CHAPTER ELEVEN
I stood frozen, as if the shock had severed the connection between my mind and my limbs. I closed my eyes tight, trembling, and waited for the end.
The car roared closer and closer until, with a bone-chilling screech of tires, it slammed to a halt just inches from my feet. I swallowed the terror that had lodged in my throat and tentatively opened my eyes. Through the settling dust and the glare of the sun, I squinted to see the reckless soul behind the wheel.
To my utter disbelief, I found myself staring at Isar. My eyes remained fixed on the windshield, wide with bewilderment.
"Oh... it's Isar!"
Within seconds, my shock curdled into a hot, blistering rage. I was glaring at the glass with a knotted brow when the door swung open, and Isar stepped out, standing before me with insufferable arrogance.
"Are you blind? Can't you see a man of my size?" he snapped. "What if this beast had hit you? Take off those sunglasses; they've clearly turned your world pitch black. Are we done here?"
"No, we are not!" I hissed. "This isn't over. I am telling Ryan, or Israr, exactly what happened." Under my breath, just loud enough for the air to catch it, I muttered, "Rude brat."
"You're going to tell my Khan Lala?" He leaned in, his voice dropping an octave. "Look here, midget. If my brother finds out, it won't end well for you. Do you hear me?"
I forced a mocking sneer onto my lips. "If you had come one centimeter closer, I would be dead, Sir. And yet you're lecturing me about 'understanding'?"
Isar matched my insolence with a smirk. "Well, you didn't die. Besides, there's an old proverb... surely you remember it? Bad weeds never die."
I gasped at his sheer audacity. He was practically calling me a plague that even death wouldn't take. "Rest assured," I said, my voice trembling with indignation, "I am telling your brother everything."
I didn't wait for a reply. I turned on my heel and began to march away. I felt the car turn, the engine humming as it began to crawl along behind me. Fear gripped me—I couldn't bring myself to look back, haunted by the thought that Isar might actually decide to drive that metal monster right over me.
The sound of the engine stayed close, and my heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. I cursed my tongue; I should have stayed silent rather than engaging with him. Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt again, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Where are you going?" he called out.
I debated: should I try to civilize him, or simply be the civilized one myself? No, Yas, I told myself. If this brat were capable of being civilized, the Big Khan would have managed it by now. Save yourself.
"To Tahmina's house," I replied shortly.
"Get in. I'll take you."
My jaw nearly hit the pavement. Isar? Taking me? I wondered if this was another one of his cruel traps.
"No thank you, I can manage on my own."
"Get in!" he commanded.
Oh God... what if he plans to murder me in an alley? With trembling hands, I opened the back door and slid onto the seat as far away from him as possible.
"Is it in the same area as before?"
"Yes."
He put the car in gear and began to drive—surprisingly gently. "What exactly is your problem with me?" he asked suddenly.
Me? I have a problem with him? "Me?" I stammered.
"No, me!" he mimicked sarcastically.
I found my courage again. If I was going to be in a car with a wolf, I might as well show my teeth. "It is you who has a problem with me! That night at the party, you were all smiles and laughter with those girls. But the moment you see me, your face knots up like a roadmap. And that blonde girl—you danced with her as if she were made of gold. Why don't you look at her with that sharp, angry gaze? Have I personally poisoned your inheritance? And let's not forget five minutes ago, when you tried to flatten me under your tires..."
"It's because I don't like you," he said simply.
But there was a ripple of amusement in his voice, a hidden laugh that made it impossible to stay truly angry.
"Don't worry," I snapped back, "the feeling is entirely mutual, Sir."
"Very well... can we be friends?"
I stared at the back of his head. Had he lost his mind? Or was he actually afraid I'd tell Ryan? "Are you joking?"
He laughed softly. "No, I'm serious. Just... don't grow under my feet too often."
"Keep your friendship. I wasn't exactly begging for it. Go be friends with those aristocratic girls; you're a perfect match for each other, brother."
"Hahaha! I didn't realize your inner child was quite this spirited."
"Well, now you know. Here... stop here!"
He brought the car to a halt and turned to look at me with a genuine smile. "I'm sorry about earlier. It really wasn't intentional."
I was stunned. I felt as if I were looking at a stranger. "Are you sure this is you, Isar?"
"I'm sure."
"Aha. Well then, welcome to the human race. And don't worry—I won't tell your brother, 'friend.'"
"Oh, you think you're so human? With that one-meter height of yours, you're more like a garden gnome. But thanks anyway, friend."
I burst out laughing. I couldn't believe this was the same rude Isar. "How lucky am I to have a friend like you, Sir."
"Likewise, Madam."
I stepped out of the car, a light smile lingering on my face as I headed toward the green gate. The day had taken an unexpectedly sweet turn. Isar had been kind, and the weight of that dark palace felt a little lighter.
I knocked on the door, and a moment later, Tuba pulled it open. Seeing me, she let out a shriek of joy and threw herself into my arms.
"Auntie!"
"Hahaha, my soul, let me inside first!"
She kissed my cheek and dragged me into the house. "Mother! Mother! Auntie Yas is here!"
I stepped into the humble mud-brick house. Tahmina emerged from the room with a wide smile and pulled me into a warm embrace.
"Has the sun risen in the west, Yas? What brings you to our dervish cottage?"
"Oh, Tahmina, your complaints never end. You know how hard it is for me to step a foot out of that palace. But you're right to be mad. I'm here now."
The three of us sat down, and Tahmina brought a tray of tea. "Tell me, how are Mother and Father?"
