When the car stopped in front of Baig House, Safwa couldn't help but look at the all too familiar premises. She had been here more times than she could even count but never she felt this apprehensive before.

The man sitting to her side at the driving seat wasn't so fazed and that was a first. The role reversal had her scowling.

"Are you really sure about this?"

Izaan nodded, turning off the engine. He took his hand off the steering and turned fully towards Safwa.

"It's important. My last meeting with your Phupho was the point I started messing everything up. So, now when everything is getting back to how it was I want to do it properly. "

Safwa's heart softened for this man for the umpteenth time since he had broken down in the hospital. It had been almost a week to that and since then everything had only gotten better for the best.

They knew there were things they needed to work on and they were willing to do that but before everything else, they had to make up for the years lost between them. It was almost surreal how the love was still there, intact, without any blemish of the distance they faced all these years but that was also a sign of how perfect they were together. That was the point. Two flawed people with their mistakes and weaknesses but together they just fit. A perfect match. And Izaan Shoaib and Safwa Kirmani had always been that. Right for each other. Made for each other.

But Izaan was determined to not follow any pattern which had ruined their relationship in the past, he had vowed to start over for the better and he was doing a pretty fine job at it.

It was his idea to meet Bisma together. Safwa was surprised, a bit unsure as well. But it made sense. If they were doing it right, talking to Bisma was always going to be there on the tasks list. This was needed.

Crossing the threshold and walking through the main hall, Safwa roamed her eyes at the empty living room but soon enough she spotted Bisma coming down the stairs. She must've already seen them entering and Safwa's shoulders visibly sagged with relief seeing the smile on Bisma's face.

This was going to be good.

Over the years she had sensed Bisma's confidence regarding what she did crumbling but Safwa never called her out on it. She was not the kind of person to hold grudges. She even forgave her and somehow formed the same relation with her she had always had.

The same way Izaan was now with Ibsam. Another thing which made them a perfect match.

"Phupho."

Safwa came forward and Izaan followed. Not that far behind. Bisma was already aware of the changed scenario of their relationship dynamic, having witnessed it in the hospital itself.

Bisma hugged her niece and for the first time in years, she felt light like never before. She herself was planning on meeting these two soon and putting her apologies in front of them, leaving it up to them to give her a clear slate or keep their distance. It was going to be their decision. Not hers. Not in the slightest. She had already abused that power back in time and without thinking anything through.

But here they were. Bisma glanced at Izaan and her gaze was so warm and affectionate that it put a smile on Izaan's face.

They were now seated in the living room when Safwa looked between the two.

"Umm Phupho. I wanted to talk to you about something."

She was without any reason jittery. God, this was just Bisma and Izaan.

"I mean Izaan wanted to talk to you about something, Yeah."

Izaan shook his head and leaned forward.

"Actually, Bisma auntie, we both wanted to talk to you about something."

Bisma was silent all the while, looking at them and marveling at the fact that they fit so well together and how blind she was to it years back.

"We got back together."

Safwa blurted, making both Izaan and Bisma smile fondly. She was so confidently nervous. It was endearing.

"I know and I'm very glad about it."

Bisma's tone was warm and welcoming, a combination Safwa had missed the most the last time she was dating Izaan.

"So, this time around, we wanted to do this the right way. What we couldn't do before."

Bisma shook her head.

"It's not you both who needed to make the amends. It's me. I needed to do it right."

Safwa pursed her lips. She wasn't going to stop Bisma from saying all this. Izaan had been the target of her brutally honest words so now he was deserving of her apology as well. There were no hard feelings but sometimes, words are necessary. She was proud of her Phupho who had realized how unreasonable her words were back then.

"Bisma Auntie, whatever you said, wasn't wrong."

"It wasn't but my way of putting it across was. My way of using it was."

Bisma folded her hands and put her focus on those. She wasn't looking at the both of them.

"I just assumed things and ran with it. I didn't think that you and Safwa were in for a long run and years are enough to change so many things. I acted on impulse. It wasn't that you and Safwa were getting married right there. No. I should've tried knowing the depth of your relationship. I saw a very pure bonding through the lens of a typical classist. It was very wrong of me."

