MEANT TO BE

Chapter-11

Ramia approached her siblings after making sure Tahir went upstairs and nowhere in her vision. Three of them get into the nearby cafeteria.

"Who was that?" Rahil asked first.

"Neither your secretary nor your manager! Then" It was Rida who states in a suspicious manner.

Both in surprise: Our brother-in-law

Rida: Then we should meet why you messaged 'act like a stranger'

Ramia: This is what you ask first meeting your elder sister after years.

Rida: It's not that we are meeting you after years, we talk often in video calls

Rahil: Ok leave it, How's your injury? Have you seen a doctor?

Ramia: Yes grandpa, I've done

Rida: Ma was worried. Can we tell her we are in contact?

Rahil: Or you can call her once

Ramia: I don't want her to be blamed as a betrayer by her husband

(Both of her siblings left a long sigh)

Rahil: You and Papa both are same

Rida: Stubborn

(Ramia give them a hard stare)

Rida: Sorry sorry (Rida apologies with an awkward smile)

Ramia took the bag and placed it on the table.

Rahil: Oho, the most anticipated gift basket is here.

Rida: This year from where?

Ramia: Malaysia

Now it became a habit of every year, Whenever she have a foreign trip she will buy gifts for everyone of the family and send it on Eid under the guise of festival gifts brought with Rahil & Rida's yearly scholarship money.

Rahil: Api, let's search for another way to send gifts. Last year papa almost caught me, a Dubai price tag was hanging on the blazer.

Rida: Hmm..exactly papa was asking for the scholarship application form and details.

Ramia: It's ok I'll arrange some papers from foundation's student welfare camp. It's not a big deal.

Rahil: Does that mean you are gonna give us a real scholarship.

Rida: Wow! I've heard your foundation provide lot of facilities and a decent amount of allowance as well.

Ramia: Only to the needed and talented students. (Ramia completed Rida sentence)

Rahil: We are also one of the top students in our school. Talent is in our genes you know. (He says with a little show off)

Ramia: You have your potential parents to support.

Rida: Unbelivelible, you are fighting over such tiny little amount, You are rich buddy.

Rahil: Hmm…totally opulent

Ramia: It needs lot of effort to make money

Rida: Aha..stop talking let's hurry up, if some of our acquaintance spot us together we'll be in trouble.

Ramia: That's a smart girl. Let's go I need a favor from you two.

Rida: We also need something from you it's on the second floor, let's go.

Three of them went to the second floor's shoe section where Rida directed to a pair of sneakers.

Rahil: Are you saying you will buy those shoes!

Rida: Yeah, I was waiting for it's arrival from last two months

Rahil: Are you kidding me I was waiting for them, buy something else

(Their never ending quarrel started again)

Rida: why would I! you buy something else. Must you always want the thing I also want?

Rahil: same goes to you

(The sales assistant interrupted): I think both of you can take it, We have different version for male and female.

Both of them looked at each other only to express their annoy.

Ramia: Some people never change.

Both of them looked at Ramia to express their anger. Ramia agreed to buy to ignore the situation. These are those tiny moments for which she craved for a year long, these two munchkins are like peace keeper in the war between her and her father.

Ramia: Done, now can you please think about my matter

Rahil: Shoot

Ramia: What kind of gift will suitable for a man.

Rahil: Age?

Ramia: I'm not sure maybe 2 or 3years older then me.

Rida with surprise: Boyfriend?

Ramia: Shut up

Rahil: I think a watch will be perfect be it's a boyfriend or just friend

Ramia: An annoying jerk (she murmured) Then help me to find one.

Rida: why? Haven't you bought gift for a man before?

Ramia: Well usually Ms Mathur takes care of the gift part

Rida asked (with a fake anger): You mean all our gifts are selected by Your secretary?

Ramia: Not always only when I can't manage

Rida: Wha… (she was about to burst out in anger when Rahil interrupted and calm her down. He is always a lifesaver, They move to the third floor for watch selection)

.

.

