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Another gem by storiesbyzainab

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Rohaan

Sometimes in a blink of an eye, your whole world comes crashing down around you, your whole future destroyed.

"...you do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence." The police officer grimly told me.

"I'm innocent. I swear. I didn't do anything!" I was in tears, and I sensed no humiliation. I was being framed.

"Rohaan!" Arsalan shouted out from the crowd of bystanders.

"Arsu, tell them! I didn't do anything!" I shouted back.

My little brother was already on his phone, but the night faded away in the blue lights of the police car as I was taken away by the police.

*

A FEW HOURS EARLIER

It was a Friday night, and I was bored out of my mind, so I walked into Arsalan's room and asked, "Yo, you want to see the new action film?" 

He looked up from the book he was reading, and I could tell by his expressions that he was getting ready to say no.

"Come on, bro. I'm bored." I urged him.

He sighed and put his book down. "Take Haya Appi."

"She complains too much when watching action films." I paused. "Yo, you do this and I promise that I'll go with you to one of those stupid membership-only book warehouses that Hoor used to accompany you to."

"You better not call it stupid. And you better not complain." He pointed a finger in warning.

"I won't say anything verbally. Although it's too much to ask if you expect me to neutralise my expressions as well."

"Fine." 

"It's a midnight show. Get ready. Let me go tell Boss Woman." I headed out of his room and down the stairs.

Naturally, our mother was less than happy. "Yeh koi time hai donon ka akele bahar jaane ka? Sharif ghar ke ladke..." She was watching TV, sat beside Papa, both of them having cups of coffee after long days at work.

*"Is this the time for you two to be going out? Boys of decent families..."

And then I played the card that Hoor and Haya regularly played. I glanced at Papa with a pleading expression.

Our father sighed. "Why do you kids always put me in this position?" 

"You have helped out the H² so many times. You almost owe me and Arsal."

Papa glanced at Mama. "They'll take the car and come back immediately after the film." When I opened my mouth to protest- since I planned a late night burger- he gave me a pointed look and I shut up. Beggars can't be choosers.

One should definitely not disregard parental advice or daant.

*

WARNING: VIOLENCE

It happened as we were exiting the cinema. As it had been Friday, we didn't get a parking space to close too the cinema. In fact, it was (coincidentally) just outside Burger King. Technically, if I quickly went in and grabbed a burger, it could still count as going home immediately from the cinema. Right? 

"Wait. I'm gonna get a Vegan Royale. You want anything?" I told my little brother.

Arsal shook his head. "Give me the car keys. I'll go sit in the car."

I handed him the keys and headed into Burger King. They had one of those touchscreen ordering kiosk, and I placed my order before heading to the order collection counter. I decided to get milkshakes for Behaya and Arsal as well. After I grabbed my bag, smiling gratefully at the worker who handed it to me, I headed out. But as I walked to the car, I heard the sounds of a struggle and I turned to see a group of guys grabbing onto the lapels of a much smaller male in his early twenties. One guy took the victim's glasses and threw them onto the ground. They were clearly drunk and were having a good time.

"Hey! Pick on someone your own size!" I shouted out. My biggest fault is that I'm impulsive. I dropped the bag of food and drinks on the ground and raced over.

"RO!" Arsal's alarmed voice didn't even stop me.

I lunged at one of the guys, pulling him off the smaller, terrified-looking guy. 

I don't know what happened. There was a blur, a fight, and a glint of a knife. It ended with me on my back with a sharp pain on my shoulder...with a knife in my hand. I vaguely recalled snatching the knife from one of the guys to stop him from stabbing me or the initial victim. The sounds of police car sirens filled the air, and the boys disappeared, jumping into a getaway car. The original victim lay on the ground beside me, looking at me wide-eyed. There was a cut on his cheek, deep and bleeding, probably from the knife.

"W-Why did you stab me?" He whispered.

"I didn't!" I knew I didn't. I had tried to stop them from stabbing him.

The next thing I knew, Metropolitan Police officers towered over me, their focus on the knife in my hand.

Mama.

*

PRESENT

I threw up in the small holding cell at the police station. Anxiety and fear was destroying my digestive system, it seemed. I'd already told the police that I wasn't going to open my mouth until I got a lawyer. The police was going to offer me one of the police's duty solicitor- one who was independent of the police, but I refused. I needed someone hired by my family.

But until I got the lawyer- or my family- I prayed silently to Allah. He knew I was innocent, and He would ensure that I did not face trouble for something I didn't do. Please get me out of this situation, Allah.

I guess I dozed off after what seemed like hours of staring blankly at the grey walls. I was awoken by the sound of the door opening and I sat up sharply. A policeman walked up to me. "Your lawyer's here. Come." 

I stood up, but my legs were shaking so much that I sat back down. "I was trying to help the boy. He was being bullied by those other guys."

His expressions softened. "You can say whatever you need to say in the presence of your lawyer, kid." 

I finally managed to stand back up on my feet, and followed him out towards the reception of the police station. I almost fell to the ground in relief when I saw my father there, along with Saim Mamu and Yasin Chachu. The three were talking to Inara Rohail, the lawyer who had helped Hoor out of the trouble she had landed herself in- also while innocent. "Dad." Giving no regard to anything or anyone around me, I rushed over and hugged my father, tears blurring my eyes. "Dad, I promise, I didn't do anything. I was just trying to help the guy."

"Mr Rehan, please..." The policeman began to say, referring to me.

"Relax. He's a twenty-year-old kid who went through a shocking experience. Let him hug his father." Inara stepped in. "Right now, you haven't even charged him of anything."

"Yo Ro, don't worry." Saim Mamu reassured me. "We'll get you out of here, In Sha Allah. Arsal told us everything."

"So, can we please know exactly why my client has been brought in here?" Inara asked the police officer.

"He has been accused of causing actual bodily harm by the victim, and he was caught possessing an offensive weapon." 

"I was trying to stop them from stabbing the guy!" I almost shouted.

"Rohaan, let me handle it." Miss Rohail told me, before turning back to the police officer. "I'm hoping that you guys are open-minded enough to hear Mr Rohaan's side of the story, and remaining partial, right? Do what you guys do, do your investigation. This country is filled with CCTV cameras. Look for eye witnesses. Whatever. But let's get the questioning over and done with quickly, because I don't want my innocent client to have to spend more time in here."

"His innocence will be determined during our investigation, Miss." The policeman said, gruffly.

"Great. Let's get on with it then." 

Maybe it was Mama's prayers. Maybe it was my own prayers. Maybe it was the basic concept of good wins over evil. But the need for my questioning disappeared after another policeman approached us and whispered something to his colleague, the one who had brought me out here.

The policeman turned to us and sighed. "You are free to go, no questioning, no investigation."

"What?" I blinked at him.

"The victim suffered from a concussion, and due to that he had a great amount of confusion. He now admitted that you are not the one who harmed him, in fact you tried to save him."

"I mean, that's what I've been saying all along." I muttered.

Papa had his arm casually resting around my shoulders, and I could see him relax with relief. Saim Mamu patted my back.

"You are a good kid." The policeman told me. "Not many people would have done what you did, not that anyone could be blamed. Well done."

I nodded. "Thanks." 

My father and uncles led me out of the police station, and Miss Rohail followed behind. 

"You and your siblings always end up in situations, don't you?" She lightly smiled.

"Yeah, but we're normally innocent." 

"Legally speaking, yes. In other senses..." Mamu teased me.

"You are hilarious." I told him, dryly.

"You okay, right?" Chachu asked me with concern.

Well, most of the time I had been inside, I was repeatedly getting the thought in my head that I needed my mother. But who admits that out loud? Come on, I had a reputation to keep. Plus, Arsal already had the Mamma's Boy position covered. "I'm fine, Chachu. It's a part of living the rebellious life." I realised that Papa still had his hand on my back as we walked, almost protectively. And suddenly I realised that he wasn't completely partial towards his daughters. Yes, he was softer when it came to Haya and Hoor, but he would always watch out for all of us. 

Chachu and Mamu went home in their own cars, and Papa led me to his. 

"Arsal home?" I asked.

"Yeah, I sent him home." 

"Does Mama know?" 

"Of course she knows, Ro. In fact, she is the one who answered when Arsal called my number, all panicked."

I groaned. "Why do I always end up worrying her?" 

"Because you're my son." To my surprise, he chuckled. "It's in your blood."

*

Mama wouldn't let me go. She held on tightly to me, crying, and I held her just as tightly. "Rohaan, why is trouble always linked to you?" 

"Because I'm so good looking that everyone gets attracted to me." I joked.

She pulled back, her face tear-streaked, and she slapped my cheek lightly. "Not everything is a joke."

"I'm okay and free, so we are free to joke." 

The next thing I knew, Haya had rushed up to me and was hugging me. "Oh my God, you're alive! Alhumdulillah! I was worried that I won't have anyone to mess around with!" 

"Haya!" Mama glared at her now.

I held up a fist and Haya pounded it. "Worry not, Behaya. This Badrooh won't leave you anytime soon." 

Arsalan stood in the living room doorway. "You are an idiot, Rohaan."

"You just found out?" Haya giggled.

"I'm gonna shower." I muttered. "I smell like prison."

"Oh, is it? I thought it was your usual cologne." Haya high-fived Arsal and they both laughed.

"My reply is not parent appropriate." I headed up the stairs.

But I couldn't stop smiling, the relief consuming me like I should have consumed that Burger King Vegan Royale.

*

There was a light knock on the door.

Briefly, I thought I was dreaming and I continued sleeping.

But then there was a louder knock.

"WHAT?"

"Can I come in, Rohaan Bhai?" 

I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "Sure, hamster. It's not like I was sleeping or anything."

The door opened and Yamna walked in, holding a small bag in her hand. I turned on the bedside table lamp, not bothering to get up and pull aside the curtains. "Hamster, why are you here so early?" 

"Everyone is here downstairs, including your Mamu's family. Everyone was worried about you." She set the bag on the table. 

I saw that it was from a local dessert shop. "What is that?" 

"I brought a blueberry muffin for you. Prison must have been scary." She looked at me, wide-eyed.

"I wasn't exactly in prison, just in a holding cell briefly." I chuckled. "But thanks, hamster."

She turned to walk out of the room, but then stopped in her tracks before glancing over her shoulder. "You are a hero, Rohaan Bhai. You always stand up for the weak, like superheroes do." She hurriedly left the room then, closing the door behind her. 

I lay back on my bed, before reaching out to grab my phone, which was on silent mode. I saw a message which made my heart skip a beat.

<Ifra: How's the criminal life? 👮🏼🚓>

I chuckled again.

<Rohaan: You heard?>

<Ifra: Anabia Khalla called Mama this morning and had a long discussion with her.>

I shook my head. If it was just any other friend of hers, I would have been offended that my mother was telling my personal things to her. But firstly, my mother wouldn't just discuss our personal issues with just any friend. And secondly, Reem Khalla was one of her closest confidants. Talking to her made her feel better, and if it made Mama feel better, I had no issue with her.

The door burst open and I groaned. "Can I not get any privacy around here?"

The curtains were yanked open and I saw Hoor walking over to stand beside my bed. "Allah! Ro, are you okay?" 

"They worried you too?" 

"Haya told me!" 

I got up from the bed and stared down at my sister. "I'm okay. Chill." 

She hugged me.

"Oh, not a hug, Hoor." I groaned.

"God, Ro, can't you ever stay out of trouble?" 

"Trouble and I have an affair. What can I do?" 

She rolled her eyes.

"How are you? All good?" I looked carefully at my sister's expressions.