She sighed heavily. Izaan wasn't interrupting her. Somewhere he also needed this closure. Somewhere he also needed to know how much Bisma's notions had changed, when these notions had played a key part in how his and Safwa's relationship formed or the lack thereof over the years.

"I made it look like that you were never going to be anywhere with what you had and that was a low move. Yeah, you and Safwa weren't at the same level that time but when both of the partners are hard working and aspire to reach certain goals, this debate of two different backgrounds doesn't hold much importance. You two are right now acing your respective fields. You could do that together as well. I just read you very wrong Izaan. Something I'm always going to regret."

Bisma's voice was heavy now. Safwa shifted into her seat to get closer to her Phupho. Bisma unfolded her hands and gave her a warm smile, strained at the edges but so pure and wholesome.

"And this one here, I told you she wouldn't settle into your household, but I forgot that she has always been deprived of familial love. The love of parents, of a complete family. Your family could give her that. I've seen how your mother dotes on her. She needed that. She needed a proper family and I couldn't even see that. I just weighed it all with luxuries and not with the emotional aspect."

Izaan couldn't just stay quiet now.

"Auntie, all that is in the past. Thinking about it isn't going to change anything. We lived through that. We all survived and we are doing better than we ever expected. That's gotta mean something."

"Exactly, Phupho. You acknowledge that you were wrong and you no longer think that way is more than enough. The two people I can't imagine my life without are now on the same page. Close to me. That's all I ever wanted. That's all I ever needed."

Their assurance was uplifting but Bisma would be a hypocrite if she didn't do it the right way.

"I always criticized my elders for never acknowledging their mistakes. I left Atif because his parents were controlling, unapologetic in their manipulation. So, now when I'm an elder myself and I have a chance to be different from them then why not?"

She turned in her seat so she was fully in Izaan and Safwa's view.

"I'm sorry to both of you. From the bottom of my heart. The years you both lost, pinning for each other, and I played a part in that even if I wasn't fully responsible for your parting ways. I was still involved to a great extent. I'm so sorry for that. I truly am."

Safwa had immediately hugged her, burying her face in Bisma's shoulder. The same scent of a motherly figure. The closest to what Safwa had to one. Bisma rubbed her back and in doing so, she gave a tear nod to Izaan, who accepted it with open arms.

Acceptance. Which never came before from her. But now she was asking it from him and he wasn't the one to deny her that. If he did. He wouldn't be Izaan Shoaib.

"No more crying and definitely no more lamenting over the past. Izaan said so. It passed. It's no longer between us. Just let go, Phupho. I'm so proud of you. Thank you."

Her words made Bisma all the more sure how rewarding the process of owing up to your mistakes was. She got her happy niece back with the man she was in love with. Bisma felt like she had gotten everything.

They talked for a while after that. Random topics. Getting the normal back. They were soon joined by a pleasantly surprised Atif whose smile grew some more, realizing how Bisma and Izaan were talking so freely with each other. He looked at Safwa and on seeing her grinning, patted her head affectionately.

Zonish and Hesham's arrival was a surprise though. Both of them were here to spend an evening with Atif and Bisma but got Izaan and Safwa there as well, which was even better. Hesham was full of his teasing agenda, knowing too well about the development between the two while Zonish was trying her best to ground him. It was both wholesome and comical. But he wasn't a fifth wheel anymore.

"By the way, Safwa! When are we getting started for the upcoming wedding?"

Zonish asked, swatting Hesham's hand away from her plate of crisps. He was offended. Now, who would sacrifice crisp just because he was whipped? Sarim of course. Hesham not so much. Zonish, none at all it seemed.

Safwa immediately perked up. She had to be. It was her best friend getting married to the love of her life.

Sarim and Elaf's coming Nikkah was the highlight of their lives these days. It was as if seeing a whole journey coming to its culminating point, a forever. A happy ever after.

The chaos that their proposal was, it remained an inside joke for days but soon they all let it go. It was about Sarim and Elaf and both of them had always done things in their own way. Another perfect match.

