Until It Was Real

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Twoweeks had passed. Fourteen long days without him.

I never realized how slowly time could crawl until now.

Every hour without Zaigham felt stretched, empty, like the walls of this house were too wide for me to breathe in.

He was in Turkey, wrapped in meetings, conferences, and business dinners.

And me? I was here, trying to fill the gaps with noise, laughter, and endless chatter.

Because if I stopped, if I let silence take over, I would remember how much I missed him.

The girls were gathered in the lounge in the afternoon, Laiba with her witty comebacks, Ayat with her endless giggles, Aaliya teasing everyone like always, and Inaya humming softly in the corner while scrolling through her phone. I slipped in with a tray of juice glasses.

"Laiba, stop pulling Ayat's hair," I said, setting the tray down

Laiba shot me a grin. "She deserves it. She just called me bossy."

Ayat laughed so hard she nearly fell over the couch. "Because you are bossy!"

I shook my head, sitting beside Aaliya, who nudged me. "You've been too quiet today, Zoya. Missing someone?" she asked slyly.

My heart stuttered. My fingers twisted in my lap. "Of course not. I just... I didn't sleep well."

"Liar," Aaliya whispered, smirking.

I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, let's play something," Inaya suddenly suggested. "A challenge game. Whoever loses has to call one person and say, 'I miss you.'"

Laiba clapped her hands. "Perfect. Let's start!"

Nouran api entered halfway, folding her dupatta across her shoulder. "What's this chaos?"

Laiba grinned wickedly. "A game. You lose, you call someone and say, I miss you,on speaker."

Rumman api groaned. "Oh my Allah, we're too old for this."

"Too old?" Aaliya teased. "Or too scared?"

Within minutes, they were in. Yusra was also persuaded with a little tugging and teasing.

"Alright!" Laiba clapped dramatically. "Tonight we play something epic.

'Never Have I Ever'. We'll mix it with I Miss You Calls."

"What nonsense," Rumman api muttered, stretching her legs out.

But Ayat was already bouncing. "No, no, I love it! Whoever loses a round has to call someone and say 'I miss you' on loudspeaker."

"Absolutely not." Nouran api groaned. "I am not humiliating myself in front of you hyenas."

"You have no choice." Laiba grinned like a villain. "Majority wins. It's official!"

The room erupted in cheers. I sat quietly at the corner of the sofa, hugged a cushion to my chest.

Ayat leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Okay... Never have I ever... eaten ice cream straight from the tub at midnight."

Everyone gasped dramatically, then slowly turned to Aaliya, who was hiding her face in her hands.

Laiba shouted, "Caught red-handed!"

"Ugh, fine," Aaliya groaned, pulling out her phone. "But I'm only calling baba."

She hit dial. The phone rang, and then a calm, deep voice answered, "Aaliya?"

She blurted, "I miss you baba!"

A pause. Then her Chachu's gentle chuckle floated through the speaker. "I miss you too, beta. Are you okay?"

The room went "Awwww!" in unison, clapping, teasing, cheering.

Now it was Laiba's turn to declare. "Never have I ever... stalked someone's Instagram at 3 a.m."

Almost everyone froze guiltily. But Ayat, laughing too loudly, raised her hand.

"Ha! Knew it!" Laiba pounced. "Who were you stalking? Come on, spill."

Ayat threw a pillow at her. "None of your business! Fine, fine, I'll call my best friend."

She dialed, put it on speaker.

"Hello?"

"I... miss you," Ayat said, cringing already.

"Miss me?!" her friend yelped. "Ayat, I literally saw you this morning in class!"

The whole lounge exploded into laughter. Ayat buried her face in a cushion, screaming.

Rumman api smirked. "Never have I ever... forgotten an important anniversary."

Everyone looked straight at Nouran api. She groaned. "Oh, come on, I forgot just once!"

Rules were rules. She dialed Ayaan bhai.

The phone clicked. "Hello?"

Nouran api said trying so hard to sound unbothered, "I miss you."

