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*

I made this one for the family weekend chapter, but decided not to post it then due to unknown reasons.

*

Yamna

The trip came to an end without further incidents. Hazel did not even look in my direction after that day. 

It was now time to go home. Five days had passed by in a blur.

I fell asleep on the coach ride home, worn out from the mini hikes and walking around the last few days. But every moment was worth it. I didn't regret coming here, not even a little bit. In fact, I felt a bit stronger, a bit bolder.

I woke up when we were ten minutes from university, and I straightened up. Today I wore black skinny jeans, a black dress with pink tiny flowers, a pink cardigan with buttons and white trainers. 

*Outfit inspiration*

I knew Rohaan wasn't going to come since he was dealing with a serious homicide case. And with the end of year coming up, Papa wouldn't be home from university till late, while Mama was in charge of a major exhibition, so she was also going to be home later. Papa was going to pick her up.

I took the Tube home, remembering how Rohaan had accompanied me on the day I was going on the trip.

It was only when I arrived home and searched through my bag that I realised that I didn't have my house key.

"Whatever you do, don't forget to take the house key! Your Papa and I might not be home at that time." Mama had repeatedly warned me.

"I won't forget, Mama. Don't stress." I'd told her, dismissively.

Why do mothers know best?

I called Mama, ready to hear the lecture of a lifetime. "Assalam Alaikum, Mama."

"Walaikum Assalam, Sunshine! Are you home?" She answered brightly.

"Technically, yes." I glanced up at my house. 

There was a brief pause. "Did you forget your key?" 

"Yes."

"Yamna... What am I supposed to do now? I cannot come right now. Your Papa's at work! Ya Allah, why doesn't our aulaad listen?" She sighed.

"I can go to Dado's?" 

"Anabia Bhabi went home today to cook and freeze somethings for the boys. She'll be there. Go to your Tayan's house. We will pick you up later." 

"Okay!" I said, way too eagerly.

*

"Assalam Alaikum!" I greeted Anabia Tayi as she opened the door.

"Walaikum Assalam!" She smiled as she saw me. "What a pleasant surprise." She hugged me tightly. "Did you just get back now?" She looked at my luggage, confused.

"Yes." I stepped into the house and she closed the door. "I forgot my key, so Mama suggested that I come here as you'd be here."

"Oh, of course." She said. "But did Saba repeatedly tell you to remember the key?" 

I blushed and nodded.

"Oh, so all aulaad is the same." She laughed. "Why don't you go freshen up and I will quickly make you some snacks?" 

"That's not necessary, Tayi Jaan. I'll come and help you, in fact."

"Don't be silly. You just came from such a long journey." She said, placing her hand on my upper arm. "No formalities. This is your own home." 

I headed upstairs and to Haya Appi's room, taking my backpack but leaving my luggage behind in the foyer. 

As I passed by Rohaan's room, I saw that the room was open. The windows were open and it smelled nice, almost as if cleaning products had been freshly used in there. Unable to stop myself, I stepped inside. The dark shades of the room oddly comforted me.

And stepping through the bedroom, I headed into the walk-in wardrobe that eventually connected to the en-suite.

I opened the sliding doors and traced my fingers over his shirts, breathing in the scent of his cologne that emanated from the clothes. I then opened another wardrobe and saw his casual outfits, including his football shirts. There was even a football at the bottom of this wardrobe.

There was a shelf with his colognes and sunglasses, and I put one pair on after taking my glasses off, standing in front of the mirror. I then grabbed a jacket of his and slid it over my shoulders. "Detective Yamna." I took out my phone, took a selfie and sent it to Rohaan.

<Yamna: You have a trespasser in your territory, Detective.>

I then quickly put his things away and rushed out. It would be embarrassing to be caught by Anabia Tayi.

*

Anabia Tayi had made delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, along with coffee for me.

"I thought you said 'no formalities'." I smiled. "But thank you." 

