Time passed, Adeeba finished her OPD
She informed her family she'd be late – "work overload" was her excuse
But what she didn't tell them – this detour was for Isha, and secrets.
She drove to the cliff – Sunset Cliff –
where adolescent laughter and dreams once filled the air,
the spot she and Isha discovered during their first year of friendship.
Adeeba parked her car, stepping out into the gentle evening breeze.
Isha was already sitting there, legs dangling over the edge,
staring out at the orange-hued sky – she sensed Adeeba's presence,
turned around, and smiled softly –
"Right on time, Adi. You looked worried on text. What happened?"
Adeeba walked closer, sitting beside Isha –
"That text I sent... someone showed up at my hospital today, Isha. Someone scary."
Adeeba explained everything – the masked man's visit, his words, the eerie feeling.
Isha listened intently, eyes narrowing slightly as Adeeba spoke.
When Adeeba finished, Isha placed a reassuring hand on her arm –
"Adi, maybe he was really there for his health checkup... you're overthinking this."
Adeeba raised an eyebrow, still uneasy, but then shifted topics –
"Isha, enough about him... What about MY stalker – any updates?"
Isha's expression turned serious, pulling out her notebook –
"Actually, yes. I tracked the threatening messages...
it leads to someone close to home, Adi –
your cousin, Hamza... Bua's son."
Adeeba's eyes widened in shock –
"Hamza?! But why would he stalk me? We barely even talk!"
Isha's voice was low and serious –
"That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out, Adi. Want to confront him together?"
Adeeba shook her head firmly –
"No, Isha. Not confronting Hamza yet. I need to process this first."
Isha nodded understandingly –
"Okay, Adi. But please be careful around him. I'll dig deeper meanwhile."
As Isha packed her notebook, Adeeba's mind drifted back to a disturbing memory...
It was 5 years ago, when Adeeba was 20 years old –
at Bua's birthday party –
Adeeba and Hamza were walking in the garden, watering plants together.
Suddenly, Hamza's hand brushed against hers, and he pulled her close.
Adeeba jerked away, eyes narrowing –
"What's this behavior, Hamza?"
Hamza's gaze burned intensely –
"Everyone assumes it's inevitable... we'll get married someday."
Adeeba's voice firm –
"That's not happening."
Hamza smiled softly, chillingly –
"It will, Adeeba. You're young... don't understand yet. You're still a butterfly."
Adeeba shuddered recalling his creepy tone and words.
Isha gently shook Adeeba's arm –
"Adi, where did you go? You zoned out completely!"
Adeeba blinked slowly, focusing on Isha –
"Nothing... just lost in thought."
Isha raised an eyebrow but let it pass –
Adeeba asked, "How's Om? Everything okay between you two?"
Isha smiled softly –
"Yes, Adi, all good. Actually, we're heading back day after tomorrow."
Adeeba curious –
"So soon? Thought you'd stay a bit longer... what's the rush?"
Isha replied,
"We need to sort some things out back home, so Om wants to leave ASAP."
Adeeba nodded understandingly .
Adeeba raised an eyebrow, teasingly serious –
"Go home already, otherwise I'll get the next allegations... from Bua that I'm keeping you from Om!"
Isha burst out laughing –
"Haha exactly, Adi! Your aunt will totally blame you for my delayed return!"
Adeeba grinned mischievously –
"Go save your marriage from my interference... and also fill me in on everything when you get back!"
Isha nodded vigorously –
"Deal, Adi! Will call you the moment we land in Mumbai... and then you'll tell me about Hamza?"
Adeeba's smile faltered for a moment before she nodded.
____________________
Adeeba walked into her living room, dropping her bag softly –
"Hi everyone... I'm back."
Her family turned towards her, smiling –
Her father spoke up –
"Perfect timing, Addu! Ayaan's family is coming over tonight. To discuss wedding dates."
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat –
"Tonight? Papa, that's sudden... I thought we were still finalizing guest lists?"
Her mother excitedly –
"Ayaan's mother called me this morning, said they want to finalize everything ASAP. Ayaan's eager to marry you, Addu!"
