Heena's POV,
I'd always been.... different from others.

When I was born, I only cried once. Everyone said that I was a quiet baby, but the truth was that....

I couldn't feel any emotions.

It was as if I was born with an empty heart.

My parents didn't wanted anyone to know about me and they tried anything and everything trying to fix me, but it was no use.

They were scared of me....so were the other kids when I was younger.

Once, when I was in preschool, we were on a field trip and we witnessed a street dog coming under a car and it was struggling for his last breaths covered in blood. All the children were scared and crying but... I wasn't affected at all. I just watched the red blood flowing down the street as the dog's desperate eyes met mine... probably asking for help.

At that time I said...
"What a waste! It's spoiling the good road."

Hearing my cold words and seeing my unfazed face, our teacher's face went pale as if she was seeing a witch. But there was one person who abruptly came in front of me with her teary eyes and running nose and hugged me. I stood still as a rock as I didn't know how to react.

"I know you're scared. It's ok.... it's ok to cry when you're scared. Ok?"

I just gaped at the shorter girl clinging to me.

Scared? Crying? I didn't know what that was even. But for some reason I couldn't stop thinking about her words.

Now this girl was Inarah Qureshi. My parents had explained to me well that I had to be with her all the time. They even made sure we were together since we were in our cradle. She was a few months younger to me and most importantly... the daughter of the Chairman of The Qureshi Group afterall.
However,

I didn't like her.

She was such an odd ball. So different from all the others. While the other girls kept thier distance from me because they were scared of me and let me enjoy my privacy, she always found me from anywhere I was and jumped on me. She was like a little mouse crawling out of her hole from every oblivion and jumping on me.

Soo annoying!

It's not like she never had any friends. Infact, she was always surrounded by everyone like bees to honey. Why? Because like my parents, all the other children parents told them the same.

However, even after her rich status she wasn't rude, arrogant or full of herself like those other girls. Infact, she was awfully gullable. So much, that it was enough to give me a headache.

According to her, the whole world was her good friend. Instead of going to rich parties and hanging around friends of her status, she liked to play with those filthy slum kids or other poor kids. And even her father allowed her while my father hit me even if I accidentally even talked to someone of even a slightly lower status that mine. Inarah's parents had alloted bodyguards for her to watch her from a distance and they too adored her for her kind nature and protected her not because it was thier job, but because she was soo sweet to them.

If you were to compare, I was better than her at everything. May it be academics, sports, arts, everything. When I was always first in class, she was always second. Just a few points behind me. My parents were proud of me...not because I was doing good or working hard, but because I was better than the Qureshi's daughter.

Her grandfather was very strict and even hated Inarah because she was a girl and not a guy who could take over the company. Yet that stupid girl always smiled running to her grandfather as if he was her favourite person. She did the same to everyone. Her father loved her dearly and took pride in the fact that she was a girl.... even though her mother had the same thought about Inarah being a girl, yet he always ignored it and said that someday his daughter would be better than any son.

How stupid!

She was just soo innocent to understand the world. How would she even take over a company? I'd always wondered that.

She was someone....whom you'd be forced to protect and .... cherish.

One day, the girls who always hanged around her sticking like glue, I accidentally heard them say...

"That Inarah. She's soo stupid. Who would want to be friends with a loser like her? I'm only hanging around with her because my parents said soo. Otherwise, I don't like her one bit."

"Yes, me too. But that stupid girl can be really useful sometimes. Look, she gave me this bracelet just because I asked her and told her she was my best friend. Hehe..."

"Wow! This is soo pretty. Then I'll ask her to bring me a necklace too. I'm sure that dumbo will do anything if we talk sweetly to her. That's what my mom said to."

I'd had enough of thier wickedness. They were taking advantage of that gullable child?! And for the first time, at that moment, I felt a new emotion.

Anger!

Soo much that my feet moved on thier own and I ran to those girls grabbing both thier hair pulling harshly, making them scream. We were just 4 year old at that time.

We 3 had quite the squabble, hitting and scratching eachother. But at the end I managed to take that bracelet away from that witch.

Inarah gave it to her as a token of her friendship and this is how she was treating her pure feelings?!

Like a joke?!

Our parents were called causing a huge commotion in our so called upper class society.

