Hassas- Epilogue

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Waking up to little kisses on her forehead and the crown of her head, Mayza smiled in her sleep, snuggling closer to the warmth of the man she had become used to.

"Wake up, sleepy head."

Humaid whispered teasingly next to her ears, not making a move to separate their bodies. Even after five months of marriage, seeing her the first thing in the morning was equal to a surreal dream.

"Thoda aur sone de na."

"I'd have, but we'll be late."

He placed another soft kiss on the shell of ear, smiling when he heard her sign in bliss and bury her face in the crook of his neck. Her breath hit his bare skin, eliciting the slightest of shivers from him even though they were perfectly covered by the blanket. His hand rubbed her bare back from below the shirt, feeling every emotion when she made the smallest of sounds only meant for his ears.

"Humaid..."

Mayza whined when he pulled himself away, opening her eyes to glare at him only for them to droop once again.

Humaid laughed at how adorable she looked. Her nose was scrunched in displeasure while her brows were furrowed in annoyance. Pinching the tip of her nose gently, he kissed it once and then her cheeks before placing sweet pecks on her lips, silently pleading for her to wake up.

"Not fair..."

Mayza mumbled once he stopped giving her the addicting kisses. Opening her eyes completely, she sat up straight and met his eyes, taking her sweet time to appreciate her husband.

If she could see herself through his eyes, she'd see things that she never bothered to see. Wearing one of Humaid's many shirts with her hair ruffled, lips swollen, skin flushed and eyes so bright, she might fall in with her own self because she was the definition of a woman who was loved.

"Everything is fair in love-"

"Exactly. Come back to bed."

Mayza opened her hands, inviting him in for a hug- as in cuddles and more sleep and Humaid was tempted with every cell in his being to cancel the plans they had made for the day and do just that but he desperately wanted to witness the look of awe on her face when they reach the place she had always wished to see in person.

"No matter how alluring the deal is, we really shouldn't be late."

"You're no fun..."

Mayza grumbled once again, giving him a stink eye. Her words made him take a step forward. Placing one knee on the bed, Humaid leaned in, making her gulp at the change of expressions. Tucking a strand of her rogue hair behind her ear, he whispered haughtily to her, as though sharing a dirty secret.

"No fun, you say?"

Giving a small bite to the skin just below her neck, he heard her gasp at the sudden touch.

"We need to change that, don't we, begum?"

His hands found the hem of his shirt covering her and Mayza squealed when the material was off her before she could say something else. Not getting the chance to speak as Humaid put her lips into a prison along his own, Mayza found herself succumbing to the beautiful way of him proving her wrong.

Humaid locked away the voice that yelled at him to check the time and instead, focused on his wife, making sure she knew how much fun she could have with him.

The swollen lips looked even more enticing when he pulled away to let her breathe. The carmine on her skin had spread from head to toe and he gently traced the colour on her cheeks, to her jaw, to her neck, to her bare shoulders, with his lips.

Mayza enjoyed having him all to herself more than he could imagine. His touch was something that sent her haywire even after so many months. She wasn't used to his kisses, because every time they kissed, it was all like their first.

Longing.

Passionate.

Valued.

"You make my heart sing, Mayza. Soft melodies in a garden full of roses, with just you and me, under the moonlight, whispering secrets and love stories."

Giggling at how romantically poetic he was when voicing his love for her, Mayza placed grateful kisses all over his face, lingering longer atop his closed eyes that always left her bewitched.

Humaid breathed in her calming scent. She was the most beautiful thing in his life. The concept of them always left him speechless, not really understanding how he had lucked the stars.

"Ab der nahi ho rahi?"

Mayza bit her lips to stop the teasing smile from surfacing as they lay together in bed. The aftermath of tantalising touches, dirty whispers, feathery kisses, had rendered her in his hold while he lay peacefully in her arms with his head on her bare shoulders, eyes closed and lips pulled in a smile.

"Hmm, we can always make time."

He kissed just above where her heart was, still beating like all those times from the past whenever he was near and Mayza knew it was only physically hers.

The next one hour was spent with the two getting ready, stealing a kiss or two from each other every now and then. Humaid helped her zip the white dress that made her look like she was in control. And she was- at least when they were not in bed.

Mayza twirled in the formal yet casual attire. The pure white material ended just a little above her ankle and the bow tie neck made her fall in love with it at first sight.

