chapter 60

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Ayesha's pov

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"Ok mumma! Allah hafiz" I said and hung up the call.

I opened the fridge and took out a water bottle, I was going back to my room, but the switched on light of Reem's room caught my attention.

It was almost 1am at night, are they still up? I hope Reem is ok. I softly knocked on the door.

"Come" Reem's voice came, I opened the door and went inside, she was sitting on the bed. I looked around the room jeeju was nowhere

"Why are you still up? Where is jeeju? Are you ok?" I asked sitting down next to her.

"Oh thank God Ayesha you are here" she said holding my hand. I instantly got worried for her.

"What happened?" I asked scooting closer to her

"Izhaan has not returned as yet, and I was getting scared alone" she said

"Stupid you should have called me, I would have stayed with you"

"I didn't want to disturb you" her answer made me angry

"What did you say? Disturb me? I would have given you a big tight slap if I was not worried about the baby." I said angrily

"I was just thinking that Athar bh..." I cut her off.

"Baby! You know that there is no one more important to me than you" I said putting my arm over her. She sighed and leaned on me

Before she could say anything my phone rang. It was Athar's call. I answered immediately

"Kya baat karte karte Chandigarh nikal gayi ho wapsi nahi ho rahi apki (have you gone to Chandigarh while talking, that you're not returning?)" He asked, I stifled a laugh at his tone

"I'm in Reem's room with her, jeeju has not returned as yet, so I'm with her, I will return once he comes back" I said and hung up the call, I kept the phone aside

"You should go back to him" she said

"Shut up Reem" I glared at her. "Why were you feeling scared?" I asked

"I don't know. It's all because of this stupid izhaan, he is so busy these days, I feel like killing him." She sounded angry, I felt bad for jeeju.

I have seen how much he loves her and how he is always willing to spend time with her, he must be really busy otherwise he would never left her alone.

Reem was non stop cursing jeeju, when my phone beeped, I picked up, it was a message from Athar.

I miss you, come back to me.

I smiled at his message, then I replied

I told you, I can't leave Reem alone.

His reply came quickly.

Please, don't do this to me, I can't sleep.

Athar! Stop being so childish.

Childish? And me? Not at all.

Go to sleep.

So, you are not coming?

Not untill jeeju returns

Merciless! I'm outside Izhaan's room, come outside, give me a good night kiss at least.

I rolled my eyes looking at his message, why is he so childish, I looked at Reem, she was sleeping peacefully, I smiled looking at her, just two minutes ago she was complaining about jeeju and look at her now.

Please please please please..

He messaged again, I shook my head, and carefully got up, I didn't want to disturb Reem.

The moment I stepped out of the room, he caught my arm and pushed me against a wall.

"Athar!!!" I protested, he grinned

"I love my name, when you take it" he really looked awestruck, I smiled

"You should go to sleep now" I said looking down

"Give me what I want, then I will go"

"Jeeju can come anytime now, stop being so shameless"

"Your jeeju is not going to return till the morning" he said and I frowned at him

"What?" I asked

"I.. I mean wh.. what if he doesn't return till the morning?" He asked

"Then I will be with Reem till then" I shrugged

"That is why I am saying, give me a good night kiss" he said and I felt shy at his bold demand. "I'm waiting"

I sighed and gave a kiss on his cheek. He rolled his eyes.

"You have learnt nothing in these last four months" he shook his head, I opened my mouth to speak but words died in my throat when he put his lips on mine.

I pushed him when I felt the need for oxygen, he gave me a breathtaking smile.

"Go to sleep now" I said

"As you say wifey" he kissed my cheek and turned around, I beamed and returned to Reem.

******

"Let me just go through the papers once again then we will leave" Athar said while looking at the folder he was holding.

We had to go for a sight seeing and then later on there is a meeting fixed with Mr Mohd Akram.

"Ok! I will go to meet dadi quickly in the meantime" I told him and left to see dadi.

