7 YEARS LATER
I felt my blood boil as I stared right into those grey orbs with almost unavoidable specks of blue that blankly stared back at me, head bobbing up and down with maximum assurance and confidence.
"If you're lying, I swear to God—" I began, but was interrupted by his brief, assertive remarks, "I'm not!" He countered, causing me to squint my eyes with skepticism before taking a long breath as I cautiously nodded my head.
I've already made enough fun of myself by falling into his horrible traps over the years to blindly trust him.
Getting up from my seat, I walked around the desk, enticing him to follow as I took his hand in mine, before exiting my office and walking all the way across the massive floor of 'The Knights,' with countless staff and colleagues acknowledging my presence, making me smile through my boiling temper until my steps finally came to a halt in front of the 'CEO' plated in gold on the black glass.
Just as I was about to make use of the so-called extravagant sensors and tap twice on the floor for the automatic doors to his office to open, a loud shrill voice screamed from behind making the two of us jump.
"No!" She cried making me put a hand on my chest and sigh in relief.
"Oh my god, Tani," I breathed out, she just gave me one of her nervous chuckles before tucking a strand behind her ear.
Tani a.k.a Tanya Ahuja was my dear husband's personal assistant for as long as I know.
"Ah...umm...actually...Beeba, Sir has asked me to specifically make sure yo-- ahm-- no one enters his office as of now." She stuttered, making me frown,
"I don't recall him having any meeting or something? Plus its lunchtime." I questioned.
She started stuttering again until the big man decided to interrupt in between.
AGAIN
"They are inside." He declared with utmost finality and a straight face making Tani chuckle nervously. "No..."
I stayed silent studying her features and posture before clicking my tongue and shaking my head.
They are.
Not waiting for a second more I tapped my foot on the floor making the doors slide open from either side before barging inside.
I could hear Tani shout from behind but, I didn't care, passing one last glare at her was enough for her to stop right outside before shutting the door back.
His hand immediately jerked away from mine as he almost scurried his way through the huge office, jumping and standing in front of the ceiling to the floor-length glass like he always does while mine skeptically roamed around the room until it finally landed on the three extremely familiar figures.
"Now Party A shall hold all of Party B's hair by the tip all the way up their head."
I heard one of them instruct, which was followed by both the parties.
"Perfect, now Party B...spin!" Just as those words escaped his mouth I could visibly see one of the two parties twirl her head off while the other held the hair uptight until it eventually rolled and formed quite a stressful bun, not to mention crooked.
"Now! Now!" I jumped at the loud voice of my husband and before I could understand shit, their so-called instructor ran around with a rubber band in his hand as he practically hopped his way to the duo before Nuraan, finally took the object from his hand, successfully securing the bun.
"Oh my God, I need my canberry juice, my head spins,"
Canberry, I see
Narrowing my eyes, I crossed my arms in front of my chest as I heard the oh-so-familiar too girly for my liking voice screech, as she pretended to faint until her eyes finally landed, all at once going all wide until a loud piercing scream escaped her mouth.
I didn't hiss tho, I was used to it.
The other two snapped their heads towards my direction, only for them to follow her lead.
"Guys! You're too loud!"
Before I could point out their absolute professionalism I heard the 7-year-old, who walked me all the way here, correct them instead.
There was silence for what seemed like an eternity as I glared at the three who were literally caught on 4k while their heads hung low. Clenching my jaw, my gaze fixed on the tiny little twat who stood in the very middle of her partners in crime, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt as I finally decided to break the ice.
"Is this low-budget salon the reason behind your absence from your Math exam, Miss?" My voice gave enough clue about how none of this was funny to me.
She just looked up through her lashes, her grey orbs boring into mine as she subtly narrowed them at me muttering,
"No, it's because I don't like Math."
THE NERVE!
I didn't miss the way the two boys on her side tried their hardest to control their laughter at her guts while the other just clicked his tongue.
"You know Riwana, at least try to come up with some more creative reasoning." He said, clearly bored with the same scenario playing on repeat for the third time in a row.
Her doe-like eyes shifted to that of her twin as she glared at him before dramatically gasping and pointing an accusing finger at him.
"See! I told you two! Kay is the traitor! It's him, who always complains to Mommy!"
