Chapter 62
The night was unusually quiet.
Aayat lay awake on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her eyes dry yet burning. Sleep refused to come, no matter how tightly she shut her eyes. Every time she tried, the morning replayed itself in her mind like a wound that wouldn't close.
Ayaan's voice... broken, trembling.
'Mujhse bardasht nahi hota ab.
Main tumse pyar karta hoon.'
Those words echoed endlessly in her ears.
She turned to her side, then to the other, restless. Finally, she sat up and swung her legs off the bed. Walking barefoot, she moved toward the window and stood there silently.
The night breeze brushed against her face, cool and soft. She closed her eyes and took a long breath, as if hoping the air would calm the chaos inside her chest.
When she opened them again, her gaze lifted to the sky-dark, endless, scattered with stars.
How did this happen? she wondered.
" Ye feelings kaise a sakti h mere andar?" she whispered to herself.
"This is wrong... completely wrong."
Her fingers curled into her palms.
"I have to stay away from Ayaan," she decided firmly.
"As far as I can."
She stood there for a long time, letting the night swallow her thoughts, until exhaustion finally pulled her back to bed. This time, sleep claimed her-uneasy and heavy.
~
Breakfast was unusually silent.
Aayat sat at the dining table with sonia khan, Sameer khan, and Ayaan. She ate quietly, avoiding eye contact, her focus entirely on her plate.
Ayaan noticed.
After a moment, he spoke casually,
"Aayat, shaam ko tayyar rehna. Shaadi mein jana hai."
Without looking at him, she replied coldly,
"Main office se jaldi wapas aa jaungi. Don't worry."
She stood up immediately and walked away.
Sonia Khan frowned slightly, watching her retreat.
"Tum dono ke beech kuch hua hai kya?"
Ayaan shook his head lightly.
"Nahi mom... shayad kaam ki tension hogi."
He forced himself to continue eating, though something about her tone unsettled him. Still, he dismissed the feeling as imagination and soon left for work.
~
The moment Aayat entered her office, she buried herself in work. Calls, files, meetings-she didn't allow herself a single moment to think.
She barely noticed time passing.
When the door opened, Hayaat walked in smiling.
"Api... kaam hi karti rahengi ya kuch khayengi bhi?"
Aayat glanced at her watch in surprise.
" Ye kya 1 baj gaye?"
Hayaat nodded.
"Haan. Chaliye aaj saath mein lunch karte hain."
A faint smile appeared on Aayat's lips.
"Okay."
She closed her laptop and files just as the door opened again.
Both sisters turned.
Ayaan stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, a smirk on his face.
Aayat's heart skipped painfully.
Hayaat brightened.
"Tum bhi aa gaye? Perfect! Ab hum teeno saath mein lunch karte hain."
Ayaan nodded.
"Acha idea hai. Hum...."
Before he could say more, Aayat spoke sharply,
"Bilkul acha nahi hai."
Both of them turned to her.
She forced a smile and looked at Hayaat.
"Main aaj sirf apni behen ke saath lunch karna chahti hoon. Aur main nahi chahti... bahir ka koi be hamare beech mein ho."
The smile vanished from Ayaan's face.
Hayaat frowned.
"Api, kya ho gaya hai? Ayaan toh apna hi hai na. Wo hoga toh aur maza aayega na."
Aayat's expression hardened.
"Mujhe sirf tumhare saath lunch karna hai. Agar tumhe maza chahiye, toh tum dono ja sakte ho."
Hayaat felt anger rising-but before she could speak, Ayaan intervened calmly.
Looking at Hayaat, he said,
"Hayaat, tum bahar ja sakti ho kya?... bas do minute ke liye."
She hesitated, then nodded and stepped out.
The door closed.
Aayat began arranging files on her desk unnecessarily.
Ayaan spoke quietly,
"Ye sab kya hai, Aayat?"
She didn't look up.
"Kya kya hai, Ayaan?"
"Tum mujhe aise treat kyun kar rahi ho? Tumne ek second nahi lagaya mujhe 'bahar wala' kehne mein."
