chapter 15

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Ayesha's pov

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To say I was shocked is an understatement, Mr Khan's behaviour has shook me, I don't know what I have done to deserve all this madness.

Just because I was being appreciated, he felt so jealous that he mishandled me, my hatred for him has grown even more.

I was seriously not in the mood to deal with him, or to even look at his face, so I decided to take a few days off, that meeting happened on Monday and today is Friday.

These past few days have been my best days since I have come to Delhi. Reem has been crazily busy between University, NGO and the orphanage, so I mostly chilled at home.

My phone buzzed, I picked it up it was a message from Sufiyan, two months ago, we exchanged numbers, we regularly talk since then, he has become a sort of friend.

I laughed out loud when I saw the video he sent, it was some clip if Doremon was made in Punjabi. I found it pretty hilarious.

"Who was it?" Reem asked. I looked at her. We both were lying down on a couch in the living room, we sat to watch a movie, but got busy talking with each other.

I told her about Mr Khan's behaviour, but not the entire incident, she would have gone crazy, and fought with Mr Khan, sadly he's not just my pathetic boss, he is Reem's future brother-in-law also, and I have to keep that in consideration.

"Come back to earth, baby" she shook me with her foot, i didn't realise when I zoned out.

"It was sufiyan's message. Wait, I'll show you" I passed her my phone, she saw the video and laughed, Reem has also warmed up with sufiyan a little, they've met twice or thrice in the university.

"Who comes up with such nonsense!" She wondered, i just shrugged

"Ya Allah! Look at you girls, you have created such a mess" Rukhsana aunty shouted, we turned towards her.

"What a mess?" I looked around, but I found nothing

"This" she pointed at the scattered boxes of popcorn and a few crushed soda cans, Reem and I both laughed at her sheepishly, she shook her head in disbelief.

She bent to pick up the trash, but Reem held her hand.

"It's ok aunty, it will get cleaned in the morning" she said

"Madam will return soon, she will not like the house dirty." Aunty sighed

"We will do it before she returns, don't worry. It's late, you go to sleep" I insisted, she showed hesitance, but went to sleep nevertheless

None of us did the work we promised, instead we sat and chatted about random things.

Around half an hour later, the door opened and aunty and dad walked in. We both sat straight when we saw them.

"Assalamualaikum" I said cheerfully to dad

"Walekumassalam. God bless you both, he smiled and sat next to Reem, she visibly stiffened when he sat next to her

"I'm too sleepy, I'm going to sleep" Avira Aunty yawned, then she left

"You guys should have come to the party" he spoke, then he turned to Reem "Everyone was asking about you, you were greatly missed" he put his arm over her shoulder, she slided it away and shifted away from him, his face fell

What's wrong with Reem? Why does she behave so oddly with dad?

"You must be exhausted?" I asked taking away the awkwardness

"Not really. Looks like you guys had fun" he said looking at the proof of what we had eaten, i smiled

"So how was the party?" I asked to avoid seriousness from the ambience

Dad told us about the party, the arrangements, the guests and most importantly, the food.

Reem was sitting awfully silent, it was bothering me.

"Looks like we have missed a lot." I said

"Yes! Next week there's a party, the singhania group of industries would be holding that.  we all should go. You both, me and Avira, the whole family, it'll be so much fun, right Reem?" He said, she scoffed

"Family? What family are you talking about? My whole family has passed away, and I'm not interested in pretending that you and your wife are my family." She snapped at him, my eyes widened in shock at her sudden outburst

"Reem! How dare you talk like that to dad?" I couldn't stop myself from yelling at her

"He's not my dad, he is Avira's husband" she said in anger

"Beta! Why are you getting ma ..." Dad spoke but she cut him off

"Don't call me "beta", I'm in no mood for this crap" she stood up and went towards the bedroom

"Reem! Stop" i shouted, but she just stormed out

I looked at dad, his eyes were glassy and there was defeat on his face. I immediately walked towards him, he was sitting on the sofa, I knelt beside him

"Dad! Don't feel bad, she doesn't know what she's saying" I said holding his hand.

"She hates me" he said

"No! This isn't true. Don't even think like that"

"I miss Sharmeen badly" he said talking about Reem's mom, "wherever she is, she must be so disappointed in me, I failed to raise our daughter well." A tear slipped out of his eyes, even my eyes welled up.

I miss mom too, she was the sweetest person ever.

"Don't hurt yourself by saying this, please"

"I didn't want to, but I still remarried so that Reem can have a mother, Avira and I have left no stone unturned to let her be Reem's mother, but she could only be my wife for her. It breaks my heart"

"I will talk to her. She has gone crazy" I said words of encouragement to him and sent him off to bed, then I went to Reem

I opened the door and found her looking outside the window, I yanked her arm

"Ow" she flinched

"Have you lost your mind? How the hell have you just talked to dad?" I yelled, she stayed silent.

