Chapter : 15 - Nader Mansion Visit

"I said to Sahara, 'Sahara, listen, let's go

to Nader's mansion.'

She instantly got up and asked, 'What?

Where are we going?'

'Nader's mansion,' I said again with a smile.

'No... We are not going. You are going, appi. I am sleepy now,' she said and went back to sleep.

'Sahara, get up. We are going right now. Freshen up fast. I will be waiting downstairs,' I insisted.

'But why do you want to go there, appi?' she asked in her still sleepy voice.

'I want to meet Zaina aunty and even give her kheer made by ammi. Moreover, it wouldn't be good if we send servants to give the kheer to them. So come down fast,'

I said and left her room. Uff, I took a deep breath. Finally, she agreed. I too don't understand why on earth I'm doing all this. I was waiting in my car for her to come. It's already 09:30;

He will be up soon. I... I mean, Zaina aunty will be up. After around 15 minutes, Madam finally showed up. We reached the Nader mansion. I went in, but couldn't see anyone except the servants."

"We went in to see Zaina aunty working in the kitchen. Sahara went behind her and placed her hands over aunty's eyes.

Zaina aunty then turned towards us.

'Mashallah, my two daughters together in my house,' she said, surprised and happy.

She came towards me and warmly embraced me, saying, 'So good to see you both here.'

I smiled and asked about her whereabouts, then gave her the kheer that I insisted my mother make.

She took it and placed it on the kitchen counter, telling us to sit while she'd join us soon after making breakfast for Aziz.

'What are you making, aunty?' I asked, seeing her cutting raw vegetables.

'I am making breakfast for Aziz, beta,' aunty said."

'He eats raw vegetables for breakfast?', I asked, being curious

'Arrey, don't ask me,' aunty replied, 'he is a dramatic son. One day he needs full non-vegetables, the next day, he needs vegetables.'

Aunty was telling about her son's antics. I listened as she finished cutting the vegetables. Then she placed the container on the stove, pouring milk into it, maybe to make him tea, I guessed.

'If you don't mind, shall I make the tea, aunty?' I asked her.

'Ahh... You know how to make it, beta?' aunty asked hesitantly.

'Yes, of course. Can I?' I asked, waiting for a positive response. She hesitantly said yes.

'Thank you,' I said and started making tea for our 'shahjahan'."

After preparing his tea and arranging the vegetable salad with some fruits on the tray, I asked one of the maids to show me to his room.

As I ascended the stairs, I noticed some beautiful paintings along the way, many of which were abstract, and I also spotted some daisies in a vase.

"Why am I not sneezing at the sight of them?" I wondered, considering my allergies. Moving closer to inspect, I was surprised to find that they were all artificial daisies. If he loves daisies so much, then why opt for fake ones instead of real ones?

Lost in thought, I reached his room without realizing it, the maid having departed after showing me the way. Standing outside his door, I hesitated on whether to enter or not.

"Just go for it," urged my heart.

"Yes, of course, you should go in uns, after all, doing all the drama to reach here, should be worth it right?" My mind too encouraged me, but with a taunt.

After all the effort I went through to get here-insisting my mom to make kheer, forcing Sahara to accompany me, and convincing Zaina aunty to allow me to make tea and bring it to him-I couldn't deny that my eyes simply longed to see him.

That was the sole reason I found myself standing before his door, the door was thankfully open. I will just leave the tray, catch a glimpse of him, and then leave.

His one glance was enough to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.

I entered in, only to drop my mouth open seeing his large room, resembling nothing less than a hotel suite.

To my left was a large window, covered by black curtains, prevented the morning sunlight from invading the room.

The walls were elegantly adorned with black and grey tones, and to my right stood a beautiful bookshelf. At the forefront was a double-sized black bed, draped in a grey blanket, with Mr. Nader still sleeping soundly on his stomach, his hair visible.

I went a bit near towards him to again drop my mouth open to see his broad shoulders, completely soft.

"Stop thinking, Uns," I scolded myself, trying to maintain composure.

Placing the tray on his nightstand, I observed him as he slept, his face pressed against the soft pillow, his mouth forming a cute pout, his cheeks appearing chubby right now, being pressed or else his jaw is not less than a sharp knife.

Eyes closed, I so badly want to see his ocean deep dark blue devilish eyes.

As I turned to leave, I heard his movements. Turning back, I was met with his gaze-those dark ocean eyes staring deeply into mine.

For a moment, I lost myself in them, finally fulfilling the longing that had consumed me for the past 24 hours. It felt surreal, like I was dreaming.

I couldn't describe how beautiful he is looking at the moment, his messy black hair, his eyes still heavy with sleep, and his exposed upper chest.

Though he was wearing the men vest, but still he is looking even more handsome.

"But wait a minute,that day he didn't wear anything under his white shirt,but while sleeping shahjahan wears it?"

Though fasting, it felt wrong to look at him, yet my eyes betrayed me.

"Uns," he whispered slowly.

"Yes, Mr. Nader," I responded softly.

