Two weeks had passed since she had woken up from the coma she was in. And a week since she had been wanting to talk to Behzad about the chain that had been dangling around her neck. But she didn't get alone time with him. During days, the hospital room was flooded by her relatives and during nights Mustufa, Bestie and Behzad refused to leave despite Irsa telling them k 'dair ho gae hai'. It was funny actually how they had brightened the hospital room for her. Bestie had asked the hospital administration and brought his ps 5 to the hospital. Every night they had this gaming session! She loved her friends! Mehr was really thankful. The accident made her see that there were people who loved her, and she wasn't as alone in this world as she thought. Yes, the 'rishtay' that she had were self-made, but they were stronger than ever.
Mamo's lawyer had arrived Yesterday to inform that now that they had successfully abided by the will, everything was theirs to have. With that was also a letter that said that even if they had refused to abide by it, everything would have been still theirs. Mamo just wanted the best for both of them. It made Mehr really emotional. She hadn't expected time to pass in such a blur. And now that it was done, they both had to part ways. And decide what were they going to do with their newly acquired wealth.
Her room felt empty, today. Bestie was out of town for some business deals. Behzad had this important business dinner, so he was going to be late or not show up at all, leaving her with Irsa only who was sitting in the sofa infront of her using phone probably texting her husband.
"How long are you planning to do this mouse and cat chase?"
"Main?" Mehr asked.
"Nai tu main?" Irsa replied with that 'no bullshit' tone !
"Mainay kya kara hai ? He is the one with mood swings and personality changes and whateverrrrrrr. Somedays he treats me like I am his solar system! Jese ajj kaal kal raha hai...And somedays he is..... Kutta." Mehr replied.
"Mehr what are you 2?" Irsa asked.
"Irsa yaar badteemzi nai karo... You are forgetting I am the patient here aur haftay phele you were...."
"Haan tu patient ho tu kuch bhi karo ge? This near-death experience should have taught you better. Phir bhi wasting time."
"Main time waste kar rahi hoon ?"
"Tu aur kon kar raha hai ?" Irsa asked irritated.
"Behzad!" Mehr replied and Irsa face palmed herself.
"Mehr! Get out of your bubble please! The guy loves you. Everyone can see it in his eyes! He treats you differently only when he thinks he's done chasing you! But the next day into it, he realizes he can't let you go! Then he comes back to you, you throw shade at him for leaving and he goes away again! And the cycle continues!" Irsa replied frustrated.
"Yaar tu why can't he tell me he loves me...." Mehr asked.
"Mehr tumhara dimag tu kharab nai hai? HIS MOTHER'S RING IS FUCKING DANGLING AROUND YOUR NECK!"
"Tu..." Mehr began.
"Tu STFOOO (stfu but we say it stfoooo ) !!! Just stop it, Mehr! Stop with it already!"
"Irsa tum zyda...."
"Main zyda ! Mehr it's been what months? A month since you told me that you will let him go or confront him! And abhi tak you are still stuck in that haan na ....."
"Ghusa kyun kar rahi ho....." Mehr asked and Irsa had to fight the monstrous urge of face palming herself.
"Ghusa na karoon? You had a near death experience, ab tu darna band kar do! Stop running from life and people!"
"Par....."
"Either you tell him or I will have to tell him infront of every freaking body!" Irsa threatened!
"You wont!" Mehr challenged.
"You know I will!" Irsa responded and Mehr knew Irsa wasn't lying. She would!
"Irsa, you know you are being a B rn!" Mehr told her.
"It's better than being stupid! Also have it ever occurred to you that he might have some demons and insecurities of his own. Did it ever occur to you that you might have hurt him too? Ya dil sirf apke pass hai?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Mujhe kya pata. He is not you, who spams people when he is upset. Stop expecting people to react to stuff like you do! Everyone deals with shit differently. And I am not saying that he is not wrong. What I am saying is he is not always WRONG. Sometimes, it's you. He texted me to ask if you were up.....Ata he ho ga." Irsa replied and Mehr folded her arms against her chest as she thought about it.
