Complete | مکمل

LAST CHAPTER

Unedited:

Sans ruk ruk kay aa rahi hai meri,

kuch na kuch baat honay wali hai.

Ya bohut dhoor ja chuka hun,

Ya mulaqat hone wali hai.

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"Are you leaving today?", Mom asked Zohaib.

"Yes Mom", Zohaib replied. "I'll first pick up Zahra and Faryal, and then we would leave".

"That's a good idea. You guys needed to go out. Take her back home with yourself okay? I can't see you missing them", Mom smiled.

Zohaib nodded his head.

"Huzaifa what about you?", Dad questioned.

"I'm all set. I've flight after 4 days. But Dad promises me if you need me you will inform me", Huzaifa said.

"I will son. Without you, I can not function.", Dad patted Huzaifa's shoulder.

"I want to say something too", Zain said. He looked around everyone's eyes were already fixed on him.

"Hmm what is it Zain?", Mom asked in a soft tone.

"Can I stay at khan villa?", Zain asked.

"You are already staying there", Huzaifa replied.

"I mean permanently", Zain added reluctantly. Everyone paused.

"I can explain", Zain said. Dad gave him a nod to continue.

"I want to stay with them because they don't have anyone to look after them. They surely have the househelp but it's not enough, it can never be. Ismail uncle doesn't say this but I'm sure he also needs someone around him just like you both need us. Faryal bhabhi would not have to stay there and can come back to Zohaib Bhai. I still get the chills when I think about Amma Jan's sobbing state and Agha Jan's almost lifeless body Mom. I'll come back if they don't need me anymore. ", Zain stopped and looked at his family for any reaction but they were silently starring back at him.

"I'll be still your son and always one call away. But can I do that for them?", Zain said hopefully.

"Are you sure Zain?", Zohaib questioned.

"I am, Bhai", Zain replied.

"Can I do that?", Zain asked again.

"You can", Mom smiled. "I can't believe that my little Zain has become so responsible".

"Is it a yes?", Zain's eyes shone with happiness.

"Yes", Dad replied.

"Thank you", Zain jumped and hugged dad and then mom. "I'm gonna miss all of you terribly, you know that, but still, I can't see them helpless", Zain said sincerely.

Zohaib and Huzaifa stood up from his place and hugged Zain.

"You will be missed", Zohaib ruffled his hair.

"Man I wasn't prepared to let you go like this", Huzaifa said. "Who will play games and fight with me?".

"You have a wife now to keep you engaged. Zain ain't got time anymore.", Zain shrugged.

Huzaifa hugged him again, "I'm gonna miss you cheater".

"You are the cheater Bhai", Zain hugged him back and laughed.

"I think we have done a great job in raising our boys", Dad said proudly.

"We surely did", Mom nodded.

"Yeah just look at me", Huzaifa said smugly.

"No way, Mom got inspired by me", Zain quickly retorted.

"You wish Zainu", Hufaiza teased him.

"Do not call me that, I'm grown up now", Zain groaned making everyone laugh and their banter went on.

"Don't fight, mom and dad were talking about me", Zohaib laughed.

*****

Faryal adjusted Zahra ponytails and smiled. "You look so pretty in twintails", Zahra starred at her reflection and smiled coyly.

"You are so self-obsessed Zahra", Faryal laughed.

"Come, your daddy will be coming to pick us", She took Zahra in her arms and sat down beside Amma Jan on the sofa.

"Fary did you check everything", Baba Jan asked and sat down beside them.

"Yes Baba", Faryal nodded.

"You are going Zahra?", Baba Jan said. "Aww Nana Abu gonna miss his precious daughters", he hugged them.

"We are going to miss you too baba", Faryal said. Baba Jan kissed her head.

"Have fun", he said.

"Thanks!",

A few minutes later Zohaib arrived, He greeted them.

"Are you done", he asked Faryal.

She nodded. He looked at Zahra's summer dress.

"I've packed her warm clothes in the handbag", she said.

"Okay", he replied. They bid farewell to everyone and left the house.

*****

Zohaib unlocked the door of the hotel room. He slightly backed off so Faryal can enter the room with a sleeping Zahra in her arms. Although it was almost evening due to the cloudy and dark sky it seemed like nighttime.

