"Will you please tell me when you love me? I'm dying here" 

And then we're laughing. And then I'm in his arms, and we're kissing, at first quickly--to make up for the lost time--and then slowly, because we have all the time in the world. And then his lips are soft and honey sweet, and the careful, passionate way he moves them against my own says that he savors the way I taste, too. 

And in between kisses, I tell him I love him. 

Again and again and again. 

"Interesting!" Ibrahim's voice snapped Mawra out of the dream world and she jumped in surprise, trying to hide the book behind her back as she closed it shut almost immediately, but too bad he has already read those last few lines. A glint of mischievousness played in his eyes. 

Heat rushed onto her cheeks, as she looked away, feeling too shy to stand in front of him. How did she not notice him entering this place and reading her book? Did he even read? If yes, how will she face him after this? How could she be so careless? Question after question was raised in her head and her legs suddenly felt jelly. How she wished the earth to swallow her right away. 

"Never pegged you as a romance lover." he stated with amusement, making her give him a look, "what is that supposed to mean?" Even in nervousness she didn't try and hide how offended she was. Her eyes were looking at his shirt though, she couldn't face him yet. Ibrahim threw his head back and laughed at her reaction. 

Mawra now stared at him wide-eyed, confused with his laugh but at the same enjoyed it as well. Ibrahim looked extra handsome whenever he smiled or laughed. It was so contagious and many times, she'd get lost in his laugh, which she hoped that Ibrahim is unaware of, but he always knew... just like now. 

"What I meant is... Wait, what is the book's name first?" he raised his brows, trying to get hold of the book but she shook her head vigorously and tried to keep it out of his reach, behind her back, "that's beside the point. What do you mean by that?" she asked again with her cheeks so red.

"That what, Mawra?" he asked in a teasing tone making the blood rush onto her cheeks once again, "you're making fun of me." she huffed cutely, he tried his best to not laugh again. 

"I am confused, what do you want to ask, ask clearly, biwi," Ibrahim muttered huskily as he leaned in and tucked her loose hair strands behind her ears, making her freeze at his actions and the word biwi has its own kind of effect. It amused him so much as to how his every single touch has this crazy effect on her; which always left him to crave for more. Surprising himself the most. 

Taking her frozen state to his advantage, Ibrahim leaned in; inhaling her intoxicating fragrance slightly and pulled the book from her hands. Anna and the French Kiss was its title. A playful smirk appeared on his face, as he then gazed at her, who looked mortified and blushed furiously. Her gaze fell on the floor once again whilst moving behind. Mawra couldn't handle that closeness all of a sudden; his chocolate cologne was too addicting. She hits the library's shelf in the process and a soft gasp left her mouth. 

Damn... How could I be so careless?  She frowned slightly in between her blushing.

"You know, I was wondering, where did my wife go in the middle of the night... Only to find her in this library, smiling like a creep to herself reading some book. Not to forget that dreamy look on her face. Now I know why." He stated with amusement but saw the change in her face, which turned from shyness to anger, "I was bored. Who works on Saturday night by the way? You could have given me company or something. But no, your precious works need you always." she complained, whilst folding her arms cutely. 

"You could have just asked me to stop working," Ibrahim muttered, trying to fight away that smile. Angry Mawra was just too damn cute. 

"I have insomnia and seeing you work so late at night was giving me a headache, so I came here to read." She shrugged casually, but the blush on her face was still there. First of all, there was only a very little gap between them. And second of all, no one knew about her crazy obsession with teen romance. It might come out as too childish but she loved such books. Apart from her mother in law, no one knew and now Ibrahim became the second one to know.  

Mawra had no idea what will he think of her after this. Will he laugh at her? It was one genuine question. And the blush on her face continued to remain. This was too embarrassing for her and she just wished, she'd have been extra careful and noticed his presence earlier. 

"Again, you could have just asked. I'd have stopped working." Ibrahim admitted honestly, and she gave him a look of disbelief, "you would?"  Thankfully, her blush faded slowly and she grabbed the book back from him and turned back to place it back on the shelf. 

Ibrahim scoffed slightly at that, "why is that so hard to believe?" 

"I mean you are such a workaholic. And I thought asking you to stop working might offend you or something." Mawra muttered with uncertainty as she faced him, making him laugh once again, "you're so cute. But the next time you want me to do something, just say." 

"Really?" She still couldn't believe his words and Ibrahim had no one but himself to blame. Guess, his works should have to stay strictly in the office from now on. 

"Yes, really. But tell me, do you love romance?" Ibrahim gazed at her collection of books behind her and asked out of curiosity. Every book on the shelf came under the romance genre, that much he understood by reading their titles and couldn't stop himself from asking her, whose face became so red as soon as he asked, telling him the answer indirectly. She didn't dare meet his eyes. 