Mehr thought about Irsa's words. It was true, it had never occurred to her that Behzad might have some issues. Maybe Irsa was right. Behzad seldomly talked about his family and siblings. He rarely talked about his childhood like..............
Like someone with crappy childhood.....
Like ....
HER!
But it didn't make any sense! Baba was well Baba and usually away, but Behzad's Dad was always there. Hell, she could remember them having movie night on Saturday's and doing all the family shit Behzad's family did. Nothing was making sense. Nothing!
Mehr was deep in her thought when she heard his voice. "Mere baray main itna na socha karain cutie," He said as he strolled in phone, wallet and car keys in one hand. Such a Behzad thing to do, Mehr thought with a smile. He never ever put them in his pockets. He always carried them in one hand no matter how difficult it was! Those three things, he used to place them at the nearest table he found! Funny how she noticed him a lot!
Mehr eyed his other hand with which he was holding a paper bag that said 'Daily Deli'. For days she had been drinking the soup and the yakni that Ala had been bringing in and she was done! If he has bought me Alfredo pasta, I am telling him I love him. Mehr told herself as she eyed the bag, blushing a little!
"App asal main tu miltay he nai hain , isliye khaylon main he app say mulaqat karni parti hai..." she told him. It was their game now! He'd flirt and she'd try to duck it or send it back to him! So far, she was crap at it.
"Irsa kidhar hai?" He asked as he placed the takeout in front of the table.
Mehr looked around the room and Irsa was not there.
"I don't know. Maybe she went to café. I'll text and ask." Mehr told him.
He nodded, and then took the sofa. It was the first time they had been alone since the accident, and it felt awkward. Somebody had to kill the silence because it was killing her.
"Is this for me?" Mehr asked pointing at the takeout.
"For me !"
"Par app tu khana kha kar nai aye ?"
"Nai....." He replied as he took the tin box out and then looked for the fork inside the paper back.
Mehr watched him remove the card and the devour the pasta! Freaking pasta that she had been craving.
"Kisi bemar k samnay pasta khatay hue apko sharam tu nai arahi....." She asked him as she folded her arms against her chest not liking the show one bit.
"Sharam ani chahiye mujhe?" He asked with a smile.
Mehr hated it. He knew she wanted it but still he had to act that unbothered.
Getting up from the sofa, he took out another box and handed it to her. Mehr eyed it and then him, with the excitement of a child as he looked for the fork.
"Damn it, I love you!" She whispered as she devoured a fork full of creamy pasta, her taste bud going wild. They both ate their takeout in silence watching the movie "Knives Out" on the TV. Something about the will and the people made it a little close to home except that there was no murder.
"I never thought we'd walk away from that one." He said as he looked at her.
"I know you didn't. But we did."
"And so now we're going to talk about what you said to me right before we crashed."
"Ya Allah Madad? " She asked giving him the cheeky smile.
"No."
"If it's about your driving skills then I take every bad word back. You put Max Verstappen to shame." She told him wavering her hand, dismissing the possibilities of other things she might have said.
He held her chin in his hand angling her face so she would meet his eyes.
"You told me you loved me." He watched her mouth fall open in genuine surprise as if this was the most absurd thing she had heard. As if someone had just told her, rupees was worth more than the dollars. Some men might have felt insulted. But not Behzad.
"I was hysterical, and I don't remember saying this. I think you were hysterical too and this is just a figment of your imagination. Gotta, say you got a wild one." Mehr added.
"He he?" The sarcasm didn't feel good!
"It didn't sound like gibberish to me. It was a serious death bed confession. No one lies when they think they are dying."
"Behzad, you are giving me concession. Also, yeh kya baat hue...Pasta k badlay bakwas...." She replied.
