chapter 51

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Reem's POV

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I was sleeping peacefully when my ringing phone disturbed me. I groaned and extended my hand to look for my phone. I picked it up, and without looking at the caller, I answered it

"Hello" I said in my sleepy voice

"You are sleeping?" An irritating too loud voice said

"Who the hell is this?" I said getting annoyed

"Hussain speaking yaar"

"Hussain? I thought you went to New York" I said stifling a yawn.

"Yes I am in New York, but we have mobile service here" he said

"What do you want? Let me sleep"

"Ohho Reem! Forget about sleeping, tell me did you see our result is out" my eyes snapped open at his words and I quickly sat straight

"What? Result? It's out?" I shouted

"Relax" he laughed

"Shut up and tell me the result" I said getting nervous

"I got 70%" he said, I rolled my eyes

"Hang up Hussain. I will check my result"

"You got 87%" my eyes widened in surprise

"Really?" I asked getting excited

I looked for Izhaan's phone and quickly checked my result.

"You are the topper of our batch" he said, and I shrieked in excitement

"This is so exciting" I jumped out of the bed

"It is! I'm so proud of you. Congratulations"

"Thank you thank you" I was jumping in joy

"I can imagine you jumping like a little girl" he laughed, "Reem, I want to tell you something"

"Hmm" I hummed

I was not really paying attention on what he was saying. My whole focus shifted on my marksheet, I was carefully studying it.

"Reem" he shouted and that got my attention

"Yeah"

"I said I want your answer" he said, I frowned

What answer?

"Huh?"

"I wanted to say it in person, but there are still ten days for me to return and I couldn't wait anymore" he was saying something which I just couldn't understand

"What are you saying Hussain?" I asked, he sighed deeply

"Please just tell me yes or no"

I opened my mouth to ask him about his question, but couldn't speak when I heard a knock on the door

"Yes?" I asked, the door opened and a maid entered

"Breakfast is ready" she said

"I'm coming" I said, she left immediately

"Hello" I brought my attention back to Hussain. I spoke but there was silence. "Hello" I said again, I removed the phone from my ear and checked it, it was switched off

Oh the battery ran out.

I was going to put my phone on charge, but stopped when the bathroom door opened and Izhaan entered. I got excited seeing him, I threw my phone on the bed and ran to him

"I'm so happy" I shouted and jumped in his arms, he stumbled a little but kept his balance.

"I can see that love, but what is the reason behind it?" He asked circling his arms  around my waist.

"See this" I put a little distance between us and handed him his phone, my marksheet was displayed on the screen.

He took the phone from my hand and looked at it. His face turned too serious, my heartbeat stopped momentarily

Was he expecting more?

A beautiful smile broke on his face, he turned to me and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"Congratulations jaan!" he said with a smile.

"You know Hussain said that I'm the topper of my batch" I smiled

"He told you your result?" An emotion crossed his face which I couldn't decipher

"Yeah" I nodded, he engulfed me completely in a hug.

"I'm proud of you" he put his forehead on mine

"We need to celebrate" I said pulling away from him, he smiled looking at me.

"I'm at your service ma'am! Tell me what I can do for you" he bowed his head at me

"Let's go out for the whole day, it will be so much fun" I said grinning ear to ear, he beamed and held me from the back and put his chin on my shoulder

"We don't need to go out to have fun" he said flirtatiously, I quickly pulled away from him

"Don't you even dare to think about that." I warned him

"Why?" He asked innocently

"Haven't you had enough already? Please take me out" I pleaded, he laughed

"Ok ok! We will go wherever you want to"

"Yay I'll go get ready, you go have breakfast"  I was going into the closet, but he held my hand, I looked at him

"And by the way" he pulled me closer to him, "I can never have enough of you" he said in a deep voice, understanding the meaning of his words I lowered my gaze

"Just let me get ready" I said lightly pushing him while hiding my smile.

"Merciless" he mumbled and left the room.

My mouth dropped open at his accusation. Without wasting any more time, I quickly took out my clothes and ran in the bathroom.

******

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Izhaan's pov

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"Are you tired?" Reem asked for the hundredth time

"No Jaan I'm not" I smiled

"Let me drive" she insisted

"It's fine"

We spent the whole day like she wanted, first we went to her NGO, she took out some work there, I helped her in her work.

After getting done from there, we went to a restaurant and got the food packed, from there we went to the orphanage.

It was a beautiful sight seeing Reem all surrounded by kids, they love her so much and even she cares so much about all the kids.

We had lunch with the kids, then she read them stories, I was just sitting there watching her play with kids, it made me want to have our own kids. Reem would become a perfect mother.

After we got free from the orphanage, I thought I will spend some alone time with my wife, but she wanted to go to meet her beloved zuhan. So we had to go to her professor's house.

