Part 11 - Testing the Limits of Love
* * * *
Three months went by with the Nawab and his Begums' Nikaah.
One early morning, the Royal couple were lying in bed and enjoying a close intimate moment. Sanam had her head gently placed on his hard naked chest, drawing random circles on his skin.
"You're like a puzzle" she suddenly spoke.
Aahil had his arms behind his head and took a look down at her. "Puzzle?"
She raised her gaze into his. "Yeah. You were someone else when I first met you."
He smirked slightly upon the memory. "That's who I am."
She touched his cheek and felt the slight stubble caressing her hand. "I remember there was this rough look about you, yet you're the gentlest person I have ever met - why?"
"I don't know."
Sanam could feel his stare narrowing slightly. "You like to hide behind a faade don't you?"
"Maybe I tend to that once in a while." He finally admitted to her. "But I'm only gentle to those who are close to me."
She smiled and shifted closer to him.
"I'll always be gentle with you, Sanam Raza Ibrahim." He said running a hand through her silky brown locks.
"Always."
"You better."
A moment later, he broke the long silence. "What about breakfast?"
"What about it?" she asked.
"Do you want it?"
Sanam ran a hand over her stomach. "Well, I am kind of hungry."
"Yeah, we need to eat something and besides you're going to use all the energy you can get for later."
Her cheeks started to add a pinkish color as she slapped him playfully. She was about to get up from the bed, but Aahil stopped her.
"Today, I'll make breakfast while you're going to rest in bed."
"Oh, breakfast in bed? You're being so meherbaan on your Begum, huh?"
"Always, baby." He said with a gentle smile on his face. He then raised himself trying to look after a few clothes to wear. Sanam eyes followed his every move and couldn't help but feel satisfied that the man was her husband.
Not to mention how he had showered her with love and care last night.
Sanam was on top of Aahil as she cupped his face into her hands and stared deeply into his dark brown eyes. A smile began to spread across her lips as she leaned in and captured him into a delicate kiss. His hands went on to run through her dark locks, drawing her closer to feel her skin.
Aahil flipped them both over.
"Aahil!" she breathed while lying in bed. Aahil was on top of her as he continued to nip her neck in a gentle manner.
"Say it again, baby. Let me hear your beautiful voice."
"Make me!"
"I thought you'll never ask." Aahil smirked against her skin and took the step which made her eyes roll back in pure pleasure.
Sanam gripped into the ivory colored silk sheets and moaned loudly.
"That's it, come for me, Baby."
"...For you, Aahil!"
Aahil finally settled into a pair of loose gray sweatpants and a white undershirt.
Sanam smirked. "Don't forget to wear you special apron'."
Aahil gave her one last grin as he winked at her before disappearing into the kitchen.
Sanam fell back into the bed with her hands resting above her head. She exhaled deeply by the happiness invading her body and soul.
She shook her head lightly as a chuckle escaped her lips. A familiar memory filled her mind as she mentioned of an apron a moment ago.
Her mind recalled the moment.
--
Aahil was busy changing clothes in his bedroom before deciding to cook. He changed into his causal black sweatpants and a grey shirt. Suddenly he heard his phone vibrate. He picked it up and read the message he had gotten out loud.
"Hey, sweetie, what are you doing?"
He raised an eyebrow when she read Sanam's text.
'
Sweetie?'. He found it weird that she called him that but nevertheless he chose to replay her back with a text saying.
"Nothing much, just came home from work. - you?"
A few minutes passed when he received a message.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry the message wasn't meant for you. I was going to send it to someone else, but I accidently sent it to you... Damn you both for starting with an A."
He couldn't help but chuckle as he could practically picture her face as she must have been blushing right now.
"It's alright, as long as you can call me anything but Sweetie. Like Hot Aahil or handsome Ibrahim, you know somewhere along these lines."
"Right! I will try to remember that next time - Not!"
He went inside the kitchen and texted her back. "Going back to my question, what are you doing?"
"I just finished work at the office and I'm heading home right now to a very empty apartment, as Seher must be out with Rehaan."
