Chapter : 46 - Heartstrings

"You both are enemies of my love. What was so important that this big house wasn't enough, and you had to come to my office?" I said sternly as I entered the cabin and saw the two useless CEOs comfortably sitting on my couch.

"Are we the enemies of your love, or are you at fault, Aziz?" Samir said dramatically as he stood up, and to my surprise, Tamir supported him.

"Now, will you tell me what's so important so I can attend my meeting?" I said, placing my office bag on the table.

"Yes, bhai, please have a seat first," Tamir said with a smile.

"What's the matter, Tamir?" I asked as I sat on the couch across from them.

"Tamir is in love, Aziz," Samir answered before Tamir could.

"Kisse?" I asked, astonished.

(With whom?)

"Aurat seh," Samir replied.

(A woman)

"Samir, will you be quite?" Tamir said, glaring at him.

"Tamir, is this true?" I asked him gently, but he just blushed in response.

"Blushing won't do, answer me, yes or no?" I asked, seeing his continuous blushing.

"Yes," he replied.

"What's her name? Where did you meet her? Where does she live?" I started bombarding him with questions.

"I don't know her name, bhai," Tamir replied, looking down, still blushing.

"Wow! History is repeating again!" Samir said with a playful smile.

"You don't know her name? Then where did you meet her?" I asked him, ignoring Samir's taunt.

"He saw her at your wedding," Samir answered again before Tamir could.

"Samir, do one thing, go check my accounts," I said.

"Okay, I'll do it later," he said nonchalantly.

"No, do it now," I ordered.

"Fine," Samir said, standing up and sitting at my desk with the files.

"Now I can talk to Tamir in peace," I thought as I saw Samir getting engrossed in the files.

"How did you meet her?" I asked.

"We haven't met yet," Tamir said, looking down.

"Then how did you fall in love?" I asked, being surprised.

"She just passed by me," Tamir said with a smile.

"Oh, okay" Came out of my mouth.

"Kaisi thi woh?" I asked.

(How was she?)

"Behad khubsurat tih," Tamir replied.

(Very beautiful).

"Aurat khubsurat hein hoti hai. I'm asking where she seems to be from. Is she Indian or a foreigner?"

(Women are always beautiful)

"I didn't see her eyes, but judging by her attire, she looked completely Indian," he said.

"Wah, bade miya mashallah toh chote miya subhanallah. Ek ko aankhon seh mohabbat hui, toh dusre ko bina aankhen dekhe mohabbat hui hai," Samir said while laughing uncontrollably.

(Wah, the elder one is amazing and the younger one is exceptional. One falls in love with her eyes, and the other falls in love without even seeing her eyes).

"Should I throw him out?" I asked Tamir while looking at Samir.

"You can't do it," Samir said proudly.

"Then focus on the work," I retorted and turned towards Tamir.

"One minute, you spent so many years in Paris and didn't find anyone there, but as soon as you came to India, you liked an Indian girl. And you got my wedding? To give your heart to someone else. Tamir? And on top of that, you fell in love with her downcast eyes without even seeing them?" I asked incredulously.

"Bhai!" Tamir exclaimed.

"Tamir, you're adopted," Samir whispered loudly while winking at him.

"Are the accounts checked?" I asked Samir sternly.

"I'm doing it, but why are you ordering me like I'm your wife?" Samir asked in a very teasing manner.

"I don't order my wife," I said sternly again.

"Then why are you treating me like your forced wife?" Samir asked loudly again.

"Done with the checking?" I asked, ignoring his words.

"Doing it," he said, getting engrossed in the work again, but here I was finding myself in big trouble, the trouble of Tamir.

"How exactly you fell in love with her then?" I asked with great patience, even though I felt like throwing both of them out.

One can't stop teasing, and the other has fallen in love but doesn't know with whom. And here I am, missing my own love.

"During the wedding, as I was walking towards the table, she walked past me with her head down, and just then my steps stopped by her presence," Tamir began.

"And then?" I asked further.

