"This is not my home, Humera. It never was. It's all just temporary."

"We got close for sure. But only as friends. He considers me just that."

"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."

"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?"

Shahzaib couldn't get any work done that day. It annoyed him to know that he had given someone so much power over his emotions. Well, she wasn't just anyone though.

Memories from last night kept disturbing him throughout the day, not letting him concentrate on anything.

It was so ironic considering he didn't give her any reason to think otherwise.

He wanted to be her friend, afterall. It was supposed to be temporary, afterall.

God! Shahzaib was starting to hate those words.

It was like, he was going to lose something so precious to him. The only irony was he never wanted it to begin with. But now, he was not so sure anymore.

Wafa Zaidi has made him such a mess and yet the thought of her leaving him pained him. He couldn't take it.

Imagining Wafa with Zaroon or anyone else, made his gut twist. There was this unexplainable pain inside his heart. He was edgy and irritable ever since.

"God! Help me." He took a deep breath while replying to an email.

There was a knock at his door.

He sat straight, composing himself, "come in." He used his no-nonsense boss voice. 

It was Zaroon who walked in. Shahzaib's face stiffened at the sight of him, "Mr Hussain," the guy trailed off, noticing the clear dislike on Shahzaib's face.

"Yes?" Even though it was highly unprofessional, Shahzaib couldn't help it. 

"My supervisor is on leave today." Zaroon began hesitantly, "so?" Shahzaib was in no mood to talk with him. He wanted this guy away from his eyes. It would be for the best. For both of them.

He was going mad since last night.

He knew Zaroon had nothing to do with all this, but still, he couldn't help the bitterness. The thought of Wafa considering Zaroon as something more made him all uneasy.

"I wanted a half day leave. I couldn't reach him. So, I was hoping you'd grant it for me." Zaroon looked at him hopefully.

"No." Shahzaib denied it instantly without a second thought. Zaroon looked taken aback.

"You didn't even hear my reasons." Zaroon disagreed, and he looked at him sharply, "my answer will be still a no. Get back to work."

"Get going now." Shahzaib went on to carry out his work, dismissing the guy. Who was still in disbelief. Zaroon walked out without much argument.

Guilt crept in instantly as he glanced at the door. And there was this unreasonable side which felt satisfied by seeing Zaroon's helplessness.

Something was seriously wrong with him. Shahzaib has never behaved this way before. He never had a reason to.

But then Wafa happened.

Groaning frustratedly, he phoned his assistant, "inform Zaroon from the finance department that he can take the day off." And hung up the call with a scowl.

Shahzaib wanted to throw away something. He never felt so aggravated, helpless, angry and irritated before. His emotions were all over the place.

It was not good for him or his employees if it goes on like this. He sighed annoyedly.

He stood up with a grimace on his face as he ran his hands through his hair. Trying to keep the frustration at bay. But Shahzaib knew nothing is going to help.

Until and unless he talks with Wafa herself and clears his mind, nothing is going to help at all.

There was another knock at his door, it was his assistant this time.

"Mr Hussain, we were supposed to be in the hotel today which will be inaugurated in two days."

A knowing look passed on his face as his frown deepened. They did design the hotel, so he should be there looking after the last-minute details along with his engineers.

Today was supposed to be a busy day. But his emotions were not helping him.

"Get the car ready then. I'll be there in five."

Shahzaib took a few moments to just steady his mind.

"I'll talk with her today. Just concentrate on work now." He had told himself sternly and drank a glass of water.

No one has affected him as much as Wafa Zaidi did.

He didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

The rest of the day went on pretty okay. He was stressed, but the work kept him occupied. His team had a lot of last-minute touch up to do. His job wasn't easy too.

He heaved a sigh of relief when it was time to go home. His staff couldn't believe he was the first one to leave as soon as the clock struck six. He'd usually be the one to leave after everyone left. Sometimes he'd even work extra hours. But his priorities changed.

Everyone was surprised as expected. But he didn't really care. Shahzaib just wanted to be home, talk with Wafa and clear things out.

