Maryam's POV

It's been a whirlwind week, and I'm exhausted. Thankfully,Anneanne's visit was a welcome distraction, and she didn't bring  snow with her this time! I've been juggling test prep, as the exam dates are looming closer and making me increasingly anxious. Amidst all this, I've been taking care of Samar, who's taking advantage of  his injury.He wants me to feed him. He even made  me massage his head in front of Anneanne many times- I couldn't refuse him, of course! I like massaging his head.I like touching his hair they are silky It seems like I have hair fetish.Thankfully Samar doesnt know about it that I like touching his hair.

Samar's friends came to visit, and Alina Aunty visits him everyday. Samar is healing. He's finally removed the sling that was holding his arm, and it's a relief to see him recovering well.

I search for Samar in the house, but he's nowhere to be found - not in his room, the living area, or even the balcony.Anneanne went to sleep in her room. It's time for his medication.

I wonder where he is?I think to myself He cant be in his gym in this situation the only place he can be is his study room.

As I enter, I'm met with darkness, except for the glow of the TV screen. Samar sits on the couch, his head resting on the headstand. "Do you like it, love?"I turn my head to the voice,its his mother. she is feeding something to baby Samar and asks how's it."Not good."He replies. Amira Aunty laughs "You don't like it."

I feel embarrassed, realizing I've intruded on a private moment. "I'm sorry, I didn't knock," I say, trying to leave, but Samar stops me. "Come here."His voice husky. I approach the couch, reminding him, "I came to tell you it's time to take your medicine." He replies, "I forgot that.Sit with me" he says while looking at the screen.He looks tired. I sit beside him.

Baby Samar is giving me baby fever.He is a fat baby with great talking skills at such young age.He seems to be only 2 years old.He is responding to his mother constently.His mother is epitome of beauty.She look so cute getting angry cuz Samar is crying I look at him and say " Samar can only be a cranky baby." He smiles but I feel pain in it.I dont see his father in any of the clips.

In one clip,Samar and  his mother lie on grass in a lush lawn,It seems like KINDNESS."Want that thing down." Samar says pointing upwards.
"Moon.You want moon down" Amira aunty repeats.
" sure."Baby samar replies.
"Love.I would get it down for you if I could." She says.I smile as I find him relatable I also wanted moon to come down.
"Baby Samar is a true selenophile." I turn to look at his face. His eyes close and tears running down from the corner of his eyes.I remain silent I feel sad for him.How bad it must feel to live without a mother, I can not even imagine his suffering.I quietly get up to leave,I should not be here in such intimate moment.

As I get up Samar hold my wrist and says " Where are you going?" His voice low.
"I am really sorry I interrupted you.Its not a place for me to be here."
"There is no such place in my life where you cant be .Love."

Love thats what his mother used to call him.

He  pulls me to the couch.I sit beside him. He is still holding my hand.
"My mother recorded this till her death.She must be recording it to watch when I grow older."He is looking up at the ceiling.My heart breaks watching him like this. He tries to portray himself as a cold person but now I know what is behide his tough exterior." I am grateful she recorded it.If I didnt had this I would have forgotten her memories.They might have gotten blurry with the time."

His eyes well up with tears again and I feel my own tears falling.

Samar's POV

As I enter the living area, I find Maryam sitting on the floor, engrossed in the Turkish drama playing on TV. Anneanne usually watches these melodramatic shows.I wonder why Maryam prefer sitting on floor rather on confortable couch.

"Enjoying, love?" I ask, trying to sound casual, as I approach her.

Maryam startles, her eyes widening in surprise, and turns to face me. "What are you saying?" she asks, her gaze still fixed on me.

I point towards the screen. "Just asking if you're enjoying the show."

Maryam's expression softens, but her eyes still linger on mine. "Anneanne was watching it, and I'm just keeping her company,She got a phone call." she explains still looking at me with a strange look in her eyes.

I feel like Maryam looks disturbed and tired, so I ask, "Are you alright? You seem a bit under the weather."

She quickly shakes her head. "No, no, no... I'm just stressed about my exam." She picks up the bowl from the table and starts eating ice cream, avoiding eye contact.

"You are working really hard.You will be succeed,Believe me." I sit beside her on the floor.I get no response.
"Isn't it strange that you love romance only in books and on screen and You avoid it in real life." I tease.

"Isn't it past your bedtime? Go sleep." She says with a calm voice.

"I can ruin my sleep schedule for you. Love." I smile at her, but she looks sad and disappointed.

"That's what we call a date." I exclaim, watching the couple on the screen having a dinner date. "Maryam, look at it. That's what a date looks like." I further say.

