Part 15
Iqtiaar stood rooted at his place to see Razia wearing a bubble gum pink off-shoulder top with a pair of black skin fit jeans. She looked absolutely stunning and held a strange power to attract him beyond his control, over any of his feelings towards her, which were yet unnamed.
Razia along with Laila came up to both of them and looked away shy feeling Iqtiaar's eyes fixed on her. Laila noticed JY looking a bit worried.
Laila: JY are you alright?
This brought Iqtiaar back from his "Razia world". Iqtiaar: Of course he's alright. Why would he be tensed about any damn thing anyway?
Laila exchanged a look with JY like "now what did you do?" JY looked down with a guilty face.
JY: Iqtiaar and Razia's seats are not together. Laila looked up immediately with a shocked expression looking from JY to Iqtiaar and back to JY while Razia seemed calm.
Laila: Donny its okay, we'll figure something out. Don't worry. She said scared to see Iqtiaar so angry.
Iqtiaar looked away irritated. But Laila still couldn't sigh a relief and went to stand near JY to let him talk to the airline officials once again. Razia just observed the whole incident in front of her and a smile formed on her lips as she just went and stood next to Iqtiaar. Her eyes were fixed on JY and Laila. The worry she saw on Laila's face was not noticed by her for the first time. She had noticed similar concern for him in her eyes multiple times ever since she had met them both. Iqtiaar noticed Razia standing next to him smiling to herself in a weird fashion.
Iqtiaar (self thought): What the hell is wrong with her now?
Iqtiaar: Razia?
Razia (still looking at JY and Laila): Haan?
Iqtiaar: Razia? He said a bit louder shaking her a bit.
Razia: Huh, What? She said coming out of her thoughts.
Iqtiaar: That should be me asking you. Why are you smiling like that? (He so wanted to say smiling like a fool' but oh well!)
Razia: It's nothing. Ah! Iqtiaar let it be na please, why are you stressing yourself? JY didn't do it purposely na? She said with a puppy like face. Pleaaassseee???
Iqtiaar: Fine, as you say. He said annoyed. But that made Razia grin like an idiot. Iqtiaar looked so very cute when he was angry but still did things only to make her happy. She was on cloud nine.
Razia: Aww! I love y ... She was about to say it and had flung her arms around his neck in order to hug him when she suddenly remembered his words last night.
Flashback: Iqtiaar: Love doesn't exist in this world Razia. There was never such a thing and never will be.
Iqtiaar too realized what she was going to say and therefore when Razia took her arms back and looked in his eyes uncomfortably, he gave her a slight smile to make her not feel awkward.
JY along with Laila came back to both of them looking extremely happy.
JY: Chill Donny! We've got both your seats together. Here, these are your boarding passes; you both proceed to the boarding gate, Laila and I will just get Zaroon and Chanda.
Iqtiaar: Fine. He smiled at JY and slipped his hand on Razia's waist to proceed to the gate when Laila stopped them.
Laila: Just a minute Donny, Atign Miya had called. He has emailed you the contract details of some client in Manchester and he wants you to go through it.
Iqtiaar: Sure I'll see that.
***
Finally Iqtiaar was way too happy that he got Razia to be besides him. Razia had spent most of the time watching films in the flight giggling and laughing as she watched comedy films and had finally retired sleeping peacefully with her head on Iqtiaar's shoulder. Even though they were in the business class and the seats were pretty comfortable, Razia's habit of only sleeping snuggling into something cozy made her tightly clutch on to Iqtiaar's arm as she rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
Iqtiaar on the other hand spent major part of the journey working on his laptop on the case details which Atign had sent him. It was an important case and the client was important for their firm. The case also required one of the lawyers to frequently travel to Manchester and Iqtiaar contemplated about giving the case to Zaroon to work on or not. He felt Razia moving a bit away rubbing her eyes as she woke up from her slumber. He didn't move his gaze away from the laptop and whispered to her with his eyes still fixed on his work on the screen.
