"Mama! Huchain has my toy! Pwease tell him to give it back!!" I heard a wail from across the room, almost making me jump a foot in the air. It didn't take me longer than a second to realize what the fuss was about. Placing my book on the side table beside the flower vase, I stood up with a sigh.

These kids, Ya Allah.

"Hussain, baby. Don't annoy your sister." I said to the little tyke as I walked, who held a broken car with only two wheels in his cute stubby little hands that were hardly the size of a peanut. Even though he was only eight months old, he grinned back at me with mischief pasted all over his cute, red face. He looked like he had a lot to say about Ayesha who was still screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Mama! He's not giving it back. Pwease take it fwom him!" she snapped out of her crying and came forward, ready to snatch the worthless piece of plastic from Hussain. All that crying had made her turn into a grumpy tomato. I tucked her black, silky strands of hair behind her ear.

"Ayesha, didn't daddy tell you sharing was a good thing? Why don't you share your car with your little brother?" I tried to advise her like a good mother but honestly, she wasn't taking it. She huffed and shook her head immediately. "No, mama! Huchain will break my car!"

I nodded knowingly, knowing well that she wasn't going to let it go. After all, she got her temper issues from her mother.

I pinched her cheeks and pulled her towards me. "Ayesha," I placed her little body on my lap after sitting down on the playmat beside Hussain who was enjoying slamming the car into the ground again and again. "Why don't I call your daddy and ask him to bring you a chocolate?" Ayesha's hazel eyes shone like two big stars. She nodded furiously, licking her lips.

"But, in return, you'll have to share your toy with Hussain, okay?" she piped down at that but then made up her mind that her chocolate was more important than the flimsy toy car she owned. "Okay, mama. I'll share."

I patted her head and kissed her on her cheek. "Good baby," with that, I walked back to my book. A long sigh escaped me as I saw that I had still had a lot of studying to do. I knew that doing courses privately at home with two kids would be hard, but I had no idea it would be that difficult!

Remembering the promise I had made to Ayesha, I quickly texted Ali about the chocolate. Then I got back to my book. My mind was so caught up in everything that I didn't even remember what day it was.

The loud ring tone of my phone filled my ears and it was like I was dragged out of another world back to reality. I picked it up and unconsciously, swiped the answer icon. "Salam u Alaikum, Anisa speaking," I answered casually. "Waalaykum Salaam! Are the kids ready?" The overhyped voice made me wake up and I frowned.

It occurred to me a second later what the caller was talking about. "Oh yes, Asma Baji! The kids are ready. When will you reach?" I asked. "We're almost here. Send the bag through the guard along with the kids. I'm dying to meet Hussain!" she answered cheerfully. I nodded to no one in particular.

"Sure thing," I said before beginning my long list of instructions. "I've packed everything for Hussain. His diapers, clothes, and wipes. He has a bit of diarrhea so please don't let him have anything other than milk. Ayesha eats everything but she's been eating a lot of oily foods lately and I think that's why a few small pimples have broken out on her skin.

Please refrain from giving her anything oily. And Hussain likes to sleep next to Ayesha but he'll annoy her so if you can, please lay down with them for a while before they go to sleep. And when—" I was interrupted mid-sentence when Asma baji got tired of listening to my long list.

"I got it, Anisa. Don't forget, I'm the older one, not you. You don't worry about a thing and enjoy your day off. Maybe even make something special for Ali. I've noticed he's been working hard and he doesn't get to spend much time with you because of the kids." she finished and I could sense her smiling at me from the other end of the phone.

Somehow, relief washed over me and a smile broke out on my face.

"You're right, baji. I'll do that." I told her assuringly. "That's like a good girl." she sounded satisfied by my answer. "I'm standing outside. You can send the kids now," she added.

"Okay. And," before she could cut the call, I stopped her. "Jazakallah Khair for everything, baji. You don't know how much it means to me. I love the kids but sometimes it gets really overbearing." I sighed to which Asma Baji chuckled. "Oh, I understand what you mean. Imran is an only child and he was so difficult. Besides, you're just twenty-two so it's more of a challenge for you."

