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Sheza stood in the middle of the lamp shop, her eyes bouncing between two gorgeous lamps. One was a deep, emerald green that screamed elegance, while the other was a sleek grey that perfectly matched the theme of their home. She frowned, torn between the two. "Hmm, which one should I take??" she mumbled, her confusion growing.

Behind her, the three mafias—her loyal baby protectors—were lounging on the couch, totally at ease. They watched as Sheza wandered around the store with a cute, confused pout plastered on her face.

Finally, after what felt like forever to her, Sheza's gaze locked onto the two lamps, and with her mind made up, she spun around to see her protectors... relaxing! She scowled in disbelief. There they were, chilling on the couches like they had nothing better to do! Her pout deepened as she stomped toward them, her little feet making sharp taps on the floor.

The mafias smiled knowingly, waiting for their little princess to approach, fully aware of the mini storm brewing in her tiny frame.

Sheza finally reached them, her hands sassily perched on her small waist, her lips pursed in a dramatic pout. She narrowed her eyes at them, her sulking tone rising. "Yeah, did you all come here to chill on the sofas? You should help me instead, it's your house too!" she whined, her cheeks puffing up as she glared at them.

Saad chuckled, leaning forward and smirking playfully. "Oh no, we're just the bodyguards, remember? We only sit when our queen takes too long to choose," he teased, clearly enjoying the sight of his little wife all riled up.

Junaid laughed, his arms crossed as he looked down at her. "We didn't realize our princess needed help with lamps. We thought you had it all under control," he teased, lifting an eyebrow.

Maira smiled softly, reaching out to gently ruffle Sheza's hair. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll help you choose. Just point, and we'll carry them back for you."

Sheza huffed again, but her lips twitched into a small smile. "Hmph! Fine, but don't just sit there like statues next time!" she demanded, her pout still firmly in place as she spun around and marched back to the lamps, feeling a little better now that her protectors were ready to help.

The mafias chuckled and exchanged amused glances before standing up and following their bossy little princess, ready to assist in her quest for the perfect lamp.

Sheza stood in front of the two lamps, biting her lip in frustration. "See, these are the lamps that I liked, but now I'm confused about which one to choose," she said, looking back at the mafias standing behind her.

The mafias gazed at the lamps like they were solving some secret code, eyes narrowing as they analyzed each one with intense focus.

"Hmmm," Saad finally said, breaking the silence. "I think the grey one will look good."

Before anyone could react, Maira jumped in, cutting him off. "No, kitten, the green one will look better," she insisted, folding her arms with a firm expression.

Saad turned to her with an exasperated look. "Mom! What are you saying? The grey one matches the theme of our house perfectly!" His voice held a dramatic edge, as if they were debating a life-or-death matter.

Maira's eyes narrowed, already in full defense mode. "No, no. Green is always a classic choice for lamps like these. It'll bring a pop of color to the room."

Saad threw his hands up dramatically. "Mom, seriously? You need an eye check-up. The grey one is clearly better!"

Maira's jaw dropped, and she fired back. "Oh really? Then maybe you've gone blind, Saad. The green is literally perfect!"

Sheza sighed heavily, rolling her eyes. With a little shake of her head, she grabbed Junaid's hand and dragged him back to the couches. The two of them plopped down, completely done with the argument.

Junaid leaned back, watching his wife and son argue with the intensity of people negotiating a billion-dollar deal. He poked Sheza's cheek playfully, pulling her out of her annoyed trance. "Would you like to drink a strawberry smoothie?"

Sheza's head snapped toward him with the biggest smile, her mood shifting instantly. "Yes!!" she chirped, her eyes sparkling.

Junaid chuckled and called out to a staff member who was standing nearby, watching the whole scene unfold with wide eyes, looking completely bewildered. "Hey, you—yes, you. Come here."

The staff, still shocked, shuffled over quickly. "Yes, Mr. Khan?"

Without looking away from the ongoing lamp war between Maira and Saad, Junaid casually ordered, "Bring one iced Americano and a strawberry smoothie."

