Later at night, after Melanie asleep, I get up from my bed. I stayed in bed to wait for sleep, but it didn't come. This is happening to me since I've shifted to this house. My stress keeps me restless all night.
Straightening my pull over, long-sleeved, V-neckline, orange pink sweater, I move a brush in my long hair to remove the tangles. Casting a quick glance at the wall clock, I grab a bag of salted, potato chips and wander to the swimming pool lounge.
It's 1'o clock in the morning. The lounge is located at the backside of the mansion. I'm going there since three consecutive nights to get some fresh air. The calm and silent environment of that place helps me to sleep. Moreover it's the only place for me nowadays where I can see the sky and inhale fresh oxygen.
I roll up my ankle-length pants and about to dip my legs into water when I suddenly hear voice. My heart skips a beat and I involuntarily stand up. All of a sudden, Ashar appears, talking on his phon
That was awkward. What do you think?
Two whole months passed, but nothing changed for me. No one from the family bothered to talk to me about the matters concerning my release. I only saw them going out and returning back to the mansion. Through Melanie, I got some updates about Ashar like he only came to this house for a day or two and then left for business trips or for some other business related stuff. She also caught Samara and Ashar arguing few times so I guess they are still the same. I didn't see Ashar after that swimming pool lounge unexpected meeting. He acted like I don't exist at all. I know nothing about my divorce. No one gave me any update regarding it. I just lived my day and night with hopeless thoughts as if this phase of my life is just never ending. But anyways, something good happened. My college started. I found a good distraction so I keep myself busy with assignments and college works. As Matt planned, Aaron takes me to college and brings me back home. I thought with time
I'm standing at some distance from the front entrance of the mansion because Ashar is going to arrive here any minute. I got that piece of information from Melanie. She said he usually visit mansion at this time for about an hour. I'm going to catch him today and ask him to help me in my college work. I have tried all my ways, used all my contacts to find a business owner who can be ready for a short interview with me, but so far I'm failed in my attempts. Big proprietors are not ready for meeting on such a short notice and since I'm running out of time, I have to put aside my pride and think on Melanie's suggestion. I hate to confront Ashar for his help and give him a chance to insult me. The submission is now just a week away. My anxiety and pessimistic thoughts force me not to waste any more time and at least try my best although I know he'll never agree to help me. I get a hold on myself when I see Ashar enters into the house. Instantly, I scu
On my way, I pile up my hair on the top of my head and straighten my half-sleeved tee shirt. For some reason I feel conscious about my appearnce. Maybe I should have changed my clothes or did my hair.I knock on the door. After Ashar's permission I step inside. This man makes me nervous and gives me mixed feelings. Sometimes I despise him when he acts like a douchebag and sometimes I feel attracted to him when he doesn't say anything to me and shows me that he carries some kindness with him.But whatever it is, I've concluded and agreed to the fact that I can't act normal around him. I can't be in my usual self.He is sitting on his office chair, reading some book. I'm unable to see the name of it. The color of his crew neckline tee shirt resembles to his eyes. His muscular biceps are on display. The bare, rough skin makes my stomach flip.I become astonished at my own self. Even though I'm angry with him still I'm not missing a chance to check him out. M
"One by one brief your assignment to the class and summarize what you have learned from the business owners." Teacher orders.Final submission of that problematic assignment is today. Thankfully I managed to complete the work on time so now I'm hopeful that I'll get a good grade. After all I went through a tough process, tolerated the same, humiliating allegations.Samara's doubts about me remained like a lump in my throat. My heart aches every time I think that there are so many people who are misunderstanding me. I'm bearing the fruit of my own action. It was wrong to trick Ashar and his family. I should have been strong enough to condemn Samara's scam that day instead of acting like a chicken and trusting her.I can't blame her entirely when I'm at fault too. Hobsons's fury for me is legitimate. Their accusations are obvious. I'm a stranger to them.I can't expect them to know me or my intentionsAll I want is to clear my name, get out of that cag
For the first time in months, I get a chance to go out of the mansion and breathe in fresh air. Thanks to Matt. He allowed me to go to shopping with Melanie. Today in the morning when I met him, I asked him that I should buy myself some clothes and he agreed, but with a condition that Aaron will come with me. So he is here somewhere around me, hidden from Melanie. Melanie brought me to a shopping mall where shops are not very expensive. I accepted her suggestion. She came with me because she wanted to buy a dress for the upcoming birthday party at the mansion. I came to buy daily-wear for myself. "Let's go to that shop." Melanie points her finger to some clothing store, "They have good and affordable designs." "Okay." I follow her to the store. I met with Matt today in the morning. He called me to give instructions related to Ashar's birthday party, arranged at the mansion. Around three hundred people are invited to be a part of his silver-jubilee bir
