"Allah paak now it's two months of our marriage, we're living together under the same roof but the thought that Deni doesn't love me always clenches my heart, if you've tied us in this bond then develop love in Deni's heart too. I love him from the deepest core of my heart, he's the best man I could ever get, he cares about my feelings, he corrects me when I'm wrong, he boosts my confidence, he treats me kindly... He does everything for me other than loving me... Only one room is empty in my life— Allah paak please fill this room too. Please."

"Allah ki naik bandi roza khulne mein sirf 10 minat reh gye hain, aa bhi jao." A voice falls in my ears and I conclude my prayers with "Aameen. Summa Aameen."

(Worshiper of Allah, there are only 10 minutes for breaking the fast. Now come soon.)

"Ji aa rhi hu." I stood up while folding the prayer mat and moved towards the kitchen in a hurry.

(Yeah, coming.)

Maids leave soon in Ramzaan and now it's my duty to set the dining table before iftar (time to break the fast), in the beginning of Ramzaan Ammi, was helping me in this tiny work but I didn't like her working when I'm present. Otherwise, also it's small work. "Give it to me." I turned back after hearing that and find out Deni. He was there to help me, "I'm bringing this, you take water bottles and the jug of juice." He nodded to my demand and we both walked together holding things in our hands.

"Ammi where are your medicines?" Deni asked, but before ammi could answer I brought the box from her bedroom and placed that in front of her. She must take her medicines as soon as she breaks her fast. "Khatija, you're not looking well. What's wrong?" Baba asked and Ammi shook her head while mumbling that she was fine but no, she wasn't.

"I guess her sugar level is low," I told Deni and he stood up, "where are you going Deni?" I asked in a hurry while placing glasses of water in front of everyone as there were only a few seconds in breaking the fast.

"Let me check her glucose levels." And in no time Deni brings the glucometer. I could do any work but not checking the glucose levels... I feel scared to poke the niddle, so only Deni does that work. He was checking it when we all heard the voice of Azaan. His hands were busy so he couldn't have dates. Ammi and Baba have already broken their fasts but not us.

"Deni..." I whispered and he turned towards me. I broke a date into half gave one piece to him and consumed the remaining half by myself while he was now checking Baba's glucose levels.

"Ammi, you eat fruits more, and baba you don't eat anything sweet," Deni suggested. And I accordingly put the food on their plates, meanwhile, he came back after washing his hands and took his seat beside me. The smile he passed me was enough to give me another level of contentment. I silently passed Ammi's medicine and this time she showered both of us with her blessings. I have been living in a new world where love was at its zenith, brightening my life in every possible manner. If something was missing from my life it was Deni's love. Nothing else.

After having food and beverage we all prayed namaz and then I was free for some time. Deni was laying on the bed and

I was sitting beside him. As usual, he was lost in reading a book and I was watching him. "Deni..."

"Hmm?" Placing down the book on his chest he looked at me but I was silent... I don't know why I did call his name when there was no topic of discussion. "Kuch chahiye?"

(Want something?)

He asked but I shook my head, I didn't want anything other than his love and attention.

"Eid ki shopping puri karli na aapne?" He asked and I nodded.

(You're done with the eid shopping. Right?)

"But I have to collect my clothes from the tailor," I suddenly gasped and he sat down with a jolt. "Mohtarma bohot jaldi yaad nhi aaya aapko? Eid kal hi hai... Wo kapde agli eid pr pehnogi kya?" He kind of scolded me but what could I say? I was tired after college and my job so I almost forgot about Eid.

(Wow, don't you think you remember that pretty early? Eid is tomorrow only. When will you wear those clothes? On next eid?)

I bite my lower lip as I wasn't getting any idea what to do. But Deni... "Give me the receipt, I'll bring your clothes from the tailor." He ordered me. How he hears what I want to say but don't utter?

Before going Deni visited Ammi and Baba to ask if they both needed anything or not but instead of asking something for herself Ammi looked at me. "Kon keh sakta hai ye pehli eid hai is ladki ki? Abhi to shadi ko sirf 2 mahine hi hue hain..." Ammi kind of scolded me for my simple look, but I don't like to do make-up or so.

