52. The Four Conditions

Times changes, so does people, so does our situations. They realize they were wrong as they become more mature with time. A bad person doesn't always remain bad. We should appreciate him if he musters courage to apologize and repent for his mistakes with a thought that you're not a saint either.

That's what I had learnt from my experience. I had decided to let go of every bad memory of my past life and start over; give myself another chance and also to Ashar. Besides, Ashar had already compensated for his mistakes by looking after my daughter all alone, by living as my husband for more than three years.

"What exactly were you thinking? Why did you turn off your phone?" I breathed out.

Ashar drew his brows together as he frowned at me. His hands were still hiding in his pockets. He was in plain formal wear, looking clean cut and fresh. His hair were perfectly combed towards his side. My stomach twisted. Just a look of him took away all of my worries and glistened my eyes because I realized how much I had missed him.

Although he looked perfect right now, but still he couldn't hide the grief in his eyes. They looked empty and unhappy.

"I've been running around and searching you since past hour. You don't even care about your own daughter. She is missing you, asking about you. Tell me what I should say to her that her daddy is out of his mind." I crossed my arms under my chest and puckered my lips angrily.

His surprised gaze scrutinized me from top to bottom, giving me light shivers. He was maybe trying to believe that I was really here, standing in front of him.

"I do care about her. What are you doing here?" Finally, he spoke. His deep voice accelerated my heartbeat, reminding me how much I had wanted to hear that sound. It had been several days since I last heard his voice.

"You said you'll never leave my side. You didn't keep your words."

"You asked me to leave." He reminded me in a serious tone.

I uncrossed my arms, chuckling, "I asked you to leave when I saw you waiting outside my workplace. I asked you to leave when you showed up in front of Caldwell and signed the contract. I asked you to leave every time you infuriated me through your silly ways. You never listened to me then why all of a sudden you decided to be so obedient?"

He looked away, "Because this time I saw your eyes. They were full of hatred and I couldn't bear it."

I didn't know how far away I was from the mansion, but I don't think I could walk back there because my legs were aching. I could barely stand.

I stepped closer and cascaded my arms around him. Burying my face in his warm clothes, I sniffed his tantalizing scent. He stiffened in response, "I don't hate you." I whispered against his chest, "I was just angry and I'm here to apologize for my rudeness."

He didn't say anything, didn't hug me back. I sensed his rigid posture so I stepped back and looked at him with fearful eyes. My chest constricted when the same thought popped up in my head that what if he would remain persistent with his decision and won't forgive me. What I would do?

His penetrating gaze was boring holes into my forehead. He slipped out his hands from his side pockets, biting his top lip a little while his face still remained unreadable, "How you got to know that you came all the way here just to apologize?"

I played with my fingers, "Samara came to my house and explained everything."

He tightened his jaws, shaking his head in disbelief, "You believed her, but not me."

"I'm sorry." I lowered my eyes on the ground, mumbling, "I got so angry when I saw you both laughing and hugging that I couldn't think of any other reason. For years I'd took you as her man, so I was scared that..." A tear rolled down my cheek and that made me angry. Stupid tears always have wrong timing!

I looked up and quickly wiped off the water. He was still staring at me with a blank face, "For your information, I must tell you that I'm not into married women."

"Um..." His sarcasm increased my embarrassment some more. I noticed a tiniest, amused smile on his face. So he was making fun of me?

He checked the time from his wrist watch and glanced back at me. He took a step forward to me, towering over me, "Are you still not gonna say it? Or you're here only to say sorry?"

I lifted up my brows a little, trying to figure out what he was talking about. He touched few locks of my hair lightly, playing with them, "Come on, say it. I'm waiting."

When my eyes met with his, I noticed the glint of humor and playfulness flaring in them. I understood what he wanted to hear. A faint smile touched my lips, "Am I forgiven?"

"That depends on if you're going to say it or not." He said solemnly. He created some distance between us and turned to his side. Smile on my face replaced by a disappointment. I thought he was about to kiss me.

