.*Third person’s point of view* Filling a glass of juice, she passed it to him. Instead, he pushed to the other side of the dining table where the entire family was having breakfast. Where am I stuck! He yelled in thought. You are so stubborn. I wish I could slap you, Rabiya thought. "Maaz, do you want anything else?" Rabiya fake-sweetly asked him. Yeah, peace around me and relief from you! Will you give me that? Maaz mentally questioned. Her eyes searched the dining table, but he didn’t find coffee. "I want coffee. I don't want to have any juice or shake today," He replied, clenching his nose. "Coffee... just a minute," Rabiya replied. She had been standing behind him like his personal assistant. "Reshma! Bring coffee, but faster!" She yelled as she ordered a maid. Waqaar and Asma were happy to see Maaz talking to Rabiya, while Raahim was amazed seeing the unexpected change in his brother. "You’ll make coffee for me. I want to have a coffee of your hands," Maaz almost stubbornly ordered Rabiya. Asma, Waqaar, and Raahim all looked at each other in glee. They thought they were witnessing a new side of Maaz, who treated Rabiya well. Oh. My. God. Mr. Khadoos, you and your demands! Rabiya rolled her eyes and smacked her forehead. "Maaz, why are you letting her work, she is still a new bride! It's been only nine days since your wedding," Asma scolded him. You don't have to remind me what was done nine days ago. I have NEVER forgotten it. Maaz sat numb, while his emotions burst inside. "It's okay Ammi, I'll be right back with a coffee!" Rabiya ran towards the kitchen as she said that. Now, Miss Rabiya, this is the revenge for that day… Maaz thought as an evil smile plastered on his face. He remembered the day she argued with him and then fed him apples and forcefully made him drink juice, ruining his mood and making him late for office. "Where are you going? She is bringing coffee for you," Asma questioned Maaz who stood up and began walking out to the staircase. "Tell her to bring the coffee to my room. I forgot to wear my watch," Maaz ignorantly spoke and walked to his room. "But why would you need a watch? Today is your off-day!" Raahim yelled, but he was already gone. Asma quietly smiled. Her son was already wearing his wristwatch. She thought Maaz wanted to spend some time with his wife in seclusion. The thought made her feel satisfied and happy. "Where is-" Rabiya asked when she saw his empty chair. "He is in his room, go there," Asma said with a smile, and she obliged. Now to the room! MAAZ! I'm tired of you and your dramas! You are irritating me! Rabiya mentally exclaimed as she entered the room. She saw Maaz sitting on the couch, playing some random game on his mobile. “Maaz, coffee,” she softly said and passed the coffee mug to Maaz. He held it and placed it on the table without even paying attention. “Why did you come here, leaving your breakfast incomplete?” Rabiya asked him. “Hm? Nothing, I am going back there,” he replied with a smirk. And left the room, before giving her the look. “Why? But you wanted-“ Rabiya remained clueless about what was going on. “MAAZ!” screaming in an offended and childish manner, Rabiya held the coffee mug and followed him to the dining room. What is the issue with this man? Is he psycho, or what? Rabiya mentally screamed as she entered the dining room. Maaz was busy enjoying a banana. “Maaz, your coffee,” masking a smile on her face, she put the coffee mug in front of him and took a seat beside him. Before she could take anything, Maaz slid an apple piece into her plate. Everyone was amazed by his actions. Asma and Waqaar thought Maaz was taking care of Rabiya, but Raahim felt something fishy. He knew his brother very well. Rabiya looked at Maaz in confusion, as she didn’t get the motive of serving her breakfast. “Eat, A for Apple,” Maaz whispered in her ear, reminding her of her actions. Mr. Khadoos, I wish ammi and baba were not here, and I could punch you! Rabiya glared at Maaz angrily. “Ugh! I told you to bring coffee for me, not cold coffee!” Maaz clenched his nose as he complained. “That’s your talent of converting a hot coffee into a cold one, now enjoy it,” Rabiya said angrily as she rolled her eyes at him. Asma and Waqaar looked at each other happily as they witnessed the new couple having a sweet fight. “Go and make another one for me,” Maaz ordered her and she continued glaring at him. Now try to be my wife. You were interested in serving me breakfast, right? Now, I am giving you a chance. Maaz looked at Rabiya in a challenging way. Another coffee? Huh, forget about it. I am not going to tolerate your dramatic demands. Rabiya was frustrated. She raised an eyebrow at Maaz. “Go and make another coffee for me,” Maaz repeated his demand. “Go to hell,” Rabiya lowly whispered in his ear. She stretched her lips into a fake and rude smile as she moved away. “For your kind information, I am already in hell with a brainless demon,” Maaz fired Rabiya’s words back to her. “I wasn’t the demon, but you made me one, so get ready to be scared of me,” Rabiya whispered in his ear as she shrugged in confidence. “Don’t worry, I am very brave,” He whispered back and raised his eyebrows. Hearing his words, Rabiya could hardly control her tongue. “I am not worried, but Mr. Khadoo-“ she stammered. “I mean Mr. Maaz, I’ll make you worried. You don’t know me yet I am Rabiya Faiz.” “Let’s see,” Maaz said in an undertone while raising his eyebrows. Rabiya nodded confidently. “But for now, make coffee for me,” he added. “My foot,” she replied sweetly in her childish way “Aren’t you interested in giving me breakfast anymore?” he whispered in a serious voice. “ No” she muttered, rudely showing her tantrums. "Yay! I won!" He exclaimed in happiness while picking the glass of juice. Rabiya remained shocked for a while, and then, her face turned into a puffy red balloon. "I'll never talk to you!" Rabiya shouted angrily in a childish tone. She got up from the chair with a jolt and ran towards her room without thinking about everyone else. Waqaar, Raahim, and