An entire year passed, just a few months left for graduation even. However, in that entire year Nagma and Ashfaq were like strangers. Even though in the same class, they would gaze at eachother from a distance yet never making eye contact. Two broken hearts aching and bleeding for eachother yet, not being able to be one again.

During this year, Haider took his chance to get closer to Nagma. He left no stone unturned to be with her, hence, ignoring Ashfaq many times in the process. He would study with her, spending time in the canteen and what not. During that time, he didn't approach any other women either and he was in awe of himself how spending time with her was changing him from within. She was all he could see and all he could think of.
At the beginning, she was just his obsession but being with her and spending soo much time together, he was genuinely beginning to fall for her.
For Nagma though, he was a good friend as she was oblivious about his true feelings or intentions.

As if the heartbreak from Nagma wasn't enough, Ashfaq was dealing with his own demons, as his world was about to fall apart.

One day Nagma noticed that both Haider and Ashfaq didn't attend college. She wanted to ask around but of course, she couldn't ask about Ashfaq.

The next day, she asked Haider why he was absent but he just shrugged brushing off the topic. A few more days passed and Nagma always found Ashfaq's seat empty which started to worry her.

However, that day when she came to college, she accidentally bumped into Ashfaq as he was fooling around with his friends. He seemed like his cheerful self, still he seemed too cheerful as if he was trying too hard and when their eyes met freezing them both in spot, she noticed how his honey orbs always full of light, were devoid of any life and those prominent dark circles underneath.

Her heart jumped to her throat seeing his condition, but she didn't say a word and neither did he as he walked past her running after his friends.

She observed him for a few days and he was exactly the same. Unable to hold back, she went to one of his friends to ask about him and what she heard shook her to the core.

"What? You didn't knew? Ashfaq's mother passed away from cancer. He loved his mother the most... she was his world. That's why, even though he's hurting inside, he's still trying to be cheerful and we too are doing are best to make him feel better."

It was a huge shock to Nagma too. She had only met his mother once but she was such a sweet woman. Why didn't Haider tell her anything if Ashfaq and he were such good friends? She couldn't comprehend that.

Later that day, when the lectures were done and everyone had left, Nagma found Ashfaq all alone in the class with his head in his hands. Her heart clenched inside her chest seeing him and unknowingly, her feet moved on their own as she found herself walking towards him.

Ashfaq felt a presence beside him and when he looked up with his reddened eyes glistering with tears, they widened.

"N...Nagma?" His voice was no higher than a whisper.

Tears cascaded down her eyes seeing his pain that he was hiding from everyone. But, when he was alone, that pain was evident on his face and in his eyes.

"I'm...soo sorry. I... I didn't know about your mother..." Her voice was breaking.

A tear slipped down his left eye as he watched her but then he looked away, looking down at his hands on the desk.
"She had been battling bone cancer for 3 years now. That's why she was always on the wheel chair....yet, she always kept on smiling even when she was in soo much pain...."
He broke down crying again and Nagma couldn't help but sink on the bench beside him and embracing his trembling frame from the side as he cried. He turned towards her still crying and she held onto him as he cried on her small shoulder while she rubbed his back while her own tears wouldn't stop.

At that moment she realised, how much she had missed him and how much she needed him and he needed her. The love she had for him was still there and not reduced to the slightest.. infact, it only grew in the time they were apart.

After that, Ashfaq wished to be alone for a moment more and Nagma stepped out of the class wiping her tears, only to bump into Haider.
"Oh... you're still here?" She questioned.

"You are too." He stated.

She said nothing but she flinched as he suddenly held her hand.
"I need to talk to you. Can you come with me?" He requested.

Nagma looked inside the classroom one last time before nodding and going with him.

######
"I love you, Nagma."

She just gaped at him stupified. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined such a thing.
"Haider....what.... I mean... there's no way...."

"Why not?" He took a step towards her as she tilted her head up to look at him.
"I've changed Nagma...and it's all because of you, my Gizelle. I want to be a better man for you and give you all the happiness in the world. Can't you give me a chance?"