She stepped inside a double bedroom suite. She looked around. The first room was comprised of two single beds and a couch.

Zohaib closed the door behind him. "Go inside the second room", he said in low voice. She nodded and walked forward. She opened the other door and went inside the second room. There was a large king-sized bed in the middle of the room, the overall vibe of the room was welcoming with a cream and brown color combination. She carefully placed Zahra on the bed, covered her with the duvet, and sat down beside her.

Zohaib turned on the heater to warm up the room and then went inside the washroom to get changed. Faryal laid beside Zahra and snuggled down into the duvet because she was feeling cold already.

"Faryal", she opened her eyes and turned her head back towards him. He was dressed up into a formal navy blue suit.

"I'm going for the orientation to the hall on the ground floor. You and Zahra can take rest", he almost whispered.

She nodded.

"I've ordered the tea for you. If you need something then you can call me or the room service. And I'll come back to take both of you for dinner so you meet with others", he added.

"Okay", she said meekly.

"Allah hafiz", he said.

"Allah hafiz", she replied.

*****

"Wait", Faryal said and adjusted Zahra's woolen cap.

"Hogya (it's done)", She said. Zohaib was holding Zahra in his arms. He scanned both the mother-daughter duo covered from head to toe. Zahra was wearing a fur dungaree with an additional overcoat above it. He was sure that Zahra's clothes weighed more than her actual weight. He couldn't blame Faryal, it was a chilly night indeed.

"Chalen? (Shall we go?)", He pressed his lips together and shook his head in amusement.

"Hmm", she hummed and then crossed the threshold of the dining area where all the participants of the convention were present.

"Zohaib", they heard a shrill female shriek and suddenly a girl came and held his arm excitedly.

"Oh God, you are here. Bewafa insan. (Unfaithful person)", she said.

"Sarah?", he said more like a question.

"Thank God you remember my name. I didn't expect that from you.", she shook her head. Faryal's eyes fluttered between both of them and then finally fell on her hand holding his arm.

Sarah paused and shifted her towards Zahra, Faryal, and then back to  Zohaib. "Your wife and daughter?",

Zohaib nodded his head with a polite smile. He realized Faryal was starring at his arm in Sarah's hold and removed his arm from her hold.

"Aww she is so adorable", Sarah moved forward to touch Zahra. Zahra let out a scream and Sarah stopped.

"You don't want to meet your aunt. No worries baby, your mother is adorable too", Sarah turned towards Faryal and hugged her. Faryal was surprised by her sudden hug at first but then hugged her back.

"I'm sorry for my friendliness but that's how I am, and I can't help it", Sarah backed off.

"Nice to meet you", Faryal smiled.

"Same here", Sarah smiled back. "I'm sure he wouldn't have told you about me. Let me introduce myself. I met him at a medical camp, where he was terribly missing you and our daughter. I used to screw his mind by my nonstop stop chatters to help the lover boy get out of his zone", she said smugly.

Faryal moved her eyes towards Zohaib and he smiled.

"Let's get seated", Zohaib offered and they went towards a dining table.

Zohaib filled his and Faryal's plate from the buffet whereas Faryal was taking care of Zahra. Zohaib was about to take a seat when Hamza(Zohaib's friend) called him. Zohaib turned around and his eyes fell on Hamza standing alongside a bunch of their college mates.

"Long time no see", one of the boy said to Zohaib as he patted Zohaib's arm and smiled warmly.

"We are really sorry to hear about Ayza", A girl said. Zohaib nodded.

"You guys need to see Zohaib's daughter", Hamza said and pointed towards Zahra.

Zahra was clung to Faryal.

"Who is she?", another girl asked signaling at Faryal.

"Zohaib's wife", Hamza replied. Faryal glanced at the girl there was something off about her aura. She was looking at Faryal from head to toe. Sarah also got confused.

"She looks familiar", one of them said.

"She is sir Ismail's daughter", Hamza replied.

"Seriously Zohaib? I didn't know you were attracted to the kids. She is so young.", the girl laughed. "Poor Ayza, you forgot her so soon".

"Irum", Hamza called her name sternly to stop her.

