PROLOGUE

Aamiya had gone inside, and was sitting in the lounging areas when Asfand entered and took a seat beside her. His face was wiped off of any emotions.

"Did you give your number to Ahmed?" Asfand inquired, not quite looking at her.

"No, not yet." Aamiya replied, turning towards him. "But I like, like him a lot." She continued.

When Asfand turned toward her, the hurt was evident in his dark eyes.

"You can't." Asfand mumbled as he stood up.

Aamiya also got up, behind him and stopped him from moving by holding his hand.

"Why?" She asked. "Why can't I? What is it that I'm not aware of?" She shouted.

Asfand turned and grabbed her by her shoulders.

"Because you are my wife."

At 13, Asfand was forlorn after the death of his parents. His uncle and aunt had taken him in with them. When they reached their house, Aamiya came rushing to him, her nanny running behind her.

Aamiya was surprised at seeing him with her parents. Nonetheless, she still launched herself at him.

"Asfi!" She squealed. Asfand crouched low and hugged her back, tightly. Nothing would make him feel better in those days, he barely ate to survive. But seeing how sweet the little doll was, lifted up his spirits a little.

"Aamiya baby, from now, he will be staying with us." Aamiya's mother explained. Aamiya had always liked Asfand, even though many thought she was a moody kid. She rarely spoke to people she didn't know. Aamiya was happy with having Asfand with her.

"Really?" She looked up at Asfand, blinking her eyes. Asfand couldn't help himself, he cracked a small smile and nodded. He'd lived in Lahore with his parents and Aamiya's residence was in Islamabad, and so they weren't able to meet as often as they'd like.

Her parents smiled, knowing that Aamiya's company would make him feel better.

Around dinner, Asfand wasn't quite hungry. He had taken rice on a plate and was barely eating those as well. Aamiya just looked at him and didn't eat her food either.

"Aamiya baby, please eat your food." Her nanny pleaded.

"No, I will eat only if Asfi feeds me." She said, shaking her head. Her curls bounced with the movement. Asfand smiled due to her actions.

"Come here." He called her. She climbed down and ran to his side, where he helped her up on the chair. But when Asfand tried to feed her from his plate, she shook her head and refused to eat.

"No, you eat first. Mama is wulling (worrying) about you." Aamiya spoke. Having no other option, Asfand started to eat along with feeding her.

Asfand began to call Aamiya's parents as Mama and Dad

Asfand at 15 and Aamiya at 7

Asfand was busy studying, when his room door opened. There stood Aamiya with her mother behind her.

"Aamiya, he can't play right now, he's studying." Her mother explained. But Aamiya refused to listen, she rushed towards Asfand and stuck her arms out, asking to be picked. Asfand shook his head and picked her up. She looked adorable in her purple floral dress; her curls left open as always.

"It's okay, mama. She can stay here. You won't disturb me, would you?" Asfand spoke, turning towards the little girl. Her mom sighed and left.

He gave her a puzzle to solve, knowing that it would keep her busy. When she was done, Asfand got up and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Good girl. Let's go and have ice cream now."

Asfand at 18 and Aamiya at 10

It was time for Asfand to choose his college. Aamiya's father wanted him to get his further education from England, since Asfand was going to handle the business later on.

When Aamiya was informed, she began weeping. Her mother tried her best to make her understand.

“Aamiya, don’t you worry. He will visit us at least three times a year. And you can talk to him every day on Skype.” She said.

“Three times a year!” Aamiya wailed even more when she heard that. When she saw no other way, she stood up and ran to Asfi’s room.

When she entered his room, she saw him sleeping. She sobbed and sat next to him on his bed. She called his name in between her heavy sobs. Asfand cracked his eyes open, and sat up straight when he saw her bawling her eyes out.

“What happened, Doll?” He spoke, shocked to see her crying. He was used to having her come to him when she had been scolded or something.

“Y-you’re going?” Asfi sighed, understanding the situation. He, himself, wasn’t overly fond of leaving but seeing her cry like this, made him finalize his decision.

“If you don’t want me to go, then i will not. Don't cry, Doll.” He spoke softly, wiping her tears away. He pushed away her curls that framed her face, he loved her hair. It fascinated him.