"That's it," Tamir said, gesturing with his hands.

"That's it," I taunted.

"I mean, did you feel something? Like your heart racing or something stirring in your heart? Anything?" I asked him with a lot of patience.

"Mehsoos karta kaise? Dil toh tabhi rukh gaya tah, use dekh ke. Tamir said.

(My heart stopped at that moment, seeing her. So how could I feel anything? )

"And now?" I thought it better to move the question forward.

"I don't know, that's why I came to you," Tamir asked nervously.

"What can I do, Tamir? It's your love, you're the one in love. What's my role in your love story?" I asked, not understanding his question.

"Bhai, I saw her at your wedding. If she wasn't from our family, she might be from bhabhi's family," Tamir finally made a point after all this time.

"So, what do you want?" I asked seriously.

"Just that you ask Bhabhi about Tamir's beloved," Samir said, bringing files towards me.

"First, he doesn't know her name. Second, they haven't met. Third, he doesn't know who she is or where she's from. And you want me to go and ask Uns if she has any beautiful relatives? So she can get mad at me for calling someone else beautiful, Samir? I have no desire to die so soon," I finished everything in one breath and stood up.

Will I take risk with Uns?

"He's your brother, can't you help him, Aziz?" Samir asked dramatically. If anyone knows how to stir things up, it's Samir.

"Tamir is my brother, but Uns is fire. How can I ask her without any information? She'll punch me instead," I said, refusing to agree with Samir.

"You're such a coward," Samir said angrily.

"Believe whatever you want," I said as I walked towards the chair.

"Tamir, there's a truth we've all hidden from you. You're adopted, Tamir. That's why Aziz doesn't give you so much attention," Samir was either comforting Tamir or making him my enemy, I couldn't understand.

"Now I feel the same, Samir," Tamir was manipulated by Samir's words.

Saying this, they both put their arms around each other's shoulders and walked towards the door in disappointment.

Yaah Allah, what do I do with these two? They are such drama kings.

"Tamir," I called out.

Both of them stopped and quickly turned towards me.

"We'll find your beloved at my Walima," I said, giving him hope.

"Thank you, Aziz Bhai," Tamir said, walking quickly towards me and embracing me.

"Me too," Samir said, joining us as well.

"Alright, let go now. I have to go to a meeting," I said, pushing them away.

"We love you," both said together and started walking away.

Tamir had a bright smile on his face while Samir was smiling, watching him. Indeed, Tamir brought Samir to help him, and this idiot Samir is crazy, making everyone happy except himself.

"Samir, stay here, I need to talk to you," I said, and Samir stopped in his tracks.

"Aren't you getting late for your meeting, Aziz?" he taunted. He and Uns never miss a chance to taunt me.

"Will you stay?" I asked, ignoring his taunt.

"Jo aap kahe, Aziz," Samir said, blushing.

"Just sit here," I told him to sit on the couch and went to order tea for us.

"What do you want to talk about?" Samir asked while sitting comfortably on the couch as if it's his house. No, actually, my house; he doesn't stay in his house.

"How are you?" I asked, taking a seat in front of him.

"Bahut jaldi yaad aaya mai tumhe, Aziz? ," he taunted again.

(So soon you remembered me, Aziz?)

"Just answer me," I said before he could taunt me more.

"Saanse chal rahi hai bas," he said with a smile on his face.

(I am just breathing).

"And your heart?" I asked.

"Heart? It stopped working the moment I saw her leaving my life," Samir said, looking down, and a tear fell from his eye onto the table.

"If you love Sahara so much, then why aren't you talking to her?" I asked, seeing his silence.

At the mention of Sahara, he lifted his gaze and gave me a smile.

"When it was time to love her, I didn't do it, and when I realized that I love her, she wasn't there. Now, I love her so much that I see nothing but her, but I am helpless, Aziz. How can I face her? And with what face can I talk to her?" Samir kept talking, and tears kept flowing from his eyes.

