4| Aerophobia

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ZEESHAN’S POV:

I was getting ready for my interview with a channel. I was in no mood for an interview but commitment is commitment. I was all dressed, going through some important emails and replying to them. When my phone rang, it was not a local number. A call from New York? I don't remember anyone from New York having to call me.

I picked it up within three rings. I waited for someone to say something but there was pin drop silence on the other side. I don't know why but my heart beat raced.

“Hello,” I wasn't expecting a reply to hello.

“Zeeshan,” a voice that took me years back. How can I forget this voice? This was Waniya. I knew it, it was her. She remembers me.

“Waniya,” I called her, expecting a reply but there was no reply. Why ain't she saying anything? Is she okay? What is she doing in New York? What if she's not my Waniya? No, no, I know this is her.

“Waniya, is that you?” Still no reply. I could feel tears in my eyes.

“ANSWER ME DAMMIT, WHERE ARE YOU?” I yelled at her. I didn't mean to but she should answer me. I can't breathe.

“Zee…Shan,” she was crying. I could sense it. I need to go to her. After so many years she still remembers me.

“Waniya, are you crying?” Again no reply. What is she doing? Talk to Waniya, just once for once.

“Sorry, sir wrong number,” and someone cut the call. This wasn't Waniya but the one who called me was Waniya for sure. I need to find her. I need to look for her.

“Sir, the interview?” Obaid broke my trance. I nodded.

“Sir, you look pale, everything's okay?” I nodded again. But nothing was okay. I heard her after six-years and she was crying. I know she wasn't okay.

The interview went as usual. But I was focused towards it. My thoughts were occupied by her and only her. The interviewer asked me about my marriage. I don't know why but I answered with a ‘soon’ I bet Mom will be happy.

The interview was over.

“I'll go to New York, not Ahaan,” I informed Obaid. He was shocked.

“Don't look at me, book my tickets,” I said and sat into my car.

I can fight my Aerophobia for her. I know this will get hard for me but I could do it.

Soon I reached home.

“Chachuuuu,” Anaya called me the instant I entered the hall. I smiled at her.

(Uncle.)

“Kesa hai mera bacha?” I coed her. She nodded, which meant she's good.

(How are you, my kid?)

“Bhaiya, ap Shaadi ke Liye ready ho?” Farhan was loud enough to catch everyone's attention. (Brother, you are ready for your marriage?)

I nodded. The day I'll find Waniya I'll marry her.

“Waqi main? Main toh kal se rishta dekhana shuro karo gi,” Mom was excited. (Really? I'll look for proposals from tomorrow only.)

“Bhaiya, ap theek ho?” Amna’s shock was evident. (Brother, are you okay?)

“Zeeshan?” Bhabhi looked at me.

“Ye sab toh hota rahe ga, tum New York jarhe ho?” Ahaan Bhai questioned me. Everyone was shocked. (Let everything, are you going to New York?)

“Hmm, for the meetings with the Roy's,” I said.

“But—,” I cut Dad off.

“It's important for the company,” I said.

“And Mom you don't need to look for proposals I'll find one for myself,” everyone looked at me as if I was an alien

“What?”

“Bhabhi mil gai?” (You have found sister-in-law?)

“Apne hume nhi batya?” (You didn't tell us.)

“Milli nhi hai pr mil jaye gi,” I stated. (I haven't found her but I'll.)

Yes, I will go to New York, find her, clear things out and marry her. I hope it's as simple as it sounds.

“Amna tumhe nhi lagta bhaiya pagal hogaye hain?” I could hear their whispers. (Amna don't you think, brother has lost it.)

Amna nodded.

“Guys, I can hear you,” I rolled my eyes at them. Anaya wanted to get down from my lap, I helped her get down and she went towards the dining area of the hall.

“Be careful,” I said.

We all were engrossed in talking when we heard a thug sound followed by Anaya’s crying sound from the dining area of the hall.

I ran and all the workers were around her and she was crying hysterically. I pushed them aside and picked her up.

“Stop crying, Sweetheart,” I tried to calm her down.

Everyone came, I gave her to Bhabhi and Bhai.

“ARE YOU GUYS DUMB? WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HER? ONE JOB AND YOU CAN'T DO IT RIGHT.” I yelled at the workers. How could they not do their respective jobs? How did she fall?

