With You

Epilogue

The sun had hidden itself in its thin veil, preparing to set for the time being. The birds were chirping across the whole garden making the place serene and calm. The cold air whiffed on her cheeks as she turned the page of her book to reach the end of thriller she had gotten from the library while coming back to home.

Zarah looked up from the book as Ryan came running around her, their cute little girl following him with a giggle. Her husband didn't waste a moment and placed a hurried kiss on her cheek while her daughter just watched them for a second then raised her arms.

"Ma, Iqra will do same."

Zarah laughed looking at Ryan while taking her daughter in her arms as Iqra placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek. Three years had gone in a blink of eye, there were ups and downs but the end of it was Ryan and Zarah were together.

She had gotten her memory back that day when she fainted in Ryan arms. Yes, there was a hurt in her heart of Ryan's words but his love had overpowered everything. When Zarah was putting his past behavior with his love which she was getting habitual of, Ryan's love weighed more.

"I remembered everything, Ryan."

His lips which were on forehead stopped on her words as he slowly sat down on the bed beside her, looking in her eyes.

"I remember everything now. Every hurtful word you have said to me, the way you humiliated me." She was watching Ryan who was listening to her just like an obedient child, head tilted low in embarrassment. "and I hate you Ryan..."

Ryan's head moved up in a defeated manner as if knew he would hear this. Would he not say anything? Would he not put any defense for himself?

"I deserve this. I knew this will happen and I was-" He started, his fingers gently holding her hand. He took a breath of anticipation, "I was preparing myself for this. But it is more hurtful than-"

"Shhh..." Zarah shushed him by putting her fingers on his lips, "I hate you Ryan because you have changed everything inside me. Your every gesture, every single word, every touch has changed the hate I used to have for Ryan Ahmed. That's why hate you, silly boy." She confessed with a smile to put an end to her facade of scaring him.

Ryan jerked her earning a gasp from her, his eyes gazing in hers. His orbs were shining with tiny tears gathered in it,"Have you determined to take my life today?"

"Maybe."

"Ahan." Ryan kissed her chin, gently moving to her lips and melting her giggles and gasp with his breath as he placed his lips on hers while Zarah pulled him closer to her resulting a chuckle from her husband.

"Lost?" Ryan twitched his fingers near her eyes pulling her back to present as Iqra imitated her father, attempting to twitch her fingers.

"No. Just walking through the memory lane." Zarah answered with a smile as Ryan nodded, resting his cheek on her hair. Iqra too moved near her, embracing her tightly.

These two important people of her life kept her on toes but she loved this life. A loving husband, a cute daughter, a family. Allah had heard her every prayer and if Zarah wouldn't be grateful now then didn't know when she would be.

***

"So at the end the princess lives happily ever after with the prince." Ryan ended the story and looked on his side to see his daughter sound asleep with her head resting on his shoulder. Placing a kiss on her forehead, he fixed the duvet on her and left the bed to search for his spouse.

Leaving their room, Ryan saw the dim lit living room where at the far corner Zarah was offering her prayers. It felt he had been rooted on his spot; the view was surreal, the dim light casting on his wife's face and the whole room seemed to be illuminated with the light of her being.

Ryan slowly descended down to the living room, his eyes still on Zarah who was now making supplications after her prayer. He sat beside her and rested his head on her shoulder resulting a gasp from her as Zarah kept her palm on her lips.

"Allah, Ryan! You scared me." Her voice was still frightened at the edge as she looked at him with furrowed brows while he just smiled looking at her, taking her hand in his. "This smile of yours is really bad."

He chuckled, "Why?"

"Because it cools down my anger."

Zarah replied with a small smile at the corner of her lips as she was trying really hard to keep it at bay. Ryan straightened and have a good look on her face. Every day he did this. Because even after these years, it felt he was still in a dream-a good dream.
Zarah was his life partner; loving him, guiding him in every matter of life and a mother of their child. He never thought he would get these happiness in his life but here he was.

Ryan cupped the side of her face as Zarah smiled her warm smile at him. "You are the best thing that has happened to me ever."

"You mean that fight we had in the mall was the best thing?" Zarah asked with a giggle, her eyes twinkling with the light of mischief.

"Apart from that." Ryan answered and got a playful smack on his arm. Zarah took his hands and placed a kiss on his palms-sharing her warmth in the winter with him. The glow of the bulb softly touching the piercing in her nose, making her more beautiful.

"Every day spent with you is the best day of my life." She said and moved in his embrace, resting her head on his chest. Ryan caged her in his arms; caressing her cheek with his thumb not before taking one more look of his wife's face who had smile etched on her lips with her eyes closed.

Nothing was more calming than a life with a loved one. Ryan couldn't agree more as he gave a relaxed sigh enjoying the closeness of his wife.