Ayesha's POV

At exactly 6 a.m., my alarm rang. Sighing, I closed my eyes for just five minutes when I suddenly realized that I had invited Zeeshan for breakfast at our place. Yesterday, when I told him, he simply nodded with a smile, though his ears were visibly red, which I didn’t point out at the time.

Brushing away my thoughts, I quickly took a shower and got ready in semi-formals for the day, as we would be heading to the CBI office directly from here.

“Good morning, bhabhi,” I said cheerfully as I walked into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Eshu,” bhabhi replied, glancing at me with a smile as she boiled chai for herself. I, on the other hand, was in charge of making coffee, while bhai was in charge of setting up the table and the househelps were in charge of breakfast.

“Oh, I forgot to inform you. I invited Zeeshan for breakfast today,” I said, biting my lips nervously. She looked amused but nonetheless nodded slowly.

“It’s his birthday today and…” I started walking toward her slowly, my heart racing in anticipation.

“And?” she questioned as if she was always aware of what I was going to say next.

“And I want to introduce him as my boyfriend to bhai,” I whispered, not wanting bhai to hear anything. Her eyes widened in sheer happiness, and my heart warmed at her excitement.

“Ved, make sure you set up the dining table for four today,” bhabhi said as bhai entered at the right time to grab some crockery. Her excitement was infectious.

“Is someone coming?” he asked, confused. I kept my focus on making coffee, while bhabhi quickly added more water and milk to the tea.

“Yeah, Eshu invited someone today,” she replied, looking at me mischievously. My cheeks heated up with the looks she was giving me.

Bhai was utterly confused. It was funny considering he was more experienced in love and stuff, but then again he was equally dumb.

“Okay,” he said, trying to understand whatever was happening but then shrugged, grabbing crockery for four today.

“How are you surviving with him?” I asked, blinking in disbelief at my dumb brother. Bhabhi giggled, shaking her head. I sighed, focusing on the coffee.

After thirty minutes, we were sitting around the table with my brother, who kept giving annoyed looks to Zeeshan, who sat there calmly next to me. Bhabhi, on the other hand, simply enjoyed the scenario, and I had no idea what to say.

Drama runs in my brother's veins, I think.

“Zeeshan, why don’t you have some cheese sandwiches?” bhabhi asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Uh, I’ll just have some poha, bhabhi. I actually don’t like cheese sandwiches,” he replied, scooping some poha for himself. I was happy to see him comfortably conversing with bhabhi without any formality. Bhabhi happily nodded with a huge smile, pushing the bowl toward him.

But wait, that day he…

“So what are your plans today?” bhabhi asked, pulling me out of my thoughts and nudging bhai to say something, who was clearly grumpy for some reason.

“Uh, he doesn’t know it yet,” I said, chuckling nervously.

Bhai’s eyes furrowed in confusion and he asked, “Why?”

“Because I am surprising him today, bhai,” I explained. His eyes widened visibly, and Zeeshan and I shared looks of confusion.

He looked at bhabhi in exasperation before turning toward me and asking, “Why?”

Sighing, I looked at bhabhi, who nodded in assurance, giving me the courage to say, “Because he’s my boyfriend.”

Before bhai could say anything, Zeeshan choked badly on his food. Looking at me and then at my brother with widened eyes, his whole face turned red due to coughing. I quickly poured some water for him and rubbed his back to help him calm down.

Once he calmed down, I returned to my seat . Bhai turned toward me and said, “Mere kaan bajre the shayad kya bola tune?”
(I think my ears were ringing, what did you just say?)

“Wohi jo aapne suna, he’s my boyfriend.” Bhabhi was trying hard not to laugh, Zeeshan, on the other hand, was clearly blushing, too flushed to say anything, and bhai looked as if he had a stroke.
(Exactly what you heard, he's my boyfriend.)

“Kab se chal raha hai ye tum dono ka?” bhai asked, glaring at Zeeshan, who shrugged, further irritating my brother.
(How long has this been going on between you two?)

Why is he sounding like we've been doing something scandalized?

“I am pretty sure you cannot handle another shock today,” he said, taking a sip of his chai.

“Okay, bhai. You know Zeeshan, he’s a nice guy,” I said, trying to save the situation.

