The night they spend cuddled. And the next morning, Fareeha woke up feeling fresh. She turned her head and found Sarfaraz's face inches away from her. His strong arms securely clenched her from behind, engulfing her. She looked at their other hand; their loosely clenched fingers. And blushed.

Careful not to disturb him, she moved his hand from over her shoulder and got down. Pulling the straps of her nightie, she picked up her night robe and walked to the bathroom. A sketchy feeling between her thighs lingered, reminiscent of last night.

Fareeha smiled to herself, turning on the shower knob and recollected about last night.

"Excuse me. We didn't do it."

"But I got in, and that thing is in sta--." He winked.

"Only little was left. Tsk, tsk."

We didn't do it, but we need to do it.

She ran her loofa over her arms, imagining his warm touch. His sensuous mouth sucking on her skin, his lips gliding over her body. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Imaging the masculine scent of his body.

Sarfaraz shifted in bed and patted the other side, searching for her. He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

The jiggling sound of heavy anklets and the tinkle of bangles, followed by a whiff of fruity body wash and floral shampoo, alerted him. Sarfaraz sat straight on the bed, blinking a couple of times, so his wife came into focus.

"Good morning," Fareeha called softly, wiping her wet tresses with a towel.

He was too awestruck to talk. She smiled, walked up to him, and mischievously flipped her hair to throw droplets on his face. Sarfaraz shook his head and wiped his face with his hand.

"Who does this to wake someone up?" He commented.

"Really?" Fareeha replied from the balcony, placing the towel on the dry stand.

"Yeah, waking up by b***job is the best." Sarfaraz teased her.

"Chi, chi. Hawasi. Have some shame." Fareeha grimaced, picking up her silk dupatta and placing it on her shoulder. Sarfaraz chuckled and got up from the bed. Swiftly, he wore his jeans over his undies and hurried to her before she left.

Fareeha pulled up the neckline of her baby blue Anarkali suit and turned, stopping as Sarfaraz blocked her way.

"What?"

He tapped on his lips.

She rolled her eyes, and pushed him towards the bathroom, - "First brush and freshen up."

Sarfaraz took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Fareeha ignored the tingling sensation in her belly and kept frowning at him.

"Where are you going?" He pouted.

"To the kitchen." Her brows relaxed, and she smiled, - "I want to cook here for the first time." She bit her lip, shyly.

"Please. Forget being a bahu. Think of me. Be a wife." He said with a cheeky grin. She pulled her hand from his loose grip.

"Not now."

"Night mein?"

"Shut up." 

Hadiya walked into the kitchen and was pleasantly shocked to find the cook and maids in a corner. Fareeha was at the stove. With her dupatta diagonal across her body, knotted and tugged at her hips while she moved the spatula into a kadhai.

"What are you doing, beta?" Hadiya gasped, wide-eyed.

"Aunty." Fareeha beamed, wiping sweat off her forehead.

"Beta, your mehndi hasn't yet worn off and you are working in smoldering heat?" She placed a hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder. Her voice rang with concern.

"Nothing, Aunty. I am just—pehli rasoi." Fareeha shrugged. Her happy smile made it difficult for Hadiya to refuse.

She asked a maid to check the Kadhai chicken on the stove and excitedly showed off her preparation to her mother-in-law.

"See, first, I made this sabudana kheer. Mummy says to start with something sweet and then I am preparing this chicken. It is Hadi's absolute favorite. And he prefers it with naan, not the garlic ones, he hate how his mouth smells after that. So, I will be kneading the dough. Naan is not my specialty, but hope he likes it."

Hadiya admired how she spoke about her son. Especially the bright glow on her face and radiating smile on her Noorani face. Fareeha was so much in love with him, and she was relieved that her son was in safe hands. But her smile faded because she didn't trust her son. Sometimes (many times) he makes wrong decisions. And, Fareeha, she deserves all the love. Since she always craved love, she pours her all into someone she adores.

Hadiya patted her head and side-hugged her, - "Whatever makes you happy, my child. This home is yours."

Fareeha smiled shyly and returned to her work. 

Sarfaraz just finished with his gym and returned to his room. Putting the AC on full blast, he went into the bathroom for freshening up. Returning, he removed his black tank top and fixed the sheet mask on his face. He huffed and leaned on the recliner chair, raising his legs and casually drank water from his brown Stanley cup.

"So much work." He sighed, and turned his head to the door, - "Where is this girl?" Just as he wondered, Fareeha walked in. The cold air made her shiver badly.

"Wow, you are sweating like a pig," Sarfaraz commented, amused.

