The privileges of the rich were endless and so was Wafa's hate for them.

They could get away with anything just because they had money it seemed, even from killing someone.

Wafa couldn't believe how her mother has played with her like that, tears threatened to fall down her cheeks but she kept a straight face, not wanting to give Ifrah the satisfaction of breaking her. Her heart was a mess altogether though.

The vile woman stood with an evil smile plastered on her face.

"Get out," Wafa couldn't stand the sight of Ifrah any longer, afraid she'd throw something at her.

Oh, how she wished to do just that.

"I don't want to repeat myself, Ifrah. Out of my home. Right now,"

Ifrah's face changed as she mentioned the word, my home. As if she was surprised Wafa is still willing to stay here. Despite all her efforts to break them apart.

"GO!" Wafa pushed her out at once, with all the force she had, and slammed the door in her face.

"Wafa," Shahzaib tried to get hold of her hands but she shrugged it off furiously, "don't,"

"Please," He pulled her hands anyway, not willing to give up. She looked at him painfully and tears filled her eyes unknowingly and it made him more regretful if anything. She couldn't care less though.

She began to second-guess everything that they have shared so far. What if he was compromising to stay with her just for the sake of it? Was that all fake? Just to help his father stay out of jail?

No. It can't be... She was getting it all wrong, she knew it deep within. But her mind was not in the right place at the moment.

"Leave me, Shahzaib. I don't want to say something hurtful. I'm really mad right now," Wafa's voice quivered at the end, he was not ready to let go.

"I'm sorry," He looked genuinely apologetic, and her heart pained as she finally let out a sob and swung at his chest, "You don't understand how much it hurts, Zaib." And that was it for her as she had a full-blown meltdown while he pulled her into his arms, holding her as close as possible, stroking her hair softly as she cried against his chest.

It was so ironic how the one who caused her the pain is comforting her. They remained like that for a few minutes, as she cried silently in his arms.

"Gosh. Leave me." She realized what was happening and pushed him away, feeling angry at herself for melting away so easily.

Shahzaib's face paled as she distanced herself from his hold, "I need to be alone. Please. Leave me. I really don't want to cause any more damage, I'm not myself when I'm angry."

Wafa does have anger issues and she didn't want it coming in between her and Shahzaib, not when their marriage is in such a fragile place at the moment.

"Okay. I'll leave you alone, but please don't cry." He tried wiping off her tears but she stepped away with a shake of her head, walked into their room, and slammed the door on her way.

Her legs were shaking as she sank to the floor, trying to get hold of herself but the tears wouldn't stop. Wafa felt miserable. Everything felt like a lie.

She didn't know what to believe anymore.

"Oh, and the only reason why he married you was because he wanted to help his dad from going to jail. That was the deal. You were just a deal, don't be so full of yourself alright?"

Ifrah's words still made her feel sick in the stomach.

She knew that Shahzaib was forced into their marriage, but knowing the real reason was making her even more uneasy and angry, and frustrated.

Wafa couldn't believe her mother chose to do this instead of just throwing Shamir Hussain in jail. Her hatred for the Hussain family intensified as she got up shakily and wiped off her tears.

There was no use crying now but she needed answers from her mother.

The night passed slowly but she couldn't sleep a wink, Shahzaib did not join her in the bed, respecting her want for space. In fact, he was staying as far as away from her as possible. Even though it pained him. She could feel it. But Wafa wanted to be away.

She couldn't help but fear that she was just a deal all along and that he was compromising to stay with her just because she gave him an ultimatum that one day, demanding he should be with her or just leave her alone, forever.

Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of it being true.

She didn't have the energy to move an inch from the bed even though it was way past dawn.

"Wafa," Her ears perked up as she heard Shahzaib's voice. She was not in the mood to talk with her at the moment but looked at him regardless. He had a small plate in his hands, "you haven't eaten anything since waking up."