“I don’t,” bhai stated. I looked at him in disbelief.

“But as long as he keeps you happy, I have no problem,” he added, before I could say anything in my boyfriend's defence.

I squealed and got up from my place, squeezing his humongous body in my arms. Bhabhi laughed when I hugged her too excitedly.

Somewhere in between, my eyes met Zeeshan’s, which were on me like always while his lips curved into a serene smile. His face looked so calm as if he wanted nothing but this. My cheeks burned under his constant soft gaze that lingered on my face.

So, I looked away first and went back to my seat while bhai and bhabhi indulged in a few small talks with him. After breakfast, we walked out.

Today we were taking my car while he would take his car back home when he returned with me later today from here.

“So,” Zeeshan said as he drove to the CBI office.

“So?” I asked. I already knew what was coming.

“Now that we have introduced ourselves to our family, should we move to the next step?” he said teasingly, glancing in my direction.

My cheeks burned. His constant glances were not helping either. He raised his eyebrows again, waiting for my response. Clearing my throat, I muttered, “Shut up and drive,” which made him laugh loudly. His face radiated happiness, and I felt so proud of myself.

“Oh, by the way, I want you to meet me outside after our work ends, okay?” I said, remembering the actual surprise I had planned.

“Are you going to spoil me like a child on my birthday?” he asked, chuckling softly as he parked our car in the parking lot of the CBI office.

“Am I?” I questioned, shrugging. He shook his head in response with a smile.

We headed inside. I was already aware of Zeeshan’s schedule today with Vidit bhai’s help. He had to take training lessons from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., which was perfect for me because I had requested Naman sir to grant me a half day and not inform Zeeshan about it, and he agreed. Since there was less workload on our heads right now, it was easy for us to take half days.

As per my plan, I left the CBI office premises when Zeeshan left for his training lessons, also collecting the flower bouquet from the florist. After reaching home, I first kept the flowers on the table and then started cooking.

Zeeshan’s favorite cuisines were Indian, Italian, and Mexican, so I had planned to cook cheese nachos for starters. For the main course, I would be making Alfredo pasta with lasagne, and for dessert, I had already made his favorite rabri kulfi, which was resting in the freezer.

I started with the lasagne first, which was going to take most of the time. Along with that, I also made the nachos from the dough I'd made yesterday and kept it aside to rest.

It took me around an hour and a half to cook all the food since I had already done most of the preparations last night. I also decorated his birthday cake with his favorite cookies and cream icing.

I was happy with the way everything turned out. Transferring the food into the casseroles, I tidied up the kitchen along with the dishes.

I had forty five minutes left to get ready. Thankfully, I had dropped off my dress and basic makeup here yesterday along with my shower necessities. So after taking a quick shower, I got ready in my outfit with basic minimal makeup and simple hair.

The only thing left to do was set up the food on the table and go back to the CBI office, which is exactly what I did. After putting the food on the table, I quickly drove to the CBI office where Zeeshan was already for me in the parking lot.

“Zeeshan,” I called out.

Zeeshan's POV

By now, I had gathered that Ayesha had a surprise planned for me, but I had no idea what it was.

I reached the parking lot of the CBI office at exactly 7:15 p.m., not wanting to make Ayesha wait any longer.

Just two minutes later, I heard Ayesha calling me, “Zeeshan,” which made me turn around, only to feel my breath catch with just a glance at her. My heart raced uncontrollably and I could feel my ears turning evidently red after looking at Ayesha's necklace, the same one that I had made her wear.

“Zeeshan,” her voice pulled me out of my thoughts, making me realize that I had been so lost in her that I did not even notice when she came closer to me.

“Yeah, sorry, what were you saying?” I asked, still in a daze. I just cannot get over how ethereal she is.

“Shall we go?” she asked softly.

“Y yeah, we should,” I replied.

‘We should before I do something I shouldn’t be doing,’ I thought, clearing my throat. Ayesha nodded and together we walked to our car.

This time I handled the wheel and Ayesha took the passenger seat.

“So where are we going?” I asked, fastening my seatbelt.

“Our place,” she replied, irritably pushing her hair behind her ear as it kept getting tangled with the seatbelt’s handle again and again, visibly annoying her.

