Who could have thought that house shopping was going to be so tough? Not Wafa. It was fun nevertheless. Hectic but fun.

"Why do we need that?" Shahzaib held the cute lamp in his hands curiously, which she picked after fifteen minutes of inner dilemma. Seriously, it was so much tougher than you could imagine. Especially if you're a first-time house owner. You have this huge variety of things to choose from and everything looked nice enough at one point.

"It's for your bedroom, put that back." She turned around and narrowed her eyes at him, he has been of no help in this whole shopping thing. Without her, Shahzaib would be totally clueless. And the irony was they were purchasing things for him and not her.

Wafa could never imagine affording these things on her own though. It was a stinking feeling, which she was trying to ignore ever since they stepped into this gorgeous store.

Maybe one day I will afford them. A little voice inside her head encouraged her. She smiled to herself while walking around the home decor aisle aimlessly, the familiar pair of strong hands stopped her from walking. She could recognise his touch anywhere these days. It made her tremble slightly. Shahzaib Hussain had that freaking effect on her.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Shahzaib searched her face for any discomfort but she smiled in return while shaking her head, "you just got zoned out and began to walk away. Kinda creeped me out a little," He murmured making her sheepish.

"I was thinking something," Wafa shrugged. She didn't want to dwell on her insecurities and spoil the happy mood. They were so excited about this shopping trip. And ironically she hated shopping. But it was for Shahzaib and she wanted to purchase the best things for his first-ever home.

"What were you thinking?" Shahzaib moved the cart as they walked side by side. The store was mostly empty because it was a Monday afternoon. Wafa liked the calm and silence way too much.

"Nothing, leave that. Tell me how is this?" She picked a flower vase and looked at it keenly, he gave it a look, "I don't know. Everything looks good to me."

"You're such a great help," Wafa gave him a sarcastic smile while keeping the vase back, "why didn't you hire a home designer by the way? They'd have made it simpler for you. And we could be moving out sooner... As you wanted," She eyed him sideways while choosing doormats.

Shahzaib made a face as she was going to pick an ugly looking one, with a chuckle she left that behind and picked the one which was right beside it and he nodded in approval through his eyes. It matched greatly with the theme she pictured in her head too.

"Yeah, I could hire someone. Sure. But that wouldn't be the same as this. It's my first ever home and I want it to be perfect. It's going to be worth the wait when we set this up altogether," He smiled, making her insides feel giddy, it's the we in his sentence that melted her heart, "and you're doing a great job at this. You could try being a home stylist." Shahzaib smiled charmingly making her grin.

"You bet, I'll be a damn good one," She stopped midway near the furniture aisle. They haven't decided about the bed or anything yet. They were in the scratch right now and Wafa was seeing stars already.

Shahzaib eyed her sideways like he knows what she was thinking and they both burst out laughing, "come on, let's get it over with." He said and she followed him behind with an excited nod.

"How about that one?" She pointed to the brown colour bed, it looked cosy and had a great design but Shahzaib didn't look satisfied, "even I'm clueless, everything looks good here," Wafa murmured confusedly.

They looked at everything for a while and then the strangest thing happened.
Her heart almost stopped beating for a second as Shahzaib placed his hands on the small of her back, almost possessively. Her breathing became uneven as she glanced at his face, he looked angry at something and pulled her close to him.

She gave him a questioning look while his gaze was fixed on something else. She wanted to see what that was and it turned out to be a salesman, who approached them with a professional smile plastered on his face but his attention was completely on Wafa.

"How can I help you, ma'am?" That guy greeted her first with a look that said he is as hugely interested in her. Shahzaib's behaviour made sense a little. That guy was still looking at her with his heart-filled eyes. Men! She rolled her eyes.

Shahzaib cleared his throat moodily, snapping that guy back to reality. He looked embarrassed.

"Hi sir," that guy greeted Shahzaib, trying to behave professionally, "I want someone else to assist us. You can leave." He dismissed him without a second thought.

