chapter 22

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Izhaan's pov

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I was sitting with my family after dinner, we were in the living room and having chamomile tea, it helps in having good sleep, so we mostly have it

"But what is the issue in art?" Hayat spoke

" There is no issue in art but I think you need to have a professional degree also" i said, Hayat was talking about pursuing her career in art, but I was adamant that she should continue her studies and get some professional degree

"Tum to rehne do Izhaan, tumhari padhai k chakkar mei wese hi hum pareshan hai (You let it be Izhaan. We are already stressed about your studies matter)" dada ji said

He was referring to my decision to make Reem join the university, since I used it as an excuse to delay the marriage

"God knows why you were so keen to get her admission done. She could have studied later , now unnecessarily everything has been delayed" dadi said

"You know it was embarassing for me when i gave the news to Abdullah" dada ji said refering to Reem's father

"You should be very careful about this relationship izhaan, we don't want any more embarrassment" papa warned me, I nodded

Yeh accha hai madam khud to Bach gayi mujhe phasa diya (this isn't fair, she saved herself and got me stuck in the situation)

I looked at Athar I was sure he would have something sarcastic to say about it but found him deep in thought

What is wrong with him? He looks disturbed. I will have to talk to him.

"It's okay now, just everyone leave him please, maybe the delay will be proven good. Maybe something good is about to happen" maa said

"Inshaallah (If Allah wills)" dadi said

"But what about my dress? I was thinking of buying a designer lehenga for the wedding functions" Hayat pouted.

"You can make whatever you want when the time comes" dadi said

"Let me be very clear with all of you right now, whether it is happening right now or later, but I don't want any big wedding. I'm okay with a small close ceremony" I put my point across

"What are you saying? We have so many people to invite?" Maa gasped

"We can have a big reception, but nothing more than that" I said with finality

"But I have so many friends to call, and I had made so many plans" hayat said

Athar was too quiet, he was not even participating in the conversation.

"Execute them at the time of Athar's marriage" I threw the spotlight at him

"Oh please don't even talk about him, he had troubled us so much, he's not ready to tell us the name of the girl" dadi mumbled

"I think the delay in your marriage could be because of Athar, I have always dreamt of my both daughter in laws entering the house together" maa said

"Haa to yeh bataye to kaun hai woh, kuch bolta hi nahi (then he should tell who is she. He doesn't say anything)"

Athar got up and left from there.

"What happened to him?" Dada ji asked

"It's late, he must be sleepy, I'll go to find out. Good night everyone." I got up and followed Athar. He entered the room and I trailed behind him

"What's the matter buddy?" I asked

"I don't want to talk about it" he shook his head, but I stood stubbornly

"Tell me" I insisted

"I messed up" he said, i frowned

"What do you mean?" I asked, he sighed  deeply, then he told me how he yelled at Ayesha because she sent her designs in a wrong way for some project

"That's actually animal kind of behavior, what was wrong with you? Ayesha could never do such a thing" I asked

"Tumhe nahi sunna to rehne do, lecture mat do (If you don't want to listen to me then let it be. Don't give me lectures)" he snapped at me, I sighed

"Ok ok tell me"

"After Ayesha left from the office. I was still there investigating how she managed sending those designs but I found out that it was sent by mistake. She had made the design but she did not send it. Rose gave the wrong file"

If I would say "I knew it" right now he will definitely get so mad at me, but how could he even think Ayesha could do such a thing.

"She must be mad at me" he said

"I'm sure"

My phone rang and I took it out of my pocket, my eyes widened in surprise when i saw Ayesha's name flashing on it

"Buddy! You really have messed up" I said, he frowned, I showed my screen to her, his eyes grew big, the phone stopped ringing, then it started ringing again

"Answer" he said, I immediately answered, "put it on speaker" he mouthed, i did what he said

"Hello" i said

"Izhaan! Thank God you answered." Her voice sounded panicked

"Ayesha! Is everything ok?" I was getting a stomach churning feeling, don't know why

"No, Reem" i immediately switched off the speaker and pressed the phone on my ear

"Reem what?"

