Jaan-e-Azlan❤

31

Azlan walked into his father’s study, his steps heavy, his face showing the burden he was carrying. The room was quiet except for the slow ticking of the clock and the faint smell of old books. His father, sitting in his large chair with spectacles resting on his nose, looked up the moment Azlan entered.

“Baba…” Azlan began, his tone low, conflicted. He closed the door behind him and took a seat across from his father.

“Yes, beta,” his father said calmly, setting aside his papers. “You look troubled.”

Azlan took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “Baba, I have a serious problem. The office situation is worsening. The foreign branch is on the edge, and if I don’t go there myself, we’ll suffer a huge loss. The board, the employees—everyone wants me to go. But…” He paused, his throat tightening. “I don’t want to leave. Not now.”

His father leaned forward, observing him with wise eyes. “Because of your nikah?”

Azlan nodded silently, guilt and longing in his eyes. “Yes, Baba. I just… I want to spend this time with Misha. She’s new in this phase of her life, and I don’t want her to feel lonely or neglected. How can I leave her here for days, maybe weeks, so soon after our nikah?” His voice softened, as if confessing something that weighed heavy on his heart. “I’ve always kept my work above everything, but this time… I can’t. Not with her.”

His father smiled gently, pride glinting in his eyes at the maturity of his son. After a long pause, he spoke, his voice steady: “Then don’t leave her here, beta. Take her with you.”

Azlan lifted his gaze, startled. “Take her… with me?”

“Yes,” his father nodded. “Why not? She is your wife now, your partner. She can be by your side. Think of it as an outing for her, a fresh environment, a chance to see the world outside home. You can take her to the office, introduce her as your wife, show her your world. It will not only make her feel valued, but also strengthen your bond. And for you, beta, it will be a source of peace amidst the storm of your work.”

Azlan’s lips curved into a slow, growing smile. The heaviness in his chest seemed to lift instantly. He nodded. “You’re right, Baba. That’s… that’s the best idea.” His voice carried a rare excitement, as if a spark had been lit within him. “I’ll take her with me. She’ll be with me all the time… and I’ll finally have some alone time with her too.”

His father chuckled softly, patting his hand. “See, the solution was never that difficult. Sometimes we think too much. Just remember, Mantasha’s happiness will always reflect back on you. Take care of her, and everything else will fall into place.”

Azlan left the study, his steps much lighter than when he entered. For the first time that day, his heart felt free, his face glowing with an uncontainable smile. He kept thinking of how it would be—travelling with her, sharing the little moments, sitting beside her in the meetings, watching her eyes light up at the new places. The thought itself made him warm, made him… happier than he had been in a long time.

As he walked towards his room, lost in his thoughts, the sound of laughter caught his attention. He slowed down, turning his head towards the living room. There she was—Mantasha.

She sat with Izan, Shamir, and Sarim, her laughter bubbling in the air, soft and musical. His mother was also sitting nearby, smiling at the children’s chatter. Mantasha’s face was glowing, her eyes bright as she shared something with the cousins. Her hands moved animatedly, her hair falling lightly on her face. The way she tilted her head back slightly while laughing—it was enough to make Azlan pause mid-step, his heart skipping.

He leaned slightly against the wall, his eyes not leaving her for even a second. He thought to himself: How can one person bring so much light into a room? He had seen her in every mood—shy, thoughtful, irritated, lost in her books—but seeing her laugh so freely, surrounded by family, made him fall for her even more deeply.