It's been nearly a week since that night. Taimoor had gone to Karachi and that too without informing her. She was hurt. It stung but she did miss him. She felt alone. LOST !Even though there was Bua. Sometimes she'd wake up to a scary dream with no one to comfort her or joke about it to divert her attention. Bua was here but she was in her quarters. Sometimes Haya' would just want to talk about something. Anything ! And she'd have no one. Mariyam, her best friend was busy with her wedding preparations which was happening this week. Strange, both of them were just rushed to the altar.

Haya hadn't talked to her family since that dreadful night, so they too were off the list. Aiman appi and Saman would just text Taimoor , if she called them to chit chat.

Taimoor was a jerk to her, 24/7 .Not 24/7 ,her heart protested. But at-least when he was here, she didn't feel this alone. All her energies were invested in him. He'd piss her off and she'd then try to even the score. It was a continuous cycle. And she had grown to enjoy it rather than getting pissed and annoyed like old times.

The whole week was a trial. Though , the orphanage and the freelancing kept her busy. It wasn't enough. Sometimes, she would have this overpowering urge to call him. Ask him to come back. But then she didn't want to force herself on him.

I mean, he had actually left me when I had closed my eyes in a silent approval .What did he expect me to say. Hey buddy, kiss me please because I have never being kissed before? Because ,I want to kiss you? Or something like "Take me". This was Pakistan for heaven's say. WE DON'T DO IT HERE ,She thought.

Did she just buddy zoned her husband? Haya actually laughed at the question her alter ego had come up with. He had left her feeling like a horny teenager, he deserved to be called buddy. She loved to think that it was her self-respect which was stopping her from calling him. Actually, it was her fear.

Fear that what would he think? Fear of what will he do. What if he rejects her? They have been enemies, all their lives. If there was any crush it was from her side. Someday's she used to wondered if there was a possibility that she was still not over that childish crush. Maybe Mariyam was right all along. AHHHHH ,the maybes!!!

Taimoor's best friend Shahmeer, was getting married to her best friend Mariyam. What a cliche? Turns out Mariyam and Shahmeer were childhood beaus, which Mariyam had no clue about. Shahmeer came to know about that on Haya's wedding while Mariyam was shocked and even appalled at the idea of her parents throwing that "you are engaged since forever" card at her.

Haya and Mariyam hadn't expected the "BE MY FOREVER" kind of proposals. They knew they were going to have an arrange marriage. But atleast a little less dramatic one would have been nice.

The golden invitation card of Mariyam's and Shahmeer's wedding was resting on the coffee table. She had received it last week. 'Mr. and Mrs. Taimoor Hassan' was written in bold italics on the card. Mrs. Taimoor Hassan still made her cringe sometimes.

Should she attend the wedding ? What would Shahmeer think when he'll see her alone? Did he know about the circumstances of their wedding? He was there at Saman's nikkah. Maybe he did. Mariyam at-least didn't know. What was Haya supposed to tell her best friend? That she had a lousy family .That her family had abandoned her when she needed them the most. Mariyam had assumed that Taimoor was so in love that he wanted to get married to her as soon as possible. That he had been in love with her since forever. Haya didn't correct her. It was better that way, with Mariyam not knowing the real circumstances of her marriage. Haya didn't want her best friend to pity her. Taimoor and his pity had covered all the lifetime quota she had reserved for pity. She did not want more.

The dilemma she was in, was that Haya couldn't ditch the functions because of Mariyam. She had to be there for her big day. She had already withheld the truth of her marriage from her. Ditching Mariyam's wedding celebration would make her a shitty excuse of a friend. But the fact that people would ask her about Taimoor and his whereabouts and what was she going to say, were driving her nuts.

Saying, she didn't knew when her husband was returning. That he probably and actually had left to avoid her, was way too down on her list .Although it was true.

After an hour of debating and reasoning, Haya decided to go to the Mehndi. She had to . She couldn't abandon it because her husband wasn't here, and she felt incomplete.

Haya decided to wear a black full length a-line frock with golden embroidery. Coincidentally , it was Taimoor who had gotten her this dress.

Not so much of a coincidence if you ask me. You literally hand-picked it Haya, her alter ego stated. Haya's alter-ego was a b***.

OKAY . He loves black. And so do I. Not a big deal, she told herself .

Who are you trying to fool? Her alter ego asked.

Ignoring her alter ego, Haya busied herself with getting ready .She tied her hair in a messy bun and secured them with a jhora stick. After applying light makeup and wearing the golden jumka's she was good to go.

Haya had asked Bua to accompany her to the Mehndi, because she didn't want to go alone. Ali drove them to the farmhouse Mariyam's family had rented. Bua on the ride, told her that she looked elegant and the dress suited her so much. She had kissed Haya's forehead, gave sadqah to the beggar who had approached them on a closed signal. All that to protect Haya from evil eye, little did Bua know that evil eye's of Tai and Salman had already ruined her.

