The soft hum of the workshop filled the room, interrupted only by the occasional clink of tools. Ahad sat at his workbench, his large hands working with surprising precision as he examined the delicate chain resting in front of him. The idea had come to him weeks ago, sparked by a fleeting thought as he watched Naira laugh with Zara and Mina.

She's my heart.

He couldn't say it aloud, not yet. But he could show it.

Carefully, he shaped the small pendant in his hand. It was a heart-not flashy or overly intricate, but sturdy and timeless. Inside it, he engraved a small inscription in Urdu: Meri duniya. My world.

Once satisfied, he set it aside and picked up the second piece. A key. Its shape was simple yet elegant, crafted to fit perfectly into the heart pendant. It symbolized everything he felt but hadn't yet put into words.

After hours of painstaking work, he held the finished pieces in his hands. He looped the heart onto a chain that he would wear himself, the weight of it resting near his own chest. The key, however, he placed on a separate, delicate chain meant for her.

As he sat back and examined his work, a rare smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. It wasn't just a gift. It was a promise.

Naira was in the garden the next morning, her daughters playing on the soft grass as she watched them from a shaded bench. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over everything. She held a book in her lap but wasn't reading-her thoughts had been elsewhere for days.

Since the party, Ahad had been more attentive than ever. His presence was constant, steady, and reassuring. But there was also something else-a shift in the way he looked at her, as if he was holding back something important.

Her musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. She looked up to see Ahad approaching, his dark shawl draped loosely over his shoulders. His presence, as always, commanded attention, but his gaze was softer today, focused solely on her.

"You're brooding again," he said, his voice low but teasing.

She smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"Everything," she admitted. "The girls. My studies. You."

"Me?" His brows arched slightly, though his lips twitched with amusement.

"You're not exactly subtle, Ahad," she said, closing the book in her lap. "You've been... different lately."

He sat down beside her, his proximity making her heart race. "Different how?"

"Gentler," she said softly. "More thoughtful, if that's even possible."

He chuckled, leaning back against the bench. "I don't know about gentler. Thoughtful, maybe."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds of Zara and Mina's laughter filling the air. After a moment, Ahad reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the cool metal of the necklaces.

"Naira," he said, his tone serious now.

She turned to face him, her brows furrowing slightly at the shift in his expression. "Yes?"

He pulled out the delicate chain with the key pendant, holding it up for her to see. The sunlight caught on the metal, making it shimmer.

"This is for you," he said simply.

She blinked, her eyes darting between the necklace and his face. "Ahad, it's beautiful. But-"

He held up a hand to stop her. "Let me explain."

Taking a deep breath, he placed the key in her hand, his fingers lingering for a moment before pulling away. Then, he tugged at the chain around his own neck, revealing the heart pendant resting against his chest.

"They're connected," he said, his voice low but steady. "This key-your key-is the only one that fits this heart."

Her breath caught, her fingers curling around the pendant in her palm. "Ahad..."

"I had it made for us," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "Because that's what you are, Naira. The key to everything I have. Everything I am."

Tears pricked at her eyes as she stared at him, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. "I don't know what to say," she whispered.

"You don't have to say anything," he replied, reaching out to gently clasp the chain around her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

As the pendant settled against her collarbone, she looked down at it, her vision blurred by unshed tears. "It's perfect," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"So are you," he said without hesitation.

She looked up, her heart swelling with emotions she couldn't name. "You're too good at this," she said, laughing softly despite her tears.

"At what?"

"At making me feel things I never thought I'd feel again," she admitted.

He smiled, his hand reaching up to brush a tear from her cheek. "You're the one who makes me better, Naira. Every day."

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away as they sat there, their connection unspoken but undeniable.

That evening, as Naira tucked Zara and Mina into bed, Zara noticed the key pendant around her neck.

"What's that, Mama?" she asked, pointing to it.

"It's a gift from Baba," Naira said, her fingers brushing over the pendant.

Zara's eyes widened. "Like the flowers?"

"Even more special than the flowers," Naira replied with a smile.

From the doorway, Ahad watched the scene quietly, his heart swelling at the sight of his family. As Naira kissed the girls goodnight and turned to leave, her eyes met his, and they exchanged a silent smile.

They didn't need words. The heart and the key said everything.