chapter 8

The lights in the room are off; only the street light is coming in the room. Even in semi-darkness, Fiza could easily recognize Aman.'When did you come?''Just when you were sleeping.''Why didn't you switch on the light?' Fiza goes to switch on the light.'No, let it be. Come to the balcony, see how beautiful the city is.''Shall I bring tea?''Can't we have tea later?''Okay, I am just coming, turning off the kitchen lights.'Fiza goes to the kitchen, takes a water bottle, switches off the light and returns. Suddenly a message beeps on her mobile. She looks at the notification; it's Arif's message - Hey, had your tea? She leaves the mobile on the dining table and goes to Aman.'Look how beautiful the city is. The lights around are twinkling like fireflies.''Yes.' Fiza stood leaning on Aman's shoulder.'Finally, you fulfilled our dream of coming to this city and starting a new life.''If you had agreed on that day, we would have come much earlier.''Your parents did not agree to our marriage then. Running away from family and getting married is not right.''If you had listened to me that day, today, our life would have been different.''Sorry, darling.' Aman placed his hand on Fiza's shoulder and pulled her closer.Fiza pushes him away and, pretending to be angry, she says, 'What should I do with your sorry? Can you give me back what I have lost?'Aman understands her pain, but he is helpless. Even if he wants, he can't help Fiza. He looks at Fiza helplessly with teary eyes. Seeing tears in Aman's eyes, Fiza hugs him.'Sorry darling, I never meant so. It's our fate. I am just unable to accept it. Who do I have without you?''Arif.'Hearing Arif's name, she releases herself from Aman's embrace and wants to leave from there. But Aman holds her hand and stops her.'Think about it calmly.''No.' Fiza forcibly releases her hand and leaves the room.No matter how much you deny it today, one day, you will have to accept it; you have no other option. Aman says and smiles.Fiza goes to her room and starts crying by clinging to her pillow.'Aman, why do you do this to me?' Fiza cries loudly.Fiza didn't realize when she fell asleep crying. The mobile was ringing for a long time. Fiza wakes up and looks at the clock. Ah! It's 8 pm. I had to call mom. How could I forget? It must be Maa. Fiza says to herself. Fiza comes out of her bed and rushes toward her mobile. But by the time she reaches the mobile, it stops ringing. Ah! Again Arif. Fiza says with a sigh.Fiza checks the missed call list - ten calls from Maa, three from Shalini, four from Aarav and fifteen from Arif.Oh my God! How did I fall asleep so deeply that I didn't hear so many phone calls?Fiza hurriedly messages everybody - I was sleeping, will call you after some time.Instantly Aarav and Shalini's reply comes - Okay.Finally and a smiley - Arif replies.Everyone is sitting with the phone in hand. Fiza says to herself and smiles.Fiza goes to wash her face and sees in the mirror that her eyes are swollen. She remembers everything that happened in the evening. She washes her face, combs her hair and makes a ponytail. She smiles to herself, looking at her refreshed face.Fiza knows Shabana rarely checks messages. So, she calls her first. After a few rings, Shabana picks up the call."Hello!"'Sorry, Maa, I don't know when I fell asleep.''Do you know how much tension you have given to us?''Yes, I can understand from missed calls - ten calls from you, three from Shalini, four from Aarav and fifteen from Arif.''Beta, you should understand; you are alone there. Far away from us.''Maa, you have to understand. I am old enough to handle myself. Being with you made me dependent on you. Please let me fight my odds myself.''Beta.......' Fiza interrupts and says, 'Maa can we talk tomorrow? I have office tomorrow.''Good night, beta. Take care. Take your medicines in time.''Good night.' Fiza disconnects the call.Fiza drinks water and rings Shalini.Shalini picks up the call and says,' Hi! my sleeping monster.''Sorry, dear.''We were out all day, and you were so tired that you slept so long. Genius !!'Both the girls giggled.'We would have gone to your house if we had not received your message.''Sorry, dear.'After some girly chitchat, Fiza disconnects the call and goes to the other bedroom to check the doors and windows. She switches on the light and finds the door and windows closed. She opens the door towards the balcony, and a gust of wind touches her cheeks. Fiza touches are cheeks and smiles.Fiza closes the door and arranges the scattered things in the room. She takes out the gift box given by Aman - a friendship band, an earthen pen stand, miniature carvings, greeting cards, sketches of Fiza and some dried rose petals.Fiza wore the band in her hand made of multi-color crystals. It's beautiful. She says. Fiza puts the pen stand on the table and the rest of the things back in the box. Tomorrow I will arrange Aman's room. She says to herself.Again the mobile rings. It must be Arif. She thought.Fiza switches off the light and comes out, closing the door.Yes, she was right. It's Arif. Fiza picks up the call, 'Hello!''Where have you been all this time?''Sorry, doing some work.''Don't you know how much I worry about you?''I already apologized to you.''You must understand that your apology does not take away my worries.'Fiza knows that no words can calm Arif now. So she keeps quiet.Arif gets infuriated by Fiza's silence. 'Now, what makes you silent?''I was thinking what I should do to relieve you.''You know that very well.'Fiza is annoyed by this but does not express her annoyance. She does not want to show her displeasure to Arif because Arif has done many favors for her. So Fiza calmly talked for a while to him and then hung up.Fiza warms up the food. She serves food on two plates and calls out, 'Aman, dinner is served.'(Continued .... )