— H O O R —. . .“How was your meeting, by the way?” I ask as soon as he starts driving. I could not get to ask it before. He straightly asked me about my foot. “Very well,” his answer is short. I nod my head. “Good to know,” I mumble. I know Siya handled it well because it used to be her job. “But I missed you there,” he suddenly reveals in a gentle whisper, getting my quick attention. I stare at his side profile and the calm look on his face makes me wonder if I heard it right or if it was just an illusion. “What?” He asks after a few seconds pass. I used that moment to stare at him and nothing more. “N-Nothing,” I say, chewing my bottom lip as I look away. “I thought you said something,” I add soon, getting no reply. I sigh. Illusions are beautiful. We reach home. Dinner is made like always. Dad calls and soon, we are engaged in video conversation through Zahir's laptop. I am happy after talking to my family members. It is refreshing. Time passes. I do not tell them about
— H O O R —. . .The day was not as boring as I imagined. I could not go to the office but I could work from home. Zahir allowed me that. Well, he actually told me not to work too much and I do not even think I did it. It was just that I woke up late today. I remember how Zahir treated me this morning. He woke up before me. I could hear the sound in the background of doors opening and closing. Before he wore boots, footsteps made no noise but after he got ready, I could hear them. I made no sound. I was tugged into the bed and was breathing peacefully. I saw him walking here and there as he got ready and attended two calls right there in those hours. Finally, when he got ready, he moved to me. “Want to sleep for some more time?” He asked me, standing in front of me by the edge of the bed. I peeked at him behind the soft quilt. I nodded my head silently, pushing my face into the pillow. “Of course. Don't walk or try to do anything. You can work from home if you get too bored b
— H O O R —. . .I laugh, nodding my head. “And you don't dare to escape the question!” I snap playfully, earning myself a smile from him. “Yeah, I missed you,” he replies, voice low like he is telling me a secret and eyes looking anywhere but me.He dips his hand into the plate and breaks a morsel, adding, “I was thinking about you. Many times I even looked towards your cabin but you weren't there.” He shrugs in the end, stuffing his mouth with the morsel and chewing on it. All the while as I watch him, I see that he has not looked at me while telling me the answer. I enjoy my food and can't help but smile. Good that you are not looking at me, Zahir. I am smiling like an idiot! “And you?” He asks suddenly, looking at me the very next moment. I lower my gaze to my plate as I answer him casually, “Of course, I did. I'm getting used to you.”He smiles, nodding his head. “We both are getting used to each other.” Does that meaning something to you, Zahir? — I want to ask him but I st
— Z A H I R —. . .I wake up with only one name in my head; God. “I thank you, Father, for opening my eyes today,” I whisper under my breath as I get up and face the ceiling of my room, “In the name of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”I peel open my eyes again and look at Hoor who is lying beside me. Her cheek is pressed against the soft pillow, a few of her dark and thick locks caressing her face as if hiding it from my gaze. I can't help but smile and lean in to kiss her forehead. I get up to get ready for the office. Ruffling my hair through the towel in my grip, I come out half-naked. Glad that she was still asleep, or else she would have made a fuss about it, yelling at me until I was on the other side of the door. I get ready, dressed in my formal attire. I know she is awake but not saying anything like every time. Doing my hair, I walk towards her. “Hoor?” I say, clasping the wristwatch around my wrist. I look down at her as she hums, slowly removing the quilt from her fa
— H O O R —. . .“I’m home,” I hear a very smooth and simple call from behind that grabs my swift attention. I turn to look at him, grinning instantly as I catch him standing by the doorstep. My eyes, on their own, crawl down his tall posture, caressing every inch as I take him in. His hair was disheveled a bit, and his dark curls were kissing his forehead and temples. I can catch many times he might have run his fingers through his dark hair while working but they are stubborn. His eyes are as if drunk, shining with mirth in pleasant and sweet darkness. The first two buttons of his shirt are unclasped and he looks like a mess. A very beautiful mess. “Done checking?” He murmurs mischievously, stepping towards me. I can't help but smile, my eyes lowering to anywhere but him. “You stand attractive,” I say directly. Come on, what's the need to hide? He knows I was checking him out and does that make me shameless? In no sense! — for I am his wife. “Even now?” He cocks a brow at me,
