₦airaland Forum

Deiok: Nice update. Aariz is in trouble.

Indeed. Nd so r u.

Shuq29: UNDERAG! UNDERAGE!! UNDERAGE!!!....................abeg this update is nt enough o.

Lol....shouty capitals. Why r u calling me like this? U'll get more soon.

Winnie1950: Does that mean we are getting another update tonight?

No, ma'am.

Winnie1950: Continue !!!!!!!!!!

[quote author=lola_bridget]Hmmmm, don't stop plssssss[/quote]

Hameenat94: Dis is unfair.. Dnt stop pls

I wont stop my dears

Zeest was not shocked for what happened after a week. Infact she was already prepared for it.

While preparing for the party Aariz's boss had arranged to celebrate the recent remarkable sucess in marketing, Zeest knew that Aariz was going to be furious about her wearing Hijaab in the party, and she disliked making him angry, but she couldn't afford her God's anger either.

"I'm ready." She announced, turning away from the dressing table. "Shall we go now?"

Aariz looked at her, his gaze sharp and searching. She felt his eyes slide over her entire body.

Dressed in a maroon Abaaya and pink scarf, she was not at all presenting a picture of a 'high society' party lady.

"What are you wearing?" His stare drilled into her.

"It's my Hijaab."

"Whatever it is. Remove it, I don't want people looking at us like we are aliens."

"But, it's an islamic tradition. It's an order of Allah and prophet." She protested.

A shadow crossed his face, and then was promptly gone. "There you go again, trying to make me give a damn about what you think."

"Could you please explain why I should remove my Hijaab?" Her voice trailed after him as he opened the bedroom door and stalked out. She thought he had left but he reappeared at the door once again, his eyebrows pulled together in a fierce scowl.

"I don't have a habit of explaining myself to people I hardly know."

"Does my wish means nothing to you?" Suddenly, she found herself asking.

"You mean nothing to me, Miss. Wife. Can't get that into your conceited head?"

"I didn't mean that." She said, and opened the door to move outside.

His gaze narrowed dangerously, he reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"You are not going with me like this." He finally announced.

"What?"

"Take this Hijaab or whatever off immediately." He warned, his voice rumbling with restrained anger.

"Listen......"

"Don't say no. I am not used to hearing negative answers."

"What's wrong if I cover myself?"

"It's a formal, luxurious get together." He closed his fists, trying to control his temper. "There's a particular dress code for such parties."

Anger made Aariz incautious, sweeping away any remaining thought of keeping himself calm.

"All of the ladies there will be showing off their glories and their expensive dresses. What would my friends and colleagues think?" He cursed under his teeth. "Damn it."

"And how would Allah react?"

"Whatever." He raised his hand, signaling her to keep her mouth shut. "I don't want to hear your religious stuff anymore."

She lowered her head but said nothing, did nothing.

"So you won't take your veil off?" His teeth snapped together, fury swamping every other thought and consideration.

He steeped toward her in a threatening manner and his large hand swallowed Zeest's slender wrist.

She winced in pain.

"What do you think of yourself, huh?" His voice became snake-like, his face violet with anger, veins standing out on his neck and forehead.

"I can't take it off." She said breathlessly.

"You wouldn't dare." He said in a low, deep growl.

Her lips trembled and a little gasp escaped her throat. "Please, let me go."

'No!" He replied with heavy irony.

"This is not your father's house. We're broad-minded people, not like your father......."

Hoarsely, she said. "I love my father, he was a great man and I'm proud of being his daughter."

Her words stung Aariz like a whip. Suddenly, he couldn't stand it any longer. His fists raised threateningly, his face a fiery apopletic red.

He rasped her roughly by the arms.

"Another word from you and I'm going to regret myself for breaking my own rules. I know you're a woman but don't take advantage of that." He countered harshly.

"If you don't like it here lady, I don't see anybody chaining you to this house. Why don't you just pack up your things and go back where you came from, wherever the hell that is. Believe me, nobody here will lift a finger to stop you."

His angry words rang in her ears as clearly as if he stood right there, hurting her more than she wanted to admit.

