Chapter 66
Aayat stirred slightly as consciousness slowly returned to her. The first thing she felt was the dull, throbbing pain in her head, heavy and persistent, as if reminding her of everything she had tried to forget. She winced softly and pushed herself up, sitting on the couch.
Her fingers instinctively went to her temples.
"Uff..." she murmured under her breath.
She blinked a few times, her vision still hazy, and looked around. The unfamiliar surroundings made her frown-dark wooden shelves, neatly stacked files, a large glass window through which the city lights shimmered faintly. And then it hit her.
Ayaan's office.
The memories rushed back all at once-the argument, the tension, the storm of emotions she had barely managed to survive. Her heart skipped a beat as she straightened her back and scanned the cabin again.
A sudden unease crept into her chest.
She turned her head from side to side, searching for him, hoping he'd be sitting at his desk, maybe on a call, maybe watching her quietly. But there was no sign of him anywhere.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her phone lying beside her. The screen lit up.
Her eyes widened.
"Mein... itni dair soyi?" she whispered to herself.
A knot formed in her stomach.
She slowly stood up, her legs weak, and took a few steps forward, peeking toward the glass wall that separated the cabin from the rest of the office. Everything outside was unusually quiet.
"Ayaan?" she called out softly.
No answer.
Her heart began to pound loudly in her chest, fear seeping into her veins.
"Kahin..." she swallowed hard, her voice breaking, "...kahin wo mujhe chhod kar aaliya kay pass toh nahi chala gaya?"
The thought alone was enough to shatter her fragile calm.
Her shoulders slumped as a wave of sadness washed over her. Her lips trembled, and her eyes stung as tears welled up uncontrollably.
"Dair kar di tumne, Aayat..." she whispered bitterly.
"Sab khatam ho gaya.... Wo shadi kar lay ga... Mein akeli reh jaugy...
ya Allah mujhe ye sab bardasht karne ki himat dena... please..."
She lowered her gaze, staring blankly at the floor, tears slipping down her cheeks one by one.
Just then-
The cabin door opened.
A soft sound, but loud enough to make her look up instantly.
Ayaan stood at the door.
For a moment, everything froze.
Aayat's tear-filled eyes met his.
Before he could even say anything, Ayaan started walking toward her, concern evident on his face.
" kya hua aayat?" he asked gently.
That was it.
The dam broke.
Aayat didn't wait another second. She rushed toward him, closing the distance between them in quick, hurried steps, and threw her arms around him tightly.
"Ayaan-"
He stopped mid-step, surprised by the sudden impact.
For a second, he just stood there, stunned.
Ye ladki aaj heart fail karwa ke hi maanegi, he thought to himself.
Slowly, carefully, he lifted his hand and placed it on her head, his fingers sliding into her hair, stroking them softly. His other arm wrapped around her back, pulling her closer.
"Kya hua hain meri jaan?" he asked quietly.
Her voice was muffled against his chest.
"Mujhe laga tum chalay gaye ho..." she said shakily.
He gently pulled her back just enough to look at her face.
"Aisa kabhi nahi hoga," he said firmly.
But instead of calming down, Aayat clutched his shirt even tighter and hugged him again, as if afraid he'd disappear the moment she let go.
Ayaan sighed softly, his heart melting at her fear. He ran his fingers through her hair again, his touch slow and reassuring.
" Waha couch par eik dress rakhi hai, tumhare liye." he said gently.
"Wo pehan lo... phir bahar aao. Humein kahin jana hai."
She didn't move.
Instead, she hugged him even tighter.
"Aayat?" he said softly.
"Kya hua hai?"
She lifted her face slightly, her eyes red and glossy.
"Pehle bolo..." her voice trembled, "...tum shadi nahi karo gay."
Ayaan smiled faintly, amused yet touched by her insecurity.
"Tum pehle tayar ho jao," he replied calmly.
" phir tumhein tumhare sarey sawalo kay jawab mil jaye gay..."
Reluctantly, she loosened her grip and stepped back.
He smiled at her once more before turning and walking out of the cabin.
Aayat watched him leave, her heart still racing.
She turned toward the couch and picked up the dress placed neatly on it. Her breath caught when she saw it.
A red anarkali frock.
Simple, elegant, yet breathtaking.
