chapter dedicated tooo @cutiepatootieyouh mannnnn thank youuuuu for alwayssss and alwaysss being there!! Your comments make me cry lmaooo I love youuuhh cutieee <3
:aadatein yeh thi jo meri, ho gayi hai saari teri, kaise tu kahega khudko tanha?
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𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 O4 : good mornings or morning...
Waking up to the scent of aftershave and rich leather wasn't exactly something I had been used to in my entire 26 years of being, hell I hadn't even ever paid attention to what I breath in, the moment I wake up.
Not until today.
The room wasn't entirely lit up, given the deep brown curtains that were now drawn, however the light that still managed to steep in was enough to make me aware of the early morning that was ready to grace me.
I looked to my left only to find no one there, making me relax and shut my eyes once again, just to snap them back open as my hands quickly shuffled beside my pillow, and I grabbed my phone checking the time.
6:59 A.M
Why the fuck would he wake up so early on a Saturday morning for fuck's sake.
Cursing under my breath, I threw the duvet away from me as I got up, and went straight to do my morning rituals.
There is no way I'm gonna take a bath this soon, I thought as I simply dried my face with the towel, slightly fixed my hair, and was about to step out, before I quickly went back, applying a very little tint on my cheeks, nose, and lips as I finally stepped out.
Judge me? Judge me.
Stepping down the stairs I didn't miss the noise that came from the open kitchen accompanied by an extremely rich commanding voice that seemed to be over-call with someone.
"We've put a lot of thought into the design and amenities. We want it to stand out in the market, Roy." How is he able to sound so... commanding and composed early in the morning?
I literally have to talk to myself at least thrice, so I don't cringe at my morning voice,
I felt my steps slow down the moment I was about to approach the kitchen, eyes immediately landing on the glass-paneled wall hanging making me run my fingers through my hair.
'Hii!' I said to myself, before shaking my head, god I sound like a dying duck!
practice, practice, practice, Wish!
'Hey! Good morning,' nah not working.
'Good morning, how'd you sleep?' nah I can't afford to start the day reminding him about the night before!
'Yo, good morning bro,' he's not my bro! Not even platonically! I-
"Absolutely. I've been considering some enhancements to the original plan that could really elevate the project. For instance, incorporating sustainable features like solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems could not only reduce operational costs but also attract environmentally conscious guests." I stopped my little rehearsal the moment I heard some other voice speak.
I don't think I look bad, I thought to myself, giving one last look to myself as I patted my cheeks.
WHY THE FUCK DO THEY GET FLUFFED WHEN I HARDLY EVEN SLEPT FOR 5 HOURS STRAIGHT!
"Sustainability is definitely a trend in the industry, and it aligns with our values as well. Let's explore those options further. What kind of timeline are we looking at for these additional features?"
Biting onto my bottom lip I couldn't help but hold my breath the moment I stepped outside the corridor and into the living, we had an open kitchen to be exact, but since the distance between the main living room and the kitchen counter was too much to be considered one, you could say we had a fair share of space and distance.
A small gasp escaped my lips as I looked at the man who stood at the counter, his back facing toward me while seemed to be pretty occupied with the omelette he oh so skillfully flipped on the pan.
My brows shot up, clearly impressed, however, at this point it was a little difficult to distinguish on whether it was his 'egg-flippin' skills that got me to bite my bottom lip in nervousness or the way he had that apron wrapped around him over the perfectly ironed dark shade of gray dress pant and a black shirt, that were folded around his forearms, making all those hours that he probably spends at the gym, clearly show.
I think I should consider thanking my parents for at least one thing in this entire lifetime.
Even though Shehryar Mir Khan was clearly a case of shots being backfired.
For them.
"Well, integrating these features may add a few weeks to the construction timeline, but I believe the long-term benefits outweigh the slight delay. Plus, we can work efficiently to minimize any disruptions."
I looked around, my eyes landing on the laptop that was placed on the dining table that was right in front of the slab a few feet away.
"Sounds reasonable," He replied, effortlessly grabbing two plates from the shelf, "Let's ensure we communicate this to our stakeholders and set clear expectations. I also want to discuss the budget implications of the same,"
I slowly moved forward, looking at the laptop screen from behind, only to find some random stock market graphs being displayed.
That's what I thought, had he had the camera on why would he be making eggs in the middle of a meeting anyway?
Not wanting to make a noise I simply walked closer to the other side of the kitchen counter, right behind him, while he was oh-so-focused on getting some sausages done.
"Of course, we'll need to adjust the budget accordingly, but I'm confident we can find cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality." I heard the person on call continue,
You can do this, Wish!
