Shaiq's POV

When I entered my study which I was using as an office at home, I found my secretory already present there. He stood up noticed me and greeted me with a professional smile plastered on his face.

I responded to him and gestured for him to sit back before occupying my seat. He reached out for his bag and took out a white colored box from inside.

"Sir, that's the mobile set you asked me to purchase," he stated as he placed the box on the table between us.

I nodded and regarded the box. I wanted to give this to Zainab since she got her phone snatched and it was already two weeks since she was without any contact with anyone of her friend or work circle. Ahmad already said he wanted to check on his sister, even though he was ready to come here to tell Zainab about their relationship. I stopped him since it was not the right time.

When my secretary took off after our short meeting, I was about to leave the study when my phone rang. My lips spread in a warm smile noticing Zara's name glistening on it. We often used to contact each other when I was in States for study purposes. Zara sometimes needed subjects to discuss or once even about her career choice and I had always tried my best to guide her. And it was so heartwarming she really considered me her brother. But after our degree ended, we seldom called each other. We both got busy in our lives. Zara even got two children now. I wondered what made her call after such a long time.

I picked up the call. "Hi, Zara."

"Hello, Shaiq. How are---?" Her voice got muffled in the loud screeching voice.

I chuckled recognizing what it was. "Is that your troublemaker?"

She sighed. "Who else it can be? He is so wild, you know. "

"I do actually." He was her and Armaan's first child; a son, Haaim. He was indeed a rascal as I knew from Zara's talks about him and also saw mischief dripping through his ocean-blue eyes which he inherited from his father through the pictures Zara sent me.

"You didn't answer me. How are you? And how is Zainab?"

"I am doing good. And Zainab is also fine."

"Nice to hear. I initially called Zainab but I don't know her number was not responding so I called you instead," she explained.

I cleared my throat. "She had lost her phone that's why. Tell me what's the matter."

Zainab and Zara weren't in contact that much. In the first few years after I left, Zara used to talk to Zainab but after that, things changed over time. Zainab got my issue to care about while Zara got busy with her family.

"It's Hooria's first birthday next Saturday. I and Armaan have planned a birthday party for her and I want you and Zainab to be present there. I am inviting you both. You have to come or else I will never talk to you," she threatened me in the end which made me laugh.

"We will come, Zara. Don't worry."

"Good for you. And yes when Zainab is free, let me have a chat with her."

"Sure."

We hung up after that. My eyes lingered on Zara's name glistening on my screen before my mind drifted apart to the past.

                         Flashback:

Zara's eyes got narrowed in confusion upon finding me in the university premises. I knew she would come here but I didn't care about anything right now. I was damned annoyed and had lost my mind. Seeing Zainab, not at all bothered about my decision to go abroad, unhinged me. What should I do to make her understand? I tried everything. Love, anger, softness, friendship, and then at the last the fear of her losing me but nothing worked on her. Was I that unwanted for her? Couldn't she make peace with the fact that we became husband and wife even if in unusual circumstances?

"Shaiq, what are you doing here? You were going States." Zara was shocked to see me.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. I was tired of keeping a mask now. I told Zara everything.

"Shaiq, Zainab loves you. I am sure of this fact," Zara mumbled, after remaining quiet for a while.

I scrutinized her curiously. Why was she so confident of this?

"Tomorrow I talked to her over the phone," Zara started. "Accidentally she spilled to me that she loves you when I pumped the answer out of her for her not reacting to you leaving her alone here. She said love is the very reason she wasn't allowing you near her. She is thinking you are pushing yourself to accept her as your wife and she doesn't want to become a hindrance for you. But she loves you, Shaiq. I know it. Appease her and make her understand you aren't pressing yourself for her."

I pondered upon this fact for quite a few days while still staying at my friend's apartment. Love was perhaps not the case with her. Care, affection, and respect as a friend was different thing. But there certainly was an attraction. She was affected by me and I could feel it every time we got near to each other. From that unexpected show of my naked chest to her which made her cheeks red to her staring at my lips when I did the same on that coffee day incident and then to our accidental kisses.

Possibly I could use that attraction to make her understand. It wasn't the case that she entirely disliked me as her husband. We could work on our relationship given if she allowed and I wanted to avail every chance.