"What did I say wrong. I still remember how overconfident she was tch tch. Bechari isi guman mein mur gyi (Poor soul died with the presumption)", Irum mocked.

"You can leave", Zohain controlled his anger. He turned around and sat down on the chair.

"Zohaib-",

"He said you can leave dear", Sarah cut off Irum's sentence. Hamza led them away, cursing himself for bringing her there knowing how much she hated Ayza. He thought she might have changed but some people remain the same forever.

"Madwomen", Sarah mumbled which made Faryal smile.

*****

Faryal dressed up Zahra into her nightdress and was talking to her when Zohaib entered the room. He locked the room, shoved the key inside his pocket so she can not go to another room, and walked up to the bed. Her eyes were fixed on his every movement. He laid down on the other side of the bed.

"Ammi", Zahra called her.

"Hmm", Faryal shifted her eyes back to Zahra.

"You are going to have a best friend soon. I can't tell you how happy I'm Zahra", Faryal whispered to Zahra and beamed with happiness.

"Best friend?", Zohaib raised an eyebrow. Faryal went silent as she didn't expect him to listen to her.

"How?", he asked again.

"Meesha is expecting", she replied keeping her back to him.

"I would advise you to take my innocent daughter away from her child. Meesha is a piece of bad news so will be her child", he said mischievously. She smiled and shook her head. "No",

"I was kidding anyway, congratulate her from my side as well", he said.

"Ji (Okay)", she replied and gave Zahra to him. He was playing with her, they both seemed happy. She laid down on the bed and kept looking at them.

After a while, Zohaib put Zahra to sleep and laid down beside her. His eyes locked with Faryal. She turned her face and gazed at the ceiling. She was about to sleep when suddenly the light went off and she quickly opened her eyes. The room was extremely dark and the wind made queer sobbing sounds as it swept over the valley. Her cell phone was also in her bag. She panicked and a cold sweat formed on her forehead due to fear.

"Zohaib", she called him at last.

"Hmm", he stirred in sleep and opened his eyes.

"Can you please...maybe switch on the torch", she said reluctantly. "Zahra might get scared", she added.

He picked up his cell phone, turned on the torch, and placed it on the nightstand facing the light upward. The light reflected through the white ceiling, lightening up the room.

"Zahra won't get scared now, right?", he said.

"No", her face flushed, she knew he understood.

He mentally contemplated but eventually wrapped his hand over her waist sandwiching Zahra in between. He could sense that she stiffened under his touch but after a few minutes she was normal and fell asleep.

*****

The three days passed in a blur. Zohaib used to go to work in the morning whereas Faryal and Zahra would sometimes go out of their room for a walk or sightseeing. Today was the last day of the convention but Faryal didn't do anything about it yet. On a brighter note, things were slowly progressing between them for which he was grateful.

Zohaib adjusted his turtle neck sweater. He could see her stealing glances at him through the mirror.

"Will you stop starring at me?", he turned around.

She quickly shifted her gaze away from him and took a sip from the tea.

"Aese ankhen choranay say kuch nahi hona (Hiding your eyes like that won't help you)", he said playfully. "Tell me why were you staring at me?".

"I didn't", she replied.

"I wish I had time to deal with you", he stepped towards her. "but I've to go".

He snatched the cup of tea from her hand and took a sip from the exact place where her lips mark was present. Her eyes flew open and a blush crept across her cheeks.

"Come down for the brunch today. See you.", he said and left the room.

"Zahra he took my cup", Faryal complaint to Zahra. But Zahra being Zahra chuckled in reply.

******

Faryal took a seat in the hall. The participants were addressing one by one. When Zohaib came on stage Zahra let out voices. Zohaib sounded highly professional.

"Shh Zahra, they are going to get us out of here like that", Faryal smiled softly.

When the event came to an end, everyone started taking seats for the brunch. Some were standing in the groups busy in discussions.

"Thank God, everything went perfectly. Finally, I can go home", Sarah said as she took the seat beside them.

"Go back?", Faryal frowned.

"Yeah, because the three days convention ended", Sarah said.

"Three days?", Faryal's statement sounded like a question.

"You didn't know this?", Sarah raised her eyebrow suspiciously.

