Hello!

So so so sorry for vanishing without notice! Ramadan and Exam is not a good combo! It really was difficult to complete the chapter and publish. I promise to be regular from now!

Please feel free to point out mistakes!

Enjoy:)

“What should we do?” Ali asked to no one in particular. “What can we do?”

“Do we have to do something?” Anya asked.

“Yes.” Boys said together.

“Why?” Anya cried. She wanted to play safe, and be as far as possible from Aman. But the boys were under the spell of their anger.

“Because I want to.”

Anya did not like the answer. “I will hit you, Ali.”

“Be quiet,” Kabir ordered.

“What are you going to do? All we have done till now is watch him shop. Why are we hiding behind this chocolate shelf? Why are we in hypercity?”

“Because he came here, ”Ali replied.

“So? Are we going to follow him everywhere?”

“Yes.”

“And do what?”

“Something.”

“Ali! Let’s just go home.”

“Not until I am satisfied.”

“What the hell is that suppose to mean?”

“Stay quiet. Let me think of something.”

“What can you do Ali? He is doing grocery shopping.” She rolled her eyes before crossing her arms. “ Which he might have forced my baby sister to do earlier.” Kabir looked at her with a frown. She shrugged her shoulders. “What? Even I am angry.”

“Good,” Ali said sarcastically.

“Look, we can do nothing here. There are too many people here and he has seen us all. This is very risky.”

“He has seen us all. So? Only you are related to Dia for him. If I do something and he finds out he will think I am angry because of what he did and if Kabir does something he will think he is my friend.  And if he finds out that you did something, he will think you are angry not that you are the mastermind behind this chaos. You get scared for no reason at all.”

Anya frowned and looked away. She did not like being defeated. “You cannot do anything here.”

“We can do a lot of things,” Ali said instantly.

“No, you cannot. It’s a public place.”

“So?”

“Stop saying that!”

“Stop being the scaredy cat.”

“You cannot do anything here. Let’s just go home.”

“We can do something.”

“No, we cannot.”

“You are so negative. We can do something for sure.”

“Like what?” Anya challenged him.

“See,” Ali said before he started walking towards Aman.

“Ali. Ali. Ali!” Anya tried to stop him but Ali was out of her reach before she could do anything.  “What will he do?”

Aman was still busy talking to someone on his phone. His was absentmindedly doing his grocery shopping. Ali quietly went near him, making sure he does not get noticed.  Aman had a jar of mango jam in his hand and he was trying to find the MRP on it. His back was facing his shopping trolley. Ali looked around to find something that would annoy Aman. Then suddenly an idea hit Ali. He looked around again and his eyes fell on his friends. Anya's worried face motivated him to go ahead with his Idea. He observed Aman for a moment. Then he slowly and steadily bent down. He picked up the packets of instant noodles and pasta. Slowly without making any noise, he took them out of the trolley. He looked around him and located an empty shopping trolley next to Kabir. He quickly walked to them and dumped it in the trolley.

“That was so childish,” Anya whispered.

“Shut up,” Saying that Ali quickly but quietly walked back to Aman. Aman was still on his phone. He must be talking to her, Anya thought. Ali picked up the jar of jam and pickles this time. He kept them roughly in the trolley without realising they were made of glass. Jars made noise when they came in contact with the trolley. Ali froze in his spot and did not move. Aman did not pay attention to the noise or his trolley. He moved two steps ahead with his trolley. “What does Ali think he is doing?” Anya asked Kabir to which he replied with silence. Anya rolled her eyes when Ali picked up the eggs from Aman's trolley. Unlike the other stuff, he kept the eggs very carefully as if he was putting a sleeping baby on the bed. Ali followed Aman when he took his trolley and moved ahead. The other two followed Ali. No one knew what was happening but they all were going with the flow.

“This is a new source, sir.” One of the saleswomen was talking to a customer. “The company claims that this is the spiciest source in the market. You must not use it more than half a spoon, because more than that can make your eyes wet.” Ali was standing next to the customer and could hear the whole conversation without intending to do so. “It is quite expensive but.”

“Excuse me,” Ali said. “Can I have three jars please.”

“Sure. You will love it.”

