TS: The scar. Updated Pt2

Zoya stared at her wardrobe- she was in mood for a fully covered nighty today- maybe a full sleeve top and a long pajama?, Asad had irked her to no end during the day and she was in no mood for the 'sleevless in bed' rule he had imposed ever since they got married. It was funny when she thought about it- why not topless? Or even better, threadless? She laughed to herself..that'd be a shocker...a nice revenge...if she could manage to stay nude, attract him and not respond, that is...She was so funny and hopeless! If that were to happen she knew very well they both wouldn't be able to keep their hands off each other! And she was supposed to stay annoyed with him!

Annoyed! How difficult it was, in spite of their many fights and disagreements during the day...he usually managed to melt her right before bed...and therefore his rule had been seldom broken. Actually, she had, once, when she was very cross with him and he had not bothered to patch up...and she had to pay dearly with lost sleep when he turned around restlessly in sleep- he loved to curl around her right arm and sleep, even if he came to bed very late and she was fast asleep, and that one night had proved to be agonisingly depriving for both of them.

She had felt really bad at the end of it...and ever since, she could never bring herself to destroy his sleep like that even in the worst of her moods. Zoya picked the sleeveless sleep wear, lost in thoughts. Jahapanah would take some more time to come up...she was pretty sure. He had a lot on his mind, some unfinished business, plus he had been upset with her too...for coming home late, from shopping with Tamatar. He still held fast to certain archaic rules, she smiled to herself...at least she could afford to smile now- she had not been so tame back then either. She had given him an appropriate rejoinder to his lengthy lecture and that had made matters worse. Well, she was not going to thaw this time, she was sure he'd come around by the time he came to bed. Zoya yawned as she changed into the nighty and stretched herself. It had been a tiring day. She climbed on to the bed...she would doze off before he came.

That she did, but the deep sleep that her body yearned for did not come. She woke up half an hour later, still tired and restless. Asad had not come up still...and she knew the reason for her uneasiness. She craved for his touch, the warmth of his hug. By now, Asad was usually in bed, holding her gently in his embrace, making sure he didn't break her sleep. Her body was so pampered by the snuggling, that it refused to let her rest now. Zoya sighed and turned in bed. How long would it take for him?

She was not going down anyway. She pulled Asad's pillow and tried sleeping, hugging it- no use. Darn!! Why did she get so dependent on him? She ran her fingers on her naked arm and smiled...she was looking at her scar now and feeling it. It had puzzled her- this sleeveless rule. She had ceased to be ashamed of the big ugly scar, the night he had reassured her. But it was still quite huge and ugly. During the initial days she had once even woken up in the middle of the night and changed to Asad's right side, so he could sleep on her left arm, so the scar did not feel rough on him. And in the morning she had found that he had reversed the sides again.

Zoya pressed her face against the scar- it really felt coarse. But she knew Asad was fascinated by it. He would lovingly run his hands over it at the end of their love making...caressing tenderly as if it was baby soft skin. For the nth time she wondered at his obsession and blushed. She would have asked him, if she did not know that he would be embarrassed to express his thoughts. He was shy and intense, and she loved that about him. Of course, that did not mean she forgave him for yelling at her like that! Zoya chided herself and made one more attempt to sleep without him.

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Dear reader,

The idea for this story has been on my mind ever since we got our first glimpse of the scar...My first reaction was, it is so huge and ugly, and then I found the whole scene so sweet...

Today, I felt I should write it down before the whole thought slowly gets lost...in the drama that is going on...😆

I will try and update this today or by latest, tomorrow...Do leave your comments behind.😊

Part 2

BELOW...😊

Part 2:

Zoya woke up, feeling rested. It gave her a feeling of completeness to feel Asad's shallow breath on her neck- his arm entangled around hers...and it was a rarity to catch him so sound asleep, since it was his stirring that woke her up usually. She did not want to waste this opportunity to admire the fine male specimen sharing her bed , in fact more than the man, the child intrigued her. Asad was looking like a baby having a very peaceful sleep. She smiled, and then remembered. She was supposed to be angry with him. He had not apologised, yet had the audacity to grab the peaceful night she offered...what about the apology? She tried to retain some sulkiness, but the look on his face melted her heart. He really looked like one innocent toddler, and she ached to run her fingers through his hair...Zoya felt some unnerving passion stirring up within her. These feelings were still strange to her, even though they were married for 3 months. She was not a virgin any more, but they were not that familiar with each other either.

Zoya had to put a full stop to her train of thoughts when Asad suddenly opened his eyes, as if her thoughts woke him up. He turned straight, stretched himself, and rubbed his face- ready for the day. She found it difficult to drag her eyes away from him, and to her embarrassment, he turned towards her and looked her in the eye...COULD HE READ HER THOUGHTS?.. She blushed and looked away.

"You wore sleeveless..."- Not a question, not a statement- more like a mild exclamation...like a kid who received a reward, when he expected a caning.