"Actually I forgot that, Sorry. Zohaib told me that already", Faryal said.

"Why did he lie", Her thoughts were haywire.

"Oh right", Sarah smiled.

"So you are here", a familiar voice came from behind. Sarah and Faryal turned around Irum was standing there.

"Leave already", Sarah rolled her eyes.

"What's the name of your stepdaughter", Irum asked.

"Daughter", Faryal corrected her.

"Keep pretending", Irum mocked her. Faryal's heart sank.

"Aww she is exactly like her mother", Irum said. Faryal held Zahra tightly, her heartbeat increased.

"It doesn't concern you", Faryal replied gathering her wits.

"It does darling", Irum laughed evilly, and out of nowhere, she pinched Zahra. Zahra let out a scream.

"What the hell did you do to my daughter", Faryal raised her voice. "STAY AWAY". She tried to console Zahra but Zahra was crying so much.

"Let me see her", Irum chuckled. "I was only playing with her. Come on don't be a killjoy.". Irum tried to snatch Zahra from her.

"Are you mad", Sarah grabbed Irum's hand.

Zohaib paused as he heard Zahra's screams. He excused himself and searched for them.

"Stay away", Faryal cried. Tears fell from her eyes and she pushed Irum with all the force she had. Irum fell on the floor.

"What's happening here", Zohaib asked. People also gathered around them.

"Your wife pushed me on the floor", Irum roared.

Zohaib ignored her and went towards Faryal. "Yeh kya ho raha hai Faryal (What's going on here?)".

"Tell her to stay away", Faryal said.

"Calm down", he said in a low voice. "Don't create a scene here".

"I CAN NOT CALM DOWN ZOHAIB", she looked at him with tear-filled eyes and walked away. She was taking long and quick steps. He followed her and grabbed her hand in the corridor where no one else was present. "Don't touch me", she released her hand from his hold angrily. He paused. "Instead of stopping her, you want me to stay calm. Huh?".

"She called Zahra my stepdaughter",

"It doesn't matter what she say's Faryal",

"It was a three days convention, you lied Zohaib", she looked him into the eyes.

"I can explain", he stated.

"Don't ever touch me". she said angrily and got inside the elevator.

He went back to the hall and had a full-fledged argument with Irum. Sarah told him how Irum behaved with Faryal and pinched Zahra.

*****

Zohaib closed the door behind him and walked up to the bed.

"Don't touch me ever", her words were reverberating in his mind.

"Get up, we need to talk", he said in a monotone. Faryal hugged Zahra tightly and didn't look at him. His blood boiled at her indifference. He starred at her for a few minutes but didn't get any reaction from her.

"We need to talk", he roared.

She snapped her head towards him in horror. "You will wake up Zahra", she said.

He scooted down to her level. He grabbed her jaw, locked eyes with her, and rasped through gritted teeth, "If you don't want me to wake up Zahra then get up by yourself Faryal, Don't test my patience anymore. Majboor na karo muje kuch aesa krne pay k badh mein pashtaway k elawa kuch na bache (Don't instigate me to do something after that we have nothing but regret)".

A wave of fear passed through her face but he didn't care at that moment, all he wanted was to douse the fire which was burning inside him. He went towards the other room. She got up from the bed secured Zahra between the pillows. She followed him and closed the door behind her.

"Did I tell you to marry me?", He narrowed his eyes. Her breath hitched at his tone.

"ANSWER ME", he demanded. He pulled her wrist to him, bringing her closer, and looked into her eyes.

"N..no", she stuttered and wriggled her wrist in his hold.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from me and Zahra?", he asked tightening his hold on her wrist.

She nodded her head vigorously with a painful lump in her throat.

"Then why you didn't listen to me when I kept warning you?", he raised his voice a little bit. She flinched at his tone and her eyes were glassy with the heartbreak she was subduing, so were his.

"You came into our lives uninvited and unexpected. You destroyed my boundaries, changed my plans, opened my heart and now you want to go away. Who the hell do you consider yourself. Hm? You can't get to decide everything by yourself always. If you think you can go away like this then you are highly mistaken.", he said angrily. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?".