Iqtiaar: Feeling better?
Razia: Hmm. She said frowning at her husband who couldn't even care look at her while talking. But then slowly slipped her hand back in his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.
Razia: What are you doing? She asked like an innocent child.
Iqtiaar: Working on an important case Razia. Atign Miya has sent an important case file. I've to study it and get someone working on it by tomorrow. He said still typing on the laptop without looking at her.
Razia: Oh! She said sensing Iqtiaar to be busy and turned to look outside the window to find something else to pass time. But suddenly she turned around back to face him and bombarded him with an endless set of questions.
Razia: Iqtiaar, who is Atign Miya? Does he work with you? Why didn't he come to attend our wedding? Does he stay in London too? Is he also a friend of yours like JY? How is he as a person? Will we get to meet him in London? Will it be okay if I meet him?
Iqtiaar just stared at her with open mouth shocked to see Razia talking endlessly. This was the first time ever he had seen her talking so much. In fact he guessed that she must have spoken more than she had in the whole of the last week! Never the less she seemed excited and Iqtiaar thought of it to be because she was travelling to London. He had seen her so happy and excited about something for the first time and didn't want to ruin her mood therefore relaxed his shocked expressions and genuinely told her about Atign.
Iqtiaar: Atign Miya is a very close friend. In fact, I got to know him when I was at the university. I did my first internship with him while I was still a univ. student. I assisted him like how Zaroon assists me and he was the one who guided me through the ups and downs in my career all throughout.
Razia smiled at him warmly.
Iqtiaar: After Dad, it's him in my life. Razia understood the importance Atign held in her husband's life. It was indeed a very important place.
Iqtiaar: You know Razia, why I can work so successfully even after staying away from family, from Aapi for so many years?
Razia looked at him question in her eyes. Iqtiaar turned around and looked at Laila and JY who were busy with some random silly argument.
Iqtiaar: Because of them. If I didn't have Laila, JY, Atign Miya and Nassir in London then ...
Razia: Nassir? She asked before he could continue.
Iqtiaar: Yeah! Nassir-ud-din, My CRIME PARTNER!!!!
***
The flight landed and they all came out to the arrivals. But before that they all had to say a good bye to Chanda as she had a connecting flight to Manchester. Razia invited Chanda over the weekend and she said she'll try and come if she would be free.
The drive from the airport to home was quiet with Iqtiaar and Razia in one car and Zaroon, Laila and JY in the other. Iqtiaar kept taking glances at Razia who sat with a calm face in Iqtiaar's embrace as he had his one hand around her shoulder. She was looking outside the window but to Iqtiaar's surprise she didn't look as excited as he had expected her to be on her first visit to London. (only if he knew it wasn't her first visit to London) By the time they reached home Laila, JY and Zaroon were already there waiting for them.
Iqtiaar Ud-din Mallik owned a duplex penthouse apartment in one of the posh areas of London. As the car came to a halt and Iqtiaar and Razia got out of the car, Laila excitedly screamed taking Razia in a tight hug.
Laila: Welcome home!!! Ahhh!!
Laila broke the hug and dragged Razia to the private lift of the Malliks to take her upstairs to the penthouse. Iqtiaar on the other hand was busy asking his body guards, who were all ready to guard him as soon as he had landed in London, to make sure all his luggage was brought in up, when he noticed Zaroon to have not got his luggage out of the car.
Iqtiaar: Zaroon, why haven't you taken out your luggage?
Zaroon: Ah! Miya, actually JY was saying that you and Bhabhi ...
JY nudged Zaroon before he could continue while Iqtiaar looked at both of them confused.
JY: Donny, Zaroon is trying to say that since he is here in London only for a couple of days and then he will be off to Manchester for work, I have invited him to stay at my place for the few days. I hope it's okay with you? He asked with his eyebrow raised.
Iqtiaar: Of course, if Zaroon wants to stay with you then why would I object? Zaroon and JY gave their famous cheeky senseless smiles. Iqtiaar walked into the lift shaking his head.
