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Athar's POV
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I smiled looking at Ayesha, she was sitting in my cabin. I made her sit there and make some sketches
When Reem fell sick Ayesha didn't come to the office, but now when dadi is there at Reem's house she could come to the office.
I have been using plenty of excuses to keep her in my cabin with me. Like right now when I told her to make sketches in front of me, she was busy making designs and I was enjoying looking at her.
"Mr Khan you don't have to keep staring, I will make good designs" she said without looking at me
Shit! I thought I was discreet.
"I'm not staring" I quickly denied a little ashamed of being caught red handed
"Sure you were" she scoffed, "have a little confidence, I will make some good designs, don't worry"
Oh! So she thinks I was staring at the designs? Phew! I sighed in relief
"I have full confidence in you" I said, she smiled looking at me. Her smile took my breath away
The intercom rang, I picked it up.
"Yes?" I asked Rose
"Sir Mr Imam is here, should i send her in?" She asked, I looked at Ayesha. She was deeply focused on her work, should I let him come here?
"Sir?" Rose said
"Ok let him come" I said
The moment I put the phone down there was a knock on the door, i gave my permission. The door opened
"Hello hello Athar" Afham entered, I stood up. I looked at Ayesha she was still working on her designs, she did not even lift up her head, it made me happy
"Hello" I gave a curt nod
"Ayesha?" He said, I grinded my jaw, my fists clenched, I hated it when he called her name. She looked up at him
"Hello! Mr Imam" she said, I looked at her in surprise, my fists loosen
"Call me Afham" he insisted, I glared at him
"Thank you, but I really think what I call you is professionally right" she said, I smirked
That's my girl!!
"Okkk." He shrugged "by the way thank god i found you here only, I have been wanting to meet you, I wanted to personally thank you for making wonderful designs" he smiled
"You are welcome" she replied plainly
"I'd like to welcome you on the project also" he said.
Over my dead body! I opened my mouth to speak but Ayesha beat me to it
"Thank you so much Mr Imam, but I'm not interested" she said shocking me and Afham
"What? Why?" He asked
"As you already know I said no to the project a long time ago" she said and then looked at me, "only at Mr khan's persistence I made the designs, but my job is done here" she said, my mouth dropped open. Is this really her talking? Is she really covering my lie?
The way she flat out refused Afham made me wonder if Ayesha also has feelings for me.
"What are you saying, I really want you wor.." Afham was talking with Ayesha, he took a step towards her, I walked in speed and stood in front of her.
"You heard her dude. Think about it and take a call, either project without Ayesha or no project at all" I narrowed my eyes at him
He left from there and then.
"Thank God he left" Ayesha said, I turned around to look at her
"Yeah thank god" I smiled
"I need coffee, I'm going to make one for me, would you also like to have it?" She asked
"Would love to"
"I will bring coffee here only, then we can work on the designs also. Ok?"
"More than ok" I said showing too much excitement, she frowned at me, I awkwardly cleared my throat and went to sit back on my chair
"I'll be back" she said and left
Should I really ask her what she feels for me? Because the way she stood by me in front of Afham clearly said that she feels something for me.
Not right now! I will take her to some place where I can talk to her.
******
I was sitting in Reem's living room, I got late in the office today, I thought to check in on Reem's health, I had to meet dadi also, and obviously Ayesha was also one of the reasons why I was here .
Dadi and I were sitting in the living room, while hayat was with Reem, and Ayesha was sleeping. Someone was visiting Reem, so he was also upstairs.
"Sometimes izhaan behaves so childish, he should have told me about Reem's health the moment he found out" dadi said
"He didn't want you to worry dadi." I said
"And now I'm not worrying? I called Abdullah and told him about Reem's health, he wanted to return, but I assured him that I would stay here with her" she said referring to Reem's father
"She is fine now, you don't have to worry"
"You talk to Izhaan, tell him to forget about her studies. Reem is ours, she is our responsibility, izhaan's responsibility, for how long can we keep her here. The poor girl must have felt so bad about izhaan's decision." She showed annoyance
Somebody please tell dadi, it's not izhaan who wanted to delay it was Reem only.
"And you are also letting me down. Why are you not telling me..."
"Dadi please, let's just stick to Reem and Izhaan only"
"To tum nahi bataoge uska naam (so you will not tell her name?)"
Mujhe to confirm ho jaye pehle phir bata dunga (let me get the confirmation first, then I'll let you know)
"Dadi I will te..." I was saying but closed my mouth immediately when I saw a figure descending down the stairs
"Mil aye (done meeting?)" Dadi asked
"He is my grandson, Athar and beta Athar, he is Sufiyan, Avira's nephew" she introduced us, we both shook hands. He sat next to me.
"Chalo ab tum bache baat karo mai ja rahi hun namaz padhne (You guys talk now I'm going to pray namaz)" Dadi said and left
Sufian and I got busy talking with each other. I learned a lot about him. He was a chemistry teacher in Reem's University, and I must say he was a smart fellow looking at his general knowledge and understanding of business also
"Dude what are you doing in the university, join my office, I will be honoured to have you" I said, he chuckled
"Hello" an angelic voice spoke, I looked at the direction, my beautiful Ayesha
I noticed her hair bouncing as she jumped down the stairs. Suddenly the room was filled with light, she was here. Both of us stood up to greet her.
"Hello Mr Khan!" She smiled
"Hi" I smiled
"Hello Mr Sufiyan!" She greeted him.
"Hello gorgeous" he said, making me shocked, but my whole world fell apart when he leaned in and hugged Ayesha.
My eyes grew wide, I could feel my whole body burning.
They pulled apart, Ayesha sat next to him, he also settled down.
"So what were you guys talking about?" She asked
"Well i just got an offer in your office, what do you say should i join? We can be together all the time" he winked at her, she laughed
"No thanks"
What was happening? What the hell were they doing?
"Assalamualaikum everyone" said izhaan, we all turned to him
"Walekumassalam jeeju! Sufiyan, this is Izhaan jeeju" Ayesha introduced him
"Oh so you are Izhaan! Very nice to meet you" sufiyan shook Izhaan's hand.
Soon Reem and hayat also joined us, now all of us were sitting and talking, well they were all talking, my attention was just focused on Ayesha and the monkey next to her
The tea was served. And the discussion of what we should eat for dinner was going on. I looked at Izhaan, he was already looking at me
"What happened?" He mouthed at me, I shook my head.
The discussion of the imam project started, and Reem was praising Ayesha endlessly.
"So what made you drop the project? You were so pro at it" hayat asked
"Oh! There has already been so much drama about this project that i have lost my interest in it, I will do any other project" Ayesha spoke
So this was the reason, and I was feeling so happy for nothing
"Like which project?" Hayat asked
"Forget about any other project. Mr Khan so many friends of mine have got their degrees already, why don't you also give me approval so that I can also have it" Ayesha pouted
"No please Athar bhai, don't give your approval so soon, if you give it to her, she will leave me and go back to Chandigarh" Reem said, before I could reply, sufiyan spoke
"Don't worry Reem, she is not going anywhere now, I will not let her go" he put his arm over her shoulder, I saw red. I was feeling so angry, my eyes were fixed on his arm, I wanted to rip it out of his body
I picked up the steaming hot cup of coffee and threw on his lap
"Ow" he stood up rubbing his thigh, I sat relaxed, I was feeling satisfied now
"Sufiyan! Are you ok?" Ayesha's concern for him made me want to kill him
There was a commotion in the house where everyone was running here and there.
"I will clean up myself" he said and went to the bathroom
"Mr Khan! You should have been careful" Ayesha said making me furious, I opened my mouth to yell, but from somewhere Izhaan came. He put hand on my shoulder to calm me, but it wasn't working
"Control yourself Athar" he whispered, I rolled my eyes
"Did you see him?"
"We'll talk about it later"
Soon the moron returned.
