"I can't believe you had typhoid. Why didn't you say anything." Zunera frowned as they sat beside Wafa on the bed. She glanced at the twins, feeling much better than the previous days. It's been five days since that night. In other words, five days since their marriage took a drastic turn. But they don't talk about it. Talking about it just complicates things and Wafa liked how things are moving a little much to get it complicated again.

"I was too worn out to even touch my phone." Wafa replied with a pout, "sorry for scaring you both."

"And I missed seeing you guys every day," Wafa smiled softly as Humera adjusted her glasses and leaned in to check her temperature, "we missed you too, waffles babe. I was so worried,"

"So was I," Zunera smacked her arms playfully but a clearing of a throat broke their trance, Wafa moved her gaze to see Shahzaib, who stands at the doorway, with her breakfast in his hands. She couldn't help but smile at his sight.

"Wafa is still weak. You cannot smack her like that," Shahzaib told in a monotone while the twins passed her amused looks. A teasing glint appeared in their eyes as Wafa huffed, "seriously, Shahzaib? I'm fine now. It's been five days since you have kept me on house arrest like this."

"The doctor says otherwise," Shahzaib replied with a shrug as he placed the food tray on the bedside table. Wafa wanted to argue but stopped because it is going to be of no use. Literally. He's been treating her like she was some fragile doll for the last five days. It was sweet, of course, it was. But it's also exhausting. To be in the same bed, taking rest all the time and doing nothing.

It's even more exhausting when he takes care of her like that and claims they're only friends. Her heart could only handle so much.

"Wow. What did you bring for her breakfast?" Humera grinned as she passed a teasing look to Wafa, whose face heated up suddenly. She glanced at Shahzaib with anticipation as he opened the medicine box and pulled out the before-breakfast medicine. Her face instantly turned into a scowl. God! She hated those.

"Wafa's favourite," Shahzaib replied while he poured the water into a glass and passed her both medicine and glass. Her scowl was replaced with a small smile as she took them, not able to meet the blatant teasing looks that her friends were passing her way.

"Awe. Her favourite, huh." Zunera gushed excitedly while Wafa narrowed her eyes at her, asking her to stop being dramatic just through her eyes.

"Eat soon. You should have breakfast too," Shahzaib added as she didn't proceed to have the medicine. Her face instantly fell as she eyed it again, "ugh. These make my mouth so bitter." She complained to her friends before gulping it in a go and making a face at the end.

Humera snorted at her while Shahzaib took the glass from her hands, "you don't have a fever anymore, right?" He asked gently, the tone in which he questioned her made her heart flutter in glee. She blinked in no. While her friends were grinning ear to ear looking at them both.

They were shipping them so hard. Boy! Were they in for some heartbreak?

"I brought you guys some juices as well." Shahzaib addressed her friends stiffly, only then did she notice how uncomfortable he was with these two visiting her inside the bedroom but he kept quiet for her sake. He did not like others entering his personal space. It took him a while to get used to her presence in his room too.

Her friends were oblivious to his mood, "oh, there's no need. We had breakfast. You guys eat. We'll just talk with Wafa for some time and leave." Humera smiled at her, while Zunera took the tray from the bedside table and placed it on Wafa's lap.

"Come on, eat quickly. It's turning cold."

"It's your favourite," Zunera stressed on the favourite word a little too eagerly and grinned at Wafa's flushed cheeks.

"I'll be on the study. Call me if you need anything, okay?" She nodded at him as he left the room. The three of them watched his retreating figure before turning to face each other.

"Did you see what I saw?" Humera and Zunera asked the exact same question and laughed at the coincidence. It's their twins' thing and Wafa knew there is no end to it anymore.

"He brought her favourite food." Zunera gushed like a teenager.

"He gave her medicine." Humera sequaled.

"Guys, shut up." Wafa dismissed them annoyedly but her cheeks were literally on fire.

"He is so worried about her." Zunera sequaled despite receiving the infamous Wafa glare.

"He is-" Before Humera could continue, Wafa placed her hands on her mouth, stopping her from talking any further.

"Stop it. Both of you. It's not like what you're thinking," Wafa sighed while the twins didn't care much. They were just too happy for her but too bad it's not going to last long.

"We are just friends." She mumbled incoherently.

"What? Friends? When did that happen and why was I not aware?" Zunera demanded eagerly.