It was nice meeting them. I still feel embarrassed when I think that I got jealous of zuhan, but to be honest even today I felt jealous when she was with zuhan, it was like it was just her, and that child for her, she forgot about everyone else even me also.

Mrs Saira didn't let us leave without having dinner, I tried refusing many times but all in vain. Reem went into zuhan's room, so I had to sit with her professor, he was praising non stop, about her grades.

I was feeling so proud of my girl.

My plan of spending alone time with her couldn't be successful, so after leaving from zuhan's house, I took her for a long drive.

And now she thinks that I must be tired after spending such a busy day, but someone please make her understand that I can never be too tired to spend time with her.

These last ten days have brought us very close to each other, every moment I realise that I am so deep in love with her, she makes my life beautiful.

"Thank you for today" she put her head on my shoulder, just her small gesture gave peace to my heart, I wanted to close my eyes and enjoy her company, but it's not possible while driving, I kissed her hair

"Are you happy?" I asked, she looked up at me

"I have never been happier" she smiled.

"You know Reem, I never thought that one day you will become my whole world, there was a time when life looked dark with you, but now I see colours everywhere. Thank you so much Jaan" I said lacing each and every word with love

"I thank dadu and dada ji, they took this decision for us. I'm sure wherever dadu is right now, he must be feeling happy seeing us so in love" her eyes moistened

"Hey! No tears please" I quickly warned her. She just put her head back on my shoulder, and I held her hand, while managing driving with one hand.

The silence in the car was disturbed by my ringtone. I looked at the caller, it said "saali saheba"

"Answer my phone" I told to Reem

"Really?" She rolled her eyes when she saw the name flashing on my screen, I just shrugged

"Hello" she answered the phone, "I forgot my phone at home...... the battery ran out, I will put it on charge once I return home... really? That's great.. of course there will be a party now.. ok... See you tomorrow, bye Gabby" she said and hung up.

When we were on the way to the NGO Reem remembered that she has forgotten her phone at home, so she called Ayesha from my phone to inform her about her result.

"Tomorrow?" I frowned after listening to her one sided conversation.

"They are returning tomorrow" she said excitedly

"What? Why? Weren't they supposed to return after four days?" I asked, she smacked my arm lightly

"It's their house too, they can return whenever they want" she said making faces

"I'm not complaining, I'm just wondering"

"Ayesha was excited about my result, and she wanted a treat, so I told her that if you really want it, then you return to Delhi, that is why she called, to inform that they are returning tomorrow" she said the last part too excitedly, I just nodded my head

"What happened? You are not happy?" She frowned

"We won't have privacy anymore" I pouted

"Khuda ka khauf karo Izhaan aur kitni privacy chahiye (fear Allah Izhaan, how much more privacy you want?)" She rolled her eyes, I laughed at her reaction

"I told you I can never have enough of you" I shrugged, she shook her head

My phone rang again. Reem picked it up immediately, but when she saw the callers name she made a face and put my phone back

"Who is it?" I asked

"Buddy calling" she said

"Answer it, I'm driving" I said, she shook her head, I rolled my eyes. And answered my phone myself

"Yeah?" I said

"Hey buddy we are returning tomorrow" Athar said

"I know that already, Ayesha called"

"Oh ok"

"I'll call you back, I'm driving"

"Oh no need, I just called to inform you. See you tomorrow, bye good night " he said and hung up

"What was that Reem?" I asked her

"I don't like Athar" she said, and my grip tightened on the steering wheel, I didn't like her being disrespectful to Athar

"How many times do I have to tell you that he is older to you? Don't call him with his name, show some respect" I said controlling my anger

"Respect? Even after what he has done how can you expect me to give him respect?" She said, I sighed

"You don't know the whole story"

"I know everything "

"No Jaan, you don't"

"Seriously? Ok, what do you think I don't know? Athar's investment in baba's company?" She asked, and I looked at her in disbelief, how does she know this

"You know?" I asked, she heaved a sigh and then told me about the conversation she overheard between Athar and Shazib

"How can you dislike him even after knowing the whole truth?"

"Because his greatness looks too small infront of the blackmailed marriage"

"Why are you not looking at anything other than that?"

"Like what? Like how he spolied Ayesha's birthday?" She asked, I rolled my eyes

"I agree that he should not have married her that way, but when everyone else can forgive him, why can't you? No mistake is that big that we hold the grudge lifelong" I tried to make her understand with softness

"Allah loves those who forgive, just forgive Athar, and make Ayesha forgive him also, they are married to each other, you should try to bring them closer, not make the distance bigger. Even you know how much she listens to you and now much your opinion matters to her" she just looked at me quietly, so I continued

"You should not keep repeating his negative things, look at the good things he did"

"Like?" She asked

"Like how he put his life in danger to save Ayesha, just because of her he invested a huge amount in a dooming company, I was not in the favour of it, but he said nothing is more important than Ayesha for him"

"But you cannot deny that he was unfair with sufiyan, you are a lawyer than how can you stand injustice?" She asked

"It would have been unfair to sufiyan, if Ayesha got married to him"

"What do you mean?"

