Nuzhita
I woke up late. And by late, I don’t mean 9 a.m. late. I mean 10:12 a.m. slap-you-in-the-face late.
I checked my phone. 10:12 sharp.
Happy? Yes.
Sad? Also yes.
Happy because, duh, I finally had the perfect excuse to skip college. Sad because Mama was about to roast me alive.
I groaned, freshened up in record time, shoved my hair into a messy bun (bird's nest chic), and tiptoed downstairs. I had no plan to go down, but my stomach started growling like a wild animal, so down I went—hoping I could snag breakfast quietly.
Nope.
"What is this, Nuz? It's already 10:34! Why are you so lazy? Look at Irana, look at Ahanshi! They woke up at seven! And you haven’t even gone to college. You've been skipping for five days!"
What should I say to Mama? Tell me—why would I get up at seven? There's no work, no reason to go to college. Trust me, I hate my college. I really do.
So I stayed quiet.
Then Mama said, "I think I have to talk to Zavi!"
There it was. The nuclear bomb.
Talk. To. Zavi.
Allah maf kare. That arrogant bustard. Not that I'm scared… it's the way he glares. If Mama tells him, he'll drag me to college himself. Attendance is very important for him. Yes, very.
But whatever. I have Ihaan bhai and Ani (Ahanshika) api,they will handle it as always. Honestly, Ihaan bhai, Idnaat bhai, Ivaan bhai, Iraab bhai… even Mahi bhai are way better.
Zavian bhai? Nope. Not on my list. His future wife will run before their shaadi ka khana even gets cold. May Allah save her.
"Mama, sorry," I said, batting my fake innocent eyes.
Then my eyes went to Badi Ammi.
"Badi Ammi, please tell Mama not to tell Zavi bhai. It's just sleep! And my results? They're shining brighter than my future."
Yes. I said that. Proudly. My grades aren't bad for studying one day before exams.
Badi Ammi laughed so hard I thought she might choke. "Simin, stop it. Don't scold my baccha."
I kissed her cheeks. "You're the best, Badi Ammi."
From the kitchen, Ammi's voice boomed, "Bhabi… you're spoiling her!"
"Because there is no other kid in this house," Badi Ammi said.
I sat at the table, smug.
Then Choti Ammi appeared, serving breakfast like an angel sent from heaven.
I tore a piece of paratha, dipped it in curry, and took a bite. "Mast."
I kissed her hands. "Ohh, sorry Ammi… oil."
"It's okay," she smiled.
"Choti Ammi, your cooking is amazing. That's why Chote Papa loves you so much."
She blushed. "Shameless."
Exactly. But at least I'm a well-fed shameless.
Breakfast done. Mood perfect. Stomach happy.
And then… Mama had to ruin it.
"Nuzhi, take this coffee to Zavi."
…Excuse me? Did I hear that right?
My eyes widened. "Wait… he's HOME?"
"At 11?"
"Yes," Ammi replied. "Night shift. He's resting."
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
So there I was, a tray of steaming coffee in hand, marching toward Zavian bhai's room like a soldier walking to war.
Knock? Ha! Nuzhita Mehrim does not knock. Not at his room. If I knocked, how would I annoy him? And I love annoying him the most.
The room was dark. The AC hummed softly. Only his table lamp glowed faintly, like he knew I was coming.
He remembers I'm scared of the dark. Though everyone in this house knows it's not a big deal.
I placed the coffee on the table, ready to retreat. Right on cue, his voice cut through the silence.
"Nuz! Why don't you knock? Learn some manners."
I turned, ready to roll my eyes… and froze.
He looked calm. Sleepy. Almost… harmless. Hair messy, eyes heavy, voice lazy. Less golden boy, more tired crow.
"How do you even know it’s me?" I shot back.
His lips curled into that signature smug smile.
"Is ghar mein tumse zayda badtameez kaun hai, kid?"
Touché. Still, I wanted to curse out loud. Loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. But nope.
Mama had already played the 'Tell Zavi' card.
"Light on karo. Aur coffee do, Nuz," he ordered, like I was some servant.
I rolled my eyes so hard I swear they almost got stuck. Why always me? Out of everyone in the house, why me? Well, fine. Today, I'm a servant.
I picked up the mug, muttering, "Here. Don't choke on it. Or actually, do. That would be great."
"Stop cursing in your head, baccha. I'll choke for real."
My jaw dropped.
"Excuse me? Are you some kind of mind reader now?"
"Bas tumhari shakal dekho, aur samajh aa jata hai."
The audacity. He leaned back, sipping coffee like a king, then gave me that look—the one that said he knew exactly how much trouble I was in. Well… it's obvious. He knows me very well.
"Why are you skipping college, baccha?"
I smiled sweetly. "Aapko nahi pata? Aaj holiday hain. That's why college is off."
His eyebrow shot up.
"Mere face pe 'stupid' likha hai, Nuz?"
Busted. Panic mode activated.I stayed composed.Time to add masala.
"Actually… don't think why I didn't go to college. Think about something else, yaar…"
"Yaar?" He glared.
I sat on the floor in front of him, comfortably.
"Ohh, let it go… listen… Badi Ammi was saying you're getting old. Like 32. Turning 33 soon. Why don't you get married? So… she told me to ask if you like someone. Or… do you have a problem, Zavi bhai?"
Dead. Silence.
Then pure comedy.
He choked on his coffee. Literally. Spluttering. Eyes watering.
"Ewww… yaar, who does this?" I snapped and immediately got up, wiping the imaginary coffee.
I knew I'd talked too much, so I did what I do best…
Run, Nuz, run.
Zavian x Nuzhita -♡♡
Write a comment ...