chapter 36

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Reem's POV

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"Aaaah Hussain it hurts, stop it" I lowered the volume of my phone.

All of us were at the zoom meeting studying for our next exam. It was getting pretty boring so Hussain decided to entertain us all by singing, but his voice was like a broken trumpet, it hurt my ear

"Hussain! My phone will be broken because of you" Hina groaned in annoyance

"That's too mean guys, here I am trying to entertain you and you are insulting me, there is no one to value my talent" he faked being offended.

"We are trying to study here and you are irritating us." Naira rolled her eyes

"Let's just forget about him guys. I have a doubt please someone clear it" shoaib said

"Which doubt?" Juhi asked

"Take out the book, page number 137" he said

"There is no page number 137 in the book" naira said

"Don't be silly! See there it is" he shared the page number

"Shoaib! What the hell!" I said in a high tone

"What's wrong?" He asked

"There are five days for operation management exam, why are you not preparing for the exam which is tomorrow" Murad asked, shoaib's eyes widened

"It's not tomorrow?" He asked

"I really don't know whether to laugh at you or pity you" I said

"How can you be so stupid shoaib?" Naira shouted, then he defended himself, and then they both started fighting, shoaib and naira are like Tom and Jerry, they just need a reason to fight.

All of us one by one left the meeting only to leave them both to continue fighting. I put my phone and it immediately started ringing, it was Hussain's call

"Hello" I said

"I wanted to ask you something" he said

"Ok. What?"

"Reem aaaa.. ummm you..."

"Hussain! What is it?"

"Nothing, I'll see you tomorrow " he said and hung up

Weirdo!!

I opened my book and tried to bring all my concentration on the texts written on it, but something was stopping me from focusing, I knew what it was, i groaned and threw my books aside, I stood up and began pacing in the room.

He loves me! Why did he say that? The things Izhaan told me has shook me from core. I wasn't expecting him to say all that.

Maybe it's his some trick, he wants me to soften for him then he will make me dance on his tune.

I raised my hand and looked at the ring he gave me for my birthday. I can't deny that it was a very pretty one, so beautiful and delicate. It looks nice on my 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 blushed when I recalled his words

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, I should be studying, not thinking about him. Maybe that was his plan, he must have been wanting to break my concentration and just keep me thinking about him, so that I fail my exams, that is why he told me those things

No no no I won't let that happen. I will study. I picked my book, and started learning while walking back and forth in the room.

"Many possibilities are available to a household who has to allocate its income.

The largest part of the disposable income is consumed, the remainder....." I was reading suddenly my eyes fell on the jackass' photo frame

I went towards it and picked it up.

"You are my only love today and you will be till my last breath." His words echoed in my head.

"I'm head over heels in love with you"

I couldn't stop my lips from forming a smile.

I wonder if he actually studied law in London because it seems that all he did there was learn techniques to make a girl think about him

I still can't believe such an uptight guy like him could talk like this. I looked at his picture, he was staring at me, my heart beat increased.

Even just the picture of his was making me nervous. I felt my cheeks heating up.

"What are you in real Mr Izhaan Khan? Are you playing some games with me?"

My mind is going crazy, I need to stay away from him, for my own sanity. My eyes lazily moved around his face, he has got a photogenic face, he looked so handsome in the picture.

I noticed his perfectly gelled hair, Izhaan is obsessed with his hair, I have seen how his mood goes bad when someone touches his hair.

"I don't want to think about you, but i can't stop thinking about you." I said to him

Jaan!! He called me that, what is this that I'm feeling in the pit of my stomach. My cheeks were on fire

I startled when the door burst open, the book and the photo frame fell from my hand. I panicked when I saw Izhaan there.

I quickly sat on the couch, opened the book and put it infront of my face to hide it.

I peaked in to see what he was doing. He kept his phone and other things on the side table of the bed. Then he bent down and picked up the photo frame

Shit! I left it there.

