FF - A Rude Awakening COMPLETE STORY PG 145 - Page 56

Originally posted by: MayurChan

Hmm...that is nice...so on who else also you wrote...

Originally posted by: Suvika.

I wrote about 7 FFs and 10 OS in KTLK forum. This is the second forum that I have stepped into. Three of those FFs have been turned into books and other than that I wrote three more novels. The latest novel was published in November, 2014. So right now on a break from book writing. But satisfying my urge to write in this forum.😆

Originally posted by: prettypri

🥱Wow Suvika! Here...🤗 🤗 🤗 Three hugs like three cheers😳

That was amazing...and what can I say...a wedding befitting SaAz!

You know the way the wedding happened in the show was a real disappointment because given the background of the show there can only be this one wedding! So the events leading upto it and the way it happened especially were downright sad! It was more funny than anything else!

True that. I really didn't know whether to laugh my head off or bang it against the nearest wall.

Let me just say that you have taken off more than the edge of that disappointment with this update😳.

so happy to know that.

I love your detailing...you had down the reactions of the family so aptly! Daadi didn't go missing and Zara and Myra were excited for the right reasons! Loved the family conversation where everyone was convincing Nausheen! Given the are so close as a family this is what would be expected in this situation! That they would rally around each other and stand by each other while also pointing out what they didn't like the other person doing! Nausheen needed to be told how her behaviour looked and she was! I hope she understood really clearly!

I hope so too. And since I have closed the Sarfaraz angle this should be enough for her to come to her senses. The way Farah had slandered her daughter's name should be the wake up call for her.

Sahir visiting his future Inlaws was so sweet...the natural excitement of Zara and Myra...the awkwardness Arzoo and Sahir felt...Sahir blushing...of course there would be thought of a changed equation in his mind too..and of course Arzoos family would behave less formally with him! Loved that whole interaction! And the end result where Zara stepped in once again and pulled her weight! Sahir thought of everything as a sharp minded businessman like him would😃

I can't let go of his title - SHARK. 😆 Kya kare... deewangi hain hi kambaqht aisi cheez

And the signing of papers...wow...you have covered it all...wife not in name but every sense of the word...and Arzoo showed she understood by mentioning children😉😆. The bickering and back and forth between them set the stage for the tumultuous relationship that is to follow...not hatred...not indifference..not a desire to win off each other...but so much more natural! Neither is blaming the other..Arzoo is not all hoity toity because she also agreed for this deal! And I liked that he wants to straightaway make it clear that he doesn't want a marriage where she has no rights or she has to ask him for money and everything else...he wants her to feel her self respect is intact...he will help...he will fulfil his share of the money bargain but in a way that he will decide! And of course Arzoo would object to anything she perceives as charity...and she did! Makes for an interesting future for these two alright!

Oh yeah.. this is most def not a hate marriage. It's a love marriage under the cover of a contract marriage. Two stubborn people crazily in love. Sparks are sure going to fly. 😉😆 after all, they have already started fighting about their unborn kids 😆

The ending...of that deal talk...again so natural and realistic...Sahir got a call that signalled that the hold his past had on him was about to be broken...he would be free from the shackles that bound him...and Arzoo ..despite her irritation noticed and was bothered about his tension...and didn't just walk off! And when the tension dissipated into joy he simply didn't think but shared it with the one who mattered most to him..Arzoo! And she was assailed by doubts and reservations but still couldn't help but feel that pull ...that feeling of happiness that he was happy...after all she had loved him with all she had...somewhere her feelings are only buried deep down...they would resurface at a time like this! And on cue she pulled away as well...didn't get lost in the feeling forever but put an end to it!👏.

Question is how long will her internal conflict last and what will win. There should be a trigger for her. Still pondering on what that should be. 🤔

And the wedding rituals...how can we have a wedding without mehndi...and we don't 😃!. Sahirs transformation from one who said No to participate in any wedding ritual to one who voluntarily sat down and allowed the haldi to be applied spoke volumes for how much he has accepted the change that will come in his life now and how much he wants it all to be real and authentic! He may suffer from being so normal in front of Arzoo and her family as his past is as yet unknown to them in full but he will never let it affect them! And his warning to those who would indulge in harakiri was apt

👏.

