"There was a lot of work that's why I am late but I'll be back in half an hour or some more." She said while focusing on the road and changing the gear.

"Okay, mummy. And Don't forget to bring chocolates." Alshaf demanded. Shifa hummed as she was already waiting for the reason behind this call.

"Sure, dear. Achha tell me, is your dad home?"

"No, not yet. I called Dad before calling you and he said that he would come late, that's why I called you for the chocolates."

"Okay, beta. Have you completed homework?"

"No mummy, I'm going to Dado, she will help me."

"Very nice. You're my good girl. Can I hang up the call? I'm driving."

"Bye-bye, Mumma."

"Allah Hafiz." Shifa corrected but the call had already ended. Before placing the mobile on the navigation stand she glanced at the time.  6:25 pm.

"Ya Allah..." She huffed when stuck in the traffic. Delhi-Gurugram road looks like a pack of cars in the peak hours. Everyone knew it, still, she took a quick decision to drive at this time and now she was regretting it. Thousands of cars crawled on the road waiting for signals to turn green but after a wait of 2 minutes, only a few numbers of cars could pass the 40-second green signal. Living in these big cities could be a dream for millions but going away from this hustle and bustle is the requirement of some peace-loving people.

Holding tiredness in her eyes she glanced at the fuel indicator only to realise that the fuel tank had to be refilled soon. After waiting for the next five minutes somehow she got out of the trap of one signal to fall in the maze of the other. For a few minutes, she cursed herself. Why the hell did she need to open another branch of the lab in Gurugram? But the very next moment a face flashed in her eyes and she rested her head on the steering wheel. The hard leather rubbed against her forehead and a smile grew under her tired lips.

The reason behind this struggle was no one else but her son. Foster Son. Zaryab.

Recently, Mr Kazmi transferred half of his property including the home in the name of Zeedan and the remaining half was transferred in the name of Alshaf. His reason was clear, he accepted Zaryab it didn't mean that he would share the legacy of his family with that boy. All his money should be reserved for Kazmi(s), only and only for Kazmis. Daniyal wanted to protest against this decision of his father but Shifa shook her head, her brown eyes gave assurance to the pair of grey eyes that he should not force Mr Kazmi to change the decision. Zaryab was brought to Qasr-e-Kazmi on Shifa's demand, she didn't want to prove him a burden on anyone. But the same night this lady took one of the biggest decisions of her life.

She decided to transfer the property of Dehradun, One she got from Aatish, in the name of Zaryab. There were two reasons behind it, the very first... She never wanted to take a single penny from the money that once became the reason for her mother's pain and suffering, and the other reason was that Zaryab belonged to Adeena who belongs to Aatish's brother, so basically that property belonged to Zaryab's grandfather too. So she found it best to give rights to the deserving person. She left Daniyal amazed one more time by demonstrating such generosity.

And now she wanted to expand her business so that she could divide it into three unequal parts, and hand over the biggest part to Zaryab in the future because Alshaf and Zeedan will get everything from Daniyal's wealth too.

A gush of slumber just below over her when the blow of horns pushed her to look upon the signal, she was becoming the reason behind stiffness on the road. Driving ahead she waited for a couple of minutes at the petrol pump to refill the tank and ignoring the service requirement of tyres. She didn't need any service right now other than a peaceful slumber.

Instead of talking the usual path she decided to take the longer one but less crowded. Turning the car left she set the navigation and sped up. Tomorrow is Zeedan's birthday, she had to buy something for him but what? She didn't know yet. And for the first time Zeedan left the honor of choosing the gift from his parents because he wanted a 'Surprise'. 

Turning on the radio she smiled when remembered the time she met Daniyal. If the first impression is really the last impression then they both weren't living this life. From an annoying colleague to a friend, from a friend to a mentor, mentor to beloved, and now peace of her heart and ache of her head, this man had covered a long distance in these 10 years of togetherness. On the other hand this lady was an Ahmaq Aurat (idiot woman) nine years ago, so she is now.

The train of her thoughts went to a sudden termination when the car moved unevenly, she tried her best to handle the car but couldn't, eventually parked the car on the left side of the flyover. Leaving the both indicators and headlights on she stepped out of the car just to freeze her soul too. A gush of chilled December wind slapped her face and played with her hair. Grabbing the jacket from the front passenger seat she wore it immediately and walked towards the backside of the car, the flashlight of her mover never turned off.