"It happened two and a half weeks ago. I guess. On my birthday night." Wafa smiled softly as she recalled how Shahzaib wanted to be her friend, so out of the blue. It still felt unbelievable. He was an amazing friend.

"Ha. I told you, she was different after her birthday." Humera snorted at her twin. Wafa passed them both a confused glance. What are they talking about? She wondered.

"Yeah. You were less moody and smiled a lot." Zunera agreed as if she recalled something.

"I wasn't." Wafa denied it right away, even though it might have been true.

"No. You weren't as moody as you were when you got married. It was like I got my old friend back"

She didn't realise not talking with Shahzaib was even affecting her behaviour at college. How could that be possible? She didn't even notice that until they pointed it out.

Shahzaib has started affecting her more than he should have. This is not going to end well. What the hell has she gotten herself into?

"Why didn't you say anything about this new friend of yours, you sneaky little donkey?"

"I thought it was ridiculous." Wafa dismissed them, not in the mood to discuss her and Shahzaib. What they have is too complicated to put into a few words.

"So he does all this, just because you're his friend?" Humera asked while Wafa nodded, not liking how her friends are getting a little too nosy.

"Guys. I don't want to discuss Shahzaib with you both. I'm sorry okay? It's just, I'm not comfortable." She smiled helplessly while the twins groaned at her, "stop asking sorry, waffles."

"We just got excited for you. But I understand that we might get overboard in happiness." Zunera sighed.

"And if you say it's just friendship from his side, then please be very careful okay? I don't want you to get heartbroken when this all ends," Humera squeezed her hands tightly, "I shouldn't be heartbroken. After all, our marriage was destined to be doomed." Wafa replied in a whisper. Her heart almost pained as she thought about what will happen when their marriage will actually come to an end.

"Don't keep that small face. Cheer up now. If anything, Shahzaib doesn't deserve you, I'll find you another husband. It's not the end of the world." Zunera tried to cheer her up jokingly but Wafa passed her a glare as she uttered those words.

Another husband.

Why did her heart break a hundred times just at the thought of it?

Will she get married again when Shahzaib divorces her?

Will he really divorce her?

"Shut up, Zuni," Humera whispered to her as they noticed the change in Wafa's mood.

"I want to sleep." She muttered weakly, feeling sick all of a sudden.

"Are you alright?" Her friends questioned worriedly, she nodded numbly, keeping the food tray back on the bedside table, "I don't want to eat."

"But you should eat your after-breakfast tablets."

"Please. I don't want to." She muttered weakly, curling into the blanket as her friends got up from the bed.

"Did I say something wrong?" Zunera asked sceptically, she whispered no in response, "I just feel tired. I'll be alright after a nap. I'm sorry for cutting this short. I'll make it up after coming back to college," Wafa apologized for asking them to leave indirectly.

"Awe. It's alright. Do you want to know something cool? Our little Humera is getting engaged." Zunera smiled and Wafa sat up with a jerk, forgetting all about her divorce and marriage.

"What! Why didn't you say anything?" A wide grin appeared on her face as she noticed the happy smile on her best friend's face.

"Yes. It happened so suddenly. Papa's politician friend asked for my hand in marriage. And I kind of had a crush on this guy. And it's so cool. I can't wait to get married," Humera gushed shyly.

"Oh my God, come here. Let me hug you," She pulled her friend into a warm hug, "I'm so happy for you. What is his name?"

"Rayyan Khan." Zunera smiled excitedly.

"We're going to hire a wedding planner to take care of all the arrangements from the scratch." Humera smiled softly with a dreamy look on her face as they broke the hug.

Wafa was almost envious of how excited her friend was about getting married. She too had those dreams once upon a time. She had dreamt of getting married and finding great love. But it all crashed down the lane when Shahzaib Hussain entered her life.

He shattered her dream of happy marriage.

She could never forgive him for that.

But he made it so difficult for her to be mad at him, with the way he cared for her. With the way, he stood up for her mother. With the way, he was simply being him.

It was hard to hate him.

"Anyways, you should sleep. You're worn out. But eat something. Otherwise, that husband of yours will have our head." Zunera laughed but stopped mid way realising that she spoke something wrong.

Wafa's breath hitched as her friend addressed Shahzaib as her husband. It was the first time she heard someone directly addressing him as her husband to her face and that was such an odd feeling.

Although, Shahzaib did care a lot about her well-being these days. He has simply defined it as friendship. And that annoyed her so much.