He came to me, I pretended to be engrossed in studying. He took the book from my hand and turned it upside down, I looked up at him

"You were holding it wrong" he smiled. I felt so embarrassed, but decided not to show him. I turned it in the wrong side again

"No i wasn't. It's my way of learning" I said, he looked amused. He crossed his arms at his chest

"Really?" He asked

"Hmm" I shrugged

"And is it also your way to fight with people's pictures also when they are not around?" He smirked

Jackass! Why did he have to bring it up?

Don't accept it Reem.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" I stood up. It would be better to just go from here, he was making me nervous

"Are you feeling too hot?" He asked, I frowned

"Your cheeks are as red as a beetroot" he said smugly

"Don't you have any other work to do?" I showed annoyance, "wese koi tameez nahi hai na tum mei, pehle knock karte hai phir aate hai, akele mei insan kuch bhi kar raha ho (and by the way, don't you have any manners, you should knock before entering, a person could be doing anything when alone)" I was walking past him, he held my hand

"Why should I knock? This is my room, you are my wife" he said and pulled me to him, he bent down and whispered in my ear "and I would love to see what you do when you are alone"

My heart was gonna explode, he was making me crazy.

"By the way now I'm here, you can fight with me in person, photographs can be used later" he winked.

"Leave me" i pushed him and ran outside the room, trying to ignore his stupid laugh

I really really need to stay away from him.

*****

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Ayesha's pov

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I wiped the tear before Mr Khan could notice. It was almost midnight I was sitting on the bed waiting for everyone to come. My birthday will be starting soon since we knew that everyone would come to wish me. So to be on the safe side I was still in Mr Khan's room while Reem was in hers.

I was missing mumma and baba, every year on my birthday's night they would come to surprise me with something special, It would be my first birthday ever when they will not even wish me. I miss them terribly

I looked at Mr. Khan. It was all because of him. The more I think about it the more I hate him.

Finally the clock striked 12. He came to me. I turned my head to the other side.

"Ayesha! Happy Birthday" he said, I glared at him

"Have you left any good about this birthday? Happy Birthday, my foot"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, I already knew who would that be. I got off the bed to answer the door.

Before opening the door I took a moment for myself. I heaved a sigh and faked a biggest smile I could, I pull the doorknob

I jumped when suddenly Hayat exploded a party popper on me, I was all covered with the confetti

"Happy Birthday" everyone sang in the unison. It warmed my heart and a genuine smile appeared on my lips, tearing the crowd Reem came and hugged me

"Happy Birthday baby" she smiled

"Thanks" I replied.

I moved aside to let everyone entered the room. Dada ji stopped in front of me, he smiled at me and put his hand on my head

"Khush raho, Abad raho, Allah apko duniya ki sari khushiyan de (stay happy and blessed. May Allah give you all the happiness in the world)" he said

The cake was kept on the coffee table and we gathered around. Hayat put a birthday girl crown on my head, I felt a little shy

"Isn't it a little too much" I said

"You deserve it" maa said, "now cut the cake" she ordered, i nodded and picked up the knife

"Wait" Hayat shouted, everyone looked at her, "Athar bhai! Please cut the cake with bhabhi" she smiled, I got uncomfortable

"It's ok Hayat, let her cut it" Mr Khan said

"But Izhaan bhai cut the cake with Reem bhabhi" she said

"That was different, it..." He was saying, but I cut him

"Just come Mr Khan" I called him, he didn't need to be told twice, one moment I called him and at the second he was sitting with me

He held my hand and together we cut the cake. He took a small piece and put it in front of my mouth

Iski problem hi yahi hai, haath do gale padh jata hai (this is his problem, I give him a little and he demands so much then). Since we were sitting with everyone, I had to behave like a happy in love wife, I opened my mouth

One by one everyone fed me. After a while they left, now I had to go to Reem, but before that I had to talk to him

"Behave yourself" I shouted

"What have I done?"

"Don't act dumb, you know what you did" I pointed a finger at him, he took a step towards me, I stood my ground staring at him angrily

He grazed his thumb over my bottom lip, my eyes widened at his shamelessness.

