HER PSYCHOTIC HUSBAND

Chapter #3 - The Encounter

We don't meet people by accident.They are meant to cross our path for a reason.

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Rikza's POV :

We arrived to Aunty's home after 3 hours of long travelling from Hyderabad to Karachi. It was a tiring journey though.

We reached at 11:30 AM, so I decided to take a nap. But Muffin will never let me do that. That girl!

She was chattering like today was the first day she was speaking. Uff.. This girl gets on my nerves sometimes. So annoying!

"Muffin, will you please let me sleep for awhile?" I asked her. She made an angry face and stomped her feet and left the room. I screamed in a high pitched voice, such that she could listen me to wake me up for salah and not to forget me at feast.

Actually lunch. Aunty had prepared my favourite dishes, so it's basically a feast for me.

I recalled how mommy cried hugging aunty and I was really anxious about her.

I was exhausted, so fell asleep and woke up by muffin's irritating gestures. I mean she was shaking me constantly and was blabbering something trying to annoy me. Aish!

I woke up totally frustrated,

"What's your problem pagal?"

I asked to which she smiled evilly and replied,

"Madam, you told me to wake you up for salah. So it's time for Salah behna".

I got up from the bed, did Wadu (ablution) and was about to start my salah when muffin interrupted.

"Now what?" I asked slightly glaring at her to which she replied grinning sheepishly.

"I waited for you my dear, so let's pray together".

I was glad to have such a cute sissy. Well I didn't said this in front of her,because she'll be feeling proud and will annoy me willingly.

We prayed together and headed towards the dining room to have yummilicious (yummy+delicious) lunch,actually feast.

I greeted my uncle,

"Assalamu Alaikum uncle" He smiled and nodded his head as an answer.

I walked into the kitchen to checkout the dishes which were smelling so splendid.

I spotted Haya Aapi preparing sweet dish.I thought of helping her so asked her,

"Aapi, How can I help you?"

She replied smilingly,

"No need of any help dear, you just go and rest"

That's not fair. She's treating me like I'm a guest here while honestly I'm NOT. I know that she won't let me do anything now, so I came back.

After having lunch, me and muffin started chit-chatting. Suddenly she remembered something. I could see her face lit-up, when she asked me whether I remember Aabiya.

It took me a second to recall the familiar name.

"Yeah, the girl from your neighborhood?" I answered her more like a question to which she nodded her head in agreement.

She started ranting about their friendship which was followed by praising That great girl named Aabiya.

Is she fan girling on her?

I was seriously getting bored so unfortunately I had to stop her from continuing the story of THEIR friendship. She never noticed my response as I rolled my eyes.

'Muffu' we heard a call from Aunty. "Aayi Ammi" (coming mom) she replied as she descended downstairs.

She came back a few seconds later to inform me that her 'so-called' bestie Aabiya and her mom has come to visit us and so I need to come down to greet them.

I went down and greeted them with salam. The women came near me and pecked a kiss on my forehead,

"How are you beta?" She asked.

"Alhamdulillah" I replied plainly with no expression on my face, since I don't know how to react. I know the reason for their visit. (most probably to mourne over the sad demise i.e, the death of dad).

I held a blank expression because I don't want anyone to feel pity on me. I just hate that emotion right from my childhood. I glanced at who was Aabiya smiling at me in a friendly way and then greeted me. I smiled back and replied to her salam.

I thanked muffin to save me from this awkward moment by taking us to her room. At first, I was worried about Mommy because I really don't know how Aunty will grief over this sadness. I think it's not just a formal tradition but rather it should be declared as an illegal crime since they come and dig our sadness. To be honest, it's really excruciating to tolerate.

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Aabiya's POV :

When we heard about the arrival of muffu's Aunty a few hours before, Mom decided to go and meet the widow and her daughter

(muffu's cousin sister).

I thought of joining my mom to meet them so I asked her,

"Mom, Can I join you?"

She replied,

"Yeah,why not beta?

" Of course you can but don't take too much time. Go and get ready fast. We'll be leaving now, quick".

"Ahh!! K okay wait for me. I'll be back soon. Just give me 5 minutes"

I dashed towards my room to get ready within 5 mins.

You might be thinking that "How the richest man in the city lives in this area, surrounded by middle-class people?"

So let me tell you guys that my mom had some problems of shifting.

What I actually mean is, she doesn't wanna leave this house, it's been 30 years since she's been living here, so she has some sort of strong emotions developed in her heart for this house.

Actually, it's the house which my parents built after so many efforts i.e, mom sold her jewels and dad worked very hard to build this house. Infact I too don't wanna go somewhere else, since I was born in the same place and I kept my first steps where now I'm standing, but Bhai isn't satisfied with this.

He is so self-obsessed that he wants to stay in a ravishing house since he is a business tycoon, so somehow mom agreed to renovate this house, only because of Bhai and thinking all this blah blah, I informed mom that,

"I'm ready, let's go MOM"

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When we saw Rikza, she wore an expression that none could understand.

