CHAPTER 23- TEA?~ Ayesha 💕

A Y E S H A : -

"Take care of yourself, And take your medicines on time." my mom says after bringing me in a hug.

The lunch was over and now mama, baba and murat are going back. Which I don't like. I have gone to mama's house to live first time after my marriage. I think I was longing because I had been practically living alone.

"Yes mom." I sigh and she kisses my forehead before going to bid aunt ayeeza and baba jaan.

My gaze fell on the phone which was on the couch. That phone looked quite unknown, I picked up and after looking at the black leather cover case, I realised this phone belonged to baba. I looked around for him, only to realise that he already went out after bidding everyone , while my mom was still standing and having the last minute chatting with aunt ayeeza. Typical desi mothers.

I placed my duppata on my head and took baba's phone with me to give him outside, everyone was too busy to notice me.

I climbed down the porch stairs and looked around for baba, and found him leaning on his car outside the gate, he seemed in some deep thoughts.

Securing the duppata more securely around my head, I went towards the gate which the guards opened it for me. Nodding at them I made my way to baba who seemed to be in deep thoughts.

"Baba," I call him out, the cold Afternoon winds gushed through me, and I catched my duppata, securing it.

He seemed startled as I walked towards him And showed him his phone,

"You forgot this, " I say, and he tapped at his pockets to see his phone was indeed missing.

He took his phone and nodded at me. And I gave him a smile. He stared at me for a second before saying,

"How do you do this?"

I was startled by his question. This was the longest thing he had told me after months.

"Huh? Do what baba?" I asked him confused,

"This," he gestured towards my face. And I frowned still confused. "Pretend that everything is okay?"

I didn't quite get what he was trying to say? Was it meant to offend me?

"Wha-what Am I pretending baba?" I asked perplexed.

He looked at me with a certain expression which I can't put a finger on, something very similar to, worry.

"You very well know what I am trying to say." he grunted,

Was he referring to the issues with both of us?

"No baba I..I can't understand?" I tucked the little strands of hair inside the duppata and adjusted it again.

He looked up and sighed heavily.

"Are you happy here, Is your in laws treating you right, Is..is Farhan treating you right?" He questions, my breathing hitched for a second. Why was he asking this question? I don't know weather it was the wind or his question made me shiver.

"Wha-what kind of question is that baba?" I chuckled lowly,

"You-you don't need to stay just because you have to, never settle for less, just don't ask anything to what I am saying, but understand it." He said hesitantly, choosing his words carefully.

I stared at him skeptically, I was happy that he was talking to me, but the way he talked to me, made me a little, no scratch that, a lot of uncertain.

I was about to ask him what was he talking about, but the sound of gate opening made me stop and turn around to see My mom, murat and Farhan coming out of the gate, Farhan's gaze met mine and he frowned looking at me.

"Ayesha, what are you doing here, we thought you went upstairs?" mom asked confused glancing at me to baba.

"Um no, Actually I came here to give baba his phone back, he left it there." I reasoned out. I was still unable to wrap my head around what baba was trying to say, I need to understand what?

Mom looked at me and then baba, she knew something off might have happened if me and baba talked, it was like she was being cautious because Farhan was standing behind.

I blink my eyes assuring her everything is fine. Maybe, maybe not. Nonetheless She sighed in relief.

"Oh here I thought you were planning something to scare me, Almost gave all of us an PTSD of yesterday." Murat chuckles leaning on his car.

"It was only you, I saw her walking out." Farhan says giving Murat a shove, from the corner of my eye, I see baba glaring at him.

"Alright, stalker." Murat chuckles patting Farhan's shoulder.

"Okay I think we will take our leave now," my mom said and kept her hand on Farhan's head as blessing and hugged me again. Baba didn't said anything and sat on the passenger seat. That was strange.

"Ah, he must be tired," my mom chuckled awkwardly, making an excuse. Farhan nodded his head, Murat came by my side, and gave me a side hugged me, almost crushing my shoulder

"Try to stay of trouble, okay?" he whispered and I smacked his arm. He chuckled and climbed in the driver seat. And soon, he drives away from the street. I stare at the car until it completely zoomed out from my sight.

What did baba mean to say? Why did he asked how do I this? Was he feeling guilty somehow, for his behaviour towards me? Did yesterday's incident some how affected him?

