chapter 35

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Ayesha's pov

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Things are getting better now, Alhamdulillah. Slowly everything is becoming ok, but the only thing that keeps me restless my parents are still upset with me, it's been two months since the wedding, whole two months passed but they have not contacted me and when I try to contact mumma, she won't answer.

"What is wrong with you beta? Why are you not eating anything?" The chain of my thoughts broke with a voice. I looked up and found maa smiling down at me.

All of us were sitting on the dining table eating breakfast. Ever since she found out the truth behind the marriage. She has been so nice with me.

Her love for me has been a big support, by now everyone has accepted me, since I mostly stay at home only, my evening tea is always with maa, paa, dadi and dada ji. Some times Reem also stays, but honestly staying at home is pretty boring, I'm not used to it

Maa took out some more poha in my plate and poured me another glass of juice

"That's a lot. I can't eat so much" I shook my head

"Chup chap mooh band kar ke Khao (Close your mouth and eat quietly)" maa glared at me

"Maa how will she eat if she closes her mouth?" Reem laughed

"Like this!" Maa said and put a small piece of toast in her mouth, I laughed

When dadi and maa found out the truth, they insisted to go to Chandigarh and talk with my parents, but I refused. If they find out the truth now they will be devastated, mumma has said so much to me, that she won't be able to take the truth.

Maa has not been talking to Athar, she says he has put a question mark to her upbringing so she will never forgive him.

I know it's quite mean but I feel really satisfied seeing her coldness towards him, he should know how it feels when your own mother turns her back at you.

"I am going now! I have an exam from 11:30 am" Reem stood up

"There's still a lot of time, finish your food first" dadi said, Reem groaned, but quickly ate her food, then she bid goodbye and left.

One after the other everyone left, Reem and Hayat are really busy with their exams these days, I just sit idle the whole time, i don't feel like talking to Mr Khan, otherwise I would have asked for my degree, so that I can start a job.

After breakfast I returned to my room, Mr Khan was standing in front of the mirror getting ready. I was playing games on my phone, why have I became stay-at-home types, there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not just my cup of tea

"I'm going now" he said, I didn't even acknowledge it, I just stayed focused on my phone. He sighed and left.

I threw my phone on the bed, what the hell! I don't want to stay at home all day, it's irritating me.

I got up and went to the washroom, I took a bath and changed into a suit. I will not forgive you Mr Khan, what have you made my life into!

My phone rang, I walked towards the bed to answer it, it was sufiyan's call. I was reluctant to answer it

We have met a couple of times since we became friends again, but I don't want to give him any false hope, he has clearly told about his feelings to me, if I continue meeting him then how will he move forward in life.

The phone rang again, I heaved a sigh and answered it

"Hello" I said

"What took you so long to answer princess?"

"I was not in the room"

"Anyway I called to say it's been long, let's meet in the evening" he asked, I sighed. This is why I was ignoring his call.

"Ummm actually I am going to meet some relatives with the family tonight, so I won't be able to make it"

"Oh! So tomorrow?" He asked

"It won't be possible. Sorry"

"Nevermind! Whenever you are free, we will meet" he said in a defeated tone, I felt bad for him, but there was nothing I could do

"I'll call you later, maa is calling me" I lied and hung up

What should I do? I don't want to hurt him anymore.

"Bhabhi" Hayat called, I turned around she was standing on the doorway

"Yes?" I asked

"Can you please help me with my studies, I heard you have been a maths champion" she requested, I smiled

"Sure, let's go"

"Thanks! You are the best" she grinned.

We went to her room, I helped her understand the basic concepts, she was quick to grasp.

To take a break from studying, she ordered a pizza, and we watched an episode of our favorite web series. Then I told her to get back to studies and I went from there

Reem should be here soon, her exam must have ended an hour ago. So I went to the lawn and sat there to wait for her. I picked up my phone and opened Instagram to scroll reels

"Assalamualaikum" a voice said, I looked up and smiled when I saw jeeju standing there.

"Walekum assalam" I cheered. He sat on the chair across me

"What are you doing here all alone?" He asked

"Waiting for your wife to return" I shrugged he glowed at the mention of Reem, I supressed a smirk.

