Riwayat- Pt 4

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Zaahira had expected anything but for the older woman to shower her with a welcoming love as though welcoming her own daughter after many days. Kulsum was her name and by age, she was in her early 60s. A sweet woman to say the least.

Zaahira felt all her worries dissipating when Kulsum ushered her to the nearest washroom. The older woman held a pair of clean clothes in her hand, a towel that looked as good as new, and a megawatt smile on her face that was so contagious that Zaahira found it tough to bring her lips back to a neutral position.

"Beta jaldi ja kar ghusl le lo. Yeh kadpe bhi naye hai aur yeh towel bhi, aaram se nahana aur kuch chahiye toh aawaz laga dena."

Saying that, she gave a gentle push to her back and Zaahira chuckled at her enthusiasm before closing the thick wooden door.

The washroom was small in size. The tiles decorated the surface, hiding the cement wall. Square marble tiles decorated the floor but were broken at some corners, showing the rough surface they were placed on.

The height of it was not too much either. If Zaahira were to try, she could touch the ceiling by standing on her toes and stretching her hand in the best way she could.

It had no luxury to offer but felt safe and cozy.

Not wanting to waste much of her time, she quickly removed the muddy clothes from her body, sighing when she saw the beige surface coated with dirty brown. It would take ages to clean that and Zaahira could already see the glare on her mom's face when she by chance presents this masterpiece to her.

"Not the time."

She kept the clothes aside and poured the slightly lukewarm water on herself. There was no shower head or something apart from a huge pale blue bucket and a same coloured mug.

Taking time to detangle her hair that looked like a mess, as entangled as the twigs in a bird's nest, she winced a few times when it tugged hard at her scalp. Her skin wasn't exactly baby smooth and after her embarking journey in the woods, she doubted whether the 's' of smoothness could be found on her slightly tan skin.

Small dots of dried mud were scattered like dirty stars on her hands and she had scrubbed a little hard to get them off.

Taking more than 15 minutes to finally feel clean in her skin, she put on the dress that was given to her by Kulsum. A blush graced her cheeks when she found the intimate wears hidden amongst the kurti, resting leisurely and waiting for her to pick them up and put them on.

Hurriedly covering herself up, she couldn't help but sigh at how soft the material of the clothes was. If she did have a doubt about their newness, then all of it was thrown out of the window due to the scent and the crispiness of the clothes under her touch.

It was a simple orange salwar, diamond pattern made with light and dark shade. A white kurti with a simple orange design on the neckline and at the elbows along with dark green borders. A thin green dupatta with orange borders was what lay in the end and Zaahira quickly draped it over her form, cringing slightly when she felt water seeping a little on her shoulders from her wet hair.

Rubbing her hairs with the towel, she got out of the washroom, looking around the room that Kulsum had guided her into.

The room had a wooden drawer, a dressing table that looked like that of the mughal's time and a wooden bed with a mattress not so thick. A ceiling fan rotated atop her head and Zaahira closed her eyes at the slightly cold air.

"Beta, yeh lo."

Zaahira turned to look at Kulsum who had a jah namaz in her hand. She politely took it from her hold and gave one last rub to her hairs using the towel.

Wrapping her dupatta in a hijab, without wasting anymore time, she supplicated to her Lord. Now coming to think of it, she had even missed Asr, hence prayed the kaza for it too.

She didn't know how many minutes had passed neither did she care. Her hands were overlapped over one another, placed flat on the prayer mat with her head on top of them. The muscles in her body were completely relaxed as she lay on the soft mat for more than a few minutes.

It was a habit she had developed as a child, almost falling asleep on the mat more than a few times after finishing her prayers.

Sighing in reluctance, she finally got up and neatly folded the mat before placing it on the edge of the bed. The very moment Kulsum arrived. Her happiness was still as bright as the time Zaahira had first gotten a look of it.

"Chalo, ab jaldi jaldi yeh khalo. Bhuk lagi hogi na tumhe."

