Sarcoline

Haaris frustratedly raked a hand through his messy hair, his mind only reminding him the words and the teary, helpless face of his wife. He jerked his leg on the accelerator to move his car to a full speed as the route towards Yawar's house seemed to be too long for him to handle.

"I had to hit him with a rod for my safety. I never even talked to him on my own, I don't know why he did that. It was not my fault, trust me Haaris."

How cruel Ghazal's destiny was! It was always testing her by pushing her in front of an insane, brute man who didn't know a single word of respect towards women. Firstly it was Farzan who abused her for so long that she began to question the character of every man. Didn't it was because of Farzan, that she was pleading in front of him to trust her when he already trusted her enough. It was not necessary for her to plead, beg because Ghazal was the most pious lady Haaris had ever seen in his entire life and he would never be able to doubt her when the question was about her character.

She is an angel.

Then it was Yawar, who laid his filthy hands on her and kept a condition of marrying Ghazal just because she didn't gave lift to his forbidden desires. That pathetic excuse of a man, how dare he! Today, Haaris had decided he would not leave Yawar's house until he would be sure his whole blood had been oozed out of him due to his beating. Haaris was literally feeling his anger rising on his mere thought that he could shoot Yawar after stabbing him with a sharp knife just to make sure he would be dead, fully.

He blew a long sigh in order to calm down his anger which was growing at extreme pace as the moments were passing. Ghazal's face came in his thoughts somewhat soothing his raged senses and a moment of a few minutes ago was enough to bring a smile on his tensed features.

"That son of a bi-"

A soft kiss broke his speech in middle as Ghazal gently cupped his face stopping him from saying anything bad. Her way of halting his profanities was effective else he wouldn't have stopped.

"Language Mr. Haaris."

Ghazal's voice was still wet with tears but a tired smile was on her lips as she stared in his eyes, her thumb shyly moving on his chin. Haaris grabbed her waist in a swift motion, hugging her tightly as a silent promise that he would protect her from everything from that instant itself.

Haaris closed the door with a thud as he left his car to enter Yawar's house. From outside it seemed that there was a party going on in the house, just like he used to crave or love. But now, he was cringing on the thought of going in. His mind again reminded him Yawar's deed forcing him to bash the door with his full strength. People were dancing and swaying on that awfully loud song and didn't took notice of their intruder. It was very difficult for Haaris to find Yawar in that dimly lit room, as there were some blue and red light which were transforming people's features hauntingly.

At one corner he spotted Yawar with a girl, they were so busy in each other that they didn't saw Haaris coming near them. Looking at his face, Haaris felt his all anger erupted like a volcano and in an instant his fist got smashed with Yawar's jaw, halting everybody in silence. Yawar was now on the floor, his eyes amusedly looking at him, a string of blood coming out of the corner of his lips which were smiling at him menacingly.

"Isn't he our lover boy, guys?"

Yawar spat the blood out of his mouth, standing up holding his jaw, Haaris lunged forward and grabbed his collar in a tight grip, his fist throwing punches in Yawar's gut. " How dare you to come near my wife?"

Yawar grabbed his shoulders to stop his beatings, all were just staring at them unable to understand what was going on. " She was not your wife then, Mr. Haaris Yousuf and besides what is the proof I came near her, it might be possible she came nea-"

"Shut up, you monster."

With that Haaris showered a series of punches on his face, the silent hall filling up the sound of bone cracking now and then. Nobody came forward to stop him, maybe they were too drunk to understand the situation around them.

"Ghazal has changed you- man. "

"I am glad that she came in my life. I pity you, you are not getting a chance to come to the straight path."

"Stop it, Mr. Haaris."

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hall revealing some police officers who were called by Haaris himself. Yawar scoffed looking at them with a glint of mockery in his eyes when he glanced at Haaris.

"Seriously Haaris? I thought you were better than this. You know I will be out in a flicker of an eye."

"I will make sure that you must rot in there."

Police officers locked the handcuffs around his hands, his eyes were too drowsy with alcohol and somewhat from his punches. As they were taking him out of the gate, Haaris remembered Azkiya. It might be possible that it was all his plan; might be Azkiya never died and might be Yawar knew about it.

"Where's Azkiya?"

"What Azkiya? Duh, man. She is dead."

"Are you serious? "

"We all know she died in that freaking accident. That's why our deal came. "

Haaris took a step back looking at his bruised knuckles which had become bluish by now and then absentmindedly stared at the police jeep which was slowly getting away from him, giving him a sense of relief that first time he had done something for Ghazal. He had gifted her justice and too many more other girls who had been through the same once in their life.

