❝jo acha lagta hai woh har hal mein acha lagta hai❞

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear

Laila's eyes remained on the phone and that reminder she had set for herself. Even with that reminder placed right on the wallpaper, the hope within her heart started to wither. Like a dandelion flower, the wind of her fate was taking it away. The stillness after the past events didn't feel calm. It seemed almost like an ominous shadow or the calm before the storm. So much that the verse didn't hold her hope sometimes. Because each time the report came, it chipped away her hope.

From the start her tests had been clear, each doctor she went to told her that there was nothing wrong. She just had to keep trying. Yet here she was months later, each test held a bitter mark of negative. With each no, grief seeped into her veins, fracturing her hope, her dreams of becoming a mother. She hadn't thought she'd have to deal with this. In her heart and hope becoming a mother was so vivid and a hopeful wish that would come true. Now here she was almost at the verge of letting it go. Her eyes always carried the unshed tears. What if it remained a dream?

It wasn't just herself that she hid those unshed tears from. It was him as well. Every time the negative of her test came to haunt her she found ways to escape him. If she couldn't shield herself from the agony, at least she could protect him. So protecting him became a silent priority for her. Aware of his own journey of accepting to become a father, Laila chose to not put more weight on him.

This time when the negative came to sting her, she found her refuge in the walls of church. She seeked the comfort of the walls that kept her wounded spirit protected. As the sunlight filtered through the stained glass, the colors moved across the pews, reminding her she had been there for a while. Despite the ticking clock, she was unable to find the strength in her soul to get up and move as her eyes found the children playing in the yard.

Her gaze dipped in sorrow filled hope again. Her mind created a vision for her. Her and Shehryar holding their own joy in their arms. The unshed tears found their way and Laila's eyes blurred, washing away her vision. Her tears fell like people fell on their knees to pray, filled with ache and desperate for hope.

"I'm looking for my wife." His soft yet searching voice found her and with that the soft penguin landed in her lap. Their Sher Khan. Not even her tears could stop her from smiling as she held onto that little penguin. "Have you seen my wife?" In her peripheral he found a seat next to her. His tall frame barely fit into the pew. The moment seemed to have reincarnated itself from their past. Yet unlike the last time, Mother Margaret's soul wasn't here and Laila's heart carried a different layer of sorrow this time. Laila's eyes shifted and met his. The ones that held concern for her and still a bit of humor. The eyes that had held her through the storms and the sunlight. Like the eyes, the stuffed penguin had been the witness to their relationship. A love that won wars against everything and everyone.

"Shehryar." She whispered, his name slipped from her lips with guilt. When their gaze met, Laila's heart ached. He knew. How foolish of her to even think that he wouldn't know. That she could hide anything from this man. This was the man who knew of every mark and scar on her body and her soul.

"You took the test again?" His words held concern and a bit of frustration along with a flicker of anger. He had told her many times, pleaded even, to stop inflicting the pain on herself, to stop the relentless torment. Despite that she had been desperate. The glimmer of hope pushed her, maybe it would be different every time she tried. Week after week the reality flashed back at her with disappointment. As the heartbreak touched her, his heart ached in tandem with her.

"How did you know I was here?" Her whisper was a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude. She toyed with the fallen strands of her hair, trying to distract herself. He reached out, putting his fingers under her chin, he tilted her face towards him. The redness in her eyes spoke volumes and there weren't any words needed for him to understand.

"I called Inaaya and Malka, both said you weren't with them. You left the office earlier than usual as well." His soft murmur held nothing but concern for her. He brushed her jaw, sweeping away the fallen strands, tucking it behind her ear. "You don't think I have noticed," he continued. "The look that you carry in your eyes, yet you are trying to hide it from everyone, even me. Every time Zeeniya calls you Lily-Bean your heart hurts as much as it swells with happiness. You are carrying this burden on your shoulder like it's your fault." He brushed her cheek with tender touch, catching the fallen tears.

"What if it is? What if something is wrong with me?" Her words hung in the air between them, carrying her fears. Her haunting thoughts had finally emerged and found their way in her words.

"We have done all the tests, everything is fine." His unwavering gaze stayed on her.

"Still what if it's me. You have already had Wajdan, but me..." She trailed off, looking down at their intertwined hands.

"Laila!" His words still held the concern, his head shaking slightly to make her understand. "This is not in our hands. How can you forget that? This is all His will. I had Wajdan, but he was gone too soon. You were the one who taught me that it was all in the hands of Allah so why are making it a worldly issue."

