Dooriyon Mein Bhi Kayam Raha;

Wo Ishq Kuch Aur Hi Tha!!

"Maria..."

"Maria...."

Maria was working in the kitchen preparing breakfast for everyone when she heard Mustafa's loud voice booming inside the whole Ahwaan villa.

She felt embarassed.

Because apparently he had called her name almost ten times in the past two minutes and every worker in the kitchen was giving her shy smiles making her more red than she already was.

"Beta jaake to dekho Mustafa ko kya chahiye ?"

(Dear, go and check what does Mustafa need ?)

She was about to send a servant to him, when she saw dado entering the kitchen asking her to go upstairs, as she tried making excuse not wanting to go, feeling embarassed to face him after last night.

No, she didn't had the courage to meet his eyes after stupid stunts she pulled last night. Afterall which woman gets irritated when she is not the one to get the news about her pregnancy first ?

And not only she was being stupid, but also she had been too bold to kiss Mustafa on his chest, and made him hold her using her own freaking hands.

She was feeling like a glue who was sticking too much to her husband, feeling she was invading his personal space but she couldn't hold herself, for it had been years since she had his qurbat, and that's why she was fretting to face him, her own husband.

"Maria...."

This time dado called her, pulling her out of her thoughts to which she passed her a small apologetic smile.

"Dado, main kaam kar rahi hu, koi aur chala jaega..."

(I am doing work dado, someone else can go...)

"Ye aapka kaam nahi hai meri jaan. Aap bas jaake dekhein ki aapke shauhar ko kya chahiye..."

(This is not your work my life. You just go and check what your husband wants.)

"Par dado..."

(But.)

She groaned eying the halwa she was preparing making dado chuckle assuring her, taking charge to prepare it herself.

"Hum dekh lenge beta..."

(I'll see it.)

Taking spatula from her hand dado patted her cheeks affectionately asking her to go upstairs and help Mustafa who again had started calling her, after waiting for a span of five minutes.

"Bahut saara desi ghee daalna mat bhuliyega dado...."

(Don't forget to add lots of Desi ghee in it.)

Walking out of kitchen she ordered, leaving her grandmother a little shocked because of her ajeeb farmaish, as she previously claimed to hate desi ghee and now she was the one asking for it.

"I settled everything on the bed before coming down then why is he shouting ? What does he need now ?"

She was mumbling, wiping her hands, nervous that she had to go upstairs and face him, all the while encouraging herself to woman up and calm down.

Woman up stupid. Breathe in and breathe out...

"Oye!! Ye kya ho raha hai ?"

(What's happening ?)

Lost in her thoughts she never saw Osama coming downstairs and when she did, she was about to slip from the stairs but he was quick to hold her hand, protecting her from falling. Her hands immediately flew out to her abdomen caressing it protectively, muttering a slow sorry to the baby for being a careless mother. She should had been careful while walking towards the stairs.

But all thanks to the heavens for saving her for she didn't had the idea on how she would have done if something would had happened to the baby. It was her life, her blood just like Noor was.

"I am sorry. Are you okay ?"

Giving her a sheepish smile, he steadied her to stand properly, providing her ample space to stand beside him, watching her narrowing her eyes at him holding her heart which was running at a very fast rate thinking of the horrible consequence of falling down but she couldn't blame him fully. It was her who was lost in her own thoughts and should have been more careful while walking the stairs.

"Don't scare me again like this Osama....Oh no!!!"

Maria was giving Osama a piece of mind, warning him not to scare her again when her eyes landed upon her husband who was standing at the top of the stairs, digging holes at poor Osama ready to walk downstairs making her plead at him scared that he might do something to Osama in anger.

She was really scared after watching his devil form yesterday and felt like protecting Osama from the wrath of her fiery husband afterall he would never say no to her.

"Why is he breathing fire early in the morning ? Did you do something ?"

Watching Maria's cute puppy like expressions Osama turned following her eyes watching his older brother glaring, who was looking like she was pleading about something.

