She stepped out of the car and looked at herself to make sure if the big dupatta which was not less than a shawl was covering her properly or not. And it was perfectly wrapped around her shoulders giving full coverage till mid thighs.

"Let's go." Daniyal whispered.

"Deni, Badi Amma will scold me if she sees me in these clothes." She bit her lower lip and Daniyal jerked his head.

"You're not wearing revealing clothes, don't worry. If she's sitting in the hall then just rush to the bedroom while doing salam, I'll handle the rest." Nodding her head Shifa slowly opened the door and walked towards the hall which was empty, with a big smile she took steps towards the bedroom when a voice stopped her.

"Khatija, Dulhan ko wapas bulao kab tak apne mayke mein rahegi? Ghar suna suna lag rha hai uske bina." She smiled after listening to Badi Amma's voice which came from her bedroom.

(Khatija, summon Dulhan back, for how long will she live in her maternal home? This home is looking empty without her.)

"Ji Badi Amma, baat karti hu Daniyal se."

(Yeah Badi Amma, I'll talk to Daniyal.)

"Zara Dulhan se baat hi kra do... Uski awaaz sune huye bhi do din ho gye,"

(At least call her, it has been two days since I haven't listened to her voice.)

"Aapko Shifa ki yaad aa rhi hai?" Asked Mrs Kazmi and Shifa waited for the reply.

(Are you missing her?)

"Umm... Nhi, Yaad to nhi aa rahi, main kyu yaad karungi use? Wo to bas aadat ho gyi hai use aas paas dekhne ki, ab saamne nhi hai na to ajeeb Khali Khali lag rha hai... Wapas bulao use, warna mujhe le chalo uske mayke, main khud le kar aaungi use." Shifa smiled when she listened to the conversation and stepped to her bedroom, without wasting much time she changed herself in a beautiful pair of clothes which was already hung in her cupboard and went to Badi Amma's room.

(Umm... No I'm not missing her... Why would I miss her? It's just like that I'm use to of seeing her around and when she's not here it's feeling empty. Call her back or take me to her maternal home, I'll take her back with me.)

"Assalamualaikum Badi Amma." Shifa greeted with enthusiasm, she was happy that Badi Amma was missing her. "Kesi hain aap?" Shifa asked while sitting beside Mrs Kazmi and passed her a smile. Mrs Kazmi passed the same smile and open her arms for Shifa who hugged her happily.

"I was missing you Ammi." Breaking the hug Shifa muttered but she got an unexpected reply from Badi Amma.

"Yaad aa gyi tumhe ki sasural me bhi koi rehta hai? Ab bhi kyu wapas aa gyi Bibi mayke me rehti rehti, kya zarurat hai wapas aane ki?"

(Finally you remember that you have a family who lives in your in-laws home. Why you are back? Stay with your parents for even more!)

Shifa gulped fearfully and Daniyal entered in the room with a smile. "Dekhiye Ammi, aapki Bahu ko wapas le aaya main."

(See Ammi, I've taken your daughter-in-law back.)

"Zindagi mein pehli baar koi achha kaam kra hai aapne..." Mrs Kazmi said wholeheartedly but Shifa shook her head

(First time ever you did a great job.)

"Nahi ammi, dusri baar. Pehla achha kaam to mujhse shadi kar ke kra tha." She chirped and everyone burst into a guffaw, Badi Amma was suppressing her laughter but she was also smiling.

(No Ammi, this is the second great thing. Marrying me was his first great decision.)

"Chalo ab jao mere liye zara ek piyali chai bana do." Badi Amma ordered Shifa and she nodded.

(Now go and make a cup of tea for me.)

"Deni, wanna have some tea?"

"So badly."

Shifa stepped out of the room without bothering to give a look to Badi Amma who was glaring at her as she called her husband Deni one more time.

"Daniyal tumhari biwi hai bohot ziddi." Badi Amma huffed, but Daniyal ignored it because in these days he had learnt from Shifa that sometimes we should ignore the bitter words of those people who hold no grudges against us, and Badi Amma was one of them. Well, she taught her husband what she was unable to apply in her life. She could never ignore Anwar's scoldings.

