|Chapter 43|Series of Forgiveness

EID MUBARAK TO ALL THE MUSLIMS.. I really hope this Eid will bring you nothing but joys, happiness. May Allah accept our sacrifices...Enjoy the Eid update
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Shah Zain's POV (Edited)

The sun light illuminated the whole room. The window was open and the sun rays were covering the atmosphere. I squinted my eyes before opening them fully.

I took a deep breath watching the ceiling. It was the next morning but the yesterday's event played out in my mind like a broken tape recorder.

I looked down to see Shiza sleeping soundlessly. She was cuddled up to my side with her face buried inside the pillow. A smile appeared on my lips before I pushed her hairs away from her face.

Her face was devoid of anything yet still she is the most beautiful woman. There's this natural beauty in her. Her heart so pure and kind. I really felt guilty when I realized my past behavior with her. I know that she had forgiven but it will take me sometime to let go of that sickeningly feeling that crept out everytime I remembered my harsh treatment with her.

I leaned down before kissing her forehead lightly. I didn't want to wake her up so I carefully slid off the bed before making my way to the bathroom. I decided to take a long shower before I changed into some black slacks and white button down shirt with sleeves fold up to my elbows.

I came out and Shiza was still out cold. I let her sleep because her mental state might not be in order. My jaw immediately clenched when I remembered that how that piece of garbage, Barzan hurt her.

Her wrists were covered in red finger prints. When I was tending her wounds, she was trying her hard not to wince but I knew how much it must be hurting her.

I wanted to punch that Barzan again and again for hurting her. I even comforted Shiza about the incident at the party. She told me she was scared of my outcome. I didn't probe it further because it already happened and Barzan had been punished.

I didn't want to prolong it any long that it already was. I wanted to start afresh with Shiza. I wanted to show her the world, travel with her and experience more adventures that life had to offer in the near future.

I slowly close the door before making my way downstairs..

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I reached the dining area to found everyone present. After the incident at the office, I took Shiza back here. I didn't want to leave her alone at the apartment as I needed to go to the police station. Dado and Kinza assured me that they would take care of her.

When I came home later that night, Shiza was already asleep. She must be worn out by all that. I will try my best that no harm will ever touch her again.

I sat down on my seat before greeting everyone lightly. Baba nodded his head in aknowlegment. Dado turned to me before asking

"How's Shiza, beta?"

I sighed before telling her that she was asleep. Another voice reached my ears which temporarily shocked me

"Is she ok?"

It was mama's voice. I was shocked for a moment before I answered

"Yeah, she's fine."

Mama meekly nodded her head before continuing eating her breakfast. I turned to look at dado and found her smiling at me. I also started my meal after that.

After the breakfast, I was standing outside in the garden. I wanted to breath in the fresh air. It calms my mind everytime. I heard footsteps approaching before a slender figure was standing just beside me.

I didn't say anything but I knew who it was. I waited for her to say anything. After a little moment of silence, she finally spoke

"How's Shiza?"

Her voice was a little confused. I turned to Zarnish before answering curtly

"She's ok."

I could a shadow of sadness in her eyes at my curt response. But what can I do? She was treating Shiza unfairly. I didn't expect it from her. Not out of all people.

She cleared her throat before again speaking

"I know what you must be thinking. I'm sorry for the way things turned out or the way I acted."

Her voice held remorse. But I didn't say anything. I just need some time alone to myself. But she had other motives because next she says

"Shah Zain, I need to make a confession..."

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"You did what!"

My voice rose unintentionally. But I couldn't handle the shock. It was outrageous. I was not believing my ears. How could she do that? Her eyes were down in shame before she slightly nodded her head.

I scoffed before running a hand through my fingers. It's such a mess. I turned to Zarnish before asking her coldly

"Are you even listening to yourself? You're saying that it was you who added herbs in the soup?"

She looked up and stared dead in my eyes. Her eyes were shiny with tears and once a time, I could kill someone for bringing tears in her eyes but now I was only disappointed.

She began speaking again

"I...I just couldn't see you with her. You were supposed to be with me."

I totally lost it at this point.

"You were the one who stopped me that day when I was confessing our love to dado. Now that I am happily married, you are saying you can't see me with anyone else. Then why didn't you fight for your relationship?"

I just had so much questions bottled up that they all burst out. Zarnish closed her eyes but opening then again.

This time, they were drowned in guilt, remorse and regret. She spoke up with only guilt coated voice

"I stopped you because I thought that you weren't steady enough in your career to handle a wife. I didn't want to spend my wife on risks. You were not ready to take responsibilities and I feared that it might affect us in the future."

I was stunned after hearing that. I expected many reasons but this was the least expected. She really thought about me like that. Did she not know me?