"As long as you're here, you'd have to follow my orders." He added irritably.

"Islam says....."

"I don't give a damn to what religion says!" He cut in, his dark eyebrows drawn into a frown.

"With what status and right are you ordering me?" She managed to ask with difficulty.

She saw the muscles in his face tightened.

"I'm your husband." Before he could stop his tongue, words slipped out

A victorious smile brightened her face.

He had said what she always wanted to hear from his mouth.

He had admitted. He had confessed. However he had not accepted.

At the skeptical lift of her brow, his temper finally rose past boiling point. His anger exploded like a volcano. No doubt, Aariz was a big firestorm from one end of his body to the other. From the super hot brain of his, to his hard, burning heart, right down to his tiptoes, the man was pure fire.

His attitude sent a wave of fear through Zeest but she squashed it flat. Fear was contagious, like a disease. She was no longer afraid of him in that way now. She was going to fight for her right with all her might, in any way she could.

He was her husband, not her God, after all.

Zeest swallowed to ease a sudden lump in her throat, then quickly tried to change the subject.

"I said take it off, NOW!" Aariz urged again, one last time.

The next moment, she found her wrist caught in a strong grip, and for the first time, she thought he was really going to hit her, hurt her physically. He sure was.

But he didn't. Instead, he grabbed the corner of her scarf and was about to rip it away from her hair when his eyes met hers, closely, very closely.

She blinked, fighting sudden tears. "Please.....don't do this to me."

"Please, I beg you. I'm willing to do anything you want." She couldn't stop herself from crying this time.

"Just don't seperate my Hijaab from me. It's my identity, my ego. Don't make me disrespectful.....please." Her tears started flowing and she couldn't continue.

There was something in her eyes, which froze him at the place. He couldn't look back into her eyes.

Almost automatically, his fingers left her scarf and he stepped backward.

"You're not going with me like this." His words felt like a slap.

"In that case." She made her mind courageously. "I'm not going."

"My pleasure." He breathed in an unexpected gentle tone.

Her expression brighterlned. "Thank you. I can't tell you how grateful I am!"

"Don't thank me too soon." He cautioned. "You haven't seen my hospitalities yet."

Shaking his head angrily, he left the room.

As he stormed out of his bedroom and slammed the door, Zeest knew it was useless to talk to him before he had a chance to calm down.

She half expected to dream of her father that night, but it was another man who came to her in the dark.

Aariz, his black eyes more blacker with anger, glared at her, while images fast and furious, flew at her.

"Why don't you just pack up your things and go back where you came from, wherever the hell that is. Believe me, nobody here will lift a finger to stop you."

The cold words lashed at her, cutting to the bone, echoing over and over again in her head.

Moaning, she struggled against the viselike hold of the night, the pillow she managed to drag over her head doing nothing but blocking the sound of Aariz's voice.

Stop! She cried silently. "Stop bothering me!"

Sorry guys for d delay. Something came up bt am here now

Winnie1950: :odid i just hear u say gobe? Jeez! I was expecting an update tonight. If it has to be gobe then it must be in the safe==>morning :@

Yes sai gobe bt not in the safe, it will be in d rana==>aftanun.

Okay guys, maybe I can manage an update now, afterall; I aim to please you. But tomorrow's update will be late. Fyn with that?

kinxen: Babes r nt smiling

[quote author=lola_bridget]Pls we are waiting for update o@ underage[/quote]Update sai gobe

I hope u understand Hausa

Winnie1950: it means 'this one is strong or serious'

Ehen, I heard it on a video where a prophet was trying to chase out an evil spirit from a man.....very funny.

[quote author=j-gatherer]Aariz is human after all,bt what wld happen to komal now ?[/quote]What do you think woukd happen to her. Am sure she wont let go easily.

iamteaser: Eleyi Gidi Gan! I swear down your story is perfect

Thnx.....wat do u mean by Eleyi Gidi Gan! I think I heard it somewhere........just curious

Winnie1950: now you took these words out of my mouth. @ underage UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winnie u think so too

Shuq29: I think in d begining of this wonderful story wen Aariz ws thinking abt one lady or should i say remembering,dat it ws Zeest he ws refering to because those words perfectly suit her nd am positive dat she is d one.

