Chapter 30

His intonation threw me off balance for a second. Intent golden eyes watched me with the grace of gazelle in flight, light glittering fire in that amazing curtain of vibrant hair.

My return look was blank.

"Haven't you recognised me yet?"

I shook my head.

"Oh, you have broken my heart," He muttered jerkily, keeping a hand over his heart.

I was confused, beads of perspiration dampened my brow.

His winged brow elevated, "Are you scared of me dear sister, please don't be," His lips formed a huge smile and I remembered seeing that smile before, something about him was oddly familiar.

"Sister?" I asked confused.

Just then Habiba appeared from nowhere and enveloped him a warm hug. "Noor, I'm glad you came all the way, we have been missing you terribly."

Now, realisation dawned on me. It was Aahil's younger brother and that was the reason for the familiarity. He had the exact mesmerizing eyes but instead of brown, they were blazing golden like they were alight with fire and there was an unmistakable similarity in the perfect bone structure and sharp, defined jawline.

"We were so heartbroken when Noor confided that he couldn't make it for the wedding. When he heard about Aahil's accident he was adamant that he couldn't stay away anymore. Consequently, he has taken a long vacation to be here for Aahil," Zareen started gazing adoringly at him.

"Stop embarrassing me," Noor mused, glaring at zareen, who pinched his arm in return.

Zareen had been in the act of taking the giant stairs, which stood proudly in front of the conservatory, but as soon as she spotted the three of engaged in a conversation, she turned her heel.

"Thank you," I murmured with a soft smile.

He returned his brilliant smile, "Oh sister, you don't have to be," He stated with a careless dismissal of his hand. "My brother is more important than my job."

"That is very sweet of you. Aahil is lucky to have such wonderful people around him." I liked him instantly. He had a contagious smile and an air of happiness surrounding him.

Noor shook his head, "It isn't me. He is lucky to have you and I'm glad that he married you. You have done wonders to him. I have never seen him this happy and ...."

"Me neither. He must truly love you to look so happy. He looks like a man enjoying marital bliss," Habeeba completed it for him and winked at me.

Flustered and embarrassed out of all proportion to the remark, I only returned a small smile.

Familiar touch enveloped me and I turned to find Aahil beside me, his hand firm on my shoulders. My heart missed a beat, as the warmth from his body electrified me. "It seems like I don't need to introduce the both of you," Aahil's hard features were curiously shuttered, his tone raw-edged.

For a second I was assailed by the appaling suspicion. Was there a rift in his relationship with his brother?

I searched his dark eyes, found nothing there and hurriedly put my fears down to nervous paranoia. There couldn't possibly anything, I told myself. Aahil loved his family greatly.

Aahil went forward and embraced Noor. Both of them spoke for a few minutes in hushed tones, before Aahil's gaze held mine, "This is my sweet little brother," Aahil bellowed.

"Oh stop addressing me as sweet, big bro. I'm a grown-up man and if you so wish you could attach the word handsome or alluring," He grinned showing a perfect set of teeth and I couldn't stop myself from returning it.

"How is married life suiting both of you?" Noor questioned, his tone coloured with amusement.

"Alhamdulillah, we are happy to have each other and Isn't that what matters?" Aahil asked bending his head to look into my eyes, raising one of his brows, and I nodded my head in response, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Do you know the reason behind Noor's curiosity on married life?" Aahil asked all of us.

"Stop making fun of me," Noor gave Aahil a pleading look.

"It's because he has his eyes on a beautiful woman and wishes to marry her soon."

Habeeba gasped and zareen punched noor on his ribs, while I stood there witnessing the beautiful bond the siblings shared.

"I guess it's time that I called it night," Noor exclaimed, smiling sheepishly.

"Sweetheart, Shall we retire too?"

I nodded my head. After excusing ourselves and bidding them goodnight we walked towards our bedroom, Aahil's hand wrapped around my waist.

Aahil had openly shown affection from the very beginning, even though we weren't in good terms in the initial days of our marriage. It was merely done to portray an image of a happy couple to the onlookers and I wasn't ever disturbed from his gestures, it gave me a sense of being protected.

But now things had changed drastically and even his slightest touch made me feel flushed. I got a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, my heartbeat raced to the unbearable extent and I wondered, why?

When we reached our bedroom Aahil let go of his hold and kissed me gently on my cheeks, leaving a trail of blush in his wake.

He chuckled to himself as he went to his closet, grabbing a towel and bathrobe, heading towards the washroom.

I went to my closet and picked a soft pink nightgown and slipped into it and hanged the neatly folded saree back into the closet.

When he returned he had let down his defence and looked vulnerable. I instantly rushed towards him. "Are you fine?"

