Author’s POV

He was getting ready with a smile on his face. He was impatient to see her after almost a month. He hardly visited his maternal grandparents, as he always found himself trailing behind her while she ignored him. He couldn’t control his feelings around Maham and didn’t want to appear obvious to the Mirza family. So, he preferred not to visit often. She was sweet to everyone… but him. He didn’t understand why she didn’t like him. Why was she always irritated whenever he was around? He wasn’t the type to endure anyone’s harsh behavior and come back again and again—but with her, it was different.

After getting ready, he made his way to the garden where the party was being held.

"Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!" Amad announced as he saw his parents entering the hall. He went to them and hugged both of his parents.

"Thank you very much, meri jaan," Fathima kissed his cheeks and head, while Shazam patted his back.

"You both are looking stunning!" he said, grinning.

"I always look stunning. It’s your dad who looks older nowadays," Fathima teased in her usual cheerful tone.

"Begum, I’m still as handsome as you saw me the first time and fell for me at first sight," Shazam mumbled, causing Fathima to blush.

"Shut up!" she slapped his arm playfully. Both father and son laughed.

Guests began arriving, and everyone got busy greeting them, but Amad kept staring at the entrance for the one his heart had been restless for.

"Mom, where are Nanu and Nani? And Rumaan Mamu and his family?" he asked impatiently, looking around.

"Don’t worry, your Maham will come soon," Fathima whispered to him, causing a blush to creep up his neck and ears.

"Uh… what… I was just asking. They didn’t come yet, so I thought… Maham!!" He was making excuses, but forgot everything as his eyes fell on the girl he had been waiting for all month.

She was walking with grace, wearing a beautiful navy-blue knee-length frock with white pants and minimal makeup. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her smiling at him.

"Stop staring, beta. They are coming here," Fathima tugged at his arm, pulling him out of his trance. He blinked and composed himself just before they stopped in front of him and his parents.

"Happy Anniversary, Phupu!" Dua exclaimed loudly before anyone could, pulling Fathima into a bone-crushing hug. Ruman hugged Shazam, wishing him.

"You both look glorious together," Dua complimented once everyone had finished wishing the older couple.

"You also look ready to kill every boy present here with your looks," Fathima winked at her, and Dua giggled. Their mischievous nature was strikingly similar.

"My beautiful Dua," Fathima said, holding Dua’s face in one hand.

"Not more than Maham," Amad muttered—not for anyone’s ears—but his mother could hear him as he stood close behind her.

Fathima pulled Maham into a hug, and Maham returned it with the same affection.

"Happy Anniversary, Phupu," Maham said softly.

"Thank you, baby. You are also looking gorgeous," she kissed her cheek. Amad smiled at his mother’s fondness for his choice, and Maham blushed in return.

"How are you?" Amad asked with a soft smile. Maham made a face but replied with a small, formal smile.

"Fine," he smiled back.

"You’re looking beautiful," he complimented, staring at her. Maham didn’t want to blush, but heat crept up her cheeks anyway.

"Thank you," she muttered before moving away, while he kept watching her.

The party began, and everyone, including the Mirza family, got busy. Dua was having fun with Amad’s siblings—brother Shamaz, 15 years old, and little sister, 16—who had just joined them. Maham, as usual, only nodded or spoke when necessary, while her eyes constantly searched for him. At first, Amad thought she was staring at him and felt his heart leap—but then he realized Momin was also standing there, and her gaze was on Momin, not him.

"Excuse me," he excused himself and walked to another side. He felt hurt whenever he saw Maham staring at Momin like a lost puppy, while Momin only saw her as a friend. Everyone around could see it, but Maham refused to accept it. No matter how he tried, every conversation ended in a fight.

---

Momin was standing alone, sipping his drink, when Dua approached and stood behind him.

"You know, many bitches are ogling at you," she whispered. A smile instantly appeared on his lips. Turning, he faced her.

"You know, many bastards are ogling at you too," he whispered, holding her hands and dragging her behind a tree. "And I’ve been going crazy seeing you today—I wanted to kiss you so badly," he murmured close to her face. Dua felt butterflies dance in her stomach as he pulled her closer, holding her waist.

They hadn’t had much time together after shopping yesterday. Dua had gone to sleep early, exhausted, and he hadn’t wanted to disturb her. The next day, everyone had been so busy preparing for the party that they couldn’t meet alone.

"Are you jealous?" Dua asked, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Yes, I am," he admitted proudly. Staring into his eyes, she quickly pecked his lips. Momin’s eyes widened, and he glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

"It’s fine, Dua. We’re out of everyone’s sight," she said, resting her head on his chest. Momin leaned back against the tree, caressing her hair and back.

They were unaware that someone was watching them with a smile—Amad.

He walked toward where Maham was with his siblings and cousins.

"Mahi," he called. She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "I want to talk to you." He glanced at the others standing with Maham and muttered, "Alone."

His sister nudged Maham. With no other choice, she followed Amad with a distasteful expression.

"What?" Maham stopped as they moved away from the party.

"I want to show you something," he said, motioning for her to follow.

"No, I don’t want to see anything. If you have something to say, say it, or I’m leaving," she stated. Amad sighed, holding her wrist. "Amad, let go of my hand," she wiggled, but he didn’t stop and led her to a corner.

