Allah hears every cry, He knows how hard you try.

***

Rida played with Rehan’s fingers sitting in between his leg. They were happy for clearing out things before they could get out of hands. Rehan felt guilty for jumping onto conclusions without making an attempt to know the real side of the story. He now understood that things always were not the same as seen. He glanced at Rida with a soft smile on his face who hadn’t spoken a word in a long time. She was engrossed playing with his fingers making her look nothing less than a child. He bent a little kissing her on her head with his heart filled with emotions gaining her attention. She turned to him and smiled a little while he continued gazing at her.

“You should leave; you might have a lot of work.” She said glancing at his watch and as a reply he removed his hand from her hold before wrapping his arm around her waist and bringing her closer taking her by surprise. 

“Just so you know I am the boss of the company and I can go at any point of time in there and can even take holidays without a note and just so you know I am on leave now.” Rehan said pulling her hair out of the clip letting them fall freely on her shoulder. Shaking her head with a small blush on her face she pulled herself away from his hold making him grin at her. Rehan heard the beep of his phone indicating a message but when it continued he pulled out his phone to see his dear sister-in-law had sent him a few pictures.

“Faiza just sent me some pictures, and I have a feeling that they are our wedding pictures.” Rehan said turning the phone to Rida before scrolling up to check the images.

“Yeah she had sent me a few too yesterday but I was busy to go through them.” Rida said taking her phone from the couch before walking towards Rehan. She sat in front of him on her knees busy with her phone when Rehan pulled her through her elbow. She looked up at him with furrowed eyes but a deep scarlet coloured appeared on her face when he made her seat in between his legs once again.

“I enjoy your company.” He stated and keeping her phone aside he brought both his arms in front of Rida as a mean of caging Rida between. She could hear how hastily her heart was beating and she was sure he was well aware of it.

“Look at me I look so handsome.” Rehan commented at one picture making her to eye the phone. It was a picture of his entry while his eyes were on Rida and Rida’s right shoulder was at the camera. Someone had clicked the picture from behind Rida.

‘You are very handsome Rehan.’ She thought in her mind not being able to voice it out. She knew he would make things much more difficult for her if she confessed it.

“You could have at least said a yes.” Rehan mumbled in Rida’s ear making her giggle. She nodded her head as though agreeing with him.

“Look at this.” Rehan swiped the picture to witness Rehan feeding Rida, his right side of the lips curled upstairs while Rida had her head lowered.

“Ah! That moment, it is one of my favourite.” Rehan whispered rewinding the moment once again in his mind while Rida did the same. It was one of the intimate moments they had shared after their marriage. Maybe for everyone else it was just them feeding each other but only the two knew the emotions and the fun they had during that time.

“Your face was worth to see I wish I had clicked your picture.” Rehan said almost sadly shaking his head while Rida rolled her eyes but as soon as Rehan moved to the next picture they both were astonished.

It was a picture from them playing to find the ring. The picture clearly captured Rida’s wide eyes with her mouth parted apart a little while Rehan winking at her without the notice of anyone.

They both looked at each other before turning back to the picture, “This is surely Faiz.” Rehan remarked after scanning his eyes through the entire picture. They both continued going through the pictures, remembering every incident linked to the picture when they heard the call of Adhan.

Rehan silently turned off his phone and slide it, keeping his head on her shoulder attentively listening to the call of prayer while Rida couldn’t help smile. Just as the Adhan was over they both stood up without uttering a word. They walked towards their room to pray their Dhuhr salah.

Once they were done, they sat on the prayer mat silently as though conversing with the Lord when suddenly Rida’s eyes widen.

“Ya Allah!” She whispered gaining Rehan’s attention and he raised his eyebrow. “What’s the matter?” He asked getting up folding his prayer mat while Rida followed his action.

“Mum had called us for lunch, it completely skipped my mind.” Rida said face palming herself, “Can you drop me?” She asked him pinning the hijab securely.

“Relax, she had called me for that too and I promised her to be there for dinner and not lunch and she agreed.” He said taking the pin from her hand and she looked at her shocked. She hadn’t even prepared lunch at the first place.