"You okay?" I was startled by Farhan's voice.

I cleared my throat, looking away from the road, "yeah, why?"

"You look a little paler than usual, are you alright?" He grabbed my arm and turned me towards him.

I hate it when he becomes so....worrysome for me, it make me feel funny things.

I freed my arm from his grip, he frowned looking back at my arm, I tear my eyes away from him and walk inside the gate,

"I think we should head inside, it's getting cold." I say as a cold breeze waltz pass me, making me shiver. Without hearing his response I head inside the house,

Out of habit, I reached to play with my wedding ring, but my hand reached nothing.

Frowning I glanced at my left ring finger and gasped. My ring, it was not there, there was just a white imprint of it on my finger.

I've never took my ring out. The same ring which Farhan gave me. I walked back outside and looked around the garage and nearby bushes but I couldn't find it.

Oh god did I lose it? No, I think I left behind at my mom's place or maybe it fell in my room, I had to do a whole treasure hunt for it now.

Stifling a frustrating groan, I walk inside the house, how could I be so irresponsible?

I step in the living room and slipped the duppata from my head and took a seat beside mama and baba was seated on the opposite couch, few moments later Farhan came and sat beside baba.

Baba sighed slumping down on the couch, "I feel so full, really Ayesha your mother fed us for a lifetime." I chuckle.

"Says who will find snacks in next thirty minutes." Mama mutters beside me, she looked at me and we both chuckled.

"Anything funny you both got us to say?" Baba drawls looking back and forth between us,

"Yes," mama clears her throat, "I was saying, hira did an good job by visiting us, it was good from reliving all the stress from morning."

"Mama I think you should go and rest, you haven't rested a minute since you landed." I voice my concern.

"No no I am fine now, and stop worrying about me," she chuckles tapping my face.

"How could I not?" I gave her a smile, squeezing her hand. She just chuckled and blessed me with duas,

My eyes unknowingly like a magnet moved back to Farhan, it's like I cannot focus on anything if he is in a room.

It was almost four in afternoon, the bright afternoon rays reflecting from the glass window, cascading the glowing shadows on Farhan's face, I look at him as he talked to baba jaan about something in a hushed tone, he shook his head, as if disagreeing on something and turned his head towards the window, the bright rays falling on his eyes, making his hazel eyes appear almost green.

Mama was about to say something when her phone rang in her hand,

"I will be back." she passed me a smile went to her room to receive the call.

Now it was just three of us seated when baba jaan looked up from his conversation with Farhan and asked me to sit beside him.

"Ayesha, my daughter listen to me a for a minute, " I got from my seat and took a sit on the couch adjacent to him,

"Yes baba jaan?" I ask glancing at Farhan.

He look back at Farhan, giving him a nod he turned towards me,

"Look beta, you might have a slight incline that the person who you met yesterday, is somehow our foe and does not wish well for us, right?" He ask and I nod my head,

"Yes baba jaan, I meant to ask Farhan about that person." I remembered that slimy git.

"Beta, if you feel comfortable can you narrate me the mall incident of yesterday?" He asked and I nodded my head and told him of every single detail of yesterday's event which I could remember.

".....And then I woke up in an ambulance." I puff out a breath, "but I have a question, why isn't police trying to catch the person who did it?" I ask him, "You even know him, so why don't you directly report it to the police?"

Baba took a deep breath looking at Farhan, who glanced from me to his father, "That's the issue, the police system works for him, even if we tried it's our loss."

Just some feud you were dragged into.

What kind of feud? Something dangerous? And I am not naive enough to not understand if a man has police under control, he is something dangerous. He obviously doesn't give candies to children or sit alone in a park.

Realisation dawns on me as I scoff, "So he is some underground mafia who has corrupted the whole police?"

Baba nod, "If you put it like that."

"But," I draw confused, "What does he wants from Farhan? How are you involved with him?"

Farhan sat straighter and spread his legs, resting his elbows on his knees, "It's some business matter."

I raise an eyebrow, "With a mafia? A man who raids a mall and carries a gun with him?"

"I just didn't knew what he was all right?" Farhan snaps, "besides not every person who carries a gun is in a mafia."

I frown looking at baba, who dare I say looked like he was suppressing his laugh, "If not mafia, then he might be in a cult. Actually he did looked like he belongs to a cult." I nod remembering his appearance.

