Jaise kehte hain na, 'boond boond se sagar banta hai.' 😌
Toh yeh raha aaj ka chapter!
Bas meri baaton ko samajhne ki koshish karna, ek saath mat padhna, thoda thoda enjoy karna.
Jinko dikkat hoti hai, I'm really sorry!
********
HIS POV
Izel went to her room to get ready for her Chauthi ki Rasam, while I headed to my office on the first floor. After the call, I sat down for a meeting with the client.
The discussion was long and exhausting, but necessary. By the time we wrapped up, I was going through some files that had been delivered earlier today.
I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to the events of the day...Izel's discomfort, the way she hesitated, and her injured hand. A strange restlessness settled within me. Pushing the file aside, I walked over to the window, gazing outside, lost in thought.
A knock on the door pulled me back to reality. I straightened, regaining my composure.
"Come in," I commanded.
"Irfaz, beta, main hoon." Mom's soft voice filled the room as she entered, carrying a tray with a glass of juice.
"What happened, Mom? Aapko kuch chahiye?" I asked, eyeing her curiously.
She placed the glass on my desk before stepping closer. Her warm hands gripped my forearms as she studied my face.
"Kya baat hai, Irfaz? Itni bechaini se kya soch raha hai?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. I didn't know how, but she always saw through me, as if she could read the storm inside my head.
"Kuch nahi, Mom. Sab theek hai," I said, keeping my composure intact.
"Idhar aa, baith." She pulled me toward the sofa, making me sit beside her. "Ab bata mujhe. Kya baat hai? Kya pata batane se koi hal mil jaye?" she said gently.
I hesitated for a moment before finally whispering, "Mom... Izel."
She frowned slightly. "Kya hua Izel ko? Kya soch raha hai?"
I swallowed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Woh... chhod ke toh nahi jayegi na mujhe kabhi?"
A smile appeared on her lips soft, knowing, and content. As if she had just found the answer she had been waiting for. Mom's smile deepened as she gently patted my hand.
"Toh yeh baat hai," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth.
"Main dar gaya tha aaj... jab maine uske haathon se khoon behte dekha kitchen mein. Ek pal ke liye laga..." I paused, the thought alone tightening something in my chest.
"Kya woh khush nahi hai, Mom?... Abhi tak usko yeh rishta farzi lagta hai?" My voice was laced with uncertainty as I ran a frustrated hand through my hair.
"Mom, main usse waqt dena chahta hoon... lekin yeh bhi mujhe darata hai. What if she doesn't want us to be together? What if she takes a step... something I won't be able to stop?"
Mom's expression softened, but there was something unreadable in her eyes. She gently squeezed my hand, offering silent comfort before speaking.
"Irfaz,.... darr sirf tab lagta hai jab dil kisi se judne lagta hai," she said, her voice steady yet soothing. "Agar tujhe itna dar hai, toh Izel ka soch. tune uske sth kya kia shuruwat pe he. tune usko pehli raat kya bola tha room pe ate he?"
Her words struck a chord deep inside me. I clenched my jaw, my hands curling into fists.
" yeh sirf ek samjhauta tha... ek majboori thi," I said, but even I could hear the hesitation in my voice.
"Aur ab?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "Ab... ab uski chhoti si takleef bhi bardasht nahi hoti. Jab maine uske haathon se khoon behte dekha, ek pal ke liye laga jaise sab ruk gaya ho..." My voice trailed off, thick with emotions I wasn't ready to name.
Mom smiled softly, as if she had expected this. "Toh phir jawaab toh tujhe mil gaya, beta. Yeh rishta farzi hai ya asli, iska faisla sirf Izel ka nahi... tera bhi hai."
What did I feel?
Possessiveness?
Fear?
Something deeper that I wasn't ready to name?
Instead of answering, I simply exhaled, shaking my head. "Mujhe sirf itna pata hai ke agar woh chali gayi toh..." I stopped, my throat tightening around the words.