I was unable to form words. I just couldn't say anything. I took a step back but she stepped forwards and clarified

"Shah Zain, I know I did wrong. I'm so sorry. You don't know how much I regretted my actions. It was all my fault to not take a stand for our relationship. It's all my fault. But please forgive me. I won't come between your relationship ever again. But just please forgive me."

I kept looking at her trying to pinpoint where did I go wrong? I always like her and she thought that low of me. If she had only told me about her fears, I would have taken action. But its too late now.

Also, I got such a beautiful wife in return. I couldn't be anymore grateful for it. She was the most pure person and I'm so lucky to have her in my life. She's the light of my darkness.

Zarnish was still looking at me with hopeful eyes. But it was too much. I need time to process it. I just can't forgive her like that.

So, I took a deep breath before speaking

"I need some time to digest all of this. I really can't talk right now."

With that said, I exited the garden and made my way inside the Haveli..

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Shiza's POV

"Shah Zain, please let me work."

I said for the nth time. He groaned before losing his grip on my waist. Since the time I had woken up, he was not in the room. I decided to stay in the room because I know the family members doesn't like me. So, I didn't want to create a scene.

In the meantime, I got fresh and changed into some new clothes. Till the moment I came out of the bathroom, Shah Zain was already present in the room. He brought the breakfast for me in the room.

He probably also doesn't want to see an argument so early in the morning. I didn't say anything and just finished my meal. After that, he was there nuzzling his face in my neck while I was trying to spread the bed-sheet on the bed.

He was acting like a child and he was glued to me. I tried to pry his hands off when they again started to rest on my waist. I turned towards him before asking him

"What's the matter? Why you're acting so clingy?"

He passed me a cheeky smile before holding me again in his arms. I playfully groaned before leaning back on his chest. Being in his arms made me feel like safe. He's my safe place.

He sighed heavily before speaking

"Shiza, why did Zarnish do that?"

He had told me about the confession, Zarnish made. I was really shocked but most of all, I was sad for him. He was betrayed by his closest ones and it really hurt when someone from our close stabbed in the back.

I sighed before answering

"Sometimes, people do bad things in spite. It's good enough that she realized her mistake and apologized. You should forgive her."

He nodded his head before speaking lowly

"It will take time. I just can't forget it like that."

I nodded my head before turning to him and assuring him

"Take as much as time you want. But if you can't forgive her now, at least be nice to her. She's your cousin."

He nodded his head before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. I chuckled I'm return.

The sudden knock on the door made us pulled apart. He walked towards the door before opening it. Zohra aunty entered inside. I immediately greeted her

"Asalamualikum, aunty!"

I was ready to not hear a reply back but she surprised me by replying back

"Walikum asalam. How are you now?"

My eyes were probably widened. I gulped before answering

"I'm fine. Please take a seat."

I motioned towards the couch. She silently sat down before Zain asked her

"What happened mama?"

She looked up before motioning both of us to take a seat beside her. Shah Zain and I looked at each in utter confusion before taking a seat beside her. Each on her both sides.

She remained quiet for few moments before she began speaking

"I came here to apologize."

Her one sentence amazed us. Her voice was steady but one could easily hear the nervousness behind it. She turned to me before continuing

"I did wrong with you. I was discriminating you on the basis of cast and status. I shouldn't have done that. You were always so sweet and respectful towards me but I always treated you bad. When I reflected on my past actions, I felt so guilty. I was blind because of anger of sharing the same roof with a middle class girl. I forgot about how much one mean to someone."

She took it a pause. None of us both said anything. She again began

"My son was clearly in love with you. But I was trying to create hindrances in your relationship. I'm so sorry for mistreating you, beta. You didn't deserve that. You were always so considerate with us. Please forgive me. I didn't realize that in my rage of status, I completely neglected the happiness of my son. I am getting old and I don't want my son to stay away from me. Please forgive me."

She was teary eyed at the end. I held her tightly before speaking

"Aunty, you are our elder. I held no grudge against you. I forgave you a long time ago. Don't apologize."

She smiled before pulling me in a hug. I hugged her back. Finally, my relationship with her was sorted out. I couldn't be anymore happier.

She pulled away before turning to Shah Zain and asked him nervously

"Do you forgive me, my son?"

Shah Zain smiled before pulling her in a hug and stated

"How can I stay angry at you mama!"

Finally, everything was in place now. I thanked Allah for many times for tying my fate with Shah Zain. I got to have such a beautiful family. We all have our ups and downs but at the end of the day, families always came together. That's the thing that matters...

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Hey guys, the next chapter will officially be the last chapter.
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Till then take care
Allah Hafiz
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