Chapter 2
Taking another swift turn, he parked outside the home he has spent half of his younger years and his most favorable company was sleeping right beside him. It was the same all over ten years back when they used to come back to her place after a long day in school and she used to doze off in the backseat. He used to stare at her all the time, trying to figure out the little girl who kept him on his toes back then and the woman who irritates all his brain cells now. She was the reason he spends more hours in that hospital than he originally planned to when three years back his father handed over the hospital chains to him.
The same year, this crazy doctor joined the hospital as an intern and now has climbed up as one of the best ER specialists. The kind of risks this woman takes with skipping paperwork was yet to reach the board as he covered all her trails with help of the Head nurse, Arefa, and other doctors who do the tasks when the crazy doctor Sana Qureshi is busy saving lives.
The girl was a headache to him, one he can never think of getting rid of.
"Sana, wake up!" He shook her hard and being the light sleeper, she jolted awake immediately.
Her sleepy eye glare had stopped affecting him long, long back but she still tries using it on him. Blinking exaggeratedly, he stepped out and opened her side door.
"Your bed is calling, don't wanna go inside sleepyhead?" he gestured towards the door and she nodded half-awake. Trudging up towards the steps, he felt the need to call her again and tease her a little when given a chance because once this crazy head was back in consciousness, she won't give a second for him to speak. She can keep speaking for eternity. Chatterbox.
"Sana" she turned, raising a brow in question "Don't come like a zombie tomorrow. Dress up a little, the usual woman your age does," he yelled behind her and she rolled her eyes.
She was the same age as his if the 10 months gap between his and her date of birth is ignored. Their families became acquainted because her father started working along with Zohar Adami, his father as the chief architect for their first hospital chain. The friendship which grew between the two men roped in their wives and their children. Sana was the youngest between three siblings and the same age that of Mudassar when they started school together, She was once shy but now she had turned into the exact opposite of the girl he had left back 9 years back. They had become quick friends, turning into best friends at the age of 10 until he left.
That day, 9 years back whatever he did, whatever he said left a bad taste in his mouth.
The loud bang of the door had him look up as he traced her figure sleepwalking up the stairs, the glass window covered with curtains gave him access to her shadow. He was her bumping in the window a few times as she walked out of his sight.
Chuckling at her lack of orientation, he drove back to his apartment. It was close to the hospital and he didn't want to live back at his parents' place. Though he loved them, he liked little privacy and space from all those matchmaking relatives who visited his mother in order to set the heir of the Adami group of hospitals with one of the 'eligible' single girls.
He was just 26 for crying out loud but the wolves were ready to pounce on him. Well, the same was going to happen tomorrow at his parent's 30th wedding anniversary party. The elites of Hyderabad city would be there, trying to steal a few minutes from the businessman Zohar Adami and the social worker Aliza Adami.
His phone rang from the center table, he dropped his book down and picked up the device, a big smile making its way to his face.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Ammi" he greeted answering.
"Wallaikum Assalam, Bete-jaan" the sweet voice made him sit straight. "I thought you'll be spending your night in the hospital seeing you hardly have time to come back home"
"Ammi-Jaan" he pouted grimacing "The new budget for the hospital was being evaluated. You know how demanding the work can be. Isn't that the reason you coerced Abba into early retirement?"
"Very good son, team up with your Abba against me. You're no different from that brat, Meher. She was Abba's princess already. You're changing the sides too."
Muffling his laugh, he decided to tease her more "My sweet Ammi, I'm coming home tomorrow so you can get me on your team again with your handmade dishes, what say? "
"Right. Now I need to bribe my own children. Great!" she scoffed.
"Ammi, my lovely Ammi" He shook his head laughing.
"Flattery will take you everywhere, Son but not with me." She schooled him but ended up chuckling along with him.
"Preparation all done? Did you make Fardeen change decorations thrice at least?" he asked, walking towards his room.
"He's such a stubborn man. Won't listen to me and then he keeps throwing his disappointed looks at me when I make him change it all over again. I tried telling him before but he doesn't listen. I doubt he loves going against me."
Aliza Adami was a woman really hard to please. She lived for her children but she liked things her way only. She had a say in almost everyone's life back home, the part reason why he moved out. He loved her but she can be really annoying at times with her constant need for perfection. Also, the social worker inside her was down-to-earth and humble but she carried the air of importance when needed, the reason why she was most respected both inside her work and outside in his father's business circle.