Mom's grip on my hand tightened reassuringly. "Toh tu usse jaane hi kyun dega? Agar sach mein Izel ko apna banana chahta hai, toh uska dar khatam kar. Usse ehsaas dilaa ki yeh rishte sirf zabardasti ka nahi hai... balke ek chahat ka bhi ho sakta hai.uss ko waqt de tere se baat krne ka, tujhe jan ne ka. itna yakeen dila tujhe ki woh tere sath nibha sake yeh rishta apni manzoori se kisi ke dabe mein ake nhi"
"Uske liye toh waqt hi waqt hai... Woh har cheez karne ko tayyar hai jo maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha. Aur main?" I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "Main bhi badal raha hoon, Mom. Sabse bada badlaav toh mujh mein aaya hai."
I sighed, a soft smile playing on my lips, my heart warming at the mere thought of her. "Uske aane ke baad, main Allah se judne laga hoon. Har baar haath uthata hoon, sirf Izel ke liye... Ki chahe meri duaaein us tak na pohonche, par Allah uski khushiyon ka sabab bane. Usko har dukh, har nazar se mehfooz rakhe."
Mere lafzon mein uska zikr hi ek sukoon tha, still a strange restlessness still lingered somewhere deep inside. My smile slowly faded, as a new fear began to rise from a hidden corner of my heart.
I turned to Mom, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart tightening with unspoken fear. "Par Mom... agar main usko usi se nahi bacha paaya toh? Agar uske apne jazbaat hi uska dukh ban gaye toh? Tab kya hoga?"
Yeh soch hi meri rooh tak hila dene ke liye kaafi thi.
"Merese yeh puchne se acha hai tu usse baat kar... Woh batayegi tujhe mujhse behtar. Uski zindagi hai, usne dekha hai har cheez... Usse zyada koi nahi bata sakta tujhe ki uske mann mein kya chal raha hai." Mom's voice was soft yet firm, her words carrying a weight that settled deep within me.
She placed a comforting hand over mine, her gaze gentle yet knowing. "Main sirf itna keh sakti hoon-tum zyada mat socho. Usko waqt do. Agar usse waqt chahiye, toh uske saath do har mod pe. Chahe duniya kuch bhi kahe, uska haath mat chhodna."
She smiled, a kind of certainty in her eyes that only a mother could have. "Kyunki aage ka safar woh tumhare saath chalegi, hum ya yeh duniya nahi."
Mom's voice softened, but the weight of her words struck deep. "Aur sabse zaroori baat..." She paused for a moment, letting her gaze settle on me, making sure I understood. "Woh apna ghar, apna career, sab kuch chhod kar teri zindagi ka hissa banne ayi hai. Toh uska khayal rakhna sirf tera zimmedari nahi, tera farz hai."
Her grip on my hand tightened slightly, her eyes holding a quiet warning. "Agar uski aankhon ka ek bhi aansu tere wajah se gira... Toh yaad rakh, uske har ek aansu ka hisaab tujhe Allah ko dena hoga."
Moments after she left, I stayed there, absorbing her words. Each sentence echoed in my mind, settling deep within my heart.
With a heavy breath, I finally pushed myself up and left my office, making my way to our room. As I reached the door, I hesitated for a second before pushing it open.
And there she was.
The mere sight of her made my heart feel at ease, as if all the weight on my shoulders had lifted for a moment. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dupatta, the delicate embroidery catching the light. She was draped in a mustard-yellow suit, the rich fabric hugging her form gracefully, her dupatta adorned with intricate work that made her look nothing short of regal.
She turned to face me, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she twirled slightly, making the dupatta flare around her.
"Kaisi lag rahi hoon?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
I leaned against the doorframe, my gaze fixed on her. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I took in the sight before me. She looked breathtaking ethereal, almost. The mustard-yellow fabric complemented her glowing skin, and the delicate shimmer of her dupatta only added to her elegance.
I took a slow step forward, my eyes never leaving hers. "Tumhe dekh ke toh lagta hai jaise chand zameen pe utar aaya ho," I murmured, my voice laced with admiration.
Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a small laugh, looking away for a second before meeting my gaze again.
"Bas bas, itni taarifein mat karo," she said, shaking her head, but I could see the way her lips curled up, betraying how much she enjoyed it.
I took another step closer, now standing right in front of her. Gently, I reached for the edge of her dupatta, my fingers grazing the delicate embroidery.
"Mujhe taarifein karni nahi padti, biwi... tumhari khoobsurti khud-bakhud lafzon mein dhal jaati hai," I whispered.
She bit her lip, looking down for a moment before peeking up at me through her lashes.
"Toh phir?" she asked, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
I tilted my head slightly, smirking. "Toh phir?" I repeated, enjoying the playful challenge in her tone.
She crossed her arms, pretending to be serious. "Itna sab keh diya, lekin ek baat nahi boli..."
I raised an eyebrow. "Aur woh kya?"
She leaned in just a little, her voice barely above a whisper.
"offo! is insaan ka mein kya kru...duniya bhard ke sare lafz boldia lekin tumse main 'acchi lag rahi hoon'.nhi bola ja rha h".
I chuckled, shaking my head at her antics. Then, without another word, I reached out, taking her hand in mine and gently twirling her once more. As she came to a stop, I pulled her closer, my fingers brushing against her cheek.
"Tum sirf acchi nahi lag rahi ho, Izel..." I murmured, my voice dipping lower. "Tum meri duniya lag rahi ho."
She stilled in my hold, her breath hitching as my words settled between us. Her eyes flickered with something deep something raw and unspoken. I could see the way her fingers slightly curled against my chest, as if steadying herself.
"Meri duniya?" she repeated, her voice almost hesitant, as if she was afraid to believe it.
I nodded, my thumb brushing lightly against her cheek, the warmth of her skin seeping into me. "Haan, meri duniya... meri sukoon... meri dua."
I exhaled slowly, cupping her face fully now, my fingers grazing the edge of her ear. "meri Woh dua jo maine kabhi maangi bhi nahi thi, par Allah ne phir bhi mujhe de di. Aur ab, meri har dua sirf tumse shuru hoti hai, aur tum par hi khatam."
A flicker of something deep passed through her gaze vulnerability, love, maybe even disbelief.
For the first time in a long while, I felt it something deeper than just love. It was belonging. A promise. A silent understanding that no matter what storm came our way, we would find our way back to each other.
She blinked up at me, A small, trembling smile graced her lips as she whispered,
"Tum meri dua mein maangi hui qubuliyat ho, Irfaz..." Her voice was barely above a breath, but each word struck straight to my heart. "Allah ne meri dua qubul ki... unka gawaah ho tum"
again She blinked up at me, her breath trembling as if she was trying to hold something back. Her fingers clutched my kurta just a little tighter, like she was afraid to let go.
"Par tumhe nahi pata, na?" she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken fears. "Ek arzoo poori hone ka bhi dar hota hai... kahin phir se chin na jaye."
My heart clenched. Izel wasn't just afraid of losing me...she was afraid of believing in happiness again, afraid that if she embraced it too tightly, it would slip through her fingers just like before.
I exhaled slowly, my hands tightening around her face, forcing her to look at me. "Main hoon yahan, Izel," I said firmly, my gaze searching hers. "Aur.... yeh meri haqeeqat hai. Tum meri haqeeqat ho."
She stared at me, the storm in her eyes raging, battling between trust and fear. And I knew in that moment I had to be her safe place. The one who didn't just promise, but proved it every single day.
I leaned in, my forehead pressing against hers, voice nothing more than a whisper. "Kabhi bhi yeh shaq mat karna ki main tumse mohabbat nahi karta..." My lips brushed against hers, a ghost of a touch, my breath mingling with hers. "Main tumse bepanah pyaar karta hoon... itna ki meri har saans, har soch sirf tumse judi hai. Tum meri ho, Izel... aur main sirf tumhara. Har haal mein, har pal ke liye, har janam tak."
