Hana’s POV

"Relax, everything will be okay," Maan said, holding my hands as he sat beside me.

"Inshallah" (If Allah wills), I muttered. It had been 2 hours since they took Marzi Aapi into the labour room, and we were sitting in the waiting area, waiting for good news.

After another half an hour, the doctor came out with a nurse holding a baby.

Nabeel Bhai (Marziya's husband) went to the doctor. "Congratulations... it's a girl," the doctor said. A wide smile appeared on Nabeel Bhai's face.

"Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah), we all said in unison, smiling.

Nabeel Bhai took his daughter. He had really wanted a daughter this time, and he was overjoyed — we could all see it. Mama, Baba, Muneeb, and his parents all took turns holding her. Maan and I stood in the corner, smiling at them.

"Go, take her," Maan said.

"No! I can't hold newborn babies... they’re so tiny, it scares me. After 1–2 months I can hold her, but not now," I said nervously. I had always been afraid to hold newborns — they were so delicate, and I feared hurting them unintentionally. That’s why I stayed in the corner, watching.

"You wait here," he said, then went to Muneeb, who was holding the baby. Maan took the baby from his hands and walked toward me. Everyone’s eyes followed him.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Take her," he said.

"No! I can't," I insisted, shaking my head.

"Yes, you can! Come on, Hana… nothing will happen. You know when Hamdan was born, I was the one who held him first… um, not before the doctor," he chuckled at the end.

"But Maan, I don’t think I can—"

"You can, Hana. Trust me," he said, cutting me off.

"Okay," I finally agreed and held her nervously, my hands trembling.

"She is so delicate," I exclaimed, smiling, and looked at Maan. After a few minutes, I was holding her more comfortably.

"She is," he replied, looking at her lovingly.

"You love kids, don’t you?" I asked, smiling. He looked up at me and nodded.

"Yes! I love kids," he said with a smile.

"Our children will be lucky to have you as their dad," I said, blushing and looking down at the little baby.

"Huh? What?" he asked. I looked up and saw his confused expression. Smiling, I called Muneeb to take the baby. After he left, I looked back at Maan, took his hand in mine, and smiled.

"I mean… look, I’m so afraid of holding newborn babies… and I’m not going to hold our babies until they’re one or two months old… so you’ll have to take care of them. They’ll be lucky to have you as their dad," I said shyly, dreaming about our future.

He was staring at me with wide eyes and an open mouth. I didn’t understand his expression, so I continued.

"...And they’ll be unlucky to have me as their mother because I can’t hold them until they’re one or two months old," I pouted.

"Oye madam! Come back to Earth!" he said, snapping his fingers in front of me.

"What—" I started, but he cut me off.

"What are you saying? Babies and all! Seriously, Hana?" he said, then started laughing.

"What do you mean, Maan? And why are you laughing?" I asked, confused and annoyed.

"Because you just cracked a joke!" he said between laughs.

"I’m not joking," I said, tears welling in my eyes. He looked at me and became serious.

"Are you serious?" he asked, maybe doubting my words. I nodded.

"Are you crazy or what!? How can you think like that, Hana? We’re not old enough to be parents or even think about it. I’m not ready for this marriage tag, and you’re planning to make me a father! Ugh!" he said, frustrated.

"But you said you love kids, didn’t you?" I asked.

"I love kids… but other people’s, not mine. How can you even think about it?" he said, shaking his head and turning away.

"And what if I ended up pregnant?" The words slipped out; I hadn’t intended to say that, because honestly, I wasn’t ready either.

Maan froze in place, turned to look at me, and I lowered my head, not knowing what to say. Thanks to Allah, he didn’t ask anything and simply walked away.

---

Rumaan’s POV

It had been a week since our little angel Reem’s birth. A week since that conversation with Hana.

After that day, I ignored her for almost 2–3 days. But then I couldn’t control myself and went to her. I reminded her about my dreams and my world tour. She cried at first but understood — and then we had another one of our best nights.

The only difference was… I started using protection. Hana didn’t want that, but I made her agree, like I always do. I was afraid she might get pregnant — that thought frightened me because I knew for sure I wasn’t ready.

But that girl… she did something to me. I couldn’t resist her for long. Being with Hana gave me a kind of peace I had never felt before. With her, I felt like she was the only right thing in my life. I didn’t know when she became my heart’s peace. Whenever I was with her, my heart, mind, body — even my soul — felt calm and relaxed.

I loved every moment I spent with her, and I always wanted her by my side.

"Maan," I heard her sweet voice while I was in my balcony, lost in thoughts of her. A smile came to my lips instantly.

"I am here, jaan-e-maan" (love of my life), I said loudly.

"Maan… I’m going," she said as she stepped into the balcony and hugged me from behind.

"Don’t go," I said, holding her hands that were fisting my shirt.

Today Hana was going with Marzi Aapi to her Khala’s (maternal aunt’s) house. She told me she always goes after Marzi Aapi’s delivery to take care of her. This time she was especially going for Ruban and Arif — they were a little tough for others to handle, but not for Hana.