"Are you ok?" He asked

"Yeah! What has happened to me?" I frowned

"So much" he muttered under his breath

"Ayesha! I wanted to talk about Athar with you" he said

"Jeeju please! This is your house, not a court room, you are not a lawyer here, so no need to defend him" I shook my head

"At least listen to what I have to say"

"Please! At least you understand me, I don't want to talk to you about him"

"Ok! I won't pressure you" he sighed, "by the way I need a favour from you"  I sat straight

"What favour?" I asked

"As you know Reem's birthday is coming, what should I gift her?" He asked

"This is the favour?" I laughed

"Yeah"

"I thought you would be asking something big" I shook my head

"It is big"

"Yeah yeah"

"So?"

"Umm I don't know."

"Come on! Please help me" he pleaded, I laughed

"Ok let me think" I tapped on my chin to think, "you love her, right?" I asked

"Yes" he said in a heartbeat, I smiled

"Then give something which will remind her of your love, something which she can always keep close to her, whenever she looks at it, it should be a reminder of your love. Simple" I shrugged

"Yeah very simple" he shook his head, "I wanted to talk about something with you, you are the only person who can help me with it"

"Now what?" I asked

"The other day when I went with Reem to get her documents, I met Abdullah uncle, we had a chat about Reem, he told me how she is always cold to him. Why? She has such high regards for my parents and grandparents, but for her own father she is so stone hearted, it is beyond my understanding." He frowned

"There's a reason behind it"

"Seriously? How can there be a reason? The girl who has so much love for an orphan, has no love for her dad"

I heaved a sigh and then explained Reem's side of story to him. He listened quietly.

"Dad remarried because he thought Reem would need a mother, but she only needed him, nobody else. She thinks that after mom died dad moved on, and neglected her, which is not true. If you try to understand Reem's point of view, she is not wrong." I said

"Is this the reason why she runs away from me also?"

"Yes. She thinks if her own father can abandon her, why would you care!"

"This isn't true"

"I know, but you will have to make her believe" I said then my face fell, I was feeling guilty.

"What happened?" He asked

"You are not being able to start your life with her because of me, I'm sorry for keeping you both apart"

"I don't understand what is wrong with you and Athar, why can't you both stop blaming yourselves. It is absolutely not because of you, you are forgetting Reem had asked for some time, that is what I am giving her" he said, I nodded in understanding

"Plus! You also need some time. I am not here to defend Athar, all I'm saying is what he did was unjustifiable, but life is too short to hold grudges, give yourself a chance. Give him a chance" he said

"Koi zarurat nahi hai koi chance wance dene ki (there's no need to give any chance)" Reem said, we both looked up and found her standing near us

"How can you take Athar's side?" She asked

"Athar bhai" jeeju corrected her

"Oh please" she scoffed, "he has lost all the respect from me" she said.

She came forward, held my hand and dragged me in the house with her

"Don't listen to his crap! Why were you even talking to him?" She asked

"Why have you returned so late, your exam ended a long time ago" I complained

"I sat with everyone for some group study"

"Very nice. You did not even care about me" i huffed in annoyance

"What did Izhaan say to you? Why are you getting mad at me?" She asked, I rolled my eyes

"He didn't say anything, it's not because of him. I am just tired of sitting at home, it feels like I have been caged. I want to go out somewhere" I pouted

"Where do you want to go?" She asked

"Club" I said excitedly

"It's a good idea, but we won't be able to go from here. How will we sneak out?" She asked

"Hmm you are right. Then what?"

"There's one way"

"What?"

"After my exam we can go back to our house and stay there for 2-3 days, then we can go from there" she suggested, I grinned

"That sounds fun."

"Then it is settled" she smiled

"But don't leave me alone in the house for too long" I pointed a finger at her, she hugged me

"Ok baby" she said sweetly, I smiled

"Now let's go to eat something, I'm so hungry" she said, I laughed, then we both went in the kitchen.

