44. A DREAM?

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?

(Current look)

-"Welcome home Doll." Lucifer Bhai came from kitchen.

-"You?" I asked confused. "What're you doing here?"

-"I came to give you a surprise." He speak smiling.

-"What surprise?" I asked and he came to me. He put his hands on my eyes. "What're you doing?" He removed his hands and........

I found a tall man standing at some distance. I couldn't believe my eyes. I rubbed my eyes, but the scene was same. I involuntarily took steps forward.

I stopped reaching in front of him and his face is clearly visible now. I can never ever forgot this face.

My hand went up and I touched his chest very lightly. Feeling the warmth I immediately took steps back. My vision turned glossy. I again looked at his face, it's the same as it used to be, just his beard are more long and thick now, and he's wearing glasses.

Is it all just a dream?

To confirm it, I again moved to him and touched his arm. It's real. Tears fell from my eyes.

I turned my head and found Lucifer Bhai smiling at us. I again looked back at him and hold his arms. I looks at him from head to toe.

-"Faisal......" I whispered smiling and a sob escaped my mouth. I hugged him wrapping my hands around his torso. I felt him putting his hands on my back, I hugged him tightly and cried. His smell, his touch, his warmth, I was dying for this all. God saved me many times from death even when I myself wanted that, maybe for this day he kept me alive.

I inhaled his smell and my heart felt peace. I broke the hug and looked at his face. He also looked at me with something in his eyes that I'm not able to figure out.

-"Missed me?" He asked wiping my tears.

-"Missed you? I was dying without you. Where were you Faisal? If you were alive then why didn't you came earlier? Tell me Faisal." I asked while crying bitterly. I'm not able to stop my tears. The pain I was holding inside since these years is now coming out in form of tears.

-"Doll. Firstly have a seat baby and please stop crying." Lucifer Bhai said while holding my arm. He made me sit on couch. Faisal also came and sat beside me. Bhai sat on other couch.

-"Firstly I'm sorry Doll. I didn't told you that Faisal was alive and I talked like that......."

-"Why?" I asked interrupting him.

-"Because of that David. Faisal was found down the hill and his condition was very bad. He was in coma. If David would have got to know about him then you know what he could have done. So I didn't told anyone not even Rehan and you. And I never came to meet you because I was not able to see your condition. I'm sorry Doll."

-"How long he was in coma?" I asked ignoring his apology.

-"For 2 years." He answered.

-"Two years?" I whispered and gasped in horror.

-"I took him to Italy. Because it was the safest place at that time. He was being treated by my personal doctors in my mansion. His head was very much injured, his leg......" He stopped in middle and continued after sighing. "....doctors had to perform surgery and put iron rod in his leg and hand. His two ribs were also broken........."

-"Lucifer." Faisal speak sternly and he stopped speaking. More tears fell from my eyes and I cried more looking down. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced up and found Faisal looking at me. I immediately hugged him and cried clutching his shirt.

-"I think I should leave now." Bhai speak while getting up.

-"Fero. Have dinner with us."

-"No Faisal. You both should spend some time together. I have some work also. Bye, take care." He speak and left.

-"Are you tired?" He asked me while pulling away from me.

-"After looking at you, my every problem flew away." I said wiping my tears.

-"But I'm very tired, I want to take rest." He speak and got up from couch.

-"But dinner?"

-"I'm not hungry and I had lunch very late. You eat I'm going to my room."

-"Okay."I got up and he started climbing stairs. After climbing some stairs he turned and asked.

-"Is my room clean?"

-"It is. I used to clean it every week on weekends." He nodded and left.

I sat on couch and smiled while tears escaped my eyes. I'm feeling very overwhelmed. Thank you God. Thank you very much. You returned me my Faisal, my happiness, my life, my love. Thank you a lot.

I have no words to describe this feeling I'm feeling right now. I'm very happy, but at the same time very worried for him because of his injuries.

But the overall conclusion is that. My Faisal is alive and he came back to me.

I wiped my tears and went in my room. I changed my clothes but didn't had dinner as I'm not feeling hungry. I want to tell my happiness to my people.

