.
Izhaan's pov
.
I stopped the car outside the house and immediately got off, Athar followed me. I opened the back door and helped dada ji in coming out.
His health has improved but he has become really weak, he has even lost a lot of weight. Doctors were still not in favour of him traveling, but he put his foot down, he couldn't stay there anymore.
He held mine and Athar's hand to take support for walking, papa was going to hold him, but I told him to walk ahead.
I asked the driver to bring the luggage in the house and headed inside.
"Be careful" I said as he took one step
"I'm perfectly fine, don't treat me like a sick person" dada ji said, I shook my head.
"If you are not sick then why are you taking support in walking?" Athar raised his eyebrows at him
"Oh that! I'm just checking how strong my grandsons are" dada ji chuckled sheepishly making me and Athar laugh loudly
"I missed you so much dada ji" I said kissing his cheek.
"I missed you too buddy" he smiled.
"Shall we go inside?" papa asked breaking our emotional moment
"Yes" I nodded and we headed inside.
Dadi was sitting in the living room, dada ji's face lit up looking at her, I suppressed a smile. She was so dedicatedly knitting that she did not even notice us.
"Assalamualaikum dadi" I said to gain her attention.
"Walekum assala..."she stopped when she looked up at us. She gasped loudly, her hand went up on her heart, "ya Allah. What happened to him?"
"MashaAllah mumtaz begum! You are looking very pretty" dada ji smiled at her.
Dadi came running to us.
"What happened to you?" Dadi held dada ji's hand
"Boys, leave me. She will take care of me now" dada ji ordered, we left him.
Dadi helped him in settling down, she looked at him worriedly.
"Is anyone going to bring water?" Dadi shouted
Soon a maid came running with water, maa and hayat also came. They all met dada ji and papa wholeheartedly.
"Is anyone going to tell me anything now?" Dadi lost patience.
Papa sat next to dadi and told her everything from dada ji falling sick to the doctor stopping him from traveling.
By the time papa was done, dadi was red in anger. She glared at all of us.
"Did you all know?" She asked. Everyone stayed quiet. "Very nice! What should I say to you all?" She looked so angry, "you never felt like telling me anything, was I not important enough for you!" She glanced at dada ji
"I didn't want you to get worried" he said
"Really? You didn't want me to get worried!" Dadi scoffed
"Amma! Abba ji is fine now, I took care of him. Stop worrying" papa hugged dadi
After a lot of convincing dadi got better, dada ji also looked better sitting next to her, I think that's the power of love.
My phone rang, I quickly took it out from my pocket, I rolled my eyes when I saw it was shaurya's call. I decided to ignore it, he will again talk about that stupid guy.
"Arey bhai hamare aane ki koi value hi nahi hai, bohot galat baat hai Izhaan aur Athar (there's no importance of my return, this is so wrong Izhaan and Athar)" dada ji shook his head, we settled down near him
"Why are you saying this?" I asked
"You are well aware that we all have missed you so much then how can you even say this?" Athar asked
"I'm saying this because my darling daughters are not here. Are they not aware of my return?" Dada ji complained with a smile, we all stayed quiet
I never told dada ji what happened behind his back. I was worried about his health.
"What happened? Why are you all so quiet?" Dada ji asked looking at all of us
"I think you should rest now, come, I will take you to your room" papa said, dada ji glared at him
"Where are Reem and Ayesha?" He asked
My phone vibrated in my pocket, I quickly took it out and disconnected shaurya's call.
"Abba ji please take some rest, we will talk about it later" maa said
"Izhaan! Tell me, what has happened behind my back?" Dada ji asked, I sighed deeply
"Let me tell you everything" dadi said and then she told her everything from beginning to the end, he was listening to her with his mouth dropped open.
"Why you never told me about it?" He asked looking at me, I felt intimidated by his clenched fist and angry eyes.