Her voice remained emotionless.
"Mera wo matlab nahi tha. Main bas apni behen ke saath lunch karna chahti hoon. Kisi teesre ko nahi chahti thi hamare beech."
His chest tightened.
"Toh ab main teesra be hoon?"
He stepped closer, placing both hands on her desk and leaning forward, lowering his voice.
"Agar maine kuch galat kiya hai toh mujhe batao. Par aise treat mat karo yaar.... Aur agar kal ki, meri aur Rayyan ki fight ka bura laga hain toh... I'm sorry."
She finally looked at him, but her face stayed guarded.
"Haan, mujhe bura laga. Kyunki tum mere aur Rayyan ke beech mein aa rahe ho. Tumhari ye feelings hamare beech mein a rahi hain. Tumhara ye ek tarfa pyar meri mushkilein badha raha hain."
The words hit him like a blow.
Ayaan straightened slowly, shock written all over his face.
In a low, pained voice, he said,
"Abse nahi hoga aisa kuch be."
And walked out.
Aayat felt the ache -
' I'm sorry ayaan.'
She followed him outside.
Hayaat stood there. She had heard everything.
Aayat avoided her eyes.
"Chalo... lunch karte hain hayaat."
~
Lunch passed in near silence.
As Aayat stood to leave, Hayaat finally spoke,
"Api... aapne aisa kyun kiya?"
Aayat sat back down.
"Kya kiya maine?"
Hayaat smiled sadly.
"Aapko sach mein nahi pata?"
Aayat replied coldly,
"Maine jo kiya sahi kiya. Usse apni had ka pata hona chahiye."
Hayaat looked straight into her eyes.
"Api... aaj aapne use hurt kiya hai. Pehli baar maine uski aankhon mein aansu dekhay. Agar aap usse pyar nahi be karti, toh kam se kam uske pyar ka mazak toh na banayein."
Aayat froze.
"Tumhe kaise pata Ayaan ki feelings ke baare mein?"
Hayaat closed her eyes briefly.
"Sab aapki tarah andhe nahi hote...
Main pehle din hi samajh gayi thi.
Jis nazar se wo aapko dekhta hai...
Jab aap hoti hain, usey kisi ka hosh nahi rehta.
Aapke dard mein usey dard hota hai. Apki Khushi mein wo khush hota hain.
Aur Jab bhi aap girti hain , apko haath de kar phir se uthanay wala haath be usi ka hota hain. "
Tears welled up in Aayat's eyes.
Hayaat reached across the table and held her hand.
"Api, aise log bohot kam milte hain. Usey jaane mat dijiye. Please...
Apko us se acha ladka kabhi nahi mil sakta."
Aayat whispered,
"Par usey mujhse achi ladki toh mil sakti hai na..."
Hayaat blinked.
"What?"
Aayat pulled her hand away and stood abruptly, walking outside.
~
She was unlocking the car when Hayaat grabbed her arm and turned her around.
"Ye kya kaha aapne?"
Aayat lowered her gaze, tears spilling.
"Hayaat... mera bazu chhodo. Mujhe jana hai."
Hayaat softened instantly and murmured,
"Aap bhi usse pyar karti hain."
Aayat looked up sharply.
Hayaat broke into a grin, holding her shoulders and jumping slightly.
"Aap bhi Ayaan se mohabbat karne lagi hain!"
Aayat pushed her away gently.
"Kya ho gaya hai tumhe? Ye sab sahi nahi hai."
Hayaat tilted her head.
"Kya sahi nahi hai yaar?"
Aayat's voice trembled.
"Ayaan acha insan hai. Wo ek achi ladki deserve karta hai. Main uske liye sahi nahi hoon hayaat."
"Kyun sahi nahi hain? Wo apse mohabbat karta hain aur ap us se... toh is mein galat kya hain?" Hayaat challenged.
Aayat swallowed.