"It's not a formality. I do all this for my kids as well. You're no different, Yamna." She took a sit opposite me, with a coffee mug of her own. "Actually, I'm glad you're here. I needed to talk to you. Rohaan must have mentioned that we are preponing Arsal's wedding."

I nodded.

"Well, technically you are our daughter-in-law now, and I would need your full participation as a member of our family." She said, warmly.

"Of course." 

"Rehan and I will be introducing you as our daughter-in-law during Arsal's wedding events, In Sha Allah." 

I blushed, nodding again. "Let me know what I have to do."

"Of course. I'm not just going to expect you to manage on your own. I'll guide you, as will Hoor and Haya, and your own Mama, of course." She gave me an adoring smile. 

*

Rohaan

I was p***ed beyond words, so I went straight to the gym after work to vent out my frustration. 

It was shocking how easily some people brushed aside their humanity and took lives. I was dealing with a case where a mother and her six-year-old son were brutally murdered. The suspect, the husband or partner of the mother, was on the run, but the police was on high alert.

I punched the punching bag repeatedly, until sweat was dripping down my body. But my rage just wouldn't cool down. 

My phone rang and I glared at it like it was my worst enemy. I strode towards it and saw Arsal's name. "What, Arsal?" I almost snapped.

"What's wrong with you?" Like a typical sibling, he ignored my attitude. "Listen, I need to ask you something."

"Spit it out. I'm busy."

"What the hell, man? Ro, what the hell is the matter with you?"

"Spit it out or f**k off." I ended the call and threw it back down on top of my light jacket. I went back to the punching bag, but I instantly felt guilty.

Countless times Papa had told me off for this very thing: taking my work tension out on my family members. I sighed and went back, grabbing my phone to call Arsal back.

But now he wouldn't answer.

"S**t." Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair. 

*

After a shower at the gym, I drove home.

The front door banged into something as I opened it, causing me to swear out loud. I glanced down and saw a pink suitcase. Yamna? I remembered receiving a message from her, but I hadn't looked at it yet.

I headed into the kitchen, as I could hear Mama's voice. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam." Mama and Yamna both replied, smiling at me.

But both of their smiles disappeared when they saw my expression.

"What's wrong?" Mama asked.

"Is Arsal home?" 

"No, he's not back from work yet." My mother replied.

I nodded and turned to head out of the room, heading up the stairs.

*

Yamna

I looked at Anabia Tayi, who looked just as confused as I felt. "S-Should I go after him?" 

She shook her head. "Not yet, honey. I don't want him to be rude to you. His temper really concerns me sometimes."

I should have listened to her. But as soon as I had washed the dishes (despite her telling me not to), I headed upstairs. 

I knocked lightly on his door.

"What?" 

I winced at his tone, but I went inside anyway. Closing the door softly behind me, I stepped towards him. 

He was unbuttoning his shirt. I could see his profile, and his jaw was clenched.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I really don't want to talk right now, Yamna." 

"I just want to know if you're okay." 

"I just want to be alone right now." He took his shirt off, turning away from me.

"Okay." I turned as I saw him take his phone and dial a number. 

I'd barely closed the door when I heard his voice. "Behaya listen, I really need to vent." 

Tears filled my eyes, as for the second time I felt that he didn't trust me with his problems. I bit my lips, but tears ran endlessly down my cheeks as I jogged down the stairs. I had to go. Even if I had to wait outside my house until my parents returned, I was willing to do so.

Unfortunately, Tayan had just come back home and was in the foyer as I got downstairs. "Yamna?" He and Anabia Tayi both looked at me, concerned.

"A-Assalam Alaikum, Tayan." I sniffed, grabbing my backpack and luggage. 

"Walaikum Assalam." Tayan walked up to me, placing a hand over my head. "What's wrong?" 

"Did Rohaan say something to you?" Anabia Tayi frowned.

I shook my head. "No."

"Where are you going, honey? Your parents won't be here till later." Anabia Tayi placed a hand over my upper arm. 

"Rohaan!" Tayan called out, furiously.

"He didn't d-do or say anything, Tayan. You know I'd tell you i-if he did, right?" I whispered.

"He came home furious." Anabia Tayi wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I'm so afraid of his temper sometimes, Rehan." 

Rohaan came jogging down the stairs, with his shirt on now. "Assalam Alaikum, Papa." He glanced at me, frowning in concern. "Yamna..."

"Walaikum Assalam. What did you do?" Tayan glared at him.

"Tayan, he didn't do anything." I had no idea what to tell him. That I was hurt that my husband still didn't trust me enough to talk to me? 

"I gave her attitude." Rohaan admitted. "Yamna, I'm sorry. I've had one hell of a day." 

"Tayan..." I placed a hand on my uncle's forearm. "It's okay. I'll talk it out with Rohaan. I promise that he doesn't even know why I'm upset. It's not his fault. Don't be angry at him." 

Tayan looked at me. "You are not going anywhere until Yasin and Saba come to pick you up."

"Tayan..."

"Are you refusing to listen to me, Yamna?" He raised an eyebrow. 

"Of course not." 

"Good." Tayan patted my head again, before turning to Rohaan. "I've repeated myself too many times, and this is the final time. Do not take your work stress out on family, or anyone who doesn't deserve it."

"Can we talk?" Rohaan asked me.

Nodding, I followed him upstairs. As soon as we were in his room, I spoke. "I didn't mean for you to get in trouble." 

He closed the door and grabbed my hands. "And I didn't mean to be an a****le to you."

I slid my hands out of his grip and crossed my arms over my chest. "Do you know what hurts? Not that you want to be left alone, but the fact that I'm still not someone you can vent your problems to. I heard you call Haya Appi when I was barely out of the door. I adore Haya Appi, and I love the bond between you siblings, Ma Sha Allah. But you should be able to vent to me too!"

"It's not that I don't trust you, Yamna..."

"Then what?" I asked. "What did I do that you can't talk to me?!" My hurt feelings were spilling out in the form of both tears and words. "I tell you everything! I vent out to you about everything, including right now! But you don't talk to me! I'm your wife, but you don't trust me enough to confide in me."

"I trust you with my life, Yamna."

"But not with your secrets and feelings, right?" I asked, quietly.

"That's not true." 

"I guess I'm the stupid one. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I openly admit my feelings." I shook my head. "I shouldn't do that. I have no siblings, so I vented everything out to you or Haya Appi, and even Arsal Bhai and Hoor Appi. But I won't vent anymore. I won't say anything. I won't confide in anyone." 

He placed his hands on my cheeks. "Yamna, don't say that. I'm your husband. You have every right to confide in me and talk to me." 

"It works both ways, Rohaan. Not just one way." I wiped away my tears. I turned to leave the room.

"I am not the type to wear my heart on my sleeve, hamster. I grew up with them, so of course I can easily vent to my siblings." He grabbed my wrist. 

"I'm your wife now."

"I know." He nodded, pulling me back towards him. "I will try hard not to push you away. I will try my best to start opening up to you. I have to. We're married and we're going to be spending our lives together, In Sha Allah." 

I glanced away.

"But don't stop confiding in me, hamster. I hate the idea of you bottling up your feelings." 

I didn't meet his gaze.

"I'm an a*****e, hamster, but don't do that. Don't punish me like this." 

I felt myself melting, but I kept my expressions neutral. "Start trusting me, and I will continue confiding in you." I paused before I left the room. "And for the record, I don't have a problem with you confiding in your siblings. I'm happy that you have such amazing siblings, Ma Sha Allah. I just wanted to be included in the list of people that you trust completely." I opened the door and headed out.

