Arshad’s POV

"I’ve informed Amma jaan. Now, let’s go," I said, walking toward the door. She followed me.

"Apko takleef utane ki zarurat nahi thi (You didn’t have to bother yourself)," Isha said softly. As I reached my car and opened the front door for her, I replied with a small smile, "Agar meri takleef utane se kisi aur ki takleef kam ho jati hai, then it’s worth it (If bothering myself lessens someone else’s difficulties, it’s worth it)."

She sat inside the car, and I got into the driver’s seat, starting the engine.

"So… it’s true, I’m bothering you?" she asked. I frowned at her.

"I didn’t mean it that way, Isha," I clarified, glancing at her before continuing to drive. She didn’t say anything and looked out of the window.

"Isha…" I didn’t know what got into me, but I suddenly held her hand to clarify myself. Her head shot toward me. "You are not bothering me. You never did. It’s my duty. My responsibility to look after you," I declared. She looked down at our hands, her cheeks instantly flushing, giving her a shy, adorable look.

She softly withdrew her hand and looked out the window again, this time with a small, shy smile. I smiled a little at her innocence. That brief contact had made her blush—something new and foreign for me.

I stopped in front of her university, got out, and opened her car door—but she opened it herself.

"I learned how to open the car door," she said with a smile. I mentally smacked my face. I had forgotten she had been living here for a year and a half; of course she had learned these things.

"Okay," I said sheepishly.

"Allah hafiz," she said, stepping out.

"Isha, I’ll come to pick you up, so don’t leave college before I come," I said firmly. She nodded and walked inside.

---

After dropping her, I headed to the office. The workload was overwhelming, but I had to finish everything before Asam’s wedding. I wanted him to enjoy this beautiful period with his would-be wife, without stress.

I gathered all pending work, took details from our assistant, and spent the entire day organizing meetings and tasks for the upcoming months.

By the time I got home, it was already 7 in the evening. I was about to enter when I saw Isha sitting on the lawn, gazing at the dark sky. Debating for a moment, I approached her.

"What are you looking at?" I asked. She startled at my voice. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you," I said, sitting beside her.

"It’s okay," she replied, looking up at the sky again.

"Why are you sitting here alone?" I asked curiously.

"Watching the moon… I feel I’m not the only one who’s alone in this world of people. The moon is also alone, even though to everyone it isn’t—because it’s surrounded by stars. But the truth is, it is and always will be alone," she muttered in a daze. Her words stung my heart. The pain in her gaze stirred something in me. She blinked and looked at me.

"I… I’m sorry, I just…" She stood up nervously and strode inside.

I lifted my face to the moon shining in the darkness. I didn’t know how long I had been sitting there when I felt someone beside me.

"What are you doing?" Sofia asked. "Hadn’t you missed me on your first day at the office?" She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me sideways. I smiled, hugging her back, forgetting everything in that moment.

"Honestly, I didn’t have time to miss anyone. But seeing your face now… I realize I want you close to me," I whispered, hugging her tightly. She looked up and kissed my cheek.

"Then after coming back from the office, you should come to me directly," she demanded.

"Okay, baby," I said, kissing her temple.

We heard a cough and turned to see Isha standing there, holding a tray.

"Oh, thank you, Isha," Sofia said, taking two mugs and handing me one.

"I didn’t say—" I started.

"I saw her going inside and saw you sitting here, so I told her to make coffee for us," Sofia said, holding my arms. "Thought we could have a coffee moment," she winked. I smiled, shaking my head.

---

Isha’s POV

I stared at them with longing in my eyes. Arshad and Sofia baaji were engrossed in their conversation, completely forgetting my presence. Lacking courage, I walked inside with a heavy feeling in my heart. I didn’t understand why I felt this way.

Seeing them together, holding each other, sent a sharp pain through me. They were husband and wife, and it was wrong of me to feel jealous—but it wasn’t jealousy. I was hurt that I couldn’t have what they shared. I would always be the third person between them.

I wasn’t cursing their relationship; that would have been horrible. I just… wanted that too. I wanted to hold him. I wanted to be in his arms. I wanted the love of my husband, too. I wanted to be his wife with all rights.

A sob escaped my lips. I sat on the bed and picked up his photo frame.

