₦airaland Forum

[quote author=Mynd_44]Your username says otherwise. I can't even toast you sef [/quote]I be bread??

*whispering*

Oga Mynd, I beg is there no way I can change dat username?

[quote author=Mynd_44]see this small underage girl oo[/quote] ..... I am not small and I am not a girl.

Hameenat94: hahaha... Aariz don die. He go soon de beg Zeest 4 d luv he de deprive am. Gudwork @madam underage

Thnx Hameenat

[quote author=Mynd_44]**just passing**[/quote]Come back here right now.
......girls aint smiling.

Samtolly4JESUS: ......And then Komal's smiling face popped up! Thanks Jesus!

How did Zeest got into his arms in the first instance?

#TeamAariz!

Hahahaha. I shuld be asking u dat same question. Abi na sleep?

beyonDskygirl: Wow...wow..hehehehe oh poor Aariz!..

Poor Aariz indeed

harlos: Lol. Could he be loving her silently?

Do you think so?

Winnie1950: Hahahahahahaha hohohohohoh i can't stop laughing at aariz. He is falling unconsciously in love with zeest. Today he held her 'unconsciously' tomorrow he will 'kiss' her unconsciously

Hahahaha. Dis got me really laffn. U r ryt Winne.

christabeli: Underage u are doing great.just discovered dis thread recently and since then..........

Thnx dear

Their discussion was interrupted by footsteps on the stairs, Zeest turned as Aariz emerged from the stairs. His black glance rested briefly on her, then shifted to the dinning table. Yet, all her senses were brought to full awareness.

"The storm has almost arrived." He said, his voice worried and tensed.

Don't worry, son." Mrs. Zaidi told him. "Such storms are quite common here. I hope everything would be alright by the morning."

"By the morning?" He raised his brows and asked aloud.

"Yes..... I'm not going to let you two drive in such a dangerous weather. It makes no sense at all to go out of this heavy rain and approaching storm. Besides, all roads will be blocked."

Shaking his head with clear disappointment, he looked toward Zeest.

"I'm hungry."

"Oh...." Mrs. Zaidi twisted my mouth into a semblance of embrassment. "I'm sorry son, we were so lost in our talk."

"It's okay." He tried to smile.

"You and Zeest sit here, I'd be back in a few minutes." Saying that, she turned and left for the kitchen.

Zeest tried to sit there, but this unbearable, killer silence was more disturbing than ever. She thought she should better go and help Mrs. Zaidi with dinner.

A few minutes later, Zeest returned and set the plates and cutlery on the table. Within seconds, the table had been set for three.

The dinner was delicious. It was freshly cooked Spinach Tarkari, pure Ghee Paraathas and fresh Milk Lassi. It was simple and nutritious.

"It's been so long since I sat down to a pure Pakistani farm meal. I've forgotten how good it can taste." Before he could stop himself, words automatically left his mouth.

"I can understand that. Food in Karachi is great, but farm meals have their own taste and flavor." Mrs. Zaidi said, shifting the plate of salad in front of him.

"So, I am desperate to see your beautiful babies. Both of you are so beautiful and attractive. I'm sure your children would not be less." Mrs. Zaidi said with amusement, her eyes going from Zeest to Aariz again and again.

Their glances clashed across the table, and they finished the meal in silence.

When it had been consumed, Aariz leaned back in his chair, streching with the contentment of a man whose stomach is full.

"The dinner was excellent, I haven't ate such delicious meal in years. You are a great cook, Auntie." Aariz said in an excited voice. It was a sincere compliment from him with no attempt at flattery.

"I didn't cook, Zeest made it in such a short time." Mrs. Zaidi said, smiling broadly at him. "I'm suprised, you still don't recognise the taste of her hand?"

His mouth took some seconds to close after hearing her statement. However, his comment reached out to Zeest, stroking her senses like a caress. Her mind kept thinking of that old saying---The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

"Water, I'm thirsty." Suddenly, his desperate voice drew Zeest's attention.

When she looked at him, she didn't know whether to be embrassed or laugh at his condition. A thin stream of Milk Lassi was flowing from the corner of his mouth. She poured the water in the glass, and with a tissue to wipe his mouth, sha handed it over to him, barely managing to contain the smile that was playing with the corners of her mouth.

She then cleared the table and stacked the dishes in the sink.

"Men need attention, daughter." Mrs. Zaidi told her sympathetically. The experienced woman had sensed the cold atmosphere between the newly wedded couple. "If you ignore your husband, he will definitely find some other woman."

Zeest smiled painfully. "Will he? He already has someone in his heart." She wanted to say but couldn't.

"I think you two should better sleep now." Mrs. Zaidi announced once they were back to the room where Aariz sat, yawning.

"After all, newly weds need more sleep than usual." Mrs. Zaidi smiled naughtily, slightly tapping him on him shoulder. It was a gesture for him to follow her.

He swallowed but said nothing and just let her preced him toward the inner rooms.

Without further comment, Mrs. Ziaid motioned toward the doorway that was midway between the fireplace and the kitchen. It led to a hall. On the left was the master bedroom, and next was the bathroom.

"Everything is here." Mrs. Zaidi told them. "But if you need anything else, don't hesitate, just call me and I'd be here." After a minute she was gone, closing the door behind her and leaving Aariz and Zeest facing each other.

With Mrs. Zaidi gone, Zeest was acutely aware of being alone with Aariz. The feeling was making her extremely uncomfortable. Although, this was not the first time that they were completely alone in the privacy of their room, but here in this smalll, distant place, with unfamiliar surroundings and strange atmosphere, without her parents-in-law around, it all seemed so different.

Aariz was thinking on the same lines as he looked around the old, silent bedroom where he was going to be alone with her for the whole night. He didn't want to be alone with her. The whole idea of it was totally disquieting.

