Chapter 6

4 years ago

Yashfeen

@Bhatakti_atma

For the first time in the past days, Zaroon had managed to get up earlier than Kashaf. He gazed at the clock hung in their room. It read 6:30. He turned towards Kashaf. She was lying quite close to him with only a pillow separating the two, which she was hugging tightly. He smiled seeing her posture wondering if soon the pillow will be replaced by him any time soon. He chuckled at his thought and got up to freshen up.

Kashaf was still sound asleep when he entered the room with a tray. He sat on the bed before calling out her name. She let out an irritated sigh the first time. He couldn't help but be amused at her reaction. He always thought she was a light sleeper and definitely not one who threw tantrums on being woken up. He called out again. She opened one of her eyes and after taking a glance at the clock shifted further towards the other side of the bed snuggling to her pillow leaving him surprised.

"Kashaf..."
He uttered.

"Hmmm...Koi kaam hai?"
She finally spoke still in a sleepy tone in the same posture.

"Aaj uthne ka plan nahi hai kya tumhara?"
He said leaning more towards her and resting his head on his palm and carefully settling his elbow on the pillow.

"Abhi toh time nahi hua. Aur waise bhi kal main bohot thak gayi thi tumne apne proposal ko bata bata kar itna bore jo kiya tha mujhe."
She said opening both her eyes this time.

Gasping he said
"Bibi tumne hi kaha tha ki plan ache se samjha doon main tumhe taki koi bhi questions raise hone par hum ready ho ajki meeting ke liye."

"Haan woh toh maine isliye kaha tha kyun ki tum mujhe khase nervous lag rahe the. Dekho nervousness mein aj tum jaldi bhi uthe gaye ho."
She said closing her eyes once again.

"Main aur nervous? Main bilkul bhi nervous nahi tha woh toh bas..."
Seeing that she has slept again, he straightened up and continued
"Tum uth rahi ho ya yeh breakfast main akele hi kha loon?"

She opened her eyes to see if he was speaking the truth.

"Ab utho bhi."
He insisted.

Smiling she got up and waited for him to serve her tea and the bread and omlette. She was in awe of her husband and kept staring at him till he literally shoved the plate in her hand.

"Araam se. Araam se. "
She said laughing because she noticed that he was a little annoyed with her.

"Ek toh banda itni mehnat kar ke nashta tayar kare aur phir koi qadar bhi na kare."
He said under his breath.

"Kuch kaha tumne?"
She asked chuckling as she had heard him.

"Ji nahi nashta karein warna hum late hojayenge."
He said taking a bite.

"You are such a baby."
She said enjoying his irritation.

He just lifted his brow and continued with his breakfast saying nothing.

After the breakfast, both of them had started getting ready for office. Kashaf didn't get a chance to say thank you because Zaroon seemed a little annoyed at her behaviour and purposely kept avoiding her. She wanted to say thanks but then he didn't really give her a chance. A sort of hide and seek was going on. When she decided to take out their clothes, he moved to the washroom and once he was out he hurried downstairs, leaving her confused.

"Of course woh annoyed hai. Maine tabhi use thank you bolna tha."
She said while igniting the car.

During the entire car ride, Zaroon was silent and kept looking outside the window while Kashaf tried switching glances between the road and her husband who was really acting like a baby. On reaching the office, she decided not to unlock the car.

"Unlock to karo."
He said while trying to push the door open.

"Nahi."

"Kya matlab?"
He asked confused.

"Matlab yeh ki jab tak main tumse baat na kar loon pehle hum upar nahi ja rahe."
She said opening her seat belt and looking into his eyes.

"Kaho bhi."
He said already softening a bit.

"Thank you Zaroon and sorry for ruining a sweet gesture. Main tumhe tab hi appreciate karna chah rahi thi par you started acting like a baby."
She said trying to convince him.

"Actually you know what. Tumhe nahi mujhe tumhe sorry aur thank you kehna chahiye."
He said holding her hand.

"Woh kyun?"
She asked confused.