Dada ji and papa have left for Germany last night, dada Ji's cousin lives there, a tragedy happened in her family that's why they had to go.

I knocked on the door and entered once I received the permission. Dadi was sitting on her reclining chair, she looked so lost.

"Missing dada ji already?" I winked at her, she let out a small smile and shook her head. I turned serious when I looked at genuine worry on her face.

"Is everything ok?" I asked

"I'm worried about Reem" she replied, I sat down near her.

"Reem? Why? What happened?"

She sighed and then told me about the conversation happened between her and Reem, I listened to it quietly.

"I did not show my worry to her but I am actually very worried about her. I have never heard her saying that she is missing her mother, and she was repeatedly saying that something bad is going to happen." Dadi said and I was just looking at her quietly.

"Izhaan is busy these days that is why I didn't get time to share my worries about Reem with him" she said, and I recalled how he returned in the morning today. He is indeed busy.

"My heart clenches everytime I look at her, She just stays in her room all the time. She has stopped her studies. She doesn't meet anyone. She doesn't go out! What is happening to her?"

"Don't worry dadi, so what if jeeju is busy, I will give time to her, I will take off from the office for a while and give all of my time to her" I reassured her.

"That would be very good, maybe spending time with you will make her feel better"

"In sha Allah. You just don't take stress" I put my hand on hers

"Thank you beta" she smiled.

I got up and came back to my room.

"You returned just in time, shall we leave now?" He asked, "I read all the papers, I'm very hopeful about this deal, Akram is a brother of my friend, that is why I want everything perfect" he was continuously talking but I was just standing quietly, noticing my silence, He turned around and looked at me

"Ayesha! Is everything okay?" He asked holding my arm gently, I shook my head and told him everything I just heard from dadi

"I know Athar, that today's meeting is really important for you and you really wanted me around, but I want to be with Reem, I am sorry to upset you, I know you are angry with m.." he stopped me from talking by putting a finger on my mouth.

"I'm not angry with you! Why would I? It's true I wanted you to be with me, but it is also true that I will always support you, if you want to be with Reem, then be with her, I have no objection, I am there with you, in fact if you need me for anything then please let me know"

I looked at Athar, I can never thank Allah enough for bringing him in my life, he is really a blessing. His presence in my life makes me understand why it is called "better half".

He left for the office after a while and I went to Reem.

*****

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Athar's POV

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After the sight seeing and attending the meeting, I came to the office. By Allah's grace, all went well.

The moment I reached the office I was engulfed with work, there was so much to do, Ayesha handles everything so well and without her I felt lost.

I was in my room trying to read the notes Rose just delivered to me, my phone's ringtone made me stop everything and look at it. I smiled wide when I saw Ayesha's name flashing on the screen.

"Hi my love" I said

"Hi" her sweet voice was like music to my ears

"The meeting was amazing, everything went well"

"Alhamdulillah."

"Yeah! All thanks to Allah"

"Athar" she said and my heart started beating differently

"Yes?"

"I miss you" her small confession created such a big impact on my heart, I wanted to leave everything and run to her.

"I miss you too, so much."

"I know you must have not eaten anything till now, so I sent food from home with the driver" she said and I felt so good about this she always knows everything about me, and I love it when she takes care of me.

"Thanks" I smiled

"You are most welcome"

"How's Reem?" I asked, she heaved a sigh

"She appears to be fine, but i can see she is so lost in her thoughts, I hope her health doesn't get affected, I tried keeping her busy, even now I am going to put on a movie for her, we are just waiting for Hayat" her voice was laced with concern

"Ok" I said

"I'll go back to her, I'll see you in the evening" she said

"Bye" I said, then she hung up the call.