But I have no one to share with.

I sat on bed heard voice of chimes. I looked at window, my eyes went to chimes hanging on window. Jay gifted me these.

Jay.

I should tell him. I called him

-"Hi buddy."

-"Jay! I'm very happy! I'm very very happy!" I shouted while jumping back and forth on bed.

-"Zoya? Is it really you?" He asked being surprised. Of course he'll be surprise after hearing my excited voice because I was a quiet, sad and cold person for years.

-"Yes Jay. It's me."

-"What happened?"

-"Jay. You'll not believe what happened today."

-"What happened? Tell me fast. I'm being very curious."

-"Jay. He is alive."

-"Who?"

-"My Faisal. My Faisal is alive Jay. He came back." I speak and he got silence. "Jay? You're listening right?"

-"Yeah. Yes Zoya. But how? I..... I can't understand. You said that Mr. Khan is alive?" He speak confusedly. I told him everything.

-"...........I'm so happy Jay. My life came back."

-"It's very great news Zoya. I'm so much happy for you. I also want to meet Mr. Khan."

-"Fine then. Come to our home for lunch yesterday."

-"Okay. I will come. And you had dinner?"

-"Yes. I had." I lied trying to sound true.

-"Really? Don't lie."

-"Actually...... I wasn't hungry......"

-"Zoya. Go and eat something, you have to take medicines also. And you still have fever?"

-"No Jay. I'm fine and after looking at Faisal I became perfectly fine now."

-"Yes. Yes. I can guess with your voice. Now go and eat something."

-"Fine. I'm going. Bye bye." I end the call and went out of my room.

I was just going down on stairs when I heard voice from dining table like someone is eating. I went there and found Faisal eating food.

-"Faisal?" I called him being confused.

He looked at me like deer caught in headlights.

-"What're you doing here?" He asked.

-"I should be the one to ask you this. You said that you don't want to eat as you're tired."

-"So it means that I can't even do something without informing you in my own house now?"

-"No Faisal. It's OUR HOME and you can do anything whenever you want. Why're you speaking like this?"

"And you know, I also came to eat food. Now we'll eat together." I sat on chair and he got up.

-"I'm done eating. I'm going to sleep now, my head is paining."

-"Oh..... Doctor gave you some medicine?"

-"Yes. I'll take them." He went in kitchen and left upstairs after washing his plates.

I shrugged and had dinner silently. I think he's really tired.

After eating, I thought to check him. It's all feeling like a dream. I still can't believe that my Faisal came back. So I went in his room to see him. I found his room dark, only light of moon is coming from opened window. I walked in silently and looked at his sleeping face. I bend down and looked at his face. His face is covered with his thick long beard. His hairs are also longer than they used to be. There are marks of stitches on side of his forehead and there is one scar on his cheek. But still he's looking breathtakingly handsome. My Mr. Handsome. My vision became glossy. Even if it's all a dream, I never want to wake up. I just want to live in this dream, I want to live with my Faisal.

I smiled and bend down, a drop of tear fell on his cheek from my eyes. I kissed his forehead and whispered

-"I love you husband." Then I left his room closing door very silently.

NEXT DAY

We four, Me, Faisal, Jay and Lucifer Bhai were having lunch.

-"Mr. Montano when you knew that Mr. Khan was alive, then why didn't you told Zoya?" Jay asked.

-"Welson. First of all I've already told the reason to her, and the thing that matters is that Faisal is fine. But I thinks that you're not happy with it." Bhai said in very hateful tone. po

-"Why will I be not happy? My happiness is in my friend's happiness and my friend's happiness is in Mr. Khan. And Mr. Khan is like my brother, so there's no doubt in my happiness."

-"Jay is saying absolutely right Bhai. And you don't have to doubt him now. He's one of the most trustworthy person I've ever met, that's why he's my best friend." I speak looking smiling at Jay.

-"She's right Fero, there's no doubt that she trusts him very much. That's why she told about my return firstly to him. But why didn't you told Rehan?" Faisal asked me.

