Vows Of Vengeance

Chapter 41

Safiya sat inside the car with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her lips drawn into a stubborn little pout as she glared at her husband from the corner of her eye.

Her annoyance was still very much alive.

Zaviyar had dragged her out of bed far too early in the morning, nearly irritating her into changing her clothes and getting ready, all while she had desperately wanted nothing more than to stay wrapped in his arms, buried in warmth and muscles.

Instead, here she was. Wide awake And still pouting about it.

Flashback...

“ Naiii... Mujhe soneh dou... ”, Safiya whined sleepily as Zaviyar mercilessly tickled her sides, determined to wake her up.

( No.. lemme sleep )

“ Jaan, hum late hojayenge... Wake up love...”, he whispered against her ear, his beard brushing against her cheek and making her squirm as she tried to bury her face deeper into the pillow.

( Love, we will get late, wake up love )

“ 5 minutes... ”, she whimpered, lazily lifting her hand for what must have been the hundredth time, her fingers weakly signaling the same excuse.

Zaviyar watched her for a long moment, his eyes soft yet calculating. Then suddenly he leaned forward, sliding one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back before lifting her straight into his arms.Safiya barely protested.

Instead she instinctively snuggled closer into his chest, her cheek pressed against him as he carried her out of the bedroom.

He walked carefully into the bathroom, the early morning quiet surrounding them. Gently, he placed her on the edge of the bathtub before reaching for her toothbrush and squeezing out an ample amount of toothpaste.

Bending down in front of her, he carefully parted her lips with his fingers before he began brushing her teeth with surprising patience and precision.

Meanwhile, Safiya was still floating somewhere between sleep and consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered slowly open.

The moment she realized what he was doing, her eyes widened in pure shock.

Zaviyar… was brushing her teeth.

“ Open wider, love. ”, he mumbled in his deep, husky morning voice.

It would be a complete lie if she said that didn’t send an entire zoo running wild inside her stomach. Not to mention the way his words made her thoughts spiral into directions she absolutely refused to acknowledge.

Once he finished brushing, he gently lifted her again and carried her toward the sink.

“ Spit it out...”, he murmured.

Still half in a daze, Safiya obediently followed his instructions. He held a cup of water near her lips and she rinsed quietly before spitting again. Only after making sure she was done did his hands slide lightly behind her neck as he leaned closer, inspecting his work.

Just when Safiya thought the embarrassment couldn’t get worse, he gently cupped her cheeks. His thumb grazed the corner of her lips, wiping away a small bit of foam that had escaped.

The touch was so slow, so careful, it sent goosebumps across her skin. He calmly washed his hands afterward before turning back to her.

“ Ab aap khud nahayengi, ya fir usme bhi aapko madad chahiye. ”, He asked, a playful smile slowly forming on his face.

( Will you bathe yourself, or do you want me to help you in that too? )

“ Niklo yaha se... Besharam kahi ke”, she scolded immediately, hitting his shoulder and arm repeatedly while he burst into laughter at how red her face had turned.

She looked redder than a tomato.

And he simply couldn't resist teasing her.

( Get out... shameless )

Flashback ends...

Safiya blinked back to the present as she watched Zaviyar take the baskets from the maids outside the cottage. The poor women looked completely shocked and confused seeing their usually composed and authoritative master handling picnic baskets himself.

They were clearly not used to this version of him.

Riffat, earlier in the morning, had almost been equally shocked when she saw her son wandering around the house with an absent-minded grin plastered across his face. She had been utterly baffled by the sight until she discovered the reason behind it.

It was because of his picnic date with Safiya.

“ Are you ready”, he asked softly as he climbed into the driver's seat, his face unusually gentle.

Safiya was about to respond when his eyes dropped briefly. He leaned closer. For a split second his face hovered inches away from hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet space of the car.

Her heart stuttered as she realized what he was doing. He simply pulled the seatbelt across her and clasped it securely. Safiya followed his gaze as it flickered from her eyes to her lips and then slowly back to her eyes again.

Heat rushed instantly to her cheeks. Unable to trust her voice, she simply nodded. Both of them quickly pulled themselves out of that strange little trance. Zaviyar started the car and began driving.

Almost an hour later, after a peaceful ride and a short nap she had unknowingly drifted into, they finally reached their destination.

Safiya stepped out of the car and looked around. Her brows furrowed in confusion. The entire place was covered with thick forests and towering trees. There was no sign of a picnic spot anywhere.

“ Where are we? Where is this place? ”, she asked while scanning the surroundings.

“ Come with me... ”, he said simply, reaching for her hand and pulling her along. They walked for nearly ten minutes through the quiet forest, crossing a narrow trail surrounded by dense greenery.

And then—

Safiya stopped. Her eyes widened in complete disbelief. Right in front of her stood a breathtaking sight.

A small cottage core house, beautifully aesthetic, sitting peacefully beside a clear little lake.

A tall tree stood nearby with a swing tied to one of its branches, swaying gently with the breeze.

Surrounding the house was a garden filled with neatly maintained flowers and greenery, looking as though it had been carefully loved for years.

It looked like something out of a dream.

Slowly, she turned to Zaviyar. He simply smiled.

Without saying anything, he pulled her along toward the house. The moment they stepped inside, Safiya couldn't help herself. She began twirling around the room, inspecting every little corner of the house with wide, curious eyes.

The interior was just as beautiful. Warm wooden walls with Soft sunlight filtering through large windows. Everything felt peaceful and cozy. Finally she turned back toward Zaviyar. He was standing there holding a simple paper bag while the baskets and other picnic things had been placed aside.

“ What's inside this? ”, Safiya asked curiously as he handed her the bag.

“ Will you please try it on? ”, he asked. Safiya reached inside the bag. The moment the fabric slipped into her hands, her eyes lit up instantly.

A beautiful summer dress. Ivory cotton fabric with delicate pink patterns scattered across it. It was perfect for a picnic.

“ Why did you bring this for me? ”, she asked, completely surprised.

“ I might or might not have heard you talking with your friend about going on a picnic wearing a summer dress... ”, he said while awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

“ And who bought this? Khwaish? Kabir?”, she asked teasingly. His expression hardened immediately.

“ I did. Why would I let anyone else shop for my wife. ”, Safiya chuckled softly at the sudden possessiveness in his voice.

“ Wear it...”, Zaviyar murmured gently. He lifted her hand and placed a soft kiss on her ring finger, right above her wedding band. His lips brushed against her skin slowly enough to send a shiver down her spine as goosebumps spread across her arms.

Without her even needing to ask, Zaviyar guided her toward one of the doors inside the cottage and opened it. Inside was a small but cozy room.

Safiya quickly excused herself and stepped inside to try on the dress. Meanwhile, Zaviyar headed toward the common washroom.

Agastya and Akshat had insisted he change into something more suitable for the occasion. Apparently, according to them, picnic dates required proper attire. And for once in his life, Zaviyar had actually listened.

After almost twenty minutes, the door to the room finally creaked open and Safiya stepped out.

Her long hair fell freely down her back, swaying gently with the soft flares of the dress as she walked.

The dress was off shoulder, leaving her shoulders bare and glowing softly.

The necklace Zaviyar had given her rested perfectly against the valley of her breasts, the pendant glinting each time she moved.

The dress itself was simple yet breathtaking.

White cotton fabric, light and airy, decorated with soft pink floral patterns that made her silhouette look nothing less than a princess who had accidentally wandered out of a storybook.

The way the fabric hugged her waist before flowing down freely made every step she took look graceful and effortless.

As Safiya slowly walked toward the kitchen, following the faint clatter of utensils and the sizzling sound coming from inside, she almost gasped at the sight that greeted her.

Zaviyar stood near the stove, completely focused, fumbling slightly with a pan as he tried to toss something inside it.

Safiya quietly leaned against the kitchen doorway, her shoulder resting against the wooden frame as she simply stood there watching.

Enjoying the view of her husband’s very exquisite pan tossing.

“Fuck,” she muttered under her breath, practically drooling at the sight of the veins in his forearms popping every time he handled the pan and ladle with careful precision.

That was when Safiya noticed that Zaviyar too had changed his clothes.

His previous traditional attire had been replaced by a cotton blue shirt paired with long white pants.

The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up neatly, revealing his strong forearms that flexed every time he moved.

The top three buttons of the shirt were undone, giving her a mouth-watering glimpse of the firm muscles hidden beneath the fabric.

His slicked back hair was no longer perfectly in place either.

