*Maaz’s point of view* After having our dinner, I sat working on my laptop on the bed, and Rabiya continuously flipped television channels beside me. Can't she properly watch a single channel? ''After mobile phones, the TV is just like a dabba- useless and boring!” She exclaimed, and it looked like she was bored. I tried my best to ignore her, and meantime my mobile began ringing. “Who’s this?" I mumbled, when I saw an unknown number on the screen. Nevertheless, I picked it up. “Hello?” "Hello, Maaz?" The person on the other end asked. "Yeah, Maaz speaking,” I confirmed. “Who’s this? I didn’t recognize you," I asked. "I'm Shayaan! If you don't mind, can I talk to Rabiya?" "Oh! Okay, one minute," I held out my mobile to Rabiya. “It’s for you,” I said. “For me?” she asked, confusion marred on her face. "Hello?" "Bhai!" She almost yelled in happiness, while I looked at her in amazement. Has she gone crazy? I glared at her, and she walked away to the dressing room. After some time, she came back and returned my mobile, and sat on the bed, resting her back to the headboard. I looked towards her in curiosity, and it felt like she was very sad. Now, what’s wrong with this girl? Why is her brother calling ME if he wants to talk to HER? Why are you thinking about this silly girl, just focus on your presentation, I thought, but my mind was still on Rabiya. What as such did she talk to her brother about that her face is SO sullen? I saved the file, and turned the laptop off. My gaze immediately fell on her. She sat in the same position, but had closed her eyes. Her beautiful eyes, her lips... and she wore a small diamond on her nose, which I noticed it the first time. There was a different innocence on her face, and she looked very beautiful. Maaz, come back to your senses! I averted my gaze instantly, and walked out of the room. I took out my mobile, and opened the folder, call recordings. Maaz, what are you doing? It’s not good to overhear someone's conversation! A part of my brain scolded me. Shut up! It's the conversation of brother and sister, I can listen to it, my heart fired and I played the recording. "How’s my doll?" "I'm fine bhai, how are you?" Rabiya asked happily. It was clear how close the siblings were. "We all are fine, and missing you, but for now, papa wants to talk to you," Shayaan informed and few shuffling sounds were heard. "Hello, Rabiya?" Her father spoke. "How are you papa? I'm missing you!" Her voice turned soft and childish, and my lips curved in a smile. "I am worried for you.” My smile went to its end when I heard her father’s serious voice. "Don't take stress, papa, otherwise you’ll be sick," She replied softly. "Beta, did we take a wrong decision for you?" He sounded helpless and extremely worried. "Of course not, papa, your decision was right," She sounded happy, but shocked me by her answer. "Hello?" I heard a feminine voice. Of course, it was Rabiya's mother. "Mummy? I'm missing you! It's been four days since the reception, but you didn't call me once!" Rabiya complained, still in her childish voice. "You didn't have your mobile, how could we call you? But Shayaan said he had Maaz's number, so we call you now!" Rabiya's mother replied. "Where are you going, begum?" "Give me a minute, I’ll be back!" I heard some shuffling noises again, and then footsteps. It seemed like her mother wanted to talk alone with her daughter. "Rabiya, I want to talk to you. Beta, tell me the truth, never hide anything from me," she said in all seriousness. "Yeah, mummy. I'm listening." "Rabiya, is Maaz good with you?" Her mother asked Rabiya, My face became colorless. "Yeah, mummy, he is very kind to me," The happy voice was long gone. My heart skipped a beat. "Does he care for you?" Her mother asked, again. "Mummy, I'm fine. Don't worry!" Rabiya tried to drop the topic. "Rabiya, does he treat you as his wife? Are you happy with him?" Her mother worriedly asked. "Yeah, he does take care of me. Please don't worry. I'm happy with my husband!" Rabiya informed her mother. She sounded happy, but I was sure she was her sadness. I never took care of her. Never even paid attention to her. "Mummy? I'm feeling sleepy, I'll talk to you later." The recording ended. I was amazed hearing the conversion. Her parents were worried about their daughter, and she was trying to satisfy them. As I went back to the room, her words echoed in my ears. “I'm happy with my husband.” Maaz why did you never think about her, and her happiness? My soul asked, and this time, I felt bad for her. "She is stuck with me." I entered the bedroom and found her lying on the bed. She was sleeping, but without a blanket. I turned off the lights and slumped down myself. *Rabiya’s point of view* After the long and tense conversation with papa and mummy, I felt off. I sat down in bed after returning his phone. I looked at him, he engrossed in his work. Mr. Khadoos, at least say a single word, has someone applied glue-stick to your lips? I glared at him, then closed my eyes. I sat up when I heard the door creaking, and found him leaving the room. "Go to hell," I mumbled. After changing into a night-suit, I lay down on the bed waiting for sleep to consume me, but sleep had long gone. I heard the door opening again. Mr. Khadoos is back. I will never talk to you, I will never forgive you for what you are doing with me. I pretended like I was sleeping. He switched off the lights. Rabiya, he cares about your comfort. No, he won't, he must be feeling sleepy that's why he turned off the lights, I thought. I was startled by something soft creeping over me. It was the blanket. It so happened that