Maaz returned home and his parents pounced on him. His father concerned while his mother was in tears.

'I was calling you both, but you guys weren't picking up the call?'

'I was telling you, Rashid, I was telling you. That girl is trouble look what she did.'

'Keep quiet, Zainab.'

Avoiding answering anyone, Maaz fished out his dead phone from his trouser pocket and placed it on his father's palms. Rashid looked confused for a moment and then realized but when he looked up, his son had walked away. He turned around and found Maaz climbing the stairs. Zainab took a step, but Rashid held her hand.

'Not now, give him some time.' He said softly. Reluctantly, Zainab nodded.

Half an hour later, sitting in the jacuzzi Maaz felt better. Earlier he was very pissed with Anaya's father's behavior but now he forgot about it. He sighed running his palm over his wet hair and relaxed against the tub. He threw his head back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, for no reason, he saw flashes of Anaya in drenched clothes. Instantly, his eyes sprung open.

What the hell? – He thought annoyed. Just then there was a knock at the door.

'What? Go away, Mom.' He replied angrily.

There was a small pause, - 'I am not your mother.' Rukhsar's voice floated from the other side. Maaz sighed.

'Coming in two minutes.' He realized there was no point arguing with her as she won't take no for an answer.

After drying himself and getting dressed he walked out of the bathroom. Rukhsar was sitting at the edge of the bed and going through a men's health magazine. Maaz cleared his throat and she looked up.

He hadn't even sat, and she spoke, - 'Where were you all night. We were so worried. Your mother had a nervous breakdown and Uncle was convinced that he had to get police informed. How irresponsible, Maaz. You are a careless bitch, seriously.' She ranted. Maaz sighed rolling his eyes.

'First let me breathe, woman. Then, I will tell you everything.' He said seriously. Rukhsar turned little, folded her arms and looked sternly at him. Maaz let out a breath and then narrated everything. By the end, Rukhsar's expressions changed and he didn't like it.

After Maaz finished narrating everything, Rukhsar was shocked and then angry. Maaz sighed massaging his forehead as she began scolding him for creating a big mess for Anaya.

'You should apologize.' She huffed placing her knuckles on her hips. Maaz looked at her, aghast.

'Are you mad?' – He got up from the bed, - 'I, and apologize.' He said shaking his head. Rukhsar got up too and held his arm, she turned him and glared into his eyes.

'Yes, You.' She replied sternly.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

After the huge fiasco in the morning, Mr. and Mrs. Hussain left. Soon after, Sheeraz called and screamed his heads off at Anaya. She didn't know he could get so angry.

And worse, he called her names and that enraged Anaya as well, and all the bottled-up frustration and anger spilled out of her. Strangely, after that outburst, Anaya felt much better. After everything, she showered and changed into her casuals – Half sleeve, boat-neck, yellow crop top, and white cotton pajama.

She kept fidgeting with her new small and delicate nose hoop ring as she made tea for herself. Just as she poured tea into a cup there was a sound of a doorbell. For a moment, she thought it was Sheeraz. Deciding to confront him face to face she walked out of the kitchen. She flipped her wet hair on her shoulder as she walked towards the main door. Anaya peeped through the peephole and was surprised, rather shocked, to see Maaz on the other side. He was looking to his left and fidgeting with the top button of his grey shirt. She frowned and leaned back.

What does he want now? – She thought, biting her lower lip. Taking a moment, she opened the door. Maaz looked at her and was taken aback for a minute. Seeing his face, Anaya wanted to punch his jaw for creating a mess for her, but she controlled. Her gaze fell on a bouquet of flowers he held. Slowly, she looked back at him.

'Sir?' She asked tilting her head little. Maaz looked away from her wet chest-length hair. The droplets had made the cloth on the side of her breast wet as well. Quickly, he averted his gaze and shook his head.

He cleared his throat and extended the bouquet, - 'Here.' He spoke in a dry, hoarse voice. Anaya looked confusedly at him and he mentally rolled his eyes.

'This is for today morning. I—Shouldn't have—have,' -He lowered his head briefly before looking up again, - 'I am sss-so-sh-'

'It is okay, sir. Besides, you actually helped me.' Anaya interrupted him. Maaz looked surprised but Anaya simply smiled at him. She was talking about her finally speaking up against Sheeraz.

Maaz nodded and extended the bouquet again, - 'For you.' He said with an awkward smile. Anaya took it and thanked him, she also called him inside, but he refused as he didn't want the incident to repeat. She was surprised he was thinking maturely. Without proper good-bye, Maaz turned around and walked away. Anaya sighed and closed the door. She turned and looked at the bouquet.

'That was such a cute gesture from sir.' She thought with a smile. As she carried it to the living room, she found a yellow note. She took it out.

Sorry for Last Night, Ms. Hasan...

Anaya chuckled reading the note.

As Maaz stepped out of the elevator, his phone rang. He took out the phone from his denim pocket.

: Hello!

: Did you give her the bouquet and apologized?

: yes. And I also left a note with a message.

: Good boy. Now come home, I will take you out for a treat.

Maaz replied annoyed, - 'No thanks. I am not a kid.' He cut the call.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

That evening Anaya spend time staring at the bouquet which was placed in the vase on the coffee table. She shifted and leaned against the sofa; her one arm around her pulled up legs and her head resting on her knuckles. A smile appeared on her face as she recollected the confused look on his face. Clearly, Maaz had done this for the first time for anyone. This gesture touched her. She wished Sheeraz, who was her would-be husband, could be considerate to shower her with a similar gesture. His words brought bad taste and Anaya snapped her eyes away from the bouquet. She sighed and placed her legs down. Sheeraz, she had no idea how she was supposed to spend her whole life with a man who didn't trust her, also verbally abused her without even bothering to hear her side of the story.

As Anaya was busy preparing her dinner, there was a ring on her landline phone. Quickly she wiped her palms on her apron and dimmed the stove.

'Hello, Arsalan.' She smiled knowing too well that only her family have her landline number.

'Hello, sis.'

'What happened? You are sounding grim?' Anaya held her breath. There was silence for a moment and then Arsalan narrated all the drama that was happened at home. Their father was furious while trying to convince Sheeraz to accept Anaya. Sheeraz kept refusing. Things escalated when their dad and Arsalan got into a verbal fight where a brother took his sister's side.

'Haww!' -Anaya gasped, - 'he slapped? Arsalan,' – she sighed reclining against the wall, - 'Why did you argue with him? Surely, we weren't raised to be rude to elders?' She reasoned.

Arsalan exhaled deeply, - 'And them? They were insulting you. I am sorry, I could only take so much. I had to speak.' He said seriously.

Anaya felt her heart melt. Her brother loved her so much. Honestly, he was the only one in the family who loved her enough to stand up for her.

There was silence between them once again, after which Anaya diverted the topic to Arsalan's favorite; video games.