The news of Haseeb and Maliha’s marriage spread through the family like a wave of happiness. Phones kept ringing. Messages kept coming. Every relative, every friend, every well-wisher seemed eager to send their congratulations. Mr. and Mrs. Farooqi received countless calls. Mr. and Mrs. Isham were equally busy replying to messages and voice notes filled with prayers and blessings.

Both families were glowing with happiness.
Their in-laws sent long heartfelt messages. Friends congratulated them for the happiness of their children. Some teased, some prayed for a long and blessed marriage. Zeeniya and Jahan called as well.

“Finally! Our Maliha is married,” Zeeniya said warmly on the phone, her voice full of affection.
Jahan also spoke to Mr. Farooqi for a while, congratulating him and sending prayers for the couple.

Aarham sent his wishes too. Even Aarib’s parents called to congratulate the families. Everyone seemed genuinely happy that Maliha had moved forward in life. On the other side of the city, Roshaane was getting ready to go to Zainab’s house. The room was quiet. But Aarib’s mind was anything but calm. Since morning, one question had been circling his thoughts.

Why wasn’t she looking at his eyes?

He walked toward the bedroom and found Roshaane sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone screen.

“You ready?” he asked, stepping closer.
She slowly looked up, still holding the phone.

“Maliha Aapi got married?” she said, her voice filled with surprise.

“I know,” Aarib replied calmly, sitting beside her.
“But what’s so shocking about it?”

She hesitated.

"Are you okay with it?" She asked hesitant.

"I'm happy for her. Finally she moved on" Aarib said sincerely.

“It… didn’t bother you?” she asked carefully.

His expression hardened instantly.

“Why would it bother me?” he said, standing up.

“No… I meant… you…” she tried to explain.
But he cut her off.

“I’m a married man now. Or do you think I should have married her too?” he snapped angrily.

Her eyes widened.

“No! I meant… it must hurt you,” she said quietly, lowering her gaze.

“Yes,” he replied sharply.

“It hurts.”

She looked up at him immediately.
“Your words hurt.”

The room fell silent.

“I have no concern about Maliha anymore,” he continued, his voice calmer but still hurt. “But you’ve really disappointed me.”

He looked straight at her.

"I'm.. sorry...I.. thought.." She stuttered her eyes welled up.

“How can you not understand what I’m not even saying?” With that, he turned to leave.

But before he could take more than two steps, Roshaane rushed forward. She wrapped her left arm around his waist from behind, stopping him.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, her voice trembling.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Her eyes glistened with tears.

“I just… thought it might still concern you,” she whispered, still holding him tightly.

"It was so stupid of me thinking like this." She said still holding him.

Aarib closed his eyes. Her closeness made his heart beat faster, but the heaviness inside him remained.

“I don’t want to see you hurt, Aarib,” she continued softly, her voice breaking.

“I’m fine,” he said after a moment, tapping her hand gently to free himself.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”
But she didn’t let go.

“Are you not offended?” she asked nervously.

He sighed deeply. Then he nodded.
“I’m not.”

Slowly he turned to face her. Tears were resting in her eyes. Without saying anything, he raised his hand and wiped them away with his thumb.

"Don't give way to the rubbish thoughts to your mind." He said placing his hand around her face and she gave a nod.

“Get ready,” he said quietly.

“I’ll drop you at Zainab’s house.”

Before she could say anything else, he turned and walked out of the room. Roshaane remained standing there. Her heart suddenly felt heavy.
And for the first time that morning, she realized that sometimes even small words could create distance between two people who were trying so hard to understand each other.

----
Everyone in the house was getting ready to leave for the bride’s home. They had all been invited to the feast before the wedding.Voices filled the house. Hikmat’s family and close friends were gathered at Hikmat’s home. All seems so excited, the groom was smiling, his cousins teasing him.

But in the middle of all the excitement, Roshaane sat quietly beside Zainab in the lounge. Her eyes looked distant. Zainab noticed immediately.

“What happened?” she asked softly.

Roshaane tried to smile but failed. Without saying anything, Zainab held her hand and gently pulled her toward her room, closing the door behind them.

“Now tell me,” Zainab said, crossing her arms.

“Why are you looking like someone stole your happiness?”

Roshaane looked down at her hands.

“I hurt him,” she said quietly.

Zainab’s expression softened.
“What happened?”

“Maliha Aapi got married… and I thought it might hurt him,” Roshaane said slowly. “So I asked him about it.”
Zainab sighed.

“You shouldn’t have.”
Roshaane looked up at her.

“We all can see he has moved on now,” Zainab continued gently. “With you.”
Roshaane nodded faintly.

“I know he has accepted this marriage… this forceful love on him,” she said, her voice trembling.

“I try so hard not to feel guilty… but sometimes it makes me feel terrible.”

Tears gathered in her eyes.

“Like I took his happiness away… just for my own love… for my own happiness."

Outside the room, Aarib had just entered the house. Roshaane had left her shoulder bag in the car, and he had come to give it to her. But as he approached Zainab’s room, he heard Roshaane’s voice. He stopped at the door.

“It was the past, Roshaane,” Zainab said gently.

Roshaane nodded, wiping her tears.
“Yes… it was.”

She took a shaky breath.
“But in the past or in the future… my Aarib only deserves happiness.”
Her voice broke.

“And somewhere I’ve become the reason for his pain… for his tears… for his heartbreak.”
She covered her face as she cried.

“This guilt sometimes shakes me so badly… that I forget how to breathe.”
Aarib stood frozen outside the door.

Every word reached him clearly.

“Did he ever resent you for it?” Zainab asked softly.

Roshaane shook her head immediately.
“No.”

Her voice cracked.
“He never did.”

She wiped her tears quickly.
“He’s so kind… so, so good to me. He has always been like this with me.”

A faint smile appeared through her tears.
“How can someone not love him?”

Zainab raised an eyebrow.
“When he’s so sweet… like chocolate,” Roshaane said softly.

Her voice turned shy.

“That I just want to bite him.”
Both Zainab and Aarib froze.

For a second there was complete silence.
Then Zainab burst out laughing.

“Are you really going to?” she teased.
Roshaane gasped.

“Shut up! I was just explaining!”

“Wonderful example of love,” Zainab mocked, still laughing.

Roshaane wiped her tears and glared at her.
“It’s my love. What’s your problem?” she said defensively.

“I love him.”
Her voice softened again.

“So much… that I can’t even imagine a life without him.”

Outside the door, Aarib’s lips slowly curved into a soft smile. Before Roshaane could say anything more, there was a knock on the door. Both girls froze instantly. Zainab opened the door.

“Aarib bhai?” she said in surprise.

He stood there holding the handbag.

“Roshaane left this in the car,” he said calmly.

Roshaane stood near the bed wearing a parrot-green frock that reached her ankles. Her hair fell freely over her shoulders, and her heavy earrings shimmered softly. Aarib’s eyes briefly fell on her. He quickly looked away. He didn’t dare look lower at her shimmering of that gold chain in her neck.

Zainab quietly understood everything.

“I’ll just check if they’re ready downstairs,” she said casually, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.

The room fell silent. Aarib walked in and placed the handbag on the bed. Then he looked at her.

“Were you crying?” he asked.

“No… I’m fine,” she said quickly, forcing a smile.

He sighed.Then he stepped closer. It was the first step he had ever taken toward her like this. The look in his eyes made her heart jump. He kept walking until he was standing right in front of her.
Before she could react, his hand gently wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his arms. The movement was sudden yet natural. Roshaane froze for a second. His arms closed around her. Time seemed to stop. It was their first hug initiated by Aarib. And Roshaane felt it deep inside her heart.

“Don’t think too much,” he whispered softly.
Still holding her close.

“I… wasn’t,” she replied weakly, lost in his familiar fragrance.

After a moment he asked casually,
“Did you learn Turkish completely?”

She blinked in confusion.
“No.”

“So you can’t speak much,” he said.
Then quietly added,

“Other than Seniseviyorum.”
Roshaane froze.

