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"Of course, I will make sure of everything." Dropping the phone beside her, she huffed in anger. She was supposed to be happy because after a long time she was about to get rid of Zara. She made sure no one could question her. Fixing everything for herself she was still not on good terms with her son. Who didn't bother to meet her after coming back? She walked into the dining room, seeing his son after a very long time.
She was shocked when she called him, he didn't bother to glance at her.
flashback...
"Ain! when did you come back. You should have told me, I wanted to do so many arrangements." She walked right behind him. But then she saw Zara sitting in front of her son.
"What are you doing here?" She got venom in her voice, seeing her in the morning. That was the reason Zara would always avoid sitting at their dining table. She knew the woman standing behind Ain, would never let her stand where her son was.
Accidently Zara's eye met his ranging ones. His hands were in a fist on the table, At that moment she realized something. He was not going to stay calm like that for much longer. She raised from her place bidding goodbye aloud, almost running to get her bag and out of the main door. Without wasting any time, Ain was on his feet.
"I am leaving Baba. See you in the evening." He got up, cleaning his hands with the tissue. Kissing on his Bara Baba's head.
"Ain! Where are you going? Ain... I am talking to you." Tahira moved towards him and only a finger could touch him when he yanked back harshly. He looked down at her in rage.
"You are the reason right?" Pure venom filled in his voice. It came out more like a realization, a statement. She moved back knowing his all reaction. She knew it was the wrong time to ask what was wrong with him?
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She was coming out of her university when she saw his car in the parking lot and stopped in her track. Tightly holding her folders she wanted to act like she didn't see them. But she couldn't do it, not when she could see his driver coming out of the car. He moved towards the back door opening it with grace. She saw his bulky figure coming out in a suit.
At that moment she couldn't stop herself from mesmerizing him. His muscular and tall body was noticeable from afar. Who wouldn't notice a man with a strong jaw, deep reflective eyes, straight nose, high cheekbone, unsmiling?
"It's bad to gape on a person like that snookums." His not so soft voice reached her ears making her turn back to reality.
"I was not!" She almost screamed, not getting up from being caught like that. Her face was all red due to the harsh rays of the sun touching her face. He desperately wanted to squeeze those small cheeks.
"Let's go." Swiftly snatching away her bag and files and giving them to his driver. He grabbed her hand before she could process.
She found many people looking their way, which made her panic a little. She didn't want anyone to see her like this when her hand was in someone's grip. Hurriedly she started walking just behind him, making it seems like no one was behind him. She could never pull her hand away from his, it was like her mind would not function that way.
She knew, that moment while looking at her hand in his grip, she can never let it go. But then why this feeling to hide somewhere was there?
He made her sit in the car, buckling the seat belt by himself like always. She was still very quietly observing him when he took his seat and asked the driver to move. Her hand was still in his hand, where her whole focus was by then.
She found his thumb caressing hers, making her breath stop. She felt this tingle in her ears when she heard him again.
"Breath Zara." And like a robot, she sucked air into her lungs. She immediately looked the other way, trying hard to not scream and cry in front of that man. She felt his grip going strong, it felt like he knew.
He knew what she was going through.
He knew things were worst than he thought they were when he saw her reacting like that on his mother's call in the morning. He knew the reasons but he didn't know how much they were affecting her.
He knew only one thing that the damage was done and he was the reason. And he was the only one who could solve it. Seeing her getting out of the car not waiting for him to open her door or even get out. Running inside like she didn't want anyone to see or know she was with him. It made him angry.
He had to move fast, faster than he thought. Faster then she would have no time to react or anyone could get her.
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Zara succeeded for the next two weeks in not coming in front of anyone. She didn't want to make a mess again. She had her final exams that week. Her aunt didn't bother her too, maybe she knew if she didn't do good in her exams, no one would like that.
Ain! she didn't know where he was. He was gone again the next day when he came. She was hurt, her heart itched knowing he left without even informing her. He should have! He must! But he didn't.
Tahira did a huge tantrum in front of everyone that day. Everyone? Sikandar Ahmed and Taimoor Ahmed. They both were just there looking here and there, not even trying to calm her down.
