Chapter 25: Chapter 25

A few days later

Author's pov

" Congratulations, Mikaeel. Our products are doing fine in the market. The profits are more than we expected," Maryam said smiling and forwarding her one hand at Mikaeel.

Mikaeel looked at her hand and stared at it for some time. He noticed her other hand which was holding a file. Diverting his gaze at her face, he took the file from her hand instead of handshaking with her.

" Thank you. Congratulations to you too," Mikaeel replied politely and sitting on the chair he started reading the file.

Maryam pulled back her hands slowly having an embarrassing expression. She didn't like how he ignored her. She has been trying to get close to him but every time he gives her the cold shoulder.

It's been days since Maryam and Mikaeel are working together. Since Maryam is new to the business so she wasn't understanding a lot of things about business and other stuff regarding it. So, she asked for Mikaeel's help. He agreed to help her as she is his business partner and friend. Behind all this Maryam's actual motive is to get close to Mikaeel.

According to her, he loves her still but he isn't admitting it because of his wife. Once he realises his true feelings he will divorce Aurin for sure.

Maryam knows that whatever she is trying to do isn't right in many aspects. But, she isn't bothered. For the first time in her life, she thought about herself and this time she won't back off.

Mikaeel was checking the file when Maryam's eyes caught Aurin's photo on Mikaeel's desk. Jealousy took over her whole system seeing Aurin's photo but she kept her face straight.

" You love your wife a lot, right?" Maryam questioned staring at Aurin's photo.

Mikaeel answered still concentrating on the file," Hmm. I love her."

" Why?" She questioned back while Mikaeel looked at her having a questioning expression.

Letting out an awkward smile Maryam said," What I am even asking? Of course, you love her. She is beautiful, young and cute. Just looking at her deep eyes anyone will fall in love with her."

Sighing slightly Mikaeel diverted his gaze at Aurin's picture. A bright yet affectionate smile formed on his lips and automatically his fingers caressed her face.

Mikaeel started saying imagining Aurin," I love her not only for her beauty but also for her personality. She is naive yet intelligent, childish yet mature, submissive yet dominating, arrogant yet humble to me and our relationship. She is everything which a man can ask for in his wife. At first, I thought I am just attracted to her beauty but slowly and after a lot of incidents I realized how much important she is in my life and how much I love her. I used to hesitate while confessing that I love her. But, not anymore. Now, I can confess without any hesitation that I love her. I also want to thank Allah that He sent her into my life."

Mikaeel was busy narrating what he feels for Aurin while Maryam was losing her mind. Clutching the handle of the chair she was trying to control her emotions but failed miserably. The man who used to love her like a crazy person is now narrating his feelings for someone else just stabbed right into her chest. Tears gathered around her eyes but she controlled them. She tried to hide the sad expression on her face but she failed.

" Excuse me," Excusing herself she ran inside the restroom and burst into tears.

She mumbled crying," No, Miki. You only love me. You don't love her. You are just used to her. Nothing else. You only love me."

At Night

After an exhausting day, Mikaeel returned home and now he just wants to sleep cuddling his wifey. Entering the room he found that Aurin was holding an envelope. Excitement was lingering all over her face making Mikaeel confused yet curious. He wondered the reason behind her excitement.

" Wifey is looking so happy, hmm!! What's the matter?" Mikaeel asked chuckling slightly while loosening his tie.

Standing in front of him, Aurin said excitedly," I have a surprise for you."

" What? You might have discovered a new position, aren't you?" Mikaeel asked having a mischievous smile and Aurin slapped his shoulder playfully.

She gave the envelope to his hands and told him to open it. Opening the envelope and after reading the letter inside it Mikaeel lost all colour from his face and looked at Aurin with astonishment.

" Tada!!! It's my appointment letter. I got a job," Aurin said excitedly and expected a delighted reaction from him but except for his disappointed expression she got nothing.

Controlling her smile, Aurin asked," Aren't you happy about this news?"

" When did all this happen? You didn't say anything to me about it?" Mikaeel questioned back calmly but Aurin can feel the disappointment in his voice.

Aurin answered taking the envelope from his hand," A few days ago, I again applied for a job. I thought just like the previous time I will be rejected but this time Allah was with me. Last week the authority of 'Al Rehman Enterprise' called me for an interview and today I got the appointment letter. They hired me for the Chairman's personal assistant post. And, about informing you, for the last few days you have been so busy with work that you didn't have enough time to hear me out."

