chapter 19

.

Reem's POV

.

"How is Ayesha?" It caught my attention when I heard Izhaan speaking over phone, I walked towards him, he had his back towards me.

"Which hospital?"

Hospital?

I had a weird feeling in my gut. My heart was beating faster.

After he was done talking on phone, he turned around. He looked taken aback when he found me standing there.

"What happened to Ayesha? What did you mean by hospital?" I asked panicking, he walked to my side

"Reem! Calm down. I will tell you everything" he held my shoulder, I jerked his hand away

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down. Just tell me what happened to her"

He told me everything, I was feeling so scared, I hope she is ok.

"Take me to her, right now" I shouted.

*****

I was outside the hospital waiting for Athar to bring Ayesha. I was continuously praying for her health

Izhaan already had everything ready, nurses, doctor and a ward boy with stretcher just waiting for them to come

Soon the car came, and I could see Athar driving it, but Ayesha wasn't there. I started to get worried.

He stopped the car, and came out, then he opened the back door and brought out Ayesha, my legs started shaking in fear when i noticed her. She was unconscious, she had blood on her face and clothes, soon she was put on a stretcher and was being taken to the hospital. I ran after her

"Ayesha, open your eyes" I held her hand and shook her

She was taken to the emergency for examination, I was told to wait outside. I was feeling so scared.

I dropped on the bench outside. What should I do? Should I call baba? No no, they will freak out.

"How is she nurse?" I heard a voice, I looked up and found  Athar questioning the nurse, my blood boiled looking at him in anger I stood up and marched to him

"We will let you know. The doctor is still examining her" the nurse responded then she left

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked him

" I brought her here" he answered. I rolled my eyes

"I saw that but my question is what are you still doing here? She is in this condition because of you. You sent her to that building. It is your fault that she is here today." I shouted

"Shhh It's a hospital" a passing by nurse told me

"I didn't know about the condition of the building. Otherwise why would I have sent her there!" He answered

"Then you should have known it before sending her. You are the boss right" I snapped at him. He looked down.

"Reem! It's not his fault and look at him. He also got hurt" Izhaan came forward to defend his brother, I glared at him

"Zyada wakeelgiri mat jhaado mere aage, tum aur tumhara bhai dono chalte bano yahan se (don't show off your advocacy to me. You and your brother both can get lost from here)"

"I was just sayi..." He spoke, but I cut him off

"I don't want to listen to what you were saying"

"I want to find out about her health condition" Athar spoke, i scoffed

"Haven't you done enough already that you still want to be here?"

"Please just let me see her once then I will go. I promise"

"You are not seeing her. That's final"

"Just once please" he stood infront of me

"You have done enough. Now just go from here"

"Reem please try to unde...." Athar shut up immediately when the door opened and doctor came out, I quickly went to him

"How is she?" I asked

"She is ok, nothing to worry" he smiled, I released a breath which I have been holding for so long

"Is there any head injury? Or any other injury?" Athar dared to ask, I glared at him, but then looked back at the doctor when he spoke

"There is no injury, just a sprained ankle, nothing else"

No injury? Then why was there so much blood?

"why w.." I was cut by Athar

"Then why did she faint?" He again spoke, i clenched my fist

"Could be because of shock. She is still unconscious, once she wakes up we will do a check up, then you can take her home" the doctor replied

I opened my mouth to speak, but athar cut me again, i rolled my eyes

"Don't you think we need to get an MRI done, just to be sure" he said, the doctor chuckled

"No young man, there is no need for that. Don't worry, your wife is fine" he replied, Athar looked a little puzzled

"She's not his wife" I spoke immediately, before he could say anything

"Oh!" He spoke

"Can I meet her?" I asked

"Yes absolutely. Stay by her, she would be waking up anytime now" he said, then he turned to Athar, "you need medical attention, please come with me" he said pointing at his hands

'I'm fine" he replied

"But you .." the doctor was saying but he cut him off

"I said I am fine"

"He needs treatment" he said to Izhaan, then the doctor left

"Without creating any more drama, just leave" i said to Athar

"Let m.."

"Leave" I spoke in a tone as high as I could use in the hospital

"Buddy, let's go. She is fine, can we get your dressing done now?" Izhaan took him from there, after they left I went to Ayesha.

