The loud cheers of the audience erupted in the background as Wafa watered the plants. The dark clouds forming in the sky made it clear that it's going to rain soon. But she watered the plants anyway amd hummed softly whilst arching her neck and jumped when the six was replayed again.

It was the T20 world cup season. And Wafa being the hard-core cricket fan was having the time of her life. But something felt missing as she kept the spray bottle aside and walked back into the living room. She also grabbed a bag of potato chips from the kitchen and sat on the sofa half-heartedly. Her eyes moved towards her phone subconsciously, looking for any message. But there was nothing.

Shahzaib was running late.

She frowned at the door and then at the wall clock. He should be here by now, joining her for this match. They had planned this ages ago. When they finalized the date of their moving into this home. It sounded so exciting back then. To think that they'd be watching the world cup alone, in a new place.

A fond smile appeared on her face as she glanced around the living room whilst munching on the chips. It was not huge but gave a perfect homely feel. She put her heart and soul into bringing everything together for this home. It gave her a sense of comfort and contentment to finally see everything in its place. It was not what she expected when they moved out of the Hussain mansion.

The feeling was surreal. Wafa felt more welcome here than she ever did in the Hussain mansion. It was also scaring her a lot. Knowing well that her future in this home was uncertain. Her future with Shahzaib was uncertain. This could all just be temporary. It was very hard to digest. She can't get herself too attached. But she couldn't help it. Everything was just too perfect.

Her eyes go to watch the TV again. The match was a very interesting one happening in a while. Their team has almost lost even after having such a nice first half. But there was also no sight of Shahzaib yet which made her concentrate less. She couldn't get herself to enjoy it even.

You're so doomed, Wafa.

The match almost felt boring without Shahzaib's presence. It was their thing, watching it together as they argue over silly things. She missed having him beside her as the team scored yet another four. The audience was jumping in joy, celebrating an early win. Her ears perked up eagerly as the door knob twisted open.

He was home!

She thought excitedly but gasped as a very drenched Shahzaib walked into the living room. He was soaked in all sense. Her eyes went wide at his state, "what the hell has happened to you?"

His shirt was hugging his perfectly toned body, showing off all the muscles. And don't even talk about his broad shoulders. He just looked so handsome. Wafa's mind couldn't help her thoughts. She gulped as she neared him.

Shahzaib removed his smart watch and handed it over to her, "it rained. I'm sorry I missed the match. I got stuck at one of the construction sites. The engineers were throwing some unnecessary tantrums." He grumbled annoyedly, snapping Wafa from her blatant staring. Her cheeks flushed hard.

"It's fine. I'll get a towel. Stay here." She didn't want him to get all the floors wet. They don't have a housekeeper yet. She didn't mind doing the chores but would also avoid any unnecessary work whenever she could.

"Thanks," Wafa heard his voice in the distance as she walked into their room. She had to take a moment to compose herself. Because gosh. She was not prepared for feeling all those things.

Her heart is getting so unpredictable whenever Shahzaib is around. She needs to get a freaking grip on herself. But it seemed like such a difficult task.

Taking a fresh towel from their cupboard, Wafa walked back to the living room only to halt on her steps. Her breath hitched at the sight in front of her.

Shahzaib has removed his wet shirt and has tossed it in a corner.

She should technically be annoyed that he has made that place all wet but freaking hell, he was well... so damn distracting.

Was he planning to kill her today?

Heat raised onto her cheeks as she began to walk like a sloth. Taking slow steps towards him. Why is she so nervous anyway?

Safe to say, she has never seen him shirtless before. Not in their almost three months of marriage.

"Thanks," Unaware of the effect he had on her, Shahzaib grabbed the towel from her hand and began to dry his head. Their hands brushed for a few seconds making her feel goosebumps all over her body. It was like her skin was on fire.

Wafa couldn't meet him in the eyes. This was all too much for her. Feeling flustered, she decided to get back to the match but her feet gets twisted due to the wet floor and she stumbled on her steps, almost on the verge of falling but a strong pair of familiar hands pulled her close to him, just on time.

