"Azferene? You okay now?" They were getting ready for their day when he asked, standing behind her and glancing at her through the mirror.

She was ignoring him from the past week, just like he did. Had stopped doing his chore and saw him getting frustrated not finding his things in place. But she didn't budge. She was too hurt to even acknowledge him. He didn't even care to come and ask about her health in the hospital, and now when she was all okay, alright enough to get back to work, he was asking about her health.

"I am better than when I was in the hospital." Her sarcastic comment pierced through his heart.

"I am sorry. I couldn't gather myself to look at you in that condition after knowing I was the cause. And I couldn't even take care of my wife." He said looking away, standing in the same position.

"Wife? Do you even know the meaning of it?" She scoffed, continuing tieing her hijab.

"I am really sorry Azferene. I was stupid to act like that with you. Please forgive me." His eyes pleaded to her.

"Okay. I forgive you. What now? Are you going to divorce me? Or just leave me like that?" Turning around she leaned back on the dressing table staring directly at his soul.

"Why would I do that?" His voice raised an octave.

"Because that's what you are good at. Leaving people. Running away from them. Not letting them enter your life. Right?" Haroon was spellbound to her true words. She was right. "You are as good as Aman only in this category. He chose the wrong path for himself because he had one flaw, infertility. And he took out his rage on me physically. And you are doing the same. Although you don't have any flaw you are torturing me mentally. What was my fault in both the situations? What sin had I done to get this type of hus…" her words died down as Haroon pulled her hand which was in the air while talking and engulfed her in a hug. An embrace he never wanted to let go. He never wanted to move away.

"Haroon...leave me." Azferene could only whisper as his breath tingled her neck.

"Don't…" his whisper was painfully slow, making her insides churn.

"Haroon…"

"Please Azferene. Please...I am tired. Tired of running away from you. Tired of running away from love. Tired of caging myself so that no one could hurt me. I was wrong about you, I was so wrong...please forgive me. You have a big heart. Bigger than me. I was an idiot to behave like that with you. Please…" she could feel her neck getting wet with his tears.

Her own throat was clogged with emotions.

"Haroon…leave me." Her tone was somewhat stern this time making him leave her this time. Without looking in his eyes, she picked up her purse and left the room along with her trace behind.

She couldn't concentrate on her work the entire day. Haroon's face and his remorseful eyes kept flashing in front of her eyes from time to time. She was glad there wasn't much work today.

Her heart would burst with emotions thinking about him wanting a chance. That means he wants a future with her. Not that she won't forgive him. She already did! It was just that...she wanted to test him. See that till when he can tolerate her ignorance.

When she came out of the boutique that evening, Haroon was already standing leaning on his car. As soon as he saw her, he straightened up. After getting out of her shock she came towards him and sat in the car without uttering anything. He grinned.

When was the last time he was this happy? He realised he was falling for her. Hardly. Badly. Immensely. And he had no regrets. He was sure she would give him a chance. She had a big heart, he knew that much about her. And she didn't even tried to prove him wrong. She fought for herself, fought with him to have her heart safe. Tested him in every way and he wasn't a fool to not be prepared for it. He was her husband after all. But that day, they knew that hardships would end soon. It was a new beginning for them.

But unknown to them...some hardships were still left to go through them.

Saman.

She wasn't happy with the closing distance between her brother and sister in law. She didn't miss any chance to taunt or degrade Azferene. And the closeness between other family members with her was adding fuel to fire. Glaring at the laughing face of Azferene, she stood up. And at the same time Azferene got up with a cup of tea in her hand, resulting in a collision. The tea fell on both of them, but Saman being Saman started shouting.

"ARE YOU BLIND? WASN'T LIVING HERE ENOUGH THAT NOW YOU ARE HURTING US PHYSICALLY? YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE RIGHT? YOU ALWAYS DO THIS ON PURPOSE! FIRST YOU CASTED A SPELL ON MY FAMILY ONE BY ONE AMD NOW YOU WANT TO…" Saman herself didn't know what she was saying when she was cut off by a raging voice of Haroon.

"SAMAN!" He stood on the door glaring at her while all the other members were still shocked to react. "Is this the way Mama-Baba taught you to speak to your elders? Is this the teaching of our parents? Huh? Azferene is my wife! And no one, not even you can misbehave with her. Enough of your tantrums. If Azferene isn't telling me what you do behind my back doesn't mean I wouldn't know. And it clearly doesn't mean I will let it go considering it your childish acts. Enough is enough. She is no Aliah and you aren't behaving like my sister. If you have so many problems, tell me. I will leave this house with my wife." Numerous gasps resonated around the living room. But ignoring them, he grabbed Azferene's hand and dragged her upstairs.

