I noticed it that bhai and bhabhi weren't on good terms. But, Amma asked me not to interfere on their matters . According to her, married couples goes through lots of ups and downs before finally fitting into the role perfectly.

Bhai's reception ended with the announcement of my nikah with Umar the next day.

The nikah was about to happen in simple way.

Rukhsati date will be announced later.

I was anxious the whole night. I paced around my room till Amma came to me and tugged me under the blanket.

I will soon be away from my loving, caring mother. She can understand everything about me without even me telling her.

I will miss her.

After talking to Ayat, I asked my lawyer about the procedure of registration of the house.

My lawyer said that it's simple and he will help me with the paper works.

I thanked him and thought to talk about this to mom.

As much as I know her, she will surely not be hurdle in my way. And my father has never been interested in my matters.

My father and my elder brother has always been way to busy with their business works.

I called mom and asked her to meet me in front of the reception venue next day.

I thought to take her in some alone peaceful place and tell her my decision.

She agreed not after constantly pestering me to tell her right then and there. But, anyways she gave up when I didn't spill any beans.

Throughout the reception, Haroon has been behaving rudely with me.

I don't know what's his problem but his forehead was decorated with the frowns the whole time whenever he looked at me.

He is the one who lied to me.

He is the one who loves someone else and married to me.

He is the one who is behaving rudely and arrogantly with me.

Among all these bad things one good thing happened and that is announcement of Zara's and Umar bhai's nikah.

I knew it before from the way Zara behaved in front of Umar bhai that she has been nurturing feelings for him.

I'm happy she got her love.

I wish Umar bhai love and cherish her his whole life.

"Sleep on the couch, I can't sleep in my study on daily basis."Haroon's harsh word snapped me out.

I was sitting on the bed after changing into my comfortable pj's with still my hijab on.

" I said sleep on the couch. I can't keep standing the whole night. I have work tomorrow as you have been informed about Zara's nikah, you must know."His tone was harsher this time.

I looked at his blazing eyes.

What does he thinks of himself??

Bloody mannerless jerk.

I was going to sleep on the couch anyways but now see mister I'm not a puppet to dance on the gesture of your fingers.

" I will sleep here....... on the bed. If you have problem you can go and sleep wherever you want."I said in apparently soft and calm voice and laid on the left side of the bed ignoring his cold as well as fiery glare.

"This is my bed, so kindly get up or I will throw you out of the room."He growled at me.

"Since I'm married to you, this is officially my bed as well."I said trying to stop my fake yawn.

"I guess you have researched a lot about husband and wife relationship. Do you know beside owning everything husband possess what else is wife suppose to do or rather I should say what wife give to her husband in return?" He said sitting beside me in a husky tone.

What the hell?!!!

"I'm sleepy. Please let me at least have a peaceful sleep."I said covering myself from head to toe with the blanket.

"You don't have answer or you don't want to give?"He asked me sarcastically.

I thought to ignore this mad man and pretend to sleep.

I heard his sardonic laugh before feeling the bed bedside me dipping and a tug on the blanket.

"Good night wifey. Stay in your side, I won't mind though but I know you don't like me."These were his last word I heard before drifting into sleep.

The whole time my mood was foul. I thought at least she will realize her mistake and apologize to Amma.

She isn't even a little bit like Haya phuppo.

Ah, how kind and loving she was.

After our reception dada jaan decided to announce Zara's and Umar's nikah on the very next day.

Umar never confessed about his feelings but his odd behavior after hearing about Zara's nikah gave everything out.

And the shy and happiness radiating smile Zara gave after the announcement was enough for me to know her heart's secret.

I wish them a happy and prosperous life ahead from the core of my heart.

After the reception was over we all headed towards the haweli along with our extended families and friends, as they decided to be witness of Zara's and Umar's nikah.

According to dada jaan's wish the nikah ceremony will be held in the haweli itself.

I sighed in relief when I was done with changing my clothes from tuxedo to track suit and came out of the closet.

I saw Nayab sitting on the bed in her Pj's with hijab on, engrossed in her thoughts.

She is looking cute in her pink and white Pj's.

Why do I have to think about her in that way, when she has been the cause of suspicion on my character, she has been the cause of Amma's heart attack, she has been the cause of dada jaan's little interrogation about what I did to make her cry.

I've never been this humiliated in my whole life.

Suddenly her presence felt unbearable for me.

I love her but I can't continue to love her over my broken pieces of self respect and ego.

"Sleep on the couch, I can't sleep in my study on daily basis."I told her harshly snapping her out from her dream land.

When I got no response from her, I repeated myself this time more harsher than before.

" I said sleep on the couch. I can't keep standing the whole night. I have work tomorrow as you have been informed about Zara's nikah, you must know."

She looked at me and from the way my eyes were burning I knew they must be blazing showing the anger hidden inside me.

" I will sleep here....... on the bed. If you have problem you can go and sleep wherever you want."She said in apparently soft and calm voice and laid on the left side of the bed ignoring my fiery glare.

This girl is really getting on my nerves.

"This is my bed, so kindly get up or I will throw you out of the room."I growled at her.

"Since I'm married to you, this is officially my bed as well."She said trying to stop her yawn ignoring my glare completely.

She very well remember about her rights on me and on my things but what about mine rights on her.

"I guess you have researched a lot about husband and wife relationship. Do you know beside owning everything husband possess what else is wife suppose to do or rather I should say what wife give to her husband in return?" I said sitting beside her in a husky tone.

Her reaction was priceless.

"I'm sleepy. Please let me at least have a peaceful sleep."She said covering herself from head to toe with the blanket basically escaping from my question.

"You don't have answer or you don't want to give?"I asked her sarcastically.

She ignored me completely and pretended as if she was fast asleep.

I laughed at her sardonically before slipping inside the blanket beside her.

"Good night wifey. Stay in your side, I won't mind though but I know you don't like me."These were my last word I said before drifting into sleep.

As expected, mom was happy on my decision.

She said she had discussed about the nikah date with Ayat's grandma and she wanted it to happen in her home.

Date wasn't finalized. According to mom, we have to go to Ayat's home properly with the proposal.

So, I guess we have to wait till they returned to their home after Zara's and Umar's nikah.

It's been a week since me and grandma returned from the haweli.

Grandma was waiting for Huma Aunty and Shahid Uncle as they were suppose to come for my hand for their son Anas the day before yesterday.

But they didn't come and neither their call.

I don't know why I was disappointed but I should have known it that no one can accept a simple and average girl like me with one extra responsibility.

Whenever I see grandma's eyes twinkling with every doorbell and becoming sad the next second of opening the door, I feel like killing that flirty liar with my bare hands.

"Ayat, why are you not eating your breakfast?"Grandma's worried voice brought me back in the present.

"Ah, umm..... grandma, I'm done. I've to go now. My lovely restaurant must be waiting for me."I said getting up on my feet and kissed her cheek before taking my purse and moving out of the house hiding my red stinging eyes with goggles.

My interest in cooking became my passion as the time passed by.

So I thought to open PEACE CORNER restaurant when I was in second year of my graduation by selling my father's only car and my mother's jewelleries.

Since then, it's the only source of our income. It's a cozy restaurant with a little library as well.

It was hard for me to maintain the the whole restaurant alone so I hired a girl who was also in her graduation but was my junior.

But now we both are done with our graduation and willing to do the post graduation as well.

"Hello Ayat di(sister). How are you?" As usual Megha greeted me.

She was waiting for me outside the restaurant.

"Hello Megha . I'm fine what about you?" I repeated it as usual.

"I'm fine and ready for the hectic day ahead."She said entering the restaurant with a bright smile.

I smiled back at her.

" Come on let's start with the cleaning first."I said keeping the purse aside and started my usual work.

After the nikah Umar came to meet me in my room as my husband.

I was sweating and trembling visibly with his presence in front of me.

"You are looking beautiful, Masha_Allah."He said touching my cheek lightly making me shiver visibly.

I was looking down not able to meet his gaze.

"How am I looking?" I heard his question whilst his hand was still on my cheek.

I tried to say something but my voice was stuck in my throat.

His index finger and thumb went below my chin and forced it upward making me look at him.

"Look at me and answer my question."He said still forcing me to look at him.

"G.... Go.... Good."I finally said not able to control the stuttering.

He left me and his laugh spread all over the room making my heart skip a beat.

He came near me again.

"Congratulation for the nikah princess."He said engulfing me in a hug.

I wanted to congratulate him as well but his nearness didn't helped me with my speech.

He moved back a while later.

He cupped my face and leaned over me.

Oh my goodness!!!

Please my dear heart, have little mercy on me. Don't try to break my ribcage. I don't wanna die whilst my husband kiss me.

I felt his lips over my forehead. He kept it lingering there for while before moving back and winking at me.

"See you later princess,but I will call you tonight."He said before exiting my room leaving me with a complete red face and heavily pounding heart.

______

It's been two months of our marriage and we are still poles apart.

Mumma, baba was gone on the very next day of Zara's nikah. I cried a lot.

Haroon goes to office early in the morning before I wake up and come late night after I am fast asleep.

Initially, I wanted to work on our relationship but his cold demeanor didn't let me proceed.

Amma was fine but her weakness wasn't letting her to be completely fine.

Nana jaan was also busy working on the merging project of both Haroon's and his company.

Zara was either busy talking to Umar bhai or on her studies.

I wanted to join my job again but mumma said I shouldn't join it until Amma was fine and I agreed.

I was either busy reading or spending time with Amma talking to her.

After almost two weeks of our reception Ayat called me and informed me about her nikah with Anas bhai.

I was very happy for her.

They haven't done their reception. According to her they will give it soon.

I'm waiting to meet her soon.

After a tiring day, I was home again at evening . I saw a car parked near my house but I thought my lavishly rich relatives have paid visit to us.

They visit us quite frequently to give us their valuable suggestions about how I should behave like a girl and get married soon.

I was very tired so I thought to sneak towards my room without being noticed.

I succeeded in sneaking and thought to have a warm relaxing shower.

I put on simple white cotton kurti and white patiala salwar with white chiffon dupatta.

I was yawning whilst towel drying my hair.

Grandma is having a company so why not have a little beauty sleep.

I threw the towel on the study chair and laid on my bed lazily.

I was drowning into sleep when I heard continues bang on my door.

I opened my eyes and sighed tiredly.

Grandma as always come to know that I'm home.

How sad?!!!!!

I stood up tying my hair in a loose bun and covered them with my dupatta.

I opened the door and as usual grandma was there but the face before me wasn't usual. It was radiating with happiness, peace and what not. Her eyes were brighter than the stars.

"Assalam o Alaikum grandma."I greeted her with confused look.

" Ayat, get ready. They are here."She said pushing me aside and entered my room.

She was very excited for something but what that be?

And who are here?

She opened my covered and started searching for something.

" Grandma, what are you doing? Why I have to be ready?"I said coming to her.

She handed me my mother's heavy baby pink and white sharara suit.

"What's this grandma? I'm not gonna wear it to entertain your guest." I said stubbornly handing it back to her.

"Huma is here with her son Anas. They wanted to do the nikah now."She said it as if it was the normal thing to do.

Why all of sudden they are here?

" I don't wanna marry, specifically not that flirty guy."I said irritated.

"Don't call him flirty Ayat. They were about to come the very next after we reached here but Anas was caught up by a serious accident. He still has his left hand bandaged. "Grandma said this time in a scolding tone.

Serious accident?!!!!

I thought he was playing with my feelings and left me after all those promises of accepting me with grandma.

"They want the nikah today only because Anas's brother is going Australia tomorrow for more than a month and Anas want him to be in his auspicious day." She further informed me.

"And be ready."She handed me the sharara and pushed me towards the washroom.

I changed into it with lots of thoughts jingling inside my brain.

I came out and saw grandma waiting for me.

" Wear these jewelleries. Me and your mother made this when you were five. She wanted you to wear it on your nikah."She said wiping the corners of her eyes.

I sat in front of her and hugged.

I can't cry. I'm not weak.

Yeah, I'm not weak.

" Grandma, before nikah I want to meet Anas."I said to grandma because I wanted to talk to him.

" Ok, I will send him here but first wear these and do little makeup."She said before standing up.

I nodded.

After a while I heard a knock and after my permission he was there standing in front of me with a beautiful smile playing on his lips.

His left hand was really bandaged.

"You are already ready?" He asked me teasingly.

I ignored his mischievous comment and thought to talk about the serious things.

"I want to ask you something."I said monotonously.

" Shoot."He said sitting beside me on the bed.

" So, you will allow me to bring my grandma with me?"I asked him arching my brows.

He said nothing instead he slipped his right hand inside his kurta's pocket and took out some papers.

"The house we are suppose to live after marriage is already in grandma's name."He said handing me those papers.

" And...... I'm a man of my words."He continued with a serious face.

I was relieved to know that.

I can't trust his words without any prove.

" I know it will take time to gain your trust but nothing is impossible you know. "He said this time with a little smile.

I nodded.

" So ready for the nikah?"He asked me getting up.

" Yeah, I guess."I said handing him those papers after checking it thoroughly.

" Keep them with you."He said before exiting my room.

Before I knew I was tied with him in a sacred bond within one hour of our little chat.

Grandma was more than happy to see me finally married.

Beside Qazi sahab, there were Grandma, Aunty Huma, Uncle Shahid, Anas's brother Faizan bhai and his wife Zainab with their cute little two year prince Shaan.

Everyone congratulated me and Anas with lots of best wishes.

They were all very warm and welcoming.

I don't know but I didn't feel like shy and all.

We had our dinner together.

Grandma ordered everything before hand.

everyone except Anas left for their home.

According to the discussion on the dining table, Anas was suppose to live here for some days till he finds some good person to take care of the house. He will take me and grandma with him to his house after that.

Grandma was adamant on living here alone but everyone there succeeded on pursuing her to change her mind.

What about my restaurant?

I want to continue it.

"Are you busy planning our life together, angel?"I was cleaning the kitchen after changing into the previous white dress again whilst he was outside talking with someone on the phone.

Grandma was very tired so she already retired to the bed.

"No, I was thinking about my restaurant." I told him whilst drying the plates.

"What about the restaurant?" He said sitting on one of the dining chair.

"I don't want to leave my job."I told him tediously.

"You can continue it from our home as well. I will open one for you near our home."He said giving me solution.

He will really open restaurant for me!!!!

" No please, you don't have to do anything for me."I told him little hesitant.

" Oh come on. You are my wife and I'm suppose to fulfill your every wish."He said winking at me.

Childish act.

" You have done lot for us. You registered your freaking house in grandma's name. I can't ask you for anything more."I said genuinely.

He was about to say something when I cut him.

" Please no...... not at least now."

"Ok......."He said before exiting the kitchen.

____________________

Me and Anas has been more like a friend in this more than one and half month period of our nikah.