“I am sure I will,” He said as he took those three small jars from her. Then He kept the jars in Aman’s trolley. He turned around as Aman was about to look at his trolley. 

“Why is he adding stuff now? I hate this so much,” Anya said before crossing her arms. Ali, on the other hand, turned around again. He looked at the trolley. It had a can of pineapples, a big watermelon, two oil pouches, a bag of sugar, a notebook and a set of many pens. Who buys pens from the mall, Ali could not stop himself from thinking that. He shook his head and started to think about what he should take. The Watermelon was quite big but Ali wanted to pick that up. He knew it might be risky but he still wanted to do that. He bent down slowly. His hands were moving slowly towards the watermelon and his eyes were locked on Aman. Anya and Kabir leaned a little forward. The air around them changed.  When Ali touched the watermelon Anya frowned in fear. Ali lifted it up and slowly started retreating. Kabir and Anya anxiously observed him with a frown on their foreheads. Once the watermelon was out of the trolley Ali smiled proudly. He turned to his left when suddenly he lost the grip on the watermelon and it slipped out of his hand. His eyes widened and his mouth formed an O. Anya’s reaction was similar to that. Ali knew he had no way out of it. He knew he was caught. But just as all the ray of hope disappeared a hand, out of nowhere, came and stopped the watermelon from falling. It happened quickly and everyone confused for a moment. Ali looked to his right and saw a man, about his age, holding the watermelon. He stood up straight before giving the watermelon to Ali. He then picked up the can of pineapple and the notebook from the trolley. “I will keep it.” He whispered to Ali before giving him a salute. He then left.  Anya stared at them with her eyes open wide. “That was stranger goals.”

“I think Ali knows him,” Kabir replied.

“Oh. Then they are friend goals.”

“Yeah,” Aman said before he turned around. Ali quickly turned to hide his face. “I took a big watermelon.” He instantly frowned. “I took. Maybe I forgot. Wait I will take it.” He started walking back to where the fruits where. Ali quickly followed him and so did the others. “I like watermelon, yes. We always buy a watermelon.” He stooped abruptly. “Dia never forgot to buy it for me.”

“Don’t take her name. Anya might kill you for that,” Ali whispered although he knew he would not be heard.

“I wonder if she can get watermelon where she is. Or even water.” Aman started walking again. “Today I feel like I should buy it for her.”

“We will see that,” Ali said with an eye roll.

“No, still no clue where she is.” He sighed. “I don’t know where to look for her. I have never felt this helpless before.” Ali wanted to roll his eyes but the sincerity in Aman's voice stopped him. But Ali did not let it go as he made a face. “My father is not at all helpful.” Ali raised his eyebrows instantly. “I had a huge fight with him the other day.” Aman picked up a big watermelon but instead of keeping it in the trolley he froze. “How will that help?” He shook his head. “I do not believe in such things.” Ali sighed. “How?” Aman kept the watermelon in the trolley and then started to push it. He was engrossed in the conversation and did not notice Ali as he passed by him. Anya And Kabir, this time, had to turn around to hide their faces. “Ali stop now!” Anya tried to stop Ali from following Aman but Ali ignored her and kept following him. For a moment Ali lost him but soon found him standing in a line for getting his watermelon weighed. Ali went closer to him but stopped at a safe distance. After five minutes he had got his watermelon weighed but instead of taking it he walked straight to the billing counter.

“Sir. Excuse me.”

“He is my friend. I will take it.” Ali quickly said and took the watermelon from him and then again started following Aman. “I am done. I am going home. Wait.” Ali looked to his left and right before hiding behind an old lady. “I forgot my watermelon.”

“Where is he going now? What is happening?” Anya had never felt more confused before. “Let’s get out of here.”

As Aman was deciding which one to take, Ali quickly took every other thing that was in that trolley expect for the spicy sauce and kept it all in his trolley. When he did that he turned and looked at Anya. He raised his head proudly which made Anya roll her eyes. “What? What is my father doing there? I am coming!” Aman left everything and ran towards the exit. Anya and Kabir looked at him in confusion. Ali, on the other hand, was looking at him in disbelief. He was eagerly waiting to see Aman's reaction. He was going to enjoy that moment. He wanted to successfully annoy him but before he could do that Aman left. A dark cloud formed above his head.