"Am I interrupting something?" A familiar yet unfamiliar voice knocked at the door, they looked up and saw the wide beaming face of Aliyah Hussain, standing in the doorway. She walked inside gracefully, "I heard that you were sick my dear. What happened?"

Zunera and Humera moved a bit to give Aliyah the space for talking close with Wafa.

"And who are these beautiful girls?" Aliyah smiled at her friends, who smiled back at her, "we are her friends."

"We were just leaving actually,"

"Don't leave on my account," Aliyah frowned, "no, auntie. We are getting late for college. We just wanted to visit her and now we should leave." Humera smiled politely.

"Take care of your health okay? Keep us posted." Zunera gave her a side hug from the bed and stood up. Humera too gave her another hug.

"Yeah. Drive safely." Wafa forced a smile, feeling uneasy at the thought of spending alone time with Aliyah. She was the cause of all of this. The one who was responsible for her and Shahzaib's marriage.

Soon after her friends left, Aliyah took a seat beside her on the bed. Wafa went stiff at that.

"I know I'm not your favourite person at this moment," Aliyah began with a sigh. Even in her old age, the woman has some grace about her. She still looked healthy and beautiful. Being rich has its perks sometimes.

"Why did you do this? You know Shahzaib was not the marriage kind of guy." Wafa began accusingly.

"He wasn't. But his heart has warmed up to you now, isn't it?"

"So what? He says we can only be friends. That's all I can ever expect from him." Wafa huffed, feeling furious at her for everything that has happened.

"That last time I came, you guys weren't sharing a bed. But now things have changed for the better I see," Aliyah grinned despite her sour mood. Wafa wanted to throw something at her for being this optimistic about their marriage when Shahzaib was just being kind.

"The sofa was uncomfortable and I was sick. He wouldn't let me sleep in discomfort."

They have been sharing a bed ever since that fateful night. Shahzaib insisted that they did, given her health condition. It still made her feel jittery and shy to think about it. But they got comfortable sleeping together though. It was too awkward on the second night.

"See. You agree that he's kind."

"So what Mrs Hussain? He is kind yes. But does it change anything?" Wafa muttered exasperatedly.

"He's a good man despite the rude pretence he puts on. And call me dadi like Shahzaib does." Aliyah smiled sadly.

Wafa was not going to call her that.

"Ever wondered why Shahzaib is so scared about marriage?" Wafa remained silent because she asked herself this question all the time.

"He has been through a lot. I partly feel responsible for letting him go through that silently. His parents gave him nothing but horrible memories right from childhood."

Realisation dawned upon her as she stared at Shahzaib's grandmother with a flabbergasted look on her face.

"Marriage for him is nothing but endless fights and arguments. That's how his parents have etched in his mind anyway." Aliyah touched her hands gently, squeezing them, "and all I'm asking you is little patience, my dear. Shahzaib is scared right now. He's worried you'll both end up like his parents. Fighting and arguing all the time."

"You can show him marriage shouldn't necessarily be like that. Show him how beautiful and heartwarming it could be." There was a hopeful glint in Aliyah's eyes. Wafa looked taken aback by her request. But it made sense now. Everything made complete sense.

Shahzaib was actually terrified of marriage for the said reasons and then their countless fights after the marriage have only given him more reason to end it sooner.

"But he wants to divorce me soon," Wafa whispered painfully.

"I bet he said that." Aliyah frowned, "he can be stubborn like that. But seeing how you're wearing his sweater and sleeping on his bed. I can say you've already made some space in his heart."

Wafa's cheeks heated up at those words. His grandmother was smart. She'd give her that. Not even her friends noticed the sweater. She has been wearing it every day now. Typhoid made her prone to coldness and she has been wearing it continuously.

It was kind of cute. And she loved the warmth it gave her.

"He hates sharing his things nor does he like to share a bed. But look at how you made him break his own rules" Aliyah smiled hopefully, "you've already made some space in his heart. He cares a lot about you."

"We are just friends." Wafa didn't want to get her hopes high. She was crazy to consider Aliyah's words. That old lady was nuts to think that she and Shahzaib could ever have a future. She can't let her guard down.

"At least there's that. Marriage shouldn't necessarily be all about love. It is also friendship. Friendship strengthens the marriage," Aliyah grinned hopefully, now more than ever.

Wafa wanted to scream at her for giving her this little glimmer of hope. What if Shahzaib didn't want her despite all that?

"I see what you're doing. Stop doing that. Be optimistic okay? I have trust in the magic of nikkah. You and Shahzaib were meant to be. And all I'm asking from you is little patience."

