☀︎︎ four o'clock ☀︎︎

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"Why can't you ever take what I'm saying seriously?" Zuha huffed, pushing his chest away with her fist.

Apparently, it was 7:00 AM on a Sunday. The morning was sunny and windy. Both of them stood in the lawn wearing their track suits, on a yoga mat over the grass. It was indeed Zuha's idea. It took a lot of poking and tantrums, but she somehow managed to drag Momin out to join her.

It had been a month since the business plan investment competition took place. And her presentation idea had taken the 5th last position. It was a blow to her confidence. She did cry, but she had a shoulder to cry on. Who gave her motivation and helped her regain her confidence by cracking a few ugly and rude jokes in his style.

Two weeks later, she had enrolled in a course. A two month enterpreneurship course about business plans and management, with an internship programme in a company, where all her job included was to recheck mails and arrange paper files.

Maybe her CV wasn't good enough, she wondered. She was a BBA degree holder, maybe doing MBA would gain her more benefit. But she didn't want to study further, she wanted to do something of her own. Make something out of herself. She was not going to waste time anymore.

In the class of her course, they were told about keeping the brain busy with activities, especially physical ones. Active brain meant welcoming innovative ideas. So she searched up and found out yoga would be helpful. Thus, here they were trying out partners yoga.

"Are you sure this is the beginners course?" Momin stared at the difficult pose displayed on the laptop screen.

"Yes of course." She lied smoothly. She had clicked on the video which instructed to perform with partners you could trust with performing. Plus point, it said 'get stronger bond' in parenthesis. Plus plus point the harder the poses, the more active the brain.

"Well, I really don't think we can pull that off without having pulled muscles by the end." He complained again. Zuha glared at him.

"Fine. I'll do it myself." She flexed her arms. "Just watch if my leg is straight when I stretch my body." She stared at the pose ready to copy, when Momin placed his hand over her shoulder to stop her.

"Zuh, seriously, you're not flexible enough to do that stunt." He was shaking his head, holding back a laugh or a yawn, she couldn't tell. But he was making fun of her for sure.

Ignoring his words, she stood on one foot, slowly bending sideways. When her hand was on the mat like the foot, with a straight leg and arm, her body arched, she stretched the other leg and arm upwards. Soon enough, her leg shook, her arm felt weak, and she fell backwards with a thud on the mat. She flushed red, embarrassed. Within a second, Momin grabbed her from the arms and picked her back up on her feet, like she was an empty sack.

She squirmed under his gaze as he pressed his large palms on the sides of her face, making her look up at him, her lips pouted and cheeks squished under his hands. "Gosh, you're adorable." She blinked at him, escaping his hold, her cheeks burning with a new feeling now.

"Let's move to the next one, since you're so adamant on doing this." He played the video and was shot with instant regret when the next pose was displayed.

"We can't do this one either."

"Why?" She whined, throwing a tiny fit with her foot.

"Because you're too short." He said as a matter of fact.

"Rude." She frowned. "I guess it won't work for us."

"That's not true. We did the first three so perfectly." Momin quickly defended. "They got really hard-"

"It said you'll have a stronger bond with your partner if you do it." She pushed the hair which slipped out of her messy bun backward. Momin went silent and then his face slowly broke into a smile. The wind blew her hair forward again.

"The bond we share is the most beautiful thing for me." He twisted the flying strand of her hair between his fingers, as she looked up into his eyes. "Is it?"

"It is, indeed." He tucked the hair strand behind her ear, gazing back into her eyes, maintaining the eye contact by looking down at her small form.

"I love how you check up on me all the time even if I reply or not." He smiled.

"I love how you roast me but I only reply with rude." She shook her head.

"I love how you never fail to light up my mood every day." He half laughed.

"I love how you always understand me so effortlessly even without me saying anything." She grinned brightly.

"Honestly, now I can't imagine my life without you in it." He confessed and before she could speak, grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her towards himself in a tight grip. Zuha was not expecting that, her eyes widened and her heartbeat went wild, like it always did when near him. It was loud in the silence, and their close proximity meant she wasn't the only one who could hear it. His eyes followed her brown orbs, down to her lips.

"The secretion of dopamine and adrenaline influences automatic nervous system thus causing rapid heartbeat." His eyes were still on her lips and she noticed the teasing smirk on his face.

"Don't apply your scientific knowledge here on me!" She wriggled a little, smacking his chest. Holding her wrist on his chest, he pulled her closer which made Zuha's heels to leave the mat, leaving her standing on her toes.

His hand started moving up from her arm towards her back, tracing her spine with a light touch and Zuha felt shivers run down her spine. She felt her heartbeat pace at an abnormal rate. His right hand slowly slid above her backbone, goosebumps rising all over her body, making her to slightly arch her back, towards him, closer into his body which was radiating heat.

