Eid Mubarak guys
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Reem's POV
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"Gulp it down" Izhaan glared at me, I pouted, then took medicine from his hand and gulped with water. I made a disgusted face, he shook his head.
"Make nice faces, everything you are doing is indirectly affection my baby" he said. The way he said it brought a smile on my lips.
It's been a week since we have found out about my pregnancy, everyone is treating me with so much care since then, that sometimes I feel I am made of glass.
"Do you want something?" Izhaan asked while adjusting pillows behind my back.
"Sit with me" I patted on the spot next to me, he quickly obliged, I hugged his arm and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Are you happy?" I asked, he put his arm on my shoulder and pulled me closer
"Of course my love! I'm so happy. I can't thank Allah enough for blessing us with such a beautiful life. You have always been my other half but now you have literally completed me. I feel so lucky" he said holding my hands and kissing my knuckles, I smiled.
All my life I have complained to Allah that nobody stays with me for long, but now I have started to believe that Izhaan will never leave me, he will be with me always. All I feel is love around him.
My smile dropped when the thought of Hussain came to my head. I fail to understand how he got such a big misunderstanding. I have been trying to explain the truth to izhaan, but he is just not ready to talk about it.
"What happened? What are you thinking?" He asked, I let out a cold sigh
"Izhaan! I really don't know why Hussain was saying all that, belie...." I was saying but he cut me off
"Jaan please! I don't need any explanation from you, I believe you. I was raged when I heard him calling you his girlfriend, that is why I shouted at you" he said
"I... I really don't know why he said that" I began panicking
"Calm down Reem! Please. This is why I don't want to talk about it, I don't want you to take stress, it is not good for you and for our baby. I trust you completely, I am sure there is just some misunderstanding, you are all mine, and you can never betray me, I know that, so don't worry" he caressed my cheek with his thumb
"Are you really not angry with me?" I asked, he smiled
"No baby, I'm not. But I have decided that you will not go to the university regularly." He said and I frowned
"What do you mean?"
"I am not stopping you from leaving your studies in between, but I can't let you go to the university anymore, I have already talked with the dean he will take care of your attendance, you will only have to go to give exams" he said, I nodded.
"Please don't think that I am forcing my decision on you, I really have thought through it before taking the decision, I have valid reasons" he said
"And what are they?"
"Let's not talk about that for now" he smirked and pulled me closer "just know that I only care about you and our baby" he kept his hand on my stomach. I nodded with a smile.
"I will take you to the dean in a day or two, you will have to sign some papers" he said
"Ok"
Can I be anymore lucky? With him around I feel so secure and so happy.
I should have told my friends about Izhaan, maybe somewhere I am at fault of misleading Hussain, but I will bring end to it now.
*****
"And once again many congratulations" the dean said as Izhaan and I were just about to exit his office room, I looked down feeling embarrassed, why did Izhaan have to tell him about the pregnancy!
Izhaan is slowly taking over all of my responsibilities, first he started taking care of the orphanage, then slowly he started resolving the matters in the NGO also. I'm really getting dependant on him.
I looked at him, walking hand in hand with him felt so good. I suppressed the urge of giving him a tight hug. He walked towards the parking, I stopped, he turned around to look at me
"What?" He asked
"Let's go to the cafetaria" I said
"Jaan! You are not allowed to have coffee" he narrowed his eyes at me
"Let's go!" I pulled him
"Fine! Let's go" he said and I led him to the cafetaria.
Izhaan's phone started ringing, he stopped walking, he took out his phone, his eyes widened looking at the caller, he left my hand
"You go ahead, I'll come in a minute" he said
"Who is it?" I asked
"No one important. Go" he motioned me to walk ahead, I nodded and went towards the cafeteria.
Today I am planning to introduce all of my friends to Izhaan properly, and right now they all are waiting for me in the cafeteria.
I could see all of my friends sitting there, as I walked in the cafeteria. My heartbeat accelerated when I looked at Hussain, he was the first one who looked at me, he immediately got up and walked towards me.
