"Please give me a chance. I'll try to be a good husband to her"
Murat remembered these exact words which he used while pleading her parents to let him marry Mashal. They didn't even want him to marry her when he revealed his past, but it was him who made it happen. He knew he can never call himself a good husband if he lets his wife get humiliated and walk out of here for just an unintentional mistake. It'd be like a total letdown to her parents. And he can never let that happen.
On one side was his stubborn twin and on the other side was his wife. Both were equally important to him. He glanced at his mother, hoping she'd help but she didn't want to involve in this it seemed. He felt utterly helpless at that moment.
"I'll just leave, you can stay here for as long as you want!" Mashal stood up abruptly and began to walk out of there. She sounded hurt and disappointed. Almost like she expected him to stand up for her. Of course, he was going to do just that. But he needed a minute to compose his mind. It was a very sensitive issue after all.
Murat handed his niece to his mother and ran to stop his wife. She walked too slow and it saved him from running very far.
"Mashal, wait," he held her hands firmly and stopped her from walking further away. He won't let her get humiliated like this. Not under his presence anyway. She stared at him wide-eyed. Almost in disbelief that he's stopping her. He felt like he has failed as a husband to get such a reaction from her. His heart sank in despair.
"Murat! Why are you stopping her? I don't want her around here." Syra hissed furiously, he gave a challenging look to her in return. His hold on his wife's hands tightened.
Mashal gave him another surprised look as she blinked away her tears and puts up a strong presence. At that moment, he felt so damn proud of her for being so strong given the situation.
"You can't just ask her to leave like that, Syra. She's my wife. You ought to give her some respect for the relationship we share." He spoke to his twin. His voice was stern and authoritative. Even if he was the younger twin, he has always been the dominant one. He tried hard not to argue with Syra but she's trying everything to hurt his wife and he's not going to encourage that behaviour.
Mashal gripped his hands more tightly, fearing the look Syra just passed her way. He could feel she was too overwhelmed. He gave her a reassuring nod. She breathed shakily while holding onto him.
"Are you listening to this, ammi?" Syra became mad with anger as she banged on the dining table, not knowing how else to show her anger.
Hania was rocking little Shazia, trying to calm her down but the poor baby wouldn't stop crying.
"Mashal has equal rights on this house as me. If you ask her to leave, I'll leave as well. You're disrespecting me by mistreating her." Murat added with a frown as he eyed his twin who scoffed at him.
"She almost dropped my baby. What if something happened to her?" Syra snapped, feeling frustrated. She couldn't stand Mashal and the bitterness only increased further today.
"I'm sorry about that, Syra. It was a mistake. She was too excited by seeing Murat and jumped out of my hand. I'm sorry I couldn't hold her properly," Mashal apologized whole heartily. She did make the mistake albeit an unintentional one. And she has no fear in owning up to that.
"Oh, shut up. I don't want to-
"Okay, that's enough. You won't use such a disrespectful tone with my wife." Murat's angry voice stopped Syra from speaking any further. She gave him a look of disbelief. Enraged that he's supporting his wife and not her.
"She apologized for her unintentional mistake and I don't want you to stretch this any longer. For goodness sake, let it go." Murat added with a disappointed stare. He didn't like how his twin never forgets even the smallest of mistakes.
"Are you hearing yourself?" Syra was going to burst with rage but Hania stopped her once and for all.
"Syra, it was not Mashal's intention to drop Zia. Stop overreacting. This is my house. No one has any right to ask anyone to leave. I don't want you all to discuss this any further."
Murat felt relieved listening to his mother's words. He hated arguing with his twin. But she was starting to get on his nerves with her stubbornness.
"I'm sorry, auntie." Mashal apologized to Hania but she shook her head, "let's end this here. I don't want to talk about this topic anymore. Murat and Syra, you both are nearing your thirties. Behave like that sometimes."
Hania shook her head disappointedly and walked away with her granddaughter, who became silent due to the cold environment. Syra glared at her twin and his wife before following her mother.
It was just Murat and Mashal now. Their eyes were locked. They wanted to talk so much but only silence prevailed.
"Are you okay?" He finally asked.
"I will be," She replied and gazed up at him, into his deep black eyes that were guilty and ashamed. Her heart was beating frantically as she loosened his hold from him but he didn't let go. She raised her brows at his actions.