His hand smoothly glided at the nape of her neck, fingers caressing it in a soft grip, his thumb grazing at her jaw slowly, driving her crazy. His next words had her heart tripping into her stomach, where she felt sensations she had never felt before, leaving her breathless.

"You're making me lose my sanity, Zuh." He whispered close to her ear, bending his neck. His stubble beard tickled the side of her face, as his lips hovered over her forehead, before placing a slow feathery kiss there. Her heart picked the crazy pace again.

"I think I'll need a heart surgery if you keep attacking me with these." She mumbled, her voice coming out slow.

"Sh, God Forbid." He loosened his grip, looking at her with his brows scrunched. Zuha pursed her lips when his grip further loosened from around her waist, almost letting go, missing the warmth he radiated.

"I really need to shower." He told as if reading her mind. Letting go of her, he ran a hand through his hair.

"No." Zuha pouted, her hands sneaking around his neck, hugging him closer and clinging onto him. How dare he try to ditch her after surgerizing her heart?

"What? Are you planning to join me?" He chuckled, his hands reflexively going to hug her back. Her cheeks tinted bright pink at his words, his lips formed into a victorious smile at that.

"No. We might spontaneously combust." She looked away, still blushing.

He let out a breathy laugh, his chest vibrating. "And then you complain why can't I ever take you seriously?"

//❀❀❀//

"I can't believe I overslept on such an important day!" She scurried with her things, pacing around the room to collect all the important stuff. "Nobody even bothered to wake me up." She hissed. Wearing her open flats, she draped the net dupatta on her shoulder, matching her short kurti and tulip shalwar. Finally, running the brush over her hair, which was half up in a clip, falling over her back. She gave her look a final touch by putting on some lip gloss.

Grabbing her bag, she glanced inside to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything important. Phone. Files. ID card. She walked out while counting the stuff when her gaze found the man she lived with standing with a mug near the open kitchen counter.

Two days ago, if one would've asked her, she'd say he is the most annoying person to have walked on this planet. She was so mad at him. But now? Her anger had subsided. It was hard to stay mad at him for long. Especially when she knew, it wasn't really his fault.

"You're always going to put your job above me, aren't you?" She shuddered thinking of that. Why did she have to say that?

Zuha had gotten a job as an employee in one of the companies she applied to. She knew she was dreaming too big. She had to start from rock bottom. If she wanted to start-up something of her own innovations, she needed experience. The two months course had taught her how important experience was in this matter. The internship had taught her how even the simplest of jobs are considered big for inexperienced people. Like her.

She was so happy about getting the job, and equally was Momin. He was the one who suggested they'd celebrate it together by going on a dinner date. But what happened? Of course. He had to bail on her. Bloody surgeries.

She got it. She really did. She was trying her best to be understanding. But at that moment, she was all ready. Had worn a new dress, put on make-up, had her hopes high. For the night to end up with her alone at home? Every time they made a plan to go outside, it got cancelled. It was as if the world was against them going out together.

So she ended up fighting with him. She could still hear the broken whisper of her name from him when she said those words. "Zuha." His voice was hoarse, almost begging for her to understand. But she had ended the call.

She pretended to sleep when he returned. Continued the act in the morning, but he left her a note. A 65 year old grandma was the emergency patient. He was successful. She felt pride in him. In that moment, she did. She might've over-reacted, but she couldn't pretend to be all right with it if she wasn't. She had to validate her feelings and she did what she felt at that time.

Biting her lip, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Letting out a sigh, she walked forward. She couldn't waste any more time and she wanted to talk to him now.

"Could you please drop me off on your way? I'm actually already late and it's the first day and I-"

"Of course, I can. Just order me, jaan." He cut her off, instantly energetic and glad that she was talking to him. She tried hiding away the affect the endearment had on her by turning around towards the door.

"Breakfast?" He called out from behind.

"I don't have time. I told you I'm late!" She was rushing outside as he unlocked his car and she quickly got in the passenger seat. He locked the house doors and soon they were off on their way.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" She ended up complaining. You're the one who wasn't talking to him, remember?

"I did. I put the alarm on your pillow so you could hear it better. I pushed the curtains aside so the brightness of the morning sun could wake you up. I even poked you on the cheek-"

"Okay okay. Fine. I was the problem." She flushed bright red with embarrassment. She shouldn't have slept so late, or else she wasn't that of a heavy sleeper.

"What time are you getting off?" He asked, his attention on his phone instead of the busy road.