The staff nodded, trying to keep his jaw from dropping any further, and hurried away. Meanwhile, Junaid turned his attention back to Sheza, who was watching the argument unfold with an amused but done expression. The mother-son duo was now really getting into it.

Saad pointed at the green lamp as if it had personally offended him. "Green? Really? That's so basic, Mom!"

Maira huffed, crossing her arms even tighter. "Basic? Green is elegant! Your sense of style is... questionable at best."

"Oh, and yours is so advanced, right?" Saad shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes! That's why you're wrong!" Maira snapped, looking at him like she couldn't believe she had to argue about this.

Junaid and Sheza shared a look, both knowing this could go on forever. Junaid smirked. "You ready for this?" he asked Sheza, nodding toward the two still bickering like they were about to draw swords.

Sheza giggled and nodded. "Ready. This is gonna be fun."

Just then, the staff returned with the drinks, handing Junaid his coffee and Sheza her smoothie. She happily slurped at her drink while Junaid sat back, his arm resting casually on the back of the couch, watching the chaos unfold with pure amusement.

The tension between Maira and Saad was thick, their eyes locked in an intense stare-off. Their hands twitched as if they were about to draw imaginary swords, each ready to defend their choice of lamp like samurais in an ancient duel. Saad's face was filled with defiance, while Maira's was pure determination.

Sheza giggled from the sidelines, leaning closer to Junaid and whispering with a mischievous grin, "Okay, let's drop the bomb."

Junaid smirked, nodding in agreement. "It's time," he muttered dramatically, as both of them stood up from the couch.

Together, they strutted toward Maira and Saad, their walk exaggerated like runway models, sunglasses perched dramatically on their faces, sipping their drinks with flair. It was as if they were stepping out of an action movie scene, each step deliberate, their presence commanding.

"Mom," Saad said with finality, breaking the tension, "we're taking the grey one, and it's final. No arguments."

Maira's eyes blazed with fury, the fire of a woman not willing to back down. "Oh really?" she snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't forget I'm your mother, older than—" she was abruptly cut off by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Annoyed, Maira turned to her right, ready to unleash her irritation, but her words froze in her throat. There stood Junaid and Sheza, cool as cucumbers, wearing sunglasses indoors like some undercover agents, both holding their drinks like props in a comedy sketch.

"You both Shut up, we are taking both, we are 'Rich' remember?" Junaid snorted in annoyingness, Sheza giggled and sipped her milkshake.

"Both?" Maira repeated, her voice tinged with surprise and mild amusement. She blinked a few times, as if she couldn't quite believe that this was the outcome.

Saad, on the other hand, looked at Junaid and Sheza with wide eyes, then back at the lamps. "You two..." he trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. "This was your big solution? Just take both?"

Junaid took another calm sip of his iced Americano, his sunglasses sliding down just enough for him to peer over the top of them. "Works every time," he said with a shrug, completely unbothered.

Sheza, still proudly holding her strawberry smoothie, nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! No need to argue when you can just have both, right?"

Maira folded her arms, but the fierce glint in her eyes had softened into something more playful. "You really think you can solve everything with a smoothie and sunglasses?"

Junaid raised a brow. "Hasn't failed me yet."

Saad let out a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, this is so typical of you two," he muttered, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, fine. We'll take both."

Maira sighed, a small smile finally breaking through her earlier frustration. "Looks like I've been outmaneuvered by my own family." She ruffled Sheza's hair playfully. "Next time, I'll bring my own sunglasses."

Sheza giggled, beaming at her success. "See? Teamwork!"

Junaid grinned, tapping the lamp against Sheza's in a mock toast. "To peace and stylish lamps."

Maira and Saad exchanged a glance, shaking their heads, but they couldn't help smiling. It wasn't the solution they expected, but somehow, it was exactly what they needed.

After settling the lamp debate, the Khan family handed their new purchases to the guards and continued their stroll through the mall. Sheza, still buzzing with excitement, wandered ahead of the group, her eyes wide and full of wonder like a curious child seeing the world for the first time.

As they walked, something caught her attention—a small, beautifully lit Ittar shop nestled between high-end boutiques. The scent of rich oils and perfumes wafted out from the entrance, immediately captivating her senses.

