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Izhaan's pov
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Reem's painful screams were echoing in my ears, my heart was drumming in my ribcage. How she must be handling so much pain! Ya Allah please have mercy on my Reem.
I looked at the closed door of the labour room, she is in there, giving birth to my child and there is nothing I can do to help her, I have never felt so useless in my entire life.
I sat on the bench and rested the back of my head on the wall, I closed my eyes and recalled what happened today.
I was at home when Athar came and told me that he was looking for some important documents which he kept in the farmhouse. I was so confused thinking why he would keep so important papers there, but his panic state kept me quiet.
When we reached the farmhouse Athar took me to dadi's room, for a few minutes he was checking the drawers, then he turned to me and said to stay in the room while he would go to answer his phone, then he left immediately without giving me a chance to say something.
I was sure he was upto something, he was behaving oddly. I heard the sound of the door opening and I turned around to ask Athar about the reason why we were there, but I got the shock of my life, Reem was standing there, she was looking at me with shocked eyes.
It took me a moment to understand it was all Athar's plan, I quickly began giving explanations that I did not trick her for coming there.
I was expecting any kind of behaviour from Reem, but when she hit me and questioned me for not coming to meet her for the whole month I was so astonished, I thought I was doing the right thing by staying away from her.
Before I could clear the misunderstanding between us, and make her believe Simon came, and for the first time in my life I regretted not listening to Shaurya, because Reem was there.
I was confident with myself that I will take him down easily, I mastered self defence when I was in London, but I couldn't afford to take any risk while Reem was there, so I insisted him to let her go, but he proved what a ba$tard he is when he held Reem on gunpoint.
I was so scared to see her held up like that, for a moment it felt as if malakul maut (the angel of death) has arrived.
I did what he asked me to do, honestly if he had asked me to shoot myself at that moment I would have done that in a heartbeat.
I was praying to Allah to send help, if I tried to take him down I would need someone to hold Reem, I didn't want her to get hurt.
It felt like someone pulled out my heart out of my chest when he hit Reem with the gun, I just wanted to kill him, thankfully Athar came, and I saw a ray of hope, I quickly pulled him and luckily the police also arrived at the correct time.
When I turned to Reem, I found her in pain, I ran to her and held her, she was screaming in pain, my eyes filled with tears seeing her crying.
Every time she held my hand and cried in pain, I felt so helpless. I wanted to take all of her pain, but sadly it was not in my power.
"Izhaan" I felt a hand on my shoulder, I quickly stood up when I saw dadi there and hugged her, the dam I put on my tears broke, I hugged her and cried, I didn't care what people will think about me at that time.
"Beta! Why are you crying? She is fine, we should be happy, the baby will come anytime now" she said rubbing my back
"I can't see her like this, she was in so much pain" I cried, but dadi chuckled. She pulled back and cupped my cheeks
"The pain will end as soon as the baby comes" she said
"I don't care, I just want her fine." I said, she wiped my tears with her thumbs and laughed, "Zara dekhein to apne sher ko, kese bachho ki tarah ro raha hai (look at your lion, he is crying like babies)" dadi turned to dada ji
"It just shows how much he loves Reem" dada ji said and patted my back
"I wish I could do something for her" I said
"You can! Pray to Allah to make it easy for her, and keep her safe." Maa said
I looked at the time it's been more than an hour since she has been taken inside. I wondered if she is still in the same pain, the thought made me restless.
The door of the labour room opened and the doctor came outside, I ran to her.
"How is Reem? Has the pain stopped?" I asked, the doctor smiled
"Yes Mr Izhaan, the pain stopped" she answered and I sighed in relief
"She is fine now?" I asked again
"She is fine and the baby is also fine" she grinned
"Baby?" I was so relieved to know that Reem was not in pain anymore that I couldn't understand her for a moment.
"Congratulations! Reem has given birth to a healthy baby boy" doctor said and I just stood numb and stared at her
"Mashallah, alhamdulillah" I heard multiple cheery voices behind me.
Tear of joy rolled down my cheek, all I wanted was to put my head down in sujood. I thanked Allah.
"Can I meet Reem?" I asked
"Yes! Only you can go to meet her, rest everyone has to wait till we shift her to the room" the doctor said
"And the baby?" Hayat asked so impatiently that made everyone laugh
"He has been taken to the nursery for general check up, we will bring him soon" doctor answered
"Kamal hai izhaan, tera beta paida hote hi nursery chala gaya (amazing Izhaan your son has gone to nursery right after his birth)" Athar said a lame joke, I just rolled my eyes
"Congratulations beta" dadi hugged me
"To you too" I smiled
Everyone was busy in congratulating each other, I went to Reem. I didn't know how she would react to seeing me.
