CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 68 : The perfect fest

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"If we are going somewhere , then let's postpone the trip to tomorrow. I am tired and I want to spend some time with you . Only you" Safia smiled while wrapping her arm in Fawad's neck .

'if she's stopping me like this , how can I refuse' Fawad thought to himself.

"Okay , so...let's sit down and decide what we can do?" Safia asked while hopping on the couch .

"Anything you want" Fawad put his hands inside his pocket with a smile . In the back of his mind , he had plan inside his mind to deal with Safia's family . He had a lot to make them pay for .

"A food fest?" Safia laughed and it made Fawad chuckle too . He remembered how their last food fest went .

"We can certainly go there , but on one condition" Fawad stretched out his hand as if asking her to make a deal.

Safia raised her eyebrow at that playfully.

"You won't be leaving me and you will spend the whole day with me only" Fawad told her . A smile crept upon Safia's lips .

Life surely gave people a chance . Like it did to her . She had the chance of spending the day with Fawad in a food fest—but this time , properly.

"We will do that tomorrow , because today I am tired and all I want to do is cuddlee!!" Safia chirped and Fawad wrapped his arm under Safia's leg carrying her upstairs .

"Careful!" Safia's eyes widened. She wasn't sure if Fawad had fully recovered.

Fawad just passed her a smile at her concern and took her to another room , because his personal one had been taken over by the rabbits .

The morning had come and their legs were intertwined with each other . Safia's hands rested on Fawad's chest just beside her head.

The night had passed in conversations and talks of the past . By this time , they were sleeping carelessly in each other's arms .

Something they both had terribly missed .

During the iftar time , they both sat on the dining tables waiting for the iftar .

Fawad hadn't kept fast , but he was accompanying Safia in it . They had planned to eat a little food in iftar so that they can enjoy the food fest at night .

Rudhra came with the plates of food in his hand , "There you go , Madamé Witch and Sir Grinch" Rudhra put the food on the table .

"What is it?" Safia asked , while looking at the dish , which appeared like a salad.

"Crunch Thai Penut Salad" Rudhra answered while heading back inside to get sharbat and dates.

"Thanks.."Safia took a deep breath and smiled .

Rudhra stopped for a second , and turned around . He didn't expect her to say something like this .

It didn't sound like a mere thank you for the food , but something filled with appreciation. The cheerful voice carried all the happiness and greatfulness she had held inside her heart for Rudhra .

The thanks for taking care of her husband, for never leaving his side , for informing her the truth , for coming here leaving his work behind just to see Fawad and to just be there for them and supporting them through thick and thin .

Rudhra's back was still turned , and his back was facing Safia . His lips curled into a smile and he walked away , making Safia smile too .

"Are you both finally on talking terms ?" Fawad asked.

"Haven't we been already?"

"As in normal talking , like two adults? And not fighting like tom and jerry" Fawad asked.

"I guess , somethings never end" Safia smiled sheepily . The voice of azan echoed and Safia quickly whispered the dua of opening iftar and stuffed the date in her mouth .

Fawad shook his head with a smile , and continued to savour his own food .

After offering salah, Fawad went upstairs to take care of his buisness , while Safia decided to watch some comedy videos .

The video soon got over , and Safia jumped upstairs to go and possibly lend Fawad a hand in his work . She swung the door open and Fawad was busy looking for something in his attic.

"What are you looking for ?" Safia asked and stood beside Fawad , whose body was bent as he searched the boxes. After sparing a glance at Safia , he turned his attention back to the boxes.

"My diary . I used to write it, but now it's not here . It's been missing since the time I came here" Fawad's hands turned the old fabrics in the box swiftly but when it wasn't there , he stood up again . This time all his attention was at Safia .

"Have you came across it by any chance?" Fawad asked . Safia smiled lightly shaking off her head , ignoring her heart which was beating in a fast pace .

