Chapter-8 Busy Day

Zuby's POV

I woke up for my morning prayer around 5 in the morning. Once I was done with my prayer I decided to pack for the weekend since I was going to stay with Sagarika's family. The only good thing about my uncle and aunt was that they allowed me to hang out with my friends and also let me have a sleepover. Though I was very well aware for the reasons behind this kindness, one that they were too bothered about their reputation as good people/ saints etc. and two that I hardly had any friends. It is not like I don't mingle with people or I am an introvert. I talk and laugh with everyone but I just don't make anyone and everyone my friend. For me friendship is a very special bond. I am lucky to have two best friends; even their parents admire me like their own daughter. I have been friends with them since we moved to India. My parents also met them and appreciated my choice of friends. I just wish they were still here with me and appreciated the other decisions I have taken in life. Thinking about them I always wonder what could be Almighty's plans for me. Taking a deep breath I finish my packing and then take out my clothes for today. Sagarika will be picking me early morning so I guess we will first drop my stuff at her place then have breakfast with her and I might ask her to drop me to my boutique as well. I am just not in a mood to drive today so I guess I will book a cab in the evening or ask Sagarika to pick me if she is free.

I took a bath and then blow dried my hair. I changed into a comfortable black palazzo pants with red kurti (long shirt) and black head scarf. I wore one of my favorite red Sandals and sent a text to Sagarika telling her that I am ready. I picked up my laptop, mobile and wallet and placed everything in my hand bag. After about 10 minutes Sagarika replied to my message...

'On my way...will be there in 10 minutes'

I sent her a thumbs up in reply and just lay on my bed reading the new romance novel I bought 4 days back. I just love reading and romance is my favorite genre. But if someone asks me what kind of movies I prefer then it is definitely horror. My train of thoughts was interrupted by a knock on my door. I wonder who it could be as it's just 6.45 in the morning. I raised my voice and asked anyhow...

"Who is it??"

"Zuby please open the door, it's me Ashfaq...I want to talk to you" not him again, I really don't understand this prick. He is just disgusting, though I am not the kind of girl to be scared of scumbags but I am not a fool to willingly let him enter my room when I am alone. And especially after the stunt he tried on his last visit.

"C'mon Zuby it's not like I will eat you. I know you are upset because of what happened last time but believe me when I say I love you and that was just a mistake. I swear I won't repeat it" I was really getting irritated with this man now, I think I better face him and ask him to bug off otherwise he might have the impression that I am scared of him.

Taking a deep breath I closed my novel and kept it on the bed then walked towards the door. I sent a prayer to Allah to make me strong enough to face him and I opened the door. There he was shamelessly standing in just a pair of blue shorts and absolutely nothing covering the upper part of his body. There was a smirk on his face and I decided to look straight in his eyes and stop his non sense once and for all.

" Look Ashfaq I am saying this for the last time, STAY AWAY FROM ME. Once more you bother me I will go to the police now and file a harassment case." He seemed surprised to hear me and see me stand in front of him confidently. He was about to say something but just then the doorbell rang. I was sure it was Sagarika so I pushed him aside and walked down to get the door. I was correct and it was Sagarika...

"Hey good morning sweetheart" she said...

"Good morning Sagu...come with me upstairs and help me carry my stuff" she nodded and both of us walked upstairs to my room. Ashfaq was still standing at my door and Sagarika glared at him as she saw him. Seeing me pick my stuff Ashfaq asked...

"Where are you going early morning?"

"It's none of your business" I spat and just moved out locking my room and going down the stairs.

Uncle Jawwad was at the dining table by now with his newspaper in hand, I told him that I will be spending my weekend with my friends and go to their home directly from the boutique. He smiled and agreed happily, giving his best performance of the best uncle. He still doesn't know that Sagarika and her whole family know the bitter truth of my life and are totally aware of the behavior my Uncle and his family has towards me. I just said goodbye and walked out of the house with Sagarika.

As we settled in Sagarika's car she asked me about Ashfaq and what was he doing outside my room. I told her the whole thing and she started cursing him left right center. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction but deep in my heart I was glad that my friend cares about me. Though I told her to calm down but couldn't stop myself from thinking about that night which terrified me to the core. I am sure it was my prayers that saved me that night....

Flashback

It was almost midnight and I was still not asleep, I had already changed into my night suit and had my hair open as I did not blow dry my hair after I took a bath and changed into my comfy Pjs which was a loose and long t shirt along with tights. I just lay on my bed and was going through my social media accounts when all of a sudden I felt my bed dip on the other side. I jumped up in surprise and quickly got off my bed. As I turned to switch on my bedside lamp someone held me by the waist from behind. Though I was really scared but I still managed to push the person and ran towards my door. Before I could open the door the lights in my room were switched on, I turned around and saw my cousin Ashfaq standing near the switches with a sick smile on his face. I couldn't hold my anger and screamed at him…

"What the hell are you doing in my room?" I felt angry and scared at the same time