— H O O R —. . .By the time the movie ended, I was in tears. I was sobbing as the story was reaching its end, touched to the heart. The fact that Hoshea loved his wife with all his heart but his wife did not remain faithful to him was heartbreaking. I instantly started whimpering as tears started leaving my eyes.Zahir was busy munching on the snacks and enjoying the Coke. He was watching the movie silently but the moment I started crying, he asked what was wrong. I was guilty of disturbing him and just shook my head. He did not say anything but just kissed the crown of my head and continued watching the movie. Now when it was finally over, I was crying loudly and Zahir held me close to his heart. I could hear the soothing sound of his heart beating inside his chest. His warmth enveloped me lovingly and I ceased crying the next moment. “You're so sensitive,” he said, chuckling as he looked down at me. I sniff, peering up at him. I feel my eyelashes to be wet as I look up at hi
— H O O R —. . .A knock interrupts me. Twice it happens, catching my attention to the door that is still closed. “Come in,” I say, going back to my work. My ears receive the sound of the door opening and the woman walks in. The sound of her heels striking the floor is loud enough to give me a hint. I do not raise my gaze, eventually recognizing the woman by her cherry and almond scent. “Good morning,” she says, her voice overly sweet. And I noticed how she missed the word ‘Ma'am’ which she would usually use for me. Anyway, I pay less attention. “Morning,” I say, raising my gaze to look at her. “What would you want to tell me?” I ask straight, keeping my hand down which holds the pen. Her lips stretch in a small smile. “I came to apologize for what happened to you. Because of me, your foot was injured badly. You had to rest for two days and I'm sorry for that...” I wonder if she really is. After all, she got those days to spend with my husband. Of course, in my absence, it was
— H O O R —. . .Somewhere in my heart, I feel rest. Finally, no Siya is coming with us. And no Siya going alone with my husband. It is just Zahir and I. “Hoor?” He interrupts my chain of thoughts, calling me softly from behind. I turn as I look at him. He is ready to leave. He comes to me and puts his hand on the small of my back, cocking a brow as he silently questions me. “What?” I murmur, walking ahead as we leave together. “You were deep in thought. May I know what were you thinking so hard?” He asks in his usual low yet deep voice, making butterflies dance in my stomach. Along with that touch on my back through which he lets the world know that I am his and he is mine, I think my heart is melting inside my chest, dripping to nothing. “Uh... surely Siya isn't coming with us, right?” I steal a glance at him, not wanting to look around at people who are staring at us once again. Only some are sensible enough to mind their own business. “Not with us. I know I have to keep m
— Z A H I R —. . .It's been days since Hoor and I returned home after attending our relative's wedding. It was awesome, by her side, and on the other hand, I was nearly bored. Only nights were the most beautiful to me because we prayed together and spent some time together. I could not even imagine using the guest's room bed for making love with my wife so I restrained myself. However, it turned out to be a little harder when she kept throwing glances at me and getting ready for the functions. I had no other way than to look at her and praise her. I wanted to do more. After we returned, the first thing I did after taking a shower was to grab her in my arms and hug her like my life depended on it. She giggled, asking me about what changed in ms all of a sudden but I had nothing to answer her. I only breathed at that moment, loving her warmth and the softness of her chest against my head. That's my haven. That night we made love again and the more I explored her, the more needy
— Z A H I R —. . .I rejected it and I regret it now. It has been days since she confessed her feelings to me and I, like a bastard, rejected those feelings. Like every time, I only thought of responsibilities and all, not wishing to give our relationship a chance but after she started avoiding me, I had no other way than to realize my mistake. Hoor does not know, or maybe she is well aware of it that she even takes advantage of it that her ignorance brings me to my knees before her. I have felt it. Hoor makes me feel like I have admitted it to myself. Hoor has become a piece of mine, without whom, I am not whole. I am incomplete without her. I feel restless when she is away from me. When her eyes are not on me, I crave even one look at her. I know I can't live without her and she made me see it in those days. I thought maybe it was because we were getting used to each other so I decided to keep myself away from her. However, my own decision made me feel restless in my heart.