"Just some cream" he shrugged, I looked at his thumb, there was a little whipping cream on it

"You could have told me" I said

"Yeah I could have" he said and then he put his thumb in his mouth, my eyes grew large

"Yuck! You are disgusting" I said and turned to knock on the door.

"What is disgusting about it?" He came closer, thankfully the door opened and I ran in jeeju's room.

"What happened?" Jeeju asked

"Nothing" I shook my head

"Happy Birthday once again, and good night" he said and left.

I closed the door and locked it.

"Are you ok?" Reem asked

"Yes" I nodded

She was sitting on the bed with her books all around her, one by one she started closing them and then keeping aside.

She laid down and I also got in my side. We both were lying down quietly

"I miss them" I blurted out

"I knew it" she turned to my side

"I miss them so much, I miss baba's gifts and mumma's kheer, which she used to make specially for me on my birthday"

She hugged me, i put my head on her arm and cried. I didn't realise when I fell asleep.

*****

It was evening now, and I was bored to death, Reem had back to back exams today, she would be returning in an hour perhaps.

To kill some time I was arranging my cupboard. A very pretty dress came in my hand, I was looking at it

"Bhabhi" hayat called

"I'm here" I said, she came into the closet

"What are you doing?"

"Just rearranging" I shrugged

"Wow what a pretty dress!" She said taking the dress from my hand

"Hmm it is"

"Bhabhi please pehen k dikhaiye na (please wear it)"

"Right now?" I asked, she nodded, "already everything is scattered" I drew out a lazy sigh

"Please bhabhi. please Please please"

"Ok ok" I agreed, she went outside and I changed the dress

"You can come now" I called, she opened the door

"Woah! You look so beautiful" she said, "wait, let me take a few pictures" she picked up her phone and started taking my photos

She picked up another outfit and showed me

"Now this one" she handed me

"Hayat" I groaned

"Please" she gave me puppy eyes, I sighed and obliged.

"This one is even more amazing." She took some more pictures, she made me try a few more dresses before I finally wore a beautiful white coloured dress

"Amazing " she took more pictures, "wait" she rummaged my drawer, "ohho bhabhi not a single nice colour. Wait, I'll be back don't change"

"Hayat" I called, but she ran out of the room. All the dresses I have been trying were on the floor, there was a huge mess

"Put it" she handed me a lipstick

"It's too dark" I said

"No bhabhi! You will look perfect." I put it on my lips, "wow! You are so beautiful. Maa was calling me, I'll be back in a moment then I will take more pictures" she said and left

I picked up a tissue and was about to wipe off my lipstick when my phone rang, I looked at the caller, it was sufiyan, I sighed deeply when I saw his name

He has been asking to meet him for so long and I have been avoiding his phone call also. I feel bad for him but what can I do

I answered the call

"Hel....." I could not even say hello, he started shouting

"Ayesha i need your help" his panicked voice alarmed me

"Sufiyan! What happened? Where are you?"

"Please come quickly" he begged

"What's wrong?"

"I can't even speak, I need you here"

"Ok ok, I'm coming, where do I have to come?" I asked, he gave me the address, "what are you doing in a restaurant parking?" I asked

"I came here to meet a friend, then aaaaahh. Ayesha please hurry up"

"Ok fine" I hung up the call and was about to run outside the room, when Hayat came

"What happened?" She asked

"There's an emergency with a friend, I have to go"  I said and ran out of the house, I sat in my car and started it. I took out my phone and messaged Reem that there is an urgency with sufiyan

I reached the restaurant parking lot. My heart sank when I noticed the empty area usually this area is always very crowded, it was getting dark now.

