chapter 63

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Izhaan's pov

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Alhamdulillah! Allah helped me and I won the case. I immediately took out my phone and messaged the news to dada ji, I'm sure he will feel too happy.

Excitedly I exited the court room, I could see media lurking, but I wanted to go to my Reem as quickly as possible, so I took the another exit.

My steps faltered when I came face to face with Maizah, I smiled looking at her.

"I don't know how to thank you Izhaan, I could only win the case because of you." She beamed

"It was just not me, there was a whole team, everyone worked hard" I reminded her

"But you were at the front, people saw you with me. For last few months your life was in grave danger, but you never complained. I have troubled you so much, but you have always been so nice to me" she looked down

"That was a part of my duty, I was just doing my job, I'm glad it's all finished now" I said feeling so good about it, she looked at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher

"Yeah! It's all finished!" She heaved a defeated sigh. "You are free now" she let out a dry chuckle, I couldn't understand her at the moment.

"No I'm not free, I will be doing my most favourite duty now" I grinned ear to ear

"Which duty?" She frowned at me

"Husband duty" I shrugged

"Oh!" She said with a serious face

"In fact I'm going to the hospital right now, I can't wait to meet my Reem"

"I'm sorry for what happened to her, it was all my fault" she apologized

"None of us was prepared for what happened that day, Reem is safe, that's all that matters now. I will compensate for the time I missed with her. Since I couldn't afford being seen with her in public, I have not taken her out for months, but not anymore. I have so many plans in my head, which I'm going to fulfill" I said excitedly

"Izhaan, I. I" she stuttered, then she let out a long sigh. "Reem is very lucky to have you"

"I am lucky to have her, seriously, she is the best thing in my life. Anyways, I should go now, all the best for your future" I said and left without hearing her reply.

I have been in contact with Maizah for months, but it was the most awkward conversation between us ever.

I managed to exit the court room and get into my car, without getting in the eyes of the media.

I shuddered when I recalled what Vivek said about Reem's condition that day. I wish I was there I would have just hid her in my arms, but I wasn't there. I felt a wave of panic rise in me.

She was on road, walking blindly. There were so many goons, even though Vivek was there, but what if after witnessing Reem with me, they went after her. I felt my heart beat stopping thinking about all the possible scenarios.

I am so thankful to you Allah, for keeping my Reem safe.

The only reason I never told Reem about Maizah was because when I signed the deal with her and decided to fight her case, my life was in constant danger.

There were people following me, day and night I was dodging them, I couldn't tell Reem, last time when she found out about the threat, it impacted her health greatly, and now I didn't want to take any risk.

When I got to know about her pregnancy, I was already involved in the case. Maizah is dada ji's colleague's granddaughter, when dada ji went to meet Osman uncle at the hospital, he assured her that I would help Maizah in every way possible.

I couldn't say no to dada ji when he discussed the issue with me, then I thought it was my duty anyway to fight against the criminals and now I am so relieved that Allah helped me in bringing justice.

Maizah's chapter is closed now. I am a free bird, and now I am just flying straight to my beautiful sparrow. I smiled at my stupid thought.

I will tell everything to Reem, she will understand, I will tell her how I have longed to be with her and our baby, I have already lost a lot of precious time of this beautiful journey, but not anymore.

I will be there with Reem and the baby now, I will live every moment together with them. I'll take care of them, I'll love them with all my heart, I'll be their home and they'll be my heart till the day I die.

Reem will get discharged today, before taking her home I will have to talk to her, so that when we reach home, there won't be any complain in her heart with me. I will erase the bad memory of that day from her mind by my love.

It's been raining heavily in Delhi these days, and I know how much Reem loves rain, I can't wait to go for a long drive with her, I have a pool of dreams in my eyes, and now I can't wait to make every single one of them a reality.

I stopped by at a florist to get some roses for her, and then later on I made a stop at a supermarket to get chocolates. I was pretty sure these will melt her anger.

Finally I reached the hospital, I parked my car and headed to her. I was mentally preparing myself for what I have to tell her.

I opened the door, Reem was there with dad.

"Assalamualaikum" I greeted

"Walekumassalam beta! Mashallah congratulations, I heard you won the case" dad beamed

"Alhamdulillah" I smiled. Dad was continuously asking me questions and I was absent mindedly answering him, my whole attention was on the beauty in front of me, who was refraining from looking at me, and I was dying for her attention, but she continued being merciless.

There was a knock on the door, then the doctor entered the room.