Then her tone got a bit serious. "But, Anisa you'll realize that your children are huge blessings from Allah when you grow up. Sure it was not a good thing that father forced you to get married at such a young age but just look at you now. You're just twenty-two! And you've got two kids already!"

I nodded my head knowingly." I'm aware of that Baji and I can't thank Allah enough. Sure the past two years were very hard but I think I'll get the fruit of it soon, Inshaa Allah." I smiled to myself unconsciously.

"Inshaa Allah. Okay, send the kids already. I can't wait any longer!" I laughed at her and cut the call after saying goodbye. I quickly picked Hussain up and forced his shoes on, with which he wasn't very pleased. The guard came at the door and I handed him Hussain, with my hijab almost falling off because the naughty little devil was resisting so much. Ayesha loved the idea of going to Asma Baji's house so she wasn't hard.

Panting, I gave the big bag to the guard. "Please give it to her and say thanks to her from my side. I really appreciate the help." he nodded obediently, his eyes fixated on the ground out of respect and mostly because Ali had made it a rule for the male servants of the house to lower their gaze when they talked to me.

I closed the door behind me and plopped to the floor with a huge sigh of relief. "Finally!" I said to myself. I got myself off the ground and walked back into the playroom to clear the mess. I threw a few toys into the toy box and stopped for a second. My eyes traveled around the room as I observed my surroundings. I noticed the fallen lamp, the broken toys, the colorful walls scribbled with half-dried markers and pencils.

I couldn't help but smile when my eyes fell on a portion of the wall where Ayesha had drawn a portrait of what looked like our family. Although it was an ugly picture and messy, to say the least, but, to me, it looked like the best picture in the world. My fingers traced over the wall and suddenly I felt like there was a void in my heart.

The silence of the house was almost disturbing and it was like a piercing sound filling my ears. I looked towards the playing mat where Hussain and Ayesha were sitting just about fifteen minutes ago. It hit me then.

I was missing them already!

I shook my head in disappointment at myself. I couldn't believe that those two little things were so important to me. I muttered a low prayer to Allah for their safety and got back to work, throwing my hijab on the couch. I knew I could use a day off and also because Ali had two days off from work as well. Smiling to myself, I decided that I would make that day a special one for me and him…

THIRD PERSON'S POV:

The sound of the main door opening echoed in the silent house. Ali entered, the back of his shoes clicking on the marble floor. He ran a tired hand through his hair, pulling back the few strands that were falling over his eyes. "Salam u Alaikum, I'm home." He called like he usually did when he came back home from a long day.

Expecting a loud squeal and a very excited Ayesha running towards him, he frowned when he met with a dark house. He glanced at the chocolate bar in his hand and walked in. He passed the playroom and peeked inside but didn't find anyone there. He brushed it off quickly, guessing that Anisa might've put them to bed earlier than usual.

He was happy to be home and even happier to think that the coming two days were free. He would have a chance to spend time with Anisa and the kids without the worry of getting a call from any of his father's employees. With that, he headed towards their room, and strangely even the lights of the living room were off.

He knew Anisa was scared to be alone at home and she would never turn off the lights so it was confusing for him. "Anisa? You home?" he called out for confirmation and placed his bag and the chocolate bar on a nearby couch.

Then his attention was diverted when he heard footsteps coming towards him. "Ali, you're back!" With a smile, Anisa greeted him and came closer to him. It was a good thing that Ali had already placed his bag on the couch because they would have fallen if he hadn't and his precious laptop would be in pieces. "Anisa?" he blinked as if that would make him believe his eyes.

Anisa just smiled at him and took his hands in hers. He had grown taller and bulkier over the five years they had been married and his hands had gotten larger and rougher. Her soft and small hands fit perfectly into his like they always did. "Let's go to our room. I have a surprise for you." and she led him to their private space.