When the quietness had grown uncomfortable, she ventured. "There's just one bed here. But don't worry, I'll sleep on the floor.

"My pleasure." He smiled roughly and began to take his shoes off.

The storm that had been building all afternoon and evening broke during the beginning of the night. The temperature dropped like a rock, rain fell in torrents. With that, unexpectedly, the power supply went off, leaving complete darkness all around.

"Shit!" Aariz exclaimed in frustration, his hands still fumbling with the straps of his shoes. This was something totally new for him. Strange place, powerful noisy storm, dark black night with no light and above all, ZEEST!

There was bleak darkness everywhere; it was so intense that they couldn't even see each other. Only their breaths made them realize that they were not very far from one another.

Suddenly, there was a strong spark of thunder, an ear busting blast and intense lightening. She came into his arms, accidentally. It all happened so fast that neither of them had any time to think. Somehow he managed to catch her. His arms closed about her, and his grip was firm as he pressed her tightly to his chest. Zeest's eyes were wide with fright.

They were both breathing heavily and their faces were close, so very close. For a long moment they gazed, mesmerized, into each other's eyes. Her eyes looked like twinkling stars in the dark. But then slowly, he withdrew his body from hers.

The instant he released her, Zeest moved a few steps away from him and slipped her feets into her brown leather pumps. Her heart was beating erratically and she was grateful to have something to do with her attention for even a brief moment, besides looking at the powerful, magnetic man who had just held her so intimately.

She told herself she should be relieved, she was relieved, she insisted to herself honestly.

But the whole truth was less simple. Disappointment vied with her relief. She felt almost overwhelmed by his appealing masculinity. Today, he wore neat brown slacks with a tan corduroy blazer that fit perfectly across his strong shoulders, and the scent of his after-shave cologne tugged powerfully at her senses. She had tingled everywhere their bodies had touched when he held her against him so tightly. Heat still coursed through her veins. Their eyes were beginning to get used to the darkness now.

"Are you blind?" He clenched his teeth. "If you can't see me, stay out of my way."

At a loss, she watched as his eyes narrowed. Seconds ago, she had been wrapped in his arms, and now he looked down at her as though she was his enemy.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Zaidi came in with a hurricane lamp and some candles, she looked at them both and then hung the lamp from a hook suspended from the ceiling. She placed the candles side-by-side along the wall. Bending, she lit them one by one. The dim glow emitting from the candles bathed the lonely room in an ideally romantic atmospemhere.

"Why are you too acting so strange, are you alright?" She asked, sensing the uncomfortable silence in the room.

"Yes, everything's fine." They chorused, looking away from her.

With that, she shook her head and left the room after saying good night.

Without wasting another second, he took his shoes off and almost fell on the big bed. He did not sleep immediately, but lay there listening to the rain beating on the roof and trying to batter its way in through the windows, and the wind soughing through the tree tops in the nearby forest.

How beautiful this night was going to be if I was with Komal......He thought painfully. Exactly then, his gaze shifted to the corner of the room and he saw Zeest who was spreading a sheet on the floor.

She was going to sleep on the cold, hard floor. For a moment, he felt like it was not a right thing to do, let himself sleep on the soft, warm and comfortable bed when a woman was sleeping on the hard, rough floor.

But then, he jerked all the thoughts away, as his gaze grew inhospitable.

"Ohhh! I don't care." He told himself and turned himself away from her.

It was midnight when a slight, weird kind of sound broke his sleep. He opened his eyes, searching for what had disturbed his dreamless sleep. As he came to, he tried to focus on what might have awakened him.

Perhaps an extra blast from the storm still raging outside? Some falling limb in the forest? Then, as his eyes focused, he saw in the dim light that Zeest was sitting on far corner of the room, her face hidden into her knees, her arms around her head.

Was she crying? There were no sounds, but from her shaking figure, he could guess that very well.

It was a painful and touchy sight.

"Hey!" Words left his mouth automatically.

There was no response.

"Hey!!" He called again.

She raised her face from her knees and gave him a questioning look.

Despite the dim light, he could easily see the redness in her eyes from the lack of her sleep but mainly because of her intense crying.

"Any problem?"

She stirred slightly, but shook her head in negative. Any problem? Wow, he sure had a soft sympathetic heart.

"Why are you crying?"

She remained silent; instead, she began to wipe her face.

"Remembering your father?" He asked again, this time in a relatively gentle voice.

She nodded slowly.

"Come here."

Zeest's chin lifted a rebellious inch, a tinge of red creeping across her cheekbones.

What was he going to do? Would he hit her, punish her for crying?"

"What?" She was confused. "It's alright."

"I told you I don't hear 'No' in answer, Now come to bed." He insisted.

She opened her mouth to object, but he spoke again she had a chance.

"Come here!!"

She knew futher arguing would be of no use. Slowly, she rose from her place.

"Sit here." He curled himself and withdrew his feet, making a place for her on the bed.

Silently, she obeyed him.

"Now....could you please tell me if this crying is going to help you, hmm?" He asked, staring deeply into her eyes.

"Would you mind if I ask you to sleep soon so that we could leave this place as early as possible?"

She lowered her head in agreement, and was about to stand up when his hand gripped hers.

The touch was warm, electric and tingling. But this warm touch sent cold shivers along her body.

"You can sleep here, right here, on this bed." He said in a strange voice. "With me."

"But why?" As she asked, she could notice the slight trembling in her own voice.

"There're insects on the floor. They might hurt you." His own eyes betrayed him as he finished his sentence. "No need to get free with me. It's only for your sake."

Smiling sadly on the word 'hurt', she said, I'm already comfortable. It's alright. Thanks anyway."

"There's a lot of space here. Both of us can sleep very easily." He gave her a soft look.

"Surely there's a lot of space but is there is any space for me in our heart as well?" She wanted to ask but didn't find the courage.

