Chapter-28 Trust

Zuby's POV

I woke up at the sound of my alarm. Turning it off I smiled looking at the hand on my waist. I turned to see my husband still peacefully asleep. This is the second time when I woke up with his hand on my waist and to my surprise it felt good. Initially I thought that any kind of physical contact with Ayaan will make me uncomfortable but I guess I was wrong. Well at least I am not uncomfortable when he is asleep. Or should I say nothing he does makes me uncomfortable, especially after day before yesterday when Ayaan taught a nice lesson to my sick cousin. I don't know why but I have this sense of security in myself now, as if Allah Almighty has given me my own personal protector or savior or should I say my very own knight in shining armor. My smiled broadened; anyhow I removed his hand from my waist and got off the bed. I freshened up and did ablution then once I was out from the bathroom I woke up Ayaan. Yesterday I didn't say anything when he said his prayer at home but for today I had already decided that I will ask him to go to the mosque and pray.

It took me almost five minutes to wake up my dear husband, I was half through my prayer when I noticed that he picked up the prayer mat and was about to start his prayer. I got up from my prayer mat and stopped him...

"Go to the masjid Ayaan..." I said softly, he just smiled and nodded his head and went out. I felt so good, after all it is said that a wife completes the deen (faith) of her husband, and me being able to send my husband to the mosque for prayer was an important step.

After completing my prayer I just laid for some time thinking about yesterday. A chuckle escaped my lips as I recalled Ayaan's mischievous eyes. Since it's our reception today mom insisted that I should get some henna re applied on my hands as within a week its color has almost faded. I was ready for that but then mom also said that I should get henna applied to my feet, I tried to talk her out of this idea but she gave me a stern look and I just nodded yes. One thing I understood about mom was that she can be equally strict when she wanted to. But then she came to me and patted my head affectionately saying...

"Sweetheart it will look really nice, and anyway since you call me mom now then I am sure I can be a little strict with you every once in a while." She kissed my forehead and I smiled and said 'of course mom'. So then I was sitting on the chair in my room with henna on my feet and both hands too. Sagu had come yesterday and stayed with me for almost the whole day. She told me to sit on my bed comfortably before getting henna applied but I insisted on sitting on the chair itself. And now after sitting for almost an hour I was so tired that I just wanted to lie down on my bed. But the problem was if I stand up now then I will ruin the henna on the base of my feet. I was whining like a child about how tired I am when Ayaan came in the room to take something. He smiled at Sagu before turning to me and asking...

"Why are you sulking love?" This was the second time he called me love and I was already used to it. Before I could answer him Sagu told him the whole thing. He turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes saying...

"Oh this is no problem that can't be fixed" before I could understand what he was up to Ayaan walked to me and in a swift motion picked me up. I squealed at the sudden action and with a blink of eye he placed me on our bed.

I kept looking at him with my eyes wide and mouth open while Sagu was laughing out loudly. Ayaan playfully winked at Sagu and again turned to me bowing a little and asking...

"Any other problem I can assist you with, my queen?" I wonder what was with these nick names today...first love then queen. I just smiled and shook my head no.

I was brought out of my trance by a knock on my door. I said come in and Ayaan walked in yawning, he smiled at me and plopped on the bed with a thud falling asleep almost immediately....

"Ayaan..." I called his name softly and he hummed and turned to face me...

"You don't need to knock before entering your own room, I feel bad since you have to do it because of my presence." I said meekly not looking in his eyes. I lift my gaze when Ayaan moved closer to me and he held my hand...

"Zuby your presence in my life or in my room in this case is a blessing for me. There is nothing to feel bad about it....and I knock just to let you know that there's someone at the door. I thought you might not be comfortable with me just barging in...But if you don't like it I won't do it from now onwards." I smiled and nodded at him, he really thinks about my comfort in every little thing. He winked at me saying...

"Now I am really sleepy...in fact I will suggest you also take a nap because it is going to be a really tiring day today since we have our reception. Also because some guests will come early." I hummed in agreement and lay facing the other side. I don't know when I fell asleep but woke up at the sound of someone knocking at our door. I rubbed my eyes to see Ayaan was already at the door and just opened a little bit of it. I heard the sound of another guy and quickly sat up fixing my headscarf. Just then Ayaan closed the door and said…

"Relax...it was Bhai...he said he has a gift for us and wanted to give it to us together. I told him we will see him in a while." This whole week I didn't spend any time with Bhai since he had his night shift. I wonder what he has for us. I won't say it in front of Ayaan, but I love getting gifts. Sagu and Sagar always keep on getting me little surprises, for me it was never the price of the gift that mattered. Anyway I looked at the time and it was already ten in the morning, I gasped realizing how late I woke up.

I quickly got in the bathroom to have a bath and get ready for the day. Last night Adila Appi gave me a beautiful bottle green color anarkali suit to wear throughout the day today. And for the evening the color of my gharara is still a surprise for me. Mom assured me that I will love it, but I am really excited to see how it looks. Each time I am so happy I wonder if this is all true or is it just a beautiful dream.