Wedding process.. credit goes to Vandy. She helped me with the process and what comes after what thing. I neither attended nor read a nikah before so I was kind of like a blind person until she shed some light. 😆

Sending Zaki to Singapore was a masterpiece! Truly! I didn't even mind his dialogs that he was stepping aside and Sahir should take care!

🤣 I knew this Zaki would make you all very happy.

All that we hated about the on screen wedding was taken care of so beautifully! The decoration...the mehndi with SaAz written..the gorgeous wedding dress designed by the groom himself...the ultra handsome groom dressed to fit the occasion..(this probably was the only thing that was ok on the show as well sans the missing sehra😉)..and most importantly Arzoos sisters being there for her and with her! All the office staff were there and Linda once again revealed how much of a deal this really was for Sahir!

Good thing that the groom in the show didn't have the sehra... imagine Arzoo walking on the coal and our Sahir standing there WITH the sehra 🤣

And the wedding happened as it should,,,,between two people who love each other whether they express it now or not...in a way that when they look back on their special day they would not regret the way it happened...because they had in that moment accepted each other for the right reasons!

True that. 😳

And now...never tell me you are ok with long answers because this is what will happen

😆

I tell you again... I am more than OK with long answers. Thank you so much Priya.

Originally posted by: MayurChan

Wow...just wow... 👏
And iam shocked 😲 to actually know this...you are a accoplished writer then...
Well then we are lucky to have you here..

Originally posted by: Suvika.

I had house guests and was a bit swamped with work 😊. So finally sitting down with my laptop to reply to a lovely chapter.

Daadi is definitely mature and strong in a way Nausheen is not. And I loved how you mentioned that Zara got a bit impatient with Nausheen and Myra tuned out the convo. So real 👏

And Arzoo finally said to Nausheen that I so desperately wished somebody would have told Nausheen in the series. Here the reasons for Arzoo marrying Sahir are better spelled out and understandable.

And I LOVED that whole jeeju bit. Myra is a cutie pie and so nicely brings out the big brother in Sahir out 😊. It just adds another delicious layer to an already yummy character. And the way he understands them... who is capable of what. And he sure is pushing Zara and Zaki together... any ulterior motives there??

And the document signing bit - even when they argue over legal nitty-grittys the SaaZ effect is clear 😊. He should definitely have known it would not be a simple signing... the rent, Saiyyara's shares, which she signs back to her husband😆, and the last two bit about being his wife in every sense of the word and the clause she adds about children... trust Arzoo to plough through the document like a bulldozer taking on every single point heads on. 😆 Poor poor lawyer.

But Sahir's ""Fine. Add the clause because Sahir Azim Chaudhary neverdeserts what's his and that includes you too, soon-to-be MrsSahir Azim Chaudhary."was the icing on the cake.

And *eee* phangurl screams... you used 'Suno'.

I loved the way he shared the good news with her. "her silly heart rejoiced at the joy she saw on his face. That he didn't think before sharing it with her."

The Haldi rasam was also nicely written Suvi. they way he had completely ruled it out until he saw Zara and Myra's excitement at it... "Our jeeju"... his heart must have soared at the sense of belonging this family is extending to him. Myra is like a little labrador puppy - you can't help but love her.

Zara too is a lovely character here. the advice she gives to Arzoo while getting her ready for the nikaah is fabulous... "And appi, be careful with Kurti apa and Anamji. Neither of them likes you." Her eyes turned a little hard. "They will try to hurt you with words. Don't let them see your pain appi. In this world, the more you show your hurt, the more people will feel like poking and raking it up."

I love Arzoo's self-talk - so much clarity is provided to the character here. thank you. Forever and ever, Arzoo couldn't help the thought. Did he love her at all? Or was she so desperate that she was seeing something that was not even there?