U think so , am suprised. I thought Aariz would never be able to fall in love with someone else. Well we shall see about that. Stop making guesses

Winnie1950: Wow!!!! This is simply fabulous

Thnx Winnie. You are simply fabulous too

beyonDskygirl: Am really enjoying this.*arranges mat on the floor* i'll sleep here.

Ride on my dear.

*Turns on the AC* I hope you enjoy ur sleep. But please don't snore. Lol

[quote author=lola_bridget]Nyc one[/quote]Thnx

It was Eid day. The first Eid after Komal had entered his life. His parents had gone to visit their friends and relatives and when they asked him to accompany them, like he used to do in the past, he had clearly refused. Suprisingly, they didn't much insisted. All of his servants were on vacation and now when the dark night had finally arrived, his house seemed more silent than usual.

Special occasions like these are the moments when you remember your loved ones more than usual, miss them and your heart crave for them, wishing they were with you. He had not recieved any greeting from Komal yet, which was making his heart ache and throb with longing.

Without Komal, this is the most boring and worst Eid I've ever experienced. He thought painfully.

Thinking about her, he went to sit on the varenda to gaze dreamily at the flickering stars and watch the moon splash its beam across the velvet black of the ocean. He leaned against the smooth white pillar on the varenda. It was 10 p.m and all was finally quiet in his household. He sat there, hands thrust deeply into his pockets, sleeves of his white shirt rolled up his forearms and his feet crossed at the ankles.

The night was perfect, the sea breeze softly and balmy. It lifted the straight black hair from his wide, intelligent brow and made his scalp feel good.

Only then, he heard some voices, like those of children, playing and laughing. Something was up. He shifted his position to gaze down at the lawn of the ground floor and from there he saw a woman, she had her back to him.

From the varenda, he saw her playing, dancing with children. She was dressed in a white Saarhi, but a white, silky veil covered her hair and upper body, presenting an interesting but graceful picture.

Suddenly she started to sway as though listening to some inner beat. Intrigued, Aariz continued to watch, unable to tear his eyes from the beautiful vision she made.

She swayed from side to side, her hands clapping in a rythm. Aariz wanted to know who she was and what she was doing in his house.

In between all those children, she looked like a beautiful butterfly surrounded by several colorful flowers. Smiling, laughing, clapping, they were looking so cute, so innocent.

And then, her angelic face turned briefly to her right, giving him a quick glimpse of her beauty. As he saw her face, he felt his entire body covered in goosebumps.

She was Zeest! Her innocent grin was charming, though he hated to admit it.

This aspect of hers was new to him, and this was the time, when he realized that he had never actually seen her in detail. The massive shield of hatred and anger had always covered his vision, never letting Zeest's beauty enter his mind.

Suddenly, her veil dropped down to the floor

He sucked his breath in harshly, his eyes unnaturally large in his face, his heart pounding erratically, unable to tear his gaze from the enticing movement of her well balanced and perfectly proportionate body.

He watched speechlessly, as her dark long hair was lifted in soft breeze and swirled about her head like a shimmering dark cloud. The whole scene looked like a movie moving in slow motion.

Zeest was so absorbed and drowned in her own wonderful world that she couldn't notice her veil falling, and afterall, no one was there except for those innocent children and above all, she was inside her home, her own boundary wall.

But someone was definitely watching her, observing her unconsciously.

With his eyes open but mouth closed, he saw her for the very first time in great detail.

He had formed a picture of her in his mind; a typical conservative-kind of lady without any figure or shape, who doesn't even know what beauty means and what does the word 'fashion' stands for. But ahead of him, was no conservative, backward lady.

She was a complete symbol of 'touch-me-not' for others when she was in her Hijaab. But now without Hijaab, she was a dazzling symbol of 'touch me' for him. (Hijaab: covering/veil).

