thirteen
'Rich people are not a nice people' Wafa has always believed in that line, as she grew up in the most obnoxious rich household as an insignificant servant's daughter. Her beliefs were shaken up a little as she came across Humera and Zunera, who was so down to earth despite being so freaking rich.
It took her a while to let them both into her life, she was guarded at first but let go of her shell as she realised they just want to be her friend. Which was so weird but Wafa is forever thankful for the friendship they shared.
No one has willingly chosen to be her friend during her schooling years, so it came out as a surprise when they wanted to be her friend. And the past three years have been blissful in every sense as their friendship blossomed beautifully and now, she could call them at any odd hours of the day or night and they will be willing to help her with anything and everything.
She smiled while thinking about them both, she couldn't believe one of them was engaged to be married.
Wafa just hoped that the new dynamics won't change anything between them. They'll be practically sisters-in-law if Rayyan and Humera were to be married.
"Wafa," She was snapped out of her thoughts as Shahzaib called her name, they were back in the Hussain mansion, he was yet to park his car and her eyelids already felt heavy with tiredness and sleep. It has been an unexpectedly overwhelming day.
"You seem to be lost today," Shahzaib commented as he parked the car, she noticed his hands as he handled the steering wheel efficiently. It was her favourite part about going on car drives with him. It was ridiculous but Wafa secretly enjoys watching him drive.
"I was thinking about how we were both clueless about Rayyan and Humera." She chuckled softly whilst getting down from the car. Shahzaib followed suit, locked the car and they walked into the mansion side by side.
Tonight might be the last night they spend here. It made Wafa all bittersweet and sad. She didn't have anything to call her own in this house, except maybe Shahzaib's room. She'd miss that place and all the beautiful memories they created there unknowingly. A nostalgic feeling passed through her eyes.
"Yes. How did we not notice?" He smiled at her.
"We were just dumb," Wafa snorted as they neared the staircase, she remembered something and bit her lips, anticipating Shahzaib's reaction.
"What happened? Why are you not moving?" He questioned her, she looked at him with a shake of her head, "I was going to sleep with my mama, remember?"
Shahzaib groaned.
Now that was the reaction she expected.
"Seriously?" His face fell in disappointment.
"Seriously," Wafa replied whilst fighting off a smile.
"I guess that's fair. You should not neglect your mother," He muttered those words with great difficulty and it was impossible for her to not smile, "why are you smiling like that?" He grumbled with annoyance.
"Admit it, you'll miss me," Wafa muttered teasingly. She saw a flicker of emotions pass through his eyes before he said, "maybe, I will."
His admission has stunned her into silence. Shahzaib was not the one who admits things like that, she knows that much about him at least. And to see him confessing something like that as if he meant it with all his heart made her breathless.
"You will?" She found herself asking him.
"I will," he looked right into her eyes as he said that. Goosebumps raised on her hands as she watched him silently. Something changed after the engagement party, she could feel that. Shahzaib was different. She couldn't pinpoint what exactly but there was a change in him.
"Well, you'll see me tomorrow morning. I should get going, mama must have slept already," She mumbled, suddenly feeling nervous under his intense gaze. He just stared at her, without saying anything.
Wafa turned around and darted towards the servants' quarters, feeling a whirlwind of emotions surge through her heart.
Shahzaib Hussain is going to be the death of her. Heat raised onto her cheeks unknowingly.
She composed herself before entering her childhood bedroom, locked it behind her and walked toward her mother, who was busy stitching something.
"Wafa," Eshal called her lovingly, she dropped her bag on their small bed and walked towards her mother excitedly, "mama, I missed you."
"Missed you too, baby." Eshal ruffled her hair gently making her smile widen.
"What are you making?" She asked while eyeing all the material that lay on the floor as she plopped on the bed tiredly. She could just fall asleep right away, but knowing how her time with her mother is numbered very less, Wafa wanted to make the most of it. It wasn't like she was not going to see her at all, but it won't be the same as living in the same house with her.
"Making a new dress for you," Eshal smiled brightly as she sat back into her work, looking very pleased by whatever she has created so far.
"But it's not my birthday," Wafa asked confusedly, "yes, but I just wanted to make you something. And here I am," Eshal replied with a grin, already concentrating on the next task.