She chuckled dryly but accepted the food anyway which he forwarded towards her, "thank you." She muttered distantly. He nodded while she began to eat on the bed itself. It was delicious, she thought. A little corner of her heart was happy that he cared enough to cook something for her in all this chaos.

The fear of his care being all a lie was going away slowly, but not entirely.

"Can you please call mama here? I don't want to go there, ever." Wafa requested him, vulnerably. He nodded again, "I will. I'll be in the study if you want anything."

And they went on to ignore each other for the rest of the day.

Shahzaib was working from home today.

Wafa was secretly happy that he was willing to stick around although she was pushing him away.

It was as if he was sending a silent message that he was not going to leave so easily.

It was endearing. Just what she needed.

***

"Why mama?! Why would you ever accept something like that?" Wafa's voice was furious, she was still not over what she found out. To know that her father was killed and that the killer was let go off the hook just because he promised to provide for her and her mother.

And that ridiculous deal.

The deal of which she was never aware.

"I'm so sorry, my dear." Eshal couldn't meet her eyes. As if she was ashamed of her choices.

Wafa huffed whilst pacing in the room. To think that she missed out on having a father, all because someone was careless while driving made her furious. It was a hard pill to swallow.

"But we were also homeless and had no one else, Wafa. Aliyah Hussain promised me that you'd get married to her grandson if I didn't file a complaint. She promised me a job and a roof above my head in return for my silence. She promised to get you educated."

Wafa stared at her helpless mother as she continued, "and I was selfish Wafa, yes. I should have fought for your father. But then I was a selfish mother who wanted nothing but the best for her child. This was the best I could provide at that point. I had no other choice."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she moved and hugged her mother tightly, "I'm sorry, dear. But I did what I thought was best."

Wafa hated how the Hussain family has exploited her mother's helplessness for all these years, but she could understand where Eshal was coming from. It hurt her nevertheless.

It was all messed up, but she understood why her mother did what she did. It made complete sense to her now.

"But, how can you forgive them so easily?" She questioned whilst wiping her mother's tears. Eshal chuckled sadly in response.

"It only hurt my peace of mind, Wafa. Nothing else happened. I realized holding a grudge didn't help me. It was too suffocating. I had to forgive him for my sanity."

Wafa was amazed at how different she was from her mother. She wouldn't get herself to forgive so easily. She holds grudges and was very petty. But what Eshal told made a lot of sense.

Holding a grudge only messes with your head.

She had a lot to learn from her mother.

She sighed sadly.

"But I am happy that I did say yes to the deal all those years ago."

She stared at her mother like she was crazy but Eshal shook her head whilst caressing her face softly, "because you got to marry Shahzaib in all this. I think it was fate if anything."

Her heart skipped a few beats as she thought about it.

"And Masha Allah, you both are meant to be together,"

"Don't let all of this get into your marriage, Wafa. That's not smart. He had nothing to do with what his father did." Eshal advised her. Wafa looked anywhere but at her mother.

"I don't want you to work for them anymore, mama. Please move in with us. For my sake."

Her mother was taken off guard by her request but Wafa has always wanted this.

For someone who has saved their son/husband from going to jail, they had a weird way of showing any gratitude.

The biggest dream of her life was to get a good job and make her mother stop working for the Hussains. They were horrible employers. And it was time she moved further with her plans.

Eshal took her own time in answering her.

"Okay. But not until you sort out everything between you both,"

"We are fine," She lied but Eshal just gave her a knowing look, "I'm your mother and I know you,"

"Gee fine. We are not okay, not at the moment. But we'll work on it. I'm not giving up on Shahzaib, no matter what,"

And the same moment, he decided to walk in. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she stared at him wide-eyed.

"What do you want?" Her tone came off as unintentionally rude.

"Wafa. Be nice," Her mother told her off. He just passed them a warm smile as if to say it's okay, a smile which made her feel many things.

"Eshi auntie. I made you coffee," Shahzaib walked towards them and passed her mother a hot mug of coffee, much to Wafa's surprise.

Can he get any more sweet?

"Shahzaib dear, why did you bother yourself? There was no need." Eshal smiled at him kindly whilst taking the mug.

Wafa's heart warmed at the sight in front of her.

How could she ever give up on this man?

She's disappointed sure.

But not foolish enough to let her fears win over her feelings. Their eyes met again, and so many emotions passed through them as he gave her a reassuring nod, before she looked away.

And so the evening passed with her spending time with her mother, Shahzaib didn't disturb them after that. He gave them space and Wafa was grateful for it. All she wanted was to sit and talk with her mother.

"Don't mess this up," Eshal advised her as they stood on the porch. Her mother was going to leave and Wafa was emotional for no reason.

"Mess up what?"

"Your marriage with Shahzaib," her mother narrowed her eyes.

She chuckled dryly, "don't worry about it,"

"I'm serious,"

"I know mama,"

"Take care then,"

The mother and daughter hugged one last time before Eshal left for the Hussain mansion.

Wafa's heart was pounding hard as she walked back into their home.

Now what? She asked herself. And she had no answer to that in all honesty.

She decided it was too much for one day and just wanted to sleep, it sounded like a great plan.

A familiar hard figure bumped into her as she walked into their room, she winced whilst looking up at him, "Damm! I was not expecting you like that. Does it hurt?" He asked whilst examining her face ever so tenderly, she shook her head before staring at his face.

They just stood there, gazing at each other before she let intrusive thoughts win and threw herself against him, holding onto him as tight as she could. This hug was quite different from the rest.

"Wafa." He uttered her name with uncertainty whilst wrapping his arms around her possessively.

"Shahzaib!"

"Please hold me like this while I sleep," His eyes darkened at her request and without saying anything else, he picked her up in his arms which made her gasp, and carried her to their bed.

She kept staring at him, his chocolate brown orbs never once left her.

"I missed you," he muttered to himself whilst placing her gently on their bed. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead, she closed her eyes instantly, basking in his warmth.

"And I could use some nice sleep as well,"

He spooned her in his embrace, "seriously, I missed you so freaking much."

"I know," She replied whilst placing a kiss against his chest and dozed off in peace.

How could she ever think this was all a lie?

***

Shahzaib remembered how it all began, that one day, ten months ago.

He was called to the Hussain mansion by his grandmother. It's been months since he last visited that awful place. He didn't want to go, but Aliyah insisted that he needs to be there. And he had no choice but to visit. His grandmother can be manipulative when she wants to be. And that visit changed his whole life, he could say.

"Are you kidding me?"

His father and grandmother had just told him what had happened twenty years ago and how he was supposed to marry someone to fulfill a promise they made that also involved him.

He was furious. At his father for what he did and at his grandmother for ever thinking it's alright to make such a bizarre promise and expect him to be okay with that.

"Shahzaib, I'm so sorry my dear. But that girl has lost her wali because of us. It's only fair that we make up for it. We owe them, Zaib."

It made no sense to him, they had argued over and over again but in the end, it was his grandmother who won.

Shahzaib was flabbergasted as he left the study. He was not expecting his life to take such a huge turn when he came here. He can't believe they manipulated him into accepting this madness. It was infuriating.

Just as he was walking towards the patio to grab a glass of water to collect his thoughts, he came face to face with the person whom he never gave a second thought to. But now she was going to be such an important part of his life, which he didn't even want in the first place.

She wore a pistachio color kurta paired with a creme color plazo and shawl. Her brunette hair was let down, she had naturally wavy hair, and freaking hell, she was gorgeous.

He gulped whilst approaching her.

She looked up at him as he neared her. Their eyes clashed. Those mesmerizing hazel-brown eyes gazed at him sharply. There was a moment of silence where they just gawked at each other before she walked away.

Shahzaib's eyes automatically followed where she was going and he needed a moment to snap out of whatever just happened.

She didn't look too happy to see him though.

"Wafa Zaidi," He muttered her name to himself whilst watching her disappear in the servants' quarter.

