24.

As the front door opened, the chatter of cousins returning from university filled the quiet house. Anam stepped inside, her hijab slightly askew after a long day, but her face lit up with relief and satisfaction.

Ayan was the first to notice her, lounging lazily on the sofa with a book in hand.

"Oh right! I forgot to ask. How was the exam, Anam?" he asked, his trademark grin making its way to his face.

Anam placed her bag on the nearest chair and nodded with a small, shy smile. "Alhamdulillah, it went well, bhai."

"Of course, it did!" Ayub chimed in, peeking out from behind the kitchen counter with a playful smirk. "You're the star student Api."

Anam shook her head with a chuckle, brushing off the compliments as she made her way toward the kitchen. She immediately began prepping lunch, her mind still half on the exam and half on what to cook. As she chopped vegetables, the deep, commanding voice of Ahmed Taya echoed through the house.

"Everyone, come to the dining room. I need to discuss something important," he called out.

Curious murmurs filled the air as family members began gathering. Anam wiped her hands on her apron, feeling a slight pang of nervousness at the unexpected announcement. She entered the dining room, finding the entire family seated or standing near the long dining table. Feras sat at one end, his expression unreadable, while Ahmed stood at the head, his presence demanding attention.

Ahmed cleared his throat, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "Tonight," he began, "we will conduct Anam's rukhsati from her room to Feras' room."

The silence was palpable, every pair of eyes shifting between Ahmed, Feras, and Anam.

"What?" Seher's voice broke through, her tone dripping with disbelief and jealousy. "Taya-Abbu, is this necessary?"

Ahmed's expression hardened. "This is not a topic for discussion, Seher."

Seher clenched her fists, her face turning red with anger, but she dared not argue further. Meanwhile, Chachi let out an exaggerated sigh, her displeasure evident. "Ahmed bhai, is this decision even wise? The girl barely knows how to manage her own self, let alone share a space with Feras."

Ahmed shot her a warning glance. "Enough, Sana. This is an important matter, and I will not hear another word of protest."

Anam stood frozen, her cheeks flaming as she processed the announcement. Her gaze flickered to Feras, who sat motionless, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes fixed on his father. There was no sign of agreement or objection on his face, only a cold, controlled expression that sent a pang through her heart.

Ayan, Ayub, and Pari, however, saw this as an opportunity for mischief. Ayan leaned closer to Anam with a wide grin. "Mashallah, bhabhi, you're moving up in life! Literal promotion!"

Ayub snickered. "Api, should we start calling you Mrs. Bossman now?"

Pari giggled, nudging Anam lightly. "Don't worry, we'll help you pack."

Anam's face grew even warmer at their teasing, though she tried to mask her embarrassment with a shy smile. "Bas karo tum log," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. (Stop it all of you)

Feras abruptly stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. Without a word, he turned and left the room, his long strides taking him out of sight before anyone could stop him.

Anam's smile faltered, replaced by a mixture of confusion and hurt. She couldn't help but think he was unhappy with this decision.

She felt a pang in her heart at that thought-

.....

Anam sat cross-legged on the floor of her room, a small suitcase open in front of her. The soft rustling of clothes and the light-hearted chatter of her cousin and sister filled the air. Pari was on her left, pulling clothes from the wardrobe, while Ayub sat nearby, tossing in funny comments whenever she found the chance.

"So, Anam Api," Pari started with a mischievous grin as she folded one of Anam's kurtas, "are you excited or just plain nervous? Because honestly, moving into Feras bhai's room sounds like stepping into a lion's den."

Ayub burst into laughter. "More like a tiger's cage, Pari! Poor Anam Api won't even know what hit her."

Anam blushed furiously, trying to focus on folding a shawl instead of their teasing. "Stop it, tum dono!" she muttered, though her smile betrayed her embarrassment. (Stop it both of you)

"Oh, we're not stopping," Ayub teased, holding up a pair of Anam's sandals. "Should we label these? 'Mrs. Feras' wardrobe.'"

Pari joined in, pretending to hold a mic. "Breaking news! Anam Api finally moves in with Feras bhai, and the household gossip levels hit an all-time high!"

Anam covered her face with her hands, her voice muffled. "Ya Allah, please make them stop!"

The three of them broke into laughter, the atmosphere light and playful. After packing clothes and shoes, Pari pulled out Anam's folded prayer mat and gently placed it in the suitcase. Her eyes then landed on a small stack of booklets resting on a side table.

"What are these?" Pari asked, picking up the neatly bound Ziyarat-e-Ashura and Ziyarat-e-Warisa. She held them up for Anam to see.

Anam glanced at the booklets, her face softening. "These are ziyarats. They're special prayers recited in honor of the Ahlul Bayt. This one," she said, pointing to the Ziyarat-e-Ashura, "is for Imam Hussain (A.S.). It's recited to mourn his martyrdom in Karbala. And this," she continued, gesturing to the Ziyarat-e-Warisa, "is also for Imam Hussain (A.S.), but it emphasizes his status as the inheritor of the Prophet's legacy. It contains the words of the twelweth Imam, Imam al-Zamana (Imam Mahdi), who speaks about the greatness of Imam Husayn. (A.S.). It is a supplication in which the reader is encouraged to reflect on the martyrdom of Imam Husayn from the perspective of the hidden Imam, who was present and saw it all happening on the day of Ashura."