Hearing her, Mikaeel was angry beyond the level but he didn't show it on his face. He forbade every company from hiring Aurin except this 'Al Rehman Enterprise' since it's his rival company and the chairman of this company Mr Hasan Al Rehman is Mikaeel's forever enemy in business.

" You don't have to work outside specifically as someone's personal assistant," Mikaeel announced and Aurin frowned his brows.

She questioned," What do you mean?"

" Don't you understand simple language? I told you to not work outside and that's final. I am capable enough to bear our expenses," Mikaeel shouted on her face and Aurin lost it.

She shouted back having a pissed off expression," And, why should I listen to you? When I asked you about working outside you agreed then what happened now? Huh!!!"

" There are plenty of posts in my company. You can join anytime you want. But, I won't let you work with that bloody pervert Hasan," Mikaeel answered clenching his jaw.

Aurin replied angrily," Mikaeel, I want to do something on my own. I don't want people to talk behind my back about my capabilities. That's why I don't agree to work in your company. And, I want to work outside not only for money. I get bored in the house without you. I just want to kill the boredom and use the knowledge which I gathered for 22 years of my life."

" Aurin, try to understand. I don't want you to go among a bunch of men. I don't want to lose you. There is no doubt that you are well educated but try to understand my perspective too. There is no need for you to work outside," Mikaeel said lowering his voice and sounding calm but Aurin wasn't in the mood to hear.

She inquired getting irritated," What do you mean by that? Are you doubting me, Mikaeel? You don't have a single ounce of trust in me, right?"

" I trust you but not other guys. This world is full of perverts and I don't want you to go among a bunch of them," He shouted sitting on the bed.

Aurin yelled back," Not all men are perverts, ok!! I know why you are saying all these. You are insecure about me just like a typical man who thinks that his wife will start having affairs if she goes outside for work. Come on, Mikaeel. It's the 21st century. Change this typical mentality of yours."

" If I am a typical man for caring about my wife's security then I am fine with that. Do you have any knowledge of how many women get sexually assaulted by their bosses or colleagues in the workplace every single day?" Mikaeel questioned and Aurin was literally losing her temper with every passing second.

She yelled back," That doesn't mean women should stay in the house for security. We have police and laws which are enough for all those perverts. So, stop trying to convince me by stating all these reasons."

Mikaeel knew that he won't win in this argument since it was Aurin who is his opponent. She is stubborn as hell and she will do whatever she wants.

" Fine. You can work and kill your boredom but I won't allow you to work in this ' Al Rehman Enterprise'," Mikaeel screamed making Aurin flinch.

She asked wondering," What's your problem with Mr Hasan?"

" He is a pervert. He is notorious for his perverted character. It's known to everyone that he is a characterless bastard," Mikaeel replied pouring hatred with every single word he took.

Aurin looked at him questioningly when Mikaeel asked," Do you know that it's his 5th marriage? Do you have any idea that he was sued by his previous assistant because he assaulted her? Aurin, I have been in this business world for years and I know the dark secrets behind all these billionaires. I admit that not everyone is bad but not everyone is good either. Listen to..............."

Mikaeel was going to say more but Aurin said stopping him in the middle," I have met Mr Hasan during the interview and he seemed like a gentleman. So, don't try to demotivate me by saying all these. I am not going to listen to you. I have realised your mentality. From tomorrow I am joining and I expect you to not interrupt my professional life. I never interrupted your professional life and expect the same thing from you. That's it."

Saying all these Aurin started preparing the bed while Mikaeel continued standing having a pissed off expression on his face. He was fuming in rage but didn't say anything to her. He doesn't want to stretch this argument because he knows that it will end in Aurin's divorce tantrum.

Without uttering anything further, he stormed out of the room. Aurin thought he might be going to the balcony but he didn't. Hearing the car honking she realised that he has left the house. She thought to stop him but her ego and anger didn't let her. She laid down on the bed to sleep but sleep was far away from her eyes.

On the other hand, Mikaeel was driving the car like a mad person and Aurin's denial was buzzing in his head continuously. To have some peace he thought to go to Simon's house but a few moments later he remembered that Simon is out of town. Mikaeel thought to go to Maryam's apartment to have company but he refrained himself from doing so. He doesn't want her to have the misconception that he still wants her. Having no other choices he thought to return to his office.