(Daniyal, your wife is so stubborn.)

Shifa entered into the room with tea and biscuits, "Badi Amma..." she passed a cup to the old lady then to her mother-in-law. Daniyal was waiting for his turn so just like a good boy... Ummm... Good man... he put his mobile down and lifted a biscuit from the plate, meanwhile Shifa passed him a cup of tea and he furrowed.

"Kya hua?" Daniyal asked when noticed an unexpected tension on his wife's face. "Nothing." Shaking her head she muttered and glanced at the wall clock which was reading quarter to 6. Taking a half filled cup of tea she sat beside her husband but she was lost somewhere... Her silence was bothering Daniyal, he knew Shifa couldn't be so silent unless she thinks something deeply.

(What's wrong?)

"I'm going to check what is the status of dinner." Shifa muttered while placing down the cup of tea which was still half empty. Daniyal tried to understand something but couldn't. For a moment he thought that Shifa was upset because Badi Amma scolded her she will be fine soon with this thought he placed his hand on his right side to pick his mobile up but... "Where is my mobile?" He Mumbled and checked everywhere.

"It must be in your bedroom." Mrs Kazmi said and he shook his head... "But I..." He stopped for a few moments then hummed while going out of the room, Shifa was sitting there, might be she had taken his mobile. Searching his wife he went to the kitchen but neither she was in the kitchen nor in the bedroom. Where else this girl could go?

Terrace!

Without thinking twice he climbed stairs and recognised his wife's unclear voice which was coming from the terrace, with every step her voice became clearer but when he was just one step away from the terrace door his feet were rooted by the floor.

"Do you really think I can forget you? You know what, I haven't love anyone more than you. You're the first man in my life whom I trusted." Her voice was addressing tears but Daniyal felt  like his heart stopped to beat for a moment. Who was this man whom Shifa love most?

"I hate you." Shifa muttered "but I can't even hate you! I love you more than anyone." Daniyal didn't know why his heart started beating faster than normal. Had he forgot the condition he put before Shifa when they were getting married? There will be no space for love in their relationship!

"Yeah... I love you more than my husband, but you don't care about me, you love me least." Her voice was full of truthfulness. And very next moment she laughed. "Shut up, I really love you more than him... and I want to meet you," she demanded and Daniyal couldn't help to take steps ahead, there was a rage in his eyes. He knew he never loved Shifa like a wife should be loved but he never showered his love on someone else either. How could she confess her love to someone else?

"Kis se baat kar rahi ho Shifa?" His voice was louder than expected which scared Shifa for a moment, with a pale face she suddenly turned back to see her husband and put her hand on her heart.

(Who are you talking to, Shifa?)

"Deni... Aapne mujhe dra diya." She blinked twice but sighed and smiled. "Hamdan bhai hai, aapko pta hai Deni mujhe lag raha tha ki kuch to hai... Mujhe anxiety ho rhi thi, lag raha tha jese bhai ko hamari zarurat hai... Mene abhi unhe call kri to wo bta rhe hain ki wo pichle 12 ghante se hospital mein hain and just now I became phuppo of a cute little girl." Saying the last sentence Shifa's eyes shone with tears of joy. Daniyal was stunned! All his emotions lost in the thin air and heart beats with a normal rhythm.

(Deni you scared me,)

(It's Hamdan bhai, you know what Deni... I was anxious, I had a gut feeling that Hamdan bhai needs us, I didn't know what but he just needed us at this moment... When I call him he's telling me that he has been in the hospital for the last 12 hours, and just now I became phuppo to a little girl.)

"Aapko kya hua Deni aap kyu heraan reh gye?" Shifa waved her hand in front of his face and he came out of his state then shook his head and tried to smile but couldn't.

(What's wrong with you Deni? You're looking shocked.)

