Her birthday morning seemed to have passed in the blink of her eyes and it was already the afternoon, time to go home for the rest of the students but Wafa and her friends had some different plans.

The college has been hectic today and Wafa wasn't exactly looking forward to what will happen next. Her friends have made some great plans to spoil her with gifts and everything. They even reserved a booking in their favourite beauty parlour, for giving her some good pampering. It was just an excuse to go to the parlour for them, but they also demand her presence.

She hated this tradition every year. It makes her feel less knowing she can't do anything like that for her friends. It was a stinging feeling. A reminder of how poor she was.

But her friends never cared about that. They loved her without asking for anything in return. And she'd forever be grateful for having such kind souls in her life. It made her determined to get a good-paying job one day and return all these pamperings for them with her hard-earned money.

The days didn't seem far and Wafa was delighted just thinking about it.

"Come on, birthday baby. Smile a little." Zunera nudged her in the arms as they walked out of the college gate. Wafa smiled widely, thinking about everything she was going to do when she'd get a job and looked ahead of all the students who were surrounding her as they walked.

She noticed Anushey getting into one of her super expensive cars and turned to face her friends again. Anushey was in the same class as them. Thankfully the twins never liked her. Wafa can't imagine sharing her friends with such an egoistic person. No one in their batch liked her though.

"It's so strange. Like how can she be so prideful." Humera whispered as they walked towards the twin's car.

"Shush. Don't want to talk about her." Wafa held her bag sideways as she got into the car. Humera and Zunera followed suit.

Talking about her meant thinking about what has happened in the morning. And strangely enough, she is been doing only that all day. Her head could explode with the amount of thinking she did today. She sighed whilst leaning against the windows as the driver began the car.

"How long is this whole birthday thing going to take?" She turned to face Humera and eyed her suspiciously. The twins shared a knowing look and smiled innocently.

"Just till ten in the night we hope."

Wafa couldn't help but gape at them, "and when did I agree to that?"

"Come on, don't be like that. Call auntie and ask her permission. I bet she won't say no. She's such a sweetheart. We have so much fun stuff to do." Zunera whined like a child and her heart melted instantly. After all, they were doing it for her, she shouldn't be acting so ungrateful.

"Yes. Call her. Auntie will be cool with it. Just see." She narrowed her eyes at them but a small smile formed in the corner of her lips that made the twins squeal in excitement. She shook her head with a chuckle while calling her mother.

"Mama. Can I stay out a little longer tonight?" Eshal answered on the fifth ring and Wafa didn't bother beating around the bush as her mother wasn't allowed to use the phone for more than five minutes. It was a stupid rule Sania Hussain made every worker follow.

"Is it Humera and Zunera again?" Wafa could feel the smile on her mother's face even from here. She grinned whilst humming in yes.

"Bless them. They're such sweethearts." The twins looked pleased as they passed her smug smiles. She just rolled her eyes at them, "but what about Shahzaib?" Her mother paused in between, sounding worried.

Wafa's heart rate spiked at the mention of him.

"What about him?" She frowned a little. Eshal has a big soft corner for Shahzaib, she used to be his nanny after all.

Wafa remembered being envious of him as a child, seeing how much time he used to spend with her mother while she was asked to sit and play with the Hussain kid's broken toys in the servants' quarters. So far away from both of them.

That's where the resentment began. She never liked him. Why did he get to spend so much time with her mother while she didn't? It started making sense as she grew up. But her dislike for him just remained the same.

That was until today.

Gosh! Why was he not like his family? She thought he was. Why did he have to burst her bubble like that?

It would have been so much easier for her if only he was the rude and arrogant jerk that she assumed he was. But he was not like that.

Why was Shahzaib Hussain messing with her head so much these days?

"He's your husband. You should be asking his permission. Not mine." Eshal explained her calmly while Wafa grumbled annoyedly, "call him dear. Sania mam is asking for me. I'll see you in the morning then. Take care of yourself okay and be safe,"

Eshal hung up before Wafa could say anything further.

There was no freaking way that she was going to ask her husband's permission.

He wouldn't care anyway, her mind argued and the thought made her heart sting. Ignoring the hurt, she gave a small nod to her friends, telling them that she was in for staying out late.

They grinned eagerly.

She was not going to take permission from anyone. It wasn't like her so-called husband tells her his whereabouts.

And the afternoon seemed to pass in a blur as well but it was pretty entertaining and kept Wafa well distracted. She was glad for that at least.

