"Dua, Haya beta at least drink juice. You both didn't even have your breakfast properly "Their grandmother said as both Dua and haya were rushing out of the haveli. Their summer breaks from the university were over and today was there the first day after the holidays.
"No dadi please we are already late," Dua said quickly as she watched her clock and her eyes widened for a millisecond.
"Haya when is your first class?" She asked.
"At 9:30. Now come on hurry we're getting late." Haya said.
"Dumb it's 8:30 yet we still have an hour left."
"WHAT?"
"Yes, the arrow of my wristwatch was showing it at 9:30 but when I saw it it was 8:30. We woke up extra early."
"Now you both come on and get your breakfast." Asma aunty said as they both moved towards the table and got seated.
"Zahra what are you studying? Why don't you get admission into one of the universities in this area?" Dua asked Zahra as she poured some juice into her glass.
"Doctor of pharmacy. Next year will be my last year." Zahra said proudly.
"Ohh nice. Mine and Haya's uni is the same but they don't have a department of d-pharmacy there. There is a university just a few minutes away from our university, it is one of the best institutes here which helps you in becoming a D-pharmacist. You can take admission there. Come with us today."
"Really? I wan-"
"If Irtaza approves it only then Zahra is allowed to go to university." Her grandfather cut her.
Zahra was flabbergasted. Now even this decision was also in his hands? She felt like a doll who does not have any emotions. Tears begin to sting at the back of her eye. She was caged here in every way. Her father dreamed that she could be one of the well-known D-pharmacist but bit by bit everyone here was shattering her hopes and dreams here.
No dialogues were exchanged after that. Soon the breakfast was over as everyone retired to their respective businesses and Dua, and Haya left for their universities. Zahra looked at them longingly and then went to the kitchen to make a fruit salad for her. She always craved a fruit salad whenever depression or anxiety hits her.
Taking the bananas out of the fridge she peeled them off and begin to cut them into chunks on the cutting board.
'Baba, do you remember the first day when we both went to the university for my admission? How much happy were you! How much happy was I! It was your dream baba to see your daughter as a successful D-pharmacist but you know what baba everyone here is crushing my hope. Every day here brings me a new sorrow. Baba am I a sinner? Have I ever committed such sins which are unforgivable? Why Allah don't listen to me? No one cares about my emotions, my feelings, what I want. The days I've seen after you've left me were no less than a calamity for me. Baba, I want to die! I've no desire to live anymore. Every single decision of my life is in Irtaza's hands. I know he won't let me go. I know he won't let me continue my studies. I feel choked and restrained. I'm tied to him. Can't you come and save me?
It was then her sanity cracked and tears begin to flow out of her eyes. Her emotions welled up and she begin to cry. She viciously cleared her tears but they kept on flowing down.
'Now am no longer able to fulfill your dreams baba'
Another tear slipped and fell but she didn't care now.
'My hopes are shattered'
Another tear flowed and dropped onto her hand which was busy cutting the chunks of the fruit.
'I'm caged baba'
It was then tears begin to freely flow out of her eyes as her lips begin to quiver. She placed the knife beside the cutting board and begin to softly cry without any sobs.
Suddenly two hands encaged her between the shelf and his muscular body. A familiar cologne invaded her senses causing her breath to hitch.
It was Irtaza!
His head dipped into the crook of her neck as he placed her hands on her belly and flushed her body against his. Her back towards him.
"I missed you wife." He whispered huskily and slightly pushed aside the dupatta covering her neck, placing a soft wet kiss over there. He pressed her body more into him showing his need for her. His free hand begin to draw patterns on her waist as he continued to smell her strawberry scent. His stubble tickled her jawline.
Zahra wiggled in her grip and tried to free herself but all in vain against his strong grip. He turned her around to lock her lips in a deep passionate kiss but before he could do that, his eyes fell on her tear-streaked face,
He frowned and trace his thumb on her lower quivering lips.
"What happened to my senorita? Why is she crying?" He questioned softly while tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear as he continued to caress her lips.
"I wanted to go to university...... but Dada said I can't go....until you approve and I know you won't approve." She croaked out in her heavy voice as big sobs began to rack her whole frame.
Irtaza pulled her in a hug as his fingers threaded into her locks and begin to softly massage her hair. She was crying on his chest. His heartbeat reached her ears and his expensive cologne hit her olfactory bulbs.
He placed a soft kiss on top of her head as she continued to cry but his next words nearly got her breath hitched and ceased her sobs.
"Who told you I won't approve it?" He questioned.
She pulled away and looked at him all surprised.
Is going to let me go to University?
"You don't have any objection?" She asked uncertainly.
"No" he replied looking sincerely into her big brown eyes.
"It means I can go to University?"
"Yes" he answered and her eyes glimmered with happiness. Her heartfelt light and a bright cheeky smile adorned her face. She was so happy! She can fulfill her father's dream now!
"Thank you so much. Thank you so so much." She squealed with joy whilst clearing tears from her face.
He smiled, looking happily at her innocent wife.
"Thank you is not enough." He said taking a step towards her.
She looked at him, unsure.
"Umm... What do y..ou me..an?" She asked innocently, feeling her heartbeat escalate as he took one more step towards her, almost caging her between the shelf.
"I mean this" With that being said he smashed her lips onto hers and passionately captured them into a deep kiss.
His lips softly moved onto hers as his fingers threaded into her locks to manoeuver her head. She suddenly jumped when his fingers moved and groped her ass, pulling her up to settle her on the shelf. He opened her legs wide and settled himself between her whilst kissing her. His lips sucked at her lower lip and he trusted his tongue into her mouth in one go deepening their passionate moment.
His one hand was on her waist and the other roaming on her body. He pulled away and slowly begin to pepper sloppy kisses starting from her jawline to her neck. His lips moved towards her cleavage which got visible because of the low neckline. He planted a soft kiss there and then attached his lips again onto hers while his other hand viciously groped her bosoms as he tightly held onto her hair pushing her face more into him.
Zahra's eyes widened for a second when she saw who was standing near the kitchen door. She pushed at his shoulder and wiggled in his grip causing him to pull away. He got the hint someone was standing behind him. He grabbed her dupatta and laid it on her front to cover her chest. He turned around and saw Haseeb standing near the door with a flushed face and a wide mouth. As soon as his eyes matched with Irtaza he looked down and immediately turned around to leave the kitchen.
"Haseeb" He called out.
"Join me in the gym tomorrow. And from tomorrow you will be accompanying me in the meetings as well." He ordered. Irtaza knew that Haseeb was not a skilled person when it comes to the mafia, that was why he decided that he will be accompanying him to know the adroitness and skills of the mafia.
Haseeb nodded his head and his eyes for an instant moved towards Zahra, who was still sitting on the shelf with a flushed face and cherry red lips, her hair disheveled badly. On the other hand, Irtaza was looking so calm as if just two minutes ago he was not sucking the breath out of her.
"Now leave." He commanded and he complied immediately living the kitchen leaving the two love birds behind.
Irtaza turned towards Zahra who was all flushed and red, her eyes showing her surprise.
"He saw it." She whispered.
"It doesn't matter"
He held her chin looking straight into her eyes.
"You can join University from tomorrow but Zahra don't try to outrun me." He warned, his voice again gained its dominance. He looked her for a second in the eye making her shudder and then left the kitchen.
She rushed her room and called Daniyal, telling her everything from the start.
"Daniyal I am so happy. I can fulfill my father's dream now." Zahra announced happily on the phone after finishing her long speech.
Daniyal remained quiet for a moment as if contemplating something.
"Daniyal?"
"Zahra, I have a plan."