HAYAT POV:
Things between us are going better than I expected, we have started to spend time together while giving each other the space we want, while the kidnapping, assault, and sickness made the trip kind of sorrowful yet more memorable.
I can't forget how he beat the person who touched me without thinking about him being his cousin, him being so thoughtful in taking care of me while I was all whiny and sick for days, him being there to deal with my father for me, nevertheless, I developed a great bond with him.
On the other hand, Ashar, my mannerless best friend was there with me too, as Ahad counseled me all the time my best friend tried to cheer me up, it's amazing to know that someone is there for you, there was times I wanted to run away from everything while I couldn't think about the people and love I'm getting.
"You woke up already?" I heard Ahad say as he came inside the room with a tray in hand, "Bubba" I said as he smiled, keeping the try on the side table, sitting beside me he spoke, "Do you even know what you do to me when you call me bubba?" he started to caress the head while correcting my hair which I promise looks like a bird nest.
"Do I make your heartbeat rise?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. He just smiled and nodded his head while still caressing my head.
"Do you like me calling you Bubba?" I asked again and he said yes.
"Do you want me to stop calling you Bubba, or should I stop giving you nicknames?" this time I said while getting his hand out of my hair and keeping it to his side while turning around to get down from the bed and brush my teeth.
I felt a hand gripping my upper arm and making me sit on my place again, I smiled knowing he got upset with my question, the side he had started to show me, I just can't complain about it.
"Who told you to stop, hmm, I didn't! Why do you think that? Why would I stop you from calling me anything? Aren't you, my wife? Don't I give nicknames, too? Why would you say such a thing? I'm hurt now, you are going to make it up to me for what you said" him being all whinny in the morning, and throwing tantrums, turning around, the one I met the first time, kind of reserved turned into all whinny little kid.
I took his left arm in my hand, clinging to him I said, "Is my baby upset?" looking up I found a big smile on his face, laughing at his reaction, I kept looking at him, trying to intake the handsomeness my man has.
"Where's your mind wandering off, my love?" Asked Ahad as he held my hand which I placed on his cheek, "In you, darling" his ears turned a deep shade of red, telling me he liked how I flirted with him, laughing at his reaction, I turned around and moved towards the washroom to get ready for the day after planting a peck on his cheek and forehead.
My university has finally started, and it's hectic, studying after so long is quite irritating, I'm not able to make time for Ahad nor I'm able to call Uncle and Auntie...
Getting inside the house after coming from the university, I directly went inside the room to sleep when I found a note on the side table with some flowers and snacks, taking the note in my hand I read it, "My pretty lady, I had to urgently leave for Chicago, Sahil is in great problem and he needs us, and after that I need to go to China to meet our new client, it'll take 2 weeks the least for me to come back home to you, I did called you many times but you didn't pick up so I left, I'm sorry okay, I took the first flight I could to be there for him..."
I suddenly got upset thinking about him not being here with me for weeks now but it's alright, his friend needed him too, placing the note in the drawer, I picked up the flowers and found another note.
"I brought these for you on my way home, please smile for me hmm, take care of yourself while I'm away, I also brought some of your recently favorite snacks so you can enjoy them, hmm, and I did cook pasta for you, eat it and see if you liked it" I smiled reading his note, placing it too in my drawer, I moved towards the cupboard to take my clothes to change into.
Moving inside the washroom I found another note, "Call me when you are done freshening up." I smiled to myself as I fresh up and went to charge my phone,
"My flight will take off at 11 am while you come from the university by 3 or 4 and it will take a maximum of 15 to 16 hours to get in Chicago so please don't worry about me and have your day move forward" reading this another note I thought to myself about how many more notes are hiding here and there, and how much observant he is too know which places of the house I roam around.
Leaving a text on his mobile phone, I went to have the pasta that my husband had cooked for me, taking the utensils out I found another note on the side.
"Drink a lot of water! And eat the whole pasta I cooked for you! Do not skip dinner since I'm not here!" his notes are making me miss him more than I ever thought I could miss him.
Hearing the sudden doorbell, I went to the door to open it, finding Ashar standing there with some boxes in hand, "Won't you welcome your brother-in-law inside your house! You mannerless woman!" I smiled, getting a side as he got in and placed the box on the dining table.