"Oh, I'm gearing up. She thinks she can keep me at bay but she's just deluded."

Hesham made a mental note to let Elaf know this. Safwa was again coming in form and that was a big warning sign.

"You two are sure going to give me lots of entertainment."

Zonish laughed lightly and Hesham was lost in it. Izaan rolled his eyes and shook him by the shoulder, earning a glare from Hesham. He was just admiring his wife. It wasn't his problem that Izaan didn't have one.

"Those kids deserve this happiness. Both of them."

Bisma's heartfelt words had all of them nodding.

Rashid was never this excited to prepare dinner than he was tonight. This house was finally giving the same look of a home it did when all of Hesham's friend would lounge here and Rashid would see them being absolute idiots but a wholesome bunch. The scenario had changed tremendously. Hesham was married. Izaan and Safwa were together and so were Sarim and Elaf. But what didn't change was their dynamic. They were always the same best friends they had always been. From fighting over crisps, although Hesham could still do that, to now discussing their relationships and career life, they all had come a long way.

The table was soon set and as everyone walked towards it, Zonish lingered behind looking at Izaan and Safwa with a fond smile on her face. Hesham stood next to her.

"They look so beautiful together."

Hesham could see that too. In fact, he was the first one to see that. He did tell that story to Zonish when they were huddled on the couch together one evening and he wasn't going to lie; she had given him a kiss on the cheek for being such a beautiful and understanding friend to both Izaan and Safwa. Hesham was on cloud nine. No lies.

"They do. They always had this unspoken something between them. They communicate with just eyes, can you believe that."

Zonish leaned into him.

"They are goals. Beautiful."

Hesham glanced at her. The way she had made her own place in his friends circle was something Hesham was always going to cherish. She was already friends with Safwa but after getting married to Hesham and during all the before wedding fuss, she had gotten close to Elaf, Sarim and Izaan as well. It was a great feeling that the person you love is so well adjusted into your life. This was never the case with Sarim and Izaan because both of them found love amongst their friend circle but Hesham was a bit worried knowing how selectively social Zonish was. But she proved him wrong. His friends were now hers too.

She fitted in his life like she had a place already made just for her there.

And Hesham loved it.

And he loved her too.

They were too chaotic to properly confess, so it also happened during a bickering session and ended up with them tangled on their bed. He did mention chaotic didn't he?

"What about us?"

He asked and Zonish literally gave him a stink eye.

"What?"

"Aren't we beautiful together?"

Zonish was seriously considering his question and Hesham was very much offended.

"I'm the beautiful one. You're just the husband."

"Just the husband!"

"Yes, just that."

"Well this isn't what you were saying last night."

Now it was Zonish's turn to be offended. He just did not go there.

"What I was saying last night."

"There weren't many words involved. Not big on talking we are."

Zonish looked around and was relieved that no one was in close vicinity. She pulled him towards the dining hall to join everyone.

"You're such a headache, Hesham!"

"But you love me."

Zonish sighed which turned into a small laugh.

"That I do. But you're still a headache!"

They reached the table and both Izaan and Safwa stifled their grins seeing how chummy both of them were.

Another perfect match.

____

Elaf stood with her arms on her waist and gave a critical look to the layout in front of her. The couch, the sliding doors and the window. She scrunched her nose. This won't work. No.

"I think we should go with the first arrangement."

Sarim, who was eagerly waiting for her response, left an exasperated sigh.

"You want me to have hunched back on our Nikkah, don't you?"

"It's my Nikkah too! Why would I want that?"

"Because they way we are just pushing and pulling furniture for almost two hours now, I have no other explanation."

"We are setting our future home, Sarim! I can't just let it be bland! Everything has to make sense! Aesthetically and conveniently too!"

"If you even say a word against Safwa when we are out there shopping for the dresses, it will be hypocritical of you. Look at yourself! This is the fifth time I'm about to pull this couch to another side!"

"Don't pull that on me! This is important!"

Zimal scowled at the arguing couple and then turned to Irma who was also bored with their antics now. Both of them were sitting in the lounge from where they could see the not so mutual cooperation between the to-be married couple.