"I didn't want you to get worried" I answered him meekly
"Rubbish!" He roared, "they have been gone for a month now and you didn't care to inform me?" He asked
"Abba ji, izhaan was s ..." Maa was saying but he cut her off
"I'm talking with Izhaan, not you" he said glaring at maa, "I am not so weak that I would have not been able to take the news. I would have returned much earlier, but your father was under doctor's influence, and they didn't let me come" he smacked his lips, "how could you let this happen izhaan?" He asked angrily, I lowered my head
"And you" he turned to dadi, "why did you let her go? Reem is just a child, she believed on what she saw and you did not correct her. She should know nobody else can come in Izhaan's life other than her"
"Then why did you make Maizah Izhaan's fake wife? If you wanted him to be around her, you could have made him her brother also" dadi said
"Brother?" Dada ji scoffed. "She was all alone in the world, she needed to show her enemies that she has support, her enemies knew everything about them, brothers don't come overnight, pretending to be the husband was the only option" he said
"If she was alone you should have brought her here, she could have lived with us" dadi said
"I could not stand her being in danger and you are talking about putting all the ladies of my house in danger?"
"Izhaan's life was also at stake, they were running after him with guns in their hands" maa shuddered while saying this
"Izhaan ki fikr nahi leta mai, aur aisi koi goli nahi bani jo mere sher ke seene ko cheer sake (I don't take stress about Izhaan, and there is no bullet which can pierce my lion's chest)" dada ji said proudly, raising his head
"Bas yahi sab baate kar kar k bachpan se mere bachche pe itni zimmedariya daal di, aap ki har ek baat maanta aya hai mera bachcha aur khud dekh lijiye aaj kitna pareshan hai (you have been burdening him by talking like this since his childhood, he has always been so obedient to you, and look it yourself, how worried he is today)" dadi cried, dada ji's jaw hardened
"And Athar, you also didn't say anything, you just let Ayesha go with Reem? I am grateful to Ayesha for taking care of Reem, but it was not her duty, it's unfair to you and Ayesha both" dada ji said
"It's ok dada ji." Athar lied, I stifled a smile. Suddenly his phone rang, "I'll be back" he said and went outside.
"Izhaan! Take me to Reem right now" dada ji said, I quickly kneeled next to him
"Dada ji please, not now" I said
"It's already been a month, what Abdullah must be thinking! Don't you know Reem is my responsibility, she is more dear to me than you" dada ji said
"She is not strong enough right now, she will take it to her health" I said
"I will make her understand, she will definitely listen to me"
"I know she will, but dada ji, I want her to return out of her own choice, otherwise she will feel forced"
"I will not force her, I will just talk to her" he shook his head, I sighed
What should I do now, I can't take any risk with Reem's health.
"Please give me two days" I said, he frowned, "after two days I will take you to Reem myself" I said
I didn't know why I asked for two days, but I was sure I will think of something by then, but for now I couldn't let him talk to Reem.
"Ok" he sighed heavily
"Tha ...." I opened my mouth to speak but words died in my throat when Athar came and held my arm, I looked at him in confusion
"I need to talk to Izhaan" Athar said and dragged me upstairs to his room
"What's the matter?" I asked
"Did you know about Simon?" He asked, it took me a minute to understand what he was talking about, then it clicked me
"Shaurya called you?" I asked
"Yes" he nodded
"He told you crap and you believed it? Come on Athar" I shook my head in disbelief
"Your coolness makes me so angry. Shaurya is not stupid that he is worrying about you, and look at you, acting so chilled out. What do you think of yourself?"
"Suna nahi dada ji ne kya kaha, Sher hun mai, aur Sher yeh chhote mote threats se nahi darte (didn't you hear what dadaji said? I am a lion and lions don't get scared so easily)" I said raising up my collar, Athar rolled his eyes
"Chalo mana sher ho, par ho to janwar hi. Tabhi to aise akal se paidal wali baate karte ho (you may be a lion, but still you are an animal, that is why you act so brainless)"
"So what do you want me to do? Should I quit my job, leave everything and hide at home?" I asked getting angry
"I never said that, just raise security around you" he said, I heaved a defeated sigh
"Ok! I will do it" I said
He gave me a look, we both knew I will not do any such thing.
"Buddy please"
"I will talk to shaurya and ask him to send some security" I lied, he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Do you promise?" He asked, before I could reply his phone rang. He took out his phone and looked at the caller
"Hello... Ok ... I'll see you" he hung up, "it was Ayesha, I have to go to the office" he said
I looked at the time, it showed 12:30 pm.
