chapter 28

Arif calls Fiza, but she doesn't pick up his call. So finishing his work, Arif reaches Fiza's house.Arif presses the doorbell.As Fiza opens the door and sees Arif, she pours all her anger on him, ' Why did you come here? Won't your society say anything now?''I've come here hiding from society.' Arif teases Fiza.Giving water to Arif, Fiza goes to the kitchen. She is preparing her lunch.'Today, I will have lunch at your place. What is the menu?' Arif says.'Khichadi.' Fiza replies from the kitchen.'Really? Who eats khichadi unless one is sick?''If you don't want to have Khichadi, order your lunch.''Really? Do guests at your home have to arrange their meals themselves?''No, you are family. So, either eat khichadi or order your food.' Fiza says sarcastically.'It's very unfair.'Fiza frowns, hearing Arif's words, but Arif doesn't see it.Arif orders mixed fried rice and chili chicken for himself. Within one hour, the delivery boy delivers the food. Both serve their food on their plate for lunch.'You know, Fiza, you have become very selfish after coming to Mumbai.' Arif teases Fiza.'Okay.' Fiza replies.Fiza's reaction surprises Arif. The doctor had said that Fiza would lose her temper in silly matters. Then, why is she not angry? Arif thought.After having some food, Arif segregates prawns from mixed fried rice and keeps them on a separate plate.'Why are you keeping the prawns on a separate plate?' Fiza asks Arif.'I am allergic to prawns.' Arif says casually.'What? Have you lost your mind? Then why did you order mixed fried rice with prawn?' Fiza gets angry with Arif.'I forgot to tell them not to add prawn.''Stop eating now.' Fiza takes away Arif's plate.'Fiza, I am hungry.' Arif tries to stop her, but she forcibly takes his plate.Fiza serves Khichadi to Arif on a fresh plate.'Khichadi? I don't like Khichadi.' Arif pushes the plate.'You have no other choice, either eat Khichadi or starve.''Nothing will happen to me. I haven't eaten many prawns. Please give me the rest of the fried rice. I will separate the prawns before eating.'Fiza ignores Arif's plea.'Try this new combination, khichadi and chili chicken. You will love it.''Please.''Eat it.' Fiza orders angrily.Arif is very hungry. So he forces himself to eat Khichadi and chili chicken.'Do you have any precautionary medicine?' Fiza asks.'Don't worry. Nothing will happen.' Arif says, but he knows very well that the reaction will show up within an hour.Unaware of Arif's plan, Fiza gets busy with her household work after lunch, and Arif sits on the sofa and watches a movie on his mobile phone.  Though Arif knew he was allergic to prawns, he still ate prawns to become sick and to stay at Fiza's house. He knows that sometimes allergies become so severe that the person may even die. Arif prays to God that since he ate the prawns with good intentions, may God forgive him. Hiding Fiza, he takes allergy medicine. Still, Arif fears that if his allergy becomes severe, Fiza won't be able to handle it. He continues praying to God.As Arif had expected, his allergic symptoms started showing up after about an hour. He feels itching and abdomen pain. His lips and tongue get swollen. He feels a little congestion too. Arif gets worried. So he decides to go to the hospital before his allergies get worse.Arif books a cab. But as he was leaving, Fiza noticed his swollen lips and swelling on his face and neck.'What is this, Arif? Your lips, throat, and cheeks are swollen. How can you be careless? Let's go to the hospital immediately.''Fiza, don't worry. I have taken medicine. I will see a doctor. You don't need to accompany me.''You didn't leave me alone when I was sick, then how can I leave you?'Arif can't find the words to say, but he likes that Fiza is concerned about him. When they reached the hospital, Arif's condition had deteriorated. Arif realizes his mistake, but it's too late. He constantly prays to God that his condition shouldn't get so bad that Fiza gets into trouble.As they reach the hospital doctor starts Arif's treatment.As Arif sleeps, Fiza waits outside the cabin.Arif's phone has been ringing for a long time. His father is calling. Fiza has put the phone on silent as she is in a dilemma. Should she inform them about his health or not? After Arif wakes up, Fiza tells him that his father has called several times. Arif smiles and takes his phone to call his father.Has he gone mad? Why is he smiling? Fiza thought.Arif feels better now. I had to do all this just for this call. Now, the rest should be according to plan. Arif thought.Arif calls his father and tells him that he accidentally ate the prawns and got the allergy, for which Fiza has hospitalized him.Why did he take my name? It wasn't necessary. Fiza thought as she was unaware of Arif's plan.After some conversation, Arif's mother wants to talk to Fiza. Arif understands that his plan has worked.'Hello.' Fiza says in a low voice.Fiza is a little scared as she knows that Amina Aunty is angry with her for rejecting Arif for marriage. After her relationship with Aman came to light, Arif's parents stopped coming to their house. Even when she was unwell, they didn't come to meet her or never talked over the phone, although the business relationship continued.'Hello, beta, how are you?''I am fine, aunty. How are you all?''We are fine but see how Arif got sick in an unknown city. He is not letting me come to him. He is saying that he is fine.''Yes, he is better than before.''But I'm a mother. I would be worried.''Yes.'Fiza feels uncomfortable talking to Arif's mother. She scolds Arif for giving her the phone.'I'm relaxed that you are with him. Take care of him, beta.''Okay, aunty.'Fiza feels relieved after hanging up the call.After a while, Fiza's father calls her and says that after Arif gets discharged from the hospital, Fiza should take him home. He tells Arif to stay at Fiza's house as long as he has to stay in Mumbai.Arif smiles as his plan becomes successful.( Continued ................. )