"They are so dramatic."

Zimal exclaimed and Irma laughed. Dodo was about to sleep beside Zimal. She was rubbing his fur softly. Not that he needed it.

Irma looked up from her phone to them and sure enough they were still arguing but Sarim was now ready to pull the couch with Elaf again. As if he would deny her anything. Zimal was right. Just the dramatics.

Their Nikkah date was decided when they all visited Elaf's parents. Farwa and Yusra immediately hit off and Nauman was all smiles. Nothing was complicated. It never was. Farwa had always thought of Elaf as the one who would complete her son's life. Nauman was the father who would be the happiest if his kids were happy and no one needed to even try to see how Sarim was so happy these days.

Irma wasn't surprised seeing how things rolled without any fuss. That was something she was always sure of. It was just both of them. Their struggles as individuals and the delays in their story. Not anymore though. They made everything work.

While the family was busy in the preparation, both of them were busy decorating their house where they'd be starting a new life. Elaf was like a butterfly these days. Happiness was oozing out of her in waves and Irma prayed that it stays this way only. She loved these two people so happy and so together.

"Finally!"

Zimal cried when she saw both of them coming out of the room.

"You two did more bickering than work."

"The usual with this one."

Elaf gave Sarim a look and he raised his hands in surrender.

"I'm not saying anything. I have a wedding to look forward to."

Zimal immediately brightened. This was the first time she was seeing a wedding in her own house and she loved everything about it.

"Yay! We are going dress shopping tomorrow!"

Zimal's happiness was so infectious that Elaf bent down and ruffled her hair.

"You and I are going to win the house with how good we are going to look. You, slightly more than me but that's a given."

Zimal blushed at the praise.

"Thank you, Mami."

Elaf's grin formed into a surprised smile.

"Wow. That's some progress. You never even called me Khala and now straight to Mami?"

She looked at Irma.

"Did you teach her?"

Irma shook her head but the way she was trying her best to not to laugh while looking behind her, gave Elad an idea.

"Zimal, who told you to start calling me, Mami?"

Zimal was already conversing silently with her Mamu but then she sighed.

"Mamu did. He also asked me to not call you Khala when you came to meet us for the first time."

Sarim was shooketh. How easily do kids change their allegiance? It took just one praise from Elaf and here he was, exposed.

Elaf narrowed her eyes in his direction. He had gotten over the betrayal so he just shrugged.

"A man gotta do what he gotta do."

"Sarim Haider, you're one sly fox!"

"He's not a fox, Mami! He's the broom!"

Zimal's correction made Irma hit her palm on her head.

"It's groom!"

"But Hesham Mamu was the broom!"

"That's Hesham Mamu. But this one is the groom."

Zimal mimicked her mother's earlier action. Hitting her palm on her head. Both Sarim and Elaf wanted to laugh seeing the exchange.

"You elders are so confusing, Mama. Anyways!"

She got up excitedly jolting Dodo from his nap.

"Mamu is the groom! Elaf Mami is the bride. Zimal is going to wear a lehanga. It's a wedding!"

To punctuate her enthusiasm, at the same time Dodo barked loudly. Elaf sat down on the couch because she was laughing and aweing both at the chaotic display of excitement while Sarim was confused.

"He can bark?"

He pointed towards an unbothered Dodo. Three pairs of very judgmental eyes fell on him.

"Yes!"

The three ladies said collectively and Sarim shut up for the better. He was outnumbered anyway.

Seeing him grumbling about unfair treatment and ganging up, Irma and Elaf burst out laughing while Zimal just grinned running towards her Mamu. She might be excited to be the next most beautiful girl at the wedding after her Mami. She still loved her Mamu too much to make him sad. And if Zimal wasn't in his party, he would be sad.

She kissed his cheek and snuggled to his side. Both Irma and Elaf smiled.