Nagma stepped away from him with her head hanging low.
"I'm sorry Haider.... you're a really good person and an even better friend to me but... that's it. And...." She took a deep breath.
"I still love Ashfaq.... I've always had."

Haider could feel his chest hurt with heartache and jealousy.

"But he lied to you!"

"Maybe because he thought I might push him away knowing who he really was. To be honest, we middle class people are somewhat intimidated by your upper-class lifestyle and people. But, knowing him and spending time with him, I could feel a connection like it was always meant to be."
She looked up at him smiling with tears.
"I love him! I appreciate your feelings Haider but I hope you find someone who loves you too and deserves you. I'll pray for that and I'm sorry....but I really... truly can only love Ashfaq as long as live... he's the only one for me and I cannot live without him or his love...."

Her voice caught up in her throat making her both hands fly to her mouth in shock and soon her face turned red as a Tomato as looking past Haider, she saw Ashfaq with a shocked expression on his face and his face slightly red too.

He heard her expressing her feelings about her. Completely embarrassed, Nagma turned around and ran like there was no tomorrow leaving both the men frozen on their places.

Ashfaq smiled blushing like a fool and ran after her as Haider watched them both with his blood boiling. He really wanted to punch something and he did, the rough trunk of the tree beside him making his knuckles scratch and bleed. His breath heaved as he pushed his safe hand through his hair pulling at it in pure rage... grunting.

For the first time he had lost something in his life that was soo precious to him and that too, to his best friend.
And for the first time, he felt the blinding rage towards his buddy...which was only the beginning.

#####
Nagma kept running not being able to face Ashfaq as she felt soo embarrassed but Ashfaq was adamant to. So, he changed his route and when Nagma thought he was gone, he actually jumped up right in front of her making her yelp and bump back on the building wall as he trapped her between both his hand. Both of them out of breath as they gazed at eachother.

"Why did you run?" Ashfaq questioned her amused.

"Uh.... I....um....you....you heard everything." She mumbled turning red.

"Hm... I did hear how you said that you can truly only love me as long as you lived and that you cannot live without me...."

She hit his chest turning a darker shade of red.
"Shut up.... don't say it out loud. It's embarassing!" She covered her face while he laughed.

His heart was on fire hearing her true feelings. He had been soo scared that entire year thinking that he had lost her ...but hearing all that was bliss. However, he didn't miss the fact that his dear friend was also in love with the woman he loved. That pricked him, fearing it would ruin their friendship.

He removed both her hands from her face kissing them.
"You've no idea how happy you've made me today. I was so scared thinking that I've lost you forever too."

She sank her head on his chest exhaling.
"I'm sorry.... I wasn't there when you needed me."

He shook his head holding her in his arms.
"No...you were the one who always gave me strength Nagma. Whenever I thought I'd break apart, I always thought of you. Your smile, your eyes...your voice.... everything about you."
He could hear her sobbing and he held her tighter.
"I love you too, Nagma and your Ashfaq cannot even imagine his life without his Nagma either."

Months passed by and soon they were graduated. Ashfaq confronted Haider about his feelings for Nagma but Haider assured him he was happy for the both of them and as innocent as Ashfaq was, he believed him.
On their journey to fulfill their dreams, Haider and Ashfaq were sucessful in finding investors and even using their own capital, bought a new building and started thier own company naming it
'The Malik and Qureshi Ltd'

However, the road to success is not that easy.
The first year of their business, they had to face a lot of ups and downs resulting in a heavy loss to their company. They were also on the verge of dissolving it completely. However, both the men weren't ready to give up that easily.

Somehow, they both came up with some briliant scheme and soon the shares of their company rose to new heights. Everyone wanted to be a shareholder and invest in their company making them successful and Ashfaq's dream was finally coming true.

As promised that after he became a successful businessman, he would proudly ask Nagma's hand in marriage, he went to meet her family. But, her parents were clearly intimidated by their rich lifestyle and the difference between their classes. However, Ashfaq managed to win their hearts with his kind and loving nature and assured them that he'd make their daughter the happiest woman in the world.