"I can't find her"

"What do you mean?" I was feeling scared now

"She is missing"

"I'm coming" i said and hung up, without saying anything, I ran to get my car keys and left the house, I sat in the driving seat, Athar sat in the passenger seat.

"Reem is missing" I said

"I know, Ayesha was loud enough to be heard"

I started the car and drove to Reem's house, as fast as I can.

"Try calling Reem" I said, pointing at my phone

Athar quickly took my phone and called her

"Her number is off"

"Damn it"

When I reached the house, Ayesha was already standing outside. I honked the horn, when she saw me, she jumped at the backseat.

"Did you find anything?" I asked

"Her phone is off. I don't know where she can be" Ayesha was panicking

"Hold yourself Ayesha! Tell me everything calmly" she sighed heavily

"She left this morning for University, then she had few other works also. She said she would return by 7:30, but when i returned from office she wasn't there, I thought she was running late, but when I called, her phone was off. I contacted every possible place she could be but she is nowhere."

"Did you tell uncle and aunty?" I asked

"They have gone on to a business trip, they won't be here for at least next ten days"

"Let's look for her" I started the car and started wandering the streets.

"You are worrying for no reason, maybe she's gone to the club" Athar said, I opened my mouth to speak to her, but Ayesha best me to it

"She won't go anywhere without telling me, you don't know my Reem, so please keep your thoughts to yourself" Ayesha shouted

I was driving around and looking for her like she would be on the road waiting for me, my insides were churning, I thought I was gonna puke.

"Can we trace her number?" Ayesha asked

"Her phone is off, it can't be done" athar replied

"Izhaan! Do something, find her" Ayesha's voice cracked

Where are you Reem? Please be safe.

It's been an hour and a half of aimless driving. But still no sign of Reem. So many bad thoughts were eating me

"We are just losing the time! Let's go to the police station" I said

"I agree with Izhaan, we should go" Athar spoke

"Let's go then" Ayesha said

We made our way to the police station. My eyes were still roaming around in search of Reem.

Oh God! Please don't let anything happen to her, she is my responsibility, her safety is my duty.

Ayesha's sudden ringtone startled all of us, she picked up her phone from her side

"It's Reem" she shouted, I put the sudden brake

"Hello! Wherr are you?... Are you ok?.. send me the location, I'm coming right away..be on the line... Ok..you keep the car locked. I'll be there soon" she hung up

"Where is she?" Is she ok?" Athar and I asked together

"She has sent me her location"

"Give me the phone" I took the phone from her hand and checked the location, it was some place twenty five minutes far from where we were, I started driving in a lightning speed.

Following the GPS I drove, I was only thinking about her. I covered twenty five minutes distance in fourteen minutes. I stopped the car when I found hers parked at the side.

"There she is" Ayesha shouted

All of us got down of the car and ran towards hers. I could see Reem sitting inside, her eyes were closed.

Ayesha knocked on the window loudly, Reem opened her eyes and looked at her, she unlocked the car, Ayesha opened the door and hugged Reem

"You are freezing, let's get you out of here baby" Ayesha said

The bonnet of her car collided with a tree, I  looked at her face, her nose was red and her lips were blue, but there was no sign of injury

"Reem" I called her, she looked at me at her weak state

"Why is he here Ayesha? S..se..send him back" she said in a whisper, even her voice sounded too weak

"Forget about him, let's take you to the doctor" Ayesha unbuckled her seatbelt and helped her in getting out, she was shivering, she couldn't even get up properly, i walked forward to help her, but she shook her head,  she was struggling to even stand on her feet, I moved forward and picked her up bridal style.

"Athar, the car" I pointed at Athar to lock Reem's car, I will have someone to get the car checked later, for now she was more important than anything.

