He was pacing back and forth outside the room, the doctor was in there. Ghulam Bakhsh was sitting on the chair praying. Asfandyar wiped his hands down his face and exhaled. He had gone to Peshawar to attend some important work. He was supposed to be back after a week, he wanted to wrap up his work there and return back to Ziarat for good.

But he had to rush back just after two days. Ghulam bakhsh called him back because Agha Jaan was admitted in hospital. He left everything in between and rushed back as soon as could.

The doctor came out of the room and he turned towards him quickly asking about Agha Jaan.

"He is stable now, but please make sure he does not take any stress or his condition can get worse "

The doctor left after giving him some instructions. He drew a deep breath and placed his hands on the back of his neck. His body was aching all over, he couldn't get any rest since last two days. But now he was relieved Agha jaan was alright there was nothing to worry.

"Chotay sahab aap ghar jayein Wareen ghar pe akeli hein, mai ruk jata hun yahan" 
( Wareen is alone, you should go home. I will stay here) 

He nodded his head and left. When he arrived home he was surprised to see her sleeping on the sofa on living room. He placed his coat on the back of a chair and walked towards her. Her face scrunched with a frown. He could see the dried tears on her face. Hos heart ached. He sat down on his knees and looked at her face. He tried valiantly to be still, to resist the urge to touch her but he couldn't. He reached out and softly stroked her cheeks.

Suddenly her eyes fluttered open, it was as she was just waiting for a warm touch to wake up. She saw two grey orbs staring at her. He smiled softly but his expression was cautious.  She sat up straight.

"Asfand"

She whispered softly and then flung herself in his arms. He was taken aback by her gesture but then quickly wrapped his arms around her tightly. Sighing in content he placed his face in her hair inhaling her sweet vanilla scent.

"Asfand wo Agha jaan... "

She whimpered softly and tried to speak but sobs wrecked out of her system repressing her from saying anything.

"Shhs he's fine. Its alright "

He rubbed his hand on her back trying to calm her. She stopped crying after some time and then withdrew slowly. He felt ill from the loss of contact but didn't say anything.

She didn't even think about the words as they tumbled impetuously from her lips.

"Why did you come back? "

He frowned at her question and then smiled softly. Her cheeks were suffused with color. He could see sense the anger and pain in her voice.

"I had to come back"

He smiled softly and grabbed her hands which were cold as ice he wrapped his hands around her tiny ones.

"Why did you leave me again? "

She whimpered and lowered her head.

"I thought you will never come back, i thought you just wanted me for.. "

She couldn't speak further because he placed his hand on her lips.His face took on a pained expression. His jaw was tense and his eyes were dark.

"Never say that again"

His voice was low and strained.She pushed his hand away from her face and turned to face the other side. He grabbed her face and placed his hand on her cheek.

"I didn't leave you. I had some work that's why i had to leave early."

He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on the back.

"I will never do the same mistake again" 

Her eyes were still looking down at nothing in particular. He wanted her to look at him.

"Ta me yaadede"
( I missed you)

He whispered softly and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Ya zama jaanukai" 
(Oh my darling) 

He smiled and placed kisses all over her face but she didn't look at him still.

"Za ta sara meena kwam" 
( I love you )

He whispered softly against her lips. Her heart skipped a beat at his words.
He stared into her eyes before he initiated the kiss. Lips met tightly, warm breath against warm breath, mouths wet and slick. His hand smoothed her cheek and slowly past her ear before moving on the nape of her neck. As his mouth engulfed hers, his hands rubbed over her skin, coaxing her to relax. Their lips floated together, sliding and smoothing.

He pulled her lip between his teeth, tugging and teasing. It was all new yet so familiar. She inhaled sharply at the strange but intimate sensation. Passion remain, but anger gave way to a bracing electricity that burned and cracked around them, as she answered and opened up to him.

He pulled away slowly and placed his forehead against hers. Both breathing heavily.

"Forgive me my love"

He pleaded, she looked in his eyes and saw them filled with unshed tears. She inhaled sharply and nodded her head. He smiled softly and captured her lips again.

______

She sighed at the movement and instinctively turned to face him. This one small simple act made his heart swell. Even in her sleep, she recognized him. He pulled her, all covered, into his arms and kissed her forehead.

He felt relieved, her belief in him, her love for him chipped away at his self doubt. Truly he was blessed beyond all reason to find such a lover, such a wife. When she'd looked in his eyes and told him the she forgave him for all his mistakes. He knew he would remember that moment all his life.

______________________________________

Two years later

Agha jaan placed the book on the table and picked up his cup of tea. Taking a sip he turned towards her.

"Wo utha nahi abhi tak? " 
(He is not awake yet?)

She hid her smile behind the cup. She knew Agha jaan was going to ask about him.

"Nahi Agha jaan"

She replied meekly and stuffed her mouth woth some cake.

"Ussay Peshawar mai hi rehna chahiye tha ghalti kar di wapis bula ke" 
(I made a mistake by calling him here, he should have stayed in Peshawar)

A laugh escaped her lips but she quickly shut her mouth when Agha jaan glared.

"Wahan kam to karta tha, ab to bas aram chahiye ussay" 
(At least he used to work there, now all he do is rest)

She placed the cup down and stood up, grabbing her shawl she wrapped it around her arms.

"Agha jaan ap ghussa na karein apka blood pressure high ho jaye ga" 
(Agha jaan don't get angry please or your blood pressure will get high)

After giving him his medicine she went upstairs. She opened the door slowly and walked towards the bed. She called him softly hoping to wake him up.

"Asfand"

She pushed the duvet and sat down beside him. She slowly pushed her fingers through his hair, he groaned and turned hos face to the other side.

She smiled and leaned down on his face, placing her lips on the corner of his mouth while her hands drew patterns on his naked torso. He sighed and opened his eyes.

She pulled away to get up but he grabbed her hands and pulled her beneath him. She squealed and then quickly shut her mouth, looking at the left side of bed where her son was sleeping soundly. She sighed and turned towards him who was glaring at her. She smiled innocently at him and placed her arms around his neck.

"Mujhay utha ke kahan bhaag rahi thi" 
(Where were you running off to after waking me)

She laughed at him and kissed his nose softly.

"Mai bhaag nahi rahi thi apki coffee lene ja rahi thi" 
(I wasn't running anywhere , i was going to make your coffee)

He placed his face in the crook of her neck and sighed in her vanilla scent. He placed a kiss on her neck and looked in her eyes.

"Da zrra armaan me" 
(My heart's desire)

He leaned in to kiss her but the baby started crying. He pulled away and looked at little Ghazaan who was wailing. Asfandyar groaned loudly and stood up from bed.

"Uth gya rang mai bhang dalne" 
( Little spoilsport has woken up)

Wareen laughed at him and pulled her son in her arms who immediately stopped crying. Asfandyar glared at him who was now sleeping peacefully after ruining his moment.

Zar Wareen rolled her eyes at her husband who was getting jealous of their year old son.

"Zar"

She looked at him who was standing in the door.

"Zu pa ta mayan yam" 
( I am in love with you)

He blew her kiss and went in washroom. She smiled and then looked at her son and slowly whispered in his ear.

"I love your father Ghazaan wali khan"

کیا وقت نکالا ہے رنجش کا بھی ظالم نے
جب خوب سنورتا ہی تب ہم سے بگڑتا ہے