Khizer’s POV:
I’m supposed to leave in an hour. I have to go pick granny up so we can go pick a wedding dress for Mansha and me. It’s been three days since we started this stupid hunt, and either of us have yet to agree on a gown for her. The rule is that we find a dress for Mansha, then get a suit for me that matches with her gown. She hasn’t found one she likes, and until she does, I’m stuck.
And you know everything is fucked when your intended is on the Mayor’s hit list and you’re busy trying to destroy a client of hers, all the while shopping for expensive clothes and eating fancy dinners.
Since my last conversation with Ahmed, he’s gone mute. No reaction, no sneaking around and trying to get back at me. He’s just minding his own business. So much so that I know that he’s doing anything but. And this time, he’s actually managed to do it behind my back. It’s making me anxious and jittery, not knowing what he’s up to.
But when my secretary comes in, I realise I no longer have to sit and wonder what Ahmed is up to.
“The mayor is here.” She says nervously.
I stare at her. “Who?”
“Mr. Raheem Zafar, the mayor.”
I frown. “I know who the mayor is. Where is he now?”
“Out in the lobby. No one stopped him, not really.”
I sigh. “I don’t expect them to. Call him in.” She hesitates, before nodding and leaving the room.
A while later, she’s back with the mayor right behind her.
The stubby man let’s out a jolly laugh when he sees me. “If it isn’t Khizer Malik himself!”
I get up and shake his hand. “If it isn’t the very mayor of Karachi.” I say grinning. He bursts out laughing again. Up close, the huge mole on his upper lip juts out grotesquely, a brown hair growing out of it and lingering in the air. “You look as handsome as ever.”
He laughs again, pleased, and I laugh too, disgusted. We both sit down at the same time.
“So, what brings you here all of a sudden?”
“Right down to business eh? Aren’t you going to ask me how I am first?”
“I know everything I want to from the news.” I say smiling.
He laughs again. “Of course you do! How stupid of me. Nothing escapes those bastards does it?”
“With the elections coming up, I would be shocked if it did.” I lean forward encouragingly, casually coaxing him to get to the point.
Because I have a feeling I know why he’s here.
“Ah yes, those. Sucks, this time of year. You’re on edge, what with all those enemies out to stop you from getting re-elected.”
I shrug. “For all I know, they won’t succeed. You’ve been doing your fair share of social work haven’t you? I heard about the orphanage you’ve been funding. Great work.”
Zafar stares at me, but doesn’t say anything as we’re interrupted by my secretary bringing in two cups of coffee and biscuits. He speaks up the moment the door closes behind her.
“Yes well, I was an orphan in my own time, I have to help others like me if God gave me the money to.”
I nod my agreement, smiling appreciatively. “You have my vote, that’s for sure.”
He smiles. “It would be great if I had your cooperation as well Malik.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Cooperation? Last time you asked me to cooperate, I had to build you a beach house at a twenty-five percent discount.”
He chuckles. “Did you know your uncle built me a hotel in Murree at eighty-percent off?”
I nod. “I heard.”
We stare at each other, and I know he’s waiting for me to break the silence first, to ask why exactly he’s here. I simply pick up a biscuit and munch on it, grinning appreciatively at the taste.
He finally sighs. “You’re getting out of hand Khizer Malik.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize someone had grabbed me.”
He laughs. “Young blood. You guys think you can get away with anything, don’t you?”
I pick up my coffee. “I’m sorry, but did I do something to anger you?”
Zafar stares at me with a furious expression on his face. “Not yet. You do know that the elections are coming up?”
I nod. “I do.”
“Your uncle is a close friend of mine Khizer.”
“I heard you two were classmates in school.” He doesn’t reply. “Of course I could be wrong. Am not exactly close to my uncle to find out from him personally, you see.” I continue casually.
“I don’t want trouble Khizer. Skylines is my sponsor, and I don’t like you trying to bankrupt my sponsor.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Do you want me to stop?”
“Leave Skylines alone. We’re old partners, so I don’t want to mess with you.” He doesn’t want a scandal right before the elections. “But keep pestering your uncle like a spoiled, ungrateful nephew, and you will certainly regret it.”
“I’m sorry you had to come all the way here to tell me to mind my manners.” I bite my lip and lower my eyes to the floor. “My parents didn’t live long enough to teach me how to respect my elders you see.”
His eyes spark with anger, and his hands twist into fists at his sides. “Both you and that girl of yours need some beating up.”
My heart jumps at the implication. “Get back on track Khizer Malik, before you mess with the wrong people. And tell that fiancee of yours the same thing.” My eyes trace back to his, and hold. “She doesn’t seem to have learned a lesson, her. Snooping around as if that didn’t nearly get her killed last time.” I stare at him, silent, and his lips twist up into a satisfied smirk. “Cat got your tongue?”
“I see she hasn’t gotten yours.”
He laughs. “I like your humor boy. But don’t forget we could finish that girl of yours in a second, from the way she’s roaming around the country like a free bird. Tell her to stay in her cage if she wants to wear all that gold she’s buying for her wedding day.”
“I see she’s been getting under your skin.”
“Stay away from my business Malik. You’re a man with potential as well as brains, you don’t need an old man like me to tell you that.”
“No, you’re right. But I suppose you need a young man like me to tell you that your coffee is getting cold.”
Zafar smiles. “Is that a yes?”
I purse my lips. “Keep my fiancee out of this, and I’ll try not to kill my uncle.”
The mayor gets up. “Then tell your fiancee to leave my son alone.” He smiles and moves towards me, expression bright and friendly. “Maybe after you two get married and I get re-elected, we can have a celebratory dinner, with your uncle and all.” He envelopes me in a firm hug, his hot breath hitting my neck. “It’s all upto you.” He murmurs.
I’m watching him getting into his car a while later, from my window, as I think about how I’m preparing for a wedding while I try not to get Mansha and myself killed.