I am trying my best to lighten the mood but her expressions doesnt change.There is something that is bothering her.And I want to know,I want to help,I want to ease that.

" Samar When will you stop taunting me about this date thing?" She asks

"Until you take me on the real date you promised."I state

"Forget it "She replies.

" Subtitles are very different from the actual dialogue delivary"I say

"It cant be perfect." She says." You are lucky to know many laguages."She further says.

" Whats so amazing about knowing many languages." I state

"Well for you its useless because we need language to communicate but you dont do that so yes its not that much useful for you."She says.I look at her face and find she has ice cream on her mouth she is messy while eating but its endearing for me.

"You want ice cream" She ask

"No I have just brushed my teeth"

"Then why are you looking at me like that."

"wait a sec I show you " I pull out my phone and click her picture and show to her.

" I was looking this."

"Samar.Delete it"She demands

"No "

"Delete it"

"Why.Its beautiful."I show her again.She tries to take my phone but I save it.She tries again.I stand up and raise my hand in the air to save my phone but Maryam steps on to the couch and try to take it.

" Love ,You are hurting my arm.Have you forgot I got a bullet in it."

"Samar ,give it to me."She asks.I am enjoying this moment in the fullest.

"I have more embarrasing photos of yours in it you cant delete all of them."I try to pull away as she is holding my arm.

" Samar,listen If you delete this one I will send you good photos by myself I promise."

"I know whats that mean.You will send me picture of your dress or sendals and you will say Samar I promised to send you my pictures but I didnt specify from which angle." I say" You didnt fulfill your last promise.I cant trust you with this one."

" Thats envasion of privacy.You cant take my pictures like that" She says irritated

"What you did was also a fraud."

"What did I do?"

"You made me play with those irritating kids and you didnt even went on a date with me."She finally leave my arm and sit again on the floor while saying.

"Stop bringing that topic again."

"I will never stop" I sit on the couch.We remain silent for some minutes only tv's voice echoing.

"Lets go on a date."Maryam says and I feel like I have heared it wrong.I stand up in excitement."What did you said."

"Lets go on date."She says." Not today." She include probably watching me this much excited.

"Dont play with my emotions,Love." I find it hard to believe.

" I am just fullfilling my promise.I dont want to be called a liar." She starts eating Ice Cream again."And I will delete it later as I know the password of your phone."

"Sorry Love,You shouldnt have said that.I will change my password." I smile.

............

Dad requests the chef  to take out the special barbecue he used to make for me when I was a kid. Do I still like it? Yes. Do I still eat it? No. I haven't touched it in years. Yet, he still asks the chef to prepare it every time we dine together.The feeling I get whenever I join these dinners is beyond disgusting. But still I join these ,I have to obey him but after getting married I avoid these. However, if he insists, I have to comply. I know it's suffocating, but I can't defy him constantly. If I do, he'll create problems for me to inherit what's rightfully mine. I'm determined to fulfill the promise I made to Mama - to reclaim everything he's taken from her.

Dad asks, "How's your arm?"'

I reply curtly, "It's better."

"Take a nutritious diet.It will heal."he
replies.Maryam is sitting beside me.There are Rayan,his mother and Alia on the other side of the table.Rayan is sitting just across Maryam.

"Waqas whats happening with Samar.Arent you worried about him.He got shot in day light where were security."Anneanne asks

"Dont worry Mom.I am strengthing the security.I will find the person who is doing this.I am also taking govt's help."Dad tells her.My eyes fall on Maryam.She is watching dad with intently.Her plate is empty she hasnt eaten yet.

I ask  "What's wrong ,Love."She startles looking at me with  strange expressions.Her eyes dart from my face to dad's as if she lost in deep thoughts.I sqeeze her hand." Why arent you eating."

"i.... was.. " she cant finish that line.

I serve her food but my mind is surfing through various thoughts like is Dad threating Maryam to leave me or something else that I am not aware of.Maryam is being strange the whole week.Dad is capable of doing many things and I am scared.I am scared to lose her .

"Can we talk,Dad "He looks at me and gestures me to his room.

" What is it ? Do you need anything?" He says he is standing by the window.

" Maryam's been strange the whole week.Do i need to know something.Are you planning something behind my back." I state

"I promised you I wouldnt interfare in your marriage.Why would i bother her when at the end you are going to divorse her.I dont need to do anything." He smiles wickedly.

"Your promises.I know how true your promises are."I say

"Instead of accusing me you should watch over your wife.I feel like she only has that strange behavior only with you.Because Look at her she seems really happy with the person she wants." He says looking at Maryam talking to Rayan.She is watching an antique piece on the wall,Rayan says something and she laughs.