“Oh my Allah, I did not even prepare lunch. You are such a distraction.” She said glaring at him while he raised his eyebrow at her before smirking at her.

“Oh Darling, I was born to distract people.” He remarked and she moved forward a little patting his cheek, “Oh honey, you distract people not me.” She replied voicing it out exactly as Rehan’s.

He raised his eyebrow at her a smirk forming on his face while he slowly pulled her to him through her back.

“What did you say?” He asked and she smiled sweetly at him keeping her hand on his chest to maintain distance between them.

“I said you distract…” She tried answering him but he shook his head making her look at him in confusion.

“Before that.” He said and she shrugged her shoulder as though not getting his point. “Ah, before that,” Rida paused nodding her head in understanding. “That I said oh…oh!” Realisation dawned upon her when she understood what he was trying to point out. She felt her body heating up while she started biting her lip in nervousness.

“Oh yes,” Rehan teased grinning evilly while Rida avoided eye contact with him. She tried pushing him away ready to run away from his sight but his hold was stronger than she thought. “Do not struggle you won’t be able to free yourself from me.” Rehan stated and moved his left hand up to her face bringing her lip out from her teeth making her conscious of her actions.

“I nee-need to cook.” Rida whispered gaining confidence thinking he might leave her but to her surprise he did not leave her instead wrapped her up completely in his arms.

“But I am not hungry.” Rehan cleared his eyes intense on Rida who had no movement in his arms, “Are you?” He questioned her and she desperately wanted to run away from him so she silently nodded her head making Rehan to bend his head.

“Are you really?” She looked up at him through her lashes giving him a shy smile that melted his heart. He released his hold on her taking a step back letting her turn around and walk away from him while he gazed at her back, with a smile etched on his face.

He plopped himself on the bed, resting his head on his palm while staring at the ceiling. He had never thought his life would be transformed after marriage. There was a time he despised being married and all that because of his father but he was glad that Rida had walked into his life. She had brought a ray of hope in his life. His past life was never roses and rainbows but now he could see his future; a better future with a loving family.

As he closed his eyes Rida’s face flashed in front of making him smile. He felt stupid for smiling in a room with no one present. Maybe this was what it was called to be in love. He was in love with his wife and he was ready to confess it to her.

He abruptly opened his eyes, sitting up straight as his mind started planning. He was now ready to confess his love to her. Picking up his phone he started searching up for some good ideas for a good date where he could tell her about his feelings but he was sadden when he found very cliché options.

“Lunch is ready.” He jumped a little at the sudden voice of Rida. He looked up at her giving her an uneasy smile while she raised her eyebrow at him.

“Yeah I will just be there I need to check a file.” Rehan lied through his tongue, feeling a little anxious. He had not once lied to Rida but he had done this to surprise her.

“Okay, I’ll be downstairs.” Rida said not trusting his words but she knew he wouldn’t lie to her either. It would be something very confidential to him to reveal it to her.

Rehan gazed at her watching her walk out of the room with no further questions of which he was glad of. He turned off his phone, not going with any of the internet idea. He would come up with something of his own; something very simple and inexpensive.

He walked down to notice Rida sitting on one of the chair while engrossed in her phone. He tiptoed to her wanting to take her by surprise but when his eyes flickered over to her phone he stopped in his track. He noticed she was busy changing her wallpaper unable to decide, moving from one photo to another. He smiled before taking a seat beside her while she was startled at the sudden movement.

“Here tell me do the honours.” Rehan said and extended his hand to let her hand him the phone which she did, unhesitatingly. 

Rehan moved through every photo, their wedding pictures. The start of her gallery was their pictures, which Faiza had sent him too. As he went through he found some of Rida’s pictures with her friends and some of Rida’s alone that were clicked at her place and Rehan couldn’t help admire the beauty. He could never get tired of admiring her and on their wedding she looked nothing less than a queen, his queen.

He stopped at one picture which looked much of a candid type. She was standing in the picture her right hand on the veil keeping it firm on its place while she had her face turned away from the camera smiling at something. Smiling he clicked on the picture keeping it as her wallpaper.

“Done,” Rehan declared and handed over the phone to Rida with a wide grin on his face. She looked at the photo and looked back at Rehan who could clearly see the denial on her face.

