42- Taught Me

'But, Dear. We are worried for you." Rehman said, sitting beside her. 'I know you are. It's totally fine but I am saying it for the final time, I will stay with Zain." She breathed out strictly, Zain looked down, unsure how to react. 'He needs my support, he needs me." She whispered which made Zain's heart clench. 'But-" Emraz tried to speak but she spoke up first. 'I wouldn't be a faithful partner if I left him in this state." 'I don't want anyone to say that I was not there when he needed me, that when he lost everything, I left." She said, tears pricking in her eyes, frightened to think if his words became a reality. 'I know you guys are worried for me but I am truly fine." She whispered. It would be a stain on her feelings. 'Loving him was my choice and I will stay in love, you can't abandon the person you love." She announced, leaning back on her seat, wiping her tears. 'I swore to stay, I am very selfish when it comes to him anyways. I swear, I am and I cannot leave him." She said, glaring at Rayan because he knows how much she dies for him. 'Hoorain, why don't you two stay-" Hania tried to suggest but her glare shifted to her. 'Mama. Don't hurt my husband's dignity before me." She hissed. 'He goes out everyday, trying to find a job for me, does everything he can. He is stressed but doesn't show it so I could be at ease." Her voice broke, releasing a tear from her eyes. 'He is doing everything he could for me, working at random places for me. Knowing he hates it but he does it for me. And you tell my man to leave this and live on your mercy?" She growled. She cannot believe that used to praise him immensely and is now saying this in his bad time. 'Love, we didn't mean it like this." Emraz said softly. Zain couldn't believe what he was hearing, his heart clenched, leaning on the wall, he felt bad for Hoorain. I am so sorry you have me. I should have known… He thought with a sting in his chest, walking away. 'Enough, Emraz bhai. I know what you are trying to say. Just because my husband is lower than you guys doesn't mean you guys would assume that I am not happy." She said, losing her patience. Her mind was losing its senses. She began to resent how they asked if he could ‘afford' her or not as if she was a thing. He was her choice and she was very content with the life she had with him but they don't understand. 'We are not in a crisis to stay here. It's not like I am going to sleep with an empty stomach. Where he lives is my home now, I will live there with him." She breathed out, getting up, wiping her tears, taking a few deep breaths before regaining her senses. 'Hoorain…" Hania called sadly but she sniffed. 'Don't say this again. I am grateful for everything you guys are doing for me. I will be in your debt. Thank you very much." She forced out a smile and joined her hands before her family with a tear rolled down. 'But, please don't insult my Zain." Her family gasped at her action, they didn't mean to make her feel low but unintentionally they did. And after it, she has to think twice before asking her own parents for money to help her. 'Hoorain, No-" Emraz tried to call but she wiped her tears and walked out. Emraz tried to go after her but she walked down and saw Zain lost in his thoughts, feeling debased. He never fathomed that standing in his luxurious mansion would ever make him feel low. 'Oh, there you are. I was looking for you." She called, coming back to her usual self, grinning at him. 'Hoorain…?" He asked, turning to her. 'I-" He tried to speak but she held him hand tightly. Emraz was taken aback to see her bright smile when she was with him. That is all she could do for his solace. 'Let's go home. You promised to make custard for me." She whined, hugging his arm. 'What?" 'Don't tell me you forgot? Let's go." She smiled. 'Let me bid goodbye-" Zain tried to say but she pulled his hand. 'I did on your behalf too. Now, come on. No excuses." She giggled. Emraz didn't know how to react but she was genuinely happy with him. Zain stared at her for a few seconds but smiling emptily, shaking his head and going with her. 'Yes, Your Highness." They went home and Zain made custard for her, 'Ah... It's amazing. Nothing could beat your skills." Praising, she hummed in delight leaning back on her seat. 'I am glad you like it." He smiled, staring at her in mesmerization. 'Yeah, Umm.. Zain." She called, waving her hand. 'Hmm?" He hummed, taking it and kissing it. 'I was.. Thinking I should start working. What do you think?" She asked, offering him a bite too. 'I.. don't know." He shrugged. He knows Hoorain wanted to be a housewife but they had no choice. 'Open your mouth." She said, offering him a bite, he opened his mouth slowly as she fed him. 