"Woh isliye ki roz tum mummy ke saath mere liye aur baki ghar walon ke liye khana banati ho aur tab toh tum thank you expect nahi karti. Par maine ek bar breakfast kya bana lia, appreciation ke liye hi badhal hone laga. Itne hypocrite kyun hai log? Tumse toh yeh tavaku hai ki tum bina koi gesture ke aur appreciation ke humare liye yeh kaam karti jao despite being a working woman but hum toh yeh kaam nahi karenge chahe bhuke mar jaye aur agar kabhi kar bhi lenge toh ye expectation kyun hai ki humari is mundane activity ko appreciate kiya jaye?"

Kashaf couldn't help but smile at how sensitive his husband had started becoming to the flaws of their social structure.

"Hans kyun rahi ho? Maine kuch galat kaha hai kya?"
He asked looking a bit confused.

"Bilkul sahi baat ki hai. Par tum mujhe apni baton se surprises pe surprises dete ja rahe ho. But you know what Zaroon at least tumne socha is bare me. Kuch hadh tak amal karne ki bhi koshish ki breakfast bana kar. Mera yeh khayal hai appreciate hume sabko karna chahye. Tum mere gestures ko karo aur main tumhari aur hum sab milkar mummy ki. Woh itna karti hai humare liye kabhi hume unhe bhi mauka dena chahye ki woh baithe aur hum kaam karein. Appreciate karna koi itna difficult kaam bhi nahi hai. Bas adat dhalne ki baat hai.

Aur haan please todhi adat ab kaam karne ki tum bhi dhal lo kyun ki main sare domestic burdens nahi le sakti. Main koi ideal woman nahi hoon jo super hero ki tarah sare ghar ke aur bahir ke kaam bhi kar le. Main toh itni achi bhi nahi hoon ghar ke kamon me. Seekh rahi hoon mummy se. Agar tum itna koi kaam na bhi karo toh kya yeh acha nahi hoga ki tum kuch waqt humare saath hi guzar lo kitchen mein, for starters to know the drill. "

She said smiling and tightening her grip.

"Waise koshish karunga main in sudden surprising gestures ko zada routinized banane ki magar yeh kitchen assistance ka filhal main koi promise nahi kar sakta."

Laughing both rested their foreheads on each others.

After a successful meeting, the two headed towards the house to get dressed as a small party was arranged in the evening to commemorate the signing of the deal. Kashaf was busy arranging the clothes when Zaroon entered the room.

"Red pehnu ya black?"
She asked showing him the two kurta sets.

After examining for a while, Zaroon said
"Kuch white hai kya? I think white really suits you a lot."

"Umm... Hai to sahi par maine socha phir tum khaoge itne pheke colours kaun pahenta hai parties ke liye."

"Maine kab aisa kaha hai?"
He asked knitting his brows.

"Kyun ki main janti hoon tumhe bright colours pasand hai. Red. Yellow. Blue."
She said rolling her eyes.

"Ha woh toh hain. Par tumpe to sare colours bohot ache lagte hai. Maine shadi ke bad tumhe white me dekha hi nahi and I know how much you like it. Toh aaj main dekhna chahta hoon ki tum kya white me bhi mere pulse rate ko badha sakti ho ya nahi."
He said winking at her.

Almost dropping her jaw, Kashaf managed
"Tumhe clothes select karte huye bhi yeh cheesy baatein karni hoti hai."

"Le cheesy baaton ka bhi koi waqt hota hai kya?"
He said flashing his teeth.

"Tumhare liye toh har waqt bas cheesy baton ka waqt hota hai.Khair tumhare liye kya nikaloon?"
She said moving towards her closet.

"Main khud leleta hoon. Amjad mera black suit le aya tha kya?"

"Haan. Ander hi rakha hai."

After their evening tea, the two decided to get ready for the party. Kashaf wore an off white cotton and silk blend kurta with trousers and a golden and white combination dupatta making her looking extremely elegant and pretty. To add to it, she applied a little eyeliner,a brown shade on her lips and completed the look with a pair of gold earnings, a watch and her favourite pair of heels. Checking herself in the mirror, she headed downstairs before Zaroon, who was still in the shower.

