Author's pov

Ira was coming inside through the front door when she heard Noor's words, "Because I love him."

She is happy and sad at the same time. Happy because her son found a perfect life partner, but sad for Noor, who has to leave her everything for this marriage.

She came forward and saw Noor crying and a young man holding her.

"Noor? What happened, bache?" She instantly ran to her, and Aadhil saw her coming.

"Nothing Maa." Noor instantly wiped her tears.

"As-Salaam-Alaikum." Aadhil greeted Ira, and Ira replied, "Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam beta."

"Maa, he is Aadhil Bhaijan." Noor introduced him, and Ira got really happy knowing that her brother came to visit her.

"Then why are you standing here like this? Your brother comes for the first time to your house. Bring something for him and have a chat with him." Ira said it excitedly and ordered the maids to bring tea or coffee.

"I'm so happy that you came beta. I just pray Shahzaib will also forgive her as soon as possible." Ira said, and her words brought more fresh tears into Noor's eyes, but she blinked them away, and Aadhil only nodded.

"Madam, where do we keep this?" Some workers came with a huge gift and asked Ira.

"Let her see first, then place it in her room." Ira said to them, then turned to Noor, "Go have a look. If you like it or not, If not, then we will change it into whatever you want to."

"What is this, Maa?" Noor is confused.

"Go and find out yourself." Ira said, and Noor stood up on her feet and unwrapped that big portrait-type gift.

But after seeing the picture, she is stunned. It's a picture of her and Veer. When Veer kissed her forehead,

"Maa?" She whispered.

"Did you like it?" Ira asks.

"It's beautiful." Aadhil couldn't help but praise that picture.

To be honest, the picture is actually beautiful. It's black and white, which completely complements the theme of their room, and they are actually looking so cute in that picture.

She plastered a fake smile on her face and nodded. "Yes, Maa, it's beautiful."

"Thank God you like it. Now you sit and talk with your brother. I'll go and instruct them where to hang that picture, or you want to come and suggest?" Ira ask.

"No Maa. I completely trust your judgment." Noor replied, and Ira left.

"I'm relieved to know that they accepted you." Aadhil said. "Are you really happy?" He ask.

"Didn't you see how much Maa loves me? Not only her, but Pratap uncle is also very nice." She replied genuinely.

"And Veer?" He asked, and Noor managed to lie again.

"Of course he is, too. He never tired of saying Begum-Begum all the time."

"Have you taken me for a fool, Noor? I know how much you hated that guy in school."

Aadhil's words caught her off guard. But she has gone so far that she can't back out.

"Opposites attract bhaijan."

"Don't Noor....."

"I met him in Australia. He is our partner in Hemsworth's project. We meet again, get to know each other better, and fall for each other. He is the only reason I denied Saad's proposal for marriage."

Somehow, Noor's words convinced him, and he actually believed her lie.

"Whatever it is, just always stay happy." Aadhil blessed her. "And whatever you did for me and my unborn child, I will always be in your debt. Even Laiba would never be able to make such a sacrifice for me." He said it with moist eyes.

"Please, Bhaijan, don't say this." She pleaded with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Promise me no one will know about this, and you will get married to Inayat as soon as possible. Promise me."

"I promise." He kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes. He wiped her tears and said, "I think I should leave now."

"Please stay for a while."

"I wish I could." And Aadhil left.

Noor wiped her tears. She has a different kind of peace today. After accepting Aadhil, she felt relieved, like a ton of weight lifted from her heart.

She goes upstairs and asks, "Is your brother gone?" Ira ask.

"Ji Maa," she replied.

"Look, does it look good here?" Ira asks, showing her picture hanging on the wall behind their bed's headboard.

"Yes Maa. Thank you."

"I'm glad you like it. I just hope Veer also likes it."

"Of course he will, Maa." Noor said, giving her an assuring smile, and Ira left.

Noor sighed heavily, looking at the picture, and got some rest. She took an afternoon nap, as she doesn't have much to do.

She is not used to staying free without work, and it's killing her.

In the evening, she got up and had tea with Ira. Then Ira left, as she had some work in her orphanage. She runs several orphanages and is also active in social work.

Noor is getting bored. She came back to her room and thought to call Prikshita.

But the exact moment she picked up her phone, Veer barged in.

"BEGUM!!! BEGUM!!!."

"You don't have to act. No one is watching." Noor hissed.

"We should always stay in character." He replied, flashing his toothy smile, and Noor controlled herself not to kill him right here.

"Stup up....."

"What the hell?" Veer cut her off, looking at the portrait hanging on the wall.

"Maa, hang this here."

"Of course I know. You will never do such a thing." Veer replied. "As much as I hate watching your face all the time in my room, I have to cooperate with it."

"Even I'm not dying to stay with you." She yelled.

"Ah ah! Biwi sahiba, keep your volume low." Veer said, and she gave him an I'll eat you alive glare.

"I'm not in the mood to talk crap and fight." Veer said, sitting on the couch. "Let's talk business." He motioned for her to sit.

"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

"First, sit down. Kabhi to husband, wait, husband, ko urdu mai kya kehte hai? (Just for a while, listen to your husband. Wait, what do we call husbands in Urdu?) "He tried to think but doesn't remember "answer Begum?" He asked, but she only rolled her eyes.

"OK, don't answer. What do you think? If you don't tell me, then I don't  know."He said and picked up his phone and asked the AI, "Hey siri, what do we call husband in Urdu?"

"There are three commonly used words: Shohar, Khawand, and Mian." Siri replied, and Noor scoffed.

"Shohar is best for now." Veer said to himself, put back his phone, and looked at Noor. "For once, listen to your shohar and sit down."

"Just say whatever you want to say." Noor asks, standing on her place, and crosses her arms in front of her.

"Ziddi ldki. (Stubborn girl)" Veer muttered under his breath, got up from his seat, and handed her an envelope.

"What is this?" she asks.

"Open it, and you will get to know."

"Divorce papers?" She asks sarcastically.

"Hah hah hah." He fake laughed and said, "I'm not leaving you this easily."

She opened the envelope, and she was surprised.

"Veer?"

"Are you accepting this?" He asks, and she has no words.

"But Veer?"

"Yes or no?"

It's an offer letter for the post of CFO in his company.

"Why?" she asks.

"Oh God!" He huffed and jumped on bed, lying on his back, and said, "The post is vacant, and we want someone experienced and trustworthy. P.S. Dad thinks you are trustworthy."

"What do you think?" She asked, cutting him.

"I think it's a shame to waste such a great employee. Besides our differences, I know how passionate you are for your work, and your brother took your every hard work. So I don't want to lose the chance to snatch you for my company's benefit. Simple. " He replied, looking at the ceiling, and Noor was looking at him like he had grown two heads. Her jaw dropped.

"Close your mouth, or a fly will get inside." He said this, looking at her, and she instantly closed her mouth while narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, come on, say yes. I know you get bored the whole day." Veer said, and she, without thinking twice, signed the papers.

"Congratulations for your new job." Veer said while getting up and taking the letter from her. "Now go and share with your new parents. I'm sure dad is dying to know your answer."

She instantly ran downstairs to tell Ira and Pratap. They are both happy.

Whatever Veer said to her is reality, he respects her passion for her work, but he doesn't like her seeing herself free without work and getting bored. So he suggested Pratap offer her a job.

Although he is never going to admit it in front of her,