Subhan's head snapped as he heard the ring of his office phone. Keeping the receiver on his ear, he asked
"Yes."
"Mr. Waleed is here to meet you, Sir."
Telling the receptionist to send him over, he kept the phone back in its place and stood up when he saw the door opening.
"Good morning, Mr. Waleed. A pleasant surprise indeed."
A polite smiled casted on the old man's face and he took his seat along with Subhan.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Shaking his head, he assured the old man. Subhan folded his hands on the table before him and asked
"What brings you here?"
Seeing the teasing smile on the old man's face, he was confused for a second.
"I heard you got married."
He laughed and nodded his head. He was about to flash his hand, only to realize he has no ring. Quickly making a mental note to buy a ring, he faced the man.
"It kind of happened in a rush."
He said not knowing how to announce this news to him.
"Well, my wife is fond of you. We're holding a charity event and I would like to invite you and your wife. It will be a pleasure to have you both there."
Subhan nodded his head and replied
"We'll be there. Thanks for the invite."
Mr. Waleed stood up and handed him the invitation card.
"I'll be waiting for you. The event will start at eight."
Nodding his head once again, Subhan shook hands with the man and watch him leave through the door. He looked at the card. No wonder other business man will be invited too. He looked down at his watch and it was half past three. Glancing at the piles of file on his table, he muttered
"I better hurry finish this work. I have to make up to my wife."
The word almost left his lips causally. Sometimes he thinks how far he has come with his rash decision of marrying her. It was really a decision that changed his life. But now he likes that he has someone waiting for him at home. It's new and terrifying because the feelings brewing in his heart are one's that won't let him let go of her.
Never in a lifetime.
The thought itself is scary. What if she doesn't feel the same? Or more precisely, does she feel anything for him at all or is he just being delusional? The questions were endless while only one person has answers to them. He can't ask her. What if the answer isn't to his liking? What if she asks to let go of her? Can he bear to do that?
That question has an answer.
Definitely no. He can't lose her. Not now and not ever. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the questions running in his mind eating away pieces of his sanity.
Let's take one step at a time. Let's enjoy what is now. No good will come fussing about things that may or may not happen.
Yeah that's right.
Let's live in the moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Safa rummaged through her closet trying to find a suitable dress to wear. After skimming for a very long time, she decided on two dresses. One was pastel blue while the other was creamy pink. She couldn't decide between the two. Huffing she sat down on the bed.
"Should I ask him?"
She asked herself than quickly diminishing the idea.
"That would look like I'm dying to have him take me out."
Falling down on the bed, she gazed at the ceiling. She gave her brain a very hard time trying to find an answer to her behaviour. She was just impulsive. God knows what ran through her brain that she decided to pull that stunt and then act all upset. Keeping her hands on her face, she muttered
"I'm such a big idiot. Stupid, fool, moron."
A knock sounded and she finally put a stop to her self cursing. Opening the door, she sighed in relief after seeing Mehreen. Inviting her inside her room, she huffed yet again.
"I see you need my help, Bhabhi."
She nodded her head and hold the two dresses by their hangers.
"Which one?" She wriggled those dresses in front of her and waited for an answer. Mehreen closely analysed the two dresses after finally deciding on the pastel blue one.
"This will do. Bhai loves blue colour."
Safa's eyes widened and she quickly looked at herself in the mirror with the blue dress. Surely, that looked so good on her. The kameez was ending inches before her knees and the sleeves were covering her entire arms. The dress was modest and fashionable simultaneously, just like she loves.
"You should give him a hard time. Don't go easy on him."
Safa confusedly stared at her nand and asked
"Aren't you supposed to take yours brother's side?"
Mehreen shook her head and muttered
"We live in a modern era. I'll take your side unless Bhai buys me with a cookie dough ice cream pint."
A laugh exploded out of her chest. Mehreen smiled sheepishly at her. Safa couldn't help but feel emotional. Gathering the young girl's hands in hers, she said
"Thank you so much, Mehreen. You're my best friend."
The young girl only hugged her back in response. Pulling back, she said
"We should be getting you ready. It's almost time."
And just like that, the two ladies were engrossed in their own work.
