by Sara Naveed
He smiled.
‘Change your clothes as soon as you reach home. I do not want you to catch a cold. Okay?’
He nodded, adding, ‘Anything else?’
‘I’ll see you at the university tomorrow.’
‘Yeah. Right,’ he said, smiling. ‘Now go back home before anyone sees us.’
‘I cannot go,’ she murmured.
‘Why not?’
‘Because you are holding my hand.’
It was the best night of Zarish’s life. She had never felt so happy and content before. Ahmar had finally professed his love for her. His undying affinity was no longer a secret. Her world was complete now.
When she came back to her room, she felt like a completely new person. Zarish stared at her hands for a long time, remembering the touch of his cold fingers against her warm skin. She loved him unconditionally and was ready to surrender herself to him.
Ahmar reacted a bit differently. He was madly in love with her, but he did not want the world to know. However, he forgot he could not keep secrets from his father. When Muraad saw his son’s wet clothes, he unleashed a volley of questions. Ahmar sat him down and told him the whole story.
‘Nothing would make me happier than your wedding,’ Muraad said with a smile.
Ahmar was happy to get a positive response from his father. After changing his clothes, Ahmar sat on the bed and picked up his cell phone. By now, he had memorized her number by heart. He dialled it quickly and tucked the phone under his ear.
‘Hello?’ she answered.
‘I don’t think I will be able to sleep tonight,’ he declared in a soft whisper.
She knew he was smiling.
‘Why?’ she said, sitting on her bed.
‘You won’t let me sleep.’
‘As if I am with you right now,’ she said, trembling at the thought of being close to him.
‘I wish you were here, actually.’
She remained quiet, her cheeks reddening.
‘And . . . you are blushing again. Aren’t you?’ he asked.
‘No. I am not.’
‘If you think I don’t know you by now, then you are really stupid,’ he said in a low whisper.
‘Do you know how sexy you sound on the phone?’ she thought but didn’t say it to him.
‘What?’ he asked.
‘What, what?’
‘Did you say something?’
‘No. I didn’t,’ she said, smiling to herself.
‘Hmm. I get to know about many of my qualities from you. Is there anything else you like about me?’
‘Everything. I love everything about you,’ she thought but kept quiet.
‘Hello?’ he said when he did not get a reply.
‘Yes?’
‘Are you thinking about something else?’ he asked.
‘How can I think about something else when I am talking to you?’ she asked.
‘Hey, by the way, you forgot your umbrella in my car.’
‘Oh. Did I? Never mind. I will take it from you later.’
‘You did not answer my question.’
‘Which question?’
‘What else do you like about me?’ he said, changing the subject.
‘If you think I will answer this question, you’re wrong. I won’t tell you.’
‘Why not?’ he asked, resting his head on the pillow.
‘Because I don’t want to.’
‘Do you love me?’
This question startled her. Her heartbeat quickened.
‘Answer me, Zarish. Do you love me?’
Just then, she heard her brother’s voice in the hallway.
‘Hey, I’m going to hang up now,’ she said nervously.
‘Why, what happened?’
‘Zahaan is here. I will talk to you tomorrow.’
‘Hey, hey listen to me.’
‘What?’
‘Can we go out tomorrow after your classes?’
‘Tomorrow? But why?’ she asked. She could hear Zahaan’s footsteps on the stairs. He was probably coming to check on her.
‘Well, actually tomorrow is . . .’
‘Ahmar, I have to go. See you tomorrow. Bye,’ she said and hung up.
The next day was special for Zarish as it was the beginning of a new relationship; the beginning of a new life. She chose a special black salwar kameez and paired it with matching sandals.
Ahmar was already at the university, busy with his lectures.
Zarish told Saleha the whole story as soon as she reached the university. She couldn’t hide anything from her best friend. Saleha was rather surprised.
After having a quick chat with Saleha, Zarish decided to go meet Ahmar.
‘Hello. Good morning,’ he said as she walked up to him.
