Meem se mohabbat OS - Humsafar Part 1 - Bekhabar

Talha woke from a deep slumber, missing the usual warmth that had enveloped him in recent mornings. He glanced around, sensing something amiss, and noticed the bed was empty. It was only 6 a.m.-where had Ayat gone so early? Talha wondered as he sat up. He moved toward the side table to grab his phone, only to feel a sharp pain shoot through his shoulders. Sleeping on the sofa had been unbearably uncomfortable. Every day, he woke up with aches in his back, neck, and shoulders, each morning worse than the last. But today, the pain felt almost unbearable. Perhaps he had slept in an awkward position the night before.

Talha checked his phone and found an email stating that the beachside apartments meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. had been postponed to the day after tomorrow. Wow, he thought, frustration bubbling up. He had missed a picnic with Mohid because of this "important" meeting, and now it was delayed. But then he remembered it was Sunday, and as a newlywed, he had the entire day to himself. Maybe he could use the time to woo his wife. A smile spread across Talha's face as he reflected on how the past few weeks had unfolded. He could never have imagined his life turning out this way, yet here he was, living a reality he once thought impossible. Allah had truly blessed him.

Talha's mind drifted back to how everything had changed.

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They had been invited to the wedding of Ayat Suleman and Shariq Arsalan Aly. When Talha saw the wedding card on the day of the nikaah, he froze at the sight of Shariq's name. A quick background check confirmed his worst fear-it was the same Shariq he dreaded. Talha couldn't understand how Ayat had agreed to marry someone like him. What was she thinking? He had to act fast. There had to be a reason Ayat was marrying Shariq, but time was running out. Talha had tried calling her repeatedly, but each attempt went straight to voicemail. Whatever the situation, he didn't have time to outmanoeuvre a mastermind like Shariq, so he played his own hand.

With the help of a friend based in the U.S., Talha offered Shariq a job with an irresistible package-far beyond anything Shariq could have dreamed of. The condition was simple: Shariq had to leave for the U.S. immediately and undergo a background check to ensure he had no criminal record. As expected, Shariq, driven by greed, agreed without hesitation. He abandoned Ayat, fleeing to the U.S. without a word to anyone. For Shariq, it was revenge enough to leave Ayat at the altar.

Talha had accompanied Mohid and his father to Ayat's wedding, to ensure Shariq didn't change his mind at the last moment. While the groom's absence would undoubtedly bring shame to Ayat and her family, Talha believed it was far better than her marrying someone as despicable as Shariq. The gossip would fade, and Ayat would move on with her life. That was Talha's plan.

But things took an unexpected turn when Talha's father proposed that Talha marry Ayat in Shariq's absence. Talha assumed Ayat's family would refuse, given the age difference, but they embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Ayat initially resisted, refusing to marry Talha, but when her father demanded a solid reason for her refusal, she was left speechless. She couldn't possibly reveal that Talha had once rejected her love proposal.

When Talha was asked if he would marry Ayat, he hesitated. But with everyone so eager for the union, he couldn't bring himself to say no. He questioned his own reluctance-why push Ayat away? She clearly wasn't happy without him, and her decision to marry Shariq showed she wasn't making the best choices. Perhaps this was Allah's plan for them.

And so, Talha Ahmed said yes, much to Ayat's surprise. That night, he returned home with Ayat Suleman Ahmed as his legally wedded wife.

It had been three weeks since the wedding, and life had been good-more than good. Talha struggled to recall a time when he had been this content and happy. It was as if someone had cast a magic spell on his house, breathing life into every corner. The dining table had become a lively affair, with Ayat and Mohid sharing jokes and antics. There were moments when Ayat would bring up her study doubts and discuss them with Dad, turning mealtime into a blend of laughter and learning. Eating together felt like heaven, and Talha made sure to linger around as long as possible, savoring every moment. Evenings were now filled with walks that Ayat and Dad took together, their laughter echoing through the house and visibly improving Dad's health. Mohid, too, was making progress. His speech was improving, and he was taking baby steps on the path to recovery, no longer afraid of small things. The house, once lifeless, was now alive with the sound of laughter, the gentle chime of Ayat's anklets and bangles, and the warmth of her voice.