It was the next day after her finals when Tahira barged into her room. Deep down she knew what was she going to say next.
"Your Phopho is on the way here, and she will be here in two hours, I guess. Your boyfriend is also coming today, we will fix everything today. You will stay with your Phopho for one month and the next month will be your wedding. I don't want any mistake or drama today." Zara could just node in front of that woman.
Looking at the time when the devil was out of the door, she knew she had to move fast. She called his driver Raza asking him where he was. Knowing he was in his office at that moment. She quickly made her way out of the house and moved toward their office.
Reaching in front of that huge building, she let out a heavy breath. Firstly the guard didn't let her in so she had to call Raza. Not more than two minutes and he was in front of her, saying something to the guard on which she saw a horrifying shadow crossing his face.
Going in, Raza made her follow him to the top floor, which was twenty-seven. She was shocked to see many men standing in front of a big door. She flinched badly after hearing a bang on the table from the inside of the room. There was a pin drop silence for some moments...
"Out of my sight." His voice was so loud that she saw people moving and flinching away from their spots. Was it right to go in front of him right now! She was thinking of taking a U-turn but the man standing in front of her made everyone clear her path to move forward.
She felt people looking at her because she was the only one who was going forward. She looked back to see them again.
"Mam, You can go inside now." She frowned at Raza for a moment.
"You are not going to inform or take permission for my entrance first?" She didn't want to make fun of herself there, knowing the full round of embracement she would feel.
"You don't need that." He replied smiling at her a little, opening the door for her to go in. She took a deep breath and moved forward. She entered his office, never expecting it to be that huge and expensive!
In front of the door, there was a long table for maybe thirty plus people to sit, for meetings. She looked to her right and saw that this portion was separated by a wooden moving door. She could see the other portion from the open portion. She moved when she heard someone shutting the door behind her.
She was there all alone... With an angry Godzilla!
Moving forward she saw elegant high ceilings, bookshelves, cabinets were placed against the left wall side, Many art pieces were on the walls and natural light was glowing up everything because of the large glass walls that were giving a very vast view of the city. A good sitting place in the middle and at the end. A big built-in desk where that huge chair was placed, wall behind the desk had that huge painting making that whole room just so expensive in her words. Good to her knowing that everything was not in black, everything was of white, different shades of grey and sand colors.
The person she was looking for was not there. She moved towards the right corner behind the desk. She found another path that way, there were two more doors, one was of the bathroom when she opened it. Moving towards the other one she found it very frustrating by then.
Moving in she found another room which was looking like a small office, with more bookshelves. She found him sitting on one of the couches, holding a big file. He didn't turn around and she knew he was not aware of her presence.
Was she supposed to clear her throat? or call him by his name? or just go straight in front of him and sit? Oh, that stupid overthinking brain. She turned around and saw the door was still open, she knew what she had to do.
Closing the door a little hard, she made sure it made a good noise to gain attention.
"Get out, I don't want anyone here right now." He spoke but without turning around. But this time without panicking she stepped forward.
"It's important." She hardly was able to let these words out when she saw his head turning towards her at the speed of light. She could see the startled look on his face. In a swift movement, he was on his feet, moving towards her. Before she could blink he was in front of her. She gasped when his hands cupped her face, she looked up into his eyes seeing his concern.
"What happened?" His voice was a little soft but there was still hardness in it. But before she could even process their position he bombarded her with more questions.
"Zara! I am asking you something. Did mom say anything to you? Did she do anything? Or anybody else?"
"I...I can't breathe." That was true her breath was stuck in her lungs, due to his presence. And he was standing so close that she could feel his breath on her face. How could she just talk? He narrowed his eyes, still completely focused on her. Realization hit him but he only took one step back, still holding her face.
Without any other word, he made her sit on the couch. Sitting in front of her on the table without any care it would break down.
She was looking at her hands in his hand on her lap for ten minutes. Gathering her words to tell him everything. She was tired, tired of thinking of running away. She wanted it to stop. She wanted to stop being in her room all day. She didn't want to even think more about going to her Phopho's house where everything would be messier. She huffed out loud looking up, widening her eyes remembering he was in front of her.