My smile faded hearing Bhai's name. How should I tell him what happened after he went away? I've talked to doctor who treated him, he told me that we should not give any type of mental stress to Faisal. After knowing whatever happened, he'll surely become angry. And I don't want him to go and say anything bad to Sheikh family. It doesn't matter whatever they'd done to me, they're very important persons for Faisal.

-"Actually, Faisal I tried to call him but his phone was switched off. And I got call from Jay after that, so I told him first." I lied to him. But what if he he caught my lie. Because I can't lie in front of him, he always gets to know.

-"That's fine. Fero will tell him." Faisal said smiling. I also smiled back at him. Thank God! He didn't caught me this time. I found Jay looking at me suspiciously. I mouthed please and he understood. That's my friend!

We ate our lunch and now I cleaning the dining table. Faisal and Bhai was in hall. Jay came and started helping me.

-"Why you didn't told him about Rehan?"

-"I don't want to spoil there relationship because of me."

-"But Zoya Mr. Khan should know everything."

-"Jay. Doctor told me that we should not give stress to him. He was in coma for two years, you know it right? Then please don't tell him anything."

-"Okay fine. I'll not tell anything to Mr. Khan."

-"What you will not tell to Faisal?" Bhai asked coming to us. I immediately looked back and didn't found Faisal. I sighed in relief.

-"Bhai. You scared me."

-"What were you talking about?"

-"Bhai. We were talking about Rehan Bhai. Bhai please don't tell anything about that to Faisal. And please convince Rehan Bhai to act like nothing happened between us. Bhai doctor told we should not give any kind of stress to Faisal and if Faisal got to know everything......."

-"I understand Doll. I will talk to Rehan. And I know that if my Doll is doing anything, then it'll surely be for good."

-"Thank you Bhai." I said and hugged him. " You're the best brother in the world."

-"What you've done now Fero?" Faisal asked coming. I broke hug and stand beside Bhai.

-"Why should I tell you?" Bhai said and sat on dining table.

-"Okay don't tell. But you'll have to eat ice cream prepared by me."

-"Wow! Ice cream!" I exclaimed in happiness.

-"Yes. Now everyone have a seat, I'm just coming."

-"Can I help you?" I asked.

-"No way. Just sit patiently." He speak and went inside.

We all sat down. He came with four bowls and give each to us. He sat on head chair. I looked at ice cream and smiled.

-"Taste and tell, how's it?"

-"It's very yummy." I complimented. He just smiled. We all started eating. After eating nearly half of it, I started feeling strange. My throat was feeling very dry and itchy. I'm feeling very uneasy.

-"What happened Doll?"

-"Nothing Bhai." I answered and took one more spoon. Just as I took it in mouth, it choked and I started coughing.

-"Zoya! Take it easy. Drink some water." Jay said while rubbing my back and giving me a glass of water. I drank little water but I started having burning sensation all over my neck. I started coughing more badly clutching my throat. Tears started forming in my eyes. I'm feeling unable to breath.

-"Doll! What's happening to you?" Bhai got up and stand beside me rubbing my back. "What are these red patches on your neck and face?"

-"It's looking like..... One minute." Jay said and took my bowl in his hand. He ate one spoon of ice cream. "It has kiwi fruit. Mr. Khan?"

-"Yes Jay."

-"You put kiwi in ice cream. Zoya is allergic to kiwi, don't you know that?"

-"Oh God! I forgot that. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Zoya." He said while sitting on floor in front of my chair. He looked at me worriedly.

-"It's okay Faisal. Please don't be tense." I speak with very difficulty.

-"We should call a doctor and Faisal take her to her room." Bhai said and Faisal carried me in his arms. He made me lye on bed and covered me with blanket. My whole body is feeling like burning. I hold Faisal's hand while tears fell from my eyes. He sat beside me.

-"You'll be fine shortly. Doctor is just coming. Nothing will happen to you." He told me and I nodded.

-"I know you'll not let anything happen to me."

(Doctor came gave injection to Zoya and she fell asleep.)