"I'm just... I don't know. It's like everything was perfect and still. Like we were happy-"

"Laila," He interrupted her, his touch soft, as he cupped her face. His eyes, warm and reassuring, held nothing but peace. "We are happy. I am happy. This is the happiest I have ever been. Each day I get to live with you is the happiest for me. You brought this happiness to me by teaching me that life is full of trials and turbulence, but it is just as beautiful and happy. So why are you failing to remember that?"

"I'm losing my patience." She sighed and put her head on his shoulder.

"That's one thing we had against life at every point so don't let it go."

"What about all my fears?"

"We'll deal with it as they come. I will be the luckiest man on this earth when I become the father of our child. But God forbid if that doesn't happen, we'll find a way to deal with that too, Rapunzel." She nodded at his words, feeling the weight falling from her shoulders, but as always a sliver of fear still hung on her heart. "Trust me."

"More than I trust my next breath." He was her hope. Her anchor. Mother Margaret once told her that she'd have her entire world in her tiny hands and Laila never understood that until today as she put her hands in his.

Her entire world was in her hands as he held her. He was her world. The man in whose hands she had fear of crumbling. And if she ever did fall to pieces he'd keep them all and help her put them together just like he sewed her torn hope.

"Hum log kitne na shukre hote hai." Laila whispered while sitting on the roof of the house with Malka. She tried to keep the grief and hopelessness out of her words, but they eventually found their way back into her life. Even after she had promised Shehryar.

"Mangna aur Allah se dua karna tumhara haq hai. Is mein na shukri ki baat kahan se ayi." Malka furrowed her forehead at the mass of Laila's hair, clearly in need of thorough oiling. Hence, she had forced her to sit down as she oiled Laila's hair. "Kitni dafa bola hai balon mein tel lagaya karo par tumhei kahan fursat us kaam se. Baalon ko hashar kar diya."

"Tum ho na karne ke liye." Laila smiled amidst her chaotic thoughts. It wasn't just wisdom and advice that Laila needed; it was the hope that Malka consistently provided. The comfort that Malka offered was unparalleled; there wasn't anyone on the planet who could offer it to her. The love of a mother was immeasurable, and Laila keenly felt its absence in her daily life when she was caught up in the busyness of her routine. She realized the time she had taken for granted while living with Malka. But wasn't that a part of human nature? Humans often failed to realize the value of what they had until it was lost. "Baat haq ki nahi hai Malka. Baat hai bus insaan ke fitrat ki. Ke jo hota hai us mein khush nahi, hamesha aur ki chahat mein bathakta rehta hai. Aur jab azmaish aati hai tou tab Allah se gilla karta hai ke mujhe wapis wahan le jaon jahan sab kuch kam tha magar azmaish tou nahi thi na."

"Zindagi mein hamesha kuch peeche chorna parega. Pr yahi tou sab se bara hunar seekhna hai. Ke jo choot gaya uska koi malaal nahi aur jo hai usi mein khush rehne ka saleeka."

"Mene koshish ki Malka lekin har guzarte din ke saath dil mein ajeeb se khayalat aate hai. Pehle mere pas ek wajah thi ke Shehryar yeh nahi chahta tha. Lekin ab tou woh wajah bhi nahi rahi. Agar mere naseeb mein he nahi likha tou mein kya karoon gi."

"Jab baat he naseeb aur Allah ke dene ki hai tou iss mein dusri baat kahan se aati hai. Laila meine tumhei hamesha sikhaya hai ke jo tumhara hai woh tumhe milega aur jo nahi hai woh kabhi nahi tou uske piche khwar hona kaisa. Aur jis cheez ka jo milne ka waqt hota hai na woh uske pehle aata hai na hi baad mein. Tumse milne se pehle mein yahi sochti thi ke Allah hidayat kare aur mein Allah ke raste mein aoon pure tareeke se. Mein yeh nahi kehti ke kon gunehgar hai ya kon yahan sabse acha musalman. Lekin bus meri yahi dua thi mujhe bus Allah koi rasta dikha de."

