CHAPTER 33
AHAD POV:
The ride from Lahore to Islamabad was amazing and perfect. On the first day of our stay in the hotel, I found the videos and the pictures Ashar shared with everyone. Reading the messages my friends did, I was pretty proud of myself.
"Look at him, all lovely dovely with my sister-in-law, hmm," Sahil commented on a picture where I was looking at her while she looked at the antique piece in the museum.
"Look at that! Man, I never knew my boy was this romantic, holding her hands and being attentive to her," Hammad commented on a picture where Hayat was telling me about how she loved ice lollipops while I was listening to her.
"Ahad, it should have been you on your knees confessing your love to her instead of helping her tie the show lace," Hammad also joined them.
"Give some tips to us too. We want to get married, too, damn, I'm feeling single again. You guys were all over the place with romance in the air, our whole trip. Get a grip, man, WE ARE SINGLE," Samir responded as I read each one of their text messages.
As Hayat started to open up to me about her father, I couldn't help but feel helpless. I wish I could have been with her before.
I held her in my arms as she cried her heart out… caressing her arm, I teared up as she started to repetitively say that I would leave her, too.
Will she believe me if I tell her she has made my life better and beautiful without her even trying?
After comforting and calming her down, we made our way to the hotel on my bike and met Ashar midway. His nonsense made me furious, and I had no choice but to beat him and drag him into the room.
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We went to Rawal Lake as our last stop before we had to go to the hotel again. I was frequently called by Fawad today. He wanted me to send the confirmation email about the new project to our collaborator and discuss the project details, but I was busy with my wife here; I couldn't leave, not that my heart wanted to, and it'll never will… yet I had to go back, as Hayat, like always, understood my work.
I was midway through the video call with Mr. Dominic when Ashar's call interrupted me. I had to ask for a break to attend the call.
I held the phone to my ear. Before I could say hello, I heard something, my body felt numb, my hand sweaty, I couldn't open my mouth to even speak up, "Bhai, someone took Hayat with them in the Range Rover."
I didn't think twice before running downstairs out of the hotel. I got on my bike and rode off, "Follow them to where they are taking her, don't stop in the middle of the road, get in the house with the guys, share your live location with me, I'm on my way, too."
I drove as fast as my bike could take me. I was scared yet calm, knowing my wife is a wildcat who won't let anything happen to her. I tried to counsel myself…
She's mine to protect, mine to cherish and love, "Please, please be okay, Meri Jaan, I'm coming, be strong, my love, I'll save you and end this matter right here… please be okay, love."
I chant to myself as I follow the location, breaking the signals on my way, not caring about my life, which is nothing if Hayat is not in it. The roads were filled with traffic, and I give no damn about it. Soon, I found my mate all behind the car.
I came up to the front and followed the car… my main point was to follow and beat the actual man who is behind all of this.
They tried to dodge us, but I was right behind them.
They turned towards the left side, inside the building whose doors were about to get closed after the Range Rover got in, but I raced in with some mates behind me, and we got off the bike.
I walked up to the car and looked for Hayat as Ashar and Hammad held the men by their collars, punching them, getting the man out, and I hugged my wife, who threw her arms around me… peace, "Are you okay, Jaan?" I asked, and her whole body shivered. In my hold, she took some deep breaths. I tried to calm her down, my hands caressing her back, slowly, gradually, she glanced up at me,
"Please say something, Meri Jaan," I pleaded. I wanted to hear her voice, but she shook her head, laying her head on my shoulder.
I held her chin, finding her eyes, which she tried to hide from me, not looking up at me. "Please," I saw some tears rolling down her face.
"It- It-it's I-," she gulped the lump formed in her throat and tried to speak again, "It's- my father's house."
I wiped the tears off her face, yet they were continuously rolling down her chubby cheeks… I knew it, I had this gut feeling, I felt it before.
I held her hand in mine, "You trust me?" She nodded instantly, if not for the situation like this. I would have done something to her.