"They are well. Mother sends her love."
"And who brought you here?"
"Isar."
Tahmina choked on her tea, falling into a fit of coughing. "Yas! I swear you're going to be the death of me."
"What does your coughing have to do with me?"
"Yas!"
"Fine, fine! He was the one who offered. Honestly, Tahmina, I couldn't believe Isar could speak to me like a normal person."
Tahmina's expression grew somber. "Yas, how many times must I tell you to stay away from those 'Aghazadehs'? Especially Ryan. Why won't you understand? I am worried for you."
I placed a sugar cube in my mouth and picked up my teacup. "I don't know why you think this way. I grew up with them. We shared the same rooms, the same toys. What do you think is happening? I know what's in your head, but you are dead wrong. Look at him and then look at me. I am just his friend. That's all."
"Just his friend? Are you sure? Do you even believe your own words?" Tahmina leaned in, her voice urgent. "He loves you more than a companion. Don't you know Ryan? He is a man of few words, yet with you, he becomes the most vulnerable soul. I am afraid, Yas. He is like poison to you—deadly. And you are the same to him."
"Tahmina, stop this nonsense. You're imagining things. Do you really think a man of his stature and beauty would love someone as 'ordinary' as me? Don't forget, he is Ryan Khan. He has thousands of admirers. Why would he settle for me? Let it go."
"You fool, what part of you is ordinary? Don't you see your own beauty? What do you lack, other than an aristocratic name?"
"Are you going to stop this, or should I leave?"
Tahmina took a deep breath and fell silent. The tea had lost its flavor, and I finished it with a sense of unease. We moved on to other things, but the air felt heavy.
As dusk fell, I played with Tuba. She kept asking about Ryan, even confessing her plan to marry him. "Auntie, if I grow up fast, will Ryan marry me?" Oh, this mischievous girl. She wanted to grow up just for him, not knowing that adulthood is a heavy price to pay for such dreams.
Tahmina was cooking in the kitchen when a soft knock came at the door.
"Yas, that must be Usman. Open the door."
"Alright."
Tuba beat me to it, running with childish haste and swinging the door open without asking who it was. I stood behind her, not yet seeing the visitor.
"Tuba, you must ask who it is before opening the door, sweetheart!"
Tuba looked at me with a mischievous grin. "Usman..."
I looked up, and the words died in my throat. This wasn't Usman.
A young man, perhaps twenty-six years old, stood there holding a tray of food. I felt my face flush. I quickly adjusted my headscarf and, without a word, snatched the tray and slammed the door shut.
I was fuming. I wanted to scold both Tuba and Tahmina. The way that boy had looked at me—burning and intense—it was infuriating. I marched into the kitchen and shoved the tray onto the table.
"What is this girl supposed to learn from you?" I snapped at Tahmina. "Since when do we open the door to God-knows-who without asking?"
Tahmina looked at me, bewildered. "Yas, what happened? Why are you acting like a wild animal?"
"That 'idiot' neighbor of yours nearly swallowed me whole with his shameless eyes!"
A moment later, Tahmina burst into a roar of laughter. "Hahaha! Yas, that 'idiot' is your suitor! He's head-over-heels for you. See? He's not so bad looking. What do you think?"
"That fool is my suitor? I wouldn't meet that 'field mouse' again if I lived a thousand years."
"Oh, Yas, don't be mean. What do you mean, field mouse? They are quite well-off. You would be happy with him, don't doubt it."
"I don't want that kind of happiness! And don't you dare bring up the subject of marriage again."
Before Tahmina could reply, Tuba let out a little cheer. "Auntie! Papa is here! Come see what he brought!"
"This daughter of yours is going to drive me to madness," I muttered.
I fixed my scarf and walked into the courtyard. Usman was standing there with several bags, chatting with Tuba.
"Hello! Welcome, dear brother-in-law!"
Usman looked up, surprised. "Peace be upon you, Yas! When did you get here? You should have told me; I would have picked you up. Tuba told me, but I thought she was joking."
I took the bags from his hands with a smirk. "In the few hours I've been here, your wife and daughter have nearly stripped me of my sanity. I was about to go mad. It's a good thing you're here, or I might have vanished into eternity."
Usman laughed gently. "Your niece is your mirror image, so why complain? And Tahmina... well, she has me at my wit's end too. We have no choice, Yas."
"Should I tell her you said that?"
"Weren't we friends, sister?"
"We were, we were. Don't worry, I can keep a secret. But why are we standing here? I'm exhausted."
Usman lifted Tuba into his arms. "Do you see this precious daughter of mine?"
"I see her," I laughed. "But be warned—she's already picked out a groom!"
"Hahaha! Oh no! Who is the lucky man?"
"Ryan Khan Ehtesham!"
Usman whistled. "Oh, that's a complicated matter. Tuba, is your aunt telling the truth?"
"Father, he is so handsome and charming! Can't I marry him? Please don't say no!"
"Daughter, have some shame! Charming? God forgive us!"
"Well, charming means very, very good-looking. Exactly like Ryan!"
We settled into the room, and I sank onto a cushion. "Yas, I don't know what to do with this girl," Usman sighed. "If she's talking like this now, what will she do later?"
"Forget about later," I said. "Look at her taste. She's picked quite the groom for you."
Usman grinned. "A groom who is grumpy yet... captivating."
"Hahaha! So you admit he's captivating?"
"How could I not? Half his beauty is French, and the other half is a masterpiece of our own heritage..."
END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN