Shahzaib has never considered himself a family man. He loved having fun and just living his life in peace. His parents gave him enough reasons to stay steer clear of family and whatever related to it.

But with Wafa in the picture, he was beginning to question his motives in life. She made him want things he never considered a need before. He wanted a family with her. He had no idea where did that thought come from, but he just knew he wanted one with her. It was so terrifying yet so tempting. He was scared but his heart wanted him to take the risk.

A fond smile played on his lips unconsciously as he sat in his office, staring at his laptop, doing anything but work. It's been two weeks since they shifted from the Hussain mansion and God, it was the best two weeks of his whole life combined. He didn't have to see his parents fight all the time, and also, he got to spend more time with Wafa.

Wafa. Wafa. Wafa.

His mind could only think about her these days. It's the little things she started doing for him that no one has ever cared to do, that were making him more and more drawn towards her.

His mind was totally conflicted by trying to decide if he wanted to stay married forever.

He don't know what he wants anymore. He has been confused ever since Rayyan's engagement.

Once upon a time, he had dreaded the very thought of marriage. It was not easy with Wafa either. But there's something about her that makes him want to still keep going. She gave him new hopes.

Hopes that are terrifying yet so beautiful.

But then there were also his fears.

He knew he was being a fool by giving his insecurities more importance but he didn't want to end up like his parents. It was frustrating.

"Wow, what a sight I have walked into." The familiar voice of his cousin snapped him out of his dazed thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" Shahzaib straightened himself as Rayyan sat in front of him on a chair, looking pretty smug about something. He knew what is it about but still, he kept a straight face.

"You're not working," Rayyan teased with a smirk, Shahzaib kept a straight face, "I was working,"

He shook his head, trying to act nonchalant and looked at the laptop but it has been in sleep mode for whatever reason and that made him want to hide somewhere, it was embarrassing. He always worked, but maybe not anymore. He was so lost.

"Of course, you're working," Rayyan laughed sarcastically, "okay, enough. Shut up." Shahzaib grunted in annoyance, his face was flustered because of being caught red-handed in his lie. And he rarely lies. What is happening to him?

"We had plans for lunch today. Did you forget it already? You said you'd book a table for us at our favourite restaurant,"

"What? Wh- Oh yes. I didn't forget. When are we going?"

He totally forgot about that. And Rayyan seems to know it somehow.

"I'm happy for you, Zaib." Shahzaib shut his laptop down, knowing well that there was no use in it now. He might as well accept that work doesn't keep his interest anymore.

Once upon a time, his whole life revolved around this office. It was ironic how time changes people's priorities. His number one priority was her these days. And he said she was just a temporary wife. Ironic indeed.

Rayyan smiled at him, "we never imagined this marriage was ever going to work. You were practically forced into it. But look at you now," His cousin added with a chuckle.

Shahzaib smiled despite himself.

"And you're smiling," Rayyan looked genuinely pleased but somehow it was offending for Shahzaib.

"What do you mean? I smile all the time."

Rayyan threw his head back and laughed, "I'm sure you do. But not quite like this. Smiling with all your heart as if you really mean it,"

Shahzaib opened his mouth and closed it because God dammit his cousin was right. Wafa made him smile with all his heart.

He is so doomed! How the heck did that happen?

"It's all unexpected but you deserve to be happy, Zaib. You of all people, deserve this happiness." Rayyan was one among the few who really knew how much his parents have affected him mentally and emotionally as a child. He has been there for him in his lowest times. That's why he means a lot to Shahzaib.

"I never expected it either, I was actually ready for divorce and everything. And suddenly, my life seems to be more meaningful with Wafa in the picture,"

Shahzaib shuddered at the thought of divorce now. He couldn't believe he wanted one so badly not so long ago.

The thought of letting Wafa go was aching his heart, even in his imagination. What has gotten onto him?

First, he wanted a family with her and now a forever. These are both the things which he never wished to pursue in his life. Why was he so confused? Shahzaib couldn't decide what exactly did he want. Wafa was making him go completely crazy.

Rayyan gave him a knowing look, "it all worked out well. So be thankful for it and cherish what you have. Don't be stupid and let this happiness go. You're such a fool if you think about divorce after all this." There was an unknown bitterness to his tone and Shahzaib raised his brows, looking at him suspiciously.

He completely ignored the advice beneath it.

"Are you not happy with your marriage, Ray?" He finally asked that question which has been bothering him for a while, his cousin shifted uncomfortably when he asked it, "yeah, I mean, It's cool. Doesn't matter if I'm happy or not."

"Of course, your happiness matters too, Ray." Shahzaib saw this coming and yet it was a shock.

"It is a political marriage, what did you expect?"

"So mamu is forcing you into this or what?" He asked cautiously, knowing well about his cousin's anger issues. Rayyan looked extremely furious for some reason.

