chapter 3

Ayesha’s POV

My life had narrowed down to just one thing—waiting for Haadi.

It had been a month since I rejected Zohaib’s proposal. But he wasn’t stepping back. He said he wanted to be my friend… and in a moment of emotional weakness, I accepted his offer. Maybe I was tired of being alone.

Now, every day, I received nearly ten calls and countless messages from Zohaib. His texts brought a fleeting smile to my lips—gentle distractions from the storm inside me.

I returned home after another exhausting day surrounded by patients and doctors. After a quick chat with Mama and Taayi Ammi—who had been worried for me ever since I confessed my love for Haadi—I assured them I was fine. But I wasn’t.

His memories stalked me like a shadow, whispering his name into every corner of my life. I couldn’t stop reliving the moments I’d shared with him.

After changing into my night suit, I crawled into bed. My phone rang.

“Hello, Doc. How was your day?” Zohaib’s voice greeted me.

“Assalam-o-Alaikum, Zohaib,” I replied, hearing his soft chuckle.

“Walaikum-assalam, Doctor Ayesha. How are you?”

I smiled faintly. “I’m fine. And you?”

“Good. So, what were you doing?”

I reached into my drawer and pulled out Haadi’s photo.

“Just…" trying to sleep,” I murmured, eyes locked onto Haadi’s face.

“With his picture in your hand?” Zohaib said, surprising me.

“How do you know that?” I asked, stunned.

“I’m your friend. And friends just know.” His voice was warm.

“Ayesha, sleep now. Don’t torture yourself. Give yourself some peace,” he said gently.

I sighed. “I’ll try,” though I knew peace wouldn’t come.

“Good night,” he said.

“Good night.”

I ended the call and stared at Haadi’s photo. A tear rolled down, falling right onto his printed smile.

"I miss you. With every passing second, Haadi, I’m waiting. Please... come back."

I whispered to his picture like he could hear me. Like he was just on the other side of the silence.

All these years, I did only one thing—wait.

Flashback

“Gosh, Mama made such a long list. She’s arranged so much!” I said happily.

I turned toward Haadi—and froze.

His red, tear-filled eyes struck me like lightning.

At that moment, I lost everything. He stole my heart in a single glance. I knew he loved me, but I never imagined that love would draw me toward him with such force.

A tear slipped down his cheek.

The bag in my hands dropped to the floor.

I whispered his name, “Haadi…”

He turned away immediately and ran to his side of the house.

I stood there, paralyzed. The excitement of the day faded like smoke. All I could feel now… was him.

His eyes wouldn’t leave me alone.

“Ayesha, what happened? Go get ready,” Mama said, entering the kitchen.

But I couldn’t move.

“Ayesha?” she shook my shoulder.

Without a word, I walked to my room, closed the door behind me, and sank to the floor.

What just happened…?

His eyes had taken something from me. I couldn’t breathe properly. He had stolen my heart without ever speaking a word.

I lay on my bed, haunted by his gaze, his smile, our childhood memories. My world was filled with him.

“Ayesha!” Mama’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“You’re not ready yet? The boy’s family is on their way!”

Pain stabbed my heart.

Haadi…

“Mama, I... I don’t want to get married,” I said softly.

“What are you saying? They’ll be here any moment!”

“I don’t want to marry him. Please stop them,” I said, this time louder.

She stared at me, shocked. Before she could respond, Papa entered.

“What’s going on?”

“Papa, I don’t want to meet this guy. Please.”

He looked at me, then nodded. “As you wish, princess.”

I hugged him tightly. He always supported me.

Mama was upset, but I didn’t care. I took the photo of the proposal guy from under my pillow, tore it into pieces without even looking at it, and whispered:

“Sorry, mister. Ayesha belongs to Haadi. Only him.”

That whole day, I waited for Haadi to show up. But he didn’t. His usual spot on the stairs was empty. Restlessness grew in my chest.

That night, I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

I grabbed my diary and began writing his name over and over again until every page echoed him—just like my heart.

Morning…

I barely touched breakfast, just to show my parents. The moment I got the chance, I ran upstairs to Haadi’s portion.

The house felt eerily empty.

“Taayi Ammi?” I called, but no one responded.

Then I reached Haadi’s room and opened the door slowly.

Taayi Ammi was sitting on the bed, crying.

My heart clenched.

On the bed, Haadi lay still, eyes closed.

“Taayi Ammi, what happened?” I asked, rushing forward.

“He’s burning with fever since last night,” she said through tears.

I touched his forehead—he was on fire.

“We need a doctor now!” I said urgently.

She just cried harder.