I rolled my eyes at her words,
How can a little twat be so dramatic??
Now now let's not forget whose blood she is?
My conscience mocked.
Whatever!
"Oh please, tell me one good reason why I shouldn't when I give the test and you get the ice cream!?" Kayzaad countered,
"You cheat all the time!" She exclaimed!
"Well, at least I do something!"
My eyes widened at his words, are these two for real? One doesn't give the damn test and the other cheats even after all my hard work!
"You can't even do tha--" He stopped the moment he realized my stare at him before clearing his throat instead. "I don't cheat, I just take a little help from my friends." He justified instead,
"Help?? Friends?? All you ever do is bully little kids, you bully!"
At this point I was not even interested in their evergreen little banters if I am, to be honest, but well, I guess that's how you are bound to suffer when you give birth to two demons at one time.
"That's it you two. Stop."
You might as well think that this would finally be the interference of my dear, dear oh-so-useless husband but no, it wasn't, it was my evermore, understanding and wise 10 year old, who I must say was way more grown-up for boys of his age, in a good way.
Our little man knew when to step in and when to back out, his intelligent, sensible, warming, kind, and humble nature was something not many boys of his age tend to promote, but Khalid.
He was different.
After all, he had seen a lot at a very very young age.
A few days after Rudra's demise, we got to know how he used to physically abuse Khalid at that tender age, that is, if the countless amount of bruises all over the toddler's body wasn't enough to make it clear.
The first few months were difficult, not only because of everything that had happened prior to the day we set ourselves free but also because obviously with each passing day, it became difficult for Khalid to survive in an absolutely unfamiliar environment.
He wasn't used to it. He started questioning, about Rudra, his old life, about Emily, his mother, who he had no idea was no more between us. I didn't have it in me to break it to the little one, especially considering the raging mashup of hormones within me during the nine months of pregnancy.
To be very honest, I wasn't ready for it. I was excited, yes, but ready? I wouldn't be that sure, especially after Khalid. Don't get me wrong, I loved the boy the very first time my eyes met his absolutely stunning green ones, but I just started with a life without nightmares, and I was already preparing to mother two kids at one time.
A part of my discomfort was the fact that whether or not will I be a good enough parent, while the other part, was just afraid that during this conquest of making one of them happy, I hope not to make the other feel neglected. I would be lying if I say I dealt through that phase of my life all alone, because I do not think I would've been in the place I was today, had it not been for the man who promised me forever.
I think the biggest shock of my life came at the point when I finally got to know about the full on big billion sale god had planned for me.
It was a fuckin tornado inside my head when I got to know that I wasn't just responsible for one life within me, but two, to be precise.
"I-I can't-"
I breathed out the words as I looked straight into his blue orbs through my glistening ones.
"Three is t-too much for me, f-for us." I hated myself for the words that escaped my mouth but hey! It's only true. It wasn't a financial issue, nor was it because I was afraid to lose my independence or something. I was a free spirit anyway, the only concern running through my head was will we be able to do justice to the three angels we were being blessed with?
Will we be enough?
The last thing I would ever want in my life is for my kids to feel loved any less. Plus parenting wasn't really that easy of a job anyway.
His hands pulled me down, making me sit on his lap before he gently wrapped his arms around me, our foreheads resting against each other.
"As long as we have each other, we've got it together." Were the only words that escaped his mouth and I guess that was indeed all we ever needed.
It was at that moment when I had finally held our flesh and blood in my arms did I finally realized the beauty of birth. Their tiny figures wrapped in each of our arms were the only feel I needed for all my fears to run away.
Kayzaad and Riwana.
I guess the biggest turning point of our lives hit us the very day they entered it, turning my biggest two fears into the greatest strength.
I feared that their presence might outshine that of Khalid, little did I know that it solely their presence that bought us all together -- a perfect family.
With time we realized that our existence now completely revolved around our three balls of joy. Making our hearts pump in joy at how inseparable all three of them were and how they just couldn't function without each other.
Khalid was the oldest and definitely more wise than even both his parents, I knew my boy had a heart of gold, just like his name suggested, eternal and glorious, those were enough to describe my son, with a kind heart, joyous nature, and positive outlook to the world, I knew he was everything one could only dream to be.