A few strands had escaped and now fell loosely over his forehead, giving him a slightly messy look.

He looked… normal. Without the constant pretense.

Without the heavy burden of responsibility that always followed him like a shadow.

He looked human. Like the man she was slowly starting to fall for.

Safiya was so lost staring at him that she didn’t even notice when he had finished preparing the food he was making and finally looked up.

Zaviyar’s movements halted the moment he sensed her presence. He slowly lifted his head and his breath caught in his chest. For a moment his heart felt like it had simply dropped.

Because standing there was Safiya. Looking nothing less than a fairy.

The ivory floral dress hugged her perfectly. The off-shoulder top framed her collarbones beautifully. The fitted bodice shaped her waist neatly before the skirt flowed down gracefully, a subtle thigh-high slit exposing a glimpse of her skin.

Tiny pink roses were printed across the fabric, giving her an effortlessly fresh and romantic look. Zaviyar exhaled a breath he didn’t even realize he had been holding.

Safiya walked toward him slowly before gently sliding her hands around his collar, fixing it carefully while smiling at him from ear to ear.

Zaviyar instinctively leaned down. His arms slowly wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

“ From now on, I'll fill up the closet with these dresses... ”, Safiya chuckled softly at his sudden resolution.

Both of them stood there, lost in each other’s eyes, their faces naturally drifting closer as their gazes flickered down toward each other’s lips.

The tension between them was thick. Safiya suddenly stepped back, wiping her slightly sweaty palms against the sides of her dress as she tried desperately to hide how flustered she had become.

Her gaze quickly shifted toward the table. A toasted loaf sat inside the pan while several ingredients were neatly arranged beside it.

“ So what are we making today? ”, She turned toward Zaviyar who now stood behind her with his arms crossed, still quietly analyzing her as if he still hadn’t fully processed how ethereal his wife looked.

“ Chicken sandwich, mac n cheese, corn chaat and brownies with icecream. ”, Safiya nodded before reaching for the loaf and beginning to slice it. She noticed most of the preparation work had already been done.

“ Isn't this too much food for only two people... ”, she asked while pointing toward the container filled with fruit salad and corn chaat.

“ Not when we are supposed to spend our entire day here love....”, Safiya mounted a silent ‘oh' before she began grating the cheese.

She mixed it with mayo, chilli flakes, oregano, coriander and a few other spices before handing the mixture over to Zaviyar so he could spread it evenly over the slices of bread.

She shredded the chicken next, mixing it with sauce, peri peri powder and spices before layering it over the prepared loaves.

They repeated the process with all the slices before finally placing them inside the microwave. Then Safiya began preparing the brownie batter. She carefully mixed the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another.

Just then she suddenly felt a pair of arms slide around her waist. She glanced down only to see that her waist was now completely caged between two muscular arms as Zaviyar pulled her back gently until her back pressed against his hard chest.

“ You are not helping me. And also disturbing me... ”, She huffed lightly while continuing to mix the batter, while Zaviyar shrugged her words off.

Her breath hitched when she suddenly felt his warm breath fan softly against her ear. His chin on her bare shoulder blade, his stubble tickling her.

“ Let me do the rest...”, His voice was low. Almost a murmur which made amshuver run down her spine.

Before she could even react he took the whisk from her hand and abruptly turned her around before lifting her slightly and placing her on the kitchen counter.

“ Sit and order me around. ”

Safiya stared at him in surprise. Zaviyar leaned forward slowly before cupping her face in his hands and placing a soft peck on her nose.

Then he simply stepped away. As if nothing had happened after making her all hot and frustrated.

He brushed oil along the sides of the baking tray before pouring the prepared mixture inside.

After that he grabbed a handful of walnuts and chocolate chips and sprinkled them generously over the batter.

Then he slid the tray inside the microwave and set it to bake.

Safiya watched him intently the entire time. When he turned away for a moment she quietly reached out to steal a few chocolate chips from the container.

Zaviyar caught her immediately. Chuckling softly, he grabbed her wrist before she could reach them.

“ Sorry but i can't let you eat chocolate on an empty stomach...”, Safiya immediately pouted at the interruption.

“ Here eat this...”, He picked up an apple and held it toward her. Safiya leaned forward and took a bite directly from the apple while it was still in his hand.

Zaviyar watched her with amusement. Then slowly he lifted the same apple to his mouth and took a bite from the exact same spot she had bitten. His eyes never left her face.

Safiya swallowed hard, a strange warmth settling inside her chest as her cheeks slowly turned pink. He finally handed her the apple, ruffled her hair gently and walked back toward the counter to prepare the corn chaat ingredients.

“ How did you turn into a chef overnight, Mr Khan? ”, she raised a brow as she leaned closer to him, watching him chop onions with surprising expertise.

“ I might not be great at cooking, but practice makes a man perfect”, he said before chopping the tomatoes.

“ And I know my way around with knives...”, he winked at her.

Zaviyar then took a bowl, carefully straining the boiled sweet corn before letting the golden kernels fall into it. He added finely chopped onions, tomatoes and fresh coriander, sprinkling spices over the mixture though his movements were slow, sometimes even hesitant.

A squeeze of lime followed, the citrus scent instantly rising in the air as he mixed everything together quickly with a spoon. Once done, he held the spoon out toward Safiya.

“ Taste it. ”, Safiya leaned forward and took a bite. The moment the corn touched her tongue, the flavours burst inside her mouth. Tangy, spicy and slightly sweet all at once. Her eyes widened in surprise.

She immediately held up a thumbs up before shamelessly stealing another spoonful from the bowl. Just then the microwave beeped.

The brownies were done. Safiya quickly jumped down from the counter.

“ I'll get it...”, she said as she slipped on the gloves before pulling open the microwave door and carefully took out the hot tray and placed it on the table.

“ Whose house is this Zaviyar? How are we freely using it? ”, she asked while cutting the brownies into neat square pieces.

“ It's.... It's our farm house. ”, he shrugged casually. Safiya nodded slowly.

“ That's why it's so nicely maintained.... ”, she chirped with a small smile.

“ Let's go for our picnic ... ”, he said while filling the basket with the food containers and beverages.

Once everything was packed, he reached for her hand. Their fingers intertwined naturally. Then he gently pulled her along with him.

Safiya glanced down at their joined hands, a warm giddy feeling blooming inside her chest. She didn’t want this moment to end. Everything felt too peaceful, too perfect.

Once they stepped outside, Zaviyar looked around before turning to her.

“ Where do you want the bedsheet? ”, Safiya looked around carefully, pondering for a moment before pointing toward a spot near the lake with a tree.

Zaviyar walked over and neatly spread the bedsheet across the grass before patting the spot beside him. They both sat down and Safiya looked around in quiet admiration

The place was surrounded by beautiful flowers, their colors soft and vibrant at the same time. The gentle breeze made them sway slightly while the small lake nearby reflected the sky like glass.

As she watched a pair of swans gliding across the water, she suddenly heard a camera snap.

She turned around quickly, only to see Zaviyar was holding a camera.

( The photo he clicked ??? )

“ I was not ready...”, she mumbled. “ Plus I haven't even worn any make up... Delete that photo...”, she complained while trying to snatch the camera from him.

“ You don't need makeup... ”, he said with a soft smile but he stepped back when she tried to grab it.

Safiya, too focused on getting the camera, didn’t even realize when she had climbed onto his lap in the process. Her sudden weight made Zaviyar lose his balance.

And before either of them could react, he fell backward onto the grass, his arm instinctively wrapping around Safiya protectively as she landed on his chest.

Safiya slowly lifted her head and peeked at him. The corner of his lips, were curler up into a smirk, while he looked at her with a smug expression.

“ Safiya... You look too beautiful in that dress and it's taking everything in me to...”, he closed his eyes briefly, clicking his tongue as he let out a slow sigh.

“ To what? ”, she asked, suddenly growing bold as she tried to distract him so she could still grab the camera.

Zaviyar opened his eyes and as soon as as his gaze landed on her face, he immediately regretted it.

From the angle he was lying in, his gaze accidentally dropped lower and he got a perfect view of her cleavage. Not that he was staring intentionally, but she simply looked too beautiful for him to immediately look away.

“ To not carry you to the bedroom, and teach you the consequences of your actions...”, he said in a hoarse voice. Safiya gulped, her ears instantly turned red. Embarrassed by his boldness, she quickly hid her face in his chest, her cheeks burning while her mind screamed at her to kiss him.