It was at that moment that he knew, he and she can never be possible. He can't stay married to her, forever.

He decided that he'd just divorce her a few months later, so what if he couldn't back off now?

His heart twisted as he thought about it, but Shahzaib knew that would be for the best.

Because marriage and he is not a great combination.

Oh, how very wrong he was.

Looking back at things, ten months later is so ironic.

Because he not only decided to stay married forever but instead fell in love with her, hardly and crazily.

He couldn't imagine a day without her.

Fate does have a twisted way of making things happen. But he was grateful for it if anything.

His heart skipped a beat as he parked in front of their home and got down of the car. It was a tiring day at work. But what is still surprising is that he has a Home that he loved getting back to. It always felt surreal.

It's been two weeks since that fateful Ifrah incident. Gosh! He hated her.

Two weeks of a weird mental battle but he knew he and Wafa are going to be okay. That's what has kept him sane anyway.

But they haven't been their old selves though. And he missed that. Wafa is just so lost in her world these days. He hated seeing her like that which made him resent Ifrah even more. He did give her the space that she needed to let everything sink in.

He looked inside his pockets for the keys but couldn't find them. Not having the energy to look, he just rang the doorbell. He had to wait for a few seconds before the door was opened and his eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

"What the hell?" Shahzaib grumbled possessively whilst closing the door as fast as he could.

His wife wore an interesting choice of clothes. She didn't wear anything except a towel. He gulped as she glared at him.

"I was bathing. Where is your key?"

He fumed regardless, getting irritated at the thought of someone else even taking a glimpse at her in this state. He felt so naturally protective of her that it was crazy.

"Don't even start Zaib, of course, I wouldn't open the door in this for anyone else but you," as if she was reading his mind, Wafa rolled her eyes and walked back into the room. Tiny droplets of water followed her behind.

Shahzaib shook his head as he loosened his tie and walked towards the room as well.

His head was throbbing in pain and there was a sudden dizziness that made him unstable for a second.

Without even removing his shoes he just lays on the bed, closing his eyes instantly.

Wafa came back a while later, still in a towel.

"Why are you still in shoes?"

"Why are you still in the towel?"

"Haha. So funny, I swear Shahzaib if you get my bed dirty I'm going to," She stopped when he moved to open the drawer and picked his specks instead.

"What happened? Are you okay!?" It's funny how she knew him taking specks meant something was off, and how very right she was.

"I'll be fine," He grumbled but Wafa was already in front of him, examining his forehead, trying to see if he had a fever, "wait a second."

She moved to get something and came back with a thermometer, "open your mouth," he just did as he was told, absolutely loving the care that was given to him without even a second thought.

"Oh my gosh, you're burning up." Her eyes widened as she checked the temperature, "I'm calling your doctor,"

He just nodded, thankful for whatever she was doing despite the little distance that was there between them.

"Give me your phone," She took it from his pocket and searched for the doctor's contact and her eyebrows raised as she read a particular contact's name. He looked away, pretending as if he didn't see what she saw.

And the next hour went in a blur as his doctor came in to check up on him, and prescribed a few medicines, and all the while Wafa was fretting in nervousness as if it was her who is sick.

His heart couldn't handle so much care. He would never get used to this type of attention but then it felt so good.

"How are you feeling now?" Wafa asked him while helping him with his tie and shirt whilst sitting beside him. A hue of redness appeared on her face despite seeing him shirtless so many times.

"Better now that you're close to me," he mumbled lazily as she traces her hands across his cheeks.

"I'll get you soup,"

"No, just stay with me," It's been a while since he got to hold her like this, he moved to lay on her lap instead.

"Why did you fall sick suddenly?" She mumbled as he got comfortable and picked her hand, placing them on his head hoping she'd run it through them like she always did. And she did it without a second thought.

"Work and stuff, it's crazy and we are going in losses actually. I'm afraid I'll have to step out from the Hussain firms."