"I think we should go back home. We need to fix our relationship before it's too late, Mashal. You're the most beautiful thing to have ever happened after a very long time and I don't want to ruin what we have created so far. I think I keep doing that. I'm turning into such a bad husband, right?" His voice was barely a whisper. He felt so guilty for the turn of events. She shook her head.
"I thought you wouldn't stop me. I thought you'd let me walk out of here." She chuckled dryly. He sighed feeling worse.
"The fact that I made you feel like that makes me a terrible husband, I'm sorry for letting you down, Mashal." but she stopped him mid-way, her voice cracking, "no, Murat. You did stop me before I left. You stood up for me. And it means everything to me. Thank you,"
"Please don't thank me, Mashal. It's my duty as a husband to protect your honours. You should never thank me for that. Syra has no right to behave that way and I'm truly sorry for her behaviour." He caressed her cheeks softly. She blinked with a nod, "please take me home, Murat. I miss mama."
She has never spent a whole day without seeing her mother. Marrying her neighbour did that to her. And at this moment, Mashal missed her mother's presence so damn much. Whenever there would be any problem, Malaika will be the first person she'd run into and it made her feel overwhelmed and emotional to think that she should now deal with everything on her own.
Why did she grow up so soon? The moment was overwhelming and emotional. But she knew this too shall pass.
"We'll inform ammi and leave." He told gently and she agreed as they walked towards his mother's bedroom, hand in hand. She didn't want to let go and he lets her hold onto him.
They passed the swimming pool on the way which was exactly in the centre of the house, "do you know? This is where I've fallen in love with swimming. I've spent all my childhood here swimming in the evenings. I miss those days." A fond smile appeared on his face as he walked past it. This was his most favourite part of their huge house.
"Teach me swimming someday," Mashal blurted out shyly and he gave her an are-you-serious look. He has shared numerous stories about his passion for swimming and she never told him about this.
"You don't know how to swim?"
"I'll learn it soon and you're going to going to teach me," she smiled mischievously forgetting everything for a while. He chuckled while pulling her cheeks, "so bossy."
"And you love it," In his exact words, he finds her so damn hot while she bossed him around. It was so weird.
"I do, and you are hot like always," He winked subtly.
She turned crimson red as he gazed at her sideways with desire filled eyes, "behave! We are in your parents' home." She tried to get away but he didn't let her. Her heart skipped several beats as he eyed her fondly. Like she was the prettiest woman in the whole wide world.
It was so much fun to make her blush deep red and damn, Murat has missed this; being playful and happy with her. It felt like everything was going back to normal and he was so glad.
One moment there was so much tension and suddenly everything turned back to normal, just the way it was. He smiled remembering the promise they made in the early days of their marriage. Which was to never hold onto the past issues once it's sorted out. He was so glad that they're still keeping that promise.
"Murat..."
"Hmm?"
"You don't mind this height, right?" She was still insecure, he wrapped his hand around her shoulders, pulling her close to him as they walked towards his parents' room. It was situated in the farthest corner of the house.
The heels which she wears all the time makes her a little bit taller than her natural self. It also makes it easier for him to place his hands as he did just now.
"You're beautiful just the way you are, Mashal. And I love how you carry yourself despite these little insecurities. So classy and elegant. Don't let anyone's words get into you. Plus it's easier to carry you like this." He swept her off her feet like it wasn't a big deal and she gasped at him. Her cheeks turned bright red as she stared at him wide-eyed.
"Are you serious? Put me down." She wriggled, trying to get down. But he laughed at her attempt. His deep and sexy laugh made her pause for a moment and enjoy his handsomeness from up-close.
"Stop looking at me like you want to eat me," he dropped her gently, not wanting to have the repeat of what happened at his in-law's place. But damn, he missed her warmth almost immediately. But he can't take much risk now that his parent's room was close.
"Maybe I do want to eat you," she grinned mischievously. Her eyes were darkened with desire. He gave her an amused look in return. Before he could hold her, she ran away with a giggle. Her face now turned victorious.
A clearing of the throat made them both pause. Heat raised on Mashal's cheeks as she came face to face with her mother in law.
"Just be happy like this." Hania passed her a warm smile making her feel at ease once again. Her mother in law was really very kind and Mashal was lucky in so many ways.
Had it been someone else, they'd have thrown a fit for her mistake. She did almost drop Shazia, who is not even two years old.
"Ammi, we want to leave soon. We'll stay some other time," Murat's said cautiously.