She greeted him with her eyes. She noticed he was dressed exceptionally well. He wore a black leather jacket with a pair of denims. He looked sexy, she had to admit.
‘Do you remember we have to go out in the evening?’ he asked.
She nodded and looked into his eyes.
‘See you then,’ he said and turned away to leave.
‘Won’t we meet in the class before that?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’ He turned to look at her. ‘I have a request.’
She narrowed her brows and shrugged.
He came closer and brought his lips next to her ear. Zarish was a little shocked by this act of intimacy at the university.
‘Please don’t tell anyone about us. Please. Not yet,’ he whispered and walked away.
As soon as the lecture ended, Ahmar rushed out of the class and Zarish followed him. He was waiting for her in the parking lot. She noticed he had parked his car slightly away from the rest of the cars; it was hidden behind a bamboo tree. Certainly, he did not want anyone to know about his secret plan.
‘Hello,’ he greeted her with a naughty smile, which brought colour to her cheeks.
‘It feels so weird to run away like this.’ She shrugged.
‘Have you heard of the famous saying . . .?’ He stepped closer and whispered in her ear, ‘Everything is fair in love and war?’ He began to laugh softly. ‘Don’t feel scared. I am with you,’ he assured her. This made her heart flutter. ‘And you look beautiful,’ he said.
‘This is the first time he has appreciated my good looks,’ she reflected.
‘Ahmar,’ she said, stepping back.
Her voice broke his trance and he stood up straight.
‘What happened?’ he asked, looking around.
‘Nothing,’ she said, smiling. ‘Where are we headed?’ she asked, folding her arms.
‘That’s a surprise.’
This was their first official date. He had not told her where he was taking her. It was only 9.30 p.m. but it seemed as if it was quite late. On their way, both of them looked at each other from time to time but mostly remained silent.
‘When are your parents coming back?’ he finally asked.
‘They will be back tomorrow evening.’
‘Great. So, we have the entire night to ourselves,’ he said, giving her one of his rare lopsided grins.
‘The entire night?’ Zarish gasped.
‘Why, what’s wrong with that?’ he asked, raising his brow.
‘I didn’t know you had other plans,’ she said teasingly.
‘I intend to drop you home quite late.’
‘May I know the reason?’
‘Not now.’
She heaved a sigh.
‘Please, Ahmar.’
‘Shh. Stay quiet. Let me focus on the road.’ In the meantime, she sent a message to her brother, telling him that she would come home late as she was going to Saleha’s place. It was a pure lie. She didn’t have a choice, she had to come up with something.
Ahmar had taken a longer route that seemed never-ending. She sat quietly. Her wristwatch showed it was 10.30 p.m. After an hour, Ahmar stopped his car in the middle of a dirt road.
‘Why has he brought me here?’ she wondered.
He stepped out of the car and opened her door like a true gentleman.
‘You really don’t have to do all this.’ She tried to chuckle, feeling shy.
‘Of course I have to. C’mon.’
They walked hand in hand. As they crossed the muddy path, a beautiful bridge came into view. A river gleamed under it, burbling as it flowed. He held her hand gently and stood in the centre of the bridge. It was a cloudy night; the moon peeped from behind the clouds occasionally. The moonlight shone through the clouds, lighting up the bridge. Her skin glowed in the sudden burst of light. Ahmar looked at her shamelessly. She felt a little uncomfortable when she caught him looking at her like that.
‘Ahmar,’ she whispered.
He nodded in response.
‘Why are we here?’
‘Is it 12 a.m. yet?’ He checked his wristwatch to make sure it was midnight.
‘Yeah, it is 12.03 a.m.,’ she told him.
‘I did not want to celebrate my birthday alone.’
She gasped.
‘That is why I brought you here.’
‘What? Wow. Uh . . . happy birthday . . . Sir . . . uh . . . Ahmar. I don’t know what to say!’ she stammered.
‘You should have reacted this way when I told you I was in love with you,’ he said with a laugh.
