"It's good that you remember the reality. I can't wait to end this chaos, once and for all," Shahzaib muttered grumpily.

Wafa wished that she could actually punch his charming face. They were still standing in the parking space, discussing how she'd conduct herself at his birthday party now that she was his temporary wife.

She likes to throw around that word a lot. It still makes her so mad that he has crushed the idea of happy marriage for her.

"How can I ever forget about it," She replied with a frown but gasped a little as he pulled her close to him so suddenly. His intoxicating scent immediately invaded her nostrils. Her breath hitched as she looked at him in surprise but his chocolate-brown orbs were glaring at something else behind her.

Another car just occupied the space beside his and with the rash driving, she could easily guess who it was and just as she thought, her brother-in-law, who was famous for his rebellious nature got out of his car casually. Almost as if he didn't just nearly kill her.

"Are you freaking blind, Shehzad? You could have hurt her," Shahzaib was seething in rage as he held her in his protective embrace. Goosebumps aroused on her hands at his action and words.

Wafa couldn't believe her eyes either. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting like he cared about her well-being? She wondered confusedly. Her heart began to thump rather loudly against her chest as she realised how close they were standing. She could feel all those muscles. And damn. He was hot. Insanely hot.

"I'm sorry, Bhai. I couldn't slow it down at the last moment. But props to you for catching bhabhi on time." Shehzad apologized and ran off from there. But he didn't sound even one bit apologetic which made Shahzaib frown.

Wafa was furious at both brothers. Her hatred for the rich people and their endless privileges just intensified ten times more. How easy it is to be rich and not give a damn about anyone else's life besides their own? It got on her freaking nervous.

Shahzaib looked down at her, his chocolate brown orbs were suddenly warm. She could have never guessed he was capable of showing any emotions other than anger or annoyance but it looked like she was wrong.

"Are you okay?" These simple words and Wafa went completely speechless. She gazed into his eyes, searching for any lies but there was genuine concern in them for the first time. Almost as if they were a normal couple who worried about each other. Who cared for each other. But if only it was real.

She pushed Shahzaib with force as she freed herself from his stupid hold and scowled at him, "don't pretend to care, Shahzaib. I can't stand your fakeness."

For a second there, Wafa thought there could be some hope for them both but it disappeared as soon as it came. How can she forget that she was Wafa Zaini and he was Shahzaib Hussain?

They were poles apart and there could never be any hope for them. It was all just temporary.

"You're so annoying. I can't with you," He shook his head in disbelief.

She sighed hopelessly while glaring at her temporary husband, who made it clear to her from the beginning that theirs was only a namesake marriage and that she shouldn't get her hopes high. A marriage of convenience as he said.

It wasn't like she was dying to be married to him either. She was as repulsed by the idea as him. But her mother was the reason she married him. And it hurt her feelings when he said to her that she was just temporary and that he'd end their marriage sooner. Shahzaib made a whole mockery of the most beautiful bonding in the name of a marriage of convenience and she can never forgive him for that.

Their heated glares were interrupted by a clingy voice that annoyed Wafa even before she could see her face.

Here we go again, she thought with an eye roll as they both turned to face that person, Ifrah Siddiqui.

"Zaiby. I was searching for you in the whole mansion." With a dramatic sigh, she clung to his arms, "thank god, you're finally here."

Wafa's heart skipped a beat as he removed his hands from her almost immediately, maintaining a little distance between the two. It was as if he is repulsed by her. But the girl did not get the hint and continued to act unfazed.

"Oh wow. Your new car. Let's go for a long drive. I bet you didn't take anyone else in this for the first drive." Ifrah laughed obnoxiously as if taunting Wafa about his priorities. As if telling her, that even if they got married, it was her who is going to be Shahzaib's choice for everything.

Who was going to break it to her that Shahzaib Hussain doesn't give a damn about her? He cares only about himself. Wafa rolled her eyes at that thought.

Shahzaib looked down at his cousin and then at her. The eye contact was subtle but he looked at her sharply as if searching for her reaction.

Wafa clenched her fist as she frowned at them both. Ifrah didn't even bother to glance at her as she passed hearty eyes to Shahzaib throughout the time. Well, too bad she doesn't give a damn.