Rolling his eyes at his brother's usual angry self he turned towards her, snapping fingers towards her asking her the reason behind his bhaai's angry mode, practically blaming her for his bad mood.

"You just go Osama."

Go before he beheads you.

She whispered watching her husband walking downstairs rolling the sleeves of his navy blue shirt, making her drool looking at his veiny arms which were now appearing to look more prominent than they were before.

Uggghhh!! She wasn't able to concerntrate on her mission to stop him from attacking Osama. His beautiful physique was not letting her.

"Aap jaiye. I a-am c-coming..."

(You go.)

Walking hastily she announced, more like pleaded him to go back, looking at him who had now stopped in midway and was now pinching the bridge of his nose to calm himself and nod before backing off, walking back to their room giving a last look to her.

A small smile broke out on her face, relieved that she was able to stop him on time.

Mission accomplished. Well done Maria.

Osama didn't knew what she saved him from and grinned at her watching his brother retreat back with her one look. She was awesome, managing to tame his old, serious brother but then it was nothing new, she had always been the great one who had his Mustafa bhaai wrapped around her little finger from the day she entered their lives, ruling his world.

If Mir Mustafa Ahwaan ruled the whole world then it was Maria Ahwaan who ruled him.

"Go and tame your dragon husband. And if he doesn't calms down then you can give him a little portion of his daily dose."

Smirking he leaned towards her, whispering softly inside her ear so that his bhaai who was going back would not be able to hear him.

"Daily dose ?"

Giving him a confused look Maria asked not able to understand the meaning behind his words at all.

"Yes!! A good mornings kiss because I think you forgot to give it to him."

Osama teased, making her stop looking towards Mustafa's direction and turn towards Osama, smacking his shoulder immediately, glaring at him for being too blunt. How could he behave so carefree when so much happened yesterday ? Did something happened or was he ignoring everything trying to act normal ?

"Shut up!!"

Warning him turned to be futile as he was laughing non stop on his stupid joke gaining attention of workers who were looking interested in their funny exchange.

Yes, something definitely had changed otherwise Osama had not laughed so freely when so much happened yesterday.

"No, you go and shut my brother up with a long kiss before he comes here again and goes all hulk on you."

Watching his brother going out of the radar Osama announced loudly, turning her face red in embarrassment finding workers giggling along, with him now grinning watching her.

Ignoring his teasing stare, she turned towards the stairs mumbling profanities in his praise giving him a hard look watching him shamelessly give a thumbs up sign in return.

Blocking all the giggles she continued her journey upstairs turning the nob of the door of their room, happy to escape Osama not noticing Mustafa who was now before her and hold her in a protective manner, checking for any injuries, making her roll her eyes at his overprotective behavior.

"I am fine..."

Her words fell on deaf ears as he continued checking her and when he was done after a minute, he turned to look at her, anger surfacing again towards Osama who's silliness could had cost them so much.

"Mujhe roka kyu aapne ? Aaj maine Osama ki haddi pasli ek kar deni thi. Har waqt bacha bana rehta hai... Uski shararton ki wajah se khuda na khasta agar aapko kuch ho jata to...."

(Why did you stopped me ? Today I would have broken his all bones. He always behaves like a small kid. God forbids if something would have happened to you because of his mischief then....)

"Why are you being so agressive ? It's my fault. I should have been careful while climbing the stairs. Us bechare ko to kuch pata hi nahi, aur balki usne to mujhe girne se bachaya hai...."

(That poor guy doesn't know anything but rather he was the one who saved me.)

Maria quickly jumped in to save Osama knowing no one would be able to save him from Mustafa, except her. Also, she was right when she said he was clueless about her pregnancy and was the one who saved her. He didn't meant to scare her, it just happened because she was lost in her thoughts.

Her heart relaxed watching Mustafa calm down, understanding her point, making her sigh and keep her head on his chest, happy to save herself from hours of explanation to her stubborn husband but all her happiness was short lived when he pulled her back from his chest and held her chin, his lecture directed towards her this time.