It was going so well until yesterday. He couldn't fathom what happened in just a few minutes that she became so distant and cold.

He drove the car towards their home first, but he remembered the last conversation with Wafa in their living room this morning. Shahzaib reversed the car and drove towards Hussain mansion instead.

God. He hated that place.

It brings back all the bitter memories. Memories which still make him uneasy and disturbed.

But he can't ask Wafa to not go there. Her mother is living there after all.

As the car was halted in signal, Shahzaib dialled Wafa's number. Wanting to confirm if she was still in his parent's house. He didn't want it to be a waste of time.

He rang thrice and much to his annoyance, Wafa didn't pick up at all. He couldn't understand why was she being so childish suddenly. Everything was fine until yesterday.

Shahzaib called her again and on the fourth try, she finally answered.

"What is your problem?" Wafa snapped.

"Where are you?" He was equally mad now. Her ignorance hurt.

"What do you want?"

"Answer me, Wafa."

"You answer me."

"I asked first."

"I'm busy, Shahzaib." 

"Don't you dare hang up on me now," He knew her too well by now.

"I'm in the Hussain mansion." She grumbled annoyedly.

"Right. I didn't know you were serious. What happened to our plan tonight?" 

He knew he was being a hypocrite with that question.

"I don't know. It's not me who said who'd be coming home late." Wafa retorted sharply. He could feel her eye roll from here. Gosh. He has so much making up to do. They were supposed to enjoy today. She was leaving for that stupid trip in three days.

"But I'm back early." He answered instead.

"So?" 

"Listen, Wafa. I'm not in the mood to argue with you. Be ready, I'll be there to pick you up soon."

"And I'm not coming with you."

"Wafa, stop being childish. I need to talk with you."

"Yeah. No, thanks." She hung up the call with a huff much to his annoyance. He had called her again, but she didn't answer as expected. He gave up trying.

The guard opened the main gate of his parent's house, irritation crept in as he parked his car in the usual place.

Shehzad almost hit his car as he got down, "when will you ever drive safely, Zaad?" He yelled at his younger brother who drove off without a care in the world.

Shaking his head, he walked into the house. His eyes fell on Wafa immediately, who was standing in the hall. But she wasn't alone. There were few guests. His mother's friends.

Shahzaib's blood boiled as he neared them. 

"It was Aliyah mom who decided to marry him off like that. Otherwise, I'd have chosen someone like Naja or Ifrah. My baby deserves the best you know,"

His mother's obnoxious words were unbelievable. He couldn't believe the audacity. He stopped expecting good things from his parents a long ago anyway. They let him down all the time.

A deep frown etched on his face as he strode towards Wafa and sneaked his arms around her waist possessively, pulling her close to him.

She looked at him sideways with a small gasp. Clearly surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Thanks for the concern, mom. But I already have the best wife I could ever ask for."

They may have their differences but he was not going to let others think any less of her. Besides, she was the best wife. Even though he didn't want one, he could never imagine someone else in Wafa's place.

"Wafa is my wife. And I wouldn't change it for anything else." He meant those words. There was a pin-drop silence for a moment as his mother looked away, clearly embarrassed.

He passed her a pointed glare and dragged Wafa with him. He was thankful that she didn't try to get away from him.

"God, Wafa. Why would you ever come here?" Shahzaib took her inside their old room and slammed the door in anger.

"I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles, Shahzaib. You don't have to fight for me all the time." She glared at him as he turned to face her.

Her answer angered him more if anything. She was getting on his nerves since last night.

"It's not about that," He pinned her to the door in displeasure, "why are you so frustrating sometimes?" She glanced at him angrily, her hazel eyes threw daggers at him.

"Leave me."

"How is your cold now?" His hand goes to cup her cheeks. Her skin was so soft. He couldn't help but worry too. She has been sneezing continuously this morning. Wafa could be pretty reckless and stubborn.

"I'm fine." She grumbled much to his amusement.