His deep laughter echoed softly beneath her as she felt it vibrate through his chest. With his arms still wrapped around her, he pushed himself up and stood, lifting both of them off the ground effortlessly.

Then he gently held her hand again, intertwining their fingers before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Safiya finally looked up at him.

“ I don't understand... ”, she mumbled softly.

“ What don't you understand? ”, he asked, studying her face carefully.

“ How did this marriage of convenience turn into this? You said you would never....”, He stopped her before she could finish.

“ Some things change... and I did too. I was driven by anger but you changed me. Before you, the only goal I had was to take care of this village and the family like grandfather did. But now...”, A small smile appeared on his face, showing his lower teeth.

“ Now, i want nothing but to protect you, cherish you. I realised one thing Safiya, I can never hate you. No matter what happens, I can never hate you even when I so badly wanted to. ”, Safiya’s expression softened.

“ You don't have to change for me...”, she said gently while placing her hand against his cheek. Her fingers moved slowly across his skin, feeling the roughness of his stubble against her palm.

“ I didn't change, you just brought out the best version of me. ”, he replied softly. He held her wrist before placing a tender kiss on the palm of her hand.

“ Will you let me click some pictures of you? So that I can keep it close to me when you are not here...”, Safiya nodded. Zaviyar stood up first before extending his hand toward her. Safiya stared at it for a moment, before she slid her hand into his.

Before she could even process what was happening, he began running. Pulling her along with him.They ran toward the back of the house and straight into the dense forest behind it.

“ Where are we going? ”, she asked breathlessly, their fingers were still intertwined.

Zaviyar suddenly stopped, inspecting the uneven land before him.

“ The road ahead is not really heels friendly, ”, he explained, answering the questioning look in her eyes. Safiya gasped when he suddenly lifted her into his arms.

“ But if you lose balance we both will fall. ”, she reasoned as they carefully crossed a rocky path.

“ I won't let you fall, Safiya....”, he said quietly without even looking at her. But the certainty in his voice was enough to calm her.

She was so busy looking at him that she didn’t even realize they were nearing a brighter clearing ahead. Safiya turned her gaze away from him when sunlight suddenly fell across her eyes.

And then she saw it. Rows and rows of flowers stretched endlessly in front of her. Every color that is imaginable and every shade, more beautiful than the last. Flowers she had only ever seen on Pinterest boards and dreamy photographs were now blooming right in front of her.

He slowly placed her down, her soles sinking gently into the soft grass. Before walking ahead, she turned toward him.

“ What if there are snakes or bugs here? ”, she asked him concerned.

“ There might be small bugs, but no snakes. This land is taken care of by my staff, and there are routine checks here. ”, he reassured her. However, seeing her still skeptical, he once again held her hand and flashed her a small smile before running ahead, pulling Safiya along with him.

Safiya ran behind him, laughter bubbling out of her as her fingers brushed through the flowers, their delicate petals grazing her skin while their fragrance wrapped around her like a sweet breeze. Their laughter echoed softly across the quiet garden.

Zaviyar finally stopped in the middle of the wide field before turning around to face her. Both their hearts were beating fast, breaths escaping in light pants. Without a word, he bent down slightly, wrapped his arms around Safiya’s knees, and lifted her clean off the ground.

“Careful… if you keep spinning me around like this, I might refuse to walk ever again.”, she said giggling, enjoying the small spin and the view around her.

“ I will carry you around, love. ”, he said with a smile before slowly bringing her down. The moment her feet touched the ground, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Standing on the tips of her toes over his shoes, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

Zaviyar closed his eyes instantly. Her touch was so light, so warm, yet it settled deep inside his chest. Her soft fragrance surrounded him, making him feel strangely weightless, as if he had somehow drifted onto the ninth cloud. His arms stayed wrapped around her waist, holding her securely.

“ It's the most beautiful thing ever”, she smiled at him, “ But I know you probably read my texts with adira and ahaan right? ”

“ Not like I wanted to. But I happened to read it, accidentally. ”, he quickly defended himself before adding, “ it's my responsibility as your husband to make sure that wishlist is fulfilled. ”

She rolled her eyes, trying to act non-chalant but the little smile tugging at her lips betrayed her completely.

“ Now let me take some pictures of you...”, she nodded, stepping away from him before walking ahead and settling among the flowers. The soft petals brushed against the hem of her dress as she sat down carefully.

Zaviyar picked up the camera, lifting it slowly while adjusting the lens.

“Don’t move,” he murmured softly. “Just… look at the flower in your hand.”, Safiya obeyed, lowering her gaze to the tiny bloom resting between her fingers.

The soft sound of the shutter broke the calm air.

“Now look up,” he instructed gently.

From behind the camera, Zaviyar watched her closely. He guided her into a few different poses, clicking several pictures as she shifted slightly, the flowers moving around her with every small motion.

Just then Safiya suddenly shrieked loudly.

Zaviyar instantly froze, ready to rush toward her after hearing the panic in her voice, only to stop when he saw her standing there sheepishly… holding up a small rabbit.

“ Zaviyar... see. It's sooo cuteeee.. awieee.. ”, She cooed at the little animal, speaking to it in a soft baby voice while gently cradling it. Zaviyar couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face as he quickly clicked a few more pictures.

After a moment, the rabbit wriggled free and hopped away into the flowers. Safiya laughed softly as she watched it disappear. She lifted her eyes toward him, sunlight catching the softness in them.

Zaviyar slowly lowered the camera. His gaze stayed fixed on his wife, unwavering, as he stared at her.

‘How can someone look this ethereal?’ he wondered silently.

The wind moved through her hair, a few loose strands falling across her cheek as the endless field of flowers swayed gently around her.

For a brief second, Zaviyar forgot how to breathe. ‘She looks like something heaven itself created, he thought quietly.’

.

Zaviyar walked closer before sitting down in front of her, angling the camera slightly to capture the moment.

“Safita... Look at me,” he said. She shifted a little, her dress spreading around her like soft petals, the colors of the flowers framing her perfectly.

.

“ hold that flower closer,” he added. She lifted it near her face, her lips curving into a shy smile.

Behind the camera, Zaviyar felt something tighten inside his chest.

‘This woman… my wife…’, The thought still felt surreal.

‘How did fate place someone like her beside someone like me?’

“Now stand,” he said quietly. He walked back to his earlier spot while Safiya rose slowly, brushing the flowers aside as she stood.

“Walk a little,” Zaviyar guided. “Just like you were earlier.”, She nodded softly and obeyed, taking a few graceful steps through the sea of blossoms. Her dress swayed lightly with the wind.

Zaviyar lowered the camera for a moment, staring at lher without the barrier of the lens.For the first time since they had come here, the world around him felt strangely silent. Only they existed, as everything else blurred.

‘If this is what happiness looks like, he thought quietly, then I have been blind all my life.’

He lifted the camera again.

“Safiya,” he called. She turned over her shoulder.

The moment froze forever inside the frame. And yet Zaviyar knew that no photograph could ever truly capture what he was seeing. Because to him, Safiya didn’t simply look beautiful. She looked like home.

“ Stop staring, Zaviyar... Mujhe bohot sharam aarahi hain... ”, she quipped, walking closer to him while her fingers brushed softly against the flowers on either side.

(Stop staring, Zaviyar... I'm feeling shy)

“ Mujhse kesi sharam... ”, The moment she reached him, he scooped her into his arms, pulling her close before dipping his head into the crook of her neck. She smelled like fresh flowers.

Safiya slipped her hand into the pocket of his pants and pulled out her phone, the one she had given him to hold earlier after wearing the dress. She quickly clicked a selfie, capturing the moment with Zaviyar’s face buried in her neck.

“ This will go on my Instagram story...”, she teased, expecting some reaction. Instead, he only murmured softly against her skin,

“ At least let me leave some marks on you.. so they know that you are claimed”, His lips grazed gently against her neck.

“ What are you? A vampire? Or a werewolf? ”, she rolled her eyes, only for him to pull away, “ Your husband... ”, Safiya sighed, shaking her head at his flirting.

“ Let us take some couple pictures now, dear husband. ”, And just like that Safiya guided him into posing in different ways with her. One with his one arm wrapped around her waist, as she angled the phone downward and took a picture of their outfits framed by the endless field of flowers.

“ Why are you not taking our faces into the picture? ”, he asked tilting his head, trying to peek at the screen.

“ It's supposed to be aesthetic, Zaviyar. ”, she mumbled before throwing one arm around his shoulder, jumping up quickly onto her tip toes and pressing a quick kiss on his cheek.