Laughs and smiles. A part of their life right now. The part that wasn't fading away. ____

The one aspect of his hectic life which often made Izaan irritated, was the inability to take time for even some self care. It was the last of the winter and receding seasons were always heavy on him. He would try his best to avoid the flu and fever and he succeeded mostly but when you are a practicing doctor, that too a cardiothoracic surgeon, chances are slim that you'd be able to do much to avoid being sick amid your lined up surgeries. The consequences were now upon him. He was down with the flu and just this morning he had a high fever which had worn off but he was feeling the weakness and the flu was also there as stubborn as ever.

Memoona was usually the one to fuss over him and Izaan never liked being treated as if he couldn't do anything on his own.

That was before Safwa Kirmani came back to his life.

She had seen him down with the flu before and her care was something to lean into as well. But now, when he had both Safwa and Memoona taking care of him, Izaan was trying his best not to show how far done he was with all this.

"What's this long face. It's qehwa! Drink it up!"

Safwa cried seeing how the mug of qehwa was getting cold in his hands. Izaan rolled his eyes and placed it on the side table.

"It makes me nauseous."

"Who are you? A toddler?"

"Who's treating me like one?"

"You're just infantilizing yourself."

Safwa brushed off his complaint and handed him the mug once again. Izaan was about to protest when he saw Memoona entering inside with ANOTHER bowl of the soup. Izaan wanted to just bolt right there.

Outside the room, Abba, Ibtihaj, Ibsam and Maryam were busy in a game of Ludo. The twins couldn't believe Abba and Maryam would make such a cunning team but here they were, totally losing and Maryam leaving no stone unturned to call them losers.

Shoaib Ansari was sitting in front of the TV with a smile on his face. He ran a cursory look over his buzzing house and it deepened.

Ansari House was depicting the true essence of a home after so long.

Safwa watched Izaan's disgusted expressions as he took the last spoon of the soup. Memoona gave him a stern look and got up to leave. But Izaan could swear the exchange between Safwa and Memoona was anything but stern, in fact he was sure both of them were enjoying how pissed he was.

Safwa sat in front of him as Memoona left. She checked his body temperature and was more than relieved that he wasn't running a fever.

"So, infantilizing hun?"

Safwa giggled seeing how seriously he was asking this.

"Bullshit. I was just babying you."

"I gathered that."

Izaan leaned some more into the headrest and looked at her.

"I swear next time whenever the seasonal flu hits me, I will pack my bags and leave the city for a week."

Yeah, he was definitely pissed.

"And infect the innocent citizens of the other city? That goes against your oath, Surgeon."

She ran her fingers through his disheveled hair, the unkempt mop was mostly tamed unlike when he was a college student. But right now, when he was just in his bed, recovering from an episode of flu and fever, Safwa was almost reminded of the same Izaan on his bike with his helmet, the one when he took off, his hair would need running off his fingers two times to behave.

Izaan found her staring and he stared too. How long had it been that she was here in his room like she owned it? Years to say. Eons to know. He bent forward so that their foreheads were just touching and Safwa closed her eyes relishing the feeling of him , refreshing the memory and inscribing it at its designated place once again.

They stayed there for a while.

They were staying there for an eternity.

_____

"And I think I will do something about the backyard too. I want to give it a cozy look. Time was short and I also didn't have any ideas."

Elaf said as she looked around. Her head was in Sarim's lap and needless to say his gaze was focused on her too.

It was two days before their Nikkah. The preparations were in the last phase. Both the families were both excited and very much looking forward to it.

But the calm in the bride and groom was something everyone couldn't stop praising. They were enjoying every moment, cherishing it. There was no fuss regarding keeping things proper. They were welcoming everything with open arms.

Both of them had their own things to take care of. After giving a new look to the interior of their house, they were now planning for the future. Dreaming. Smiling. Hand in hand. Cherishing.

"Don't fret about it so much. We have plenty of time to sort things out."

Her gaze flickered back to Sarim. The implication in his words was clear as the sky outside. Yeah, they had plenty of time. Maybe a forever. Definitely together.

She grinned and that made Sarim bent his head and kiss her right between her brows.

"Two days, hun?"

"Just two days."