Ali had a lot of questions but honestly, those could wait. At the moment, his wife looked gorgeous and she said she had a surprise for him so that was the only thing on his mind. When both of them had entered the room, Anisa closed the door behind her.

Their room was the same as ever just bigger as they had shifted to one downstairs. The king-sized bed was perfect for them since Anisa liked her space so she could easily twist and turn in her sleep without having to worry about Ali. The dressing table was at the same spot it was in the other room. The curtains were opened to reveal the beautiful moonlight outside. The white wooden windows were only half-closed so that the warm breeze could enter the room.

As Anisa made her way towards the window to look at the beautiful sky, Ali's eyes were fixated on her. Her open hair, which had grown, flowed with the breeze, and the moonlights shone on her angelic face. The black dress that complimented her figure almost perfectly, sparkled. Ali was too busy checking his wife out that he didn't notice the cake and some drinks resting on the side table.

He walked closer to Anisa and took her hands, entwining his fingers with hers. She looked back at him and he saw a little blush forming on her face. She wasn't so shy anymore but certain gestures of Ali would sometimes take her by surprise and she couldn't help but blush like a teenager.

On the other hand, Ali loved that face of hers. She was just so pure and innocent that even after years of marriage, she was shy of him. It made him feel like she would break if he even touched her. For a while, none of them spoke and just looked at each other in silence.

Finally, Ali broke the atmosphere by speaking up.

"You look gorgeous," he said, his eyes gazing intently at her. She rested her head on his chest and he in return, stood still for her. "Thank you."

Ali didn't know where to start. He wanted to ask her about the dress she was wearing and why she went through the trouble to do all that. He was also confused about the kids but Anisa made it easier for him by talking.

"I wore the dress you bought me five years ago. It's a little tight but it fits," she said, pulling away to show off her sparkly black party dress. Ali nodded with an amused smile as he once again studied the dress. It looked great on her as he had thought it would even when they were not getting along. The slit at the end showed off her wonderful legs and the deep neck was just to die for. Her skin was fair but it looked even more.

"I couldn't believe that you remembered my birthday and even went through the trouble to get me a present." Anisa chuckled at the thought but Ali rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Even after I tried so hard to hide it, you still noticed?" he asked her, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Anisa nodded. "And the bracelet too." she reminded him. "I was really happy you did that for me."

Ali's eyes widened at that. "You know the bracelet was from me?" he asked as if it was the most unbelievable thing ever. Anisa gave him a smirk. "Holly told me. I knew all along it was from you.". Ali frowned playfully. "And despite that, you pretended you didn't know about it in the car. I was so scared you would find out."

Anisa laughed. "I couldn't help it, Ali. I really wanted to know why you did it."

Ali shook his head at her. He stopped abruptly to look at her before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer to him. She buried her face into his chest, welcoming the warmth and the familiar smell of jasmine and shampoo. His arms had gotten bigger and she felt even safer in them than before. She put her own arms around his waist and hugged him tightly as if her life depended on it.

"You're the best, Ali and I'm so blessed to have you," she spoke into his shirt which sent shivers down his spine. He kissed the side of her head. "Same here, darling."

They stood like that for at least three long minutes in each other's embrace and taking in the other's presence. Ali didn't notice when a few wet tears rolled down his cheeks.

The feeling of being loved and being wanted by someone as great and pure as Anisa was incredible. He had become a successful man because of her and of course, Allah. He had begun to recognize the blessings he had and all the times where Allah showered His life with good times and blessings.

His wife, his amazing and most importantly, healthy kids. His father finally on good terms with his uncle and Usman getting married to one of his cousins whom he always admired. Imran taking over the business of Mr. Malik and Anisa's stepmother helping him out all the way. Ali was still learning but his father was a great teacher. He would go with Ali to his office and help him out with everything.

It was definitely a big change and it all happened because a bully fell for his target.

"Anisa,"

"Hmm?"

"Where are the kids?"

"Asma Baji took them to her place,"

"Oh, okay."