Without saying anything Rida searched through her gallery while Rehan tried peeping but he did not wanted to intrude her privacy so he moved his head back, gazing at her with his right hand under his ear leaning on the table.

He could see her biting her lip from time to time, her entire attention on her phone while her hair locks fell on her face disturbing his view.

“Done!” Rida exclaimed grinning widely and as soon as her eyes went to him she became aware of his eyes on her making her suppress in her seat. “Show me too which picture fascinated you more than what I had chosen.” Rehan demanded and Rida gave him a shy smile before turning her phone to him.

He was amused to see their picture from their wedding which was from their entry. Rida had her head lowered while Rehan had his face turned to her smiling at her.

“But your face isn’t visible.” Rehan commented looking at the picture carefully and Rida stood up from her place keeping her phone on the table shrugging her shoulder.

“Doesn’t concern me.” She replied and started bringing them lunch while all the while Rehan looked at her with pure admiration and love in his eyes.

He knew he had got a gem in the form of his wife and he would do everything in him to keep the gem shining throughout.

***

“And then she was like, “Great work Faiza I am proud of you”, and you know I felt so proud of myself.” Faiza narrated her college story to Rida who was busy chopping onions in the kitchen. Wiping her tears she smiled at her sister who had a proud smile on her face.

“That’s actually great,” Rida appreciated Faiza who grinned at her sister before taking a bite of her banana. “But how did you manage to do everything on your own because as far as I know you, you suck at mathematics.” Rida asked looking at her sister whose smile faded away as she heard her sister.

“What do you mean by I suck? I can pretty well solve sums and please that was just a problem or maybe two that needed my attention.” Faiza smiled nervously while Rida looked at her sister narrowing her eyes at her while mixing the salad, not believing her.

“Okay fine don’t give me that look, maybe Faiz helped me.” She said avoiding eye contact with her sister when her eyes fell on the apples that were kept a little away from her that made her to move all the way to the other side.

“Faiz?” Rida asked raising her eyebrow and she nodded her head taking a bite of her apple before it was snatched away from her by Rida who gave her a lopsided smile. “When did you guys turn friends?” Rida asked taking a bite of the apple and handing it to Faiza making her way outside.

“Oh please, we can never be friends. Its just that I bribed him using a pizza.” Faiza grinned wickedly making Rida to shake her head. She turned her attention from Faiza to notice Rehan and her dad engrossed in a talk but she could see now nervous Rehan looked at the moment. As soon as he turned his head to the left he sighed in relief when Rida walked and sat beside him keeping a distance between them.

“Dad where is mum?” Rida asked looking around to find her mum nowhere. “She had missed praying magrib so she is probably in her room.” He informed thinking for a while and Rida nodded her head. The room fell in a deep silence everyone lost in their own thoughts.

Understanding the thickness in the air Rida’s father excused himself leaving the three alone.

“Finally! Tell me Jeeju how did you find the pictures? Weren’t they just amazing and how is my sister treating you? Does she prepare delicious food or is she the same making rock hard tortillas?” Faiza exclaimed startling the two. While Rehan chuckled hearing her, Rida couldn’t help but feel ashamed of her sister who did not leave a chance of embarrassing her.

“Well I did not yet get the chance to have her tortillas but I will Insha Allah let you know how they were.” Rehan gave her a thumb ups making Rida to glare at him. Faiza giggled when she noticed the glare of her sister that she was giving to her husband ready to tease her a little bit more but as she opened her mouth she heard the ringing of the bell.

“That should be Safa di and Saif bhai.” Faiza said rushing towards the door leaving the two alone. Rehan moved a little closer to Rida which did not go unnoticed by her making her narrow her eyes at her.

“Do not worry, even if the tortillas are rock hard I will still have them with zero complain.” Rehan whispered and when he noticed that no one had yet entered the room he took that as a chance to peck Rida’s hand making her gasp while he winked at her giving her a silly smile.

Rida felt the heat gushing to her face at his gesture but when she heard voices coming their way, she hurriedly moved away from him sitting opposite him despite his denial. She looked up at the door to find Faiza coming in with a sulking face while few laughs followed her.