There was a pause. Then his warm voice replied without hesitation: "I miss you too, love."

The room screamed in delight. Nouran api's face turned red as she covered her face. "Ugh, you people are insufferable."

Ayat smirked. "Never have I ever... fallen asleep in class."

Everyone pointed to Rumman api. "Don't even deny it," Ayat teased.

Rumman rolled her eyes and dialed. She picked the most random contact, her old female professor.

The line connected.

"I miss you," Rumman said awkwardly.

Silence. Then the professor's strict voice snapped: "Excuse me?!"

The lounge collapsed. People rolled on the floor, tears streaming down their faces. Rumman api slapped her forehead. "I hate you all."

Aaliya leaned forward, smirking. "Never have I ever... lied about being sick to skip clinical training."

Everyone's eyes landed on Laiba.

"Ugh, busted." She grinned, no shame whatsoever, and dialed Rayyan.

He picked up instantly. "Laiba?"

She yelled gleefully, "I miss you, Rayyan the Donkey!"

A stunned pause. Then Rayyan exploded, "Laiba! Are you insane?!"

The lounge went absolutely feral. Cushions flew, we screamed with laughter, Laiba rolled on the carpet victorious.

Laiba narrowed her eyes like a hunter who had spotted prey. "Okay... Never have I ever... called my professor driver."

All heads swiveled toward Yusra as everyone laughed.

Her eyes went wide. "What?! That's not fair!"

"Totally fair," Ayat sang, grinning. "Remember driver bhaiiii?"

The room burst into laughter. Yusra groaned, pulling her shawl over her head. "No, no, no, I am not doing this."

"Oh, yes you are," Laiba said with mock evil. "And I already know who you're calling."

Yusra peeked from under her shawl, suspicious. "Who?"

"Zayyan."

Yusra shrieked, throwing a cushion at her. "Laibaaa! No way! Absolutely not! I'd rather jump into a well!"

The entire lounge roared with laughter. Nouran api clapped her hands. "This is going to be good. Come on, do it!"

Yusra's face turned crimson. She held the phone like it was a ticking bomb. "I hate you all."

"On speaker," Aaliya reminded her with a wicked grin.

Finally, with trembling fingers, she dialed. The ringing tone made her stomach twist. Then—

"Hello?" Zayyan's calm voice came through.

Yusra swallowed hard. Her hands were clammy, but she forced the words out in a squeaky rush,

"I... I miss you."

The silence was deafening. Everyone held their breath.

Then his professor-voice cut in, completely unfazed,

"Miss Yusra, did you complete the case law analysis I assigned you this morning? I expect it on my desk tomorrow."

The room exploded.

Ayat nearly fell off the sofa laughing. "OH MY ALLAH, he didn't even register it!"

Laiba clapped her hands. "Professor mode ON!"

Nouran api was wiping tears from her eyes. "Yusra, you just told your law professor you miss him and he gave you homework."

Yusra slammed the phone down and buried her face in her shawl, screaming, "I'M NEVER FORGIVING YOU, LAIBA!"

"Don't worry," Rumman api teased. "At least now he knows how dedicated you are to your studies."

The chaos and laughter lasted for minutes before anyone could catch their breath.

I had been praying silently that the game would end before it reached me. But fate, and Laiba, weren't merciful.

"Alright, Mrs. Khan." Laiba's grin was devilish. "Never have I ever... stayed silent in the whole game."

Everyone shouted, "Gotcha!"

My eyes widened. "No, no, that doesn't count!"

"It counts," Aaliya said firmly. "Rules are rules."

I hugged my cushion tighter, shaking her head. "I'm not calling him."

"Oh, you are," Ayat chimed. "We're all dying to hear."

The room erupted in chants: "Call him! Call him!"

My heart pounded so loudly I thought they'd hear it. I pressed dial.

The line connected. His voice came, smooth and steady.

"Hello, Zoya."

The room froze. I swallowed hard.

"Zaigham... I... miss you."

