CHAPTER 15
HAYAT POV:
"Ashar, I didn't know you were Eira's brother and my soon-to-be brother-in-law, even though I'm younger than you, but still, in relation, I'm your elder sister-in-law, so be respectful to me!" I spoke proudly, teasing him...
"Oh, come on, Miss Hayat, you are my student and friend first, then you are my sister-in-law, so there is no respect between us. Keep that in your mind," Ashar replied while wearing his helmet.
I miss my old car for long rides, but still, I love this one... I should be grateful for whatever I have... I was waiting for Ashar to give a signal for me to drive the car when I got a sudden notification. I was curious to look for who had texted me at this time of day.
The name Ahad appeared on my screen and a smile broke on my face. Reading the message, I wondered about the way he would have fought himself to drop a text, what to say at last, yet the hesitation to not offend me, not to make me sad, I wouldn't let him know I caught him in this cute moment.
I texted back, "I'll be glad to cheer for you-to-be-husband, but would he like to sit beside me and watch me drive my car for the show afterwards?" Finally, continuing the conversation myself.
I drove as Ashar instructed, I tried to work on my mistakes, so the day Ahad joins me for a ride, I won't embarrass myself like I have done before.
"You did great today, Miss Hayat, but you still need to be careful for freestyle and drifting, we need some professionals for you to learn about it, it can be dangerous, you have been driving your last car for years, and you got this one just some months ago, so you need to practice everything, I'll ask someone for help. Cut," he said, thinking theoretically and practically for my best, at last he got out of the car after a dramatic cut.
"I got it, I'll leave now, I need to clear my head, Allah hafiz." We parted ways, as it was already night, and I needed to return home.
I'm so hungry and tired, I was gambling with my thoughts when I got another notification, "I got a call from Ashar, he said and I quote, YOUR GIRL HAVE LEFT AFTER SAYING ALLAH HAFIZ, NOT EVEN ASKING IF I WANTED TO HAVE A DINNER WITH MY SOON-TO-BE-SISTER-IN-LAW, BHAI YOU NEED TO TEACH HER SOME MANNERS, THAT STUPID DIDN'T EVEN SAID THANK YOU, SIR, I don't know what to say now but drive home safely Hayat" I smiled reading his message.
Still, why didn't he reply to my earlier text until now? He might have forgotten to respond while working. I clicked on his number, pinned it on my WhatsApp, and favorited it in my contacts, saving his number as "soon-to-be husband."
"Uncle, I'm home and hungry," I sat on the couch, leaning my head back, resting for a while.
"You came after the whole day, Chanda. Don't you miss your chachi, hmm? Look, your chachu hasn't come home yet, and I've been all alone. Come early tomorrow if possible, and I'll make your favorite dishes."
I listened quietly, nodding my head as I lay it on her lap. The comfort of her presence surrounded me as I closed my eyes, feeling the day's weariness melt away. I should plan a drive with my chachi, she'll love it.
"When do you want to join the university, Chanda?" I looked up at my chachi, who gave me her beautiful smile.
"Since the admissions are starting, I'll go there and talk about my transfer and get my admission done right then." I placed her hand above my eyes, trying to block the light hitting my vision directly.
"So, when do you want to get married?" Her question had me hiding my face in her dupatta (a long, wide scarf-like shawl).
"I consider you both as my guardians and no one else in this family, so you both decide everything." She caressed my head, dropping a soft kiss on my head before she moved towards the kitchen.
I don't have many people added to my contact list. It's just my chacha, chachi, Eira, Ashar, Zeeshan, Sana my sister, and now my fiancé Ahad... there were never many people who liked me, I couldn't make friends in school because they all didn't want to have a motherless kid as their friend, I was always in my own world... until I met her.
I picked one of the series books from the shelf, clicked a picture, and posted it on my status with the caption, "My new read." As I sat down on my bed, I found my focus broken because of a notification. I looked up the name, and it was Ahad again. I smiled and read the message, "Do you read Urdu novels too?"
It was his question, and I didn't know what to say, having never read an Urdu novel; it's quite embarrassing that I'm not fluent in my own national language.
"I don't read Urdu novels, since I'm not good at reading or writing in Urdu, but I want to read some of the most famous Urdu novels, if possible," I replied, and rested my back against the headboard of the bed.
"And those are?" A question again…
"Well, some are Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat, Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal, Usri Yusra, Rooh E Yaram, and many more, but I don't remember their title."
"Hmm, I have read some, and they changed my perspective towards life. I do have the physical copies. I'll give them to you this weekend."
The text left me dumbfounded because I just told him about my issue earlier, but still, he wants me to read, "Okay, done."
I focused on my book, as the plot caught my eye, but time by time my mind was getting blank, and at last I chose to put the book aside and lie down to sleep.