"Look at this," he said, pointing toward the tree. There they were—the lovebirds, still in each other’s arms. Dua was giggling while Momin whispered something in her ear. Maham’s eyes suddenly welled up. The scene in front of her hurt her deeply.

"Mahi, that’s what I always tell you. Momin loves Dua, and Dua loves Momin. Why can’t you just let go of your feelings for him?" Amad said softly, turning her toward him. "I know you have feelings for Momin, and it would be good for you if you forgot him," he said, but the word forget sparked her anger.

"I won’t forget him. He has to forget Dua. Dua has to forget him!" she hissed, her eyes turning red with anger. "MOMIN IS MINE!"

"He is not yours!" Amad yelled through gritted teeth. "They love each other. Their two-sided love will overpower your one-sided obsession. Mark my words."

"Not gonna happen. You’ll see. I’ll make him mine in front of your eyes. Mark MY words!" she declared with determination, making Amad’s heart leap with fear.

Maham was outraged. She wanted to rip Dua away from Momin, but couldn’t, so Amad became the target of her anger. Pushing him aside, she ran inside, wiping away angry tears.

A lone tear escaped Amad’s eyes as he accepted that Maham would never see his love. She was blind to reason, willing to do anything for Momin. Today, her eyes had shown him the truth: her love had turned into obsession. He looked at the couple, still engrossed in each other, unaware of the upcoming storm. A silent prayer left his heart.

Ya Allah, please protect them from Maham’s blind love.

He wiped his tears, deciding that after today, he would stay out of Maham’s way—and that’s exactly what he did.

********

Momin’s POV

I stood there in shock. I knew Dua had to leave, but she was supposed to go after a couple of weeks. Then why did she want to leave this early? I was sitting in front of Rumaan uncle in the office when he informed me that he was going to book a ticket for Dua.

I felt hurt that Dua hadn’t informed me about her sudden change in plans.

"I know you’re sad, Momin. We all are. But what can we do? We all know how stubborn Dua is. She’s like the wind—we can’t stop her," Rumaan uncle said as I silently stared into space. I looked at him and nodded.

"I have booked her ticket for the day after tomorrow. Go and inform her. I will come after dinner; I have a meeting with our new client," he said, standing up and walking toward the door. I got up and followed him.

Coming back home, I went straight to my room. A feeling of unease lingered in me. I didn’t know why the thought of Dua leaving filled my heart with dread.

"You should come to my room. You know I’ve been missing you since morning," I heard her voice as I was about to go to the washroom to freshen up.

"You should get used to me not being around," I muttered before stepping inside the washroom without listening to her response.

After freshening up and changing, I came out to find Dua sitting on the bed, staring into space.

"What was that meant?" she asked, looking at me.

"Your papa told me to inform you that your ticket has been reserved for the day after tomorrow," I said, ignoring her question.

"Oh… now I understand why you’re behaving like this," Dua walked toward me and stood in front of me.

"You didn’t think it was important to tell me that you were planning to leave this week," I asked, feeling hurt.

"Momin, it’s not like that. I just didn’t want you to feel upset. I wanted us to spend my remaining days here happily, without any sadness," she said softly.

"But it’s true—you’re leaving, and I’m upset," I said matter-of-factly.

"I know," she whispered.

"Then why didn’t you tell me?!" I asked, my voice louder than intended.

"Don’t shout, Momin!" she replied in the same tone.

"Dua? You were planning to leave me without telling me and expected me to be calm?" I asked angrily.

"I wasn’t planning to leave you without telling you. I was going to tell you after papa confirmed my ticket," she said this time in a softer tone.

*"Oh, like ‘Momin, I’m going to America to live for the next four years. Bye,’" I said, mocking her. She looked away. "Am I not important to you? Doesn’t my opinion matter?" I asked, hurt lacing my voice. She looked at me before stepping closer.

"It’s not like that, Momin. I just didn’t want to make you upset, trust me. My intention was only to be with you happily. Please don’t be angry," she implored, holding my hands. I hardly ever got angry, and Dua hated seeing it—which is why I stopped myself from letting anger take over.

"Sorry," she said, holding her ears and pouting. This girl surely knew how to melt my heart.

"Go, Dua. I want some alone time," I said, looking away. I couldn’t digest the fact that she was leaving me for a damn four years. Looking at her made me want to lock her up in my room.

"You’ll be alone after I leave. Don’t push me now," she said in a sad tone. I didn’t respond. "Fine," she muttered and walked out of the room.

---

At night, I went to her room as I couldn’t sleep after our argument. I never found peace before patching things up with Dua. Locking the door behind me, I slowly walked toward her bed and sat on it.

Her back was facing me as she slept. I lay beside her and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer.

"Sorry," I whispered. I knew she was awake.

"Why did you come here? You wanted to be alone, right? Then go be alone," she mumbled.

"I said sorry," I whispered [sorry kaha na] as I snuggled into her neck, finding solace. She turned to me and hugged me.

"I’m also upset, Momin, but when I think about our future, it makes me happy. I don’t want to regret anything in the future. I want to fulfill my dreams with your support so we can have a beautiful life without any regrets," she murmured into my neck.

I didn’t say anything. I just tightened my hold on her before drifting to sleep with the girl of my dreams in my arms. Yes, we didn’t want any regrets in the future—but who knew if this decision would be the one we’d regret for the rest of our lives.

★★★★