I looked to my left to find all the men being held tightly in the arms of my mate, "Lead us inside, my love," I said softly to Hayat, who looked at me stupefied, shaking her head.
I held her close, assuring her as we all walked inside.
"I saw what you did to my men, Ahad," we heard a voice before we even took a step inside the lounge area… but… it was a voice I had heard before, not just one I remember, I hate it, to the extent of killing it.
I looked at my front, there sat a man in glory on the sofa, while sipping his drink, not looking at us, but I could see the smirk on his face.
"YOU," as the word whispered out of my mouth, I felt eyes on me… My heart clenched, and I couldn't speak.
"I guess you remember me," he stood up and came towards me and Hayat.
"Now, will you divorce this girl?" he pointed towards Hayat as she hid behind me.
"You were there!" I whispered, not believing, my mind was running wild with guesses.
"Yes, I was, well, so you should have listened to me and worked with me on my project," he laughed and continued, "Your beautiful and precious sister would have been here then."
He smirked as I felt my body numb.
I felt weak, like before.
I felt someone holding me from behind, and I tried not to cry.
All I could see was red. I lunged forward towards him, punching his face till the blood was all coming out of his mouth and nose, and it wasn't enough.
I held the collar of the man in front of me and spat out, "You stopped me in the middle of the road with your car! You didn't let me follow my sister! You ordered someone! You-" lumps formed in my throat. I composed myself and continued, "You ordered the truck driver."
I heard some gasps from behind and a handhold slipping on my sleeves. My eyes were burning with pure rage. I was about to punch him again when someone pulled me back,
"I did, so what?" he spoke, shrugging his shoulders, walking towards the table, and lighting a cigarette. My eyes followed his every move, "I told you to listen to me, or I will take away the most precious thing from your life."
He smirked and came forward, his steps lumpy, "Well, the regret is the girl was too beautiful; if I kidnapped her and sold her in a red-light area, I would have gotten millions already."
I got myself out of the hold and again started to punch him as I lost control over myself. I didn't know what to do… he killed my sister… abused my wife… he kidnapped her… all because he wanted me to collaborate and enter his product legally in the market under my name.
Ashar and others held me from behind once again as I saw Hayat in the corner, standing without blinking her eyes, her gaze fixed on her father; her empty eyes held no emotions.
Nothing I could recognize… or nothing I could see hidden underneath them.
The police came from behind and held Hayat's father.
I was not satisfied.
I wanted to kill him myself, but I didn't want to paint my hand red in blood, I didn't want to touch my love with those bloody hands, I'm messed up.
"I want to file a case against him!" I freed myself from the guys hold and walked towards him, "You dared to snatch my wife from me, I'll try to give you a painful death sentence, but slowly and gradually after giving you what you deserve, I'll do things legally since I want to meet my wife up there in Janah, Insha Allah, Mr. Ali." (Translation: paradise.)
I cleaned his collar, his eyes filled with hatred… like mine, I smiled and thanked the police as they took him away...
I turned to see Ashar's eyes filled with tears as Uneeb and Raheel stood near him. I looked at my wife, whose gaze was fixed on the place where her father had been lying before.
I moved towards her slowly, and took her in my arms and caressed her back, sobs… painful sobs… unspoken words… I hugged her tightly as she cried in my embrace, "Will-will you leave me?"
I was taken aback by the question, confused… surprised. I broke the hug and looked at her face, covered in tears, "Why do you think that, Meri Jaan?" I asked softly, caressing her hair, she rubbed her cute nose, as she looked up at me with her hazel doe eyes.
"My father is a murderer," she spoke out whisperingly as if she wanted to believe the reality, too. I sighed and took her in my arms again and said, "My love, my dear, my wild cat, meri jaan-e-jigar, you took me out of the pitch-black room with your shiny rays. Do you even know how you wrapped me around your fingers, and I'm not complaining, but do you even know how madly I have fallen for you? I can never- hear me out, N.E.V.E.R in my life could leave you behind and walk away."