My fingers slid into her hair, pulling her just a little closer. "Koi bhi door nahi kar sakta mujhe tumse... na waqt, na kismet, na tum khud." I let the words settle between us, my thumb grazing her lips, daring her to challenge what we both already knew she was mine, in every way that mattered.
"Bhai... Bhabhi!"
A loud voice shattered the moment, yanking me back to reality. It was both Dewan and Ayesha, their grinning faces ruining everything.
"Mere rang mein bhang daalne kyun aate hain yeh log har baar? "I groaned in frustration, running a hand through my hair.
But before I could glare at them properly, a soft giggle made me pause.
Izel.
I turned to her, watching as she bit her lip, her eyes twinkling with amusement. My frustration melted instantly. Damn. Even her laugh was enough to drive me insane.
I opened the door, my expression already exasperated.
"What?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
Dewan smirked while Ayesha grinned mischievously.
"Bhai, bas ek second...."
I cut him off with a glare. "Can't you stay out of my sight when I'm with Izel?" My tone was sharp, but the way Izel's soft giggle reached my ears made it hard to stay mad.
Dewan and Ayesha exchanged a knowing look before bursting into laughter.
"Arre bhai, bas thodi der ke liye aaye hain... ab itna haq toh banta hai na?" Ayesha teased.
Izel chuckled beside me, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. These two were impossible.
"Tum dono ke karan mujhe lagta hai main kabhi baap nahi ban paunga," I huffed, shooting them an annoyed look.
Dewan smirked, stepping inside as if he owned the place. "Bhai, uske liye action ki zaroorat hai, words ki nahi," he quipped shamelessly.
Izel gasped, her cheeks turning crimson, while Ayesha smacked Dewan's arm.
I rolled my eyes. "Mahol bana ke toh action lunga na... par tu kebab mein haddi banke tapak jaata hai," I shot back, making Izel stifle a laugh.
"Arrey Irfaz bhai, chill... hum toh bas yeh batane aaye the ki aap dono ko neeche bulaya ja raha hai Chauthi ki rasam ke liye," Ayesha informed, grinning ear to ear.
I exhaled sharply. Of course. Ek romantic moment bhi in dono ke bina pura nahi ho sakta.
"Tum dono ke karan mujhe lagta hai main kabhi baap nahi ban paunga," I huffed, shooting them an annoyed look.
Dewan smirked, stepping inside as if he owned the place. "Bhai, uske liye action ki zaroorat hai, words ki nahi," he quipped shamelessly.
Izel gasped, her cheeks turning crimson, while Ayesha smacked Dewan's arm.
I rolled my eyes. "Mahol bana ke toh action lunga na... par tu kebab mein haddi banke tapak jaata hai," I shot back, making Izel stifle a laugh.
"Arrey Irfaz bhai, chill... hum toh bas yeh batane aaye the ki aap dono ko neeche bulaya ja raha hai Chauthi ki rasam ke liye," Ayesha informed, grinning ear to ear.
I exhaled sharply. Of course. Ek romantic moment bhi in dono ke bina pura nahi ho sakta. I shot Dewan a glare, but he only grinned wider, enjoying my frustration way too much.
"Acha theek hai, jao hum aa rahe hain," I muttered, waving them off.
But instead of leaving, Dewan casually plopped onto the couch in my room. "Arrey bhai, itna gussa kyun? Chauthi ki rasam toh zaroori hai. Waise bhi, abhi action ka time nahi hai," he teased, winking.
Izel, who had been silently giggling at our banter, suddenly covered her face with her dupatta, clearly embarrassed.
"Dewan!" Ayesha smacked his arm again. "Zyada bakwas mat kar, chal neeche!" She grabbed his ear and dragged him toward the door while he winced dramatically.
I turned to Izel, who was still blushing. I leaned in slightly, smirking. "Bach gayi tum aaj," I whispered, my voice low enough for only her to hear.