"Good afternoon" he nodded his head. "How are you feeling today?" He asked Reem

"Better than yesterday" she replied with a straight face

"Very well" he smiled, "you are free to go home now, but don't forget that you have to really take care of yourself, keep yourself away from stress, and try to be happy. Eat healthy food and drink lots of fluid, take your vitamins on time" he was giving instructions without any full stop and I was listening to him attentively afterall I'll be the one taking care of all that.

"Understood?" He asked Reem, she nodded, "remember Reem, happiness is the key to good health in your case, and remember you are a very blessed girl, you have such an amazing family, so loving husband" he patted my shoulder, Reem looked down.

"Please get the paper work done, then you can take her home" the doctor said and left.

"I'll be right back" I got up

"No! You stay beta, I'll get it done" dad said

"It's fine dad! I can take care of it"

"I know you can, but I just want you both to spend whatever little time is left together" he said with finality and I had to agree with him

But what did he mean by little time!

In any other situation I wouldn't have let him go while I stay seated in the room, but right now I was dying to talk to Reem.

The moment dad left, I immediately scooted my chair closer to the bed. She was still not looking at me.

I sat closed to her and continued looking at her, I have been planning to tell her so much, but right now I was completely blank, I didn't know where to start from.

Honestly, all I wanted was to pull her in my arms and let her know how much I love her.

I cleared my throat.

"I know you are upset with me, what I did that day is unforgivable, but believe me I had my reasons." I took a deep breath and held her hand in between mine.

"I'm sorry Jaan for hurting you. That girl who was with me that day was just my client, nothing more than that. I was just helpless that I had to lie to you" I was speaking but she was sitting like I was talking with the walls.

I got up and sat next to her on the bed, finally she looked up at me and her emotionless eyes scared me, I cupped her cheeks

"You are my only wife, nobody can ever come in my life. I am only yours. I love you crazily. I did wrong and I want to rectify that mistake, please give me a chance. Allow me to make up to you and to our baby" I spoke from the bottom of my heart, but there was no effect of my words on her face.

"You wanted to go shopping for the baby with me, right? We will go now. I have decided I'm not going to take any new cases for a few months, I will dedicate all of my time to you, just tell me what you want and I will do it. You know I have already bought that baby cot which you wanted, but we still have to get a lot of things, you name it and I'll get it." Even the baby topic could not bring any excitement on her face, I was panicking from inside now.

"Jaan, please say something" I pleaded, but there were no words from her. "please forgive me, I swear I will never hide anything from you now, don't give me this silent treatment it's killing me" I held her hand and bowed my head.

"Scream at me, hit me, punish me, but please say something. I was helpless at that time when you came, I didn't want to hurt you, but I had no other choice, I had to take that decision" I said and she pulled her hand out of mine

"You took one decision, and now I have taken one" her icy cold voice made a chill ran down my spine, I felt my mind turning off, I just stared at her.

******

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Athar's POV

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I smiled looking at the excitement of the ladies of our house, Reem is returning home today and everyone is busy preparing for her welcome.

Alhamdulillah all went well in Maizah's case, she finally got justice, may Allah reward my buddy for working so hard.

The whole house was full of different aromas, dadi cooked for Reem herself. Everyone was sitting in the living room and waiting impatiently for Reem and Izhaan to return.

My eyes went to the staircase, what is Ayesha doing? Why has she not come here? I stood up to check on her, but stopped when maa spoke

"Athar, call Izhaan and ask him what is taking them so long to come" I smiled at her restlessness

Izhaan must have told everything to Reem by now, and she must have forgiven him. I'm sure the love birds are making up for the lost time, but who can make maa understand this.

"They must be on their way, they'll come soon" I replied.

"But find out what is the delay?" Dadi said

What should I tell them now!

"Traffic. It's been raining since last night" I shrugged

"Izhaan bhai" Hayat got up excitedly, I turned around and found Izhaan coming towards us, his long face got me worried instantly

"You took so long to return" maa huffed, "where is Reem?" She asked, I looked at his defeated face.

"Say something, where is she?" Dadi shouted when Izhaan stayed quiet for too long.

"She left me" his broken voice shook me

"Left? What do you mean?" Maa held his shoulder

"She has gone with dad, she will stay there" he sighed

"Why?" Dadi asked in disbelief

"Because I hurt her" he said and went towards his room, leaving everyone dumbfounded

"Izhaan" dadi shouted, but he didn't stop.

"Izhaan come back" maa was going after him, but I stopped her

"Let him go" i said

"Didn't you hear what he said" maa said, she was looking very angry

"Hayat, go and get water for maa and dadi" I said, she nodded and left immediately.

