3rd June, 2022

As Saim parked his car, he groaned looking at his house. It was still the same day Naman had arrived but he already found himself irritated. He didn't leave a chance to be with Yusra or talk to her, reminiscing their childhood days while he sat at the table, having his lunch gazing at the two, Yusra agreeing to whatever he would say. Naman even tried bringing him into the conversation, but then he would only gaze at Yusra the whole time while talking that made him leave. He didn't want to stay home looking at him talk to Yusra freely while he wasn't allowed near her.

Saim knew by now Naman would have come to know about her further life too, the reason behind their marriage and the divorce, which he was doubtful about. He looked at the time, knowing everyone would have had their dinner by now, purposely being out till such a time since he didn't want to go through that feeling again.

He wouldn't deny that his heart burned when he saw Yusra smile or laugh because of Naman. Sounds stupid, but he wanted to be the reason behind her smile, laugh, blush and everything related to her.

He walked inside to only find Naman and Hasham walking out with Saad while Yusra following behind them.

"Hey bro, Assalamualaikum." Naman greeted making him give a smile. Replying he turned to Hasham asking him a few things before he was called by Naman. Putting a hand around his shoulder, he made them walk away from them, making him curious.

"Yusra told me about everything," Naman said and Saim glanced up at Yusra through his shoulder with a raised brow confirming it to only have her shake her head. A satisfied smirk appeared on his face before he looked at Naman nodding his head, "Thanks for looking out for her." Naman said patting his shoulder before walking away to Hasham.

They said their bye to Hasham and Naman, who informed about being there tomorrow making Saim to roll his eyes. He glanced around to find Yusra no where in sight, when he found Saad pat his shoulder taking him by surprise.

"You-" Before he could speak up, Saad bet him up, "No," He shook his head making Saim to sigh, "I haven't forgiven you for your decision which is the most stupid one you have ever come up with, but," Saad cleared walking inside with Saim who listened carefully to his brother, "Not talking to you made my days worse and that's the only reason I am having this talk with you; for me and not for you." Saad said making Saim to chuckle at his reason. He understood where he was coming from because it was the first time they had gone a week without talking and he felt miserable himself.

"And let me advise you as your elder brother," Saad said turning Saim to face him completely. In other situations he would have argued back on the fact of him being his elder brother but looking at the situation he kept quiet, "Do think about your decision carefully. You wouldn't want to lose Your precious being because of Your stupidity." Saad stated stressing onto the words your. Patting his shoulder he walked out while Saim stood in between the path, thinking about his brother's advice.

"Saim?" He heard his mother's voice, startling him. He noticed her walk towards him with a smile on her face, making him suspicious. He couldn't believe that his brother and mother; who were giving him cold shoulders till today were now talking to him.

"Assalamualaikum." He greeted her, shaking his thoughts walking towards her. Replying to him, they both walked towards the dinning area, Saim going to freshen up while Sara into the kitchen.

"Yusra, serve food to Saim and go to bed early. We have a lot of things at hand tomorrow." Sara spoke hiding the smile looking at the panic on Yusra's face, as she was plating out food probably for the same person as mention. Nodding her head, Yusra wished her good night before heaving a deep breath.

She took the plate to the table to find Saim walking in while wiping his face.

"You had your food?" Saim asked taking a seat, gazing at her pour water to him and as she shook her head, he asked her to get a plate to herself too, waiting for her.

Yusra sat in front of Saim, and even though he wanted to ask her to sit besides him, he kept his silence starting his food.

"So how was your day?" He asked trying to start with a conversation, already thinking about some more questions but when he noticed her talk about her day in full detail it only made him scowl. He could see that the entire time Naman was with her, just the way he had thought it to be. He continued having his food, paying least attention to her but when she stopped talking he looked up, to see her gaze his way with worry.

"Are you alright?" She asked and he nodded his head giving her a small smile, asking her to continue. "That's all." She said taking the first morsel while Saim gazed at her.

