07. Ulti aa rahi hai?

*****

Marwan's blissful dream filled with nothing but endless oblivion was shattered when the shrill sound of the annoying device that humans called 'phones' resounded directly 3 cm away from his ears.

He almost had a mini heart attack but seeing that it was his own property that destroyed his serene sleep, he could only groan in frustration and think of the many reasons about why he bought the phone in the first place but seeing as the person ringing on his phone was being quite impatient, he grumpily slid the green cell button and put the device next to his ears.

"Hello?"

He might sound sleepy but the annoyance in his tone was as clear as the sun that was blinding his eyes.

"Marwan!"

An excited squeal from the other side greeted him with an enthusiasm that he couldn't meet at 9 in the morning. His mind worked at a slow pace before giving the verdict that the person on the other side of the line was actually his colleague and buddy, Aliya Mehra.

"Jab mere phone pe call kiya hai toh main hi hunga na. Kaunsi aafat aa gayi hai jo mujhe sukoon se sone bhi nahi de sakti?"

He grumbled like a displeased kid and Aliya could only roll her eyes at his utter hopelessness in the morning.

"Tujhe mila ki nahi?"

Marwan squinted his eyes and sat up on his bed with a yawn.

"Sukoon? Nope. Agar kuch aur hai toh saaf saaf bolo."

"Bewakoof! Mera invitation letter mila ki nahi?"

"Agar bheja hoga toh abhi tak nahi aaya hai."

"What do you mean by 'abhi tak nahi aaya hai'. I had sent it three days back through a person. Ghar mein sab busy the isliye no one could personally come. The guy did inform me that the invitation was received by a man."

Marwan clicked his tongue and thought closely. If the invite had arrived, where was it? But then again, the only man after him in the house was his father.

Frustration coated his features and he took deep breaths to calm himself down. The old man always got on his nerves due to his behaviour and right now, all Marwan wanted to do was bang something due to his annoyed mood.

First a ruined sleep and now a stubborn father to deal with.

Oh how gracious was the day being on him!

"Hmm, I'll look into it. Waise kab hai shaadi?"

Marwan could feel the happiness that coated Aliya's words as she replied with an ecstatic tone and Marwan couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his lips on seeing his best friend so happy.

"On 10th March. Ahh! Just a few days more."

Marwan smiled in glee at the smitten tone that Aliya used towards the end but just to tease his friend, the fake gagging sounds were made and Aliya officially felt insulted.

"Ulti aa rahi hai? Kyu nahi aayegi? After all, bandar kya jane adrak ka swad!"

Saying that, she hung up the call and Marwan was left confused about whether to laugh at his accomplished mission of annoying her or frown at the insult that she threw his way.

Nevertheless, he shrugged without a care of the world and stretched his arms until he felt his whole body melting into a puddle due to the relaxation that it brought to his muscles.

A body stretch after waking up from an almost nice sleep was a blessing sent from the heavens!

Getting off his bed, he put his bare feet on the ground that came in contact with the soft rug covered floor and before he knew it, he was drawing invisible patterns on the soft surface that felt slightly ticklish to his skin. A small smile remained a constant on his lips as he lost himself to his silly thoughts and tried to remove the negativity that mostly surrounded him when he was in this home just because of a certain someone.

"Just a little bit of peace. Is it too much to ask for?"

His whisper resonated through the room as he shook his head and slowly walked inside the bathroom. His mind was racing with the million possibilities of what ridiculous fight will unfold when he confronts his father regarding the issue but as soon as the luke warm water hit his skin, he closed his eyes and leaned back on the glass surface, delaying his thoughts about his khadus father for as long as he could.

*****

"Aunty-"

"Ziah, beta, I am telling you that I can handle all this. Aap jao living room mein baitho. Come on, go now!"

Madiha shooed the young girl out of the kitchen even though Ziah wanted her best to help her with the household work. It has been a week since she was here and sitting idly in her room, doing absolutely nothing and bothering the caring woman with her petty tasks didn't sit well with her but everytime she tried to help, Madiha was quick to decline it with a playfully reprimanding tone.

"Lekin aunty, I can help. Please madad karne de na."

She gave her a pleading look and put on her cutest look while Madiha was left shell shocked at the featural blackmail. The latter shook her head with a soft smile and softly hit Ziah's forehead before nodding her head in allowance.

A wide smile spread across Ziah's face as she happily skipped inside the kitchen, her curious eyes taking a better look of the place while Madiha instructed a few housemaids to take care of other tasks while she prepared a breakfast for her son who was still sleeping or that's what she thought.

"Main kya karu?"

Ziah asked Madiha in an excited tone and the latter gave her an amused look before asking her to put a few potatoes for boiling while she made the dough. Apparently Madiha planned on making aloo parathe with achar and curd.

Ziah happily put some water in the cooker and 5-6 potatoes before closing the lid of it and putting it on the stove. The flame was nearly at medium intensity as she waited for it to be done.

"Beta, zara woh bowl pass-"

Madiah's words were cut off by harsh yelling sounds. Ziah visibly flinched at the loud commotion but didn't dare ask what it was. Madiha's alarmed eyes were quick to spark with recognition and with a deep frown on her face, she was quick to run out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Ziah stood beside the kitchen stove, her face reflecting the clear conflict that her mind was going through. Her fingers played with the ends of her blue and white sleeves as she stood rooted to her place but seeing as the sounds from the living room kept growing in clear aggression, she slowly mustered up the small ounce of courage and with hesitant steps walked into the living room.

