Short Story ( Talha* Roshi) - Haqeeqat Se Waqif - Part 2 (29-03-25)

ShortStory - Haqeeqat Se Waqif

Part1

Talha’sPOV

I can’t stop it.

What can’t I stop?

I can’t stop stealing glances/staring at my adorable wife, whose sitting across of me, playing lego with Mohid, still quite oblivious to the fact that I am unable to take my eyes off her. Or perhaps, she can feel my gaze at the back of her head on and off but won’t show me a gesture off acknowledgement of the same, just to rile me up. She knows her ignorance,her indifference, her cold shoulder is eating me up alive. The acknowledgement of that bit is surely in her eyes, and yet she’s keeping at it - just to get under my skin. (And mind you, she’s succeeding brilliantly.)

But honestly,I don’t really blame her. Why? Kyunki woh abhi haqeeqat se anjaan hai. Kyunki woh haqeeqat ko sunna hi nai chahti. Manna toh bahut dur ki baat hai…

We are in Baba’s study at the moment, enjoying a cozy evening post dinner, as a family. Baba’s reading his book in a content silence right next to me. I am pretending to be doing some work on my laptop. Baba keeps smiling though.He’s surely caught me steal glances at Ayat across, a hundred times already but he’s done nothing to intervene or initiate dialogue for us and for that I am grateful. He knows,this is my equation to sort with Ayat. And he trusts that, I will be able to get through to her.

The smile won’t just leave his face though as he keeps gazing at the three of us, lovingly.Actually, even though, I know I have so much to sort with Ayat, the smile won’t leave my face too or even Mohid’s, for that matter. Only obvious, given that the light of our lives,is finally here at home, with us, gracing our lives as my officially wedded wife. Despite her indifference, I am so content within,that she’s finally home and that she’s finally mine.

I steal a glance at her, again, and the sight of her cuddling Mohid, as they continue building blocks together, warms my heart and being. I bite back a grin, because I realize yet again that there is still so much my adorable wife, is quite oblivious off…

1. She doesn’t know, that she is the love of my life for real. That she is the one who consumes my heart and soul. Ki maine sirf ussi se, bepanaah mohabbat ki hai.That I am literally feeling like the happiest man of the planet, floating in the clouds, ever since she married me. Ki uski nikaah mein haan ne, mujhe Jannat pahuncha diya hai.

2. She doesn’t know , that I had hired a private investigator post my visit to her university to get down to the bottom of the context regarding Shaariq. She doesn’t know, that I was aware about Shaariq blackmailing her, beforehand. She doesn’t know, I planned her groom’s disappearance from her wedding, because there was no way, I could ever let her marry that rotten of a human, Shaariq.

3. She doesn’t know, that I roped in Dada jaan into my plan, so that he could help me marry her, instead. She has no clue about the heart to heart, I had with her Dada jaan, on the day of her wedding, confessing my feelings for her to him, wholeheartedly.

4. She doesn’t know, that I have been succumbing to momentary Mafia mode, every then, watching my men beat the hell out of Shaariq, whose still in captivity, on video calls. She doesn’t know that I don’t regret my action one bit because well, no one messes with the woman I love. Period. Shaariq dared to mess with my aayat, so obviously there is going to be a price to pay. Did he really think I would let him get away with it so easily?

5. She doesn’t know that it’s also killed me to process that she still doesn’t want to trust me with the truth about Shaariq’s blackmail…even though…I am her husband now..

Oh my beloved, Aayat, there is so much you don’t know yet and all of this is exactly, what I have been dying to talk you about. I want to come out clean in front of her. I want her to know the truth.All of it.

Perhaps,this is what we need? A solid heart to heart, where in I actually do my best to voice it all out to her, instead of going numb with momentary guilt of having also been the one to hurt her so brutally?

I don’tknow if she will listen to me yet, but well, that’s not going to stop me from trying. I know, my words on the beach broke her beyond repair, wounded not just her pride, her self respect but also her soul.But I also know, only I can fix this. All I need is for her to hear me out…

Aap log bass dua karein mere liye?

Kareinge naa aap?

My phone beeps, in my pocket pulling me out of thought. Its Noman’s message askingme if they should continue to hold Shaariq captive for another day?

I excuse myself outside the room, to call him, stealing a glance at Aayat, wanting to observe, if she’d note or react to my leaving the room.

Nope.She doesn’t react. She doesn’t move. No change in her senses, as if my presence doesn’t matter to her at all …

Ya khuda iska yeh indifference meri jaan hi le lega…! Nahi. Bass aur nahi. Aaj hike aaj, mujhe isse baat karni hogi. Aaj ki raat, mujhe isse haqeeqat se waqif karana hi hoga….

………………………

Shortwhile Later

In the Lawns

Roshi’sPOV

Iv ’always loved the rain. There’s something so beautiful and soothing about the raindrops falling from the heavens above. But perhaps, today, I am extremely greatful for the sudden baarish, because getting drenched in the same right now,is momentarily helping me deal with all the internal chaos that’s been consuming my soul.

I close my eyes and continue to twirl around in the rain, hoping the bliss of the rain,will finally help wipe away, all the confusion, the pain, the confusion, the frustration, that’s been consuming me.

I’vbeen a confused, chaotic mess within. No doubts there. I mean, come to think off it, I don’t know what bit I hate more at the moment, the part that the only man I have ever loved, married me out of pity just to save my/my family’s honour on the request of my dadajaan…or the bit…that despite everything…I can’t seem to stop feeling for him. That despite, everything, I still cannot stop myself from being head over heels in love with him. That I fell in love with him allover again, the second, I saw him walking towards me at the Nikah whilst I was seated to be someone else’s bride?

Yup.That’s the truth. I love him.

Yes, I still do.With all my might.I can lie to the world, hide this monumental truth from even him but I can’t lie to myself. The wretched wicked man has got himself inked in my soul. Don’t blame me. Have you seen those eyes? His wicked, mysterious and magnetic eyes, that have the power to hypnotize all of humanity in one go. How can my heart and soul resist? His thoughts don’t spare me even a moment. How can they? Given the way, his gaze has been boring into mine, ever since we got married. Just the way he looks at me, makes me shiver, tremble and shatter within a million times over – a truth that is just for me to know and deal with for now. There is no way he can know, that he still has all this power over me, emotionally. That I am still totally, madly and irrevocably in love with him. Actually, I am quite proud of myself, for holding my ground, the way I have upfront, even though everything within me,has been melting under his enigmatic gaze..

I know,my indifference is eating him up alive. Its on his face, and in his eyes, but what I am confused about is why? Why is he so affected by my indifference? He never cared about me right? He is not supposed to be happy with this Nikaah.This was forced on him? Right? Then why does he keep looking at me as of there is so much he wants to say, as if there is so much I don’t know…

What don’t I know?????? Infact, I don’t even know, for sure, if I want to know, this bit, I don’t know. I am afraid, because, I don’t know what it might make me feel…

Baba’swords from earlier come back to haunt me, momentarily – “Talha ne sirf tumhechaha hai roshi. Haan woh tumse shaadi nahi karna chahta tha par uski wajahkuch aur thi…”

What does that mean? What did he mean?? Also, on that note,what did Talha’s lively interaction with Dadajaan from earlier today, mean??? Not that I heard anything, but I saw it. Clearly, the two were laughing and sharing a moment, of sheer happiness and bliss….

What was that about????

Confusion consumes me yet again. Perhaps, the only way I can have answers is if I finally ask him upfront? Like in a face to face, confrontation?

I wantto, a part of me, really wants to but a part of my heart also fears, that he’s going to look at me the way he does, and I am going to surely forget all about holding my ground. It was insanely difficult to pull that off in front of him,before the Walima, yesterday. But in the moment, I was so proud that I got my message across, that I don’t want his pity, his sympathy ever.

If only he knew, that all I ever wanted from him was…love. All I ever wanted from him was to love me with all his might, just like I do…

But he doesn’t love me. He never did. Perhaps, he never will. I will always be a forced equation in his life...and that hurts..it hurts so much.

His - “Mohabbat karta hum tumse…” from the university, comes back to haunt me. But I remind myself, he was faking it, so that I would break it off with Shaariq..

But just like that, the moments of him, being all caring and tender during the Walima fill in my mind. How he didn’t let go of my hand during photographs. How he made sure, he introduced me to every guest beaming in pride that I was his wife, how he made sure, I drank water, every now and then in the middle, how he helped settle my dress on the stage around my legs a gazzilion times, so that Iwouldn’t trip. How he even made sure, I was served food before him on the table and that I began eating before he did…

He even did that today during dinner…

What’s with him? Why is he being this way????????? What’s with this tenderness? What’s with all this care? All the flirting???

Baba’s words come to haunt me again…along with all the moments I have had with Talha since our wedding…

I am right on those thoughts, just when , I feel the air around me crackle and suddenly I know, I am not alone in this area of the lawn anymore.

He’s here.

Talha’s here.

He’s come looking for me, I guess? I stepped out here alone, after making Mohid sleep. He surely went to Mohid’s room to find me but when he didn’t find me there, he came looking out??

I feel a shiver go through me, well because, I can sense he’s watching me intently from behind and I can also sense that he’s walking up to me.

But do I react? Not really. I stay put in my spot, pretending to enjoy the rain for the next few minutes. Let him think his presence makes no difference to me,even though my senses within are always on red alert around him. Let him think that he actually has to say something, to announce his presence.

A few more minutes later, as I feel his presence close up behind me, his deep, laced with worry voice falls on to my ears – “Aayat, bass ab chalo andar. Bimaar hojaogi tum. Bahut der se bheeg rahi ho yahan. Bass karo”

I don’t turn around to face him yet and just shrug and answer, statued in my spot – “aap ko isse kya? Main bimaar hongi toh mera problem hai. Aapka nai. Aap jaayein. Mujhe yahin rehna hai”

His voice deepens, as I feel him take a step closer from behind – “ Pagal ho tum? Ofcourse,yeh mera problem hai?”

I finally turn around to face him.

Oops.I shouldn’t have. Why? Because, the sight of him getting drenched in the rain up in front off me, begins reaking a sudden havoc on my system. Why? Just why does he have to be blessed with a shehzada gulfam or rather Greek God personality?His beautiful face. The depth of his eyes. One can drown in them and stay happily drowned forever. The drooping droplets of water on his lashes. And,those unruly curls, all over his forhead. Ya Allah. Meri toh saasein hi ruk gayi….