As Iqtiaar entered the penthouse which opened into the living/dining room he saw Razia and Laila standing in the center of the room under the skylight coming in with Madra, the lady caretaker of the house lovingly kissing Razia's hand.
Madra was an old Spanish lady servant of the Malliks who had been serving and taking care of Iqtiaar since the last ten years. Since the time when Iqtiaar first came to London for his higher studies, Madra had been appointed to take care of Iqtiaar. In fact she just didn't take care of Iqtiaar and Zaroon but also all their friends. The group called her Maddy with love.
Iqtiaar: So you met Maddy, huh? He asked Razia as he walked up to them and slipped his hand onto her waist.
Razia realized how suddenly Iqtiaar had got this habbit of holding her to himself by putting his hand on her waist. She had never been held in such a way before that too in front of other people. But she had now started getting used to that feeling of having his arm around her or rather had started feeling comfortable and liking it. Whether it was the sense of belonging to him or his little gesture to show her that somewhere he did love her even though he didn't know, she couldn't point out. But just being by his side and to have him there besides her gave her such a high, that she couldn't explain in words.
Razia nodded shyly to Iqtiaar's question, to which Maddy couldn't control herself realizing Razia being shy about how Iqtiaar had just claimed her with such simplicity in front of everyone and got Razia in her warm hug.
Maddy: Aww! Iqtiaar your wife is so innocent and sweet. Iqtiaar smiled.
JY: Okay Razia, We are not looking at you both okay? He said covering his eyes with his hands and turning away.
Laila: Oh Common JY stop it. Iqtiaar don't you think we should show Razia the rest of the house too?
Iqtiaar: yeah, Why not?
Zaroon: yes, let's start with my bedroom. He said excitedly.
Laila: Shut up she's not interested in seeing YOUR bedroom!
JY: Our friend's zone, the lower level of the house.
Laila: No, first and foremost Donny's bedroom.
Maddy: wait wait wait! Before all that I have to go. (to Razia) So welcome home love and wish you both a very happy married life. She kissed Razia on the cheek once again.
Razia: Thank you Maddy!
Maddy left and the friends again started fighting about where to take Razia first.
Razia: Guys, guys! Do I have a choice?
Zaroon: Of course Bhabhi.
Razia: Can I just see what all is there on this floor first?
JY: yeah that seems smart.
Laila: Kitchen it is then.
Iqtiaar excused himself so that he could attend an important business call and the friends took Razia to show her the house. They showed her the kitchen and the study cum guest room, which were on the same level as the Living/dining space.
After that due to JY being too excited they took her to a floor down which was the FRIENDS' ZONE' which comprised of the home theatre and the bar.
Razia became a bit uncomfortable with the ambience of the bar and desperately wanted Iqtiaar besides her but had put up a brave smile murmuring to her self: Forget the past Razia, Forget the past.
Finally after JY's long stories about how they all have spent hours together in the Friend's zone and specially Iqtiaar they all moved upstairs and to the upper level which was above the living area which had Iqtiaar and Zaroon's bedrooms.
They all first went to see Zaroon's bedroom which was kind of simple as it was hardly used; only when he visited London as Zaroon was mostly in Delhi or in Manchester.
After that they all were proceeding towards Iqtiaar's and now Razia's bedroom when they crossed Iqtiaar who had finished his call with Atign and was looking for them all.
Iqtiaar: So you guys have showed her the home?
Laila: yeah almost! She said giggling trying to tease Iqtiaar.
Iqtiaar: Almost?
JY: yeah, she means we've showed her everything apart from what she really wanted to see.
JY hi-fived Zaroon; Laila burst out into an uncontrollable laugh; Razia looked away blushing to herself and Iqtiaar looked completely clueless and confused.
Laila: Your bedroom Donny! We haven't showed her your BEDROOM yet.
Iqtiaar: Oh!