Safiya giggled looking into the picture, Zaviyar's shocked expression was quite cute.

“ This place is so beautiful. I wish I could live here forever. ”, with you. she said with a smile while gazing at Zaviyar softly.

“ It's yours then. You can come here whenever you want to. ”, Safiya snapped her head towards him looking at him surprised.

“ This? ”

“ I own this land. The whole of it actually. You can have it if you want to. ”, he said casually.

[ A/N - practically this ain't possible but it's my book, so technically real life rules don't apply here ?????? ]

“Zaviyar we aren't talking about a piece of cake here. It's acres and acres of land. Why are you giving it to me? ”, Safiya asked exasperated at her husband casually handing over land to her which probably would make her the richest person in country.

“ But you're my wife. So, technically it's all yours. ”, he said with a shrug.

Safiya shook her head, “ I don't need this land stupid, just bring me here whenever I want to spend some time with you. ”, she screamed into his ear making him wince. He rubbed his ear, his lips forming a pout sulking as his gift was rejected.

“ Are baba, now don't get angry....”, she screamed running after him as he ignored her, while walking ahead.

“ What's wrong you big baby? ”, she asked blocking his path, and he shrugged about to turn around only for her to hold his hand and stop him.

“ You don't like this... ”, she crossed her eyebrows, puzzled before palming her face.

“ I love it, Zaviyar. I am already in love with this place. But you don't need to give this to me. The fact that you are here with me, in this amazing place is enough to make me feel like a princess... ”, she said taking his face in her hands, staring directly into his eyes.

Zaviyar didn’t answer immediately. He simply looked at her for a moment, the usual teasing in his eyes softening into something quieter.

His grin slowly spread across his face, and it made her heart melt instantly as she mentally cooed at the sight.

He quickly scooped her up in his arms before twirling her around.

Safiya laughed out loud, as the butterflies near them fluttered up into the air at the sudden movement.

After spending a lot of time in the fields and clicking several pictures, both of them finally headed back.

And once again, Zaviyar carried Safiya in his arms the entire way. Safiya didn’t protest this time. She simply rested her head against his shoulder, secretly enjoying the privilege.

Soon they reached the cottage and he placed her on the picnic blanket before taking a seat beside her after opening his shoes.

He placed Safiya on the edge of the blanket so that her feet rested on the grass, before she would be able to lean forward and open her shoes herself.

She watched in surprise as Zaviyar bent down in front of her and carefully slipped away her heels from her feet, one by one, his movements gentle and unhurried. Then he placed both her heels neatly beside his own shoes.

For a moment, Safiya could only stare at him. No one had ever done something so simple and yet made her heart feel so embarrassingly full.

‘Is he just getting hotter or am I ovulating?’, she shyly turned away from him as he took a seat beside her.

“ Let's eat? ”, she asked and he nodded. She slowly took out the corn chaat first, and handed him a spoon as they started devouring the delicious, tangy chaat. The flavours made them both smile as they finished it quickly.

Once they finished it, he turned to her with a sheepish smile.

“ Chicken sandwich? Or brownies? ”, he asked her.

“ Chicken sandwich first... ”, she quipped and he handed her his Chicken sandwich.

She thought for some time and then said, “ Feed me...”

He didn't think twice before happily agreeing and forwarded the sandwich towards her which she took a big bite into. She then forwarded her sandwich towards him which he took a bite into, noticeably smaller than hers, making her shake her head.

“ If you don't finish your sandwich, I'll eat it. ”, she threatened him only for him to smile warmly.

“ You can eat my sandwich, but be ready because after that I'll have you for dessert. ”, he said with a smirk making her choke on her sandwich as she coughed harshly. He immediately panicked and forwarded the water bottle towards her before rubbing her back anxiously.

As soon as she calmed down, she slapped his arm.

“ You will sleep on the couch today. ”, she said glaring at him.

“ What is a couch? ”, he asked with innocence making her huff. she couldn't win with this guy.

Soon they settled into warm smiles, cracking jokes on each other while Zaviyar kept flirting with Safiya like they were highschool students.

After their lunch was over, Safiya laid resting against the tree trunk.

Zaviyar stretched comfortably beside her, resting his head in her lap.

She kept running her fingers through his soft locks absentmindedly, the gentle motion making his eyes slowly flutter shut.

He smiled up at her for a moment while she twirled a strand of his hair around her finger.

Soon his eyelids grew heavier.

Within minutes he had drifted into a deep slumber, light snores escaping past his lips. Safiya smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.

‘How strange’, she thought quietly.

‘The man who terrifies everyone… sleeps like a baby in my lap.’ And just like that, her heart melted all over again.

Just then her eyes travelled to the daisies growing beside the tree. She leaned in slightly and picked a few of the tiny white flowers, twirling one between her fingers before softly tucking them into his hair.

She giggled to herself at the sight, the sound light and mischievous, before pulling out her phone and clicking a few pictures of his flower-adorned head.

If Zaviyar ever found out she had turned the feared Khan sahab into a walking flower pot, she would probably be dead.

Zaviyar meanwhile stirred awake to the beautiful sound of his wife's cute yet slightly evil giggles. As he slowly sat up, two flowers slipped from his hair and fell onto his lap. He frowned slightly before looking up at Safiya, who was grinning from ear to ear.

She proudly flashed her phone towards him, showing the masterpiece she had created on his hair.

“ You need to be punished for this Mrs Khan... ”, he said with a sinister smirk. But she only stuck out her tongue at him before sprinting away from him barefoot, her laughter echoing through the quiet space.

“ You're getting old Mr Khan. I don't think you have enough stamina to reach me. ”, He followed her slowly, deliberately, not even hurrying. Yet the look on his face alone was terrifying enough to make her squeal and run faster.

There was something dangerously thrilling about being chased by your own husband.

“ Run as fast as you can. You better not let me catch you or... ”, he said, making sure his voice carried to her ears.

“ Or what? ” she shouted back, clearly testing his patience.

[ A/N — Chhoti bachchiyon se vinamra nivedan hain ki kripya dhyaan dein — aage ke kuch drishya ati abhadrapurnam tathaa thode ashleel ho sakte hain ]

[ Mature content ahead ]

“ If I catch you, I'll have my way with you and lets just that, you will be too sore to go back to your home. ”, Her mouth fell open in pure shock as a lou scream escaped her before she ran even faster away from him.

She was both excited and nervous like she was anticipating him to catch her. And maybe… just maybe she wanted him to have his way with her.

She ran faster, the adrenaline rushing through her veins as she glanced back with a triumphant smirk when she saw no sight of him behind her.

She ran further, briefly debating whether she should run into the forest or not. After all she was still barefoot.

But she shrugged the thought away. If she ran into the forest, he probably wouldn't even bother chasing her that far.

So she dashed into the trees. She turned back once more, smugness dancing in her eyes when there was still no sight of him. Then she looked ahead and stopped dead in her tracks.

A bone-chilling shiver ran down her spine at the sight of Zaviyar leaning casually against a tree just a few meters away from her blocking her path.

His arms were crossed over his chest, a slow smirk spreading across his face as his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

There was something terrifying about how calmly he looked at her, like a predator that already knew the prey had nowhere left to run.

Safiya swallowed nervously, instinctively running her tongue across her suddenly dry lips.

Her mind, however, betrayed her completely replaying all those erratic scenes from the dark romance novels she devoured, where the MMC slams the FMC against a tree before completely devouring her.

And she couldn't help but wonder…

‘Would he do the same?

Would he slam me against the tree and rip my dress?

Or would he kiss me until I am gasping for air?’

‘Not like I didn't find that hot—

Stop Safiya. RUN!’

Her mind screamed at her. She quickly turned around, ready to sprint away again, back towards their picnic spot. The forest was a maze and Zaviyar probably knew each nook and corner.

Only to shriek when a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. She looked at Zaviyar in shock as he chuckled deeply, the sound low and satisfied.

“ Tch... Tch... Tch... The little fawn got caught by the wolf. ”, Safiya quickly averted her gaze from his, unable to handle the intensity burning within them.

“ Don't you want to know what the wolf does to the fawn? ”, he asked before slamming her against the tree, her back hitting the rough bark as his eyes slowly drifted toward the hollow of her breasts, slightly visible thanks to the dress dipping lower after all that running.

His gaze alone felt like a touch, rough and intimate.

“ W-what? ” she asked, her breath trembling as his right hand slowly traced along her left thigh through the slit of her dress.