After almost a month, I got a call from my Mom telling me about Zainab's parent's death and Daniyal's paralysis. I didn't expect this and to be honest, I got offended at getting this news after such a long time. But Mom said she didn't want to alarm me during my earlier days abroad.

She would be alone. My Zainab would be dealing with everything without me. How lonely and helpless she would have been feeling. I should have been with her.

I didn't wait for a second and hurried towards Zainab's house. The gate opened, revealing Nofil. Mom said she and my sister would be here with Zainab. Nofil's jaw dropped finding me, so suddenly.

"Bhai!" She squealed and hugged me. "You gave us a surprise by coming like this." She lifted her head and looked at my face.

I smiled and ruffled her hair. "Yes. I thought to surprise you guys."

My eyes were going behind her to catch a glimpse of her. The mere reason why I showed up like this was Zainab. But she was nowhere to be seen. Later on, Nofil told me she was outside for her part-time job. And it hurt me like ever. My wife despite me having such a wealthy background was doing countless jobs for making a living. I wanted to ask her to stop. She didn't deserve to tire herself like this. But the problem was she didn't even want to consider me as her husband in front of me.

After getting done with my family and meeting Daniyal, I snuck into the kitchen to find Zainab standing in front of the stove, making coffee. She was lost in deep thought. Her long hair was tied nicely in a plait which was reaching her waist and the simple peach-colored dress was making her look breathtaking. I fought an urge to hug her tightly and feel her finding peace in my arms.

I took a step near her and stood behind her. I didn't mean to startle her but that would be the only mean to gauge her true reaction. The impression of her being unaware of her surrounding was she was not bothered by the coffee simmering in the pot.  It was so unlike Zainab. She was so apt in everything.

"Just admit you don't want me to leave you," I whispered in her ear.

She flinched but didn't move.

"Like the way you are oblivious of this boiling coffee dribbling on the floor, just say you love me as much say I do because these actions are a reflection of your heart, Zainab."

The boiling coffee again caught my attention and to avoid any distraction in my time with Zainab, I turned off the stove.

A realization hit her and she hastily turned behind on her toes. Her jaw dropped seeing me. She was looking extra beautiful to me right now. I smiled at her.

"Shaiq, you?" She murmured under her breath.

A small smile stuck to her lips, giving me the contented fruit of bearing not being with her for this one month. It also gave me an indication she was happy and pleasantly surprised to find me.

"Yes, Zainab. It's me, your Shaiq." I cupped her face with my both hands.

She kept on looking at me with curious eyes but the next moment, she pushed away my hands from her cheeks.

I raised a brow in confusion. What happened to her?

"What are you doing here?" She asked sternly.

I had to use this. I had to show her that I love her and I desire her as well. I wasn't forcing myself as she was thinking.

Instead of replying, I bent down and touched her shoulders. I leaned towards her face.

"I have come here to meet my wife," I muttered, huskily.

"I am not your wife, Shaiq." She glared at me.

"I never knew my wife has a twin. And it's such a pity that I have never seen you until now." I stood next to her and lift her chin with my index finger.

"If I had, then I would have married you because you are more beautiful than her," I winked.

"Shaiq!" She semi yelled.

"I know you are mad at me because of what I said back there in the farmhouse. But Zainab, believe me, I didn't mean any of what I said. It just came out of my mouth. I am sorry. At least, I deserve one chance. Don't I? I will amend everything. I will love you and give you every happiness you deserve. Just let me try once," I pleaded.

I took her one hand and brought it near my lips before kissing the inside of her palm. I embraced her hand in mine and placed it on my chest.

"Will you give your Shaiq a chance?" I asked.

"Stop pitying me, Shaiq," she spewed in anger and jerked away her hand from my grip.

"I am not pitying you for God's sake, Zainab. I am saying all of this because I love you as my wife; the girl to whom I want to give my whole love and attention. And..."

"Stop lying. I know like before, you are again using this love word in my favor but I am telling you, I won't let you ruin your life once again," she interrupted me.

"By God, that's not the case. I..."

"Why are you back, by the way?" She again cut me.

I couldn't bear this anymore. I needed to tell her the truth.

