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Meri wafa pe haq hua tera...

(You now have the right over my loyalty.)

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Jasmina

"I'm sorry." Arhaan Bhai told me quietly.

I was in the kitchen while everyone else had lunch. I'd come here under the pretext of getting something rom here, but the truth was that I couldn't stand the way Laiba was blatantly flirting with my husband.

My eldest brother had followed me here, clearly noticing my irritation.

"I shouldn't have invited her inside. I should have made an excuse to get her to leave." He looked guilty.

"That's fine, Bhai." I stood at the counter, my hand wrapped around a glass of water.

"Jazzy..."

"Bhai, seriously." I almost snapped. "It's fine. She's your former university classmate. It's cool." 

The truth was that it really bothered me that Fawad had loved her so much. It made me insecure, despite everything. I was being unreasonable, I know, but considering that I still didn't think that I was good enough for him, everything made me insecure.

Yes, but am I worse than the girl who asked him to choose between her and the dream career that he had worked years for? It sometimes felt like our inner self didn't even need an LLB degree to become a self-defence lawyer.

I walked back into the drawing room and sat back down beside my mother.

"That's a pretty necklace, Jasmina. Ma Sha Allah. Rose gold is beautiful." Bhabi complimented my moun-dikhai present.

I smiled. "Thanks. It was the perfect present." I glanced at my husband, who winked at me.

You know what? Why was I insecure? I was here, surrounded by my entire family, by everyone that loved me. Laiba should be the one insecure. She lost out on being with the most incredible guy ever. Not only was he an incredibly compassionate doctor, but he was such a good person in general that I could bet my life on the fact that I would have fallen in love with him under any and every circumstances.

"Aunty, your nihari is incredible." Fawad looked at Ammi. "Seriously, I can't stop eating."

Ammi blushed at the compliment! "You're being too nice, beta." 

"No, he isn't." Papa added. "He's right. It's delicious." He gave her a smile that made her blush even more.

Fawad's phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the screen and frowned. "Thank you for the lunch, but I really have to go, if you guys don't mind."

"Beta, but you barely ate!" Ammi told him.

"Aunty, honestly, I feel like I ate two days' worth of food." He gave her a weak smile, but there was tension reflected in his eyes and on his face. "I wouldn't leave like this if this wasn't urgent." He looked at me. "Do you want to come now or...?" 

I stood up. "I'm coming. Let me just grab my stuff."

"I'll pack some nihari in the meanwhile for your family." Ammi said.

"Everything okay, Bhai?" I heard Arhaan Bhai ask as I headed upstairs, but I was in a rush, so I didn't hear the reply from Fawad.

I returned downstairs with my things a few minutes later, and said goodbye to everyone before heading out.

"What's going on?" I asked as Fawad pulled the car out of the driveway.

"Papa's not feeling well." He replied, tightly gripping the steering wheel as he focused on the road. "They're taking him to the hospital. He had been complaining of chest pains." 

"Allah!" I gasped.

The hospital was barely a ten minutes' drive away, and Fariha was waiting for us in the lobby. Her hair was in a messy pony, and her eyes were red from crying. A tissue was clenched in her first, and she was repeatedly sniffing.

"This is all my fault!" She said tearfully as she saw us. "I've given him so much tension!"

"Fari..." Fawad whispered as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Where's Ammi?"

"She's waiting in the waiting area by the emergency ward."

I was not very used to dealing with crying people, and I had no idea what words to use to reassure her, so I decided to head over to the waiting room instead. I knew that Aunty would be crying as well, but with Fariha it was different because I had no idea how to convince her that it wasn't her fault.

My mother-in-law was sitting in one of the hard hospital chairs, her head in her hands. She wore a hijab, but I could tell it was her because she was taller than an average Pakistani woman her age.

"Aunty!" I sat down beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up, her face streaked with tears. "Jasmina, pray for Ali. He's..." She burst into tears, and I pulled her closer so that she was resting her head against my shoulder. Once again, I didn't know how to verbally reassure her, but I felt that maybe a hug from a family member would soothe her.