***

"I had to hit him with a rod for my safety. I never even talked to him on my own, I don't know why he did that. It was not my fault, trust me Haaris."

Haaris cupped her face and gently hugged her shushing Ghazal's speech. The tears began to wet his shirt but it was least of her worries, she just wanted to cry to her heart's content. She was feeling the same kind of fear which she used to feel in front of Farzan. She was doing the same mistake of judging Haaris with the same measure of Farzan because in the end, he was also a man. But he cleared out all her misunderstandings when she came into his embrace.

"I'm sorry. I should have protected you."

"You did..." Ghazal said wiping her tears, "Remember I had fainted in your room one day, it was just after the day of this incident."

Haaris's eyes widened at the information as he agitatedly moved a hand in his messy hair, surely he was remembering Ghazal and how sick she was that day.

"That son of a bi-"

Ghazal couldn't find any more way to stop his profanities but by a soft kiss on his lips, her hands cupping his face to calm him down.

"Language Mr. Haaris."

Her voice was still wet with tears but a tired smile was on her lips just because her heart was grateful to Allah for giving her the results of every suffering. In a quick motion, her waist was caged in his arms as Haaris hugged her tightly, his heartbeats silently whispering promises of protection soothingly.

After what felt like a long time, Haaris let her go making his way towards the staircase to descend. " Where are you going, Haaris?"

"I have some business to sort out."

"No, I won't let you go. I know where you will be heading to. I didn't tell you about this to happen."

Haaris kissed her forehead, "I am happy you told me tigress. But I won't be able to sleep with this, I have to close this chapter once and for all." Her husband picked her up in his arms and made way towards their room. After pulling the duvet properly on her, Haaris kissed her cheek.

"Please don't go, Haaris. Please."

Ghazal pleaded while holding his hand as he moved towards the exit of their room. Her heart was thudding at its place thinking about the coming minutes. She could sense how angry he was and how composed he was faking himself.

"I will be back soon."

Ghazal bit her nails for the umpteenth time in that minute, her hand holding her stick more tightly than usual as she couldn't help but pace in front of the gate in wait of her husband to show. She shouldn't have told him, that too at this hour of night. How badly her heart was beating! She was sure if one would stand even ten feet away from her he could still hear her worried heartbeats. Her husband didn't have any idea how anxious she was here, waiting for him to come all fit and fine as a fiddle. But where was he?

Allah, please keep Haaris safe. Just keep him in your protection. Please.

"Mam, you should go to sleep. I am here."

The watchman who must be watching her for half an hour advised her politely in a respected manner which she quickly denied. Sleep, leave it-Her husband had taken it away with him. Ghazal quickly shook her head and resumed her walking. A sound of tire screeching with the pavement somewhat made her relax and looking at the gate she found her husband coming inside.

Alhamdulillah.

Ghazal made her way towards Haaris and stopped just in front of him. They both were staring each other clearly knowing what would be going in other's mind but their eyes were speaking without any words, any sentences just their serene feelings surrounding them. She hit his arm as her tears began to flow looking at her husband who was because of Allah's favors, totally fine.

"Impossible man."

His amused chuckles reached her ears as Ghazal wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly and putting her head on his chest. Haaris gladly returned her embrace, tugging her closer to him caging her in his arms. They made their way inside, her hand in his when she felt a bump over his knuckles.

Halting their steps, Ghazal took a look over the back of his hands only to widen her eyes in bewilderment. His knuckles were bruised, swollen showing her what Yawar had gotten in return. Haaris who was silently watching her till now pulled her closer.

"It's nothing tigress."

"Yes, I can see that. What have you done, Haaris. Look at them they are looking so danger-"

Like many times, Haaris cut off her speech with a kiss. That was not a good thing because his act of adoration always made her forget everything which was running in her mind and around her. Ghazal held his shoulders as Haaris was looking into her eyes their noses touching, making her heartbeats almost erratic.

I will surely get a heart attack today.

"Yawar has gotten what he deserved from a long ago. He will die in that jail, I will make sure of it. But before this, I had to push some sense in his mind, so this happened."

Ghazal watched with furrowed brows as Haaris showed her his wounded hand, with a sense of pride in his eyes. She took his hand in hers, making circles over the bruised skin. That was her husband who had taken the pain for her, for her dignity and how lucky she was getting Haaris in her life.

