Author’s POV (Edited)

"Maan," Hana called him softly while playing with his fingers. Her back rested against Rumaan’s chest, while he buried his face in her neck, kissing her every now and then.

He didn’t respond, so Hana bit his finger lightly to grab his attention.

"Aauch!" he yelped, making Hana giggle.

"Why did you do that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her. Hana looked up at him innocently.

"I called you, but you didn’t reply," she said, pouting.

"So... you think that gives you the right to bite me?" he asked, pretending to be serious.

"Sorry," she mumbled, lowering her gaze. Rumaan couldn’t help but smile.

"No sorry, baby! Khoon ke badle khoon, bite ke badle bite! (Blood for blood, bite for bite!)" Saying this, he started biting Hana’s neck and tickling her.

"N..no, Maan!" she giggled helplessly.

"Yes, jaan-e-maan, now bite!" he teased, chuckling.

"Aau! Maan!" she squealed when he bit her a little harder, trying to wiggle away. But he held her tightly.

"You can’t run away from me," he whispered, kissing the spot he had just bitten.

Their moment was interrupted by sudden knocking sounds. Both startled at the unexpected noise.

"Who’s knocking at this time?" Hana asked, frightened, glancing at the wall clock which showed 1 a.m.

Rumaan placed his finger on her lips and hushed her. "I’ll check," he whispered and was about to get off the bed, but Hana caught his hand.

"No... first ask who it is," Hana insisted, and Rumaan obeyed.

"Who is this?" he called out.

"It’s me, Rahem," came a voice from outside, making Hana’s blood boil instantly.

"What the hell is she doing here at this time?" she muttered through gritted teeth.

"How would I know? I’ve been with you for the last three hours," Rumaan replied, shrugging.

"I’ll check what she wants," he said, but Hana pulled him back onto the bed.

"Koi zaroorat nahi. (No need.) I’ll check," she snapped.

Rumaan raised his eyebrows, and Hana shot him a look that said ‘don’t you dare stop me’. He sighed and gestured with his hand for her to go. He knew Ariba already knew everything about him and Hana.

Hana quickly grabbed her dupatta, walked to the door, and opened it. Rumaan leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes, leaving it to her.

The moment the door opened, Hana saw Ariba standing there in a sleeveless silk nightgown, her face painted with makeup. Hana’s blood boiled even hotter seeing her like that at this hour.

Ariba was startled to see Hana in Rumaan’s room. She had assumed he would be alone since he was supposedly angry with Hana. She thought this was her chance to get close to him, but seeing Hana here shattered her plan.

Folding her arms across her chest, Hana masked a fake smile. "Do you need something?" she asked firmly.

"Uh.. umm.. I was... What are you doing here?" Ariba stammered nervously before blurting it out.

"Excuse me! I think I should remind you that this is my husband’s room," Hana said with a sharp smile, raising her brows.

"But... he was angry with you?" Ariba asked bluntly.

"How long can a husband stay angry with his wife?" Hana replied sweetly and casually moved her hair away, revealing the fresh bite mark on her neck.

Ariba clenched her fists and jaw tightly, trying to control her rage at the sight of the love mark.

"Hana," Rumaan’s voice called from inside, and Hana’s smile widened.

"Coming, Jaan," she replied lovingly, loud enough for Ariba to hear, making her burn from the inside.

"You still didn’t tell me why you came here at this time?" Hana asked, her tone suddenly serious.

"I… I wanted to check on Rahem. He looked disturbed, so I thought maybe—"

"His wife is here to take care of him—and his needs," Hana cut her off sharply, her fake smile still plastered on her lips.

"Yeah, right," Ariba muttered bitterly and turned to leave, but Hana’s voice stopped her.

"Listen... next time don’t come here at night. You might disturb a loving husband and wife," Hana warned sweetly before slamming the door in her face.

Ariba’s eyes burned with fury. "How dare you, Hana! I’ll kill you," she muttered angrily under her breath.

"Rahem is only mine! You just got the privilege of being his wife—but not for long. I know my Rahem very well, and I know how to manipulate him. Enjoy your time with your so-called husband, because soon... I will separate you both," she vowed before walking away, hatred burning in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Hana returned to the room, smiling victoriously. She jumped on the bed, wrapping her arms around Rumaan, who was still lying there.

"What happened? Why are you smiling?" he asked, curious, wrapping his arms around her.

"Because I’m happy," she whispered and kissed his cheek.

"Okay... but why did Ariba come here?" he asked. Hana immediately pulled back.

"That’s none of your concern," she replied, giving him a little glare. Rumaan raised his brows.

