Possession by Laila Ali (young adult books to read .txt) 📗

Apparently, he had given all his powers to Shehryaar but no decision was taken without his consent. Apart from that, the whole area which was under the mafia was divided in three wings. One was under the control of Moosa, the second one under Shehryaar's and the third one in Irtaza's control. 

And his wing was still under his rule though he wasn't the apparent mafia boss anymore. 

But that didn't matter to him.

The power and position meant nothing to him. Zahra had asked him to step down so he would step down not caring what he loses. And even if Zahra asks him to die, he would die happily for her.

He loved her to that extent.

They both sat in the car. He going to his office and she leaving for her university. Irtaza had asked her to shift to online mode while her pregnancy but she persisted going to university. She couldn't spend 9 months straight away in the house.

Though every other day they'd go out but still she didn't want to lay back and do nothing.

"Are you still scared of me Zahra?" he asked bringing her out of trance.

"No. I'm not but sometimes your anger makes me nervous" she answered truthfully.

"I promise I'd never hurt you" he said solemnly.

"I know" she answered making him smile.

"Oh yeah we have to go to haveli tonight. Dada has to make some announcement today"

"Oh ok"

He dropped her to university and went to the office.

At 4 oclock he picked her up from her university and they both went to haveli.

"ZAHRAAAAAA!" Dua screamed as soon as she saw Zahra and engulfed her in a hug while Irtaza shook his head, smiling and went to his grandfather's study to ask him about his announcement.

He had invited Shehryaar too from Lahore and Irtaza knew then it might be some important news.

"Zahra, my daughter, how are you? And how's our baby?" Her grandmother asked.

"All fit and healthy" she replied, putting her hand on her stomach.

"Does Irtaza take care of you?" Ammara asked.

"Yes he does. He does alot."

"May God keep you both happy!"

"Ok Zahra come with me," Dua caught her arm and took her to his room.

Then she, Haseeb, Haya and Dua had their secret meeting.

"I wonder what the news could be?" Haseeb asked.

"We can listen their conversation standing behind the door" Dua suggested.

"Dumbo, someone could easily spot us." Haya answered.

"Irtaza and Shehryaar bhai knows everything." Dua told.

"I guess we can kidnap anyone of these and ask them to spill out the information," Haseeb joked.

"Oh my dumb head Haseeb! One day I'd die of your dumbness," Dua drawled.

"Excuse me? Dumb and me?" Haseeb countered.

"Yes dumb and you!"

"Oh please, only the world intelligence suits me. Dumb are actually people like you"

Before she could counter, haya cut in.

"Please could you both stop," she said, "I guess its something really important. We would have to wait for three hours."

"God I'd die out of curiosity," Haseeb said dramatically making them laugh.

Three hours elapsed in which they all had alot of fun. Zahra spent a lot of time with her cousins and her mother, having alot of fun. She hadn't laughed like that for a while. She was meeting them all after almost a month due to her being busy in her studies.

Atlast they all were called for dinner. Once they all settled down and had the lunch, there eyes moved towards there grandfather.

"I want you all to listen to my next words with great attention." he said, getting there attentions.

"Shehryaar is going to make the announcement today which you all had been anticpating," he told and Shehryaar looked over to them.

"I'm now not talking you as a member of this family but as the head of this haveli and as the leader of the mafia. My statement would be a direct order and I don't want any denials after listening to my statement," he said, his words oozing authority and power.

Now everyone was sure even if they don't like what he's going to stay they'd still have to accept it.

"On the mutual understanding of Irtaza and my grandfather, we have reached to a decision. As the head, I'm announcing the wedding of Haseeb and Dua,"

The word, 'what!' was on the tip of their tongues but they couldn't utter it. 

..........

"Irtaza, really Haseeb and Dua?" Zahra asked him, once getting into the car as he drove it towards home.

"Yes Zahra. I and Shehryaar made the decision after alot of contemplation,"

"But they both would never agree,"

"They'd have to agree" he answered.

"Irtaza can't you change the decision?"

"I can but I would not"

"Why?"

"Because," he took in a deep breath, "I'll tell you later," he answered.

And she didn't press him much. She felt sad for both of them.

But unknown to her there was a whole background which had made them to reach this decision. There was alot more to story.

On reaching home, they both laid down on the bed after taking shower and changing clothes. Feeling tired but finding peace in each other's embrace.

Zahra traced his features with his thumb looking at him solemnly.

"You remember, its Mujtaba for a son," she told him, taking this name after her late father

"And Jaha ara for a daughter," he told her, taking the name after his late mother. Someone had helped Irtaza to choose this name for the daughter.

He placed his hand on her stomach.

"My beautiful child," he whispered, smiling looking at her stomach.

Then his grey eyes moved up and met her brown ones.

"And my innocent wife," his hand slid on her waist, pulling her closer embracing her in a hug.

"I can't wait to be a father, Zahra" he muttered near her ear.