I ran back home, called Papa. Tears choked my voice as I told him everything. I returned to the room. Taayi Ammi was placing a wet cloth on his forehead. I sat beside her, silently crying.

Papa arrived with the doctor. We all watched, breath held, as the doctor examined him.

“He’s under emotional stress. Depression. That’s what caused this fever,” the doctor said.

I looked down, my heart aching.

I knew the reason.

After the doctor left, the hours dragged on. Evening fell. Haadi still didn’t wake. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I went to my room, broke down completely.

This was my fault. My silence… my delay. He didn’t know how much I loved him. But he will now.

I wiped my tears and walked back to his room. Mama and Papa had taken Taayi Ammi out for a break.

I entered alone.

He looked so pale… so fragile.

I sat beside him and cupped his burning face. My tears slid down and touched his cheeks. I dipped a cloth in cold water and placed it on his forehead. Then I leaned close and whispered into his ear.

“Haadi…”

“Wake up. I’m here. I won’t leave you.”

“I know you can hear me. Please, wake up. For me… for your Ayesha.”

I kissed his forehead softly and brushed my fingers over his lashes.

“Open your eyes, Haadi. I want to see them again.”

I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat—faint but steady. I clenched his shirt in my fist.

“Wake up, Haadi. Please…”

Time stood still.

Then suddenly—I heard it.

“Haadi…” I whispered.

“Hmmm…” came a faint response.

I shot up, eyes wide.

He stirred.

“Haadi!” I called gently.

“Ay… Ayesha…” he whispered my name.

Tears rushed back to my eyes, but this time, they were tears of relief.

“Your Ayesha is here. Open your eyes,” I begged softly.

He didn’t open them fully… but he spoke again.

“Wa…water…”

I took the glass of water and gently brought it to his lips. He was breathing heavily.

“Ayesh… Ayesh,” he whispered again, eyes still closed. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

He called me Ayesh.

My heart swelled. I was happy… smiling… crying.

I cupped his face and wiped his tears.

“Haadi, I’m here. Open your eyes,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. I held my breath, waiting… until his eyes finally met mine. A wide smile broke across my face.

“You’re awake!” I said, but he just kept staring at me as if trying to be sure I was real.

He raised his hand slowly and touched my face. I smiled. He was trying to confirm—was I real or just a dream?

I held his hand against my cheek and looked deep into his eyes.

“I’m not a dream,” I whispered.

He was about to say something when the door creaked open.

End of Flashback

“Ayesha, you haven’t slept yet?”

I was lost in the memory of Haadi when Taayi G entered the room. I quickly hid Haadi’s photo under my pillow and turned to face her. She walked toward me and sat beside me.

“You don’t have to hide it from me,” she said gently, retrieving the photo I had just hidden.

I lowered my gaze. She sat on the bed, and I rested my head in her lap.

“When will he come, Taayi G?” I whispered, a tear slipping down my cheek.

“He’ll come soon. He has to. For you. Only for you,” she said, and I hugged her tightly.

I cried and cried while she gently caressed my hair. My heart felt like it would stop if he didn’t come back.

“I’m tired now. This wait is killing me,” I sobbed.

“Shhh… don’t cry. He’ll come to you. Your wait is almost over,” she soothed, helping me lie down before lying beside me.

“When he comes… what will you do?” she asked.

I turned to face her. “I’ll slap him hard for leaving me like this. I’ll fight with him for every tear I shed. I won’t talk to him for making me wait all these years.”

Taayi G smiled.

“Can I tell you what you’ll really do?” she asked. I nodded.

“You’ll just keep looking at him,” she said softly.

“Until?” I asked, curious.

“Until he hugs you… and then you’ll cry your heart out. Maybe after that, you’ll fight him,” she said gently.

I looked away, a shy smile forming. A blush crept up my cheeks.

“My daughter-in-law is blushing!” she teased, hugging me. I looked at her, surprised.

“What? Don’t you want to be my daughter-in-law?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

I smiled.

She kissed my forehead and tucked me in. “Have sweet dreams, my child. Don’t overthink. Just rest.”

I nodded, and after she left, I hugged Haadi’s photo tightly and closed my eyes.

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Haadi’s POV

Your Ayesha is waiting, Haadi. Wake up. I’m yours—only yours.

“Ayesh…” I whispered as I jolted awake.

Her voice, her words, echoed in my ears. My forehead was drenched in sweat. My heart raced, my breaths shallow. It felt like something was stuck in my chest.

Your Ayesha is waiting!

Her words wouldn’t stop ringing in my ears. I drank some water, trying to calm down, but her memories haunted me. I was dying without her. I knew it.

