"Oh wow... That's great to see that my son is taking interest in his friends. But what is your favourite dish?" Pulling the soft and plump cheek of her son she asked with a big grin on her lips but the little boy was answerless. He didn't even knew what was his favourite dish.

"Umm... Mommy I don't know?" He muttered while lifting the menu card upside down, reading nothing just seeing the pictures of delicious looking food. His mother smiled and picked the card to handed him that in a proper way.

"What do you want to eat, Zaryab?" Adeena asked lovingly and those littles eyes roam everywhere on the menu card but came back of only one pic.

"Baggal" he demanded with a big grin on his cute face which resembles his father. Adeena made a sweet pout and pulled his cheek one more time. "It's burger not Baggal."

"I'm saying the same... Bag-gal"

"Repeat after me." She said and her son nodded "Bur"

"Bur" he repeated after his mother

"ger" Adeena pronounced slowly and he nod his head before saying "ger"

"Very nice... Now say it together... Burger"

"Baggal" Zaryam said proudly and his mother smacked her forehead. "Fine, I'm ordering baggal for you,"

The little boy started having the burger and his mother keep watching him. Only she knew how many pains she was hiding in her heart but it's necessary to smile in front of this little man. "Aren't you having your Baggal?" Zaryab asked and Adeena nods her head but she didn't want to eat so she kept watching her son who was taking more than enough time to have a small burger. Every minute stood next to her with more than its actual length.

Life is too short to live,

But too long to survive

"Done?" Adeena asked and Zaryab nodded his head while sipping the orange juice present in front of him. "Let's go."

"Mommy I want ice cream too." Adeena paid the bills ignoring the new demand of her little boy and both walked out from the restaurant. Walking on the road Adeena was remembering her college time, without any good reason today she was missing Daniyal and his crazy love for herself. But shrugging all those thoughts she looked at Zaryab and a smile crept to her lips. Life gives us many reasons to cry, but few for happiness too... Zaryab was one for her.

"How would I live without you? You're my little piece of heart." Mumbling that Adeena muffled his hair while walking down the lane but Zaryab's little eyes widened and shone with euphoria as he noticed a balloon vendor on the other side of road.

"Mommy balloons." Zaryab pointed out the vendor, before Adeena could understand anything he pulled his hand from her grip and ran to cross the road.

"Zar..." Adeena looked at her hand then towards the road "Zaryaaaaabbb" a loud scream left from her mouth as fast moving car was coming towards her son. After listening Adeena's call Zaryab stopped in the middle of road instead of crossing it with same speed. After witnessing the flashlight of car on himself the boy with little feet tried to run back but fall down on the road. Luckily the car driver pushed the break at right time. Adeena steps ahead to pick her son but she was stopped by a gush of traffic, meanwhile two young men stepped out from the car in a hurry.

"Are you fine Beta?" One of two men picked Zaryab in his arms but other one was shocked to see the mother of this boy. "Are you alright." The man in the wedding suit asked the little boy while patting his cheek to check if the boy was fine or not.

"Adeena." David mumbled and looked at Daniyal who was still lifting Zaryab in his arms. Adeena was also shocked. She was seeing Daniyal after many years that too in a wedding suit.

David slowly shook his head when she stepped ahead to took back her son and she understood the meaning of that gesture, before Daniyal could look here and there to find out someone known to this boy, she turned her back to him.

"Daniyal, He's fine, you go." Almost snatching the child from the groom his best friend instructed but he shook his head.

"David, we need to search his parents."

"I'll do this work, you go. It's your marriage so it's necessary for you to reach on time."

"Are you alone? Or with someone else?" Daniyal asked and a already scared Zaryab pointed out towards Adeena who was standing showing her back towards Daniyal and David.

"How careless." Daniyal was about to take steps ahead when David grabbed his arm. "Go Daniyal, I'll reach at venue." After another instruction Daniyal sigh and nodded while hopping into the car and it hit the road to reach venue at right time.

"Zaryab, are you fine beta?" While taking her son in her arms, the lady mumbled with motherly love in her voice and tears in her eyes. David glared at her, for a few minutes she didn't even notice as all her attention was fixed over her son but then she looked up.

