❝ Aankhon ki
Sharmohaya... maaf ho

Tumhein dekhke jhukti hain
Uthi aankhein jo baat na keh sakin

Jhuki aankhein wo.. Kehti hain

Aankhon ki

Aankhon kiGustakhiyan.. maaf hoon❞

Anahita was in a relatively better mood returning from the temple. She and Suraiya chit-chatted. Mostly, the young girl spoke. In the Haveli, at the end of the stairs, she almost dashed into Asif. He was ready in his Vakil Sahab uniform, with his books and papers pressed against his waist.

"Oops!"

"Oh, lucky I dashed into you." He commented, tugging his flowing coat, - "Now, my case will go excellent." He winked at her.

Hey Bhagwan!- Anahita blushed, looking away. Suraiya let out a muffled giggle. Asif looked at her and ushered her away.

Then he climbed a step down, standing in front of Anahita. She kept a shy smile, clenching the pooja thali in her hand.

"Um,"- she licked her dry lips and looked up at him - "You are going for a tough case, right? You mind if I do a small tilak on your forehead. It will give you good luck."

"Sure." He pulled aside the hair off his forehead, - "I am bathed, and I am also in ablution. So, I am super clean."

Anahita hesitated, - "Is it allowed in court?"

"A small tilak doesn't harm anyone." He bowed his head a little and encouraged her.

She smiled, then dipped her finger in some vermillion and carefully placed a small faint dot on his forehead.

He breathed, leaning back, and grinned at her.

Anahita lowered her gaze, - "All the best."

Asif leaned closer. She instantly panicked and looked around. He glanced around as well, then held her arm and pulled her to the side- under the staircase.

"I love you." He confessed and, fleetly, he pecked her cheek. Anahita felt her cheeks reddened and her skin tingled. She closed her eyes and smiled, turning her head to the side.

"I love"- she looked shyly at him - "you too." This time, she kept eye contact for a moment before looking away. She breathed softly, still smiling.

"Hey, we are colour coordinated."- He pointed at their black clothes, - "And, SubanAllah, black really compliments you."

Anahita chuckled nervously, touching the flares of her black long skirt, - "But I need to change for college." She turned to leave, but he called her.

"Once I am back, I will start teaching you driving. It will give me some time to spend with you." He grinned. After a pause, he added, - "And I have another surprise for you."

Anahita blinked at him. He kept showering her with surprises and she loved all the attention from him. Nausheen was right, when a woman loves a man and he gives her love, respect, his time and all the attention, it really feels wonderful. The fact that, she was the only woman he romantically loved, and always made her feel wanted and loved. All this made him even more desirable to her.

She twirled into her room, singing the song to herself.

❝Ghar aaya mera pardesi 

Pyaas bujhi meri ankhiyan ki ❞

-Awaara (1951)

She flung the cupboard open and began to search for something black to wear to college.

❝ Tu mere mann ka moti hai

In nainan ki jyoti hai

Yaad hai mere bachpan ki

Ghar aaya mera pardesi ❞

Anahita continued to flip through her clothes leisurely. 

❝Ab dil todke mat jaana
Rote chhodke mat jaana

Kasam tujhe mere aansuan ki

Ghar aaya mera pardesi ❞

"Ah-Ha! Nargis and Raj's song."

She stilled, hearing Nausheen's voice. Quickly, Anahita turned around and slapped her forehead upon realizing in her la-la-ness she forgot to close the door.

"Yes, so? Do you own them? I can sing whatever I want." She shrugged, adjusting her dupatta. Nausheen observed her from top to bottom. Maybe she was wondering, if her friend has become a loony.

"I am glad you are smiling." She walked up to her and held her chin. Then Nausheen embraced her. Anahita was glad with her comfortable presence.

"I was so frightened that night. But I had Shoaib with me. He helped me calm down."

Anahita didn't miss the blush in her voice towards the end. She winked at her and nudged her waist. Nausheen covered her face with her palms, giggling. To distract her, she quizzed about wearing her cotton-tissue saree to college.

"Shoaib likes me in saree. He finds me more se—attractive." Nausheen flushed at the slip of her tongue. Anahita bit into her smile.

"And what about your Bhaijaan? What does he find attractive in a woman?"

The girls shared an awkward eye-lock. Anahita looked away and a moment after the uncomfortable silence, she cleared her throat.

"How do I know? I don't ask all this to my brother. Besides, he is too dry to be romantically involved with a woman. Husna Baji tried so much to get his attention, but he is least bothered. I wonder if he will ever marry." Nausheen shook her head.