"Maybe she is still waiting for you," I said hopefully.

"She hates me, bhai, and why wouldn't she? I hurt her so much. Despite all my flaws, she only loved me, and I took her love for granted. I sought comfort in other's arms, while hearing my name from her lips gave me real peace. Her eyes waiting for me gave me solace. And I, a foolish person, didn't realize that I had also fallen in love with her, and when I did realize it, everything was already lost." Samir expressed his helplessness, and the tears wouldn't stop.

"I have hurt her a lot, bhai. I don't want to hurt her anymore. I am not destined for Sahara's love. I have watched her from afar for years, and I will continue to watch from afar. What can I even do? One-sided love is like this," Samir completed his words with a sob.

But whether he believe it or not, their love is never one-sided. If he haven't forgotten her till now, does he think Sahara has forgotten him?

"Okay, bhai, I should really leave now," Samir said, wiping his tears with a tissue and smiling as he headed towards the door.

"Have some tea before you go, Samir," I said, stopping him.

"Alright," he said and sat down again. Two minutes later, my assistant came in with two cups of tea.

He placed them on the table, and I handed a cup to Samir.

"What happened on the day of our engagement between you and Sahara?" I asked casually while taking a sip of tea.

"Don't ask, bhai. It's enough that I survived," Samir said with a sigh, taking a sip as well.

"Why? What exactly happened?" I asked with interest.

"She must have thought I was a thief or something. In a second, she got out of bed, grabbed a vase, and was ready to smash it over my head. And I was stunned, just standing there, praying for my safety," Samir said.

"And then?" I asked in amazement.

"Then what? It was like World War III. She was the exact opposite of how calm she was in cermony. She started yelling, letting out all her anger and frustration. When it seemed like she had nothing left to say, she grabbed the vase again, ready to throw it at me. If you hadn't come in those two seconds, I don't know where I'd be today!" Samir said, taking the last sip of his tea and standing up.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked, seeing me burst out laughing uncontrollably.

"What else should I do? You were calling me a coward, but look at yourself in front of Sahara," I said, still laughing.

"I shouldn't have said anything," Samir replied, shaking his head.

"You would have told me even if I hadn't asked," I said, smiling. Samir just gave me a stern look, and started walking towards the door.

"Remember to join us for dinner," I said, watching him leave.

"Of course," he replied with a laugh.

On one side is Tamir's first love, and on the other side is Samir's unfulfilled love. What should I do? I was lost in thought, and when I closed my eyes, the most beautiful face of my wife came in front of me.

And I thought of calling her.

"Got time for me?" her taunt came from the other side.

"Yes," I said with a smile.

"What are you doing, Sweetheart?" I started the conversation.

"I was talking to aunty, and now I've come to the room with coffee. Did you have tea or something?" Uns replied and then asked.

"Yes, I had tea," I said, and then asked, "Which aunty were you talking to?"

"Zaina aunty," Uns said.

"Uns, if I'm yours, then my family can be yours too, can't they? Why call her aunty? Call her Ammi," I tried to make her understand.

"Yes," she responded dryly. And I started feeling uneasy, her voice sounded dry, as if she was sad.

"What happened, Uns? What's wrong with you?" I asked, trying to control my anxiety.

"What's supposed to happen to me?" she asked in return.

"I mean, did something happen? Did someone say something?" I asked, getting more anxious from her question.

"Nothing happened, Aziz," this time her voice was cold.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked.

"Am I a fool to keep getting angry with you?" she said in the same cold tone.

And I couldn't tell her that she sounded angry right now.

"No, I didn't mean it like that," I tried to clarify.

"Then what?" Her stern tone returned.

And for some reason, I felt that somehow I was the reason for her behavior, but I couldn't remember what I might have done. I was deep in thought when her voice rang in my ears again.

"When will you come home?" she asked.

"I'll be home by 9," I said.

"9? Samir said 8," Uns asked instantly.

"Did you ask Samir?" I questioned.