"Yusra?" He called out to her gaining her attention, "Suppose if," He stressed if a lot, more then twice while Yusra frowned nodding her head, "Would you go back to your life that was at your parent's house or your aunt's house?" He questioned, knowing that he wouldn't let the latter happen for sure but he also didn't want her to go back to her life at her parent's house. Deep within he wanted an answer, that could give him some hints about her wanting to stay with him, just like how he was having doubts.

"None," She thought about it shaking her head making a small smirk to appear on Saim's face that he was quick to hide, his hopes building at her answer, "When we got married, Aunt took away my parent's house so that no longer can be my choice." Yusra said and the smirk on his face dopped overshadowing by anger at the information. "And going back to my aunt's place would only result in your efforts to be in waste, so I don't see myself there either." She said giving a small smile at him. Saim felt his heart swell at her thought. He felt happy that she restricted that thought because of him.

"So?" Saim asked expectedly, his food long forgotten, "I don't know, today Naman was suggesting that I could start up my own café while he would help me out." Yusra said thinking about it and Saim felt his blood boil. He clenched his left fist, unclenching it as he noticed Yusra give him a smile.

The two fell in silence continuing their food, but Saim had lost his appetite. He tried speaking up, wanting to tell her what he wanted, what a mess was created in his mind, but everytime he opened his mouth, he shut it out. As they were done, Yusra cleaned their plates, while Saim waited for her. Yusra felt conscious, knowing his gaze on her but she didn't understand what he wanted, so she simply ignored it, giving herself a ted-talk all the while.

"Are you sleeping well?" He asked as he noticed her done, turning the lights off while she smiled before the two headed up. She nodded her head unable to speak up, knowing that she would hardly be able to lie. With the shift, she was back to her sleeping pattern, a fear always in the back of her mind.

Saim nodded his head, breaking his knuckles, eyeing his room.

"Good night," Yusra greeted in a whisper before walking away.

"Good night." He whispered as he gazed at her retreating back until she was out of sight, a thing he wished not to happen.

***

"Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!" Saim glanced at his sister raising his brow in confusion, eyes moving to Hasham and Naman who followed him.

Saim along with Hasham and Naman had gone wedding shopping for themselves, to get their outfits. The three after having it hard, had finally decided onto their sherwani's. Despite wanting to have a colour code, they opted for different colors with the same pattern.

"What's wrong?" Saim asked looking at Zara grin wickedly at the boys before bursting out in fits of laughter, the three waiting for her to sober up. Saim groaned when he noticed his sister's state and pushed her, wanting nothing but to get inside and just have a glimpse of Yusra for his satisfaction that she was alright.

"Wait," Zara said pushing Saim, before giggling once again, "Leave my hand and laugh all you want." Saim said trying to remove her hold from his shirt, the grip tighter then he intended.

"Sadiya phuppu is here," Zara stated and the boys groaned loudly, already knowing what the bad news was about. "I guess you should go and inform this to Saad?" Hasham smirked at Zara but before she could reply, they noticed a happy Saad rushing before he was stopped by Naman, asking the reason behind his happiness.

"If I knew Afreen would stop torturing me after marriage I would have agreed to it long back," Saad said wiping the imaginary sweat off his forehead making Saim to gape at him, "No ways!" Saim yelled to only have Saad nod his head vigorously.

"Yes ways! I am so happy, Alhamdulillah. Now excuse me I am going to pray to thank Allah for this burden off me." Saad said rushing upstairs while Hasham and Saim exchanged looks, not believing what he said.

"That's what I wanted to tell you guys. Everyone's here. The house is a mess. And you see bhai just got off the burden that means start preparing for yourselves." Zara whispered warning them, and the three exchanged glances before talking.

"I and Afreen can never stand each other. Remember the time I insulted her for her behaviour? From that day she doesn't even come near me." Hasham said proudly, pulling up his hands making Naman and Saim to exchange a glance.