"So the problem is you in this senerio."He laughs and continues " Wake up Samar.Dont waste your time with her.Lets restart everything.Take over the company ,be the ceo, fullfill my dream of introducing you as the youngest ceo of the company.I want you to conquer the whole world.Stop distracting yourself by such things."

"I believe her"

"what"

"I believe her.she will never hurt me.She will never betray me."

"Wow.What made you trust her so much.Tell me."

His words made me remember so many times when Maryam showered me with her kindness.It started with the parking lot scene and then how she helped me through my anxiety attacks and then how she still has notes of how to handle anxiety attacks in case I get any.When I got shot I remember how much she cried for me.She still calls me everytime when i get out of the home these all when I treated her so bad.I forced her to marry me but that didnt stopped her to care about me.

"Say something.Why do you believe a stranger so much"He ask his voice loud.

"You will not understand.Dad." I say and leave the place.

Anneanne left yesterday, and I'm fully recovered now. Upon arrival at the office, I was informed that Dad wanted to see me in his room. I made my way there, curious about what he wanted.

"I'm glad you're here," Dad said, his expression serious. "It's time for our next challenge. Our last one didn't quite go as planned, but I'm hoping this one will be different."

He paused, studying me and Rayan. "The score currently stands: Samar 1, Rayan 0. Let's see who'll take the lead this time." Dad handed us each a folder. "Your second challenge is based on monthly performance. You'll both serve as vise executive at Capital Tech for one month. At the end of the month, we'll evaluate your performance and declare a winner."

Just then, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the notification - a message from Maryam.

Love:So we're having dinner tonight.

Love; Candlelight dinner."

A rush of excitement coursed through me.
I couldn't help but smile. "Yes!" I exclaimed,My voice quite louder.

"Finally a real date" I think to myself.

Dad and Rayan exchanged confused glances. I apologized, composing myself.

Rayan frowned. "But how can we both be vise executives?"

Dad smiled. "That's the twist. You'll be the vise executive of different branches. We have offices in many countries."

"Rayan will oversee the office here, while Samar will take charge in Hong Kong," Dad announced.

I felt a surge of resistance. "I'm not going anywhere. Let's have a different challenge."

Dad's expression turned stern. "You forgot who holds the power here. It's my final decision."

I stood firm. "Dad, I won't leave the country. Maryam has exams in 20 days; she can't come with me, and I won't leave her alone."

Dad's voice turned cold. "Your personal life is not my concern."

I took deep breaths, calming myself. Dad was doing this on purpose, trying to provoke me.

"Besides," Dad continued, "it's compulsory for you to leave India for now. I'm investigating the attempts on your life, and you'll be safer in Hong Kong. I need time to handle this situation."

My resolve hardened. "I'm not going anywhere."

Dad's tone turned authoritative. "About that girl, I guarantee her safety. I've strengthened her security. Listen to me this time; you will leave tomorrow."

I protested, "It's so soon. You should have told me before."

As we stepped out of the room, Rayan sneered, "Leave it, Samar. You're too fragile for this game. Lose it on your own, or do you want to be humiliated at the end?"

I spun around, my eyes locking onto Rayan's. "It's you who needs to leave – leave the dream of getting Maryam. I know it's difficult, but it's time to move on. It's been two months since our wedding."

Rayan laughed. "Move on." His voice dripped with malice. "I think it's move out. You should move out of her life."

"Do you actually think you'll win this? How can you forget that I was the leader of our basketball team in school as well? I'm always a step ahead of you."I say

Just then, a girl called out from a distance, "Hi, Rayan!"

Rayan's annoyance was palpable. "Suhana, what is she doing here?"

I chuckled, amused. "You know Dad assigned me to appoint new interns, and I hired her. She'll help you move on from my wife. Anything for you, brother."

I laughed, watching Rayan's face twist in anger.

"Samar!" His voice was harsh, a warning.

Suhana approached us "Hi, guys. How are you? Can you help me with this?" She showed Rayan some papers.Rayan seems really uncomfortable around her.she is looking at him like he is the most tasty dessert.

Rayan's gaze lingered on me, his eyes flashing with resentment.

Suhana turned to me. "Congratulations on your marriage, Samar. How is it going?"

"Thank you so much," I replied. "I'm really enjoying it."

I glanced at my watch. "What's the time?"

"It's almost 5," Suhana replied.

"Already five," I said, smiling. "I have to go, guys. My wife is preparing a candlelight dinner for me. I need to get ready – maybe a new suit."

I caught Rayan's gaze, his expression darkening with jealousy and I am enjoying it.