Its taking every ounce of my strength within to keep up my mask of indifference but I manage, somehow. Oh my poor heart. It will soon collapse with all the torture.“ Maine kahan na…aap andar jaayein…mujhe yahan akela chod dein…”

He doesn’t budge though. Stands his ground, all tall and towering upfront of me,his gaze boring into mine. I want to look away. But I can’t. He’s a hypnotizer.This man. Somebody arrest him for all this enigma and hypnotizing capabilities. It’s surely illegal to have this sort of affect exuding from one’s frame.

He answers, his voice deepening, that nerve wrecking, soul searching gaze of his roving all over my face - “ Tumhe akela nahi chod sakta yahan, Aayat. Infact, yahan nai, kahin bhi, kabhi bhi, ab tumhe akele nai chod sakta….”

“Kyun?? Kyun nahi akela chod sakte mujhe ab? Aapki problem kya hai?? ,” I ask stubbornly, taking a step closer,glaring right back at him. A gulp makes its way down his adam’s apple and I can sense, that he’s taken aback, as if I just intimidated him in the moment. He probably didn’t expect me to step ahead,rather he expected me to step back and away? But well, I want to intimidate him too. Its good to see that I could.

He takes only a moment of think, before he steps in closer and asks, placing a hand on my elbow, sending tremors down my entire being – “ Tumse baat kahunga toh tum sunogi? Tumhe bataunga ki problem kya hai toh kya tum sunogi?”

There was something so raw and intent in his gaze this time around, that didn’t let me pull back from his touch on my elbow. Instead, my head found a way to nod itself in front of him, and the words – “ Haan, sunugi…bolein aap…main yahin hun…sun rahi hun….bolein jo bolna hai…” slipped from my mouth, in a murmur, before I could think or stop the flow of it.

Whats wrong with me? I should be walking away, right? I should be able to pull away…!!!!!

But i dont pull away. And to my sheer surprise, the very next moment, I feel him take my face tenderly in his hands, as he cups my face snug, his fingers beginning to softly caress my cheeks and he whispers – “ Tumhe kabhi akele nai chod sakta, yahan, kahin aur yaa kabhi bhi….kyunki…Mohabbat karta hun tumse aayat…itni jitni kabhi bhi kisine kissi se na ki ho…itni bepanaah mohabbat…ki mujhe khud andazza nahi tha ki main kar sakta hoon…itni mohabbat karta hoon tumse….ki mere dil, meri rooh mein sirf tum ho…aur koi nai….hamesha se mujhme… sirf tum thi, tum ho, aur tum hi rahogi aayat…aur koi nai……maine sirf tumhi se mohabbat ki hai…sirf tum hi ko chaha hai…aur woh bhi itna ki tum andaza bhi nai laga sakti….kitna…”

Wait.What?

Now,I step back.

Or rather fumble back in my steps, away and out of his reach. In shock obviously. Because, I was not prepared to see the raw emotion and vulnerability, I see in his eyes right now. I was not even prepared to hear those words.My heart partly begins to beam in joy. Oh it partly begins to soars, it truly does as I gaze straight at his face in shock, in a stunned silence still, surely a part of my being(ruled by my mind) also radiating disbelief to him quite clearly – in the moment – as I am processing the moment.

Suddenly,his eyes get consumed in deep anguish, , and he steps ahead and holds both my shoulders and admits, distress and vulnerability evident I every inch of his frame – “ shayad sabse badi problem hum dono ke beech yahi hai…aayat, jab tumne mere same dil kholne ki himmat ki…main uss position mein nai tha…ki tumhe haqeeqat bata sakun…ki haan main bhi tumse mohabbat karta hun…aur aaj…jab main tumhe yeh haqeeqat batane ki koshish kar raha hun…toh tumhe yakeen nai…..kyun tumhe yakeen nai… aayat??”

I gape at him confused and shaken. Unable to react. Unable to respond.

What do I say?

Heartbreaking emotions threaten to take over and spill out in the form of gut wrenching tears, I step back from him. I don’t want to cry in front of him. I once did. I can’t now. It’s a surprise my voicebox hasn’t shut down in emotion as I manage to muster softly – “ Kaise yakeen kar lun? Jab aapne bahut saaf lafzon se kaha tha…uss din…ki mere saath hone ki soch hi aapko sharminda kar deti hai?? Kaise ab yeh yakeen kar lun ab…ki aapne sirf mujhse mohabbat ki hai?”

That’sit. I can’t be here right now, with him. Not when I am not in the position to control my tears. Or my being.The memory of the day comes back to haunt me breaking everything inside of me, all over again. I begin to walk away. I want to run away. Out of his reach….

But he holds me back,this time around, to my surprise. Pulls my hand, holds it in his grip, and takes me right back to where I was standing – right in front of him - as he whispers firmly his gaze equally vulnerable and raw – “ Nai. Bass aur nahi. Bahut bhaag li tum aur bahut bhaagliya main. Aaj nai jaane dunga…aayat…aaj tumhe kahin nahi jaane dunga…uss din jaane diya…meri zindagi ki sabse badi bhool thi. Par yeh bhool ab kabhi naihogi. Bass ek baar meri baat sunlo. Ek baar…please? Mujhe please bass ek mauka toh do apni baat rakhne ka???? Apni haqeeqat se tumhe waqif karane ka….tumhe kitna kuch batana hai…tumhe abhi bahut kuch nai pata…aayat…ek baar suno toh…bassek baar….,”and he pauses because he chokes in emotion.

That gives me the courage to look straight back into his eyes. Ya allah, his eyes are brimming with tears, vulnerabity and emotion, just like mine are as if he’s fighting the urge to cry in front of me…just like I am….

When had I ever imagined, to see Talha Ahmed, choke in gut wreching emotion in front off me???

Okay,he can’t be faking this. No one in the world can fake that level of gut wrenching anguish in one’s eyes without a context of emotion in it.

When had I expected him to hold back tears in front of me????

And so just like that, with the sight off raindrops falling on us, and his unshed tears glistening in his eyes, my godforsaken heart melts and succumbs to the moment because i just dont have it in me to see him cry and the words slip my lips – “ Thike. Aap bolein. Main Yahin hun…sunrahin hun. Kahin nahi bhagungi…aapko mauka diya…aap bolein…main aapki puri baat sunne ke liye taiyaar hun……”

Instant Relief consumes all of him at that, and he laces his right hand into my left one the next moment suddenly and nods – “ Sab batata hun tumhe main aayat. Par pehle andar chalo. Bimaar ho jayogi…”

I nod…and let him take the lead…completely shaken in emotion…feeling like quite a zombie within..

And so,just like that he takes my hand, and guides me back inside, his feet tracing their way to his room. He doesn’t let go of my hand, even for a second.His grip tightens instead. And I am not surprised, that I don’t have the courage to pull my hand out of his grip either…anymore…

……………………………….

Tada!! How was that everyone? No shoes at me for stopping there. This will be a three to 4 parts of max five part story. i hope you all enjoyed reading the first part. Will post the next part tomorrow. Had been on a long writing hiatus but totally wanted to pen down somethin on talha and roshi...

do let me know your feedback in comments guys.

thank you so much

much love

prachi

I'll read this and get back to you dear.

Give me some time.

Wow this is beautiful! Portrayed the inner turmoil very beautifully. Looking forward to next one...post it soon! 😊

Wow written beautifully.....the inner turmoil of both.... Roshi s reluctance to belive Abid uncle's words ....bcoz Talha's words broke her heart...only Talha can fix it by his love..And Talha's bechaini being ignored by Mrs Talha bechara pyaar thukra ke galti kardi....I hope Talha clears her misunderstanding in nxt part.... eagerly waiting for nxt....thanks for tag

Haqeeqat Se Waqif

Part 2

Talha stepped out the washroom,drying his hair with the towel. The sight of his beloved, sitting upfront on the sofa in their room, drying her hair, in the moment, as well, whilst waiting for him – brought relief to his heart. Of course, he’d asked her to dry hersel ffirst, hoping that the minutes he would use to freshen up would give her few more minutes to recollect her thoughts. He was glad, that her body language had softened, and it seemed, that she really was ready to listen to all that he hadto say, with a open heart. His godforsaken heart, that loved her so desperately liked to believe that, probably it was the sight of his unshed tears and angst that had moved her into the position.

He paused for a moment, to thank Allah for the same,and then began taking his steps towards his wife. She looked up right at him right then. But she didn’t smile. Her eyes just bore into his,this time, around as if to say, that she was awaiting him to start the conversation.

The fact, that her gaze, shook everything inside of him was a different story altogether. Oh, what a fool he had been, to hurt her the way he had, in his cover for maturity and practicality.Oh he should have simply accepted long ago, that all that mattered were the matters of the heart. But perhaps, this was not the time to go down the route of reprimanding himself, but rather, come out clean in front of her completely,now that she was finally ready to listen.

And for that, if he had to muster all his courage to undo and express his emotional layers out in front of – he would.Today, in this very moment, Talha Ahemed felt like, he would and could do allt hat was needed, to sort the equation out with the love of his life, finally.He takes his seat upfront of her, and nods at her. She nods back. And he’s finding the right words to begin and that is when it hits him, perhaps, he had to start from hearing her out first on the matter that was a constant thorn in her heart. Sabeeka. He had to pluck that thorn out first. He had never really heard her side of what went down at the parking lot. He had never given her the chance to voice it out. Perhaps, it would be right to start straight up from there, after a heartfelt apology ofcourse.

Meanwhile,Roshi shifted in her position on the sofa, in front of Talha, only because, his constant gaze at her in silence, was making her nervous. She was obviously waiting for him to say something. Didn’t he just say in the lawn, that he had so much to talk to her,so much to tell her. So what was keeping him silent? Ya Allah, he better start speaking soon, she thought to herself, or else she’d find herself drowning in the whirlpool his eyes were. Perhaps, it would be better to look away? Break the eyelock, for some emotional respite?

She looked away, and down, on her feet, fidgeting with her hands simultaneously. Right then, she hears Talha’s soft voice – “Don’t. Please?”