"I never went from here, Zainab. I can never leave you alone. If I need to go then I will take you with me. So the decision is up to you; whether you want to stay with me here or in the States. "

She looked at me stunned at my words. But later on, she gasped and a tear fell from her gorgeous eyes. I knew Zainab and her reactions well. She had remained an open book to me since we were children. Even though now she was trying hard to hide her feelings but her gasp and tear were enough to tell me she had developed something for me. She was happy that I never stopped caring about her and wasn't angry at her too.

I reached her face and tried to cup her cheek but she quickly gained her newly gotten adamance back and took a few steps away from me.

"I won't go anywhere with you, Shaiq. You go and complete your studies. Get a good girl and marry her. I don't want to become the hindrance in the way of your better life." Her voice turned low and wobbled at the mention of me abandoning her and getting another woman in my life again said a lot of things to me.

My Zainab was too genuine to mask her feelings from me. I would try my best to make her understand that I truly loved her and wasn't confessing under any pressure of our friendship.

"Stop lying to me, Zainab." I couldn't help but say this when she again said she didn't gave any feelings for me. Her tone wasn't supporting her words.

"What lying? Do you think I will fall in love with my best friend? That's so stupid and low to even think about it," she spewed in anger.

"What's bad about this? I am your husband and..."

"Oh please!" She raised a hand in front of my eyes.

"Stop with this husband, wife thing, for God's sake," she yelled.

"Shaiq, I don't consider you as my husband. You are just my childhood best friend," she deliberately stopped to look at me.

She raised her hands and cupped my face with her both palms. I felt havoc in my whole body at this slight contact. I wanted her badly. And I knew I would be able to live without her.

"I can never think that way about you so stop thinking about me and live your life as you want. With the girl who will love you unconditionally, who will give you every happiness."

"The girl I want in my life are you, Zainab. No one else," I said as I took her both hands in my bigger one.

She harshly jerked away her hands from my grip.

"But I don't need you. It's better if you understand this thing right now." She announced and closed the door of her room. But since my hand was placed on the corner, she accidentally shut it on my hand. I hissed at the unexpected sting.

Zainab screamed and reached for once she realized what happened. She soothed the back of my hand with my palm.

"Will you still say you don't need me?" I whispered.

Zainab's moving fingers on my hand come to a halt at my words.

"You are not even able to see me in a meager pain. Can you give me pain a lot more than this by forcing me to stay away from yourself?" I said matter of factly.

She finally glanced up at me with tear-filled eyes. She didn't say anything or tried to push me away.

I placed my palms on both sides of her face. I slowly brushed my thumb on her cheek. She groaned when I grabbed her and pulled her towards myself. Both her hands directly landed on my chest. I leaned forward and joined our foreheads.

"The only girl I love and I want in my life is you, just you, Zainab," I spoke huskily.

I lifted her face placing a finger under her chin.

"I will give you every happiness, every joy which you have craved for, your whole life. I will love you so much that you will forget every bitter memory of your past. I will mend your broken heart with my love, Zainab." I intentionally stopped to gauge her reaction and the outcome I got was something I wanted to see. She was silent and didn't strive to get away from me. 

I tugged the loose strands of her hair as I bent nigher to her face and whispered, "I hope you will give me a chance, won't you?"

I laid my hands on both sides of her neck and pulled her closer to me. I rubbed my nose on her silky cheek. She hurriedly shut her eyes when I lent towards her mouth. I placed my lips on her soft ones and then I realized it was the best thing in my life I ever experienced. My eyes shot open in surprise when I found her lips moving against mine. I smiled against her lips to discover her responding to my kiss. My heart filled with immense happiness at this. Finally, she understood me!

But this happiness was just momentarily. It died down like a soap lather when Zainab pushed me away and broke the kiss. I looked at her in confusion.

"Stop with this already, Shaiq," she asserted as a tear left her eye.

"Why?" I did know her so-called reason. Her way to send me away for my good. The tears, the trembling voice, and the way her body was contraindicating her words ascertained that she fell in love with me. She was just negating it because of her notion that I was forcing myself to accept her.

She rubbed her forehead in annoyance.

"Because I don't want to. I don't have any feelings for you except that you are my childhood best friend. I don't consider you as my husband," she semi-yelled, biting her lower lip.