****

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Izhaan's POV

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"Stop it! You are making me feel nauseous" Athar complained

"How?" I asked

"You have been pacing around the room constantly, just sit down now." He rolled his eyes

"I can't" I continued walking

"Why? You think if you keep moving it will be midnight sooner" he said

It was Reem's birthday night, and I was feeling nervous Allah knows why? I was in Athar's room, Reem is with Ayesha, so i was just waiting for her birthday to start so that I'll go and wish her.

I dropped next to Athar

"You think she'll like my gift" I asked

"She should buddy" he said

"How is your planning going?"

Ayesha's birthday is just two days after Reem's. So, Athar has been planning a big surprise for her.

"Everything is set now. Uncle agreed" he grinned ear to ear

"You did it! You have finally convinced him" I said

"Convincing him was even tougher than convincing Ayesha, she really has gone on her father. He said such mean things to me, but I never gave up, I was adamant. Now thankfully he is fine" he sighed, I smiled at him

"What?" He asked

"I can't believe you are the same Athar who could not even tolerate someone glaring at him, and look at you today, bearing Aftab uncle's hatred so happily" I said, he also gave me a smile

"There is one difference between this Athar and that Athar"

"What?"

"That Athar was just mad, and this Athar is madly in love with someone" he sighed

"Ohho! That's great my brother"

"Her mother is still left to be convinced, I am very scared of her, she's a dangerous lady. I wanted to bring both of them here on Ayesha's birthday, but uncle refused because of aunty, she is still very upset with Ayesha, so he will not tell her anything, he will just call Ayesha"

"She will be happy. By the way, is his company stable now?" I asked

"It's improving, I'm hopeful to get results soon"

"When will you tell Ayesha?" I asked

"Tell her what?"

"That Shazib was just the middle man, in reality you are the one who has invested the hefty amount"

"I will never tell her about this"

"Why? It will change her thinking about you" I frowned, he sighed

"I did not do this so that she feels grateful to me, the only thing which made me do it was her concerned eyes. That night on the terrace when she told me about her parents I saw something in her eyes which forced me to do it. It was unfortunate that I had to use this thing to make her marry me, but i was desperate"

"I know." I put my hand on his shoulder.

He may have done something terrible but now everyday he is facing the consequences, maa doesn't talk to him, dadi is also cold towards him, I feel so bad for him

"Oh hello mister, it's midnight now. Don't you have to go to wish her?" He asked, I immediately stood up

Finally it was time to be with her, I excitedly got up.

"Come, let's go" I said to him

"I don't want to spoil her mood, let me stay here"

"It wouldn't be spoilt"

"It's fine, buddy"

I sighed and went to the twin door, I knocked on it lightly. The door was opened by Ayesha

"I was expecting you" she grinned and moved aside to give me space to walk in

"Where is she?" I asked

"She's gone to change" she replied, there was a weird odour in the room

"What's this smell?" I asked

"I have a headache, Reem put some balm on my forehead"

"Oh! I'm sorry I disturbed you" he said

"Why have you got up?" Reem asked Ayesha, she pointed at me, "what are you doing here?" She asked

"I'm here to wis..." I was saying, but Ayesha cut me off

"Wait jeeju! I will go outside, to give you some privacy, you can utilise it as much as you like" Ayesha smirked

"No! You are going back to bed, you are not well" Reem said to her

"Shut up" she scolded her, then she went towards the main door

"Have fun guys" she teased, then she opened the door, all off us were surprised to see the whole family standing there

"You?" Maa asked Ayesha

"What are you doing here, Ayesha bhabhi?" Hayat asked

"I... I .. I came to wish Reem" she replied

"But the door was locked from inside, then how did you enter?" Dada ji asked

"She used the twin door" Athar said entering the room from the twin door

"You guys are still using it?" Papa looked surprised

"Yeah" I said

"If you guys are done interrogating them, can we please wish Reem and cut the cake" dadi showed annoyance

Just then everyone entered the room, one by one they all wished her, then Reem and I cut the cake together and fed each other.

Then everyone sat in my room and continued talking, Ayesha wasn't looking well she was pressing her head every now and then so maa told her to go and rest in her room, she hesitantly went

It was nice to see the whole family sitting together and having a good time, but i wanted some privacy with Reem, right now.