"I, I..." I began nervously, "I want to stay married to you, stay as your wife. No, I think it would be better if we get married properly this time."

"Okay." He faced me again. The smile came slowly on his face, warming his eyes as he once again moved closer to me, "Go on." He purred.

I knew he was teasing me, but I didn't mind him because I also wanted to pour my heart out to him, my most sincere feelings. Avoiding his amused gaze, I continued, "That day at your office, I came to tell you the same thing that even though I hate it when you annoy me or act like a kid, but still I want you to keep doing this, stay around me, hug me every day, remind me every day that you'll only look at me."

"Uh." He put his finger under my chin, hinting me to look at him. I gazed into his hypnotic orbs, "You're forgiven." He breathed and connected his mouth with mine.

His hand moved to my neck, pulling me close to him. I grasped his blazer from front and moved my lips against his. The feel of his soft lips took me to another world and I felt my heart melting, causing all of my worries, stress and fears to disappear. Not only my heartbeat started dancing, but everything in me wanted to burst into happiness. It was me who he loved, it was me who he wanted to marry, and it was me who he wanted to spend his remaining life with.

Those thoughts impelled me to bury myself into him some more so I cascaded my arms around his neck. He in response wrapped his arms around my waist, tugged me close to him and pulled me up. I felt my feet left the ground, tightening my hold on him. We both smiled against our mouths for a moment and then resumed the kiss.

I and Ashar had a rough start. We hated each other, we loved each other, felt frustrated due to this unwanted, accidental marriage, but in the end, we apprehended that every anguish, every tear, every argument worth enduring. All of these ups and downs brought us closer to one another.

💙

Even though, I had no energy left in my limbs, but I still forced myself and walked all the way back to the mansion with Ashar. I couldn't tell him that my legs were hurting me to the extent as if I had run a marathon. His neighborhood was as large as a marathon, so my phrase was not completely metaphorical, it was somehow true. Anyways, I didn't complain because I wanted to enjoy a walk on a hushed street with him while holding his hand.

"Were you planning to shift abroad or what?" I quizzed when we both were standing outside his house. The party was not over yet. I could still hear music and the sound of people's babbling.

"It's not like that." He shook his head in negative, "How did you know by the way?"

"Your father told me." I said, facing him.

He chuckled softly, "It's just a business trip. However, I was just thinking to live there for some time to stop myself from calling you or Zoya. By the way, I've already missed my flight."

"So you had decided to leave me and Zoya? Did you plan to let her live with me?"

He sighed aloud, wrapped his arms around me and embraced me into a hug. I hugged him back, "I don't know. I can't live without her, but I knew you too won't be able to survive without her so I just let you keep her for now." He pulled back, caressed my cheek with his thumb, "And I didn't leave you, I was just giving you time to think."

My eyes moistened at his words. I tried to smile to fight back the tears, "Zoya missed you a lot."

He always surprised me or maybe I had always failed to understand his true nature and only focused on my assumptions about him. Zoya was his world and he decided to give his world to me and keep himself in isolation.

"Let's go and see her." He nodded thoughtfully and put his hand down to hold my hand once again.

"Okay." I squeezed his hand and gave him a weak smile. We started walking towards the entrance door, "But, listen I won't stay in this party. I'll hide somewhere."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not in good clothes and besides, I'm a bit tired. I want to sit down or lay down somewhere to give some rest to my legs." I finally told him about my sore limbs.

"Oh." He mused.

As we stepped inside, I felt few stares on us and that made me feel conscious about my appearance again. Katherine caught us. She moved towards us with Zoya beside her. Her eyes fell on to our hands that were locked together.

"Goodness. Look at them. I guess we've got another reason to celebrate." She exclaimed.

My face changed its color into light pink at her comment. I immediately left Ashar's hand and stood straight. Zoya came forward and said aloud, "Dadddieee..."

She opened her arms in front of Ashar and we all laughed at her cute gesture. Ashar lifted her up in his arms, "How's my little princess?"

