Waseem swiped right and picked up the call.

"Kaisi h hamari bachchi?"

Hearing his daughter's voice after a long time made him forget all his worries for a while and brought a smile to his face.

"Salaam, Abbu. Hum achche h. Aap aur Ammi kaise h?"

"Hum to aapki aawaz sunn kr hi durust ho gye. Lekin aapki Ammi ka kuch nahi keh skte. Unki ab umar jo ho gayi h"

Zoya laughed hearing her father.

"Aap nahi sudhrenge na, Abbu. Hamesha Ammi ki taang khenchte rehte h"

"Kya karein bhai, iss umar me hamare paas krne ke liye aur h bhi kya. Kher aap bataye Aditya aur baaki sb kaise h aapke sasural me?"

"Aditya aur baaki sb theek h, Abbu. Papa aapke baare me aksar puchte h. Kehte h ki aap apne dost ko bilkul bhool hi gaye h"

"Hum smjh skte h aapke unki naraazgi. Peechle kuch waqt se hum ek maksad ko anjaam dene me mashroof the"

Waseem spoke through clenched teeth as he looked angrily at Sahir's photograph found in Zoya's room.

"Maksad? Kaisa maksad, Abbu?"

Zoya asked in a confused tone.

"Bas yeh smjh lijiye aapki zindagi se har kaante ko nikal bahar fekna hi hamara maksad h"

He said while burning Sahir's photo in his hand.

"Hum kuch smjhe nahi, Abbu"

"Yeh sb chodiye aur hume yeh bataiye ki aapko aaj subah subah apne Abbu ki yaad kaise aayi? Delhi me sb theek to h naa?"

He asked a bit concerned. Ever since Sahir ran away from the Asylum, Waseem was afraid that Sahir would try to reach out to Zoya and create chaos in her married life.

"Haan, Delhi me sb theek h. Humne yeh kehne ke liye phone kara h ki hum naraaz h aap se"

Zoya said while pouting.

"Kyun bhai, humse aisi kya gustaakhi ho gayi jo hamari laadli humse itna khafa h"

"Naraaz na ho to aur kya karen? Itne din ho gye aapko ek baar bhi hamari yaad nahi aayi. Hum jb se Manali se wapis aaye h aapne ek baar bhi apni laadli ko call nahi kra aur jb humne kara tb aapne hamare phone tk nahi uthaya"

"To yeh wajah h"

Waseem said smiling at his daughter's childish behaviour.

"Ji haan"

Sahir had escaped from him twice which had only increased the stress lines on his forehead as well as his blood pressure. That night they almost caught him at his home. But at the last moment somebody came as Sahir's messiah. Waseem had been avoiding Zoya's calls as he feared that he might say something in front of her under stress. He had forbidden Roshnaq to tell anything about his health to Zoya.

"Aisa nahi h hamari bachchi"

"Aisa hi h. Aap jhooth mt boliye"

Zoya said in a slightly harsh tone, having no idea of her father's medical condition.

"Hum aapko kaise yakeen dilayen. Hum jo krte h aur jo kr rahe h sb aapke liye hi to kr rahe h"

"Hum nahi maante"

She was adamant.

"Hum maante h humne aapka call nahi uthaya. Lekin usski ek wajah thi"

"Hum bhi jaan na chahte h aisi kya wajah thi ki aap humse baat nahi kr skte the"

"Aapki Ammi aur hum aapko bahut miss krte h. Lekin beta, hum peechle kuch waqt se karobaar ki bhaag-daud me itne vyast the"

Waseem said as his voice got numb.

"Hum aapse bahut mohabbat krte h, Zoya"

Zoya realised that she has upset her father.

"Abbu, hum to bas yun hi keh rahe the. Hamara iraada aapko takleef dene ka bilkul bhi nahi tha. Hum aapko bahut miss kr rahe the sirf issliye. Humne maaf kr dijiye"

Zoya had tears in her eyes as she realises her mistake.

"Nahi Zoya, aap sahi h. Galti aapke Abbu ki hi h. Aaj hamari beti ko pehli baar aisa laga h ki hum unhe bhool gaye h. Hum aapke gunehgaar h"

Waseem spoke in a hurt voice.

"Nahi Abbu, aap kabhi galat ho hi nahi skte h. Gunaah to humse hua h. Aapki beti ho kr hum ne aapko nahi smjha"

Zoya said feeling guilty and ashamed of her behaviour.

"Humne jiss tarah se aapse baat kari usske liye hume maaf kr dijiye, Abbu"

Waseem could hear Zoya crying from the other end of the call. He knew that his daughter love him too much and could never live by hurting her Abbu.

"Hum aapse kabhi naraaz ho skte h kya, beta"

"Aap sach me humse naraaz nahi h naa, Abbu?"

"Aapse khafaa ho ke kya hum reh skte h bhala? Ab rona band kijiye aur apne aansu ponchiye. Aap janti h hum aapki aankhon me aansu nahi dekh skte h"

Waseem said consoling her. All he needed to know was that he still has the same influence on his daughter. He has always been proud of how he has Zoya under his control.

