SaHil FF : Remember me ...? *Part 5 and 6 page 15* - Page 6

Chapter 3: Dejavu...

Aahil wheeled Sanam into the foyer, as the caretaker carried the things in from the car. Aahil made a split decision that afternoon, He wasn't taking her back to the mansion, to face the craziness there, not in this vulnerable state.His Ammi will play mind games with him and make him feel guilty too, he is really powerless against her manipulations.

So Aahil took Sanam to the farmhouse he bought after he took her to the dargah with Rehan. Only Rehan and himself know of the place, Sanam should be safe here for now. Plus Aahil felt like he was given a second chance, to restart with Sanam, he was going to grab it for sure.

Sanam stood up gingerly and Aahil rushed to her side. Supporting her weight, he led her to the sofa.

"Do we live here Aahil? Is there anyone else here?"

"We're staying here for now Sanam. There are too many people who'll just pressure you to remember at home. I don't want to overwhelm you, so we'll take it easy here, okay?"

"Don't you have to go to work and stuff? What do you do anyway?"

"I have a real estate company Sanam, we build and sell houses. I can do that from here, on the phone and computer..."

"Must be nice to own your own company, be your own boss... Did I have a job?"

Aahil swallowed. What should he say? Cook? Wife of a complete jerk? No, First wife to be exact...

But Sanam had put her feet up and dozed off. The trip must've tired her, he thought, feeling her forehead. He carried her up to the bedroom and tucked her in bed. She continued to sleep soundly despite his ministrations. He settled himself on the chaise lounge and watched her sleep.

She drifted in and out of sleep for most of the next two days. Waking up to drink some soup and take her medicines and drifting back to sleep. Aahil pretty much stayed by her side. He kept his phone off, determined to keep everyone off their backs. They are all adults, they can take care of themselves. This possessiveness over Sanam felt good, besides he still needed to get to the bottom of the mountain of schemes, on upon the other woven around Sanam. Suddenly he wished he had heard what Sanam was fighting to tell him so many times the past few weeks.

Rehan tried hard to persuade him, to let Sanam's twin, Seher, come to take care of her. But he refused. He didn't want to share Sanam with anyone at the moment. Long lost twin be damned. Besides, he wasn't ready to be civil to that impostor.

Early the third morning, he opened his eyes to the sight of Sanam attempting to stand up. He jumped up from his chair and went to help her.

"Sanam..? What are you doing ? Here, sit for a moment.."

"I'm sick of lying down Aahil... I want to get out of this room..!"

Aahil forced her to sit back as he fussed in the bathroom with a basin and some sponges. He came back and placed them by the bed, and she looked incredulously at him.

"What do you think you are doing??"

He looked up at her, and their eyes locked. Her vision was on him but her thoughts were about something else... another time... a different place...

(gif credit: mysticalparadox@tumblr)

Her shaking hands rubbing a wet cloth over hard muscles, sleek and toned. Dry throat, shallow breaths as they wipe over a still torso, while a piercing pair of eyes burned her face with heat, watching... a faint perfume smell, a sporty citrus smell.

(gif credit: mysticalparadox@tumblr)

The same smell she smelled on him now...

Sanam gasped .. "Have I given you a sponge bath before?"

Aahil was taken aback by the sudden query. Blushing awkwardly, he nodded.

"Allah miyan! You're blushing !," Sanam giggled, "You look very cute when you blush.. But sorry, I'm going to the bathroom only. No spongebath for me... My hair feels like things have nested in it... Ugh..." He helped Sanam into the bathroom and stood sentry outside while she took a long hot shower.

She's starting to remember me... he thought happily... His mind started to think of all her favourite things to help her along...

Sanam came out after a long scrubbing session feeling a lot better. I must a neat freak or something... She found herself alone in the room. She decided to wander around the house, fingering a taweez she found tied to her arm earlier.

My husband is a rich man, she thought, feeling rather disconnected, like it wasn't hers as well. She looked around at the plushly decorated rooms, and wandered out to the patio, overlooking a small swimming pool.

Aahil was swimming. The powerful muscles flexed and extended as he effortlessly did laps. Distracted by the display of his amazing physique, she dropped the taweez into the water. Upset, she reached out into the water for it, succeeding in only pushing it further away.

Suddenly, she abruptly lost balance and splashed unceremoniously into the water with a surprised scream. Belatedly discovering she couldn't swim, she grappled in the water, not able to feel the floor under her feet, sinking quickly. Quickly, a pair of hands lifted her from under the water and into his arms.