Fatima Aunty and I had always gotten along. She used to look after me and my brothers whenever she was available, and our parents were working. We used to bake together, and when I was younger, she used to play 'Doctors' with me, where I got to be the doctor and she was the patient.

"He'll be okay, In Sha Allah." It was all I could say.

Fawad and Fariha walked into the waiting room, and my husband sat down on Aunty's other side.

"I'll never forgive Umair." Ammi muttered.

"What did he do?" Fawad asked, furiously. "I mean, did he do something else apart from...?"

"He called your Papa this morning and told him that he will take Fariha's kids away." Aunty explained between sobs.

Fariha's phone vibrated and I saw her face turn pale as she glanced at the screen. Pursing her lips, she looked up at her mother. "I'll be right back." She hurried off towards the exit.

Her mother and brother hadn't noticed her expressions, but I had, and I certainly wouldn't leave her on her own when she was upset. Fariha had always acted like a friend and a big sister towards me, and I had to show her that I would support her the way she had always supported me.

"I'll be back as well." I stood up and followed my nand out.

I immediately saw what the problem was. Umair was outside, having a heated argument with Fariha.

I strode over, possibly thinking of the 'safety in numbers' concept, rather than what was logical at that point. "Can you leave?"

"Bhabi!" He faked a smile, giving me a quick once-over that made me shudder with disgust. "Congratulations!" 

"I don't think you heard me." I spoke from between gritted teeth. "Leave."

"I'm speaking to my wife." He said calmly. "It's best if you don't interfere." 

"Don't talk to her like that!" Fariha snapped at him.

"Would you teach me how to talk now?" He  glared at her, dropping the decency façade. "The woman who can't even talk to her own husband properly?"

"Seriously, Umair Bhai." I stepped in between them, looking ridiculously short between the two considerably tall people. "You can leave, or I can get her big brother involved. Fariha's family will fully support her. Don't think you'll get away with everything just because you're the damad."

Umair looked at Fariha. "I will take Saad and Omar away. I have a full family to help me raise them. You're just a single working mother without me."

"I'm still their mother!" She almost yelled, looking frustrated as if this was an argument that she'd repeatedly had with him, with no signs of success from her part. "And I'll die before I let you and your illiterate family raise my boys! And I have my family as well: well educated doctors with a good reputation!"

To my surprise, I saw Arhaan Bhai walking towards us from the car parking. He saw us and frowned when he noticed Umair. My big brother immediately walked over and turned to face Umair. "You should leave immediately if you know what's best for you."

Fariha clutched my arm, and I realised that she was crying and trembling. She was obviously distressed, with her father in the hospital and the threat of having her kids taken away from her.

"Bhai, let's go." I told my  brother. "He's not worth wasting our time or breaths on."

"I will make you all pay for this!" Umair shouted as he backed up. "I swear, you all will suffer for this!" 

"I'm terrified." My brother said, sarcastically. "How will I ever sleep at night now?"

Umair turned his creepy gaze on me again. This time I clutched my brother's arm, nervously.

"If you as much as look at my sister..." Bhai threatened him, taking a step towards him. He spoke quietly, but his tone was intimidating.

"I guess the whole bloody family likes interfering in other people's matters." Umair rolled his eyes, before walking towards the car parking.

Bhai turned to face me and Fariha. "You both okay?" 

"This is exactly why Papa ended up in the hospital!" My sister-in-law sobbed. "Because of that loser!" 

"Let's go inside." Arhaan Bhai said. "Where are Fawad and Aunty?"

They began to walk inside, but I stood stuck to one spot, seriously shaken by Umair's threat. I'd never experienced a situation like this, and I had no idea how to deal with it.

"Jazzy, are you coming?" Bhai asked.

"In a few minutes. I need some fresh air." I replied.

He looked concerned, but nodded and headed inside with Fariha.

