Fawaz stood in front of the mirror buttoning his shirt getting ready for work when he saw through the mirror, Maha coming out of the bathroom dressed in a blue crop top and high waist jeans. She smiled at him walking up to him.

'Ready for work?' Fawaz asked her, she nodded and began to comb her hair. Fawaz closed his eyes inhaling her smell, she smelt like fresh daisy smell, he moved closer. She smiled closing her eyes as he slowly caressed her waist breathing in her fragrance.

'You are smelling so divine' he whispered near her ear making her shiver, she placed her hand over his caressing it. Fawaz could feel Goosebumps erupt on his skin, he is feeling high with their proximity and her fragrance.

Maha broke the hug and turned to look at him, she blushed on feeling his gaze on her. Fawaz hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. Someone knocked the door, and they broke apart. Maha smiled looking away.

Fawaz opened the door finding his mother standing there with a bright smile exposing her pearly white teeth. She pushed past Fawaz and walked up to Maha, she carried a big box and few jewelry box. Fawaz rolled his eyes. Begum looked at Maha lovingly and handed her everything. Maha somehow managed to stand carrying handful.

'This attire I have chosen for your Walima, this was the one of my mother in law's and these our ancestral jewelry' she said with pride and Maha nodded happily. Fawaz sighed, "again with the ancestral," he thought in his head.

*****************************

Fawaz walked into the elevator when he met Mr. Arshad, he looked at him surprised, 'You are here? Haven't you taken leave' he asked as the door closed

'Na' he said casually, Arshad frowned

'You had a love marriage and it's really strange, usually new weds can't even take their hands and eyes off each other' he chuckled, Fawaz felt uncomfortable with this decision. Just then the elevator door opened and Tasneem stood on the other side, she looked at Fawaz and is surprised.

'You here?' she asked as she stepped inside, Fawaz doesn't know how to react.

'Come in my office in one hour' she ordered him sternly. Arshad pursed his lips tightly avoiding a chuckle while Fawaz gulped. He is going to be bombarded with questions and orders.

*********************

One hour later he walked towards Tasneem's cabin, she read a paper, she has an envelope beside her on her table. Fawaz cleared his throat to get her attention. She looked up her expression stern. She removed her glasses and passed him the paper she was reading. Fawaz hands shivered little as he took the paper.

He read it and then looked up at Tasneem surprised, 'Maam, this?'

'You read this right, Fawaz. I am giving you one week holiday and this...'she forwarded the envelope too. Fawaz opened the envelope and found two tickets to Ooty.

'Convince Maha and take her out, also she shouldn't know that it was me else she will refuse this' she ordered sternly.

'But why?' Fawaz asked sounding curious

'It's none of your business.' She said sternly, 'I have made you marry Maha and only she should be your concern. Everything else means nothing to you' she said leaning back in her chair. Fawaz frowned.

'And yes, about your promotion. I am going to start the formality but I need an assurance' she said looking at him intently. Fawaz looked aghast, what bomb is she going to throw at him now.

'Maam, what kind of assurance?' he asked after he managed to find his voice.

'Maha and I have a strained relationship but that doesn't mean I don't love her or care for her. She is everything to me and I can't see her hurt, I want an assurance from you that after getting your promotion you won't leave Maha' she said calmly.

'Maam, I give you my assurance. I will not leave your daughter after the promotion. I have married her and now she is my wife, this bond is forever...I assure you I will never leave her or disrespect her' Fawaz said sincerely

'Not like this, I need prove of your sincere assurance' she said joining her fingertips

'Maam, anything you say' he said confidently.

Tasneem took a deep breath and looked at him, 'Fawaz I want you and Maha to have a baby' she said.

Fawaz eyes widened with shock, what the hell? Now she is going to control his decisions to have kids. Frankly, he wasn't even ready for marriage in the first place and now a kid, he is definitely not ready for one.

'Maam, what is the hurry? We just got married yesterday' he said, panic evident in his voice

'Okay, then what is the hurry of the promotion' she said ever so calmly

Fawaz felt his temper rise, she is blackmailing him now. He held his fingers in tight fists. He wanted to refuse but then thinking of the promotion he tried to calm himself. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath.

'But Maha isn't ready for a child. Maam we just got married' Fawaz said trying to keep his voice steady

'I had Maha after 11 months of my marriage' she leaned forward, 'If Maha isn't ready, convince her. Waise she trusts you the most' she said

Fawaz felt guilty, this is what isn't right? She trusts him, only him. One day or the other she will find the truth and then what? She will be broken beyond repair and the thought of her being in a vulnerable state makes his stomach churn with agony.

'Maam, this way she will get hurt...this is going too far' Fawaz tried reasoning with her

'What she doesn't know will not hurt her, I love her more than anyone could love her. I know what is best for her, you just follow my orders else forget the promotion.'

Fawaz sighed, Tasneem is very adamant. For now, he agrees, he will think of what to do later.