"Look!" Sheza squealed, pointing toward the shop. "It's an Ittar store! We have to go!"

Sheza pointed excitedly toward the Ittar shop, her small fingers raised as she spotted the beautiful bottles inside. But when she looked back, expecting to see her parents, she noticed Maira and Junaid were missing. A confused frown crossed her face, and she turned to Saad, her eyes filled with a silent question.

"Hey, Mister," she asked, her tone a bit dramatic, "Where did Ammi and Abbu go?"

Saad glanced down at her, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "They went to take a call," he explained gently. "Don't worry, Chipmunk, they'll be back soon."

Sheza pouted, her lips pushing out in a cute little sulk. "Okay," she muttered, nodding but clearly she was still a bit disappointed.

"Let it be, baby. We can go there, hm?" Saad said softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Sheza nodded, still pouting a little, but the sparkle of excitement quickly returned to her eyes. She wrapped her small hand around Saad's, locking them together as they began walking toward the Ittar shop, which seemed to draw her in like a honeybee to flowers.

As they walked closer to the shelves filled with beautifully arranged bottles, Sheza's curiosity only grew. Her big, bright eyes were filled with wonder, taking in everything around her.

Suddenly, a guard rushed over to open the door for Sheza and her husband, the powerful Mafia couple. It was only at that moment that Sheza finally noticed the guards who had been quietly surrounding them the whole time. Realizing how unaware she had been, her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

In her sweet, clumsy way, Sheza muttered, "Thank you!" to the guard, who was visibly surprised. His eyes widened, and he stammered, "Y-You're welcome, Mrs. Khan." It wasn't every day he heard words of gratitude from someone so high up, especially from the Khans. The guard was taken aback, but the innocence and cuteness in Sheza's actions made him smile inside.

The woman behind the counter stumbled slightly when she saw the most famous businessman in the country, Saad Khan, walk into her small shop. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in shock. Then, she noticed the small, sweet-looking woman beside him—Sheza Khan. The two together seemed like a perfect balance of strength and softness, and the shopkeeper couldn't help but feel a bit insecure seeing Sheza's flawless appearance. Quickly, she straightened up, fixed her dress, and greeted them with the best smile she could manage.

"Welcome to ZamZam Ittar shop! Mr. and Mrs. Khan," she said in a cheerful voice. Sheza returned the smile, wide and cute, while Saad nodded with his usual serious expression.

"Thank you!" Sheza said sweetly, her voice soft but filled with warmth. The shopkeeper immediately gestured for them to sit on the comfortable couch in front of a large glass table displaying many small, intricately designed Ittar bottles.

Sheza let out a small squeal of delight and grabbed Saad's bicep, unable to contain her excitement at seeing the cute bottles. Saad quickly pulled her into a gentle side hug, finding her innocent joy so endearing. Her ability to find happiness in small things made him feel a growing affection for her.

The shopkeeper smiled, sensing Sheza's enthusiasm, and asked kindly, "Ma'am, what kind of Ittar are you looking for? Something soft-scented or more intense?"

Sheza's big eyes lit up as she replied eagerly, "I'd like something soft-scented, maybe with a floral fragrance, like rose or something similar?"

Nodding, the shopkeeper quickly began searching through the counters, pulling out six large boxes. Sheza's eyes went wide, looking at the stack of boxes in front of her and then back at the shopkeeper and Saad.

Opening the boxes one by one, the shopkeeper explained, "This box has fruity-scented Ittars. This one has light, soft floral scents. This one has a bit stronger but still soothing scents. This one is filled with different types of rose-scented Ittars, and they're all soft. And finally, this last box has mixed scents—some formal, some fruity, some soft, and others soothing."

The shopkeeper took a deep breath after finishing her long explanation.

Sheza frowned cutely, thinking, before picking up a small bottle from the box labeled "hard and soothing scents." She carefully opened it, dabbed a little on her wrist, and sniffed it with her tiny nose. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and without hesitation, she dabbed some on Saad's wrist as well. "This one will definitely suit you!" she exclaimed with a big smile.

Saad chuckled at her eagerness, patting her head affectionately before bringing his wrist up to smell the scent. He nodded in agreement. "It's good. If you like it, we should buy it."

Sheza grinned, happy that she had found the perfect scent for him. "Let's find an Ittar for ammi and abbu too!" Sheza exclaimed, pulling Saad along with excitement as she moved toward the boxes filled with more beautiful bottles.

Saad smiled softly, following her excited gaze. Her excitement for even the smallest things warmed his heart, and he admired how much she cared about his parents.

"What kind of scents do you think they'd like?" Sheza asked, turning to him with wide, curious eyes.

"For Mom, something a little stronger but soothing—she prefers scents that linger and make a statement," Saad replied thoughtfully. "And for Dad, definitely something with oud or musk, something deep and rich."

Sheza nodded in agreement, already browsing through the selection with careful eyes. After a few moments, she picked up two bottles—one with a calming yet strong sandalwood and jasmine blend for ammi and another with a deep oud fragrance for abbu.

"How about these?" she asked, holding them up to Saad with an excited smile. "This one for ammi has a soothing yet strong scent, and this oud one seems perfect for abbu."

Saad took a moment to smell both, nodding his approval. "These are perfect. Mom will love the soothing strength of this one, and Dad will definitely appreciate the oud."

Pleased with the choices, Sheza placed the bottles on the counter. "We'll take these two as well!" she said to the shopkeeper, her voice filled with excitement.

As the shopkeeper carefully wrapped the bottles, Sheza beamed up at Saad. "I can't wait to give these to them. I hope they'll love the scents we picked!"

"They will," Saad said, his voice soft with affection as he gently squeezed her hand. He admired how much thought she put into everything, especially when it came to his family. It made him feel even more grateful to have her by his side, her love and kindness lighting up his world.

"Now, my little Begum, I will find one for you," Saad murmured with a mischievous smirk, his voice low and teasing.

Sheza's eyes widened, and she let out a squeal of joy. "Really!! You will? Then I'm so excited!" she exclaimed, her whole face lighting up with excitement.

Saad chuckled, his deep laugh rumbling in his chest, and gently flicked her chin, causing her to pout cutely. She scrunched up her nose in playful protest and nudged him like a kitten, urging him forward. "Hurry up! Find me the perfect Ittar!" she teased, her playful nature shining through.

Saad shook his head with an amused smile, his eyes still scanning the shelves. "You're such a handful, you know that?" he teased, though his voice was filled with nothing but affection.

Sheza's grin grew even wider, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I know, yet you love me!" she chirped, bouncing on her toes, clearly enjoying the moment.

Saad paused, looking down at her with a smirk. "Unfortunately, I do," he said playfully, though his gaze softened, filled with warmth.

Sheza giggled and nudged him again, this time more like a playful shove. "Well, too late now, mister. You're stuck with me." Saad's chuckle rumbled low in his chest as he reached up to flick her nose gently. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he muttered, his voice sincere despite the teasing.

Sheza blushed, her heart fluttering, but she quickly covered it up with her usual playful banter. "Okay, okay, now hurry up! Find me the perfect Ittar!" she urged, tugging on his sleeve, making him laugh as he returned to his search.

Saad's eyes landed on a small, elegant bottle nestled among the others. Its design was simple but graceful, much like Sheza herself. He picked it up, removed the cap, and sniffed the scent—delicate, soft, with notes of jasmine and vanilla, but balanced with something a little deeper and warmer underneath. It was sweet, but not overpowering.

Without a word, he dabbed a little on his wrist and brought it to her nose. "Here, try this," he said, watching her closely.

Sheza sniffed his wrist and immediately beamed. "Oh my gosh, this is perfect!" she squeaked, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "It smells like me, doesn't it?" she asked, almost bouncing in place.

Saad smiled, pulling her gently into his side. "It suits you," he murmured, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "Sweet, with a hint of something deeper."

Sheza giggled, leaning into him. "You're good at this! I love it!" Saad looked down at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "Of course. How could I not know what's perfect for my Begum?"