I looked into her teary eyes, trying to assure her, caressing her cheeks. Suddenly, I heard someone coming behind me. Before I could glance back, I felt a hand on my shoulder… here comes my moment ruiner… Oh, I can't be mean right now.
I stepped aside, letting them have a moment. "Are you okay?" Ashar spoke softly to the girl who was in my arms just some minutes ago. She glanced up at me and then at Ashar with her beautiful eyes, nodding her head. She whispered, looking down, "I'm sorry."
Ashar turned to look at me, raising his eyebrows, questioning why she was apologizing to him. I shook my head as he met the eyes of Hayat, patting her head. He took a deep breath before speaking, "My little tigress shouldn't be sorry, never, ever. You did nothing wrong, so why would you apologize for someone else's mistake, huh? Don't be dramatic, and let's go, I'm hungry."
Ashar walked away after talking to her, and, glancing at me, I knew he was going to run away, like always. He does need me, but he wouldn't say it; he never did. It was his way of hiding everything he feels beneath the layer of warm rays.
We got out of the house. After the police walked away with him, Hayat's stepmother was nowhere to be seen, nor was her grandmother or Sana…
We hopped on our bikes after settling everything down. I grabbed the helmet and made Hayat wear it; her gaze was fixed on the ground. I caressed her shoulder, helping her on the bike. I took her hands, which were on her lap, and wrapped them around my waist before I started my bike and rode away.
I felt the hold tighten around me midway, her body so close yet shivering… in pain. I parked my bike at the side of the road in front of a closed restaurant. I tried to break the bond so I could turn around and look at her, but she didn't let me do it.
"The one who gave birth to me died because of the depression caused by my father. The one I loved was snatched away from me by my father; he murdered her… I'm disgusted, I can't tell you the pain I'm feeling Bubba, I- I want to run away from here, from you, and from the love that everyone showers at me, I- don't deserve it Bubba, let me go, please let me go," her words and actions were opposite, she wanted me to let her go when she wasn't leaving me from the hold, which was tightening every second.
She is going through a fight between her heart and mind. I know she needs me, and even if she wants to run away from me, I would need to catch her and hug her to let her know the place where she belongs… in my arms… my hold… near me.
I let her cry as much as she wanted, hearing her sob and hiccup, my heart shattered… I caressed her hand as she started to lose her hold.
I got off the bike, and hugged her, swinging her a little in my arm, trying to free her of distress, "You are my wife, your background, your past, doesn't change the fact that you are the one I looked for the entire time while asking for my death, you're the only one I want, my dear wife," she stayed still in my arms, her arms hang low, not around me.
"And don't you have me now? Am I hard to love? You and I both lost Eira, and we found each other, healing each other without our knowing, my dear wife. I won't let you run away from me. If you want to run away, then take me with you, I'll pack myself up in a bag for you to carry, okay?" At last, I held the helmet so she could meet my eyes since she was wearing it.
She looked at me with her teary hazel eyes, the eyes… an open book I could read… her eyes told me everything… I love to read her eyes… stare into them… find her through them… and now it held the spark of hope, trust.
Coming back to the hotel, everyone went off to their room. As I led Hayat to ours, I made her sit on the bed, thinking of ways to distract her. I unpacked my luggage bag and took out a novel. We hadn't finished the novel yet, and it might help with distraction.
I sat beside her on the bed and patted my lap, as she lay down, her head on my lap, and my right hand caressing her soft, black shiny hair… till she closed her eyes.
I started reading the book when I felt her take my right hand and lock it with hers, keeping it to herself… like she needed to feel me near her.
Soon, she fell asleep. Tucking her properly inside the covers, I slowly moved out and made my way to Ashar's room.
Knocking, I stood waiting… the door stayed closed, yet his sobs could be clearly heard. He needed me, his brother, yet he wouldn't show me, ask for help, or let me help him, wouldn't let me hold him when he's breaking.
"Ashar opens the door," I knocked again… hoping he would finally let me in… I leaned my head against the door when I heard the door being unlocked.
I entered, and abruptly, I was taken in a tight, shattering hug by my brother, "Why did you hide from us about his threats? Why didn't you tell us about the accident being a murder? Bhai, don't we deserve the truth?"