“ It takes her to his den and then devours the fawn. ”, His head dipped lower, his nose grazing the length of her neck as she instinctively leaned away from him, teasing him without even realising it.

And god help her… she didn’t want him to stop. She had expected his roughness. Or maybe… she wanted him to be rougher.

She wouldn't mind that. She tried her best to hide the things she secretly loved. One of them being the feeling of being spoken to in a strict, commanding tone while being held with surprising softness.

She had always imagined a man like that whenever she read those scenes in books.

[ ?????? Koi nhi kahega ki author apni fantasies bta Rahi hain ??? abhi tak vote nhi kiya na? Dekh rahi hu mein ????? ]

“ Stop...”, he slowly pulled her lower lip free from between her teeth, “ It's mine... ”

Their eyes locked for a moment—a silent battle of breath and heartbeats before Zaviyar suddenly hoisted her onto his shoulder.

Safiya gasped when she felt a sharp sting on her ass.

“ You didn't just do that... ”, she exclaimed.

“ Yes, I did. And I'll do more than that after getting your feet cleaned..”, he stated.

Only then did she realise that her feet had indeed been pricked slightly by the pebbles scattered along the ground, though nothing painful enough for her to notice earlier.

“ Never run away from me like that Safiya... Especially, when you are not even wearing sandals. The last thing I want to do is pull out a splinter from your foot. ”, Concern laced his voice despite the teasing edge.

“ Why? Do you find it gross? ” she asked while watching the world upside down from his shoulder. He carried her effortlessly as he walked.

“ No. But the last thing I want is to see you in pain. It's a miracle you didn't get pricked running like that. ”, Her heart swelled at the sincerity in his voice.

For a man who chased her like a wolf, he protected her like she was the most fragile thing in his world.

She watched quietly as he walked past their picnic spot entirely and continued toward the cottage instead. And for some reaso her heart started beating faster again.

“ Aren't we going to continue our picnic? ”, she asked, noticing two squirrels curiously inspecting their food basket.

“ We need to continue what we left back there... ”, saying that he walked into the house, closed the main door behind them before carrying her straight into the bedroom. He dropped her onto the bed, making her bounce slightly against the soft mattress.

He turned around, ready to walk into the bathroom but stopped midway. He slowly turned around, only to see her ready to hide from him. He had caught her in the act.

“ I'm not happy at you running away barefoot. You don't want me to get angrier Safiya ”, he said with a no-nonsense tone before walking into the bathroom and returning with a first aid kit in his hand.

He disappeared into the bathroom once again and came back carrying a small tub filled with water, along with two towels.

“ Wh-what are you doing? ”, she asked seeing him saquatting down.

“ Taking care of my wife. ”, he dipped one towel into the water before gently holding her ankle, carefully lifting her foot onto his knee as he began cleaning her feet and sole. He made sure to wipe every nook and cranny of her feet, his touch careful and deliberate.

“ I can do that. I'm not made of glass, Zaviyar. ”, she argued.

Then he slowly dried her feet with the dry towel. Once done he took out a cream from the first aid kit and lathered it up on her feet, gently rubbing it into the skin.

“ I know. ”, he said with a smile. And his answer carried more depth than he had expressed.

All this while Safiya watched him. He was dealing with her like she was a delicate flower which would snap if he applied even the slightest pressure

Safiya had always blamed him for being egoistic, too stuck up and orthodox. Maybe he even was orthodox.

But she never really tried to understand that it wasn't because he was a bad person. Rather his mindset had been shaped by the world he grew up in, by the things he had been taught his entire life.

Yet here he was. Kneeling in front of her, cleaning her feet. Something that was considered quite a taboo action in Azamgarh. And not only Azamgarh, almost everywhere.

It wasn't a grand gesture. Not something dramatic or over the top. But it was the concern, the effort, the way he noticed the smallest details about her without her even saying anything.

Love, she realised, was often hidden in the smallest acts. She felt like her heart would jump out of her ribcage with the intensity of his beats.

“ I suggest you stop doing all this”, Safiya said, making Zaviyar's eyebrows furrow, “ Unless you want me to cling to you forever. ”

She added the last part teasingly, which made him smile.

“ And who says I'm letting you go anywhere? ”, he asked with a smirk before sliding the tub under the bed and standing up in front of her.

“ So mr wolf you kidnapped me into your den, now what do you plan on doing? ”, she asked, teasing him.

“ Aren't you too eager? ”, he looked at her.

“ Am I? ”, she asked innocently, crossing her legs slightly, the slit of her dress revealing the smooth skin of her thigh.

“ Will you dance with me? ”, she asked, trying to break the tension.

Zaviyar smiled at her and nodded before kneeling down again and slipping a pair of soft socks onto her feet.

He then guided her gently towards the big windows, covered by the black curtains.

“ Open them. ”, he said pocketing his hands. Safiya looked at him puzzled before complying and as soon as she saw the balcony, her jaw dropped open.Her eyes widened in surprise.

A table had been placed on the wooden balcony overlooking the lake. The entire balcony was decorated with white and golden fairy lights that shimmered softly like tiny stars. Candles were placed in the corners, their flames dancing gently in the evening breeze.

A path had been made with candles placed on both sides, rose petals scattered along the wooden floor leading them to the table.

It looked like something straight out of a movie.

She slowly walked ahead, mesmerised and completely in awe.

“ You did this? ”, she asked. Only for him to awkwardly scratch the back of his head.

“ I had the idea but the staff did all this actually while we were in the fields. I wanted to do it but i had to complete all my work back in the village... and i—”, he started ranting, scared that she might think he was taking credit for someone else's hardwork.

Agastya and Akshat had told him that throwing money wouldn't get him any admiration but efforts would. And making the staff decorate the balcony, made him feel like he was cheating, in a way.

“ wait, so there are people watching us? ”, she asked turning to him.

“ No, there's no one here. ”, he said.

“ Now let's dance shall we? ”, she asked as she played ‘Toota jouh kabhi tara’ on her phone.

“ I don't really know how to dance..”, he said.

“ Just follow me. ”, she extended her hand which Zaviyar took into his before sliding one arm around her waist.

The soft melody began to play and the evening air felt almost magical. A faint breeze brushed past them, as her fingers fit perfectly in his grasp.

Kisi shaam ki tarah

Tera rang hai khila

Main raat ek tanha

Tu chand sa milla

As these lines filled the air, he gently pulled her closer. His hand settled carefully around her waist while her other hand rested on his shoulder. They began to sway slowly, their steps light and graceful as if the music itself was guiding them.

The glow of the lights reflected softly on her face and he couldn't look away.

~Haan tujhe dekhta raha

Kissi khwab ki tarah

Jo ab samne hai tu

Ho kaise yakeen bhala~

He twirled her gently under his arm. Her dress swirled around her as she spun, laughter escaping her lips before she came back into his arms. Their eyes met again, deeper this time, filled with something warm and unspoken.

For him, she truly looked like a dream standing in front of him. She slowly hummed to the song.

~Toota jo kabhi tara

Sajna ve

Tujhe rab se maanga

Rab se jo maanga

Mileya ve

Tu mileya toh

Jaane na doonga main~

As the chorus played, he pulled her closer than before.

Their bodies moved together in a slow rhythm.

He slowly held her waist, lifting her up in the air as he twirled her.

Her gaze fixed on him as he slowly brought her doen.

He placed his forehead lightly against hers, their breaths mingling as they swayed to the music.

In that moment, it felt like the entire world had disappeared as he stared into her eyes, drowning in her hazel orbs. Then the melody softened again.

~Haan maine suni hai

Pariyon ki kahani

Waisa hi noor tera

Chehra hai tera roohani~

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. She smiled shyly, lowering her gaze but the blush on her cheeks only made her look prettier.

He spun her once more, slower this time, letting her return into his arms, with her back softly hitting his chest.

~Aa tujhko main apni

Baahon mein chupa loon

Haan apni iss zameen ko

Kar doon main aasmani~

As these words played, he wrapped his arms around her from behind for a moment, holding her gently as if protecting her from the entire world. She leaned back slightly against him, completely comfortable in his embrace.The music seemed to slow down with their breathing.

~Zindagi rok doon main

Ab tere samne

Pal do pal jo ruke

Tu mere sath main~

They stopped moving for a moment. He lifted her hand and placed it over his heart, letting her feel how fast it was beating. She looked up at him with a soft smile, her eyes shining.

~Toota jo kabhi tara

Sajna ve

Tujhe rab se maanga

Rab se jo maanga mileya ve

Tu mileya toh

Jaane na doonga main~

He spun her playfully once again before catching her in his arms, her hand instinctively gripping his shoulder as he steadied her.