I brought her to my car and put her on backseat with Ayesha. I sat on the driving seat and drove to the hospital.

****

I parked my car outside Reem's house. I got off then I opened the back door, picked up Reem in my arms and carried her in the house.

We took her to the hospital. First she was given some rest in the electric blanket, she needed warmth. Then the doctor examined her, because of starvation she blacked out and hit the car on the tree, thankfully she did not get hurt.

The car broke and heater stopped working, she was unconscious for hours in a car, that is why she caught cold.

Her phone ran out of battery, when she woke up she connected it with the power bank and called Ayesha.

Now the doctor has adviced her to take complete rest for two-three days and she has to eat something.

We entered the house. Reem was awake, she looked at me

"Put me down, I can walk" she said, I held her more firmly

"No way" I shook my head

"She is right, let him take you"

Then Ayesha and I took her to her room while Athar stayed in the living room.

I stepped in her room, I looked around, the lights were already turned on, I took her to bed and put her down carefully.

Ayesha climbed from the other side of the bed, and put some pillow to support her back, so that she can sit comfortably, then she put blankets over her. Reem looked she was forcing herself to stay up.

"Izhaan can you please stay with her. Rukhsana aunty has already gone to sleep, I don't want to disturb her, I will quickly make soup for her" Ayesha said

"Don't worry, I am here" I replied

"Thanks." She said and left immediately

Reem must really have no energy, she didn't even protest this time, she just let me stay

"Are you ok?" I asked her, she gave me an almost non existing nod

I sat on the chair while keeping my eyes on her. She didn't look fine to me, she was hugging herself, and I could see her bottom lip trembling. I got up and turned the heater a little higher, then i got on her side

"What's wrong?" I asked

"I I am.. c .. co..cold" she shivered. I picked up another blanket and put on her, but she was still shivering, I sat next to her and held her hand to rub it against mine, she turned to my side and held my waist while scooting closer to me.

"Iz.. izhaan" she said in a whisper, her voice was cracking. I pulled my legs up on the bed and got under the blanket with her.

The trembling didn't stop, I gathered her in my arms and pulled her closer to me, she rested her head on the crook of my neck.

"Any better?" I asked, I felt her nodding her head. She scooted even closer to me. I pulled over a blanket till her shoulder and  wrapped my arms around her securely.

I relaxed when her quivering stopped. I loosened my arm and tried pulling back, her grip became stronger, and her body tensed, I quickly held her back strongly.

Her breathing became heavy indicating she was sleeping. Once I was sure that she is fine now, I realised our proximity, she was so close to me.

Suddenly the room felt too small and hot, I was getting weird feelings. My fast heartbeat was echoing in the silent room.

She was burning me like fire, I didn't know what I wanted at the moment, I wanted her to let me go, but at the same time I wanted to get her even closer, my thoughts were going wild.

Her skin against mine felt so intimate, I rested the head of my back at the head rest. I was breathing in and out to control my mind.

She was so close like a part of me only, I could touch her, smell her. She smells so fresh and heavenly. It was just her all around me it felt like I was breathing her.

What a wonderful girl! After making me so restless, she is sleeping peacefully.

I put my cheek on her head and closed my eyes. I shouldn't be saying it, but I was enjoying our closeness.

*****

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Ayesha's pov

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Once I settled Reem in the room, I quickly made my way to the kitchen, to prepare something for her.

Thank God Reem is fine, I was going crazy when she couldn't be found. If something were to happen to her, I would have lost my mind. Reem is such a child, I didn't know she was skipping meals, now I will make sure she eats.

I picked up my phone from the table to check the soup options. I saw there was a message from Sufiyan. I quickly wrote "good night" to him, I am pretty sure he had already fallen asleep, it was 1:30 am.

I saw Mr Khan when I was crossing the living room, when he saw me, he got up and followed me

I am so angry at him, how dare he accuse me of something which I have not done, and how dare he treat me the way he did!

