Vows Of Vengeance

Chapter 39

_______________________________________

" Kidnapping you.. Of course ... ", Safiya's breath hitched as Zaviyar said it so casually, like he was talking about taking a wrong turn instead of confessing to a crime.

Horror pooled in her stomach as she stared at him, her fingers curling into the leather seat beneath her. What made it worse was not the word itself but the way he said it.

Zaviyar pressed his foot harder on the accelerator, the engine responding with a low growl as the car surged forward. He even began to whistle softly, an absentminded tune, as though he had not just kidnapped a woman. Even though that woman happened to be his wife!

Safiya swallowed hard. She knew him well enough to understand that arguing would lead nowhere.

Words slid off him when he decided to be stubborn.

Her jaw clenched as frustration bubbled up inside her.

Instead of wasting her breath on him, she leaned forward and pressed the button to roll down the window.

Zaviyar noticed instantly. A chuckle slipped past his lips as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye, clearly entertained by the storm brewing on her face. The window slid down painfully slowly, as if mocking her desperation, the cool air rushing inside the car.

The moment there was enough space, Safiya leaned out, her hair flying wildly as she craned her neck and screamed at the top of her lungs.

" Helppp.... Helppppp... He is trying to kidnap meee~~~~ ", Her voice echoed down the mostly empty road.

Zaviyar laughed under his breath, thoroughly amused by what he considered her dramatic performance. He already knew how this would end.

The road stretched long and quiet, surrounded by fields and scattered trees. Even if someone heard her, recognition would stop them. Once they realised who the so-called kidnapper was, no one would dare intervene. Still, he decided to add fuel to the fire.

" Gaon valo ko english nhi aati, hindi mein try karo... ", he tilted his head towards her, a smug, shit-eating grin plastered across his face.

(The villagers do not understand English, try in Hindi...)

Safiya froze for a second, actually considering his words, her brows knitting together as if she was weighing her options.

Then she took a deep breath and tried again.

" Meri madad karo koi, yeh buddha mera kid- i mean apharan kar raha hainnnn ", hrr voice cracked with panic as she scanned the road desperately, searching for any opening, any chance to escape.

(Someone help me, this old man is kidnap- I mean abducting me...)

Zaviyar shook his head slowly, his face scrunching in mild annoyance at her constant screaming. He loved her voice. He truly did. He would love to hear her scream too, just not like this. He much preferred her screaming his name, in their room, while she would be under rhim.

Safiya, however, refused to stop. Hope suddenly bloomed in her chest when she spotted a jeep approaching fast from behind. Her heart leapt when it overtook them and then swerved, stopping right in front of their car. Dust rose into the air as the tyres screeched.

" Oye... Ruk... Rukk... Gaadi side kar... ", Men jumped out of the jeep, shouting aggressively. From the corner of her eye, Safiya noticed the khaki uniforms. POLICE! Relief flooded her veins so fast it almost made her dizzy.

(Hey... stop... stop... pull the car to the side...)

She turned towards Zaviyar with a victorious smirk, her lips curling in satisfaction.

" Ab dekhna, tumhari pitayi karaungi, fir chhorke bhaag jaungi.

.. ", Her grin was so wide, so smug, that for a split second Zaviyar forgot the situation entirely.

He admired it, her confidence and the fire within her.

And then guilt pricked at him because he knew he was about to shatter that confidence.

(Now watch, I will get you beaten up and then I will run away...)

" Dekhte hain kitni dur bhaag sakogi... ", He rested his head on his left hand, elbow propped comfortably and looked at her with a gaze that was disturbingly soft, almost loving.

(Let us see how far you can run...)

" I have a lot of strength in my legs, so I can run really fast. You will learn that soon. ", She leaned back further into the leather seat, instinctively trying to put distance between them, her body tense like a drawn bow.

" Hamari activities ke liye tumhe ese bhi core strength chahiye, jaan... "

(For our activities, you will need core strength anyway, love...)

For a brief second, his eyes betrayed him, flicking downwards towards her thighs before returning to her face.

" Kya matlab? ", Confusion clouded her expression.

(What do you mean?)

" Mera matlab yeh hain ki tumhari legs mein kitna strength hain, that I'll find out but in some other ways.. ", Before she could fully process his words, a sharp bang echoed through the car as a baton struck the window.

(I mean how much strength your legs have, that I will find out, but in some other ways...)

" Oiii heroi ladki ko ky-", Safiya's lips stretched into an arrogant smile, her chest swelling with pride as she finally felt justice within reach. But her triumph shattered instantly. She watched the man's face drain of colour the moment Zaviyar turned to look at him.

(Hey... hero.. what are you doing to the girl-)

"S-sahab aap...", the man stuttered stepping back immediately as the baton fell from his hand.

(Sir... you...)

" Maaf kijiye, hum nhi jaante the ki yeh gari aapki thi. Humeh laga kuch galat- ",The constable's eyes darted nervously between Zaviyar and Safiya. He bowed immediately, almost looking like he was on the verge of crying.

(Forgive us, we did not know this was your car. We thought something was wrong-)

" Hum samajhte hain. Humeh achcha laga yeh dekhkar ki aap loug apna kaam immandari se kar rahe hain ", Zaviyar spoke smoothly, authority dripping from every word.

(I understand. It is good to see that you all are doing your duty honestly.)

He winked at Safiya from the corner of his eye. She sat frozen, shock rendering her motionless.

" Shukriya sahab ", The man bowed respectfully and turned to leave but halted when Safiya's desperate voice rang out.

(Thank you, sir.)

" Wait... Yeh mujhe kidnap kar raha hain... Help me out... ". Panic seeped into her voice as she watched her only chance slipping away.

(Wait... he is kidnapping me... help me...)

" Sahab- ", the man looked at Zaviyar again. Zaviyar simply shrugged.

(Sir-)

" Meri biwi aaj mujhse thora gussa hain, isiliye ghumane le jaa rha hu...", the constable stared, astonished, clearly caught off guard seeing the cold, distant village head put on such a deceptively soft facade.

(My wife is a little upset with me today, so I am taking her out for a drive...)

The policemen nodded, bowed once more and left. Safiya watched them go, her eyes wide, disbelief and fury tangling in her chest. Zaviyar's smug smile only made it worse.

She tried again, desperation clawing at her throat.

"Listen... Listen... You are working with him because he gives you all money right? I can give money to all of you. How much do you want? 1 lakh? 2 lakhs? "

The officers looked at her, baffled.

"Kam hain? ", Her voice trembled.

(Is it less?)

" How about 10 lakhs... ", She noticed Zaviyar's smirk widen, pride gleaming on his face.

(Das lakh kaise rahenge...)

Then an absurd idea struck her. Her pulse raced as she planned her escale. She could escape through the window. She snapped open her seatbelt and lunged forward.

