— H O O R —. . .“Hoor, you said he won’t come to pick you up?” I hear Parul asking me from the other side of the wall. I am in the kitchen, helping as much as I can while she busy folding the dried clothes to put them inside the cupboard. She is in the room and it is after so much effort that she left the kitchen and let me handle the work. There is still some time. I thought I could help her with something. “Why do you keep asking that?” I ask, sounding annoyed and she should know that because I am not very fond of repeating over and over again that my husband could not come with me. For them, it is a very normal thing but I know and I have heard the reasons why he could not come with us. Coming with me is a formality to him, right? Meeting my Dad would have exhausted him very badly, no? He could not come because he was done with being with me. He is done with handling things as a married man and it wearies him too much. I can see that. And no wonder why he did not want to mar
– H O O R —. . .“You locked the door,” he grumbles, “Too childish, isn’t it?”Huh? I look back at him. Only for a moment — yes, only for a moment, he got me happy but then again, he was back to being a jerk. “I also unlocked it,” I grumble back in the same way. He seems to notice it and gives me another short look. “Yes, because you were scared. However, Hoor, you shouldn’t behave like that. And the way you talked to me was also very disrespectful,” he adds, scolding me like I am a toddler. I can't help but press my lips in annoyance and scrunch my nose. “And didn't you deserve it?” I narrow my eyes at him as I continue, “Didn't you deserve it after denying me? It was so simple, Zahir. You only had to accompany me but you were so busy! I actually don't regret it even a bit!”“Stop yelling, Hoor. I've been talking to you quietly and I expect the same from you. Stop being a wild woman!”“Wild woman, ha? How dare you say that, Zahir?! What wild thing you see in me?”He groans, cov
— H O O R —. . .“What are reading?” He asks in a low and soft voice.My attention is dragged by him. However, the peace between us is so pleasant and lovely that I do not grumble in annoyance or anything else. I just look at Zahir who sits beside me. On his knees, he is still praying under his breath. His gaze is in his front and closed, while his hands are joined. His head bows in respect. I glance down at the Holy Book in my lap and go through the lines that come into my view for the first time after I remove my gaze from my husband’s handsome appearance. “Reading John, chapter 6,” I answer him in the same quiet tone, soon adding the verse on which I let it go, “At this, the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that comes down from heaven.”” Zahir sighs, praying, “Lord, you said you’re the bread of life. Without you, there is no life. Without you, we are dead. You are the bread that comes down from heaven. You give life. With you, there is life and
— Z A H I R —. . .Indeed Hoor’s knowledge of scriptures amazes me. She knows about the Lord and that makes her to be the most beautiful and attractive woman in the world for me. I can speak of it without any doubt and make a search for it. She is smiling wide while telling me about the Lord and my heart tickles inside my chest when I hear her. How true are her opinions and views? Not everyone can understand the scriptures. We need to be spiritually alive and let the Spirit of the Lord guide us in everything because the Bible is not any simple book that belongs to the world. No, the the Bible belongs to God. It is the Word of God. And the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. “After that, Jesus tells everybody about the work of God; that is to believe in the one He has sent. And He has sent Jesus for us to believe in Him.
— H O O R — . . .“This is a barrier,” I say, arranging the soft pillow between us. It is long enough, being an extra. I put my pillow, too, so the line can be longer. “Don’t cross it, okay?” I add, raising my eyes to cast a glance at him. He watches it happening blankly and then, he looks up at me. He frowns. “A barrier?” He repeats, “You are putting a barrier between us, Hoor, why?”“Because I don’t want you to come closer to me, simple, Zahir,” I say, folding my arms on my chest. His dark blue gaze seems to follow my movements as he gazes at my chest, swallowing. Gosh! What’s going through his mind now? Stop looking there! “And why is that?” He mutters, raising his eyes to look at my face. I see a slight pink hue spreading around his nose and cheeks. Wow. So I was right. Why did he even look there? Though it is not uncomfortable, I feel way too shy like this. I press my lips as I take a deep breath. Does he not know? No, he knows it very well but trying to act clueless. He is
— H O O R —. . .“To me,” I say, my chest falling and rising as I breathe deeply, “Listen to my voice, Zahir. My body is in your trap.” And I did not lie to him. It is true. My body obeys him. He makes it do whatever he wants and I am left vulnerable before him. Well, for now, underneath him. To my words, he smirks. What a cruel husband he is. But the sickness of mine is crazy after this cruelty of him. I love it and I wish I could give myself to him. “You know what, Hoor?” He says. His arm raises to touch my forehead as he pushes a few strands behind. I keep staring into his dark eyes. Dark yet soft as he looks at me. What goes through his mind, I want to know. What is in his heart, I so badly want to have it revealed before my yearning eyes. I wish it to happen soon. “I want to kiss you again,” he continues, caressing my hot cheek and then pinching my chin. My lips which were closed now part as he pinches my chin down. His confession makes my heart skip a beat and I am begin
— H O O R —. . .“Then it's your fault to have this opinion about me, you crazy woman.”How dare he?! “I am not crazy, you twisted man!” Yes, that's right. Because he is a twisted man like any other and they blame women, could you believe? “If you’re so mysterious then it's not my fault, got it? And right now, get down from the bed!”My last command amazes him. He gapes at me funnily. “Are you serious?” He mutters, still sounding unsure but it is true. “Yes, I am!” I glare at him. My jaw clenches. I am done with this attitude of his and he is going to pay for it. “Dekho, Hoor, tum aisa nahi kar sakti,” he warns me, glaring back at me through those pretty blue eyes. (Look, Hoor, you cannot do this.)“Ha mai kar sakti hu, Zahir,” I say firmly, folding my arms on my chest. Though his gaze still lingers on my chest, he quickly recovers it to my face, looking very annoyed at my decision. (Yes I can do this, Zahir.)“Ye mera kamra hai, mera bed. Tum kyo haq jatati ho?”(This is my ro
— Z A H I R —. . .Hoor was right. I can't disagree with her anymore. She said that I took advantage of her vulnerability and that's true. I can't ignore that. It was the moment when we were in the hospital because Parul's health deteriorated. At that time, I really took advantage of her state through the power of money. But Hoor is wrong when she says that I want her as a whore for me. Even that idea never crossed my head. I never even thought about it! How could she blame me like that? I do not see Hoor as that. I respect her. Can't she see it? But as days have passed we have not talked to each other about anything or regarding any matter. Not even what happened last night, our last quarrel in which she literally kicked me out of bed. After that, I really intended to take revenge and I even did that. I put a rubber lizard in the bed which I borrowed from Ryan. He carries such stupid toys to annoy his classmates. He helped me. But what did it give me? Literally nothing! Rev
— 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.