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"Aunty Nuha."

A mess of dark locks swirled as the head turned at the sound of her being acknowledged.

Mouth stuffed with cereal and eyebrows raised Nuha looked at the little girl who stared at her with doe like honey eyes. The strike resemblance between her and her mother always left Nuha wondering of copy paste really existed in biology.

"Yes MiMah?" She spoke after swallowing the sweet breakfast.

"Where are we going to go today?" The girl asked tilting her head making wavy caramel bangs to move along the way.

"Where do you want to go?" Nuha asked, both females careful not to let the mom know of their plans till the last moment.

"Amusem park" the little one whispered in her Aunty's ear leaning closer to her.

"Okay. Any alternative though?" Nuha whispered back.

"No. Do you?" The mini Ayat asked.

"How about we go to the new chocolate factory that opened here?" Nuha suggested. Mihrimah'a's eyes widened and an enthusiastic nod was spotted by a pair of old soul honey eyes.

"What's going on?" The mother asked crossing her arms on her chest.

"No... Nothing" the two culprits replied looking around not meeting their moms eyes.

"Mihrimah?" Ayat pressed on the topic and Mihrimah gave Nuha one defeated look.

"Aunty Nuha said we can go the chocolate factory that juts opened here" Mihrimah said and Ayat sighed.

"Nuha?"

"Please" Nuha pleaded with wide eyes and her niece mirrored her expression. The two looked nothing less than two kittens.

"Fine" Ayat huffed seeing them two look as though they had finally won a battle for their kingdom.

"I love you" the two cheered hugging the woman who broke out a smile and hugged them back.

"We all slept for too long" Ayat commented as her eyes took in the beautiful scene of the sunset from the glass window of the chocolate factory they sat in. The cafe was based solely on chocolate products hence being Nuha and Mihrimah's favourite place from now on.

Nuha looked at the scenery with the same intensity as her friend and niece did, watching the orange bleed into purple and a dark shade of blue that covered the top of the sky. The horizon filled with the heads of hills that stood proud being the building in a distance.

"So how's Mr Haider doing, aye?" Ayat asked in a teasing tone making Nuha smirk at her.

"He must be on cloud nine to be working in the office across from mine. What else?" She mused, raising an eyebrow and Ayat chuckled.

"Honestly, he's nothing as I thought he'd be" she complained not even two seconds later.

"Why's that?"

"I thought by now he would've asked me out but no that man only talks business and leaves as soon as he's free. My bet is he has a girlfriend" Nuha said sinking in her seat.

"Maybe he just doesn't do these kind of things" Ayat suggested and Nuha scoffed.

"He's the number one bachelor in the country alongside Mr-sexy-Ayat's-boss- Zaviyar" Nuha air quoted and Ayat rolled her honey eyes at her.

"He's my boss" she argued looking in the direction where Mihrimah stood conversing with her friend who showed up with her mom as well.

"For now" Nuha teased and Ayat sighed shaking her head.

"You know there's no place for such fantasies in my life" Ayat breathed under her breath but Nuha caught the words. A scowl decorating her face.

"That's not true" Nuha argued and Ayat shrunk back in her seat.

"Drop it Nuha" she sighed cupping her face.

"My friend having a child doesn't stop one from living" Nuha tried explaining and Ayat nodded looking in Mihrimah's direction.

"I never said I've stopped living. I just don't want to change the way I live" Ayat said chewing on her lip.

"Baby. One bad experience doesn't mean every coming opportunity will be the same to that" Nuha said holding her hand and Ayat nodded.

"I know."

"Then—"

Ayat jerked her head in response and Nuha drew in a deep breath. 

"Is something really bothering you Ayat?" Nuha asked seeing her friends face turn red around the nose. Hands trembling under her hold.

"Umhm"

"What is it?" She asked sitting on the chair next to her.

"Nuha I think I should move away" her voice wavered and Ayat looked down at their joined hand holding her friends hand.

"What?"

"Yes"

"Why would you do that?" Nuha asked perplexed.

"I don't know. I want to keep Mihrimah with me and I can't do that here." Ayat said taking in a deep breath.

"What's wrong with keeping Mihrimah with us here? Why are you ready to leave me for this?" Nuha had an outburst.

"No. I just..." Ayat started but stopped pulling something out of her bag.

"What's this?"

"It's a custody notice" Ayat chocked on the lump forming in her throat.

"What?"

