His Soul, My Heart! 💕

Author's POV

" Why you are here? Didn't you leave me? For that woman you had an affair with.. just leave me and my children here and live with her and maybe her kids... just leave. I don't want to talk to you... LEAVE... " She shouted at the end.. but he didn't move.

He looked at her, his life.. whom he loves the most. How can he hurt her then? But she refused to think that side.

" Iram, listen. I am here for you. I never had an affair except you, my love. "

He was walking closer to her who was standing a few steps away from him.

" I didn't cheat on you, My Love! "

" Then where were you these two days, huh? Answer me! And that too with proof! " Iram grabbed his collar and eyed him.

" I have proof. You just need to get ready first. "

" What? Why? " Iram asked, confused and continued,

" And how is this gonna answer me? " 

" I am telling you na... Please...get ready... for me... "

" I don't want to. "

" But I can look at the proof before her right? " Afreen asked to let them know she was still there.

" Yeah, you can. " Ayaan replied and Afreen excitedly walked out of their room.

Iram looked at him in shock and slapped his arm.

" Ouch! What?! "

" She can see the proof before me? " Iram asked angrily.

" She needs to get ready too... "

" But what for? I am not getting ready. I am angry with you. " Huffing, Iram sat on the edge of the bed, with her hands crossed over her chest.

" But I will make you get ready... " Saying that, Ayaan walked over to her and carried her in bridal style.

" Ayaan! Please! Let me down! "

" Never! " Chuckling, Ayaan entered their wardrobe room while carrying her and let her sit on a chair in front of the mirror.

" Budhape mein Jawani dikhane ki zarurat nhi hai... "

(There is no need to act young in this old age)

" Main budha nhi hua... Shayad tum ho gyi ho... " Ayaan chuckled at his reply only to get a slap on his arm again.

(I have not grown old... maybe you have...)

" Ahhh! "

" Budhe tum ho, main nhi. "

(You are old, not me.)

" Chalo koi budha nhi hai... Ab toh tyaar ho jao... "

(Okay, no one is old... Now please get ready...)

Iram made a face and looked at her dresses and was well organized.

" I don't have anything to wear. Tell me about the occasion, na? "

" It will ruin the surprise. " Holding the tuxedo for himself, he answered.

" Any hints?! "

" Think of it as a Date! " Ayaan winked and walked towards the bathroom to get freshen up.

" Iski Jawani achanak kaise uchchaal marne lagi... ? " Iram whispered to herself. The suspiciousness over Ayaan's sudden romance.

" I still don't think, I have clothes for that occasion... "

There was no response. After around 20 minutes, Ayaan walked into the wardrobe room wearing his blue tuxedo suit with a white shirt.

" You freshen up. I'll choose the dress for you. " 

A few minutes later, Iram walked into the wardrobe room and found a beautiful blue sequin georgette saree filled with silvery-white glitter which made Iram smile.

She remembered something all of a sudden from her college days. The day she will never forget. The day she met him. She wore the same blue and white combination of clothes the day they met, the day her friends got engaged and married, many times on their anniversaries and birthdays, and even today. Iram smiled again as it was the umpteenth time when they wore the combination of blue and white. 

" But what is the surprise? " Iram was curious to know and guessing while wearing the jewelry set Ayaan gifted her on her birthday.

" Are you ready, Jaan? " Ayaan asked while knocking on the door.

" Yes! " Ayaan was mesmerized by what he was watching in front of his eyes. 

" Beautiful, Masha Allah! " Ayaan said and walked towards her and kissed her forehead.

" Thank you! And thank you for this. " Ayaan smiled. 

Ayaan got her the matching top instead of a blouse as he knew she would be uncomfortable. Iram covered herself very well.

" Let's walk down the aisle... "

" HUh? Aisle? " Iram was confused.

" Are we re-marrying ourselves? " Iram asked as Ayaan opened the door of their room. Ayaan winked and held her hand as they walked towards the stairs.

Iram was surprised by the decoration done in just a few hours. And the people all dressed up waving at them.

She looked at Ayaan and smiled widely showing her bright white teeth.

" I love you so much. " Iram said and hugged Ayaan.

" I love you too... so much... " Ayaan kissed her temple and then they walked down the aisle, as Ayaan said.

While walking downstairs, Iram's eyes looked at the words hanging on the decorated wall.

" Happy Anniversary?! We have more than a month for that... " Iram asked confused.

" Happy Anniversary for the day I first saw you. " Ayaan replied and Iram smiled.

" Awww!!! Happy Anniversary!! " Iram hugged Ayaan again when the crowd cheered and screamed,

" Happy Anniversary... "

" Thank you so much. "

" Wow!! What a surprise!! " Iram was very happy meeting all of her college friends, Rafeeq Bhai, Shifa, Aaban Bhai, Zara, Mansoor Bhai, Tabassum, Faizaan Bhai, and Farah. Iram met everyone and smiled.