"I don't know, I don't remember meeting her for a long time so she might just not come to me?" Naman said unsure about it himself and when he received an apologetic smile from Zara, he knew he had to play safe for himself.

"And there is no chance with me, I am married." Saim stated the fact proudly, adjusting his hair, "That won't help." Zara said and he gave her a confused look, "When it worked with Saad why won't it work with me?" He raised his brows, before smiling at the few ladies, turning back his attention to Zara, who moved a little closer to him.

"I had you saved with it, but," She stopped when she noticed some kids running around them, their house already full with the amount of relatives from theirs parents side. "She came to know about your divorce." She completed and he blinked twice, the words hitting him hard hearing it from someone.

"I don't know, I saw her talk to Yusra bhabhi after I introduced her, everything was perfect but then she came up to me and started asking as to why didn't I tell her that you were about to get divorced. She tried getting the story out, like the reason behind the divorce and how you got married in the first place, but I slipped away saying mamma is calling. I even asked mamma, if she told them but she said no and now even she is worked up with this thing that Sadiya phuppu and her daughter knows about the divorce. You know- they'll spice the whole thing and tell it to the rest of the people. I don't know how phuppa even bears them." Zara blabbered without any pause and as she was done she took deep breaths while Saim clenched his fist in anger.

"I don't know about them, but I am not getting divorced." He said playing it cool in front of them, the words out of his mouth before he even knew.

"But-" Zara started but Saim simply walked away, cutting off her speaking, "We are not getting a divorce." Saim declared gritting his teeth, before walking away, while Zara sighed.

"I wish he actually meant that and not just say this to stay away from Afreen." Zara whispered making Hasham and Naman to exchange a glance. With a grin, Hasham moved a little closer to Naman and putting a hand around his shoulder said, "Look at him, he actually meant what he said but it's just that he doesn't know it yet."

***

Yusra felt her jaw hurt at the amount of smiling she had been doing the entire day. She was introduced to a lot of people, answering their questions and thanking them for the compliments she received throughout. She sat down next to Zara, completing her work of serving everyone drinks, noticing her busy wrapping a dress that needed to be sent to Erum's place on her mehendi day.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, she pulled the bag slightly from her, "Take rest, I'll do it." She smiled before working on it. In the past she hated doing such work that required alot of patience and efforts but with time she had learnt to adjust. She knew everything wouldn't be as she want it to be, she needed to work hard to gain victory. She smiled at her victory, turning to give the bag to Zara when she noticed her gaze on her.

"What happened?" She asked moving her head, asking to pass the rest of the things to her, glancing at Zara before working. She adjusted her sitting position before continuing her work, glancing around the room filled with ladies. The entire room was packed with a bunch of relatives that had arrived early, and would stay till the marriage.

Forgetting about the question she had asked Zara, she carried on with her work when she felt two arms wrapped around her neck. Grinning, she turned her head to find Rania looking at her with a grin before kissing her cheek and rushing away.

"Can you both not get a divorce?" Her hands stilled as she heard Zara's question, a mere whisper that had left her mouth. She gulped before clearing her throat. Thinking about it, Yusra felt her eyes burn, her hands shivering. Pulling away from the work, she cracked her knuckles in an attempt to stop herself from the effect the question had on her.

She ignored the question but she could still feel Zara's burning gaze at her side. She felt nervous under her gaze, making sure to not let the tear off from her eyes and just as she knew it wouldn't be in her favour she excused herself.

She found herself quickly making her way upstairs to Zara's room, closing it behind her and sliding down the floor. Tears rolled down her eyes, her throat dry unable to make a sound. She sat there for just a minute or two before thinking about the people downstairs. Standing up, she rushed to wash her face, removing the tears marks. Patting her cheeks, she unwrapped her hijab wrapping it neatly around her head before walking out of the room like nothing happened, a smile on her face.

She walked inside the kitchen, to drink some water when she noticed, Afreen, one of their relative inside munching onto an apple. She smiled at her, before taking the bottle of water out of the fridge, her eyes moving to the window that gave her the view of the boys, sitting lazily in the backyard at a distance.