The very next day, Inarah came to me with a chocolate bar in her hand and held it to me as I was sitting on the bench alone.

"What?" I asked her annoyed.

"Chocolate. This chocolate is Inarah's favourite and Inarah never shares it with anyone but Inarah want's to be Heena's friend. So please.... take this chocolate and be Inarah's friend." She smiled widely at me.

"I don't like sweets."

She tilted her head blinking cutely at me. Her big eyes were like gold sparkling through her eyelids.

"Doll."

"Huh?"

"Heena looks like a doll." She said leaning towards me staring straight into my eyes.

"Heena's eyes are soo pretty. Just like a dolls."

I just gaped at her. Yes, people call me cute and pull my cheeks but, no one had tried to watch and observe me soo closely. Her curious eyes bore into mine turning me into a statue.

I was in awe too. Another emotion that she made me feel. While my eyes were always soo dull and lifeless, whenever I saw them in the mirror, her eyes sparkled like the evening sun, full of innocence and excitement.

Suddenly, she popped a piece of chocolate in my mouth surprising me.

I had never tasted anything soo sweet.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded hesitantly.

She smiled popping another piece in her mouth and climbed on the bench sitting beside me. Normally i hate anyone sitting beside me but, at that time, I liked having someone's company. We shared the rest of the bar piece by piece while she went ranting about anything and everything while I just kept listening to her silently.

She could smile and laugh soo easily. I was envious of her but at the same time, I said a silent prayer in my heart that may that smile and her innocence never leave her lips and her heart.

She was just soo precious....too pure to be tainted by the world's wickedness.

When she was done, she suddenly jumped on me

"Now can Inarah kiss you?"

"Huh? What?!" I watched her horrified.

"Yes! Heena is now Inarah's friend. So Inarah will kiss her. Ummm...." She made a kissi face leaning to me as I leaned back watching her disgusted.

"No! Eww! I hate kisses." I said and jumped of the bench running away.

"Heena! Wait! Inarah wants to kiss you!" She cried out running behind me on the grass.

"Stop it!!!" I kept running in circles as she kept chasing me.

We were laughing and giggling while running like crazy. It was the first time, that I ever smiled...or laughed.

I had never felt more alive!

At that moment, I promised myself. I'll protect her. This world is too cruel for her innocent gullable self. So I'll always stand one step behind her and protect her innocence. I'll be her only friend, her older sister....her shadow.

I'll always be by her side.

Even when Zayaan came into her life and she almost forgot me, I watched her from a distance while....Maaz watched over me from a distance.

*****
Zayaan's POV,
"Look who's back! Swagat nahi karoge hamara?"
(Salman Khan's dialogue. Won't you welcome me?)
Raghav walked in acting like some kinda movie star.

"Raghavvvvv..... ThankGod your here..." Inarah went crying towards him.

"Huh? Bhabhi are you soo moved to see me that you cannot even control your tears?" He said seemingly flustered.

"Inarah.... please stop crying Jaan. You're misunderstanding the situation." I implored to her going after her but she just kept crying.

Just like my secretary, Inarah too saw me surfing through those picture and misunderstood.

"Uh....looks like I'm missing a lot of things here guys? Is this a bad time?"

"Raghav.... Your brother has finally lost interest in me. He's bored of me and watching other hot naked girls on his computer now... I should've listened to you and married you instead." She cried.

"Huh?! What?! Inarah..."

"See, didn't I tell you?"

"Shut up Raghav!" I snapped at him before going to my wife gently.

"Inarah please don't cry. How can I ever lose interest in you? You are the most beautiful and hottest women in the world for me. I wasn't checking..."

"Stop lying!!!." She cut me off.
"You...you liar. 3 months of honeymoon....you...you made soo many promise to ....love me forever....made love to me every night....and ..and now you...waaaahhhh...." She was crying louder on Raghav's chest.

"Shiii Zayaan bhai! I never expected this from you. Tsk tsk tsk....how can anyone be hotter than Inarah bhabhi? Shame on you bhai.... BTW," he continued by whispering
"....did you really do it every night! What stamina bro?! Respect!" He saluted.

I slapped the back of his head moving him from between us.

"Aaaiiii..." He winced but I ignored him and went to my innocent wife trying to placate her.