Finally everyone left it was just me and Reem now.

"Go from here" she said to me and was walking towards the twin door when I stopped her

"Wait" she turned around

"What?"

"I still have not wished you"

"It's fine, you really don't have to. It's not that you will wish me and my birthday will become extra special for me" Ignoring her snarky comment I moved forward and stood in front of her

"Izhaan, stay away" she flustered, I watched her, trying to read her face, she looked away, "stop looking at me" she said

"Why? Why can't I look at you?" I took a step towards her

"Just don't look at me" she turned around, but before she could walk away I draped my arm over her stomach and pull her towards me, her back slammed with my chest, she gasped.

She looked down, her hair made a curtain, stopping me from looking at her face. I slowly moved it back. I lowered my head and put my chin on her shoulder, she turned her face to the other side

"For how long you are planning to run away from me? I don't think I can wait anymore" I said

"Reem! I admit there was a time when I used to curse my fate for being tied up with you, but let me confess that now I feel like I'm the luckiest man alive to have you as my wife." I joined my hands and engulfed her in a back hug. It felt so good to hold her like this

"In between our silly fights, our ego clashes, our constant ups and downs, I didn't realise when I started having feelings for you, and now when I really look at it, I'm head over heels in love with you" she looked at me, through the mirror, her eyes were wide, she looked surprised

"Don't be so surprised, my love. You should have expected this." I smiled

"I know you are not ready to start our married life, and I'm willing to give you all the time you need, I'm in no hurry, but I want to tell you what I want." I stood straight and turned her around to face me, I cupped her cheeks

"I want to make you happy, i want to make you feel complete, I want to be the reason for your lips to smile, your eyes to shine, your heart to beat crazily." As the words pouring from my mouth I was feeling light from inside.

"Whatever thought you have, I'll support you. Whatever decision you'll make I'll stand with you. I will never make anyone more important than you, you are my only love today and you will be till my last breath. I will never let you down. I promise"  I left her face, then I took out the ring I got for her from my pocket

She was looking at me without blinking, it was a rare sight to see her so quiet. I stifled a laughter. I held her hand in mine.

"We have the weirdest story ever, mostly people fall in love then they get married, but in our case before we could even learn the spelling of love, we were already married. We spent ten years apart even after being married to each other, but now I just can't stay away from you" I slipped the ring on her finger

"It's not just a ring, it's an emotion for me, it's my first gift ever to you. Whenever you look at it, just remind yourself that this heart will always beat only for you" I pointed at my chest where my heart was

"Think about me, think about giving me a chance, I want to love you, just let me love you please" I said

I brought her hand to my mouth, and placed a gentle kiss

"Happy Birthday Jaan" I said.

She was staring at me, I could not read what was going in her mind, after such a long confession i expected her to say something, but she was so quiet

"Say something" I said, she was still mute

"Reem please. Kuch to bolo (say something)" I insisted

"Let me get Ayesha" she said and walked away from me

Is she for real? My first reaction was anger, but then I immediately calmed myself I have just overwhelmed her, she needs time to process

She went to the door and knocked, I went and stood behind her. I wanted to spend the night with her, but my Milkha Singh, is not done running away from me.

The door opened and Athar stood there.

"Ayesha" Reem said

"She has fallen asleep" he replied, "should I wake her up?" He asked

"No! Let her sleep" Reem said, then went to our bed, I suddenly got too excited

"Is she really going to let Ayesha stay with me tonight?" Athar whispered

"Looks like it" I said excitedly

"Amazing" he grinned ear to ear

Reem returned to us, she had her phone, earphones and charger in her hand. She looked at Athar

"Come" she gestured him to enter the room

"Huh? What do you mean?" He asked, she rolled her eyes

"Ab aap yahan aayenge tabhi to mai wahan jaa paungi (I can only go there if you come here)" she said, my face fell

Athar got his stuff and came to my room, Reem went to his room and locked the door.

"What the hell!" I said in annoyance

"These girls will make us go crazy. Let's just go to sleep" he said and laid on the bed

I wonder how is Reem feeling about my confession.

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