I don't know how my designs reached there, I didn't send them purposely. I will make sure to find out the truth and throw on his face.

"How is Reem?" He asked

I just walked in the kitchen, I didn't want to answer him. I decided to make chicken soup for her. I quickly took out some meat from the freezer and kept it on the thawing plate.

"I asked you how she is doing?"

While it was defrosting, I chopped some veggies quickly. He was at the entrance of the kitchen, observing me. It made me uncomfortable, but i didn't want to talk to him, not even to tell him to get lost.

"You are doing it wrong" he said, I looked up at him, then got back to my work.

I was peeling the ginger with a knife when he came and stood behind me

"Don't do this, you are wasting a lot of good stuff" he took the ginger from my hand, and looked around, "spoon?" He asked

I really didn't want to answer him, so I just looked away and picked up another piece of ginger and started peeling it

"Aaahh! Why are you so stubborn?" He said, "wait" he said, then he walked out of the kitchen. Thank God.

Before I could even feel happy about him leaving me alone he returned, he took out something, which he was hiding behind his back, it was a rose, which he must have plucked from outside.

Is he going to give it to me? I would never accept it. He put it on the counter, then turned to me

"Here, your friend "Rose", now tell her to tell me what is going on in your head" he said, is it supposed to be cute? I shook my head and got back to my work

I poured some water in a cooker and put it on the stove, I turned on the flame. I picked up the chicken stock cube and was about to put in the water, when he held my hand

"No. Don't put it right now! Let the water boil first, you will seriously spoil the taste" he said

Yeh bada MasterChef hai (he thinks he is a very big MasterChef)

"I'm no chef, but when Izhaan and I were living in London for our studies, we had no help in the house, and we didn't want to eat outside food everyday, so we started cooking, that's why I know a few hacks" he said while stirring the water, once it boiled he dropped the cube in it.

"Oh here is the spoon" he picked one, then he took a piece of ginger and started peeling it with the head of the spoon. He was right just the correct amount of skin was coming off.

"See a lot better" he said i rolled my eyes. Show off!

I scrunched my nose and looked at the meat, how will I wash it, this is the most disgusting part always. I was just standing and staring at the meat

"May i help?" He said coming from behind me, I turned my head to my left, his chin was hovering over my shoulder. Our faces were hardly an inch away, I quickly moved from there

"Rose! Tell your friend to say something to me" he picked up the rose. He looked at me, I quickly took the meat to the sink, i sighed deeply and got busy in washing the meat.

I was gagging, I stretched my arms and holding the meat as far away from me as possible.

"Leave it" he pushed me away from my shoulder. He picked up the pieces of chicken and washed them so effortlessly like it is his daily job, I looked wide eyed at him

Once all the ingredients were in the cooker, I stepped back and waited for whistles. I could feel him looking at me, but i kept my gaze on the cooker

"Ayesha! Please talk to me"  he said, I stayed quiet. He held my arms and turned me to face him.

"I'm sorry" he said it so suddenly that my mouth dropped open and I stared at him.

"I shouldn't have shouted on you, I found out from Rose that she took the wrong file from your table."

Okkk! So this is what happened! Yeah I remember telling her to take the file because I was on phone.

"When I saw your designs there, I went crazy, I thought in your stubbornness you did what I didn't want you to do, and the things Afham was saying....." He trailed off as if recalling what was he saying, then he shook his head, "I'm really sorry" he repeated

He looked like he was genuinely feeling bad, I should forgive him, but If I forgive him so easily, he will take me for granted like always

"Ayesha please" he said

"Hold your ears"

"Huh?"

