Chapter-35 My Family

Ayaan's POV

I woke up with my beautiful wife still in my arms. I just love her so much, I won't tell her but I felt really awesome to know she was jealous thinking that I am giving someone else more importance than her. With time she will know that no one exists who can replace her in my heart and in my life. She is not an object but she is still my priced possession. The treasure I yearned for almost my whole life. I kiss her head tenderly making sure not to wake her up, looking at her each and every feature suddenly I notice that her skin has become pale. There are slight dark circles under her pretty eyes. Has she been unwell? I wonder to myself and think of asking her about her health once she wakes up. I hold her tightly in my embrace, feeling the warmth of her body. My admiration for my wife is halted by a knock at our door. I check the time and notice it's just 6 in the morning. Trying not to wake up Zuby very quietly and carefully I pull away from her and keep a pillow where I was laying. Covering my love properly with the duvet I put on my t shirt to open the door slightly to see my mother standing out. She is surprised or I guess more like shocked to see me. I quickly move outside and close the door behind me as quietly as possible.

"When did you come?" Mom asked me just as I closed the door...

"Late night" mom nods and asks me about Zuby...

"She is sleeping...mom has Zuby been unwell? I have noticed that she has become a little pale and also looks weak." Mom sighs and says...

"I want to talk to you about something very important Ayaan. Come with me." I don't think it will be appropriate to leave Zuby alone in the room right now. She is asleep and tucked in the duvet; I don't want anyone to walk in thinking she is alone. I know Zuby will get embarrassed and not like it that I left without waking her so that she could either dress up or at least lock the door. I request mom that we talk here itself, outside the room as Zuby is asleep. She understands and agrees with me...

"Look Ayaan since you didn't turn up Zuby has not been her usual self. I can see that she is trying her best to behave as normal and happy as possible but I can see through her facade. I know she has been crying a lot and also not eating properly. Probably that's why she has become weak. I am sure of one thing that she has taken this to heart that you have given more importance to some other woman." I take a deep breath and pinch the bridge of my nose telling mom...

"It's nothing like that, but don't worry mom we have dealt with this issue and I was able to convince Zuby that there is no other woman and there can never be another one for me." Mom gives me a strange look, I feel she is not convinced with what I have just said and speaks again...

"It's good to hear this Ayaan, and even better to know that Zuby understood. But there is one thing I want to ask you..." she looked straight in my eyes and I nodded indicating her to continue...

"Last night when I was thinking about Zuby and your relationship I suddenly remembered about the girl you claimed to be in love for years. I don't know if you ever found her or not but let me tell you Ayaan now you are married and I love Zuby as my own. I your dad or even Arhan will not tolerate if out of the blue you tell us one day that you have found that girl and don't want to be with Zuby anymore." I couldn't help but smile and mom glared at me. I am happy to know how much my family has started caring about Zuby and I am also glad to know that at least mom remembers about my first love...

"I don't think anything I said right now was hilarious. I am serious Ayaan; I won't let you hurt Zuby. That day when you said you cannot let that client down and that she is someone very important I couldn't stand the hurt in Zuby's eyes. I am tel..." I cut mom and hugged her, she didn't hug me back so I held her in my arms and decided to let her know who Zuby actually is...

"Mom I can't tell you how happy I am to know and see your love and concern for Zuby. I had decided that I will never tell you or dad about this because I thought that you people don't remember anything as you never found it important..." mom gave me a confused look but I continued...

"Mom...Zuby is the same girl I always claimed to be in love." Mom's eyes became wide as saucers and her mouth hung open...

"Yes mom, she was, is and will always be the love of my life. Otherwise why would I take so much pain to marry her in such a way?" Finally mom spoke after a few seconds...

"I can't believe it, you really found her. At one stage I thought you forgot about that girl. Since you were so young we never really realized how serious you always were."

"It's ok mom, I can understand now. It's not every day that a five year old recognizes the love of his life and then searches her for years. But mom I need you to promise me that you will not tell Zuby about this."

"Why? I am sure she will be happy to know who you are an..."

"No mom, Zuby doesn't remember me. And I know her quite well, she will only feel bad if she comes to know that I have loved her almost all my life and she doesn't even remember me. She loves me now mom, and that's what matters to me. She is my wife, and we will spend the rest of our lives together. I will always cherish her; this is all I have always asked from Allah Almighty. And I am blessed that He heard my prayers." Mom hugged me tightly I started crying...

"I am so sorry Ayaan; I know I have hurt you a lot. It was never intentional but I feel as a loser to know that I never understood my own son. I never paid attention to your feelings."

"Sshh... Mom it's ok, believe me when I say that I hold no grudges. Your love and acceptance for Zuby is more than enough for me to forget every negativity that was ever present in my life." Mom pulled back and smiled at me while I wiped her tears. Then she frowned and asked me...

"Now I am more curious to know what is this important project you have been working on?" I smile and reply...

"Well...it's actually a surprise for Zuby. I was working on her new boutique. It's like her dream project, so now I am sure you know who I can't let down and who is the important one to me." She laughs a little and tells me that my secret is safe with her and she won't spill about this surprise in front of Zuby. Mom keeps her palm on my cheek and looks at me with her eyes filled with pride and love. I kiss her palm and then she walks down and I enter back into our room.

