His Captive 21+

40

A few days swiftly passed, and Anum hadn't seen Irtaza since that day, for which she was grateful. He likely returned home very late, long after she had fallen asleep. However, she noticed his presence by the wrinkled bedsheets on his side every morning, indicating he had slept beside her. She remained completely unfazed by his absence. Given the choice, she would prefer not to see him at all.

She opted for online distance learning courses instead of in-person ones so then she wouldn't have to worry about her attendance. She was trying to busy herself in her studies to distract herself from all that had happened. Just so she doesn't think about Shehreyar, about his betrayal, about her family..or about Irtaza.

Anum stood on the balcony, relishing the cool breeze. She glanced at her phone; 21:08
With a sigh, she sat on the couch.
Of course Irtaza will not be home anytime soon. Which means she can have some peaceful time by herself like she has been having since past few days. She has been feeling much better by isolating herself from everyone. Nowadays, she doesn't even talk much to her family; she just stays quiet.

A squeal escaped her lips as she felt a touch on her feet. She took a sigh of relief a soon as her eyes fell on Irtaza. However, a frown creased her forehead as she noticed him on his knees, clasping something around her ankle. He had placed her left foot on his thigh. Anum attempted to pull her foot back, but hesitated as he brought his lips so close to her foot that she could feel his breath. She tightly fisted the sides of her dress in both hands as she felt him place a soft kiss on her foot, after he had delicately fastened a thin diamond anklet around it.

"Meri Jaan." He raised his head to look at her, still on his knees. Exhaustion was evident on his face. ; His eyes appeared weary and red, as if he hadn't slept in an eternity. His beard had grown a bit thicker.

Anum gulped nervously, unsure of what to do or say. Should she thank him for this gesture? Yet, she hadn't asked for it in the first place.

He placed her foot back on the floor and took her hand and cradled it between both of his own. "Me bohat thak gaya hun, Anum. Apne be-bas, bikhre huwe shohar par reham khao." ("I am very tired, Anum. Have mercy on your helpless, scattered husband.")

She attempted to withdraw her hand from his grasp, but he maintained a firm hold. She could feel a strange sensation from his hands, particularly from his palms.

"Mujhe maaf kardo, Anum. Me bohat sharminda hun, maine jo bhi kiya tumhare saath." ("Forgive me, Anum. I am very ashamed of whatever I did with you.")

Her eyes widened as she heard him. Was he actually apologizing to her for whatever he had done? But why now? And did he truly believe his apology would make everything alright?

He released her hand and slowly extended his own, presenting his hands to her.

A gasp escaped her lips as she looked at his hands; they were all dark red with a few blisters on them. She couldn't discern if he had burned his hand or what had caused the injury.

"Tumhe in hi haathon se takleef pahunchayi na maine? Maine in hi haathon ko saza dedi." ("Did I not cause you pain with these very hands? I have punished these very hands.)

"Me tumko nahi khona chahta. I'll do whatever it takes to fix everything between us. I just want my wife with me." (I don't want to lose you.)

"Irtaza-

"Anum hai, toh Irtaza hai. Anum ke begair Irtaza ka koi wajood nahi hai." (If there is Anum, so is Irtaza. Without Anum, there is no existence of Irtaza.)

She couldn't comprehend what had suddenly come over him. The typically egotistical man was now on his knees, asking for forgiveness from her. But that didn't mean she would forget whatever he had done to her. Him being on his knees now was nothing compared to the numerous times he had crushed her under him, shattered her spirit, and trampled her dignity.

"Jo ap ne mere saath kiya hai, woh maafi ke layak nahi hai." (What you have done to me is not worthy of forgiveness.)

"Me jaanta hun. Aur me yeh bhi jaanta hun ke me khud bhi tumhare layak nahi hun. Par apne dil ka kya karun? Kaise apne haathon se iska khoon kardun?" (I know. And I also know that I am not worthy of you myself. But what do I do with my heart? How do I spill its blood with my own hands?)

She tried to leave, feeling disgusted by his lies, but he immediately stood up and gripped her hand.

"Me apne amaal ka jawabdeh nahi hosakta. Par sab tumhari mohobbat mein kiya hai. I only wanted to keep you with me. My intention was never to hurt you. Everyone deserves a second chance. Please, forgive me." (I cannot justify my actions. But I did everything in your love.)

Anum shook her head. "You don't love me. I doubt you even know what love is."

"Of course I love you. I always put you before me. Me sirf tumhe khush dekhna chahta hun, aur kuch nahi." (I only want to see you happy, I don't want anything else.)

"Then divorce me. Mujhe talaaq chahiye. Agar ap waqai mujhse mohobbat karte hain jaisa keh rahe hain, yan meri khushi waqai mein zaroori hai apko, toh mujhe talaaq de den." (I want a divorce.) ("If you really love me as you say, or if my happiness truly matters to you, then please divorce me.) She let her tears flow freely.

He let out a dry chuckle, "Jaan, tum mujhse talaaq nahi, meri zindagi maang rahi ho. Aur meri toh zindagi hi TUM ho." (Darling, you're not asking for a divorce from me, you're asking for my life. And my life is YOU.)