" Inke aane see hume mat bhool jana... " Everyone laughed at Afreen's comment.

( Don't forget us because of their arrival... )

These college friends introduced their kids who have grown up and looking at them, they remembered their own college life. The hall was decorated with balloons and flowers. The crowd was having fun. Everyone was talking to someone. And soon, the cakes were cut and distributed. 

Iram and Ayaan were seated on the sofa and looking at the people around. Iram was busy tasting every bit of cake, slowly, and enjoying it. She was busy looking at her friends and her children, unaware that someone was closely watching her.

Iram then turned towards Ayaan who had already eaten his piece of cake, but his eyes were on her. His lips smiling.

" Aaj ho kya gya hai tumhe? Bade romantic ho rhe ho... "

(What has happened to you today? You are being extra romantic... )

" Aaj ka din hi kuch khaas hai... "

(Today is very special after all...)

" Budhape mein jawani dikhane ki zarurat nhi hai... " Iram giggled while saying that.

(There is no need to act young in this old age)

" Budhe ho bhi gye honge bahar see... Andar see toh abhbhi jawan hai... akhir hume Mohabbat ne hi to dil see jawan rakha hai... "

(We may have grown old from the outside... but from inside we are still young... After all, it is love that has kept us young at heart...)

" Waah!! Full romantic mood mein ho... kahin kuch dawai wagehra toh nhi pi hai is mood k liye... " Hearing those lines from Ayaan, Iram smiled and said,

(Wow!! You are in a full romantic mood...Have you taken any medicines etc. for this mood?)

" Kya baat kar rhi ho...? " Ayaan replied in disbelief.

(what are you even talking?)

" Ya phir bachchon ko sikhane k liye... ? "

(or is it for our children to learn?)

" Iram!! "

Iram smiled and finished her cake and looked at him who moved a little closer to her. His hand was behind her shoulder.

" Surprise kaisa laga? "

(How was the surprise?)

" Dramatic "

" Huh? "

" Drama hi to tha... Kaise achchanak chale gye aur calls bhi attend nhi ki aur phir mujhe rulaya bhi... "

(It was just like a drama... how you left suddenly and did not even attend calls and then also made me cry...)

" Uske liye sorry... Surprise k liye thodi baatein chupani padhti hai... " Iram hit his abdomen with her elbow and glared at him.

(Sorry about that...some things have to be hidden for the sake of surprise.)

" Waise, humare liye is party ka ek part aur baaki hai... " Ayaan whispered near her ear.

(By the way, there is one more part of this party left for us.)

" Woh kya? " Iram asked in excitement and looked at him. She could feel his breath on her face.

(That is what?)

" Jaise wedding k baad wedding night aati hai... Waise hi Anniversary k baad Anniversary night... " Ayaan winked while passing a flower from the decoration on the side of the sofas. Iram took hold of the flower and hit his face lovingly.

(Just as wedding night comes after the wedding, similarly anniversary night comes after the anniversary.)

" Ayaan!! " Iram sat facing him and glaring at him.

" Ji Jaan!! " Ayaan said with a bright smile.

" Budhape mein jawani... "

" Dikhane ki koi zarurat nhi hai... " They both chuckled as they completed the sentence.

(There is no need to act young in this old age)

But that chuckle didn't last long for Ayaan.

" Congratulation Iram and Ayaan!! "

" Junaid!!! " Iram smiled and started talking to each other.

" Where is Afiya and kids? " 

" Afiya wanted to come but Bashir and Jafir had their board exams. "

" All the best to them!! "

Their conversation continued. 

Ayaan grabbed Sadiq by his arm and asked after pulling him to a corner,

" Who invited Junaid? "

" Afreen "

" I hate Junaid "

" Yeah, we know. " Sadiq was enjoying his condition and said,

" Ab jab anniversary mana hi rhe hai toh jealousy wala angle with hone chahiye na woh Mohabbat ki journey yaad dilane k liye... "

(Now that we are celebrating the anniversary, there should be an angle with jealousy to remind the journey of love.)

" Sadiq!! Maine tumhe nhi chhodunga... "

(Sadiq!! I will not leave you..)

" Itni mohabbat ka shukriya pr abhi Iram Bhabhi pe dhyaan do toh behtar hoga... "

(Thank you for so much love, but now it would be better if you concentrate on my sister-in-law.)

Iram introduced the kids to Junaid and Ayaan saw all of them smiling.

It was dinner time soon.

It was a buffer system. Ayaan brought two plates to the table- one for Iram and the other for himself.

" Junaid, Khana lag gaya hai... Khalo jaake... " Junaid nodded and walked away from the table.

(Junaid, food is ready... go eat.)

" Mujhe ek plate laana chahiye the... Mil-ke khate... "

(I should have brought one plate only... would have shared it....)

