Author's pov
" Why did she call you?" Aurin asked Mikaeel who just finished talking to Iqra.
Mikaeel didn't bother to reply to her and forwarded his legs to leave the room when Aurin grabbed his hand tightly. Turning behind, first, he glanced at her hold and then at her.
" I asked you something," She said calmly but Mikaeel can feel the fury in her voice.
Freeing his hand he answered back rudely," I am not bound to answer your every question."
Saying that he left and Aurin was hurt by his behaviour. Tears started blurring her vision but she controlled them somehow. She decided to not bother whatever he does but her fragile heart isn't ready to let go of this matter. She wonders why he talks with Iqra and what's happening between them.
A day passed and Aurin tried to talk to Mikaeel about Iqra but he ignored her. His avoidance was killing her from inside and with passing time the emotional turmoil continued rising inside her. He saw her shedding tears silently but didn't bother to ask about her feelings.
Today is Miraz's wedding and Aurin & Mikaeel are getting ready for the functions. Both of them are in front of the mirror and Aurin's eyes were on Mikaeel but he was busy with himself. She was admiring him with her eyes. He was looking so dashing in his light cream colour Kurta.
Aurin was wearing a light maroon colour dress and didn't cake her face with make-up. She doesn't know how to do makeup and she isn't interested to know as well. She was looking simple yet beautiful.
Aurin was brushing her hair and waiting for Mikaeel to compliment her or at least say that she is looking beautiful. But, to her utter disappointment, he wasn't saying anything. She threw the brush on the glass making a sudden noise to catch his attention but again he ignored her. His untroubled expression was crunching her fragile heart.
After that Mikaeel left for the function alone. He didn't take her or even bother to ask how she is going to reach the venue. This time she was so angry that she felt like slapping him repeatedly. Having no other choices Aurin reached the venue with Ziya and reaching there her blood boiled with anger.
Mikaeel was standing among all the girls who were from Miraz's wife Amal's family. The girls are actually Amal's sisters and cousins. Standing among them he was laughing and joking with them. Aurin lost it when Iqra touched Mikaeel's arms playfully. The touch was intentional and he didn't show any sign of discomfort. He didn't say anything too which just made Aurin lose her sanity. She stormed toward him like a tornado and heard him complimenting Iqra.
" You are looking marvellous," He complimented, Iqra blushed and Aurin gritted her teeth in anger.
Without wasting another second she grabbed his wrist and started dragging him somewhere. Everyone looked at them with stunned eyes and started whispering but Aurin didn't bother to see her surrounding. On the other hand, Mikaeel let her drag him outside. He wasn't even surprised by her actions.
" What are you doing among the girls, huh? That girl touched you and you didn't even bother to move from that place!! You were enjoying her touches! How dare you!" Aurin shouted shaking with anger but Mikaeel was silent.
Grabbing his collar Aurin questioned shaking with fury," Why that girl Iqra is so comfortable around you? What's your relationship with her?"
" She is a relative," Mikaeel answered shortly.
Letting out a peal of sarcastic laughter she taunted," Oh! Relative! Maybe a close relative. So close that she won't bother before jumping in your lap!!"
" Think whatever you want to think. I am not in the mood to hear your bullshit," Mikaeel replied and bumping on her shoulder slightly he forwarded his legs to leave.
Mikaeel took a few steps when he heard her miserable voice. He looked behind and found her gloomy face like anytime she will cry.
" First your ex-girlfriend, now this girl Iqra! How much you are going to hurt me, Mikaeel?" Aurin questioned with her trembling voice.
Mikaeel replied rudely," You are getting hurt on your own then what can I do, Aurin? You are behaving like an immature."
Aurin remained silent when Mikaeel started saying," My ex-girlfriend broke up with me years ago and that chapter is closed now. Yes, I loved her genuinely but every time love can't win every obstacle. Now, tell me is it a crime to have a past relationship?"
While asking all these Mikaeel started coming towards her with calculative moves and she started stepping backwards. Suddenly, she stepped on a stone and going to fall on the ground but Mikaeel grabbed her wrist tightly. He pulled her into his chest and her soft chest collided with him which sent an electric type sensation inside her.
" About remembering my ex-girlfriend, yes. I remember her. She was a significant part of my life then how can I forget her! But, the thing is she was my past and now an imagination where you are my wife and my reality," Mikaeel said and Aurin looked down trying hard to console her heart.