Her eyes widened, and she playfully pushed me away. "Chalo neeche, warna phir se koi tapak padega," she said, trying to escape, but I caught her wrist, pulling her back for a brief moment.
"Bach toh gayi ho, par kal ki guarantee nahi hai, Izel," I murmured, watching her breath hitch before finally letting her go. Smirking to myself, I followed her downstairs, already planning my next move.
------
Izel grabbed her abaya, adjusting it before we headed downstairs. As we reached the main hall, we informed everyone that we were leaving.
Her parents had already left earlier to make preparations for our arrival, leaving just the two of us for the journey.
With a silent understanding, we stepped outside. I unlocked the car and held the passenger door open for her. She slid in gracefully, and I followed, settling into the driver's seat.
The silence between us wasn't awkward it was charged, thick with unspoken words. My fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel as I stole a glance at her. She was staring out the window, her eyes unreadable.
"Kya soch rahi ho?" I finally asked, my voice softer than intended.
"Kuch nahi..."
"Jhoot mat bolo, Izel." I raised an eyebrow.
She shook her head, looking away again. "Bas soch rahi thi... sab kuch kitni jaldi badal gaya."
I hummed in agreement. "Haan... par ek cheez nahi badlegi."
She frowned slightly. "Kya?"
I smirked, my gaze flickering toward her before focusing back on the road. "Meri mohabbat."
Her breath hitched, and in that moment, I knew no matter how much she tried to hide it, she felt it too.
------
After we reached Izel's maternal home, I parked the car and stepped out, adjusting my cufflinks before walking inside.
The house was warm, welcoming filled with the lingering scent of home-cooked food and the faint buzz of conversation. Izel's parents greeted us, and after exchanging pleasantries, we all sat down in the living room.
Lunch was served shortly after, and the conversation revolved mostly around business. It didn't surprise me everyone knew who I was in that world, and whether they admitted it or not, they respected the power I held and they behave like this to come on my good looks.
After lunch, we moved to the living room, sitting comfortably while continuing our discussions. It was then that Izel's mother started subtly complimenting my looks.
"MashaAllah, Irfaz beta, you have such a sharp personality. Izel is lucky," she said, her smile warm, yet assessing.
Izel, clearly embarrassed, rolled her eyes before standing up.
"I'll go rest for a while," she muttered, making a quick escape.
I watched her disappear, waiting a few extra seconds before subtly checking my surroundings. No sign of her she wasn't eavesdropping.
Good.
I leaned back, my posture relaxed, yet commanding. The warmth I had entertained during lunch faded as my presence shifted into something more formidable.
"I have already fulfilled my promise," I stated, my voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority.
The air in the room thickened. I noticed the slight hesitation in Izel's parents' eyes, the subtle stiffness in their posture. They were cautious perhaps even intimidated.
As expected.
They knew my reputation, the way people in my world feared to so much as point their pen at my name. If they were uneasy, I wasn't going to reassure them.
Fear was useful.
And tonight, they were beginning to understand exactly who their daughter was married to.
I knew Izel's father had no idea who I really was that I was that man, the one whose future he once tried to ruin for his own gain.
Years ago, he had stolen a project that was meant to be mine, used it to build his own empire while leaving me with nothing but betrayal. Maybe he thought I would fade into the background, another name lost in the corporate race.
What he didn't know was that I wasn't a man who relied on family heritage. Unlike others who clung to the power of their ancestors, I had built my own. My empire, my name, my influence it all stood on a foundation I created with my own hands, not the wealth passed down to me.
And now, here he was, sitting across from me, talking business without realizing that the man he once wronged was the same man who could now destroy everything he had built.
Irony had a way of coming full circle.
A slow smirk played on my lips as I watched him, letting the moment stretch. He didn't remember me yet but when he did, I wanted to see the exact second that realization hit him.
Izel's mother smiled hesitantly, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "I know, beta... you helped us."