" Toh dusra plate Junaid ko de dete hai... "

(So give the second plate to Junaid.)

" Mat naam lo uska... I hate him... "

(Don't take his name...)

" Toh bulaya hi kyun use... "

(So why did you call him?)

" Bulaya nhi... Bin bulaye aaya hai woh... "

(I Didn't invite... He has come uninvited.)

" Achcha ab shant ho jao... Aur chain se khana kao... " Iram passed a small piece of roti with chicken dipped in chicken korma and Ayaan ate it, not before kissing her fingertips.

(Okay, now calm down... and eat in peace.)

" You know how much I love you? " Iram asked while passing another piece of food.

" I know. " Ayaan kissed her temple and then took a bite. Iram blushed and smiled.

" Aaj bhi sharmate hue badi pyaari lagti ho... "

(Even today you look very cute while blushing.)

They were eating together, laughing, smiling, and blushing. It was their perfect moment.

Shahveer was too shy to watch them so he walked in another direction, meeting some friends.

Daniyal smiled and clicked many pictures of them for the gift he wanted to give them on their marriage anniversary.

While Nazya was lovely and enjoying it.

" Awww... So much love even after being together for so many years. I want that kind of love. "

" That love is standing behind you. "

" HUh?! "

" Your lover is here... "

" Hamid! " Nazya averted her eyes and looked at her parents.

" Why don't you do this with me? " He asked looking at her parents.

" What thing? " Nazya replied still looking at them, praying for their infinite love.

" Eating food with your hands. " He said smirking but soon changed to a frown as he received a punch from Nazya.

" Ouch! " He groaned.

Hamid pulled her with him to the terrace and said,

" I love you, Nazya. Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I have been in love with you and I cannot live without you. "

" I love you too, Hamid. " She smiled.

" Then when are we going to talk about our marriage to our parents?" He asked.

" Tomorrow? "

" What? No. We should talk now " Nazya held his hand to stop him from going downstairs and said,

" No, Hamid. Now is not the right time. I promise, tomorrow we will talk to them. " 

" Please! " She said and he agreed.

.

.

.

Next Day...

" Abbu, what a surprise you gave yesterday! " Daniyal said who just woke up and entered the dining area.

" Your Abbu loves giving me such surprises. But every time I used to get hints. This time even Afreen was on your side. " Iram said and looked at Afreen with narrow eyes.

" Don't bring me in the middle of this. " Afreen said who was having breakfast with them.

The college friends left by the early morning flight because of their work. They wanted to stay but couldn't.

" Ammi... About Nazya and Hamid... " Shahveer walked downstairs to tell Iram and others about it.

" Yeah... ?! "

" Yesterday, he took her to the terrace in the middle of the party, and now too. They both are on the terrace. Something is not right. "

" Hamid would not do wrong to her. They are like brothers and sisters. " Afreen defended her son.

" They are definitely not like Brother and sister. " Daniyal whispered but it was audible to everyone.

" Summon both of them... " Ayaan said after completing his breakfast.

" I'll call them. " Danny called Nazya and said,

" Your secrets are out!! " And hang up the call.

Everyone watched them walk downstairs in a hurry. 

Sadiq entered and started having breakfast after cleaning his car as he was obsessed with clean and shiny cars.

He asked,

" What happened? " And looked at Hamid and Nazya.

" They are holding hands... " Shahveer said. He was protective of his sister and wanted to beat Hamid only to be stopped by Iram.

" Ammi Abbu " Nazya and Hamid said together.

" Yes! " They said.

" We want to tell you all something important. " Nazya and Hamid said looking at everyone present there.

They nodded.

" We love each other and want to get married "

They said together.

" Huh! " The lovers saw their parents shocked.

Inside the lovers were praying for their parents to agree.

" We don't have any problem until you both can take care of each other, respect each other, understand each other, love and cherish each other, right? " Iram said. Ayaan, Afreen, and Sadiq nodded agreeing with her point.

Both nodded with a smile.

" One more thing. " Afreen said and stood up to walk towards them.

" And give us grandchildren soon. " She said teasing them. The elders saw the blush on both of their faces.

" But before that, what about your elder brothers? "

" I don't know about them. " Nazya said.

" I need to know about Shahveer and Daniyal's situation... " Ayaan said looking at the brothers.

" I think they both will do arrange marriage. " Iram said to which Ayaan nodded.

" Shahveer, Daniyal " Ayaan called his sons.

" Yes, Abbu "

" Have you both ever thought of marriage? " Ayaan asked.

" How come her marriage topic became a discussion of marriage of us here?" Daniyal said. Everyone laughed.

" Tell me, Shahveer, Daniyal. What are your plans for marriage? "

Ayaan asked.

" I don't know about Shahveer Bhai.. but I have a crush on Zaviya. "Daniyal said.

