chapter 56

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Ayesha's pov

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"I'm ready, let's go" Mr Khan and I were just leaving for the office when Emma also came. I looked at her in irritation

"You are also coming?" Mr khan asked her

"Obviously" she said putting her hand on Mr Khan's shoulder.

I glared at her hand then at her face.

"What will you do in the office? Stay at home with us, we will have fun" dadi said holding her hand, the same one which was kept on Mr Khan's shoulder

"I will give my expert advices to Athar, he really enjoyed my company yesterday, I am sure he wants me in the office today as well, right Athar?" She grinned at him

"Hmm? yeah" he said, dadi narrowed her eyes at him

"I'm waiting outside, let's go Ayesha" he said and left. Emma quickly ran after him. Dadi heaved a sigh

"Beta! You should speak up, tell this Emma to stay away from Athar with complete right" she patted my cheek lovingly

"How can I say that, she is his friend" I said

"Yes she is a friend, but you are his wife, and you have to show your authority yourself, nobody else can do it for you"

"I can't interfere between their friendship, Mr Khan won't like it" I stated the fact

"Your Mr Khan will listen to whatever you will say, but you have to speak up. Now go quickly" she tapped my back

"Allah hafiz" I gave her a hug and left.

When I came outside I saw Mr khan and Emma standing near the car, she was telling him something, he was just nodding his head.

"Shall we?" He asked when he saw me, I nodded standing near him

He opened the passenger's seat's door and Emma quickly sat inside while mumbling a thank you to him, I looked at her in disbelief, such a cheap girl.

She closed the door. Mr khan looked at me, I opened the backseat door and settled in. He kept looking at me for a moment then settled on the driver's seat himself.

I took my attention on my phone, I was just randomly watching videos to show myself uninterested in them.

When the car didn't start even after a few minutes, I looked up, my eyes connected with Mr Khan's through the back view mirror.

"You ok?" He asked, I nodded.

He took a deep sigh and twisted the key in the ignition, soon the car came to life and we were on our way to the office.

"I have an amazing idea about Mrs Dhwani's cafe house, I made a rough sketch last night, I will show it to you once we reach the office" Emma said, I rolled my eyes

Just one day in the office and she is already taking care of the projects!!

Very well Mr Khan!

"Oh really! I would love to see that" Mr Khan said excitedly, I scoffed

"I wish I could stay in India forever, it feels so rejuvenating to be here with you" she put her hand on his

"You can still think about shifting here, I will be more than happy to have you here, it will be beneficial for my company also" he nudged his elbow on her arm, she giggled

"You are still very selfish" she said, "remember the times when you used to beg me in helping you with studies, I still remember the days when you used to make me sit all night long for you" she laughed recalling the memory, I cringed hard picturing that.

"And what about the time when you used to make me pay for your shopping, I thought I was compensating for all those sleepless nights" Mr khan said and I felt like jumping out of the moving car.

Are they forgetting I am still in the car!

I looked at Mr Khan, he was laughing so carefree with her.

Just for my single glance he was roaming around me and look at him now, he is ignoring me as if I'm not here at all.

I felt like someone was clenching my heart, it became hard to breathe. I was totally oblivious with my condition. Allah had mercy on me and we reached the office. I sprang out the car as soon as it stopped.

It was the most tortured ride of my life ever.

All night long!! Sleepless nights!!

Words like that numb my mind. I didn't even realise how I got in the elevator and how I reached the office cabin.

I came back into my senses when I saw Emma sitting in front of Mr Khan, while Rose stood there reading Mr Khan's schedule for the day.

After Rose left I tried so hard to pay attention on the project I was handling, but I just couldn't focus, Emma's annoying nasal voice was driving me crazy.

When it became too much to handle, I left the room and came outside, I asked Rose to join me for coffee, so we went to the cafeteria.