"Could be for all I care." Farhan scoffs.

"So..." I glance at baba, "What are you going to do about him?"

"Meaning?" Baba asks intrigued,

"I mean," I chuckle, "It's obvious that man is not a polite citizen, and has the police under control, so I mean to ask Farhan what are you going to do about him?"

Farhan glance at baba and they both share a look before looking back at me, before Farhan could speak baba says, "What do you say, what shall Farhan do? Give suggestions."

Farhan subtly grabs baba's shoulder and a mutters a discreet warning "Baba."

"If you ask me baba jaan," I lean forward crossing my legs over one another, "Farhan should go illegal."

Farhan sharply turns towards me, "Excuse me?"

"I know it's not ideal, but what can you do better than jumping in an dark pit? If that man is an harm to you, then pull some illegal strings and push him behind the bars." I suggest turning towards baba jaan,

Baba jaan leans forward intrigued, "Pray tell how did you got this idea?"

I chuckle sheepishly, "Books?"

"Really?" He asks flabbergasted,

"Yeah, I've read some really fascinating thriller novels." I answer excitedly.

"Please suggest me something too, I need to get that level of thinking." Baba whistles.

"Baba." Farhan grits, "Bit off topic don't you think?"

Baba clears his throat leaning back on his seat.

"Right."

"Right." Farhan nods and glances at me, "And I don't need those kind of ideas from you, what we will do is my business, you don't need to melt your brain here."

"But Farhan, don't you think she has some really nice ideas..." Farhan glares at baba jaan, "Not, she does not."

"I was just suggesting, it's not like you were really going to do something illegal right? That's against the laws." I reason out,

"Yes, I am a firm believer of law." Farhan nods leaning forward and grabs a glass of water,

"I know, I was just being delusional." I mutter cringing at my embarrassing thoughts.

"But baba jaan," I turn to him, "Wouldn't it be really cool if Farhan just made his own little team to work against his enemies?"

Farhan started coughing and choked on his water, worriedly I walked over to him and patted his back, "Careful." I mutter taking away the glass from him.

"How," Farhan muses shockingly, "How do you get these ideas?"

I stare at him open mouth, in all these months, I have seen emotionless Farhan, cruel Farhan, angry Farhan but I've never seen a shocked and confused and underline amused Farhan.

"Sorry." I mutter,

"Did you read my phone?" He asks suddenly,

"No, why?" I ask, sitting back on my place, "Should I?" I ask baba and he just shakes his head clicking his tongue.

"I must say my daughter," baba said after a moment of silence, "I appreciate your creativity, keep it up."

"Thank you baba." I smile, "But seriously, what are you going to do about him? He might be a threat."

"You don't need to worry about it, we will find a way." Baba assures.

Footsteps neared us and we all turn our heads to see Mama walking in the living room and slumped down in her seat, sighing tiredly.

She looked at us and her eyes widened as she took the sight of water streaks on Farhan's shirt.

"What happened over here?" She inquired glancing at the three of us.

"My hand slipped," Farhan replied lamely after a minute.

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Balancing the tray of two cups filled with tea in my hands, I contemplated weather to knock or just enter the lions den, or more specifically Farhan's home office.

After dinner when mama and baba jaan retired to their room and called a night. Farhan went to his home office and decided to complete his work, as he didn't got to work for the past two days. I really wanted to talk to him, and clear my confusion in a few matters, so I decided to talk to him on a cup of tea.

Yesterday I didn't get any chance to thank him for saving me, nor this morning. I can't get my ego here, he saved me, I owe him a thank you atleast. I know I  was angry for the stunt he pulled few days ago at my parents house, but for now I have to keep all my ego and anger aside, and thank him,

And I can't just talk to him freely, so to strike a conversation I can tell him, I brought some tea for him. I hope he likes tea. He drinks his black coffee every morning, so I thought bringing tea would be a change.

If I just walked in his office, that would be highly disrespectful and discourteous. I think I should just knock, yes.

Balancing the tray in my hand I raised my hand and tapped my knuckles on the hard wooden door.

I heard a faint 'Come in' through the dense wooden door and I took a deep breath and twisted the knob and slowly pushed the door, making it creak as I enter.