He then shifted himself to the other side of the bed, leaving enough space for her. Slowly, trying to occupy as less space as she could, she placed herself on the bed, keeping her body at a visible distant from his.

"Good night." He spoke for one last time and then turned his back to her.

With a blank mind, she closed her eyes in search and hope of some sleep and rest.

Hours later, Aariz awakened with a delicious fragrant filling his nose, and a romantic blackness covering his eyes.

Zeest had fallen asleep in his arms. With his arms around her, she was sleeping so peacefully, like a child.

How on earth had that happened! He could feel the pounding of her heart, thudding as loudly as his own.

He lightly rubbed his eyes and twisted his head to look down at her sleeping face, peaceful and beautiful. It was such a breath-taking sight that almost involuntarily, he couldn't take his eyes off her. The softness of her skin, the pores on her nose and under her eyes, on her cheeks, the fullness of her lips, the odd way that the hair of her eyebrows changed color, as they got longer.

Her long, dark hair was a bit rumpled from sleep, yet still sleek and shiny. Totally against his will, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. Then, in their own accord, his fingers softly began to touch her hair. He felt a little shock pass through his body as his fingers found her forehead and began to mirror his exploration.

Her outfit had crept above her waist revealing a small but very luscious, path of peach and milk colored skin and as she lay still, Aariz fixed his eyes on the golden skin glowing. It was just like milk, or gold, so shiny and smooth.

Her face was so close to his that he could feel her damp breath on his face and he could feel her body against his own, her hair tickling his arm and chest. He could hear her every breath. He could hear the change in her breathing. It was like their breaths were touching....almost touching. So close, that they could smell the sweetness of each other's breath, coming in rasps of passion, sharing the intimate warmth washing over their faces.

He shuddered at the thought. An then Komal's smiling face came from nowhere.

No....no. He warned himself. I'm not supposed to have these kinds of feeling for a woman I don't love.

Coming fully awake, he slowly disengaged himself from the sleeping form next to him and got out of the bed.

A hum filled Zeest's ears as she began to arouse from her deep-sleep. She was dimly aware of the delicious warmth which permeated her entire body, forming tiny beads of perspiration on her forehead.

At first, she did not know what it was that roused her from her slumber, she rolled over to her back and lifted her tousled head up from the pillow. She was cold and shivering, she realized the sheets were off her. Her dark hair was slick against the sides of her face, wet from perspiration. It took her another thirty seconds to realize where she was. The other side of the bed was empty and Aariz was nowhere in sight.

The light from the window was faint, the sun hadn't risen yet, and the room felt cool from the open blinds, which calmly swept back and forth in the morning air.

"You there?" She whispered.

"Yeah." Came the hard reply. She turned her face and saw he was standing near the window with his back on her.

"Did I wake you?" He added

"No, you didn't." Came the short reply.

"Looks like the rain had stopped." Aariz said, as he took a few more moments to consider his comment.

Zeest turned and looked out of the window, confirming that the intense storm had indeed burned itself out and the sky had begun to clear.

The day was dawned sunny and what might even pass for warm. The temperature hovered around thirty. A gentle breeze caressed the landscape, and Zeest found feel of sunshine on her face a welcome change.

Mrs. Zaidi, who had been upstairs cleaning most of the morning, magically appeared with tea and warm Parathaas. They finished their breakfast in silence and then got up to leave. It was a long journey, after all. Thanking Mrs. Zaidi for her kind hospitality, Zeest followed her husband to his car. Mrs. Zaidi walked them as far as the front door and watched them climb into their car and drive away.

During the next hundred or so miles, they didn't speak at all. Each thinking about last night and wondering if it could affect their lives in a new way.

Samtolly4JESUS: ..... The writer is your ally..... I cease to imagine Aariz groveling before Zeest.. Just like Jide did to Daisy in Taken Chance

Lol . Do not worry. He is already groveling

kinxen: Komal's father is dead I fink u meant to say Zeest...tnx 4d update btw

Sorry I got confused but I corrected dat just now. Komal's father is alive and healthy

Deiok: I smell a change to Aariz behaviour toward zeest before or after they might have left this farm house.

I will also be asking Zeest same question her aunt asked her "Why did you sell your father's house and property?"

Underage i know your'e trying, but Komal's family is now missing out of this story.

Thanks 4 the update.

Yeah, dey r out for the moment and for some reasons, but I'll get back to them soon. I got confused earlier on.

Zeeat sold her father's property becauae she needed to start a religious school which has always been her ambition. U'll get to see more of the reason in future and hw it'll help.

princesa: thou shall soon eat thy words
#teamzeest

Up up #teamzeest

Samtolly4JESUS: I hope its not what I'm thinking?

#TeamAariz!

What are you thinking?

[quote author=lola_bridget]I can feel the love!!! Underage u r too much[/quote]Thnx

I Hate 9ja: incredible

Thnx

harlos: I prefer he says nothing...

Thank you 4 the update.

You r most wlcm Harlos

"Aariz!"

As he heard his mother's call, he just raised his head a little but didn't reply.

"Zeest needs to go to her village today. There're certain important matters to be decided regarding her father's property."

"So?" He asked harshly.

"So you are going with her." His mother announced her decision as usual without even asking for her suggestion.

"We've so many drivers. She can go with any one." He replied, taking short sips of his remaining tea.

"Are you crazy or something? You want me to send her out of the city alone with our driver, another man?"

"Then you can go with her." He said with clear disinterest.

"No, I can't. I have my check up today with my doctor. I know you are free today. You don't have to stay there. She just needs to sign something and it won't take more than an hour. So, you may return before night." His mother told him his entire program in one long breath.

For some moments, he just sat there, thinking. At first, he wanted to refuse, but that was going to make things more complicated. If he had to get his mother to agree for his second marriage, he was definitely going to need Zeest's support and help. That's why, at this stage, he didn't want to do anything which could disturb her even more.