Her hands stopped moving instantly.

"What are you talking about?" There was shock and surprise in her voice, as expected.

"Yeah. It's karma for my money-loving family I guess. They won't have so much money anymore," He chuckled dryly.

"What the heck, Shahzaib? How is that possible? What will you do?"

"Nothing is impossible, Wafa. We just woke up one day and everything is a mess. It's crazy and as for me, I have some money saved up. Don't worry, I'll not let it affect us." He looked up at her, who frowned, "I'm sure you'll take care of me, Zaib. But I'm genuinely worried about what you'll do, I have seen how much you love your job."

He does love his job which is what made him sick, the thought of not having all that he had today was intimidating and scary.

"I'll figure it out, besides I have you with me," He mumbled hopefully as she looked down at him with concern, "and I'll be there with you, throughout." Her hands moved through his hair again as she promised him without a second thought.

His heart warmed at her words, despite all their differences she was so genuine about her words. He fell in love with her all over again.

He sat up instantly, probably startling her as he cupped her face. She gazed at him with surprise.

"You know how much I love you right?" She froze at his words, totally not expecting the sudden confession, "I love you, Wafa. I never imagined myself as someone who is capable of falling in love but here I am, completely and crazily in love with you. I love you so much, it hurts."

A drop of tear rolled down her cheeks which he wiped off instantly, "I may have married you for messed up reasons, but please don't ever think that's the only reason I'm here, giving my hundred percent in this marriage."

"You know the only good thing my father ever did to me was to get you married to me," he chuckled sadly, "no, seriously. I'll always be grateful to him for this one thing."

"But I don't want to lie, Wafa. I was terrified of what marriage had in store for me, and I still am. I'm willing to take all the risk because I know you'll be worth it,"

"You'll be worth it," He repeated as she teared up.

"You're someone who didn't care about her sleep just because I was hungry," He remembered that one time when she made him pasta despite being so tired and sleepy.

"You're someone who knows her worth and doesn't let the other person intimidate her, it's such an attractive trait you know." Shahzaib only knows how attracted he was to her in the initial days of their marriage because damm, she'd love to fight with him for all the right reasons. It was getting out of his head which is why he proposed to them being friends, hoping they'd stop fighting maybe then perhaps he'd stop being so attracted towards her. But then it became such a blessing in disguise instead.

"You're someone who is just so caring and loving, who will give her all just because I treated your mother with kindness, I'd be a fool to let you go, Wafa and I'm not a fool."

"Shahzaib," Her voice came out in a whisper as she gazed at him in disbelief, "you don't know how much those words mean to me, gosh, I-I love you too. I love you so damn much that it hurts too,"

They both chuckled as he leaned in, placing his forehead against hers, "I needed to hear them more than you'd imagine."

"I was worried you're staying in this marriage, just because you had to." She sighed, not looking him in the eyes.

"Sometimes I don't know what to do with you, Wafa." He groaned whilst pulling her in for a tight embrace, "don't ever think like that, please. I'm sure you've seen my contact. The other doctor's number."

She broke the hug instantly as if she was very curious.

"Yeah. Who was that?"

"I've been seeing her for some time. She's my therapist," He should have told her this way before, maybe then whatever Ifrah told wouldn't have made so much difference.

"Why would you need a therapist?" She questioned him softly.

"Marriage was never easy for me, Wafa. But I knew whatever we had deserved more than just something temporary. I was selfish and I wanted to work on my fears, for my sake. For this marriage's sake. For your sake. I didn't want anything holding me back. Not even my fears,"

Tears rolled down her cheeks making him tense, "Shahzaib freaking Hussain, why do you make me fall in love with you again and again?"

Relief washed over him as she grabbed his face and kissed him with all her heart, he melted into the kiss, enjoying the feel of her soft lips against his.

"I love you," They both say at the same time and laughed at the coincidence.

"You should sleep, I don't want you to fall more sick." Wafa was worried but he shrugged, now that he came to terms with the reality that he is not as rich anymore. It's honestly terrifying but he will figure it out.

