*Flashbacks are in bold.

The midnight air had never felt this soothing to her. Her bangles clad arms were resting against the car door brushing the soft material of the seat. The silence around was making her heart feel at peace.

She was so happy.

So in love.

"I can't believe we are doing this!"

Waniya turned to his suit clad form. His hair were no longer perfectly styled, instead they were all messed up indicating how many times he had ran his fingers through it.

"What are we doing, exactly?"

"Going in search of an open eat out place when this is our wedding night."

"Not my fault no one asked me to eat anything all day."

"We had food in the kitchen."

"Okay, I wanted to eat out. Is it a crime?"

Ahmer sighed then chuckled softly. This crazy woman was finally in his life, in his house and the starting itself had told him how fun this would be.

An year back they had gotten into this relation. And over the year it had told him how right this was. Waniya and him were in for a long run and they were proving it every day. Life kept on going. He kept on acing every business deal in his way while she excelled her field of economics. Now she had first hand experience of working in a top notched firm. They were always in touch. His whole friend circle knew how happily married he was. And finally it was time to go home. Just a week after his arrival and the Rukhsati had taken place. Just today. They had started a new life where there would be no distances or anything. Just them. Their happy ever after.

"Omg! It's opened!"

Waniya had shouted looking out of the window. He came out of his thoughts and smiled. Stopping the car to get the take out, he saw the anticipation in her eyes. His wife loved food. He'd been knew.

On the way back it was decided that it was not quite time to go back home. Instead he had pulled the car at their favourite spot. Seeing Waniya walking towards the berth in her heavy attire while munching on the burger she had just gotten, was both endearing and amusing.

"I told Hareem that I won't be eating anything today because you know, jitters. She took me way too seriously. And when we got to your house, I knew I wasn't setting down on anything homemade or like that. I was eating out. You were taking me there. That's it."

"Waniya."

"Hun?"

"Our house."

A faint smile reached her lips.

"Yeah, ours."

He placed his arm behind her on the berth while she kept on talking about everything. Anything. Whatever she was talking about he was listening to it. He'd listen to her gibberish all his life. And he was glad that he would.

"Listen."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

The piece of fry dropped to the packet she was holding and laughter bubble through her mouth.

"What's so funny?"

"I've never thought our another confession would happen this way. After our marriage and when I'm gobbling down food like a woman possessed."

He couldn't help laughing along. This was comical. This sound was so refreshing in the plain silence of the night.

"You know what?"

She had placed her head on his arm.

"I love you too. Always have, always will."

He sighed snuggling her closer to him. They weren't going back soon. This was simple. This was easy.

This was theirs.

_________________________

"I'm sorry, Waniya. Please..."

He had held her from her arms as softly as he could. She tried hard but at last a sob escaped her lips.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

His hands were trying to wipe the tears flowing down her cheeks. She had yearned for this solace when she had come to know about her pregnancy and had faced so much all alone. He was nowhere to tell her all this would be fine. Her one mistake and he punished her not even realizing what he was doing. She took a step back so that his hands where suspended where they were.

"Why now? Go and keep on with your indifference. Go!"

She wiped her tears harshly.

"Was it easy? Abandoning me? You once said if I ever go away it'll break your heart. So did your heart break when you yourself pushed me away?"

He tried holding her hand but she pulled it out of his reach.

"I know I made a mistake but my intention wasn't bad. I didn't want things to get some more messed up. But you punished me for this. I lost everything, Ahmer. The people I used to call my family, you. And that time when I was trying my best to reach you, to tell you I was expecting, you weren't there. It almost felt like I wasn't a wife. Just a woman who was trying to...."

But before she could complete her sentence, he had walked closer. His eyes were glaring at her.

"Don't! Don't you dare, Waniya. Say what you want to say. Accuse me! Hit me! Push me! I deserve it all but don't ever say that again! Don't ever demean the purity of our relation. Our love."

"Love? The love you made a mockery of?"

He closed his eyes in regret and then cupped her face.

"Waniya, I know I was late. I was not there when you needed me. But please don't punish yourself for all this. I'm here right in front of you. Every punishment should be for me."

"How about ignoring you like you never existed? Shut you out completely?"

