.
Athar's pov
.
"Mr Khan! You want something?" Ayesha asked
"No. Just came to check if you are done photocopying the papers"
"Almost! Sorry someone called and I stopped to attend the call, that's why I got late" I grinded my jaw in anger, I wanted to yell, but I smiled
"No issue, let's get back to work" I said and returned to my cabin. There's no way I will let her meet him tonight.
She followed me silently. I shifted things from my desk to make some space, Ayesha looked at me with a frown on her face
I spread a blue print on the table. She raised her eyebrows at me
"Let's start this new project" I said, she looked excited and hesitant at the same time
"Any issue?" I asked, she looked at the time then she looked back at me
"No, it's fine" she smiled
"Let's start"
"Just give me a minute" she said, and then picked up her phone from the table and typed something on it, then put it back on the table
"Ok." She said and I started discussing about the details of the plan with her, she listened attentively, she would give her feedback every now and then.
We were so engrossed in work that we didn't realise where the time went, it was 7 o'clock now. Even though the discussion was almost over, but I was not going to let her go to meet the monkey.
I faked a yawn and stretched my arms, then I sighed deeply. She looked at me
"Are you ok Mr Khan?" She asked
"I'm just too tired, last night I was up till late we were working on planning a surprise for dadi and dada ji"
"Really! That's nice. I'll get you coffee, then you can tell me about the surprise" she said, I smiled. I expected her to say this
"That will be awesome"
"I'll be back" she got up and left the room. I quickly took her phone, there was a notification of sufiyan's name
Eight o'clock is fine
Oh no no Mr monkey! No meeting is happening tonight, I won't let my Ayesha be anywhere near you. Why is she meeting him anyway?
I switched off her phone and kept it under the pile of files on my desk. Then i picked up my phone and called the security
I knew by now almost everyone was gone
"Sir?"
"Lock the floor and all the rooms by sharp 7:30" I said
"You are still here, I can see your car"
"Just do as I say! And remember to unlock by 11 o'clock"
"Umm ok sir"
"And one more thing, just remember you don't know that anyone is there in the office, and one word to anyone about it, and i swear, you'll be gone"
"Yes sir" he said firmly, and then I hung up the call. I don't care what he'll think, for me stopping Ayesha from meeting the monkey is most important right now
I messaged Izhaan that I'll be late and then switched off my phone and threw the charger at the back of the drawer, then I sat normally how I was sitting.
Ayesha returned with the two cups of coffee in her hand and sat infront of me
"Office looks like a haunted house when it's empty" she said with a smile
"Is it empty?" I already knew the answer
"Yes!"
"Where is everyone?" I asked
"Mr Khan! You really don't care about things around you when you are working, right? Look at the time, it's 7:20" she said pointing at the wall clock
"What? Really? It's so late?" I faked being surprised, she giggled
"I'm sorry for keeping you till so late, Reem must be worrying about you" I said
"No! It's fine, anything for work. I have to go to meet a friend, so Reem won't be worrying about me tonight"
"Oh ok"
"So you were telling me about some surprise"
"Oh ya! Izhaan and I are getting a short video ready for dadi and dada ji about their whole married life, so last night all of us were sitting and looking for pictures"
"That's nice! Looking at old pictures with family, is so much fun"
"I know right! And guess what, i found a few pictures of you also, you were sitting with me" her eyes widened
"Really? I was there? With you?"
"Yeah, I will show you those pictures some day"
"I would love to"
She took small sips from her cup.
"Mr Khan! Can I ask you something?"
"Firstly, stop calling me Mr khan"
"Then what will I call you"
"I have a name"
"Mr Khan is also your name"
"Call me Athar" I said, her mouth dropped open
"You are so old to me how can I call you by your name" she said making me feel like I was 60 years old
"I'm not that old, I'm just 28"
"You are five years older to me, I can call you Athar bhai like Reem does" I choked on my coffee, it was like a punch on my chest
"You ok?" She asked, I nodded
"It's fine. Call me Mr khan only, it sounds good"
"Ok" she shrugged
"You wanted to ask me something?" I said, suddenly there was loud noise of the locks clicking and the lights dimmed, Ayesha gasped getting scared
"What was that? What happened?" She asked
"Oh no! I think the guards have locked the rooms, they must have thought everyone is gone"
"What? Locked? How will we get out now?" She started panicking
"It's fine Ayesha don't worry, I will call to let them know we are still here" I said, she relaxed a bit
"Oh that will be a good idea"
I took out my phone.