She went inside the bathroom and changed quietly. When she stepped out, adjusting the dupatta over her shoulders, she barely recognized herself in the mirror.
The dress fit her perfectly, enhancing her soft features, the red color making her glow.
She walked out of the cabin.
Ayaan was standing outside, talking to Ana.
The moment his eyes fell on Aayat, everything else faded.
For a second, it felt like his heart forgot how to beat.
She looked unreal.
Ayaan excused himself without even realizing what he was saying and walked straight toward her. He took her hand gently.
"Jitna socha tha..." he said softly, his eyes never leaving her face, "...us se bhi zyada khoobsurat lag rahi ho."
He lifted her hand and pressed a gentle kiss on its back.
Aayat smiled shyly, her cheeks turning pink.
She looked down, blushing.
Seeing her like that, Ayaan laughed softly, warmth filling his chest. He tightened his hold on her hand and led her outside.
Soon, they were in the car. Ayaan helped her sit first, then walked around and took the driver's seat.
The engine started, and the car moved smoothly through the evening traffic.
Neither of them spoke.
But silence had never felt so full.
After about an hour, the car slowed down and finally stopped in front of a beautifully lit restaurant.
Ayaan stepped out first and walked around to her side, opening the door and extending his hand.
Aayat placed her hand in his and stepped out.
"Ayaan..." she asked softly, confused.
"Hum yahan kyun aaye hain?"
He smiled mysteriously.
" pata chal jayega," he said.
"Chalo mere saath."
Holding her hand, he walked toward the entrance.
The moment Aayat stepped inside-
Rose petals began to fall from above.
She stopped in her tracks, looking up in surprise, then around her, her lips curving into a wide smile.
Ayaan stepped aside slightly, watching her with a fond smile.
In that moment, she didn't look like a broken, scared woman.
She looked like a child-pure, innocent, happy.
The tears, the fear, everything forgotten.
When the petals finally stopped falling, Ayaan gently said,
"Andar chalo ab."
Aayat looked around in awe.
"Ayaan... ye sab kya hai?"
The entire restaurant was decorated beautifully. From the entrance to the table in the center, rose petals lined the floor. Soft lights, calm music, an atmosphere filled with warmth and love.
He guided her to the table and pulled out the chair for her. Once she sat, he took the seat opposite her.
A waitress approached and placed dishes on the table.
Aayat's favorite.
Specially rajma dal and rice.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the food, then at Ayaan, smiling teasingly.
"Par tumhein toh rajma pasand hi nahi hai."
He smiled.
"Tumhare liye mangwaya hai," he replied.
" Ab is pyari si smile kay liye itna toh bardasht kar hi skta hoon."
They started eating.
After a while, Ayaan looked at her thoughtfully.
"Tum kal raat soi nhi thi kya?" he said.
"I mean tum aj din mein bohut dair tk soi ho?"
She hesitated before answering.
" Actually kal raat mujhe nind nahi a rahi thi."
His expression changed instantly.
"Tumne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?" he asked, worried.
"Kab se nahi aa rahi tumhein neend? Kab se ye problem phir se shuru hui?"
She smiled lightly, trying to brush it off.
"Kuch nahi hua , bas sirf kal raat hi hua tha. Aur abhi tk so kar wo nind Puri be kar li ... Toh koi aise badi problem nahi hain. Tumhein itni parwah karne ki zarurat nhi h."
He studied her face carefully.
Aayat slowly put her spoon down and looked at her lap, silent.
"Aayat?" he asked softly.
"Kya hua?"
She shook her head without looking up.
"Kuch nahi," she said quietly.
"Bas... pait bhar gaya."
Ayaan placed his spoon aside and stood up.
He walked around the table and knelt down in front of her chair, lifting her chin gently so she had to look at him.
"Batao mujhe," he said softly.
"Kya hua hai?"
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"Tumein mere saath itna acha hone ki zarurat nahi hai ayaan," she whispered.
He frowned slightly.
"Tum aisa kyun bol rahi ho?"
"Kyunkay..." her voice trembled, "...mein jaanti hoon ke mein dair kar chuki hoon. Aur ab tum shadi kar rahay ho... toh sab khatam ho chuka hain. Kyu k tum usey nahi chodo gay mein janti hoon."