"How are you now?" Reem asked him
"I'm ok, thankfully my jeans were thick, I'm not burnt much"
"Are you sure?" Ayesha asked, I was moving forward, but Izhaan held me back again
"My clothes are wet, I should get going now" he said
"Should I give you dad's clothes" Ayesha asked
"No I will go now" he said looking uncomfortable. He bid goodbye to everyone then he turned to me, he extended his hand for a handshake, "it was nice meeting you" he said, I just continued glaring at him, izhaan came from behind me and took his hand.
"Lovely meeting you" he smiled. Finally he left.
"Sometimes you are too rude Mr Khan" Ayesha said
I was beyond mad now, I left immediately from there, Izhaan followed me
"Buddy wait.. buddy " he called, but I didn't stop, I sat in my car and left.
******
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Ayesha's POV
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I parked my car and ran to the elevator, it was 8:30, I got late today. Thank God I won't have to face the old Mr Khan, otherwise he would have asked me to write so many times.
I pressed the 25th floor button and made my way upstairs. I reached my destination. I exited the elevator. I should go and greet Mr Khan. I went to his cabin
"Good morning Rose" I said cheerfully
"Good morning" she said with a serious face
"All ok?" I asked, she shook her head
"Sir is in a horrible mood, he's been shouting at everyone since morning"
"Really? Why?"
"I don't know"
"I will go to talk to him "
"Ayesha don't, you have already come and now you want to go in the den also"
"He won't shout at me" I said proudly
We have made such a progress where I know, he will not lose his cool at me.
"Don't test him, just go back to your desk"
I rolled my eyes at her and knocked on the door
"Enter" he said, I opened the door
"Good morning" I said cheerfully, he looked at me, "I'm sorry I got a little late today. How are you this morning? Should I get you coffee or anything?"
"What time is it?" He asked, I looked in the clock and said
"8:45" I shrugged
"What time are you supposed to be here?" He shouted so loud that I was taken aback, I looked at him with wide eyes.
"Mr Khan"
"This is not a park that you can come to whenever you want. This is my office and you have to be on time."
"Why are you getting so angry at me?" I asked
He came to me and grabbed my arms roughly.
"Yeh tum puch rahi ho k mai tumpe gussa kyun hun (are you really asking why I am mad at you?)"
"Haan mai puchh rahi hun (yes i am asking)"
He looked at me his eyes were filled with anger, his fingers were digging in my flesh.
"Ouch Mr Khan, you are hurting me"
"No Ayesha, you are hurting me" he said and then left me with a jerk, I stumbled a little
"Get out of my office" he shouted so loud that I was sure the entire floor heard him. I opened the door and went straight to the elevator.
It was not the first time that he had shouted at me, but for the first time I felt hurt, I felt humiliated. What have I even done? He was fine till yesterday and today he has gone crazy.
I had no heart to stay in the office, i just left.
********
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Izhaan's pov
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"When is Abdullah coming?" Dada ji asked
"Tonight" maa replied
Dadi and hayat have been living at Reem's house, The rest of my family visits her regularly.
Thankfully she has recovered well, so everyone's life will be back on track by tomorrow.
"If you had not forced studies on her, she would have been here. Qasim and I decided her twenty third birthday for a reason" dada ji said referring to Reem's grandfather.
What can I say dada ji! She is not ready to come.
"Ab chhodiye bhi abba jaan, agar Allah ki marzi hui to meri dono bahu jald se jald hamare ghar aa jayengi (now leave it abba jaan, if Allah wills, both of my daughter in laws will be here soon)" maa said
"Inshaallah (if Allah wills)" papa agreed with her, my eyes went to Athar, he was sitting quietly.
He is still disturbed with the whole Sufiyan situation, I have not got a chance to talk with him as yet. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid because of jealousy
After dinner and tea everyone returned to their rooms, I stayed back with dada ji, he had to talk about something.
After I was done I went to Athar's room, it was locked from inside, so I went to my room, did my night routine then I went to the twin door, thankfully it was unlocked from his side, I entered his room.
Athar was sitting on the chair while blankly staring at the wall. I dropped next to him.
"Buddy! You're ok?" I asked, he sighed, but stayed quiet.
"Tell me Athar!" I asked
He told me everything that happened in the office this morning, i facepalmed myself.