*

My parents came shortly after dinner, and Tayan and Anabia Tayi insisted that they stayed to have dinner as well. As the adults ate together in the formal living room, I sat in the family living room, watching TV.

Rohaan came and sat down beside me. I didn't look at him, but I could feel his gaze on me. He took my hand in his, before moving closer. I didn't move my hand out of his grip, but I didn't tighten the grip either. I didn't lean against him, but I didn't move away either. 

"I am investigating the murder of a mother and her six-year-old son." He began. "When I deal with such cases, I get so p***ed off that I sometimes can't think straight. I normally go to the gym and throw a few punches, and calm myself down, but today Arsal called while I was in the gym and I was a proper a****le to him."

"Anyone would feel upset seeing the result of such inhumane acts." 

"But I can't take it out on family." He squeezed my hand.

I looked up at him. "You've known me all my life. Why don't you find it easy to talk to me? You know you can trust me with anything." 

"I know, hamster." He said, softly. "And as I said, I do trust you with my life. I guess, in my mind you're still that sweet, naïve girl, and I just want to keep you away from the darkness that I face."

"Yes, but I'm your wife. We're partners. If you are facing something dark, you can share it with me. It would help you to relieve your burden, and it would help me understand you and your career even better."

"I know, and as I said, I'll try harder."

I nodded.

"But please keep confiding in me, Yamna." 

"I'll think about it." I said, softly.

"Don't do that. I hate the idea of you suffering alone." His lips lightly brushed my forehead. 

"You know what my problem is? I cannot keep things from you. You're my safe haven, and I need to tell you my problems because it's a source of comfort for me. I just wish that you eventually feel the same way about me." 

"I know I will, In Sha Allah." He freed my hand and wrapped my arm around me instead. "How was the trip?" 

"It was good."

"Seriously? You're not going to even elaborate?" 

"It was very good." I nuzzled my nose against his chest, breathing in his scent.

"You're really not going to forgive me easily, are you?" 

"I've forgiven you. But you're going to have to work to get me to open up." I said, playfully.

"Any suggestions?"

I missed him so much. "Nope. No suggestions, no hints. You have to figure it out yourself." 

"Well, to start with, I finished your book." 

I widened my eyes at him. "No you didn't."

"Yes I did." He then proceeded to narrated the whole rough plotline of the book, including the plot twist at the end of the book.

"Oh my God, you really did!" 

"I'm insulted that you are so shocked." He grinned.

"Yamna, let's go!" Mama called out from the foyer.

"Because you finished my book, I will tell you that we went on a train ride where we got to see one of the locations where the Harry Potter films were filmed." I got up. "Allah Hafiz, Rohaan." 

As Rohaan and I came out into the foyer, Tayan wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. "Yas, nobody troubles my girl, am I clear?" His gaze discreetly went to Rohaan though.

"We wouldn't dare, Bhai." Papa laughed. 

Anabia Tayi hugged me warmly. "Take care, sweetheart." 

"Allah Hafiz." I said to all while glancing at Rohaan.

"Allah Hafiz." 

*

Rohaan

I knew I was due a lecture. And my father started the moment the front door was closed.

"It's not about Yamna being my niece." He said as we walked into the living room. "How would you have felt if someone had made one of your sisters cry like that? Would you like that?" 

"I know, Papa. I messed up." 

"I have repeatedly warned you to control your temper, to deal with it healthily, but I don't think you'll ever learn." He was fuming. "Imagine if Yas had seen Yamna like that. How the hell am I going to answer my younger brother, that my son is already making his daughter cry?"

The moment I had seen Yamna cry, I had come to the realisation that I was a First Class Pr*ck. You know, the full of VIP of Pr*ckishness.

"I am very disappointed, Rohaan." Mama added. "Neither of us raised you like this." 

"I wasn't mean to her. I just showed her some attitude...and I suppose, from an objective point of view, a lack of trust in her." I shrugged. "I unintentionally keep doing that. I push her away and turn to my siblings instead." 

"Of course she feels bad then, Rohaan. You are married. You need to start turning to her." Mama said. "Having a strong bond with siblings is great and all, but your relationship with your spouse is a whole different level. She's your life partner, the one person you share you happiness and sorrow with." 

"Sort this out like mature adults, Rohaan." Papa said. "But I will not have either of my sons behaving in a way that makes their wives cry like that." 

"I will make it up to her, In Sha Allah." 

*

Yamna

After a long conversation with my parents about the trip, I finally headed back to bed. There's a whole different level of happiness to be in your own bed and your own room after a trip.

I wore a brand new cream coloured matching trousers and shirt set, with pale pink flowers and green leaves printed all over. Pulling my hair up into a messy bun, I kicked off my white bunny bedroom slippers and got into bed.

My phone rang. It was a video call from Rohaan.

I waited a few seconds before answering it. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam." He had an arm folded behind his head and seemed to be leaning back against his headboard. "I'm eager to here stories of the trip."

"And I'm eager to tell them." 

"Then tell me." 

I melted, unable to help myself. "You'll never guess what happened? Hazel caused me to fall down the hill!"

"What?!" His jaw clenched, clearly furious again.

But then I told him about how I'd stood up for myself, and he looked proud. "Hamster, you're soon going to give me a run for my money."

I chatted with him long into the night, telling him about the beautiful Yorkshire Moors, about the home of the former serial killer, about everything and everything, from irrelevant to major. It was like a dam had burst inside me, spilling everything out, and now I couldn't hold myself back. But that's how I felt around Rohaan. I wanted to talk to him and tell him everything that happened to or with me. The best part, of course, was that he was a good listener and he paid attention to everything, even asking questions.

I wasn't a person who held grudges, or who could stay mad at her loved ones for long. Nor did I believe in letting ego win. He had apologised, and he had said that he would try, and I had no intention of dragging on this 'argument' or 'rift', whatever you want to call it. I already felt guilty  that he got in trouble with Tayan. The girl who used to run to her Tayan to complain about Rohaan, was now defending him in front of Tayan.

"My battery is about to die. I need to get up and get my charger from wherever the hell it is." He said, around two hours later.

"I need to sleep too." I muttered. 

"Allah Hafiz, hamster. Sweet dreams."

"Allah Hafiz. Sweet dreams to you too." 

*

THE WEDDING FESTIVITIES BEGIN! 

Tahira

I blinked in surprise at all the things sent over by my mother-in-law.

Aslan had told me that his family had been making preparations since the wedding date was fixed, and that his mother had brought along a lot of stuff back from her last trip to Pakistan.

But this was unbelievable. Baskets full of clothes, clutches, shoes, and jewellery, as well as chocolates. 

Aslan looked at me, anxiously. "Don't tell me you hate it?" 

But I was in tears. "I almost don't feel the absence of my own family. I was worried about how I was going to manage this wedding, in the absence of my maika."

"Well, Mama reassured you from the beginning and told you not to worry." 

"This is the last one." Haya Appi brought in the last basket containing bangles.

"Now you owe us lunch for this labour." Rohaan Bhai told Aslan, as my siblings-in-law gathered in the living room.

"Lunch will be from me." I said. "It's the least that I can do."

"Aww, Tahira. Arsal always gets away with not buying lunch!" Haya Appi said. "Everyone lets him off because he is the youngest."

"That's not true!" Aslan protested.

"How about a joint lunch, from both me and Arsalan?" I suggested.

"What do you think, Ro?" Hoor Appi asked Rohaan Bhai.

"Even if you don't want to pay, Tahira, you're forgiven. But as long as Arsalan pays, that's all we want." My brother-in-law grinned.

"Call Yamna. We'll call the husbands." Haya Appi said. "We'll all share the payment, but it would be nice for us all to have lunch together."

"Yamna would be here if she didn't have a lecture." Rohaan Bhai pointed out. "So, she can't be there for lunch."

"And Farhaan is out of city." Hoor Appi replied.

Haya Appi called Aariz Bhai, but even he couldn't come.

"I guess it's us again." Aslan shrugged.

Unfortunately, when we were at lunch, I started to feel a little nauseated, which revived the fear inside me. Am I pregnant?

I was just about to panic when my question was answered dramatically.

It seemed that I had just started my period. I went to the bathroom and confirmed that. Fortunately, I always kept a pad in my bag, but I couldn't stop crying in relief. I'd never felt this relieved to have my period.

But it was best that the wedding had been preponed. Clearly, Aslan and I had issues with self-control.

*

Yamna

<Rohaan: I'm taking you out somewhere nice tonight. Surprise me.>

What did that even mean? How did I even define 'somewhere nice'?

But the 'surprise me' bit really intrigued me.

<Yamna: Prepare to be stunned into speechlessness.>

Yes, but how?

*

Rohaan

Wearing a black suit, complete with a black tie, I arrived outside Yamna's house.

Step one, the hardest step, to face Chachu and Chachi and their teasing.

"Rohaan Rehan Tariq wearing a tie!" Of course, Chachu teased me after the greetings were done.

I shrugged. "It's a special night for a special girl." 

They both looked pleased, and Chachu patted my shoulder. "My boy."

But then Yamna came downstairs, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw her. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her. This was not the Yamna I was used to, the one that I adored as she was.

This was a different version of her, still as beautiful as ever (Ma Sha Allah), but more... whoa.

Damn, she's hot.  Ma Sha Allah. I shook my head, bringing myself out of those thoughts. No matter how attractive she seemed, I didn't want to think about her like that. Her simplicity, soft beauty and sweetness was what made her Yamna. But her look today reminded me that she was my wife, the woman that I loved. She wasn't just the hamster that I loved to tease. She was the girl who had become my life partner. Mrs Rohaan Rehan Tariq.

She wore a full-length black dress with long sheer lace sleeves and sequins over the bodice. Her straight hair was pinned back from her face, and as she lifted up her dress to make her way downstairs, I saw her wearing black dangerously-high heel sandals. She had replaced her glasses with contacts tonight, but I just knew that she was carrying a pair in her clutch, because she would eventually get annoyed with contacts. I just knew her that well. She had shimmering eye make-up, beautified more by her naturally long lashes. She wore a thin floral necklace around her neck, with matching earrings.

"Assalam Alaikum." She greeted me, her cheeks pink.

"Walaikum Assalam." I took her hand, before turning to Chachu and Chachi. "We should head out, we're running a bit late. I promise she'll be safe, and I'll bring her back as soon as possible." 

"We know she'll be safe with you." Chachu smiled.

"Fi Aman Allah." Chachi said.

*May you remain under Allah's Protection.

"Allah Hafiz." Yamna and I said, before stepping out of the house.

She stumbled a little at the threshold, but slipped her arm through mine to steady herself.

And as we walked towards the car, I couldn't take my eyes off her, and I couldn't push the smile away from my face. I loved her in those glasses, I loved her without glasses. I loved her in pink, I loved her in black. I loved her in floral dresses and jeans, I loved her in gowns. I loved her unconditionally, irrevocably and truly. But there was something about her tonight that made my heart beat just a little bit faster than usual.

"You are going to walk right into the car." She giggled.

I turned and realised how close I was to my car. I opened the front passenger door, wordlessly.

She smiled and sat down, tucking her dress inside.

I closed the door and turned to wave at Chachu and Chachi, who had clearly witnessed my completely whipped state.

"Will you be able to drive?" Chachu teased me.

I chuckled. "I will try my best." 

As I drove away from their home, I grabbed Yamna's hand. Every chance I got, I glanced at her. 

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Somewhere you'll love." 

"Any special reason?" 

"I'll tell you." 