Elaf's career as a theater artist was flourishing with every play she participated in. She was now the first person to be considered for the pivotal role. The stability in her professional life doing what she loved to do, and the steady flow in her personal life, being with the man she loved and the parents who were proud of her, her old self was back on the surface. She wasn't hiding behind any doubt now. Just the same old Elaf and her Sarim.

"I'm just a bit worried for Mama and Baba."

Sarim knew that already. She was going to leave them and that was the only thing she was a bit sad about.

"But seeing them happy is something that makes me so giddy. Both of them. I have never seen them exuding so much euphoria all those years."

She loved how her parents were so drawn to the idea of her and Sarim. How he was so precious to them and he in return had nothing but respect and warmth to give to them.

"We are still clear about what we decided, right?"

Elaf smiled remembering their discussion from a week back. They had actually sat down to have everything sorted. Elaf was sure about supporting her parents and Sarim asked her that she should have it in writing on their marriage document.

That was going to be her demand legally on the Nikkah Nama. She was shocked at the suggestion, tried to tell him that if it was already discussed between them then there was no point in putting it on the piece of paper sealing their fate as husband and wife but Sarim shook his head. Always the practicalities and technicalities with this one. It made sense though. They were venturing into something both islamically and legally. It was better to have everything pre-decided. Their love was an added factor. The most important one for them.

He also suggested giving her the right to divorce. Something which infuriated Elaf so much that she was ready to smack him in the face.

"I don't actually think it's something I even will consider. I'm sure. Have been for years now. But you never know what the future awaits. Things can change and if they have a slight hint of rotating from the axis, I want you to have an opening. "

Elaf had tears stinging her eyes. The situation with Irma had surely made him think this way. He didn't need to be told that he was no Mohid. He already knew that. He also knew that his feelings have next to no chance of changing for Elaf. But he was also aware that at the end of the day, no matter how changed and how sensible, he was still a man and if someday, they started having problems, which is a possibility in every relationship regardless of the love and understanding, she'd be able to decide for herself. That was his trust in her. That was also his way of ensuring that their forever wasn't marred with toxicity ever. He wasn't denying the eternity they were going to live together. Wasn't unsure about it. But he was also safeguarding them both as individuals if things ever went haywire.

Elaf didn't know if she was more offended by his realistic approach or more in love with him than ever because of his thoughtfulness. A bit of both.

She was in love with a gem of a person and she intended on loving him for a long while.

Elaf pulled him from his nape and her lips hovered beneath his face.

Ah. Two days.

She slowly kissed him at his forehead and Sarim smiled. Yes, they were still on about what they had decided as a to-be couple.

Two days.

Just two days.

_____

Elaf didn't have many demands about her big day. So when Safwa asked her about the decor she had in her mind, Elaf came up with just one.

She wanted the Nikkah in an open space. Underneath the clear blue sky. Surrounded by flowers and loved ones.

And her wish was her best friend's command. The venue should've been both spacious and intimate and the lawn of Haider Residence provided them with that. From there on it was on Zonish and Safwa to proceed with the décor team. If Safwa was good with wedding attires and the whole aesthetic of it, Zonish was proving to have a refined taste in the whole décor and setup. They were a team along with Irma and when the day finally arrived, everyone was in awe of how beautiful, regal yet private it was. Just family and friends.

That was Sarim's only request. The reception would be grand as Nauman had a circle of his oldie military friends and Sarim too had acquaintances in the whole Karachi. So, Nikkah just with his own people where they would be able to live through every moment was his idea and as the laughter and happiness infused into the very air of the ambiance, without any whisper of distaste and any judging glance, they all could tell how this was the ideal setting.

Dressed in beautiful pastels according to the event, they all were now watching, standing on the sidelines as the two people about whom this whole gathering was, exchanged their affirmations to a bond for a lifetime. The Nikkah Nama was signed with everything they had decided scribbled in the respective sections. No elder raised an eyebrow. No friend objected to it. Everyone knew when it came to these two, things would always be a little bit unconventional. In the right way though.

As soon as the Nikkah was done, Zimal ran towards her now official Mami and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The couple was being congratulated now by everyone. Pictures were getting clicked. Memories were being made.