The motherly concern had Zaahira covering up her surprise and shock. Such hospitable people were a rare sight to see nowadays and she didn't know whether it was her luck or simply a coincidence.

Kulsum kept the huge tray filled with a steaming cup of tea, deep fried pakode with chutney, parathe that were coated with a generous amount of ghee and Zaahira gulped, not knowing how she was supposed to eat all this.

Ghee was never her favourite apart from the one that her nani made because according to her, the rest of them just smelt wakh enough to not taste good.

"Aunty, itne sab ki kya zarurat thi. Hum waise bhi kuch der mein chale jayenge."

She heard a tsk from the woman and felt a pat on her head.

"Bache, tumhari shakal bata rahi hai ki tumhe kitni bhuk lagi hai. Sharmao nahi. Chalo ab, jaldi jaldi yeh sab khao aur kuch aur chahiye toh mujhe bata dena. Aur haan, Dilawar bete ki chinta mat karo. Woh toh kab ka aa gaya lekin abhi apne chacha ke saath chai pi raha hai."

Seeing that there was no escape, Zaahira bit a small piece of the slightly hot paratha. Dipping it into the tea, she brought it closer to her mouth but not before discreetly smelling the ghee. Much to her relief, it didn't smell like the ones that had her making faces and she quickly ate how much her stomach could afford.

As she gulped down the last sip of the tea, she breathed in relief since the hunger from before had now subsided and her stomach was no longer burning.

"Aunty, yeh-"

Zaahira started speaking as she walked out of the room with the tray in her hands. The contents still looked untouched apart from the empty cup of tea but Zaahira did eat enough to suffice herself.

Her words dried up when she found Dilawar laughing at something that Kulsum had said. The sound was so carefree and light that a smile tugged at her lips upon hearing him. Amusement flickered in her orbs when her eyes fell on the tip of his ears that had turned slightly red.

Allah! Was this grown up man blushing?

She bit her lips to not voice out the words said by her mind. Her presence was quickly noticed and Kulsum who made her way towards her while Dilawar cleared his throat and looked away. Zaahira frowned when she noticed his lack of acknowledgement, not realizing what had happened.

"Arey, beta, kuch khaya bhi hai ya nahi?"

Kulsum sternly asked Zaahira who could just give her a sheepish smile.

"Aunty, humne bahot khaya hai, sachi. Humara pet full hai."

Kulsum still looked unconvinced and hesitant. Her old eyes did a quick sweep over Zaahira's face and she could only nod and give the young woman a smile.

"Acha chachi, ab nikalna padega warna aur late ho jayega. Raat ko waise bhi koi gadi nahi milti."

Dilawar interjected between the two. His tone held concern regarding a ride for Zaahira to take and the darkness taking over the sky was not helping.

"Arey lekin abhi toh aaye ho tum dono."

Zaahira smiled at the old woman, not knowing how to reply to her insistence on staying a little longer.

"Chachi, kisi aur din aaunga tab aaram se baat karenge. Abhi ke liye, Zaahira ko uske ghar sahi salamat bhejna hai."

"Kyu? Itni pyari hai yeh bachi. Keh toh rahi ki tum nik-"

"Chachi, chalte hai hum."

Dilawar's flabbergasted expression and urgent tone made Zaahira curious as to what it was that Kulsum was trying to point at.

"Aunty, yeh kapde.."

Kulsum waved her hand in the air, a chuckle of glee escaped her lips.

"Ladki, yeh kadpe tumpe zyada ache lag rahe hai. Le jao ise apne saath. Aur ruko.."

Kulsum quickly disappeared into a room far ahead, leaving behind Dilawar and Zaahira in silence. The latter turned her gaze to the man who was very convincingly avoiding his eyes from her form.

"Aye, kya hua hai?"

She couldn't help but ask. There was a certain stiffness in his posture and the air around him felt off. Dilawar gave her a quick glance before turning his attention somewhere else.

"Kuch nahi."

