“Hey stop looking at me like that,” she snapped getting angry for real now.
Shaking his head, as if realising something for the first time, he finally spoke. “So, this is how you pass time whenever you stayed out late?”
“Sometimes,” came her short reply.
He nodded but said nothing. After a few minutes of taking the effort to study his surrounding, he asked calmly, “when are we leaving?”
“Obviously not now, I mean common it’s hardly been an hour. Just relax a bit, it’s not that bad” she said
“My head hurts” he said wincing a little.
“Sorry?” She asked not getting him.
“The music” he said in a weak voice, “it makes my head hurt, really hurt.”
She observed him for a few seconds, to see if he was serious. “Oh common, it can be that bad” she commented, unbelievably. When he looked at her seriously, she finally gave up, shaking her head in disgust, she said, “okays let go, just so you know, you are the most boring guy I ever met.”
He just smiled a little, evidently grateful for her decision. Eyes followed as they made their way towards the exit, guys wishing they were Farhan and girls wishing they were Risha. Just for the fun of it, she reached out and held his arm bringing her body close to his intimately. Farhan froze as soon as her body touched his. “She had never been like this before,” he thought to himself, evidently, today her devils were at work.
“What?” she demanded with childlike innocence, when his puzzled eyes held hers “we are supposed to be married remember?” she winked smiling mischievously at him.
Farhan just shook his head but said nothing, he was just grateful they were leaving this good forsaken place. Few minutes later, they were almost getting to where they had parked their car, when from the thick darkness, about six guys stepped in front of them. it seemed they had been waiting in the dark. Farhan instinctively pulled Risha closer.
“Hi, ice bitch” one of them spoke in a hoarse voice, indicating he had been drinking. “where have you been with that hot body of yours? We missed you, you know?
They all laughed as they surrounded them.
Stepping boldly away from Farhan, “just who the hell are you guys?” She demanded “whatever the hell you think you are up to; you don’t want to piss me off”
They all laughed as if enjoying a private joke “oh, so you don’t remember us?” Another guy spoke up, he too equally sounded drunk, “how would you, you bitch, those who hurt others forget a lot sooner than the ones they hurt. Don’t worry, we don’t want to piss you off, but we intend to do a lot of things to you” he said licking his lips in a disgusting way, “right guys?” “right!!!” They all chorused. Moving closer.
Although Farhan could sense her whole-body tense and her grip on him tighten, Risha showed not the slightest fear when she spoke. “you bastards” she snared “I will make sure you regret this…my father…”
“Yea yea yea, your father, your father, well guess what, your father is not the only rich dude in town. Our fathers aren’t poor either.” One of them cut her off.
Although she still held herself straight, Farhan could feel her begin to shake a bit. She inched closer to him instinctively.
All the while, Farhan keenly observed the guys, none looked big enough to pose a threat alone, but all of them together, that was some trouble. He decided it best to avoid a confrontation. Although he burned with anger at the words they had directed at Risha. He smiled a little and stepped forward. “Common guys, there is no need for all that hard talk, if the lady has offended you in any way, I am sorry, let just blow this off before it gets out of hand. If your goal was to scare us, I tell you, you succeeded.”
They all laughed, “what is that?” One of them snared, “I don’t recognise you, but whoever you are just stay out of this and you won’t get hurt.”
Still smiling, he replied “well guys, I can’t do that as the lady here happens to be my wife. So, you see what I mean” he said raising his hands.
“Poor fellow” one of them commented, “how do you manage such a bitch.”
Although every vein in his body was almost exploding due to the height of his patience, he managed to keep mute and still retain the smile on his face.
“Just fuck off,” one of them said stepping forward,
Risha felt something slip into her hand, then he whispered in her ears, “as soon as I tell you, run into the car and lock then door, if I can’t handle them, drive away.” She realised he had given her the car keys. She was about to protest when it happened. The one who had stepped forward reached for Risha. Farhan acted so fast that it was like a flash, stepping forward, he jabbed his clenched fist into the guy’s throat with such speed and force that the guy’s only response was a cry of pain and a clearly surprised look before falling to the ground.