Zaviyar nearly shrieked in shock. His arm shot out, snaking around her waist, his other hand bracing against the window frame to protect her head as he yanked her back into the car.

" Chup chap idhar betho varna unhe kehkar tumhe government officers ko bribe dene ke jurm mein andar karwa dunga... ", She glared at him, fury blazing.

(Sit quietly or I will tell them and have you arrested for bribing government officers...)

" Tum mujhe andar karoge? Haaa? ", She dug into her purse and pulled out her pocket knife.

(You will get me arrested? Huh?)

" Agar jail jaana hee hain touh thik hain...", She lunged at him.

(If I have to go to jail anyway, then fine...)

" Yeh kya kar rahi ho...", She was almost on top of him now, the cold blade pressed against his neck.

(What are you doing...)

" Mujhe jail bhejoge na tum... Theek hain bhej dou. Idhar hee tumhara khel khatam kar deti hu... Fir aaram se jail jaungi... ", She laughed darkly, unhinged, reminding him briefly of Mother Gothel.

(You will send me to jail, right? Fine, do it. I will finish your game right here... then I will go to jail peacefully...)

" Badnaam hona hain touh kaand karke badnaam hoongi na.. ", Zaviyar gulped, genuinely frightened now. Not of the knife. But of the woman he had pushed to this edge. Or perhaps, the woman he had driven mad.

(If I have to be disgraced, I will be disgraced after doing something big...)

" paagol ho kya, bewa banjaogi... ", he said it lightly, almost teasingly, as though the word did not carry the weight of blood and consequence. But instead of frightening her, it only amused her.

(Are you mad, you will become a widow...)

" Mein dusri shaadi kar lungi... ", Safiya's lips curved wider, something reckless and dangerous glinting in her eyes.

(I will marry someone else...)

She tilted her head innocently, batting her lashes as if she were discussing something trivial. But what followed cracked something deep inside Zaviyar, something dark and territorial that had been simmering beneath the surface all along.

" Nhi tum meri ho... ", his hands shot up instantly, gripping her with sudden urgency. This time there was no teasing left in his eyes. No mockery. His gaze, his hold, his words carried intention, raw and unmistakable.

(No, you are mine...)

" Make no mistake Safiya... You are mine as much as I am yours.

And just because I'm being gentle doesn't mean that I will allow a man near you.

.. Let alone hear another man's name roll out of your pretty mouth, darling.

",his hand slid around her waist and pulled her closer, jealpus and possessive.

Her breath hitched as she lost balance and fell against him, her body landing flush on top of his.

Zaviyar swallowed hard when her chest pressed into his. The thin fabric of her shirt did nothing to hide the warmth or softness beneathand his eyes betrayed him as they flickered to where one button had somehow come undone, revealing the curve of her cleavage.

Heat curled low in his stomach. His expression darkened further, jealousy sharpening his features as his mind betrayed him with the image of another man standing too close to her, breathing the same air, daring to touch what was his.

" Speak of another man and i shall bend you over right on the hood and show you who you belong to, sweetheart... ", He whispered the threat into her ear, his breath warm and deliberate. Her ears burned red instantly.

His words were filthy. His jealousy even filthier. His grip was rough now, unapologetic and it frightened her how much a part of her responded to it. She hated herself for liking it.

Her thighs clenched when his fingers dug into her waist, while his other hand traced her cheek slowly, possessively. But she refused to surrender so easily.

" Haan tumhare sapno mein... Aaj tumne jouh kiya uske baad mujhe tumhari shakal bhi nhi dekhni. "

(Yeah, in your dreams... after what you did today, I do not even want to see your face.

She snapped the words at him, grinding her teeth.

" Mein tumhara shohar hu par- ", He barely got the words out before she cut him off.

(I am your husband but-)

" Nhi ho... Nhi maanti mein. Hoteh touh aaj mujhe insult nhi karte.

Haan mene bola tha that let me handle things but i didn't tell you to assert your power just to satisfy your ego.

You could have handled everything professionally without announcing it to the whole world that we are having a fight.

But you went ahead and let all of them disrespect me.

Tum kehte ho ki mein tumhari izzat hu, aur ussi izzat ko tum neelam kar aaye. ", She shoved him away with both hands.

(You are not... I do not accept it. If you were, you would not have insulted me today.

Yes, I told you to let me handle things, but I did not tell you to assert your power just to satisfy your ego.

You could have handled everything professionally without announcing to the whole world that we are fighting.

But instead, you let everyone disrespect me.

You say I am your honour, and you auctioned that very honour away.)

" Nhi maanungi.... ", Her voice cracked despite her effort to stay strong.

(I will not accept it...)

" Tumhe apna shohar kabhi nhi maanungi mein... ",

(I will never accept you as my husband...)

" Maan ne lagogi... ", He reached up and wiped the tear slipping down her cheek, his touch unexpectedly gentle.

(You will start accepting it...)

But his eyes had already shifted past her, locking onto the policemen running back toward the car.

" Sahab... ", The policeman rushed toward him, visibly shaken.

(Sir...)

" Madam aap bahaar nikle. Humne aapko jurm karte hue dekha hain... ", The constable stumbled over his words when Zaviyar winked at him casually.

(Madam, please step outside. We saw you committing a crime...)

Safiya's eyes widened. Why were they back? Her heart dropped as she turned toward Zaviyar, who was grinning now, wearing that infuriatingly handsome face like a weapon.

" Kyaaa.... ", he asked when she suddenly pinched him.

(What...)

" Bolo unhe ki mein tumhari biwi hu aur aur... hum mazaak kar rahe hian. ", She slapped his arm hard. Yes, she was furious with him, but jail would ruin years of hard work. She wanted an apology, not a criminal record.

(Tell them that you are my wife and that we were joking...)

Once again, he was winning. And she had walked straight into his trap.

" Biwi kon? Tum touh mujhe apna shohar nhi maanti... ", He whispered softly, dangerously amused.

(Whose wife? You do not accept me as your husband...)

" Maanti hu... ",her head dropped in shame. She was going back on her words but she told herself it was strategic. This was not defeat.

(I accept it...)

" Kya kaha... Sunayi nhi diya achche se... ", He cupped his ear exaggeratedly, making her cheeks burn red, whether from embarrassment or rage she could not tell.

(What did you say? I did not hear you properly...)

" Mein tumhe apna shohar maanti hu... ", She whispered it, her knuckles turning white.

(I accept you as my husband...)

" Tum loug jao... ", He waved the policemen away. They nodded and walked off, confusion written all over their faces.

(You all can leave...)

" Abhi mere upar yu rehne ka iraada hain ya apne seat par bethogi? ", She scrambled back into her seat instantly.

(Do you plan to stay on top of me or will you sit in your seat?)

