Isha’s POV

I was still standing in his room, frozen. His kiss had done so many things to me. The way he cupped my face and kissed me with so much passion—I felt my heart would jump out at any moment. I know it was only a forehead kiss, but still, it was a really big thing for me. Okay, he did this before also, but that time we both were emotional due to our situation. Today, he did it with a smile on his face.

I placed my hand on my forehead, and a shy smile made its way to my lips.

Ya Khudaya… I’m falling for this man deeply, if I had not already.

“Isha… what are you doing here, standing?” Sofia baaji’s voice broke my trance. I startled and looked at her. She was staring at me.

“Wo… Apko koi kaam hai? (Do you have any work for me?)” I asked. She shook her head.

“Nahi… Filhal to nahi… Tum jao (No… for now, you can go).” I ran out of her room.

I went to Amma jaan and asked her to have lunch, as it was her medicine time. She nodded.

After giving Amma jaan her lunch and then medicine, I went to the kitchen and had my own lunch. After that, I did my Zuhr namaz and then studied in my room. After Asr namaz, I went to the kitchen to make dinner.

My whole day went like always, but the smile and joy in my heart were something new. I couldn’t wait to see him. Every few minutes, my mind drifted to last night, then to the morning, then the afternoon’s incident. I was so happy that Arshad was behaving lovingly with me. He even started teasing me. His affection—something I had craved for so long—and I was praying to my LORD to keep Arshad showering his affection on me.

――――――――――

Arshad was again late. It was 9 o’clock. Everyone had just had their dinner and retired to their rooms, but today Sofia baaji was sitting on the sofa, working on her laptop.

I was waiting for Arshad to come. I knew if Sofia baaji was here then I shouldn’t wait for him, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see him. After seeing him, I would go to my room without disturbing them. Leaning against the wall, I waited. Almost an hour later, I heard a car honk. Smiling, I was about to go open the door, but seeing Sofia baaji still sitting there, I stopped. She would get suspicious if I opened the door before the bell rang.

I stared at Sofia baaji, but she seemed so busy she didn’t hear the car honk. The door opened itself—Arshad came in with the spare key. His eyes met mine immediately as I stood in front of the entrance. He stared at me and closed the door. Arshad was about to say something when I quickly spoke.

“Sofia baaji… do you want anything?” I asked. She looked up and shook her head. Arshad realized and turned to her, who hadn’t even noticed his presence yet.

“Assalamualaikum,” Arshad greeted loudly, grabbing her attention.

“Walaikum assalam… again late?” she asked. Arshad slumped beside her, looking tired.

“Yeah… hectic day,” he muttered, resting his head against the back of the sofa.

“Had you eaten?” she asked, closing her laptop.

“No, I’m hungry,” he said.

I was still standing there, listening to their conversation. Feeling guilty, I stepped back and was about to go to my room when Sofia baaji called me.

“Isha, heat Arshad’s food and serve him. Arshad, you go freshen up first. You look really tired.” She stood up, holding Arshad’s hand, and took him with her.

I heated the food and placed the dishes on the table. I thought Sofia baaji would accompany him, so it wasn’t a good idea for me to stay there. I took an apple for myself since I hadn’t had dinner and started walking to my room.

“Kaha ja rahi ho? (Where are you going?)” His voice stopped me. Turning around, I found Arshad freshly showered, in a t-shirt and trousers, his hair slightly wet and brushing against his forehead. He looked handsome. I felt my cheeks burn and lowered my gaze.

“I asked you something,” he said, amused. That smile made me blush even more.

He noticed me ogling him. Ya Allah. Shaking my head and not making it more embarrassing, I replied, “Um… I thought Sofia baaji will be accompanying you, so…” I trailed off, knowing he would understand.

“She’s asleep,” he shrugged, walking toward the dining room. I followed.

“Tumna khana to khaya nahi hoga (Surely you haven’t eaten your dinner?),” he asked, eyeing my apple.

I shook my head.

“To baitho (Then sit).” Holding my hand, Arshad made me sit with him.

We had our dinner in peaceful silence. Arshad looked tired today; he didn’t even get up after eating.

“Aap thik hain? (Are you okay?)” I asked with concern.

“Haan… bas thoda sar mein dard hai (Yeah… just a little headache),” he said, rubbing his forehead with his thumb and two fingers.

“Coffee bana dun aapke liye? (Should I make you a cup of coffee?)”

“Ah, that would be great.” Arshad smiled. I smiled back.

“Okay… aap jaakar living room mein wait kijiye, main coffee laati hoon (You go and wait for me in the living room, I’ll bring your coffee),” I said and went to the kitchen.

After making his coffee, I went to the living room. His head was resting against the sofa as he rubbed his forehead. My heart ached. I couldn’t see him in pain, not even from a headache.

Placing the coffee on the table, I stood behind the sofa and hesitantly held his hand. Arshad’s eyes shot open, staring at me. Nervous, I gently moved his hand away from his head and began giving him a head massage. He stared at me for some time before closing his eyes. Both of us relaxed. I massaged firmly, trying to soothe his ache. I didn’t realize how much time passed until he held my hand and opened his eyes.

“Yaha aao (Come here),” he motioned me to sit beside him, still holding my hand. I obeyed.

He lay on the sofa and rested his head on my lap. I tensed, but holding my hand, he placed it back on his head, silently gesturing me to continue. I obeyed.

My eyes went to the table, and I smacked my forehead. “Aapki coffee thandi ho gayi (Your coffee got cold). I’ll make it again,” I said, trying to get up, but he held my hand tightly.