“NOW!” she heard him say moving sharply to avoid a punch from one of the others, Risha froze shocked and transfixed, his voice brought her back to reality. “Now! Risha, do as I say!” The urgency and the sharpness of his voice startled her, quickly, she raced for the car, her hands fumbling with the keys, one of the guys followed in hot pursuit, but she was able to get in and lock the door before he could reach her. Clenching his teeth in frustration and swearing at her, he ran back to help his friends with Farhan. Risha watched in horror as they surrounded Farhan.
The first guy was still on the ground motionless. “You are going to regret that,” one of them said as he jumped towards Farhan his fist clenched. Wasting no time, Farhan lashed out with his clenched fist catching the guy on the stomach, before using his knee to deliver a terrible blow at the guy’s jaw. The rest rushed on Farhan all at once, kicking, punching and hitting. Risha watched in terror as Farhan struggled to shield himself from blows. Just as she was about to rush out to do whatever she could, he seemed to gain his footing, using all his strength, he punched one square on the jaw, avoiding a punch from another, he grabbed his hand and head booted him on the nose, blood tricked immediately. Without wasting anytime, he rushed at the other two, moving with modest grace he lashed out with his legs in an expert kick, his foot caught the guy on the neck, the guy staggered back, falling to his knees, Farhan directed his attention to the only guy still standing. The guy rushed at him angrily, side stepping to avoid the attack, he dodged the punch the guy threw at him, using his hand as a pivot, he swung at the guy knocking the breath out of him, before he could recover his bearing, Farhan felt a sharp pain at his lower back to the left, he heard Risha scream as she opened the door and ran towards them. he couldn’t tell what had happened only that he could hardly stand due to the pain, he felt faint and dizzy, turning, he realised that the guy he left on his knees had recovered, he was holding a pocket knife that was covered in blood.
Anger gripped him with full force, despite the pain he stood ready for the next thrust, the guy swung at him again, aiming for his head, Farhan expertly caught his wrist, twisting the guys hand, he brought his full strength to jab him on the throat, he repeated this twice, the guy fell the ground motionless. Farhan almost fell to his knees due to the intensity of the pain he was feeling, he felt something hot trickle down his hip and knew he was bleeding. Turning around, he saw Risha lashing at the guy on the ground. She was using her hill to hit him repeatedly on the head.
Satisfied that the fool had passed out, Risha rushed to Farhan, concern showing on her face, she reached out to hold him, but he stepped back avoiding her touch. And for once, she saw anger, raw anger in his eyes.
“Don’t touch me,” he said between clenched teeth, “just stay away.”
“Am sorry,” she cried moving towards him, “I am sorry,” she was sobbed.
“Let’s just go” he said after taking a deep breath.
Ignoring his protest, she went over to put his arm over her shoulders, helping to walk to the car, the guys were all on the ground, some were groaning in pain the others unconscious.
Risha drove fast, she was blank at the moment. “What just happened?” she kept asking herself, it still felt like a dream. “I will drive you to the hospital,” she spoke in a rush, “you would be ok,” she said, trying to convince him as much as herself.
“No hospitals,” he said weakly, “just take me home.”
“What? why? no way, you have to be in a hospital, you were stabbed for God’s sake, she almost screamed her frustration. " I don't know if I can handle this alone".
“No hospitals,” he said again this time more firmly, “it would cause a scandal, I just arrived in this city, I can’t afford the media getting to know about this. It would affect the company tremendously. It’s not that bad, just take me home, I can manage on my own.”
Risha opened her mouth to argue, but he didn’t give a chance, “just do it,” he said firmly.
In a daze, obeyed directing the car towards home.
About an hour later, she stood outside his door, pleading to be let in. As soon as they had arrived, he staggered his way up stairs while she hurried to grab the first aid kit, but to her dismay, Farhan had locked the door, refusing any help from her.
