Yesterday I went grocery shopping (with masks and all ) and some guy's mother yelled 'Taimoor'. Took all my self control in not looking back at the guy named Taimoor. We can only hope that he was a cutie and a gentleman like our Taimoor (Not ours actually Haya's) Khair the point is I haven't met a guy named Taimoor . Only Taimoor I know is from Cesur ve Güzel which aired on Urdu one as Ek Haseena Ek dewana !!! .... Khair the note just got long lmao . SORRRYYYY !! I have the ability to easily to jump the topics and ramble....

Happy readingggg you alll !!!!

"I can babysit , Ferozey . You guys go for the shopping. I feel under the weather. I'll come with you guys for shopping tomorrow," Haya lied giving everyone an apologetic forced smile.

She was trying her best to avoid Tai and everyone. Even though she had decided to man up instead of stowing away. Fatefully, she hadn't meet the people she was avoiding and she wanted to keep it that way.

It's been two days since , she came to Lahore and she hadn't met any of her family or received any call. The love and care Phupho showered on her made her less weary of the situation .Haya knew, she couldn't avoid her family forever. But at-least she could avoid them for now. I really don't want to go shopping.I am not avoiding Tai or anything. Haya told her alter ego who was mocking her for being a scared little cat. But she knew she was lying to herself . And actually avoiding shopping which she loved because Tai was going to be there.

While on the other-side Ferozey was going to keep her occupied and spirited. Her mind didn't wonder into countless directions when Ferozey was with her. Ferozey was such a delight to be around. Aiman appa and Uzair bhai were so blessed to have such an amazing kid. She was a bundle of sunshine and Haya really needed some sunshine to her dark days. So, Haya volunteered for her babysitting service.

Haya had expected Aiman Appa to object but by the looks of her, Aiman appa had looked rather relived at her offer. Phupho never did pressurize her into doing something ,which Haya did not feel like doing. So, Haya , knew there were no objection coming from her side. To support the earlier claim, Phupho hadn't even insisted on Haya calling her "Ammi" instead of Phupho . Or Taimoor's father, Phopha sahab as 'Abu' who treated Haya like his daughter; patted her head in the fatherly manner every morning when she made chai for him. He reminded Haya a-lot of Baba Jani which was another sour topic for her, she didnt want to think about.

Giving Aiman ,Saman and Phupho bright smiles, Haya and Ferozey waved them farewell as the car left the garage and disappeared on the road . And they both released a breath of relief looking at each other with a mischievous knowing smile . They both didn't want to go shopping and both of them had their own reasons. Little did Haya know that Ferozey's reason was far exciting and thrilling then her's.

"Tia(Aunt in Spanish) , I want to go the festival. Can we pretty please?" Ferozey pleaded for the umpteenth time. Ferozey had been going on about it , after few minutes of her mother's departure. Haya eyed the kid. She was too smart. Had the kid really planned it ? Ditching her mother to go to the fair which her mother had refused to take her too, since she was busy with her sister's wedding prep. Haya gazed at the little devil with wonder. No wonder Aiman Appa had decided to seize the day and had left Ferozey under her care. With Ferozey, Aiman had her hands full no wonder she wanted to be relieved from the responsibility for few hours.

Taimoor had come up with 'Tia' because , which was easy to pronounce for Ferozey. Since Haya didn't like to be called Momani and had complained that Momani just didn't fit. And because Taimoor wasnt going to settle for Khala , they went for 'Tia' which became the middle ground for both of them. Haya loved that actually. 'Tia' sounded cute and so like her.

" Honey , you know I can't help you with that. I can't take you there." Haya replied as she added milk to the pan on stove, giving Ferozey that I-am-sorry-smile.

"What's up beanie ? What's with the sad face?" Taimoor asked as he entered the kitchen , grabbing a glass, he began filling it with water .

"I want to go to the festival; I saw that when we were coming here. Tia , refuses to go." Ferozey replied as she gave him her puppy dog look. Haya knew that look. She had herself mastered that look. Little Ferozey was such a little devil, the despondent look that she gave Taimoor would weaken any mans knees , Taimoor didn't stand a chance.

"What? I didn't refuse. I just said, I can't take you." Haya said as she set cup on the shelf. She was making chai for Phopha Sahab. Studying Taimoor , Haya gazed him as he chugged on water steadily, his adam's apple blobbed .

Who would have thought that pretty men sipping water could be such an inciting thing. Is he doing it on purpose ? Devouring it slowly ? No , I guess he is not . It proper etiquette to drink water in sips , instead of gulping it all in a one go. Haya dismissed the earlier accusation as she eyed him . Forgetting that she had a pan which was boiling with hot tea.

Haya was so busy staring him that she really would have burned herself or messed up the stove , if Taimoor hadn't stepped up and turned off the stove.He had actually shouted while he was at it giving Ferozey and herself quite a scare. Flustered Haya steered her gaze away from him, as she poured the tea in the cup.

