Haya really could not cook for a living. She just couldn't do the desi stuff , like rice , and curries and all and even rootis. Her mom usually use to shame her but her father always went with'Seekh lay ge. Parhnay do issay." (She will learn , let her study) . If only she had listened to her mother. Haya could only do breakfast like eggs and sausage, pancakes. She could bake stuff, but cooking desi food was so not her thing. And right now, they had just about run out of cooked food, Tahira phupho had made for them.

After getting showered and preparing breakfast for Taimoor ,Haya set that on the table and waited for him to come down.

"Hey. Good Morning, I hope you slept well. " Taimoor said giving Haya a crooked smile. Haya couldn't get what he was implying since her dreams had always felt so real that she never could differentiate between the reality or the dream. She thought that he meant to inquire about her experience of sleeping in his bed which smelt like him which resulted in reddening of her checks. This was the first time he made he made her blush. Usually when she got red because of him , the cause was anger or frustration.

"Yeah I did. Thank you .Plus, I am not a light sleeper. So I slept through your snores", She replied with a bright smile of her own. Two could play this game.

"So umm as you know , I can't cook. Like I can't cook the normal meals . We need to find a cook." Haya told him. She had a sheepish expression on her face, her ears were red with embarrassment.

"Oh that , company is going to send one today. Can't reply on you for the meals. What if you try to poison me? Plus, we need someone to keep you company while I am away and late, " Taimoor said giving her a smile. He said the poison part just to rile her up, so she would miss how concerned he was about her well being. And she did miss it completely and focused all her energies on the poison part of his dialogue .

"Hey, I'd never poison you. I don't want people to call me husband killer and stuff. Seriously, Phupho loves you alot and you are like her only son. I won't do it to her and Aiman and Saman . And then there is Ferozey. What about poor Ferozey, who adores her Mamo(uncle) so much. I'd hate to see her cry, mourning you. Seriously, do you think I'd stoop so low to murder my own husband. Who might be a total ass ,just stating facts. No offence. which is not a solid reason to murder someone." She said as she looked at him who was intently looking at her with a smile which meant he wasn't offended so she continued, "and then go to jail and spend the rest of my life in the slimmy shitty cage with fellows even shittier than Salman. It's a little....... No, not little ,it's way too low on my 'DON'T DO IT' list ." Haya rambled.

She was giving a-lot of extra information. She usually did it when she was worked up. Taimoor looked at her with a weird expression. "Glad to know that you think that way." He said and excused himself smiling at something.

Taimoor was getting used to verbose gushing. Actually, he was beginning to enjoy it. She hadn't rambled about anything since well since ages. The fact that she was rambling reflected that she was getting comfortable around him. It brought peace to his guilt-stricken heart. And when she looked at him with utter disbelief at the poison thing, her eyes wide opened with shock .He was just kidding, he wanted to tell her but before he could she stopped him. She had taken that comment on her heart and didn't allow him to speak as she began her whole my husband speech.

"My own husband who is a total ass" had his heart swelling. Taimoor realized how much he had loved the pronoun of possession, coming from her when she was referring to him. She was never going to change. And for the first time ,he realized he didn't want her to change. He loved how she got all worked up and then gave that speech of hers as her hands floated in the air . She was like a little bundle of sunshine, illuminating his life, filling colors in his life which was black and white like his bedroom.

Haya was starting her volunteerism at the orphanage tomorrow. Being a software developer, she worked from home. Freelancing. Being boss of your own had perks. To kill the time she had decided to work at the orphanage as help. WHY orphanage ? Because she adored children. And the idea of people getting excited to have her around. How the faces of the children lit up when she visited them.

After Taimoor left for his office , Haya did the dishes. And cleaned up the mess Taimoor had made. He was always indecisive when it came to the ties. When he was in London, he used to video call phupho and ask for help. Haya knew it because she was there most of the evenings. She had been living with him for a week and by now she had realized that , there would always be a bundle of ties on the bed , waiting for her every morning.

Haya was working on her laptop when the bell rang. She was expecting someone. Taimoor had informed her about the house help, yesterday but she still couldn't get herself to open the door to complete stranger.

"Who is it " ,She asked from behind the door.

"Mam we are sent by Mister Taimoor ", a young voice replied.

The scared human she was ,she decided to call Taimoor to confirm. "Pick up Taimoor . DAMN YOU." She cursed as Taimoor didn't pick up the phone after the 3rd call. Her heart told her to try one last time.

"What is it Haya ? " ,frustrated Taimoor replied.

Haya was red with fury."Heyy !!!! It's not that I am calling you to ask silly questions like "what's my baby doing? Or did my sugar plum eat? ", She said in the childish girlfriend tone. "I CALLED to ask you if you have sent someone from office or not." She finished not liking the "you are disturbing me" tone he had used on her when he answered the call.

"Yeah I did send umm a lady named Saeeda . And in answer to the previous questions. Your baby is doing great. And no, your sugar plum didn't eat a thing. See you at 6 Haya. Khuda Hafiz" with that he hung up on her.