“Great Ali. Well done.” Anya said sarcastically. “Why did he leave like that?”

“His father did something. What the hell!” Ali pouted which made Anya laugh. Kabir ignored them and started walking towards the exit. Anya quickly followed him. She was scared of what Kabir or Ali would do to Aman. She wanted to hurt him more than they wanted to but at the same time, she wanted to keep Dia safe. And they both were under one roof which was making Anya anxious. Ali looked at the trolley. “should I just buy everything?”

“Ali, come fast,” Anya said.

Ali was in a dilemma but never the less followed his friends. For some time they could not find Kabir or Aman. Ali was worried about what Kabir might do more than Anya was. He knew why Kabir was angry while Anya had no clue. “There he is! Ali exclaimed as soon as he saw Kabir. He started running towards him instantly. “Why are you running so fast!?” Anya was getting more and more confused with each passing second.

“You are not going to hit him, right?” Ali asked Kabir.

“Why do you think I would do that?”

“Because.” Ali stooped him my grabbing his arms. “Tell me one thing. Are you, by any chance, into Dia?”

Kabir kept staring him with no change in his facial expression. “Come on Kabir. It’s me.”

“Yes.”

“How? You know she is married. Even if she is in the worst kind of relationship. She is married.”

“I was a teenager, Ali.” 

“Since then?” Ali frowned. “Then why didn’t you do anything back then? When she wasn’t married.”

“I didn’t. But I am not letting it go this time.”

“Kabir, it’s not a normal situation.”

“So?”

“So I don’t know. I just don’t want you to get caught up in the mess.”

“I won’t.”

“That’s less likely to happen.”

“We will talk about it later.”

“What do you want to do with him, now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t do anything until you are sure about things. Don’t rush into things.”

“I am not rushing into things.”

“I can see that.”

“What are you two up to? Can we leave now.” Anya said as she came running to them.

“Nothing. Let’s go home.” Kabir suggested.

“Looks like he is gone. I will call Khadijah.” Ali said before he pulled out his phone. 

“I am so glad. Now we can go home and hide. I am not leaving the house with Dia for at least a year.” Kabir took a deep breath and looked away. “what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” He wrinkled his nose. “ Exhausted.”

“Let's go home and rest.”

“There they are,” Ali said when he saw his sister coming. “Let’s walk out. They will follow.” As Ali suggested they all started walking towards the exit. They were out in a minute but as Khadijah and Dia were on a floor above them and it took them some more time. “oho.” Ali suddenly said.

“What happened?” Anya asked before following his gaze. She gasped when she saw Aman. He was moving stuff from the back seat of his car to the passenger seat. “Dia is coming!”

“She cannot be recognised.” Kabir reminded her.

“But he can be recognised.”

“What?” Kabir said.

“Dia will recognise him. That will freak her out.  Oh, he dropped that bag!”
Aman had a bag in his hand which he dropped accidentally. Everything in that bag fell out. Ali's eyes fell on his sister who was very close to the exit door. “I will go and help him. You go and stop them from coming out.” Ali said before running towards Aman. Anya, on the other hand, ran to his cousin. “What?” Khadijah asked when Anya tried to signal them to stop. Anya motioned towards her phone before calling Khadijah. “Stay in. Aman is still here.”

“Where?”

“Right behind me.”

Before Khadijah could locate him Dia did. She gasped loudly. Her knees became weak. Before she could regain her senses Khadija started pushing her, forcing her to walk to their left. They hid behind a banner but did not stop themselves from keeping an eye on him.

“I will help you,” Ali said.

