My Four Eyed Husband

Chapter#13

Fiza's POV:

I rushed into my room. And slump down on the floor after shutting myself in. I need some time alone to steady my stupid heart, which is beating like a thousand miles per second. His melting voice echoes in my mind and I could still feel the warmth of his body on my side.

Why does it have to be this way? Why am I attracted to him? Shouldn't I hate him for deceiving me? And what does he want from me? Why does he want me to give in when he already has a girlfriend? Just to please him?

It would never happen...

I have made up my mind and I am not going to change it. Why should I accept him when I know in the end, he will still marry his girlfriend while I will be left all alone. Why should I invest in a relationship when I know it has no future?

I put my head on the bed and close my eyes for a few minutes until Taha finds me. He always does. Wherever I am, he always wants me in his sight. Sometimes I want to ask him why he is becoming so attached to me. But he couldn't answer me that, right? I smile to myself, thinking of how his reaction might be if I asked. 

After exactly five minutes, I heard Taha's voice calling for 'Ami'. I shook my head and quickly got up. His voice sounds so sweet when he says the word 'Ami' but it gets painful to hear when I don't respond back for too long or when no one tells him where I am. I don't know if he is afraid of what is making him search for me so desperately. So, I try my best to answer him as soon as possible.

"Ji (Yes) Taha?" I pop out my head from my room. 

"Kya ker rai hain? (What are you doing?)"

"Nothing." 

"Main ajaon? (Can I come?)"

"Yes." He gave me a toothy grin and came running inside. He stood near my dressing table and starts to count my lipsticks like he always does. I sat beside him on the carpet to help him count because he is still learning.

Not much time pass when Sadaf came in holding Ehtesham's phone in her hands.

"Call." She said, giving me his mobile.

"Beta, this is Bare Papa's phone. Give it to him." I told her.

"He is in the bathroom."

"Oh." I take the phone from her and my jaws clench as soon as I read the caller's name. 

"Hello, Assalam o Alaikum?" I pick her call, like a typical wife who likes to keep an eye on her husband.

"Who are you?" She asked in a strict voice.

"The only one who has the right to use Ehtesham's phone." I answered calmly.

"Fiza?" She hissed.

"The one and only. Fiza Ehtesham." I nodded my head.

"Don't get so cocky. Just because Ehtesham married you, doesn't mean he will ever love you." 

"Don't get so cocky. Just because he loves you, doesn't mean he will marry you." I replied in the same tone.

Tch!

What am I doing???

"Sadaf beta, take this phone to your Bare Papa and tell him Phuppo (Father's sister) wants to talk to him." I said, giving her the phone.

"Which Phuppo?" She asks curiously because Ehtesham doesn't have a sister and all of his cousins live out of the city.

"A Phuppo from far far away. Now go, quick." She quickly ran toward Ehtesham's room.

I know I shouldn't have done what I just did and it made me look like a jealous wife, but what can I do? Jealous or not, I am a wife after all. I grin like a madwoman thinking of what she might do to my poor hubby dear.

~*~

"What did you say to her?" Ehtesham stormed into my room in rage when I was watching TV with both kids.

"Say what to her?" I pretend not to know.

"To Sania." 

"Yes, what about her?"

"You say that she is my sister?" 

"No." I completely deny.

"Don't lie." He gritted his teeth.

"I promise I didn't say she is your sister, I just said that it's Sadaf's phuppo." I shrugged.

"And what difference does it make?" 

"It doesn't?" I batted my eyes, "Oh my God. Of course, it doesn't. So sorry. Please don't mind." I said and turn my attention back to the TV. He didn't say anything on this topic after that because of the kids' presence.

"Ami called me last night. A cousin of hers is hospitalized and she wants us to visit her. So, get ready by five. I asked Sheharyar to take care of them for an hour and he will pick you up."

"Pick me? Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, for lunch." And I don't want to ask who he is going with.

"Have a good time." I wave my hand to him.

"I will... Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Haffiz." Both of us said in unison.

