Just before the sunset, I go to the day care center to pick up my daughter. By staying near to Zoya, I get to forget about Ashar problem and every other problem of my problematic life. However, that little kid reminds of my sin a lot more than before. I wonder how my parents would've survived after leaving me alone. Did they feel the same way like me? If yes, then they surely didn't have an easy life.
I stop walking when I notice Ashar is standing at the front gate of the daycare with a yellow patterned paper bag in his hand. My mood is once again ruined.
The corners of his lips curve upward into a smile as he looks at me. My nostrils flare. I don't know why he is keep showing me his puppy like smile. My heart flutters in a way I don't want to think about.
He walks towards me. I stand straight and wait for him to explain his reasons of coming here.
"I thought it would be difficult for you to take care of her. But you're doing good." He again gives m
Next day, at the agency, I do my regular tasks. After I'm done proofreading the reports, I intend to take them to dept. head's office. They are actually the hard copies of all the research reports, needs a dept. head's final approval.I assemble them, hold them in my hands and then hurry towards Watson's office. I knock the door for once, push it opened and step inside in his office."Watson, these are the reports-" I stop in mid-sentence when I see Watson, department head is in meeting with someone.He looks at me. The man whom he was talking to also turns his head in my direction. An angry frown creases my forehead when I see Ashar there. He beams."Sanaya, please come inside." Watson waves his hand at me.Watson is a friendly, another middle-aged man. He is more humane than Caldwell. I'm happy that I work under him because he's not a difficult boss, but there are times when he acts like one.Reluctantly I walk forward and stand beside Ash
Meeting with Alfaro goes good. He has agreed for the trial of new gadget. If he'll be satisfied with its performance, he assured us that his company will sign the contract with Hobsons's Electronics. Throughout the meeting, Ashar remained serious and professional. I'm thankful that he didn't try any funny business during meeting. He asks me to initiate the discussion by telling the CEO about the most beneficial points of his new product. After few minutes, he joined me and used all the persuasive tactics to convince him for the trial. I'm happy that eventually we accomplished the goal. When Alfaro finally leaves the restaurant, I stand up from my chair and walks out of the restaurant while silently thanking fate for ending these torturous moments. But soon my relief disappears into thin air when I find Ashar following me. "Where are you going?" He inquires aloud. I stop walking and turn around to face him. "To the office. My work with you is f
Next day Carol invites me for her floral shop inauguration. I decide to take Zoya with me there. It will be the perfect occasion to let my friends see her.I reach just on time to the address Carol texted me yesterday. Grabbing Zoya's hand in one, I hold the small, cute flower bouquet in my other hand that I have bought on the way for Carol.I step inside Carol's shop and look around. The smell of fresh flowers strikes my nostrils and I breathe deeply to inhale more of the fragrance. Different species of flowers are displayed on their respective racks. There is an array of greenery spread over vertically on the mint green walls with the multi-color fairy lights for the decoration. On my right, at some distance there is a cash counter and two padded, rolling chairs in front of it.Overall the place looks colorful and eye-refreshing. I would want to live in that scented environment all day. There isn't much crowd here because Carol has invited only few people for
It has been three days. Yes, three whole days, I haven't seen Ashar. He didn't even come to annoy me or contact me after that day when I made him arrested. He didn't come to theagency.I'm in shock.There was a product launching ceremony yesterday at his office. The same product, whose promotional strategy we are designing. Ashar wasn't there on his own product launching and the strangest thing was that his staff also didn't know his whereabouts. He was not seen by his office staff either.Despite my futile efforts to not to get bothered by it, my head is flooded with pessimistic and bothersome questions like; did he give up already? What if he decided to leave Zoya with me forever? Did my fake complaint really affect him?Although I'm grateful that in his absence I worked in peace and thought that he finally learnt his lesson, but now his sudden absence is making me feel apprehensive."Mommy, I want to talk to daddy." Zoya's voice disturbs my
Anger, horror and guilt pulse through my veins as soon as I storm inside the police headquarter. I move my eyes around and observe that no one in particular has paid attention to me or Zoya. All the constables are busy in their respective tasks. I put Zoya down from my arms and hold her hand.I amble forward and speak to the first policeman I encounter with. His eyes are glued to the computer screen in front. He's trying to stay awake, but his heavy eyelids are keep shutting down. Zoya stands beside me, observing her surroundings."There's a person inside the lockup named Ashar Hobsons. I filed the complaint against him." I begin speaking to get his attention."So?" He looks up at me with sleepy eyes."I want you to release him."He chuckles, "Come back tomorrow." He ruffles his buttercream blond hair lazily, "It's late.""Listen." I persist, "He has been in the lock up since three days on a false complaint. He is innocent."He rolls
For a second a wave of astonishment sweeps over Ashar's face, but he hides it quickly and composes himself, "I don't have new clothes."Those bruises on his face are distressing me. I want to know what happened to him in the lock up."You can ask your driver to bring fresh clothes for you." I shrug and head into the building without waiting for him.As I enter into my house, I instantly throw my phone on the couch and sprint towards the kitchen side to quickly cook something for him. I don't know if they had fed him in the prison or not. Even if they did, it would've surely made his stomach sick.Ten minutes pass and I finally see Zoya with her father enter into my house. Ashar has a large paper bag in his one hand, probably carrying his fresh clothes. His other hand is holding Zoya. He put her down on the floor. Zoya runs inside, takes my phone and sits on the couch. She has developed an obsession of playingJewel Maniain my phone. It's a game
When Zoya succumbs to sleep, I silently walk out of the room and see Ashar is sitting at the same chair, scrolling down his phone's screen.I walk to him and stand in front to get his attention. He looks up at me, placing his phone down on the table, "Did she sleep?""Why?"He lifts up his brows in confusion, rising on his feet."Why did you wait for me? Why you stayed in the lockup when you could come out of it?""Because," He rubs his temples, "I got angry on one of the cops because he kept provoking me so he got angrier and confiscated my phone and even locked me in a cell with real criminals to punish me.""What..." I trail off."I really had a horrible time there. You've no idea how impatiently I waited for you because you were the only one who knew where I could be." He exhales out a loud breath, "I'm tired now."I move my face to my side, trying to picture the scenarios that could have happen to him. Those criminals woul
I uncover my mouth and immediately move my butt on the floor. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment.I scratch the side of my forehead, avoiding his eyes, "Um... I...I was going to kitchen to get some water, but then I felt something on the floor and..."He moves his arms out of the quilt and says groggily, "And you fell on my legs, is that so?"I glance back at him with red face. Amusement sparkles in his sleepy eyes. His hairs are dishevelled. His eyes are not fully opened due to drowsiness, look endearing and very tempting. I close my eyes for a second and pull myself out from the senseless enticement."I'm sorry." I say in a low, hesitant voice, touching the strand of my hair.I give him a reason now to pull my leg and I can't even get angry on him because it's my fault."Why are you still awake?" He questions, furrowing his brows."No, I was sleeping. I was feeling thirsty all of a sudden so I just got out of the room." I say, bitin
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