Warmth spread in her heart looking at him, realizing he was giving her time. Time to calm down and let it out. She didn't get it when a tear slipped from her eyes, only noticed it when his thumb caught it on her cheek.
"Zara, you can do it... whatever it is let it out. Remember I trust you, I trust you more than my life." That was it, in his presence it only took her minutes to break down in front of him. She cried and cried, she forgot about where she was. She forgot about everything, just remembering that he was here, in front of her, was enough. Just thought of him listening to her and focusing on her was enough.
She didn't want many things in her life. She wanted to shout and scream about not being a brat, not being selfish, not bad luck, not any black spirit. It felt like she was in a deep well and now someone was there with her. All the suffocation was lifting from her shoulders.
All the tightness in her chest was going away. She found arms wrapping around her when she was shaking badly. Putting her head on his chest she knew what was coming. But didn't for once she thought of stopping herself, she didn't think that it would be embarrassing if she got a panic attack in front of him.
She knew in her heart she will be alright, she will have no harm when he was there with her. Her vision got blurred when she felt her whole body shaking badly, she couldn't hear anything. She couldn't speak or see anything.
But then she felt his touch. Who was always there to secure her. She felt his fingers caressing her cheeks softly, her complete focus was now on his hands. By then she could feel his other arm around her, his other hand was on her arm, the grip was tight. She could feel the warmth spreading around her body.
Then she heard his voice, firstly it was like coming from afar. But after a moment she could get what he was saying.
"You were still mumbling baby words by then, shouting crazily without any reason. I remember looking at you weirdly. Firstly it was irritating seeing a small baby always crawling behind me but then it became my habit to look behind for you. And whenever I was unable to find you, I would panic and look for you leaving everything. I remember you would always go and hide under the dining table just to tease me. You were so gross, I still don't get why you liked putting your whole hand in your mouth, silva leaking and dropping on your clothes..."
She couldn't stop the laugh coming out, and she didn't stop. It was so awful finding him complaining about that!
"Every child do that!" She couldn't help but justify myself.
"I didn't notice any other child snookums." He whispered near her ear. She realized how close he was. She only took a moment to take down their position. She was sitting on his lap!
She was about to give the distance between them, but the man behind her had other thoughts. She found him tightening his hold on her. She again tried to move but her strength was nothing compared to his.
"Zara!" And here was the warning, on which her body froze. Why couldn't she disobey him for once? His hand came forward resting on her cheeks, making her look back towards him.
She looked him in the eyes, he would always hold this softness in his eyes whenever she was with him. When she was little people would talk about his cold eyes but she never saw them. But then she realized he was very different from her, different from the harsh and cold behavior he would give to others.
"Zara! You must let out." She could hear the desperation in his voice. She knew she must...
"Phopho is comi..."
"I know all that, Zara" She gasped looking up at him. Did he know? Ain gave a pointed look, again speaking.
"You think, I am not aware of whatever shit is happening in our house, behind my back. I know all and everything. Tell me the truth about yourself, not about anyone else." His voice became hard by the end, recalling everything again.
He felt so terrible over thinking of her crying every day, of having panic attacks like that which she just got in front of him. He didn't know that was happening too. He was also mad at her for not telling him everything by herself.
"I... I thought it would bother y..."
"Yes, of course, it would bother me, knowing you are the one doing this to yourself in the first place. You shouldn't have let anyone do that to you. Why suffer? Why not just shout and say shut up and no! Why not just call me and let me know! Why Zara!" She knew she deserved his every single word.
"I don't know, I was like it's only for about some years and then you will be back and everything will be okay."
"Why you would let something like this happen in the first place! You think it's good to act weak just because you have hope that everything will be okay one day?"
"Stop scolding me!" It was just like before. He would always give her lectures on not being weak, and she was like that at that time. But he was gone she felt like everyone could beat her.