"David... How are you? And how is Daniyal?" Thought she wasn't much interested in the first question, still asked and waited to know the answer of the last question but got something else.

"What do you want to listen? How is he living without you? How is he smiling everyday but dying from inside? Or do you want to know how he is still alive? Adeena you're a selfish person. You've killed this guy. He stopped living, that Daniyal was dead, the same day when you denied his and your feelings." Adeena's eyes rolled down two tears.

"He's getting married." She muttered and somehow remembered the day when Daniyal promised her to do not married to anyone else besides her.

"Shouldn't he? Should he spend rest of his life for a selfish girl like you" David almost yelled but Adeena shook her head in defeated way. "I'm not selfish David, I was helpless." Her painful voice didn't effect David and he jerked his head.

"Admit this or not, you're selfish. You had been playing with Daniyal's feelings but when you got someone better than him you just dumb this guy." David snapped but Adeena shook her head.

"I'm not selfish David... I was helpless."

"Oh wow, do selfish people live so happily?"

"Congratulations to Daniyal for his marriage. Bye." Adeena turned to go as she understood David would not believe in her, but she was stopped by another call.

"I know you live alone." She suddenly turned to saw him. "How do you know?" She asked, shocked.

"Leave that how do I know... But keep one thing in your mind, don't ever try to come in front of Daniyal. It was hard for him to love someone else, but thankfully now he's coming back to life so don't create any problem for him." A clear threatening from David but it turned Adeena furious.

"Why would I? I won't do anything which create problems for Daniyal." She said in her defence but David smirked.

"By the way, why your husband leave you?" Adeena was shocked to listen that. She didn't get words to describe that his husband didn't leave her. "What? David...?"

"This is what we call karma. You choice a selfish person over Daniyal after playing with his feelings and your husband leave you... How does it feel to love a selfish person?"

"Enough is enough... I am listening everything about myself it doesn't mean that you will say anything about my husband. He's even better than Daniyal... And for your kind information Shadid never leave me." She turned to go while wiping away her tears.

"Then Why are you alone?"

"I'm not answerable to you. It's my personal life, you stay away from me." Yelling with anger she waved her hand. "Taxi..." And soon she was disappeared from David's sight.

<><><><><>

After a few hours

"Shifa, this is the very first and maybe last time when I'm telling you all these things so keep them in your mind." Maryam sat down next to her daughter and held her hand in between hers. Shifa was surprised to see her mother so serious, but just like a good girl she nod her head while giving her ears to the upcoming lesson.

"You're going to get married it means you're going to live a new life. Beta you will have to adjust to make this relationship work." Shifa furrowed on her mom's advise, she didn't like this concept of adjustment when all the efforts would have I make by a girl.

"Why only me? Deni will also have to adjust." Shifa shrugged but Maryam smiled while pulling her daughter's cheek. Today she was adoring her more than enough.

"Girls of this generation is more feminist so they are stubborn to do not adjust and sometimes this stubborn nature create disputes."

"Mummy, I'll adjust but why only me? Deni will have to adjust too?" Shifa repeat her question and Maryam sighed with sad smile.

"Shifa do believe or not, girls have to change their habits according to their in-laws. A girl can not survive after marriage with determination to do not adjust. Daniyal and your in-laws will also adjust according to you but it will take some time, people don't change overnight. A little bit of patience is always needed. You all will take some time to understand each other, only that time period will be difficult after that everything will be easy." Maryam caressed Shifa's head but she felt a new fear capturing her.

"But mumma how will I adjust? I mean... What will I have to do?" She muttered with another level of fear and Maryam smiled.

"Just be yourself. Do everything with good intentions. If Daniyal's parents scold you ever don't take that on heart, I also scold you na and you ignores it... Practice same with them." Shifa keep watching her mother and she smiled.

"And try to forgive and forget. Remembering bitter memories make life difficult. But I wish you'll not get any bitter memory." Maryam kissed the forehead of her daughter before setting her jewellery and dupatta as she was sitting in the attire of bride.