If I could whistle I would whistle 😉. And kudos to you for tying in the fears of the past. It is impossible for him to not think of it for at least a nanosecond. "His gait was like that of an emperor and the regal way in which he took his seat masked his turmoil as effectively as the sehra concealed his roiling emotions. Memories of a similar event more than a decade ago intruded despite his resolve to erase them from his mind. His fingers fisted until his knuckles turned white."

And the way with each Qubool Hai her voice and faith in what she was doing strengthened. Good going Suvi... I don't know how you managed this long a chapter but it was a good read. But please don't be angry - My fave is still chapter 7 though 😊

Originally posted by: Junoonian

Disclaimer:

I understand that there are a few very young readers amongst us and I urge them to be careful while reading any further updates. Do not read too much between the lines.

Suvika

Chapter Nine

"Sahir beta, come, it's time for you to see each other for the first time as man and wife," Daadi said, with an affectionate hand on his arm, took him to where Arzoo was already seated, her face completely hidden in her dupatta. Sahir sat facing her and a long mirror was placed flat between them. Amidst giggles and chuckles from Myra, Zara and Linda, they placed a red dupatta over the newly-wed couple.

Fingers trembling, Arzoo lifted her dupatta and met the turbulence of his dark gaze. The sehra covering his face had been pushed over the pagdi as they looked at each other. Man and wife. Doubts, fears, past pain, hurt, anger..all faded as their eyes sort and clung to each other. I won't hurt you. You mean more to me that I can ever tell you, they said to each other.

"How much longer will they look at each other?" Myra's innocent question broke the brief interlude.

Amidst more laughter and elders blessing the couple, Sahir removed the dupatta and also his pagdi along with the sehra all in one move. Nausheen came forward to bless her daughter and son-in-law and as per tradition gifted Sahir with a small gold coin. Sahir touched the coin to his forehead before placing it in his pocket. The selected few Saiyyara employees came forward to wish and gift the couple and it was another half an hour before they got a reprieve.

"Can we leave now?" He tried to hide his impatience to be away from the festive atmosphere but he knew he hadn't been successful. He wanted her. He got her. Now he just wanted to take her away and keep her to himself. Away from the world. Away from everything and everyone. Incomplete lies and painful truths. Away from it all. Maybe then he would be able to sleep.

"Arre, jeeju, you can't leave just yet. See, everyone is enjoying the dinner. How can the bride and groom go hungry?" And right on cue, Zara got a plate full of delicacies and placed it between Sahir and Arzoo.

Myra got her camera out. "Come on, come on. Feed each other. I want some nice pictures. Jeeju, start with the kheer na. My appi's favorite and she has been so tense since morning that she hasn't had anything to eat."

Sahir's face clenched and his eyes turned fierce as he looked at his wife. He picked up the bowl, spooned some kheer from it and extended it to Arzoo. "You didn't eat anything since morning?" His deep tone was low, conscious of everyone surrounding them.

"I didn't have time," her reply was equally low. Hesitantly she opened her mouth. The sweet taste of sugar, milk, and rice along with bits and pieces of almonds and cashews exploded in her mouth. She barely swallowed the first spoonful before another was extended to her.

"All I need right now is for you to faint."

She glared as she tried to delicately chew the second spoonful. "I have no intention of creating a scene in front of all your guests." And opened her mouth because he looked ready to pour the whole bowl of kheer down her throat if she delayed any further.

Zara pinched her appi's arm lightly. "Appi," she whispered, "You're supposed to feed him not clean off the plate all on your own."

"Leave it Zara," Sahir couldn't resist needling. "Maybe some food will improve your appi's disposition."

Eyes shooting fire at her sister and her jeeja, she picked up a samosa from the plate and extended it to her shauhar. "In case I do faint and you do end up carrying me, I don't want you falling off in exhaustion."

Dark, passionate eyes eating up her flushed cheeks and wine-pink lips, he bit into the snack and chewed slowly. Relishing every bite. Of the food or her now red cheeks she wasn't sure.

"Appi now you are underestimating our jeeju."

Daadi hurried them along. "Girls, let them eat it peace. We need to see to the rukhsat arrangements too. Come, come."