"Mama, you didn't have to. You'd be tired from all the household work," She hated how her mother is working so hard all the time, without proper rest.
Wafa felt determined now more than ever, to get a great job and give her mother every facility available, which would make her life a little easier. She has always dreamt of big things and she'd not step back until she achieved them all.
"It's nothing for me, Wafa. I love making something for you. If I could, I'll make you so much more. I just don't have time." Eshal sighed.
"It's alright. I'm happy with whatever you do for me, all this means so much to me, you know." Wafa mumbled emotionally.
"I know darling," her mother's heavy voice gave it away that she was crying.
"Why can't you come and live with us, mama? Shahzaib loves you," Wafa tried persuading her for the one last time but her mother ignored her question.
The mother and daughter talked about how Humera's engagement went. Wafa told her everything but didn't include the Ifrah incident. She didn't want to think about it herself. But a smile appeared on her face as she recalled what followed it afterwards.
Their first hug.
The pit of her stomach felt mushy and warm as she pictured their hug again. She could feel all those butterflies they describe in the books and movies while thinking about it. He held her so protectively and didn't leave her until she stopped crying. His embrace was so warm and comfortable.
Shahzaib was so gentle throughout the time as he went to fetch her a glass of water once she stopped crying and reluctantly broke the hug. He made her sit in a corner and calmed her down. Helped her with the smudged mascara as she told him about what Ifrah said. He was beyond furious at the end.
Wafa felt herself smiling widely as she opened her bag and found the same white kerchief which he used to wipe her mascara smudges, she's never returning it to him. Just like his sweater.
"Are you thinking about someone I know?" Eshal's teasing voice snapped Wafa out of her dazed feeling, heat raised onto her cheeks as she looked away, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm so happy for you," Eshal grinned while operating the tailor machine. Wafa hid her face in the pillow, groaning shyly.
"Don't be shy. He's your husband, you're allowed to daydream about him."
"Mama, stop," Wafa whined while keeping the kerchief back into her bag.
"Except its night,"
"Mama!"
Ehsal laughed at her expense.
"I'm going to sleep," Wafa grumbled before turning to face away from her mother as she lay on the pillow, "but change into something more comfortable," Eshal's motherly words made her smile unknowingly, "too tired mama."
Eshal mumbled something like- this girl.
Wafa closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep. She was way too tired but something felt missing. Or she missed someone in particular.
Wow! You can't stay away even for a night. Her subconscious chided her. The realisation made her stare at the wall with wide eyes. What has she gotten herself into?
Don't be so clingy Wafa, she told herself repeatedly but with each passing second, she felt his absence immensely. It was getting hard for her to ignore that they won't be sleeping together. Which was so ridiculous. But she couldn't help it. She missed him crazily.
Is it possible to miss someone like that?
Wafa was wearied but she couldn't sleep. She sighed tiredly before taking her phone out and going through her messages to distract her mind. Her eyes lit up as she opened Zunera's chat.
Her friend has sent her a video and a message saying, "Swoon! So hot! So protective!"
Confused and curious, Wafa played the video.
In the video, Shahzaib was talking with Ifrah and apparently, he was angry. It wasn't just talking but he was warning her regarding something. She has never seen him that angry before. Her heart skipped several beats as she sat up straight and watched the video completely.
"I'm warning both of you. Just stay out of Wafa's way. Stop messing with her all the time."
The video ended there and so did Wafa's heart. It almost stopped beating for a second. She held her phone with shaky hands, feeling numb.
Shahzaib has removed Ifrah's father as a shareholder from the Hussain firms, just because she insulted her. He was so extra but it's just him. He was not just angry. He went to another extreme just to get back at someone, for her sake.
This man!
What did she do to deserve him?
Tears brimmed in her eyes. So this is where he went after leaving her off with her friends. A ridiculous smile appeared on her face as she fell onto the bed with glee. She was not sure if she was crying or smiling. It was somewhere in between. Wafa never felt so happy before. She felt extremely lucky that there are people like Shahzaib, Zunera and Humera in her life, who are nice despite being rich.
"Are you alright, Wafa?" Eshal's worried question made her laugh, "I'm fine, mama. I've never been finer,"
"You're so weird," Her mother shook her head before standing up from the tailor machine.