Otherwise, her mind has been completely hijacked by the thoughts of Shahzaib Hussain. After what he did this morning, she wasn't sure if she can ever forget it.

"Did you like it?" Zunera asked as they got out of the parlour after three hours of pampering. Wafa smiled with a nod. She opened her phone discreetly and checked for any notifications. But there was none.

"It was so relaxing." Humera gushed.

They tried every package available there, it was time-consuming but relaxing in every sense. Wafa did not mind it but couldn't help the guilty feeling that she always has.

It was already nine when they got done with a movie and headed towards a restaurant.

"We could just go home. It's too much already," Wafa began to complain but the twins silenced her with just a staredown. She sighed giving them a hopeless look. They can be pretty intimidating when they look at her like that.

A waiter guided them towards an empty booth but her heart spiked abruptly as she noticed Shahzaib in one of the booths. Her legs paused for a second as she observed him. What was he doing here instead of being in the office, she couldn't help but wonder. He was not alone though. He had some company. A pretty gorgeous company in fact.

Why was her heart beating so fast all of a sudden?

And why the heck was she feeling bitter just by seeing him with some random woman? She could be anyone. A colleague, cousin, or friend. Anyone.

Why does it bother her?

It shouldn't, right? After all, she had no right to feel anything towards him. She was just a temporary wife. Wafa reminded herself for the millionth time that day.

"Is that Shahzaib?" Humera noticed him as well. She ignored the question while taking a seat in the empty booth which unfortunately was opposite where he sat. Can't she ever get a break from him?

"Who is that lady?" Zunera asked curiously as she placed her phone and purse beside her. The waiter passed them the menu and Wafa took it first as she chose the cheapest item from it.

She didn't want to burden them any more than they already did.

The twins were still eyeing Shahzaib not so subtly, who was yet to notice them. He was indulged in explaining something to the lady instead, they had a file in front of them. It was something work-related after all.

But Wafa couldn't stop the unsettling feeling in her heart. It was so irrational from her side but she couldn't justify her feelings that night.

And that woman was so gorgeous. She had a few heads turning towards her without even doing anything. Everyone noticed her beauty. Shahzaib must have too.

Why does it matter to her?

"Girls. We should get done with this and go home already," Wafa didn't mean to snap but she was done for the day, "stop looking at him and order something."

"Okay. Cool." Her friends seemed oblivious to her mood. She was glad about that. They'd get pretty annoying otherwise.

The dinner was delicious but much to Wafa's annoyance, Shahzaib didn't bat an eye towards them even if they sat freaking opposite to him. He was just so involved in whatever they were talking about. The lady laughed at something he just said, her jaw clenched as she got up from her chair abruptly, drawing her friends' attention toward her.

"Everything okay?" Humera asked her while Wafa was caught off guard. Why did she stand up again? She was clueless for a second.

"I'm done." Thankfully she was done, "I need to use the restroom."

Her friends nodded while their plates were still full. She shook her head knowing well that one of them was going to accompany her, "no, it's alright. I'll be fine. You guys eat."

Besides she needed this alone time for gathering her thoughts. It seemed to be everywhere this night. Especially since they walked into the restaurant.

"Are you sure?" Humera and Zunera asked at the same time and the three of them chuckled at the twin's thing.

"Positive," Wafa smiled and turned on her heels but her smile disappeared as she faced Shahzaib again. He was yet to notice her.

To hell with him! She thought annoyedly and walked towards the restroom.

Inside the restroom, she gave herself a much-needed pep talk and reminded her little mind that Shahzaib was not interested in continuing their relationship. The thought hurt her a little extra now that she knew he was not one of those rich jerks, but he was simply not interested in her.

Wafa stared at her reflection in the mirror with a blank face. She was never interested in Shahzaib but no girl will ever get over the hurt of hearing her husband say that he was not interested in her and that he wanted to end whatever they had, even before it began.

She couldn't blame him though. Her mother and his grandmother just got them married on a whim, it was destined to be doomed. But still, the hurt was fresh.

As the restroom began to get a little crowded, she walked outside to get some fresh air but her breath hitched as she came face to face with none other than Shahzaib, he looked surprised to see her.

"Wafa? Is that you?" He walked a little closer, just to confirm and her nostrils were hit with the familiar musk cologne.

Ugh! Can't she ever get a break from him though? Wafa groaned inwardly. All her pep talks went into the dust as she came face to face with him.

"Yes, it's me. I should get going. Carry on with whatever you were doing," she mumbled disinterestedly and began to walk away but he clasped her hands, stopping her from leaving.