****

Alvira hugged Arzoo once again before making her sit beside Sahir on the deewan. She gave a blue velvet covered jewelry box. "Arzoo beta, this is for you. Ruby necklace with matching pair of ear rings and kangan. Your ammi said you don't like heavy jewelry so I bought these keeping your taste in mind."

Arzoo tried to smile and nod. She was once again back at Niyamat House and this time as the daughter in law. Sahir's wife. Sahir's second wife, a silent voice mocked but she did her best to ignore it. The sooner she accepted and digested that fact, the better chance she has of moving on. Taking a deep breath, she got her smile back as a few close friends of Alvira also came forward to wish and bestow their gifts.

"Sahir," Alvira extended a square box to her son. "This is Zaki's gift."

Frowning, Sahir took it and tore the gift wrapper and opened the box. A set of keys rested in it, the logo on the key indicating where they would go. Bike. Zaki had gifted him a bike. Why? After all these years? His brother knew he had left that life behind. He was no longer the carefree artist he had once been. The one who had felt alive during his long drives on his old bike. No. That Sahir died nearly eight years ago. So why gift this..this nonsense now? Gritting his teeth, he closed the box and stuffed it in his pocket. He could feel Arzoo's curiosity but he was in no mood to indulge it.

If Alvira noted her son's deteriorated mood, she ignored it. "Now it's your turn to gift your wife Sahir."

Arzoo didn't know what she had been expecting when she took another jewelry box, this time from Sahir. Although this was decidedly smaller than what her mother in law had given her. She darted a sideway glance at him only to find him hastily averting his eyes. If she didn't know better, she would have thought he was nervous. Why? She got the answer to that question as soon as she opened the box. Earrings. He had given her earrings. Five diamonds forming a flower and a golden star dangling from each flower. Her fingers inadvertently touched the bracelet that she still wore behind all the bangles and kangan. Moon and now stars?

"Arzoo, now Sahir will do the shukraney ka namaz. Do you know what that means beta?" Arzoo shook her head. "It is his way of thanking Allah for bestowing him a life partner like you." Alvira took one end of Arzoo's dupatta and spread it on the floor, making sure the other end still covered Arzoo's head. "And for this namaz, he will use your dupatta as the namaz cloth. Sahir?"

Sahir covered his hair with a large handkerchief and knotted it behind his head before going down on his knees before Arzoo. He raised his palms and closed his eyes in a gesture of prayer. And Arzoo prayed along with him silently.

Allah, please help me. Please show me some sign that I have done the right thing not only for my family but also for Sahir and myself. Give me the strength to weather the storms that are waiting in the wings of our lives. And show me what it is that this man..my shauhar needs from me. Does he even need anything from me? I'm in a dark tunnel. Ya Khuda! Rehmat! Show me the way. Show me the light. I'm scared!

As if her thoughts reached and touched her husband, he opened his eyes and looked directly at her. I will be with you. Please don't be scared, he beseeched.

"I still don't understand the need for rukhsat. After all, we're all going to live in the same house from now on, right? Sahir, his second wife and her family," her sarcastic bite wasn't lost on anyone. Especially Arzoo. Second wife.

Anam tagged in. "Ammi, I heard will be no walima tomorrow? And here I was planning what to wear. The way Kurti apa told about the grand reception Sahir had with Zeenat.. I was sure.."

Sahir watched as their darts found their mark. Saw the pale face as his wife tried to regroup. Saw the mask fall on her eyes as she got up. "Aunty, can I go now?"

Alvira adjusted Arzoo's dupatta and nodded. "Go and take rest. Your luggage is already in the room." Arzoo nodded and left the hall. Spine straight. Not an inch of her betraying what hearing his first wife's name for the first time had done to her. Now she had a name. Zeenat. Where was this Zeenat?

Sahir waited until everyone left before going to Kurti apa, his face completely devoid of all expression and said in a tone that was all the more threatening as it resembled that of a lion low growl just before it pounced on its prey. "Do you know how much it costs for the hospital expenses every month? Do you know what would happen if I don't pay the bill for one month?"

