مجھکو تو تیرے چہرے پر یہ غم نہیں ہے جچتا
جایز ہی نہیں لگتا مجھے غم سے تیرا رشتہ

Mujhko to tere chehre pe ye gham nahi hai jachta
Jayaz hi nahi lagta mujhe gham se tera rishta

***

Fate will pave the way.

He had always heard this, and he believed too. But when it came to her, his mind was uncertain and heart,too coward to accept the certainty. He had been torned between wanting to take a step and walking back several in fear. Fear that she wasn't in his destiny, that his desires were too dark, too sinful. And so, he pushed something away that was meant to be, in fear that it wasn't going to be true. Yet here he stands...proved wrong. Once again and he could swear being wrong never felt this right.

They didn't know for how long they kept peering at each other. Neither he knew when he came infront of her nor did she. But he was there, standing at a step from her. Her pitch black eyes shone as if the whole galaxy was there while his brown ones was just captivated. Was it actuality, or a deceit? Were they really facing each other as two newly wed? How could they be so fortunate?

"You have no idea how long I have prayed for this moment. For you to become mine, for my rabb to say kun and give me my beloved." Zeeshan's voice was barely a whisper. Noor forgot to blink as if fearing all of this would turn out to be an illusion. That he had uttered those words, the same words she had never imagined would tear her apart yet calm her at the same time.

"How can you say I have no idea? For the prayers you had whispered had been said by my heart too." And a lone tear escaped her eyes. Bewitching the beloved of her, and despite being stunned he lifted his fingers and wiped those pearl.

Zeeshan was still comprehending what he heard. It was as unbelievable as one reaching infinity, and as him finally getting her. But what Noor spoke next was enough to break every barriers he had formed around his heart.

"Why did you not say it, why did you keep me in so much agony? All those years, I craved for your love yet you didn't even glance at me the way I did. Why?" Noor's heavy voice shivered at last. All those pain of years, all those waiting all those heartaches and countless moments of helplessness erupting as tears. For the reason behind them finally stood infront of her.

"How could I? When all I did was run away from what I felt...from you. I wished all those painful feelings for you to vanish, yet it didn't. Neither did those feelings go Noor, nor did you. You were engraved here." Taking her hand in his he placed it on his beating heart. Noor pinched her eyes, letting the brimming tears to run down freely. For the reason of them was here to wipe those away.

"Isn't it funny Zeeshan, all we did was run away yet how could we mould our hearts to do so." Noor spoke and a sob escaped her lips making her beloved wrap his arms around her and pull her close to his heart, that always belonged to her. As hers did to him.

"It wasn't meant to be then, and the uncertainty of us was always there Noor. Always." He spoke, his hands making soothing pattern on her back while his eyes shed the tears he had held for all those painful ages.

"Did you know of what I felt for you?" He asked slowly.

"I had no idea."

"And so did I. Our lord saved us Noor. He saved us from committing something that could ruin the purity of our unsaid emotions." He said making her part away and look at him with such sincerity that even the gale shuddered.

"All those years of longing, all those years of aching for each other...look where it brought us. Together." He said holding both her hands in his. Smiling so softly that it did something to her heart. This was the first time, he was smiling at her, looking at her with so much affection, without any barriers.

Her glistening orbs didn't want to look away, as if taking its fill of years. And she knew even if more years of their togetherness were to come, hee eyes and her heart would never had enough of him.

Softly tugging her hands away from his grip she held his face, making him close his eyes and lean in the touch. Slowly lowering his face, Noor placed a gentle and fleeting kiss on his forehead.

Zeeshan sucked in a cold breath, the woman infront of her was his entire world and he could happily perish for her. Yet in that moment he wished, he could be there forever.

Noor parted away and stared at his face that held serenity as if in dreamless slumber, yet they both knew...neither was it a slumber nor a dream. This was finally their reality. He gently opened his eyes and smiled at her, kissing her forehead then her eyes.

"You are my blessing Noor, I give you my everything forever." He spoke and once again pulled her in his embrace. As close as the light is to the moon, the waves are to the sea and the gale is to the sky.

And somebody had rightly said, fate paves its way.

______________

"Mahi, what are you doing here?" Mahi turned around swiftly as if caught red handed as she heard her mother-in-law's voice.

"Nothing ammi, just helping." She said nonchalantly making Munazza stare at her for a good few moments.

"Come with me."