"Damn! It's off, it must have ran out of battery" I lied
"Call from my phone" she offered
"Yeah that I can do. Give me your phone" I said, she nodded and looked at the table, then she frowned
"Where is it? I left it here only" she looked around, a satisfied smirk curved up my lips. "It was here only. I can't find it now"
"Must be somewhere here only" she kept looking for it everywhere, she emptied her bag to look for it
"It's no where" she heaved a defeated sigh
"Relax! Someone will open the door soon, our cars are still parked outside"
"Why the doors are locked so soon, it's only 7:30?"
She caught me off guard with her question, I was not prepared for it
"Umm because.."
"What?"
"When anyone is working till late, we inform the security in advance, then they don't lock it, but right now we didn't do it so it was assumed that the office is empty now"
She stood up and banged on the door
"Somebody there? We are still here" she shouted, I went to her
"Let me do it" I said and I banged on the door as hard as I could and shouted at the top of my lungs
"Help! Is somebody there? We are stuck here" I kept on shouting
"Mr Khan" she said, but I continued shouting, "Mr Khan" she screamed and I stopped shouting, "It's ok, don't exhaust yourself, nobody will come" she said and pulled me back from the door
"Let me try through the window" I went and opened the window and shouted for help
"What are you doing? Have you forgotten that we are on the 25th floor, nobody can hear us"
"I'm so sorry Ayesha, you got stuck here because of me" I made a sad face, but I was dancing from inside
"It's not your fault. You didn't do it purposely"
Oh yes! I surely did
The heater went off, so it was quite chilly now, I noticed Ayesha rubbing her arms repeatedly. I took my jacket from the stand and put it over her shoulder, she hugged it tightly
"Thanks" she smiled
"You are welcome" I said
She went to sit on the chair. I was noticing her, she looked tired, I felt a little bad but I would do anything to keep her away from him.
"I am feeling so bad that you had to miss your meeting with a friend" I said
"I don't care about the meeting, I just want to get out of here" she sighed
She doesn't care about the meeting, i guess izhaan was right, she has no feelings for the monkey, but does she feel anything for me. I'll test Izhaan's theory
I stood next to her and put my hand on her shoulder, she looked up at me
"We'll be out of here soon" i said, she nodded her head and put her hand on mine and slightly tilted towards me, my heart beat quickened at her reaction, it is surely a positive sign.
Then i sat on the chair next to hers. I kept her engaged in talking. Now it was time to test Izhaan's other theory, but for that I will have to get hurt. I looked around
I got up and went towards my chair, an empty cup was sitting there on the table, I threw it down on the floor, she sat up straight immediately
"What was that?" She asked
"I dropped the cup by mistake, I'll clean it up" I said and bent to pick up the broken glass
"Leave it Mr Khan" she said
I grazed the sharp edge on my hand, it made a cut and the blood oozed out.
"Ow" I shouted
"What happened?"
"Just a small cut"
"Cut?" She got up immediately and came running to my side. She held my hand and examined it.
"Oh no it's such a big cut, who told you to pick it up" she scolded me
Let me put a band aid, she was restlessly looking for a first aid box, then she cleaned the cut, and put a band aid while scolding me for being so careless, I smiled at her concern, and was actually feeling great about the cut.
"Are you ok?" She asked, I held her gaze with mine
"I am! Thanks" we continued staring in each other's eyes, suddenly she stood up straight
"Don't you have a charger here?" She asked looking around, I rolled my eyes. What a lovely way to ruin the moment
"I am sure there is, but don't know exactly where" I shrugged
"Let's look for it" she looked around to find it, while I just pretended looking for it, suddenly she gasped loudly
"What?" I asked
"The intercom, call with it" she said with a wide smile
Oh shit! I totally forgot about it.
"Oh why didn't I think of it earlier?" I said and picked up the receiver, discreetly I broke the wire, "it's dead i guess" I said, she took it from my hand and pressed it to her ear
"Oh damn" she shook her head
She went back to sit on the chair. She put her head back and closed her eyes. I was looking at her. The only light in the room now was the moonlight. It illuminated her skin. She looked breathtaking.
I checked the time, the guard would be here anytime now to open the door. I sat as far from her as possible, I didn't want the guard to have the wrong picture of her.
I was feeling so happy that I stopped the meeting somehow. But what about the future, I will have to make her mine soon, so that I can stop her from authority.
Should I tell her about my feelings? No not now.
Soon the guard came and the door opened. Ayesha immediately sat up straight.