Kurti apa's face turned red with fury. "You wouldn't dare to do that to my Zeenat. She is your.."

"You have known me for so many years. You took care of us all when we had been young. So you also know what I can and will do if you push me beyond a point. I hope I don't have to repeat myself."

Sahir didn't wait for Kurti apa to respond before taking out his phone. He tapped a few keys and waited for the call to connect. "Hello? Yes, this is Sahir Azim Chaudhary. I need you to book a ticket to Dubai at the earliest. Passenger's name is Anam Shiraz Azim Chaudhary. Yes. I'm sending you the details now."

Anam's face turned pale as she stuttered. "S-Sahir..no. You can't do that!" But since he didn't even bother turning towards her, she changed her track rapidly. "Sahir, Sahir, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said that. I'm really sorry. I promise you it won't be repeated. I swear. You know the job at Saiyyara is important to me. Your brother is planning to start a new business there and he needs financial help from you. You know it..Sahir please.." Although the please was hard for her to utter.

His eyes snared hers as if to judge her sincerity. There was no mistaking the stark fear in hers. His voice was smooth as he talked to the agent on the phone. "Date is not yet confirmed though. But just make sure there is a ticket available at a moment's notice. Yes. Thanks." And he left the hall without a backward glance.

****

Zeenat. His wife..his first wife's name was Zeenat. Arzoo unzipped her carryon almost viciously and took out her night clothes. So where was this Zeenat? Why wasn't she living with him? Where did she live? If they have been separated then why didn't he divorce her? What was stopping him? Yeah, the voice inside her scoffed at her. You want him to divorce her so that you wouldn't be tagged with that second wife title. You are still not able to digest the fact that you fell for a married man and married him too. Now stop cribbing and learn to live with it.

In the process of searching for her hairbrush, her fingers found a gift wrapped rectangular box. The gift that she had bought. For her husband. The previous night when he had been furious and intent on tearing his room apart, his feather pen had also borne the brunt of that fury. She had noticed the broken nib while she had been picking it up along with his book and some crazy part of her didn't let her sit still under she bought a new feather pen. But now she didn't think she could give it to him. It would be too revealing. He would know that she still cared for him. And she didn't want that. She would just leave the box on his table. There was no name written on it so he would assume it was from one of the wedding guests. Decision made, she hastily got up and placed the box on his table before backing away to once again pick up her clothes. Zeenat. Did she live in the same room? Did they share the same bed? She, who didn't shed a tear even during the rukhsat was now suddenly trying to quell her sudden urge to cry but tears gathered in her eyes. A noiseless sound alerted her to the presence of her husband.

Sahir entered the room and saw the way his wife hastily rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, the gesture so child-like that Sahir felt guilt crowd him once again. He had lost all goodness in himself and his belief in humanity a very long time ago. He had made his choices and turned himself into a materialistic money making machine. Until this girl walked into his life and turned it upside down. Unable to have her, yet unable to let her go, he had finally tied her down to him. A few hours into his life and already his past has started to drag her down.

"Suno?" She stilled, waiting. "Washroom is that way. You can change there." She nodded and disappeared behind the door. He had his own change of clothes ready by the time she came back dressed in a loose fitting orange kameez with chicken work and a white Patiala pant. Her freshly scrubbed face didn't bear any traces of tears that he had seen a few minutes earlier but her faintly red eyes bore still bore the evidence. "It's quite late and you must be tired. Get some sleep."

****

Arzoo wasn't sure what woke her up. The last thing she remembered was her head touching the pillow and she had been out like a light after that. But now, with the dawn approaching, her eyes blinked open. Two things struck her at once. One, she was not in her room and two she couldn't move her hand. Abruptly she was wide awake. Sahir. Their nikah. She looked at the two pillows that separated her from her husband. They had been there when she had come out of the washroom the previous night. Not knowing what to assume and too tired to think, she had taken the left side and given in to the weariness. Now it was almost morning and here she was. The pillows still separated them but her hand was resting on his chest. Over the steady thump of his heart. The intricate dark maroon design of her mehendi a sharp contrast on his white kurta. What little she could see of her hand that is. His palm covered hers almost completely, holding it in place as if he wanted to make sure she didn't move it. That she wouldn't move away from him. But what held her spellbound was the small smile on his lips. The innate toughness that she had always associated with him was nowhere to be seen. He looked so young and boyishly innocent that she was enchanted. He looked content. Peaceful. Reluctant to disturb him, she carefully extracted her hand and started to tiptoe towards the washroom. Her feet halted again at his table. The feather pen she had bought was out of the box, rested in the holder beside the closed book. A small card with one word written on it was placed on top of the book. Shukriya.

