It was going to be midnight in a few minutes and both Wafa and Shahzaib are sound asleep in their respective places.

Wafa was going to fall from the sofa as she lay on its edge, resting carelessly. Sleeping on the sofa was not the most comfortable experience. Their deep and peaceful slumber was disturbed by a loud ringtone that woke her up with a jerk. She was confused for a second wondering what the heck has happened. It sure wasn't her ringtone. But looking at the caller ID, she sighed hopelessly.

"What is wrong with you, Zuni? Why would you do that in the middle of the night? What's that horrible music that you changed as my ringtone." She grumbled annoyedly while staring at the wall clock and then her eyes automatically moved to the person who was sound asleep, despite the loud ringtone.

Wafa's breath hitched as she gazed at his sleeping figure, he slept in an uncomfortable sitting position. Like he didn't mean to sleep but slept without realising himself. He didn't even remove his spectacles.

It almost felt illegal as she noticed how good-looking he was, even while asleep. His lashes were long and beautiful, making her almost envious. Why do most boys have such long and good-looking lashes? And gosh that jawline!

She snapped back to reality when her friends yelled in the call, "what happened, Wafa? Are you there?" She bit her lips, feeling embarrassed by her blatant staring. What was wrong with her?

"I'm here, just got zoned out. Sorry." She murmured sleepily, turning her gaze away from him. Who was still sound asleep albeit an uncomfortable one.

"Happy birthday, idiot!" Zunera wished excitedly.

"Yes! Happy birthday, my dear waffles. You're freaking twenty-two! How does that feel to become so old?" Humera yelled in between, Wafa was blank for a second but a small smile adorned her face as she realised it was indeed her birthday.

"Thank you, Zuni and Humi." They call her exactly at twelve every year for the past four years and yell into the phone just like this. They were so precious and Wafa felt lucky to have such wonderful friends, who sacrifice their sleep to wish her on her birthday exactly at twelve. It was so silly yet so thoughtful. It meant a lot to her. 

"But it's not that old!" She mumbled sleepily while standing up from the sofa. A yawn escaped her lips as she rubbed her eyes.

"We are going to have so much fun tomorrow." Zunera laughed while Wafa yawned once again, she was still very sleepy and tired. The last two days have been so exhausting.

"Can't wait," She said with a straight face, not sounding excited at all. Her friends booed her for her unenthusiasm. She sighed whilst trying not to fall asleep as she slumped back on the sofa.

Who even invented the idea of wishing at midnight? He must have no sleep, Wafa thought grumpily.

"Okay, we know you're a sleepyhead. It's your birthday, so we're letting this pass. Good night," Wafa hummed before hanging upon them. She lay on her face, trying to fall asleep again. 

"Ugh!" She sat up straight and eyed the clock once again. It was 00:08. How was she going to fall asleep again?

Her sleep disappeared completely now. Thanks to her wonderful friends!

Wafa has this bad habit of not being able to fall asleep easily once she wakes up, it was so annoying in times like this when sleep was the only good thing that she looks forward to.

It helps her forget about how messed up real life has become, with her being married and all.

Her eyes travelled towards the bed once again. Shahzaib still had his spectacles on. He uses it only when he gets headaches. Something that she has come to notice in their three weeks of marriage.

It will be a little painful if he slept throughout the night with his glasses. That's what Zunera once told her anyway. Both the twins wear glasses, so she knows a few things about them.

Debating if she should remove it for him or not, Wafa got up reluctantly and moved towards the bed, paused near him. Her hands began to shake as she neared his face. But just as she was near it, she pulled back and bit her lips in anxiousness. What if he woke up?

They weren't speaking much since his birthday party after the argument about her saree. It was the day before yesterday. Wafa didn't want to change anything right now. It was so much better if they didn't speak at all. Not that they spoke that much before.

And it shouldn't matter if he slept with specks or not. She shouldn't care about his pain. Thinking that she was just being stupid, Wafa turned around to go back to sleep but a strong pair of hands clasped hers, stopping her from moving.

Her eyes closed for a second, feeling the embarrassment of being caught red-handed like this. She bit her lips before turning to face him, his chocolate brown orbs were gazing at her questioningly. She tried to remove his hold from her hands but he was stronger than her.

What was she going to say to him now? Wafa wondered nervously. She should have just minded her own business.