Hania's face fell a little bit, but she nodded in understanding, "come here." Murat came forward but she gave him a playful shove, "not you, you."
Mashal was surprised but she went ahead anyway, "come closer." Hania's words made her confused but her mother in law took her off guard by throwing her arms around her and pulling her into a warm hug. Even if she was startled, she hugged her back just as warmly.
"I'm so glad Amina ran into you that day at the shopping centre. Thank you for making my Murat happy, dear. It's been so long since I've seen him like this. Always be happy like this, Masha Allah." Hania kissed her forehead at the end and both Mashal and Murat were stunned into speechlessness.
Murat felt fuzzy and emotional from inside seeing his mother's love for his wife. It was such an adorable sight to see. He will remember this moment for a very long time. This was a precious moment for him. Seeing his most favourite ladies bond like this was an unexpected sight. How he wished Syra too would accept Mashal just as warmly but it seemed impossible as of now.
"Your son does drive me crazy sometimes auntie, but he's the best and thank you for giving him to me." Mashal castes her eyes down, feeling too shy all of a sudden. Hania chuckled softly before hugging her again.
"And stop fighting for silly things both of you. Always remember this; it's never you vs him or her, it's you both vs the problem. Fight the problem. Not among yourselves, okay?" Hania added wisely as she broke the hug.
The couple nodded together, while Murat was thinking deeply.
"I understand marriage is new for both of you, dear. You'll be making plenty of mistakes in the days ahead. You'll also be getting into lots of fights. Sometimes serious and sometimes silly. It will be frustrating but never ever give up on each other, alright? Especially you Murat, don't trouble my daughter in law. You're the elder one, act upon it." Murat smiled at his dear mother. She was just too sweet.
"Okay, ammi. Can I get a hug too?" Murat asked cheekily making Hania laugh, "come here." He bent down and hugged her with a happy grin.
"Call me every day, both of you." Hania broke the hug a little sadly, but Murat replaced it with a smile as he kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Take care of yourself ammi, I'll talk with baba in the evening. And please talk with Syra. She's getting too stubborn these days," Murat added with a sigh.
"I'll handle her. Drive safely and call me after you reach home." Hania said emotionally. Staying away from her son has always been tough. She had wanted to ask him to move back into this house but after today's events, she knew it wasn't possible.
"But wait, eat lunch and leave."
"No, auntie I'm not hungry."
"I'm not hungry, ammi." Both Mashal and Murat denied at the same time and smiled at the coincidence.
"Okay. I think Shazia is crying. I should check on her. Call me after you reach home, Allah Hafiz." Hania smiled softly and walked back to her room.
Murat gave a longing look to his wife, "shall we leave then?" She nodded meekly while he swiftly carried her once again. A mischievous smile plastered on his face.
"What's gotten into you, put me down." She hits his chest playfully while he walked ahead, completely unfazed.
"Relax, ammi and Syra are both in the room and no one else is going to walk in on us like this. And I am just proving my point anyway." He grinned down at her while she encircled her arms around his neck.
"What point?" She asked with her brows raised, "it's that, I like your height. You're so tiny and it makes it easier for me to carry you like this. You're perfect for me," he placed a kiss on her nose. Mashal felt touched. A shy smile adorned her face as she leaned close to him and kissed his jawline.
Murat froze for a moment as she gave him a teasing smile, "you're such a minx." He said while walking faster than his usual self. She gave him another kiss just beside his lips passing a wave of current throughout his body.
"You're going to pay for all this once we get home," He controlled himself while she giggled cutely with an eager smile on her face.
"Looking forward to it," She added boldly as he unlocked his car and dropped her inside before shutting the door close. His eyes turned dark and wild.
"Murat! My phone is back in your room," She reminded him just before he sat in.
He sighed inwardly, "I'll get it. Just wait."
She laughed at his impatience.
Mashal smiled as she gazed at his retreating back. She almost thought today was going to end up with a huge and ugly fight. But how the tables have turned! And she was so glad that it has turned this way. They still had a lot to talk about though. Especially his habit of hiding things from her. But now was not the time. It was too precious to spoil things by bringing up bitter things. And a little part of her felt bad that things with Syra has only worsened further.