“Thank you,” Aman said instantly.  He was busy collecting his stuff so he barely looked at the man who was helping him. Ali picked up a few things in his hands absentmindedly. He did not notice what was in his hand except for a box of cigarette to which he rolled his eyes. He handed everything to Aman and Aman dumped it all on the passenger seat. Then Ali picked up a few more things and left behind just a pen and a can of diet coke. After giving everything to Aman he bent down again. He picked up the pen in his left and the can in his right. A shooting pain ran through his right hand suddenly, causing an irritating pain in his palm. He shook his hand furiously. Even after handing everything to Aman he kept shaking his hand. Aman received a phone call so he dropped the pen on the seat and answered the phone. “I am coming. What is he saying?” He frowned in anger. “What does he mean?” He absentmindedly adjusted his phone between his ear and shoulder and used both his hands to open the can. As soon as the can opened the coke, like a volcano, erupted from the can. It went right into his eyes. He dropped his phone and started moving backwards. He then started walking to his right before he started rubbing his eyes. His vision was blurry and his mind was lost. He forgot he was on the main road. A very fast bike was approaching him, but he did not see it coming. “Woah!” Ali exclaimed before running towards him. He was able to pull him back at the right time. “Are you fine?”

“Aman!” A girl came running to them. “Are you fine?” Anya instantly recognised her from when she saw her at the station with Aman. She raised her eyebrows instantly. “I am fine. I need to go somewhere instantly.”

“I will take you. Get in the car. But are you fine?”

“Yes, Thank you. Thank you, brother.”

Ali nodded his head as a response. The girl helped Aman to get in the car. Then she thanked Ali and got in the driver's seat. In no time they were gone. Ali slowly walked back to his friends. He was looking at his feet the whole time and only looked up when he reached his friends. To his surprise, his sister was staring at him with her arms crossed. “What?”

“Why don’t you three sit down there.” She pointed at a  bench which was two steps away from them.

“We should go home,” Ali said

“Sit!” she ordered. Anya and Kabir exchanged glances. They had never seen Khadijah Angry. She was always a sweet girl around them and this was new. Ali followed his sister’s order o his friends did, too. They all sat on the bench were as Khadijah and Dia were standing. “You all did something bad, didn’t you?”

“No,” Anya and Ali said together.

“Don’t lie! What were you all doing for so long?”

“Stealing,” Anya said with an eye roll.

“From him?”

“Technically,” Anya said with a nod.

“But it didn’t cost him. We stole before his wallet came out.”

“Huh?”

“Shut up,” Anya whispered.

“I understand you all hate him. I hate him too, but hate has a limit. He could have got hurt!.”

“That was an accident. I didn’t do that on purpose.” Ali protested.

“Don’t lie. Why did you shake the can if it was an accident?”

“That is something to think about,” Anya said shaking her head.

“You are on my team!” He looked at his sister. “My palm had some kind of sensation which caused pain.” Khadijah narrowed her eyes. “Seriously! You know the condition of my right hand.”

“What happened to your right hand?” Anya asked.

“I fell down years ago and broke my arm. It still hurts some times.”

“That must be bad.”

“Did you just change the topic? I am scolding you two!”

“But we are not at fault,” Anya said. “Yes, we wanted to do something to him. Wait what we? They wanted to do something but we did nothing bad. And About the can, I really want to believe Ali.”

“Believe me! OK, tell me how I would know he will open the can? He was picking up stuff. Who could have thought he would open it!?”

Khadijah starred him for a few seconds before saying, “I will believe you just this one time. Also!” All three of them looked at her. “I know it hurts. I know you all are angry. But your anger should never hurt someone. Not even you. Take him down, but with ethics. Clear?” None of them said anything and stayed still. “Clear or not!”

Anya shrugged her shoulders due to Khadijah’s sudden outburst. “Yes.” She and Ali said together.

“Good, now let’s go home.” She said before she started walking.

“You have a very strict sister, ” Anya whispered Ali.

“Oh, you have no idea. It’s like having two moms at home.”

“Ah. Poor you.”

“I am going home,” Kabir announced. He stood up and starts talking towards the parking lot. Dia observed him for some time before turning her attention back at her cousin. “Khadijah will leave without me. I will go. Bye,” Ali said.

“Bye-bye.”

“Khadijah wait.” He ran to his sister.

“Let's go home, too,” Anya said before wrapping her hand around Dia’s arm.

“What is his name?”

“Whose?”

“The one who walked there.” She motioned towards the parking lot.

“Kabir.”

“Why is he angry? What did Aman do to him?”

“Oh, that.” Anya froze for a moment. She gave it a thought before saying, “I don’t know. Why was he so angry?”
 
Dia looked in the direction where Kabir went. She was thinking about what her husband could have done to him. She was hoping not something bad. Not something that could hurt him.