"Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.”

 
[Saheeh Al-Bukhari]

***

Rida had her entire bedroom messed up. The event was today and she had nothing to wear. She wouldn’t have been concerned about her look if Rehan wouldn’t have come. Even though she knew it was impossible to look beautiful she wanted to look presentable for him. She sat there wondering where her black dress was which looked almost like a gown.

She looked at the dresses, sulking. She turned her head to her right when she heard a gasp. Faiza had just returned from college to ask for her sister some help to come across something horrible. Her entire room was messed up with clothes and there was hardly place left to walk.

“Are you putting them for sale?” Faiza asked and pulled out one of Rida’s dress that she liked. She slowly without Rida’s acknowledgment kept the dress aside to take it with her. 

“Don’t irritate me Faiza.” Rida said and pulled out every dress that she thought would be good but nothing worked. Faiza started moving the dresses to one corner of the room making way for her to walk.

“What do you want?” Rida asked knowing her sister well. She wouldn’t be in her room without any reason at this time of the day.

Faiza grinned at her sister who knew her so well. She told her that they had a presentation to do and she did not have any idea about the topic.

“I will help you but let me find a good dress for myself.” Rida said and Faiza nodded her head and started helping her, showing her every dress to her sister but just to be denied even before sparing a glance on it.

“Why don’t you go shopping?” Faiza asked and Rida gave her one look that gave her answer. Faiza glared at her sister and nodded her head before moving around the room searching for something. Her eyes sparkled when her eyes fell on a black dress. It was a kurta that was frilled up in the front curling backward while it had a long tail.

“Appi how about this one?” Faiza asked holding it in front of herself but Rida replied a no her eyes searching around the room.

“At least spare a glance.” Faiza said hearing her answer because she knew her sister had not even had a look of the dress.

Rida looked at the dress and squealed. She had been searching this kurta from such a long time just to mess up the room.

“I have been searching for this from so long. Thank you so much Faiza.” Rida said taking her sister in a bone crashing hug. Faiza giggled and hugged her sister back.

“Now get me your laptop, I will help you but first let me clean this mess.” Rida said and Faiza nodded her head walking out of the room jumping, but not forgetting to take the dress with her.

Rida started cleaning the mess. She got the kurta and kept it on the nearby chair with a pair of black jean and a black scarf. Faiza entered munching on an apple and her left hand carrying her laptop.

She sat down and pushed the clothes to her sister to keep them properly. After 20 minutes Rida was done. She turned to see that Faiza was working on her laptop. She went and took a seat next to her and started asking her what help she needed. Just as Faiza started explaining everything, Rida heard her phone vibrate. She excused herself and took her phone to be surprised.

Rehan.

They had not even once had a conversation on phone call from the time they had married. It was the first time he was calling her. She heard Faiza cough and she felt the heart rush up to her face. She stood up and walked to the balcony and after taking a deep breath she received the call. No one spoke both waiting to hear the other’s voice. She knew that he was on the other side as she could hear his breathing and she was sure that he could hear her too. After the longest silence between them, Rehan couldn’t take it anymore.

“Rida?” He called out and Rida felt her heart leap out. She started biting her lips. She nodded her head not trusting her voice. Face palming herself she cleared her voice making Rehan to smile.

“Yes?” She replied and Rehan felt his heart at ease. He did not understand why, but Rida’s voice always had this effect on him the reason he loved talking to her.

“I actually wanted to tell you something.” Rehan said feeling guilty and Rida nodded her head waiting for him to speak.

Her mind started wandering. She started thinking all the possibilities that could happen.

Had she done something? Or did he hear something about her?

“Rida are you there?” Rehan asked when he heard no response. Rida replied a yes brushing off the thoughts that were in her mind. She waited patiently to know what Rehan had to say.

“I am very sorry Rida I cannot come with you to your function. I genuinely wanted to come but an urgent meeting came up. I am very sorry.” Rehan said and Rida almost felt her energy draining.

She was excited to go out with Rehan and not to that so called function but she could hear the honestly in his voice. If he did not wanted to come he would have directly said no or would have told her earlier but now when it was only about some hours left. She smiled a sad smile feeling a little sad.