F L A S H B A C K

"Are you sure you can clean it all up?" Seth asked Safia again . He wanted to make sure she was fine with it . Cleaning such a big house alone was a problem , but they couldn't afford to keep a maid in order to hide Fawad for the time being .

"Yes , trust me on this !" Safia chirped happily . She was glad that she could be of some help in this entire scenerio.

"Fine then . At night , I will shift Fawad here , but his brain operation had been done , so....please make sure hygiene wouldn't be an issue" Seth reminded her and she gave a little nod .

The excitement which she showcased had died after one hour of work . The house had been shut down since the past year after Fawad and she went back to Delhi . It was a lot of work there . Safia turned around and there was another box with Fawad's belongings she had to unpack . Irritation filled her as she came across another huge carton box , which had been transferred here from their mansion at Delhi .

She kicked it letting her impulse take over her, scattering the things on the ground . Safia's eyes widened as she realised that there was no tape on the box sealing it close . She started to put the objects back in the box—a watch , a crystal paper weight which was Fawad's favorite , the couple's shirt and a diary.

P R E S E N T

Safia wasn't sure if taking the diary of her husband was morally right , but it had been keeping her company in his absence. After completing it  and memorizing the 1287 entries in it by her heart , she didn't knew if she should really return it—and if so , then how ?

"Do you really not know anything about it?" Fawad asked and Safia shook her head . Her heart racing with fear , scared if he could see across her lies .

Fawad couldn't hide his smile, looking into her eyes which were looking at anywhere but him . After meeting Safia , he had been doing nothing except smiling . His heart felt satisfied and content for the very first time in his entire life .

Safia stared at him , still unsure if he had been able to tell that she was the theif he was looking for . She decided to quickly change the topic .

"Mr Siddiqui , Look at the time ! We should be heading for the fest already!" She quickly said and ran outside to get ready.

Fawad rested his hand on the table taking a deep sigh . All the things he desired lay in one girl only—she was an unexpected encounter which turned into his biggest blessing .

As the night deepened , Fawad and Safia made their way to the food fest, hand in hand. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, and their stomachs growled in anticipation. They walked through the crowded stalls.

"Look, Mr Siddiqui , they are giving out free samples let's have it" She smiled . Fawad's eyes crinkled at delight , as he followed her . His hairs were dyed in chocolate brown complementing his natural fair colour . His face was hidden under the mask and the glasses with the black semi-circular frame .

They stopped at a vibrant orange and red stall , their senses tempted by the aromas and colors of the various dishes. Their eyes fell on the steaming bowls of fragrant biryani.

"Try this," Fawad said, handing Safia a spoonful of the flavorful rice. The stall was comparatively empty , which was surprising . The free sample was only in a small bowl , tempting them to buy more .

Safia closed her eyes, letting the spices dance on her tongue. "Mmm...this is incredible!"

Fawad almost laughed at Safia's delighted face and took a bite himself.

Next, they visited a stall offering crispy, golden samosas. Safia couldn't resist the crunchy treats and popped one into her mouth. Fawad laughed at her delighted expression.

"These are addictive!" Safia exclaimed.

Fawad chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "I told you they're the best."

As they sampled dish after dish, their hands touched, and their shoulders brushed against each other. The tension between them was palpable, but it only added to the excitement of the night .

At a stall serving creamy and sweet desserts. Fawad insisted Safia try a gulab jamun , he had tried it while he was in hospital and he loved it . As she bit the sweet treat, Fawad's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze filled with warmth. Safia smiled brightly , as if it was her first time eating it not wanting to break Fawad's excitement.

"It's delicious!" She chirped making Fawad smile like a small child ,who had accomplished his mission . She took another bite as some syrup fell on her lip's side and the chin . She wiped it with her handkerchief and looked at Fawad , asking if it was all gone.

"You have a bit of syrup on the side of your lip's side," he whispered lowering his mask to make his voice more clear .