"You want to join me for dinner? I'm going to cook."
"I think Seher might come home early."
"She is not coming home early you know that. Come on, Miss Khan I could use the company."
There was a long 15-minute silence before she had texted back. She must be busy debating whether to come or not.
"Alright, I'll be there in half an hour."
Aahil smirked as he began cooking. He took out the ingredients from the cabinet and placed them all on the kitchen table.
Today he was going to make something different - Something delicious. He was planning to make lasagna, garlic bread and some garden salad. He started to make the meat first as that was the thing which took the longest time to cook. He chopped onions and put it in the pot where the meat was busy getting cooked. In the meantime he pulled out a bowl from the dark brown colored cupboard and started to make some salad for the meal.
He had almost finished making the salad so he put it in the refrigerator until it was time to eat.
He turned his attention toward the pot where he was making the meat for the lasagna. He saw that it was done so he started to put his secret ingredients into it and tasting it weather it needed more or less. When he was about to take out a casserole for the lasagna he heard the bell ring from the front door.
He went on to open it and saw Sanam with a black handbag on her shoulder and wearing her trademark warm smile.
"Hey, glad you could come." He greeted her.
Sanam stepped inside but her eyes lowered slightly and she couldn't help but suppress the small laugh which escaped her lips.
"Seriously?" she raised an eyebrow at his way. Clearly referring to the black apron he was wearing with the writing; Mr. Good Lookin' is Cookin'.'
"Did you buy it yourself or get a present from someone with high level of estrogens?"
He looked down and smirked proudly. "I brought it myself."
"Wow, and here I thought you weren't arrogant at all," she said with a light sarcasm.
"Well I only speak the truth, don't I?"
Sanam hung her jacket in the hallway and got inside the living room. She couldn't help but praise the smell of food wafting through the house with each step she took.
"Mmm, it smells nice."
"Well of course it does, what did you expect - you're staring at the best cook ever."
They walked further down the kitchen where he began to turn on the oven and started to place the lasagna pieces on the white casserole.
She tucked a lose hair behind her ear. "Alright tell me what do you need help with?" She made her way toward him but he stopped her grabbing her hand and leading her toward the kitchen stool to sit at.
"You're not doing anything, just relax I've got it covered."
"Come on Aahil, I'm not going to sit here and let you do everything - especially since you're the precious Nawab."
He knew she was messing with him and he let her. "Why, if you must help this Nawab, then you can get to set the table once I'm finished, alright?"
While he was busy cooking food she couldn't help but admire how good he looked while he was making himself busy. It made him look relaxed and it was like cooking was something he actually liked to do. He knew all the basics of cooking as he had learned how to cook at a very early age.
She silently continued to watch him while a smile formed on her lips when a saying came across her mind.
Women love guys who cook for them.'
Soon enough the food was made and placed neatly on the glass table in the living room.
A few minutes later he came inside, already taken off the apron and carrying the lasagna and the plate of garlic bread in the other hand.
Aahil placed it on the table in front of them and smirked at Sanam. "Voil, Madame" he said in a French accent.
She laughed at him in genuine way almost thinking that he had made all the food just for her. "Wow Aahil, it looks great."
"Wait till you taste it."
They began to eat and Aahil had been right. God, he was good at cooking that's for sure.
He looked up to see her expression and smirked. "So? How is it?"
She chewed the food and couldn't get enough of it. "I have to say this is delicious." She had taken a piece of lasagna two pieces of garlic bread and some salad. It was a very delightful meal they were having.
"You're good."
"Keep going with the praise..." he said with a slight teasing voice.
She took a bit of her lasagna. "Don't flatter yourself too much, Mr. Ibrahim."
"Oh I'm not the one doing it, Miss Khan I think it's the one who's sitting across for me is."
Sanam came out from the flashback with a content smile on her face.
----------
One week later, two fellow couples were gathered around in a caf where they had just finished eating dinner. They had now ordered their respective hot drinks and desserts for the evening.
Seher sat down on a chair beside Rehaan.
