Chapter 3

"Are you out of your mind?" he spat angrily.

Zoya straightened herself quickly, and grabbed her stole from the back of her seat, which had fallen from her shoulders during her sleep.

Their driver had already hopped out of the vehicle after parking their SUV in the enormous lawn of the haveli (manor).

"Get off now, everyone is waiting at the entrance," Shahzeb stated in a rough tone.

She hopped out from the SUV in nanoseconds. Covering her head with her net dupatta, she wrapped her stole tightly around her shoulders as the chill air hit her warm body. She accompanied him to the big arched entrance of the manor which was beautifully covered with bougainvillea shrubs, whose pink small flowers had blossomed into bunches, making the whole arch alluringly beautiful.

As they reached the open arched entrance of the indoor chambers, Saba apa was already waiting for them there with Nawaaz veerji. Their faces were shining with delight and full blown smiles were playing on their lips.

"Salaam," they greeted them in unison. Saba and Nawaaz both answered their salaam. Saba apa came forward and embracing them in a warm hug placed a soft kiss on their foreheads. They turned towards Nawaaz veerji, who enveloped Shahzeb in a brotherly embrace and patted on his shoulder.

"So sahabzade (endearment for son), what took you so long to come back to the haveli this time? Didn't you miss your parents?" he asked Shahzeb as they proceeded to the hallway.

"Well veerji, you know the ongoing project is becoming a hell of a lot hectic for me. At least I was not expecting any complaint from you," he told him accusingly.

"Yes my love, I know that you have been working really hard on this project. But always remember one thing; family comes first. Anyway, you haven't started your family life yet, so let's drop it for the near future," he manifested ardently.

Saba apa and Zoya were following them as they reached the diwankhana (main lounge). A servant took their minimum luggage to their rooms while they sat down on the big diwans, made of the finest brocade silk and plush leather sofas. The entire manor was the symbol of luxury and antique architecture. Although they had renovated it with modern amenities, it was still elegantly decorated with ancient wooden and copper artistic furniture and show pieces.

A servant brought refreshments and pleasantries and set it on the glass-top lounge table.

Zoya stood up to meet amma, but before she could leave for amma’s private chamber to meet her, amma herself appeared through the open arch of the corridor.

"Salaam," she ran towards the older lady who was smiling affectionately. She opened her arms for Zoya after answering her salaam, and took her in a warm joyous embrace. The older lady kissed her forehead.

"I missed you amma," Zoya told the older lady, and made her sit with her on the diwan (couch). She was still holding her arms in one of hers. Amma was so occupied with her beloved daughter-in-law that she forgot her only son. Or was she doing it purposely?

"Is there any chance for me to present my apologies?" Shahzeb bent his knees and squatted down on the fluffy Irani carpet in front of amma, as he placed his hands on her knees and took her weak cold hands into his large warm ones.

"Who is he, Zoya? I don't know him," the older lady sarcastically queried Zoya about her handsome son's identification. Anger was visible in her tone as she tried to snatch her hand from his firm grip.

Saba, Nawaaz and Zoya just smiled at her childlike anger. Shahzeb placed a soft kiss on her knuckles and brought the older lady's hands to his eyes. He knew he had to face her temporary wrath as he was coming back to the haveli after two months. But he had no other option, as he was in the process of establishing a factory in Japan which was a merged venture of his leather export business with Japanese associates. It needed his undivided attention to complete it on time, although it had been almost two years now since the endeavor had started.

"You know I was busy, or else I would have never taken two months to come back to you. And I was connected with you through the phone anyway," he told his beloved mother, resting his head on her knees.

Zoya was looking at him like an awestruck puppy. He was always like this; like an ocean full of love; like the first rain drops of cherished adoration for his family. She was the only unlucky person in his family, or to be precise his only family, who had been deprived of his love.

"You surely know how to fade my anger away," amma told in a bit shaky voice due to her emotional state, kissing his luxuriant silky jet black hair which were proudly spread on his head.

She took hold of his hand and made him sit beside her. "How many days do you have here?" she asked Shahzeb.

"I have to go back on Sunday night amma. I just came here to meet you and baba, because it has been two months since I had last seen you. And you know I can't stay without seeing you two for so long, as I meet with Saba apa and Nawaaz veerji often in Delhi anyway.