She looked up at me, giving me a small smile. "I'm not the one who got into police trouble."

"This time." I laughed. "Remember the hit and run case?"

"What hit and run case?" She wrinkled her nose, feigning memory loss.

"The one where my then future behnoyi ji's idea for a dash cam saved you?" 

"Oh, that one!"

"How many hit and run cases have you been involve in, troublemaker?" 

"One less than you." She giggled. "Come on. Let's all have breakfast together."

"Never, ever barge into my room like that again." 

"Or what?" She quickly grabbed a pillow and hit me with me before squealing and running out of my room before I could attack back.

"HOOR!" I yelled, chasing out after her, laughing.

*

Hooriya

"Wait a minute." Yamna looked at me wide-eyed. "So it's true? Haya Appi will be getting married too?" 

I smiled. "In Sha Allah." 

Haya just made a face as she pretended to watch some match highlights. I knew she was pretending because of her pink cheeks. Her focus was clearly on her conversation.

"That's so cool! I need to buy new dresses for it!" Yamna was excited. "I want to wear a lehenga."

"I think we'll be wearing cricket kits." I laughed.

"Really?" Poor Yum-Yum looked confused and disappointed.

"I certainly don't want to be painted like a china doll and wear clothes that are heavier than my body weight." Haya turned to face us. "And no gold, because eww."

"Gold is almost mandatory." I remembered the gold bangles Nano had gifted me when I got married. Even now both my grandmothers and mother often asked about those bangles. I couldn't exactly tell them that they were locked away safely in a bank locker along with other valuables.

"Gold is yesterday's news." Haya rolled her eyes.

"Silver is cool!" Yamna jumped up.  "And diamonds! And emeralds! And rubies!" 

"Oh, darling, when it's your turn, you better marry a jeweller." Haya told her.

Yamna blushed. "I'm too small right now."

I grabbed her arm and pulled her in for a hug. "Yum-Yum, you're such a cutie. Ma Sha Allah!" 

"Our adorable little Yum-Yum, Ma Sha Allah. Live your childhood and innocence. You are too young right now." Haya told her. "A few days ago, even I felt that." She spoke the last sentence absent-mindedly.

And I knew the feeling very well too. How had I grown up from being the little girl who collected Barbies to a wife who was helping her husband in his business?

Time sometimes ran too cruelly fast. 

*

"But it's all okay, right? Rohaan is clear?" Farhaan was asked Papa as I came down the stairs a while later.

"Yes, Alhumdulillah. He was cleared." Papa sat back on the armchair. 

"Rohaan is brave, Ma Sha Allah. He has the courage to fight for what's right." My husband said. "You and Aunty should be proud of him."

"As parents, of course we feel proud. But also as parents, we feel selfish and we'd rather that our kids stay out of situations like that." 

"Assalam Alaikum." I greeted Farhaan.

"Walaikum Assalam." He replied.

Both of the two most important men in my life stood up as I entered. 

"Ready to go, Hoor?" Farhaan asked.

"Yes. Alhumdulillah, Rohaan is okay. I feel better now that I've seen him." I nodded.

"Come on, Farhaan. Stay for dinner." Papa told him. "You came here after such a long time, and I won't let you leave without having dinner with us."

"Uncle..." 

Mama entered at that time, holding a tray containing coffee mugs. "No Rehan, coffee first. Then dinner and dessert." She smiled, setting the tray down. "I'm still getting dinner ready, so I figured you can have some snacks with coffee." She had quickly fried up some spring rolls and had set out biscuits on one plate, which all rested on the tray along with the coffee mugs.

"All this formality, Aunty..." 

"It's no formality, Farhaan." Mama reassured him.

"Even now my mother-in-law doesn't let me leave her home until I'm fully stuffed." Papa told Farhaan. "For you it's just the beginning." He patted his shoulder.

Farhaan glanced at me and I smiled at him.  Any more arguments, Mr Farhaan Faiz? Finally he conceded, and sat back down. "Sure. As you both wish."

