Anaya shivered in the cold, yet unwillingly she opened her eyes. She blinked at the darkroom. Slowly, she turned her head and found Maaz sound asleep. She smiled at him and moved her hand, then held his hand under the bedsheet. She recollected he had said if she felt cold, she could hug him. But she felt shy to hug him and so she just caressed the back of his palm. Soon, Maaz opened his eyes as well. He looked at her and in the darkness, their gaze met. It took him a few seconds to adjust to the darkness. He turned his head the other way and moved his arm. He pulled the string of the night lamp and a dim yellow light illuminated the room.

Maaz turned and shifted closer to Anaya.

'You are sleeping?' He asked as he threw an arm around her waist. Anaya flushed, caressing his arm with her fingers.

'Don't do that.' Maaz said seriously and she looked alarmed. He smiled, - 'you are turning me on again.' He winked and she turned red-faced. She turned the other side and hugged the duvet closer to her naked body. Maaz stared at her bareback and shifted closer. She inhaled sharply as her husband snuggled close to her. He gripped her waist tightly and placed his chin on her shoulder.

'Anaya, it is so strange.'

'What?' Anaya frowned.

'That we met, and we had zero feelings for each other and now look at us. We can't live without each other.' He paused and let a small laugh. Anaya frowned, tilted her head and looked at him.

'Remember, our first night. I held your hand and demanded to come close to me and you straightforwardly refused.' He moved back and chuckled. Anaya smiled widely as she turned to face him.

'That was my first firm no to anyone.' She confessed. Maaz's laugh died down and his expressions changed.

'You know,' – he looked at her, - 'you should take stand for yourself, Anaya.' He said seriously.

Anaya smiled, - 'Now, I have you. So—' she stopped speaking when Maaz shook his head. He held her cheek firmly.

'No, Anaya. Not me. You. You should take stand for yourself.' He said. Anaya pressed her lips and exhaled.

'Then, you should talk to your dad about your dreams too.' She advised him. Maaz shook his head and sat up. Anaya adjusted the duvet around her frame and sat up too.

'Nah! Now, I am used to this life. Being boss and having people respecting me, running around me.' – he scoffed, - 'I have given up on that dream. Now, I don't want to embarrass myself.' He looked at Anaya. She smiled leaning her head on his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his arm and sighed deeply.

'You are very hot, Maaz. Actually, too hot,' – she moved to look at him, - 'I don't want any other woman ogling at you. I am the first woman in your life, and I want to be the last woman in your life.' She said.

Maaz smiled and moved his arm around her shoulder. 'Thank you for the compliment.' He said and pulled her down the bed with him.

'What are you doing?' She asked teasingly as he was about to kiss her. He smiled placing his palm over her naked breast.

'I am loving my beautiful wife.' He replied and leaned. She gasped feeling his palm fiddle with breast and his face buried into her neck. She grabbed the back of his neck and held his back as he pleasured her.

Soon, the two were engaged in another passionate love-making session. After the second lovemaking, the two spent the entire night, just cuddling; naked. The warmth from their bodies and the heater kept them warm and cozy. Maaz pulled Anaya closer and smiled caressing her arm. Anaya felt secure and happy while being in his strong embrace. Maaz felt loved in her delicate arms.

∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Maaz felt the warm sunlight and he smiled in his sleep. He stretched and felt Anaya's weight resting on half his body. He shifted and caressed her arm. Anaya sighed deeply and snuggled closer.

'Wake up, sleepyhead.' Maaz muttered in a groggy tone. She doesn't reply and simply gripped his waist tightly, adjusting her head on his bare chest. He smiled at her response and sighed throwing his other arm behind his head.

As the two relaxed, there was a knock at their door. Both were startled and jumped apart.

'Anaya, your father is here. He came early.' Shabana's voice quivered. Anaya sat up, her eyes widened, and mouth dropped.

'Papa is here!' She exclaimed.

'So,' – Maaz lazily sat up, - 'Papa is here.' He commented casually while stretching his arms. Anaya was amazed to see him being so calm or maybe he was still asleep. She held his shoulder and shook him, jolting him from his sleep.

'What are you—are you nuts, madwoman.' He scowled at her. Anaya pressed her lips tightly.

'Papa is here duffer.'- She began pushing him, - 'get ready and wear your best attire. You need to impress him.'

'But I need to bath first.' He pouted. Anaya clicked her tongue in agitation while rolling her eyes.

'Bathroom is outside, go,' – she pointed towards the door, - 'go out naked and show yourself in all your glory.' She mocked him. Maaz frowned.

'Maaz, just spray a lot of perfume.' She suggested to him. Maaz just looked at her with a thoughtful expression.

Mr. Hussain exited the bathroom while wiping his face with a towel. He dashed into someone. He scrunched his nose wondering who this person was, who choked him with cringy perfume. He removed the towel from his face and frowned upon seeing Maaz.

'You?'

'Asalam Aliakum, Papa.' Maaz put up his best voice also flashed his charming smile. But he failed as Mr. Hussain kept an ugly frown plastered to his face. Maaz's smile dropped.

'What do you want?' Mr. Hussain asked grumpily. Maaz licked his lips and forced a smile again.

'I am going to stay at your place for a few days.'

'Why?'