" I wont mind it if you say that you want to sit on my lap though-", She turned around and dumped the entire bottle of water over his head before he could finish.

(I would not mind if you say you want to sit on my lap though-)

Zaviyar froze. His eyes widened as water soaked his shirt and dripped into his favourite car. Then he looked at her, and instead of anger, laughter bubbled out of him.

" If you want me to get undressed just say so, you don't have to throw water at me for that darling. ",

(If you want me to get undressed, just say so. You do not have to throw water for that, darling.)

" Just shut up you pervert kidnapper. ", She hurled the bottle at him. He dodged it easily, then leaned in close, trapping her against the window.

(Just shut up, you perverted kidnapper.)

Her breath hitched as his presence closed in, his breath brushing her cheek. She leaned back instinctively. His lips hovered inches from her neck, close enough to make her shiver.

" Let me show you how perverted I can be- ", She clamped her hand over his mouth instantly.

(Let me show you how perverted I can be-)

" Bas... ", The sound that escaped her was a whimper and the realization hit her instantly. Her face flushed a deep, traitorous red. Why did she sound like that? Why did she react like this?

(Stop...)

" I-i mean that I'm never going to forgive you for what you have done to me today... I haven't forgotten your past actions and the points you had earned till now are all deleted... ", She tried to sound stern. Zaviyar nodded obediently, backing away before fastening her seatbelt himself.

" If that's the case then i guess I should continue my plan... "

" what plan? "

" Aapko kidnap karne ka plan... ", Safiya's mouth opened and closed like a fish as she stared at him in utter disbelief. The audacity of this man left her speechless. How he could do all of this without flinching even once was beyond her understandingm

(The plan to kidnap you...)

After a while of driving, Zaviyar kept sneaking glances at his wife, as if afraid of being caught. Safiya, on the other hand, was doing the exact opposite. She sat stiffly in her seat, pretending to look anywhere but at him, while very obviously ogling her kidnapper's abs-

No.

Actions! She meant watching his actions, so she could escape the moment she got a chance.

Her thoughts scattered when the car finally slowed down.

She watched through the windshield as Zaviyar stopped in front of a massive white door, glowing softly under warm fairy lights.

The entrance was grand yet elegant, framed by carefully maintained gardens that looked too beautiful to belong in the middle of nowhere.

A security guard rushed forward and opened the gates. Zaviyar drove inside without hesitation. He parked smoothly, pulled the brakes and clicked his seatbelt open before stepping out of the car.

Safiya watched him walk around to her side. He opened the door and extended his hand towards her, his expression expectant, almost hopeful. But instead of taking it, Safiya turned her face away sharply, crossing her arms over her chest like a sulking child.

" Aapne kyu muh phoolaya hua hain? ", His brows furrowed. He stared at her for a moment, puzzled, until realization dawned on him.

(Why are you sulking?)

" Aap please bahaar ayengi, mujhe kuch dikhana hain aapko ", he tried again, his tone softer now, hoping at least for a reply. But Safiya stayed rigid, deliberately ignoring his existence as if he were invisible.

(Please come outside, I want to show you something.)

" Touh ese nhi manengi aap... ", a slow smirk curved his lips.

(So you will not agree like this...)

Before she could react, he dipped down suddenly.

Safiya let out a sharp shriek when she felt herself lifted off the seat, her world tilting as she was pulled into someone's arms.

Zaviyar had wrapped one arm under her legs and the other around her back, lifting her effortlessly in a bridal carry.

Instinctively, Safiya wound her arm around his neck to steady herself, her fingers brushing against the back of his neck.

Goosebumps rose instantly along his skin.

Their eyes met, both intense, both stubborn, neither willing to look away first.

Without another word, he began walking toward the building with her in his arms.

She stayed frozen for a second, caught in the moment before panic jolted her back to reality.

'Mujhe maarne vaarne ka plan hain kya, yeh kha leke aaya hain mujhe', she looked around.

(Do you plan to kill me or something, where has he brought me?)

" let me down... Let me down... Mere periods horahe hain and my stomach is hurting so let me down... ", She shouted the excuse dramatically, hoping it would force him to release her.

(Let me down... let me down... I am on my periods and my stomach hurts, so let me down...)

" All the more reason for me to carry you. ", he said, a flicker of worry crosing across his face as his gaze travelled to look at Safiya for any sense of discomfort.

He watched as she tried to wiggle out of his arms, and sighed, " I'll let you down if you promise that you won't run away.... ", he looked at her sternly, not missing theway her eyes darted.

" I won't... ", She nodded immediately, far too eagerly. She even pinched her throat slightly, trying to sound sincere.

Zaviyar knew exactly what was coming. Still, he lowered her carefully to the ground. Almost!

She barely had her feet steady before she twisted, trying to dart away-

" Yaha aao... ", His arm looped around her waist in a flash, pulling her flush against his chest. Her back hit the car door gently but firmly, her escape cut off entirely.

(Come here...)

'his wife is a handful'

His front pressed against her back, his presence overwhelming. Safiya's eyes widened when she heard him speak again.

" Try running away one more time, and I'll make sure you won't be able to walk, let alone stand for a whole week, darling. ", his body remained close, his words whispered low and dangerous.

(Try running away one more time and I will make sure you cannot walk, let alone stand, for an entire week, darling.)

Filthy...

Absolutely filthy...

And yet, to her horror, she liked this side of him. Yes, she definitely needed therapy. Reading dark romance books was absolutely not the right choice. He stepped back slowly, releasing her before hoisting her up again without warning.

" Now be a good girl and stop trying to escape me. ", She shot him a glare but it softened slightly when he pressed a gentle peck to the top of her head. Without giving her time to protest, he carried her inside. As he stepped forward, he tapped a switch on the floor with his foot.

Suddenly, the entire space lit up.

" Ye-ye kya hain? ", Safiya gasped, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes widened at the sight before her.

(W-what is this?)

" Jouh aap chahti thi, yeh ek NGO hain... ", He finally let her down, confident now that she would not run.

(What you wanted, this is an NGO...)

" Lekin... Yeh kab- kese-", She looked around in shock, her gaze darting over the rooms before settling back on him.

(But... when- how-)

" Yaad hain hamari shaadi se pehle jab hum gaon mein ghumne gaye the aur aapne ek aurat ki madad ki thi? ", Safiya nodded slowly.

(Do you remember before our marriage when we went to the village and you helped a woman?)

" Use your words, love. ", He tapped her nose lightly with his index finger. She scrunched her nose and glared at him.

" fir aapne gaon ke kuch aurton ko ghar bulaya tha, aur unse baatein ki thi tab mene aapki baatein thori sun lee thi. ", He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly looking almost shy.

(Then you invited some women from the village to the house and talked to them, and I overheard some of what you said.)