I mean she had neither a sad expression nor that pain could be seen from her face.She had a little confused and worried expression. Well, that might be my thoughts but nonetheless, I can't see the pain in her eyes.

I was literally baffled. How should I react to a situation like this?

When she saw me I just smiled at her in a friendly manner.

What?Are you seriously crazy Aabiya?Who would smile at such situation?

You have come here for providing your condolences and you just SMILED at the girl, seriously?

Waah! Great Aabiya! I applauded myself for the great act which was further followed by faking a smile sarcastically towards my mind. Whatever, you know I'm crazy.

I were lost in my thoughts when muffu asked me to join them to their room. At first, Rikza was quite silent as I guess she was feeling uncomfortable to open up with me. But later, I think it was because of my friendly nature and my crazy self that she got along with me pretty well. She slowly made herself feel care free towards me.

I must say she is so sweet and talkative.

I think she is a reserved girl, unless someone speaks to her, she won't talk, and when she starts speaking? Gosh, it's pretty difficult to shut her mouth.

A week passed, and finally our exams came to an END. Let me tell you that Rikza is now a member in my list whom I refer as my besties. We decided to keep a sleepover and hence, I demanded muffu to come to my house but unfortunately Rikza was not satisfied with my plan.

"You gonna come here. Sleepover will be kept here" Rikza stated. (As if it's a thing to be KEPT)

I replied in an argumentative manner,

"No, Why can't you come to my home?"

Rikza muttered a "NO" nodding her head in denial.

I bellowed out the order,

"You guyz will be coming to my home, and that's final. NO arguments please".

Rikza replied giving up on me,

(Well, no one will win over me)

"OKAY,but will mommy and Aunty permit us to stay at your home?"

Finally SHE (RIKU) agreed to our plan.

I replied jubilantly,

"NOT a big deal,I'll handle it.You don't worry sweetheart *pouts*

I scurried towards the hall where Aunties (their moms) were seated to get permission and I already knew that they will grant permission because NEVER in my life did I ever faced failure, nor did I ever witnessed that someone denied my orders(over_confidence na?)

Well, I jumped in delight and darted towards their room to tell this news. We were so happy (as if we heard an agreement of someone's proposal amongst us. SO stupid of me na, Do I not have any other statements suitable for this?)

Anyways, they both changed their clothes, and we three headed towards my home.

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Rikza's POV :

When ABI declared their sleepover plan, I totally disagreed since I felt quite uncomfortable with it and I know mommy will never give me permission for this. But later Aabiya convinced us and now we're heading towards her home. It's right opposite to our house (Muffin's and basically It's my home too). WE stood at the entrance since we were waiting for someone to open the door.

Actually I was amazed by the beauty in front of my eyes. The lawn was perfectly decorated with beautiful flowers. Perfectly fined grass carpet was spread across the whole area properly indicating it's perfect maintenance.

I was mesmerized by the greenish scenario when Muffin took hold of my hand. Luckily, I came back to my senses just when the door opened revealing a guy whom Aabiya mentioned as Bhai. I fixed my gaze down and stood still without moving.

Muffin said salam to HIM and this act enraged me.

C'Mon, He is a non-mehram for both of us. She deserves a long lecture and she can't really escape from that I swear, atleast not this time.

I were planning to scold her, when I felt THAT guy checking me out from the corner of his eyes, i***t!

"Bhai. Meet Rikza, my new bestie and muffu's cousin" Aabiya introduced us to each other, like seriously?

PHEW! Firstly, HE is a non-mehram and secondly I feel embarrassed when someone introduces ME. I really feel uncomfortable at such situations.

Unfortunately, when Aabi has introduced me to her brother, I've to look at him even if I don't want to because she will feel bad and honestly speaking, I really don't want to hurt her. I know it's not a very big issue since Aabiya is not really a narrow-minded girl to make a big fuss about this as she already knows my nature, but still a part of me didn't liked the idea of greeting him. I don't even know what to say when HE stared at me with disgusting eyes as if I'm an alien. Huh.

I just faked a smile as I said my greetings.

"Assalamu alaikum" I preferred my voice to be low such that it was audible only to my ears. I then started to stare at the floor not really wanting to get an unwanted attention.

After what felt like an eternity, I slowly raised my eye balls only to watch her so-called 'Bhai' leaving the house with an iPhone in his hand wearing his black goggles. He didn't felt the necessity to answer to my Salam.

Mr.Akdoo! How rude, Huh. I huffed inwardly as my mind entitled him with a complimentary comment.

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GLOSSARY:

Behna - Sissy

Pagal - Crazy

Bhai - Brother

Waah -An urdu word usually used to praise someone/something.

Non-mehram - A guy who is forbiddenestricted for a girl to stand in front of or to maintain any contact (I hope you understand this because seriously, I don't know how to elaborate this).

Akdoo - A term in urdu usually referred to describe an arrogant one.

Alhamdulillah - All praise is to Allah

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