𝑬𝒉𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒔 𝑬 𝑼𝒍𝒇𝒂𝒕 (𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1)

Beholding Trust - Part 3

Beholding trust

Part 3

"Are you alright Asbah? This was the third time from the past week Shahyaan had asked her, but again there was that similar response. She would remain quiet and would avert her eyes whenever he would ask her about her well being. Shahyaan didn't know what was wrong with her but her body language suddenly changes whenever he ask her about her being fine.

"I am fine Shahyaan... She said and again left before saying a word like always. She never stayed, there was a sudden nervousness in her that he had noticed. This was the third time he had noticed the wet stain on the pillow, he knew that she has been crying in her sleep.

The tears that he couldn't see but were between both of them. Even though they were physically close but he always felt that he was miles apart from her. His wife was secluded. She was missing the light that could brighten herself and their life eventually.

He would often sit and try to observe her. Asbah would do the normal chores despite having house help and Shahyaan never had in him to let her stop. He would see a busy Asbah who would often ask him about the things which were otherwise left unsaid.

She would cook herself and he had realised that his wife could cook really well. He was someone who doesn't have any major preferences in his life but Asbah has brought a little change in him as well.

He could recognise the food made by her from others.

He would wait for her to finish her work before they went to sleep, something he didn't know he would ever do.

He would wait for her to sleep to make sure that she was sleeping fine.

But lately, his aloof and secluded wife was having a part of herself hidden from him and from her worried and anxious behaviour all he could make that it was related to her previous marriage.

Shahyaan sat as he closed his work file and looked at the retreating figure of his wife, thinking.

"Was she forced in this relationship? Is she upset with something? Is she not happy with him? Didn't she wanted this marriage of convenience?'

There were so many questions but the source of these answers was always withdrawn and quiet.

Shahyaan again looked at the dried tear stains on her pillow but he couldn't find anything that could be remotely close to her silence. Her silence was pricking him. Sometimes he thought that he was the reason of her silence, her tears but he didn't knew how should he make her open up.

Every night her silence, everytime her restlessness, every second her eyes seeking him, he didn't knew why but he wanted her to open up.

~~~~~

"Asbah, you can't keep the baby.. think about your life too.. you are only twenty two, you need to move on in life. Asbah meri jaan look at me". Raziya held the face of her daughter in her palms and made Asbah look at her. But Asbah was sitting lifeless, her tears had dried up but she had the heavy weight of her own existence now.

Raziya cried as she looked at her daughter.
There was no emotion in Asbah's face she was lost in her own world not caring of her mother's words. She had come with her mother to her parents home.

Her in-laws had asked her parents to take her with them giving the share of her husband. They had practically given up on her, when their son was no more. No questions asked, nothing answered, she was thrown out of her own home when the base of her relationship had left.

It was true that most of the girls were asked to leave the family and same was done with Asbah. She got married at the age of twenty, Asbah had learnt how to adjust with the household. Her husband didn't allowed her to work. She was like an obedient and docile wife who was ready to do everything she was asked to and that was what preached to her. Asbah tried to make everyone happy and that was what her in-laws had liked but apparently that was not enough for them to keep her when their son had left.

Life is ascertain and that was what she knew now. It always leave them to the point where nothing could be made out but still there is a Kindle of hope that is always there. It just needs patience.

"Asbah, meri jaan meri baat sunen.. you can't keep this baby.." Raziya shook Asbah and the blankness that she saw made her mother fear. The fear for the life of her only daughter. Raziya could only see a long road ahead and with a baby that her daughter was carrying it was difficult to even think. Asbah's mental condition wasn't good and many of the relatives suggested them to abort the child.

Raziya felt aghast at the suggestions, being a mother herself but the more she saw her daughter, she know that it will be very difficult for Asbah to sustain, specially when she wasn't even in her full senses. Asbah was like a lifeless body now and as a last resort to make her see the situation Raziya asked her what was against humanity.

"Asbah.. meri baat suno meri jaan.."

"Ammi, he left me.. I am all alone now.. were the words that escaped from her mouth and Raziya took Asbah in her warm embrace letting her tears cry. It took her two years to make a stranger the centre of her life and suddenly she was deprived of that centre.

"Asbah.. we can't change anything beta.. it was what God wanted. You have your whole life infront of you. Think like this.. Asbah we are here for you.. your father and mother are here. You are not alone.." Raziya consoled and saw that Asbah was no longer crying she had fainted. It was the pain and emotional stress that made her faint.

Raziya patted her cheek to make her open her eyes when she found that there was no response she called the doctor. They lived in Islamabad and her in-laws were in Karachi so Asbah had come with her parents.

~~~~~~~

"Asbah, there is an official party... I want you to be ready at eight.. if you need any help ask dadijaan.." Shahyaan informed his wife as she was settling his files as he was getting ready.

Shahyaan had never asked her to do anything of his but the first time she had offered her help the situation was similar as it was like that day, he knew that it was better for them to adjust with each other with these small moments.

Asbah was getting nervous and sweaty as Shahyaan's words made she conscious.

"Party..?" she asked as she gave him the wallet and other things.

"Yes, party... Our company has signed a deal and there's is an official party. So I need my wife with me..." Shahyaan said casually but seeing her quiet, he made her understand.

"Asbah, I am the owner of the company and it doesn't look good if I take any women other than my wife with me. You are getting what I am saying.." he looked into her eyes to make sure that she understood his words.

Asbah's attention was suddenly on her husband who was now giving his full attention to her.

"But I.. I don't know anything.. what will I do there.. she stammered this time and Shahyaan smiled a little kissing her forehead making her relaxed.

"You will enjoy the party. Parties me koi kya karta hai Asbah.." he kind of mocked and she smiled in return.

"And don't worry my dear wife, dadijaan will also be there.. so you don't have to worry". Shahyaan assured her and left.

********


Hello everyone,

So here is part 3

I hope to see some reviews soon..

The past is in italics.

Do vote and comment if you like the update

Much love