"Shifa." A soft call pulled her out from the train of memories. She almost jumped at her place and realised that resting her head with headboard she was reclining in the well decorated room of Daniyal, but she sat down with straight back and lifted her gaze towards Mrs kazmi. "Ji Ammi?"

"Your mobile. It was ringing." Shifa grabbed that and passes a nervous smile. "Thank you Ammi." She muttered and Mrs Kazmi grinned. "Take a rest, Daniyal will come after seeing off the guests." With this statement Mrs Kazmi left the room and Shifa felt nervous.

Her hands were turning cold and forehead was covering with sweat. After only two minutes Daniyal open the door which startled Shifa. He looks at the beautiful figure sitting in front of him in the form of his bride and unknowingly his lips engaged with a smile. He was going to lock the door but a thud grabbed his attention. That voice was produced because the mobile phone present in Shifa's hand slipped down to kiss the floor. "Crap." She picked the mobile up but this time drop bouquets of red roses from nightstand. Daniyal understood her nervousness. Even he himself was feeling nervous and awkward. Leaving the door open he moved towards the bed, and Shifa again dropped her mobile while picking flowers from the floor.

"Be comfortable." He picked up her mobile and passed her while sitting on the edge of the bed. Then an awkward silence surround them. "Tell me if you need something." He said to make her comfortable but she felt more nervous. It wasn't first time when they both were alone in a room, it was usual for them as daily they spend several hours together in meeting room or recording room but this situation was different. Practically it was their wedding night and they both were not comfortable even with the thought of each other's nearness.

"Umm... Deni." She muttered and he hummed. "I haven't pray namaz yet." She said in the same whisper and Daniyal nodded his head.

"Aap namaz parh lo, wese to mene bhi nhi parhi..." He instructed her but said the last part in an undertone. Shifa slowly dangled her legs down from the bed and looked at Daniyal one more time.

(You offer namaz, even I haven't prayed yet)

"Deni..."

"Hmm?"

"Washroom?" She muttered looking towards two door and Daniyal nodded as he suddenly remembered to let her know about his home, now her home too.

"Left door." He pointed one door out of two, ''And other one is the store room." He added and Shifa slowly nod her head. They both were feeling same kind of nervousness at the same time, they didn't want to show that they were nervous. Daniyal preferred to give her a little amount of privacy so he left the room and after some time when he came back he found Shifa sitting on the couch, free from any kind of makeup and jewellery she was draped in the most comfortable and most covering clothes.

"Deni... Prayer mat." She mumbled in the same nervous tone and Daniyal hummed while realising that Shifa really need to know about every small thing of this home.

How difficult it is to leave her own home and come to live at a new place.

With this thought he open the cupboard and drew out two prayer mats from the upper most shelf. "Tell me without hesitation if you need anything. Okay?" He asked while spreading both the prayer mats on the floor and Shifa nodded whilst draping her dupatta to cover her head properly. Soon Daniyal rejoined her after changing himself in a night suit. They both hardly took twenty minutes to complete their respective prayer but before they could lift their hands for dua a knock on the already open door forced then to turn their head back to see Mrs Kazmi standing there holding a big smile on her lips.

She wasn't willing to intrude in her son's bedroom that too on the wedding night but the widely open door give her thought that might be something was wrong so she was there to see if she could help them, but when found the newly wed couple in front of Almightly, her heart bloomed with happiness.

"Ji Ammi?" Daniyal asked and Mrs Kazmi stepped in the room.

"Namaz Parh li?" She asked and both of them nod their head in reply.

(Done with namaz?)

"Ab Allah ka shukar bhi ada kar lijiye aur dua kriye ki aap dono ko is paak or muqaddas rishte mein hamesha khushiyan hi milein aur aapki mohabbat hamesha aesi hi qayam rahe," Mrs kazmi instructed on which Shifa and Daniyal looked at each other, this time she was looking nervous as well as shy.

(Now thank God and pray for a beautiful future. Also pray that may God increase the amount of love between both of you)

Mrs Kazmi left the room after those instructions and Shifa again looked at Daniyal, he just smiled and stood up to perform a small prayer to fulfil his mother's order.