"Is everything alright ammi?" Mahi asked as soon as they went to a much seculded area. Munazza faced her and smiled.

"Beta you have to be cautious and I think I shouldn't be telling you this. Specially in the initial days Mahi. Everything else comes second, firstly you should avoid doing anything that could harm you. Okay?"

"Ji ammi." Mahi replied smiling sheepishly making Munazza pat her cheek.

"Or I won't wait to tell Fahad about all this." Munazza joked making Mahi giggle.

"Anyways Fahad was looking for you." Munazza said and walked away. Mahi smiled at this and didn't waste anymore time to go to her room. Where most probably her husband was.

She wasn't wrong in guessing that as she found him sprawled on the bed in an awkward position. She went near him only to find her dear husband sleeping. She called his name twice but he didn't budge. She smiled to herself and sat near him.

He looked tired and worn out so Mahi didn't wake him up. She placed her hand on his forehead and started massaging his head gently. He was frowning in his sleep but slowly relaxed and it looked like he slipped in deeper slumber. Mahi smiled and kept running her hand in his hair and she didn't know when she too went into land of dreams.

Fahad groaned as soon as his eyes opened, he didn't want to get up yet but he had to. He rubbed his eyes and turned his head sideways only to find his wife curled up and in deep slumber. His first instinct was to properly lay her on the bed and after doing that he too joined her. Work could definitely wait. Holding her in his arm he kissed her head and then closed his eyes.

This was bliss.

_____________

It was a lazy day for everyone as it was going to be the last day of the wedding function, the Walima. That too was to happen in the evening and everything was already prepared for it. It was late morning when all of them had woken up and nobody had anything to do except for the elder ladies who were busy in entertaining the guests that had stayed here. The youngsters were free like anything, so they all had occupied the living room. With warm tea and lots of snacks.

They were busy in themselves, mostly talking about the past days and the fun they had but soon their attention went to the arrival of the most talked of people. Zeeshan and Noor.

"Ooh look who's here, Ma sha Allah what a jodi it is!" Farha exclaimed making everyone look tomorrow them and smile teasingly.

"Allah nazar se bachaye." Mansha added wiping her fake tears as they came near them. Zeeshan rolled his eyes but Noor was as red as rose. [Allah save you from evil eyes]

"Noor api come here and you Zeeshan bhai...go away we don't need you." Saman said and pulled Noor with her making her sit between her and Farha.

"This is wrong, you can't snatch her now. She's my wife!" Zeeshan whined making all of them burst in peals of laughter.

"We can and we did steal her, now shoo!" Farha added earning a glare from her dear brother, she rolled her eyes.

"Y'all are lucky I am in a good mood right now." Zeeshan spoke and sat beside Ahad who was very much enjoying the drama.

"Apna mazak banwane me maza ata hai apko?" Ahad whispered making Zeeshan slap his head. [You like when they make fun of you?]

"Dulhe sahab ki to khushi chupaye nahi chup rahi." Farha teased.[The groom can't even hide his happiness]

"Aapi chupana kaun chahta hai?" Zeeshan replied and smirked at their baffled faces. [Who actually wants to hide?"]

"Oooh. Noor api heard him? Chupana kaun chahta hai...hmm?" Ahad wasn't staying back in teasing.

"Zeeshan bhai I am cringing! Stop!" Saman exclaimed and pressed her hands on her ears making the rest again laugh.

"Stop teasing him." Noor said pinching Saman's arms. Everyone stopped suddenly and looked at her with wide eyes and then looked at Zeeshan who himself looked shocked.

"Shadi hote hi api badal gayi!" Saman exclaimed again and started fake crying only to earn a well deserved slap on her head from Noor. [See our sister's changed after marriage!]

"Okay stop now, why are you two here?" Farha asked pointing her finger at Zeeshan and Noor.

"Where else should we be?" Zeeshan asked raising his brows at her irrational question.

"Anywhere nice not here! Go out have fun why are you sitting between us." She said.

"And by nice you mean?"

"You idiot of a brother of mine! I didn't know I have to teach you romance now." Farha added shaking her head.

"Stop don't say anything else aapi, I beg of you!" Zeeshan exclaimed knowing well how blunt Farha could get.

"Noor, let's go." Zeeshan said getting up making Noor do the same. The youngsters again teased them but they didn't pay any heed and walked out of the house.

"Where are we going? Is it okay to go now?" Noor asked as they walked towards his car.

