Next will be the last chapter:(.

*****

"I don't even know why I did this". He said looking at the marriage certificate in his hands than looking at the sky, "What is this punishment?".

"It is a blessing in disguise". She said grinning standing beside him

"You are just happy you found an amazing husband". He commented, "I don't know about what I got. A crazy woman who hit people and I am in this close range I might just get hit worse".

"I never thought of that. But thank you for giving me the best idea". She said nodding as she descended the stairs on the court then she twirls around looking at him and he finds his heart skipping a beat, "Let's go and have dinner for our marriage".

"I am hungry is the only reason why I agreed to eat". He said moving downstairs, "I eat when I am stressed".

"Sure". She mumbles entering inside his car, "Don't tell anyone about this".

"Have I lost my mind?". He said instantly startling her, "Your parents might just have my head in dinner for marrying you without their permission".

"They can have your head for dinner about the other parts I guess they will be used for breakfast, brunch and lunch. You will be used in any way possible". She said grinning as she imagines it

"Your imagination is very explicit and it's scary". He said shaking his head as he sighs looking at the paper, "I am not even this crazy and you called me a psychopath. I think you are one".

"Wouldn't that make us a perfect couple?". She asked turning to look at him after being busy with admiring the nature out of the car window

"When will you speak to your parents?". He asked remembering they have to stay for a year here, "Will it be hard?".

"I think they trust you". She said thoughtfully, "It shouldn't be hard as I have lived here before so they kind of trust this place".

"Why will they trust me?". He asked off-topic because his mind was stuck in her words

She gives him a long stare, "Someone you underestimate yourself so much. You are the only man Baba allows in our house even when we are there because he knows you are an honourable person. He believes in your dreams more than you do and talks about you all the time".

"He talks about me?". He asked shocked taking back by the way she described him, he seems like a different person to how he sees himself

She nodded, "I have heard about you since I was about 10 years old. At first, I used to be insecure as to why he loves you so much and the way he adores you. Whenever we went outside to buy toys, clothes or any such things both my parents would buy things for you. I used to think it's because they wanted a son. I know it's stupid".

He met her parents in an orphanage when they came to give presents. They took care of everything need of his from then on and he wouldn't have done anything without them.

"Being insecure is not being stupid. Don't laugh your pain away". He said stern, "I would have been the same if my parents treated an orphan in this way".

She slapped him hard on his shoulder making him wince, "I always wanted to do that. I just never knew it was this much fun". Then she narrows her eyes at him, "I have told you this before and I will say it again. Being an orphan is not a choice that one makes. It wasn't your fault to bear something like this because I can't even imagine losing my parents even one of them. You had to face the world at a young age when I was being protected from it. You should be proud of how well you turned out because not everyone can do it. Do you hear me?".

"You have a way with words. I am not that special for anyone". He said sighing

"Firstly, you can be your own special person". She said softly, "But if you want someone else. You are my special person, is that good?".

His heart almost leaps out of his chest, "Stop it".

She tilts her head smiling as her dimple appears making all his senses go in a frenzy, "Stop what?".

He immediately runs out of the car thanking the Lord for stopping the car at the right time and she follows behind him entering inside the restaurant. They ordered their food as she looks at the marriage papers.

"I will tell you why after we are done eating". She said placing the paper back in her bag, "What do you plan to do with that idiot?".

"Which one?". He asked confused

"The one who talks shi--". She cut herself off, "The one who talks poop".

He laughs, "Usman?".

"I don't care about his name". She said huffing

He shrugged, "I don't care about him enough to do anything".

"What is he exactly?". She asked curiously

"I will tell you later". He promised as they dig into their first dinner as a couple

They ended their meal heading to the more secluded area on the beach feeling the winter cold air. He handed her favourite coffee to her while he drinks his black coffee. She sits on the rock looking over the waves hitting the rocks and going back.

"I wanted to show my mother". She said after a long time, "She left my father and us without any solid reason. I met her once here and she told me that I will never be happy with a man. I will never find a man who will comfort me when I am sad, heal me when I am broken or respect me. They will all use me and that is all".

She had met her mother and she confronted her. She said she wanted to live her life and not do all the raising the children thing so she left.

"And?". He asked softly as he watches the pain-inflicting in her eyes

She sighs, "My Baba is the most selfless man I have come across. He never cared about Ammi (stepmother) past or present. He presented her with his best care, protection and respect. He never stopped any of us in this harsh world even when all people told him was to marry us off as soon as possible so he can get rid of his burden".

"I don't get why a woman is said to be a burden in our society. The whole society works because of them. I wouldn't even exist without a woman". He said irritated

"That's just how people over countless years made it seem like. When one is told something for years at some point, they start believing". She said sighing, "I told my mother I will come back with a husband who does all that she said he wouldn't and show her how happy I am".

"Why the real marriage?. We could have faked it like we have been doing?". He asked confused

She shakes her head, "She is a clever woman. She will ask for the papers and look deep into us to see if we show any signs of hesitation when we touch or anything that a couple do but we don't. I don't want to be mock by her".

