chapter 31

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Reem's POV

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I woke up feeling hot, I guess I'm too wrapped up in the blanket, I tried kicking it away but it was too heavy.

What is it made up of, rocks? When I touched to push it off, it felt too hard and the texture was so different, my eyes snapped open.

I looked around, Izhaan was lying down on his stomach next to me, his arm was over my stomach and leg was on my thighs. His cheek was resting on my shoulder, and he was facing me, our faces were so near that it almost gave me a heart attack.

I tried a couple of times to push him away, but after failing I screamed.

"Izhaaaaaan" he jumped and sat up straight immediately

"What happened?" He asked looking alarmed

"What the hell were you doing?" I shouted

"Me? I was doing something?" He looked so confused, I rolled my eyes

"I told you that I don't want to share the bed with you then how dare you to lie down with me" I got off the bed and stood as far from him as possible, he scratched his head

"I don't know how I got here, i remember sleeping on the couch"

"Don't lie. If you had actually slept on the couch then how come you woke up on the bed?"

"Trust me Reem" he said, I scoffed

"Yeah right. Stay away from me"

I stomped my foot and went to the washroom. My heart rate was racing, I recalled his face so close to mine and quivered.

I shook my head and splashed water on my face.

After I was done getting dressed, without caring about Izhaan I left the room, I wanted to go to Ayesha, I wanted to find out if she was ok.

The moment I left the room, all of Izhaan's cousins came and gathered around me. Then they knocked on Ayesha's door, Athar answered it, hatred clouded in my eyes seeing him

"Go from here Bhai, we are here to take bhabhi with us" Simra shouted

"She's getting ready" he answered

"Have you got ready?" Hayat asked, he nodded, she held his hand and pulled him out of the room.

"Let's go inside everyone" she pulled me in the room along with the rest.

"Oh hello" Athar said, but hayat closed the door on his face.

Ayesha came out from the closet, i looked at her, I could see hurt on her face, I went and hugged her.

"Ohho Reem bhabhi, so much love for Ayesha bhabhi" Nadia said, I pulled back, I just gave her a weak smile.

"You ok?" I mouthed Ayesha, and she shook her head. It made me more worried

There was a knock on the door

"Athar bhai go from here" Hayat shouted

"Hayat open the door" a voice said, she ran to answer the door, maami was there.

"Assalamualaikum" Ayesha and I said in chorus, she smiled and walked to us

"Walekumassalam girls, stay happy always" she patted our cheeks lovingly, then she turned to all the girls, "What are you all doing here?" She asked

"We came to get both the bhabhis"

"Let's go downstairs" maami said and Ayesha and I were taken downstairs. I was looking at her, I wanted to talk to her but how could I in front of so many people.

We were now sitting on the breakfast table, the food was served but i had no appetite to have it, even Ayesha was just sitting quietly.

Izhaan was sitting next to me. He was so casually eating and giving a morsel to me every now and then, as if we are a mad in love couple. I was mad at him, for what he did this morning, and he was so carefree.

After breakfast everyone was sitting in the living room. Why can't they leave us alone? Why is everyone surrounding us? And what is wrong with Izhaan, why is he glued to me like I'm some fevicol.

It was now late afternoon, the make up artists would be coming in an hour, so dadi told me and Ayesha to go in the room and rest. My blood boiled when Izhaan got up with me and held my hand.

Ayesha went in the room with Athar, and Izhaan brought me into his room, once we were in the room I pulled my hand out of his.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Stop touching me, why are you behaving that we are very happy with each other?" I snapped at him, he rolled his eyes

"Because that's what our elders are expecting us to be." He retorted, then he took a step closer to me, "look Reem, it doesn't matter how we behave when we are in this room, but outside this room, we are a happily married couple. Ok?" He said in a stern tone

Without saying anything I walked away and sat on the chair. He was supposed to stay on the couch not with me on the bed.

God knows what happened with Ayesha last night, she looked so upset, the only reason I am here right now is Ayesha only, and yet I am not able to meet her.