I peeked my head inside to find Farhan seated behind the huge mahogany desk, wearing sleek black glasses, his whole concentration was on some paper work infront of him, his one hand was holding his phone upto his ear, and the other one was typing something continuously on the laptop settled on his desk.

He lifted his gaze from the paperwork, still talking on the phone, he noticed me standing near the doorframe, he frowned but motioned with his hands to come in.

Slowly and carefully managing the tray in my hand I stepped inside, and closed the door behind me. Only his voice was now echoing in this room. I moved towards the small couch which was settled at the corner of the room,

I kept the tray on the coffee table, he looked at me and signalled me to wait for a while, I nodded and waited for him to complete his call.

In the meantime I glanced around his office, on the right corner there were racks filled with small cardboard boxes and a few trophies on the top and next to it were shelves filled with files, and some books. Behind his desk were two large sliding windows, showing the night view of outside. A small couch with a coffee table was in the another corner were I was seated. Beside that there were more wooden shelves which consists of files, files and more files.

"Alright tahir, I am emailing you the contract details, make sure to place an appointment with the berlin clients tomorrow or the day after," I heard Farhan's voice as he hung up his call.

"Yes, any problem?" He enquired typing something on his phone.

Listening to his tone, I started to regret my decision over coming here. No. I shake my head and cleared my throat.

"I wanted to talk to you," I kept my voice steady.

He kept his phone aside, and turned in his chair to face me, and nodded, even in his glasses I could see his hazel eyes glimmering in his dimmed office lights.

"I didn't asked for that," he pointed his head towards the tray.

"Yeah, I brought it to talk over a cup of tea? I hope you like tea?" I asked contemplating my decision suddenly, what if he didn't liked tea?

"Um I don't like tea, I prefer coffee much." He replies.

"Oh," I tried to conceal my disappointment. I should've brought coffee only. It's not like everyone likes tea, like me.

"But," I heard his voice and raised my head. "I can give a try to this " he stood up from his leather chair, and strode towards me and lifted a cup from the tray, and sat on the couch beside me.

He lifted off the blue coaster from the cup and took a sip from it. His expressions held a mild surprise. I hold my grimace, of course he didn't liked it.

"You don't have to," I told him worried that he is having it dis heartedly.

"No, it's really good. Seriously I don't drink tea, but this," he lifted up the cup, "Is really good."

He looked genuinely impressed. But I still doubt he liked it or not. I took my own cup and took a sip from it.

"You sure you like it?" I ask him again unsatisfied,

"Yes, and stop being paranoid." he replies rolling his eyes.

My gaze fell on his bandaged arm, which was now visible from his half sleeved dark blue polo t-shirt.

"How is your wound now?" I ask glancing at his arm,

"Fine," he replies curtly, "Nothing I am used to,"

"Used to?" I ask begrudgingly,

"In childhood I mean," he says after a while, "I got way more worse than this."

"More than a glass shred?" I frown,

"Stop with your questions," he snaps and I close my mouth, afraid I might ask something stupid I changed the topic,

"You wear glasses," I said Changing the subject lamely, And cringed. Out of all I had to say this?

"Yeah, just when I work late." he seemed startled by my sudden question. He removed his glasses and kept on the coffee table before him. I nodded.

"You wanted to talk?" He asks sipping his tea,

"Yeah, Actually I wanted to thank you" I pass him a smile.

He raised an eyebrow, "For what, may I ask?" He enquired,

"For saving me yesterday, I didn't got a chance to thank you, So thank you So much Farhan, For saving me. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't came." I say, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"And I know you said you would've done that for anyone but I just wanted to thank you, really. You have no idea how scared I was in that room, and when you broke that door, trust me Farhan, it felt like it was a door open for a new life. So thank you." I blink back my tears tapping my nails on my cup.

"You are thanking me as if I was some stranger, you are my responsibility. You are my wife Ayesha. I realised after saying you that I would've done that for anyone, but when I thought about it, no I couldn't. Saving you came as a second nature to me, and it really terrified me." his words made my heart skip a few beats. I look up at him to see him already looking at me.

Looking away from his eyes, I shook my head,

"No it's not like that, I thought you won't come, After you know... what happened," I told looking down at the carpeted floor.

I was referring to the tension which was earlier between us, before this all events occurred. The Danish one, and of course, his stunt at my home.

I heard him sigh, "You thought just because we had some tension between us, I would ignore you, and leave you alone to die or something?"

