Boundaries and Deception

Adeeba woke up to her friend Isha's gentle nudge. "Adeeba, wake up – your phone's been ringing for half an hour!"

Isha held out Adeeba's phone, adding, "It's Raheem."

Adeeba's heart sank as she answered, only to be met with Raheem's shouting voice.

She hung up, anger simmering inside her.

Turning to Isha, Adeeba asked pointedly, "You're not going home today?"

Isha shook her head – "No."

Adeeba's gaze narrowed slightly. "Then you should be at your husband's."

Isha looked down slightly before responding, "He already knows I'm here with you, Adeeba – I informed him."

Adeeba's expression turned skeptical. "And he's okay with that?"

Isha nodded slowly. "Yes... he trusts me."

Adeeba raised an eyebrow, her mind racing with thoughts of her own complicated family dynamics – and her brother Raheem's distrustful call earlier.

"What's so special about his trust?" Adeeba asked bluntly, curiosity getting the better of her.

Adeeba's eyes widened momentarily, then she shrugged casually.

"That explains his tolerance of you staying here with me then."

Isha nodded slightly, seeming to expect Adeeba's blunt response.

"He's stuck with me now. Do you think less of me for trapping him?"

Adeeba leaned back, voice neutral.

"Should I – you clearly got what you wanted."

_____________________

Time passed, Adeeba walked into her family home, parents awaiting her in the living room.

"Where were you?" her mother asked directly.

Adeeba replied calmly, "At my own place."

Before her parents could react, a slap landed sharply across her face –

not from either parent, but from her paternal aunt, Bua.

"You lie even to your parents?" Bua spat angrily.

"How did you know I wasn't home?" Adeeba demanded, rubbing her stinging cheek.

Adeeba's parents rushed to intervene, her father asking sternly,

"Gousiya, what's going on? How did you know she wasn't home?"

Bua crossed her arms, eyes narrowing at Adeeba.

"She's always disappearing – either hanging out with those girls... or worse, boys."

Adeeba's mother gasped softly, while her father's expression turned thunderous.

"One girl especially – Isha... Raheem told me about her friendship with Adeeba."

Adeeba's heart sank – Bua knew about Isha... and likely her secret conversations too!

Adeeba's eyes blazed with defiance as she turned to her father.

"Papa, tell Bua to leave our house – NOW. Or face consequences from me."

The room fell silent, shocked by Adeeba's bold ultimatum.

Bua sneered, "Consequences from you? You're just a disobedient daughter!"

But Adeeba's father surprisingly stepped forward, his voice firm.

"Bua, Adeeba has spoken. Please leave. We'll discuss this family matter without outsiders."

Bua's face twisted in anger as she spun around and stormed out – slamming the door behind her.

Adeeba's parents exchanged nervous glances before her mother asked softly,

"Adeeba, tell us... where were you really?"

Adeeba crossed her arms, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Do I need to explain? Did you both believe Bua's allegations?"

Her father cleared his throat, choosing words carefully.

"We want truth from you, beta... Bua's words sparked concern, not belief."

Adeeba studied their faces, seeming to weigh trust levels before responding.

Adeeba studied their faces, then replied softly,

"You should trust me more than Bua's words."

Her voice barely above whisper, yet conveying deep emotion.

No direct answer about her whereabouts, just gentle reproach.

Her mother nodded slowly, eyes filled with love and concern.

"We do trust you, Adeeba... but tell us, is everything okay?"

Adeeba paused, then whispered even softer,

"For now..."

Her parents exchanged gentle glances, seeming to accept her vague reassurance.

"Okay, beta... we'll talk more tomorrow. Rest now," her father said softly.

Adeeba nodded slightly, turning to head to her room.

"Goodnight," she whispered behind her.

"Goodnight, Adeeba. Love you," her mother replied.

The door closed behind Adeeba, leaving parents to worried glances –

but no further questioning tonight.

Adeeba leaned against her door, eyes closing... thoughts drifting to Isha.

Adeeba's eyes snapped open, anger rushing through her veins like fire.

She pushed off from the door, marching determinedly towards Raheem's room.

The hallway seemed to blur around her as fury focused her steps.

She burst into Raheem's room without knocking –

finding him lounging on his bed, phone in hand.

Raheem looked up, startled, then smirked slightly –

until he saw Adeeba's blazing eyes.

"What did you tell Bua?" Adeeba spat, voice low and deadly.

Sameera emerged from the bathroom, rubbing her hair dry with a towel,

eyes narrowing slightly at Adeeba's tense posture.

"What's going on here?" Sameera asked gently, but firmly.

Adeeba softened her tone for Sameera's sake,

"I need to talk to Raheem. Can we use his study?"

Sameera looked at Raheem, then back at Adeeba, nodding.

"Yes, go ahead. I'll finish getting ready."

She glanced at Raheem warningly before returning to the bathroom.

Raheem stood up slowly, eyes still wary of Adeeba's anger.

"After you," he said curtly, following Adeeba out to his study.

As soon as Raheem closed the study door behind him,

Adeeba spun around, shouting:

"How did you know I was with Isha?!"

Raheem took a step back, eyes widening slightly at her fury.

"Bua told me she suspected something... I just confirmed it," he said calmly.

But calm only enraged Adeeba further –

"You had no right to confirm anything! What did you tell Bua exactly?!"

Her voice echoed off the study walls, threatening to shatter restraint.

Raheem winced slightly, eyes dropping as if struck by guilt.

Adeeba's accusation hung in the air like a verdict:

"You believed Bua over me... your own sister."

He paused, collecting thoughts before speaking lowly,

"Bua showed me messages... between you and Isha. About Om."

Adeeba's expression froze –

they knew about Om.

Her voice barely audible, "What messages?"

But Adeeba smiled calmly,

"They're CEOs – Isha Kapoor and Om Singhaniya of OSIK Fashion House... and actually, husband and wife."

Raheem's expression changed from suspicion to surprise –

Adeeba's casual tone implied Bua's gossip was merely ignorant of their marital status.

"Bua had no idea they're married?" Raheem asked, amused by Bua's mistake.

Adeeba nodded laughing softly,

"Clearly not... Bua owes me an apology!"

Raheem nodded slowly, accepting her words with a hint of surprise –

years of non-interference suddenly referenced.

Adeeba turned to leave, then glanced back over her shoulder,

"And now stop stepping in my affairs... like you hadn't for past years."

With that firm statement, Adeeba walked out of the study, closing the door behind her.

Raheem stood alone, expression thoughtful –

had he really stayed out of her life until Bua interfered?

The door's soft click marked Adeeba's exit – and a clear boundary set.