She was stunning. A totally inrevealed figure had been revealed to him now. He stared at her curvaceous body. She was sensual, attractive and glamorous inside that Hijaab of hers. Two more things of great attraction in her god-gifted body was her waist lenght jet-black shining hair, big and provocative, very provocative eyes. Her skin was milky, her black hair was like sheer dark rainy clouds. With every swaying of her head, her black tress spread all over her scarlet face making her no less beautiful than a fairy.

Aariz's blood heated up, catching him off guard. He found himself gazing at her hair, thinking what it would feel like to thread his hands through her silky black hair. He was amazed at his own reaction to her.

As he saw her like this in her privacy, dancing before him with the innocent children inside her protected, sheltered home, Aariz felt a strange, weird feeling of dominance and uniqueness. He realized that she was so genuine, so real, and so original inside that Hijaab of hers and only he as her husband, was capable of sharing this great beauty of hers.

No doubt, she was irresistible beneath her Hijaab.

"But, Oh God, she's beautiful." A voice inside his head said in irreverent amazement.

A hint of confusion darkened Aariz's already dark black eyes and, nibbling his lower lip, he wondered why the mere sight of bare hair, on a woman he considered cold was so distracting. How was it possible that this ice woman---always careful to display such rigid perfection in her elegant Hijaab and Abaaya----could have such a sensous body, with that soft, silky fair skin and beautiful shape of ups and downs of her body just begging to be touched and caressed.

A new feeling of possessiveness rose deep inside his heart. Yes, only he had looked at her body like this. She had never given a single chance to any other man to stare at her like this.

He continued to watch her, forgetting at the moment that this was the same girl whom he had cursed and hated the most.

Oh yes, no doubt he was Aariz Ali but he was a man too. He simply forgot to take his eyes away.

She had a body of a Goddess, sensual, very feminine. Suddenly, one of the children screamed and this brought him back to himself from her.

What was he looking at? He looked away and then looked back at her. Then away again, and then back.

"Don't look at her like that, you love someone else.' His mind warned.

"So what? She's your wife." His heart whispered seductively. "Absorb her fresh beauty as much as you can, as you have every right to do so. You're her husband, her beauty is only for you. She has keep it reserved and safe for you, only for you."

He was not the only one affected by the child's scream, as Zeest felt someone's eyes going slowly over her body and she felt a pang of alarm. Her body had burned with a thrilling awareness, almost as if......

Sensing something through her sixth sense, she turned suddenly, and bent down to pick her veil from the ground.

Quickly, he forced his legs to move, taking a stumbling step backward. But it was too late.

She saw him.

She saw him in a quick glance, as she lifted her veil from the ground. The realization made her skin break out in Goosebumps, and made her face flush. Total blood of her body came to her face, as she put the veil back around her body and hair.

He was still there, watching her, hypnotized by her beauty and mesmerized by her charms.

She looked away and then looked back. Then away again, and then back.

"You shouldn't let him see you like this, he loves someone else." Her mind warned her.

"So what? He is your husband." Her heart whispered teasingly. "Absorb his admiring glance as much as you can, as he has every right to do so. You're his wife; your beauty is only for him. You have kept it reserved and safe for him, only for him."

But she couldn't take his eyes anymore. Unable to stand there, she ran. And then, as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone, and it was like she had never been there at all.

Suddenly, realizing he was still staring after her long aftr she'd disappeared from view, he closed the door of his room with force after he got inside, the set of his jaw rigid.

Now, this was not the most boring and worst Eid, he'd ever experience. Was it?

Hameenat94: @ madam Underage... Ive been reading 4 a whyl nw.. Ur write-up z amazing... D way u present d culture, religion z 1daful... Ure a superb writer...

Thanx Hameenat

Deiok: so now you want a whole ram abi?... My siggy says it all

Indeed, it is the sincerest of them all . Let me tell u a very short story.
I just had cake if not I wouldn't remember this;

For the love I had for cake, I once told my dad, I won't pass my exams if he didn't buy me a bday cake (it was my 15th bday then) . The next day he replied me like a real lawyer would. I had to use the dictionary to understand what he meant. Basically he said yes and I should stop this nonsense immediately. How I wish I saved the text

princesa: Just read the last two uploads and indeed, i think i love this story and the way you write it. Weldone


Jeez, so now I've gotta go start from page 0.