Wafa was crazy to think that this whole scenario was super hot. Shahzaib can be intimidating when he wants to be. And it made her grin.

What was wrong with her? Everything.

Lately, she's been taking a lot of decisions based on her heart and not her mind. This was not going to end well, she knows it too well yet she is willingly walking into this on her own.

Coming to think of it, Shahzaib has always been intimidating, aloof and moody. Only around her or her mother does he ever smiles with his whole heart. And she remembered too well about the smile that he gives to his business partners. They were too fake. Why was she treated differently?

Wafa did not want to get her hopes high but she had already, thanks to his grandmother. Aliyah's words were still running in her head. She sighed annoyedly before walking around the aisle, looking at a different piece of furniture. 

She missed the warmth of his touch almost immediately. But she needed a moment alone to compose herself. Her thoughts were everywhere these days. Especially after she fell sick.

It's been a week since that. A week of catching up with all that college stuff which she missed and then coming back to the house hunting and shopping things like this. She didn't get enough time to think if she even did the right thing by saying yes to the moving-out thing.

And then there was the internship, which she will have to join from the first of next month. Life has been hectic in all senses ever since Wafa recovered from the fever.

"Did I weird you out?" Shahzaib asked a little worriedly as he caught up to her, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have touched you like that without your permission. I know how much you hate it, I just got mad seeing him look at you like that. Like you were some eye candy."

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, looking very mad.

"I don't hate your touch, Shahzaib. It was before. I was annoyed with you at that time. Let's not talk about it," She shook her head, not wanting to indulge in the past memories. She remembered what he was talking about. It was at the birthday party. When she made it very clear how much she disliked his touch.

But the irony of the present was, that she was starting to like his touch and closeness a little too much. Oh, she was doomed. Alright.

"I thought you were upset," He sighed in relief. She gave him an amused smile. Why did he care if she was upset? Wafa wanted to ask so badly. But didn't get the courage to do it.

"Also, I look pretty okay. What eye candy were you talking about?" She glanced at him like he was joking and he gave her a disbelieving look in return. Seriously though, she was wearing her last year's birthday dress. It was a red collar-necked Kurti with cute black embroideries and her hair was left open, looking as simple as she can ever be.

"Stop it. You're gorgeous, I thought you were aware of that already." Shahzaib replied without any second thought making her cheeks heat.

Wafa opened her mouth but words fell short. She became so red, unable to meet his gaze, "Uh, thanks. Let's move on. Shouldn't waste time,"

If Shahzaib noticed what he had just said, he pretended it was normal between them. Only it wasn't. From when did they start giving each other compliments? Thankfully, the shopping kept them distracted, stopping her from thinking about it deeply.

She couldn't help but smile as they checked out a few more beds and mattresses, "Shahzaib, look at this."

"This will look perfect with your wall colour, ohmigod. It's perfect." Wafa gushed happily looking at the bed, "and then that white one can go to the guest room." She pointed to another one.

"It's perfect," He eyed her intently, making her pause. She was flustered. Why was his gaze making her feel like this lately?

"We will have lunch first and continue the rest of the shopping," Shahzaib added while taking out his phone.

"Oh yes, food! I didn't realise but I'm so hungry." She sighed while he pushed the cart towards the billing centre and made a note of both those beds, by the time they gave all the details about the address and everything, it became quite a while.

"I'm starving." Wafa looked at the menu and clicked her tongue. All those items were so expensive. She didn't want to make Shahzaib feel like she was a burden on him or something and so, she chose the cheapest item from it like she usually does when they go out with her friends.

"I'll take these," She told the waiter but was stopped by Shahzaib. He eyed her sharply. She raised her brows at him questioningly.

"Can you please give us a minute," he asked the waiter whilst not breaking eye contact with her, the waiter nodded politely and walked away. It was just them both at the table now.

"What happened?" Wafa gave him a puzzled look, Shahzaib poured himself a glass of water and drank it first, "I know what you were trying to do."

She acted nonchalant, "what?"

"Stop doing that, Wafa."

"Stop doing what?"

