"Try this, it's amazinggg."

Osama stood up placing a hot chocolate waffle on Maria's plate, asking her to taste it.

"Hmmmm....it tastes so good."

Taking a bite she moaned in delight, savouring it's taste which enriched her flavour buds.

Mustafa who was working on his laptop checking reports looked up, hearing her moans of savouring waffles.

His thoughts wandering off to other kind of moans but before his imagination could go further into the endless abyss he stopped himself.

What is wrong with you Mustafa ? Control yourself. You are thinking wrong. Stop your mind before it is corrupted. Your relationship with her is pure and should stay like that only.

His chain of thoughts were broken by her another moan, making him groan in annoyance, his heart beating loudly inside his chest when another set of evil thoughts evaded his mind.

"Mariaaa...."

He called, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Ji."

Toring her gaze from the deliciousness before her, she looked up finding him looking at her with narrowed eyes.

"Maine kuch kiya ?"

She asked looking up towards him, her big doe like innocent eyes, confused asking him the reason of his frown, not caring her voice was coming out muffled as it was filled with waffle.

"Eat quietly, without making any noise. I am doing a very important work and I need to concentrate."

His eyes softened seeing her innocent confused look, eyes wandering off to the drop of chocolate syrup at her chin and the corner of her lips, making him chuckle at her child like attitude.

"Well chocolate is love, of course after Allah and I can't help myself....."

Smiling sheepishly she sat beside him, putting a spoonful of waffle in his mouth, surprising him with her sudden action.

"So.....how is it ?"

Wriggling her eyebrows she waited exited to know his answer.

"It's okay."

He simply replied, finding it's taste to be normal not what she was gushing and moaning about.

"What!!! You should be charged guilty of treason for saying that."

Her eyes widened, earning herself a chuckle from him for her dramatic reply.

"I don't like chocolate much, birdie."

He smiled, giving another heart attack to both of them. Osama was horrified whereas Maria gaped at his shocking revelation.

"Come here."

"What ?"

She was confused about why he was calling her but nonetheless sat beside him, her mouth still hanging open due to his shocking revelation of his 'not so obsessed with chocolate' dialogue.

"Now it's okay."

Wiping the chocolate drop from her chin and corner of her lips with his thumb, he grinned looking at her and said

"Now you can gape at me as much as you want to."

He smirked seeing her looking at him without blinking her eyes still getting over the shock.

"I am not...."

Before she could answer him they heard osama's over dramatic voice.

"Bhaai I am so disappointed. You broke my poor waffle's heart."

"Well I never wanted to keep it in the first place."

Without looking up from the laptop's screen he answered, rolling his eyes for osama's dramatic reply.

Fly kissing his waffle he placed his hand on his heart, giving it an emotional look.

"It's okay my baby. I promise to love you my whole life. You have me."

Cringing, she gave a foul look to Osama for using baby word to address a freaking waffle.

"Baby!! Seriously..... It's too much Osama."

Grinning at her he replied, riling her with his answer

"As you say Maria babyyy...."

He knew how much she hated the word baby used as an endearment for an adult.

"Don't use that word again."

She glared, pointing her finger at him, warning him to keep quiet.

"Babyyyyy..."

He again teased, making her see red. Mustafa was enjoying the whole scene with a huge smile on his face, waiting for her next move.

Seeing her eyes narrowed Osama gulped, standing up runing towards the main door when he saw her removing her sandal. And as he assumed a flying sandal came towards him which he doged easily, making it land on Hassan who was entering the house after a long day of hardwork.

"Ouch....who the hell was that ?"

He looked pissed, making Maria gulp in fear and run towards Mustafa to save her from his wrath.

Aaj to tu gayi beta.

"It was me. I am so sorry. It was for Osama not you. Forgive me, please."

Hiding behind Mustafa she confessed her head hung low, fearing Hassan will lash out at her.

"It's okay."

He laughed seeing her horrified look. She looked like a student sacred to be scolded by her teacher.

"Then it's fine."