"Okay, tell her to get ready as soon as possible. We have to return before night."

But Zeest was already prepared. When he reached the garage, she was there, waiting for him.

"Here." He opened the car's back door. "Climb in."

His eyes flashed over her swiftly, taking in every aspect of her appearance in a second. She was wearing plain long coat of fawn color, her hair completely covered by a dark brown scarf as usual. He opened the car door and settled her inside, taking her case and dropping it onto the seat, and she felt crushed by the swift, all encompassing glance.

He tried not to notice her but she had striking features. She was not very beautiful according to his personal criteria, but she was very attractive for sure. Gracefully covered hair, procelain white skin, and big, black luminous eyes suited perfectly.

Although hidden, she looked so exotic, so mysterious, but so distant too. Her complexion glowed without make-up; her black eyes were alive as lightening on a hot, summer night. He'd just never realized how naturally feminine and lovely she was. The dimple that creased her cheek enchanted him. She was even lovelier than he'd thought last time.

She bit her lips together as he got in and started the smooth, powerful engine.

For a while, he said nothing, but as they sped on in smooth silence he glanced across her.

"Why are we going there?" His quiet inquiry startled her and her eyes met his, black and anxious.

"I have sold my property, including my house and farm." She gave him a short answer.

She didn't feel like talking. Inside, she felt sick. The car, for all its size, seemed to be enclosing her, pulling her close to him, to the male power of him.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the headrest. She felt like crying. She couldn't believe she was going to her dreamland for the first time since her father's death. Perhaps, this would be the last time she'd see her house, the same house where she had spent her childhood.

"What would you do with the money?"

She looked up at his unexpected question and he glanced across her, a sidelong glance that made her sit up straight. He often used to look like that, shooting a glance at her with shimmering black eyes that seemed to strike at her nerve-endings.

"I'm planning to establish a religious school." Again, her answer was short, giving him a clear indication that she didn't want to talk more on the topic.

For the rest of the journey, they drove in silence.

It was about 4 p.m in the evening when they finally approached the hills surrounding her village. Aariz noticed that the clouds were beginning to pile up on the horizon.

"It'll be a wet night." He thought.

About four kilometers into the hills, he turned off onto a side road cutting through a forest, and after a further ten minutes they came to the dirt track that led to the farm. They bumped along this for a while, then, crossing a ford over a stream and climbing up a low hill, they finally arrived.

Several children, who were happy to see their teacher and friend back, greeted them.

Zeest's aunt, Mrs. Shah had bought her niece's house. Zeest signed the property papers within minutes. All of the villagers insisted alot that they should stay longer, but ofcourse, she had to leave soon. There was a danger of two storms. First, weather storm, and the second, her husband's anger that was even more dangerous.

That's why, she excused herself gently, and with tears in her eyes she followed Aariz to their car. He glanced at his watch, and without saying a word, started the engine. With a speedy jerk, their car moved forward.

"I......if you don't mind." She suddenly said. "I want to visit my father's grave."

He looked at her for a few seconds but said nothing. Shrugging his shoulders, he just turned the car toward the village's graveyard.

Once they reached there, he slowly followed her to the spot where her beloved father was buried.

Reciting some prayers within five minutes, he looked at her and said, "I am waiting for you in the car." He then turned and left, leaving her alone with her father.

Slowly making her way to her father's simple grave, she hugged herself against the chill in the wind and stared down at the dates carved into the headatone that told so little about her father, the beginning and end, nothing more. Nothing of the type of man he'd been, nothing of the type of father he'd been to his only daughter.

"Why did you leave me alone?" She knelt down.

"Why?" She cried silently. "Why did you have to be so caring and loving? You made me addicted to love."

But her only answer was the moan of the wind as it swirled around the tombstones.

Shivering at the haunted sound, she hunched her shoulders inside her coat, her hands as cold as stone.

She then recited different Quranic verses for him, as now; those were the only things that could give him eternel benefit.

After offering her prayers, she finally said 'good bye' to him with tears in her eyes. Memories were burning her body, making it impossible for her to stand there. Before it could become something unbearable, she turned and left. Taking short, tired steps, she opened the back door of his car and got in.

Without saying a word, he started the engine and their car moved out of the graveyard area. Leaning back in the seat, Zeest let her head rest on the curved top and turned her gaze out of the window. The mountains were shrouded in the dark clouds, a gray mist hanging over the valley floor.

Suddenly, a raindrop pelted Zeest in the eye, and she flinched. In the next few seconds, the clouds were spitting fat drops all about them. The tapping of the rain on the roof of the car was a soothing sound.

"I love to ride in the rain." Aariz wanted to speak but couldn't.

He slowed the car and reached the intersection with the highway. There was no traffic in sight and he pulled onto the road.

Only then Zeest saw a rapidly spreading dark line on the sky far beyon them.

"It's storm." She said aloud.

"What?" He was shock and suprised. "How could you say that?"

"Look there." She pointed out toward the front. "It's approaching, we should better turn back."

The threatened rain had arrived, together with strong gusts of wind that shook their car, flinging rain like peebles against the windscreen.

"Are you crazy?" He clenched his teeth. "We've left your farm house long ago, and there's no time for getting back now."

"This bloody thing had to come at this moment!" He cursed the storm.

"I..... I didn't mean to say that we should go back to my village." Gathering her courage, she spoke. "We could go back to Mrs. Zaidi's farm. That's not very far from here, and we can go there for temporary shelter."

"Mrs. Zaidi?" His brows curved upwards, frowns clearly visible on his forehead. "Who's she?"

"She owns this neighbouring farm, and she is a good family friend. She knows us very well. She lives here alone and her house does have a lot of room and space."

He cast her a brief glance, but said nothing.