"Most probably, five in the evening. But, you don't need to worry, I'll come by a cab." She informed, her anxious eyes watching if any passing car was too close. He didn't reply. There was silence the rest of the ride. Zuha was fidgety and nervous and really needed to ease her mind. As if sensing it, he hadn't uttered a word. Finally, he took a turn and she could view the building now.

"If I'm free at the time, I'll text you and come by to pick you up myself. Or else, I'll send the driver." He stated.

"Driver?" She questioned as they reached infront of the building.

"Of course. I told Aneel to look for a driver for your pick and drop and he said he knows someone. I'll meet him today and test him to see if I can entrust my precious wife at his pick and drop service. I can't let you take a cab everyday, until you learn how to drive." He parked the car, and turned his attention in her direction fully now.

"Drive? Me?" She gasped. Not that she had never thought of it, but ever since her accident, the thought of driving came as extra risky and dangerous to her.

"Of course, my independent lady. You're going to be a working woman. I want you to be able to do these on your own so you never feel demotivated, just because you couldn't reach work on time." He said in all seriousness.

"You're spoiling me." She spoke out.

"I'll wait for my turn." He let out a chuckle. She knew they hadn't talked about that night, but they didn't need to. He knew how she felt, and she understood how he felt. And that was enough.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Her eyes welled up and she didn't know what to say to let him know the dinner wasn't a big deal to her anymore. His support was enough. His job was vital, and she hadn't meant to ask him that.

"Surgerized my brain." He joked using her line, but she had the puppy face on and her lower lip wobbled.

"Oh, crap! I can't see the enthusiasm and passion anymore?" Momin bent his head forward, pretending to search for something.

"It's there! My eyes were just sweating." She clasped her hands together, taking a long breath, blinking. "Okay, I'm going." She had probably ran late.

"You're fantastic." He meant it.

"Thank you." She nodded, then blushed, slowly got off the car. Heading forward, she turned back and signalled him to lower the window. He did and looked at her confused. Did she forget something?

"I love you. Bye!" She sprinted off, into the building without looking back. He threw his head back, a heartfelt chuckle escaping his mouth. He could never get enough of her cuteness, the way her cheeks tinted pink everytime always made him awe.

Zuha forced herself to stop smiling when she entered the building surrounded by people now. She started making her way forward when her phone tinged, she took it out hastily.

Momin:

I pray that you become successful in every aspect of life and that you accomplish everything you dreamt of.

8:55 AM

She smiled so wide, she thought her jaw would split up. Her phone tinged again.

Momin:

And I ordered your breakfast, it's on the way.

8:56 AM

Zuha shook her head. So that's why he was on his phone instead of focusing on driving. She could've bought something from the canteen. But the smile on her face glowed knowing how much he cared for her.

//❀❀❀//

"But Zuha I'm really hungry, let's just place an order." He was half lying on the sofa tired, but when she excitedly held his hand and dragged him up to the kitchen, he let his body follow behind her.

"And that's why we're gonna cook pasta together." She clapped her hands, now both of them standing by the counter. "We'll be done in less time than any order arrives, pakka."

"What if I'm hungry for pizza?" He leaned against the cabinets.

"What if I'm thirsty for your blood." She slowly turned towards him, a knife in her hand, fake threatening.

"Woah. Now that was violently rude."

"Looks like I'm getting affected by the Momin virus." She shrugged, getting the aprons happily. Cooking together was the most fun activity and she'd wanted to do it since forever. Cooking was therapeutic in her opinion.

However, Momin had never stepped into the kitchen to cook before. He was as confused as a kid being handed a wrapped toffee unable to open it. Seeing her so delighted about it, he silently obliged.

"Oh my god! What in the name of green capsicums are you doing?" Zuha covered her mouth. Ten minutes in, and he was already creating a mess.

Making the white sauce pasta was so simple and easy. Since she was making the sauce which needed stirring, she had told him to chop the vegetables. Starting off from capsicums. He examined them weirdly, as if it was his first time looking at the vegetable. It was, indeed, his first.

"They're supposed to get naked by peeling the skin off, no?" He innocently asked. Zuha's jaw dropped. He had to be kidding her.

"Yeah no. They're literally-" She shook her head, reducing the heat of the stove under the boiling pasta. Going next to him, she grabbed his large hand which was holding the knife and chopped the capsicum in half. Momin's mouth turned into an 'O' shape as he looked at the empty insides.

"You do it like this. Don't peel off the skin, it leaves nothing behind." She cut one half into thin slices, as he placed his hand on the counter while concentrating, subconsciously engulfing her in a cage, his chin over her head.

She felt his body lightly pressed against her back, her hand holding his over the knife. He had folded his sleeves. Her eyes scanned their way up to his face, so near. Her cheeks grew warm. She then moved away from the warmth, as he straightened up too. She needed to concentrate on cooking. Why was he making it so hard?