"Oh no." The tyre of puncture. She looked everywhere. Unfortunately, this long route was less crowded because there was no nearby residential area or any kind of service station.

The charcoal night sky was dotted with ash gray clouds, the weather was extremely cold, the area was empty, there was no clue of alive humans but a few metres away two corpses were set on the fire. Shifa looked towards the Shamshaan Ghaat (cremation ground), Only God knows because of fear or because of the cold but a shiver ran down her spine.

All the horrible scenes from every horror movie captured her thoughts. A headless man or a walking skeleton could appear in front of her eyes any time soon.

"Deni..." She muttered while dialling his number and he picked the call immediately.

"Shifa I'm busy, the presentation is going..."

"Deni my car tyre is punctured in the middle of nowhere." She cut him off and Daniyal was silent for a few next moment then she heard, "Excuse me, gentlemen, it's an urgent call," a door swing open then close making a cracky voice that Shifa heard from the other side of the call.

"Kaha ho aap abhi?" He asked and Shifa told him about the path she had chosen to save some time.

(Where are you right now?)

"Deni mujhe bohot dar lag rha hai, yaha aas paas koi bhi nhi hai, bas ek shamshan ghat hai..." Daniyal could sense fear in her voice.

(Deni, I am feeling scared, there is no one around here, it is just a cremation ground...)

He already knew how timid his wife was. Once he forced Shifa to watch a horror movie which was not really horror but a horror comedy but this lady was so scared that for the next few days she did not switch off the lights at night and woke up Daniyal before going to the washroom. And right now she was standing in front of a cremation ground with her broken car.

"Relax Shifa, relax. Koi bhoot nhi aa rha."

(No ghost is coming.)

"Shut up! Meri Jaan nikal rhi hai, aapko bhoot ka naam lena zaruri hai?" She yelled and looked towards the cremation ground, as if a few bhoot (ghosts) would come to her after hearing their name. Daniyal felt that she was about to cry.

(Shut up! I'm dying out of fear. Why are you talking about ghosts?)

"Shifa," he said, tried to soothe her with his calm voice. she wished to hug him tight and hide her face in his chest to forget all her fear.

"Deni, kuch kariye."

(Deni, do something)

"Send me your location, I'm calling a tow truck, they will tow the car to the garage. And you book a cab and go home."

"Deni aap kesi baate kar rhe hain? Main akeli cab mein jaungi? It's not safe." Being a citizen of Delhi it was obvious for Shifa to be afraid of travelling alone in a cab at this time. It was obviously not safe!

(Deni, what are you saying? will I go alone in a cab? Is it even safe?)

"Aap waha khadi bhi nhi reh sakti ho Shifa, it's also not safe."

(You can't stay there Shifa, it's also not safe.)

"Deni aap aa jaiye na mujhe lene, mujhe bohot dar lag rha hai yaha. Bohot andhera hai, aas paas koi bhi nhi hai." Daniyal heard her voice and he knew she was about to cry out of fear. In the time being, Shifa saw a bike coming towards her. Two men, one with black helmet other with no helmet but face covered with white handkerchief.

(Deni, please come and pick me up, I am feeling very scared here. It is very dark, there is no one around.)

"Kya hua madam? Kuch madad chahiye?" The man with the helmet asked and Shifa shivered from inside.

(What happened ma'am? Do you need some help?)

"Nhi nhi... Koi help nhi chhaiye."

(No no, I don't need help)

"Shifa, kya hua?" Daniyal asked. He was worried this time.

(Shifa what happened?)

"Deni..." She muttered.

"Share your live location and get inside the car right now. I'm coming." He stepped towards the meeting room excused the staff members and immediately grabbed his belongings before walking out of the room.

"Shifa, don't be scared, don't show anything from your expressions," Daniyal told her but he could sense her shivering.

"Shifa... Talk to me."

"they are gone. But Deni, they were asking me if I'm alone. Kaha hain aap, Deni? Jaldi aaiye aur mujhe yaha se le kar jaiye." She almost yelled this time but she was at the edge of crying.

(Where are you, Deni? Come quickly and take me away from here.)

"I'm coming sweetheart, I'm coming. Get inside the car and lock it."

"Why I decided to take this route." She cursed herself and Daniyal hopped in his car. "Be brave Shifa," he wanted to comfort her but she huffed while kicking the punctured tyre.