"I didn't ask, Samir told me," she clarified. And I couldn't tell her that Samir wouldn't tell us anything unless we asked him directly.

"Raat ko aate hue kuch leke aaou tumhare liye?" I thought it better to change the subject.

(Should I bring something for you while coming home?)

"Tum aajou bas, wahi kaafi hai," she said.

And I don't know what happened to me, my heart started beating faster. It had become common since Uns arrived, but what's happening to my cheeks? Why are they turning red?

(You come, that's enough)

"So, you're missing me?" I tried to understand her uneasiness.

"Why would I miss you, Aziz?" her stern voice was back again.

"Okay, sweetheart, I'll try to come soon," I said without asking her any more questions.

"Allah Hafiz," she said and hung up.

"Oh Allah, I think I need to read a book on mood swings now. A romance book alone won't be enough. If I want to make this marriage successful, I'll especially need to read about the mood swings of married women. How difficult it is to understand them!

Finally, I went to the meeting room. After attending it, I came back to my cabin.

It had been almost two hours since I talked to Sweetheart. I called her, and she picked it up in one go.

Impressive! I thought.

"Had your lunch, Begam?" I asked after greeting her.

"Not yet," Uns said from the other side.

Her voice was better than before, and I sighed in relief.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm not in the mood," she said.

"Should I come and feed you?" I asked teasingly.

"Would you come?" she asked, puzzled.

"Even if you were at your parents house, I would come," I teased.

"And how would you come?" she asked sternly.

"Shauhar hoon, tumhara, I could come even at 2 AM to feed you," I teased further.

(I'm your husband).

"You're shameless, Aziz" Uns said.

"As you say, Sweetheart," I replied.

"Hang up. Aunty-I mean Ammi is calling me," Uns said hurriedly.

"Remember to eat," I said with a smile, and then I hung up the call.

*****

After praying, I turned the car towards home. As my car was about to enter the gate, I saw Abbu's car arriving at the same time. I stopped my car so he could go first. After his car entered, I drove mine in.

We both got out of our cars at the same time.

I looked at Abbu, and he looked at me.

"For Ammi?"

"For Uns?"

We both asked simultaneously, seeing each other holding a rose bouquet.

"Bas, apne baap ke raaste peh chal raha hoon," I said teasingly.

(Just following my father's footsteps)

"Shameless," Abbu scolded, holding the white bouquet for Ammi as he walked towards the door. I followed him, carrying the red roses for Uns.

When we got inside, the first person we saw was Uns approaching us.

"Assalamualaikum, Abbu," Uns greeted Abbu with a smile.

"Walaikum assalam, beta," Abbu replied happily.

"Where is Zaina?" Without wasting any time, he asked about Ammi.

"Ammi is in the kitchen, Abbu" Uns replied.

"Thank you," he said, heading directly towards the kitchen.

"Exactly nine!" Uns said, coming towards me.

"Sorry!" I nervously said, running my hand through my hair.

"Who is this for?" she asked, pointing at the bouquet.

"Aapke liye hein hai, Sweetheart," I said, handing her the bouquet.

(It's for you, sweetheart).

"Thank you," she said, taking the bouquet.

"Chalo," kehkar, Uns, bouquet uthaye aage chalne lagi aur mai piche khada apni aage ki zindagi ko dekhta raha.

("Let's go," she said, carrying the bouquet and walking ahead. while I stood there looking at my future).

"Aziz, what are you doing?" Uns asked, turning back and coming towards me. Holding the bouquet in her right hand, she grabbed my hand with her left and started walking, and I kept looking at her.

There was happiness on her face as she glanced at the bouquet, and seeing her so happy made me happy too.

We were heading towards the room when I noticed the room downstairs and remembered about Uns suitcase.

"Wait, Uns," I said, and she stopped.

"What happened?" she asked, turning around.

"Your suitcase needs to be brought up," I reminded her.

"Hakim has already taken care of it, Aziz" she said.

"Why? I could have carried it," I said.