After talking with Ayesha even I started worrying about Reem, I got up from my chair and dialled Izhaan's number, I stood near the window

"Hello" he answered

"Buddy! It's getting too much now" I got straight to the point

"What?" He asked

"Are you aware of Reem's condition?" I asked, he sighed deeply

"I am! I know what she is going through "

"Please tell her the truth, later or sooner she is going to find it out, it's better she hears it from you"

"I can't tell her the truth, I need a little more time"

"Izhaan please stop being stupid, think about junior" I said and he went silent for a while, then he spoke

"Athar, I'm with Maizah right now, I will talk to you later "

"No buddy, listen..." I shouted, but the line went silent.

Oh God! What should I do? I worry a lot for Izhaan, but he is not ready to listen to me. I wish he could see how unfair he is being to Reem, how unfair he is being to all of us.

It's been three months since I have known about Maizah, since then I have been telling izhaan to reveal the truth to Reem, but all in vain.

*****

"Hello" Ayesha said

"I'm outside, come now" I said

"Ok! We are coming" she said and hung up the call.

Yesterday the whole day Ayesha and Hayat tried to cheer Reem up, She behaved fine with them, but she was quiter than usual, and that increased Ayesha's worry for her. So, I suggested to take her out, maybe change of place will make her feel better.

I returned early from the office, and now I am here waiting for the girls to come, so that we can go and have fun. I hope Reem feels better now. I called Izhaan, but as usual he was busy.

There was a knock on the window, I looked outside and found all the three girls standing there, I unlocked the door and they all settled in, Ayesha sat on the passenger seat while Reem and Hayat sat at the back

I looked at my beautiful wife, she looked stunning. She smiled at me.

"Aap logo ka aankhon wala romance ho gaya to chale (if you guys are done with romancing through eyes, can we leave?)" Hayat teased us, I did not even realise that I have been staring at Ayesha for so long.

"Chup Karo tum (shut up)" I glared at her through the back view mirror, she rolled her eyes

"It's totally useless coming out with him" Hayat said

"Hayat" Ayesha called her softly. Hayat shrugged. I started driving

"What are we going to eat?" Hayat asked

"What do you want?" Ayesha asked and she started telling the endless list of what she wants to eat, I smiled at her cuteness.

"What will you have Reem?" I asked noticing her silence

"Anything" she replied.

Buddy! Come to her quickly, she may not be saying it, but she needs you the most.

Soon we reached the mall. I parked the car and we were heading straight to the restaurant, but I realised Reem stopped walking, we stopped to look at her.

She was standing outside a baby store, we went to her. There was a big smile on her lips and she looked excited.

"You want to go inside?" I asked, she nodded vigorously

"Let's go" Ayesha said and we all went inside.

All the girls got together and started filling up the shopping cart. I was looking around most of the things were not even making sense to me, what the hell is swaddle? And what do we do with the burp cloth?

My head started spinning looking at all different kinds of wipes, there were face wipes, hand wipes, toy wipes, oil wipes etc.

To save my mind from bursting I went to the clothing section. I was just checking out things when Ayesha came to me

"Look at this, it is so cute. Can we buy this?" I showed her a super cute dress, but she shook her head.

"Look for something neutral, this is a girl's dress" she said.

"Ok" I said and picked a beautiful onesie and showed her excitedly

"How about this?"

"Seriously Athar? It says "daddy's Princess" how can we buy it, I told you to look for something neutral"

"Ayesha please! Let's just take it. If it's a girl she can wear it, and if it's a boy, then we will keep it for our daughter." I said and her cheeks turned red

"Our daughter?" She raised her eyebrows

"Yes! Ours. I'm telling you right now that our first child would be a girl, and she will be my princess, I will spoil her and would lay the world at her feet, I will give her ..." I was speaking in my excitement but she stopped me

"Stop stop stop!" She said, "aren't you going too fast?" She asked, I shook my head

"If I was going too fast we would be shopping here for our child" I said, she smacked my arm.

