With You

Chapter 27

The cool air of the air conditioner whiffed on her tear stained face as Zarah sniffed to move away the feeling of sadness. The sadness of leaving her home, her room, her parents! The marriage is the thing which quickly changes the position of the women, she becomes guest in her own house and the queen of her husband's house.

Her hand got into the grip of a strong hand. Ryan who was driving with one hand, the whole ordeal making her breath hitched just with a glance she took of Ryan's face. He gave her a small smile and that was enough to make her hopeful of her future.

"Need water?"

Zarah shook her head, filling the silence around them with the jingle of her bangles and jewelry. Her hand was still in his hold and she just stayed as she was, to not to break anything, especially this moment.

They were now entering a posh area and their car got parked in front of a huge building, making her eyes widened in surprise. A simple yet beautiful bungalow was welcoming them.

"Welcome to our house."

Ryan's words on opening the door of her side put up a smile on her face. The door was locked as Hanan bhai and Maira was staying at another place. Her husband quickly opened the main door and ushered her in. A faint homey scent mixed with rose hit her nostrils, calming her all over. Ryan held her hand and began to move forward, taking her with him.

"This is the living room." The first thing that caught her attention were the rose petals on the coffee table which had a beautiful artificial lantern in the middle. She silently watched as Ryan gave her a house tour-the living room which was bigger than the hall in her house, the kitchen which was jam packed with modern utilities, the backyard garden having a small kitchen garden as well which was planted by his sister.

"Hamida would have been so happy to see you, Zarah."

Ryan said when they were getting back from the backyard garden. She had the slightest bit of idea that she was no more but didn't know what had happened.

"What happened to her?"

"Her time came so she had to leave us. She lost her life in an accident." Ryan answered, his voice breaking at the end and Zarah facepalmed herself on asking such a thing to sadden her husband.

"She is in better place than us." Zarah hesitantly cupped the side of his face and said those words while looking in his eyes. Ryan nodded with tears stuck at the rim of his eyes, holding her hand which was on his cheek.

"I seriously need lessons on how to have proper conversations." Ryan said with a chuckle, hiding his tears with the index and thumb. "C'mon, just resume our tour."

Zarah nodded with a smile and followed him upstairs which had their room. A sense of deja vu came to her when she stood in front of that wooden door as if she had been here. Ignoring the feeling, she moved inside the room as Ryan was waiting for her with an opened door.

******

Ryan watched with folded arms on his chest as Zarah moved excitedly inside the room, watching the gallery which opened in the huge front lawn.

"It's really beautiful."

Zarah said with a shine in her eyes as he returned her smile. Ryan opened the cupboard door, "You should put your clothes and accessories here. I had made this part empty for you."

"Thank you." Zarah mumbled with a gratitude coating her features as she moved one more glance in the room. Ryan was walking on eggshells, he had done the most dreadful thing of bringing Zarah with him here in his house after what she said some hours ago at her house.

Nobody gave much heed to it and pretended like it was just Zarah's misunderstandings but he was shook. Ryan didn't want Zarah to remember all those memories she had of him before she got into the accident. This was the place where she had stayed three days and there were fair chances that she could get her memories back while going around it.

"What you will have for dinner?"

The hue shades of evening were welcoming the stars to decorate the sky for the coming night. Yes, it was decided that they would leave Zarah's place after noon prayers but everything got delayed and it was nearly evening.

Zarah was watching him through the mirror while slowly removing the bangles from her hands. Her attire, jewelry was as it was when he had seen her after their Nikah. Just her face was ridden of the make up but that didn't decrease the beauty of hers instead she was looking more beautiful with a just a line of kohl in her eyes and faint red color on her lips.

Maybe she understood his long gaze on her as Zarah bowed her head down a little to hide herself from his eyes. Ryan bit his lower lip to purse the sudden smile which came across his features as he made his way towards Zarah. Keeping her in his gaze, he slowly wound his arms around her securing his wife from the back and rested his chin on her shoulder.

His heart moved to a certain height coming near Zarah and seeing the shades of shyness on her face.

"Do you think I will make you work in the kitchen on the first day in this house?" Ryan asked looking in her eyes to which she shook her head. "Today is for us and besides there is no need for you to work. We have maid in here, she will do all the chores."

"What I will do then?" Zarah asked turning around in his arm, her movements slightly hesitant as she carefully put her hands on his chest. Ryan held her hand, the bangles creating a serene sound around them, shying away from his touch.

"Take care of me." His voice moved down to a whisper as he didn't want anyone but Zarah to listen the secrets of his heart. Zarah was intently watching him maybe waiting for him to continue, "I was always alone Zarah but as Allah bestowed Hawwa(A.S) to Adam(A.S.), he gave me you. Today I am giving you a broken Ryan Ahmed, fix me."

He could feel the silent breath of Zarah on his neck as she just opened her mouth to say something but was unable to do so. Ryan smiled at her gingerliness as she cupped the side of his face and pecked his cheek.

"In Shaa Allah, this Zarah Ryan Ahmed will fix you in no time." She said while pinching his cheek, surprising him which was enough to bring forth a giggle out of her, "Now if you will let me go, can I change?"

"No." Zarah rolled her eyes with a chuckle as Ryan pulled her closer to him and resumed the task of removing her bangles. He was loving her company, that feeling of being with her was calming but that dark cloud of uncertainty and fear was not letting him live with ease.