Sandal's POV:

"This is Saifi House?" My eyes went wide as they landed on a mansion known as 'Saifi House'.

"Well it's a little big to call a house but that's it."

Little big???

"Anyways, come." He led me to the main door through the garden.

"It's kept well." I stated, looking at it.

"The scenery was quite different if you have seen it three months ago."

"Three months? But I thought you got the papers recently?"

"Well...! They were selling one portion of it because they couldn't return bank loans. So I bought it and the rest of it I got recently." I nodded.

As the door opened, we were greeted by a few servants. Some of them are old and know Ahmed very well, they treated both of us like we are their own kids. Later Ahmed told me that they were their old servants.

Ahmed showed me the whole mansion by himself, his grandparent's room, his parent's room, and his old room. He informed me the all the interior got change after they moved out, so the place is a little different from what it used to be. The colour of his face and the rise and fall of emotions in his voice could tell that he was feeling nostalgic.

"And this is the room specially made by my Dadi (grandmother) for us." He smiled sheepishly at me.

"For us?"

"Yes, I was their first grandchild. So they wanted the best room for me and my bride." He winked putting his arm around my shoulders and leading me in. The room was indeed big and beautiful with antique touch in it.

"It's beautiful." I said looking around.

"And we're going to live here while our stay."

"WHAT? The two of us going to live in this huge mansion alone?" My eyes widened.

"Technically, not alone. Servants will be here too."

"Oh!"

"But... I prefer to be alone." His hand slipped around my waist, pulling me closer.

"Dear husband, we 'are' alone... and I would like to take a good look at the room first." I said pushing him away.

"Sure go ahead." He mumbled bitterly.

Smiling I open the window to get the back view.

"Subhanallah!" Left my mouth unconsciously when I saw sunset behind the green mountains of Islamabad.

"It's pretty amazing that Dadi chose the best and same time the worst location of this house for our room." He said standing beside him. I gave him a questioning look.

"Do you see that quarter on left?" He pointed towards the left side and I nodded.

"That quarter is the reason for all my childhood fears.

Oh!

I quickly closed the window receiving a chuckle from him.

"What difference does it make?"

"I don't know." I said fidgeting my fingers.

~*~

After praying Isha I made tea for Ahmed and walk to the room. Finding it empty and dark I turned on the lights and sat a cup on the nearby table.

"Turn the lights off Sandal." I jumped hearing Ahmed's voice from behind.

"Y-you were here!" He startled me.

"Turn the lights off." He was looking out the window. Probably at that quarter?

"What?"

Why he wants me to turn off the light???

"Do as I say, Sandal." He commanded.

"You sure?"

"Yes, and close the door too."

"Ahmed but-"

"Just do it." His voice was strict.

I shut the door first then turned off the lights and reach him taking careful steps. He was holding his phone in hand with its flashlight on. I could see his tight grip on the phone.

What are you doing Ahmed?

"Suniye?" I put my hand on his back.

"This is how I am, weak and still scared." He said looking outside.

"I am sorry Sandal, I am not strong enough to forgive the person who did this to me. I thought about it a lot and I was ready but after coming here I feel all that hatred came back." His voice started to shivers.

Oh no!

I turned on the lights but he yanked me back and embraced me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Don't go." He said.

"Ahmed I need to turn on the lights."

"No! Don't leave me." His gripped tightened around me.

"I am not leaving you, Ahmed. I could not leave you." I hugged him back.

"You are my husband, my first and last love. How would I live if I leave you?"

"You're husband is a cowered Sandal."

"He is not!" I abruptly deny him.

"You thought about forgiveness... means you are strong enough to think about it and I am sure one day you will leave everything behind and move forward." His body started to shivers badly.

"Let me turn on the lights."

"No!" He shook his head.

"First tell me. Am I really going to move forward?" He sounded like a child.

"Yes, I have faith in you." He pulled his face and put his forehead on mine.

"But I don't have Sandal."

I can see his frowning face, I can feel his trembling body. He shouldn't be like this, he is the one who brings happiness to my life, I will not allow him to suffer like this.

"Ahmed?" I called him out when he closed his eyes shut.