"Because I'm the problem", she retorted. The tears fell from her eyes as she blinked. He paused and they held each other's stare for a little longer. "I'm not the same person you have known, I've become a problem. So it's better I keep my distance from you. ", she turned her face away from him.

"Are you even listening to yourself?", he asked in disbelief and wriggled his eyebrows. He left her wrist slowly. She sat down on the side of the bed, her feet touching the floor and her head hanging low as she sobbed.

He sat down beside her.

"Agr naraz ho tou gilla karo, larh lo mere sath muje qubool hai. Magar judai hul nahi hai is aziyut ka. Mur janay walay k leye aik na aik din sabr aa saktha hai magar jo baghair kuch bathaye chorh jae tou sabr nahi aatha (If you are angry, you can complain or fight with me I won't object. But going away is not the solution to this suffering. When someone dies you make peace with the reality sooner or later but when someone leaves you without saying anything it's impossible to accept it.)", He gulped the lump in his throat. "Koe aur hul dhundo tum. Judai hul nahi is aziyut ka. (Find another solution, separation is not a solution for all these sufferings)", his voice cracked and trailed off. The tears he was controlling finally fell from his eyes blurring his view. He could hear her sobs and hiccups.

"Tumhri yeh khamoshi meri jan le laygi (Your silence will kill me)",

"Allah na kre, yeh kesi baatein kar rahe hain ap? (God forbid, what are you saying?)", she replied quickly as his words instigated the terror inside her.

"You can't bear my presence, let me make it easy for you. I'll go far away so you can live peacefully and I'll make sure you never have to see me ever again", he stood up and walked up to the closet.

"I didn't mean this", she hiccuped and got up from the bed staring at his back.

"You and Zahra can go back home". he picked up his stuff from the cupboard and threw it inside the bag. "I have given you more rights over Zahra yet you want validations from the people who do not matter".

"Zohaib mein nay yeh kub kaha? (Zohaib when did I say this?)", she shook her head. He didn't reply, zipped the bag, and forcefully placed it on the floor.

"I'll talk to Hamza he will take you home safely. Don't worry about that.", he said and dragged his bag towards the door without sparing her a glance. He was about to turn the knob when her hands snaked around his waist. He stilled.

"Don't go", she said.

"Please don't go Zohaib", she sobbed hard. He held her hands and turned around. She hugged him tightly and kept sobbing.

"Hold me please", she said in between and snuggled into his chest more. He wrapped his arms around her. He held her securely while it was nothing but her soul that was leaking. She wanted him to glue what's inside her was breaking.

"I was just making it easy for you", he said.

He heaved a sigh and stated, "You are confusing me Faryal. Neither you want to live with me nor you want to let me go. What do you want me to do?", he rubbed her back to console her.

"I don't know", she sniffed.

"We can negotiate", he said softly.

"You will hate me if we did", she replied.

"I can never hate you",

"Then you will leave me by yourself", she said weakly, hugged him tightly, and looked up with tear-filled eyes.

He wiped her tears, "Let's talk, okay?".

She nodded. He grabbed her hand and led her towards the bed. He picked up a glass of water and made her drink it. She took three small sips from the water and backed off.

"Bus? (That's it?)", he asked.

She nodded. He placed the glass back on the nightstand and covered it with the lid.

"Now tell me what's wrong", She was looking at her hands, folded on her lap. He grabbed her hand and realized she was already trembling. He thought for a few minutes and then grabbed her another hand too and said softly, "Tell me, what's hurting you? Where did I go wrong?".

"It's not your fault. My own heart is killing me, I wish I knew what to do with my heart.", she replied. "You said love is wholesome but you never told me it makes us vulnerable. The vulnerability is terrifying, horrible, and daunting. You didn't tell me that it opens up your chest and heart another person who can easily mess you up and you won't be able to defend yourself. And that's the scariest thing ever.", she said keeping her eyes low. Her wet eyelashes were clung together.

"Pyar hogya hai tumhe? (You fell in love?)", he gasped.

She nodded.

"That's why you wanted to stay away?", he gulped.

She nodded, again.

"Kon hai woh? (Who is he?)", he asked meekly as the tears welled up into his eyes.

"Huh?", She looked up and frowned.