"I'm good." She tilted her head and answered.

I noticed Katherine had changed Zoya's clothes. She was now wearing pants with a beautiful, shiny, mint green top. Her hair were adorned with a matching hairband. I stayed there for few more minutes, admired the father-daughter reconciliation then informed Ashar that I was going inside. He told me he would see me after getting free from the guests here until then I could rest in his room.

I went upstairs while grabbing my knees after every few steps and reached to his room. I smiled to myself as I replayed the conversation I had with Ashar and realizing from now on my life was going to change into a better one. A blissful feeling seized me.

Since energy was completely drained from my body so I couldn't celebrate the happiness that was bubbling up in me and just crashed on the big, comfortable, soft purple couch that tempted me to use it and enjoy its softness. My plan was to just lie down on it and give some rest to my legs, but I didn't know when sleep took control of me and I found myself giving in to the most relaxing slumber that I had experienced in a very long time.

💙

I turned straight and slowly opened my eyes. Looking here and there, I acknowledged the different environment around me. Soon, everything came back to my mind and I rose to sitting position. I noticed a quilt was covering me and I was still on Ashar's sofa.

"How long did I sleep?" I asked to myself, settling my hair through my fingers.

"Three hours." Ashar entered into the room, looked at me, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Uh?" I reacted in bewilderment. He had changed his clothes from tux to checkered loose trouser and crew neckline, maroon, plain tee shirt. His hair were ruffled and some of the locks were falling over on his forehead.

"You've been sleeping here since three hours."

"What?" I widened my eyes and immediately stood up, getting rid of the quilt. My legs were now much better, "You should've woken me up. I only thought to get a quick nap until you'll be free. Where's Zoya?"

He laughed, walking towards me, "Don't worry. She's with Mom."

He stood in front of me, let me had a close look of his casual self. God, his hair looked so good. I wanted to run my fingers in them, "You were really tired, I guess. I'm sorry you've to struggle that much. But for the next time if you want to find me, don't come here. I don't live here. I've my own apartment."

"Really?"

He nodded slowly, "It's near my office."

"Okay. I got it. Don't turn off your phone ever again." I warned him in a serious tone.

He snaked his arms around me, tugging me to him, "Sure, wifey." He purred in a seductive voice, pushing back my hair slowly. Every time he used the word wife my heart reacted in a funny way.

Since the top two buttons of my loose shirt were opened, he very easily slid it down and exposed my bare shoulder. I shivered as soon as his lips touched my skin and moving towards the junction of my neck, lingering long kisses there. My breaths became loud and heavy as I felt myself swamped into those sweet sensations that erupted in me.

"Ashar..." I breathed slowly.

He was nuzzling the sensitive skin of my neck, "Hm."

"There's something...I wanna ta-lk about." I stuttered when I felt he licked the spot just beneath my earlobe.

"Go on." His lips trailed down to my neck again, peppering kisses along the way.

"Not like this." I moaned.

Ashar really knew how to activate my feminine hormones and since the undisturbed, calm environment of his room was spicing up the amorous desire inside me, I wanted to lose myself in that heated moment. But, my conscious state warned me to stop and wait for the right moment. Besides, I also wanted to discuss something with him.

He moved his one hand down to my butt and cupped it, pressing himself to me, "Leave the talking for later. I missed you so much, baby." He said hoarsely in my ear.

"I missed you too." I brought my face closer to his mouth and whispered there, "But we should stop now."

He sighed against my mouth and pulled back, "Sanaya..." Disappointment flickered on his face, "Why you want to ruin the moment?"

I pursed my lips together to stop my smile after seeing his frustrated look, "Let's talk first."

"Talk about what?" He grumbled, getting irritated.

I loved how he was being restless for me. He looked too tempting, too handsome that I thought for a moment I was living in a dream because he was too good to be real. I felt the urge to pull him to me and kiss him all night long.

"About my conditions." I shrugged and looked away from his face to let go of the erotic thoughts.

"What?"