"Am I?" He asked as he moved an inch closer holding her chin firmly in his grip.
Oh, what Mehr wanted to do right now.
Sweetly, tenderly, he ran his other hand down the lines of her cheekbones. "Mehr-un-Nisa...." He asked all serious looking at her with those dark eyes that made her want to confess all her secrets.
"Simpâ"
"No, more games Mehr-un-Nisa." He sounded so sincere. Countless times she had wondered how he switched from being a shameless flirt all the time who took nothing in life seriously, to the man he was right now. Serious, determined and HOTTTTTTTT!!!!
"Hmmmm" Her voice was thick and sleepy.
"I am not very patient." He confessed.
But with her, he always had been so kind, so patient. How such a restive, volatile man could be so patient with her? Was a wonder! She never thought about until now.
She was so tired, so drained. Why was she running? Why was fighting it? Why was she stopping herself? She was in love with him, always had been. And nothing could change that. Now that she was in love with him, he had power to hurt her. The love you hold for someone in your heart, is what makes you vulnerable to them. Loving people is like giving them gun and then expecting them not to fire. Your expectations when it comes to them, hurt. Love hurts but at the same time it is the most beautiful feeling in the world.
"Monologue khatam ho gaya Mehr?"
"Tu? I said what I said. And I said, "I love you!" She managed to tilt her head back to stare at him. "People fall in and out of love all the time. How is that your problem?"
"People." He lowered his head so that he could just skim her forehead with his.
"It infuriates you, doesn't it?"
She wanted to glare but closed her eyes instead.
"Yes. I'm doing my best to reverse the situation."
He chuckled and he let go of her chin. And let out a sigh as he rested his head against her shoulder, content for now. She loved him. He still had time to make her like the idea. "Gari reverse hoti nai app say without back camera, aur situation reverse...." he said, and he held her waist.
Ouch! That stung! But he was right.
"If you want to gloat over it darwaza udhar hai...." She told him pointing at the door. But his head was still resting on her shoulder. She could feel his shallow breaths. She wanted to see his face. She wanted to know what he was thinking.
"Thora Zyda ho raha hai mere khayal say ....."
"Hmmm thora he hua hai mere khayal say....."
"You are in my personal space....", She complained. It was a shallow one.
"You are in my heart....", He responded.
"You say that to every girl...."
"Now it's your turn to hear it....." and she threw a punch at him to get an 'ouch'.
"Serious hoon... For now onwards, it's always and will your turn to hear it."
"Phir say jhoot...."
"What do you want to do to make you believe that its not a jhoot..."
"Kuch tu karo..."
"Shadi kar loon apsay?" HE asked. Her head was now on his shoulder and he couldn't see her face but he knew it was red !
"......."
"You know..........." He continued.
"Hmmm....."
"Jab koi ap say pochta hai k shadi karloon ap say tu haan kehtay hain..." He told you
"When someone tells you I love you.. you are supposed to say..." She responded back but before she could finish it, he interrupted her.
"Thank you so much..." he replied lazily.
"Buzz off... hato jao yahan say.... I hate you" She said as she pushed him but struggled as her left arm was hung around her neck.
"Mehrunisa!" He said a little sternly losing all the playful tone.
"Don't Mehrunisa me, Behzadddd."
"Do you know I like it when you say my name like that. Phir say bolain na.... Acha lagta hai..."
"Ughh! Whatever, SIMP!" She said as she gave him the funny 'toothy grin' rolling her eyes inwardly.
"SIRF APKE LIYEE!" But she was putting on her airpods that she had just grabbed from the side table.
"MehrunNisa!"
"I swear to God MehrunNisa.......... You won't like the consequences."
That made her halt. Looking over her shoulder she asked?
"Dhamki day rahay ho?"
"Nai tu ... Dhamki nai day raha.....Bata raha hoon cutie...."
"Bhar main jao..."