For a moment, silence. Everyone leaned closer, holding their breath.

Then came a low chuckle, rare, soft.

"I miss you more, Zoya."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

The entire lounge went still. Cushions stopped mid-air. Laiba's mouth dropped open, Ayat squealed into a pillow, Nouran api clutched her chest, and Rumman gasped dramatically.

"He actually said it!"

"I can't believe bhai can be this soft." Inaya said stunned.

I sat frozen, cheeks burning, pulse racing. All I could hear was his voice, lingering in her ears, warm and possessive.

And for the first time, everyone else had witnessed the side of Zaigham Khan that only I had ever known.

By the time our ridiculous game finally wrapped up, my sides hurt from laughing. Laiba, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, declared dramatically,

"We deserve ice cream after this emotional trauma!"

Everyone cheered as if she had just made the wisest suggestion of the night. Within minutes, we were tumbling into cars like an excited school trip.

Ayyan bhai, unfortunately, had been cornered into driving. He gripped the steering wheel like a man heading to war.

"Why am I always the designated driver for this circus?" he muttered.

Leaning forward from the backseat, I grinned.

"Because you secretly love us, Ayyan bhai. Don't deny it."

He gave me a sharp look through the rearview mirror.

"One more smart comment, Zoya, and you're paying for my fuel."

I gasped dramatically, hand over my chest.

"Robbing your little sister? Shame, shame."

The car exploded with laughter.

The moment we reached the ice cream parlor, chaos bloomed again. Neon lights glowed above us, and the glass counter displayed rows of colorful flavors, each looking more tempting than the last.

Laiba pressed her face against the counter like a child.

"Give me the biggest scoop you have or I'll file a complaint!"

Ayat nearly doubled over laughing.

"Against what?"

"Against this tiny scoop!" Laiba pointed accusingly at the sample cup the server held.

I shook my head, chuckling. "Drama queen," I muttered under my breath.

Ayat's sharp eyes caught me. She smirked, turning with mischief.

"Zoya, you should try bubblegum flavor."

I wrinkled my nose instantly.

"No way. That's not ice cream, that's toothpaste in disguise."

"Coward," she teased.

Crossing my arms, I pretended to look offended.

"Excuse me? I survived marrying your Zaigham bhai. Bubblegum ice cream is nothing, but still, no thank you."

The girls burst out laughing, Ayat whistling innocently while I pretended to ignore them.

Meanwhile, Yusra and Inaya had started a tug-of-war over the sprinkles jar.

"For heaven's sake!" I marched forward, snatching it from both of them and holding it above my head. "Enough! If you break this jar, we'll all be banned for life."

Yusra pouted like a child.

"But sprinkles are happiness."

I grinned, shaking the jar over both their cups before handing it back.

"Then share your happiness, madam."

When my turn finally came, I ordered chocolate-chip swirl. The server, for some reason, placed two generous scoops into my cup instead of one.

"Uh... I asked for one," I said, confused.

Laiba's gasp echoed across the shop.

"Wow! Zoya's charm is working even here."

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, shut up. Maybe he just misheard."

We squeezed into a long table, elbows bumping, spoons clinking, laughter bubbling everywhere. Laiba was busy trying to steal bites from Aaliya's cup when Ayyan bhai groaned,

"If any of you get ice cream on the seats in my car, I swear—"

"Relax, bhai," I interrupted cheerfully, "If it happens, I'll personally clean it with my dupatta."

The entire table erupted with laughter again. Ayyan bhai buried his face in his hands, muttering about regret and family, while my chest felt light for the first time in days.

I took a spoonful of my chocolate-chip swirl, savoring the sweetness as I watched the noisy, happy group around me.

The weekend came with the kind of chaos only this house could hold. By late afternoon, the garden was alive with voices, the cousins spread everywhere like stars scattered across the night sky. Rayyan bhai and Zayyan bhai had joined in too, and that alone doubled the noise.