She looked up and back straight at him – “ Don’t what?”

He sighed – “ Don’t look away.Please. Ayat, mujhe dekho. Please ab main yahi chahta hun ki hum jo bhi baat karein, ek dusre ko dekhte hue karein…nazrein mila ke...na ki nazrein chura ke…”

Roshi nodded at that, even though a gulp went down her own Adam’s apple at that. Looking straight at him, nazre mila ke through this entire conversation already sounded injurious to her heart’s health. How was she going to survive? His steel with resolve gaze was already doing what it did best. Reaking havoc on every cell of her withins..

She was right on that thought when she heard him start with a whisper – “ I am sorry…Aayat…main tumhara bahut bada gunhe gaar hun….”

That startled her momentarily and she raisied her eyebrows in a confused silence.

There it was. The beginning of momentof truth.Talha leaned back in his seat at that and admitted honestly – “ I’dlike to begin with a heartfelt apology first Aayat…kyunki…maine kabhi bhi tumse maafi nahi maangi…uss din ke liye…apni kaatein se bhari baton ke liye…beach par…mujhe pata hai…tum shayad mujhe kabhi maaf na kar paayo…uss baat ke liye…par iska matlab yeh toh nai ki main maafi maange ki koshish hi na karun…kyunki wahi toh din tha…jisne hamare beech mein sab kuch badal diya…main bahut sharminda hun aayat…uss din ke liye….mera yakin karo….”

Roshi fights another gulp of emotion at that. She’s thinking about what to say to that because, well she was not ready to forgive him just yet for that.

But it is right then she hears him add sincerely – “ aaj main tumhe batana chahta hun…apni uss behaviour ki wajah aayat…what led to that from my front…but before I start with that..I want to ask you,about what went down with Sabeeka in the parking lot, as in your side of it. I realise now, I never gave you a chance to explain the other day. You tried to, but I cut you short. And for that , as well, I am extremely sorry…will you please tell me now, what happened? And I promise to then tell you, everything she told me after, along with all the main reasons what led to my behaviour the other day at the beach…”

To say that Roshi was shocked, would be an understatement. She had never expected Talha to ask her to convey her sideof the story of the moment. He had never wanted to listen. Her gaze searching his, she asked – “ Are you sure? You want to hear my side of it? Finally?”

Talha nods sincerely – “ I am sure, aayat,and once again, I am sorry that I did not hear you out earlier..”

Roshi takes a deep breathe at that.Closing her eyes briefly, she begins , reliving the scene in her head as if itwere just yesterday, before opening her eyes to him again – “ Okay, so, it started off normally, in the sense, we were at the parking lot at the sometime, our cars in front of another. I’d reached first but she wouldn’t give my car the space to move. I honked. She honked as well. I ‘d reached first. OfCourse, I was not going to budge from my spot…”

Talha fought an internal chuckle at that. That bit was so her. He gestured her to go on.

Roshi continued, honestly – “ Then all of a sudden she’s off her car, banging on my window, asking me to move back. I roll down my window and she starts with a taunt off you are in my spot and I was like, are you sure you are talking about the parking?? Because, wellit surely felt she was also implying towards you in the moment..and then…she started with calling me cheap, and a third class ladki, joh apne boss se frank hone keliye…uske ghar tak pahunch gayi….first…”

WHAT???????????????????????????????

Talha felt his anger simmer. Or rather boil at that and even though he had no intention to intervene her, he asked sure the anger was evident in his tone – “ Kya? Kya kaha usne tumhe? Cheap aur thirdclass????”

What the hell, Sabeeka? He thought. He cursed himself, for letting her manipulate him. She never mentioned, she started with this. Ofcourse, his aayat would have reacted. Now infact, he was glad, she’d reacted the way she did.

Roshi was pleasantly surprised by the simmer of anger in his entire frame though and she surprises him with a sudden –“ kya hua? Gussa aa raha hai sunke?”

Talha nodded honestly – “ haan…bahut…”

Roshi sighed – “ Mujhe bhi ayaa tha,tabhi toh main finally car se utari aur use confront kiya…ab aap kya please…mujhe bina interruption ke bolne denege?”

Talha nodded and heard her explain every bit of it, word for word , expression for expression. And he couldn’t help but curse himself within over and over, as he heard her out. There she was defending his heart and his interest with jisse Mohabbat ki jaye, use related har rishte se Mohabbat ki jaati hai Sabeeka madam….and here he had misunderstood her only…never giving her a chance to explain…

When Roshi finally finished her sideof it, he sighed but looking straight at her he asked now realising the gravityof how this would have hurt her – “ I hurt you, didn’t I? when I didn’t hear your side of it then? When I did not give you a chance to explain? I hurt you,didn’t I?”

Roshi nodded. There was no point in lying now. This was not the time to play hide and seek. This was the time to lay it all out in the open.– “ It hurt. Yes. Ofcourse, it did. You hurt me so much, with not giving me the chance to even express my side of it. You just seemed to believe her blindly instead…and that hurt so much… More then id expected…”

Talha sighed – “ Forgive me please.aayat….for falling for her manipulation…”

Roshi shrugged but admitted honestly –“ I don’t know, if I can forgive, yet. We are being honest, right? Anyways, aap batein, usne aap se kya kaha tha… ”

Talha nodded and explained his side of it and he could see that he had her full attention and once he was done, he confessed with a sigh – “ But to be honest, aayat, tumhe uss din woh sab kehneka reason Sabeeka nai thi. Probably she was a part of it, just a little bit. Butthat outburst from my end towards you had everything to do, with something else altogether…”

That caught Roshi’s attention and sheasked immediately – “ what do you mean?? Aap please saaf saaf bataein…”

Talha looked straight into her eyes –“ My behaviour that day, had everything to do with what I was feeling for you, Aayat.It was never about me feeling nothing at all for you. Infact, it was alwaysabout me feeling too much, for you, even then. When Sabeeka told me everything,even though a part of me was happy to know your reaction, given that it hintedme that you felt something for me too, my mind was scared. You were making mefeel things, emotions, I hadn’t ever felt before, Aayat. In my heart, deep within,I knew I had fallen for you. I knew, I was falling deeper and deeper for you,by the day. But my mind wasn’t probably ready to digest and accept that I couldgive you the happiness you deserved… it led me to believe that I had to pushyou away…for your own good…because you deserved better than me…surely…that iswhy I said those hurtful things…to push you away …but please know…I butcherednot just your heart but also mine in the process, Aayat. I was so miserable andbroken, after. You left and that created such a vaccum in my life that itpained my entire being. I’v been nothing but a hollow shell ever since you left….”

Roshi gaped at Talha in shock at thatas she tried to process his words, and she asks her voice trembling – “ wait,what? You said those things to me, to deliberately push me away? Only becauseyou were feeling too much for me? And you decided in your head, that I wasbetter off without you??and you’v been a hollow shell ever since I left????”

Talha nodded – “ Indeed. You can askbaba if you don’t believe me..he’s been one true witness to my inner conflictand turmoil in your context…aayat…”

Now , to Roshi, Baba’s words start tomake sense suddenly…

She asks him wanting to get down tothe bottom of it all – “ Why did you feel like, you had to push me away for myown good????”

Talha nodded – “ Because, I feltlike, being with me, could lead to so many complications for you Aayat, you areso young. With me came responsibility of Mohid, even though I know you have aseparate equation with him, independent, off me. It felt like – it would beunfair off me to put so much responsibility on you. Even the other day, at thehouse on Baba’s bday, when I asked you to stay away from Mohid, it was undercover of sheer fear Aayat, because somewhere deep down in my heart, I was alsofearing that what if , everything you were feeling for me would turn out to bea temporary infactuation at your end, then where would that leave me? Because Ion the other end was falling head over heels for you in a way I’v never fallenfor anyone ever before? When I said, ki mohid handle nai kar paayega…agar tumne…usseignore kiya…I actually meant…myself too…mujhe pata tha ki main hi nai handlekar paaunga aayat…aur aakhir mein yahi toh hua na…main nai handle kar paayatumhara ignorance, cold shoulder, ya indifference….na kabhi shayad kar sakunga….pleasesamjo mujhe aayat……it was never about not feeling anything for you. It wasalways about feeling too much for you. Also, to be fair enough, this wasn’t justabout Mohid, at that time, I just felt like I had to push you away, for a fewother very other important reasons…as well…”

Tears glistened in Roshi’s eyes atthat on their own accord and she glared back at Talha at that – “ So, are yousaying that , all of that, everything that you said, everything you did…usedthose words to hurt me deliberately only because I was making you feel toomuch??? That was my punishment or what? For making you feel???”

She was still stunned. She wasshocked. She was speechless but she managed to stare hard back at him still asshe confessed, unshed tears glistening in her eyes – “ aapko andaaza bhi hai? Kiaapke shabdon ne uss din mujhe kaisatoda? Aise laga tha mujhe ki aapne…meri zaat ko apne kadmon tale raund diya….aurab aap mujhe yeh sab bata rahe hain…..main kaise react karun mujhe samajh naiaa raha…,”she paused, closing her eyes, hating the fact that a tear eachescaped her eyes, falling on both her cheeks.

Talha gulped down his guilt at thatand got up from his spot upfront and moved to sit closer right next to her onthe sofa now. He turned her subtly by the elbow to face him and wiped away bothher tears tenderly – “ please…ro mat…aayat…mujhe maaf kardo…please?? Mujhe patahai…main stupid tha…maine pagal pan kiya…par yahi sach hai tab bhi maine sirftumse hi Mohabbat ki..…aur baad mein bhi…maine socha…apne dil ko sambhalne kaek hi tareka hai…dimaag se faisla leta hun…sabeeka se Rishta joda taaki meradil mujhe majboor na kar paaye…tumhare pass daudne mein…aur mujhe pata hai…meriiss harqat ne bhi tumhe bahut hurt kiya….aayat…main stupid tha…main pagal tha….”