Wow.......Welcome on board princesa. I was thinking; isn't this the same princesa, the writer of taking chances? Am delighted ma'am.
Well am following your steps.

[quote author=lola_bridget]Pls don't leave us like dis, we want more[/quote]U'll get more bt nt now, I promise

Deiok: Thanx.

You ehnn. So youre not satisfied with that whole ram. Dont worry when this story hit fp we are going to slaughter three rams

Actually I didn't get the whole ram.

Okay Guys, this is what I got for u, there may be more later or we meet tmrw. Thnx

@Deiok, I didn't get enuf. I want moree

A week later, Aariz heard that his parents were arranging a 'Meelad' in their home. It was a suprise for him, as he hadn't seen them arranging a Meelad in years. For sure, someone was behind this initiative.

Hundreds of people were invited to attend the wonderful religious gathering but what shocked him the most was his mother's outfit, as he saw her on the Meelad day.

He just couldn't believe it. His mother, who never misses a single fashion cloth, was now wearing a sky blue, full-sleeved blouse and Saarhi with a matching scarf, which covered her hair completely, giving her a sober and modest touch.

Zeest actively took part in all the proceesings and celebrations of the religious gathering and won every heart in the end by reciting a wonderful famous peom in her equally wonderful voice.

"Such a sweet voice she has." Shaheryaar had commented, his eyes gleaming with appreciation for her.

"But it doesn't make her acceptable for me." Aariz replied, ignoring his comment as they both sat down on easy chairs in his lawn, after the Meelad was finished.

"She's not so innocent as you think." Came Aariz's sarcastic remainder.

"And just what the hell do you think you're?" His friend yelled, expiring all his breath. "Do you think you're the only victim in this whole thing, huh?"

"No." Shaheryaar answered his own question before Aariz could. "She is equally innocent. It was not her wish to marry you either. She just obeyed her father."

"So if you look at her with open eyes, you'd see that she's suffered more than you." Shaheryaar pointed out.

For a long moment, Aariz remained stunned and totally immobile.

"If she's a victim, then why doesn't she protest?" He asked icily, as he stirred cream into his coffee before answering. "I don't just understand which kind of soil she is made up of. She never protests, never complains and never shouts. Believe me Shaheryaar, she's frigid, she's ice."

"Yes, and ice is cool." Shaheryaar smiled sadly. "It's just her patience, my dear. If she doesn't react in the same way as you, it only means she doesn't want to put herself on the same level with you. She doesn't want to degrade herself."

"Whatever." His strong fingers closed around the delicate coffee cup until Shaheryaar thought he might crush it.

It was true, Aariz knew. Everytime he cursed or disgraced her, her silence used to make him more uncomfortable, even embrassed. She had never raised her voice in front of him and her clamness; her tolerance was something, which never gave him any chance to make any solid ground for accusing or blaming her. Sometimes, he really wondered if a woman could be so patient like she was.

'Aariz."

On this sudden call, both of them turned their heads back and found a man in his late fifties walking toward them with slow, short steps.

Aariz's breath suddenly hitched in his lungs and his eyes widened as he saw his boss Mr. Nehal coming with a smile on his face.

"My boss is here." He muttered, a mouthful of coffee scaled up his throat as he swallowed it too rapidly.

He got smoothly on his feet to greet him.

"Aariz, I was hoping to catch up with you here." He told him, smiling. "Seems like you're shocked."

"Suprise, would be the more appropraite word, sir." He replied, returning the smile.

"Excuse me Aariz, I must go now. Sarah would be waiting for me." Shaheryaar reasoned pleasantly and left.

"Well, it's the first time that I saw your house." Mr. Nehal exclaimed, looking impressesd. "Looks pretty big for your family."

"I agree sir." Aariz managed to say gently.

"Hey, I have never met your wife. Is she home?" Mr. Nehal was curious.

"Yes sir. Let me call her." Cursing him inwardly, Aariz rose and called Zeest.