"Reem! I can't believe you are actually standing in front of me" he said standing in front of me. I felt so awkward
"Hey topper" naira came running and hugged me, I beamed at her.
I got busy with everyone that I forgot about Hussain. It felt nice meeting my friends after so long.
"Reem! We need to talk" Hussain said in a high tone to grab my attention, everyone cleared their throats, to tease us perhaps, I guess Hussain told them everything
"We didn't know you were keeping secrets from us Reem" Hina smirked at me
"Yeah I guess I have kept a secret from you all." I said and just then I saw Izhaan coming towards us. "And now I am going to reveal it" I said. Izhaan looked distressed he came straight to me.
"We have to leave, I have some important work" he said, I nodded
"Ok, but first I want to introduce you to all of my friends" I said and finally izhaan acknowledged the gang standing next to me. They all looked surprised seeing him, I knew they were dying to know who this person is.
One by one I took everyone's name.
"And, this is Hussain" I said, Izhaan's jaw visibly tightened seeing him, he just gave him a curt nod.
"And everyone this is Izhaan, my husband" I dropped the bomb
"What?" They chorused
I refrained myself from looking at Hussain.
"What are you saying?" Juhi asked
"You got married?" Shoaib asked in disbelief
"I have been married to him for last ten years" I held Izhaan's hand while looking with love at him.
"Huh? 10 tears?"
Their shocked faces made me realise that I have been stupid to not share this news sooner. My eyes met Hussain's, what wasn't there, hurt, shock, anger, grief. I lowered my eyes immediately
"Guys I know I should have told you about him sooner, but never got a chance to tell you all that I am married to the most amazing person in the world and I am madly in love with him" I said, I looked at Izhaan, he smiled widely and pulled me closer to him by holding my waist
"We are too shocked to say anything, Izhaan" Murad said
"I understand!" Izhaan chuckled. "Guys I'm so sorry, we have to leave now, but we shall plan a meeting, I would really like to know you all" he said
"Yeah! You carry on" naira said
I quickly bid goodbye to everyone, then I looked at Hussain, I could not find anything to say to him, so I just smiled at him and left from their immediately.
I know I have hurt him deeply, but there is nothing I can do.
Somewhere I felt relieved that now I have officially introduced my husband to everyone and they all should know that there is only one guy in my life.
Till the car we both were quiet, he sat on the driving seat, he took my hand in his and kissed it lightly
"I love you" he smiled
"I know" I grinned, he laughed and began driving.
He knew what I just did back there and I could see it on his face how happy he was when I declared my love for him in front of everyone.
I will let Hussain sink in the news for now. I will call him in a day or two, I took him as my friend I can't leave him hurting.
******
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Izhaan's POV
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Really? Am I the most amazing person in the world? I smiled when I thought how proud she looked while introducing me to her friends.
I got angry at Reem at first for not telling her friends that she was married, but then I realized that it took her so long to accept the marriage herself, and then there were things back to back to keep her busy, and now today she cleansed my heart completely.
Hussain's authoritative voice rang in my ears, I had to leave for some important work, otherwise I would have stayed and shown that guy to whom Reem belongs.
I felt Reem shuffling on the bed, I turned around and found her looking uncomfortable. I quickly switched on the lamp and turned completely towards her
"Are you ok?" I asked
"I'm feeling restless" she said rubbing her chest. I helped her in sitting. And gave her water, she hardly took a sip.
"Drink more water, you will feel better"
"Izhaan I feel suffocated, I want to go in open air" she said with a sigh. I checked the time, it was 1 am.
"Let's go to the terrace" I said
"No" she shook her head
"Lawn?" I asked
"No"
"Then where do you want to go?" I asked
"I want to ride a bike" she said and I looked at her in disbelief
"Have you gone crazy?" I asked in a high tone, she gasped dramatically
"I'm pregnant, talk nicely with me" she said angrily, I smiled looking at her cute face
"Ok ok I'm sorry, but bike ride is not safe for the baby"
"Huh? How?" She asked
How should I make her understand that I don't want to take any risk about her health.