Taimoor reflexes were quick like that. He'd grab and steady her before her clumsy self could take a fall. He legit would catch anything that she threw his way, in annoyance which used to annoy her some more. And God it pissed her , when his pillow would strike her on the face , nearly knocking her out while her's got caught every time , effortlessly and then he would give her a cocky smile which used to piss her someone. Right now she was thankful for his quick reflexes while he gave her the "Can you be a little more carefull look". The concern on his face , warmed her heart and her face too . THESE DAYS HE IS MAKING HER BLUSH ALOT !

What is your deal Haya? Have you not seen pretty men before? God you live with him, stop acting like a ninny when he is around. And staring is impolite for the love of GOD !! Haya lectured herself. But deep down she knew she had no control whatsoever that.

"I can take you there, Beanie. Anything for you" Taimoor said as he picked her up and took her in his arms.

"Sachi(truly)" ,she asked as she blinked, surprised that he would take her.

"Muchi", he replied as he kissed her cheeks and she giggled." It tickles". Ferozey laughed and kissed his cheeks which were covered in that stubble. Is it just me or do hot men get hotter when they are being cute with children? Haya smiled as she looked at the duo.

In his black shirt with those sleeves rolled up highlighting his well-toned arms and gray pants with top buttons of the shirt left undone, Taimoor looked too masculine and attractive for his own good. After shopping with him Haya had finally concluded that it wasn't that he got a shirt one size small to flex that well-toned body. The shirts just fit him perfectly because of his built. One size small was too small and one size large hanged on him looking unpleasant.

He really is quite handsome, she thought, forgetting for the moment what she wanted to say to him and what she was doing. She had read stories about the Knights and warriors who were rescued the damsels and thought Taimoor was surely a descendant, for he wasas noble as knights were reputed to be. His bone structure was well-defined from his highcheekbones to his gently squared chin. Yes, he was handsome all right and had surely caused many gurls to lose their hearts. That thought led to another. And she wondered if he had a sweetheart back in London.

"Tia, you coming? " Ferozey asked and Taimoor looked at her with "Are you?" expression.

Of course she was. Haya loved going to fairs and carnivals. She was just waiting for them to ask her. "If you will take me ? Sure" she said as she smiled again. And crabbed the cup which had tea as she headed out to find Phupa Sahab.

"We will wait for you outside. Don't take too long like last time." Taimoor said as he looked at Ferozey, who understood what he meant 'by last time' and gave him a knowing smile . The little devil.

Haya was so embarrassed that her cheeks flamed. Last time was intentional, she wanted to piss him off but right now she was too eager to go to the fair to be late. Taimoor left after grabbing his car keys, with Ferozey in his arms.

To say Haya was overwhelmed by the colors and the festivities of the fair would be the understating it . She was giddy with excitement while Ferozey danced up and down. It was crowded . People dressed up as Mickey mouse and different cartoons characters roomed around waving towards the kids who were excited.

"Okay Beanie calm down and you too kitty." Taimoor said as the went inside after showing the tickets. Haya just rolled her eyes. While Ferozey looked at Haya with the funny expression on as if approving the nickname , Taimoor had come up with . Haya was too busy staring at the ferris wheel and the stall from outside that she decided to ignore the fact that he had just called her 'kitty' infront of Ferozey.

Thank God ! I skipped the shopping trip. Haya thought as she eyed the festivities. She just couldn't wait to be inside. There were gas balloons ,cartwheels , merry go rounds and so many swings. And the games .And the cotton candy , and the lollipops and so much more. All those things made Haya forget that she wasn't a 6 anymore.

Little Ferozey couldn't see the festivities as there were people blocking her view , so Taimoor had to grab her and hold her over her shoulders while he held Haya's hand in the his other. His fingers intertwined with hers like a perfect fit. Completely satisfied that both the ladies were safe and around him , they went for the puppet show first.

Ferozey watched it with eyes open wide. And clapped her way through it while Haya , was too lost in the feel of Taimoor's hand which was now resting on her waist , pulling her too close to him. The body heat that came from him , warmed her cheeks. He did that whenever they were out . Maybe he really did think that she would disappear because , he never once let go of her when they were in the carnival. And she would have been lost if his strong but warm embrace didn't held her .

After Ferozey was completely exhausted by the rides she voiced that she wanted the spiral lollipops , and so the next stop was the lollipop stand. Both Haya and Ferozey wanted a giant spiral lollipop.

Taimoor smiled as he directed his gaze towards his ladies while he took cash out to pay for the lollipops. He paid for two lollipops. Haya's impulsiveness and childlike enthusiasm was refreshing. It made him question why all his life , he had hated it , instead of treasuring it. "MashAllah, cute family you got there, man," vendor told him as he handed over the change to Taimoor looking at Haya and Ferozey who laughed as highfived each others sitting on the bench close by. Their eyes were glinting and sparkling as they eyed the lollipops which he held.