"What's wrong?" Izhaan asked

"Nothing that concerns you" I said, he sighed deeply then he came to me

"You look worried, what is bothering you?" He asked in a soft tone. I ended up telling him

"I want to talk with Ayesha, but how can I, in front of everyone" I frowned, he smiled

"That's it" then he extended his hand towards me, "come" the way he said it made me excited, I placed my hand on his and got up, but instead of going out of the room, he took me deeper in it, then he knocked on some door.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows, what is he doing? The door opened and Athar was standing there.

"Hmm?" He asked Izhaan

"Reem has to talk to Ayesha. Can you please come to my room for a while?" Izhaan asked, Athar nodded and came to Izhaan's room.

"Go" he said to me, I happily walked in the room and closed the door behind me. Ayesha was in the washroom so I sat on the bed while waiting for her.

"Reem?" An excited voice chimed, I looked up and saw Ayesha standing there, she jumped on the bed and hugged me

"It feels so good to finally have an opportunity to talk to you" I said

"Same here yaar" she said, we both sat straight

"What happened?" I asked, she sighed, then she told me everything Athar told her last night, I hated him even more.

"Love, my foot" I scoffed

"It's been just one night and it already felt like an eternity, how will I live my whole life with him. I can't bear his presence, it's so suffocating. I hate him so much"

"I understand"

"I don't want to be in the same room as him, every time I look at him I feel disgusted"

Even I don't want her to be with him, there has to be some solution, then an idea striked me

"I have a solution" I said, she looked at me with curious eyes.

******

I was almost ready. My make up was done, I was just getting my dupatta pinned up. The beautician made me sit in front of the dressing table, so I was continuously looking at myself.

The dark make up made me look so different. I couldn't even recognise myself. She told me my look was final then she left to inform maa.

I pulled out a tissue paper to lighten my lipstick, I was dabbing the tissue on my lips when Izhaan walked out from the closet, he was fully dressed, but his hair was in a mess.

He stood next to me and picked up some bottle from the dresser, he poured a little amount on his palm, then rubbed his hands together, then he began styling his hair.

My eyes were following his movements, for the first time in my life, the jackass was looking quite handsome, it could be because of his clothes.

"Close your mouth, a fly can enter" he smirked, I quickly looked away, I felt embarrassed of checking him out.

"You are ready?" Maa and Hayat came

I got up from the seat and turned to them. Maa smiled brightly looking at us

"Mashallah mashallah" she said

"Wow bhabhi you are looking so pretty, and Bhai you also look great. Such a good looking couple" hayat said

"Hayat take their pictures, I have to send them to your nani, she told me to send pictures"

Izhaan stood a step away from me

"Ok" Hayat immediately took out her phone, "bhai please stand close to bhabhi, the gap is not looking nice" he came a little closer

"Fine?" He asked

"A little more " she said, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him, leaving no space between us at all.

"Perfect" hayat said

I got instant goosebumps, because of his touch. A weird feeling was consuming me.

"What are you doing?" I whispered

"Getting pictures clicked" he whispered back.

A chill ran down my spine when his hand contacted with my exposed skin. I sucked in a sharp breath, I looked at him in disbelief

"You are looking very beautiful" he said, suddenly I felt too shy.

I looked at hayat feeling embarrassed, but found her already gone, I immediately pulled away from him, he laughed

I was in no state to say anything, i just continued staring at him. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

"I love to see you flustered" he said and I narrowed my eyes at him. He winked at me and then left the room.

Jackass...

*****

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Athar's POV

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I switched off my laptop, and set it aside. I stretched my arms, and moved my head side to side, I was so tired of sitting, I had a very important online meeting.

I looked at the time, it was almost six o'clock, shit, I better run to get ready. I left the study room and made my way to my room.

I was crossing dada ji's room, when I found the door open, I peaked inside, Dada ji was sitting on the bed, his head was hanging low, I entered the room.

"Dada ji! Are you ok?" I knelt beside him

"Why did you do it Athar? You put my head low in shame" he said with a sigh

"I had no other option"

"How is that possible?"

"Her parents were getting her married to someone else, and I loved her too much to let that happen. If I waited any longer I would have lost her forever"

"You should have told me. I would have done something"

"I panicked"

"Your panic has got you both in trouble, you've hurt me Athar" I quickly held my ear

"Sorry dada ji. Please forgive me" I chanted, he looked away from me, but then he hugged me.