"Did you learn your lessons or do you still want to get drenched?" He couldn't hold himself back from taunting her a little.

"My wish. I'll get drenched if I want to."

Wafa could also be so annoying sometimes. It wasn't all that sweet at all.

"We were fine till last night, weren't we?" Shahzaib felt vulnerable. He wanted to know what went downhill that she was suddenly being so distant and cold. For no apparent reason. 

Wafa looked at him for a few seconds, he could so much going on inside her head. Her eyes held so many emotions at that moment. He just wished she'd talk with him.

Tell him what's bothering her.

"I'm scared, Shahzaib," Her answer took him by surprise. But he could see the fear in her eyes crystal clear.

He remembered about her conversation with her friend last night again. The thought of Wafa leaving him, choosing someone else. It all just hit him suddenly, making him just as scared.

"Me too, Wafa."

She gazed at him softly.

"You don't know how much." 

Shahzaib didn't know what came over him, but he threw his arms around her in an impulse and pulled her in for a tight hug. There was a moment of hesitation from her before she gave in and hugged him back. He lifted her off her feet as she held onto him. A sense of relief washed over him as he basked in her warmth.

This hug was different from all their other hugs. He just wanted to hold onto her forever, her legs dangled in the air as he held her as much close to him as possible. The fear of Wafa leaving him was consuming his heart in the worst possible way.

But isn't that ironic considering he wanted her gone from his life once upon a time? How could almost three months change his heart?

His hold tightened as she breathed against his chest, making him feel goosebumps all over his hands. There was this unknown possessiveness that crept in as he held her.

"Are you going to leave me?"

Shahzaib's breath hitched at that question. He did not see it coming. At all. Her voice was a whisper but he has heard it loud and clear. Confusion dawned upon him as he dropped her gently, trying to understand what she meant by that.

His heartbeat rose frantically as she fisted his shirt, "Answer me, Shahzaib. Please."

"Where is this coming from, Wafa?" There was so much pain and vulnerability in her eyes.

Wafa laughed sarcastically in response.

"Come on. Don't pretend now. Isn't that what your deal was?" Her eyes were red in anger now, "you wanted this temporarily. Our marriage didn't mean anything to you right?"

"So that's what is it about?"

"Yes. Just tell. Clear it up. I really want to know what plan you have for me." She was seething in rage now.

"I can't play this friends game anymore, okay? I'm done with it. Done pretending everything is fine. It's not fine. I'm not fine with this temporary thing." Wafa threw her hands in exasperation as she gave him a push.

Shahzaib never took a moment to realise how his words would be affecting Wafa, until this moment. He felt like the most selfish human as tears welled up in her eyes, she was staring at him accusingly.

"Wafa..." He trailed off sceptically as she shook her head in disappointment.

"I had so many dreams about my marriage, Shahzaib. I had so many. You ruined everything on that night. With your stupid speech- It's just temporary. I'd never accept you as my wife."

It was the same words that he has used on their marriage night, in this very room. Guilt consumed his heart. He couldn't meet her eyes.

Do something, Shahzaib. His inner self screamed at him.

"Wafa. I've apologized." He tried holding her hands but she snatched them back as if she was on fire.

It hurt him.

But seeing her in such a vulnerable state hurt more than that.

"Wafa please."

"If you're going to end it one day. Then end it immediately. I can't play games anymore."

His heart stopped beating for a second as he stared at her in numbness, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I'm done with your temporary game." Rage consumed him as he pulled her close to him, "stop saying that."

"Then what else I should say?" She looked him dead in the eyes, "Wafa... Please understand me,"

"I want all or I want none, Shahzaib."

"I deserve so much better than just a temporary husband. Either let go of your stupidity or just divorce me. It will save so many emotions,"

"Stop saying that word, Wafa. Please." His hands go to close her mouth, not wanting to hear her utter nonsense again.

They gazed at each other for a few seconds. Tears welled up in her eyes which she fought back. 