"We will go for the bike ride, but not right now. Please baby" I said as softly as I could
"I want to go right now" she said stubbornly like a little kid. I heaved a cold sigh
The more I refuse her, the crazier she will get, so best is to just agree with her right now.
"Let me tell you something, do you want to know what happened once when I went for a bike ride" I asked to distract her, her eyes twinkled and she nodded her head vigorously
"tell me what happened" she asked
I cuddled with her on the bed and started telling her stories about the time when I was in university, I even made up a few stories to keep her interest alive, she listened to me quietly and soon she fell asleep, I let out a sigh.
Carefully I switched off the lights and closed my eyes to sleep while keeping her close to my heart.
*****
"When is Athar returning?" Dada ji asked Ayesha at the dinner table, she paled
"Umm he.. dada ji .. Mr Khan" she stuttered, it was damn clear that she herself doesn't know when he is returning.
It's been two weeks since Athar has gone to New York. I have tried calling him so many times but he's always busy.
I have a very strong feeling that he has gone to run away from Ayesha, I worry a lot about them. Their story is just not coming on track and now Athar has shut everyone off, even I'm not being able to reach him.
"When?" Dada ji asked Ayesha again
"Soon" she sighed
"I called him yesterday, he answered in his sleep, I understood that he couldn't talk properly because of the time difference, but he never even bothered to return the call" papa said
"He must be busy" I quickly said
"Just let it be izhaan, stop taking his side and covering up for his mistakes" dada ji scolded me
The dinner continued and dada ji didn't shy away to let everyone know how upset he was with Athar.
"I wanted to have a celebration, but he just made a sudden plan and left" maa shook her head.
"I will call him today to find out when he is returning, look at Ayesha, she looks so pulled down, I'm sure she is missing him the most, let him come back I will pull his ears" dadi said.
"Excuse me" Ayesha got up and went upstairs.
After the dinner we were sitting in the living room, all of us were having tea and dadi was force feeding milk to Reem, and she was throwing tantrums, I was just smiling looking at them.
My phone rang, I checked the caller, it was buddy, I quickly excused myself and came to the lawn to attend his call
"Thank god you called" I said answering the call.
"Wassup buddy" he tried sounding too chilled out
"Shut up!" I shouted, "I have called you so many times but you never have time to answer, what is happening buddy?" I complained
"I just have been too busy with work "
"Don't lie to me. I know something happened between you and Ayesha, and I have been trying to contact you since then to know what is bothering my buddy, but you can't stop pushing me away"
"Nothing happened yaar, you tell me, how's Reem? And how's the junior?" He asked and a smile came to my lips
"They both are well."
"I hope you are taking care of them"
"Yes I am, and the whole family is here to take care of them. But you are alone there, please tell me what happened that night?"
"Buddy you just concentrate on Reem for now"
"Stop being ridiculous Athar and tell me everything " I said in a terse tone, he exhaled heavily and told me everything
I rolled my eyes at Ayesha's stupidity.
"I still don't understand, why have you left? And when are you returning?" I asked
"We both needed some time apart, so I preponed my trip. Honestly buddy I have no energy left in me to make her understand"
"So you will just let her be?"
"I have no other choice"
"Bull shit! I have a perfect plan to convince her"
"No Izhaan! I'm done with all the plans and testing and everything rest. I have left my case on Allah completely, she has a complain that I force her to do things, so I will not do any such thing now."
"So what else will you do?"
"Wait" he answered, I rolled my eyes
"You and Ayesha are being so stupid right now"
"It's my fate"
I tried to make him come back and talk to Ayesha but he said he has left everything on her now. After a while he cut the call. I was so worried for him.
I looked up in the sky and prayed for my buddy.
*****
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Ayesha's pov
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I dropped on the bed and just blankly stared the wall. I am definitely not missing Mr Khan, in fact it feels good to not have him around, but I don't know why there is a hollow in my chest since he has left.