Sheza blushed, her heart fluttering at his words, and clung to his arm happily as they moved to pay for their final purchase. The saleslady stood behind the counter, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape as she watched the unexpected display in front of her. She had been expecting the usual stiff interaction she'd seen from wealthy couples—the kind where formality ruled and emotions were barely visible. But this? This was something else entirely.

Her gaze darted between Saad Junaid Khan, the renowned, intimidating businessman known for his sharp, no-nonsense demeanor, and the sweet, playful exchanges he was having with his wife. The way he softened around Sheza, teasing her with flicks and affectionate nudges, was nothing short of shocking.

When Sheza giggled and nudged him back, her eyes sparkling with mischief, Saad's deep chuckle followed, the sound foreign to the lady's ears—she had never imagined hearing such warmth and tenderness from him. Was this really the same man? The same man who ruled boardrooms with an iron fist, now lightly flicking his wife's nose with a playful grin?

The saleslady blinked rapidly, trying to process what she was seeing, completely dumbfounded by the innocent flirting between the couple. Saad, the stern and formidable Saad Junaid Khan, was practically melting in front of her eyes, all because of his tiny, adorable wife.

Sheza's gleeful bounce as she teased him further had the lady's heart swooning despite herself. And when Saad leaned in, his voice low and sincere, telling Sheza he wouldn't have it any other way, the saleslady could only stare in awe.

How could someone so cold and serious outside be so gentle and sweet with his wife? she wondered, utterly fascinated. She barely realized her own cheeks were flushed as she watched the two bicker and flirt like newlyweds, completely forgetting her own place in the room.

The sales lady quickly straightened herself, clearing her throat softly, though she couldn't hide the slight smile tugging at her lips. Who would've thought? The great Saad Junaid Khan was completely wrapped around his small wife's tiny finger.

"Eiii, they're taking forever to come! When will they get here?" Sheza whined, her voice soft and filled with frustration as she dropped her head onto Saad's arm. She felt like a cute little baby throwing a tiny tantrum, and Saad was loving every second of it.

They were sitting in a café, completely emptied out on Saad's orders, so they could have some private time while waiting for the elder Khan couple, who seemed to be taking their sweet time arriving. The cozy atmosphere, soft music, and the warm sunlight filtering through the windows made the café perfect—except for the fact that Sheza was growing impatient.

Saad looked down at his little Begum, her lips pouting and her brows furrowed in frustration, and he couldn't help but smile. Her sulking was too adorable for words. "Okay, okay," he said softly, his voice full of warmth. "For you, let me call them and see where they are, hm?"

Sheza, still frowning, nodded and aggressively nuzzled her face into his bicep like an irritated kitten. Saad chuckled, absolutely smitten with her antics, and without hesitation, he gently pulled her onto his lap, cradling her close.

Sheza let out a small, contented purr as she hid her face in his chest, her earlier frustration melting away as she settled into his embrace. Saad wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair soothingly, enjoying the way she snuggled into him.

"They'll be here soon, don't worry," he whispered softly into her ear, but he wasn't in a hurry to let go. Having her so close, so wrapped up in him, made him wish time would slow down just a little more.

"Mmm... okay," Sheza mumbled into Saad's chest, her voice muffled and much calmer now. Saad, amused by how quickly his little Begum went from sulky to content, kissed the top of her head lovingly. The café was still and peaceful, just the way he liked it—until a sudden click broke the silence.

Saad's expression instantly shifted from gentle to hard, his eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the sound. The audacity to disturb his moment with Sheza! His jaw tightened, clearly annoyed, until he spotted the familiar faces of the elder Khan couple walking in. His annoyance softened, but not completely—he made a discontented face when his father, Junaid, gave him a knowing gesture, as if saying, "Dealing with her temper, huh?"

Junaid's eyes twinkled with amusement, but he quickly masked it. The elder Khan couple smiled sheepishly, sensing they had interrupted something.

Maira cleared her throat gently and called out in a soft, almost motherly tone, "Hey, baby kitten?"

Sheza shifted in Saad's lap but didn't move to face them. Instead, she hugged Saad tighter, burying her face in his chest and showing her back to the couple, making her frustration clear. The protective warmth of Saad's embrace made her feel safe, and she wasn't quite ready to let go just yet.

