Author’s POV

“What was that, Rumaan?” Ahmed asked angrily.

“Baba… you guys didn’t say anything, so… that’s why I had to speak,” he replied, feeling a little nervous and embarrassed because he didn’t know why he had acted like that.

“But that’s not how we talk to guests. Don’t forget, they are Fathima’s in-laws. And it’s not a big deal… most people who have seen Hana unintentionally end up asking for her hand in marriage,” Shabana said. Rumaan didn’t respond and instead looked down at his phone, trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling inside him.

Everyone was in the living room, including Hana. They silently watched as Ahmed and Shabana scolded Rumaan. All of them tried to hide their smiles as they noticed Rumaan’s ears turning red.

Meanwhile, Hana felt a strange kind of joy in her heart. She couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed—a glimpse of possessiveness in Rumaan’s eyes when Fariya mentioned her marriage. It made her happy. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling while poor Rumaan was being scolded by his parents.

“But Mama… Fariya Aunty didn’t ask for Hana’s hand unintentionally. That was actually the main reason they came here,” Fathima said, shocking everyone. She nodded to confirm.

“Yes… Shazam told me they came here to ask for Hana’s hand for his cousin, as per his khala’s (maternal aunt’s) request,” Fathima explained.

“Fathima, you should’ve told us earlier,” Ahmed said, annoyed.

“Baba, Shazam told me when we were all sitting at the dining table. And before I could say anything, Fariya Aunty cut me off,” Fathima said, shrugging as she resumed playing with the roses Shazam had given her.

Rumaan was watching them closely, restless ever since his parents told Fariya they would think about the proposal.

“I’ll talk to Fariya—” Shabana began but was cut off by Rumaan.

“Mama, there is nothing to talk about! I don’t understand why you didn’t just say we don’t accept the proposal,” he blurted out. Everyone noticed his restlessness, even Ahmed, who realized this was the best opportunity to convince Rumaan for ruksati (wedding announcement)

“We can’t keep rejecting Hana’s marriage proposals. Society will think we don’t want her to get married or be happy because she isn’t our biological daughter. We only have one way to shut their mouths,” Ahmed said, looking straight at Rumaan.

“And what’s that?” Rumaan asked desperately.

“We have to do your and Hana’s ruksati,” Ahmed said. And just like that, all of Rumaan’s possessiveness and frustration evaporated. Now, all he could think of was himself.

No way! I don’t want this marriage thing.

He didn’t say anything, knowing if he opened his mouth, he might end up hurting his parents—and that’s the last thing he wanted.

Ahmed looked at Rumaan. He couldn’t read his expression, but he could tell he was deep in thought.

“It’s okay, Rumaan… you can give us your answer in a few days. Take your time—no pressure,” Ahmed said softly, patting his shoulder before walking away.

“Your Baba is right… Think about it,” Shabana added, and then turned to the girls seated on the sofa. “Girls, now go to your rooms. It’s already too late,” she said before leaving. One by one, everyone went to their rooms with hidden smiles.

But Hana remained seated, looking at Rumaan with love. She stood up and walked toward him. He was lost in his thoughts.

She was completely unaware of her surroundings when she stepped on a rose thorn. She came to her senses when she felt a sharp pain, gasping softly. Rumaan immediately looked toward her.

“What happened?” he asked with concern as he moved toward her.

“I don’t know… I think… it hurts,” she said, gesturing toward her foot while holding his shoulder tightly.

He bent down on his knees to examine her foot. He saw a small trace of blood. After inspecting it, he stood up.

He looked at Hana and saw her quivering lips and tear-filled eyes. He smiled gently and shook his head before picking her up in his arms, bridal style. She gasped at his sudden move.

“What are you doing?” she asked, eyes wide as she looked around.

“Taking you to your room,” he said simply.

He walked into her room and closed the door with his foot.

Rumaan placed her on the bed, then sat on the floor and gently placed her foot on his knee.

He focused on her foot, while Hana kept staring at him, thinking about how he had behaved when they discussed her marriage. She couldn’t help but smile.

Rumaan looked up and found her smiling at him.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I love you,” the words slipped from her lips. His eyes widened at her sudden confession, but that surprise was quickly replaced with a smirk.

He removed the thorn from her foot, making Hana yelp in sudden pain. A tear rolled down her cheek. He stood up and sat beside her.

“Why did you hurt me?” she asked with a pout.

“I helped you,” he said and held out his palm. She looked and saw the small thorn in his hand.

“You’re such a crybaby. It was just a rose thorn, and you're crying like someone stabbed you with a knife,” he chuckled while wiping her tears.

“Why did you say that?” Rumaan asked after a while, and Hana knew what he was referring to.

“What?” she asked innocently.

“You know what I’m talking about,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“No… I don’t know what you're talking about,” she repeated, acting clueless.

“Accha (Oh really)? You don’t know?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Okay,” he said, and with that, he pushed her back onto the bed and hovered over her. Her eyes widened.

“What are you doing?” she asked, trying to push him off, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head.

“Now tell me—why did you say that so suddenly?” he asked again. Hana’s heart was racing with their closeness.

