chapter 3

Fara was almost on the edge of crying.

"Don't worry, nothing is going to happen, okay?" Ahad tried to reassure her.

"Please, don't do this... I can't accept this offer right now," she pleaded.

"Okay, tell me, why does Zoha need so much security?" he asked.

"I only know that Mamu wants to harm Zoha, and Dad is trying to protect her," Fara said.

"What rubbish," Ahad said.

"Yes, it sounds like rubbish, but it's true," Fara affirmed.

"I don't believe you," Ahad said.

"Listen, don't talk to anyone about this right now, not even your mom," Fara cautioned.

"Hmm, okay. By the way, happy birthday... my mood has changed, I'm not coming to your house," Ahad said.

"Thanks," Fara said and ended the call.

In the evening, the party was at its peak. Media, press, business tycoons, and celebrities were present because it was a Tiwana party.

Zoha wore skin-colored jeans with a white shirt and a jeans jacket. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her hands were covered with bands. She looked breathtakingly beautiful with her American complexion, attracting everyone's attention, which irritated her.

"Zoha come, I'll introduce you to your uni fellows," Fara said.

"Fara, I'm sorry, but you know I don't like to socialize and be in gatherings. You carry on," Zoha said, and Fara nodded in disappointed way

"Why are you sad? Okay, let's go," Zoha said, and Fara smiled. Fara knew that her sad face could melt Zoha's heart, and she used it well.

Zoha was standing to the side when Rubi approached her.

"Zoha, dear, how are you?" Rubi asked. Zoha tried to ignore her, but Fara was looking at them.

"Fine," Zoha said.

"I chose a dress for you. The maid didn't give it to you? You came wearing jeans; it's a party," Rubi said.

"Actually, Miss Tiwana, you're from the upper class, a fashion diva, but I'm not. Your life revolves around money, parties, holidays, trips, but not mine. I'm okay with my dressing, and I don't care about anybody," she said with a fake smile and left.

After two hours, people went back home, and Zoha also went to her room.

At the Malik house...

Sadiya, Zain, and Ahad were sitting at the dining table, having breakfast.

"Did you know that Rubi's younger daughter is in your university?" Sadiya asked, and Ahad and Zain felt a lump in their throats.

"Don't dare to lie to me. I know my son is famous enough," she said, pointing her finger at them.

"Yes," Ahad finally said.

"How long ago?" Sadiya raised her eyebrow.

"It's her third semester," Zain told her.

"Hmm... and my sons didn't think it was necessary to tell me. Wow!" she said, hurt.

"It's not like that, Mom. We don't know her that well, and we don't talk to her," Ahad interjected, but Sadiya interrupted.

"Hmm! I've seen her at the university. Now tell me everything truthfully. If your mamoo finds out about your actions, believe me, he'll bury you both alive. You don't know that he doesn't want any connection with that family, yet you're talking to her," Sadiya said angrily.

"Mom, listen to me. How long will you keep enmity with each other? Rubi Khala is your cousin, and you both don't want to see each other's faces. Moreover, you don't even tell the reason... why? Ahad said.

"Ahad Malik, you haven't grown up enough to question me yet," Sadiya said furiously and walked out.

"You shouldn't argue with her," Zain said.

"Bro, in all of this, you and Fara will suffer. You don't understand, both of you will bear the consequences of their hatred," Ahad said sadly.

"Nothing will happen, some solution will surely come up," Zain said optimistically.

"Bro, she's upset with me and left. Now even Nani has gone to Mamu's place," Ahad said.

"Go and apologize to her," Zain suggested, and Ahad headed towards Sadiya's room.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Ahad said, holding his ears, and Sadiya smiled.

"It's okay, but let's not talk about this topic again," Sadiya said.

Next day, everyone was waiting for Zoha at the dining table for breakfast.

"Daniel, where is Zoha? You didn't tell her that we all want her to have breakfast with us today," Rafiya Begum said.

"Actually, Dado, Zoha isn't used to waking up so early, and besides, she was tired," Daniel explained.

"So, what do you mean?" Rabiya asked.

"She's coming," Daniel said, but Zoha didn't show up.

Daniel went to her room after breakfast.

"Why didn't you come down for breakfast?" Daniel asked.

"Because I was sleeping, and who has breakfast at 10 a.m.? It's too early," Zoha replied while playing a game.

"Zoha, you usually wake up early and have breakfast early, so what happened today?" Daniel asked angrily.

"I don't want to eat with them, that's why. Last night was Fara's birthday, so I tolerated them, but now I want to live life my way," Zoha said stubbornly.

"Zoha, beta," Daniel tried to advise her, but she stopped him.

"Don't, Bhai. I came here on your saying. It's enough for me. Please don't force me to do anything more," Zoha said, and he nodded and left.

Zoha was living in the house like a stranger. She didn't talk to anyone much. Fara tried to talk to her, but she replied in monosyllables. Daniel was very worried about her. Rafiya Begum had a problem with her dressing, and Zoha was irritated by it. She was not comfortable in shalwar kameez, and today was one of those days. Zoha wore a T-shirt and jeans and went to the lounge where Rafiya Begum was also sitting.