He moves his hand placing it over her hand, "I will do my best".

She smiles nodding, "Your turn".

He sighs withdrawing his hand which made her sad but she didn't show that to him.

"Usman is the most horrible person in my life. I met him when we were in school and I was all alone. He became my friend to know about my past and when I told him I lost my parents in an accident he ended our friendship with harsh words like 'someone who has no parents, doesn't deserve anything' I didn't blame him at that time because I thought he couldn't have learned that in such young age, it must be the elder who taught him. But through the years he abused me, made my school years worse in all ways and kept the other student away from me".

"Ok. Where does he live?". She asked standing ready to fight that man

He smiles holding her hand pulling her down but she slips accidentally landing on him. In the fear of her falling in the deep water, he wrapped his arms around her pulling her to his chest securing her in his protection.

He feels the worse fear inside of his heart as it beats at a fast pace. Her heart flutter with the feeling of being this close to him. She knows her face is turning to the worse shade of red now. He tries to pull away but she holds his hand not moving back.

"Hey! You are ok now". He said softly patting her back to comfort her

She wasn't even holding onto him because she was scared. She wanted to cherish this unusual moment a little longer. She moves back nodding as she sits beside him.

"Go on". She said clearing her throat

"One day he was beating me in the class while everyone pretended not to know that's when the door opened and in walk a new transfer student who watched it all. He immediately runs to him punching and kicking him not caring about anything besides that he needs to save me". He said smiling at the memory, "It was Zaheer. He saved me that day and the day after. He taught me how to be strong and how to not allow all of this pull me down".

"He is an amazing man". She said smiling, "He always give power to other people in his own way".

"True". He said agreeing because he had seen it happen

She turns to him as her hair swept away by the wind and her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink which could be because of the cold air.

"Being an orphan doesn't make you an less. I can repeat it over a thousand times if you want". She said smiling

He smiles back, "I think I am good with the words you have said already. I don't think I care about being called an orphan anymore".

"Then what is that holding you back?". She asked confused

"We should leave. It's late". He said hurriedly standing from his seat walking away when he heard her scream in pain

He turned around to find her slip through a rock catching to him resulting in opening her stitches.

"Noor". He said running towards her holding her shoulder to balance her, "What have you done?".

"Why were you running away?". She asked as tears filled her eyes looking at him

"Sorry". He said guilty, "Let's go to the doctor".

She nodded as he helped her get in the car and to the hospital. He continued to hold her hand in a tight grip and all she wishes were all these moments to say longer.

She enters back to her hotel room feeling the sudden loss of warmth. She moves to her couch placing her face in her hand groaning because she never meant to do all of this. She did it in the heat of the moment and finding her mother again.

She knows he will never accept her and she will have to live with an even deeper wound from his this time around.

He sits in his room as he watches the moonlight entering inside but his thoughts were never-ending. He never thought he will have a wife because it was a responsibility he never feels confident in.

He heard his phone ringing just when he finally managed to go in his sleep.

"Hello". He mumbles sleepily

"I don't think I can do this". Zaheer voice came through the phone, "I should stay near her. This is driving me insane".

"I swear you never let me sleep". He said groaning, "She is learning to walk on her own. Don't be a hurdle".

"But I cannot rest assured. I can't sleep, work or do anything at all". Zaheer said frustrated

"She just went for her book publishing event in a different country". He said sighing"Is that what that word is?".

"Love". Zaheer said sighing, "It is not exactly just this. It's when you want to fight for them, give them the world, care for them, cherish them, hate when someone or they put themselves down. When you want to be with them and make memories to keep them all together. Whenever they are happy or they achieve something you are even happier than them. It's is a lot more of what I have mentioned but most of all you have respect for them which never dies".

"Don't call me again". He said throwing his phone to the side groaning

Because all the things Zaheer had listed was something he had done for her. He never intended to and did it on instinct but why would he when he never did it for anyone else?.

He looks at the empty room like his empty life, it was haunting him. He didn't like being alone but he was afraid of allowing anyone in his space.

He heard the bell ringing and with heavy steps he opened the door to find her standing there in her pink nightgown and his eyes widen as he shuts the door on her face.

He leans against the door placing a hand over his chest trying to calm his heart down before it explodes.

He opens the door watching a cute frown linger on her face.

"I can't sleep". She said sighing

"Want me to sing a lullaby?". He said rolling his eyes hiding how his heart was acting

She pushes him aside entering inside, "I don't want my ears to bleed".

"Please. I am an amazing singer". He boasted closing the door behind him as they sit on the couch, "Why can't you sleep?".

She shrugged, "Useless thoughts".

He sighs rubbing his hand over his face, "I need sleep. We have an important party tomorrow".

She nodded watching him leave as she sits there thinking of what she had done again. She curses herself thinking of leaving when she heard him whimpering and she went inside of his room without any more thoughts. She finds him crying in his sleep calling for his parents.

