Chapter 22: Chapter 22

MAAZ'S POINT OF VIEW:

When I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful face in front of me. She was sleeping peacefully, unlike other days when she woke up before me. Deciding not to disturb her, I slowly crept out of bed. After getting ready, I went to the dining hall. Ammi and baba were as usual, busy with their breakfast. I greeted them and started munching on my own.

"Where is Rabiya?" Ammi asked when she saw me without my tail. She nodded when I replied, "She is sleeping, so I didn't disturb her."

"Maaz, are you happy?" Baba asked me. I knew he was talking about my marriage.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

"Maaz, try to forget your past and focus on the future. Rabiya is a nice girl and your wife," Baba said in all seriousness.

"I know that Rabiya is a nice girl and she is my wife," I repeated while nodding. I didn't want to talk about my past and future.

But, I cannot forget my past, my Rimsha.

"Being a husband, you have some responsibilities towards your wife. You must fu-"

"Don't worry, I know she is my responsibility. I'll fulfil her every demand, every need." I stood up and walked to my room to get the car keys. She was still asleep.

"It looks like she's tired," I said to myself. Turning off the lights, I went out, closing the door behind me.

I was driving towards the office when my mobile began ringing. Since I did not have my Bluetooth earplug, I did not receive the call. When I saw it, later on, I found out that it was Rimsha. Reaching the office, I called her back.

"Where are you?" She didn't even bother to say hello. I asked the same question. Walking towards my cabin, I answered, "I'm in the office. What happened?"

"Why were you not receiving my call? Oh, I get it! You must be busy with your wife!" She fired a satire in the rudest tone. I never felt hurt by any of her words, but this time, I did feel hurt. "Rimsha, why are you overreacting?"

"By the way, I was driving, that's why I didn't attend your call. I was not busy with anyone." I informed, emphasizing the last sentence.

"I want to meet you," She said. I didn't want to refuse. As I opened my mouth to say something, I heard a knock on the cabin door.

"Wait a minute," I told Rimsha and put the phone on hold. One of my teammates popped his head in and asked, "Maaz, are you done with your presentation on our idea?"

Presentation? Oh. My. God. How can I be so irresponsible?! I smacked my forehead in bewilderment.

"It's almost complete," I replied, and she left the room after giving me a nod.

"Wait! Shikha, when is the meeting?" I asked her when she had almost left.

"Um, 2:30 p.m."

"Oh, thanks," I replied and went back to the call. "Hello?"

"Maaz, I want to meet you!" Rimsha screamed through the phone.

"Rimsha, I cannot come. I have to prepare my presentation," I tried to convince.

"Maaz, can't you draw out some time for me!" She asked angrily.

"Of course I can, but not now. It is very important," I said, hoping that she would understand. "More important than me?"

"Try to understand Rimsha. Yesterday, Rabiya saw us in the restaurant and I was-" She didn't let me complete my sentence.

"And you ran behind her, without even bothering to say a goodbye!" She grumbled angrily.

"Rimsha, I followed Rabiya to her home and she-"

"Maaz, don't take her name in front of me. I can't tolerate it." She hung up on me. I slumped on the chair as I clutched my forehead with both hands.

"Ya Allah, what do I do? Rabiya is on one side and Rimsha, on the other. I can't leave Rabiya but I don't want to leave Rimsha."

RABIYA'S POINT OF VIEW:

I opened my eyes and saw him in front of me, He was sleeping on his stomach, one arm under his head, while the other hugged a pillow. My gaze went to the clock, which indicated it was midnight. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep again, but sleep was not to consume me. After many failed attempts, I opened my eyes. He was still sleeping in peace.

What do I do? Do I work on this marriage, or ignore this man?

Yesterday, I thought I didn't need anyone to live a happy life. I thought I am not a weak woman. But now, I feel weak without you.

Yet, I don't want to show my feelings to him. I don't want to show that I'm a weak person. Yesterday, I pretended to be strong to him, but I am not that strong.

I outstretched my arm and held his hand in mine.

"Maaz, I like it when you hold my hand. I like it when you say I am your wife. I like it when you talk to me." My grip on his hand tightened.

Why can't I think about his feelings? He loves that girl and wanted to marry her. It won't be easy to forget her. I felt sad for him.

Yet, I feel bad when my husband thinks of her.

"Rabiya, you can trust me if you want to."

"Maaz, I...I want to trust you. But please, don't deceive me." I left his hand. I felt my inner thoughts constricting me.

Putting my arms under my head, I tried, once again, to sleep, but my gaze was fixed on him. My Mr Khadoos.

Gradually, my eyelids got heavier, and I, unable to control them, fell into slumber.

When I woke up, I didn't find him beside me. The room was dimly lit and unusually quiet. My eyes scanned the room in confusion as I sat up in the bed. "Where is he?"

Confusion turned to horror when my gaze fell on the clock which indicated it was 12:45 p.m. "Oh my god!" I whisper-yelled.

A maid slowly peeked through the door and entered the room. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion once again.

