Almost a month had passed with the routine where Zara and Zayan didn't even talk to each other like before. Zara only felt doing the responsibilities of a wife, nothing else.

The ever happy and sparkling Zara had turned into a gloomy one.

"Zara, here's Zayan's coffee. Just take this to him." Malika said to Zara who silently nodded her head.

Sighing, she made her way out of the kitchen, taking her way straightaway to the stairs for going in their room.

Without knocking she entered the room not caring about the fact in what condition Zayan could be inside. It's her room as well after all.

Without any word coming out of her mouth, she placed the cup in Zayan's hand who looked at her in bewilderment.

Did he do that much wrong in yelling at her that day due to which she isn't even speaking to him since a month?

Tired of this behaviour, he pulled her in his lap, keeping the cup away now his sole attention on his wife.

"Zara, when will you talk to me? I am tired of waiting for you to come to me, disturb me and complain about those idiots. And I am tired of waiting for my wife to love me." He said cupping her cheeks and she looked at him through glistening eyes.

"You were the one who said that you're tired of my complaints and mischief. And that's why I have made up mind not to do that again." She said with a straight face.

"Zara, please. I am sorry." He murmured, nuzzling his face into her neck making her heartbeat increase.

"No. I don't want to listen to you." She said with quivering lips, her emotions flowing throughout her body.

"Zara, tell me what did I do wrong, but don't stay away from me this time. I don't want this to continue." He said smothering her cheek and she finally let out every emotion inside of her.

Her face was nuzzled in his neck, tears flowing out of her beautiful brown eyes, hands clutching onto Zayan's shirt. Her whimpers were heard from time to time and this time Zayan let Zara whatever she wanted to. He didn't stop her.

"You're so bad Zayan. You never yelled at me this much. The only thing you always did was scolding me which I love myself. But that day, you didn't let me speak. Not even once that why I denied for Shanaya to get married off with Hredhaan. You did that in front of everyone. Who does this?" She asked while sobbing.

"Do you even know how I felt when you said I am jealous of my own cousin. You said everything won't work according to me, but just tell me one thing Zayan. When did I ever say that I want things done to be according to me? Did I ever say this?" She continued looking at him accusingly.

"You didn't." He shook his head.

"You said you're tired of my childishness. Then why did you agree to marry me in the first place? You've known and seen me since the childhood so you must be knowing by behaviour and antics since the beginning right? You could've said no to this marriage, but you didn't. You bought this upon yourself and then you say you're tired." She said while wiping her tears.

"I am not Zara. I am not tired. I was an idiot to say this back there. You light up my life with your behaviour Zara. Your innocence is enchanting to me. You are my better half and without you I feel incomplete. Like Mom says, we compliment each other Zara and I am so sorry to even bring this up. But please forgive me. It was so wrong of me to say this and when the realization hit me hard like a truck, I cannot be more grateful. Scold me, hit me, slap me or do whatever you want, but don't stay away from me anymore." He pleaded in desperation while cupping her cheeks.

"You know, I've always learnt since my childhood that being the bigger person in your family no matter you're the youngest, only reflects how good of a heart you have. And that's why I don't have any problem in forgiving you."

"I forgive you Zayan, but don't take it as a sign I'll do it everytime when it's your mistake. You might be more mature than me, but when you're wrong, you're just plainly wrong." She shrugged.

"Thank you so much Zara. But I still don't know one thing. Why were you continuously denying to let Hredhaan marry Shanaya?" He finally asked.

"You know she's bad. Really bad. She-"

A knock was heard on their bedroom's door making Zayan groan.

"I swear if this the trio, they're dead from my hands." He said, making Zara sit on the place beside him and himself went to address the person on the door.

"Uncle?" Zayan asked to Sumit, who was standing outside the door impatiently.

"Yes, Zayan. I need you to come with me. There's an important deal happening and we need to look through the details as soon as possible." Sumit said to Zayan who nodded his head in understanding.

"You go, I am coming in a minute." He said and got back inside the room where Zara was laying on the bed in a fetal position.

"Zara." Zayan called out who hummed in response.

"I am sorry princess, but something urgent came up. I promise we'll talk later as soon as I come back." He said pulling her upwards from the bed.

"Okay." She hummed in response and Zayan placed a quick peck on her lips catching her off guard.

//////////

"Zara, you didn't go to your parent's? They asked for you to come right? Your Aunt is coming along with your cousins." Anjali asked Zara who was busy reading a magazine, sitting in the living room.

"M-Mom, I don't want to." She hesitated.

"Why Zara? You were so excited to go at your parent's house and I thought you will be more excited knowing your aunt and cousins are also coming at theirs." Anjali frowned.

"Zara, is this about Shanaya? Even that day you were looking so panicked when I started the topic of Shanaya's marriage with our Hredhaan." Anjali asked, now concerned like anything.

"Yes Mom. It is. But not just her. It's Shaila Aunt as well." Zara finally responded, after moments of silence.

