Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 40

7 years ago

Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 40

Bhabhi (Sister-in-law), how was yor wedding night?” Shaheryaar’s sister, Sarah winked naughtily as she met Aariz’s wife the next morning.

In answer, Zeest just lowered her head but said nothing.
“Ahemm…..?” Sarah tried to find out any traces of desire left on her face, any clue of some passionate encounter and any hint of some satisfied glory….but this face was spotless, expressionless.

“Bhabhi…..are you feeling alright?” Sarah asked, observing deeply.

“Yes..” She said in a broken voice. ‘I’s just that things happened so quickly.

“Oh, I understand.”
Sarah gave a nod of understanding. She thought she knew why Zeest was feeling like this. Afterall, it had not been even a week after her father’s death.

Perhaps, it was natural for Zeest to feel like that. She didn’t tease her anymore then.

“How’s my daughter?” A fresh chuckle came from the doorway, and they saw Mrs. Ali standing there.

“Aadaab (Greetings).” Bending her head slightly, Zeest took her hand to her right brow, in the traditional gesture of Muslim-Indian family salute.

“Have a long life.” Smiling Mrs. Ali caressed her lowered head with her right hand.

“You know Zeest, you make me so happy.” Mrs. Ali took her hands lovingly into her own.

“Although, we never actually met so much, but it still feels like I always knew you.”
She blinked her eyes but said nothing.

“You know I always wished for a daughter.” There was a touch of intense longing in Mrs. Ali’s voice. “But now I believe my dream has finally come true.”

Smiling affectionately, Mrs. Ali leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Only then she noticed something.

“Zeest?” She asked looking at her face. “You are not wearing any Jewelry, why?”
She didn’t answer.

“Hmm?” Mrs. Ali wanted an answer for her question.

“They….they were making me uncomfortable, hurting me.” She opened her mouth, while keeping her eyes low

“You’re a new bride, daughter, and new brides don’t keep their wrist and ears empty.”
“So don’t leave your hands without jewelry.” Mrs. Ali told her. “Married women are always supposed to wear them.”

On her word ‘married’ women, Zeest almost winced in pain. She wanted to ask if she was really married.

“I’ll go and get you coffee.” She told her mother-in-law.

“Nah, you’re a new bride, a fresh one. You’re not supposed to start working by the next day of your wedding. You have your whole life for that. But not today.” She smiled.

The coffee smelled hot and fresh as Mrs. Ali took two cups from the cupboard and filled them with coffee from the pot. She carried them to the bedroom where Zeest and Sarah were sitting.

Zeest picked up the cup and stared into the black liquid. Mrs. Ali and Sarah kept talking while she drank her coffee. After she was finished, she heard her mother-in-law saying;
“Breakfast is almost ready. Take a shower and change your cloths. We’re waiting for you at the breakfast table. Alright?” Mrs. Ali wanted her affirmative answer.

She stared at her and nodded.
“And Sarah.” Mrs. Ali turned toward the sister of Aariz’s friend. “You’re going to help me with the breakfast.”

“Why not Aunt, that’s why I am here.” Sarah gave her a pleasant smile and followed her, closing the door behind her.

Zeest yawned sleepily and left the bed. She had not been able to sleep a single wink last night. With a deep sigh, she fished her toothbrush, toothpaste and soap out of her overnight case and shuffled, bleary-eyes and barefoot, toward the attached bathroom.

When she reached her destination, the door was closed. She hesitated.

That probably meant someone was inside. As she raised her fist to knock, the door swung wide and she was face-to-face—rather, face-to-chest—with Aariz.

“Good morning.” He said, his voice deeply laden with humor and sarcasm. “Please, accept my sheartiest congratulatuons for having such a wonderful wedding night. I’m sure you’d never forget it, would you?”
Her gaze snapped to his face. His hair was damp and lay in dark ringlets across his forehead. His eyes glittered like silver, and his lips were parted, displaying a cynical flash of teeth.

This magnetic man exuded such arrogant magnetism she found it difficult to keep from constantly blushing in his presence.

“Mother wanted me to take a shower.” She said, lowering her eyes. “She’s waiting for us at the breakfast table.”

One brow rose to meet the damp curls on his forehead.
“Why? Is she not satisfied yet?” He laughed shortly.
Ignoring his question, she went inside the bathroom, and locked the door.

A few minutes later, they were all sitting around the big breakfast table. Sarah had already left, after helping Mrs. Ali in arranging the breakfast items.

There were juices, fresh bread, milk, cheese, pure butter, sheermalas and various Pakistani sweets.

“Aariz, tonight is your wedding dinner and Zeest needs to do some shopping for that.” His mother announced in a very casual tone.

“So?” His hand spreading cheese on his toast stopped for a second.

“So, you two are going for shopping after breakfast.”

“I’m sorry, I am not free. She can take someone else with her.” He gave his answer, not wanting to talk further on the topic.

“You know that she doesn’t have any family except……” Mrs. Ali’s voice was a bit loud now.

“So what?’ He asked rudely, chapping on his slice. “She’s not my headache.”

“She’s your responsibility.” Mrs. Ali told him. “She’s your wife.”

“Put her into some orphanage, mother.” He said rigidly. “I’m sure they can take care of her better than I can.”

Zeest almost choked on her coffee.