Few minutes later, Ashar leaves Samara's side and start gathering all the reporters in front of him. Some young guy comes to him and fix collar microphone on his blazer. Ashar smiles in front of the cameras and speaks, "Good evening, everyone. I thank each one of you to be a part of my small celebration. I proudly announce at this occasion that Hobsons enterprise is going to the next level of success. We are launching our whole new set of latest electronics coming month. They will be better in quality, less battery or energy consumptions and cost effective." Crowd cheers for him. Few of the guests congratulate and shake hands with him. He continues, "Moreover, I want to talk about the nasty rumors related to my married life. The rumors are utterly nonsense. I'm very happy with my wife and we still love each other." Yeah, right. A fake wife. I scowl. Samara comes forward and stands beside him. She holds his hand and smiles at the cameram
My eyes widen and I start squirming to make him leave me. He looks daggers at me and grabs my shoulder from his free hand to stop me from moving, "Stay still." He mouths, looking anxious.I begin feeling suffocated because his hand on my mouth blocking the oxygen. Shaking my head several times, I try to give him a hint that I'm unable to breathe. He ignores my intimation, angling his neck to look outside the room as if he's looking for someone.I don't pay attention to our intimate position because of oxygen starvation.I use my strength, push him back a little and then move his hand away from my mouth, "Are you trying to suffocate me to death?" I breathe aloud, glowering at him.Finally I'm able to exhale out all the air, obstructed by him.He groans, "I told you to stay still. Someone is outside the room." My brows flew up in astonishment and it gets difficult to breathe once again.He gives me a nod after noticing my reaction and put his
I don't want to give him my birthday gift. He's not worth it. Now I think Samara and Ashar both suit each other. They both are same; plainly rude and not ready to think other people's problems. They think their issues are most important.Just what Ashar wants me to do now to prove him my innocence? To prove him that I don't have any hidden agenda against him or his family? I'm sick of this.Regardless of my anger, I still decide to give him the present I bought because I should thank him through it about my college assignment. It will be rude and mean and I'm not like him who doesn't acknowledge others' efforts for us.I go to his study half an hour later like he said and wait for him. He takes fifteen more minutes to come back. Environment in the room begins to tense as he enters. His eyes fall onto the gift bag I'm holding."What's that?" He walks further to me.Tentatively I move it up in front of him, "It's a birthday plus thank you gift for yo
Sighing in exasperation, I allow Zoya to do what her daddy has said. I stand on my feet and sit on the bed. Curiosity is bubbling up in me. I want to know what both of them are doing secretly. I'll be mad at Ashar if he has changed his plan of coming here. I mean, I have prepared dinner for him, even got ready for him and he's not coming here. It has been a week since I last saw him and seems like he didn't miss me. He didn't even sound excited on call while talking to me and here I'm being so eager to see him, hear him. I sit on my bed for like ten minutes all alone and try to think of Ashar's reasons when finally my doorbell rings. Maybe Zoya is back. I'm going to get all the details from her. I pull opened the door and become startled when I witness Ashar instead of Zoya. My mind forgets all complains and anger in a swift and I feel myself lose into a trance. In blue slim fit jeans, white striped shirt and a black jacket on it, he's looking dropped
Mutually Ashar and I have decided to arrange a small wedding at the Church and invite only few people like his family and my friends. We have to get married properly this time in order to get rid of all the confusions. Ashar have also asked the lawyer to renew our marriage papers also. After that he will publicly disclose our marriage.The wedding date right now is indecisive. We have planned to discuss on it after he'll be back from his business trip. He said the trip is important so he has to go, but he has promised me he'll be back in a week this time.In his absence I get a chance to spend some time with his family, even went for a baby shopping with Estella. She's so excited about her first baby that she has planned to buy all the stuff for the new-born on her own. She invited me to go with her. Katherine and Matt also gave me a warm welcome after that party and told me stories of Zoya and how they took care of her altogether.I'm surprised but above
I turn straight and slowly open my eyes. Looking here and there, I acknowledge the different environment around me. Soon everything comes back to my mind and I rise to sitting position. I notice a quilt covering me and I'm still on Ashar's sofa. "How long did I sleep?" I ask to myself, settling my hair through my fingers. "Three hours." Ashar enters into the room, looks at me, crossing his arms on his chest. "Uh?" I react in bewilderment. He has changed his clothes from tux to checkered loose trouser and crew neckline, maroon, plain tee shirt. His hair are ruffled and some of the locks are falling over on his forehead. "You've been sleeping here since three hours." "What?" I widen my eyes and immediately stand up, getting rid of the quilt. My legs are now much better, "You should've woken me up. I only thought to get a quick nap until you'll be free. Where's Zoya?" He laughs, walking towards me, "Don't worry. She's with Mom." H