"How can I be brave in this situation? On one side I can see a shamshan ghat (cremation ground) where..." Shifa was yelling and Daniyal was silently hearing because he knew, there was no one else whom this lady could trust at the moment. He knew how timid his wife was. He didn't say anything in reply just let her say whatever she was saying but sped up his car.

"Shifa... Hello... Shift? Shifa, talked to me." He said when he heard a horn from the other side and Shifa was talking to someone else, there was a man on the other side. Daniyal was furious this time. Why wasn't Shifa getting in the car?

"Deni, don't worry. I'm going home." After all, he heard her voice.

"How?"

"There is someone whom I know, he is dropping me home."

"Who?" There was silence on the other side but then a whisper echoed "Faraz" and the call ended. Daniyal looked at the mobile phone and then felt a different feeling, he didn't know what that feeling was but he could name it fear. Not a Fear of losing his love but fear of loneliness... What would happen if she didn't come to his life? How would he live in her absence?

These thoughts came with another level of anxiety. At this point of life when he imagined himself alone he felt scared. The presence of this Ahmaq Aurat (idiot woman) was his need, after a tiring day he needed her on the other side of the bed. They may not hug each other, they may go to bed after having a major argument, and they may not use their cheesy romance often but they were with each other at every point of life.

<><><>

"Are you alright?" He asked and Shifa nodded nervously. If this was some other situation she wasn't even talking to Faraz but what could she do when she was standing in the middle of nowhere with a broken car and those bikers came back but at the same time a car passed by her, she didn't notice the driver but the car stopped a few feet away and then crawled backwards. The window opened and a voice echoed. "Shifa..."

She already felt satisfied. This man wasn't her love but at once he was her hope and today she saw him as an answer to her prayer. Years ago she rarely prayed to get married to Faraz, she used the words 'May Allah send Faraz' and today almighty sent him at the right time. After seeing him the bikers already were gone and he came out of the car.

"Are you alright, Shifa?" The question was being repeated and this nodded. After a small discussion, they waited for a tow truck to come and take the broken car away and then she hopped in Faraz's car. He offered her water which she refused with a nervous smile and looked out of the window. For the next few minutes, there was only an awkward silence in between them but Shifa's ringing mobile broke that silence. It showed the name of her mother-in-law but she knew who was calling

"Ji beta ji?" she received the call with a little smile, it was Zeedaan, he needed his mother with him before dinner.

"Mumma, I'm missing you."

"Mumma is also missing you, my teddy bear, but it will take some time. Aaj aap khud khana khaa lijiye beta." She replied.

(You should eat your own food today, beta.)

"No, you come soon."

"Okay, I'm coming then we will have dinner together. Have some milk if you feel hungry." And she hung up.

"Bachche yaad kar rhe hain?" Asked Faraz while glancing at her then focusing on the road and Shifa nodded.

(Are Kids missing you?)

"My younger son is too attached to me, he doesn't have dinner until I feed him with my hands." She muttered

"Hmm... Just like my younger daughter." He smiled.

"How many kids do you have?" She asked and Faraz smiled. "Two daughters."

"Masha Allah" she smiled.

"Daughters are a blessing, right? They are so sweet and polite." Faraz said, and Shifa thought about Alshaf. Sweet and polite? She was rude and stubborn. 

"Indeed, daughters are a blessing. Especially for their fathers. Abba ki chamchi hoti hain na betiyan isliye."

(Daughters are their father's biggest support)

"Oh... So it means tumhe apne bete se zyada pyaar hai?" Faraz one more time glanced at her but she shook her head

(Oh… so it means you love your son more?)

"Nhi Mere liye to mere teeno bachche barabar hain, lekin mere bete ko mujhse zyada pyaar hai, beti to Deni ki hai." The nervousness present in her voice was gone now. She wasn't a teenager who was talking to her crush but a grown-up woman who was talking to a door ka rishtedar (distant relative) and it was a family discussion.

(No, for me, my kids are equal, but my son loves me more, and my daughter loves Deni.)

"Deni?" Faraz was startled.

"Umm... Yeah, Deni... My husband, Daniyal... I call him Deni." She chewed the last part, Faraz looked away from the road and took a view of Shifa's face for a noticeable moment. Nervousness began to overcome her again.

There was silence in the car but this time it was an awkward one. "Deni..." Faraz looked at Shifa one more time, their eyes met and she tried to read what he was holding in his eyes but how could she read it? She had no talent to read eyes, she still can't read Daniyal's eyes that hold an ocean of love for her she only listens to the words coming out of his tongue such as Ahmaq Aurat, and Cheeni ki bori.

