Pyar dosti hai
پیار دوستی ہے-

I had two options.

Either I could rot in this bathroom for the next few hours and hope he had forgotten what just happened or I could go out and pretend like nothing happened. But right now, neither option seemed too attractive. A rotten sigh escaped my lips and I held onto the dress in my hand. It was time to get ready.

Almost an hour later, I glanced myself in the mirror. I had bathed and changed into an elaborate blue pishwas ensemble, that gathered around me like the waves of an ocean. The bodice was fitted, and the lace sleeves clung to me like a pair of gloves. But it was the chaotic thread work of gold and silver embroidery over the length of the dress that caught my breath. The intricate pattern weaved over the netted fabric when caught the light, glimmered like flecks of gold splashed over the sea.

My hair cascaded down to my waist in spiralling curls of charcoal, almost the same colour as the kohl lining my eyes. An array of delicate jewellery lay in front of me, and my eyebrows gathered at the bridge of my nose in irritation. Being a new bride was not an easy job.

I was still contemplating upon the jewellery when a soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, "Shany. Jaan. How much longer do you need?" His voice sounded from behind the door.

I quickly picked up a box, "I'm coming." I called out and then quickly pinned the strands of my hair back. I took one final look at myself in the mirror, before strutting out of the room.

He was plopped up against the bed already dressed in a white cotton kurta and grey trousers. His eyes were caught on his phone, but when the door to his room creaked open, he looked up.

His eyebrows rose in approval. They framed those golden orbs that glimmered under the sunlight streaming in from the balcony door. His eyes stilled on me, bright and unwavering. The angles of his face sharp and cutting. He remained motionless, watching me intently.

I felt my cheeks burn and the air in the room suddenly grew muggy, almost stifling and tangible.

And then a spark of something flashed on his face, and a soft smile began to linger on the edge of his lips. He blinked, his eyes meeting mine again. "You look —" he paused as if looking for the right word. My breath froze in anticipation and I looked at him expectantly. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than his approval, his praise,  to hear his sweet words.

When he didn't complete his sentence, I walked up to him and sat besides him. I leaned closer, my hand covering his, "I look—" I repeated, hoping he'd finish the sentence. I drew a soft breath, my eyes pinned at him in the agonising wait.

He smiled. His hand reached out to push the strand of hair off my face before he turned to look into my eyes, "You look like a storm. A dangerous wild storm." His eyes sparkled with mischief and he winked, before he began to laugh at the shocked expression that washed over my face.

The frown on my face deepened and I pushed myself away from him. "You're ridiculous. Don't talk to me." I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest.

He leaned closer, his chin pressing against my shoulder. His body still shook with laughter but his voice was a raspy whisper, "Baby."

"Nahi hoon mein apki baby." I scowled in an irritated tone, shrugging him off my shoulder.
[im not your baby.]

The sound of his choked laughter rang besides me. His arms wrapped around my figure, and he pulled me into him, his nose burying itself in my hair. "Meri—"

"Meri Jaan tou bilkul maat boliyega." I warned in a low but sharp tone. "I won't fall for your emotional blackmail."

[don't you dare call me my life.]

"I don't emotionally blackmail you." He backed away in slight horror. "And aren't you a beautiful storm, ready to wreak my life." A flirtatious grin raked up on his face.

I rolled my eyes, pushing the box of jewellery in his lap. He looked at the box, the smile quickly replaced with a quizzical expression. His brows raised in question as he looked back at me. "Yeh pehna dein." I said, turning around and pulling my hair over my shoulder.

I heard him open the box, but instead of the cool metal of the necklace, I felt the soft warm brush of his fingers against my neck. "Your neck is still a little red." He mumbled, his fingers tracing the skin carefully. "That bastard." His voice harden and the grip of his fingers became firm. "I swear I'll kill them."

My heartbeat rose in my chest, when I turned around to face him. His eyes had darkened and his face was masked with an anguished fury. "Aliyaar." My voice broke at the anger on his face. Unable to take it, I pressed myself against his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Jaan. You can't let your anger dictate your course of action. You can't let your emotions get the better of you." I could feel his body tense up at the endearment, but I clasped onto him tightly. Slowly I felt him relax, and then his arms gathered around me, holding me close to him.

"We still have no idea who was behind this attack." I heard him say quietly. I nodded against his chest and we stayed like this for a while. Silence enveloping us like a rose.

I pulled back after a while, raising my palms to cup his face. "Promise me you will not do anything rash." He sighed with resignation, but no words left his mouth. "Promise me." I tried again.

"I don't make promises I can't keep. Especially not when you're concerned."

I nodded grimly. "But promise me you won't get angry every time you see these bruises. They are healing well." I could sense the turmoil raging his face, but with much difficulty he nodded, his features softening a little. "You can kiss them better." I teased, trying to lighten the piercing tension in the air.

"Oh I intend to." His mood suddenly shifted and he held up the earring, carefully looping them through my ears. "You don't have to wear the necklace." I opened my mouth to argue when he shut me with a firm shake of his head, "Don't fight with me on this, you stubborn girl."

"I'm not stubborn." I squinted my eyes at him in offence, but his arched up in a silent challenge. "Too bad, but I cannot be a sweet agreeable wife who blushes and nods her head at everything their husband says."

An uproarious laugh filled the air,  lilting into the room, before his arms tightened around me and he buried his head in the hallow base of my neck. I could feel the teasing touch of his lips press against my skin, agonisingly trailing a path of fire along the length of my neck.

It was one thing to enjoy his touch, but it was an entirely different thing to desire it, to melt into his arms and embrace the pleasure from his affection.

