Hey guys here's another update. Also, I want to tell you that I have started editing the previous chapters of this book so you will now also have the translations of the Urdu language. Do check it out if you're not familiar with the Urdu language...
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Shah Zain's POV (Edited)
A week had passed since Shiza lost her khala. She was still grieving. But there's a slight progress in her condition. She eats her food, talks to me and even sometimes pass a smile too.
But I know how much pain she's hiding behind that smile. I know she's trying to be strong but deep down inside she was crumbling gradually. She refused to tell me but I can see it. I can feel it.
She acts like she's doing good and that things were getting alright. But I know she was trying to hide her true emotions behind the facade of her smile. I know she doesn't want to worry us anymore. But that's what I am afraid off.
She shouldn't hide her emotions. She needs to portray them freely. Otherwise, the pain will keep burdening her and one day it will be too much to handle. I don't want her to experience that feeling. It hurt soo much when one couldn't bare anymore. I don't want her to fall into that category.
I need to do something which will be helpful in her situation. But I haven't reached a concrete solution yet.
It was already 8 in the morning. I was awake since fajr. I couldn't sleep so decided to just wake up. Shiza was still sleeping though. The grief had badly affected her sleeping schedule. She kept awake till late at night and that's why she overslept the other day. It's not good for her health.
She was not also eating properly. I tried to force her sometimes to even eat atleast one plate but she refused and stick to her half plate. Her body was getting weak. I had found her taking support to walk sometimes.
Her body is not getting enough nutritions and it was making her internally weak. But she refused to show it. She wants me to think that she's recovering when infact she was far from it. She wasn't recovering. She was just trying to act like she is.
I got dressed for the office. I had to join office today because there's a important meeting coming up and it needs my utmost attention. I didn't want to join right now. I want to spend more time with Shiza but this project has been in work since three years and now finally we are ready to launch it.
It will be not good for the company if we delayed it anymore longer than this. I decided to come home early because I can't focus on other things when my mind was occupied by my wife. I checked the time and it was close to 8:15. I decided to wake Shiza up because she needs to eat breakfast. She did protest but wake up anyways.
She went inside the bathroom to get fresh and take a bath while I combed my hairs and got dressed myself too..
***
The day in office was slow. I didn't have much rather than that important meeting. But here I was angry. I'm sitting here clenching my fists. Mr. Barzan had to show up for the meeting but he didn't. When our employee asked him about that, he juts simply stated that he forgot.
This is not how work works. He had to be present because this deal was important for both of us and since he's now a shareholder in this company too, his opinions matters. But he didn't come and that's why we had to delay the decision. I was already jumbled with situations and this added more to my already filled platter.
Barzan Malik's actions had been suspicious. He's not present in the company most of the time and even he showed up late to most of the meetings. He seems to least interested in our company rather I found him roaming around my office many times. But whenever I tried to ask him about that, he would always change the subject to entirely something else.
My doubts had been getting high on him. He's acting like he's doing something in the dark and doesn't want anyone to know about it. I really need to keep tabs on him. I have already assigned a spy on him. He will keep an eye on him because I feared he may be thinking something ulterior. I never really trusted that person. He never gave me any good vibes.
It's high time that I started to doubt to him. I feared he might be not what he shows us. I need to be careful with him. He shouldn't get to know that I have been spying on him. Otherwise, my plan would fail without even starting itself. I took a deep breath before concentrating back on to my laptop. I need to finish work soon so that I could go home and take care of Shiza.
I am really worried for her. She needs to heal from her grief. But I know that process would not be so easy. First of all, she needs to breath in fresh air. How about I take her to a nice dinner outside. Maybe, it will help her clear her mind and a refresh air will always helps in her case. She must be tired sitting around the same house.
So, without any further delay, I dialed Kinza's number. When she picked up, I told her
"Tell Shiza to be dressed by 8. I will pick her up."
I headed her teasing voice from the other side
"Ooh! Someone's taking his wife outside."
I rolled my eyes before answering
"Just don't tell her anything. Just tell her to be ready by 8."
Kinza chuckled before answering
"Don't worry. I'll tell her."
I thanked her and hang up the call. I leaned back on my seat. A dinner outside might help Shiza...
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As I reached home, I was greeted by dado. She smiled in my direction before asking me
"Are you taking Shiza out, today?"
I nodded my head before taking a seat beside dado. I leaned my head on dado's shoulder before she started stroking my hairs. It feels good to be treated like a small child. She then stated
"It's good that you're treating her the way she deserved, Zain. She suffered alot beta in the small course of time. Don't let her suffer anymore."