“Rida are you listening?” She heard Rehan and she almost gulped the lump that had formed in her throat.

“Yeah I heard you.” She said while playing with her hair. She wanted to tell him that he shouldn’t feel sorry but she knew one more word and the tears would escape her eyes.

“I am sorry Rida if it wasn’t urgent I would have come with you.” Rehan said feeling guilty.

He was very excited to go with Rida and be with her the entire time because they hadn’t spent any time alone but suddenly he realised that there was a meeting that needed to be handled. He had asked Kaif to handle it but the board of directors wanted Rehan to be present. He knew this was a big meeting that took place every year between the board of directors and the owners of the company.

He felt guilty ditching Rida at the last moment. The thing had completely slipped his mind but when he was reminded of it he cursed himself. He was sure Rida would be feeling bad and she wouldn’t even speak it out but he wanted to make it up for it.

“It’s okay.” Rida said making her own self understand that he was busy and had much more important work to do rather than attending any school function.

“I know it is not.” He said finding a way to make it up to her when his mind came up with a plan.

“How about we go out tomorrow?” He asked and the energy that felt few seconds ago came gushing to Rida.

She felt her heart hammering in her chest. A blush crept up her face.

A day out-of-doors alongside her husband?  She wanted to jump in excitement. She wanted to spend time with him from such a long time but hadn’t been able to due to the people surrounding them always.

“If you do not wish then it’s okay.” Rehan felt dejected but he did not wanted to force her too.

“No Not at all, I would love to go.” Rida said as soon as possible. Rehan smiled brightly while Rida felt a blush creeping on her face. She wanted to yell at herself for sounding so desperate but she did not wanted to miss the chance either.

“Okay than I will talk to mom and dad.” Rehan said and she nodded her head feeling shy to even utter a word.

Rehan had a huge smile on his face when there was a knock on his door. He asked Rida to excuse him and that promising to meet her tomorrow he ended the call. Rida pulled away the phone from her face and started jumping in excitement. The excitement she felt few minutes ago had now just increased. She did not mind him not coming with her to the function but what mattered to her was that he was taking her out.

With a smiling face she entered her room to see that Faiza had left. She was glad that Faiza had thought to give her the privacy that she was sure she needed at the moment. She felt like a small child who had just received a candy. She locked her room and started jumping on her bed, with the never ending smile on her face.

She hurriedly got down and did her ablution. It was almost Asr. She prayed Asr and two more raka’ah of shukrana. She was glad to have her life was getting beautiful. She cried in happiness. Just as she was done she heard the knock on the door. She got up and folded the mat neatly and opened the door to see Faiza. She turned around asking her to come in.

Faiza sat down on the bed while Rida joined her too after she had kept the praying mat properly. Faiza studied Rida’s face. Though she looked happy she could clearly make out the tear strain on her face.

“Were you crying?” Faiza asked and Rida shook her head with a small smile on her face. Faiza could actually make out that she was genuinely happy so without much more questioning she started talking about her presentation. Rida started explaining her about everything. What, why, where, how everything to Faiza.

“Thank you so much appi. You made things simple I think now I can work on it. If I have any queries I will ask you.” Faiza said and Rida nodded her head. She looked at the time to see it was magrib time already. She asked Faiza to pray with her. Both the sisters prayed magrib and dispersed to their respective work.

Rida started ironing her clothes that she was supposed to wear. She kept everything ready and went downstairs.

“Mom, Dad isn’t home yet?” Rida asked and her mum informed that her father was stuck in the traffic and would be here any minute.

“Till than why don’t you start getting dresses?” Her mum said and she nodded her head. She walked upstairs and started getting dresses.

It hardly took her 20 minutes to get dressed. She looked at her figure in the mirror. She looked pain. She was entirely decked in black from head to toe. The only jewellery she was wearing was that was Rehan’s. Their engagement ring in her right hand, while his ring on her left and the bracelet he had gifted her.

She smiled touching the bracelet gently. She felt herself blushing remembering the incident that took few days ago. She could still feel his touch on her. She closed her eyes and his face appeared in front of her. She started biting her lips opening her eyes.