"Insaan ki zindagi mein jab aulaad aati hai na, Laila, toh sab kuch badal jata hai. Mene apne liye ek pehchachan bana kar rakhi thi. Ek mein thi aur bas meri zindagi. Mujhe koi farq nahi parta tha ke aaj mein yahan aur kal kahan. Lekin jab tum ayi meri zindagi mein sab kuch badal gaya. Tum Allah ki taraf se woh tohfa thi jiska mein jitna shukar ada karoon itne saalon baad bhi woh kam he hoga. Tumhare Aane se jaisay meri zindagi ko ek maqsad mil gaya. Lekin un sab khushion ke saath utne he dar the ke tumhari parvarish mein koi kami na ho. Ke jab tum is ghar se niklo tou mera dil bas puray time issi dar mein tha ke Allah tumhe apni hifz o aman mein rakhe. Ke mein zindagi mein wohi kaam karon jis'se tumhari zindagi pe ache asar pare. Ke tumhei kabhi zindagi mein yeh na lge ke tum akeli ho. Kuch kamiyan toh hamesha hoti hai zindagi mein lekin jitna mere se ho sakta tha woh mene kiya. Baat sirf yahi thi ke ek nanhi si pari ne aake meri zindagi badal di." Malka gently kissed the top of her head.

"Malka tumse mera wujood hai. Jo tumne mere liye kiya woh sirf ek maa ka dil he kar sakta hai." Laila closed her eyes, savoring the gentle touch of Malka's fingers in her hair. She couldn't have been more thankful for Malka.

"Aur tumhari zindagi mein ek naya insaan ayega. Us wujood se tumhari zindagi ke maine badal jayegi. Yeh jo waqt haina iss pe sirf tumhara aur Shehryar ka waqt hai. Tum dono sirf ek dusre ke liye ho. Lekin jab baacha ata hai na tou pura waqt shuru mein bache ka hota hai. Tum ya Shehryar apne se pehle us bache ka socho go. Apne liye dua zaroor karo lekin yeh waqt zaya mat karo. Yeh dobara nahi ayega. Jo hai tumhare pas us mein khush raho aur khair ki dua karo. Jo mila zyada tou uska shukr karo aur jo nahi mila tou uska gham nahi." Malka meticulously braided Laila's hair, her hands moving with a comforting rhythm. Just as she always did, Malka provided Laila with the silver lining she so often sought. Laila's heart fluttered with gratitude; she knew deep within that she wouldn't have been able to weather life's storms without Malka by her side.

Their peaceful afternoon came to an abrupt end with the resounding slam of the door. Laila exchanged a knowing glance with Malka, a frown forming on her face. That telltale smile on Malka's lips spoke volumes—it could only mean one person had arrived.

"Over here." Laila yelled from the rooftop.

"Pata hai mujhe uper baith ke meri he buraiyan chal rahi hongi. Warna youn chupke mere bina mehfil tou nahi lagti." Inaaya hollered back in response. Laila rolled her eyes at the playful dramatics, but more excitement awaited her as she descended the stairs with Malka. As they made their way down to the house, Laila's anticipation grew. Inaaya was engaged in a playful struggle with Zeeniya, who was eager to escape her mother's embrace and run around the courtyard.

"Lily-Bean!" Zeeniya's voice was a mixture of delight and enthusiasm as she almost slid down her mother's body and rushed over to Laila. It was evident that she hadn't seen Laila in a while, and the baby's excitement was a testament to that fact. "Lily-Bean," Zeeniya exclaimed again, her joy infectious.

"Oh my Baby-Bean." Laila scooped her up in her arms as Zeeniya eagerly made her way over. "I missed you jaan."

"That's not my child," Inaaya exclaimed with a huff, wrapping her arms around Malka in a hug. "She ran away from me just to be in your arms."

"Where is Zain?" Noticing the missing baby bag and keys, Malka deduced that he had likely joined them.

"Barely alive somewhere outside and I'm this close to murdering him." Inaaya mumbled, passing them in search of her chips drawer that Malka always kept filled with, knowing her. When she returned with a bag of her chips, poor Zain struggled to come in with a baby bag, some kind of two small gates. Malka glanced at Laila and she shrugged her shoulders as Zeeniya talked her ears out with her baby words.

"Salam Malka." He greeted her warmly as she rushed to help him, while Inaaya narrowed her eyes on her husband. Accepting the baby bag from him, Malka shot Inaaya a disapproving look, causing her mouth to fall open in surprise. Naturally, Nanha Farishta was her favorite. "This is all the stuff from mmthe house I need to install," he explained.

"What is this?" Laila whispered to Inaaya.

"After rejecting nearly every babysitter I could find in Islamabad, he finally decided to accept Malka's offer. We both agreed it wouldn't burden her, something I've been saying since day one, but he was convinced we would be imposing. He's resolved to baby-proof the entire house now that she's here. The gates are for the stairs and kitchen, and even the bathroom door needs to be locked. He had her tested for practically every plant allergy. I spent my day off at the clinic yesterday. At this point, he's almost considering microchipping her." Inaaya mumbled through a mouthful of chips, watching as Malka nodded in agreement with whatever Zain was saying about the gates. Good Lord.