"No one forced me, I willingly chose it and I feel it's the biggest mistake I've ever done. I can't back out now. Everyone knows about the stupid engagement." Rayyan sighed frustratedly.

Shahzaib stared at him in surprise, "just try and ask mamu once. He might understand."

His cousin snorted at that, "did you think I didn't try that? Papa straight away refused saying, I should just accept it as my fate. His party and reputation are more important than his son's feelings. He doesn't give a damn."

"Do you like someone else?" Shahzaib stood up from his chair, looking astonished.

"You know what, I'm not in the mood for any lunch. Let's meet some other day." Rayyan too got up, ready to leave abruptly. His behaviour was so confusing.

"Rayyan wait," Shahzaib stopped him before he could march out of the office. His cousin stopped, although reluctantly.

"Don't hurt Humera in all this," He didn't know why he felt the need to defend her, who is practically a stranger to him but he just knew he had to, "she is a kind person. What was her mistake if you suddenly don't want to marry anymore?"

Rayyan frowned at him and grunted, "you don't know anything,"

"She means a lot to Wafa. If you hurt her, you also hurt my wife. And I don't want anyone hurting my wife, even unknowingly."

Shahzaib didn't even realise when he started using the term wife like that, but it came naturally to him.

His cousin gave him a frustrated look before walking out of the office, Shahzaib frowned at his retreating figure. He knew that he has upset him but he also knew that he was not in the wrong. Rayyan seriously needs to figure things out before he plays with someone else's feelings, even unintentionally.

Which was ironic considering even he was going to hurt someone just because of his own selfishness.

He was such a hypocrite.

With a sigh, he walked back to his chair and stared at the laptop for a second, knowing well that he is not going to get any work done, he decided to go back home for the day.

Home!

He loved his home. That was another first. In childhood, the home was the place he always dreaded going to. But he was grateful that things have changed for the better.

He loved the peace and calming routine him and Wafa had fallen into these days. It felt just so perfect. He didn't think he'd ever have to not do those mundane things with her again. But it could be possible if their marriage ended.

An uneasy feeling erupted inside his heart as he picked up his things and walked out of his office, messaging his Assistant manager to take care of everything in his absence for today.

But what he didn't expect was seeing Wafa in the office. After that day he never thought she'd come back here. He blinked his eyes, thinking that he was just imagining her but she was very much real.

Dressed in a brown-coloured Kurti and white plazoo, Wafa looked breathtaking. Even the simplest things look good on her. She could pull off any look. He stood there for a few seconds, simply admiring her from a distance.

Shahzaib couldn't express how happy he felt about her sudden visit. He was bursting with excitement just at the sight of her. He forgot all about his confusing thoughts, worries and just concentrated on her, the very reason for his confusion.

Her beautiful laughter echoed in the room but his eyes darkened as he noticed how his staff Zaroon was getting a little too friendly with her. Lately, they have been on great terms as far as he knows. There was an unknown bitterness that surged through him as he approached Zaroon's cubicle. The rest of the staff began to go silent as he approached them both. He could feel everyone's eyes upon him.

Wafa practically jumped as he placed his hands around her petite waist, she gave him a startled look before relaxing with a shake of her head, "you scared me,"

Zaroon stood out of respect and also a little fear as Shahzaib glared at him while pulling Wafa more into him, "get back to work."

"Yes, Mr Hussain."

He only had to glance at the rest of them and they moved back to continue what they were doing. Sometimes it was fun to be this intimidating. His face softened as he glanced down at Wafa, "what are you doing here?"

She gave him her bright smile in response, "I just wanted to visit you."

His heart soared at her reply. No one cared enough to pay him such visits apart from Rayyan or Alyna, he didn't let anyone into his life that easily. Wafa's visit meant so much to him than he could have imagined. She was starting to break all the walls that he has built before him without even realising it.

"Let's go to my office then," He muttered whilst walking towards his office, she followed him along with her pretty smile.

Shahzaib was a secret fan of her smiles. She has the prettiest smile he has ever seen. He didn't think he ever told her that before.

He pulled her into an immediate hug as soon as they stepped inside his office. She hugged him back without any hesitation. After that night, hugging has become a new normal between them and he was so glad about that. He could hug her forever, and she fits into his arms so damn perfectly, "I'm so glad you came,"

She smiled in response as they broke the hug and he missed her warmth almost instantly but gosh that smile.

"Do you know that you have the prettiest smiles?" He decided to be brave and admit it aloud and noticed how she went completely red. His compliment affected her more than he thought it would.

"Um, well. Thanks." Wafa played with the small bag in her hands, whilst trying to fight off the blush but she can blush pretty easily. She was also nervous.

"You don't think you have a good smile?" He teased while pulling out his chair for her, she raised her brows at him as the nervousness gradually left her.