Tahir was trying to select a saree for his mother it's been years he have done garment shopping all thanks to his mother, He was done shopping and coming out from the store when his eyes laid on Ramia who was going towards the third floor . Unknowingly he followed her behind only to be in front of the 'WATCHS' He also get into the shop to his surprise he was not alone, she was talking with two teenagers. He stand behind her and called her out

"What are you doing here?" She turned around definitely being surprised, those two also looked at him

"Don't you have some errands here?" She composed herself and replied.

"This is my work" She directed to her surrounding

"This!" He asked not being able to understand

"I mean this infrastructure, actually I'm planning to buy a shopping mall so just looking for it" She made up a quick story. Tahir felt something off but didn't ask her.

"They?" He directed to Rida & Rahil who waved at him after getting his attention.

"We were helping her" Rahil quickly replied

"Oh..then are you done? Or need more time to observe"

"A little shopping is left"

"Shopping!"

"Yeah, I want give a gift to aunty"

"No need, let's go"

"None of your business. you go ahead, I'll be there soon" she directed to the exit door, Tahir was about to leave instead he took a u- turn.

"It's ok, I think I can accompany you, who knows maybe you are planning to make me wait for another two hours, let's go woman's section is in that side" he directed to the zone and go to that way. Ramia have already selected the watch herself, three of them followed him behind.

"We.." Tahir turned around to say something when he spotted Rahil & Rida.

"You…" He dragged his word to be completed

"They are coming with me, they can help me in selection. I'm not good at it"

"we are very good" Rida replied quickly

"But they have their own work" he asked Ramia.

"Today is Sunday a holiday rest assured" Rahil replied

"Ok" Tahir agreed awkwardly unable to figure what is exactly wrong.

Four of them get into the saree zone after Three of them was in chaose while Tahir silently watching them, for the first time Tahir have seen her smiling so open heartedly, there were something in her smile…what's that, Tahir avert his gaze after realizing he was staring at her to his surprise Rahil was also staring at him with a suspicious look in the eyes…for a second he felt those eyes are exactly looking like Ramia, maybe look a like..he didn't gave a thought on it, after a lot of debate they select one, and was about to leave while Rahil speak up, "Api.."

"Api?" Tahir interrupted.

"Yeah, she is older than me" Rahil covered up and Tahir nodded in understanding.

“Let’s get something for you, Tomorrow is Eid” Ramia was about to disagree while both of them held her arm and took her to the ladies fashion zone..Tahir followed them. They started to look around and trial process...one..two..so many…none of them buy their heart, Tahir was sitting on the couch comfortably and watching one by one silently soon after hearing their conclusion he got up and disappear somewhere.

“I’ve told just pick up anything you both will never go with on a same thing and I’ve got strucked between you two”

“Nothing like that it’s just there collection is not good enough” Rida protested.

“You never can pick something good on your own that’s why Ma never bring you along for shopping, Let’s go Api” They were about to leave while a white colored traditional anarkali appeared in front of them. Tahir gave it to Ramia and directed to the trial room. All of the three were equally suriesed they somehow composed themselves and Ramia get into the trial room after few moments she get out from there.

“Wow” both Rahil & Rida appreciated, she was loking serene in the white traditional.

“Final, Let’s go” He declared and walked out. Ramia was standing there

“Did he again gave me commands” she said being surprised.

“What is going on!, you are choosing a gift for him he is choosing a dress for you! Is it’s some kind of lovers give and take” Rida exclaimed with suspicion.

“I’ve told you he is just a stranger”

“Oho JUST a stranger” Rahil mocked her and followed Tahir behind. Tahir stopped in front of the restaurant.

“It’s almost iftaar time, it’s a better idea (He looked at Rahil & Rida) Thank you for your hard work today it’s my treat. Let’s go in” He get in.

Rida: Api, I think you can take your opinion back he is not some annoying jerk

Rahil: Hm, seems like decent but need more observation before a conclusion

Ramia held both of there shoulders firmly and get in. Surprisingly the meal time of the four was actually a refreshing and chilled up moment they were not an inch awkward as they predicted instead they were lot more comfortable with each other. Four of them talked with each other, get to know each other, smiled and eat. For a moment Ramia felt she is watching a new side of Tahir maybe he is not that bad her conscience was praying for this moment to be long after a long time she felt living but reality is harsh. Time must flow in it’s own rule.