Wafa eyed his hand that held hers. It just felt so natural, to hold hands like this. And that was scaring Wafa. What if she got attached to him and he just disappeared one day? She wouldn't let it happen. They need to stop getting close like this.

"What are you doing here? At this hour?" He eyed the wristwatch, it showed nine-fifteen.

"I could ask you the same question," She smiled not so innocently and noticed his eyes darkened.

"Just answer the question, it's so late and why did you not say anything to me," Shahzaib asked again as if they were the normal husband and wife, who shared their whereabouts with each other.

"Don't be a hypocrite, Shahzaib. Why should I tell my whereabouts to you? Did you inform me of coming here? No right. I don't have to say anything either." Wafa muttered with an exasperated sigh, "and stop pulling my hands like this."

That drew some attention to them. The tension was unnoticeable after all.

"Is this guy troubling you?" A young man of Shahzaib's age came towards them with a small frown. Wafa looked surprised to see the intervention.

"Uh, no. He is my- husband." She gulped while saying it aloud and noticed how Shahzaib's jaw clenched as he glared at the guy who supposedly wanted to be her knight. He tightened his hold on her hand, just to prove a point.

But gosh, it felt so weird to address him as her husband. Almost as if accepting what they've been trying to fight all these days.

"Yes. If you can please leave us alone. I need to discuss something with my wife," Wafa's heart accelerated at the mention of being his wife. Just wife. Nothing more. For the first time, he did not add the word temporary beside it.

It took him three weeks.

"Oh, my bad. Carry on." The guy looked sheepish as he left them alone and Shahzaib dragged Wafa to some deserted corner of the restaurant. She gasped as he pushed her against the wall, glaring into her hazel eyes. His arms were placed on either side of her. Not giving her the space for escape.

Wafa gulped, feeling nervous. Her breathing became uneven at this point.

"What was the need to put on a scene like that?" He gritted his teeth, she sighed exasperatedly, "what was the need to act all husband-like?"

Shahzaib gave her a disbelieving look.

"I was out with my friends for my birthday," She explained with an eye roll.

"You could have said this much earlier. Why is every conversation so difficult with you, Wafa?" He questioned her

"The point is that I don't want to have any conversation with you at all, Shahzaib. Is that so hard to understand?" He didn't seem fazed by her response.

"I should get going, my friends must be waiting for me. And you should go back too. That lady must be waiting for you as well,"

Something passed through his face as she said that and he gave her an amused look, "she's just a client whose house we will be going to build in the next few months."

Wafa was not expecting an explanation from his side and pretended to be nonchalant, "I did not ask for any explanation. You can hang out with whomever you want. I don't care. And you shouldn't care about where I am or how long I stay out as well. Because it's none of your business."

Shahzaib's eyes darkened yet again.

"How are you getting back home?" Instead of arguing with her, he decided to divert the subject. And she gave him a puzzled look.

"Whenever my friends are done. They'll drop me." Wafa tried to get away from his presence. She couldn't stand there, breathing in his intoxicating smell and acting unaffected. It was messing with her head big time and got too much at one point.

"I can drop you. It doesn't make sense if we are going to the same destination and take two cars." She wasn't expecting that reply either.

"What about that lady? Won't she mind?"

"She is just a client Wafa." "And she left a long ago,"

Wafa's cheeks turned red as she realised how bitter that must have sounded. Making her sound like she was jealous. Huh! As if, she thought with an eye roll.

"Your friends must go back home soon as well. It's pretty late," Shahzaib added making her sigh. What other options she did have?

"Okay fine, I'll say bye and come."

Humera and Zunera were done when she walked toward them and they gave her smirking looks as she neared them.

"Why are you both looking like that?" She asked confusedly, they just grinned, "what were you doing out there? For so long."

Wafa's cheeks heated up at the question, knowing very well what they meant to ask. She kept a straight face, " I'm going back with Shahzaib."

"Of course you are." Zunera and Humera looked at each other smugly, "guys. Stop overthinking. It's nothing like that."

"Sure. Whatever you say," The twins stood up as they were done and smiled at Wafa.

"And today was awesome. I didn't know how quickly the time has passed. And you both," she moved closer and hugged them, they grinned while hugging her back.

"You both are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I'm so blessed to have you both in my life. Thank you for today," Wafa mumbled emotionally as they broke the hug.

"Don't be silly. And stop saying thanks." Humera pulled her into another brief hug.

"We are glad you had fun. You deserve to be happy you know," Zunera smiled softly.