She lost Anahita at- Husna Baji tried so much to get his attention

Nausheen helped her friend to search for a dress, muttering about them getting late.

Hasn't Asif told them off yet? He had stayed with her family for a year. Did something happen then?

Anahita closed her eyes and pulled the dress Nausheen had mindlessly forwarded to her.

"Hey, I was asking if—"

Anahita dashed into the bathroom. Her heart convinced her that she was probably over thinking.

Anahita's mood was completely off throughout the day. Then she tried to focus on her college studies. There was so much to catch up. In the mathematics course she had taken, there was only one other girl. Suzzanne was very helpful with notes. The girls sat together. During the break, she briefed up Anahita, and, she was quick to pick up. The other boys didn't bother them much, except a few who would taunt and tease them. The girls learned to ignore them.

Upon her return, Suraiya informed Anahita about Iravati visiting. She was waiting in Asif's room, scrutinizing everywhere.

"Mother!" Anahita called, dropping her bag on the bed. Iravati's gaze followed her action. She took small steps towards her.

"You are staying in his room—", she dropped her voice as she glanced over her daughter's shoulder, - "with him?"

Anahita rolled her eyes, - "Why will I share a room with Asif?" She folded her arms.

"Beta,"- Iravati softened her tone, - "Please come back—for me."

"I would have, mother. Trust me, I want to. But Father—you know he put a gun on me. Nausheen and Asif have asked me to stay until—"

"Are they more important than me? You know how worried I was."

Anahita felt bad for her mother, someone she thought she would never have feelings for except the neutral. Everything that was happening was her fault somewhere, but—

"No, Mother. But I don't trust that man, Prathuman Agarwal. It feels like everything I knew about him was a façade. That Leela woman controls him, manipulates him."

Iravati sighed, - "But I am there for you."

"And how are you helping me? By forcing me to get married to someone you think will be perfect for me?"

"Darling, I have birthed you. You and me were once connected. I knew you before you knew about yourself. I won't ever make the wrong choice for you."

Anahita turned around, clenching the bed post.

"I know you will always want the best for me. But in your obsession to get the best, you are getting too involved. You have trained me well. At least trust your upbringing. I won't make a wrong choice."

Iravati pressed her lips firmly, - "And who is your choice? A Muslim? Beta, you seeing Ambika's repercussions of making her choice. And this, this is not outside our status but out of our community. Darling, this will not work."

Anahita folded her arms, - "She had to make some adjustments, but she is happy, and isn't that what matters? And if-- if mine doesn't work out, at least I will know somewhere I messed up. And as parents, shouldn't you be there to help me if I mess up?" She moved her arms animatedly as she tried to explain her mother.

"But when I know it's going to be an awful end, how can I let you commit a blunder?"

Anahita leaned over and took her mother into an embrace. She hoped she could convince her mother to trust her.

"Please mother, I—just trust me. I will not make any wrong choice." She whispered into her ear. Iravati held her arms and pulled her away.

"Okay, if you have made your mind, then I guess there is no need of me."

"Mother, please—"

Iravati doesn't listen anymore. She swished her pallu and clenched her purse, then she threw a glare at her daughter before marching out of the room. Anahita watched her mother go. Now, she was in two minds. She didn't want to live under the same roof with her father; he was unpredictable. But she wanted to go for her mother. But, Iravati would again start forcing her to marry. After getting a hint of her love for Asif, she would definitely get madder in her obsession to get her daughter married off to the person who would be perfect according to her.

Anahita fell on the bed, resting her head against the bedpost. She had just closed her eyes, when Nausheen came in. She sat down beside her friend and gently tapped her thigh.

"Anu, everything will be fine?"

Anahita kept her eyes closed and hummed in response.

Nausheen paused, - "Um, there is another news. Badi Ammi, Dadijaan and Husna Baji are coming for few days."

Anahita's eyes sprung open, she shifted, - "For?"

"Visiting. Or maybe to fix Bhaijaan marriage. Engagement perhaps."

Anahita bit her lower-lip.

Nausheen continued, - "You and I will shift to my room. Shoaib and Bhaijaan will be in this room, the guests will be in the guest room. Dadi Jaan and Badi Ammi in the master-bedroom."

Anahita sighed- What was this happening?

Nausheen can you please stop talking, 

Oooh, Iravati is angry. I wonder if she going to do something. Please no,

How was the chapter, my lovelies? What are your predictions? What should be done of "Husna Baji"? Is Asif playing double game 

Drop your thoughts in the comments, please. Your wonderful words encourages me :)

Don't forget to vote and Stay Tuned for the next update, my sweeties *Lots of Love* *Hugs and Kisses*