I panicked to see Zuby sitting on the bed holding her knees with her head down and crying like anything. I quickly lock the door and rush to her side. Zuby seemed shocked to see me; I hold her chin and ask her what's wrong. The answer she gives me makes me laugh...

"You are really here? I thought I dreamed about you last night. But where were you when I woke up?" She asked me in between hiccups. I couldn't help but hug her. I pulled back and wiped her tears then said...

"It's wasn't a dream Jaan, I am here for you. I was just outside talking to mom. You seemed tired so I didn't wake you...by the way why did you think of it as a dream? Didn't you notice that you are just draped in the duvet..." I chuckled at her shocked expressions, she hit my arm and mumbled a 'I hate you'. The blush that crept on her cheeks now covered almost her full face. She was as red as a tomato. I caught her in my arms once again and kissed her head. She seemed to have relaxed now, just then I remembered mom telling me that she has not been eating properly. I was about to ask her but decided to let her freshen up first....

"You freshen up then we will have breakfast together. I am taking you out for breakfast." She pulled back and smiled, Zuby was about to get out of bed when I held her back and pecked her lips. She still gets shy whenever I am intimate and I just love the way she blushes. Picking up her long shirt she was wearing last night Zuby quickly wears it and rushes to the washroom.

I lay on the bed for a while; I am feeling so good after telling mom about everything. I had never thought that it will feel like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I smile and just get out of bed. Taking out my black jeans and grey t shirt from my bag I wait for Zuby to come out so that I can also freshen up.

The bathroom door opens and Zuby calls me with just her head out while she stands behind the door...

"I forgot taking my bath gown; can you please pass it to me?" I pick up her gown and hand it to her. She comes out and asks me if the elders will allow us to go out for breakfast...

"Why won't they? Anyway we will just inform mom, don't bother asking others." She shook her head and I got in the bathroom to get ready.

We walked out of the room together and Adila Appi squealed the moment she saw me, I met everyone while Zuby went and told mom that we are going out for breakfast. I held my darling's hand and intertwine our fingers, we were about to leave when Sheza came in. I don't know where she was coming from neither do I care but knowing that she has been mistreating my girl my blood boiled by just looking at her. She looked at our hands and made a disgusted face; I didn't like it but decided to ignore her. She stood in front of me asking...

"Oh Ayaan, when did you come? And where are both of you going?"

"I am taking my beautiful wife on a breakfast date...you have a problem?" I purposely answered her very rudely and walked out with Zuby. Sheza called me again and this time I was really pissed, the nerve of this girl...

"Can I also come; it's been so long since we spent time together." I turned back and glared at her...

"When did I ever spend time with you that it's been so long? And didn't you hear me when I said I am taking MY WIFE on a date. So I definitely don't need any kind of distraction." With that said we were finally out of the house. Zuby was quiet when Sheza was talking to me, once we settled in the car she spoke...

"I guess she likes you, she has not been very nice to me since we met. And with the things she says I get a feeling that she is not happy that you are married." I take a deep breath in and tell Zuby as calmly as possible...

"If she likes me then that is not my problem. I have never led her on anything. Plus she has no right to misbehave with you, and most importantly I love you and only you. I don't care what anybody else thinks or feels about me." She smiled and tried to change the topic to lighten our mood...

"So where are you taking me for breakfast?"

"A nice restaurant which serves delicious North Indian breakfast...by the way Zuby mom told me that you have not been eating properly since you came here. I don't like to hear such things, just look at yourself you have become so pale. I want you to stay happy and not ignore your health."

"I am sorry; it's just that I am not in the best of mood nowadays. And then I was missing you so much." I just held her hands and the rest of the drive we talked about stuff. The restaurant I took Zuby to was around half an hour away from Adila Appi's home. We ordered and enjoyed our breakfast. Zuby didn't eat properly; she said that her stomach is a little upset because of which she does not feel like eating much. I wanted to take her for checkup but she insisted that she will consult a doctor once we are back home. I was not happy with this decision but asked her to tell me or mom immediately if the problem increases.

It was six in the evening and everyone was getting ready. Today is Zoya's wedding and I am happy for her. She is a nice and chirpy girl and Adila Appi loves her like her own little sister. And since she has a good relationship with Adila Appi I automatically like her. Right now I can't take my eyes off my Zuby. She is wearing a beautiful orange color gharara. With very light make up and matching headscarf, clutch and heels she is looking amazing. I am wearing my wedding sherwani. We both go out of our room together; mom and dad were waiting for us. Mom hugged Zuby and smiled. Everyone complimented my dear wife, Bhai clicked our pictures and then we decided to go together to the marriage hall in my car. I drove while Bhai sat with me in front. Mom, dad and Zuby sat at the back. I had never thought that ever in my life will I be traveling like this with my parents and brother again. But this beautiful soul that Allah has blessed me with seem to have taken away all my bitterness. I can't thank my Almighty enough. With a loving wife by my side and a beautiful family I can't ask for more.