“Don't go.” Aamiya said, rubbing her eyes.

“Ok. I won't.” He told her, smiling. She smiled widely and at him and ran out of the room, satisfied.

When Asfand informed dad of his decision, he sighed and asked, “Is it because of Aamiya? I know she was crying last night.”

“No..” He sighed, knowing that Dad would see right through his lie. “Dad, I wouldn’t be able to live without you all anyways. And there are many good universities in Islamabad as well.”

When it was clear that Asfand wouldn't budge from his decision, his parents had no other option than to agree as well.

Asfand aged 22 and Aamiya at 14

Asfand had started going to the office with Dad, he was going to take over soon anyways, so they thought why not start from now.

Aamiya was getting older and had, significantly, started tying her hair. Preventing him free access to her to her soft hair. Many things changed between them, along with their feelings. Asfand was clueless as to how he was supposed to handle his feelings.

At present

Asfand aged 27 and Aamiya aged 18

Asfand was sitting in front of the tv, watching a match when Aamiya entered his room. She never knocked his door when entering, she never gave it the time of her day. Asfand sat up straighter, as she came and sat beside him.

“What’s up?” He casually asked her.

“Nothing, I wanted to go out.” She told him, with a pout. He smiled in return and started to get up. Although he was tired and was planning on resting for a while, Aamiya wanted to go out and he couldn't turn her down.

“Why are you getting up?” Aamiya asked, shocked.

“Let’s go out. You wanted to, right?” Asfand spoke, looking down at her.

“But you must be tired..” She spoke, sadly.

“I’m fine. Go get ready.” He spoke, touching her hair. Aamiya smiled excitedly and got up. Asfand was always like that, giving her whatever her heart desired. Seeing tears in her eyes broke his heart. He walked downstairs, only to see Mama seated in the lounge. She shook her head, looking at him.

“You’re taking her out again. You’ve spoiled her rotten. If we refuse to give into her demands, she goes to you, knowing you won’t deny her wishes.” She scolded him lovingly. She had asked Aamiya to either go with her father, or alone with the driver. She didn't listen and childishly said, “I won’t go alone, Mama. And you know about Dad.. No, I will go with Asfi.”

“Mama, you know I can’t say no to her.” Asfand chuckled, wrapping her in his hugs. She loved him as if he were her own son. She patted his cheek with love and spoke with love in her eyes.

“My son!”

They caught Aamiya coming down the stairs and her mother shook her head. Both, Asfand and Aamiya left the house. They went out for dinner and a long drive.

“I am going to Karachi for work. I’ll come back in two days.” He informed Aamiya.

Aamiya was saddened as she heard him, she wasn’t fond of spending even a day without him. She spent a lot of time with him. When he was home, she’d go to study in his room. He didn’t mind her camping in his room.

Asfand stopped the car and turned towards her, “Don’t be sad, I’ll be back before you know it.” Aamiya smiled at his efforts. And they began their journey home.

Asfand left early morning, when Aamiya was in college. Later in the evening, she called Asfi.

“I can’t even study in my room, it’s weird.” She sighed.

“Who asked you to? Go study in my room.” He admonished her, she smiled happily and left for his room.

Asfand was quite busy these days, as he was handling the company. Even though Dad went to the office as well, he wasn't involved as much since the transfer of power was already in progress.

Reaching Karachi, his schedule was tightly packed. He had meetings through and through. He entered the Karachi office branch only to see all the workers gaze at him with admiration and a little fear. He was hard-lined when it came to business.

Evening came by and he was waiting for yet another meeting, when the manager came to him to deliver the news that the opposition party will be late by almost an hour.

Asfand assessed him with cold eyes, “Cancel the meeting, I am not here to wait for losers who can't be on time.” He spoke. Just then, his mobile phone rang.

He looked at his phone and a smile curved his lips. He accepted the call, and started speaking to his doll softly. The manager stood there, shocked, wondering how a person could be so cold one minute and so warm the next. When Asfand finally saw him still standing there, he flicked his wrist, indicating that he was to be left alone.