The rays of sunshine seeped in through the windows, birds chirped happily. It was a beautiful morning so far and Mawra pulled the curtains open with a huge smile on her face. She turned behind and saw her husband sleeping peacefully, snuggled inside the blanket. Well, not for long considering she has plans ahead.

"Off the stupid lights." Ibrahim pulled the blanket over his face as he groggily muttered those words, still in a sleepy mood. She chuckled to herself while walking towards their bed and sat on her side, without any more delay she pulled away the blanket exposing his face to bright sunlight. A frown etched on his handsome face right after she did that.

"What the?" he got up with annoyance and was ready to murder whoever it was, but his face softened automatically as soon as he saw his wife, laughing carefreely at his expense. She has never done that before, Mawra always was so conscious around him for whatever reasons and seeing her warm up to him made his heart skip a beat.

"I hate waking up early on a Sunday morning." he grumbled with a shake of his head and saw her chuckle, "I- uh, made some breakfast for you. I wanted you to try that. So, I'm not sorry." Mawra replied excitedly, anxious to know how the food has turned up. She has put on a lot of efforts this time.

Ibrahim only gave her a look. He clearly remembered Ahil warning him during one of the marriage functions about her cooking skills and all, "should I be worried?" He joked but the smile on her face was replaced with a frown.

"Who told you?" she asked with an icy glare, "doesn't matter. I'll taste it anyway. I really appreciate the fact that you've cooked for me. Although you didn't have to." Mawra couldn't fight away that smile. Ibrahim can be seriously so sweet sometimes. So different from the one she was used to in the office hours.

Ibrahim as a boss and Ibrahim as a family guy are two different persons and she is liking his latter version more and more these days.

"My mom taunted me to do it, saying its been twenty days and I haven't entered the kitchen except for washing my hands, but I did it because I wanted to." Mawra shrugged casually.

"I'll brush my teeth and come to the dining table." he grinned at her and walked into the bathroom, lazily. He really hates waking up early on Sunday mornings though.

"Great." Clapping her hands excitedly, she eagerly waited for him to come and taste her food. She really hoped that it was good. The past few years of hard work should really pay her this time, or so she hoped.

Five minutes passed, with her walking to and fro, anxiously waiting for him to taste the food. It wasn't just her mother's taunting but also her subconscious which wanted her to cook this breakfast for him.

Mawra cooked this, especially for his sake. She knew men appreciated good food and Ibrahim deserved to be spoiled for being very kind and understanding to her so far.
It was just a little token of love for the guy, who was working so hard in making her feel welcome at their home and made things a lot easier for her. She remembered how scared she was on the day of their nikkah.

But Ibrahim made it a lot easier. Ironic indeed.

The click of the doorknob brings her out of the daze.

"Let's go." Ibrahim came out of the bathroom and looked like he has washed his face and was so fresh and drool-worthy, Mawra had to remind herself to not gawk, so openly at least.

"You know, you can stare all you want. I'm your husband after all." Ibrahim winked teasingly, as they walked out of the room, together. Mawra paused on her steps and blushed hard, "stop blushing too much, it's fine. You have all rights to check me out." he linked their hands together and started waking ahead, whom she followed with her bright red cheeks. The stupid blush just makes its appearance all the time. Mawra had zero control in that regard, much to her husband's amusement.

"How did you wake up so early? You slept as late as I did." Ibrahim wondered loudly, and the blush on her face only increased as the happenings of last night flashed before her mind. Of how close they were until Ameen decided to barge in. What would have happened if he didn't come at that time? Was the question which will always remain unanswered.

Mawra's life felt more like a cliche book to her, and the library's incident reminded her of the book; By Your Side, written by Kasie West. It was one of her favourite teen romance books. And her behaviour was no less than a teenager these days. Always blushing and behaving like a love-struck girl with every chance she got. Her brother would have made fun of her, had he been here. She needs to get a grip on herself, she thought with an inward sigh.

"Mawra... You're lost, again" Ibrahim snapped her out of a daze and she flushed, "I was excited to make food for you, so couldn't sleep longer. I'll take a nap in the noon, don't worry." She smiled in the end, cautiously aware of their interlinked hands. Her heart was beating rapidly ever since his hands came in contact with hers.

She was definitely back to her teenager phase once again. Damn, blushing every now and then was so embarrassing, but that's the kind of effect her husband had on her. Mawra can't even help it.

Ibrahim was touched by her words. It really feels very special when someone takes extra efforts for our sake, and when that someone happens to be your wife, it makes it even more special. He mentally made a note to eat it completely, how much ever bad it was. Just for her sake. She has taken so much efforts after all. His heart fluttered at that thought.

"Wow. Mom, look who's up so early on Sunday morning." Ameen's teasing voice caught the couple off guard, as they looked at the dining table and the teasing smiles made them pull their hands back, Ibrahim threw his brother a mean glare before walking up to his regular seat.

"Bhabhi, you look different today." Ameen smiled at her while the maid served him his breakfast. Mawra smiled at him, "its just my dress. I chose desi today." Her skin colour goes really well with peach and she tried a different look today. And was glad that at least Ameen has noticed it, unlike certain someone.

"You ace in everything, dear." Salika grinned at her daughter in law, who blushed at her in return.

"What are we having for lunch today?" Usmaan Qureshi asked the maid, who was about to reply, but his wife nudged him on his elbow, "you're not even done with your breakfast." He just gave her a look, "so what? I'm just curious."

"Finish your breakfast first."

"Eat yours first."