~*~

"You were smoking?" I frowned as I ask, as soon as I sat in his car.

"How do you know?" I look at the kids and then him. He got my point and didn't say anything else.

After dropping Taha and Sadaf to Sheharyar's house, we drove to the hospital and throughout the journey, he pestered me on the same stupid topic of how I knew he was smoking.

"I am not an idiot." 

"You are far from being an i***t. So tell me already." 

"Your car smells like cigarette."

"Really? But I didn't smoke inside."

"It doesn't smell like burned cigarette. They have a different odour."

"Wait, how do you know so much about cigarettes?" He gave me a suspicious look. 

"I read a lot." 

"You read about how unburned cigarette smells?"

Oops!

I didn't answer him and kept looking out the window.

"Don't tell me..." He said after a while.

"YOU SMOKE?!" He shouted, when I didn't try to defend myself.

"No, I don't." 

"Then how do you know so much about it?"

"None of your business."

"Well, it is my business. I cannot leave the kids alone with a woman who smokes."

"But you smoke."

"It's different with me."

"Because you are a man?"

"Look Fiza, don't argue with me. Just tell me. Do you smoke or not?"

"I don't."

"Then how do you know?"

"I tried twice or thrice." I shrugged.

"You tried?" His eyes widened.

"Yes, I saw my brothers smoking once and they begged me not to tell Baba Jani. So I made a bargain to let me try it."

"And they agree to that?"

"They didn't want their monthly allowance to be stopped." 

"You are unbelievable." He shook his head. I didn't answer his comment.

"Is there anything else you did that a girl shouldn't do?"

"Such as?" I face him.

"I don't know... drinking, clubbing, having boyf-" He looked at me and stop in mid looking at the grim look on my face.

"Sorry." He said, and focus back to the road.

Sheharyar stopped us for dinner. We had dinner at his house, which was quite awkward because he was alone with his housekeeper in his big house. Ami told me that his wife separated from him after Taimoor's death because he wanted to take custody of both kids.

It felt horrible just thinking about it. How can a woman leave her husband just because of this? Or maybe they can. Sania is an example of such woman, who allowed her lover to marry another girl, just because she doesn't want to take responsibilities of other's kids and is still clinging to the man despite his current status. 

Can't such people use their brains once in a lifetime? What happened to Taha and Sadaf could have happened to their kids too. Life and death is not in the hands of men. Besides, even our religion tells us to take care of such kids and will be rewarded for it.

Sheharyar reminds me of my Chachu (Father's little brother), he was as caring and overprotective about me when he was living with us. After three years of marriage, he shifted to another city because of his job. He has two daughters and a son. His eldest daughter 'Sumbul' is in college and is very close to me. She told me that she will be coming to Dada's (father's father) death anniversary. I am excited to see them all, yet nervous too. If she gets the hint of Ehtesham and my relationship, she will tell Chachu for sure.

Chachu didn't want me to marry Ehtesham because according to him, I was obeying my father as a duty and not using my opinion. Well, he is right about that but I didn't mind it either. So he went quiet and now I fear that if he somehow finds out about Ehtesham's affair, things will go wrong. Chachu not only will argue with Baba Jani, but he would also not leave Ehtesham and Sania alone and I am sure he will be mad at Nuwair too.

"Fiza, you're not taking anything?" I came back to the present when Sheharyar called my name.

"Oh! Sorry." I smile awkwardly and ask Ehtesham to pass me the rice, who was busy in glaring at me for some reason.

The dinner went normal after that, Ehtesham and Sheharyar talked a bit after dinner and we leave early because the kids were starting to get sleepy.

While escorting to the exit, Sheharyar told us that he is planning to take the kids to the Zoo next weekend and wants us to join too, but Ehtehsam politely refused for both of us. I didn't mind it either. I'm not into animals much and besides, such places are for kids and if Sheharyar is the one taking them, then I don't think I would have to worry about the kids. But still, a part of me don't like to refuse him, as I can understand how much trouble Sadaf and Taha can be whenever they get over-excited about something.