"You can remove it. I don't mind," Shahzaib looked at her with a different kind of emotion that night. She gaped at him in disbelief while shaking her head, "What are you talking about? I was thirsty and wanted this water. Nothing else," She lied while pointing to the mug beside him on the bedside table and leaned in to take that for keeping up with her lie.

His eyes turned red in the darkness. He pulled her hand with force making her land on his lap, her eyes widened a little as she gasped in surprise, "wh-what are you doing?"

Wafa stammered in nervousness as he gazed at her intensely. Her cheeks turned deep red as she tried to get off him but she couldn't get herself to move. It felt like she was stuck.

"Stop lying to my face, Wafa. I know you didn't come to get any water," Shahzaib glared at her, "I don't like liars,"

She gulped feeling stupid, "how would you know that? It wasn't like I'm obligated to explain myself to you or anything,"

"And I don't give a damn if you like me or not," Wafa huffed whilst trying to get up from his lap but he encircled his arms around her waist, not letting her move, and her cheeks heated up suddenly, "you can remove this first and go." She stared at him pointedly.

"Stop playing games in the middle of the night, Shahzaib. I should sleep." He just grinned obnoxiously as if enjoying whatever was happening.

"I don't want your efforts of coming from there to here to go in vain," he eyed the sofa and then at his bed smugly, "just do it, I don't mind."

Wafa's patience was being tested greatly and she was mad at herself for even thinking about doing something for him in the first place. What was wrong with her? She scoffed while eyeing him with such an intense dislike.

"You're awake now. You can remove it yourself," She remained stubborn.

"So you do accept that you came here to remove this," he grinned at her angry face.

"What's the point of having this conversation at this hour?" She grimaced, "the point is that you are lying and I don't encourage that." Shahzaib was no less than her. He was equally adamant.

"Ugh. What an idiot," Wafa grumbled whilst removing his damn specs. Her cheeks heated up again as she realised how close and intimate they sat.

Shahzaib looked at her with a smirk as she got up from his lap and threw the spectacles on the bed.

"You are so annoying. Infuriating. Ugh. What was I thinking, trying to help you from the pain?" Wafa stopped midway as she realised her blunder and of course, he was gazing at her smugly with a knowing look on his face.

"So you were helping me after all. I thought you were thirsty,"

"Shut up, I'm so mad at you,"

She huffed whilst marching towards the sofa and lay down uncomfortably, facing away from him.

Wafa groaned into the cushion as she heard his obnoxious laughter.

"You're so entertaining sometimes. Annoying but entertaining." He said in between the laugh. Oh, how she wished to just strangle him right now.

"And happy birthday, Wafa." His voice was low, as if he was hesitant to wish but wished her anyway. She felt a little guilty for not wishing him on his birthday.

"Let's go back to not talking with each other. It was much more fun," Wafa sat up with a jerk and glared at him.

"Now what's the fun in that," Shahzaib grinned looking very pleased to get such a reaction from her.

"Don't you have work tomorrow? I'm sure you do. I'm going to sleep now. Stop disturbing me," She lay down again but heard him speak, "look at you, worrying about me like a good wife."

"Seriously! I don't freaking care about you, I'm not your wife. Just a temporary one, remember?" She glared at him from the sofa.

Shahzaib's jaw clenched at her response.

There were no further words exchanged for the rest of the night but they didn't sleep well after that either.

***

Wafa was stumbling on her steps the next morning as she walked downstairs. She felt like a zombie, who was deprived of sleep. Just as she was about to slip, the familiar pair of muscular tan hands held her safely.

Why was he becoming her knight these days? There was no need.

She felt goosebumps all over her hands as she gazed at him softly. Shahzaib looked at her with concern and slight irritation, "can't you see and walk?" She pulled away from his hold instantly and stared at him for a second before walking towards the kitchen.

It was better if they just ignore each other.

She could feel his sharp gaze upon her but did not turn around and give him any attention. Wafa can't get herself used to his care or concern. He might be a caring man after all but she reminded herself that he was just another rich boy who had everything given to him at the snap of his fingers and that she hated such people.

With a determined look, she walked toward her mother and smiled at her warmly. She was in the middle of cooking something but paused everything and gave her whole attention.

"Happy birthday my baby," Eshal hugged her tightly. Wafa smiled in between the hug.

"Thank you, mama."

"This dress looks beautiful on you, Masha Allah." Eshal grinned as she gazed at her dress. Every year on her birthday, her mother would gift her one gorgeous hand-stitched dress and the tradition followed even this year.