"Have you gone crazy?" I asked
"Actually, I have. Since the time I saw Ayesha with another guy I have gone crazy. How could she do it with me?"
"What has she done? Why are you getting upset with her?"
"I don't know. I just hated sufiyan"
"Hated him so you burnt him"
"He deserved it"
"You are overthinking. Didn't you see how uncomfortable Ayesha was when sufiyan put his hand on her shoulder"
"Don't even remind me of that" he seethed
"Why? See, I can't say anything about the guy, but Ayesha definitely has no feelings for him"
"Did you learn this while studying law?" He rolled his eyes
"To understand body language no one needs a degree. It's too simple if a girl is into the guy she leans on his touch, not scoot away. When he put his arm, Ayesha bent down, to make him drop his hand, but of course you were blinded by your anger to see it"
"When he got hurt, she was so concerned"
"We all were concerned, and if you specifically talk about Ayesha, she was concerned, but I didn't see any restlessness on her face."
"What are you trying to say, Izhaan?"
"I'm telling you to be smart. let her see who you really are. Let her fall in love with you. Don't push her away don't insult her please. You are just blowing up your chances"
He looked deep in thought for a while, then he spoke
"Shit man! I made her run away" he facepalmed himself
"Go prepared tomorrow. Apologize to her, beg her for forgiveness if you have to. Don't be stupid my brother, you're going to regret it"
"Beg? Won't that be too much"
"No, not when you are in love and at fault. I would fall on my knees for Reem"
"Whipped" he mumbled, I laughed, I patted his back strongly
"So, will you be smart? Don't you want her?"
"Of course I do"
"Imagine what will happen to our house when both the girls will come here" We both laughed
A knock on the door disturbed us, he got up to answer the door. It was maa
"Beta I was sayi..." She was saying something but turned silent when she saw me, "you are also here? I went to your room, it was locked from inside, then how did you come here?" She asked, I pointed at the twin door
"You guys are still using it. We should have closed it permanently, you are not kids anymore, Reem will come soon, she would want privacy" she said
"She's not going to come anytime soon, we'll do something about it later" Athar said
Maa shook her head.
"So you were saying?" Athar said to maa
"Yeah I was talking about your papa, he was saying..." I cut maa
"You guys talk, I'm going to sleep. Good night" I said and returned to my room through the same door.
I looked around my room. Reem will come here, she will live here with me. The thought made me smile. But suddenly my smile dropped, I tried asking Reem about Zuhan a couple of times, but nobody leaves us alone so we could talk.
I don't doubt her, but I'm jealous of whoever this guy is, how can he be any special to Reem. I will find out soon.
*******
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Reem's POV
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"Oh no" I pouted when Hina informed me about the assignments which were given while I was absent
"So much work already, and exams are also coming" she made a sad face
"I know! I don't understand how I will finish it off in time" I sighed
"Don't do drama Reem, I'm sure you are already preparing for the exams, and as always you are going to ace the assignments also" Hussain said
"Inshaallah (if Allah wills)" I said looking up at the sky.
"Let's go for a movie" naira said, everyone agreed
"What about you Reem?" Hussain asked
"I'm not in the mood guys, I have some important work also" I shook my head
"You need to loosen up, you can't be busy all the time" Shuaib said
"Some other time guys" I said
"Not everyday our lectures get cancelled" Hussain said
"Next time I will come promise" I said
"Ok" naira nodded
Then they left, I was keeping my stuff in my bag when Hussain returned
"Hey Reem!" He said
"Yes?"
"Take out some time for yourself also, you are always running, slow down a little" he said as if he could peep in my soul, I felt exposed
"Ok" I said trying to hold my face as neutral as possible
"See you around honey" he said and left
I shook my head and made my way to the library, I thought of issuing the books right now.
When I reached the library I went to look for saira ma'am, she was the librarian. She is the sweetest person in this university, I have developed a special bond with her.
I found her sitting on the table in a corner, so I went to her.