“Easy, tiger, easy,” I chuckled, helping her with the seatbelt. She’s cute.

“Thank you,” she replied gratefully with a small smile. I simply patted her head with a smile and started the engine.

“And, what’s on the agenda today?” I asked, glancing at her for the nth time.

It’s crazy how she holds so much control over my sanity. Just a look at her and I lose all my senses. I guess it’s because I am just in love with her. Madly.

“You will find out,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. I sighed and nodded. She would not tell. Noted.

“You know…” I started. She nodded, waiting for me to continue. “You look ethereal.”

She smiled softly before replying, “Thank you Zeeshan, you don’t look bad yourself either.”

Wordlessly, I entwined her fingers with mine and brought her hand closer to my lips. I dropped a lingering kiss on her fingers, gently and softly. She was smiling and a faint blush adorned her cheeks, enhancing her look.

“Wait here,” she said, running inside and instructing me to stay outside without waiting for my response.

I just stood outside leaning against our car, waiting for her to come back, not moving an inch because who am I to defy her orders, especially when I am sure she is doing it for me.

“Let’s go,” she said, running toward me with a cloth in her hand, gesturing for me to bend my head. Wordlessly, I bent down, bringing my face to her level with a soft smile that always found its way onto my face without any effort. Gently, she tied it around my eyes and guided me inside our home.

“Open your blindfold on the count of three, okay?” she asked, leaving my hand. I did exactly what she told me.

After removing the blindfold, I adjusted my eyes to the light, and when I say I felt the breath knocked out of my throat for the second time, I mean it.

She had decorated our living room beautifully. Two mattresses lay in the middle with pillows in the corner and a flower bouquet with a beautiful cake placed in the center. Next to the seating area, on the center table, I could see she had set up a projector and so much food that looked like she had made it herself.

All of this just for..me?

I looked at everything, taking in all the effort she had made, and the next moment I simply hugged her as she stood in front of me.

“You liked it?” she whispered. Her left hand softly rubbed my back while her right hand ran through my hair.

“I wish I could keep it like this for the rest of our lives,” I whispered, hiding my face in the crook of her neck as her subtle scent engulfed me.

“Let’s eat first. Then I have so much to show you,” she said excitedly, pulling away from the hug. I nodded with a smile and together we sat on the mattresses.

“There you go, birthday boy,” she teased, forwarding the flower bouquet in my direction. I took it from her and gently placed it next to me, smiling softly after thanking her.

“Make a wish,” she said excitedly, lighting the candle. I closed my eyes and immediately her face appeared in my mind.

‘You already know, I just want two things, Ayesha Mehra and my revenge,’ I thought.

Opening my eyes, I blew out the candle. She handed the knife to me. Taking it from her hand, I entwined our fingers and cut the cake with her.

“Happy birthday,” she whispered softly, feeding me a piece of cake and I instantly knew she had made it.

“Thank you, love,” I replied, feeding her a bite too. Then she placed the cake aside and grabbed the food kept on the table along with plates and cutlery.

“Everything’s my favourite.” My eyes widened in pure shock. I had not expected her to go to such lengths for merely my birthday.

“Obviously, today is about you, Zeeshan,” she replied flatly, shaking her head while grabbing the spoon to serve us.

“Let me.” I said, taking the spoon from her. She tried to protest but I shushed her and served both of us.

“Kaisa laga?” she asked excitedly as I took a bite of lasagne.
(How is it?)

“Aisa khana toh mai zindagi bhar khushi khushi kha lu.” I replied, mischievously, she laughed in response.
( It was so good that I can eat it for the rest of my life.)

“You know what happened during the investigation today”she said and together we finished our dinner while talking about everything and anything.

Post which, I helped her clean up and washed the dishes because she had already done enough. Now she doesn't need to do any work, I am perfectly capable of handling it.

“Now the most important thing.”  she said, pulling me along with her.

“What is it?” I asked, chuckling softly at her infectious excitement.

“Go and sit there, I'll just start the video and join you.” She said, switching the projector on. When I walked to help her she simply pushed me away gently with a glare, which was anything but scary.

Nonetheless, I sat on the mattress leaning against the sofa and the pillows.

“Ready?” she asked, sitting next to me, gesturing towards the projector that reflected a video waiting to be played. It was a blank screen and I couldn’t gather much so I simply nodded.