"You and your friend, both are dumb " I shook my head

"Excuse me" she glared at me

"Do you think Ayesha had feelings for sufiyan?"

"She didnt"

"And what about feelings for Athar?" She looked at me with a frown

"What are you trying to say, just tell me clearly"

"Ayesha had feelings for Athar"

"Non sense!"

"Believe me, the spark I saw in her eyes while talking with Athar wasn't there when she used to interact with sufiyan. In my profession, we are taught to read faces also, and I am a very keen observer "

"But you cannot know Ayesha better than me"

"Ok! You tell me how she was with them?"

"Ayesha and Athar always fought with each other, but yes, there is one thing, she always used to compare sufiyan with Athar" she said, her eyes widened at the realisation

"See! That's my point"

"Oh my God! You are right"

"Yes my love, I am"

"You know whenever sufiyan treated her well, she used to say why can't Athar treat her like that"

"Athar loves her blindly, that is why he makes mistakes, he is too possessive about her"

"Honestly it was nice of him to help baba in secret"

"Are you happy with me?"

"Of course I am, what kind of a question it is"

"Don't you think Ayesha deserves happiness too? She is too stubborn, she will not acknowledge all the things he is doing for her, you know how much he begged her father for forgiveness. He is doing everything to compensate for his mistake" I said, she sighed heavily

"Give him a chance" I nudged her, she nodded.

We reached home, I parked the car, got off and together we entered the home.

"I'm going to make coffee, you want?" She asked

"You should have told me that you wanted to have coffee when we were out"

"I want homemade coffee" she insisted

"Ok, I'll have too, I'm going in the room"

I came to our room, I quickly did my night regime and laid on the bed, I saw Reem's phone on the bed, I thought of putting it on charge.

I plugged it on the wire and switched it on, the moment it switched on, notifications bombarded, there were messages from Ayesha, hayat, her college friends and so many, all of them were congratulating her, I was about to put her phone down, when one message caught my eyes, it was from her friend Hussain

I wish I could tell in words how happy I am. Thank you so much for coming in my life. And once again congratulations, you make me proud girl

There was something about this message which was not sitting right with me. I was getting bad vibes from this guy.

"Coffee is ready" Reem entered, I put her phone back.

She sat with me and handed me my cup. We both were sitting quietly and just having our coffee, but Hussain's message was disturbing me.

"What kind of a friend Hussain is?" I asked when I couldn't control anymore

"Huh?" She frowned

I picked up her phone and shown her the message

"What is this?" I asked, she read the message, she rolled her eyes.

"He is just happy about me being the topper" she shrugged and put her phone back

"And what does he mean by thanks for coming in my life?"

"I helped him in his studies, that is why he also got good marks" she said and I tightened my lips to stop myself from saying something rude

"Come on Izhaan! There is nothing to be worried about" she said, I finished my leftover coffee in one big gulp and put the cup aside

"I did not like how he messaged you"

"Ok fine! I will talk to him about it later" she said sweetly, but my mood was bad now, I stayed quiet.

She kept her cup on the table. And laid next to me.

"It was fun today" she said putting her head on my chest, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer to me.

"Hmm" I hummed, she closed her eyes and soon she was asleep, but I could not stop thinking about Hussain and the message.

Thank you so much for coming in my life.

I clenched my fist in anger. Some other guy thanking my wife to be in his life. The more I was thinking, the more my mind was exploding. I was just blankly staring at the ceiling.

"Sleep Jaan" Reem put her hand on my eyes.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard what she said, I removed her hand and looked at her, her eyes were closed

"Reem" I called her softly

"Hmmm" she said in a groggy voice, she was talking in her sleep. I pulled her closer and closed my eyes. I tried putting all the thoughts aside and just feel her.

It worked and soon I fell asleep.

****

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Ayesha's pov

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"Look who is back" I shouted as I entered the house

"GABBAR" Reem came running to me when she saw me.

"I missed you" she shouted and we hugged.

"Bhabhi" hayat said excitedly seeing Reem

"Hayat" Reem left me and hugged her, all three of us were giggling in excitement.

