Much like the once crashing waves of the ocean life was settling in it's mould of peace. With each passing day her mind was clearing and the walls that she had built were melting away under his warm, welcoming smile.

Mornings used to stressful for her but now they were warm like a cup of hot chocolate, the nights that used to terrify her to tears were filled with warm hugs and cuddles from her beloved.

Things were just fine and prayed for then to stay that way. Her eyes had a new hope of greeting him every morning and evening when she would come back home from work.

He had helped her heal, helped her see things more openly and had held her hand ever since. Not once did he make her feel as if she had pulled him through that roller coaster of unfortunate events with her. Sometimes her heart felt heavy from the burden of having him go through so much with her but it was his eyes would each time read that guilt of hers and remove it silently with his loving gestures.

Safa.

She was gone. She couldn't still wrap her mind around what she had lost in a fight that was hers. How she had dragged so many innocent lives in a turmoil that hers to fight. Even now after months she would subconsciously find herself dialling her number and soon after her eyes would tear up and life would all of a sudden go back to when she woke up and realized she didn't have her savior with her anymore.

Her mother.

She had gone to meet her but old ingrained habits seldom leave. She still curses her for the death of her husband, for her former divorce and her life being ruined, and everytime it would hurt just as it did the first time.

Haleel.

She didn't mourn his death, nor did she celebrate it. He wasn't someone to be talked about. He wasn't someone she cared for. He was a no one who played a vital role in breaking her in pieces. She didn't care anymore.

Her in law.

They weren't any different. If worse her mother-in-law tried getting them divorced bringing up her condition, but it was her husband who had stood steadfast beside her.

Buraak.

She loved him. A whole lot of baggage later she had finally come to realize that she loved him. She didn't feel the same for anyone else and get heart seemed to have fluttered even at the sight of him and so now, at their anniversary she wished to show him that she did indeed loved and trust him.

She came home early from work today, the new maid had cleaned their house to perfection and was given a half day. She hurried to put her plan in action, first thing was to take a long shower to prepare herself for the special night she had imagined. The dress she had designed herself was exquisite. Red chiffon covered with the same coloured beading and embroidery took most of her time but the studio Buraak had built for her was her partner in all work that she did on her dress.

It took months of hardwork to put it together and she was sure it would create the bestest of memories. Her original dress was torn to shreds the day of Sabra's death and it hurt her to no ends.

Wearing a short silk gown for the time being she sat on her bed running her hand over the petals scattered over it. Seeing there was still time for Buraak to come home she decided to take a nap, putting an alarm on for half hour she let tht days exhaustion take over her and drown her in it's peaceful waves.

The sound of the door clucking open filled the silent house. A tired sigh escaped his lips as he walked inside the still home. The night sky was closed behind with the door shutting softly. Loosening his tie around his neck he walked further in tht house rubbing his neck.

"Wafa" he called putting his office bag on the couch and waited to hear her shuffling down the stairs or any kind of sound to be heard. His eyebrows furrowed as he called again. Quite a few times.

"What kind of a joke is this Wafa? Where are you?" He called getting worried, his steps up the stairs hurried as he neared their room.

Opening the door his breath hitched at the sight of a rose accented room. Fresh aroma of flowers surrounded him and a smile stretched on his previously worried face. His eyes ran over all tht decorations done in the ivory painted room, polaroids of newly made memories hung from strings attached to balloons who kissed the roof, sheer curtains of white concealed the bed from his perfect view. A figure laid on it sound a sleep. His eyes found the table clock and only then he realized she must've slept while waiting for him.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he walked closer to the fragile form of his wife deep in sleep. His eyes widened at her choice of clothes and something stirred deep within him. Something he had been avoiding dearly for her sake.

Wafa stirred in her sleep feeling fingers caressing her face and running through her hair. A sigh escaped her lips as she snuggled closer to the one person she was sure knew how to put her to peace. Just as tht thought of him returning registered to her hazy mind she shot up from her place feeling dizzy as the sleep hadn't left her completely.

"Slowly" he chuckled seeing her hold her head.

"You're late" she complained opening one eye and looking at the clock.

"Yeah. I'm sorry" he grinned sheepishly making her sigh and rub her eyes lightly to make the sleep go away.

"I see you've arranged our wedding night all over again" he said making her cheeks warm up and pull up in a smile.

"It was a surprise for our anniversary" she said smiling at him.

"Oh.. yeah" he said, his eyes widening.

"You forgot?" She shrieked turning to him and scooting away offensively.

