Despite all his conditions for the trip, Pari didn't budge. She was firm she wanted to go, even if it was just for a day. That was her way of showing him that he can't stop her. Her colleagues told her she won't be able to enjoy if she only comes for a day, but who wanted to enjoy? It was more for defying Salem. She knew Salem was not a fan of her going on a trip. He kept the terms so that she argues with him or just denies going, but she didn't do any of it.

"First we needed our parents permission for everything, and now our husbands. When will we stop taking permission??" Pari was annoyed as she told Priya what had transpired.

"Remember what my mom says? Being born a woman is not easy. But give time to your relationship. It's not about permission, as much as it is about worry. You know Salem loves you so how can he let you go for 2 days with people you have hardly known for few months? As much as he is your response, you are his responsibility. His opinion matters in these things." Priya explained her. Priya was also newly wedded, just like Pari. She was also learning the dynamics of relationship and how to manage them. She believed she was lucky that her husband was an ordinary man who took efforts to understand her.

"Okay, my know-it-all sister. I didn't call you to make me understand these things. I called you so that you take my side." Pari huffed.

Salem was too busy with his meetings and shooting and didn't bother her about the trip at all!

Tiger was a good company for her. He kept his eye on her from far and didn't follow behind her. He used to sit 10 steps away from her and only asked her if she needed anything.

She entered the room, sprawled on her bed as she was tired from her trip. She was surprised when she saw a bouquet of flowers on the side table.

The bathroom latch unlocked and in walked Salem in shorts with his hair set and water droplets falling on his shoulder blades.

"Welcome home, beautiful wife." Salem said and handed her the bouquet. He hugged her and repeated that he missed her.

"What happened husband? What got into you?" Pari asked seeing his romantic mood.

"Just missed you." Salem said and hugged her again.

The entire week was blissful for her as Salem promised her to try to come early from the set and he kept his words. Her sister-in-law Aamna and her mother in law kept her good company whenever Salem came late, Pari still talked very less to her brother in law but like Salem, he too had multiple girls he went on date with. He was very respectful towards her.

Her father in law appeared to be very strict and was particular about certain things but he was very warm and never put restrictions on her as a daughter in law.

It was a Friday when Salem surprised her with plane tickets. Her eyes grew wide like saucers when she realised the destination. He was taking her to Italy!

The trip to Italy was truly what dreams were made of! It was an extremely late and short honeymoon but it was the best.

Salem made sure they stayed in the most luxurious hotels. On the last 2 days, when they went to shop for themselves and the family, Pari eyed a certain scarf but seeing the price, she kept it as it is. Though she knew about the insane amount of money her husband had got after his latest hit movie, it didn't feel right to spend on an useless scarf.

As they were shopping for his family, he surprised her by choosing items for Kabeer, Priya, her aunt and parents. He said this ones from his side and she would have to choose other gifts for them. She was happy that he remembered them as well.

She told him that one gift is enough for each but he insisted that these gifts had his thought for them and ask her to not be lazy and think.

"See, when I give them these gifts, I am going to tell them that it is from me. Not you. You need to put in your thought." Salem teased.

She roamed around a bit and bought them all smaller gifts as Salem was unhinged while spending.

He surprised her more when he entered a toy store and bought a miniature car toys for Tiger.

"He is a fan of these. I guess it will make him happy." He also took chocolates for Wajid and his friends, jeans and denim jackets for few of them.

Once they entered the hotel room, she was very tired. He told her that along with family, he always buys stuff for people close to him.

"But don't you think it's too much that we spent?" Pari asked.

"No! I have money and if I don't spoil my loved ones, who will it be spent on?" Salem replied casually.

"Take this! It is for you." Salem gave her a small bag and she was shocked to see the same scarf she had eyed in the shop.

"If my wife liked a thing, it's yours." Salem said.

"Salem.... it's - it's very expensive! Why would you buy it?" Pari almost yelled.

"You liked it, didn't you? So it should be yours!" Salem said.

"You crazy man! It costs sooo much." She emphasized on the 'so.'

Salem gave her bored look and said, "look sweetheart, even I know some finance. If it was putting a dent in my pocket, I would have not got it. But it's no big deal. Beside, I would try to give you everything you'd put your eyes on."

She never realised how serious he was about his words. From then on, everytime she'd shop and eyed something, he made sure it was hers. There was always the servants, Tiger or his men who'd inform him if Pari stuck on something longer than usual.

