34. Red thread of fate

*****

Of all the things Ziah expected for her day to begin with, it surely didn't entail the question Madiha asked nonchalantly at the breakfast table like it were as simple as asking someone, when is your birthday?

"Ab yeh sab ho hi chuka hai toh, have you found a good place for a honeymoon?"

Ziah choked on the water she was drinking while Waheed cleared his throat. Giving a side eye to his wife, he subtly dabbed his lips and within seconds, took his leave for the office. Meanwhile, Marwan was still busy munching on the poha that he had served for himself, acting oblivious to Madiha's question.

The hues of red that hadn't left Ziah's form since the last night intensified by ten folds. Focusing her gaze on her almost empty plate, she coughed awkwardly a few times and gave a side eye to her husband who was as chilled as ever.

"Ab maine kya kiya?"

Marwan frowned when he registered the scowl on his wife's face. He had gobbled his breakfast and now had his full attention on his wife who seemed to be covered in shades of red.

Tilting his head a little, he touched her forehead, expecting a brewing fever but felt nothing.

"Marwan, suna maine kya kaha?"

He blinked in confusion at his mother who let out an exasperated breath. Madiha kept down the spoon and focused her gaze on her son and daughter-in-law.

"Honeymoon ke liye kaha ja rahe ho?"

"Abhi tak decide nahi kiya."

Marwan shrugged casually at the question and Ziah could only wish to disappear from the scene. His eyes found their way back to his wife and a smirk threatened to spill on his lips when the reason for the rogue pink on her skin became clear.

"Decide kar lo. I don't want you to appear out of nowhere and then disappear for months, leaving her alone."

Definitely not a suggestion.

With that, Madiha lovingly patted Ziah's cheek and kissed her forehead and with a look that clearly screamed her hidden threats at Marwan, she walked away, giving the two the privacy they needed.

"Soo, where to?"

Marwan placed his head on Ziah's shoulder as he casually threw the question. A smile pulled on his lips when he heard an embarrassed whine from his wife. Ziah pushed him away with a scowl. She feared for her sanity in his presence.

"Switzerland? Paris? Italy?"

Marwan flipped through the options with a curious expression. Ziah threw a cushion at him since it was clear that he was enjoying her predicament. It was a little over noon and Marwan was free for a few weeks that would follow. Major Mathur had granted him a leave with clear instructions that he'd have to make up for them sometime.

"Tang na kare."

Ziah hid her face behind a pillow with a look of displeasure. They were sitting in their room that had never felt more at peace, more at joy.

"What? Nahi jana honeymoon pe?"

This time, he did seem genuinely confused. Ziah let out a cry, her face still pressed against the pillow when she felt it being pulled away. Her narrowed glare met with Marwan's amused eyes. A surprised shriek left her lips when he pulled her to him. On his lap.

"Itni sharm? Khudaya, I thought we were way past it."

Marwan teased and sighed in love when pink spilled darker on her cheeks. The defiant stance of hers melted into his hold and Ziah snuggled closer to him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes in bliss when she felt him kiss her forehead.

"Seni seviyorum."

She heard hum murmur in an unfamiliar language. Raising her head to look at him, her eyes questioned him silently and Marwan could only offer a smile and capture her lips with his.

The gentle touch didn't hide the ardent need in them. One of his hands came to rest on her cheeks, caressing it ever so softly, enjoying the glow that they had acquired and the softness of her skin. Ziah smiled through their joint lips and felt him do the same. She might've got an inkling of what his words meant and she could only hope that her reciprocated actions could convey the words she was too shy to spell.

*****

"Spain?"

"Marwan, jao yaha se."

Ziah swatted her husband away. She was trying to watch 'the hunger games' in peace but he wasn't allowing it. Her husband was more interested in finalising their honeymoon destination and she was thoroughly enjoying the sullen look on his face everytime she said no to a different country.

"Greece? Brazil? Jamaica?"

"Hum atlas khel rahe hai?"

Ziah blinked her eyes innocently at him but gulped upon seeing the way his narrowed in warning. A nervous chuckle left her lips and she cleared her throat, subtly trying to avoid any wrath that might come her way.

She had just blinked and within that span, found the laptop off her clutches and herself beneath her husband. Her wide eyes looked into his blazing ones and she didn't have enough time to let out a single gasp when he dipped his lips, leaving feathery touches on her jaw followed by numerous others that led him to the junction of her neck.

"M-Marwan."

A gasp was what was heard as Marwan bit her sensitive skin gently. The marks that he had left yesterday were still fresh, still holding the essence of the love that they made- shared.

"Where to?"

He didn't stop his actions, enjoying the feel of her skin against his. The way she held his forearms to support herself. The serenity on her face.

