A WEEK LATER
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M U S T A F A had just returned from the office. Feeling tired and sick, he wanted nothing more than to get in his bedroom and fall asleep with Hoor. He rubbed his hands over his tired face. He knew that was not a possibility. Tomorrow was their walima and Hoor was busy with Alia in planning the last minute things.

A smile grazed Mustafa's face as he remembered the events of the past week. He and Hoor had been nothing but compatible. Their relationship had been as if shrouded in a cloak of peace. He felt nothing but content when he looked at his wife. And he hoped that was how she felt too.

They had been making improvements, trying to get comfortable with each other. Now, Hoor did not scowl at the sight of him. Instead, she began to take interest in his life. Just three days ago, she had joined him to visit his physiotherapist. She eagerly looked at the surroundings, amused by the number of people that visited the doctor.

When she had seen Mustafa doing exercises, with the therapist doing most of the effort, tears had made way into her eyes. She was yet again reminded of the cruel fact that she had failed to understand her husband and had caused him pain. Apologising profusely on the way back for his actions.

Mustafa shook his head. Smiling to himself about his naive wife. She was an absolute sweetheart. But the daily worsening behaviour his uncle's family, worried him. And if worse came to worse, Mustafa would send them back to their original residence. He had paid off all those years they had raised him. And he would not stand Hoor being insulted by anyone.

"Mustafa ap kia soch soch kar muskura rahay hai?" Hoor who stepped out of the drawing room to fetch some tea, was surprised to see him.
Her voice, breaking him out of his reverie.
"Uh- haan kuch nahi. Waisay hi. Ap bataein, keh ma kidhr hai?" Mustafa changed the topic.
"Andar hain. Ap chalein, mei chai le kar aati hun," she passed him a smile.
Heading into the direction of the kitchen.

Mustafa gazed at her for a few seconds, until she moved far enough that he could no longer see her. Then making his way into the room, surprised to see Rizwan and his father inside aswell.
"Assalamualikum," Mustafa greeted everyone.
Getting a chorus of replies back. He motioned for Raees to help him sit on the two seater. The plush fabric making his back relax. He rubbed his hands through his dishevelled hair.

"Khariat? Rizwan aur uncle ap kaise aai?" Mustafa asked.
Clearly, the father-son duo had shown their disgust on the day of his wedding.
"Han. Woh kuch baat karni thi, Abdul Rehman sahab sai," the elderly man replied.
Not hiding his disgust for him. Mustafa silently nodded his head, turning towards Alia.
"Ma Hoor keh kapray aagai?" He asked eagerly.
Mustafa had selected the outfit himself, and could not wait for his wife to wear it.
"Ji beta. Ap keh kamray mei rakhwa diye hai," she smiled at him.

Mustafa nodded, silently observing the thick silence that had taken over. He just wanted to rush into his bedroom. And not care the slightest bit about the guests that were over. As if to save him, Hoor entered the room. Followed by a few servants. She smiled at everyone, serving them tea with shaking hands.

Hoor felt nauseous. The man infront of her had believed an accusation that was not the truth. Her eyes began to sting as she thought of the fateful day. He was the sole reason behind her seperation from her parents. And yet here he was, sitting, with no guilt on his face. She wondered if he really was a true friend of her husband. For if he was, he would have known the kind of man Mustafa was and that he would never betray someone.

Seeing no seat, except one beside Mustafa, she had no option but to sit next to him. Blushing. They may have been making progress but she was still shy infront of him. She passed one of the cups to Mustafa. Grabbing another for herself. Putting in two heaping teaspoons of sugar.

"Hoor?" Mustafa whispered.
"Hmm," she replied, busy stirring her tea.
"Tumhari chai ka eik ghunt le lun?" He asked.
Intrigued by how tea saturated with sugar tasted like.
"Nahin," she blushed at the thought of him drinking from the same cup as hers.
"Please yaar," he insisted.
Hoot tried to resist. But Mustafa was successful. And took a sip.
"Gah! Itni meethi," he was shook.
How could one stomach such a sugary drink?
"Mein nai ap ko kaha tha. Ap ko hi shouq tha!" She muttered absentmindedly.
Mustafa was surprised to see her confidence. He vowed to help her build herself into the woman he knew she could be. With just a gentle touch.

The exchange had been noticed by everyone. Getting reactions of various kinds. Some like Alia, were ecstatic to see the development of feelings between the couple. Whilst others, felt rage. Like Rumaisa. Who had never thought that Mustafa and Hoor would develop their relationship. She had imagined that they would either live as strangers forever or get divorced soon. Seeing their actions, it meant that the two had put aside their differences. And that did not sit right with her.

"Abdul Rehman bhai, mein nai aur Sajid nai apse eik baat karni thi," Alia turned her attention towards the man.
"Ji kahein bhabi," he had an idea of what was to come.
He wondered what his wife had planned to reject this proposal.
"Hum chahte hai keh kal walima sai pehlay hum Raees aur Rumaisa ki mangni kar dein," hearing the words of his mother, Raees blushed.

"Darasal bhabi, humne Rumaisa ki mangni Rizwan sai kardi hai. Balkay aaj woh shaadi ki tarikh ka hi puchnay aai thay," Munazza answered.
It was true. A few days ago, in private ceremony, the couple had been engaged. Keeping the fact that the two were already married, hidden from Rehman.

Sajid stood up. In shock. It was Abdul Rehamn who had approached him for Rumaisa. Not the other way round. And now they were quite easily, calling the wedding off.

"Yeh kia mazaq hai? Iss rishtay ki baat tou apne khud ki thi! Ab inkar kaise kar saktay hai?" Sajid shouted.
There was nothing wrong with his son. So why would they out of the blue get their daughter engaged to another man. Without even breaking off the rishta with them.
"Dekhein bhai, hum bachun keh aagai majboor hai. Apni khushi keh liye unko zabardasti keh rishtay mein jora nahi ja sakta. Hum ap sai maafi mangna chahte hai. Ghalti humari hai". Abdul Rehman apologised, half-hearted.

"Abu rehnay dein. Kia faraq parta hai? Mein waisay bhi abhi shaadi nahi karna chahta," Raees calmed his father down.
For now he genuinely had no plans to get married. Instead, he wanted to establish his career first. So that he could pamper his wife with money he had made. And not what his father gave him.

"Dekha. Apke betay ko bhi masla nahi hai. Aur waisay bhi yeh sab tou khuda keh faislay hotay hain," Munazza added.

Sajid ignored her, patting his sons back. Praising him for being so strong willed. The rest of the night was filled with tension. Mustafa felt upset with what his uncle had done. And he began to get an idea of why Rumaisa brought pictures that had Rizwan cropped from them, to his wedding. He could not believe that Rizwan had not talked to him once. He would have made a plan, that did not cause Hoor to fall from her parents grace.

As Rizwan exited, he turned to Mustafa, looking him dead in the eye.
"Apni biwi ko kehna, keh jo kangan churai hai, wapis karde jald az jald".
Mustafa sighed, he would prove his ex- best friend wrong. His wife was no thief.

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