"Where is her house?" He stopped the car and asked. It was definitely dangerous to drive in the presence of this rapidly approaching storm. He didn't want to take that risk especially when he was in a completely strange place. He was even unfamiliar with the roads and the ways.

"There." Zeest waved her hand to her right. He could see a large hut-like palatial house situated beautifully in between the lush green mountains.

It was a breath taking view.

Green meadows splashed with colorful flowers, unspoiled by human hands. This place truly had the feel of a rain-washed paradise. This house situated in the lush, green hills bordering the western edge of Zeest's village looked absolutely wonderful. Built marvelously in ancient Victorian style, it looked very attractive, thanks to the willow trees surrounding the pillared three-story home.

As he looked at the beautiful architectural masterpiece, his features grew less harsh.

"It could be an ideal place for honeymooners." He thought and then smiled at himself.

"Honey moon, how cheap does that sound without my love, without my Komal." He thought painfully as he re-ignted the engine of his Honda Accord and pulled it toward Zaidi's farms.

Within two minutes, they were standing in front of the house. The nameplate on one of its main pillars showed the name 'Zaidi's Villa."

Leaning casually against his car, he crossed his arms over his chest and observed her dispassionately.

Zeest took a few short steps toward the house then stopped.

He was not following her.

Slowly, she turned back to face him.

"We really should go inside." She murmured.

"No, thank you. I'd rather not......"

"I'm not happier about this than you." She said in a low tone. "But, we don't have any other choice right now. This storm could strike us at any time and I'n partly responsible for you being here."

She was right and it didn't seem appropriate to argue on a genuine reason. Without saying a word, he lowered his eyes in silent agreement. Leaving the car within the farm field, he lifted out her case and started toward the house. The path led deeper into a wooden area, still lit by the old by lamp post but gradually growing brighter as if the light were following their steady stride. A faint breeze rustled the branches of the full and green trees, whispering quiet evening sounds along with the birds that were still chirping in the distance.

Upon reaching the rather secluded entrance to the park in front of the house, he gently brushed a lock of his silky hair away from his forehead, then placing his hands back in his pocket. For a house so large, it didn't appear as if many people were inside. They passed through the gates of the Tranquil Gardens and he took in a deep breath as his feet met the soft, wet grass. The air seemed almost fresh inside the park, as if he had left the boundaries of the city streets and entered into an untouched area of wilderness. He smiled to himself secretly; glad to have already discovered such a comforting environment. It seemed almost like something out of fairytale.

"I think I'm going to like it here." He said to himself, softly, almost against his will but his words didn't go unnoticed by Zeest.

"I used to spend hours here." She said and fell silent as her beautiful eyes strayed again to the farm field around them.

Within seconds, they'd reached the cement steps, their footsteps echoing dully. She precedes him up the steps and paused in the hallway of the first floor.

"What a lonely, deserted place. It looks like a ghost house or something." He observed and laughed.

She ignored his comment and continued her steps towards the main door.

He followed her up the steps, his footsteps and echo of her own.

"Zeest, is that you?" An old feminine voice called impatiently as their footsteps moved closer to the door.

Zeest opened her mouth to make an affirmative answer but the voice spoke again before she had a chance.

"I can recognize you by the way you smell. Yes I can." This time, the voice was trembling with mixed emotions.

With a loud sound, the door burst open, giving way to an old lady in her mid-fifties.

"Oh, my....."

"Zeest!" The woman cried aloud, thankful to see her. Rushing down the steps, she grapped her by both wrists. "My child!" Tears came flooding in her eyes, as she hugged her passionately.

"Zeest!" The name was a soft cry, full of tears and laughter. "Is it really you?"

"It's really me, Auntie." She answered, smiling decently.

As she hugged Zeest, her eyes met with Aariz's and she nodded with happiness.

"Your husband?" Mrs. Zaidi's eyes traveled from Zeest's face to Aariz's.

She nodded in silence.

"Masha Allah, what a nice, handsome man." She came forward to put a motherly hand on his head.

"I'd never forgive myself that I missed your wedding."

"It's alrighg, auntie." She said smoothly. "It all happened in emergency. We hardly invited any guests."

"I can't believe am seeing you again." Mrs. Zaidi said excitingly as she led toward the dinning room.

Once seated, she talked to Mrs. Zaidi about everything she could recall at the moment, one again bringing all those refreshing memories back to life. Their conversation centered on family topics, his father's memories and the work needed to be done to transfer all the property and money to Zeest.

Finally, totally bored by this converstion, he rose and left the room, thinking to check the storm from the house's roof.

"Why did you sell your father's house and property?" Mrs. Zaidi asked.

"I didn't need any of that now." She said quietly.

"But that was your own property, your father's savings." Mrs. Zaidi's voice had a worried tone.

"This is the only thing that interests me." Zeest's voice became sadder. "That it belonged to my father."

How could she forget that ever? Those little games with her dolls, those little fights and disputes with her friends, heart-piercing memories. She was familiar with every corner of that house. After all, she was born and raised there.

"Your husband look nice, very cute too " Mrs. Zaidi smiled, trying to change the painful topic.

She didn't comment on the remark. Instead, she just tipped her head back to the headrest of her chair and closed her eyes.

"I guess he's not very talkative." Her aunt added.

Zeest could see her aunt was impressed by Aariz's personality.

"I'll always keep wondering about his apparent ability to impress others so easily and rapidly." She thought silently.

Samtolly4JESUS: If I don't comment on this beautiful piece, then its an act of injustice.

UNDERage, you're OVERgood!

By the way, #TeamAARIZ.

Don't y'all think its selfishness on the part of Zeest to have fallen in love with a man who already had a lover? Aariz's heart is with Komal, he can't share it with zeest. Zeest should just stop all her periwinkle acts and allow Aaris divorce her before I loose my temper! Hehehe

Hehehehe. This really got me laffing. Abeg don't lose your temper oooo
Thnx for reading. But by d way #youareonyour own

Deiok: u wan follow me scatter pidgin huh?. I dey fine ooh, sorri say i nor reply u yesterday.