Normally, at the end of fairy tales, there's a happily ever after. But does anyone wonder what happens after Happily Ever After? I'll tell you the answer: reality happens. Harsh, tough reality that is often hard to face.

I was being selfish, but I couldn't help thinking that this was too much drama for me to handle, especially just on my second day of married life. We'd had our sibling arguments and disagreements with our parents, but we'd lived a normal and stable life, free of family drama. But this was already a drama on a whole new level. An even more selfish part of me began to wonder how long I'd have to deal with Fariha's issues during the phase of my marriage that was meant to be our 'honeymoon period'. However, the moment that thought entered my mind, I felt ashamed of myself. This wasn't Fariha's fault. She never wanted this.

"Mina?" 

I looked up from the bench where I'd absent-mindedly sat down, just to the side of the hospitala outpatient entrance. I stood up immediately. "Is Uncle okay?" 

"He's stable now. I'm just going to have a discussion with his doctor now." Fawad replied, approaching me. "Ammi says that maybe you should go back home with Arhaan, to your parents' house."

"What? Why?" 

"Because we're all mainly going to be at the hospital for now." He explained, taking my hand in his and squeezing it reassuringly. "And Ammi's being a little superstitious, but she doesn't think it's right for a newlywed bride to be spending so much time at a hospital. I know it's an outdated thinking, but I really don't want to argue with her right now. She's extra sensitive."

"This is my family now, Fawad." I felt a little hurt. "I should be here."

"I know, and I really appreciate it." He said, softly. "But please do this, Mina." 

The stress on his face made me want to cry, and I reached out for him, grabbing him by the upper arms. "You know that I'm here for you, right? No matter what, you can always talk to me or call me, or come to me." 

"I know, meri jaan." He gave me a small smile. "I'm so sorry about how things have turned out."

"It's not your fault!" I shook my head. "I know that things are difficult right now, but we'll get through it, In Sha Allah." 

Arhaan Bhai came back out, making his way towards us. "Let's go, Jazzy." He glanced at Fawad. "I'll drop her off and come back immediately. Consider me a representative of Jasmina."

Fawad and I laughed lightly.

"Thanks, Bhai." Fawad patted him on the back. "I'm sorry that you have to tolerate her for a little while longer.

"Hey!" I protested as they both high-fived and laughed.

"Let's go, shorty." Bhai told me, playfully dragging me by the arm.

" Call me if you need anything." I told Fawad, glancing over my shoulder at him.

"Who else would I call?" He gave me a warm smile.

*

I was restless, so I cooked dinner for my in-laws, strongly aided by the maids: rotis (flatbread) and mixed vegetable. Ammi and Papa were going to visit them, so I got them to take it over to the hospital.

Ahad Bhai was at work, and Sadia Bhabi was visiting her parents' house, while Arhaan Bhai was also at the hospital with Fawad. 

Later, I was bored so I sat down in the living room watching TV, when my phone vibrated.

<Fawad: Thanks for the delicious meal! 😋>

I smiled as I read the message. 

Suddenly, I heard a window shatter, half-scaring the life out of me. I jumped up with a scream. "What was that?!"

One of the maids who had worked for us for years, Saleema, came rushing in. "Jasmina beta, I think someone might be trying to break into our home. There have recently been reports of armed burglars attempting to enter people's homes, in this area." 

My eyes widened, my heart pounding hard. One day my life was normal on an almost boring-level, and the next day it was pouring drama like monsoon rain. "We need to call the police and hide out. For now, I'm sure the guards will handle any intruders. 

Another maid came running down the hall, looking terrified. "I don't want to be shot! I have young kids!" 

"We'll be okay." I reached for my phone and dialled Zafar Bhai's number. "I'll call the police, and we'll be okay." I began to rush them both towards the stairs. "We need to go upstairs. This house is large enough for us to hide away and give the police enough time to get here."

"Hello?" Zafar Bhai's voice came through on the other end.