'Hey! Good morning,' I rehearsed one last time in my mind before I slowly raised my hand up, just to simply tap him on the shoulder when-
"I'll provide you with a revised estimate detailing the additional expenses an- WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT A WOMAN I SEE!?"
A tiny shriek escaped my lips at the sudden loud voice that boomed through the room making me jump in my position and almost immediately duck down to the ground, hiding behind the counter in a frenzy.
Nooo no no no no no!!
Did I just!? Did I just make an ugly unplanned appearance in between his business call?? Like for real??? What the hell was I thinking of course he had his camera o-
I stopped the moment I felt a figure immediately tower over my scrunched-down position, eyes momentarily taking notes of the feet that stood in front of me, before I finally looked up, and I almost forgot how to breathe.
All. over. again.
A pair of brown stared back at me with what I sensed could only be amusement as the corner of his lips vividly tucked upwards making a fluttery feeling settle at the pit of my stomach, while he simply licked his bottom lip,
'Hey! Hi! Hello! Say something goddamn it!'
"Hi-"
"Assalam alaikum," we said together making me immediately bite my tongue.
Karwali beizzati!!??
"W-walaikum assalam," like c'mon, Wish! Hi?? Seriously? What were you thinki-
I sucked in a breath the moment he slightly bent forward, reaching his hand out to me. "You good-"
"WHO IS THAT SHERRY? WHOM ARE YOU HIDING?"
I looked at him simply shaking my head negatively, vigorously, no no no there was no way I was getting up, I already felt embarrassed enough for how quickly I sank down on the ground, what must he be thinking??
"Khwahish?" Shehryar frowned, whispering softly, "You can get up,"
I didn't I simply just shook my head again as I hurriedly muttered, "I swear I thought the camera was off, had I known that it wasn't I wouldn't have dared to interrupt your meeting I swear-"
"It's alright, It's not a big dea-" I didn't let him finish,
"-to god, I didn't do it on purpose-"
"Please get up-"
"no no, you don't get it, had I not dropped down on the ground like I did, as if I was some woman who got caught stalking her crush and hid because of some embarrassment I would've definitely gotten up, but what I did just made the situation worse, and there is no way I'm good with being embarrassed, I mean-"
"You've nothing to be embarrassed about, you're my w-"
"Come to think of it, I am quite literally pretty good at embarrassing myself actually, just that I'm not good at handling the aftereffects-" Someone please stop me from vomiting this shit please,
He just simply looked at me like I was the weirdest creature he had encountered in a while, and was trying hard to keep up with my talking pace.
"Khwahish," I love the way he says my name...
"-I think I should just simply crawl away-"
"Trust me if you don't get up, right now-"
"-it's a brilliant idea actually! I should just crawl back and no one would know-"
"I wouldn't mind picking you up, this instance."
His words made me immediately shut up as I looked at him wide-eyed, wait-
Did he say what I think he did? Did he really say that, or is my mind busy creating delusions in my head this early on in the morning??
What did he say??
At that moment I couldn't help but blankly stare into those pits of black hoping to find some hint of lighthearted humor in his words, only to find none, making my mouth slightly gape.
Is this how he cracks his business deals?
Leaving no room for the other person?
Gulping on my saliva, as if on an instinct I felt myself move my hand forward, and before I knew it was already placed on top of his, like they just couldn't help but listen to his request. Command?
Jeez, what is wrong with me???
I don't think, one knows the extent to which the human mind is capable of making you feel stuffs 'just for the plot' given I could almost feel my heart thud inside my rib cage ready to burst out any moment, when the truth is, according to books it only happens when a person has some sort of feelings for the other, right?
But that's not how I feel. In fact I feel nothing. For him. Nothing. Right?
So the only thing that is worth an explanation for such weird behaviors of my body towards him and the goosebumps that I could feel at the back of my neck was, my mind joining the trend of 'just for the plot'.
His grip on my hand tightened as he slowly pulled me up making me bite my tongue before the smallest of smiles grazed his lips,
"Good morning,"
Fuck! Shit! No! C'mon, I had literally been practicing to be the first one to say that!
Life is so unfair I hate it!
My mouth opened and closed as I simply looked at him, my mind not being able to entirely focus on his words as his thumb subconsciously started to create an 'infinite' pattern at the back of my palm.
"M-morning woo- Good!" WTF I shook my head. "I-I meant morning good! I mean! GOOD MORNING" I paused, "I was saying, good morning,"
My eyes widen at the blunder I created, god I hate myself! WHY!? Why always in front of him!? Just why!