She loved this new feeling. She was slowly developing feelings for him.
She walked out wearing her flats looking for Faiza. She found her inside her room with her phone. She coughed gaining her attention and waited biting her lips to know her reaction.

“You look….” Rida waited patiently as Faiza scanned her from head to toe. Rida was sure she looked good in this dress but when Faiza dashed out of her room without telling her anything she felt her confident drop out to zero. With a sad face, she walked out almost walking down the stairs when she heard Faiza. She raised her eyebrow when she saw some diamond thing in her hand.

“Wear this since you are not wearing any colours.” Faiza said and handed the diamond belt to Rida. Rida smiled at her sister and secured it around her small waist letting it hang loose. Faiza smiled at her and gave her a thumb up.

“Jeeju will be coming here?” Faiza asked and Rida shook her head informing her about the change of plan.

Just as she was walking down the stairs talking to Faiza she heard the doorbell. Confused she directly walked to the door to be surprised to find Mira by her door.

“Assalamualaikum aunty. How are you?” Mira greeted and hugged Shehnaz making the lady to smile at her. Mira would come to the Shaikh house often when they would have extra classes.

”Walaikumassalam beta. Alhamdulillah I am fine and what about you? It’s been so long that I met you.” Shehnaz said and pulled away from her smiling at her.

“Mira what a pleasant surprise!” Rida exclaimed and moved towards her engulfing her in a hug.

“Well now come on let’s leave it’s already 8:15.” Mira said and started pulling Rida’s arm and she looked at her mother smiled who was supressing her smile.

“Let me at least call dad he will drop us.” She said but Mira shook her head and informed her that her father was outside and would drop them.

Rida said her mother goodbye and walked outside leaded by Mira. She was patiently listening to everything Mira had to tell her. She greeted Mira’s father and sat down on the back seat of the car while Mira occupied the front one.

They reached within five minutes. Mira waited patiently behind Mira who was listening to her father’s instruction. After he had left Mira sighed in relief and turned to Rida with a bored expression. Rida smiled at her and started moving along with Mira.

Rida was surprise to see the entire place was crowded. She never knew that there were so many students in this college and plus the ex-students. She was looking around when Mira pulled her with her. They met the teachers, the one who had retired and the one who had joined too. The entire time Mira did all the talking by herself making Rida to feel at ease. She could even see some students whom she knew the one who were from her batch but she waited for Mira. She wished either Safa or Rehan would have been with her it would have been much more enjoyable. 

Rida shook her head pushing away all the thoughts aside and concentrated on the talk Mira was having with their physics teacher. She smiled Cheryl reminding herself about the good old days. She smiled remembering about how she would make them sulk with her boring extra classes and not to forget her love affair with the one and only Mr Mahesh. Rida almost giggled but was quick enough to hide it.

“Well I hope you both enjoy the function. Well I can see your group members are waiting for you. I will see you both in a while.” She said and both the girls turned to see their group. Rida felt a gush of happiness. She was meeting her friends after a very long period of time. Both the girls started walking towards where they could find their friends were waiting.

Mira hugged Sakina while Rida greeted Aman. She started talking to him when she realised that Rohan was also present there.

“Hey Rohan! How are you?” She asked and Rohan smiled before replying to her.

The five fell in a deep conversation picking up on everyone’s life. Rida did not interact much and did not disclosed about her marriage either. She was not sure if Rehan would want that or no. Just as they were talking they heard the sound of the mike. They turned around to see their English teacher aka the principle of the college.

“Good evening my dear students and to my colleague. I hope you all are doing great this evening. Are you‘ll?” She asked and turned the mike towards the audience hearing a loud ‘yes’. Rida looked around at the cheerful audience with a smile on her face.

“Are you’ll excited for the upcoming surprise?” She asked and the room was again full of noise.

“So let the program start. ON THE DANCE FLOOR!’ She yelled and all the couples moved towards the dance floor to have a dance.

She looked at the dance floor to see even the teachers were with their partners lost in the music. She smiled when she noticed Aman asked Mira to join him who readily accepted. Her gaze was fixed on them who were lost in each other’s eyes. She had always had her doubt on the both liking each other and the way they were dancing proved it right. She wished Rehan to be here. She blushed at the thought of dancing with him. She could hardly stand his gaze on her and being close to him makes her block her every sense.