She only bit her lips on two occasions. Either when she was nervous or speaking a lie.

How selfless was she? Only thinking about her best friend. I was so lucky to have Zainab in my life. But that luck I didn't need right now. I needed her. My Zainab! But I knew she wouldn't allow it like this. Nothing would work on her.

She was strong. So much that right now I felt she was made up of steel. She wasn't even caring for herself. And if I would push her now, she would distance herself from me more. Perhaps would ask for a divorce. The only way was to show her that I was affected by this. I was affected as her husband, not her best friend.

I made up my mind. But my heart still asked me to try for the last time. How would I survive without her? So far away from her. I held her arms and made her look at me.

"Do you want me to go? Do you want me to leave you alone?" I used my last attempt. Perhaps now she would say no.

She closed her eyes which caused the converted tears in her eyes to escape and fell directly on her cheeks.

Another betrayal of her body to her mind. She was too naive to think I didn't know she was lying for my sake.

"Yes, I want you to go and leave me alone. Go, complete your studies, and marry the girl who will be suitable for you and come back as a happy, successful Shaiq," she announced sternly.

"Say all of this while looking into my eyes." Last try and then I would stop it. I wouldn't disrespect her selflessness and sacrifice like this.

"Yes, Shaiq. I will be fine without you. I want you to leave me on my own as soon as possible." She asserted fearlessly looking into my eyes. 

Our friendship was so strong. But my Zainab was even tougher than this. She seemed so great to me right now. She not for a mere second strayed away from her decision. I was so fortunate to have her in my life. She was best for me either as a friend or wife. If she was this straight on her path, then I wouldn't make it difficult for her by giving her the regret of her whole life that I forced myself to accept her. She didn't deserve this. A pure girl likes her merited respect, regard, and admiration.

I would perhaps get her right now by urging her, by including our families, or either by claiming my right and making her decision to waver as happened during our kiss but it would be wrong. I wouldn't forgive myself if she would think I accepted her in pity and she was getting my love in plead. My Zainab would herself submit to this one day that she had always been the occupant of Shaiq's heart.

I left her arms and maintained a distance from her by dragging myself away.

"Fine then, if that's what you want then I will do as you say. I will leave you, for.....forever, " I put extra stress on the word that she stared at me without blinking.

I looked at her face for the last time. I would miss you Zaini. I would miss our friendship, our bickering, and our love. I licked my lips as my gaze wasn't leaving her figure. It was like I was trying to capture her in my eyes. I sighed when I knew it wouldn't do anything and left the room.

------------------------------------------------------------

Zainab's POV

I looked at the wall clock which was showing it was past ten in the morning. Shaiq was still in his office room even though his secretary had left. He still hadn't had any breakfast and I was getting worried for him.

When another half an hour passed, I prepared the breakfast, settled it in the dining and headed towards his office to call him. I knocked on the door with my knuckles. 

"Come in." His husky voice came and I entered inside.

He made it seem like a little office with an office table set in the middle of the room. But it still retained the signs of what it was before. A small library. A few books were still placed in racks behind the table. On the back, there was a window opening into our lawn.

Shaiq was busy typing on his laptop but as soon as I entered, he recognized the rhythm of my footsteps and lifted his face.

"Come for breakfast, Shaiq. You haven't eaten anything since morning," I asked him after closing the door behind me.

He was looking tired with disheveled hair. His calm face got replaced by a frown when I mentioned breakfast.

"I am sure you made the breakfast yourself, " he taunted.

I stifled a smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Chores don't tire me, Shaiq. And I love to do that. And believe me, it's nothing."

Shaiq sighed and shook his head.

"Have breakfast. You have been empty stomach since morning and working like this isn't good for you," I again coerced him.

Shaiq nodded. "I'll come in a few minutes."

I grimaced. "No few minutes. Come right now."

Shaiq chuckled. "Come here, Zainab."

I narrowed my eyes. What was with him now?

"Why?" I asked, confused.

Shaiq sighed. "Come to me."

I shrugged my shoulders and headed in his direction. As soon as I got near him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me onto his lap. I shrieked at this sudden act. Shaiq looked at my face for a moment before hugging me. He tightly wrapped his palms around my lower back. sending tingling sensations.