"Ahmed looks at me." I asked scooping his face with my palms but he didn't.

I tiptoed and place my lips on his.

~*~

Ahmed's POV:

My eyes shot open when I felt something soft on my lips and found Sandal's face so close to me. But she pulled away quickly and stared into my eyes.

Did... she kiss me???

I looked at her in shock. She gently embraces me, mumbling 'I love you.

I pulled back to look at her, I still do not believe what just happened. We stared at each other for quite a long until my eyes landed on her lips. As I leaned closer to her, she closed her eyes. Slowly I claimed her lips and she didn't pull back nor pushed me. Hesitantly she wrapped her arms around my neck, taking it as a hint I didn't stop there and took the liberty to make my all fantasies come true.

Tonight she is mine as I am hers...

~*~

Sandal POV:

"Ahmed your sons are here." I shook his arm as I heard Husnain and Mustafa voices coming closer to the room.

"They aren't your kids?."

"Not on weekends." I got up and open the door for our little angles. Leaving rest to them I walked into the kitchen and start making breakfast for Husnain and Mustafa.

Allah blessed us with twin boys, in our second year of marriage. The whole family was overjoyed at the birth of those two because both Ahmed and my family only have girls. Now they are fifteen months old super active toddlers. There are times when I heard murmurs of Muskan that girls are better when they destroy her cosmetics.

"Assalam o Allaikum Bhabi." I heard Muskan's voice from behind.

"Wallaikum Assalam. How are you today?"

"Better than yesterday. I just hope I could study today."

"Inshallah! Eat your breakfast and took medicine. You'll feel better."

"Sure." Muskan was preparing for examinations of MBA this year and Zohma was busy as ever with her in-laws and a naughty son.

"Ahmed breakfast is ready." I announced standing at the entrance of the room. Ahmed was preoccupied with tickling Husnain and Mustafa, on my call he got up scooping Husnain and putting him on his shoulder.

"Ary ary!" I shouted when he pick Mustafa from one leg and drop him in my arms.

After breakfast call Ami, to invite them to dinner. They moved back to Karachi after Hareem complete her school. Everyone in Ami's house was also doing fine thanks to Allah. Areeba has completed her fashion designing and now working as a trainee under a famous designer, on other hand, Hareem took admission to girls Cadet College. She was willing to join the army as Shoaib wanted. Ami was against this idea but later she agreed when Hareem explains her reasons. We all moved on but there is a part of our heart that is still filled with the rage and sorrow of the incident.

Speaking of the past, Ahmed's chichi died in a car accident two years ago and Anam. Well... Her sister took very good care of her and married her off to her husband's friend in Canada. So, both sisters are out of the picture now.

Oh! And I finally completed my studies. It was hard, taking care of twin babies and studying but somehow I managed. My husband was so overwhelmed with our kids birth that he allowed me and I didn't waste the golden chance.

And... what else??

Ahmed's remaining friends got married too, except Imran. No... he is not the same A class flirt as before. He changed for a certain girl. But according to him 'that girl don't give a damn about me' and I guess what?

That certain girl happens to be my sister. I almost fainted when this news broke to me. I mean Areeba and Imran? They are like the north and south poles. Total different opposite. Imran is serious about her and planning to send a proper proposal for her, on the other hand, Areeba looked indifferent about the whole thing. He told her about his feelings but she ignored them every time.

Ahmed always sat back and enjoy their cat and mouse chase but doesn't do anything to help him. Well, I am planning to take his side once he sends his parents for Areeba.

"What are you thinking?" I was startled at Ahmed's voice.

"Just thinking."

"About what?" I shrugged not knowing what to answer and smile. He shook his head and was about to leave the room when I call him.

"Ahmed?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you!"

"For what?"

"I just want to thank you."

"Huh?" He chuckled and I shrugged with a smile again.

After Allah, I want to thank him for saving me from losing myself and helping my family to start their lives again. He often told me that I brought morning to his life or else he would never be able to live a happy life.

Well, I never understand why he says that but to me, he is my dawn. The end of a dark night and the beginning of a new day.

_____________________________________