“Rida?” She turned around when she noticed that Sakina was nowhere in sight and she was alone with Rohan.

“Yeah? And where is Sakina?” She asked and Rohan told her that he saw her talking to someone on the phone.
Rida nodded her head and turned her attention back to the dance floor.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” She heard Rohan. She turned to him to see her gazing at her.

“You haven’t changed either.” She said and Rohan raised his eyebrow in a challenging tone.

“Is that a compliment?” He asked folding his arm and Rida pretended to think before nodding her head, smiling at him.

“Well I appreciate it.” He said bowing a little making Rida giggle.

“But I must say you have become much more gorgeous with time.” He said and Rida felt a blush creeping up her face due to embarrassment. She was never good with compliment.

“Thank you.” She said and turned her face away from him

“May I have a dance with you?” He asked and Rida almost felt her eyes bulging out. Rida felt her nervousness at the tip.

Dance? And that too with a non- mehram? She did not like the idea of dancing with anyone else rather than her husband. She looked up at the hopeful eyes of Rohan and his extended hand. She started biting her lip not really sure what to do. She looked around to see Mira and Aman who were still lost in the dance. Just as she was about to open her mouth she heard a voice that she had least expected to be here.

She turned to her left to see Rehan standing at a little distance, moving towards her and closing the distance between them. She looked at how handsome he looked in his formal blank clothes. She couldn’t help not stare at him. Suddenly she jumped in the air when she felt his hand slide around her waist. All the tingles and the butterflies that weren’t supposed to be there had now started evolving back again. She couldn’t help the hammering of her chest. Suddenly he turned to her and she realised that she had been staring at him for a while now and that was clear with the smirk on his face. 

“Breathe.” He whispered in her ear moving a little more closer to her despite Rida felt that there was no space between them. Rida heaved a deep breath not knowing that she had been holding her breath from the time she had felt his hand on her.

“I am sorry?” Rohan asked his gaze moving between the two, his gaze lingering on Rehan’s hand that rested on her waist.

“Well I don’t think she would want to dance with you when she has her husband besides her.” Rehan said making Rida to blush a deep scarlet colour while Rohan gaped at him.

‘He smells so good.’ Rida breathed his perfume and couldn’t help but sniff again. Suddenly realising what she was doing, she shook her head yelling at herself for acting so weird.

“Rida…” Rohan tried forming word but Rida was hardly paying any attention to Rohan. Her entire mind and heart was occupied by the person standing beside her.

Rohan understood that Rehan wasn’t lying. He stood there looking at Rida with a hurtful expression. Just as he was about to open his mouth he heard footsteps. He turned to see Mira and Aman walking to them.

“Oh my Allah. The Rehan Shaikh!” Mira exclaimed almost jumping in the air. She always had a huge crush on Rehan and that was not hidden from Rida. Mira extended her hand to shake hands with Rehan and Rida felt a pang of jealousy hitting her.

Would he shake hands with a person who almost liked him? As she was thinking about it she felt his grip on her tighten and she turned to him who was smiling at Mira.

“Hey.” He greeted and stood firm while Mira felt dejected but without saying anything she pulled back her hand. Aman nudged Mira and she turned to him to see him directing her to see something. She turned back to where Aman’s gaze was. She was surprised to see Rehan’s hand encircling Rida’s waist.

“Friends he is my husband.” Rida said doing her best to hide the blush, when she saw Mira giving her mixed reaction. Everyone gasped her. Mira couldn’t believe the girl who wouldn’t even glance at his picture once was now her husband.

“Congratulations.” Mira said hiding all the queries and giving her a huge grin. She moved closer to Rida and embraced her in a tight hug.

Rehan moved away from Rida pulling away his hand, shaking hands with Aman. He glanced in Rohan’s direction who did not look happy. Ignoring him he turned to his wife who was still embraced in a hug by her friend.

“I need all the details.” Mira said and pulled away from Rida and smiled at Rehan who reciprocated it back.