In a few moments, he too came downstairs searching for her, looking as dashing as ever in his black suit and white shirt. Sara, who was busy watching the T.V, still focusing on the screen said

"Kashaf gayi hai lawn me mummy daddy ke pas. Tum use wahi join kar lo."

Zaroon soon joined the trio in the garden. After bidding them a good bye, the two moved towards the car. Once they were near thei car, Kashaf handed the car keys to him.

"Kya hogaya aaj drive karne ka mood nahi hai?"
He asked scratching his head a little.

"Aam tor par main tumhe kabhi apni gaadi ke saath trust nahi karti magar aaj high heels pahen liye hai maine."
She said drawing his attention towards her feet.

"Chalo yeh toh pata chala ki Kashaf sahiba ko ek cheez se to khauff ata hai aur wo bhi high heels me car chalane se."
He said opening the car gate.

"Waise khauff toh mujhe ek wahid cheez se hi ata hai aur wo ho tum."
She said sitting inside.

"Tumhe aur mujhse khauff ata hai? Namumkin."
He said laughing and occupying his seat.

"Sahi kaha namumkin. Sirf check kar rahi thi ki kahi tum kisi galat faimi me mubtala toh nahi ho."

"Smart hoti ja rahi ho tum meri tarah."

Kashaf simply rolled her eyes while smiling.

"

Mom aur dad bhi ajatein toh acha tha. Yeh toh kafi boring kisam ki party lag rahi hai."
Zaroon said entering the restaurant.

"Oho Zaroon toh tumne kya expect kiya tha yaha log naach gaa rahe honge? Official party hai aise hi hoga na. Waise agar tum bore ho rahe ho toh socho mom dad kitne bore hote. Ek tarah se acha hi hua wo nahi aye."

"Haan woh bhi hai."

Kashaf and Zaroon were speaking to one another when they were suddenly interrupted by a waiter who informed him that he was being called by some of the men sitting at a table adjacent to them. Zaroon considering it important took a leave from and Kashaf joined them.

Kashaf, who had taken a seat near the bar, was startled by a voice

"Kashaf? If I am not wrong?"

Kashaf followed the voice. He was a tall and a well dressed man. Kashaf was confused if she knew the man. She knitted her brows to think harder.

"Yes but ap kaun?"
She spoke.

"Apse aaj mulakat huyi thi meeting me. Shayad apne mujhe notice nahi kiya. Par main musalsal apko hi dekh raha tha aur jab se ap ayi hai tabse bhi."
He said rather bluntly while seating himself next to her.

Finding his tone a bit odd, Kashaf continued
"Kyun apko koi behatar kaam nahi hai kya?"

"Hua karta tha. Magar ab shayad kuch mushkil malum hota hai.Zahir hai ap itni khubsurat jo lag rhi hai."

"Dekhein ap mujhse zada free hone ki koshish na karein."
Kashaf said staring at him.

"Are apne shayad meri baat ka galat matlab nikal liya."
He said changing his tone.
"Woh apne bohot achi presentation di thi actually. Apke ideas se hi impressed hokar humne is deal ko final karne ka plan kiya."
He said smiling.

"Ji shukriya. Now can you please excuse me?"
Kashaf said while getting up. The man's face showed that he felt offended but he forced a 'sure' in response. Zaroon who was watching what was going on couldn't help but notice his wife's annoyance. He sensed something was wrong so he excused himself as soon as he could from the table. He joined them as she was about to leave.

"All okay?"
He asked pretending.

"Of course. Woh main bas Miss Kashaf ko aur apko congratulate karna chah raha tha."
He said getting up too.

"Mrs. Kashaf Zaroon hai unka pura naam. Aur bohot shukriya."
Zaroon said stretching his hand.

"Oh I didn't know she is your wife."
The man said while shaking Zaroon's hand.

Zaroon and Kashaf soon left the party as Kashaf was annoyed because of what happened. Zaroon didn't discuss it there. So they simply drove off. Both were still silent till Zaroon drove his car towards the beach.

"Yeh tum yaha kyun agaye?"
She asked.

"Aise hi. Mann kar raha hai. Band jagaho pe reh kar kuch claustrophobic feel hota hai. Todhi dair yaha baithte hai."
He said stopping his car.