"What are these?" I asked curiously as the box looked so heavy, "Your husband gave me a list of books that were on your TBR list to buy for you, so I went to the liberty and got these for you as per his command."
Opening the box, I looked at the books, some were Urdu novels that I wanted him to read to me, while others were English novels that I wanted but didn't get time to buy.
I smiled and told him to keep the box in my room as I went into the kitchen to get pasta for both of us with some cold drinks on the side.
"My love, wait till I come back to read you these Urdu novels until then read some English ones hmm" I heard Ashar from behind, and as I turned around, I found him with my note in his hand which he was waving in the air.
"Give it back to me right now Ashar!" I said as I moved towards him.
"No! Why would I? I found the note! Now it's mine! I'm going to keep it to myself now" he said running away with the note in the lounge, I kept following him, yet he dodged me.
"Give it back to me, or else I'll tell Sana that you're single and ready to mingle with her" he stopped in the middle and crumbled the letter throwing it towards me as he spoke while making a disgusting face, "You know already about me in love with someone else then why did you talk about your sister here! Do you even know how hard it was for me to make up with her after she found out about Sana being clingy to me, Hayat don't you want to have a sister-in-law soon? Don't you want me to be happy?" I felt bad for him, but who told him to crumble my hubby's handwritten note?
"So, you are chasing her? Damn, I'm happy someone is making you work hard, anyways I'll tell Mama about this behavior of yours and Ahad too about how you crumbled his note!" I said, folding my hand to my chest, giving him an attitude.
"Don't you feel sympathy for me, Miss Hayat?" he asked innocently, which he is not! Taking slow steps towards me.
"NO, I DON'T! Now come let's have lunch together" I moved towards the kitchen with him trailing behind me, after having lunch and arranging all the books, I fell asleep...
Feeling the phone buzzing, I picked it up and answered the call without looking at the number, "Are you still sleeping, my baby?" Hearing my Mama, I replied with hmm in returning after greeting her.
"Do you want me to come over to your house or are you coming here huh?" Mama asked as I was confused about why she would want me there. Like I can visit her and stay too but this suddenly had me thinking if something happened.
"Is there anything going on Mama?" I asked politely as she instantly replied, "No baby, Ahad told me in the morning about his trip and told me to take care of his baby so I called you now to ask about where are you going to stay?"
Hearing Ahad's name, I once again started missing him. Why does he need to take care of me like this? "Mama, I want to stay here for some time, you take care of yourself and Dad, don't worry about me, I'll come to you if I feel lonely."
After having some chit-chat with Mama, I went to freshen up and have dinner, I made myself some Maggie and ate it but it did not taste like what Ahad used to make for me, it's just I was missing him too much.
Waking up in the morning now has been boring, when Ahad was here with me, he would wake me up, cook me a nice breakfast, and make me eat it while sometimes he would braid my hair too since I tangle up my hair whenever I do it myself.
He would make sure I ate my breakfast before planting a peck on my forehead, the most interesting part was us going out of the house together, while I would go towards my car he would go for his bike, and we both would drive out of the garage together while being on call, would go on the same speed till we reach the road which separates our way, my way to university and his way to his office.
Every time he would say on call, "My dear, take care of yourself, your husband will miss you" as we go on separate ways to our destination...
Waking up in my bed alone I found my phone buzzing, picking it up I heard the person I had missed the whole time, "Wakey wakey, my beautiful baby, and get ready for university, it's 6 am already" Rubbing my eyes I stared at his face as he smiled looking at me.
"You are finally here, do you even know how much I missed you? And your notes!" I said still looking at him who's smiling widely.
"Well, I wrote those notes to remind you about me again and again though" I stared at him in pure disbelief.
"You're too much Ahad," I said getting up from my bed with my phone in hand.
"I know my love, but you're the one and only I'm being extra with, you can't complain though," he said as he studied his file.
"Like I would!" I rolled my eyes, hearing his laugh I smiled and put the phone on the nightstand as I went to do ablution and pray salah, coming back I picked up the phone and asked him the time.
"It's 8:30 pm here sweetheart, we will meet Sahil in the morning at our place," I saw him taking clothes out of his wardrobe and going to change into them, making my way to the kitchen.