“Now let’s go on the dance floor.” Mira said and pulled Aman with her while Rida and Rehan stood at their spot.

“But you had some meeting.” Rida said turning to Rehan folding her arm and he raised his eyebrow at her. He smiled at her attitude and without saying anything nodded his head.

“Well it got cancelled at the last moment and taking this as a chance I am here.” He said winking at her and Rida blushed dropping her hands and turning her head away from him.

“May I have a dance?” He asked extending his hand and Rida turned to him to see him giving her his cutest smile. Rida almost felt herself drowning in his eyes. She nodded her head and kept her hand in his. Her gaze moved to Rohan who was standing at a little distance from them, his gaze on her. She smiled at him and started walking with Rehan towards the dance floor, both completely forgetting about Rohan who had his eyes on them the entire time.

Rehan and Rida stood in the middle of the dance floor. They looked around to see that everyone were lost with their partners dancing, while the lights were dim. Rehan slowly pulled Rida towards her making her stumble. She blushed while he grinned at her. He kept his left hand on her waist, almost encircling it around it while Rida felt her knees going week. She could hear the beating of her heart. She could see the shivering of her hand. She started raising her hand, her eyes on his feet. She kept it on his shoulder not knowing what else to do.

She had done a lot of dance competition when she was in her school days. She had even danced with a guy at that time but when she had learnt about Islam she had stopped it completely. This was the first time she was actually dancing with a guy, and not anyone but her husband.

He looked at her smiling at her figure. He intertwined their fingers, his eyes still on her. He started swaying on the beats on the dance floor pulling her closer to him. He had pulled her so close that there was hardly any space between them. His eyes were on her face all the while with a small smile lingering on his face. He couldn’t help but admire the beauty in front of him and he was proud that she was his.
Rida could hardly look up as she could feel his gaze on her. She was sure she would be looking like an ugly tomato at the moment.

“You look beautiful.” Rehan said tightening his hold on her waist and Rida felt his minty breath on her. She blushed once again at his husky voice.

‘He sounds good.’ Rida thought but than almost felt like face palming herself, embarrassed at her own thoughts. She had been thinking about such things a lot this night.

“Rida?” Rehan called out and Rida snapped out of her thoughts looking up at him with an apology in her eyes for getting lost.

“I am sorry.” Rida said grinning at him awkwardly and Rehan smiled at her shaking his head at her.

Rehan looked around him to notice that everyone have now started exchanging their partners. He felt a bit possessive towards Rida making his hold tighten on her. She looked at him confused his face holding emotion that was foreign to her.

“Let’s go and have our food.” He said suddenly pulling away from Rida and she felt sad.

Was he not enjoying dancing with her?

Shaking her head she nodded her head and was about go away when she felt his hand still intertwined. She smiled a little looking at their hands. She looked up at him who was now besides her. He guided her to the table and made her sit while he went to get them food. While he was gone, Rida stared at him from afar. She couldn’t hold the small smile that was constantly on her face from the time he was with her.

“You did not tell us that you got married.” She heard a voice making her startled. She turned around to see Rohan standing with his lips in a thin line and his hands in the pocket. He walked towards her table and occupied the seat next to her. She smiled at him a confused smile shrugging her shoulder at him.

“So….Do you love him?” Rohan asked her and she debated with herself. She looked away from Rohan to Rehan who was now talking to two girls. She almost felt her inside burning. She didn’t know why she was feeling this way.

He is a great well known businessman and still is single in the eyes of the world so isn’t it obvious that girls will try hitting on him so why was she feeling this way?

‘Maybe because I am his wife now.’ she said to her inner voice almost getting pissed. Even if they did not know he should have not talked to them, right?

‘But you are also talking to Rohan.’ Her inner voice mocked and she turned to Rohan who was patiently waiting for an answer. She smiled at him awkwardly and turned back to see where her husband was.

She turned to see him nowhere in sight. She felt herself getting more possessive. She was about to get up when she felt a pat on her shoulder. She turned to her right to see no one and then she turned to her left to see Mira taking a seat next to her while Aman occupied the seat next to her.

“Where is your husband?” Mira asked and she felt more jealous.

Was he so popular among the girls?