"Is this RJ Deni?" The question stood up in front of Shifa who blinked blankly. Daniyal left the job of RJ just after the birth of Alshaf, almost 8 years ago. Was it possible for someone to remember a Radio Jockey for the last 8 years?

"Umm... Do you know him?" She muttered

"He is the RJ Deni... Right?" The question was being repeated.

"Yeah, he is. But he left the job long ago."

"And you're RJ Khushi." It wasn't a question but an assertion. Shifa's breath hitched. If it wasn't Faraz, she was nodding her head proudly but here she was feeling at the bottom of the pool of nervousness.

If he remembers RJ Khushi it means he remembers the program too...

Did he listen to that program? If yes... then...

She didn't want to think further.

"Shifa main tumse kuch puchh rha hu," he asked. Well, she could tell him straight that he didn't hold rights to ask her anything and she holds every right to leave his questions unanswered but this woman didn't know the art of answering rudely then she forced her mind to conclude something... What would Deni do in this situation?

(Shifa I'm asking something.)

And she knew what that man would do.

"Do you really think so?" Asking another question in the reply of a question is the best way to avoid answering it. She played her best card without looking at him. The road was still empty outside the car but there was a commotion inside her head. Faraz didn't say anything for the next few moments then she heard a loud sigh.

"Sheeri aur Farhad ki kahani achhi thi magar..." Shifa turned to him with a jolt.

(The story of Sheeri and Farhad was good but...)

She wanted to ask 'but what?' however no word came out of her mouth. Suddenly the air between them started becoming solid. Hard to gulp. The reality behind Sheeri and Farhad's story was known by only four people, Shifa, Daniyal, Afifa and Faraz himself but she never thought that Faraz would also be listening to her program.

"But the story was entirely revolving around Sheeri," said Faraz and Shifa looked at him. He turned the car to the right side which led flashes of headlights pop in the car. Now they were on the main road, again among numerous cars and uncountable blows of horns.

"Umm... What do you mean?" She didn't have anything to say so asked whatever she got at that moment. Their car stopped on a traffic signal which was showing a red light for the next 120 seconds. Pulling the handbrake Faraz looked at Shifa. She was again regretting to take a lift from him but what could she do now?

"I mean... The story didn't show Farhad's POV." His eyes were fixed on her face but there was no emotion in them. Shifa glanced at his face, he was still handsome, even more handsome than before, his well-formed clean shaved face was now looking more masculine, the square shaped specs were converted into a classic rectangular one but his charming smile was the same. But today Shifa did not feel what she used to feel years ago.

"Umm... Faraz... I think..." She bit her lower lip nervously and "Umm... It was just a story." there was nothing to say further.

"Yeah, a story from your point of view, mujhe nhi pta tha tumhari feelings itni strong thi mere liye." Shifa felt a jolt on the land of her heart. She didn't want to remember the past, now there was only one man in her life and all her feelings were reserved for him.

(Yeh, a story from your point of view, I didn't know your feelings were so strong for me.)

"Tumne kabhi kuch show hi nhi kra tha Shifa."

(You never did show your feelings, Shifa.)

"Faraz please. It has been more than 14 years. Don't beat the dead house! We both are married, we have kids, we are living a happy life so what's the point of opening a chapter which was closed long ago?" This time Shifa wasn't nervous but scared. She was extremely happy and grateful for everything in her life, she didn't want to create any kind of misunderstanding between her and Daniyal because of her past.

"The chapter is not closed yet!" He hit the steering wheel with anger mixed with helplessness and Shifa forgot to take the next breath. She was watching him without blinking who was driving now. After some ten minutes of silent drive he stopped the car near the small cafe and looked at Shifa.

"Can we talk?"

"Is there anything to talk about? There was nothing between us Faraz. I'm repeating, Please do not flip through the pages of the past, that chapter is already closed."

"As I said, the chapter is not closed. I've been unable to sleep peacefully for the last nine years Shifa, please free me from this burden." He literally begged the last part.

"Only ten minutes." She muttered while grabbing her purse and stepping out of the car, followed by Faraz.

<><><>

Two mugs of hot coffee were present in between them, Shifa was already craving for this but didn't get the courage to sip it.

"Please say whatever it is, my children must be waiting for me."