"You shouldn't have done that…" she hissed a little when he applied the cream to her burnt hand.

"It is high time now. She should stop with her tactics."

"But.."

"Azferene!"

"Wh…"

"No."

"Har…"

"I said no Azferene."

She huffed at his lack of interest in talking about the topic. She was about to say something again when the door knocked, making them look at each other before he got up to open the door. Hard look crossed his face seein Saman standing there.

"I am sorry." But Haroon just turned around giving her cue to enter and apologise to the main victim.

"I am sorry Bhabi. I really am. I didn't realise what I was doing in my rage. Please forgive me."

"Ha! As if she won't!" Haroon scoffed, earning a glare from his wife.

"It's ok! Saman. Unless you won't repeat your mistake. I am not Aliah. You should keep that in mind. I am getting sick of thinking that everyone in this house takes me as her kind. If this happens again, I won't be able to live here anymore. I am a human too." It wasn't rocket science to not know what she meant with her tight lipped smile. Haroon looked away. Knowing very well what she was implying.

"It won't happen again Bh...Bhabi." Saying she hugged Azferene taking her off guard. Azferene thought she was just acting in front of Haroon, but she clearly wasn't. She was actually sorry. And this time her fake smile turned into a genuine one reciprocating the hug while Haroon smiled at her, making tears to gather in her eyes. Everything was good. Just perfect.

××××××××××

I stood in my room's balcony with a shawl wrapped around my shoulders and eyes closed as I concentrated on the sound of Adhan. Everything felt peaceful after a hectic day at work. Came out like both us sisters have been borned with the same career interest. Fashion. And that led us to open our own boutique. It was difficult in the beginning. Hard. But Azferene's already lined up customers helped a lot. It surely took time but it was worth it.

Especially with our parent's support. Yes! Parents. Mama. Baba. I did take time to come up with the reality. But after talking to Haroon that evening, I talked out with them. It was very emotional and tiring but it was worth it. Seems like I wasn't the only one who suffered. Azferene did too, that too because of me. Something about business rivalry, Baba's business partner wanted his shares back when the company was reaching heights, during the days I was born. And when he refused, he kidnapped me and left me in the orphanage. Cliche. But that was what they told me. And maybe I believed them. Because I forgave them after that. That partner, Mr. Ali died just the day after dumping me. So the consequences. When I first visited Azferene's house, they came to know about me just a week before through Mr. Ali's old secretary who flew away along with him. Azferene was two years old, which justifies her memory of me. And her reminding of me to them, they weren't good with her.

I didn't even realise how these years flew away. Three years. Three years since I reconciled with Khalid, Gulabo and my parents and Azferene. Three years since I hadn't talked to him. Safdar Hamdani. That name still raises goosebumps on my body. The day I shifted at my parent's house, was the day I realised I love him. I loved him all along. Because a woman never cries for a man just because he saved her, or when a random man dies. He stopped chasing me the moment I told him off. And since then, I have been missing him. His talks. His smile. Everything. No matter how much I hardened my heart towards him, it wasn't possible. Avoiding him was difficult, considering my two friends were practically living in his mansion, but it was a very rare coincidence and when it happens we both ignore each other.

Maybe that was the reason I didn't even try to at least tell him about my feelings, because he doesn't reciprocate.

"Tea!" Opening my eyes, I saw my mother coming in the balcony with two mugs of my favourite tea, which can only be made by her. I smiled while taking a seat along with her on the couch. We have made a comfortable bond with each other, the awkwardness which I felt in the initial days radiated off without even realising.

"Where is Baba?" Warm sip of tea in freezy night was the best feeling at that moment.

"Where could he be? Same old. He doesn't even try to be seacrete now as we know his secret." I laughed along with her. Baba had developed a habit of eating sweets at night. Which he thought should be discreet from us otherwise he would have to share!

"How is Azferene? It has been a while since she has visited." She asked, making me smile thinking of her.

"She is good. Roohan keeps her on toes." I laughed a little thinking about the two years old bundle of craziness, Azferene and Haroon's son.

"That boy! Your father misses him a lot. He is getting spoiled by all the love." She laughed a little.

"I told you, he is gone on me. That's why Haroon bhai is so jealous of me. If he would have named Halim, he would have been more like him." I repeated this thing for the upteenth time. That was also the thing why Haroon and I fought almost all the time. He kept Roohan's name, jumbling his name's words. While I wanted to keep Ilhaam, jumbling my name's words. Childish? I know. Albeit he won, I have an upper hand cause Roohan's most of the habits are gone on me.

