𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝟎

FAIZAN

Amar

I won't be home when you reach home

I frown at the text in front of me and type.

Me

Why not?

Amar

Me, Rose and Bree are going out to the mall then we're going to have desi food because it's been sooooooo long since they tried it and I am the perfect person to go with *proud emoji*

Me

How long will you be out for?

Amar

I am not sure but I won't be late, is it okay?

Me

Yes, yes. Just take Shariq with you?

Amar

Okayyy. See you later tonightttt

Me

Be safe, amar

Amar

I will. Don't try to miss me so muchhhh <3

I chuckle at the last text, an easy smile spreading on my lips as I type a reply.

Me

I'll try.

"Hayee, mera dost ishq ke darye mein gir gaya" my friend has fallen in the river of love.

I wipe away the smile and look up at the unwanted presence seated in front of me, shoving his face with the food my wife packed for me.

Okay, maybe she packed extra so Farhan could eat too but he's still unwanted.

"Why are you here?" I ask.

"To eat the delicious food my bhabhi packed for me." he says with a grin.

"Take your half and leave."

"Tsk, tsk, that's not very nice, Faizan. Sharing is caring."

"Not always," I mutter under my breath.

"I heard that,"

I roll my eyes and he continues to fill his mouth with food while I focus on my work.

"Is bhabhi going to apply here for the job?" Farhan asks after finishing his food.

"She is thinking about it. But she doesn't want either of us to interview her." I answer without looking up from the files.

"Why not? I'm hurt."

I sit back in my chair and look at Farhan, "She doesn't want everyone to think she got the job because she's married to me. She doesn't want that to repeat."

"Oh, then who is going to take her interview?" he nods.

"I'll ask Kamaal to do it."

"Got it," he nods.

I stare at him as he looks around my office, nodding, "what?"

He looks back at me, "what what?"

"You're not telling me something."

"That's not true," I raise an eyebrow, "okay maybe but I don't want to and raise up my hopes."

I take a moment then ask, "is it about a certain someone?"

A pause, "maybe."

I hum, "okay." I say, "just so you know, if you need anything, I'm here for you."

Farhan stares at me for a moment then grins, "are you trying to make me cry out of happiness?"

"No. I'm just letting you know, no matter how annoying you are, I'm still here for you whenever you need me."

His grin falls and he makes a face, "Gee, thanks."

"No problem."

Farhan is many things but he is also a very good friend. Not that I'd ever admit it to him but during the time we were roommates, his nonsense and his habit of pushing himself into my life pulled me out of my dark thoughts.

He made an effort to get to know me even when he didn't have to. I don't think he noticed but he has helped me, in his own annoying way and I'm thankful for that. I know he'd do anything for me if I asked and I'd do the same for him. Anytime.

ᯓᡣ𐭩

My head snaps up as soon as the sound of the front door unlocking of the house reaches my ear.

I abandon my laptop on the coffee table and get up from my seat to go greet my wife.

She walks in, dressed in a pastel pink kurti trousers and a white hijab wrapped around her head, holding a bouquet of flowers. Behind Arzo, Shariq walks in, holding three shopping bags.

I halt, frowning at the bouquet of flowers.

Those aren't the ones I got her. Mine are placed on the coffee table.

Arzo sees me and a smile breaks across her lips as she signs, "Assalamu Alaikum,"

"Wale Kum Assalam," I greet back and kiss her forehead.

Before I could ask who gave her those flowers, she lifts the bouquet up for me, "who is it for?" I ask, taking it.

"You." she signs.

"Me?" she nods, smiling, "why?"

"Why not? You deserve flowers too," she signs then pecks my cheeks before walking towards the couch- where Shariq placed her bags.

I stare at the bouquet of flowers in my hand. Multiple flowers, such as lilies, roses, orchids and lavender, are wrapped neatly in brown paper with a grey bow wrapped around its end.

You deserve flowers too.

A small smile takes over my lips at the sweet gesture.

Holding the bouquet in my hand, I head to the kitchen to bring my wife a glass of water.

Shariq leaves after Arzo thanks him.

"Thank you," she signs as I reach her on the couch then takes the glass after taking off her hijab.

"No problem," I say, then take my seat beside her, holding the bouquet, "did you have fun?" I ask after she puts away the glass.

She nods, her face breaking into a smile again, "it was really fun. We went to the mall to buy few things, then Rose dragged us to the bookstore and forced us to buy the same books so we could read together." she chuckles, "Bree said that Rose will finish the book in one day and give us all spoilers so we don't have to read it."

"Sounds fun,"

"Bree and Rose are fun to hang out with." she signs, "we also discussed relationships."

"Ironic, considering you're the only one married."

"We were talking about what kind of relationship we want."

"And?"

"Rose has very high standards that she says only fictional men can achieve and Bree-"

"No, what did you say?"

She stares at me for a moment then signs, "I said all I ever thought about a relationship was for it to be healthy, the partner to be loyal and caring, someone who understood me. But... I have a marriage, better than I ever imagined."

"You really said that?"

"I say the truth, Faizan Malik. Believe me or not."

"I always believe you, amar"

I take her arm gently as she smiles and pull her onto my lap, putting the bouquet aside. I wrap my arms around her waist as she straddles my lap.

"Did you like the bouquet?" she signs, "I wasn't sure what your favorite flower is so I got all the pretty ones."

"They're perfect."

She smiles then leans forward, placing a soft kiss on my lips then rests her head on my shoulder, hands tucked between us as I soothingly draw circles on her back.

We sit in the comforting silence for a while like this, her in my arms, her fingers drawing patterns on my shirt indicating she's aware of her surroundings unlike that night.

"Amar" I speak carefully, "what happened two nights ago?"

Her hands stills and her body becomes frozen. A wave of panic washes through me, thinking I triggered her back into the state she was two nights ago and the state she goes into when she wakes up.

She became distant that night. She didn't sign or look at me. Her movements were the only sign that she was present but those mechanical movements proved she was lost somewhere else. A dark place in her mind.

The rush of panic comes to a slow stop when Arzo sits up, locking her gaze with me.

She hesitantly lifts her hand and signs, "I don't know," her eyes shake with fear, "I don't know and it's scary. The voice is so loud and so harsh." she swallows, "It destroys the silence I love so much. It hits me out of nowhere and leaves me terrified."

"Whose voice?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm despite the anger rushing through my veins at the thought of someone terrifying her to a point she almost loses herself.

"I don't know. I don't remember. My mind knows but I can't remember. My mind has to know, right? Why else would I be terrified of it?" her eyes contain a mix of fear and confusion, as if she's not asking this to me but to herself.

"Do you want to remember who the voice belongs to?" I ask, hesitantly.

She nods.

"You know what that means, amar."

She slowly nods then rests her head back on my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my neck tightly but gently. I place a kiss on her shoulder, keeping her close to myself as we both sit in silence with the realization of what she will have to do.

She will have to revisit her past.