 I sat down beside him. 

"Hoor, coffee?" Mama asked me.

"I'm okay, Mama. Have a seat, please." 

Because of the gathering of relatives since the morning, Mama had been constantly on her feet, running about here and there, making sure everything was well taken care of. Amidst all that, she had still arranged coffee and snacks now, and was also simultaneously working on dinner. I felt guilty and had offered to help, but she had refused.

Mama sat down, hesitantly, her gaze darting towards the living room door and I knew she was worried about whatever she was cooking.

"Mama, I'll go check on the food." I offered.

"No, it's going to be a while, don't worry." She smiled at me, but she was tapping her foot lightly as if she was itching to return back into the kitchen.

I couldn't help smiling as well. She was the exact copy of Nano. Her habits, her concerns, everything.

"How are things going with the B&B, Farhaan? And the hotel revival?" Papa asked.

"It's not an easy task, Uncle. If the revival had continued immediately after the downfall, maybe it would have been easy, but not now. Times have changed, and there's so much competition." 

My arm brushed against Farhaan's. I looked at him. His respectful tone, and the way he answered my father's questions properly, and not in a half-hearted, one-worded manner, made him even more endearing to me. No matter how much stress or tensions we'd faced recently, he always ended up reminding me of why I loved him so much.

"How is Hoor when it comes to helping manage the B&B?" Mama asked.

Weak. Pathetic. Unworthy of management.

"She's the boss." Farhaan gave me a smile as he replied. "Everyone adores her." 

I thought about Julia's recklessly spoken words regarding Farhaan's character. Not everyone was a friend, nor did everyone who seemed nice wished you well. She had greatly reminded me of that fact. 

"Assalam Alaikum, bro." Rohaan entered the room and walked up to Farhaan, who stood up to hug him.

"Walaikum Assalam." Farhaan patted him on the arm. "All good, Rohaan?" 

"You know me. I'm always surrounded by drama." Rohaan grinned. "But so are you, considering that you married Hoor."

Everyone laughed, and I was so tempted to reach out to pinch Rohaan, but maturity won over the natural sibling instinct.

"I think I hit my head last night because I didn't hear Papa automatically defend Hoor." Rohaan, the ever dramatic person, tapped a hand over his ear.

"You did good, so I'll let you off today." Papa told him.

"The betrayal!" I pouted, looking at him.

"I get one day and you're jealous?" My brother raised both eyebrows at me. "Think about how I feel now. Arsu's got Mama, you and Haya have Papa. I'm a lone soldier."

But I saw through my brother's façade. No matter how brave and nonchalant he was acting, I knew how shaken up he was by last night's events. If teasing me and our siblings was a way to make him feel better, I was willing to be teased for the rest of my life. But I prayed that he never, ever had an experience like that again.

*

When I had been informed about what had happened to Rohaan, I'd almost felt like I would have a heart attack. I was scared for him and his future simultaneously. But I knew, without any doubt, that my brother was innocent. 

And now that I had a time to think about it, I realised how I had shown blind faith in him, something that I'd failed to show in Farhaan as of yet. I'd constantly placed him in a situation where he must have felt like he was a defendant in a court case, and he was also fighting his own case. I had trust issues, and I knew how wrong I was. 

"Hoor?" 

I had been sitting up in bed in the darkness, leaning against the headboard. It was well past midnight and Farhaan had already fallen asleep. "Hmm?" 

"What's wrong?" He propped up on his elbow, his voice heavy with sleep.

"Proving innocence should be kept for the police and court of law. It should not be required in a good, trustworthy relationship." 

"What's with the midnight words of wisdom?" He sat up as well, also leaning against the headboard.

"I never doubted Ro. It's an unconditional trust, planted firmly within me."

"He's you brother, and I have seen how close you siblings are. Of course there's unconditional trust there."

"But you're my husband, Farhaan! And I've known you my whole life and I don't think I have given you the unconditional trust that you deserve!"

