Scene 1: A Gentle Return Home
The moon cast a soft glow on the quiet streets as Haroon and Maryam returned from her father's dinner party. The house welcomed them with its familiar stillness. Inside, the hallway echoed with their footsteps as they made their way into their bedroom.
Haroon opened the door and gestured with a smile.
"After you, Mrs. Haroon," he whispered playfully.
Maryam chuckled and entered, unpinning her earrings as she stepped in.
She turned to him with a content sigh.
"That was a lovely evening. Baba looked so happy."
Haroon nodded. "He should be. He's given away a treasure… and I'm the luckiest man alive."
They smiled at each other for a lingering moment, the silence between them sweet and full.
Scene 2: A Glimpse of Beauty
Maryam moved toward the dresser, slowly undoing the pleats of her saree. The golden and pink fabric slipped gracefully from her shoulders, leaving her standing in her blouse and petticoat. She reached for her nightwear, unaware that Haroon's eyes had found her from behind.
"Maryam…" he said softly, his voice like a warm breeze.
She turned, surprised, her hands full of fabric.
"We're home now," she said with a blush. "It's late…"
But he had already crossed the room, closing the distance between them.
His fingers gently touched her arm as he whispered, "One moment. Just one moment like this. You're breathtaking."
Maryam lowered her eyes, heart fluttering.
"You say this every time I change clothes," she teased, trying to keep her composure.
Haroon smiled and took her hand, drawing her closer into a gentle embrace. "That's because it's true… every time."
She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, letting herself breathe in the warmth of his affection. The embrace deepened, and for a long, unspoken moment, they stood quietly—his arms around her, her hands resting against his chest. The world outside ceased to matter.
Scene 3: The Quiet Morning
The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, brushing across Maryam's face. She stirred, slowly waking from a restful sleep. The room was wrapped in a calm stillness. Haroon was still sleeping beside her, one arm loosely draped over a pillow.
Maryam sat up gently, careful not to wake him. She glanced at the space between the pillows and found her bra nestled there with a quiet grin. Her blouse and petticoat lay crumpled on the floor. A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Shaking her head, she got out of bed quietly, picking up her clothes and folding them neatly. She placed them on the sofa near the dresser, then selected a modest cotton dress for the morning.
With careful steps, she tiptoed toward the washroom. Just as she opened the door, Haroon stirred behind her.
"Going somewhere?" he murmured sleepily.
She paused and turned with a soft smile. "Just to freshen up."
He sat up slowly, his hair tousled. "You didn't even kiss me good morning."
Maryam laughed quietly and returned, leaning down to place a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Good morning, my love."
He caught her hand gently and kissed her fingers. "It's going to be another beautiful day."
Scene 4: A Fresh Start
Maryam disappeared into the washroom while Haroon stretched and got up, throwing a t-shirt over his shoulders. He smiled at the neat way she had folded their clothes, already making this place more like home.
When Maryam returned, drying her damp hair with a towel, Haroon's eyes lit up again.
"Breakfast?" he offered.
She nodded. "I'll make tea."
"No, no. Today I'm bringing breakfast. You deserve it."
Before she could protest, he was already slipping into his slippers.
"Eggs, halwa puri, and channa chaat," he declared. "Your favorites."
Scene 5: A Breakfast for Two
When Haroon returned forty minutes later, the warm aroma of halwa puri filled the bedroom. Maryam had already set the table with plates and tea.
"You even made chai!" Haroon smiled, placing the paper bags on the table.
"Of course. What's halwa puri without tea?" she teased.
They sat together, their knees brushing as they ate, laughing over small things, talking about their plans for the coming week. It was not just a meal—it was the joy of discovering married life, step by step, taste by taste.
Haroon broke a piece of puri and dipped it in channa. "You know what I was thinking?"
"What?"
"We should go out next weekend. Somewhere by the lake… just us."
Maryam beamed. "I'd love that."
As they sipped tea and shared the last spoonful of halwa, they exchanged a glance that said more than words: this was home, this was happiness.
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End of Chapter 5
Word count: ~1530 words
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