Anaya combed her hair and pushed back her hair. The loose curls with open hair and side-parting were perfect for the evening. Her black tresses went well with her navy-blue sequin top and toe length black mermaid gown. As she adjusted her collar, Maaz walked in. He buttoned his sleeve and turned to the mirror when he spotted her. He was awestruck. Anaya picked up her perfume and her gaze met Maaz and she smiled at him. Quickly, he composed himself and smiled back. She looked back at her image and applied perfume on the side of her neck. Maaz sighed and walked towards her. She applied her glossy lip-gloss and looked at Maaz who stood behind her.

'You are looking stunning.' – He paused, - 'An—' she made a face and he chuckled, - 'Anaya.'

'Good you haven't forgotten my name.' She said. He nodded placing his palms on her shoulder and she inhaled inaudibly.

'I can never forget this name now,' – he held her tighter, - 'it has become very special to me.' He confessed softly. Anaya stared at their reflection. She could feel hairs on the back of her neck rise up. He leaned and placed a bunch of hair on her shoulder and took a step back.

'Perfect.' He complimented. Anaya blinked and turned around. She looked at Maaz. He looked smart in a slim fit pink Tux.

'Pink?' She raised a brow and Maaz smiled.

'Why? It is my favorite color.' He defended his choice of clothing. Anaya giggled and took a step closer.

'You are looking smart.' She complimented while adjusting his bowtie.

'And you are looking elegant.' He responded. Anaya flushed and took a step back.

Maaz extended his arm for her. She looked at his arm and then at him.

'Sorry,' – she clasped her hands together, - 'We can't be seen together. Forgot,' – she paused leaning a bit, - 'ours was a secret wedding.'

Maaz scoffed, - 'Oh please, people are already talking. Besides, few people came to our reception.' He pointed out. Anaya nodded slowly but she wanted to tease him.

'But there are guests who weren't in the guest list before.' She bit her smile. Maaz made a face and groaned. He turned but froze when he felt Anaya's palm on his arm. He turned and smiled.

'I can accompany you till the stairs.' She said moving her hand under his arm and holding his forearm firmly. Maaz flashed a radiant smile and nodded. Together they walked, all the while having their gaze locked together.

The party was in full swing. There were many guests this time. Anaya noticed reporters as well. Some clicking photos while some taking video. Rashid was very upset and expressing his disapproval. Zainab coaxed him. Anaya felt her eye blinded with all the flashes and bright lights. The people chattered happily; kids led by Alia ran all over the place.

As Anaya walked someone hit her and she felt liquid spill on her arm.

'Oh!'

She looked at Hannah and moved her hand from her mouth as she looked at the strain on her sleeve. Anaya frowned when she thought she saw Hannah smirk, but she shook her head thinking it to be her imagination. To her, Hannah was looking very pretty, more than any other woman in the hall. She was dressed in Purple ruffled cold shoulder sleeved bodice long evening gown. Anaya admired her hairdo; braided updo. The braid was loose letting few hair strands frame her heart-shaped face.

'What are you looking at?' She asked harshly. Anaya shook her head, her cheeks crimson red.

'Nothing! You are looking stunning.' She complimented sincerely. Hannah rolled her eyes in response and just then she spotted Maaz coming towards them. An instant smile appeared on her face. She had missed him. Ever since he had come from Dubai they hardly got time to spend with each other. She adjusted her hair and mindlessly handed her glass of wine to Anaya, who was taken by surprise. She turned around and watched Hannah walk towards Maaz. She blinked as Hannah hugged him. Maaz was all smiles as he hugged her back. It was brief and they parted but still held each other. Anaya looked away.

Hannah complained to Maaz for not spending enough time with her. He felt guilty for ignoring his best friend.

'I am going to leave soon, Maaz.' – She looped her arm with his arm, - 'We have met after so long yet,' – she played with the side of his blazer, - 'you don't have time for your old friends, perhaps you got new ones that is why?' She pouted. Maaz shook his head and held her hand.

'No, no. No one can take your place.' He said seriously. Hannah's face lit up and she insisted he spent the whole night with her, no matter what. Maaz readily agreed.

To not make things suspicious, Anaya acted like she was supervising the event. She took over the catering and looking after the guests. As she worked with the guests, Maaz kept an eye on her. He would occasionally steal glances at her when Hannah was preoccupied with something else. He couldn't help but admire her. She was so beautiful. Now, that he got to know her as a person, he was even more attracted to her. It was forbidden to fall in love with her as they were about to get divorced. As soon as he was reminded of the bitter part, he shifted and decided to not look at her.

Anaya wouldn't miss looking at Maaz either. At first, her gaze would just wander where he was, and then deliberately she would look at him. She hadn't noticed him before but now watching him afar and with someone else did make a difference to her. Every time, Hannah would lean on him when he said something funny made Anaya want to be in her place. She would be reminded of their time together. Maaz had always dressed his best and was well-groomed. But tonight, he looked different. More attractive. Perhaps it was forbidden to fall in love with him vibe that made him more appealing. After all, every forbidden thing is more striking.

There was something Hannah talked while leaning close and caressing the back of his palm and Maaz listened intently, Anaya shifted uncomfortably in her place and looked away. Just then, a woman approached her and requested for more starters.

'Sure Ma'am, I will send a waiter with your request.' Anaya replied politely and glanced up at Hannah and Maaz, who was now too lost in their talks to notice anyone around. She swallowed and turned away quickly.

Anaya was irritated when waiters informed that they were out of starters and preparing a fresh batch. She decided to go to the kitchen and check on everything herself. Agitated, she entered the kitchen. There were few chefs working on the starters, dinner and preparing the deserts. She looked on for the head chef.

'Anaya.'

She froze hearing a voice in heavy French accent call out to her.

'I am the head chef.' He said. Anaya gulped and turned around. Her grey eyes met his green eyes and she was flooded with memories and emotions.

Anaya froze staring at Gabin, words failed her. Suddenly, she was reminded of everything she heard in the morning and how he had dumped Pooja.

Finally, she managed to speak whilst avoiding his gaze, - 'Um, please hurry up with the starters.'

Gabin opened his mouth and reached out to her but she quickly turned around. On her way out, she tripped over her dress and was about to fall. Gabin was quick to grab her arm and steady her. She looked at him, his eyes pleaded her. She looked away and jerked her hand from his grip.

Gabin followed her and kept calling her. To not make things awkward she stopped and turned to him.

'Anaya, there is something I need to tell you.' He said, his voice shaky.

She mustered some courage to tell him back, - 'What? That you mercilessly dumped my friend? That you got bored of her?' What Pooja did to her took a back seat, now she needed to know why he pretended to be someone he wasn't.

Gabin frowned at her, he looked clueless. He took a moment to reply, - 'I didn't get bored of her. But things were going all over the place. Pooja—she—everything was fine and rosy at first but then, she started behaving like a psycho. All possessive and insecure.' – He paused taking a step closer, - 'she just wanted to put you down by flaunting me. I found out from her that you have feelings for me.' – he took another step and was inches apart from her, - 'Then, I realized that Pooja was never the one whom I loved—' he reached out to hold her hand, - 'I always had a soft feelings for you.' – he grabbed her hand softly in between his, - 'I love—love you, Anaya.' He confessed. Anaya let out a breath and took a step back. Their hand in hand.

Rashid was very irritated with Maaz and Hannah's proximity. He took his son separately and reminded him that there were reporters around, also that he was a married man. He ordered Maaz to go check on Anaya. That reminded him that, Anaya was nowhere to be seen. He took his excuse from Hannah, who wasn't pleased with this.

Anaya froze, her gaze locked with Gabin. The man she had always been crushing on since forever has now confessed that he loves her. Love, it was such a big word. Gabin smiled touching her cheek with his free hand.

'You had always been the one. I took a long time to realize that.' He spoke while caressing her cheek with his palm. Anaya could feel her cheeks burn and thought if he could feel it too. Gabin leaned resting his forehead against hers. Anaya inhaled sharply closing her eyes. He closed his eyes as well.

'You know Pooja was your friend, but she had only venom for you. You are such a sweet girl. I can't stop thinking about you.' He confessed leaning further. Anaya trembled with the proximity. Gabin moved his lips towards her and she was too numb.

Maaz stood at a distance watching his wife with another man standing outside the kitchen. His eyes were moist as he watched their lips very close. Before anything happened, he turned around. What was he thinking? He had told everything about himself but never asked about her nor did she say anything about herself. And their marriage was sudden, they had zero love. This shouldn't have come as a surprise. She must love this man before they got married and he, Maaz, came in between them. He blinked back his tears and with heavy feet, he walked away.