Eleven
1016 Words
At the end of the hallway where a family room was, laughter of both males and females bolted from it. I recognised one as Zoya bhabi's. I went beyond our room towards the family room to greet those inside. Passing through the hallway that led to the guest rooms, someone pulled me with so much force that I had shrieked and left my heels to fall. My back hit the hard wall so painfully that I had whimpered. I opened my eyes to notice a familiar figure standing in front of me.
"Are you mad?" I yelled looking up at Aaban's face. Aaban said nothing instead he moved closer to me, grabbing my arms to push me on the wall. Smiling, he brought his face closer to my face. His breath that stunk of alcohol blew my face.
"It bothers me a lot that my cousins always have beautiful wives" he began, his hand moving towards my shoulder. With fire blazing in my eyes and anger rising in me, I made eye contact with him. "You are one goddess on your own" his other hand skimmed down my waist, his croaking voice irritated me. "I had tried to resist myself from coming to you but I can't" he pulled me by my waist pressing his body to mine.
Air stopped flowing through my nose at what he just did. I noticed the familiar glazing over his eyes. I knew that gaze well. It was the look Amir had given me when I had stepped out in a silky nightie on our wedding night. It was the look Amir had given me when he had wanted to kiss me the first time as if I had enchanted him. It was the look he had given me one night he came home late to find me in bed. It was lust.
With every ounce of power I had, I pushed Aaban away, he staggered but before he gets his balance, the reflex of my hand on his face was hard and sounding. I gave him another slap on his other cheek without pausing. The red marks on his cheeks were caused by my fingers.
My chest lifted up and down. My face coated with fury that mirrored the angry look in my eyes. I exhaled and inhaled rapidly, my hands clenched to my side. Aaban's wide eyes stared back at me with shock. He had a hand on one of his throbbing cheek.
"Bastard" I churned. "That was just a warning" my words came out through my grinding teeth. "I promise you next time" I raised a warning finger at him. "I will make sure you do not father a child or see the following day" I stomped away from him picking up my heels.
I glided through the door into the family room. Zoya bhabi and her husband were seated on one of the sofas, holding hands. Zoya bhabi had her hand on her husband's shoulder. Sahibah and Faiz sat beside one another on the three-seater. Aisha kept jumping on her father's laps playing with his face. Mahira sat opposite them, her laptop and bag sitting beside her.
"I remember that day" Zoya bhabi laughed. "He looked as if he was going to die" the rest laughed with her. She threw her head on her husband's shoulder.
The sight of both couple sent a sharp pain through my chest. They reminded me of Amir. I had not seen him that morning. The day before, he had just kissed me good morning before leaving. I was still in bed but I had felt his lips on mine very brief and quick. My heart throbbed. It pained like a blade in my heart. It was almost two weeks and he had not spent thirty good minutes with me.
"Assalamu alaikum" I greeted in my usual cheerful voice with a bright smile.
"Walaikum salam" they answered looking at me with a smile. Faiz answered as he held Aisha who was laughing at the faces he made at her.
"How was school Noorie?" Sahibah bhabi asked.
"Alhamdulillah it was fine" I answered seating beside Mahira.
"Finally, you have arrived" Mahira exclaimed. "I thought you were going to stay at school all your life" she said dramatically rolling her eyes. I laughed placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I had something to do in school" I answered. "So, how may I help you madam"? I teased.
"I need your help with a job I just got" she said picking her silver MacBook pro which was just like mine except for the colour. My MacBook was rose gold. Amir gave it to me. "I have a client who wants to surprise his sister with a new house for her marriage but wants it decorated and furnished before he tells her" she switched on her laptop. Pushing her laptop to the side, she brought out some magazines from her bag.
"And?" I asked looking at her.
"I don't know what to do. He said his sister will love anything as long as it is beautiful. You will act like my client. I am using your opinion" she said. I made a face.
"What kind of client does not know what his sister wants?" I asked.
"I do not know either" she shrugged. "So if you are to furnish your home, what will you like?" she asked picking a pen and book.
"I will love something classy and elegant" I said.
"You are kidding me right?" she asked with disbelieve.
"No, I am not" I answered.
"Okay then, I will use your idea. We will meet more often" she said bringing out magazines for me to get ideas and showing me samples from her system.
While we talked choosing colours and designs, the rest were lost in their own conversation too. We started from the living room. I had chosen something sophisticated. I thought I will have a short nap before getting down to help in the kitchen instead I was helping a friend. Mahira knowd her job and working with her was fun.
- Writer