Sometimes she tapped her foot, sometimes she tapped her fingers on her clutch. She excited and eager to know where we were going, but I simply smiled at her impatience.

"Mama had to do my eye make-up, and I had to take these heels out from the garage. I bought them from Pakistan and they have a steady grip so they're easier to walk." She began to talk. Now she was nervous. "The dress doesn't look too over, does it?" 

"You look beautiful, perfect, breath-taking, stunning, which you always do anyway. Ma Sha Allah! May Allah protect you from evil eyes. Ameen." 

When she didn't say anything, I stole a glance at her again. She was smiling to herself, which made me smile again.

*

When we arrived at the riverside, she squealed.

"Are we going for one of those cruise dinners?!" She gasped. 

"Even better. We are going to one of those cruise dinners that is purely halal, with a mixture of desi, Turkish, Arabic food. And no alcohol at all." I got out of the car and walked around to open her door.

She placed her hand into my extended one and got out. 

Locking the car, we started walking towards the dock, with her arm through mine.

"Just make sure I don't fall into the river right here." She looked worriedly towards the edge, before glancing down at her heels. "I'm not in the mood to find Nemo tonight."

I laughed. "Don't worry. I won't let you fall." 

We approached the beautiful mini-cruise ship and I showed the staff member our tickets on my phone. 

"Once the cruise has started, they will dim the lights so that we could get the best experience of the city lights. It will be a candlelight dinner." I explained as we were lead up the gangway and onto the boat.

We were led inside where countless tables were set up, mainly for couples. I had pre-reserved a table for two by the window, rather than letting the staff give us any random ones. The waiter smiled at Yamna as he pulled out a seat for her. She thanked him and sat down, and as he began to tuck in her chair, he noticed my glare and backed away with an embarrassed nod. As he walked away, I tucked in my wife's chair instead.

I sat down opposite her. 

"Right, what's the special occasion?" She asked, propping up an elbow on the table and placing her chin in her palm as she stared curiously at me.

"It's not a huge deal, but I got a raise. Apparently, the bosses are impressed with my work." I cleared my throat. "And the Mayor of London personally sent me a thank you letter for a recent case." 

"No huge deal? Are you serious? Rohaan, that's brilliant! Congratulations! Ma Sha Allah, I'm so proud of you! May Allah give you endless success! Ameen." Her eyes were sparkling with happiness, and there was now a huge smile on her face. She got up and came over to my side and leaned down to hug me, to my surprise.

I breathed in her scent and I wondered briefly how my parents would feel about us preponing our wedding. 

She pulled back, resting her forehead against mine briefly. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking..."

"Don't ever apologise for something like that." I was almost disappointed when she sat back down in her seat. "I wanted to celebrate with my wife."

She smiled again.

*

The cruise was over three hours long, and after dinner, everyone had the option to go to the outer and upper decks.

Yamna and I headed up to the open-air top deck, and took a seat on two empty chairs. It was dark up here, again to give people the chance to truly enjoy the lights of London. The meal had been delicious, and we'd both had a good time throughout it.

Now she held my hand in both of hers, leaning her head against my upper arm.

I then decided that I was going to take the first step towards the promise that I'd made to her. I was going to be vulnerable in front of her. "Yamna?"

"Hmm?" 

"Do you think that my job doesn't scare me?" 

She looked up at me, and as I'd expected, she'd taken out the contact lenses and put her glasses on again. Still as beautiful, Ma Sha Allah. "I don't think anything scares you."

I chuckled. "I get scared. When I'm in dangerous situations, of course I get scared. But not for myself. I worry about what would happen to my family. Boss Woman, Papa, Behaya, Hoor, Arsal, and now you as well. I worry about the impact on my parents, especially, and it's the scariest damn thing in the world. I don't think Boss Woman can handle losing any of her kids."

"So, how do you get through it? Through the fear?" 