"I liked you," Shifa closed her eyes and sighed. "But I wasn't serious about you..." She suddenly opened her eyes and saw the man who was the first ray of hope in her dark life.

"Once, while driving back from the hospital to home I turned on the radio and RJ Khushi's voice reminded me of you. Years ago, I used to listen to the song recording you sent my sister." Shifa was stunned, she never knew that Faraz had her voice recordings.

"I had a doubt that it was you, only you and when I heard the story of Sheeri and Farhad, I was left with no doubt." He said and took a big sip of coffee so as Shifa, she couldn't resist coffee anymore.

"Shifa, that's true I liked you but after hearing the story from your side I felt guilty. My feelings for you were strong but not as strong as yours for me. I feel guilty when I think about you... You have suffered too much because of me and my those stupid DP(s). I wanted to tell you my feelings through those pics but I never wanted to make you cry and suffer from a heart break." Said Faraz and Shifa kept seeing his face for the next few moments. "There is a guilt inside me which often makes me restless when I remember your story. I honestly never wanted to give you pain, Shifa." 

She sighed and nodded. "Let me clear Faraz, I was not mature enough to handle everything. I was only 18 at that point. A teenager... A silly teenager."

"I was also 22... Not enough mature to take a stand for my choice, when Ammi and Abbu ji chosen Aamna, I didn't find courage to go against their choice." He said in a serious voice and paused.

"That's better." Shifa didn't take time to say at the same time Faraz smiled with satisfaction "And I'm happy for that."

They both looked at each other and smiled. "I love my wife to infinity, I'm grateful to my parents for choosing such a nice life partner for me, honestly speaking, I have no feelings for you but a guilt to make you cry and break your heart."

"Umm.... I... I guess it wasn't you who broke my heart... You did nothing. We never met, we never talked, there was no commitment between us so how can you blame yourself? I was the only one who imagined another world... I was heartbroken not because of you but because of my imagination and wishes." She smiled at the last part. "Now, when I look back, it all feels like an immature act of a teenager." She took a sip of coffee and glanced at her mobile phone. 7:37 pm.

"And one more thing..." She smiled wholeheartedly. "I'm glad that you didn't get courage to go against your parents' choice. No man can be better than my Deni, he is the best."

"We are lucky to have such a great life partners. Aren't we?" He asked and Shifa nodded but stood up.

"Please... My son is hungry and he won't eat anything until I feed him with my hands." She demanded and Faraz nodded while grabbing his keys present on the table.

"Tonight I will sleep peacefully. Without any guilt!"

"That's great." She smiled and they both hopped in the car.

<><><>

"It was nice to meet you." Daniyal shook his head with Faraz.

"Same here."

"Come again, but not alone, with your family." Mr Kazmi said with a smile and Faraz nodded.

"Sure uncle, I'll definitely come with my wife and daughters." Faraz greeted everyone formally and left after witnessing the hospitality of Kazmi Clan. Soon everyone moved to their respective room only Shifa and Daniyal were standing on the doorway. They saw Faraz's car going away.

"Main Bachho ko dekh leti hu, pta nhi homework complete kra bhi hai ya nhi." She muttered while going to the hall but found Alshaf and Zeedan already sleeping on the sofa. They were tired after playing a lot.

"Come here." She opened her arm for Zaryab who was reading a book. Putting the book down he came to Shifa to got a kiss on his head.

"How was your day?" She asked while setting his messy hair and Zaryab grimaced.

"It wasn't good, Mummy."

"Why so?"

"Today was our surprise test and I was not prepared," he was sad, Shifa pouted and caressed his had sadly.

"It's okay."

"No mummy, it's not okay... I got only 15 out of 20." Shifa blinked blankly at this boy then laughed lightly.

"Zindagi me books aur exams ke aage bhi ek duniya hai, Zaryab." She smiled while running her fingers in his hair to set them properly. "We do not carry our marksheet on our head. People like or dislike us on the basis of our behaviour and manners. And, my boy is already such a nice and lovely boy, so we can ignore the marks of some of your class tests." Zaryab smiled and hugged Shifa back.

(There is a world in life beyond books and exams, Zaryab.)

"Mummy."

"Ji beta?"

"Aap aur Dad bohot acche hain."

(you and dad are great.)

"Hmm? Really?" She smiled and Zaryab nodded with a smile but there was no shine in his eyes. He wasn't looking happy.

