Storm

by Saniya. S. Kohari

  36-Trouble in paradise

  Sani

  A few days later-

  “Grandpa, what do we do when we know we are pissing someone off?” I asked sitting on the floor in front of his armchair.

  “Stop doing that.” Grandpa said in obvious tones, continuing to read his book.

  Trying not to sound exasperated, I emphasized with clenched teeth,

  “When we can't help pissing someone off unintentionally and still don't wanna hurt them.”

  Grandpa closed the book and sighed at me, “Explain to that person, why you are doing, what you are doing, before they get hurt.”

  “Umhmm...” I nodded making my way towards my bedroom while thinking,

  ‘If telling him the reason was that easy...’

  God...why did I ever fall in love? Keeping the other person's feelings and emotions in mind all the freaking time is so complicated!

  Why oh why did I ever...?! Arrggg!

  I could already predict this wasn’t going to be the first time I will question myself about it.

  I wanted to call Umber, but I didn’t know from where to start telling her about Aariz.

  I had forbidden Aariz from telling anyone at all, including Zee, which even I did not know why I had done. Was it just because I believed they would judge me as he is my Professor or due to the lingering fear inside of me that something bad was gonna happen and the best thing in my life, that is Aariz, was gonna leave me, or we’d be separated due to the circumstance or something. I believed such dreamy happiness never lasts.

  I hated to see the sympathy in anyone's eyes for me. Ever. So I wouldn’t be able to bear it from my cousins, with the look they won't really word, but will just think for sure, ‘you dug your own grave.’ or ‘what did you expect, dating your Professor? A wrong relationship!'

  Yeah, I had been feeling down lately because of my continuous guilt for hurting Aariz knowingly yet unintentionally. And today I felt completely lost. He did not text me even once all day since I came home. He hadn’t even dropped me home today, making some excuse about work. I knew it was an excuse because I had seen the betrayed look on his face.

  So that’s why I was preparing my explanations for the worst, when I entered Aariz's office next day during lunch break.

  “What happened? Why do you look so pissed?” I asked hesitatingly as I went near Aariz's chair, while he furiously tapped on his laptop.

  Aariz abruptly got up from there, not even making eye contact.

  “Me, pissed at you?! Of course not Sani. I have no right to get angry on you.” Aariz bit out sarcastically with his back to me.

  Oh no, he really has seen me today as well.

  “Don't say like that, please.” I tried to put a hand on his shoulder, but couldn’t bring up the courage to do so.

  “Look, I know since this morning you have seen me with Sahil many times. In fact, all the time. Also, from last two three days you must have seen me with Sahil and his friends around the campus. And you can't understand why I was with them? Am I right?”

  Gulping hard, I smiled slightly as I continued, “Well, I was going to tell you about it. Actually I was talking to them because...”

  But I was cut off midsentence by Aariz, who turned around sharply and came extremely close to my face making me gasp.

  “Enough! I don’t want to know anything. I love you and you just can’t let me!” Breathing harshly, he nodded, “I get it. Do what you want.” With that, Aariz stormed out leaving a shocked and blown me behind.

  In the evening, unable to take it anymore, I called him up. He thankfully answered but didn’t say anything except the grunt of affirmation, when I asked if he could meet me in an hour, telling him where to come.

  “Are you still mad at me?” I gazed at Aariz timidly

  He did not answer. Just kept looking at the waves. We were sitting on the beach, where we had come for our first date.

  “I'm not going to make any promise that I won't meet those boys or interact with them while in college.” I started tentatively, gauging his reaction.

  He did not let me go on.

  “I haven’t asked you for any promise Sani. Do whatever the hell you like!” snapped Aariz.

  I flinched a little at his anger. Still went on,

  “Just hear me out first. I won't make any such promise b...”

  “That’s it. I'm done here.” Aariz stated, standing up and dusting the sand off his jeans.

  He left without a backward glance, making my heart sank. Had my fear of the worst scenario came true? What did he mean by, ‘I’m done here?’