Wafa pushed him away and marched towards the bed as she sat there defeatedly. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair as he gazed at her.

Shahzaib hated himself for making her go through this emotional turmoil. She did deserve better. But he's not kind enough to let go of her. He could never imagine leaving her.

Then why was he unable to answer her questions? Why was he not able to deny that it was not just temporary? It never was.

He took slow steps towards her as she wiped off her tears.

Shahzaib sat on his knees, trying to hold Wafa's hands. She did not let him, but he took them anyway. Her hands looked so tiny in front of his large ones, but they fit just fine with his as if it was made only for him to hold.

"Wafa. Please look at me." She refused to meet his eyes, "please." His heartbeats rose frantically as she gazed at him. Her eyes widened a little as she noticed the tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe he was crying. It's been so long.

"I know I have been unfair. I was selfish." He admitted whilst fighting off the tears, "please trust me, I'm trying my best to overcome these fears..."

"Fears which are so deeply rooted. You won't believe how my parents have drained me emotionally and mentally.

"I have always associated marriage with bitterness, Wafa."

She looked at him silently, waiting to hear more. Her eyes turned soft now as if she was empathising with him.

Shahzaib didn't deserve her kindness.

"Marriage for me was full of arguments and unhappiness... I have never wanted it. I thought I'd just die alone one day," He chuckled dryly.

She glared at him.

"But then you came into my life like a storm." A fond smile broke onto his lips unknowingly, "you came into my life and made me question everything I've ever believed."

"You made me want things I never thought I'd want before." He sighed in frustration.

"What do you want then Shahzaib?" Wafa squeezed his hands, looking at him with hopeful eyes, "what do you want?"

"I want a family with you," Shahzaib admitted in almost a whisper. Tears finally rolled down his cheeks. It was hard for him to accept that, but now that he did. He felt so light and a feeling of euphoria hit his heart.

"Are- are you serious?" Wafa was crying too. He went on to wipe her tears, "please don't cry. I want this to be the last time you cry because of me." He pleaded guiltily.

"I fear a lot of things, Wafa. I will not lie, it won't disappear just like that. But more than anything, I fear not having you in my life." He cupped her cheeks, meaning every word he said.

"I can be in your life even as a friend, Shahzaib. You don't have to force yourself into this just because I've given an ultimatum."

"You don't know how much I hate that word right now,"

She chuckled in response, "you wanted it."

"I still want to be your friend, being friends with you was the best thing that happened to me. I won't lie." Another fond smile played on his lips.

"But I also want so much more."

There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes now, "I want you as more than just a friend."

"I want you forever, Wafa. Until I take my last breath."

"I want you as my wife. As my companion."

"I want to be your husband, forever."

"You can think again, Shahzaib." She fisted his shirt, looking at him with the same hope. He could see the relief on her face, which wasn't there since yesterday.

"I've thought about it a hundred times and I want this every single time." He admitted without any hesitation.

"I will fight my fears for our marriage's sake, Wafa. It was so much more than temporary. I was a fool but not anymore."

They both smiled at each other before she threw her arms around him and hugged him as tight as she could. Shahzaib just let her hug him, it was like she was making herself believe this wasn't an imagination.

"So take off all thoughts about leaving me and marrying someone else, because you're mine now." There was a slight anger in his voice as he gazed at her face. Wafa just hummed before hugging him again, "I don't think I'd ever marry again if we were to separate."

"There's no room for separation now. Because you're stuck with me forever," Shahzaib muttered while breaking the hug again.

"You want this too right?"

Wafa laughed in response like she couldn't believe he was still asking her, "As I said, I want all or I want none."

"Okay, so promise me something." There was a hidden vulnerability in his voice, she raised her brows at him, "what?"

"A vow of forever."

A soft smile made its way onto her face as he uttered those words.

"I want to be with you... Until I take my last breath, Shahzaib Hussain."

This was the same room where they'd decided that their marriage was just temporary and how ironic that they're promising a vow of forever in this very room.

Life was good to them, finally.