CHAPTER 13
In lamhon ke daaman main...pakeezah se rishte hain
The fragrant curtain of intertwined mogra flowers was the only thing that separated them. The buzz of excitement hummed through his veins, slowly erasing the gnawing worries.
She didn't know but he was petrified of his bride taking off.
As she sat across him, only the hem of her red lehenga visible to his gaze, he wanted to reach out and touch her. Just for a second, just to confirm she wasn't a figment of his wishful imagination.
She's here, it's happening, his heart and mind chanted over and over.
All these days, those three magical words had tried to tip-toe their way out. But a little something had kept him at bay.
He'd seen it – the flash of desire...the strange want he felt – he'd seen it pass in her eyes too. Every time he inched closer; he witnessed her pulse jump.
The sangeet rehearsals had disclosed her secrets.His arms held her so close that his heart had felt hers, wildly beating like a thundering rumble.
Although, her lack of participation through the rituals and unsettling silence had the family struggling to find their own theories; the increasing need also mirrored in her clear eyes.
She's just nervous...
It's a big step, she must be processing it...
Maybe she realized she would not see her Aapi and Jeeju often...
It felt like they all sat in a circle to analyse as soon as she left the room. Whatever her reason might be, there was only one thing that had stopped Asad from backing out.
Her scrambled nerves.
If she made him want, then he made her nervous. Good nervous. His presence affected her; his touch made her tremble – much like hers made him burn.
Looking back at it, he understood his pathetic need to stay mad. The unexplained force that she reeled his stubborn heart in had bothered him. Asad Ahmed Khan had fell in love and the intensity of his helplessness left him breathless. So, he raged and fumed. Thundered and smoldered.
But now that the haze of anger had cleared and acceptance settled in, fear took its place.He had told her she was a misfit when in reality he felt incapable.
Although his Ammi had managed to push them closer in the last week, no declaration left his terrified lips.
Asad had no idea how he would react if she were to refuse his heart. Would he drop at her feet and plead her to be in his life? Would he let her leave no questions asked?
How could he possibly convince her that life would be a bed of roses with him, when he knew it won't.
So, he kept his mouth shut.
While Zoya's silence melted all his thoughts of a confident confession away, that flicker of awareness in her eyes kept him equally close.
Emotionally challenged. She had correctly diagnosed him.
His tangled gut relaxed now as he felt the challenge easing.
The whisper of 'qubool hai' on her lips brought solace and bliss unmatched. Yes, it wasn't a bed of roses, but as he proudly admitted his love in front of his God and the world, he promised from this moment on he would make certain it would be – for her...
... "Qubool hai" ...
xx
There was something familiar about the raindrops against his window tonight. They tossed him back into some familiar half-retained bhaang filled memories. He stared at his wife in the candle lit as she made their bed.
The generator was acting up again. He would be replacing it tomorrow because the thought of fixing it, also brought back memories...
...that of parted lips and heated sighs.
Just thinking about her following suit and being stuck in the closed space made him sweat. He had controlled himself last time but now... Zoya was his wife. And seeing her taking creases out of their bedding also did strange things to him.
There weren't going to be any strong arguments left in his sane mind to stop himself from acting.
He let out a sigh.
Zoya risked a peek at her husband from under her thick lashes. She could feel his stare boring through her being.
Phuphi ko bhi aaj hi akela chod kar bahar jana tha.
And on top of that she had took the whole mandli with her.
So much for wanting to spend the night with Aapi tonight. All her excuses had gone down the drain. Decayed and decomposed.
She deliberately moved slower, creasing and uncreasing the sheets. Agreed they had a good time in the morning even though half of it was them fighting, but she still didn't how to act all patni around him. And did he want her to?
She had never once tried to change herself for his benefit but now was she obligated to?
"Ugh"
"Did you say something?"
Did she do that out loud.
"Main, nahi to" She decided to feign ignorance.
Zoya noisily squealed as she exaggeratedly stretched faking a yawn. "I think I am going to umm sleep" she said as if unsure.
Was she trying to tell me something?
He took that as a hint and moved closer to the bed. "In fact main bhi"
As he lifted the sheets to get into bed, he heard her scream "Yeh aap kya kar rahe hai"
Why did she have to act like a soap opera actress sometimes he would never understand...
"Trying to go to sleep" he said as a matter of fact.
Her wide eyes relaxed a bit as she witnessed Asad pretending she was invisible and coolly laying down on his side.
Look at him, so calm and collected!
Her annoyed mind suddenly had a vision of kicking him to the ground.
She took her time showering, moisturizing and changing into sleep wear. Nearing the bed, she contemplated sleeping on the sofa but then decided against it.
If he can act cool so can I!
As she tried slipping into bed, she noticed her pillow was gone.
What?
Just then an arm shot out and replaced its spot. Zoya looked dumbly at his arm for a moment and then at him. His face showed no expression, but his eyes were restless...stormy.
Not understanding her own reaction, she ignored his move and propped his back towards him utterly exasperated.
He always runs hot and cold. Always! Saying whatever he pleases, doing whatever his pleases. Bhaad mein ja...
...What the hell are you doing Zoya? This is like the first step on his part!
Her hand reached to stop his arm as she changed her mind midway. That's right! Bhaad mein jaye sab kuch. She had the full right to sleep in her husband's arms. He had said qubool hai too hadn't he?
As she rested her head on his stretched-out arm, she took a chance to glance at his face. She found his eyes closed, lips curled, face serene. Her dimple made an appearance.
Zoya's trembling hand found its way to his white kurta, pausing where his heart rested. While she closed her eyes, revelling in the sensation, Asad opened his to properly take her in.
He had seen her face terribly fall in the morning when he had denied her honeymoon. He decided right there and then not his silent awkwardness to hurt her more. His afraid paralysed lips might take their time, but he needed to kick the yawning distance away.
He turned towards her then, his other arm going over her shoulder, his hand resting on the back of her head drawing her closer.
He closed his eyes as he felt her snuggle into his body and soon fell into a peaceful slumber.
xx
Hi guys!
I know its a little explanatory but I guess I always get too lost explaining Asad's POV. He was so silent in the show, it was kind of intriguing.
Also, do tell if you want more updates
Happy reading!