(Who will say this is the first Eid of this girl? It's only two months of your marriage.)

"Daniyal beta, Shifa ko parlour le jaiye. Thoda to mehsoos ho ki ye inki pehli eid hai apni Sasural mein." Ammi ordered her son and he tilt his head towards the door, a silent gesture for me to get ready, leaving with no other choice I walked to my room.

(Daniyal, dear you drop her to the parlour. It should look like it's her first eid in her in-laws' home)

I was getting ready when Deni come inside the room and smiled while standing near me, his back was resting on the wall and his arms were folded on his chest. " what?" I inquired when his eyes didn't go away from me. "What magical spell you've blow on my parents?"

If I knew any spell I would blow it on you. I wish I could answer back it but couldn't find the courage in myself. "Aapko to sab pta hota hai ye bhi pta hona chahiye." I grinned while picking up my mobile and opening Google to search for something.

(You know everything, you should know this too.)

"This is pretty? Isn't it?" Showing a pic of dyed hair I asked, and he narrowed his eyes. "What are you up to?"

"I want this colour of my hair and the same style." He suddenly stood straight and took the mobile from my hand in a hurry.

"Shifa are you going to trim your hair?" I nodded but he shook his head. "Don't!" This time it was an order which made me confused for a while.

"What?" I mumbled. And he put the mobile on the dressing table while looking at my hair which was still open, I had to tie them in a ponytail.

"Don't cut them, you've got such a lovely long hair. You'll not look good in short hair." I was stunned! For the first time, he was behaving like a husband who likes or dislikes something in his wife. All my expressions were at rest, I was so surprised that forgot to even blink but then his expression also changed.

"Umm... It's just a suggestion... you can do whatever you wanna do." With a dead smile, he disappeared into the bathroom and I looked at my shocked self in the mirror. I wanted to jump and dance like mad... He noticed me, and what else I wanted.

"Let's go." He came out of the bathroom and I nod my head.

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After a long and relaxing pampering session I stepped out of the parlour and looked here there, Deni was standing a few steps ago. As we both took steps toward each other he smiled while glancing at my henna-clad hands. "Your clothes and other things..." He showed the bags present in his hand and I smiled brightly. "Thank you."

We had to walk down the street, due to the crowd our Car was parked at a distance. "Deni?"

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you excited? It's eid!" I asked and he chuckled while walking beside me. "I guess this excitement lefts us in childhood." The Daniyal Kazmi said in his hard voice and I rolled my eyes.

"Deni aap to bilkul hi budhhe hai."

(Deni... You're such a old man)

"Oh achha... Aur aap kya ho, mohtarma?" We were walking happily when my sight falls on the pani-puri vendors, but then I realised my hands were covered with Henna, so I couldn't have it.

(Oh I see... And what about you?)

"Wanna have some?'' He asked and I shrugged. "Deni, pani-puri ko mana karna to buri baat hoti hai... Lekin khau kese?" I showed up my hands and he gestured me to follow him.

(It's a bad thing to refuse for pani-puri but how to eat like this?)

"One plate." He ordered the vendor, and adjusted the shopping bags on his wrist. "Open your mouth, what are you waiting for?" Lifting one waterball for me he asked and I looked here there, we were surrounded by the crowd. What will people think?

"Deni... Kya kar rahe hain? Log kya sochenge?" I whispered with wide eyes but he passed a dry chuckle.

(Deni... What will people think about us?)

"Kya log sach mein hamare baare mein soochte hain? Wo sirf dekhte hain, boolte hain aur chale jaate hain... Soochte nhi hain." And I open my mouth to have that waterball.

(Do people really think about us? They only see, talk about us and left but never think of us.)

"Bhaiya less spicy." Ordered the vendor and this time I open my mouth without letting my hubby wait.

"Why aren't you having it, Deni?"

"I don't like it."

''What? Mujhe nhi pta tha aapki choice itni buri hai!" I rolled my eyes but insisted him to have one and he did so.