"Bahar chale?"
He asked.

She simply nodded and headed out keeping her sandals in her hand.
The two had started walking towards the water when Kashaf finally spoke

"Yeh mard itne irritating kyun hote hai? Koi bhi cheez ko professionally evaluate kyun nahi karte sirf? Aur har ek aurat ko ek open option kyun samjhate hai? Aur respect tabhi karni kyun hai jab koi mard ka naam usse juda ho?"

Stopping Zaroon said
"Baat toh sahi kahi hai. Usne tumhe kaha kya?"

"Agar kuch kehta toh khasa sun bhi leta. Usne cheap flirting shuru ki hi thi ki maine use chup kara dia. Aise logon ke liye main akele hi kaafi hoon."
She said shifting her gaze towards the sea.

Laughing at his wife's attitude, he held her hands
"Haan par tum sirf meri cheap flirting ko kabhi mana nahi karti aur kabhi kabhi in return bhi kar leti ho."
He said teasing her.

"Main aur flirting? Tumhare nazdeek flirting ki definition kya hai."

"Acha chalo karti nahi ho par meri flirting ko toh enjoy karti ho na."
He said walking while holding her hands.

"Woh toh majburi hai meri."
She said smiling and annoying him.

"Khair itni bhi koi majbur nahi ho tum."
He said understanding how his wife always tries to escape such situations.

After their brief walk, Kashaf and Zaroon were back in front of their car. Zaroon was sitting on the bonnet of the car hugging Kashaf from the back while she stood in front of him. The two were quiet. Perhaps they were enjoying what Kashaf calls 'khamoshi ki awaz'.

Breaking the trail, Zaroon said
"Waise aj tum kuch zada hi achi lag rahi thi. Tumhe white mein bhi dekhkar mera pulse rate badh jata hai."

"Shuru kar di tumne apni cheap flirting."

"Ab ek shauhar apni biwi ki tareef kare toh woh bhi cheap flirting ho jati hai? Shukriya kehna nahi ata tumhe bibi."

"Acha acha. Shukriya. Tum bhi khase ache lag rahe the."
She said turning towards him but again Zaroon had decided to pretend that he was upset about his wife's attitude.

"Acha tum kya ab khafa hogaye ho?"
She asked.

"Toh ab main khafa bhi nahi hoskta?"

"Bilkul ho sakte ho. Magar aisi baton par nahi."

"Toh kaisi baaton pe khafa ho sakta hoon?"
He asked.

"Umm..pata nahi."
She said laughing and annoying him further. Noticing it, Kashaf said

"Acha na itna acha mausam hai aur hum dono akele hai. Aaj kuch romantic baatein kar hi do."

"Mujhe nahi karni tumse koi romantic baatein."
He said rolling his eyes.

"Acha toh kis se karni hai? Woh office ki Sara se? Jise dekh kar aaj bhi tum muskarane se nahi thakte aur khud use greet kiya karte ho. Main sab notice karti hoon."
She said complaining and staring at him.

"Acha tum toh waqai sab notice karti ho.
Magar yeh notice nahi karti ki main tumhe impress karne ke liye kya kya kiya karta hoon."

He said getting down of the car and wraping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer such that she could feel his breath on her making her nervous. Noticing the change of her body language, he closed the distance between the two and placed his lips on hers. Kashaf was not taken aback. She knew she wanted it so she simply responded by cupping his face and kissing him back. Zaroon pulled her in a tight hug lifting her a bit while the two enjoyed the moment. Breathless in a while, the two pulled out. They laughed at the situation while Kashaf pressed her head against his chest.

"Was it wrong of me to do it?"
He said while trying to figure out if she in any way regretted it or felt embarrassed."

"Of course it wasn't."
She said lifting her head and rubbing his cheeks with het thumb while cupping his face once again to make sure he knew that she was alright with their intimate moments.

"Ghar chalein"
He said smiling.

"Chalo."

-----
Hi readers.
Do let me know if you all are enjoying such detailed parts and the gradual development of their love. If it's feeling dragged and some conversations are starting to feel too much, do let me know so that I can make changes in the narrative.