"Bhooooowwwwww!!!" Jumping on his back, I tackled him down.

"God, Laiba!! You scared me!!" He said.

"Hahahaha....someone here is a baby!!" I said in a baby tone.

"This isn't funny!!" He got up.

"Oh, you have no idea!!" I laughed.

"You again came to my house uninvited!!" He said.

"By now, you should have adjusted with me in your house almost anytime!!" I shrugged, with my right leg dangling down from the sofa.

"Laibaaaaa...." He screeched.

"What?" I tried not to cringe but couldn't stop myself from doing.

"The hell you're wearing??!!" He yelled before turning his back!

I looked at myself and then looked at him. I was wearing a pale pink comfy shorts, white tank top and a pale pink shrug!! A perfect homey outfit!?

"I know I'm looking damn hot and you are having a hard time to control your hormones!!"

"Ya Allah!! What am I going to do with you?" He randomly made gestures with his hands with still his back to me.

"Oh, no no!! I say, let's get married first and then I'm all yours. You can take me--"

"Miss.Laiba Shaqil you dare not say anything more!!" He glared.

And I laughed loudly!!!

"You are so adorable!!" I commented.

"Whatever. Now go and change!!" He ordered

"But why?"

"What do you mean by why? Wear all these stuffs in front of your husband...go and change!!"

"Arey!!"

"Laiba!!"

"Okay, fine!! You know things would have been much better if you would have learned to control your hormones!" I said.

"For God Sake, I'm not getting turned on!!" He grimaced.

Raising my hands up in surrender, I said, "I never said anything!!" And the way he looked at me was enough for me to fall down on the couch and laugh till my stomach hurts.

After sobering up, I took deep breaths to calm down but he still looked pissed off!!

"Fine, I'm going." I chuckled and stood up to leave, when he stopped me.

"Laiba, come fast, I'll be cooking!!"

"Then, I'm not coming!!" With that I ran out of his house.

Coming back to my house, I again chuckled remembering his reaction. Shaking my head, I rummaged through my wardrobe but in a civil way. What should I wear? No, we weren't planning on doing something or going out, so what could I wear which will fit his "criteria".

Wait?!

Since when did I started thinking so much on what to wear or not?

And why was I even trying to impress him?

No, I am not trying to impress him!!

Not at all...

No no no....

What should I wear??? I sighed.

Looking carefully and going through each and every dresses that I own, my fingers finally stopped at the one. Immediately, a big grin was formed on my face as my eyes opened up, taking out the dress in my hand.

Guess, it's a pink day, today!!

Smiling to myself and hoping to see a reaction from him, I kept the dress in the bed and looked for the jewellery or accessory that'll go with this dress.

Opening the last drawer of my dresser, my fingers stopped on a very particular blue velvet box. With wavering hands, I picked it up. Debating with myself to open or not, I finally came to the conclusion to open it. Once the box was open and the memories rushed through my veins and got mixed in the blood.

A lone tear felled on top of the most precious ring, that I've ever owned. It's the most expensive gift and the most cherished gift. A gift from someone, passed down to me, promising me that I'll never be left alone, broke every pieces of me.

Deciding to be strong and not fall apart again, I took out the ring from that box and held it in between my fingers. The ring was nothing fancy but even though being an ordinary ring, it holds a biggest part of my heart. A soft smile plastered my face, this time bringing the happy memories.

Hoping that one day my husband will listen to all of my stories!

Wait!

Husband???

Banging my head lightly on the dresser, I stood up and kept the ring on the dress.

Mr.Grey Eyes you're doing no good to me!!

With that thought I was about to enter my washroom, when the door bell rang. Quickly rushing down the steps, I opened the door, to find clothing rack stand. Their were almost three racks, each filled with expensive clothes, accessories, bags, clutches and if I'm not wrong then there's also a huge bag amidst the stand which I guess is full of make up. Sighing, I looked up to find a middle age man standing.

"Yes, how may I can help you?" I smiled in spite of the anger boiling inside of me.

"Miss.Laiba?" He asked.

"No, Miss.Laiba Shaqil" I said

"Oh! But, Mrs.-"

"Nevermind, so how can I help you?" I asked

"Mrs.Brent has send these for you!!" He said.

Of Course !

"I appreciate the effort that you took to bring all these here, but I can't take this!"

"Mam, she has specifically asked me to not to listen to any of your excuses!" He said.

"Well, take it my excuse or request, but I can't take these stuffs." I said politely.