"You came," She was surprised at his speed but he slammed the door shut as soon as he sat in and grabbed her face, taking her mouth into an earth-shattering kiss. Her breath hitched as he sucked her lower lips. She ran her hands through his soft hair, kissing him back just as wildly. Her eyes remained closed as she enjoyed the burning desire with which he kissed her.
They broke apart, panting softly. His eyes were dark and wild. She shivered under his gaze as he leaned in and kissed her jawline and trailed open mouth kisses along her neck. She gripped onto his arms as her insides churned.
Her heart was pounding hard against her ribcage as he continued kissing her endlessly.
"Murat, we should leave." Mashal hated the break at the moment but they were in his parent's parking space and anyone can walk in at any moment. Even if the mirrors were tinted, she doesn't want to take any risk. She wasn't a fan of PDA anyway.
"You're right, but once we get there. I'm not leaving you." He kissed her lips one last time before pulling back. His breathing was hard and uneven.
Murat took a moment to compose himself, she leaned in to set his hair and shirt right which she has messed up in the first place, "again, I'm looking forward to that." She whispered mischievously before sitting straight.
"You're such a tease," He pecked her again.
"Take me home," She breathed shakily while he didn't waste any time and started driving ahead.
Mashal couldn't stop herself from smiling giddily as he continued to drive. She glanced at him sideways, observing his side profile which was just as handsome. How did she turn so lucky though?
He is flawed! Just like every other human, but the moment he realises his mistake, he wants to make it right. And he gives hundred per cent in making their relationship work. She was falling in love with him. Fast and hard. It was hard not to.
***
"AAPI! You came back!" Meher's excited shriek took her by surprise as soon as she stepped out of the car. Mashal gave her sister a puzzled look while the little girl threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly. It was like she's been waiting for her arrival and couldn't control herself as soon as saw her sister.
"Wow. She was gone just for a day." Murat exclaimed in amusement as he watched the emotional reunion of the sisters. It was a bit dramatic but lovely to see nevertheless.
"Yes, but I've never been away from her. After your marriage, I could at least see her every day but yesterday was the first-ever time I've spent a whole day without seeing her face. And it was so hard," Meher pouted cutely before hugging Mashal again.
"Are you guys always like this?" He muttered a silent Masha Allah while locking his car and walked towards his wife and her sister, who are talking with cheeky smiles. He raised his brows.
"Murat bhai." Meher's tone was like that of a child, who was determined about something and she won't back off until she gets what she wants.
"What is it?" He chuckled at her antics while his wife tried to suppress her laughter and he knew something was up.
"Can I have your wife for one day? She was supposed to have a sleepover day before yesterday. But you came back sooner and the plan got called off. So, please leave her today. She'll be back tomorrow morning. I'll make sure of that. But send her for this one day," Meher requested him with hopeful eyes.
Murat looked taken aback by her request. He opened his mouth to talk something but no words came out. His wife was having the time of her life enjoying the situation he was thrown at.
He wanted to deny Meher but she looked very hopeful. It was just one day. It shouldn't be a big deal. But his heart sank just at the thought of staying away from Mashal even for one night. He had so many plans for tonight! But guess it should be skipped.
"Please?" Meher requested again, he didn't have the heart to say no to her. Although everything in him wanted to do just that.
"Alright. She can stay there." He muttered with great difficulty and his wife threw her head back and laughed. He doesn't know what's so hilarious.
"Yaay! Thank you so much, bhai." Meher fist bumped in the air and grinned at her sister, who was still laughing. She doesn't know for what.
"Ginny!" Murat bent down to pick her up. The intelligent cat ran out of the living room and came straight to him. Her eyes were excited by seeing him back.
"Your cat drives my Harry insane. He tries hard to impress her. But she doesn't budge," Meher laughed at the grey feline. Who looked comfortable and content in its owner's arms.
"Good job!" He petted under her chin and eyed his wife, who finally stopped laughing. Her eyes still twinkled with mischief.
"Alright then, guess you're sleeping on the bed today, Ginny. See you tomorrow then." He gave one longing look to his wife before walking towards his home.
Home didn't feel the same without her but he had to learn to share her sometimes.
Mashal grinned as she watched him close the main door.
"Aapi, let's go. Come on." Meher dragged her into their home and Harry came running towards the door, looking for something.
"She left, buddy. She's not getting impressed. Stop trying!" Meher bent down and picked him up. The cat meowed sadly as if understanding her.
"You're all crazy." Mashal shook her head while walking in search of her mother.