"Mama." Wafa sat up again, this time a little hesitantly.
"I know,"
"What?"
"That you want to go back to Shahzaib," Eshal's know it all voice made her cheeks go on fire, "you can go. I'm not complaining."
"You're the best," Wafa didn't wait to hear what her mother was saying, she just darted back into the mansion, feeling so many emotions. She wanted to see Shahzaib immediately and just hug him.
She was panting but somehow reached their bedroom. The Hussain mansion was so big and it was such a task to come from the servants' quarters till here, but everything seemed worth it as she knocked at the door impatiently.
Shahzaib opened the door with a worried look on his face but she startled him completely by throwing her arms around him as soon as she saw him. He stumbled behind a few steps but caught hold of her safely. He didn't let them fall.
Wafa hugged him as tight as she could. He smelt so good. She could feel his intoxicating smell everywhere as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back, just as tightly.
"You scared the crap out of me, Wafa." He mumbled while staring down at her, she looked up into his chocolate brown orbs.
"Shahzaib." She muttered his name dazedly. Her heart was racing frantically as she hid her face against his muscular chest, gosh! He felt so good. She could stay like this forever.
"Zunera sent me a video," She mumbled vaguely, still not letting him go. Shahzaib didn't attempt to break the hug either.
"A video which made you hug me like this? Must be a damn good one," His tone was full of amusement.
"You bet," She giggled in between the hug, before looking up at him intently, he was already gazing at her, making her heart skip a few beats, "she sent me a video of what you did with Ifrah,"
Realisation dawned upon him, "you know it's a crime to take such videos, without taking proper consent,"
"Yeah, but why did you do that?" She questioned him, he shifted uncomfortably, "because she made you cry. And I've never seen you cry like that,"
"I wish you'd stop giving her so much importance, she's not worth your tears. And I hate seeing you cry,"
Her heart might as well explode at that reply.
"You're something else, Shahzaib." She smiled before placing her face against his chest again. He ran his hands through her hair, pulling her more into the hug.
Wafa was addicted. Addicted to his hugs. She could hug him forever.
"I'm sorry, Wafa." He broke the hug reluctantly and she missed his warmth almost immediately.
"Why?"
"For what Ifrah said. She had no right,"
"I know, but you don't have to be sorry,"
"I just felt so helpless, seeing you cry like that," He admitted frustratedly.
She gazed at him with pure wonder. He was getting mad just by thinking about the incident it seemed.
"But you also made me so happy. I don't even have to plot something evil to get back at her," She giggled at herself.
"You're so petty, do you know that?" Shahzaib laughed at her, not that angry anymore.
"Oh yes I am," She admitted shamelessly.
"I still have to get back at you for all the tickling you gave me yesterday," She grinned mischievously.
"I can't with you," He shook his head.
"I'm going to hug you," She didn't give him a chance to react before throwing her arms around him again, "Woah, there. I will assume you're getting addicted to me if you keep giving me hugs like this." He said jokingly before wrapping his arms around her waist. Wafa was addicted.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" She questioned him before breaking the hug reluctantly. She did not want to come off as clingy although she wanted to be.
"I was missing someone," Heat raised onto her cheeks as he admitted about missing her once again. What has gotten into him?
"Why weren't you asleep?" He questioned her back while walking towards their bed, she followed him behind silently, debating if she should tell him how much she has missed him too.
"I couldn't sleep. Don't know," She shrugged instead.
"Oh really?" Shahzaib's eyes shone with mischief. He also looked happy. Maybe at the fact that she was going to sleep with him, despite the opposite plan.
"Didn't you miss me or something?"
She became red at his question before shaking her head vigorously.
"N-no," She lied, unable to meet his gaze.
"I don't like liars,"
"Who said I was lying?"
"Your eyes," Shahzaib gazed at her with amusement as they settled on the bed in their respective places, "my eyes, seriously?" Wafa laughed, hiding her nervousness. It was so scary how well he is at reading her these days.
"Yes, your gorgeous eyes. They look away whenever you lie," She flushed a deep red. They both knew how much she missed him.
There was a comfortable silence which followed later. Wafa was exhausted, she wanted to fall asleep instantly. Something about the comfort of this room and Shahzaib's presence was so calming. She was already closing her heavy eyelids.