"Tell me what's wrong? I can see in your eyes that you are in deep thoughts. What is bothering you beta?" Zaryab's smile died and he broke the hug.

"Nothing."

"Zaryab, tell me."

"I miss Mommy..." Shifa felt bad for a moment. Even after doing everything she wasn't able to take the place of a mother in Zaryab's life but very next moment she accepted the fact that no one can take the place of a biological mother. "Main unhe bohot pareshan karta tha, bohot zidd karta tha, phir wo roone lagti thi..." Shifa saw a mature boy in the body of an eleven year old, he was regretting his past behaviour.

(I used to trouble her a lot, I used to be very stubborn, then she would start crying.)

"Jab Mommy ki yaad aaya kare tab unke liye dua kra kro, aap masum bache ho, aapki dua to jaldi qubul hogi. Dua kra kro ki Mommy ke gunah maaf ho jaye aur unhe jannat mein jagah mile." Shifa cupped his face with both hands and Zaryab nodded in agreement.

(Whenever you remember your mother, pray for her. You are an innocent child, your prayer will be answered soon. Pray that mommy's sins may be forgiven and she may get a place in heaven.)

"Okay mummy."

"Have you completed homework?"

"Yes, and I helped Alshaf and Zeedan too, they have also completed their homework."

"Zaryab you are such a Good boy. Thank you so much beta. Now go, brush your teeth, change your clothes and sleep," she let him go then looked at Alshaf, she could not carry her upstairs so shifted her to Mrs Kazmi's room and lifted Zeedan to carry him upstairs. He woke up and curled his arms around his mother's neck.

Shifa glanced at the main door, Daniyal was standing in the lawn, he was doing something near the rose plant, Shifa sighed. This man can do any work at any time.

Going upstairs she put boys to sleep that took her some fifteen minutes then she went to her bedroom where Daniyal was already waiting for her. She only glanced at him then walked towards the bed. There was a bottle of medicine, she drew out two pills out of it and gulp them down with a big sip of water. She put the glass down when she felt an arm spreading over her shoulders.

"Are you alright?" He asked in a whisper and she just rested her head on his chest without using any word. "Shifa." Cupping her face with one hand he tried to lift her head but she wrapped her arms around his torso.

"Shifa, kya hua hai?"

(Shifa, what happened?)

"Deni, it was scary. It was horrible." He hummed. "I was about to cry, Deni." She whispered on his chest and he again hummed without breaking the hug.

"Don't be scared now. Okay?"

"I won't use that path again. Never in my whole life."

"Okay, as you wish." And there was a silence after that. Shifa broke the hug and saw her husband keenly, he smiled little and pulled something out from his pocket. What was that she didn't notice until something slipped in her bun.

Now she knew what he was doing near the rose plant.

"A rose with thorns for a rose without thorns." A smile crawl to her lips and she touched the rose to feel it's freshness. She knew Daniyal very well, when he plucked flowers for her it means he wanted to show his love. It was his love language.

"Take rest." He kissed her cheeks one by one and took a step back. Shifa wanted to say something but couldn't. She was trying to understand what was different tonight? Daniyal was unusually silent. For the first time she could see love in his eyes but it wasn't only love it was something else too. What was that? She didn't know. He laid down on the left side of the bed and waited for her.

"Deni..." she slipped beside him and grabbed his hand. "Hmm?"

She stayed silent, she wanted to tell him about the conversation between her and Faraz but didn't get courage. On the way hand he wanted to ask if Faraz said something but he also stayed silent and trusted his wife.

"I love you." She gave answer of his every question in only three words and Daniyal blinked. "Deni, I only love you, I feel so lucky to have you in my life. You're the best, Deni. I love you to the moon and back, or maybe even more." She shifted near him and kissed his cheek

"Hmm... Main pehle hi jaanta hu lekin aap ye sab baate abhi kyu bta rahi ho?" Curling his arm around her waist he asked. She smiled while adjusting her head on his arm and opening her hair eventually removed the rose. It was a beautiful fully bloomed flower, she was surprised how she didn't notice it but smelled it. It was sweet and refreshing.

(Hmm... I already know, but why are you telling me all these things right now?)

"Kuch nhi bas yaad dilana tha ki aap mere liye jitne important pehle the ab bhi utne hi important hain."

(I just wanted to remind you that you are as important to me now as you were before.)