I was at loss of words. What should I tell now. There were many things in my mind. But I couldn't comprehend a single sentence. I played with the handle of my cup.

"I know I shouldn't have, but what would you expect from me Farhan, After the stunt you pulled at my house. I was hurt. Heck I am not even sure to trust you or not now." I spoke my heart.

It was now his turn to stay silent. He looked away from me. And suddenly I started feeling guilty. I should've choose my words properly.

Before I could say anything he grabbed my free hand in his warm calloused hands. He took the cup from my hand and kept on the table along with his.

"Look, For that day..... I was wrong. I...I accept," it looked like he had an hard time excepting his mistake.

"My behaviour was childish and non acceptable, I realised it was very wrong." he gripped my hands more firmly. But still couldn't mutter a sorry. It might be very difficult for him.

"And?" I pushed.

"And, impermissible." he tried again.

He was saying all synonyms but couldn't muster to say a small sorry.

A smile threatened to break on my face, seeing his struggle.

"Anything else?" I tried to conceal the amusement in my voice.

"Ah yes, And also, immature?" he added.

A snicker left my mouth and He looked up in my eyes, and narrowed his.

"Are you trying to make fun of me somehow?" he quipped up an eyebrow.

"No, what made you think like that?" I played hiding my smile.

"You sure you are not making fun of your husband?" he asked playing along, a hint of smile tugged on the corner of his lips.

"No, not at all." I told chuckling at his face, amusingly he shifted in his seat, facing me, making him close to me, I tried to ignore my erratically beating heart.

"It doesn't seem the same for me." he said, bringing his knuckles under my chin and lifting it up, making my eyes clash with his,

my chuckle died instantly, Instead I couldn't concentrate anywhere, beside his hazel eyes. Which I noticed also had specks of green in it. adding more beauty to his already handsome face.

I gulped. Feeling the heat rushing to my cheeks and my toes turning cold.

"It..it is." I whispered the first thing that came in my mind. We weren't even that close. Why do I always embarrass myself?

"Uhm? Really?" he reached up to my face and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear with his free hand. my eyes fluttered close on instinct,

"Why are you feeling nervous suddenly benim karım?" Butterflies erupted in my stomach, Making me shiver. His actions, were creating a havoc in my system. Butterflies erupting in my stomach weren't helping either.

I know what he was doing, he was making me nervous to forget about his apology.

"I know what you are doing," I whispered gazing in his eyes.

"What am I doing?" He whispered back amusingly.

"You...you're making me forget about your pending apology." I muster up my voice and backed out a little, making his hand under chin fall.

I heard him chuckle, and muttering. 'Cute'

I looked down, at my cup, the tea was cold now. I got from my seat hastily still controlling my heart beat, and kept my and his cup back at the tray and was about to lift the tray and go ,when he grabbed my wrist.

"Wait,"

I raise an eyebrow at him, he got up from the sofa and went to his working table and started rummaging in a draw. He closed the draw and walked towards me, I frowned.

He took my left hand, and I looked at him confused. I felt something cool sliding my finger, I looked down at my finger to see a ring, more specifically, my wedding ring, which he gave me on the first night. Which was also lost.

I gasped looking at the ring to him. "This..this was lost." I stuttered, I spend my whole evening finding every corner of my room and even made a call to my mother to check in my room. But when I got a negative response from her, my all hopes shattered thinking I lost it in that ill- fated mall.

"I found it on the ground, while I was searching for you in the mall." he says scratching the back of his head.

"Thank you," I whispered smiling down at my ring.

"Your welcome." He nodded smiling at me, I double checked to see he actually smiled at me.

I picked up the tray and stood up from the couch as he rounded his table and sat down on his chair, slipping on his glasses,

"When will you sleep? You look so tired." I mused looking at the papers sprawled on his desk.

"Twenty minutes? I need to prove read this contract and then I will go to sleep." He says distractedly going on his work mode.

"All right, twenty minutes is all you got, on the next minute I will personally drag you out of here." I say walking towards the door.

I hear him chuckle behind me, "Careful, you almost sounded like a true wife."

I smile twisting the door knob, opening the door, "Well, aren't I?"

I closed the study door of my husband, who sat behind his desk with a noticeable hint of smile on his face.

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A/N:-

Are they trying to romance? 🤔

Is it working? 😉

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