.
Reem's POV
.
"Aaah" I yelped and put my head on the steering wheel.
Exams and assignments are really taking a toll on my health, I have been having severe headache for last 2 days.
I parked my car and got out outside and made my way in the university. I went straight to my first lecture and attended it with as much focus as I could put with this headache.
I met all of my friends, We had a little time left for the next class so I went to the cafeteria with them. We spent a quality time together. They are quite nice people.
Hussain and Naira help me the most, they are the best in the lot. They clicked with me instantly.
After all the lectures were done. I went to the library to meet Saira Ma'am. I was shocked to see someone else sitting on her chair. When I inquired about her I was told she had just gone to the principal's office, I walked in the same direction.
When I reached outside the principal's office she was sitting there on the chair with Umar sir, I sat next to her
"Ma'am is everything ok?" I asked, she smiled widely when she noticed me
"Yeah everything is ok, I just came to submit my resignation" she said
"Resignation? Why?" My eyes widened, she held my hand
"I always had a perfect life, there was only one thing missing, and now Allah has given me that also, through you. Now I want to dedicate all my time to my baby, Zuhan" her eyes teared while speaking.
"Saira was only working because she wanted to keep herself busy, alhamdulillah (thanks to Allah) i earn well, so Saira can give full attention on zuhan." Sir said. I felt so emotional hearing them say it
"Zuhan is very lucky to have you" I said meaning it
"No, we are lucky to have found someone like zuhan in our lives. In a day or two he will come to our house, we can't wait" ma'am said
I feel good that zuhan will have his own house now, but at the same time I was feeling hurt, I won't be able to meet him whenever I want
"What happened? What are you thinking?" Sir asked
"Is it ok if I come to visit zuhan sometimes?" I asked
"You are more than welcome, you can come to meet him whenever you want" ma'am smiled
"Mrs Saira, you can go now" the receptionist said. Ma'am nodded
"I'll just come" she mumbled and left
I was left alone with sir. It was the best time for me to apologise to him for what Izhaan did, i cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Ummm sir, I wanted to apologise for the other day" I said, he frowned
"Huh?"
"At the restaurant, when Izhaan misbeh...."
"Oh that! Don't worry about it, it's all fine."
"I'm really embarrassed"
"Don't be, it was all some misunderstanding. Just forget about it now, I said the same thing to Izhaan also" I looked at him in surprise
"Izhaan?"
"He came to meet me to apologise" my mouth dropped open
"Really?"
"He looked familiar when I saw him then when he told me his name and I knew he is the famous advocate Izhaan Khan. I didn't know you were married"
"We have not started living together as yet" I replied feeling uneasy
"He is a wonderful guy, perfect example of made for each other"
I shifted uncomfortably. Thank God ma'am returned and this painful conversation ended
After sitting with them for a while, I left.
I was driving the car, the headache worsened now, my vision was turning blurry. It was pretty bad now, I turned the car to the hospital.
With great difficulty I managed to reach. I asked to meet the doctor, he examined me then he left the room, a nurse came to meet me, she told me to call someone from my family.
I picked up my phone and called Ayesha.
"Wassup baby" she answered
"Can you come?" I asked
"Reem! Where are you? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, I am in the hospital"
"Which hospital? I'm coming"
I gave her the address.
"And ayesha"
"Hmm"
"Don't call Izhaan" I said and hung up.
He has already done his drama with Ayesha and umar sir, I don't want to see any more of his drama.
******
.
Ayesha's pov
.
I reached as quickly as I could. I asked about Reem on the inquiry desk then made my way to her. She was sleeping on the bed and a nurse was sitting beside her.
"What happened to her? She okay?" I asked, she motioned me to come out with her. She took me to the doctor's room, once I was seated
"You are Reem's???" The doctor asked
"Sister. Is she ok?" I replied
"For how long she's been having the headaches?"
"She had a headache again?" I asked
"Yes"
"It's been a long time."
"Does she stress a lot?"
"She overworks herself. Years ago she had depression"
"What was the reason?" He asked, my heart hurt at recalling the reason
"when the family passed away" my voice cracked
"Oh! I'm sorry"
"What happened to her?"
"I ran some tests and I concluded that she has a swollen vein"
"Is that too serious?"
"Stress is her biggest enemy. You have to keep her away from stress, anxiety. Her brain is not strong enough to hold the load."
"Is there any medication for that?"