"Oh, sorry. I wouldn't want to excite you or anything!" Seher said with light laugh as she moved away for him a little bit as a teasing manner. "And before you ask, it is me, your girlfriend, Seher."
"I know it's you." Rehaan said rolling his eyes. "And I knew it was Sanam that day and not you."
"Right... You needed a whole hour with her to see if it was me or not." She said.
"Hey, I wanted to be nice toward her before I exposed her."
Sanam and Seher chuckled slightly along with Aahil.
"Are you sure, Mr. Qureshi?" Seher said with a light grin.
Rehaan recalled the moment when Seher had pulled a prank on him.
--
Rehaan had arrived at the downtown caf, where he sat waiting for Seher to arrive. 15 minutes later she came walking through the doors with a black handbag over her shoulder.
"Hey, sorry for being late. The cab driver was way too slow."
She sat down and watched that he had already ordered. "You ordered just what I like."
Rehaan watched for a short while as he admired the way she looked. She looked simple yet draped in colorful attire.
A small smirk began to spread across his face but he quickly dismissed it.
He coughed lightly. "So, how's everything? How is Sanam doing lately?"
She took a sip from her drink. "She's fine, everything is fine."
They talked a few more hours until they decided to head home. He paid the bill and drove her home.
He parked the car just outside her house and turned her attention on her. "Is Sanam home?"
"No, why?"
"Then you wouldn't mind if I come inside with you."
She smirked. "Why? What are you planning to do Mr. Rehaan?" Seher narrowed her eyes almost in a playful manner.
"You'll see" he said taking the steps inside the front door. They walked inside the living room, as Rehaan turned around with his hands behind his back.
"Now do you want to say it or should I ask myself?"
"About what?" Seher wore a confused expression.
He took a glance around in the living room and made it toward the other room, as he opened the door. His eyes found a woman identical to the one standing in the living room.
"Seher ki bachi! Why are you looking like I caught a deer in the headlights?" he exclaimed.
Seher's eyes widened by the question from her boyfriend.
"This was your idea, wasn't it?" Rehaan asked his girlfriend.
Sanam stood back as she ran hand through her face.
Sanam shared a brief look with her sister as she shrugged her shoulders. "I tried my best, guess your guy here isn't so easy to fool."
A light smirk appeared across her face. "You don't say."
"Oh come on, you both thought you could fool me? I know the woman I've slept with - simple as that."
Sanam groaned as she raised her head and hands to her face. "Ugh! I really did not need to hear that."
--
Rehaan shook his head as he came back to the present. He faced his girlfriend. "I was still being nice."
"Don't tell me that you were being nice too for letting me win the task the other day?" Seher asked.
"I would have won if it wasn't for the tiny slip," Rehaan muttered as he defended.
"Oh, I like to think it was rather large slip."
Aahil and Sanam who was seated wore confused expressions on their faces.
"What are you guys talking about?" Aahil asked.
Seher turned her attention toward the other couple. "We're talking about a bet me and Rehaan kept. Like how many weeks or months can you bear without any sort of physical contact with your partner?"
"Wow, sounds challenging." Aahil said.
"No it's not. It's boring!" Rehaan exclaimed from the table.
Sanam took a glance at the couple. "Anyway, how far did you guys take it?"
"1 month and 3 weeks," Rehaan answered proudly.
"Wow!"
Seher rolled her eyes. "Please remember to tell them just who ended it?"
The young man took the opportunely to look elsewhere. Aahil, being the older brother, noticed the slight change.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me" he said. "You!" he pointed at his brother.
Aahil leaned back into his chair looking straight at his brother. "I can't believe you let her take control of you."
Rehaan leaned forward. "What was I supposed to do, Bhai? You have no idea how smart these women are. They can be all nice, attractive, and sensual in one minute, and manipulative and putting you under their spell - without you ever knowing it - the next."
Aahil rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but still, you ended it."
"Oh, I would like to see you go through this, Mr. I-am-in-control-of-everything, just to see just how well you do." He challenged Aahil.
"Why don't we?" they heard Sanam say with a slight hint of curiosity.