"Answer me. I'm asking you something. What was that behaviour?" I asked again, but she was still quite

"Since I have come to Delhi, I've been noticing your rudeness towards him. He tries so hard to get close to you, but you just close the door on his face. Why do you become so cruel when it comes to him" I said

"You know nothing, so it would be better if you don't take sides" she retorted, I was taken aback by her words

"Oh really? I don't know anything? You are the one who's being blind here. Can't you see how hard dad tries to talk to you, but you shut him off all the time. He is doing everything in his power to comfort you, but it took you only a second to crush his heart. Since when have you become so selfish?" I scolded her, suddenly she burst into tears and started shouting, I was shocked to see her.

"I'm not selfish. How can you even say that! I didn't shut him off, he did. I lost my family, I lost everyone I loved, I needed him, and what did he do. First he drowned himself in his work then one day he returned home with his wife. How could he even think that Avira can ever replace mom. Even now whenever I try to see even a bit of my old father in him he brings up his wife, that annoys me. For him, it's just her or his work. He doesn't love me, nobody loves me. Why can't anyone see how lonely I feel? There's no one for me. I miss mom, I miss what I used to have" she fell on her knees

By now tears were falling freely from my eyes also. I sat on the ground and hugged her. She held my arm and cried her heart out. Looking at her like this was breaking my heart.

How couldn't I feel her pain?

"Ok stop crying baby, please" I pulled back, I stood up and got water for her. She took the glass and drank it, thankfully she stopped crying.

"Ayesha! I don't know how to tell you what I feel?" She spoke

"You don't need to tell me anything. I'm sorry for shouting at you."

Reem was never a silent sufferer, she always used to scream out her pain. But she changed with time.

Even after being miles apart we have been closest to each other, she has always shared whatever she felt with me, but now when I'm actually here, I can see that she has been keeping many things to herself. But I won't let her be like this anymore.

"I'm offended" I said faking anger

"Why?" She frowned

"How can you say nobody loves you! Mera pyar kya itna chhota padh gaya janeman (has my love fallen so short, my love)" I said dramatically wiping my fake tears, she chuckled, I felt warmth in my heart seeing a smile on her face, I turned serious

"I'm sorry for not understanding you, but believe me Reem, as long as I'm alive, you will never be alone, you are my soul sister, only physically we have been apart, otherwise we've always been each other's rock. So never repeat what you said a while ago" I spoke

"I'm sorry"

"Ohho baby! Sorry nahi chahiye, promise chahiye k kabhi khud ko akela feel nahi karogi (I don't need sorry. I need your promise that you will never feel lonely)"

"I promise" she spoke

"Pinky promise?" I stuck out my little finger, she laughed and intertwined our pinkies together

"Pinky promise" she nodded

"Oh god! You got me so senti" I stood up, pulling her up with me. She just chuckled

"Let's go out somewhere" I said in an attempt to lighten her mood

"Where?" She asked

"Ummm" I tapped on my chin to think where we can go

"Let's go to the club" I said, she raised her eyebrows

"Really? You said you are not in the mood to party"

"Well now I am. So let's get ready"

"Fine" she sighed.

"I'm going to rummage your closet, I kinda feel looking sexy" I said, I turned to go into her closet, but she held my hand

"Hmm?" I asked looking at her, and she just hugged me. I felt content, I just rubbed her back

"I missed you" she said

"Me too" she pulled back, she had a bright smile on her face

"Let's get ready" she smiled mischievously.

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Reem's POV

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Once we finalized the dress, we quickly slipped in. We paid attention to our make up tonight, I did cat's eye make up, while Ayesha went for smokey eyes. Since we both were wearing black, we applied bright red coloured lipstick. I straightened my hair, and Ayesha curled hers. Finally we both were ready, both of us were so satisfied with our looks.

.. Ayesha's dress..

... Reem's dress...

It was 11 o'clock in the night, when we left the house.

The club was celebrating the completion of five years, so there will be a party all night long. All the club members were invited, and since I am a member I also got an invite, I asked Ayesha if she wanted to go, but she said she was feeling too lazy.

I stopped my car in the driveway of the club, soon a valet came on my side to park my car. We both got outside, a cold wave hit me, i shoved my hands in my coat's pocket.

"It's so cold" Ayesha shivered

"Let's just get inside quickly" I said, we both went inside from the VIPs entrance. It was warm and cosy inside, we quickly got rid of our coats

"Wooww this place is looking amazing" I shouted, loud music was suppressing my voice

"I know right. Let's dance" we went straight to the dance floor.

I'm not bragging but I'm quite famous in the club, I have been a consistent member, so the staff knows me well.

By the face I know most of the people, I am familiar with all the boys who drool over me, and girls who want to be like me.

"Hey Reem! Long time no see" said a voice I turned around and found a familiar face, I know this guy, I have met him many times in this club, but I don't remember his name

"Hi" i smiled

"Wanna dance?" He asked putting his hand out at me, I turned to look at Ayesha, she was dancing with someone already, I smiled shaking my head at her.