I nodded my head before sitting back up and assuring her
"Don't worry. I've learnt my lesson. I will treat her exactly the way she deserved."
Dado nodded her head before saying
"She was almost dressed. She'll be here any moment."
I nodded my head before standing up. I glanced at the staircase and found her descending downstairs. Even in her sadness filled face, she was successful in taking my breath away.
She was dressed in a red colored long kurti with delicate work on it with the same colored pants and duppata. Her hairs were open and just combed back. Her eyes were shining maybe because of the little makeup she applied. She was wearing silver sandals instead of heels. She was now standing infront of me.
Her sweet delicate voice reached my ears making me lost in her voice
"Is it good enough?"
I was jerked out off my thoughts at her question. She was assessing her dress with a look of insecurity on her face. I stopped her movements by holding her hand and assuring her
"You look amazing. Shall we leave now?"
She nodded her head before we made our way outside. As we passed the garden area, I saw Zarnish standing there. She was looking in our direction but her fists were clenched. I paid no heed to it since my mind was occupied by Shiza and Shiza only.
As we both settled in the car, I drove the restaurant where I had booked the reservation for us. It was an hour drive because of the traffic on the streets. Shiza was glancing out the window and her face was soft. It must be good breathing in fresh air after so long. Although, she was quite but I could feel that she was atleast enjoying. She kept her gaze on the passing by trees and people.
We soon arrived at the restaurant. I parked my car in the parking lot before coming out and opening the door for Shiza. She stepped out and her eyes glanced around the restaurant. She assessed it with her eyes but we make our way inside.
The managed showed us the table and I helped her sit down. She thanked me before sitting down. I smiled at her before taking my seat in front of her. The waited brought us the menu card.
I forwarded the menu card infront of her and she looked at me with confused gaze. So, I stated
"You order. Let's eat what you want to order."
She looked hesitant but nonetheless she started eyeing the menus. She remained quite for some moments still rummaging through the various dishes. I waited patiently. I noticed the way her eyes glanced at each menu. The way her nose crinkled when she couldn't understand the name or the look of confusion when she doesn't know the dish at all.
Finally, after a long few minutes, she finally looked up from the menu and at me. I raised my brows at her before she asked in an unsure voice
"Can we order Italian?"
I nodded my head before saying
"Of course. But why were you hesitant?"
She contemplated before answering
"It's...it's a little expensive. But don't worry I have bought money with me. I'll help in paying the bill."
My brows furrowed in confusion. Why does she needs to pay the bill when I'm here? So, I assured her
"Hey, you're here with me. You don't have to worry about the expanses. I can pay them."
She was about to open her mouth for protests but I stopped her and made myself clear
"No discussion on that. You are my wife and I have every right to spoil you. I am your husband, this is my duty."
A thick coat of red adorned her cheeks before I spotted a small smile garnishing her lips. She down casted her eyes and used her hairs as a curtain to hide her flustered face. I laughed and this added more to her already red cheeks...
***
The dinner was served and we were enjoying our meal. I cautiously ordered the food without any herbs in it. She was also eating her food and I just loved the look on her face when she took the first bite. She immediately exclaimed in happiness
"It's so good. I've always wanted to try the original Italian dishes."
I felt good that she was able to eat it. I sighed before asking her
"Can you ask you about something?"
She nodded her head so I asked
"Tell me about yourself."
She looked at me with confusion filled eyes before saying
"What do you want to know about me?"
I just shrugged. I want to know from anything to everything about her. At my no response, she began
"Well my parents died when I was very young and then khala took care of me. I will always be grateful for her because there was no one there to take care of me. She treated me like her own daughter and gave me both the love of mother and father. I studied in nursing and then I got the job of caretaking. I used to do job because I wanted to support khala. She doesn't show it but we were tight on money.
Khala doesn't want me to give her money because she believe that I shouldn't give all my money to her. But I wanted to help her. She was always there for me. Bisma and I also loved to tease her. She would make our favorite dishes too. We were content and happy. We might not have money but we have what many of humans don't. We had love for each other. We can fight for us with anyone.
She and Bisma were my only family left. Well, now only Bisma because..."
She stopped mid sentence. I felt bad. Her eyes filled with tears but she continued
"But now she's gone. I'm left here alone...again."
Her voice held so much grief and pain that I could feel my heart clench. She was trying to hold her tears. I gently hold her hand in my grasp before saying with all my heart
"You are not alone. You've got me. I promised I would never leave you alone no matter what happens...
Shiza's Dress
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That's it for today. I hope you like it. Please guys if you like the chapter apart from voting, also do comments. Don't be silent. Do share it with your friends.
I'll see you soon. Take care
Allah Hafiz
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