Forgetting every pain life had served her yet, she stood in the doorway of a new world of dreams, where she wanted to make new castles of trust, respect and love; a world where no odds could take possession, a world where no disputes come in between her and her dream prince, who has turned to her king now.

How beautifully love steals the sleep of their prey and pushes them to an endless dreamland while their eyes are open.

Something like this was happening with her too, A gentle yet shy smile clogged her lips when she noticed him sleeping on the couch and she was on the bed. Her sight was not ready to go anywhere else but him. Now she has the right to watch him anytime, so why not every time? She was falling for him even more with every passing second. Everything was perfect either his looks or his manners or his care for her. What else she was waiting for in her life? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

She was stopping slumber to grasp her in its arms so that she could capture more and more glimpses of her husband but in deep sleep, he adjusted himself on that couch and soon his arm covered his face making her heart wiggle differently.

Leaving with no other way she close her eyes to sleep but suddenly noticed the empty water bottle placed on the nightstand. In these few days, she saw Daniyal waking up the in middle of the night for having water. She walked into the kitchen to fill the bottle meanwhile glanced at the door of her mother-in-law's bedroom. Lights were on, and the door was slightly open. First, she felt hesitant to go and ask if everything is fine or not but then slowly knocked on the door.

"Ammi..."

"Ji beta?" In no time she get a response which showed that the old couple was already awake. Slowly pushing the door she opens it and found an anxious Mrs Kazmi standing in the middle of the room.

"What happened beta?" Mrs Kazmi asked Shifa and she shook her head.

"Nothing... But why are you still awake? Any problem?" Shifa asked while glancing at the wall clock which was reading 2:25 of night.

"Your baba had given me a folder, he needs that tomorrow early morning but I forgot where I've kept it," Mrs Kazmi said before resuming her work, Shifa looked at her panicked situation which indicated how important that folder was.

"Ammi aap beth jaiye, aur araam se yaad karne ki koshish kariye, itna preshan ho kar dhundengi to kabhi nhi milega." Shifa tried to calm down the old lady but she was anxious.

(Ammi first of all, sit down and try to remember. Don't panic otherwise you'll not be able to get it.)

"Araam se kese bethu? Mujhe yaad hai mene yahi isi cupboard mein rakhi thi... Lekin shadi ke doraan sari cheezein idhar udhar ho gyi, pta nhi mene kaha rakh diya wo folder." Mrs Kazmi mumbled and again open the cupboard.

(How can I be relaxed? I remember I put that folder in this cupboard only but everything was displaced during wedding functions... It's not here anymore.)

"Khatija kahi aapne wo folder purane samaan ke sath pheek to nhi di?" Asked Mr Kazmi and Mrs Kazmi's face lost their colour.

(Khatija, I doubt that you've thrown away that folder with other old stuff.)

"Nhi Kazmi Sahab, main itni ghair-zimmedar to nhi hu."

(No Kazmi Sahab, I'm not that irresponsible.)

"Kya tha us folder mein?" Shifa asked

(What was in that folder?)

"Some documents related to income tax and my bank account statement as well as many more things." Mr Kazmi replied while searching for that folder with his wife and Shifa narrowed her eyes but then left the room. For a moment or two, Mrs Kazmi felt bad that She didn't even offer help and left them when they are so panicked but she didn't have time to think about anything else. For the next ten minutes, the old couple was busy on mission search when a voice grabbed their attention.

"Baba, aap yehi dhundh rhe hain kya?" Shifa passed a folder, which Mr Kazmi held with confusion and opened it to take a relief breath.

(Baba, is it what you're looking for?)

"From where did you get it?"

"Yesterday I saw it while rearranging mine and Deni's wardrobe, but I didn't know what it was holding, at that time, I only glanced at it and put it back," Shifa explained making Mr Kazmi realise his mistake. He explained that he himself gave that folder to Daniyal to keep it safe when maids were cleaning their bedroom and cupboard.

"Kazmi Sahab, aapne mera BP high kra diya." Mrs Kazmi complaint and looked at the condition of the room, all the cupboards, and drawers were open, and clothes were scattered around.

