Author’s POV

Rumaan saw Hana walking away in tears, and that was enough to make him jerk Ellen’s hand off him. Without a second thought, he followed after Hana.

As he pushed through the crowd, he overheard whispers around him.

"She’s beautiful."

"Her voice sounds like a professional singer."

But most of the men were speaking filth.

"She killed me, yaar."

"She won my heart."

"I want to know her."

"Who is she?"

Rumaan’s fists clenched the moment he spotted a man following Hana. He quickened his pace, determined to stop him before he could reach her. But by the time Rumaan closed the distance, the man had already grabbed Hana’s wrist.

Rumaan stood there, burning with rage, as he watched the man pull her to a stop.

"Hey beautiful… want to know you. What’s your name?" the man asked, a smug smirk spreading across his face.

"Leave me!" Hana yelled, trying to wriggle her wrist free. But the man yanked her closer. Just before she collided with his chest, a firm hand shoved the man hard, making him stumble backward.

"What the hell, dude!" the man shouted at Rumaan.

"STAY AWAY FROM HER," Rumaan growled through clenched teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. Hana stood behind him, silent.

"That’s none of your business! You stay out of it," the man said, stepping toward them.

"Dare to take another step toward her," Rumaan warned, his voice low and dangerous, "and you’ll find yourself in the emergency room."

The man sneered. "Who the hell are you? Her bodyguard?"

"HUSBAND... I. AM. HER. HUSBAND... SHE. IS. MY. WIFE," Rumaan stated coldly, emphasizing every word.

The man gulped, backing away as realization dawned. One look at Rumaan’s furious expression was enough proof that he wasn’t lying.

Hana stood frozen, watching him with a soft smile. For the first time, Rumaan had called her his wife in front of someone.

"Sorry, dude… If you’d said that earlier, I’d have backed off. She didn’t look married, so it’s not really my fault," the man muttered and smirked before walking away.

Rumaan turned to face Hana. She opened her mouth to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance. He pushed her back against the nearest wall. A soft gasp escaped her lips.

One arm wrapped around her waist while the other cradled the back of her head. He yanked her close. She tried to speak again, but stopped when his lips crashed onto hers.

Hana’s eyes widened in shock. Rumaan’s kiss was nothing like before—this one was fierce, rough, even painful.

She remained frozen for a few seconds, but as the image of Ellen being close to him flashed through her mind, jealousy and anger surged within her. She kissed him back with equal intensity, pouring all her emotions into it. Her kiss was filled with hurt, anger, and passion.

Rumaan paused, surprised by the sudden fire in her. He was about to pull away, but Hana cupped his face and dragged him closer. Her back hit the wall again as Rumaan placed both his hands on either side of her head, shielding her from the weight of his body.

He kissed her again, this time slower, while Hana continued furiously for a moment until she noticed the change. His kiss softened, became gentle and tender, and her anger began to dissolve. She matched his pace, kissing him with love.

They were completely lost in each other, unaware that someone was watching them—furiously.

It was Ellen.

She had seen him follow Hana. She had noticed the way they looked at each other during the song.

She had been about to confront them when someone pulled her away.

She looked up and saw Jake and Alex.

************

Hana’s POV

He was kissing me furiously… and I loved how he showed his anger and jealousy. Yes, I knew he was jealous when that man grabbed my wrist and tried to come closer. With each passing day, Maan was becoming more and more possessive over me—and I could clearly see it.

The way he kissed me, forcefully—as if to claim me—as if to remind me that I belonged only to him. No one else.

And now… I could feel Maan’s heart beginning to beat for me. I could hear it. I knew he wasn’t even aware of it yet.

And honestly… I love this possessive version of my Maan.

I kissed him back with the same fire—my own jealousy and anger bubbling to the surface. I wanted him to know that he was mine just as much.

When I kissed him back with such intensity, he paused, about to move away. But I held him tightly, cupping his face and pulling him closer. My back hit the wall, and he placed his hands on either side of my head to protect me.

After a few seconds, his kiss turned gentle and soft. And just like that, my anger vanished into thin air. I melted into his warmth.