" Zaviya... as in Ahmed Chachu's daughter. " Nazya said.

" Yes. " He said.

" Shahveer, we didn't expect this from you. We did love marriage, all your siblings are doing love marriage...what about you dear? Don't you have any crush or like for any girl? " Iram asked.

" Mom, I do have a crush on a girl. We both studied from the same college, the same field but she didn't work in the same hospital. We haven't met for 2 years, 4 months, and 19 days " Shahveer said.

" I did not expect that he is more romantic than all of us " Iram whispered to Ayaan who was shocked too.

" Show me her pic. " Iram asked.

He showed her pic in her Instagram ID through his phone.

" I have seen here somewhere ... I don't remember .." Iram said.

" Show me. " Afreen said. She tilted the phone.

" Aree, she is our neighbor's daughter. "

" Ohhh Haan!! "

" Yes. " Afreen said.

" Even, I got to know that Hamza loves her sister, the younger one... " Afreen said.

" It means...it's gonna be wedding month... " Iram and Afreen screamed with excitement.

" Let's fix the date. " Sadiq said and Ayaan nodded. Sadiq called Hamza to join them.

As soon as Hamza entered, Nazya and Hamid said,

" Welcome soon to be groom!! "

" Huh?! "

" Mubaraq mere beton!!! " Sadiq congratulated his sons and hugged them.

" It's going to be so much fun!! "

" Yes!! "

" Ab toh officially hum budhe kehlayenge... Bahchon ki shaadi hone wali hai... " Sadiq made the comment making Afreen pout in sadness. Iram looked at Ayaan and they both giggled while saying,

(Now we will officially be called old... after all, our children are about to get married.)

" Budhape mein jawani dikhane ki koi zarurat nhi hai... "

(There is no need to act young in this old age)

.

.

.

A month later...

Everyone was busy getting ready. Elders were busy seeing the arrangements and shouting for slow works and all. Soon, the time came...

Firstly, Shahveer and Ayesha, followed by

Hamid and Nazya

Hamza and Laeba,

and at last,

Daniyal and Zaviya.

Ayesha (elder) and Laeba (younger) are daughters of Afreen's neighbors.

They were seated on their respective beautiful couches.

Soon, the photo session took place...

The next day was the reception as well as Iram and Ayaan's wedding anniversary.

In the evening, during the reception, the newly wedded couples took the mic and asked the guest for their attention on the stage.

" Today is our parent's 30th Wedding Anniversary and we would like you all to watch a short clip. " Shahveer said.

The clip started with pics of them from college till yesterday's wedding pics. There were love quotes spoken by kids as the background music. The pics of them at their wedding, and reception, with kids and them smiling and a few blushing moments including the ones taken on the anniversary a month ago.

The video ended and all the guests clapped for the lovers.

" Thank you so much all of you. " They said together.

"These 30 years were only after the wedding but we spent 40 years together. We were batchmates in our college. We got to know each other from then and now I think it's the same bond we shared from the beginning. " Ayaan said...

" These years were filled with love, care, respect, support, and understanding. We both started our journey as friends but now we are a couple, lovers. We share the same love as love at first sight and I think that in these years, I got to learn more from him and I would like to say Thank you Ayaan for being with me all the time be it in our happiness or sadness. I love you so so much " Iram said...

" I love you too so so much... " He replied and both hugged each other.

" Awww " The kids said clapping for them.

" Mom Dad, we want to give you something. " Shahveer said.

" This " Shahveer, Nazya, and Daniyal forwarded an envelope to them. They opened to see tickets to Makka Madina in Saudi Arabia. It was the hajj tickets.

" Thank you so much... it's a blessing for us. Thank you " Both said together... Iram almost cried. Kids hugged their parents. And a beautiful moment was captured.

The love between Ayaan and Iram was eternal. Their unbroken bond. Their love, care, respect, and understanding for each other made them perfect from imperfect. Although they faced many difficulties their love remained the same, and the craving to be with each other remained the same.

They both were connected through a pure, sacred, and inviolable thread. Their hearts were connected. Their souls were connected.

His Soul, My Heart!

A/n

Assalamualaikum Warehmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Hey everyone. I am back for a day. Just wrote down the alternate epilogue after a suggestion.

Sorry for the grammatical mistakes.

How's the chapter? I hope you like this version of the ending of this book. I have changed a few names in this book and edited out many things... so... I hope you all enjoyed it.

No matter how much I read it, I fell in love with Iram and Ayaan and all the characters throughout their journey. This book is very very special to my heart. And whenever I miss them, I read this book again and fall in love with it all over again.

Do comment and vote for this chapter...

It's the longest chapter ever...

Words: 6300

Thank you for an amazing experience with this book...

Thank you all for your votes and compliments.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Love you all!

Iram Khan

17/10/2023