Her mother did that because they wouldn't have enough money to buy her anything else and Wafa didn't mind it as long as she had her mother's blessings and love.

"Its stunning and you did a great job, as usual, mama. Thank you for this." Wafa grinned happily as she did a little twirl.

Eshal had the talent of recreating the same thing and making it into another cute dress. All she needs was model photos and inspiration. But her talent went to waste as she spent her life serving the Hussain family.

Wafa smiled looking at her mustard yellow Kurti which was a remake of a designer suit but the only difference was its cheap material. It didn't matter. She appreciated whatever little her mother made for her.

"I also saved up some money to buy this for you," Eshal grinned as she pulled out an elegant pendant from her pocket. Wafa stared at her mother in awe. It's been so long since her mother has gifted her something other than a dress.

"Mama, what was the need for it? You could have bought some medicine in this" Wafa began to complain but her mother didn't seem to care as she already made her wear the pendant and it looked so good on her.

She smiled despite wanting to protest.

"Ew! Look at that ugly-looking dress." Anushey made a face as she walked into the kitchen to grab a drink.

Eshal shook her head and asked Wafa to keep quiet, who was fuming in anger. How dare she?

"And where did you steal that pendant from? I bet you fooled dadi into giving this to you," Anushey stared at her pendant pointedly.

It was like she couldn't believe Wafa can own such a thing.

Typical rich people! God. She hated them.

"And you, why are you standing here and wasting time? Did you pack everyone's lunches?" Anushey turned towards Eshal and questioned her arrogantly.

Wafa clenched her fist, trying hard to control herself. This was the root cause of her dislike of the rich. They are just so self-righteous and arrogant. Prideful about their wealth.

She absolutely hated how her mother was treated in this house just because she was a servant. It wasn't just limited to her mother but to everyone who worked under the Hussains.

"I'm done ma'am," Eshal spoke meekly.

"That doesn't mean you'll waste your time here. Go and clean my room then," Anushey bossed her with an eye roll.

Wafa so wished she could punch that damn face.

"Anushey!" A loud voice entered the kitchen at the exact same moment and everyone went into pin-drop silence as Shahzaib marched towards his sister with a frown.

"What is wrong with you?" He questioned her furiously while Wafa watched him in utter shock.

Was he by any chance taking a stand for her mother?

"Bhai. What did I do now?" Anushey rolled her eyes arrogantly.

"Is that the way you'll talk with your elder?" Shahzaib looked at her murderously.

"I talked normally only." Anushey folded her arms and stared at her brother without any fear.

"Anushey. Where are your manners?" Shahzaib gazed at her pointedly.

"What manners? I know everything Bhai. But she's just a servant. Why should I respect her?" Anushey shrugged like it was not a big deal.

Wafa's jaw clenched at her arrogant reply.

"You should respect her because she's a human being. At least she works for her survival. What are you doing? You can't do a single thing without papa's influence. She deserves more respect than you anytime and any day,"

"Bhai! How can you say that? You changed a lot. I don't know what this witch has done to you. But you're not my brother anymore." Anushey accused him while glaring at her.

"Get out of here, Anushey."

She left not before giving a murderous look to Wafa and her mother.

Wafa's heart began to race, feeling stupidly overwhelmed. She couldn't breathe suddenly. No one, not even a single soul has taken any stand for her mother in this house before.

She has lived here for as long as she could remember and her mother was treated way worse than this.

But why does it have to be Shahzaib who had to speak up for them? Why does she have to notice he was not like the rest of them?

Why did that make her happy?

Why was he messing with her head?

"Eshi aunty. I'm sorry about her, I didn't know she was like this," Shahzaib apologized to Eshal genuinely and her poor mother shook her head negatively as overwhelming tears rolled down her cheeks.

That's when Wafa realised how wrong she was about Shahzaib. He only lived in this house till he was fifteen. The constant fighting of his parents made him go and live with his cousin's family.

He only returned to the Hussain mansion recently. Precisely to get married to her. He'd visit here now and then but began to stay permanently only after their marriage.

He has no idea how horrible his family treated the people below them.

Wafa did a mistake by thinking he was just the same as his family- proud, rude and arrogant. But only he wasn't.

And that realisation seemed to have changed all the dynamics of her life, for she couldn't dislike him anymore.

That was one of the scariest realisations of her life. Considering he didn't want them to be married forever. Wafa can not develop any soft spot for him. But maybe it was too late for that.

***