"This time?" I asked
"There is some important work"
"Ayesha is also coming?" I asked, he nodded. "Who'll stay with Reem?"
"Abdullah uncle" he shrugged
"Oh ok" I nodded
"By the way, you have asked for two days from dada ji, what are you planning to do?" He asked
"Nothing"
"Then why did you ask for two days?"
"I just needed to buy some time, I have to keep dada ji away from Reem for now. I will talk to her doctor first"
"I think you should just talk to Reem now, it's been a month" he held my arm, I sighed
"Go to the office" I said to stop him from talking about something I didn't want to talk about. He shook his head.
"You are impossible" he snapped at me and turned around on his heel.
Allah just do something quickly, and clear all the negativity from Reem's heart about me.
******
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Ayesha's pov
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I checked the papers one last time and kept it in the file. I have to go to the office, I told Athar I will reach before lunchtime, but I don't think that is possible now.
I stood in front of a mirror and combed my hair, I tied my hair in a French braid, I did a light make up.
While putting a lipstick I noticed that my lips are getting plumper and cheeks look rounder, pregnancy effects are already showing. I felt so happy.
I picked up my shirt and looked at my stomach, I put my hand on my flat tummy. It was an amazing feeling to know there is a baby inside me. My baby.
I was already loving this new me, how will I look when I will be heavily pregnant. I looked around and picked up a cushion and put it on my tummy
I grinned ear to ear when I looked at myself in the mirror, oh my God, I will become this fat.
"How will I do things then?" I asked myself "Like spinning" I asked myself while spinning. "And jumping" I jumped. "And bending?" I bent forward.
"What are you doing?" A voice startled me, the cushion fell on the floor.
I turned around and saw Reem standing in the doorway, her hands were on his hips, and she was frowning at me.
"Who? Me?" I asked
"Of course, you. Do you see anybody else here? Tell me what was that?" She asked again
"I umm waaa hmm" I was thinking for an excuse, "oh, ya, I was just trying to see how you must be feeling with a baby bump" I said, she looked at me suspiciously
"Really?" She asked
"Yeah, really" I nodded, her shoulders slouched
"If you really want to know how I feel, then you should not try with a cushion, try with the watermelon that too a huge one" she groaned, I laughed
"I told you not to call my niece, a watermelon, please" I said, she just shrugged, "I'm going to the office" I said while picking up my bag and files
"When will you return?" She asked, I got serious immediately
"Why? Are you alright?" I asked, she rolled her eyes
"Absolutely. I just wanted to buy some clothes" she said
"Reem please, I don't think it is advisable for you to go anywhere now" I shook my head.
"Why not! Even the doctor said I have to stay as active as possible, so what is the issue!"
"I just feel it's not ok" I said, "I'm going to the office for now, we'll talk later"
"Ok" she sighed. I patted her cheek lovingly then left for the office. I called Athar and informed him that I have left.
I sat in the car and carefully started driving.
It's been ten days since I have found out about my pregnancy, I have not told anyone about it as yet, Athar has the most right to know about the baby, but I am too scared in telling him because of his over caring nature.
I have been in close touch with the doctor, she has told me that everything is fine. I just have to take vitamins and all.
Whenever I meet Athar, my heart yearn to tell him. I wish situation improves quickly and we can go back to khan villa.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I did not even realise when I reached the office, I parked my car and got off. I quickly walked in the elevator.
I was absolutely fine, but suddenly my head started spinning and I was feeling pukish. My heart felt heavy and it was difficult to breathe. Subconsciously my hands went to my stomach, I held it protectively.
I took out my phone and tried calling the doctor, but it was not going through. I tried again, this time it was ringing but she didn't answer.
Thankfully the elevator stopped and I ran out of it, I stood in the corner and took heavy breaths to calm myself. I took out a small water bottle from my bag and took two big gulps, it calmed me down instantly.
It must've hardly been a few minutes when my phone rang, it was the doctor's call, I immediately answered it
"Hello" I said
"Hi Ayesha! Sorry I missed your call, I was busy attending a patient." She was genuinely sounding apologetic
"It's ok" I put her out of misery
"Now tell me, is everything ok with you and Reem?" She asked, I immediately told her about what just happened with me
"Are you taking enough fluids?" She asked
"Yes I am"
"How much water have you had since morning?" She asked, and I realised that I only had water when I had to take my medicine today
"Half a glass" I said
"This is wrong, you have to take care of yourself." She got upset, then she gave me a long lecture about do's and don'ts, "next time when you will come to visit me make sure you come with your husband" she said and I panicked
"Husband? Why?"