Two more lone tears escaped Roshi’seyes at that. She knew he could sense what she was feeling. She didn’t have tovoice it loud. She felt him wipe her tears away again tenderly – “tum please…romat…na…”

She closed her eyes. But when shefelt his hands caress the corner of both her eyes tenderly still - Roshi openedher eyes and glared at him, asking the bit that was still confusing her so much,because she so desperately wanted to know it all now – “forget Sabeeka…now youtell me… what are these other few important reasons that made you feel like youhad to push me away for my own good??tell me…tell me now…..I know there is more…Ican sense there is more…”

Holding both her hands in his, gladshe didn’t pull away, Talha confessed not hesitating from laying it all out inthe open – “ There is still so much, that you don’t know about me, Aayat. I havemany layers within, that I keep hidden from the world. I have this darknesswithin, that consumes me hard and fast, and it felt like, I would pull you downwith me, straight into it, Aayat. You don’t deserve to shoulder the weight ofmy darkness. You deserve better. You are Roshi. You are the light. I felt likebeing with me, would dim your sparkle…Aayat…main andhere ka musafir hoon aayataur tum roshniyon ki …uss waqt laga…mujhe…ki hamara saath tumhare liye jayaaznahi hoga….”

And perhaps, it was the sensitivityof the moment, that got the better off her, but her reaction came on reflex,her hands tightening over his in a grip as she glared back at him hard andasked – “ what do you mean? What darkness within are you talking about? What layers?Yeh aap kya bol rahe hai? Aap ko kyun lagta hai? Ki aap andhere ke musaafir hai…??????”

Talha closed his eyes at that perhaps,it would be better to start with the context related to her directly – “ main abitna bhi acha nai jitna tum samajhti ho.jitna seedha dikhta hun na tumhe mainaayat…utna hoon nai…mere andar bhi andhere ka toofan uthta hai…”

Roshi looked at him confused still – “huh?kya matlab?? ”

And she hears him say – “ chalo pehle…yehbatao…tumhe kya lagta hai…aayat? Tumhara dulha…shaadi tak kyun nai pahuncha??? Kaiseekdum se gayab hogaya??”

Roshi gaped at him sudden shock,thinking where did that come from and she asked studying the anger or rage thatsuddenly consumed his entire frame – “ kya matlab? Ab uska zikr kahan beechmein aagaya??”

Talha looked straight at her as heconfessed – “ Kyunki..shayad waqt aagaya hai ki tumhe haqeeqat pata honi chahiye…kitumhara dulha…shaariq…khud se gayab thodi na hua…usse…maine…gayab karwaya….aayat…taaki..wohnikaah tak kabhi pahunch hi na paaye…”

WHAT?

WHAT

DID

HE

JUST

SAY??????????????????

It was as if a bomb had dropped onRoshi as she heard that. She gaped at him in stunned shock as she asked, hervoice trembling in on her – “ kyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaa???? Yeh kya kaha aapne?????Aappne shaariq ko gayab kiya?? Aapne….aappne..kyun????,”And she paused lookingat him all flustered. Did Mr. Mature+Sophisticated +Calm +Composed Talha justconfess to her that he got Shaariq kidnapped so that he wouldn’t make it to thewedding????

Well, indeed, she’d never expectedthat from him..or the bit..that he was also looking at her in a totalnonchalant way right now, as if he didn’t regret his action one bit. Roshiflustered as she gaped at him – “ aapp…appne…aapne…usse….gayab…kiya??kyun????”

Talha shrugged at that casually butlaced his right hand into hers and clutched onto it hard – “ aur nai toh kya.Aur main kya karta? Tum sunne ko nai raazi thi, Aayat. Aur main mar jata, paruss haiwaan ko tumse shaadi kabhi nai karne deta….woh tumhare saath…yeh sochkebhi…meri rooh kaamp uthti hai…aisa andhera mere andar chaa jata hai…ki mainbayaan nai kar sakta….,”and he pauses and then he confronts her finally– “ aurtumne bataya kyun nai mujhe…ki woh tumhe blackmail kar raha tha? Dhamki de rahatha?? Yeh toh acha hua ki maine private investigator uske peeche laga ke sabpata kar liya aayat…nai toh tum pata nai kiss musibat mein apne aap ko daalne jaarahi thi…yeh sab maine sirf tumhare liye hi toh kiya hai…aayat…”

Roshi gaped at him speechless andstunned yet again. He knew. This means, he knew everything. She managed to askthrough shock yet again– “toh…iska matlab…. aapko…sab pata tha? Sab pat…a tha??”

In the moment, she was glad, theywere seated on the sofa or she would have surely fainted out of shock of itall.

TALHA AHEMED DID ALL THIS FORHER????????

She sees him nod as he answers hissteely gaze boring into her eyes again – “ Haan…mujhe sab pata tha…issiliye tohuse aise agwah karaya…ki woh hamesha yaad rakhega…aisi dhulayi ho rahi hai uski….kihamesha yaad rakhega….no one…just about no one messes with the woman I love. Period…”

That from him, obviously moves herheart immense and she asks to reconfirm, biting back a beaming smile – “ whatdid you just say??”

Talha acts on reflex at that and cupsher face tenderly, taking her face in his hands - “ No one, can ever mess with you, the love ofmy life, and get away with it Aayat. I won’t let them. Dekha tumne…tumhareliye..mere andar ka mafia bhi jaag utha…aur tumhe yakeen nai…ki mujhe tumsebepanaah Mohabbat hai…kitni mehnat kari maine…usse agwah karwaya..uss sabsepehle…dadajaan se baat ki…unse apni Mohabbat ka izhaar kiya…unse help li..taakiwoh hamari shaadi karade ussi din….kyunki mujhe laga tum toh kisi aur haal mainmaanti hi nai….kyunki tab tak mujhe lagne laga…ki agar tum apne aap ko barbaadkarne pe tuli ho…toh phir mere saath ki uljhane hi jhel lo…kamse kam main ussshaariq se toh bahut better off…hoon…haan koi mere pyaaron ko haath lagaye tohmere andar ka gunda jaagne mein der nai lagti….but otherwise…on the whole…usshaiwan se toh bahut better hun main….”

Now, that from Talha felt likeanother emotional bomb on roshi as it all became clear to her. The pieces of thisother puzzle fit together instantly. So this was what his interaction withDadajaan was about – all.

She couldn’t believe still - He did all of this…for her???? ForHer?????????????????????

She asks now just to reconfirm beforeher heart soared in a delightful journeyto the moon – “toh yeh sab…aapne…kiya?? Yeh sab aapne…mere liye kiya??????????sabbatatein pls…poori detail main…”

Talha nods and shrugs, and goes ontoexplain her every detail.

Minutes later, she is still processingit all, when she hears him conclude with – “Lo…ab tumhe sab pata hai…. haan pariss baat ki daant toh tumhe padegi aayat, ki tumne mujhe yeh sab batana jaayaznai samjha…agar mujhe nai pata chalta toh???? Kiss musibat main tum phans jaati??”

Roshi gulps at that and says to hermomentary defense – “ kaise batati aapko main. After everything that hadhappened, I just didn’t feel like I could come to you. Or tell you. I did notwant you to be my knight in the shining armor alright? Uss waqt mujhe kya patatha ki aap sach mein mujhse bepanaah Mohabbat kartein hai…”

Talha couldn’t help but smile at thatas he asked raising his eyebrow – “ matlab tumne ab maan hi liya…ki main tumsehi bepannah mohabbat…karta hun…sirf tumse…”

Roshi just smiled at that briefly andthen went on – “ I wont answer that yet, but I will say that I also did notcome to you for help because… I felt like I could save myself, and I wouldhave. Mera bhi pura plan tha, uss shaariq se deal karne ka….”

And momentarily, Talha was intrigued toknow her plan and so he asked - “Really? Tumhara kya plan tha? Usse shaadi karke apni Zindagi barbaad karna??”

And roshi ends up saying on reflex – “Nai..usse shaadi ke raat maarke..apne aap ko bachane…ka plan tha mera….mujhepata tha..woh mere pass aane ki zaroor koshish karta aur main aisa kabhi honena deti…woh mujhe touch bhi kare..yeh mujhe gawara nai….…maine socha tha use electrocutekardeti..nai toh cyniade pila deti…apni hifasat mein….”

STUNNED In. SHOCK. SILENCE. TalhaAhemed statuted into a rock, literally?

Was she mad????

Was she really planning Shaariq’smurder????

To say that Talha was bombed to hearthis from her would be an understatement as he asked her moments later comingout of shock – “ kyaaaaaaa?? Tumne uske murder ka plan banake Rakha tha????? Aayat?Pagal thi kya tum????”

She glared at him and continued withher defense – “ that was my last resort. Aur kya karti main??? Cyber crimedepartment main complain kari thi maine…par phir pata chala ki mujhe formallykhud in person wahan jaana padta ek baar toh for them to take it further…maindar gayi…ki ghar pe kisi ko pata na chal jaaye…,”and she raised her eyebrows athim – “ aur aap mujhe aise shock mein kyun dekh rahe hai…aapne bhi toh usekidnap kar waya? Samajh lijiye…mere andar bhi dark side hai gangster…wali…mafiawali…thike?but sirf apne aap ko bachane ki baat pe…apni hifasat ki baat pe…baaki toh mera dil saaf hi hai….”

Talha couldn’t help but swear out loud at that glaring at his beloved wife still in part shock– “ Ya Allah,shukar, ki maine usse kidnap karwaya…uski jaan toh bachi…”but he leans forward to cup her face intently because he wanted her to understand the gravity of her plan – “ But tumne…ek baar bhi nai socha ki iska consequence kya hota aayat? Agartumhara hi shohar shaadi ki pehli raat…ghayal,zakhmi ya maara gaya paayahota???tumhara kya hota?”

Roshi confesses – “ main bewa hone ke liye taiyaar thi…”

Talha rolls his eyes – “ pagal ladki…Sab tumpe hi shaq karte…aur agar woh nai marta toh kya karti tum? Yeh sab nai socha? Aur agar tumhare plan ka usse pata chal jaata…woh gusse mein kuch unhoni na kar deta tumhaare saath??? Yeh sab nai socha??”