"I was also hungry. The main reason why I couldn't sleep," He said teasingly.
"Oh?" She sat up straight, frowning at him, "I didn't have my dinner," He muttered seriously.
"They served dinner at the party, and where was I at that time?" Wafa was confused as she recollected her dinner, she had them with her friends while Shahzaib was with his cousins. She thought that he had had his dinner but he did not.
"I wasn't hungry, so didn't eat,"
"Why would you do that? It's unhealthy, Shahzaib."
She was already up, ready to make something for him to eat, "hey, I was just trying to rile you up about why I was not sleeping. I am not really hungry." Shahzaib clasped her hands before she could move, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"But still, you didn't eat."
"I can survive. What are you going to do about it anyway? All the cooks must have slept. I don't want to trouble anyone right now." Shahzaib too sat up straight as he continued to hold her hand, "come on, let's sleep. Your eyes look so tired,"
"I'll make something for you,"
He gave her a long look in response, "really?" There was a hidden vulnerability in that voice and her face softened.
"Of course, I know how to cook. I won't poison you," She tried to joke, for the sake of lightening up the mood but he looked just as vulnerable, "but you're tired." He said instead.
"It's okay, I'll manage." She shrugged like it didn't matter.
"I'll go with you, watch you cook or something."
Wafa's heart fluttered at the realisation that he wanted to spend every second with her as much as it was possible.
"If that's what you want," She replied while he stood up, still holding her hand. A smile crept up her cheeks instantly.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Whatever you can make,"
"No, you must have a favourite."
"Well, my favourite is anything which has chicken. But you can make something light and easy. I don't want to trouble you or make you stay up late,"
"There's no trouble," She dismissed him with a shake of her head.
Wafa went into her element as she tied her hair and washed her hands first before picking out the same ingredients from the fridge.
Shahzaib sat on the kitchen counter, as he watched her cook. It was distracting at first. But she was too busy with the cooking to notice anything else.
"I'll chop this," He took the knife from her as she was chopping the vegetables and she lets him. At least he was not just distracting her. She didn't mind it though. And together they cooked. It was a different experience, the one she'll always remember.
In the end, she made him chicken noodles and served them on a plate with a wide smile on her face. He was grinning ear to ear at the plate.
"That was quick,"
"Chef Wafa can do anything," She raised her imaginary collar and they both laughed.
"Eat," She urged him eagerly, "you were hungry,"
Shahzaib gave her a longing smile before taking the fork from her hand and eating the first bite. She was gazing at him with bated breath, "how was it?"
"Was it bad?"
"Tell something!" She gave him a playful smack on his shoulders as he makes her impatient.
"Here," Shahzaib placed a fork full of noodles into her mouth instead, "it's delicious. You can taste it yourself,"
Heat raised onto her cheeks as she watched him savour the dish.
"Seriously, so good." He appreciated, "why don't you eat something too?"
"I'm glad you liked it, I'm not really hungry. I'll store the rest of it in the fridge, will eat it tomorrow morning before we leave." She smiled and watched how excited he turned at the thought of moving out.
"Shall we sleep now?" Wafa suppressed a yawn with her hands while he washed his hands but he took her off guard with his next action.
He freaking hugged her.
Hugged her so tightly.
It was the first hug which he was initiating and there were butterflies everywhere in her tummy. Wafa was numb with euphoria. Her hands began to shake as she wrapped them around his neck. For some reason, this hug felt more intimate than their previous ones.
"No one has ever sacrificed their sleep to do anything for me. Not even my mother." Shahzaib mumbled incoherently, she could feel the pain beneath his words, "I'll never forget this night, Wafa." He added in a whisper.
"Thank you," She felt him squeeze her into him, holding onto her as tight as he could and Wafa loved this feeling, the feeling of being so close to him like that.
"I just didn't want you to sleep with a hungry stomach, Shahzaib."
"No one cared about me like that," He sighed dejectedly.
"I can change that," She chuckled against his chest.
"And you don't know what it means to me, Wafa." His voice was barely a whisper but she heard him and a small smile formed on her lips.
It was the little things that meant a lot to him. Wafa didn't think it was such a big deal but apparently, it was. And just like that, they created a very special memory together.
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