Her brother, Raheem, chimed in with a tease –
"Yeah Addu, looks like someone's impatient to make you his wife!"
Her sister-in-law, Sameera, playfully rolled her eyes –
"Raheem, stop teasing. Addu's nervous enough already!"
Adeeba felt her cheeks warm up – and her mind race with thoughts of Hamza's threats.
_____________
Addu stepped out onto her balcony, book in hand, seeking fresh air and calm before Ayaan's family arrived.
She sat down on the lounge chair, opening her book – but barely read a line before her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number:
"'Try to marry him and see my wrath...
Your admirer"
Addu's eyes narrowed, anger boiling up – she knew exactly who this "admirer" was: Hamza.
But she played it cool, typing a response without revealing she knew his identity:
"'Try as much as possible... but I'm going to marry him ONLY'"
She sent the message, eyes glinting with defiance.
Her phone buzzed again instantly:
"'We'll see about that, Addu...'"
Still from "Your admirer" – but Addu knew Hamza's game was escalating.
Addu closed her eyes, Hamza's menacing messages still burning in her mind.
She needed a distraction – and helping Bhabhi in the kitchen was perfect.
She got up from the balcony lounge chair, phone still clutched in her hand but screen locked now,
and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
"Bhabhi, need some help?" Addu asked, dropping her phone on the counter.
Sameera looked up from chopping veggies –
"Actually, yes Addu! Ayaan's mother loves my kebabs – want to help me marinate them?"
Addu nodded, washing her hands at the sink –
"Perfect distraction for me too... my mind was elsewhere."
Bhabhi raised an eyebrow while handing Addu the marinade –
"Ayaan nerves or something else, Addu?"
Adeeba assured Bhabhi –
"Nothing's wrong, Bhabhi. Just wedding nerves, that's all."
Bhabhi smiled, seeming convinced, and they finished preparing the kebabs together.
Then Bhabhi said, "Adeeba, go get ready – Ayaan's family can arrive anytime now!"
Adeeba nodded, turning to head upstairs –
But before she could leave the kitchen, the doorbell rang.
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat – but Bhabhi said, "I'll get it, you go!"
However, Adeeba's curiosity got better of her, and she followed Bhabhi to the entrance.
To her surprise, standing at the door was Swastika – her childhood friend!
Her family adored Swastika almost like a daughter – they exchanged warm hugs.
Adeeba whispered to Swastika –
"Thanks for coming, Swas – I called you for moral support... needed you here today."
Swastika's eyes sparkled with concern –
"Everything okay, Adeeba? You sounded worried on the phone."
Adeeba shrugged off Swastika's concern –
"Nothing's wrong, Swas. Just wedding nerves. Help me get ready instead?"
Swastika smiled, dropping the subject –
"Exactly what I'm here for – beautifying the bride-to-be!"
They headed upstairs to Adeeba's room, Swastika already envisioning hairstyles and hijab styles.
Swastika gently took Adeeba's hijab from her hands –
"Let me help you with this perfect fold and pin, Addu."
As Swastika carefully draped and pinned Adeeba's hijab, her phone suddenly buzzed –
She picked it up, eyes widening at the message:
"'Its urgent. Om and I are flying to Mumbai NOW... will call you as soon as we land, Adi."
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat – what urgency could bring this sudden trip?
Swastika noticed Adeeba's expression change –
"Adeeba, everything okay? Your hijab is almost perfect but your face isn't!"
Adeeba shrugged off her concern, putting on the fakest smile possible –
"Everything's perfect, Swas! Just excited for tonight."
She showed extra bright teeth, hoping to convince Swastika.
Just then, the door creaked open –
Sameera poked her head in –
"Adeeba, beta, Ayaan's family just arrived! Come downstairs, everyone's waiting."
Adeeba's heart sank further – the night was officially starting.
She turned to Swastika –
"Final check – do I look bridal-meeting-approved?"
Swastika nodded, handing Adeeba her dupatta –
"Beautiful, Addu. Go dazzle Ayaan's family... and try to relax!"
Adeeba took a deep breath, heading downstairs with Swastika.