Kayzaad on the other hand, was a complete opposite, and I knew that the very first time I saw him fight his senior for his brother, unlike Khalid's calm, composed, and collected aura, all Kay believed in was impulse, enrage, and indifference, a perfect example of being a go-getter and I'd-rather-break-than-bent. His outlook on life was exactly what his name suggests. Kayzaad- A King.
Last but not the least, my tinny little twat was anything but the name I had surfed hours for on the internet. Riwana- A guardian angel. Just like the name Raqeeba. But no! That little dramatic-ass-devil was anything but an angel. The typical brat who gets everything in a silver spoon.
Don't blame me, blame her dad for being the way she is gonna be when she finally grows up.
Nonetheless, it was because of these three that we had the colors in our lives.
They were like the three prime colors that made our worlds brighter, Khalid, representing the calmness of blue, Kayzaad reflecting the rage of red, and Riwana being the youth of yellow. They were my brightest stars, no matter how different they are.
They.
My family.
______
"Wassup Bitch!"
Getting my car into what seemed like the most abrupt halt, I threw the car door open, ready to smack the shit out of the woman standing so carelessly in my way, like she was waiting to be hit like a mosquito from an eclectic bat.
'What the actual fuck, Juhi!? Do you want Laksh to smack the shit out of me?" I screamed, glaring at the woman in front of me as I walked out storming my way to her figure.
She just randomly rolled her eyes at me before completely disregarding all my efforts of taking those steps before she got into the car, honking like a damn donkey that she is.
Cursing under my breath I simply got inside.
"If you really wanna die that bad, please find some other car, cause I'm really not interested in your husband seizing me?" I bit out.
"Can we not talk about that absolutely pathetic excuse of a man for once."
She muttered making me chuckle,
"Now we both know, Laksh is a keeper," I chuckled saying.
"Really? Please keep him, I'm so not up for bringing up two kids at a time,"
I couldn't help but snicker, "What did my brother do now?" I asked, My foot pressing onto the accelerator as I started driving,
"He forgot to pick me up!" She cried making me hiss,
"And so you stand in front of my office at..." I looked at my watch before continuing "--11;27 P.M, just to get a drop?" I ask amused, to which she nods making me sigh, "Exactly,"
"Bitch I need to be home, my kids are a tad alone, with their father," I whined,
We literally stayed in two utmost opposite directions!
"Chill out, they're with their father remember," She reminded making me sigh.
"THAT'S exactly the problem," I muttered making her laugh.
"C'mon now, izz okay Beeba, you can at least do that for your bestie,"
I just smiled "Unfortunately," I whispered before taking a u-turn.
We were halfway through the ride as I looked at the time. 11;45 PM
Great.
"Stop," I did as I was told, before looking around at the surroundings,
"Are you high? This ain't your place." I frowned at her, making her curse under her breath.
Weird.
"I know, it's not, but we got some renovation work so... that's our temporary place." She shrugged,
"You booked a palace-like place for a few days' stay, you could've just come to mine."
I complained making her huff, "Talk to my stupid hubby." Was all she muttered, getting out.
"Why's it so dark in here?" I asked, to which she just said, "People sleep early,"
I just nodded.
"Wanna stop for a drink?" She offered,
"Nah, I don't drink and drive" I replied making her roll her eyes.
"I think you are in a painful need of a coffee at least." This time I didn't deny it.
"I think I really am," I said getting out of the car. It's gonna be a long ride some for heaven's sAKE
"You go first, I'll park the car." She jutted making me shrug as I tossed the keys to her.
The cold breeze hit my face I slowly made my way towards the front door, my eyes widening at the huge wooden gates before I slowly push them open, clearing my throat.
Deja vu,
My mind goes back to our wedding day. The very day everything felt in place, without any of our knowledge.
Please God, please. Can't just a single person be there for me for calling out loud! Please!
I slowly fluttered my eyes open as a sharp fresh oceanic smell filled my nostrils. A hand stretched out right in front of me and without even bothering to look up to the figure, I quickly held his hand on mine.
Relief.
That was probably the very first clue the universe gave me about that one person who was destined to be in my life.
The one man who I at first thought to be the biggest mistake of my life until he became my life itself.