"Oh, Aziz! You're still dreaming, idiot. How could she be here?" he murmured to himself, then drifted back to sleep.

"Mr. Nader, I'm right here, Bhegairat," I said louder now.

He instantly woke up upon hearing me.

"What? It's you. No, no, I must be dreaming even now," he said, about to doze off again.

"Abhi tumhare haath mein garam chai dalungi, toh tab bharosa karoge ki main sach mein yahan hoon, Nader?" I asked him in my regular cold yet angry tone.

"No, no, now I believe that you are here for real, because in my dreams, you never scold or yell at me," he said, smiling mischievously.

For some reason, seeing him smile made me feel good. "Uns, Uns, stop it. Be normal," I scolded myself.

"Freshen up, then have your breakfast," I said, starting to walk away.

"Wait a minute," he said. I stopped and looked at him.

He approached me, and I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes or glance at him. Controlling my emotions, I looked away as he passed by me and went to his washroom.

"Bhegairat," I muttered a bit loudly.

"I am," he said, laughing, as he entered.

After five minutes, he emerged wearing a loose white t-shirt and black track pants. The thin fabric of the t-shirt accentuated his abs, and his hair remained messy.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing for me to sit on his couch.

Without saying anything, I obeyed and sat on the couch near the books. He also sat down opposite me, still holding the tea mug.

"When will he drink it?" I wondered to myself.

He remained silent, just looking at me. If it weren't for him, I would have felt uncomfortable by now, like I did the last time Zaki tried to get close to me.

But right now, I felt nothing but peace under his gaze. I was comfortable with him.

He still hadn't taken a sip.

"Drink it before it gets cold," I said, attempting to start the conversation.

"Yes, I will, but first let me admire you. I haven't seen you in the past 24 hours," he said, still looking at me.

I desperately wanted to say the same to him, but I couldn't.

I felt weak in front of his devilish eyes, which I didn't want to be. I looked down, lacking the courage to meet his gaze.

"I didn't expect you to come here to see me," he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I'm not here to see you, Mr. Nader. I just came to meet Zaina aunty," I lied to him, but he still smiled at my response and didn't say anything.

"Drink your tea first," I said again.

Finally, he took a sip, his expression changing from happiness to confusion, then surprise, and finally satisfaction. "Mmm," he said.

"How is it?" I asked, curious about his reaction.

"Did Ammi make this?" he asked, taking another sip.

"Yes, aunty made it," I lied again, afraid he wouldn't like it.

"Wow, I didn't know Mom's tea could suddenly change. It's different from how she usually makes it, but it's amazing," he exclaimed, finishing the tea.

But I was confused. Did he appreciate it or insult it?

"Isn't it good?" I asked him.

"Good? 'Good' is too small word to praise this amazing tea. It's perfect, Uns," he said with a smile, finishing the tea.

"I could drink another cup too," He said, looking at the empty mug now.

He seemed to be overly obsessed with tea.

"How is your health now?" I asked him as he began to eat the salad from the tray.

"I am perfectly fine now," he replied, enjoying his salad.

"Shukra Allah ka," I said, feeling relieved.

"Maeri tabiyat theek hone mein Allah ka kya kaam?" he questioned, still focused on his food.

"Allah ka kya kaam, Nader? If Allah hadn't willed, you wouldn't have recovered," I countered.

"Abhi aisa bhi nahi hai, Uns," he argued back.

"Aisa hi hai, Nader," I insisted.

"Theek hai, jaise tum kaho," he replied dryly, conceding the point.

"Will you fast tomorrow?" I suddenly asked. I wasn't sure why I posed the question, but I needed to know if he observed fasting and performed his salah.

"Yes, I will," he said, now moving on to the fruits.

"Thank God you fast, Nader. I was genuinely worried about this," I admitted.

He nodded and began eating the fruits.

"What if I'm lying to you, Uns?" he asked, his tone serious.

"Then I wouldn't believe you again, Nader. I want to trust you, so don't break my trust," I replied with the same seriousness.

He didn't say anything, just smiled at my response.

"You know one more thing, Nader," I began, attempting to break the ice that was forming between us again.

"In Ramadan, whatever we ask from Allah, He takes the responsibility to grant it, and He has the power to make the impossible possible," I said excitedly.

"Toh, tumne kya maanga, Allah seh?" he asked, now looking at me.

"Tumhe," I murmured slowly.

"What?" he asked, not quite hearing me.

"Mera matlab, Kuch toh maanga hai, bas mil jaye," I said, looking at my hands.

"Aur tumne kya maanga?" I inquired, still looking down.

"Yahi ki, tumhari saari Dua qubool ho jaye," he said.

I looked up, observing his calm and serene expression, which is as pure as water.

"Apne liye kuch nahi maango ge?" I inquired.

"Apne liye hein toh, maang raha hoon," he replied, his gaze still fixed into mine.

Before I could say or respond, someone knocked on the door and entered.

We both exclaimed simultaneously, "You?"

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