"Stop it Athar" I laughed

"On the serious note Ayesha, coming to this place made me want to have a baby. What do you think?" I smirked at her

"I think you have gone crazy" she huffed

"What's crazy in this?" I asked

"Ayesha bhabhi see this" hayat called her, so she left and I got back to exploring things.

"Allah you have given me everything I have ever asked for, now give me a daughter please." I prayed silently.

*****

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Reem's POV

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I looked lovingly at all the baby things scattered around the bed, my heart was ready to burst with joy. I felt so happy after getting all the stuff for my baby.

I picked up an adorable set of romper and was going crazy over at its cuteness, then I took a pair of small shoes, I pictured my baby wearing it.

I got up from the bed and started putting everything back in the bag, the door opened and Izhaan entered, I avoided him and kept on doing my work.

He went into the closet and took out his change then he went into the washroom, I kept the bag in the closet and returned in the room.

I sat on the dressing table and started wiping my face with the cleansing milk. He returned from the washroom and laid on the bed. He took out his phone and got busy with that.

After wiping my face, I massaged with serum. Then combed my hair, all this while I waited for him to come and talk to me, but he sat like he cannot even see me.

When I couldn't take it anymore I got up and went to him. I snatched his phone from his hand and threw it on the bed.

"Reem" he got up from the bed.

"Do you even realise that I am upset with you? Instead of convincing me you are ignoring me, how heartless you have become, izhaan" I shouted at him

"When are you not upset with me these days? I understand you are going through hormonal changes, but that doesn't mean you keep on spitting fire at me all the time" he said and I looked at him in disbelief

"Really?"

"Yes! You were so happily looking at baby's stuff, but when I came instead of showing everything to me, you packed it all and kept it in the closet, you didn't think once that I also wanted to see what you have got for my child"

"Because I'm angry at you. How bad it would have been if you had come to me and told me where were you at that night? I waited for you, I called you, but your phone was switched off, you returned in the morning, and didn't care to tell me where you have been" I said and tears started flowing from my eyes.

"Jaan please! Now don't cry" he tried hugging me but I hit his arm

"Stay away" I warned

"If I didn't tell you, you could have asked, you gave me silent treatment and I thought if I say anything you will just get angry. I was at the office, I told you I'm working on some case, if you don't believe me call Adarsh he will tell you the truth, and if you want I can bring my office's CCTV footage also" he gave a detailed explanation, I felt guilty.

"I'm not doubting you, I was just angry that you just disappeared " I said in a sad voice

"I'm sorry" he hugged me and I let him. "Can you show me all the shopping now?" He asked and I nodded

"Let me get the bag" I said and ran to the closet

"Can you slow down?" He shouted and came after me, I bent to pick up the bag but he stopped me

"I'll carry it" he said and brought the bag to the bed

We both sat on the bed and I showed him everything, he literally took out every piece of cloth and rubbed it against his cheek to make sure it was soft enough for our child to wear. I was just shaking my head.

"It is so cute, I can't wait for our baby to come and wear it" his eyes twinkled with excitement. I smiled

"I have ordered a few things, they will come tomorrow, will you take me to the mall?" I asked and his face fell.

"Just give me three days jaan, after that I will take you wherever you want." He said

"Izhaan please" I requested

"I am too busy at the office tomorrow, I will not even have time to scratch my head. Please understand" he pleaded, I sighed

"Ok" I said, he smiled

"Thanks" he put his arm over my shoulder and brought me closer to him, "show me what else you have got" he said and we got back to see the shopping.

It felt so amazing to sit with Izhaan and talk about our child. When he is near me, I don't get any negative thoughts.

*****

I woke up feeling happy, it was a pleasant morning. I opened my eyes and looked around, Izhaan was all ready to leave, he was sitting on a chair and doing something on his phone. I sat straight and yawned.

"Good morning" I said to him, he looked up at me

"Good morning Jaan" he said and got up, he came to sit next to me. He was staring at me without blinking, I frowned at him

"What?" I asked

"You are beautiful" he put a lock of my hair behind my ear, I grinned ear to ear.