"Huh?"

"We can do this the whole day, jaana. I don't mind."

And he didn't.

Ziah knew he meant what he said and a cry escaped her lips when she found his hands working on her bare skin. Her top was lost as she lay half bare beneath him. Her eyes were hooded with the fervour in the air while he took his sweet time to torture her so intimately.

Marwan's lips found their way back to her lips, capturing them in a heated kiss. Ziah found herself at a loss of thoughts as he ravaged her to both of their heart's content- but it was never enough.

His tongue met hers, tasting what she had to offer, wanting it all to be his. Nibbling on her bottom lip, he had just got rid of the remaining clothes when she whimpered the word much to his amusement.

"S-slovenia!"

And even though he had playfully threatened her, Marwan pretended that he didn't hear her whisper and continued what he had started until she was withering with the heightened ecstasy that accompanied every one of their touches.

*****

"Don't bother worrying about anything here. Main sab sambhal lungi. And-"

"Mama, flight nikal jayegi if you keep us busy with your tips."

Marwan tried to pull Ziah away from his mother but the older woman gave him a glare that shut him at once. The flight was set to take off early in the night and Marwan was doubting their chances of even stepping out of the house at this rate.

"Take your time in visiting all the good places there, hmm? Send me the pict-"

"Madiha, spare the kids now."

Waheed stepped in to handle his wife's excitement. It was as though it weren't them but her who was going to Slovenia.

Madiha begrudgingly gave another hug to Ziah before letting her go. Marwan rolled his eyes at the dramatic exchange and kissed his mother's forehead.

"Khayal rakhna apna!"

Madiha yelled from behind and Marwan quickly pushed Ziah into the car, afraid that his mother might stop them once again for a bunch of tricks and advice.

Thankfully, they checked in not too late and found themselves on the plane. Ziah had pulled the puppy eyes card when Marwan insisted on sitting on the window seat and like the fallen man he was, Marwan let her sit next to the window with a sigh.

He was whipped.

Unapologetically.

"This is not fair."

He mumbled to himself but all the complaints vanished in thin air when she offered him the brightest smile. The light in her eyes glowed like the moon during a dark night, enticing him to stare at her and nothing else. The happiness that her presence now radiated was addicting and so was her raspberry fragrance.

He didn't know what he'd do if the hour of separation ever came.

"Astagfirullah."

Marwan muttered to himself as soon as the depressing thought even crossed his mind. Feeling paranoid, he clutched her palm in his, not ready to let go now or ever.

The trip was a little long and Ziah found herself giving into the sleep that was knocking on her mind. Marwan lifted the seat rest that laid between them and allowed her to snuggle closer to him. She rested her head on his chest and he held her protectively for the rest of the journey. Not too later, the silence compelled Marwan to close his eyes too and the next time when they opened, it was to the announcement of the plane landing.

"Araam se."

Marwan caught Ziah when she stumbled a little. The world might change but the way the people behaved when exiting the plane would forever remain the same.

They had decided to stay in Bled and tour the place and the adjoined ones. The town smelt of fresh river and the air itself held a life of its own. The greens and blues could mesmerise anyone and Ziah was mesmerised too.

Her eyes took in every passing scenery that they encountered. The road trip would've been boring if not for the places that were seen through the moving vehicle.

The excited gleam on her face elicited a chuckle from Marwan. It looks like she was more than happy to be here.

"Ziah, we'll rest for today, alright?"

Marwan coaxed his wife into staying in the hotel room. The jet lag might kick in soon and he knew she'd be tired not long into the tour.

Ziah stopped selecting which clothes to wear and looked at him with an almost pout. Keeping the clothes aside, she got into the bed with a sigh. Now that she had put her excitement at the back of her mind, the sore muscles and tiredness were finally coming into play and she pushed herself closer to her husband who wrapped his arms around her form, pulling her into his chest and closed his eyes in relaxation.

Surely, for him, this was what gratification would mean.

*****

The next day made Marwan almost regret his decision to agree to the honeymoon.

Ziah had been chirping like a bird the whole tour. From visiting the Bled castle to the Bled lake. All the while walking and rambling about nothing and everything. This might've been the first time Marwan had seen her talk so much at such a pace with the same enthusiasm from the beginning to the end.

"Ziah, saans le lo."

Marwan shook his head in utmost confusion as to whether he should laugh at the way she was behaving or be a little worried about this side of hers that he had never seen.

"S-sorry. This is just all so beautiful!"

She gushed with a sheepish smile and Marwan could only sigh at her expressions.