He couldn't say anything after that. She was treating him just the way he had and it was ripping him apart. God knows how she faced all that few days back When he was being a stubborn ass.

"I'm tired. So can you please.."

She pointed towards his hands and on not finding him moving, pushed him away slightly. Picking up her clothes once again, she walked towards the attached dressing room and closed the door behind.

But why he was feeling as if for him, she had closed the door of heart as well?

_______________________

"Will you stop sulking?"

Ahmer had asked loosening his tie. Waniya just ignored him and sat down on the bed playing with the corner of the saree she was wearing. Six months into this marriage and one thing was for sure, she didn't like his social circle.

It wasn't easy. Setting down into this routine. But with him around she had made her own place in this house. As expected Yumna had kept her guard up. Waniya had tried breaking through it and she was slowly getting there. Ahsan had accepted her into the family with open arms. The starting was a bit bumpy but now it was peace all along.

Her and Ahmer's relation had a hit a point where they had lived through every phase. And they had lived it. To the fullest. They did falter at few points which were always related to how out of the place Waniya felt around his friends from the States.

"I'm not attending anymore friends gathering of yours."

"Waniya,.."

"No, I do not feel like I fit in between them."

"You were doing just fine. Is it because of Seemab?"

Waniya looked away. The image of that beautiful confident woman who was Ahmer's business associate as well his good friend, was roaming in front of her eyes. She wasn't jealous but still the easy Ahmer and Seemab shared made her a bit restless. She was a human after all and wasn't immune to emotions as basic as these.

"Look at me."

"No, it's not about her."

"Seriously, are we lying to each other now?"

Waniya finally looked up scowling at him.

"I was not even half way through my degree when I met you. What was I? A guy in his early twenties? You were the first woman who came into my life, Waniya and you'll be the last. We made sure of it. Seemab is a very close friend of mine. Our thinking, vision, mindset really match that's why we are business partners as well. You don't have to feel this way. She was the first one to know about me and you and to tell you, she thinks very highly of you. According to her, handling me isn't easy and you are doing it so well. "

A smile broke on Waniya's lips.

"I know I sound like a typical wife.."

"No, it's okay. If I were you I'd do the same. More than just making faces. Trust me on this."

He had chuckled and bending down kissed her full on the lips. Waniya just closed her eyes. She could never get enough of this. Them. No matter what but she knew they'd always get back on the same page. These tiny issues were the beauty of their relation.

"I still don't like these parties."

"I know. But I'm still going to take you with me. You get jealous.."

"I do not get jealous!"

"And then I try to pacify you which lead to some...ahem activities. Those I'm always looking forward to."

"I hate you, Ahmer."

"I love you too."

____________________

He came inside of his room after spending some time alone outside. He didn't want Waniya to feel suffocated so to give her some space, he had left from there. She was lying on the bed and was fast asleep. Taking a deep breath he took his place next to her so that her back was facing his front. Pulling her more into him he placed his hand on her side and kissed her cheek from behind. The feeling of a new life inside of her was new to him. After all he had come to know about her pregnancy just a week back and he didn't want to even think how. Her sweaty pale face in that hospital corridor swirled before his eyes making him gulp the ball of pain formed in his throat. The past was surely painful but it was time to think about the future.

He snuggled more into her and whispered slowly.

"I know, Waniya I have done wrong, said awful things to you, made you cry so much, gave you so much pain but it's my promise it won't happen ever again. I learnt my lesson the hard way. I was trying to save you from my wrath not knowing it was paining you some more. But it all ended. Now I know what I have to do. I'll get us back. And this is my promise."

He thought with a determination shining in his eyes.

_________________________

Waniya's eyes flutter opened feeling the sun rays hitting her face. She yawned and tried getting up when she felt an arm snaked around her waist warmly. She looked at her side and found him asleep hugging her close. Her eyes roamed over his face. So peaceful and calm. But she looked away chiding herself. Pushing his arm away she tried getting away which ended up waking him up. Not looking at him she finally freed herself while he got up.

"I'm sorry."

He said looking here and there. She didn't know what to say. She had spent whole night in his arms? Amazing, Waniya.

"I..."

She tried saying something when the feeling of nausea hit her hard and she rushed towards the bathroom covering her face with her palm.