The way dadi was saying at the dinner table got me overwhelmed, I just couldn't stay there for even a moment and came to my room.
I went into the closet and changed into my night suit then returned to the bed and sat down.
Do I really look pulled down?
I immediately got up and checked my reflection in the mirror, my face looked pale and there were dark circles around my eyes, I definitely looked tired and stressed, but it can't be because of Mr Khan's absence, I'm sure it is because of the lack of sleep.
There was a time when I didn't even want to be in the same room with him, and now without him this room feels like as if it is going to eat me. My shoulders slouched and my thoughts went to Mr Khan.
What rubbish!!
Sahi kehte hai, khali dimagh shaitan ka ghar hota hai, tabhi to yeh faltu baatein aa rahi hai mere dimagh mei (they say it right, empty head is a house of devil. That is why I am thinking all this nonsense)
I quickly picked up my dark circles cream and started rubbing it around my eyes, after that I put my night cream on my face.
I felt like being watched, I looked around but there was no one. I recalled all the times when I noticed Mr khan looking at me through the mirror when I was doing my night routine, an unknown feeling upset me.
"What is happening to me?" I put my forehead on the table.
I think after seeing dadi's concern about me I am just feeling guilty that Mr Khan's absence is not affecting me at all, but what should I do that guy has nothing about him which I should miss.
I got up and came to bed, like every night I again made a barrier of a blanket and kept it on the middle of the bed. I laid down on my side and looked at the empty space beside me. I sighed deeply, why does it always feel like he is here, I extended my hand and put it on his pillow
"Astagfirullah" I quickly pulled my hand back, what the hell was I doing? I turned to the other side
"Kese jhoothe insaan hai Mr Khan, ya to pyaar ke itne bade bade daawe kar rahe the aur ab do hafte se ek phone ya message bhi nahi (such a liar is Mr Khan, he was talking so big about his love, but he couldn't even send me a single message or a phone call since he has left)"
So what! It's not that I was waiting for him to contact me.
I really need to start going to the office, this room is full of his presence, like a ghost he is haunting me.
I quickly picked up my phone and sent a message to Rose to inform her that I will be coming to the office tomorrow. I kept my phone aside and closed my eyes forcing myself to sleep.
****
I was trying to free my hand from Mr Khan's grip, but he was not willing to let go.
"Leave me" I said angrily, but instead of letting me go he pulled me even closer
"I won't let you go, ever" he whispered in my ear, I got goosebumps as his breath fell on me, I felt him pulling me more and more closer to him
"Mr khan please" I said.
"Please what!" He dug in his fingers on my flesh and leaned in, I felt his lips on my neck
Suddenly my eyes snapped open and I woke up from my sleep, I sighed heavily
"Again the same dream" I mumbled. I have been dreaming the same thing for last few days. It has started to irritate me now.
My sleep was completely disturbed, so I just got up and started getting ready for the day.
After taking a bath and getting dressed, I just carelessly combed my hair, I didn't feel like putting any make up. I was getting up, but stopped when my hand hit something and it fell down, I bent to pick it up, it was a lipstick, my red lipstick
The whole scene played in my head how angry he got when he saw me wearing it. My cheeks burnt when I remembered how he wiped it off my lips. I shook my head and gathered my stuff to leave for the office.
I came down and sat with the whole family for breakfast.
"Reem had breakfast?" I asked jeeju noticing her absence
"No she is still sleeping, she had trouble sleeping last night" he said. I got worried for her but then dadi explained that it happens in her condition.
After a while I left for the office.
I sat in my car and tried turning on the ignition, but it didn't work, I heaved a sigh and then tried again but still it did not start.
"Aaahhhh" I groaned in irritation. It is all because of Mr Khan, since he broke my car every now and then I keep on having issues with it, he has actually taken revenge because I spoiled his car.
I got down and decided to take his car instead. I told the guard to bring the key, he quickly brought it and I settled in.
