chapter 43

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Ayesha's pov

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"You look very happy today Bhai" hayat said to Mr Khan

"I am very happy, my wife is going to join office with me today" he held my hand, I quickly pulled it away.

We were at the dining table having breakfast with the whole family, this guy has no shame

"I think we should leave now" Mr Khan said looking at me, I gave a small nod

"Ayesha beta you are going back there as the owner, the company belongs to you as much as it belongs to Athar. You will have a lot more bigger duties and responsibilities" dada ji said

"Don't worry abba, I have seen how she works, I have absolute confidence in her, she will be a gem for our company" papa said, I was feeling a little embarrassed because of their high appreciation

"Don't shy away from telling Athar that he is wrong if he actually is according to you" dada ji said

"Ayesha? And shy away? Yeah right" I heard Mr Khan scoffing, I glared at him

"But don't forget you are his wife also, walk beside him hand in hand, be his support, fulfill the duties of being a wife" dadi said

I should just go from here, it's getting really awkward.

"Just enjoy yourself beta, forget everything else" maa smiled at me

"If you guys are done, can we go now?" Mr Khan asked

"I'll just quickly go and say bye to Reem" I said

"She is still sleeping" jeeju said, till now I was not even aware of his presence. I nodded

I got up and bid bye to everyone then left from there.

I'm going to open a new chapter of my life today, I will join the office, not as an intern, not as an employee, but as the owner, my heart was pounding in my chest

Mr Khan stood next to me. I quickly turned to him

"I will go in my car" I said before he could think that we were going to ride together

"But Ayesha you sent..."

"No but, Mr Khan. You used dadi to convince me to go to the office, but that doesn't mean that you can force your will on me" I said with seriousness, but Allah knows why he looked amused, with a smile on his face he was looking at me, it made me even more angry

"Mrs Khan, I was saying, it's better to go together beca...."

"Stop calling me with that name. And no, I don't have to go with you, and that is my final decision" I said angrily and left from there to my car.

I came to my parking and found the spot empty, where is my car? I wondered. It must be Mr Khan, only he can stoop so low that just to stop me from my car he removed it. I will not spare him

"Bhabhi, any problem?" A guard came running to me

"Where is my car?" I asked

"You only sent it for servicing yesterday in the morning" he replied

Oh God! I remember I sent it, but at that time I didn't know that I'll be going to office from today, damn.

What should I do now?

Oh yes, I can take Reem's car. I turned to go inside the house, but stopped immediately if I go back inside everyone will keep on asking me why didn't I go with Mr Khan.

No issue, I will book a cab. I took out my phone and opened the app, but it said, "no car available" there was some stupid  protest, no public transport will be available for a week

"Aahhh kya musibat hai (what the hell is this?)"

A car came by and stop next to me, I turned to look at it, Mr Khan was sitting inside, he was adjusting the music system, then he pulled down the mirror and looked at him.

"What is he doing?" I wondered.

I knew what he was upto, I heaved a sigh and went towards the passenger seat, the door was already open, I sat inside. I ignored his irritating chuckle

"Oh you?" He faked being surprised to see me. I felt like hitting his head with something so hard that all of his drama ends instantly

"Yeah! I thought when we are going at the same place, why should we go separately? You know how expensive petrol is these days? So, why not save some!" I shrugged

"Yeah right! I believe you" he smirked, I ignored him and looked outside

He swirled the steering wheel and brought us on the road.

I can't deny the pop corn popping sensation in my stomach, I am quite excited about going back to the office. Staying at home is not my cup of tea and I have realised it.

A small smile appeared on my face looking at the beautiful morning. Somewhere I was feeling happy about this start.

Soon we reached the office, he stopped the car and parked it, together we got off and walked towards the elevator. As soon as it came, I quickly ran and blocked the way for him. He looked at me in confusion

"What are you doing?" He asked

"You cannot enter the lift when I am in it" I said stubbornly

"Huh? Why?"

"Isn't it a rule you set yourself, that when the boss is in the lift, nobody else can enter!" I said, he looked stunned by my actions.

When the door was about to close he put his foot in between making it open again.

"You.." words died in my throat when he pushed himself in the elevator, he caged me in the corner, making it impossible for me to move

Once the door closed completely he moved to the other side, away from me

"What kind of a childish behaviour is this?' he crossed his arms at his chest

"Childish? Not at all! Dada ji said I am joining as the owner, so I am behaving like that, I am a very obedient girl I always listen to my elders" I shrugged, a smirk appeared on his face

"Oh really!" He said and took a step closer to me, "if you are really so obedient and you always listen to your elders, then you should not forget what dadi said" another step closer to me

Dadi said something? I thought hard about what was it

"Don't forget you are his wife"

"fulfill the duties of being a wife"

Her words rang in my head, my eyes grew wide, before I could say anything he was standing next to me. He put his arm on my waist

"Fulfill your duties" he said and started leaning forward, I put my finger on his chest to stop him from coming any closer

"Mr Khan" I gave him a warning glare, but it had no effect on him

"Yes, Mrs Khan" he smiled

"What are you doing?" I asked

"Helping you in fulfilling your duties of being my wife"

I pushed him away.