Morning wood?? Seriously? I-
Wait, is he? Is he smirking at me? This bit-
"I believe you," words. Simple three words left of his mouth like it was the most natural thing for him to say to me, while I just felt my breath being stuck yet again.
He is... he is beautiful.
So beautiful that I'm almost convinced that everything my family says about us as a couple, might actually be true...
"SHEHRYAR MIR KHAN, HOW DARE YOU?? IS THAT A WOMAN I SEE?" My back faced the laptop, while I could feel my so-called husband's figure tower over me from the front, his eyes not leaving mine as I shifted my gaze away from him to the ground, while my grip on his hand momentarily tightened at the loud voice.
Is he gay? Maybe that's his boyfri-
"Not just any woman," I heard Shehryar say, making the tiniest of frowns settle between my browns,
What is that supposed to mea-
"It's my woman you see,"
Do you know the speed at which a butterfly flutters its wings? That was probably how my lashes mirrored them, the moment my eyes met that of his all over again.
"HOLLY SHIT"
I didn't mean to pass the small smile that appeared on my lips but boy did those words make something in my stomach flutter.
Having a sense of belonging wasn't really something included in my lifelong package you see, so to have someone so proudly say that even if it's just for show, kind of adds on to the 'things that I never thought would happen' list.
"Hungry?" He asked, his voice, being the same respectful and firm but with the slightest of softness to them.
"Yeah I-" I stopped, looking around, before asking, "Tea?"
I pulled my hand back, making him take a step back as he nodded.
"Top shelf to the ri-" he stopped, his eyes shifting from me to the cabinet that probably stood a few good inches above my head before he simply got the tea leaves and sugar out from there himself,
"Remind me to shift these to these to the shelf there," He said, nodding towards the shelves which would clearly be way more accessible to me, to which I just shrugged taking the tetra pack milk out of the refrigerator, and a pot as I stood beside him by the stove,
"Why?" I frowned, as I took a cup, measuring the amount of milk and water, for two servings, as the words left my mouth before I could stop them,
"I've got you,"
I swear I froze the moment those words escaped my mouth, while I could feel him stare at my side face.
"T-to get those out, I meant," I hurriedly completed, lighting the stove as I placed the pot atop, adding the sugar and tea leaves.
"Umhm," I heard him hum, and before I knew I felt him move closer, his arms sliding on either sides of me as he grabbed the plates of sausage and eggs that lay in front of me, as he muttered a, "Fair enough," and I was met with the cold air again,
"IS THIS FOR REA-"
"Office," was all I heard my so-called husband say, and then a beep.
Straining the tea, I got them out in two cups as I carried them on either hand, to the dining where he was already seated,
"I'll pick you up by 1?" he asked, making me frown. "Do we have some plans?" which I clearly wasn't notified about I believe.
He just mirrored my expression for a second, "Lunch," I felt my cheeks turn warm, wait are we really gonna go out like some-
"Didn't you speak to mom?" he continued, as I kept a cup beside him, while taking mine, his words making me smile,
"Yeah, I spoke to mumma just yesterday, she's really excited about Shanzae's wedd-"
"I meant your mom," I stopped, my smile dropping,
"No?" I replied, my words sounding guarded as always at the mention of her, at the thought of them, I didn't say anything further, as I simply looked at him taking a few breads out, peeling the sides, and adding butter to it.
I frowned, I had never seen him take the sides off though,
"I thought you knew," he voiced, placing the bread on my plate, making me freeze and my eyes widen.
He... he noticed?
I couldn't help the fluttery feeling that clouded my heart as I smiled at the bread in front of me.
He... he remembered.
I couldn't focus on anything else, as I looked at both of our plates, he didn't do it for himself. Is it weird if I say it made me feel special? Biting onto my bottom lip I tried to stop myself from grinning any wider as I simply started munching on my breakfast when, within a matter of seconds I felt my smile drop.
Oh hell no.
"Your parents invited us for lunch,"
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even these habits of mine, have now become yours, how are you gonna call yourself 'lonely'?
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oukayyyyyyyyy I'm sooo sooo sooo soorrryyy for the late update but I swear I will make it up pretty sooonnn!!! Been busy out of my brains and with ramadan going on it just gets difficult! That reminds me Ramadan Mubarak guys!!!! stay happy stay blessed have a great time aheadddd! me lobh lobhh lobhhhs you all!
also! Happiest Holi in advance my loves!!!! Enjoyyyy!!! I'll see you super soon! No banter today because me busy busy
acchha chalo byeeee!
xoxo
its sheewholoved!