"Hello!" Asif cupped his hand in Salam. Anahita straightened, lowering her legs and placing the novel next to her. She looked at the cover and quickly flipped it to the other side.

"He—Hello!" She looked up. The rays of the sun falling on their faces were making it difficult for her to look at his jovial and handsome face. Anahita had to squint her eyes and, because of his sunglasses, she couldn't make out how he was looking at her.

"What brings you here?"

Asif showed her the books he had brought, - "Excuse to meet you. These are Nausheen's books. She will continue her education after marriage."

Anahita looked away, hiding her smile with her white dupatta covered hand. Nausheen was miserable when her husband promised her father that he will not cause any trouble for her if she wants to study. In fact, he said he wanted her to study further. Nausheen was an average student and was just studying, so she won't be counted as illiterate. She wanted to get married as soon as she could and settle down to a life of comfort. She didn't even mind producing kids after kids, only if they got her out of study. Then, Shoaib's liberal thoughts bulldozed her dream of lounging around, ordering the servants, getting pedicure and manicure, attending kitty parties, romancing, traveling and baby making.

"May I sit next to you?" Asif pointed at the swing. Anahita fixed her expressions, raised her chin and shook her head.

"No! This is my house and I don't want anyone to think wrongly of us." She replied arrogantly, then pulled up her legs, stretching them on the swing.

"Laali, get Vakil Sahib a lounge chair." She called whilst looking at Asif. He sensed something was off, which it was.

"What happened? You were fine at Nausheen's wedding, but after that? You wrote to Nausheen but ignored my letters?"

"And that is why you are here?" She asked, placing her hand on the arm of the swing and clasping her palms.

"Yes!" Asif sat down on the chair at her feet and placed the books on his thigh, - "Why?"

Anahita looked away, - "Laali, get me apple juice and ask Vakil Sahib what he wants." She purposefully ignored Asif. He sat there silently. But from the corner of her eyes, she noticed him clench and unclench his jaw.

She let out a deep sigh and checked her fingernails as she spoke, - "Mother has almost fixed my alliance with this man, Daamodar Chauhan. They like me and have said yes."

Asif removed his sunglasses, - "And you?" There was tightness in his voice, as though he held his emotions.

Anahita doesn't move her gaze from her trimmed nails, - "I might as well say yes."- She looked at him with a defeated gaze, - "There is no reason to say no."

Asif looked away while she studied him, - "Nausheen got married, now, I should too. I am eighteen. Time doesn't stop for anyone."

He looked at her and at that exact moment; she darted her gaze off him to the far off tree.

"Anahita, why are behaving like this to me? Like I am a stranger?"

She shot a look at him, - "Because you have hurt me."

"Hurt?"

"Yes." She climbed down the swing and turned a little away from him. He stood up, too.

"You called me only once in the entire year and then abruptly disconnected all contacts. you stopped writing to me and Nausheen as well."- She turned to him and held his arms, - "You didn't care to send a word, to me or anyone. Did you know how I spend those days? Do you care? I was worrying sick about you. You were so busy that you couldn't even send a telegram?" She shook him slightly.

"You do not know how much I care for you. The thoughts killed me that something bad must have happened. Every time I went to the temple, I prayed for your well-being and you didn't even—also at Nausheen's wedding and after that, you didn't tell me. And now, you have the audacity to say, that I am treating you like a stranger?" She pushed him. Asif stayed quiet until she was calm.

"Anahita." He held her shoulder, but she shoved his hand away.

"I am sorry, I should have spoken to you once I came back but—it was Nausheen's shaadi and then Ijazul Haq was also present—I couldn't think straight and didn't get time to talk to you. Also, you were ignoring me."

Anahita folded her arms, turning her head away.

"Anahita, trust me. I wanted to talk to you. You can't imagine how much I longed for you and your company in this one year. If there was anyone in my mind other than my work, then it was you."

"Liar!" she retorted, and turned away once again.

Asif sighed, - "You got to trust me with this. I was to return, but then I fractured my right hand."

Anahita turned quickly to look at him. He nodded, blinking his eyes slowly, - "Thankfully, it wasn't serious. Minor. Still it hurt me to write and do other stuffs as I am right-handed. Husna took care of me and even though I requested many times that she write for me but she didn't. And I am glad she didn't because I didn't want her to know what we spoke."

Anahita felt a heavy weight at the thought of Husna taking care of him. The visuals made her  envious and strangely possessive at the same time. She kept a sour expression as he narrated the incident.

"Okay! I get it. You two bonded very well. Now, you might consider your grandmother's wish to marry her." She lashed at him, knocking him off with her tone. Asif took a moment to himself.

"N—" - He paused and then grinned slowly, - "I might?"

Anahita's mouth dropped. He eyed her from the corner and went on, - "Like you said, time doesn't wait for anyone. Like you are eighteen and should be married now, similarly I am twenty-three and I too should be married." His lips curved into a teasing smile.

Anahita grumbled to herself and then angrily crossed her arms again, - "Fine! Send me an invite."

Asif further continued with his jester, - "You sure you can bear to watch us get married?"

Anahita took a step towards him, - "Why not?" She spoke with pride, - "You will attend my wedding with Daamodar. Will you be able to stand that?"

Asif instantly stopped smiling and his expressions stiffened, - "Are you seriously getting married to him?"