Her eyes widened. He slowly stepped back.
She was still staring at him in shock.

“I’ll join you at the feast,” he said calmly.

He turned and walked out of the room. Roshaane slowly sat down on the bed, placing a hand over her racing heart.

“Did he just say that… or am I overthinking?” she murmured to herself.

A moment later Zainab entered the room again.
Roshaane quickly composed herself.

“So?” Zainab asked with a mischievous grin.

“So?” Roshaane replied innocently.

“I think he heard us,” Zainab said. “So… did you get any reward? A confession? Maybe a kiss?”
Roshaane blushed instantly.

“Shut up! It wasn’t like that,” she said quickly.

“He just came to give me my bag.”

“Yeah, right,” Zainab teased.

Roshaane tried to hide her smile as she walked toward the door. Zainab followed her, still laughing.

-----

It was lunchtime when Hikmat and Aarib entered the bride’s house. The feast had been arranged by the bride’s family for the groom’s family and some close friends before the wedding. Since the wedding ceremonies were starting the next day, both families had decided to spend this day together just like the trip the groom’s family had arranged earlier.

The house was already lively. As Aarib and Hikmat stepped into the lawn, they saw relatives and friends gathered everywhere, some sitting at round tables, some standing in small groups, laughing and talking. Soft Turkish music played in the background, adding warmth to the cheerful atmosphere. Women dressed beautifully in colorful Turkish outfits moved around serving food and greeting guests. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air.

But Aarib barely noticed any of it. The moment he entered, his eyes instinctively began searching for one person. His gaze moved across the lawn.
Guests… tables… children running… women talking…
But not her.

His eyes searched again.
He looked for the familiar parrot-green color.
Nothing. A faint frown appeared on his forehead.

“Where is she?” he murmured under his breath.

Just then a familiar voice echoed from somewhere nearby.

“Zainab!”

His head turned instantly toward the sound.
He still couldn’t see her. His restlessness had started to show. Then suddenly..
He saw her.

She was walking toward the tables from the fruit counter. A plate filled with sliced fruits rested in her hand, and she was biting into a slice of apple while walking. The sight made Aarib’s lips curve into a small, unconscious smile. She was so lost in herself that she almost bumped into a chair.

“Careful.”

The word slipped from Aarib’s lips before he could stop himself. She immediately faltered.
Her eyes lifted toward him. For a moment, the world around them faded. Their eyes met.
And both of their hearts skipped a beat.

“You came?” she asked softly, stepping a little closer.

The memory of the morning hug and his whispered words echoed in her mind again, making her heart race.

“I just arrived,” Aarib replied calmly.

She nodded, suddenly unsure what to say.

“I… I was looking for Zainab,” she said, her voice slightly hesitant.

“Maybe she’s in the bride’s room,” he suggested.

She nodded again quickly.
“I’ll go check.”

Without waiting another second, she turned and began walking toward the house. As she walked away, she whispered to herself.

God…

Why has it become so difficult to talk to him?
Why am I feeling nervous? Meanwhile Aarib stood there watching her leave. He ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling slowly. Why am I being nervous? he wondered.

Just then Hikmat appeared beside him.

“You look troubled,” Hikmat said, his voice suddenly breaking Aarib’s thoughts.

Aarib straightened immediately.
“No. nothing.”

He cleared his throat. Hikmat narrowed his eyes, examining him carefully from head to toe.

“Hmm.”

He crossed his arms.
“I feel something is fishy.”

Aarib raised an eyebrow.

“Go inspect your brother who’s getting married,” he replied casually.

“Not me.”
Then he added calmly,
“I’m already a married man.”

Hikmat stared at him for a second.
Then suddenly chuckled.
“Clever.”

He nodded in approval.
But the mischievous glint in his eyes clearly said he wasn’t convinced at all.
And Aarib knew it.