Oh God… I love this man so, so, soooo much!

I was screaming it in my heart. I wanted to tell him how deeply I loved him. My kiss changed—now it was filled with pure love.

We finally pulled apart, completely breathless.

"M… my… wild cat," Maan said in a husky voice between heavy breaths, smirking as he rested his forehead against mine, staring into my eyes. I looked down, blushing furiously.

"I didn’t know you had this side to you… I thought you were a shy girl. But no, you—"

"Maan, please!" I cut him off, too embarrassed, and hugged him tightly, hiding my face in his chest. I heard his soft chuckle before he wrapped his arms around me.

"I..lo... love you," I whispered softly.

"I know," he said simply.

"Then… why were you with… Ell… Ellen?" My voice cracked and my eyes stung at the memory of seeing him with another woman. "I can’t bear seeing you with any other… wo… woman," I sobbed and held him tighter.

He gently stroked my hair but didn’t say anything. We stood there in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"Hana," he said at last.

"Hmm?" I hummed, and he pulled back to look into my eyes.

"You’re never going to sing in front of any other men again. Understood?"

I smiled and nodded. "Okay… if you don’t like it, I’ll never sing in public again," I said sincerely, looking into his eyes.

He smiled in response.

"Let’s go home," he said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

I nodded, and he took my hand, leading me out of the restaurant.

..........

Tomorrow is Maan's birthday, and I want to give him something special. I’ve made up my mind about what I want to give him.

“So, tell me… what do you have planned for tomorrow?” Fathima aapi asked for the fifth time, and once again, I gave her silence in response while pretending to be busy on my phone.

“I know you have something planned for his birthday. After all, he’s here with us on his birthday after eight years… You know, right Hanu… You can tell me. We are friends, aren’t we?” she tried to coax me sweetly, and this time I looked at her. She was staring at me with hopeful eyes.

“Your sugar talk doesn’t work on me… aapi,” I said with a smirk, shaking my head.

“Oh come on, girl… spill it!” Fathima aapi said irritably.

I bit my lip to suppress my smile and shook my head again in refusal.

“Ugh!” she groaned and got up to leave, but just then, the doorbell rang, so she went to answer it.

“Hana Maan?” a man’s voice came.

“Um… I am Hana Maan,” I heard Fathima aapi respond quickly. I stood up and rushed toward the door.

“Okay… please sign this.” When I reached there, I saw the man handing aapi a parcel.

Oh Allah! That’s my parcel! I ordered that! If anyone sees it then… No! No!

I ran toward Fathima aapi and tried to snatch the parcel from her, but she was quicker and dodged me.

“Aapi… Don’t do this… It’s mine!” I said, glaring at her, and she smirked, inspecting the parcel.

“I know… I know… But can’t I see what you’ve ordered? I’m your sister, na?” she asked innocently. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“No! This is mine,” I said firmly and tried to take it again, but she managed to run off with it.

“Aapi! Don’t do this! It’s mine… Give it to me!” I yelled, chasing her.

“Nah… First, tell me what it is. I know you ordered this for Rumaan… Am I right?” she asked while running around the house. I stopped, hands on my hips, glaring at her, panting from the chase.

“Huh! Yes! Now can you please give it to me?” I almost begged. But she shook her head with a smirk. My eyes widened when I saw her running toward MAAN’S room.

“NO!!” I screamed, dashing after her.

“Aapi please don’t do thi—” I stopped midway when I saw Maan looking at us, confused. That’s when I realized we were already in his room.

“I have something for you,” Fathima aapi said with a mischievous grin. Maan looked between me, aapi, and the parcel in her hand.

“What?” he asked, eyeing the parcel curiously.

“Your birthday gift,” aapi said and tossed the parcel toward Maan, which he caught expertly. Then she dashed out of the room, giving me her evil smirk and muttering, “If you had told me…”

“Maan… That’s mine,” I said, extending my hand toward him.

“And what is it?” he asked, twirling the parcel in his hand.

