Zain's plan worked

Aaron entered mom's room.

And as usual, they ate their dinner together in mom's room then Aina went into her bedroom while Aaron left to sleep in the study room.

In if room:

Aaron's pov:

It's getting more difficult to decide. As far as my happiness was concerned, I could have sacrificed but now mom... Mom is so happy with her that I can't let her go even if I want to. They have aquatinted so well that it would be difficult for mom to live happily. What should I do now?

I can't be selfish but what can I do? It's the reality that I can't provide that happiness to mom. So I have to become selfish now. There is no other solution.

Aina remembered the days she spent with Bella and her eyes became moist.

Aina's POV:

She must be worried about me. I don't know how she is living even if she is alive or not. (Tears started flowing from her eyes). I can't talk to anyone. I can't ask anyone about her. She must be alone in the apartment.

She became worried and prayed for her safety.

On the other hand,

Professor Zain (to class): Your final exams are going to start next week. The official date sheet would be out today in the evening. Bella, come to my office.

Bella: ok sir.

In office:

Zain: Here are the venues for exams. Everything is mentioned on the date sheet. You have to guide your classmates if they ask any questions regarding this.

Bella: Got it, sir. May I go now?

He didn't answer.

Bella repeated her statement.

Bella: May I go now, sir?

Zain: huh. Hmmm....How's your preparation for exams?

Bella: it's good.

Zain: yes, I can see your progress in class. Make sure you do your best in your finals.

Bella: sure.

Zain: good, and yes you can ask anything regarding your syllabus or if you are not clear about any concept.

A week went by.

Emma and Ivan joined Bella, Carla ad David for exam preparation.

They all have their exams well. All missed Aina but no one mentioned her name because her name was enough to divert their attention from exams. Nobody wanted to ruin each other's education and career.

Besides, David kept on asking about Aina from professor Zain and professor Zain kept on asking Aaron.

One way or the other, everybody knew that everyone is surviving their life.

Aina couldn't give her finals because she didn't want to say anything to her husband.

Another week went by,

Zain couldn't see a broken Bella. He could sense the change in her. She was not the same innocent, jolly, foolish girl. She doesn't talk much. She stays silent most of the time. She doesn't laugh, doesn't smile. She doesn't do blunders the way she use to.

Zain's heart ached to see her condition. He thought of an idea.

In the evening Zain called Aaron.

On a phone call,

Zain: what's up buddy?

Aaron: All good. How's it going at your end?

Zain: I wish I could say "All good" like you.

Aaron: why? What happened?

Zain: Man, I'm single. How can all be good at this end? Anyways, You can't understand my pain.

Aaron: hahaha, bro you literally scared me.

Zain: how's your mother and wife?

Aaron: Everyone is good.

Zain: So I was thinking of inviting you all to my home for dinner. It would be a little dinner party type. I would invite some close friends only. After your marriage, it's been a long you didn't come. So it would be good.

Aaron: Ah, well, I'm sorry. Apologies from my side.

Zain: Don't say that. I don't know if you are coming.

Aaron: bro, you know me well, If I said no, that means no.

Zain: I know but...

Aaron: leave it, tell me about your current project. Did they collaborate with you after the last meeting?

Zain: yeah, we are trying to figure out the mission behind this project. Otherwise, it's going well.

Aaron: good.

They started chatting.

Next day,

Aaron came home in the evening and entered mom's room as usual. He became surprised to see Zain sitting beside mom.

Zain gave high five to him and then both hugged hard.

Zain: how are you, buddy? Surprised?

Aaron: where the hell have you fallen from? Where did you come from? Why didn't you tell me? I would have come earlier.

Zain: it's ok. Sit.

Mom: I just heard that you rejected his invitation for dinner. Why?

Aaron (saw Zain with narrowed eyes as if saying "so you came for this mission, my boy, I know why you are doing all that". This man has learned how to do real business): Mom, you can't walk, and sit so how can we go?

Mom: I know I can't go but you can go with your wife. Why don't you understand this makes me guilty when I see that I have become a burden on you? I couldn't give you happiness. You always avoid opportunities because of me only. Please stop behaving like that. It hurts me. I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest. It's your time to enjoy. Ask me, I can't do anything at this age, not because I don't have opportunities but because it's not my time.

Aaron felt his mom's every word. He can't say no to his mother. This is what Zain took advantage of.

Aaron: Ok mom. Now leave this topic. (He doesn't want to make his mom think any more about this or get emotional).

Zain (to mom): Mom takes his promise or else he might deviate from his words.

Aaron (throwing an angry glance at him as if saying "dude meet me alone once")

Mom: No, no, don't worry, he'll go. He doesn't deviate from his words.

Aaron: yes mom.

Zain: thanks, mom. (He hugged mom). You are the best mom.

Mom: you are also the best son. Keep on visiting.

Zain: sure, now I have to go.

Mom: no, you aren't going anywhere without eating dinner with us.

Zain: I'm sorry mom. I'm getting late, some other day.

Mom: ok, ok, take care.

Zain: you too.

Zain called David.

Zain: Tomorrow is a little dinner party at my home. Aaron and Aina are coming so make sure you bring all girls with you. I'll invite them personally too.

David: Which all girls? Do you mean Carla, Emma, etc?

Zain: Asshole, you missed the important name.

David: I'm not getting whom you talking about.

Zain: Bastard, Bella.

David: who is bastard Bella by the way?

Zain: you are a bastard. Stop nonsense.

David: oh so say like that. Bring Bella to the party so that you can have fun.

Zain: shut up, I'm just doing so that she can meet Aina.

David: ad what if she denied going?

Zain: bro this is what you are paid for. What's your job other than this? Convince her, I don't want no from her.

David: oh bro, when did you pay me? Hahahaha. Talk to me nicely if you want your work to be done.

Zain: ok, ok, brother David. Please do it for me. I'll be thankful to you.

David: hahaha ok, ok. Now stop touching my feet. Hahahaha.

Zain: Oh Asshole, bastard.

David cut the call before he abuses him more.

Authors note:

hi readers, hope you all are doing well.

First of all, I want to say sorry for mistakes I do in my writings. I got a comment that it's hard for you to understand my English. Actually, I'm not a native speaker of English so grammatical mistakes are obvious. Besides, there are other typo errors as well, I usually don't review a chapter, just slide it under grammarly app which sometimes make it more worst. so my sincere apologies for that. I'm sorry once again.

Also I want to tell you all that my finals are going to start from Monday so I might not be able to update regularly but I'll try to.

And yes the novel is approaching it's end so we might not be able to connect the way we are now. so let's talk a little bit before we disconnect hehe. Tell me how's your day going, how's is weather at your end? it's raining here in my area.

Happy reading. love you all.