chapter 50

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Ayesha's pov

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I was looking for clothes to wear when Mr Khan came in the room.

"Get ready quickly we are going to the office" he said, I turned to glare at him

"I mean, do you want to come to the office with me?" he quickly rephrased his question, I turned around to hide my smile from him

"Ok" I said in a stern voice.

"I'm waiting for you" he said and left.

To be honest even I'm tired of living like this, but at the same time I feel after what he has done with me, I should just not forgive him so soon and so easily.

After getting dressed, I took out my bag and picked up my new phone, and made way to the living room, where everyone was seated.

"Baba you are worrying for no reason, everything is fine" Mr Khan was saying to baba, I stopped outside to eavesdrop

"He is right beta, Ayesha has to change her attitude with you" mumma said, I rolled my eyes.

Are they really my parents? Now they have given an opportunity to Mr Khan to belittle me.

"If her behaviour bothers us so much, then I don't know how your parents take it, they must always be questioning her upbringing" baba said

I felt my heart getting broken, I decided to go inside and talk to him, before Mr khan take advantage of the situation. My step faltered when I heard Mr Khan

"Like I said, you are worrying for no reason. My whole family loves and adores Ayesha to no end, you have seen Hayat's behaviour, rest are no different than that. Ayesha is much more dearer to everyone than I am. And it is not only because my family is too good, Ayesha has been like a blessing to us, our house is full of life because of her, the way she gives respect and love to everyone made my head bowed to her" Mr Khan said with a smile.

My mouth dropped open, what is he talking?

"Baba, mumma, I know our marriage was not a prosperous occasion for everyone, but believe me it was all my idea, Ayesha never wanted to marry me that way, but I left no choice for her. I apologise to both of you. I would have told you the reason behind our marriage also, but I'm too afraid to lose the affection I get from you both" he said with lowered head and for the first time he looked so innocent to me, like a child who is admitting his mistake but at the same time is afraid of the punishment also.

"We don't want to know the reason, we have now fully accepted your marriage, yes, it took us time, but now you are like a son to us" mumma said lovingly patting Mr Khan's head

"After getting to know you I am very happy with Ayesha's decision, you are the perfect match for her, I feel so happy when I look at you both" baba's eyes moistened

I peaked in and saw the scene infront of me. My parents looked so happy with the guy sitting with them, they could not stop praising him and even he was reciprocating their feelings. My lips curled up in a smile.

"Wassup bhabhi" hayat said, I jumped, "why you hiding like this"

"Aa ummm no" I hesitated, I just got caught red handed, "me and Mr Khan are going to the office, why don't you come with us?" I asked changing the topic.

"No thanks! I have to teach aunty" she replied

"Teach mumma? What?"

"We are going to bake my favourite hazelnut cookies together" she said excitedly

"Really? Wow that's amazing"

"Can we go now?" Mr Khan came.

"Good morning" hayat smiled at him. He gave her a quick hug

"Good morning kiddo! I heard you are going to do some baking today" he patted her cheek lovingly

Even he knew! Why am I so unaware about what is happening in the house!

"Oh yes! Aunty and I are gonna have so much fun" hayat grinned, Mr Khan laughed

"Enjoy yourself and save some for me" he said, then he turned to me, "shall we go now?"

"Let me just say bye to mumma" I bid goodbye to everyone and then left with Mr Khan.

We reached the office quickly. He parked the car and we exited it together and walked to the elevator, he pressed the number 20 and then we were on our way to his office.

Why does he like to be on the top? Even in Delhi his office is on 25th floor and here it is 20th.

"I like height" he answered my unasked question, I looked at him. "I like to be on the top because of two reasons, one I have told you already, and other one is to keep an eye on everything. I like to stay well aware about what is going on in my office" he said, I just nodded my head.

The lift stopped and we exited. I have only come here once, I don't remember this place.

"Good morning sir" a man and a woman came to Mr Khan quickly

"Mr Samad and Mrs Naina, please meet my wife Ayesha Siddiqui" he introduced me to them

"Good morning ma'am" they said in unison. I replied with a smile.

I expected him to introduce me as Mrs Khan, but he surprised me by using my maiden name.

Till we reached his cabin he introduced me to countless people.

"How is it?" He asked looking around the room.