But I guess he will have to handle them alone...

~*~

"Listen, no more stupid reasons, okay. You guys are coming. It's our first wedding anniversary yar." Qudsia whined like a kid. 

"Yar, I promise you I will come no matter what but I am not sure about Ehtesham. You know about our relationship, don't you? I cannot force him."

"Fine. Then how about I invite him myself?"

"If you want. But don't come complaining to me if he refused and say something that offends you."

"Got it. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz." I end the call and start praying in my heart that Ehtesham agrees to it. I don't want to look awkward in front of Qudsia's husband.

Almost after an hour, Ehtesham called me and told me about Qudsia's invitation. He said that he will be busy tomorrow but will be able to join us after work, so I should go before him and take the kids with me because he doesn't like asking Sheharyar to babysit the kids again. I also didn't like the idea of it and I don't have a problem with taking the kids with me.

It's strange about how happy I feel because he didn't reject my friend's invitation and is ready to willing to his work for us. I thanked Allah and got up to go to the market to buy a gift before Sadaf comes back from school.

~*~

"Mashallah! You look beautiful." I said, hugging my best friend and congratulating her.

"Same to you, you look fantastic today." She said, looking at me up and down.

"Nice Sari, yar." 

"Thanks."

"When did you buy it?"

"Actually, it was a gift from Ehtesham. He gave me on my birthday."  

"Oh! So, prince charming isn't a jerk after all." She smiled.

"He is, believe me. But sometimes he has his moments." I winked and we both chuckle. After that, I met her husband and introduced the kids to him. 

The evening went nicely. It was a simple dinner with a few of Qudsia's family and her husband's friends. Ehtesham joined us too, as he promised and the look on his face was priceless when he saw me wearing his Sari gift. 

I felt his eyes on me now and then, but he refrains himself from saying anything. Qudsia being Qudsia elbows me or winks at me whenever she finds Ehtesham looking at me. On the drive back home, he finally spoke.

"I thought you were never going to wear this Sari." 

"And why wouldn't I?"

"Because you were angry?" He glanced at me.

"I was, because of you checking my stuff, but it doesn't mean I will be mean and reject someone's gift."

Especially not his...

"Oooh! So you have some sense too... Cool." He smirked.

Jerk...!

"But I must say, you look beautiful in it." He said, looking at me up and down.

"Thanks" I smiled and start looking outside.

"Both kids are asleep?" He asks, after a while.

"Yes." I answered, turning my face to them. He nodded and at once, we both went silent.

After reaching home, he helped me in taking the kids to their room. It's late and their Anni is probably asleep too. So I changed their clothes myself. Ehtesham was still there too, just standing behind and kept saying 'let me help' or 'tell me what to do' but didn't do a single thing.

Later, when we were about to go to our rooms, I remember that tomorrow is Ehtesham's birthday. Ami told me this morning through a phone call. 

"Ummm, what do you want for your birthday present?" I asked, walking behind him.

"Who told you about my birthday?" He quickly turns his heels and faced me.

"Ami."

"Hm..." He hummed and turns around again.

"You didn't answer me." I asked again.

I want to give something to my husband...

"Look, firstly, I don't celebrate my birthday, so don't bother of giving me a present." He said, covering the distance between us, with a smirk plastered on his face. This made me put my guard up.

"But if you want to give me something so badly..." He lowered his head to my ear. "Then, tie a ribbon on yourself and meet me in my room in fifteen minutes." He said, touching my earring just like how Taha always does.

My eyes widened and I abruptly take a few steps back. 

"Don't give me that look. You were the one who wanted to give me something." His smirk widened.

"So, should I wait for my present then?" He said, tilting his head towards his bedroom and I narrow my eyes at him.

"Hm! I guess not. Maybe some other day. Shab-a-Khair." He winked and left.

'Okay! This was your day, Hubby dear.' I mumble and kept staring at his retrieving figure.