“Uski zarurat nahi ab (There’s no need for coffee now),” he muttered with a smile.

I nodded and continued. He gazed at me and then slowly brought his hand to my cheek, caressing it with the back of his hand. Out of nowhere, he tugged my dupatta down from my head. My heart thumped wildly. His hand went to the back of my head and pulled my rubber band, making me gasp.

“Aap…”

He put a finger on my lips. “Shh… I like to see you with open hair,” he whispered.

My heartbeat stopped. A blush crept onto my cheeks. He smiled, tucking my hair behind my ear, then closed his eyes with a smile. I kept staring at him until sleep consumed both of us.

――――――――――

I woke up with an uncomfortable ache in my body. Opening my eyes, I realized something heavy was on my lap. Looking down, I found Arshad sleeping on the sofa, his head on my lap, arms wrapped around my stomach. Remembering last night, panic surged through me. It was morning now, and in daylight, our secret could be exposed. No, I didn’t want Arshad to face anything he wasn’t ready for.

“Suniye!” I shook him a little. “Uthiye, please.” God, he was a heavy sleeper. “Uth jaaiye, please… isse pehle koi aa jaye (Wake up before anyone comes).” I shook him harder. He stirred and opened his eyes, blinking a few times before focusing on me.

“Isha…” Then he jolted upright, looking around to make sure no one saw us. “I slept here last night?”

I stood up and nodded.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“I… I’m sorry… wo… wo meri aankh kab lag gayi, pata hi nahi chala (I didn’t realize when I fell asleep),” I mumbled guiltily.

“It’s okay,” his eyes softened. “Waise thank God today is Sunday. Everyone must be sleeping.” He glanced at the wall clock, which showed 8:30.

“Hmm,” I sighed in relief.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yeah… why?”

“Uh… you were sitting all night. Your back must be hurting…” he looked guilty.

“I’m thik hun. Just a little pain in my back, but after a shower, I’ll be fine,” I assured him.

He smiled and stepped closer. Moving a strand of hair from my face, he whispered, “Good morning.” With that, he placed a kiss on my cheek before walking away.

I smiled shyly, searched for my rubber band, tied my hair, and placed my dupatta back on my head. Walking to my room, I couldn’t stop smiling.

I like to see you with open hair.

For the first time, he had expressed his desire for me. I know it was a small thing, but for me, it was really big.

Entering my room, I felt the aches in my body from sitting in one position all night. My back and neck ached. I should take a hot shower, I thought, heading to the washroom.

――――――――――

Arshad’s POV

As I entered my room, Sofia just woke up and saw me.

“Where were you?” she asked. Suddenly, I felt guilty. I had been with Isha all night, and here Sofia was alone.

But Isha is always alone. Giving her one night doesn’t hurt. Besides, Sofia was sleeping; she didn’t even feel my absence.

I didn’t know where those kinds of thoughts were coming from, but they were coming. Isha had become something I never wanted her to be. Something special. Very special.

“Uh… I just went for a walk,” I said, avoiding her gaze. She hummed, not paying much attention. Not wanting to feel guiltier, I said, “Tonight we’re going out, you remember, right?”

“Yeah, I’m excited,” she beamed, standing up. I went to her and pulled her into a hug.

“I love you,” I said, kissing her head.

“I love you too,” she replied, pecking my lips before walking toward the wardrobe. She took out her clothes and went to the washroom.

I didn’t know what was happening. My care and affection toward Isha weren’t wrong. I knew that. But the thought that I was hiding all this from Sofia made me feel guilty.

But one thing I was sure of—in my guilt, I was not going to hurt Isha anymore. She was too innocent. She had seen so much pain from an early age. If my small affection, care, and friendly behavior gave her happiness, then I would do it. She deserved it.

Friendly? Who am I kidding?

********

We were having breakfast when Isha disappeared from the dining room after serving us. She didn’t look fine while serving.

“Where are you going?” Sofia asked as I stood up.

“I want cold water,” I said, walking toward the kitchen before she could say anything else.

Inside the kitchen, I found Isha standing there, hands on the back of her neck. Her back was facing me.

It was clear her small body was hurting because of my carelessness. I shouldn’t have slept, putting my head on her lap. I felt guilty. Stepping toward her, I stopped behind her.

“Is it paining?” I asked, guilt evident in my voice. She immediately turned, looking around to make sure no one was there.

“Uh… no,” she replied with a small smile.

“Jhoot bhi bolti ho tum? (You could lie?)” I asked.

“Nahi, mai jhoot nahi bolti… (I don’t lie),” she immediately denied.

I crossed my arms. She sighed.

“Thoda sa ho raha hai (A little),” she admitted with a small pout. I smiled apologetically.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

“It’s okay… it will be fine… Aap jaein, isse pehle koi aa jaye (Go from here before anyone could come),” she said, glancing toward the door. I nodded and walked out.

After breakfast, I went to my room and took out painkillers, deciding to give them to Isha when I saw her. But that poor little girl was busy in the kitchen. Today was Sunday, so Raziya bi had a weekend holiday. I felt really bad for Isha. She had to do all the chores.

It was afternoon when I decided to go to her room. Sofia had gone to her parents’ house after her sister called her for something important. Asam went with his fiancée, and Amma jaan was taking her afternoon nap. Amar… well, he must be with his useless friends.

So, it was safe to go to Isha’s room. I was about to knock when I noticed the door was open. Stepping inside, I slowly closed the door behind me. My feet rooted to the floor as I saw the scene in front of me.

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