"Oh God yeh primary school ke bachhe kahan se aa gaye hamare ghar mei (oh God! From where these primary school's kids have come to our house)" jeeju came

"Seriously bro, these girls are going to make me deaf" Mr Khan said, I turned to look at him, he was standing with his hands on his ears

"Haan to aap dono chale jaiye yahan se, wese bhi hum baccho k beech uncles ki koi zarurat nahi (you both can go from here, anyways uncles are not required between kids)" Reem said, I laughed and we both high fived

"Very nice wifey, she has just come and you are throwing me out already!" Jeeju said to Reem, she just shrugged

"Chal Bhai bas hum dono hi hai ek dusre k liye (it's ok bro, it's only us for each other)" Mr Khan said, then he linked his arm with jeeju and they both went ahead

All of us settled in the living room, I was giving gifts to jeeju and Reem which I got from Chandigarh.

"How are we going to celebrate?" Hayat asked

"Let's order pizza, we will have a movie night" Reem suggested

"Let's go out for a movie" I said

"I was thinking, let's go to Srinagar, soon me and Reem bhabhi will get busy with our studies and rest of you will be busy in office, we only have this time" hayat said

"Hayat. You have just returned from such a long vacation and again you are talking about going on another one" jeeju said

"Ohho Bhai! I am doing this for you and Reem bhabhi, we had fun in Chandigarh, but you guys were at home, it must have been so boring to be alone, what did you guys do?" Hayat asked, and I coughed to tease them.

Mr khan passed me a glass of water. I took it and put it on my lips

"So you told her what kept us busy?" Jeeju whispered in Reem's ear, but it was loud enough for me to hear, I choked on water and began coughing in real.

"You ok?" Mr khan immediately got up to rub my back, but I stopped him

"I'm fine" I said

Since the last incident happened between us, I have been keeping distance from him.

Reem hit jeeju and pushed him away lightly.

"So hayat what were you saying?" Reem asked, hayat repeated her idea

"I'm in. Let us go" Reem said, then she looked at me, "what about you?" She asked

"Fine by me" I shrugged

"But I have a lots of work in the office" Mr Khan said

"I am also busy" jeeju said

"You guys can stay and finish your work, it can be a girl's outing" Reem let out a devilish smile

"Not happening" jeeju shook his head immediately

"Yes, don't even think about it" Mr Khan added.

Hayat's phone rang, she ordered us to finalize the plan and left to answer her phone.

"So?" Jeeju asked

"clear up your work if you want to come with us, I will book our tickets tonight" Reem announced looking between jeeju and Mr Khan. "Let's go" she held my hand and we both left from there and came to her room

"It's good to have you back" Reem said as we settled on the bed

"You are talking as if you had time to miss me" I hit my shoulder on hers

"Shut up" she blushed, "enough about me, now tell me about your trip" she said and I told her everything about the trip

"Looks like you had fun" she said

"Yes I did" I smiled

"And what is happening between you and Athar Bhai?" She said and my eyes widened in surprise

"Bhai?" I asked, she shrugged

"Tell me" she insisted, I sighed and told her everything from the fight to the kiss. I expected her to be angry with Mr Khan, but she surprised me when she squealed

"Oh my god! This is so exciting, you had your first kiss" she clapped her hands. I looked at her in disbelief

"Reem are you ok? You are behaving oddly" I said

"I am just happy for you "

"What is there to be happy? The kiss was with Mr Khan, and I know you hate him"

"Astagfirullah. I don't hate him, how can I hate him. He is such a sweetheart" she said with a smile and I started doubting her mental health

"Something is definitely wrong with you"

"Stop it yaar! What can be wrong with me?"

"You just called Mr Khan sweetheart, don't you remember he is the guy you have always hated"

"It was all in the past" she said, I was so shocked to see her new Avatar

"Past? Really?"

"Look Ayesha, I know what Athar Bhai did to you was very wrong, but you cannot keep it against him for life, he is your husband, you will have to forgive him eventually, so why not just do it now. Try to remember all the good things he has done for you. And don't forget Allah loves those who forgive." She played like a record

"Oh to wakeel sahab ne sikhaya hai yeh sab (oh so Mr lawyer has taught you all this?)" I narrowed my eyes at her

"No! There's nothing like that"

"Of course there is, you are speaking his language"

"Forget about all this?" She dismissed the topic, "how was the kiss? What did you feel about it?" She asked and the incident played in my head

"I felt bad when he was about to kiss me but stopped, and when he actually kissed me, I still felt bad" I shared my confusion

"So, you want him to come close to you or not?"

"I don't know"

"I think you are falling in love with him" she said stupidly

"Love? No way! There can never be love between me and him"

"But Ayesha he is your husban...."

"Enough Reem! You are irritating me now"

"Ok ok. Let's just forget it for now, let me open the present you got for me" she smiled

She got busy seeing her stuff. After the boys confirmed we booked the tickets and started preparing for yet another vacation.