"Ammi aap so jaiye, cupboards main arrange kar deti hu," Shifa said in a polite way and Mrs kazmi looked at the clock.

(Ammi you take rest, I'll arrange the cupboard)

"Aap jaa kar soo jaiye, kal subah aapko college jana hoga na? Ye to main maid se kra lungi." Shifa nodded and stepped out from the room but not before asking both of them if they need anything.

(You go and sleep, you have to go to college tomorrow, right? Maid will do this work.)

"Masha Allah bohot pyaari bachhi hai!" Mr Kazmi smiled while seeing the folder and his wife nodded in agreement.

(Such a nice girl)

On the other hand, Shifa entered her bedroom and locked the door, adjusting the AC temperature she spread a quilt over Daniyal to cover him properly but instead of going to the bed, she sat down just in front of him.

You can't even imagine what I'm feeling after getting you in my life. I love everything about you, I don't know when did I develop these emotions but I'm feeling blessed to stand next to you as your wife. Deni, only your presence is enough to make me feel better. It seems you're becoming the centre and my life is revolving around you.

With this thought, she lifted her hands to touch his hair which was spreading on his forehead but she lost the courage to do so. Curling up her fingers in a fist she pulled her hand back and smiled sadly. Will you ever feel something for me or I'll live the rest of my life in waiting? dealing with her thoughts she laid down to sleep and slumbered.

<><><><>

He woke up without any alarm and noticed the softness of the quilt on himself. It wasn't difficult for him to understand how it comes there magically. Glancing at the clock he found it was the time for morning prayer. "Shi.." He open his mouth and turned his head to woke her up but she was already on the prayer mat. A smile crept to his lips. Unknowingly he remembered yesterday when Shifa was looking extremely beautiful at the reception party and now this elegant face without any makeup and jewellery. Wearing his specs he adjusted his head on the pillow and placed his arm under his head while his eyes were fixed on his wife who just complete this tiny prayer and for next ten minutes she was lost in dua as well as talking to her Almighty while he was watching her keenly.

"Kya maangti ho Allah se itni lambi lambi duao mein?" As soon as she said aameen and covered her face with her hands, his voice echoed in the room and she realised that she was being watched by her husband. How could she let him know that she was asking for him only?

(What do you ask for in these long supplications?)

"Aap uth gye... namaz pard lijiye, main chai banane jaa rhi hu." She stood up and walked away leaving a mild fragrance of lily which was coming from her wet hair.

(You already woke up? You pray namaz I'm going to make tea)

In only a few days Shifa started adjusting to her new home very well, unknowingly she started winning the hearts of Mrs and Mr Kazmi, they were happy to have Shifa in this family.

After the morning ritual of tea Shifa and Daniyal were back in their bedroom. "Ab kya kar rhi ho?" He asked while laying down on the couch and Shifa informed him that she was arranging her clothes and notebooks for college.

(What are you doing now?)

"Shifa subah ke 5:30 baj rahe hain, Abi to soo jai, ye baad mein kar lena."

(Shifa it's only 5:30, sleep for a while, you've pretty much time to go to college)

"Deni..."

"Hmm?"

"Life is so unpredictable na... Aapne kabhi soocha tha humari shadi bhi ho sakti hai?" Shifa asked with amazement and sat down on the edge of the bed, for two long moments Daniyal was only watching her but then he also sat down on the couch and shook his head.

(Had you ever thought we could get married?)

"Never..." He smiled remembering the first meeting with Shifa, how rude she was with him, back then, he thought Shifa was an extremely rude, arrogant and ill-mannered girl but passing time revealed the reality.

"You know what Deni, in the first meeting I didn't like you a little bit." She told him reality and he chuckled.

"And now?" He arched his right brow but Shifa rolled her eyes. "Ab bhi kuch khaas to nhi lagte." She giggled to tease him, though he could reply her in the same teasing manner but let it be with a smile.