"But,"

"No buts. Just don't fight with him unnecessarily. I'm not saying don't fight at all. If he's being a pain, fight him by all means. But otherwise, don't give him more reasons to hate the beautiful bond of marriage. I just want him to be happy."

Wafa hated how selfish was Aliyah's request yet it made her hopeful and optimistic. Maybe their marriage could actually work, if she wanted it to work out that is.

Did she want it though?

***

The chillness of winter's air touched his cheeks as Shahzaib glanced at the backyard in the Hussain mansion calmly. His mind was everywhere these days. He has never been so disoriented before.

There was this one person responsible for his disorientedness.

Wafa.

He has never met someone so stubborn, so annoying yet so cute before.

It all started five nights ago. He remembered every second of it. He can never forget that night to begin with. Shahzaib had no idea what came over him to do all that he did that night. It was so out of his character. But it felt right at that moment.

He hasn't recovered from the feel of how soft her skin felt as he picked her up her into his arms that night, he didn't mean to do that.

Of course, he didn't.

He did not mean to snuggle with her like that either. But his mind was clouded with something crazy that night. He couldn't justify his own behaviour till this day.

He couldn't watch her in pain too. He knew hugging her would ease the shivering somehow and that's all he wanted to do. Give her body heat and ease out her shivering. But God, she was so perfect in his arms. Almost as if she was made just for him to hug. And he was mad at himself for thinking like that. He can't think of things like that. It could only complicate everything.

He didn't sleep a wink that night. What else did he expect anyway? It only hit him a few moments after he initiated the snuggle. Shahzaib realised they crossed something beyond friendship. He froze into her warmth, relishing how soft she felt against him. It felt so wrong yet so right. And he couldn't get himself to remove his hold from her either. It felt too warm and comfortable, which he hated to acknowledge.

To prevent the awkwardness, Shahzaib pretended everything was fine and made her breakfast the next morning.

Only things weren't fine anymore. It was so damn difficult to act as if the last night wasn't a big deal. Wafa had so many questions as well. But he silenced her with only possible explanation he could come up with. Friendship. He said he was just being a friend. His heart twisted by the look of disbelief she passed his way as he said that. But he couldn't complicate it more than that.

That didn't stop there though. The day went on and Wafa was pretty adamant about not sleeping on the bed but he made sure that she slept on it regardless.

Here was the thing, Shahzaib hated sharing his bed, but he was willing to let it go for Wafa's sake. She was uncomfortable on that damn sofa and he would be heartless to let her sleep on it when she was unwell. It was awkward on the second night but they got used to it on the third.

He also hated having so many people in his personal space. He was so annoyed when the twins came to visit Wafa. But he tolerated them only for Wafa's sake.

What did that say about him?

He didn't understand from where did he begin to care so much about her. They were fighting even before her fever began. But it didn't stop him from worrying about her.

He worried about her a lot. And that was scaring him so much.

So this was the magic of nikkah? A little voice inside his heart asked him.

God! He should stop taking his grandmother's words seriously.

She has messed up his heart and mind with all sorts of nonsense about marriage and whatnot.

"Shahzaib!" That little familiar voice took him off guard, he turned around to find the person who is responsible for his disorientedness, walking towards him with two mugs of something in her hands.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned her with a frown. It was seven in the evening. And the climate was not going to be in favour of her, given her health condition.

"You should stop treating me like I'm some fragile doll. I'm better now. Besides it gets boring to be on the bed all day long." Wafa sighed while forwarding a mug towards him. There was a different glow to her face as she smiled at him.

Gosh! That smile.

She has the most beautiful smile ever.

Why did he have to notice that?

"Black tea. Your favourite," She beamed widely, hugging the sweater that he gave her five nights ago. His breath hitched as he realised she has been wearing it all the time these days.

Wafa looked so adorable in his sweater. It reached her thighs. It seemed like she won't return it anytime soon and he didn't mind that surprisingly. That one looked more good on her than it did for him. Heat raised onto her cheeks as she noticed what he was seeing.

"Thanks for this," he whispered while nodding at the mug and they stood in silence, watching the plants in the garden. It was calming somehow.

"Why were standing here? All alone?" She questioned him softly whilst sipping her tea. He glanced at her sideways.

"I wanted some space, mom and dad were fighting again." Shahzaib sighed annoyedly. He hated them so much. They ruined the very idea of marriage for him.