“Just go away,” he said from inside, “you have done enough for one day.”
Almost 15 minutes had passed and still she was still on the other side of the door.
Risha was almost going crazy, she thought she must be dreaming, but the blood on her hands and the on the stairs, were clear evidence to the contrary.
“Farhan please,” she begged, “please, I know you are angry with me but please open the door, I don’t have anything to say to quell your anger, but at least let me help you. I am so sorry” she sobbed and she meant it, “it’s all my fault,” she kept telling herself, she had never been this scared in her entire life, her heart almost stopped when she saw him get stabbed, something had stirred deep inside her. Something had happened, she didn’t know what but she felt it now all she could think about was to save his life, to ease his pain, the person she had wanted to inflict the most pain on, her on thought felt ironic to her.
Few minutes passed and still there was no response. “Farhan please, I am begging you please, if you don’t want my help at least take the first aid kit, please.” she sobbed begging with all her being. Resting her head against the door she cried with all her heart. “I am sorry Farhan, I am sorry, don’t make me live with this guilt, with this regret also, if you won’t do it for me then do it for yourself, please, I can’t bear to lose you too,” at that moment, she said so many things she couldn’t even remember later on. All she wanted was to help him.
She was still sobbing when she heard movements, stepping back she quickly cleaned her tears anticipation on her face.
The door opened slowly, but he didn’t show himself, after a few second of gathering her courage, she took a deep breath and walked in, although the light was deemed, she could see blood stains on the floor, Farhan was lying face down on the bed, he had removed his shirt, panic gripped her as she saw how much blood he was losing. instinctively she hurried forward, picking his shirt, she used it to damp at the wound, before applying pressure.
Risha heaved a sigh of relief, when she realised the wound wasn’t very deep. Using the tool at her disposal, she quickly and expertly stitched him up. There was no anaesthetic, Farhan grunted a few times but kept his cool. With tears in her eyes, her mind kept going over everything, all she could remember was, “Farhan almost died today and all because of my stupidity”.
“Please take this anti-biotic and analgesics” she said in her most gentle voice, “I would get some water to clean the floor,” Farhan didn’t move, he just grunted a little to show he heard her. She wished she could rewind time, the look she saw in his eyes earlier, she had never seen before. Unable to stare at him any longer. She hurried out the door filled with such shame she had never felt before, running to her room, she sobbed uncontrollably, putting her hands over her mouth to stop the sounds. She felt like her would explode from the pain she was feeling. That night, Risha didn’t sleep a wink, she kept reminiscing about her past, her deeds, her mistakes, her sins and the consequences of her actions, the pain she caused others. Until Farhan, her past had never bothered her, in fact she was proud of everything she had done, everything she had been. Farhan’s coming into her life had made her realise that it was nothing to be proud of, that she was dead wrong and that there was a better way, today’s incident made her regret it, showed her how selfish and heartless she had been. That night, she cried, like she had never cried, like the little child she once was, partly in fear for his safety and partly for the person she had become.
“O! Allah can you forgive me?” She sobbed silently. That night, Risha made a resolution, a promise to Allah and herself to become a better person, as she prayed her fajr prayers.
Farhan awoke feeling a sharp pain in his back, his whole body felt sour, he winced a little as he sat up on the bed, using his hand, he felt the wound, when he touched the dressing, his remembered everything, he felt fuzzy at first but as he concentrated, everything began to come back to him, the party, the fight, Risha outside the door crying, her dressing his wound… taking a deep breath, he struggled with some effort to his feet. The bed sheet was badly stained. Although it still hurt, the wound didn’t seem too serious since he could move with relative ease, he checked the bed side clock to realise it was already past 8 am. The sun shone through the window.
Risha peeked from behind the door, she had been checking on him all through the night, anticipating when he would wake up, but now that he was awake, she couldn't bring herself to face him, she observed with great relief that although he was moving with difficulty, he seemed ok.