"No.. I mean..." He tried explaining but she was already standing on her knees hands on her waist. His eyes dropped to her legs but she pulled his head up making him look in her eyes.

"What do you mean? You forgot our anniversary, Buraak. How could you?" She gasped. 

"No.. I was too busy it slipped from my mind for a second. I remembered" he tried explaining but the angry pout on her face said otherwise.

"I thought we'll have a nice anniversary but here you forgot. No more kisses for you" she scowled making her way off the bed but yelped as she was pulled back down flat on the bed.

"You don't decide that. I do" he said pinning her down under him. Her eyes narrowed and heart raced.

"I do. And I'm taking back my plans for tonight—" she said thrashing against him but he sealed her lips with his own.

"Oh the plans will be executed just as planned" he said pulling away from a breathless Wafa.

"You can't chan—" her breath hitched as he pecked her lips once again.

"I said I remembered but it slipped from my mind an hour earlier." He said, his thumb caressing her face sensually.

"I'm having a hard time believing that"

"And I'm having a hard time resisting you" he said nuzzling his face in her neck making her shiver lightly.

"Did you eat dinner?" She asked looking away from his intense gaze.

"Sadly I haven't and I'm famished" he said pecking her cheek.

"Did you?" He asked - pulling her up in a sitting position - making her shake her head.

"Let's go have dinner first, then we'll enjoy the night fully." he said making her eyes widened and face heat up.

"You shameless man" she gasped making him wink at her and laugh at her appalled expression. She spanked him hard making him glare at her before running away pulling her robe on.

"Come here you little minx" he gritted running after her who laughed at him.

"That's for forgetting our anniversary" she yelled turning around a little to look at him as they reach the dinning table.

"Once I catch you, you won't be able to run then"

"What do you mean?" She asked circling the table while he slowly followed.

"I mean everything that your little brain is thinking of" he smirked looking her up and down making her halt in surprise and gape at him.

"Caught you" he said wrapping his arms around her frozen figure making her jolt out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened at his smirking expression and all she could think of was of what was to come.

"Now. what's for dinner?" he drawled pulling her closer "Apart from you of course" he winked making her slap his arm.

"I'll go heat the food up" she said pulling her dried hair in a bun.

"I'll help" he suggested making her look at him and then at the dishes. She finally nodded.

During the dinner they couldn't keep their eyes to themselves, in the peaceful silence their eyes did the talking. A smile played at the ends of her lips as she gazed at him with her head tilted over her palm.

"Like what you see?" He asked swallowing the last bit of his food making her blink very slowly.

"Yes." She said making his ears turn a light tint of pink. 

"I do very much." She whispered stalking over to his sitting figure.

"You're someone really special to me Buraak. Someone I want to cherish my whole life. Someone I don't want to loose because." She took a deep breath cupping his face. "Someone who's stuck with me for this long because no one else has ever had the patience to."

Tears glistened on her water line as her voice grew heavy with emotion.

"I... I know we aren't the perfect couple and we definitely didn't start our lives like that but I just..." She stopped making him stand up from his place and cup her face that was facing down. "I just want you to know that..." She took in a deep breath and looked up in his eyes. Her arms rounded around his neck as she plastered herself against him.

"That?" He whispered tightening his arms around her figure.

"That I love you" she croaked making him still for a moment.

"That I love you, more than I should. More than I ever did to anyone, I trust you as I used to trust my baba and baba only. That you've become my safe heaven and my home. And that.... I'm afraid to loose this."

He felt her warm tears trickle their way down his neck but all could he hear were the whispers of her confessing her feelings.

Something he had been dying to hear and now that he had he couldn't believe it. His mind was stilled and his heart was cheering with happiness.

"Buraak?" She whispered pulling away looking in his eyes that glimmered under the light of the chandelier hanging above their heads.

"You really mean all that?" He finally asked making her nod hesitantly.

"Do you not—"

"Oh Wafa" he grinned hugging her tightly. . "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear those words from your mouth. I love you too. I love you alot Wafa. I really do" he said pulling her head to his chest hugging her firmly.

"I love you so much Wafa" he breathed in her ear making her wrap her arms around him tighter.

"I have a surprise for you" she grinned pulling back and wiping her tears.

"What could be more surprising than this?" He asked making her shake her head and drag him to her studio. 

"I think our room is that way" he said making her glare at him.

"Close you eyes?" She said.

"We're doing it here?" He joked making her roll her eyes at him and stare at him hard.

"Okay fine" he laughed closing his eyes.

