"Dad, one lasht shtory."

"Adam..."

Haaris gestured her to remain silent and ruffled Adam's hair, lying beside him and resting his temple on his fist with a smile. If she remembered correctly, it was going to be the eleventh story that her husband had to start now and every time it was the last story! Ghazal had listened to every silly child's story from Aladdin to some short stories of Aesop's fables. Meaning they both had guts, one was not getting tired of telling stories and another was not getting bored of listening to the stories.

That was her family. A small, silly and happy family.

Alhamdullilah!

But that was not it. Just two months ago, Allah had gifted them a cute little baby girl who was now sleeping peacefully in her arms. She was a cute addition in their small family and everybody was ecstatic with her arrival. Her family was complete- Haaris, Ghazal, Adam and Hazal, a name which Ghazal had chosen for their daughter.

It all felt like a dream if she looked back in her life ever. When did Ghazal think that she would have a family, a happy one? Where she would get a caring husband, two cute little kids. It felt like a perfect imagination but in her case, it was a serene reality.

"Is she asleep?"

Ghazal heard Haaris's whisper from too close to her, pulling her out from her reverie. She nodded beaming at her husband who had taken his seat beside her on the sofa not before placing a kiss on her forehead. Adam was fast asleep thankfully else she had to listen to many more stories again.

Haaris carefully took Hazal from her and give her a little space to straightened her back which felt like numbing by being in that sitting position for so long. She stretched her legs a little to move the torpidity away from them. Her eyes began to flutter close as the sleep slowly crawl up to her. She never hated her life ever, never she complained about the problems in her life. But now, Ghazal felt entirely happy, she enjoyed her life with her family. That was all because Haaris who showed her the love of a spouse gave her son a love which he craved and gifted her a wonderful small world of her own.

"She will wake up."

Ghazal mumbled resting her head on the headrest as Haaris was constantly playing with Hazal's small fisted hands and mumbling some sweet nothings in her ear. She was so little but had everyone wrapped around her pinky finger. While she was the princess of her father- Haaris, Adam was a cute little protective brother of hers, who was just waiting for that time when she would be old enough to play with him and then her grandfathers who liked to shower her with new gifts every week and Nanna who always blessed her with many more blessings. Then, there was Ghazal who just wanted to spoil her daughter in love and to care for her Hazal and give her that happiness which she missed in her own childhood.

Ghazal closed her eyes with the heaviness of sleep but in slumber, she felt like being lifted up from her sitting position, it would be like always Haaris who would carry her to the bed when she fell asleep on the sofa with Hazal.

It's only been a while when Ghazal giggled, the sleep evading her senses as she felt Haaris's teasing warm breath gently clashing with her features.

"Wake up, tigeress."

It felt like a dream so she didn't bother to open her eyes but soon she found her determination dwindling on her husband's touch. His lips placed a soft kiss on the mole below her ear, tickling her all over.

"What are you doing, Haaris?"

Ghazal whisper yelled, somewhat irritated on waking up from her sweet sleep. She lifted her head up and found herself in Haaris's embrace and her hands were still snaked around his neck. Why was she sleeping like that? That too in Haaris's lap, on one of the patio chairs in their bedroom balcony.

"What am I doing here? Where's Hazal? Why aren't you asleep? Wha-"

Haaris stopped her speech which was about to form with lingering kisses on her lips, pushing her gut into a serene euphoria. It was so sudden that Ghazal had to shuffle more closer to her husband due to the fear of falling and as his kisses began to move her mind from everything, she gently held his jaw while her other hand moved in the tangled mess of his hair.

"Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Haaris. "

***

Haaris just watched her eyes going wide and as he had thought, she had fully forgotten their wedding first anniversary. The surprise, shyness on her face so beautiful and delicate that he didn't stop himself to shower her with many more kisses earning a low gasp from her.

"Happy Anniversary to you too, Mr. Haaris. I had totally forgotten about it."

Haaris nuzzled her nose and caressed her cheekbone, enjoying her gentle fingers moving in his hair, her warm breath which was ever so slowly melting with his breath. They had completed one year together today, so he wanted to wish her before going to sleep. Because this one year he had welcomed Ghazal in his life, she had brought all the happiness he could ever think of, this one year he had felt alive just because of the lady in his arms. That was why, putting Hazal in her crib, Haaris came in their balcony with Ghazal.

"I know my wife's habit."

"Yeah, I'm so forgetful. That's you who had forgotten my birthday."

Her words with an eye roll forced him to laugh, it was only the truth Ghazal was speaking. He had come to know about her birthday from Nanna and also during some talks with Ghazal but after all, he was a man, weak with dates, he forgot her important day.

"Is there anything special?"