Roshi gulps down her nervousness. She’snever thought of all this. And so on reflex shaking her head in a no, she confesses – “ Nai. Maine nai socha. Sach main. Yeh sab maine bilkul nai socha.Shayad meri immaturity thi yeh…”

Talha keeps his forhead on her’s at that overwhelmed with relief and emotion and soul consuming love – “ Pagal ladki. Tumhe kuch hojata toh….main…main…kya karta..aayat….main toh jeete jee mar jaata. Woh kuch kar deta tumhe toh. Woh tumhare pass aani ki koshish karta toh…tumhe touch karne ki koshish karta toh…ya allah…phir toh woh mere haath hi maraa jaata….”

She was affected by his sudden closeness obviously, and the vibe of intense love radiating from his entire being – just for her. It was too raw and pure to ignore .She found the courage to caress his cheek, as she whispered – “ Chalo,aisa kuch hua toh nai na…thanks to you…na mujhe usse maarne ki naubat aayi…na aapko…..,”And she paused to ask – “ par woh video…,”and she hears him answer placing a tender protective, possessive kiss on her head – “ sab delete karwadiya hai…aayat…tum ab kisi baat ki tention mat lena…abhi bhi..maar kha raha hai woh…jitne din aur raat uske khauf mein guzaarein hain a tumne…uski bharpaayi usse deni hi hogi…”

He hugged her at that, glad that she didn’t pull back. He head her ask - “ kab tak usse aise band rakhenge aap??”

Talha looked down at her from the side bewildered and annoyed partly – “ kyun? Tumhe tars aaraha hai? Uss par?”

Roshi bite back a smile as she embraced the love that was radiating off him for her – “ Nai bilkul nai. Meri balase. Jitna mare khape…mujhe kya. Par Mehreen aunty achi hai…woh bahut pareshaan hai…,”and she pauses as everything they’d just spoken about finally sank intoher.

Finally.

He loved her.

Talha Ahemed loved her. He’d always loved her. Only her. Oh her heart soared high and mighty. Everything else was just an excuse.

Sabeeka was just an excuse….

She was right on that realisation when she heard Talha sigh kissing her head possessively again - “ chod dunga…kuch din aur…phir chod dunga…aur tum chinta mat karo…ab uski kabhi himmmat bhi naihogi tumhare aas pass bhatakne ki…”and then he whispered inrelief again – “ Ya allah, shukar. Ki yeh shaariq ka mamla sab bilkul waise hua jaise maine plan kiya tha….”

He still couldn’t believe the mess,Aayat would have gotten into otherwise. Thank god, he intervened. Thank God. Hewas right on that thought when he heard Aayat ask softly, pulling back from him, gesturing him to look at her in the eye – “ Itni Mohabbat kartein hai aap mujhse…toh phir kyun…apne aap se dur kiya? Kuch aur baat bhi haina???Jiss darkness ki aapne baat ki…uska context kuch aur bhi haina…”

Talha nods at that intently, because the soul wrenching guilt about the accident, the baggage, pierced his gut, hard suddenly. He answered now - “ Haan kuch aur baat bhi hai aayat. Emotional baggage samajhlo. Mere kuch trauma hai. Kuch aise dard hai jo mujhe andar hi andar khate hai…kuch aise taqleefein hai…jinka wazan bahut bhaari hai aayat…….”

He heard her ask softly as she held onto bothhis hands – “ Please…batayein mujhe…aisa kya hai…please aaj sab bata dein….itnatoh samaj aagaya…baaki sab sirf bahana tha…asal baat shayad yeh hai????”

Talha studied her face. There she was, right in front of him, restored back to the Roshi, he’d come to know. The Roshi he had fallen in love with. Her eyes were shining with love. She’d probably not forgiven him yet. He didn’t expect it off her instantly as well,but now he had deep hope, that she would come around…eventually.

He heard her nudge him softly – “Please…bolein….please…”

Anguish consumed his soul.Perhaps,sharing this with her wouldn’t weigh her down. Perhaps, she would help him finda way to deal with the weight better, he realises that now. Looking away from her, he closed his eyes.Two lone tears left his eyes this time around as he letthe words out,leaning back in the sofa, putting his face in his hands, knowing if he didn’t say them now, he would never be able to say it out loud to her – “Gaadi main chala raha tha , Aayat. Uss din, bhai Bhabhi, mohid aur main, ek saath the. Accident ke din. Aur main gaadi chala raha tha. Mohid ne kaha..aurfast chalaiye paa…bhai Bhabhi ne mana bhi kiya…par maine..nai suni…aur…aur….accidenthogaya….meri wajah se…bhai Bhabhi nai rahe…meri wajah se…mohid…ne apne ma babako khoya…baba ne apne bete ko…aur meri wajah se…mohid ka trauma aaj tak…usse bolne nai deta….”

Pin drop Silence.

Stunned silence was what engulfed theair momentarily as Ayat processed the words that had just left Talha’s mouth. Andsuddenly, she felt like everything came to standstill for her as she connectedthe dots in her head. For suddenly the weight of his guilt, trauma, and baggagemade sense. It all made sense to her. She felt like she could understand, whythis was butchering him within so much. He blamed himself. He clearly blamedhimself till today for everything…

She looked at him. The anguish, thepain, the guilt, was so evident, laid out all in front of her in the open. Shereached out on reflex to pull his hands off his face. She felt nothing else inthe moment mattered but the fact that she had to be there for him, now that hehad just opened upto her about something as grave as this.Holding both hishands in hers gently, with only the love she felt for him, shining in her eyes,she whispered – “ aap apne saath nainsaafi kar rahe hai…apne aap ko blame karke….wohek haadsa tha….sirf ek haadsa….main toh aapke bhai Bhabhi se kabhi nai mili….butI am sure…they would be hating the fact that you are still blaming yourself likethis…killing yourself in the process…within….i do understand where you arecoming from, yes I do, but I also think you are being unfair…to yourself…”

To her surprise, Talha looks up, allteary eyed and anguished holds her shoulders at that and asks , gut wrenchingpain evident in his voice as anguished tears left his eyes – “ Tumhi batao…aayat…kaisena karun apne aap ko blame? Kaise? Meri wajah se hamara hasta khelta ghar ujadgaya…aayat…sab meri wajah se…aisa nai ki main iss dard, is gunah ki feeling sebahir nikalna nahi chahta…kyunki yeh ghutan andar mere liye bahut bhaari hai…parmujhe pata hi nai…ki main kaise isse bahir niklun….aayat….jab bhi main baba aurmohid ko dekhta hun…mujhe yeh ehsaas hai ki main unka gunheghaar bhi hun…undono ne kabhi nai bola…na kabhi jataya…par sach toh nai badlega na aayat….”

And it was then in that moment, Roshirealised, that perhaps, he just needed to cry it out in the moment. He neededto break down and cry it out as much, as he wanted to before he could process anythingshe had to say further and so in that instant – she did what her heart guidedher to do. She hugged him, first. She hugged him hard and she whispered holdinghim tight – “ Ro lein…aaj aapko jitna rona hai…ro lein…main yahin hun aapke pass…aapbass pehle aaj… ro lein…”

And to her surprise, Talha did notstop the flow of his anguish or tears this time around, like she partlyexpected him too. He did not guard himself up. Instead, he just hugged her hardand close, and cried his heart out. Cried out the guilt, the pain, the anguish,the weight of emotional baggage, that he had been holding in for so long…

The only bit Talha Ahemed didn’t knowin the process was that he wasn’t crying alone, because, whilst holding himtight into herself for support and comfort, his Aayat, His Roshi was cryingwith him too…silently enough for him to not notice…but yes…she was crying withhim too..shaken with overwhelming emotion…because in that moment…Aayat Suleman..aka..Mrs Talha Ahmed finally felt like she understood the man she so deeply loved - once and for all. It was as if, he’s finally taken off all covers, all masks..for her to see him…as is..for who he was…deep inside...

She continued doing what the moment, needed from her. She held him tight and she held him close as he wept away in her arms. She'd never imagined seeing him crying this way. But she knew, it was what he needed and she felt like she'd be dammed if she didn't soothe him through it....

……………………………………………………………..

Tada!! How was that guys?

i hope you all enjoyed reading it. It was a long update. But i wanted this part to stand out as one - between the two of them. I felt they needed this complete heart to heart at one go. Ab show mein na jaane kya hoga...this is my own version of alternate relaity for Talha* Roshi.

A couple of more parts in store for this short story ofcourse.

Will try to post the next part on Monday.

Much Love

Happy weekend

Prachi

Hi Prachi,

This was such a beautiful piece. The angst, the burden from the part, the blackmailing... all out in the open. Raw emotions throughout.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Please tag me if and when you continue this or write a new one. I'd love to read more.

Love,

Mrinalini

Originally posted by: mysticltales111

Haqeeqat Se Waqif

Wow it was damn too good...it was beautifully written..both talha and roshi inner feelings, what they felt, their burden, the truth, ..it was beautiful. I just loved both parts please tag me as well when you write next parts ..i'm dying here to know what will happen next

Originally posted by: mysticltales111

Haqeeqat Se Waqif

Part 2

Talha stepped out the washroom,drying his hair with the towel. The sight of his beloved, sitting upfront on the sofa in their room, drying her hair, in the moment, as well, whilst waiting for him – brought relief to his heart. Of course, he’d asked her to dry hersel ffirst, hoping that the minutes he would use to freshen up would give her few more minutes to recollect her thoughts. He was glad, that her body language had softened, and it seemed, that she really was ready to listen to all that he hadto say, with a open heart. His godforsaken heart, that loved her so desperately liked to believe that, probably it was the sight of his unshed tears and angst that had moved her into the position.

He paused for a moment, to thank Allah for the same,and then began taking his steps towards his wife. She looked up right at him right then. But she didn’t smile. Her eyes just bore into his,this time, around as if to say, that she was awaiting him to start the conversation.

The fact, that her gaze, shook everything inside of him was a different story altogether. Oh, what a fool he had been, to hurt her the way he had, in his cover for maturity and practicality.Oh he should have simply accepted long ago, that all that mattered were the matters of the heart. But perhaps, this was not the time to go down the route of reprimanding himself, but rather, come out clean in front of her completely,now that she was finally ready to listen.