"Do you know what happened between Reem and Izhaan? Dadi asked, I nodded and made them sit on the couch

"Do you remember Osman Ali?" I asked dadi, she nodded

"Your dada ji's friend and colleague also" she replied

"Maizah is his granddaughter, when Osman uncle was attacked, dada ji went to the hospital to meet him, at the time of his last breath, he made dada ji promise to take care of Maizah as she was alone in the world after him. Then dada ji came to izhaan" I was saying and dadi and maa was listening to me without blinking their eyes.

I told them that Izhaan had to pretend to be Maizah's husband, so that Osman uncle's murderer will know that Maizah is not alone in the world. Then I told about that day.

Hayat returned with water and I quickly gave it to maa and dadi, Hayat sat quietly in a corner.

"Osman uncle's culprit have been punished now, Izhaan gathered number of evidence against them with the help of the police" I continued.

"Ya Allah" dadi put her hand on her chest. "My poor Reem"

To say they were shocked would be an understatement.

"Everything will be ok" I said

"What ok? So much happened and nobody told us anything. And what was the need of making Izhaan her husband, he could have made her brother or anything else" dadi got angry at dada ji. "So what if she was alone in this world, he could have brought Maizah to stay with us, it would have been better than what he made Izhaan do"

"That would have brought danger to the whole family" I said

I shuddered thinking about my precious family in danger.

"So? Izhaan's life was still at stake this whole time" maa said angrily.

"Call your dada ji, I want to talk to him right now" dadi said throwing smoke out of her ears, I sighed

How should I tell her that dada ji is not in the position to talk to her right now!

Papa called Izhaan last night to inform that dada ji's blood pressure spiked, and he has been hospitalized, papa wanted to bring him back to India, but doctor refused to let him travel they didn't want to take any risk because of his age.

We were told not to say anything to dadi, she will get too worried about him, papa is taking care of dada ji and he will bring him back the moment he gets a nod from the doctors.

I looked at maa for help, she understood immediately.

"Let's just concentrate on Reem for now, Amma, you can talk with Abba ji later" maa said softly

"How shocked she must have been that she ended up in the hospital" dadi held her head

"But Izhaan is not at fault Amma" maa said

"Who was at fault, and who was not, it doesn't matter anymore. How could Reem go to that house? Who will take care of her there? I will go right now to bring her back." Dadi said.

"Please dadi, try to understand! She needs some time, I think she doesn't know everything as yet, let her be for a while, let her recover a little" I tried to reason with them, dadi just sighed

"I will go and check on Izhaan, my son must be so upset right now. He was going to do something so nice for others and got in trouble himself" maa cried

"Be strong maa, and you stay here, let me go to him" I told her, reluctantly she agreed and I headed to Izhaan's room

My heart clenched when I saw him, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, his elbows were leaning on his knees and his face was buried in his palms, he looked so defeated.

"Buddy!" I put my hand on his shoulder, he looked up, his eyes were red and wet. I sat next to him

"Don't do this please" I pleaded. Izhaan is a very strong guy, I have never seen him so broken

"She left me! What I am gonna do! I can't live without her, I love her so much" his voice was barely audible.

"Did you tell her everything?" I asked

"I did. I told her that she is the only girl in my life, she didn't believe me, she said she took the decision that she will stay at her dad's house."

Reem looked so foolish to me at the moment, how can she not see that Izhaan was only doing his job, she should support him, but she left him instead, but on the other hand, she has been through a lot.

"What if she never returns? I will die" he panicked

"Why would you say that! Of course she will return, she is just angry with you at the moment, otherwise we all know that she loves you a lot, even she can't live without you. I have witnessed her love for you" I patted his arm.

"You promise she will return?" He asked with hopeful eyes, I was taken aback. I composed myself and smiled

"Shall we go now to bring her back?" I said with a huge smile on my face, to lighten up the mood, "she is anyways just at Abdullah uncle's house, it's not really far. It will just take twenty minutes to reach, twenty minutes to convince her to return, and twenty minutes to come back. See, it's just a matter of an hour" I shrugged, he let out a tired sigh.

"Have you forgotten what dadi used to tell us about Reem?" I asked

"What?" He frowned

"When Abdullah uncle and sharmeen aunty was expecting a child everyone was praying for it to be a girl, why?" I reminded him, finally he smiled

"Kyunki us ladki ko meri dulhan banna tha (because that girl was supposed to become my bride)" he said

"Exactly my buddy! She has come in this world to be yours then how can she stay apart from you" I nudged my shoulder against his.

"Come on now! Rest for a while" I got up and pulled him up on his feet.