I know he's feeling a lot of emotions right now, and I need to calm him down, but I also know he won't listen to me until I tell him everything.
"Ashar, will you believe me if I tell you that the murder was done by him solely, but there was my mistake in it too?" I spoke, my head tilted down a little.
"What do you mean, bhai?" I heard Ashar whispering, questioning me; confusion was on his face.
"I knew Hayat was Eira's friend from the start. I- I had a crush on her for years, but I never knew Hayat's real name was Hayat, not Hazel." As I finished speaking, his eyes widened as if he was shocked by 420kw… he took a step back.
I just hoped he wouldn't murder me after I disclosed every detail, "You know how Eira was with me, always yapping every detail; she was the one who always talked about Hayat with me; there was never a day that went by without her being part of our conversation. I started to take some interest in her, being in Chicago, listening to a girl who was so full of life, bubbly, introverted, wild, alone… a girl who had a great bloodline but not a family."
"When I used to visit Pakistan during my vacations, I always found her with Eira… always… the mere crush turned into something I don't know till now, but that feeling was amazing." I smiled, remembering those restless days of mine; just the urge to make her mine was overpowering everything I knew was wrong.
"Ashar, you know, I used to see her from afar, as if she caught me, she'd beat me as she did to the person who tried to bully Eira… things were never the same after I saw her. I used to miss her, even without any interaction, but still… my heart always beat like I'd run a marathon whenever I saw her smile from afar. She was young, I couldn't go talk to her, and my sister was very possessive about her."
The soft smile on my lips, embarrassed by how I used to behave… Ashar now had his hand over his mouth like he was shocked; he pointed his index finger at me, and before he could speak, I continued, "I told Ammi about my little crush, and she just smiled at that time… while I was busy with new projects, Baba's sudden retirement, and me taking over Mir Group of Industries, a very profitable project came our way."
My body went rigid, the room's tension increased, and my fingers itched to scratch my palms to distract myself.
"Baba trusted me with everything, so I did what felt right… the project was indeed profitable, but also harmful for consumption; the chemicals used in the product could kill… I refused to join and launch the product under our name."
"The person who brought the project was Mr. Ali Asghar, and to think about it now, he knew how we are connected, my wife with my sister, because he told me that he knew who I was and how he could do anything to gain money."
My palms continued to sweat, my breathing suddenly quickened, and I tried to calm myself down.
"He tried to convince me many times, but I refused… the night before Eira died, we were on a video call while I was at the office, working. She was upset about being caught, and I tried to comfort her when Mr. Ali arrived at my office with guards. Before I could end the call, he saw Eira and just smiled."
I stood up, walking back and forth, "This time, he ordered me, and I refused rudely, which hurt his ego. Before he left that day, he threatened me; his exact words were, the whore's daughter you like! I'll never let you marry her, and remember, you have a sister, which I find quite beautiful. You didn't listen to me. Now look at yourself – see how I will snatch the precious part of your life,"
"Ashar, I hired guards for you all…" I wanted Ashar to know I was clueless, but I tried my best and failed in the end…
"The night we went for a race to clear our heads, I had this negative gut feeling, Ashar, but I shrugged it off. We were happily racing that night when, in the middle of Shahrah-e-Faisal, I was stopped midway by some SUVs. I tried to dodge them and follow Eira, but he got out of the car, laughing like a madman, and tried to make me sign the papers."
"I refused and managed to get past them, or maybe they let me go. Before I started my bike, I heard him from behind say something like End her, I heard Eira scream in agony, in pain, whispering my name, calling me bhai."
My palms were red, but it didn't hurt; it took me years to get control of my emotions. I knew I couldn't break in front of Ashar; he needs me right now, more than I need myself. "Ashar, I was helpless… I couldn't ride properly."
Gulping down the air which was tightening my windpipe, "When I reached her, I got off the bike and saw her lying there… I couldn't move… Believe me, Ashar, I wanted to be in her place… Her eyes were wide open, and she was looking at me, right into my eyes… and I knew I had lost her while trying to save people. After that, you know everything..."