"You mean I could sit here? On the CEO's chair?" Her wide and curious eyes were so cute. He chuckled before nodding in yes, "it's just a chair."

"But it's the CEO's chair," She argued while he gave her a shrug, "so what? You're the CEO's wife, you can sit here."

Wafa was stunned by his response. She opened her mouth to talk but couldn't say anything. Shahzaib fought off a smile as he noticed how he has rendered her speechless, literally.

She had a comeback for everything otherwise. His little firecracker.

His? When did that happen? His heart screamed at him.

"Sit down. It's just a chair," he made her sit on his chair by himself. Shivers ran down his spine as he touched her shoulders to make her sit. She was left wordless again as he passed her a smile before taking a seat at his table opposite her.

Wafa looked hesitant for a second but relaxed herself pretty quickly and leaned back into his chair with a cheeky grin, "the seat is so soft,"

She was adorable. He couldn't help but smile more.

"Why did you suddenly visit? Not that I'm complaining or anything," They both laughed, "I left early from college. And I was bored. So I thought I'll visit you quickly and leave," She grinned.

"You can visit me whenever you want, you know," Shahzaib smiled fondly, feeling ecstatic at the thought that she wanted to visit him in her free time even for a few minutes. It meant that she has missed him. It just hit differently.

What are you doing to me, Wafa?

"And I here I was worried that you'll be too busy with the new project," Wafa chuckled, "never too busy for you," he replied instantly.

Heat raised onto her cheeks as he said that. Shahzaib was no fool, he knew how much his words have started affecting her these days. Yet, he couldn't stop himself from giving her these mixed signals.

"That's great," She rolled her eyes playfully, and the blush continued to remain on her face.

"Although I never wanted to step back into this office, Zaroon was joking about it too. But Stella is no longer in the picture and I realised it's stupid to hold grudges for petty things," She sighed while rolling on his chair, a wide beam appeared on her face as she did that.

Shahzaib's face changed as she mentioned Zaroon. He just didn't like how that guy wanted to be her friend. Once upon a time, he was just her friend too. Who was he kidding? He was still a friend to Wafa. He made it clear to her that it was all he'd ever be. So why was he getting second thoughts now?

Why was he jealous of the fact that some other guy wants to be her friend?

Everything was so confusing.

Being friends with Wafa was the best thing that happened to him. He couldn't imagine having to share that with someone else. He wanted them all for himself. Her silly jokes, and beautiful smiles. He wanted them all.

And that was such a scary realisation it made his heart freeze for a second.

"What happened? Everything alright?" Wafa questioned him while continuing to roll the chair childishly.

"I know you were the one who destroyed Stella's work," Shahzaib muttered the first thing that came to his mind. He couldn't possibly share all his worries with her, while Wafa was sheepish and didn't meet his gaze.

He stepped close to her and stopped the chair from rolling with both his hands as he held the armrest, she gazed up at him in surprise, her sweet fragrance hits his nostrils as he leaned down towards her.

"You did that, didn't you?" His voice turned husky unknowingly, she blinked in yes, unabashedly.

"So did I get her into trouble?" Wafa seemed to have composed herself pretty quickly as she stood up from the chair. He chuckled despite himself. She could be so petty that it was crazy.

"Pretty much. Yes. I made her redesign the whole draft before giving her the final payment," She beamed in response, looking very pleased.

"You should be thankful that I saved you from huge trouble. I mean who does that?" He shook his head in pure amusement. No one could have gotten away from what she did.

"Anyways, should we go somewhere for lunch? I'm starving," She changed the subject but he frowned at her a little, "why didn't you tell me before? Let's go, come on."

"Woah, slow down. I'm not that hungry," Wafa laughed as he clasped her hands and started walking out already. He slowed down a little, "I also wanted to talk to you about something else." She added eagerly. They stopped near his door.

Shahzaib raised his brows, still not leaving her hand, "what is it?"

"Our college is taking us on a field trip. And I have to get my parent's or guardian's signature. I don't have a father and my mother is back in the Hussain mansion, I thought you could sign it for me,"

His face paled at the mention of her dead father, who was the main reason why he got married to her in the first place. Bitter memories came back to his mind, followed by their wedding. He also recollected why he wanted her to be just a temporary wife.

"How long will you be gone?" He found himself asking her. Shahzaib was not prepared for this trip down memory lane. It made him just as bitter and angry.

"A week. It's going to be so much fun. I left the papers back at home. You'll sign it, right?" Wafa was so excited apparently but his heart clenched at thought of being away from her for a week.

Shahzaib can't fathom the thought of staying away from her even for a week. It was making him crazy.

It was high time that he does something about his conflicted emotions. He needs to sort out his priorities sooner, otherwise, there could only be regrets.

***