'Ugggghhh that smartass.' She thought. But she had better things to do then to think about him. First thing being, letting the lady in.

"Salam. I am Haya. Please do come in. Sorry it took me some time." Haya apologized as she awkwardly smiled at the lady who was in her early fifties. She was looking at Haya with a sincere smile as she got inside. She had such a motherly aura to herself and Haya found herself at ease .

"Wa Salam dear. And no worries. My husband work with Taimoor. This is my son Ali. He goes to college. He knows how to drive and will drive you around." Saeeda Bua said. After showing them the quarters and helping them in getting settled, Haya retired to her room. Bua was a stranger, but the genuine smiles and the forehead kisses Bua gave her, felt home. Like she had known Bua since ages.

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It's been a week since Bua came. Ali, Bua and chacha were such a delight. Chacha , usually patted Haya, head whenever she said Salam. And Bua had become the mother hen pampering, Haya. Ali was a little brother to her. and her equation with Taimoor was also improving. They talked more. And not just the usual stuff like "Have dinner" "Okay" . They talked as in "How was your day?" stuff.

Nearly 3 hours had passed with Haya attached to her laptop ,but now finally the project was complete, and she could rest for a while. Haya was staring at the ceiling when the idea of baking brownies for the kids came to her. Tomorrow was Saturday and it meant that she had to go to orphanage. Haya decided to make brownies for the kids. With that thought, she grabbed her dupatta which was lying on the sofa , tied her hair in a messy bun and went to the kitchen. Saeeda bua was busy making Biryani in the kitchen. She reminded Haya so much of her mother and Phupho with the motherly affection she showed to Haya.

"Saeda bua did Ali bring those supplies.", Haya asked as she placed her phone on the counter after connecting them to the speaker.

"Jee. (Yes) They are lying on the shelf." Bua replied gesturing towards the grocery bags which were lying on the shelf in the corner . "Bua, you won't mind if I play songs, will you?" Haya asked as she looked at Bua for approval who just shook her head in approval and Haya turned the music on.

Checking the supplies, Haya got onto work. Haya told bua about her family and Taimoor's siblings. While she was beating eggs ,the playlist changed for the new songs to the old. Surprisingly Bua knew the old song . It was a pleasant surprise since she had expected that Bua would go like "Hum nay kahan ganay sunay." (We didn't listen to songs in our time.)

Instead Bua sang along with her, the old Bollywood goldies , Haya had grown up to listening thanks to her father. From the Kishore Kumar's "Oh mere dil k chain" [Its a Bollywood song] to Rafi's"Kya hua tera wada" [another old Bollywood song]It was so fun having someone around and going whole karaoke with them . Especially with Bua who was such a sport and had memorized all the oldie's like a pro.

"Kya baat hai apki meri Madhubala ",Haya told bua playfully as she winked, and the lady turned pink.CUTE !!! (You are great, my Marilyn Monroe) [NOTE :okay so in the translation I felt like people won't get who Madhubala is, so I went with Marilyn Monroe. Well you can google Madhubala if you are interested. She is the prettiest classy lady from 1950s. let's say she was the iconic like Marilyn Monroe. ]

Her favorite song began playing. And Haya began singing like Amitabh Bachan [A bollywood actor for those who don't know] as she looked at bua , her eyes glittering with mischief as she placed the kitchen towel around her neck getting into the character. Haya sang her heart out.

(Hey Jumma)

Meri jaaneman(My beloved)

Bahar nikal(Come out)

Aaj jumma hai(It's Friday today)

Aaj ka waada hai(You had made a promise for today)

Dekh main aa gaya(Look, I've come)

Tu bhi jaldi aa(You also come quickly)

Mujhe mat aur tadpa(Don't torment me anymore)

Arre tu boli thi ... hey(You had said ... hey)

Pichle jumme ko ... hey(On last Friday ... hey)

Chumma doongi ... hey(That you'll give me a kiss ... hey)

Agle jumme ko ... hey(On next Friday ... hey)

Aaj jumma hai(It's Friday today)

Toh aaja, aaja(So come, come )

Aaja, aaja, aaja, aaja ... hey! (Come, come, come, come ... hey!)"

Taimoor had a tough day at office today. The clients were giving him a tough time. He was literally drained when he parked the car. As he walked to the hallway he could hear , the happy voices and the laugh and the music. He smiled as he marched forward shaking his head knowing that it was definitely Haya. The source of sound and the merriment just blew him away as the image in front of him registered in his mind.

Haya was singing along as she danced around Bua , lost in her own world where Bua was Jumma(the beloved) and Haya a thug yearning for a kiss. Haya's hair were tied in a bun ,she wore an apron on her light baby pink chicken suit and had the kitchen towel around her neck which she was moving back and forth .Bua was too laughing at Haya who was completely unaware of her surrounding , that she didn't realize that someone was standing at the door.

As soon as Bua saw him standing she looked at Haya. Taimoor realized she was about to inform Haya when he gestured her to keep quiet. He was clearing enjoying the show way too much. She looked so carefree and enchanting. Taimoor's eyes were stuck to her while she circled Bua like a thug.

( Jumma give me a kiss)

(Jumma give me a kiss)

(Jumma give me a kiss)

Haya was having the time of her life when she felt someone's gaze on her and looked around to find Taimoor with a loose tie around his neck and a coat draped on his arm ,leaning against the wall with a smile on his face enjoying the show she was putting. His collar button were opened. His sleeves rolled up. His hair were messed up. He looked breath-taking. His eyes were smiling , and actually shinning with mischief. And the words of song died in her throat. Her cheeks reddened as the realization of him watching her sank. And she stilled with an open mouth and wide eyes.

"Heyyyyy don't stop on my account please, I was really enjoying the performance. You know what funny ? It's actually Friday today. " , He requested giving her a smile.

Okay damnnn! If her checks were warm before, now they were burning now. Bua was actually laughing as she excused herself leaving shy and mortified Haya alone with Taimoor. "If only instead of standing there like some creep ,you would have made yourself known." Haya said rolling her eyes wondering how long he had been here.

"And missed that performance of yours. Neverrrr " He said. Slowly like a predator Taimoor stepped forward , his eyes looked hungry. He was so close , invading her personal space and Haya was puffing ,her chest rising and falling as he came closer . When he was really an inch apart his lips moved. "Looks like you have to settle for the stunt double since your Jumma is not ready." He said .

Haya never saw that coming. Did he just implied that he'd replace Bua as the Jumma? The part of the song where Jumma agrees to give a kiss was playing and Haya was mind boggled. WAS HE GOING TO KISS HER? Haya was losing her sanity , her heart thumping as if she was Usain Bolt and had just run marathon .He was leaning in and Haya hated how everything was happening in slow motion. Haya's eyes went wide with shock when he stopped just an inch away from her and then reached for the chocolate instead, which was lying behind her on the shelf .He put that in his mouth as he made those moaning sounds.

"Ajeeb!(strange) Could you not have asked me for it? Personal space ka naam suna hai.(Have you heard about personal space.)".Haya said as she pushed him a few inches away .Why he had such effect on her? Haya thought as he left to change, leaving her in the kitchen. He hummed the "jummah" song on his way out which flustered her some more.

At the dinner table ,she told him that tomorrow she was volunteering at the orphanage and that she had decided to go there with Ali as she didn't want to be nuisance for him. To which he replied ".You are right. Excellent idea!" implying that she was a nuisance. He could have said "No Haya you aren't a nuisance" but NO, he had to say what he said .

After dinner they both went to their separate bedrooms. And Haya dozed off to sleep. She was excited for her first day tomorrow. Her nightmares had become less frequent and so Haya slept peacefully.

The next morning had a happy vibe to it. Or was it because Haya was enthusiastic about meeting the children that she felt everything was singing a song. A happy song. She got dressed in her lavender chicken suit with a chiffon dupatta tied her hair in a braid and came down.

"Salam Bua " ,she greeted bua who was busy preparing breakfast for them. Haya decided to go for a brownie she has backed yesterday and tea. Leaving some for Ali , Haya packed the rest of them in a plastic container. She was sitting with her tea and brownie as she waited for Taimoor to get down and have breakfast.

"Salam , Bua is making breakfast for you ."Haya told Taimoor as soon as he came into view. He was wearing navy blue formal pants and white shirt, with a maroon tie which Haya had selected for him. Few days back she had offered her help with the ties because he always left a mess behind and he had accepted. Taimoor hung his formal jacket on the chair as he pulled a chair and got seated on it. How he managed to look like this handsome in everything was a wonder?

"Is that a brownie?", Taimoor said eyeing her brownie.

"Yes, it is. And it is mine." She said pulling her plate towards her.

"It won't kill you if you'll share. And you definitely don't need any more carbs. Give it here. " He said pulling the plate towards him. It was more of a snatching them pulling .

Did he just hint that she was fat? She wasn't .She maybe before. Her internal argument began .Feeling self- conscious Haya put her hands around her. She would have given it anyway if he had asked nicely, With that smile of his. Her heart said. But he had to be a jerk about it.

"HAVE IT .I am getting late. Plus, don't want to stay around you and get depressed by your 'Pleasantly refreshing attitude'. " Haya said sarcastically highlighting the pleasant and left the table.

Grabbing her brown handbag and the container , Haya said 'Khuda Hafiz' to Bua and headed out the main door only to return back to the hallway. "Hey Taimoor .If I remember clearly, I didn't spit on it or anything. Byeeeee " She called out and closed the door.

Taimoor shoke his head with a smile on his face. Haya was never going to grow up. Both physically and mentally. The thought made him beam with delight. He had called her 'short ' many times not because she was short. But because it annoyed her so much that her nose got red and also, she was kinda short compared to his 6'2. Mentally she was like a child. So innocent and so pure. And most of all HIS. Haya,may not be able to cook desi food, but her brownies were to kill for. Taimoor devoured the brownie as Haya invaded his thoughts and occupied his mind.

في امان الله