"Jaan please... I'm sorry. I wasn't checking out anyone. I was just looking for a present for you..... baby....my love please try to understand..... Inarah.... I'm sorry.... it won't happen again. I love you and your the only woman I have eyes for..... please baby...."

She huffed stomping her foot and ran inside crying. I rushed behind her.

This is definitely my last day on the planet.

[Poor Raghav who was expecting some good guest treatment from his former boss and goddesses was left alone on the doorway all confused after being away for soo long.

Whoa! There is more tension here than back with Uddhav bhai and Geeta bhabhi!
He thought facepalming.

I'm never getting married! ]

******
I leaned to the door frame crossing my arms. She was still busy in her online classes. Raghav went back soon saying he'll stay in a hotel for a couple days and then return back. They have a annual college gathering coming up.

I'd never seen anyone take soo many notes during lectures like my Jaan does. She's even more beautiful when she's busy in her work like that soo hard-working and dedicated, my Inarah. I can watch her like that all day.

When the lectures were finally over, I went inside.

"Jaan, let's grab a bite in your favourite restaurant. I've already made reservations." I said.

"I'm busy."
She just said and continued working on the Mac on her assignments.

"Take a break jaan. It's been almost 4 hours." I said worried.

"No time!" She said not moving her eyes from the screen.

I sighed. She was still mad at me. But right now, she wasn't ignoring me because of her anger. It's an old habit of hers. When she starts working or studing she puts her entire concentration on it forgetting the whole world around her. Even me.

She took her phone and called someone.
"Mr Mehra. It's me. Can you send me a copy of all the statistics of my brands?.... Yes... thank-you..... And I also want the reports of the new products. ASAP...... That will be all."

Ah, right! She might not be the official CEO of Qureshi Group yet but, she is the owner of the subsidiaries she started. A businesswoman.

I should just leave her alone. Making my Inarah discontinue her work is like asking a fish to jump out of the river.

I shook my head and went ahead to cancel the reservations while continuing with my own work.

****
I woke up hastily from my deep nap and strained my eyes to look at the time. I had accidentally fallen asleep while working.

It was already past 1:30 am and Inarah wasn't beside me on the bed. I kept my laptop aside and went to check on her.

As expected, she was still working. God! What am I supposed to do with this girl?! Anyone could clearly see how exhausted she was, yet she kept on working. Her desk a complete mess too.

"Inarah, that's enough now. Come to bed." I said rather sternly going to her.

"No, I still...have work."

She was soo tired that she could hardly speak. When I went closer, her eyes were bloodshot and cheeks flushed. So I touched her forehead and neck. I knew it. She had caught a fever.

God! This reckless girl!

"That's it Inarah. You're coming with me!" I said reaching forward to save the data and turn off the computer.

"No, I haven't... finished that docu...."

"Finish it when your well. Right now you need to rest. I'm calling the doctor."

"No." She whined as I dragged her off the chair. Her feet stubbled so I picked her up in my arms and she instantly sank her head on my shoulder.
"I....have...to complete my quota... I need to check...the other statistics....umm...th...the new brand....um... ambassador....need to....chose...."

She kept on mumbling till we reached the room and I laid her on the bed.

I silenced her by putting the thermometer in her mouth.

"I'm calling the doctor. Next time, I won't let you work more than 3 hours." I warned and took my phone to call the doctor.

She suddenly grabbed my arm stopping me.
"Zayaan.... don't.... I'll be fine...if I get some...sleep."

"You're fever is too high jaan." I said gently sitting beside her carrasing my forehead. She's too delicate.
"Why do you have to work soo hard jaan? I am here to work for you right? You still have 2 years to complete your education. Just do that.... please."
I laid beside her pulling her closer.

She's my whole world. If anything happens to her, even a slightest discomfort, it breaks my heart.

She shook her head struggling to keep her eyes open.
"It's not enough.... I need...to be ... better. I need to ....work harder. It's not enough.... I'm not.... good enough. I have to...prove....prove to them all that.... I'm worthy to be...my Papa's heir. I need to make.... Papa proud."

I pulled her closer hiding her in my chest.

"You're worthy of the whole world Inarah. Saheb must be already proud of you." I said swallowing the lump in my throat.