As far as their relationship was concerned, it hadn't progressed much. To be honest, it felt stagnant, frozen in a delicate balance. He wasn't entirely happy with how things stood between them, but he refused to rush her. He was content with the life they had for now. Ayat had been careful to keep her distance, minimising direct contact unless absolutely necessary. She spoke to him only when they were all together, and even then, it was out of basic courtesy. There were no discussions about what had happened between them in the past or what their future might hold. Talha had chosen to give her space, allowing her the time to feel comfortable. He hadn't pushed her into anything she wasn't ready for, respecting her boundaries without question.

In the early days, Ayat had slept in Mohid's room, only entering Talha's room when he wasn't there. She would quickly get dressed and leave before they could cross paths. Despite her efforts to avoid him, Talha felt her presence everywhere. Her dresses hung beside his suits in the wardrobe, her lavender-scented shampoo lingered in the washroom after she used it, and the once-empty drawers in his room now held her accessories. Her absence was palpable, yet her essence filled the space.

One morning, Talha woke to find her sleeping on the far edge of the bed, curled into a tight ball, as if trying to occupy as little space as possible-almost teetering on the brink of falling off. It was clear she didn't want to share the bed with him. Why had she even come to their room? Perhaps his Baba had said something to her. Talha wasn't sure what had changed, but he decided to make things easier for her. That same day, he rearranged the room, removing the chairs and adding a sofa. From then on, he slept there, giving her the bed to herself. Ayat would stay up late studying, slipping into the room only after Talha had fallen asleep. He would wake early, leave for his workout, and return to an empty room-Ayat already dressed and gone for the day.

Ayat had every right to be distant, to be angry. And Talha was willing to wait, giving her the time and space she needed.

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The alarm rang, jolting Talha out of his reverie. He brushed aside his thoughts and wondered where Ayat was. The house felt unusually quiet today, especially since Mohid and Dad had left for Mohid's school picnic the previous night. They wouldn't return for two days. Talha wandered around the house, looking for Ayat. Where was she?

He finally found her in the study, curled awkwardly in the chair, her head resting on an open book. The sight tugged at something deep within him-a longing he couldn't quite name. Okay, so she slept here last night? Did she doze off while studying, or did she deliberately avoid coming to their room? The fact that she had chosen to sleep in the study-on the very night Dad wasn't around-felt deliberate, as if she was avoiding him. Talha's heart ached at the thought. He wanted to help her sleep comfortably, to gently lift her and place her on the bed, but he couldn't risk it. What if she woke up and didn't like it? The tension between them would make the situation unbearable. Instead, he stood there for a moment, watching her sleep, her face peaceful yet strained from the uncomfortable position.

Talha sat on the chair in front of the study table and started looking at her course books and the notes she had prepared. Roshi, who hated engineering and never wanted to go near it, was not only pursuing civil engineering but also giving it her all. He rummaged through her notebook, his fingers brushing over the neatly written notes and carefully drawn diagrams. He was impressed. She had poured her heart into her studies, and it showed. He remembered when she had said, "Mainey khud mein har woh chiz badal di jo aapko nahi pasand thhi." She had truly changed herself. This thought filled Talha's heart with love but also guilt for how he had treated her in the past.

While Talha was engrossed in Ayat's study material, she stirred awake. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Talha, deeply immersed in her notebook. She smiled, watching him-how cute he looked with his ruffled hair and focused expression. What a beautiful dream, she thought, her heart softening for a moment.

And just then, Talha closed the notebook, looking directly at her. He saw her smiling and was puzzled. Who wakes up with a smile on their face? He raised an eyebrow, silently questioning what was so entertaining. Was she smiling at him? Or was it something else?

Ayat realized she wasn't dreaming and had her eyes open. Her smile vanished, and she blinked twice, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Aap, aap yaha?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of defensiveness.

Okay, so he wasn't allowed in his own study now. Talha's lips twitched, but he kept his tone neutral. "Ji, main yaha."

Now Ayat was fully awake and back to her serious demeanor. She straightened herself and ignored Talha as if he weren't even there. She stretched her back and moved her neck, which had stiffened from sleeping on the chair and table. Why did he have to be here, watching her like this? She felt exposed, vulnerable, and she hated it.

