She was pretty sure that when she slept, he was here. Yet, when she woke up, he was not. She knows that he will not leave her by choice. Something must have happened.

His mother was here.

She was the one who she found in the lounge when she woke up around in the afternoon. Almost fearing that she made a wrong impression, she took tentative steps toward her.

His mother's warm smile greets her putting her heart at ease, "How are you doing, child?"

She nodded, "I am good".

"Come on". His mother gestured towards her, "Let's have some girl's time before my son and husband take us away".

She smiles, "Zafar loves you".

"So do I".

"You always knew you loved him?"

His mother's rich laughs echo through the house, "No. I didn't. I was actually forced to marry him by our dads".

Her eyes widened, "What?"

A faraway look appears in his mother's eye, "I think our parents were fed up with our bickering. They decided to take action. They married us and that's how slowly but surely I found out that I love him".

"Was it easy?"

"Loving him?" His mother asked and she nodded, "No. Never. It was always a task that takes effort. He drives me crazy most days and other days I do the same to him. But, we always knew that in the end, we would come back to each other. That our relationship needs time and effort from both of us".

She paused. Efforts from both of them? Now that she has considered all these past months, she didn't put as much effort into this relationship while he was doing the most.

"What is it?" His mother asked softly placing a hand over her hand stopping her from harming herself and she didn't once look down at her hand or her with pity

"I think I like him".

That causes another laugh to escape his mother as she looks at her confused.

"You think?" His mother snickers, "My son will have a heart attack soon".

"Why?"

"Because if you are still in the thinking phase, he has a long time to wait for you, I don't think he will mind waiting for you for a long time by the way he looks at you".

"How does he look at me?"

"Like you are the reason he is living".

"What do you mean?"

"I have raised three children, Aaira. Each one with their personality. Growing up, we had a big family and so many amazing figures around for our children to look up to. Unfortunately, my oldest son thought he liked Kabir a little too much. He used to follow Kabir around all the time, to the point that Kabir couldn't even do his work which is not clean work for sure. Anyways, Kabir figured that he likes my son too and then they both were unstoppable. As much as my husband gets jealous of their bond and use to whine about it. We knew our son was the quiet one. The one who will not show emotions and the one who will always be there for everyone even if there was no one for him". His mother smiles sadly, "I didn't like the fact when I realize it. We tried our best to be there for them. But, sometimes, we can only do so much".

She nodded as his mother added, "His moves are usually predictable. He doesn't like change. He doesn't like anyone in his space. He doesn't like people taking what belongs to him. The rules were always straight and simple. You know what I am saying?"

Yes, she did.

She remembers now. He mentioned these rules to her. Yet, he never followed through with any of them. She was in his space. She shared his kitchen and even destroyed it, yet he didn't say anything. She wrecked his car. She caused media gossip. She caused his emotions and time management to sway many times.

Yet, he did all of that. For her.

Her eyes filled with tears, "I-I-".

"I know. You don't have to say anything to me. I just want you to know with all of you, we appreciate you being part of my son's life". His mother kissed her forehead, "Since you didn't eat anything, should I cook something?"

"Absolutely not". She heard someone say and she screeched, only to find his father entering, "You know how you are with the kitchen".

His mother huffed, "It was a few times".

"Make it every time". His father replied kissing his mother's cheeks and grinning at her, "How are you doing, darling?"

"Amazing". She grins

"Good. I will cook us something. Why don't you and my wife just relax".

"Thank you".

His father ruffled her hair walking away with the grocery he was carrying into the kitchen.

"He is an idiot. I still don't know what I saw in him". His mother mumbled

She shakes her head with a laugh. She wants to see her husband now.

As the evening descended on them, his parents were still watching a movie when she heard a soft whining coming from somewhere. She frowns hearing it again as she exits the living room to bump into something.

Her eyes widened when she found a small kitten looking at her. She couldn't believe the way her heart melted at the sight of the little baby. She bend to collect the baby in her hands looking at it. The beautiful blue eyes of the kitten were hypnotizing that she didn't realize that her husband is back.