"Noor, don't think too much." Zeeshan spoke softly making her look at him with questioning eyes.

"Let's go my worrying wife." Zeeshan said and grabbed her hand in his.

Wife. Noor liked the sound of it.

___________

The function was going in full fledge, and it was more crowded than any other day as almost all of the Alamnagar was here. All Saman could see around were people, it was given but she was never this irritated to see people. She had terrible headache and it was showing it's effect on her. On addition to it the heavy dress.

She couldn't take more now.

"Saman come here!" Saman had just came down from the stage when she heard Isra,her stepmother's call. She turned towards her and found her smiling softly, Saman groaned mentally but just smiled back and walked in her way.

"Here meet my friend from college, Minhail. She was excited to meet you ever since I told her about you." Isra said enthusiastically making Saman smile and greet the lady.

"I have heard so much about you Saman, Isra here really dotes on you." Minahil said. Saman knew that, one thing that she really admired about Isra was that she wasn't what society had stereotyped stepmother as. She had a nice warmth to her and a person who you could count on.

"That I do." Isra said looking at her with sparkling eyes. Saman looked at her and Isra didn't take much time to understand what she was trying to say.

"Saman if you're busy you can go now, I just wanted you two to meet." Isra said making Saman thank her in her mind, she couldn't seriously wait anymore. Saman nodded and left after greeting Minahil again.

"She's a darling, I can see why you're all praises for her." Minahil added making Isra grin.

"You remember what I had suggested last time?" Minahil asked.

"I remember but I haven't gotten any time to confront Ihsan. I will keep in touch with you don't worry." Isra replied.

_________

Saman: Ahad where are you?

Seen.

Saman groaned seeing the blue tick but still not getting any response for good five minutes.

Saman: Reply karne me maut arahi hai tumhe?

She again typed angrily. She was at the edge of screaming at the top of her voice but that would be futile. No one would hear her as almost everyone in the haveli were knocked out. Even Mansha wasn't in the room, probably sleeping anywhere she could. Saman had a vague memory from last night. She had terrible headache from the time the function had started but anyhow she had bared all the chaos for good few hours. And at the end when it was unbearable she had come back to her room and rest she didn't remember.

All she remember now is that when she woke up she was alone in the room and it was nine in the morning. Adding to that she felt herself burning and her head was killing her. She had tried to even sit but failed as she felt her vision getting blackened. So at last she had no choice but to contact any of her cousin, which she did but none of them had responded or even read her message. And the one who did was ignoring her royally.

She was about to call him but his message popped up suddenly, surprising her for a second but nevertheless she opened the chat only to scoff at his reply.

Ahad: ?

Saman: You're sleeping?

Ahad: Yes

Saman: Idiot

Ahad: Bye ✋

Saman: wait! I have fever can you please come to my room? 🥺

Ahad: No

Saman: Ahad!

Ahad: How did you get fever?

Saman:🤦‍♀️Ahad seriously?

Ahad: Coming.

Saman sighed in relief and closed her eyes feeling another wave of extreme pain hitting her head. She was on the verge of crying now. But before that she heard a knock on the door and then it opened and Ahad walked in. He himself looked pathetic in his bed hair and out of place appearance.

"How do you always manage to trouble me out of all people Samam?" He asked walking towards her making Saman roll her eyes, barely refraining herself from uttering her savage comeback.

"And if you have fever then why aren't you taking medicines? Why did you call me?" He asked folding his hands.

"My head." Saman spoke and then realised her voice too was under the effect of the fever.

"I can't get up." She whispered in a hoarse voice. A worried look formed on Ahad's face. He looked around for a moment and asked,

"You have medicines in here?" He asked calmly making her nod her head and gesture towards where it was kept. Ahad got the medicines and then made her sit up only for her to groan in pain.

"Listen, you have really high fever. I can't give you this one so I am gonna go and find anyone else. Will you be fine here?" Ahad spoke as he put another blanket over her. Saman nodded.

Ahad glanced at her briefly and walked out. The next few minutes went in finding anyone but seemed like no was up yet. He didn't want to disturb the elders for this and the girls weren't to be found, probably sleeping so he made his way towards Armaan's room.

It took a lot of knocking and banging on the door for Armaan to open it. And when he did Ahad couldn't help but sigh seeing his dishevelled state. He looked exhausted, sleep deprived and ready to punch him. He smiled nervously making Armaan glare in return.