He took my hand lightly in his. "Hoor, we are in a relationship where it takes time to build trust on that level."

"Can we not speed things up, fast forward, and be on that level already?" I laughed lightly. "I feel like I'm failing miserably."

"No, you're not, Hoor."

"Yes, I am, Farhaan." I didn't even know why but this incident with Rohaan had clearly highlighted to me the difference between how much I trusted my biological family, and how much I trusted the man who had become family through the beautiful bond of Nikah. I realised that if tables were turn, I would have been hurt and miserable at the distrust faced from my spouse.

"Look, Hoor, nobody can force anyone to unconditionally trust them."

"Yeah, but one must at least try." I turned on the bedside lamp and sat on my knees facing him. 

"What are you doing?" He asked, wearily.

"I'm trying to make a fresh start."

"Hooriya, sweetheart, I need to be up early in the morning."

I held out both hands. Sighing, he took my hands. I stared straight into his eyes. "I trust you, completely. And I promise you right now, Farhaan Faiz, that I will try and completely destroy my insecurities." 

"And I promise you, Hooriya Farhaan, I will not hide anymore things from you, even if I don't have bad intentions behind doing so."

"I watched you love another and I still loved you. I still trusted you so much. So how can I not trust you when you love me back?" I hugged him. "I'm so sorry, Farhaan. I promise that I will not allow a third party to create any more trust issues between us."

He lay back down, pulling me over him. His arm was snaked around my waist and my hands were now pressed against his chest. "I can not ever resent you, Hoor. Maybe it's a character flaw in me or something," He smiled. "But no matter what, I cannot be mad at you for your insecurities. You are my weakness, Hooriya Farhaan."

"You are saying that now. But if I act the same way in a few years time, love won't be enough. We need that trust strengthened, Farhaan." 

"You are so sensible. How did you fall in love with me?" 

I giggled as I lay on my back beside him, my hand moving down to rest on his stomach. Gazing up at his face, I whispered. "I had no control." Feeling a strange sort of peace, I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes. "Good night, Farhaan."

"Good night, Hooriya." 

*

The next morning, I was up bright and early. After a shower, I changed into black formal trousers, and a long-sleeved off-white lace blouse. With my damp hair hanging loose around my face, I moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. 

"Wow. I thought you'd be up around ten at least." 

I jumped at Farhaan's voice and turned to see him standing in the doorway. "Aren't you meant to be ready already?" 

He shrugged. "I am the boss. I have my own timings."

"You're going to the B&B today?" I asked, feeling hopeful.

He nodded. "If my boss allows." He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me from behind. 

"Your skin is still damp from the shower!" I squealed, trying to move away.

He placed his hands on my shoulders now, turning me around to face him. He literally still had drops of water on his chest and stomach. Blood rushed into my cheeks and I avoided the urge to close my eyes. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me melt into a puddle of shyness. He held out his hand. "Come."

"Where?"

"Do you trust me?" There was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

"Are you testing me?" I breathed out, stepping closer to him and placing my hand on his cheek.

"What are your chances of passing this test?" He leaned down closer, our lips inches apart.

I closed my eyes. "Take me. Pick me up and take me wherever you want, no questions asked."

He scooped me up into his arms and carried me out. I kept my eyes closed, and a small smile remained on my face. My heart was pounding heart. I didn't know what his plan was, but I didn't care. Whatever it was, I was ready and willing.

He set me down and I opened my eyes to find myself on our bed. He was leaning over me and he reached forward to brush his knuckles against my cheek.

"What are your intentions, Mr Farhaan?" I asked softly.

"I have a proposal." He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"We're already married." 

His lips were on mine now, and I placed my hand on the back of his neck as he deepened the kiss. Our hands clasped together as our kiss became more intense.

And he ended it just as abruptly, leaning his forehead against mine. "Hooriya?"

"Hmm?" 

"I want to give you my baby." 