Her heart clenched as she moves towards him sitting beside him holding his hand as she tries to comfort him.

He opened his eyes drowsy from the lack of sleep, "I am scared of losing the people I care about".

He pulled her towards him wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her to his chest as he hummed in satisfaction.

"I don't want to lose you". He mumbles as he went to sleep leaving her heart to skip multiple beats over his words

She raises her head looking at him sleeping peacefully, "You will always have me by your side".

Then they slept in peace after a long time.

The next day she prepares herself for the event with some of the most influential people in that place.

She moves outside to find him waiting for her and he raises his head looking at her.

He almost felt another heart attack coming his way when he watches her taking steps towards him and it all felt like the time stopped and everything vanished as it was just them.

She feels her insides turning because he was one handsome man she had ever seen and being in love with him was something she had done for a long time.

"Begum, yeh qatal karny ki planning kar k ayi ho?. Woh toh tum wese he apni zubaan se ache se kar layti ho". He said forwarding his hand as she places her hand in his hand (wifey, are you planning to kill people?. You do that well with your tongue already)

"Tsk tsk". She said shaking her head, "Kisi nae socha tha k ek din tum sirf mujhe dekh k marny k mukaam per a jao gay?". (Did anyone ever wondered that one day you will feel like you will die just by looking at me)

"Hum yeh hamari galti toh nahi k ittni qatalana begum hamare naseeb mai likh di gayi hai". He said as he opens door for her to sit in then he leans down to her level, "Per afsoos koi bhi nahi is naseeb se". (Now this is not my fault that you are written in my destiny) (I don't have any regret with this destiny)

She blushes smiling shyly which was something so endearing that he couldn't even take his eyes off her as he stands there admiring her. He had never thought there will come a day where he will be blessed enough to witness something like this.

He closes the door when she pushes him away asking him to drive before they were late for the event. As they arrived he moves inside and she moves beside him only for him to stop.

She tilts her head looking at what exactly was he looking at to find Usman standing in the sea of people talking to someone.

His hand went to hold her hand as he pulls her closer leaning down to whisper in her ear which made her shiver, "Stay close to me".

They enter inside the event and even when she thought what she needed to do as his wife, it all came naturally to her. She didn't pretend anything as he continues to hold onto her, assist her and jokes around calming her down. He didn't let go of her for a moment and attended to her even another minute to make sure she was ok.

Until she went to grab a glass of water and everything started going south.

She felt someone touching her hand and she withdraws her hand looking at Usman standing in front of her.

"If you touch me one more time, my hand will be against your cheek". She warned thunderously

"You deserve better than him". Usman said smirking

She snickers, "Better than him?. who?. You?". She pauses looking at him disgusted, "I would rather not marry than ever be with an egotistical, sick and arrogant man like you. He is better from you in every sense. You are just insecure because he managed to be this great after all the given situations while you are still struggling. You must have seen the determination in him that you tried so hard to take away". She pauses laughing at his angry face, "You failed. You failed and became a loser that no one cares about".

"Begum". She heard her husband voice as she turns her head to find him glaring at Usman

She smiles running into his arms, "Let's go and enjoy the party".

His hand instinctively wraps around her waist as he nodded taking her away from there.

She finds her mother after a long time of staying in the party. Her mother walked towards her with anger evident in her eyes which made her smile.

"I told you to not marry". Her mother screamed

She laughs, "Just because you failed at your marriage doesn't mean I have no rights to be with a man who loves me".

"Love is fake". Her mother argued

She moves closer to her mother, "You failed to drag me down. You should know that by now because I have done all that you told me I couldn't do. I have my own successful company, a beautiful family and an amazing husband. Rest assured I will continue to make myself the best of what you never were. Don't ever appear in front of me".

Her husband came back with their drink but she had enough of this party so she decided to ask him to leave instead.

Just as she exits following behind him someone grabs her hand making her shriek.

She found a blooded Marcus with bruises all over him looking at her in pure fury.

She gaps looking at him and her husband pushes Marcus away from her and that's when she found her husband clutches ripped.

She knows then that he must have found out. She didn't say anything running towards their car and he follows behind her without any more words.

She enters inside the hotel running to her room as she fell on the floor when she was alone in the safety of her room. For the longest time, she cried alone sitting there and after a moment she felt someone hand going around her and the from the warmth she knows it was him.

"I don't want to know anything". He said softly, "I will never leave you is what you should know".

She moved her head back looking at him as tears fall from her face, "He almost raped me".

He moves his thumb wiping her tears away, "That wasn't your fault. He shouldn't have done something like that. I will make sure he pays for all that he had done".

"You won't leave me?. I am not that worthy". She said crying harder

He places his finger under her chin pulling her face closer to him, "If you bring yourself down one more time I will do something you won't like".

She frowns, "I am serious, Waqas. I am not someone you should be with--".

Then he kissed her for the longest time until they forgot that the world ever gave them any pain.

*****