And for that, if he had to muster all his courage to undo and express his emotional layers out in front of – he would.Today, in this very moment, Talha Ahemed felt like, he would and could do allt hat was needed, to sort the equation out with the love of his life, finally.He takes his seat upfront of her, and nods at her. She nods back. And he’s finding the right words to begin and that is when it hits him, perhaps, he had to start from hearing her out first on the matter that was a constant thorn in her heart. Sabeeka. He had to pluck that thorn out first. He had never really heard her side of what went down at the parking lot. He had never given her the chance to voice it out. Perhaps, it would be right to start straight up from there, after a heartfelt apology ofcourse.

Meanwhile,Roshi shifted in her position on the sofa, in front of Talha, only because, his constant gaze at her in silence, was making her nervous. She was obviously waiting for him to say something. Didn’t he just say in the lawn, that he had so much to talk to her,so much to tell her. So what was keeping him silent? Ya Allah, he better start speaking soon, she thought to herself, or else she’d find herself drowning in the whirlpool his eyes were. Perhaps, it would be better to look away? Break the eyelock, for some emotional respite?

She looked away, and down, on her feet, fidgeting with her hands simultaneously. Right then, she hears Talha’s soft voice – “Don’t. Please?”

She looked up and back straight at him – “ Don’t what?”

He sighed – “ Don’t look away.Please. Ayat, mujhe dekho. Please ab main yahi chahta hun ki hum jo bhi baat karein, ek dusre ko dekhte hue karein…nazrein mila ke...na ki nazrein chura ke…”

Roshi nodded at that, even though a gulp went down her own Adam’s apple at that. Looking straight at him, nazre mila ke through this entire conversation already sounded injurious to her heart’s health. How was she going to survive? His steel with resolve gaze was already doing what it did best. Reaking havoc on every cell of her withins..

She was right on that thought when she heard him start with a whisper – “ I am sorry…Aayat…main tumhara bahut bada gunhe gaar hun….”

That startled her momentarily and she raisied her eyebrows in a confused silence.

There it was. The beginning of momentof truth.Talha leaned back in his seat at that and admitted honestly – “ I’dlike to begin with a heartfelt apology first Aayat…kyunki…maine kabhi bhi tumse maafi nahi maangi…uss din ke liye…apni kaatein se bhari baton ke liye…beach par…mujhe pata hai…tum shayad mujhe kabhi maaf na kar paayo…uss baat ke liye…par iska matlab yeh toh nai ki main maafi maange ki koshish hi na karun…kyunki wahi toh din tha…jisne hamare beech mein sab kuch badal diya…main bahut sharminda hun aayat…uss din ke liye….mera yakin karo….”

Roshi fights another gulp of emotion at that. She’s thinking about what to say to that because, well she was not ready to forgive him just yet for that.

But it is right then she hears him add sincerely – “ aaj main tumhe batana chahta hun…apni uss behaviour ki wajah aayat…what led to that from my front…but before I start with that..I want to ask you,about what went down with Sabeeka in the parking lot, as in your side of it. I realise now, I never gave you a chance to explain the other day. You tried to, but I cut you short. And for that , as well, I am extremely sorry…will you please tell me now, what happened? And I promise to then tell you, everything she told me after, along with all the main reasons what led to my behaviour the other day at the beach…”

To say that Roshi was shocked, would be an understatement. She had never expected Talha to ask her to convey her sideof the story of the moment. He had never wanted to listen. Her gaze searching his, she asked – “ Are you sure? You want to hear my side of it? Finally?”

Talha nods sincerely – “ I am sure, aayat,and once again, I am sorry that I did not hear you out earlier..”

Roshi takes a deep breathe at that.Closing her eyes briefly, she begins , reliving the scene in her head as if itwere just yesterday, before opening her eyes to him again – “ Okay, so, it started off normally, in the sense, we were at the parking lot at the sometime, our cars in front of another. I’d reached first but she wouldn’t give my car the space to move. I honked. She honked as well. I ‘d reached first. OfCourse, I was not going to budge from my spot…”

Talha fought an internal chuckle at that. That bit was so her. He gestured her to go on.

Roshi continued, honestly – “ Then all of a sudden she’s off her car, banging on my window, asking me to move back. I roll down my window and she starts with a taunt off you are in my spot and I was like, are you sure you are talking about the parking?? Because, wellit surely felt she was also implying towards you in the moment..and then…she started with calling me cheap, and a third class ladki, joh apne boss se frank hone keliye…uske ghar tak pahunch gayi….first…”

WHAT???????????????????????????????

Talha felt his anger simmer. Or rather boil at that and even though he had no intention to intervene her, he asked sure the anger was evident in his tone – “ Kya? Kya kaha usne tumhe? Cheap aur thirdclass????”

What the hell, Sabeeka? He thought. He cursed himself, for letting her manipulate him. She never mentioned, she started with this. Ofcourse, his aayat would have reacted. Now infact, he was glad, she’d reacted the way she did.

Roshi was pleasantly surprised by the simmer of anger in his entire frame though and she surprises him with a sudden –“ kya hua? Gussa aa raha hai sunke?”

Talha nodded honestly – “ haan…bahut…”

Roshi sighed – “ Mujhe bhi ayaa tha,tabhi toh main finally car se utari aur use confront kiya…ab aap kya please…mujhe bina interruption ke bolne denege?”

Talha nodded and heard her explain every bit of it, word for word , expression for expression. And he couldn’t help but curse himself within over and over, as he heard her out. There she was defending his heart and his interest with jisse Mohabbat ki jaye, use related har rishte se Mohabbat ki jaati hai Sabeeka madam….and here he had misunderstood her only…never giving her a chance to explain…

When Roshi finally finished her sideof it, he sighed but looking straight at her he asked now realising the gravityof how this would have hurt her – “ I hurt you, didn’t I? when I didn’t hear your side of it then? When I did not give you a chance to explain? I hurt you,didn’t I?”

Roshi nodded. There was no point in lying now. This was not the time to play hide and seek. This was the time to lay it all out in the open.– “ It hurt. Yes. Ofcourse, it did. You hurt me so much, with not giving me the chance to even express my side of it. You just seemed to believe her blindly instead…and that hurt so much… More then id expected…”

Talha sighed – “ Forgive me please.aayat….for falling for her manipulation…”

Roshi shrugged but admitted honestly –“ I don’t know, if I can forgive, yet. We are being honest, right? Anyways, aap batein, usne aap se kya kaha tha… ”

Talha nodded and explained his side of it and he could see that he had her full attention and once he was done, he confessed with a sigh – “ But to be honest, aayat, tumhe uss din woh sab kehneka reason Sabeeka nai thi. Probably she was a part of it, just a little bit. Butthat outburst from my end towards you had everything to do, with something else altogether…”

That caught Roshi’s attention and sheasked immediately – “ what do you mean?? Aap please saaf saaf bataein…”

Talha looked straight into her eyes –“ My behaviour that day, had everything to do with what I was feeling for you, Aayat.It was never about me feeling nothing at all for you. Infact, it was alwaysabout me feeling too much, for you, even then. When Sabeeka told me everything,even though a part of me was happy to know your reaction, given that it hintedme that you felt something for me too, my mind was scared. You were making mefeel things, emotions, I hadn’t ever felt before, Aayat. In my heart, deep within,I knew I had fallen for you. I knew, I was falling deeper and deeper for you,by the day. But my mind wasn’t probably ready to digest and accept that I couldgive you the happiness you deserved… it led me to believe that I had to pushyou away…for your own good…because you deserved better than me…surely…that iswhy I said those hurtful things…to push you away …but please know…I butcherednot just your heart but also mine in the process, Aayat. I was so miserable andbroken, after. You left and that created such a vaccum in my life that itpained my entire being. I’v been nothing but a hollow shell ever since you left….”

Roshi gaped at Talha in shock at thatas she tried to process his words, and she asks her voice trembling – “ wait,what? You said those things to me, to deliberately push me away? Only becauseyou were feeling too much for me? And you decided in your head, that I wasbetter off without you??and you’v been a hollow shell ever since I left????”

Talha nodded – “ Indeed. You can askbaba if you don’t believe me..he’s been one true witness to my inner conflictand turmoil in your context…aayat…”

Now , to Roshi, Baba’s words start tomake sense suddenly…

She asks him wanting to get down tothe bottom of it all – “ Why did you feel like, you had to push me away for myown good????”

Talha nodded – “ Because, I feltlike, being with me, could lead to so many complications for you Aayat, you areso young. With me came responsibility of Mohid, even though I know you have aseparate equation with him, independent, off me. It felt like – it would beunfair off me to put so much responsibility on you. Even the other day, at thehouse on Baba’s bday, when I asked you to stay away from Mohid, it was undercover of sheer fear Aayat, because somewhere deep down in my heart, I was alsofearing that what if , everything you were feeling for me would turn out to bea temporary infactuation at your end, then where would that leave me? Because Ion the other end was falling head over heels for you in a way I’v never fallenfor anyone ever before? When I said, ki mohid handle nai kar paayega…agar tumne…usseignore kiya…I actually meant…myself too…mujhe pata tha ki main hi nai handlekar paaunga aayat…aur aakhir mein yahi toh hua na…main nai handle kar paayatumhara ignorance, cold shoulder, ya indifference….na kabhi shayad kar sakunga….pleasesamjo mujhe aayat……it was never about not feeling anything for you. It wasalways about feeling too much for you. Also, to be fair enough, this wasn’t justabout Mohid, at that time, I just felt like I had to push you away, for a fewother very other important reasons…as well…”

Tears glistened in Roshi’s eyes atthat on their own accord and she glared back at Talha at that – “ So, are yousaying that , all of that, everything that you said, everything you did…usedthose words to hurt me deliberately only because I was making you feel toomuch??? That was my punishment or what? For making you feel???”

She was still stunned. She wasshocked. She was speechless but she managed to stare hard back at him still asshe confessed, unshed tears glistening in her eyes – “ aapko andaaza bhi hai? Kiaapke shabdon ne uss din mujhe kaisatoda? Aise laga tha mujhe ki aapne…meri zaat ko apne kadmon tale raund diya….aurab aap mujhe yeh sab bata rahe hain…..main kaise react karun mujhe samajh naiaa raha…,”she paused, closing her eyes, hating the fact that a tear eachescaped her eyes, falling on both her cheeks.