"I was going to tell you that I love you Faryal", Faryal's eyes flew open at his confession and he continued "and I want you to stay in my life forever as my wife and Zahra's mother on the day of Huzaifa's wedding. I tried to talk to you but you didn't listen to me", He looked at her, the tears were falling from his eyes. "I bought a rose bouquet, a ring as you don't have a wedding ring and booked a trip to Skardu", he took a deep breath and continues "Khair choro, ab kya farq parhtha hai. Mein nay kabi tumhe koe wajah di hi kub hai rukne ki. (Leave it now it does not make any difference. I've never given you any reason to stay)".

"Who is he?", his voice broke.

"Who?", she was confused.

"The guy you fell in love with?", he looked away and heaved a sigh. She looked at him in disbelief. She opened her mouth to say something but didn't know what to tell him.

"Do I know him?", he asked and turned his face towards her.

She nodded. "You know him very well", she tried to conceal her amusement.

"My mind has stopped to think anything right now", He closed his eyes and his head was throbbing.

She moved forward, held his tie in her hands, and pulled him towards her.

"Batha dun? sun len gain ap? (Should I tell you? Will you be able to listen?)", she asked in a low voice with a mischievous glint in her eyes. He nodded.

"Soch len (Think about it?)",

"Say it already", he said impatiently.

"It's you idiot", she laughed. "I love you", she looked him into the eyes and confessed.

"WHAT?", he screamed.

"You do what?", he asked in disbelief.

"I love you Mr. Zohaib Ahmed Durrani", She pressed her forehead against his, their nose touching. "Bakhuda irada nahi tha lekin hogya ishq ap say. ( I swear by God that I had no intention of falling in love with you but, I did)", tears fell from her eyes. "Kisi aur mard ko apne dil mein jaggah dene ka mein soch bi nahi sakthi, ap aesa kese soch sakthe hain? (I can't imagine loving another man, how can you think like that?).

"Then why did you went away?", he asked. The tears fell from his eyes too, mingling with her tears. They both stayed like this for a while.

"Mein dur gyi thi (I got afraid)", she said meekly.

"Why?", he frowned.

"I thought", she bit her tongue and looked up to find him looking back at her. "I thought you would leave me if you came to know about my feelings and take away Zahra from me. I want you, more of you. Not only as a friend or my daughter's father but also as my husband. But at the same time, I didn't want to hurt you, I carry you in my heart so delicately that the thought of hurting you hurts me.",

"But your absence did hurt me", he said.

"Mujhe dur tha k mein apko kahin kho na dun jubke mein nay apko kabi paya hi nahi tha. Kithni pagal hun mein. (I was afriad to lose you",

"And then you decided to give me cold shoulder instead", he added. "I've never wanted you to get afraid of me. You know this very well. You didn't trust me.",

She quickly glanced at him and shook her head. "It's not like that. I didn't have anything to be confident about. Even you were sorry when you kisse-", she stopped as she realized what she was about to say and quickly shifted her gaze away from him.

His lips twitched up into amusement, "When I, what?", he asked.

"Nothing", she replied.

"You were saying something", his eyes shone with joy.

"You know what I meant", she replied and a warm blush crept across her cheeks.

"No, I don't know. Please elaborate", he replied playfully, laid down beside her, and held her hand.

She closed her eyes and said "Why did you regret kissing me?",

"I regretted what?", his eyes flew open.

"The kiss", she replied lowly.

"Are you for real?", he made a face showing his displeasure. "Why would I regret it when I was dying to kiss you. Mere jazbaat ki toheen na karo regret bol kar (Don't degrade my emotions by calling them a regret)".

"Then why were you sorry?", she asked.

"I apologized because you were crying and I thought I've scared you for invading your space. That's all. ", he explained.

"I wasn't scared", she said.

"Then why were you crying?".

"I got nervous", she lowered her eyes. "I felt a rush of emotions flowing inside me and I was inexperienced to deal with them. I didn't know how to respond that's why ended up crying. But you can't blame me for that, it was my first time", she shrugged.

His eyes twinkled and lips stretched into a smile after listening to her naive compliant. He pulled her by the hand he was holding and she fell on his chest.