‘Damn. He has a beautiful laugh,’ she thought.
‘So . . . uh . . . you wanted to celebrate your birthday with me?’
‘Hmm.’ He leaned against the railings, deep in thought.
‘What?’ she asked.
‘I won’t be alone on my birthdays from now on,’ he whispered, gazing at her.
She flushed.
‘Dad is not in town but he will be back soon,’ he told her.
‘What a coincidence. Both our parents are out of town at the same time.’
He nodded.
‘You should have told me about your birthday. I feel bad for not buying you a present,’ she said, making a face.
‘Doesn’t matter. You are here with me. That is all I want. Trust me.’
Both of them stared at each other for a while, but then she moved away.
‘This place looks heavenly,’ she said, looking at the moon.
‘My family used to visit this resort quite often when I was a kid,’ he said with a sad smile. ‘My mother used to bring me to this bridge and we used to stand here for hours,’ he went on, ‘and when my dad would join us, we would throw pebbles into the flowing river.’ He flinched at the memory.
‘Good times, right?’ she asked to lighten the mood.
He nodded.
‘I know you miss your mother. A lot.’
He nodded and turned around to look the other way. A small tear rolled down his cheek, but he instantly wiped it off.
‘Hey,’ Zarish said, putting a hand on his shoulder. ‘Look at me.’
He did not look at her. The sweet yet saddening childhood memory had made him unhappy.
Zarish could not imagine a person like him becoming weak and sentimental. She could not see her Ahmar sad. She put her arms around his shoulders and embraced him from behind.
He was surprised at her gesture.
‘You don’t have to be sad as long as I am here by your side and I intend to stay with you forever. I promise,’ she assured him.
‘Zarish?’
‘I love you so much,’ she told him and closed her eyes.
She wanted to savour every moment of being close to him. She did not want to let go; she wanted to hold him in her arms forever. Zarish felt every inch of his body against hers. She felt the warmth that radiated from his body.
Ahmar too could not hold back. He turned around, making her face him, and held her shoulders. She opened her eyes and blushed as their gaze met. Ahmar held her shoulders firmly and brought her closer to him. He held her chin and tilted her head.
‘Zarish?’ he whispered. It was so cold that they could see their breath.
‘Hmm?’ she mumbled, closing her eyes.
‘I love you,’ he said, taking her in his arms.
She passionately hugged him back. They stood like that for a long time: their bodies touching, their eyes closed, their skin bathed in moonlight.
After a while, they drove back to the city. He picked up dinner from a local restaurant on the way. Soon he reached her house and parked his car in front of the back gate.
‘Time to go,’ he announced in a low whisper.
‘I hope this is not a dream, Ahmar,’ she said looking at him lovingly. ‘I do not want to lose you.’
He glanced at her, and then looked at the road ahead.
‘I am not going anywhere. I am here as long as you want.’
‘I want you . . .’
‘Forever,’ he completed her line with a smile on his lips.
She was still holding his hand, she realized. He brought her hand closer to his mouth and kissed it. Her heart skipped a beat and she blushed.
She heaved a sigh of relief when she realized that Zahaan was still not home. It was around 2 a.m. when she came back. Zarish had never stayed out this late before.
She sat on her bed and hugged herself tightly. Now she had only one purpose in life: to love Ahmar; to love him selflessly.
On the other hand, Ahmar had totally lost control over his emotions. He was not the sort of person who would fall in love with one of his students, take her out for a date and then eventually end up with her. Perhaps she was so irresistible that he could not stop himself from falling head over heels. He had changed. Zarish had transformed him into another person. It was so easy to fall in love with her. He wanted to spend his entire life with her.
‘Are you hiding something from me?’ Saleha asked Zarish the next day at the university.
‘No, I am not,’ Zarish said, munching potato chips.
‘Hiding is one thing, but you’ve started lying too. I am really disappointed,’ Saleha said with a grimace.
