*Maaz's point of view* "Congratulations, Maaz!" My colleague exclaims after hugging me. "For what?" I asked with furrowed brows. "First, for the meeting's success, and second, for your marriage. Sorry, I was stuck in some work so I wasn't able to attend your marriage," After hearing his words, I could hardly maintain a smile on my face. "Thank you," I completed the formality and walked to my cabin. Marriage? It wasn't marriage, it was just a formality to save Baba's reputation, I mumbled and turned on my laptop to study some files. But my brain was not working, it still lingered on the past. Soon enough, I heard a knock on the door. "Gentleman, you are on 15 days leave. You attended the meeting, it's enough now. You should spend your time with your wife and family," the HR who came to congratulate me, told me when he saw me working on a project. "Work comes first for me," I told him and masked a fake smile. When he left, I found peace around me, but not inside me. I felt helpless. I drew out my mobile phone to call her. I can't live without her. I searched her number in my contact list. I was just going to dial it when I heard a scream. No! It won't be right! My wise mind screamed. What has happened to my life? I mumbled and put back my mobile in my pocket. Maaz, think wisely and decide what you want to do. Do you want Rabiya in your life, or not? My brain asked. No, not at all. I don't want her in my life, without wasting a moment my heart replied. So, what will you do? Will you leave her? My brain questioned. ''I don't know what to do!" I slammed my laptop shut. Maaz, don't think about Rabiya. She isn't important to you, I mumbled. I will ignore her. Yeah, that will be the best way. I'll not give her any tough time because for giving her a tough time, I have to think about her. And honestly, I don't WANT to think about her. After spending the entire day in my office, I went home. But the whole time, my mind was busy remembering the moments we spent together. I entered the bedroom with a low gaze because I didn't want to see Rabiya's face. Then I realized she was sleeping. Can't she turn off the lights before sleeping? I switched off the lights and went to the bathroom. My anger which was on rest for the last few hours again got to its peak. "She hung her clothes here, again!" I ground my teeth in rage and picked them to throw in the bathtub. Maaz, you have to ignore her. Just ignore her. I hung her clothes in the same place, after gulping my rage. Changing in my night suit, I lay down facing opposite her on the bed. She lay in the center, but after I came, she crept to the corner like me. Don't worry, I am not interested in you or coming closer to you, too, I thought while rolling my eyes. And soon, sleep consumed me. *** "Hello," I chirped in happiness when I picked her call. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Nothing, just missing you. And, what are you doing? Missing me? " I asked lovingly. "Not at all!" She replied playfully after a giggle. "Then why are you talking to me?" I ended the call. "Hello!" I received the call again after her FIFTEEN missed calls. "Maaz, what was that? I was kidding!" She said angrily. "I know you were just kidding, but never hurt my feelings. I won't tolerate it if you ignore me." I said seriously from the depths of my heart. "Maaz, I can't ignore you. Please don't be offended by me," her voice melted my heart, and a smile formed on my lips. "Don't be sad, I don't like your sad voice," I said and felt her smiling. "Now, tell me, what's the plan for today?" I asked her with all my energy. "Shopping and then a movie!" She replied with the same energy. I let out a long sigh. "Knew it, madam." "Not bad! You know me VERY well." Her happy and playful voice made my heart beat differently. "I love you," I whispered into the phone. "Maaz, what would happen if our parents won't agree?" her worried voice had my heart sinking. "Don't worry, I'll convince baba. He won't go against my happiness," I tried to convince her, but my own heart was in fear. "But Maaz, I'm afraid what if dad does not agree with our marriage?" "Ateeq uncle will also agree, don't worry. Now tell me, which movie? Hollywood or Bollywood?" I changed the topic. "Of course, Bollywood. You know very well, I don't like Hollywood and action movies," She replied happily. "Okay, my dear. As you wish!" I opened my eyes in a blur, and a smile played on my lips. I crept towards her and stretched my arm, to hold her in my embrace, to cuddle her. Maaz, what are you doing? Come to your senses, control your desires! She is Rabiya, not- My eyes flew open. Rabiya was sleeping opposite me. My heart skipped a beat thinking about what