Chapter Seven

INAAYA

When I woke up in the morning, I found Ahaan missing in our bed. It sort of worried me. I searched for him in the room. Neither was he in the walk-in closet nor was he in the bathroom. He probably must be downstairs with the others.

It was 9 am and I was officially late.

Yes, I was late.

It was my first day after Nikah. It didn’t feel right for a bride to wake up late.

I quickly showered and wrapped myself in a sea-green saree that had tiny yellow flowers embroidered on it. My hair was damp, so I set it free. I applied a thin stroke of eyeliner, mascara, and a soft pink lipstick.

If Ahaan was downstairs, I wanted to look beautiful for him. I wanted to please my husband. I wanted him to compliment me again.

My sight fell on the delicate rose-gold necklace with a diamond stud that he’d clasped in my neck last night. This meant a lot to me. I tucked a few hair strands behind my ear as I blushed deeply.

When I hurried downstairs, I heard voices coming from the dining table. Zeenat Aunt, Aaliya and Zehaan were breakfasting and chatting.

Ahaan was found missing again.

“Have a seat, my darling.” Aunt gestured.

Pressing a soft smile, I sat on a white leather chair next to my sister’s. Aunt dropped two toasts on my plate, served me scrambled eggs, a handful of grapes and poured a glass of orange juice for me.

“Khala, where is Ahaan?” I asked the lady who sat across me at the white table covered in a golden cloth.

“He’s on a shoot.” Zehaan swallowed down his bite and was sitting next to his mother. “Your husband is one damn busy man. There always are time issues for him. One day he is here and another day he is somewhere else.”

My sister popped a few grapes in her mouth. “Inu, you’re acting like an ideal wife.”This girl had no eating manners, seriously.

Aunt grinned, “Inaaya is an ideal wife,”and savored her juice.

I shied off and concentrated munching on my toast.

“What do you do for a living, Mr. Zehaan Rehman?” Aaliya wiggled her defined brows as she smirked at the man in a dark grey business suit. “Do you even go to work? Or are you a couch potato?”

“Ms. Aaliya Mansur, FYKI, I’m the CEO of my company ‘Rehman Enterprise.’” Zehaan slammed his glass on the table. He scoffed. “I’m actually not surprised, you know. If you weren’t aware of my best friend, how would you be aware of me.”

“I see, huh? Mr. CEO?” She broke into teasing giggles. “Anyway, good that you work, Mr. Rehman. I actually thought for once you’re nothing than an ugly couch potato.”

He huffed. It was clear he didn’t like my sister at all. In fact, he despised her.

“Again, I’m not surprised that you didn’t notice my business suit. Because if you had, you’d have known I work for a living. And I didn’t build this house by lazing like a couch potato!”

“Ohhh! I just noticed you’re in a business suit!”

He scowled and she laughed loudly.

A toast and a couple of grapes later, I viewed Aunt. “When will Ahaan come?”

She muttered, “I don’t know, darling. Perhaps Zehaan knows,” turning her head to her son.

“He should be here in next two-three days.” Zehaan wiped his lips with a napkin. “Still, I’ll confirm and let you know, okay.”

“Why don’t you call him right now?” Aaliya suggested while munching on a bite. Jeez, she sounded like a zombie.

He glared at her and she stuck her tongue at him.

Aunt drank water. “Good idea.”

“He must be busy,” I quietly said.

“Yes, but I think he’ll definitely find some time to talk to his wife.” Zehaan picked up his phone from the table. He put the call on speaker mode and set on his phone back on the table.

“What’s up, asshole?” Ahaan answered the call within three rings.

“You busy, asshole?”

“I can snatch some time if there’s anything important.” I didn’t know why but I really was happy listening to his voice. “Your wife wants to talk to you.”

“Heyyy, Megastar!” Aaliya cheered before I could even open my mouth.

“Asshole, did you hit your head or what? Inaaya is my wife, not Aaliya.” Ahaan laughed. God, this man’s laugh was as gorgeous as his throaty chuckle.

“I did not hit my head.” Zehaan glared my sister. “That crazy woman interrupted.”

“Hey, I’m not crazy okay!” My sister frowned. “You are one crazy man!”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Can you close your mouth for a while? Let Inaaya talk to her husband.”

“Humphhh.” She crossed her arms under her breasts. She honestly was acting like a child. Which she was ninety percent of the time.

“Is the phone on speaker?” transmits my husband's deep and smoky voice through the phone.

“Yes, son. It is” Aunt notified.

“Inaaya, hey… um, how are you?”

My heart fluttered like a butterfly when he took my name as if it was pure velvet. I was disheartened when I found him missing because I’d dressed up for him. However, the sadness was gone now. I was happy hearing his alluring voice.

“I… I-I’m good. What about you?” No idea why I always ended up being nervous and shy to talk to him.

“Well,” Ahaan chuckled throatily. “The current status of your husband is—he’s super busy.”

“Anyway, what did you want to talk about?”

“Err… when will you be home?”

“Seven days later. Saturday night.” I mentally pouted hearing him. Seven whole days was a long time. He added, “If you want, I can cancel my shoot and come home soon,” as if he had felt my sadness.

“Aww! So very sweet of you, Ahaan!” my sister exclaimed. Why did I expect this reaction from her?

“No, no, you shouldn’t cancel your shoot. It’s okay, I’ll wait for you.”

“As you say. And I’m eager to be home too.” He was eager to be home. I felt so good hearing him say that.

“Gotta go. Super busy. Take care you all. Bye, wifey.” And he hung up.

Ahaan was extremely sweet, gentle and adorable. I was impatient for the seven days to pass as soon as possible. I couldn’t wait for him to be home on Saturday night. I just wanted to see him, see him smile at me, take my name, and for a moment, I didn't care how weird it was to be eager for a stranger come home to me. Technically, he still was a stranger to me, but he was also my husband. He made me feel good just by his presence, although I didn’t really express or show it due to my introvertness.

My sister snapped her fingers in front of my sights. “Already lost in your husband’s thoughts?”

I blinked. Twice. Thrice. Slapped by embarrassment. “I-it’s… uh, nothing like you think.”

“Your face says it all, Inaaya. You were lost in Ahaan’s thoughts.” Zehaan smiled teasingly.

I shied off like a mimosa plant.

“It’s absolutely normal, my darling.” Aunt reached out for my hand across the table and gave it a little squeeze. “Every newlywed couple wants to spend time together. Ahaan and you should also spend some quality time to get know each other and bond.”

“How about you surprise him?” Aaliya recommended. “By cooking his favorite dishes on Saturday night.”

“That’s really cool.” Zehaan looked at me. “You should cook for him, Inaaya. He’s a foodie; he’ll unquestionably be happy.”

Aunt stood up with her empty plate in her hands. She smiled at me. “Inu, I’ll teach you how to prepare his favorite Chicken Biryani. I’m sure he’d love to eat his favorite Biryani prepared by his lovely wife.”

“I hope I make him happy” I murmured to myself.

But guess what, the three of them heard me.

“You will” They said unitedly and gave me a motivating smile. “We are with you.”

I was incredibly blessed to have such an amazing family in less time.

Earlier, Aaliya was my only family. I used to think Allah hadn’t planned a single good thing for me and that I had to spend the rest of my life in dark, sin and misery.

Now… there was Zeenat Aunt, Zehaan and my husband, Ahaan. I realized that all the bad I went through so far was necessary for this good to happen in my life. I had to endure the bad to welcome the good.