Chapter 65
It was exactly 3:00 PM.
The glass doors of Ayaan’s corporate building reflected the sharp afternoon sun when Aayat’s car came to a sudden halt outside. The engine stopped, but the storm inside her chest didn’t.
She stepped out of the driver’s seat without adjusting her dupatta, without fixing her hair — something she always did.
But Today, nothing mattered.
Her heels echoed sharply against the marble floor as she entered the building.
Every head turned.
The staff didn’t need an announcement.
They could read anger on her face.
Whispers followed her steps, eyes lowered, breaths held.
She walked straight toward the elevator, pressed the button impatiently, and the moment the doors opened, she stepped in.
The elevator doors opened on Ayaan’s floor.
Aayat marched out, her pace fast, her jaw clenched. She didn’t knock.
She pushed open the cabin door and walked straight in.
“Ayaan tum—”
Her words stopped mid-sentence.
The cabin was empty.
Her chest rose sharply as she looked around — the chair untouched, the desk perfectly arranged.
She turned back just as the cabin door opened again.
Ana stepped inside.
“Ma’am… you’re here?”
Aayat’s eyes were blazing.
“Ayaan kaha hain?”
Ana hesitated for a second before replying politely,
“Sir was here a few minutes ago. He was preparing for the meeting. It’s scheduled very soon. Let me call him.”
She took out her phone and dialed.
The call connected almost instantly.
“Sir, Aayat ma’am is here. She’s in your cabin… asking for you.”
There was silence on the other end.
Then Ayaan’s calm voice came through.
“Usey bolo sham ko ghar mein baat karte hain. Abhi mein thoda busy hoon.”
Ana swallowed and nodded.
“Okay, sir.”
She disconnected the call and turned toward Aayat with an apologetic smile.
“I’m really sorry, ma’am. Sir said he’ll talk to you in the evening at home. He has an important meeting right now.”
Aayat laughed.
Not softly.
Not humorously.
It was a laugh that made Ana’s blood run cold.
Aayat didn’t say a word.
She turned sharply and walked out of the cabin, her steps angry, directed — toward the meeting room.
Ana stood frozen for a moment.
This is bad, she thought.
~
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Bas jaan… aaj sham ko sab clear kar dunga, inshallah...” he murmured to himself.
He adjusted his coat and walked toward the meeting room when a familiar voice stopped him.
“Ayaan.”
He turned.
She held a file in her hands.
“Is file mein signatures chahiye thay.”
Ayaan took the pen, skimmed through the papers, and signed them.
Aaliya took the file back and smiled lightly.
“Waise meeting ko abhi 5 minutes hain… tum itni jaldi kyun ja rahe ho?”
Ayaan shrugged.
“Filhaal aur koi kaam nahi hai, toh yahi kar leta hoon.”
Then he added,
" Ana ko bhi bula lena aur tum be a jana.”
He turned to leave when Aaliya stopped him again.
“Ek aur baat…”
Ayaan turned back.
“ ab kya hain?”
“Main tumhein treat dena chahti thi.”
Ayaan raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Kaisi treat?”
“Coffee? Aaj coffee pe chalte hain.”
He nodded casually.
“Okay. Done.”
Aaliya smiled.
“Thanks aur aayat—”
Her words were cut off.
“So coffee ke liye time hai… lekin mujhse baat karne ka nahi?”
The voice was sharp. Controlled. Dangerous.
Both of them turned.
Aayat stood right in front of them.
Her eyes were fixed on Ayaan.
Ayaan stiffened.
“Aisa nahi hai aayat—”
“Wo toh dikh raha hai,” Aayat cut him off coldly.
“Ke kaisa hai.”
Ayaan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Aaliya stepped forward nervously.
“Aayat, mein abhi yhi kehne wali thi tumhe be bula lay... Kyu kay mujhe tumse baat karni thi... jo main ne—”
“Bas,” Aayat snapped loudly. “Tum toh bolo hi mat.”
Ayaan immediately intervened.
“Aayat, araam se… kya ho gaya hai tumhein? Main tumhein sab kuch sham ko—”
“Sham ko nahi. Abhi,” Aayat said sharply.
“Chalo mere saath.”
Before he could react, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along.
Ayaan turned his head and said calmly,
“Aaliya, meeting tab tak Danish se kehna sambhal le.”
Without another word, he went with Aayat.
She dragged him into his cabin and shut the door forcefully.
~
Ayaan stood with his eyes closed, breathing deeply, trying to control his anger.
Aayat turned around and faced him.
“Toh bas itna hi tha... Haan?” she demanded. “Wapas usey apne saath rakh liya.”
Ayaan opened his eyes.
“ Jab usey apne saath rakhna hi tha....” she continued bitterly.“ Toh nikalne ka drama hi kyu kiya?”