"Nhi Begum Saheba, ab hum aapke liye aur bhi zyada aham hain... Pehle hum aapke shohor hua karte the aur ab hum aapke bachho ke walid bhi hain." He raised his eyebrows proudly and she rolled her eyes.

(No, wifie, now I'm even more important to you... earlier I used to be your husband and now we are also the father of your children."

"Aap apni kitni tareefe karte hain Deni, khudpasandi ka shikar hain aap."

(Deni, you praise yourself a lot. You're self obsessed.)

"Nahi nahi Khatoon, hum khudpasand nhi hain, Hume koi aur bhi bohot pasand karta hai." He praised himself one more time and Shifa rolled her eyes.

(No dear, I'm not self obsessed, someone is also obsessed with me.)

"Maybe us insaan ka taste accha nhi hai jab hi to aap se obsessed ho gyi." For the first time Shifa won an argument and Daniyal let her win with all his pleasure.

(Maybe that person doesn't have a taste good, that's why she got obsessed with you.)

"Soo jao, kal aapke bete ki birthday hai uske arrangements karne hain." Daniyal switched off the lights but she turned them on again.

(Go to sleep, it's your son's birthday tomorrow and we have to make arrangements for it.)

"Neend nhi aa rhi." She muttered, he knew the reason behind this act. The timid woman was afraid to sleep in the dark room after spending some time alone in front of a Shamshaan ghat (cremation ground)

(I'm not sleepy.)

"Daro nahi, Main hu na aapke sath. " he looked in her eyes and turned off the lights but left a small lamp on. She clutched him tightly as if he was her shield. "Mujhse kuch seekho aap, kabhi dekha hai mujhe raat mein ese darte huye?"

(Don't be afraid, I am here with you, right?)

(Learn something from me, have you ever seen me scared like this at night?)

"Deni, I know you're brave. But you have not experienced what I have." She smiled but was still afraid.

"Hmm... of course- but see... How bravely I'm facing this scary situation."

"Umm... What's scary?" She asked. Confused.

"Itni khatarnak chudail ke panjo mein jakda hua hu phir bhi nhi dar rha," He replied innocently and Shifa gasped.

(I am caught in the claws of such a dangerous witch, yet I am not afraid.)

"Deni, aap mujhe chudail keh rhe hain?"

(Deni are you calling me witch?)

"Ye lambe Baal," running his fingers in her hair he grabbed her hand. "Ye bade bade nakhoon." She pulled her hand away with anger. "Ye khukhaar ankhe" he smiled mischievously. "Chudail nhi to aur kya kahu aapko?"

(These long hair, sharp nails, big yet mesmerizing eyes.... What else can I conclude of you other than a witch.)

"Deni." She shifted back from his arms and pushed his hand away.

"But you're a cute and friendly chudail." He stopped himself to laugh and pulled her back to his arms.

"Then find out someone who is not chudail." She pushed him with full force but he didn't move a single inch. "Badtameez Aadmi." She turned her side with frustration.

(Annoying man)

"Ab to is chudail ki adat ho chuki hai." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her clother. Her back stuck to his chest, Shifa struggled to elbow him but failed.

(This witch has become a habit now.)

"Get lost." She muttered, he laughed and kissed her cheek.

"Achha baba sorry, ab chudail nhi bolunga." He smiled. "Aap to meri Chini ki boori ho." He added and Shifa huffed, she turned her side and hit her husband with uncountable times with pillow.

(Ok Baba, I am sorry, I won't call you witch anymore.)

(You're my Gunny bag of sugar.)

"Get lost. Just get lost. I hate you. I hate you I hate you." She pushed him away her legs also kicked his legs away and she closed her eyes with anger.

"Gwoor se dekhiye is aurt ko, iske masum chehre par na jaiyega, ye wo hi hai jo apne shohor par har raat apne shohor par gharelu tashaddud (domestic violence) karti hai... "

(Look at this woman carefully, don't be fooled by her innocent face, she is the same person who commits domestic violence to her husband every night...)

"Lekin ye beghairat dheet aadmi phir bhi nhi sudharta." She huffed and closed her eyes. Soon she slept. Daniyal smiled and pulled her in his arms.

(But this shameless impudent man still does not mend his ways.)

He wanted his chini ki bori (sack of sugar) oops....sweetheart in his arms. Shifa woke up for a moment and looked at Daniyal.

She was in a deep slumber, Daniyal kissed her lovingly and she again dozed off but not before mumbling... "Deni aap bohot bure hain."

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