And just like that her expressions changed from horrified to relieved.

"Is everything fine Hassan ? You look stressed."

Mustafa asked, seeing the lines of stress mare his younger brother's face.

"Yeah, kind of. We have a business party here, tomorrow. And there are lots of arrangements still left. I was not able to make proper arrangements as it was abrupt but I hope everything goes well."

He sighed looking at his older brother, who patted his back in assurance, encouraging him just he always does.

"Everything will go well, Insh'allah. Don't worry. I know you can do it. I have full trust on you."

"Thanks bhaai. It means a lot."

He too smiled in return getting confident with his words.

•

"Am I over dressed for the party ?"

She stood nervously beside dado asking her, feeling everyone gazing at her. She was never was a fan of attention. It was too much to handle.

"Meri gudiya aap behadd khubsoorat lag rahi hai. There is no need to feel nervous."

Dado assured smiling warmly at her, holding her hand which was cold due to nervousness.

"You are looking amazing. Totally killing it."

Turning towards the owner of the voice she grinned, embracing the person standing in front of her.

"I missed you so much, appi. When did you came ?"

It was Aamina who came back after a long one month trip from Maldives, looking fresh from new tour. Every two month she travelled out of India to lessen her pain. To forget everything life has thrown up upon her. She was only breathing not alive. How could she be alive when she lost the reason of her existence. Her husband. He was no more and he took her happiness with him.

Two years passed but everything was same. She was same except she stopped living. Everytime the pain of her loss surfaced, she made plan to go for a tour. It was her routine to get away from pain, away from the reality of her life.

"Missed you more. I just came few hours ago and met everyone, only you were left."

She smiled patting her cheek, noticing everyone looking at their side, or say ogling Maria, who was feeling nervous with gazes of people upon her.

"Did I told you that you are looking the most gorgeous girl of the whole party, cause I swear you look so breathtaking that even my bhaai is unable to take his eyes off you and is heading towards our direction right now."

Before Maria could reply her Mustafa came towards their side. He was wearing grey coloured suit, paired with white shirt, hair gelled perfectly making him look handsome and intimidating due to his powerful aura. His muscles bulging out, veiny arms popping, adding to his charm.

"What are you guys taking about ?"

Mustafa asked his gaze fixed on Maria, his gaze raking all over her form in appreciation, arising giddy feeling inside her, making her look down in shyness. Aamina looked between them, aware of the spark they were sharing.

"I was telling her how hot she is looking."

Aamina smirked teasingly, making her cousin's cheeks turning red with her bold compliment.

"Appi..."

"What!! I am stating the truth. Isn't it bhaai ?"

Turning towards her brother, she waited for his answer who was rubbing his neck, unable to form correct words to describe the beauty I front of him.

"Yes, you look......."

Before he could complete his sentence Maria left from there, embarrassed with the turn of events.

".....mesmerising."

She was in so hurry to get out of their sight that she didn't noticed when she crushed into someone, making that person fall hard on the grass.

"I am so sorry... I never saw you."

She apologized, giving her hand to girl who had fallen down with the forceful impact.

Before she could help the girl to get up, Tabassum Bashar came and started shouting at her.

"How dare you ?"

She tried apologizing again but was cut off by Tabassum Bashar who looked ready to kill her.

"I am so sorry...."

"You deliberately pushed her, orphan."

She took few steps towards, making Maria cower two steps back in fear.

"I swear I didn't."

She was trying to defend herself, tears threatening to come out of her eyes.

"Listen carefully you vile little girl, stay away from my neice. If you try to harm her, I'll make you regret your existence."

Tabassum warned holding her chin tightly, nails digging on her sensitive flesh, making her vince in pain.

"I don't know how the Ahwaan's are tolerating you and your pathetic good for nothing self, maybe because they pity orphans like you but I am not like that. I don't like a money sucking girl like you and won't show you pity like others. Better stay away from me and my family."

Her vicious comments brought tears in her beautiful eyes. She was missing her parents so much, to the extent that it was hurting. What crime she did for being treated so horribly ?