“Aayat—”
“Chup,” she shouted.“Bilkul chup.”
Her voice cracked.
“Kal tak mujhse mohabbat ke daaway… aur aaj tum shadi ki baatein kar rahe ho.”
Ayaan froze.
He tried to speak calmly.
“meri jaan —”
“ Ek lafaz be mat kehna ... Jhootay ho tum” she snapped.
“ tumhara aaliya ko nikalne walay dramay ki taraha tumhari mohabbat be jhooti hain...”
That was it.
Ayaan grabbed her arm.
“BAS,” he warned.
“ Khabardar Meri mohabbat ko jhoota kaha toh—”
Aayat pulled her arm free violently.
“Kahungi,” she said through tears.“Kyun ke tum jhootay ho.”
Her voice trembled.
“Pichlay ek haftay se mujhe ignore kar rahe ho. Kis ke liye?”
She pointed accusingly.
“ Us Aaliya ke liye.”
“Aisa kuch nahi hai,” Ayaan said firmly.
“ Aisa nahi hain Toh phir mujhe kyun ignore kiya?” she screamed.
“Jab se wo aayi hai! Tum mujhe ignore kar rahay ho aur tum ne mujhe bataya tak nahi!”
“Tum hosh mein ho? Kya bol bol rahi ho.” Ayaan snapped back. “Haan, main ghar nahi aaya… lekin Aaliya—”
“Uska naam bhi apni zuban se mat lena mere samne..” Aayat shouted.
Tears streamed down her face now.
Ayaan softened instantly.
“Meri baat suno, meri jaan aaliya—”
“ Kaha na Mat lo uska naam!” she screamed again.“Uska naam suntay hi mujhe lagta hai mere saamne ek jhoota insaan khada hai.”
She broke down completely.
“Tum mujhe us larki ki wajah se ignore kaise kar sakte ho, Ayaan?”
Something inside him snapped.
“Jhoota nahi hoon main,” he said loudly.
“Aur ignore karne ki baat kar rahi ho? Tumhein yaad hai tum ne mujhe kitna ignore kiya hai?”
Aayat looked at him through tears.
“Toh tum maantay ho,” she said softly.
“Tum mujhe ignore kar rahe thay… aur tum us Aaliya se shadi kar rahe ho.”
Ayaan inhaled deeply.
“Tum is waqt hosh mein nahi ho aayat... Ghar jao... sham ko baat kare gay....”
He turned toward the door.
Aayat grabbed his arm again.
“Tum kahin nahi jaa sakte.”
“Aayat, please ye meeting mere liye bohut zaroori hai,” he said patiently.
She let go.
“Toh ab ye meeting be mujhse zyada zaroori hai?” she whispered brokenly.
“Meri koi value nahi?
Ab tum mujhse pyar nahi karte.
Isliye ignore kar rahay ho.”
Her body trembled.
Ayaan lost his control.
“Aur jo tum mujhe ignore karti ay ho uska kya?” he asked harshly
.
“Haan, toh us waqat mein tumse mohabbat nahi karti thi na.” she shouted.
Ayaan stared at her.
Aayat realized what she had said.
Her lips parted — but no words came out.
Ayaan’s eyes filled with tears.A soft smile appeared on his face.
Aayat turned to leave.
Before she could reach the door, Ayaan pulled her back and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
He held her as if she might disappear.
His face buried between her neck and shoulder, breathing her in.
Aayat collapsed against him, sobbing.
" Maine dair kar di na... Mujhe dair ho gy.... Mein_"
“Bas… bas.... meri jaan… bas,” he whispered.
“Main kahin nahi jaa raha.
Mein sirf tumhara hoon..
Ayaan sirf aayat ka hain..”
He seated her on the couch.
She curled into his chest again and slowly fell asleep.
He covered her gently with his coat.
Then he left for the meeting — 40 minutes late.
~
An hour later, Ayaan rushed back.
She was still there.
He sat beside her and smiled.
“ So toh aise rahi hain , jaise abhi thodi der pehle is ne sara office sir per nahi uthaya tha..."
He kissed her forehead.
Then called Arjun.
“ arjun ek acha sa resturant book karo...
Decoration honi chahiye achay se..”
“ kyu sir? I mean_”
“ kyu kay Aaj main tumhari ma’am ko propose karne wala hoon.”
" WOW.... congratulations.... Aur Kam ho jaye ga..." Arjun said.
" Aur haan ye baat kisi ko pata nahi chalni chahiye... Mein aayat ko surprise dena chahta hoon ... Tumhe isliye bataya ta k tum intzam achay se kar sako..."
" Don't worry sir... Sab achay se ho jaye ga."
" Ok bye." Ayaan cut the call.
Ayaan looked at Aayat — asleep, unaware.
Unaware that tonight…
her entire life was about to change.
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