۰۴

The days that Zyva Qureshi and Azlan Sikandar had spent together in the hill station were one of the most sweetest days of their ever rivalling relationship, although the both of them would rather swallow rotten eggs before even acknowledging the fact.

Zyva had fulfilled all her girlhood fantasies that her desi parents had infamously told her to do after marriage, while Azlan quite enjoyed letting down his armour and experiencing the feelings of having a companion of sorts.

They had taken late night drives, gone out for hot chocolate and icecream at odd hours, gossiping family politics (well mostly Zyva giving him what she called "the tea"), looping arms around each other's elbows rushing to the famous site seeing places, sometimes just sleeping till late, tangled in each other's arms.

They weren't at the hand holding stage but they also couldn't sleep without each other on the same bed during the nights. Azlan waited for Zyva most nights to come to bed before not-so-sneakily pulling her to his chest. Not that Zyva minded, her husband was a huge body heater and she herself was cold all times. She was growing quite comfortable in his presence and for some reason the spawn of satan was slowly melting whatever hatred she had built for him over the years. He wasn't so bad at all.

But it wasn't like they didn't fight like cats and dogs despite these developments. They somehow always managed to get under each other's skin and the whole house was usually the witness to this.

Especially when they had returned from their "honeymoon" both smiling and being cordial with each other, Ammar had shouted out teasingly, "Ohoo lagta hai love-shove ki khusbu aa rahi hai aaj!"

(Seems like love is in the air today)

"THAT'S POLLUTION, GHADEY!" the couple had screamed in sync, taking everyone in the room by shock before, Zyva started taunting Azlan for stealing her line and Azlan argued back like a toddler.

Ammar stood sheepishly in the corner under the thundering gaze of his parents as the couple stormed into their room, probably ready to rip each other's hair off.

But it was not all that bad. They were slowly but surely making progress.

___

"Sunein?" Zyva called out as she opened a bag of her favourite crisps sitting down on the sofa that was her husband's bed until a few weeks ago.

"Haan?" Azlan replied back as he closed the door to the attached balcony and drew the curtains.

"I am thinking of rejoining office from tomorrow."

"Accha?" The clueless man questioned as he dropped down on the sofa beside her, pushing her spread out legs to the side.

"What accha! I am going to office tomorrow!" Zyva asserted loudly, her lips forming a thin line as she lifted her legs and placed it on Azlan's lap.

"Batameez ladki!" He grumbled pulling the shawl that was wrapped around his neck and draping it over her legs on his lap. "Jao phir. Why are you telling me, when you have already decided?"

"Nahi na! Don't do this Ammi-types emotional blackmail with me! Tell me- Zyva go to office tomorrow." She moaned puffing her cheeks out in annoyance.

A throaty chuckle left his mouth at her reaction as he slowly patted her legs in his lap.

"Does that mean my permission matters to you?"

Shaking her head profusely, Zyva looked at him with her big round eyes. "N-nai, it's not like that."

"Then what's it like?" Azlan teased leaning in a little closer as his hands continued caressing the blanket over her legs.

"D-dekhein aapko esi tharki harkatein shobha nahi deti." Zyva blurted out, slapping his hands from across her legs as she pulled them from his lap.

(See, such cheap tricks don't suit you.)

Azlan looked at her flabbergasted as she got up from beside him but soon tripped on the shawl, just then Azlan pulled her down on his lap. Her back to his chest.

"To kaisi harkatein shobha deti hai mujhpar, Zyva Qureshi Sikandar?" He whispered breathily his chin resting on her shoulder.

(Then what tricks suit me?)

"Pata nahi..Chodein" Zyva managed to whisper out, as her chest heaved heavily. Her cheeks turning red at the stupid man's proximity.

Chuckling, Azlan tightened his hands around her waist pulling her more to himself, like he did while they slept.

"Aese typical shy biwi waale dialogues bhi tumhe shobha nahi dete, pata hai."

(Such typical wife dialogues also don't suit you, you know.)

"Yaar.." Zyva groaned, thrashing in his arms, but then his next words made her go rigid. Her body heating up at his words and a certain fire spreading across from the pit of her stomach.

"Stop squirming, you are starting something that you can't finish" His low voice rolling from behind her, as his musk cologne filled her senses, pleasuring sending tickles down her spine.

"Go to office tomorrow, Zyva. I'll let mama-baba know as well. I'll drop you on my way to the company" Azlan murmured, burying his head in her back. He didn't know what had come over him, but he just wanted to have her in his arms. Close to his heart.

"Thank you..." Zyva found herself resounding back, as she turned around running her hand through his hair, he leaned on the sofa with closed eyes, his long lashes kissing his cheeks.

Zyva realised how handsome Azlan Sikandar actually was that minute. Despite his two broken engagements in the past, which was quite unusual for a man as good looking as him, reminds one how good appearances don't guarantee good personality. Then again, she was starting to know him and he was turning out to be quite bearable. He was probably misunderstood, she concluded.