"Don't think too much." Shifa kept watching him without blinking, but how could she did not think about it? After all she loves him secretly. After doing another tiny prayer she lift her hands for dua and close her eyes.

Allah paak thank you for turning our relationship into a halal one, you know na, I love him but he doesn't love me... This thought is hurting me, please develop love for me in Deni's heart too. I don't want to stay in a loveless marriage. And her eyes dropped fresh tears, on the other hand Daniyal was also putting his heart in front of almighty

Ya Allah I'm afraid, I don't want to do injustice with my wife please give me strength to give her everything she wants. This marriage is a responsibility for me, please make me fulfil my responsibilities and help me through out the life.

"Aameen." He sighed and turned to see Shifa, tears were rolling down from her closed eyes. Without disturbing her he folded prayer mat and open the cupboard the put it back but this voice distracted Shifa, wiping her tears she also folds the prayer mat and passed it to Daniyal. She sat down on the edge of bed and Daniyal locked the door which scared her a bit, but his intentions weren't anything to make her uncomfortable, he shut the door just to maintain the temperature of room. Adjusting the temperature of AC, he sat down besides her. Shifa looked at him with same nervousness, her eyes filled with tears.

"In aasuo ka sabab jaan sakta hu?"

(May I know the reason behind these tears?)

"Jo aasu Allah ke saamne bahaye jaate hain unka sabab kisi ko nhi bataya jata." Daniyal's lips converted into a big grin after listening this reply and he nodded.

(Reason for the tears that fall in front of Allah, should be secret )

"Hmm... Durust farmaya mohtarna, lekin zyada aasu na bahaya kro, kahi dehydration na ho jaye." Deni filled the glass with water and passed her, Shifa couldn't help but laughed at that silly joke.

(Hmm ... True, but don't shed too much tears, it could lead dehydration)

"Deni aapko pta hai aap duniya ke sense bekaar jokes sunate hain."

(Deni, you crack silliest jokes)

"Phir bhi aap has deti ho, it means you're more silly than my jokes..." He raised his brows and did his favourite task... That is teasing her.

(But you still smile)

"Deniiii... Aap bohot bure hain." Shifa looked away trying to show herself offended but she was smiling at her own leg pulling.

(Deni you're so bad)

"Haayy... mohtarma nacheez aapka mashkoor ho gya ye qabil-e-qadar malomaat dene ke liye." Daniyal grind like a winner after firing the bullets of urdu which directly hit Shifa's brain.

"Deni ye kesi baate boolte rehte hain aap?'' She fake cried and smacked her forehead.

(Deni what are you saying?)

"Abhi to agaaz e marasim hai

yu himmat na hariye,

Silsila e hayaat baaqi hai bohot kuch

sikhane ke khatir."

(Now it's just beginning of the relationship

don't lose heart,

There is a lot of life left

to be learned.)

Daniyal muttered a bit louder, she listened everything but understood nothing.

"Mujhe aapse baat hi nhi karni..." Shifa huffed while looking away and Daniyal chuckled, he just loves to annoy her, sometimes he use hard urdu just to gain that priceless expression.

(I am not even talking to you)

"Jesi mohtarma ki marzi." Mumbling that he stood up while grabbing a pillow from the bed and sat down on the couch. Shifa was seeing him but when he spread his legs on the couch her brain conclude the meaning o f that action.

(As miss wants.)

"Deni..."

"Hmm"

"Are you sleeping on the couch?" She asked and Daniyal adjusted himself on that not so comfortable piece of furniture. "Yeah."

"No Deni, you come to bed. I'll sleep on the couch." She said while stepping down from the bed but Daniyal already covered himself with a blanket and slowly shook his head.

"Umm... dekha jaye to bed aapke papa ne diya hai aap so jao bed par, ispe aapka haq banta hai." Shifa smiled sweetly while stepping towards the couch.