"Meri divorce ho chuki hain. Mera ek past hai. Jin logon ne mujhe apne ghar mein jagah di, izzat di... main unhi ke ghar mein-"
She shook her head.
"Ye galat hai. Main mama aur baba ka dil nahi tod sakti."
Hayaat stared at her in disbelief.
"Api, talaq mein aapki kya galti hai? Aur Ayaan ne aapko khud chuna hai. Iska matlab us k liye ye baatein matter nahi karti.
Uski soch itni choti nahi hai. Aur uske ghar wale aapse bohot pyar karte hain."
Aayat smiled sadly.
"Pyar karte hain iska matlab ye nahi ke bahu bhi bana lein. Wo unka iklauta beta hai. Unke sapne honge.
Aur log... log baatein banayenge."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Holding Hayaat's arms tightly, she said,
"Jin logon ne mujhe izzat di, apne ghar mein jagah di.
.. unke baare mein ek baat bhi main bardasht nahi kar paungi hayaat.
Society talaq-shuda aurat ko kis nazar se dekhti hai, tum nahi janti.
Mein apna ghar chod kar, is ghar mein ay thi , aur ab Ayaan se shadi karugy toh log tarha tarha ki baatein banaye gay.
..
Aur mein nahi chahti meri wajah se Ayaan ko ya mama baba ko koi b baat suni pade.
.. mein khud per bardasht kar sakti hoon , lekin un per nahi. "
She extended her hand.
"Isliye wada karo... ye baat hum dono ke beech rahegi."
Hayaat sighed deeply and placed her hand in Aayat's.
"Nahi bataungi promise."
Aayat smiled faintly, got into the car, and drove away.
As she disappeared, Hayaat remained standing, smiling knowingly.
" Mein nahi bataugi , per ap khud bataengi usey... agar aapne apni zubaan se apna pyar qabool na kiya, toh mera naam Hayaat Malik nahi."
She laughed softly.
"Aur waise bhi... Ayaan ek achi ladki deserve karta hai... Bilkul sahi kaha apne....
Aur meri api se achi ladki koi ho sakti hai kya?"
She hailed a taxi and left-hope glowing in her eyes.
~
Evening descended softly over the city.
Golden lights shimmered through the glass windows as Aayat stood in front of the mirror, getting ready to attend Mr. Varma's daughter's wedding-with Ayaan.
She applied a final stroke of red lipstick, her fingers slightly trembling.
Her reflection stared back at her, beautiful yet conflicted.
The red saree draped around her perfectly, its deep shade complementing her fair skin.
Her hair flowed freely down her back, and the kajal lining her eyes made them look deeper. .. sadder.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Aayat, ready ho kya?" Sonia Khan's gentle voice came from outside.
"Ayaan tumhara bahar car mein wait kar raha hai."
Aayat swallowed and replied softly,
"Bas aa rahi hoon, Mama."
She opened the door.
Sonia's breath caught the moment she saw her.
She pulled Aayat into a warm hug immediately.
"Meri beti kitni pyari lag rahi hai... kisi ki nazar na lag jaaye."
Aayat smiled shyly, stepping back.
"Meri mama se pyari toh nahi lag rahi houngi."
Sonia laughed.
"Acha ab maska mat lagao. Jao, warna abhi wo ander a jaye ga."
Aayat nodded and walked out of the house.
~
Ayaan's car stood parked in front.
But today, unlike always, Ayaan wasn't standing outside waiting for her.
He was sitting inside the car-on the driver's seat-his head slightly bowed, eyes fixed on his phone.
That sight pierced straight through Aayat's heart.
So she took a deep breath and quietly sat in the passenger seat.
Ayaan had seen her approaching.
The moment his eyes had fallen on her, his heart had skipped violently. She looked breathtaking-so much so that it physically hurt.
But he forced himself to look back at his phone.
Ignoring Aayat was the hardest thing he had ever done.
~
The drive to the wedding venue passed in heavy silence.
Aayat stared out of the window, her chest aching.
The same Ayaan...
Who never failed to tell me I looked beautiful...
Who noticed every little detail...