  I knew what it meant, yet I hoped I was wrong.

  37-Outing

  Sani

  “Did you decide what you are gonna wear tomorrow?” asked Mom, opening my wardrobe.

  I kept staring at nothing. He will be there...What would I do? I will talk to him, yes. But that might create a scene and this time in front of everyone. Still, we have to talk somehow, right? Maybe he would hear me if just for the fact that we will be surrounded by my cousins? Yeah, I will convince him. Yes.

  But what if he does not come, since he is angry with me?! Does it mean he is done with us? That he has left me.

  “Is this an overnight trip dear?” Mom ruffled my hair to get my attention. Worriedly she said, “I don't like it.”

  I finally glanced at her, “Mom, I honestly don't know anything about this outing.” Perking up, I added, “If you want, I won't go.”

  Yeah, that will be the end of all my stress.

  “No its okay, you can go. Umber will be there with you, so will be your Zee. Have fun.” Mum smiled in reassurance.

  Aariz will be there too...

  Mom started putting my clothes away as she went on, “But what do you mean by you don't know? I thought you guys had planned with Ibbi about it the other day.”

  I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, he called us for planning. At the end of hours long meeting, he said we are all full of crap and he will plan the whole thing himself. Said, we'll be surprised.”

  Mom laughed shaking her head.

  But I couldn’t put exasperation off my voice, “I honestly won't be surprised if we spent half the day in round two of discussion/planning, tomorrow as well.”

  It would mean more free time in Aariz's close proximity, with no chance to talk to him in private.

  Just what I want...More chance for him to ignore me and break my heart piece by piece.

  God help me...Why did I ever fell in love?!

  I did not find the answer to it and morning arrived with irritating sunshine and cheeriness. I wasn’t feeling any of those things. More like gloom and determined pissedoffness would have sufficed my feelings.

  Annoyed at everything from the chiming way Umber said good morning, when she entered my house, to Ibbi's eagerness for the outing. I snapped at them all as I grinded my teeth at fate and went inside my room to get dressed.

  Ibbi had excitedly informed me about Aariz joining us too. So I made it a point to not try looking nice for him. I searched for the plainest clothes in my wardrobe. But couldn’t find anything that resembled boring. It irritated me more. Why couldn’t at least something happen according to my wish?! Why don't I own the clothes I hate?!

  Scowling at all the shirts in front of me, I wore a lovely white lace buttoned down top, making a face at it.

  If I think it’s boring, maybe he would too. Yeah. I would die before I let the arrogant ass think I made any effort for him.

  I paired it with dark purple silk trousers, wore my funky watch, pinned back some of my hair, and was out in Ibbi's car with the most indiscoverable and lightest makeup in the history of humankind.

  So when Umber and Ibbi complimented me on my looks, I growled at them in anger.

  Could'nt they keep a girl's heart and say I looked unusually gloomy and boring?

  My bad mood tanked even more, when Ibbi asked me, why didn’t I look happy?

  I kept the stony expression on.

  Wha
t’s there to be happy about?

  Soon we reached Zee's house. He was waiting outside with Aariz in tow.

  I stayed in the car while Ibbi got out, greeting them.

  Aariz's intense eyes met mine and he did not move his gaze. So I also didn’t. I mean...why should I back away, right? Not for the fact that I saw him for the first time in a t-shirt or that he looked like a hot melting Chocó goodness in that snug white t-shirt and blue denim jeans, but just because I did not want to show him I was affected or anything by his presence or lingering gaze. So yeah, I looked right back at him.

  Ibbi started explaining his plan, while Aariz and I kept the eye lock on. Trying to see God knows what in each other's eyes. Honestly, I just found his grey eyes darker today. I could never find any hidden meaning in them except for the flex of black. How do all the writers find and analyse the eyes of their heroes had always been a mystery to me.

  “First, we will go eat something for brunch. Then we will go for a movie, chill out in the mall. As evening would wear on, we’ll go to the beach!” Ibbi stated with way too much enthusiasm.