He asked looking at Ghazal who had prepared many delicacies and she was looking breathtakingly beautiful in that maroon embroidered outfit. Looking closely, she had put on a slight bit of make-up. Was he forgetting something? He focused on his mind because now Ghazal's features were turning somewhat hostile as she stared at him with furrowed brows.

"Our Anniversary?"

Haaris said the first option which came in his mind rather sheepishly. Because his birthday had gone one month before and might be possible he had forgotten their anniversary. On return, he got a smack on his arms by Ghazal.

"I will forgive you this time as it's your first time forgetting it. Today's my birthday."

Ghazal coldly informed him getting away from him and he slapped his head in utter disappointment. Haaris wanted to keep her happier during this phase of motherhood but failing in it every time. He moved behind her in the room and grabbed her waist pulling her from behind.

"Hey, I'm so sorry. I remembered it all the while and forgotten it just today. Crap!"

Haaris mumbled in her hair as he kissed her earlobe, praying in his heart that she would just forgive him and he hadn't spoiled her mood on her big day. Ghazal turned around in his arms cupping his face gently in the bowl of her palms, their noses grazing faintly.

"It's okay Haaris. It's also my first time getting all prepped up for my birthday. Farz-"

Haaris didn't let her complete and did what he always did, he kissed her chastely. Never in his entire life, he would allow her to remember that man on her birthday. Ghazal put her fingers on his lips and looked in his eyes with a smile on her face.

"Now I will have to give you some punishment."

Haaris's whole being shuddered with happiness seeing the smiling face of his wife. She was at the end of her second trimester and had gained a little bit of weight but she looked so pretty that his heart missed a beat every time he looked at her.

"What that will be?"

Ghazal slowly moved closer and bit his nose earning a low chuckle from him.

Ghazal whiffed in his ear, grabbing his attention to which he looked at her with a small smile. "What happened?"

"Nothing. Just remembered one of the great memory. Listen carefully, Missus," Haaris asked pulling her more closer as if that was possible, feeling Ghazal's eyelashes fluttering on his cheekbone.

"Tomorrow evening you are only mine."

Ghazal lowly chuckled, "Is my husband getting jealous of my diverted attention?"

Haaris smilingly shook his head, "No. Just after the exhibition, I'm going to steal you from everybody."

It was Ghazal, because of whom he had gotten rid of his nightmares and the hate for his passion-painting. She introduced him to his inner voice, that he could do something with his life. He had started painting just to make himself happy and really Haaris had seen the change in his works. He began to use bright colors, to paint the places which made him happy. Happy from his work, some art galleries had decided to put an exhibition of his works about which he was quite excited.

"I'm ready to be stolen, dear hubby."

Ghazal rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled the crook of his neck, tickling him. Haaris placed a kiss on her forehead and got up with Ghazal still in his arms, "Let's put you in bed, tigeress."

***

"Ma can I chosh a dresh for her?"

Ghazal smilingly nodded and ushered him to the small cupboard in the corner of their room. It was the day of her husband's exhibition and they all were getting ready for the same. Just the thing was, as always her husband was late. He would never understand the meaning of being punctual, for God's sake it was his program. Ghazal had placed a fresh set of clothes for him on the bed with his tie, handkerchief, cufflinks and what not. Now just waiting for her husband to show up.

"Ma, thish one."

"Beautiful."

Ghazal kissed his forehead before taking the red frock from his hands. Adam sat near her as she began to make Hazal ready for the function.

"Ma, Dad ish again late?"

" Your dad is always late, isn't he Hazal?"

Ghazal conversed with Hazal earning a cute childish mumble from her daughter, resulting in a giggle from Adam.

"Ma, when will she shtart talking?"

"Soon."

"She only do boxshing."

Adam said with a pout looking at his sister who was moving her small fists in the air. Ghazal hugged Adam sideways and kissed his chubby cheek. He was really impatient to talk with his sister but all things need time.

"What's happening?"

Hearing Haaris's voice, Ghazal moved away from Adam and looked at her husband with furrowed brows. Late as usual and smiling too much to melt away her heart- this was his old technique. Adam ran towards his father who took him in his arms and ruffled his hair.

"Dad, shee I chosh a dresh for Hazal."

"Ahha. Perfect."

Haaris came near the bed where she was sitting with Hazal in her arms. "How are my princesses?" With that Haaris placed a kiss on Hazal's cheek and on Ghazal's forehead.

"Hazal is fine while I'm not. So late, Haaris?"

"Sorry, tigeress. Caught up with work. Come on let's go."

He was about to move when Ghazal held his sleeve halting his steps and stood up in front of him looking at his confused features.

"Go freshen up. I have readied your clothes."

A bright smile formed on his lips and he pulled her closer to him, "That's why I love you, you know that."

"Why you love me then, Dad?"

Ghazal moved a little away from him somewhat embarrassed while Haaris laughed loudly hearing his son's question. She had fully forgotten that there were Hazal and Adam with them.