"Apka sath denay k liye tu kahin bhi chala jaon gaa, cutieeee.."
Her cheeks were getting red not from infuriating remarks but from the constant flirting . What was his deal? There were having a serious conversation or she thought it was serious until he started this all.
"Duniya main tu dia nai jata.....Jahanum main chalo gay mere sath..." She muttered.
"Array app mera hath thamain tu sahi.... Qasam say jhanum main bhi chalon ga......." He spoke.
It was the intensity of his voice or the seriousness of his tone or the scorching heat of his gaze that she felt on herself. She wasn't sure what it was. But it made her turn. Only to find him sitting with an outstretched hand in her direction.
"Phir say mazaq?" She asked.
"It never was mazaq Mehr-un-Nisa."
"Are you saying you don't flirt or purpose every girl you meet?" She asked. She knew she was pushing it way too far, but she had to be sure.
"No, I don't. It's just you."
"Bakwas! I followed you remember when you were giving lift to your 'friend'.... And I was there when you were flirting with Sana, Saba whatever!"
"Dost ki behan the woh cutie!"
"Mustufa aur bestie ki koi behan nai hai ! The sky is pink? Why me?"
"Why not you?" He asked. Not the answer to her question. She was expecting him to praise her like he did in messages.
"Because there are better options out there. I am far too opinionated. I am moody. And I am nearly as tall as you are. If I wears 6 inches heels I will look down at you."
"You don't need heels to look down at me."
"Fair point. But what do you have to say about your flings."
"I am sorry?"
"Funny!"
"Sach main....It was nothing serious !"
"Because serious tu hotay he nai app kabhi...."
"Hota hoon na...."
"Kab?"
"Abhi.. Apke liye !" He replied and Mehr wanted to strangle him.
"Are you going to accept my hand?"
"Are you ever going to ask for mine?", She asked cocking her eyebrow. Her phone pinged and she looked at the message.
"Irsa forgot her keys. She is coming to get them. Please dhond do, sofay par pari hoon ge.." Mehr requested as she read the message on her phone.
"I have been looking for keys to your heart, itnay time say who tu mili nai. Yeh kahan say milain ge" He replied as he got up from the bed and started looking around for the keys.
"Yaar apnay jawab dena hai k nai...."
"App nay sawal karna hai k nai...." She asked.
"Meri angoti wapis karain? Koi aur hath dondh loong ga uske liye...." He said and Mehr instinctively held that locket tight in her fist.
"I can't....You can't...." She began.
"I can't what?" Behzad asked.
"I don't even like to share friends, aur app har dosri larki k sath flirt kartay hain...."
" If you are saying I can't be loyal tu let me remind you, I have been supporting Arsenal since I was 8."
"Fair point!"
"There is not much to lose Mehr...."
" Except myself or the ring...." She whispered and then she was hyperventilating. She didn't know how to react.
And then she heard him laughing!
"Kya?" She asked with a touch of irritation.
"You don't want me, and you don't wanna share me? Aisay tu nai hota na meri Jaan.."
"Meri galti nai hai. You keep breaking my heart, Behzad. App say shadi kar loon takay zindagi bhar yehi kartay raho? Hein........Also you didn't even ask me out nicely?"
"Mehr-un-Nisa, it's not my fault. Thek hai ...You should have told me you love me. Phir, na he main apko jealous karta na he apka dil toota."
"Seriously Behzad? Yeh bhi meri galti hai... Kabhi apki bhi galti hoti hai?" Mehr asked.
"Meri gatli hoti, agr main apko jenay deta. Par main apko rook raha hoon. App ruk nai rahen."
"Humesha meri he galti ho ge....Humesha app baykasoor he hoon gay...."
"Humesha? Yani k app man gayen hain?"
"Nahi! Behzad...."
"Jee Behzad hota hai....."
"Acha Jee....", she said. Was she making a bad decision right now? She didn't know. She wanted him yes, she loved him yes, but was he the right man for her?