"Behave yourself" I shouted

"You only said that you listen to elders, so I'm helping you with that" his smirk grew. I pushed him away

"Don't try to be oversmart. Stay away from me" I pointed a finger at him, he laughed, "jerk" I said

The elevator reached the 25th floor, I marched outside the moment the door opened

I went straight to my cubicle but was shocked to see it gone, there was some desk kept and a few unseen faces were sitting there, with their eyes stuck on the computer screen

"What the hell!" I said

"All ok, Mrs Khan" he asked standing behind me

"What is this? Where will I sit?" I asked in annoyance

"You are the boss now, right?" He said, I looked at him, he held my elbow and made me walk with him

We stopped infront of his cabin, my eyes widened when I saw a name plate of "Mr and Mrs Khan" hanging on the door, I stared at him in disbelief

"Aren't you taking it too far" I glared at him, he just shrugged

"Let's go" he walked in his room, I stomped my foot but followed him nonetheless

Everything in the room looked exactly the same, there was no other adjoining room, or anything else

"Where will I sit?" I asked

"Here" he pointed at something, I looked at it, I rolled my eyes in annoyance

There was a chair kept next to his, was he expecting us to share a table

"This?" I looked at him with questioning eyes

"You will sit next to me"

"Are you out of your mind? How can you even expect that I will agree?"

"You have no other choice" he shook his head

I wanted to punch him unconscious, is he really going to torture me like this now?

I knew he would never let me get out of this room, but that doesn't mean, I will sit with him

"I need my seperate desk" I said

"Why?" He asked

"Its either separate desks or separate rooms" I narrowed my eyes at him

"Fine" he said, then he called someone, I settled on the couch, while a lot of people were entering and exiting the room

Within an hour there was a table kept right in front of his, and it was arranged for me

"Even better. Now you can stay in front of my eyes all the time" he smiled, I rolled my eyes

All the workers left the room, it was just me and him in the room. He picked up his phone and called Rose in the room

It reminded me she wasn't there when I entered the room, suddenly I was excited to meet her.

There was a knock on the door, I opened my mouth to speak but closed it back when Mr Khan shouted and gave his consent

The door opened and Rose entered, I smiled at her, but her face was too serious

"Good morning sir! Good morning ma'am" she said looking at him, then at me

"Ma'am? Have you gone crazy? Call me by my name" I said, she looked at Mr Khan, he gave her a glare

"I can't, ma'am." She gave me a professional smile, then she turned to Mr Khan, "should I tell you about your timetable?" She asked, he nodded. She began telling him about his schedule.

"Is that all?" He asked, she nodded, "you may leave" he said

"Wait" I said, but she still left

I got up to go after her

"Ayesha wait" he said, I stopped, he stood up and came to me

"She is not supposed to call you by your name, so don't force her"

"I will decide that" I gave him a challenging look

"Ok" he chuckled as if he was mocking me, then he went back to his seat, I made my way to Rose, I found her sitting on her chair, when she saw me she immediately stood up

"May I help you with something ma'am?" She asked

"Are you out of your mind? Why are you behaving like this?"

"You are my boss, and I'm treating you that way"

"Oh shut up Rose, you are the only friend I made in this office and now you are behaving like this" I said, but she stayed quiet

"Is there anything I can help you with, ma'am?" She asked, I rolled my eyes and returned to my desk

"So? Did she do what you told her?" He asked

"Go to hell" I shouted, he laughed

Is it his plan now? To irritate me like this all the time, I won't let that happen. I won't let him win.

*****

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Izhaan's pov

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I returned to the room after having breakfast, the bed was empty now, Reem must have woken up. I wanted to talk to her, I wanted to find out what's the matter with her.

I looked at the time, I had to go for an important meeting, but there's still a lot of time for that, the first half of the day I'm free, but will be super busy in the second half

I went into the closet to take out my clothes, this stupid sickness wasted my two days already, but now I have to get back to work

After taking out my clothes I was going back in the room, suddenly I came face to face with Reem.

She got startled and looked down, My heartbeat raised when I looked at her wet hair and a few drop of water on her face, she was looking breathtaking.

