Part 3
Jannat just looked at him with wide eyes, thankful she wasn't alone. Aahil found a window and opened it, letting in some moonlight and air. Cool breeze wafted in but the grilles prevented any exit strategies.
"Power should be back soon Jannat. The mayor is at the venue, and bureaucrats tend to get things fixed faster when it involves them", he said with a wink. She smiled back and there was an awkward silence.
"Sanam loved to watch the moon..." he said in melancholy.
"Really? Me too..."
Aahil smiled, "You're more like Sanam that you can ever imagine..."
After a long tense silence, she said softly, "Tell me about her..."
With a self deprecating laugh, he sighed at looked out at the moonlit sky. "I was so messed up. Stuck in the dark , alone. Sanam was the only one who cared enough to reach me and drag me out into the light. She is my salvation, she is Allah's gift to me..."
Jannat felt breathless listening to his deep baritone, all the more disturbing was the hushed way he spoke. Swallowing hard, she asked, "Why were you in the dark, Aahil? Why were you alone? You have a huge house and family all around you..."
"Sanam saw through all the pretenses and facades. She saw the real me. And despite that she loved me. She fought others for me, and I didn't even know the extent she had to go through because of it.."
"I don't understand Aahil. What was the issue. Did your family not approve of her? "
"No... it was me. I was buried under so much baggage and guilt... My Ammi murdered my father, and told me I did it..."
Jannat gasped aloud. Breathing hard, she asked "How old..."
"I was 11 years old..."
"Oh God. That's horrible. What really happened?"
"Father had just given me a whipping, and locked me up in the storeroom. Father had a terrible temper. But he was especially angry that day. Afterwards I heard shouting and arguments, but I had fallen asleep hungry. I don't know how I got back in bed the next morning. But Ammi was suddenly yelling that I had shot my father and the gun was in my hand. I was horrified!! Screaming and crying, until Ammi said she'd take the blame for me..."
"I was stuck under the guilt. My life was to repay my debt to Ammi. ... Until Sanam came. "
"We fought horribly. I treated her badly, and she paid me back in equal measure. She was fiery, and gutsy, beautiful, the most amazing girl I had ever met. She joined the mansion as a cook, and everyone thought I hated the very sight of her. But only I know, how fought my feelings for her. "
"It was crazy. I was pushed into a corner and forced to marry Nida, and I couldn't say that I really wanted Sanam instead. But I thought she loved another. It was all messed up. But Ammi switched brides and put Sanam in place of my bride..."
"Oh God... There must have been a reason... Did Badi Ammi need surgery?"
Aahil stopped abruptly and stared and her. Jannat was stunned at herself. Where in the world did that come from? Bothered by the piercing stare, she mumbled., "Please, go on ..."
"Sanam started to fall in love with me. It was the most beautiful time of my life. I would have done anything for her. No one had loved me like she did, ever. I had my moments of self doubt which she dispelled. "
"She was convinced that I was innocent of murder. So, she quietly gathered proof and Ammi... tried to harm her. Ammi tried to kill her. And she persevered. For me. Although I was blind to Ammi's true face. She even had to fight me. But she stuck by me..."
"The things Ammi did. She made me doubt Sanam. We were to renew our vows and then Ammi brought another woman... By the time we got through all our troubles, I didn't even get a chance to make it all up to her..."
The weight of guilt was heavy on his shoulders, and it clawed at Jannat's insides.
"Surely this isn't your fault. You just seem to have really bad luck. And you are surrounded by awful people..."
"I lost Sanam. I've been looking everywhere for her. I don't know if she'll ever come back..."His voice choked and he turned away, his shoulder quaking silently.
Jannat touched his shoulder gently and turned him around. He hastily wiped his face clean and turned, but his moist eyes gave him away. Before she knew what she was doing, she pulled him into her arms and held him. His body stiffened for a fraction of a second, then his arms went around her and he held her back snugly.
Something about his arms around her... gave her a secure feeling. They just stood there hugging for comfort and Jannat started to feel guilty for not wanting it to end. She was starting to pull back, when his hands tightened and he turned his face into the crook of her shoulder. An unknown sensation welled in her stomach and the embrace turned heated.
It wasn't just in the dream! It feels the same in real life ...
She yanked herself out of his arms abruptly. His brooding eyes queried questioningly. She laughed awkwardly and put out a friendly hand to soothe the weirdness.