"Nice" I praised.

"Coffee? Tea? Anything?" He asked

"Nah I'm good" I shook my head, I was busy in looking around.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" Mr Khan said, the door opened and a guy entered.

"Yes Naveen?" Mr Khan asked.

"Sir! You have a meeting with Mr Khandelwal in fifteen minutes." He said

"Yeah! I remember it"

"Ok sir! I will just go and see if the conference room is ready" he said and was about to leave when Mr Khan stopped him

"Would you like to be in the meeting or you want to see the whole office?" He asked me

"I want to see the office" I replied quickly. I was honestly eager to see every corner of the office.

"Ok!" He smiled at me, then turned to the guy, "send Miss Rohini to my room" he said, the guy nodded and left.

****

I was done seeing the office, it was so big that it took me almost two hours, Mr Khan was still in the meeting, I came to his room and waited for him.

To kill time I was just reading random files. A knock on the door broke my concentration from the design I was studying

"Yes?" I said loudly

The door opened and some lady entered, she had a tray in her hand, she put it on the coffee table

"I didn't ask for it" I said

"Sir ordered " she clarified

"Ok" I nodded, she left.

I looked at the tray, there was coffee along with cookies and sandwiches. I took out my phone and called Reem

"Can I call you back?" She answered on the last ring.

"Just hang up" I heard jeeju's faint voice, I laughed

"Sorry to disturb you guys, carry on " I said, I could hear her shouting at jeeju, I hung up the call. I laughed loudly thinking about them, just then the door opened and Mr Khan entered.

"What's the joke?" He asked, I shook my head immediately

"Nothing"

"Ok" he didn't press on the subject, then he sat on the chair next to me.

"How did you like the office?" He asked

"It was good" I said plainly, I could not tell him about things I didn't like. He is hardly here, and his absence from here was evident from the arrangements done in the office, Delhi branch is so much better than this one.

"Wait" he went to his table and picked up the phone, he pressed a number

"Come to my cabin" he said

Within a minute there was a knock on the door, and Rohini entered

"Yes sir" she said

"Miss Rohini, sit with my wife and ask her about the changes she would like to make in the office, and I want that changes within three days." He ordered, I looked at him.

Why is he doing this? What is wrong with him all of a sudden? What has gotten into him? How is he reading my mind?

"Sure sir" she nodded at him, "ma'am would y..."

"Come in half an hour, let her have coffee peacefully" he said, she nodded then left.

What is this now? Is this his new way of troubling me? But he is not troubling me.

Oh god! This guy is driving me crazy.

"You want to ask something?" He asked, I shook my head.

"Ok" he shrugged.

****

It was evening now when we left the office. I kinda had fun today. But I still didn't understand the reason behind his behaviour.

I guess he was trying to show to his staff what a great husband he is. What else can be his motive!

We were in the car, on our way to home. I was thinking about the whole day. I realised he took a wrong turn.

"Mr Khan! You took a wrong turn, this is not the way to home" I corrected him, I knew he is not familiar with Chandigarh roads

"We are not going home" he smiled

"Then? Where are we going?" I asked

"It's a surprise" he said

I stayed quiet and just kept looking outside, trying to figure out where he was taking me.

The car stopped in a restaurant's parking. Oh so he got me here to have dinner with him.

He quickly parked the car and got off, he walked to my side and opened the door for me, I stepped out.

We entered the restaurant, he stopped at the reception.

"We have a reservation with the name "Athar Khan" he said to the receptionist

"This way, sir" she quickly led us to our table, "your guests are awaiting" she said, I frowned at her words

"Guests?" I wondered.

I gasped when I reached the table. I looked at the large table filled with all of my school and university friends.

"Oh my god! What are you guys doing here?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeh achha hai khud invite kar k kehti ho hum yahan kya kar rahe hai (that's funny! You invited us yourself and now you are asking what are we doing here?)" Adhiraj laughed

"Actually it was a surprise for Ayesha" Mr Khan said, then he helped me in settling down and sat next to me.

"I thought you guys could not attend our reception, so why not have a mini celebration here, my wife anyways miss you guys too much" Mr Khan said

"I don't think Ayesha misses us, she got married so secretly" Rida shook her head

"That is also my fault, I was so desperate to marry her, that I didn't give her time to think and got married immediately " again he spoke, I was just looking at him. Why is he behaving so strangely.

