ALZIA FF : Mujhmein Tera AKS Pt 24 - pg 31 - Page 2

Part 3

Iqtiaar followed Razia outside who was speeding away from him. He finally caught hold of her in the parking lot. He made her turn towards him and blasted.

Iqtiaar: What the hell do you think of yourself? He shouted at his highest pitch.

Iqtiaar: On one side I am trying to help you ever since I have met you today wasting my precious time, and on the other side you are just lost in some self imagined world of yours. Who the hell are you to think that I should keep worrying about how to make you reach back your home safe? Who the hell are you to hug me like that or any manner what so ever? And what the hell were you thinking when you pushed me and ran off to this parking lot? He had completely lost control over his anger by now.

Razia: Please don't speak to me like this. She almost whispered looking down scared of his anger.

Iqtiaar: Really? Did you really expect me to just stand there and make some sense out of actions?
He said in the most sarcastic tone she had ever heard. She was on the verge of crying by now.

Iqtiaar: ANSWER ME DAMN IT?
Razia shivered and took a step back.

Iqtiaar: I'll make the answer really simple for you. Even after so much of planning you couldn't really trap any rich guy in your so called love web.
Razia was shocked. She just kept staring right into his eyes.

Iqtiaar: What did you really think that by crying in front of me and hugging me, you would gain some sympathy?

Razia: That's not true! She said in the lowest audible voice.

Iqtiaar: Just shut up! I know what kind of a girl you are. You are amongst the ones who do nothing without any aim in their mind.
Razia pressed her lips together in order to control the shuttering of her teeth and to control the moan from escaping.

Iqtiaar: But don't you worry, you are beautiful enough to trap some idiot through your tears. Don't waste them on me.

She couldn't believe her ears. All these years she had thought that he would be the one, who will understand her pain. The one who will LOVE HER BEYOND EVERYTHING. The one and only, whose slightest thought could make Razia feel BEAUTIFUL. Could he really refer to her beauty in such a way? It was like he had stabbed right in her heart, deep and powerful.

Iqtiaar: Get in the car right now. I want to drop you home and get over with you as soon as possible.

Razia just quietly went and sat in the car. Iqtiaar came in from the other side and sat on the driving seat.

Iqtiaar: What's your address?
He said looking straight ahead without giving her a single glance. Razia just whispered her address. Fear and pain were clearly expressed on her face. Iqtiaar drove to the Khan Bungalow and was shocked to see the magnificent mansion in front of his eyes. Never the less he calmed himself and announced that they have reached. Razia on seeing him not moving even an inch sighed in relief and got down of the car. But the relief was too short lived as the moment she reached the main door, she saw him got down of the car and walking towards her through the drive way. She hadn't expected him to come till her main door. He will now for sure recognize her parents and will know who she is.

She silently prayed to Allah Miya that her parents will not open the door and it better be one of their servants whom Iqtiaar will not recognize. But to her dismay the door opened and it was Qutub who stood at the door. Qutub immediately hugged Razia as she was really worried about her.

Qutub: Razia, my child, thank god you are fine. She sighed in relief.

Razia too was very happy to see her mother not hurt and okay. But the very next minute, she realized that Iqtiaar was standing right behind her and would surely have recognized her mom by now. Even Qutub would have recognized him. Razia within a split second scanned the hall to make sure it was in the perfect condition and nothing suspicious was lying on the ground such as broken pieces of glass etc.

Iqtiaar: Aunty?

Qutub: Oh my God! What a pleasant surprise? Iqtiaar? Please come in.

Iqtiaar hesitantly came in and saw Mr. Khan too descending from the stairs.

Iqtiaar: Good morning uncle! He smiled and greeted Altamush.

Altamush: Good morning; Qutub! Why don't you get Iqtiaar something to drink? Tea or coffee may be?

Qutub: ya sure!

Iqtiaar: No Aunty its okay. I am good.

Qutub: Not at all, I'll just get you a cup of hot coffee!

Iqtiaar: you still remember that I drink coffee and not tea?

Qutub: Of course I do. She said so and trailed towards the kitchen.