I opened my eyes, and found him leaning over me as he covered me. Our eyes met, and for one second I actually thought I forgot to blink. He was the first to look away, while I lowered my eyes. Only his closeness, his gaze makes my heart beat differently. Heat crept to ears and cheeks. "Weren't you sleeping?" He asked. I felt a slight dip, indicating he sat on the other side of the bed. What is going on, has he finally come out of his silent mood? I was amazed. "I'm talking to you," His voice hit my eardrums again, and this time, I looked up at him. He had been sitting with his back rested against the headboard. "No, I'm not feeling sleepy.” My voice came out low as I looked at him and spoke. "Why did Shayaan call?" He asked. You idiot! Donkey! Fool! Brainless! They are my family! "He is my brother. Can't he even call me?" I asked him back, my eyebrows furrowed. "It's not like that. I’m just asking, why did he call on my number, and not on yours?" His voice turned softer, more polite. At least you seem like a normal human being, now, my heart taunted. "I don't have one," I muttered. "Why?" "I lost it somewhere," I replied. "Get up, and give me my laptop." He pointed towards the table in the sitting area where the laptop lay. "Excuse me?" I huffed, my eyes wide as I glared at him. How dare he to order me? He gestured me again, to bring his laptop. "I'm not your servant," I claimed. "I know!" He leisurely stretched his body, completely indifferent. I angily got up and handed it to him. Badtameez, jangli, naalayaq! (Rude, vile, unworthy!) I mentally cursed, and lay down on the bed beside him. "Choose one for yourself," I didn’t understand what he meant, so I didn’t open my eyes. “I’m saying something.” I practically wanted to punch at his nose. As I sat up, he handed me the laptop, which showed a website full of mobile phone pictures. It was a shopping website. What?! Is this really for me, or does he just want to tease me? "Choose for yourself," he repeated, and turned to look at him. "No. I-I don't w-want it," I stammered while shaking my hand in disagreement. "And, why so?" He asked in frustrated voice, his eyes furrowed. "I'll tell papa or Shayaan bhai to get a new one for me." I clearly didn’t want his favor, of all people. "You are my…" He paused, making my heart skip a beat. Please say I’m your wife, please! My heart internally pleaded, while my sight was fixed on him. He looked away, and said, “You’re my responsibility, and the fulfillment of your needs is my responsibility, not your father’s or brother’s,” He said in all seriousness. Joy erupted my heart hearing his words, and a shy smile played on my face as I held his laptop. After searching for about thirty minutes, I ended up being confused between two models. "Maaz?" I slowly call out. He was engrossed in watching some business debate on the television. "Hm? Have you chosen?" He asked, and I shook my head. "I'm confused. Please tell me which one is better?" I softly spoke. I felt hesitant while talking to him, but I never felt anything like that while arguing with him. Strange. "Let me see…" He crept towards me, and for the first time since the reception, at such a close proximity. His eyes were fixed on the screen, while his fingers occasionally ran on the cursor pad of the laptop that was placed on my lap. On the other hand, my own attention was fixed on him. His perfectly chiseled face, with deep brown eyes. Soft, silky waves for hair. His chest, broad with power and pride. His muscular arms which were partly visible through the off-white t-shirt he wore. My handsome Mr. Khadoos. I was still daydreaming, when he snapped his fingers in front of me, then pointed towards the laptop. He was watching me from the corner of his eyes, and I wasn't even aware of it. OH. MY. GOD. HE SAW ME! My heart practically jumped in m ribcage, and I gulped in embarrassment. I think, if I had seen myself in the mirror that moment, my face could be compared with a ripened tomato. "I think, this one this better." I nodded, even without loking at where her pointed on the laptop. “Which color? Black, or golden?” "Golden," I whispered. I shook my head when he asked, “Do you want anything else?” He moved back to his side and passed me his debit card for payment. I didn't take it, instead, I returned the laptop to him. *Third person’s point of view* "You'll get your mobile phone the day after tomorrow," Maaz informed, and Rabiya jumped in her place at the sudden voice. She thanked him in a shy, childish voice, and he ignorantly nodded. "You should say something when I say thank you!” Maaz narrowed his eyes as he looked up at Rabiya, who sat there with her arms crossed. Don't try to be free with me- I'm still not interested in you. Maaz lay down on the bed after switching off his laptop. "Mr. Khadoos, you always be Mr. Khadoos!" Rabiya mumbled and lay on her side. Even though she slept facing him, only his back was visible as he faced the other side. "Hm? Did you say something?" Maaz asked as he turned behind. "No-no, not-nothing!” Rabiya stammered and gave a sweet smile. Thank god. "Let me sleep now, or else, I won’t be able to wake up early.” Maaz’s voice had turned back to rude again. "Don't worry, I will wake you up!" Rabiya said happily. “Good night!” she whispered. "Good night,” his sleepy reply made a little shy smile on her lips, as she closed her eyes. I think I’m slowly succeeding. Every night, they both sleeping in the same corners of the bed, with so much distance that another person could easily sleep in between them. The only difference in these seven days was that, they slept facing each other.