I took a step forward, She took a step back. I held her waist and pulled her to me. She gasped

"Good morning Jaan" I whispered in her ear, then kissed on her earlobe, she immediately freed herself and moved away

"What happened?" I asked

"I have to go to Ayesha" she said and was about to run away, but I held her dupatta

"She has already gone to the office"

"I have to go to Hayat" she looked so nervous

"She has gone to the college for her admission procedure" I stood behind her, she took a step away from me

"Dadi must be calling me" she said in a whisper

"I'm sure she isn't" I came closer to her and wrapped my arms around her, she was smelling like ocean water, it was driving me mad

I gathered all her hair and put over one shoulder. I leaned down

"What's the matter?" I asked

"Hmmm" her breathing was ragged

"Are you running away from me?" I said, she pulled out of my arms

"Maa is calling me" she said and ran away

Oh! She runs away because our proximity overwhelms her.

Shit! I scared her off. Damn it! What is wrong with me, she clearly said she needs some time. I have to really control my desires from going haywire.

I went to the bathroom, took a shower, and then I got dressed. I was putting gel in my hair when there was a notification on my phone. I picked it up to check

It was a threatening message from some criminal, against whom I'll be fighting the case.

He said either I leave the case or get ready to die. I laughed and put down my phone. If he thinks, I'm going to get scared of this empty threat. He's highly mistaken.

Reem's phone rang, I turned around to check it. It was a call from her university. I answered

It was a call from the library, there were some books which she had to return by today. I looked at the time there was still a lot of time for my meeting, I can definitely take her to the university. I will talk to her also

I came down in the living room she was sitting with maa, I told her about the call and told her to get ready, I will take her to the university.

She was reluctant, but agreed to come with me when maa insisted.

I sat on the driving seat, while she was on the passenger seat. She was twirling her dupatta between her fingers, looking at her in this traditional attire made me so happy, I can proudly say now that my wife cares about what I like and what I dislike.

"You look beautiful" I said, she looked at me, then she looked outside the window.

"I'm sorry Reem" I sighed, she frowned at me

"You clearly told me that you need more time, still...." I trailed off, I hope she understood what I meant.

"But don't run away from me jaan, I promise I will control myself more. But can you really blame me? I mean, look at you, you are so awesome, so beautiful, everything about you make me lose myself, then how can I?" I said more to myself than her. She looked nervous, I exhaled heavily

"What do you feel for me?" I asked, she looked at me with wide eyes.

"Do you love me?" I asked, I already knew the answer, but I wanted her to say it

"Izhaan, please" she said in a warning tone

"I know you have feelings for me"

"I don't" she said in a high tone, I chuckled

"Yeah yeah baby, keep telling yourself that"

"I am telling you th...." She was cut off when I suddenly turned the steering wheel too hard

"What was that?" She gasped loudly

"Are you ok?" I asked, she nodded

Some stupid guy was trying to overtake us and in the process he almost hit my car, thank God I turned the car quickly otherwise it would have collided with another car.

"Some stupid guy" I said

We reached the university, I told her that I'd be waiting for her in the car. It will anyways take her hardly any time.

****

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Reem's POV

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I entered the library, it still feels weird not finding Saira ma'am here. Wherever I see how happy Zuhan is with his new family. I feel so peaceful

I returned the books and was now on my way back to Izhaan, I was thinking about what he said to me, I really need to find out about my feelings for him. This cannot keep going on.

I didn't realize when someone came in front of me and I bumped into him, I looked up and found Hussain smiling down at me

"Assalamualaikum madam" he said

"Walekumassalam. What are you doing here?" I asked

" I came for some work, then I saw you here and thought of saying a "hi". What are you doing here?"

" I came to return the library books"

"Awesome! Now stay here. I will call the gang"

"No not right now, I'm in a little hurry. Some other time"

"Ok! At least have coffee with me" he held my hand and dragged me out of the library.

"Hussain" I tried to stop him. But he didn't stop till we reach the cafeteria

"I really have to go. I'm sorry" I said, he stared deep in my eyes

"You look different Reem, even your clothes are different and there is peace on your face. What have you been doing these days?" He asked

Spending time with my husband! He is my peace and right now he is waiting for me in the car.

Hussain took both of my hands in his and took a step closer to me. I looked at him awkwardly

"I have been wanting to tell you something." He said

"What?" I asked

"Reem I know it has hardly been anytime since we have known each other, but you are such an amazing girl" he said

"Thank you so much" I smiled, suddenly he looked too nervous.

"Reem" he said and took another step closer to me, "I am in lo...." He was cut off by my loud ringtone, I pulled out my hands from his grip and took out my phone, "jackass calling" was flashing on my screen

"Who's jackass?" He asked

"I really have to go, I'll see you later" I patted his cheek and left.

I came running in the parking lot, I could see him sitting in the car from afar, something caught my eye, There was the same black car in the parking lot which almost hit us today

"Must be some stupid student" I shook my head

I opened the door of the car and settled inside.