"You know… I never like leaving my home… but I have to go for Aapi. I’ve already hurt her many times, and I don’t want to hurt her anymore by refusing. She’s my elder sister, and now she needs me. I have to take care of her and her children… it’s my duty," she said from behind me, pressing her face even closer.

I turned around and wrapped my arms around her.

"And what about me? Who will take care of me? Don’t you have any duty toward me?" I asked with a frown.

She smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Your mama, your aapi, your baba… everyone is here. They’ll take care of you. I don’t think you need me," she smirked.

I pulled her closer, making her gasp.

"They will take care of me in some things, not everything," I said, staring into her eyes.

She blushed, pulled me closer, and placed a kiss on my chin.

"It’s only for a week or two. I’ll come back soon… and after a few weeks, it’s Fathu Aapi’s wedding, so I have to return soon," she said with a smile.

"Okay, go… but you have to call me, and if I call you, don’t dare ignore my calls. And… stay away from that Muneeb. No need to be around him," I said while placing soft kisses on her cheek and neck.

My eyes landed on her locket — the one that claimed her as mine — and my heart beat in peace.

"...And don’t dare take off this locket. It will remind you that you’re mine, you belong to me," I said firmly, pulling back to look at her.

"Since our marriage night, this locket has been with me. I’ve never taken it off for even a second, and I never will… until my last heartbeat," Hana said with determination, cupping my face.

"And about Muneeb… he is my cousin, and you are my husband. No one can take me away from you. No one can change this reality, meri jaan (my love). I am all yours," she said before claiming my smiling lips with hers.

*********

"Okay bye... Everyone is leaving me," I said, making a sad face.

"Dude, you know we just came here for a month, but it’s been three months now. We also have parents... they’re missing us," Alex said.

They were going back to the USA today. We were all standing outside the airport. Munaf and I had come to see them off.

"Okay fine, go... but don’t forget to call," Munaf said, and they both nodded.

Munaf’s phone started ringing, so he excused himself and walked away. As soon as he was out of earshot, Jake stepped in front of me, staring intently. I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

"So tell me, what are you going to do next?" he asked.

"I’m going home from here," I said, and he shook his head.

"No! I’m asking about your marriage status," he clarified, and I rolled my eyes.

"Nothing," I replied simply.

"What do you mean by nothing? Man, you got what you wanted... now what’s the point in delaying the divorce?" he pressed, but I stayed silent.

"Shut up, Jake! Can’t you see he likes Hana?" Alex said, stepping closer.

"Oh, come on! He likes every second girl... it’s not a big deal. But if he stays in this marriage, it’ll ruin his dreams. He’ll be stuck in the whole marriage and family thing," Jake argued.

"Don’t listen to him, Rumaan! We all know how stupid he is. If you listen to him, you’ll regret it — I’m telling you," Alex warned me.

"Pfff! Relax, Alex. Don’t worry. I’ve made up my mind, and no one can change it," I said, and they both looked at me, confused.

"And what is that?" they asked in unison.

"I don’t want a divorce," I told them, and they stared at me in shock.

"What!?" they exclaimed.

"Yes!" I nodded.

"So you’re ready for this marriage and family thing?" Jake asked, still shocked.

"No, I’m not," I said plainly.

"Then?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Hana is mine, and she always will be mine. If I ever want this marriage thing properly, I want Hana as my wife — and that’s something I decided long ago. But right now, I don’t want to be her perfect husband. I want a few years of my freedom and my dreams. I told her about this, and she has no problem with it," I explained.

"But dude, if you keep her as your wife, soon she’ll start controlling your life," Jake said. I thought about it for a few seconds before answering.

"Never! I’ll never let Hana control my life. I will control her life. And if that means hurting her a little in the process, then I’ll do it," I said with a straight face — though, deep down, the thought of hurting Hana didn’t sit well with me.

"Don’t do this, dude! She’s already in love with you, and love is the most powerful control you have over her. You don’t need to hurt her to control her... just be soft with her, and she’ll be all yours. If you hurt her, it’ll lead to nothing but losing her. You’ll reg—" Alex began, but I cut him off.

"I will never lose her! She is mine!" I almost yelled at Alex, his words stirring some kind of anxiety in my chest.

"Now you’re talking like an obsessive person," Alex said, narrowing his eyes at me.

"You—" I was about to respond when Munaf returned, cutting me off.

"You guys are still here!? Your flight is about to take off. Go, man!" Munaf yelled, walking toward us. We hugged and said our goodbyes.

They both left, and Munaf headed to his restaurant. I started walking toward my car, but froze when I heard a familiar high-pitched voice.

"Oh my God! Rumaan!"

I turned and saw Ariba running toward me with Nawaz bhai.

This is not going to be good now, I thought, palming my forehead. I knew exactly how much trouble Ariba could bring.

*********