"He's back Nuha. He wants Mihrimah he knows she's alive" she broken down, not being able to keep her wits together. A protective look moving in Mihrimah's direction.

"This can't be good"

"I'm doing all in my hands to do this but one string pulled from his side, my past will immediately make the court hand Mihrimah to him" she sobbed silently covering her face with her hands.

"The court can't do anything if Mihrimah doesn't want it" Nuha said not being able to wrap her mind around everything.

"What would I tell her?" She asked trying to cease her raising voice.

"That her dad's not a good man"

"I don't know"

"Think positive. Everything will be alright" Nuha consoled trying to keep her friend together but she couldn't fathom the thought of letting that vile man take their baby away. The child she helped her friend nurture.

The child she witnessed the birth of, the child she loved as her own because in their gloomy world the little girl came shining like a moon after a harsh storm.

"What's wrong?" They heard and snapped out of their thoughts with a start.

"Oh... Nothing" Nuha replied and Ayat left the table abruptly, not being able to look at her with a sense of doom looming over her head.

"Why's mom crying?" Mihrimah asked turning to her equally pale aunty. Nuha mastered a quick smile and cupped her baby's face.

"No she's not. Baby"

"Did she not want to come here with me?" The little asked, her insecurities running to catch up with her small self.

"What no" Nuha coaxed but that look of fear in her eyes that eyed the door made Nuha freeze internally.

"Is it because of me?" She asked and Nuha saw a glimpse of herself in her. 

"No MiMah. It's never because of you" she said softly pulling the girl to her chest. 

"She doesn't like me right?" She frowned and fat tears pooled in her eyes. 

"It's not like that MiMah" Nuha whispered hugging her tightly. The girl returned her embrace but she wished it was her mom who had held her this way.

"Then what is it?" She questioned.

"Just... It's just that your mom's a little stressed about something. Okay. It's not you. It's something related to her work.. yeah her work" Nuha explained and Mihrimah saw right through it. It was as if Nuha couldn't even try to say something that would support her lie.

"Then why is she crying?" She asked wiping her tears and crossing her arms on her chest.

"Baby. You know how stupid your mom is. She gets stressed over nothing. It's just her panicking there's nothing serious. Don't worry" Nuha said with a chuckle only to receive a bored eye roll from her niece.

"Are you sure?" The little girl asked raising an eyebrow and Nuha would swear on her love for chocolates that the girl looked nothing less than her friends herself, just shorter in size.

"Yes. That woman is an absolute mess" Nuha said nodding her head and raised an eyebrow at tht glare she received. 

"Hey. Don't talk about my Mama like that" the little girl spoke putting her hands on her waist and pointing a finger at her aunt.

"Changing sides are we?" Nuha asked amused.

"Mama all the way" Mihrimah sang moving her head along with the tone.

"Ayat all the way" Nuha whispered fist bumping the air.

"Wanna go home now?" Nuha asked and little Ayat nodded.

"Yeah."

"Well it was your mom's turn to pay but see how she runs from bills" the grown woman complained and the younger one just rolled her eyes.

"You're rich too my dear aunty Nuha" she said and Nuha scoffed

"Baby I'm broke" Nuha said waiting for the waiter to bring their cheque.

"Aunty I'm a child" Mihrimah said and the two had an intense stare down.

"Let's just go" Nuha said looking away at the waiter who was waiting for one to bat an eyelash and loose.

"Yeah"

The two were making their way out and towards Ayat's car, hand in hand. Nuha hit the little girl's head making her stumble forward and glare at her who laughed at her, ignoring her hard gaze.

"Nuha?" She stopped and looked around to search for the person who called her but she couldn't locate him, eyes squinting and lips pouting.

"Hi" a flush coated her face as Haider slid infront of her, he'd been standing right there.

"Oh. Hey" she chuckled nervously making him smile at her. She but her lip smiling softly, her eyes taking in his appearance, dark hair fell over his forehead in messy waves, white shirt peeking from behind his black jacket. Eyes dark and filled with life, a smile that's made her coy.

Casual and handsome as always.

"What's are you doing here?" He asked and she looked around before answering. The wind playing with her hair and his eyes following the strands keenly.

Her brown skin glowing under his gaze, lips stretched in a breathtaking smile and eyes watching him with sheer interest.

"Juts came out with my niece" she grinned patting Mihrimah's shoulder and the little girl scoff d rolling her eyes.

"You have a niece?" He smiled looking down at the girl.