The Next Day

Maryam reached Mikaeel's office to discuss some matter or we can say it was an excuse just to meet him. She wanted to see him. Reaching the office she found that Mikaeel is very pissed off and scolding his employees. Noticing the dark circles under his eyes and his pale face she realized that something is wrong with him.

" What happened? Why is Mr Sheikh so much annoyed?" Maryam questioned Mikaeel's PA.

He replied politely," I don't know the exact reason. But, I think sir had an argument with his wife. Maybe that's why he returned office at midnight and didn't even sleep. Since then he is in the office and didn't return home."

Hearing all these Maryam thought for some time. She realized that Mikaeel is now emotionally disturbed and he needs someone's emotional support. And, it will be a great chance for her to make him realize his feelings for her.

It's lunchtime and Mikaeel was just sitting on the chair having an irritated expression. A pion came to serve food for him but he dismissed the pion saying that he isn't hungry.

" Fuck!!" Mikaeel cursed under his breath and threw away his phone on the couch.

He was expecting a phone call or even a single text from Aurin but got nothing. He doesn't know how can she give importance to her profession more than him. Her last night's behaviour astonished him and he started doubting if she ever loved him truly.

" How? Just how can she deny my words? Don't I have a single bit of importance in her eyes? She ignored my words totally!!" Mikaeel shouted banging his hands on the table.

Mikaeel was fuming in rage when Maryam entered the room holding a few boxes. Seeing her Mikaeel's mood got ruined since he isn't in the mood to discuss anything about her.

" Maryam, if you are here to talk about business then please come later. I am not in the mood to hear anything and want to stay alone," Mikaeel said but Maryam didn't listen to his words.

Walking toward the desk she placed the lunchboxes in front of Mikaeel. The moment she opened the boxes delicious smells touched his nostrils making his stomach grumble. Seeing all these dishes an amused expression appeared on his face and he looked at her questioningly.

" Here I present your favourite dishes Kabuli pulao, chicken Karahi, Nihari and sheek kabab," Maryam said smiling and Mikaeel was speechless.

He asked confusingly," Suddenly, all these? What's the matter?"

" Just looking at your face anyone can assume that you are hungry. Since I am your business partner as well as your friend so I cooked all these for you. It's just a form of thanking you for helping me so much," She replied and the smile from Mikaeel's face vanished in the air.

Letting out a mocking smile Mikaeel mumbled," At least someone cared for me. Otherwise, all the people out there are just busy with themselves. She didn't even bother to know if I am alive or not!!"

" Anyway, thank you so much. Let's have these mouthwatering dishes," Mikaeel said nodding his head slightly.

Maryam answered chuckling," Fine, then. You enjoy. I will come to meet you later."

" What? I told you to have lunch with me," Mikaeel said and Maryam smiled.

She thought mentally," Now you are on track Mikaeel."

After that, both of them started having lunch together while talking about random things. Mikaeel asked about Yardan and the kids to Maryam but she always diverted this topic.

" Oh!! This meat! So tender and juicy," Mikaeel complimented putting a piece of sheek kabab in his mouth.

Letting out a chuckle Maryam started saying," You are complmenting just like the previous times when we were together. I used to bring lunch boxes for you and I still remember how you used to finish the boxes while licking your fingers. You loved my cooking just like you loved.........forget it."

Hearing her emotional words Mikaeel was getting emotional too. Those memories are something which he can never forget. Yes, he moved on but those memories are still fresh in his mind.

" You cooked well," Mikaeel answered lowering his voice and decided to not think about past times.

He just finished eating when Maryam said pointing her finger at him," There is something over your lips."

Before Mikaeel could wipe his lips she took a napkin in her hand and wiped his lips. She is now standing extremely close to him and Mikaeel got nervous. Their eyes locked with each other and an awkward silence filled the whole room.

On the other hand, Aurin was in the office and trying to concentrate on work but she doesn't know why she is feeling uncomfortable. She was excited about this job and thought to perform her best as it was her first day in the office but she couldn't.

Of course, she is disturbed about last night but there was something else which was itching her heart as well. She doesn't know why her heart is aching like that.

She is still unaware that a third person has entered into her relationship and it's the beginning of the end of a relationship.

But, the question is which relationship will end? Mikaeel & Aurins or Mikaeel & Maryam's? Maybe time will answer.

" What's wrong with me?" Aurin murmured gulping down a glass of water.