"I will be giving medicine, but proper diet and proper sleep will also be required. I will give you the whole chart of do's and don'ts with her"
"Can I take her home for now?"
"I have just given her medicine to stop the pain. She's fit to go but just be careful"
"Thank you doctor"
I left the doctor's room and went straight to Reem, she was awake now
"What's wrong with me?" She asked
I was so mad at her for not taking care of herself but if I say anything to her right now it will give her more stress and I don't want that.
"We'll talk about it later"
"Am i going to die?" She laughed, I glared at her.
"I am only quiet because the doctor has told me that you should stay away from stress. Otherwise, I swear I would have given you a piece of my mind for lying to me"
" I never lied to you"
" You are still lying. You never told me about your headaches" I said and she looked guilty
" I'm so angry at you. No more universities, no more NGOs, no more orphanage nothing. Do you understand?"
"You know I can't do it"
"Shut up" she put her finger on her mouth and sat back
After getting her medicines and the instructions from the doctor I left for home with her.
"My car" she said
"I've already told dad's driver to pick it up later"
" Don't tell dad about this" She said and I looked at her in anger
" Don't tell Izhaan. Don't tell Dad. I just happened to find it out. Otherwise you were never planning to tell me also, right?" I shouted, she stuck out her bottom lip
"I still have headache. Stop shouting at me"
I sat quietly and just focused on the road. Once we reached home I took her in our room.
"I'm so excited baba and mumma are coming tonight. What time are we leaving for the airport?" She asked
" You are not going anywhere. I will go alone" I said, she glared at me
" Don't even think that I will not go to the airport. I will go and you cannot stop me" she pointed a finger at me
" Okay! you can come with me, but I have a condition"
"Gabbbbar! Yaar please" she made a puppy face
" It's either condition or no going to the airport" I stood my ground. She heaved a sigh
"Fineeeee! Tell me the condition"
I took out the do's and don'ts page that the doctor has given me.
" You will have to follow it"
" I can't, sorry"
" You need to Reem, the doctor said it"
" Doctors like to exaggerate, I'm not sick"
"Please baby! For me" I used the softest tone possible and successfully melted her stubbornness
"Ok. I promise I will try to " I gave a big wide smile
"Thank you so much. And one more thing "
"Now what?"
"No more hiding"
"From you, yes. From the rest, I don't care"
"Works for me" I smiled
I have a feeling only jeeju can make her walk on track, she needs to start her life with him, but I know she will keep delaying it. Ya Allah make some situation where she has no choice other than accepting to live with him.
"So what time?" She asked
"We'll leave by 8" I said, she grinned ear to ear.
*****
All of us ended up going to receive my parents. I was surprised to see Sufiyan and his parents at the airport.
Then all of us came to home together, baba and mumma wanted to go to our old house, but it was in a mess, so they couldn't. Then they insisted for the hotel, but dad refused sternly, so they had no choice left.
Baba looked very weak, it increased my concern. I wanted to ask him what is the matter, but held my tongue back because of everyone around us.
All of us were sitting in the living room, suddenly Avira Aunty spoke
"So Aftab sahab, how do you like our Sufiyan?" She asked
"Mashallah. he is a very good boy, I liked him" baba smiled, I looked at Sufiyan he winked at me, my eyes widened and I looked around if anyone saw him.
"So what will be the line of action now?" She asked, why is she talking about it now? I wanted to tell her to not talk about it now, but I can't talk infront of baba
"We can talk about it later, they have just come today" Reem said, baba chuckled
"It's fine beta, we are here to talk about it mainly, so why wait." He said, then he looked at me, "Ayesha bete jaiye aap araam kariye (Ayesha go take rest)" that was his way of telling me to go from there so that they can talk. I nodded and left immediately.
I came to the room and sat on the bed, my hands were turning cold, everything is happening too fast.
******
I took off from the office the next day.
I went to my parents room, I knocked on the door.
"Come" baba said, i opened the door
"Come here beta" mumma patted on the bed next to her, I sat with her.
"Kesi hai aap meri shehzadi (how are you my princess?)" He asked
"I'm fine" I replied
"Sufiyan's parents are asking for the engagement, what do you want?" He asked
"You can decide whatever you want" he smiled and caressed my head
"Dekh rahi hai Saima begum, kahan milti hai aaj kal k time pe itni nek aulade (Do you see it? Saima begum where can you find such obedient children these days)" he said to mumma, she hugged me
"Alhamdulillah (praise to Allah) we are so lucky" she said
It was the right time to ask the question that has been bugging me.