I opened the door and found her lying down on the bed, she looked tired, I could see she just went through so much, her eyes were closed, carefully I sat next to her and held her hand.
She opened her eyes and looked at me.
"Hey beautiful" I smiled
"Izhaan! Are you ok?" She asked, I smiled
"I should be the one asking you. How are you feeling?"
"That gunshot." She said, and tightened her grip around my hand, "I got so scared" she cried, her tears hurt me
"Jaan please don't cry, look at me. I'm perfectly fine" I said slightly moving back, she looked at me, then she hit my arm. "ow! What was that for?"
"What was the need of kneeling in front of him? You only said that you cannot even lower your gaze in front of a criminal, then why?" She asked, I smiled and put my hand on her cheek, I caressed her cheek with my thumb
"I did it for you, I would have done anything he asked me to do at that moment, just to save you" I said and kissed her hand
"Do you really love me that much?"
"I don't know how much I love you, I only know that I can even die for you, you are my passion, my madness" I dipped every word in love, she beamed
"I'm sorry" she said
"Why are you sorry?" I frowned
"For not believing in you" she let out a cold sigh
"I'm sorry too"
"Why are you saying sorry? I was the one who behaved stupidly, if I had put away my anger and listened to you, we wouldn't have missed all the precious time." She said looking down "But I'm still angry at you for not coming to me" she stuck her bottom lip out like a kid, she looked so adorable.
"I was saying sorry for that only" I chuckled, "Reem please! Just take it out from your heart that everyone leaves you, you are so precious for all of us, I cannot even think about leaving you."
"I believe you" she smiled
"So promise me you will not leave me now" I pleaded
"I promise, I will never leave you" she said and I felt so relieved, I put my forehead on our joined hands and shed tears
"Izhaan! Can you believe it we have a son now" she said, I raised my head and looked at her.
"It feels like I'm dreaming" I said
"Have you seen him?" She asked, I shook my head
"Have you?"
"Just a glance" she pouted, "go, bring him"
"He will come soon, till then let me believe that it is really happening, you are with me" I said, she smiled
"Come closer" she said, I brought my face closer to her, she kissed my cheek, just a small touch and I felt peace till my soul
"Thank you" I said pecking her lips, she blushed
"Where is everyone?" She asked, I narrowed my eyes at her
"Bhool jao sabko, bas mujhpe dhyan do (forget about everyone, just focus on me)" I said, she laughed
"Yeah right"
"I'm serious, Mrs Izhaan, I have yearned a lot for you, and I will seriously take revenge of every moment I spent without you"
"Ohhhh I am scared" she faked shivering
There was a knock on the door, i sat straight and turned around. A nurse was coming she was holding a baby in her hands. My heartbeat spiked
"Here's your baby" the nurse said excitedly, I looked at Reem, she had big tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her lips
"He is mine?" She asked trying to get up, I quickly helped her in sitting
"All yours" the nurse said and handed the baby to Reem
She gasped when she saw him.
"He is adorable" she cried and put his cheek against hers, I looked at him, he was indeed the most beautiful creation of Allah.
I had mixed emotions at the moment, there was relief that Reem's unbearable pain was over, there was happiness seeing my whole universe in front of me, there was excitement to see what future holds for us.
I promised myself I will do anything in my power to keep Reem and our son happy. My son made me understand the meaning of love at first sight today. And Reem, I love her million times more today for bearing so much to bring our little bundle of joy into this world.
I quickly took out my phone and captured this moment forever, this is definitely the best day of my life.
"We want a picture with you also" Reem said, I put my arm over her shoulder and got closer to her and took a selfie, our first family picture, I am complete now.
"Do you want to hold him?" She asked. I nodded vigorously, carefully she put the baby in my arms, the nurse was directing us how to hold a baby, where to keep hand.
I looked at him, tears of joy welled in my eyes seeing him. He was so cute.
"Assalamualaikum! Welcome my son" I said lovingly, then I looked at Reem. "I am amazed to see him" I said, she smiled.
There was yet another knock on the door, a ward boy came with a wheelchair, it was time to shift Reem into the ward. Two more nurses came in the room, they helped Reem in sitting on the wheelchair, one of them took the baby from my arms and we all headed to the room.
"Alhamdulillah" I sighed.
We came to the room, and nurse helped Reem in settling down on the bed, they handed me the baby and left the room.
"Izhaan! Call everyone, I want to meet them" Reem said, I nodded and gave her the baby
I turned to go outside, but the moment I opened the door I found everyone coming inside already.