"Salam aunty ", Haya said hugging Mariyam's mother who gave her a lung squashing hug. After meeting and greeting everyone, she went to Mariyam's room.

Mariyam who was so in love and actually happy , looked radiant. It was confusing since Haya knew that Mariyam too was forced into the marriage. Maybe forced wasn't the right word. Pushed! Yes, she was definitely pushed into this commitment.

Mariyam had always been the mature one out to the two , so maybe she had decided and accepted her pre-decree(Qadar) . If Mariyam was acting then she was hell of an actress as she had fooled Haya.

Haya helped her with jewelry as her makeup was already done. Mariyam was wearing a magenta lehnga which had green and orange embroidery. She looked exquisite. "Here goes the jumka. Now you are done M. You are the prettiest bride I know. I am so happy for you", Haya said and she smiled. Her eyed glittery with the tears.

"Do you want me to cry?" Mariyam asked her.

Haya was about to reply when Mariyam's little cousin barged into the room chanting that the groom and his family were here.

Soon it was time for the bride's entry. Thankfully no one had yet asked Haya about Taimoor. Haya helped Mariyam with her lehnga as she guided her to stage. Shahmeer, stood up as he saw Mariyam making her way from the crowd and offered her his hand which Mariyam gladly took after a moment of hesitation. Everyone hooted and cheered for the couple.

Why did her heart ache so much? Why did she suddenly feel like crying? The emotions clogged her throat .She was feeling lonely in the sea of people . She excused herself as she went to get a glass of water from the table which was far from the stage and less crowded, to calm her nerve.

Haya was drinking water as she looked at the happy couple from afar and smiled.

"Miss me? " A whisper in her ear sent a wave of shiver through her body. She didn't have to turn to know who it was .She could feel him .He was here! Only he had this sort of power over her. HE IS HERE. Her mind screamed. "Yes! I missed you. A little too often, a little too much and a little more with every passing second. You never left my mind .At night I'd wake up scared and I wanted to call you ,tell you that, 'I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can.' . You grew on me like a malignant tumor. And you have spread through me . You are in my heart. Tumor, because I didn't want it .You annoy me. But I got too used to that and YOU. Guess what they were right when they said it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Adadat ho gae hai,mujhe ( It had become a habit. ) "

This and so much more that she wanted to say. But the thought of him brushing her off held her. She was a burden; he had accepted gracefully. She kept forgetting that he hated her guts. That he pitied her. So, she guarded herself and lied as the tears formed in her eyes.

"Miss you ? I was actually enjoying myself." She said turning to face him. Taimoor was wearing a plain black sherwani which though was coincidental but still they were twining. It bought a smile to her face. He was looking handsome as always . Actually, he looked more attractive now that his stubble had grown an inch longer. It suited him. His hair were longer than they were the last time ,she had seen him. Seeing him standing there so close to her, made her heart pound faster. She looked everywhere except at him. The consequences of last time were enough to teach her a lesson.

"Next time when you plan to lie , please don't bite your lips. They give you away", he said as he smirked. Jerk . Okay! Maybe, she did bite her lips whenever she lied. She was always nervous of getting caught red handed with the lie that she had to bite her lips to avoid the smile. And well now, she did get caught.

He knew she missed him. The best she could do was escape. So, she turned away from him. Planning to flee when a hand got hold of her arm , and pulled her back. Haya's back collided with his well-built chest. With her back , touching his chest Haya was pressed against him, she could smell his cologne. God .She had missed him so much.

"If I were stupid enough , I would think you wore this dress because you missed me. You look prefect there is this just one thing I would love to change." He whispered in her ear. His voice was so husky, it was making her body quiver with this sensation that was so foreign, yet so pleasant.

Pulling the joora pin out of her hair, he said "Now you look perfect." Her naturally wavy hair fell around her shoulders and then released her. And then she ran trying to put as much distance between them as she could.

Haya was overwhelmed. Taimoor was here. He is here. Her mind kept screaming. It was like someone had added colors to the black and white life. Fragrance to the flowers. She suddenly felt complete. With her hair down and a bright smile, she made her way to Mariyam. Maybe she had went easy on him. She had forgiven him already. She didn't care where he was before. All that mattered was that he was here now. With her !

"You look different. You look happy." Mariyam commented. "Oh, it's the hair. And of course, I am happy. My best friend is getting married." Haya told Mariyam as she gave her a bright smile. Mariyam wanted to argue that it wasn't the hair. But she let it go.

"Hey man. I have been waiting for you since an hour. What were you doing? These bridesmaids are giving me hell of a time " Shahmeer asked . Haya turned to find Taimoor behind her.