"Who is that girl?" She asked the moment we sat down

"Mr Khan's University friend" I replied,

"University friend? Britisher?" She asked, I nodded, "no wonder she is so beautiful, and she is so talented, she was in the office yesterday. She attended a meeting with sir, and in just fifteen minutes she understood the whole project and did the presentation, it was so impressive"

Rose was continuously praising her and it was just giving me headache, I didn't want to know how great is she.

"Are you done talking about her?" I asked when I couldn't take it anymore.

"I was just saying" she just shrugged, "by the way, be careful with that girl, she looks too interested in your husband" she said like a warning, but my already bad mood, worsened.

I was quieter than usual I didn't know what was happening to me. My heart was feeling heavy, I didn't know how to handle myself.

When we returned home I went to Reem and sat with her for a while, since she has gotten pregnant, she behaves like a child, but it feels good to see her chirping all the time.

It was dinner time, when I came to the dining area, Mr Khan was already sitting there and his bestie was glued to him, they both were secretly talking about someone, seeing them was like a punch on my guts, I just didn't want to stay there, I turned around to leave.

"Beta! Come sit" dadi said to me

"I don't feel like having dinner, I'm tired, I'm going to sleep" I said and ran from there, I didn't even stay to hear anyone and came to my room.

Liar! He is a liar! He lied to me when he said he loves me, if he really did he wouldn't have been stuck to that lizard.

He gave priority to her when he went to pick her up from the airport, instead of coming to us. He spent the whole day with her, he took her to the office with her and made her attend the meeting.

I saw them at the mall yesterday, but they lied that they were in the office, why? What is he doing to me?

I roughly made a barrier and put in between the bed, and settled at the corner of the bed, I buried my face in my palms.

*****

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Athar's POV

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I turned around to look at Ayesha, what happened to her. She seemed so lost the whole day, every time I looked at her she was lost in her own world.

I noticed she was awfully quiet in the office, she did not even eat anything, and even now she refused to eat.

"Pass me the salad platter" Emma tapped on my arm, I nodded and passed it to her. I stood up.

"What happened?" Emma asked

"I'll call Ayesha" I replied

"She said she is not hungry"

"I'll go and check" I said and left.

I came into the room, Ayesha was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Ayesha" I called, she looked up at me, her eyes were red, I instantly got worried.

"What happened?" I asked, sitting next to her, she just blankly stared at me. I put my hand on hers

"You look upset, is everything alright?" I asked, my voice was laced with concern.

Her eyes began to shine, I don't know if I was imagining or she was actually crying.

"Hey! Please say something" I said softly.

Her eyes filled with tears, she shook her head and got up. Before she could walk away I held her hand.

"Are you crying?" I asked and stood up.

"Leave me" she tried pulling her hand out of my grip, tears were falling freely from her eyes. My heart felt heavy seeing her

"Baby please tell me what happened! You are scaring me" I cupped her cheeks, suddenly she burst into tears. I panicked

"Ayesha! What happened yaar? Please don't do this." I said and her sob increased, I wiped her tears with my thumbs

"Why are you crying?" I asked and again her sobs increased.

I didn't know how to calm her, the more I was asking, the louder her sobs were getting, so I just wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in a hug.

"It's ok" I rubbed her back slowly to comfort her. She held me tightly and cried her eyes out, she didn't say anything, I didn't ask anything, I just let silence engulf us.

I kept on whispering soothing words to her, just to make her believe that I was there with her.

She cried so much that she was now hiccuping. I pulled away and made her sit on the bed, I gave her a glass of water, she took a small sip.

Thank God she stopped crying now, she looked at me.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked, she nodded, "you want to have dinner?" I asked, she shook her head. "ok! Come lie down" I said and made her lie down on the bed.

She quickly laid down, I covered her with a blanket.

After settling her down I came to my side of the bed and laid down.

She must have been really exhausted, since it took her hardly anytime to fall asleep. I removed hair from her forehead and admired her beautiful face. She looked so pretty.