(Umm... Actually this bed is given by your papa so you've first right on this,)

"Deni, this couch is also given by my papa, so you shouldn't be sleeping on it." She raised her brow with mischievous smile and Daniyal sat down one couch. "Bed bhi aapka, couch bhi aapka... Main kaha jaun mohtarma?"

(Bed is yours so as couch, Then where should I go, Madam?)

"Farsh aapka hai." She pointed out toward the floor which made Daniyal chuckled but Shifa sat down on the couch with a smile.

(Floor is all yours)

"Go Deni, sleep on the bed." She demanded and Daniyal sighed. "Shifa, aap kab se itbi zid karne lagi?"

(As far as I know you're not stubborn)

"I'm not. But Deni, I'm not feeling good that's I'm on the bed but you're on the couch, I don't wanna make you uncomfortable in your own home." She muttered and Daniyal found the ocean of truthfulness in her words. This is something that she always admire about Shifa. She could comprise with her comfort but can't give problem to others. Just like Daniyal.

"First of all, it's your home too. And in an addition... I'm also not feeling good to let you sleep on the couch. So go to the bed." Shifa smiled on his instruction and stood up.

"Fine, but tomorrow I'll sleep on the couch and I'll be on the bed. Deal?" Shifa offered which brought a smile on Daniyal's lips.

"Deal." He nods his head while gesturing Shifa to go to the bed. Half an hour passed in silence, Daniyal was trying to sleep but couldn't, he was tossing on the couch because of uncomfortable bedding and Shifa was feeling awkward to sleep when Daniyal was just in front of her so sitting on the bed she was revising for tomorrow's practical. Though her eyes were not seeing the content written in the book but what was present on her hands. That's mehndi. And specially the initials of Her and Daniyal's names.

"Soo jao Shifa, kal college jana hai na..." His instruction suddenly pulled Shifa into the world of reality. She was almost forgetting about the book resting on her lap.

(Get some sleep Shifa, you have to attend college tomorrow)

"Aap so jaiye, mujhe abhi revision karni hai.'' She muttered and started reading from the book and Daniyal closed his eyes while reading a few pages from the book of his life soon he was doozed off but Shifa was studying.

(I've to study, you take rest)

<><><><><>

Clock hands were dangling between such time which was difficult for him to pass. Neither night was passing nor morning was coming. It was too early for a good morning text and too late for good night one, so he was only typing different taxes and deleting them but in the end he looked at the open my where the moon was saying brightly. Its beauty made him remember hers... Another time his lips engaged with smile and he open the chat windown his mobile.

You were looking beautiful. And honestly I'm unable to sleep as my eyes and mind are not ready to stop thinking about you. Without a second thought he sent the text and for his shock it was received from the other side within no time. Indicating clearly that the other person was also unable to sleep due to this very new experience of her life.

Love stories gives butterflies to stomach when they're present in the books but in reality they give only dark circles.

After waiting for next five minutes when he didn't get any reply, he decided to text her one more time.

I know you're not sleeping then why are you ignoring?

Afifa again read that text but didn't reply, this time Shariq sigh and sent another text. I'm calling you.

Nooooo....

Don't even think to do so.

In no time Afifa replied and Shariq smirked.

What should I consider it? Shyness or nervousness? He texted and got another reply from her in no time.

'Ignorance!!😒😒' shariq was shocked to get this text followed by another one... 'Is this much insult enough or you want some more?'

'Anything from you is acceptable...' He replied and Afifa's heart beat with a jolt. She wasn't expecting anything like that from Shariq but he was all ready to surprise her in every possible way.

'Even my rejection? 🤨🤨' She text and he smiled sadly.

'Yeah, I can't force my feeling on you. Your rejection is acceptable but not appreciated.🙂' Afifa was pretty shocked to see this side of Shariq. On the name of Shariq she knew a guy who was hell rude, ill-mannered and cruel but this guy was something else.

'Shariq, maybe you're a great actor but I'm not a fool, so don't play with me. I know how was your behaviour with Shifa.' She texted with anger but Shariq smack his forehead.

"Hell with Shifa, I hate that girl." Mumbling that he focused on the mobile scene and instead of starting typing a text he dialed her number, and the call was received by Afifa immediately.