I sat on the stool kept next to the bed.

"Ayesha. Wake up please" I said, tears were pouring out of my eyes

It's been half an hour, since I have been sitting with her, waiting for her to wake up.

I noticed her moving, she was waking up, i immediately called the doctor. I was again sent outside while she was being checked.

I walked towards the door as I saw the doctor exiting

"She is absolutely fine, you can take her home" he said, I exhaled. Thank God

"Thank you doctor" I said

After he left I went to Ayesha she was in a sitting position now. I ran and hugged her, she hugged me back

"Thank God you are fine" I pulled back.

"How is Mr Khan?" She asked and I felt angry at the mention of his name.

"Unhe kya hona hai, thik hi hai (what can happen to him! He is fine)"

"Is he here?"

"No he left"

"Give me your phone, I will call him" she insisted, I rolled my eyes

" You can call him later, focus on yourself for now"

She has just woken up. I didn't want to stress her otherwise I would have told her how angry I am with Athar.

"You know what happened today, I got stuck and Mr k..."

"Ayesha! Relax we will talk about it later" I told her, she still wanted to talk but I didn't let her.

******

.

Ayesha's pov

.

"I am so tired already, I don't think I can stay in bed for even a minute more" I shook my head. Sufiyan narrowed his eyes at me

"Non sense, doctor has advised you three days bed rest, and you are not going to get up" he said in a scolding manner

I huffed and crossed my arms at my chest and pressed my back at the backrest of the bed.

I discharged from the hospital last night, By god's grace I'm completely fine, just a swollen ankle. The doctor told me to restrict movements for a few days. Sadly I will have to miss office.

Last night I slept early as I was given medication. When I woke up this morning, first thing I did was call Mr Khan, to thank him for saving my life, if he didn't come on time, I would have been a dead meat.

Reem told me that she shouted at him last night, but when I told her the truth she was feeling guilty, then she shouted at me and called me careless.

By noon dadi, hayat and Izhaan came to check on my health, dadi was embarrassed and saying it was all because of Athar's negligence, then I told her that she should be proud of him of how he saved me

Then they went downstairs and I was left alone. I was busy in phone when sufiyan came. Now he has been giving me company while Reem has gone downstairs with everyone.

"I'm seriously telling you Ayesha, leave your shenanigans till you don't recover" he warned me

"Can you be nice to me? I have a boo boo" I pointed at my ankle which was wrapped in a crepe bandage, a smile came to his face

"Boo boo? How old are you? Five?" He asked

"Mmmmm" i looked up and tapped on my chin with my index finger like I was thinking hard, "definitely younger than that" I gave him a toothy grin

"Don't try to act cute." He said

"I don't need to try" I said smugly

"Such a drama you are" he shook his head. I laughed

We were talking with each other about random things. I noticed he was looking  nervous

"What happened?" I asked

"Nothing"

"No! There's definitely something, I can see it on your face" I insisted him to tell why he was feeling uneasy

"I know you will think that it's too soon but I like you Ayesha" He blurted out.

"Why will I think it's too soon? I like you too. You're my friend" I smiled

"No, not like friends, more than friends like a guy likes a girl" he explained and my smile disappeared

"I'm sorry for dropping the bomb on you at this moment but I really wanted to say it" he said, I just stared at him with blank eyes

"Say something please" he spoke

"Honestly, I don't know what I should say. It's really too sudden, I was not expecting this" I avoided looking at him

"How could you not expect it? You are so lovable. I'm in awe of you. You're beautiful inside out" he complimented I shifted uncomfortably

"Sufiyan I.. I "

"Ok ok don't say anything, I understand. Just forget what I said" even though he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes

"I feel horrible, it's awkward"

"Please don't. It feels good that I let it off my chest. I am in no hurry and I'm not going anywhere, so you need to stop feeling awkward. Let's just forget this conversation"

"Which conversation?" Reem entered the room

"Nothing important. Now you have returned, Reem, I have to go" sufiyan said

"Why? Are you allergic to me? Should I get offended?" Reem faked anger, he laughed softly

"No! I didn't mean it like that! I mean now you are here with her to give her company" he said, then he looked at me "I'm not required anymore" he said. It felt like there was a double meaning in his sentence.

Before Reem could reply he left the room.

"Ise kya ho gaya (what's wrong with him?" She asked.