(I didn't have your taste is so bad)

"Umm... Not so bad." He muttered while having another one but I blinked, "you were supposed to give this to me." I complain to receive the next pani-puri. I just wanted to hold his hand, look directly to his eyes and let him know how badly I love him but all those situations in our life! Alas

Before I could open my mouth for another one my gaze travelled to a lady, she was looking at me and Deni without blinking. A small boy was holding her hand while having cotton candy, but all her attention was fixed on us.

May Allah protect us from evil eyes. Praying in my heart I looked at Deni who was lifting another water ball for me. "Aap khaa lijiye. Aur ab bas ghar wapas chaliye." I whispered and he obeyed my order with the same smile which always skips a beat of my poor heart.

(You take this and let's go back home)

"You know what Shifa..."

"No, I don't." I did not let him complete and added mischievously making him laugh. He paid the vendor and looked at my dupatta, it was going to slip down my shoulder at any moment but he silently picked the corner and wrapped it around my neck delicately.

"Let's go home." I said while glancing at that lady, this time she turned to go away. "What is wrong?" Witnessing me looking other side, Deni asked me.

"That lady is watching us continuously," I told Deni but when he turned to see her, she was almost gone. "Maybe just your misconception or maybe she was considering us someone else." He told me, well he was right though. That lady wasn't a matter of concern for me. We started walking, it seems neither I nor Deni wanted to go back home. We were enjoying being in the market. "Wanna have ice cream?" He asked me when we passed by an old shop and I think for a while then shook my head. Who eat sweets after having spicy and tangy pani-puri? But Deni narrowed his eyes. "Soch lo... Yaha ki ice cream bohot achhi hoti hai," now how could I say no? We stepped into that small shop and hardly find out a table. I did not have any great expectations with ice cream but I was overwhelmed by my feelings as Deni will feed me from his hand.

(Sure? You'll regret to leave such great ice cream.)

"Mango ice cream... I don't like it." I clenched my nose when we received a cup of Mango ice cream topped with sprinklers and another almond saffron kulfi topped with some nuts, but Deni blinked his eyes like he was asking me to trust him. I open my mouth and he let me taste that.

"Deniiii... It's mind-blowing." I had to admit, it was one of the most delicious mango ice creams I have ever tasted. "I know." He muttered while giving me another bite. I swear, if Deni is going to treat me in the same way whenever I apply menhdi, I'm ready to do this work every single day.

"Aap bhi to khaiye na," I asked and he lifted a spoonful of kulfi for himself.

(You also eat...)

"Razi mamu used to take me for ice cream. Going out with him was always fun." I stated happily and he hummed with a big grin while feeding me that yummy kulfi. My mehndi was dried, if I wanted, I could eat by myself but why to miss this chance?

"And where did you use to go with Papa?" Deni asked and I suddenly looked up. My smile already vanished with that question and I just sighed. "Nowhere," I muttered.

"It's okay. Don't think about it." He give me another bite and I just nodded but don't know what happened to me... "You know what Deni, Papa never let me go anywhere, either with friends or from school picnic... I use to kill my wishes to go anywhere, and the saddest part was that I would have to carry a big smile like I was happy." In the end, a tiny tear appeared in both of my eyes. He lifted another spoonful of kulfi for me. I was sharing what I never shared with anyone else before. He silently drew out his handkerchief.

"Mera har rumaal aapke naam." He passed me the hankie and I couldn't help but chuckle forgetting my crying state.

(I write all my handkerchiefs to your name)

"Deniiii... You're..." I only smiled and he wiped my tears. "You're all good, but your crying habit..." He rolled his eyes but gave a spoonful of mango ice cream to my mouth.

Who wouldn't fall for this man?

I never wanted to take my eyes off his face, I love him. Love is just a word, I could not put all my emotions in these four letters.

"You're? What?" He asked but I rolled my eyes. "You're weird." Mumbling that I looked away to control myself to smile like an idiot.

"Deni..."