"What happened to you, why did you cry?" I asked my sleeping beauty.

Her crying face floated in my head, it clenched my heart. I held her hand and kissed it softly.

I put my hand on the barrier to remove it, but Ayesha's words rang in my ear, and I stopped myself. I put some distance between us.

"Kya bana diya tumne mujhe (what have you made me into?)" I said

Earlier I used to remove the barrier between us after she fell asleep, but now I don't have the courage in me to do it, because I feel she will again feel that I am forcing her to be with me.

Since she has stopped sleeping in my arms I have not had a good night sleep, I miss her terribly.

Ya Allah please soften her heart for me. I am yearning for her, it's so hard to stay away from her but I can't even go near to her.

I looked at her, she is so close to me, yet so far. My fingers were itching to touch her, I clenched my fist to stop myself. I don't want to be unfair to her anymore.

Keeping her face in my eyes, I closed them and soon I was asleep.

****

What should I do with myself!

No matter how hard I try to stay strong in front of Ayesha, I still fall weak. This girl drives me over the edge.

"Are you ok?" I asked Ayesha

"Hmm" she responded and then looked back outside the window.

It's been a week, since she had a breakdown in my arms, since then I have been trying to find out what upset her, but she just doesn't give in.

I sighed and just decided to stay quiet.

Ayesha and I were in the car right now, we were coming from the office and going straight to Abdullah uncle's house (Reem's father). He has kept a get together in an honour of our junior.

The whole family has already gone, I told dadi Ayesha and I will come straight from the office.

Honestly we all are really ecstatic and counting days for the baby to come, every time I think about it I get so excited.

Soon we reached the house, Ayesha got down immediately and went inside. Once I parked the car, I followed her.

I was greeted by Reem's relatives at the entrance only. I was a little surprised to see other people also, I wasn't expecting anyone else, I thought it would be just us.

I found my family in the drawing room. I greeted them all and sat with them.

"Dad! Where is Reem?" Ayesha asked

"She has gone to her room" he replied, Ayesha went in search of her.

I looked around, Izhaan wasn't there, I thought we got late, and here the baby's father has not arrived yet.

I noticed everyone was looking a little tensed, I wondered what happened!

After a short while of listening to everyone's not so happening conversation, I got fed up. I gestured Hayat to come closer, she immediately got up and sat next to me

"What's the matter?" I whispered to her

"Izhaan Bhai has not come as yet. Abdullah uncle is upset with him, he delayed the celebration because of how busy Izhaan bhai has been, and even today he invited everyone only after confirming with him" she told me in a hushed tone

"Where is Izhaan?" I asked

"He is still in the office" she replied, someone called her so she left

I took out my phone and called Izhaan, his number was unreachable. I hope everything is fine with him.

"Dinner is served" it was announced, I guess everyone grew tired of waiting for Izhaan.

Reem and Ayesha also came, I looked at Reem, her face had no colour, I felt a little bad for her, but I'm sure Izhaan is genuinely stuck somewhere.

"Reem beta, call izhaan again" dadi said

"He should have come here on time, he just made me cut a sorry figure in front of everyone" Abdullah uncle said.

"You are the one who is getting so excited about the news of the baby, it looks like it's not a big deal for Izhaan" Avira aunty said (Reem's stepmom).

"My izhaan is not a careless person, I'm sure he is genuinely busy somewhere otherwise he would have been here" dada ji said glaring at aunty.

"We can wait a little more for them" Abdullah uncle said sensing that dada ji was getting angry

"No! Don't make the food wait" dada ji said

"Did you call Izhaan?" Maa asked Reem

"His number is not reachable" she replied

"Athar! You try calling him" dadi said, I nodded and moved aside to give him a call.

His number was really unreachable, so I called in his office, after a long wait the call was received.

The call was answered by a security guard, I was so happy when he replied that the office is empty, everyone has left. So Izhaan would be here soon. But I got extremely confused when I asked him at what time Izhaan left and he replied that he wasn't there in the office today.