"Hamdan bhai, I wanna see my little girl first." She ignored Daniyal and back to the call while again turning her back towards her husband. She was adoring the beautiful rose which was blooming in the plant. And Daniyal was trying to conclude how many thorns each Rose contains?

Every relationship is strong when people trust each other but we humans trust on what we see, what we listen to, what we conclude! And in the very end comes the person whom we should trust most.

That's why making relationships work isn't an easy task!

That's why 'trust' is so valuable.

He tried to conclude what he felt just a few moments ago? Was it rage? Jealousy? Or insecurity? He didn't know!

But it was nothing but fear!

It's human nature, our fear triggers us in different forms!

This man didn't even know that he developed a fear to lose Shifa! He didn't want her to go away from him... He didn't want to savor the pain again which he had witnessed in the past.

He came out of his trance when found that now Shifa wasn't on a audio call but they both siblings were talking on a video call. The mobile screen was showing a tiny doll like figure wrapped in a pink coloured towel. Daniyal couldn't help but walked towards Shifa while smiling wholeheartedly.

"See Deni, how cute she is. Masha allah." Shifa muttered when Daniyal stood beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Masha allah. Beautiful. Congratulations Hamdan." Daniyal said with enthusiasm and Shifa's expressions changed one more time, she was again looking emotional.

"Now what's wrong Shaffo?" Hamdan asked without shifting off the camera from his daughter's face.

"Bhai..."

"Hmm?" This time Shifa and Daniyal could See Hamdan on the mobile screen.

"Make sure that you won't hurt her ever... I guess a daughter need her father's support more than anyone. A caring brother or a loving husband can't fill the empty space of father's love, so make sure to give your wholesome love to her." Shifa made a genuine demand and Hamdan's smile lightened. He knew what his sister was demanding.

"I will be a good father. I promise."

"I believe! You'll be a good father just like you're the best brother." Shifa muttered with tear filled eyes and Hamdan didn't like her tears.

"Chalo ab roona band karo aur batao naig mein kya chahiye? Mene suna hai bhai apni behno ko naig dete hain." Just to make her smile Hamdan turned the conversation to other point and Shifa giggled.

(Come on now stop crying and tell me what do you want? I have listened that brothers have to gift something to their sister when they become a father.)

"Allah abaad rakhe aesi ajeeb o gareeb rasme banane walo ko, har Khushi ke mooqe par behne apne bhaiyon ko lootne ke liye tayyar rehte hain." Daniyal chuckled when he remembered how his cousin sisters took uncountable gifts from him on his wedding.

(May God bless those people who make such rituals in which the sisters get a lot of loot in every happy occasion.)

"Deni aap bohot bure hain!" She glared at her husband then looked at the mobile screen.

(Deni you're too bad.)

"Hamdan bhai, ab aap jaiye, mummy papa ko to bataiye ki wo dada dadi ban gye, aur jab bhabi uth jaye to meri baat karaiyega unse... Aur agar aapne abhi koi naam decide nhi kra to mujhe Manha bohot pasand hai." And Shifa hung up with a big smile.

(Hamdan bhai, now you inform Mummy and papa that they become grandparents. And let me talk to bhabi when she wakes up. And and and.... if you haven't decided any name then I like Manha.)

"Deni." She passed the mobile to Daniyal and about to take step towards the stairs when he held her arm and stood in front of her. "Shifa."

"Ji."

"Do you trust me?" He asked and Shifa furrowed. "What?" She was surprised to see his expressions, he was looking serious

"Do you trust me or not?" He asked as if that question was necessary to be answered and Shifa shrugged. "What's this Deni? Of course I do."

"How will you behave if you found me talking to a girl on your back?" Shifa's face lost its color but very next moment her pale face turned red.

"Haddiyan tood dungi main aapki." Pushing his hands away from her arms she huffed while glaring at him she was enraged but Daniyal chuckled.

(I'll break your bones)

"Has kyu rahe hain?" She asked and Daniyal kissed her forehead before cupping her face.

(What's funny in this?)