"She sure takes your attention away from me. I don't think I like that". His voice immediately made her head turn to him, "Hi, baby".

She grins, her eyes falling to the small bundle in his hand.

Another baby kitten.

The kitten was laying in the crook of his hand sleeping peacefully.

"I adopted one. Then they said they had her sisters there too and they were thrown out of streets for a week before the rescue found them. I had to take them". He almost look guilty about the fact

"I love them". She said looking at the kitten in her hand

"Oh good. Then you won't mind some more".

"What?"

Before he could answer he place the basket that was in his other hand and four more kitten launch towards her.

"Ayaan!"

He laughs, gazing at her. She stilled for a moment when she heard his laugh for the first time in the time they have been together. It was beautiful. Amazing. Surreal.

She didn't want to mention any of that to him in case he gets uncomfortable which he does at times like these. But, she enjoys his laugh secretly.

Just as the kitten rushes past her into the apartment he steps closer to her. He pulls her closer, kissing her forehead.

"How are you doing?"

She grins at him, "Amazing. Where have you been?"

"I had something I need to take care of". He said vaguely

Her eyes found the angry mark on his knuckles and she holds his hand, "What is this?"

"I may have gotten into a fight. Nothing serious". He shrugged

"Nothing serious? Your hand is bleeding".

He shrugged, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Disagreement happens in my line of work. And I don't like them. So, to make it easy for everyone, I get what I want from them".

She rolls her eyes, huffing, "Don't you have so many guards for that?"

He makes her sit on the couch after he kissed his mother cheeks, and sat beside her, "It was personal, baby".

"We will see ourselves out". Zafar said taking his wife hand, "Now that you are all grown up, I can have my wife for myself only. All three of you took so much time from my wife".

"I may need her-" Before her husband can complete the teasing. His father grab his mother purse and ran out with her.

She laughs, watching warmly at how family should be, "They are so beautiful".

"We will be too".

"We will be?"

He nodded, "I want a family with you. That is if you are ready for it".

Her heart stilled, "I-I do".

"I know you do, baby. There is something holding you back though. I am a patient man for the people I love. So, when you are ready for me and I mean all of me, tell me, ok?"

When she was ready for him? She was ready to be his wife. She wanted the image he showed her. The smallest glimpse of happiness was what she wanted to hold tightly in her hands.

But, it all started with a lie.

Her marriage started with a lie. She never told him about her secret.

Was it time?

"There is something I need to tell you".

"Not today. I don't want you to feel pressured to say anything".

"No. I need to". She insisted and he nodded gazing at her and that look always did something to her heart, "I have a stalker".

He stilled and she continued. She explained the past few months that and all the accidents that had happened. The reason for marrying him. She told him everything.

"You married me so I can provide you with security against this stalker?" His voice held no emotions and she wonder if he hates her now for using him

"Yes. I originally came to you to ask directly for your help. I am sorry for decieving you. Do you hate me for it?"

He leap out of the chair, pacing around as he brush his hand through his hair. Every minute felt like hours. His body was rigid, tight and she could feel the anger rolling off him.

"I can never hate you". His voice was raspy, "I am honestly glad you seek my help with this bastard. I am so pissed that I wasn't able to save you from him. God, I am so mad for not making sure you were safe. I am mad at myself for not asking how you got hurt the time we got married. I am mad at myself that I didn't let you rest in that period". Then he cupped his hand on his face, "I need you safe. I need you with me like my next breath, baby. To imagine someone was able to hurt you, to look at you right now and know that bastard was able to hurt you like this, hurts me. I promise I will get him. When I do, I promise you will never have to fear anything in this world".

She knew he meant it. The rage and raw look in his eyes said so many things. It made promises.

He slammed his guard on the desk that he was conducting the meeting to find this stalker.

"You are telling me that you have received gift, no, gifts". He seethed, "And you didn't think that you should look into them. Not only that, you didn't inform me about it".

Before he could have gotten more into the matter. The sound of his apartment warning alarm going off told him that someone trespassed the security.

And his wife was alone in the apartment.