Pari looked at the booklets with curiosity. "I've heard about Karbala and Imam Hussain, but I didn't know about these specific prayers. Why do you recite them?"

Anam placed the shawl she was folding aside, her tone becoming more heartfelt. "The ziyarats help us connect to the sacrifices made by the Ahlul Bayt, we offer salutations expressing respect, reverence, and affection toward the holy figures. Reciting them has a profound effect on our hearts and souls."

Pari's eyes widened as she listened. "That's... beautiful. I've never been told this much detail. Abbu and Ammi always discouraged us from getting into this stuff, saying it was too 'Shia.' I never got the chance to really learn."

Anam gave her a gentle smile. "You can always learn, Pari. The Ahlul Bayt belong to all of us. Their message is universal... it's about humanity, not sects."

Pari nodded, her expression thoughtful as she carefully placed the booklets in the suitcase alongside the prayer mat. "You know, Api, I think I'd like to know more about this. Will you teach me sometime?"

Anam's heart warmed at Pari's sincerity. "Of course, Pari. I'll tell you everything I know, and we can even recite together if you'd like."

Ayub, who had been silently watching the exchange, broke in with a grin. "Are we done with the Islamic lecture, or do I need to grab some popcorn for the next session?"

Pari rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Ayub. Just admit you don't have the attention span for anything meaningful."

The three of them laughed again, and the packing continued. Anam could see the curiosity spark in Pari's eyes, and it made her smile warmly.

.....

With the help of Pari and Ayub, Anam carried her belongings down the corridor to Feras' room. The door creaked open, revealing the space she was to share with her husband... a minimalist yet elegant room with muted tones, a large wooden bed with grey sheets, and a faint scent of musk lingering in the air. The reality of the moment sank in, making her palms slightly damp.

"Wow," Pari teased, walking into the room. "This place screams serious businessman. Let's see how long it takes for your bright energy to shake it up, Anam Api."

Ayub chuckled as she placed a pile of neatly folded clothes on the bed. "Forget the energy... imagine Feras bhai walking in to see all your pink and floral hijabs hanging in his closet. That'll be the real shock."

Anam gave a nervous laugh, trying to ignore the growing flutter in her chest. As they began unpacking her clothes, shoes, and books, Ayan sauntered past the door with a playful grin.

"Shift's already happening, huh?" he commented, leaning against the doorframe. "Just letting you know, Feras bhai is in his study room, buried in some 'world-ending' business deal. You've got a free pass for now."

Ayub raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Thanks for the update, Ayan bhai. Now, why don't you put your energy into actually helping us instead of standing there and making commentary?"

Ayan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine, fine. Move over. I'm here to save the day." He walked in and picked up a small stack of books, scanning the titles. "Ziyarat-e-Ashura, Quran... Anam, are you sure you belong in Feras bhai's room? I mean, where's the file of international contracts to balance this out?"

Pari burst into laughter while Anam tried to swat at him with a pillow. "Stop it, Ayan bhai! You're making me more nervous than I already am."

Ayan winked. "Nervous? Nah, you've got this. Feras bhai might look like he's all sharp edges, but deep down, he's probably just a teddy bear."

Ayub snorted. "A teddy bear who growls every time someone gets too close. Perfect."

The teasing continued as they helped arrange her things, filling the room with warmth and laughter.

"There," Pari said with satisfaction. "Your stuff is officially part of the Feras bhai territory. Mission accomplished."

As they prepared to leave, Ayan turned back with a mischievous grin. "Good luck, Anam. And remember, if things get too intense, just call me. I'll rescue you from the lion's den."

They left, leaving Anam alone in the quiet room. She stood there for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar space that was now supposed to be hers as well. The silence pressed against her, amplifying the sound of her own heartbeat. Her thoughts raced...how would Feras react to seeing her here? Would he be upset? Indifferent?

Suddenly, the door clicked open, making her jump. She turned to see Feras stepping in, his expression as cold and detached as ever. He paused, his tall frame illuminated by the dim light of the room, his sharp eyes immediately finding her.

The air grew thick as he took a step forward, his gaze flicking briefly to the new additions in the room before settling back on her. Despite his composed exterior, an unfamiliar sensation stirred within him. The sight of her, standing nervously in the space that now connected them, and the faint, sweet scent of her in the air unsettled him in a way he hadn't anticipated.

But he didn't let it show. His voice was steady, almost too calm. "You've settled in, I see."

Anam nodded timidly, clutching the edge of her dupatta, her heart hammering in her chest. His indifferent demeanor made her feel small, and yet she couldn't help but notice how his presence seemed to fill the room entirely.

Feras, meanwhile, fought to suppress the swirl of emotions he couldn't quite place. He gave her a brief nod and turned toward the desk, feigning interest in a stack of papers.

The tension lingered in the air...

Feras stood by the desk, flipping aimlessly through the stack of papers, his back turned to Anam. She shifted nervously, not knowing whether to sit, stand, or simply leave the room altogether. The silence felt unbearable, yet she didn't dare break it.