The Khan family was as perfect as any other happy family for the outside world. But only the four members of the family knew that they were nowhere close to being perfect. Forget about being perfect but they weren't even the slightest of being a normal happy family.

Altamush: Please have a seat Iqtiaar.
Iqtiaar until now was just so happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Khan that he had completely forgotten about Razia. As he entered the living room, he saw a picture of the Khan family together and realized who Razia really was. She was his best friend's sister. The same little 15 year old girl whom he used to occasionally see moving around in the house or just quietly sitting in one corner with a book in her hand.

He turned around to see where Razia was but she was nowhere to be seen. He sat down on the couch when he saw Qutub coming up with a cup of coffee.

Altamush: So how have you been Iqtiaar? Its been so long since we met last.

Iqtiaar: Good uncle and indeed its been too long I should say.

Qutub smiled. Altamush: So what brings you here today?

Iqtiaar was a bit surprised at this question. Didn't he know his daughter was missing from the house the whole night?

Iqtiaar: Actually...

Qutub: Actually Iqtiaar is here to drop Razia back home. He must have found her near her friend's house while she was coming back home this morning.
Qutub tried to cover up. But she didn't realize that the explanation didn't really fit too well as Iqtiaar could not have recognized Razia after 9 years because she was just 15 or so when he had last seen her.

But this caused Iqtiaar to become a little suspicious about what was going on. He was sure the area wasn't a residential one where he had found Razia, moreover why the hell will she walk back home alone on the road at 4 am in the morning?

But he ignored thinking of it to be their personal matter. Iqtiaar discussed his last 9 years with Mr. and Mrs. Khan in a very cordial manner. The Khans were indeed very fond of the young man.

It was already 7 am in the morning and Iqtiaar asked for his leave. Razia's brother wasn't home yet and so Iqtiaar thought it was best to meet him some other time.

Iqtiaar: Okay Aunty, I'll see you all some other time.
As he was about to leave, a thought of Razia crossed his mind.

Iqtiaar: Uncle, if you don't mind, may I please meet Razia for a minute?

Altamush: Sure why not? Her room is upstairs, the first on the left.

***

As Iqtiaar climbed the stairs to Razia's room, he was going through hell. What would he tell her? He was feeling too GUILTY and NERVOUS.
Did he think he was Nervous? Funny!
The ruthless lawyer who was never even nervous or scared while in the court dealing with the most wanted criminals was for the first time in his life nervous to approach a mere girl.

As he reached the first floor of the duplet house he looked at the 1^st room on the left. The door wasn't exactly locked but was closed. He gathered all the confidence that he could and knocked on the door. But what he got for a reply was only dead silence. He pushed the door a bit and the door swung open.

Amidst the darkness of early morning, Razia stood with her back towards him next to the sliding door to her terrace, casting her shadow from the morning sun. It was a sight he would never forget in his life.

Iqtiaar: Razia? He whispered softly. But there wasn't any reply from her side.

The sun had just started to rise and thus the room was still very dark. He couldn't really see anything other than her in that room. He slowly walked towards her and stood right beside her. She stood facing the sun with her tear streaked face. He couldn't really gather why? Never the less he thought of getting to the point.

Iqtiaar: Razia I need to talk to you right now.
Still no reply. He continued after a short pause.

Iqtiaar: I wanted to just say sor...
But he couldn't complete his sentence seeing her standing there like a statue. She looked shattered and completely withdrawn from everything around her.

Iqtiaar: I didn't know about you...I know I shouldn't have said all that to you. I was just too worried about you and your attitude just made me lose my patience.
He looked at her once again expecting some kind of a response from her, but there was nothing for him. She stood there as if he didn't even exist in the room.

Iqtiaar: I really didn't mean any of it. BELIEVE ME!
He said with the utmost sincerity. His last set of words brought Razia's senses back. She slowly turned her head towards Iqtiaar.