"Ahh Zohaib", she whined as she slightly got up on her elbows and brushed off the strands of hair away from her face. He smiled and encircle his arms around her waist.

"By the way, I can solve this problem for you", he said huskily in her ear.

"How?", she asked nonchalantly and played with the button of his shirt.

"They say practice makes perfect", he winked.

She froze for a moment and then a warm blush crept across her cheeks. She hid her face into his chest.

"When I ask for your permission you become a tomato and hide your face when I don't ask you, you start crying. Tumhi batao mein kya karun? (You tell me what should I do?)", he whispered in her ear.

She thought about his words. She raised a little bit and nodded her head as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"If you are not comfortable then it's okay, I can wait", he said.

"It's alright", she said looking away from him. She was a nervous wreck.

He swapped their positions and smiled as he leaned over.

"You don't have to panic, just go with the flow", he mumbled as he pressed his lips against her's. He kissed her gently, tasting her, savoring her until the sadness inside them turned into happiness. Her toes curled. They parted once they were out of breath.

"I love you", he said breathlessly.

"The first time I fell in love, it was deep, hard, and intense. but this time I didn't fell in love. Your love made the fall feel like I'm flying. You are every hope I have ever found in human form. Bohut roka mein na dil ko magar kahan tuk ruktha, tumhre nakhro ki tarh mohabbat barthi hi gyi (I've tried to stop my heart so hard but my love for you kept increasing like your tantrums)", he kissed her forehead and she smiled.

"But I need to tell you one more thing", he said.

"Hmm", she hummed.

"That I love you yet my feelings for Ayza are the same. Is it okay with you?",

She nodded and smiled. "Ayza loves you, I love you. See, we both already love each other in this way. I accept you the way you are. I want you in a million worlds, in every version of reality, in ups and downs. I'd find you and I'd choose you, over and over again Zohaib. Your soul is my soul's home",

"Kabi chorh k na jana muje (Please don't leave me ever). No matter what happens we will talk it out, got it?", he said softly.

"Are you ordering me?", she raised her eyebrows in amusement.

"No", he smiled. "Patah hai tumhe Ishq ka pehla sabak hi yeh hai kay ishq mein hukam nahi balkay huq hotha hai (You know what, the first rule of love is that there is no dictation in it but only an appanage)", he said sincerely and kissed her nose.

She nodded.

"Huzaifa said you were crying that night, why were you crying if it wasn't about what happened between us?", he asked.

She silently stared at him for a while.

"Say it", he encouraged her.

"Mahum said something about us being in love and then it struck me that I was in love with you", she bit her tongue.

"That's why you cried?", he frowned.

She nodded innocently.

"Damn, you are unbelievable Faryal", he shook his head.

"I really get scared when I think of my life without you", she said.

"You don't have to think all this. You know I was worried to see the half messed up henna design on your palms".

"You noticed that?", she was surprised.

"Of course I did", he accepted. "How can I not". He kissed her hand.

She looked at his face intently, he looked a bit weak and dark circles were prominent around his eyes. She grazed her fingers through his hair and said, "Bimar kyun ho gye thay ap? (Why did you get sick?)", she wriggled her eyebrows. "You should have taken care of yourself. It was so upsetting to see you like that".

"Because of you", he replied.

"Why?",

"You didn't take care of me. I was so lonely without both of you.", he said meekly.

"I'm sorry", she felt a pang of hurt.

"Don't ever do this again", he said. She nodded.

"Zohaib how much you love me?", she asked.

"Zameen say asman tuk hai, falak say kehkishan tuk hai. Mere dil say tere dil tuk, Makan say la makan tuk hai. (From earth to the sky, from the sky to the galaxies. From my heart to your heart, from nothing to the divine world)",

"I can't believe this", her eyes brimmed with tears, "This feels so surreal.", and a lone tear fell from her eye.

"This is our truth", he wiped her tear.

"If you don't believe it I can show you how much I love you before you start overthinking again and make scenarios in your mind", he whispered in her ear and dropped a lingering kiss on her neck.

She hugged him and he let out a chortle.