"However the wedding happened we don't care, Ayesha is happy, that's all that matters" Nitya held my hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Why are you so quiet? I know you must be feeling so special about yourself that you are having dinner with people like me, but you need to come out of trance and mingle with us" Farhan winked at me, I looked at Mr Khan he was busy in talking with Shitij.

Throwing all the thoughts at the back of my head, I just focused on my friends. Everybody was having fun, even Mr Khan kept talking with everyone.

To be honest, I was having fun. I missed it.

After a long dinner, it was time to leave. One by one everyone left. Now it was me, Farhan, nitya and Mr Khan in the parking lot.

"You guys are coming tomorrow for dinner at my place" she invited me and Mr Khan.

"With all due respect Nitya, let Ayesha come alone, she will enjoy some privacy with you all" Mr Khan made an excuse.

"No excuses! This dinner is for both of you., My parents want to meet you jeeju" nitya said

"We'll definitely come" I quickly said. Nitya beamed and pinched my cheeks lightly

"That's like a good girl"

Farhan stood next to me

"You know what Athar, it was really nice spending time with you, I used to think you are a typical rich spoiled arrogant brat, but no, you are nothing like that, I'm happy Ayesha is in safe hand" Farhan smiled looking at Mr Khan, then at me.

Mr Khan smiled and without making it obvious, he stood between me and Farhan, he put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me to him

"Yeah! She is definitely in safe hands" he replied while looking at me.

I stifled a smile, how beautifully he claimed his right on me, typical Mr Khan.

"Ok guys, now don't start your PDA, my little heart won't be able to take it. I better leave before that" Farhan said, then he held Nitya's hand, then they both left, I laughed at his drama

"Shall we go?" He asked, I nodded

We sat in the car and left for home. I was looking at him and wondering what could be the reason behind these major changes.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked

"Yes please" he replied without looking at me

"Why did you introduce me as Ayesha Siddiqui, not as Ayesha Athar Khan?" I couldn't stop myself from asking

He grinned at my question.

"I was expecting this question" he said, "it's your name, so it should be your decision if you want to change it or not" he just shrugged. "I hope you liked the surprise"

"Hmm thank you"

"You are most welcome, Mrs Khan" he nodded

"Mrs Khan?" I questioned, he laughed

"If I'm your Mr Khan, you have to be my Mrs Khan, if you don't want me to call you by this name, then start calling me athar" he smirked, I shook my head and looked outside and then the rest of the journey was passed in silence.

****

After we reached home, we sat with everyone for a while. Tried cookies made by mumma and Hayat.

It was almost midnight when I was going to my room, I saw baba busy on the laptop, he was sitting on the recliner chair just near my room

"You are still up" I asked

"Yeah! Just finishing off some work" he replied without taking his eyes off the screen

"You want something?"

"Nah! I'm good. Thank you beta. You go to sleep now" He said sweetly, I nodded and went in my room.

Mr khan was already in bed, he was doing something in his phone, I quickly changed my clothes and got to the bed.

I looked around for my comforter but it wasn't there, I checked in the cupboard, but there was none. I thought of bringing the one from guest's room, but then I remembered baba is sitting outside what will I tell him.

What the hell is this! I groaned.

I looked at Mr Khan, he was lying down peacefully, I laid next to him, and pulled the whole comforter on me, he sat straight

"Excuse me, Mrs Khan, it's mine" he said

"Now it's mine" I said with a victorious smile

"No it's not. Get your own" he pulled it away from me. I pulled it again. We kept on fighting over a blanket, he rolled his eyes and pulled the blanket so hard that I fell on him.

Everything stilled, he was lying down in the middle of my bed and I was on top of him. I was about to pull back but he held my shoulders and flipped our position, he was on top now, I was just looking at him

He caressed my cheek, with his thumb, my heart was beating so crazily, that for a moment I thought it'll break my ribs.

His eyes stopped at my lips, I gulped. He held my face and leaned in, my breath hitched when I realised his intention. He was closing the gap between us

I couldn't take away my eyes from him, I was looking at him, there was hardly an inch distance between our lips, suddenly he pulled back and moved away. I couldn't even move from my position.