His father was entirely the opposite. The man talked when necessary, and kept to his work and his business. No interference in anyone's life as he believed in the virtue of privacy. He was the best secret keeper and a silent worker with almost zero complaints in the matter of the house. He had left whole reins of the house in his wife's hands, speaking only when it was utmost required.
He still wondered how Zohar Adami and Aliza Khan fell in love 30 years back. This was an arranged match back then but these two were the greatest example of love Mudassar had ever seen. They couldn't stay apart for more than a day. His parents had a pact of no long work travels. Max days they had been separate was three when they both had commitments and none could avoid them. They were the ideal couple for both Mudassar and Meher, his little sister. He adored the love they had.
"Make sure you're here before three hours max. I want no excuses." She reminded him
"Yes, Ammi I'll be there" he assured.
"Okay. Allah hafiz" She hung up before listening to his response.
"Allah hafiz" he muttered laughing at her antics.
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Never does he want an escape this bad. Faking so much of smiles has made his jaw ache. He nodded as another of the couple stopped him and started the meaningless small talk. He answered as calmly as he could, eyes searching for a reason to walk away before they introduced either their daughter whom they wish to set up with him or a son they shoved his way in name of the business.
The announcement made by his father at the welcome address about Adami group expansion was the reason for this uproar. He masked irritation and passed an acknowledging nod.
The movement near the front door caught his attention, and his eyes twinkled thinking of an excuse.
"Mr. and Mrs. Yakub it was a pleasure to meet you. Please excuse me, I have to welcome new guests" he said and walked away quickly. The faster the better.
Eyes ducked down, fingers fidgeting with his coat pocket and legs taking him to his favorite people.
"Chacha-Jaan" he grinned "Assalam-o-Alaikum" he looked at the woman "Chachi-jaan. Salam. How are you?"
"Wallaikum Assalam Bete-Jaan" the man patted his back and the lady took him in a hug.
"Alhamdulillah I'm good. How are you doing?" her eyes darted all around implying the actual meaning of the question.
"All manageable" He laughed, eyes glancing behind them "Where is your little nuisance?"
"Careful young man. Her father is right beside you." Wajid Qureshi warned playfully.
He raised his hands in surrender, biting his grin "I apologize."
"Hush. Your daughter is a headache. You agree as well so don't act like this. That girl is such a stubborn soul I tell you. Won't wear what I suggested. She does what she thinks is right. I told her to not drive but see, now we are late and she's looking for parking space out there." Yasmeen Qureshi scoffed.
"Astakfirullah Chachi-Jaan so many complaints against my best sister." Meher jumped in.
"Keep your best sister here only. I'm so done dealing with that girl." She huffed.
"Such a good mother you're Yasmeen" Wajid his head in disappointment. "Mudassar can you help her? She's still out there."
Mudassar glanced back and nodded in agreement. He walked out and sighed. "Only if she takes my help Chacha-Jaan." He mumbled to himself.
Walking down the entrance steps, his eyes took in the decorated garden in front and the lines and lines of the car on the driving street. He squinted his eyes in sun to make out a figure he remembered. A flash of blush pink caught his vision and he walked in that direction. Eyes feeding her attire. A simple blush pink long kurta and white chicken pants and a heavy white georgette dupatta she adjusted on her head. The fabric seemed to be enjoying her huff in frustration as it slides back again as she adjusted it for the millionth time.
"Idiot dupatta, I'll throw you away if you don't stay put," she grumbled and pinned it this time with more force. She tucked her hair strands back and checked her earrings all in the reflection of her car mirror.
"First time you took my words seriously Dr. Qureshi" he commented, hands pocketed and eyes staring at her reflection.
"So bad to see you, Mr. Adami" She jabbed rolling her eyes, knowing how much these things irked him. "If I knew, I will have to face you I would have prepared myself better."
"Did you not read the venue in the card? This is my home, of course, you had to see me." He cocked a brow.
"It is my Chacha-Jaan's home." She stated, turning once she was satisfied with her look.
His eyes hooded and his breath sucked when her honey brown eyes met his. She looked ethereal.
Simple and gorgeous without any extra effort, even when she stood with a smirk plastered on her face. He gulped looking away. The girl still affected him in ways he termed to be indecent. For years he has tried to create distance between them but she still made him lose his senses. Then she was just a 16-year-old teenager but now she was a woman, a very enticing one.