She slipped her arms around me and pressed her soft lips on my throat.
"Zayaan.... my love. You care for me soo much.... thankyou....sorry to worry you... your the best husband. I always get....mad at you over... little things but still you always love me. You're soo sweet.... I love you."

Her words made me smile and I kissed her forehead.
"I was born to love you my Jaan."

"I'm not good enough... I'm sorry... I'll be better... I'll work... harder.... I'm soo sorry.... sorry...umm....no.... sorry... please...."

"Shh.... Inarah.... don't say that....hey...baby...."

I looked at her worried as she kept mumbling nonsensical things. Hot tears coming down her cheeks that I wiped away gently. She was shivering now so I hastily covered her with the blanket and rushed to get the tablet. Then making her sit up half leaning to me, I made her eat the tablet and swallow it with water.

"It's ok... Jaan....just go to sleep." I said placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Don't kiss me... you'll...get my fever." She moaned shivering.

"I don't care. I'd rather suffer a million time more than seeing you like this."

She smiled sleepily.
"I love you... Zayaan."
and snuggling closer to me, dozed off instantly.

"I love you soo much more my Jaan." I whispered in her ear.

I didn't wait till morning to call the doctor.

"It's just a slight fever due to overwork and exhaustion. Mrs Hashmi will be fine with some rest and taking a couple medication. You shouldn't worry soo much Mr Hashmi." He said or rather scoulded while he himself looked exhausted as I ruined his sleep calling him in the middle of the night.

"Thankyou and sorry doctor. I just tend to get a lot anxious about her."

He shook his head hopelessly but then smiled.
"Good to see you love your wife soo much."

I smiled watching my jaan sleeping peacefully.
"She's my everything."

He chuckled patting my back.
"Now get some sleep too. And don't disturb me like this in the middle of the night unless it's too important." The middle aged man said making a tired face.

I scratched my nape sheepishly.
"Yes. Sorry again."

"Hm....and let her take a hot shower in the morning. She'll feel refreshed." He added

"Of course.... The driver will drop you home. Thankyou again for coming this late." I said sending him off.

I was relieved a little now. Her temperature was coming down with all that sweat. I wiped it off with a towel and getting in bed pulled her into my arms dozing myself into slumber.

****
Inarah's POV,
I woke up feeling light headed and found myself closed in my husband's arms. I rested my head on my hands propped over the pilow and observed his handsome face. His face was literally glowing as he slept soundly.

I remembered that I had a fever last night and he was tending to me soo gently. I bet he didn't sleep well either.

How can I ever not love this man?

I moved my fingers gently through his hair feeling thier softness when he suddenly shot his eyes open looking at me.

"Ummm.... Jaan.... you're up? How do you feel?" He asked groggily.

"Much better my love. Because of you."

He smiled making my heart skip and kissed my forehead.
"ThankGod."

"Were you that worried?"

"Hm." He moaned snuggling his face between my breast turning me on my side to face him.

"Sorry baby. Also, You should've been more careful. What if you catch my fever too?" I asked worried.

At this he lifted his head up and smirked.
"I wouldn't, because unlike someone, I have a very strong immune system."

I huffed.

He grinned showing his perfect teeth.
"So I'm guessing I'm forgiven?"

I pretended to think.
"I guess." I giggled.

"Yes!" He exclaimed pecking my lips.
"BTW..." He began sensually moving his fingers down my figure as I watched his suspiciously.
"The doctor did say you need to get a nice hot bath."

"Wait? You called a doctor soo late at night just for my little fever?!" I watched him dumbfounded.

"Hey, I'm not compromising on anything related to you Jaan and you need to learn to draw the line between health, rest and work. You can't keep working like a machine." He said sternly.

"Zayaan Hashmi your impossible!" I said shaking my head.

"I'm serious Inarah! Promise me you'll concentrate on your health too and not work too much."

I hesitated.

"Inarah!" He warned even more sternly.

I sighed.
"Fine."I pouted.

"That's like my girl."

"Now.... what about my hot bath." I said emphasising hot.

He smiled getting off the bed and in one swift motion carried me up in his arms sending the blanket flying and making me giggle.
"Come Jaan. I'll make it even hotter." He winked and walked towards the bathroom.

________________________________

Next chapter.....

°Geeta's surprise.

°Raghav's broken heart.