"It's his baby also, he needs to take care of you" she said and I felt so guilty.
"He has gone on a business trip, I will come with him soon"
"Please!" She said and then told me a few things to take care of. "And if you ever need me for anything, just give me a call"
"Thank you"
"Take care of you and the baby"
"Yes, I will take care of the baby" I smiled.
"Bye" she said, I also greeted her and hung up.
I turned to go to the cabin, but I froze in my spot when I saw Athar standing behind me, he was looking at me with narrowed eyes.
"As.. assalamualaikum" I stuttered
"Walekumassalam. Who were you talking to?" He asked
"I was talking to the doctor" I said.
"Oh! About Reem?" He asked, I sighed in relief.
"Yeah" I nodded
"Is she ok?" He asked
"Hmm"
"Ok! Come to the cabin, I want to talk about something" he held my hand and started walking, but he was walking so fast that I had to run, I was afraid I'll fall
"Athar stop" I said pulling my hand out of his grip, he stopped and turned around
"What happened?" He asked, his voice was laced with concern
"Nothing" I shook my head
"There's definitely something, you never behave like this"
Ek to inko sab kuch janna hota hai (he wants to know everything) I mentally rolled my eyes.
"Tell me Ayesha" he asked when I didn't speak
"I sprained my ankle last night, I can't walk too fast" I lied looking down, I had no courage to look at him in the eyes
"Baby, you should have told it to me sooner" he said and pulled me closer to him, "let's go" he took me to the cabin.
"Come" he opened the door and made me walk ahead. I entered the room. "Sit" he pointed towards the couch, I sat on it, he kneeled in front of me.
"Athar what are you doing?" I asked
"Let me see" he put my foot on his knee and began examining it. "Thank god there is no swelling" he mumbled
He rotated my foot gently and then looked at me.
"Is it hurting?" He asked
"No" I shook my head.
"You should be careful Ayesha, it hurts me to see you hurting." He said.
There was so much concern in his eyes for me, and he was handling my foot like it was made up of glass.
"Does it feel better now?" He asked while massaging my foot lightly
His care overwhelmed me, I moved forward and hugged him.
"Hey! Are you ok?" He asked, I tried so hard to hold but still a tear fell down from my eyes
"I love you so much Athar! I am so blessed to have you in my life" I confessed
"Oh wow! Thank you for saying this. And I love you too, you are like an answered prayer to me" he held me tightly.
"Athar! I want to tell you something" I said pulling back.
"What?' he asked pulling away my hair from my face
"We are going to have a ba....."
Knock knock knock
We both turned towards the door, Athar sat properly and gave permission to the person to enter.
"Good afternoon sir and ma'am" Rose said, I heaved a sigh.
She got busy talking with Athar and I kept my hand over my heart to calm myself. What was I going to do?
It's wrong Ayesha! You should not hide such big news from Athar, but if I tell him he will not let me be with Reem and she needs me the most at the moment.
Ya Allah help me.
"What were you saying?" He asked. I looked at him, Rose was gone now and his attention was completely on me now.
"I forgot" I lied
"Oh ho! Try to remember" he said
"Just let it be" I shrugged, "how is dada ji?" I asked
"He is fine" he said and then he told me everything happened today. "We should do something to bring Izhaan and Reem together"
"Yes we must! It can't go on for any longer, I want them together, I want to return home, I miss you and everyone" I said, he frowned at me
"Are you ok? You seem a little off" he asked, I nodded.
"I'm just tired of living like this" I said
"Me too baby" he put an arm over me and pulled me closer. "I know all of our attempts have failed, but I have an amazing plan this time" he said
"What?" I asked, he sighed and told me about the plan.
"When will we put it in action?" I asked
"I hope soon"
"Let's wait for a few days" I said, he nodded
*******
My slumber broke because of the constant ringing of my phone, I picked up my phone and answered it without looking at the caller.