"I don’t want to feel like this. Honestly, I accepted that you would never be mine… then why is this new ache growing in my heart? I’ve already gone through so much. I don’t want this heartache. This is enough—that my husband will never accept me. I don’t want to fall in love with you. It will crush me even more. First, I lost my husband whom I never got, and if I fall for you… then I will lose my love too, and that will kill me," I whispered, wiping a tear from his photo frame.

"I don’t deserve it, do I? I never wronged anyone. Maybe I did. Maybe it’s my punishment for coming between you and Sofia baaji. But this was never my choice. I never wanted to be your second wife, your secret wife. This is Allah’s decision—so how can He punish me for this? Why can’t you accept me? Why…?"

What are you saying, Isha? You can’t blame him. He just saved your life by marrying you. If your feelings are growing, it’s your fault, not his.

My subconscious voice made me feel guilty suddenly. I was horrible for feeling this way. No—I can’t feel this. I have to keep my heart under control.

I wiped my tears.

---

After making breakfast, I set the table. At exactly 8:00 am, Arshad entered the dining room, taking his seat while going through a file. I waited a few minutes, but no one else came.

"Isha, are you planning on serving me or not?" he asked, startling me.

"Uh… no… I mean… yeah. I was waiting for Asam Bhai and Amma jaan," I replied hastily. Sofia Baaji usually came after 8:30, so she must still be sleeping. And Amar… I had no desire to see him.

"Asam is sleeping; he came home late after his movie date. And Amma jaan didn’t feel like eating, so I told her to sleep," he replied, his brows knitting in worry.

"What happened to Amma jaan? She was fine when I gave her her medicines last night. I should check on her," I said, moving to go—but he held my wrist.

"Relax, Isha. Amma jaan is fine. It’s just her age; sometimes she feels lazy to get out of bed. Take a breath. How about we have breakfast, and then I’ll drop you to your university?" he offered with a soft smile, making me smile as well.

"Sit," he gestured to the chair beside him. I hesitated; I had never eaten with the family.

"I’ll have my breakfast in the kitchen," I said. He frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I never sit with the family here. I take my meals in the kitchen, and if anyone sees me having breakfast with the boss… then…" I stammered nervously. He placed his finger on my lips, stopping me, making my breath hitch. My eyes widened.

"You are not a maid, Isha! And no one is your boss! This is your house! How many times do I have to tell you?" he said angrily. I blinked, holding his hand as I slightly pushed it away.

---

Arshad’s POV

"But… but they think me as their maid," she mumbled innocently. My heart churned at the tear rolling down her cheek. Her innocent eyes held so many complaints and desires, yet her lips were sealed. I stepped closer, cupping her face, the urge to soothe her pain overwhelming.

"You’re not. You know who you are and the rights you hold in this house," I said, staring into her eyes. She looked at me, then averted her gaze, stepping back.

"I… breakfast," she reminded, her cheeks turning pink, making her look even cuter. I smiled and sat. Just then, Amar walked in.

"Good morning, Bhai," he greeted, sitting across from me. Isha’s face turned displeased.

She served me first, then Amar.

"Isha, today a few friends are coming for lunch. Make delicious food with dessert," Amar ordered. I clenched my jaw, anger rising. I hated when he treated her like a maid. I tried to ignore his harsh words, but my patience was running thin.

"Okay," I said, looking at Isha as she disappeared into the kitchen.

---

Isha’s POV

I entered the kitchen and saw Raziya Bi cleaning. Kubra Bi and her family had left a day ago. Amma Jaan had asked Raziya Bi to do extra work, making her a full-time maid until Kubra Bi returned.

"Eat your breakfast, Isha. Don’t go empty-stomached. Kubra Bi warned me before leaving," she chuckled, making a scary face to tease me.

After breakfast, I grabbed my bag.

As I was leaving the room, I bumped into someone.

"Ouch!" I rubbed my head against something hard.

"Don’t pretend you just bumped into a pillar," he said, mock offended.

"Not a pillar… a wall," I said, biting my lips to hold back a smile. He gasped dramatically.

"Not so polite, Isha," he said, shaking his head. I giggled. "Let’s go; we’re getting late."

He held my hand, and we walked out together. Somehow, without realizing, we had grown comfortable holding each other’s hands.

★★★★