Talha gulped down his guilt at thatand got up from his spot upfront and moved to sit closer right next to her onthe sofa now. He turned her subtly by the elbow to face him and wiped away bothher tears tenderly – “ please…ro mat…aayat…mujhe maaf kardo…please?? Mujhe patahai…main stupid tha…maine pagal pan kiya…par yahi sach hai tab bhi maine sirftumse hi Mohabbat ki..…aur baad mein bhi…maine socha…apne dil ko sambhalne kaek hi tareka hai…dimaag se faisla leta hun…sabeeka se Rishta joda taaki meradil mujhe majboor na kar paaye…tumhare pass daudne mein…aur mujhe pata hai…meriiss harqat ne bhi tumhe bahut hurt kiya….aayat…main stupid tha…main pagal tha….”

Two more lone tears escaped Roshi’seyes at that. She knew he could sense what she was feeling. She didn’t have tovoice it loud. She felt him wipe her tears away again tenderly – “tum please…romat…na…”

She closed her eyes. But when shefelt his hands caress the corner of both her eyes tenderly still - Roshi openedher eyes and glared at him, asking the bit that was still confusing her so much,because she so desperately wanted to know it all now – “forget Sabeeka…now youtell me… what are these other few important reasons that made you feel like youhad to push me away for my own good??tell me…tell me now…..I know there is more…Ican sense there is more…”

Holding both her hands in his, gladshe didn’t pull away, Talha confessed not hesitating from laying it all out inthe open – “ There is still so much, that you don’t know about me, Aayat. I havemany layers within, that I keep hidden from the world. I have this darknesswithin, that consumes me hard and fast, and it felt like, I would pull you downwith me, straight into it, Aayat. You don’t deserve to shoulder the weight ofmy darkness. You deserve better. You are Roshi. You are the light. I felt likebeing with me, would dim your sparkle…Aayat…main andhere ka musafir hoon aayataur tum roshniyon ki …uss waqt laga…mujhe…ki hamara saath tumhare liye jayaaznahi hoga….”

And perhaps, it was the sensitivityof the moment, that got the better off her, but her reaction came on reflex,her hands tightening over his in a grip as she glared back at him hard andasked – “ what do you mean? What darkness within are you talking about? What layers?Yeh aap kya bol rahe hai? Aap ko kyun lagta hai? Ki aap andhere ke musaafir hai…??????”

Talha closed his eyes at that perhaps,it would be better to start with the context related to her directly – “ main abitna bhi acha nai jitna tum samajhti ho.jitna seedha dikhta hun na tumhe mainaayat…utna hoon nai…mere andar bhi andhere ka toofan uthta hai…”

Roshi looked at him confused still – “huh?kya matlab?? ”

And she hears him say – “ chalo pehle…yehbatao…tumhe kya lagta hai…aayat? Tumhara dulha…shaadi tak kyun nai pahuncha??? Kaiseekdum se gayab hogaya??”

Roshi gaped at him sudden shock,thinking where did that come from and she asked studying the anger or rage thatsuddenly consumed his entire frame – “ kya matlab? Ab uska zikr kahan beechmein aagaya??”

Talha looked straight at her as heconfessed – “ Kyunki..shayad waqt aagaya hai ki tumhe haqeeqat pata honi chahiye…kitumhara dulha…shaariq…khud se gayab thodi na hua…usse…maine…gayab karwaya….aayat…taaki..wohnikaah tak kabhi pahunch hi na paaye…”

WHAT?

WHAT

DID

HE

JUST

SAY??????????????????

It was as if a bomb had dropped onRoshi as she heard that. She gaped at him in stunned shock as she asked, hervoice trembling in on her – “ kyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaa???? Yeh kya kaha aapne?????Aappne shaariq ko gayab kiya?? Aapne….aappne..kyun????,”And she paused lookingat him all flustered. Did Mr. Mature+Sophisticated +Calm +Composed Talha justconfess to her that he got Shaariq kidnapped so that he wouldn’t make it to thewedding????

Well, indeed, she’d never expectedthat from him..or the bit..that he was also looking at her in a totalnonchalant way right now, as if he didn’t regret his action one bit. Roshiflustered as she gaped at him – “ aapp…appne…aapne…usse….gayab…kiya??kyun????”

Talha shrugged at that casually butlaced his right hand into hers and clutched onto it hard – “ aur nai toh kya.Aur main kya karta? Tum sunne ko nai raazi thi, Aayat. Aur main mar jata, paruss haiwaan ko tumse shaadi kabhi nai karne deta….woh tumhare saath…yeh sochkebhi…meri rooh kaamp uthti hai…aisa andhera mere andar chaa jata hai…ki mainbayaan nai kar sakta….,”and he pauses and then he confronts her finally– “ aurtumne bataya kyun nai mujhe…ki woh tumhe blackmail kar raha tha? Dhamki de rahatha?? Yeh toh acha hua ki maine private investigator uske peeche laga ke sabpata kar liya aayat…nai toh tum pata nai kiss musibat mein apne aap ko daalne jaarahi thi…yeh sab maine sirf tumhare liye hi toh kiya hai…aayat…”

Roshi gaped at him speechless andstunned yet again. He knew. This means, he knew everything. She managed to askthrough shock yet again– “toh…iska matlab…. aapko…sab pata tha? Sab pat…a tha??”

In the moment, she was glad, theywere seated on the sofa or she would have surely fainted out of shock of itall.

TALHA AHEMED DID ALL THIS FORHER????????

She sees him nod as he answers hissteely gaze boring into her eyes again – “ Haan…mujhe sab pata tha…issiliye tohuse aise agwah karaya…ki woh hamesha yaad rakhega…aisi dhulayi ho rahi hai uski….kihamesha yaad rakhega….no one…just about no one messes with the woman I love. Period…”

That from him, obviously moves herheart immense and she asks to reconfirm, biting back a beaming smile – “ whatdid you just say??”

Talha acts on reflex at that and cupsher face tenderly, taking her face in his hands - “ No one, can ever mess with you, the love ofmy life, and get away with it Aayat. I won’t let them. Dekha tumne…tumhareliye..mere andar ka mafia bhi jaag utha…aur tumhe yakeen nai…ki mujhe tumsebepanaah Mohabbat hai…kitni mehnat kari maine…usse agwah karwaya..uss sabsepehle…dadajaan se baat ki…unse apni Mohabbat ka izhaar kiya…unse help li..taakiwoh hamari shaadi karade ussi din….kyunki mujhe laga tum toh kisi aur haal mainmaanti hi nai….kyunki tab tak mujhe lagne laga…ki agar tum apne aap ko barbaadkarne pe tuli ho…toh phir mere saath ki uljhane hi jhel lo…kamse kam main ussshaariq se toh bahut better off…hoon…haan koi mere pyaaron ko haath lagaye tohmere andar ka gunda jaagne mein der nai lagti….but otherwise…on the whole…usshaiwan se toh bahut better hun main….”

Now, that from Talha felt likeanother emotional bomb on roshi as it all became clear to her. The pieces of thisother puzzle fit together instantly. So this was what his interaction withDadajaan was about – all.

She couldn’t believe still - He did all of this…for her???? ForHer?????????????????????

She asks now just to reconfirm beforeher heart soared in a delightful journeyto the moon – “toh yeh sab…aapne…kiya?? Yeh sab aapne…mere liye kiya??????????sabbatatein pls…poori detail main…”

Talha nods and shrugs, and goes ontoexplain her every detail.

Minutes later, she is still processingit all, when she hears him conclude with – “Lo…ab tumhe sab pata hai…. haan pariss baat ki daant toh tumhe padegi aayat, ki tumne mujhe yeh sab batana jaayaznai samjha…agar mujhe nai pata chalta toh???? Kiss musibat main tum phans jaati??”

Roshi gulps at that and says to hermomentary defense – “ kaise batati aapko main. After everything that hadhappened, I just didn’t feel like I could come to you. Or tell you. I did notwant you to be my knight in the shining armor alright? Uss waqt mujhe kya patatha ki aap sach mein mujhse bepanaah Mohabbat kartein hai…”

Talha couldn’t help but smile at thatas he asked raising his eyebrow – “ matlab tumne ab maan hi liya…ki main tumsehi bepannah mohabbat…karta hun…sirf tumse…”

Roshi just smiled at that briefly andthen went on – “ I wont answer that yet, but I will say that I also did notcome to you for help because… I felt like I could save myself, and I wouldhave. Mera bhi pura plan tha, uss shaariq se deal karne ka….”

And momentarily, Talha was intrigued toknow her plan and so he asked - “Really? Tumhara kya plan tha? Usse shaadi karke apni Zindagi barbaad karna??”

And roshi ends up saying on reflex – “Nai..usse shaadi ke raat maarke..apne aap ko bachane…ka plan tha mera….mujhepata tha..woh mere pass aane ki zaroor koshish karta aur main aisa kabhi honena deti…woh mujhe touch bhi kare..yeh mujhe gawara nai….…maine socha tha use electrocutekardeti..nai toh cyniade pila deti…apni hifasat mein….”

STUNNED In. SHOCK. SILENCE. TalhaAhemed statuted into a rock, literally?

Was she mad????

Was she really planning Shaariq’smurder????

To say that Talha was bombed to hearthis from her would be an understatement as he asked her moments later comingout of shock – “ kyaaaaaaa?? Tumne uske murder ka plan banake Rakha tha????? Aayat?Pagal thi kya tum????”

She glared at him and continued withher defense – “ that was my last resort. Aur kya karti main??? Cyber crimedepartment main complain kari thi maine…par phir pata chala ki mujhe formallykhud in person wahan jaana padta ek baar toh for them to take it further…maindar gayi…ki ghar pe kisi ko pata na chal jaaye…,”and she raised her eyebrows athim – “ aur aap mujhe aise shock mein kyun dekh rahe hai…aapne bhi toh usekidnap kar waya? Samajh lijiye…mere andar bhi dark side hai gangster…wali…mafiawali…thike?but sirf apne aap ko bachane ki baat pe…apni hifasat ki baat pe…baaki toh mera dil saaf hi hai….”

Talha couldn’t help but swear out loud at that glaring at his beloved wife still in part shock– “ Ya Allah,shukar, ki maine usse kidnap karwaya…uski jaan toh bachi…”but he leans forward to cup her face intently because he wanted her to understand the gravity of her plan – “ But tumne…ek baar bhi nai socha ki iska consequence kya hota aayat? Agartumhara hi shohar shaadi ki pehli raat…ghayal,zakhmi ya maara gaya paayahota???tumhara kya hota?”