With a huff, she marched away from there.

She entered their bedroom with a frown and kicked some ball that lay on her way. It helped her cope with the frustration that she felt all along. She was someone who gets angry a lot. And these days all her anger is directed towards one person in particular.

"You left this in the car," She heard the annoying voice of her stupid husband as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Wafa glanced at her bag and then at him. Her face went thin as she walked toward him and grabbed the bag, "I'm surprised you even bothered yourself with this,"

Shahzaib's jaw clenched but he didn't utter anything. Passing him a cold look, she went into the walk-in closet to get changed. The stupid birthday party begins in two hours. She might as well be ready for it.

The blue chiffon Kurti looked so elegant and classy on her. Not bad! She thought to herself with a small smile while brushing her hair. She decided to be simple and just added a long earring to match the look.

Perfect! She mouthed to her reflection and walked back into the room.

As she moved to the vanity table, Wafa could feel the sharp gaze of Shahzaib on her. He was lying on the bed. It made her self-conscious for a second. But she ignored him completely and started doing her makeup.

"How did you purchase that dress?" The awkward silence was broken by his stupid words. She glanced at him through the mirror with raised brows, he was looking at something on the phone but also talking with her.

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't use the card that I gave you. So how did you purchase this?" Shahzaib repeated as he lifted his gaze away from his phone and then eyed her questioningly.

"I told you already, I'll repeat it. I'm not using your stupid card. I don't want your money. It's still there where you placed it." Wafa replied with a glare and went back to do her eyeliner.

"And stop bothering me, I'm applying eyeliner." She added as she observed how he was going to say something.

"You're the most self-centred and egoistic person I ever met," She heard him speak with annoyance.

"Oh, you should look at yourself in the mirror first." Wafa smiled fakely as she was done and turned to face him.

"You!" He was going to say something but the knock on their door interrupted them. She shrugged innocently and went on to take her phone that was lying on the sofa.

"Happy birthday my baby." A loud yet loving voice entered their bedroom as soon as he opened the door and pulled Shahzaib into a bone-crushing hug.

Wafa looked up at the two and kept a neutral face. She didn't know how to react. This was the person who was responsible for all the mess in their lives.

His grandmother was the sole reason they were married today.

She was furious at her for throwing them in such a mess. But Aliyah Hussain was such a loving and kind woman despite being freaking rich. You could never just hate her.

Wafa can never forgive her for what she did though.

"Thank you, dadi." Shahzaib broke the hug quickly and moved back a little. There was some sort of awkwardness among them. Wafa could guess it has something to do with their marriage.

She sighed while checking her messages. There wasn't anything important.

"And look at my beautiful daughter-in-law. Masha Allah. Your dress is gorgeous," Aliyah gushed excitedly as she walked towards the sofa and Wafa immediately stood up out of respect. She was taken aback as his grandmother pulled her into a hug as well. It got even more awkward than the previous hug.

She did not expect that hug in the first place. Rich people like Aliyah don't hug the likes of Wafa.

From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Shahzaib's frown which made her plaster a fake smile at him.

He shook his head before going back to doing what he was doing before.

"Have you eaten anything dear? You became thinner than the last time I saw you," Aliyah complained while taking a glance at her. Wafa chuckled at her question, feeling relieved that she broke the damn hug. The last time was only three weeks ago. She remembered it so well because of their unfortunate temporary wedding.

"Of course, I'm eating. Mrs Hussain."

"You should call me dadi dear, just like my Shahzaib does." Wafa became silent at her demand. Now, that was something impossible.

"I-"

"Dadi, mom just messaged me to send you downstairs. Your friends have arrived. Shouldn't you be entertaining them?" Shahzaib's clipped voice cut them both, as they glanced at him.

"Oh, yes. Of course. I'll get going then. Happy birthday again my dear. And you, eat properly. You're going to carry the Hussain heir. You should be fit and healthy for that," Aliyah smiled at Shahzaib and then turned to face Wafa again as she spoke the last line.

There was an awkward silence as she left the room. Wafa's cheeks flushed deep red as she glanced at the door.