"Assalam Alaikum, Zafar Bhai. This is Jasmina. I think someone's trying to break into our home... my parents' home." I spoke in a rush as I gestured for the maids to head upstairs with my free hand. Two other maids appeared from the kitchen and began to follow us. "Is there anyone else?" I asked, placing a hand over the speaker.

"Jasmina, listen..." Zafar Bhai began to speak urgently, but the call ended.

I stared at my phone in confusion. It had enough battery, so I had no idea why the call had ended. Maybe his phone had ran out of battery?

We all headed upstairs towards the furthest room from the stairs, which was the study.

"In here is the best option right now." I said, closing the door behind us.

"We're going to die, aren't we?" The maid named Humaira asked.

"Nobody's dying!" I told her, firmly. "Not if I can help it. Staying in here will buy us enough time. The police will be here shortly."

It was very quiet, and I pressed my ear against the door. "I don't hear anything. Allah, I hope the guards are okay!"

"Jasmina!"

I frowned. The voice was familiar, but through the thick wooden door, I couldn't place it immediately. It was coming from the same floor, down the hall.

"Jasmina, are you alright? Where are you?" 

Zafar Bhai!

I pulled open the door and headed out, walking straight into the path of Ahad Bhai's policeman best friend. "Zafar Bhai! How did you get here so quickly?" 

"I was actually heading to meet up with Aha, so I was nearby." Dressed in his uniform, he turned his worried gaze towards my face. "Are you okay?" 

Okay, I'm married, but I'm still a red-blooded female. He's a handsome guy with big hazel eyes and a dimpled grin.

Oh, for Allah's sake, Jasmina! You still think of him as a brotherly figure!

"Jasmina?" He put a hand on my shoulder, looking even more concerned when I didn't answer. 

"We're okay." I gestured over my shoulder, where the staff was standing inside the study.

"Of course, you are. There was no..." He began.

"Jazzy!" He was interrupted by the voice of Arhaan Bhai, coming from downstairs.

I immediately headed downstairs and found my brother and husband by the front door.

"I got a call from the guards that a maid reported an attempted burglary at our home." Bhai looked worried sick.

"Yes, it was scary, but we're all okay. Why did you tell Fawad?" I turned to my husband, who wrapped his arms around me.

"What do you mean, 'why did you tell Fawad?'?" My husband frowned. "There was a report of an attempted burglary in the house where you were, and you think that I shouldn't know about it?" 

"You're worried enough." I said, softly.

Zafar Bhai and the maids came down the stairs, and for some reason Ahad Bhai's best friend looked amused.

"What's going on, Zafar?" Arhaan Bhai asked.

"There were no burglars." Zafar Bhai informed him. "A neighbour's kid broke a window of the house while playing cricket in the garden next door."

"What?" I looked at him, surprised.

"Jazzy..." Arhaan Bhai ran a hand over his face.

"What?" I shrugged in self-defence. "Umair Bhai threatened us all and I guess it made me paranoid."

"He what?!" Fawad and Zafar Bhai asked in unison, earning the latter a glare from the former.

Zafar Bhai cleared his throat. "Fariha's husband, right?" 

I nodded.

"I'll deal with him." Fawad looked furious.

"Bhai, it's not a good idea to get your hands dirty by dealing with trash like him. If you want, you can file an official complaint against him with the police for his threats, and we'll deal with it." Zafar Bhai told him. "I'm just going to go and have a quick patrol around the property, if that's okay, Arhaan Bhai?" 

"Of course! I'll come with you." My brother walked out with him, while the maids dispersed into the kitchen.

"Mina." Fawad pulled me into a hug, and I inhaled his scent deeply, a mixture of soap and hospital disinfectant. "You scared the hell out of us!"

"I'm fine." I turned my head slightly and kissed his cheek, his stubble feeling scratchy against my lips. He turned his head and kissed me deeply, holding me close against himself.

"How's Uncle?" I asked, pulling back a few moments later, trying to steady my breathing after that amazing kiss.