"Yes , I do !" Taimoor said adding a "Thank you" later .Taimoor smiled as he looked at them .He didn't mean to sound so smug about it. He imagined Haya's mini lecture on manners and his problem of taking the compliments without politeness. She wasn't standing beside him otherwise he would have gotten a glare or a speech. Realizing that it was a douche of him to have reacted to the compliment that way he had added a Thank-You after it.

This was the Haya, Taimoor had known since ages. Carefree , naive and such a child. Haya and Ferozey were eyeing the gas balloons as they licked their lollipops and Taimoor wondered who was the older out of the two. Ferozey, came out as a winner . Smiling he went over to sit besides them on the bench. He was glad that he agreed to bring Ferozey to the fair. Since they came to Lahore ,Haya had been so stressed and out of her element . It was a getaway that she really needed and Taimoor was glad that he provided it.

"Can we please go for the shooting game now?" Haya asked him with a smile so bright that he would have been blinded by her if not already in love with her. He was in this deep , he realized. For a smile like that he could move the stars, shooting game was nothing in comparison .

"Sure, " he said as he grabbed her hand and took Ferozey in his arms. They headed over to the shooting alley. And Haya spotted a cute bear which was offered as a prize if they won, at the shelf in the back while Ferozey eyed the panda. Taimoor paid for the game as the man handed the gun to Haya, wishing her luck.

Taking a deep breath , Haya took the gun and closed her left eye as she concentrated on the cans which were the target. "Snap" and the first can fell on the ground with a thud.

"Yayyy Tia. Go for the next one."Ferozey cheered and clapped for her as Haya concentrated on the other tin which was far from the first one. With a snap that too fell on the ground as Taimoor stood there amazed by the shooting talent of his wife. She was good. She was one can away from getting the bear she really wanted. This last shot was a difficult one. And Haya's palms began sweating as she got nervous......Talking the final glance at it she pressed the trigger. The bullet launched , it did hit the can, but on side failing to knock it down. Haya watched the bullet hit the back of board as disappointment washed over her.

Taimoor was having difficulty believing what he'd just witnessed. After the first two shots, he'd thought the perfect aim she'd taken was but nothing but a fluke. He was forced to reevaluate that when she executed the next few shots. The aim was brilliant. She was brilliant.

"Well-done Miss, you really did good. You can have anything from this shelf, but I am sorry you don't win the teddy you really wanted. You can try again." He said as he gave her a sad smile.

"Thank you", Haya's cheeks turned red at the compliment and the fact that he saw her eyeing the teddy. Unlike Taimoor , Haya flustered everytime she got compliments. And everytime she would look so charmed and gratified as if the compliments were falsely put and she did no such thing worth the praise. She got uncomfortable with the praise , while Taimoor owned it like it was his birth right.

"Ferozey you can to choose. Choose anything that you want from there ",Haya told her as she pointed towards the second shelf which had stuffed Pandas ,Poohs and tigers which were comparatively small to the teddy she really wanted. "I want that panda." Ferozey pointed at the Panda and the man handed that over to her. "Her you go, kiddo." He said as he smiled at Ferozey who thanked him . Ferozey was having the time of her life. Her cheeks were now hurting from smiling . She kissed her Tia's cheeks thanking her for the panda.

" Why don't you try ? Get what your lady really wanted." The man said as he eyed Taimoor.

"I am not sure , I am not good. But you were great ." Taimoor he said he looked at her. And her cheeks go warmer . She arched her right eyebrow in that I-know-right expression. "I used to play Fortnite with Hassan. " Haya told him as she smiled remembering the days , she and Hassan spent hours hooked to the shooting game , while their mom complained of them being unproductive.

"Its completely understandable that you are not good. After all unlike us , you had better things to do instead of wasting time." Haya mocked him as she blew on the lock of hair which covered her right eye blocking her view of him .

Taimoor paid and took the gun with as he told her "game- on" while Haya held Ferozey in her arms who held on her Panda .

Taimoor shot the cans one after another with ease. It didn't take long for Haya to realize that he was a pro. The was lying the jerks when he said I am not good. And God , I had to flex. Haya thought.

The cans fell one after another with a clunk. He didn't even take much time like her .Just shot them in a breeze , without any trace of sweat unlike her . And handed over the gun back as he arched his brows in" you didn't see that coming" expression. "You said that you weren't good." Haya complained with an open mouth amazed by her talented jerk . "I was being polite. Plus, by I meant I am not good. I am best." He replied as he winked and took the teddy from the man who looked at the couple with adoration. "Here you go Miss. Good day" The man said as he handed over her the prize which Haya had been eyeing since the beginning.