"I don't mind if you eat the most expensive item or the cheapest one. But I do mind it if you're ordering it just for the sake of it," He looked disappointed, she was confused by his reaction. Wafa didn't think he was going to notice that, to begin with.

"I might like that item. What is it with you?" She snapped, angry at being caught red-handed like that. It was embarrassing. Shahzaib didn't look fazed by her reaction.

"Look at me, Wafa." He held her hands from across the table, making her feel goosebumps all over her body. His hands were so warm and big, hers looked much smaller compared to his. She looked him right in the eyes, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden.

"I know these things matter a lot to you. But let me order something else. Money comes and goes. You're not a burden to me. Not at all," Shahzaib uttered gently, cautious about not wanting to hurt her feelings. He gave her hands a small reassuring squeeze, her heart could almost explode with the overwhelming emotions at that moment.

The waiter came back to take their order and Shahzaib ordered something for her just as he said he would, "you'll like this, I promise." He said to her as the guy left the table.

Wafa was moved by his observation. How and when did she become such an open book to him? Her friends never took note of such things.

"It's so simple for you, isn't it?"

"You don't understand what it feels like to not have enough money growing up. I'm not being ungrateful, gosh no. Your family paid for my whole education. I'm thankful for that. But they also made us feel less worthy just because we were servants. Like some kind of low life. I don't even work under them, they still treat me like crap. Those memories never fade away, you know." She sighed, looking away.

The hidden pain and bitterness came out of nowhere. Wafa never thought she'd be pouring her heart out to Shahzaib Hussain of all people. It was ironic considering he was one of the rich people that she hated so much.

But unknowingly her heart has made an exception for Shahzaib Hussain. That traitor heart doesn't know where this was going to take them. But she couldn't hate him anymore.

"Wafa- I'm so sorry," He held her hands tightly, now more than ever. His eyes looked red with fury like he was angry at his family for whatever has happened. Maybe he was.

Wafa just smiled bitterly as she looked him straight into his eyes. She was so mad now. Recalling all those awful memories.

"Your sorry is not going to erase all the wounds, Shahzaib. They made me turn into this insecure person, who is always conscious about what I'm eating or what I'm wearing when I'm around you rich folks. I just want to be treated as a normal human being sometimes, is that too much to ask for?" She blinked away a few tears, looking away from his gaze. It got too much suddenly.

"Wafa." He called her name softly, not speaking anything else. He didn't know what to say it seemed.

"I'm sorry. I got emotional. It's just my period. It makes me very emotional." Wafa removed her hands from his hold and drank a glass of water. She didn't know what the hell has gotten into her to say all that to him.

But as soon as she uttered the word period, Shahzaib's face changed colours. He stared at her with wide eyes.

"What? You're on your period? Why didn't you say it before? We could have postponed this trip some other day," Shahzaib's genuine concern took her by surprise. She opened her mouth to speak something, but words fell short.

"Are you having cramps? Wafa, you drive me freaking crazy sometimes." She laughed at the last line but he was glaring at her.

"My periods, Alhamdulillah are not that painful. It's like just another normal day for me." She couldn't believe they were discussing this in the first place. Aren't most men embarrassed while talking about this kinda stuff?

"Oh, thank god. You scared me there. Rayyan's sister gets the most painful periods and she drives us all crazy." He exclaimed with a nostalgic smile.

"I heard that name somewhere." Wafa tried to recall but couldn't remember exactly who it was.

"Yes. That's my stupid cousin. He is a great guy. And his sister on the other is a devil. Especially when she is on her monthly cycle." Shahzaib chuckled fondly, he had that same smile that he gives her or her mother. It meant they were really close.

"So Ifrah is your father's sister's daughter and these are your mother's brother's kids. That's quite a big family," Wafa muttered curiously.

"Yeah. I'm more close to my mother's side. So what about you?" He grinned at her, but before she could answer, the waiter brings their food to the table.

"These look yum," She eyed her plate in approval.

"They taste good too. Eat. You said you were starving," Wafa didn't wait any longer and took a spoon full of rice which she mixed with the prawn curry and ate in delight.