*****

Zohaib sprawled his hand on the bed with his eyes still closed. He quickly opened his eyes and sat down on the bed. Fear crept into his heart. He got up from the bed, walked up to the door of the other room, and opened it. His eyes fell on Faryal and Zahra sitting on the couch near the window, looking outside. Faryal had her back towards him and Zahra was standing near her. He heaved a sigh in relief.

"Can you spot the stars?", Faryal asked.

"Uhh", Zahra let out a voice and looked at Faryal. Zohaib stepped forward.

"A star Zahra, look at the sky. It looks beautiful from here", Faryal was in awe. "If it wasn't cold we both could go out and look at the sky", she added.

"Without me?", Zohaib asked standing beside them.

They turned their heads towards him. He bent down and kissed Zahra's cheek.

"We can. Because it's a mother-daughter thing", She pouted and shrugged.

"Huh?", he pecked her pout, and then the peck turned into a smooch.

"Miida", Zahra said breaking their trance. They backed off and glanced at Zahra. Zahra was looking at them intently with her eyes wide.

"Zohaib you are so shameless", Faryal groaned. He loved that look, where her lips were plump from kissing and her cheeks flushed.

"She is so young. She doesn't understand all this, don't worry", he replied cooly.

"She does. You know how sensible she is. Don't ever do this again in front of her", Faryal huffed. Zahra possessively sat down in Faryal's lap. "Zahra is a big girl now".

"Zahra I guess you need a separate room now because you are a big girl", he teased Faryal.

"Don't even think about it", Faryal replied.

"Zahra is a big girl but her Ammi is still a kid", he said.

"Stop calling me kid", Faryal snapped.

"You said I can't call you a child in front of others", he shrugged.

"When did I-", she paused and looked at him with horror-filled eyes. "DID YOU READ MY NOTES?" her mouth fell open.

He nodded his head smugly.

"What the hell", she gasped. "How can you do that without my permission?".

"Those notes were for me so practically I didn't need to ask for your permission". he said calmly.

"Allah Miyan", Faryal groaned.

"Zohaib why did you lie to me", She asked.

"Because I wanted to spend time with you. The gap between us was getting bigger and bigger and I wasn't able to do anything", he replied. "Anyway we didn't go for the honeymoon so consider it a small honeymoon. If you want to go somewhere else, we can plan that too".

"No, it's okay.wese bi Honeymoon pay kya krna hai humne (Anyways what are we going to do on honeymoon)", she said nonchalantly and then froze realizing what she has blurted out. She looked at Zohaib he was trying to stifle his chuckle and then burst into a peal of laughter.

"I have something for you", he said and went back to the room. He came after a few minutes.

"Haath do (Give me your hand)", he forwarded his hand. She glanced at his hand and then back to his eyes. He signaled her through his eyes. She placed her hand on his. He put a ring on her ring finger. The emerald stone shone on the ring.

"I thought you needed a wedding ring", he said. He looked up she was already looking at him.

"It's gorgeous", she said.

"You didn't tell me how much you love me?", he asked. She tightened her grip on his hand.

"You know what does Antul hayat mean?", she asked.

He shook his head.

"It means you are my life. Do you know what is life?

To breath? No.

To be alive? No.

It's Zahra and you. Your voice, your presence. You are called life. You both are my life Zohaib. Now, pray that I live longer and you know how will I live longer? When you both will be with me." She smiled. "A little of you, a little of me. Together a lot of us".

"Then get ready to live till eternity Mrs. Zohaib", He smiled back and hugged Faryal and Zahra. A mischievous idea popped into his mind.

"Faryal", he called her.

"Hmm", she tilted her face up.

He covered Zahra's eyes with his one hand, pecked Faryal's lips again, and straightened up. Her eyes flew open.

"Zohaibbb", she whined.

"Zahra didn't see anything", he laughed and hugged them tightly.

"I love you", he whispered.

"I love you more", she whispered back.

As their ordinary lives entwined in the magic of love. The stars were brighter, smiles were wider and the hearts were enchanted ever after.

*------------------------------------*

Hello!

I hope everything is great at your side.

How was today's update?

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If you have any questions or you think I've forgotten to clarify any point in the story do let me know. I do not read the chapter after posting it so maybe I have left anything unintentionally. I'll clarify everything through a note or something.

Love and light. ❤