Muntazir | ✓

Chapter-14

Pulling her back, he held both of her hands, trying to stop her but her fight grew stronger the more he tried to calm her down.

"Ariha!" He raised his voice, "Stop it."

"Don't yell at me." She pushed him away, "You're not only lying to me but everyone and I can't even get angry about it?" She asked, picking up her dupatta as she wrapped it around her.

"Yes, you can but you have to give me a chance to explain too." He replied.

"Well, I don't want to right now, You can explain when I'm in the mood to listen." She shrugged, grabbing all her things from the bed.

His jaw ticked as he looked at her, he tried to control himself but snapped when she walked towards Mau.

Taking the phone and the charger from her hands along with the book she was holding, he threw them on the bed before grabbing her by the elbow, making her sit on the couch in the corner of the room.

"It was for the last time, I swear. I didn't lie to you, it was a business trip but things changed last moment, there was...there was this person..and I couldn't say no." He shook his head.

"And you didn't feel it important to tell me?" She asked.

"I thought you didn't know, I didn't want you to."

"I've known for years, Zaviyar." She stood up.

"I had to do it Ariha, that man, he was a terrible person and it had to end, so many people were in danger." He reached for her hand but she jerked it back.

"And what about me? I was restless for the last two days, I texted you multiple times, called you but you never answered, not once! Do you know how worried I was? I didn't have anyone to share my worries with. I just needed assurance, that you failed you provide!" She didn't realise when her voice raised, Mau looked at them silently.

"Forgive me, please.."

"Aaj to bass chot lagi hai, kal ko kisi ne jaan le li toh?" She asked.
(It's just a wound today, what if someone takes your life tomorrow?)

"I won't go back to that business again."

"You said that months ago too! But guess what Zaviyar? You went there again, you risked your life again. Kabhi socha ki aapko kuch hogaya toh humara kya hoga? Nikkah toh kar lia, responsibilities bhool gaye aap apni?" She asked.
(Have you ever thought about what will happen to me if something happened to you? You married me but did you forget the responsibilities that come with it?)

"I've made settlements for your future very well Ariha, even if something happens to me, you'll have a secure future, I've made sure of it A-"

"Shut up! Shut up, will you?" She cried, getting up. "Are you even hearing yourself?"

"I'm-"

"Ek kaam karte hain, aap hume talaak de dein phir jaayein ban jaayein hero iss duniya ke liye, hume nahi chahiye." She turned away from him.
(Let's do one thing, divorce me and then you're free to become a hero for this world, I don't want it.)

"You're breaking my heart, Ari."

"And me? You just stated that it wouldn't matter to me if you died! You think this marriage is just a means to a secure future for me? Not even mere days ago I admitted that I was falling for you and this is how you belittle it for me? Do you think my heart didn't break when I saw that bloodied bandage?" She asked.

"No...no, you're taking it all wrong, I didn't mean to say it like that, I was just...I'm sorry Ariha, I really am. But I had to go, it was important. I admit I should've let you know but I didn't want you to know about that part of my life, not yet." He sighed.

"Hum Itne bhi dumb nahi hain jitna sab hume samjhte hain." She gulped, "I've known about your 'secret job' for years." She added.
(I'm not as dumb as everyone assumes.)

"How?"

She didn't reply, walking to the bathroom as she brought the first aid kit that probably dropped earlier which alerted her.

"Lie down on the bed." She stood beside the bed.

"I'll do it-"

"Puch nahi rahe hain aapse, lie down on the bed." She cut him off.
(I'm not asking you,...)

He did as she said, making a little space so she could sit. She went to wash her hands before removing the old bandage on his stomach.

"Tell me everything." She said, cleaning the wound.

"The man I...I encountered?" He tried to find a better word, "He dealt with trafficking, drugs, women...little kids, but he was powerful too, alot of times he was sent to jail but everytime he was left out on bail...money, power. I got a call from my supervisor...old supervisor, he tracked down my location and coincidentally we were at the same place." He stopped, feeling the burning sensation as she tried her best not to hurt him by dressing his wound.

It was new to him, all these years he spent his nights cleaning the wounds he got all by himself, watching her do it for him, her watery eyes and the grimaces, he felt like he was someone, someone to her.

"I didn't want to go Ariha, I denied but it was now or never, this wound? He tried to stab me, I had to end him, I can't even count how many women he raped...that's how much, he ruined the lives of thousands of people." He told her.

"What if something happened to you? Just a few inches and he would've stabbed your heart!" She exclaimed, packing the first aid kid once she was done.

"I'm here...with you, hone ko toh boht kuch ho jaata, please Ariha, forgive me." He held her hand.
(Alot could've happened but..)

"Kill me first if a situation like this happens agai-"

He kept a finger on her lips, "I'd prefer dying."

"I got so scared Zavi, I thought you joined that job again..I-I-"

"Shhh, maaf kardo mujhe." He pulled her down, wrapping an arm around her.
(Forgive me.)

"Fir kabhi nahi?"
(Never again?)

"Kabhi nahi."
(Never.)

They lay in silence for a while until he asked her how she knew about him being an assassin.

"Remember I had to make a presentation for the first time as a school project? Our pen drives exchanged, and there was some information...it didn't give away alot but then I saw Tayi-ammi washing your bloodied clothes, I was really suspicious, I tried to notice everything...you often had a gun in your waistband. Everything clicked into place when I heard you talking to tayi ammi, she was yelling at you, for your choice of profession but I couldn't tell anyone, I was scared." She admitted.

"And me leaving the...job? How did you know?"

"Tayi-ammi was so happy, she made all your favourite food and she let it slide in excitement, I understood."

"My wife's smart." He commented.

"You hurt me alot today."

"I never meant to."

"You never hurt someone intentionally."

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