Whispers after midnight

Authors pov:

The air in Nathia Gali was cold and sharp,carrying the scent of damp mud and pine trees. Mist clung to the mountains like soft blanket making the surroundings even more magical and beautiful than it already was.

Khushbakht was sitting cross legged on the grass. After their hectic schedules,Haroon had planned a getaway for his little family,away from all the crowd. How much he missed having his wife and daughter all by himself.

Khushbakht was busy weaving tiny white daisies into a bandana,beside her,her sister was laughing softly trying to keep up with little Pari who was jumping in her mum and khalas lap time to time.

Pari ran to her mother whenever her cute chubby hands plucked a daisy. "Mumma aik aur phool.",pari squealed making Khushbakht smile.

"Idhar lao meri jaan,mumma is almost done.",Khushbakht said while tying a knot on the bandana.

"Api mere se to nahi ho raha mai thak gayi hoon.",her sister said and laid down on the grass tired already. "Yeh Haroon Bhai kahan hain nazar nahi arahe?",she asked her sister.

"Haroon ko ek important call aya hai,I think abhi tak phone pe hain.",Khushbakht replied missing her husbands presence already.

Haroon and Khushbakht barely found their us time alone. Parenting was hard,not that they ever complained but they missed each other a lot.

The reason why they tagged Khushbakhts sister along was for her to babysit pari but the plan backfired when Pari refused to sleep without her parents by her side.

"Mumma thandi hai.",Pari shivered making Khushbakht alert. "Oho meri jaan hawa ek dum tez ho gayi aoa andar chalein shaam bhi hone wali hai.",Khushbakht said and was about to lift Pari when her sister took Pari in her arms.

"Api ap rehne dain aaj mai or Pari movie night karain gai, mai ne Pari ki favourite barbie movie download ki hai and we'll order pizza phir hum so jayein gai,ap jayein.",her sister said making Khushbakht raise an eyebrow.

"Lekin Pari-

"Uff Mumma,Khala ke pass Pari.",Pari intervened making Khushbakht chuckle.

"Acha meri jaan,aoa night suit to pehna doon apko.",Khushbakht said making the girls chuckle.

—————

The rain drummed softly against the cottage roof, the sound wrapping around the room like a lullaby. Outside, the mountains had disappeared into grey mist, but inside the air was warm and heavy with quiet.

Pari was asleep in the other cottage with Khushi's sister, finally giving them the first night truly alone.

Khushbakht stepped out of the bathroom in a soft night gown, her hair still damp, falling loose over her shoulders. The chill of Nathia Gali had seeped into the walls, but she barely felt it.

In the small living area Haroon stood by the window, one hand in the pocket of his grey sweatpants, the other holding his phone to his ear. His black shirt clung to him and in the lamplight the outline of his biceps flexed every time he shifted.

He was talking low, distracted, when warm arms suddenly circled his waist from behind.

Khushbakht pressed herself against his back, resting her cheek between his shoulder blades.

Haroon went still for half a second before a low chuckle escaped him. He ended the call without a word and let the phone drop to the side table.

"Bohat time nahi lag gaya apko aane mai begum," he murmured, turning in her arms until she was facing him. His hands came up to frame her face, thumbs brushing her damp hair back. "Mujhe laga meri khushi mujhe hamare mini honeymoon pe ignore kar ke dukhi kar rahi hain."