Humaid combed her hair gently while she applied a little make up. Leaving the waves in their natural texture and putting a pearl hair pin near her right ear, he took in a dreamy sigh at how beautiful she looked.

Mayza blushed at the exasperated look, giving him a small push to the side while he laughed at her adorable blush.

"Biwi ho meri. Tareef karna haq hai mera."

He stated the obvious, placing another kiss on the crown of her head once she was done with her make up. Applying a small coat of strawberry lip balm on her lips, Mayza shrieked and quickly stood up when Humaid leaned down to steal a kiss from her lips.

"Nope, na-ah."

She shook her head, as though reprimanding him for his stupidity and Humaid rolled his eyes but nonetheless, joined their palms and kissed the back of hers, earning himself a shy smile.

He had changed into a white knitted full sleeved t-shirt that was rolled to his elbow paired with black jeans and shoes. A watch rested on his left wrist while his right hand wore a band that Mayza had bought.

"Where are we going?"

Mayza couldn't hide her curiosity since he didn't share much about their day and even now, he only glanced at her and shook his head, smiling when she huffed and let go off the topic. Turning her gaze towards the window that overlooked the passing streets, Mayza couldn't stop the wide smile from surfacing when she looked at the small cafes and flower shops- their boards having a set of Italian headings and a few in English.

The past five months weren't the most stable in their life but they weren't a complete downhill. Jamal was put behind the bars for money laundering and the news created more than a few troubles. Even though Parveen had broken ties with the man, he was still her husband and the information made her lose her consciousness. After that day, she was advised strict bed rest and the matter of worry was the fact that her health kept deteriorating after that day.

Humaid and Mayza had tried their best to take care of her but after a certain point, Parveen kicked the two of her room, demanding them to behave like a married couple and complete their impending honeymoon that they had kept on hold because of her.

After much reluctance, the two had agreed and Humaid had surprised her by bringing them to Rome- the place where it all started or should they say, resumed after a long pause.

The giddy feeling in her when they first arrived at the very same hotel they met after years made her feel like she had touched the moon.

The legend wasn't false it seems.

"Humaid?"

Mayza questioned when stopped at a mausoleum that was intricately imprinted in her mind. Her eyes gaped at the sight of Castel Sant'Angelo, not believing that she was actually standing there in person.

"Now, a little birdie told me that my wife has been obsessed with this place. I would be a bad husband if I didn't let you see it, wouldn't I be?"

It was the very same place Mayza wanted to visit when her trip had been cut short but the timings went past her and she thought that she'd never get the opportunity again.

An innocent grin like that of a toddler brightened her face as she looked at her husband who felt at peace seeing the gleam in her eyes. Not knowing how to control herself, Mayza put her hands around his neck, hugging him tightly all the while trying not to jump up and down with joy.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

The excitement in her tone made him laugh. It made him happy. She made him happy.

"You're the best!"

She whispered, kissing his chest a few times. Her heart eyes stared into his brown ones that held nothing but contentment and Humaid placed a kiss on her forehead, finding it hard to keep his hands to himself when it was his begum in the picture.

"Dil le lo mera."

"Woh toh pehle se mere paas hai."

Mayza teased, enjoying how he shook his head with a fond smile on his face.

"Woh bhi sahi hai."

"Well, it's a fair deal. You keep my heart safe and I'll keep yours safe."

Mayza whispered, telling him a confidential deal. Humaid matched the vibe, considering the offer with a serious expression and after mere seconds, he nodded his head.

Touching the tip of his nose with hers, his warm eyes stared into her happy ones and Humaid didn't even deem it necessary to ask his heart to behave.

"Deal. Shall we seal it with a kiss?"

He proposed in a whisper and Mayza hummed, her eyes shyly glanced around before giving him a quick peck and Humaid made a mental note to strengthen the deal by a longer seal when he got the chance.

Mayza had been obsessed with the place when she first saw the opera video. It spoke about one of the greatest love stories, Puccini's Tosca. The story made her cry but it also made her believe in true love. The place had seen the loss of love, the cries of betrayal and the sacrifice of a life to keep herself pure for her lover.

She wasn't tired from roaming all around the place even after 3 hours. Humaid followed her without a word, just silently watching how she squealed with joy and then stayed silent in awe. He'd point a thing or two every now and then but she'd just nod her head and drag him to a completely different place.