I hope Sufiyan is okay. I looked around for him, but there was no sign of him. I called him, he answered

"Sufiyan! Where are you?" I asked

"Here" his voice came from somewhere near me. I turned around and found him standing in one piece and looking absolutely fine

"What happened to you?" I asked

"Happy Birthday Ayesha!" He smiled, I looked at him in confusion

"What's going on?" I asked, he sighed

"If I had called you to meet me, you would have given me one thousand excuses and I really wanted to celebrate your birthday with you. So....." He shrugged

"So you faked the urgency"

"Yeah" he smiled sheepishly, I felt so angry at him

"Are you out of your mind?" I shouted, "I came running here. I was so worried, the whole ride I was praying for your safety and it was all just a plan"

"Sorry"

"I'm not gonna stay here" I turned to leave, he held my hand

"Ayesha please don't go. I wanted to spend time with you, but you have been avoiding me. I was missing you. And today is your birthday I didn't want to let this special day go just like that"

"You shouldn't have lied to me" I pulled my hand out of his grip

"I'm really sorry. Please forgive me! Should I kneel and beg?" He was bending down, but i stopped him

"Ok don't" I said

"Am I forgiven?" He asked, I sighed

"I really have no other choice" I said, he grinned ear to ear

"Thank you so much. Shall we go inside?" He asked, I shrugged, I walked ahead he followed me

"Umm Ayesha! Now when you have agreed to stay, can i tell you now that you look absolutely gorgeous" he said and I realised that I never changed out of the dress I was trying.

"I was just trying the dress and you called and I came running" I said, he smiled

"I love it"

"I'm telling you the truth" I lift up my dress, "see I'm still wearing house slippers" I showed him, he laughed

"Let's go"

The restaurant was completely empty, no one could be seen.

"Sufiyan! I think they are closed" I said, he smiled at me

"No! They are exclusively open for you only" he said and my mouth dropped open, "I have booked the entire restaurant for you"

"This is too much" I shook my head, I was reluctant to accept it

"Ayesha please." He said. I nodded "where do you want to sit?"

"It's all empty, we can sit anywhere"

I looked around the restaurant, it was all decorated with flowers, he really has thought through it, just then a question striked me

"What if I was busy with family celebration? What would you have done then?" I asked, he smiled

"I met Reem this morning and confirmed with her that there is no celebration happening, because of hers and Hayat's exams" he said

We continued talking for a long time, my phone rang it was Reem's call, I gave her update about my whereabouts.

We were endlessly talking, God knows from where so many topics were coming.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked

"Sure" I nodded, he sighed

"Are you happy?" I was taken aback by his question

"Hmm"

"Why do I think you are not telling me the truth? Your eyes have lost the shine"

"I don't want to talk about it"

Thankfully he understood and immediately changed the topic.

"Let's cut the cake" he said

A trolley was brought, there was a huge cake on it. There was a whole wall decorated with jasmines, the waiter left the trolley there. It was so mesmerizing. He remembered that I like Jasmine

"Come" he put out his hand for me, I awkwardly placed mine on his. I stood up and we were just reaching the cake, suddenly I heard something loud crashing.

*****

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Athar's POV

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I dialled the number and put the phone on my ear

"Hello" Hayat said

"I need a favour"

"What Bhai?"

"Can you take Ayesha to your room and keep her with you for some time?"

"Bhabhi is not at home, she has gone o.." I hung up the call.

Great! She isn't at home, I'm pretty sure she must have gone somewhere with Reem, good for me

I quickly got off the car and went in the house, thankful no one noticed me entering, i went straight to my room. I kept all the bags on the table.

I took out the happy birthday label and hung it on the wall beside the bed. Then I took out the dress I got for her and went into the closet to hang in her cupboard

I looked around the closet, there were clothes scattered everywhere. What was she doing? I got multiple gifts for her, I kept them everywhere in the room.

Lastly I kept the hundred roses bouquet on the center of the bed, and lit some incense stick in the room, I knew Ayesha loves the fragrance of jasmine.

I looked around the room everything looked perfect. If Reem has gone with her that means there is no one in the room, let me check if Izhaan has return. I went to the twin door and twisted the knob it opened, I was about to enter but then saw Reem sitting on the sofa, I immediately turned around and was about to walk away when I heard her talking

"Seriously Ayesha, sufiyan is really thoughtful" she said I stopped in my track.

"No I have just returned home, when are you returning." She asked on the phone.

Then she was talking about some place and said it's half an hour away from our house.

I closed the door and returned to my room.