Laila chuckled at it all. If it were up to Zain, he would have probably whisked his daughter away and raised her in a mountain castle surrounded by barbed wire.

"Lily-Bean!" Zeeniya sought her attention, using the nickname she had picked up from her uncle, as he had taught her. "Chachu-Bean?" Zeeniya furrowed her little brow, inquiring about her uncle, as she tugged on Laila's ears as though she were a teddy bear. It was Laila's turn to feel exasperated with her husband. Somehow, he had managed to convince his niece that if she wanted to inquire about him, all she had to do was pull on Laila's ears.

"Baby-Bean, Chachu is far away," Laila explained gently, rubbing her ear with her free hand. He had also managed to convince his niece to call him Chachu because Taya felt like he was too old, as if his soul wasn't as ancient as the pyramids. She rolled her eyes at her husband's antics, yet the truth was she missed him. He had been away on a short business trip to Karachi, and her heart ached with his absence.

She opened her phone to text him and gazed at the contact name she had never changed. There was something about it that held a special significance, a reminder that their relationship had weathered the tests of time.

Laila
Your niece is missing you.

Ali Sir
Give her a big hug.
What about my wife?

Laila
Your wife is happily
Spending her time
with her mother

Ali Sir
Fine. Have fun then
I'll extend my trip for
another few days

Laila
Don't you dare Shehryar Ali
You better be here tomorrow

Ali Sir
Why? Miss me

Laila
Sure 🙂

Ali Sir
Rude Rapunzel

Laila
I love you <3

Ali Sir
Too late 👎

Laila laughed and sent him another text, but he ignored it. She shook her head, tucking her phone away. The rest of the afternoon passed swiftly as she engaged with Zeeniya in play and did her utmost to prevent her best friend from committing murder as Malka and Zain meticulously baby-proofed the entire house.

"So?" Inaaya leaned against the counter as Laila finished the last bit of her cooking.

"So?" Laila raised her eyebrows at her.

"Really? Are you really going to act like that with me? Unfortunately rag rag jaanti hoon mein tera."

"Nayi aye, results parson aane hai. I'll pick it up before we go to amma abba's house."

"Tou murda ban ke kyun ghoom rahi hai. Ek dafa bacha ajaye zindagi haram ho jayegi. Yeh sab sehna pare ga." Inaaya pointed at her husband who was watching Zeeniya like a hawk as she ran around the house with no care for anything.

"Chor do bechare ko. First baby hai issliye."

"First and only. Bus ho gayi meri. Allah Tauba. Yeh ek meri jaan ka tukra hai lekin isne bhi meri zindagi azab kar rakhi hai. She is a little ball of chaotic energy. Ek minute jo yeh sukoon ka saans lene de. Tauba." Inaaya shook her head, yet Laila could discern the sparkling glint of love in her best friend's eyes as she observed her daughter. A part of her longed for that kind of affection, and then she recalled Malka's words: Patience.

Laila rolled her eyes as she glanced at her phone. Her husband was still sulking—typical drama. She spread all the food on the dastar khwan. Capturing the delectable spread in a photo, she sent it to him in hopes of tempting a response, but there was only silence in return. Undeterred, she then shared a snapshot of Zeeniya, the little one's face smeared more with food than actually consumed. His response was a heart emoji, and nothing more. Kameena, she thought with an amused shake of her head

"Khana bhi koi aram se khaane na de. Mein dekhti hoon." Laila mumbled as she got up to open the door. Annoyed already at her dramatic husband, she huffed opening the door. "Kaun hai?"

"Aapka ek adad aur kafi handsome shohar."

There he stood, a vision of magnificence before her. As regal and fatigued as ever, his presence illuminated by the gentle glow of the streetlight. Its soft radiance caressed one side of his face, enhancing the allure of his features. His eyes, fixed upon her, held a gaze that seemed to drink in the sight of her as if they had been separated by years rather than mere days. A quirk of his lips carried a hint of playful amusement.

In that suspended moment, she found herself instinctively drawing in a deep breath, as though her lungs were embracing air for the first time in a week. The space he occupied, his very essence, seemed to have been missing from her world. She longed for him in a way that transcended words, a yearning that had woven itself into the fabric of her being.

"Andar ajaoon ya pabandi hai?"