"He's stable now, Alhumdulillah." He replied. "We met him, and Ammi told him off right there for scaring us. He was laughing and joking when Arhaan and I left." 

"Well, that's a positive sign." I held onto the lapels of his shirt, tilting my head up to stare at him.

He kept an arm around me, even as Arhaan Bhai and Zafar Bhai came back inside.

"Bhai, I heard about Ali Uncle." Zafar Bhai told Fawad. "I hope he gets well soon, In Sha Allah." 

"In Sha Allah, and thank you." Fawad nodded politely.

"Jasmina, you did the right thing by calling me." Zafar Bhai looked at me. "These days the crime rate has increased too much to ever take risks." 

Fawad tensed up. "You call me Bhai, so don't you think it's more appropriate for you to call her 'Bhabi'?" 

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. "Fawad!" I then turned back to Zafar Bhai, my cheeks burning. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"I was just doing my job, Bhabi." Zafar Bhai glanced at Fawad. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any offence." He cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but I should head out now." He walked out of the house.

"Fawad! What is wrong with you?" I turned to my husband.

Arhaan Bhai laughed. "You sounded jealous, Bhai. What's the issue here? He's also known her since childhood, being Ahad's best friend."

"He has a crush on her, if not more." Fawad replied from between gritted teeth.

"So? She married you!" My brother shook his head. "It's hilarious to see you behave like this in relation to my bratty kid sister."

"Hey!" I shoved him lightly. "I have to go and apologise to Zafar Bhai."

"Why?" Fawad crossed his arms over his chest.

"Because he came all the way out here to help me when I called him, you know!" I narrowed my eyes at him, before turning to follow Zafar Bhai outside.

I saw Ahad Bhai's best friend by his car, talking to a colleague of his, so I didn't interrupt. I returned inside and silently walked past my husband and up the stairs, intending to apologise later.

Fawad followed me upstairs. "Yeah, I know. That was rude. I wasn't thinking straight."

Once we were in my former room, with the door closed behind us, I turned and leaned my arms against the door on either side of him, trapping him there. "You know, you look cute when you're jealous. It doesn't mean that you should have spoken to the poor guy like that, but nevertheless...it's an attractive look on you."

"I wasn't jealous. I have no reason to be." 

"Okay, well, why did it bother you that he called me by name?" I found this amusing. "He has always called me by my name."

"You're married to me now, and I'm older than him. It only makes sense that he calls you Bhabi."

I doubled over laughing. "I love this. Usually, I'm the insecure one."

He shook his head. "I need to get back to the hospital. Is it okay if I take a shower here first?" 

"It's also your own home. Do whatever you like." I walked over to the bed and grabbed the TV remote.

"You seriously don't see it, do you?" He asked, quietly.

I looked at him questioningly and wearily.

"He's always had a thing for you." He shrugged.

"Do you need a towel?" I asked. "You can borrow Arhaan Bhai's clothes." I got off the bed and got a towel out of the cupboard.

He came up behind me, pulling his shirt off. "Are you mad?" Tossing the shirt on the floor, he pushed my hair aside before I felt his lips brush against my skin at the nape of my neck. I gripped the towel tightly, trying to control the desire overwhelming me.

"You have no reason to be insecure." I whispered. "I know that people doubt me after everything that had happened before, but my loyalty is only reserved for you, Fawad."

He gently turned me around to face him, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I know. I trust you completely. It's just that I think that Zafar is a better match for you."

I blinked up at him, stunned at his words.

"You both are fun, carefree people, full of life..."He sighed.

While he was admitting his insecurity, he had no idea how much his bare torso was creating a tempest of multiple emotions within me. Love, attraction, desire, and various other feelings that were relatively new to me, blended together inside me, making me yearn to lose myself in his arm. How can he even think that I can be better off with someone else? If only he had even an inkling of how deep my feelings for him are!