I sighed deeply, then I told her everything he told me. It was a surprise for me when she said she was expecting it, she said she noticed that he looks at me differently, loved filled eyes.

Aayi badi love guru! Izhaan ki aankhein nahi dikhti ise (yeah right a love guru! Can't she see Izhaan's eyes)

After discussing Sufiyan for a while Reem told me that she overheard dadi telling dad that on Friday the whole Khan parivaar would be coming to our house.

And since it was Hayat's birthday also, Reem insisted on having the celebrations here only.

"That's a wonderful idea" I said

"I know right, hayat really wanted to celebrate her birthday with you, now if you can't go, she can come here" she beamed

"That is one reason and there is one more"

"What?" She frowned

"You can apologise to Mr Khan" I said, she stuck her bottom lip out

"Do I really have to?" She asked imitating zuhan

"Reeemmm"

"I know I know. I will do it" she huffed. "By the way sufiyan is not that bad how I used to think of him" she spoke and my mind went back to him

******

.

Athar's POV

.

I was happy to go to Reem's house, because I was excited to meet Ayesha. I felt so happy when she called me to thank me, she was worried about my health, her genuine care made me feel happy.

I heaved a sigh when I stopped the car outside Abdullah uncle's house, I was not showing it, but my hands were hurting

We entered the house and were now seated in the living room. My eyes were looking around waiting for Ayesha to arrive.

"Can I go to call bhabhi and Gabbar?" hayat got up

"Sure beta" Reem's dad spoke.

I also wanted to go, but obviously I could not ask.

"Just be patient" Izhaan whispered in my ear

"What patient? I am not waiting for Ayesha?" I shook my head. Izhaan chuckled

"I never said that you are waiting for her"

I blinked at him. Damn! How stupid I am. I looked away ignoring his laugh.

Giggling could be heard. I turned to the direction and found all the three girls descending the stairs but my eyes were stuck on Ayesha, she was taking support from Reem to walk.

They came down to us a round of greetings spreaded. Everyone asked about Ayesha's health.

"I am just tired of resting. Otherwise I'm fine" she replied cheerfully, I smiled. I also wanted to ask about her health, but everyone is here, how should I talk to her.

"How are you feeling now Mr Khan? How's your wound?" She asked, I looked around at everyone and cleared my throat.

"I'm ok" I spoke.

"You are such a hero. The way you saved me that day, you should really give auditions to become the next Marvel superhero" she spoke, everyone laughed

"Imagine Captain Athar, or Athar Panther" hayat joked, even I laughed now

Soon the dinner was served and everyone got busy with it, every now and then I was stealing glances on Ayesha. She was busy with Hayat and Reem.

After the dinner there was a cake cutting. Hayat cut it and fed it to everyone. When everything was done, the elders sat to talk about izhaan's and Reem's marriage, while all of the youngsters came to the terrace.

Even though the weather was very cold, but there was a nice arrangements, coals were burning right next to the sitting area. It was nice and warm.

Hayat was regularly talking non sense, she only shut up when her phone rang

"Why mamu is calling me?" She spoke looking between me and Izhaan

"I don't know" we both said in unison, then she answered the call, all of us looked at her as she spoke

"Assalamualaikum.. yes alhamdulillah we are fine.... maa is busy... No we are at bhabhi's house... Ok wait" she said, "mamu wants to talk to maa, I will give her the phone" she said looking at particularly no-one, then she left

Reem and Ayesha were whispering something to each other, looked like Ayesha was telling her to do something

"Mr Khan! Reem wants to talk to you" Ayesha said, I looked at Izhaan first, he let out a cold sigh while shaking his head

"Yes Reem" I spoke

"Ac.. actually the.." she stuttered, then looked at Ayesha, she glared at her, then she brought her attention back to me

"I am sorry" she spoke too quickly, then she sighed, "seeing Ayesha all covered in blood and unconscious ma...."

"It was not even my blood, it was his" Ayesha cut her off, Reem scowled at her

"Tu hi bol le (You only say it)"

"Sorry sorry. You continue" Ayesha motioned her to talk

"So I was saying, seeing her like that made me so scared and upset that I lost the ability to think and just blamed everything on you"

"It's fine! No issue" I spoke

I understood because I have witnessed the bond between Reem and Ayesha, their love for each other  is very deep.