Ayesha is with Sufiyan? No! She cannot. I felt each and every cell of my body burning. I ran to my car. I sat and started the engine

You better not be there Ayesha!

I drove as fast as I could. When I reached the restaurant I saw Ayesha's car in the parking lot, I saw red.

She is here! With him? I clenched my fist. I marched towards the restaurant. I was about to enter but a waiter stopped me

"Sorry sir! We are closed. There is some private celebration" he said, I frowned at him

"Private celebration?" I asked

"Yes! There is a couple inside. The guy is celebrating his girlfriend or wife's birthday. He booked the entire restaurant, so we are sorry for tonight, you can come tomorrow" he said coolly. I grabbed his collar raised him up from the ground

"Shut up before I kill you" I seethed. I left him causing him to fall down.

I entered, I saw there was glass decoration, "happy birthday Ayesha" was written on it, I kicked it, it fell and broke into pieces

I pushed the curtain away and entered the sitting area, the scene behind me turned me into a raged bull.

Ayesha was standing with Sufiyan, hand in hand. Both of them looked so surprised by seeing me there. Ayesha left his hand.

I marched towards Ayesha and grabbed her arms. My blood boiled when I noticed how beautifully she got dressed for him, I wanted to rip out his eyes off his sockets

"Didn't I tell you that I don't want you near this guy?" I shouted

"Athar I.. " he was speaking but I cut him off

"Why are you here? Why have you come to meet him?" I screamed

"I called he..." Again he spoke, this time I yelled at him

"Mai apni biwi se baat kar raha hun, tu hota kaun hai beech mei bolne wala (I'm taking with my wife, who the hell are you to talk in between?)"  Then I turned to Ayesha, "let's go" I pulled her with me, but the monkey decided to speak

"We were just celebrating her birthday, it's not a big deal" he said, the last string of patience slipped from my hand, I turned around to face him

"Big deal? You will celebrate my wife's birthday?" I stood eye to eye with him, Ayesha held my arm

"Mr Khan! Please don't create a scene" she said

"Go outside and wait for me in the car" I snarled at her, she gave me her defiance look

"No wait Ayesha. You will not go anywhere, first you stole my love from me, and now you have a problem with our friendship also" he said and the volcano erupted the lava will burn him now

I grabbed his collar

"How dare you to take her name? She will never be your friend, she is my wife she will only talk to whom I will allow her" I shouted, Ayesha grabbed my hands

"Mr Khan! Leave him" she said, I stared at her angrily

"Tum se to mai baad mei niptunga, abhi isko dekhlu (I will deal with you later. Let me take care of him for now)"

"Athar! What are you doing?" He shouted, he was coughing vigorously

"Bohot shauk hai na tujhe birthday celebrate karne ka, mai kar deta hun tere liye (You really enjoy celebrating birthdays. Let me do it for you)"

My anger worsened when I saw the jasmine decoration, I pulled it down, making sure to destroy every single flower.

Then I turned to the cake, I picked up the knife and stabbed it repeatedly, and took a handful and shoved it in his mouth

"What the ..." He spat

"Next time if you even try to contact my wife, I will not stab the cake, but I will..." I said and put the knife on his throat, "kill you" I pressed the knife on his throat

"I will go with you, leave him please" Ayesha shouted. I dropped the knife

"Take it as my first and the last warning"

I held her hand and dragged her out with me. I was taking her towards my car, but she pulled her hand out of my grip, I turned to her.

"I came here in my car, I will go back in it" she said

"To hell with your car, shut up and let's go" i chewed every word

"I will not go in your car" she crossed her arms over her chest and stood stubbornly. I was burning with anger already and she was just adding fuel to it, I looked around, I saw a huge rock there, it looked heavy, I picked it up and threw it on the windshield of her car, the glass shattered completely, she gasped loudly

"What the hell? My car" she was about to walk towards her car, but i held her

"Now you can't drive it"

I dragged her to my car, opened the door and threw her inside. Then I sat and started driving

"You are a devil" she shouted

"I know" I said

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