Elaf looked away from her beaming parents and then at the man by her side, holding her hand. If someone would've told her at the beginning of this year, that she would be so happy, with her everything back in the palm of her hand, she would've cried with the hilarity of it, with the mindlessness of it. But now, when actually had her everything in her hands, she was keeping her hold intact, fist closed around another, just to make sure it was there and would be there always.

The gentle tug that she felt on her fingers sealed the deal. A mimicking of what they had just done a while back.

It started with missed chances and stolen glances.

And it was going to stay with them hand in hand, looking in each others' eyes and seeing a world that was just theirs. Just right.

_____

"A big boo for Izaan Shoaib for being the only single one out of the trio."

Hesham laughed as they all gathered on the couches way after the ceremony was over. Safwa, who was massaging her feet sitting next to Izaan , gave Hesham a stink eye which he ignored conveniently.

Elaf was seated on the other sofa in a complete whining mood.

"Safwa Kirmani is the kind of best friend who can give her kidney to you but won't let you have one bite of the food just because it will ruin your makeup!"

Safwa raised her head from the back of the couch and glared at her.

"Do you know how you eat at weddings? I had to be cautious. You are the freaking bride."

"Weddings are for free food!"

"Not your own!"

Hesham snorted while Izaan just shook his head. The bickering of the two besties could go on for a while but was interrupted with the arrival of Sarim and Zonish. Elaf's face lit up seeing them bringing food as well.

"Since I figured you two didn't enjoy your own Nikkah's food."

Zonish commented on her seat next to Hesham and as she sat down, he immediately pulled his arm around her.

Sarim was watching Elaf eating and talking about the deliciousness of the food with a smile on his face while Safwa's feet were now in Izaan's lap, massaging them subtly but it was Hesham who was sitting in front of them and he had seen it with a sick grin on his face.

"Such kids."

He mumbled as he buried his face in Zonish's neck. She pushed him away, alarmed.

"Behave! And say you?"

He chuckled. The reverberation of it was felt on Zonish's skin and she felt a shiver going through her. Such bad timing. Just Hesham Baig.

"I'm no kid and you know that."

He hadn't even finished when a pillow landed on his head. He groaned, moving away from a very satisfied Zonish.

The culprit was of course his childhood best friend.

"What the hell, Safi?"

"You show us this PDA for one more minute, I will personally bind you two at the farthest corners of this room. Gross!"

"Oh I forgot. Izaan isn't the only single one here. But kudos to him at least he isn't bitter about it. What do they have written on trucks? Don't get big on jealousy. Get big on gratitude."

Safwa was both infuriated and on the verge of laughing out loud. But Elaf did that for her. No points for guessing where her other pillow was directed at.

_____

The reception of Sarim and Elaf was as planned, on a large scale. The last night was spent among friends. Laughing, reminiscing the old days, bringing up each other's embarrassing moments, which were mostly of Hesham's. Talking about everything nonsensical and everything of great importance. It was almost dawn when they all decided to get some rest because they had another big function coming in a few hours.

Elaf got her needed sleep, Safwa said it was important to look fresh. She didn't care for that. She was just exhausted. As soon as she woke up, she was dragged to the saloon with Safwa and Zonish. And there she was now, at the venue, all decked up, in the bridal room, looking at the mirror.

The door slowly creaked open behind her and she looked away from her reflection. Yusra and Daud were both giving her teary yet full fledged smiles.

She was moving away tonight. After the reception, She and Sarim were going to their place as decided and starting their new life.

Elaf came close to her parents. The trail of her dress was right behind her making a sweeping voice over the carpet. She stood right in front of Daud and adjusted his tie.

"Don't skip your medicines, Baba. And don't give Mama a hard time. I know you love fresh air but if you ever feel any discomfort, you are to lay down on your bed and Mama will call me immediately. Okay?"

Daud nodded and patted her head. She was trying her best not to cry. Safwa would kill her if she ruined her makeup at the last moment.