“I didn’t… say… anything,” she stammered.

“I see. You want to play,” he said, leaning closer to her ear.

“Then let’s play,” he whispered, gently nibbling on her earlobe. Hana shivered, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

“Maan… please leave me,” she whispered, afraid of her own emotions.

“Not until you say why you suddenly confessed your love,” he whispered.

“Because…” she paused. Rumaan looked into her eyes.

She tried to free her wrists, and he didn’t resist—he let her go. She cupped his face and continued.

“Because I love you… I love you so much. I love it when you behave like a possessive husband. I love it when you try to hide your emotions. I love it when you impatiently waited for Mama to reject that proposal. I love you, Maan,” she confessed with so much emotion that Rumaan’s heart began to race. A loving smile spread across his lips, and without wasting another second, he crashed his lips onto hers.

Hana was startled at first, but then she surrendered to the kiss and kissed him back wholeheartedly.

Rumaan kissed her deeply, feeling all the love she had for him. A joy he’d never felt before filled his heart. After a few minutes, he pulled back and moved to her jaw, placing a gentle kiss that made Hana bite her lip to keep any sound in. He trailed kisses down her neck. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning.

“Aah… Maan…”

He moved from her throat to her collarbone, nibbling her skin, making goosebumps rise all over her body.

Rumaan slipped his hand under her shirt, and when she felt his cold hand on her bare stomach, her eyes flew open.

“Ma…an…” she whispered breathlessly as he continued to kiss her neck, making it harder for her to resist.

“Maan…” she called again, this time trying to steady herself.

“Hmm?” he hummed, his face still buried in her neck.

“I think… you should… go,” she stammered, trying to calm her racing heart.

“But I don’t think so,” he said huskily, burying himself deeper into her neck.

“Maan… please…”

“Hanu… please,” he murmured, not letting her finish. He wanted this moment, but Hana thought it was wrong, and she started pushing him slightly.

“No! Maan… it’s not right,” she said. He pulled back and looked at her. He felt rejected, and his heart clenched painfully. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to feel Hana’s love in every way. He knew she wanted it too, but something was holding her back—which only made him angry.

He let go and sat up, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Hana sat beside him and saw the hurt and anger in his eyes. Her heart clenched at the sight.

“Maan…” she whispered, placing her hand on his cheek, trying to ease the tension, but he didn’t give her a chance.

“Good night, Hana,” Rumaan said and stormed out of her room.

Hana felt terrible. She laid down on her bed, feeling uneasy.

I don’t think I can stop you next time… and maybe I don’t want to.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

Hana's POV

I was in the garden with the kids. They were playing while I sat reading a book.

“Khala, guest!” Ruban said, pointing towards the gate of our house.

I looked up and saw two men entering. As I walked closer, I recognized them.

“Uh… Alex? Jake?” I asked as I approached them.

“Yeah… and you?” Jake asked with a smile.

“Uh… hi, I’m Hana,” I introduced myself, and their eyes widened.

“Oh… so that’s you,” Alex said, then looked at Jake. They exchanged a look I didn’t quite understand, so I shrugged it off.

“You came here to meet Maan, right?” I asked, and they both looked confused.

“Um… no, actually, we came here to meet Rumaan,” Alex replied, and I giggled, palming my forehead.

“Yeah, my mistake. I’ll call him. Please come inside,” I said with a smile, which they returned. They followed me inside.

I made them sit on the couch and walked towards Maan’s room but stopped in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him already coming out, fully dressed. He looked incredibly handsome in a black tuxedo. It was the first time I had seen him like this. I couldn’t look away. I was shamelessly staring at him.

“Ahem ahem…” I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of someone clearing their throat and saw Maan raising his eyebrows at me.

“Um… I-I was just coming to you,” I stuttered, feeling embarrassed.

“And why is that?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Um… Alex and Jake are here,” I replied quickly.

“Oh… okay,” he said and started walking away.

“Where are you going?” I asked, following him. He didn’t answer.

We entered the living room, and I heard Alex and Jake talking to Riya aapi.

“Which restaurant?” Riya aapi asked.

“Royal MK,” he answered.

I froze in place.

Royal MK?

“Oh… it’s one of the most famous restaurants in our city these days,” aapi said excitedly. They both nodded with smiles.

I looked at Maan, who was now standing beside me in the doorway.

“You didn’t tell me where you were going,” I asked again, although I had already figured it out. I still wanted to confirm.

“My friend Munaaf’s five-year anniversary party at Royal MK… anything else you’d like to know, ma’am?” he asked, smirking. I nodded.

“Yes… when will you be back?” I asked, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

“Don’t know… whenever my girlfriend lets me leave, I’ll come back,” he said with a smirk. My heart shattered at his words.

He didn’t spare me a second glance as he happily walked out of the house with his friends. My eyes filled with tears.

No! I won’t let him spend time with his so-called girlfriend. He is mine… and if he wants to spend time with someone at that party tonight, it will be me.

I told myself with determination and wiped away my tears before pulling out my phone to call Kulsum.

★★★★★