She raised her eyebrow at her sister but when she noticed Faiz entering with Safa and Saif she smiled wickedly at her sister who was in return raising her eyebrow at her. Faiza moved her head in between Rida and Rehan asking how she ended up on a different couch but she ignored her question standing up to hug Safa.

“Assalamualaikum how are you and how is our little one doing?” Rida asked taking a step behind smiling at Safa who with the help of Rida was now sitting.

“Walaikumassalam Alhamdulillah just pretty much tired with this one’s kicking.” Safa said pointing to her belly making Rida to feel an unfelt emotion. She could see Safa’s face glowing making her wonder whether it was because of her pregnancy or any other reason.

“Where is Farheen? Didn’t she come?” Faiza asked once Safa had answered Rida and she shook her head adjusting the pillow behind her back, Saif helping him making her give him a small smile.

“She said she had some kind of assignment that needed her attention the reason she did not accompany us.” Safa said and Faiza furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

“I don’t remember any assignments that are due this week or the next.” Faiza mumbled loud enough making everyone to turn to Safa while she herself was surprised. Rida looked around the room a defending silence enveloping them.

“Maybe she had some other assignment which you are not familiar with.” Rida said trying to clear the air and Faiza nodded her head absentmindedly.

“Where are uncle and aunty?” Faiz asked and Rida stood up telling them she would inform her parents about their arrival.

“By the way just so you know no one had invited you.” Faiza said folding her arms on her chest glaring at him while he raised his eyebrow in a challenging way and Rida almost coughed her way out that instantly made Faiza groan.

“Am I missing on something?” Rehan whispered into Faiz’s ear when he noticed the proud smirk on Faiz’s lip and not to miss his wife’s cough that did not go unnoticed by him.

“Definitely not!” Faiz exclaimed making Rehan to give him a pointed look while he avoided eye contact with him.

“Well I would love to know everything tomorrow in my office after your college.” Rehan informed and Faiz turned to him with a questioning look which Rehan avoided.

“Safa di I was thinking why not we do a sleep over tonight?” Faiza exclaimed running to Safa that alerted the two guys.

“Today?” Safa asked and Faiza nodded her head talking about the plan for the night and Saif almost lost his calm when he saw Safa taking interest in the talk. He would never let her out of his eyes when she was heavily pregnant with dangerous mood swings from time to time.

“They said they will be down in a few minutes.” Rida walked into the room to see Faiz busy using his phone while the two boys almost look troubled. She raised her eyebrow at Rehan who gave her a sweet smile making her doubt him. She turned to Saif to see him pulling onto Safa’s hand who looked unbothered about it engrossed talking to Faiza.

“What are you both talking?” Rida asked taking a seat besides Rehan, for that was the only seat available that brought a smile on Rehan’s face that he was quick enough to hide.

“Well we both have planned a sleepover today here, we can call Farheen and ask uncle to drop her here. I, you, Safa di and Farheen it will be so much fun. We can even call Aafia di if possible.” Faiza exclaimed and Faiz scoffed and according to her it was meant for her but he was busy enjoying the two lover boy’s expression that looked way hilarious at the moment.

Rida glanced at Saif who was shaking his head at her and she understood his concern.

“Faiza I don’t think that is possible. Safa needs utmost care at the moment and sleepover will not be great for her at the moment when she is due in a month.” Rida exclaimed that made both the girls to go into deep thoughts and Saif was glad when he noticed his wife nodding her head mouthing a thank you to Rida.

“Yeah Faiza, Rida is absolutely right and my mood swings have got worse with time, but hey what if I cannot come you all can enjoy. I and Saif will drop Farheen here.” Safa said and the smile on Rehan’s face vanished while Saif grinned widely at him teasing him while Faiz started coughing way too loudly making Rehan to elbow him.

“Yeah I think that can work but we will miss you.” Faiza said and Rida smiled at her sister when she noticed her taking Safa in a hug but she almost jumped when she felt a soft touch on her fingers. She looked at her fingers that aimlessly rested on the couch besides Rehan who was now caressing her fingers. Gazing up she noticed his puppy face while she gave him a questioning look pulling her hand away. He directed towards Faiza and shook his head and it took Rida a moment to understand what he meant. She bit her lip trying to hide the smile on her face.