I smiled and held the door wide for everyone to enter.
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Ayesha's pov
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My blood boiled in anger at the untimely revelation of my pregnancy, I hated the doctor for her talkative nature.
The correct way was to talk with Athar and clear the air right away, but it was not the correct situation, even I was not in a right state of mind. I was only thinking about Reem at the moment.
The whole family was here, we all were so worried about Reem, jeeju was even crying, my eyes were also dripping water.
Thankfully, the painful wait was over and the doctor gave us a good news of the arrival of our little one. All of us were beaming in happiness.
A round of congratulations began, we all were hugging each other and celebrating.
The doctor only allowed jeeju to meet Reem and we were told to wait to see her till she would be shifted to her room, we all came to the waiting room.
"Indeed Allah is the greatest" dadi smiled
"Amma! This is so exciting I have become a grandmother" maa grinned ear to ear.
"I envy Izhaan bhai, why did he get to meet the baby first, I also want to meet him" Hayat pouted, everyone laughed
"Uska haq hai beta, mere bachhe ne bohot dukh uthaye hai, ab usko uski khushi jee lene do (he has a right. My child has been through so much, let him have his moment happily)" dadi wiped her tears
"Allah mere Izhaan aur Reem ko hamesha khush rakhe (may Allah keep my Izhaan and Reem happy always)" maa said
"Ameen" I mumbled.
I looked at Athar, I thought it was the best time to talk to him, I walked to him.
"Athar! I am...." I was saying but he pointed a finger at me
"Not now Ayesha" he said, chill ran down my spine at his coldness.
"Assalamualaikum" dad came and we all turned to him, he was on cloud nine when he heard the news.
"Congratulations Nana ji" papa hugged him.
"Somebody arrange sweets" dada ji said
"Let me meet junior first, then I will go and bring sweets" Athar replied
"Your patient has been shifted to the room, you can meet her" the nurse announced.
All of us got excited and headed to the room, dadi was the first in the line. She was about to open the door, but jeeju opened it, he had a peaceful smile on his face.
Fresh tears appeared in my eyes when I saw Reem sitting with the baby. I was so happy.
I stood in the corner and looked at everyone, they all were showering love on the baby.
"Gabbar" Reem extended her hand towards me, I held her hand, got closer to her and wrapped her in a hug. I got overwhelmed and broke into tears, she was also crying.
"Ohho girls please! No more crying" jeeju said, "Ayesha! You don't want to meet the baby?" He asked
"Of course I want to" I got up getting excited.
Maa handed him over to me, and I was in awe of his cuteness
"Mashallah" I mumbled.
"We also want to meet him" hayat said desperately, I laughed
"Sure" I passed him to Hayat
He already became a toy for all of us.
"Maa! He is so small" Hayat gasped
"So what were you expecting?" Maa rolled her eyes.
Hayat played with the baby for a while, then it was Athar's turn
"Assalamualaikum junior! I am your chachu" he smiled looking at him, "he is so cherubic"
"Say MashaAllah" dadi said.
It was now time to give azaan in the baby's ear, dadi asked dad to do it, but everyone said it was dada ji's duty as he is the eldest one, he did the job happily.
"What will we name him? Have you thought of any name as yet, bhai and bhabhi?" Hayat asked Reem and jeeju. They shook their head
"Can I name him please?" Hayat gave puppy eyes, jeeju chuckled
"What will you name him?" Maa asked
"We can name him hayat only, I heard it's a unisex name" she grinned ear to ear, we all laughed at her
"I have already decided what his name will be" dada ji said and we all turned to him, he took the baby and walked towards Reem and jeeju.
"Just kill the suspense and tell us the name already" dadi said, making all of us chuckle.
"He is Zaeem Khan" dada ji announced, I looked at the new parents they had a huge smile etched on their faces
Athar took the baby from dada ji and kissed his hand lovingly.
"So, junior's name is Zaeem?" He smiled
"Mashallah what a beautiful name you have got little one" I leaned on Athar, he stiffened and then he moved two steps away from me, his little action broke my heart.
"Do you like the name? If you want you can change it" dada ji asked Reem
"What are you saying dada ji! I loved it, thank you so much" she smiled
Dada ji sat on the chair next to Reem.
"Reem beta! Please forgive Izhaan, he was just following my orders, I asked him to take up the case, I asked him to pretend being Maizah's husband, I'm the one at fault, not him, I am sor...."
"Dada ji please! You are embarassing me. I am not upset with anyone, in fact I'm too ashamed of my actions" she looked down.
"Does this mean you will return home with us?" Maa asked the question which was bugging all of us. Reem looked at jeeju, he was looking at her without blinking his eyes.