I looked at my brother, trying not to break down in front of him, but tears kept running down our cheeks… We sat there silently for some time. "So, this whole marriage was not really arranged?" he asked, practically shouting the question.
"No, it's an arranged marriage. I mean, Ammi knew about the crush from the start. Eira used to talk about her to me on calls, and I would see her pictures with Eira, which she would send me weekly. I developed feelings for her, but after Eira's death and Hayat's disappearance at the funeral, I thought she didn't love Eira the way Eira loved her, so I never looked back." I said softly, reflecting on all the events passing through my mind as I explained it to Ashar…
I should have looked for her, though… "So, you didn't know Hayat was her real name until you saw Hazel in the lounge for the first time?" he asked, practically shouting, again and again. I shook my head in denial.
"So, if you liked Hazel, then why did you agree to marry Hayat?" I rubbed the back of my head, trying to find words, "I don't know. I just said yes, thinking it would be the right decision, the right path for me. I didn't forget Hazel; she was always in the back of my mind, but I don't know… maybe it was meant for us to meet."
I smiled, pondering all the possibilities and assumptions. It felt like pure destiny. "So, you knew that Hayat was kidnapped by her father today?" His mind was racing, for sure.
"I had some wild guesses since I knew he'd know about us being here from Sana, and I also knew how desperately he wanted Hayat's property. But I didn't expect him to be the one—" I trailed off.
"Does Hayat know you had a crush on her from the start?" Ashar asked, and I shook my head. Horror flashed in my eyes. What if she slapped me? Bro, it's somehow stalking.
His tone was playful as he asked, "So, you stalked her?"
"I-I mean, I used to visit Eira at her hostel whenever I came back for vacations. I used to look at her from a fair distance," I admitted, shrugging.
"So, you loved my sister and made it seem like you were developing feelings for her now!" He stepped forward and grabbed my shirt collar, emotions turbulent.
"No, I mean, I moved on from her. I didn't remember her, but she was always there. It's been four years, and I never searched for Hazel. Then I started feeling for her again, but I knew the crush I had was never really gone," I grinned, freeing my shirt collar from his grip.
"So, all this time, you loved her-or liked her, or whatever-while making her fall for you too, pretending you never knew her, and now you're falling for her again? What am I even saying? I'm so confused. Your kids will have an interesting story to hear, bhai." Ashar blabbered, confused, which annoyed me, but the last line about our babies warmed my heart.
"Ashar, I'm worried about you. You need to see a psychologist. You have a personality disorder, truly!" Before he could reply, I continued, "I love her. I know it's too soon to say, but I do. And YOU… don't ever think about this!"
He just nodded, lost in thought. "Bhai, you're something! You got the girl you had a crush on… she's your wife! You must be the happiest man!"
"I'm lucky I found her again. Destiny brought us together," I smiled, knowing it's the truth.
"I wish the same for myself, bhai." His words carried a deeper meaning I couldn't grasp at the moment. After talking with Ashar for a while and getting teased for hiding such a huge thing, he kicked me out, mumbling about him needing to send a good night message to someone.
I walked into the room and found Hayat near the window, gazing out. I approached her and hugged her from behind, locking her in my arms, and whispered a question near her ear after planting a soft kiss on her cheek, "When did you wake up?"
She stayed silent but took my hand and held it tightly, allowing herself to adjust. I looked at her- her profile was glowing under the soft moonlight. I smiled and kissed her cheek again.
She turned and looked up at me, "Are you okay?" Had I not been staring into her eyes, I might have thought she was talking about the kiss. But no, her eyes held pain, sadness, and guilt. She was asking if I was alright after today's event.
I smiled, caressing her, "I'm okay, perfectly fine, I have you. Thank you for asking." We looked at each other quietly for a while before going to bed.
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Today, we are heading back to Karachi, and since we won't be stopping anywhere along the way, we will arrive by night. Hayat wanted us to drive back together, so I'm now driving the car while she's being my passenger princess.
