31.

                                    

                                          
Umeed sat down on her sofa and and blinked rapidly, trying her best not to let out any frustration of someone who the last to deserve it. It was all overwhelming and she felt too numb to let any of it sink in, but this unexpected surprise only made things heavier for her. She did not want to break, she also did not want to come off as rude or distant, but it was so difficult to think straightforwardly.
Is that what being in love does? Was she actually past the point of return? Where every breath felt heavy and every passing second felt like sharp glass puncturing the heart further and further. She was almost ashamed that one individual had this much hold and power over her, where it felt like he had her life in the palm of his hand and had taken it with him. It was frustrating to have herself in such a weak situation.
"I did not think tum itni secretive niklo gi." Saveira taunted, just as she usually was, joking and lighthearted with the happiness evident on her face that her friend made an early return. It was always exciting, and Saveira was happier that Umeed took that step. But she was going to restrict herself from pushing into it all instantly and knowing her boundaries. Family subjects could get touchy.
"Aesa nahi hai Savi." She tried lifting her best smile and unlocked the pet carrier, Coco jumping into her arms immediately. That there and then made her heart clench and feel the tears pool in her eyes, but the turned around to wipe them while Saveira was busy seating herself down. Umeed was going to be brave.
Saveira was more than oblivious to the soarness of Umeed's voice, but she did not want to be the person to immediately nag and question Umeed. She know that was in the list of top things that irritated the life out of Umeed Pasha.
"Wo to agar Farjaad na batata to I would have been clueless." The bravery attempt fled away and she was left still, turning around with furrowed eyebrows and tired, strained eyes, her heart beating rapidly at the mention of his name and more that, he was the one to inform them. Umeed assumed Saveira found out through security or some camera, she didn't really question how exactly Saveira knew she arrived. Umeed was surprised at her slow realisation.
"Farjaad?" She croaked, clearing her throat and holding Coco more dearly, who could also sense the speeding heart rate as his head was right by her heart. All he did was cling onto her, that was all he could do.
Saveira smiled.
"Haan, us hi ki call aayi aaj subah Yusuf ko, I'm so happy for him yaar, itna kuch ke baad sab sahi ho gaya." She looked relieved and relaxed, lost in some form of bliss by whatever she was saying. And it was making no sense to Umeed, none of it was. Firstly, how did Farjaad know she was in Lahore? And why was Saveria exhilarated? 
"Itna sab?"
"Wohi, business, sab jo phadda tha." Saveira smiled and took note of Umeed's oblivious expressions but assumed for it to be for another reason.  "Mein to ghabra hi gayi thi. Imagine he had to marry that girl just to get the business back, uff!"
That was what Saveira thought, that Umeed was acting clueless because it was meant to be something secretive. However, her saying this out loud crumbled Umeed, shattered her into pieces and the slow realisation of the mismatched puzzle began adding up.
"Tumhe pata tha?" She croaked, clearing her throat and watching Saveria with concentration who now smiled at her and sat back.
"Haan, Yusuf ne bata diya tha." Umeed felt another bomb drop on her. Yusuf knew. Yusuf knew and Saveira knew, but she did not. And they assumed that she did. Farjaad did not tell her.
"Wese hua kya hai? Jo itni jaldi aa gayi. Aur tum down bhi lag rahi ho." The odd call from the day before was still fresh in Saveira's mind but once again she did not want to poke it too much. It was obvious that Umeed and Farjaad had some fight. However, the flight was out of her options. That was unexpected and she did not think it was due to the fight because Farjaad spoke rather normally in the morning when talking to Yusuf, as if things were fine.