I opened my eyes and found myself lying in my room, I looked at window and found that it's going to be night soon. For how much time I slept?

I walked in front of mirror and found little red rashes on my neck and hands.

-"Doctor said that these will go away themselves." Bhai said entering in room. He was holding a cup. I smiled looking at him.

-"Where is Faisal?"

-"He's in his room taking rest."

-"He had his medicines in afternoon?" I asked and he hand me cup.

-"Yes. Now you sit and drink this hot chocolate. You like it right?" I nodded and sat near window. I take a sip and realised something.

-"Who prepared it?" I asked.

-"Why? Is it not good?"

-"It's tasty Bhai. But I was just asking because it's not made by Faisal." He came and sat in front of me.

-"Mary made it. You recognized?" He asked shocked.

-"Of course Bhai. No one can cook like my Faisal." I declared proudly. He just smiled. I started drinking hot choco.

-"Doll."

-"Yes Bhai."

-"What will you do now?" He asked and I looked at him confused. "I mean about Khan Group...."

-"Bhai. Is that even a question? Okay tell me that when you came office, whose name you saw on cabin door?"

-"Faisal's name."

-"Right Bhai. You know the prefix CEO, it only suits with his name. CEO Faisal Khan. I never wanted that. I'm fine as I am, Mrs. Zoya Faisal Khan. I never wanted anything else. I don't know why Rehan Bhai and everyone thinks like that. But now when Faisal came back, everything will become as it was before. I've already talked to lawyer also. This company, property, money and all, it was never mine. It belonged to Faisal and will always belong to him.

And now when my brother has came, we both will make everything perfectly fine. Am I right Bhai?" I asked looking at him. He was just looking down. "Bhai." I called him while shaking his shoulder. He looked at me and smiled.

-"You're right. Doll I have to make an urgent call. I'm going out okay." I nodded and he left.

Where's Jay? I took my mobile and called him.

-"Hello."

-"Zoya. You're fine right?"

-"Yes Jay I'm fine. But where are you?"

-"Actually I got a call from my secretory after doctor left, so I came to office. Sorry for leaving like that."

-"Jay. Don't apologize. And as I always says, work is more important."

-"That's the reason why you're my best friend Zoya. You understands me and my responsibilities. I'm very blessed to have a friend like you."

-"Yes. Yes. I know it. Don't start becoming cheesy."

-"I'm not becoming cheesy I'm just speaking what my heart is saying just like you."

-"Oh...... It means that your heart is cheesy." I speak teasing him. "So we got one heart here who is cheesy and speaks cheesy things."

-"And one heart is beautiful who speaks beautiful things." He said teasing me back and I giggled.

-"Now enough Mr. Welson, you're in office so go and do your work."

-"But chitchatting with my friend is more interesting."

-"Jay go and do your work. I'm ending call right now. Bye." I end call and put my mobile on charging. I tied my hairs in a messy bun and moved downstairs. It's time for preparing dinner.

I went in kitchen and found that Bhai was standing in balcony. I walked to him.

-"Bhai." He turned to me being shocked.

-"You scared me." He exclaimed and I chuckled.

-"OMG! The Lucifer Montano got scared by little Zoya?"

-"You're 21 now, but still you're same as you were three years before, when I first saw you. But as I mentioned that day, you've gotten very skinny. What happened Doll?"

-"Bhai....." I hesitated and speak "That..... It's just...... It just because of work load. I was managing that huge company of your friend, that's why." I told him and looked out of balcony.

-"It's looking like you're lying."

-"No Bhai."

-"Doll. Learn to lie first." He said caressing my head and I just looked down. "Look at me." I looked up and he smiled. "Doll. You're confusing me."

-"What do you mean Bhai?" I asked and he just nodded negatively.

-"I'm just leaving now Doll."

-"But I was going to make dinner and....."

-"Doll. I had lunch here right? Now I'm going and I have work also."

-"Okay Bhai."

-"Bye Doll, take care." He said and left.