"Yes" Reem beamed and I released a sigh of relief
"Alhamdulillah" dadi kissed Reem's head.
It was indeed a blessed day of our life, how I wished Dr Palak stayed quiet. I looked at Athar, he looked normal, but I knew he was carrying a storm within.
"Athar and Izhaan go, bring sweets, I will distribute it to the whole hospital by my hands" dadi said.
"I will also distribute it" dad also said
"Dadi I have already given an order for sweets, it should be here soon" Athar replied.
After around half an hour sweets arrived, dadi, dada ji, papa and dad went to distribute it, and the rest of us were still in the room.
Hayat was holding Zaeem, maa was keeping his stuff in the bag, jeeju was feeding soup to Reem, and Athar and I were sitting quietly, I wanted to talk to him, but it was impossible in front of everyone.
"Maa! He is so adorable, he will make our house more livable, children are just like angels, I wish we had more kids at home" Hayat said
"More kids?" Reem laughed
"Hayat is right, we should have more kids at home, you should plan your second one early" maa said, Reem turned red feeling shy.
"I don't think we will ever have a second child, I can't see Reem in so much pain again" jeeju said looking at Reem, she smiled. "And why so much expectations from us only? There's Ayesha and Athar also" jeeju said and my heartbeat stopped. Maa got up and sat next to me
"Beta! Even I have been thinking of talking about it to you for so long, I think it's high time, you should think about having a baby now" maa said, I looked at Athar, his lips were tightly pressed, he was trying to control his anger
Thankfully dadi came and all of the attention shifted to her. My gaze met Athar's there was so much complains in his eyes, that I couldn't keep looking at him, I quickly lowered my gaze.
*****
It was night time, dadi, papa and dada ji had gone to home. Reem was sleeping, and jeeju had gone to the pharmacy.
"I think you all should go now" maa said, I quickly shake my head
"No maa, I will stay here tonight, I will have to take care of Reem and Zaeem" I said, maa chuckled
"Izhaan will take care of Reem and I will look after Zaeem, you anyways have no experience in how to look after babies" maa said
"Let jeeju go home, you and I can stay back, and so what I don't know how to look after babies, you can teach me, I need to practice, soon I will need it" I said in fluency, maa frowned at me and I realised I spoke too much, "for Zaeem" I laughed sheepishly.
"He will come home tomorrow, then you can practice as much as you want, but go for now" maa insisted
"But maa I wa..."
"Enough Ayesha!" Athar said, his tone wasn't high, but the way he said I quickly shut up, "you have been driving all day to places, and you have not sit down properly since we've come to the hospital, you need rest. Let's go home" he said sternly
He was right, I was very tired, but I wanted to stay for Reem, and I know he is only asking me to leave because of my pregnancy, otherwise he has never stopped me from staying with Reem, I should listen to him.
"You are right maa! I should go home and prepare for Zaeem's grand welcome for tomorrow" I said, maa nodded.
Hayat, me and Athar left from the hospital, I thought I'll be able to talk to Athar, but I had to stay quiet since Hayat was there.
Athar was quiet the whole ride, Hayat was mostly talking while I was just answering her. After returning home Athar went straight to freshen up. I waited for him to return.
He returned after around half an hour, I quickly walked towards him. He was busy towel drying his hair.
"Athar I wanted to talk to you, I know wha...." His ringing phone, shut me up.
He turned to answer his phone.
"Yes Asim? ... Right now? ..... Ok" he took out his laptop while talking on the phone, "yes I can see it" he said and then he got busy with some work, I thought of freshening up while he gets done with his work.
It felt so good to take a shower, I scrubbed the hospital's smell off my body, I didn't realise when an hour passed. When I returned in the room, the lights were off and Athar was lying down on the bed.
"Athar?" I called him, but no answer. I went closer to him and shook his arm. "Athar! Are you asleep?" I asked but still he stayed unmoved, his eyes remained closed. I heaved a defeated sigh.
I went and laid beside him, his back was towards me, I hugged him tightly.
"I know you are not sleeping" I said and scooted closer to him. "I know you are upset with me, and you have a right to be, I am sorry for hiding about my pregnancy. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you." I said, but still no response.
"Athar yaar please listen to me, I'm telling you that I only hid it from you becau..."
"Stop it Ayesha" he pulled out of my grip and sat straight. "It really doesn't matter why you hid it from me, I am mad at you for hiding it from me, it's not just your baby, it's mine too, I had the right to know about its existence." He shouted angrily
"I know what I did is wrong, and I am sorry for that"
"Your sorry is not enough for this. You have hurt me really badly, just let me be for now, I don't want to talk to you" he was about to lie down again, but I held his hand.