I dried my hair and was brushing them when I noticed Ayaan staring at me, I raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner and he just shook his head and smiled...

"I love your hair Zuby" I don't know why I felt shy and just thanked him without looking in his eyes. Ayaan wore a white kurta pajama and I must say he looked really handsome in it. A blush crept its way on my cheek and I tried to look away so that Ayaan can't notice. I wonder what's wrong with me but lately I have been blushing a lot and especially when Ayaan is around.

Both of us went toward Bhai's room and Ayaan just barged in without knocking. I stayed outside but then Ayaan held my hand and pulled me in. Bhai was there sitting at his study table, he smiled at us and immediately offered me his chair while both the brothers sat on his bed. I looked around his room and noticed the really big and loaded bookshelf he has. I guess looking at my expression Bhai asked me...

"You like to read Zuby?" I nodded enthusiastically; I mean I wanted to shout of course I love reading. But I wonder if Bhai had anything of my choice to read. He laughed at my excitement and asked me to take any book I want to read and feel free to take it whenever I want to. I got up and started going through his books, to my surprise they were not just a bunch of medical books but also some romantic novels. I picked up one and asked Bhai if I can have it to which he readily agreed.

Bhai got up and requested me to sit with Ayaan as he wants to give us something. I obliged to his request and then Bhai handed an envelope in my hand. I looked at Ayaan not sure of what it is, but I guess even he didn't know since he shrugged and looked at Bhai....

"Well...this is a wedding gift for both of you from my side. It's actually a honeymoon package..." my eyes went wide for a second and then I could feel my cheeks heat up, I lowered my gaze and didn't know what to say. Ayaan on the other hand thanked Bhai very casually. In fact he was kidding with Bhai saying...

"Now where can I expect a neurosurgeon to send us for our honeymoon..." he tapped a finger at his chin and took the envelope from my hand. Bhai noticed that I was quiet and said...

"You don't have to worry about anything Zuby, the flight dates and the bookings are all flexible. You can change according to your plan. And by the way it's a place from your bucket list..." I looked at him confused at how he can know my choice, it seemed Bhai heard my unsaid question and continued...

"Your best friend Sagarika was very really helpful" I smiled and shook my head, Ayaan was busy checking out the documents from the envelope and then suddenly spoke in an excited tone...

"Zuby you wanted to go to Dubai?" Of course Sagu knew that I wanted to visit Dubai again.

We were still in Bhai's room when mom came barging in and scolded me for not having my breakfast yet. I felt bad that she didn't show any concern for Ayaan; guess she was still annoyed with him. I followed her outside to the dining table for breakfast and wished that one day soon she and Ayaan patch up their relationship. I turned to look but Ayaan wasn't there behind me, mom had already served my breakfast but I asked her to give me a minute and immediately went to call Ayaan. He didn't say anything but I could see the hurt in his eyes. Both of us ate in silence since everyone else already had their breakfast.

Adila Appi told me that the beautician will come to help me get ready for our reception. Her in laws were about to reach in some time with Bilal Bhai and she was busy arranging stuff. After breakfast I sat with dad in the living room and around noon Bilal Bhai and his family arrived.

With Bilal Bhai came a very excited young girl, Zoya. I almost forgot that she is Adila Appi's sister in law. She tackled me into a bear hug and said...

"I am so happy that you are a part of the family now" I hugged her back and then met Bilal Bhai's parents. They all seemed to be nice people. I really couldn't believe that almost everyone I have met in Ayaan's house is so good. These people are definitely genuinely nice humans. I feel so bad for me as my only family, my uncle, aunt and cousin are like my worst nightmare. How I wish they were also good to me.

Anyway thinking about them suddenly I started feeling uneasy; I just hope they don't create any scene on my reception. And Ashfaq...I don't even want to look at him. Even after what Ayaan did I am still scared of him. I feel terrible for being such a coward but I just can't help it. Tears started pricking at the corner of my eyes as memories of my lashing flashed in front of my eyes again. I did not want to bother anyone so I excused myself and just walked in my room. On entering the room I could feel my breathing getting heavier while I started crying. Just then Ayaan came in, I quickly tried to wipe my tears and rush in the bathroom but I was not fast enough. Ayaan held my hand and took me in his embrace; I couldn't help but cry holding his kurta into tight fists. Ayaan walked us to the bed and sat down; reluctantly I pulled out of his warm embrace and wiped my tears while hiccupping...

"Now tell me what's bothering you Zuby?" I couldn't look in his eyes and covered my face. I just don't know why I am again feeling so helpless?

"Zuby...please...you can trust me..." Ayaan was being very polite with me and finally I told him...

"I am scared to face my uncle and his family tonight." I heard him take in a sharp breath then he cupped my face with his warm hands and made me look at him...

"When I said you are not alone I meant it Zuby...and when I said you are safe here I meant that too. Not just me but mom, dad, Bhai and Adila Appi we are all here for you. You don't have to be scared of anyone. Trust Allah and believe in my words when I say I won't let them harm you ever again." With that he again hugged me but this time…I didn't cry.