"Because you have given me your mother."

"Okay. I thought you loved me becaush I make good drawingsh."

"That's also a reason. "

Ghazal just rolled her eyes on their talks. They could chat on every topic. "Adam, let go dad to freshen up."

Haaris made him sit on the bed and winked at Ghazal before sauntering towards the washroom. His smile which was so captivating that she always became rooted to her spot every time he smiled at her. It always pushed her anger into a pit of water. They still fight with each other, argue with each other but what mattered most was how quickly they both get to normal and maybe this was the thing that kept every marriage going on with love and loyalty.

***

"Have fun."

Nanna said kissing Ghazal's forehead and with that Haaris held her hand. Adam and Hazal were sleeping and they had put them with Nanna for the time being till Haaris spent a nice time with his better half for the anniversary. Ghazal was somewhat nervous leaving Hazal alone but Nanna and Papa had assured her.

Walking towards the terrace, he felt his heart going again into solace. His exhibition was a pure success and he enjoyed it to the core with the support of his family - his father, his grandmother, his wife, kids, and father-in-law. That was what he wanted to find in his life which he searched in every forbidden thing on earth. But now he could understand, calmness could only be achieved with what Allah has permitted.

"Where are we going? "

"Patience, tigeress."

Haaris replied with a chuckle resulting in a scoff from Ghazal, "They are opposites, by the way."

"That's why I enjoy saying them."

Ghazal bobbed her head as they came to a halt entering the vast terrace of their house. He had switched off all the lights leaving only small candles to lit up their path. The sky was shimmering with lots of blinking stars which felt like they were smiling, looking at the beautiful couple in front of them. A small cake was placed in the middle with candles surrounding it too.

"Okay. So I'm kind of nervous." Haaris exasperatedly sighed, his heart somewhat shaking with the excitement and nervousness as if not to fail in front of his wife. He felt Ghazal's hand slowly intertwining with his and she made him look at her.

His gut rolled in ecstasy looking at her whose face was gently glimmering in the light of night sky and dim lit candles. The mixture of warm and cold colors so beautiful and serene on her face that his whole anxiety vanished leaving only a sense of calmness in its wake.

"No need to be nervous around me."

Ghazal gently moved his hair away from his forehead and kissed Haaris to soothe him. He pressed her hand in his hold and cleared his throat.

"There's this ritual in some countries - the groom reads one Surah or Ayah from the Quran for the bride. So I have learned one verse for you. Just stop me if I go wrong."

Haaris saw Ghazal's lips tilting up in a smile and she nodded her head excitedly. He kneeled down on his one knee with her hand still in his hold.

"Wamin ayatihi an khalaqa lakum man anfusikum azwajan litaskunoo ilayha wajaAAala baynakum mawaddatan warahmatan, inna fee zalika laayatin liqawmin yatafakkaroon."

Haaris recited the Ayah slowly, stopping where it was intended, his orbs still stuck on his wife who was staring at him with a wide smile on her face, her eyes slightly wet with the tears. " There's a line in this verse, tigeress which always reminds me of you that was why I decided to learn it. ' And among His signs is this, that He created mates for you from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them.'"

"Oh, Haaris!"

Ghazal sobbed getting on her knees and hugging the life out of Haaris, he became a lot more than relaxed returning her embrace. "That's the best gift I have ever gotten from you, Haaris and ever will be." She confessed in the crook of his neck, placing a kiss on his cheek. Haaris pulled a little away from her and cupped her face in his hands.

"It's you, tigress who has shown me the meaning of calmness, solace which I was craving from my childhood. "

He moved his face a little closer to hers, relishing the feel of her jasmine scent around him and also her warm breath hitting his features serenely. Slowly he placed a soft kiss on her cheeks then on her nose pin. Ghazal placed her fingertips on his lips stopping his movement.

"I have to say this before you make me forget everything. " She laughed lowly, blush creeping up to her cheeks as she said the truth. "I know, I never confess my love so openly but you should know this. I am in love with you, terribly. I don't know how much but my heart swells every time I just look at you, I smile whenever I thought of you and the feeling of being your wife is the best feeling in the world."

Haaris didn't wait for her to say further as he stopped her speech with tiny little kisses over her lips, cherishing in the feel of gentle touch in his hair, her fingertips scraping his jaw ever so gently. The feeling of hearing a confession from her was the best as he always waited for it.

"Hey, tigeress. Do you want to know a secret?"

Haaris looked in her eyes as she just nodded her head, her cheeks pink with his acts of adoration. His thumb gently grazed the mole below her ear.

"I'm in love with the mole near your ear."

Ghazal laughed at his words and pulled him closer wounding her arms around his neck, "It's no secret, hubby."

And they forgot everything around themselves as they fell into nirvana, getting lost in the valleys of love and adoration. Their hearts in sync as they found solace in each other's company.