43. THE SMELL

2 YEARS LATER

-"Good morning ma'am."

-"Good morning maam."

-"Good morning ma'am."

I was hearing greetings from everyone but I just nodded and walked to elevator. I directly went to cabin and Bella bought my coffee. I worked attended meetings and now it's 5 pm. I usually goes home at 7 or 8 pm but today is a very special day, so I've to go to a special place.

I took my bag and informed Bella to call me if needed and I'm leaving early. Just as I reached out of building Zack came with car.

-"Good evening ma'am." He wished smiling politely.

-"Good evening Zack. How's Zack jr. doing?" I asked while sitting on back seat. He sat in and started driving.

-"He's fine now ma'am."

Actually, Zack got married last year and he got blessed with a son this year. His name is Asher. He is suffering from pneumonia that's why I was asking.

Car stopped and I got out. Zack also got out and along with Justin took out two big boxes from car. I glanced at the beautiful board in front of me.

'F.K. Fairy land'

I traced it with my fingers and opened the beautiful wooden door. I went in and a small figure hugged my legs.

-"Zoya aunty!"

I sat on my knees and she kissed my cheek.

-"How're you Catherine?"

-"I was missing you." She said pouting.

-"Aww.... My baby was missing me." I hugged her. More children came and surrounded me.

-"Zoya aunty! Zoya aunty!" They started chanting and a huge smile came on my face.

-"Hey! Silent my little fairies!" They all immediately became silent. I got up and saw big fairies, I mean big children who was also standing beside these little ones. Every child was looking at me happily.

I saw Linda walking to us.

-"Hello Zoya."

-"Hello Linda. How're you?"

-"I'm just tensed managing your fairy land."

-"I can see that my fairies are troubling you a lot."

-"Linda aunty. We are tensing you?" Rory, a three years old boy speak sadly.

-"No. No. I was just......"

-"Fairies! Come let's eat pastries!" A voice came from behind. I turned and found Jay. All the children ran to him shouting. He gave pastries to everyone from a box Justin was holding. Children sat on benches eating them and Jay came to us.

-"Hello Linda."

-"Hello Jay. So you came following your friend?"

-"Of course. I'm shadow of my buddy." He said smiling.

-"You know Mr. that pastries was bought by me." I speak.

-"That was for children so I distributed them. And you should be thankful that I did your work."

-"Whatever." I said rolling my eyes and sat on a bench near pond. He also came and sat beside me.

-"How lucky these children are to have you taking care of them."

-"You know Jay, It was his dream."

-"What?"

-"It was his dream to have kids." I said looking at children who was busy in eating.

-"Mr. Khan?" He asked and I nodded.

-"His parents died when he was just 6 and after that his childhood got destroyed. Many things happened that made him mature at very young age. He wanted to live his childhood through his kids.

Through our kids." I whispered the last part and looked away. My vision turned glossy.

How stupid I was to not understand him? He looked at me smiling while talking about kids, because he was trying to tell me. He was indirectly telling me that he wants to live his childhood through OUR kids. He wanted to have kids with me. But I didn't understood it back then. I blamed him for everything. I lied to him that I hate him, when I loved him the most. I lost him.

Tears fell from my eyes and a hand came on my shoulder.

-"Today he turned 27. I remember how happy we was on his birthday three years ago. Me, Rehan Bhai, Lucifer Bhai, we three planned a little surprise for him that day. We were very happy. Now look where destiny brought us." I cried looking down. He put his hand around my shoulder and hugged me.

"I miss him Jay. I miss him very much." I cried bitterly hugging him. He caressed my head.

-"I know buddy. I know."

After sometimes I felt a small hand on my hand. I look up and found my fairies standing in front of me.

-"Don't cry Zoya aunty. You're also making us cry." Catherine said and her eyes we're holding tears.

I got up and sat on ground and wiped my tears.

-"Who said that I'm crying? I'm not crying." I said smiling.

-"I also miss him Zoya aunty." Catherine speak and started crying. I immediately hugged her and more tears fell from my eyes. Other children also hugged me.

NEXT DAY

I was working in my office. Bella was telling me about an upcoming project. Now when Faisal is not here, the designs are made by an architect team that was appointed by Jay. He's really good at his work. He has helped me a lot in understanding everything about business.

Suddenly I feel like someone called me.

-"Jaan." I immediately got up from my chair and looked around.

-"Ma'am what happened?"

-"Nothing Bella."

I said and sat back. Why was it feeling like Faisal was calling me?

-"Ma'am? Ma'am?"

-"Huh?" I asked coming out of my thoughts.

-"Ma'am I think that you're tired. We'll talk later."

-"You're right. Please bring me a cup of coffee."

-"Okay ma'am." She said and left.

I got up and went to glass wall. I put my hand on it and looked out at the pink sky. I'm feeling very strange suddenly. My heart is feeling like sinking. I'm feeling very uneasy.

What's happening to me?

I felt someone touching my shoulder. I immediately turned getting scared.

-"Ma'am. It's me." Bella speak. I exhaled in relief.

-"You scared me. Thanks for the coffee."

-"It's my duty ma'am. And please call me if you need anything." She said smiling politely and left.