“He is coming.” She said sounding as polite as she could. She did know why she was suddenly getting so pissed.

“Rida?” She heard Rohan and she snapped her head in his direction raising her eyebrow.

“Nothing.” He said smiling at her and Rida felt rude. She groaned almost on the verge of scratching her hijab but controlled herself.

“What’s wrong?” Mira asked looking between the two. She always knew that Rohan liked Rida and that was very much visible in his eyes. She had even told this to Rida but she had denied it not believing her.

“No nothing is wrong.” Rohan said and excusing himself he walked away leaving behind a confused Rida.
Rida turned her head around the place searching for her husband who was nowhere in sight.  She was about to get up to go in search of him when she noticed that he was just in front of her walking towards her.

“Rida here your plate.” He said and handed her the plate that he was carrying while sitting beside her.

“We’ll go and get us some food.” Aman said and both of them walked away leaving the couple behind.

Rida looked down at her food feeling a lump in her throat. She played with her food and that did not go unnoticed by Rehan. He looked at her with confusion gulping the food and drinking some water.

“Rida, what’s wrong? Are you alright?” Rida looked up at him surprised that he had noticed the change in her behaviour. She shook her head and took a morsel of food in her mouth. He narrowed his eyes at her interpreting what had gone wrong that had made her mood to fall down.

He did not speak after that but his gaze lingering over her the entire time. Rida looked at her food knowing well about the eyes that were resting on her. She looked at her plate of food feeling the loss of appetite.
Rehan looked around the place to see that everyone were busy either in dancing or having their food while talking to their friends. He searched for Rida’s friends thinking they would be knowing the reason behind her bad mood but he couldn’t even find them.

Rehan moved his food plate aside and kept his hand on her thighs making her startled. She looked up at him trying to smile but he raised his eyebrow at her. Just as he was about to open his mouth he was interrupted.

“Rida! What a pleasant surprise.” Rehan looked up to see a guy almost his age smiling at Rida.

“Oh hi Assalamualaikum Unaiz.” Rida greeted him smiling at him politely about to stand up when he shook his head and indicated her to sit down while he himself sat down next to her, opposite Rehan.

Rehan looked at the guy who was now having a conversation with Rida. She looked calm while talking to him. He felt a little jealous that Rida wouldn’t even glance at him and would have a conversation with some other boy.

“So he is your husband?” Unaiz asked pointing to Rehan who smiled at him while Rida nodded her head, still not looking in his direction. Rehan did not understand what he had done but Rida’s behaviour was making him agitated. He was controlling his frustration. He did not wanted to create a scene in front of anyone but more than anything he was upset that Rida wouldn’t even talk to him.

He had planned that tonight they would talk about everything they had missed within this few days but guess Rida had some other plans. She was doing perfectly alright when they were dancing or was it because of the dancing she was upset?  

‘Maybe she did not like being close to me.’ Rehan thought and agreed upon it. He felt guilty of making Rida uncomfortable. It hadn’t even come to his mind that dancing this close could make her distressed.

He cleared his throat and making a point to ask forgiveness from Rida.

“How about one dance if your husband permits?” Rehan looked at Unaiz who had his hand extended. Rehan’s hold on the spoon tightens. He looked at Rida who was now gazing at him. He simply shook his head, not showing his discomfort.

“I don’t have any problem.” He said spatting the words with a heavy heart. He looked at Rida wishing she would simply deny the offer. He did not like the idea of Rida dancing with any guy but he did not wanted to cage Rida. If she was willing to dance, he was okay with it. He would try being okay with it.

“I am sorry Unaiz I am not feeling well.” Rida said gulping the lump. She wanted to scream in agony. She felt like she would cry at any moment.

She wanted him to say a no. She wanted to know if he would be jealous too just like her. But he wasn’t. He was completely fine with her dancing with any guy and here she was burning because he was just talking to some random girls.

“No worries I hope you feel good by the end of the night.” Unaiz said and after saying his goodbye he walked away leaving the two, on their own thoughts.

While Rehan was relieved that Rida hadn’t danced with that guy, Rida was much more upset. She did not even why she was feeling such way. She did not feel good and all she wanted to do at the moment was be at her place.