Shahzaib looked at her pointedly and opened his mouth to say something, she passed him a cold look and there was no further conversation.

They both knew there were going to be no babies. At least it wasn't her who'd be carrying that.

The room felt suffocating all of a sudden. Wafa walked out of there to get some fresh air, otherwise, it felt like she was going to lose her freaking mind.

Her legs directly take her towards the servant quarters. The place where she grew up all her life. It was another reminder for her to get away from this house as soon as the facade ends.

"Wafa, what are you doing here?" Eshal, her mother asked her with a warm smile. She shrugged, not knowing what to say. Lately, she has been so confused and clueless. It's just been three weeks since their marriage and it felt like her whole world was shaken up a little.

"I just missed you, mama." She whispered in a small voice.

"Awe, I'm here always. Come here," Eshal pulled her into a hug, this was comforting and warm in every way possible. Just what she needed.

"Everything is going to be okay. And Masha Allah, you look so lovely," she nodded against her mother's embrace, feeling drained and emotional.

"Eshal, get back here. Why is the table not cleaned yet?" A loud voice called for her mother and Wafa knew she won't be able to get spare time after this, her mother passed her an apologetic look. She nodded in understanding.

"I'll be fine, please go."

Eshal kissed her cheeks before hurrying into the mansion.

Wafa sighed inwardly. As soon as her stupid marriage ends, the first thing she's going to do was to get the heck out of this place.

She wants to take her mother far away from here as possible and give her the best retirement she deserves. She already has two internships waiting for her.

Within a year, she'd be a graduate with a good job. That's all Wafa needs. She was waiting for this all along and the wedding was something so unexpected and life-changing. But she won't let that get in her way.

Feeling determined, she walked back into the mansion and her eyes wandered across the vast hall. Which was decorated with balloons and ribbons.

Wafa felt like an outsider as she stood near the foyer, watching her so-called husband's mother boss around everyone to make the perfect little party for her son.

Sania Hussain passed her a cold stare before going back to what she was doing. None of the Hussains except for the grandmother liked her. It was no secret.

Having nothing to do, she walked back to the bedroom but was stopped midway by her least favourite person on the earth.

Anushey and Ifrah, the evil best friends passed her smug smiles as they blocked her way. They each had a mug of something in their hands. She eyed them suspiciously, mentally preparing herself for listening to their bullshit.

Anushey was Shahzaib's younger sister, she was in the same class as Wafa while Ifrah was a year older than them. She might as well be ten years younger because there was no maturity in her.

"I need to go," She spoke disinterestedly while trying to get past them but they didn't let her.

"What's your problem?" She asked them through gritted teeth.

"Why? Are you going to solve it for us?" Anushey rolled her eyes while making a face.

"Where did you steal this dress from? It's designer." Ifrah asked her accusingly while holding her dupatta with a force.

"I don't have to steal anything," Wafa's jaw clenched in anger.

"Well, too bad." Anushey made an innocent face before dropping the whole content of her mug on her dress. Spilling it all over her.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as Ifrah did the same. She was stunned at their audacity.

"I bet you don't have anything else to wear. Alright. You're good to go. Don't you dare show your stupid face at the party." Anushey muttered with an evil smile.

Wafa couldn't believe someone was so vile.

"I'm going to have Shahzaib all for myself today." Ifrah gushed excitedly while walking past her. Anushey high fives her with a smug smile.

The decorating staff paused what they were doing and looked at her with shock.

Tears welled up in Wafa's eyes at the humiliating experience. For a second she was numb and a minute later, she was completely furious. Angry at herself for letting it happen and angry at them for daring to do something like this. She will get back to them for this! Oh, she definitely will.

She marched upstairs before blinking all those tears. It was true that she didn't have anything else to wear for this party but Wafa wasn't going to sit down just like that. Even if she hated going to this, she was definitely going to put on something and stand there smugly just to get on the stupid best friend's nerves.

"What the hell has happened to you?" Shahzaib asked as soon as she walked into the room and shut the door behind her with a force.

"Why don't you ask that to your sister or fiance?" Wafa turned to glare at him. He raised his brows as she removed her dupatta with a frown. She still can't believe they just did that. It was so sudden and she was taken completely off guard.