This wedding of baba's friend's niece is just an added responsibility given to me by baba. He wanted me to attend this wedding for the party's sake; else I would never have come to this wedding. You know I don't like their family." He spoke the last sentence looking at Zoya.

The girl who was getting married was a good friend of Zoya. Shahzeb had never liked that girl. Not because she wasn't a good girl; it was something entirely unreasonable that made him dislike her and the entire Malik family.

Abbas Malik was the second-most powerful man of their district. He was the MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) of their area and the current Chief Minister of the state. He was a strong (bahubali) politician and the second-in-command in the party after Sardar Alam Khan, who was the president of the party and a cabinet minister in the Central Government. Abbas Malik held the post of vice-president in the party and was a good friend of Sardar Alam Khan. The two of them were best friends, and respectable men of their region.

"But Samira is the best friend of Zoya and she was adamant to be with Zoya on her big day. That's the reason I told your baba to call you. It is a matter of Zoya's status in public that her husband should be beside her on such an occasion," the older lady rationalized their presence. Zoya was quietly listening to their conversation, fixing her gaze on her hands.

"Baba didn't come yet?" he asked Nawaaz veerji, while glancing on his wrist watch. It was already half past eight. He was clearly unaffected by what his amma told him about Zoya's public status.

"He will be back in an hour. There is a meeting of party officials at the headquarters regarding the upcoming elections next year. So he might be late," Nawaaz answered him, and placed his empty cup on the centre table.

"Zaiby, Zoya, go and freshen up kids. In the meantime, I will make arrangements to serve dinner in the dining hall," Saba apa stood up from her place whilst ordering them. She then made her way in the direction of the vast kitchen.

"Yes jana, go to your rooms and get fresh before dinner," amma told them, her voice dripping with love and admiration for her kids.

They walked through the archway which led to a grand antique marble staircase. Their rooms were on the first floor, opposite to each other.

As she was about to open the heavy wooden double doors of her room, her petite wrist was gripped by his strong muscular hand. She turned and looked at Shahzeb, her eyes widened, filled with pure astonishment. Her heart sped up rapidly.

Her wrist was securely locked into his powerful fist. The man standing in front of her seemed a total stranger to her. She had never seen him behave like this before.

"What?" she asked him after collecting the pieces of her perplexed thoughts. She knew that her face must be crimson by now, from the close proximity of their frames.

"Come with me," he told her. His voice was deep, velvety, laden with sensuality.

She was unable to understand his insane act. Had he gone nuts? Or was he mocking her? She couldn't stand any more shocks today.

"Come to my room, and we will freshen up together," he winked at her. His face was adorned with an evil grin, making him more handsome than ever.

Zoya snatched her wrist from his grip angrily. "You know what, you have gone insane!" She howled at him, and turned to open her doors.

"Ahhh, you haven't seen my insanity yet, my love," his sinister whisper hit her ears as she shut the door on his face.

After locking the door, Zoya sat on the ground, her back supported by the heavy door as she wrapped her arms onto her knees. Her heartbeat had sped up crazily. She was unable to think straight about what had happened with her just moments ago. She was frightened by his suddenly changed incoherent behavior.

The sound of the ringtone of her phone jerked her back to reality. She slowly stood up, her legs were trembling slightly. She grabbed her phone which she had thrust into her clutch during their ride.

She looked down on the screen, which was blinking with Zain's name. She exhaled a deep stressful breath, and answered the call.

"Hello." Zoya’s voice was barely more than a whisper.

"Hey Zoi, how are you, where are you? Why weren't you answering my calls? Did you talk to him, your husband?" Zain bombarded her with his impatient questions.

Zoya was still numb by Shahzeb's vigorous encounter. She couldn't think straight at this time.

"Hello? Zoi? You there?" Zain's concerned voice hauled her back.

"I am good Zain, just tired to every bone. Today was hectic for me. I will call you tomorrow morning. I just reached our haveli in Najafgarh; have to go down for dinner. Please don't call me, I will call you myself. Okay?"

"Okay dear, as you wish. Just take care of yourself please, you seem a little disturbed." His voice was soft and soothing, calming Zoya’s nerves back to normal. She bid her farewell to him and disconnected the call.