I went in kitchen and prepared dinner. It's 8pm now. I went upstairs to Faisal's room. I knocked the door

-"Faisal! Come dinner is ready."

-"Coming." He answered and I went down. I sat on dining table waiting for him. He came after ten minutes and sat on chair without speaking anything.

We both started eating silently. But I want to talk. He is not speaking much after he came back. I want to talk to him a lot. I want to hug him and tell him that how much I missed him. But here this person is being Mr. Grumpy.

He'll not speak anything. I myself have to start conversation.

-"Faisal."

-"Yes." He answered without looking up from his plate.

-"You will go to office tomorrow right?"

-"Yes I'll go. Any problem?"

-"Yes. I have many problems!" I shouted and got up from chair. "What's wrong with you Mr. Husband? Why you're not talking........" He got up and started going upstairs.

"Faisal." I called him but he didn't stopped.

"FAISAL!" I shouted but he kept walking. I ran behind him but he went inside his room and closed the door. What happened to him all of sudden? I knocked on door

"Faisal what happened to you?"

-"Go away! I don't want to talk!"

-"Faisal....."

-"Just go!" He shouted and tears formed in my eyes. I moved back and again glanced at door. What happened to him? I done something that made him angry?

-"Faisal I'm sorry if I did something! But please don't be angry on me. If you don't want to talk to me right now, then it's fine. But please atleast have dinner. I'm going in my room okay? Please have dinner and don't forget your medicines." I said and went in my room.

It's okay if he don't want to talk to me now. He has came back after two and half years, he needs some time. Doctor also said that there can be some change in his behaviour and it'll take some time for him to come back to his normal self. He has lost two years, of course it's very hard for him to adjust. I should wait.

I felt tears on my cheek. I wiped them and sat on bed. I took the photo frame from side table. A smile came on my face looking at the picture of a couple. It's me and Faisal. Our picture taken by Rehan Bhai on anniversary party of Mom and Dad. I remember how Faisal was ignoring me that day and how I was mad at him. But Bhai being Bhai, he forced us to click a photo together. Our expressions are worth watching here, I was looking at him, no no glaring at him looking up as he is taller than me and he was just spitting fire with his eyes on Bhai.

-"How everything changed after that day? Next day, I got to know about contract and then........" A tear fell on photo from my eyes. "But now you've came back my Mr. Arrogant. I promise you that I'll never blame you for anything. I'll never ever say wrong words to you. I promise. Because I don't want to lose you again. I love you Faisal. I love you a lot." I kissed his face and put the frame back at its place.

I glanced at clock, it has been one hour since I came in. I should go and check that he had dinner or not. I got out of my room and walked downstairs silently. I found him sitting on dining table. So I immediately stops and turned to go.

-"Where are you going?" I heard his voice. He saw me!

I turned and found him standing right in front of me. I got astonished. I was going to fall but he held me with his hands around my waist. My hands were on his chest. We got lost in each other's eyes. After how much time I'm looking in these deep blue eyes, which are deeper than the ocean. Our breaths were mingling, he moved his face near mine. I was feeling his hot breath on my lips. My heart started jumping like every time it does whenever he comes close to me. Our lips touched and a shiver ran down my spine. I closed my eyes and he started kissing me.

He pulled me more closer and my hands went around his neck. His one hand was on my waist, holding me and other one was behind my neck. He deepened the kiss and started kissing me with more intensity like he was craving for it. Not only him, I was also craving for it. I was missing everything that he used to make me feel. His touch which used to make me feel butterflies, his lips which makes my heart dance, his smell which used to make me feel intoxicating, his blue eyes which used to hypnotise me. I was missing everything. I was missing my husband a lot.

After a very deep and long kiss, he pulled apart. I was panting heavily and so was he. Our foreheads were touching and out breaths were mixing. Our lips were almost touching.

This is the right time Zoya. This is the time you always wanted, this is the time for which you always have prayed. This is the time to gain courage and answer him. You have to answer his heart. You have to answer your Faisal.

I gained every bit of courage and said those words which he always wanted to hear.

-"I Love You Faisal."