“ This is the best night, Zaviyar. I don't want it to end. ”, she said as he twirled her before pulling her flush against him.

“ This date brought us so much closer. ”, she mumbled resting her head against his chest.

Their movements became slower again, more intimate as if they were the only two people left in the world.

~Itni bhi haseen main nahi hoon yaara ve

Mujhse bhi haseen toh tera yeh pyar hai~

She looked away shyly as if embarrassed by the compliment hidden within the lyrics. He tilted her chin gently so she would look at him again.

To him, she was far more beautiful than she believed.

~Haan itni bhi haseen main nahi hoon yaara ve

Mujhse bhi haseen tera pyar…~

Their steps slowed even more, their bodies barely moving now. They were simply swaying together, her head resting lightly against his chest while his hand moved softly along her back.

Ke tere mera pyar ye

Jaise khwab aur dua

Haan sach kar raha inhe

Dekho mera khuda

He slowly sang along, making her eyes widen.

His voice was so beautiful. She knew he was replying to her rather than singing the lyrics, and that made her turn crimson.

He lifted her hand and kissed it softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

She smiled warmly, the kind of smile that only appears when someone feels truly loved.

The final chorus played softly in the background.

Toota jo kabhi tara

Sajna ve

Tujhe rab se maanga

Rab se jo maanga

Mileya ve

Tu mileya toh

Jaane na doongi main

As the last line faded into the quiet night, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a warm embrace. He held her tightly in return, as if afraid the moment might disappear if he let go.

“ We can stay like this as long as you desire. ”, he said placing a soft kiss on her temple.

They were still standing there together, gently swaying in silence, unwilling to leave the magic of the night.

As the song ended, Safiya felt too embarrassed hugging him like her life depended on it. She slowly stepped away from him, tucking a piece of strand behind her ear before saying, “ Let's have dinner”

He nodded before guiding her to the table, pulling out the chair for her before taking his seat across from her.

He slowly served her food before gesturing for her to start eating. They settled into a comfortable silence.

Zaviyar quietly cut into the meat, serving her while she happily enjoyed her food.

After a while she realised that he hadn't eaten even a bite. So she lifted a spoonful of mac n cheese and held it towards him. He gladly took the bite before letting out a soft moan at the burst of flavours in his mouth.

Safiya immediately looked away. Because for some reason she found that extremely hot.

‘Safiya get a grip’, she mentally scolded herself.

They started talking about random things. And it felt strangely natural. Like they had always been like this—talking, teasing and laughing at their own stupid jokes.

After dinner they began eating their dessert chocolate mousse cake.

Safiya had already finished her portion and was now staring at Zaviyar who hadn't even touched his.

“ Why aren't you eating your dessert? ”, she asked, before dipping the end of her spoon into her mouth and licking it.

“ Believe me... I want to ”, The way he said it made her heart flutter. And when she looked up at him, she instantly knew he wasn't talking about the dessert at all. The way he was looking at her made heat crawl up her neck.

“ If you don't want it then give it to me. ”, she said.

He didn't say anything, simply slid his bowl towards her. And Safiya happily dug into it.

She was done when he suddenly leaned forward and swiped his thumb across her lips.

She blinked in surprise, noticing the faint smear of chocolate now resting on his thumb. He slowly lifted his hand and licked the chocolate away without breaking eye contact with her.

Her cheeks turned crimson instantly. The simple action felt far more intimate than it should have. Safiya quickly stood up from the table and walked away, trying to calm the sudden rush of heat creeping up her neck.

He followed her.

He always followed her.

Once inside the bedroom, she fanned herself lightly, trying to steady the strange fluttering in her chest. Only to shriek when she was suddenly pulled flush against a hard body.

His arms wrapped firmly around her waist as he pulled her back with effortless strength. The next moment both of them landed on the edge of the bed, Safiya sitting on his left thigh while Zaviyar's head dipped into the crook of her neck. His breath brushed against her skin slowly.

“ Will you be surprised if I tell you how much I want to kiss you right now? ”, Zaviyar whispered into her ear, while Safiya's face flushed deep red and her heart thumped violently against her ribs.

“ Do you want it? ”, he grazed his nose along the length of her neck, his hands slowly caressing her thigh as he grew bolder and more curious with his ministrations. Her breath caught in her throat.

“ What if I say no? ”, she asked, testing the waters.

“ Then I will stop—”

“ I want the real answer Zaviyar. The last thing i want right now is for you to treat me like a glass doll. ”, Zaviyar clicked his tongue softly before pulling away from her.

His fingers dug slightly into her thighs as he slowly wrapped his hand around her neck, applying just enough pressure to make her breathing falter.

The pressure was not painful, it was a reminder of control.

“ I want to ruin that red lipstick of yours so bad. And this dress? I've been wanting to rip this into pieces since the first time I saw you in it. ”, he muttered.

His gaze burned into hers with an intensity that made her stomach flip. He slowly removed his hand from her throat, his pupils dilating as if he was forcing himself to remain in control.

Safiya, suddenly feeling braver, stood up before joining both his knees and sitting directly on his lap with both of her legs resting on either side of him. Her dress rode up slightly, exposing the soft skin of her thighs.

His hands instinctively tightened around her waist. She cupped his face gently. Then she kissed his eyes, his cheeks, his nose and finally his jaw. Before finally placing a soft kiss on his Adam's apple. His throat moved beneath her lips.

She leaned forward and placed a teasing kiss on the corner of his mouth.

“ Stop teasing me if you plan to walk tomorrow... ”, he rasped, his eyes still closed as if he was savoring every second.

“ make me... ”, she teased. The next moment she gasped when he suddenly cupped her face and smashed his lips against hers.

The kiss started slow. His lips moved against hers as he lightly chewed on her lower lip before dragging his tongue across the seam of her mouth, silently asking for entrance.

She stubbornly sealed her lips. He smirked against her mouth. Then his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as he pulled her closer until there was no space left between them. The very evident hardness between his legs pressed against her core.

Safiya gasped at the sudden pressure. Her eyes widened slightly as heat rushed through her body. His other hand slid into her hair, gripping it gently as he tilted her head back before plunging his tongue into her mouth, exploring every corner slowly and thoroughly.

She closed her eyes as butterflies erupted violently in her stomach. She absolutely loved it when he was rough, when he stopped pretending to be careful with her.

She kissed him back with the same intensity and the same hunger. Both her hands rested against his chest while her fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt tightly.

A soft moan escaped her when he bit down on her lower lip. He seemed almost desperate to taste more of the faint chocolate sweetness still lingering on her lips.

Eventually he noticed her beginning to struggle for air and slowly pulled away. Both of them were panting, their breaths mingled in the small space between them.

When their eyes met again something deeper settled between them. Neither teasing nor playfulness remained.

Both of them felt their hearts drop straight into their stomachs. They were floating somewhere far above reality.

Safiya's legs felt like jelly and she was certain she would collapse if she tried standing.

“ It was my first kiss so I—”

Before she could finish the sentence, he leaned forward again. This time the kiss was gentler, softer like he was savoring each moment. Still desperate but more careful. Each movement of his lips lingered like he was memorizing the feeling.

“ Mine too. ”, he whispered after pulling away slightly, his lips still brushing against hers as he spoke, “ And I plan to be the only one who is able to taste these ”

His thumb slowly grazed her lower lip before he placed another soft peck on it.

“ What do I taste like? ”, she asked softly through her lashes, partly shy and partly still lost in the haze of their kiss.

“ Like mine. ”, he leaned forward again, ready to kiss her once more—

But their moment was suddenly interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone.

Safiya turned toward the sound. Both her phone and Zaviyar's phone were lying nearby. She quickly grabbed her phone before glancing at the screen.

Then she mouthed silently to Zaviyar while showing it to him.

“ It's mom. Don't make a sound okay. Otherwise she will know, we— ”, She smiled, and then answered the call.

‘Why should I not make a sound? I have the right to be close with you, what's wrong with that?, ’ Zaviyar rolled his eyes dramatically, glaring at the phone like it had personally offended him.

For a moment he genuinely considered throwing it straight into the lake outside. But then a rather mischievous idea crossed his mind.

“ Safiya, tomorrow at what time will you reach beta? ”, Zaviyar heard Rabiya's voice from the phone and the sudden hit of reality made him sulk even more.