----------

The moment Maliha landed in Rome, a strange feeling settled in her heart. She had never imagined she would return to Italy again.
Not after everything that had happened.
But life was unpredictable. The last time she had come here, she had arrived with a broken heart, searching for refuge from pain.
This time…

She had returned as someone’s wife.Haseeb’s wife.Her eyes slowly moved toward the man standing beside her. Her hand was in his.
Firmly. She had tried several times during the journey to slip her hand out of his hold, but each time he had simply tightened his grip slightly without even looking at her.

He never let it go.

A small smile touched her lips at the thought.
Mr. and Mrs. Isham were already seated in the car while the driver placed the last of the luggage inside the trunk. Soon Haseeb and Maliha joined them in the back seat. The drive home was quiet.
Rome passed by outside the windows, its familiar streets, ancient buildings, and warm sunlight spreading across the city.

Maliha looked outside silently. Memories rushed back. The pain she had carried here once… the nights she had spent crying… the comfort she had found in this very house. And now she was returning again. But everything had changed.
When the car finally stopped in front of the house, Maliha felt her heart tighten.

She had missed this place. More than she had realized. The moment Mr. and Mrs. Isham opened the door and stepped inside, Maliha’s eyes filled with tears. It felt like coming back to a safe place after a long storm. Haseeb was still holding her hand when they stepped inside together. He stopped near the entrance and gently turned toward her.

“Welcome home,” he said softly.

Maliha looked up at him.

His gaze held something steady… something reassuring.

“You came here before to take refuge from pain… from heartbreak,” he continued quietly.

“But today you’re entering this house as its owner.”

He tightened his hold on her hands slightly.
“Our house,” he said.

“Our world.”
His voice softened even more.

“A world that will never break you.”
Her throat tightened.

Before she could say anything, Sana Isham stepped closer and wrapped an arm warmly around her shoulders.

“And we’ll always stand with you,” she said lovingly.

Mr. Isham joined them on the other side with a gentle smile.

“And we’ll talk a lot,” he added.
“Read books… and play chess.”

That made Maliha laugh softly through her tears.
She looked at all three of them. Her eyes glistened.

“Do I deserve all this love?” she asked quietly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Haseeb answered immediately.
“You deserve the best of everything.”

His voice was calm but certain.
And when she looked into his eyes…
She saw it.
The love.
The promise.
The unwavering certainty.
Her heart trembled. Unable to hold his gaze any longer, she looked away quietly.

“Come,” Mr. Isham said gently.

They all moved toward the living room together.

Meanwhile the staff carried the luggage upstairs and placed it inside Haseeb’s room. The house slowly settled into a calm, warm silence.
Everyone sat comfortably in the hall.

Tea was served soon after. No one rushed into conversation. They simply sat there, relaxed.
Their calm faces reflected the peace inside their hearts. Because after everything…
They all finally felt that Maliha was home.

-------

Finally, the wedding day of Hikmat’s brother had arrived. Everyone was supposed to reach the marriage hall for the ceremony in the evening. The house was filled with excitement and preparations. Aarib, however, had one last responsibility before leaving. He had to visit his restaurant to give final instructions to the manager for the grand feast that he and Hikmat had arranged for the wedding guests later that night.

By the time he returned home, it was almost seven in the evening. He was late.
Walking quickly inside, he planned to change as fast as possible and leave again. But the moment he stepped into the room, He froze.

Roshaane stood in front of the mirror while Zainab carefully adjusted the pleats of her saree.
It was the same saree they had chosen together.
The mustard Banarasi fabric shimmered softly under the lights, paired with a bottle-green blouse that complemented her perfectly. Her makeup was delicate yet glowing. Bangles chimed softly on her left wrist, while her right arm rested gently in the sling.

Around her neck rested the simple gold pendant chain she always wore. For some reason, that small detail made Aarib’s heart flutter.She looked beautiful.

Too beautiful.

Zainab suddenly turned and noticed him standing silently at the door.

“Aarib bhai is here!” she announced playfully.

Then she looked at Roshaane with a teasing smile.

“He’ll help you with the rest. I’m already late, girl.”

