Chapter 14 : We both are equally important.
"If you want to ask me something you can ask without any hesitation!" He encouraged her as she wasn't saying anything.
She took a deep breath and fixed her eyes on him and with all the confidence she said " I don't want this marriage to happen now."
Zaroon's heart started to beat at irregular rhythm after hearing the words which left her mouth. But he didn't came on conclusion just at the time, he kept his composure as before and gestured her to continue her talk. He was getting more anxious each passing moment but Zehra kept fiddling with her fingers without looking at him.
"Zehra, is there something i did?Or i mean any reason.."he couldn't complete his questions as zehra interrupted him in between.
"It's nothing about you, actually the thing is very small but it means a lot me."she said while biting her lower lip due to nervousness.
"If it concerns you either minor or major, it concerns me as well and it is also important to me. We can only solve the issue if you will tell me the problem." He said trying to make her comfortable with him to talk despite of his unwillingness of delay in marriage.
Zehra's heart started to beat even more faster than it was, his words had an amazing impact on her as she started feeling giddy but keeping her emotions at bay she finally looked at him who was already looking at her with frown but when their eyes met, he gave her an encouraging smile, she returned it with a hesitant one.
"The thing is, as you know i am doing my internship and i want my internship to get finished before marriage takes place." She said .
She said it but Zaroon knew there was something else as well which she was not telling.so he made up a mind to make her blurt out whole thing from her mouth.
"That's not an issue, you know i already told you that I won't be any barrier between you and your career. You can continue your internship after marriage also." He pushed her more,he mentally smirked seeing her smile fell.
"No, means i know but.."she finally decided to tell him the thing which was bothering her.
"I want to get my degree as a bachelor. I want my father's name behind me when I receive my degree as a doctor." She finally said it as she wanted this and continued her talk.
"I know it's not a big thing for you but this was my and my parents dream. I want this to give them as a small gift before leaving them for whatever they had done for me. I know I can't payback for what they have done for me but at least i want them to feel that proud moment which they will have while I receive the degree. Because wherever i am today is because of them and i feel this is more important for them than me." She said and looked at him who was staring at her intently "I am sorry if i said something more, I totally understand if you don't accept it,this is my thinking and i wanted it that way but i am totally okay if you are not on same page with me." She said while looking at her lap and her voice was thick with emotions as she felt all emotions taking a toll over her as she thought he would deny her.
He kept looking at her for some moments digesting her words. He felt a new kind of respect formed for the person sitting in front of him.The feeling and reason she was having was totally unexpected for him, he didn't even thought that this could be an issue. He felt an immense pleasure that this woman sitting in front of her is engaged to him and soon going to be his life partner. He smiled at his thoughts but came out of revery.
He passed her an glass of water when she looked at him with glazed brown eyes,while having confused expressions. He gestured her to drink water which she did.
"I am shocked to hear the reason and I totally understand your point." He took a deep inhalation and cleared his throat before telling his thoughts, her anxiety level was already on peak.
"I respect your point of view and I respect your decision. We both are equally important in this decision of marriage. So we are on same page." He smiled at her on which she looked quite confused so he thought to elaborate.
" We will keep it after your convocation ceremony." He said on which her expressions changed from confused to happy.
She gave him her brightest smile which could fight off shine of 1000 watt bulb. He really wanted to chuckle on her expressions but he controlled him self and returned her smile. Her smile made his already fast beating heart to beat more furiously. His heart did some somersaults seeing that smile and reason behind that smile was him made him even more happier.
She didn't had any words to describe the feeling she was having. She felt a rush of affection and respect for him. She didn't know what to tell him to make him understand how much light she was feeling after hearing mere words from him.
Before she could tell him something, Afi returned and sat back on her seat.
"When is your internship gonna finish?" He asked while sipping his already got cold beverage.
"In August" she said while taking a glance at him who was looking in deep thoughts and drinking her shake.
"Is September okay or you want more.."he asked.
"It's fine." She said without letting him complete his question. He nodded at her.
After some time of silence when he noticed that she was checking her watch again and again.
"Do you need to be somewhere else also?" He asked noticing her restlessness.
"Actually my asr is still pending." She replied without hesitation.
"Is there anything else you want to talk?" He asked her.
She shook her head so he raised his hand for check. He paid it and stood up after zehra and afiya. Afiya went ahead while doing something on her phone, zehra was behind while tying her veil and gathering her stuff. Zaroon waited for her to complete her work. She walked forward while he walked behind her maintaining a foot distance. Zehra reached her car and turned around to find Zaroon standing there.
"You don't know how relieved i am right now!" She said to him.
"Aap ne sirf waqt manga hai agar aap kuch aur bhi mang leti yaqeen maan lijiye me inkaar nahi karta!(you just asked for time, if you have asked for something else also believe me I wouldn't have denied it!)" he said which made her blush but her face was covered so he couldn't see it.
"Shukriya, Allah hafiz." (Thanks) She said while opening her car door.
"Allah hafiz, take care." He said when she sat on driving seat. "Drive carefully" he said on which she nodded.
~*~
Zehra reached home and prayed asr, she sat on her bed thinking about Zaroon. How easily he accepted her point and understood her. She knew that Zaroon was the one who didn't wanted delay in marriage. Courtesy of Afiya. And he accepted delay in marriage just because she wanted it.
It may look like a childish and unnecessary thing for an outsider. But for her it matters a lot.Even if she would have told her parents this they may have convinced her that it is not a big thing, that's why she didn't tell them about this.
She have noticed how politely he talked to waiter and thanked him after he served,Generally people do not respect the people below their status and act with them harshly. But Zaroon's behavior showed his gentleness and polite behavior.
She was thinking when her phone pinged with notification.
It was a text from unknown number.
As salamu alaikum. I hope you reached safely.
-Zaroon
Walaikum as Salam. I have. Afiya has given you number quite easily,no?
-Zehra
Zaroon: it was not QUITE Easily though.
Zehra: Is that so?
Zaroon: Yeah, but i have my ways..😅
Zehra: I am sure you do have.
~*~
Zaroon was driving car while his mind was still stuck at the conversation he had with her.
I have promised her that I won't be barrier for her career. This is important for her and if she wanted this i am willing to give her as much as time she wants.
If there would be someone from same field of her then he would have also given her time.
I won't ever make her feel like someone would have understood her better if he was from same field..
~*~
Zaroon reached home and after some time he talked to his mother on this matter.
"Ammi, i want marriage to happen in September." He said while observing her mother's expressions keenly.
"Why? But you said in 2 months and now?" She asked in confusion as he was the one who was in hurry and she was also but.
"Ammi, i want marriage to happen after her internship gets over." He said, it doesn't took more than a moment to understand that she wanted it to be like that. But her mother just smiled knowing that his son is giving equal preference to her choice also, and she was happy for it.
She had called and informed her family members that the marriage would take place after her internship gets completed. And they all have agreed it as they also thought it to be good decision.
~*~
Hey people!
Now your question comes.
Tell me do you want me to write things before their marriage or i should skip it and directly write about their wedding functions now?
Reply me so i could work on it.