"Oh thank god you have come" she smiled widely
"Sorry sir! I didn't know you were still here" he apologized to me
"What were you doing? Sleeping? We have been stuck here for so long, Didn't you see our cars still in the parking lot" I shouted at him
"It's fine Mr Khan, it's not his fault" she spoke
"Let's go now" she said, "my phone" she looked around
"Let me help you to find it" I moved the piles of the files and give her phone to her
"Oh my god it was here only" she said
Finally we left for home. I offered to drive her back to Reem's house but she insisted on going by herself. I wanted to make sure that she was not meeting the monkey now. So without being noticed I followed her and once she reached Reem's house I was satisfied and went to my home.
*****
.
Reem's POV
.
Ayesha and I entered the old house of the Khan family, we would be staying here for two nights to celebrate dadi's anniversary.
This house was not as big as their current one. When dadi got married she came to this house and maa also, later on they shifted to Khan villa
We gave our stuff to the household, It will be taken to our respective rooms. I sat in the living room with everyone, I felt Izhaan constantly staring at me, i ignored him.
By the time we reached the house it was lunch time, so we were going to the dining area, izhaan came and stood infront of me
"Are you done avoiding me?" He asked
"No" I said and walked past him
"Reem! I want to talk to you" he said but I didn't stop and went ahead with everyone
All of us sat together and had tasty food, after lunch Ayesha and I decided to take a house tour, Hayat was busy with her brothers for some work so we were on our own.
I've never been to this house in so many years.
"The house is so beautiful" Ayesha exclaimed, "it's classic"
"Yeah it's quite pretty" I agreed
"Do you see these rocks? they are so unique. And look at the marbles, it would cost a fortune now" Ayesha said and I stared blankly at her, totally not being able to match up her enthusiasm, she looked at me "you are no fun"
"What should I do gabbar, all the rocks and marbles look same to me" I laughed, she shook her head
"Boring" she said and walked ahead to explore more
My phone rang and I stopped walking, it was Sheena aunty's call.
"Who is it?" Ayesha asked
"Sheena aunty" I told her
"Is everything ok?" She asked, I shrugged and answered the call
"Hello" I said
"Reem! I hope you are not busy! Can you spare five minutes to me?"
"Tell me aunty" I said getting serious
"It's about Zuhan" she said and my heart sank.
"What about him?" I asked
"Someone wants to adopt him" she said and I felt myself shaking, I took a deep sigh
Adopt!!
"I gave your number to them, I wanted to get you involved because it is about Zuhan, they will call you, talk to them, understand them, if you are satisfied only then we will go ahead with the procedure"
"Ok" I said meekly and hung up
I dropped on the chair, Ayesha quickly came to my side.
"What happened?" She asked, i told her about the phone call
"You should be happy, isn't it what you have always wanted for Zuhan, to have a happy family?" She said
"I don't know. I'm scared, what if they are unworthy."
I felt angry at my helplessness
"You have to be optimistic"
"It is all Izhaan's fault" I said in anger
"Izhaan's? How?"
"If he wasn't there in my life, I would have accepted zuhan in a heartbeat, that boy has my heart, I love him too much, I can do anything for him" I sighed, Ayesha came to my side and held me
"I know baby! Whatever is happening is for the best for everyone!" She said
"God!! I hate Izhaan"
"Don't be so hard on him, he's not at fault" Ayesha said, I moved away from her
"Will you stop taking his side?" I was getting annoyed now.
Suddenly my phone rang, it was a call from Umar sir
"Why is he calling me?" I wondered, then i answered the call
"Hello"
I was so shocked to learn that they are the one who want to adopt Zuhan.
"Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief
"Yes! After you left from the orphanage, saira went to meet Zuhan, she spent the entire day with him, and when she returned home, she told me that he is the one she wants to adopt, i met him this morning and we clicked instantly"
"Woooow! That's a lot to take in"
"We want to bring zuhan to our house as soon as possible, can you meet me right now. Saira has gone to bring Ms Sheena along with zuhan. I want you to be there"
"I'm coming" I said and hung up. I told everything to Ayesha.
"I have to go right now" i said
"I will also come"
"No you stay here, handle the situation while I'm gone" I instructed her, she nodded her head
"See! Aren't they the best parents for zuhan?" She asked, I smiled and nodded
"I think so. I'm going now" I said and ran outside
******
.
Izhaan's pov
.
I have been trying to talk to Reem but she has been avoiding me, I don't understand why she's running away from me. I need answers from her and I will get it
Hayat, me and Athar were organising the final things, there was some issue with the projector I had to fix.
As soon as I was done I ran to Reem, the house wasn't so big so I found her quickly, I was about to walk to her, but my steps faltered when she spoke
"It is all Izhaan's fault!" She said, I frowned in confusion
My fault, what?