"I don't feel like"

"You have not rested for a very long time, your mind needs relaxation. Please go to sleep" I pleaded, thankfully he took mercy on me and laid on the bed.

After settling him down I came outside, my heart was pounding. Seeing Izhaan so broken, I showed hope to him, but what if Reem really refuses to return.

Going to Abdullah uncle's house is a big negative sign, she is clearly running away from Izhaan.

Don't act so stupid Reem!

I was walking towards my room, it's going to be another test for me, how will I tell Ayesha that Reem has gone to her father's house, I don't know how she is going to react, I know how close they both are.

I heaved a deep sigh and opened the door of the room, Ayesha was busy in folding clothes, I looked at the scattered clothes on the bed. I rolled my eyes, there is a big storm in the house and madam is busy in fixing her wardrobe.

"Ayesha" I called

"Yes?" She asked without stopping her work. I reached her and held her hands

"I have to tell you something" I sighed

"What?" She had confusion on her face.

"Sit down" I told her to sit, she had a huge frown etched on her forehead, but she still sat down, "now listen to me calmly" I started the conversation

"What is it Athar?" She got impatient

"Reem has not come after the discharge, she has gone to Abdullah uncle's house" I said, but her expression didn't change

"So?" She asked

"So? You knew?" I voiced out my doubt, she nodded.

"And you still didn't stop her? How could you let her go!" I said in a high tone

"After what jeeju has done with her, how could she live with him?" She got up and continued her work

"Do you even know what Izhaan has done?" I asked

"Please Athar, I know he is very dear to you, but don't say anything in his favour right now to me" she said angrily

"Ayesha you should kno..."

"I said I don't want to talk about him" she cut me off, I raked my hair to calm myself.

"She said she is going and you let her? You did not even think who's going to take care of her in that house?" I said feeling disappointed with her, before she could reply there was a knock on the door.

"Come in" I said.

A maid entered the room while pushing a suitcase.

"Bhabhi I kept Reem bhabhi's suitcase in the car, this one is yours" she said

"Ok! You go now" she dismissed the maid.

"Your suitcase?" I asked, she smiled sheepishly at me.

"Please sit down first then we will talk" she held my hand, but I quickly pulled it away.

"Just tell me what is happening?" I shouted getting angry, she gulped

"You were just saying that who will take care of Reem in that house, so I was wondering that I will g ..."

"Go there with her?" I asked, she nodded smiling goofily

"If you are thinking that you will act cute and I will let you go, the answer is No" I said firmly, her face fell

"Athar please" she held my hand

"I said no" I shouted, "I was thinking that Reem was being stupid, and here you are acting worse than her. How could you even think that I'll let you go?"

"For Reem"

"No, not even for her. Let's go and bring her back, but there is no way I will let you go with her"

I expected her to shout at me, and fight with me for trying to stop her, but I was stunned when she hugged me.

"Athar please, let me go. Reem needs some time away from jeeju, and I can't let her stay there all alone, I need to be there with her. She has gone through so much, I'm so worried about her and the baby. Even the doctor strictly said that she needs to be taken care of. I really want to be with her, but if you don't want me to go there then I will not go, because I cannot bear it, when you are upset with me" she said and I was so amazed at her sudden change. It was so unlike Ayesha.

I already braced myself for a huge fight with her, but now when she is giving consideration to what I want, how can I fight with her now, but I can't even let her go away.

"Please don't be upset with me" she pulled back and said it while looking in my eyes. I sighed

"Can't we bring her back?" I asked, she shook her head.

I thought rationally, everything aside, keeping Reem's condition in mind, she needs someone to be with her, so with a heavy heart I gave her my consent. She jumped with joy

"Seriously?" She asked, I nodded, "I love you Athar, you are the best" she pecked my cheek, my heartbeat increased.

"You will kill me one day with your sweet actions" I said, she smiled looking down.

"Before you go, promise me you will be there for me whenever I will need you" I said, she nodded vigorously

"I promise"

She was not fixing her wardrobe, she was actually packing her stuff. And once it was done, we both left for Abdullah uncle's house.

It was so difficult for me to return without her. I was missing her already.

*****

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Ayesha's pov

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"Athar! Go to sleep" I yawned.

"Just five minutes more" he said

It's been hardly two hours since he has dropped me here and he has already called me thrice.

I went to the kitchen to find something to eat, I was feeling hungry.

"I miss you" he said, I smiled feeling shy

"I miss you too" I confessed, he blew me a kiss

"Tell me one thing, would you have still gone if I said no?" He asked, I stifled a laughter

"Yes! I would still have come here, but now when I am here with your permission, I feel so relaxed" I answered truthfully

"You vixen" he hissed, "just ret...." He was saying something but the line disconnected, I immediately called back, but his phone was switched off.

I saw a silhouette in the living room. I went nearer and found dad sitting there, he looked tensed.

"Dad? Are you ok?" I sat next to him, he was so lost in his world that he did not even acknowledge me, I shook his arm, "dad" I called and his trance broke.

"What are you thinking?" I asked

"About Reem" he said and my phone started ringing, it was Athar's call, I quickly disconnected it.

"What about her?" I asked

"She seems different. She is too quiet, as if something is eating her. I'm so worried about her" he sighed.

My phone rang again, and I disconnected again.

Dad will know the truth sooner or later, I thought of telling him right now.

"Dad! Jeeju and Re..." Words died in my throat when my phone rang again. Dad chuckled

"Talk to Athar, otherwise he will come here only. we will discuss about Reem in the morning" dad said and I felt so embarrassed.

The moment dad left my phone rang again, this time I answered.

"What?" I said

"My phone's battery died I put it on charge and called you back immediately, but you were not answering, you promised you will be there whenever I will need you. It has hardly been anytime since you have gone there and you are already breaking your promise" he said in a single breath, I smiled at his cuteness

"I got busy" I said

"Busy? Were you taking a bath? Should I video call you?" Aaannnd he was back on the same track

"Athar! Shut up" I scolded him.

I returned to the room while talking to him, Reem was asleep, so I was whisper talking with him, I laid on the bed beside Reem, I didn't realise when I fell asleep.

****

Knock knock knock!!!

I wrinkled my nose at the knock on the door, who can that be, i just fell asleep a minute ago. I checked the time, it was 6:15am.

Suddenly the reality dawned on me, I sat up straight with a jerk. There was a knock again and I immediately got off the bed and ran to answer it.

"Shhh" I said to the maid, then I turned to look at sleeping Reem, thank god her sleep didn't get disturb. "What?" I asked feeling angry at her

"Sir is calling Reem Bibi downstairs" she said

"Why?"

"Izhaan baba is here" she said and I felt my blood boiling. What the hell is he doing here?

"She is sleeping. Go from here" I said, she nodded and left

I clenched my fist to stop my rising anger, he will not stop easily. I marched downstairs.

Dad and jeeju were busy in talking, i motioned the maid to go from there. She walked towards the kitchen.

"What is your problem? What are you doing here?" I shouted at jeeju, his eyes widened in shock at my rudeness

"Ayesha! How are you talking with him?" Dad stood up immediately

"Keep him away from Reem, dad. Didn't you hear what the doctor said, that she needs to stay away from stress, and this guy" I pointed at jeeju, "is a walking stress for her right now" I snapped at jeeju

"Ayesha! You need to listen to m..." Jeeju was saying but I cut him off

"Why should I listen to you? Did you listen to Reem, when she was begging you to recognise her?" I even forgot that dad was there, I was so angry at jeeju

"It's a misunderstanding" he said

"Don't you dare call it a misunderstanding" I yelled

"Can someone tell me what is happening here?" Dad intervened, I turned to him

"You were saying last night that Reem has turned so quiet, she looks like something is eating her from inside." I said to dad, then I pointed at jeeju, "he is the reason behind her condition, because of him she had a nervous breakdown and she almost died." I was going crazy with anger

"What do you mean?" Dad asked

"Reem caught him in a cafe with a girl, she went to him and he refused to recognise her in front of that girl, he held that girl's hand and left her crying, she waited for him, but he didn't care for her" I said the truth on jeeju's face, he looked so shocked to hear it from me.

"Is it true?" Dad asked him

"I was helpless there we .." he was saying something but dad cut him off

"Is it true izhaan? Were you there with a girl? Did you refuse to recognise her? Did you leave her alone crying?" Dad shouted

"Yes, it's true, but y..." He couldn't complete his sentence, dad slap shut him up. Dad held jeeju's collar and shook him

"How could you do it with her? I trusted you with my daughter, and you broke her " he left him with a jerk, jeeju stumbled but maintained his balance.

"Get out from here before I kill you. You made her cry, go back to that girl, because Reem is never coming back to you now" dad screamed

"Listen to me once please" jeeju had the audacity to speak.

"Leave Izhaan" dad shouted, and jeeju left taking small steps.

"Ya Allah, my daughter" dad dropped on the couch, he put his hand on his palm

"We will take care of Reem, dad" I sat next to him.

Jeeju got what he deserved, he will not come back here at least.

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