"Chalein, yahan par nahi soye ab. Your body will start paining." Zyva said, tapping his cheek lightly.

"Okay Madam, let's go sleep then."

___

The next morning, Zyva got up bright and early, pumped up to go back to her workplace! She was bored sitting at home and she really needed a change of scenery. She dressed up and did light make up before going down to the kitchen. Usually she would come down only when she was called for breakfast, because she wasn't a day person at all. And fortunately so were her in laws.

Today she wanted to help make breakfast for everyone, that was how happy she was. But, when she reached the kitchen a sudden surprise greeted her. Her mother in law was awake as well and was fussing with the staff over a few dishes.

"Zyva beta! Everything okay? Why are you up early today?" Her mother in law, questioned equally surprised upon seeing her.

"Yes yes. I wanted to help with the breakfast today!" Zyva smiled back, walking towards her.

"Arey, Masha'Allah" Ruba Sikandar grinned wrapping her arms around Zyva's shoulders. "Breakfast is already prepared, darling. But today Azlan's phupho is coming home. She is a little upset about the sudden wedding and not being invited at all so I would really appreciate you supervising the dishes if possible."

If there was sound of heart physically imploding into a million pieces, it was what Zyva felt. Her heart ached and tears started welling in her eyes. How would she go to the office today then?

"J-ee." She barely managed to voice out, not having the heart to tell her mother in law about her previous plans. How could she tell that she wanted to go to work?

"Khush Raho, beta." Saying this her mother in law went back to whatever she was telling the staff, Zyva slowly walked around towards the stove, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears that she was trying to hide.

Picking up a pot, she started adding milk to it and took out the ingredients to make ras-malai.

Her hair curtaining her face, preventing everyone in the kitchen from seeing her upset face.

She had never hated being a married woman more before this very moment. Why did she have to make such sacrifices while her husband could do whatever he wanted? The anger bubbling inside her was clouding her senses and she just wanted to go back to her parent's house and cry on her bed.

As the time for breakfast approached, she remained downstairs, helping around in the kitchen or wandering around in the garden. She didn't want to face anyone, until it was in her control.Azlan had called her, but she hid somewhere he couldn't find her. She would throw a flower pot on his face if she saw him, she knew.

Finally when everyone had gathered for breakfast, Zyva remained in the kitchen claiming to be busy making biryani for the arriving phuphu.

"Azlan! Kya beghairati kari hai tumne us bacchi ke saath?" His mother enquired angrily, when Azlan once again called out for his wife.

(What have you done to that girl?)

"Me?" Azlan's eyes widened as he questioned back puzzled. "I haven't done anything, Mumma."

"Then why is she in the kitchen from morning? Labouring around, looking upset." His mother fired him with another question, peaking his oblivion.

"She is upset? But why? She was happy.." Azlan found himself murmuring as he got up from his seat. "Where is she? I'll ask her."

"She is in the kitchen. Mei keh rahi hoon, kaan kholke sunlo tum, Zyva ko pareshan karna band kardo. Warna tumhara haal behaal hojayega." She threatened looking at him pointedly.

Chuckling at her words, Azlan nodded, before a chappal could come flying towards his head.

He strode towards the kitchen where his wife stood all alone, the staff had themselves gone for breakfast. She was lost in her own world stirring something in the pot.

"Zyva." He called out softly as he neared her. He could visibly see her stiffen before him as her hand stopped stirring the pot for a second before resuming.

"Kya hua hai?" He gently questioned, wanting to comfort her but who knew what she was going to do to him if he touched her. She was a ticking time bomb right now.

(What has happened?)

"Aapko kyu farak padta hai?" She angrily said, even though she wanted to give him the silent treatment, she couldn't.

(Why do you care?)

"Farak to padta hai. Biwi ho meri." He replied, a smile unconsciously settling on his lips.

(I do care. You are my wife)

"Mujhe nahi pasand." Zyva whispered yelled catching him by surprise, as she raised the spatula she was stirring with in his direction. Her face swollen from crying as more tears were ready to spill out. "Mujhese nahi karni thi na aapne shaadi."

(I don't like it.) (You shouldn't have married me.)

"Zyva.." Azlan's voice caught in his throat, his heart constricted at her condition, every time she cried he wanted to tear the world apart that put her in such pain.

"Kya hua hai?"

Shaking her head negatively, she turned back towards the stove, but Azlan pulled the spatula away from her and turned the gas off before pulling her towards him by her wrists.

"I am asking you for the last time. Tell me what is wrong or I am going to go to Mumma and start asking some very rough questions."

That's when the dam broke, Zyva started hitting him on his chest, before crying over her fists over his chest. Full fledged sobs reverberating from within her body, shaking Azlan to the very soul.

He didn't know what to do. How to console her. He stood there with a clenched jaw as he wrapped his arms around her back. Rubbing circles on her until she finally calmed down. She didn't move away from him, just laid on his chest breathing heavily and sniffling.