"If he wasn't there in my life, I would have accepted zuhan in a heartbeat, that boy has my heart, I love him too much, I would do anything for him" the moment she said those words my whole world fell apart
She loves him!!
My whole body was on fire, I felt myself burning and it felt like someone just has pulled my heart out of my body
I clenched my fist, I marched towards her
"Izhaan" dada ji called and I stopped
"Yes" I asked
"Come with me" he held my hand and took me with him, I turned to look at Reem.
Dada ji brought me to his room, he opened his cupboard and took out a box
"See I got this for your dadi, do you think she will like it?" He passed the box to me
A beautiful pair of bangles were in the box.
"Tell me, you think she will like it" he asked nervously
"Yes dada ji! She will love it" I forced a smile, I couldn't stop thinking about Reem's words, I need to talk to her right now
"I'll be back" i said
"Where are you going?"
"To Reem" I said truthfully, he gave me a teasing smile
"Young love. Go to your princess, I won't stop"
I left quickly and went to her, when i reached there, Ayesha was sitting alone
"Where is Reem?" I asked her
"She has gone to mee.." she stopped speaking, "must be somewhere here" she replied, without giving two thoughts I ran to the parking I saw Reem taking out her car from distance
So Ayesha was lying, I'm sure she was going to meet Zuhan. I sat in my car and drove after her.
That boy has my heart.
I can do anything for him
I love him too much
Her words were playing in my head like a broken record, my head was throbbing, I was furious at her. I would kill this Zuhan and feed his body to hungry dogs, how dare he lay his eyes on my girl, and Reem, I will not spare you this time, I'm done being nice to you, I will show you what real anger looks like now.
She had no idea, that I was following her. It's good I will catch her red handed, and I swear I will chop those hands, I will live with a handicap I don't care
She stopped at some restaurant and parked the car, she got out and went inside, I looked for a free spot and parked my car, I went in the restaurant, I scanned the whole area in search for her
I spot her sitting with a guy. I was sure I wanted to kill this guy right here, but then I remembered we always give a chance to a guilty person to explain his side of the story before giving a death sentence.
I looked around it was a crowded place, fighting here with someone will not make my family look good.
I stared at zuhan, what is it about him that has made Reem so crazy about him. He looked like an ordinary guy to me, there's nothing special I can see
I sighed and went to them, Reem's back was to my side, I grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her on her feet
"Let's go" I seethed
"You? What are you doing here?" She had the audacity to ask.
"Leave her hand" zuhan said, I glared at him
"You are lucky that there are too many people, but don't think for a second I will let you go, I will come ba..."
"What the hell are you talking?" Reem shouted at me, then she looked back at him "I'm so sorry" she said, my blood burnt with the fire I was feeling in me
"Do you know him?" He asked, she nodded
"How dare you to..." I was saying, but she put her hand on my mouth
"I'll just come" she smiled at him and dragged me outside with her
"Leave my hand" I shouted once we were in the parking lot
"What the heck are you doing here?" She asked
"Why? Feeling ashamed I caught you red handed with your lover" i snapped at her
"What? Lover?" She frowned
"Don't act as if you are too innocent here." I glared at her, she shook her head
"Just go from here" she said and the level of my rage reached up the sky, I held her arms roughly
"Who is he? Where did you meet him?"
"Leave my hands"
"I won't. I took all of your tantrums, all misbehaviour, everything, but not this. I will not tolerate this"
"So don't. Just get lost" she said, I shook her in anger
"Who is he?" I shouted
"Who are you to ask me?" She shouted back making me blind with agony, I screamed so loudly, to let the whole world know about my answer
"I am your husband" I was breathing heavily because of so much anger, she looked wide eyed at me, "you are my wife and I have the right to question you."
"I don't take you as my husband" she wiggled to free herself
"That won't change the truth, we are bound in nikah, you are my legally wedded wife."
"Keep your law in your pocket, I don't care" she said, doesn't she have a heart? How can she do this to me
"Why Reem? Why? You have crushed my heart badly, and yet you are so unaffected. How can you be like this? You are hurting me"
"I'm not hurting you, you have brought it upon yourself"
"Don't do this to me" I was breaking down infront of her and she had no mercy on me
"I have someone waiting for me, go from here" she said, once again hurt was taken over by anger, i pulled her to me
"How can y ...." I was cut by a loud scream
"Di" someone shouted, i turned and found a little boy running towards us, Reem pushed me away, sat on her knees and opened her arms
"I'm here zuhan" she said with a huge smile on her face
What? Zuhan?
Please vote and comment.