"Sure" I put my hand on top of his

"You look so hot tonight" he whispered in my ear

"Thanks" I answered

We begin dancing. I must have danced with him for a while when Ayesha came to me, she hung on me

"Baby! I'm so thirsty. Let's get something to drink" she said

"Ok let's go" I pulled back from the guy I was dancing with

"Hey gorgeous" said the guy to Ayesha

"Shut up loser" she scrunched her nose at him, he looked embarrassed, he quickly turned around and disappeared in the crowd.

We came to the bar and sat on the stool. I asked the bartender for two glasses of orange juice, she finished her drink in one sip

"God! I was so thirsty" she sighed, "Thank God we decided to come. I'm having so much fun" Ayesha said

"See I told you" I said smugly

"Yeah yeah"

"Hey you are here! I was looking for you. Come let's dance" the guy she was dancing with came and held her hand

"You go ahead. I'm just joining you" she said to him and he immediately obliged

"He is cute" I said

"Yeah. Let's go to dance"

"Let me just finish my drink, I'll be there in five" I said, she nodded and left

I was sitting peacefully looking around at people. I was feeling much better now. The little heated argument I had with Ayesha disturbed me, but it was all okay now.

"Oh my my isn't the famous Reem sheikh" I heard a nasal voice and I quickly knew who it was. I turned around and gave my fakest smile

"Oh hi Laiba, so nice to see you after so long" I lied, she faked smile

"Just been busy with some work. Of course you will not understand that." She giggled irritatingly, "so what are you doing here sitting all by yourself. Is that a new way of seeking attention from boys?" She raised an eyebrow at me, I chuckled dryly

"Trust me babe. I never have to demand attention boys lurk around me. They would fall on their knees even if I'd just look at them. I'm not you who has to try so hard to get attention" I said sarcastically

" What do you mean? Are you saying I beg for attention?" She stomped her foot

"Exactly that is what I'm saying, now excuse me. I'm done looking at your boring face" I shooed her away as if she was a bug and left to join Ayesha on the dance floor

Laiba and I met a year ago in the same club, I was friendly with her in the beginning, but I don't know when she started being jealous of me. Initially I would ignore her snark comments and her rudeness, but then i started giving her back.

I went back to Ayesha. Many people were coming to greet me as I was quite popular here, forgetting about everyone else, Ayesha and I were having a gala time.

We both were tired of dancing so we sat on the couch

"You know we should come here every night. It feels so good to let the steam off" she said

"Sounds like a good plan. I will call Jasmine and Misha also"

"Oh please don't even take their names. I'm not interested in hanging out with those selfish bitçhes" she shook her head. I laughed.

"Come on! They are not so bad"

"Let's walk around" she said

"As you say ma'am" we got on our feet and wandered in the crowded place.

Ayesha's phone rang, it was Rose's call, she went outside to answer it. A waiter came and he had a tray in his hand, which had two glasses of drink kept on it. He offered the drink to me

"What is this?" I asked

" Mojito" he replied

"Virgin?" I asked, he nodded. I was about to pick up a glass but from somewhere laiba came and she picked one of them she hit my shoulder with hers

" Sorry" she said in her annoying voice like I didn't know she did it on purpose, I glared at her

Now there was only one glass on the tray. I picked it up and thanked the waiter.

Ayesha returned to me.

"Why was Rose calling you so late?" I asked

"Even I don't understand why she keeps on calling me" she wiped off the sweat from her forehead. "I feel so hot" she said, she took the glass from my hand and finished my drink, "thanks" she smiled

"You are most welcome" I said with an eye roll.

The song changed and the DJ decided to play "candy shop" Ayesha and I looked at each other. We used to jam on this song a lot once. We held hands and ran to the dance floor.

One after the other the DJ was playing all of our favorite songs and I was dancing my heart out. Ayesha stumbled and she was about to fall. I held her hand

"You okay? Gabbar" I asked, she nodded

"Aahhh! These heels are killing me" she took off her heels and threw them in the air. I looked at her in surprise

"What are you doing?" I asked

"Letting myself free" she shrugged

The DJ was playing a sensuous song now, and Ayesha's moves changed accordingly. Everyone in the crowd was staring at her. The boys had their jaws on the floor

"I feel so good, so light, like I can fly" she slipped her hair and swayed her hips

"I think you're tired now. Let's just go home" I held her hand and pulled her to me

"Tired? Far from it" she was running around while dancing like crazy. I literally had to run after her.

"Ayesha stop" I called her

A Bollywood song played, she held my hand and twirled me around

"Let yourself loose baby" she laughed loudly

What happened to her suddenly? She was fine a while ago. Is it because of the heat in here?

She ran and got on the top of the table.

"Play the music louder dj" she screamed

All the crowd's attention went on her.

What is she doing? I also got on the top of the table to bring her down.

"Ayesha let's go" I said to her

"Reem! Baby! I love you" she smiled, "dance with me" she held my waist and moved us in a circle.

I stumbled between my heels and lost my balance, I closed my eyes and prepared myself to fall on the ground, but I was stopped in the air. I opened my eyes and found an angry looking set of eyes at me. I smiled to hide my embarrassment

"Hi Izhaan"

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