"Beta, greet someone when you see them," Rafiya said.

"Sorry, Assalamu Alaikum," she said and called the maid to make coffee.

"Zoha beta, now you should dress a bit more like a girl. You're grown up now. Tomorrow, we have to think about your marriage," and as Zoha heard this, she was filled with anger and glared at her.

"I won't get married. Understand, please," Zoha said angrily.

"How can you talk to your grandmother like this, Zoha?" Rubi Begum said angrily.

"Oh please, you never say anything. Zoha said angrily and went to her room. Daniel saw her and followed her. She was throwing things on the floor.

"Zoha, relax. Zoha... Zoha," Daniel grabbed the bottle of perfume.

"Brother, they said they would get me married... Brother... I won't get married... you know, right... I won't get married," she said while crying and hugging him.

"Yes, my dear... whatever you say, it will happen. Just... now please relax," Daniel said with love.

"It won't happen like this. I want you to take me back. Yes, we are going back," she said and was about to stand up when he grabbed her hand and made her sit.

"My dear, sit here... listen to me... Can they get you married without your consent? So just... and what can I do to make it happen?" Daniel asked, and she shook her head.

"So just... relax," Daniel said, and she nodded.

The next day, she was bored at home. Fara went to her university, and Daniel was also not at home.

She came downstairs and looked around. The maid came from there.

"Hey, listen," she called her, but she didn't listen.

"Listen... you," she called her again, and the maid came towards her.

"Where is Miss Tiwana?" she asked with a hard expression.

"Who, Zoha Bibi?" the maid asked.

"Where is your Rubi Madam? Get the car keys from her... I want to go out," Zoha said, and she nodded and went to Rubi's room.

Rubi came outside.

"What happened, Zoha beta? Do you need anything?" Rubi asked with a smile.

"Car keys," Zoha said rudely.

"You can't go out alone. The driver isn't here; otherwise, he would have taken you," Rubi said.

"And why is that?" Zoha asked angrily.

"Because you don't know how to drive, and this is Pakistan, not London. Daniel will come, and he will take you," Rubi said.

"You have no need to worry about me. If something happens to me, you shouldn't care... just like you haven't cared for the past 14 years without me," Zoha said angrily, pain evident in her voice.

"First, we've been through this before... I don't want to make the same mistake again," Rubi said, tears in her eyes.

"Oh, please, stop your typical drama," Zoha rolled her eyes.

"Zoha beta, don't you understand how much I love you?" Rubi took a step toward her, but Zoha stopped her with her hand.

"Stay away from me," she said and went back to her room in anger, pacing around.

"Why are her words affecting me? Why?" she said angrily.

"She meant nothing to me... I hate her," Zoha muttered.

That night, all the Malik family was having dinner.

"Dad, I'm going back to London tomorrow. I'm thinking Zoha should also come back to Pakistan, so I'll wrap up all my business and come back here," Daniel said.

"But why? I'm here for just one year, Bhai," Zoha said, confused.

"No, Zoha... you are staying here permanently," Rubi told her.

"Oh, please! I'm not asking you," Zoha said rudely.

"Zoha, behave yourself," Kamal Sahab said angrily.

"That's why... that's why I'm asking you... I've told you many times, Bhai, that I can't adjust here. This morning, she didn't allow me to go outside. I'm fed up with all this. I need space. I want to go back," Zoha said angrily.

"You won't go back," Rubi said, grinding her teeth.

"I will go back... See, Bhai... she called me here just to... she wants to ruin my life again... these people don't even love me, so why am I here? Huh?" Zoha took a deep breath. Daniel stood up from his chair and grabbed her shoulder.

"Zoha, are you okay, dear?" Daniel asked worriedly.

"I don't want to live here," Zoha said, feeling difficulty in breathing. They all were worried about her sudden reaction, and she fainted in Daniel's arms. Daniel picked her up and took her to her room.

"Fara, call the doctor," Rubi said.

"No! There's no need for that. She sometimes gets panic attacks when she thinks too much or gets upset about something. Fara, these are her medicines. She'll regain consciousness soon. Just give her these," Daniel explained everything to Fara and came outside.

"Since when has she been having these attacks?" Kamal Sahab asked.

"Since she went to London," Daniel told them.

"And you didn't even tell us," Rubi said angrily.

"If I had told you, what would have happened? You wouldn't have called her back anyway, right? So what was the point, Mom? I know you sent her there for her safety, but you never understood that little girl's feelings. Mom, she was just 9 years old at that time. Just 9... Have you ever thought about how she might have been there without her mother? No... You never thought... You could have stayed here and kept her safe. But no... Tiwana family's children should have good manners, American nationality, they should be able to adjust in your society. That's why you sent her there... so that she could groom herself and become self-confident," Daniel said painfully.

"Daniel, you are crossing your limits," Rubi said.

"Yeah... I am crossing my limits... Mom, wake up from your dream. You've distanced your children from you in your quest for fame. Have you and Dad ever gone to meet her in London? No..." Kamal Sahab stood up like a statue, and Rubi was speechless.