"What is it Zara?" Anjali asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

Laying her head down on Anjali's lap, she snuggled into her and in return Anjali started caressing her hair.

"Mom, you know right my Mom and Dad didn't have any other child after me. Everytime I used to ask them why I don't have a sibling, they used to say that they want to give their sole attention towards their only child which is me and listening to this I used to so happy that they love and care for me this much. But what they didn't know was that I'd gotten to know the reason why I am a single child." She said.

"Zara you-" Anjali started, but she cut her off.

"Mom, I know there was complications in Mom's pregnancy at my time and at the time of my birth as well due to which she wasn't able to conceive again." Zara said with quivering lips.

"You know how I got to know about this? It was my Aunt. Shaila Aunt, Dad's elder sister."

"Everytime she used to come at our house, secretly she used to mock me, yell at me and blame me for this problem. She used to say that because of me, my Mom cannot bear another child. Her brother cannot have a son which he always craved for."

"I didn't let anyone know about this because she used to threaten me that she'll make Mom suffer as well for the same. What I didn't know was I was her source of taking out anger. She would have never done that. They were empty threats. Just mocking and blames. Nothing else. She had her own problems in her married life that she used to take out those on me and her living at our house most of the times wasn't really roses for me. Slapping and punching were common. Nothing new. She didn't even use to hesitate locking me in the store room or basement. A 7 year old child whose parents have left her under the care of her Aunt. An Aunt who behaves in such cruel way."

"And that slowed down eventually and no one was happier than me. But I was so wrong as I didn't know her daughter would be doing the same. My cousin, elder by 2 years who I used to take no less than a sibling despite her mother's behaviour with me came out to be just as her mother. The torture, mocking was replaced by her own daughter."

"In a way she was my bully. From pulling my hair to slapping me when no one was seeing, I went through everything. Mocking me about my weight or how much of a attention seeker I am because of the time I used to spend with the trio, she did everything. My couisn was my bully. No matter she was more mature than me, her being two years elder, she didn't care about the fact. Why? Because she used to have fun in torturing me. She had degraded me so much about my weight that I had to put myself on a diet. A 13 year old child dieting because she was conscious about how she looks."

"I don't blame anyone for this. Mom and Dad were busy enough in their own life and Shaila Aunt and Shanaya were the negative factors throughout. The only place I could be normal and live freely was with the trio. They used to bear all my tantrums, my childishness, my cries and it has never been a time where they've snapped or yelled at me. Teasing was a different thing, but showing anger at the same time was another which they never did."

"They were the ones who made me realize how to be strong. And I used the same on Shanaya eventually. I started answering her back. Everytime."

"I am not ashamed of it because what she did was worse and somehow I knew I had to stop this because I couldn't bear it anymore. The physical torture stopped eventually and I was so glad it did. Her mocking and verbal bullying didn't. Not even now, her being at 24 years of age. I know I can't do anything as I cannot stop her from saying anything. And not only me Mom, she's so rude to everyone. Elders or not, that doesn't matters to her. For her, everything needs to be perfect and everything should be done according to her."

"Oh my child. I never knew you've went through so much." Anjali patted her cheek, her eyes glistening with tears for her daughter in-law.

"Why did you never say anything to your parents? Or you could've come to me right?" Anjali continued cupping her cheeks.

"Shaila Aunty is no less than a God for Mom and Dad. They believe in her so much that I couldn't do this to my parents. They would be heartbroken. And even Shaila Aunty was good with them so I had no option to do so. And with Shanaya, I thought she would realize it soon, but I didn't know it would never happen. Her behaviour only worsened. And the only thing I did was accepting my fate." Zara responded.

"But Zara-"

"I know why they'd asked for Hredhaan's hand in marriage with Shanaya. I guess they're still not satisfied with torturing me for so many years that Shanaya decided to continue that by coming in this house as Hredhaan's bride. They're bad Mom, Shanaya is bad for this family and that's why I didn't want Hredhaan to marry her. I don't want her to come here and destroy everyone's life." She cried.

"Relax Zara. Breathe my child." Anjali said patting her back.

"No one is going to let her come anywhere near my child. And I am so sorry that I even started this topic." Anjali shook her head.

"No Mom. It's nowhere your fault. You didn't know what kind of people they are. And I am sorry that I created so much drama in this house. I never intended to do that." Zara said, tears flowing out of her eyes.

"This was no drama Zara. The way you reacted was natural and I have no problem with it. Now just promise me one thing. You will never talk about this topic because now I know what all has happened and I won't let a chance come where you will face this. And specially Zara, don't let such things come in between you and Zayan. I know how much you love and he does the same. There's no benefit of you both giving pain to each other because of someone else's doings. Make him understand and do tell him that he's more childish than you because of the way he reacted that day." Anjali said sternly making Zara laugh at the last part.

"Most importantly, I will handle everything about Shanaya and your Aunt with your parents in my own way. I know it'll be hard for you to talk about this to them but I know it's important." This had made Zara nod her head in agreement.