"Seems like you got a good place to park." Meher grinned stopping beside them. Her eyes twinkled with mischief "Any reason you parked to the easy exit? Afraid ladies inside will try to set you up with their sons? After all, you are the most beautiful girl and at the rightful age of being married, not to miss the best doctor here. Ladies are going to go all gushing over you appi, You look really pretty Right Bhaijaan?"
His jaw clenched hearing his sister point out the next happening in there. He had a good share of proposals. Now that Sana was here, he felt like ending the party right this instant.
He shook his head slowly, clearing all the thoughts except the fact that he was her boss, only that nothing else.
"Come on in you two." He said and started walking back. He could hear the two goofing around. He waited for them to walk in and he followed them.
His parent's smile brightened seeing the trio coming toward them. His mother took Sana in a bone-crushing hug and his father patted her head lovingly.
His family adored this typhoon of a woman.
"I'm still not sure of leaving Sana here all alone for two long months," Wajid said frowning.
"Stop worrying about her Bhaijaan. I'm here to take care of Sana. I would have rather bring her here but she's stubborn." Aliza assured.
"That's the only problem Bhabhi-Jaan. She's stubborn" Her mother stated, making her pout. "We wish to go Madinah after completing all our responsibilities but she won't budge."
"Ammi" she scowled "Don't start the topic again."
"You're 25 Sana. Every parent wishes to see their children married at this age. I wish the same. Your father and I won't be at peace there when one of our responsibilities is still unfulfilled. Our haj won't be completed. It will not be qubooled and the reason is you."
"Bhabhi-Jaan, that's harsh." Zohar interrupted.
Mudassar looked towards Sana whose face hardened. Her smile vanished.
"No. It's not. Not harsher than what this girl is doing to her parents." Yasmeen said. "She makes us worry and stress because of her stubbornness and that is not even the start of the list."
"Ammi" Sana's voice cracked; she cleared her throat "If that's what you think then okay. Get my nikah done with your first pick. I'll be there. "
"Sana, Yasmeen stop this" Wajid demanded, glaring at both ladies.
"No Abba. I'm sorry for doing this to you both" A tear rolled down her eyes which she quickly rubbed.
"Sana beta..."
She cut him off with a quick shake of her head. "I'm going home" She handed him the car keys.
"Sana"
She didn't wait and started walking away. Steps so hard he could feel her anger in waves.
"Chacha-Jaan I'll go see her" Meher offered.
"No" Mudassar stopped her, eyes following her fading form. "She likes being alone when angry. It won't sit well with her."
Meher nodded in acknowledgment.
His eyes came back to Yasmeen who looked bothered but she masked her face quickly. Smiling towards the guests.
His eyes met his mother's, he blinked in assurance at her and she smiled.
"Excuse me," He told to no one in particular.
He walked towards the other direction, the backdoor from where he exited. Losing his tie, he made his way to the car and settled inside.
He drove past cars, to the iron gate where the guard greeted him with salaam. He replied and accelerated to the road, she was nowhere to be seen and he sighed thinking of days when she used to sulk for hours in her room. She may be hard-headed but her heart was too fragile and little things bruised it.
He took the turn towards their spot, a place they loved spending time whenever she had a bad day. He came to a stop seeing her dashing to a deserted area. She was stomping on her way. He grimaced and parked at a safe distance.
Stepping out he walked to the rotating iron gate and eyes darting to the big tree. It was an old, dried Gul Mohar tree that once had seen its glory, it was the center of attraction of this park but then the place was abandoned over the years and lost its charm.
"You've seen I'm all safe and sound so leave." she snapped.
He blinked exasperatedly. "Who said I wanted to see you? This is my comfort place too"
"Yeah. The one you come every day" she gritted in sarcasm.
"Yes and I haven't seen you here once in the last 9 years" Two could play the game of sarcastic jabs. "see how dirty it looks that you stopped cleaning it"
She glared at him sharply. "Get going, Adami. I don't want to talk to you."
"Then don't" he shrugged "I didn't start this conversation whatsoever"
She exhaled hardly. Glaring everything in her vision. She unpinned her dupatta from her head and he masked the urge to comment. She sat down, against the tree trunk with her eyes closed.
He followed and sat down adjacent to her, leaving enough space for her to be not uncomfortable. She needed silence and no one talking but that doesn't mean she had to be alone. He had done this before, sitting beside her silently giving her enough time to cool down.
"You remember the stuffed cookies Ammi baked?" She asked after minutes of silence.