The whole car was filled with his scent, it felt like he was here only. I sighed and started driving, throughout the journey my mind stayed stuck on him. I shouldn't have taken his car.
Finally I reached the office, I parked the car and walked in the elevator, the door closed and I pressed the number 25
I was standing lost in my thoughts, suddenly someone blew air on me making my hair fly a little, I turned my head, my eyes widened when I saw Mr Khan standing there, he smiled when our eyes met.
"Mr khan?" I said looking in shock at him, "what are you doing here?" I asked, he took a step towards me
"What am I doing here?" He said softly, he picked up a lock of my hair and twirled it between his fingers, "what are you doing here? Don't you know that I don't like it when anyone enters the elevator in my presence?" He asked, I don't know why I felt nervous, I looked down
"Aaa.. actua.. I .. mista.." I stuttered, he chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him
"Ab galti ki hai to saza ke liye bhi taiyyar raho (now when you have committed a mistake, be ready for the punishment)" he said, and leaned on me, I felt his cheek against mine, I closed my eyes. My heartbeat increased.
He pinned me against a wall and caged me completely, I stood there totally at his mercy.
"You are so beautiful" he said and kissed my cheek, my fist clenched. My breathing became heavier.
Suddenly the door opened, I looked outside and saw a few workers there, I panicked.
"Good morning ma'am" one of them smiled looking at me, I felt embarrassed to be caught in this position with Mr Khan.
I turned my head towards Mr Khan to push him away, but he wasn't there. My mouth dropped open
"Mr khan" I called and looked around.
"Ma'am! Sir is not here" someone said, I nodded and marched out of the lift and went straight to the office room.
I ran my hands in my hair and sat on my chair. What was that? What happened to me? I rested my elbows on the desk and hid my face in my hands
What was I thinking?
I thought I was thinking about him because I was stuck in the house, but it is getting worse in the office.
"Good morning" a voice chirped and I looked up. Rose was smiling looking at me, I got up to give her a hug
"Hi! How are you?" I asked
"I'm fine, how are you ma'am?" She asked, I rolled my eyes
"I have told you so many times to not call me that, we are friends first" I said
"Definitely we are, but sorry I can't disobey my boss's order" she shrugged, I shook my head
"Your "boss" is not here right now" I said air quoting the word boss, she giggled
"Boss is always around, even in his absence" she said it like a joke, but for a moment I actually saw Mr khan sitting on his chair and smirking at me, I got disoriented
"Relax! I was joking" she said looking at my colourless face.
"So what work we have today?" I asked to change the topic. She quickly got professional and started telling me, without wasting any time I quickly got to work and thankfully it helped me to divert my mind.
After a few hours of continuous work I felt relaxed, I was now feeling hungry also, so I ordered food and invited Rose to have lunch with me
I laughed out loud when Rose cracked a joke, it felt like old time when we used to have our lunches together. I didn't know I missed it so much.
"It feels so good to see you laughing so freely, otherwise you are always so uptight in Mr Khan's presence" I don't know why I said that
"Aren't you really missing him?" She smirked at me, I quickly shook my head
"Not at all" I said
"Yeah yeah! I can see how you can't stop bringing him up in between our conversation" she raised an eyebrow at me
Really? Am I actually doing it?
Absolutely no!!
"Nothing like that" I said, she laughed
"It's fine to miss your husband, there's nothing wrong in that." She said, I looked away
"By the way, when is he returning?" I asked, I don't know why there was desperation in my voice, she giggled
"And you say you don't miss him. And even I don't know when he is returning, I don't even know why he preponed his trip, he just called me in the night and told me to get a flight booked for him"
That night? When we had an argument!
I started feeling uneasy with the talk so I started talking about other things.
*****
I didn't realise when days passed, going to the office has been beneficial for me, it took my mind off from a few things, but only that same dream disturbed my sleep again and again.
I am started to get irritated with it.
I was in the office looking for a while, I have arranged a meeting with Mr Arun, but I couldn't find the file of his project.