"Baba is everything ok in Chandigarh?" He looked taken aback by my question, but recovered quickly.
"Nothing. All is well" he replied without looking at me
"Kab tak chhupayenge, beti hai hamari, ise nahi batayenge to kise batayenge (for how long you are going to hide it. She is our daughter if we will not tell her then who will we tell to)" mumma said, my heart sank, I was telling myself that I could be wrong, but my suspicion just got confirmed
"Saima" baba narrowed his eyes at her
"Tell me. Baba please" I begged
"Ok" he nodded. "We have been having huge losses in the business" my heart beat increased hearing it
"Losses" I gasped
"To an extent of bankruptcy" he said looking down, my eyes grew big in shock, I stood up
"What? Bankruptcy?" My voice was shaking in fear
"Calm down beta" mumma said
" How can I come down mumma? Did you hear what baba just told me?" I covered my mouth with my hand to suppress my whimpers, "so much happened and you never told me"
"We have found a solution" baba said, I looked at him
"What is it?" I asked
"Shazib Hasan is willing to merge our company with his" he said
He is one of the top businessman in Chandigarh
"After this merge we will not have to worry about anything" he said
"But why he wants to merge?" I asked
"He said he has been willing to invest in our company for quite a long time, it was a too good opportunity to pass, so I agreed immediately"
"How this merge will help our company?" I asked, but the knock on the door stopped him from answering me
"Aftab sahab" dad called
"I'll be back" baba said and left.
"Don't worry about anything now" mumma said to me"
"I'm so angry at you for not telling me anything"
" I wanted to but I couldn't tell you anything, Aftab stopped me from telling"
"Baba looks so weak, has he been not eating well"
"His health deteriorated because of the business pressure, he fell severely sick. Doctor has told him, to be careful, he could even have a heart attack" she wiped a tear
"What?" I was so shocked.
"Everything is dependent on this merge now, pray to Allah that it happens smoothly, your father's all life's hard work is on stake"
"I will pray it happens smoothly, and whoever initiated this merge, may Allah give him whatever he wants" i said
"Ameen"
Baba returned, he sat next to me
" Just finalized the date for your engagement. Now don't worry about anything and just focus on your happiness" he said
I felt so emotional that I hugged him. He patted my back lovingly.
*****
.
Athar's pov
.
I was sitting in my office, I had to submit a project and I'm still writing in it, I have been too distracted lately.
There was a knock on the door
"Enter" I said
"Your coffee Mr Khan" an ear soothing voice chimed, I smiled and looked up.
"Thanks"
"You are welcome" she put the cup on my table, "anything else?" She asked
Yes! Just keep sitting in front of me. I want to look at you.
I shook my head. Focus. If she stays here I will not do any work, So reluctantly I told her to go back to her cubicle.
Ayesha has returned to the office after a two day break, I missed her terribly, but couldn't stop her from spending time with her family.
I brought my attention back on the file which was lying in front of me on the table. It has hardly been an hour when my phone rang, It was a call from home. I answered
"Hello" I said
"Am I speaking with Mr Khan?" I rolled my eyes
"What do you want Hayat?" I asked
"Bhai can you please give the day off to Gabbar?" She asked
"What is this gabbar? Talk respectfully. And why should give her off?"
"Because I want to spend time with her, I called her but she said that she has already come to the office after 2 days and now she doesn't want to miss it. So please let her go"
" I'm not going to let her go anywhere. You can spend time later"
"Later when?"
"The whole life is there"
"Bhai de dijiye na permission jab tak aapke ikhtiyar mei hai phir to unse milne k liye sufiyan Bhai ki permission leni padegi (Please give permission till it is in your control, then I will have to take permission to meet her from Sufiyan bhai)" all blood drained out of my body hearing it, I felt cold.
"What do you mean?" I asked
"As if you don't know" she said
"Just tell me Hayat" I shouted
"Gabbar's parents and bhabhi's family are coming to our house" she said I rolled my eyes
"Hayat! Just tell me what you mean by taking Sufiyan's permission?" I asked getting too angry
"Why are you getting so angry at me? What would I mean? He's the one who's getting married to gabbar, so he will be the one to give the permission" I stood up immediately, It felt like my soul left my body
"What? Marriage?"
"Aap mujhe kyun irritate kar rahe hai, bhej dijiye na unko bas (Why are you irritating me? Just let her go please)"
"Kahin nahi jayegi woh mujhse door (She won't go anywhere away from me)" I hung up the call
I was pacing around the room I can't believe. Marriage? for heaven's sake?