I tried calling him again, but again the number was unreachable, so I called Adarsh.

"Hello" he answered immediately

"Hi! Where are you?" I asked

"I'm at home! Is everything ok?"

"Yeah! I just wanted to ask about Izhaan, his phone is unreachable, what time did he leave the office today?" I asked

"I have no idea about Izhaan sir, he is not coming to the office for a few days, he said he is busy with some personal work. There was a meeting with a client, but he refused to attend it" his reply got me worried.

"Ok" I said and hung up the call.

If he is not in the office then where is he, Ya Allah please keep my buddy safe. I should go and look for him.

I was just going to Papa to inform him about Izhaan but I stopped when my phone pinged. It was a message from him

Stuck in a meeting in the office, won't be able to make it, please handle everyone.

Which office?

Mine🙄

I stared in disbelief at his message, why is he lying to me. What is wrong with Izhaan?

I turned around and found Reem standing there.

"What did he say? Is he coming?" She asked

"He is still in the meeting, I don't think he will be able to mak.."

"Thought so" she said and walked off, I went after her

"Dada ji, I want to go home" Reem said, everyone looked at her

"Beta!! Have dinner at least" maa said said to her

"Please stay here tonight" Abdullah uncle said

"Dada ji please, I don't want to stay here, I want to go home" she insisted

"I'll take her home" I said to handle the situation, since the guests were still there I knew our parents would have to stay, dadi agreed with me, I motioned to Ayesha to come and the three of us left immediately.

What is Izhaan up to? Why is he lying to all of us? I will have to talk to him.

The journey went by in complete silence. Ayesha and Reem went upstairs while I stayed to wait for Izhaan, I wanted to talk to him.

Almost an hour later, the family returned. "Is he back?" Dadi asked, she looked angry, I shook my head

"I'm so mad at him, he has embarrassed us today" papa said

"He is busy at work, he is not out there enjoying himself. Nobody will say anything to him" dada ji said angrily, dadi glared at him and left from there. He followed her

"Did you eat anything?" Maa asked

"I will" I said

"I will tell Amira to put food for you" she said and left.

"Let's go Emma" hayat held Emma's hand and took her to her room.

After another half an Izhaan finally came.

"Hey buddy" he said

"Where were you?" I asked

"I told you" he shrugged

"Oh yeah! You were in the meeting in your office, right?" I asked

"Umm y..yeah" he said

"With whom was it?" I crossed my arms at my chest

"What's wrong with you? Why are you asking me so many questions?" He rolled his eyes

"Because you are lying to me" I said in anger

"I'm not" he flat out refused.

"Stop it Izhaan! I talked to Adarsh, he told me that you are not going to the office these days" I said and he immediately shut up

"What are you up to, buddy? I hope you are not in trouble!" I said holding his arms

"I'm in no trouble" he replied

"Then why did you lie to us?" I asked, he sighed deeply

"I can't tell you anything now"

"Buddy I am wit.."

"I know, you are with me, but please don't ask anything now"

"I am worried about you" I said honestly

"Don't be! When the time is right, I will tell you everything" He said and chose to not interrogate him further

"Ok" I nodded.

"Thanks buddy" he gave me a quick hug.

"Reem is furious at you" I said, he exhaled heavily

"I have come prepared." He said waving a flower bouquet in front of me, I shook my head.

"Well! Good luck brother" I patted at his back strongly.

"Thanks, I really needed it" he smiled and headed to his room.

After seeing him perfectly fine, I suddenly felt hungry. So I went towards the kitchen.

I just pray to Allah to keep my buddy safe.

****

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Izhaan's pov

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I heaved a deep sigh and stared at the open door of my room. Carefully I tiptoed inside. Reem was sitting on the bed, her back was facing at me, Ayesha was there with her, she looked at me.