"Ahhh!! Yes. You are not going going to climb stairs from now as we are shifting downstairs to one of the guest rooms till you give birth. I'll ask ammi to get one of the room cleaned up for us."

He finished his speech with a small smile which wasn't liked by her at all. He was making her feel like she was some kind of a fragile doll, not a human. Yes, she had been a little careless but that didn't mean that he would forbid her from climbing stairs and not only that, they were to change their room. She didn't like guest rooms as they didn't had any window. She loved watching garden from the window, especially from his room as it gave the best view of the garden in the whole villa but now she won't be able to see it and that made her a little upset.

"Why are you fretting so much ? The baby is fine and so am I."

She tried making her understand but he wasn't ready to listen to her this time, as he was already tensed looking at her reports which were mailed to him by the hospital, stating about her anemic condition. It wasn't severe but he didn't wanted to take any risk wanting to take every precaution regarding her health.

"No, you are not. You already have anemia. Also, you faint anytime and everytime, so I can't risk your health."

Giving her a stern, no argument look, he shook his head as his hands made their way towards her face to cup her cheeks, making her look inside his vulnerable eyes pleading her to listen to him.

"Please try to understand me jaani."

"Okay..."

Thinking for few minutes she agreed watching his face beaming a bright smile towards her which was so addictive that she wasn't able to help but smile back at him, her heart happy for making him happy.

The smile was short lived when her old nervous form came back because of Mustafa who had now rested his hands casually on her waist, tracing small circles over it like it was the duty he worshipped and pull her a little closer to rest his nose over her neck, taking dosage of his daily drug, all the while questioning her like it was his old routine; nothing new.

"Hmm... Now tell me where did you early morning leaving me all alone ?"

"I-i w-was preparing.....b-breakfast."

Gathering all her courage she answered trying to keep her crazy heartbeats at bay and stay sane at the same time but it was getting difficult as her legs had decided to give up, when he pulled back, relaxing her.

"Aapko kaam karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. All you have to do is eat properly, rest and watch me all day so that the baby looks just like me..."

(You don't have to work.)

His words were enough to set her face aflame and keep mum, too speechless to say anything, making him smile and caress her soft cheeks, proud to see his effect over her.

"Samajh aaya ?"

(Got it ?)

She nodded trying not to embarass herself by speaking, knowing she'll stutter if she does but his next khwaish made her groan as that was exactly he wanted from her; to speak.

"I want words jaani."

Tracing her lower lip with his thumb he tapped it lightly, waiting for her to speak watching her amusedly with all his interest.

"J-ji..."

(Okay.)

And that's how she managed to embarass herself again in front of Mustafa.

•

Mustafa and Maria were walking downstairs for breakfast, basically Mustafa was holding Maria tightly by her waist protectively, for which she didn't complained letting him do whatever he wanted, as long it was not something which was irritating her.

They were walking down peacefully when she stopped on her tracks, making Mustafa stop too and question her, watching her eyes widen in shock looking forward.

"Ruk kyu gayi aap ?"

(Why did you stopped ?)

"W-woh Abba....H-hassan."

She answered pointing finger at Aaqib Ahwaan and Hassan who were sitting, talking normally like nothing happened yesterday. It was too shocking for her. Yesterday her Abba didn't even wanted to see Hassan's face and now he was talking with him like he use to, shocking her, who was frozen watching them.

"They sorted out their differences early morning. Abba forgave him."

It was when he was coming from jogging with Osama he saw his father embracing Hassan who was sobbing in his arms. Their father decided to forgive his son whom he got after five long years. He had gone through so much and was also ashamed of what he did and that was enough for him. Afterall, he couldn't disown his son who could astray to more dangerous path after getting rejected by his parents too. Hassan needed a chance to get back on the right track and this time his father decided to be his mentor and help him to stand again on his feet and monitor him carefully so that he won't repeat the same mistake.

"I am glad he did, otherwise I myself would had talked with him. He had already lost so much and now he would have got shattered completely knowing Abba left him too...."