"I'm even more determined to survive, for my family's sake. And that determination, after Allah's protection and my parents' duas, is what gets me through." 

"Admitting this fact doesn't make you weak, Rohaan. It makes you human." She glanced towards the river. "And in this world full of demons disguised as humans, we need genuine humans." 

"Does knowing this change how you see me?" 

She looked at me and nodded. "Of course. It makes you braver than I thought you were, in my new opinion. You fight your fear, for the good of innocents and the society. You are no less than a superhero, Rohaan." 

I stood up and walked towards the railing. It felt good to trust someone with my vulnerability; someone who wasn't my parent or sibling. 

She walked over to me and wrapped her arm around my waist, looking up at me. "I love you, and there's no doubt in that. But I also greatly respect you, look up to you and I'm constantly in awe of you. Your courage, your bravery, your strength, all gives me the inspiration to be stronger. Ma Sha Allah."

"You are stronger than you realise you are, Yamna. And, for the record, your sweet nature, your innocence reminds me constantly that this world is not completely f**ked up. Allah has blessed me greatly by making you my life partner. He sent you to me as a reminder that there's always light when there's darkness."

She placed her hands on my cheeks, and in the lights from the passing monuments and buildings, I saw a tear running down her cheek. "Thank you for opening up to me, Rohaan. I feel happy to see this side of you, and I feel special knowing that only a few rare people get to see this side of you." 

"Only people that I love the most in this whole universe." I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers. I'd waited too long to do this, but not anymore. 

She wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me back just as eagerly.

*

A while later, I sat on a chair by the railing, while Yamna had gone to the restroom.

Suddenly, I felt her arms around my neck, and she leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I'm back."

"And there goes my peace..." I teased, turning my head so that our lips met again.

"Meanie." She sighed in content, keeping her arms wrapped around me from behind. "Hey, do you remember when you used to tell me that you'll lock me up in Big Ben?" 

I laughed. "You used to get so scared."

She came down and sat on the chair beside me. 

"You were such a chicken." I laughed again. "You still are."

"I'm definitely telling Tayan now."

"Chamchi."

She got up frowning at me. "Good night, Mr Rohaan Rehan Tariq." She turned to walk away.

"I'm your ride home. Where are you going?" 

"There's something known as an Uber!" She called out over her shoulder.

"I have your clutch, which has your phone." Grinning, I held up the clutch.

She began to walk towards me, but stumbled in those heels. She managed to steady herself, by holding onto a chair, but I was already out of my seat, rushing towards her.

"You okay?" I asked, concerned.

She took her clutch from me. "Thank you! Good night." Smirking, she turned and walked away.

"Did you just trick me?" I asked in disbelief.

She looked over her shoulder and winked. "I'm Mrs Rohaan Rehan Tariq, remember. A lioness holds the true power, and the queen is the most powerful piece on the chessboard. You've met your match, detective."

"Alhumdulillah for that." I followed her, wrapping my arm around her waist.

We kissed a few more times, taking advantage of the romantic surroundings.

"Bye the way, hamster. The cruise doesn't end for another half an hour. Where the hell do you think you were going?" I teased, keeping my arm around her.

"Shush." Even in the dim light I could tell that she was blushing.

I laughed, leaning down to kiss here cheek, before cheekily kissing her neck as well. "My hamster." 

It was a beautiful evening, and I was realising that I was falling deeper and deeper in love with her with each passing moment. I was happy that I'd brought her here with me tonight.

And she seemed very happy, Ma Sha Allah. She was smiling and laughing a lot, and was teasing me back as much as I was teasing her. I loved seeing her this carefree. 

May Allah always keep her this carefree and happy. Ameen.

*

No cliffhanger!

So, they had their first 'issue', but Rohaan has started to make amends for it.

The wedding festivities for Tahira and Arsalan will be starting soon, but they might be a little different! 

How was Yamna & Rohaan's date?

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments on the chapter?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!