I leaned back, my gaze sharp. "Irfaz Ahmed." My voice was cold, cutting through the room. "Call me Irfaz Ahmed. Not beta and all that."
She stilled for a moment before nodding. "Of course... Irfaz Ahmed."
Izel's father cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "I must say, you've honored your word well. We appreciate it."
A slow smirk tugged at my lips. "I always keep my word." My gaze locked onto his, my presence heavy. "The real question is do you?"
He stiffened slightly but quickly composed himself. "We had a deal, and we upheld our end of it. You got what you wanted."
I chuckled darkly, shaking my head. "What I wanted?" My voice was laced with amusement. "Let's be clear I took what was already mine. I just let you think you had a choice."
Izel's mother swallowed nervously, her fingers twisting the edge of her dupatta. "She still doesn't know, does she?"
I tilted my head. "No. And she won't until I decide it's time."
Her father sighed. "You know we had no other option."
I arched a brow, my patience thinning. "You had options. You just didn't like any of them except the one where I cleaned up your mess." I leaned forward, my voice low and deliberate. "Your business was drowning, your debts piling up, and you needed a way out. So, you made a deal with the devil, and now you're living in his world."
He exhaled sharply, unable to meet my eyes. He knew I was right.
"But you have my daughter now," he said, voice quieter this time.
My smirk faded, my expression turning unreadable. "No," I corrected. "I've had her since the moment you shook my hand." I leaned forward, my voice calm yet laced with authority. "Even during our nikkah yesterday... I took all her farz from you. Every right, every responsibility ; she is mine now. My amanat."
Izel's father looked away for a brief moment, his hands clenching together. He had nothing to say because he knew the truth in my words.
I continued, my tone unwavering. "You handed her over the moment you shook my hand. But don't make mistake this isn't just about a deal anymore." I exhaled slowly, my gaze darkening. "She belongs to me now. Not as a bargain, not as compensation but because I chose her. And I don't let go of what's mine."
Izel's mother flinched slightly at the possessiveness in my voice, but I didn't care. The truth had already been spoken.
Her father finally met my eyes, hesitation flickering in his gaze. "And what about when she finds out?"
A slow smirk played on my lips. "She will. But by then, it won't matter."
Izel's father let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temple as if the weight of our conversation had finally settled on him.
"She's stubborn... she won't take this lightly."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I know my wife better than you think. She can fight me, argue, even hate me for it if she wants but she won't leave. Because no matter how much she denies it, she is mine now."
Izel's mother shifted uncomfortably. "Irfaz... she deserves to know the truth."
I exhaled slowly, my jaw tightening for a fraction of a second before I composed myself. A dry chuckle escaped my lips as I tilted my head slightly, my gaze pinning her in place.
"As if you care about her, Mrs. Rukhsar Begum." My voice was cold, laced with quiet amusement. "If you cared so much, why didn't you tell her yourself?"
Her eyes widened slightly, guilt flashing across her face before she quickly masked it.
"That's not " she started, but I cut her off.
"No?" I leaned forward, my smirk fading. "You and your husband made a deal, handed your daughter over to me without a second thought, and now you want to act like you care about her emotions?" I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. "Spare me the pretense, Mrs. Rukhsar. The truth is you were both willing to sacrifice her to save yourselves."
Izel's father clenched his fists but stayed silent. He knew I was right.
Her mother looked away, her fingers gripping the edge of her dupatta tightly. "We had no choice..." she whispered, almost to herself.
"You did." I stated firmly, standing up. "You just chose the easier way out." I adjusted my cuffs, my expression unreadable. "And now, she's mine. Whether she finds out or not, whether she accepts it or fights it nothing changes the fact that she belongs to me."
I turned to walk away, pausing just at the door. Without looking back, I added, "So if you're suddenly feeling guilty, keep it to yourselves. Because Izel... is already too far in my world to walk away now."
Her father frowned. "And what makes you so sure she won't walk away when she finds out?"
A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I leaned back. "Because I won't let her." My voice was calm, assured. "I don't lose what's mine. Ever."
Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. They knew there was no arguing with me.
The deal had been made.
The papers were signed.
The nikkah was done.
And Izel?
She was already too deep in my world to escape now.
-----
As I checked my phone, it buzzed with a call from Zayn. His voice was urgent.
"boss I need your signature on an important document. It's an emergency."
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
"Fine. Bring it to me." I didn't want to leave, not when things were already tense here, but business never waited.
I asked her parents for directions to her room, and without waiting for their response, I made my way upstairs. My steps were firm, controlled just like the hold I had over my emotions. But the moment I reached her door, something shifted.
I pushed it open slightly, my gaze instantly landing on her. She was curled up on the bed, lost in thought, her fingers absently toying with the edge of her dupatta. For a brief second, I just watched her. This girl who had unknowingly become mine in every sense.
Stepping closer, I leaned down so our faces were inches apart.
"I'm coming in an hour, Jaan... miss me only," I murmured, my voice low and teasing.
Before she could react, I pressed a slow kiss to her forehead, lingering just long enough to feel her breath hitch. She stiffened slightly but didn't pull away.
Turning toward the door, I paused, glancing back over my shoulder.
"Agar kuch chahiye ho toh call karna," I added, my tone casual but laced with quiet possessiveness.
She didn't respond, just blinked at me, her expression was cute.
I smirked to myself before walking out. But just as I stepped into the hallway, my gaze hardened.
Izel's parents were still seated, their uneasy glances following me.
-----
I stepped outside and got into my car, dialing Zayn's number.
"Where are you?" I asked, impatience clear in my tone.
"Sent you the location. It's a nearby café," he replied.
I frowned, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
What the heck?
Why was he calling me to a café now?
I had no time for this. I had to see my wife. I wanted to go home.
Still, I drove to the location, stopping my car in front of the café. As I stepped inside, spotting Zayn lounging at a corner table, grinning like he had all the time in the world. I narrowed my eyes.
"Didn't you get any other place to call me?" I asked, irritation evident in my voice.
He smirked, unfazed. "I just thought you should get something for Izel bhabhi."
Hearing her name, my anger simmered down. That little troublemaker had unknowingly become my weakness.
With a sigh, I sat down at the table.
Zayn handed me the files, and I flipped through them, checking which project required my signature. Just as I was reviewing the details, a woman approached and sat across from me.
Saima. A jewelry designer. Zayn's wife. She had worked for me on occasion but not always.
She slid a few papers and sketches toward me. "The designs you asked to be improved. I made the modifications."
I glanced through them, nodding in approval. Just then, Zayn returned with coffee. I took a sip of my Americano before looking up at him.
"Pack a cheesecake tart and a choco mud pastry for Izel." My voice was casual, but the thought of her reaction those curious eyes lighting up at the sight of sweets made my lips twitch slightly.
Zayn smirked. "Ho gaya na pyaar wala asar?"
I shot him a glare but said nothing, taking another sip of my coffee.
Sitting there, I muttered under my breath, "I missed her"
Zayn came back and sat beside us, casually stretching as if he hadn't just wasted my time. What was supposed to be a two-minute task somehow turned into two hours of unnecessary discussions, business talks, and his constant teasing.
I checked my watch 8:30 PM.
Shit.
Without another word, I stood up, grabbing the dessert bag and files. "I'm leaving."
Zayn smirked. "Bhabhi ke bina reh nahi sakta ab tu."
I shot him a glare. "Chup kar."
Ignoring his laughter, I strode out of the café and got into my car. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I pressed the accelerator harder than usual.
I was late.
And I needed to get back home. To her. she is alone there.
----
After reaching home for dinner I went to her room. I pushed open the door to our room, expecting to see Izel curled up on the bed, maybe scrolling through her phone, lost in her thoughts.
----
Bro, while editing just now, I lost 5K words from my chapter 😭
They're not coming back..
What do I even do now?
Please dua krna mere liye that I can rewrite this chapter again. 😭
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