"Ma'am, Sir had ordered me to send your breakfast in the room. I checked many times, but you were asleep," she informed. "Should I bring it now, ma'am?" I nodded while rubbing my eyes.

After freshening up, I sat on the sofa, waiting for my breakfast. A few minutes later, the maid entering with a tray full of delicacies, and placed it on the table. "Ma'am, your breakfast."

"Reshma, who told to give me breakfast in the room?" I asked.

"Maaz Sir." A smile played on my lips. after breakfast, I watched some television and then killed time on my phone. Even then, I was bored, so I decided to pass time on the lawn. I sat gazing at the sky when I heard a voice.

"Bhabhi, what are you doing here?" Raahim bhai asked when he noticed me.

"Bhai, I'm feeling bored, so I am trying to pass some time," I replied.

"How do you prefer to pass your time...I mean, what are your hobbies?" He asked.

"My hobbies? Shopping and showing my tantrums to Shayaan bhai" I replied with a hesitant smile.

"I can't help you with your hobbies..." He said with a smile while scratching the back of his neck.

"But if you like to read books, then I can help you. I have a good collection of books," Raahim bhai proudly explained as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I like reading books and watching movies," I said happily.

"That's good. Come with me and select books for yourself," He said and turned back to the house.

"Raahim bhai, you were going somewhere, weren't you? I'll select books tomorrow."

"Oh ho bhabhi, don't be so formal. I wasn't going for anything important." He said and I followed him to his room. I was trying to select some good book from his humongous collection when he asked, "Do you like movies too?"

"I like Hollywood and action movies," I replied and he smiled.

"Bhabhi, Maaz bhai likes the same kind of movies too! We use to watch movies together on weekend nights until a few months ago. He has changed." Raahim bhai's voice suddenly turned gloomy.

"But why?" Drawing a book from the shelf, I asked him.

"No-nothing. You choose your book," he tried to drop the matter.

"Raahim bhai, please tell me! It is related to Maaz," I pleaded.

"Bhabhi, don't pay attention to-"

"Bhai, please tell me! I want to know everything about Maaz!" This time, he nodded.

"Okay, then I will tell you everything. It started nearly four years ago when they first met..." He looked away and reflexively wiped his face.

"Please, continue. It will be a favour for me," I convinced.

"Huh? Yeah, okay." I was so amazed by what he narrated next that my eyes brimmed with tears.

"Bhabhi, please don't cry. I knew this would happen, I know you'd feel painful. This is exactly why I wasn't ready to tell you." Raahim babbled in worry. I wiped my tears.

"I am feeling pain, but this time, I'm feeling pain for Maaz," I said. Raahim bhai looked at me with widened eyes. "What do you mean? Why are you feeling pain for him?"

"No one is thinking about Maaz and his feelings," I explained. Raahim bhai looked at me in shock."Bhabhi, Maaz bhai is very lucky that he got you as his wife."

I walked out of his room and sat downstairs in the living room with the book I borrowed from Raahim bhai.

Maaz promised me that he will take care of me. He will be responsible for my needs and wants, even though he is not interested in this marriage.

I was busy in my thoughts when the horn hit my eardrums. My gaze went to the clock which showed 5:40 p.m.

"It must be Maaz!" I dashed to the kitchen to get water.

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW:

A tired Maaz entered the house. The entire was spent on making the presentation, exhausting him. Moreover, his mind was still stuck upon the argument with Rimsha over the phone.

He threw himself on the sofa of the living room.

"Bano! Wat-" Rabiya appeared in front of him with a glass of the chilled fluid, which he downed in one go. He closed his eyes and reclined to the back of the sofa once again.

"Maaz, you look ill," Rabiya said in concern.

Please, don't get started now. One has already upset me, he thought.

"I'm not ill. I do have a headache, though."

"Should I give you medicine?" Rabiya asked and Maaz shook his head.

"I avoid painkillers," Maaz muttered and she nodded. Suddenly, he felt something soft on his temple, startling him- Rabiya's fingers.

"What are you doing?" Maaz asked, turning towards her. She was standing behind the sofa

"Sit quietly!" Clutching his head, she began giving him a head massage. At first, Maaz tried to stop her, but he started enjoying the softness of her delicate fingers on his forehead.

"Rabiya, now stop it," He said with a smile.

"Aren't you feeling relaxed?" Rabiya asked.

"Yes I am, but-"

"Then no ifs and buts, let me do this." Maaz held her wrist

"Sit here. You'll get tired," He said with a smile and Rabiya sat beside him.

"You are looking tired. How was your day?" Rabiya asked and he smiled again. He was not expecting Rabiya to ask such questions- he was expecting another argument with Rabiya on returning home.

"Yeah...I'm very tired. I just want to take a rest" Maaz said and Rabiya nodded.

"I have hanged your clothes in the bathroom, go and change, then take rest," Rabiya said with a smile. Maaz raised his eyebrow in question.

"Don't you want to send me to hell?" He said playfully with a chuckle

"Maaazz!" She said in a childish tone. Her forehead folded in a few creases, which make Maaz chuckle even more.