Though a bit frightened for her future, her parents and even Ashfaq's father couldn't deny the love their children had for eachother and agreed to the marriage.

Nagma was undoubtedly scared but marrying the man she loved was all that mattered to her and soon enough they both tied the knot in a lavish wedding.

Haider did congratulate the couple with a smile but inside him a beast was raging seeing them soo happy together and all he wanted to do was ruin everything and take Nagma away. But, he had to be patient.

#####
It was their walima party and Nagma was dressed up in a very expensive and heavy gown which made her feel like a fairytale. Being surrounded by hundreds of people who were famous and influential, constantly eyeing her with judgemental looks, the media, camera's flashing and all the grandeur was making her dizzy.

Ashfaq was with her the whole time, holding her hand as they both had to maintain that big smile for the world, but soon he was dragged away by some male guest who were also his business partners while she was left alone.

Unable to handle it, she sneaked away to the balcony outside. Ashfaq noticed that and excusing himself, followed her too.

"I'm sorry Ashfaq... it's.... it's too much for me. I can't take it anymore. I need some fresh air. Please....just for a moment.... I just can't...."

Ashfaq silenced her by pulling her into his arms abruptly. Hiding her in them. He could understand her anxiety quite well.
"It's ok darling...you don't have to feel guilty about anything. Even I cannot handle these kind of gatherings sometimes. Still, I'm soo soo happy that you're trying soo hard for me. Thankyou soo much. What a lucky man I am to have you as my wife!"

Being in his arms, she could feel her anxiety calming down. She looked at him from his chest and smiled such a sweet smile that he couldn't stop himself from touching her glowing face and swooping his head down, he captured her lips into a gentle kiss. Their very first kiss.

"Sorry..." He whispered gazing deep into her eyes, the distance between them turning to nothingness.
"I couldn't hold back..."

She just watched him entranced, her lips that were carased by his a moment ago, slightly parted.

His thumb running circles over her cheek, slipping over her wet lip while making her close her eyes at that feel. "I still can't hold back...."

His words were sending currents through her body and for a moment there she had completely forgotten that they were at a party or that there were people inside. Because at that moment, all she could see, feel and hear was her incredible husband.

"Ashfaq...." She whispered his name while his thumb still rested over her lower lip.

"Say it again ...." It was a soft desperate request as he was leaning in so close that she could feel his hot breath lingering on her mouth.

"Ashfaq...."

"I love it when you say my name Nagma...."
Their lips met again into a slow sensual kiss. His one hand slipping into her hair while the other slipping over her bare back making her shudder. She clenched to his coat tightly as they were lost in their own world. Just feeling eachother, thier hearts beating as one.

As they both got back for air, Ashfaq gazed at his wife with his honey orbs filled with lust, longing and an ocean of love in them for her making those overwhelming feelings arose inside her. But then she giggled looking at his lips and he watched her amused.

"My lipstick is smudged all over your lips. You look soo funny." She giggled wiping his lips with her fingers and he too joined her giggling. When she was done, he kissed over her forehead looking into her eyes again, his gaze unsteady as if searching for something.

"Nagma.... I really cannot hold back anymore. Please be mine."

A subtle gasp escaped her lips and she smiled resting her head over his chest listening to his racing heart.
"I'm already all yours Ashfaq. With all my heart, soul and body. Take me then... No need to hold back anymore. I love you."

His heartbeat got even faster due to the adrenaline rush and undeniably, Nagma was slightly frightened.

Ashfaq, all of a sudden stepped back from her with a mischievous grin as she watched him skeptically.
"Let's run away, my darling." He winked grabbing her hand and started running inside dragging her with him as if his life was depending on it.

"Huh? What...now?"

Nagma yelped running behind him embarassed holding up her grown from her feet as all the guest and servants were watching them stupified. However, she couldn't deny how crazy yet thrilling it was.