Safia smiled with embarrassment, trying to lick the syrup off but she couldn't get the position right . Seeing it , Fawad gently wiped it away with his finger, making her giggle a little . "Thanks, I guess I needed a little help!" she said, her eyes sparkling.

Fawad's face lit up with a goofy smile as he tasted the syrup on his finger. "Mmm, that's so good! I guess I should take one too" he exclaimed, making Safia laugh at his face . Her heart felt warm and fuzzy, like the sweet syrup had spread its happiness inside her.

"You should definitely do that!" She smiled .

They both ate the sweets and his mask was back on his face .

After a while , they were silently walking , the moment made them both feel shy . The silence soon died down , when Safia beamed with happiness .

"Mr Siddiqui!! Look spicy ramen!! Do you want to have a competition??" Safia asked .

The question was unnecessary. She didn't needed to ask him. If she said something it was almost certain that her Mr Siddiqui would do it for her at any cost . And so was this situation too. Without thinking twice he gave her a quick nod .

"Let me get it for us" Fawad told her , as the stall was filled with people. Safia gave a little nod and sat on the seat . After sometime , Fawad returned with one bowl of ramen . The stall was empty now .

"Their food is over. Just this bowl was left" Fawad sounded a little disappointed at that .  A man came from behind , "Sir.." he called Fawad out making Fawad turn his head to that man.

"I am sorry to disturb , but...my daughter is a very big Korean fan . I drove all the way here from our village to make her taste the dishes from korea , but sadly most are over . Can you please give me this bowl? I will pay you twice the amount" The man requested .

His shirt was sweaty and a side bag was still across his body , clearly showing that he had just came here from his office with his daughter with having no time with change .

Fawad glanced at Safia asking if it was fine for her to give it away , after all it was her idea to eat the ramen. Safia just smiled standing up and passed the bowl to that man . "We are fine with it , no need to pay too" she told him .

"No , how can I just let this happen...atleast have the money" He insisted but this time Fawad just shake his head lightly, "No need . Really, just have fun with your daughter" Fawad told him and he smiled , thanking them again and again.

Fawad and Safia , both sat on the bench looking at the man's daughter happily jumping in excitement from that . They might have missed their food competition , but it was worth it at the cost of making someone smile.

Fawad put his arm around Safia, pulling her close. They watched the stars twinkling above, feeling grateful for this moment together. It was filled with a certain sort of calmness despite being full of people chattering around them .

As they sat there, Fawad turned to Safia and whispered, "I'm so happy to be here with you. I've missed this." Safia's heart melted at his words, and she leaned her forehead , so that he can plant a peck there .

Just then, the man from earlier approached them, offering drinks as a thanks.

"At least, have this" he told them .

Fawad and Safia shared a laugh taking the drink in their hands .

As they sipped their drinks, their fingers intertwined, and they both knew this night was special.

The food fest ended, but their night didn't. They strolled through the quiet streets, enjoying each other's company.

Fawad stopped at a beautiful spot—The area had trees with street lamps on the top of their head shining its dim yellow light with little to no houses around . Their car was parked just a few feet away .

They were spending their time walking . By this time , Safia's sandals were in his hand , as they gave her a shoe bite and his own shoes were in Safia's leg as he walked barefoot.

After taking a few steps they reached towards the car . Fawad opened the car's door and gently put Safia's sandles down .

"Thank you so much for tonight—and I am sorry for..eh" she looked at the heels which had been just put down in the car .

Instead of saying anything, Fawad pulled her close. His lips met with her forehead and he planted a gentle peck. The world around them fading away as they closed their eyes. "Thanks for every moment you spend with me" He thanked her .

He never left any chance to appreciate what Safia had done for him . Safia looked at him , her eyes glistening with tears realising that almost all the obstacles were finally over , and they could spend their lives together happily.

To be continued....

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Assalamualaikum and sorry for the delayed update , I was busy in college , but finally I have made some time ! Hope you enjoyed the chapter 💖 and yes !! They have finally attended their festt!!