"So good," She grinned at Shahzaib, he nodded with a knowing smile, "what is that?" She eyed his plate curiously. Everything looked delicious. It should be, after all, they were paying so much for this.

"Butter chicken and biriyani. Here try some." He forwarded his spoon towards her like it was a normal thing for them to do. She gazed at him for a second wondering if he was joking. He hasn't eaten from the spoon yet, but he will after she tasted it. And that sounded so intimate just as she imagined.

Her cheeks flushed as she picked her own spoon and took a small amount of biriyani from his plate. He just shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal and went ahead to taste the prawn from her plate.

She stared at him speechlessly as he ate another spoon.

"These are delicious." He closed his eyes, enjoying the taste of the curry.

Wafa took a moment to observe Shahzaib.  He has been so different from what she has thought him to be. He was not the normal rich boy. There was so much more to him than that. The realisation was so scary.

He also had his sleeves rolled up, looking as handsome as ever. Another scary realisation.

"Why aren't you eating? Is it bad?" Shahzaib's words snapped her out of the trance. She shook her head before continuing to eat. Her heart skipped a beat as Shahzaib took another spoon of rice from her plate. He did love the dish a lot. She smiled seeing how comfortable they'd gotten lately.

This incident just tops everything.

"We'll split the plate. Half and a half?" She smiled as he nodded happily.

And so they shared the food.

The lunch was a total surprise. And it was delightful in every sense.

"That was fun. I liked the food," Wafa smiled as they walked near his car. Shahzaib pressed his keys and the doors were automatically unlocked.

"I'm glad. We'll go back to the house now. Let's continue the shopping tomorrow," Shahzaib added and she didn't even want to argue with him. Even if she doesn't get any cramps, the periods do drain out her energy quickly.

"Here," He opened the door for her and smiled as she sat inside swiftly.

Wafa couldn't help the ridiculous smile as Shahzaib rolled down the windows instead of turning on the AC.

"Thanks," She murmured almost inaudibly, but he did hear it.

"AC makes me sick." She glanced out of the window, enjoying the natural air touching her face.

"I know,"

His words did something to her heart.

She smiled as he played some song. It was Closer by Chainsmokers.

"Is it okay with you?" Shahzaib asked while she nodded with a laugh.

"What is your favourite genre?" Wafa questioned him curiously as the beats of the music invaded the car.

"Anything with good lyrics." They both laughed at his words.

"Wafa!"

"Hmm?"

"I know my sorry is not going to change anything but I'll make sure my family never disrespects any other servant just because they can,"

His words sucked her breath. Weren't they over with this conversation already? She glanced at his side profile with an intent look. Daman, that jawline! He looks so fine.

"That will be nice. I don't want another Wafa to emerge because of them. The one who is so insecure and feels like she could never fit in."

"But can we please forget we had that conversation? I didn't mean to say all that." Wafa grumbled in annoyance. She had no idea what came over her to pour her heart out like that.

"No, I'm glad you told me about it. I can understand you better now," Shahzaib's words took her by surprise. But she didn't say anything.

The rest of the ride went in silence as the music played in the background.

"In the next shopping, we should concentrate on the kitchen items. We should buy all these plates and cutlery set." Wafa spoke out of the blue. She has been brainstorming ideas and themes for his home. She was more excited than him about this new place.

"Just buy two plates," She gave him a look of disbelief for he sounded so serious.

"For you and me." He grinned cheekily.

"You can't be serious," She gaped at him.

"Yes. I'm dead serious. I don't want people coming over."

"That's so rude, Shahzaib." Wafa chuckled at him.

"I don't like people. Especially not in my personal space,"

"Then what about me? I'm around you all the time," She placed her hands against her cheeks as support and glanced at him with a mischievous smile. The way he handled the steering wheel so efficiently, it was so hot.

Something was wrong with her.

"You're different from the rest of the people, Wafa." He murmured ever so gently and took her breath away.

Did he just say that?

***