Talha watched her trying to relax her neck and couldn't help asking, "Aap kal room mein soney kyun nahi aayi?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if he was afraid of overstepping.

Ayat stared at Talha for a moment, wanting to reply but holding back. What could she say? One night she had slept in his room, in his bed, and the next day he bought a sofa and shifted to it. Sleeping on the same bed with her was so unbearable for him? And now he had the audacity to ask why she didn't sleep in his room. If it weren't for Uncle Abid, she would have never stepped inside his room. But she couldn't hurt that old man who had loved her like a daughter.

Ayat continued with her neck movements, ignoring him.

Talha felt a pang of guilt seeing her discomfort. The fact that she didn't even reply hurt him, but he had no right to complain. "Main kisi ko kehta hoon aapko hot water bag laakey deney ko." he offered, his voice gentle.

Ayat stared at him again, her eyes narrowing. Why was he showing this care and concern for her? Wasn't he the least interested in what she was doing or how she was? It had been three weeks, and this man had made no attempt to apologize or talk to her. She was done with his half-hearted gestures, the way he seemed to care only when it was convenient. "Zaroorat nahi uski. Waisey bhi main kuchh dino ke liye apney ghar ja rahi." she said.

Talha's face fell as he processed her words. Not only was she leaving, but she still referred to the Suleman house as her home. Did she not consider this house her own? Was she staying here only for Mohid and Dad? The question gnawed at him, stirring a mix of hurt and frustration. This wasn't right. He had been patient, giving her the space she needed, but how could they move forward if she kept running away? "Kitney dino ke liye ja rahi hai?" he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"Pata nahi. Jab Mohid aur Uncle aa jaengey, tab main bhi aa jaungi." Ayat replied curtly, avoiding his gaze.

Wow, she wasn't even trying to hide her distaste for him. It hurt Talha, but he kept quiet. After a few moments, he said, "Thhik hai, Main aapko drop kar dunga."

"Uski zaroorat nahi hogi, main khud chali jaungi." Ayat shot back, her tone firm.

"Ghar ki dusri car Mohid aur Paapa ko lekey gayi huyi hai. Sirf meri car hai ghar mein abhi." Talha explained, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Thik hai phir, main cab se chali jaungi." Ayat said, her words sharp and final.

Talha had reached his limit. He had been trying to be patient, but Ayat's constant defiance was testing his resolve. Every word he spoke seemed to be met with resistance, and it was becoming unbearable. His frustration finally boiled over, and before he could stop himself, the words tumbled out. "Aapko zaroori hai, meri har ek baat kaatna? Apney shouhar ki koi ek baat toh maan hi sakti hai aap" he said, his voice rising slightly. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Referring to himself as her Shouhar-that wasn't something he had planned. He wanted her to willingly accept him as her husband, not feel forced into it.

Ayat stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. So now he remembered he was her Shouhar? After three weeks of marriage and literally zero direct contact? What had he done to prove he was her Shouhar? Had he shown her even an ounce of love, affection, or care? Had he made any effort to communicate? No, all of that seemed reserved for Sabeeka. The taunts and indifference, however, were exclusively hers.

Talha was embarrassed by his outburst and didn't want to escalate the argument further. He would respect her decisions. That was it. He placed his hand on the armrest and stood up to leave the room, but as soon as he stood, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder, forcing a pained whimper from his lips. "Aahhh..." The ache was a cruel reminder of the countless nights he'd spent on the sofa, trying to give her space.

In an instant, Ayat was by his side, her face etched with concern. All traces of their earlier tension vanished as she tried to figure out what had happened, her heart softening despite herself. Seeing him in pain stirred something in her, a mix of worry and frustration. She hated that he could still affect her this way.

Talha clutched his shoulder with his other hand and walked out of the study into his room. Ayat followed closely, her concern evident as she tried to understand what was wrong. Talha sat on the sofa, pressing his shoulders with his hands in an attempt to ease the pain. Ayat watched him, her expression a blend of anger and worry. He couldn't even fit comfortably on the sofa, yet he had been sleeping there for weeks. Why did he have to suffer like this? Her emotions were a whirlwind-anger at his stubbornness, frustration at his silence, and an undeniable ache for the man who was her husband yet felt like a stranger.

