Fajr ki halki roshni room mein phail rahi thi when Hazel slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she forgot that this was not her old room... this was Khan Mansion. And she was now Mrs. Hazel Haris Aziz Khan.
Her heart fluttered.
She turned slightly-Haris wasn't on the bed.
A second later, the adhaan echoed softly from the nearby mosque, and she realized...
He had gone for Fajr in the masjid.
Hazel smiled faintly, "MashaAllah... he's so disciplined."
But with that smile came a tiny nervousness-"How do I talk to him today? How do I behave?"
Before she could think further, the door clicked open.
Haris walked in-hair slightly wet from wudhu, crisp white kurta, eyes calm yet unreadable. He paused for a moment, surprised that she was awake.
"Assalamualaikum."
His voice was deep, even, distant.
Hazel quickly sat straight.
"Wa-Walikum assalam."
Awkward silence.
They were married.
But still strangers.
Connected by nikah... yet separated by shyness and his walls.
Breakfast - A New Beginning
Downstairs, the family had arranged a small welcome breakfast for the new couple.
Humaira aunty hugged Hazel warmly, fussing over her like a new daughter.
Haris simply pulled out the chair for Hazel-quiet, respectful, but distant.
Hazel whispered softly,
"JazakAllah."
He nodded once, emotionless.
On the table, someone passed Hazel a small bowl of roasted peanuts.
She didn't touch them-she had forgotten she was allergic.
Haris noticed her stare and casually offered the bowl toward her.
"Have some."
Hazel shook her head,
"N-No, I'm fine."
Three weeks passed this way-
slow communication,
quiet mornings,
awkward conversations,
and both secretly trying to understand each other.
Little moments.
Little steps.
Little silences.
But destiny had its plan.
Three Weeks Later - Family Picnic
The whole Khan family decided to go on a picnic. Sunlight, laughter, children playing-Hazel felt lighter, more comfortable.
She was finally becoming part of their family.
Hazel was helping Inaya set up the mat when someone handed her a plate with chaat sprinkled heavily with crushed peanuts.
She didn't notice.
No one noticed.
She took two bites.
Within minutes, her throat tightened.
Her breath shortened.
Eyes watered.
Chest constricted.
Hazel dropped the plate.
"Hazel?" Haris turned sharply.
She swayed, holding her neck.
Everything froze.
Haris reached her in seconds.
"Inaya! Why would you give her that? She's allergic!"
His voice thundered through the garden.
Inaya stuttered,
"B-Bhai I didn't know!"
Haris lifted Hazel in his arms, her head against his chest, breath rapid and painful.
"Stay with me, Hazel... just breathe, okay? Look at me."
His cold voice trembled, revealing fear.
They rushed her inside.
Aftercare - A Shifting Heart
Haris sat beside her as she lay on the bed, still recovering, exhaustion painting her face.
For the first time...
he wasn't cold.
He was terrified.
He brushed a hand across her forehead, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Hazel, tumhe pehle batana chahiye tha."
Hazel whispered weakly,
"I forgot... main nervous thi..."
His jaw clenched-not in anger, but guilt.
"I should've been more careful. I didn't even ask. I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
Something had changed.
He wasn't the distant, guarded man from their wedding night.
He looked at her like she mattered.
Like she scared him.
Like losing her was not an option.
That Night
Hazel slept, exhausted.
Haris sat beside her, arms resting on his knees, eyes softening as he watched her breathe.
He whispered so quietly that only Allah could hear-
"Protect her... even from my mistakes."
He stayed awake the whole night.
And for the first time...
Hazel wasn't the only one falling.
Haris... had taken his first step too.
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