Before Roshaane could protest, Zainab kissed her cheek, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the room. And just like that, They were alone.
For a moment neither of them moved. Their heartbeats seemed to grow louder in the quiet room. Roshaane felt his gaze on her. It made her hands tremble slightly. Aarib simply stood there, forgetting even to blink.

“Your… clothes are ready,” she said nervously, turning back toward the mirror.

He finally looked away and walked to the wardrobe. Taking out his clothes, he went straight into the washroom. The moment the door closed, Roshaane released the breath she had been holding. She fanned her face lightly with her hand.

“Why was he looking at me like that?” she whispered to herself.

A shy smile formed on her lips. A few minutes later the washroom door opened again. Aarib stepped out wearing a black three-piece suit.
Without looking directly at her, he stood in front of the mirror and began combing his hair. After that he sprayed his perfume. But he could feel it.
Her gaze. She was watching him constantly.

“You like watching me, don’t you?” he asked casually, still looking at her reflection through the mirror.

"You’re my favourite view.”

The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them.

The moment she realized what she had said, her eyes widened. She quickly turned to leave the room in embarrassment. But Aarib caught her wrist. Stopping her.

“Say that again,” he said quietly.

He walked closer until he stood directly in front of her. Very close.

“Look at me.”

She closed her eyes tightly for a second, gathering courage. Then slowly lifted her face.

“We’re getting late,” she said quickly. “Hurry up.”

She stepped back, trying to create distance. A small smile formed on his lips. Her nervousness was obvious.

“I’m your favourite view?” he repeated softly.

He leaned slightly closer to her face.
“Then look at me properly.”

Before she could react, he gently pulled her closer by the waist. She gasped softly at the sudden closeness. Her heartbeat raced. But Aarib’s eyes had darkened with a quiet intensity. There was a longing in his heart he had held back for too long.
His thumb brushed slowly along her collarbone. Her breath caught.And then he leaned closer. His lips touched the side of her neck where the gold chain rested. Her eyes widened.
Her hand instinctively rested on his shoulder.

“A-Aarib…” she whispered breathlessly.

Then she felt his lips press a soft kiss against her skin, a kiss that carried his longing, the depth of his yearning, and the silent bond that had tied their hearts together for so long. After that first kiss, he couldn’t stop himself. Slowly, he placed two more gentle kisses nearby, lingering for a moment as he breathed in her fragrance, making her breathless.

Roshaane’s eyes slipped closed as the moment wrapped around them like a quiet wave of wind.
In that brief closeness, they felt it all. Their first touch, their first nearness, their first embrace… and the delicate beginning of an intimacy that neither of them had ever shared before.

Both seemed lost in each other, their senses overwhelmed by the intimacy of the moment. Just as the silence between them deepened, Aarib’s mobile rang loudly, abruptly breaking the spell and pulling them back to reality. Roshaane’s eyes opened immediately while Aarib’s hold around her loosened. They stepped away from each other not hastily, not awkwardly, but with quiet nervousness.

A shy silence settled between them, both suddenly unsure and too hesitant to meet each other’s gaze. For a few seconds they both seemed lost in it.  Roshaane looked down, adjusting her hair. Aarib cleared his throat and answered the call.

“Yes, Hikmat.”

He listened for a moment.

“Yes, everything is ready. We’ll be coming.”

While speaking, his eyes drifted toward Roshaane again. She nervously ran her tongue across her lips while fixing her saree. Her eyes shivering, breaths uneven. His gaze briefly moved to the spot on her neck where he had just kissed. His heartbeat quickened again. He looked away quickly.

“I’ll wait in the car,” he said after ending the call.
She nodded softly.

Without saying anything more, he left the room.
The moment the door closed behind him, Roshaane slowly sat down on the bed.
Her hand moved to her racing heart.

"What...just happened?" She thoughts remembered the moment that just passed between them.

“How am I supposed to face him now?” she whispered.

Then her fingers gently touched the place on her neck where he had kissed her. A shy, glowing smile spread across her face. Because she knew, this was the first real step Aarib had taken toward her.

A/N:: Assalam-o-Alaikum.
How are you all??

Update is here. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Leave your comments and votes.

With love,
Your Author.