"Mayza, I think that's-"

"Oh my, Allah!"

Mayza cut Humaid's sentence for another of the many intricate designs placed on the castle walls. Sighing to himself, he silently followed her and that's how it went for another 1 hour.

"Humaid, pair dukh rahe hai."

Mayza whined as she sat in the car. Her husband gave her a sarcastic look that read 'really?' and Mayza gave him a small pout, not really knowing how she was at fault.

It was her excitement that should be blamed.

Humaid bought food from a nearby restaurant and drove them back to the hotel. By the time they reached, night had fallen and the moon had taken its throne for everyone to see.

Mayza stumbled a little when she got out of the car but Humaid was quick to catch her before she could hurt herself. She heard him take a breath, and he forwarded the bag of food for her to catch.

Taking hold of it with a confused look, Mayza gasped when he placed his hands behind her knees and her back, pulling her off the ground and into his arms in a bridal way.

"Humaid!"

She whisper-yelled, clearly embarrassed when more than a few people in the hotel looked at them. Some turned away while a few gushed, making her hide her face in his chest with her eyes closed, not wanting to witness any of their looks.

"You were complaining about a leg ache."

"Toh yeh-"

Mayza didn't even bother completing her sentence. Her tired face had caught itself in a hold of red as they reached their room after a few minutes.

Mayza swiped the keycard as he led the two in and made her sit on the coach. To his relief, she wore snickers and not heels because if she did, the situation would've been more disastrous.

"Lao, pair do."

He sat on the ground cross legged and brought her legs to rest on his thigh, giving them a slow massage while paying more attention to the ankle. Mayza wanted to decline but the touch was so relaxing that she sat back and enjoyed the pampering.

"Did I tell you that I love you?"

"Ahm, can't recall it today."

Mayza giggled as he played along. Once he was sure that her legs wouldn't trouble her more, he watched his hands and set the plates, serving dinner.

Mayza scooted a little, asking him to sit beside her and when Humaid did take a seat, he pulled her on his lap, smiling when she snuggled closer to him and fed him with her hands. The two took turns, feeding each other and once they were full, Humaid carried her to the bedroom, helping her in changing the dress and removing the make-up.

"Humaid..."

"Hmm?"

Humaid tucked her in bed, having changed into sweatpants himself. Getting in after her, he closed the lights as Mayza put her arms around his waist, throwing her legs over his and clutching to him like a koala.

"I love you.."

"I love you too, meri jaan."

Humaid felt her kiss his chest as he kissed her forehead. The two knew they were smiling, maybe a little too much but that was what happiness felt like.

It was never enough.

As they fell in a blissful sleep, the only thought that could cross one's mind was how sensitive, how fleeting these moments were. Appreciating them while they last could make one hold onto hope even when things were bad.

Woh ehsaas hai, woh hassas hai,

Har dil ki dhadkano mein behti musalsal mohabbat hai.

.

.

.

The End

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Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

I'm addicted to fictional men,

Main kya karu?!

Nope, na-ah, I knew this day would come but for heaven's sake, it wasn't supposed to happen in a snap of my finger (that, by the way, needs rest).

I'm not kidding when I say my cheeks hurt with the way I've been smiling creepily while typing this chapter. My mom, of course, she's used to me looking like a hooligan so I was ignored!

What do I even say about hassas apart from the fact that the storyline was supposed to be entirely different and it wasn't Humaid with whom she was supposed to be paired with. I felt bad for him and after a reader commented how he deserved better, I knew I had to do something to give him a fairytale of his own.

I wouldn't say I did a good job at it, but it's satisfying enough and that says a lot when I'm packed with exams!

Hassas marks the last story in Mehr-o-Mah (we have a few one shots) but this is the last short story and it feels like a joke to me.

While writing thiss book, I had taken many long breaks which is so unlike me but life happens, mine did too and even after all that stupid stress, every time I look at that 'The End' sign I feel so accomplished, knowing that I gave someone (even though they're fictional) a happy ending!

I wouldn't rant much cuz I don't want to cry. The book is special. All the damn khandaans in this book are special and come on, my characters are just phenomenal, precious and lovable (not always the side ones but still)!

Let's bid a goodbye for now while I work on the one shots since I'm fricking clueless...

- Dilara💕

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