(Still don't like you too much)

"Chalo ab soo jao, main aapko 8 bje utha dunga"

(Sleep now, I'll wake you up at 8)

knowing very well that her college starts at 9 am, he ordered her to take a rest and this time she nodded while unwrapping her dupatta from her head and dangling them on the shoulders. For a moment she felt hesitant and uncomfortable as Daniyal was sitting in front of her but then she gulped down the reality that he's not a namehrah anymore and now they have to stay together for the rest of their lives. She silently opens her wet hair and ran her fingers through them to make them straight.

"I never knew you have long hair" he smiled and Shifa felt shy to understand that he noticed her hair. "You're saying as if you haven't seen me before?" She muttered while laying down on the bed and spreading her hair backwards allowing them to dry naturally. Daniyal sighed and shrugged, "Yeah I've seen you but never noticed your hair." He whispered and laid back after switching off the lights.

It means he started noticing me! With this in mind, she shut her eyes. Daniyal didn't take much time to sleep so as Shifa. But there was only one problem... They both forget to set an alarm.

<><><><><>

She knocked on the door with hesitation and every gaze travelled to her. "May I come in, Sir?"

"No, you can't! Stay out." Ordering rudely he continued the lecture and she sighed.

"I'm sorry, Sir." She said and the lecturer looked at her with disappointment. "May I ask you the reason for your late coming Miss Shifa?" He asked crossing his arms on his chest but Shifa was silent. How could he tell him that his husband forced her to take a rest but they took more than enough rest, moreover... He was still sleeping so for the sake of not disturbing his slumber she did all her work slowly and silently. And then... Travelling to college from Qasr e Kazmi (Kazmi residence) took time more than expected.

"I'm asking something."

"Umm... Sir... I took the wrong metro as I was travelling this route for the first time." She told a little amount of truth and her teacher glared at her. "Attend the next lecture, you may go now." She huffed and turned to go to the canteen without any reason. 

"A coffee and puff pastry." Ordering something for breakfast, "Mrs Shifa Daniyal Kazmi what are you doing here?" A well-known voice grabbed her attention and she looked back. Afifa was standing there. "Want Coffee?" She asked,

"Why not?" An overjoyed reply and Shifa ordered for one more coffee as well as something more to eat. Without saying anything further, ahe sat while resting her head on the table. She was still sleepy and now regretting to come college. It would be better for her to stay at home and take some more rest.

"Shifa what's wrong?" Afifa put her hand on her shoulder and she looked up, "Nothing can be fine in my life." Afifa was shocked to hear that, she wasn't expecting anything like that from her best friend within a

week of her marriage.

"Will you tell me what happened?" Afifa asked and Shifa breathe in then out, in those little moments Afifa's heart ran a marathon.

"Today I was preparing to come college but Deni told me to sleep for some more time as it was pretty early..." She muttered and Afifa nodded. "Then?"

"We both slept and when I woke up I was already late." Shifa informed and Afifa made a big O with her lips.

"Did Anwar uncle scolded you for something?" Afifa asked and Shifa narrowed her eyes with confusion but then shook her head. "No, he didn't."

"Oh... that's good." Muttered Afifa then suddenly "did jiju was angry with you?"

"No Affo, why he would be?" This time Shifa replied with a kind of frustration and Afifa thought deeply and then nodded her head like she understood something.

"So your in-laws don't want you to continue your studies and job and want you to be a permanent homemaker. Right?" Afifa asked but Shifa felt irritated.

"What's wrong with you Afifa? Are you alright or out of your mind? Why are you asking these weird questions, I'm already upset please don't irritate me." This time Shifa was grumpy and Afifa held her hands in a friendly manner.

"Shifa, relax and tell me what happened." Just like a friend in need she asked and Shifa sighed.

"I was late."

"Hmm... You told me that you woke up late... But then? What happened?"

"Affo, can't you understand, I was late... It means I was late for college. Sir didn't let me in the class." Shifa explained and Afifa blinked twice then smack her own forehead with her palm.

"You are upset just because of this... Idiot... Are you blaming your life just because of being late for class... Yaar you've made me scared." Afifa kind of glared at her friend but then showed her mobile phone to her.