"I'm sorry" I said, he didn't reply, he just patted my cheek.

"Now go, get ready" he said, I quickly got up and ran to my room. I was feeling ecstatic.

I opened the door of my room, Ayesha was standing near the foot of the bed. I froze in the doorway when I looked at her. Our eyes connected. My jaw fell on the floor. I was stunned by her

She was wearing a wine coloured lehenga, the way her skin shone reminded me of moonlight, and it looked so smooth that even my eyes were slipping off her.

She was doing something on her phone, when she saw me she put it down and turned around, she was standing in front of the mirror, she was adjusting her dupatta, then her lehenga

I walked in the room, and stopped near her.

She lifted up her big eyes and blessed me with a glance, then she looked away. At this moment everything felt right, I was thanking Allah to send her in my life.

She stood so normally like she had no effect of me on her, and here I was about to go deaf because of the too loud noise of my heartbeat.

Should I tell her that she was looking breathtaking? No no she would give me a slap. But it's worth taking a risk, i cleared my throat

"Ayesha!" I said, she continued doing whatever she was doing, not really paying attention to me. "You look amazing" I dared to say, she looked angry now, she turned around to face me, but before she could speak we got interrupted by Hayat

"What is this Athar bhai? You are still not ready? I had to take pictures to send to nani." She shouted

"I'm going to get ready now" I said while still looking at Ayesha

"Please hurry up, we all are ready, only you are left. If you don't get ready in half an hour we will leave you alone at home" hayat said, i glared at her

"Why are you staring at me? Go get ready" she said. I sighed and walked into the bathroom.

*****

It felt so good to be standing on stage with Ayesha by my side. She made me look better. The only thing which was eating me was her sad face. She had no spark in her eyes.

One by one the guests were coming and greeting us, many people showed how surprised they were by my sudden marriage.

Ayesha was sitting on the sofa, her shoulders were slouched, her eyes were stuck at the entrance, I know she was waiting for her parents. At every entry she would get in an attention position, it hurt me.

Finally her parents made an entrance with Abdullah uncle, she sat up straight immediately. Ayesha's eyes were fixed on them while they moved around

Even though they arrived a long time back, they still made no effort to come to meet Ayesha, I saw the corner of her eyes getting moist, it twisted my heart.

Finally after a long wait they came on the stage, they met Reem and Izhaan, then was about to leave, but i spoke

"Uncle, it's so nice to see you" I hugged him, he looked taken aback but didn't react because of so much crowd.

"Assalamualaikum aunty" I said to her  mumma, and then pushed them towards Ayesha.

"Let's take a picture" I said looking for the photographer

The photographer instructed her father, to put a hand on her head, and told her mother to hug Ayesha, they did what they were told to. A smile came to Ayesha's lips, it soothed my heart. I felt at peace.

****

Ayesha took off her jewellery and kept it in the drawer, and was now wiping the make up off. I was standing near, I was looking for words to talk to her.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, Ayesha stood up immediately and went to answer the door, she opened it but no one was there, she was looking around, I smiled seeing her cuteness.

She closed the door and came back inside. Then there was a knock again, she went to open again.

"Wait" i said. I walked towards the twin door, expecting Izhaan on the other side, I opened the door

"Yes Izhaan" i said, but Reem stood there, she gave me a look and then walked in my room.

"Where did you come from?" Ayesha asked her

"I'll tell you" Reem held her hand and took her in her room. I followed them, Izhaan who was sitting on the couch stood up seeing us all.

"Ayesha and I will sleep here, Izhaan, you can go to your brother's room" Reem said

What nonsense!! I looked at Izhaan, I wanted him to say something, but he just stood quietly, i rolled my eyes

"You cannot decide that alone" I said to her, she narrowed her eyes at me

"Aap to chup hi rahe kuch bolne ki halat mei hai nahi aap, aur wese bhi yeh sirf mera nahi, hamara decision hai (You just stay quiet. You're not in a position to say anything anyway. It is not just my decision. It is our decision)" She linked her arm with Ayesha's

"This is not correct" I said, Reem rolled her eyes

"Ayesha, tell him" she said, Ayesha looked at her, I could see hesitance in her eyes, I became a little confident that she will refuse to be with Reem

"Reem is right, it is our decision" she said and I was shocked. I looked at Izhaan in hope to save the day

"Izhaan! Won't you say anything?" I asked, he sighed deeply

"I'll sleep on the right" he said, then he came to me, held my arm and dragged me back to my room.