Laiba was arguing over which movie to watch later, Ayat was juggling two bowls of chips like a circus clown, and Inaya kept laughing so hard she nearly spilled soda all over the swing.

Nouran api and Rumman api added their witty comebacks to every joke, making it impossible for the rest of us to breathe between fits of laughter.

I laughed along with them, my cheeks aching, my voice hoarse. For a moment, the ache of missing him dulled under the weight of joy.

"Zoya, pass me the popcorn or I swear—" Ayat yelled, reaching over the cushions.

"Over my dead body!" I grabbed the bowl, hugging it to my chest as if it were the last treasure on earth. Everyone burst out laughing, and before I could blink, Zayyan bhai swooped in and stole it right out of my hands.

"Unfair!" I whined, throwing a cushion at him.

"Life isn't fair, Zoya," he said with a teasing smirk.

I tried to laugh it off, rolling my eyes, when suddenly my phone buzzed in my lap. One glance at the screen and my heart stuttered.

Zaigham.

The chatter blurred. My lips parted in a soft breath, warmth spreading in my chest like sunlight breaking through clouds.

"Excuse me," I muttered, rising quickly.

That one word was enough. The moment they saw his name flashing on the screen, the garden erupted into dramatic "Oooooooohs" and "Awwwws." Ayat fanned herself with a cushion, Laiba clutched her chest like she'd faint, and Yusra sang, "Lovebirds, lovebirds!"

I shot them a glare over my shoulder, though the smile tugging at my lips gave me away.

Ignoring their mischief, I slipped into our room and closed the door behind me.

The silence was immediate, almost reverent, as if the whole world paused for this one moment. I sat on the edge of the bed, breathless, and answered.

The moment I picked up, my chest tightened.

"Assalam u Alaikum..."

"Walikum Salam." His voice was steady, calm, but the weight of two weeks without him made even that single word feel like a relief.

Two weeks, no almost three weeks now. I had counted every single one.

"You finally remembered to call me this early," I teased softly, though my voice wavered.

"I've been remembering you every minute," he said, quiet, certain. "But today I couldn't wait any longer."

My throat constricted. "It's been three weeks, Zaigham... three weeks without seeing you."

"I know." There was the faintest sigh, a sound so rare from him that my heart squeezed.

He chuckled under his breath, low and warm. "Then I'm winning."

I frowned, confused. "Winning what?"

"The race of missing each other. Because I miss you more, Zoya."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "You always have to win, don't you?"

"Especially when it comes to you," he said simply.

For a while, neither of us spoke. Just his breath, my breath, as though the silence itself had become a conversation.

Finally, I whispered, "When are you coming back?"

There was a pause. "Soon." His voice softened, intimate in its certainty. "And when I do, I don't want you to look at me like you've been starving for weeks. Because, Zoya, I've already had enough of starving without you."

My heart thundered so hard I thought he might hear it. I bit my lip, curling into the pillow, every word of his stitching itself into me.

"I'll... hold you to that," I whispered.

"You'd better." His tone shifted, as if he sensed my overwhelming emotions. "Now go. Before those idiots start banging at the door. They're probably waiting to tease you already."

I laughed softly. "You know them too well."

I tucked the phone against my chest for a moment, soaking in the warmth, before I finally gathered myself and walked back out.

The second I stepped into the garden.

"Laiba," Ayat shrieked, "look at her face! She's glowing!"

"Ooooooohhhh!" they all chorused, clapping like maniacs.

I gasped. "Shut up! You all are insane."

"Mrs. Khan, Mrs. Khan," Inaya chanted, while Inaya smirked knowingly.

I grabbed a cushion and threw it at them, laughing despite myself, my cheeks still burning. "You guys are unbearable!"

But inside... my heart was unbearably full.

After dinner, instead of dispersing, I declared, "We need dessert! Who even ends the night without dessert?"

Within minutes, the entire clan migrated to the kitchen, sleeves rolled up like a mini cooking show.

"No one touch the chocolate!" Aaliya shouted, holding the bar like a sword.