She almost stumbled in her gown while they finally reached their bedroom and pulling her in, he locked the bedroom door eagerly while she rested her back on the door while he towered over her, both trying to catch their breath. Looking at eachother, they both bursted out laughing.

"That....was fun.... everyone's faces were priceless." Ashfaq said between his laughs.

"Have you always been such a trouble maker?" She asked laughing too and he nodded shamelessly.

Their laughter seized eventually after a while and the lustful look in their eyes were back again. Ashfaq lifted her hand to his lips that he was already holding and closing his eyes showered feathery kisses over her every fingertip going up to her knuckles, her palm, wrist, up her arm, shoulder... while she watched him enticed, her breath heaving. Shivers ran down her spine as his lips reached her neck and her eyes closed giving in as she threw her head back embracing him.
He reached her cheek and stopped at the corner of her lips which were parted in anticipation, however, all she could feel was his hot breath tingling over them, numbing her senses like a drug.

"My....body is too hot right now. It's unbearable." He whispered over her lips.

"Then...." She gently pushed his coat of his shoulders.
"...take it off."

He smiled at her tempting words, hastily ripping off his jacket and throwing it on the floor carelessly. He even ripped open the top buttons of his shirt looking straight into her eyes and Nagma gulped seeing how hot he looked doing that. With shaky fingers, she helped him unbutton his shirt and discarded it on the floor too. Her breath hitched in her throat as his muscular body came into view. Unable to hold back, she touched his bare chest, her eyes following her hand slipping down, feeling him and his body flinched at her touch wining a soft groan from him.

She looked up at him..
"Wow....you.....eeep!" Her words turned into a yelp as she was off her feet and into his arms.

"I can't wait any longer.....sorry."

He carried her to the bed as she giggled and her heart was racing faster and faster as he ever soo gently laid her on the bed hovering over her.
"Oh Nagma.... I want to feel and taste every inch of your beautiful body. I want to shower all my love on you tonight and make love to you till morning.... may I?" His voice a shaky whisper filled with lust.

Nagma covered her red face with her hands feeling giddy with excitement and nervousness. However, she trusted her love fully desiring him as much as he desired her.

"Yes.... please....but, are you sure you can handle it until morning?" She teased.

He smirked.
"Is that a challenge?"

That night, they both showered their overwhelming love for eachother, without any doubts or boundaries, becoming one.

#####
On the other hand, while Haider was still burning with rage with Ashfaq and Nagma's marriage, this decision of his father was like a fule to his fire.

"Haider, I've had enough of your fooling around with random women. It's time you too settled down just like Ashfaq." He ordered.

"Settle down? You mean you want to bind the shackles of marriage in my neck?" Haider scoffed.

"Yes, a wild bull like you needs to be shackled down. Although, it's our fault too letting you do whatever you want. Your company is flourishing and everyone would want to ruin it's reputation by announcing what kind of casinova it's CEO is. You will marry the daughter of my friend by next month and that's an order."

His father's words were like written in stone for him and all he said with a sinister smirk was...

"Of course Dad. How can I disobey you?"

######
Haider was married to the daughter of a gold merchant, Anika. She might be from a rich household, still Anika was a delicate, beautiful, shy and down to earth girl who would do anything for her parents' happiness. Even though she wasn't ready to get married yet, she respected her parents wishes and seeing the handsome Haider Malik, she surely was smitten too.

However, after marriage, no matter how good or obedient she was to him and no matter how much she loved him, he was always hostile towards her and looked at her indifferently. Still, always used her well in bed, but she never say a word of complaint.

She would cook his favourite breakfast for him, wait for him to return from the company, do all his chores herself and not letting the maids touch anything. She was even kind to the servants and maids; and a good daughter in law taking care of her in laws. Even they were happy with her and adored her.

A couple months passed of Ashfaq and Nagma's marriage and they already got their good news. Knowing that Haider was enraged to no bounds and his wife noticed that. She tried to calm him saying that they should try for their own child, but he was already blinded by jealousy.