“Zeeshan,” I looked at Mom and she mouthed that it was okay.

“No, maa, it's not okay. What if something had happened to her,” my rage was quite evident. “Everyone, go do your work,” Maa said and they left the hall.

“You too go and have a rest,” Dad said and I nodded. I went to my room. It was almost evening. I took a shower, came out and heard my phone ringing. It was the call from school. I picked it up.

“Yes,” I said.

“Sir, the summer vacations will end in a week and we want to know if you will continue teaching or not?” The school management questioned.

“I'll join after a week,” the call was over.

Finally, I'll be able to teach kids again. They make me smile and make my life worth living. I was about to switch my phone but then I wanted to call that number again.

I dialed the number. The phone kept on ringing but no one picked it up. It went into voicemail. I dialed the number again. Someone picked it up.

“Hello?” She wasn't Waniya. I cut the call. Maybe, I was wrong about her being Waniya but I remember her voice. I can't go wrong.

WANIYA’S POV:

“Waniya,” Mirha called me while I was getting ready for the office. I hummed in reply.

“He called back,” my breath hitched, I knew who he was — Zeeshan.

“He did,” she nodded. I wasn't expecting him to call back. Why did he call me back? I shouldn't have called him. I should have controlled myself. But what is done is done.

“Are you okay?” Mirha questioned me.

“Yeah I'm okay,” I smiled at her and she smiled back. And got engrossed scrolling through the reels. I need to meet Shayan too today.

I moved towards Ezzah's room. She was sleeping soundlessly. I smiled looking at her. My little cute heart. The sole reason why I'm here smiling.

“Ezzah,” I called her and she snuggled into the comforters. I caressed her hair and told her to wake her up. For her, her sleep is more important than anything, same as him.

I sighed.

After 20-minutes of struggle she woke up and I took her to the washroom. I dressed her up for the day and made lunch for her, and made her eat her breakfast, that was a whole mission as she doesn't like to eat it.

Pata nahi kis par chali gai hai?

I dropped her at school and made my way to a cafe where I had to meet Shayan. My heart was shivering — I don't know if it's a thing but yeah. My hands were sweating and my brain was occupied by numerous thoughts.

I entered the cafe. I saw Shayan sitting there, he waved his hand at me. I nodded and took a seat before him.

“Hi,” I was nervous and I knew it.

“Are you okay, Waniya?” I nodded at his question. He smiled. He has a pretty smile but Zeeshan's smile is more attractive.

Stop, stop, comparing. I breathe deeply.

“Let's order something,” I broke the uncomfortable silence between us.

“Yeah sure,” we ordered what we desired.

“So?” He gave me a questioning look.

“Shayan, I don't want you to take any decision under pressure or if you are doing it because pieting me or my daughter.” I made the first clear.

“Waniya, you know I would never do it,” he was concerned. I nodded.

“Shayan, I'll marry but only for Ezzah,” his eyes sparkled and he smiled.

“I'm glad, Waniya,” he held my hand, which was positioned on the table. I didn't pull it back — I don't know why. I was too numb to react. I was just taking time to accept my fate, my destiny. So, I was fated to get married to Shayan.

“Shayan,” I called him.

“I don't need to hear about your past, it was your past. Leave it and let it go. We — this would be our future and our present,” I smiled. Even after his promises I wasn't feeling satisfied.

“Waniya, we need to go to Pakistan for our wedding,” my heart sank. I gulped.

“Okay,” my reply was short.

“You can tell me about your schedule and stuff. I look into flights and stuff,” I nodded.

“Waniya, are you happy?” he asked me.

“Shayan, I know you are worried about me. I am trying to accept everything and it will take time. I'm worried about my daughter,” unknowingly tears collected in my eyes.

“She's our daughter, Waniya,” I looked at him. I nodded. Maybe he's right. At least better than Zeeshan who made me leave him.

“Pareshan na ho sab theek ho jayega,” he caressed his thumb on my hand. His touch wasn't comforting. Maybe it's just that I'm not used to it. (Everything will be fine.)

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no aesthetics today.

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ow was the chapter??? You can follow me on the Instagram to know more about the upcoming chapters *spoilers*

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Ignore any type of grammatical mistake as English ain't my first language.

Lots of love!

Zaar.