Wafa's heart exploded with happiness. Feeling thankful for having such amazing friends.

"Good night. Shahzaib must be waiting for me," she muttered abruptly, lest she'd end up crying like an ugly mess.

Wafa was not good at receiving so much love from anyone other than her mother. She had no one to shower her with that kind of affection until her college years and suddenly when she was getting it, it began to overwhelm her.

"Bye. Take care." The twins said at the same time and Wafa chuckled before walking toward Shahzaib. He was standing near his car. That she could identify anywhere.

He took her college bag from her hand and placed it inside the car and she didn't have the energy in her to question his motives. She was too tired and exhausted from the day.

"You're pretty close with them, huh?" Shahzaib questioned once they were in the middle of the ride. It was completely silent until now. Wafa looked at him in surprise before humming in response.

"They're simply the best. Even if they are five times richer than you guys, they never show it in their behaviour. They're so humble and kind," Wafa blabbered before she could stop herself and bit her lips as she realised what she said.

It was true though.

"Wafa. I'm sorry for what Anushey did this morning." Shahzaib apologized again sincerely. He didn't seem to mind her previous comment.

That was the second sorry on the same day. He apologized first to her mother and now to her. He sounded sincere both times.

"You don't have to be sorry. I hope your family realises money isn't everything." Wafa grumbled before turning her gaze away from him.

The air inside the car was suddenly very tense. She kept peeking glances at him, his side profile was just... gosh! She needs to stop thinking about him like that.

"Wafa!" Shahzaib broke the silence once again, as he continued to drive. She eyed him sideways, "yes?"

"Can we be friends?"

His question has taken her completely off guard. She gazed at him in utter disbelief, not knowing what to respond to. He stopped the car in a corner, waiting for her reply.

"You want us to be friends?" She questioned just to make sure she heard him right. He hummed in response, looking directly into her eyes. That was gazing at him with uncertainty.

"Why would I be your friend?" Wafa frowned at the absurdity.

Shahzaib winced at her tone, "Okay, I probably deserve the coldness. And I know I owe you an apology as well for the way I behaved when we first got married."

She raised her brows at him, "so where is it?"

"What?"

"Apology," She deadpanned.

"I'm sorry for everything, Wafa." Her face softened as she heard the genuineness behind his words. It took him three weeks but at least he knows his shortcomings.

"I know it was wrong of me to marry you and tell you that I'm not interested in staying married to you. You have every right to be mad at me and stay distant and cold."

She just continued to look at him blankly.

"But marriage is not my cup of tea, Wafa. Just the thought of it terrifies me. I'm sorry for getting you involved in this mess. I can't imagine us working out in the long run. No, it's not about the class difference between us," Shahzaib ran a frustrated hand through his hair as she continued to gaze at him. It's funny how he understood the questioning look on her face. If it was not the class difference, then what was it? She wondered numbly.

"It's just me, I don't think I'll ever want this marriage. I had to do it because of my grandmother. I'm seriously sorry for not backing out sooner,"

Wafa held herself back from not crying. It still breaks her heart that her life has come to this point. She had so many dreams about marriage and happy life. But why did he have to ruin everything for her?

"Will you ever forgive me?"

She didn't think she could. Wafa was not strong like that.

"I don't know, Shahzaib." She replied to him honestly and he smiled dryly, "of course. I understand that."

"Can we be friends though?"

"I still don't understand why was this a need?"

"I know I'm asking for too much. You can say no if you want to and I'll respect your wishes."

She glanced at him apprehensively.

"I mean it's so out of the blue" Wafa began but he cut her off in the middle.

"I hate to argue with you for every silly thing. It's not for me. I don't like fighting. We can avoid that if we become friends. That's what I'm assuming anyway. You don't even have to forgive me. We could just be cordial and be civil for as long as this relationship lasts,"

She gazed at him sharply, not liking his selfishness behind this. But she sighed whilst biting her lips.

"What if we fight even after becoming friends?"

"So do you agree to be my friend?" He asked a little too eagerly for her liking.

"Well, I don't know. Even I'm getting tired of our pointless arguments. I guess we can try being friends. Let's see how that goes." She looked away, feeling too overwhelmed.

"Thank you for being my friend, Wafa." Shahzaib looked relieved as he passed her a soft smile.

It was ironic considering he wants her to be anything other than a wife. It hurt her somewhere. But being friends with him didn't sound so bad either.

Maybe they could actually stop the pointless arguments.

From being his temporary wife to his friend. It sounded like a great improvement to her though.