I heard the doorbell ringing, getting scared a little, since it was 6:30 in the morning with me alone inside the house, I waited for Ahad to come back, and as I saw him coming towards the phone, I went to open the door too.
"You take a lot of time doing a single thing Miss Hayat" I let out a sigh of relief as I saw Ashar standing there, his eyes red, maybe from the lack of sleep, or maybe something I don't know.
"I called him to get you breakfast today" I heard Ahad as I saw him rubbing his wet hair.
"Take it and let me go to sleep, I'm sleepy, I don't even know how I came here without getting in an accident" Ashar went to his room to fall asleep, after talking with Ahad for a while and eating breakfast as he had his dinner, we cut the call as I reached the university.
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As Ahad was out of town, and Ashar was here with me today, we all decided to host a gathering at my place, Mama, and Dad came in the evening, while we all were having some fun, teasing Ashar about 1 grey hair I saw in his head, he started to fight me.
And to save himself, he connected his phone to the television and let us read the messages they had on our trip, the name of the group made me crack up, "Gossip Men."
Ashar: "You'll know Bhai slowed down his bike speed when Hayat was hungry and was going to munch some snacks while driving?"
Hammad: "WAIT, YOU NOTICED THAT TOO???"
Sahil: "Hold up, hold up! So, you mean the time Hayat enters the chat our boy suddenly drives like an uncle in a Corolla???" there were crying emojis attached.
Ashar: I SWEAR BRO YES!! Last race before the all-wedding thing he raced like, "What's life? I don't know this man!" and now!" meme gif attached, "Ek dum se waqt badal gaya Jazbaat badal gaye."
Samir: WE. LOST. OUR. MAN.
We all three were laughing at the way these men were so interested in our mine and Ahad's story, scrolling down Ashar said from behind, "Look, who enters our chat now."
Loverboy bhai of mine: ...?
Loverboy bhai of mine: "WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HELL IS THIS? YOU GUYS OUR GOSSIPING ABOUT MY LOVE LIFE?"
Ashar: "Word to be noted my people "LOVE LIFE" I was right from the start :)"
Hammad: "Oh hell, bro we thought you wouldn't show up. Were you too busy, writing a poem on our sissy's Hazel eyes?"
Sahil: "Bro was probably standing in front of the mirror practicing how to say "I love you, Hayat" in different tones." A Titanic pose GIF was attached.
Loverboy bhai of mine: "I WILL END ALL OF YOU."
"Loverboy bhai of mine removed Sahil from the group"
"Loverboy bhai of mine removed Hammad from the group"
"Loverboy bhai of mine removed Samir from the group"
"Loverboy bhai of mine removed Ashar from the group"
It was hilarious how Ahad was hyped up with such conversation, "Don't you worry, sissy, I created another group just after he removed us and we still gossiped about our lover-boy." Ashar winked at last before he turned off the television.
Days have been moving so slowly, Ahad has been busy with his work but he always tries to call me when he's free, looking at his dull face I could see how little he sleeps.
I still remember the time I for the first time saw him trembling and crying while sleeping, whispering about how much it hurts him to see her eyes on him but couldn't save her.
"Eira, Eira don't look at me like that, don't please your brother is not strong enough" I heard him as I took his head on my lap trying to wake him up.
"Ahad it's alright, look I'm here, look your wife is here with you" I tried to speak while not tearing up, "Eira, my baby sister."
I heard him sobbing, caressing his head I tried to speak sweet nothings for him, finally he woke up and saw me sitting with his head on my lap, he raised his left hand and caressed my cheek as he spoke, "I'm sorry Hayat, I'm sorry, you have to see this" holding the hand which was caressing my cheek I spoke, "Aren't we married? We need to be there for each other, I won't mind if you ever come to me crying about what's hurting you, you my love is too precious to me, don't think nonsense" pecking his hand we started to talk about our day till we got tired and fall asleep.
Sometimes when he isn't able to fall asleep, I just stay on the call with him while taking my classes as he sleeps calmly, he wakes up in the middle of the night and watches me taking classes and cuts the call by himself which I get irritated about, and would always scold him for this trick.
It's already been 2 weeks since he been on his trip, he told me about how he needs to be in China for some more days before he comes back home to me, but today, I have been feeling unwell, and I want to eat Daal Chawal which my Auntie used to cook for me when I felt sick.