Ayat laughed, snatching the whisk from her. "And no one trust Aaliya, she burns toast."

"Excuse me?" Aaliya gasped. "At least I don't put salt in chai like you."

The kitchen erupted with giggles.

Nouran Api tried to take charge. "Okay, enough chaos. We're making milkshakes. Simple, quick."

"Laiba, wash the strawberries. Rumman, blender duty."

"I'm supervising," Rumman Api announced proudly, leaning against the counter.

"Supervising what?" I teased, "The fridge door?"

That set everyone laughing again.

Soon, Yusra was nervously slicing bananas, Inaya added way too much sugar, and Ayat turned on the blender without a lid, sending half the mixture splattering onto the counter and onto Laiba's dupatta.

"Laiba api!" she shrieked. "It's not my fault!"

"You'll pay for this," Laiba threatened dramatically, holding up her sticky dupatta like evidence in court.

I shook my head, laughing so hard. "This is less milkshake, more mess."

"Fine," I said finally, stepping in. "Move aside. If anyone wants this drink to be drinkable, let me fix it."

And for once in a lifetime, everyone actually obeyed me.

I added the right amount of cocoa, ice cream, and blended everything properly. When the blender stopped, the room went still.

"Wow," Ayat muttered.

"It actually looks... edible," Aaliya admitted.

I poured it into glasses with a little triumphant smile. "See? Sometimes you need less chaos, more brains."

Laiba smirked, sipping hers. "Or maybe... sometimes you just need Zoya the chef."

The room burst into "ooooohs," and I tried to hide my smile behind the glass.

"So... someone is turning twenty-three tonight."

My eyes widened for a second before I caught myself, plastering on a smirk. "Oh really? Must be some lucky girl."

They all burst out laughing, clapping and whistling. "Don't act innocent, Zoya," Rumman Api teased, poking my arm.

Inside, my chest tightened just a little. My first birthday after marriage. The first one where Zaigham wasn't here. I masked it with a sassy smile, tossing my scarf back. "Well, she must be fabulous if everyone is so excited."

Laiba made a face. "Oh, she is. Except maybe she is a little clumsy?"

More laughter, more chaos. I laughed too, but there was a faint ache underneath, the ache of knowing the one person I wanted near wasn't here to celebrate with me.

Later that night, I curled up in bed with a novel, the house quieting down at last. My eyes traced the words, but my mind wasn't following the story. Sleep tugged at me slowly until I drifted off.

Suddenly—

"ZOYAAA!"

I jerked awake, blinking. Laiba and Rumman Api barged into my room like a storm, waving party hats and balloons.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" they shrieked in unison, jumping on the bed. Before I could even process, a birthday cap was shoved onto my head.

"Come on, birthday girl, OUT!" Laiba tugged my arm, barely letting me grab my dupatta.

Laiba and Rumman Api practically dragged me down the stairs while chanting, "Birthday girl, birthday girl!" My sleepy protests went ignored as we entered the lounge.

The lights were dimmed, the cake glowing in the center of the table. And then—

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZOYA!"

The room erupted. Mama and Baba were in the front, smiling wide. Mama came forward first, hugging me tightly, her scent wrapping around me like home. "My little girl is twenty-three already..." she murmured, kissing my forehead.

Baba placed a gentle hand on my head. "Stay blessed, beta."

Then Taya Jaan and Tayyi Jaan stepped in with warm smiles, giving their duas, followed by Chachu and Chachi, both laughing and clapping as if I were still a child.

Zaviyaar and Zayyan bhai high-fived each other before pulling me into a side hug. "Happy birthday, Zoya! May all your wishes come true," Zaviyaar teased, ruffling my hijab like I was twelve again.

And then Ayaan bhai walked up with his signature grin. "Happy birthday, champ." He hugged me, squeezing a little tighter than usual. For a moment, the ache in my heart dulled.

But then my eyes caught movement.

Zaarib.

I froze. This is the first time I am seeing him after that day.