"Good afternoon ma'am" I said, she looked up and smiled
"Reem! You are here, where were you last week? No library visit?" She asked
"I was not coming, I fell sick" I said, suddenly she looked so worried
"Oh god! What happened beta? How did you fall sick?" She showed genuine care
I explained about my health to her. She gave me 1000 pieces of advice. I noticed she had kept food spread on the table
"Oh I'm so sorry. You were having lunch and I disturbed you" I said
"No no it's fine, I'm waiting for my husband. Please join us for lunch"
"No ways I'm not going to spoil your date" I said
Her husband was a professor in the university only, but I've never had a chance to meet him.
"It's not a date after 10 years" she laughed
"Sorry I'm late" said a voice, I turned to look and was surprised to find Umar sir there
"You are never on time" ma'am shook her head
"Sorry, it was the last time, I promise" he held his ears
I felt like a third wheel, I spoke to make my presence noticeable
"You guys enjoy your lunch, I'll take your leave now" I said
"Reem?" Sir said
"She is the girl I keep talking about" ma'am said, he let out a chuckle
"How funny it is, she is the same girl I was praising" he said, I felt a little awkward
"We both are very impressed by you" ma'am said
"And I'm so surprised that my two most favourite people in this university are a couple" I expressed my surprise, they both laughed
I tried getting out of there, but both of them didn't let me go. I enjoyed the tasty meal with them. Both of them had such great warmth, it felt like I was sitting with my family only.
They told me about their love story, how they met, fell in love, and got married. It was hard to believe they've been married for ten years, both of them look so young like in their late twenties
After lunch time, sir went to attend the class and I was sitting with ma'am
"You guys are perfect for each other" I said, she smiled
"Who else is there in your family?"
"Just me and him" she shrugged, I wanted to ask about kids, but then decided not to enter their private space.
"Three months after the marriage I got pregnant, I thought it was too early, but umar's excitement developed my interest. Sadly so many complications arose, and I had a miscarriage, then I was told that I can never become a mother again. I was heart broken, I told Umar to marry someone else, but he refused, he said I'm sufficient for him" she wiped a tear, I held her hand feeling bad for her
"Umar doesn't say anything, but I know he craves for a child, I have seen him with other kids" she shed tears, "even i feel so incomplete, I have a perfect life but there is only one thing missing, sometimes I think of an adoption, but then i fear what if the child don't accept me as his own mother!"
"Don't worry ma'am! I'm sure there is something very good written in your fate."
"I hope the same, I pray for a child day and night, Allah will listen to me"
"Inshaallah (if Allah wills)"
Some students came and called her, I also got the books I needed and left, I had to go to the NGO.
***"*
It was night time when I reached the orphanage, all the kids came running when they saw my car approaching, i got down the car and picked up the bags of goodies I bought for them
I entered and handed them the bags they went off running with them, I smiled looking at them.
"You do so much Reem, you are spoiling them" sheena aunty came
"They are worth spoiling" I smiled, she shook her head
"Where is zuhan?" I asked
"He is in his room, he is very quiet today, he is not talking to anyone" she replied and I got worried immediately
"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I said and ran to him
He was sitting quietly on his bed, he had his knees pulled to his chest. I felt heartbroken seeing him like this. I went to his side
"Zuhu. Baby" I called him, he looked up at me, then sat quietly again.
"What happened, my boy? Why are you so sad?" I asked, he stayed silent
"You won't tell your di also?" I asked, suddenly he jumped on me and cried
"Baby. Why are you crying?" I felt my heart clenching
"I am a very bad boy" he cried
"No, who told you that?" I asked feeling angry at whoever told her this
"Every boy in my class says, that I don't have parents because I am a bad boy. I don't deserve my parents" he broke into tears now, my heart broke for him
"No baby, it's not true. You are not a bad boy, you are an angel"
"Then why don't I have parents?"
"Allah is looking for the best parents for you"
I will adopt him, I will give him all the love he deserves. I don't care about anyone else
"You will soon get a very loving and caring mother, she will love you the most" I said
"But di, i want both a loving mother and a father. All the boys in school play football with their fathers I also want it with my father" he said and my hope broke
Loving father!! Izhaan can never be what he is asking for, I don't even know if he will ever accept zuhan.
"Everything will be ok, my baby. Don't worry" I patted his back
******
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