"Well, you should have stopped others who were shouting at you, misbehaving with you, not treating you rightly. Because I am the only one who can scold you. You should never give anyone permission for this. And I am not scolding you. I am letting you hear, things you should have done by yourself. How many times, I have told you to not let anyone see your weakness. And you did that exact thing, you showed mom that you are alone, she can do whatever she wants. You let that dog know that you would not punch him because no one was looking for you."
She gasped hearing his world, tightening her grip on his sleeves.
"You...you know!"
"I am mad at you Zara. And not about only one thing, there are so many things. Why didn't you talk to me? Did I ever hurt you? Did I ever shout at you? Did you ever get in trouble because of me? Did I ever do or say anything that made you think or realize you can't talk to me? Am I not Good? Am I evil or.." She was shaking her head at his every single question. Realized how big of a fool she was.
"Stop! It's nothing like that, I can never think of you like that." She was on the verge of crying again.
"Then?" He pressed further because he knew she was going to cry more. And he wanted her to but for once and all. He wanted her to let go. She dropped her head on his chest, fisting hid collars in her hands.
"I am tired... Tired of running and hiding." She stopped for a while, not caring about wetting his shirt with her tears. That was where they were allowed to fall.
"I don't want to be weak anymore... I don't want to go anywhere. I don't want to go with Phopho, I don't want to marry..."
"That dog?" She laughed at his voice.
"Yes." She whispered when she felt his arms squeezing her into him. His odor was reaching her scenes by then, it was the first time for her to do it.
"You know that this is not possible right?" He asked because he had to. He didn't want her to not speak about it too. He felt like deep down he was thinking of her not remembering it. By that asking, he wanted some assuring. A response that could settle his heart a little.
She knew what he was asking for. How couldn't she? she could never forget or was able to erase it. That memory was like in every part of her mind and heart.
"Mmhmm" He frowned, not getting the answer he wanted. She felt his muscles going stiff when she moved her hands from his collars to around his neck.
Placing her chin on his shoulder, tightening her grip. She got goosebumps feeling her chest touching his.
When he found her moving her arms he felt this sudden pain in his heart, not knowing how to process it. He wanted her to remember but she didn't. But when he realized her hold on him, she changed her position being in his arms. His, that same heart was about to jump outside when he felt her tightening her hold around him.
He truly wanted to laugh, for the first time in so many years he wanted to laugh. He made sure to squeeze her tightly into him.
They both took in a breath at the same time.
"I don't want to go back." She whispered. She wanted to stay away from that house for some time. She needed some time, to grow, to heal. At that moment in his embrace, she realized something. She can never leave him. She can never turn her back on him. She confessed to herself that moment that she had someone, she was not alone. She confessed to herself that she just wanted him, she wanted him more than anything in this world. She liked it knowing if she would need him, he would be there.
"You are not snookums. You will stay with me from now on." She gasped hearing his words, moving her head to see him in the eyes. Where she found only acceptance and care.
"What about others?" She was more than happy to stay where he wanted her to. She was more than glad.
"Forget it!" He glared at her making her look down for once. But after a moment she looked up remembering someone in the house. She was thrilled to get the answer without even questioning.
"He will be with us in no time, I will take care of it."
She couldn't help but pray for him in his heart. She was mesmerized when he made her look around the office. Everything was looking so fine that she couldn't stop gawking. She made sure to not leave his hand. She first thought of doing it but the very next moment she gripped it tightly. why? Because he would not let go of her in front of anyone, why would she back off!
That was another thing how nervous when every single one of his staff was looking at them. They were not just looking, They were properly staring at them, and especially at their interlinked hands.
Ain knew what she was doing when her hold on his hand got tight. It was unexplainable to him too how he was able to understand her but he was. It was like his senses would only work for her when she was around. He did what she wanted to do. He was so happy to see that she no more wanted to hide. He introduced her to every important one. As Syeda Zara Ain...
Ain was going to make her stay in his penthouse which he was working on for the past two weeks. He already decided that after her exams he would take no excuses and would do the deed. But thanking his Lord for Phopho Fatima, his Zara ran to him.
Zara was more than thrilled after knowing that she was going to stay in the penthouse. When Ain was taking her there, she was puzzled to see more portions in that building. His penthouse was one of the most expensive places she had ever seen in her life.
