumma threatened.

"I'm not, Mumma. It was my idea whole and sole,really. Ask Noor if you want." He spins on his heel, gesturing with his brows. "Noor, tell her."

I blink at him and look at my mom. "It was his idea." I lie.

"See?"

Mumma huffs, clearly unhappy that Muaaz was covering up for me and taking the blame on himself.

"You could've informed us atleast." She said, finally lowering that damned spatula.

"I know I should have." His voice turns soft, as he takes her hands in his and guides her to the bed. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry to isko bolna chahiyea." She says her gaze locking on me.

"I did say sorry and that to so many times, aap ich nahi sune."

"Phir jawab dere tum--"

"It's ok." Muaaz cuts in before the situation escalates again. "Jawab nayii derey. It's fine. Here, drink some water." He says handing her a glass from which she sips and downs it.

All is well, all is well.

A moment of tense silence passed over us which was my way of giving Mumma some time to settle down but Muaaz had other plans. He raised his brows at me and gestured towards her, silently asking me to do God knows what.

Screw me for not being good at apologies.

"I, uh. . ." I start but shut up because I didn't know what to say.

"Go on." Muaaz mouthed.

"I--" I clear my throat and muster whatever courage I had in me, standing in front to of my mom, the judge with Muaaz on her side, my defense, who was giving me the boost I needed. "I am really sorry, Mumma. I didn't know what I was doing. It was really stupid of me to think I could solve something I had no control over."

I take a brief pause, looking at Muaaz who gves me the thumbs up as though my apology speech was working its way to her.

"I was really frustrated about the tensions in the house that I'd never seen before. And I saw no better option than this one to try my theory out. But things are not that bad now. l. If my experiment worked ven a little then it was on Abbu. He finally left his room and the situation is slowly getting back to normal. Alhamdulillah."

Mumma was looking at me now that pushed me further to concluding my speech. "I promise I'll be better to Muaaz starting now. Won't bully him no more. And be kind to him like Abbu asked me to."

Her expression softened as she nodded, accepting my apology. But the frown on her face was back seconds later.

"Your father knew about this?"

Margaye!

🥥🥤

Long time!!

Kaisa laga chapter? Tell me in the comments below.

See you in the next one.

Hasta LA Vista, babezzz 👋🏻