“ Yes, ammi. I'll get there in the afternoon. ”, she said sweetly into the phone. Then she gulped. Because when she looked up, her husband was staring at her with an expression that promised trouble. He remembered exactly what she had told him moments ago.

‘Do not make a sound.’, like he would listen. That sentence only encouraged him further.

He smirked slowly, then he dipped his head into her neck. His tongue traced a slow line along the length of her skin before he bit lightly into her earlobe and chewed on it just enough to make her gasp.

Her back straightened instantly, she tried to stand up, get away from him.But he tightened his hold around her waist, keeping her firmly in place as he slowly began peppering kisses down her neck.

Each kiss was deliberate...

Each movement was slow... teasing...

And every second of it was designed to make sure she struggled to stay quiet.

Safiya glared at him but almost gasped when he slowly bit on the skin near her collarbone, sucking and licking lazily as if he had all the time in the world. Her eyes widened as his hand slid lower, brushing dangerously close to her thighs while she struggled to stay still.

He was making her lose her sanity while she bit her lip, trying desperately not to make a sound into the phone.

“ Adira and Ahaan are so excited to meet you. Especially Ahaan. ”, Safiya was about to answer when a soft gasp escaped her lips as Zaviyar suddenly bit her harder around her neck.

She was about to apologise to her mom, when she felt his fingers, slightly rubbagainst her core, feeling her warmth making her close her eyes in ecstacy. She shuddered at his mere touch, making him grin smugly at the effect he had on her.

“ Safiya, what's wrong? Safiy— ”

“ I-I'll talk to you later m-mom. ”, Safiya blurted quickly before cutting the call. She turned around and glared at Zaviyar. But the anger faded almost instantly. Because he was no longer teasing her, his fingers drew back. His face was blank as he slowly leaned his forehead against her shoulder.

“ Mein uss bandar ki taange todh dunga... ”, he muttered under his breath, a possessive shadow crossing his expression.

( I'll break that monkeys legs. )

“ Bandar? Ahaan? Kyu? Usne kya kiya? ”, she asked in confusion.

( Monkey? Ahaan? Why? What did he do? )

“ Chhoro... ”, he mumbled before suddenly lifting her up and placing her gently on the bed.

( Leave it. )

Then he walked away toward the balcony. Safiya frowned, confusion replaced the warmth still buzzing through her body. She watched him stand near the railing, staring at the lake glowing under the moonlight.

And then it hit her. He was upset because she was leaving tomorrow. Safiya quickly jumped up and hurried toward him.

“ Kyu gussa ho tum? What's wrong? ”, she asked, tapping his shoulder. He shrugged her hand off.

( Why are you angry? What's wrong? )

“ Nothing's wrong. ”, he muttered, still staring at the waves below.

“ Then why aren't you looking at me? ”, she snapped before catching herself and exhaling slowly.

Safiya sighed before sliding her arms around him from behind, wrapping them across his chest as she hugged him. Her cheek rested softly against his back.

“ Please talk to me... ”, Zaviyar removed her hands from his chest. Safiya looked at him in surprise. Then she smiled as she knew he was sulking.

“ Give me five minutes alone... ”, he murmured tiredly

“ Ab tum mere saath fas gaye ho, so stop expecting peace in your life even for one minute. ”, she fired back before wrapping her arms around him again, tighter this time.

( You are stuck with me now, so stop expecting peace in your life even for one minute. )

Zaviyar clicked his tongue before removing her hands again, this time a little more roughly though he clearly didn't mean to. Safiya frowned and stepped back, glaring at the back of his head.

Zaviyar frowned slightly when he noticed she didn't wrap her arms around him again.

‘Areh kha gayi? Teen baar touh karna tha na... Mein maan jaata third time peh’, he thought.

( What's wrong with her? You could do it for the third time... I would be coaxed then)

Without turning around, he reached back and grabbed her wrists before placing her hands back on his chest himself. Safiya bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. She leaned her head against his back again.

“ Are you angry? ”, she asked softly.

“ Not angry. Just sad at the thought that I have to let go of you so soon. ”, he admitted quietly, leaning his head back until it rested against hers.

“ It's just for a few days. And you have to come bring me back home. ”, Zaviyar straightened before turning around. Safiya barely had time to react before he pulled her flush against him.

“ That's the thing Safiya. ”, he muttered softly while brushing his thumb along her cheek.

“ It's like I fucking forget to breathe when you are out of my sight even for a moment. I crave your presence, your laugh, your witty remarks. Everything... ”, he rested his forehead against hers.

“ Pehle mujhe tumse sirf nafrat thi… Fir nikah ke baad kahi na kahi dilkashi hui….Mere dil ko tumhari taraf ek ajeeb si kashish mehsoos hui. Phir woh uns ban gayi… Tumhari baatein, tumhari muskurahat meri aadat ban gayi.”, he closed the distance between them.

[At first, I felt nothing but hatred for you… Then after our marriage, somewhere along the way, a strange attraction began. My heart started feeling an unusual pull toward you. That pull slowly turned into attachment… Your words, your smile became my habit.]

“ Dheere dheere woh mohabbat mein badal gayi… Aur mujhe samajh aaya ke mera dil sach mein tumhara ho chuka hai... Phir mere dil mein tumhare liye aqeedat paida hui… Ek gehra ehteraam… jaise tum meri zindagi ki sabse azeez cheez ho. ”, he whispered, staring into her orbs.

[Slowly that feeling turned into love, snd I realized that my heart had truly become yours. Trust grew in my heart for you, adeep respect—as if you were the most precious thing in my life.]

Safiya's eyes widened, realising the depth in his words. She felt like her heartbeat had increased.

“ Aur mujhe pata bhi nahi chala kab meri mohabbat ibadat ban gayi… Jaise tumhari khushi hi meri dua ho… tum meri zindagi ka sabse khoobsurat khwaab bangsyi. ”,his voice softened.

[And I didn’t even realize when my love turned into devotion… As if your happiness itself became my prayer… you became the most beautiful dream of my life.]

“ Tum mera junoon ban gayi… Har jagah, har lamha... mujhe tumhari kami mehsoos honeh lagi. Ek waqt aaya jahan mere dimaag mein bas tum thi. Aur phir mujhe pata chala ki iss ishq ki aakhri manzil maut ha. Mere guroor ki maut, mere rubaab ki maut, mere usoolon ki maut. Aur shayad uss shaks ki maut jisne sirf nafrat sikhi thi. Tumhare saath ke liye main kuch bhi qurban karne ko tayyar hoon. Kyunki tumse mohabbat meri zindagi ki sabse khoobsurat sachchai hai. ”

[You became my obsession… Everywhere, every moment, I began to feel your absence.

There came a time when my mind was filled only with you.

And then I realized that the final destination of this love is death— the death of my pride, the death of my arrogance, the death of my principles.

And perhaps the death of the man who had only learned hatred.

For the sake of being with you I am ready to sacrifice anything.

Because loving you is the most beautiful truth of my life]

Safiya stood frozen. Her heart slammed violently inside her chest. Before he could say another word, she grabbed his collar and pulled him down, crashing her lips against his. Zaviyar froze for a second.Then, he kissed her back just as fiercely.

His hand slid behind her neck as hr deepened the kiss, softer now but filled with the same desperate emotion. When she finally pulled away, she was breathless. She intertwined their fingers.

“ I love you too, you stupid Nawab. So, so, so freaking much. I- i can't use words like you but I do... ”, her smile made his entire face light up.

Before she could react he scooped her up into his arms and spun her around. Her laughter echoed through the night. He slowed the spin just enough to kiss her again while she was still in the air. The world around them faded. For a moment, there was nothing except the two of them.

And who was Zaviyar to deny her a good kiss.

He devoured her mouth hungrily, leaving Safiya gasping for breath when he finally pulled away.

His eyes darkened with something deeply possessive as they drifted from her flushed face to the pendant resting against her collarbone, the one he had gifted her.

“ You're mine Safiya, all mine.. ”, he rasped posessiveky. Safiya felt her emotions swirl wildly inside her chest, too overwhelming for her to control any longer. She quickly reached for their phone and clothes before blurting out, “ Take me home. Right now. ”

Zaviyar watched her with confusion written all over his face, unsure of what had suddenly changed.

“ D-do you regret it? ”, he asked cautiously, seeing the urgency in her movements as she gathered everything.

Safiya shot him a warning glare. “ I'll make you regret it you don't get your ass up and take me home now ”.

Without another word, they both headed out. Once inside the car, Zaviyar carefully leaned over and tightened her seatbelt before buckling his own. Just as he was about to start the engine, he noticed her shifting slightly in her seat, her brows furrowed in discomfort.