Gathering some courage, she softly said, "Aapka din kaisa guzra, Feras?" (How was your day Feras?)

Her gentle question caught him off guard. He froze for a moment before turning his head slightly, just enough to glance at her. "Busy," he replied curtly, his tone neutral.

Anam bit her lip, feeling the awkwardness of the moment pressing down on her. But she refused to let it end there. She walked a few hesitant steps toward the corner of the room where she'd unpacked her books earlier.

"Main... I thought I'd put my prayer books over here," she murmured, more to herself than him, hoping to find something to do to ease the tension. (I...)

Feras watched her from the corner of his eye, noting how her small hands carefully straightening each one. His jaw tightened. Despite his indifference, he couldn't ignore the strange warmth creeping into his chest as he observed her.

"Anam," he called, his voice firm but quieter than usual.

She turned around quickly, startled. "Jee?" (Yes?)

Feras hesitated for a moment before gesturing toward the small shelf above the desk. "That shelf. It's better for your books. Asani se tumhara hath ponch jaye ga wha take." (You'll easily be able to reach there)

Anam's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her heart doing an unexpected flip at the thoughtfulness behind his suggestion. "Oh... okay. Thank you," she said softly.

She walked over to the desk and tried to place the books on the shelf, but her height betrayed her. Stretching on her toes, she could barely reach the bottom edge.

Feras sighed, his cold facade cracking just a little. Without a word, he stepped closer, towering over her. "Move aside," he said brusquely.

She stepped back quickly, her cheeks burning as he reached up effortlessly, taking the books from her hands and arranging them neatly on the shelf. His movements were precise, efficient, yet there was a certain gentleness to the way he handled her books that didn't escape her notice.

"Woh... maine kar lena tha," she said awkwardly, fiddling with the edge of her dupatta. (I could have done it myself)

Feras glanced down at her, his expression unreadable. "You would've taken forever," he replied, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone.

Anam blinked, caught off guard by the almost-joke. For a moment, the air between them felt lighter.

She smiled shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Phir bhi... shukriya." (Still, thanks)

Feras stepped back, his usual composed demeanor returning. "It's nothing," he said simply, moving toward the door.

But as he placed his hand on the doorknob, he paused, his back still turned to her. "If you need help with anything... just ask. Don't hesitate."

Before she could respond, he was gone, leaving her standing there, her heart racing and a small, hopeful smile playing on her lips.

Unbeknownst to her, Feras walked down the hallway with a strange sense of unease. His cold exterior remained intact, but a single thought echoed in his mind: Why does it feel like she belongs there more than I do?

.....

Feras sat at his desk in the study, reviewing reports from a recent business deal. His mind wasn't entirely focused on the numbers, though; it kept drifting back to his room—no, their room now. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to concentrate, when the door creaked open without a knock.

"Feras bhai!" Ayan's cheerful voice rang through the room, and Feras sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What do you want, Ayan?" he asked coldly, not looking up from his papers.

Ayan sauntered in, hands in his pockets, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. "Oh, nothing. Just came to check on my favorite brother."

Feras shot him a warning glare, but Ayan was unfazed.

"By the way,How does it feel to finally share your room with Anam bhabhi? Bet it's a dream come true."

Feras straightened in his chair, his expression remaining cold. "Focus on your studies, Ayan, instead of wasting my time."

"Studies? Oh no, this is way more important!" Ayan declared, pulling out the chair opposite Feras and plopping down uninvited. "You know, bhai, I've been meaning to tell you... Ana's a real gem. You're lucky. I mean, her tea alone deserves an award. And don't even get me started on her korma. If I were you, I'd have moved her into my room on day one."

Feras narrowed his eyes. "Ayan, do you have a point, or are you just here to irritate me?"

Ayan leaned back, grinning wider. "Oh, come on. You're so uptight. Relax a little, bhai. But seriously, you should have seen Anam's face when we teased her earlier. She was blushing so hard; it was adorable. Poor thing was so nervous about moving in with you."

Feras stiffened at that, but he masked it quickly, returning his gaze to the report. "She has no reason to be nervous," he said curtly.

"Really?" Ayan raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with mock seriousness. "Because if I were in her place, I'd be terrified. You've got that whole cold and intimidating vibe going on. Maybe she's afraid you'll scold her for using the wrong pillow or something."

Feras set his pen down with a soft thud and glared at his younger brother. "Ayan."

Ayan held up his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. But seriously, bhai, you should try being a little... softer with her. She's probably just as out of her comfort zone as you are. Maybe even more."

Feras's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. Ayan stood, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt.

"Anyway, I'll leave you to your oh-so-important paperwork."

With that, Ayan left the study, leaving Feras staring after him, his mind swirling with his brother's words.

Feras sighed, leaning back in his chair. Ayan's teasing lingered in his thoughts, making him question, just for a moment, if his distant demeanor was the right approach.

Unconsciously, he glanced at the clock, it was late. The idea of heading back to the room... their room... felt both daunting and inevitable. But as much as he wanted to appear indifferent, he couldn't ignore the slight pull toward the woman waiting there.