"I'm genuinely sorry. I said pretty mean things to you." Reem said

"All cool" I showed my thumb to her

"And one thing more" she said

"Yeah"

"Thanks! Ayesha told me how you saved her that day, it was actually quite heroic, I don't want to think what could have happened if you didn't reach on time. You didn't think about yourself for even a second and brought her out safely, I'll be forever grateful to you for that. Thank you very much" she wiped a tear in the end, I felt warmth in my heart hearing it

"Her safety is my responsibility" I said getting emotional. Reem looked at me with puzzled eyes. Izhaan coughed, I realised what I said, "I mean, I sent her there so it was my duty to bring her from there safely"

"That is very nice of you" Reem smiled

An awkward silence fell, Reem and ayesha got busy in talking with each other. Hayat came running

"Izhaan bhai and bhabhi, come with me quickly" hayat said

"Where?" Izhaan asked

"Maa is calling urgently" she said and ran back

"I'll be back" Reem said to Ayesha and left, Izhaan followed her

I finally got a chance to be alone with ayesha, I didn't let it go waste, I quickly engaged her in a conversation

"How are you feeling?" I asked

"Perfectly fine. I feel so bad about your hands" she said pointing at my bandaged wrapped hands.

"You are ok right, thats all that matters."

"You know I lost all the hopes, I was just sitting and waiting for death. But when you came and called me I was so relieved."

"I thought you were a smart girl, but you proved me wrong Ms Ayesha"

"Really? How?" She asked

"When you got a warning about the building, why did you still stay? You should have left instantly"

"But you told me to finish the work" she said, I rolled my eyes

"I told you to finish work, not your life, when you learnt there was danger you should have not stayed"

"I thought if i left without completing my work, you would call me lazy"

"Seriously? You never listen to me, but that time you had to."

"I'm sorry" she spoke and I fell loss at words, what should I tell her now.

"It's ok. Be careful next time, I would have lost my mind if something happened to you"

"Huh?"

"Nothing" I dismissed the topic.

She told me what she did in past three days, she also said that she missed coming to the office. It was a new experience having light talks with ayesha

*****

.

Izhaan's pov

.

"Assalamualaikum nani.. how are you?" Reem spoke, I looked at her, she was sitting next to me.

Maa called us to talk with Nani, she is unwell that is why she couldn't come today that's why she video called

I noticed Reem as she talked to her. The small shy smile on her lips was making her looking so innocent. She was listening to nani attentively.

Slowly my eyes ran all over her, studying her. She looks more beautiful in Indian attire, she should wear it more often, but if I tell her this, she wil start fighting with me. Such a dangerous girl she is.

Suddenly she looked at me, our eyes connected. She put her hand over my shoulder and shook me, it broke my concentration on her

"Huh?" I asked , she motioned towards the phone's screen, I turned to that

"Bilkul khoya hua hai Reem mei, kabse bula rahi hun sun hi nahi raha. Isliye to kehte hai itna lamba wait acha nahi hota. (You are completely lost in her, I've been calling you for so long, you are just not listening to me. That's why they say that such a long wait is not advisable)" Nani scolded me, but she had a teasing smile on her face also, I scratched my head to hide the embarrassment, I was caught red handed

"Now the wait is over, it's just a matter of a couple of months, then we will come and take our Reem with us" Maa said, my eyes went to Reem, her face fell instantly.

Is she upset?

Nani just kept giving her blessings to us, Reem looked pulled down and i couldn't stop staring at her, what's the matter?

After the phone call ended, Reem, Hayat and I were headed back to the terrace. The girls were walking forward and I was following them

"Reem" I called, both of them stopped, "you go ahead" I said to Hayat, she smirked and cleared her throat, but left immediately when I glared at her

"What?" Reem asked

"I was saying .... your birthday is coming soon, and.... I ... We" I was thinking of what to say

"What are you saying?" She asked getting impatient

"I was saying I really liked the way you spoke with Athar, it made me happy" I smiled, she scoffed

"I didn't talk to him to make you feel happy. I don't care what you like and you don't like so just please keep it to yourself. No need to tell me" she snapped at me then turned to leave

What else I was expecting. Of course she would behave this way. That day would be the end of the world when she start talking to me nicely.

Please vote and comment