And now, she was plastered against his bare chest as he held her safely, "careful." His deep voice made her heart tremble. Her face turned deep scarlet red as she realized just how close she was to him. And his skin felt so hard yet somehow enchanting as she eyed them subconsciously.

"Thank you," Wafa stammered, trying to get off him but he held her tighter in response. She flushed more, looking at him with raised brows. An amused smile played on his lips as he gazed down at her. His earlier annoyance seemed to have disappeared now.

"Are you checking me out?"

"N-no. Not at all." She lied, feeling too embarrassed. Shahzaib's eyes darkened a little as he brought one of his hands to cup her cheeks, "your eyes tell me otherwise." Her toes curled unknowingly.

Gosh! This man.

"Shahzaib, let go." Wafa was starting to like his nearness too much for her liking. His intoxicating scent mixed with the rainwater was a killer combination. He left her instantly but she trembled while stepping away. He had to catch her again, this time a lazy smirk made its way.

"Looks like you don't want me to leave you." Her skipped a few beats at his teasing words.

"In your dreams," She rolled her eyes whilst fighting off a smile, finally moving away. He chuckled in response. The loud cheers from the TV caught their attention.

Their team won. It seemed like a great win. Everyone was jumping in joy. Wafa looked at the screen longingly, having missed experiencing the fun.

"I'm sorry again," Shahzaib apologized for missing out on their night. It was supposed to be fun but she spent the whole time waiting for him, unable to enjoy the match.

"It's fine. Go and get changed. I'll see if it's still raining." Wafa wanted something to distract her mind, "where are you going?" He caught hold of her before she could step out of their main door, "it's raining." He added the obvious.

"I know, I feel like getting drenched a little." A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she heard the thunderstorm outside. Shahzaib gazed at her like she has gone crazy. She might as well be going crazy. With all the mixed signals that her husband sends, she was bound to go crazy one day.

"Don't be silly, Wafa. You are going on this stupid trip in four days. You'll catch a cold," His voice was immediately laced with concern which made her insides feel warm. She was not in the mood to listen to him though.

"I'm aware of it, but you only live once." She grinned before walking out of the home, shivers ran down her spine as she walked into their porch and looked up at the sky. Her eyes automatically closed as she enjoyed the cold water touching her skin.

Wafa hugged herself, feeling giddy and content. When she opened her eyes, Shahzaib was standing in front of her. She looked up at him questioningly, taken off guard, "what?" She asked surprisingly. She didn't think he'd come out in the rain again. Not after getting soaked the first time around. But it looked like he has. Water droplets ran through his bare skin, making her gulp. Her eyes subconsciously move to check him out again. Gosh, those muscles!

It felt illegal to be this handsome.

"Aren't you done?" A teasing smile played on his lips.

"What?" She asked, trying to hide the mortification. Wafa had no idea what the hell was wrong with her. Why can't she keep her eyes off him?

"Done getting drenched?" He smirked at her while his hands goes to hold hers. She shivered at his touch but didn't try and pull back. They remained like that for a few seconds, eyeing each other. Standing in the heavy rain, whose pace seemed to have increased suddenly.

"Get back inside. I'll come when I want to," Wafa didn't mind the rain as much as she was minding Shahzaib's shirtlessness. It was making her heart feel unsteady. Her cheeks flushed as she eyed him again, the water droplets ran down his hair and onto his face. His messy wet hair became messier now.

"Stubborn as ever," Shahzaib grumbled under his breath, before she could comprehend what he was up to, Wafa was lifted off her feet and thrown onto his shoulders. A shocked gasp escaped her lips.

"What the hell, Shahzaib?" She smacked his back as he carried her into their home.

Their home.

When did she come to accept it as hers?

Her heart skipped several beats at that thought. And her cheeks were on fire as she felt his bare skin against her, this was crazy.

"Let me go, you oaf." She wriggles but he was completely unfazed.

He had finally dropped her. But it was in their bathtub, that too ever so gently as if fearing he'd hurt her otherwise. She gave him a disbelieving look. While he just shrugged.

"I didn't have any option. You were going to be sick." Shahzaib's eyes shone with mischief but there was also hidden care beneath them all.