"Achcha ab hum rakhte h, Abbu. Khud Haafiz"

"Allah Haafiz"

Waseem cut the call and wiped his tears. Then looked in the mirror and smirked. Zoya was a sensitive emotional girl since childhood. As a father, he sometimes needed to use emotional manipulation to get his daughter to do what he wanted. And it has always worked on Zoya. He only needs to shed a few tears to make Zoya feel guilty. He is her father and he is in no way allowing his daughter to lay a finger on him, let alone her voice.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was around lunch time when Aditya woke up. Half asleep he came down the stairs calling his Wife's name when he didn't find her beside him in their bed.

"Zoya? Zoya? Zoya, tum kahan ho?"

Hearing his grumpy voice, Anjana came out of her room.

"Arrey Adi, tu uth gaya. Main tere liye naashta garm kr deti hu"

"Maa, aapne Zoya ko kahin dekha kya. Pata nahi itni subah subah kahan chali gayi"

Aditya asked her while looking for Zoya in the kitchen. Anjana chuckled at her son's cuteness, "Adi, tujhe pata h kya time ho raha h? Zoya kb ki Office jaa chuki h"

Aditya looked at the clock in the dining room, realising that he had slept the entire noon.

"Ab tu bhi naashta kr ke jaldi se ready ho jaa", she said patting his cheek.

"Nahi Maa, aaj ghar me rahunga. Next flight kal early morning ki h aur do din ka layover h"

"Yeh to achchi baat h. Issi bahane tujhe thoda aaraam bhi mil jaega", she said while serving him his favourite Aloo Paranthas.

"Thanks, Maa", Aditya smiled kissing her hands.

"Arey haan, aaj raat main aur tere Paa bahar jaa rahe h friends ke saath aur raat me late aaenge. Ghar me sirf tum aur Zoya hone wale ho"

She informed him while sitting next to him.

"Aur Arjun?"

Aditya asked while tearing a bite of Parantha.

"Arjun ko ek client ke yahan Engagement me jana h", Anjana replied.

"Hmmmm", Aditya hummed while eating.

"Cheeku, aaj tu ghar me hi h to main soch rahi thi ki tu Zoya ke Office chala jaye usska Lunch le kr. Aaj subah woh bina naashta kre chali gyi"

Aditya's hand stopped while eating when he heard that his wife was working on an empty stomach while he was stuffing hot Paranthas in his stomach.

"Tu chala jaega naa, Adi? Yaa main driver ke haath bhijwaun?"

Anjana asked reassuringly when he didn't reply.

"Haan Maa, main chala jaunga"

"Aur main soch rahi thi tu aaj Zoya ko ghumane le jaye. Vase bhi tum dono apne kaam ki wajah se kitne waqt se kahin bahar nahi gaye ho"

Anjana being a good mother-in-law suggested.

"Maa, main Zoya se puchta hu wo kb free hogi"

Aditya promised getting up from the table. His mind had already started the planning when his mother told him that the house would be empty tonight. It's not everyday that both of them are alone in the house without anyone disturbing. He smiled thinking of her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Zoya heaves a sigh as she sits on the couch in her cabin. She has just closed a deal with her prestigious client. Her team had worked day & night for the designs that they presented to the client today. The client was satisfied and ready to seal the deal on her terms. It was 4 pm, way past lunch time. Her tummy was aching as she had not eaten anything since morning. She only had a cup of coffee in an empty stomach. Plus it was her second day.

She took off her heels & lay down on the couch holding her stomach. The pain was unbearable. She was nauseous and thought that she would pass out due to the pain. Her neck, lower back, and arm was hurting. She was weak and closed her eyes as she felt dizzy.

That's how Aditya found her when he entered.

"Zoya tum theek to ho naa? Zoya?"

Zoya opened her eyes when he shook her. She didn't realize that an hour had passed while she was sleeping. She looked at her husband's face who was looking worried.

"Kya hua? Are you okay?"

Then she realized he was holding her. She got up, adjusted her clothes and sat down.

"Hum theek h. Aap kab aaye Aditya?"

"Haan vo main abhi thodi der pehle hi aaya tha. Tumhe aise dekha to ghabra gaya. You look so tired. Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi. Let's go home"

Aditya asked while checking her forehead for fever.

"Tumhara temperature to bhi bahut high h"

"Aditya, hume kuch nahi hua h. Hum durust h. Bas thode thak gaye h"

She told him with a weak smile.

"Are you sure?"

Aditya asked, still worried for his Wifey.

"Aap yahan kisi kaam se aaye the?"

"Maa ne tumhare liye Lunch bheja h aur kaha h ki main tumhe apne saamne baitha kr khilaun. Tumne aaj breakfast bhi nahi kia. Kitni careless ho gyi ho tum. Kaam apni jagah h pr apni health ka dhyaan rakhna bhi to zaroori h, madam"

Aditya was scolding her like a child while Zoya watched her husband with a smile because he looked adorable even when he's angry.

"Aditya, aapko kisi ne bataya h ki aap gusse me kitne cute lagte h. Ek chote bachche ki tarah"

Aditya blushed a little, hearing that from Zoya.