Marwan followed her like a lost puppy when they registered for a hiking trip. He could feel his legs screaming at him to take a break but upon seeing the way Ziah skipped from one spot to the other, he had started doubting whether she had truly walked or not or was it him who had started losing the touch?

Astagfirullah.

He frowned at his thoughts once again and with a huff, followed his wife until they had reached the view point for which they had walked for more than an hour.

"Itna kya khas hai isme?"

He almost yelled when they stopped to take a rest. Ziah disregarded her husband's astonishment and clicked as many pictures as she could. Marwan had just gulped down the bottle of water when she pulled him to her.

"Say cheez!"

"Eww."

Marwan ran a hand through his hair, horrified by how he looked so tired while the woman beside him was as fresh as a flower. Ziah once again ignored her husband and continued on the task of clicking a memory that she'd cherish for years. To Marwan's relief, they finally called an end to the day and headed back to their hotel room.

Ziah sent the pictures that she took to Madiha as soon as she stepped into the hotel room. A bright smile rested on her lips and she turned to look at her husband only to find him disappearing behind the bathroom door.

Shrugging lightly, she kept the phone aside and sat on the bed, swinging her legs and humming to herself. Massaging her shoulders a little, she waited until Marwan got out of the washroom which was not after too long.

Ziah quickly walked past him, in dire need to get refreshed. After a small shower, she changed into a comfy oversized shirt she had randomly picked from the suitcase and sweatpants. She wasn't used to wearing these types of clothes but they felt good on her skin and she was comfortable.

Walking out, she expected Marwan to still be up but he was already under the covers. Frowning in concern, she got in beside him and gently shook his shoulder.

"Marwan, thak gaye?"

"Hmm."

Was all she got in reply and the frown marred into a scowl. Marwan turned his back to her and that was when she realised that he was ignoring her!

"Marwan, kya hua?"

She couldn't help but ask. He didn't reply to her and instead remained silent.

Whining at the ignorance, she put her chin on his shoulder. Her eyes gazed at his face as she gently shook him.

"Marwan, naraz kyu hai? Kya kiya maine?"

"Let me sleep, Ziah."

Her lips thinned at the reply. A grim expression took over her face as she reluctantly left him alone and took the other side of the bed. Her eyes glared daggers at his back and a few minutes later, he turned her way.

"How did it feel to be ignored?"

He questioned her with a raised eyebrow and she could only blink in bewilderment. Sitting up straight, she crossed her arms across her torso with her eyes narrowed at his face.

"Ignore? Maine kab kiya ignore?"

To her question, he gave her a blank look that clearly said enough for Ziah to realize her mistake. Biting the insides of her cheek, she sobered up and gave him an apologetic smile.

"Sorry na. I didn't mean to. I was just so excited to see the places."

Marwan cracked a smile at her guilty expression. He knew well that she hadn't done it on purpose but it still pricked. Yes, he was sensitive.

And a little possessive of her attention.

Upon not getting a reply from him, she fumbled with her fingers and cautiously peered at his face.

"I'll make it up to you, I p-promise!"

At her words, he turned fully on his back and gave her a nod.

"Hmm, kiss me then."

Ziah's eyes widened at the demand. She opened her mouth to protest but on seeing how serious he looked, she swallowed once and then took a deep breath.

They were way past this hesitation but she still needed the courage to make it all look so casual.

Or maybe, feeling like it was the first time wouldn't hurt.

Hesitantly, she inched closer to him. Since he was lying on his back and she was sitting up straight, Ziah leaned in closer to his face. It was all over the first of hers once again. Lips close enough to touch that a single brush of them made her shudder when her blood rampaged against its vessels.

Marwan closed his eyes, waiting for his silly demand to be fulfilled and when it was , he felt as though he had fallen into another one of those melodic dreams.

The kiss lasted for less than a second. Ziah had just touched his lips with hers and then pulled away and Marwan opened his eyes with a frown.

"What was that?"

The offense in his tone was missed by none. Ziah's cheeks were already a blazing red and his question just made her want to disappear.

"A-a kiss?"

She didn't know herself whether it was a statement or a question and to her words, Marwan rolled his eyes.

Ziah yelped when he pulled her to him- below him. Raising himself to face her, Marwan rubbed the tip of his nose with hers.

"We've a lot to teach you, my love."

And with the words, he showed her what a kiss truly meant.

A kiss for love.

A kiss for an eternity to come.

A kiss that sealed the red thread of fate between the two.

**********

'Red thread of fate' is an expression for destined lovers regardless of time, place or circumstances. Basically, something that binds people like soulmates and stuff...

Okay, I feel so dull saying this but just the epilogue is left. Like just one freaking chapter! How? Howwww?!

I've no idea what to say, so it's all on you!

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