CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17 : Festival of Surprises

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"Wake up Safia" Ismail shook her lightly as she was still in deep sleep . Kalyani was already ready by this time . Her face was painted with slight sadness after getting to know about Rudhra's nature . She was overwhelmed and couldn't accept it , but when Safia showed her the pictures of the cases and newspaper cuttings , she realised it was the only possible explanation.

"SAFIA" Ismail kicked her and she rolled from the mattress and fell on the ground , but she continued to sleep on it.

"What a fool she is ! Kalyani please wake her up , if necessary throw a jug of water on her face too . I have a lot of things to pack , otherwise we will be late" Ismail walked in the kitchen.

Kalyani stared at Safia and shook her once , then twice and when she didn't move , Kalyani went to the bathroom and brought a jug and threw it on Safia's face. With a gasp she woke up .

Kalyani quickly hopped and ran into the kitchen , to escape from the blame . Ismail stared at Kalyani who was looking at him with a sheepy look .

"Did you wake her up?" Ismail asked while making omelet and she nodded .

"Great . Now have this" he passed her a plate of food. There was a Paratha , omelet , dal along with mixed veg on the side . She took it in her hands.

"And pass this to Chimpo" Kalyani nodded and passed it to Safia . Who had gotten up and dressed up .

"You are quick" Kalyani took a bite of the food while saying so .

"Yeah—I have a habit" Safia smiled faintly remembering that she wasn't always like this . It has just been like this ever since the problems came on her family.

"So how is food ladies?" Ismail asked.

"It's delicious"Kalyani took another bite , full of food.

"Great then . Eat quickly ,then we all will be going . The cab is already here" Ismail told them.

"But where are we going?" Safia asked.

"Dhansa . There is a light festival today and maybe we can meet our parents there too" Ismail smiled and Safia almost jumped in happiness. She couldn't believe that she would be going to their own village.

"Yesss !! I am so excited" Safia quickly started to eat all the food , so that they can go as soon as possible.

"Don't choke okay?" Ismail laughed and ate his own food too.

~~~

Zeheb brushed her hairs behind her back as she heard the bell rung . She opened it , only to find Augustus outside.

"Hello" she smiled.

"Hello . I hope I didn't came on the wrong time" Augustus asked and Zeheb chuckled and shook her head.

"Ofcourse not . Come sit inside. I was about to head to the garden to meet you only" Augustus just smiled hearing that and looked around the house.

The house looked cozy , with wooden frames on the side decorated on the table . He couldn't help but stare at a picture of Zeheb with hijab hugging a man with similar features like that of hers . It was in a small frame . She didn't have these refined features , like the sharp jawline, the toned body . She looked like a simple beauty girl .

Zeheb came with tea for him and Augustus sat on the chair.

"You used to wear hijab?" He asked.

"Yes, back then I believed I was loved by Allah . So I tried to maintain that love and I dressed up everyday , prayed and recited Qur'an" She told him with a bitter expression painted upon her face.

"And you aren't now?" Augustus asked.

"I don't think so" She laughed but this time , the usually graceful and mysterious doctor couldn't hide the sadness in her eyes . Her laugh seemed empty.

"Well Allah loves everyone Zeheb . One of my closest friend thinks the same too , and he can't see the blessings Allah swt gave to him . Don't be like him , maybe pay attention to the surroundings. Build a connection again" Augustus offered.

"Nah I am good " Zeheb smiled , so Augustus didn't pushed further realising that he needs to give her time. He didn't know what happened to her which changed her , and he didn't want to put his fingers at the wrong nerve.

"Well-I never thought you were a Muslim " Zeheb told Augustus.

"Many people don't know . But yeah , my grandfather reverted to Islam , so technically my whole family is Muslim , but we still keep our last names" Augustus told her . It was a thing known by very few people, and Augustus didn't mind Zeheb being a part of those few.

"So are you ready to go?" Augustus asked her nervously fidgeting with the ring in his pocket. He didn't want to waste any time and wanted to marry her.

"Yes , just give me one minute. I have to check on baba" Zeheb said and Augustus gave a nod.

"Can I meet him?" Augustus asked and Zeheb stared at him for a few seconds . A warm feeling filled her heart .

She had known many people in her life , who came and just cared for their business, but nobody cared enough to meet her father.

"Sure" She felt touched and Augustus walked inside. Zeheb opened the room slowly and a man laying on the bed . He looked very weak and Zeheb sadly smiled.

"He is sensitive to loud noises . Please be soft" She whispered . Her father slowly blinked his eyes open .

"He's the friend of yours you are going out today?" He asked and Zeheb gave a nod.

"My name is Augustus Huestun . It's really a pleasure to meet you uncle" his father smiled at that.

"He got a fancy name" Zeheb's father joked and almost coughed , but before Zeheb , Augustus passed him the glass of water. He didn't fully remove his hand , but instead supported the glass as her father drank from it .

"Baba , we would be going now" Zeheb smiled faintly not wanting to leave her father.

"Why don't we take him too?" Augustus asked.

"Huh?" Zeheb's mouth hung open .

"Yes . I got a caravan because I knew the trip would be long , so I don't think laying down will be a problem" Augustus suggested.

"Trip?"

"Yes , you were free the whole day right ? I thought to just use it to the best. Ofcourse, if it's fine for you" Zeheb smiled at that .

"It surely is-but my baba can't walk . He uses the wheelchair" Zeheb added.

"No issues . We can fit the wheelchair. So relax. It would be fun and comfortable and perhaps a change of mood for everyone too" Zeheb looked at him searching his face for any signs discomfort, but instead all he looked was sincere and genuine . Zeheb smiled at that.

"Let's go in that case" Zeheb smiled.