"Mama, keep the boutique work going, okay? If the need arises, get some help for the house chores. You are doing so good with the orders. And I put your favourite crockery set on the top shelf the other day. I forgot to tell you. Don't start causing a racket if you don't find it. Call me."

Yusra hugged her and kissed the side of her head. Both of them wouldn't ever be able to express the depth of their love and adoration for this fighter child of theirs. She had proven to them that kids, regardless of whether they are a girl or a boy, can support their parents if they want to. They would always tell this to anyone who was dejected on the prospect of having just girls that their daughter had literally taken them forward all on her shoulders when Daud was physically unable to and Yusra didn't have many options to choose from.

Elaf reciprocated Yusra's hug and held on to Daud's hand. She wanted to let both of them know that even though she was starting a new life, she would always be their little girl and would be there on just one call whenever they needed her.

She was still there, surrounded by her parents and their love, when her eyes collided with Sarim's. He was standing outside with his hands in his suit pants pockets and looking over at her with the warmest expression on his face. He smiled her way and Elaf smiled back.

Right there her whole world was in her hands.

____

The dimly lit room with the receding fragrance of the flower decorations, the table was filled with gifts and to the side, were some suitcases. The window was covered with the curtains, the last winter rain had graced the city yesterday and now the wind had a chill to it.

Sarim rested his head on his arm as he lay down on the side of the bed, his focus was right there on the woman next to him. Devoid of any makeup, hair loose and carelessly thrown on the pillow beneath her head, clad in the same reception dress of hers, Elaf was talking animatedly discussing the whole event with him and he was all ears. Listening and giving his responses.

It was so domestic. They hadn't faced any hesitancy in falling into this known yet unknown familiarity the moment they entered this house as husband and wife.

"All I'm saying is, Elite circle is pretty, interesting."

Elaf chuckled at his smirk.

"Yeah, whom am I kidding? It's a pretty circus to be honest. No offense."

Sarim laughed lightly. There she was. The painfully truthful and no filter Elaf. So normal. So his.

They were silent for a while. Elaf kept on looking at his face when she whispered.

"Sarim?"

He was already attentive.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about a long drive right now?"

Sarim should've seen this coming. He didn't mind though. What was better than kickstarting your married life other than a long drive on a windy night?

"Let's go."

"Really?"

"Why no?"

She got up immediately and then shook her head seeing her attire.

"Give me five minutes. I need to get out of this tent."

She got up from the bed, opening the wardrobe. Sarim also had to change into his comfortable clothes. Elaf took those out for both of them.

In record five minutes, she was out of her room, clad in a short shirt and trousers. Her hair was in a braid and she had her shawl wrapped around her.

Sarim followed her outside into the living room and when Elaf looked up at him, she was taken aback. The shock was then replaced with a warm feeling. The one which was making her throat constrict with emotions.

He had a hoodie in his hand.

"You have low tolerance for the cold and it is pretty windy out there."

He said. Coming close to her and when she didn't move an inch, he sighed and taking her shawl off her shoulders, made her wear the hoodie in no time.

Elaf felt the softness of the fabric. The sound of him zipping her up into the comfortable material rang in her ears and Elaf's mind was too jumbled to say anything.

So , she resorted to actions.

Henna clad hands pushed Sarim down from his nape and in no time warm lips met midway. Both covering the same length of the distance. Her in his hoodie, his hands on her waist in a gentle coaxing, her arms wound around his neck with her hands bunching the hair there.

There was a heat in the way their lips moved. There was also a gentleness. And there was surely something way deeper than a mere physical touch.

Elaf pulled away after a while. She caressed his cheek with her thumb as he looked right into her eyes.

"Guess I'll always need your hoodies to stay warm and you to stay ashore."

"I'm not complaining. Not at all."

She smiled resting her forehead on his.

"Neither am I, Sarim. Neither am I."

They had their first long drive to get to after their marriage. But for now they were realizing this feeling of being where they were all those years back, her in his hoodie, in his room, the same background of a wedding.

And where they were now, both of them in their room, at the night of their own wedding and her in his hoodie.

And in that moment it felt that they were finally ashore.

So was their love.

Author's Note:

Part B is coming soon :)