Ibrahim and Ameen, who was used to this banter remained silent, while Mawra looked on amusingly. It happened every day. Even the maid looked pretty nonchalant and concentrated more on serving the breakfast.

The Qureshi family reminded Mawra a lot about her own family and she started missing them suddenly. Blinking her eyes, she walked into the kitchen and brought that special breakfast in her hands.

"Wow, what is that?" Ameen asked eagerly, as he tried to peep in but Ibrahim grabbed the bowl before him and smirked as his brother sulked.

"I'll serve." Mawra smiled politely at the maid as she took the spoon in her hands and served Ibrahim's plate with macaroni. The aroma hits their nostrils and everyone looked pretty interested in what she has cooked. Heat raised onto her cheeks she felt all the eyes on her.

"Can I taste it too?" Ameen wanted to have at least one bite, even his father looked at the bowl eagerly. This family clearly loved their food.

"Uh, sorry to disappoint you. My wife has cooked it especially for me and only I can eat it." Ibrahim didn't really want to risk her cooking skills with his family, they can be too blunt sometimes and Mawra wouldn't be able to take it. Plus, he'd never allow someone to insult his wife. She was his honour and he vowed to protect her at every cost.

"Looks good." Ibrahim grinned nervously, as he brought the fork near his mouth and chewed it hesitantly, but to his utmost surprise, it was pretty good. Nothing like how Ahil has described, the flavour was pretty great too. Mawra looked eager for his review.

"Delicious!" and face broke into a huge grin at that, "really?" He nodded his head in assurance and began to savour his breakfast. It was seriously so mouth-watering.

"I want to eat it too." Ameen whined, but Ibrahim only smirked, "can't share."

"I want to eat it too." Usmaan whispered to his wife, who gave him a look, "Mawra, dear. Sit down and have your breakfast as well." Salika smiled fondly at her.

"You know, Ibrahim. She woke up so early in the morning just to prepare that. You better finish it." He had no problem with that, but Ameen did, "mom. I want to eat it."

"No, you can't." Ibrahim retorted, but Mawra shook her head and served a small plate for him as well, "thank you, bhabhi."

"For me too," Usmaan asked and her cheeks pained with all the smiling she did that morning.

"Wow. It's so good, bhabhi."

"You did well, beta. Salika told about your determination to learn cooking. And it has paid off well." Usmaan praised her, "thanks, uncle." She replied shyly.

Ibrahim was amused, She did all these efforts just to cook him some breakfast? Wow. He wondered with a smile whilst continuing to eat. He gave her a sideways glance, who was smiling cheekily.

"Mom, you know what your son did yesterday?" Ameen had a smug look on his face when he was done eating. The others were halfway through finishing their breakfast.

"What?"

"At two in the night." Ameen coughed, Mawra's eyes widened in surprise as she choked on her food. Ibrahim patted her back with concern, when she calmed down a bit, he gave her a glass of water which she gulped in a go.

"Why were you awake at two in the night?" Salika cross-questioned Ameen, who looked slightly terrified at that question. Guess, his plan backfired, "yes. What were you doing in the library, at that hour?" Ibrahim asked whilst throwing him a dirty glare.

"I was going through that way and caught you both red-handed." Ameen shrugged. Mawra's cheeks were on fire by now, she didn't dare look up and meet anyone's gazes.

"Why were you awake though?"

"I was doing something, mind your own business."

"Practice what you preach, bro." Ibrahim grinned evilly.

Salika and Usmaan decided to stay out of it, while Mawra left as soon as she was done with the breakfast. The memories of last night were making it hard for her to not blush, and she didn't wish to embarrass herself in front of the in-laws. Ameen was so silly sometimes.

***

"The breakfast was really good, unlike what your brother said." Ibrahim joined his wife on the sofa, who was scrolling through her Instagram. He made sure to sit as close as possible, and she smiled shyly but didn't find that even a tad bit uncomfortable.

"That cow. He will have to face my wrath today." Mawra tried hard to sound mad, but having him sit so close to her, it seemed like an impossible task.

"It was good right?" "Or were you just bluffing?" She knew how bad of a cook she was, that's why Salika offered to teach her three days ago and she finally tried it today.

"I wouldn't lie, I was scared at first. But you did cook well. Although, there's no need for this. We have cooks for a reason." Marwa smiled in return as she eyed him lovingly.

"I wanted to do it for you."

"And I really appreciate that. Thank you, biwi." the usual blush made its appearance, again.

"I want a gift." Mawra grinned, he gazed at her with a raised brows, "really?"

"Yes, I did a lot of efforts to cook food for you, so I deserved to be treated with something."

"I can think of a gift." Ibrahim smiled knowingly, "how about this?" Her eyes went wide in surprise as he placed a lingering kiss on her cheeks as he leaned in. Mawra froze on her spot. Cheeks so red and heart beating as fast as a marathon as she felt his breath fanning on her cheeks.

Did he just kiss her cheeks or was she dreaming? Mawra was confused, his fanning breath on her face told otherwise and he gazed at her brown eyes with a desire filled look, she was still very speechless.

"Thank you for cooking breakfast for me," he muttered with a smile and moved away slightly, to give her some space. Probably to recover from the shock. It was a very spontaneous thing and he was surprised as well. But there were absolutely no regrets. He loved the feeling of his lips against her soft cheeks, which looked red most of the time, it turned a darker shade of red after the kiss making her look prettier than before.

"And you look very beautiful in this Kurti." the blush on her face only hardened at that. Ibrahim did notice her change of attire after all.