CHAPTER 29
HAYAT POV:
Today, Ahad woke up first as usual while I was getting ready. Ahad was downstairs, I guess, making breakfast for everyone. Everyone is coming to our penthouse before we move towards our destination.
"Meri Jaan," I heard Ahad entering the room, and looking for me, who was standing in front of the mirror, applying moisturizer to her hands. (Translation: my life?)
"Oh, you're awake already. Let's have breakfast, and then we will shop for some more essentials before moving to our destination in the evening." He came towards me, pecking my forehead gently while caressing my right cheek.
He looked at me, not me… but my eyes to be exact, the eye contact between hazel and black was something that had great power. A power to make us so embarrassed, shy, and lastly in love.
We were having our moment when we suddenly heard a loud, glass-shattering sound. Parting our ways, I found him walking out of the room, "I'll come with you."
Stepping downstairs, I saw Sahil on the side of the sofa while Hammad and Samir were glaring at him... oh, not him but behind him, I looked in the direction they were glaring.
I found someone who was sour to my hazel brown eyes… Seema… with a boy standing behind with a big, disgusting smirk on his face.
Hammad walked up to Ahad, who was holding my hand the entire time, "Sahil followed your cousin on Instagram, and then this idiot told her yesterday about the trip, and here they are, the uninvited guests of ours." Hammad bhai was still glaring at Sahil with a smile on his face. If a look could kill, then I would have been attending Sahil's funeral.
I'm trying to process what kind of emotion Ashar's expressing.
"Miss Hayat, I don't know what to say, but they came in their car, and Zain said they would like to join us, and he asked Father before showing us their ugly faces, and now I don't know what to say anymore." Ashar fumbled with words.
Does he know about me not liking his cousin's sister? I wondered and felt the handhold tighten around mine.
"Would you like them to join us, or should I send them away?" Ahad asked me.
I looked at him, confused, "I don't have a problem. Let them have fun." I wanted things to stay cool before turning to Ashar, "Help me set up the dining table, idiot."
"I know you don't like her, stupid. Why would you let them join us?" spoke the angry bird, coming to my right side, and taking a chocolate out of his pocket.
"Sometimes, you've got to be the bigger person, try it," I said, winking at him. I stole his chocolate, took a bite, and then headed to the dining table to set the dishes.
"You did not munch my chocolate, this was my last bar, HAYAT!" he yelled, running toward me with a spatula. Before he could get close, he was hit with a flying slipper from Ahad, and I quickly hid behind him when he entered the kitchen.
"Oh God! Bhai, not now. She did me bad; she ate my last chocolate bar. I wasn't even at fault!" whined the little boy. I teased him by sticking out my tongue, enjoying watching him get scolded by my handsome husband.
"So what? She's younger than you. You should have brought some chocolates for her too," Ahad told Ashar before looking at me, "And, Jaan, I brought you some yesterday on my way home. Do you want me to get them from upstairs?" Aww, my man is so whipped, but only for me.
This is what keeps me sane, or I'd have murdered that cousin's sister for eyeing my man. When everyone in the room looks at him, tries to get his attention, he only looks at me… just me… making me feel how important I am to him.
"Sissy, you know how to cook," I heard Arham Bhai ask as he pulled the seat for his wife and Zeeshan.
"Oh, no, it's cooked by Chef Ahad, my husband." I smiled at Ahad as he was filling my plate with toast and tea, and at that moment, I heard a high-pitched attention seeker voice, "How would she know it? She doesn't have a mother."
I was about to get up from my seat to disorient her face when Ahad and Ashar stood up for me.
"But you got a mother, still, your behavior is a motherless brat," Ashar said as his friends cheered for him from behind.
"If you want to join the trip, then keep your mouth shut, know your limits, think before speaking ill about my wife, I won't tolerate this kind of behavior and kick you out next time." Ahad was fuming with anger. I held his hand and made him sit near me, serving him the tea.
He looked at me with sad eyes and mouthed, "Sorry, Jaan," giving him a reassuring nod. I turned to Ashar, patting his back a little for standing up for me, and soon we ate our breakfast in pure silence.
It was evening already when we decided to leave. There were 17 members, and we were traveling in a total of 5 cars and 7 bikes. I was driving my car alone, but others had company in their cars.
Ahad's mood was off at the start as he wanted to join me instead of leading us, but I assured him that we would spend our time alone without any disturbance soon, as I would be following him from behind with others.
We started our journey taking the M9 motorway to reach Hyderabad first and to have some rest there for some time, since we had brought something from there before moving forward...
"My girlfriend, are you enjoying your ride alone in your car?" Ashar teased, speeding his bike and coming forward face-to-face with mine, waving his right hand towards me.