“O! Allah,” she whispered through tear filled eyes. She wanted to go in and talk him, to tell him she was sorry, help him, but the shame she felt wouldn’t let her. Satisfied that he was doing fine, she backed away slowly.
Farhan stepped out of the bathroom to find a tray on the little table, his bed sheet had been replaced with a clean sheet, the floor clean of the blood stains. Putting on a clean shirt, he went to sit on the bed pulling the table close, taking of the cover of the tray, he breath in from the delicious aroma that greeted his nose, hot tea, toasted bread with fried eggs. His drugs lay close to the glass of water.
Subconsciously, he smiled a little, pleased at her efforts. Although he had been really upset with her, he wasn’t one to stay angry at any one for long, and just this gesture of hers was more than enough to cheer him up. After having breakfast and performing his salat, he went down stairs hoping to meet her, but she wasn’t there, sitting down on the sofa, he turned on the television for the morning news. By 10am, Risha still wasn’t down, wondering what was up with her, he was making his way for the stairs, when he heard her steps on the staircase.
“Hey” he called out as she came down.
“Hey” she whispered in a gentle voice; she was looking at the ground. “Are you ok?” she asked still avoiding his gaze.
“Yea” he said self-consciously. “Thanks to you I am alive” he added with humour.
She felt the guilt grip her as he said those words. She tried to speak but couldn’t find the right words. Slowly, she raised her tear-filled eyes to look into his.
Farhan froze, “hey, are you okay.” he asked concern showing.
Avoiding his gaze, she quickly used her sleeves to clean her tears.
Farhan was confused, “Risha talk to me” he said stepping forward.
Unable to stand there any longer “I need to get something upstairs” she barely whispered it, quickly turning to leave, she gasped as Farhan’s hand gripped hers.
“Wait,” he said in a gentle voice, “are you hurt anywhere did one of those guys hurt you? I wasn’t very gentle yesterday, right?
His words, his show of concern, concern for someone like her sent such heart gripping guilt down her spine, subconsciously, without even realising it, she felt the tears on her chicks as she began to sob, much as she tried not to.
Turning her to face him, he held her tenderly at the shoulders, fear and worry evident in his face, she has never been like this before, never had she seemed so out of it, so weak and broken before. “Risha talk to me please, are you hurt anywhere? Did something happen? Tell me quickly.”
Unable to control herself any longer, she dissolved into her tears. “I am sorry Farhan,” she spoke between sobs, “I am so sorry for everything Farhan.” she covered her face with her hands to hide her shame and tears, “you almost died yesterday and it’s all my fault, I realise now that this is not a joke, Farhan, you almost died,” she said this as if she was just realising this for the first time. “I am sorry” she sobbed uncontrollably, “forgive me, I won’t do it again, I promise, I won’t be like this anymore, I won’t hurt you again. I want to change Farhan, I really want to change, for real this time, please help me Farhan, I am sorry, I am so so…” she couldn’t continue as sobbed choked off her words.
Farhan was blank, “was this really Risha?” No this was the girl behind the mask, behind the frown, the snarls, this was the fragile girl inside the ice queen, this was the real Risha, the young vulnerable lady, she looked so young, so weak, so shaken up.
Words deserted him, he could think of nothing to say, for the first time, he could see the Risha no one else knew, see her pain, feel it. Not finding the right words, he did the only thing that came to mind, slowly, very slowly, he pulled her close and hugged her, his chin resting on her head. “sssh” he tried to sooth her. “You will be ok, I promise.”
And Risha? She just let him hold her, her face to his shoulder, her tears damping his shirt, she cried uncontrollably. At that moment, she let go, she let herself dissolve into her emotions, into her pain, her anger, her past, her grudges, her guilt, her shame, it was like she woke up from a deep slumber, from a terrible night mare. Risha was like pressure tank holding so much inside, today, it seemed that pressure was released, she was like a child after throwing a tantrum, but amidst all these confusing feelings she felt relief, peace, calm and a tranquillity she had forgotten.
