Sandal's POV:

"So Bhabi are you going to continue your studies?" Salman Bhai asked.

"No... At least not for now." Ahmed said before I could answer. I looked at him bewilderingly, unable to understand his logic. Qurat-ul-Ain Bhabi seemed to understand the situation so she called me.

"Sandal, help me serving the dinner please."

"Sure Bhabi." I said slowly and we walked to the kitchen together.

"Tell me, having a problem in dealing with Ahmed?" She asked out of nowhere and caught me off guard. I tried to deny it but no words came out of my mouth and I start fidgeting.

"You don't have to be nervous Sandal. We are friends for so many years... and we know each other very well... I can tell that he is causing a problem for you... listen, we still have little time for dinner... so let me tell you something about your husband." She led me to the living room. It was empty as everyone was sitting on the lawn.

"To be honest with you, I don't know if I should tell you or not because it is something related to the Wali family. But a part of me wanted to tell you because you are the only one who can help him and besides it will help you to understand him better. Otherwise, both of you ended up hurting each other ." I nodded. She took a breath and started, "Ahmed's father had a younger brother who fell in love with a middle-class girl. Ahmed's grandparents didn't like the girl. You know the status difference thing, but he insisted on marrying her. So his parents gave up and approved it. Unfortunately, his wife ...turns out to be a gold-digger and unfaithful to her husband...He died after four years of his marriage, one year after Ahmed's father's death... within three years both Ahmed's grandparents also died... I don't know the whole story about what really happened but I hope you can get it now why he hated middle-class people before he met you."

I sat there still and keep staring at her, couldn't believe what I just heard.

"What's the matter? Why you looked so shocked?"

"S-sorry. It's just... it's hard for me to believe that things like these happened in real life."

She laughed and said, "You really are an innocent person .... and beautiful too. No wonder Ahmed can't help himself falling for you."

"Bhabi please don't make fun of me."

"I am serious dear... anyways, back to the point. Your life from here gets a little difficult. There are chances that Ahmed might test you on basis of his family experience... but don't give up and try to gain his trust even if he becomes overly protective, possessive and demanding."

"Gain his trust?... are you saying that he doesn't trust me now?" I frowned.

"Sandal, he trusts you and loves you... more than you realize. Believe me, we all have seen his restlessness because of you but his heart is still haunted by his past fears... give him time, please ... he is a very dear friend of ours. We don't want his future to destroy because of his past... we want him to live a happy life... so, will you help him?" She said holding my hands on her own and I nodded.

He had good friends...

The whole time at dinner I kept silent and thinking about what Bhabi said. I understood his problem but don't know how to fix it. I was so lost in thought that I barely eat. When I was about to get up from the dining table, I felt a hand on my left thigh. I looked up and found Ahmed looking at me. He gave me a questioning look, maybe asking what was I thinking and I shook my head in negative. I turned my face to my right side, where Saeed Bhai's two years old son Hamza destroying his clothes while trying to eat his mashed potatoes by himself.

"Bhabi, may I feed him?" I asked Bhabi.

"Sure, if you could. He is a big boy now, so he wants to eat by himself." She smiled.

Yes! She is right...

Kids of his age usually do that, Palwisha did that too. She fed her clothes more than herself, just like Hamza. I smiled looking at him.

"Hamza, what are you doing?" I asked politely.

"Atting." I guess he still doesn't talk properly.

"What are you eating?"

"This." He pointed towards his mash potatoes bowl.

"Oh wow. Your eating potatoes." I said happily and he quickly nodded his head.

"Hamza. Come here." I leaned towards him.

~*~

Ahmed's POV:

I watched her as she leaned over to Hamza and said something in his ear. And in less than a minute he was sitting on Sandal's lap, facing her. I looked up at everyone, they were looking at both of them excitedly. Sandal whispered to him again, holding her biryani plate in front of him.

Carefully Hamza picked up the spoon, dropping half rice and fed Sandal. Then Sandal feeds him with his mashed potatoes and he ate quietly.

"Ainy, take training from Sandal." Saeed commented.

"Sure... congratulations Ahmed your kids will be in good hands." Ainy said.

"Why thank you." I smiled at Sandal putting my hand on the back of her chair. Her face was bright red and she kept herself self-busy with Hamza.

After feeding Hamza she wiped his face and place a kiss on his tiny nose. In return he also kissed her on the lips which make her giggle ... for some reason I found myself frowning at it and everyone burst into laughter.

"Ahmed looks like my son going to give you hard time." Saeed winked at me and rolled my eyes.

~*~

"Sandal?"

"Ji (yes)?"

"Are you still mad at me about earlier?" I asked taking a glance at her.

I didn't know why she was keeping her distance since we came back home and she looked scared sometimes, as before when she worked in the office. I was trying so hard to open her up a bit but all came back to nothing and the remaining chance I ruined tonight. I shouldn't have reacted that way.

"No, I am not angry." She answered.

"You don't even know how to lie." I mumbled.

"Hey, let me make it up for you... how about we have a cup of coffee." I said and she gave me a bored look.

"Okay, how about... ice cream?" Her eyes lit upon the name of ice cream.

"Ice cream it is." I mumbled and turned my car towards the nearest ice cream parlour.

"Here is your blueberry ice cream and mine Kulfa." I handed over over both cups to her and start driving.

"Your ice cream is going to melt... eat it first." She told me taking a scoop from her cup.

"Well, that's why you are here."

"Huh?"

"Feed me." I ordered.

"Sorry, I am busy." She shrugged.

"WHAT? Are you choosing that stupid cup of ice cream over me?"

"Well..."

"Sandal, I am asking you ... what will you choose. Ice cream or me?" She looked at me then her ice cream and turned her face to the window.

"I don't want my *Mhar money." She said trying to sound serious.

"Fine, then I'll just throw it ... I didn't buy it for eating by myself." I mumbled loud enough for her to hear, but she didn't budge.

When I hold the cup to throw it, she shouted, "Okay, I'll feed you... stop acting like a child."

Victory ...

I slowed down car speed to enjoy this little moment. But soon my excitement died down when I noticed that Sandal was taking three spoons herself after every single spoon she feed me.

"What are you doing?" I frowned.

"Helping you to finish the ice cream." She stated.

"I didn't ask for your help and besides it's mine."

"What are you talking about. I am your wife, I am obliged to help too and besides your everything belongs to me even you like it or not." She said talking another full spoon in her mouth. It's the first time she was talking to me in a friendly atmosphere.

Thank you ice cream...!

I felt much relaxed now.

~*~

"Sandal. Where are my clothes?" I turned around and found her standing with my clothes in her hands

"Here."

"Thanks. Oh, tell me something. Where do you learn to handle kids?"

"I used to look after Palwisha."

"So we feed her too?" She nodded.

"And she also kissed you like Hamza?"

Why did just I ask???

"Yes, sometimes ...kids do that when they are very glad about something."

"What did you do to make him happy?"

I am confused ...

"I asked him to help me eating because he is so good at it and I cannot eat by myself." She chuckled.

"Oh!" She smiled at me and turned away to go pick her clothes.

"Hey, Sandal?"

"Ji (yes)?"

"Can I have a kiss?" I asked, taking a step closer to her. She didn't answer me and look a little uncomfortable.

She is still too far...

"Forget I asked." I sighed, walking towards the bathroom.

"Suniye (listen)?... you forgot this?"

"What?" I turned to her and before I know it. She ran into the bathroom giving a light pack on my lips.

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