"Waniya? What happened? Are you sick?"

He stood outside panicked. She was all okay just few minutes back. What had happened so suddenly? He was going to bang the door down when she opened it and came out wiping her face with the towel. Her face was pale and he could see her eyes were red due to the force of throwing her guts out.

"Morning sickness. It's common during pregnancy. "

She tried walking past him but he immediately picked her up in his arms.

"Put me down! I can walk on my own!"

He rolled his eyes at her stubbornness and placed her on the bed again.

"Stay here! No need to come out of the bed till you feels okay."

She didn't argue as she had no strength left to say anything to him. He kept on looking at her face then left her side.

"I'll send you breakfast here and then after you are feeling better we'll leave to see Dr. Riffat. I can't put your health at stake."

He walked towards the closet when her voice reached his ears.

"Strange isn't it? Just few days back you put our love, me and everything we shared at stake. Such a huge change in such a short span. Isn't it?

She was mocking him but the pain in her voice wasn't hidden from him. Not having anything to say to her he had left the room while tears rolled down her cheeks

She kept on sitting down not thinking anything straight. But how for how long could she do that? Slowly getting up, she stopped in front of the mirror. For a split second her eyes fell over her reflection but she didn't want to see the picture of misery and heartbreak she was making. Instead she focused back on the things placed randomly on the dresser. Her eyes were eyeing the things with nothing on her mind. A blank slate.

That's when the shiny eye rings caught her eyes.

Her anniversary gift given from him.

She heaved a sigh. Everything in this room, in this life was a reminder of how happy a life they were spending together.

And how brutally in was all snatched away.

__________________________

"I'll be back in a week. Baba has finally decided on a house. I have to go see it. And then it's been so long since I've spent some time with Hareem."

She said as she stuffed her bag with her clothes. It had been a week since their first wedding anniversary. It was such a beautiful event. From the party to their celebrations alone, everything had been nothing short of a dream come true. Her father had called her just yesterday telling her that he was finally ready to settle down in the city and had seen a suitable house close to Ihtasham uncle's colony. Waniya couldn't be happier than this. Her father would be in the same city as hers meaning she'd get more chances to spend time with him. Right now her mood was to leave for her uncle's house which was also nothing less than a home for her. Hareem had asked her way too many times to come and meet her. She had all the more reasons to go.

"You really have to go?"

His voice had a touch of sadness to it. Waniya just smiled turning around wounding her arms around him. Would they ever get over the idea of having each other close? She bet not.

"Ahmer, Just few days. Come on."

"Just few days?"

"Absolutely."

"Not one hour above that?"

"I promise."

"You'll accompany me to the USA deal I was talking about once you get back?"

"I will."

"We are good then."

She hugged him excitedly and then zipped up her bag. He glanced at it and then at her. He still didn't want her to go.

"Let's go."

Picking up his car keys he made his way downstairs with an excited Waniya following behind.

Neither of them did know these few days were going stretch. Filled with pain and heartache.

_____________________

There come few points in life when nothing can set your mood right. The blanket of melancholy stays above your head drenching your whole being in the feeling of nothingness.

Same was true for Alishba Hayam.

Or better Alishba Ahsan.

She chuckled bitterly standing in the window of her room.

Life never goes according to our plans no matter whatever we do. That's life and that's how it works.

It had been just two days since Waniya had gone to stay at her uncle's place when it had hit them all. Because the very next day Alishba was at her father's house. Broken. Torn. Shattered. Ahmer had opened the door and seeing her had shaken the earth beneath his feet.

Alishba had hugged him tight and cried to her heart's content. Her parents and Ahmer were continuously trying to make her calm and asking her what had happened when she had narrated it all making them shocked and furious both at the same time.

It was a fairy tale came true for Alishba after getting married to Hayam. For an year they both couldn't think of anything else as they were so lost in each other. Hayam was a caring husband and never ceased to amaze her with his love and affection.

They both were contented with their life but now after spending almost an year and half together she wanted to take next step in this relation. Having a baby. Hayam also wanted the same. They both were trying but results were always negative. For six months it went like this. Hayam always encouraged her that may be it was not written for them now. But she had inkling there was something wrong. She had gone to her gynecologist and after going through several tests the result came which shook her to the core. Her worst fear was coming true.