"We are meant to be together, Mehr! We always were. Bestie knew it and he planned it! There is no point fighting it." Trapping her cold hands in his, he looked for her approval.
"If you break main heart tu main shikayat kisay karoon ge?", She asked,
"App mujhse karye ga na meri shikayat. Mujhe bataye ga." He said it in all seriousness.
"What if you leave?"
"App mera toor dejay ga... Dil , moo sub kuch if I go. Gaya tu main last time bhi nai tha apko chor kar...", He said.
"Sachii?" She asked
"Muchii!" He replied as he slid that silver ring on her finger that she had removed from the necklace. It wasn't expensive like some girls would have wanted it. It was old and held value which couldn't be bought from the richies of this world. In that moment, she was the happiest until her overthinking mind drifted.
"Ab kya hua Mehr-un-Nisa jee?"
"Umm, everyone is going to say, mainay apko phasa lia hai..."
"Nai phasaya app nay?" He asked raising his left brow.
"This is serious..."
"Tu main bhi serious he hoon.." He replied only to have her roll her eyes.
"Is say kya farq parta hai..." He added.
"Isay farq parta hai... Everyone wants you for their single unmarried daughters..." She was struggling and he could see that.
"I want you...." He replied. It was as simple as that.
"Tu yeh phele batana tha naa..." She replied giving him a wink.
"Iski saza mile ge, NIKKAH k bad..." He swore.
Gosh she loved him. Cutie pie kahin ka. His nonsense behavior was rainbow to her dark sky.
"Are you blushing?", he asked.
"No, you are", she replied. His ears were all red when he took out the phone.
"What are you doing?", She asked him as he held her hand in his and took a picture of it.
"Picture lay raha hoon cutie..." He responded.
"Tu simp jee , app picture lay kyun rahay hain..." She asked.
"Apke bestie ko bhaijnay k liye.....", He replied.
(Behzad and Abdullah's chat..)
He looked so proud. That she wanted to reach for his cheeks and pull them. But decided not too. He was having a moment and she was going to let him have it. She noticed his smug smile and as he finally put his phone aside.
Not a minute later her phone buzzed. She grabbed it to only find a text from Bestie demanding an explanation.She shook her head. They both were kids and she loved them. Before she could reply to his text, Behzad grabbed the phone from her hand.
(Mehr and Abdullah's)
Mehr watched him typed furiously and then hit the send.
"What did you tell him?" She asked. She could have just grabbed her phone and checked it. But she wanted to hear it from him.
"That he needs to get his sorry ass away from my gurl's dm."
"Your gurl?" She asked and he nodded like a 4 year-old. Her phone buzzed and she reached for it, but he refused to hand it over to her.
"There are so many questions you need to answer Behzad jee..." Mehr told him.
"Par apko sirf 3 he sawalon ka jawab dena hai ...who bhi sirf haan main..." He responded.
"Sirf 3?" She raised her eyebrows.
What was he going to ask? Was he going to ask about Ahmad? The reason of their divorce? Or if she loved Ahmad? There were so many questions that were popping in her mind.
"Jeee...Jab molana sahab pochain kya apko yeh nikkah qabool hai..." He was so serious that she burst into laughter.
The hospital room that was haunting her was now lively. Her Simp! She loved him! A lot! A lot more with every passing day!
And maybe in end everything gets better.
Definitely better, if you aren't a villain. And Mehr couldn't remember being a villain in someone's life.
Tadaaaaaaaaa
We are just a chapter and an epilogue away.......
The next chapter is just so special and close to my heart...
This saud e baazi song is just so perfect... Aja karain dil ki saude baziiii!!!
Where is my SIMP !!!
I hope it was worth the wait. (Nai bhi tha tu jhoot bol dejay ga... meri khatir? ð¥ºð¥º )
Lots of loveeeeeee
Alyna â¥â¥â¥