Razia: I do believe you. Now please leave me alone.
She said in the calmest voice he had ever heard. To a man, who spent his days shouting and arguing with people, her voice felt like soft music to his ears. Something he wanted to hear his whole life. But the pain in her voice felt like a thorn piercing something deep inside him. It had been just a couple of hours that he had met her, but her forgiveness had suddenly become everything he needed.

If he could feel so bad just because she hadn't forgiven him, how would have she felt when he had said all those disgracing thing to her? With these thoughts he slowly exited the room.

***

Iqtiaar was in the drive way unlocking his car door when a silver BMW stopped behind his tracks. A smile formed on Iqtiaar's lips to see his best friend Rukn-ud-din on the driving seat. Rukn-ud-din got out of the car and greeted his best friend.

Rukn-ud-din: Hey! How come you are here? Glad to see you after so long buddy.
He gave Iqtiaar a warm hug and greeted him with a smile.

Iqtiaar: I think you should give the credit to Razia; after all it's because of her that we are meeting.
He said smiling at Rukn-ud-din in a casual way. But the sentence made the smile wipe off Rukn-ud-din's face.

Rukn-ud-din: Razia?
Iqtiaar noticed the sudden change of expressions and tone of his voice. He was reminded of the incident when Qutub had made an excuse about Razia's coming back home in front of Altamush or maybe it was for him. [Being a lawyer Iqtiaar was pretty quick in figuring out suspicious loop holes]

Iqtiaar: Ah! Rukn-ud-din, I'll see you some other time, I am getting late. Have to reach court by 10 am. Bye.

Rukn-ud-din: Bye.
Iqtiaar avoided the topic about Razia and left back for home before heading to the court.

***

The Mallik Mansion: Everyone in the Mallik Family:

Shazia is the elder sister of Iqtiaar. There parents are no more. Iqtiaar's Nani Shamshaad Begum has raised the two of them. Along with them stay Iqtiaar's Mamu jaan - Qabacha Ud-din Mallik, Mumani - Uzma and their son Zaroon - Ud-din Mallik.

Iqtiaar: 28
Shazia: 32
Zaroon: 26 (Mama and Mumani's son)
Mamu and Mumani and Nani;

The Mallik Family was a family of lawyers. Qabacha Ud-din Mallik, Iqtiaar's Mamu Jaan (maternal uncle) was known to be one of the most successful and experienced lawyers in the country. His son Zaroon had just started his internships assisting Iqtiaar in his cases and the two brothers were known to be extremely powerful personalities. Other than in India the Malliks had a huge setup of corporate law firm in London which was taken care of by Iqtiaar. Therefore after completing his studies, Iqtiaar decided to settle down in London and take care of the cases there whereas the Mallik family resided in Delhi. Nevertheless Iqtiaar spent about two to three months in a year in Delhi and thus he was currently in India.

Iqtiaar entered the mansion and asked KHURRAM to get his breakfast ready as soon as possible because he was already running late. He went to his room got freshen up, took bath and got ready for office. He came down stairs to see Shazia lying the breakfast on the dining table and wished her good morning.

Shazia: Good Morning Chhote Nawab!

Iqtiaar: Good Morning Aapi! How is the pain in your foot now?

Shazia: Much better. She said smiling warmly.

Iqtiaar: When is your next appointment with the Doctor?

Shazia: Next week. Ah! Chhote Nawab, when are going back to London?

Iqtiaar: Most probably next month Aapi, but why are you asking?

Nani (Shamshad Begum): Because we want you to get married before that Chhote Nawab!
An old lady in heavily embroided white sari stood at a distance from the Dining table. Her body posture, elegance in the way she carried herself and her voice emitted the status and class of the Malliks.

Iqtiaar: Nani please! I don't want to talk about it all over again. Aapi please tell her not to start this topic in front of me.

Shazia: Iqtiaar, you try and understand. I know what you fear but that is not the case in every relationship. I know my Chhote Nawab and I know that any girl who will be lucky enough to receive your love will always remain committed. She will always love you. Her voice was full of desperation and convincing power.

Iqtiaar: Please Stop!!! I am getting late. Bye
He said meaning his words looking at both the women.

***

Next: Iqtiaar gets a wedding proposal

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