"I think you need to see a doctor." I pressed a hand against his chest, over his heart, smiling slightly at the pounding that I felt underneath my palm. "I always called him 'Bhai', and not you. Why do you think that is? I've always had a crush on you. It started off as a cliché crush, a childhood crush on my big brother's best friend, but it just grew deeper as we grew up, rather than fading away. Yes, I had a crush on Jibril as well, at one point, but it has always been you, and there can never be anyone else, Fawad."

"Mina..."

"I love the fact that you're a doctor." I continued. "But more than that, I love what an amazing person you are. You are kind, caring, compassionate, and so good that I wonder at times if you're real, or just a figment of my imagination. Ma Sha Allah." I ran my hand down his chest and towards his stomach, something that I'd been wanting to do since I'd first seen him shirtless on our wedding night. "I love you. I'm yours. I don't care if someone else seems like a better match for me. You're the one that I'm in love with, the one I want to be with. We belong together."

He pulled me in for a passionate kiss, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me off the ground. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he carried me to bed without breaking the kiss for even a moment.

I wanted him so much, but I also knew that it wasn't the right place or time. We were at my parents' house, it was the middle of the day, and my Bhai was downstairs, as well as the household staff.

"Y-You need to have a shower." I pressed my fingertips against his mouth, gently pushing him back. "You need to get back to the hospital."

"You're being a tease right now." He kissed my fingertips, his intense gaze fixed on me.

"I'm being logical." I replied. "Even though I hate myself for it."

We both laughed quietly. I was strongly aware of my body pressing against his, his hands on my hips, my pounding heart, and the desire connecting us both in an invisible but strong link.

"I... I'll ask Bhai to give you some spare clothes." I swallowed hard, forcing myself to pull myself away.

"It's okay. I left some here when I came here to stay before Arhaan's wedding." He got off the bed. "I think they're in the guest room. I'll just go and get them."

"You're not walking out of this room without a shirt on." I stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "There are young maids here, and I prefer that they don't see you like this."

He winked. "Now who's insecure?" 

"I'm not being insecure. I'm just being possessive." I shrugged. "I'll get your clothes. You can go into the shower." With that, I headed out of the room, my cheeks still warm from our little encounter. 

I was ready for him. I just wanted to wait for the right time now.

*

When Hafsa found out that I was still at the Sheikh family home, of course she wanted to visit.

"Everybody knows that Zafar Bhai has a crush on you." She seemed to agree with Fawad's theory as we sat in the garden by the pool, drinking tea and eating snacks.

The sun was edging towards the horizon, ready to end yet another day. Birds were soaring in flocks, ready to head home for the day. The leaves of the familiar mango tree ruffled in the wind, creating a soft and pleasant background sound effect.

"It's absolutely irrelevant to even discuss this right now." I muttered, biting into the soft slice of plain cake.

She ate a chicken patty, leaning back on the sun lounger that she was sitting on, parallel to mine. "You know, you already have that glow."

"What glow?"

"The newly married glow. Ma Sha Allah."

I smiled, staring at the pool water. There was always something calming about staring at pool water, or any body of water, in my opinion.

"So, what are the honeymoon plans?" 

"I don't know. He has work." I found myself feeling a little disappointed. I had imagined going to an exotic location with him, on an island away from everything and everyone else.

"Are you happy that you married him, though?"

"Of course!" I answered without hesitation. "Alhumdulillah!" 

"Good. Alhumdulillah!" She sighed, dramatically. "Your beloved Arhaan Bhai wasn't in my naseeb, but at least you got your true love."

*Naseeb: destiny.

"Oh, for the love of Allah, Hafsa!"

She giggled. "Some day my prince will come!" She sang out in an off-key voice, and we both burst out laughing.

*

"Jasmina?" Ammi entered the living room later, where I sat watching TV.

"Yes, Ammi?" 

"Beta, the family driver is going to drive you to the Ali family home. I know Fawad is at the hospital, but I think that you should go back home." She told me gently.