Junaid, seeing the clear pouty display, suppressed his chuckle with a cough, trying to keep things light. "Okay, little princess, we sincerely apologize for ruining your lovely Sunday," he said, his voice soft but teasing. "But we still have plenty of time left in the day. Please, forgive us and talk to us, hmm?"

Saad chuckled quietly, patting Sheza's back, knowing how much she loved the attention but also loving how she clung to him when she was upset. "Come on, Sheza," he murmured softly into her ear, "They're here now. No more pouting."

Sheza peeked up at him with her big eyes, her frown still lingering. "But they took ages," she muttered, her voice still holding a bit of that cute whine.

Maira stepped closer and smiled softly. "We're really sorry, love. I promise we'll make it up to you. Maybe a special dessert afterward?" she coaxed, hoping to lure her out of her sulky mood.

Sheza's ears perked up at the mention of dessert, and she slowly peeked over Saad's shoulder at the elder couple. "What kind of dessert?" she mumbled, her interest piqued, though she kept her arms wrapped around Saad.

Junaid smiled, relieved to see the ice breaking. "Anything you want, princess," he promised, "Even if we have to find the best bakery in town."

Finally, Sheza cracked a small smile, though she still clung to Saad. "Okay, fine," she said, her voice softer now, but her pout still visible. "But I want two desserts."

"Okay, baby, anything you want. Now let's order something for your tiny tummy, hm?" Saad said, his voice tender as he rubbed her back gently.

Sheza's mood brightened immediately, and she nodded happily before carefully climbing down from his lap. She went to sit beside him, but not without making sure she was close enough to cling to him if she wanted.

Just as she was about to settle in, Junaid, her father-in-law, spoke up with a gentle smile. "Little Mrs, sit here," he said, gesturing to the seat between him and Saad.

Sheza paused mid-sit, glancing at her husband for a second before obediently moving to the seat between her father and husband. She quietly settled herself there, giving Junaid a small, shy smile.

"Good girl!" Junaid said with a warm, fatherly tone, clearly pleased with how sweet and accommodating she was being. His eyes twinkled with affection, as though he found her soft presence in the family completely endearing.

Maira smiled from her seat beside Junaid, watching the gentle dynamic between the three. She looked across the table at Saad, who was looking back at her with that unmistakable fondness he reserved for Sheza. Maira reached out to lightly pat Sheza's hand across the table.

"Well, now that everyone's settled," Maira said softly, "What shall we order, hmm? Let's make sure our little kitten's tummy is full."

Sheza's eyes sparkled at the mention of food, and she quickly shifted closer to Saad. "Something sweet first!" she chimed in, a small grin tugging at her lips as her mind began to race with thoughts of desserts.

Saad smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders protectively. "We'll get you anything you want, my Begum," he promised again, his voice full of warmth as he gently squeezed her close.

"Okay, until the dessert and food arrive, we've got a little something for you, our precious princess," Maira said, her hands coming together near her heart, her eyes warm with affection. Junaid, sitting beside her, began shuffling through a bag next to him, catching Sheza's attention.

Sheza's eyes lit up like stars. "Really? A gift for me? Please show me!" she exclaimed, bouncing slightly in her seat with excitement.

The elder Khans chuckled at her eagerness, clearly delighted by how easily their little daughter-in-law could be filled with joy. Junaid pulled out a small box, wrapped in glittery paper, and placed it in front of her. Sheza squealed in delight, clapping her tiny hands together, her eyes wide with anticipation. But before she touched it, she looked at Maira for permission, eyes sparkling.

"Go ahead, baby," Maira said with a soft laugh, nodding her head in encouragement.

Sheza leaned forward and touched the box delicately, as if it was a rare treasure worth millions. Her heart swelled with warmth, the simple act of receiving a gift making her emotional. She stared at the box, and before she knew it, her eyes began to well up. Soon, tears flowed down her cheeks like a cascade, catching everyone off guard.

The entire table froze for a second.