Laila: I have an idea, now since you are free, why don't you show her the bedroom while we three wait for you downstairs. What say Razia?
Razia: Ah, Umm ...
Laila: Bye! The three of them went downstairs leaving the couple alone.
Iqtiaar: Come! He said smiling down at her as she slowly raised her eyes up to look up at him.
Iqtiaar took Razia to their room and couldn't ignore the happiness which suddenly burst in his heart to see a smile on her face.
She loved the room which had three sides of the room having glass walls. It seemed as if she was on top of the world and she could see the whole city. She ran to the glass window and stood there taking in the view.
Iqtiaar walked slowly up to her and slipped his both hands on her waist hugging her from the back and putting his chin on her shoulder trying to make her use to his touch.
Iqtiaar: Like it? He whispered in her ear to which Razia nodded still smiling brightly and turned around facing him still in his embrace when she kissed him on his cheek and hugged him tight much to his surprise.
Razia: I love it. It's so beautiful, isn't it? She said breaking the hug looking into his eyes now.
Iqtiaar: yes it's beautiful! He said stroking her cheek with his thumb looking at her smiling face and the spark in her eyes. She truly was beautiful and he was just way to lucky to have her in his life and have her smiling in his arms.
Razia: Washroom? Razia almost shouted excited with her eyes wide open as if that was the most important place to see.
Iqtiaar: That door. He pointed to the bathroom door.
Before Razia could move out of his hold to go see the bathroom, there was a knock on the door with Laila standing there. Iqtiaar immediately left Razia and moved a step away.
Iqtiaar: yes Laila? I thought you were waiting for us downstairs. He said annoyed.
Laila: yes, but I just remembered I had to give Razia a gift. So if I could get her for some time.
Iqtiaar: Right, I am downstairs then.
Laila: That would be just great! She said with a forced smile.
Laila: Phew! she exclaimed as she closed the door when Iqtiaar left.
Razia: what is it Laila?
Laila: I hope Donny hasn't been in the bathroom yet?
Razia: No! But why?
Laila: Because of this. She held Razia's hand and took her into the Bathroom which had strong aroma and it took Razia only seconds that it smelled sandalwood and roses. The tub was filled with warm water along with soft rose petals floating in it. Next to it were some special massage oils and a bottle of champagne with two glasses kept.
Razia gasped with her mouth wide open out of shock as she saw the view in front of her.
Razia: What's that for? She almost shouted.
Laila: Shh! We got that planned for both of you. But before that I forgot to give you something. Here you go.
Laila passed on a packet to Razia which she accepted doubtful of Laila's intentions.
Razia: What's that? She asked suspicious.
Laila: See for yourself! She said winking at her.
Razia opened the packet and then even before completely taking the contents out, slid them back in as she looked shocked at Laila who was grinning back at her. It was a two piece deep red color lace lingerie.
Razia: I AM SO NOT DOING WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING ME TO DO! She said and was about to leave when La held her hand and stopped her.
Laila: Oh, common Razia, he's your husband. And it's your first night together in your home and in your room! She said as dramatically as she could.
Razia: I know that but I can't do THIS!
Laila: You can, concentrate on the women in you and I am sure you'll rock.
Razia: Haha! It's NOT funny. Stop using my lines on me.
Laila: Razia please for.. for Donny? For your Husband?
Razia looked at Laila's pleading face and then at the lingerie in her hand.
***
NEXT: Slightly different one...
Caller: Oh, I am so sorry to waste your time Mr. Mallik. Your beautiful wife is waiting for you in your bedroom isn't it? You shouldn't make her wait long. He said with an evil chuckle at the end.
Iqtiaar stood shocked as he tried to process what the caller had just said. He knew about Razia!
THANKS A TON GUYS For your COMMENTS on the previous update!!! I will reply to each of them soon! And all those wanting a bromance between Nassir and Iqtiaar will get plenty in this FF.
Hope you like this one too!!!
Love
Shopau
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