But before I returned to her, I had a promise to fulfil.

I started getting ready for the office when my phone rang.

“Yes, I’ll be there soon,” I answered and ended the call.

Downstairs, the servants served breakfast. I ate silently. I missed my mother. Her food. Her touch. Her presence. It had been nine years since I last saw her.

After breakfast, I got into my car. My guard opened the door, and I settled in. As the driver began moving, I started working on my laptop. My phone rang again.

“Sir, where are you? The Australian delegation is already here,” my secretary said.

“I’m on my way,” I replied and ended the call.

“Drive faster,” I instructed, and the driver accelerated.

As I was going through my emails, one from Zohaib caught my eye. I smiled and opened it.

> Bro, where are you? It’s been 15 days, and you haven’t replied. I know you’re the big-shot hotel tycoon now, but don’t forget your friends. Remember the girl I told you about? I need to talk to you. Call me, please. I’ll be waiting. Take care.

I smiled. The last two weeks had been hectic—I’d been in Australia finalizing legalities for my hotel there. I had finally achieved the dream I promised her: to become a successful businessman. I now own over 50 hotels and restaurants worldwide. And yet… something still felt incomplete. There was one last thing to do before I could return to her.

At the office, I completed a long meeting with the delegation. Afterwards, I sank into my chair, exhausted. I closed my eyes, and her face appeared.

I opened my eyes and looked at the photo frame on my table. I picked it up and stared at it. She was smiling at me—eyes sparkling with joy. That picture held one of the best memories of our time together.

Ayesha, our wait is nearly over. I’m coming to you.

I smiled.

A knock on the door broke my thoughts.

“Hey, how are you?” Ali, my best friend, stepped in.

I stood up, smiling, and we hugged before sitting down.

“Alhamdulillah. Where have you been?” I asked.

Ali’s eyes flickered to the photo in my hands.

“Still missing her?” he asked.

“In every moment of my life,” I replied softly.

“Then why haven’t you gone to her yet? I’ve seen you madly in love with her since childhood. It’s been nine years, Haadi. Why are you still punishing both yourself and her?”

His words hit deep. I looked away, hiding the tears welling in my eyes.

“Don’t hide your tears from me,” he said gently.

I smiled and looked at him. “I’m not hiding… and I’m not crying.”

“Yeah, right,” he smirked.

“Let’s go back, Haadi. It’s time,” Ali urged.

“I want to… but…” I hesitated.

“You still haven’t found your ‘Desire Island,’ right?” he guessed.

I nodded. “But now I have. I found it.”

His eyes widened. “You did?!”

“Yes. And now… it’s time to go back.”

He grinned. “Then let’s go!”

“Calm down. We still have a few things to wrap up. Besides, why are you so eager?”

He smirked. “Maybe… because I want to meet someone too.”

“Missing her, huh?” I teased.

“No way! She was a walking headache,” he scoffed.

I laughed. “Admit it. You’re missing her.”

He made a face, and we both burst out laughing.

Later, we got back to work. Ali and I were childhood friends and neighbors from the same city. He had stood by me through every hardship, and he was now my business partner. He lived here in London with his mother.

“Bro, let’s go home now. It’s late,” Ali said as he walked into my office.

I checked the time—10 PM. We packed up and left.

I was eager to get home. Zohaib must’ve been waiting on Skype. The moment I reached my room, I logged in and left Skype open as I freshened up. After changing into comfy clothes, I returned to find his call coming in.

I smiled, grabbed my laptop, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

“Assalam-o-Alaikum,” I said, putting in my earphones.

“Wa Alaikum Assalam! I’m mad at you. Where have you been? Not a single reply to my messages!”

“And here we go,” I laughed. “You sound like a girlfriend right now.”

“I swear I’ll punch you!” he threatened. I laughed harder.

“Okay, okay. Calm down. What did you want to tell me?”

“The girl I told you about—the one who rejected me for someone else? We’re friends now. And man, she’s so beautiful. If that guy doesn’t come back, I swear I’ll marry her.”

He seemed lost in her thoughts.

“Dude, she loves someone else,” I reminded him.

“I know. But if he doesn’t return…?” he shrugged.

“Do you like her?”

“Obviously! Her eyes… big, black, beautiful eyes. And her smile? It’s magic.”

My mind drifted again… to Ayesha. Her eyes, her dimpled smile—they had always been enough to drive me insane with love.

“Haadi bro, where did you go?” Zohaib asked.

“Nowhere. I’m here. So… what next?”

“I just want more time with her. But she keeps herself so busy. She barely texts back…”

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Hey lovely readers!

how are you all?