" The first time I proposed this", Zaviyar let his gaze travel across the room.

" it was probably when I was around 25 and started taking the village matters seriously, everyone was against it.

They said that the people in the village are not selfish and take care of their parents and children just fine.

And I am always surrounded by the men in the village, so at that time i didn't consider what the concerned people or women would think of it.

But after seeing the way the ladies opened up to you about their difficulties and the old people told you how they were treated.

That's when I decided that I should take your suggestions and open an NGO for the people after properly investigating everything.

", His words made her heart sink heavily in her chest.

" So you have been making this NGO since..."

" Since then ", he completed for her.

" I was planning to tell you about it and hand it over to you to make the decisions of how we should operate it. ", her throat tightened.

" What if I wasn't married to you? Zulekha wouldn't have liked- ",

" Even ig you were not married to me, then also i would have respectfully asked you to help me with this and i know you would have agreed. You have that vision. ", he shrugged casually.

" I will not lie. I didn't like you at the beginning because you challenged me every single time.

Even after our marriage but with time i started craving your fire.

I am not a man driven by lust Safiya. But the idea of you.

.. ", he gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering before cupping the nape of her neck.

He sighed softly before continuing, "...you being married to someone else feels like the most unnatural thing to me now. Not having you with me feels unnatural to me now. "

The space between them felt suddenly too small.

" Call me a pervert all you want but you are my wife.

And I'm allowed to be shameless in front of you.

. ", his voice was low, steady, and unapologetic, as if he had already accepted every label the world could throw at him as long as she remained his.

There was no mockery in his tone, only a quiet claim that unsettled her more than anger ever could.

" Then why did you not say it yesterday. The very first time i brought it up... ", she asked exasperated at the way she had blamed him, pointed fingers at him, made him feel small and insignificant, joker about his job. Everything came rushing back to her.

Her frustration cracked through her words as memory after memory collided inside her chest. The way she had accused him without pause, the sharpness of her tongue, the careless jokes she had made about his work, all of it replayed at once.

With each recollection, guilt wrapped tighter around her ribs, making it harder to breathe.

" Did you even let me speak? ", he asked staring at her without moving which made her breath hitch.

He did not raise his voice, nor did he step forward. He simply looked at her with an unwavering gaze, his words heavy with restraint. The silence that followed pressed against her skin, making her inhale shallowly as though even breathing too loudly might break something fragile between them.

" You would have started your rant on how i'm trying to assert my dominance and show that I'm the provider of the house. ", he continued.

There was no bitterness in his words, only exhaustion. It sounded like a conclusion he had already accepted as though he had predicted the argument long before it ever began.

" Let me take care of you sometimes, let me provide for you like i should. You can lean onto me when you desire something. ", he slowly stepped forward and cupped her cheeks.

His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though he was afraid she might pull away if he applied even the slightest pressure. His palms were warm against her skin, grounding her in a way she was not prepared for.

" I am scared of dependence.. Zaviyar. I'm scared to depend on someone.

What if you leave me? What if you start thinking that I'm not worth it?

I- I have been alone all my life, i've doen everything alone all my life.

I have learnt to fight my wars alone... ", Zaviyar slowly placed a peck on her forehead before saying, " You don't have to fight alone, my love. "

Her confession spilled out unevenly, stitched together with fear she had never allowed herself to voice. Before she could retreat into herself again, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, a wordless promise wrapped in tenderness.

" When you told me about your plan I was excited to tell you about it. But suddenly you started saying that taking my help is like a curse to you. ", he said his hand s skipping down as he stepped away from her.

As he stepped back, the loss of his touch felt louder than any argument. His hand dropped to his side, fingers curling slightly as if restraining something he refused to show.

" Is being called my wife really such an insult, is it really so shameful? Is being linked to me so horrible to you? ", he asked finally, not being able to control his emotions.

For the first time, his composure cracked. The question came from a place far deeper than pride, cutting straight from the insecurity he never let anyone see.

" i understand your emotions that you don't want to be recognised by your relations but your deeds. That you hate the idea of your whole personality shrinking to being recognised only as my wife.", he said dejectedly, his shoulders slumping.

His shoulders sagged as though the weight of her unspoken fears had finally settled on him. There was no accusation left in his voice, only quiet understanding.

" Today, if I go to your house or your workplace what would people refer to me as? They would call me your husband, your father's son in law... That's natural. ", he said making her dirvert her eyes away from him.

Her gaze dropped instinctively, unable to meet the truth in his words. The reality he presented was undeniable and it unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

" First people will know you from your relations then from your deeds.

You have not seen the amount of respect you have earned by helping those women.

They keep asking for you to ammi but you are at the firm sometimes and aren't able to meet them.

", she looked at him with shock, finally realising that it might not have been her mistake entirely but still she had deeply hurt him through her words.

Her eyes widened as his words settled in. For the first time, she saw herself not through fear or self-defense but through the impact she had already made. Still, regret lingered heavily in her chest.

" I guess I over-reacted... I'm sorry. ", she murmured. Her apology was barely above a whisper, fragile yet sincere.

" But whatever you did today.... I didn't like it at all. Y-you humiliated me and... ", she said making him nod before he said.

" I might have been cruel but I did what i was told.

That's how I act with outsiders. And I don't act sweetly with women other than my wife.

Respect? Yes. But this side of me is reserved for my wife.

She will beat me with her heels, otherwise.

", he said sheepishly, making her smile because what he said was indeed true.

His awkward admission softened the tension and despite herself, a small laugh escaped her.

" You told me that you wanted to do everything on your own. You didn't want shortcuts. So, any help that you would have gotten would have been because my name is associated with yours. ", he stepped closer, his presence steady, firm and unmistakably hers.

" I'm sorry. ", she said genuinely, her eyes meeting his. He could see the sincerity in her orbs as she felt guilty of her choice of words.

" I-ill take a look around. ", she said sprinting away, partly embarrassed of her actions in the fast few hours. Her intrusive actions and words were now giving her second hand embarrassmwnt as she had finally calmed down. Also, she still remembered the way he flirted with her.

" Wait, it's too dark. ", he said running behind her, gently wrapped her hand around her elbow and pulled her against him.

Only then did she notice how the darkness had crept in unnoticed. She looked up at him, her cheeks warming inexplicably as his earlier words echoed relentlessly in her mind.

'Mera matlab yeh hain ki tumhari legs mein kitna strength hain, that I'll find out but in some other ways..'

(My point is how much strength your legs have, that I will find out but in some other ways.)

'Make no mistake Safiya... You are mine as much as I am yours. And just because I'm being gentle doesn't mean that I will allow a man near you... Let alone another man's name roll out of your pretty mouth, darling.'

'Speak of another man and i shall bend you over right on the hood and show you who you belong to, sweetheart...'