Times changes, so does people, so does our situations. They realize they were wrong as they become more mature with time. A bad person doesn't always remain bad. We should appreciate him if he musters courage to apologize and repent for his mistakes with a thought that you're not a saint either.That's what I've learnt from my experience. I've decided to let go of every bad memory of my past life and start over; give myself another chance and also to Ashar. Besides, Ashar have already compensated for his mistakes by looking after my daughter all alone, by living as my husband for more than three years."What exactly you were thinking? Why did you turn off your phone?" I breath out.Ashar draws his brows together as he frowns at me. His hands are still hiding in his pockets. He's in plain formal wear, looking clean cut and fresh. His hair are perfectly combed towards his side. My stomach twists. Just a look of him takes away all of my worries and glistens my eyes
After five hours long flight, I land to my home city. Zoya is bored and haggard due to the long journey, but she's not complaining. She knows we are going to see her father.I don't know whether my decision is right or not of coming here and leaving everything behind. I started a new life in another state, but I left it with a thought that I want to stay away from Ashar and his family, but now I don't have to.Even if I and Ashar won't work out, still I don't have to leave this place. I want to live in New York. Through my contacts, I have already managed to find a place for myself and Zoya so I have decided to first go there, put our baggage there and change our clothes into comfortable ones and then I'll go to his house; Hobsons' Mansion.I jump inside the subway with Zoya and get settled on the vacant chair.I snake my arms around Zoya's shoulder. She scoots closer and put her head on my chest, "Sleep for a while, Sweetheart. You look tired."Sh
I thought a lot. I took two whole days to decide what I should do next; whether I should go after him and apologize or just leave the things the way they are right now.I'm scared and too ashamed to face him after ruthlessly pushing him out of my life. I know his whereabouts, his office, his home address, but still unable to muster audacity to apologize to him.I'm afraid of his anger, his rejection that he won't forgive me and tell me that he wants to stick to his decision. However I tried calling him, but his phone was switched off and that thing demotivated me.Zoya kept on pestering me with her questions like; where's daddy, when are you going to take me to him and why he's not taking my calls. I'm tired of making excuses to her and I guess she now smells a rat."Are you sure with your decision?" Carol whispers a question in my ear.I give her a side glance, nodding my head, "Yes. I'll leave after the wedding."She's about to say somethi
I was doing painting with Zoya when I heard the doorbell. I get out of the bed and instruct her, "You stay here. I'll be back."I took a half day from work, thought of spending some time with my daughter. I have to spend more time with her in order to hide the truth about Ashar. I don't know for how long I could conceal it from her that her daddy is not going to talk to him.I open the door. My eyes widen to its full length when I see that woman who had turned my life upside down, standing on my doorway.Samara steps inside my house, "Hi, Sanaya. Long time no see." She looks around, "Your place is nice and warm.""How dare you." I mutter.Anger begins pulsing through me to the extent that I feel I'm going to burst into flames any minute."Nah. That's not how you welcome a guest to your house." She shakes her head, giving me a warm smile."You're not a welcomed guest." I snap aloud."How have you been? It's been ages." She ignor
I further open the door to get a full view of the scene. Samara steps forward to him. Ashar understands her gesture so he opens his arms. They both hug each other."I wanted to surprise you and see your reaction." She smiles against his shoulder.Blood drains from my face. My head starts spinning to the level that I start seeing two of them.Both of them are so lost in each other that they don't even notice my presence when I enter in Ashar's office.They are still close, still together. The woman who started everything, who ruined my whole life is looking so happy in his arms. Was she in contact with him the whole time Ashar was with me? Was Ashar fooling me or what? That thought trembles my heart in fear."I'm glad to see you." Ashar pats her back.They both pull back and smile to each other.Samara's hands remain on Ashar's chest, "Why are you looking so pale? Don't you eat properly or you're working too much?"Ashar c
The fact that bothers me the most is that Ashar all by himself raised Zoya for three years. This is the biggest surprise for me so far. It shows his persistence towards his goal that he keeps on repeating to me that he wants to unite his family.After knowing all of his reasons, I'm still failed to move on or start over because the fears inside control me.Every time I think of calling him or thinking to talk about our marriage, the flashbacks of his vicious behavior begins crossing in my head and stops me to take a further step.I'm sitting on my office desk and staring at my computer screen. These days I can't much concentrate on my work.I minimize the document opened on my computer and go to a search engine. I think of searching about Matt Hobsons. If he had a serious illness then it was certain news media would've talked about it. I would get more information about him and get an idea how Ashar would've went through that time.I was right. As