The continuous knocking at her door woke up Mashal with a startle. She rubbed her eyes lazily, trying to fight away the sleep. Murat lied beside her, sleeping peacefully. His hair has grown up a little since the last hair cut and a few locks even covered his face. A fond smile broke onto her lips as she silently observed his heartbeats, his sharp jawline and his long eyelashes. Gosh! Why is he so handsome?
She was nestled in his arms, his strong hands were wrapped around her waist as they slept in each other's embrace. A warm feeling erupted inside her as she took a moment to enjoy the feeling of being so close to him like this. Even after two months of their marriage, it still feels like a dream sometimes. How crazy it was that she's married to her only crush. The thought of being his wife made her feel all giddy and happy. It was truly a dream, the one which she never could have thought would become a reality one day.
But then the fights they have now and then brings her back from the bubble of fairy tale that she has always pictured marriage to be.
Marriage was not easy. She sighed inwardly while trying to get up from the bed. But he was bigger than her and trying to remove his hands from her waist turned out to be such a task.
There was another knock at the door followed by several others.
"Mashal, jaani. Wake up. Aren't you getting late for office?" Malaika's sweet voice made her face pale. The bitter memories of office made her tense. She was yet to confess all of the Aryan Hossain mess to her parents. They'd go livid which is for sure. Especially her father. He's super protective of her.
"I'm up, mama. I'll come down in a few minutes," She shouted loud enough for her mother to hear, who sighed from the other side of the door.
"Alright, get ready soon. Call Murat for breakfast as well. We hadn't had him over in a while," Malaika added before walking out of there.
That's when Mashal's eyes widened in realization. She gazed at her husband again, who was sleeping peacefully without a care in the world.
The memories of the previous night almost made her smile as she recalled everything. Of how he hung up cheesy and cute neon lights on his balcony for her, of how he came in the middle of the night just to hold her close to him and sleep. He's such a charmer. There was no doubt in that.
But did her parents know that he's in this room with her though? She doubts it. She doesn't even know how he came inside in the first place, knowing her crazy and adventurous husband, he would have climbed up some pipes and broken in. The very thought left her cheeks to heat up in shyness. How the heck is she going to face her family and explain them all?
"Murat, wake up!" She shook his biceps, "you can't sleep peacefully while I'm fretting over your silliness. Wake up."
"Mmm," He groaned with annoyance, irritated because of her disturbance so early in the morning. They just slept half an hour ago after praying fajr. He did that one unwillingly for her sake though. Mashal didn't like how he forces himself to do something just to make her happy. But at least he's praying. That's all that mattered.
She was confident that soon enough he'd pray not to please her but because he want to.
But right now she wants him up, explaining to her how he entered their home in the middle of the night. She can't believe he did such a thing for her sake.
"Murat, wake up." She whispered in his ears seductively, knowing very well that it works all the time. She had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Just as expected he woke up, giving her an amused look.
"What happened? I'm tired." If it was someone else in her place it'd have been an entirely different story but just because it's Mashal he's keeping his calm. Otherwise, no one would dare to disturb his sleep. Murat loved to sleep. End of the story.
"Mama wants me to wake up and get ready for work." Mashal sat straight, tensed at the thought of revealing everything to her parents. They're going to flip for sure.
"So what? Tell her you've quit and come back to sleep." He whispered lazily and tried to cover his face with her baby pink blanket but she snatched it with a small frown.
"What else?" He groaned whilst sitting straight, understanding very well that she's not going to let him sleep.
"How did you come inside last night?" Mashal narrowed her eyes at him who suddenly looked sheepish, gone was his sleepiness.
"I knew it! You broke in without anyone's notice. What a sneaky move!" Mashal didn't know if she should be impressed or horrified. The thought of her parents finding out about this made her cheeks heat. They're never going to stop teasing her about it. She didn't even want to think about Meher. That girl will make sure everyone remembers this day forever.
