Love starts after Nikkah

Chapter 19-Past

Five Years Ago:

"Mom, Dad! I want to talk to you. " Whole family was sitting on the lawn, having their evening tea when Sahir said.
"What is it, my son?" Mr Sikandar asked
"Umm... I like a girl at the Uni. In fact, she is also the daughter of Mom's
friend. "
"Who? "Mrs Amna asked.
"Zahra.. Daughter of Shazia Auntie"
"Really? That's great! I love the family of Shazia!" Mrs Amna said with
sparkling orbs.
"So, what do you say? Should we go this weekend to their home?" Mr
Sikandar asked with a smile.
"As you both wish". A chuckle erupted from his lips while his parent's
smiles broadened.
...........................
At the weekend, Mr Sikandar and Mrs Amna went to the Zahra's house
while Sahir was walking on the lawn impatiently.
The voice of the car's horn came and his excitement aroused. He was
eager to know the answer to Zahra's parents.
"What did they say?" he asked when his parents came out of the car.
"They asked for time to think of this proposal," Mr Sikandar replied at
which his smile dropped, and fear encapsulated his being.
"Sahir, They want some time and it is a usual thing. Don't get
disheartened. "Mrs Amna said to him with a smile at which he
reciprocated the smile.
That night, standing on the terrace, he was glancing at the moon while a
bright smile was on his lips and hope was glinting in his orbs.
..................
The next day, when he entered the university ground, Zahra came from
the other side and instantly hugged him. That was so sudden that Sahir
had no time to react. He kept standing there with wide eyes, while Zahra
hugged him tightly.
"Zahra, please stop it." He murmured while taking of her arms of his
torso.
"You have sent a proposal to my house. That is awesome! I love you,
Sahir!' She exclaimed while he kept glancing at the students who were
sitting around and murmuring among them while gazing at them.
"Zahra, it was not an appropriate thing. Please don't do it again." He
murmured while glancing at the area around him.
Her smile dropped and a frown settled on her face.
"What is this, Sahir? I am talking to you about a proposal and you are
getting silly." Anger laced her tone and she went toward the cafe with
anger.
Frustration and anger also pumped in his veins but he had to control
himself. He couldn't afford to make the relationship worse.
He followed her and sat at the cafeteria table.
"Okay, let's talk about the proposal. Do you like this surprise?" He said in
a cheerful tone with a small smile etched on his lips.
"It was amazing, and it made me feel so special."
"You are special, Zahra. I want to spend my life with you."
"Me too!" She replied with a grin.
........................
"Sahir, what are your plans for the future?"
Zahra asked while stalling into the corridor of the shopping mall with him.
"I have already told you, Zahra. Lectureship and writing is my cup of
tea." He replied in a firm tone, not wanting any argument on this topic.
A frown settled on Zahra's face at this.
"Sahir, it will not work for me. I am a girl with big dreams." She said at
which irritation encapsulated his being.
"I will try my best to fulfil all of your dreams." He replied with a smile but
with a thudding heart at which she hummed.
"Oo Waoo," It came out of Zahra's mouth when she saw a diamond ring
in a shop.
"You like it? " Sahir asked her with a fake smile.
"Yes! " Zahra said.
"Sahir! Can't you buy it for me? Please!" Zahra asked him
enthusiastically.
He gulped but went into the shop and asked for the prize. His eyes widened when the jeweller told him the prize.
"Zahra, Leave it now. I will give it to you in the near future. "
"If you can't af ord it now then how can you af ord it at that time? "
Sahir's mouth agape opened at her words. Anger also came over him.
"Zahra, Behave yourself! "
"Don't talk to me in this tone Sahir! I will not tolerate it ever in my life! "
She said and went toward the exit.
His jaws clenched while his mind was giving him red alarms. Mind was
alerting him about her attitude but the heart was justifying her actions.
With a dilemma of heart and mind, he went toward the parking lot.
........................
There was a night event at the University and Sahir was hosting that
event. He was busy looking at the preparations when his gaze fell upon
Zahra.
Pink gown, dark brown hair falling on her back, and light makeup
highlighting her beauty. After the mall incident, he didn't talk to her. But now seeing her in front of him, a smile etched on his face and all anger
flew up! But, he didn't get the opportunity to talk to her as the event
started.
Till the mid of the event, Sahir had to do hosting. When the part of his
hosting finished, he went to the washroom. There was a garden between
the hall and washroom areas. At that time, all were in the hall so
darkness and silence was prevailing in the area.
Sahir was passing the garden when he heard some whispering. He first
ignored it but then stopped listening to the voice. That voice was of
Zahra.
........................
Thunder boomed in the sky at which Sahir gazed at the dark sky with
teary orbs. Pain rippled in his orbs and a shudder ran down his spine at
the thundering voice.
He stepped into the dark room and gazed at Saba who was sleeping soundly on the couch.
Gazing at her sleepy face, guilt encapsulated his heart. He didn't want to
get married because he just wanted to concentrate on his work and
become a billionaire. He wanted to get foreign degrees because that
exposure will help him in understanding business and expanding it. For
five years, he was doing work on his online business and was successful
to a large extent. But much work is still to be done. He had started
freelancing to raise the quality of his life. Turning to an online business
was a great decision that helped him in fulfilling his earning goals.
He had become a millionaire through monetizing his passion; writing,
and lectureship. The benefit of online business is that you earn dollars
most of the time which turned out to be a hefty amount in Pakistan.
He didn't want to marry because his heart was still unable to heal from
the pain. His trust in love had been shattered and it would take a long
time to heal.
He was gazing at the innocence etched in her expression.
"Maybe in my dare and the hate of Zahra, I am doing wrong with Saba! Ohh, Allah! Guide me on what I should do! "
Regret and pain sprawled his being, and he went toward the bed with
slumped shoulders. A sleepless night was waiting for him.
........................
The car stopped some moments away from University.
"I can't take you with me to the university as there is a risk any
acquaintance will see us," Sahir said to her at which she nodded her
head, and climbed down the car. Sahir remained there, gazing at her
retrieving form while his mind went toward the past.