Once they were back from trip, he was busy in his new shoots. He also had become a brand ambassador of two brands. The signing amount and the perks made Pari shocked. What Salem was getting paid must have been her father's whole life's savings.

Once Kabeer also visited her home, bringing her the sweets their mother prepared. He was so quiet in front of her in-laws.

He only spoke when he was asked questions. Jenny, who noticed his discomfort and asked Pari to take him to her room if they wanted to talk privately.

Pari was happy that her irritating brother had come to her home and had asked the maids to prepare all his favourite.

"Mummy Papa wants to know if you are happy." Kabeer said once in the room.

"Yes! To be honest, it's difficult adjusting to the role of wife. But you saw my in laws, they are very nice. Mummy Papa ko bol koi tension nahi hai. (Tell mom and dad to not take any tension)." She smiled

They talked like normal people with her asking him about his studies and him stuffing his mouth with the food his sister offered.

"Salem Bhai ko thank you bolna. Pata hai sab mere denim jacket ki tareef karte hai." (Convey my thanks to Salem brother for the denim jacket. Everyone keeps praising it.) Kabeer said.

"Ya ya. All the thanks to Salem and not to your sister." Pari rolled her eyes.

"You are of no use, Pari. Why should I waste my thanks." Kabeer said and they started arguing like usual.

At the end, when Kabeer was bidding adieu to her and the other members, everyone was praising how quiet Kabeer is.

"No, it is just that he doesn't know you all. Otherwise, he is a terror at home." Pari was quick to say which only made Kabeer narrow his eyes at her.

A year passed by and they got used to each other but she could see the changes in Salem. He had become more focused on work. He signed more films and was working day and night.

It was hard for him to step out on the road as everyone had started to recognise him and mob him for autographs. Still he managed to go for cycling at early morning. She fell in love with his hardworking nature. Despite his busy schedule, he was consistent at his work outs. He even woke her up from some mornings to join him. She would just do basic stretches while he hit the weights.

One day, he gifted her with a box. She expected to see a jewellery but she got confused when she saw the keys.

She gave him a confused look.

"New house. Our house." He explained the meaning of those keys.

While she hugged him with happiness, when it died down, she asked him if the parents would move in with them too.
When he shook his head in negative, she said she doesn't want to go.

He looked at her with surprise. He knew how much Pari valued her own space and privacy but when given an opportunity with own home, without in laws, she denied. He smiled in his head. He knew she was the girl for him.

"Girl want to live apart from their in laws and you want to stay with them?"
Salem asked.

"Yes, because they are non problematic. They let me live my own life. Plus, mummy keeps me company when you are away the whole time."

"I know. Trust me, I bought this new house for all of us to stay together but mom dad doesn't want to leave this house because it's where they built their whole life. And now that I think, it's good if we stay away. You know the fan who wanted to reach me and how he was a trouble. Mom and dad are getting old, I can't have fans keep coming here. You know the gold part, the building is just 2 streets away. We can come here anytime we want and they can come there too." Salem explained to her. Although the whole shift would take more 6 months or so.

Pari tried convincing Jenny and Mr.Ahmed to move with them but they didn't agree.

"Pari! You are getting alone time with your husband and you don't want that?" Jenny said teasing her.

Pari huffed. "Yes, but what is the -". Pari was cut off mid sentence by Jenny.

"Pari, I am your mother in law. No more arguing. You both are young couple. You need your own space." Jenny said firmly.

6 months later, they shifted to their new home - a spacious 3 BHK flat in the newly constructed apartment.

Her maternal family was invited to stay for a whole week but they waited only 2 days on the weekend. Her mother was genuinely happy seeing her daughter happy. Her mother felt that whatever they lacked to give to Pari, her husband was able to fulfill it.

Her father also blessed Pari and gave her a small golden earrings. "This is all I could afford." Her father said knowing how much her daughter's husband showers her with expensive gifts.

"Papa, this is much more precious to me." Pari smiled and hugged her father.

They all left at night despite her insisting them to stay more. Salem got an important call and left her at night.

For the first time, there was no maids at home. She was all alone and the walls felt more empty. This is all she had wished. A big big home. Her own bedroom where she could occupy the whole space and today she had it.

Now what?

She was happy about the new home but she wasn't happy being alone. She missed her people around her.

She called Salem but he didn't pick up.

She tried some more but he didn't pick up. She called Wajid who told her that he is busy in a meeting with director.

She told him to convey Salem to come back home soon.

She didn't know why she felt so lonely.

______

25/8/24

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