I was going to do. I squeezed my eyes and gulped a whole glass of water. I looked at my mobile which showed- Sunday, 2:40 a. m. Ya Allah, why is she not with me as my wife? Why is Rabiya here in her place? My heart questioned the Almighty. I couldn't sleep. I felt like I was dying from the inside. I went to the balcony to get some fresh air. After spending many hours, I went back to bed. I felt sorrow for losing her, and guilt for what I was about to do with Rabiya. When my eyes opened, I found the room empty. The phone showed 12:10 p.m. After freshening up, I went to the dining room to have my breakfast, but the house was empty, well except Raahim. "Where is everyone?" I asked Raahim who was super-engrossed in watching television. "Baba is in office, Abdullah bhai has gone to his in-laws with bhabhi and the girls. Ammi has taken Rabiya to the beauty parlor." Raahim informed. "Why parlor?" I asked in confusion. "I don't know," He replied, shrugging his shoulders and passed me a bowl of popcorn. I sat beside him to watch the film, but my mind was absent, as it was busy shedding tears for my life. *** *Rabiya's point of view* I opened my eyes with the first rays of the sun and found my Mr. Khadoos sleeping facing me. I felt a little shy when I realized that we were sharing the same bed and blanket. After freshening up, I went to the kitchen to make some green tea. "Ma'am, you want something?" one of the maids asked me. "I want green tea, but I'll make it for myself," I replied. All the maids looked at me with a shocked expression, as if I had grown two heads. "What's going on here?" Badi-ammi asked me with a smile as she entered the kitchen. "Badi-ammi I'm going to make green tea for myself, do you want some?" I asked, and she gave me an unpredictable expression. I just want to make green tea! Why is everyone glaring at me like this? "Rabiya, you don't have to do any work. Just order what you want. And secondly, call me Ammi," Badi-ammi instructed, and I nodded. "Not even small work like making tea!" I meekly asked in amazement. Of course, Rabiya. Now you're the daughter-in-law of a billionaire family. You don't have to do any work. "Get ready after breakfast, I'll take you to the parlor," she said. "But why, Badi-ammi?" "Today is your reception and you are not at all looking like a bride," she said, caressing my cheek, and I just nodded. I walked into the bedroom and found him still sleeping. How much will this man sleep? I mumbled while rolling my eyes and went to the bathroom. I felt somehow relieved that he didn't throw my clothes in the bathtub this time. Smiling, I removed my clothes from the hooks. *** "Should we go now?"Badi-ammi asked. "Yeah badi-ammi," I said slowly. "Ammi!" She corrected and I bit my tongue. "Okay badi-ammi- I mean, ammi!" She first took me to a designer for my lehnga, then to a parlor, where we spent almost five hours. After a manicure, pedicure, waxing, bleach, facial, haircut, hair spa, and mehndi I felt like a real bride. My arms were filled with beautiful mehndi designs till above my elbows, along with my feet. Before leaving the parlor I looked at myself in the mirror. A shy smile played on my lips when I felt like I was a bride. But what type of a bride are you, Rabiya? Your husband hasn't even looked at you for once! My mind asked, and the smile faded. I never thought I would have this type of marriage! *** I stood on the bedroom balcony, feeling bored as I had nothing to do. Mummy, papa, Shayaan bhai, have you all forgotten me? My heart questioned. It's been two days, but none of them called me. I felt alone and sad, and there was no one there with whom I could talk freely. Coming back inside, I sat on the bed with dangling legs, facing my back to the door. After some time, I heard the sound of the door opening, and then footsteps, which meant he had entered the room. *** *Maaz's point of view* It was the reception today, but I didn't want to attend the function. And why would I, when my bride herself was changed? Rabiya had been sitting on the other side of the bed, with her back towards me. I didn't even want to look at her face. The silence in the room was broken by a knock on the door, and I saw Ammi standing, holding something in her hands. "Maaz, your clothes are in Raahim's room. You go there and get ready. And please be fast," Ammi quickly instructed, and as I didn't have any other choice, I simply nodded. Then she went towards her. Ammi's tone suddenly changed into one of concern. "Rabiya? Beta, what happened? Why tears are in your eyes? MY heart is broken, and SHE is the one crying. Strange! I rolled my eyes. "Maaz, have you done something with her?" Ammi angrily asked. I