"One." She said guiding him through.

"Two." She said making him stand infront of the dummy.

"Three. Open your eyes now" she said pulling the silk sheet off of her creation.

His eyes stilled on the dress he had seen before in his dreams so many times. The red fabric decorated with red beading and embroidery. He looked at wafa who was grinning like a child raising her eyebrows in question.

"How is it?" She asked bouncing on her toes.

"It's... It's beautiful" he whispered walking closer to the dress.

"You made it?" He looked at her who nodded enthusiastically.

"You alone made it?" He asked making her nod yet again.

"What are you a designing machine?" He asked making her laugh.

"I was going to put it on but then I feel a sleep and slept through my alarm" she said pouting making him smile at her softly.

"It's okay. I think I enjoy this view more than I would appreciated this one" he said mirthfully making her shake her head at him.

"I'm sensing I've made a mistake here by wearing this" she said making him shake his head with a wink.

"You've done just the right amount on wrong here" he said caressing down her back and cupping her bottom before pulling her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist while arms found their home around his neck.

"Happy anniversary" she whispered brushing her nose against his pecking his lips softly.

"Happy one year" he smiled taking her lips in a searing kiss. He didn't realize how they reached their room. His lips found their their trail down to her neck and slowly to her shoulders.

He pulled up shrugging his clothes off making her gaze at his toned body, a small grain of fear clawed at her gut of all the pain she had ever felt.

Would it be the same?

Her breath picked up and her hands unknowingly held her gown tightly around her frame, feeling uncertain. He lowered himself on her and kissed her neck slowly running his hand over her body giving her curves a gentle squeeze making her arch into him.

"Are you sure?" He asked pecking her cheek slowly.

"It's okay. I'll stop if you feel uncertain" he whispered gazing into her eyes pulling her over him, laying on his back.

"Would it.... Hurt?" She asked making him shake his head.

"Not like that. Just for a moment" he said pulling her down to his chest.

"Are you still sure?" He asked playing with the straps of her gown.

She gazed into his eyes intently before leaning down to kiss him senselessly.

"I am" she whispered shyly in his ear making him kiss her forehead and dim the lights of their room.

The net curtains blurred the image of pure passion from tht sight of curious moon and the innocent blushing clouds. The stars took refuge behind the thickness of the elderly grey clouds that covered the sky purely making it rain in pure bliss and blessings. A slow downpour, just enough to moisten the soil and hearts of lovers.

"I love you" they whispered tangled together. Her head rested on his chest,  face flushed and breaths battered. His hand ran over her bare back sending shivers down her spine.

"You know. I'm the happiest man today and maybe forever" he whispered making her smile and snuggle in his warmth further more.

"I'm glad" she said before slipping into a heavenly slumber. He gazed at her flushed face, a smile fluttering his heart and a prayer making him peacefully close his eyes, their hearts beating in sync.

  🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

"Not this file Dariya" she said to the new intern while still being on the phone with him.

"You seem busy" he said checking his own emails.

"Busy is just a word. I'm exhausted" she sighed falling back on her seat. Being the co-head designer had it's pros and cons altogether. It wasn't long after her rejoining the office that she had been promoted for her constant hardwork after her leave.

Within a year of her rejoining she had  achieved the promotion based on her presentation and capabilities.

"Wafa. Is everything ready for the meeting?" Jahan asked stepping inside her cabin making her nod.

"Yes. Just one file is missing. I'm looking for it" she said making him raise a questioning eyebrow.

"It's the khawar's new portfolio. Dariya is looking for it" she said and just then Dariya entered the room with the file. Her steps faltered as her eyes fell on the man standing in the room. Her big brown eyes stared back at the pools of black ink. Rolling her eyes in distaste she ignored him and handed the file over to Wafa.

"Buraak I'll call you later" wafa said hanging up and taking the file from Dariya, studying it.

"Ma'am. Do you need anything else?" She asked making Wafa shake her head.

"I'll be in the meeting room Wafa." Jahan said following the short girl out of the room.

"Miss Dariya" he called making her stop with a huff.

"Yes sir?" She turned around with a small smile.

"Stay after work, we need to have a conversation" he said making her heartbeat pick up.

"What.. what conversation sir?" She asked mastering up her courage making him stop with his back to her. He glanced his shoulder and walked away leaving her to stand there with a confused frown on her face.

"Ajeeb aadmi hai" Dariya said walking away.
(weird man)

The meeting was long and Wafa could feel the exhaustion settle in her bones even more. Stretching her limbs in the privacy of her cabin she was startled by a pair of arms wrapping around her waist.