She had wrapped her hands around my arm as she leaned on it, talking to me about how everything had changed. We had decided not to speak about the incident to our family since it would cause a commotion, and it'd be very hard for everyone emotionally… but that doesn't mean the people who did bad to my wife will not be punished.
"Ahad, you haven't crocheted rose gajray as you promised," she complained, pinching my arm. I laughed at her silly behavior, shaking my head in response.
"I will make them for you, Jaan, just wait for a while, hmm." She nodded her head, playing with my hand veins. I had noticed her doing this very often.
"I'm a heavy sleeper, so will you be able to wake me up for university?" She curiously analyzed the birthmark on my bicep.
"I will wake you up and cook breakfast for you, and if you want, I'll drop you at your university, too, okay," she hummed and asked again.
"And will you still read me the novels at night, uh huh?" She glanced up at me; it was more like us playing twenty-twenty question, but I was the only one answering.
"If you want me to, I will," I replied as I heard her, like I would stop you.
I laughed as she huffed at me for ruffling her hair. She pinched me again, "You're a wild cat, sometimes you like to bite and sometimes you like to scratch me."
Finally, we were back at our home. After spending time with our family and distributing the gifts, we drove to our penthouse. Unlocking the door, we entered the house.
I looked at Hayat as I heard her say, "Our home, sweet home."
I smiled as I saw her eyes wandering everywhere. She moved towards the kitchen, while I dropped our luggage in the corner and took a seat on the sofa.
I was looking for her when I found Hayat coming towards me with a glass of water. "Thank you, but you are tired too, and you don't have to do these things for me, Jaan," I made her drink some water before gulping the other half of the glass myself.
"Don't snatch my rights to be the little wife I can be for you!" she pointed, crossing her arms around her chest. She looked up at me, and I couldn't stop her from doing what she wanted to do, nodding my head to her words. We sat there for some time. Just silence, comfortable one…
"Why do you spoil me so much? Don't you think I'll be a brat to you in the future?" She asked as she put down her phone, looking up at me curiously.
"I just love to dote on you, my love," I said, pecking her forehead.
"Why do you always give me a new nickname?" Her curiosity got the best of her. It's okay, I can answer her questions.
"Your reaction to my every new nickname gives me so much satisfaction that I may not be able to tell you how much it makes me happy." Nodding her head a little, she played with my fingers again.
"You have such veiny hands that if I were a nurse, I would have been excited to inject some injections in them." Hayat laughed at her lame joke as she tried to pinch my hand veins.
"Oh, Hayat, shut up." I shook my head, holding my stomach, which started to hurt because of the continuous laughing.
"Oh, make me." There I was, dumb, hearing her say, "Make me." I looked at her as she gave me her innocent eyes.
"You aren't so innocent as you try to look, my darling," I held her chin in my hand, tilting her head up.
"No doubt you love it, baby." Again, I was stunned; she left me speechless; her eyes shone with playfulness.
"Jaan, you are being flirty today, it's making me shy now." Leaving her chin, I turned my face to the other side, trying to hide my smile.
"Let me look at that beautiful dimple smile, my love, let me capture it in my mind like my favorite memories to remember any time I want," I heard her say near my ear. I was too much into my world after listening to her that my heart thumped faster than it ever had.
Cupping her cheeks, I looked into her eyes, and again she gave her best doe eyes, "You do realize, right? That every time you look at me like that, I forget how to breathe." Her eyes widened as I flirted back a little, making her hold on my shirt tighten.
"You think I stare too much? Not my fault. My eyes were made to memorize you," she fired back, and that's it. I'm done.
"My love, you need to seriously stop saying such things. I might get a heart attack now," I whispered a little, pecking her cheek.
She loves seeing me being myself, and I love showing her the pure me, "Okay, I'll stop now," she responded, pecking my forehead. She stood up, forwarding her hand towards me, "Should we go to sleep now?" I took her hand in mine, nodding my head, her in my embrace, and we fell asleep.