"I know" I said arrogantly, he chuckled, he looked so good while laughing so freely, I couldn't take my eyes off him, suddenly his phone rang, he looked at his phone screen and disconnected the call.

"I am leaving now, I might return late tonight, so don't wait for me and don't get angry at me" he said, I smiled sheepishly, he was about to turn around when I held his hand

"I love you Izhaan" I said, he smiled, he leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"I know" he said as arrogantly as I did, I giggled and smacked his hand.

"Bye Jaan" he said, I waved at him, he left. I got up to freshen up.

*****

I was sitting in the living room, I was watching random reels on Instagram and eating strawberries.

"Assalamualaikum baby" Ayesha dropped next to me, I beamed at her

"Walekumassalam Gabbar! Strawberries?" I put the bowl in front of her

"Mashallah, you look very happy today" she said picking up a strawberry

"I'm always happy" I replied, she just smiled looking at me. "Izhaan is busy today, he can't take me to the mall" I pouted

"So what? I will take you" she grinned

"You know it's been months since he has taken me out" I complained

"Because he is so busy in his work" she favoured him, "What were you watching?" She asked perhaps to change the topic, I tilted my phone towards her, she scooted closer to me, we continued scrolling through reels, we were laughing at someone's overacting when Athar Bhai came

"Mashallah mashallah, the whole living room is echoing with your laughters" he said looking at us.

"Don't cast an evil eye on my Reem" Ayesha warned him

"I said Mashallah" he reminded her, "Reem you look very good when you are happy" he smiled at me. I gave him an ear to ear grin, "looks like my brother is finally getting some sense" he said understanding that the reason behind my smile is Izhaan

"Not completely. He still has a lot to learn, teach him something" I said

"Oh definitely I will" he said happily

"Can you both leave my poor jeeju alone? Ayesha said and Athar Bhai and I rolled our eyes together.

Sometimes it feels Izhaan has kept Ayesha as his lawyer, she is always ready to defend him.

"Yeah yeah" I shrugged

"And you?" She turned to Athar Bhai "Are you not leaving for the office?" She asked

"I wanted to talk about that. Can you please come to the office with me, there is an important meeting, you will be needed" he requested

"At what time" she asked

"After lunch time, and I was thinking if you can come with me right now, we will discuss about it" he asked with hopeful eyes

"I can't, Reem and I have to go to the mall" Ayesha shook her head, Athar Bhai looked at me and then back to Ayesha

"I would have never told you if it wasn't important " he said

"I told yo..." Ayesha was saying but I cut her off

"Ohho Ayesha! He is asking you so sweetly and you can't stop throwing tantrums, go to the office with him" I intervened

"But we have to go to the mall" Ayesha said

"Hmmm that is important" I tapped on my chin to think for a solution, "idea" I snapped my fingers, both of them looked at me. "Go with him right now, and I will pick you up from the office and then we can go to the mall" I gave a brilliant idea.

"Excellent!! Is this ok with you?" Athar Bhai asked Ayesha, she looked hesitant

"It's more than ok, now go and get ready" I said and pushed Ayesha, she sighed deeply and then went upstairs

"Reem" Athar Bhai called

"Yes?"

"Come with Vivek only" he said referring to the driver Izhaan kept for me, I shook my head.

"Nahi na! Woh driver kam bodyguard zyada lagta hai, kahin bhi jaun peeche peeche ghoomta rehta hai (no! He seems a bodyguard more than a driver, he follows me everywhere)" I laughed, but he kept staring at me with serious eyes, I turned serious

"Come with him only" he insisted

"Ok" I sighed. "now go to your wife, I know somewhere in your heart you feel that I have deprived you from your office romance" I smirked

"Wow! How did you know? You are so intelligent" he chuckled, I gasped

"You are a meanie Athar Bhai"

"Thank you" he said proudly, I shook my head.