When she started the video, her face appeared first, which confused me but I kept quiet,“Hi Zeeshan, you remember when you told me about your past, you called yourself a failure?” …what?

“You said that you failed your family but did you ever ask them what they think about you? You and I both know you didn’t, so I did it..for you.” My eyes widened, I immediately looked at her, she simply held my hand in hers wordlessly turning my face towards the screen again.

This time it was my mother talking, “ Happy birthday zeeshu. You know he used to hate this nickname…”
My eyes burned after every sentence she spoke, I..I didn’t know what to say, except that..did I seriously do that?

Then, my di and her husband’s face appeared on the screen “Hii Zeeshan, Happy Birthday..”

I could feel tears streaming down my face but I couldn’t care less, I was with Ayesha and I knew she would never judge me.

“Do you want me to pause the video?” she asked softly, wiping my tears with her hands, I shook my head tightening my grip on her wrist.

It was Vidit and Ritika next, “Happy birthday Zeeshan/ Zeeshan bhai.”

By the end of their voice note, I just turned, hid my face on her lap and I…cried. For everything, I had thought, for every time I had restricted myself from loving them openly. For all those years, I lost hating myself for everything, blaming myself for everything.

I was feeling all kinds of emotions and I didn’t know what to do - laugh or keep crying?

“There’s one more message Zeeshan and probably the sweetest one,” she whispered, caressing my hair, her voice hoarse probably from all the tears.

“Show me,” I said, turning towards the screen, completely laying on the mattress with my head on her lap.

She switched the video on again and this time it was veer, “Hi Zee bhaii, happy birthday..” and it was true, it was indeed the sweetest video note ever.

This little guy would never know but he had indeed saved me tons of times with just his innocence and abundant love and perhaps that’s why I think of him as my first born.

“Thank you Aayat,” I whispered when the video ended, hiding myself in her lap again.

“Never thank me again Zeeshan” she said, softly, pushing my hair away from my forehead, her face had remnants of tears.

She cried with me..for me.

“Do you know Zeeshan..”she started, I looked at her, waiting for her to continue, “When I was recording their voice notes, I saw them, the way their face reflected only love for you, they could never think of you as a failure Zeeshan. You are their pride,”she explained, softly and my heart like always..believed her.

“I saw them crumble into tears Aayat and I..I couldn’t do anything.” I said, I was finally getting it off my chest.

“Because you were merely a teenager yourself, Zeeshan, no one expects children to handle everything, no one should.” she whispered softly, her thumb gently caressed my face, wiping all those occasional tears that escaped from my eyes.

“I know it’s not easy to forget everything but I want you to try, would you?” she asked, extending her hand and waiting for me to seal the promise.

I gently held her hand, turned it, and to seal my promise I kissed it. I was going to try. For her and for my family who care for me deeply.

“And to lighten your mood, I have something waiting in the freezer for you,” she said, smiling cheekily.

“What is it?” I asked, chuckling at her cute attempt to change my mood.

“Guess” she shrugged, looking away cutely. Adorable.

I thought for a second or at least pretended to before shrugging, “Aap hi bata do”

“You remember you told me how much you love Rabri Kulfi?” she asked, excitedly.

“I..did?” I questioned, I do not remember telling her anything like that but it is true I love Rabri Kulfi more than any type of icecream.

“Yes you idiot and that’s why I made Rabri Kulfi for you for dessert.” she sighed, shaking her head disappointedly. SO ADORABLE.

“But I don’t want to move, I am quite comfortable here, you know.” I said, leisurely. A little teasing wouldn’t hurt.

“Get up” she smacked my bicep multiple times, when I made no  attempt to move. I sighed, shaking my head and got up and helped her up too.

“Listen” I said, holding her arm to stop her from going to the kitchen.

“Dance with me.” I muttered, pulling her closer to me with a soft jerk which caused her to let out a squeal.

“You need to stop pulling me like a rope in a tug of war and I’ll only dance if you let me choose the song.” She narrowed her eyes on me. So Damn Adorable.

I chuckled, “Noted.” I was still going to do it, but she doesn’t need to know that.

And about her second order, I just simply gave her my phone, and waited, after saying, “All yours.”