"I hid it from you because I was scared of your over caring nature, I wanted to stay with Reem, she needed me and I knew if I told you about my pregnancy you wouldn't have let me be with her" I gave a very powerful explanation from my side. He looked at me in disbelief
"Really Ayesha?" He asked, "tell me one thing, why do you think you are the only one who can care about Reem? And also tell me when have I not supported in any of your decision? You stayed with Reem for a whole month, I was not in the favour of it, still I stayed quiet because you wanted it and Reem needed it. I wish you could see how badly you have hurt me by doing it, you didn't even let me be completely happy by the biggest news of my life, and you don't even have a realisation what you have done to me" he shook his head.
"Of course I do, I spent every moment in guilt when I was hiding it from you, that is why I started to ignore you." I said to prove my point
"Ayesha just keep quiet now, the more you are explaining, the more you are making it difficult for you. Just let sleep now, I'm very tired" he laid down and closed his eyes.
It was the first time ever he was sleeping with his back at me since our love confession, it hurt me so much.
Maybe I need to give him some time. I laid down and closed my eyes, I forced myself to sleep.
******
"What time are they coming?" Dadi asked
"By 1 o'clock maximum" Athar answered
"Oh God! I am so excited, I can't wait for them to come" she beamed
"You never get so excited to meet me" dada ji complained, dadi rolled her eyes.
"Why are you bringing yourself in between? I'm talking about my great grandson" she said
Dadi, dada ji, Athar and I were at the breakfast table. Reem would be getting a discharge and returning home today, we all were very excited about it.
I looked at Athar, I had such a disturbed sleep last night, the whole night I kept on waking up, he was close to me yet so far.
I need to convince him soon, I feel so disturbed when he is not talking to me, I don't like this Athar, I like the one who is always ready to listen to me.
It's my own fault, I brought it upon myself, but what should I do now? Why can't he see that I hid it because of him only.
"Ayesha" Athar snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Huh?" I looked at him
"What are you thinking? I have been calling you" dadi said, her question caught me off guard, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise she was calling me
"She must be thinking about how to welcome Zaeem!" Dada ji eased my difficulty
"Yeah! Exactly, I was thinking that only" I nodded my head vigorously, he chuckled
"I am very thankful to you beta, it was not your responsibility to look after Reem, still what you did for her, I am so grateful to you" dada ji said and suddenly I got too embarrassed
"Please don't say that, Reem is my sister, I would do anything for her" I said, Athar scoffed, I looked at him. The way he was looking at me made my heart feel heavy.
"Why are you not eating your breakfast?" Dadi asked me
"I'm full now, I will go and see Hayat now, we have to do decorations also" I said
"But beta you have not eaten anything" dada ji said
"I don't feel like" I said
"Have a little" dadi insisted
"Dadi I d.." I was saying but Athar cut me off
"Eat Ayesha" he growled, and I quickly began eating, even after not feeling hungry at all.
"What is this way Athar? You should talk politely with her" dada ji scolded her.
"I have not been able to keep my eyes lately on you Athar, but that doesn't mean you should talk like this with Ayesha" dadi glared at him
"Ok dadi" he nodded his head.
*****
Hayat and I decided to decorate the whole house with flowers, we got maids to do the job, they did a fabulous job and just in two hours the whole house was full of different kind of flowers.
There was a path made with rose petals, it started from the main entrance to the living room. Hayat went to decorate the staircase, while I stayed in the living room to write "welcome" with the rose petals.
Since it's not safe to put flowers near an infant, we did not do any decoration in Reem's room.
I was busy working with the petals, when I heard an angry voice
"What the hell are you doing?" I raised my head and found Athar glaring at me.
"I was just..."
"Don't you know that you shouldn't be bending like that now? It's a very bad posture for a pregnant lady" he scolded me and I didn't know how to react, should I be happy that he cared about me, or should I be angry that he was shouting at me?
"Give it to me, I'll do it" he took the basket from my hand and finished my work.
"Thank you" I smiled at him, his face remained straight.
"When is your next appointment?" He asked, I couldn't stop my lips from forming a smile, he rolled his eyes. "when is it?" He repeated
"In two weeks" I replied, he nodded his head.
"I want to see your reports, and which medicines are you taking?" His face was so serious
"My reports and prescription are still at dad's house"
"I will send the driver to bring it, just give a call to any maid and tell her to give it to him" he said, I nodded like an obedient child, he turned around and left from there.
"Tell her to give it to him" I mimicked him.
Khadoos..
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