She made her face, rubbing her arms.

"What was the point of showering?" He added, looking at her in amazement.

"Aunty was right. No need to do anything for you. Just break your head."

Sarfaraz fell back against the chair and continued to chuckle. He straightened, watching her walk into the closet, and got a naughty thought.

Fareeha searched for the perfect dress and zeroed in on an elaborate wine red simple long Kurtha trouser set. Almas encouraged her to wear plenty of reds (all shades) and blue, of course, her husband's favorite color.

She placed the dress on her arm and turned, stopped upon meeting Sarfaraz standing at the door. His arms stretched and holding the glass doors.

"Where are you going?" He said cheekily.

It was difficult to take him seriously with the sheet mask on his face.

"To shower," Fareeha replied casually. Before she walked out, he blocked her way with his other arm.

"No, you are not. You had your turn. Now, mine. But—" He shifted, placing his hands into the pockets of his track pants, - "we can shower together." Sarfaraz shrugged, - "Just a suggestion."

Fareeha stared at him for a moment, then pressed her lips, - "I have enough time. You shower first." She gestured towards the bathroom, then pushed past him.

"I can wait." She huffed, dumping her dress on the bed, and sat on the recliner chair with her hands behind her head.

Sarfaraz's expressions were hidden behind the mask, but he didn't seem pleased.

"Hmmph. Whatever. I am not dying to bathe with you, anyway." He marched into the closet, and minutes later marched out with his clothes and towel.

Fareeha giggled, covering her mouth as he slammed the bathroom door.

Dania walked out of the bathroom, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and dropped it into the dustbin. She looked up and found Adil talking to someone on the phone. She walked to him, folding the long sleeves of her pink shirt dress to her elbow. He glanced up at her and smiled. She smiled, light-lipped. 

Adil disconnected the call, and twisted his body to face her, - "Do you want to get some coffee?"

"No." she replied in a small voice, rubbing her palms over her dress, - "I wanted to talk to you."

Adil placed his hands over her clasped fingers, - "Not be nervous. We are friends first. Never hesitate." He said kindly.

Dania lowered her head, nodding.

"I think I was too harsh on Sarfaraz yesterday. After Ma, when I saw him, I knew his kind look and words would—comfort me, but he pushed me away—" She licked her lips, and looked up at his face, - "I don't understand, someone who was so madly in love with me, all these years, can suddenly move on—so easily?"

Adil moved his hand off her, - "Sometimes, most of the times, we believe we want something desperately. And, when we get to that person or thing, and realize that this wasn't what we wanted. I know he was—obs—fascinated by you. But the fact is that—he and Fareeha—when he realized he was about to lose Fareeha, you should have seen his desperation. Though he doesn't accept by mouth, he loves her."

Dania sighed, looking at the ceiling, and blinked her tears.

"Don't worry, you will also come to terms with it."

"Adil, I want to talk to Sarfaraz."

He thought for a moment, and nodded, - "Dania, I was saying let's go and stay with Ammi Haya for some time before we shift back to the US?"

Dania reluctantly nodded. Though in anger she rebuked Sarfaraz, but seeing him with Fareeha would be difficult. 

Uh-Oh! Dania is coming to stay at Sarfaraz's house. Ab toh, hungama hoga.

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments, lots, lots, lots and lots. It motivates me. And, Stay Tuned for the next update, guys!!

𝒫𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓅:

"You are an ass in actuality. Can't you tell the difference who was standing there? Could have been Aunty Haya, or any random maid? You just pounce on them?"

Fareeha huffed, and not giving him time to speak, she went on, - "Had it been some random Maid, I wouldn't mind. But Dania—Dania—"

"Chup kar jaa, please," Sarfaraz begged her. Fareeha shut her mouth and turned to her side.

"How was I supposedto tell Dania was here? Plus, she was wearing red. Both of you have the same lengthof hair—and I didn't think too hard, na, yaar."

...........

"Hey, stop, stop." Sarfaraz moved his hand behind and grabbed her hair.

"Agh! Leave my hair. Else I will hit you in your nuts."

"You always say that—bandar." Sarfaraz had the upper hand now. She attempted to kick him, but he kept dodging. Fareeha inhaled deeply and tickled his waist. Chuckling, he twisted, requesting her to stop.

"Take that—" Shepunched him in the stomach, then kicked him on his knee. 

.......

Sarfaraz slid to her side on his back and exhaled through his mouth. Fareeha turned her head to look at him, at the same time he did too.

"That was wonderful."

Sheblushed.