Chapter 11: Engaged!

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“Yes Zahra. Any luck with the case so far?” Michael Walworth asked, picking the phone at the first ring. Was he waiting for her call? “No sir,” she replied, her voice quivering with emotion. “Is everything okay?” he asked, immediately getting both concerned and cautious at the same time. “I…I can’t continue with the case,” she stated, taking a deep breath.

“My father’s severely ill… and I don’t want him to die before seeing him at least one last time.” “I am deeply sorry to hear that Zahra. And yes, you definitely need to go. Things will be taken care of, alright. You relax, don’t get hopeless and go see your dad,” he replied, assuring her in every possible way that her job wouldn’t be snatched away from her. “Thank you very much, sir.”

“Your destination, miss” the cabbie said, making Zahra break out of her thoughts. “Oh….yeah” she said and got out, thanking him while giving him his fare. Her vision was a blur, her mind dazed. All kinds of memories were coming on at such a rapid speed, that she felt she was getting slapped on her head with them, making it explode in pain. Reaching the door of her apartment, she knocked impatiently.

She had taken more time than she thought she would. And hadn’t had anything to eat for six hours straight on top of that. She felt nauseated with hunger pinching at her stomach. What was the matter with Laura? Couldn’t she walk a bit quicker? Just as Zahra thought she was going to fall with all her energy drained out in tears, Laura opened the door. Just in time to take Zahra into her arms. “Hey Zee… what happened? Are you alright??” she asked, her voice panicking.

Cupping her face in her hands and examining it closely, she asked, “Why in the world are you crying? Have you had your dinner?” Getting a negative answer, she exclaimed “You haven’t! Come, sit here and I will fix you something to eat. The whole story can wait until you have some solid in your stomach” she said, bringing her to a chair and closing the door to stop the cold air from chilling the place.

She wondered what had happened to make her so weak. Poor girl. Her heart overflowed with sympathy and sorrow for her, as she hurriedly broke the eggs on to the frying pan, working extra fast so that she wouldn’t become dizzy with hunger and weakness.

“Here, take this. You’ll feel better,” she said kindly, while handing her a plate of toast and a glass filled with juice. “And then you can decide if you want to tell me or not.” “I have to work so… I need to go. Call me if you want anything okay,” she said, and walked towards her room. “Laura,” Zahra called in a weak voice while chewing her food.

“Yeah?” Laura said, questioningly. “My dad. He’s very ill and I have to go. My mom needs me,” she told her friend in a voice trembling with emotion. “Oh! I’m so sorry Zahra,” was all Laura could say, after hearing the news. “Could you help me pack my things and book a flight for me?” Zahra asked. “Yeah. Sure. When do you have to go?” “Immediately.”

“But… you need to rest. You can’t go in this state of yours,” Laura said, trying to make her realize her situation. “You have to hear me out this time, Laura. Please just do as I say,” Zahra begged, getting impatient with her. And with much reluctance, her friend agreed. As the night turned into morning, it saw Zahra catch the plane back to India.

Bangalore, India.

Avi was standing at the airport, anxiously staring into the thick crowd of people who had just got out of the airplane mixed with those who had come to receive them. At last, spotting Zahra, she breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ve been waiting here since the last half hour,” she said exasperatedly. “What took you so long to get out?” “How’s Abba?” Zahra asked, ignoring her complaints and getting straight to the point.

“He’s better than he was yesterday,” her friend replied in a business-like tone. “And you left mom alone in the hospital?” Zahra asked her accusingly. “Well… she has the walls to talk to, I guess,” Avi replied, trying to lighten up the mood a bit, flashing her a broad grin. “This is serious alright,” Zahra retorted. “Tell that to your mom, okay. She sent me here in the first place,” Avi replied, her anger getting the better of her.

Reaching the hospital, Zahra flew straight into her mother’s arms, forgetting each and every argument they’d had over the phone. “When your Abba finds out that his lovely daughter has arrived, he’ll be automatically fine,” her mother told her, smiling and caressing her face, consoling her own heart more than her daughter’s.