"I can't help if you won't tell me what's wrong." He murmured trying to pull her away from his chest to look at her face, but she tightened her fists over his shirt, unwilling to let go.

"Zyva, sweetheart. You were fine. You were going to go to office today. What happened?" He tried asking but to no avail.

Just then, his mother's voice called out.

"Azlan-Zyva, see Eshal Phuphu has come to see you both. Come."

Zyva further buried her face in his chest, almost climbing up him like a monkey, not ready to let go anytime soon. Her odd behaviour then struck him. All the dots connecting.

"Are you crying because Mumma informed you about Phupu's unexpected visit when you came to tell her you were going to go to office today?"

Zyva's hold loosened over him in an instant as she finally looked up at him with swollen eyes swimming with betrayal and anger.

"You knew your phuphu was coming today?!"

"No, you idiot. She comes like this only, uninvited visitor. It's so obvious. Why are you crying your eyes out for that? You could've told me!" Azlan screamed in frustration, unwrapping his hands from her waist and running them over his unruly tresses.

"Because, I can't go to the office today! Aunty has asked me to help with the food. She is coming to see us! You will leave me alone like always. I have to face them alone." Zyva cried out, slapping his chest harshly. As she sat down on the kitchen table, buring her head in her hands.

Dumbfounded, Azlan found himself, kneeling down in front of her, as he pulled her hands away from her eyes. Lifting her chin with his finger, he connected his eyes with hers.

"Rest your eyes a little. Don't you feel any remorse for what you have done to such pretty eyes? Mai sambhal loonga na sab kuch. Thoda bharosa rakho apne shohar par. Aaj ke baad nahi chodunga mein tumhe akela."

(I will manage everything. Have a little trust in your husband. I will not leave you alone from today.)

Before Zyva could react they were called again. Getting up, Azlan grabbed onto Zyva's hand, causing her heart to speed up, as he wiped the remaining tears from across her face, and pulled her alongside him towards the hall, where his parents and phuphu were seated.

"Salam, Azlan Beta." His phuphu gleamed, looking at her nephew as she came towards him with a huge smile.

"Walaikumasalam, Phuphu." Azlan smiled, tightening his hand around Zyva's  who was trying to squirm away, hoping to blend in the background. "This is my wife, Zyva."

Mumbling a small greeting, Zyva lowered her head, embarrassed, while Azlan glanced at her behaviour pointedly. This Girl.

"Haan. The wife you got married to without informing any of your relatives." His Phuphu, muttered the smile not leaving her face, as she scrutinised Zyva's meek figure.

"Jee, ab shadi to ho gayi hai, par aap lunch zaroor kar ke jaana. Meri biwi ne aapke liye special biryani banayi hai." Azlan exclaimed smiling just as brightly. Unfazed by the taunt.

(Ya, the wedding is done now, what to do. But, you have lunch and go, my wife has specially made biryani for you.)

Before anyone could reply, he himself began talking again, grabbing his coat with one hand and pulling Zyva with the other.

"Mumma, Zyva and I had plans to go out and I have made specific bookings, I can't cancel. I know phuphu will understand, because she decided to drop by unannounced. Right phuphu?"

"Azlan, this is not.."His mother tried refuting, but Azlan simply kissed her forehead, murmuring goodbye and walking towards the exit. Not even looking back.

Everyone was so baffled by his behaviour that they didn't even have time to react.

Going towards his car, he made Zyva sit inside while he himself got in from the other side.

"Buckle up." He said to a dazed Zyva who simply stared at her hands, wide eyed,

Sighing he leaned towards her side, grabbing the seat belt over her waist and strapping it in.

"Oii, Stop giving your little head so much tension. I'll ask Ammar to bring your things to my office and from there I'll drop you to your office, okay?"

"Azlan.." Zyva whispered, causing him to freeze in his place as his heart started beating loudly against his ribcage. His name on her mouth. Only his name sounded so good. He wanted to swallow his name from her mouth, to have her melt into his arms and to flow through his veins, pumping into his heart. There was nothing as devious as the human heart.

"We shouldn't have left like that."

Azlan slowly lifted his hand and gently clutched her chin towards him so that she was looking at him.

"I don't care about anything but you, when i see you crying. Don't cry like that next time. Talk to me okay?"

"Okay.." Zyva gulped nodding as a pretty tinge started spreading across her cheeks.

"Thank you."

"And don't say such polite words, sweetheart."  He mumbled leaning towards her, his forehead resting against hers, their proximity increased.

"I like you much better with a scowl on your face fighting me."

Zyva quivered against him, her body a puddle in his arms, as she breathed heavily.

"And next time don't call my name like that, unless you want me to kiss you senseless."

__

guys i am screaming! too much dialogue, too much things heating up. Eee. Do comment and vote! I would really appreciate it.

(I wrote this chapter a week back and thought i had published it, then I realised today I hadn't eheheh)

this chapter is pretty long okay, 3k words btw! i shall update very soon, if i don't then remind me to by leaving a comment, because i have written the next chapter halfway!

bye! lots of love

~flawfully