"What?" Aahil looked at her.
"Why don't we try it out? I mean, we all know that you would end the bet first," she said teasingly.
"Wait a minute. Are you challenging me as in Aahil Raza Ibrahim - your husband?" Aahil asked.
"Why, yes I am."
Rehaan looked at them both. "You sure you want to go through this? It's hard. It's really, really hard."
"Oh, we'll be just fine," Sanam insisted.
"That's the spirit." Seher cheered loudly.
The couple looked at each other while Aahil smirked. "Alright then, after all I never back off from a challenge."
Rehaan cotonued to look at them.
"It's not easy as it sounds like - trust me. It'll be harder for you as you both live under one roof, and we all know how Bhai is so passionate in his love." He joked.
"Don't worry, Rehaan, you're the next in line to be the groom," Aahil spoke with a grin.
"Jeez, I don't feel pressured at all, Bhai."
"Anyways, what does the winner get? You have to bet about something?" Seher asked.
"The honor of course," Aahil spoke.
"Too afraid to demand anything, in case I win?" Sanam couldn't help but ask.
"Not at all. What does the lady want?"
Before she had a chance to answer, Seher decided to speak. "How about a dare?"
"Yeah, that sounds about nice and fair. Whoever wins, he or she has to do a dare. What do you guys say?" Rehaan asked upon looking at the couple.
"Deal!" Aahil said looking at Sanam with a smirk playing across his lips.
"Deal." She said confidently.
----------
The kick-started the bet as they were both very much excited to try it out. But, at the same time, they were looking forward to teasing each other to the fullest and testing their limits.
The couple was middle of conference meeting where all respective companies were invited. Among those were Ibrahim Holders and the company where Sanam worked.
His eyes found his wife who was busy with a meeting in front of her co-workers.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail where a few strands of hair were hanging loosely around her face.
Aahil was seated with a few others and raised his gaze from his laptop and found the sound of the clicking of her heels.
Damn' he thought to himself studying the young woman. That outfit did things to him which was not appropriate outside.'
He tried not to think about her and turned his attention back on the work he needed to finish. But, unfortunately, nothing made sense in his head.
'Focus Aahil, try to focus,' he tried to convince himself.
Sanam, on the other hand, couldn't help but smirk upon seeing his reaction. She could already see the effect she had on him.
1-0 to Sanam Raza Ibrahim.' She silently cheered in her mind.
-
The second attempt was when 3 weeks had passed by. Sanam had really thought all of her moves through, because they had almost worked every single time.
One afternoon Aahil had decided to come over at Sanam's place to spend the evening together. She had stayed over the weekend in order to be with her sister. Seher needed to go out to take care of a few things early in the morning when Sanam thought she could call on him.
A gentle knock could be heard outside Sanam's house. She went forward where she leaned in and took a peek through the hole at the door and panicked slightly upon seeing the man she loved outside.
Another knock could be heard.
"Uh, just a minute." She yelled loud enough for him to hear. She then went to the other room as she ran back and forth from the respective rooms.
A few minutes later when she finally felt like she had settled everything, she then went on to answer the door.
"Hey," she greeted him with her usual warm smiles.
"Hey, you took your time." He said stepping inside as he wrapped her in a hug.
She returned the hug and made their way into the living room. "Yeah sorry, I needed to take care of a few things."
Aahil got seated in the living room where his mind went on watching TV in front of him. Sanam stood up and made her way to the bathroom.
"I need to wash the windows, if it's okay with you? I've been telling Seher for a week now, but she just hasn't gotten it done yet. I hope you don't mind?"
Aahil shook his head as his attention was on the TV. "It's alright, go ahead."
Sanam made her way into the bathroom as she smirked. She began to fill two buckets of water with some soap. She closed the handle of faucet and took everything else she might need in the process.
She came inside carrying the buckets, and a few sponges, and supplies to wash the windows. It had been a while since they had cleaned them, and today was the best day to do it.
Sanam was wearing a pair of gray tracksuit pants and a tight black top. Her hair was up in a tight ponytail.