"Farmaiye mohtarma,"

(Yeah)

"I buy clothes for Mumma every eid." I told him "but this time I didn't get time to do so."

"We still have time." He said and gave me the last bite of that delicious ice cream. We walked down the street and stepped up into a shop. After a struggle of some half an hour, I and Deni both liked a simple plain silk suit which was teamed up with a pretty printed dupatta.

"Show more colours of this," I asked the shopkeeper and in the end, I liked two colours, one was yellow and the other was sky blue.

"Pack these two."

"Two? Shifa?" Deni was confused but I nodded. "One for Mummy and the other for Ammi," I told him which brought a smile to his face. He drew out his credit card to pay for them but I stopped him. "Deni, please... It's from my side so let me pay for this."

"Payment aap kro ya main ek hi baat hai." He said while holding his card towards the payment counter but I gave him a pleading look.

(You pay or I do, it's the same thing.)

"Agar ek hi baat hai to mujhe payment krne dijiye na." This time he nod his head while shoving his card back and I asked him to draw out money from my bag.

(If it's the same thing, then lemme do it)

He knew how to respect my decision

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Instead of going back to home, he took me to meet Mumma. She was so happy to see us because we were visiting them for the first time after that Rani phuppo's encounter. Deni behave like it's his own home and my parents are his own parents, the way he respects my parents makes my love deeper for him.

Even, I've lost my count of how many times he has given me reasons to fall for him.

And then we were back to our home. Now, this is my home. A home filled with the sweetness of love, and decorated with the tanginess of debates. I love to witness Ammi and Baba pulling Deni's leg. It's nothing but pure bliss.

"Ammi, what preparations do we have to do for tomorrow?" I asked her about the preparation for eid but her reply was very dull. "You only prepare your clothes and jewellery... Everything else will be done." There was no hint of a smile on her face. Even when I gifted her what I brought for her she was just silent.

I had never seen her so silent and low on her energy. "Ammi, are you alright?" I asked her but she only nod her head. "But you're looking dull, what's wrong Ammi?" Sitting beside her I asked and she kept watching me for a good minute then smiled. "Hamdan se baat kri aapne?"

(Have you talked to Hamdan?)

"Yeah ammi... But video calls don't give the satisfaction of meeting." I shared my true feelings and she patted my cheek lovingly. "Something is better than nothing, At least you've seen and talked to him." 

"Hmm, you're right."

"Now go, prepare your clothes for tomorrow." I nodded and rushed to my bedroom where my handsome hubby was working on his laptop while munching on chips. I opened the messy bun of my hair and looked at the new highlights on my hair... And I'm just loving these narrow strips of dark brown colour on my naturally black hair.

"Deni... This colour is looking nice na?" I asked and he suddenly looked up, for two moments he forgot to blink but then I noticed a smile on his face. "Turn behind." He demanded and I did so, which only widen his smile.

"Aapne baal nhi katwaye?"

(You haven't trimmed your hair?)

"Aapne mna kra tha na..."

(As you refused)

''Aese zyada achhi lagti ho aap,"

(You look better in this way)

"Kuch khayenge? Aapke liye banau kuch?" I asked and he thinks for a moment then nodded.

(Wanna have something?)

"Chai."

(Tea)

"Deni Aapko nhi lagta aap kuch zyada hi chai peete hain?" I raised my brow and he smiled while shrugging.

(Deni, don't you think you drink too much tea?)

"Arz kiya hai... Mohtarma ki tawajjo ke muntazir hain..."

(May I get your attention to say something?)

"Mohtarma ke kaan peesh-e-khidmat hain, irshaad farmaiye janab..." I pour out my little treasure of urdu in only one sentence and he raised his brow like questioning me about this new manner of talking, but it's all because of his company. In these two months I've learned numerous urdu words from him.

(I'm all on ears, you please carry on.)

"Aham.." He fake clean his throat before starting...

"Zindagi ne bohot se hain gham diye,

Humne sab chai pi ke hain khatam kiye" I just laughted at that weird couplet and stepped out from the room.

(Life has given many sorrows,

I forgot all by sipping tea.)

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