"Bas dekhna tha ki jo mujhe mehsoos hua wo qabil e qubul tha ya nhi?"

(Just wanted to check if it was acceptable what I felt or not.)

"What?" She asked with frustration and Daniyal opened his arms, "I was missing you around me." Before Shifa could glare at him he took her in embrace.

"Deni, what was the meaning of that question?" She asked again while trying to free herself from his grip but he didn't let her go.

"Nothing." He muttered, "and don't worry I'm not going to see any other woman." He clear her doubt regarding her untold jealousy and anger.

"Better for you, otherwise..." she pushed him away with anger and threatened him but he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer "Koi aur aap jesi ho hi nahi sakti," 

(No one can be like you)

"Phir se Laffazi!" She glared at him

(Again game of words!)

"Laffazi nhi hai, mere dil ke sachhe ehsasaat hain... Aap jesi koi nhi ho sakti." She was stunned for a moment but a smile captured her lips which she supressed very well.

(It's not game of words but my heartsome feelings, no one can be like you.)

"Meri Aate ki boori," Daniyal teased her and she huffed.

(My gunny bag of flour)

"Deni stop calling me this."

"Okay." He pecked her cheek and Shifa walked towards the stairs supressing her smile but, "Suno to meri chini ki boori," Shifa turned towards her husband, her eyes were widely open, she couldn't believe what she listened "I... I mean my sweet wife." Daniyal immediately flipped from his words and Shifa made a cry face.

(Listen, my gunny bag of sugar,)

"Deni kabhi kabhi to aap mujhe majbur kar dete hain ki main ye Dil se Maan lu ki..." Before Shifa could complete her sentence Daniyal chuckled and said what she actually about to say. "That I'm too bad."

(Deni sometimes you push me hard to admit that...)

And the poor girl walked downstairs with angry face.

<><><>

Shifa was lying down on the couch while scrolling Instagram, her mobile was still resting in Anwar's pocket so she was using her husband's mobile phone without any hesitation. She didn't even bother to ask him before using it, nor did Daniyal have any issues with sharing his mobile.

"Itni hasi kyu aa rahi hai?" Stepping out from the bathroom he asked when found Shifa smiling like an Idiot without any reason, but actually, she had a reason. She tried to suppress her smile but couldn't.

(Why are you laughing?)

"Mujhe nhi pta tha mere shohor sahab itne nazuk aur gye guzre hain ki mujhe uthane mein unki halat kharab ho jayegi..." Shifa remembered the incident when Daniyal lifted her in the park and laughed.

(I never knew my husband was so fragile and good for nothing. What happened to you while lifting me.)

Daniyal raised his brow and his arm wrapped on his chest which suddenly stopped her from laughing and she looked up, standing near her he was seeing her with an arrogance on his face. Did she hurt his manly ego by calling him nazuk aur gya guzra (fragile and good for nothing)?

"Neither I'm gya guzra, nor Nazuk (fragile)." He wasn't looking happy with his new bynames but she suppressed her smile and decided to tease him a little more. Placing the mobile on the couch she narrowed her eyes and beckon him near, he slowly leaned towards her with confusion. What his wife was about to do?

"I doubt, Mr Kazmi." Pulling his cheek she whispered. Daniyal was amazed for a moment but without wasting any time his arms slipped under her shoulders and waist to give her a new reason to be shocked. "You don't have to be doubtful, Mrs Kazmi." And he lifted her in his arms.

"Deniiiii... What are you doing?" She felt tingling on her back so wiggled and tried to be freed from his arms but "I'm trying to clear all your doubts. I'm not nazuk or gya guzra. Got it." He ended his small journey on the bed and Shifa suppressed her smile.

"Yeah, got it... my nazuk and gye guzre husband." Shifa pulled his cheek just to tease him and Daniyal kind of glared at her, still lifting her in his arms.

"Shifa betaaaa, we are watching your wedding video, come fast." Mrs Kazmi's call pulled their attention and he rolled his eyes. "Leave me." She whispered but...