"Now that you remind me, I'm feeling a tad bit nervous about going out and facing them all."
"Tad bit?" Mashal couldn't help but laugh at his word choice, "you should be very nervous, buddy. They're not going to stop talking about this. Especially my sister and mother."
"Well, let's face it." Murat sighed while getting up from the bed. She stood up, tiptoes on her legs and grabbed his face, "sorry for waking you up so early." And then placed a soft kiss just beside his lips.
"My morning turned a hundred times better now. Come on, let's surprise everyone." Murat grinned cheekily making her cheeks flush. But from inside he was rethinking his impulsive move of coming here in the middle of the night. It was worth everything though. He was able to cuddle her and sleep peacefully. That's all that mattered to him at that moment.
"They're going to freak out," Mashal laughed to herself as they walked downstairs. She observed the familiar everyday morning scenario at her home that she missed watching for the last two months. A nostalgic smile appeared on her face as she noticed her sister sleeping as she placed her head on the dining table. Meher's hair was still undone. She was wearing socks on only one leg. Her mother was surprisingly very angry today.
She could just glance at her parents and say something was wrong. The familiar smile on her father's face as he ate his breakfast wasn't there today. They didn't even notice her presence until she cleared her throat and both the pair of eyes were on her, which then trailed off behind her.
"Murat beta? What are you doing here?" Malaika asked with confusion while Arsalaan seem to understand what must have happened as he started laughing suddenly.
Her mother narrowed her eyes at him.
"Arsalaan... Stop laughing. I'm asking him something," Malaika muttered exasperatedly and glanced at Murat again, who looked sheepish.
Mashal noticed the little tension between her parents and walked towards her sleepy sister, who was still not ready when the school van should be arriving in about thirty minutes.
"Aapi, let me sleep," Meher moaned annoyedly and went back to sleep.
"Do you remember when I left you at your parents' place the second time after our marriage?" Arsalaan grinned at his wife, who nodded her head with a puzzled look on her face. It was twenty-five years ago. But how can she ever forget those days?
"Yes, you climbed the balcony and sneaked into my room. You've always been careless about your life. What if you fell and broke a bone or something?" Malaika retorted exasperatedly but a smile made its way on her lips automatically which disappeared as soon as she recalled why she was mad at him in the first place.
"Even after all these years, you're still careless, Arsalaan. You never told me that you've fainted at the office the other day. If not for Zayn bhai. I'm sure I wasn't going to be told about this," She folded her arms with a huff and stopped packing the lunch boxes.
Mashal now understood exactly what has gone wrong.
Her parents have always been an ideal role model couple for her but she has never seen them arguing or fighting before. At least they don't do it in front of her or Meher. It was the first time ever that she has even noticed the friction among them. Maybe she was foolish to assume that they never fought. But the reality was strange.
Marriage was not easy after all. Even for her parents, who have a solid two-decades-old relationship.
For the last two days, Mashal has been constantly worried wondering if there was something wrong with her or Murat, because of the way they keep fighting for things. It made her scared for their future. It was mostly her fighting him, for the justifiable reason of course.
But maybe she was too harsh with him.
They were both new to this whole marriage thing and she could cut him some slack.
Expecting Murat to be a perfect prince charming might be foolish of her and she should understand that he's just another human.
Her parents' little tiff was an eye-opener for her unknowingly and it made her smile to herself.
She and Murat still had a long way to go. But she was sure they'll work this out. Insha Allah.
"I didn't want to worry you, sweetheart. It was just work related stress and I was dehydrated. That's all. Nothing else. Now coming back to the point, remember that balcony climbing incident?" Arsalaan walked towards his wife and persuasively held her forearms, "I was smart enough to go back in the same way unlike someone here."
Mashal found it difficult to hold back her laughter and in the end, she burst out laughing. Murat stood there like a teenager who was caught with his sneaking out rendezvous. It was embarrassing to be in his situation.