“Insha’Allah,” Zahra replied, as her mom nodded in agreement. “Is he still unconscious?” “No… but he’s sleeping. We’re not allowed to go in and see him as yet. He had an angioplasty done a few hours ago, and the doctors say that he’s still weak… and wouldn’t be able to talk, so it’s better that we don’t disturb him,” her Amma replied, patting her back. “I have no worries, now that you’ve come back.”

After an hour or so, somebody gently nudged her to wake her up. It took her a few minutes to comprehend where she was. It was a guy in a white overall. “Are you Ms. Fatimah?” he asked, his eyes kind and understanding. Zahra nodded in affirmative. “Your father is calling you inside.” Upon hearing this, Zahra grabbed her coat and frantically ran off in the direction indicated by him.

“As Salam Abba, how are you?” she asked, keeping her voice just above a whisper. “I’m fine my child,” he replied slowly, his voice trembling with weakness. “Come. Sit here beside me. I want to talk to you.” Zahra gingerly sat on the only seat beside him, looking upon the wrinkles and fine lines of old age gracing his face. “Are you seeing how old you’re Abba has become, hmm?” he asked her smiling. “No Abba, you are not that old. You’ve got a lot of life in you, still. Please don’t say that,” Zahra replied in a pleading tone of voice.

“You can’t run away from truth for long, my dear. Believe me, I’ve tried it my whole life. It catches up with you eventually, no matter how hard you run or how far you go to hide from it.” “I won’t live much. That I know for a fact. But, before I go, I want you to do one thing. And I need your word and promise for the other. Will you do it for your old father, child?”

“Anything for you Abba. You just name it,” Zahra replied as tears began to leak out of her eyes. “Then wear the ring of Adel’s name on your finger. And promise me that you’ll keep my family safe, no matter what happens.” “Abba please,” she said in a husky voice, taking her father’s hands in hers and weeping like a child. “I need to see you in strong hands my dear. Don’t get me wrong. Who will keep you two when I’m gone? I won’t be able to bear the pain from up there.”

Today was her engagement. The minute she had agreed to the proposal, her father’s condition had gradually got better. And after recovering for two days, he had announced the engagement to both families, much to Zahra and Avi’s dismay. There was no way out now, except keeping a bold and a strong front. Avi was with her the whole time, helping her to get ready, physically and emotionally.

It was a low key affair, as per Zahra’s father’s request, because he was giving his daughter away, which was definitely not a time for celebration. Even then, Adel’s family had not agreed with a simple dress for the bride to be. They had presented her with a Sabyasachi lehenga that she was wearing right now, as her heart plunged into the abyss of gloom. Her make-up was still left to be done, and for that, a team of experienced hands was arriving soon, all due to the extravagance of Mr. Jamal and family.

As Zahra waited for her mother to escort her downstairs, she heard her phone ring to notify her that she had received a message. She scrambled to look for it and finally found it on her bedside table.

There were about five messages from Laura, and one from an unknown number. She opened the message to read the text, with her hands shaking in anticipation. It was from Michael Walworth. What did he have to tell her? The message went something like this:

“Demetria has been caught for embezzling a large amount of funds. She was caught withdrawing a huge sum of money from another bank near her branch, of which she was the head. It must be on the TV right now, if you haven’t watched it already. Your partner, Jennifer, was hot on her trail ever since you tipped me off about that warehouse incident that day. David is so shocked that he can’t say a thing. But is still not believing it. I thank you for your cooperation and I hope that your father is well. Awaiting your return.” M.W

So his hunch was right, after all. Too bad for David Walworth. Zahra was sad for him, which was quite a surprise, because she hated him with all her heart. Kudos to Jenny. She had done quite a good job. Ah! Finally something good had happened in all these days.

“You look awesome, Zee. But I, not even for a second believe or agree with it that that b*****d deserves you,” Avi said, as tears of sorrow threatened to spill out of her eyes. “I feel ashamed of myself, that being your best friend and knowing the reality of it all, I couldn’t get you out of this mess.”

“It’s not good to think of such useless things now. I’ve told you before and I tell you again that it’s not your fault. Don’t give yourself the pain of thinking such negative thoughts, okay. You’re supposed to make me laugh, not encumber your own sorrows over my back, alright,” Zahra said, shoving her shoulder playfully.