"You can keep the blanket" he said, I immediately got up, he laid down to his side and turned his back at me. I felt so dejected, I quickly got to my side

What was I doing? Was I really letting him kiss me? Why did he stop? Do I want him to really kiss me?

Ugh!!! I will just not think about all these questions and just go to sleep.

*****

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Athar's POV

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I asked Ayesha, if she wants to go to the office with me, she refused. She said that she has an all day plan with Hayat. So I went to office alone.

I don't know what got into me, why I was not being able to control myself last night, i got in my senses at the last moment so I stopped myself, otherwise Ayesha would hate me.

I have already done so bad with her that I don't want to be unfair to her anymore, I will not make her do something she doesn't want.

She openly complained that I force her into things, and I don't want that to keep happening.

One thing I have learned from the last fight we had, in my jealousy I become a very mean person, and I behave very badly with her. Just to compensate for all my past mistakes and to welcome positivity in life, I decided that I will give my two hundred percent in this relationship.

I had back to back meetings in the office, it was evening now and I was sitting with my employees discussing about the location of some project. My phone rang, it was Ayesha's call

"Hello" I answered my phone

"When are you returning? You remember we have to go for the dinner" she said.

Oh shit! I really forgot about that.

"Yeah yeah I remember! I was just leaving" I lied

"I'm almost ready, come quickly" she ordered

"I'm on my way" I said and hung up.

I quickly postponed all the pending work on tomorrow and got up from there. I quickly left the office.

In no time I reached Ayesha's parents house. I met mumma in the living room, I sat with her for a while for courtesy's sake

"You go and get ready, you must be getting late" she said after a while, I nodded and left to get ready

I opened the door and entered the room, Ayesha was standing in front of a dressing table and curling her hair.

I froze in my spot when I saw her, she looked so mesmerizing. She was wearing black colour anarkali dress, I could see her long white arms from the see through fabric. Even her hand looked so beautiful.

Her long glossy locks of hair was inviting me to touch them, I wonder if they will feel as soft as they look, I clenched my fist to stop myself from touching her hair.

Finally I looked at her face, "flawless". She is the epitome of beauty. Her long eyelashes and a thin line of eyeliner on her eyelids was driving me crazy.

My heart missed a beat when I looked at her red lips. Oh god! How can someone be so beautiful. Wait her lips are moving, that means she is saying something, but what!

I shook my head and tried concentrating on what she was saying

"Wrong with you" she was saying

"Huh?" I asked, she rolled her eyes

"I'm asking what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing" I shook my head smiling sheepishly

"Please go and get ready, we have to leave soon" she said

"Wait! Are you really going to wear such a dark lipstick?" I asked

"Excuse me!" She raised her eyebrows

Ayesha always use natural colours and now her red lips were looking so seductive, I can't bear anyone else seeing them like this. Farhan will also be there. I am already showing too much patience when it comes to him

"Remove your lipstick" I said seriously, she looked at me

"What?" She frowned

"I don't want you to wear this lipstick infront of everyone"

"What's wrong with you Mr Khan?"

Ignoring her stupid protest, I pulled out a tissue paper from the box and extended it towards her, but she pushed my hand away.

"Don't test my patience Ayesha" I said narrowing my eyes.

"So, all niceness finished already? It was just a game of one day?" She said sarcastically, I was getting angry at her now

"You are looking super hot with red lips, I don't want anyone to look at you"

"Well that's not your choice to make" she said with attitude and was about to turn around, when I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her to me, without giving her time to think I smashed my lips on hers

I held her firmly and wiped off her lipstick with my mouth, she put her hands on my chest and tried pushing me away

I pulled back and looked at her. She looked mad, but to hell with her anger now, I will do anything for her, but certain things she will have to follow

"How dare you?" She shouted in anger

"You forced me to do it" I shrugged, "I'm going to get ready now, and don't put the lipstick back, I won't shy away to do it again" I walked into the closet, ignoring her curses.

I promised myself to never force her into anything, but she drives me mad.

After taking out my clothes I went to the washroom. I smiled when I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My whole mouth was red.

I recalled the softness of her lips against mine, it was wrong of me, but damn! It felt so good.

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