"Ammi, Shifa is sleeping." He yelled in reply and Shifa widen her eyes. "May I tell your mother that I'm not sleeping?" She whispered and this time wrapped her arms around his neck

"You dare to." He challenged and Shifa smirked

"Amm..." Shifa was about to yell when Daniyal panicked and pressed her mouth to stop her to yell but in all these things he realised that he threw his wife on the bed. Pressing her lips together Shifa closed her eyes tightly while holding her back and hissed.

"I'm sorry.... Lagi to nhi?" He kneeled on the bed but Shifa laughed silently, it didn't hurt her but seeing Daniyal panicked when she was about to call Mrs Kazmi, made her laugh.

(I'm sorry... Did it hurt?)

"Kya hua Daniyal? Ye kesi awaaz thi?" Mr and Mrs Kazmi asked as they both also listened the thud from their bedroom and Daniyal laughed looking towards his wife who was still making his fun.

(What happened, Daniyal? What was that voice?)

"Kuch nahi hua Baba... Mere kamre mein ek boora rakha hua hai use uthane ki koshish kar rha tha wo gir gya." He yelled and Shifa pressed her mouth to stop herself to laugh loudly but she picked the pillow and threw it on Daniyal.

(Nothing much Baba, there is a gunny bag in my room, I was picking it but it slipped down from my hands.)

"Badtameez aadmi, main boora nhi hu." She yelled in a whisper.

(Shameless man, I'm not a gunny bag.)

"Yes you're.... Mera chini ka boora." Taking her embrace he laid down after switching off the night lamp and Shifa smiled wholeheartedly.

(You're my gunny bag of sugar.)

"I was missing you so much," he whispered but added after a pause, "Meri chini ka boora. (my gunny bag of sugar.)" before Shifa's heart skip a beat he threw sugar on her emotions.

"I was also missing you, Mere nazuk Shohor (My fragile husband)." She gave a befitting reply but Daniyal didn't like it.

"I'm not Nazuk (Fragile.)"

"I still have doubts?" She whispered

"Phir se utha kar dikhau?" He raised his brow

(May I lift you again?)

"Rehne dijiye, aap phir se gira denge." She laughed making his fun and for the first time he realised how does it feel to be defeated in leg pulling. He kept watching her without blinking, she was the most beautiful woman for him. Her smile was giving him new space to breath peacefully.

(Let it be, You'll throw me again.)

He didn't know what that feeling was?

Love

Attraction

Or

Something else...

But whatever it was- he hadn't had this feeling yet.

<><><><>

"Azaan,"

"Ji papa."

"Beta go to Shifa's home tomorrow to give this letter." Razi told his son who nodded.

"Okay papa, I'll go to her home while coming back from the school." Taking the last bite from his plate he muttered and walked to his room leaving everyone on the dinner table.

<><><><><>

Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and open them; a shy smile captured her lips when found a beautiful face on the other side of the mirror. For the next five minutes, bending a bit forward she was standing in front of the mirror while her hands were resting on the dresser. When her heart started beating with normal speed she stood straight and unwrapped the hair which was muffled in a towel. Running her fingers in the hair she bounces them little while throwing the towel on the arm of the chair. Today she wasn't feeling like herself! She was a different Shifa. Till yesterday she was like a caterpillar but today she was feeling like a butterfly who was ready to cover her new journey with a strong and beautiful self.

Using the blow dryer she started drying her hair when her eyes grew wide. "Oh no..." Covering her mouth she muttered and put the dryer in its place. Touching those reddish blue marks which were present on and below the collar bone she felt shy and peeped outside the dressing room, the one who was responsible for those marks was sleeping peacefully on his stomach revealing his half naked frame. She glanced at the clock and walked towards the bed. "Deni, wake up." She slowly shook him while removing the blanket which was half dangling from the bed and folded it neatly.

"Deni, wake up. Ammi and Baba are waiting for breakfast."

"Hmm..." He hummed before covering his face with the pillow and Shifa sat down on the edge of the bed with dangling legs, she was facing opposite to him, "Deni." She muttered with a down gaze. "Hmm...?"