Saad, ever attentive, immediately panicked. He reached out and scooped her up into his arms, cradling her protectively. "Hey, hey, what's wrong, my baby?" he asked, his voice laced with worry as he gently held her close. Sheza let out a loud yelp, clutching onto him tightly, her small hands gripping his shirt as if her very life depended on it.

"Yah! You did it again!" she whined through her tears, her voice filled with frustration but still soft. She pouted and glared up at Saad, though her "glare" was more adorable than intimidating. "I told you, my poor heart is weak!"

Saad smiled softly despite the situation, brushing her tears away with his thumb. "How can I help it when my little baby cries like that?" he murmured, kissing her forehead.

Junaid, also concerned, leaned in and placed a finger gently under her chin, lifting her face slightly to meet his. "Leave that, little Mrs. First, tell me, why are you crying in the first place? You didn't like the gift? Should I change it?" he asked, his tone a mix of teasing and genuine worry. "Just nod your little head if you want me to swap it."

Sheza shook her head immediately, her big, watery puppy eyes looking up at Junaid. Her voice came out soft and shaky, "No, no, it's not that. I didn't even open the gift yet, so how could I not like it?" She paused, blinking back more tears. "It's just... until now, no one has ever given me something like this. It made me emotional. And I'm sorry I worried you," she added, her voice growing quieter. Her pout deepened, and in that moment, it was as if her imaginary bunny ears flopped down sadly.

Maira reached over, gently stroking Sheza's hand. "Oh, sweetheart, there's nothing to be sorry about. You're our daughter now, and it's our joy to spoil you," she said softly, her voice filled with affection.

Saad continued to cradle her close, rubbing her back soothingly. "No need for tears, my Begum. You're family, and family deserves love and gifts, okay?" he said, kissing her temple tenderly.

Sheza sniffled and nodded, feeling comforted by all the warmth and care surrounding her. She glanced at the gift again, her tears finally slowing, and whispered, "Thank you... for making me feel so special."

"Okay, open the gift, cutie," Maira said excitedly, her eyes sparkling with as much anticipation as Sheza's, who was carefully and eagerly working on unwrapping the box. Junaid watched his wife fondly, noticing a flicker of her old self—the bright, cheerful girl he had fallen for before their lives had been swept into the darker world of the mafia. Since then, Maira's innocence had been overshadowed by a tougher exterior, but now, seeing her light up, Junaid was reminded of those earlier, happier days.

His thoughts drifted to Sheza. She truly was the family's ray of sunshine, their little angel who had somehow brought a sense of peace and joy back into their home. With her, the warmth they had thought they'd lost was returning, little by little.

The girl is magnificent, he thought with a soft smile.

As Sheza peeled off the last of the wrapping, her eyes widened in surprise. "A phone?" she whispered in disbelief, staring down at the sleek Apple product in her small, chubby hands.

Maira's smile softened, and she nodded. "Yes, love. We noticed you didn't have a phone of your own, and we always see you borrowing Junaid's or Saad's. So we thought, why not give you one of your own? Now you don't have to wait or ask," she explained, her voice tender and full of affection.

Sheza giggled, her eyes sparkling with gratitude as she clutched the phone close to her chest. "Thank you very much!" she squeaked, her joy contagious as she bounced lightly in her seat.

Junaid chuckled softly, watching her. "You deserve it, little princess," he said, reaching over to ruffle her hair affectionately. "It's just a small token of how much we care for you."

Saad, who had been silently watching with a soft smile, leaned over and whispered in Sheza's ear, "Now you can call me anytime you want, my Begum. Even when I'm not with you."

Sheza's cheeks flushed slightly as she grinned up at him. "I will, Saad, I'll call you all the time!" she promised, her voice filled with the kind of innocent excitement that only she could radiate.

The elder Khans exchanged a glance, their hearts warmed by the scene unfolding before them. Maira reached over and placed a hand on Sheza's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're just happy to see you so happy, baby."

Sheza beamed back at her. "I really am! Thank you so much, ammi, abbu. I'll take such good care of it!"

Saad wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "We know you will, my little Begum," he said, his voice deep with affection as he kissed the top of her head.

And just like that, the café filled with the warmth of family, love, and the joy that Sheza had unknowingly brought into their lives.