“By the way, I have something to tell you. You remember Demetria, Walworth Jr.’s girlfriend?” “How can I forget? Well, what about her?” Avi asked, curiously. “She is in jail for embezzlement,” Zahra replied, amused. “Good for her,” said Avi, and chuckled lightly.

“Zahra? What are you doing here? Everyone’s waiting for you outside. Come now, don’t be shy. Get up, and let me check your dress,” her mother came into her room at the moment, and chided her for keeping them waiting. “Masha Allah. My daughter is looking like the moon itself. Or should I say, even better?” Kissing her forehead, she smiled, “Now let’s go. We have work to do.”

As the duo of mother and daughter reached downstairs, the whole of the Jamal family got up simultaneously to receive them. “You have a very beautiful daughter, Arif,” Uncle Jamal said, addressing Zahra’s father. Adel Jamal’s ecstasy knew no bounds. After all, the ball had rolled onto his side of the field.

The moment Zahra reached where they all were sitting in a circle, Adel gave her a taunting smile to irk her even further. He had his eyebrows raised in a flirtatious way, and kept ogling at her every two seconds. Disgusted, Zahra finally bowed down her head and kept staring at her nails, until Uncle Jamal addressed her.

“How are you child?” he asked, looking at her with fake concern. “I’m fine, thank you,” she replied curtly, cutting the fineries of mannerism. Her mother pinched her to get her attention, and glared at her to behave. Clearing his throat, he spoke again, “I think it’s time we begin the ceremony, Arif.”

“Yes. But, one last question. Do you agree to the terms and conditions I have put before you?” Zahra’s father asked in a no nonsense tone. “I agree to whatever you said. Now please, begin the ceremony. We’re already late for another event we have to attend,” Adel’s father replied carelessly.

After Arif’s permission was begotten, the ceremony began. Adel’s mother brought out a small fat box, adorned with intricate carvings. A flower-shaped emerald ring sat upon a white cushion inside. She picked it up to the cries of ‘Masha Allah’ from the elders and handed the ring to her son.

Zahra held out her hand, and Adel pushed it onto her finger, with a little more force than necessary, making her wince in pain. He flashed her an arrogant and cocky smile, as if to say that he had won.

The truth finally caught up with her, the moment she saw the ring on her finger. It looked beautiful but she couldn’t match her feelings to its bright colors, as she felt hollow from the inside out. She got engaged to the worst man in the whole world, just to keep her parents happy, especially her Abba. It was his wish from the very start.

Why were the Jamals’ adamant to get him hitched with her? She was not rich. Nor was she that beautiful. She was just an ordinary girl from a humble background. He could get much more beautiful and rich girls out there. What were those terms and conditions her dad had mentioned a few minutes ago? And why was she not informed about them? Were they hiding something from her? Some big family secret? If only she could get the answers to those questions.

After the ceremony was over, the two families were called on to have a big family dinner. And the Jamal’s took leave soon after that. “Do you have to go Avi? Can’t you stay?” Zahra asked her friend, as she too prepared to leave.

“I want to… but, I just can’t. Mom’s calling me continuously since four hours ago. If you ever need me, I’ll be just a call away, okay,” Avi replied, snuggling Zahra into a bone crushing hug.

A lot of struggles, pain and challenges were in store for her in the future. But, no matter how hard and unforgivable the storm is, the sun always shines through it, although it does take some time and patience to bear that time, and to do it while keeping oneself unbroken and unfazed. With a little love and care, she will shine bright, enough to bask her surroundings in her glow. It will just take a bit of time and patience…

------AUTHOR'S NOTE--------

N that's exactly what i want you all to give me.... pleez bear with me and my mood swings :(

plz pray to the Lord that He keeps me motivated to go on writing... :(

one happy thing is that this book has reached 500+ reads!!! :D

thank you evryone fr your unwavering support :) i love ya awll...

but m a bit low on votes...so pleeez do not forget to vote :) comment if u like it....byeeeee

oh btw... picture on d side is zahra's engagement dress (ignore d girl whose wearing it ;P)