The big glass windows that were offering a gorgeous view and look of the skyline. Every space was decorated very little and not too full. She wished to live there all her life.
"I guess, you like it." he smiled, looking at her, whose eyes were shining so brightly.
"It's beautiful Ain. Everything is looking so...so expensive!" She giggled hearing her own words.
"Of course, I only like to keep the best." He was like that, he worked hard all those years not to have a small and simple house. He wanted to make something extra for both of them, where only they both can stay.
"Come, I will show you our room." Without focusing on his words, she walked with him, and get to know, that the house was bigger than she thought. She stepped forward with him in their room.
She gasped after looking at the view. That room was a pure definition of perfection where every single item was shouting loud that 'I am expensive and nicest'.
"What will everyone do when I will not go back on time?" She whispered looking at the sky, she sat on the sofa near it. She looked up only when he was sitting right beside her. He smiled looking at the concern in her eyes.
"They will say you ran away to whom you belong to." He said pulling her to him. He couldn't stop himself from laughing when he saw her alarmed face.
"Ain! Don't"
"Don't what." He said going nearer her. Her face turned crimson, feeling goosebumps on her skin.
"Ain..." Before she could stop him he was pressing her into his chest.
"You were and always will be here Zara, there is no one other than you, you are a lifetime. I can never imagine myself without you. Everywhere I look, I am reminded of your presence in my life. And it was never a burden to my mind. It was a reminder to work hard and to achieve more. You are my wife Zara, and I am your husband. Never think about anyone else because I want you to only think of me."
She couldn't stop the tear that left her eyes. As she was held by him tightly. Just some words from him and she wanted to get down on her knees and thank her creator for such a blessing. It never occurred to her how much she needed him until he was here. After him, her mind stopped working, it was like her soul was screaming in joy and satisfaction. She was the one to not give in to herself and confess. Only because of him she was sealing her lips.
But her heart was always burning for love, for his love. She was surrounded by innumerable memories, without asking he was giving her all the answers. Many people did so much wrong to her but he was the one who was keeping her sane.
"Only for you, only for you I am living Ain. Distance between us from ages, I have covered them only because of you. I met you in so must a restless state, you don't know how lonely I was. I can't express my feelings in words. I don't have any wishes, I just want you. My eyes yearned to see you every day in all those years."
"Snookums why didn't you run to me the second I was in front of you them?" He questioned her, he still remember her little self desperate to run away.
"Because you made me wait." She said facing him, but still was holding him. By then she was on his lap. She was never awkward sitting in his lap because whenever she was around him, he would make her sit there. Even after her Nikkah, she was a little concerned but he made sure to treat her with more care than before.
"ME!!! I made you wait? How can you say that!" And here was the man who was shouting like a baby, his staff outside his office were like he would murder them with his cold eye.
"Yes! you made me wait for one whole year. You were supposed to return last year."
"Oh really! tell me who was the one behind all this? Who was the one saying to go and win?" He knew about all her tactics, her playful side. He was glad she still had that side in her.
"Of course, Syed Ain Ahmad's wife was the one. But still, take the charges because you are her husband."
He kissed her forehead out of love. He was in love with her confessions. From the start, she would express her love to him even he would give her candy. He still remembers her giving him, half of her food to share. She would always say 'Important people get extra loving treatment.'
"You have become a necessity to me. I swear, I will not take a breath of ease without you. I have loved you so much from the day I remember you were crawling to the day I made you sign those papers Each and every single day, I made it my responsibility to care and love for you only." She smiled rubbing her nose with him a gesture she used to thank him.
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He made her lunch, which was one of the most delicious meals she had in a long time. He told her about taking cooking and baking classes just to come back and make food for her. It was like his dream was coming true that day. She laughed when he was making her eat with his own hands.
"It's time. I will be back in just an hour."
After lunch he was ready to go back to his house, to let everyone know. It was time and he had to do it now. There was no tomorrow for that.
"Don't be late." She knew he will not. When he knew she was here and waiting for him. After kissing her both hands and was out of her sight.
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Must comment to let me know how it was?
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The next chapter is going to be the last one.
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