"Oh. I can leave. I didn't know, I'm sorry." Wafa muttered worriedly, almost on the verge of leaving but he clasped her hand, stopping her from moving.

"Stay."

One simple word and everything seemed to have changed between them suddenly. The air around them grew thick with a little tension.

She gave him an understanding nod, "I will, as long as you want me to stay."

Shahzaib sighed, still not leaving her hand. It didn't take him by surprise that he began to crave her company more these days. He could say, they have gotten pretty close due to her fever. He got to spend extra time with her while taking care of her. He got to know her even better in the last few days.

Wafa was actually a good company when they were not arguing about something stupid. He had no idea where this was going to take them. What is happening to him these days? He eyed her hand again. She didn't take any effort to pull back from his hold as well.

He glanced at her face now, she looked a little better than in the last five days. Much healthier but still a little worn out.

"Are you okay now?" She smiled at his question.

"Thanks to you, I feel fine now."

"I didn't do anything special," He shrugged as he tightened his hold on her hand. She didn't seem to mind that but did pass him a glance as he did that.

"So, do you want to go to college tomorrow?" Shahzaib questioned her as they watched the stars in silence. The silence among them wasn't so awkward anymore. But it felt weird to think that they'll be seeing less of each other now that she has recovered from her fever.

He may or may not have started coming back home early these days for the sake of checking up on her. She'd be bored out of her mind by the time he'd return but he made sure that she was rested properly. And now he has no reason to come back home soon.

Once upon a time, he would do anything and everything to stay out of this house as much as he could. But he started coming back soon for Wafa's sake. He even took a day off on the second day. Something he didn't do in ages.

"Maybe. I was considering your offer of internship in the Hussain firms." Wafa's words took him by surprise. He was going to bring that by himself actually. There was no way he would let her work for the Reza firms.

Shahzaib glanced at her sideways and didn't hide his surprise,

"Wow. I didn't expect you to agree so easily. But I'm glad you agreed."

"I'll make arrangements for you. And you'll be working under me. I'll train you to be the best architect."

"Let's see." She grinned at him. He looked into her hazel eyes that were shining with excitement. But he didn't fail to notice the teasing tone she used while replying him.

"What do you mean by let's see? Are you doubting my abilities, Wafa Zaidi?" He raised his brows. 

She just looked at him playfully. He has never seen this side of her before.

"Maybe. I don't know how you work."

"You'll see that," he replied to her a little challengingly.

"I'm looking forward to that," Wafa smiled softly as the air brushed on her face, her hair seemed to disturb her a  little which he tucked behind her ears for her and he had to finally leave her hands. She went still at that moment. Clearly surprised by his actions.

Why the hell did he do that? Shahzaib groaned inwardly. She seemed to have the same question in her mind but didn't push him for an explanation. He was thankful for that.

"So, I wanted to thank you," She strolled towards the empty chair in the backyard and sat on it gracefully. He eyed the space beside her and joined her without any hesitation.

"What for?"

"For taking care of me these days, thank you." She passed him one of those beautiful smiles of hers and his heart skipped several beats as she did that.

"You don't have to thank me, Wafa. I'm your friend. Friends care for each other all the time," Her face shifted a little as he mentioned friends but she masked it away quickly.

There was this calmness again. They just sat there silently, not speaking anything else.

Shahzaib sighed, looking at the sky. There was something else that has been bothering him for so long and he was hesitant to ask this to Wafa fearing she won't be in favour of him. But he might as well ask her right now. It's better late than never.

"Wafa." He called her name softly, she glanced at him sideways, arching her mountain-like brows at him.

"Do you think it's possible for you to move out of this house and live with me somewhere else?"

His question has rendered her speechless as expected.

"What do you mean-"

"I'm sick of my parents Wafa,"

"I only came back to marry you. They still haven't changed much. And it annoys me. To see them fight all the time. I want my peace and quiet back, which I won't be able to get in this house for sure." He has been keeping this thing inside him for so long wondering if she'd move out for his sake. They weren't on great terms back then. He has always wanted to just get the hell out of this house.

"So you want us to move out?" Her voice was almost a whisper.

"Only if you're okay with that,"

Wafa looked thoughtful for a moment. She glanced at him silently with that deep hazel eyes of hers. There were so many questions running inside her head. He could see that but she didn't question him anything.

Shahzaib waited with bated breath as she decided her choice.

"I'll move out with you, Shahzaib."