"Don’t you think you’re getting a bit too bossy with me?" he teased, pulling her back into his chest.

"I have the rights," Hana said matter-of-factly, then rested her head on his chest. Rumaan just smiled and closed his eyes.

---

The Next Day

Ariba paced her room restlessly, thinking of ways to create distance between Hana and Rumaan. After a night of plotting, she finally came up with a plan.

At breakfast, everyone was already seated. Only Rumaan, Hana, and Ariba were late.

"Good morning, everyone," Rumaan greeted as he took his seat. Right after him, Hana entered with a sweet smile.

"Assalamualaikum," she greeted, glancing at Rumaan.

"Walaikum assalam," everyone replied, including him.

Rumaan motioned for her to sit beside him. Hana smiled and walked toward him, but before she could take her seat, Ariba quickly sat down in that spot. Hana froze, glaring at her in anger.

Rumaan also glared at Ariba but shrugged helplessly. He glanced at Hana apologetically.

"Hana, sit beta," Shabana said.

"Yeah, Mama," Hana mumbled and sat next to Ariba, throwing her a sharp glare.

As everyone chatted lightly over breakfast, Hana sat quietly, her eyes fixed on Ariba, who was openly talking to Rumaan as if it were just the two of them.

Her appetite gone, Hana looked around until her gaze landed on a spicy pickle jar. Her eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed it.

"Hana beta, why did you take that jar?" Shabana asked, surprised, since Hana disliked pickles. This particular jar was Marziya’s favorite, and Hana had scolded her for eating too much of it before. Seeing her take it happily now shocked her.

"Mama, I just want to taste it," Hana said sweetly and scooped a generous amount into her plate.

"You said you just wanted to taste, but don’t you think you’ve taken too much?" Fathima teased.

"To? Apse matlab? (So? What’s it to you?)" Hana replied, rolling her eyes.

Meanwhile, Ariba was busy chatting and flirting with Rumaan while eating sweet pancakes. Smirking, Hana quietly slipped some spicy pickle onto Ariba’s plate.

Unaware, Ariba picked it up, thinking it was pancake, and popped it into her mouth while staring at Rumaan.

Seconds later— "Aaaaooo!" she shrieked in pain, her mouth on fire. Hana’s smirk widened.

"What happened, Ariba?" everyone asked in concern.

"It’s… it’s spicy! My tongue… it’s burning!" she cried, her eyes filling with tears.

"Oh God! Arib, here, take this," Rumaan quickly handed her juice and rubbed her back. Hana’s eyes narrowed dangerously at his concern.

"Why did you eat that? You know you can’t handle spice," he scolded her gently.

"Ariba, go wash your face, you’ll feel better," Hana suggested sweetly. Ariba ran to her room in embarrassment.

Rumaan glanced at Hana just in time to catch her smirk. When she saw him looking, she only shrugged innocently.

---

In her room, Ariba’s anger boiled. "I know it was her. She did this to me," she muttered, hatred twisting her face.

This was her chance. Hana had handed her a weapon herself. A wicked smile crept onto her lips.

Soon, one by one, everyone came to check on her. Finally, Rumaan walked in. Ariba had been waiting for this. She had deliberately pinched her cheeks and nose red, making herself look weak and pitiful.

"How are you, Arib?" Rumaan asked softly, sitting beside her.

"Better," she whispered, looking fragile.

"But you don’t look better," he said with concern.

"No, Rahem, it’s fine... I deserve it," she said, letting a couple of crocodile tears fall.

"Arre, why are you saying that?" he asked, wiping her tears gently.

"Because… I dared to sit beside you. I know I shouldn’t have. I forgot Hana was there, and she wouldn’t like it. So… she punished me," Ariba sobbed.

"No, Hana wouldn’t do this," he defended instantly.

"Only she was eating pickle," Ariba said pointedly. Rumaan recalled seeing the jar near Hana’s plate.

"But still… I don’t think she would do something like this intentionally. My Hana is too innocent," Rumaan said firmly.

"Yeah, right… she’s your wife, of course you’ll support her. But what about me, in pain?" Ariba whimpered, crying harder.

"It’s all my fault. Please forgive me, Rahem," she said.

Rumaan was confused by her words, but seeing her cry, he lightly hugged her to console her.

**********

Hana’s POV

I was seated in the living room with everyone. One by one, they all went to check on Ariba, but I didn’t. I overheard Riya aapi saying that Ariba is very sensitive—she can’t even bear a little spicy food.

Hearing that, guilt pricked at my chest. Maybe I shouldn’t have done this… I thought, chewing my lips nervously. I felt bad for making her suffer.