I loosened my tie, I felt like choking. How can she become someone else's. I can't live without her.
No I won't let it happen. I picked up the intercom and called Ayesha
"Yes?" She said
"Come to my room" I put the reciever down.
I opened the door before Ayesha could even knock, she smiled at me
"Yes Mr Khan" she gasped when I held her arms
"Are you getting married to sufiyan?" I asked
Please say no! Please say no!
"Yes" she nodded, my grip tightened
"How could you?" I asked
"I know you are angry with me because I didn't tell you myself. It just happens so quickly that I myself still processing it. Before I could make myself absorb the news it's time for the engagement"
"Engagement?" I asked in shock
" Yes, it's tomorrow" my jaw fell on the floor
"Tomorrow?" I shouted
"Yes" she nodded. She freed herself from my grip. "Oh no I left my laptop on, I'll just be back" She said and ran out of the room
Tomorrow! My Ayesha will wear somebody else's ring.
I dropped by the couch. I held my head. It felt like someone has ripped my heart out of my body. All I can feel is pain.
It felt like Sufiyan was laughing at me, He was mocking me and shouting that he has made my Ayesha his.
I clenched my fist and grinded my teeth. No, she is only mine, she is for me and I will show it to the whole world.
It took me a minute and I made a decision. I got up and went outside, Ayesha was sitting on her chair and working on the laptop. I held her hand and pulled up on her feet, she gasped
"What happened Mr Khan?" She asked
"Come with me" I said and dragged her in the elevator with me.
"My bag and phone are still there, can I take it?" She asked, I shook my head, "Where are we going?" but I stayed quite
She kept on asking me questions but I was holding my lips tightly sealed. When the elevator reached the basement parking lot. I held her hand and brought her to my car. I pushed her inside and sat on the driving seat
"Where are we going?" She asked the same question for the 100th time, and I was quite this time also
I begin driving and took her where I wanted to take her. It took me hardly 10 minutes to reach, I stopped in the parking lot, she looked around
" What are we doing in a mosque?" She asked
"Nikah" I finally spoke, she looked at me and laughed
"Yeah right. Tell me why are we here?" I crossed my arms at my chest and looked at her with sincerity in my eyes
"I told you already" her smile dropped
" I don't like this joke Mr. Khan."
" I'm not joking"
" Do you even realize what you are saying?"
" I'm asking you to marry me right now" her eyes widened
"Are you serious?" She asked, I nodded my head, she continued staring at me for a few seconds, then she spoke
"I refuse to marry you" she held her chin up
"I never gave you an option to refuse"
" Why are you doing this? What are you saying? Are you out of your mind? I just told you that I'm marrying Sufiyan then why are you doing this?" She said and I lost it after hearing his name
"You cannot be anyone else's, don't even take his name. We are getting married right now or else"
"Or else what?"
"There won't be any merge" I said and her mouth dropped open
"Merge!"
"The merge which can save your father's company won't happen. Shazib is my friend, It will only take me a phone call to stop this from happening. Then what will happen to your father's company? It will be bankrupt and it will all be because of you" her eyes turned glossy
"You can't be serious"
"I've never been more serious than this in my entire life" I stood straight, she held my arm
" Don't do this Mr. Khan. This is not you. You cannot stoop so low, What will be your benefit in marrying me. My father has already promised sufiyan's parents for our marriage, He would be so insulted. Please don't do this. I beg you"
" I don't think you want your father's company to revive"
" I thought we became friends, I trusted you, You are better than this. Please no, don't make me do this"
" Nikah or bankruptcy?" I asked, she shut up immediately, "Let's go inside" I said with finality, making her realise that there is no escape for her now
"Mr Khan if you make me marry you right now, I will hate you forever"
The words pinched my heart, but I can't let her go
"But atleast you will be mine" I held her hand and dragged her inside with me
"We are here for nikah" I said to the qazi
"Come this side" he said
He brought the marriage certificate and called a few people to bear witness. I gave them our details. Then the qazi sat infront of Ayesha
"Do you Ayesha Siddiqui, take Athar Khan as your husband?" He asked, she stayed quite, he repeated the question, but again silence, he looked at me. I motioned him to ask again.
"Do you Ayesha Siddiqui, take Athar Khan as your husband?" He asked
"Yes" Ayesha whispered.
Please vote and comment