Was being an orphan a crime ?

Not able to take pain she slumped down on the grass feeling stabbed inside her chest, crying her heart out.

"Manhoos apne maa baap ko bhi khaa gayi."

Another stab of cruel words was thrown, her sobs increasing hearing them.

But Tabassum Bashar was unfazed, taking Asamara's hand she made her stand up, ready to take her inside the house, not knowing a pair of furious eyes who saw her atrocity on poor soul.

"She is no orphan because she has a family. And for the fact she has ten percent share in business which makes her your husband's business partner, so it's better if you give her respect if you don't want us to end our partnership which your husband desperately needs, considering the ongoing doom of your business."

It was Hassan who came to Maria's rescue shutting Tabassum's mouth. She knew not to mess with him deciding to leave when he stopped her again, making her feel embarrassed for opening her secrets.

"And everyone here knows the tales of your cheating behind your husband's back, so it's better if you stop calling her pathetic cause everyone here knows who is pathetic."

Turning towards Maria he helped her standing up, holding her shoulders, giving her support.

"I am so disappointed with you Asmara, never thought you'll let your aunt bash an innocent soul."

Without waiting for her answer he left with Maria, holding her hand tightly assuring that he was with her.

"Hey!! Everything's fine. Don't cry. I am with you."

Taking her towards the secluded area of the garden, he made her sit on a bench, giving her water to subside her hiccups. She was shivering, crying badly, recalling Tabassum Bashar's words. Her vile, hurtful words ringing in her ears, making her heart ache with pain.

Physical wounds heal with time but mental wounds created by words don't. They last forever, making your heart bleed repeatedly remembering them.

"I'll not let anyone hurt you. I promise."

His words pinched her soul, making her feel guilty. Guilty for not being able to love him back.

The man sitting beside her deserved nothing but to be loved back in return, which she was unable to.

I wish I had fallen for you Hassan but what to do with the stubborn heart of mine, it beats only for him.

"You are too good Hassan. I am sorry. I am so sorry."

She cried holding his hands, asking apology for the reason he was unaware of.

"Don't say sorry. It's not your fault."

He smiled, wiping her tears but they were unstoppable just like her emotions for his older brother were.

"I can't marry you Hassan. I can't. I don't deserve you. You are too good for me."

Her words made him speechless, wondering how did she knew about it when his father didn't even asked her.

"How do you..."

"I heard everything...."

She guilty replied without looking at him and continued

"I can't marry you Hassan because I lo-love someone e-else."

She suttered afraid to look at him in his eyes, dreading his reaction.

"Okay. Does he loves you too ?"

His reaction was calm and composed not what like she expected.

"I am serious Hassan."

"I am serious too. Now answer my previous question."

He asked tapping her shoulder eager to know her answer.

"But Taya Abba told dado you like...."

"Yes I like you but you love someone else and obviously loving someone is much big deal than liking someone."

He smiled, making her confused with his behavior. He was a mystery and a master of controlling his emotions.

"Now answer my question. Does he loves you too ?"

"I don't know, never been able to confessed mine."

She whispered dreading the day when her secret will be exposed.

"Well then you should hurry up and tell him, keeping feelings inside our heart does no good."

He smiled patting her cheeks in affection.

"I will soon Insh'allah."

"You better otherwise I myself will take you to him and make you confess everything."

He joked, cracking a bright smile making her smile too.

"You are too good Hassan."

She smiled embracing him tightly for understanding her. He too held her, a small tear leaking out his eye which he wiped quickly, masking his feelings, locking them in the depths of his heart.

It's okay Hassan. Her smile is worth everything.

His heart whispered and he couldn't help but agree with it.

"What the hell is happening here ?"

Mustafa's voice boomed inside their ears, making them leave each other and look towards him.

He was looking angry.

Infact he was furious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salam everyone,

Comment your favorite scene.

And don't forget to vote and share your views, even it's criticism. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Picture of Maria's dress above.

Till next time,

Allah Hafiz ❤️