Zoya discarded her stole and dupatta on the recliner and made her way to the washroom. She took a hot shower as Najafgarh was cooler than Delhi, and it was almost 9 pm. The nights were more chilling here. The day had been hectic, too much for her liking. She was beyond exhausted.

She turned off the shower jets and grabbed a fluffy white bathrobe from the shelf. She stepped out of the washroom and walked to her dressing room. After changing into comfy slim fit beige colored jeans paired with a red Kashmiri hand-embroidered tunic, she draped a black finest pashmina shawl on her head and covered her shoulders. She then headed to the downstairs hallway.

As soon as Zoya entered into the vast dining hall, she spotted baba's intimidating presence on one of the sofas spread over on the nearest corner of the dining hall. He was puffing his cigar and chatting with Shahzeb, who seemed a bit uninvolved. A bored look was plastered on his handsome face.

Zoya adjusted her pashmina one more time on her head and walked over to baba. She stopped in front of him and slightly bent her head.

"Salaam baba," she greeted him with a respectful posture, eyes cast downwards on her feet.

He just nodded his proud head. In the mean time, Shahzeb's intense gaze roamed on her casually dressed body.

Zoya was still standing there, head bowed, fidgeting with her fingers uneasily, thinking about her next move. She could feel Shahzeb’s burning molten dark eyes shamelessly gawking at her. Fortunately for her, amma called her from the dining table

"Zaiby, Zoya, come let's have dinner first and then call it a night. You two are looking tired."

Zoya took the seat next to amma while Shahzeb sat on the seat exactly opposite to hers. Saba apa started serving them.

"Where is Nawaaz veerji?" Shahzeb questioned his elder sister. She was placing the bowl of sweetened almond and saffron crème curd in front of him. It was his all time favorite sweet dish, specially prepared for him by his beloved amma. She knew that he loved it so much.

"Nawaaz went back home, he was also very tired. He came back from Dubai today morning itself. I am also going, once you finish your meal. The maids have retired for the day, so I had to serve you two," Saba apa told him softly and touched his slightly damp hair lovingly.

A warm smile adorned Shahzeb’s noble facial features. "You should have gone with veerji, apa. He must be exhausted after the long tiring trip."

"She will go with Nasir once you have had your dinner. You two are looking so weak. I don't know what you have been eating there in the sheher (city)," amma told him sternly while looking at his defined athletic bone structure.

Shahzeb lightly laughed at his mother's concerned remark over his perfectly shaped body. He had never been careless when it came to his physique. He worked out regularly and always had a healthy diet.

"Okay, as you say my lady. But we have your charming daughter-in-law to take care of your son as well as the whole household. Why bother apa at this hour of the day?" he gawked at Zoya, who was silently eating her meal. She didn't dare to look at him. Her eyes were still fixed on the food in her plate.

"It is her duty to provide her husband whatever he wishes for. She should be the one to serve me and take care of my needs," Shahzeb stated deliberately while fixing his smoldering gaze on Zoya’s petite form, whose head was covered with the black shawl.

Zoya snapped her head in his direction. Shahzeb was still looking at her, drinking her in. She felt a blush creeping on her neck, reaching up to her soft cheeks and tinging them crimson. She couldn't understand what the matter with Shahzeb was. He had never done anything so shameful in the presence of his family. In fact, he hadn't done anything at all till date; neither shameful, nor decent. He was acting strange; really, really strange.

"Well then, I would absolutely relish the day when Zoya assumes the responsibility of taking care of your every need," Saba apa chirped joyously. Even amma was stunned by his playful demeanor towards Zoya. She was delighted to see him changing a bit.

In between small talks, they finished their dinner and were now ready to hit their beds any time soon. Once Saba apa cleared the table with the help of Zoya, she bid her goodbye to them and called Nasir to drop her at her home. Zoya had already departed for her room and only amma, baba and Shahzeb were left in the dining hall.

Saba apa was in the middle of the archway when she heard her baba's authoritative voice roaring in the dining hall.

"I need to discuss something important with you son. Come with me to the diwankhana."

She stopped immediately. It wasn't the right time for what baba was about to converse with him. Saba was hoping that amma would stop baba from proceeding with his special talk. Today, she had just witnessed Shahzeb's approaching attitude towards Zoya, and she wasn't ready to let anyone break this sheer spell of affection between them.

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