As she approached them, Aariz could see his boss's eyes narrowing over the way she dressed. He knew his boss was a womanizer and to him, Zeest with her figure and hair, all wrapped and hidden in a coat and scarf, held no charm and attraction.

"This is Zeest." Aariz made introductions.

"Your wife?" Mr. Nehal's gaze rested on her for a few seconds as he murmured. "Pleased to meet you." Extending his hand toward her.

But neither him nor Aariz was prepared for what happened next. As she didn't extend her hand in response, keeping it by her side.

Mr. Nehal's hand remained in the air for few seconds then dropped with sheer embrassment.

"I'm sorry sir." Zeest excused gently. "My Allah says, it's forbidden for a muslim woman to shake hands with a man she's not closely related to. I hope you don't mind and won't take such formalities too seriously."

Then without waiting for his answer, she turned back.

Open-mouthed, Mr. Nehal stood at his place.

"I'm..... I'm so sorry sir." Aariz came forward, apologising on his wife's behalf. "She is a very conservative and backward woman. Being a rural girl, she is not familiar with the manners of high modern society."

Mr. Nehal didn't stay long after that. From his expression, Aariz could see very well that his mood had turned off.

As soon as he left, Aariz almost ran behind her. By the time he reached his bedroom, his anger was at fever pitch. He wanted to lash out at her, end this damn relation and kict her out of his house and life.

He opened the door with a burst.

Inside, he found Zeest sitting in front of the dressing table, combing her hair.

As he reached near her, his expression became thunderous

"You didn't shake hands with Mr. Nehal?" His eyes hardened. "What the hell do you think you were up to?"

"Yes, I didn't."

"WHY?" unfortunately his weakness was in front of him. Thick, long, straight, shiny and silky hair that belonged to a very charming woman.

Hating himself for liking the sight, he turned his back to her and yelled. "I'm asking you something."

"I.... I just couldn't." She managed to say with great effort.

"Do you know it's consequences? He is my boss. You've probably made him angry. I could even lose my job."

Asked about the consequences, she replied, "I was not thinking about his anger. I was thinking what if I made my Allah angry? Allah forbids me from shaking hands with strange men."

As she spoke, Aariz orderd himself not too be impresses by her religious knowledge and divine confidence but he was.......damn it.

He struggled to keep his anger and panic in check; he gritted his teeth, clamped his jaws.

"While you live under my roof, you will take orders from me, not the other way round."

Sadness welled up inside her on his remarks. She felt as if a hand had clucthed her heart. She couldn't breathe.

"And stop trying to act in front of others." He added without mercy. "You only pose yourself. You're an actress, a poser."

"I am not a poser."

"That is pecisely what you are, Miss. Wife, a poser, a selfish creature. I knew it from the moment you laid your eyes on me. It was perfectly apparent." His anger was crossing its final limits today.

Zeest hadn't expected him to be so blunt, and she felt her eyes sting with moisture.

"You're a dumb, illiterate person, who knows nothing about the manners and customs of city life." He added in the same horrible tone.

"I'm not an illiterate person....." She didn't speak but her eyes did. "If you treat me like one, then I have no option but to be one. I don't want to be treated like an animal anymore. I just want to be the woman I am." But the respect she had for her husband didn't allow her to open her mouth in front of him.

Yet she didn't keep silent when he raised an objection against her religious principles. "You're supposed to be my husband, my protector and defender. I'm your respect....your ego.....your pride...." As she spoke, she didn't raise her eyes. "You should be happy that I didn't put my hand in another man's hand."

"Shut up!" With unexpected voilence, Aariz flung back and strode aggresively to the door of his bathroom.

"Don't try my patience any further or I won't be responsible for my actions."

He then banged the door shut, leaving Zeeat staring at him, nervous of the anger she had provoked.

She blushed fiercely. How could he be so cold, so indifferent? Fearful that her torment and yearning lay bare in her eyes, Zeest knew she must get away. If she didn't go this instant, she'd be weeping in front of him, making more of a fool of herself than she already had.

She left the room quietly in order to clean the kicthen. About twenty minutes later, when she returned to her bedroom, another incident or to be more exact, accident was waiting for her.