'Try running away one more time, and I'll make sure you won't be able to walk, let alone stand for a whole week, darling.'

" Aaj tum kamre ke bahar souge- ", she said abruptly before stepping away from him only for him to circle his hand around her waist and pull her flush against him

(Today you will sleep outside the room.)

" Bhala kyu? ", he quipped with a pout, not happy with the sudden change in their arrangement.

(But why?)

" Kyuki mein keh rahi hu... ", she said and he nodded.

(Because I am saying so.)

" Jesa aap kahein lawyer sahiba... ", Zaviyar said with a warm smile but Safiya for a second saw something sinister in it.

(As you say, Lawyer Sahiba.)

Or maybe it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.

_____________________________________

Zaviyar stepped into the room in his sweatpants and glanced at Safiya on the bed, who was once again buried beneath scattered papers.

The room carried the quiet chaos she always created when she worked.

She was wearing her specs, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration, fingers tapping furiously against the screen of her iPad as if the world outside her thoughts did not exist at the moment.

He watched her for a few seconds longer than necessary before slowly walking toward the bed, his presence unhurried, almost deliberate.

He stopped beside her and finally spoke.

" are you really kicking me out of my own room? "

(Are you really kicking me out of my own room?)

" Yes, now get out dear husband. I can't wait to sleep alone. ", she said without looking up.

Her tone was flat and dismissive, eyes glued to the screen as if he were merely background noise. Zaviyar let out a soft huff before speaking again.

" You said i could take anything i want to from this room ", Safiya simply nodded before placing her ipad away. And looked up at him.

" You can take anything just leave my three pillows and one blanket. ", she waved goodbye at him and slowly arranged her papers and placed them aside.

(You can take anything. Just leave my three pillows and one blanket.)

She waved him off casually, already mentally done with the conversation and began neatening the mess around her.

She did not bother looking at what Zaviyar was doing behind her.

Part of it was embarrassment that still clung to her like a second skin and part of it was stubborn satisfaction.

After all, he deserved at least this much for leaving her sitting in the waiting area all day.

She was just about to lean back against the headboard when a sharp gasp escaped her lips. Two strong arms suddenly snaked around her waist, firm and unyielding, before lifting her clean off the bed.

She let out another gasp when she found herself thrown over Zaviyar's shoulders, upside down like a sack of rice, the room tilting violently around her.

This biych!

" Put me down!!!", she screamed.

" Going back on your words already, lawyer sahiba? ", he asked with a smirk before walking out of their room.

" Wha- "

" I said you could take anything from the room, I'm not a thing. ", she screamed.

" Too bad. It is you that i want. ", Safiya banged her fists against his back

She hit his back repeatedly, half furious and half flustered, her voice echoing down the corridor.

" Okay- stop. You can sleep in the room...", as soon as the words left her mouth he brought her down to his arms.

In one smooth motion, he halted and shifted her, bringing her down into his arms as though he had been waiting for her surrender all along.

" But you will sleep on the sofa... ", she said sternly, too tired to argue with him.

(But you will sleep on the sofa.)

" Touh usme kounsi nayi baat hain... Roz touh wahi souta hu.. thori na tum apne saath soneh deti ho... ", he complained with a pout, sounding like a teenage boy throwing tantrum.

(What is new in that? I sleep there every day anyway. It is not like you let me sleep with you.)

That was when she noticed, yet again, that he was shirtless. It was something she had grown used to, considering how he loved roaming around without one. Yet, somehow, he nearly had a heart attack every time she wore her tank top and shorts to bed.

" Why do you want to sleep on the bed? ", she asked seeing his poyt deepen.

(Why do you want to sleep on the bed?)

" No, Safiya i want to sleep with yo- ", he paused realising the double meaning in his words.

He cleared his throat and walked back into the room, carefully placing her on the bed before sitting down at the edge, his movements noticeably restrained.

" Can we sleep together? ", he asked staring at her hoping she would agree but she looked quite frustrated.

" Jouh karna hain karo... ", she said before dipping her head under the blanket.

(Do whatever you want.)

Zaviyar smiled softly at her response. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her temple, just above the blanket, before turning away.

He did not want her to feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Even though sharing the same bed did not seem like a big deal to him, her comfort mattered more.

Safiya quickly popped her head out from under the blanket, her heart racing as she reached out and gripped his wrist.

" I-i guess we can share the bed... "

Zaviyar's eyes widened as she scooted to one side, leaving the other half of the bed empty for him. He wasted no time retrieving his pillow and blanket from the sofa before settling beside her.

Both of them lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling above them.

The room was quiet, filled only with the distant hum of the night.

Safiya's hands rested outside her blanket, clasped over her chest as she tried to steady her breathing and fall asleep.

Zaviyar lay beside her with his head resting on one arm, the other carefully kept to himself.

After a while, Safiya slowly turned toward him. In the dim, warm light filtering in from outside, she could see the sharp line of his jaw. Her breath hitched slightly, and before she could turn away, Zaviyar turned toward her as well.

" Don't look at me like that unless you want me to kiss you to sleep, Safiya ...", She turned away at lightning speed, heat rushing to her face and ears as she pretended to sleep. Even without looking, she could already picture the playful grin that must have spread across his face.

" Good night love...", she heard him whisper and felt a soft touch on the crown of her head. She shut her eyes tight, falling into a slumber with the lingering warmth surrounding her.

______________________________________

?Morning?

Zaviyar slowly blinked his eyes open when the early rays of the sun slipped past the curtains and hit his face.

The light felt unfamiliar, too gentle for a morning he had not yet registered.

He tried to move instinctively, only to realize that he could not feel his right arm at all.

It was numb, completely lifeless, as if it did not belong to him anymore.

Before he could process that thought, a faint ticklish sensation brushed against his neck, warm and rhythmic.

He squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust to the morning glow before looking down, and the moment he did, a soft smile spread across his face without his permission. Safiya lay there, peaceful and utterly unaware of the effect she had on him.

His arm had become her pillow, her cheek pressed against his bicep as though it was the most natural place in the world for her to rest. Her face was relaxed, free of worry, and for the first time since he had known her, she looked entirely at ease.

His breath caught in his lungs at the sight before him.

Her long lashes cast delicate shadows against her skin.

Her freckles looked like scattered specks of stardust, faint yet impossible to ignore.

Her nose was slightly scrunched, her lips pale and a little cracked from sleep, yet irresistibly alluring to him.

A few loose strands of hair had fallen over her forehead while the rest remained tangled messily behind her and sprawled across his naked chest. Her leg was tucked snugly between his, fitting there as though it belonged and before he could even register the intimacy of it, she shifted in her sleep.