He hummed.
"Do you remember how she used to brag in front of you that I loved them and you also fell in love with them? I never told you this but I.." she paused and sighed " I...never tasted them. Not once. Ammi never made them for me, she did for Appi, Bhaijaan, and you. Never me."
He wanted to look at her but decided against it. She needed to vent out, and he was there to listen. Only listen because he lost the right to console long back.
"She used to adore you so much Mudassar for being calm, composed, and respectful with all. I was the exact opposite of you and she always compared me with you, with Rubina Appi, with Hamid Bhai, with everyone and I rebelled. I started finding ways to go against her because I knew she wouldn't be satisfied with whatever I did. She blamed me when you stopped coming home. I didn't tell her you broke the friendship with me. I feared her reaction so I never told her. I kept making excuses until you left for the States. After years that passed, she now thinks that we lost contact so we no longer are friends and now you are busy so you don't come back home."
He felt a pang of hurt. He had been there the entire time but he failed to see her hurt.
" You know I was the happiest after I got graduated as a doctor. You want to know why I called you?" She didn't wait for him to nod "It was the first time Ammi praised me for being a doctor, she said she was proud of me. I wanted to tell you about it but you didn't talk to me for more than a few seconds. I wanted to tell you all about it and so many other things you missed in my life. I wanted to reconcile but you closed off. Not that it matters to me anymore." She shrugged.
"I was in the middle of..." His words were left incomplete as she cut him off. He didn't try again, not saying a word about why he didn't talk to her longer when he longed to talk to her. He remembers the day too well, how after minutes later he hung up he kept staring at the device, fisting his palm to not call her back.
"I want you to explain." She waved her palm in the air "You know Ammi's happiness didn't last long....." she trailed off.
"Why?" he probed lowly.
"Rubina Appi got married and I was the last of Ammi's children left. She started her task of pursuing me into marriage. Almost every day she showed me proposals, trying to set me up but I did not budge, I kept rejecting all of them finding new excuses, I am creative that way you know." she snorted "Now I think back, I should have agreed because, after a year of her tries, she again started berating me. Reminding me how much a burden I was on her and Abba. I should have accepted her ordeal. It would have saved me her anger and her disappointment. The best part, I wouldn't be here." She smiled painfully remembering something
"Sana" he called her name hearing her chuckling mirthlessly.
"Shush. You're here so just listen." She shifted and turned towards him "Let me remind you how much an amazing decision you made when you left me, Mudassar. It's good that you did. You don't have to be tagged as a best friend to a disappointment like me according to my Ammi. You are saved. You don't have to deal with me outside the hospital. You don't have to see me as a friend or you don't talk to me other than work." She patted his shoulder. "You're better this way, you made a good decision. A timely one. "
"You're too emotional to think, Sana. Stop talking now." he snapped.
"No, I am in my senses and I'm thinking now. See I always blamed you for leaving me alone but you were saving yourself and it is all right. I forgive for everything, Mudassar. I won't keep a grudge against you now like you said I was. You can be at peace." She stood up and smiled, her face blank of every emotion. "I should go it's late. You must be tired of hearing me talking so much."
"I'm still your boss, Qureshi. I deal with you on a regular basis and this talking is nothing in front of the chatterbox you are." He tried joking, wanting to see her back to herself.
"Right. My boss" she repeated. "Thank you for listening to me rant. boss. It would have meant a lot before but now it means nothing to me." She faked a smile.
Her empty brown eyes were like a punch to the guts, he wanted to call her out. Fight with her until she came back to her snarky remarks, sarcastic jabs, or anything.
Any of Sana Qureshi but this.
"It's late. Come I'll drop you" he tested the water, half of his mind telling him she won't take the offer but she nodded in response.
His jaw clenched but he blinked and lead the way. She followed silently.
They reached his car and he opened the passenger side door for her. She mumbled a thank you.
He jogged to the other side and ignited the engine.
"Can you do me a favor?" she asked him staring.
"What favor?" he raised his brows.
"Get me transferred somewhere else? I don't want to stay in this city anymore. I'm bored of here. I don't feel like living here." she said grimacing. "I want to go away, from Ammi and you. Please?"
His grip steeled. Knuckles white and teeth gritting together. "Can't do that."
"Oh" she uttered; she sighed shrugging "Then only option I'm left with."
"What option?" he glared at the road.
She said looking away "Nothing of your business"