Sandal's POV:

I was fully drenched with seawater, leaving me no choice but to take a shower again. Coming out of the bathroom I ran towards the kitchen to make breakfast but to my surprise I found Ahmed making tea for us. He also fried eggs which were already served on the kitchen counter. I slowly reached him and stood beside him.

"Let me help."

"No, it's fine. Have a seat and start your breakfast." He said without making eye contact.

Is he mad at me???

Feeling somewhat dejected I silently start eating, soon joined me on my plate after putting our teacups on the counter.

"There is another plate too you know." I blurted out.

"It's fine." He said pulling his stool close to mine. He ate rather quickly, so he finished before me.

"What's today's plan?" He asked taking a sip of tea.

"I don't have any plans."

"Hm!.... so why don't we watch some movies?"

"I am not into movies." I mumbled.

"Okay! Then tell me what to do?"

"You can... talk?" It came out like a question.

"That's a good idea... but mind telling me whom should I talk to?"

"...To me?"

"Oh yeah! Right ... you can talk to ... I forget this fact sometimes." His voice held sarcasm. Knowing how mad he was, I remain quiet.

"Have you been to Karachi before now?" He asked after a while.

"Once, we came here on holidays with everyone."

"So, you like here?" He asked leaning against the counter.

"Yes! It's a very lively place."

"Ahan! It is... so you also study at APS. Right?" I nodded.

"In co-education?"

"Yes!" I took a sip of my tea.

It tastes horrible...

"And college?... it was co-ed too. Right?" I narrowed my eyes looking at the cup.

What is he getting at????

"I thought you already had my background check."

"I did, but there many things I want to hear from you."

"What sort of things?" I asked and he leaned closer to look into my eyes.

"Maybe some other time." He backed away and put our plates and cups into the washbasin.

When I got up to wash it, he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the living room. He settled me down on the sofa by putting his hands on my shoulder and sat beside me. Then he took out a box and handed it over to me.

"What is this?"

"A gift... since our wedding was held in such a rush Ami didn't get time to order it." I looked at the black velvet box in my hands and open it. There was a diamond ring inside.

"Is...is this a diamond?" I stuttered.

"Yes it is!... why don't you like it?"

"No, it's gorgeous ... but I can't wear this... it's too expensive." I said giving him back the ring. He sighed and took out the ring from the box and put it on my finger.

"You are my mother's daughter-in-law, Sandal! You are not supposed to reject gifts from her... and it's not a big deal for a Wali family's women to wear diamonds." He said holding me both hands.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you marry me?"

"Isn't that enough that I love you?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.

"That's what I didn't understand ... I am sure there must be plenty of candidates to become your wife... why choose a girl like me. When you don't even like middle-class people."

"Love is unconditional." He shrugged.

"But it has a reason."

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Because I am unable to find the answer on my own. I want to know. Why would you love a girl like me? I am not that pretty, I can't do that girly sweet chat with men, nor I have a charming personality ... all in all, I am... unappealing."

"And who said that?"

"No one, I know that." I mumbled.

He placed a kiss on my hand and pulled me closer until both arms were back of his neck.

Too close...

"You're not unappealing at all... and the question of why I fall for you? I also don't know myself. All I know is that I work with a girl, who is strong-willed, shy, caring and quite stupid too." He chuckled.

"Stupid?"

"Yes... You know by wearing dull colour dresses and hijab you cannot avoid men... especially men like me. We love to chase and win, reserve type of girls... they are trophies for us and... that's what you are... my trophy, reserved ... only for me." He creased the side of my face.

"T-trophy?... what am I?... a game to you???" I cannot believe what I just heard. Was this really a game for him? I feel shaken from inside. I quickly pull back my arms and stood up, when he yanked me by the arm and the next thing I know I was laying on the sofa and he was on top of me.

"Let me go!" I demanded, wiping tears from the corner of my eyes from one hand and trying to push him from the other.

"No!... I haven't even tasted my victory yet." He smirked and leaned closer. I tried to push him with both hands but he pinned them down beside my head. Taking a deep breath I shut my eyes tightly. He got closer, I can feel his breath on my neck, a whimper left from my mouth and heard a chuckle, which turned into a loud laugh later.

I opened my eyes and only saw his black soft hairs, as his head was buried in my neck. Unable to understand what happened, I silently lay there without making a noise.

"You should have seen your face." He said between laughs.

"Normally you easily read me... what happened to you now?" He asked looking into my eyes with an amusing smile on his face.

"Y-you were joking?" My eyes widened.

"Yep!... I can't let go of you without taking revenge for rejecting my kiss earlier..." He winked at me.

"Y-you are horrible... I hate you." I yelled at him. But my voice didn't come out strong enough.

"Yes, yes... I love you too." He got up, brushing his lips against my jawline.

I get up properly and settle my dress. We both kept quiet for a few minutes. He was staring at my red embarrassed face with a big smile and I was looking everywhere except him.

"Don't play this type of joke again." I said angrily.

"Fine! If you promise you will not say 'no' to me?"

"I... cannot promise that... not for now."

"Well, you have to deal with it then..." With this, he got up.

"Go and get some sleep, you didn't sleep last night."

"I couldn't breathe because a six fit tall, grown man was sleeping upon me." I mumbled to myself.

"You don't like it my wife?" He asked cupping my face in his hands and I shook my head in negative.

"Hmm...! Next time I will make sure that you sleep on top of me." His phone rang and he quickly stole a kiss and walked away.

In the end, he won and got the kiss he wanted and on the other hand, I feel a puppet of his hands.

"T-that's not fair....!" I protested when I realize my first kiss has been stolen without my permission.

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