*Unedited*

"Yeah, Mom. I'll take care. Have a safe journey. Allah Hafiz."

Mothers. Caring and worried soul. Nothing.....nothing in the world can make them worry less. I thought only my mother is of that kind but my mother-in-law proved me wrong. All mothers are the same.

Mom, dad, and dadi are going to someone's funeral in Chennai, tomorrow. Despite worrying about Chennai's hot weather, she is worried about us. That how would we live without any adults. How would Sidra manage a farewell party without her? Are we still kids?

I fully avoided Rehan after yesterday. Yes, I admitted my feelings to him. But muttering it in sleep was not a good idea. He asked me about it once, not in a straight way of course. Take it my shyness or negligence I didn't admit it to him. His sad and hurt look was like daggers which moved straight to my heart. Maybe tomorrow I should say it.

I heard her saying that. I heard her confessing her love. Then why the hell did she refused? How much she denies I know she loves me. I love her a lot and I'm ready to give her all but it still hurts when she ignores it on my face. The twinkle and gleam in her eyes which comes automatically every time I say I love her is strong proof that she loves me. Can't I get a small relief of hearing that from her mouth?

I haven't seen her since yesterday. Her mom wanted Aimen to with be her a day more. I wanted Aimen too. My whole plan to surprise her, to see her, hold her, talk to her and steal small kisses from her. Everything went down when she said, "You might be dreaming." Hell! I was in my full senses when I heard her say "Love you too". I'll never be dreaming about it.

Giving the excuse of meeting my parents, I left that house. But the thing was I wanted to avoid her. I felt a pang of guilt in my heart. It is a guilt that I married her without knowing her full will.

"May I come in sir?" A voice snapped me from my thoughts.

"Yeah!" I said realizing myself in the office and loads of work before me.

"Here's the file you asked" he placed the file on the table.

"Thanks, Sumeet. And forward dad's all meetings to me" The sudden death of Uncle Haroon saddened everyone. He was dad's cousin. According to dad and dadi, he was a great man but I hardly met him. It was yesterday I got to know that we have relatives in Chennai. I thought every near and dear of our family lives here in Bangalore. Mom, dad, and dadi have left for Chennai.

"Already done. You have another meeting..."

I let out a groan "Another? How does dad manage everything?" I'm not handling the full business alone, yet. Everything is still under dad's control. In his words "Little more practice and everything's yours". If this is what gonna happen when everything is mine, then I'm not doing that little more practice.

Reminder: Fight with dadi for keeping dad in Chennai, when they could have happily returned here the same day after attending the funeral.

"Well, that's why he is your dad" Sumeet laughed.

"Yeah" I let out a sigh. "I'll get myself prepared for this" Giving a slight nod he left.

My phone buzzed giving a slight distraction from my work. I smiled looking at the name which flashed on the screen. It was a text from Aimen.

"Hey! Came home. Sidra is having a sleepover at her friend's house. Need a company. Come home early :P"

My fingers immediately started typing a reply. "Do you need me only for a company?" I can never be mad at this girl.

"No" Came her short reply.

"Then?" I smirked though she can't see it.

"I have a surprise for you. Come soon"

"What's that?"

"It's a surprise Rehan and I'm not going to spoil it for any reason, so bye"

"Bye, love" I replied with a smile.

I laughed at her stubbornness. She knows how to make me happy. Something inside me gave a good feeling. I resumed my work trying to finish it as early as possible to get back to my wife.

*******

"I'm back!" I said entering the house. I placed the flowers I bought on the coffee table. It seems quiet without everyone. But you know? These things gave me some alone time with Aimen.

"Well...Assalamualaikum to you" Aimen came smiling.

My eyes widened. I stare at her with my mouth agape. She was looking damn gorgeous in that red lace saree. I bet it won't suit anyone as much as it does to her.

"Do you like it?" She asked twirling around causing an end of the saree to fly around with her.

"Whoa! This is the best" I said holding her by her waist. I plant a kiss between her eyebrows.

"Thank you," She said smiling with her cheeks going crimson.

"You looking so beautiful" I whispered tucking the strands of hair behind her ear. My eyes never leaving her.

"Didn't I say Salaam before?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Yea...Walaikumassalam" I replied scratching my neck.

She laughed. I could not help but fall for it. She kissed my cheek "Freshen up. I'll lay the dinner" with that she moved back making me yearn for her.

"Should I make some efforts to rise to your level?" I asked. I'm nothing compared to this beauty here.

"You kidding, right?" She asked. I gave a crooked smile and kissed her cheek.

"Go!" She pushed me hiding her blushing cheeks.

I know he will like it. He always says red is my colour. I never believed him because I find it too flashy unless it's a cute one. But today his smile and amazed look melted my heart.

Ammi gave me a few sarees at my wedding. I thought to wear others but reminding myself of Rehan's favourite colour I choose this and see he liked it. It is also that I can never wear this in front of anyone except him, you know what I mean, right? There's no doubt he loves me whether in this saree or other. I think I'm now ready to lay my heart open to him.

Very familiar hands slid into my bare waist leaving its trail in my skin and making a group of butterflies dance on my tummy. "You should wear this often," Rehan said. His breath fanning against my neck.

I turned around to face him. He was dressed in a white button-down shirt looking handsome as always. He had a heart-melting smile on his face. I slid my arms around his neck. "Thank you. But it took almost an hour wearing this perfectly"

He just laughed pressing a kiss in my temple. "I got you something" he disappeared to the hall and came with a big bouquet of roses.

"Beautiful flowers for my ever beautiful wife" he held it out.

"So cheesy line" I whispered loud enough for him to hear.

"Cheesy? You broke my heart, Aimen" he said dramatically placing his hand in his chest.

I could not help but laugh. I dragged him to the dining table before he could make me spoil my plans.

******

The dinner was normal but great, with all the chat we had. We talked about everything and it was like ages to me. We didn't spend that what they say "quality time" for a long time. I was busy with my exams, then Rehan with his work, then his London trip. Everything was quite stressful. Now being in his arms seems wonderful to me.

"Thanks for everything," he said embracing me tight in his strong arms.

"It's nothing. I just tried. I know it is not that good compared to what you did back in Australia" I gave a romantic touch to our room with roses and all that. It was quite weird for me at first but this was the least I could do to him.

"It's not nothing to me. It's everything and it's amazing." He brought up my face by tilting my chin. He smiled "I love you"

"I love you too," I said. Finally. I don't know about him but my heartbeat is speeding. At the same, there's a big relief. I meant the words I said. It took me time but I can't deny that I love this man a lot. A man who held his heart open before me at the very start. But for me? I ignored him. I hated him. I sometimes hate myself for this.

"Say that again," he said. I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I missed his shocked look.

"I love you, Rehan," I said in a low voice this time.

That was it. He crashed his lips in mine kissing me senselessly. He pulled apart. I blushed hard to the level even possible. I can never find anything this perfect. He rested his forehead against mine "You will never know how much I waited to hear those words. You made me the happiest man in the world." He caressed my cheek with his thumb. "I love you a lot, Aimen. And will till my last breath"