He had stepped closer, hesitation clear in his stance. His lips parted as if to speak, as if to wish.

My smile faltered, just slightly, but enough for me to feel it. Quickly, I turned my head away, clutching Nouran Api's hand instead. "Come on Api, help me cut the cake," I said brightly, forcing cheer into my voice.

Nouran Api beamed, covering for me, "Of course, birthday girl." She squeezed my hand, her eyes knowing but kind.

Everyone sang, clapped, laughed. I cut the cake, fed Mama, Baba, and one by one everyone else.

They smeared cream on my cheek, snapped pictures, made me laugh even when my chest felt tight.

But the whole time, I avoided looking back at Zaarib.

Later, when the chaos settled, I slipped back into my room. Birthday cap still crooked on my head, my hijab messed up a little, I collapsed on the bed.

The laughter outside still carried faintly through the walls, but my room was suddenly too quiet.

Too still.

I unlocked my phone instinctively. My eyes went straight to his name.

No wish.

No message.

Not even a missed call.

Last seen: 11:45 p.m.

My throat tightened. I told myself what I always told myself.

He's busy, Zoya. Meetings. Time difference. Responsibilities.

But it was my first birthday after marriage. And even if the whole world had remembered, he hadn't.

I placed the phone on my chest, closing my eyes, whispering into the dark, "It's okay... it's not a big deal."

But the ache lingered as I drifted into sleep.

The next morning the entire house was buzzing. Balloons, fairy lights, trays of food moving in and out of the kitchen, it was as if a wedding was being prepared instead of my birthday.

Everyone seemed excited. Everyone except me.

I tried smiling, tried laughing with Laiba and Yusra while they argued about decorations, but the weight in my chest didn't go away. He still hadn't called. Not even a message. Not even one word.

By evening, my room turned into a battlefield.

"Zoya, just wear this one!" Laiba dramatically flopped a purple gown on my bed.

Nouran Api immediately snatched it away. "No, no, no. Too flashy. This one is perfect." She held up a deep maroon dress that shimmered under the light. "It'll make her look like—"

"Laiba, help me!" I groaned, hiding my face in a pillow. "I don't want a party. I don't want a dress. I don't want anything. Please!"

"Excuse me, birthday girl," Laiba snatched my pillow. "You don't get a vote."

"She's right," Nouran Api nodded firmly. "Tonight, you're ours."

They attacked me with brushes, jewelry boxes. At one point, Laiba pinned my dupatta wrong and nearly poked my eye with a hairpin.

"OW! Laiba!"

"It's called beauty is pain, Zoya. Endure it." She grinned wickedly.

I laughed despite myself. Their chaos was infectious, pulling me out of my sulky mood.

By the time they were done, I barely recognized the girl in the mirror. My scarf set gently, my maroon dress glowed, and my eyes... well, they looked nervous, but also alive.

"Perfect." Nouran Api clapped proudly.

"Goddess-level," Laiba declared.

Before I could protest again, something soft pressed against my face.

"Laiba!" I yelped. "What are you doing?!"

"Blindfold." She tied the scarf tightly at the back of my head.

I reached up, laughing. "No way. Take it off!"

"Don't you dare," Nouran Api scolded, grabbing my hands.

"Careful with her dress," Laiba added.

"You two are insane," I complained, stumbling as they hooked my arms and led me out of the room.

"Step left."

"No, Zoya, left means the other left!" Laiba shrieked when I nearly bumped into the doorframe.

"Hold her! She's going to fall!" Nouran Api cried.

"I'm fine!" I laughed breathlessly, my heart hammering. "I'm not a toddler—"

"Shhh! No talking!" Laiba hissed dramatically.

They guided me down the stairs. I tripped twice, nearly dragging both of them down with me, and the giggles we tried to hold back turned into full-blown laughter.

Finally, they stopped. I could feel the air shift, voices hushed, a kind of charged silence surrounding me.

"Ready?" Laiba whispered.

"Three..." Nouran Api began.