"Your both's fight are worst than Roohan's tantrums. He is easy to handle."

"Mamaaa!" I whined but she ignored me.

"Your Baba and I were thinking about your marriage." Her sentence made me silent.

"Are you fed up of me already?"

"You know. It is not like this. Instead we want to live with you as much as we can. But marriage should also happen at the correct time, child. And we don't want to delay when we know he is the best match for you. And before you bring that topic, we kept in mind Azferene's first experience before choosing someone although your decision will be the last." She surrendered herself and left before I could even start with my useless tantrums, she knows me well.

Sighing, I looked up at the starless night. Crazy, how when a full moon is present rarely stars could be seen. Like, only the moon is the centre of attention because of which everything else fades away.

Next day came with Azferene's visit before I could even process my mother's talks. And now we both were sitting in my room while Roohan played with my stationary.

"So what did you think about the proposal?"

Ugh! The question I was dreading!

"Nothing much." I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

"Do you have someone in mind?" Her question didn't catch me off guard. I saw this coming. She knew my habit of not meeting eyes when lying. I weighed the cons and pros of telling her about the situation of my heart. She was my best friend how can't I? Didn't she believe in me when I was just a mere stranger?

"I like S H…" I glanced through my lashes and wasn't even surprised to not see a shock on her face which I expected. This woman can read me like an open book. And me, using SH to name him wasn't hidden from her from the beginning. She kept quiet wanting me to elaborate. "Okay! Fine! I am in love. I don't know how it happened...but it did. And I tried thinking otherwise, busying myself, but nothing worked. It has been three years, and I can't bring myself to forgive him. Hell! I don't even know anything about him for that matter. But it happened. And…" I stopped my rambling when Azferene grabbed my hand smiling like a fool. Yes fool! That's what she looked like.

"It's ok. It's ok to fall in love, Ilhaam. Why are you stressing so much?"

"Why shouldn't I? Mama is ready to throw me out of this house with some stranger. And you are telling me I shouldn't take stress?"

"Don't tell me you don't know to whom you are getting married to?"

"How could I, Azferene? It was just last night Mama talked to me."

"Okay then let it be a surprise."

"Azferene...I am warning you! Tell me this instant. Otherwise...otherwise...I will throw him out of the window." When I couldn't find anything to warn her, I pointed at Roohan.

"Ha! As if you can!" I cursed myself for showing so much love to my nephew.

"Azferene!"

"Ilhaam!"

"Are you telling me or not?"

"No."

"Okay! I have an idea...I will call Haroon Bhai and say that his wife is missing him sooo much that she can't even concentrate on anything else thinking about last night." Wiggling my eyebrows, I picked up her phone.

"Don't you dare!" Her eyes went wide and a red hue appeared on her cheeks. Seems like my target hit the spot.

"Tell me then?"

"It's your SH." Saying she snatched her phone from my hand and left the room while I stilled at my place going numb after processing what she said.

"WHAT?" I shouted at the top of my lungs making little Roohan flinch in his place. Passing him an apologetic grin I dashed out of the room and behind Azferene. "I WON'T LEAVE YOU!"

"AAH! MAMAA! SAVE ME!" She ran for her life. Ohh! She should! I won't leave her today. How dare she not tell me what was cooking.

"Come here. I will show you today what it is like to mess up with Ilhaam." Folding my sleeves up to my elbows I ran behind her, she already was rounding the big swing kept in the garden while Roohan was already on his toes coming towards us to enjoy the show.

"Ilhaam…"

"Since when has this been cooking up? Huh?"

"A month probably."

We were still rounding the swing.

"And you didn't tell me? May I know the reason?"

"He wanted to do it the right way."

"By hiding from me?"

"No! By asking our parents. Aaaa...Roohan save me." She whined still saving herself, but now around the fountain.

"I am your sister. Not him."

"Of course! Is there even a doubt in it?"

"Then why did you side with him? Huh? You were supposed to tell me!"

"I did tell you...aaah…"

"Caught ya." And we both fell on the grass taking each other along, making us burst into laughter while the clueless Roohan jumped on us excitedly.

"This wasn't fair." I whined after a while of sobering up.

"Everything is fair in love and war."

"Ah! He will see what is not fair in love and war. How dare he send a proposal to me?"

"Why? Don't you love him?"

"I do! But that doesn't mean he is good! He is so rude, annoying, mysterious and what not."

"Wait a minute! You love him. But you don't want to marry him?" She asked, sitting up.