"I just wanted to spend some quality time with you….alone….just you and me…" he started moving toward me but I turned around to walk out of my room as somehow I had this bad feeling that him being alone with me in my room is not a good idea. He was quick in his actions and held my wrist and turned me back while holding me near him. I placed my other hand on his chest in order to maintain some distance. He was invading my personal space and I was feeling disgusted by his mere touch. I tried to get my wrist out of his hold and said…

"Leave me and get out of my room right now otherwise I will start shouting" he didn't move nor did he leave my wrist in fact he had this real creepy smile on his face and then ran his fingers through my hair. I pushed his hand away from my hair and he spoke…

"Why are you behaving like this Zuby? I know you like me just as much as I like you otherwise you would have said a straight no when I told you I want to be in a relationship with you. Stop resisting me now and let me kiss you and hold you as you are mine." That was it, I was sure this man has lost his mind and with all my might I pushed him and finally he stumbled a few feet away from me. It was enough for me to pick up my scarf and I walked out of my room, I wanted to run away but I knew I need to give him a reply. I wore my scarf over my head and turned around, he had again moved forward and without thinking twice I slapped him hard across the face. He was shocked beyond words, what did he think? I spoke in a low and threatening voice…

"I didn't give you a reply last time because I thought you understood that I am not interested in having a relationship with you. Now I am making it loud and clear don't you dare try this ever again and I am NEVER going to be with you in a relationship and I am definitely NOT yours." with that said I quickly ran down the stairs and picked up my car keys. Though it was past mid night but I knew my car was safer than this house right now. I realized that my Uncle and Aunt were not home as they had gone to some dinner party. As I reached in my car I turned on the engine and just drove out. I stopped after 5 minutes to think about where to go and decided to go to Sagar and Sagarika's home. I left my mobile in my room so couldn't even call them, I reached their home around 1 am and I rang the doorbell, Sagarika's dad answered the door and was shocked to see me there at that time. I didn't realize but I was trembling by now, he let me in and quickly called Sagarika and her mom. Aunt Sulekha just hugged me as she saw me and it was then I started crying uncontrollably. They were all worried for me, Sagarika brought me a glass of water and after almost 5-7 minutes I stopped crying. By now Sagar was also down and he was also as worried as the others. Sagarika took me to her room and there I told her what happened. Sagar stood at door and heard everything, they comforted me and told me how proud they are that I stood for myself and even slapped that jerk of a cousin.

Present

The sound of the horn brought me out of my trance, I looked at Sagarika and she was cursing the person driving ahead of us. I wonder what was making her so mad. I took a deep breath and reminded myself of the promise I made to myself that I will never allow any such thing to happen to me ever again. Since then I have kept my distance from Ashfaq.

We reached Sagarika's home after almost half an hour, Aunt Sulekha was already waiting for us at the dining table and she had prepared my favorite breakfast. I loved her paneer(a kind of cheese) stuffed parathas (Indian bread). She greeted me with a warm hug and escorted me to the dining table, we had breakfast and once Sagar came down Sagarika asked him to get my stuff out of her car and place it in her room. Sagar just nodded and after breakfast kept my stuff in Sagarika's room. Sagarika had time and so she was ready to drop me to the boutique. I picked up my hand bag and both of us walked out of the house and got in her car. I was in my boutique around half past nine, as I opened the locks my mobile beeped; it got a message from someone. Once I was inside my boutique and settled down I took my mobile and saw another message from Mr. Ayaan…

"Good Morning, I hope you are doing well. Just wanted to inform you that next week I don't have a busy schedule so we can have the meeting regarding your new boutique." Its strange to have a message from him, there was something in his eyes I noticed yesterday. Anyway I shut all other thoughts coming to my mind and replied back…

"Good Morning to you too, I am fine. I'll definitely let you know when I can come and will get an appointment from your office accordingly." I kept my mobile back and just then there was another message from Mr. Ayaan…

"You don't need to take an appointment, just text or call me whenever you are coming." I found this a little weird but decided to reply a simple thank you…

��Ok, thanks"

Turning my attention to the entrance I saw Neetu enter, she greeted me with her warm smile and said good morning. Neetu was one of the sales girls in my boutique; she was almost of my age and had joined me a year back. She is a trustworthy girl and always so full of life. Shifa was my other employee but she was going to be late today as she sent me a text sometime back. It was going to be a busy day as I had some clients coming up to select dresses for a wedding. No matter how busy and exhausted my day was going to be I was too excited for my stay with Sagarika, both of us do really crazy stuff whenever we have a sleepover at each other's place. I am looking forward for a fun filled time with my besty. I got a call from my new client who told me that she has started from her place and will be here in almost three hours. This lady sounds very gentle and I don't know why but I have a feeling that I will really like her. She lives in the nearby town and heard about my boutique from some friend so decided to shop at my place. It was around 12.15 when my new clients reached; it was one lady who seemed to be in her thirties and along with her was a young girl who I was guessing was younger to me. I and Neetu greeted them, but before we could introduce each other I noticed a guy parked his car outside my boutique and got down, I couldn't see his face but he seemed familiar. Anyhow I concentrated on my new customers. But when the guy entered the boutique and our eyes met both of us were surprised.