***
Time seemed to pass too slowly for Mashal as she ate the popcorn disinterestedly, Meher passed out sleeping a long ago. They did have fun. Lots of fun actually. She didn't expect her day to end up like this after what happened in the afternoon, it was fun nevertheless. But a little part of her was constantly missing her husband.
He hadn't texted her the whole time. The last message he sent her was, "going out with Chris for dinner. Have fun with your parents. And remember: you're all mine tomorrow,"
A blush appeared on her face just by thinking about it.
Mashal sighed as she covered her sister with a blanket and decided to take a bath before going to bed. She wouldn't get an ounce of sleep here anyway. So decided to do some other useful things. She stepped out of her sister's room carefully, not wanting to disturb her sleep.
While she was in the middle of the shower, her phone began to ring again and again. Confused, she wrapped a towel around her and walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was dripping wet with water. Trails of water droplets followed her along.
"What happened? Why are you calling me constantly? I was in the shower, Murat." She answered his call with a small frown.
"Look out of your windows!" He breathed shakily as if climbing onto something.
"What?" She scrunched her nose confusedly but walked towards the windows anyway and pulled the curtains open. Her heart stopped beating for a moment as she eyed the cute "I wish you were here" white neon light hanging on the grills of his balcony. She couldn't believe her eyes. It felt surreal.
Why was he so charming?
A wide grin appeared on her face as she gazed at it without blinking her eyes. It still didn't disappear. It wasn't a dream after all.
Gosh! This man and his super cute, grand gestures.
"Open your door, Mashal. Your cat is giving me his judgemental eyes again. How can he eye me like this when he wants to charm my girl? Such a hypocrite." He rambled nervously while she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Murat? Stop playing. How can you be here? Aren't you supposed to be sleeping? It's one a.m." she looked at the time again just in case.
"I couldn't sleep without you," his honest confession made her speechless yet again. Her heartbeats rose as she walked towards her door and unlocked it with shaking hands. A hue of redness appeared on her face automatically.
"Babe," he stared at her wide-eyed, "you gotta stop giving me shocks like this," He came in and locked the door and turned to gaze at her again. She was still in a towel that hardly reached her things. It wasn't a hallucination after all.
"I was in the shower, I told you. But how are you here?" She questioned him with raised brows although her cheeks flushed in shyness with the way he gazed at her.
"I missed you." He said.
"And I couldn't sleep without you, so here I am." He shrugged with a grin.
"You're impossible!" She shook her head while Murat walked towards her wardrobe casually and picked a fresh towel. He knew her room too well by now.
"Come here, your hair is all wet. You'll be catching a cold. Who takes shower at one in the night?" Murat told her off while dragging her to sit on the bed and dried her hair gently.
A wide beam appeared on her face as she lets him pamper her. He was so precious.
"But how did you get in here with a key?" She asked again while he continued drying her hair.
"I have my ways." He grinned cheekily, "okay, done. Now get dressed quickly. I want to sleep."
She took the wet towel with a small smile as he leaned in to kiss her cheeks.
"I can't seem to sleep without you and I have important work at nine. Come quickly, okay? I need you beside me." He whispered huskily before kissing her jawline and she nodded with a shy smile.
Her bed was a little small for him, but he was okay with it as long as he could hold her close to him while sleeping.
Murat waited patiently as he made himself comfortable on her bed. She had lots of throw pillows and blankets, he didn't care as long as he'd get to hold onto her and sleep.
"What are you thinking about?" Mashal joined him on the bed as she wrapped her hands around his torso and gazed at his handsome face.
"Thinking about you, babe." his reply made her cheeks flush like usual. She hid her face under his chest and closed her eyes, enjoying his warmth.
"Good night, Mashal." He kissed her head softly and closed his eyes. Sleep overtook his eyes almost immediately. He was too tired but only when he had her in his arms he was able to sleep.
"Good night, Murat." She whispered with her eyes closed, suddenly feeling very sleepy.
Did he just come here in the middle of the night, just to hold her close to him and sleep with her? Mashal was still in disbelief. It made her feel so many things. The butterflies in her stomach seem to fly endlessly as she buried her face into his neck and breathed into his scent.
She never knew that someone would crave to be close to her to this extent but here she was. And that someone being her husband made it all the more special. Life was full of surprises anyway and Murat was the best thing to have ever happened to her, even if he drives her nuts sometimes.