— H O O R —. . .He picks up the call while I sit, anticipating what is going to happen next. I fear Zahir's answer to Mr Hunt. I know he is a nice man but Zahir, in anger, says harsh things. I do not want him to start a fight with Mr Hunt. He puts the call on speaker and looks at me. His eyes linger over my face and solely catch my eyes. I swallow when I hear Mr Hunt's voice. “Hoor?” He asks, and I know I have to keep my mouth shut. “Hoor is with me. And stop calling her, okay?” Okay... It was not as gruff as I expected. I literally expected him to grab Mr Hunt's collar right pushing his hand into the screen of the phone and venting out all the frustration of the past night but he controlled it. Phew!“Uh...”“Yeah,” he breathes and disconnects the lines, tossing away my phone. My eyes widen. “Zahir, it's my phone! Have mercy on it!” I utter, trying to reach for my phone when he grabs my wrist and pulls me to him. I gasp, swallowing as I look at his face. I am glad the sheet
— H O O R —. . .“What's your problem, huh? Why are you behaving like a beast?” I utter, fuming with anger after whatever has happened. He has done this all! His jaw clenches but he does not give me a single look. I see his grip becoming lethal around the steering wheel as he drives the car smoothly. “Ask yourself! What's your problem, Hoor?” He asks instead, giving me a sharp glance over his shoulder. I purse my lips, trying not to say any bad words that will make me regret it later. “I'm totally fine. It's you alone who created a drama there. I don't understand why are you behaving like that!” I do not care if I am making it even more serious. I need answers. The atmosphere inside the car seems to change as it drops. He is trying hard to control his anger but I know he is dangerous when angry. However, I am not afraid to see his limits. Have seen his sides before and no doubt he is going to be like that again; harsh and brutal with words. “Behaving like what? A beast?” He tau
— H O O R —. . .Finding Mr Hunt at the party gave me some kind of relief. As Zahir too knows him, we got interacted and there I got to meet the girl with him. He introduced me to her and she felt pleasant. His choice is very good. However, on the other side, I could see Zahir glaring at us non-stop. It irked me. Now what does he want? I ignored that look. Mr Hunt too noticed how Zahir was keeping a poker face and answering him gruffly every time. When he was called suddenly by some of his partners, it was only Mr Hunt and me left alone. The woman he took with him also left to use the washroom. “Why is he behaving like that?” He asks me in a mutter, confused as he looks at me. My eyes remain on Zahir who is busy holding a conversation with an official man. There are two more with him, keeping him occupied. I stare at him silently, not answering Mr. Hunt for a moment being. I do not feel like doing it or maybe I am too lost admiring my husband among them. He is handsome, after
— H O O R —. . .“May I come in, ma'am?” I know what he is taking with him, and it is only for me to handle. I sigh as I look up from the screen that troubles my eyes. My gaze lands upon a man standing at the door and I am not sure how many times I have seen him today with towers of files in his arms. Only for me!“Of course,” I have to pass him a fake smile.He comes in and sets the tower beside other files. Wow. Just look at my room. How amazing it looks filled with files and files alone. And whose hand is all in this? Surely, my husband's! Because he does not want me to meet Mr Hunt anymore and he can't even confront me and order me around, so he is using such methods to keep me here. Not only that but he is keeping me with himself in meetings. All the meetings which were to be held in the next month and whatever was arranged by me, he thought of completing them all in this month itself. He made me make some changes in the schedule and everywhere he carried me. All this just
— H O O R —. . .“So tell me...” He begins nervously, running a hand through his hair as he looks at me. I wait for him. Maybe he is going to take eternity. Who knows? He is always like that around me; shy and all. Even now he is unable to look me in the eyes. I too do not have any obsession with it. To me, Zahir's eyes are everything. Keeping the straw in my mouth as I enjoy my Faluda ice cream, I steal a glance at his already-flushed face. Now what does he see? I roll my eyes back to the setting sun and realize that I have spent more time with him. I do not worry about my work. I know I will complete the pending tasks but I needed to refresh my mind which he helped me having. He is an amazing friend, to be honest. After how Zahir spoiled my mood with that interrogation, he called me and I came out to meet him. He took me to places around and bought me ice cream. Walk with him was nice as he kept cracking silly jokes. I was even laughing. Yeah, I like such stupid jokes. He wa
— H O O R —. . .Three days have passed. Life is going on as before. The only difference is that whatever happened between Zahir and me seems like a dream. Everything disappeared as soon as I opened my eyes.Work and prayer help me to forget all this every moment, but I cannot use them every moment to escape from the past. Because of whatever happened that night, I still feel as if there are wounds in my heart that have not healed yet. But I know that time will change everything and all wounds will heal. God will do it. Right now I am just waiting for these days to pass. Now that I know that our relationship is not going to improve, I do not want to stay here any longer.Another time my phone rings. It is Mr Hunt. I have been ignoring his calls since this morning but he does not seem to give up. I am not in the mood, simple. I do not want to talk to him but I know I have to. I will be responsible for many things then. Clenching my jaw, I pick up the call and I remove my gaze from
— H O O R —. . .“Are you out of your mind, Hoor?” He says, breaking all my expectations just in a second. I stare at him dumbfounded, my heart sinking deeper. My eyes do not flutter as they are set on him but he has my hands clammy in anticipation. I muster up the courage to ask, “Wh-What do you mean, Zahir?” My tone is confused. Still. I am still expecting him to give me an explanation so it can relieve the burn in my chest. “It's simple, Hoor!” He utters, getting up as he releases a deep sigh. His arm raises and he runs a hand through his hair. Once again as he shows he is frustrated. I narrow my eyes at him, staring at his face as he steps away, continuing, “It's simple that I don't wanna be in a relationship. And haven't I told you that already?” The next he turns around, eyes boring into mine. They hold frustration and anger, resembling a darker and deeper shade of ocean. His jaw clenches as he adds, “I made it clear already!”He did but I started having feelings for him.