Ayesha glared at me, I smiled sheepishly at her

"Help me" I mouthed to her for helping me in convincing Reem, she shook her head.

"Please" I folded my hand and pleaded to support me. She was gesturing something at me, but stopped when suddenly Reem turned around, she looked at me and got up from the bed.

"Hi baby" I smiled timidly at her.

"Ayesha! Please tell this guy to go back to his meeting, why has he even come now?" She said

"I'm sorry love! Something very urgent came" I took a step towards her, she took a step back

"Ayesha! Please tell this guy to not talk to me, I don't even want to see him right now" she crossed her arms at her chest and looked away

"Yaaaar! I said I am sorry" I pleaded

"Ayesha! Please tell this guy to not even show his face to me right now" she sat on the bed

"Ayesha! Please tell this girl, that I was seriously somewhere otherwise I wouldn't miss it" I said

"Ayesha! Please tell this guy that the celebration was kept after discussing with him, even then he ditched us, does he have any idea how embarrassing it was for us?"

"Ayesha! Please tell this girl that I tried so hard to come, but the situation didn't let me, I will compensate fo..." I was saying but Reem cut me off

"Seriously! Ayesha! Please tell this guy that if he thinks that these stupid flowers can compensate for his sin then he is definitely being delusional" Reem scoffed

"Ayesha! Please ask this girl if stupid flowers won't work, then maybe this stupid chocolate will" I said pulling out a bar of chocolate from my pocket, she looked at it.

"Ayesha! Please tell th...." Reem was speaking but Ayesha cut her off

"SHUT UP" she shouted, "Ayesha, please tell this guy, Ayesha, please tell this girl" she mimicked us in annoyance, "just shut up both of you. Are you even aware of my presence in the room?" She asked looking between us.

To be honest I actually forgot about Ayesha. I gave her a guilty smile. She held my hand and pulled me towards Reem

"Reem, this is Izhaan, and jeeju, this is Reem, now you deal with each other, I'm out of here" she said and left the room

Reem looked at me, I winked at her and blew her a kiss. She narrowed her eyes at me and walked towards the dressing table.

She picked up some bottle and poured a little liquid from it on a cotton and started wiping her face. She threw the bottle on the table, then picked up the comb and started combing her hair aggressively. I flinched at her.

I stood behind her

"Tsk tsk! Galat baat hai, gussa mujhpe hai to nikalo bhi mujhpe, in baalo ne kya bigada hai (that's unfair, if you are upset with me then you should vent your anger at me only)" I said wrapping my arms around her

I locked my hands at her stomach, she tried to break the cage

"Jaaaaaan please forgive me" I said resting my chin on her shoulder.

She struggled to break free from my arms, but all in vain, she got tired, she sighed

"Leave me" she said

"Naaa" I pulled her back more into my chest, she glared at me through the mirror.

"Jao na, wahi jao apni meeting attend karo, ab bhi kyun aa gaye (go back and attend your meeting, why have you come even now?)" She said angrily

"Tumhare liye thodi aya hun, apne bachhe k liye aya hun (I have not returned for you, I have returned for my child)" I said putting my hand on her stomach, her face fell, she turned around and looked at me.

"Mere liye nahi aaye (you have not come for me?)" She asked, I stifled a smile at her innocence

"I did come for you only, but then you refused to even look at me." I said and kneeled in front of her, I kept my face in front of her stomach, "hey baby, your father has been a bad boy, now mommy is upset with him, help me in convincing her" I said to my unborn child, then I looked up, a smile broke on her face

"Sorry Jaan" I said, she indicated me to get up.

"You are so mean, I'm not going to forgive you so easily" she said

"Then how will you forgive me, tell me, I will do anything for your forgiveness" I said

"Anything?" She asked

"Anything you say my love" I said but the mischievous glint in her eyes made me regret it immediately.