"You're one interesting human being, Mawra" he chuckled with amusement, as he made her look at him, her gorgeous brown eyes shimmered with shyness, "even if I come an inch closer, you'd be a blushing mess and look at your reading lists. Who could have thought?" 

Mawra couldn't stop herself from blushing the entire time, making this situation all the more amusing for him. 

"See what I am telling?" tracing her red cheeks, he muttered huskily, whilst leaning in dangerously close to her. Mawra couldn't move any further as she was stuck between him and the library shelf behind her. Understanding her movements, Ibrahim placed his hands on either side of the shelf, caging her, leaving no room for escape. His eyes didn't leave hers throughout the time.

Their breaths now mixed, hearts beating rapidly. Unable to process any more of this closeness, she shuts her eyes shyly. 

"Open your eyes." he whispered, "please," he added when she refused to do so. 

"What are you doing to me, Mawra?" She raised her brows confusedly, "is it only me or do you like this closeness as well?" She could only gape at that, how will she answer this now? 

"You do things... Things I never thought would be possible. Your smile, frown, confidence... your shyness, anger... Every damn thing does something to me, Mawra. How do you do that? You have no clue yet have so much effect on me..." gazing at her adoringly, he mumbled those words so casually and normally, but her heart almost stopped beating for a second. Her eyes went wide. Did he really say those aloud?  

"Your reaction, every time I come close to you or even touch you... Damn, Mawra. What are you doing to me?" Ibrahim was whipped in better words. Heat raised onto her cheeks once again, she smiled a shy smile whilst gazing into his grey eyes which were staring back at her with an unreadable expression. 

"It leaves me craving for more, every single time... Do you feel like that too?" he asked in a whisper whilst inhaling her smell. She smelt so damn good. 

"Y-Yes."

This new relationship, sudden closeness was very new to the both of them, yet they liked it a lot. They liked being close. And it was only twenty-something days of their marriage. Life has been smooth so far. They liked this phase. They took it slow. Too slow for his liking, but he can wait till she gets comfortable. He'd never force himself on her. Not even in the dreams.

"I crave for more, too..." Her mother's first advice when she got married was, to be truthful and honest with her husband, and she did just that. But looked away almost immediately, feeling bashful and timid. 

She was uncomfortable in the beginning, but slowly it began to disappear.

Ibrahim grinned at her answer, elated that the feeling was very mutual and she liked being close to him, too. It gave him some sort of relief. Before he could do or say anything further a voice interrupted their moment, "Oh my poor eyes! What have I seen." 

Mawra pushed her husband away immediately and looked at her brother in law with a mortified face, Ameen had that evil smile on his face, "I haven't seen anything, bhai. Although I must say, I'm surprised, I thought you only loved your job." 

"Run before I do something." Ibrahim glared at his brother, while his wife blushed furiously. 

"Can I expect a nephew or niece soon?" Ameen grinned mischievously and Mawra couldn't stand there any longer and sprint at the first chance she got. 

"Uh, well. Good night. Go to sleep then, how else would I get a niece or nephew?" Ameen ran away almost immediately, feeling his brother's murderous gaze upon him. It wasn't his fault that they decided to romance in the library at two in the night. He was only teasing them harmlessly. His brother is boring though. 

***

"I know you're awake," Ibrahim muttered as he slipped under the blanket and gazed at her face, who has her eyes shut tightly. The tint of redness gave it away that she wasn't sleeping and her heavy breaths too. Unfortunately, her acting sucks big time. But she looked so freaking cute. 

"Ameen was only joking." he traced her cheeks as she opened her eyes slowly and whispered, "I know." 

"And we will take it slow, there is no rush for the babies." a grateful smile etched on her face as she looked into his intense-looking eyes, "Thanks... Ibrahim. You don't know how much those words mean to me." They have talked about it on the first day of marriage and she was glad that he still stood by his words. 

Ibrahim did want babies. But she has been hesitant regarding that topic and they never spoke about that till now.

"I always respect your choices first, Mawra. Do tell me if I ever make you uncomfortable, okay?" he faced her sideways and she blinked her eyes in yes. 

"I will, and you didn't make uncomfortable anytime, but I will remember to say if you ever did." he smiled at her words. 

"Good." 

"Hmm." There was a moment of silence, while she gazed at the ceiling and he continued to eye her face, "good night, Mawra." he whispered softly and turned away but she surprised the both of them by snuggling into him, "good night, Ibrahim." She whispered against his chest, with her eyes closed tightly. 

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close to him and they lied in a comfortable position. With her head placed in the crook of his neck and his arms on her waist. Neither of them spoke anything. But the smile on their faces said it all. 

Ibrahim liked the way how their relationship was progressing and once again, he was glad that he agreed to marry. Yes, he couldn't believe himself either.