She took a shaky breath.
"Tum kisi ko be kabhi beech rastay mein nahi chodo gay... mujhe pata hai.
Isliya mein dua karugy tum hamesha khush raho."
Ayaan smiled softly and stood up. He extended his hand toward her.
She placed her hand in his and stood.
He brought her to the center of the restaurant, gently holding her face in his hands and wiping her tears with his thumbs.
"Itni pyari pyari aankhon mein itne motay motay ansu, mujhe bilkul achay nahi lagte." he said softly.
"Wo bhi bina kisi wajah ke."
She opened her mouth to speak.
"Mein-"
He placed a finger on her lips.
"Shh..." he whispered."Chup."
He pulled her into his chest, holding her close.
"Ye restaurant pura tumhare liye book kiya," he said softly.
"Tumhara favourite khana khaya tumhare saath... tumhein apne seene se lagaya. Aur ye sari sajawat tumhare liye ki."
He pulled back slightly to look at her.
"Aur phir bhi tumhein samajh nahi aa rahi?"
"Abhi bhi tum wahi soch rahi ho?"
She looked around slowly, then back at him.
"Kya ye sab... mere liye hai?"
He nodded with a smile.
" Toh aur kis kay liye hoga?"
"Par phir wo shadi wali baat-"
"Haan," he said softly."Wo baat..."
Slowly, deliberately, Ayaan went down on one knee.
Her breath hitched.
He looked up at her with eyes full of love.
"Wo ladki tum ho, Aayat," he said.
"Jab tumhein pehli baar dekha tha us resturant mein.
.. tab se tum mere dil mein ho."
His eyes grew moist.
"aur phir tum mere ghar a gaye.
.
Aur phir jab maine tumhein jaana, tumhari har achi buri aadat ko jana, tumhe pehchana. .. toh mohabbat ho gayi tumse."
Tears slipped from his eyes as memories of their first meeting flashed in his mind.
"Haan Aayat," he continued, voice heavy with emotion.
"Main sirf tumse pyar karta hoon... aur bohot pyar karta hoon.
"
" Tum meri zindagi ki sirf pehli ladki nahi , balkay meri zindagi ki akhri ladki be ho jis se mein mohabbat karta hoon.
"
"Agar tum nahi... toh phir koi bhi nahi.
"
"Tum sukoon ho mera."
"Mere dil ke sabse qareeb ho tum. "
"I love you, Aayat... I love you."
He took out a small box from his coat pocket and opened it.
"Kya tum mujhse shadi karogi, Aayat?
"
"Main wada karta hoon... tumhein bohot khush rakhunga.
"
"Kabhi tumhara dil nahi dukhaunga."
"Meri taraf se tumhari aankhon mein sirf khushi ke aansu aayenge.
"
"Dard ke kabhi nahi."
"Aur agar koi tumhein rulayega.
.." his eyes hardened slightly, "...usey main chhodunga nahi. "
"Toh batao..." he said softly.
"Kya shadi karogi mujhse?"
Aayat couldn't stop crying.
She slowly went down on her knees too and hugged him tightly.
"Yes..." she sobbed.
"Yes... main karungi."
"Main tumse shadi karungi, Ayaan."
He stood up, pulled her up with him, and slipped the ring onto her finger.
She looked at it, smiling through her tears.
He pulled her into his arms again.
"I love you, Aayat."
She blushed and whispered softly,
"Hmmm..."
"Bas hmmm?" he teased.
She laughed and lightly hit his chest.
"Ayaan... per mama baba?" she asked nervously.
He smiled.
"Wo sab jaante hain," he said calmly.
"Shuru se. Aur wo abhi intzar mein hain tum kya jawab do gy."
She stared at him in shock.
"Koi problem nahi hai unhein?"
"Unhein Kyun hogi?"
"Log baatein-"
"Koi kuch nahi bolega," he said firmly.
"Aur agar bola..." he smiled darkly, "...toh Allah hi jaane phir kya hoga."
She widened her eyes.
He hugged her again.
"Ab ghar chalay. Mama baba ko be news deni hain. Kyu kay shadi to hamari wohi karwaye gay na."
She nodded softly.
Together, hand in hand, they walked out-
Not as two broken souls anymore,
But as two hearts that had finally found their forever.