Chapter-5 In Pin Safety Pin

Zuby's POV

After getting my hand treated we decided to get some lunch and go to my boutique. It was already 3 pm and so I thought of staying in the boutique with Sagar and Sagarika so that we can look at the profiles of all the boys and I decide on one of them. I felt really disgusted, I have not even met any of these boys and just by looking into their bio data I need to pick one. Well according to my Uncle and Aunt I should be grateful that I get to choose my groom. But then I think how much will it matter, I don't want to marry at the first place right now, so it won't make a difference who I marry because it will still be a forced marriage. Anyway sitting with my two best friends I get ready to choose my future husband. By the time we finished our lunch it was around 4 in the evening and I thought of closing my boutique half an hour early today. One there were not many customers today and two because I was not able to concentrate on work. I had already given the day off to Neetu and Shifa, my employees. Sagar helped me to pull down the shutters and hang the closed sign at my main entrance. I locked the door from inside and the three of us sat in my office. I finally opened the file which was supposed to be holding my future, a future which was decided by others and I had no say in it. Anyway the first picture and bio data was of a guy named Sahil Ali Khan; he was 28 years old and owns a fast food restaurant. He is the only child to his parents and they live together in a 5 BHK apartment in one of the best localities in our city.

Hmm…. He looks fine, he has not got the model looks but seemed fine with his tanned complexion and straight nose, I could make out he had broad shoulders and his height was mentioned 5'11". Well to be honest I am surprised my so called family did not finalize the ugliest guy for me, but then I know their reputation matters a lot to them. Anyway we then looked at the next guy's profile; yes the three of us were scrutinizing these guys together. This guy is a neurosurgeon, his name is Arhan Siddiqui and he is 29 years old, he lives with his parents and younger brother. Ok so he has a sibling as well, I saw his picture and at first sight I could see that he is more handsome as compared to Sahil. He is more of the tall dark handsome type. His height is mentioned 6'2" and I don't know why but looking at his picture I feel I have either seen him somewhere or he resembles someone I know.

Moving on to the third and last bio data, this one is of Iqbal Khan who is the branch manager at one of the SBI branches in our city and lives with his parents. He is also 28 years old and has two elder sisters who are both married. He also looks pretty fine, but I don't know why I am keeping him out of my list. May be because I have a gut feeling he is the most boring among them all, I know it sounds absurd to decide that someone is a boring person by just looking at their picture. I think I will decide between Arhan and Sahil. Let's see what my twin besties have to say.

"What do you guys say?" I asked my friends, Sagar took a deep breath and answered me…

"First you tell what's on your mind? We will give our suggestion after listening to you."

"Well…no doubt if I go after looks then this Arhan guy scores better but then I think his profession will keep him really busy. I mean no offence to his line of work, of course I know how much effort it is needed by one to become a doctor. But I want a husband who can at least give me some time, and as far as I know the working hours of doctors are quite a lot. It is definitely a noble profession but I guess I am being a bit selfish." Both Sagar and Sagarika hummed in response so I got the cue to continue…

"On the other hand Sahil's looks are not as attractive as Arhan but then I believe looks are not the only thing I want to see in my husband. He is also a businessman and owns his restaurant; I guess we might have a better understanding when it will come to our line of work. And also because he owns his restaurant I guess he will be able to give me more time. I think I am more inclined towards Sahil. And Iqbal is already out of the list for me. Now tell me what do you guys think?" Both my friends looked at each other and Sagarika spoke…

"I agree with you Zuby and I support you in your decision. I am sure Sagar also agrees with me…" she raised an eyebrow at Sagar who spoke…

"Yes I am with you, I guess then you answer your Uncle tonight and tell him that you will marry Sahil. I know he won't allow you to meet them but it would have been a little helpful in taking a decision if you could meet the guys. Though I know one meeting can't tell you much about a person but something is better than nothing."

"I think I got to see their pictures and got some basic information about them before deciding who to marry is a miracle in itself. Otherwise who knows they would have just forced me into a blind marriage, people go on blind dates I would have been on my blind marriage." I said sarcastically and chuckled.