"Oh, I see!" Malaika shook her head with a grin as she glanced at her daughter and son in law, who both looked sheepish and shy. She felt so damn happy for Mashal. Her dear daughter deserved nothing but unconditional love and it made her feel elated knowing the risks which Murat was taking for Mashal's sake. It was so cute.
"Yes, to be young and be in love. It was a wonderful feeling. Not that I'm old or something but I miss those good old days," Arsalaan sneaked his arms around Malaika's waist and side hugged her, feeling nostalgic.
Mashal was glad that the attention was not on her or Murat but her parents' past. It was cute. And she's pleased to have the little distraction. With a chuckle, she glanced sideways at her husband, who looked equally relieved and happy. He knew he has gotten away without much trouble or teasing.
She could see her mother's cheeks warming up with shyness. It looked so familiar. So that's where she got her classic blush from. Mashal noted with amusement.
Murat seemed to think the same as he glanced at her in the same moment and they shared a knowing look as her cheeks heated up.
See? The same classic blush. It runs in the family.
"Uncle and auntie, sorry for breaking into your house. I guess you should lock your terrace door every day." He grinned cheekily and noticed how his in-laws were cool with all of this. All they did was laugh.
"I took a random guess that you'd be doing something like this. That's why I left it open. Otherwise, with my three precious girls at home, I'd never take any risk you know." Arsalaan smiled smugly and everyone else gaped at him.
"Papa? Are you serious? No way!" Mashal exclaimed in disbelief while Murat was stunned into speechlessness.
He thought he was being smart but gosh, his father-in-law has outwitted him.
"I just wanted to check if you were serious about my daughter. You passed the test!" Arsalaan grinned mischievously while Malaika elbowed him with a shake of her head. She can't believe he just did that.
"Eat your breakfast guys, you all are getting late for works." She told loudly and walked towards the dining table and filled Arsalaan's mug with pomegranate juice.
"Meher wake up. Your van is going to be here any moment and you didn't even wear your socks properly." Meher sat up with a jerk and glanced around sleepily before going back to sleep once again.
"Ya Allah. Wake up, jaani." Her voice was anything but sweet and this time Meher was completely awake.
"Mama, my stomach is aching can I take leave?" Mashal observed how her little sister was using still the age-old trick as she and Murat joined them on the table.
"Absolutely not," Malaika denied right away, "don't look at your father. He's not going to give you any leave. Right, Arsalaan?" He shrugged while drinking the juice.
"So unfair. You always gave leave to aapi," Meher whined as she got up from the table and left annoyedly.
"Meher Arsalaan Baig. Come back right now and finish your breakfast." Malaika added sternly and the next moment, Meher was seated on the dining table again begrudgingly.
Mashal laughed at her sister's grumpy face. Harry was running with his feather toy in the living room while their father served breakfast to their mother with utmost care and love. Malaika feeds them all but fails to take proper care of herself. But they didn't need to bother much knowing Arsalaan was there to take care of her. This was an everyday happening at the Baig family. Boy did she miss this?
***
"I missed them," Mashal murmured sadly as she entered her home. It was still very unbelievable. To be married to her only crush and living in such a beautiful home almost felt like a dream to her.
"They live right across the street, you can visit them whenever you want," Murat chuckled as he walked in, Ginny came running towards him angrily as if complaining about leaving her alone.
"Sorry darling, I think I am being a bad dad these days, I'll make it up to you. I promise." He picked her up in his arms and placed a kiss on her nose.
"Mashal, wait. We need to talk." He stopped her from going upstairs. She gave him a puzzled look in return.
"What is it?" She asked him a bit worriedly as he filled Ginny's plate with some fresh cat food. She jumped out of his hands and began to eat her food right away.
"Shall we go upstairs?" He asked while paying complete attention to her. She glanced at the sofa and shrugged, "we can talk here."
"Right," he smiled softly while she followed him behind with a curious look.