"You were supposed to come tomorrow," she murmured, a mix of surprise and delight dancing in her eyes. Stepping aside, she allowed him to enter, and with a soft click, she closed the gate behind him.

"Are you truly that displeased with my early arrival?" he quipped. She responded with a gentle shake of her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Such drama.

"Shut up."

"Gladly," he responded with a soft smile, his gaze lingering on her lips.

Amid the soft glow of the light he pressed his lips on her as she leaned against the gate. The night breeze enveloped them, its caress seemingly deepening as he threaded his fingers through her hair, gently holding her in place. Abandoning his bag and jacket, his free hand found the curve of her waist. The touch of his lips and the warmth of his hands continued to send shivers down her spine.

"Kon hai, Laila?"

Malka's voice gently cracked the spell they were under. Breathless, Laila curled her hands in his shirt, using him as an anchor. He leaned forward, putting his forehead on hers.

"Tumhara Hoor Para." She finally replied when her breath leveled.

"You are not going to let that go?" He leaned down to pick up his stuff.

"Never." She whispered and then informed Malka. "Haath dho ke aaye."

As they entered, Zeeniya abandoned her utensils and food, making a beeline for him. He barely had time to react as she wrapped herself around his leg, smudging food onto his suit pants. Without the slightest hesitation, he lifted her, unfazed by the mess on his attire.

"I missed you, Bean."

"Chachu-Bean!!!" She nestled herself in his arms as Shehryar exchanged greetings with the others.

Laila took a seat next to him as he sat down with Zeeniya in his arms. Laila's heart expanded with joy watching everyone around the food. However, her gaze lingered on Shehryar, and a faint pang of something—perhaps longing—tinged her happiness as she watched him with Zeeniya. Zeeniya sat calmly in his arms waiting for food and he fed her with so much care and love. This man. He deserved to be a father.

It was evident in his relationship with Zeeniya. The girl was a little monster like her mother said. A ball of energy that ran into everything, always running around. However, when she found her way to Shehryar a certain kind of happiness settled over her. As if she knew, Shehryar needed that tender love. The love that he fed her with so carefully. The love through which he cradled Zeeniya in his arms so comfortably.

A nudge at her side jolted her from her thoughts. His gaze was fixed on her, and she shook her head, trying to clear her mind.

She gently took the towel from him as he emerged from the shower.

"Thanks." A small smile tugged at his lips.

Throughout their years of marriage, his belongings had gradually found their place in Laila's room, crafting a harmonious melody of their lives. A few of his miscellaneous books had found their spot on her shelf—books he often left behind, and although forgotten, they now had a home there. Nestled at the far end of the shelf, a photo frame occupied a special place. It showcased a photo from their trip to South Africa, a picture of them standing alongside a penguin.

Laila took a shirt from her closet and handed it to him. He stood there holding a smile and she sighed putting the shirt over his head. It was the way she'd react to him when he did such things. Just to see her in certain emotions.

"How did you manage to get through the week without me?" she asked with a playful smile, adjusting the soft t-shirt on him, ensuring there were no loose threads or pills.

"I was utterly miserable," he admitted, flopping onto the bed behind him. Her glare met his as she switched off the light. She had just fixed the corners of the bedsheet.

"Zara jo aap mein saleeka ho." She mumbled and a comfortable smile followed her as she settled in the bed.

His fingers gently grazed her jaw as she turned to face him. He observed her silently in the gentle glow of the night light for a moment.

"Where were you when we were eating?"

That was something she both disliked and adored about him. He never overlooked or dismissed anything concerning her, no matter how trivial, not even her tangled thoughts.

"Just watching you with Zeeniya. I want to give you that with our baby as well." She drew nearer to him, seeking solace in his presence. He enveloped her in his embrace, his arms a shield against the impending pain.

"Laila," He warned her.

"I promise I'm not spiraling down that road. Malka helped me sort my thoughts, but still. I'm a human at the end of the day. Certain things come to bite." She took out the words from her heart.

"It will happen when it is meant to be. What if it was me? What if I was the reason you couldn't become a mother?" His words froze that chaos within her because she knew if roles were reversed she'd never bring the topic ever. She'd pretend the problem didn't exist. "So why do you keep hurting yourself by thinking about it over and over. Yes, if the thoughts come naturally let them be. Let yourself feel whatever the emotions are but don't go poking around the wound unnecessarily." She closed her eyes feeling his words as he threaded his fingers through the freshly washed hair and massaged her scalp.

"Thank you." She kissed his jaw, tired from the chaos her own mind made against her.

