The spring night was peaceful and serene. The pleasant and aromatic smells of the flowers that bloomed and crowded the garden outside was a wonderful sight. The trees that continued to move lightly and the rustling of their leaves made for the best background noise. The moon illuminated the night sky, casting the most thin veil over the sleeping beauty. Along with the moon, the stars continued to burn bright, glimmering and shimmering seeing all that was happening in the moment. The moving trees' branches flirted with the balconies and windows of the rooms, with just a gentles of touch with their lovers.

The clock struck twelve. It was midnight. The day had changed. And it was like everyday, someone's birthday. That someone was Mahrukh. She was now twenty - three. She was deep in sleep clueless of the surprise her husband had planned for her. This was not only her first birthday after marriage, but also the first one after the death of her mother. As soon as the clock had ticked past twelve, Zain had exited the room. Only to return a few seconds later with a huge box inside his hands. Placing it on the bed, he got under the sheets and started to wake Mahrukh up with a soft voice.

"Mahrukh utho!"
(Mahrukh wake up)
Mahrukh who was deep into sleep huffed and moved around wishing to be left alone and in peace. But Zain had other plans. He began to litter little kisses along the length of her swan-like neck, occasionally biting a spot and sucking on it to leave a purplish bruise that everyone referred to as a 'love bite'. Finally having enough of the torture, she sat upright and glared at him with her beautiful eyes, that were clouded with sleep.
"What do you want?"
She asked with a furious tone.
"I'm sorry for waking you up jaan. But I wanted to be the first one to wish you a happy birthday".
Hearing his words, Mahrukh finally realised that it was her birthday. She broke into a huge grin and gave him a tight hug.
"Thank you Zain! But where is my gift?" Zain looked at her fondly and handed her the box that he had brought inside.

Mahrukh eagerly untied the red silken ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside the box was a cake. A beautiful pink coloured one. With golden edible glitter on it. The cake read "Happy Brithday Jaan". Mahrukh smiled at him.
"Thanks Zain. Now we should cut it", Zain nodded and forwarded the knife he had kept on the side table. Mahrukh cut into the cake to reveal the three vanilla layers each separated with an equal amount of frosting. Mahrukh fed Zain the first bite and he as usual returned the favour. Like that the two spent some time eating the cake after which Zain stored the leftover in the mini-fridge claiming that he could feed it to Akbar in the morning. Mahrukh kissed his cheek as a thank you. But still wondered in her heart that what her gift was.

The next morning Zain was up before his wife. He gently removed Mahrukh's head from his chest and placed it on the fluffy pillows. He then went downstairs and entered the kicthen. His mother and sister were already there, starting to prepare the breakfast.
"Arey Zain. Tum itni jaldi uth gai?"
(Oh Zain you woke up so early)
His mother asked.
"Yes mama. Aaj aap ki baho ki salgira hai. So I am making her breakfast in bed".
(Today is your daughter in law's birthday.)
Zain beamed at her. His mother smiled at the antics of her son and ran her hand over his face, eyes full of love
"Allah tum dono ko hamesha khush rakhay,"
(May Allah keep you both happy)
Zain kissed the inside of her palm and whispered an Ameen.

He went and took out a few eggs. Cracked them open into a bowl and added some chopped bell peppers. Adding salt and some spices, he whisked the eggs before pouring it into a hot, buttered pan. The eggs sizzeled as they cooked over the hot pan and immediately a delicous smell ran throughout the length of the room. He also prepared some waffles and cut up some fruit for her. He worked in the kicthen smoothly, occasionally asking for the help of his mother.

Laraib who had been seeing all this whilst she prepared breakfast for Fahad and Zainab felt envious. Her husband was not as affectionate as either of her brothers were with their wives. She regretted her decison of marrying Fahad. But there was little she could do. Aliya helped Mahrukh and Amna to make breakfast for everyone but Zainab ever since Fahad had gotten married had done nothing but sit on a sofa and give orders. Laraib could not talk to her mother for one Aliya was still mad at her and two Laraib's ego would not allow it.

Zain moved out of the kicthen, not sparing a single glance towards her. Laraib's throat clogged with tears. Zainab who had seen everything walked to Laraib and grabbed her by the arm
"What are you doing? My son has to go to work. Hurry up prepare his food".
Laraib meekly nodded her head. Aliya felt pity for her only daughter and wanted to console her but she knew Laraib needed to realise her mistakes first.