"I already told you not to call me.''

"Please Afifa, listen to me...What's the matter if I don't like your friend? We don't behave sweet with those whom we dislike... Moreover your friend also didn't show any kind respect towards me, Shifa and I are cousins who hate each other... That's it. Stop seeing me from her eyes but see me with your heart." He said everything in a single breath and Afifa stay silent for next two minutes then gathered all her courage.

"Don't call me again. Don't waste your time here." She said but in almost no voice. Shariq smiled bitterly while placing the mobile on his other ear and looked at the moon one more time.

"Why aren't you admitting that you like me, and your heart is also beating with different rhythm when you think about me?" He asked so confidently as if he knows everything about Afifa but she was shot led one more time. How did he know?

"Nothing like that... Why would I think about you? And I... I don't like you." She tried to protest but it was true, Shariq was the first guy ever who was showing interest in Afifa and somewhere she was also a bit happy but she wasn't ready to accept this.

"Oh really?" He questioned and Afifa was confused in herself so she prefers to stay silent.

"You and I both know that you're a daring girl, you would argue with me or simply block me if I was holding no space in your eyes." He read her mind making her numb, how could he understand her so easily? But before the conversation could move further a voice attracted Shariq's attention.

"Shariq..."

"Ji papa?" Removing the mobile from his ear he turned to see Musa who was standing behind him.

"What are you doing here at this time?" Musa asked while his eyes fixed on the mobile his son was holding in is hand.

"Umm... Nothing... Just..." He tries to drop the topic while stepping to his room but stopped by a call. "Whose call is this? With whome you were talking at this time?" Musa's question was straight but Shariq had no answer, on the other hand, Afifa disconnected the call after listening that overbearing voice of Musa.

"Umm papa... No one... I was just..." Shariq stammered while taking back steps but he was stopped by a glare of his father.

"What's cooking in your mind?" Asked Musa and Shariq shrugged... "What? Nothing." She replied with a fake smile but Musa sighed, he didn't want to scare his son. Opening his arm he gestured Shariq to come near him. He silently followed the gesture of his father and both of them sat down on the floor. Shariq's eyes was fixed on the sky but his father was seeing only him, and finally, after some ten minutes the glass of silence was broken by Musa.

"I have been noticing your gaze fixed on Afifa... Is that my misunderstanding or...?" He preferred to left the sentence incomplete and Shariq breathe in and out while gathering all courage.

"I like her and wanna marry her."

"And she?" Musa already knew Shariq's intentions so without wasting any time he asked about Afifa and Shariq shrugged. "I don't know about her. But-"

"But what?"

"Maybe she will be agreed." He put his opinion on which Musa nod his head and think about it. "Have you shared this with your mother?" Asked Musa and Shariq jerked his head.

"Mummy ko batana Matlab Afifa ke liye rejection sun'na. Woh Shifa ki best friend hai, bas itna kafi hai reject karne ke liye." Shariq told the reality and Musa hummed.

(Mummy will reject Afifa as she's Shifa's bestie)

"For now, take rest I'll handle this matter at my own" with this instruction as well as assurance Musa stood up to go back to his bedroom but stopped to see his son who just drew out his mobile from his pocket.

"Don't disturbed her." An strict order and Shariq just nod his head, as soon as Musa left he dialed Afifa's number, not for his surprise she received the call within a fee seconds but in her signature style.

"What's wrong with you? Have you glance at the time? Is this time to call someone?" In order to show herself rude Afifa burst out in anger. "If you call me again, I swear... I'll tell Musa uncle." She added to brought a smile to his lips.

"Bta do, Tumse chup kar baat karne nein interest nhi hai... Haq se hath pakadna chahta hu, achha hai bado ko bhi pta chal jaye." He cut the call with a smile and Afifa's heart started beating faster than normal, what a girl want other than a partner who show his love in this way?

(Tell him, I also don't want to hide this instead I want to hold your hand in front of all, that too rightfully.)