"Ammi, but..." 

"Trust me, I love having you around, sweetheart, but it's time for you to go back. Your family is in time of need, and I need you to show them that you're there for them. The best way to do that is to go back home and be there in case anyone needs you." She ran a hand over my head.

I nodded. "Okay, Ammi." I stood up.

"You're married now." She grabbed my hands. "You need to be more responsible, okay? It's not just Fawad's duty to fulfil his responsibilities. It's yours too, Jasmina."

"Ji, Ammi."

"Good girl." She smiled and placed a hand on my cheek. "Newly married life isn't easy, meri jaan. Like every other relationship, it takes struggle and effort to develop a strong relationship. And, to care for your in-laws may be included in one of the efforts that you have to make in your marriage. It's all about love, respect, regard, more than anything."

And so, I gathered my things and rode home in my car with the Sheikh family driver. Home. It felt strange to address the Ali family home as my home. My home, in my mind, was still the familiar childhood home where I'd been brought from the hospital at birth, and where I had been raised.

But I suppose, as per traditions, my home was where I was going to live with Fawad. It would take time to convince my mind of this change, but I knew that Fawad would help me to quickly adjust.

*

The house was dark when the driver pulled into the driveway. Only my father-in-law's car was in the driveway, which meant that nobody was most likely home.

I felt a little scared being alone. Yes, there were maids there, but they were still basically strangers for me.

"Will you be okay, Jasmina beta?" The driver clearly felt the same as he looked at the seemingly lifeless house shrouded in darkness.

"Ji, Uncle. Main theek rahoon gi. Fawad aate hi honge." I gave him a reassuring smile as he pulled my luggage out of the car boot.

*"Yes, Uncle. I'll be fine. Fawad will be home soon."

One of the guards helped take my things inside, leaving them in the foyer as per my instruction. The foyer itself was so dark that I switched on the lights.

"Assalam Alaikum, Bhabi." A maid walked towards me from the direction of the kitchen, which had the only light on that I had seen so far.

"Walaikum Assalam."

"Aapko kuch chahiye to nahin? Hum sab ab ghar jaa rahe hain. Fariha Baji ne khana pakaya tha, aur woh hospital le gayi theen. Kuch bacha hai, agar aapko bhook lagi hai to main jaane se pehle garam kardoon aapko?"

*"Bhabi, do you want anything?"
"We're all going home. Fariha Baji cooked dinner and she took it to the hospital. There's some left. If you're hungry, should I heat it up for you?"

"Nahin, theek hai. Main le loongi agar zaroorat padi. Shukriya." I gave her a smile.

*"No, it's okay. I'll have it myself if I'm hungry. Thanks."

Are they all legit leaving me alone in this house?

Yes, I was familiar with the Ali family home, but I wasn't used to being along here. I had never been alone in such a huge home, and I was a little scared. I was tempted to ask the maid to stay, but I resisted because they all had their own families and homes to get back to as well.

After the staff left, I headed upstairs, turning on every light along the way. It was too quiet, and it made me shudder. I recited Ayat-ul-Kursi to push my fear away, and rushed quickly into my new bedroom.

To distract myself, I began to unpack and arrange my things around the room, giving the room a more Jasmina-feel. My make-up and perfumes were set on the dressing table, along with his colognes and aftershave. I also set my wooden jewellery box in the wardrobe, just underneath his suits. His wardrobe, full of blacks, greys, white or blues, were now filled with various outfits of all colours. His formal shoes and trainers were accompanied by my various sandals, also in a variety of colours, at the bottom of the wardrobe. His desk, which had a couple of medical textbooks, now also had the latest novels that I was reading, placed intentionally over his cardiology textbook. Romance novels over a book about the heart. It's almost ironic.

As I was moving around the room, setting up my things, I had my wireless earphones plugged into my ears, and was humming along to the music. As I sat at the dressing table, setting my perfumes in the order of preference, I decided to try his colognes because he always seemed to smell so good. Which one is my favourite out of his colognes? I grabbed one of the bottles and took off the cap before spraying it onto my wrist and sniffing it. A smile automatically appeared on my face as I smelled his familiar scent.

