I pulled my hair to the back with a tiny black ribbon then plaited it into a knot. Beside the bottled hair oil, a black hair brush laid beside it. I picked the brush up to brush the edges of my hair. Dropping the brush, I picked the bottle of perfume and sprayed it over my body as if I was bathing in it. The enticing scent of my perfume stuffed the atmosphere of the room.

Looking up at my face in the mirror, my lips stretched up. My eyes twinkled with joy and my face was vibrant. Having my husband home at night brought happiness to me. Dressing for him to admire me made my inside tumble. What will he think of what I was wearing? I had worn a silky baby blue nightie that stopped mid tight. The nightie had tiny stripes with a low back and little plunge in its neckline. I took the nude lipstick to smeared little on my lips but changed my mind.

As I dropped the lipstick back to its place, the bathroom door opened. Amir stepped out throwing a shirt over his body. My heart skipped at the sight of him. He sauntered towards me fastening the buttons to his shirt. His wet hair fell back slickly few strands stuck to his temple. His red lips quivered up then he stopped closing his shirt leaving the first four buttons loose to show his toned chest and the bulge of his broad chest. There was energy in the air when he stepped into the room. I turned around on the stool smiling back, my palms moving constantly on my laps.

"Hey" he said his voice guttural as he leaned closer to kiss my forehead. His scent sailed into my nostrils. "You smell nice" he commented lower his head to look into my eyes.

My body became stiff and air stopped in my throat as I stared at his smiling honey wheat eyes. He placed his wide palm on my shoulder, his long finger sliding under the tiny stripe brushing against my skin. The smile on his face became a smirk with a spark I knew well in his eyes. He leaned closer, I could feel his hot breath at the side of my face, his hand continuously sliding down my arm, slow and gently in a way that stirs something inside me, I gulped. I felt his shallow breath closer to my ear then warm soft flesh against my lobe. My fingers coiled firmly against the soft material of my nightie. He pulled me up into his body.

"What's with the enticing look tonight?" he asked taking my ear lobe in between his teeth. "You taste like good" he stated glided his tongue over my shoulder leaving wet kisses. My body trembled against his in waves of desire. My breathing became deeper and hotter. "I missed you" he whispered.

"You don't know how much I miss you" I replied wrapping my hand around his torso. My eyes held his gaze.

His honey wheat eyes were filled with emotions I could not decipher. The corners of his red lips which I could not take my eyes from for a moment lifted up. He dropped his gaze to look down at my lips. I knew it was working. I was having an effect on him. That was just so perfect! My smile grew wider and a little bit sweeter while I used my eyes to add effect to my seduction.

"Well" I took my bottom lip in between my teeth before looking down at his chest. His shirt's button became what to give my attention. Unable to resist, I fiddled with the button. "I am glad you are able to make it tonight" I glanced at him.

"Noor" His voice was thicker and rough.

"Hm" I looked into his eyes feeling the heat his body radiated. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against mine teasingly.

"You got what you wanted" he said, my face grew hot at his words. "You wanted to tempt me and you succeeded" he brushed his hot mouth against my collar bone. My hand moved towards his back as I placed my head on his chest. I blushed harder holding him harder. His muscular arms went around my slim body.

"Amir" I called hiding my face into his chest, a hand moving from his back to his chest where I felt his heart beating. "Sister Amatullah has given birth" I said.

"When?" he asked, swinging our bodies.

"Last week" I answered.

He stopped which caused me to gaze at him then he looked down at me. His eyes danced with surprise.

"You did not tell me" he stated.

"Because you were not there to be told" I answered my voice suddenly cold against my will as I shot him a death glare "I wanted to but you did not come home that night" my voice became low at the end coated with sadness, a throbbing ache rising in my chest. I dropped my eyelids and placed my head back on his chest.

He said nothing while he moved away from our embrace. Sighing, he scooped me into his arms. My hands went around his neck. I looked at him as he carried me to the king size bed then laid me on the soft mattress.

"I love you" he said climbing over me to lie beside me. "Angel" he captured my hands into his then brought it to his tender lips. "I know I have not been there all these while"

"Amir" I called in a way that stopped him from speaking. I gave him a look that pleaded he should not say anything. I did not want to talk about it. I had nothing to say. Talking to him about it will cause me agony which will just break my heart. He nodded his head negatively then continued.

Then it clicked in. Shazia said she saw him with a woman. My heart stumped. Amir would never cheat on me right? I should not believe her words. A woman like her will do anything to create a problem in my relationship with my husband. She could be lying. That stupid girl! I gripped the sheets.

"I am sorry but Angel" he played with my fingers. "I promise you, by the end of the week, my heavy work load will be over" he stroked the side of my face, his fingers gliding through my skin easily.

I exhaled relaxing into his touch. Speechless and hoping he will keep his promise again, I moved closer.

"But I am not happy. It hurts you are not around. There are time I want you with me but you are not there" I spoke out my mind. "But thanks for coming home today" I pecked his cheek then dipped down. "We should sleep" I turned away.