~~~

Rudhra and Fawad were already in Dhansa by this time . Fawad was making sure everything was perfect , including the arrangements of everything.

"Fawad , the local vendors are asking if they can use this opportunity to sell their goods too , in the fest? Their head has came to talk with you" Fawad pinched the bride of his nose .

"I don't think that is going to do any good . Safia just wanted to eat" Fawad said , then stopped "But perhaps she can enjoy some local goods too" he added.

"That's upto you Fawad . I just informed you" Rudhra said and walked away to call that person.

A man soon walked there . He had worn a kurta .

"So what exactly are you guys selling?" Fawad asked with his sun glasses still on his face to protect himself from the glazing sun.

"I am not selling anything, it's the others . They just chose me to come and talk with you , so that I can convey their message to you. But they got some beautiful bangles , pots, paintings" Fawad didn't found any of the things intresting .

"I don't think that-"Before Fawad could reject , the man gave him a pleading look and Fawad didn't minded absolutely refusing him.

"Please give it a second thought sir. If you allow it , many foreigners who just the fest will buy the stuff and it would help a lot of families " The man requested .

"I could have done that , but it's just a private fest . Only few people will be joining" Fawad informed , but Seth who was goofing around the village quickly interrupted.

"Nah I invited my friends and they would be buying . So please join the fest" Seth nugdged Fawad , who looked at Seth as if some mad dog had bit him .

He didn't wanted that man to end up with just a few pennies , because he thought that Safia won't want any of those boring stuffs and they would be left unsold after these people get their hopes high.

The man looked at Fawad for a final confirmation.

"Don't look at him uncle ! Look at me ! And I am saying yes !! So just go and inform everyone that the fest will be taking place and better dress up the best way because a lot of elites will be there . Wear something traditional " Seth suggested and the man smiled.

"Sure sir . Thank you so much. Thank you both of you" He bowed many times and Seth hugged him from front.

"Don't bow uncle ! Just go with heads up and tell this . They would be coming in an hour so hurry up" The man thanked Seth again and went away.

"Are you crazy ? Why will you just say something like that ? And why did you even invited your friends over here ? Safia was about to come and the fest is only for her" Fawad scoffed.

"Oh shut up ! I saved you from the terrible thing you were about to do " Seth said.

"And what is that exactly?" Fawad rasied an eyebrow.

"The man you were treating like a rat was none other than her own father. He would never let her marry you , if you kept behaving that way" Seth's words made Fawad's eyes go round.

"He's what?" Fawad asked again .

"Her father !!!!" Seth said.

"You should have told me sooner " Fawad ran after the man to catch up on him , but the people of the village surrounded him thanking him for this opportunity.

He sighed realising that the man have gone away .

~~~

It was evening till now . Safia was enjoying the delicious food made by her mother .

"Enjoying it?" Her mother asked and she smiled and nodded. Her house was filled with people, who came to meet her . That was the best part about Dhansa . The whole village was your family , which was missing in the city . She could die and people won't batter an eye , but here , she can just be a little sick and all the neighbours will come with all sorts of home made remedies.

"I feel so horrible that today you are here and there is fest in the village" Her father apologized. Most villagers weren't familiar with Spanish and thanks to Seth's prior warning , of telling them all that most guests were going to be Spanish, they could prepare for it.

Her father was requested by the people, to translate for them and he couldn't refuse the help , knowing how much this is going to mean for them .

"Don't be sorry abbu . I will be still with you in the fest . I can perhaps translate a few words too " Safia smiled and her father couldn't feel more glad to have a daughter like hers.

"That's great and I want to suggest something" Ismail's father said .

"Yes uncle ?" Safia asked.

"I want you and Ismail to go there earlier than everyone and see how are things . If there are a lot of people, I might sell some of the painted vases Ismail made in his free time too" Safia gave a nod at his words.

"But for that please check if there is any stall free or not . Because I remember there were counted places and a limited number of people can sell there only , to avoid the ruckus" Safia's father told them.

"Okay , I will go and check " Safia took the last bite and washed her hands . She walked outside.

"Ismail"She yelled and stared at Ismail who was feeding milk from a feeder to a calf . Kalyani was sitting on the ground watching it take place and she kept munching the pakoras Ismail got for her.

"Come , we have to go to the fest to inquire something" Safia told him .

"You should go . Bhuri isn't going to leave me any time soon" Safia scoffed at his words and just walked away . Ismail was always like that .

Feeding animals, running around in wild , being happy doing just that . He would say he would do a thing , and later forget that completely . So she didn't bothered to push him .

As soon as she walked there , she felt a little nervous , seeing all sorts of celebrities. She recognised Mr Patel who was already munching on some food which was made by a local .

A lady passed by her side while carrying more pots on a cart as her first ones were sold.

"Aunt , where is the man who organised it? I have a few things to ask" The lady looked at her .

"He is there. The one in the grey coat" She pointed and Safia made her way towards him nervously.

"Excuse me sir . Can I have a minute of your time?" She asked and Fawad turned back with a relieved look . He was trying to find her everywhere.

"You ! What are you doing here?" Safia asked in shock .

To be continued...

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So yess !!! Here goes the first update of today !!! Two more to go 🤭♥️