"Do as I say! You want an apology, right? Then hold your ears and apologise to me"

" That's too much"

"Fine, i don't need your sorry anyways" I was walking away but he stopped me

"Ok ok, I'll do it" he held his ears reluctantly and spoke "I'm sorry" he did it in a nanosecond, I gasped

"Happy"

"That was way too fast"

"Please Ayesha! I did what you wanted. Now am I forgiven?" He asked, I shook my head

"Wait"

I went in the study and returned in the kitchen immediately

"You want me to forgive you?" I asked, he nodded, "here" I handed him a paper and a pen, "write 100 times, I will never ever treat Ayesha badly" his mouth hung open

" Are you serious?" He asked, I nodded vigorously

"Don't you think you are really exaggerating it"

"Ok! Don't do it" I shrugged

"Give me" he snatched the things from my hand and went outside, I laughed evilly

"So much fun"

By the time I was done preparing a soup, he returned

"Done" he put the paper on the counter. I picked it up and scanned it

"Good. Now you are forgiven" I said and he sighed

"Finally"

"But remember it" I showed him the paper

I put the bowl in the tray and carried it upstairs to Reem, Mr Khan was walking along with me

He opened the door and both of us entered the room. My jaw fell on the ground when i saw the scene infront of me. Izhaan and Reem were sleeping in each other's arms.

"What is happening here?" Mr Khan spoke to make it more awkward.

"Let's go outside, let them sleep" he said

"What? No! Reem has to eat" I cleared my throat to make a sound, but both of them stayed unmoved. I again cleared my throat, this time a little more louder. But again no movement

"Are you done?" Mr Khan asked

"You go outside" I said. Then i coughed loudly, i kept on coughing everytime louder than the last time.

"Enough" Mr Khan picked up the spare spoon from the tray and threw it on the floor, it clinked with the floor loudly, izhaan's eyes snapped open, he looked at us

"I'm outside" Mr Khan said and left

Izhaan tried to loosen Reem's arms, but she snuggled closer, he looked at me in embarrassment, I suppressed a smile, both of them were looking so adorable like this.

When he kept on trying, she woke up, she looked at him and suddenly moved back. He jumped down the bed

"You feed her, I'm waiting outside" he left.

After he left, I looked at Reem and smirked

"Shut up" she said

"I didn't even say anything" I laughed

I sat next to her and kept forcing her to eat till the bowl was empty. After she was done, I helped her lying down.

"Turned the heater on higher I need warmth" she said

"Should I call jeeju?" I teased her

"Get lost" she said, I laughed. Then i did what she wanted, I left the room.

I came downstairs, I saw the Khan brothers sitting in the living room. When they saw me they stood up

"Has she eaten? Is she ok?" Izhaan asked

"Yes" I nodded, a relief washed over his face, I looked at him with teasing eyes

"She was feeling cold, I was just making her comfortable" he said getting awkward

"I didn't ask you anything, by the way there are blankets at home" I said then both Mr Khan and I burst into laughter, izhaan looked away

"I have to say something to you" i said to izhaan

"What?" He asked

"Just in one call you came and helped me in finding Reem, and you are still here at 3 in the morning making sure she is fine, thank you so much for everything"

"What are you saying? Near or far Reem is my responsibility, I will come for her anytime" his reply touched my heart. I wish Reem could see how nice he is

"Reem told me when i was high that day I was calling you jeeju, but tonight you have earned the title, and from now onwards I will call you jeeju only" i said, he smiled

"That is very nice of you to say" he replied

"Is anyone going to appreciate me? I'm also here" Mr Khan said, we both ignored him

"I should go now. If there is any need please call me" he said, then he turned to Mr Khan "let's go"

"No no stay! What if she feels cold again?" He smirked, I laughed

"Bye" izh.. jeeju said and left

"Good night Ms Ayesha. Take care" Mr Khan said to me, I smiled, then he left.

I closed the door and locked it securely. I yawned feeling sleepy

"What a day!"

I returned to the room, Reem was fast asleep, I was exhausted, i just wanted to sleep.

I went into the closet, I couldn't find anything to wear, then I found a top of some night suit, and the lower of different night suit

How does it matter? I don't have to go on a fashion parade, i changed into those clothes, tied my hair in a messy bun, then i went to sleep.

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