Safiya snuggled closer, seeking warmth instinctively, her arms wrapping around his chest as if she had done it a thousand times before. Zaviyar felt his heart begin to pound harder when her breath fanned softly against his neck, each exhale warm and steady.

Her hair tickled his chest nd instead of feeling restless or uncomfortable, a sense of calm settled over him. He could not remember the last time he had woken up feeling this peaceful.

Without fully waking, Safiya nuzzled closer, her face pressing into the hollow of his neck.

Zaviyar hesitated only for a second before tilting his head slightly and placing the softest kiss against her hair, barely there, as though afraid the moment would shatter if he moved too much.

She hummed faintly in her sleep, her grip on him tightening just a little and his heart swelled at the unconscious response.

Just then, the sharp sound of his alarm cut through the quiet, jarring and intrusive. Safiya stirred, her brows knitting together slightly as she shifted.

Zaviyar winced internally, silently cursing himself for setting the alarm the night before. He carefully reached for his phone with his free hand, his movements slow and cautious so as not to wake her.

He grabbed the phone and hastily switched off the alarm before tossing it aside, where it hit the floor with a dull thud.

Strangely, he felt no panic about it. He could get a new phone if it broke.

This moment, however, felt irreplaceable.

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around her waist more securely, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, lingering for a second longer than necessary, before resting his forehead lightly against hers and drifting back to sleep.

Just like that, the world faded away and both of them slipped into a deep, uninterrupted slumber.

When they finally woke up again, sunlight filled the room far more boldly, and the clock read almost eleven in the morning.

It was absurdly late for two people who usually woke up by seven without fail.

They came down to the dining table much later than usual, both noticeably flustered.

Their movements were awkward, their glances shy, their cheeks tinted pink as they avoided meeting each other's eyes for too long.

They had woken up tangled in each other's arms and the memory lingered heavily between them even as they got ready separately.

Riffat noticed immediately. Her smile stretched from ear to ear as she watched them arrive late, looking unusually soft and bashful.

Perhaps her constant pleas to become a grandmother had finally reached the heavens.

She warmed her hands together in delight before quietly walking away, her eyes lingering fondly on them.

Zaviyar sat beside Safiya, carefully buttering her toast while she spoke animatedly about something trivial, her voice relaxed and light. He listened intently, nodding along, his attention fully on her as though nothing else mattered. To anyone watching, it was painfully obvious.

Zaviyar was completely whipped for his wife and everyone could see it.

____________________________________

[ A week later ]

Safiya was quickly getting down the stairs, her steps hurried and careless, her mind focused only on one thing.

Today was Sunday, a day she usually spent lazily wrapped in blankets but today something important had arrived.

She had ordered it weeks ago, waited impatiently for it, and now that it was finally here, she did not want it to fall into the hands of anyone else.

Especially not before she could hide it properly.

Shabana and Mansi were dusting the living room, moving furniture slightly and chatting softly, when their eyes caught sight of Safiya rushing down the staircase. Before Rida could even open her mouth to warn her that the stairs had just been mopped, Safiya's foot slipped on the wet surface.

Safiya let out a sharp, painful scream as her hand instinctively gripped the railing to stop herself from tumbling further down. The sound echoed through the hall, sending a wave of panic across the house.

She gasped sharply, her breath hitching as a throbbing pain shot through her ankle. The pain was fierce and immediate, as if someone had struck her foot with a hammer. Her fingers tightened around the railing while her body trembled.

Hearing her scream, the maids came running towards the staircase, followed closely by Riffat, who shrieked the moment she saw Safiya clinging to the railing in that condition

" Ya allah, jaldi uthao Safiya ko. ", Riffat grabbed Safiya's arm tightly, while Mansi supported her from the other side.

Together, with great difficulty, they helped Safiya step down from the stairs, her foot barely touching the ground as she hopped painfully toward the sofa. Every small movement made her wince.

(Oh Allah, quickly help Safiya up.)

Safiya finally sat down, immediately rubbing her ankle, her fingers trembling as she tried to soothe the swelling that had already begun to show.

Her face twisted into a small crying expression that she tried and failed to suppress.

What scared her more than the pain was the thought of Zaviyar finding out.

She knew he would chew her raw if he learned she had hurt herself again. The fear sat heavy in her chest that he might lock her up, convinced that it was the only way to stop her from constantly getting injured.

[ ?????? Kabhi biwi ghayal kabhi miyan-ji. Inka roz ka hain ?? idhar chot lagna udhar chot lagna ?? but wait, I'll reveal why she always ends up getting hurt. ]

" Rida mera ek parcel aaya hain, yeh paise louh aur woh mere room mein rakh dena. ", She hissed softly as she spoke, handing Rida the money, her jaw tightening as another wave of pain travelled up her leg.

(Rida, my parcel has arrived. Take this money and keep it in my room.)

" Lekin beta tum phisli kaise? Thora khayal rakha karo apnaa, tumhara chhot khaana yeh dikhata hain ki hum tumhara khayal rakhne mein nakaam hue hain aur yeh Azamgarh mein kisi jurm se kam nhi.

", Meena amma said this while wiping the sweat off her forehead, her voice heavy with panic and guilt as she looked at Safiya's swollen ankle.

(But dear, how did you slip? Take better care of yourself. You getting hurt shows that we failed to take care of you, and in Azamgarh this is no less than a crime.)

" Heh? ", Aafiya scratched her head in confusion, momentarily distracted from the pain. According to her, these people were completely nuts. At this rate, she was sure they would start blaming gravity next for pulling her down, because honestly, what even was that logic.

" Bibi ji fell down because of me. I had just mopped the stairs and they were wet. It's my fault. ", Rida said this as she entered the hall carrying a large canvas-like object covered carefully in brown paper.

" Esi laparwahi achchi nhi, Tum jaanti ho na hukum kitna gussa honge jab unhe pta chalega ki- ", Meena mumma started, her voice rising with anxiety, but she was immediately stopped by Riffat.

(This kind of carelessness is not good. You know how angry Hukum will be when he finds out that-)

" Call the doctor first.", she instructed before carefully inspecting Safiya's ankle and gently stroking her head to soothe her.

" Yeh khabar Zaviyar tak na jaane paaye varna pta nhi woh kya karega. ", Riffat said softly, noticing that Safiya was on the verge of tears. She gently patted Safiya's head, trying to comfort her, her heart aching at the sight of the girl in pain.

(This news must not reach Zaviyar, otherwise who knows what he will do.)

" Ekdum sahi... Unhe koi nhi batayega, nhi touh meri puri heel collection ko woh paagal aadmi- i mean to say meri parwah karte hain na woh. Touh kahi aag na laga deh.", Safiya fretted openly, more worried about her precious heels than the injury itself.

(Exactly right. No one will tell him, otherwise he will destroy my entire heel collection. I mean, he cares about me, right? He might even set them on fire.)