After a while, he pulled away. "What happened?" I asked.

Shaiq shook his head and smiled. He cupped my face and attached his lips to mine. His hands started a leisurely journey of my body; stroking and caressing whatever skin came in his way, causing my heart to beat in my ears. Our kiss turned passionate in a split second. He left my mouth and started placing soft kisses on my chin, throat, and neck. I groaned in pleasure which he stifled by again kissing my lips. When we both ran out of oxygen, we parted away from each other.

Shaiq gazed at me with dark eyes. He sighed and leaned forward, dropping a peck on my forehead. He held my hands afterward.

"I have to go to the office tomorrow. Things are getting complicated and I need to be there," he said, kneading the ring on my third finger.

My heart was sunken at his words. I wanted to spend time with him but of course, what I wanted was quite unrealistic right now. His business was new and he had to take care of it. And it was just a matter of a few hours. We still had a lot of time which we could use for each other's company.

I smiled and nodded. His lips too spread.

He kissed my temple. "Cheer up sweetheart. Get ready tonight. We'll have dinner outside and have our own time."

My face lit up at his invitation. Shaiq ran his fingers from my arm to my wrist, causing me to inhale a sharp breath. "And wear something pink. You look gorgeous in that color," he whispered.

I shuddered at his husky murmur and the delicious feel of his fingers on my skin. And I knew right away what that meant when he asked me to get ready in his favorite color on me. Tonight would be special for both of us and to be honest, I was both excited and nervous about it.

I nodded shyly.

"Oh yes. I now remember..." He uttered suddenly and reached out for the drawer in his table. After a while, he came up with a box.

"I got a new phone for you," he confided, grabbing my hand and placing the box on it.

My jaw dropped at this. I wanted a phone badly. "Thank you, Shaiq."

"No need," he beamed. "Zara called a while ago. She is inviting us on her daughter's birthday next weekend."

"Wow. Really?" I squealed in enthusiasm. "She has got a daughter now," I wondered.

Shaiq hummed and took the box back from me and started unboxing it. He again opened the drawer and took out a brand new sim before fixing it alongside the battery.

"Masha Allah," I whispered and then suddenly turned sad realizing I was still yet to get this blessing. And it all happened due to my own stupidity. Not only I starved myself of this gift from Allah but Shaiq as well. I badly wanted to have children and start a real family with Shaiq.

I remembered Zara had sent me pictures of her first newborn baby a few days after his birth and I congratulated her on call. We used to talk to each other often during the beginning. It never felt awkward to have a chat with her considering she was Armaan's wife. Neither she made it feel like she was uncomfortable due to the same reason nor did I. She was such a kind soul and a good friend. Though I and Armaan never maintained any contact after that incident five years ago when I ended everything between us with a promise of friendship.

How ironic that friendship was a way I ended things between us nicely. Now if I meet Armaan again, we wouldn't feel uneasy.

"We will surely attend," I told Shaiq.

He looked up from the phone and nodded. "Zara was also asking about you. Talk to her when you feel like it."

"Okay...Come for breakfast, Shaiq. Leave this phone. Fix it later on," I mumbled and tried to get off his lap but he increased his grip on my waist.

"In front of you, I swear nothing interests me," he whispered and claimed my lips for a powerful kiss. I shook my head and smiled before responding to him with equal passion.

           _________________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

I am back with a new chapter. And it's also the longest chapter I have ever written with 4K+ words.

So by this flashback, we got to know, Shaiq was never angry with Zainab. He posed it all to make her understand his love for her.

Do you like Shaiq's way?

Do you think he did the right thing?

Now about Meekal, we will get to know them in Flashback 3.

Don't skip these flashbacks. They are really important and if you won't read them, you will misunderstand many characters and the story itself.

And yes our hot couple ZARMAAN made an entry here with their babies.  Though it was just Zara lmao we will get to see Armaan as well.

❤ A GOOD NEWS: ❤

I will write a few of Zara and Armaan's POVs separately to get a glimpse of their lives after Entangled Love ended.

So yes ZARMAAN's fans should get ready for some crazy, cute, and romantic moments between their fav couple.

If you like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment.