It was Saman's Mehndi, Haya wore marigold orange kalidaar ,with organza dupata decorated with tilla marori borders that had tassles and chori daar pajama. She tied her hair in a braid and Aiman appa insisted on attaching the flowers to her braid. Taking, one last look in the mirror, Haya was ready to go down. But since she wanted to avoid everyone, she decided to go to Saman's room instead, where Saman was getting her mehndi done.

Until now , no one had questioned why Haya had still not visited her parents or why Hassan didn't come to meet her. They all were so busy with the wedding preps, that the thought never occurred to them.

"Bhabhi, you'd be excited to meet the Mamu jaan and Momani jaan finally right? I am sorry, you were so busy with the preparations you didn't get a chance to meet them " Saman apologetic voice called. Bhabhi still made her cringe internally. But Saman insisted on calling her 'bhabhi' despite Haya's countless protests.

Out of everyone , Saman was the only one , who saw how much her brother was in love with Haya. Hell , she saw it since the beginning. She saw it when they both had concealed it under the rug of hatred. She saw it when Haya pretended to be uninterested whenever she talked about Taimoor, despite paying attention to each and every word. And god damned she was so happy when her brother had finally married Haya. Only a fool could miss, her brother's lovingly eyed Haya when she wasn't looking . And Saman was no fool.

"umm yeah I am. And no, I actually loved and enjoyed helping Phupho with the wedding stuff . You know me !",Haya said as she gave her a tight smile. Saman didn't know how nervous Haya was today about meeting her family. Would her Mother hug her when she saw her? And Baba jani would her reply when she would greet them? Or were they going to give her a cold shoulder? And Hassan , how was he going to react? These questions fogged her mind.

"Bhabi ,my Mehndi is done you go for it now." Saman said as she instructed the girl who had applied mehndi on her hands to apply mehndi on Haya's . Haya was thankful for it .This way she could just stay in the room for a little longer instead of going out and greeting everyone.A task which she was dreading.

Haya sat there lost in the thoughts. How was she going to face everyone today ? What would she say? And how was she going to avoid Salman? All the question's hazed her mind while Saman got her makeup done. "What name should I write?" the girl asked as she looked up at Haya, who was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't get the question. Haya stared the girl with confusion hoping that she would repeat while the girl waited for her answer.

"Taimoor" replied Saman for her.She winked as she said (You are still shy,Sister in law) "and Haya blushed . (I get all flustered now. It wasn't like that before. ) Haya wanted to respond but she decided against it. Can't talk such stuff with your sister-in-law and get more embarrassed.

The hair stylist curled Saman's hair into lose waves. Saman wore a yellow embellished long Pishwas with sharara. She was a vision in that yellow dress. Her flower jewelry which Bua had made looked pretty . Bua was gifted.

Bua had travelled to Lahore one week after their arrival. And Phupho and Bua hit off. Phupho appreciated how much Bua had taken care of them when she couldn't and she never failed to show Bua the gratitude which she had in her heart.

Haya's mehndi was done when Phupho dressed in a light lime dress knocked on the door as she came inside. "( Evil eyes off. My daugher in law is pretty ), Phupho said as she took her balain and kissed her forehead. It was the first time she referred to her as bahu and Haya blushed. It was something Haya had been doing lately whenever someone referred to her with Taimoor's reference.

Phupho, looked behind Haya to find Saman who was getting her lip color done. And a pool of tears formed in her eyes.

(May Allah protect my Saman from evil gazes)",Phupho said as she went forehead and kissed her, wiping her tears while Saman whined "Ammi" seeing her mother cry. Haya couldn't help but smile seeing the mother daughter duo.

".(Come on , everyone is inquiring about you . Even Taimoor had asked many times) "Phupho told her as she smiled. Haya blushed at the mention of Taimoor's name and Phupho laughed as she looked at the beat red face of Haya.

What was with Haya and blushing every-time someone mentioned Taimoor? She never blushed before at the mention of him. What was wrong with her lately? She was acting smitten . God, was she smitten? Maybe she shouldn't have kissed his cheeks. Since that day she hadn't been able to look him in the eye without remembering the feel of her lips against his cheeks. And god the tingles his stubble had sent down her spine ,left a zoo of butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought about it.

Haya accompanied Phupho outside in the lawn which was decorated with Gainda(Marigold) and other yellow flowers accompanied by the yellow fairy lights .

Phupho introduced her to some aunties who were the family friends and couldn't attend the nikkah or valima as it was family affair. (Wow Tahira , your daughter in law is so beautiful. No wonder you hid such a moon like beauty) Aunty complimented her Phupho. Phupho had laughed in response while Haya had gotten all flustered. She had never considered herself pretty. NEVER. And all the compliments were making her giddy. She was already nervous.

Haya greeted everyone as she roamed around in the lawn . She probably won't remember the name of aunties who she had greeted, by the end of the function. Her nerves were giving her a tough time. Feeling someone's gaze on herself, Haya looked around to find no one looking at her way. Strange ! She mused as she continued greeting the guests.