"I am so sorry, but... you both are just running behind your fame... and you lost your children's love. But I request you... please... she's been holding onto her anger for many years... she will gradually let it out on all of you... so keep patience..." Daniel said.

After some time, Zoha woke up, and Daniel entered her room.

"Are you okay, my child?" Daniel asked.

"I am sorry, Bhai," Zoha said, shamefacedly.

"It's okay, dear, but don't repeat it again, okay?" he said, and she nodded.

"Bhai... am I normal... actually... I've been thinking... whatever happens to me... it's not normal... I fall asleep while talking... everything people say affects me a lot... I get angry quickly... I get panic attacks... is the effect of my past on my mind... am I abnormal?" she said, crying in confusion.

"Zoha, Zoha... what are you saying? You're perfectly normal... absolutely normal... you're just a bit more sensitive, that's all... okay? And having panic attacks is normal," Daniel said reassuringly.

"Don't dwell on such thoughts in your mind, okay?" Daniel said, and she nodded with a smile.

"Okay, I have to leave in the morning, and you'll be going to university with Fara from next week. Your admission and everything else is sorted... and one more thing... I haven't forgotten my promise. If after a year, you still don't feel comfortable here, I'll take you back to London... but until then, you have to listen to me... you have to go with two guards wherever you go," Daniel said.

"Nooo, please... it's torture," she pleaded.

"No... I've made up my mind, and now you have to agree," Daniel said, and she nodded. Daniel kissed her forehead.

"Wow! Here, both brother and sister are showing love... that's great, Bhai... I'm here just for this," Fara said dramatically.

"Come here, you drama queen," Daniel extended his hand towards her, and she jumped into his arms.

After some time, Fara and Daniel came out of her room.

"Fara, listen to me very carefully... Zoha is currently very sensitive... you have to take care of her a lot... try to ensure that there's no argument with Mama until I return... I brought her here so that she could stay with everyone and adjust here... but it'll take time... these are her medicines... make sure she takes them on time," Daniel said, and she nodded.

Daniel went to London, and Zoha was ignoring everyone... she only talked to Fara, and if anyone else called her, she responded with just one word... Rafiya Begum's behavior towards her was strange... she loved Fara and Daniel with all her heart, but Zoha... she looked at her with strange eyes.

Fara and Zoha planned to go shopping.

They were about to leave when Rubi called them.

"The guards will go with you," Rubi said.

"We're going to the mall... not to commit a crime... why do we need guards?" Zoha said, rolling her eyes.

"Then no one will go," Rubi said.

"Do you think Miss Rubi Kamal can stop me?" Zoha said challengingly.

"Zoha... why do you always complicate everything... I'm saying this for your safety," Rubi said.

"Thanks for your concern... but I don't need it... so please, yes... we're going... without guards," Zoha said angrily.

"Zoha, please... I promise the guards won't go inside the mall," Fara whispered in her ear, and she went outside.

"Mom, please... have patience... " Fara said.

"The guards will go with both of you," Rubi said.

"Okay, fine," she said and went outside. One car of guards was also with them.

They went to the mall.

"Zoha... you check out that shop... I'll look around here," Fara said, and Zoha nodded.

Zoha liked a shirt for Daniel, when a boy wearing a hoodie and jeans, with his face covered by a mask, approached her.

"Excuse me... I've chosen this shirt..." the boy said. Zoha narrowed her eyes. She really liked it.

"Have you made the payment?" she asked. Then the salesboy came.

"Ma'am, did you like anything?" he asked, and Zoha gave him the shirt.

"Yes, pack this, and take this card," Zoha gave him her card. The boy looked at Zoha.

"I'm telling you that..." he was about to say more when Zoha interrupted.

"You've liked it... but, mister, you'll only have something of yours once you make the payment," she said with a smirk and went to the cashier's table.

On the other hand, Zain called Fara.

"Look behind you, Miss," Zain said, and she saw he was behind her. She was shocked.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know we have guards with us?" Fara said.

"With you... why?" Zain said.

"Because of Zoha... oh no, Zoha... let's go from here... I also have to find Zoha," she said and then caught sight of the shop.

"You brought Ahad along with you... what's he talking to Zoha about?" Fara said in fear.

"That's Zoha?" Zain asked.

Ahad followed Zoha... the shopkeeper was about to give her a bag when Ahad snatched it and gave him cash, then left the shop.

"Thank you... and you... whatever you liked belongs to me, Miss XYZ," he said and rushed outside... Zoha was in shock... and when she realized what had happened, Ahad had disappeared. She was fuming in anger... Fara rushed toward her.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Fara asked quickly.

"I'm fine... but I don't know who that was... idiot..." Zoha said in anger.

"Let's go... let's eat something," Fara said.

"No, Fara... I'm so tired... let's just go home," Zoha said, and Fara nodded.

"Okay, let's go," Fara said, and they went home.

Fara went to her room and first dialed Zain's number, but he didn't answer the call... she tried Ahad's number as well, but he also cut her call.

"I'll ask you both later..." Fara said, grinding her teeth.