"I've four conditions for you and I want you to give me your words before we go ahead and make any decision." I elaborated, glancing back at him.

"Oh come on, Sanaya. Don't play this game with me." He rolled his eyes, shaking his head in negative.

I shrugged again and gave him a blank look, wordlessly telling him that his whining was not going to work. Those four conditions were actually my wishes that I wanted him to fulfill them for me. I lived a boring life, but that didn't mean I had a boring personality. I had few wishes and wanted to live those wishes with him, with the love of my life.

"Fine." He sighed in defeat, "Tell me your stupid conditions."

"Ashar, they are not stupid." I snapped defensively.

He chuckled, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry."

"First; you're not allowed to get angry on me or shout at me." I proclaimed.

"Hey, you." He let out a short laugh, raising his finger at me, "You're so clever. How can I promise you something like this?"

"So you're saying you'll shout at me?" I knitted my brows.

"That's not what I mean." He said in his defense, "Your highness, have some mercy on me." He faked a pout at me.

For a moment, I just stared at him. Damn, he looked cute and mouth-watering. I knew my condition was insensible. No one could give assurance about their anger, but still I put it in my conditions' lists because I wanted him to at least remember it and try to control his angry self. I liked the flirtatious, happy, smiling Ashar and I wanted him to stay like this every single day.

"No relaxations." I quipped, but with a serious face.

"Alright. I'll keep that in mind. I'll try not to get angry on you, is that okay?"

"Okay. But remember I won't go easy on you if you break the rule." I warned him.

"Understood." His eyes gleamed with humor, "Move on to the next, now I'm really intrigued to know your rest of the conditions."

I nodded and stated my next condition, "Don't get too close to women. Stay formal and distant from them."

He cocked his head to the side, looking at me with a smirk, "So you're finally accepting that you do get jealous."

"Of course." I raised my head high, trying to hide the blush on my face, "I notice how women ogle you."

I remembered Laila's intentions and ogling stares and how it raised my blood pressure every time she drooled over him in front of me. My insecurities were reasonable when I had spent years thinking that Ashar was someone else's husband. Those thoughts could not disappear in a single day.

"They are not at fault. Normal people can't resist the handsome face." He mocked.

I slapped his shoulder and gave him a angry look.

"Relax." He pressed his lips together to hide the smile that eagerly wanted to be appeared there, "I was just kidding, but on a serious note you can help me in this matter."

"How?"

He gazed at me for a moment thoughtfully then he moved closer and kissed my lips, "Stay by my side all the time. Keep holding my hand. Those women will get the hint and won't come near me."

I froze completely in sheer amazement and went lost into his warm, blue eyes that were twinkling with softness and truthfulness. So that's how it feels to be loved by someone. For the first time in my life, I saw love for myself in someone's eyes and it filled me with warmth - the warmth of love. I would want to cherish it till my last breath.

"Are we moving forward or not?" His voice pulled me out of the trance. I turned on my side and composed myself.

"I accept your suggestion." I cleared my throat, "I state my third condition; Honeymoon to Paris or Egypt. I always wanted to see these two places. Will you take me there?"

I faced him, quirking a brow at him. He sucked in his lips thoughtfully for a moment and then stretched them into a playful smirk, "Sure. I like it that you've already planned our honeymoon."

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment, "Do you've to be sarcastic at my every condition? Can't you just respond in simple yes or no?"

He grinned, "All of your conditions are so interesting. I'm really enjoying this little game of yours and that pink shade that appears on your face."

I avoided his gaze and looked around, rubbing my forehead nervously. Was my blush that much noticeable? I felt smothered for no reason.

"Come on. Tell me your last wish."

I frowned at him and disclosed my final condition, "Propose me in a traditional way."

"Traditional way?" He tilted his head a little.

I hissed, "With a ring or maybe going on one knee."

His lips parted, "One knee? Is it necessary? Wait, why do you want me to propose you when I know your answer?"

"Because this time I want everything to be done in a proper way."

He slowly nodded his head and mused, "Okay, I'll think about it."