"What the hell!" She yelled turning around defensively ready to punch tht person but settled for a glare instead seeing Buraak smirk back at her.

"Hi" he said making her turn around and relax in his hold.

"Hi" she replied smiling back at him.

"Why do you have to be so quiet?" She asked making him shrug.

"I'm always like this" he said making her nod in agreement.

"You scare me too much" she complained making him chuckle.

"Your expressions are hilarious" he said making her give him a pointed look.

"Are you done for the day?" He asked leaning on her desk while she gathered her stuff.

"Yeah. Let me just clean up here" she said arranging the files neatly and putting everything back at it's place.

"Why did you come here though? I brought my own car" she asked putting the stationery away at it's place and filling her bag with her documents and things she needed.

"No reason. I just couldn't wait till you get home" he said grinning sheepishly making her shake her head with a smile of her own.

"You're very cheesy" she said pulling her nod making him glare at her.

"You're very sexy" he said squeezing her butt earning a disapproving look from her.

"Okay. Let's go" she said making him wrap an arm around her waist.

"Dariya?" She called the girl standing outside Jahan's office. "Are you not going home?" She asked making the girl shake her head with a polite smile.

"I still have some work to do and Mr Jahan had to talk to me about something" she said making Wafa nod and bid her goodbye.

"Race to the house?" Wafa teased making Buraak pinch her waist.

"Don't even think of such a thing" he warned making her mock his expression.

"Yeah whatever" she rolled her eyes getting in he car and rolling into the road.

Music blared in her car while she enjoyed her ride home jamming to taylor swift. Buraak followed suit trying to catch up with her but she always dodged him.

"Loser" she laughed as he got down from his car.

"I'm compensating your car that's it" Buraak said making her grin innocently.

"Penny" she squealed as one her cats jumped on the hood of her car. Penny was a ginger cat, he always knew when she was near and always came running even when she was on the other side of the door he'll know she's near. All them knew but they all left and only penny stayed after his siblings left.

"My baby" Wafa cooed scratching his ear making him stand on his hind legs with his paws on her shoulders.

"Woah, little man easy" she laughed in surprise.

"I love you too" she said blowing him a kiss and walking inside.

"You love that cat more than me" Buraak pouted making her chuckle and kiss his cheeks.

"Yeah" she said making him glare at her but she only winked in return.

The two enjoyed their evening on their balcony with snacks, coffee and Wafa singing 'king of my heart' for him.

"You still amaze me" he said taking her in his arms while he rocked the swing with one foot on the floor.

"How so?" She asked leaning against him watching the orange hue of the sun bleed into purple and pink clouds.

"You're so talented and strong and beautiful. I just surprised everytime" he said kissing the top of her head.

"Well you're talented too" she said holding her laugh back.

"Remember when you made a sketch with me"

"Wafa" he whined making her burst out laughing.

"That wasn't even a proper human figure" he groaned making her laugh harder to the point where her stomach ached.

"Aww my artist" she teased pulling his cheeks making him lock her hands behind her back.

"Oh that I am and you're my canvas. Wanna see me paint it all pink? Hm?" His voice dropped lower, his breath fanned the shell of her ear and she shivered as he nibbled at her earlobe.

"Stop" she moaned making his keep his sweet torture on her skin going.

"Why? You don't wanna see my talent?" He asked sneaking a hand under her shirt.

"Buraak" she warned.

"Yes my love?" he teased her and her skin turning her a deep shade of red.

"Please"

"Please what? Take you inside?" He asked, lips moving against her shoulder. Hand going south inside.

"Buraak" she gasped feeling him work her up.

"You're one hell of a thing" she cursed under the weight of him.

"Well I must admit I'm quite talented" he smirked gazing at her body making her blush dark red.

"Me too" she mirrored his expression seeing him littered with her mark.

Two years and her fears had washed away. She had gained power over her insecurities and now even when she was reminded of all that happened she was always reminded who she was with now. Things ending doesn't mean that they never happened. Nor do they disappear. They are there we just gain tht strength to walk past them.

And life was just a road full of speed bumps. You have to slow down at one point but then you can gan your speed again after that one hurdle. It's all a wave is ups and downs............

Assalamualikum guys how are you all?

So here an update.
hope you like it.

An epilogue is left only. So yeah.

Comment and tell me how it was.

Enjoy.

Allah Hafiz.

Love
Hafsa_tahir