“Nothing… Please give it to me,” I pleaded desperately, stepping forward to snatch it, but he stepped back.

“Umm… hmm,” he shook his head. I instantly regretted my decision to order it.

______

Rumaan’s POV

She looked so nervous, frightened, and desperate to get this back. By now, I knew this was something important to Hana, something she didn’t want anyone else to see. And Fathu said it’s my birthday gift. That means it’s meant for me, right? Then why is Hana hiding it from me? That question made me curious—more than that, excited—to know what’s inside.

“This is for me, right? My birthday gift?” I asked to confirm, but she said nothing, just started biting her lip. That small act distracted me, but I composed myself again.

“Tell me… if it’s not for me, then I’ll give it back,” I asked softly, and she nodded, eyes fixed on the floor, cheeks blushing.

“For you… but…” she trailed off and turned her back toward me, making me frown.

“Soon… you’ll know… what’s in it,” she said, stammering slightly.

I stepped in front of her and saw her blush deepen. It only made me more desperate to uncover what she was hiding.

“But I want to know… right now,” I said firmly. She shook her head quickly.

“No! Please…” she began, but I started to inspect the parcel, determined to open it.

“Jaan... please don’t do this.”

(My love… please don’t do this.)

I froze when I heard her voice. A sudden tingle passed through my chest.

She was looking at me with puppy dog eyes, making my heart pound faster.

“Hana…” Her name slipped from my lips without me even realizing it.

“Jaan-e-Hana.” (My beloved Hana.) she said with a soft smile, and again, I felt a flutter inside.

God, this girl! What is she doing to me?

I looked at her, and she gently extended her hand toward me. Without even thinking, I placed the parcel in her hand.

“Thank you,” she said, and then kissed my cheek before running out of the room with a grin.

I touched my cheek, a wide smile spreading across my face. But it didn’t last long—my thoughts were soon clouded by a familiar voice screaming in my head.

What are you doing, Rumaan? You can’t let her control you. If you do, one day you’ll find yourself stuck in this whole marriage thing forever. And your dream? It’ll be shattered.

“No! I cannot let Hana control me. I know… I’m just lusting after her and that’s all. Once I get her, it’ll pass. I know it,” I assured myself and sighed.

We were having dinner, and my eyes kept drifting toward Hana. Not just me—she kept glancing at me under her eyelashes too. But she refused to meet my gaze directly, and it irritated me.

Still, I kept my expression neutral and ate silently—until my phone rang, and I excused myself to answer it.

“Hey! What happened?” I asked as I picked up the call.

“Party happened!” Jake and Alex squealed on the other end.

“Huh? What party?” I asked, annoyed. I turned slightly and noticed Hana looking at me while everyone else was busy eating.

“Your birthday party! We’re throwing your birthday party tonight!”

“We?” I asked.

“Yes! Me, Jake, Munaf, and Ellen! And guess what? Munaf said we can use the small club at his restaurant! Dude, we’re so pumped!” they shouted excitedly. I shook my head, smiling.

I was a bit surprised to hear Ellen’s name. She hadn’t called or messaged me since Munaf’s restaurant party three days ago. I thought she had left for America. I didn’t ask about her either, because honestly—I didn’t care.

“Uh… but my birthday is tomorrow, guys,” I reminded them.

“Not tomorrow! We’re celebrating it tonight at 12 a.m.!”

“But that’s too late… I can’t come. You know my family won’t let me go out at midnight,” I said and sighed. I knew baba and mama would never agree.

“Oh, don’t worry! We already got permission from uncle and aunty!”

“What?” I asked, shocked.

“Yes! Now, dude, stop asking questions and get your ass here before 12 a.m.,” Jake said and ended the call.

I returned to the dining table and asked mama and baba if they really gave permission for me to party all night, and they said, “Yes, only for tonight because it’s your birthday.” I hugged them happily and got ready to go, but I stopped when I saw Hana’s face pale, her eyes brimming with tears.

She quickly stood up and left the table before anyone could notice.

But I noticed.

And I needed to know why.

So I walked toward her room.

★★★★★