Thinking about asking them about some snacks she opened the back door of the kitchen that lead to the balcony, not wanting to go through all the ladies in the living area. She noticed that she had gained their attention, due to the noise of the door, that hadn't been used in a long time, making her smile at them. She noticed the deep black eyes staring right at her, making her heart beat rapidly, so ignoring his eyes, she turned to Hasham besides him who had a grin on his face.

"Yusra?" She stopped,  when she noticed Afreen block her path with a tray in her hand, that carried fruit juice. "Yes?" She questioned bringing back her eyes to her face,

"Do you know who I am?" She asked making Yusra to frown at her. She remembered talking to her a few hours ago, after she was introduced by Zara, "Uh-Yeah, Sadiya phuppu's daughter?" She questioned remembering Zara's intro but when she shook her head, she gave her a nervous smile at her mistake.

"No," She shook her head and as she waited for her speak, she noticed the boys moving away from the backyard, through the living area, "I am the future daughter-in-law of this house." She said adjusting the tray on one hand while pointing a finger behind her. Yusra frowned looking at the empty space, but knowing she was referring to one of the boys. She smiled, nodding her head before turning around and leaving through the kitchen door. Just as she was to step into the pathway, she noticed the boys.

"Hey," She called out moving toward them who were busy wearing their shoes. She walked towards them, her eyes moving from Saim to Saad to Naman before halting on Hasham.

She recollected Afreen's words and thought about it. Her eyes lingered between Naman and Hasham, stopping at Naman but as she thought about it more deeply she turned to Hasham with a smile.

"Congratulations," She congratulated him making the boys to exchanges confused glances, before turning to Hasham in question. "For?" Hasham asked shrugging his own shoulder when he noticed Saim nudge him.

"Oh I just had a talk with Afreen and she told me that you guys are going to get married." Yusra explained and Hasham fell forward while the rest laughed taking Yusra aback at the reaction.

"She told you that!?" Hasham exclaimed taking a step forward but Saim quickly pulled him back, sobering up. Yusra shook her head and told him the exact words and she got more curious when she noticed everyone laugh except Saim.

"Hahaha," Hasham moved his finger asking for a minute, patting Saim's chest which he shrugged away in anger, "Let's leave," Saim said pulling Hasham but he pulled out from his hold, ready to make his sister in-law understand what the girl actually meant.

"She was referring to Saim, bhabhi." Hasham said and doubled in laugh while the rest joined him. Her eyes moved to Saim to find him standing there with a scowl plastered on his face.

Yusra now understood why Zara didn't like the girl. She still remembered how Zara had stressed about her being Saim's wife a more than two times.

"Don't." He warned as he noticed the amusement in Yusra's eyes while she bit her lip to suppress her laugh, "I am sorry." She grinned widely and everyone made fun of Saim walking out while Yusra smiled looking at them make fun of him while walking.

But Saim had his eyes fixed onto Yusra. He couldn't get his eyes off from the smiling face right in front of him that instantly made a smile to appear on his face.

Yusra glanced at Saim to find his intense gaze on her making her flush but instantly realising her mistake, her eyes widen in fear.

"I am so-" She was cut off in the middle of her apology when she noticed him move forward and caress her cheek. She stood rooted to her place, looking at him in astonishment, feeling him caress her cheek delicately making her heart to take up pace.

"Saim!" The two jumped at Saad's voice, Yusra quick to take a step back, blushing profusely, looking around everyone except him. Saim looked at her avoid him, her cheeks tinging making a smirk to appear on his face.

He walked backwards, his eyes still stuck on her till he was at the door noticing her stand still. Just as he moved out of the door, Yusra looked at him to see the smirk turn into a grin. Ruffling his hair, he ran towards the car with a huge smile plastered on his face. He sat down inside at the backseat, remembering her blushing face and in that moment he knew he was in deep trouble.

Because there was no more denying the truth that he was madly in love with her.