****

Sahir stood in front of the mirror, knotting his tie, his movements brisk and efficient. He honestly didn't remember the last time he had slept so well or so deep. He was almost dopy with it. And for the first time he looked forward to the day and the night and the day that would follow that night. If her mere presence beside him could make him feel like this then.. Running a hasty brush through his hair, he shrugged into his dark steel grey jacket, the black and steel grey tie complimenting the suit perfectly.

Gabbar Chaudhary good morning.

Sahir smiled at seeing Asharfi perched on his writing table and reached out to pet it. "Good morning Asharfi. Where is your malkin?"

Arzoo nashta. Asharfi mirchi.

Anticipation lit in his eyes. "OK. I'm off now. See you in the evening. OK?" He walked into the dining hall. Arzoo came from the kitchen at the same time with the tray loaded with two plates and two coffee mugs. Dressed in silver embroidered dark green kurta and black Patiala style pants with the same silver embroidery stitched at the ankles and a green black dupatta flung over one shoulder, she looked like she did any other day. That is until one saw the chudi and kangan adorning her mehendi-filled hands. She didn't look up. Just hastily placed both the plates on the table before picking up her tea mug. But her slightly rosy cheeks gave her away.

"Good morning," Sahir waited for her to look at him.

"Assalam walaikum," she replied. "Today I have a lot of work to do so I'm off as soon as I finish my breakfast."

A frown marred his brow. "Go where?" And opened the lid covering his plate. His mood went spiraling downwards. After harping about his burnt toast all these days now she was serving him the same thing? "And what is this?"

"Your breakfast. Allah knows, I wouldn't even dream of trying to change your habits again. And as for where I am going, office. The deadline is coming close for Mr Shekhawat's order. I need to help Linda." Not giving him a chance to speak, Arzoo continued, "Allah knows, the rule in our office is that wedding or funeral, we get off only for a day." She uncovered her plate and served some achaar to go with her paratas.

She was spoiling for a fight. Fine. He would give it to her. "Did you apply for leave?" He sipped his coffee, hiding his small smile behind the cup. She made the coffee. He knew and recognized that taste very well.

She shrugged, finally meeting his gaze. "Junior designers are granted only one day off unless it's a dire situation. It is there in the contract that I signed sir."

So she was going to sir him, was she? "I mean, did you apply for leave before taking a day off yesterday?"

She flushed and slid her gaze away. "I..no." she muttered reluctantly.

He nodded. "Thought so. I'll excuse you for this time. Make sure it's not repeated. And as punishment, you are not to come to work today."

"What? But.."

He stepped close. "Stay at home and arrange your stuff. I don't like things scattered all over my..our room."

"A place for everything and everything in its place?"

He took one more step closer. "Exactly."

"And me? Is there any specific place you would like me to be?" Her entire face turned red as the phrasing of her question hit her as soon as the words left her mouth. "I mean.."

He took another small step. Totally encroaching her personal space. One more inch and he would taste her lips. Temptation gnawed him. Atmosphere grew heavy as the air fairly crackled at their proximity. Her eyes grew wide, drowning him in their innocent desire that she hadn't yet learnt how to hide. "Do you really want me to answer that question Mrs Sahir Azim Chaudhary?" His fingers traced her blush.

Noise from the hall made them spring apart simultaneously. A few moments later, daadi and Zara came into the dining hall. After a round of greetings and wishes, daadi turned to Arzoo. "We're leaving now beta. The apartment has been all cleaned up and is ready. And the packing is also done." Arzoo nodded. The thought of not seeing her family everyday pricked her but since they were going to be in the same city and close by, she could at least visit as frequently as she could.