"Ya Allah! Why are you just chopping the carrots without peeling them off?" She cried out.

"But you said we don't need to do that, no?" He confusingly put his hands up.

"God, give me patience." Muttering under her breath, she placed the hot pan with the sauce on the shelf.

"I said that for the capsicums!"

Making her way to him again, she slid the knife out of his hand this time. "I can't believe I'm done with boiling the pasta and making the sauce and you here weren't able to chop a few vegetables. I thought cutting was your speciality, no?" She asked in the same tone as his. He caged her in like before, purposely this time, and leaned in. "I have to do my job with utmost care too. Do you think I peel humans' skin and slice them open like this?" He pointed at her fast cutting speed. She paused. Then continued with a frown. He always had his comebacks ready. And annoyingly, always logical.

Once done, she turned around to move, but he remained in the same position. "What?" She gave him a questioning look. He gently leaned his forehead down to hers. "You're cute," then pulled away to meddle her hair making her frown.

"You're annoying. And rude."

"Only rude."

"Only you."

"Only for you."

"Only..." She paused. Blinked. Stared. His stomach growled. Then they both ended up chuckling. "A big fat lie, but okay. Let's feed your hungry stomach first."

Presenting the dish on the dining table, they both settled down to eat. She served it to him first and waited for his reaction. He took a bite, and closed his eyes momentarily chewing on it.

"You're amazing." He smiled so wide, she felt like dancing. "This is too good. It tastes like heaven." She could see how much he loved it and she was full just by watching him enjoy the dish.

"We should do this more often." He found his mouth saying as soon as he finished the second plate. " I would never want to step in the kitchen again, but this was so worth it."

She stared at him in awe. She knew she pushed him out of his comfort zone to do these activities with her, but he never once let her down.

"Why're you looking at me like that?" He asked when getting no response.

"You're."

"I'm, what?" His brows furrowed waiting for her to continue.

"The most accommodating person I've ever met in my life. You know, you see me. Despite all my brashness and tantrums, you see something in me no one ever had." Her eyes were glowing, he leaned forward to caress her cheek. This was the woman he had fallen in love with. Someone who displayed all of her raw emotions in the open. Something, he had never known to do.

He was about to respond, but the phone ringing interrupted their moment. "It must be mom." She looked at the time. His mom and dad video called them around this time to talk every now and then.

"Let me show her the special pasta we made so she can regret going away from here." Zuha grinned at Momin, who pinched her cheek before letting go.

After talking to his parents and cleaning up the dishes, they both went on a night walk. Upon arriving back, Momin had some unfinished work to do so Zuha made her way to the terrace. She called up her parents and talked to her family. Then dialing Eshal's number, she talked to her best friend for a long time. They planned to meet soon, Zuha missed her too much. This long-distance friendship was hard. She really needed to plan her best friend's wedding with her husband's best friend. They made a good couple too. It was a win-win.

The night air blew her hair, she stood there staring at the starry sky. A knocking sound made her whip her head back. With his forearms on the sides of the open window to their room, he gracefully tilted his head to motion her to come back in.

"Hey, my dazzling beauty." He picked her up, twirling her around, as soon she entered the room. She laughed, her insides exploding with warmth. These moments were rare, but closest to her heart.

"Hi, you big muscles softie!" She moved her hand over his messy hair, letting out a playful chuckle. He let go of her on the bed and tickled her near the neck. "Don't call me that."

He always said he wasn't the romantic type at all, but his actions and words always proved otherwise. He always knew what to say to swoop her off her feet in an instant, he always agreed to her smallest of requests in an instant like it's a compulsion. His gestures oozed of love, and as much as he hated hearing it, Zuha always made sure to whisper to him, "You radiate softness, Dr. Momin Malik."

Soon they were tired and the laughter died down into silence. Laying down on the bed, he switched the side lamp off. "Let's go to sleep."

"No."

"I have to go to the hospital early in the morning."

"It's Saturday."

"It's not off for me."

"I don't care."

"It's twelve o'clock."

"Yes, it's love o'clock."

"I said twelve."

"I know you said love."

"Zuh-" His words were muffled when this new version of his wife attacked him climbing atop.

//♥︎♥︎♥︎//

/Author's Note\

*SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP*

The way i was physically dying while writing the intense scene , i kid you not , i almost had a stroke-

anyways , yeh kitny payary

hein ☹️💗 meant to be together vibes 😚☝️

their story is sadly coming towards its end ,, but i've alr been planning the next story "judgement" & broo the plot i have in my mind is OML 👀💪

IM SO EXCITED FOR IT ALR 😩

j hoping it comes out as cool as it seems in my brain 💀

until the next (last) part, take care, boii 💗

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