chapter 27

Fiza hasn't received her mother's call for the last two days. She is very angry with her mother. She feels that her mother has insulted her by questioning Arif's stay at her house.Shabana also believes the same as Fiza that if they consider Arif as a family member, why can't he stay with Fiza in her house? But she has to think about society, Junaid and Arif's parents. When it seems that Fiza and Junaid's relationship is improving, Shabana doesn't want to let any new reason ruin it.Since Junaid has no son, he has poured all his love on his friend's son. Arif is six months older than Fiza. From childhood, Fiza realized that even though her father loved her, she had to share her Abba's love with Arif, which she always disliked. Time passed, but Fiza's anger towards Arif grew instead of diminishing. Junaid wanted Fiza to marry Arif so that Arif would stay close to him for life. Fiza rejects Arif because Arif has shared her father's love since childhood. So, Fiza finds bad intentions even in Arif's goodness.If Arif and Fiza could stay together for a few days, Fiza might have fallen in love with him. But, society, Junaid and Arif's parents might not take it on a good note. My daughter has suffered a lot. I don't want her to suffer anymore. Shabana says inwardly.Shabana calls Fiza, but she disconnects the call again. Shabana gets worried.Whom should I call, Arif or Shalini? Shabana thought. After thinking a lot, Shabana calls Arif.For the last two days, Arif couldn't talk to Fiza as he was busy with his work. He sent many messages to Fiza, but Fiza didn't reply to a single one. Arif knows that Fiza is angry with him for leaving Fiza's house and going to the hotel. He heard from Shalini that she had spoken to Fiza, so he was relieved.While leaving Fiza's house, she said that if you leave my house, you will prove what Maa has is correct. Arif agreed with her, and still, he moved to the hotel because he didn't want to create any reason which may ruin the improving relationship between Fiza and her father.Since morning, Arif has been thinking about going to Fiza's house. Now that Shabana has told him that Fiza isn't receiving her calls, going to Fiza's house becomes his priority. But Arif has a video consultation appointment with Fiza's doctor. Fiza has been undergoing treatment under Dr Bhandari for the past one and half years. So, he decides to meet Fiza after talking to the doctor.Two years ago, after Aman's accident, when Fiza went into depression, her parents refused to accept depression as a disease. So, they refused to take her to any doctor. Her mother said that Fiza is a little sad. Once she starts helping with household chores, she will be fine because she won't have time to get upset. Her father said that Fiza is doing all the drama not to marry Arif and insists Arif marry her. Arif didn't want to marry Fiza forcibly. He wanted Fiza to marry him only if she could love him. So he decided to wait for her decision.In those days, Fiza could neither sleep during the day nor at night, even after taking sleeping pills. When Arif suggested Fiza's parents consult a doctor, her mother said, 'She sits idle all day, and an idle mind is a devil's workshop. That's why she can't sleep.' Arif couldn't make her understand that depression is a disease and needs attention.Soon Fiza's mother assigns her some household chores, and that's when the problem arises. One day Shabana asks Fiza to cook. Fiza knows how to cook, so Shabana goes to do other work. Fiza puts oil in the pan to heat, and she gets lost in her thoughts before the oil gets hot. She was standing in front of the oven but didn't notice when the oil heated up and caught fire. She was standing there and smiling. Fiza was lucky that day that a domestic helper saw the fire and saved her. After that, Shabana saw Fiza talking and laughing alone many times. When Shabana tells Junaid about this, he ignores it, saying Fiza is acting to avoid marriage. Fiza's condition worsens each day, and Junaid still ignores Shabana's concerns. Being helpless, Shabana discusses Fiza's health condition with Arif. Since Junaid was against taking Fiza to the doctor, Arif and Shabana hid from Junaid and took Fiza to the doctor for treatment. Since then, Arif knows more about Fiza's health than her parents.Arif's phone rings. Dr Bhandari's assistant has called to set up a video meeting with the doctor.'Hello, Arif. Hope you and Fiza are doing well.''Hello, Ma'am. I am fine, but I am not sure about Fiza.''What happened?''I have seen her sitting alone and talking.''Was he mumbling or speaking out loud?''She was speaking out loud as if she was talking to someone sitting in front of her. And maybe nowadays she gets angry very quickly.''Arif, with 'maybe' we can't treat the patient. You have to be specific about her condition. Is she under any stress?''Exactly, I don't know. But, Fiza has taken seven days off from her office, which is very unusual for Fiza.''Okay. Does Fiza sleep well?''Yes, she sleeps well but sleeps with Aman's photo. She has decorated all the gifts given by Aman in the house.''It's not necessary that Fiza has to remove all her memories with Aman. She only has to accept that Aman is no more in her life.''You know Aman was a painter. I noticed that Fiza is also painting these days, which is good, but she signs those pictures with Aman's name. Why does she sign as Aman?''Maybe, she still hallucinates Aman. Probably she has created a virtual life with Aman and is living a dual life. Convince her parents that their daughter needs them. It's lucky to have friends like you, but a friend has some limitations. Now, Fiza only needs her family's love and support. Talk to her parents and convince Fiza to return to Kolkata. Staying alone isn't good for her.'Arif got worried after hearing the doctor's words. Fiza won't agree to return to Kolkata soon. So I have to do something to ensure my stay at her house. For that, I have to get permission from both families. Arif says inwardly.(Continued ..... )