“I think I am done for the day, let me just call dad.” Rida said and was about to pull her phone out when Rehan stopped her.

“Let me drive you home.” He said and Rida did not wanted to be rude so she nodded her head.

She got up and started searching for Mira but she was nowhere in sight.

“There she is.” Rehan said pointing at the end of the place and Rida looked to where Rehan was pointing and noticed Mira with her group.

Rida walked towards them followed by Rehan. She said her bye to them and after hugging Mira and Sakina she turned to leave with Rehan beside her.  

They both walked out of the venue, in complete silence. While Rida was looking around the place, remembering her old memories, Rehan had his focus on Rida. He was thinking of how to apologize to Rida. He cleared his throat thinking of where to start. He looked around the place and glad to notice there were hardly any cars that were parked outside the gate since he had been late.

“Rida…” He called out stopping at his place while Rida was a little ahead of him. Rida stopped and turned around a little confused. She nodded her head asking him what was wrong.

“Uh...well... I am sorry.” Rehan apologized and Rida looked at her confused. She did not understand what he was apologizing for.

“I did not get you.” She said and Rehan rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed.

“For… the dance. I did not realise that you were uncomfortable.” He said and Rida looked at him for a few minutes grasping what he was speaking. She looked at his face that looked cite and she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her mouth.

Rehan looked at her confused but a small smile made its way on his lips when he saw her giggling. He was satisfied that at least she was smiling. Rida stopped her giggle and shook her head at him.

“I wasn’t uncomfortable.” She said a blush creeping up her face that did not go unnoticed by Rehan. He sighed in relief after realising that he was proven wrong.

“Then did I do anything wrong?” Rehan asked and Rida felt a lump in her throat. She avoided looking into his eyes and started moving away from him. Rehan looked at her confused but he did not let her move much further since he needed his answer.

He pulled Rida from her arm. She gasped when she was turned around and collided amongst his hard chest. She felt a blush creeping up her face but she did not dare look up at him. 

“Look up at me Rida.” He said pulling her chin upstairs to make her look at him.

She found it hard to breathe with his closeness. She looked up to find his dark pitch black eyes gazing stare at her as if trying to read her. She could see the frown lines on his forehead. Without thinking much she moved her hand upwards to remove the creases. He realised her effort and smiled at her to which she blushed. She tried moving away but Rehan was in no mood of leaving his wife without getting his answer.

“You had been ignoring me almost the entire time after our dance.” Rehan said and Rida took a deep breath lowering her head.

“I wasn’t.” She whispered out so softly that Rehan could only hear her because of their closeness.

“Yes you were and now please don’t lie and tell me the truth.” Rehan said warning Rida and she gulped a sense of guilt forming in her.

She had been ignoring him for something which he wasn’t at fault. How could she even voice out that all she was feeling was jealousy?
She started biting her lips while thinking of something. She could feel her eyes whelming up.

Rehan glanced at her lip that was in between her teeth. He smiled realising her nervousness. He pulled out her lip making her embarrassed. She looked up at him and Rehan was surprised to notice the unshed tears in her eyes.

“Rida tell me what have I done to upset you or is it someone? Tell me.” Rehan pleaded and Rida felt the tears running down her eyes. She did not know why she was acting so strange. It wasn’t his fault and what wrong was it to only have a conversation.

“No-nothing is-is wr-wrong. I just-I just am no-not feeling we-well.” Rida stuttered in between from her tears wiping it with the back of her hand. Rehan looked at her, her nose pink due to her crying.

He smiled wiping her tears and moving forward he kissed her forehead and Rida felt a sense of comfort washing over her. She closed her eyes enjoying the feeling.

Rehan pulled back and looked at her who had her eyes closed. He smiled looked at her tint face. He wiped her cheeks and her eyes opened adjusting to the light. She could feel the heat on her face. She moved a little wanting to be away from his heated gaze. Rehan left her waist and after giving her his hand, he started moving towards the car.

While they both walked hand in hand towards the car, Rehan couldn’t help but glance at his wife that walked besides him with her head hung low.
And that’s when he realised that he had his entire world in this one person. His wife. His lady love. His Rida.