“Faiza I don’t think today it is possible. Farheen has her assignment to be done while Aafia is busy too I think we should plan this some other day.” Rida tried her best to give a valid excuse that Faiza wouldn’t doubt and when she saw Faiza nodding her head she heaved a sigh in relief.

“Yeah I think appi is right.” Faiza said nodding her head and before Rida could say anything further she heard Faiz, “Yeah your appi is always right.” She turned to him to see him giving her a smirk making her look away. Faiz grinned evilly at Rehan who glared at him making his grin to get wider.

“But why don’t you both sister spend some time alone tonight? You all can have a sleepover some other day.” Faiz suggested and Saif almost laughed out loud hiding it with a cough while Rida gave a nervous smile to Rehan before turning to Faiza who looked curious between the four.

Before anyone could speak further, Rida’s parents walked into the room turning their attention away from their current conversation. Without waiting further, Rida’s mother instructed Faiza to set the table while Rida walked out too to help her sister while her mother asked everyone to walk to the dining area.

“Don’t think I did not see anything.” Faiz nudged Rehan in his ribs making him scowl. He ignored his remarked and walked fast accompanying Saif who was helping Safa to walk despite her denial. Rida and Faiza placed every dish on the table waiting everyone to settle so that they may serve them the food. Rida glanced at Rehan who had his eyes on her practically the whole time making her look away. Faiz coughed loudly making Rehan to roll his eyes at him but when he noticed Faiz taking a seat beside him he glared at him which Faiz ignored clearly enjoying annoying him.

“Hey, that’s appi’s seat.” Faiza legged in making Faiz to raise his eyebrow at her. “Faiza its okay he can seat anywhere he wants.” Rida whisper yelled glancing at her parents eyeing her sister while Rehan almost cried in agony.

“Understood?” Faiz said smiling too sweetly at Faiza which she ignored gazing at her brother-in-law who was killing Faiz with his eyes. Smirking she opened her message sending a message to him. Rehan looked confused when he noticed he had a notification from Faiza. Curious he looked up at her to whom she indicated towards his phone and he read the message almost a wicked smile spreading on his lips.

Keeping the phone aside, he waited to let Faiza pull her plan in action. He noticed Faiza disappearing in the kitchen while Rida stood near Safa serving her. He glanced at Faiz who was enjoying his food least bothered about his surroundings. Faiza walked back to the dining area with an evil grin on her face slowly making her way towards Rehan. Rehan placed his hand behind the chair letting her drop the thing in his hand and he jumped a little at its contact.

Faiza walked to Rida taking a seat beside Rida, not at all interested in the food for her entire attention was on Rehan who was waiting for the perfect time to execute their plan. Just when Faiz put a morsel in his mouth Rehan slowly moved his hand onto his neck letting the thing slip down his shirt that instantly made Faiz jump, coughing badly while the culprits smirked looking at each other.

“Shit!” Faiz exclaimed but hurriedly shut his mouth realising the presence of elders. He felt his entire back burning in the cold sensation as if someone had just dropped ice water on him and that’s when it struck him. Trying to get rid of it, he turned to Rehan who was now having his food silently.

“Faiz beta what happened? Are you alright?” Rida’s mother asked looking at the discomfort on his face and he nodded his head suppressing his groans. He tucked out his shirt letting the small piece of ice to fall, relaxing at it’s after effect while Faiza and Rehan tried holding back their laughter.

Rida looked at Faiz who looked a little relieved turning to see her sister smiling at her plate. Pinching her hand, Faiza turned to Rida hissing at its effect raising her eyebrow.

“What did you do to Faiz?” She asked and Faiza looked at her startled. Narrowing her eyes she rubbed her hand bending a little, “Every time something happens to him that doesn’t mean I am to be involved in it.” She whispered and continued having her food while Rida did not believe her words but she couldn’t do anything so without any other word she ate her food.

Little did she know that it was not just her sister but her husband too who was the reason behind the unnoticed prank played on Faiz.