She made a mental note to hide them quickly before Zaviyar returned home.

" Safiya- ", Riffat called out to her.

" Zaviyar se kehna ki tumhe galti se chot pohchi hain, yeh zikr bhi mat karna ki tum sidiyo se giri thi... ", Safiya nodded obediently, her lips pressed together.

(Tell Zaviyar that you got hurt by accident. Do not even mention that you fell from the stairs.)

" Mein abhi doctor ko call karti hu. ", Riffat said before patting her head again and leaving the room. Safiya's eyes roamed around the hall and she froze when she noticed one of the men Zaviyar had stationed at the door, quietly observing everything that had happened.

(I will call the doctor right now.)

" psttt... Pstttt... ", Safiya waved her hand to catch the guard's attention.

" Zaviyar ko yeh sab na pta chale. Unhe batane ki koi zaroorat nhi hain, woh aake mere upar chadh jayega samjhe... ", She warned him seriously.

(Zaviyar should not find out about this. There is no need to tell him. He will come and get angry at me, understand.)

" Par- "

(But-)

" Mein Mansi ko tumhara number dedungi, and maybe I'll put in a good word for you if you keep your mouth shut "

(I will give Mansi your number, and maybe I will put in a good word for you if you keep your mouth shut.)

The guard looked shocked but nodded frantically. Safiya smirked slightly. He was a cute guy anyway and she knew Mansi had a crush on him. She was just being helpful, playing cupid in her own injured state.

She wondered briefly what Zaviyar would do if she ever called another man cute or handsome in front of him.

Grab her by her neck and slam his lips against- ahhhh. She fanned herself quickly, her cheeks turning red at the thought. Unknown to Safiya and Riffat, everything that had happened in the last few minutes had already been narrated to Zaviyar in precise detail.

________________________________

The panchayat sat on one side, murmuring amongst themselves, while Zaviyar sat on his chair, his posture rigid and commanding as he went through the details of the harvest and calculated the profit that had to be distributed among the farmers.

His face was calm but the authority he carried was undeniable.

Just then, a jeep came to a halt in front of the panchayat. Several of Zaviyar's men marched toward him, their footsteps heavy and synchronized.

" Assalamualaikum Hukum",

The man greeted, waiting for Zaviyar's approval before speaking further. Zaviyar nodded slightly, mumbling a quiet walikum assalam.

" pani ki jouh nehar ban rahi hain woh Mahmood sahab ke zamino se hokar hamari zamino par ayegi. Lekin Mahmood sahab uske liye hamari zamino se hissa maang rahe hain. ", Nawaz informed him, his head lowered respectfully, already bracing himself for Zaviyar's anger if his mood soured.

(The canal being constructed for water will pass through Mahmood sahab's lands and then reach ours. But Mahmood sahab is demanding a share of our land for it.)

" Uski itni himm-", Zaviyar stopped mid-sentence and took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down as a sudden memory flashed in his mind.

(How dare he-)

He remembered how the other day, in his room, he had been scolding Waqas and his men harshly for messing up the reports of the people they had sold the harvest to.

Flashback

Zaviyar's voice had been loud and sharp, filling the room with tension. Just then, Safiya had walked in, having heard all the raised voices.

She had clearly been scared because when he was angry, he was terrifying.

She had tiptoed toward the bed, carefully picked up the iPad lying at the corner and started scrolling through it.

Her brows had furrowed in confusion as the numbers danced meaninglessly in front of her eyes, completely flying over her head.

She watched the poor men stand there with their heads lowered, shoulders tense, bracing themselves for every harsh word that fell from his mouth. The room was thick with fear and unease and even Safiya could feel it pressing against her chest.

Seeing them like that, she did what she instinctively believed would calm him down.

She moved closer to him slowly, deliberately, her steps light as if she were afraid the floor itself might make noise. Gently, she slid her hands over his bicep, her fingers warm against his tense muscles, rubbing softly as if to ground him.

Leaning closer, her voice low and soothing, she said, " Gussa na karein. "

(Don't get angry.)

Every head in the room snapped toward her instantly. The sudden softness of her voice after the storm of Zaviyar's anger stunned them all. They watched with bated breath as she lightly ran her fingers in small circles over the back of his hand, her touch unafraid and intimate.

Zaviyar glared at her, his jaw tight and eyes sharp but she did not flinch. She remained on her toes, steady and calm, before finally handing the iPad back to him as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

" Agar sachme koi galti hui hain touh usse sudhare.

Aur aap log bhi thora dhyaan se kaam kiya karein.

You all don't want to make him worry since he already has so much work on his shoulders, so please thora dhyaan se kaam karein.

Aur agar kuch bhi doubt ya fir problem ho touh tabhi Zaviyar ko contact kar liya karein tab koi problem hee nhi hogi.

", Safiya said this calmly as she unplugged her phone from the charger.

(If there has really been a mistake, then correct it.

And you all should also work a little more carefully.

You don't want to make him worry since he already has so much work on his shoulders, so please work more carefully.

And if there is any doubt or problem, contact Zaviyar immediately, then there will be no issue at all.)

She nodded politely at them, her expression composed, and walked out of the room without another word, leaving behind a silence far heavier than Zaviyar's anger.

That night, she told him everything. She spoke about how the men were scared of him to the point that they hesitated to even speak, how that fear led to miscommunication and how that miscommunication often resulted in damage that could have easily been avoided.

She told him how his hot-headedness would not only affect his work but also disrupt situations that could otherwise run smoothly.

Not taking action was something completely opposite to what his grandfather had taught him.

He had been raised to believe that power was asserted, not explained.

He was used to using his weapon to speak for him, to get things done by force rather than understanding.

Yet, despite all of that, he was willing to listen to her.

Willing to change for her. For them.

Flashback ends...

" Hmm! Mahmood ko kal yaha laaya jaye, hum khud usse iss barein mein baat karenge. ", The panchayat members exchanged shocked glances at the calmness with which the nawab addressed the situation.

(Hmm. Bring Mahmood here tomorrow. I will personally speak to him about this.)

Satyajit who happened to be the vice president of the panchayat, stood up immediately to oppose him.

" Lekin Mahmood ke saath hum baat kyu karein? Humeh iski zameeno ko apne gaon mein lelena chahiye taaki neher ke paani ka zyada laabh ho."

(But why should we talk to Mahmood? We should take his land into our village so that we get more benefit from the canal water.)

" Aur unke gaon ka kya? Humeh Kisike koi dushmani nhi nibhani, baat karke jouh suljhaya jaa sakta hain usmein samay zaya karna mujhe munasib nhi lagta. ", Zaviyar dismissed the man with a firm tone.

(And what about their village? We do not need to maintain enmity with anyone. Wasting time on matters that can be resolved through discussion does not seem appropriate to me.)