<><><><><>

Not so brightly lit room- completely silent. He was sleeping on the couch and she was reclining on the bed, legs were covered with sheet and a book was resting on it. Sleepy eyes were half closed untiltheless focusing on the text present on that. A few more hours passed away in the same manner and soon the voice of fajr azaan (morning prayer call) echoed to spread the required amount of melody in that silence.

"What? It's already morning?" She looked up suddenly to notice the clock reading 4:45 of morning. Closing the book she did a quick ablution and spread the prayer mat. A smile crawled to her lips when she saw Daniyal in front if her. Thank you so much Allah Paak, you've answered my prayers and unite us in most pious tie. With a thankful heart She complete the prayer and switched off the lights. Daniyal was sleeping so she didn't feel hesitant anymore, and slept within no time.

............

After a few hours.

"Daniyal... Shifa." A soft knock on the door grabbed Daniyal's attention who was already awake for last few hours, he was unable to sleep because of uncomfortable bedding. He looked at his own figure who was still lying the couch. "Oh no..." With this mumble he stood up with tired face and sleepy eyes.

"Daniyal..." Another knock, "Yeah ammi..." he throw the pillow and quilt on the bed before moving towards the door.

"Ji Ammi." He open the door and Mrs Kazmi passed a smile. "Uth jaiye beta, aapko Shifa ko college drop karna hoga." Mrs kazmi instructed and Daniyal looked at Shifa who was sleeping peacefully.

(Wake up Daniyal, you'll have to drop Shofa to her college.)

"Hmm... I'm already awake..." He muttered and Mrs Kazmi looked at the bed, "wake her up." Even after getting this instruction he didn't find courage to wake her up.

"Aap utha dijiye, main tayyar ho jata hu." He gave space to his mother and open his cupboard to draw out his clothes.

(You wake her up, I'm getting ready.)

"Shifa." Mrs Kazmi slowly par her arm but the girl was in deep slumber, "Shifa, beta wake up, you have to go college." Mrs Kazmi again shook her arm and this time she Moved a bit.

"Mummy lemme sleep, puri raat nhi sooyi..." In deep slumber she muttered and Mrs kazmi felt hesitate as she took it in another way, Daniyal's feet were also rooted in the way to bathroom and he looked at him mother.

(Didn't sleep all night...)

"Umm... Actually... Ammi... She was studying whole night," Daniyal stammered a truth but it wasn't enough digestible for his mother, she nod her head while taking a step back and Daniyal cursed himself to take his mother's to wake Shifa up.

"Shifa uth jaao." He slowly tap her shoulder and she realised that masculine voice wasn't belonging to her mother but ...

(Shifa wake up)

"Deni..." Her eyes snapped open and brain recalled that yesterday only she got married to her dream man. She remembered Maryam's another instruction to get up early in the morning and greet everyone in the home, but what could she do when she slept early in the morning.

Mrs kamzi was seeing the nervous Shifa and this poor girl was feeling awkward.

"Ammi... I... I'm Assalamualaikum." She was about to say sorry to wake up late but suddenly remember her mother's instruction and ended up greeting her mother in law. Mrs Kazmi and Daniyal both were amazed at her but could not control themselves to laugh at that.

"Beta I'm walekum as salam," being the owner of a good sense of humour Mrs Kazmi replied in a playful manner before stepping our from the room but Daniyal was still laughing.

"Deniiiiii...." She fake cried with engagement and hid her face in her palms. "Ji... Miss Assalamulaikum?" He teased her making her cry with fake tears.

"Aap bohot bure hain." She looked away but hide her face in a pillow to suppress her smile. She must be the first girl who enjoy her own leg pulling.

(You're so bad)

"Mureed e nawazish." Shifa looked up at his smiling face and huffed. "Now what does it mean?''

" That's your homework.'' Daniyal grinned before stepping into the bathroom and Shifa smacked her forehead.

"Abhi to ek bhi din nhi hua aur inhone urdu ki class Shuru kar di, Ya Allah, is aadmi se Shari karke pachtana na pad jaye."

(It's not even 24 hours of our marriage and he has started urdu classes, oh God, please don't let me regret to choose him.)

And with this sweet and tangy note the first day of their married life was started.

<><><><>