Roshi confesses – “ main bewa hone ke liye taiyaar thi…”

Talha rolls his eyes – “ pagal ladki…Sab tumpe hi shaq karte…aur agar woh nai marta toh kya karti tum? Yeh sab nai socha? Aur agar tumhare plan ka usse pata chal jaata…woh gusse mein kuch unhoni na kar deta tumhaare saath??? Yeh sab nai socha??”

Roshi gulps down her nervousness. She’snever thought of all this. And so on reflex shaking her head in a no, she confesses – “ Nai. Maine nai socha. Sach main. Yeh sab maine bilkul nai socha.Shayad meri immaturity thi yeh…”

Talha keeps his forhead on her’s at that overwhelmed with relief and emotion and soul consuming love – “ Pagal ladki. Tumhe kuch hojata toh….main…main…kya karta..aayat….main toh jeete jee mar jaata. Woh kuch kar deta tumhe toh. Woh tumhare pass aani ki koshish karta toh…tumhe touch karne ki koshish karta toh…ya allah…phir toh woh mere haath hi maraa jaata….”

She was affected by his sudden closeness obviously, and the vibe of intense love radiating from his entire being – just for her. It was too raw and pure to ignore .She found the courage to caress his cheek, as she whispered – “ Chalo,aisa kuch hua toh nai na…thanks to you…na mujhe usse maarne ki naubat aayi…na aapko…..,”And she paused to ask – “ par woh video…,”and she hears him answer placing a tender protective, possessive kiss on her head – “ sab delete karwadiya hai…aayat…tum ab kisi baat ki tention mat lena…abhi bhi..maar kha raha hai woh…jitne din aur raat uske khauf mein guzaarein hain a tumne…uski bharpaayi usse deni hi hogi…”

He hugged her at that, glad that she didn’t pull back. He head her ask - “ kab tak usse aise band rakhenge aap??”

Talha looked down at her from the side bewildered and annoyed partly – “ kyun? Tumhe tars aaraha hai? Uss par?”

Roshi bite back a smile as she embraced the love that was radiating off him for her – “ Nai bilkul nai. Meri balase. Jitna mare khape…mujhe kya. Par Mehreen aunty achi hai…woh bahut pareshaan hai…,”and she pauses as everything they’d just spoken about finally sank intoher.

Finally.

He loved her.

Talha Ahemed loved her. He’d always loved her. Only her. Oh her heart soared high and mighty. Everything else was just an excuse.

Sabeeka was just an excuse….

She was right on that realisation when she heard Talha sigh kissing her head possessively again - “ chod dunga…kuch din aur…phir chod dunga…aur tum chinta mat karo…ab uski kabhi himmmat bhi naihogi tumhare aas pass bhatakne ki…”and then he whispered inrelief again – “ Ya allah, shukar. Ki yeh shaariq ka mamla sab bilkul waise hua jaise maine plan kiya tha….”

He still couldn’t believe the mess,Aayat would have gotten into otherwise. Thank god, he intervened. Thank God. Hewas right on that thought when he heard Aayat ask softly, pulling back from him, gesturing him to look at her in the eye – “ Itni Mohabbat kartein hai aap mujhse…toh phir kyun…apne aap se dur kiya? Kuch aur baat bhi haina???Jiss darkness ki aapne baat ki…uska context kuch aur bhi haina…”

Talha nods at that intently, because the soul wrenching guilt about the accident, the baggage, pierced his gut, hard suddenly. He answered now - “ Haan kuch aur baat bhi hai aayat. Emotional baggage samajhlo. Mere kuch trauma hai. Kuch aise dard hai jo mujhe andar hi andar khate hai…kuch aise taqleefein hai…jinka wazan bahut bhaari hai aayat…….”

He heard her ask softly as she held onto bothhis hands – “ Please…batayein mujhe…aisa kya hai…please aaj sab bata dein….itnatoh samaj aagaya…baaki sab sirf bahana tha…asal baat shayad yeh hai????”

Talha studied her face. There she was, right in front of him, restored back to the Roshi, he’d come to know. The Roshi he had fallen in love with. Her eyes were shining with love. She’d probably not forgiven him yet. He didn’t expect it off her instantly as well,but now he had deep hope, that she would come around…eventually.

He heard her nudge him softly – “Please…bolein….please…”

Anguish consumed his soul.Perhaps,sharing this with her wouldn’t weigh her down. Perhaps, she would help him finda way to deal with the weight better, he realises that now. Looking away from her, he closed his eyes.Two lone tears left his eyes this time around as he letthe words out,leaning back in the sofa, putting his face in his hands, knowing if he didn’t say them now, he would never be able to say it out loud to her – “Gaadi main chala raha tha , Aayat. Uss din, bhai Bhabhi, mohid aur main, ek saath the. Accident ke din. Aur main gaadi chala raha tha. Mohid ne kaha..aurfast chalaiye paa…bhai Bhabhi ne mana bhi kiya…par maine..nai suni…aur…aur….accidenthogaya….meri wajah se…bhai Bhabhi nai rahe…meri wajah se…mohid…ne apne ma babako khoya…baba ne apne bete ko…aur meri wajah se…mohid ka trauma aaj tak…usse bolne nai deta….”

Pin drop Silence.

Stunned silence was what engulfed theair momentarily as Ayat processed the words that had just left Talha’s mouth. Andsuddenly, she felt like everything came to standstill for her as she connectedthe dots in her head. For suddenly the weight of his guilt, trauma, and baggagemade sense. It all made sense to her. She felt like she could understand, whythis was butchering him within so much. He blamed himself. He clearly blamedhimself till today for everything…

She looked at him. The anguish, thepain, the guilt, was so evident, laid out all in front of her in the open. Shereached out on reflex to pull his hands off his face. She felt nothing else inthe moment mattered but the fact that she had to be there for him, now that hehad just opened upto her about something as grave as this.Holding both hishands in hers gently, with only the love she felt for him, shining in her eyes,she whispered – “ aap apne saath nainsaafi kar rahe hai…apne aap ko blame karke….wohek haadsa tha….sirf ek haadsa….main toh aapke bhai Bhabhi se kabhi nai mili….butI am sure…they would be hating the fact that you are still blaming yourself likethis…killing yourself in the process…within….i do understand where you arecoming from, yes I do, but I also think you are being unfair…to yourself…”

To her surprise, Talha looks up, allteary eyed and anguished holds her shoulders at that and asks , gut wrenchingpain evident in his voice as anguished tears left his eyes – “ Tumhi batao…aayat…kaisena karun apne aap ko blame? Kaise? Meri wajah se hamara hasta khelta ghar ujadgaya…aayat…sab meri wajah se…aisa nai ki main iss dard, is gunah ki feeling sebahir nikalna nahi chahta…kyunki yeh ghutan andar mere liye bahut bhaari hai…parmujhe pata hi nai…ki main kaise isse bahir niklun….aayat….jab bhi main baba aurmohid ko dekhta hun…mujhe yeh ehsaas hai ki main unka gunheghaar bhi hun…undono ne kabhi nai bola…na kabhi jataya…par sach toh nai badlega na aayat….”

And it was then in that moment, Roshirealised, that perhaps, he just needed to cry it out in the moment. He neededto break down and cry it out as much, as he wanted to before he could process anythingshe had to say further and so in that instant – she did what her heart guidedher to do. She hugged him, first. She hugged him hard and she whispered holdinghim tight – “ Ro lein…aaj aapko jitna rona hai…ro lein…main yahin hun aapke pass…aapbass pehle aaj… ro lein…”

And to her surprise, Talha did notstop the flow of his anguish or tears this time around, like she partlyexpected him too. He did not guard himself up. Instead, he just hugged her hardand close, and cried his heart out. Cried out the guilt, the pain, the anguish,the weight of emotional baggage, that he had been holding in for so long…

The only bit Talha Ahemed didn’t knowin the process was that he wasn’t crying alone, because, whilst holding himtight into herself for support and comfort, his Aayat, His Roshi was cryingwith him too…silently enough for him to not notice…but yes…she was crying withhim too..shaken with overwhelming emotion…because in that moment…Aayat Suleman..aka..Mrs Talha Ahmed finally felt like she understood the man she so deeply loved - once and for all. It was as if, he’s finally taken off all covers, all masks..for her to see him…as is..for who he was…deep inside...

She continued doing what the moment, needed from her. She held him tight and she held him close as he wept away in her arms. She'd never imagined seeing him crying this way. But she knew, it was what he needed and she felt like she'd be dammed if she didn't soothe him through it....

……………………………………………………………..

Tada!! How was that guys?

i hope you all enjoyed reading it. It was a long update. But i wanted this part to stand out as one - between the two of them. I felt they needed this complete heart to heart at one go. Ab show mein na jaane kya hoga...this is my own version of alternate relaity for Talha* Roshi.

A couple of more parts in store for this short story ofcourse.

Will try to post the next part on Monday.

Much Love

Happy weekend

Prachi

It was really beautifully written! Loved the emotional conversation between two of them...I wish we could get this sequence in the series 😍

Looking forward to the new part...🤩

Helloo mrinalini

Thank you so much for your wonderfuk feedback. Brought a smile to my face. I am so happy to know that you enjoyed reading it honestly iv been itching to write out the third part to this...hopefully will get down to it today...

And yes I am yet to read the second part of your OS ...so looking forward to read it today as well

Originally posted by: minakrish

Hi Prachi,

This was such a beautiful piece. The angst, the burden from the part, the blackmailing... all out in the open. Raw emotions throughout.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Please tag me if and when you continue this or write a new one. I'd love to read more.

Love,

Mrinalini

Thank you so very much for your beautiful feedback! I am so happy tonknow that you loved both the parts. Mostly going to write the third part today..will post it once done...will surely tag you. Thank you so much once agajn

Originally posted by: serena_shadow

Wow it was damn too good...it was beautifully written..both talha and roshi inner feelings, what they felt, their burden, the truth, ..it was beautiful. I just loved both parts please tag me as well when you write next parts ..i'm dying here to know what will happen next