She nodded, - "I am yet to say yes. And I have made up my mind. You are my friend, so don't worry, I will invite you." She faked a smile.

Asif held her hand and gazed into her eyes, freezing her in that moment. Anahita felt his grip and her heart began racing. For the nth time and the reaction now seemed very natural to her.

"I am serious."

"So, am I."

"I don't believe you."

"If not Daamodar, then he will be someone else. But I have to marry someday."

Asif stared at her, while she could look at him only for some time, and lowered her gaze. But the feel of his intense gaze made her melt. She closed her eyes tightly.

Anahita mustered her courage and blurted out, - "You should worry about yourself and Husna."

Asif lets go of her hand and took a step back, - "Yes you are right. Why am I being so stupid and—Husna has hinted many times that she is interested in me? And our families is ready. I think I will talk to Dadijaan." His voice going deep and husky. He swished around and marched towards the mansion.

Anahita watched him go, feeling a gloom settling in. Why has she begun to say or do things that were pushing him away from her? Was it subconscious or on purpose? One thing was obvious: she didn't want him going away from her, but—

Anahita slumped on the swing, making it move. As she pressed her lips, trembling, she wondered if Asif would marry Husna. She was just teasing him, and so was he. Then how did matter escalate so much? She looked up at his disappearing figure.

"Asif." She called. He stopped walking but didn't turn around. Anahita took a deep breath and rushed him. Hearing the hurried tinkling of her anklets, he turned and almost toppled to grassy ground as she flung herself on him.

Anahita buried her face in his neck, her feet dangling off the ground as she clung to him. Asif held her, supporting her frame with his arms tightly around her.

She exhaled deeply, shutting her eyes and feeling bliss with the warmth of their closeness. The scent of his attar both calmed and made her feel erratic. It was strange, and it was special.

"I am sorry. I was just teasing you. My mother fixed my meeting with Daamodar, but I avoided him. I don't want to marry him. And in a fit of rage, I don't want you to do something you will regret. I am sorry." She felt tears roll down her cheek, but she kept her eyes closed and her arms looped around his neck.

Naman was nowhere to be seen. The servants always lose him. Leela handed her baby boy, Gagan, to one of the maids and looked around for her elder son. He usually lingers in the backyard or on the lawn. She sent a servant to check the front lawn while she strolled towards the backyard. Before she could walk out, Dhani appeared out of nowhere.

"Oh!" Leela jumped on the spot to avoid dashing into her.

"Sorry!" Dhani huffed.

"What if I fell, you stupid girl?" Leela lashed out at her while cradling her baby bump protectively. Dhani's eyes darted to her belly and to her face.

She gulped, nervously glanced back and then, at her again- "I am sorry, Choti Malkin."

Leela rolled her eyes, adjusting her pallu over the low-bun of her head. As she took a step, Dhani stopped her once again. She scrunched her nose, looking at the young maidservant.

"Choti Malkin, if there is something you need, then please tell me. I am here to serve you." She said politely and humbly folded her palms. Leela eyed her from top to bottom, then looked away, raising her chin.

"Have you seen Naman?" She kept looking straight.

Dhani anxiously darted her gaze, playing with her fingers. After racing her mind, she came up with an answer, - "I saw him in the upstairs library, Choti Malkin." She pointed up. Leela followed her hand and then looked back at her.

"Okay, go get him. I am in the kitchen." She gave a look before turning around and walking away. Dhani breathed out deeply, dropping her shoulders.

Anahita kept her eyes closed, her heart beating like crazy inside her chest. She inhaled deeply again.

"Forgive me too, Anahita. I over-reacted."

Please say you won't marry Husna- she kept chanting in her head.

Asif held her arms and separated their frames. Anahita kept her head lowered. He leaned a little to get a look at her face. She sniffled.

"Hey, are you crying?"

"No!" she said in a shaky voice. She took out a handkerchief from the pocket of her long skirt and wiped the tip of her nose with it. Asif chuckled, and she looked up, glaring at him. He pressed his lips, suppressing his laugh. She lightly beat his arm.

"You are troubling me so much." Anahita looked away.

Asif held her shoulder, - "Your concern for me is very touching and—"

"What was that you wanted to tell me?" She shot the question as soon as it crossed her mind. He was taken aback by the suddenness, then straightened and smiled.

"I will tell you when the time is right." He said simply. Anahita sighed.

"And please,"- he continued, - "don't take too much stress. Just like you care for me, I care for you, too. You are most important to me."

"Most?"

Asif laughed lightly, - "After my work, and—" He checked his pocket watch in a jiffy, - "that reminds me I have to go. I am starting a fresh case, so I have to study that case. See you later." He smiled, patting her shoulder. Anahita nodded.

"Bye!" She waved lightly.

"Bye!" He walked backwards, keeping his eyes on her. Anahita grinned at him, waving her palm at him. After a few steps, he turned and jogged towards the mansion. Before stepping inside, he turned again and waved at her. Anahita sighed deeply, keeping her smile.

This song,

❝ Hansata hua noorani chehara

Kaali zulfe rag sunaharaa ❞

suits Asif so well. That guy is always smiling and radiating *Hehehehe* Though his zulfe isn't black *heyhey*

Is it just me, or "aag dono taraf barabar laga hai" Do you all, my sweeties, think the same?

Uh-oh, did Leela did catch them again? Did Naman see them? What next?

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please and don't forget to vote.

Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of Love* *Hugs and Kisses*