She did not know how to answer that now. What did he mean? He didn't expect her to, yet she did, and he accepted it- no apology, no thanks!!! She was giving in too easily!

She threw her best glare at him and retorted," Kyun? Aapke tarah pathhar dil samajh rakha hai?" It did not take her long to realise the folly of her words, when she saw Asad grinning. What had she said, and what did it mean? It sounded like she forgave him without being asked. Zoya cursed herself and got up. God! What was wrong with her? She was an embarrassment on the universal sisterhood of wives, who had sworn to teach their erring husbands a lesson or two! She was simply not going to talk to him until he apologised.

Asad stared at her disappearing form. He hated arguing with her for the same reason- it was so damn difficult to apologise. On top of that, instead of letting things rest, he had added fuel to her fury, though he had to admit that she looked a thousand times more adorable and desirable like that...He would have to find a way to win her favour...

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Zoya tried to concentrate on her daily routine, brushing away the resentment. She had stayed aloof during breakfast, just enough to drive the point home to his thick skull, taking care that Phoophi did not sniff out their latest tiff. And he had remained Akdu as ever! It was lunch time now, he still had not apologised. She was expecting him home for lunch today, and it was tiring to put up the same charade. The phone rang and her heart leapt up. Something told her it was him...her heart betrayed her as she made a dash for it.

It was him...

"Zoya"- as if he had some kind of telepathy that told him it was her at the phone...she remained silent.

"I'll not be home for lunch."- as 'matter of fact'-ly as possible. NO regret, no apology!

All she could manage was a "Hmm..OK.", before she gave him another 2 seconds and put the phone down.

Disappointed, Mr. Khan! Zoya did not know who she was more furious at- herself or him?

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The rage and disappointment silently brewed within through the day, and by the time she heard the calling bell at dinner time, she wanted to get rid of this discontentment. If only he'd show a slight hint of regret!

"Asad, dopahar ko koi kaam tha kya?", Dilshad asked as Zoya was setting the table. She looked out of the corner of her eye- he looked quite fresh, holding his laptop bag. How she wished he was holding a bouquet or a single flower or even a petal! This was frustrating.

"Haan Ammi, woh Style Plus waale koi renovation karna chaahtey hai. They are pretty impressed with the work we did for their other showroom. I had to go down and see the place with Mr. Khanna. We had lunch together."

"Wow, Bhaijaan! I thought they were going to shift to the new place...it seems bigger...they are planning to keep the old one too?"- Tamatar exclaimed. It was her favourite shopping destination- in fact it was the most popular place for women's wear in Bhopal.

"They are doing very well, Tamatar. They know they can make profit with both...", Asad smiled as he glanced towards Zoya. She continued her study of the pattern she had set on the table. He made for the room, for a quick wash up and Zoya sighed. He had sounded vaguely excited. She could read him very well by now, even the minute variation in his tone or breath spoke to her.

Excited over a stupid new deal? What about her? He had forgotten all about their fight?

Zoya tried to appear as pleasant as possible during dinner. She kept a smiling face and conversed mostly with Tamatar about her day at college.

By the time she and Phoophi had cleared the table, Asad had already retired to their room.

He was at his laptop and ...there was a small packet on her side of the bed.

Oh! So that was it...she wondered what it was. A scarf? A duppatta? A book? Sorry, Mr. Khan, gifts not accepted without apology. She'd ignore it, then he'd have to talk to her.

She walked towards the cupboard..."Zoya...", she turned. He barely took his eyes off the laptop and looked at her, and directed towards the packet- "For you..."- Was there a trace of sheepishness in the tender look he gave his laptop?

She bit her lip and took the packet and turned her back to him, as she opened it.

Seriously! Men! She would have loved to throw it out of the window, but it looked really sweet. It was a cute gown that came up to her knees, made of soft muslin, with a very soft and hazy flowery design. The colour was a pretty pink, with some neat cream and purple lace work on the neck and bust. And... it was a noodle strap!

Zoya did not know whether to laugh or cry...

Laugh, because Asad had probably not even realised that she was still angry with him...

Cry, because if this was his way of offering peace- getting her to wear something he would love to see her in, without any sort of verbal apology- well, she'd have appreciated a little more sensitivity.

She did neither, though tears of anger and frustration stung her eyes, as she made a decision. She'd wear it, to show him.

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Dear reader,

Well, I kept my promise. I updated it! 😉

Had wanted to finish it with part- 2. Will need some more time 4 that. Soon, I hope.

A BIG THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU WHO COMMENTED ON MY WORK...

REALLY MEANS A LOT!🤗

Do like and comment, if you liked it and time permits.

You write so well! that was really beautiful.. continue soon😃

Lovely one shot dear :) so sweet, and so touching 😳 beautiful writing. Please write more <3

Loved this. Please continue soon! Zoya's dependence on his arms to sleep and his sleeveless rule and obsession with her scar are all too sweet

Wow! This was beautiful. 😳 So sweet. Update soon

nice story. plz continue soon.