"There is something else you can carry instead of the suitcase," Uns said with a smile, but why did she seem so playful?

"What?" I asked, confused.

She came closer.

"Me!" she whispered softly in my ear and started walking away towards our room.

And here, my whole world stopped at her one word. No way I am blushing right now, no way my cheeks are turning red like tomatoes, no way I am giving her the chance to make me this weak in front of her that I become absolutely mute at her dangerous teases.

I didn't know my wife had done a PhD in this?

*****

After dinner, we both came to the room, and I was busy taking a box out of my office bag when Uns called me.

"What are you doing?" she asked from behind.

"One minute," I said, holding the box and turning towards her.

"This is for you," I said, handing the box to Uns.

"What is this?" she asked, taking the box with a puzzled expression.

"Wait, I'll show you," I said, opening the box.

"Gajre?" Uns asked in surprise, then a slight smile appeared on her face.

"So, Nader has also seen me wearing gajre?" she teased.

And this time, I laughed.

"No, it's not like that. I haven't seen you wearing gajre, that's why," I explained with a smile.

"You're crazy, Nader," Uns said, while blushing.

"Just for you, Sweetheart," I said, wanting to see her more blush.

I took the gajre out of the box and held them in my hand.

"How will I wear it, if you keep holding them, Aziz?" Uns asked sternly, watching my actions.

"What am I here for? I want to put the gajre on you," I said with a smile.

"Bahut nakhre hai tumhare, Nader," Uns said, placing her hands on her waist.

(You have so many demands, Nader)

"Alright, sit on the bed now," I said.

"An order?" Uns asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Sweetheart, can you please sit on the bed?" I requested instantly.

"Fine," she smiled and sat.

Uns sat on the edge of the bed, took off her hijab, and I stood behind her, holding the gajre and watching her every move.

Then her beautiful hair caught my attention.

Her hair were in a messy bun. She removed the hair clip, and her hair fell down.

I started braiding her hair slowly, placing the gajre along with it.

As I braided her hair gently, her fragrance filled my senses.

"Is it done?" Uns asked.

"Yes, hand me the clip," I said, finishing the last braid.

Uns handed me the clip, and I used it to secure her hair.

I put the clip in her hair and stepped back, admiring her hair.

"Beautiful as always," I couldn't help but say.

"So, should we sleep now?" Uns asked, turning towards me.

"No, just a minute," I said, picking up my phone and messaging Samir.

Me: Where are you? I texted, gritting my teeth.

Samir: I'm here, standing outside, he replied.

Okay, I replied and looked at Uns, who was waiting patiently.

"Are you feeling sleepy, Sweetheart?" I asked as I walked towards her.

"No, why?" she asked.

"I want to take you somewhere," I said, brushing her hair back from her face.

"Where?" she asked.

"For a long drive," I said, kissing her forehead.

"At this time?" came her next question.

"Yes, at this time, because it's a night drive," I said, not teasing but simply stating a fact.

"Okay, should I wear my abaya?" she asked, heading towards the wardrobe.

"Whatever you prefer, Sweetheart," I said with a smile.

"Just give me five minutes," she said as she started putting on her abaya. And I stood there watching her, unable to look away from her.

"Aziz, Suniye toh," Uns called as she put on her scarf.

(Aziz, Listen)

"Jii, farmaye Begam?" I said, bowing my head in front of her.

(Yes, Begam)

"Are you done?" she taunted.

"Yes," I replied with a shy smile.

"Keep my phone in your pocket," she said, handing me her phone.

"Jii," I said, putting her phone in my pant pocket.

"Shall we go?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied.

When we reached downstairs, Samir was standing near the door. I took the keys from him, and he and Uns had a brief, secret conversation, which I wasn't a part of. Then Samir went back to his room, and I led Uns outside.

Uns headed straight for my Porsche, but I called her.

"Sweetheart, we're not taking the car," I said, and she stopped, turning quickly to look at me.

"Then what are we taking?" she asked, confused.

"The bike," I said, folding my arms with a smile.