A small smile adorned my lips at the memories of that day until it hit me.
Shit!
Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!
I looked at my watch, thanking god that it's digital, for then my blind ass would've seen absolutely nothing.
11:59
Oh no no no! Fuck the coffee.
Quickly turning on my heels I was about to leave the place when my heart skipped a beat as a bright yellow spotlight fell right on my face making me squint my eyes. As if on pure reflex I lifted my hand placing it straight in front of my face.
This has happened before...
I thought until my eyes finally landed on what seemed like the most familiar face of all time as he slowly stepped out from the darkness, knocking every ounce of breath away from me.
There he was, with his hair perfectly set, his slight stubble looking as great as ever, paired in a black tuxedo, which did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and absolutely toned figure mixed with my biggest weakness, those oceanic blues which stared straight at me and that more than familiar oceanic scent.
"Nuraan," Hiss name escaped my mouth in a mere whisper, making the corner of his lips turn into the most addictive grin, making dimples creek in,
"Happy Anniversary, Wife." He breathed out.
Just as those words escaped his mouth did light filled the entire hall, making my eyes widen at the decoration or rather from witnessing the exact replica of our wedding hall, along with loud cheer from the crowd making me jump.
They were all here...
My heart flutter at a hurtful pace and fresh tears slowly started to cloud my vision as a chuckle escaped my lips making me shake my head before I facepalmed.
I hate him.
And I hate how amazing he makes me feel.
"May I?" He asked, slowly yet confidently stretching his hand forward for me, and as if on queue I heard the faint sound of music from behind.
I couldn't help myself as I simply grinned from ear to ear before taking his hand in mine.
"Yo, Mommy!" I heard the loud shriek of my daughter making my eyes snap in the direction of her voice, dressed in a beautiful white frock, with both my sons on either side of her, with Anu standing behind them, making sure their ties and tiara, looked perfect for any shot at all whatsoever.
A blush crept all the way from my neck to my cheeks as my eyes met that of T who winked at me, his arms wrapped around Romanah's while she was busy snapping the entire shot along with Nush and Josh.
Juhi and Lakshya seemed like they were arguing yet again, while Ayman and Zunaim tried their hardest to shut the two up. I didn't miss the way both our Moms and Dads were tearing-eyed.
A shaky breath escaped my mouth the moment my hands came in contact with his, its funny how even after so many years we're so familiar yet not used to the electricity of our touch.
Waking up to kiss you with the sun shining overhead
I couldn't help but throw my head back laughing at his improvised lyrics, and as weird as it did sound, I was beyond impressed at his voice though.
Did he really, change the words of my favorite song?
Had it been anyone else who dared to mess with Niall Horan's This Town, I would've been up for murder but hey, this was the man I loved and I know he did to not make it sound depressing so... points for thoughtfulness.
The smell of your perfume always stuck in the air
It's all...
"Stop laughing, I spent 3 months recording it."
He whispered rolling his eyes at me before leading me to the very center of the stage.
"Awww, I'm just overwhelmed," I replied pecking his cheeks and chuckling at the blush that crept across them.
Yesterday I thought, what'd do if you're not around it's funny how things never change in this old town. So far, I'm close to the stars
"Did you really write this?" I couldn't help my astonishment as I heard the absolutely new wordings. His chest visibly broadened as his chin flew upwards.
"One and only."
And I want to tell you everything
The words I never got to say the first time around
The first time around...
I thought of that time...
"I regret the day I met you."
A soft chuckle escaped my lips at the memories. Little did we know.
And I remember everything
From when we were the crazy kids dancing all around Dugg outWish I was there then like I'm now
I swear when I say I did not want to feel this emotionally overwhelmed but here I was with my arms around the love of my life, swinging in his arms with tears in my eyes. It was him, it was always him. The man who showed me that forever does exist
If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you
His hand that held my right rose above my head before twirling me thrice.
Drive highways and byways to be there with you
A burst of a small laugh escaped my mouth as I felt him lean forward bending me on my back while I locked my arms around his neck.
Over and over the only truth
My eyes met his as I slowly felt my smile drop at his intense gaze.
"I love you, Mrs. Khan."
Those words, those fucking words I once thought I would never be able to hear from this man in front of me, left his mouth with absolutely no hesitance, making my heart skip multiple beats.
"And I love you, Mr. Khan,"
Everything comes back to you.
His warm hands cupped my cheeks making me look at his eyes. His thumb traced my cheeks and I found myself leaning into his touch as he placed his thumb right on my lips making me smile.
This. Was our thing.
He leaned forward pressing his lips against his thumb and I followed smiling, Until I felt his thumb shift away from my lips before his soft ones pressed against mine instead, taking me into a sweet, soft, and tender kiss.
The crowd went mad with the hoots as we slowly pulled away, a deep red hue settling all over my face.
I looked at him as he slowly cleared his throat, moving back, pushing himself away from me.
"You may not be my first kiss..." He started, making the crowd silent, while he continued.
"But you were the kiss that mattered. You were the touch that made stars reflect light through my eyes. You were the feeling that dilated my pupils. You were the smell that stayed in my teeshirt. You made the sky rain with your thumping heart but still managed to silence the world just to hear me breathe. You were the smile I got lost in, you were the feeling that felt perfect, you were the love that felt familiar, a love I've known for a lifetime -- and at that moment, I knew we were infinite, at that moment, I knew that even if you're the last thing I see, I want you to know that it's enough for me."
Tears trickled down my eyes as I looked into his, with lips curved in a wide smile.
Sucking in a breath I held my hands close to my chest the moment he kneeled down on his one knee, taking the black velvet box out from the pocket of his tux while I probably looked like an Annabel in my plain white knee-length dress and pink and white striped knee-length socks along with too big for my foot baby pink shoes, paired with a white bandana.
Thank god I work in my own office! Oh and don't blame me, my daughter styled it!
Huh! Like mother, like daughter.
Shut up.
"Mrs. Raqeeba Nuraan Khan, if it ain't clear enough, then let me tell you, that you've democratically been ruling both the auricles and ventricles of my heart for seven years now, do you mind continuing with your governance?"
He said, opening the small box to reveal a thin gold plated necklace with a tiny circular pendant.
"No," I said making the crowd go silent before I quickly continued.
"I mean I-I don't mind obviously I-" My banter was cut short soon enough,
"Mommy just say Yes!" I heard Riwana shout and obviously, I did as told.
"Yes! Oh my god, Yes! Yes! Yes! A hundred times, yes!"
Bending down I simply cupped his face, pressing my lips onto his, making him smile through the kiss before he got up, kissing me back until we finally pulled away.
"What's in this?"
I asked looking at the personalized photo projection necklace.
"See it for yourself," He whispered, shutting my left eye I looked into the tiny crystal-like circular pendant only to find a group picture of the six of us in it, With me hugging Khalid, Nuraan carrying Riwana in his arms, and Kayzaad in between us with Simba (or doggo) in front of him with his tongue out, leaning his back on to Kay who had his arms wrapped around him.
We took that in front of our house,
It was my favorite picture of all time, I looked away from it, smiling wide before wrapping my arms around him.
"It's beautiful!"
A loud bark filled the hall making my eyes snap towards the all grown up retriever that ran his way towards us and at the same time, tiny hands wrapped around us almost in an instant making the both of us pull away, as we both kneeled down to their heights almost immediately being engulfed by my boys' tiny hands, Simba's nonstop licking, and my daughter's comical ramblings.
This. Was heaven.
I looked at the three of them. The apple of my eyes, they were all so different from each other, yet so similar, it was at that moment did I discover that even though my fairytale had finally gotten to a place where it should stop, but I had left a lot to go on with, after all as T.S Eliot says...
The end is just the beginning.
__________
THE END
FINA-FUCKIN-LY ITS DONEEEEEEE!!!
NOW I CAN FINALLY HAVE A PEACEFUL SLEEP. LMAOO!!!
ANYWAY AGAIN! I'D KE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR STAYING AND BEARING WITH MY LAZY AF ASS. THANK YOU THANK YOU AND THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!
P.S : LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALL TO THE MOON AND BACK!
THIS IS YOUR ANNOYING ASS AUTHOR
-BEEBA
SIGNING OFF!
GOOD LUCK AND STAY SAFE!
XOXO
It's Sheewholoved!