She rubbed his shoulder consolingly, "Allah is Merciful. He won't just leave you like this forever. I'm sure she will come back to you..."
"But you never said what happened to her... Did she leave you? "
"No, this evil woman I was forced to marry by Ammi, had Sanam kidnapped and she was taken up to the Pakistan border. Then their truck was involved in a terrible accident and I haven't been able to find her. Not even a body to bury. She just disappeared past the border..."
Pakistan?
"Where in Pakistan did you say, Aahil?"
"Chenab River banks..."
Darn, I need a map! Jannat thought, thinking her Geography a little rusty like everything else. I'll look it up when I get back...
"It runs all the way up to Uch Sharif and beyond..." Aahil said , as though asked. Jannat started at the intense staring, and felt hunted by the expression in his eyes.
"Where did you say you had your accident, Jannat?"
"What ?! What kind of question is that? What have I got to do with your story??"
"You have everything to do with this story... You were found hurt in Uch Sharif right? And Shaad found you as some rioters were chasing you?"
"What are you saying ?? Shaad is my husband and he was looking for me .. we were separated..."
"But what were you doing in Uch Sharif? Did you live there? Were you holidaying there? In a place under riots? Why were you separated? Did he tell you? How did he not also be in that same accident that you were in??"
"Stop it !! Stop it !! My head hurts ! I need time to think..!"
"Did he explain anything to you at all ??? Or you had to neatly tie it up in your head yourself?"
"You forgot everything ! How did you know he is your husband?"
"Stop it! You can't say things like this! Why would Shaad lie?! God ! My head hurts! Argh!" she felt the now familiar signs of an impending panic attack.
Aahil backed her against the wall, so all she could she was him. He deftly folded her into his arms and held her face against his chest. Immediately, her breathing calmed. He stroked her hair softly and hushed her, the sound of his heart beat lulling her into repose.
So cosy was the warmth that she felt a little heady. Sighing, she lifted her head and looked at Aahil. She met his soft eyes and was transfixed. With an indrawn breath, he swooped down to kiss her.
The moment their lips met, fireworks went off in her mind. Cajoling and persistent, he kissed her thoroughly and his hand crept up to keep her head from falling back. She gave in to the impulse and just let him, loving all the feelings that are burgeoning inside her.
But she wanted to participate too. Unsurely, she linked her arms around his shoulders and flushed her body up close to his, making him moan in her mouth. Running her hand in his hair, she felt his hand moving down to her lower back and pulling her close.
As she felt his hardness, she broke the kiss and gasped breathlessly...
"Sanam..." he murmured huskily.
She was shocked by that one word. She pulled out of his arms and held her head. What the heck am I doing ? Why is he calling ME, Sanam?
Lights came back on at that moment, casting its stark fluorescent brightness upon them. She panicked further and step away from him.
"Sanam... listen to me... I can explain everything to you.. and I HAVE PROOF..."
"Stop it !! I am Jannat !! JANNAT !! SHAAD'S WIFE !! "
"No, you're not! You're my wife, Sanam Ahmed Khan. Sanam Aahil Raza Ibrahim. You were kidnapped and taken across the border and the truck met with an accident. I lost track of you there..."
"Think ! You rang my phone from Lahore ! I got two missed calls from you, but you said you were Jannat and I got confused. Why would you ring me of all people !?"
Jannat thought about that, and couldn't find an explanation for it. Aahil took the opportunity and closed in .
"You are Sanam. My wife. I have been searching everywhere for you ! It's me , your Aahil.."
"So, Shaad is lying? Why would he do that? What could he gain from claiming a stranger as his wife?"
Aahil looked at the woman who didn't know her own worth. "He must have fallen for you.. But he has no right to... Because you are already married. To me. "
Aahil took a step closer and Jannat freaked out.
"NO! Shaad wouldn't lie ! He has rescued me so many times ! He has kept me so safe. I cannot believe he could be so conniving ! You are manipulating my lack of memories and confusing me !! YOU ARE DELUSIONAL !! You are grieveing the loss of Sanam, and looking for her in me !! I am not her !! God!! I need to go..."
Aahil grabbed her hand , but she yanked herself free and ran out of the now unlocked door. She ran and ran into the open air, looking for Shaad.
Looking for answers...
Part 4
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
CID
126