She asked meekly," You still love her?"
Cupping her face between his palms he made her look into his eyes. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and for the first time, Mikaeel felt genuinely sad for her.
" I used to love her and now that love is locked somewhere else. Now, I only love one woman and that is you," Mikaeel replied seriously without any malice in his heart.
He was also surprised by this confession but he knew that he has to convince her at any cost. Finally, his stupid brain realized Miraz's words that he needs to focus on his future, not his past.
She looked somewhere else because she wasn't understanding what to say. A pink taint coated her fluffy cheeks when he kissed her forehead.
" Wifey, I already explained why I lied that day. I will obviously share my past with you but not now. I hope you will understand and give me a chance," he said and Aurin hummed convincing her heart to give him a chance.
Placing her head over his chest he said stroking her smooth hair," Don't let anyone come between us. Don't let another woman take what is yours."
Tightening the hold around his body, she asked nervously," If your past returns someday then what will you do?"
" What you expect me to do?" He questioned back and Aurin looked at him breaking the hug.
She whined like a child," You always twist my words. I asked you a simple question."
" And, I answered you simply," he answered back and Aurin slapped his shoulder slightly.
Letting out a chuckle Mikaeel said," Then, I will let you decide what to do. Are you happy now?"
Smiling back, she grabbed his hands suddenly. He looked at her questioningly and she gave him a threatening look.
" I don't want that Iqra near you," She warned and Mikaeel burst into laughter.
In Dubai
A woman in her mid-thirties was walking through an office and every employee was greeting her with the utmost respect. She was wearing a long skirt with a casual shirt and a hijab was covering her head. A sunglass was covering her eyes and no one can deny the roughness in her facial expression.
She will just enter her luxurious office room when someone bumped into her and fell on the ground. Removing her sunglass she looked at the man and recognised him instantly. He was a cleaner in this office.
Glaring at his face for a few seconds, she diverted her gaze to her shoe which are now covered with a cleaning substance. Scrunching her nose in disgust she glared at the man who was already trembling in front of her.
" Sabah alkhayr, mam (Good Morning, Mam)," the man greeted bowing his head.
Then he apologised genuinely," ana asf. lam 'ulahizk ( I am sorry. I didn't notice you)."
" aimsahaha ( Wipe it)," she ordered rudely forwarding her legs.
The man blinked her eyes in confusion when she shouted making him tremble, "amartuk bimashihi. alm tasmaeuni? ( I ordered you to wipe it. Didn't you hear me?)"
Without wasting another second he took out his handkerchief and kneeled in front of her to wipe her shoes. He will just rub the handkerchief when she stepped behind.
The man looked at her when she ordered emotionlessly," mae qamisik (With your shirt)."
The man looked at her in disbelief when she shouted," haliana (Now)."
After that, the man did whatever he was ordered. The whole office saw her humiliating that poor man but nobody dared to open their mouth.
" alaa madha tanzurina? lays hunak 'ayu dirama mustamiratun! (What are you looking at? There isn't any drama going on!)," she shouted and everyone returned to their work without any delay.
Storming inside the office she sat down on the chair comfortably crossing her legs. Taking a file in her hand she started checking it with scrutinising eyes. She was engrossed in her work but her concentration was broken by the loud ring tone of her phone.
" Maryam Samshi speaking," She said receiving the call.
Talking for some time, she cut the call and pressed a red button. A few moments later a young man entered the office holding a file in his hand.
" The reports you asked for," The man said forwarding the file to her.
Checking the file for some time, Maryam shut it down angrily. A thin line of tension appeared on her forehead and she looked at the man.
" Aziz, what're all these? We are losing our clients one by one. Why they aren't investing anymore?" She shouted banging her hands on the table.
Aziz replied politely," Because they did business with Mr Samshi. Not you. They trusted him but somehow you failed to earn their trust."
Maryam glared when he said truthfully," You can fire me for telling the truth but whatever I said is for your wellbeing. I think you should start thinking about the business strategically."
Hearing him she didn't say anything further and lost herself in serious thought. Her mind travelled back in time and she took a long breath.
" Call all the board members. I need to know what they think about investing in Pakistan," She ordered and nodding his head, Aziz left.
No sooner had Aziz left than someone called her again. Receiving the call she smirked.
" So, what's the update?" She asked playing with the paper wet.
The other party replied," Now Mikaeel Sheikh is the chairman and recently he got married."