39. Upset

N A D A' S P O V

Calm down Nada! Calm down. He didn't mean those words.

Even though I chanted those words, I couldn't put them in to application. I hurriedly walked into the elevator not wanting to wait a second here or I might tear his head apart.

I know he doesn't love me but who gave him the right to talk about me like that. Call my love an infatuation. Wait, Mr. Fahad Hammad Sheikh, you think that your words are going to affect me and I will give up on us, then no, you are really wrong. I will prove my love to you.

Shoot, it's already afternoon, half of the day has already passed. I, now, only have tomorrow and today. Come on, Nada! Get your gears tight now.

I sat on one of the chair at the reception on ground floor, waiting for Mira to come down.

A few minutes later, I saw my maniac of a friend exiting out of the elevator waving frantically at me.

"Uh, Nada why are your eyes wet?" Mira asked me looking at my face.

"Nothing, ju-"

"Don't give me your pathetic excuses. Rahim informed me everything when I asked him about reason behind his worry. Why? Why are you letting him walk over you? Where is my brave Nada?!" She shook me by my shoulders.

"I am still brave. If I wasn't brave enough then I wouldn't have confessed my love and be determined about not leaving him. He said all those things because he doesn't love me back or is still flabbergasted about the situation. How can I force him to love me back, Mira? I am gonna prove my love to him that's it. My love isn't so gullible that it will break me down because of his words."

"Wow! How selfless you have become!"

"You mean that I was selfish before, hmm?" I smiled at her.

"That's not what I meant." Her face broke into a smile. "I am worried about you Nada." Her face instantly turned into a worry one.

"Your friend, best friend might I add, is not so light-hearted that she will breakdown so easily. I am determined to make my love story, that too a hit one." I winked at her after sighing dreamily.

"You have already suffer so much in your life. I don't want you to face any more difficulties." She spoke in disdain.

"What is life without difficulties, huh?" I clutch her arm and start walking towards the exit. Talking to her always lightens me up in a good mood. Long were forgotten my tears.

"My little friend has grown up, hmm?"

"Yes, she is married too." I grin at her which in return she laughs at me.

"NADA!" I heard my name shouted. I turned my neck so rapidly that it might give me a neck pain later.

That certain someone who shouted my name out was Fahad, my husband.

"Nada, uh, umm." He jogged towards us and stood in front me and Mira.

My face instantly broke into a smile. Damn, I am really doomed in love, aint I?

"Uh- actually, uh-"

"What uhs and umms? I feel like burying you alive here, right now!" Mira spoke furiously at him.

"Mira-" Fahad started when Mira cut him off.

"No! Don't even try to justify yourself. Rahim has told me everything. How much more are you going to make my best friend suffer?" Mira continued shouting at him.

"Baby, let the husband and wife handle their own matter." Rahim out of nowhere spoke, trying to calm her down. Keyword: trying. When did he come though? Or was I too engrossed on focusing just on Fahad?

"What? No! I don't care. You are not knocking some sense into him. So let me do that." She rolled up her sleeves and almost launched at Fahad.

Oh God no, not my husband please! I am not ready to become a widow so soon.

"Mira!" I squeaked at the scene folding in front of me. I quickly grabbed Fahad towards me not wanting him to get hurt.

Rahim grabbed her waist and she was hoisted off the ground. "Calm down, Mira. Let them sort out on their own." He talked to her, in a very gentle tone. Aww!

"You are not able to do anything! Let me handle it by myself. He cannot make my best friend hurt again and again." She again moved forward at Fahad.

"You have made your wife angry at you and made mine at me! Stupid, apologies to your wife. You are my best friend I know you can do that. All the best." Rahim spoke to Fahad trying to control Mira. "We are going and please use your brain, you idiot." I sniggered at Rahim's words while Rahim dragged Mira along with him.

The couple left and only me and Fahad were left. What will I do now? I and Mira had decided to go to Mall today. Guess, our plan got ruined today. Why am I standing here? I should also get going. I started walking when Fahad clutched my elbow from behind making me halt my steps.

I turned back just to witness his handsome face. I tried not to show that I was mentally swooning over him and raised my eyebrows at him.

"What?"

"Uh, I wanted to say something." He confessed.

"What? Did you realise that you're in love with me? Oh my God! Yes! I knew my efforts wouldn't go in vain. I have already decided our kid's na-"

"Nada hold on! What are you talking? I wasn't going to say that." His tips of ear turning pink.

"What? You don't want kids? Come on atleast two. We ca-"

"No you dumb girl! Shut your nonsense. No I am not in love with you. I was just trying to apologise you. But no! You never want to listen to me, just jumping on conclusions. What is your problem?! Why do you always think that I will love you?!" He shouted at me. There was complete silence. No one spoke.

"Nada, why are you crying about it? Ok I apologise. Now stop crying." He spoke very gently.

"Why do you always have to be rude with me?" I complained.

"Uh- I apologise for it."

"Apology declined. Buy me a gift, then I will forgive you." I turned back to walk ahead.

"Also, you didn't say 'sorry'. I expect that." I said air quoting sorry. I have already forgiven him. Just wanted to pull his leg.

I walked in front and rushed towards home.

Hopefully he will eat the Falafels I made for him.

I reached home and launched myself at the couch.

"What happened? Tired of listening to the compliments about your food by Fahad?" Aunt Naaz entered the living room.

"Asalamwalaikum Mom, didn't see you here." I smiled at her.

"I came when you were dreaming about my son." She teased making me blush.

"Not you too." I whined.

The remaining day passed by me enjoying my day actually part of the time went in missing Fahad, then my Mom, Alizah and the other half went in thinking ways of making Fahad fall for me.

It was time for Fahad to reach home. I was impatiently waiting for him to come back. It's still shocking that I was waiting for him to come back to look at him and soothe my eyes not for pranking him or something.

The bell rang and I hurriedly rushed towards the door, didn't realise that I was waiting infront of the door.

But as I was going to open the door I realised that I am upset over him. I mean I have to act upset over him.

"Ummi! Come here please. Open the door." I called out for Uméma who strolled in the living room with a worried expression.

"What happened? I mean you're almost near to opening it." She enquired of me eyeing my hands which were holding the handles of the door. I, after realisation, immediately snatched my hands back.

"No. You open it. Actually I am pretending to be upset over him. So let me act. Now, shoo, open the door. He must be really tired and frustrated standing near the door."

She laughed at me. "I'll go and open the door for your husband." She sighed.

"Hey, he is your brother too."

"Yeah- yeah, but I think he will like it more if you open it." She teased, but little does she know that about what her brother said to me.

Ringing of the bell pulled me out of my thoughts and Uméma rushed towards the door to open it. I stepped a few steps back acting as if I was sitting here for a long time and was not impatiently waiting for him.

As soon Uméma opened the door, I glanced towards the door only to behold the view of my hazel-eyed handsome husband. Ugh, I sound so cringeworthy.

He looked up and for a second his excited eyes falter a bit when he saw Uméma was standing in front of him. Did he want someone else to open the door? Like me? Huh, talk about stupidity now. I could be given as an example. Fahad was correct, I am stupid why would he want to see me?! He clearly made sure that he doesn't want to have any connection with me. But he did apologise.

I sighed and went away from there upstairs to my room. I know love is all about giving and expecting nothing in return but a part of me wishes that he would look at me the same way I look at him.

I entered the room and took out his clothes to change in for. Such a good wife I am. I understand that a wife is not a servant of a husband but I am doing by my wish. I want to do his works. It makes me happy that I am close to him.

I went inside the kitchen straightaway to garnish my spicy spaghetti which I cooked today. Ugh, the aroma! So delicious!

"NADA?!" I heard Fahad shout. What happened to him now? The pitch of his voice was very high because I could hear him from the kitchen while he was in our room upstairs.

"Go, your Romeo is calling you. I'll call Zara to set the table!" Uméma appeared in the kitchen. I blushed at the choice of her words.

"Romeo?"

"Yes!" She grinned at me. "Wha else am I supposed to call him then?" She winked at me and causally sat on the table top.

"Wait till you find your own Majnu, Uméma Layla Sheikh." I stressed on the word 'Layla'.

"I don't know why my middle name has been kept 'Layla'?" She rolled her eyes while air quoting her middle name.

"I mean just think about it Uméma, if you find someone named Majnu! That'd be so exciting!" I gushed over the thought. I knew someone who has Majnu in their name.

"Stop teasing me Nada, I know you know something." She spoke shifting her position.

"In future, Ummi. Soon I'll tease you. Now let me make my love life a hit."

[A/N: Yes, yes, Uméma's story is next ;)]

"You will get no opportunities to tease me in the future. And talking about your love life, it will surely be a hit."

"I ho-"

"NADA?! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Fahad hollered again.

"I need to go." I spoke hurriedly and vanished from there. Me and my big mouth.

I opened the door to see Fahad standing there who looked freshly showered, water dripping from his hair.

"What?" I crossed my hands across my chest and raised my eyebrows at him. I don't want him to know that I am no more upset with him. One look at his face and all my anger subsides. Love, I am in love.

"Uh- I shouldn't have talked about you behind your back." He scratched his neck.

"I am sorry." He stretched out a paper bag.

"What's in it? A bomb?" I asked him curtly.

"Uh- no, it's a. . . Sorry gift?"  He answered nervously.

"Is it?" I exclaimed out of glee and forwarded towards him and snatched the bag proceeding to sit on bed.

"Oh My God! Earrings?! Wow! Thank you so much!" I gushed over the gift.

"You like it?" Fahad sat beside me. They were a nice rose gold coloured hoops. I have a crazy obsession with hoops.

"Like?! I LOVE THEM!" I confessed my happiness. "Thank you so so so much!" I hugged him. Uh-oops.

"Sorry got carried away." I pulled back when I noticed he got uncomfortable. Nada, you love him. He doesn't love you back.

"Also, this card." He extended a light brown card.

I eyed him and opened the card which had written 'sorry'. So he finally used the magic word.

"Aww. I had already forgiven you." I cooed and squeezed his cheeks in return I got a small smile.

"From where did you get the thought of buying hoops for me?" I asked him out of curiosity.

"I have noticed you like them. Seen you wearing them a lot. Don't get any ideas though. I am just a good observant."

"Hmm. Ok. I'll buy that. You know what I liked the most?"

"The earrings?"

"No. I mean yes I love them. They're very pretty, but I loved the card most."

"Really? I didn't think that you'd like it."

"Why would I not like it? The color of the card is my favourite color." I smiled.

"What?! I thought you were a girl who liked pinks and purples." He exclaimed.

"I used to. But now, my favourite colour is light brown. My favourite color changed the moment I fell in love with your eyes." I looked him in the eyes, his hazel colored eyes.

"You had to bring love in between!" He spoke in a clip tone.

"In between? What are you saying Fahad? I am in love with you. It's a fact not a obstacle."

"Whatever Nada." He rushed downstairs totally ignoring me.

I take two steps ahead and goes four steps back.

"Fahad." I said his name like a spell. I held his bicep halting him at his place.

"What Nada? Don't expect something which I cannot give you."

"No I am not expecting anything in return. Love is giving everything and expecting nothing in return. I just want you to understand that I am really in love with you and I wa-"

"Nada! Fahad! Come down. The dinner is getting cold. I- are you guys talking something serious? I'll come later." Uméma came along in the room as the door was opened.

Fahad removed my hand from his arm and stepped out of the room.

"Nada, what happened?" Uméma asked sympathetically.

"Nothing. Just your brother is too dumb to understand my love." I said wiping a stray of fresh tears which made their way out.

"Oh Nada!" Uméma hugged me. "Please don't cry. That idiot will realise it." She said once she pulled back.

"I hope that when he realises it's not too late." I whispered and went down leaving a confused Uméma behind.

I went downstairs and sat at my place. Beside Fahad. He looked at me and his eyes displayed shock probably thinking that even after he said all those harsh words and ignored me I still sit beside him. I am shocked at myself too, Mr. Sheikh.

I tried to smile at Aunt Naaz but failed miserably because deep down I was still hurt because of Fahad's words.

Filling the plate with the spicy spaghetti I made I was going to eat it when Fahad hissed beside me.

"Ahhh. Oopmh."

I looked at him and saw that the spaghetti had slide over his t-shirt.

"What are you doin, Fahad? Are you stupid or what?" I grabbed some tissues and wiped the spaghetti from his shirt.

"What happened Fahad? Are you okay?" Aunt Naaz inquired.

"I didn't know that the spaghetti was too hot to eat." Fahad hissed in pain trying to take tissues from me. "It's okay I'll do it by myself you don't need to worry." He glanced at me but I didn't listen to him and continued dabbing the tissue.

"Let me atleast take care of you." I pleaded.

My voice so vulnerable and I am sure my eyes were too showing the immense amount helplessness and care for him.

"Koi zarurat nahi." He spoke very calmly. So calmly that I was worried about him because he always used to argue about it. (No need.)

"I'll just go and change my shirt." He announced getting up. He halted when he saw that my hand was still holding his shirt. He bent down and pried my fingers away from his shirt and strolled away.

"What do I do to make him realise?" I whispered to myself.

"He is in love with you. I assure you. I don't know why he isn't realising it." Aunt Naaz spoke with a grim expression morphed on her face.

"I don't think so." I spoke softly looking down at my lap thinking that am I that pathetic for not receiving my own husband's love?

THE NEXT MORNING:

I woke up the next morning with the alarm ringing. I looked at my right side to see that Fahad already left. I went inside the washroom to do my ablution and found out that he wasn't there too.

After praying my Fajr Salah (First prayer of the day for Muslims), I proceed to keep my prayer mat, when I noticed that the clothes which I had yesterday kept ready for Fahad to wear the today were not where I kept. I looked around for his phone and car keys but they were also long gone. That means he already left. So early? He always left home by eight o' clock but now it's just half past six. Why did he go so early?

I rushed downstairs to see Fahad stepping out.

"Fahad?" I called out for him and he turned back and my my, I almost got out of breath. The scene just made my heart skip a few beats. His broad shoulders did a half turn and I got to witness his side profile and his jaw line. His 5 o' clock shadow beard covering his smooth skin and also his repressed dimples which deepens when he smile and that's when my heart again skipped a few beats because he never smiles when he sees me.

"What?" I saw his lips move and that was enough for me to come out of my Fahad-Fan-Club moment.

"Uh- umm." I forgot what to say because of his enchanting looks.

"Did you call out my name just to waste my time?"

"No! Not at all. I wanted to ask why are you going to work so early? Did you have your breakfast?" I asked him worriedly. How much ever I would be upset at him I can never be angry at him? My love is too colossal for it.

"No." Came his short reply as he again turned back.

"Are you running away from something?"

"And may I ask you what that something would be?" He looked at me.

"Me. And that you're in love with me." As soon as I spoke those words Fahad did a full one-eighty.

"Fahad! Wait!" I rushed towards him. "Sit here I'll prepare something for you."

"No need Nada." I could here agitation in his tone.

"Nope! Come here!" I grabbed his arm and dragged him to the dining table and made him sit at his chair.

"It's okay. I'll have something from the drive-thru or something."

"When your wife is alive why would you eat fast food? Just sit here." That seemed to shut his mouth I guess because he spoke nothing after that and he brought out his phone from his pocket and started scrolling on his phone.

In fifteen minutes I was done with making him breakfast. "Hmm, have this." I slide the plate infront of him.

"Sheermals? Nada, how do you have such a big heart?" Fahad asked looking up at me with those hazel eyes.

"It wasn't. But after looking at you, staying with you and loving you I adapted that quality too." I placed my hand on his cheeks. God knows where did I get that confidence from.

Fahad cleared his throat and it brought me back from the reverie of his eyes.

I sat down on the chair adjacent to which he was siting. "So? How's it?" I asked him keeping my hand underneath my chin.

"It is. . ."

"Hmm?" Anticipation grew in me.

"Just like a Sheermal should be." He gave me side smile causing me to huff at his words.

"Weren't you upset with me?" He asked me while putting in another bite of the Sheermals I made for him. I felt really bad that he didn't eat them yesterday so I made them today.

"It was you who was upset. You were the one who said 'Whatever Nada' grumbly yesterday, huh." I mimicked his words in a gruffy tone. However his voice more on the husky side though.

"Inform Mom and Uméma that I had too much work that's why I left early. AllahHafiz." He ignored my previous remark and left from there.

Ugh, his attitude really frustrates me. How am I going to make him fall for me?

Asalamwalaikum and hello people!! What do you feel about this chapter? Or the story is getting boring? Let me know through the comments and don't forget to click on the star icon. Until then, thank you, bye, stay home, AllahHafiz and take care ^_^

Also, do let me know your favourite part of the chapter.

10-06-20

20-06-20