Obscured Affection (Slow Updates)

59

Sara looked at him questioningly. Azlaan was quietly sipping his tea, while Arsalan was smiling as he looked at her.

“I mean, if we get Azlaan married, you’ll have company,” Aijaz said with a grin. Sara smiled at his comment, and Azlaan, who had been silently listening, suddenly raised his head to look at them.

“Do you have someone in mind, dear?” Aijaz asked Sara who answered with a soft smile, her eyes on Azlaan.

“Yes, Baba… you remember Safoora? The manager in our company? You’ve always liked us as your employees. You even said we’re like your daughters. What do you think about her?”

Azlaan looked at Sara with surprise.

“I do like her… I had thought about it, but never got the chance to talk to Ishtiyaaq.”

“If you’d like, I can speak to Sabeena Aunty,” Sara offered.

“Alright, dear… speak to her whenever you get the chance.”

Aijaz said, nodding. But Azlaan now looked at them seriously and spoke.

“There’s no need for that.”

“Why not? Are you in love with someone else?”

Aijaz asked, and Azlaan smiled slightly before replying, “Ishaq bhai said we should bring the proposal to his house this Sunday. I forgot to tell you.”

“Oh? So you’ve already discussed about it,” Aijaz said with a smile. Azlaan stood up and walked away.

Arsalan got up and followed him. Sara and Aijaz, too, left to go to their rooms.

“Azlaan,” Arsalan called out. Azlaan paused in the balcony of his room. Arsalan followed him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You’re about to start a new life… with Safoora. But are you really ready?”

“What do you mean, Bhai?” Azlaan asked, confused by the question.

“Can any woman truly be happy with a man who doesn’t even know what he might do the next moment? You know about your condition, Azlaan. Then why do you want to bring someone you love into a life filled with uncertainty?”

“I know everything. And no matter which personality of me exists… they all love Safoora. I can never hurt her.”

“Can you say with certainty that she’ll never be hurt because of you?”

“But Bhai… I love Safoora!”

“And to attain that love, do you want to cause her pain? You don’t know yourself. Think of everything you’ve done… what if you act that way in front of her, and she leaves you forever? Where will you go looking for her then? Do you want to lose Safoora forever?”

Hearing Arsalan’s words, Azlaan’s eyes turned red with emotion, and in a fit of rage, he grabbed Arsalan by the neck. Arsalan tried to free himself, pulling at Azlaan’s hands, but Azlaan tightened his grip even more.

***

"Why did we stop here?"

Mahnoor asked as Ishaq brought the car to a halt.

"Come with me."

He got out of the car and she followed him. Ishaq had brought her to a very large restaurant. The two were now seated at a table that Ishaq had already reserved.

Ishaq handed the menu to Mahnoor, who silently started reading it.

"What happened? Aren’t you hungry or you don't understand anything?"