It's my most comfortable food, it's 4 am right now, and I can't call her to ask about the recipe, I miss her so much that I started to tear up.
I called Ahad, "So sorry Meri Jaan I was getting ready for the meeting so I couldn't stay on the call with-" he suddenly shut up as he heard me sobbing, "What happened, Jaan?" he asked softly to which I started crying more harder, thinking about how much of a baby I turned into while being with Ahad, he has started to heal my heart.
"Ahad, I want to eat Daal Chawal right now, but Auntie would be sleeping, and I'm not feeling well, I ate a lot of ice cream last night" I complained about my doings to him and looked at him with teary eyes, as I saw his eyes soften up and a smile forming on his face.
"Do you want me to call Ashar and ask him to cook some for you, hmm?" he asked to which I shook my head no.
"You teach me if you are free, please," I said as I rubbed my eyes.
"Don't you feel bad for me, my love? Do you know how much it hurts me to see you cry while I'm here and not able to comfort you?" I looked at him without saying anything, "Come on, get up, wash your face, and go to the kitchen" Hearing Ahad's soft voice again, I started to do as he instructed.
"Do you think this is the lentils I need to cook?" I asked as I showed him the container, "No, not this one, the other one that was kept with this container, love" he said as I replied with an okay and moved forward to find the lentils.
"How much rice do I need to cook for myself only?" I asked curiously as I looked at him who was working on his laptop while helping me out.
I felt guilty for disturbing him but he was the only one I could call and talk to right now, and knowing he wouldn't judge me for it, I shook the thought off my head as I heard Ahad, "Where are you lost, love? Are you okay? Did you change your mind?" looking at me concerning, I smiled as I started to work.
"Love, you got to slow down hmm, don't panic, nothing bad will happen, you just need to drain the water and cook the rice a little more," he said as I looked at the rice that was boiling so much that the water started to drop down on the stove.
I thought for some time thinking how much water I needed to drain while keeping the rice in the pot, I took a cup from the kitchen cabinet and started to take water out of the pot slowly while trying my best to keep the rice out of the cup.
I concentrated on my work while I took out two cups of water and gently tried to do it again when I heard some muffled laugh, I looked up at the phone to see him holding back his laugh with a hand on his mouth while the other hand had his other phone right at my direction like he's capturing a video.
I dumbfounded asked him, "What happened" to which he started to laugh a loud, his melodic laugh made me smile as he held his stomach with the hand that was once on his mouth.
He spoke, Nah, he tried to speak while containing his laugh, "My pretty innocent baby, what are you trying to do, you are just too cute, how much concentration do you need to get the water out of the pot, I just want to hug you tightly right now, my baby bear" he looked at me like he was admiring the world's most beautiful scenery, I smiled as he said, "take the kitchen cloth, and drained the water through the strainer, but be careful hmmm" nodding my head a little I did as I was told...
"Ahh this Tarka is really angry at me, why it's getting all fired up?" I said as Ahad laughed and said, "It's the hot oil in which you put the garlic, cumin, and other things which have made it all fired up" he laughed again as he completed the sentence, he's been laughing saying I'm pretty innocent cooking daal chawal, and I couldn't help but smile as he didn't stopped complimenting and making me shy by his talk...
After serving daal chawal to myself, I sat on the lawn with my plate and a glass of water as I set the phone beside me, looking at the wall clock I found it was 5 am already, which meant it was 8 am in China.
I looked at Ahad and remembered he was talking about the meeting when he stopped suddenly as I was crying, "What happened, Mera bacha?" He asked as I looked at him with wide eyes.
"You had a meeting early morning today- and I took your time. What about your meeting?" I asked as I focused on his face.
"Don't worry about it Meri Jaan, it's alright, you don't need to think about my work if you want me I'll be right there, didn't I say it before too? The meeting has been attended by my assistant already and the results of project collaborations will be emailed to us by evening today, so there's nothing for you to worry about hmm, now enjoy your food"
I nodded my head and heard him excusing himself going towards the door getting the food tray inside he sat on his seat with his food, and while I was cooking, I told him to eat with me which he did without declining it, we ate out food and talked, mostly I said and he listened like always... something hurt me while talking to him, that was... his stay in China for two more weeks maybe... he needs to be there to finalize everything before coming back home to me... but I miss him.
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