glared at Rabiya, whose back was visible to me. But before I could say anything, "No badi-ammi, he hasn't done anything. I'm missing Shayaan bhai, mummy and papa. I'm feeling alone," her soft, sniffled voice rang in my ears. I felt bad for her. She is also stuck in this with me, my brain sighed. "Don't cry, you are not alone. I'm just like your Mummy! By the way, if you were missing them, why haven't you talked to them?" Ammi asked her. "I don't have my mobile, it's with mummy," her soft voice spoke, yet I didn't look at her, continuing to keep my promise. "Rabiya~, you are behaving like a kid. It's okay. They all will come to reception, meet them there! Now get ready," Ammi consoled, and she murmured a reply which I couldn't hear. Couldn't she just tell me if she wanted to call her parents? Silly girl! By the way, it was better she didn't ask me. Because if she did, then I would have to see her face, my heart said and I nodded with a smirk. "Rabiya beta, this is your dress and jewelry. I have called a girl who will do your makeup and help you in getting ready, and if you need any help, call me or Umema, got it?" Ammi said to her "Okay, badi-ammi." "Not badi-ammi, just ammi. Call me ammi," I got up from my place since I don't want to watch that saas-bahu drama anymore. I knocked on the door and Raahim let me in. "Bhai, your clothes are there," He pointed to his dressing room. I didn't want to get ready, so I relaxed on the bean-bag and began playing some time-killing games. "Bhai, you are sitting here for almost an hour, go and get ready," I looked at Raahim already dressed up and prepared to go. I changed myself into the walima clothes after a shower. I checked Raahim's perfumes but didn't find a good one, so I went to my room. I simply barged in without knocking, and I felt my feet getting captured by the floor, my hand stuck to the doorknob, while my sight was fixed on her. Is she a real girl or a fairy? What beautiful eyes does she have? Eyes deeper than the sea. Her face was so beautiful and innocent, and I realized why her voice was so sweet. She sat on the bed, busy wearing bangles, and after that, she went to the dressing table and applied lipstick. My heart jumped as she turned to me. She looked in my eyes, which felt crazily magical. She shyly lowered her gaze, making my lips curve upward in a little smile. She looked at me again. I was still frozen on my spot. Her hands were filled with bangles, making her more beautiful. She was looking- Wait, Maaz! What are you doing? Yes, she is beautiful but she is not that girl who is the most important to you. I lost my senses in front of her beauty, but I regained them and averted my gaze, all while mentally scolding myself. *** *Rabiya's point of view* "Rabiya, how is Maaz's behavior with you?" Badi Ammi asked. I was confused about what to say. I simply nodded with a low gaze. "Do you talk with each other, or not? Badi-ammi asked. I shook my head in a no, my eyes still lowered. "You both haven't talked to each other till now?" I shook my head again. "Beta, you both are now husband and wife. You should talk to each other." "But badi-am- Ammi, what should I talk to him about?" I asked in a confused and hesitant way. "About anything. Just talk to him," I nodded. A maid knocked on the door and came in, followed by another girl. "She will do your makeup," Ammi introduced and left the room. After around an hour, I was ready. The makeup artist quietly left my room, and I looked at myself in the mirror. Everything was perfect, but I did not like the dark maroon lipstick, so I wiped it off. I went to bed where the bangles and the vanity box were kept. Sitting on the bed I started wearing the bangles when I heard the door opening. I applied my lipstick and turned around. Oh. My. God. He is soooo handsome! My heart skipped a beat when I realized that he was looking at me, and I was looking at him too. It was the first time! I lowered my gaze, yet I felt him still watching me. I lifted my head again, and what I saw made my heart do a crazy dance in my ribcage. Mr. Khadoos does know how to smile, my heart said playfully. I had lost myself in his sight. I felt my cheeks and ears turn red with shyness. But suddenly, he averted his eyes and walked to the dressing room. I turned to the other side too, trying to control my still quick-beating heart. "Lis..ten?" I stuttered. "Hm," He asked without turning. "C-can I make a- a call with your mobile?" I asked nervously. My fingers played with the ring I wore, and my eyes peeked at him from their corners. He drew out his mobile and passed it to me after perhaps unlocking it, but he didn't look at me. I shakily grabbed it and went to the balcony.