𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 26

It was the weekend and we traveled to my hometown after two months. Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow me to go to my parents house often.

As we reached our destination, I could see happiness on Mehr's face. She always loved to be at my parents place. She loved everyone and they also loved her dearly. Thankfully, we never had a toxic desi household.

We came there unannounced. My parents were very happy to see us as they didn't know about our arrival. My elder sister also came to stay for the weekend with us. We were meeting after two months. I was very happy and content to be there.

"You are looking so pretty Mehrbano! What are you using in skin care these days?" My elder sister asked her admiringly.

"Nothing special" Mehr smiled in response.

I kept looking at her. My sister was right. Mehr was glowing these days. I had also noticed this but she has always been beautiful to me.

I glanced at her and our gaze met. She looked down quickly. She couldn't look into my eyes for more than a few seconds. She always avert her eyes. I don't know maybe my eyes fascinate her.

I smiled lightly at her cute gesture.

Mehrbano was indeed a beautiful woman. She wasn't like the extraordinary women I had met in my circle. She was simple yet different from everyone else.

"What do you say Ehan! Isn't she getting more beautiful with each passing day?" My elder sister made me a part of their conversation.

"Indeed" I replied simply in one word.

Mehr looked up at me as if she wasn't expecting me to say that. She was right at her place, I had never appreciated her beauty ever before not in words at least.

I don't understand why I couldn't say such things to her. It shouldn't be that difficult. We have been together for a long time now. My life was completely changed after her.

My mother and sisters had taken her somewhere. They wanted their time alone. I spent the day mostly with my father.

"Take Mehrbano to his father's house tomorrow" Papa advised me, we were news on TV.

I knew Mehrbano wouldn't like to go there. We would only go to her father's place on Eids. She didn't like to go there and I never asked her the reason nor did she discuss it herself. I could understand that she didn't have an ideal relationship with her father probably due to his second marriage.

I wasn't interested in knowing the reason though. If she wants I will take her there and if she does not want then I won't ask anything.

I spent the whole day rolling between the TV lounge where my father mostly spent his time and my bedroom where I took a nap.

The ladies of the house took the whole day for themselves. I don't know what they were doing shopping or whatever else.

I regretted the very instant to come here. My whole weekend was ruined. If Mehr was so wanted they could have asked her to come alone. Why I had to sulk with her.

I was annoyed with my wife too. She never once contacted me the whole day. She was enjoying her time alone without me as if I didn't exist in her world.

I was in my room, sitting on the chair, my eyes closed and ears attentive to the song playing on my laptop. The lights in my room were turned off. I was lost in the song completely when Mehr opened the door from outside.

A wave of light gushed into the room on her arrival. Just like I believe her arrival in my life did.

My eyes fell at her face. She smiled at me. My eyes were fixed on her face and my mind was fixed on the song playing in the background. The lyrics touched my heart in every way.

Hamein tumse pyar kitna

ye hum nahi jante

Does she know how important she is for me. I never thought she would be so important to me when I got married to her but destiny always has different plans for us.

Magar jee nahin sakte

tumhare bina

Yes, I don't think I will be able to survive without her. I was badly dependent on her as if she was the source of my life in the never ending ocean.

Tumhein koi aur dekhe

to jalta hai dil

Badi mushkilon se phir

sambhalta hai dil

I always get hurt when she ignores me. I know she doesn't do it purposely but it stings my heart.

Kya kya jatan karte hain

tumhein kya pata

She would never know about my inner self, my thoughts and my emotions. I was never vocal about it. It's very hard to open up about yourself.

Yeh dil bekarar kitna

ye hum nahi jaante

Magar jee nahin sakte

tumhare bina

She is the light in the darkness for me which I never wanted at the first place but now she is part of my life that I could never leave behind.

Mehr entered the room and suddenly the song became more meaningful. She turned on the lights. I closed my eyes immediately and rested my head back on the chair.

"Ese kyu bethe hain?" She asked me softly.

(Why are you sitting like that)

"To kese bethoon?" I asked her calmly, looking at her.

(Then how should I sit?)

"Are you sad?" She placed the shopping bags on the floor besides the dressing table and sat near me on the bed.

I didn't reply to her question, rather asked a different question and stopped the song playing on my laptop.

"What's the time?" I asked.

"It's 7 pm. Have you had your dinner?" She asked politely in her sweet voice.

"No" I muttered.

"That's good. I got Chinese takeaway for you" She said excitingly as if it would make me happy. I wasn't a child.

"Okay"

"What are you doing?" I was busy on my laptop, she could see it.

"Working"

"It's weekend. Don't stress yourself with work" She asked genuinely.

"Why are you eating my brain?" I know I was being mean but I couldn't help myself. I was hurt.

She silently looked at me for a few seconds.

"Should I serve you dinner?" She didn't react to my rudeness.

"Meherbani ho gi apki" I said without looking at her.

(That would be nice of you)

"Ehan!" She held my wrist when I passed by her.

I turned my face to her.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked politely. Her eyes held nothing but innocence. I couldn't look into them anymore.

"Nothing" I muttered and removed her hand from me.

I walked out of the room. Instead of going to my family I sat down on the stairs leading to the upper floor. I wanted solitude.

My mind was filled with many thoughts and I was going through many emotions that certainly hurt me.

I fought with myself. I should have told her that her ignorance affected me badly but I didn't say anything to her. I never said anything like that. I keep my emotions to myself.

How could I tell her that her absence hurt me. It plays with the strings of my heart. I get upset when she isn't around me. I always wanted to see her near me.

Can't she understand by herself?

Would I ever be able to tell her what importance she holds in my life?

I guess not.

And I don't know why I can't.

Ehan has some serious issues which need professional help and like most of us he never valued it.

Poor Mehr had to tolerate everything on herself.

It's just Ehan's side of story. Rest of the story is yet to be revealed. So stay tuned. I hope you won't be disappointed💗🕊️✨