Author's POV

Saim was engrossed in his work when he heard a knock on his office door.

"Come in."

Someone stepped into the room. "Good morning, sir," came a cheerful voice. He looked up.

"Good morning," he replied with a small smile. "Where is the Zaman Enterprises file, Reema? I've been waiting for it," he added as she placed a few files in front of him.

"Sorry. I got stuck in traffic. It's really bad today," she made a face, making him chuckle as he checked the file.

"Hmm," he hummed, already immersed in his work again while Reema began briefing him about the upcoming project. A few more employees joined them, including Zaid-who had a hard look on his face as he watched his brother casually chatting with the girl he was once supposed to marry.

The next few hours were spent planning the new project. One by one, everyone left the cabin, but Reema remained seated as if it were her own office. Zaid glared at his brother, who didn't even seem to notice. Huffing in irritation, Zaid walked out of the cabin.

Zaid still remembered the day he first saw Reema in the office. He had barged into his brother's cabin and argued with him. Saim, however, calmly explained that Reema would only be staying for a few months. Her mamu (maternal uncle) was still angry with her, and she had nowhere to return to in London. She was waiting for her uncle to calm down and call her back. Until then, she needed a job to survive, and Saim offered her one. He wanted to argue but seeing his brother's hard face he surpassed his anger. He would've informed Aina but Saim strictly warned him not to bother her.

"Let's have lunch," Reema suggested. Saim looked up from his file.

"Uh... no, you go... I..." he was cut off as his phone rang. He checked the caller ID, and a smile automatically lit up his face.

"You go. I need to take this call," he said and answered it. Reema stared at his smiling face before quietly walking out of the room-but not before hearing:

"Don't worry, Ain. Kha loonga khana main (I'll eat the food, don't worry)."

She heard him laugh in response to whatever Aina said next.

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He was walking out when he noticed Reema heading somewhere as well. He didn't stop to talk and continued walking toward the elevator.

"Saim," he heard Reema call behind him. He stopped reluctantly. He tried to avoid her as much as he could, but he couldn't be rude either. She was here because of him. She had left her family for him. He felt responsible for her situation, and so he was willing to do whatever he could to ease her troubles.

"Going for lunch?" she asked. He nodded.

"Can I join you? I mean... I don't really know anyone here..." she looked embarrassed for inviting herself. Saim felt bad for her.

"Come, let's go," he said, unable to refuse. He was reminded of the time she had supported him back in London when he was new and unfamiliar with everything. In a way, he was just returning the favor.

It had been almost three weeks since Reema started working in Saim's office. She was a brilliant employee, and Saim felt genuinely relieved to have her on board. Before she joined, he had been feeling the full weight of responsibility on his shoulders-especially after his father and chachu (uncle) left. Zaid was still new, in the learning process. While Reema, on the other hand, was a qualified and experienced engineer. She fit perfectly into the company, and even Zaid couldn't deny her intelligence.

Yes, Aina was completely unaware of this arrangement-and that was Saim's choice. He didn't want her to overthink or feel insecure. He still remembered that day in the mall when Aina was in tears just because he had spoken to Reema. In his mind, Reema would be gone before Aina ever found out, so why stress her unnecessarily?

He knew he had become more than just a "forced husband" to her-just as she had become more than an "unwanted wife" to him. And he also knew that Aina would not appreciate his decision to keep this from her. If she ever asked him to terminate Reema from the company, he probably would-and that was exactly what he didn't want to happen. Not yet. Not when Reema needed his support the most.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aina was returning from her college when her car stopped in traffic. Her eyes unintentionally landed on the glass wall of a nearby restaurant, and there she saw Saim sitting with a girl. She couldn't see the girl's face as her back was towards the glass, but she could tell that Saim was enjoying her company-he was smiling at her.

Her heart twisted uncomfortably, and instinctively, she dialed his number. She saw him look at the phone and frown. Then he raised his hand slightly towards the girl, silently asking her to stay quiet, and picked up the call.

"Kahan hain aap?" (Where are you?) She didn't want her voice to stutter, but it did.

"I came to a restaurant for lunch. I know you're calling to check on whether I've eaten, so relax. I'm having my lunch," he replied with a smile still lingering on his face. Aina felt slightly relieved that he hadn't lied about being at the office.

"Akele hain?" (Are you alone?) she asked, holding her breath and silently praying that he wouldn't lie. She saw him glance at the girl in front of him before responding.

"Nahin... a client is with me."

"Female ya male?" (Female or male?) Another question.

Saim frowned. Aina had never questioned him like this before, but then he remembered she was only trying to play the role of his wife, and he answered.

"A female."

Aina exhaled in relief. He didn't lie. A small smile crept on her lips.

"Keep your distance from other females, Mr. Husband. I won't appreciate your lunches and dinners with females. Remember, I'm very possessive when it comes to you."

With that, she ended the call. No matter how soft her heart went for him being honest, she couldn't go easy on him for taking a female client out.

------------

He stepped into the house feeling slightly nervous. He hadn't seen Aina downstairs, even though he'd spent the last half hour sitting with his mother and chachi.

Looking around, he finally found her in the balcony with a book in her hand.

"Aina." he called her name softly as he walked toward her. She didn't turn around or say anything. He was surprised at himself-how was she making him feel this nervous? Perhaps all husbands felt the same under their wives' silent treatment.

"What are you doing? You didn't come downstairs," he said, sitting beside her on the couch.

"Did you enjoy your lunch with your female client?" The first thing she said made him gulp.

"She's just my client, baby. Why are you getting angry?" he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

"I still don't appreciate you going out with any other girl alone," she glared at him.