Talha pressed his shoulders for a minute and then tried to get up again, determined to carry on with his day. But Ayat's hand pressed him back down. She stood over him, her expression stern but her eyes soft with concern. "Chup chaap baithhey aap yaha. Infact yaha nahi baithhey, aap bed pe jaake araam karey thhodi der." she said firmly, though her voice carried a hint of gentleness.

"Nahi, main yahi pe thhik hoon." Talha protested weakly, though he knew she was right. The sofa was taking a toll on him, but he couldn't bring himself to take the bed, not when she was so clearly uncomfortable around him.

"Uss bed pe kaatein nahi lagey hai. Main soti hoon uspey, par hai woh aapka hi bed. Aap araam kijiye, main tab tak koi spray dhundhti hoon." Ayat insisted, her tone firm but laced with concern. She wasn't going to let him suffer like this, no matter how complicated their relationship was.

"Uski koi zaroorat nahi. Maamuli sa dard hai, khud sahi ho jaega." Talha said, trying to brush it off. He didn't want her to fuss over him, not when he felt like he didn't deserve it.

"Mujhey kehtey hai aap, lekin aap khud kaun sa apni biwi ki koi bhi baat mantey hai." Ayat said, her tone sharp and cutting. The words spilled out before she could stop them. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and her eyes widened in realization. She immediately regretted her outburst. "Maazrat chahti hoon, mera koi haq nahi aap par yun hukum farmaaney ka." she added. She apologized because she knew she had crossed a line. It wasn't her place to speak to him like that. Her heart raced as she waited for his reaction, bracing herself for the tension that might follow.

Talha looked at her, his expression softening. "Par meri nazar mein toh, ek shouhar pe sabse zyada haq uski biwi ka hi hota hai." he replied, his voice steady but filled with sincerity. He meant every word, and for the first time, Ayat saw the vulnerability in his eyes.

Ayat was left speechless. She didn't know how to respond. The first time, she had thought it was a slip of the tongue, but now it was clear-he meant it. He was acknowledging her rights as his wife, and the sincerity in his voice left her conflicted.

She quickly found a spray and handed it to him, avoiding his gaze the entire time. Why was he being so confusing? Her heart was a mess of emotions she couldn't quite untangle.

Ayat wanted to leave the room as soon as possible. The weight of Talha's gaze felt like a magnet, pulling at her even as she tried to distance herself. She quickly freshened up, her movements hurried, as if speed could shield her from the unspoken tension between them.

Just as she was about to step out, his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Merey saath nahi jana chahti toh meri gaadi letey jaye khud. Par cab se mat jaiega Mama Baba ke yaha." Talha said, his words carrying a quiet insistence, a subtle plea for her to let him in, even if just a little.

Ayat paused, her hand resting on the doorframe. She turned slightly, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she looked away. "Mera mann nahi aaj janey ka ab. Neechey dekhti hoon Sultan Bhai ne kya banaya hai breakfast mein. Dining table pe miltey hai." she replied, her voice softer now, almost hesitant. The sharp edges of her earlier tone had melted away, replaced by something quieter, more vulnerable.

Talha watched her leave, his heart heavy yet hopeful. Her softened tone, the way she had cared for him despite her anger-it was a sign, however small, that the walls between them were beginning to crack. He sat back on the sofa, the pain in his shoulder dulled not by the spray but by the warmth of her fleeting concern. For the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to believe that they might find their way to each other.

As Ayat moved toward the kitchen, her mind raced. The sincerity in Talha's voice, the way he had acknowledged her rights as his wife-it had stirred something deep within her. She had spent weeks building walls to protect herself, but now those walls felt more like a prison. Was she ready to let them down? She didn't know, but the possibility lingered, a quiet whisper in her heart.

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the house. The sound of clinking utensils and the aroma of freshly brewed chai filled the air. For the first time in a long while, the silence between them felt less like a chasm and more like a bridge-one they might, someday, cross together.

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You can check out this entire short story remaining parts here on wattpad.