She was lost in her worried, when she opened the bedroom door and walked straight into Aariz.

"Oh!" It was a soft sound of delayed shock as she found her arms resting against the solid wall of his chest. She swayed backwards unsteadily, trembling from the unexpected contact with his warm flesh.

"We've got to stop meeting like this." His drawling voice lowered his pitch to a cold level.

She quickly sidestepped him and made her way inside the bedroom.

"Next time it happens, I'm going to throw you out of my room forever." His voice trailed after her.

"Damn the woman!" He didn't think he had a particular quick temper, but she could light his fuse faster than any female ever had.

She didn't think that remark was worthy of response, so she closed the door on him. Yet, in the quiteness of her bedroom, the encounter outside the door started her thinking about how many things they shared besides a bedroom and bathroom. They ate at the same table, slept under the same roof, and drank from the same glasses. She had spent more time with Aariz under a variety of circumtances than she has with anyone except her father. It was an unsettling discovery to realize how much he had become a part of her life in these few months.

She managed to pull herself together and called Aariz on the phone later that night.

"Aariz..." She was crying.

"Yes, Komal....my Komal, I am here, anything wrong?" Her fearful voice made his heart suffered.

"I.... I can't live without you Aariz." Unable to control herself any longer, she emptied her heart at once. "I have to get you Aariz. I love you so much."

There was a unique desperation in her voice, which was very new and yet satisfying for Aariz as he heard her saying.

"I have become tired now, trying to understand myself, but you can't be anyone's, expect me."

"I'm yours." He said firmly. "All yours."

"I am scared..... I don't know what would happen." Komal's words were spiced with fear, and she couldn't stop shivering.

"Hey take it easy." He told her gently. "Zeest had already agreed for my second marriage with you."

"Really?" Komal said aloud, with mixed emotions of happiness and excitement. It was very unexpected news for her.

"How can you be so sure? What if...."

"Don't." He said sharply. "Let's see what we're faced with. Don't borrow trouble. Everything will be alright."

"But......first I want you to divorce her." She said

"Divorce?" He was silent for a moment. Although he and Zeest were not practically married but he hadn't thought about divorce yet.

"I'll talk to her about that. Don't worry, okay?" He said, taking a shuddering breath.

"We'll fight for our right, dear!" He assured her.

He sounded so sure; she wanted to believe him. She had to believe him.

That night, they talked for hours, each emptying their hearts. There were refreshing promises, evetlasting hopes, storms of emotions, intimate confessions, and future plans to exchange.

It was about 5 a.m when Komal finally put down the reciever, feeling much better and relieved. As she closed her eyes, warmth surged through her, and she knew suddenly that everything waa going to be alright.

*************

For the next month, Aariz stayed clear of Zeest and she could never seem to make up her mind whether she was happy or sad about that.

Meal times were stilted affairs with no one saying very much. She rarely saw him smile anymore. He remained aloof whenever she was around, always very brisk and business like.

By then, the lack.of rest and sleep began to paint faint shadows below her eyes, and they didn't go unnoticed by her mother-in-law.

"Aren't you feeling good, Zeest?" She asked at the breakfast table one morning, eyeing her critically.

"I..... I'm alright, mother." She said softly, her eyes low as usual. "It's just that I have nothing to do." She tried to smile.

"Why not?" Mrs. Ali's eyes widened. "You can do whatever you want, daughter. Keep yourself busy."

"I try....but." She said in a low voice. "Servants do all the work. I'm just not used to that."

"I understand." Mrs. Ali sighed aloud. "It must not be very easy for you to adjust to the city environment so soon, right?"

"Mother, I lived in Islamabad for three years." She told her soberly, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I graduated there."

"Oh wow!" Mrs. Ali was truly suprised. "You're a graduate?"

"She nodded in answer. "I have also done some short courses in cooking, interior designing and decoration."

"Well, that's great." Mrs. Ali was beaming from ear to ear. "Your hobbies are very positive and healthy."

Blushing, she lowered her head and said, "Mother, I..... I needed your permission."

"Yes, yes?" Mrs. Ali asked, very much willing to co-operate. "For what?"

