The breakfast was horrible. Haya had no idea how did she add so much salt and pepper. But she was embarrassed and ashamed to meet any of the family member's eyes. She felt guilty that because of her none of the family members could eat breakfast, the very important meal of the day.

The family were rather polite as they simply stopped eating and left the dining table. Bano was pissed, she expected a lot more from them. But they just left without uttering a single word. All her efforts of adding salt and pepper went in vain. Nevertheless, she had a hidden smirk and went on and on about how pathetic of a cook Haya was. And how girls from the city don't even know the basics of anything.

"Poor Abrar. He was eating your horrible food for weeks now. I feel sad for him." Bano smirked as she washed her hands on the food and was about to leave.

But Haya has had enough, she should have guessed it right already.

"I never knew you hated me this much." Haya got up from the dining table with a frown. Bano stopped walking and turned to face her.

"What did I ever do to you? Why are you doing all this?" instead of beating around the bush, Haya came straight to the point.

"What did I do?" Bano feigned innocence.

"We both know what I'm talking about. Why do you hate me so much?" Haya looked at her in disbelief.

"Well, then. I'll be honest with you. Anyone in your place would have faced the same treatment from me." Bano replied bitterly.

"What do you mean?" Bano's twisted words weren't exactly understood.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Haya frowned in confusion as she watched Bano leave the dining room. Why did that old lady hate her so much? There must be a valid reason. Haya sworn to find it out sooner and immediately walked to bi jaan's bedroom. Maybe she can help her?

"Yes?" bi jaan asked as she heard someone knocking at her door.

"Can I come in, bi jaan?" Haya asked from outside.

"Haya beta... Why are you asking for my permission? Of course, you can come." bi jaan replied, with a frown. She did not like the fact that Haya is taking permission to come inside her room.

"Bi jaan..." Haya trailed off sadly as she joined her on the bed.

"What happened, dear? Why the long face?" Bi jaan held Haya's chin as she made her face her. Haya still couldn't get herself to face her. After what happened at the dining table, she was rather embarrassed.

"I'm sorry bi jaan, because of me you all couldn't eat breakfast today." Bi jaan surprisingly was laughing at her.

"Silly girl, I know it wasn't your fault. I also know whose fault it really is." Bi jaan's words shook Haya from within.

"You do?" She asked cutely, bi jaan pulled her cheeks as she replied, "yes we do."

"How... I mean why does Chachi hate me?" Haya slightly winced as she pulled away from bi jaan's fingers.

"I know you don't deserve to be kept in the dark, but I cannot disclose it to you now, you can try asking that to Bano instead." Bi jaan replied helplessly making Haya all the more curious.

"But don't worry, I will talk with her. It's high time that she should let go of the past."

Haya surely was confused but decided not to pry on it as she asked, "oh... Can I make something for you now? I promise to be careful this time." Bi jaan smiled at her affectionately. Haya took that as a yes and immediately rushed out of there and started to prepare some quick breakfast.

The rest of the day Haya got busied herself with drawing few sketches of bridal wears. It was her routine these days. Preparing meals for Abrar whenever he's around and spend time with the family whenever she could. In the remaining hours, she'd simply draw stuff. Her favourite thing to draw was wedding dresses, mostly South Asian ones. She loves being a designer.

***

It was already half-past ten when Haya found her mother-in-law, Sarah sitting in the living room. Her face looking worried and tensed, "auntie... Are you okay?" Haya asked her as she joined her on the sofa.

"Haya beta... Why are you awake? Didn't you sleep?" Sarah questioned her with a small smile.

"I wasn't feeling sleepy. But why are you sitting here, auntie? Chachi said that you were sick. You should be sleeping now." Haya had a frown on her forehead as she lectured her mother-in-law with worry and concern.

"I know, beta. But Abrar hasn't returned home yet. He must be hungry... He didn't even eat the breakfast." Sarah's motherly love made Haya feel so jealous, for she yearned for the same kind of love for years now. But she never found one.

"He left early today..." Haya said as she replayed the morning incident, he thanked her for the first time. A smile adorned her face as she recollected how caring he was the previous night. He really was a puzzle.

"Yeah, he skipped breakfast today. I'm sure he hasn't eaten anything properly. He is a very picky eater." Sarah frowned.

"Auntie... I'm sorry, about the breakfast." Haya apologized guiltily. Sarah waved it off with a smile, "mistakes happen, Haya. It's alright. Besides, I know that you aren't that bad cook."