"Nothing, just got back from Karachi an hour ago. Drove home changed and her I am . And if you are talking about my wife , she's from our side." Taimoor said giving Shahmeer an high five.

Mariyam opened her mouth to argue again but then she closed it again. While Haya was rooted to the spot. His wife . Whom he had totally and completely forgotten about. Haya wasn't angry just annoyed still she just couldn't ignore how "my wife" had pulled the strings of her heart.

After the dinner was served , the yard was arranged into a play area of couples. It was a game to check their compatibility and understanding. Every one was participating . Thanks to Shahmeer and Mariyam , Haya and Taimoor were forced to take part too.

First it was the staring contest. Haya, thought she could do it all day. It wasn't a big deal they did that all the time. The couple who looked away or broke the eye contact lost. Last 10 couples left would make it to the next round.

The game began ,Haya looked into Taimoor's black orbs .And she was lost. His eyes were so black and deep. There were tons of black eyes. Black was a common eye color but only his made her completely unaware of the surrounding. She could feel him looking inside her soul. She was planning to look away because it was getting way too sensual and awakening her . When she heard his voice, " I know what you are planning to do. Just please don't look away. I am very competitive. And I don't want to lose . I'll agree to whatever ask me to do in exchange of this ," He pleaded. His eyes never leaving her's. Now that was an offer she couldn't refuse. "Anything?" Haya asked . Her eyes not leaving his. "Anything". He replied. God, even his voice was stirring her up.

After what felt like eternity of him looking at her ,they finally made it to the next round. Did she want to win? She never really cared about winning. Maybe she'd be interested if she was winning against Taimoor. Like an argument or coming up with some smart-ass comeback, for which she had a mental score card and brownie points. Now that they were working together , like really together as a team , she wasn't feeling competitive . At-least not until one of Mariyam's cousin said "Babe, They'll be eliminated in the next round. I know them. They are opposite. Like fire and water. Taimoor doesnt care much about his wife. They didn't even arrive together. " and snickered like it was some kind of sick joke. Okay dude . You don't get to pass comment on my partner. And even though she knew Taimoor and her were a crap couple, who the hell was plastic barbie , to point that out.

Asshole or not ,only she got to call her trash "trash". Haya thought. And what does it matter if Taimoor didn't care. Haya did care. And it was enough for now.

As the preparations were made for the next round Haya faced Taimoor ,"Now it's about honor. We fight till our last breath. Istg Taimoor, if we lose you'll pay." Haya told Taimoor with a determined face. She really wanted to win now. Taimoor laughed in her face which was music to her ears. Like a real laugh which made his iris sparkle and those happy lines appearing around his eyes . It confused Haya . Few minutes ago, he was asking her that he wanted to win. And now he was laughing in her face when she demanded the same. "Easy there, Tiger you sound like you are going on war . Did you watch 300 while I wasn't around." ,he said in between his laughs.

"No , how could I? I missed you so much that I settled for Mr. Bean. ", Haya said as she rolled her eyes.

"Awww " he said as he pouted . Placing his hand on her check . "Did you? " He asked his face was so close to her's. She could feel his breath on her face. Finding it hard to function, Haya blinked. "Did I what ? " She asked as she took her lower lip between her teeth .Her heart was galloping like a wild Mustang in the fields of Montana. She perfectly knew what he was asking. But if she did admit that she missed him , he'd forever throw that "missed you" in her face. Something Haya couldn't afford. So she decided to play dumb. Even if she hadn't decided to act dim witted right now to avoid confrontation, she still would have come out as an idiot, due to the close proximity. Him being close, always made her lose her wits.

Taimoor inched closer. He was in her face right now. She'd just move her neck upwards and their lips would touch. Finding it hard to breath and hard to operate , she just stared. Until he dipped. With his lips near her ear , he whispered " Did you really ... watch Mr bean . I thought you grew up..." He said and gave her a smirk. Devil was toying with her. "YOU... " Haya began only to be interrupted by someone.

The second round was going to be a double charade. They were some movie names written on the paper for couples. They had to make their spouse get it without saying out the name of the movie. By quoting a dialogue or acting it out. They weren't allowed to reveal the whole plot or the names of the actors in the movie. Whosoever guessed all movies first, wins. The first 5 couples made it to the next round. Each of them were given a bowl of full of movies, they had to act out.

"Are you going ? Or should I go act ?",Haya asked him. "I'll guess.... You go for it, Tiger ." Taimoor said giving her a thumbs up he settled on the stool.

Haya felt like she was in race aiming for some Olympic gold medal. She took a deep breath and withdrew a chit. It said "The Godfather."

Haya had watched this movie with her brother, Hassan. Hassan, who didn't even call her. Hassan who never checked up on her. She knew some of the dialogues by heart. Hoping and praying he knew them too, she said:

"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."