"No comments," I teased back and pulled my windows up, following Ahad ahead.
"Is my wildcat angry?" This time, Ahad asked, his voice hoarse.
"Why would I be?" I asked back, confused, and heard some chuckles and some whispers, as we all were on a conference call, damn it, I just did not make myself a fool.
"Hayat, do you know you look super cool driving this car behind your husband? If not for you being Ahad's wife, I would have proposed to you for the marriage," I heard Samir from my earpiece.
I laughed and was about to reply, "Stop flirting with my wife, I won't tolerate it again!" I laughed again, hearing my husband getting jealous of his own friend's comment.
"Don't be so stinking Ahad, you are old for our beautiful sissy, do you even know that?" I heard Sahil speak in his Chicago accent, joining others to tease my innocent, dear husband…
"I'm just 5 years older than her, and she's already my wife; if she complains, I won't mind, so stop your nonsense and focus on the ride." Ahad defending himself is already heart-flattering; he should know this… and I'll convey it to him the time we are alone.
I wanted to capture the moments since the roads were nearly empty, the sky looked beautiful, and most of all, my husband looked stunning riding the bike.
"Can I capture a video of bikers wheeling, please?" I asked and got an answer in an instant; it was as if my words were the final command.
"Why not Begum?"
"Bikers get on the side, slow down the bike speed, one by one wheel your bike up or drove faster away, the road is empty, and straight, you are need to follow after me, Jaan, get your car in the front and start recording the video, give us signal and there you go," my husband spoken to others in his hard commanding voice and to me.
Getting my car in the front, I signal them through my earphones, and they come. Ashar came first and did wheeling with Uneeb and Raheel on the side. After wheeling, Ashar looked at the camera, giving it a hand wave. He rode forward with his friends from behind.
Hammad bhai came from behind, wheeling, speeding away as Sahil and Samir did the same. They went ahead after doing a smooth cross. As they rode forward, I looked for my husband, driving my car with one hand while recording with the other hand.
"Where is he?" I was about to stop the video when my husband came with a rose in his hand.
He came towards the car and passed me the flower, glancing at the red rose in my hand. I smiled and looked at the front, just to find him gazing my way before I pulled my window up, shying away.
"Your wife demanded something, and there you go, little puppy doing it all," I heard Hammad Bhai say on the call as others laughed and agreed with him.
I know he was teasing us, but my husband has a great sense of humor, "She can tell me to count the sand grains, and I would do it, too, gladly," Ahad said, did he just join them?
I couldn't speak; they all teamed up against me, teasing me. I looked at the rose, seeing a police checkpoint nearby, we stopped the car as Ahad came down from his bike and started talking with them.
I clicked open the camera and tied my hair in a bun, fixing the flower on the side. I looked at myself and took a picture, and immediately sent it to Ahad…
I hoped to watch Ahad check his phone. Soon his conversation ended, and he checked his phone, his eyes met mine, and he walked…? Run towards me. I pulled my window down and took a glance at him. He coughed and had me turn my head to look at him.
"Did you catch a cold already?"
"Masha Allah," he held my chin in his right hand and continued, "Noori, my wifey is so beautiful." he pecked my forehead when I heard a cough from behind him, pushed him back lightly.
"Stop, stop, you are a romantic couple, we know but we singles are here too," Ashar whined for a little while, making a face like he might throw up soon.
Sahil and Samir even made throwing-up sounds, making me disgusted. Hammad bhai patted their back, "Can we move forward, or do you guys want some time alone?" Shaking his head a little, Ahad gestured them to move towards their bike as he met my eyes again, pinching my cheek, he too walked up to his bike.
"I'm hungry," I couldn't help but whisper, as we were halfway to reaching our hotel in Hyderabad, and my hunger would soon make me nauseous.
"Meri Jaan, the bag in your passenger seat has lots of snacks that you like. If you want, you can have them for the time being." I heard someone near my heart speak through the earphones, and I was astonished. He heard me… he brought me snacks… he thinks about me… cares about me.
Suddenly, I heard Ashar, "You meany Bhai, you have packed snacks for that idiot but not for me… your brother?"
"And your friends," Samir said, joining Ashar.
"And who are you all? I'm responsible for my wife only, not you idiots; get yourself something on your own." Ahad shut everyone up, and there I cracked up.
These men are totally crackheads, who would believe these men are top-notch businessmen?
We stopped at Hyderabad in the evening. Ahad said we would be staying in a hotel, as he had already booked our rooms.
I got inside the room after having dinner with everyone, and lay on the bed without changing my clothes or taking off my shoes, closing my eyes, I lay there too tired to even get up. I felt like losing my consciousness.