"You know how to ride a bike?" Sweetheart asked, coming closer.

"Yes, I do," I said, smiling at her reaction.

Then we both went to the bike that I had asked Samir to arrange. He had placed two helmets on it. I put a helmet on her and then on myself before sitting on the seat. Uns stood beside me.

"Sit," I said.

"Yes," she stuttered and tried to sit.

"Begam, Shauhar hoon tumhare, apna hath mere kande par rakh sakhti ho, support ke liye," I said gently.

(I'm your husband, Begam. You can put your hand on my shoulder for support)

Without saying a word, she did as I asked, and when I felt she was comfortable, I pressed the key to start the bike.

"Keep your hands either on my shoulder or around my waist," I said, noticing her hesitation.

"Can I keep them on your shoulder?" Uns asked innocently.

"Keep them wherever you want; it's all yours anyway," I said, feeling the urge to tease her again.

"You are so shameless, Nader!" she said in her stern voice, which always drives me crazy.

A minute later, she finally put her hands on my shoulders, and I started the bike.

It was around 10:30 PM, the open air touching our eyes, and her scarf was blowing in the wind. Her grip on my shoulders tightened as I hit the bump.

"How are you feeling, now?" I asked while driving.

"I am feeling good right now, Nader," Uns replied in a very soothing voice.

"I didn't know you could ride a bike," she said.

"I learned just for you," I said, just as a bump came and Uns moved closer to me.

"Are you okay?" I asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine. But you learned for me? What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"Sahara told me that you love traveling by bike," I said, smiling.

"You two don't hide anything from each other, do you?" Uns said in a teasing tone.

I just smiled in response.

A few minutes later, we reached the place where it all began: Uns's cafe.

"Here?" Uns asked as she got off the bike, while I held her hand for balance.

"I have something to give you here, that's why," I said and got off the bike.

I took off my helmet, then hers, and placed them on the bike. Holding her hand, we walked towards the cafe.

The cafe was closed, but I had the key, so I started unlocking the door.

"How do you have the key to this place?" Uns asked, looking at me in confusion.

"Just a minute, Uns, I'll explain," I said as I unlocked the door and opened it for her. I told her to wait a moment and walked towards her cabin.

I took some papers from the locker and when I came out, Uns was looking around her cafe, which looked exactly the same as she had left it.

"Uns," I called her.

"Yes, Aziz?" Uns asked, turning around.

"Take this," I said while handing her the papers.

"What are these?" Uns asked, holding the papers.

"Tumhari amanat," I said, watching her read the cafe papers.

(Your inheritance).

"Why is my name on this? And did you buy this cafe?" she asked after reading the papers.

"Jiska tha, usi ko wapas dena chahata hoon," I said, holding her hand.

(I wanted to give it back to its rightful owner).

"Why are you doing all this, Aziz?" Uns asked in a trembling voice, a strange restlessness in her tone.

"Koi wajah nahi hai karne ki, Uns, mera dil chahata hai ki mai tumhare liye woh sab karu joh mere haath mein hai," I said, moving closer to her.

(There's no reason, Uns. My heart wants to do everything I can for you)

"Don't do so much for me, Aziz" she said, now crying.

Her tears! what could I even say? Even when crying, she looks beautiful to me.

"If I don't do it for you, then for whom should I do it, Begam?" I said, embracing her.

And she snuggled more into my embrace.

Kya Maine kabhi socha tah ki mai, Uns ke itne kareeb bhi kabhi aa paunga? Us khuda ki rehmat hai hein bemisaal.

Usne mujhe us aurat seh nawaz diya jiski hifazati ke liye maine uski chaukhat mein sajda kiye aansu bahaaye teh.

Aur ab bhi jab dua ke liye hath uthte hai toh, siwaye uske, kuch aur dua aati hein nahi. Agar maine zindagi mein apne liye kuch maanga tah, toh woh sirf, Uns tih, joh mujhe itne sabr ke baad mili hai. Aur is waqt woh mujhse gale lagai, khamoshi seh roh rahi tih.