Haya had a puzzled look on her face as wondered how did she know about her cooking skills for she only cooked for Abrar till date, as if understood her face Sarah replied, "I see the way Abrar eats his food, Haya. He has very expressive eyes if you've noticed and I've seen pure admiration in it whenever he ate his food. Abrar is a very picky eater but he never complained about your food."

Haya blushed at that. She wondered why didn't she notice this before.

"You go and sleep, auntie. I'll make sure that Abrar eats his dinner before sleeping." Sarah thought about it for a moment and nodded with a smile.

"Chalo, teek hai. You take this responsibility from now on, you're his wife after all." Sarah placed her hands on Haya's head lovingly as she got up from the sofa. The word wife hit hard on Haya. She's his wife, even if she wanted or not. That's how Haya found herself accepting this marriage slowly.

(Okay, fine.)

"Shab ba Khair, auntie." Haya turned her head as she said her good night to Sarah, who was already climbing the stairs.

(Good night)

"Shab ba Kahir." Sarah greeted back softly. Haya then turned her head with a smile as she watched the entrance, to see if he came as she just heard the car honking sound.

Abrar was tired beyond words could describe, it was a very long day at work. All he needed was a cup of tea and peaceful sleep. He decided to sleep on his bed from today on. When he entered the Haveli, the first person he saw was her. Who was looking at him with anticipation.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Abrar questioned her as he removed his wristwatch and gave it to her.

"Put this on the dresser." It wasn't a request but a command. With a frown she took it from him, she had this urge to lecture him about manners and all. But he looked really tired so she decided against it.

"Get refreshed. I'll serve the dinner for you." Haya informed him with a frown. Abrar was surprised. All these years it was his mother who'd wait for him to return home safely and serve him with delicious food, making sure that he ate all. Seeing Haya take up that small role amazed him.

"Don't get any ideas. I am doing this for Sarah auntie. She looked tired... So, I couldn't let her sit here all day." Haya as if understood the look on his face told him. Abrar didn't reply anything as he simply walked upstairs.

Stupid! Haya muttered under her breath with a frown as she walked to the kitchen and took all the bowls and plate to the dining table.

Haya had her mouth agape as she watched Abrar climb downstairs, shirtless. She averted her eyes quickly, composing herself. But damn, he's hot! So freaking hot. Why was he doing this to her!? She sighed inwardly.

Abrar took the seat in his usual place as he watched Haya serve him, all the while she had her eyes averted from him. He understood it was his shirtless state's doings. It wasn't intentional though. It was very hot that day and he knew everyone must have slept, so he decided to take advantage of it.

"You didn't cook today?" Abrar asked bluntly as he chewed the first morsel of paratha and chicken curry.

"How do you know that?" Haya raised her eyebrows at him.

Abrar did not have any reply to that. After eating her food for over weeks, he just knew the smell of her cooking which when brought near his nose makes his mouth water. It would be that delicious. But today the magic wasn't there in the food.

"It doesn't taste like it." Abrar blurted out and regretted it immediately.

"How does my food tastes then?" Haya asked him with a mischievous smirk on her face. He chose to ignore that as if he never heard her question which irked her. He was back to his usual annoying self, she thought angrily.

"Well, do you want anything else?" Haya asked him uninterestedly as she watched him eat the food.

"A cup of tea."

"Fine!" Haya was so done with his attitude. She walks into the kitchen with a huff as she fetched the milk from the fridge and poured it into the vessel. When she was in the middle of making tea, Abrar enters the kitchen to wash his hands, observing her from the corner of his eyes.

"Delicious!" Abrar whispered as he stood beside the kitchen counter, arms folded, eyes scanning her face with a small smile on his face.

"What?" Haya asked him blankly. Not understanding what did he mean. She made sure to not stare at his perfectly toned skin or his abs. Mann, he was too hot to handle.

"Your food tastes delicious." As soon as she registered his words, Haya's cheeks turned crimson red.

"Thank you!" She beamed at him shyly for he was complimenting her for the first time, whilst switching off the stove and carefully poured the tea in two cups.

"I didn't like today's dinner, from tomorrow onwards only you should prepare my food. Got it?" Haya smiled widely at his words; it was because of Bano Chachi she couldn't cook for him today. Who stopped her from entering the kitchen, which made her extremely sad for some weird reasons. But his crazy demand made her feel super ecstatic.

Abrar took his glass of tea and immediately left the kitchen. Good God... he can swear that she has the most captivating smile ever! What is happening to him?