Due to many complications in her body she could not be a mother. The Doctor who happened to be a good friend of hers tried encouraging her that this was not the end and she could start with her treatment. The chances of her getting 100% results were less but there was no harm in trying.

Alishba had come home all lost and waited for Hayam to return and when he came back her patience broke. She had told him in hiccups what was wrong. He was shocked as expected. He had never thought things will be this complicated. He had given her the needed support and showed her the brighter side. It was the best choice to go for the treatment.

They both mutually decided to hide it from the families. Rehana auntie would definitely make a huge issue out of it and the already complicated situation would get worse. Alishba started with her treatment silently with Hayam by her side. The doctor hadn't told them any specific period of time when the treatment would start showing its effects. She just asked them go with it and be hopeful.

Things were going on smoothly. Alishba always met her family with a smile but in her heart she was dying inside. She was successful in hiding all this from her in laws. And she would remain so unless her treatment starts showing its effect.

But with all this she had started feeling Hayam had started keeping a distance from her. She tried brushing this thought off but with every passing day, she felt he was acting aloof. They had started fighting on small issues. Hayam seemed to always disagree with her. She was very much sad at the turn of events but couldn't do anything to stop all this. Her marriage was going towards end. Her treatment had no positive response so far and if there was any improvement she wouldn't know as her husband wasn't even talking to her properly spending some time or being intimate was not even an option here.

And the last nail in the coffin came as Hayam's extra marital affair. Alishba felt as if the purpose of her living was lost. He didn't try to explain anything to her. Instead he held her responsible for everything. He called her a burden and what not. His family had gathered to see what was happening and were shocked to know the reason for their argument. Alishba didn't feel like staying at his house anymore. Waniya and Hareem were the only people who tried stopping her. But she had made her mind. She had already done so much by hiding everything from her family. Not anymore. She was tired of this baggage on her shoulders. So without any further ado she went straight to her father's house.

Ahmer was seething with anger. He was like that volcano which could erupt anytime. He was angry with Alishba as well. Why she had to suffer all this alone? She should've told them this earlier. They were a family. She shouldn't have done this alone. She tried taking things in her hand and the result was in front of them.

"I won't leave Hayam. This isn't done!"

Ahmer got up furiously when Ahsan stopped him by holding his arm.

"Ahmer, calm down. Don't do anything in haste."

"No way, dad! No freaking way."

He pulled his arm and taking long strides, left from there.

_______________

Alishba opened her eyes with a tear stooped at the corner of her eyes.

Past and its habit of never leaving you alone.

Getting out of the memories of a painful everything, she had taken a step towards her bed when the voices coming from downstairs had alerted her.

Shaking her head she had almost ran towards the railing.

____________________

Waniya was still under the effect of what happened few minutes back. Alishba and Hayam's relation was this much strained, she had no clue. Hareem was looking as shocked as her. They both didn't know what would happen next.

"Waniya! Hareem!"

Rehana entered the room and came to them.

"We have no clue what Alishba's family will do now. I'm worried for Hayam."

She had held her forehead worried.

"We have sent him to one of our trusted people there in the town if Alishba's family does something. As far as I know them they will go to court directly. But Ahmer is short tempered. He shouldn't know about Hayam's whereabouts!"

She held Waniya's hand and pleaded.

"Waniya, I know you are torn between both of your families but you'll have to hide it from him. Please! For us. For your brother. Hayam did wrong I know but he was yearning for a stable relationship with someone. He is perfectly all right and If Alishba isn't, what is his fault in all this?"

"He should have left Bhabhi by telling her he can't do this, auntie. Why he kept her in dark? This is so wrong. He ruined her life."

Rehana looked here and there not meeting Waniya's eyes.

"I know but please. Don't tell Ahmer anything. For my sake! I have always loved you like my own daughter. Did we ever let you feel your mother is not in this world? Please, Waniya think about your kin this time."

She had left the room when Waniya had slumped down on the sofa. She was in a dilemma. One side was her family who had always loved her while on the other hand was her other family. Her husband. Her house. She knew Ahmer. He couldn't think straight in anger and she also knew he would be furious after knowing what had happened. Hayam was wrong in whatever he did but if she let Ahmer know about his whereabouts then he wouldn't leave Hayam. She didn't want things to get some more complicated. Ahmer would create some more mess and this would not be good for anyone. He'd have to cool down. Telling him Hayam's location was like giving him a permit to use his temper issues.