(Did I ever think I could be this close to Uns? It is the blessing of My Allah. He has granted me the woman I prayed for, the one I shed tears for in His threshold.

And even now, when I raise my hands in prayer, nothing comes to mind except her name.

If I ever asked for anything in my life, it was Uns, who I got after so much patience.

And at this moment, she was embracing me with silent tears).

"Shall we go home?" I asked while caressing her head.

"Yes," she replied.

I separated from her and looked at her incredibly beautiful face, now completely red from crying.

Sometimes I think no one can be more innocent than her, but then her cold voice proves me wrong.

We both sat on the bike, and this time Uns placed both her hands on my waist and laid her head on my shoulder. I slowed down the speed so I could feel her presence for longer.

It was 11 PM, and the road was empty, the wind had become stronger, and amidst all this, I noticed the sky where the moon was shining brightly. Then I glanced at the mirror, where my moon was shining even more brightly than the one in the sky.

We covered a 30-minute journey in an hour. As we reached home and stepped onto the entrance, Uns lost her balance. It took me just a second to catch her.

"Uns? Are you okay?" I asked with concern.

"Yes, Nader, it's nothing. I was wearing heels, so it just slipped," she said, balancing herself with a hand on my shoulder.

And here my heart was about to stop. This woman won't let me live in peace.

"These heels of yours? Was it necessary to wear them even now?" I asked, worried but unable to be angry with her, so I asked softly.

"I like wearing heels," she replied in a firm voice, removing her hand from my shoulder and trying to walk on her own.

This stubbornness of hers, I thought, seeing her struggling to walk in pain.

Without wasting a second, I went towards her, kneeled in front of her, and started removing her heels.

"What are you doing, Aziz?" she asked angrily.

"Taking off your heels," I said.

"Then how will I walk?" she asked, confused.

"You don't need to walk, I'm there for you, Sweetheart," I said, holding the heels in my hand and lifting her up.

She was shocked by my sudden action, and her face turned red like a tomato.

"What are you doing, Bhegairat Insaan?" she asked, lightly hitting my chest.

"You told me to carry you, so that's what I'm doing," I teased her and started climbing the stairs.

"I just said it like that," she said, while blushing hardly.

"But I really want to carry you," I said, smiling.

Teasing her like this, we reached our room. Uns opened the door with her hands, and we entered.

Even after coming inside, I kept holding her.

"Will you put me down or not?" she asked firmly.

"I don't want to," I said casually.

"Am I heavy?" she asked, innocently.

Before I could say anything, I decided to tease her again.

"Tell me, Aziz, am I heavy?" she asked impatiently.

"If I hadn't gone to the gym, I'd be lying on the ground by now," I teased her endlessly.

And her face turned red, not from blushing this time but from anger.

"If I'm so heavy, why are you lifting me, Nader?" she asked firmly, turning her face away.

"Because I like it," I teased again.

"If this is how you are now, what will you do in the future? Will you lift me or not?" she complained again.

"I'll start going to the gym every day then," I teased her again.

"Don't lift me," she said.

"Sweetheart," I called her lovingly, as it was time to calm my Begam now.

"Just put me down now. I want to sleep," she said without looking at me, showing her displeasure.

I kissed her red cheeks, and as I did, she looked at me.

Uska chehra puri tarah seh laal hogaya tah, jabki mera dil rukh gaya tha. Woh laal chehre mein uska chamak tah hua nath mujhe aur behaal kar raha tah.

(Her face turned completely red. And here my heart stopped.

Her glowing face with that shining nose ring was driving me even insane).

"I am lucky to have you, Uns," I said and kissed her cheek again. She didn't say anything in response, just closed her eyes.

I carefully put her down and took her hands in mine.

"Khush ho? Mere saath?" I asked, squeezing her hands.

(Are you happy? With me?)

"Haan," she said softly, looking into my blue eyes.

(Yes).

*****

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