His words were curt and to the point. The sudden detachment and the seriousness in the air felt a little suffocating to Zaahira. The playful Dilawar was nowhere to be seen in her presence and she didn't know why the thought bothered her enough for her to frown and her mind to debate about.

"Yeh lo."

Kulsum said as she forwarded a bag to Zaahira. Giving it a confused glance, she looked at the older woman who smiled.

"Yeh tumhare kapde hai. Jab nashta kar rahi thi tab maine mitti saaf kardi thi us par se. Kapde abhi bhi bheege hue hai isliye polythene mein wrap kar kar is bag mein rakh diye hai. Jaldi sukha dena unhe warna mehek jayenge."

Zaahira didn't know how to respond. The uncountable kind gestures that the old woman had bestowed on her just felt too good to be true and she could only hug her in return.

The touch sure took Kulsum off guard for a minute before she reciprocated the action.

"Chalo acha, jao ab. Ghar sahi se pahonch jaana."

Saying that, she kissed her forehead and walked the two out of the house.

Dilawar walked up to his jeep that Yazan had returned not long back with a curious expression. When the man was supposed to be at his haveli, why did he want to wander around at night so late?

Zaahira followed him quietly. If he wanted to act all brooding and silent, then she'd gladly return the gesture.

After all, they were still strangers who'd part in a few hours.

Sitting on the passenger seat, she buckled up, waiting for him to start the jeep and he did so with a silent sigh.

Zaahira felt the cool air hitting her skin as he drove at a normal speed. The scenery around was worth appreciating, away from the city lights and pollution.

The air around felt more clean and easy to breathe. The sky was free from any other blanket apart from the natural one which made it easier to spot the many stars that felt like freckles on an endless canvas.

Dilawar tried to not acknowledge the presence of the woman beside him. His heart wasn't at peace and neither was his mind. The words that Kulsum had said in a playfully serious manner rang through his ears making it all a whole lot worse.

She was a city girl for Allah's sake!

Someone who must be used to the shimmering streets and loud noises. Crowded places and huge malls made of glass and buildings towering the small mountains in the village.

She must be used to the posh tiles and shining surfaces to walk on rather than muddy grounds and uneven roads will cattle walking around.

Winning the debate with his heart, he looked straight ahead, focusing on only finding a bus that would take her back from where she came, a decision for the betterment of both him and her.

"OH Dilawar bhai!"

The one called out to pressed the brakes immediately, thankful about the seatbelts that he had worn. Zaahira was too startled by the sudden interruption in the once silent environment.

"Khuda ke vaaste, Abdullah, aise kaise raaste mein aa gaya tu?"

Dilawar all but yelled at the man who stood ahead of his jeep with an apologetic look.

"Maafi bhai, lekin dada jaan ko aap se kuch zaroori baat-"

Abdulla's words were cut off when loud sounds came from a little behind him. Zaahira stiffened on her seat upon seeing so many men around. The sounds of sticks being beaten on the ground were loud and disturbing, shrill and sharp.

"Assalamu alaikum, Dilawar."

An old voice spoke. Zaahira peeked a little from her seat and saw a man frail and slightly shorter than Dilawar standing ahead of them. A bamboo staff rested in his hand, maybe used by him to walk. Surrounding him were 4-5 men more, each looking much older than Dilawar apart from Abdullah of course. The guy looked much younger than any of them and filled with life.

"Walaikum assalam, dada. Itni raat gaye kaise yaad kiya aapne?"

Dilawar unbuckled his seatbelt and got down the car. His eyes travelled for a fleeting moment to the woman who was trying her best to not let her panic show. Zaahira tapped her feet gently on the jeep's surface, waiting for all this to be over as soon as possible since her gut was blaring the red alarms in her head with full force.

Dilawar walked up to the old man with long strides. If the Kazim family were a respected group in the village, then this man was no less than them. Holding a good share of power of his own, Attaullah Khan was both a manipulator and a kingmaker.