'Come on, I didn't study Hotel Management for four years for nothing." She reasoned, acting immaculately. Because both of them know why she studied that course. 'I have also received a call from Jazz." Zain said, tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear. 'Great." She grinned. 'They want to hire me as a Junior Chef at 20,000 base salary." He sighed, disliking the idea but at least it was better. 'Sounds great. At least this is a start. I will also start working." She grinned, finishing her food, washing the dishes. 'I will earn this too so we will do it." She chuckled, drying her hands as they went back to their room. 'See. I told you, we don't have to worry. We will manage." She said sweetly, walking to change into her nightwear but he held her wrist. 'Hoorain." He called in a dejected tone. 'Hmm?" She hummed, furrowing her brows. 'I am so sorry…" He whispered, lowering his eyes in shame. 'For what?" She asked, coming closer. 'For doing nothing for you. For not doing as much as I should. I am sorry that you have a loser like me in your life." His voice broke, not lifting his head. Guilt collected in his eyes, sniffling to not cry from the insecurities building in his chest. 'What are you saying, Zain?" She asked, lifting his chin, forcing him to look into her eyes. 'Don't say this… please." She whispered, tears nearing her eyes but taking her hands, he kissed them as a tear rolled down both of their cheeks. 'Thank you for coming into my life, for staying with me, for choosing me." He cried, putting her hand over his forehead and after countless struggles, he ended up crying. The talks of people began to imply a negative impact on his heart, to think he is useless, that he cannot give her the luxury she was used to. 'I don't understand… obviously I will choose you over anything. Why don't you understand, I don't need luxury to be happy, I need you." She spoke tenderly, making them sit on the bed. His words cracked her heart, overwhelming it with dolor to perceive what he stacked in his chest. 'Hoorain." Zain sniffed, wiping his tears, bending on his knees on the ground before hers. 'I love you…" He whispered with a tear rolled down his cheek, kissing her hand. Her eyes widened as she said this for the first time. Her eyes widened in disbelief, filling her eyes with profound endearment and glee after hearing those three words she craved for. 'I love you so much. You mean the world to you, presence in my life is a blessing." He continued, putting her hand on his chest, staring deeply into her eyes. 'The fact you chose me in his hard time, stayed with me when I was not present for me own self, supported me when I lost my self confidence. I will never forget it." He confessed, curling his lips upward. Affirming to live and die for her, to dedicate all his cognition for her sake to seal their bond forever and place himself before her. 'I love you very much, Dear." He said, resting his head on her laps, closing his eyes. Finding his lost solace in her embrace, to find his shore and live in her arms forever. 'Z-Zain..?" She stuttered, astonishment at its utmost extent. Rapid heart rate to think he truly spoke what she imagined. 'I don't care what anyone says, what they call it but I cherish you more than anything because I love you." He continued, gathering his fragments in her laps. 'I want to give you all happiness, provide you with everything I could and I am so grateful that you agree to hold my hand. Your presence means the world to me." He said, looking up at her with everlasting affection, closing his eyes in her proximity to consider it his home. 'Thank you so much for staying when I am nothing." He whispered, the fondness rushing by his keen words gave her the tranquility she never felt before. 'Don't say this, I told you already, nothing means to me before you. I will stay under all circumstances." She murmured, holding his face in her hands. 'I want to show you that I love you with all my heart, that it was not only an obsession or desire to have you." She said, maintaining the intense eye-contact. 'I am genuinely sincere about you, even if I took drastic measures." She said, holding his hands and running her hand in his hairs. 'I am glad I have you as my partner. You are my blessing. I am so happy. Please stay with me." He whispered, face adjacent to herself. 'I will… always." She whispered, leaning down. 'I love you." She confessed, brushing her lips against his. 'I love you too." He smiled, shifting forward, pressing his lips slowly on hers, closing their eyes simultaneously to indulge in the sweetness of their moment. 'I am so happy to hear this from you, you have given me a perennial solace with your words." She said, kissing him softly, lovingly. It was the moment she yearned for and now it's in her grasp. Chuckling, he continued with a husky tone, 'You taught me."