Zubiya stared at herself as she sat in front of the mirror. Donned up in an olive green-colored sharara with orange-red-pink border and a red dupatta lined with golden tassels over her head she looked like a perfect to-be bride. Well, she a to-be bride.

Today is her haldi ceremony.

She is finally about to get married to Asfand.

After 5 years.

She really couldn't believe that 5 years have already passed since they had admitted their feelings to each other. She hadn't expected Asfand to have patience for 5 years no less 6 months. She deeply admired Asfand's decision to wait for another couple years till she finished her House Job even though he had finished his course. His maturity even though frustrating at times was heavily required by them to reach this point in their lives.

She sighed heavily as she thought about him. Her soon-to-husband. It brought a huge smile on her face. Just to think that they were finally about to get married and become one made her feel so many feelings. Excitement; Elation; Frustration; Thankful; Peaceful. She didn't think any bride could be more excited and frustrated to get married as her.

Zubiya chuckled softly as she remembered Aunty being adamant and excited to have a small ceremony in their house for their engagement before Asfand left for the U.S. to make their relationship seem more official. Which made her very happy because the sooner she could call herself Asfand's fiancé and wear his ring on her finger she'll be less likely to consider it a dream... and more a reality.

He had been a constant support for her without whom she didn't think she could fight with her demons and come this far in her life today. Her heart panged with ache to even think of the time in which Asfand didn't even exist in her life. It's just.. incomprehensible to think of her life which didn't consist of Asfand.

Even during the days he had spent abroad for his course during their somewhat-courtship ( which is what they termed their relationship during these 5 years as ) they had facetimed each other regularly every night (for her) and morning (for him). He would at times send sweet messages and surprise her with his heart-felt words making her feel either teary or shy with slightly reddened cheeks. No matter how busy he was he would always let her know of his activities. Even though she couldn't put her feelings into words and send it to him, she would always let him know of her own activities tagging along with the line starting with - ' You would've surely... ' letting him know that she missed him and wished that he was here.

Close to her.

Next to her.

With her.

She had cried numerous nights missing his presence tremendously. Specially their long-night talks. Even though they FaceTimed and texted each other everyday.... it wasn't enough. She missed his physical presence. When she would return home after finishing her classes she would expect him to sit beside aunty or uncle having lunch or just simply sitting spending time with them. She would miss their once-in-a-while evening walks in the garden.

But she consoled herself. Because the end result of their struggle would be something really magical. Their union. In every meaning.

After Asfand returned, they had finally come to a conclusion that waiting for a couple of more years wouldn't be hard for them. In fact, it seemed almost as a cake-walk for them because they had already surpassed the long-distance wait.

Asfand worked in a hospital for almost a year after which he finally decided to open a public-oriented hospital. Mama - Mami and Daniyal bhai happy with his decision and proud of him had given their encouragement along with their blessings.

As the hospital was being prepared, they received another good news. Gaiti bhabi and Daniyal bhai were expecting their first child. Soon, the house filled up with baby items, cots, everything required by a baby. Daniyal bhai who had finally won the case for which he had almost spent two years behind it and seek justice for Noori had decided to take a break from the office till the baby was almost a year old. Which had been a great relief for everyone because seeing Daniyal bhai working so closely with the dangerous people had been really frightening. But the justice seekers had finally received got their justice and the villains have finally received what they deserved - jail time for their entire lives.

Zubiya, finally done with her medical college had started on her house job. Asfand had suggested her to finish her house job within 8 months and then work in a hospital for almost 6 months before joining his hospital. So that she can truly gain the experience of working under different environment instead of working under a known person.

As Zubiya and Asfand got busy in their work, they had hardly time for spending with each other. The only free time they got after their work they spent sleeping. Days passed with no communication between each other, they realized they were getting frustrated. It wasn't the same case when Asfand was in the U.S as Zubiya had only her classes to worry about and could swing about his working schedules to FaceTime. But now, with her own hectic working schedules mixed with Asfand's it was getting really frustrating.

Finally, one day as Zubiya sat on the bench in the back garden slightly pouting Gaiti waddled slowly to her and sat beside her leaning heavily on the arm of the bench.

Gaiti panted slightly as she rested her hands on her 6-month pregnant belly and slightly raised her eyebrows at Zubiya.

Zubiya finally asked, "What?"

"Why are you pouting?" Gaiti inclined her head towards her.

"What- I'm not pouting! I think another effect of pregnancy is the lack of eyesight." Zubiya huffed as she looked forward with a frown and unconsciously her lips pouted out.

"Alright, you're not pouting. You're missing him, aren't you?" Gaiti asked her softly.

Zubiya, about to deny once again finally sighed heavily and looked down as she slightly nodded her head.

"Oh, Zubi! Talk to him.. discuss it with him... You both can't just go like this without any conversation for the next 6 months can you?! Are you going to talk on the day of my baby shower which is next month? Will you even recognize yourselves then?" Gaiti asked sarcastically.

"I just don't know! We don't even get a minute to sit together let alone talk. When I'm free he's busy and when he's free I am busy! What do we do?!" Zubiya wailed as threw her hands up in frustration.

"Talk. Decide on a time you both are suitable with when you can meet outside or just FaceTime each other. This is what marriage looks like, honey. Compromise is what it's all about." Gaiti said calmly.

"But I'm scared that he'll get angry if I call him during work.." Zubiya mumbled softly.

"Scared?! Are you nuts? He's going to be your husband in a year and you are scared to call him during work?! Zubiya, if you let it go like this you're going to feel like strangers by the time you see each other in my baby shower! Wait. I have a solution." Gaiti bhabi took out her phone from her sling bag which she always kept along with her and dialed Asfand's number.

"Gaiti, what are you doing?! He must be busy right now!" Zubiya yelled as she tried to reach for Gaiti's phone but Asfand had already picked the call. She could clearly hear his voice which seemed tired. She was hearing to his almost after a week.

"Bhabi?"

"Yes, devar ji. Zubiya wanted to discuss something with you but is scared for some reason. Why don't you- ouch!- talk?" Gaiti yelped while speaking as Zubiya pinched her hard on her arm.

"Zubiya? Bhabi, you okay?" They could hear Asfand's panicked voice.

"No-no! I'm perfectly fine. Just came in contact with an ungrateful insect." Gaiti said as she glared slightly at Zubiya while Zubiya hid her face in her hands in embarrassment.

"Zubi- please talk with him. I think I need the washroom. Hasn't it been a long time since I visited last? And then, I need to wake Daniyal as well. Men! Getting off from work doesn't mean he gets to sleep till late while I wake up this early!" Gaiti grumbled as she slowly got up from the bench after handing Zubiya her phone and waddled back towards the house.

Zubiya took a deep breath as she finally raised the phone to her ear and whispered his name, "Asfand."