"I'm here, Zaib. Forever and always." He beamed at her words.

Forever and always sounded so good.

***

It was Wafa's graduation day. She was beaming in joy, unable to contain her happiness, you don't top your class every other day anyway.

"Smile," Shahzaib stood in front of her with a camera, looking very happy for her.

"Let's take a selfie," She muttered after posing for him. They were on the campus and the students were all over the place, clicking pictures and whatnot.

Unfortunately, Anushey didn't come for her own graduation. Nor did anyone from the Hussain family, they were in serious financial crises and were hiding away from the world. They probably deserved it after all that pride and arrogance. But Wafa was starting to practice letting go of grudges.

It did no good to her anyway.

"Come here, mama, please take a photo of us." A lot of employees were let go of work including her mother and Shahzaib immediately asked her to move in with them without a second thought.

Wafa couldn't stop crying in his arms that night. He was just too good.

Eshal clicked pictures of them both as she made her husband wear her cap and beamed at the camera.

"Hey guys," Shahzaib automatically tensed at the sight of Zaroon but he came here as Humera's fiance instead of Wafa's friend.

She nudged him subtly and mouthed, "be nice." He just wrapped his arms around her waist in response making her cheeks flush. It's ridiculous how possessive he gets around Zaroon despite that man being engaged.

"Congratulations Wafa. Proud of you, miss topper."

"Congratulations to you too," Wafa grinned at her friends.

"Thanks to you, miss matchmaker. I'm the only one who is single now." Zunera whined but she looked happy for her twin anyway.

They discussed random stuff, gushing about them actually graduating.

"Should we all go out and eat?" Wafa turned to look at her friends and then at Shahzaib. Everyone gazed at each other and then nodded in yes.

"You kids enjoy, I'll be going back home." Eshal was ready to leave.

"Mama, not fair," Wafa whined but knowing how her mother was stubborn, it felt pretty useless. She tried anyway.

"No. I'll leave. I'm very happy for you. Congratulations to you too, Humera dear. See you around,"

"Thank you, auntie." Humera gave her mother a bone-crushing hug.

It was times like that which makes Wafa question all the opinions she has about rich people. They're snobbish and arrogant for sure but there are also the likes of Humera and Zunera, and also Shahzaib who are so kind and loving.

She started learning to not stereotype people. Maybe that was a part of her growth but she liked it. She wouldn't have to feel this unnecessary hate towards someone she met just because they are rich.

"Guys! We have something to announce,"

Wafa started as they all finished eating.

"Are you pregnant?" Zunera asked immediately making Wafa turn beetroot red, "gosh, no."

Shahzaib spits the water he just drank making the rest of them giggle.

"Then what is it?" Humera asked eagerly.

"I got accepted into a firm in California. It's my dream job, literally." Wafa's eyes twinkled as she recalled the memory from last night.

It was a moment of sheer happiness and excitement as she read the email. She still couldn't believe it was real.

"Oh my gosh!"

"That's crazy."

"I'm so happy for you," the twins and Zaroon muttered excitedly.

"Shahzaib will come with me too. In fact, I'm taking my mother as well," Wafa was pretty thrilled and also a little nervous about this move but she looked forward to it. There was nothing that was holding them in this country anyway.

In Shahzaib's words, he'd follow her even to the moon. So cheesy but she absolutely loved him for it.

"But what about his business?" Zaroon looked curious. He was on the job search now that Hussain firm was letting go of people.

"I'm starting it over anyway, I can do it anywhere. I don't want to hold back Wafa just because of that."

He squeezed her palms, "I want her to follow her dreams and I'll follow her along everywhere, forever and always."

They looked into each other's eyes, so in love.

"Yeah. Forever and always,"

Wafa muttered to herself happily.

Their friends cheered for them, looking equally thrilled.

Who knew that just a temporary marriage would end up being so beautiful like this though?