"I want to go on a bike ride" she said clapping her hands

"No!" I shook my head vigorously

"Yes"

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

"Do you want forgiveness?" She asked putting her hands on her hips, I sighed.

"Fine" I gave in

"Really?" She asked grinning ear to ear, I nodded.

"Let's go then" she was about to walk away, but suddenly stopped, "one second" she said

"What?" I asked

"Chocolate" she put her palm in front of me, I chuckled and kept the bar on her palm, "now let's go" she said while unwrapping it.

I looked at her, how smartly she made me agreed on what she wanted.

I held her hand and together we exited the room, we were on our way to the bike when we found dadi coming from the living room.

"Assalamualaikum" I said when I saw her

"Don't talk to me " she said angrily to me

"Ohho dadi, it's ok. Izhaan got stuck somewhere, now don't be upset with him, he didn't do it on purpose" Reem defended me, my chest swelled with pride looking at her taking my side, I smiled widely at her

"Where are you going?" Dadi asked looking at us heading outside

"To compensate" I said

"We'll be back soon" Reem shouted and brought us outside.

When we reached the garage, her eyes twinkled looking at my bike. I smiled

"I want to ride it" she said excitedly

"No! You will sit at the back, I will ride it" she pouted

"But I .."

"Then let's go back" I said,

"Fine" she rolled her eyes

I sat on the bike and helped her in sitting behind me.

"Hold me tight" I said to her, she quickly obliged and I started the bike, I was riding after a long time and my pregnant wife was sitting at the back, so I was being very careful.

"Happy now?" I asked, she put her chin on my shoulder

"Seriously Izhaan? How can I be happy? People are walking faster than your riding. Speed up" she shook my shoulders

"No! I cannot, I have to be careful with you" I said, she sighed

"Stop the bike" she said, immediately I stopped

"What happened? Are you ok?" I asked getting worried, she got down, I also did the same, before I could register what was happening she immediately sat on the bike

"Get on the back" she said, I glared at her

"Reem" I tried taking the key off the engine, but she tilted the bike

"Be quick Izhaan, or I'll leave you here" she warned me, I exhaled heavily, then sat behind her.

"Jaan! Please be careful" I said holding her securely

"Don't worry" she said and started the bike, she started off slow but suddenly she increased the speed, it was so high that I couldn't even see anything around us

"Slow down" I shouted

"Loosen up uncle" she yelled, my grip tightened even more around her

I was scared, but I couldn't deny the excitement in me, it felt good, her hair was flying on my face it smelled so fresh, I inhaled deeply.

Talking with air while having Reem in my arms is an experience I would like to have again and again.

I closed my eyes and just lived in the moment while my tigress ruled the roads.

******

I pressed the doorbell and waited for the door to be opened, within a minute the door was answered and I was standing face to face with Maizah.

"Thank god izhaan you have come" she said

I quickly entered the house and locked the door behind me.

"Bar bar kyun bulati ho mujhe, maine kal raat ho kaha tha jaise hi mauka hoga mai khud aa jaunga (why do you keep calling me again and again? I told you just last night whenever I will get a chance I will come)"

I recalled when I spent hours last night in convincing her that I'm there for her.

"Aapko nahi bulaungi to kise bulau, hai kaun yahan apke siwa mera (if I will not call you then whom will I call? who's there for me except for you?)" She said on a verge of crying, I sighed and tried to calm myself

"Don't start crying now" I said and motioned her to sit, she obliged. "Maizah! If I keep coming to your house we can get in trouble. Even last night you called me. Please let me take care of things my way" I said softly to make her understand

"I'm sorry, because of me you got in trouble last night" she said looking down

"It's ok. I took care of the situation, but please understand, if anyone gets to know about you it will not be good for both of us. Let's just stay connected through messages for a while" I said.

"Jesa aap bolenge mai waisa hi karungi, bas mera saath mat chhodiyega (I will do whatever you will say, just don't leave me alone)". She begged, I smiled and nodded.

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