" what wrong ", he asked, glancing at her briefly.

“ My soles are numb.... Maybe because of running today in the woods. ”, Zaviyar simply shook his head before bending down. He gently held her bare legs and lifted them up, placing them across his lap.

Safiya blinked in surprise as she found herself lying sideways in the seat, almost like she was settling into a comfortable sleeping position, her feet resting on his lap.

She watched in quiet amazement as he started the engine, shifted gears with ease ans then began slowly massaging her feet with his free hand.

His fingers moved carefully, kneading the soreness away.

Every now and then his hand would leave her foot to change the gear, only to return immediately and continue the massage.

The small gesture sent butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach as she realized just how attentively he was maasaging her feet. Unable to resist, she secretly took a quick snap of the moment before murmuring softly, “ You should focus on the main task at hand ”.

“ I am... ”, he murmured, pressing his thumb gently against the curve of her ankle. The pressure released the tension there instantly, drawing a soft moan from her lips. His eyes darkened slightly at the sound.

“ I love those sounds, but you should really not tempt me right now ”, he said as his fingers grazed along her ankle, sliding slightly higher up her leg.

“ Unless you want me to pull over and kiss you till you are gasping for air ”, Safiya felt her throat go dry as she nervously gulped. Her palms turned slightly sweaty because, truthfully, a part of her wanted him to follow through with his own words.

“ You should stop saying things unless you plan to do it. ”, Safiya muttered, turning her gaze away from him. A moment later she looked back at him in confusion when he suddenly steered the car to the side of the road and pulled over.

Before she could process what was happening, Zaviyar had already flicked his seatbelt open.

“ What are yo— ”, Safiya snapped but the words died in her throat when he suddenly gripped her ankle and pulled her forward, and smashed his lips against hers. The kiss began slow and deliberate but quickly turned rough when he thrust his tongue into her mouth, claiming her breath completely.

Safiya felt dizzy, breathless, her mind turning hazy as his lips moved fiercely against hers. He kissed her like he wanted to own every breath she took, before finally pulling away after a final teasing lick.

“ Be a good girl now.. ”, he said softly, cupping her face and brushing his thumb across her lower lip before leaning back into his seat and starting the car again.

Safiya sat there in a daze, unable to forget the mind-blowing kiss. Embarrassment and shyness washed over her at the same time, and she quickly hid her burning face behind her palm.

“ Don't hide from me, love. ”, Zaviyar said casually as he tugged lightly at her toes, clearly enjoying the effect he had on her.

Soon they reached home. Zaviyar parked outside the main gate before stepping out of the car and quickly walking around to open Safiya's door.

Safiya subtly pointed toward the guards and then toward her bare shoulders, making Zaviyar instantly understand.

He hurried back to the car, grabbed the extra jacket from the back seat, and handed it to her.

She slipped it on quickly before the two of them walked inside together.

They were just about to turn toward the west wing when they suddenly collided with Riffat and Kabi. Kabir smirked looking at them, especially Safiya who was dressed in a knee length summer dress under the jacket.

“ ammi mujhe touh lagta hain, aap jaldi hee dadi banne vaali hain aur mein chachu...”, he said playfully making the couple turn a darker shade of red, “ Kyu bhabi sahi kha n— ammi yarrr”, he shrieked when Riffat pinched his stomach.

Riffat's eyes moved over both of them, scanning their faces and appearance carefully.

A faint amused smile spread across her lips as she took in the sight.

Zaviyar was dressed in a simple plain blue shirt with white pants, far too casual compared to his usual appearance.

And Safiya stood beside him in a beautiful ivory dress with a slit, decorated with delicate flowers.

Riffat said nothing about it, only smiling knowingly. “ You have to leave early tomorrow Safiya beta. Take rest okay. And Zaviyar? ”, she turned toward him.

“ yes mom...”, he replied, clearly embarrassed though he tried to appear calm.

“ Let her sleep tonight. Don't disturb her... ”, Riffat murmured before walking away pulling Kabir along, leaving the young couple behind with a strange mixture of awkwardness and amusement.

“ She's right, you should sleep outside our room tonight. ”, Safiya said quickly, still embarrassed as if she had been caught doing something scandalous. She immediately sprinted toward their room with Zaviyar following right behind her.

She reached the door first and tried to close it but just as it was about to shut, a hand pushed against it. Safiya tried to force it shut again, only for Zaviyar to push the door open with ease.

She swallowed nervously as she looked at him leaning against the door, his expression suddenly dark and intense.

“ Zaviy– ”

Before she could finish saying his name, he strode toward her and pinned her against the nearest wall, smashing his lips onto hers in a fierce kiss He pulled back only slightly.

“ You— ”, her eyes widened when he kissed her again, this time deeper and more intense. Safiya felt butterflies, heck, the entire zoo erupting wildly inside her stomach as he deepened the kiss further.

“ Mhmmm--- ”, she hit his chest weakly, struggling to breathe but he didn’t move away. Finally he released her only when she bit his lip hard enough to make him stop.

“ It's impossible for me to stay sane after I've tasted you once. ”

Heat rushed up her neck as he began placing small kisses all over her face, each one lingering just enough to make her heart race even faster.

“. Why did you want us to come back so soon Safiya? ”, he asked softly, his lips brushing against her jaw as the question left his mouth.

But Safiya’s mind was far too foggy to even understand what he had just asked.

She slowly pushed him away and said, “stay here. ”

Without giving him a chance to question her, Safiya quickly disappeared into the dressing room.

Zaviyar stood there in confusion, running a hand through his hair as he tried to guess what she was doing.

A moment later she returned, carefully carrying a big flat object that was covered and neatly packed.

She handled it with surprising care before walking over to the bed and placing it gently on top.

“ What's this? ”, he asked, clearly confused as he looked at it. From the shape alone it looked like a photo frame.

“ Open it. ”, she urged softly. Zaviyar nodded and stepped forward.

He untied the ropes holding the packaging together before slowly opening it.

His movements became careful as he removed the white thermocol that protected the frame.

When the cover finally came off, his hands froze.

His eyes widened slightly. It was the same portrait.

The very one Safiya had accidentally broken earlier in the east wing.

“ This? ”, he asked quietly, his fingers slowly coming forward to touch the glass of the frame as if he wanted to confirm it was real.

Safiya watched his reaction before explaining softly, “ Ammi was making the staff throw the glass away. Ammi, was really sad and said that she is your aunt who really loved you. And this is the last picture you have of her. ”

For a moment Zaviyar didn’t say anything. He carefully placed the portrait back on the bed before suddenly bending down and wrapping his arms around Safiya’s knees. Before she could react, he lifted her straight off the ground and spun her around.

“ I fucking love you so much, Safiya... So fucking much. ”, he spun her again, the sudden rush making the room blur around her.

“ Aaahhh~ Avi let me down..... I-im dizzy”, she screamed, clutching onto his shoulders as the spinning made her head light. Zaviyar instantly stopped.

“ What did you just call me? ”, he asked slowly as he lowered her back down to the ground. Safiya’s chest rose and fell quickly as she realized what had slipped out of her mouth.

“ What did you just call me Safiya?”, he asked again but this time his voice was softer, almost desperate.

“ A-avi... It's short for Zaviyar. ”, she explained hesitantly, unsure whether he disliked it or thought it sounded strange. For a moment he simply stared at her.

“ Say it again...”

“ Avi....”

“ Again... ”, She frowned slightly in confusion.

“ Why do you like it that much? ”, she asked, tilting her head.

“ Like? I love it....”, he said before leaning forward and placing a soft peck on her lips.

He rested his forehead against hers, letting out a slow breath.

“ My heart is going insane Safiya. What are you doing to me? ”, he murmured quietly.

Then he slowly took her hand and placed it against his chest, pressing it there so she could feel the rapid pounding beneath.

“ Do you feel this? ”, he asked softly.

“ Tell me, Safiya. Do you feel the same? ”, he whispered, closing his eyes. For a moment there was silence. Then he felt her hands move.

Safiya gently cupped his chest before rising onto her tiptoes and guiding his head down toward her.

“ You are driving me crazy Avi. ”, she whispered softly, pressing small kisses to each corner of his lips. Zaviyar let out a shaky breath, his forehead still resting against hers.

“Then God help me, Safiya…” he whispered hoarsely, his fingers tightening around her waist, “because if you feel even half of what I feel for you… I’m never letting you go.”

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