"Hello" I said
"Ayesha! Thank god you have answered my call. Where have you been? You just disappeared after you left from the office yesterday, I called you so many times, but you didn't answer" Athar's worried voice made my sleep go away completely, I was wide awake now.
"Athar? Is everything ok?" I asked
"Yes! Everything is fine, I was just worried about you, where have you been?" He asked, I sighed
How should I tell him now that I am trying to avoid him because of the guilt of not sharing the news with him, it's eating me.
"Sorry, I've just been busy" I said
"Don't do that in future please, you got me really worried" he worsened my guilt, I just hummed
"Can you come to the office today? I want to meet you" he said
I can't face him, it's becoming too difficult to hide it from him.
"I can't come today, sorry" I said
"It's ok! I will come to meet you then" he said
"No!" I shouted
"Why? What happened?"
"I have to go to the mall with Reem, I can't meet you today."
"Why do I have a feeling that you are trying to avoid me?" He asked and I rolled my eyes at his over smartness
"There's nothing like that, it's just that I promised Reem that I will take her to a mall today, she's looking forward to it now" I lied
"Are you sure it's fine for her to go out in such condition?" He asked
"Of course! Even the doctor said she has to stay active"
"Ok! Then you take her. We will meet tomorrow" he said and I heaved a defeated sigh.
"Ok" I said and hung up.
I looked at Reem who was sleeping beside me.
"Reem! Wake up. We are going to the mall" I said lightly shaking her.
****
After waking up Reem we had breakfast and got ready to leave for the mall, Reem was so surprised when I asked about the mall myself.
The car journey was too silent, I was driving carefully. Ever since I have got the news of my pregnancy I have even stopped playing music while driving, I can't afford any distraction.
"Why don't you park the car?" Reem asked breaking the chain of my thoughts
"Why?" I frowned in confusion
"Because I'm pretty sure we can walk faster than your driving" she rolled her eyes, "seriously Ayesha what's wrong with your driving?" She asked
"I'm just being careful because of the babies" I blurted out
"Babies?" She raised her eyebrows at me.
"Yeah! As in you are my baby and you have our baby, so babies" I shrugged, she looked at me with squinted eyes
"Are you fine? You talk totally absurd these days, and you zone out quite a lot"
Ya Allah kya musibat hai sabko, kyu mere peechhe padhe hai (what is wrong with everyone, why have they got after me)
"There's nothing like that" I shook my head
"You can't lie to me, I know there is something you are hiding from me" she asked
This is what I didn't want, I knew if she gets after me she will make me say the truth, but honestly I want to tell Athar about it first.
"Yes I am hiding something from you" I said
"I knew it. How dare you? Now tell me right now" she said
"It's about jeeju. Should I tell you?" I tricked her, "actually Reem, jeeju was saying that he is missing you a lot, so w..."
"Stop it Ayesha. I don't want to talk about him" her reaction was as expected
"You wanted to know, right? I am telling you now" I said
We reached the mall I took the car in the parking lot, and parked it. Together we came out and walked towards the mall's entry
"I don't want to know" she said
"But you only said..."
"Stop it, forget what I said" she said and I suppressed a laugh.
"Ok" I said innocently, I got her off my back now at least.
We were looking around for dresses, I shortlisted a few dresses for Reem, and she was looking for me.
We were laughing and picking up stupid dresses for each other, it was fun shopping with Reem, for a moment it felt like we went back in time where we used to behave all crazy.
I noticed a beautiful top, I called Reem.
"Look at that one" I said, her eyes shone
"It's pretty" she said
"Let's get that one for you" I held her hand and walked ahead with her, but I had to stop when she stopped, I turned around to look at her.
"What happened?" I asked looking at her pale face, she was looking at something behind me, I turned around and found a girl standing there.
"Who is she?" I asked
The girl looked at us, she smiled when she saw Reem and marched towards us.
"Assalamualaikum. It's a pleasant surprise to see you Reem" she smiled, I wondered who she is. She extended her hands towards Reem, but she ignored it, her face fell momentarily but then she quickly recovered and turned towards me.
"You must be Ayesha" she asked, I nodded, she put her hand for a handshake, I gave my hand in hers, "I am Maizah" she said, and my eyes widened, I looked at Reem, she was looking at Maizah with so much hatred in her eyes.
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