  “I thought we were going out for the outing Ibbi. Really out. City out. Outing!” Zee exploded.

  “Oh, well...”

  Zee did not let him come up with more farce, “Why did we sit for a five hour meeting if we had to go to a damned mall and a beach?!”

  “You can give suggestions. I'm open for it. I really will consider.” Ibbi shrugged trying to appear accommodative, while Zee was in his face.

  “Let’s just drive. We’ll think of the destination on our way.” Zee sighed heavily in frustration, then pointing at his backpack, barked at Ibbi,

  “And it might be an overnight thing. Not a kid’s picnic to end at sunset Ibbi!”

  Finally, Aariz broke our eye lock saying just as coolly,

  “I’ll go, get my bag.”

  Aariz ran up to the house beside Zee's.

  What the hell?! Aariz was the swing guy I had drooled on?!

  This is so inconsiderate of you God! Whenever I'm trying to go off him, you rub it in my face that I had drooled on him someday! This is just so unfair. A person can't even crush in peace around here!

  “Who are you crushing on?” Zee smirked at me.

  I ignored him and jumped out of the car, asking Zee furiously,

  “Aariz is your freaking neighbour?!”

  He crossed his arms, shaking his head, as he drawled with attitude,

  “Sani Shaad...I haven’t seen you out and about in ages and this is what you ask me?”

  Before I could apologize, he went on smiling, “Yes, he is my neighbour. Not a freaking neighbour, no one is freaking out here.”

  Huh! Say for yourself.

  “Zee, I'm sorry. I have just been busy lately.” I murmured, unable to take my eyes off Aariz's cute house, I had fallen in love with.

  Its upper storey was round in shape. I loved round houses. I just always did. I had no idea why and since how long.

  “Busy with?” Zee cocked his head levelling me with a look.

  “College.” It wasn’t a complete lie.

  “Aariz is working you too hard?” Zee chuckled.

  I shook my head, whispering to myself,

  ‘He really is...’

  “White is not a great choice for outing Sani. You might get it dirty. Though I bet, you would still look incredible.” A slightly recognisable voice said from behind us.

  “Huh?” I turned around dumbstruck at the guy standing with Umber and Ibbi.

  I was sure I could place him somewhere but I was just too shocked, to put a name to the leaned built, slightly arrogant faced guy.

  “That was a compliment.”

  He beamed at me, amused over my silence probably.

  “Surprise, Surprise!” Ibbi chuckled, seeing us completely stunned.

  But we weren’t the only once. I saw Aariz stood some distance away, eyeing the guy up and down with scrunched eyebrows as if trying to remember something.

  Join the gang my love!

  “Nonetheless, I'm glad to know you own clothes in colours that don't come under the black family.” He winked at me, laughing over his own joke and that’s when it struck to me.

  Black family. Yes! I always in my mind called his family and him dark and slightly twisted in the area of brain...Not that they were dark in colour or anything, just behaviour. But he was the lesser of the lot in that expect and my friend. Although, a creepy one, but still I always tried to think of him as a friend, since he was Zee’s maternal cousin.

  He had been in another city for good and now he was here.

  Slap a smile Sani! He is Zee’s family.

  Aariz

  How I wanted to pull her to myself, the moment I saw her today...But couldn’t. She had hurt me. Really, hurt. She knew it very well how much I dislike Sahil. Yet she was hanging around with him and his pathetic little friends. Upon that, she did not regret it one bit. Calling me to the beach, where I thought she would apologize. Instead, she went on to say, 'I won't stop talking to them!' The gal of her...No care in the world about how I’d feel seeing her around her ex!

  I went straight to my bedroom and furiously started packing a small backpack when Granny came inside the room.

  “So you guys will be staying the night? Where exactly are you all going?” Gran enquired sitting on my bed.

  “That’s the question of the hour.” I muttered shaking my head.

  “Meaning?”