‘What do you mean?’ Zarish asked.
‘Last evening, I saw you leaving the university with Sir Ahmar.’
‘Yeah. He took me out to celebrate his birthday. He wanted to spend it with me,’ Zarish said, accepting the truth.
‘Oh. That is great. Sounds so romantic. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?’ Saleha asked excitedly, forgetting her anger.
‘He loves me, Saleha. He doesn’t want the world to know about it. Not yet.’
‘Oh my god! Really?’ Saleha gasped.
Zarish gave a triumphant smile, nodding.
‘Sir Ahmar is in love with you. Wow!’ Saleha said excitedly and started tapping on the table.
‘Hey, stop!’ Zarish held her hand. ‘Please be quiet.’
‘Okay. Okay.’ Saleha took a deep breath.
‘Today is his birthday, and I want to do something special for him,’ Zarish said.
‘Like what?’
‘We will all go to his office and surprise him with a birthday cake.’
‘Sounds great. Where is the cake?’
‘I have already asked Sherry to bring it,’ Zarish replied, flashing a wide smile.
Zarish invited all her batchmates and faculty members to Ahmar’s office for cutting the cake. Ahmar, who was busy with work, looked up in surprise as everyone stepped in. Zarish placed the cake on his table and asked him to blow out the candles.
‘C’mon, man. Go for it,’ Jamal said.
Ahmar did not know how to react. He was touched by the gesture. He glanced at Zarish who gave him an encouraging nod. As he blew out the candles, everyone clapped. He carefully cut the cake and offered the first piece to Maleeha as she was standing right beside him. Zarish felt bad but she did not express it. She knew it would have looked inappropriate if he had offered her the cake first. After Maleeha, he offered the cake to Jamal and Wahab.
‘Everyone please get back to your class. Celebrations can continue later,’ Maleeha announced.
Zarish did not want to leave his office; she wanted to stay with her Ahmar. The
students wished him and left. Zarish felt bad and left without even wishing him. It wasn’t just her, Ahmar felt bad too. He noticed how disappointed she looked when Maleeha asked them to leave. After the students had left, Maleeha and Jamal sat down with Ahmar. They told him that the wedding was fixed for the upcoming week.
‘You have to take care of everything. After all, you are our friend,’ Maleeha told Ahmar.
‘I am always here to help.’
‘Ahmar, we also have a surprise for you at our wedding,’ Jamal said, winking at Maleeha. She just chuckled softly.
‘What surprise?’ Ahmar asked.
‘You’ll know at the wedding,’ Maleeha answered with a playful smile.
After her classes, Zarish sat alone on the stairs outside the library, waiting for her driver. All her friends had left early. She felt a pang of disappointment when she thought about Ahmar.
She was lost in deep thought when someone came and stood next to her. She quickly stood up and saw Ahmar standing in front of her, grinning as usual. She looked away, her face glum.
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked.
She chose to remain silent.
‘It is too cold here. Come, let’s go inside my office. Come,’ he offered.
‘My driver will be here any minute,’ she answered without looking at him.
‘Do as I say,’ he ordered.
She glanced at him with a puzzled look.
‘Come with me, Zarish. I need to talk to you.’
The desk was piled with papers and files, in addition to birthday cards and presents.
To her surprise, a soft English number played on his laptop. A lamp glowed in the corner, making the room snug and warm. A clicking sound distracted her. She turned around and found Ahmar standing near the door with his hand on the doorknob. He pulled the door shut and locked it. They were locked in his office. This thought scared her.
‘Why d-d-did you l-l-lock the door?’ she stammered.
‘I am still waiting for my birthday present.’ He stepped closer as he spoke.
‘Perhaps he has taken the previous night’s intimacy too seriously and now wants to take our relationship to the next level,’ she thought.
‘I am sorry I could not spend any time with you today,’ he said. ‘But that doesn’t really matter, right? Because each and every second of my life belongs to you.’
She looked into his gleaming eyes.