Satyajit clenched his teeth but sat back down. Zaviyar knew very well that some people still harbored resentment against the other village simply because they had refused to help Azamgarh during a drought.

Although Azamgarh had overcome that hardship successfully, he refused to let ego clashes destroy the lives of ordinary people.

" Esa sunne mein aaya hain ki paschimi ilake mein kuch log nashe ka karobar karrha hain. ", Nawaz informed him cautiously.

(It has been heard that some people are running a drug business in the western area.)

" Aniket, Nawaz... Pta lagao kya chal rha hain. Zaroorat pareh touh... ", Zaviyar was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He answered it immediately, only to hear a panicked voice on the other end.

(Aniket, Nawaz... find out what is going on. If needed...)

" Hukum Safiya bibi sidiyon se gir gayi hain. ",

(Hukum, Safiya maam has fallen from the stairs.)

The voice trembled, and before Zaviyar could process it fully, he screamed, " Kya? Theek hain na woh? "

(What? Is she okay?)

" Doctor ne bola hain khoon- "

(The doctor said that blood-)

The call abruptly went dead. Zaviyar felt his stomach twist violently, as if something sharp was clawing at him from the inside

" Today's meeting is over. We will continue this tomorrow. ", Nawaz, who had heard everything, spoke instinctively.

" Aapka yu bethak ke beech mein se uthke jaana achcha nhi dikhta. Safiya bibi ka khayal rakhne ke liye bohot loug hain haveli mein, woh khayal rakh lenge. ", Zaviyar's bloodshot eyes snapped toward him. The glare alone was enough to send a deep chill down Nawaz's spine.

(It does not look good for you to leave the meeting like this. There are many people in the haveli to take care of Safiya bibi, they will handle it.)

" Pehli baar galti ki hai isliye maaf kar raha hoon. Dobara mera raasta roka, toh zinda gaad dunga. ", hif voice was low and lethal. Nawaz immediately lowered his head.

(I am forgiving you because it is your first mistake. If you block my path again, I will bury you alive.)

Everyone watched as Zaviyar practically ran toward the car. He snatched the keys from the driver's hand and got in himself, speeding away without another word.

" Bhai tu thora paagal waagal hain kya, sher ke muh mein haath kyu daal rha hai. Daala touh daala uski dukhti nas peh haath rakh diya? ", Waqas said, rolling his eyes, as Nawaz stared at him completely dumbfounded.

(Bro, are you a little mad or what? Why would you put your hand into a lion's mouth? And even if you did, why touch its sore spot?)

Nawaz was shocked. He had just returned from vacation and genuinely believed that the woman who replaced the bride was merely that, a replacement. Seeing the way his boss reacted, running toward her as if his life depended on it, shattered everything he thought he knew.

" kya matlab?", He asked, still confused about where exactly he had gone wrong.

(What do you mean?)

He knew Zaviyar as a man who valued work, principles and family reputation above everyone else. The Zaviyar who had trained him to be ruthless and cold acting like this was something he had never imagined.

" Chal samjhata hu. ", Waqas pulled Nawaz along toward the car but they were met with nothing but a cloud of sand and dust.

(Come, I'll explain.)

Zaviyar's car had already disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a sandstorm as if their boss had turned into an F1 racer.

__________________________________

Safiya was sitting in the living room with a cold compress pressed against her ankle, just as the doctor had instructed. He had confirmed what everyone already knew. She had sprained her ankle again.

A very common occurrence in her life. With great effort and dramatic pleading, she had successfully convinced the girls to hide her heels, which otherwise would have been burned without mercy by her husband.

Now, her next mission was to hide from him as well.

She lounged comfortably on the couch, munching on Japanese grapes and pizza-flavoured Pringles, her favourite comfort combo, while watching yet another series on her phone.

Her lazy self had absolutely no desire to return to the west wing. She missed Kabir and Khwaish terribly but both of them had their academics to focus on, and she did not want to disturb them.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure entering the living room. She barely had time to react before she jumped in shock, only to find her husband standing at the doorway.

He was panting slightly, the top two buttons of his kurta undone, his shawl nowhere in sight and his hair completely tousled.

He looked rushed, dishevelled, and dangerously attractive.

Overall, he looked so kissable that Safiya's thoughts immediately spiralled.

She imagined climbing his perfectly lean yet sculpted body, kissing every inch of him slowly before teasing him endlessly for the real kiss.

Okay. She seriously needed to snap out of it.

Zaviyar stalked towards her in long steps and held her shoulders firmly, his eyes scanning her from head to toe as if making sure she was intact.

He examined her carefully, touching her arms and sides before letting out a breath of relief and pulling her into his arms. He only let go when he noticed the staff and Riffat slowly gathering in the living room.

" Kis dhokebaaz neh bulaya inko? Mna kiya tha na. ", She quipped angrily, only to find Zaviyar glaring straight at her.

(Which traitor called them here? I told you not to.)

" Theek ho? ", asked softly while examining her ankle.

(Are you okay?)

" Mna kiya tha na mene.. "

(I told you not to.)

" Zyada chot lag jaati touh kya hota Safiya... ", He scolded her, his voice low but filled with worry.

(What would have happened if you had gotten hurt badly, Safiya...)

" Ab tum ese aakhein touh na dikhao mein thora sa dar jaati hu... ", She whimpered, knowing very well that he had already warned her to be careful

(Don't look at me like that, I get a little scared...)

Before she could understand what was happening next, he had lifted her off the couch, holding her securely in his arms, clearly intending to take her to their room.

" niche utare sab dekh rahein hain... ", dhe whisper-yelled, quickly winding her arms around his neck to steady herself.

(Put me down, everyone is watching...)

" Utaarne ke liye thori uthaya hain.. ", hr shrugged casually as he carried her toward the west wing. He paused mid-walk and hoisted her up properly so she was closer to him, before disappearing from the room while everyone watched them with their mouth agape.

(I didn't lift you to put you down.)

____________________________________

" It's dripping all over me...", he murmured against her ear, the words making her stiffen instantly as she sat up straight, her heart racing as she did not dare look down, afraid her body had betrayed her completely.

(It's dripping all over me...)

" What? ", she whispered, slowly lowering her gaze only to let out a shaky sigh of relief when she saw his sweatpants were completely dry.

" I mean the water in my hair, what were you thinking love? ", he smirked as he leaned his head against her shoulder, his smug smile widening as he enjoyed every second of her flustered state.

Suddenly Zaviyar flicked open her bra, the sharp sound echoing in the room and making Safiya gasp as her breath hitched in her throat.

Her thighs clenched instinctively, only for a soft moan to slip past her lips when his thighs brushed against her core.

On her own accord, the friction sending a tremor through her body that she had no control over.

" Now, I know what else is wet.. "