Farhan held her close, letting her cry it all out.
After a few minutes, her sobs subsided, she only sniffed momentarily, stepping back self-consciously, he brought his hands tenderly to wipe her tears, “you will be ok,” he said he said soothingly. “I promise.”
Getting some control back, she nodded determinedly. “Yes,” she thought to herself, “the worst is over, I will be fine, I am going to move on now,” and she sigh with relief. Stepping back and avoiding his piercing gaze, she whispered in a weak voice, “I am sorry about that, I don’t know what came over me.”
Smiling, he just nodded in understanding
“How are you feeling, really?” She asked gesturing to his wound.
“It hurts a little, but the analgesics really helped, although I feel tired, I would live,” he said smiling.
Unable to return the smile she just looked down to avoid his eyes.
“You know, I didn’t know I was that skilful,” he said smiling naughtily, “did you see how I knocked all those guys down? You know, maybe I should open a karate school huh? What do you think?
Subconsciously, she smiled “this guy she thought, does he ever get serious, does he ever he loses his temper?” She expected resentment, reproach, cold shoulder, anything but this.
“And you”, he continued “I was shocked how you reacted, calling those bastards right to their faces, hmmn, that was very brave of you. Me? The first thought I got was to run like hell, had not been that I didn’t know where I was, you would have just heard that strange sounds cartons make and woof, I would be gone.”
This time Risha found herself laughing, she couldn’t help it, he was just too much, too gentle, too nice. In her mind, she was thinking something. “What would happen to us now?” as quickly as the words came, she pushed it aside; she couldn’t bear to think of that now. Farhan’s presence was the one security she had, the thought, the possibility of even letting him go was too much for her. But deep in her heart, she knew she had to face this sooner or later, if she was truly repentant, she had to free him, release him from this prison, this misery, her heart ached just thinking of all the pain and trouble she had caused him. Summoning all her courage, to look into his eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder, what he must be going through, yet he never complained, never protested. “I will make it up to him” she promised herself, a solemn vow, a silent promise. “I will wipe all the pain away, I will change…”
“How about a cup of tea” his voice brought her back from her thoughts.
“Huh” she ventured, not getting him.
“Tea” he said smiling, “You haven’t had breakfast, have you?”
“No,” she shook her head, “but I am not hungry, tea is fine, I will make some for both of us,” she said heading for the kitchen.
“I told you nah, when you don’t eat, you get hungry, when you are hungry, you get angry, and when you get angry…”
Before he could even finish, her hand was on his, guilt evident on her face, “I will never get angry again, I promise, I promise.”
Farhan was startled by the contact, self-consciously, he held hands tenderly. “Hey, calm down beautiful, I was only teasing. Ok now, I think I have to set my own rule” he said smiling.
“Anything.” She whispered.
“First, no more apologies”
Looking deep into his eyes, she nodded slowly looking down.
“Promise?”
“Yea, I promise.”
“Second, you can snap at me anytime you want, you are no fun when you don’t, feel free Risha, I want to help you, so just pour it all out, get upset with me, get angry, it’s okay, there is only one exception though”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Feed me well, no matter what” he said naughtily, “I can stand anything, but not hunger, see, I can’t even think straight when I am hungry, my mum calls me a glutton and she was right. I just wonder where all the food goes to” he said observing himself with disapproval, “a friend once called me a sack of bone with life”
She couldn’t help it, she busted out laughing. “Deal, can I prank you?” she asked catching her breath and getting in the mood with him.
“You can’t help your self can you?” He asked smiling
“No,” childlike mischief playing in her eyes.
“Well, I have survived so far, so I guess that’s ok.”
“Ok” she clapped playfully, turning to go to the kitchen. “This is the beginning of a new life for you Risha,” her mind whispered. Smiling to herself, she had to agree.