She played, “Chahun Mai Ya Na” a song from Ashiqui 2, a Bollywood movie, which I think is quite suitable for our story.

“itna bta du tujhko, chahat pe apni mujhko, u toh nahi iqhtiyaar.
Phir bhi ye socha dil ne, ab jo laga hu Milne. Puchu tujhe ek baar, oooo.
Tuhi ye mujhko bta de, Chahun Mai Ya Na?” I sang along to the lyrics, softly , as we slowly danced on the song, staring into each other's eyes.

“Mujhko na jitna mujhpe, utna iss dil ko tujhpe.. hone laga aitbaar.
Tanha lamho mei apne, bunti hu tere sapne, tujhse hua mujhko pyaar, oo..
Puchungi tujhko kabhi na, Chahun Mai Ya Na.
Tere khwabon mei ab jeena, Chahun Mai kyu naa?”
She sang along the lyrics, softly in her melodious voice, draping her hands around my neck and staring right into my eyes.

Did she just…

My heart raced uncontrollably in my chest, I could feel heat rising on my ears and around my neck.

But I kept my calm and pulled her closer to me before whispering, the further lyrics of the song, “tu hi ye mujhko bta de…Chahun Mai Ya Na?
Apne toh Dil ka bta de…Chahun Mai Ya Na?”

This time, she nodded, smiling enchantingly which enhanced more due to her flushed cheeks.

“Are you sure?” I whispered leaning closer to her.

“As sure as I ever could be.” She whispered, softly, making me smile and her to reciprocate.

My left hand rested on her cheek while my thumb caressed it softly. I leaned closer and touched my forehead with hers. Both of us closed our eyes, savoring the moment with everything in us.

Moments later, she moved back before saying, “kulfi, I-I will get it.” and ran away before I could stop her, making me chuckle.

While she was in the kitchen, I paced around, replaying what happened a few minutes ago, did she just..confess? Or is it just me being delusional? And was that nod a hint that I should confess my love for her too?

I think it was. I hope so. Because I was so ready to make her completely mine... I have always been, since the day I met her again.

After a few minutes, she came back with two kulfis in her hand. Giving one to me, she sat next to me and we quietly savored it while I complimented her cooking skills again and again.

Then I helped her pack the leftover food in containers which I would be eating alone without sharing with anyone except the cake since she cutely bargained with me.

“I think we should leave now,” she said, waiting for me as I tidied up the living room after putting the mattresses back and arranging the table in its place along with the other things.
Like I said, I was not letting her work anymore.

“Let's go,” I said, forwarding my hand. She placed her hand in mine without hesitation.

“We can leave the stuff here, I'll ask someone to bring it tomorrow, let's go.”I said, picking up the bag which had all the food she cooked and the flowers she gave me, of course.

“Wait let me just get my bag,it has my necessities” she said, I nodded and waited for her. Once she returned, I took the bag from her and we walked out. She helped with locking the door and unlocking the car.

Once I kept the stuff in the trunk, I ignited the engine, smiling at her, who sat at the passenger seat, waiting patiently.

“In the morning..” she started.

“What about it?” I asked, confused, igniting the engine.

“You mentioned that you hate cheese sandwiches,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I mean.. it's -” She glared at me. Even though my attention was on the road, I knew she was glaring. When I glanced at her, she glared harder, “Fine, I do hate cheese sandwiches.”

“Then why did you eat it when you came home for the first time?” I knew this question was coming.

“Just..to make you talk.” I admitted, looking away after clearing my throat.

She just laughed at my expense, making me smile too , “you are impossible.”
And just like that, I dropped her home and then went home in my car, not before hugging her.

As soon as I reached home, I quickly kept the leftovers in the small drinks refrigerator in my room. Obviously, I could not let my family find it and eat it and securely kept the flowers on my study table. I needed a vase for them and I had none momentarily with me.
So, I just  freshened up and went to sleep with thoughts of today and her.

For the first time in years, I spent my birthday with only happiness and it was all because of her.

And this chapter explains the reason behind the question mark in the book’s title. hehe.

Also, I know many of you are curious about the meaning of ‘Aayat’. Don’t worry, it’s coming soon. Till then, please be patient cuties. 🥹