" What took you so long?" He asked

" Hussain was there"

"Who's Hussain?"

"He is my friend, I told him repeatedly that I had to go, but he was not willing to let me go without having a cup of coffee with him" his face turned hard

"So you had coffee with him?" He said in an angry tone

"Of course not" I shook my head, he glared at me and then looked outside, he was holding the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were turning white. What is wrong with him? I put my hand on his

"Izhaan! What happened?" I asked softly, he held my hand and hid his forehead in my palms, then he heaved a deep and a cold sigh, it looked like he was trying to control himself, but why?

"You want to have coffee, I will take you for that" he said

"No! I..." Words died in my throat when he glared at me.

What the hell have I done? Why is he showing this unnecessary attitude to me? Jackass..

I noticed that the black car also left with us. Strange.

We reached a cafeteria, we settled in a corner table. He gave the order, and was now looking normal

"What happened to you?" I asked

"Nothing" he shook his head

"You looked upset in the car" I said, he sighed

"I was just jealous of Hussain" he shrugged, my mouth dropped open, I looked at him in awe, I didn't know why but I was really liking something.

He continued telling me about his plan for the day, but I was lost in my thoughts, not really listening to what he was saying.

He snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Hello! What are you thinking?" He asked, I shook my head, feeling slightly ashamed of being caught red handed, he smiled sweetly, I guess he understood what was going in my head

The waiter came with a bill, his card machine was not working, so Izhaan had to go with him till the cash counter.

I looked outside and saw the same black car, a shiver ran down my spine, I could see a shady looking guy sitting inside the car, it terrified me. It can't be a coincidence

"Let's go" Izhaan returned, I held his hand and made him sit on the chair again

"Izhaan, that man has been following us since morning" I said carefully pointing at the car, he turned around to look at it, "it's the same car which almost hit us" I reminded him

He looked deep in thought for a moment then he spoke

"I need to get you home" he said and got up

"Who is he?" I asked

"Let's just go home"

He held my hand and pulled me with him. We sat in the car and left for home, I turned around to look for the car

"It's still following us" I said

"Ignore it" he said, then we reached home.

We came straight to our room. He went into the closet and collected his bag and a few folders

"I'm going now, I'll return late" he said

"Who was it Izhaan?" I repeated my question

"I don't know" he said

"Why do I feel that you are hiding something from me?" I asked, he sighed

He put everything down from his hand, then he came near me. He held my waist and gave me a small hug, I felt warmth in his hug

Before he could say anything his phone rang, he stood straight but kept his hold on my waist. He took out his phone from his pocket and answered it

"Hello" he said, I heard a male voice from the other end, "shaurya?" He said

"Not out... Dangerous.. please" I faintly heard his voice, Izhaan left me and went into the closet

"Dude try to understand I can't stay at home. By the way, have security outside my house" he was saying

I followed him and listened to his conversation

"Oh come on! It's not serious for me" he was saying, his back was at me.

"I am a criminal lawyer and I have faced many threats in my life, nobody does anything, they just try to scare me. But I'm not falling for it" my heart was beating crazily in my ribcage, I clenched my fist, they were turning sweaty

"I am not going to stay at home shaurya" he hung up the call, then he turned around. His eyes grew big when he saw me

"I should go now" he said, he was picking up his stuff when I asked him

"What was that? Threat?" I asked

"Nothing jaan" he put his hand on my cheek, I slapped it away

"Enough! You tell me what's going on right now" I shouted, "who is shaurya? And what was he saying?"  He heaved a sigh, then he told me everything, about the threat, about shaurya's warning to stay at home.

That black car's guy image floated in my head, so it was not a coincidence, he was purposely trying to hit our car. Fear ran in my body.

"I have told you everything now, ok? May I go now?" He asked

"No" I screamed, "you are not going anywhere. You will stay at home" I said, he rolled his eyes

"See this is why I didn't want to tell anything to you. Now you will worry for no reason"

"No reason? You think it's a small reason"

"Yes jaan. It's not the first time I've got a threat, everything will be alright " he said coolly, he was about to walk away, but I held his hand

"No Izhaan, you will not go anywhere. He is the one who has been following us since morning, you knew it and yet you were hiding from me." I panicked, "please don't go, why do you want to take a risk? No no please no" I was saying, he cupped my cheeks

"Jaan! Relax! There's nothing to worry about" he said, my fear formed tears in my eyes

"Izhaan please" I said, he sighed

"Ok. I will not go" he nodded, a smile formed on my lips

"Really?" I asked, he nodded

"Thanks" I grinned

"And you say you have no feelings for me" he shook his head and walked back into the closet.

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