I went upstairs in his room. I put coffee cup on table and glanced around the room. I went and sat on bed. I touched the pillow of right side and remembered that day, when I woke up in his arms. He was shirtless and I was clutching him like he was my teddy bear. From teddy bear I remember that how Faisal has put that black teddy gifted by me on his bed.

A smile crept on my face, but tears escaped from my eyes. I closed my eyes and memories flashed in front of my eyes.

"I've told you many times that I'm handsome."

-"You......you.... you're..... you're awake!"

-"How can I sleep when you were touching my face and abs?"

-"I....I...I was not..... I was not touching your abs I've only poked finger on your chest because I fell that I am sleeping on a rock and your chest is so hard that it feels like a rock but I've not touched your abs I wanted to but........."

-"Why are you holding me?"

-"Because you are also holding me."

-"But I was asleep you would have been the one to hold me."

-"If I say yes I was the one so?"

-"Huh?"

-"What happened? Lost your words?"

I immediately got up from bed opening my eyes. My breathing was heavy. I can't stay here anymore. My hands started trembling. I ran downstairs in cabin and took out my tablets from drawer. I ate them and drank a lot of water.

I should go home now. I don't want anyone to know about my panic attacks. I left home with Justin.

I reached home. Just as I entered I went to his room. I sat on bed. My breathings are more heavy now and my whole body is shaking. I have to calm myself. I took off my coat and footwear. I sat on his bed hugging my knees.

Breath Zoya.

Breath.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly. I did what Dr. Sofia said. I closed my eyes and thought about happy memories. I thought about that day when we were staying in Sheikh mansion and we went out in night. I remembered how we spent our time sitting beside lake.

After sometimes my breathing became normal and I fell asleep because of medicine.

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I got ready for office and left. Just as I entered cabin, a known smell hit my nostrils. This smell. I stopped in my tracks and looked around. I went in bedroom but it was also empty. I came back and sat on chair. I looked around and again that strange feeling came in my heart.

-"Zoya." I looked up and found Jay. He came in and sat on chair in front of table. "What happened Zoya? Ms. Bella told me that you went home early yesterday and you was not fine. You're also not looking well today. What happened?"

-"I don't know Jay. I'm just feeling very uneasy. My heart is sinking and I'm feeling very strange. I'm feeling like something gonna happen. It's feeling is same that I was getting that day, when I met Faisal for the very first time. I am again feeling like that. I don't know what's happening to me."

-"Zoya. I think you're tired. You works a lot, you should take a day off. Maybe because of tiredness you're feeling that way."

-"I think you're right. But I can't take a day off. I've very much work today."

-"Okay. So atleast have a glass of strawberry milkshake with me, maybe it'll make you feel better."

-"I think that's the best idea." I said and we both went to canteen.

When we came back in cabin I found someone sitting on chair. I and Jay shared a confused look.

-"Who are you Mr.? And how you entered here?" Jay asked.

-"Is thought that you will recognize me Welson." He said and turned chair to us. My body became numb looking at him.

-"Mr. Montano?" Jay whispered.

He got up from chair and walked to us.

-"How're you both doing?" He asked giving us a evil look. "Well..... You both are looking good. It means you're fine. But what happened to you?" He asked looking at me from head to toe. "You've become too skinny."

-"What're you doing here Mr. Montano?"

-"I came to see my sister."

-"Why?" He asked.

-"I was worried for her. You know I loves my sister a lot. That's why I came to see how she is."

-"Worried? You started making nice jokes." I speak coldly.

-"What happened to your tone? You wasn't the one to speak like this."

-"You all made me like this." I whispered to myself and sat on my chair.

Zoya. You can't be weak. You have to control your emotions.

I know.

-"I came to see you because I was missing you, and here you're being rude."

-"In these 2.5 years you never missed me. You never tried to know about my well being. You just left without saying anything and when I called you, I got to know that you've changed your number. Why suddenly you appeared today?"

"Oh! I think that you came to see that I am alive or not. You would've thought that it's been years and that weakling would've been dead by now. Or you would have thought that let's go and see how that clever, bloody gold digger is living after killing her own husband. Am I right Mr. Lucifer Montano?"

-"I thought that you would be so happy after seeing me Or you would cry a lot and will scold me. But here I'm witnessing a new side of yours."

-"Why? When you all can change, then why can't I?"

-"We're changed?" He chuckled and sat on chair in front of me. "We're not changed. Just our opinion towards you changed. We were always like this to mean greedy people, now you also comes in that category. We hates this kind of people who uses others for money. So our behavior isn't obvious?"

-"You're right. I understand you all. So if you hates people like me, then why you came here?"

-"I came to see my friend's office. I just wanted to know that if you bankrupted it."

-"Then you'll be glad to know that I didn't." I said smiling fakely. "You know Mr. Lucifer Montano, the profits are doubled this year comparing to last year. So you should not worry."

He looked at me surprisedly. I got up from my chair and moved to him.

-"Will you please leave? I've a lot of work to do." I speak collecting every single bit of courage left within me.

He got up and left after looking at me like he used to years before. Just as the door closed I fell on my knees on floor. Jay immediately hold me sitting beside me. Tears escaped my eyes.