"I want to tell you something." She muttered while her hands were shivering and fingers were fidgeting regularly. "Hmm... say." He muttered and "Wake up... For how long will you sleep?" She muttered without shifting her eyes from the floor.

"You wanted to say this only?" He muttered and sat down on the bed, his still sleepy eyes opened a little then again closed lazily. Shifa was trying to say something but she was frozen for a moment when a finger brushed against her nape and shifted all her hair to the left shoulder. Goosebumps covered her frame and the very next moment a head rested on her back. Her heart skipped a beat, eyes closed down and she took a deep breath. The sleepy Daniyal could listen to her heartbeat which was uneven due to him only, but now he wasn't interested in listening to her heartbeat but her words.

"I'm waiting, Shifa." He muttered in his sleepy voice without removing his head from her back, She pressed her lips together and smiled a little, there was nothing to tell him except her feelings. She wanted to tell him how much she loves him but it was getting difficult to choose the right words. Last night their relationship took an unexpected turn and after that she felt the need to express her feelings.

"I... Deni I..." She closed her eyes and gulped.

Why is it always so difficult to tell people how much we love them?

Expressing hate is easier than expressing love!

But why?

Maybe because love isn't a small feeling which could be wrapped around four little alphabets, it's a never ending essay which starts from nowhere and slowly covers everything including care, respect, support, admiration, bearing responsibilities, listening to silence of others and unheard many things we heard...

But here this little woman was trying to gather some courage to voice her feelings; and after all she foregather it, "Deni, I love you, not from today or yesterday but I love you since the time we become friends. I feel better with you. Whenever you're with me I feel like I conquer the world. I feel incomplete without you Deni, I love you so much." For the first time she dared to open up with her feelings. She wasn't embarrassed to confess but nervous and shy for sure. Closing her eyes she waited for his response but never got one and then she noticed the slow snoring voice of her husband. "This man... Ya Allah." Covering her face with both hands she leaned forward to place her elbows on her knees, this little movement disturbed Daniyal's slumber and he woke up with a jolt "Hmm..." He blinked twice and looked towards his wife whose back was facing him.

"Aap kya farma rahi thi Begum Sahiba?"

(What were you saying wifie?)

"Uth jaiye, mujhe college jana hai. Aap drop kar denge na?" Hiding disappointment in her voice she stood up, Daniyal rubbed his eyes while dangling his legs down from the bed and saw the blurred figure of his wife walking towards the dressing room.

(Wake up, I'll have to go to college. Will you drop me?)

"Shifa." He call her while wearing his glasses and the blurred figure turned into a beautiful woman. "Ji?"

"You look beautiful in red." Complimenting her he walked towards the bathroom without leaving the smile he was holding. Shifa was confused. What did he said? Red looks good on her? But she was wearing Yellow.

Shrugging this thought she turned towards the dressing room when her sight fell on the bed and her eyes widened for a moment. Her dupatta, which she was wearing last night, was lying on the pillow. She felt shy when realised that it was red. She was wearing red last night.

<><><><>

She cut an apple into slices and peeled an orange, placing everything on the dining table she glanced at it to know was left. Half done! Almost perfect. On the other side two golden brown crispy bread slices popped out of the toaster which she picked with her fingers and put them on a plate before blowing on her fingers to deal with this little burning sensation which vanished within a second. Applying a moderate amount of butter on it she lovingly set it on a plate and placed a cup of steaming hot tea beside it. Today she didn't let the maid touch anything... She wanted to make her husband happy by doing these things.

"Sahab se kaho ki breakfast tayyar hai." She ordered the maid who was doing dishes and she nodded while washing her hands and talking a step back but stopped for a moment.

(Go and tell your site that breakfast is served.)

"Chhote sahab se kahu ya bade sahab se?" The maid questioned and she sighed,

"Dono se keh do." She ordered and rushed towards the fridge. How could she forget her husband loves to have fried eggs? 

(Inform both of them.)