Finally, I stood up and decided to check on her, to see if she needed anything.

But the moment I opened her door, all my guilt, all my concern, everything vanished.

There she was—hugging my Maan.

My blood boiled instantly.

“I told you to stay away from my husband!” I snapped, storming inside and shoving her away from him.

“What the hell, Hana?” Maan’s voice rose sharply, but I ignored him.

I glared at Ariba, fury burning inside me. “How could you hug him, huh? It’s haram! Don’t you know that?” My voice trembled with both rage and hurt.

She lowered her head. “S-sorry, Hana… I should’ve—”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Maan cut her off, his eyes blazing at me. “I hugged you. And you—” he turned toward me, “—you know she’s unwell, but still you’re behaving like this?”

“She deserved it,” I spat, and to my own surprise, a little smirk tugged at my lips. A minute ago I had felt guilty… but now? Now I was enjoying it.

“What do you mean she deserved it?” His brows knitted in disbelief.

My heart skipped. What did I just say? Now he’ll think I’m cruel. But isn’t it natural? Any wife would act the same if another woman tried to get close to her husband. Wouldn’t she?

His next words struck me cold.

“You… did this to her?” His sharp gaze pierced through me.

I froze. My lips parted, but no words came. I bit down on them, struggling.

“So Ariba was right…” he muttered.

My head snapped toward her. That witch was smiling inside—I could feel it.

“No, Maan! I didn’t do anything.” I shook my head quickly, putting on my most innocent face. I stepped closer, placing both my hands on his crossed arms. “She’s trying to manipulate you. You believe your jaan-e-maan, don’t you?”

His stern eyes softened slightly. “Okay.” He turned away.

Relief washed over me, and I couldn’t resist glancing back at Ariba. She looked stunned. I flashed her a sweet grin, added a smirk, and even winked.

But when I turned back, I froze.

Maan was staring at me, his eyes narrowed.

“Hana… Jaan kasam khao meri ki tumne kuch nahi kiya. (Swear on me that you didn’t do it.) Then Ariba will believe that my Hanu is innocent.” He said it gently, but I knew—he already suspected me.

My eyes widened. “Wha… what?” I whispered.

“Yes, come on.” He smiled, reaching to place my hand on his head.

I yanked it back instantly. “No!”

I turned to run, but his hand shot out and pulled me back.

“I knew it,” he said, his voice low but firm. “You did do this. How could you, Hana? Do you know how painful it was for her?” His sudden yell made me flinch.

“And do you know how I felt when she took my seat?” I yelled back, tears of rage stinging my eyes. He saw her pain, but what about mine?

“Just because she took your seat, you hurt her?” His disbelief cut deep.

“Yes!” I blurted. “Yes, I did it! And I’ll do it again if she dares to come closer to you!” My voice was wild, fierce, unrecognizable—even to me.

He shook his head, almost laughing in frustration. “You’re crazy.”

I softened instantly, my anger melting into shy warmth. “Crazy for you.”

His eyes widened, lips parting slightly at my words. I gave him a bashful smile, blushing.

“Hana… I’m serious,” he said sternly.

“And what do you think? That I’m joking?” I whispered, lowering my eyes. “I’m serious about you, Maan. Always.”

“Stop it,” he snapped, his voice loud enough to make me flinch again.

The next words were like daggers. “Say sorry to her.”

I looked at him, stunned. “Sorry? My foot!” I scoffed, turning away stubbornly.

“Hana.” His tone deepened. “I. Said. Say. Sorry. To. Her.” Each word was sharp, heavy with anger. My body froze.

“Maan… why are you angry at me? She—”

“Say sorry,” he thundered, cutting me off.

I shook my head, lips trembling. I didn’t know why I was being so stubborn, but I couldn’t do it.

“Fine!” he snapped. “If you won’t apologize, then don’t talk to me either.”

My heart stopped. “What?” I whispered.

He turned, but I grabbed his hand desperately. “For her you’ll stop talking to me?” My voice cracked.

“Yeah.” His answer was cold, blank.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “She’s… more important than me?”

“She’s my friend. And because of you, she’s in pain. You’ll apologize, or I won’t talk to you.” His words were like knives.

“You know I’ll do anything for you…” My voice broke into a sob. My chest heaved as I finally turned to her.

“Sorry,” I forced out, barely above a whisper.

Her lips curved into a tiny victorious smirk, but she quickly masked it with a fake friendly smile before Maan could notice.

“Oh Hana, it’s okay,” she said sweetly.

I didn’t wait another second. My tears blurred everything as I turned and ran from the room.

…….