Maaz was speechless for a second before he answered, - 'Uh because I am your son-in-law.'

Mr. Hussain looked away and sighed, - 'Unfortunately.' He muttered. Maaz strained his ear and asked,

-'What?'

Mr. Hussain shook his head and before anyone said anything else, Anaya appeared from behind Maaz and greeted her father formally. He greeted back with equal formality and then walked away.

'Um, Anaya. I hope your Papa isn't Hitler type.' He whispered. Anaya smiled shaking his head.

'No, silly.' Then, she looped her arm with his and dragged him back into the room, on the way, she suggested he could take bath now.

There was an awkward silence at the dining table while the family silently ate their breakfast. Maaz realized that Mr. Hussain was stricter than Rashid. Now, he felt lucky to have Rashid as his father.

After, breakfast the ladies got busy in the kitchen preparing tea and arranging plates. Maaz sat in silence and with uneasiness along with his father-in-law who was busy with newspaper and Azlaan who was busy reading his academics book.

Maaz cleared his throat and began, - 'Papa!' Mr. Hussain doesn't look at him but Azlaan does, - 'I want to—' he glanced towards the kitchen, - 'want to marry your daughter.' He confessed. Mr. Hussain stiffened and Azlaan shifted in his place.

'But you guys are already married.' He pointed out.

Maaz nodded, he eyed Mr. Hussain from the corner of his eye. Even though he stared at the paper, Maaz knew he had his ears here.

'Azlaan beta,' – Maaz turned to look at his brother-in-law but he kept his ears towards Mr. Hussain, - 'I want to re-marry your sister. I realized I love her, immensely and I can't live without her. And this time, I don't want to marry her in secrecy, but I want to announce to the world that I am marrying the most wonderful woman.' He said. He mentally smiled seeing Azlaan's expressions soften.

'That is good.' Mr. Hussain finally spoke. Maaz straightened in his seat, feeling his heart rate increase. Anaya too ran towards the door and tried to listen to their conversion.

Mr. Hussain folded the paper and shifted, - 'We will do one thing. You divorce my daughter and we will get her married to Sheeraz.' He said with a straight face. Maaz frowned but doesn't say anything.

'After that, if Sheeraz wants to keep Anaya then it is well and good for us, but he isn't willing to be in a relationship with her then I will divorce them, and you can re-marry her.' He said casually.

There was pin-drop silence in the room. Anaya felt disgusted by her father's thoughts and stormed towards her room. Maaz was speechless while Azlaan looked appalled. A minute of staring later, Maaz simply got up and walked out of the room. Mr. Hussain smiled looking away and got back to his newspaper.

With slow steps, Maaz walked into their bedroom. He couldn't believe his ears. How can a father talk this way about his daughter? Why did he hate him so much? He stopped in his tracks as his gaze fell on Anaya. She was angrily packing her bags whilst muttering angrily. She straightened and hurried towards Maaz. She grabbed his arm and spoke irritably,

- 'Come, Maaz.' – tears blurred her vision as she spoke, - 'Let us go from here. This place—it's—' she broke down crying. Maaz hugged her. He caressed her back and asked her to relax. She clenched his shirt tightly while she sobbed uncontrollably. Maaz kept patiently consoling her. And when she angrily asked him to leave, he doesn't protest and agreed.

'Okay, pack your bags. I will call Sam with the car.' – He placed a warm and gentle hand on her shoulder, - 'you don't worry, okay.' He assured her. Anaya sniffled and nodded. She leaned against his chest and shut her eyes tightly. More tears fell.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

'I am sorry, Anaya.' Shabana apologized holding her daughter's hands firmly. Anaya responded by hugging her mother. She pressed her lips together to stop herself from crying. Shabana cried silently and caressed her back.

The mother and daughter just hugged for a few minutes until Maaz came and informed them about the car.

'Maaz, beta. Anaya couldn't get the love and respect she deserved at her place—' Shabana stopped speaking when Anaya held her hand and shook her head but she freed her hand from her daughter's grip and turned to look at Maaz, - 'but please you give her everything she deserves.'

Maaz nodded seriously, - 'Of course, Ma.' He said with full honestly. Shabana smiled and ran a soft and gentle hand over his head and blessed him.

Azlaan also met his sister and they hugged. Both were still shocked and surprised by their father's statement.

Anaya and Maaz sat in the backseat of the car as Sam placed their luggage in the back bonnet. Tears pooled her eyes once again. Being stabbed by someone's own father, own flesh and blood, could be very hurtful. Maaz couldn't bear seeing her so upset and was glad they were leaving. He shifted closer and threw an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

'Anaya,' – he passed her some tissues, - 'everything happens for the best. Hopefully, your father will come to senses soon.'

'He won't and even if he does, I won't forgive him.' She said firmly but her voice cracked. Maaz nodded and held her arm tightly.

'Just don't think about it. Think about your future, Anaya. We have a very bright future together.'- he held her hand with a firm grip, - 'I promise you, Anaya. I will try my best to keep you happy and give you love and respect for the rest of your life.' He said.

Anaya smiled meekly, - 'And I promise you too, Maaz, to keep you always happy and always love and respect you.' She said. Maaz smiled and kissed her forehead. Anaya let out a shaky breath as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Together, hand in hand the couple zoomed into their bright future but with baggage from the past.