Her phone rang bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Ahmer, Calling"

She picked it up with a thudding heart when his angry voice hit her ears.

"Where is Hayam? I know he wouldn't be at your place knowing the coward he is!"

She gulped. What to do now?

"What would you do with him Ahmer? Look .."

"I'll kill him! Did you hear me! I'll not let him escape all this easily."

"Ahmer!"

She feared this only.

"Where is he Waniya! I don't want to hear anything else!"

"I don't...I don't know!"

She muttered.

"Really?"

He asked. His voice was sharp.

She closed her eyes and replied slowly.

"Yes, He's gone somewhere. I don't know where."

She knew how unconvincing her attempt at hiding it from him was. He also knew. That's why without saying anything he'd hung up making her drop on her bed. She had tried saving both her family and Ahmer but she had no clue this one lie would cost her the most.

________________________

As expected, Alishba was filing for a divorce in the court. Both the families had a huge showdown just two days back. Ahmer and Ahsan knew Hayam's family had hidden him somewhere and when they confronted them Waniya was shocked to see her family defending Hayam's deed. Rehana wasn't leaving any stone unturned to tell it was all Alishba's fault and seeing the attitude of her uncle and aunt, a fear crept inside her heart. She had never seen this avatar of them. Her father was gone to the town to have the last check of all the deals before moving out. Waniya's heart went out for Alishba whose condition was being dragged so much by her in laws. The condition Alishba had no control over. Did Hayam marry her just for the sake of children? They all were being unreasonable. Waniya saw the dejected and pained faces of Yumna and Ahsan. Ahmer was standing there with tight jaws. His posture was telling how much control he was showing as of now.

It was evident. This was it. This was the last of both the families. Ahmer turned to her. He was going to ask her to come with him. But his words hadn't gotten a chance to come out of his mouth. Yumna had held his hand. Her stiff posture and the cruelty in her eyes made Waniya 's hear skip a beat.

"Let's go."

She had mumbled making Ahmer frown.

"But, mom Wan..."

"Let's. Go. Ahmer."

Each word was said with so much hatred. Then her hand started dragging her son along. He tried reasoning with her but she wasn't the one to listen. His eyes glance back at Waniya who was standing there as if turned into a statue.

He was going away. Like a stranger.

_____________________

"Mom, listen to me!"

Alishba pleaded for the umpteenth time. Her mother hadn't come out of her room since the moment Waniya had gotten back. Alishba tried to make her see sense. Mrs Inam did her best to put some sanity in her daughter in law but nothing seemed to work. Yumna was angry with everyone, especially Ahmer. He had taken the decision of bringing Waniya back against her choice. She knew it was selfish and very wrong on her part to think of leaving Waniya alone in this state but the mother was overpowering the woman in her. Her daughter had faced so much in that house. Those people shattered her completely with their betrayal and accusation and here her children were making a bond with the same people. She didn't like it all.

"Alishba, Ahmer wanted to bring her back. I let him. But don't expect from me to now accept her back as well. You know I can't do this."

"Mom, Please don't be so hard on him! On Waniya. Try to understand the gravity of the situation here. He needs your support."

Yumna looked away when her eyes fell on Ahmer who was standing there close to the pillar. She was disappointed. Her son had done everything against her will.

"I don't know what went wrong! Why we are facing all this. I didn't want to have anything to do with those people and here I'll have to see one of them every day in my house.. They accused my daughter for the flaws she had no control over but I have to let their daughter get her household back!"

"Mom, enough of all this! How can y..."

His words stopped seeing Waniya standing by the stair case. Her face was telling him she had heard everything. Ahmer felt someone had slapped him hard across his face. She was facing this humiliation just because of him. Where she was being treated as an outsider in her own house. But not anymore. He didn't take a stand in front of his mother once. But now he would. Walking towards her he held her hand in his shocking her. She looked up through her damp lashes when he stood in front of his mother. His eyes were blazing fire and Waniya knew she would have to see a huge showdown.