"Yeah. Meet Mihrimah" she said pushing her niece forward.

"Hi there nice to meet you" he smiled crouching down before her.

"Hi" she replied.

"The was dry" he chuckled looking at her blank expression.

"I don't know you" Mihrimah replied looking between the two grown ups.

"Understandable" he nodded getting back up and Nuha pinched Mihrimah's shoulder making her wince.

"You got a girlfriend?" Mihrimah asked suddenly making him turn back to her from the girl infront of him.

"Not really" he said smiling at her who nodded chewing her lip.

"What do you mean by really? Yes or no?" She asked raising her eyebrows and Nuha glared at her while Haider chuckled glancing at Nuha.

"No" he mused.

"See he's single" Mihrimah turned to Nuha and Nuha burned red meeting his gaze. A smirk spreading on his face as she refused to meet his eyes. 

"Why, you wanna be my girlfriend?" He asked crouching down again. 

"No" she replied looking him up and down, he laughed and Nuha clutched her niece's arm tightly.

"I feel my heart breaking sweet pea" he said watching the younger girl with keen interest.

"With that nickname. I hardly believe you'll ever have one" she smirked making him raise his eyebrow while biting his lip.

"That's very blunt"

"I don't have any reason to sugar coat" she said and Nuha patted he'd back harshly. 

"Mah go, Ayat's calling you"

"No she isn't—"

"Mah" Mihrimah's words were cut short as she heard her mother calling her, with glare to her aunt she turned to her mom.

"Mom" she grinned and the party turned towards the woman who came back after composing herself. Her face still raw and flushed but her expression held a smile.

"Hi" Haider greeted and Ayat turned her eyes to him.

"Oh hello" she replied back rather amused looking between the man and woman.

"Ayat. Meet Haider. Haider meet Ayat, my sister" Nuha introduced and Ayat shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you Mr Malik" she smiled shaking his hand and he returned the gesture.

"Likewise"

"Well I should get going, come Mah. Let's go" Ayat said taking her daughter's hand.

"Yeah. I—" Nuha started but was cut off by Ayat.

"Haider—" Ayat started but stopped abruptly "I hope you don't mind me calling you that right?"

"What else would you call me other than my name?" He laughed and Ayat flushed biting her lip harshly wanting to crawl in a hole and die.

"Yeah. Right. Um.. can I ask for favour?" She asked hiding her embarrassment.

"Yeah sure"

"I'm really sorry we don't even know each other and I'm already asking favours but please can you drop Nuha home?" She asked smiling at him and Nuha only stared at her confused.

"What's going on?" She asked

"Nuha. I... Have to take Mihrimah back home and it'll take me long to do so" she explained shrugging.

"I'll come along—"

"It's okay I'll drop her off" he said before Nuha could move another step away from beside him.

His hand took a hold of her elbow and he pulled her back to him, while Ayat grinned back in response.

"You're gonna leave me like this?" Nuha asked and Ayat shrugged.

"He'll happily drop you off Nuha"

"No he won't—"

"Yes I will" Haider argued holding her to his side, her heart did a somersault and she felt butterflies erupt in her stomach.

"Thank you so much Haider. I owe you one" Ayat said taking Mihrimah with her, she winked at Nuha's wife eyed expression and walked out whilst talking to her daughter.

"Her taste is average" Mihrimah commented on her way out and Ayat covered her mouth shushing her.

"Bad Mihrimah. Don't talk about people like that."

"Okay" she said with an eye roll.

"Do you want me to drop you off right now or can I can be spared a few minutes?" Nuha shivered hearing him near her back as she watched her friends car roll away from sight.

Turning her face a little to the side, her pupils dilated meeting his eyes so close. Gulping down her nerves she nodded with a smile and occupied her previous seat this time with him.

"So, how's everything going?" She asked.

"Everything's going fine. What about you?"

"Everything's great" she grinned warming up against her seat.

"Your niece is quite straightforward. How old is she?" He asked amused and Nuha flushed under his gaze.

"She's very nice, just got a little over board today" she tried explaining and he nodded "oh and she's ten"

"She's cute"

"Just like me" she said flipping her hair back and he chuckled at her. Eye shining with content.

"Makes sense" he commented gazing intently at her and her smile ceased at his intent look.

His eyes followed how she licked her lips and looked away biting on it, brown eyes turned towards him with hesitant look and he cleared his throat to keep the silence away.