"This is a small gift from Mrs.Brent!"

"Then please tell her to come by herself next time and give me my gift" I smiled

"Mam-"

"Sir, I very well understand that you're doing your job and I'm very much impressed with the way you are doing, but, I can't take these. You may take these back with you and don't worry if she says anything just tell her to talk to me. And yeah, I'm going somewhere and I need to get ready, so please, pass on my message to her. Thank you." With that I closed the door.

Leaning my back on the door, I closed my eyes and relaxed myself before walking back to the washroom. Taking a quick shower, I towel dried myself and wearing a bathrobe I walked out. Before I could change my mind and settle into another pair of shorts, I quickly wore my dress.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I straightened my dress. It was a simple pale pink crochet trim kameez, with a little embroidery on the neck and pearls attached on the sleeves and on the ends of the kameez. It has the matching pant that came a little below my ankles.

Applying a bit of kohl in my eyes and a lip balm, I brushed my hair. Doing a side parting I gathered half of my to my right shoulders and left the other half on my back. Picking up the dupatta, which had small balls scattered all over the dupatta, I placed it on my left shoulder and let it fall down. I wore my studs and then took the ring in my hand. Quickly slipping it on my right hand ring finger, I finally looked at myself in the mirror.

No doubt, the colour suited me and this dress was absolutely pretty. I was looking different, I mean in a good way. I've always wore western, but this looks so good on me. I look good. Feeling a tad bit nervous of what will be the reaction of Mr.Grey Eyes, I played with the ends of my dupatta.

Hesitatingly I took out my nude colour ballerinas and wore it. I couldn't help but giggle at the thought that I was just going to the next house and we didn't have any plan to go out still I took this much pain to get ready!!

Do I really wanted to impress him?

NOOOO!!!!

Was my immediate answer.

He was only my best friend and nothing else.

Hmm..maybe I could coax him to go out for coffee or ice cream?!

Yeah, that sounds better!!

Taking my cell and my keys, I walked out of my house, with my heart hammering in my chest, palms turning sweaty and feet becoming wobbly.

Again screaming at myself for unnecessarily behaving like this, I finally found my confidence back and walked towards his apartment with my head held high.

Little did I know that the very next second, I wouldn't be able to look up ever, with the very next words that I spoke.

"Now, do I look like a wife material?"

Done Done Done!!!

And I want the ground to open up and swallow me.

I know that I'm quite blunt and say whatever comes in my mind without giving a though, which I should from now on, but, that doesn't make me a girl who has no manners!!

But of course, this just makes me want to crawl on my bed and curl up and sulk!!

Should I cry over my embarrassment or Should I laugh???

Kill me now!!

"Assalamualaikum, Laiba!!" An extremely sweet voice greeted me followed by a kiss on the forehead.

Continuously playing with the ends of my dupatta, I bit my bottom lip before replying, "Walekumasalam".

Not mustering the courage to look up and reply or smile!!

This is way too embarrassing!!

Speaking of embarrassment where the hell is the owner of causing me this embarrassment??!!

Oh yeah, I forgot, he was busy catching flies!!

A finger was placed under my chin before pulling up my face, but I was quick enough to close my eyes. Shy? Very much!! Embarrassed? Hell yeah!!

"Masha Allah. Isn't she beautiful Ashfaq?"

"Masha Allah"

Hearing another person's voice, I muttered, "Assalamualaikum"

"Walekumasalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu"

"Nazneen, let the poor child come inside, don't see how nervous she is?"

Nervous?? Hah!! Oh, I wish someone just kidnap me now and I so badly want to murder Mr.Grey Eyes.

Walking, I let my gaze stopped at him. But the reply that I got was enough for me to lower my gaze as my hair automatically covered the side of my face, hiding my cheeks that were now on full display.

It was as if he was frozen in his place. His eyes wide, still not able to decipher what they saw. Messy hair and his mouth hung open was more than enough for my heart to roar!!

"Aashu, you doesn't look good with your mouth hung open!!" Soft laughter could be heard from every corner of the living room as he closed his mouth and looked around. I couldn't help but to laugh at his reaction but on the inside, I was jumping at the way he reacted!!

"Why don't you introduce us?"

"Laiba, meet my Mom and my Dad. And, she's Laiba. My next door neighbour and my best friend." Looking up at him, a soft smile was plastered on my face as he uttered the last word.

"If I'm not wrong then she is the one whom you call Miss.Annoying?" Uncle asked and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Umm, yeah...!!!" He shamelessly accepted.