-"Zoya. Calm down."

-"My Bhai...... My..... My Savio came today......" I speak while crying and he hugged me. "I talked unpolitely Jay."

-"You did right Zoya. Those people deserves this for hurting you. It's tit for tat Zoya. Please don't cry buddy."

I wiped my tears. I looked at him and asked

-"What is going to happen Jay? I'm not feeling good. Something is going to happen for sure."

-"Zoya. Don't overthink. Everything will be fine. You just have to be strong. And your friend Jay welson is always with you."

-"I know Jay."

NEXT DAY

-"Zack. Please wait here." I said removing my blazer. I put my blazer inside car.

(Current look. Don't forget long hairs.)

-"But ma'am you should not go alone."

-"Zack. I'm not a teenager anymore. I'm 21 years old now. I'm going Zack." I said and walked inside the mall.

I've to buy some groceries. I bought everything I wanted and also paid bill. Zack came and took the bag. I thought something and told him to wait for some more time.

I went to kids section and thought to buy something for Asher, Zack's baby. I was looking through kids section when I felt someone pulling my top's sleeve. I looked down and found a little boy around two years looking at me with tears in his eyes. I sat on my knees holding his arms.

-"Hello baby. What happened? Why're you crying?" I asked wiping his tears.

-"My.... my mom got lost." He speak and started crying

I hugged him and lift in my arms. He's too small.

-"Don't cry baby. I'll find your mom."

-"Really?" He asked looking at me. I nodded while wiping his tears.

-"What's your name?" I asked while moving to reception.

-"Nihan."

-"Nihan. Very nice name."

-"What is your name Miss?"

-"Miss?" I chuckled hearing him. "Who taught you this?"

-"My Dadu did. He says that we should respect girls because girls are very precious."

-"Oh my God. Your Dadu taught you very beautiful thing Nihan."

We reached reception. I told receptionist about Nihan. She announced about him.

-"Your mom will come to you by herself now." I told him. His stomach growled. He looked down with pout.

-"Nihan. What about we go and eat something?"

He looked at me smiling and nodded. I lift him in my arms and told receptionist. We went in a restaurant.

-"So.... What will you like to eat Mr. Nihan?

-"Ice cream."

-"Ice cream? But the weather started getting colder, you'll get cold." He looked down sadly. I can't see this sad little face.

"On second thought, we both should eat ice cream. But don't tell your mom."

He looked at me and smiled with happiness.

-"Choco vanilla." He speak.

-"That's my favourite too." I ordered two choco vanilla.

-"You likes ice cream?" He asked me.

-"I loves ice cream."

-"Chocolate too?" I nodded. "You're like my Dad. He also likes ice cream and chocolate."

We ate ice cream and he was telling me about his pet dog, coco.

-"You know Nihan, you're very intelligent comparing to your age."

-"My Dad says that I'm like my Chachu. He was also very intelligent."

-"Really......."

-"Ma'am." I looked back and found Zack.

-"Zack."

-"Ma'am you didn't came so I thought to check where you are."

-"Actually Zack he is Nihan and he got lost......."

-"No. My mom got lost." He said interrupting me. I chuckled and continues

-"His mom got lost. So I'm helping him in finding his mom."

-"So sad. So Nihan what's your age?"

-"Have a seat Zack." I told him and he sat.

-"I am 2 years old."

My phone rang. I went out for taking call as it's very noisy inside. I came back after talking and found Zack alone.

-"Where's Nihan?"

-"His mom came and took him."

-"Oh! That's good."

-"Should we go ma'am?"

-"Yeah."

IN CAR:- I was thinking about Nihan and his intelligence.

-"You looks good like this ma'am." Zack speak and I looked at him confused.

-"Like what?"

-"Smiling. I've seen you smiling in real after more than two years. After Faisal sir, this smile got changed with a fake one."

-"Smile comes with hapiness Zack, and my hapiness went away with Faisal. Everything ended the day he went."

-"Nihan. That's the name of that boy. Am I right?"

-"Hmm. Isn't he so cute?" I asked remembering him.

-"Ma'am don't you thinks he resembles someone?"

-"What do you mean?"

-"After you went away, a lady came to take Nihan. She was Nina ma'am."

-"Nina di?" I asked shocked. "It means you're trying to say that he's Rehan Bhai's son?"

-"Yes ma'am."

My vision become glossy and I smiled.

-"Nihan. Nina plus Rehan equals to Nihan. OH MY GOSH! He was my nephew."

-"That's why he was looking like Rehan sir."

-"But Zack. Why she didn't recognized you? She has saw you before."

-"I think because I shaved, Ella was also saying that I looks different after shaving."

-"Maybe."

I reached home and went inside after giving gift for Asher. I went to Faisal's room and told him about Asher. I slept in his room.

I woke up and went downstairs after getting ready. But again that smell hit my nostrils. How can it be possible? This smell. From where it is coming? It's Faisal's perfume smell.

I immediately went to office.

In evening at nearly 7:30 I reached home. Smell of food is coming from kitchen. I immediately went there and found food on dining table. Who can cook this? And who came here?