"Lekin tum har time cute lagti ho"

Aditya said looking into her eyes. Then leaned forward to kiss her cheek and saw her face turn pink. He was moving towards her lips when -

"May I come in?"

There was a knock on the door. Aditya closed her eyes and whispered something under his breath which only Zoya could hear. She tried hard not to laugh on Aditya's reaction to their moment getting ruined.

"Come in"

She said pushing Aditya back to his place.

It was Akansha. "Zoya mam, woh Cake aa gaya h. Sb aapka hi wait kr rahe h", she informed.

"Akansha, aap chaliye. Hum bas aate h"

"Cake? Aaj kisi ka birthday h kya Office me?"

Aditya asked Zoya after Akansha left.

"Aaj hamari Company ne ek bahut hi bade client ke liye bahut bada Project complete kra h. Ussi ki khushi me ek chota sa celebration h. Aditya, aap bhi shaamil honge to hume achcha lagega"

Zoya stood up and asked for his hand. Aditya intervened their fingers and tilted his head. "Jahan tum, wahan main"

Akansha, Shawn, Vinod, Mithilesh and everyone at FASHIONISTA cheered as Zoya cut the cake. Then she turned to Aditya who was beside her to feed him the first bite, but he fed her first.

"Iss jeet pr sbse pehla haq sirf tumhara h. Tum ho to yeh team h. I am so proud of you"

Aditya, the proud husband, held his Wife's face & kissed her forehead while everyone clapped.

"Thank You"

Zoya mouthed to Aditya.

~~~~~~~~~~

Zoya & Aditya were returning home from Office together in the evening. It was raining cats and dogs. There was an accident ahead on the road in which a car along with the entire family fell into a pit filled with water on the road because of which the traffic was jammed.

"Lagta h yeh traffic itni jaldi nahi clear hoga", Aditya said evaluating the situation.

Police had placed barricades in the road, while diverting the traffice to another route.

"Ya Allah, ab hum kya krenge. Hamare ghar ka to bas yeh hi ek raasta tha", Zoya asked, a little worried, while checking her phone.

"Hum kuch nahi kr skte h, Zoya. Jb tk hamare peeche wale vehicles clear nahi hote tb tk hum yahin fanse h", Aditya told her while checking the rear view mirror of his car.

They were stuck between honking cars from all sides and taking reverse was just not possible in such a situation. Zoya was feeling anxious. She tried to open the window but the rain water started coming inside. So she had to close the window. Aditya was watching her struggling to sit without being bothered by the situation.

"Baahar Se Koi Andar Na Aa Sake
Andar Se Koi Baahar Na Jaa Sake"

Zoya who was busy looking for Google Maps routes to their home on her iPhone looked up when she heard something. She checked if the radio was on. But the car was off, then how -

"Socho Kabhi Aisa Ho To Kya Ho... "

She looked at the man on her right. Yes, it was indeed her husband singing.

"Hum Tum Ek Gaadi Mein Band Ho, Aur Baarish Ho Jaaye..."

"Aditya?", she was surprised to see him sing in such a serious situation.

He held her hand and started, "ting ding ding ding .. ting ding ding ding"

Zoya glanced at him sideways but Aditya being himself pretended to ignore her and continued playing the tabla on the deck and kept singing.

"Baarish Ho Jaaye aur Traffic Jam Lag Jaaye... ting ding ding ding"

She knew he was doing just to tease her.

"Aditya, STOP"

He had irritated her to another level. But he was enjoying it.

"Aditya, hum yahan pareshaan h aur aap gaana gaa rahe h", she scolded him.

"ting ding ding ding ... ting di"

Enough! Zoya grabbed his face and forced her mouth on his mouth. Aditya's eyes remained wide open as he was too stunned to react for the first few seconds and could only feel her lips brushing against his. She pulled out after 2 minutes. She didn't know how else to shut him. She tried to move back only for him to grab her nape and move her closer to his face.

"Unn hunnn. Tum aise beech me nahi chod skti. Bad manners"

He touched her lower lip, rubbing it gently with his thumb, then looked into her eyes, lifted her chin with 2 fingers, and leaned in to wipe the tinted rosewood off her lips. Her lips were soft and warm, just like her. He wanted to be gentle, but it was too hard to resist. He needed more. Zoya moaned when he bit her lower lip. Aditya smiled and slid his tongue inside her mouth at the first opportunity he got. Her mouth was dry. So he used his saliva to hydrate her gums. She could feel their saliva mixing & tongues rubbing against each other. More .. she needed more of it. She still felt dry and his tongue on the sides of her mouth felt really good.

After he had left enough of his saliva inside her mouth, he changed the direction of their kiss by tilting his head to the other side. Zoya held his cheeks by both hands. He drew his tongue out and started sucking her upper lip aggressively, while his wife was enjoying the taste of his lips.

It was just the perfect kiss. Soon she started to feel out of breath. Zoya tapped his cheek trying to pull out, but he didn't let her. She could hear his heavy breath, but he needed his closure.

**********

Hello lovelies! I'm back with another chapter!

What do you guys think about Waseem?

Do vote and share your favourite part in comments.

I need to know how many people are actively reading.

Will see you soon ;)