Haya was relived when she found out that Tai's family wasn't coming. They had to go to the nikkah of Tai's niece and they had excused . Luck was on her side. She was so thankful that they weren't coming , she had actually smiled when the news was delivered to her. It was like someone had lifted a boulder from her chest. Now she could breathe freely and most of all enjoy the Mehndi instead of being weary.

Smiling , Haya made her way to Ferozey who wore a yellow ghara and red dupatta looking so cute that Haya wanted to hug the life out of her. Ferozey was looking around through the crowd as if searching for someone when Haya reached her. Bending down on her knees, Haya asked her what or who she was looking for. "Tia, where were you? We were looking for you." Ferozey asked as her eyes settled on Haya and she shook her head in acknowledgment .

"We?" Haya asked all curious. Aiman appa was looking for her?

"Me and Mamo. Mamo keh rahay thay subha say app gayab hai.(You have disappeared since morning)" Ferozey said as she looked at her with those little accusing eyes. God, she was so like Taimoor. It was such a wonder how Haya had missed that before.

Are our children going to take after him too? How am I going to manage stubborn to fault copies of Taimoor roaming around. They'd be bossy as hell , throwing tantrums here and there, like they own the world. Haya found herself wondering. They maybe bossy , but they'll be the cutest , most adorable kids .

And then she blushed as she realized where her thoughts had led her. God what had gotten into her? She had just imagined a family with him, where he was going to spoil his daughter and she would let him.

Because no matter what everyone tells you , it's father's love and support that changes a girls life. Mothers dot upon their daughters but there is some special power to dad's love. It makes you independent and strong. Knowing that your father is always going to be at your back to pull you up when you take the fall , makes you invincible. That was the case for Haya , until her father had refused to believe her.

"You look beautiful Tia,I want to be like you." Ferozey said as she leaned forward to kiss her cheeks pulling Haya away from the edge of cliff named 'bad memories'. Now the compliment from Ferozey was close to her heart. Not the beautiful part but 'be like you' part. Actually, whole of it had touched her heart. Haya smiled as her cheeks got red.

"You applied Mehndi too)" Ferozey asked as she showed her showed her little hands which had mehndi on it. "Yess" Haya replied as she showed Ferozey, her hands who gasped in shock. ?(Why is your darker)" She asked as the compared the colors of both of their mehndi's. (Mine was different)" Haya replied as she brushed the topic off.

If it were some Aunty instead of Ferozey they would have showered her with "ohh, her husband loves her alot. Kitna ghera rang aya hai(the color is so dark)", or (Or the color if the mehndi tells why Taimoor married her in such a rush)" kind of garbage. Taimoor didn't love her. DID HE ? Haya wondered as she held Ferozey's pinky finger. Haya found herself wishing for the love of Taimoor. They were married. It was logical to wish for his love.Was it not ?

The function was going in the full swing when her parents arrived forcing Haya to hide behind the pillar. Too much for putting up the brave face. She couldn't muster up the courage to go to them and greet them . She feared the worse . Being ignored by them would have broken her and so she had decided to save herself from that heart break by hiding from them. They won't see her, they wont be able to ignore her, she wouldn't feel devastated. It was a stupid plan , a plan only a half-wit could come up with but it was her plan alright.

Haya was stealing glances at her Baba Jani who sat beside Phupho Sahab. He looked old and sad. It broke her heart to see him like that. His shoulders which were usually staunch with pride were now shagged as if he had just suffered a great loss . Haya noticed her father's eyes which looked cold and distant . He was smiling at something Phupa Sahab had said but that smile didn't reach his eyes. There smiling lines that appeared around his eyes were gone. Haya felt her heart clench. Had she done this to her father? She hadn't but still she felt guilty.

"What are you doing her? " a voice asked, startling her as she jumped with fright. "Don't you know I get scared easily? " She asked as she faced Taimoor who was wearing an orange kurta. It had become his habit to startle the life out of her. But he wasn't at fault completely since she was the one who was so lost in her thoughts to notice his arrival.

Phupho had bought their clothes for the wedding and color coordinated them because they were "newly-weds". And instead of looking Pindi, in that bright orange paired with white pajama that highlighted his long lean legs, he was looking handsome. The kurta and white pajma did suit him. It was beyond her how he managed to still look masculine in that orange kurta. But he did.

"Are you trying to avoid me ?" , He asked as he eyed her ,coming closer. "No! Why would I avoid you? Do , I owe you anything to avoid you" Haya stammered the last part. She wanted to escape but she couldn't. Her back was already touching the pillar , so there was no way she could move back , to be a safe distance for him.

The plan of escaping went down the drain when Taimoor rested both his hands on the pillar sandwiching her between the pillar and himself, thus caging her and hindering her plan of fleeing .

"No, it's the other way around. I owe you something." His husky voice was like a caress. Haya, felt light head . He was standing so close all she could feel was him and his cologne.