I got up and started examining the room, feeling slightly bored. As my favourite song came on, I felt a little filmy, and I spun around, my Anarkali dress- and my hair flying at the moment. "Rang tera chadeya ae, te hun koi rang naiyo chadna..." Yes, I'm a little dramatic.

I screamed when I saw him leaning in the doorway, smirking in amusement. My heart was almost jumping out of my chest- mostly at being startled, but also at seeing him. "Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?"

*"What are you doing here?" 

"Aap ki paidaish se bhi pehle yeh mera kamra tha." He raised an eyebrow.

*"This has been my room since even before your birth."

Feeling silly, I cleared my throat. "Assalam Alaikum. Mera matlab hai, aapko hospital nahin hona chahiye?"

*"I mean, shouldn't you be at the hospital?" 

"Walaikum Assalam." He walked towards me, glancing around the room. "Yeh mere kamre main itne rang kahan se aagaye hain?"

*"Why is my room looking so colourful?" 

"Hamara kamra. How's Uncle?" 

*"Our room." 

"Alhumdulillah, almost ready to come back home." He walked over to his desk and picked up the novel I'd placed there. "The Vampire's Secret? Are you serious?" He looked at the supernatural romance novel.

"Excuse me. It's my favourite." I strode over and tried to take the book from him, but he held it up high, above my reach. "Fawad!" I stood on my tiptoes, trying to reach it, but in vain.

*I realise that scene is giving Rohaan/Yamna vibes from Irreversible, but technically this scene was written long before the Unconditionally series even existed. I wrote this version a year or two ago, and it had been saved only as a Word document till now.*

He walked away, opening the book and reading out a paragraph from a random page. "The way he looked at me turned my blood cold. I don't know whether the hunger he had for my blood was anything in comparison to the hunger I felt for him." He turned to look at me. "I really thought you had better taste, Mina." His smile was teasing. "The world is full of beautiful literature, and you chose this?" 

"Why are you here?" I sulked, crossing my arms over my chest. "Don't you have more important things to do than to make fun of me?" 

"Arhaan ne bataya meri dulhan ghar aagyi hai. I had to come." He set the book back down on the desk and walked back over to me.

*"Arhaan told me that my bride has come home."

He softly kissed my forehead. "Let me go and wash up, and we'll have coffee together, okay?"

"Taake aap mera aur maazak auda sakain?" 

*"So you can make fun of me some more?"

He grinned. "You know I'm teasing you, Mina. You clearly have excellent taste."

"As do you... now." 

"We've all made poor choices at some point in our lives." He turned away, his jaw clenching as he clearly thought about Laiba.

I placed my hands on his cheeks. His stubble had grown out into a light beard, and there were dark circles under his eyes. "And eventually, we both made the right choice. Alhumdulillah. Let's forget all the drama of the past and move on with our lives." I pecked his lips. "I'll make us coffee. Meet me downstairs in the kitchen." 

I headed downstairs, with no sign of the fear that I'd felt earlier. As I prepared coffee and some snacks, I began to realise how privileged I truly was. My biggest concern had been that I was scared to stay in this huge house by myself.

A sheltered life, a loving husband, wonderful family. Alhumdulillah. I was very blessed. But there was always a catch. Nothing was this perfect.

I began to wonder what that one factor was going to be in my otherwise perfect life. The one factor that was going to remind me that life was about hardships and struggles, as well as comfort and ease.

I shook my head, not wanting to think about it, but I knew that it was inevitable. Something or someone was going to ruin this blissful bubble for me, and it made my head hurt to just think about it.

*

Jasmina's life so far had really been quite privileged. She'd always been sheltered from family drama/politics, she had lived a life of luxury, filled with love and pampering. Is this all going to change?

Favourite scene?

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