Princesa when are you catching with us.

Am still learning .......do u wanna teach me?

harlos: You are on point, why can't komal just give up. Why am i blaming her sef, aariz is the real devil...and looking at it from another side his parent make to be dis kind of wicked devil.
Aariz should just stop treating this innocent bird this way

I feel so sorry for Zeest, i'm sure Aariz force himself to love Zeest someday cos his eyes are opening to what he couldn't see in her before. But when will that be


Underage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes Harlos!!!!!!!!! Wetin?

fateemah88: Hi underage am rili sorry i dont comment, your story is the best or should i say bestest(nt in english so dnt mynd checkin),i rili like zeest but i hate aariz and komal she just wn't give up cant she jst understand that he is married.hope you had a wonderful sallah?

Thnx dear. I had a wonderful Sallah, hp u too.
At that mynd u r talking abt, do you mean Mynd_44.......where is he sef?? .
And back to the story, don't know that love is blind? Dats wat's making Komal not to understand Aariz is married.....too bad

harlos: The guy hasn't change after so many update, Aariz is getting tougher he should just marry komal as the second wife and stop tormenting this innocent like shes' in hell


keep it coming dear, i'm back

Welcome back harlos Hp u r doing good.

princesa: when are u gonna release Zeest from this Aariz hell?

Don't worry princesa, she will be released soon.
*hands her a hankerchief*

But do you think its best to release Zeest frm Aariz?

Deiok: Nice update.

Thnx.

How far na? How u dey?

beyonDskygirl: Thanks 4 d update am.... Waiting 4 mur....

U r wlcm. More will come soon.

Winnie1950: Now am very sure that i hate aariz. Thanks for the update madam underage. FEED ME MORE!!!!!

U r wlcm. Aariz is getting more haters....lol

The next few days passed in a blur.

But something had changed. Until now, only Aariz used to avoid her, but now Zeest too, tried not to come into his way, avoiding the possibility of meeting him day and night. They were typical husband and wife in front of the world but inside, in their privacy, they were completely strangers.

Life had become a bit more complicated.

Combing her fingers through her hair, Zeest looked out of the window and sighed coldly. She felt the sting of tears burning her eyes and blinked to them at bay.

Today, like the other days, was probably going to be the same. Perhaps, there was nothing new for her which life could offer, same typical daily routine, nothing else.

Enclosing her body in a navy blue Abaaya and a sky blue scarf, she decided and forced herself to walk around the house to view the entire, big mansion which belong to her 'so-called' husband's parents.

As she rounded the corner and stood near the house looking into the back yard, she stopped, her breath caught and the look in her eyes was indescribable. The trees, the flowers, and just at the end a pond.....the ducks swimming.

This is the life.....my life....this is want I want. She thought then smiled at her own foolish thoughts.

Yes, it was like a dreamland, a fantastic wonderland. But all this beauty, all this charming dreamland looked so incomplete without the 'prince' of her dreams.

She walked to the outskirts of the property and noticed some wild roses growing there. She picked a few red ones, and a yellow one because, at heart, she was a hopeless romantic.....

Did he really deserve to be called her 'dream prince'? She asked herself, when the only thing he seemed to do was to hurt her. In this beautiful but powerful house, she had been that tiny bird which has been trapped in a strong cage.

Without a doubt, she now knew this man's nature. He was a snobish, stubborn, shiftless, self-absorbed male. Would she ever know him? No, she didn't know him, afterall. He was tough, self-possessed and she could never see beyond the barrier of those crystal-clear eyes.

She then headed towards the front of the house to get an idea of the house's anterior facing the huge, big Arabian Sea.

It was nearly 5 p.m now, and cloudy. A fog was rolling in from the sea, and Zeest, out for a walk, hugged herself tightly in her Abaaya.

"She and Aariz are as different as Love and hate, aren't they?" She thought, staring into the infinite dept of the sea.

"Hi."

She nearly jumped, whirling to see the very same man standing before her.

"Everything okay?" He asked as though they were old friends and he had never cursed her in his life.

Speechlessly, she stared at him. He looked fresh and immacutely handsome in short-sleeved navy blue shirt and cream-colored trousers.

When he turned back to regard her, she noticed that the breeze had brushed a strand of wavy hair across hia brow. She had a mad impulse to smooth it back or muss it further.

Zeest was horrified at herself. Had she gone insane? She couldn't believe she was having such inappropriate thoughts about a man who was so strange and hard. The man was firmly lodged in her heart and in her mind, no matter how hard she might wish he wasn't.

To her suprised, he stood beside her. It took all her willpower not to glance in his direction. She tried to concentrate on what he was about to say soon.

"So...." He began conversationally.

She stared straight, keeping her breathing very slowly, very calm---atleast outwardly. His arm had brushed hers when they sat down. The tingling rush brought on by that contact was still playing havoc with her equilibrium.

"I was pretty short with you earlier." He said quietly.

It was hard not to look at him, hard not to comment, especially since he seemed to be willing to talk----really talk.

Cautiously, she peeked in his direction.

A slow smile curved his lips. "What if I apologize?"

"No need for that." She said, keeping her eyes fixed at the sea waves.

"I hope, now you know why and how I've suffered. The intense pain, the burden has been so much....." He didn't finish his sentence intentionally.

"If possible, you can share your burden with me." She said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me about her." Zeest asked, turning her gaze at the sea. "Who's she?'

His gaze veered back toward the sea, and he curled his hands into fists.

A stab of regret slashed her heart. She'd opened a painful wound of his past.

"It's not that interesting story, Miss. Zeest." He said expressionly. His scent mingled with that of the sea, and even in her frustration at never getting straight answer from him, she found herself inhaling deeply, savoring his unique essence.