"Just say you need me. You didn't have to go through all this for me to kiss you and tell you I love you." He teased her and she grinned. Only him. Only her husband.

"I don't kiss frogs." She tried to turn away but he kept her plastered against him.

"Last time I checked you were Rapunzel so that makes me Eugene and not a frog."

"Last time I checked you ignored my messages."

"It's because I needed to show you exactly how much I love you."

"Shut up-"

Once more he shut her lips with his own.

Sorry I forgot to pick up the reports from the clinic. Please pick it up before you drive out here.

She had left him a message. He wasn't able to leave early, but she did leave with Inaaya and Zain leaving him behind to do the daunting task. He was able to give her the words of strength but within him he was also running from reality. When he did pick the reports it rocked his world, turning it upside down. And it was the same reason he drove in circles on the empty road, missing their family dinner. He let the calls ring, unanswered. And for the first time he lied to her, not once but twice. He let her believe he was stuck in a meeting. Urgent meeting. How could he tell her that he was stuck fighting a war within him.

When he finally found his way to his parents house it was late at night. Few lights left for his arrival otherwise the house was soaked in silence and darkness. Yet he found the figure looming around the kitchen hallway. His wife. His damn wife. She should've been asleep. He sighed knowing too well the woman wouldn't rest until he was there with her.

"Always late. Amma Abba waited for so long." She narrowed her eyes at him. The length of her hair were knotted and held together on top of her head with a claw clip. She had left the dupatta on the back of the chair where she had been waiting for him. "Khana laga doon?"

"Bhook nahi." He lifted his lips in a small smile and leaned forwards to place a kiss on top of her head. "Chalein?" He placed his hand on her back waiting for her to pick up her dupatta and phone.

She gave him a confused look but nodded before walking with him to his room. Her eyes followed him around his old room as he got ready for the bed. Despite the questions that lingered in her mind, she chose to remain silent, allowing him the solitude he seemed to require. Uncertainty flickered within her gaze when he eventually settled beside her on the bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She threaded her fingers with his, holding his hand and he so much needed that. He shook his head. He wanted to but he couldn't. He needed a little bit of time to come to terms with it before opening up to her. "Okay. Did you pick up my reports?"

"No." He lied to her once more. Two lies. Two lies too many. He never lied to her and here he was twice in a day. "I'm sorry." He brought her hand to his lips, leaving a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Letting the silence fall on them like a comfortable blanket, he waited for her to fall asleep before leaving the room to find his was to the roof he grew up on. As if the clock had reversed its hands, it seemed like he was sneaking out on the roof to smoke. Holding on to the bitter stick of death, he inhaled it to calm the turmoil inside him.

Laila hardly woke up in the middle of the night anymore. Something that she could associate it with his presence around him. Thus, the sudden jolt that woke her up and she found the other side of the bed empty. She stayed there for a while, her mind going back a few hours. He had been restless since he had arrived, almost lost. His words had been tired and so was his gaze. Something was bothering him so she found her way exactly to the place where she always found him when they were at his parents. It was his sanctuary. A place where he found comfort.

Wrapping the dupatta around her, she found herself at the entrance of the roof and he was standing on the other end against the railing. Laila's eyes went to his hand and the few burned cigarettes already at his feet. He hadn't realized her presence yet as he watched the city that would always hold his heart.

"Shehryar," She softly called him out and he turned his head slightly watching her for a while. Just staring at her with nothing but stillness. When she took a step towards him he shook his head, his eyes almost terrified.

"Stop!" He held up his hand and she stood still, tilting her head at him. He threw away the cigarette stems while shaking away his shirt and trousers. Finally he decided to come towards her with slow steps.

"You are scaring me so much today. Talk to me." When he reached she brushed her fingers below his eyes. The eyes that were red with lack of sleep and something that clawed at his heart.

"I lied to you. Twice." He found a stray lock of her hair and made it his anchor as he tucked it behind her ear.

"About what?" She let her hand rest on his chest and his heart beat so fast she thought it would rip out from his chest into her hand.

"I wasn't at the office and I picked up your reports." And everything suddenly made sense for her. The impending doom fell on her. This was it. Once again a no.

"I lied to you." He placed his hand softly on her stomach and looked into her eyes. "Because here is our baby."

Oh God!

Had it not been for his arms, Laila would have crumbled to the ground, as if all strength had drained from her. Shehryar caught her, enfolding her in his embrace, anchoring her to his presence. His words left her stunned, a mixture of disbelief and astonishment swirling within her.

She was pregnant.