"I am sorry bhai but can you please come with me for a moment?" He asked.

"Ahad I swear I am not gonna take any of your stupid pranks right now." Armaan spoke.

"This isn't a prank bhai listen first."

"What's it then?"

"Saman has really high fever and she can barely move,so can you check her?" Ahad completed and if there was any sleep in Armaan's eyes it all flew off suddenly.

"Where is she?" He asked, and Ahad could swear he saw Armaan panicking for a moment.

"In her room." Ahad spoke making Armaan nod and he started walking out but then turned around as if forgot something. Soon he was back at the door with a box in his hand and started walking ahead fastly. Ahad stared at him for a moment and then followed him. He had so many things in his mind right now but he knew it wasn't the time to say anything about them.

They reached Saman's room and found her leaning against the headrest with her eyes closed tightly. She looked even worse than the time Ahad had come im her room.

"Saman." Armaan called softly making her open her eyes a little and look at the two.

"Are you alright?"

"Bhai does she look alright to you?" Ahad asked irritated at the unusual question. Armaan didn't pay any heed to him and started checking her temperature. After observing her carefully,Armaan took out some medications from his box and turned towards Ahad.

"She needs to have something before taking these meds. Can you get something light for her? Or wait...I will get it myself. Stay here, no go find Mansha or anyone. She needs to come out of these clothes." Armaan said and he definitely was panicking. Anyhow he closed the box he was trying to close and after briefly glancing at Saman walked away. And Ahad could just stand and wonder. He had never seen Armaan so out of place.

Things were confusing him too much. And maybe worrying too.

___________

It was late afternoon when Ahad had finally decided to act on his intuitions. It was high time for it but it wouldn't have happened even now if not he had found something off with the pictures from the functions.

It was sent by the photographer to him for a final checking and everything looked normal. People were laughing in some, some had craziest moments in them and some emotional ones. But the thing that ticked Ahad off was any of these things.

It was a certain someone who had been captured looking at a specific direction, not in one or two pictures but in almost every. And Ahad wasn't an idiot to not understand what those gaze held and whatever was happening. He sure wasn't going to let it slide specially when it came to her.

So he made his way towards that room and walked in without even caring to knock, and found it empty. He frowned but the very next moment heard someone walk in and turned around.

"Ahad?"

"What happened? Is Saman alright?"

"Saman is sleeping. Are you busy?" Ahad asked trying not to sound to rude.

"Nope, what happened?"

"Close the door first Armaan bhai." Ahad spoke in a grave voice making Armaan look at him with uncertainty. What was he now upto.

Only if he had any idea.

"What's wrong?" Armaan asked after closing the door.

"Nothing, I had gotten these pictures from the photographer, everyone else was busy so I guess you have to review them with me." Ahad spoke and smiled. With great difficulty. Armaan watched him for a second or two figuring as to what actually Ahad was trying to do.

"Yeah sure." He said and they took a seat on the bed. Ahad took out his phone and placed it in between them. The first photo was from the haldi function. It was of Noor's entry and then a few more of the same. Armaan carefully observed those pictures unaware of Ahad's prying eyes on him.

"These all seems alright." He said.

"Yeah but I think this one here-" Ahad opened the specific pictur that he had seen before coming here and showed it to Armaan.

"I think something's off, see." He said and zoomed in to Armaan's face.

"See you must be looking at the stage right, everyone's doing them. But look, you aren't...I guess the photographer messed it up." Ahad spoke.

"How can he mess this up Ahad, I must be looking somewhere else." Armaan said looking at him with curiosity.

"Hmm maybe, but see you're looking the same way in these ones too." Ahad said and showed him few more pictures. Armaan observed them and nodded.

"And not only in the hadli's ones, look here...the mehndi ones." Ahad again showed him two or three pictures.

"Umm...seem...seems like the photographer messed up." Armaan spoke and looked at Ahad.

"Or maybe you did bhai." Ahad replied in a low voice.

Nervousness didn't suit Armaan but it was there, baring out his hidden intentions and the person sitting in front of him was the last one who should have known about it.

"W...what do you mean?" Armaan asked looking away from Ahad.

"If I ask you a question will you be honest with me?" Ahad asked staring straight in his eyes.

"What do you have to ask?" Armaan asked.

"What intentions do you have for Saman?"

______________

Assalamualaikum everyone.

So...Ahad is upto something.

Hope you liked the update.

Let's hope to meet again, sooner.