His breath fanned my heated skin, but a vulnerable exclamation burnt my throat when his lips pressed a kiss behind my earlobe. His lips were a soft gentle whisper, like the withering caress of the wind, yet I felt myself set on fire. His hold on my waist tightened and I felt a hot rush of blood flow through my veins.

This was madness.

My cheeks flushed, my breath becoming hard and laboured. His hand slid up the side of my neck, curling around the thickness of my hair. His hold became firm, steadying my head against him, before I felt him nibble upon the soft flesh of my ear, gently tugging upon it. Tiny shudders raked through me, and I was drowned in him. In that powerful, provocative masculine scent. In the heady mix of rare woods and the wisps of the fresh ocean current.  Musk and salt. Fire and ice.

His hand held my face, his thumb stoking the softness of my cheek. Time had ceased. I was lost. Lost in him, lost in his touch, lost in the honey and milk.

His lips pressed another fervent kiss on my jaw, his arm dragging me against him. "Shany." His rasped slowly, his lips brushing against my chin. "Do you want this?" He asked. The depth of his voice had something stirring deep within me and I nodded.

"Do you like it when I touch you?" His was low, almost cautious, his lips moved against my skin and i mindlessly nodded. My brain was foggy, my thoughts lost.

He pulled back and I groaned at the loss of his touch. "Do you want more?" He asked in a caressing whisper.

"Yes." My face reddened, yet I nodded. But suddenly he pulled back, his eyes watching me with a burning intensity.

I blinked, and raised my slender brow at the sudden shift in his mood. He stared at me for torturous instant and then leaned in and whispered, "See, you are the sweet agreeable wife who blushes and nods her head at everything her husband says."

My eyes widen and my body became rigid. I felt like someone had poured ice cold water over me. My mouth fell open at the bemused expression on his face, his eyes twinkling with hilarity.

"I swear, I will kill you one day." I seethed, before stomping out of the room.

➿➿➿

The dining room buzzed with energy, sunk in a chorus of light and laughter. Some of Aliyaar's extended family was staying over and had gathered this morning for breakfast. I looked around the giant room with a table of polished ebony running down the centre of it. Servants bearing trays of breads, eggs and parathey scurried in and out of the room with pressing urgency. The air was crisp with the tempting scent of fresh coffee and tea.

I was seated besides Aliyaar, my eyes focussed at the empty plate in front of me. "You're not having anything, Shanzae." I heard Safina aunty's concerned voice. I felt Aliyaar's hand rest on my knee.

"Do you want something else?" He whispered lowly. I pursed my lips in a tight smile and shook my head and then took a small portion of eggs and a piece of bread.

I missed home.

Shehryar sat opposite me with a careful expression, listening to the conversation but choosing not to participate. And for that I was almost thankful. "Shehryar Bhai we should go to the farmhouse." One of their cousins chimed in suddenly.

Yaar's eyes shifted to Aliyaar and then me, before he shook his head. "I'm busy. Maybe you all can go."

The rest of the breakfast was spent in cheerful banter and easy conversation. I stayed quiet for the most part, silently sipping upon my tea. Soon after I excused myself and headed towards my room.

"Shanzae." I heard Yaar call me from behind and I stopped, turning around to see him walk up to me. "How are you?" He asked, finally catching up with me.

"Fine."

He sighed at my chipped reply, "How long will I have to apologise?" My eyes narrowed at the question, but his shoulders sagged at my frosty expression. "You didn't even drink the chai I sent you. That's just childish."

"How did you know?"

"Because you don't drink tea twice in the morning." He stated as a matter of fact. Why did he have to know me so well.

"You don't have to pretend to care." I sighed. "I don't need your help settling in this house. I can navigate myself just fine."

"I'm not trying to help." His voice was even but uncharacteristically low. "It was a civil thing to do. You're my friend."

A sardonic chuckle escaped my lips. "Friend."

"You're being childish Shanzae. I swear if we continue being awkward around each other like this, people might get the wrong idea. Everyone here knows you're my friend before you were my brother's wife." He tried reasoning. "I've apologised to you. What else do you want me to do?"

"When are you leaving?"

His eyes furrowed together in confusion. "Leave? Where to?"

"London. Or wherever it is you live half the year."

He crossed his arms across his chest and his shoulders squared. "I'm not leaving. Not at the moment at least. My brother needs me here."

I breathed deeply and sighed, my temples throbbing with irritation. "I will try. But it is best if we stay clear of each other."

"We'd have to meet for breakfast and dinner at least."

"I'll be at my best behaviour."

At this he chuckled, shaking his head, "You're so stubborn."

Stubborn.

He sounded just like his brother, but for some reason I had no urge to argue with him over it. So I shrugged. "Shanzae,I really hope you have it in you to forgive me someday."

I nodded, "I hope so." My voice falling to a mere whisper.

I was about to leave when a girl's voice resounded through the hall. And I halted when an undoubtedly beautiful girl walked up to us. Shehryar's posture stiffed and his eyes shifted uncomfortably between the two of us.

When Yaar made no effort to introduce us, the girl with the mahogany mop of hair held her hand out to me.

"Hi, I'm Miraal."

^the dress Shanzae wore. Lol I just realised it's too heavy. 😂

With this we wrap up a week of quick updates and the AliZae wedding frenzy. I really hope you all enjoyed it. Do you guys want more such short updates in the middle of the week apart from the main big Friday update?

I want to thank all of you for your votes, comments and love.

I know this update is littered with typos, but Let me know your thoughts on today's chapter.

Twitter & Instagram: @sssaltynothings.