Placing the pan on the flame she pour a few drops of oil in it and break the egg to gain that sizzling sound, after a wait of a few seconds she flipped it and transfer onto a plate. Sprinkling salt and pepper on it she took a quick glance of the dining table which was just a few steps away from the kitchen door, her husband was adjusting his specs and picking up the toast while glancing at the newspaper. She smiled happily because she felt her efforts were paid off. Holding the plate of fried eggs she walked out from the kitchen and put it in front of him. He suddenly looked up then glanced at the breakfast table.

"You made this breakfast?" He and she nodded with a smile. The morsel which was present in his hand didn't reach his mouth, he literally threw it on the plate and stood up.

"Musa please." She held his arm when he was about to leave. "Please Musa."

"Papa..." Shariq was about to say something when stopped because of the ongoing scene.

"Leave my hand." Musa pulled his arm from Rani's grip and walked towards the exit. "Musa, are you behaving like this with me for a girl who hasn't become a part of this family? And what was my fault? I said what was true!" Rani said loudly. She was in mixed emotions. Anger, sorrow, pain, disappointment... She could feel everything at the same time.

"I'm not behaving like this because of that girl... I'm behaving like this because of you! I wasn't happy with you at any stage of life but I thought you're a good mother and for me it was more than enough to neglect your every odd behaviour. But I was wrong Rani. I was wrong! Neither you're a good wife nor a good mother you didn't think about your son's happiness. Shame on you." Musa raised his voice, it was the first time when he was shouting at his wife. Earlier, whenever Rani did something wrong or unacceptable he just ignored her for a few days as a punishment and then come back to normal routine.

Rani was thinking Musa would do the same this time to but her plan backfired. Even after almost half month Musa wasn't talking to Rani. Talking was a far away thing he wasn't even seeing her, nor eating anything cooked by her. Moreover Shariq! He wasn't less than his father! From the day he came back from Afifa's home his behaviour towards Rani was full of anger and hatred. Neither he was talking to his mother not spending time with her, but before that he loved to spend time with her.

"Shariq... Beta..." Rani tried to say something but, "I'm not your beta so please..." He grimaced with frustration and dragged a chair for himself.

"Papa, You forgot to give me your bank statement and other documents." Shariq looked at his father who was about to leave the home but he nodded. "Musa, I'm bringing that folder... You don't..." Rani walked towards the room in a hurry but Musa glared at her back.

"Rani, jo kaam tum bohot achhe se kar sakti thi wo tumne kar diya, ye ghar ke chhote mote kaam to hum bhi kar sakte hain, to tum rehne hi do." And Musa walked towards the bedroom, but stopped by her voice which was showing as if she would cry the very next moment.

(Rani, you've already done the work in which you're good, so you don't have to bother about these household matters. We'll handle them.)

"Musa meri galti hi kya hai? Mene galat kya kaha tha? Kya Shariq aur Afifa milte nhi the? Ya pura din baate nhi karte the? Mujhe ye sari cheezein pasand nhi hai, sab isi liye uske "

(Musa what's my fault? Did I misstated? Don't Shariq and Afifa meet or don't they talk to each other?)

"Mummy saaf saaf kahiye na aapko Afifa pasand nhi hai." Shariq huffed. 

(Mummy, tell it clearly that you don't like Afifa.)

"Haa... Nhi hai pasand... Usme pasand aane wali koi baat bhi nhi hai. Main us se kayi guna achhi ladki dhund lungi tumhare liye." Rani raised her voice for Shariq and he jerked his head but very next moment he smirked.

(Yeah. I don't like her. And what's good in her to be liked? I'll find a much better girl for you.)

"Shadi to main Afifa se hi karunga... Pehle aapki marzi se karna chahta tha ab aapki marzi ke bina karunga." Shariq's smile was telling clearly that he was doing something but what? Rani didn't know. 

(I'll marry Afifa only. Prior I wanted your permission but now I don't care about it.)

"Shariq, come with me, don't waste your time here." Musa gestures to his son who nodded.