The way my heart reacted surprised me, but the wide smile that appeared on my face proved that my heart had indeed reacted pleasantly to his words. "I'm ready." A tear slipped down the side of my cheek.

"You are? How did you know that I was going to suggest this?" 

I opened my eyes again, staring at him with slight confusion. "Huh?" I sat up.

"It's something that I've been thinking for a while, Hoor, but I never really implied it out loud to you. How did you know?" He looked as confused as I felt.

I had a feeling that he and I were not thinking about the same things. 

And then a look of realisation appeared on his face. "Wait...are you...?" 

"What?" I feigned confusion, feeling embarrassed. Oops. "What were you talking about?" 

"What were you thinking about?" 

"I don't know. It was in the heat of the moment. I have no idea what I was saying... What were you saying?" Please change the topic.

He moved closer to me and took my hand in his. "Hooriya, I want to give you the Rose Luxe B&B. I want it to be in the hands of the person I love the most." 

That baby. Duh. Why else would he word it like that?  "Me?" 

"You." He nodded. A cheeky and amused smile appeared on his face. "Unless you are ready for a completely different kind of joint responsibility?" 

"Are you sure you want to do that? I'm not exactly a businesswoman." I ignored his question, not sure if I wanted to have this discussion right now. Maybe when it was dark and the lights were now. Not now, when he could read every single expressions of mine easily. I make no sense sometimes.

"I'd love it if you take it off my hands. This way I don't have to sell it off to strangers and then feel bad when I see them mess it up."

"So, you'd rather that I mess it up?" 

He leaned even closer. "If it's yours, it can still be considered our baby. And I know, Hooriya Farhaan, that our baby will be in the best hands with you."

"Our baby would need you too, you know. I cannot handle this on my own." 

"I'll be there, and I'll do whatever I can to help. I just cannot take full responsibility of it anymore. I need to focus elsewhere."

"But it's yours, Farhaan! You are basically its father!" Our choice of words was making my head spin. What were we discussing? The B&B or our future baby?

"That's why I am asking you, Hoor. I'd have to sell this place. I'd rather that it stayed with someone that I know will take good care of it. And who better than my own wife?"

I glanced down at our clasped hands. "That's a huge responsibility, Farhaan."

"It's completely your choice. I promise you that there's no pressure. No emotional blackmail, no guilt. If this isn't something you want, just say the word."

"It's more about my ability to handle it than what I want."

"What do you want, Hooriya?"

"I don't want you to sell it. You worked so hard to build this place. I know what it means to you." I nodded after thinking things briefly. "Okay, I want your baby. After all you'll be here to look after it along with me too, right? Anytime I need you, you'll be there, right?" I realised what I'd just said and I dropped my gaze.

"I promise, I'll always be there for you. No matter when you need my help, I'll find a way to help you no matter what. In Sha Allah."

I don't know why but I was in tears now. For him to entrust me with his B&B was overwhelming. He had more faith in me than I'd ever had in myself.

"I can sense that you don't want to discuss this right now, Hoor, but know that my promise to you wasn't just about our B&B baby." He whispered. "My commitment towards you and our actual baby would be even greater, In Sha Allah."

I placed my hand on his cheek. "When the time's right, Farhaan." 

As much as my heart had started suddenly yearning for a baby- for mine and Farhaan's baby- I knew I had a long way to go. I had to work on my insecurities, on building trust with my husband, and on the B&B. 

"Hey, imagine if we had quadruplets? Considering we're both from a set of twins." He suddenly said.

I burst out laughing. "Oh my God, Farhaan. Have mercy on me."

As we both stared at each other with pure love, I began to feel better. It was best this way. Our innocent baby should be born in a world which I'd witnessed my whole life: where its parents loved and trusted each other unconditionally.

*

Okay, so the chapter started dramatically.

But it ended up with Hoor learning a very important lesson on trust, since it's essentially her story. 

How will Hoor end up handling owning the B&B?

Poor Rohaan is always in trouble!

Thoughts and comments?

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