"But.. Izhaan.. this is" I was left alone protesting. Once we were in the room, Reem closed the door.

"What the hell?" I shouted in annoyance. Izhaan just shrugged

"So you will not say anything to Reem? And let her do whatever she wants?" I asked in anger

"What can I do? I don't want to make her uncomfortable"

"So? You will let her steal Ayesha" I asked in disbelief, he looked upset now

"This is all because of you. It's your fault. And now we both will have to suffer, and why are you so annoyed, I'm the one who has been thrown out of my own room. So just go to sleep quietly, my head hurts because of all the drama, let me just end this day" he lashed out on me, I stayed quiet

He laid on the bed and pulled the comforter over him, he was muttering gibberish under his breath. I kept pacing in the room.

It's been an hour and i was still moving around in the room. This is not correct, she is my wife, she will stay in my room with me, why there?

I looked at Izhaan, he was just tossing and turning, clearly he was uncomfortable. I will have to stand up for both of us. I will bring her back here.

I went to the twin door, I held the doorknob and was about to twist it when Izhaan spoke

"Don't" he said, I turned around and looked at him

"What?" I asked

"Don't go there buddy, just let them be"

"You are a lawyer, right? Then how can you stand this injustice?" I asked, he scoffed

"Well lately I have been bearing many injustices" He taunted

"Buddy! You will also talk like this? Where will I go then?" I made a sad face, he heaved a sigh

"Go to sleep Athar"

"It's all your fault, why did you have to show this door to Reem?"

"I could never even imagine she would do something like this."

"Are you sure I shouldn't go there?"

"It's too risky"

He was right. If I go there right now, chances of returning alive are very slim, I sighed in defeat and laid on the bed.

The whole night was so uncomfortable. As if  the thought of her leaving me was not enough, Izhaan's constant restlessness was irritating me to no end.

Ya Allah! Just end this night.

*****

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Ayesha's pov

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"How did you know about the door? I have been in that room for more than twenty four hours now, but I did not see it" I asked Reem, she grinned

"Izhaan showed me" she shrugged

"He gave you the idea?"

"Of course not. When you said you feel suffocated with him, I decided then only, that I will not let you be there with him" she explained, I looked down feeling uncomfortable

"What is it?" She asked

"You are already in enough trouble because of me, now i don't want to come in between you and Izhaan" I said truthfully

"Excuse me! What did you just say? Izhaan and me?"

"You know what I meant"

"No! You are being stupid. Hai hi kya mere aur Izhaan k beech, jo tum aa jaogi (what is there between me and Izhaan, that you'll come in between). And never say I'm in trouble because of you, it's not your fault" she said , i sighed .

To be honest I was very relieved that I will not have to be with him. I hate him too much, but at the same time I never want to come in between Reem and Izhaan

"Let's go to sleep" she said

"How can I sleep like this?" I was still in the lehenga.

"Wear something mine" she shrugged, I took out her night pajamas, changed into it then we both laid in the bed.

I was thinking about mumma and baba, it broke my heart to see how they avoided me tonight

"Ayesha!" Reem spoke

"Hmm"

"Dad told me, baba and mumma are going back to Chandigarh tomorrow" she said and I sat up straight immediately

"What?" I shouted, "how can they go back like this? I wanted to meet them" I cried

"Don't worry we will go to meet them tomorrow"

"Reem when will they forgive me, I can't see them like this"

"Don't worry, everything will be ok. Sleep for now" she patted next to her, I laid down, i turned my back at her, I broke into tears, what has my life become

A loud sob broke out of my mouth, she must have heard it, because she hugged me from behind

If Reem wasn't there for me, I would have gone crazy. I hope my parents will forgive me.

I closed my eyes and prayed for a successful meeting with them.

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