"It's better I go back to my room" I said and turned to go to my room.

*****

"Take right from here" I ordered the driver, he looked at me

"This is not the way to Athar sir's office" he replied, I rolled my eyes

"I know! We are going to the paradise cafe first" I said

"Ma'am! I don't think you should be going there alone" he said and my blood boiled

"Excuse me! Did I ask for your opinion? Take me to the cafe" I said angrily.

"Ok" he sighed

The moment we stopped at the signal, he took out his phone and got busy in typing something, I tried to peak, but he was hiding his phone well

He always does this, whenever I tell him to take me somewhere he makes faces and then he gets busy in his phone.

Pata nahi kaunsi dushmani nikaalne k liye Izhaan ne ise mere sar pe musallat Kiya hai (I don't know why Izhaan got me stuck with him).

I looked at the signal there was a green light.

"If you are done talking with your girlfriend please keep your phone inside" I taunted him, he quickly kept his phone inside and started driving, I shook my head. I took out my phone and called Ayesha

"What's up?" She answered

"I'm heading to paradise cafe right now, I am craving for their banana walnut cake and bubble tea. I will get a little late to pick you up"

"Ok" she said and I hung up.

The driver stopped at the entrance, he quickly got outside the car and opened the door for me, so I stepped outside.

"I'm going to park the car, please be safe" he said and I rolled my eyes

While I was walking in the cafe my phone rang, it was Ayesha's call and I stopped to answer it.

"Hello"

"Don't come to the office, I'll meet you in the cafe" she sounded pissed

"Are you ok?" I asked

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm already on the way, See you soon." She said and hung up.

What happened to her now? I wondered.

"They both are inside, I'm telling you just one evidence I find against them and I will kill both of them" someone said behind me, I turned around and found a man talking on the phone, chill ran down my spine when I noticed a gun hooked to his trousers under his blazer. Quickly I turned my face away from him

Oh God! What should I do? He is planning a murder, I should call someone for help. I turned around to look at him, but he was not there. I looked around, but he couldn't be seen.

Was it just my imagination?

It started to drizzle, so I quickly went in the cafe, but my mind was stuck at that stranger. Who was he planning to kill?

Ya Allah please keep them safe.

I went straight to the counter and ordered what I was craving for, I made the payment and requested to bring the food on my table, as I was too tired to even stand.

I settled on the table which had the best view, rain looked so beautiful. I felt the baby moving in my belly. I smiled, so my baby is also liking the weather.

I took out my phone and started taking pictures of the pouring clouds, how beautiful. It was getting too dark for 3 o'clock. I switched to the front camera to take a selfie, I made a duck face and captured the picture, then I looked carefully at me, I looked so funny, I laughed and zoomed in the picture.

My smile dropped when I noticed the couple sitting behind me, I zoomed in to see if it is really who I think it is.

My whole body started trembling, I wanted to turn around but it felt like as if I have turned into a statue, it took all of my energy to turn around, and my heart stopped beating when I saw Izhaan sitting with a girl.

They were sitting hand in hand, and close to each other, my phone fell from my hand. With numb mind I got up and went to him. The way they were sitting with each other was a big danger sign for me.

I wanted to ask him, who that girl is, but I didn't have to, because he said it himself, they were talking loudly and I could hear every word clearly.

"Why wouldn't I enjoy the weather, I'm here with my wife" Izhaan said looking at the girl and it felt like the ceiling fell on my head.

Wife? I looked wide eyed at him. I went closer to him, they were still talking but my mind got stuck at the word "wife"

"If she is your wife, then who am I?" I asked standing next to him, he looked at me, his eyes widened, he immediately got up. For a second it felt like he was going to run to me, but suddenly his face turned cold, he seemed so distant at the moment.

My heart broke into zillion pieces when he looked at me with no recognition in his eyes and asked me in a cold tone.

"Who are you?"

Just three words and my world ended.

He doesn't know who I am!!

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