"...two..." Laiba joined in.

"...one!"

The blindfold slipped off.

"Surprise!" They yelled.

I blinked hard, my eyes adjusting to the explosion of lights, glitter, and balloons filling the hall.

Everyone was standing there, clapping, cheering, grinning at me.

And then I saw him.

Zaigham.

Standing tall at the center, in a crisp charcoal suit, a faint smile on his lips, looking handsome as ever.

My heart stopped. My breath caught. For a second, I thought it was an illusion. A dream my heart had conjured to soothe itself.

But it wasn't.

It was him.

Tears pricked my eyes before I even realized I was moving. My feet carried me forward, faster and faster, until I was running.

And then I was in his arms.

He caught me instantly, pulling me against him, strong and steady. The whole world blurred away as he bent slightly, his breath warm against my ear.

"Happy birthday... Mrs. Khan."

The tears slipped free, but I smiled through them, clinging tighter. "You came..."

His arms tightened in answer, and for once, I didn't care who was watching.

Until—

"Ahem!"

Laiba and Zaviyaar's exaggerated throat-clearing rang out, followed by a chorus of giggles.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Reluctantly, I pulled back, only to find the entire family watching us with knowing smiles, some with soft eyes, some with laughter barely hidden.

Except one.

Mahveen.

She stood at the edge of the crowd, her expression sharp, eyes blazing with something dark. The smile that had been blooming on my lips faltered.

Her words from that day echoed in my head.

Instinctively, my fingers slid down and caught Zaigham's hand. His grip tightened instantly, reassuring, protective, grounding me.

I looked up at him, and the faint smile on his face was enough to make my heart steady again.

"Waah, waah, what an entry it was!" Ayaan Bhai teased, nudging Zaigham on the back as if he'd staged the whole thing like a hero in a film.

"Stop it!" I laughed nervously, my cheeks blazing red. I tried stepping back, but Zaigham's hand remained firm around mine, a silent anchor.

"She's glowing," Tayi Jaan said fondly, her voice warm. "Mashallah, look at her."

"Not glowing," Zayyan bhai interrupted dramatically. "Blushing. There's a difference."

Everyone burst out laughing, and I covered my face with my free hand, hiding my embarrassment.

"Okay, okay, enough teasing the birthday girl," Mama said, her smile tender. "Let's cut the cake before all these balloons lose their shine."

Laiba darted to my side, whispering quickly, "You owe me, Zoya. I kept this secret since last night."

I narrowed my eyes at her in disbelief. "Since last night?! And you didn't tell me?"

She grinned mischievously. "Where's the fun in that?"

I tried to nudge her playfully with my elbow, but she dodged, laughing.

The cake was brought out, three tiers, shimmering with golden frosting. Everyone gathered close, phones ready, laughter bubbling.

I blew out the candles, and everyone clapped.

I sliced into the cake. My heart pounded as I turned with the first piece. Without hesitation, I held it up to him.

Zaigham's eyes softened, so soft it almost unraveled me. He leaned forward, taking a small bite, his gaze steady on mine the whole time.

A ripple of "awwww" moved through the family like a wave.

Heat climbed to my face, but before I could lower my hand, he took the fork from me, cut a small piece, and held it to my lips.

I blinked, surprised, but slowly leaned in, tasting the sweetness. His eyes didn't leave mine even for a second. For a heartbeat, it felt like we were alone.

"Uffff, I can't watch this!" Laiba teased loudly, breaking the spell. "Feed us normal people too before we faint from the sugar in the air!"

I laughed and quickly moved, feeding Mama and Baba next, who blessed me with warm smiles and affectionate kisses on my forehead.

One by one, I gave cake to everyone, and in return got wishes, laughter, and love.

All the while, I was crushing under the intense gaze of my very own husband. I dared to look up, and there they were. His grey eyes. Not cold, not sharp like the world saw them. But soft, yet unbearably intense, holding me still as if no one else existed.

I blushed and looked away.

To be Continued....

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