Wafa didn't really know what to say. He has rendered her speechless like he always does.

"I'm so mad at you." She huffed while standing up.

"Yeah." He chuckled like he was not buying it while she narrowed her eyes at him, "get changed. I don't want to worry about your health while you'll be staying a hundred kilometres away from me."

She opened her mouth to argue but he gave her one look, "get changed, Wafa."

"You too." She poked his shoulders and walked past him, "and don't come into the room while I'm changing."

"I'm not making any promises." He teased while she shuts the bathroom door with a grin. A shy smile appeared on her lips as she recalled the earlier moments.

She might have pretended to be annoyed but Wafa liked her growing closeness with Shahzaib a lot more than she'd like to admit.

It was also scary. To be so uncertain about what the future held. She wanted to be optimistic about their marriage but Shahzaib literally just wanted to be her friend. He didn't mention anything more than that. All these days, she was trying her best to ignore that big question mark of her life but she couldn't get herself to dismiss it today.

It was just his grandmother who instilled hopes in her heart which she has been hanging onto for all these days. But for how long? Wafa was too terrified to think of all the what else and what ifs.

The smile on her face fell instantly as she picked a random pyjama and stripped from her wet clothes.

Her heart seemed to be beating faster than ever.

She was too scared to question Shahzaib, worrying if he'd say anything which she didn't want to hear.

And suddenly everything felt too overwhelming and suffocating. She felt out of place in this room which she began to consider as her own. It was so ironic.

She didn't know how she let her guard down as easily. How could she be so careless?

It felt like she was living in a dream all these days and suddenly woke up to reality.

Wafa's phone rang, startling her a little.

"Hey, Humi." She answered the call, thankful for the distraction.

"Hi, waffles. Are you free now?"

"Not exactly, but what happened?" She put the phone on speakers whilst getting changed and sat on the bed. She heard the shower turn on from the bathroom as she leaned against the headrest.

"Nothing. I just ran into your buddy, Zaroon. He seemed like such a cool guy." Humera gushed excitedly while Wafa hummed.

Her friend then talked about random stuff for a while, she just listened to her absent-mindedly, on any other day she'd have joined in the conversation equally. But today, she felt numb.

Numb with all the realisations.

"And when were you planning on inviting me to your new home?" Humera's question took her off guard.

A bitter feeling erupted inside her as she imagined herself moving out of this house when their facade of marriage would end. It pained even to think about it.

"This is not my home, Humera. It never was. It's all just temporary." Wafa replied in an irritating voice.

It was so funny how she considered it as her own just a few minutes ago.

On what basis did you think it was yours? Her mind screamed at her and she didn't have any answer for it.

"What? Why would you say that? I thought you and Shahzaib were getting close and better?"

She closed her eyes, fearing she'd cry. Wafa hated crying over this matter. It made her feel weak.

"We got close for sure. But only as friends. He considers me just that." Her words sounded bitter even to her ears.

"Wafa." Humera trailed off sceptically while Wafa stared at her phone. It was still in speaker mode.

"He's not the only guy in the world okay. It's his loss if he doesn't want you as his wife."

"I told you already, I'll say it again. You are awesome and anyone would be lucky to be married to you. If Shahzaib didn't want it, it was his loss. But don't worry, okay? I'll find you another husband."

A grim chuckle escaped her lips. Wafa didn't think she'd be able to get over the heartbreak if they ever separate.

"No, I'm serious. Why should you waste your life? I'll search for a better guy than, Shahzaib. I think even Zaroon seemed like a nice guy. Don't you think?"

"No. I don't want to think about anything else." Wafa sighed sadly, "I'll talk to you later." She hung up the call abruptly and placed the phone beside her.

Unknown to her, someone else had also heard this conversation and was burning in rage.

Her ears perked up as he walked into the room. She didn't pay him any attention for a few minutes. Her heart took its own time in composing its inner turmoil.

She has been dismissing that stinking feel all these days, just going along with the flow but they snapped today. She couldn't go on forever in just some hopes.

Wafa wanted words. Words which said she was more than a friend, but sadly she was not sure if she'd ever get to hear that.