After breakfast, everyone gathered in the hall when Ejza suddenly played a video from their parents' 50th wedding anniversary - their slow dance, old classic music, and Haris's love confession to Hazel that was played that day.
The whole family started hooting as the video played like a movie scene. Hazel's cheeks turned pink instantly. She tried to look away, but Haris kept watching her with a soft smile, while Ejza and Kabir teased them nonstop.
Suddenly Zara and Kabir arrived.
Zara - Ejza's college classmate and his long-time secret crush.
Kabir - Inaya's childhood friend and her first love.
Both love stories were now arranged marriages and preparations were in full swing.
The teasing continued until Hazel was fully red, throat dry, fingers trembling. Haris noticed immediately. He squeezed her hand.
"Eyes... sit," he whispered. She didn't look at the screen, but he didn't take his eyes off her even for a second.
Again the video showed Haris saying in the anniversary party:
"Hazel, please pick it up na..."
Hazel in the video blushed and said,
"Harii... pick up your call..."
Everyone screamed.
The flashback broke with laughter as parents enjoyed watching their children's reactions.
Hilal Khan softly said to Humaira,
"You look beautiful, mashallah. May Allah let us see all our children happy like this."
Immediately Ejza and Inaya popped up-
"Daddy, aap ammi ko kya keh rahe ho??"
"Teasing again! Always ends with us being roasted!"
The younger ones laughed loudly and turned the teasing back to Hazel.
"Why are you blushing sooo much bhabi?"
Hazel looked red and nervous. Haris stood up instantly.
"Enough. Don't tease my wife."
He held Hazel's wrist gently and took her upstairs.
Hilal chuckled to Humaira, "He is just like me when I was young."
Inside the room, both burst into laughter.
Haris cupped her hands softly.
"If anyone teases you... siblings, college, anyone misbehaves... any difficulty... Hazel, I am here. Don't ever feel fear, shame, or nervousness."
Hazel's eyes filled with tiny tears. She hugged him tightly.
Just then his phone buzzed.
"Harii... plzz pick up na..." Hazel said adorably.
He answered.
His secretary:
"Assalam walikum sir. Sorry to disturb, it's urgent. There's a compulsory meeting tomorrow.
You need to fly to Germany for one week."
He turned the phone off, looked at Hazel.
"Hazel... I have to go tomorrow morning. It's urgent."
Her smile stayed, but her heart cracked a little.
She still nodded bravely.
"Just come back before the wedding functions... don't extend the stay.
I want you here for Kaya and Zejzar. And... I will miss you, Harii."
He brushed her cheek.
"My Hazel jaan..."
She whispered shyly, "Harii is your nickname... Harzel is our couple name... then Kaya... and Zejzar..."
Her eyelashes lowered; cheeks fully pink.
Haris's heartbeat thudded. He hugged her tight.
"Thank you, my Hazel jaan... for making me special."
She smiled.
"Let's go... before leaving tomorrow I want to spend good time with you."
They said Allah Hafiz to the family. The younger cousins teased endlessly.
In the car, Hazel admired the London view and him -
"Mrs Haris is blushing," he teased.
At a traffic stop, she said softly,
"Give phone... I'll call my ammi."
"Your mother?"
"Yess, silly... ammi Rafia!"
He laughed. She grinned,
"I'll put DND mode also, pookie... my cold architect husband."
At the apartment, they prayed Asr together.
Haris said, "Let's order dinner."
Hazel: "Nooo... let's go grocery shopping. I want to cook for you. Let's make biryani tonight. Please Harii... I want memories before you fly."
He melted immediately.
"Okay jaan... let's go before Maghrib."
At the store they bought rice, chicken, masalas.
Hazel saw chocolates and toys but checked the price and kept them back silently.
Haris noticed everything.
At billing, he went back saying, "Forgot my card. Wait inside, it's safer."
Hazel scrolled reels, wondering why he was late.
After 20 minutes he returned with multiple shopping bags.
Her eyes widened.
"Hari..." she whispered, voice trembling.
He kissed her hand.
"Never leave something you love because of price. My Hazel deserves everything."
Back home, just 10 minutes before Maghrib, they prayed together.
Hazel cleaned the kitchen, washed hands, arranged groceries.
They cooked biryani together - cutting onions, chilies, marinating chicken.
Haris melted watching her.
He kissed her forehead.
"My beautiful chef wife."
He made raita proudly.
They ate from the same plate; he fed her first, brushing her lips by accident.
Her cheeks pinkened; his ears turned pink too.
After dinner, they prayed Isha and went to the room.
Hazel opened the shopping bags like a child - chocolates, Ferrero, Quality Street, Jewels, teddy bear, colors, calligraphy tools.
She tried opening a chocolate but Haris took it, fed her gently, then took a bite himself.
"Haaazelll jaan... so much sweetness... I love you sooo much."
He hugged her tight, lifted her slightly as she giggled.
They lay down talking about childhood, memories, office, travel, home, kids...
They fell asleep cuddled.
At 4:30 AM Haris woke early. Hazel was sleeping on his chest; he held her tighter.
"Jaaaan... wake up. Let's make more memories."
She mumbled half-asleep,
"Harii... I want to sleep..."
I want created more memories with you before I fly.
"For me, please?"
"Ufff... okay, but cuddle more promise."
He carried her to the kitchen.
"You have teddy bear... and you have me - your personal assistant, madam."
She admired him while he made hot chocolate.
"You look so handsome, Harii..."
He nearly choked.
When it was ready, he poured it into one cup.
"You hold the cup. I'll hold you."
He lifted her again.
She hid her face in his neck and kissed lightly.
They drank from the same mug on the bed, quiet, warm, close.
"I don't want to go..." he whispered.
"I'll wait for you. Don't stress. Call, video call, message. I'm here."
Fajr echoed outside. They prayed together.
Hazel recited Surah Rahman softly while he packed.
Then she made parathas and omelette, his coffee, her tea.
At the airport, she didn't cry but her heart squeezed.
He kissed her forehead long and soft.
They both recited Ayatul Kursi for each other's safety.
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