"I'm interested." She whispered, speaking not with thought, but with feeling.

"You sure you don't mind?' He asked at last as he turned toward the sea, strecthing out his long legs before him.

Her insides uncoiled. "I asked, didn't I?"

"You never asked before."

She looked back at him doubtfully. "I didn't think you cared about my opinion."

His compelling eyes narrowed, holding her gaze for a moment before he broke the contact and squinted out to the sea.

"I'm trying not to." His lips twicthed and a reluctant smile spread across his lips.

Zeest watched his profile and waited for a long time, but the continued silence began to wear on her nerves. She couldn't bring herself to ask him why he didn't care about her opinion. And she couldn't understand his hesistancy.

"Well.... I'm sorry. I can't tell you much about that."

Hardly able to coax her voice above a whisper, she asked, "May I ask, why?"

He surveyed the vastness of the restless water, but seemed to notice nothing in particular. "I have my reasons." He said in an odd tone. The set of his wide shoulders had always spoken loudly of confidence.

"Would you like to walk on the beach?" Aariz asked in a casual tone.

A small involuntary whimper escaped her lips. Surely this wasn't happening. Surely, in just a few seconds, she'd wake up and find out she was dreaming.

A tremor of nervous anticipation shot down her spine. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was to take a walk with this man. She wanted----no, needed---to get away, far away.

We might walk right into the ocean and drown." She managed to say.

His chuckle was strangle warm within the chilly cocoon of the fog.

"Your enthusiasm is inspirational, Miss. Wife." He smiled roughly. "We shall be able to see well enough, trust me."

Their eyes held briefly before he dragged his gaze away.

She eyed him critically, studying his face and then gave a disheartened nod.

As she walked beside him, his shoulder brushed her arm and the effect was electrifying. Startled, she moved quickly away---too quickly---stumbled and would have fallen had he not grabbed and steadied her, his face a study in patience.

"Thank you." Zeest mumbled, her face a fiery red. "I..... I'm usually not so clumsy."

"No problem." He flashed her a quick smile. "I understand."

There was a brief silence and, for a moment, all they heard was the mysterious noise of sea waves crushing with rocks.

"I'm sorry about.....you know....everything." He murmured softly. "It isn't my business how you live your life."

She examined him closely. "You mean that, don't you?"

"Yes, I am sorry."

She sensed a softening in his attitude and decided to try for a compromise.

With a gentleness that seemed totally contradictory to this man's iron strength, he said, "I want something."

"I give you one!" She shifted her gaze ahead.

"What?"

"Permission." She said, keeping herself very quiet. "For your second marriage."

"Well." He took a long breath so faintly; she felt it more than heard it. "It's something else. I want your agreement, your permission for divorce." He took a brief pause then announced his decision.

"I want to divorce you."

She stopped and half turned. They both fell silent, gazing at each other.

"You'll be free to go anywhere you want." He assured her.

His tone suddenly edged with steel. "And, I'd appreciate it if you'd allow me to handle my own life in my own way."

She was listening to his voice, a compelling voice, darkly seductive in spite of disparagement, like black velvet over steel.

She heaved a sigh.

"So that's what all this is about!' She thought. "Would she ever understand this man?" She feared not.

She was supposed to get happy. Wasn't she? He was at last breaking her prison, freeing her. But the whole thought of it felt very painful somehow and she couldn't understand why.

Bodly handsome, he continued to gaze at her. "So, what do you say?"

"I have no right to ask you for something." As she spoke, he could see her eyes glistening with fresh tears.

"But.... I can convince your mother for your second marriage. Believe me, I can." She told him in an assuring tone.

"In return, I just need one thing." She added, now looking very seriously at him.

"And what's that?"

"Please don't divorce me."

He glared at her, not believing what she was saying.

"I don't want to disengage my name from yours. All I need, all I want.....is your name, attached to mine." She said in a strange tone. "I'd leave your home and I assure you that I will never come back again into your happy life. Infact, you and your wife will never see me again. But just don't divorce me. Please!"

"Are you crazy or something?" He knew she was just getting emotional. It was impossible for a twenty first century woman to spend her life alone without a home, husband and children of her own.

But nothing is impossible.

After all, he thought, she was one one of those typical middle class conservative eastern women; who are strictly taught to spend their whole lives with the names of their husbands who are supposed to be everything for them.

It was not a big deal, no bad business at all. There was no loss for him. Infact, according to her suggestion, he was going to get double advantage. First was his mother's agreement, so he could not lose his parents and home, and the second was Komal.......he was going to get her, without any obstacle or problem.

He then shrugged his shoulders care-freely.

"You're going to regret this." He said thickly.

She looked up at the sound of his voice, so quient, his eyes faintly amuse. Maybe he was fuming inside.

They climbed the rest of the way in silence.

"Enjoy yourself." He stated softly as they parted, a great suprise for her.

"Thank you." Her smile was relieved.

His eyes hardened.

"Just don't get too comfortable." He added with a warming growl.

Her smile vanished.

As she watched him disappear into the fog, she mumbled under her breath. "You're stubborn, rude and proud, Aariz Ali."

Inwardly her little voice said, "He may be rude, stubborn and proud, but unfortunately that doesn't stop him from being heart-stopping attractive."

As she returned to her room after he had left, his remark came back to her mind forcefully---"It's not that interesting story, Miss. Zeest!"

He was wrong. He was a mystery she wanted badly to solve, and it disturbed her to realize she found him so intriguing. She was even attracted to his infuriating laid-back attitude

Why couldn't she seem to keep in the forefront of her mind the fact that she was bound to be hurt if she let herself care for him deeply? She thought as she brushed the dust away from the cupboards of her bedroom, the next morning. These cabinets belonged to Aariz and deep glass shelves held the items of his interest. There were books, CDs, albums and some old files.