"How dare they do this? In the middle of the house, in front of all those decorating staff." She snapped in frustration.

"I know that I'm poor and that I'm not your equal. But it gives you all no right to treat me this horribly. I'm going to get back at them for this, just wait and see." Wafa snapped at him. She felt so weak and pathetic.

Shahzaib looked at her in disbelief, like he couldn't comprehend his family was capable of such a thing. She blinked as he didn't utter anything else and walked into the closet. Her anger increased more as he walked away like that but he came back just as quickly. He also had something in his hands.

"Wear this," She frowned at his words.

He came back with a saree in his hands. Where did that come from? She thought still in anger.

"I got this yesterday for the party. I was going to give you this today but you have already purchased something but looks like you are in need of this," he placed it in her hands and she passed him a blank stare. Unable to comprehend he just did that. But apparently, he did.

On any other day, she wouldn't have even spared it a second glance, for she vowed to not touch anything that Shahzaib gets her. But she was going to keep her ego aside today and wear the damn dress just to see the look of irritation on both the cousin's faces.

She was furious at them for what they did. It was completely uncalled for and they are going to pay for that. She is going to teach them a freaking lesson that will remind them to never mess with her again.

Wafa could see how Shahzaib was surprised by seeing no reaction from her. She just accepted it so easily without throwing any tantrums.

Well, circumstances called for it. Nothing matters in need of the hour.

It was a gorgeous caramel-brown netted saree with beads of silver works throughout. Wafa felt so elegant and classy in that as she looked at herself in the mirror. It had a full-sleeved blouse. She didn't have to redo her makeup thankfully and she wore her favourite heels that matched wonderfully with her saree. Ifrah is going to flip if she saw this. Wafa grinned eagerly.

But there was no jewellery with her which could match the outfit. It didn't matter, she told herself encouragingly.

She came back into the room and took a final glance at herself on the vanity table. From the corner of her eyes, she could see how Shahzaib was dressed in a three-piece suit. And how his tie matched her saree.

Why the heck did he do that? She scrunched her nose while observing his outfit. Not bad! She thought. Everything looks good on him. She acknowledged begrudgingly.

"Are you done checking me out?" Shahzaib asked smugly as he kept his perfume bottle on the vanity table. The brief contact with his body made her heart race. Her cheeks flushed as she realised his question.

"Huh. Keep dreaming." Wafa rolled her eyes before brushing her hair once again, acting nonchalant. She had naturally wavy hair. But something felt missing as she gazed at herself in the mirror.

"Here. I got this as well." He passed her something from his pocket. It was a velvet box

"What is this?" She questioned him curiously as he opened it for her.

"Earrings."

"No, thank you. I'm fine." Wafa couldn't possibly accept that. It looked crazy expensive but beautiful nevertheless. She doesn't want him to feel like he did some huge favour to her by lending her these things.

"I don't want it." She repeated adamantly and turned to walk away.

But Shahzaib caught hold of her hands and pulled her face close to him. Her eyes widened a wee bit at his action, their breathings mixed now. She scowled at him but he was so unfazed.

"W-what are you doing?" She stammered in nervousness.

"Why are you this stubborn?" He asked while making her wear the earrings by himself. Wafa was stunned once again. What has gotten into him lately? She wondered confusedly.

"If you think I'm doing this for you, then you're wrong. For the world you are Shahzaib Hussain's wife and my wife should look perfect, whether temporary or not is beside the point."

"I'm not crazy. Of course, I know about you and your selfishness behind everything." She made a face at him.

Wafa was not a fool to think anything else. He was Shahzaib Hussain and she knows him better than everyone. At least she thought she did.

"There!" He stepped aside and glanced at her silently. Heat raised onto her cheeks for some stupid reason. She turned to peek at herself in the mirror. Shahzaib stood behind her. Their eyes locked. Her hazel orbs against his chocolate brown.

Wafa moved aside quickly reminding herself that he was Shahzaib Hussain. The man she hated the most. There could never be any hope for them. She can never develop any sort of feelings for him. Not even in her dreams. He was not worth it.

They were just temporary. She reminded again.

***

Her first look^

Shahzaib's choice^