Aahil however did not miss the opportunity to notice the smooth skin his eyes found between her top.
She began to wash the window with the window cleaner first. Aahil's eyes were following her every move.
"Do you have to do it right now?"
Sanam grinned at his question and tried her best to wipe it off her face while turning around.
"But you just told me that it was okay? Why, is it bothering you?" she asked innocently.
He knew her too well. He knew she was enjoying this to the fullest.
Aahil shrugged his shoulders as if it didn't matter to him. "No, go ahead."
Sanam stopped for a second and couldn't help but stumble across his answer. She furrowed her brows but continued her work.
Aahil's eyes followed her every move. Part of him was enjoying the sight, but two could play the game, now, couldn't they?
He stood up from the couch and came to stand close behind her where she could feel his hot breath down her neck.
"You're playing a dirty, my dear Wife." He whispered. "And you know what? I think I'll help you, I mean I can't just sit down while you do the hard work, now can I? I am a gentleman after all."
He went on and took off his white shirt which left him shirtless. He then reached out for the window cleaner and began to wash the windows as he stood right beside her.
Sanam stood back with her mouth almost hanging open at the sight. How she had missed seeing him like this.
She had sudden urge to just lean in and touch his chest and kiss him senseless.
The bet was much harder than she first thought.
Okay, Sanam, you need to stop thinking about Aahil. Think about water. Yes, water. Water is good, water drops, water and beach, water and Aahil. Aahil in black shorts. Aahil totally soaked in water. Water running down his body and - wait what!?'
This was like an internal battle between her heart and her brain. She, however, tried her best not to think about the man beside him. She tried to put her thoughts into things that were less exciting.
If only it had worked. She shook her head and continued to wash the windows while trying hard not to look at the well-formed muscles and the smooth chest of his.
That day, the score had been 1-1. It was equally hard to maintain their distance for both of them.
-
A whole month had passed and they were still going on with their bet. Sanam had been good at trying to distract her husband, but it didn't mean that Aahil was left behind in the game.
Aahil was standing in the bedroom as he had just finished taking a bath. He stood in the room with a white towel wrapped around his waist looking for a shirt to wear.
Sanam was making her way toward the bedroom, as she had forgotten her phone on the night stand. The minute her gaze landed on the black haired man, she stopped in her tracks. It was almost like she had forgotten how to breathe.
Oh for God Sake, come on! Damn him and his body.'
She just couldn't tear her eyes off from him.
"Done checking me out, Mrs. Ibrahim?"
Aahi's eyes lingered on his wife. "You know you can have this anytime," he said, clearly referring to himself with a proud smirk.
"You just need to take a few steps and make the first move."
She gathered the courage and turned her attention toward Aahil as she crossed her arms.
"Nuh-uh mister. I know what you're trying to do, and I'm not going to fail that easily." With that said she turned around and left the room as she gathered her phone.
However, she stopped in the hallway and leaned against the wall and closed her eyes in attempt to gather thoughts. Oh, god, stupid bet.'
It had only been a month since they started the bet, and she hated every minute of it. She didn't even know for how long she had stood there when Aahil had passed her - now fully clothed - wearing a black shirt with his sleeves rolled up.
"Need a cold shower, Sanam?" he teased her.
The score was now 2-1 to Aahil.
-
Just because Aahil had won a round did not mean that Sanam was left behind. She knew well enough how to take this game further to the core.
One evening, Sanam was standing in the kitchen as her eyes fell on a few ingredients on the kitchen counter. She led out a small grin and took a deep breath.
"Aahil, you want some strawberries?" She asked from the kitchen.
"Sure, just give me a few minutes and I'll join you."
Sanam placed a bowl with the freshly washed strawberries on the coffee table in the living room along with a bowl of melted chocolate.
Aahil joined her soon after and sat down on the couch as the TV was on in the background.
He reached out for one and enjoyed eating it. He reached for another, but stopped once his brown eyes went to her.
He watched how she took her time to enjoy the sweet fruit.