"You do ?" Haya looked at him trying to figure out what he was talking about. The glint in his eyes told her that he was going to say something ludicrous. And she was eager to hear what it was.

"Uh hun" He said as he nodded. He wasn't even touching her but she could feel the cold shivers travelling down her spine. She hated the pauses and the time he was wasting. While he was completely enjoying her discomfort.

.(Then give it , I have work to do) " Haya told him. Little did she know what she was asking for. She even held her hand out for whatever he was going to give her. But instead her leaned in.

His face inched closer to her , so close that she could try to count his laches , if she concentrated hard. But how could she focus , when all she could think about him . Him , being this close. Haya stared in his dark as night eyes, trying to think of something , anything to get away from him. But all she could think of was his lips which looked inviting. Haya didn't know that she was staring at his lips. But she was , and truth be told she was anticipating a kiss.

Her chest rose and fell in anticipation. He should either leave or get done with whatever he wanted to do .Taimoor always left her hanging. (Either is yes or no. But for Taimoor it was all about ego. ) She knew he was toying with her and she was allowing it.

Leaning in Taimoor went pass her face and stopped when his mouth was beside her ears. Haya could feel his breath fanning her ears.

"Mehndi lagwai hai tumnay?(You got Mehndi?)" He asked . Haya could feel the laughter in his voice. He was enjoying her discomfort.

"( Shouldn't have get it done?)" She asked as she pushed him away. Her voice was rich which irritation. She knew she was being obtuse, but she just couldn't handle Taimoor right now. She already had so much on her plate. Him being close was driving the remaining sense out of her. And she needed her wits for the rest of the function.

Taimoor grabbed her gajray adorned hands which were read with henna. In those months married to her, he had never seen her wearing bangles. She didn't like them . And being her clumsy self , it was a good thing she avoided them . He didn't want her falling and getting those bangles piercing or slashing her skin. While gajray on the other hands were something she loved and he did too.

" I swear Taimoor this isn't time for one of your games. Nazar nai araha lagwai hai .(Cant you see it there). Now let me go." Haya whispered as he traced her palms with his fingers. He was testing her patience and she was no monk or man of clothe to endure that without losing her calm.

Staring in her eyes he whispered:

Tere Chehre Se Nazar Hat Ti Nahi Kya Ham Kare

Ham Toh Deewane Ho Gaye Hain Sanam Kya Ham Kare)

(TRANSLATION of Urdu above: I Can't Take My Eyes Off Your Face, what do I do

I have gone nuts , beloved what do I do )

[NOTE: i tried translating this one. But it is a crappy translation. I am sorry for that]

And Haya was gone. She was lost in the black hues of his eyes. God, she should have avoided it but she couldn't. There are times when your sanity is stopping you but you don't listen to it . It was one of those moments for Haya. She got flustered as the shair finally made sense to her. God what had gotten into him lately , but whatever it was , she wanted it to stay !!! Foreverrr !

" ( Are you done?) she asked trying her best to look pissed but her lips curled into a smile as he cheeks got red.

(Some of it is left. ) He replied, she could feel the amusement in his voice even though his face was dead serious.

Get done with it . Then)Haya replied enjoying herself. She shouldn't be entertaining him , but right now it felt right. And when it feels right in your heart , you should go for it. That was something her father had taught her. To always follow her heart .

( Hamesha huey dekh kar mujh ko barham

Kisi din zara muskura kar to dekho)

(ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Forever my sight offended you

Perhaps someday direct a smile my way?)

"What have gotten into you lately Taimoor ? Tabiyat thek hai ?( Are you Ill ?)" Haya asked concern dripping from her voice as she moved forward to touch his forehead while he gave her the playful smile which got straight to her heart.

ye jo halkaa halkaa suruur hai

ye terii nazar kaa qusuur hai)

(ENGLISH Translation :This mild intoxication

is because of your eyes)

He whispered. His eyes were dancing and he looked amused as as searched her face for reaction. If Haya wasn't already red , she did redden now.

Trying to mask her embarrassment , she cleared her throat. "Who are you and what have you done with my Taimoor". She asked with the her defense mechanism back into functionality .

He grinned at her in response. The grin was so easy going , coaxing her to smile at him. But before her lips could curl into one, he opened his mouth.

"Your huh ? I am liking the claim." He said cocking a brow at her which was followed by his rougish smile.The smile that one offers after getting a 'you are hot' kind of a compliment.

Ajeeeb. Why did you have to call him my? Now bare the cockiness. Masla kya hai tumhara Haya.(What is wrong with you Haya) . Her alter ego was thrashing her. But all Haya could see were his white teeth. He should model for closeup . No bad breaths , plus the white teeth while the "Passs aoo meri sanso main samao" closeup song plays in the background.

It was getting out of hand for Haya. She was already nervous, the sense which were there had left her thanks to the closeness and his flirtatious words. He was good with words. She had to give that to him .