"Noor" he placed a hand on my shoulder. My heart bled and it hurts. I pushed back the tears threatening to fall.

"It's okay" I tapped his hand. "I want to sleep" I closed my eyes.

He said nothing neither did he disturb me. I heard him walk lay in bed. My eyes were filled with tears at the brim to fall. What a way to end a night that began joyfully?

***

I slumped into the sofa by the electric fire place and threw my aching feet on the coffee table. There was something so good and relaxing about home after a tired day at school. Groaning, I pulled off the gold bracelet on my slim wrist and the dangling diamond earrings I had bought recently from my soft ears then threw them on the coffee table next to the belladonna lilies. They made a metallic sound with the coffee table as they fell on it. I pressed my finger on my throbbing head hoping it will reduce the pain.

School was a little bit stressful. There were assignments to submit and few works to do. Mi Jin won't stop babbling about how great my husband's family was. Shamelessly, she had said Aaban was cute, handsome and she loved how muscular he was which I had scrunched my nose at with disgust. Aaban of all men! Only if she knew what kind of flirt and pervert he was. The day before, while I was sketching at the terrace after having a hearty conversation with my family over Skype which lightened my mood, Aaban came to the terrace. I had not known until I felt a pair of hand on my shoulders. I had jolted up as if I had been touched by someone who had a plague. I turned around still shocked to see Aaban standing behind me with a smile. Without hesitation, my palm smacked him on his cheek.

"Are you mad?" I shrieked boiling with anger. "Are you sick? I am warning you Aaban. Next time, I will not hesitate to do what's on my mind" I spat with bulging eyes then marched away with my sketching book and pencil.

I was furious. I was mad. I wanted to scream and strangle him. He is crazy. What's wrong with him? What does he take me for? A flirt or one of those ladies that will throw themselves at him. I could not sleep. I kept turning and pacing the room. I needed to do something to scare him off. No one knows about this, no one not even my workaholic of a husband. I was sure if Amir had been at home most of the time, Aaban will not have the right to touch me or try to do some stupid things with me.

I huffed getting angry at the thought of the idiot. The voice of Zoya bhabi shouting made me snap my head towards the door. I got up padding through the room with bare feet. When I opened the door to peep outside, Reshma passed with a hijab and Quran held to her chest. Aaryan and Ihsaan who followed her were reciting their Quranic verses off hand.

"You made a mistake" Ihsaan cut him off.

"Not again Ihsaan" he hissed. She corrected him and he huffed before reciting correctly. Their Qirat was melodious.

I might not have memorized the whole Qur'an but I could recite well. The surah the kids were reciting sounded so familiar. It was Suratul Ankaboot. Raihan loved the Surah so much without any reason so he recites it every day. Without the help of anyone, Raihan had memorized it by heart.

"Aunt Noor" Ihsaan called. She jumped up with joy and ran towards me. "How was school?" she asked.

I leaned on the door frame leaving the door partly opened. Zoya bhabi's voice resonated through the wide hallway.

"Zahra" she shouted. "How many times have I told you to clean your room whenever you wake up?" she scolded the six year old tapping her foot continuously on the tiled floor, her eyes narrowed.

Zahra looked down at her joined hands, remorse on her face.

"I am sorry mama" she said.

"Farhaan! Farhaana!!" she called out for the twins. The twins who had heard her refused to answer. They laughed and screamed as they ran around the hallway. Zoya bhabi groaned, grinding her teeth. "You kids will not kill me" she voiced through gritted teeth. "Zahra, lay your bed and make sure your toys, books and everything are in their right places" she commanded and walked towards her children.

I smiled then looked at a happy Ihsaan. "School was fine" I said.

"Assalamu alaikum" Aaryan greeted. I replied.

"You both recited beautifully" I commented. "I was mesmerized by your recitation"

"Really! You loved my recitation?" Ihsaan asked, her blue eyes sparkling.

"Point of correction" Aaryan faced her with a displeased look. "She loved our recitation" he said in a tone that pointed out what he was saying.

"She did not mention names. While she spoke, she was looking at me and not you wrinkled face" Ihsaan huffed.

"Wrinkled!" Aaryan said aghast. "You little monkey" he gnashed his teeth.

"Monkey! How dare you call me monkey?" Ihsaan flared her hands on her waists.

"Does it hurt mouse?" Aaryan cooed feigning pity.

As if he knew what was coming next, he dashed back to his room.

"Aaryan! I will kill you today" Ihsaan screamed as she ran after him. I laughed at their fight. They were just like Raihan and Raihana. The difference was they were not twins.

A loud scream resonated through the noisy hallway slashing through me like a large piece of metal. The blood that flowed through my veins turned cold. My eyes grew wide, my pulse raced faster and my heart thudded like a drum. The scream filled with desperation, horror and terror tore my brain and ignited great fear in me. Before I knew what was happening, my legs were moving under me towards the direction of the scream, adrenaline pumped through me. When I got to the flight of steps, I came to a halt with a shriek, my mouth flying towards my gapped lips and terror filled me making me shake at the sight in front of me.

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