By the time, they were finished, it was already close to nine. Safa gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Before her was a woman that looks gorgeous. Her hair were in lose strands. The makeup was minimal. Nude lips and light eyeshadow highlighted her eyes. She set the dupatta on one shoulder and sat down on the bed waiting for him. The clock struck nine fifteen, but he still wasn't here. Her gaze landed on the bed side drawer and she take out those silver bangles. They were still wrapped since the day they arrived. She still hasn't thanked him for it. But there was this question.
Why didn't he ask her about them?
When he gifted her that book, he asked about it afterwards. But he was just too quiet about this specific gift. Somehow, worry seeped into her chest the more she pondered over it, so she placed them back and just then the door opened.
Her head snapped and her eyes locked upon her husband's dishevelled appearance. His hair were messy like he's been running his fingers through those thick strands. His shirt was wrinkled, while his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Still, he could pose as a model.
"Crap." She heard his light curse. Instantly, she looked down at herself feeling insecure.
Am I too overdressed?
Am I not presentable?
Is he angry?
"Shit....no that's not what I meant."
She felt hands grabbing her shoulder before she was face to face with him. There wasn't a much greater height gap between them. She reached his shoulders, but still he towers with all his glory. Feeling a feather touch on her skin, she felt her head being lifted up. His eyes were zooming in on her. Tucking a loose strand behind her ears, he rasped
"Bht pyari lag rehi hu."
(You look so beautiful)
Heat crept up her cheeks as she felt his hand gently rubbing the back of her neck. His cologne wafted past her nostrills and she was desperate to have an inhale. Breathing deeply to conquer control over her mind, she slightly pushed at his chest. He didn't budge, of course. Instead, he pulled her closer by her waist. A gasp escaped her lips as his head dipped and rest in the crook of her neck. A sigh left his lips while his arms got tighter around her. Her shaking hands reached out to him and she locked them behind his neck. Unconsciously, her hand went to the wound on his shoulder. Pressing lightly on it, she heard him hiss.
"Is it hurting?"
She asked worried for him. He lightly shook his head, denying her worries.
"Are you tired?"
"Not for you." His answer caused butterflies to swarm in her stomach and she, this time, tightened her hold on him. It felt good to be this close to him. To have his strong arms wrapped around her like a vice grip.
She felt like she belongs there. In his arms. In his calming embrace.
"Let me get ready and then we'll leave."
He finally left her and she felt bad for him. He looks exhausted, but he went in the closet to get ready. Some while later, the door to the bathroom closed and she waited while still feeling butterflies everywhere in her body.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The bathroom door creaked open and he came out dressed in a beige dress shirt and white pants. The combination highlighted his dark eyes and hairs. Rolling the sleeves to his elbows and applying his cologne, he turned to his wife who was already looking at him. Nodding at her, they both walked downstairs.
"You are going somewhere?"
Narmeen's tight voice reached his ears. Her eyes dug holes in the figure standing next to him. Bad blood!
"We're going out to eat."
The answer didn't sit well with her. She narrowed her eyes on her son and shook her head.
"You should've told me beforehand."
He sighed. He doesn't know how long will it take for his mother to move past the fact that he married a girl outside of their social standards. Grabbing her hand in his, he left the room.
"She looked upset."
He heard his wife say. Her gaze was focused on the house. Shaking his head, he said
"She'll come around, don't worry."
He opened her side of the door and helped her adjust her dupatta before rounding the car and taking his designated driver's seat. He started the engine and silence fell between them.
"Where are we going?"
He looked at her while she was busy looking at the passing trees.
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
She smiled and looked at him. He passed her a small smile in return and continued their ride in comfortable silence.
The car stopped and a surprised gasp escaped her lips. A dazzling smile carved his lips as he looked at her admiring the dark blue waters.
Ocean.
That's where they were. He remembers very well that his wife hasn't seen the ocean. She turned around and looked at him. Her eyes carried a misty sheen and he immediately touched her eyes to shoo the mist away.
"Don't get emotional now. Just enjoy."
Laughing she jumped out his arm and ran toward the ocean. There were enough lights hang up to let them see. He heard her loud laughter as she dipped her feet in sea water. Her heels were lying carelessly on the ground. She craned her neck and ushered him to come closer. He obliged. Giving his hand in hers, he too dipped his feet in the water. The natural breeze made her hair fly in all directions. He wrapped some loose strands in his finger and sniffed the shampoo. She was oblivious to his closeness, too engrossed enjoying the waves.