"Take the car and the driver. He will take care of your luggage and drop you all at the apartment."

"Sahir beta, it's not that far. We'll manage."

"Arzoo is my wife now. Her responsibilities are mine. Her family is mine. Zara?"

Zara nodded enthusiastically. "I'll call the driver jeejaji." Sahir nodded while Arzoo scowled at her sister's retreating back. He knew exactly what to say to whom.

Daadi nodded and ran an affectionate hand over his head. After an enigmatic glance at her shauhar, Arzoo went along with daadi to see off her family. Too bad that by the time she returned her breakfast plate would be empty.

Outside, Arzoo hugged Zara and Myra, gave last minute instructions to them about her ammi's medicines and the next doctor appointment, hugged her ammi and reminded her of her promise to her daughters and last, she went to her daadi, who was sitting in the sofa, waiting for all the luggage to be loaded. She was wise enough to realize that she would be more of a hindrance than help with her slow gait and stiff knees. "Daadi, please take care of yourself, OK? And any time you need anything, just call. Don't ever hesitate."

Daadi nodded and took Arzoo's palm in hers. "You too take care of yourself. And of Sahir too. He looked tired today. Kind of drained."

"Describing Sahir as tired and drained would be like describing Australia as a small island," Arzoo stated wryly. But she couldn't deny daadi's words confidently. He did look weary. The contentment she had seen that morning replaced once again by pain. "He is strong. Strong and ruthless than anyone I've ever known or heard of, daadi."

"I wonder," Daadi said slowly, "if that isn't just the reputation he's acquired because people have relied on him. Strong Sahir. Invulnerable Sahir. Sahir who can do anything and protects everyone around him. Maybe it's time that somebody looked out for him for a change."

Arzoo looked down at her hands. At the gleaming bracelet with the moon dangling from it. She heard what daadi was saying and she felt a hopeless twist of longing. Maybe somebody should look out for Sahir, and she so wanted to be that somebody.

****

"Arzoo beta, are you comfortably settled into your room?" Alvira asked that night at the dinner table. "Do you need anything? I think another wardrobe needs to be fitted in."

"No aunty, it's fine." Arzoo served everyone, conscious of her husband's gaze on her. He had been away all day while she had been busy unpacking and trying to help Arif in the kitchen. Anam had been out all morning and hadn't turned up for dinner either and Kurti apa stated that she was not hungry and would eat later. That left only the three of them at the dining table.

"Nausheen had called to say that they are settling down nicely in the apartment."

Arzoo smiled. "Yes aunty. Myra is happy that it's very close to her college." Before she could say more, her phone rang and she picked it up without thinking twice. "Hello?"

"Hello? Am I speaking to Arzoo Nausheen Khan?"

"Ji?" Arzoo frowned at the unfamiliar voice.

"Sorry, I mean, Arzoo Sahir Azim Chaudhary. Ma'am, I'm a reporter from Daily Mumbai. Is it true that there had been a bet between your husband and his brother about who would sleep with you first? And that your husband won the bet? There is also news of a rape attempt on you. Was that before or after this? Was your hasty marriage a way of hushing up.."

Her stricken face propelled Sahir out of his chair and before she knew, her phone was snatched away from her. He remained silent as he heard the questions from the other end. He waited until the reporter took a breather before speaking. "This is Sahir Azim Chaudhary here." No other words were needed. The line went dead.

"What happened?" Alvira's question went unanswered as Arzoo leapt up from her chair and ran into her room. Sahir barely took a moment to reassure his mother before going after his wife. And he found her in his..their room. Standing beside the swimming pool. The slight quiver of her shoulders, the only indication of her distress. His brave daringbaaz biwi was trying hard not to break. As if sensing his presence, she said, "Daadi always says love is never a mistake. People in love make mistakes but love is never a mistake."

Placing gentle hands on her shoulders he said, "Arzoo.."