"I will bandage it..." Ghazal showed her flat palm to him when she sensed his attempt of denial, "and I am not going to hear any excuse."

Ghazal took him towards the kitchen where she had placed the first aid kit. Making him seated on the corner stool, she fixed his wounds with a bandage on them with proper ointments and all.

"You know, after Nanna you are the one who is bandaging my wounds."

Ghazal didn't know what to feel with this simple sentence which he was sharing with some kind of joy but all she could feel was his loneliness. How lonely he would have spent his childhood when the child only needs his parents. She smiled at him, kissing his forehead.

"Yeah, you know I have two kids so this comes in handy."

Ghazal said with an eye roll to move away from her mind from the sadness enveloping her, forcing Haaris to laugh wholeheartedly.

***

Hey ya! 😉

Haaris bit his lower lip as he sent a message to his wife, clearly knowing how Ghazal hated disturbance in her work. After about half an hour, he got her annoyed reply.

😒

Haaris stifled a chuckle before he pressed Ghazal's number on his cellphone, leaving his car quickly.

"Hello Dr. Ghazal. I want to have an appointment with you."

"I will have to check my schedule. "

He shook his head at her witty reply, making slow steps towards the elevator to Ghazal's cabin. Haaris had decided to have lunch with his wife before going to Adam's school to fetch him up and as it was still time for Adam's school to end he wasted no minute to come here.

"I must tell you, doctor, to hurry because your patient is in severe need of you."

Haaris heard her giggle at his dramatics but she too didn't lose her role as a doctor, "It's only flu, nothing else. I will suggest you some good soup with medicines."

The colors of shock, surprise were enormous and looking beautiful on her face when with a knock he opened her cabin door. She was alone at that moment and there was a shy smile on her lips as if he had caught her stealing something, surely Ghazal was not expecting him to be there.

"Are you really here?"

Haaris laughed at her innocent question and took a seat on the sofa near her desk, putting the tiffin-box beside him. " I am, want me something to do to make you believe. "her cheeks painted with a faint pink color which he fully enjoyed her blushed condition.

"I was talking about pinching you."

"I know very well, what were you talking about."

Ghazal said resolutely, sitting in front of him and began to serve them their lunch. His visit was not casual or just because he wanted to but because he wanted to talk about something very important and which was running in his mind for quite some time. There was also an issue of Azkiya, but he didn't want to worry about her when he too was not properly sure about her. It might be possible that the girl was Azkiya's look-alike or merely his hallucination. So he didn't want to open up that topic yet. Haaris took the first morsel, staring at Ghazal who was busy with her own plate. How she became so much important to him, it was still unknown to him. But he was glad that she became else he would have not survived till now.

"What you want to talk about? "

"How do you know?"

With a smile Ghazal moved his hand away from his hair, he didn't know he was messing them again. "This shows that you are overthinking."

"Not bad Mrs. Haaris, noting my habits."

"Perks of being a psychiatrist." Haaris's heart dance in a serene manner with her wink.

Did she actually wink at me?

Wink!

Ghazal winked at me!?!

"It's the first time you're coming in here?"

Haaris nodded, "That too as your husband and not as one of your patients."

"Yes, I am grateful for that. "

"Ghazal, I wanted to talk about those paintings you had sen-"

Ghazal's hand stopped in front of her mouth, which she returned back to her plate. Her face fell and he took a long sigh not liking to spoil her mood, "I said I am sorry. It was a mistake. Please don't take it so seriously, you had spoiled your health earlier just for this reason."

Haaris cleared his throat to grab her attention, yes-it was all his fault that she was forced to rant like this regarding his health and all but now the reason for opening this topic was different.

"Can I speak now?" Ghazal nodded sheepishly lowering her gaze from him, "I'm sorry tigress for behaving so badly at that time but it was all so sudden for me. I have thought about that offer a lot and I think I should give it a try."

Ghazal just stared at him with a befuddled look on her face as if he had shown her the most amazing magic trick, it was a sort of magic though Haaris trying to see new perspective in his life. Haaris nervously rubbed the back of his neck not knowing what to do when his wife was just staring at him, not even speaking a single word.

"Say something!"

"Allah, Allah."

Ghazal squealed standing up and wounded her arms around his neck to give him a tight hug, catching him off guard. Haaris kissed her scarf clad neck, loving the faint fragrance of jasmine hitting his nostrils.

"I can't control my excitement. Oh my God, Haaris!"

"Yeah, I can see that."