"Come let's eat something."
He walked her to a table where their food was waiting for them. She clutched her hairs in a hair clip and he instantly felt disappointed. He likes her hair open.
"I ordered fast food. I know you love junk food."
His admission caused her eyes to sparkle and a warm feeling rested in her chest. He was adamant on making the butterflies in her stomach go crazy. Maybe they already have. Who knows.
The magnificent aroma of gol gappy, chat, samosas and kebabs made her mouth water. She thought they would be dining in a posh restaurant, but girl was she wrong. So wrong. She immediately dig in. Making a nice gol gappa, she placed it in her mouth and the burst of flavours that followed was so satisfying.
"Am I forgiven now?"
She snapped her eyes open and saw him still. He hasn't eaten anything. Shaking, she made him a plate and offered it to him. He was still busy waiting for her answer when she said
"I should, but Mehreen told me to give you a hard time.
"You better stop interacting too much with her. She's bad influence." She laughed at his comment and ushered him to start eating.
"She's my best friend. And that reminds me to get her a cookie dough ice cream pint."
He gazed softly at her.
"How are you holding up with my family?"
The question escaped his lips before he could ponder over it. She put the cutlery down and answered honestly
"I've been doing good. Besides from Mehreen and Dadi, everyone just keeps....quiet with me."
He nodded, but then grew in close.
"I'm sorry about my mother. I know she's angry and she'll come around. As well as everyone else."
She didn't say anything to that except just squeezing his hand to provide comfort. He looked up at her and smiled.
"Is your arm feeling fine?"
He cocked his shoulder a bit and a hiss left his lips. Glancing at her, he said
"I think it'll get better in a few days." She nodded, but the need to ask him how it happened won
"How did this happen?"
His spoon stopped mid air and he glanced up to see her awaiting eyes. Her gaze was questioning. But he can't tell her the truth. She'll just be worried.
"Some tool fell over me during the renovation."
She nodded although she still wasn't satisfied.
"What do you really do?"
She asked. Eager to know what her husband does for living. He smiled and stood up. Offering his hand to her, he pulled her closer to his side as he walked to the sea shore. The waves crashed against each other and the wind blows mildly.
"You can say we're into architecture. Our company makes building to provide for shelter home and orphanages."
Pride bloomed in her chest and she said
"That's very thoughtful." He smiled and then said
"Sometimes it's not easy. There are conflicts that arise with these matters. But it's nothing to be worried about."
She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Tell me about yourself, Pheonix."
He said while lightly grazing his hand in her hairs. Her breathing stopped momentarily before she gathered her control back.
"There's nothing fascinating about me."
He frowned and made her stand face to face with him. Gripping her chin lightly, he said
"Trust me, that's not true."
His comfort gaze and words melted her and she can't help, but pour out to him
"I come from a middle class family. I lived with my mother and brother. My father died when I was four. Heart attack. After that, my mother took care of us. We were a happy family."
"But.."
He wanted to know the depths of her. Each and every nook and corner.
"Something happened. I ran away from home."
She detached herself from his arms not finding herself worthy enough. His heart broke at the sad look in her eyes. He wanted to ask about the nightmare. Yes, he hasn't forget it. But decided to leave that topic. She looks troubled already.
"Where are you from?"
He asked while continuously coming closer to her until his front pressed into her back. She inhaled deeply and he heard her small whisper
"Islamabad."
"Shoot Pheonix, you should have told me."
She shook her head.
"Don't you want to meet them?"
He asked when a tear rolled down her eye. He wiped it away instantly. Not liking how she was dealing with it, he wrapped her in his arms. She felt small as she clutched his shirt and placed her head on his chest.
"Please don't ask me anything."
He nodded his head. Agreeing to give her privacy, he ran his hands up and down her back. They stood like that in the middle of ocean for God knows how long. At some moment, he was sure that she was asleep. Taking her bridal style in his arms, he gathered her heels in one hand and went to their car. Putting her inside carefully, he gazed at her soft features. Running his fingers over cheeks, he said
"You're making it hard to stay away from you, Pheonix. And God knows I don't want to."
•••••••••••
Asalamoaliukm everyone
Here's an update. I know this is kind of a filler chapter. Hope you'll love it.
Till then, Allah Hafiz.