The cabinet doors were wide open; probably he'd forgot to close them. When she lifted the cloth away from the shelf, Zeest could see that it had been covering the photograph of a woman. Absently she picked up the golden frame and walked with it to the window that faced the open sea.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties but her modern hairstyle was something really attractive. Her hair was dark brown, her eyes brown. She thought she was lovely in a full-figured way. She had generous lips and soft-featured oval face.

Zeest knew at one that she was Aariz's beloved, Komal!

Suprisingly, she didn't feel any jealousy for this woman, only regret and grief.

Perhaps it was the loss of this woman that had done so much to him and had made him 'this' way.

"What are you doing?" Zeest was so startled by the harsh male voice behind her she dropped the framed photograph. The glass shattered and mortified, she sank to the floor to gather up the shards.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Came another deep demand from behind.

He caught hold of her arm and she jumped what felt like six feet into the air, her whole body tensing as if she had an electric shock.

She looked at the hand on her sleeve and then up to his frowning face.

Aariz said flatly, trying to control his temper. "I won't warn you again. Leave my room and things alone."

She glared at him, totally frustrated.

He talked on coldly, staring down at her out of those night-black eyes.

"Get away from here." He ordered, pulling her upright. Annoyance sparked in his gaze.

"I..... I'm sorry. I'll replace the....." Her voice faltered and she blushed.

Tossing the broken pieces on top of the scattered remnants still in the frame, he eyed her for a heartbeat, his glance made enigmatic by the expansive fringe of his lashes.

She backed irritable away from him, so hot with the impotent feelings Aariz always aroused in her that she had no need of extra warmth.

She gulped spasmodically, ashamed of her fumbleness. His pain at the loss of his beloved's picture was starkly eveident in the coarse emotions she'd witnessed on his face.

Aariz grapped his navy blue jacket from the sofa and swung it over his broad shoulder. His fresh, crisp white shirt, maroon tie and gray trousers looked superb.

He edged closer to her. She held her breath, not wishing to absorb the scent of him, admitting with dismay that if he and then other men were alone with her in an unlighted room, she would know instantly which one is Aariz.

"Get out." With a twisted contemptuous flash of teeth, he called.

"Get out!" He shouted this time. "Go, before I do something I'll regret."

Dejected, she retrieved the crumpled cloth from the floor where she'd dropped it, deciding the safest course would be to stay out of Aariz's way for the next few days---days Zeest feared would be the most difficult days of her life.

She felt as if she'd been sealed up in a cold dark tomb, never allowed to savor life to its fullest.

As he left for his office that morning, she wanted to run behind him, to ask him what she had done that was so unforgivable, putting up such a harsh, imperceptible wall between them. Her only sin had been to listen and care---and......love?

As she entered her bedroom, both her mind and body chunned. He smelled as good as he looked. She reached down and took a pillow from the floor and held it to her face. Its scent was Aariz's scent, a mingling of his perfume, shampoo and something else that was indefinably his own.

Pearls of tears appeared in her eyes and ultimately rolled down her beautiful cheeks.

Being in love was a dismal, painful business. She didn't intend to allow it to happen to her.

Only it was too late. She had done what she promised herself she wouldn't do---she had fallen in love with him, impulsively and thoroughly. Her heart told her it was the real thing and would last forever.

This man had tapped emotions deep inside her that no one ever had.

That didn't make her feel better, though, Nor did it solve anything. She still faced pain and disillusionment. She knew better. A woman didn't get that suffocating feeling in her chest or the twist in her gut if she wasn't in love.

She should have known better than to get involved. She'd known what would happen. People who dabbled in unnecassary emotions deserved to get hurt.

She couldn't see anything, the tears wouldn't let her. She then decided something and carried The Holy Quran to the living room where she sat down to recite it in her musical tone.

The best weapon against the onset of depression was in action. So what if she was alone at this moment. So what if everybody had left her. Her Allah was there, like always, to listen to her, to ask her what she wanted, to share her pains and sorrows. As her eyes touched the beautiful words, she felt a glorious wave of satisfaction and contentment going through her whole body, making her feel much better, much better than before.

princesa: Right now am beginning to hate this Aariz of a guy, so different from the one am still reading in page two. The over-hyped poet who is near perfection in beauty!


(am presently in the point where he's beginning to tell Deeba the story of his lost love)

but if this is the way he treated her, then he deserves to hurt more

#takes quick successive breath to calm down rage#


okay, maybe I'd get to understand why he's like this. But right now am going back and forth in the story (cos i couldn't resist )

and i must say underage you're doing good, i read that your tragic story, (sorry i didn't comment) #hides face#. Was it non-fiction? Was that you? Did your friend really die? (okay forget that, we are in the present, never mind me) but really, yours is the only story am getting to read after it has gone past its 4th or 5th page (for i am a lazy reader )

but i love the Pakistan setting and the almost Bollywood scenery you're painting. (am a big fan of bollywood)

okay, okay, too much talk, never mind me, am kinda erratic sometimes. Back to the Wedding Aariz and his friend are attending.

See you later

Take a deep breath princesa *hands her a cup of cold water*

Thanks for those lovely words dear, and please take it easy on Aariz, he is really stubborn, I know but he is nice too. Besides, I feel what u feel for him sometimes .

Back to my tragic story, yes it is non-fiction, that was really me. My friend did died , it will be two years by next month, really miss him.

Am glad u like the Pakistani and bollywood setting, at first, I was afriad noone would like it but it seems everyone around here likes it, makes me feel so happy. Okay let me not talk too much too.

*sips my zobo drink* .

Shuq29: Beta o cos i dnt think i will be able to sleep without u giving more of those sleeping dose.

Really? I dnt want to give u overdose. I think this is enuf for today, I want you to wake up good and fine tmrw mrng.