Hey guys here's another update. I really hope you all are liking the story. But please comment as much as you can. I loves to read comment. Do tell me about the update whether you like it or not. I'll improve myself.
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Shah Zain's POV (Edited)
The time at the office went in blur and I barely got free time. Since we have just made a partnership with The Malik's work had been doubled. We have to be on toes and always ready for any situation. I didn't even get time to lunch. I was starving right now. As I checked the time, it was close to 9:00. I decided to wrap up my work. I closed the tabs on my laptop before shutting it down. Then I stood up and stretched my arms. I felt like my neck has gone stiff. I grabbed my coat from the hanger and exited the office.
I started my drive back home. I wonder what happened at home today. Usually, I call mama to ask but today I was really busy that I didn't even touch my phone. All I have today were meetings. I wonder what Shiza did the whole day. Is she ok? I don't understand why my thoughts are going back on her. I don't like her. Then why do these thoughts have clouded my mind. I can't seem to think about anything else. I don't know what's wrong with me. Why can't I focus on other things? Things were going normal before that party.
I wondered if that party incident changed something. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts. I blinked my eyes and focused back on the road. I need to reach home. I killed the engine when I parked the car at the house's parking. I stepped out of the car and made my towards the door. I juggled the keys in the lock before opening it. I made my way in the lounge and found Yusra and Lubna Chachi sitting there. I greeted them and they answered respectively.
I saw Shiza making her way out of the kitchen. When she saw me, she stopped for a moment before greeting Chachi. They obviously didn't reply to her which kind of made her awkward. She chose to ignore it and asked them politely
"Do you want anything?"
She was asking as a general question. Her voice held softness into it and there was a smile etched onto her face. But they replied really badly
"No, we don't need to get anything by your hands. You better don't touch our things."
This dropped her smile and her posture went slumped. She looked so embarrassed and I felt like a total dumb for not saying anything. She down casted her eyes and I felt so angry at them that I couldn't stop myself before the words went out
"I don't think it's a crime if you had answered her politely."
They both turned to look at me with shocked printed onto their faces. Of course, it was unexpected. I could see Shiza from the corner of my eyes looking wide eyed at me. Yusra Chachi scoffed before muttering
"You want us to talk to her politely?"
She emphasized on the word 'her'. I shrugged before saying
"Yes. Just like the way she asked you politely."
They were tongue tied now. They both were looking at me with shock before standing up and exiting the living area. I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt like it should have stayed in the office. At house, there's always problems. I rubbed my forehead as I could feel a headache forming. I heard her soft and timid voice
"Do you need anything?"
I looked at to glance at her. She was fidgeting with her shirt and looking down. I sighed heavily before finally answering
"Yes, please bring me a glass of water. I'll be in the room."
She nodded her head before disappearing into the kitchen again. I took a deep breath before making my way upstairs to take a long bath to calm down my nerves.
***
We were all at the dinner table. It was going smoothly. Everyone was busy in light conversation. I was also taking part in conversation with Salar and Aaban. We stopped when Naeem Chachu asked Salar
"Salar, are you really helping your brothers or just burdening them?"
We all know it was a joke. Naeem Chachu has a teasing smile on his face. Salar grunted in response before nodding his head and saying
"Yes baba. They can't even take one decision without me."
Ok, he's exaggerating now. But I let it slide. He deserved some credit too. He is working really hard and I appreciated that. Our conversation was once gain cut off when baba spoke
"Me and Junaid has decided to invite Mr. Malik on dinner tomorrow."
Oh that's new. Why aren't I aware of that? Everyone nodded their heads but my curiosity got the best of me and I asked
"But why? And why I was not informed about it?"
Baba took a deep breath before elaborating
"Beta, he is doing his best in making the project work. I think it's his right for some appreciation. Don't you think?"
I halfway agreed with baba. But I don't know why I don't like the persona of this Mr. Malik. He seemed to tick me off. There was never once he shared any idea with us. He just go with it like our thoughts didn't matter. I chose to slid it many times but he never once try to even ask us.
He also kept things away from us. He didn't tell us about the contract with the other company. I don't know if I should take it into consideration but I am really trying to give him a chance to atleast came clean and apologized. Let's see. Maybe this dinner will finally help him to see what he's doing is not a one man thing anymore. It's team now.
But one thing felt strange. I could see from my peripheral vision that Shiza practically froze at the mention of that Barzan. I mean she worked for him and she knows him well. That's why I didn't understand the way she froze on his mention. Is there something I'm missing? Before I could ask her anything, my words remained in my mouth when dado spoke
"Then its done that Mr. Malik will have dinner with us tomorrow."
Everyone nodded and mama stated
"Don't worry, Ammi Sahiba. Everything will be on dot."
