Yakeen Ka Safar: A Sequel

Chapter 5

                       

Zubia stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. She had slept poorly since the past three days and the evidence was all over her face. She looked tired, and the bags under her eyes were more prominent than usual. She sighed. Asfi and Baba would be arriving any second. She had come home early from the hospital today because.... Well because she simply couldn't wait to see him. And she didn't want to keep him waiting. Plus Dr. Zeba had gladly taken over for her and there were no serious cases. She knew she was behaving like a teenage girl with a crush but that day she just couldn't help it. 

The thought of sleeping next to her husband's calming presence and a good night's sleep was something she was really looking forward to. How she had managed to spend all that time in the mess room alone she had no idea. But then again, she had never really allowed herself to accept the fact that she was in love in the first place, so she had managed to survive. 

Here too, credit should be given to Asfandyar Ali Khan for had he not been so persistent and sure of his love, they might have gone their separate ways. She shuddered at the way she had mercilessly lied to him in his office that day. Yet that man still chose to accept her. No matter how much Asfandyar told Zubia that she was worthy of him, there was always a very tiny part of her that just couldn't believe him. 

The sound of a car horn jolted her into action. She quickly reapplied her lipstick and straightened her green dupatta. As she walked out of the room Asfandyar and Baba were just entering, with the driver carrying their bags behind them. 

As soon as Zubia caught sight of Asfandyar, all her worries simply melted away. She looked up into his eyes and found him already gazing at her. He shot her a smile and it took all the self control she had to stop herself from running to him and engulfing him in a big hug. She wanted to, but she simply couldn't bring herself to act like that in front of everyone. 

So instead Zubia Khalil remained where she was and soaked in the sight of her husband as he gave some instructions to the driver in his deep, reassuring voice. His hair had become messy and the sleeves of his sky blue shirt were rolled up, making the veins in his lean arms more prominent. Looking at him always made her go weak in the knees. As both men finally sat down on the sofa Zubia said a quick salaam before hurrying off to get them glasses of water. 

In the meantime, Asfi too was trying hard to act normal. He wasn't really concerned about what his parents would think if he pulled his wife in for a hug but he stopped himself because he knew Zubia would not have liked him doing that. 

It had been easier for him to display his love publicly because much of his emotional baggage had been resolved after his brother's tarnished image had finally been wiped clean. Zubia, on the other hand, still had some ground to cover.

However after the torture of being away from her for the past three days Asfandyar had little patience for social etiquette and decency. She was his wife, for God's sake. As soon as she walked back in with the water he stood up. 

"Mama Baba aap log baatein karein, mujhe um.. mujhe Zubia se aik kaam hai. Hum bus abhi aye" He declared boldly, surprising even himself. His parents shared a look, smiling knowingly while his wife stared at him in shock, obviously mortified. Too late to back out now, he grabbed her hand and led her into their room.

"Asfi!!" She exclaimed, as soon as they were out of earshot of the elders. "Woh baahir kya soch rahe honge aapke iss 'kaam' ke baare mein!" She tried to exit the room but he swiftly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him. 

"Kya soch rahe honge?" He asked her with a mischievous grin. Suddenly shy, Zubia looked anywhere but at him. 

"Hello? Meri taraf dekho" He said, pretending to frown. She looked up at him and then it was Zubia who couldn't take it anymore. Something inside her just snapped. She took a few steps towards him and then she was embracing him so tightly that he probably had trouble breathing. She buried her face in the crook of his neck because that was as far as her face went. Hhow tiny and fragile she looked standing next to his large, muscular body.

Asfandyar was completely taken by surprise at this sudden display of affection. After a few seconds his arms went up, encircling her and pulling her in closer. Amazed that Zubia had made the first move, he was almost frightened to breathe, so perfect this moment was for him. After a few more seconds she drew back and stood facing him. 

"Maine aapko bohat miss kiya tha" She told him honestly. "Bus you are banned from leaving this house now. Aap ko sirf hospital jaane ki ijaazat hai. Aur wo bhi iss liye kyunke main bhi wahin hoti hun." 

She said this in such a bossy tone that Asfandyar burst out laughing. "Aaj sahi biwi waali vibes aarahi hain aap se." He said, grinning. 

"Main mazaak nahi kar rahi" She said grumpily. She sat down on the bed. Her husband followed her. Even when she tried to look threatening she ended up looking so adorable that Asfandyar couldn't help it. He tilted her face towards him and placed a soft kiss on her right cheek. Grabbing her hand, he started rubbing circles on the back of it with his thumb. His usual practice. 

"Main kahin nahi jaunga. Tumhare paas hi rahunga. Hamesha." 

Finally pacified, Zubia put her head on his shoulder, trying to save this memory in her mind. She often did this. Whenever Asfandyar did something particularly endearing or romantic, she would just stand still for a few seconds to savour the moment and lock it it within the confines of her brain so that she always, always had something happy to think about. Not that she needed any particular happy thoughts. All she needed to think of was Dr. Asfandyar Ali Khan. And she was happy. 

Later that night Asfandyar was rummaging through his closet trying to find something. He called out to his wife but there was no answer. A few minutes later Zubia walked into the room carrying a tray which held two cups of tea and a piece of chocolate cake. This was another ritual of theirs. They would sit in bed and tell each other about their day over tea and a dessert though it was mostly Zubia who had the sweet tooth while Asfi preferred just tea. 

"The white shirt I sometimes sleep in, mujhe nahi mil rahi. Dekhi hai?" He inquired, his back to her. 

Zubia's eyes widened. Of course she had seen it. She had worn it to bed. And tossed it in the laundry afterwards. 

"Aap toh usually shalwar kameez pehen kar sote hain" She replied, placing the tray down. 

"Haan lekin aaj mood nahi horaha. Idher hi rakh kar gaya tha pata nahi..." He trailed off, frowning.

"Woh..woh Maine pehni thi sone ke liye. It's in the laundry" She finally revealed with a sigh.

Asfandyar whipped around and stared at his wife incredulously. "Ek minute, ek minute" He said, walking towards her. "Mere saamne shalwar kameez mein soti hou aur mere peeche meri shirts mein?! Yeh kahan ka insaaf hai?" He said, pretending to look very hurt. Zubia let out a nervous laugh and shrugged. This new piece of information was making Asfandyar even more attracted to his wife than he normally was. He took a few more steps towards her, until they were so close that the tips of their noses were almost touching. He lightly ran his hand through her soft hair, and then he completely ended the distance between them. Zubia eyes fluttered close.