Asma looked at her with shock, while Maaz smiled at his victory. "Thank you! It would be a great favor for me!" Maaz yelled with a smirk and walked out after informing his parents. Maaz's conversation with Rabiya was a big surprise-cum-shock for everyone. None of them knew anything, what were they talking about, but Maaz and Rabiya both were smiling in each other’s presence, it was the biggest change in Maaz's behavior. "Ammi, is he alright, or did he lose his mental balance?" Raahim asked his mother in surprise. "I knew that they would accept each other, but I never knew that this would be so early," Asma said, her mouth was slightly open. "What's wrong with you both? If they are moving on with each other, why do you have a problem?" Waqaar said while scolding both of them. "I'm very happy for both of them, Maaz started talking with her," Asma said lightheartedly. "Not only talking, but he is looking happy with her," Waqaar said with a smile. *** "Maaz! Where were you? I was waiting for you!" Rabiya said in full enthusiasm when he returned home at night. Oh god! This girl… she is making me crazy, Maaz thought and ignored her. Mr. Khadoos, can't you smile? Rabiya said in her thoughts. "Maaz, look!" Rabiya exclaimed, and showed her new mobile to Maaz, which she had received in the afternoon. Please try to understand that I'm not interested in you! I'm just tolerating you because I don't have another option, Maaz thought and lay down after changing into his night-suit. He was very sad, and why shouldn't he be? Forgetting someone isn't easy. Maaz was madly in love with the girl, and he wanted to spend his entire life with her. Maaz sat up on the bed and looked here and there. Rabiya sat on the couch, busy with her new phone. She didn’t even look at Maaz. Maaz opened the photo gallery on his mobile and started watching her photos. Every picture had a different story behind it, and his mind remembered every single moment he had spent with her. I never imagined my life like this. I had been expecting a beautiful life. I wanted her in my life. I wish she would welcome me when I came back from the office. I wish, when I woke up, I saw her face before anything else. I wish I could see her close to me for the rest of my life, but… Did Mr. Khadoos have his dinner or not? Rabiya decided to ask her Mr. Khadoos. After putting her mobile on the couch, she went near him. "Maaz have you…" "Get lost!" Maaz howled in the highest pitch he ever had. He stood, and picking up the flower-pot, he threw it on the wall with all his force. The vase broke down into many pieces with a crash. Maaz's roar and the breaking of the flower vase, both were loud enough to scare Rabiya. Her heart was beating a thousand times faster. Maaz's bloodshot eyes frightened her even more. Her eyes glistened with crystal tears, and Rabiya’s body felt numb like someone had frozen her, and she couldn’t move at all. *Rabiya’s point of view* What I have done to him? My eyes could no longer hold the tears, and they rolled down my cheeks. Why Maaz, why? Maaz stood near me as he continued glaring. My parents, my brother never scolded me. They always treated me like a princess. I never did any chores, but for you, I worked as a maid! And now, you howl at me for no reason! I screamed on the inside, but silent tears flowed down my cheeks outside. I still stood in my place when he stomped out of the room. Unable to bear all the pain and shock, I kneeled on the floor and cried with loud hiccups. Rabiya, what you have done to yourself? Why did you agree to marry this man? I was answerless to the questions my heart asked. I lay down on the bed opposite his side, while my eyes did not stop shedding tears. After a long time, that man entered the room. I closed my eyes to pretend like I was sleeping, but then I felt him coming closer to me. I felt him sitting in front of me, while his hot breath fell on my face. Why is he so close to me, my heart asked in fear- fear of his proximity. I felt him caressing my head, and once again, I lost control. Tears escaped the corner of my eyes and rolled down to my nose and cheeks. I pretended, yet my tears revealed the truth to him. When his fingers touched my cheeks, a different feeling erupted in my chest. One of his hands caressed my head, while the other wiped my tears. I turned my side to show that I was not interested in him. As he lay down on his side of the bed, I opened my eyes and found him looking at me. I instantly turned my side and sleep consumed moments later. The next morning, I opened my eyes and found him sleep facing me. My gaze went to the clock, I, it showed 7:45 a.m. After freshening up, I went to him and shook his leg a little to wake him up, since he would be late for office. He opened his eyes and looked at me, then the clock. I went to the restroom, hung his clothes and towel as usual, and walked to the dining room, where Ammi and baba were busy with their breakfast. Wordlessly, I grabbed a glass of juice and fruit slices. I went back to the bedroom, where he stood in the middle of the room, ready in the pair of clothes I had kept for him. Placing the juice and fruit on the side table, I went to the dressing room and passed him his wallet, watch, and handkerchief. He silently took them. I don't want to look at him as well. I went to the dressing room, opened a small handbag, and began packing the clothes that my parents gifted me after this disaster called 'marriage'. Meanwhile, I heard his mobile started ringing, and I remember my mobile. Rabiya, throw the phone which he gifted you, back at his face. I went to the couch where my mobile phone lay since last night. I waited for his call to end, so that I could smack the phone right in his face. "Hello," He said in a deep voice. "How are you?" It was clear in his voice that he was sad. But, my heart is crying as well. "Same here." "Hm," "Okay, I'll talk to you later." He hung up, and I turned to him, without saying anything, I passed the mobile to him. He sat on the bed clutching his head with both his hands. ***