It felt like someone was touching my feet, suddenly, I opened my eyes, and found Ahad taking my shoes off, jerking myself up, I tried taking my feet away from his hold, but he just shook his head and took my shoes off, without saying a word he set the pillows for me, patted at them gesturing me to get myself up and rest, I tried to say, "I'll go fresh up firs-"
"Shush, sleep, Jaan, take some rest, hmm." He softly caressed my cheek, peaking my forehead, and getting inside the cover too.
I woke up hearing some sounds and saw Ahad coming out of the washroom, pushing his sleeves down. I saw him walking towards the table, picking up the prayer mat, and spreading it on the floor.
I called him softly, whispering, "Bubba."
My husband looked up with shock and surprise-filled eyes. His whole body froze, pointing his index finger towards himself, mouthing the word Bubba, asking if I called him that.
Oh my, he's so cute. How many times is he going to win my heart again? I so want to run and pull his soft cheeks, "Yes, you, Bubba, wait for me, and I'll join you too."
Standing up, I ran to the washroom to do ablution.
He has given me lots of nicknames; not once have I heard my name from his mouth since we got married, and here I call him Ahad, every time, so I thought to give him a nickname too, and now, seeing his reaction, I guess I need to call him by new nicknames once in a while.
We prayed the Fajr Salah together. I waited for him to complete his dua while I continued to recite the Ayat on my fingers, when he suddenly held my hand.
He kissed my eyes gently, still holding my hand in his. I gestured for him to lay his head on my lap; he'd been too tired, I could see.
He looked at my face, then rested his head on my lap, holding my left hand in his and placing it on his heart. He closed his eyes.
I was playing with his hair, the silence was peak comfortable, "Are you happy with me, Begum?" I looked at his closed eyes for some time, and when I didn't respond, he opened his black doe eyes, looking directly at me with such sad emotions that affected me to my core.
"Yes, I'm at peace with you," I smiled, seeing how much my silence affected him. Putting my palm on his eyes, I made him close his eyes, caressing his cheek.
Soon, we moved to our balcony to watch the sunrise, while he sat on the couch. I leaned my head on his shoulder, sitting close to him. "If you get tired of driving the car or want my company, just let me know, I'll stop everything and join you in the car instead, okay."
I looked at him, confused… he's very much possessive about his bike, he doesn't even let Ashar sit on it for even a minute, "Then what about your bike?"
"Anyone else can ride it for me, or we can just put it in Arham's car boot space,"
"Even if I'm possessive about my bike, it doesn't mean I will ignore you for it." In the weeks of our marriage, I have seen him notice me and understand my unsaid words, like I'm an open book to him.
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The time passed like the speed of light, and our phones were ringing continuously. We made our way to the lobby area and decided to have our breakfast at a dhaba. (Meaning: a roadside café or food stall)
We sat together at the same table, waiting for our order, as I had my head lying on Ahad's shoulder, while Ashar's head was leaning on mine. I mean, it's expected that Ahad and I are tired since we didn't get much sleep, but what about Ashar? Why is he so sleepy?
"Can I sit here with you all instead? It's hot there," Seema said, indicating the hair opposite Ahad, the place she sat isn't even hot, the fan is literally above the chair, she's just… let it be!
Ashar murmured, "Hmm, you would feel hot after getting jealous of others' happiness."
Sahil made some space as she sat beside him in front of Ahad and me.
"Bubba, can you pass me the puri, please?" I said to my husband as he moved his hand forward to take a puri from the plate when Seema took it, intentionally touching his hand.
Ahad moved his hand away from her like his hand caught fire, and I, on the other hand, was glaring at Seema, who was now putting her imaginary hair behind her ear while giving a disgusting, shy smile.
"Miss Hayat, you got me, why ask him then?" Ashar said, passing me the puri, as I was burning with anger.
I suddenly got an idea. I looked at Seema with wide eyes and turned to Ahad, whispering something in his ear as he looked up at Seema with surprise-filled eyes and then at me while shaking his head in disappointment.
I then turned to Ashar and gestured for him to come forward. I whispered the same thing I told Ahad, "Nothing."
Being dramatic, he looked at Seema with surprised eyes, too, and then glanced at me, giving me a disbelieving look. He turned to Hammad and whispered the same. Under ten minutes, everyone gave the same look to Seema, playing along, except Zain, who didn't know what was happening there.
Seema was curious yet furious; her face was red like the Carolina Reaper chili, which I'm going to put in hot chili oil. How dare she try to take my man's attention? She was about to burst.
She approached Ahad and asked, "What did your wife whisper to you about me?"
He didn't look at her but at me the whole time, whispered, "Nothing."
