Dedicated to OwlGal Aimansaeed

Ehtesham's POV:

Friends...?

Who am I kidding, there was no way we could just be friends, with the relationship we have. We could never be just friends, no matter how much I try to ignore her and she ignores me. And, I am sure she understands this fact too. The natural pull between us is too strong to ignore or fight, but I have to admit that Fiza has more control over her actions toward me, rather than I have towards her.

I became impulsive whenever she is involved and there are times when I have to stop myself from snapping at Sania on saying hateful stuff about Fiza. I nearly lost my temper today, on receiving a picture of Fiza standing with Sheharyar from Maliha's number and without thinking, I took an early leave from the office and rushed back home, which was quite a senseless thing to do.

I waited for Fiza and the kids' arrival and kept asking myself the reason behind my anger. I couldn't understand why the thought of her going against me bothered me so much, while I want her to live her own life and now I was sitting here on her bed and asking her to be my friend so I can be a part for her life.

What is wrong with me?

I look at her hopefully, perhaps she would understand my trouble but the blank look on her face didn't seem favourable. I lowered my head in defeat when she didn't answer for a long time and got up.

"Think about it. We both can't live like this for long." I said.

"Only one condition." I heard Fiza's voice.

"What?" I look at her face in disbelief.

"No touching in any weird manner." She said, pointing her index finger at me.

"Fine, I'll agree if you could explain the 'weird manner'?" I understood what she was referring to, but it would be amusing to see how she puts it into words.

Fiza remained silent and her face turns red on what I have said, making me change my position from one foot to another to fight the urge of touching her in that 'weird manner'. Only the thought of it gives me tickles and once again, I find myself staring at her.

~*~

Fiza's POV:

"And no staring in the wrong way." I snapped at him when he stares at me with a luscious glint in his eyes.

If I am doing this, I will do it in my way...

He abruptly closed his eyes and opened them with a smile playing on his lips.

"It's a deal then." He said, covering the distance between us by stretching out his hand to me.
I look at his hand and hesitantly shook it, thinking that I shouldn't be so repulsive towards my Hubby dear. But I regret my decision the next moment as he pushes me against the wardrobe behind me. Before I could push him back, he leans dangerously close.

"Don't worry, I will be keeping my side of the deal... no staring in a wrong way and no touching in a weird manner." He holds both of my hands and pins it near my head, "but there isn't any notion in the agreement about our closeness, right? So..." He smirks and lowers his head to my face, so close that his breath is touching my face.

I gulped and close my eyes when he looks into my eyes like he was mocking me about something. He intervened his fingers with mine and a deep breath of his caressed my face, sending chills to my body. He may not be touching me, except for my hands, but the nearness between us is enough for me to feel him.

Many moments passed and he didn't move back, nor did I ask him to. I was too stubborn to accept being fazed by his closeness. I thank God that I didn't untie my dupatta after Namaz. But soon my senses start to alarm when his breathing became unsteady and his fingers squeezed my hand.

Do something...

Do something...

For a minute, I didn't know what to do. If I were to say anything, our lips would surely be touching and I'll be the one breaking our deal. Besides, I fear of where that situation will lead us.
When I couldn't get an idea, I slip down with full force. My head hits Ehteshams nose and he pulls back his face, giving me the chance to free my hands and move away from him.

Seriously, what was this guy thinking...?

I put my hands on my hip and stared at him angrily.

"Why the hell can't you behave like a normal, sane person?" He almost shouted, putting a hand on his nose.

"Oh? So you can take advantage of me and do whatever you please? Sorry Hubby dear, but I am not interested in becoming your toy and what do YOU think you were doing? After you just agreed to the deal." I didn't go easy on him.

"I didn't touch you, na?" He removed his hand from his nose.

"How can I believe that you didn't have any intentions of doing so?"

"By staying still and testing me." He gave me a mocking look.

WHAT...?

"Are you wearing the wrong glasses or do I really look like a fool to you?" I narrow my eyes at him. He didn't answer me, just mumbled something under his breath and leave.

And he said that I am not normal...

As soon as he left, with a loud thud sound, I slump down to the floor. Gasping for air, I clench the nape of my neck. He may not be near me now, but I can still feel his breaths on my face and his warm body on mine.

I swear to God if I didn't know about his girlfriend and his intentions for her, I would've definitely been swayed by him. Someone could ask me how hard it is to keep my walls up against the person, for whom I waited my whole life... for whom I kept my feelings reserved for.

How painful it is to be fooled around by your own husband...

~*~

I was woken up by a soft banging on my door along with a crying sound.

Taha...

I rushed towards the door as the realization hit me. I opened the door and found Taha's red face, wet by tears and sweat.

"What's wrong, Taha?" I bent and scoop him up in my arms.

"I fell." He answered while I was walking back to my bed, cradling him in my arms.

I sighed and keep on patting his back until his sobs die down. It's not something new to me. Sadaf has a habit of kicking and punching in her sleep, which usually cause Taha to fall from his bed.

There are times when I think that she is having some sort of nightmare and is trying to push off whatever negative she sees. But Ehtesham thinks that she dreams about being a ninja because she had watched Kung-fu Panda so many times. Whatever the case is, it will always leave Taha crying.

I glance at a yawning Taha on my lap and lay him carefully on the bed.

"Taha, will you sleep with me?" I ask him, combing his hair and he nodded his head.

"Great, now I can sleep on a Taha pillow." I grin and put my head on his tiny stomach. He giggled and tries to push my head away.

"Uff! My pillow moves too much." I snuggle my head more and now he is starting to laugh hysterically.

"Ary, my pillow laughs too." I pull my head away and look at him, pretending to be surprised. Two tiny hands cupped my face, while a sweet laugh kept me smiling.

"I heard Taha's cry." Ehteshams sleepy voice disturbed our little moment of happiness. I raised my head but didn't say anything, as all the earlier events flash in my mind.

I feel my face reddening, I quickly lowered my head back to Taha and said, "Bring Sadaf here, she will get scared if she wakes up alone."

"I will take her to my room, you can sleep with Taha." He said before leaving. I lie down onto the bed and pull Taha onto my chest.

~*~

"Sadaf, finish your egg." I said, pointing towards her half-eaten egg.

"Bari Ami bus (no more)." She said, raising her hand.

"No, finish it or you wouldn't be watching cartoon today." I threatened. Sadaf couldn't go to school today because she was sleeping with Ehtesham and I, well, I was too hesitant to go into his room.

"Leave it if she doesn't want to eat." I heard Ehtesham's voice from behind and my shoulders stiffened.

Speak of the devil...

"She is getting habitual in leaving unfinished food. Hurry up beta and finish it, look Taha is already about to finish. Uff! Sadaf, Taha will win." I said, looking back and forth between them and Taha, who was probably going to leave his boiled egg too, starts eating quickly, while Sadaf also reached out for the egg halfheartedly.

"My wise wife." I heard a whisper near my ear with warm breath and my heart jumped into my throat.

"Thank you." I said, moving my face away in displeasure.

"Oh, are you still angry, my new friend?" He said, picking a toast from my plate and I only narrow my eyes.

"Don't be, okay? Get ready at eight. We all are going out for dinner tonight for our friendship celebration... Going now, Allah Hafiz." He took a bite from my toast and leaves after patting my shoulder lightly.

What wrong with him...?

~*~

"Appiya, I am coming to your home right now. We will have lunch together." Sumbul shrieked on the phone.

"Fine fine, just don't scream. I will make something for us. When will you be here?" I asked.

"Like I said, right now."

"What do you mean right now?" I frown.

"Open the door, Appiya. I am standing at your doorstep."

"What?" I abruptly stood up from the sofa and stride towards the door.

"Yep." She answered. And when I opened the door, she really was standing there.

"No way, I thought you were joking." I said to her.

"You can see now that I wasn't." She shrugged, before embracing me into a tight hug.

"Oye! Next time eat before hugging me." She laughed at it. Sumbul is quite skinny, but she isn't weak. Her hugs can be painful because of her bones.

I invited her in and introduce her to the kids again. Later, I start cooking lunch and she went with Sadaf to see her and Taha's room. When they took longer than they should, I went to their room but found Sumbul coming out from my room with a confused expression.

Shit...

_________________________________________

Salam and hello everyone!

So sorry for the late update. Actually my mother's health going very well recently, so I couldn't find time to write it.
I hope my mother get well soon and you guys don't have to wait too long for next update (Ameen)

Back to story now, What did Sumbul notice?
And what is Ehtesham has on mind for Fiza?

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Take Care :)