— Z A H I R —The ride to Hoor's place was silent. None of them spoke of anything. The day was also ending. Yeah, it was evening. Around dinnertime. The sky was orange and birds were heading back to their homes. Home.What a great feeling it is. I also miss my home where I can see my dad. No matter if he keeps taunting me. I can have it wholeheartedly but I enjoyed not even a bit with these ladies. Of course, which man would enjoy it? Especially when the girl I was about to get married to was not my lover. Do not get me wrong but in my childhood, when my teacher used to read us fairytale stories, I used to think maybe I will also marry the love of my life. Childish, right? Of course, because I was a child at that time. I do not remember the princess's name but I surely thought I would marry a calm girl who will love me unconditionally. In my childish world, there was only love. Because the situation in my ‘home’ was not as good as others, I used to dream of peace and love. But a
— H O O R —I smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My pink-stained lips do not stretch much because the smile is not heartfelt. Wish I was marrying the prince of my life. Wish Zahir knew it could ruin things between us. Even if we fight a lot, I believe we could become good friends because I might glare at him all the time. I cannot forget how he ignored his allergy to dust when I asked him to go to some dhaba. We could show care towards each other and start a better relationship but Zahir needed to bring this stupid contract between us. I do not regret that I called for his help at the right time for Parul and accepted this demand for her sake, but definitely, I regret that a man like Zahir came into my life. Had there been someone else, he would not have made fun of a bond like marriage by offering a contract. I cannot hold a meeting to explain to him because he does not see anyone wiser than himself. Arrogant man! But why should I spoil my mood by thinking about hi
— H O O R —“Zahir,” I murmur, taking a halt to give some rest to my twisted ankle. I do not want to walk. Not anymore. I am sure it will turn blue by the time I reach home. And trust me, I do not want to have an argument with Zahir because it happened only because of him. Only if that Arrogant Ass would not have pulled me with a jerk to him! He stops, listening to me. He gives me a stink eye while I purse my lips at his hostile nature. He is giving me an irritated look like I did something very horrible to his reputation. What? I am trying. Now what does he want? Want me to staple my cheeks up enough to never let the smile go? “What?” He muttered in annoyance. I grit my teeth. “My ankle has twisted,” I answered him in a low voice so only he could hear me. We are still being watched by others. I do not want a drama here. “So?” He rolls his eyes, now caressing up my waist for an unknown reason. “So? Lemme tell you, Mr. Arrogant Billionaire, it's only because of you.” I set him wi
— H O O R —Recap:- I scoff, “Husband,” not answering him anything. “Yes, husband! And the sooner you get this thing in your head, the less trouble will be for both of us.” Oh? Watching him through the corner of my eye as I find him scrolling down through his mobile, I mutter, “I know. No need to tell again and again. I have read the contract carefully. Don't mistake me for a child.” My reply seems to irk him because then, I hear him growling under his breath. “What's the problem with reining this tongue?” He complains, “Itna kyu bolti ho?” (Why do you speak so much?)~~~ “Ab issey bhi takleef hone lagi tumhe? Shikayat karna kab band karoge?” I could not hide my despair when I heard him and there is no way I will remain silent at his stupid treatment. (Now this too is bothering you? When will you stop complaining?)He throws a peal of humorless laughter before he gives me a death glare. “Jab tum bolna band karogi.” (The moment you'll stop talking.) “Huh, in your dreams!” I fl
— H O O R —Having my makeup removed, I get up to remove the gown. My hands reach to pull the zipper down and in the middle, when my off-shoulder gown begins to peel down, the door opens, revealing Zahir. What the—“You still didn't—” He begins to speak with a pink face when I utter, “How did you get inside? I remember locking the door!” I grip the fabric tight on my chest. One more second would have passed, and he could have caught the stupid lingerie I am wearing inside. He rolls his eyes. “It's my room, don't forget, Hoor.” My face grows hotter when I hear my name roll out from his tongue, and a frown catches my face when a smirk travels on his lips and he says, “And the doorknob has a fingerprint sensor. I'm the owner, wifey.” Wifey?! This tone seems naughty like he is implying something else. And wifey? Please, I am not used to it. He could have waited for it but he thought of giving my heart an attack when I was going to strip down. I can't help but roll my eyes. “Now, mind
— H O O R — When the maids arrived, informing us that dinner was ready, I finally palmed my stomach and sighed in bliss because I was hungry. After the morning I just got to eat. Although Rayma did offer me food in the middle of work, at that time I denied it because I was busy. Do not consider me ungrateful here. I respect food, but due to my old habit, sometimes I do not ask for a moment's rest in between work. And seeing the food served right in front of me, I got emotional, to be honest. I wanted to attack the plate but I do not have such a habit. I was better with the manners taught by my father. We prayed and then started eating. Zahir was sitting beside me, doing something on his mobile. A tight and bitter frown was on his handsome face. His jaw was twitched and his eyebrow was arched. The end of it was adorned by a mole which I noticed just now while my spoon was filled with food. Rayma seemed to notice it as she cleared her throat, gaining my attention. When I looked at
— Z A H I R —The room. I can't help but groan when I look at the decorated room in front of me. Not my Bhabhi's fault that she decorated, thinking Hoor and I will spend a night together, getting devoured. The thought makes me groan once again.I ruffle my hair and sit on the right side of the bed. I grab my laptop and Bluetooth bud. For one last time, I look around the romantically decorated room and release a sigh before starting my dear work. I do not want to imagine how Hoor would react after seeing this. If she dares to think I did this all, I swear I won't stop myself from doing something to her. We have been fighting all day long yet annoyed with each other. Guess what, no matter how much we quarreled, our irritability did not decrease. Not even a bit. I am not sure about her because she has insulted me enough at the dining table but about me, I think I will need another argument to calm myself down. Do not blame me now when Hoor has made me addicted to this all! Before Ho
— H O O R —“Why? Are you afraid of being tempted by me and end up doing something unexpected?” He says naughtily. His eyebrows wiggle playfully as a smirk finds its way to his full lips. I can't help but feel the heat creeping onto my cheeks. They feel hot all of a sudden as the idea itself seems tempting but why am I thinking like this for my contracted husband? No, Hoor, leave that idea. Do not।get into his seduction, you will regret it so bad. Yeah, I know. But just look at his audacity right now! After annoying me for at least half an hour, he says I can take advantage of his sleepy state. Samajhta kya hai yeh insaan khud ko?(What does this man think of himself?)But I know how to win out of this as I am such an expert here! “What? Don't think I'm gonna rape you while you're sleeping like a log!” That smirk vanished from his face as soon as he heard my answer. His lips pressed into a thin line and he glared at me, still looking so attractive and fine. Now it was my lips tu
— 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.