"And Zara don't ever make me realize that you've taken seriously what all he'd said on that day. You are the one who lights up this house. You are the one who keeps everyone in this house happy and you are the one who everyone loves. Don't ever change yourself for anyone. We love you the way you are." Anjali said placing a motherly kiss on her forehead and Zara hugged her tightly, trying to take all the affection at once which she needed the most at this point.

//////////

"Zayan, why aren't you coming to sleep in our room? I am tired." Zara said sitting on his lap where he was busy typing on the laptop in his study.

She had decided that no matter whatever happened that day, she won't let it affect hers and Zayan's married life. They'd already wasted a month in the starting of their marriage and she didn't want this to continue, and didn't ponder upon the fact who was at fault or who wasn't.

He had apologized to her in the morning and it was enough as she wanted her husband at any cost.

"Because I am angry at you." He said with a straight face.

"Zayan! Please na." She whined with a pouty face.

"I should be the one being angry at you. You yelled at me and here you are angry because of my childishness." She huffed.

"Baby, it's not about your childishness. In fact, I love it because I have realized it's the only thing that lights up my life. It's the best part of the day. You're the best part of my life." He said which made Zara grin like a Cheshire Cat.

"Then why are you angry?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"Because I heard you and Mom talking in the afternoon." And as soon as these words came out of his mouth, Zara felt as if her breathing had stuck.

"Z-Zayan-"

"Why didn't you tell me Zara? You didn't take me as much important to share this? Not even after our marriage?" He asked and for the first time his tone was broken.

His little wife had experienced so much. So much in her early life which didn't even stop till now in a way.

"Didn't you hear why I did that?" She asked back.

"But Zara you didn't have to bear all of that! What was your fault, huh?" He gritted out in anger.

"Sometimes you have to go through some things which weren't your fault in the first place." She shrugged and this single statement felt like it has flipped his mind and thinking completely.

"Zara-"

"Zayan, promise me one thing will you?" She asked hopefully, cutting him.

"Of course." He nodded looking at her in adoration.

"I don't want you to talk to me about this matter ever. Not you, not anyone in this house. I know I never had a closure in my life about these things, but what I know is I am satisfied this way itself. I-I want my life to continue normally. Normally like it did in this house and the only way that can happen is if I forget about all of it which I have even started." She ended with a big sigh.

"Zara, I-I am sorry baby. So so sorry. And I love you. I love you so much." He said cupping her cheeks.

"I love you too Zayan." She said shyly and he chuckled at her red face.

"And the devil is shy again." He teased, kissing her forehead making her scowl.

"Stop calling me devil na. I am your wife. You should be calling me those sweet names such as hunny-bunny, baby, sweet cheeks, cupcake-"

"Which you none of them are." He deadpanned making her eyes go wide.

"You did not just say that." She shook her head dramatically.

"I was kidding wifey. You're the sweetest......but not to forget, a big devil at the same time." He grinned.

"Okay okay. I'll work with that." She said playfully.

"Let's go to our room." He said gesturing for her to get up from his lap.

"No. Carry me like you always did before." She said and Zayan couldn't resist her puppy face.

With her head resting on his chest, him carrying her by her waist due to which she had wrapped her arms and legs around his neck and waist respectively, they'd finally reached their bedroom.

Seeing the beauty in his arms, Zayan was trying to control his arousing desires at its best. But Zara's innocent face and their closeness wasn't making it any easier.

"Zara, you go sleep. I need to do something important." He said.

Important being taking a bloody cold shower at 12 in the midnight.

"Why?" She whined.

"I wanted us to-" She stopped herself right there as she realized what she was about to say.

"Us to?" He asked impatiently.

"Uhh- Z-Zayan-" She stuttered badly.

"Zara? What is it?" He asked, this time more impatiently.

"Iwantustoconsummate." She blurted.

"Huh?" He asked dumbfounded.

"Oho! You're so stupid." She whined hitting his chest and by accidentally, her hand brushed on his southern region making him go stiff all of a sudden.

"I want you to make me yours. Completely." She whispered in his ears and it was like he felt out of the world.

"Are you sure baby?" He asked huskily, trying to keep his desires at bay.

"More than enough." She nodded looking at him shyly and he grinned crashing down his lips on hers.

His one hand was wrapped around her waist, another one entangled in her hair amd and she wrapped her arms around his neck giving him more access.

He was kissing her feverishly, like there was no tomorrow where she was even able to feel the taste of coffee in his mouth and she felt as if she wouldn't be able to control her desires anymore.

"Zayan." She moaned.

Carefully laying her down on the bed, he hovered himself on top of her and soon their clothes were off from their bodies.

The room was then filled with their moans where two bodies were busy entangling in perfect and most intimate of ways two person could.

It was filled with love and passion they had for each other.

And this was the story of our innocent Zara and the complete opposite Zayan.

//////////