Haaris amusedly gestured towards her giddy self as he made her sit on his lap, stopping her every attempt to move away from him, by wrapping his arms around her waist. Ghazal hit his shoulder to remove her embarrassment which she was feeling with his intense gaze.

"You are my guardian angel."

Haaris closed his eyes before placing soft kisses on her lips enjoying Ghazal's shy gasp over his adoration. She hesitantly placed her flat palm over his lips, "We are at the hospital, Mr. Haaris."

"I know, Mrs. Haaris."

Ghazal shook her head at him, trying hard not to smile by pursing her lips. Haaris kissed her forehead before letting her go and they resumed their lunch with silly teasings, banters and by enjoying each other's company thoroughly.

***

Ghazal went through his cupboard, her fingers moving over shirts with different colors and finally, she chose a sky-blue one with charcoal black trousers and a blazer of same color. Her husband was still in the shower, prepping himself for the big day. What a relief she felt at that moment when Haaris told her that he would be going to join the work soon. He was coming back to life, he was trying to see the positive approach in his life.

Alhamdulillah.

Ghazal went near the washroom door and as she was about to knock, Haaris opened the door resulting in an awkward situation as she knocked his nose instead. Haaris rubbed his nose with a chuckle and she lowered her gaze embarrassingly, biting her tongue.

"Is it some kind of good luck to knock your husband's nose?"

"It was not my fault, you opened the door all of a sudden."

Haaris held her arms pulling her more closer to him and as her hands touched his bare shoulders because only a towel was wrapped around his waist, forcing heat to creep up to her cheeks.

"Wear your shirt."

"I won't. "

Haaris denied with a hint of a smile on his lips, moving his face closer to hers when less than an inch was separating them. Ghazal held his shoulder tightly as she felt a wave of dizziness hit her, blacking out everything around her.

"Tigeress, are you alright?"

With great attempts, Ghazal opened her eyes to look at Haaris whose face was showing every kind of worry he would be feeling at that time and she gave a small smile just to assure him.

"I am. Just a little dizziness."

"It's because you don't take rest properly. "

Haaris scolded her, kissing her temple and making their way to the bed. After setting her down carefully, he went to change his clothes and she began to prepare the plates of their breakfast. As he returned from the dressing room, Ghazal's heart missed a beat seeing her husband who was looking handsome, to say the least in the attire she had chosen for him and with his thin frame glasses. She silently prayed for his well being and for his success in future life.

"Will you help me with these buttons, they are stiff?"

Ghazal began to fix his cuff buttons and smiled as Haaris was playing with the strands of her hair moving on her face. "Done," she announced patting her hands together to remove fake dust which forced her husband to laugh.

"We both are having effects of Adam on us."

"Maybe."

She said with a giggle and they started their breakfast. Didn't know what was happening to her? The smell of the orange juice was feeling awful which she used to devour happily earlier and those fried eggs were only making her vomit just by looking at them. Haaris might have sensed her uneasiness as he took her hand pulling her attention to him.

"What's the issue, tigeress? Why are you not having your breakfast?"

"I don't know. Not feeling like it."

Haaris worriedly touched the back of his hand to her forehead. "Are you alright? " she only nodded, "Let's go to the doctor."

Ghazal shook her head holding his hand, "There's no need for it, Mr. Haaris. I am absolutely fine. Just a little rest is what I need."

Haaris doubtfully looked at her, his eyes skimming her face. It was the most important day of his life when he would start his professional life and she didn't want to ruin it for him. He made her closer to him, his fingers in her hair.

"Okay, Mrs. Haaris. But you will only rest and nothing else."

 Absolutely. "

Haaris placed a chaste kiss on her lips, his warm breath soothing her all over. Ghazal made him leave for his work as she was suspicious he would even leave her all alone because of her health and all. As he left, Ghazal laid down on the bed taking one of her books with her.

After a few minutes, she felt weird palpitations surrounding her body. Her whole body was shivering and sweat was forming on her forehead. Bile rose up to her throat forcing her to move quickly to the washroom. The breakfast of some time ago left her in the vomiting, leaving her weak and drained out.

Splashing a good amount of water on her face, Ghazal took a look at the mirror. She was looking pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. She bit her lower lip in anticipation, her mind moving to the events of a few days. The grip of her hands on the sink rim tightened, as the sense of epiphany lightened on her.

Now she somewhat knew, what and why it was happening to her. All she needed to do was to call Nanna, to share her doubts and suspicions before taking any step further.