Today, he didn't even look at me once. Aayat thought.
And She knew the reason.
Main khud zimmedaar hoon.
~
They arrived at the wedding venue.
The place glowed with lights, laughter, and music. Together, they walked inside, maintaining a careful distance that felt far louder than any noise around them.
They first greeted Mr. Varma and congratulated him warmly.
Soon, Mr. Varma excused himself due to other responsibilities, leaving Ayaan and Aayat standing alone.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Aayat gathered courage and looked at him.
"Ayaan..."
Before she could say anything else, he spoke calmly, without looking at her.
" Hayaat bhi aa gayi. Tum enjoy karo us k saath.
Jab Jana hoga, mein tumhe bata duga."
And with that, he walked away.
Aayat stood there, watching him leave.
He joined a group of businessmen and began discussing something professionally, his expression composed.
But Aayat couldn't look away.
She wanted him to stay away.
Yet watching him drift further made her chest tighten unbearably.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Just then, a voice spoke from beside her.
"Appi... aur kitna dard dengi aap khud ko?"
Aayat turned.
Hayaat stood there, looking at her with pain-filled eyes.
Aayat glanced back at Ayaan once more, then asked quietly,
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"
"Huzaif bhai ke saath aayi hoon," Hayaat replied.
"Rayyan bhai bhi yahin hain."
Aayat stiffened.
"Huzaif bhai bhi aaye hain kya?"
Hayaat nodded.
"Haan. Unhone aapko yahan khada dekha... isliye mujhe bheja."
Aayat smiled sadly.
" Tumhe bheja aur Khud nahi aaye?"
Hayaat lowered her gaze.
"Wo khud ko aapka gunehgaar samajhte hain, api. Wo aur Saad bhai kehte hain... wo aapki maafi ke bhi haqdar nahi hain. Isliye ap k samne be nahi atay."
Aayat's eyes filled with tears.
"Toh ye faisla bhi unhone khud hi kar liya?"
Hayaat sighed.
"Jab aap chali gayi thi... usi din subah wo aapke paas aaye the. Kehne ke liye ke unhein aap par bharosa hai. Lekin dair ho gayi thi."
She paused.
"Phir unhein pata chala ke Rayyan bhai ne Ramsha se shaadi kar li hai. Tab se... unhone business ke alawa kabhi Rayyan bhai se baat nahi ki. Dono khud ko aapka gunehgaar maante hain. Na wo apko bacha sakay aur na apki mohabbat ko. Dair kar di unho nay."
A tear escaped Aayat's eye.
" Unhein dair nahi hui thi. Balkay sab kuch bohut jaldi ho gaya tha."
She quickly wiped it away.
"Rasamein shuru hone mein abhi time hai," she said softly.
"Tab tak main washroom se ho kar aati hoon."
And she walked away.
~
From a distance, Ayaan watched her leave.
Without thinking, he took a step forward to follow her.
Then he stopped.
Tum usey nahi chahiye ho, Ayaan.
Usey tang mat karo.
Apni mohabbat us par musalhat mat karo.
He forced himself to stay back.
But minutes passed... and Aayat didn't return.
Restlessness clawed at his chest.
Unable to control himself any longer, he walked in the direction she had gone.
~
Aayat stepped out of the restroom and began walking back toward the hall.
Suddenly, someone stood in front of her.
She tried to pass him without a word.
But he grabbed her arm.
"Aayat... humein baat karni chahiye. Ek baar. Please."
Aayat looked down at his hand gripping her arm.
Slowly, she raised her eyes.
"Ab lagta hai... humein baat kar hi leni chahiye rayyan."
She freed her arm and gestured toward a side room.
They walked inside.
At the same moment-
Ayaan turned the corner.
From a distance, he saw them.
Aayat and Rayyan... entering a room together.
He stopped.
The world around him blurred.
Tears welled up instantly.
He placed a hand over his chest as if trying to hold his heart together.
His voice trembled in a whisper only he could hear.
Without another glance, he turned around and walked away.
~