"Back in my village, I used to teach young children about islam and ethics." She told her in a soft voice, still keeping her eyes down. "I was thinking if I could continue that over here too."

"That's a very good idea." Mrs. Ali was happy. "There're many children in this neighborhood, and I'm sure their parents will be very willing to send their children for this nice purpose. We can also advertise in the newspaper."

"Thank you so much, mother." Zeest said affectionately, her voice reflecting her true love for her mother-in-law. It was true that without her parents-in-law's support, she was not going to survive in this atmosphrre where he.......... She couldn't think anymore.

"Infact that would be a very good idea to keep yourself busy." Her mother-in-law said, and at the same instant the door was flung open with a crash and Aariz appeared, his face dark with rage.

Zeest could see he was in his bad temper----was that his usual mood or is it only because of her?

He glared across the room at her and his mother, and then threw a furious look at his mother.

"What the hell is going on here?" He was fully prepared for work, wearing a charcoal-gray suit, cream shirt and maroon tie.

Silence fell like a brick into their conversation and both Zeest and mother-in-law looked at him in suprise.

"I do not recall inviting you for breakfast, Aariz." Mrs. Ali said icily. "You are forgettig your manners."

Without giving her a reply, his face turned to Zeest and he ordered her harshly. "You! Leave this room at this very second."

She was about to obey him when Mrs. Ali's voice gripped her feet, rooting her to the spot.

"How dare you ask my daughter to leave?" She flared. "Sit down, Zeest. Take no notice of him."

"We can't talk in front of strangers!" He bit out.

Unable to take it any longer, Zeeat managed to say, "Mother, I'm done with my breakfast."

Finishing her sentence, she left the room quietly, leaving mother and son alone.

"What do you want?" Mrs. Ali asked harshly, looking at her wristwatch.

"I wanted to talk to you about my marriage with Komal." His tone was short and hard.

It took a superhuman effort for Mrs. Ali to maintain her patience.

"There is no time and no place to discuss this matter at all." She said, trying her best to keep her voice low.

She glanced at her son who sat at the opposite end of the table. Seeing his intense and aggresive attitude, she tried to take it easy for now.

"Can you tell me one fault or weakness you find in your wife?" She asked.

"I didn't say she has weaknesses. It's just that she is not my ideal." Aariz argued.

"Idealism is nothing." She said casually. "It's just a self-made imagination of your own mind. You can make Zeest your ideal. It all depends on you."

Swallowing a curse, he nodded. "Yeah, right. I could think about that, if I haven't found my ideal yet."

"And who is that?" She echoed innocently.

"Komal."

For seconds, his mother just sat there, thinking.

"I'm not going to let you marry some out-of-community girl and that's my last word on the subject. Please waste no more time now." She wiped her mouth with tissue and rose from her chair.

"You've spoiled my life, mother."

His sentence was unheard by his mother as she slammed the door loudly behind her.

He just sat there, alone at the table. For some reason, he felt isolated, very much alone for the very first time in his life. He felt like a loser.

This was when Zeest entered the room, bringing fresh tea and coffee for him.

"The whole world had turned it's back on me." He said as if talking to himself.

"When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a look, you most likely turned your back on the world."

Although she didn't raise her voice, he heard what she said.

"Shut up!" He thundered.

"Tell me very quickly and very precisely just what the hell you want from me! Because if you continue these acts and gestures, I won't be responsible for my actions."

But she had already left the room. His question struck with the walls and echoed back to his already burning mind.

kinxen: Gud 2knw u had fun dat wuld mean 3 long updates 4 us 2day

Hopefully yes. It might come a bit late bt u'll get that.

People in the house, whr is my Sallah meat?

[quote author=j-gatherer]Eid Mubaraq to every muslim in d house...hope u're all enjoying ur day ?[/quote]Eid mubarak to u too. This is actually one of the best Eids av had. .
Btw, am waiting for my meat abeg.

Deiok: thats were the suspense kick in.

Exactly.....

[quote author=lola_bridget]I can't wait ooo[/quote]I will soon be here dear.