"See... My new mobile." Afifa showed it and Shifa grinned happily. "Wow... Finally, you buy it." She said while examining the mobile and at the same time it beeped, she wasn't interested in reading the pop-up message on the screen but unintentionally her gaze went to it.

The craving barren land and the 

endless forlorn sky are waiting for rain

to bring petrichor and rainbow along.

Just like my longing heart waiting for you.

Shifa's eyes widen, the number was saved with a secret name He.

"Afifa... Who's this?" Passing back the mobile Shifa asked in a whisper but Afifa's heart skipped a beat.

"No one." She whispered while shoving her mobile in the bag.

"So he is the guy who likes you?" Asked Shifa with a big grin but Afifa shook her head with a sad expression. "Leave it Shifa... I'm not thinking about him."

"Why? What's wrong? Isn't he good? Or isn't he from a good family?"

"Umm... Apparently, he's. And he's from very good family background." Afifa replied in a dead tone.

"Isn't he financially stable?"

"He's..." Afifa replied.

"Then what's the matter? Won't uncle aunty get agree?" Asked Shifa in a serious tone but Afifa shook her head.

"Nothing like that, they'll be agreed happily."

"Then what's the problem Affo?"

"You won't understand Shifa... It's complicated." Afifa muttered but Shifa shook her head. "At least tell me... I'll understand."

Afifa keeps watching her for the next few moments and then opens her mouth to say something...

"Umm... Shifa..."

"Hmm?"

"I am stuck in a problem... And I don't know what show I do."

"Tell me." Shifa asked softly.

"okay, so listen carefully..."

"He has a best friend, they are like soul mates." Afifa took a tiny pause, "He likes me, but his friend doesn't like me... If he chooses me, his best friend will break all the ties with him that he can't afford. What should he do in that situation?" Afifa asked and Shifa furrowed and asked "Does he really likes you?"

"Yeah, he does."

"And you? Do you like him?" Shifa asked and Afifa took a long pause and then nodded without making eye contact with her.

"Ughhhh... You like him, he likes you... If your family will not have any problem with your marriage then why his friend is becoming a villain?" Shifa asked with frustration.

"Umm... It's a long story."

"Listen... You like him, he likes you. Hell with that best friend... It's not easy to find out true love, leaving it just because of a friend is only foolishness." Shifa explained.

"And what about best friend? Is it easy to find out a selfless friend?" Afifa's question was valid but Shifa shook her head.

"After a time that friend will forget him... and will be busy in his own life, then what you both will do? Nothing but only regret. So be a little selfish and think about your happiness first." Shifa said and for the first time, she witnessed a silent Afifa.

"Affo, you don't look good silently."

"It's so difficult to choose one from two..." Afifa muttered and her eyes filled with tears, Shifa was shocked. That precious tiny drops in her eyes were screaming alound that the heart of this girl started beating for that guy.

"Affoooo... You can't cry like this! You're my strength... I'll break down if you become weak." After seeing tears in Afifa's eyes, Shifa's eyes were also filled with water. There was a different bond between these two since childhood.

They were not sisters but not less either.

They were not mentors for each other but not less either.

They didn't have a bond of blood but not less than one.

They were sisters from different mothers!

"Stop crying, you're my strong girl." Shifa stood up from her seat and embraced Afifa, who just cried out silently. 

She did not imagine her life without Shifa on the other hand, no one else have ever played with strings of her heart life Shariq was doing. She couldn't choose one of them but there was a valid point said by Shifa.....

After a time that friend will forget him... and will be busy in his own life, then what you both will do? Nothing but only regret.

"At least tell me about him... What's his name? Where does he lives? What does he do to live? Maybe I'll help you."

"You focus on jiju and your life... Leave my matter." Saying that Afifa picked up her bag and turned to go.

"Affo coffee..."

"I'm not feeling to have one." Saying that she left the coffee as well as Shifa alone.

<><><><><><>

Come on... Tell me how is this?

And one more thing... A tiny leap is waiting in this story. 😁😁 I hope you'll l like next part. Till then...

Bye bye...

Your N.Jamal.     

Suitable for Shifa and Daniyal... Isn't it? ⬆⬆⬆