"Maybe?"

"Maybe? Do you even hear yourself Ilhaam?"

"Ok I do want to but…"

"You are having second thoughts? Give him a chance Ilhaam."

"But I am not everything he wants."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." I looked away.

"Ilhaam!"

"He wanted a woman who would be just like him. You know...who knows weapons and all...and I'm far from it." I mumbled, seriously annoyed.

"Uff! Ilhaam! What will I do with this girl." I slapped her arm at her dramatic effects.

"Listen to me. We don't get what we want every time. And when we know that we want something, our dreams change to Ilhaam. Maybe he wanted someone like him who wouldn't need any protection. But it is also possible that he wants to protect you. Or maybe now he wants someone who he will protect for his life. Priorities change when we meet our soulmate. I didn't even know I had a forever with Haroon when I searched for it in Aman. But you know...fate had its own timings. And maybe now it is yours. Just let yourself flow with the wind. And see how beautiful it turns out."

I just kept listening to her. Sinking in her words. Letting it settle in my heart. I didn't say anything, just laid down on the grass. She followed suit. And we kept looking at the clear sky. As clear as my future could be seen so far. I was happy. Euphoric. Ecstatic.

I wanted to meet Safdar. But instead of booking a table in a restaurant or going to a park, my sister and her husband thought their house would be the best option! Don't ignore the irony here.

They literally thought it would be good if we talked in their house where six children live in an adult's body, three children and two elders! I was fuming as I sat there on Sunday and Azferene thought it would be a good idea if I had breakfast at her place! On my right sat Roohan followed by his two cousins, Zeeniya and Isa, Zaid and Aqib's children. And on my left, Azferene followed by Haroon at the corner of the table. The children were continuously bickering, not eating at all because they were already charged while Aqsa and Haniya were laughing at everything their husband's were saying to tease me! Uncle and Aunty sat at each corner of the table throwing comments here and there.

"Aqib what would be their ship name? Huh? Safil?" Zaid laughed hard asking Aqib and I made an annoyed face trying to ignore them. They take out their brotherly side on me cause now they don't have Saman to do that 24/7. Haroon Bhai wasn't anything less.

"Their ship name should be Hitler. It suits them better."

"What about Darham?" Aqib made a face at Aqsa's suggestion.

"Guys!" I slammed the table, gaining their attention while Uncle Aunty ignored us, it wasn't unusual for them. It was a kind of routine whenever I visited. "I haven't said yes yet!"

"As if you won't!" Zaid literally scoffed at me! How dare he?

"Don't challenge me!" I glared at him and he immediately closed his mouth. Ah! They knew very well better not to challenge.

"Don't Zaid! Safdar will die Bachelor, eyeing our happiness." Haroon Bhai said as if pleading with him.

"I regret it! I haven't regretted anything as much as I regret agreeing to have breakfast here!" I looked at Azferene who was enjoying it all unless I turned to her and she covered it up with her fake cough!

Here goes nothing!

"Why now? I mean...it has been three years since we parted...then why now? Or did you just wake up one day and decide that you have to marry me?" He just kept looking at me without saying anything, making me nervous and angry at the same time.

"I knew I would marry you the day I met you." Oh...that wasn't something I expected to listen to. "I was just waiting for you, so you could spend time with your parents. But it was high time now. Your home is awaiting you."

"Only home?" He chuckled totally knowing my outspoken personality.

"Me too."

"How? I may not be everything you need in your wife…" I tried to reason out.

"I know you read my diary and it's ok. Yes. You aren't everything I wanted. But after meeting you...my expectations towards my wife changed." I didn't met his eyes. I couldn't. First of all he knew I read his diary. And secondly, his talks and eyes. "Our home awaits you Ilhaam. It has been awaiting since you left us. I have everything I wanted. But you are the only thing I need."

"Why should I believe you? I wasn't even practising muslimah when I met you."

"I know. And even if you hadn't changed behind me, I would have married you only. What was better than if I was being your road to heaven Ilhaam? But I am glad you chose this path for yourself."

The silence in Yazdani House's garden seems to be peaceful at different level.

"A simple and intimate wedding." Was all I said before I made a run away from there to hide my blush. His laughter was the only indication that he did hear me.

I was about to run upstairs when I collided with Azferene. And my face said it all even before she could ask me. And I threw myself in her embrace, hiding my face in her neck. While I could only hear the cheers of Mabrooks in the background. I could totally imagine the happy faces of my parents.

×××××××××
☆☆☆THE END☆☆☆

31.12.2021

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Epilogue coming in a day or two...

Love,
Nabiha❤