She coughed and spluttered, her fingers hanging on to his bare shoulders for dear life.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING SANAM !!!" Aahil thundered, as she coughed all over him,"What, you saw a pool and you happily jumped in, did you!??! You know you can't swim!! Are you crazy ??" His frown was severe, voice so harsh that she felt like weeping.

"I'm not a fool, alright? I dropped my taweez in the water, I was trying to get it! Why do you always treat me like an idiot??" she spat back, uncaring that she was being held safe by him only.

Aahil went silent, his frown quickly dissipated. Something flickered in Sanam's eyes and she blinked furiously. She shivered and sneezed, and he gathered her in his arms and lifted her out of the pool. Taking a deep breath, he told her to get his towel and dry herself.

Feeling rather sulky, she watched him hoist himself out of the pool, dripping wet and gorgeous.

Oh my... My husband is gorgeous... she lamented to herself. After shaking off excess water and drying himself, he picked her up and took her to the bedroom.

"You've rescued me from water before haven't you..."

Silence.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to make you angry.."

Aahil swallowed hard, consumed by memories. "It's okay. Get changed."

This time Aahil ordered her to sit put by the TV, remote and all essential things placed close by, while he went to get some lunch. Feeling a little put out by the swimming pool adventure, she obliged and just sat. She was momentarily distracted by the soap opera marathon going on.

Gosh, these soap opera villains are like roaches, come hurricane or calamity, they always survive !

She appreciated the hero's good looks too, as he flaunted his six pack abs.He's okay, but not as amazing as Aahil. Aahil looks more fit, and more handsome too.

His eyes... they do things to me...

Sanam felt her face go warm and felt like a silly schoolgirl, fawning over a movie star.

He is my husband.. Why can't I daydream about him?

How did I end up marrying such a gorgeous man anyway? I don't seem like his type...

I don't know much about him, only that I trust him...

Aahil found her like that, smiling and blushing into the TV. He thought she was fangirling over some half naked soap hero, and felt unsuppressible irritation. He grabbed the remote control, and changed the channel with unconcealed ire.

"What nonsense are you watching?" he growled, as Sanam sat up in surprise.What did I do to irritate him now?

He grumpily set out the lunch as she watched him. He caught her eye and saw her confusion. His jealousy disappeared completely, felt a little foolish too.

"Sorry... " he said, absently rubbing his collar, "I guess I don't like you looking at other men like that.." he finished, sheepishly.

The huge smile that bloomed on Sanam's face made his discomfort vanish.

"Pleasseee!! That guy?? No way ! You look much much better..." her compliment so unguarded and honest, that he felt himself blush. Sanam giggled at him.

"OK, enough of that. Let's eat. I brought all your favourites! Sher Korma, Biryani, Pudina chutney, Faluda icecream... The works !"

"No apple pie ??" she asked innocently. He looked at her, shocked, but she didn't seem to take much into the startling statement and continued grinning at the spread.

Sanam looked at the food expectantly, feeling excitement when confronted by the smell and variety of foods. A momentary horror... Oh God! Am I a glutton who's going to eat her husband out of his wealth? Hopefully not... poor Aahil...

She ate some of everything and found them wanting. Especially the pudina chutney...

"Aahil, do I cook? "

Aahil looked up in surprise. "Yes! Fabulously... why?"

"This chutney is terrible... I'm going to make some tomorrow... I think... Take me to the market? Please? I'll show you what real food tastes like..."

Aahil smiled at her. Aahil Raza Ibrahim at the grocery market? That'll be a first...

"Sure. Tomorrow. Enough excitement for today okay?"

Sanam clapped her hands in glee. They spent the evening watching a Hindi movie, arguing over topless heroes and scantily clad heroines. Aahil never felt so lightheaded in his life.

If only he could keep her here forever. Like this.

Late that night, he awoke to the sound of her screaming...

"AAHILLL !!! Help me !! Please !! " She kept screaming his name over and over.He held her close in his arms, but she wouldn't wake up. She kept her hands on her neck as though suffocating. Kept calling for him to help her. He felt helpless against this unseen threat to her safety, wondering what the hell she was dreaming about.

When did someone strangle her? And why wasn't he there when she called?

He shook her hard, and she opened her eyes finally, sweaty and tired.

"She was trying to kill me Aahil...! I'm scared ! Please help me Aahil!!" she pleaded with him as he held her close, stroking her hair. "Who is it Sanam?? Tell me?" But she didn't answer, and went back to sleep.

Aahil spent the rest of the night thinking about who might be trying to harm Sanam. Mostly feeling guilty that he wasn't there when she obviously needed him.

To be continued...

Part 4