“What if she decides to live with her family?” Yawar was fuming when Natasha told him about her conversation with Shahina. 

“It is her life.” Natasha shrugged nonchalantly, only to fuel his anger. 

“Api!” Yawar frowned.

“Stop meddling in her affairs. Live your own life and leave that poor girl alone.” Yawar didn’t answer, he just stared at Natasha as she brewed tea for both of them. It had become his routine to visit Natasha twice or thrice a week since she officially became his guardian, and today was one of those days. They had dinner together, and now Yawar requested a cup of tea.

“Remove this frown from your face.” She said, handing over his teacup.

“Why did you say that, Api? How can you say to leave her alone?” 

“Yawar, I am seriously asking you to quit obsessing over her. It’s better for both of you.”

“How, Nats Api? How can I stop obsessing over her? When I am unable to recall my life without her. My days and nights before her. The days I spent apart from this place, her thoughts were never far from me, and thinking that might leave us, it’s making me irritated. My mind refuses to think about it.” He shook his head and continued, “I can’t let her go. There is no way I would let anyone take her away from me. She was mine, Api and she will be mine." 

Natasha didn’t even blink. She just studied his face silently. 

"...Why are you looking at me like that? I haven't gone crazy yet." He laughed sarcastically and took a sip from the tea.

"Do you realize what you just said?"

"I speak my mind, Api.”

Natasha exhaled a deep breath and said, “You are no different from Moosa and Ahad.”

"That's a good thing, right? Loving a single girl with all the heart and marrying her." 

"Yeah, no matter how much the girl suffers from it."

"I would never do anything to make her suffer. I promise." He said firmly, making eye contact with her.

"Don't you think you are promising the wrong person?" 

Yawar’s seriousness made Natasha worried. Shahina isn't going to accept him or any other man in her life.

"No, I am doing the right thing." A meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"What?"

"What, what? It's a win-win situation for you. Your dearest will become your daughter-in-law. So, you will be my advocate. Right, Mom?" His smile widened.

"Don't get so full of yourself. Do you believe that Shahina will agree to marry you, and if you dare to force her, I will be the first one to stand against you.” 

“Write down my words, Api, she willingly marries me.”

“Yawar. Is that a threat?” 

“Not at all, Mom.” Yawar winked and waved his hand before leaving the flat.

Natasha didn’t stop him, she just stood holding her head.

This isn't good.