chapter 26

Fiza accommodates Arif in her second bedroom, which she has set up as a studio. Fiza removes all her paintings and painting tools from the room. She takes away all the paintings of Aman that she had framed and hung in that room. She takes away all the gifts that Aman has given her and his photo from that room.'It wasn't necessary. You are unnecessarily shifting all these things. I will be here only for a few days.' Arif says.'Don't be formal. Feel comfortable like home.''Goodnight.''Goodnight.'Arif goes to bed and falls asleep soon.Fiza is walking down a quiet, dark road. It looks like someone has hypnotized her. Arif calls Fiza for a long time, but she ignores Arif's call and disappears into the darkness.Arif wakes up. He sweats profusely. Arif checks the time on the mobile. It's midnight. Should I go and check Fiza? But if she is awake, she will scold me a lot. Arif says inwardly. Then, he thinks for a while and goes to Fiza's room. Arif slowly opens the door of Fiza's room. Although the light in the room is turned off, the dim light of the street has semi-illuminated the room. Arif sees Fiza sleeping peacefully. But what is it in her hand? Arif thought. As Arif goes closer to her, he understands that it is Aman's photo.Arif keeps looking at Fiza for some time, then covers her with a sheet. Fiza pulls the sheet and changes her side. Arif smiles and leaves the room.Fiza wakes up late and sees that Arif is making breakfast.'Good morning.' Seeing Fiza, Arif says.'Sorry, I got late.' 'Did you sleep well at night?''Yes, I slept well. But, I should ask you this.''Yes, I also slept well.''Now, let me make the rest of the breakfast.''It's okay. No problem.''The guest making breakfast doesn't look right.''Yesterday, you told me to feel at home here. Did you change your mind in one night?' Arif asks.'But ...''No, but. Go and freshen up. I will make a delicious breakfast for you.' Arif forcefully sends her out of the kitchen.Fiza washes her face, combs her hair and ties it into a ponytail.'May I help you, Sir?' Fiza asks Arif.'Yes, please get the plates.'Fiza brings three plates and arranges them on the table.'Three plates?' Arif asks in surprise.Fiza looks at Arif as if she doesn't understand Arif's words. Soon she realizes her mistake and removes a plate from there.'I didn't know you were a good chef.' Fiza says, taking the first bite of the sandwich.'You will love the tea too. But I can cook other things well.' Arif smiles and says.'No, I will cook lunch.' 'Then may I help you?''Okay.'Their conversation gets interrupted as Fiza's phone rings. Fiza gets worried seeing her mother's call. Should I tell mom that Arif has been in my house since last night? What will Maa say? Should I hide her or not? Fiza gets confused.'Fiza, your phone is ringing. Who has called?' Seeing Fiza in deep thought, Arif says.'Maa.''What are you thinking? Pick up the call. Otherwise, she will call me now.''Have you told her that you are with me?''No. I didn't know that you would ask me to stay here. I didn't talk to aunty last night.'The phone stops ringing.Fiza hesitates whether to call her mother or not.'Fiza, call her back now. Otherwise, she will be worried.' Arif says, seeing Fiza hesitating.Fiza calls her mother. Shabana picks up the call after the first ring. 'Hello, beta. Were you sleeping?''No, Maa. We were having breakfast.'Did Shalini stay at your house at night?''No, Maa, Arif is here.''Yes, I mean Aarav and Arif too.''No, Maa. Shalini and Aarav left after dinner. Only Arif is here.'Shabana gets worried. If Fiza won't marry Arif, why did she let him stay at her home at night? What will people say? Junaid will make a lot of trouble if he comes to know this. (Shabana sighs) Why doesn't Fiza think before doing anything? When will the girl grow up? Shabana says inwardly.'Maa, do you know Arif is a wonderful chef? He has made yummy sandwiches. The tea is also good.' Fiza continues.Arif smiles, seeing Fiza talking non-stop. He takes empty cups and plates and goes to the kitchen to wash them.'Arif, keep those in the basin. I'll wash them.''You talk to aunty, don't put your mind here.'Shabana could clearly hear Fiza and Arif's conversation. What will Shoaib Bhai and Amina think when they get to know that Arif and Fiza are staying together without marriage? Why don't these kids think for a while before doing anything? Shabana says inwardly.'Maa, are you there?''Yes, beta.''Only I am talking. Why are you not saying anything?''Listen to me calmly. Beta, I know you and Arif are friends. But, society won't take it well. It isn't right to be with a man without marriage.'Fiza can't think her mother is so orthodox. Maa has always said that Arif is family. For every silly reason, she never hesitates to call Arif for help. If he is family, then why can't he stay with me? It's not Arif's insult; it's my insult. Fiza says inwardly.'Beta, are you listening?' Shabana says, after not getting any reply from Fiza for a long time.'Maa, you have always told me Arif is family, so why can't he stay with me?' Fiza says, controlling her anger.Hearing Fiza, Arif understands the whole conversation. He intervenes to avoid any conflict.'Aunty, it was late at night when the party ended. Don't worry. I will leave today, and I won't tell my parents.'Hearing Arif's words, Fiza angrily goes to her room.To control her anger, Fiza starts punching the pillow continuously.'Why are you angry? Are you angry with your mother or with Arif?' Aman sits in front of Fiza.'Doesn't Maa remember when I needed her by my side the most, but she couldn't stay with me for long because of Abba's rage; Arif was always with me, quarreling with his parents and Abba. How can Maa be so selfish? And saying it's not right to stay without marriage, she insulted me.'Arif comes to see Fiza and gets surprised.Who is Fiza talking to? Arif thought.(Continued ..... )