"What is it, Murat?" Mashal yelped as he pulled her onto his laps, heat raised onto her cheeks as she encircled her arms around his neck and gazed into his deep black eyes which stared back at her with adoration.
"Are you planning to do a job elsewhere?" He asked cautiously while playing with her long and silky hair. For a brief second, it reminded him of his past but he snapped out of that thought and gazed into her chocolate brown orbs once again. She was his present and future. Nothing else mattered anymore.
"I don't know, I guess I'll be a housewife for some time. I need a break from the real world. It sucks big time." Mashal sighed inwardly. She was way too excited about her first ever job once upon a time and to think it ended terribly made her want to break something. This was all an experience anyway. But she felt annoyed nevertheless.
"I'm sorry, Mashal." He apologized while he she narrowed her cute eyes at him, "why, silly? Did you do something I'm not aware of?"
He chuckled at her choice of words, "no, I'm apologizing because you got fired because of being my wife." His face paled at the end. She shook her head while tracing her fingers along his jawline, "no, being your wife makes me the happiest. It was written that I'd be fired from that awful job. And it happened. Nothing else could have stopped it."
"But how are you coping with this sudden news? You were so excited to work. I feel so bad knowing I was also responsible for this," he muttered unhappily.
"I was going to quit anyway, Murat. Yes, I was excited to join that company but that was before I realised how difficult it was to survive in the real world. I've always been pampered and sheltered all my life. Working with Kaif's agency was an entirely different experience. I'll remember what I have got to learn there and try to forget the bitter memories. I think you should too,"
Murat tightened his hold around her waist, feeling so damn proud of her, "I'm going to be selfish and say that I'm very happy you aren't working there anymore. It was so difficult to send you there every morning knowing very well that it's with Kaif you're working. It annoyed me so much. And I was scared for your safety. I don't trust that guy, not even a single bit."
"You could have told me a long ago and I'd have quit the next moment." She muttered with a huff.
"Yes, I should have. I'm sorry I didn't," She cupped his face with a shake of her head.
"I'm sorry too, for fighting with you even though it was not necessary for some places."
He chuckled softly, "apology accepted. I was beginning to get worried. You were so moody all of a sudden."
"Yeah, I noticed too. I guess it was the stress due to my job and I took out all my pent up anger on you. Allah! I feel so awful now." She buried her face into his chest and sighed inwardly, annoyed at herself.
"I'm sorry for not sharing about that article as well, I know I should have told. But I didn't want to make you worried on the first day I got back home." He ran his hands through her soft and smooth hair, which again reminded him of that one person.
"Can we forget that? Let's start over. No more sorry."
"Okay! No more sorry." He nodded in agreement.
"But please try to share things with me. Not every little detail of your life but maybe the important ones. I'll share mine too. Especially if it concerns or involves you, and you too, please do ask me before taking any decision for both of us." She sat straight and informed him without any hesitation. Their relationship never had an awkward phase and she loved that about them.
"I feel so bad now, but yes. I'll do that."
"No, it's okay, Murat. Don't feel bad. We're both new in this marriage. We learn from our mistakes. We all are humans after all and we tend to make a lot of mistakes. It's completely okay." She smiled up at him and noticed him sigh in relief.
"You're the best thing to have ever happened to me, Mashal. How did I get so lucky?" He brushed his lips against her knuckles and noticed the goosebumps that just raised on her hands.
"I am not very good at expressing myself, especially when it comes to you... But you don't know how much I adore you, Murat. I just feel shy. But I like you a lot. You're everything I've ever wanted in my husband and much better than my imaginations." She grinned happily yet shyly, he leaned in and kissed her forehead lovingly. Her eyes were closed enjoying the moment.
"I think I'm falling in love with you, Mashal." Murat was almost going to blurt that out but stopped at the right moment. The last time he fell in love with someone, it ended awfully. He lost his peace of mind and calm because of it. But he wouldn't call what he had with Eliza love though. It was far from it.