***

Faiza groaned hiding her face in her palms due to embarrassment. She glanced at Faiz narrowing her eyes at him who was purposely laughing loudly trying to annoy her but she was doing her best to keep her calm for her parents sat right in front of her.

After having their dinner, everyone sat in the living area, Rida’s parents reminiscing their children’s childhood days but the topic had diverted only onto Faiza revealing all her embarrassing days which Faiz was taking advantage off.

“Then aunty, then what happened?” Faiz asked calming himself smirking at Faiza who had already killed him a thousand times in her mind.

“Do I even have to tell? She was on the floor while Rida sat there laughing.” Her mother said and Rida giggled remembering the day glancing at her sister who was throwing draggers at Faiz.

“Oh yes her all-time best friend.” Faiz teased and she took the cushion in her head stabbing it thinking it to be Faiz’s head while he understood the action, smirking at her.

“Yeah there are pretty lots of embarrassing moments of both my kids.” Rida’s mother said glancing between Faiza and Rida and Rida almost held her breath crossing her fingers to escape it.

“Yeah especially with us three, Rida always use to embarrass herself.” Safa said giggling and Rida rolled her eyes as though not believing her. Safa raised her eyebrows at her in a challenging way making Rida to look away letting her gaze fall on Rehan who was gazing at her. She widened her eyes at him who looked at her without blinking his eyes that made her nervous.

“Yeah and she stopped embarrassing herself from her high school otherwise you would have got a lot of her stories but with this one..” Rida’s mother said smiling at Rida before pointing to Faiza who was now in a glaring game with Faiz, “She still hasn’t changed.” Her mother said and Faiza snapped out of the game while Faiz screamed in victory gaining everyone’s attention.

“Sorry.” He whispered his ears turning red in embarrassment slowly sulking into his seat while Faiza giggled at his state making him give her a pointed look.

“I guess that was it for today.” Rida’s father said looking at the time to be almost mid night and Saif was the first one to nod his head. These days he hardly got any sleep due to Safa’s mood swings and the hectic schedule in his office did not help him much.

“Yeah it is pretty much late but I am glad mum did not call me.” Faiz said checking his phone surprised to see no notification.

“Probably because she is relaxed till the time you go back.” Rehan remarked making Faiz to roll his eyes while Faiza squealed teasing him.

“Bhai is so right.” Faiza said and Faiz glanced between the two glaring at them who were sharing a secretive smile that was understood by none except Faiz. “Don’t worry, I still have to plan my revenge.” Faiz said making Faiza to scoff while Rehan smirked ready for it.

Saif smiled at the three but as soon as his eyes fell on the dozing Safa he got up informing them about their set off. Rehan too got up his eyes on Rida who was now meeting her parents glad that Faiza had forgotten about the plan but just as he was about to sigh in relief Faiz nudged in.

“Rida appi aren’t you staying?” Faiz asked giving her an innocent face and she glanced at Rehan who was glaring at the smirking Faiz. “Revenge brother revenge.” Faiz whispered to Rehan but he did not give away anything, his gaze moving to Rida who was now looking in between Faiza and Rehan.

“No maybe next time.” Rida stated and Rehan hid his smile turning his head away, relieved. Faiza made a puppy face making Rida to smile at her before she took her in a hug.

“I will surely come some other day Insha Allah.” Rida whispered over her shoulder and Faiza nodded her head sadly before giving her a smile.

“Okay than Assalamualaikum.” Rehan said greeting her parents before walking out Rida following him.

Everyone settled in their respective car, Faiz and Faiza arguing over silly things before Faiza had a good shouts from her mother that made Faiz to throw a victorious smirk at her sulking face. Rida bid her parents before the car started a few seconds and she couldn’t see her parents anymore. She glanced ahead to see Saif’s car ahead of them and they bid them bye too after a minute for they had to take another route to drop Faiz who was persistent of being with Rehan but he ignored his say.

Rehan drove the car silently glancing at Rida once in a while who had her face on the window of the car enjoying the cold breeze with her closed eyes eventually letting sleep engulf her.

***

Author's note: Assalamualaikum lovely readers! I know I am very late and I am extremely sorry for it. JazakAllahu khair for being such supportive readers, you all mean alot to me!