"So Ayat, your friend seemed to know me before this meeting" he remarked and Nuha's eyes widened a fraction.

"Who wouldn't. You're like the most famous photographer in the world. Everyone knows you. Mr celebrity" she said waving her hands around and he chuckled yet again.

Cute.

Was one thing he could think gazing at her.

"You wanna have something?"

"Oh no. I just ate"

"Okay" he said nodding his head and leaning back in his chair.

"Uh uh. If you want to order you can" she said feeling as though he wasn't ordering because of her.

"Oh no it's okay." He said brushing it off whilst his gaze not wavering from her face. Subconsciously Nuha looked away biting her lip making him clear his throat.

"So tell me more about yourself" he started tilting his head a little to the side, Nuha mirrored his gesture placing her elbows on the table and he smiled.

"Well. What exactly do you want me to tell you?"

"Like hobbies, friends, any current relationship?" He asked seeming casual and Nuha smirked.

"Very well. For starters, if hobbies include staying in bed all day then I'm an expert, but if they include baking then I'm an expert in that too. Friends, I have many. But Ayat is the only one I ever keep" she told him shrugging her shoulders and he nodded.

"And any boyfriend?" He drawled.

"Why do you wanna know?" She smirked

"Your niece can ask me such questions and I can't?" He asked faking offence. Nuha rolled her eyes and leaned back from her current position.

"Fair enough. No." She replied and his eyes widened a fraction.

"Really?" He asked and she hummed.

"How?" He asked almost shocked.

"What do you mean how?" She asked with a slight laugh in her tone.

"I mean you're so bea—" he stopped and she raised her eyebrows at him.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing" he said shaking his head and she nodded.

"Anyways. When did you last break up with your girlfriend?" She asked raising an eyebrow and he scoffed.

"Not long ago" he replied and she nodded.

"Why?"

"She needed time and attention, I needed my time alone. For someone who can't be vigilant twenty-four seven people really expect me to do just that"

"But why can't you be there?"

"I can't, I just can't stay in the same environment for a really long time. I need to take breaks here and there for my own sake." he said and her smile faltered a little. Biting her lip she kept the sinking of her heart hidden as she listened and answered keeping the conversation going but his words were murdering the small bud of fantasy that she felt growing inside her.

"I think I should go home now" Nuha said getting up and Haider frowned.

"Why so suddenly? Did I say something wrong?" He asked following her.

"No. Not at all. I'm just tired." She said smiling awkwardly "I came here like hours ago and now I'm a little tired. I'm sorry" she said and he brushed it off.

"Oh no. It's completely okay. I'll drop you home"

"No!" She exclaimed holding his wrist "I'll go myself."

"I promised your friend I'll drop you home. So let me" he said, she tried protesting but he shushed her with a glare and made her follow him.

"I still can't believe you don't remember me" he complained once the car hit the road. Her eyebrows furrowed and she turned towards him.

"Sorry?" She asked.

"You throw up on my 200 dollar tailored shirt and still have the audacity to forget about me" he said moving his hand around and Nuha felt her jaw touching the ground.

"Oh no" she said feeling her face heat up like hell.

"Oh no indeed" he commented giving her a glance.

"I'm really sorry. For that night" she mumbled hiding her face in her hands.

"You owe me for that"

"What do you want?" She asked still not meeting his eyes.

"A kiss maybe?" He joked and her heart skipped a beat. She blinked mindlessly and her face blushed.

"I'm kidding, or do you consider my offer?" He mused and she punched his bicep.

"I don't owe you anything" she said with a fast beating heart.

"Oh darling you owe me a lot" he said and at that her eyes turned into small hearts.

"we'll see about that" she said gathering her purse and opening the door.

"My offer's still there if you want to consider" he me mused and she scrunched her nose at him.

"I don't think that wish of yours will be fulfilled that easily" she said closing the door and walking backwards towards the entrance.

Waving her off he drove away with a smile on his face where as on the other side Nuha made a beeline for her apartment to first murder Ayat and then bring her back to life and recite the tale to her..........

Assalamualikum guys how are you all?

So here an update.

First of all university hates me. Second of all feelings are mutual.

I swear I've been trying to type this chapter since ages and even now I'm half a sleep and dead tired but I wanted to give you something. I know it's not the best. I can do better. But bear with me as I try to get the routine in check.

hope you like it.

Comment and tell me how it is.

Enjoy.

Allah Hafiz.

Love
Hafsa_tahir