Wait, till your parents go!!!

"Oh dear!! Just ignore this guy...he's really annoying at times!" Aunty said.

"Mom?!"

"What Mom? Did you forgot that how badly you annoyed me when you decided to imitate superman and not to forget that you wore your dirty underwear on top of your clean pair of jeans!!" Aunty said earning a laugh from Uncle while he just turned red in embarrassment.

"Mooommm!!!!" Now he was annoyed.

"What?" She shrugged casually as if nothing happened.

I tried my best to bit back my laughter, I tried to act my best that as if I'm getting hiccuped, I tried, I really tried but seeing Uncle falling his head back and laughing and patting his leg, I just couldn't stop myself as I doubled over laughing.

"Yeah, now gang up against me!! I can't believe this, my mom, is making fun of her only son, and that too in front of a girl whom you met only ten minutes before!!" He said.

"Now, you're exaggerating!!" I commented.

"Oh Really?" He said keeping his hands on his waist.

"Really!!" I replied

"Really Really!!" Uncle replied coming beside me

"Really Really Really!!" Aunty replied standing beside me.

"Unbelievable Man! Unbelievable!!" He said running a hand through his hair.

It took us only seconds to crack up again and laugh at his helplessness!!

Straining the tea for Uncle and Aunt and Coffee for Mr.Grey Eyes and myself, while placed the plates full of cookies, wafers, biscuits on the separate tray. Once everything was perfectly fine and ready to serve, I walked out of the kitchen, balancing both the trays in my hand.

While seeing me coming out, he quickly got up and took one tray in his hand before smiling at me.

"What's that smile for?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

"No-nothing!!" He sheepishly smiled.

"Btw, I'll get back at you for making me embarrass in front of your parents!!" I whisper yelled at him.

"That's why I've always told you to use filter!" He gave me a lopsided grin.

"Oh yeah, so now it's my fault!" I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, this was a surprise for me too and you also did surprised me!" He shrugged.

"What did I do now?" I gave him a confused look.

"Nothing, now walk or else my Mom will come with her slippers in her hand to beat me for thinking that I must have kidnapped you!!" He said with horrified expression.

"Hahahaha....Aunty is a lovely soul!!"

"And I'm that Aunty's son only, so it also makes me lovely!!"

"Yeah right, Aashu!!" I laughed loudly leaving him behind.

***

"Laiba?" Clicking of fingers brought me out of my thoughts.

"Ashar" I whispered, "I can't do this!!"

"Hey, it's okay!! I'm there for you."

"You don't understand...your Mom hates me and if she's gonna see us sleeping in one room, God knows what she'll do!!" I bit my nails.

"She won't do any such things."

"Ashar, you don't know anything!!" I yelled.

"You're again going in the past!!"

"Ashar, that past is linked to me." I pointed at myself.

"But now we three are linked to one another and that's what it matters!" He stood up.

"Ashar, you don't understand. Fine, I'm going to my old house. Once your parents will go away, I'll come back"

"Step out of this room and I won't be responsible for what happens, next" He looked straight in to my eyes.

"Ashar..."

"No, Laiba. No."

"You don't have any idea what you're doing by keeping both of us under same roof" I said nodding my head.

"You both will have to get over with your awkwardness" he said sternly.

"That's not awkwardness, Ashar. That's rage, pure hatred!!"

"Now, you're exaggerating!!"

"No, I'm not!"

"I don't understand that why is it being such a big issue if my parents are coming to stay with us for sometime?" He asked.

"Now, that's where you're wrong!! This is their house, too as much as it is ours."

"Then what's the matter?" He said pushing my hair back.

"Okay, fine! Ashar, do you remembered that we were divorced?"

"Laiba...--"

"Answer me"

"And I don't want to remember those days."

"You must be knowing that I cannot remarry you unless I've done Niqah Halalah?" I asked

"Where are you going with this?" His tone changed suddenly.

"Because it is important for you to know that what happened back then!"

"I've no interest in listening!!" He turned around.

Walking up to him I forcefully turn him around, "You have to listen--" and in seconds I was pinned to a wall.

By now his eyes have turned a very dark shade of grey.

"It kills me to even think that you were with some other person. It kills me to even think that you've spend those nights with that man. It burns me to even think that you were touched by some other man. Don't push me more because then you'll not be able to stop me, so don't." With that he walked out of our room leaving me on the ground.

Ashar, whether you like it or not, you will have to listen to everything.

And, It's better if you listen from me.