Ahad bit his lower lip, trying to hide the smile. He tilted his head and lifted his one eyebrow, giving me a devilish grin. Meanwhile, Seema was asking everyone around the table about what I said.
If she can irritate me, then I, too, have a right to do the same, without feeling guilty.
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We roamed around the market. There were six girls in a group, and all of us went shopping in the bazaar (market) with the guys.
Ashar was with his guy friends while Ahad's friends were at the hotel enjoying their time, and I was with my husband, shopping. I brought a lot of things for my Chachi, my mother-in-law, and the girls who were with me on this trip.
I was looking for something unique for myself when I felt a hand lightly touching my back… to be exact… my hip.
I looked back to see no one near me but Zain and Seema in the shop next to me. I looked at my surroundings to find Ahad when I felt a hand holding my waist lightly. Flinching a little, I turned to look and found Ahad on my side.
"Why did you flinch? Are you okay? Do I make you uncomfortable with my hold?" He asked, taking his hand off me when I held it, and put that back where it should have been.
"I am not uncomfortable around you, and I will never be Bubba." I smiled while he nodded his head and extended his left hand towards me. He brought gajray for me… I tried to take it from his hand when he held my hand and made me wear it.
I smiled and whispered a soft, "Thank you, Bubba."
We were back on our journey, and we took the motorway to go to Sukkur, the drive was the least 4 hours long but I was all tired halfway through the ride, everyone was talking on the conference call but I was silent the entire time.
I was not in my good mood, kept thinking about the disgusting touch, I had goosebumps raised on my skin, I should have told Ahad about this but I didn't have the courage.
Ahad was riding at a low speed since the motorway had some traffic. Suddenly, "Everyone, park your vehicle at the side and get down, right now." Hearing Ahad's hard voice, I parked my car in an instant and got down. Confused as to why he would do that, I looked the front to see Ahad running towards me.
Hugging me close to his heart, he softly whispered near my ear, "Don't you trust me to tell me about that uncomfortable touch you felt? Do you think I would judge you for it, Hayat?" I looked up instantly, all confused about how he found it out.
"Ahad, I didn't know who touched me, or else I would have slapped that person right there, and then, and I was too much in my thoughts to figure it myself, but how did you find it out?" I questioned, holding his left arm, trying to make him understand my point of view.
"Will you slap the person who did that?" He asked, looking directly into my eyes. I nodded my head, and he took my left hand in his and headed towards our group, standing in front of Zain and Seema, "Slap him, Hayat."
I surprisingly looked at Ahad, before Zain could say anything, I slapped him hard on his left cheek. The slap made a really loud noise since I was really angry before I could do anything more. Zain came forward to attack me when Ashar came and stood in front of me.
"Stop right there, dare to come forward toward my sister, and I would beat the shit out of you." Ashar's hard, loud voice was filled with anger. Does he know, too?
Seema screamed, "Why this bitch has slapped my brother, and who the hell are you to stop my brother from giving her what she deserves?"
Ahad, who held me in his arms until now, left me with the girl standing behind me and responded in a gruff voice, "This bastard touched my wife."
He held Zain's collar, punching him in the face, "from this hand!" Ahad took his left hand and twisted it around, while Ashar too joined and kicked him from behind.
No one came forward, letting the brothers beat Zain. His sister was screaming, "How can you believe this bitch over your own cousin?"
She tried to save her brother as Ahad stood up, drawing a deep breath, while Ashar was still holding him.
"Don't you dare to say a word about my wife. Unfortunately, she did not say a word. I saw the video myself!"
I was too shocked, I couldn't comprehend who took the video, how he found it, how he had been so calm a moment ago, and now anger is taking over his calm demure.
I step forward and held my husband's hand, "Shush, I'm alright, let's forget it, we shouldn't spoil our trip, tell them to move back home, we should continue our journey, it's going to be evening soon," trying to calm Ahad, I looked up at him as he gave a soft nod and took my hand to move towards the car.
He sat inside the backseat of my car and gestured for me to get in, too. As I moved inside, he abruptly pulled me closer, embracing me in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you, it's not even a month of our marriage, and I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry, Hayat." I felt my neck wet. I tried to pull back to look at his face when he just held me more tightly, not letting me go…
His hold around me was getting stronger, as if I would turn into thick air if he let go for once…
"It's okay, Bubba, it's not your fault, I'm alright, you know I'm happy that you stood up for me instead of just silently letting it go just because he's your cousin," I tried to comfort my husband.
"But you are my wife, my priority, mine to protect, mine to love and mine to cherish," I hummed to his words and sat there with him… comforting each other. Soon, we moved to the driving seat, and he drove my car while I was the passenger princess. He told me to rest till we reached our hotel...