Dado smiled before nodding her head. Zarnish decided to speak this time
"Then like always I will be making the meals and don't worry, everything will be tasty."
She was beaming ear to ear. She always handled the kitchen whenever we had any event or dinner party. Let's just say she has magic in her hands. But her smile died when dado exclaimed
"This time, it will be a little different. We have a new member in our family and I want Shiza to finally cook food."
At this sudden revelation, everyone became quiet. Shock was planted on mama's face and Zarnish was too shock to even react. This is something new! Zarnish finally stated
"Dado, what are you saying? I always cook food. Please let me cook."
I knew she didn't like it. I mean she loved cooking and it was her passion. I felt bad because no matter what I can't see her unhappy. She looked good smiling. Dado sighed and stated
"Beta, let's give her a chance. I'm not saying that you can't make anything. You can help her. Even Kinza and Nimra will also help."
Zarnish scoffed before muttering
"No, anyways. I don't want to help her in anything."
Dado glared at her and she shut her mouth. Dado tuned to Shiza and passed her a small smile. She was quiet all the time. Is she even hearing? Why is she not saying anything? I could see Zarnish fuming in anger. I should talk to her. She must be upset.
***
After the dinner, everyone retired to their rooms. I was still sitting in the living room. I wanted to talk to Zarnish but she was in the kitchen God knows doing what. I was desperately trying to talk to her but she was hell bent on ignoring me. Almost everyone had gone to bed. I rested my head on the couch before closing my eyes. I wanted to sleep. Today's tiredness was kicking me so badly. My headache has gone worse.
Her voice resonated in my ears
"Are you ok?"
I opened my eyes before questioning
"In what sense?"
My voice came out hard and edgy unintentionally. She fidgeted with her fingers before answering
"You were rubbing your temples. Do you want medicines?"
Why she is caring for me? Last I knew, I didn't even care for her. Than why is she hell bent on taking care of me? I sighed heavily not answering. She again tried
"I can make you tea if you like."
Well, maybe tea would help. But before I could say it to her, another voice cut me in between
"You don't have to bother. I have already prepare tea for him."
I turned around and found Zarnish standing there. In her hands, she was supporting two cups of tea. Now, I understand what she was doing in the kitchen. Shiza looked at her and I felt like I saw a tinge of sadness in her eyes. She merely nodded her head. She then muttered lowly
"Then, I'll take my leave. Good night."
I nodded my head and Zarnish just chose it ignore it. I heard the ascending fading steps before it went completely quite. Now, it was just me and Zarnish. She sighed heavily before taking the empty space beside me. She handed me the cup and I thanked her
"Thank you."
She just passed me a small smile before taking a sip. After gulping, she stated as a matter of fact
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
I turned to her completely astonished. How did she know I wanted to talk to her? Amazement was etched onto my face. When she saw my face, she chuckled before saying
"I've known you since childhood, Zain. I knew exactly what you're thinking."
I smiled remembering how we used to sneak out at night to eat all the chocolates in the fridge and would blame Nimra and Aaban in the morning. It was fun and everytime we would end up buying toys to both of them so that they could keep their mouth shut. I sighed before saying
"I know this new arrangement is making your upset."
At my comment, she became visibly quiet and stiff. After a while she nodded her head. She didn't say anything. So, I continued
"I know you're not liking it and I know it's hard for you too. I remember how you were always so joyful whenever there was any dinner party at our house. You would wake up early and would spent the entire day in the kitchen making delicacies."
She scoffed before muttering
"But you still remained quiet even after knowing how much it meant to me."
Her voice held bitterness into it. She was clearly not happy with it. I rubbed my face before saying
"I'm sorry."
She clicked her tongue before turning to me. She then said
"Your sorry won't fix anything. You should have taken my side. You should have told dado to not let that girl make dinner. But you chose to remain silent. Why did you remain silent, Zain?"
I literally have no answer for that. Why did I remain quiet? Why didn't I tell dado to let her make the dinner? Why I didn't have any problem if Shiza make the dinner? I have no answers to these questions whatsoever. Zarnish was looking at me desperately waiting for an answer.
She again said
"Tell me Zain. Why didn't you say anything?"
I still remain quiet. I have no answer. She then asked worriedly
"Is it because..."
She trailed off not completing her sentence. So, I asked
"Is it because of what?"
I needed her to complete her answer. She took a deep breath before answering
"Have you accepted her as your wife?"
My eyes widened and my lips sealed. This is not what I thought of hearing. Is it really true? Have I really accepted her as my wife? My mind is pure chaos right now. I can't seem to pinpoint anything. Zarnish was looking at me with hope and fear both in her eyes.
She is waiting for me to answer her question. But how can I answer her question? When I don't know myself the answer of it...
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Another chapter done. Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Do vote comment and share guys. It's a request.
Till then loads of love
Allah Hafiz
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