Chapter-32 Five Long Days

Ayaan's POV

I am not able to digest the fact that my own wife happily said yes to stay away from me for 5 long days. I am angry, upset, disappointed, rejected...ya Allah I don't even know how to categorize my feelings right now. How can she just say yes with the blink of an eye? And mom...I can't believe she can be so selfish. I mean this is ridiculous. Only I know how I finished dinner tonight. And now here I am pacing in my room from the last 5 minutes. I didn't even try the dessert. I wonder what mom made today. She just said it was a surprise but I couldn't sit there any longer after listening to mom and Zuby's conversation. None of them bothered to ask me, I know Zuby didn't like to see me walk away without having dessert. I know I would have said something that might hurt her or may be mom if I stayed with them any longer right now.

I am also feeling like an idiot to make my wife upset, but I am way too upset myself to think about her. What?? For God's sake I am just a normal person, there is no doubt that I love her but she can't just ignore me and take decisions of her life as if I don't matter. I definitely don't dominate her but I can't gulp in this situation right now.

I really wonder what was mom thinking before asking Zuby to go with her and dad to Adila Appi's home and stay there for a whole 5 days before Zoya's marriage. To hell with family gatherings and meeting everyone, I don't give a sh*t about all this nonsense.

I mean it's just been two months to our marriage, already Zuby asked me to plan our honeymoon after Zoya's wedding. She said she wants to have a little long vacation and since I am busy these days we could not have gone for more than a week. Well she actually doesn't know that I am busy working on her dream boutique. I smile at how happy she would be once she comes to know about my surprise. Not again Ayaan...either stay angry with your wife or keep on smiling like a fool while thinking about her...my inner voice taunts me.

I take a deep breath and lay on my bed; I was the one to agree with Zuby to go to Dubai for our honeymoon after Zoya's wedding for a fortnight. But that doesn't mean she can go for 5 days without me. Moreover I want to know what is wrong with this girl, first during our own wedding she didn't go to her boutique for almost ten days and now again she will be gone for five days. It's not like she need to earn money for a living or something but I really love the fact that she is a self-dependent person. And if she keeps on leaving her boutique like this on Shifa and Neetu then it will definitely affect her work and also reputation. I think I need to talk to mom about this too; she keeps on giving her innocent looks to Zuby and asks her to accompany her. I actually don't mind them spending time at home but this is too much. And who are these silly far off relatives mom wants Zuby to meet?

Argghhh!! I am really mad right now; I rub my temples because of the growing headache. Just then Zuby enters our room and I don't want to talk to her right now so I just turn to the other side so that I am not facing her. I hear her sigh, and know she is walking towards me. She sits behind me and keeps her hand on my arm...

"Yaanu... what's wrong?" Oh I love it when she calls me 'Yaanu' and what's this...she sounds upset. I want to immediately turn around and ask her why she sounds so upsets. But then I keep a hold on my emotions, she should understand how difficult it will be for me to stay away from her for 5 days. She should know how lonely I will get. Since I stay quiet Zuby tries to push me a little forward and lies behind me wrapping her hand around my torso....

"Please talk to me...I know you are upset as I said yes to mom..." I can feel her sniff and hold back a sob. Ok now I guess it's enough, no matter what the reason is but I can't see her crying. I immediately turn to face her and embrace her tightly in my arms. She finally starts crying and I curse under my breath, why did I have to react like this. I could have talked to her properly but no I am an idiot to make my wife cry. I pull out of the embrace and wipe her tears then kiss her forehead saying...

"Ok now stop crying, you don't have to get upset if I act immaturely." She nodded and I hugged her again...

"You know it that I won't be able to stay without you for so many days, I might sound selfish but that's just how I feel." A chuckle escapes her lips and I pull away once again to look at her....

"You sound like a little boy right now, and are looking even cuter..." I cut her off, I am a grown up man no cute boy...

"I am not cute, and now can you explain why didn't you disagree with mom?" Zuby sat up and I did the same, she held my hands and spoke...

"You know Yaanu that I lost my mother when I was so little...and mom gives me the same love which my mother would have given me if she was still alive. I have got a mother once again in my life after so long, I just can't say no to her for anything she asks me for. I am really sorry for making you feel left out, but I know you love me so much that you will let go such little things." I felt so bad right now, how can I ignore her feelings. I am feeling angry at myself...

"I am so sorry Zuby, I was busy sulking that I didn't think about your feelings towards mom." She gave me a sad smile and spoke...I noticed a new set of tears ready to fall out from her pretty eyes...

"You didn't even try the dessert I made today...I tried your favorite..." I was even more annoyed with myself now, how could I miss the look mom gave Zuby when she said the dessert was a surprise. Of course my love made it today and I being so stupid didn't even wait for the dessert to be served. I cup her cheeks wiping her tears with my thumb pads and pecked her lips...

"I am such a fool for making my wife sad..." she shook her head no while pouting...I kissed her pout and smiled, she looks even more adorable with that pout...