Zain entered the room and woke Mahrukh up. Asking her to wash her face and brush her teeth, he set their breakfast on their balcony that overlooked the lush green of the garden. Mahrukh came out and saw the romantice setting. The table was set for two and in the middle was a plethora of food as well as a bouquet of jasmines. Her favourite flowers. She sat down and smiled at her other half.
"You didn't have to do all this".
Mahrukh began into a long speech but was cut off
"Ofcourse I had to do all this. What kind of a person would I be if I did not? You're my wife and to pamper you is my right. Now stop and let me feed you," like that the two spent time together feeding and talking.

Mahrukh helped get Zain ready for work. Before leaving he kissed the top of her head and told her
"I'll come early in the evening today. Stay dressed. Also keep your distance from Zainab phopho and Laraib. I don't want them to hurt you".
Mahrukh nodded and wished Zain to have a good day at the office.

After that Mahrukh started to get dressed. Deciding on a plain monochrome dark green dress with a same coloured duppata that had golden gota on the borders, she rubbed some nude lipstick on her lips and went downstairs.

"Assalamualikum," Mahrukh greeted everyone. Then standing next to Aliya and Amna she asked if they needed her help.
"No birthday girl. You just sit and enjoy," Amna gave a witty reply. Mahrukh punched her in the arm and did as was told. Aliya smiled at the two and started to discuss with them what they should do for lunch. Deciding to keep it all simple, they decided to have a something light. And then for dinner have something filling.
"Mama Zain and I will eat out today". Mahrukh told her mother in law. Aliya was not surprised but was infact happy that Mahrukh was finally entering a better head space. Then as if remembering something Mahrukh excused herself and entered Saad's bedroom.

"Assalamualikum baba," Mahrukh said. Saad reolied in a slow voice. Sitting next to him, Mahrukh grabbed his hand in hers and kissed the back of it.
"Baba where is my gift?"
Her father smiled and handed her a small box. She opened it to see a small frail and daintt gold chain.
"It is beautiful".
Saad ran a hand over head and muttered
"It was your mother's. She wore it when we went to her house for our marriage proposal. I want you to have it".
Tears came in Mahrukh's eyes finding out that this was something that was part of her mother. Saad then continued to speak
"I have decided to move to Lahore. There is a more open market for business and Shifa and I have the most pleasent memories over there. I just wanted to tell you that. I hope you are not mad at your father".
Mahrukh shook her head. She was glad that her father was trying to move on. And if going to Lahore was what he wanted, she would not object.

○~○

In the evening, Zain came back and entered his room. Mahrukh who was adding final touches to her look, turned around and greeted him. The sight of her had his breath stuck in his throat. She was a vision in the black chiffon shirt that had silver rhinestones and the fitted trousers. Her black duppata a stark contrast to her complexion made her all the more entrancing. Her hair was curled at the ends and lips red as a ruby. Zain felt his heart clench at the sight of her.
"Maybe we should stay in," Zain said looking into her eyes. Mahrukh did not reply instead gave him his outfit. A black formal shurt with black dress pants and rold him to get dressed.

They had finally reached their venue. It was a beautiful open air seating with the most romantic of settings. The tables were all far apart and each had a small tent on top. A chandelier hanging from it. The tables were elegant and candles burned bright on them. The duo decided on stakes and ate the night away with an occasional flirty remark from Zain about Mahrukh's beauty. Zain gifted Mahrukh a beautiful diamond set as well as some land so that she could build whatever she wanted to on it.

○~○

In the afternoon, whilst Mahrukh was with her father and Zain in the office, Laraib had gone to their office. She was called by Fahad to the office as he had something important to say. She entered their lavish office and arrogantly walked to Fahad's office.
"Sit Laraib" Fahad said and placed some papers infront of her.

"Sign them please" Laraib who still trusted her husband, blindly signed on them not knowing that they would be the cause of her doom.

○~○

Zain and Mahrukh came home late at night. They had enjoyed their bonding time and had come back after eating ice cream. That night as they joined together in a passionate love making, the dark and heavy clouds covered the sky and heavy rain fell over the horizon , hiding the love of the couple from the world. Meanwhile the clouds like a protective mother hid the scene from the eyes of its naive children (the stars).

○~○