I walked to Mr Khan's desk and looked for the file everywhere, my eyes went to the drawer, but it was locked with a number password, I quickly typed my birthday on it, but before I could tap on enter I realised it was not my locker, then how can there be my password.
"Pagal ho gayi Ayesha tu to (you have gone crazy Ayesha)" I scolded myself.
Instead of pressing cancel I accidentally tapped on enter, my eyes widened in shock when it actually opened.
"What?" I mumbled
I couldn't believe he actually kept my birthdate as his password.
The drawer opened and I looked at the stuff inside, there was a folder which caught my eyes, it was named as "Mrs Khan"
Out of curiosity I opened it.
There were sheets filled with my hand writing, all the papers where I wrote "I will never come late"
He still has it? I looked at it in disbelief.
I was shocked to see my pictures there, I had no idea when these pictures were taken. There was a paper filled with his scribbling, the only thing I could read on that paper was "I love Ayesha".
Seeing everything overwhelmed me, I put it all back and closed the drawer. I didn't know why my eyes became wet.
What is all this?
****
I tried to free my hand from Mr Khan's grip.
"Please leave me" I said. He continued looking at me, I was waiting for him to tightened the grip, but suddenly he left my hand and I was falling freely, my eyes snapped open. I was sweating profusely. My heart was drumming in my chest.
"What was that? What is this I'm feeling right now? Why did he leave my hand?" I wondered while trying to calm myself
There was a knock on the door, which startled me. I got up to answer the door, driver was standing there, I frowned looking at him
"Can I put Athar sir's luggage in the room?" He asked and I looked down at Mr Khan's suitcases, I smiled widely and nodded my head
"Yes" I moved to one side to give him space.
He is back!! I felt something fluttering inside me.
As soon as the driver left I checked my reflection in the mirror, I looked like a mess, before he comes in the room I have to make myself presentable, I ran into the closet to get ready. I took extra time to look nice.
After I was all ready, I went downstairs my eyes were running around trying to find him, but everyone was there, just not him.
"Where is he?" I wondered
I sat with everyone in the living room.
"Where are you Mr Khan?" My eyes were continuously roaming around.
"Ayesha you woke up late today. You did not even have breakfast" maa said
"I didn't feel like having it" I said
"Come! Have now" dadi said
"No dadi, it's fine" I shook my head.
"You kids have taken an oath of never listening to us. Be it you or Athar, no one is ready to listen. He has returned almost after a month and instead of coming home, he has gone straight to the office" she said, and I looked at her wide eyed
He has gone to the office? Why?
I felt something breaking inside me, but I got up from there.
"I'm hungry, I should eat something" I said and walked in the kitchen.
How can he be so heartless? Why did he go to the office? I know there was nothing so much important that he has to be there.
It does not affect me, but he should think about the family.
I don't know why but my whole day passed while looking at the time again and again, everytime there was a doorbell it felt like he was here, but the wait never ended.
It was evening now but he was still not here, I was honestly just worrying about dadi, she has missed him dearly, he should return for her atleast
Just for dadi's sake I called Rose to find Mr Khan's whereabouts. I was shocked to find out that Mr Khan left the office at lunch time.
Where is he now? I looked at the time it was almost 8 o'clock.
After a while everyone came for dinner, jeeju also returned from work, everyone was having food casually, why no one is asking about Mr Khan.
As soon as the dinner finished jeeju and dada ji went to study room they had something important to discuss.
I was sitting in the living room with everyone else.
Where can he go?
"You ok? You look lost?" Reem asked, before I could answer her, there was a doorbell and Mr Khan came.
I froze on my spot seeing him. I was watching him after so long, so what if his absence didn't matter to me, but out of humanity I was worried about him.
I got up on my feet to reach, but my steps faltered when I noticed there was a girl standing next to him, my eyes were stuck at their joined hands. They both were smiling widely.
"Hi everyone" the girl said loudly
My heart dropped to my stomach.
He left my hand, and I'm falling freely.
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It was the longest chapter I have ever written 5400 words. 😌😌
I hope you liked it ...