"Let's go down, I want to eat some gulab jamun (Indian sweet)" Zuby gave me her brightest smile and quickly got down and tugged my hand. I got up and followed her to the kitchen; everyone else was in their room so we just sat in the kitchen. Zuby gave me 2 gulab jamun in a bowl and I refused to take them. She looked at me confused and I said...

"How do I believe that these are specially prepared for me? You should feed me to make me believe." I winked at her and she laughed and started feeding me, I must say for a first try she did a great job. I kissed her forehead and thanked her. We went back to our room and decided to watch a movie before sleeping. After the movie we snuggled and fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up again with my lovely wife in my arms. I can't thank Almighty enough. This girl in my arms did not just bring happiness in my life but also brought me close to my own parents. Mom has started talking to me with so much love that sometimes I try to make sure she is addressing me only. I kiss Zuby on her forehead, then eyes, then her cheeks and by then she has started giggling. I look at her lovingly and kiss her on her lips and she kisses me back. She finally opens her eyes after I pull away, her smile is all I need to start my day in the best way. She pulls me closer and kisses my chest just where my heart beats. Looking in my eyes she says...

"I love you Yaanu"

"I love you too Jaan" I reply back while holding her gaze.

We get ready for the day; Zuby goes down first to help mom with breakfast. It's good to see the way mom, dad and even Bhai keep on praising her for her efforts. She is a quick learner too, and also enjoys learning new things.

After breakfast I ask mom when she is planning to go for Zoya's wedding. Though I am dying from inside but still try to pretend that I am okay, just for the sake of Zuby and also mom. Mom tells me that they will leave day after tomorrow; I tell her that I will take them. Zuby said she can drive her car there. No way am I going to allow her to drive all the way for four hours. Call me over protective or stubborn I really don't care. Zuby finally agrees and blew me a kiss trying to lighten my mood when mom and dad were not looking. The rest of the day was busy for me as I have been working on Zuby's boutique. Trying to get it ready as soon as possible is not easy. But I have put my best people on work, I am glad that Zuby had already mailed me the design she had in mind for her new boutique. For other details regarding Zuby's choice I was taking help from Sagarika. That girl is a real help, and I am happy that Zuby has such a nice person as her friend.

In the afternoon while I was still at the sight I got a call from Zuby...smiling I received her call...

Z-Yaanu

A-Jaan?? What's wrong?? You sound worried...

Z-I don't know why but there is this man staring at my boutique since almost two hours now.

A-What?? And you are calling me now? Are you alone?

Z-No, Shifa and Neetu both are here with me. Even they noticed, in fact Shifa said the man was also staring at my car.

A-Ok you stay inside and just put the close sign board. I will be there within thirty minutes.

Z-Yaanu...I am scared...please come soon.

A-I will be there sweetheart...just do as I said.

I hung up and immediately started towards Zuby's boutique. The only person coming in my mind is Ashfaq; his threat has always been in my mind. If I come to know that he is behind this then I swear to God I will make his life a living hell. Zuby was really scared and I could hear it in her voice, she seemed to be trembling. I need to do something about her fear, she should be able to defend herself if need arises.

I reach in 25 minutes and as I park I notice a man walk away. I want to follow him but I think checking Zuby is more important right now. I knock at the entrance and Shifa peeps and immediately unlocks the door. As I move in Zuby sprints towards me and I engulf her in a tight hug. She is literally shivering and her hold on me is too tight. I let her have her time then once her grip loosens a bit I walk us to the nearest sofa. I make her sit by the time Neetu gets her a glass of water. I ask Shifa and Neetu if they recognize the man but they don't. But Zuby whispers something and if I was not sitting so close to her then I am sure I would have missed it...

"I have seen him with Ashfaq" my eyes were wide as saucers and I kept staring at Zuby for a couple of seconds. My intuition was right; this has something to do with Ashfaq. But I still don't tell Zuby about his threat. It takes me almost ten minutes to calm Zuby a little and then I ask both the other girls to wind up for the day. I decide to drop them too and so the four of us walk to my car. After dropping Neetu and Shifa we head home. Zuby was not trembling anymore but she was quiet the whole ride. Once we reach home mom and dad are in the living room and they instantly understand that something is wrong by just looking at Zuby.

Mom and dad try to calm down Zuby even more while I make a few calls. I call a friend of mine who owns a security agency. I ask him for two guards to give duty at Zuby's boutique and also ask him to arrange a new set of the best CCTV around Zuby's boutique.

By the grace of Almighty Allah by dinner Zuby was back to normal. I had to pretend that there is nothing to worry about because I know if Zuby gets to know about the actual situation she will panic even more. Anyway for the first time since yesterday I am happy the day after tomorrow Zuby will be going with mom. Behind her I will get the opportunity to dig in the whole matter.

After dinner I take Zuby out for ice cream and we also pick Sagar and Sagarika on the way. I know Zuby always enjoys their company. I was delighted to see my wife back to her happy self again. First I thought of asking her not to go for work tomorrow but then I realize that won't be the right thing to do. And I am sure with the guards around that man won't try anything nasty. Even after we are home and before sleeping the last thing on my mind is to make sure my love is safe and protected.