He nodded his head as he plopped himself onto the bed and sat with his head resting on the headboard.

I brought the painkillers and antibiotics and urged him to have it. He gulped it down without any argument and closed his eyes, dark lashes dropped reflectively low on his brilliant dark eyes

I stood there eyeing him intently and the temptation to study him all over again was empowering. I had to admit that my husband was a very handsome man and incredibly attractive. His hair and beard shone with beads of water from the ablution, perhaps, and his hard cheekbones highlighted the proud temperamental flare of his nose and a mouth that was blatantly sensual.

"Are you checking me out?" Aahil drawled with an amused smile and I lowered my lashes, my skin heated.

A tiny pulse at the base of my throat was racing and I rushed to the washroom.

When I returned he was already in his prayer mat and I took my place behind him as he leads the night prayers.

After namaz, he raised his hands for supplication, "Ya Allah bless our marriage and strengthen our bond. May we love each other for your sake and remain steadfast in our deen. Help our marriage overcome all the present hardships and enter a phase of peace and love." A huge smile made its way to my lips as he turned towards me, "Ya Allah I thank you for granting me the privilege of being the husband to the most wonderful woman on this planet." He got up from his place and folded both the prayer rugs and put them back into their shelf.

He strode towards the table to fetch the tv remote and then lowered himself onto the bed, resting his head on the pillow, gritting his teeth with pain as he sat down. I took my place in the opposite side of the bed and shut my eyes trying to sleep but the loud volume of the news channel kept drilling my ears and I turned towards him giving an apologetic expression.

He instantly lowered the volume and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry."

"No problem." I snuggled deeper into the duvets, enjoying the plush comfort.

"I ain't apologizing for my insensitivity for raising the tv volume alone."

"Then?" I turned to gaze into his wark brown orbs.

"Sorry for the bad days at the beginning of our marriage." He told quietly.

"You don't have to carry the guilt. Don't forget that you protected me always and never ever forced me to do anything that I didn't wish."

He rubbed the back of his head in a careless manner.

"I would say you are a perfect gentleman."

"Am I?" He asked surprised and I scooted closer to him. Hugging him.

He let out a small squeal followed by one of his deep, mesmerizing laughter.

Switching off the tv, he sank lower onto the bed, slipping himself to sleeping position and winced slightly during the process. I got up to help him but he shook his head, gesturing that he was fine.

Granting him a small smile, I shut my eyes turning towards the opposite direction.

I felt his warm hands on me, "Darling?"

"Tell me."

"After I recover I'll take you on a honeymoon In sha Allah."

I jumped to a sitting position, "Really?"

"Ouch." He screamed running a hand over his chest.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry." I bent over to check his bruises.

"It's fine. It did not hurt much." He exclaimed turning pale beneath his skin and I burst into tears, "I'm really sorry."

'Ssshh---  stop crying and come back to sleep." He tugged gently on my arms. I wiped my tears and slept cocooned in his warm embrace.

After long moments I heard him speak, "Sweetheart, are you asleep."

I shook my head.

"Do you mind if...ummmm..?" He looked like he was holding something.

I turned to face him, "What is it?"

Aahil dealt me a wolfish grin, a smile of intense amusement curled his sensual mouth and I knew what he wanted to ask.

In response, I hugged him and his arms tightened around me. Our eyes locked and we gazed into the depth of love is reflected.

He caressed my arms and kissed me gently on my lips, and I trembled like a leaf on a cold night.

All inhibitions were forgotten as we lost into each other. My heartbeat raced to an unbearable extent as the night of passion cocooned me deeper and deeper into a world of immense pleasure. My hands ran gently through his bruises and a sigh escaped his lips, capturing my wrist.

After long glorious moments when he shuddered in my arms, an aching flood of tenderness consumed me and I pressed my lips lovingly to the purplish bruise on his temple.

Drinking in the musky scent of his damp skin, I was utterly at peace.

He released me from his hold and bent over,  "Where are you under all that hair?" He asked with a soft laugh as he brushed the tangled mass of hair away from my face with a lean finger.

Compelling dark eyes probed my face. His fingertips gently traced my jawline and I turned my cheeks slowly into his palm.

In a heart-stopping the silence, he rearranged a small strand of hair onto my face into his own satisfaction and kept staring.

I collided with his fascinating scrutiny and a faint rueful smile curved my lips, "It was the most wonderful moment of my life. Good night sweetheart."

His charismatic smile turned my heart over and inside out, "I can't stop touching you." He confided with a husky growl as we kissed passionately.

As he pulled me back into his arms, I quivered in helpless response. Held fast by his brilliant dark eyes, I was conscious of an extraordinary surge of happiness envelope me.