She turned to face him, eyes filled with tears and face flushed with fury. "And I didn't do anything wrong. I don't know what or why I'm being punished and ridiculed for but I didn't do a-anything w-wrong." As he watched, one lone tear trickled down one cheek. She swiped a hand over it. "What was my mistake?" She didn't wait for his answer. "No, I want to know. What was my mistake? Why am I being put through this? What did I do that was so wrong?" She caught hold of his shirt and shook him. Or tried to shake him. Only he was as immovable as a wall as he silently let her pour out all her pain. "Why am I being punished for loving someone? Because that's all I did. I lov-loved you. Why is that such a crime?"

Her image blurred as he lost control of his own emotions. Shudders wracked his body as he cupped her face, his thumbs wiping away her tears. "Arzoo.."

"Help me understand Sahir," she implored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqVmoNhX9UI

"Sshhh."

He slid his hands into her hair and titled her face to his. "Don't think any more. Please. Just..be with me Arzoo. Be with me," he breathed the words.

Then he slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her. The slow deliberate movements of his lips on hers jolted her for a second before the warmth rushed through her body and into her limbs. Her breath heaved out as thoughts receded and her body relaxed completely into his arms. In the next moment, the kiss changed. Deepened. She closed her hands over his arms to steady herself, her fingers moving over the solid muscle of his biceps. His physical power was undeniable. But he used that strength lightly now, his hands gentle as he smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed her mouth, all the time watching her through slumberous dark eyes. Releasing her head, he curved one arm around her back, slid the other around her waist and pulled her to him.

"Kiss me," he commanded. Pleaded.

Arzoo tentatively touched her lips to his. Felt his arm tighten around her waist, drawing her closer. Making her feel unbalanced in every way. He kissed her until their surroundings faded and the only thing in her vision was him, and then he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. The light in the room was dim, the water from the pool reflecting, throwing blues and greys over them. He only left her long enough to lock the door and when he took her in his arms this time, the naked, almost desperate need in his eyes melted all her reserves. She opened her arms hesitantly, invitingly. His eyes closed, as if he were trying to capture that image in his mind's eye. Instincts that she never knew she had guided her as she slid his hands over his beard roughened cheeks and into his hair and brought him down into her arms. He groaned as she met his kisses with her own. Clothes melted into a puddle and shyness took leave. She arched and cried as his mouth searched and explored every sensitive part of her. Time lost its meaning as they lost themselves in each other.

"Arzoo.."

For a moment they stared at each other. The hardness in his eyes, a coldness she had always wished to be gone nowhere in sight. Instead his eyes were bright, a feverish light blazing through them. Engulfing her in its flames.

"Trust me," his husky voice entreated.

She blinked slowly. Her fingers sliding from his hair to his cheeks, cupping his face in her soft palms. "Sahir.." Just that. His name. A prayer. A vow. A promise given.

His movements were slow, careful as he held himself in check with ruthless control. But the control was costing him. The hard clenching of his face and the sweat rolling down his body attested to that. Her breath caught. There was pain. Yes. But there was so much more. She felt full. Complete. She hadn't even realized how incomplete she had been until then. The intimacy of the act shocked her and she curled her fingers over his biceps and then up to his shoulders.

"OK?" His tone was barely audible.

She nodded, arching up against him, inviting him to plunder her neck. An invitation that he gladly accepted. Already the pain was receding. She didn't know what was happening to her. She felt shaken and unbalanced. As out of her depth as she had in the pool on that day. Only this time instead of water, she was drowning in sensation. And he seemed to be drowning along with her.

"Arzoo.." the stark need she heard in his rough voice melted her insides some more. Surrounding him completely. Completing their union. He entwined his fingers with hers as he controlled the rhythm until screaming ecstasy exploded into an almost unbearable shower of sensation that made her cry out despite her attempts to stay silent.

He trapped the sound with his mouth until the thin thread of his control snapped. And then she heard him groan deep in his throat as he fell over the edge along with her. "Arzoo.." love me..don't leave me.

Tightening her arms and legs around him, she shuddered along with him. "Sahir.." I love you. Don't push me away.