Maria now understood the carefree behavior of Osama and was happy that Abba decided to forgive Hassan. She was happy that everything was back on its track and prayed for everything to stay like this. She prayed for the happiness of her family, of the people she loved.

She was so lost in her happiness that Mustafa had to pay her cheek to get her attention to alert her regarding their father who not only decided to forgive Hassan but also gave him a long lecture for keeping things from him. He was too angry and bashed Mustafa mercilessly not caring if he was his oldest son. He was his Abba and Mustafa should had told him everything before taking decisions on his own.

"Leave that and listen to me carefully. You are in trouble because early morning Abba scolded me mercilessly and now I think it's your turn...."

Watching his wife go quiet he thought she got scared and patted her back assuring that he was with her, when she burst out laughing at him.

"I am here but still be careful."

"What ? He is not going to scold me at all."

Smiling arrogantly, she answered not paying attention to Mustafa's words knowing her Abba won't scold her at all. He would scold anyone but not her. She was his princess. The girl he spoiled to death.

Scolding and Abba didn't go together well only in her case.

"But..."

Mustafa again tried interfering when she shut him up answering him confidently, walking down leaving him alone.

It was time she would show him her power.

"He won't."

"Salam Abba..."

Smiling, she greeted Aaqib Ahwaan who nodded sternly, calling her towards him.

"Come here...."

"Kuch kaam tha Abba ?"

(Is there something you want me to do Abba ?)

Walking towards senior Ahwaan she stood before him in respect, when she heard him speaking, his voice was heavy, full of disappointment.

"No, but I am so disappointed with you beta. You were going through so much and not even for once you said anything to me and I being a stupid man failed to see pain in your eyes. I feel like I have failed as a father...."

His eyes were misty which made her raise her hands to wipe his tears when he turned his head towards other direction, paining her heart to watch her strong Abba in such a vulnerable position.

"A-abba...."

Maria cried trying to hold her hand but he jerked it away lightly too hurt by her behaviour. He wasn't scolding her but he was definitely hurt with her.

"Nahi, mujhe Abba mat boliye. Agar aap mujhe Abba samjhti to apni dil ki baat batati. Abba samajhti hoti to mujhe batati ke aap Mustafa se mohabbat karti hai. Main aapki Khushi ke liye Mustafa ko mana leta par aapne to thaan rakha tha ke Abba ko kuch nahi batana..."

(No, don't call me Abba. If you had considered me as one then you would shared your heart with me. If you would had considered me your father then you would had told me that you loved Mustafa. I would have made Mustafa ready to marry you for your happiness but you decided not to tell me anything.)

Aaqib Ahwaan complained like a small child, feeling a complete failure. He was too heartbroken that he wasn't able to see pain inside his daughter's eyes, and letting her live in misery because of him. He would had done anything for her happiness only if she would had spoken about it.

"B-but he didn't wanted m-me...."

She would never had married Mustafa knowing he didn't wanted to marry her. Also, if she would had told Abba about her love then he would had made sure she would had got Mustafa, by hook or by crook and even if at extreme situation Mustafa would had denied then she was sure her Abba would had cut all of his ties with him which she didn't wanted.

Yes, she loved him but she didn't wanted his father to abandon him because of her. She didn't wanted to be the reason behind a broken family and thus she decided to stay mum and leave like she never existed.

"Then it was his loss. I woul had thrown him out of the house for hurting my daughter but it was you who took decision to leave when it should had been him. You left your Abba. You left your whole family for one person. You left your Abba for this idiot man...."

Aaqib Ahwaan glared at his son who was standing few steps away from them watching everything. He was angry at him for hurting his daughter. His poor daughter went through so much at such a young age. It should had been been Mustafa who should have left not her.

Had he known the reason of her sudden departure then he would had forced her to come back and would had thrown Mustafa out the house.

Glaring at his son he didn't realised his daughter who was weeping, standing quietly with her head bowed down which was the reason he wasn't able to see her tear stained face but Mustafa saw her condition and groaned at his father wanting to put everything to an end.