"Okay, I'll remember that." He kissed her forehead, trying to soothe her anger, which seemed to work-at least a little. He wanted to argue, but knowing her young age and lack of experience, he knew she wouldn't understand. She needed more maturity to comprehend the dynamics of his work, which often included interaction with women.

"Let's go out for dinner?" he offered, changing the subject.

Aina's face lit up. All her anger vanished as she happily nodded. "I'll get ready," she said, standing up.

Saim smiled as she walked away. He was doing everything to keep her happy. He would do anything for this marriage to work. He owed that much to Aina.

**********

"Allah, Zaid bhai! Kyun pareshan kar rahe ho?" (Why are you irritating me?) Aina shouted, clearly irritated by his continuous nagging.

"Moti, you've been watching TV for hours... give me the remote!" Zaid tried to snatch the remote from her hand.

"Moti main.. Nahin, motay aap hain!" (You're calling me fat? No, you're the fat one!) She pushed him back, furious. "I'll tell Saim you called me moti!" after marriage Aina became more attractive and beautiful with some extra curves. Zaid sometime tease her calling her 'Moti (Fat)'.

"Arre moti nahin... choti kaha maine!" (Not fat... I said younger!) he tried to cover up quickly, chuckling nervously. He still remembered how the last time he irritated his elder brother's pretty wife, Saim had punished him with extra office work.

Aina couldn't help but laugh. She enjoyed having the upper hand in this relationship. After becoming Saim's wife, her status in the family had changed drastically. While they still treated her like a child most of the time, there were moments when she enjoyed the position of the eldest daughter-in-law of the house. Her mother-in-law asked her opinion on matters like wedding gifts, guest lists, or meals for visiting relatives. Shamim even shared gossip with her about her own side of the family.

"I like the effect I have," she said proudly, chin held high.

Zaid glared at her. Aina slowly bent down and grabbed the two packets of chips he'd brought to enjoy during the movie. Before he could react, she ran away, throwing the remote at him.

"AINA!" he shouted, running behind her.

The house filled with Aina's laughter and Zaid's shouting.

Saim entered the house and shook his head smiling, hearing the commotion. He knew Aina must have pulled something off again to make Zaid scream like that.

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They were deeply engrossed in each other's kiss when they were interrupted by the sudden ring of Saim's phone. He was just about to pull her kurta over her head when his hand froze mid-air. Aina, who was tracing his bare back with her fingers, frowned. It was the middle of the night.

"Itni raat ko kis ka phone hai?" (Who's calling this late?) she asked, nudging him slightly to see his face.

"I don't know. Let me check." He sat up and reached for the phone on the side table.

The screen flashed: Employee R.

His eyes unknowingly flicked to Aina, a flicker of unease in his gaze which didn't go unnoticed by Aina.

"Uhm... office employee hai. Wait." (It's an office employee. Hold on.) He went out to the balcony.

"What the hell, Reema? Why did you call me at this hour? You know I haven't told Aina about you, and I don't plan to either," he whispered sharply.

"Sorry, Saim. I thought she'd be asleep..." Her voice was apologetic.

"We don't sleep early. Now, what is it?" His tone was hurried and annoyed.

"I... I just wanted to talk..." Reema lost her train of thought hearing his tone.

Saim cut in, "I can't talk to you at this time. I have my wife with me." His tone came out harsher than he intended. Realizing it, he sighed. "Reema, please yaar, don't make my life harder. I don't want any trouble in my marriage. I'll always be your friend, but please remember-I'm married now, and I'm happy in my married life. Please forgive me if I hurt you. Bye."

He hung up, knowing well his words had broken her heart. But there was no other way. Aina was his wife-his present and future. Reema belonged to his past. He didn't want to give her false hopes or bring problems into his marriage.

"Saim!" Aina called from inside. He turned with a smile.

"Ji, Saim ki jaan." (Yes, Saim's beloved.) Turning off his phone, he placed it on the side table and jumped onto her, making her giggle and forget all about her curiosity regarding the call.

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When Aina woke up the next morning, Saim was already out of bed. She stretched and sat up, waiting for him to come out of the bathroom so she could use it. Suddenly, her mind replayed the call Saim had received last night and how he never told her why an employee called him at such an odd hour.

Her eyes darted toward the phone. It was still on the table.

Hesitantly, she picked it up and unlocked it using the password she knew. The phone lit up. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but the uneasiness in her heart overpowered her conscience.

She opened the call log.

There it was-Employee R.

With the initial R, only one name echoed in her mind.

Reema.

She stood still, staring at the screen. But pushing her thoughts aside, she placed the phone back on the table as she heard the shower stop. A danger alarm was ringing in her head.

The bathroom door opened moments later.

Still deep in thought, Aina was startled when he hugged her from behind.

"Good morning, baby," he whispered, planting kisses on her ear and cheeks.

"Good morning," she replied softly, turning around in his arms she hugged him tightly.

The tiny droplets of water from his wet hair fell on her face.

After a few seconds, she asked, "Are you happy with me?"

Saim was surprised by her question. He pulled back slightly to see her face. She wasn't looking at him.

"What?" he asked to confirm if he'd heard right.

"Are you... satisfied with me?" she asked hesitantly. The insecurity of her young age and immaturity crept into her voice.

"Do you have any doubt?" he asked, and she nodded slightly without meeting his eyes. His frown deepened.

Holding her face gently, he began kissing her, easing her onto the bed beneath him to chase away her insecurities.

Half an hour later, Saim kissed her forehead. Cupping her face, he looked into her eyes.

"You satisfy me in a way I don't think any other woman ever could, Ain. Trust me, I can't get enough of you. I can't keep my hands off you when you're

around me. I've never felt like this before." He gently pecked her lips.

"And yes-Alhamdulillah, I am happy with you," Saim finished, resting his forehead against hers.

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