#####
Nagma sighed heavily like the seventh time now.
"Ashfaq! It's past 9 am...get off of me already!" She grumbled slapped his bare shoulder as he was laying lazily over her chest rubbing her belly lovingly.

"Don't you have to go to the office?!"

He shook his head rubbing his face between her breast groggily as his puffy hair tickled her neck and chin.
"No. I want to stay with my baby and her mumma."

She giggled and tried to push him off but he was too heavy or rather too stubborn.
"The baby is just 4 weeks old but his father is acting like a child himself. You're not a baby Ashfaq, get off and go get ready for work. It's an order!"

She could feel him smiling on her bare skin.
"Yes, I'm a baby too. So cuddle with me." He mumbled hugging her tighter like she was a teddy bear. Just then the cordless beside the bed rang saving Nagma.

"Get the call, it must be important."

"No!" He whined.
"Why does everyone wants to seperate me from my baby?" He grumbled slipping his head down from her chest and showering feathery kisses over her abdomen.

"Oh ho, Mr Director! Take the call or else I'll really go to my parents' place until my entire pregnancy." She threatened him and he immediately sat up scowling at her cutely, making her giggle.

He answered the call and within a few seconds, his face went pale like that of a ghost. Nagma sat up worried placing a hand over his shoulder and Ashfaq hung up rubbing his face with a terrified look on it.

"What's wrong? Who was it?"

"Anika bhabhi .....she....commited suicide."

"What?! Bhabhi?!"

#####
Ashfaq hugged Haider who was sobbing in a corner at his wife's funeral.

"I was...ready to forgive her. Even though she was unfaithful to me.... I still loved her and I really wanted to give our marriage a second chance. How....how could she had done such a thing?! My Anika....why...."

"Please don't cry, have faith in the Lord above, Haider. What happened was inevitable. Please don't break like this." Nagma implored to him in tears.

Just a couple days ago, they had found out that Anika was in an indecent relationship with another man and everyone was in shock. A man came forward and admitted the same in front of Haider too.
Unable to bear the vile allegations and everyone's hatred, Anika was soo shaken that she poisoned herself.

That's what everyone thought, however, it was all Haider's filthy plan.

Anika was a simple and chaste woman who would never even imagine staining her chastity and was obedient to her husband who didn't even love her. Yet, Haider created fake proves and even paid the man to frame Anika and question her chastity so that he could divorce her. But she chose to kill herself and it only aided Haider more as he could gain everyone's sympathy.... especially Nagma's.

#####
Finally, the time came to welcome the baby. Nagma was rushed to the hospital and Ashfaq was still in the company, hearing about Nagma, he dashed out of the office leaving his meeting in between.

Everyone expected a baby boy, especially, Ashfaq's father as he wished to hold his heir and the companies next owner in his arms. Afraid of her strict father in law's reaction, Nagma too prayed for a boy. However, a girl was born much to Saqib's dismay.

Even Nagma was scared, however, Ashfaq was overjoyed holding his daughter in his arms. So much that he announced a special bonus to everyone in the company because daughters bring barakat.

Nagma looked at her husband and their baby in his arms with a strained look on her face.

"Look Nagma! She has your nose and lips. Look at those tiny fingers and those toes. How can someone be so tiny? She's soo pink...." He chuckled holding gently her tiny fingers.

"Ashfaq.... Don't you wish...we had a son instead?"

Ashfaq shook his head and sat beside Nagma placing a kiss over her forehead.
"Not at all, infact, I'm soo happy and proud that you gave me a daughter Nagma. She's be daddy's little princess and I'm going to spoil her soo much. My beautiful, adorable princess. Coming to us, she has opened the doors of Jannah for both if us Nagma. How can I not be happy?!" He said excitedly, grinning from ear to ear.

"Because....she can never be the Qureshi family's heir."

"Says who?"

Nagma blinked at him.

"May it be daughter or a son, she's our child and so she's more than capable of doing anything in this world. And who says I'm going to push the responsibilities of this company on her. No! If she desires, she can have it or else, my Princess is free to follow her heart and be whoever she desires to be."