It was decided then that I will say yes to Sahil's proposal and give my reply to my uncle. Sagarika and Sagar went to their home and I drove to mine. It was almost six in the evening and I decided to offer some special prayers before giving my answer to my uncle. I cried and prayed to Allah for the best for me. When I went down for dinner I heard a familiar voice and froze on my spot, I knew who he was; he was by biggest nightmare, Ashfaq my cousin brother. He was three years older to me and always stared at me in the worst possible way. He even tried to get in a relationship with me and bribed me by saying that if I agree to marry him he will make sure his parents change their behavior towards me. No matter how good it sounds but his intensions were impure and I had no doubt about it. He even tried to molest me a couple of times but I was lucky to stay safe. Anyway I can't stop him from coming here as his parents live in my house and so even he treats my house as his. He was transferred to another city one year back and that was such a relief for me. He works in a telecom company as a senior executive. Anyway as I got down they all were already seated on the dining table, I quietly sat on my place and served myself some food. In between dinner my uncle asked me about my decision and I told him that I found Sahil's proposal best among the three. To be honest I was still not sure if they will let me take the final decision but to my surprise they agreed and told me that they will talk to Sahil's parents tomorrow and then decide on the marriage date. After I finished my dinner without wasting a single second I quickly went back to my room and locked my room. I had to keep my distance from Ashfaq and so this was a good idea.

Sagarika called me after sometime and I told her about my conversation with my uncle. She was relieved to know that my uncle and aunt did not create another scene. But as I told her that Ashfaq is here she panicked and told me to make sure my door is locked and that I should not open my door even if he knocks…

"Don't worry Sagarika I have already done that….but I wonder for how many days he is going to stay. Anyway where is Sagar?" I asked her trying to change the topic….

"He has gone out to meet some friend and told he will have dinner outside. By the way mom is worried about you and asked me to call you over for dinner tomorrow night. In fact why don't you stay with me tomorrow as it will be weekend?" Sagarika's mom was a wonderful lady; no doubt her kids were gems. She really loved me like her own and always worried about me. Anyway I don't think it is a bad idea to stay with Sagarika tomorrow night that way I can keep my distance from Ashfaq too.

"OK Sagu I will join you guys tomorrow and also stay with you over the weekend." The only good thing about my uncle and aunt was that they never stopped me from meeting my friends or going out with them or even staying at their place.

"Now that's great Zuby, I will tell mum and ask her to make your favorite food. In fact I will come and pick you early morning, till then stay in your room. See you tomorrow… good night" Sagarika said excitedly and I also said good night then we hung up. As I disconnected the call there was a knock at my door, I decided to stay quiet and pretend that I am already asleep. Ashfaq called me from outside…

"Zuby open the door I know you are not asleep" that creep was standing at my door; I was NOT going to open my door for him. I just stayed quiet but he spoke again…..

"Look I know you are awake, please open the door. I want to talk to you about your marriage. I want you to once again think about my proposal." In his dreams will I think about his proposal, I will happily marry a stranger but never him. After a while I heard the sound of footsteps going away, I guess he was gone. Still I remained quiet for some more time just to make sure that he was actually gone. I walked in my bathroom and took a relaxing bath; I had to be careful with the bandage on my arm. I changed into a long t shirt and shorts. I love to wear comfortable clothes at night and the fact that I lock my door so that no one can barge in my door is always a good idea. I had applied shampoo and washed my hair, now I just had to dry them using my hair dryer. Blowing my hair dry I just lay on my bed thinking about my life. I wonder in how many days are my uncle and aunt planning to get me married. I just wonder how will Sahil treat me and what type of a person is he actually. I was on the verge of falling asleep when my mobile beeped; there was a message from an unknown number. I anyhow opened the message which read…

I hope I am not disturbing you; I got your number from your friend Sagar. I am sorry if you didn't like me taking your number but I just wanted to check on you. I hope your arm is fine now, take care of yourself and I am looking forward to work with you….Ayaan

So it was a message from Mr. Ayaan, I didn't understand why is he being so kind to me. I don't know but the way he was staring at me today did make me a bit uncomfortable but still there was something in his eyes which stopped me from snapping at him. He looked at me as if trying to recognize me, I don't know what was on his mind but before I left for the clinic with Sagar I saw concern in his eyes. I better stop thinking too much and just message him back….

It's ok…I am feeling much better now, thank you for asking. Good night

I made sure to keep my reply short and to the point…then my mobile beeped again with another message from him…

Good night

I saw his message and decided to call Sagar. I told him that I gave my decision to Uncle and also told him that Ashfaq is home. Just like Sagarika he also got worried and angry, he asked me to take all precautions and stay away from Ashfaq plus also said that he will ask Sagarika to pick me early morning. I told him that I already spoke to Sagarika and I will be staying with them over the weekend. I even told him about the message from Mr. Ayaan and he just hummed in response. I hung up the call and kept my mobile on my bedside table and closed my eyes; soon I drifted into a deep slumber.