  “Still undecided. We have heard Ibbi and Zidaan until now. I guess, next the girl's will have their own suggestions or objections.”

  Maybe she will refuse staying overnight because of me. That’s why I quickly came here, before she freaks out about it and leaves. But she might still refuse...

  Gran sighed with a reminiscing smile,

  “Ahh...Zidaan and his friends. How I love them...God. I can never forget them. They were a mischievous bunch. Especially her...the naughtiest, though the youngest. I can never forget those days.”

  Nor can I.

  “Why don't you ever get back in touch with her now?” Gran pouted at me, staring earnestly.

  “Gran, I remain busy and I have to go now. Bye.” I diverted the topic and turned away, but she caught my hand giving me a toothy smile.

  She wants something. I just know.

  I raised my eyebrows silently asking her to name what it was.

  “Will you get me a novel? There is this story I want to read.” Gran urged like a child.

  “Gran...What book? You watch TV shows all the time. You never read.” I was thoroughly confused.

  She giggled as she explained,

  “I met a girl in the mall a few weeks ago. She helped me pick that dinner jacket for you. She reminded me so much of her...Ibrahim’s cousin. As this girl too was very...”

  I cut her off midsentence. I did not wish to talk about Sanu.

  “What book?” I asked shortly.

  “Something called fifty...Fifty shades of wrong...No, Fifty shades of Grey!” Gran gave me a hopeful look.

  I think had she not been holding my hand; I would have fallen from shock.

  My Grandmother wanted to read that book and I had to bring it for her? No way in hell!

  Gran went on gushing,

  “I just loved that girl!”

  Yeah she makes people do that. Made me too...

  I tried to be calm and casual,

  “Gran, you can't stress your eyes by reading, and you know that. You get headaches.”

  “But she said movies have also been made on it. I should watch the movie at least!”

  Otherwise, your existence would be incomplete, huh?!

  Gran wiggled her eyebrows smiling smugly,

  “She was sure my Grandson is fifty shades of wrong, a headache and a complete mischief like the hero in those books. I quite agree.”

  That’s definitely my girl. Who else would get so buddy-buddy with complete strangers, to give them not just details of such kind of boo
ks, but also analysis of their Grandson she had never met before.

  Makes me think, I shouldn’t even be surprised with her getting along with Sahil and his idiot friends. That girl can become friends with a plank of wood if need be.

  “How did she look?” I asked trying to sound uninterested.

  “Lovely! I regret never asking her name. I have gone to the mall several times since then to come across her again. But no luck. She would have been so good for you.” Gran tsked at herself.

  “Gran!”

  “Okay okay! She had small navy blue eyes, very fair complexion, wavy black hair and a charming attitude to her. She was feisty and...”

  She was Sani.

  “So will you bring the book or movie?” Gran started again.

  “Nothing of the two.” I stated sternly.

  Her face fell,

  “Why?”

  “Because, that girl is a little too feisty for you.” I gave her a meaningful look, as I went on, “Those books or the movies aren’t your type. Trust me.”

  She finally nodded.

  “I will get you ice cream instead?” I offered winking at her.

  “Ice cream?” Gran chuckled in surprise.

  How could I forget it was my weapon to cheer someone-else?

  “Sure. I would love that.” Gran caressed my face adoringly and I patted her before leaving,

  “Good girl. Take care. Bye.”

  I walked towards the group, amused and smiling after what felt like a long time, though it had just been few days since I had been off with her.

  My steps came to a halt when I saw a new guy staring at her, while she spoke to Zidaan.

  Grinning lazily, he then commented on my Sanu's clothes, trying to appear subtle as he flirted with her, though not at all being subtle about it. He assured her how she would still look great even if her clothes got dirty. As if, she did not know or had asked his opinion in the first place. Only one guy in this world had the right to talk about Sani or could get concerned over her looks or anything else related to her. That was me!

  How dare he even look at her so much to linger?!

  Sani was just staring at him confused, while I eyed him as garbage.