Aahil took a deep breath, trying hard not to get affected by her sounds. He suddenly remembered what had happened last time she was eating strawberries.
Sanam caught his gaze and crashed her lips against his in a much heated kiss.
"I want your shirt gone," she whispered desperately as she made him hit the wall behind him.
"I want you clothes gone - all of them!" He murmured against her lips.
She wrapped her legs around him as he placed her at the kitchen counter.
Aahil came back to the present as he swallowed. He remembered it all so well.
He had crashed his lips upon hers where she had pushed him into the wall and pressed her body onto his hard muscles. Quickly followed by a few ragged moans and a lot of pulling and pushing.
A slight growl escaped his throat from the heated memory. He stood up as he tried to avoid her innocent gaze.
"What's wrong? Did I miss to bring something?"
"No.."
She followed him with her eyes. "Then where are you going?"
"... I need to use the bathroom," he mumbled as he took off.
Sanam smirked as she sat leaned back into the couch and took another bite of the sweet red strawberry.
Oh, the teasing was such a punishment.
-
Weeks went by and they kept teasing each other to the limit.
The fifth attempt didn't go as they had planned - at least not for the Nawab of Bhopal. It had been 1 month and 2 weeks since he hadn't felt her against him.
There was a certain longing for each other, and the truth was: he missed it.
He missed kissing her forehead whenever Sanam would snuggle close to him in the living room.
He missed the small kisses she would place on him when he was asleep, but knowing well enough what was going on.
Most of all, he missed wrapping his arms around her tiny frame and ask himself if he was even worthy of having her in his life.
Aahil couldn't take it anymore. He needed her. He needed her right now.
Screw the bet' he thought.
He grabbed Sanam from behind and swung her around pinning her against the wall behind her. She didn't even have the time to register anything before he crashed his lips down upon hers.
She was beyond surprised by the sudden action, but it didn't stop her from wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing him closer.
"Damn it."
The feel of his lips against hers had satisfied her beyond words. Her hands went up to his chest and gripped into his shirt.
"I want you! So damn much!" Aahil spoke in between.
She moaned in response. "How much?"
"How about I show it to you?" He spoke huskily into her ear before he swept her off her feet and carried her to the nearest table where he made her sit.
He leaned in and kissed her neck lovingly, wanting to leave his personal marks across her delicate skin. Her hands up to run through his soft hair.
Oh, how he had missed her and the feel of her skin against his.
"I want you, Aahil - All of you. Now! Please.." Sanam spoke as desire took over her.
"You sure you can take it, Sanam? You sure you can handle it?" he whispered huskily.
Her hands went south as she fumbled with his belt buckle. "Yes!"
They kissed for what felt like hours before they broke apart to get some air. Their foreheads rested against each other, and felt the closeness between them form - which they had missed for weeks.
He caressed her cheek lovingly.
Sanam took a few steady breaths as she gently reached her hand forward and ran her finger across his lips.
"If you had won, what would you have dared me to do?" she whispered lightly.
He raised his gaze and looked straight into her warm, brown eyes, "I would tell you to say you're mine."
"How?" Sanam whispered, yet a part of her knew the answer of the question.
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. He broke apart after a few seconds later.
"Say you're mine, My Begum Jaan."
"I'm yours." She whispered.
This time Aahil kissed her on the forehead. "Again."
"I'm yours."
He went down on her cheek. "Again." He loved hearing it from her lips.
"I'm yours."
He went further to her jawline and placed a kiss. "Again."
Sanam placed a finger on his lips as she looked straight into his dark brown eyes, which she had fallen in love with from the very first meeting.
She slowly leaned in and placed small kisses along his cheek and jawline.
"I'm yours - only yours, My Nawab Sahib." She said with a gentle smile on her rosy lips.
* * * *
This was it, Folks! I really hope you all enjoyed today's update.
I want to thank each and every one who reviewed and liked the story. I have no words to express how touched I really am. Thank you so much for the love. 🤗
Feel free to leave a comment and express your thoughts.
Epilogue (Last part): https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/117905693
Edited by mahwash22 - 10 years ago
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