His thoughts were noble and his love pure but the world doesn't work that way, Nagma knew that better. Also, it had been hours since she gave birth, yet her father in law didn't even show up. He was soo unhappy that a girl was born.

"Nagma.... I have a perfect name for our Princess."

Nagma smiled looking at her adorable baby. As a mother, of course she loved her dearly. However, she was just scared about her future.
"Which name?"

"Inarah. It means 'a heaven's sent daughter. One who shines with light.
Someday, our daughter's noor might shine someone else's dark life."
He said and kissed his daughter's forehead saying a prayer for her in his heart and promising her that....her father would always protect her even if it meant at the cost of his own life.

"That's a beautiful name."

"Oh ho, now let us hold her grandchild too jamai ji (son in law). You've held her enough." Nagma giggled as her mother complaint.

"Huh? Can I hold her just a little longer?" Ashfaq pouted turned away from them like a stubborn child.

Nagma's father laughed.
"You seem like a child yourself.....say, Saqib ji didn't come yet?"

At this both Ashfaq and Nagma's smile vanished. Even Ashfaq knew how stubborn his father was and how angry must he be as he desired a grandson and not a granddaughter.

"Um...he wasn't well today so maybe he must be resting. That's why our Inarah will meet her Dadu at home .....right my Princess?" He said making cute faces to her and patting her tiny lips gently. The baby smiled sleepily making everyone laugh with joy.

After playing with their grandchild, Nagma's parents left in one of Ashfaq's car so that they could freshnup and her mother can come back with her necessities to spend the night at the hospital with them.

However, their happiness was shot lived as the horrible news reached the couple in the hospital while they were drowning in their own happiness.

The car met into a terrible accident and both her parents and the driver lost their lives on the spot.

Nagma went into a big shock and no matter what Ashfaq tried, he couldn't console his wife enough.

She had lost both her parents on the same day their daughter was born.
She became an orphan the same say she became a mother.

This incident gave birth to a lot of rumours like ....was the new born a cursed child? Her birth caused 3 deaths...is she a demon? Did she bring bad luck?

Nagma was exhausted both physically and emotionally with everything. At one point, she even hated her daughter. So much that she even though of ending her own life but Ashfaq's love and support brought her out of her depression and she too learnt to love her child just like her father.

A baby who couldn't even move or understand her own feelings was tagged as an evil spawn by the people and knowing all that had made a certain someone really happy.

After all, that's what Haider was aiming for when he got the brakes failed of the car waiting outside the hospital which he knew Ashfaq would sent for his inlaws.

They dared to hand over their daughter to Ashfaq and not him. According to him, they deserved to die a long time ago. But what a convenient time he had got.

#####
The years passed quickly and Inarah was growing into an adorable little girl with traits just like her father's. She was kind and intelligent, she made people smile wherever she went and used to chatter a bunch.
Daddy's little Princess and her mother's heart.

Still, the rumours still surrounded the little soul and many people tried to maintain their distance from her. Some people even whispering and snickering behind their backs. Even though her small brain couldn't comprehend their words, Inarah could sense their hostility towards her and it would break her heart. However, her parents love and the support of her friends Heena and Maaz made her forget everything.

Her grandfather still didn't like her but however stubborn he was, how could he resist the cute little girl who had eyes like his son's and always ran to him trying to talk to him, his own flesh and blood?

Ashfaq would smile to himself how his father would try to resist his little girls cuteness pretending to be angry but at the end, he would always give in to the little angel.

Still, you see.... happy days don't last forever.....

To be continued....

__________________________________

Assalamualaikum Everyone!
How was the chapter?

Any words for Ashfaq and Nagma? Do you ship this couple and like their romance?
There's more to come. Hehe.

Any words for Haider?

Next chapter, we'll be finding out in detail about Asad, Zayaan and Chutki's past. It's going to be an emotional ride.

From now on Updates will be every Thursday and Sunday.

So see you on Sunday.