He was terrified of losing his heart and mind all over again.
A little corner of his heart knew nothing of that sort would happen. Mashal would never hurt him, not even knowingly.
But he was terrified nevertheless.
***
Three something months later.
"Murat, move aside," Mashal grumbled annoyedly as she brushes her hair, one of her earrings was missing and she was yet to do a complete makeover.
"You take such a long time in getting ready," Murat complained like every other husband. He buttoned his shirt one by one and tried to comb his hair but his wife has occupied the whole mirror and wasn't letting him glance at himself even for one moment. She'd move aside only when she was done it seems.
Mashal was stubborn like that. She took her sweet time in getting ready.
He could actually see his face of course. That's another benefit of having a short wife. But he want to see how this shirt was looking on him. He was attending a friend's wedding and Mashal was accompanying as his plus one.
"How do I look?" She finally moved aside and grinned at him, twirling her peach Anarkali dress. He gelled his hair and mumbled the word beautiful distractedly. A knowing look appeared on his face.
"Murat!" She placed her hands on her hips and stared at him.
"What happened now?" He peeked at her once and then at himself. A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"No kisses for you," she huffed cutely and walked away but he caught her wrists on time and yanked her close to him. She landed on his chest as he tightened his hold on her waist.
"Babe... Need I always have to tell you? You look absolutely enchanting. I'm rethinking about going anywhere at all. How about we cancel our plans," he grinned mischievously while she wriggled out of his hold, a cute angry glare formed on her face.
"Don't give me false praises. I guess you're already bored of me." She turned her face not wanting to face him. A mock hurt look automatically appeared on her face.
"I thought we were playing. No need to get all serious. Be that way if you want to be," he left her hands and went back to gaze at himself in the mirror. She pulled his hands with force and gazed up at him, "I was joking too."
"It was not at all funny," he cupped her face as his eyes darkened.
"Same. Your joke wasn't funny too." She whispered nervously as he leaned in towards her face, "what-
Her words died down as he brushed his lips against hers, kissing her softly and slowly as if they had all the time in the world.
"Aren't we supposed to fight?" Her voice become shaky as he trailed more kisses on her face.
"Who said anything about fighting, you look hot in anger though." He grinned mischievously but she stomped on his feet got away from his hold.
"It's getting late, come on. Let's go."
"I was pulling your legs though," he took her purse and followed her behind. She smiled to herself, "I know, Murat."
Almost five months into their marriage and they're comfortable enough to pull such jokes now. The past few months have been a rollercoaster ride. With so many ups and downs.
As they reached the venue, Murat glanced at his wife who looked visibly nervous about getting out of the car.
"I'll be by your side, always. Don't worry." His words calmed her somehow as she passed him her rare smiles.
"You look gorgeous. I was just joking you know that, right?" He gazed at her longingly and noticed how the usual shy smile adorned her face.
"You don't have to say anything, Murat. Your eyes speak enough for me to know." Mashal smiled softly. He grinned at her response.
"Come on, let's get this over with." He got down from the car, walked to her side and held the door open for her.
She gave him her hands without a second thought. A chill ran down her spine as he got her down and closed the door behind her.
"Shall we?"
Mashal nodded at him meekly as she locked her hands with him. Not even two steps ahead there was a phone call for Murat.
He smiled sheepishly and took his phone out from the pocket, "it's kind of loud here. I'll be back soon. Please stand by our car." He requested her and she nodded in understanding.
"I'll be here, come back soon."
Murat sighed as he turned the phone into silent mode and walked towards his wife. But his breath hitched as he came face to face with the last person he ever wanted to meet that night.
Standing in front of him was Eliza Hossain. She looked just the same. Her long and silky hair was tied in a updo and her face looked hopeful as she came forward towards him.
Murat can't help but wonder, what the actual hell was happening?