"See Rani... See. You've destroyed your own home." And Musa walked towards his bedroom.

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Fingers were dancing on the soft keys of laptop, and eyes were fixed on the screen when a hand lightly slapped his head. "What?" He looked up at the owner of that hand

"Don't you have to pick Shifa from College?" And he glanced at the time. "Oh no." Shutting down the laptop he stood up in a hurry and his mother walked to other side.

Badi Amma was disappointed with Shifa for going to radio station but she was fine with her studying because for her Shifa was going to be a doctor who knows many things about diseases and medicines, but going outside for earning was not acceptable for the old lady. This time she didn't scold Shifa, she just didn't answer to her salam when she informed about rejoining the job from today.

"Ammi, I'm going." Picking his car keys he walked out from the home but before he could hop in his car a boy smiled to him. "Assalamualaikum Daniyal bhai."

"Waalaikum as salam, Azaan. How are you?" After taking a few steps ahead Daniyal cheerfully patted his shoulder.

"I'm fine Bhai. Is Shifa Aapi home?" He asked and Daniyal shook his head. "I'm going to pick her up from the college."

"Oh... Okay!" Azaan muttered and removed his school bag from his one shoulder. Unzipping and pocket he drew out a white envelope and passed towards Daniyal. "Can you please pass this to Shifa Aapi? God knows who send her letters on our address?" Azaan muttered the last part but the previous request was clear.

Daniyal grabbed the letter and turned it. It was same as before! Only an address was mentioned on it other than that nothing! No sender's address, not any other information.

"I'll pass it to Shifa. Thank you." Daniyal put the letter in his pocket after folding it and Azaan took his leave after a few moments of formal greetings.

As soon as Daniyal positioned himself in the car he opened the sealed envelope and read the letter. Every word was the testimony of pain. How could a person ignore the request of a person on his death bed? But he promised Shifa to not bring this topic up!

.........

After a few days...

It was a peaceful night, stars were embracing the darkness of the sky to make it beautiful, as same as Daniyal who was embracing his wife to make her feel beautiful. The dim lit room was calm but due to a disturbance they both opened their eyes at the same time and their lips engaged with a smile; Shifa was shy but her husband was happy. In order to deal with her shyness she hid her face in the pillow but Daniyal smiled and pulled her even closer. "Begum Sahiba aapne hum pe kya jadu kra hai zara batayengi?" Daniyal asked in a whispered because he was unable to save himself from the magic of his wife but she was only blushing more than a rose.

(Dear wife, would you tell me what spell you have blown on me?)

Before she could understand how to deal with this new feeling they both listened to a vibration. Daniyal realised that it was the only reason behind their waking up but they forgot everything in between their romance.

"Who's calling this time?" Removing his arm from under Shifa's head he turned his side and Shifa covered both of them with the blanket properly. "Who's this?" She muttered and shut her eyes while resting her head on his chest, Daniyal furrowed but did not reply, his hand caressed Shifa's head to back while other hand held the mobile again his ear.

"Hello." He muttered with sleepy voice and run his fingers crossed her hair but suddenly his eyes snapped open and hand stopped on the middle of her back.

"What?...."

"When?" He asked and Shifa also looked at him. "Where are you now?" He asked and looked at Shifa who was asking what happened from her eyes.

"Be strong Billu. We two are coming. Stop crying." Daniyal put the mobile aside while disconnecting the call and Shifa slightly shifted back. Sitting on the bed he wore his tshirt and Shifa's eyes filled with water.

"What happened Deni?"

"Nothing serious, just get ready, we have to go somewhere."

"Deni... How's mummy?" Shifa muttered and tears rolled down from her eyes.

"She's fine." Daniyal muttered and Shifa gulped, because his silence was yelling that something was wrong for sure. "Deni..."

"Papa is hospitalized, he had a heart attack... Get ready soon, we're going." with this statement he stepped out from the bed and disappeared in the bathroom. Shifa's eyes dropped two more tears and a little sob came out from her lips.

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