Her eyes turned wide as she saw Waheed Qureshi's face burning with rage while Marwan kept coughing violently. Her eyes unconsciously went towards his neck and her hands were quick to cover her lips to prevent the horrified gasp from escaping as she saw the vicious bruise forming across the ends of his neck.

"B-beta hai woh aapka! H-how can y-you-"

"BAS! Beta hai toh apni jagha waqt rehte samajh jaaye toh wahi behtar hai. Tung aa gaya hu iske roz roz ki namurad harkato se."

"What even? Well, shouldn't have hid-"

Marwan's sarcastic words were silenced when Waheed gave a cold glare to his son. The words that were exchanged between the father and son duo minutes back replayed in Waheed's mind and he knew if he didn't leave the place soon, all the cool that he had in himself would crumble to pieces and he might do something he'd regret later.

Marwan watched with an emotionless face as his father walked out of the house. Madiha was quick to assist her son by supporting his shoulders but Marwan seemed detached from everything. His eyes wandered to where Ziah was standing and his heart skipped a million beats as he saw her eyes welling with tears. Concern and worry were clear in her doe eyes as she gazed at him with care.

Gulping down the lump that had formed in his throat, he looked away and just shrugged at his mother who was fussing over him and his newly formed bruise.

Ziah stood in her place, not knowing what to say or do. How could a father treat his son in such a gruesome way? Had not a little bit of love for his own blood seep into his heart as he hurt him?

She shook her head and just watched Madiha walking away with Marwan, probably taking him to treat his wound. She watched in silence as Marwan climbed up the stairs and her eyes fell on the floor, a deep look coating her features as she thought over the whole incident;

But what she failed to notice was how Marwan's eyes turned to look at her one last time, an emotion of awe in his eyes with a small smile of adoration playing on his lips.

*****

Ziah mindlessly stood beside Madiha as she served the last paratha in the casserole. The incident that took place an hour ago was still fresh in her memory and the hurt look that Madiah tried to cover with her smile didn't help her at all. Her heart ached for the kind woman who had spent nearly 31 years with the man who she had developed a dislike for since the very first day.

"Beta, zara yeh Marwan ke pass leke jaana please. Main bas yeh sab saaf kar ke aati hu."

Ziah shook her head to stop her anger filled thoughts towards a certain someone and smiled at Madiha.

"Aunty, main yeh sab saaf kar deti hu. Aap jaye aur Marwan ke saath breakfast kare. You must be tired."

A playful smile appeared on Madiha's face as she gave her a stern look.

"Are you calling me old, young lady?"

Ziah giggled at her tone and shook her head with a fake look of surrender. Madiha too chuckled along with her and shook her head.

"Main bilkul theek hu. You go and have breakfast with Marwan. I'll be done in a few minutes."

She placed a reassuring hand on Ziah's head and the latter was left with no choice but to do what she was asked to. Picking up the casserole from the kitchen counter, she walked out and towards the dining table where Marwan sat with a faraway look.

A worried look crossed her features as she looked at his neck that was still red with dark lines near the edge. Her eyes stared intently at the wound, as if wanting it to disappear but it never did.

"I know I am looking like an eye candy lekin please woh parathe jaldi de do. Bahot bhuk lagi hai."

Marwan's voice was filled with harmless teasing and Ziah could not help the hues of red that appeared on her face.

She wasn't staring at him for crying out loud!

"A-aisa n-nahi hai."

"Sureeee..."

Marwan dragged the word with a teasing smile on his face and Ziah huffed in annoyance before placing the casserole on the table with hopes of running away from his presence as soon as possible.

But when was luck at her side?

"Kaha ja rahi ho? Have you eaten?"

His last question came out stern and serious and Ziah sobered up before shaking her head. Marwan clicked his tongue at her before asking her to sit beside him and Ziah had to do so seeing the no-nonsense look on his face.

"Bhuk nahi hai."

"Hai. Bas tumhe khud ki fikr nahi hai. Chup chap finish karo yeh."

Ziah grumbled under her breath and slowly ate the paratha while Marwan ate his morsel in an attempt to stop the amused smile from forming on his lips. She looked so cute with her cheeks puffed and a frown mearing her features. The clear annoyance written in her eyes made it even more enjoyable and Marwan ate in silence along with the young maiden.

Meanwhile Madiha stood in the corner watching the whole scenario with interest. Her eyes twinkled seeing the two together but the excitement in them dimmed considerably when reality set in.

Whatever it was that was happening could not be carried on further. It would bring no good to anyone, especially Marwan.

♡♡♡

**********

Woah....

Did I write what I just read? Yeah, seems like I did. I think I

had said this before but just saying it again, the initial storyline was really simple and lighthearted I think... but then, well, my brain never listens and hence, the story will be filled with more scenes that weren't meant to be in the first place.

Any strong haters of Waheed yet? And what is it that Madiha fears about? Will her concern disrupt what hasn't even started yet or....

Ahm, keep guessing, I think...

**********