"Socha aane wale chunaw ki kuch baat kar lu tumse. Is baar khade ho rahe ho na?"

The question was strict and direct. He wanted a subtle answer and a subtle answer he'd get.

"Dada, is sab ki baat ghar par ho toh behtar hai. Kabhi aayega, baba bhi khush honge."

Dilawar was never interested in politics and maybe never will be. It was a dirty game to say the least. Filled with unwanted holes and an invitation to grudge holding enemies and hatred one doesn't deserve in the first place.

"Haan, lekin-"

"Dilawar miya, socha nahi tha ki aapko ladkiyo ka bhi shawk hai."

An unfamiliar male voice spoke from beside Attaullah. Dilawar fisted his hands in restraint. A vein throbbed in his neck as he gritted his teeth to not show the person just how many things he was interested in. Trying to keep himself calm and collected, he discreetly tried to avoid the filthy accusation.

"Aisa nahi hai. Anjaan hai. Raasta bhul gayi isliye use paas ke bus stand tak chodne jaa raha hu."

"Ama miya, aisi baat hai toh aap kyu takleef kar rahe hai? Hum chod denge unhe."

The conversations taking place among the men were unknown to Zaahira. Their voices weren't too loud for her to make out their words but by the way the numerous pairs of eyes darted to her, she tried not to shrink in her place.

Allah! Bas yaha se bahar nikal de please!

She recited anything she could to feel protected under her breath. Her eyes looked away from all of them and focused only on Dilawar who hadn't once turned around to look at her, still engaged in a conversation with the old man and another one beside him.

All it took was a second and as Zaahira blinked, she almost screamed in horror when Dilawar punched the man beside the old one. Numerous yells were heard and so were loud strings of curses.

She gulped in fear on seeing the situation getting out of hand but wasn't courageous enough to step in between them.

Dilawar could feel his temple throbbing at the sudden turn of events. His fists collided with the man's jaw before anyone could comprehend. Taking hold of his collar, Dilawar glared into the eyes that were now filled with fear, blood dripping down his bruised lips and a cut near his jaw.

"Sun saale, apni zaban kabu mein rakh aur sharafat se chup chap khada reh waha. Teri raai kise ne nahi maangi hai."

His was calm and low, as though brewing a storm for later to unfold. Letting go of the man who was quick to scramble on his feet, his cold eyes looked into Attaullah Khan's who now looked intrigued.

"Chalo apne ghar Dilawar. Tumhare baba se aaj hi baat kar lete hai."

Dilawar brows shot up at the exclamation. What was it with him? He could feel the conspiracy flowing in waves from within the old man but knowing that his excuses to delay the meeting would call for suspicions, he gave a stiff nod to him and walked back to the jeep.

Zaahira almost cried in relief when she saw Dilawar walking back.

"Kya hua waha? Yeh-"

She gasped when she saw the blood smearing his fists. The skin there had cracked a little, making her wince without her being the one to get the hurt.

"Y-yeh, chot lagi hai tumhe! Saaf karo ise warna infection-"

"Hush. Koi badi baat nahi hai yeh."

He rolled his eyes in frustration and started the jeep. His rude behaviour and tone had Zaahira gaping at his blatant form.

"Excuse me? Ho kaun tum? Samajhte kya ho khud ko? Kab se dekh rahi ho attitude pe attitude diye ja rahe ho. Nahi help karni toh bol do na. I'll navigate my way back to the bus stand."

"Suno ladki, abhi ke liye baat na hi karo toh acha hai."

And just like that, the conversation was forced to come to an end.

One remained silent, trying to conjure the storm that was yet to arrive while the other remained clueless, not understanding what she had gotten herself into.

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Ahuh, that was quite big of a chapter...

Your thoughts? Ik it was boring but but but, did anyone else detect the masala in all that?!

What was it that Kulsum had told our big boy to make him blush? I'm sure you guys have read enough cheesy romance to understand that lekin khair, hume toh laga ki hum suspense bana rahe hai...

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