Another month had passed with its wings. Alishba was stronger than ever dealing with courage whatever life had thrown her way. She was truly an inspiration for Waniya. The fact that she held no grudges against her was also soothing. They both were trying their best to help each other through this phase of their lives. Hayam was still in hiding. The court needed his presence for next hearing which was the final one. Ihtasham Amjad's family was under radar. First Hayam and then what Rehana did at the hospital had made their reputation turn into more of a defamation. They wanted to get away from the spotlight sooner than they could that's why they themselves were trying for Hayam to go into the court. After that Alishba would be free from the clutches of that toxic relationship. She was taking things in her hands and having meetings with her lawyer was one of them. She wanted the divorce proceedings to go as smoothly as they could, true example of a fighter.

Waniya and Yumna's relationship had also gotten better. The progress was slow as Waniya was always catious around Yumna. Yumna wasn't a mother figure in Waniya's life but she wasn't the mother in law with a cutting tongue anymore. She had kept her distance from Waniya which was far better than bearing her attitude. Waniya never minded though. She wasn't here to please Ahmar's whole clan. Yumna was the one who had tried punishing her for something Waniya had never committed. So it was only fitting to keep her distance. She wasn't going to just hug and forget that one month of her life.

As far as Ahmer was concerned, Waniya could say the guy was trying his best to make things work between them. These days his sole focus was her and their baby. He had always been very attentive towards her, when they were seeing each other and during that one year of blissful married life before the storm. He had let her down but after her coming back to his life, his concern had increased ten times. She was in a dilemma. His actions were compelling her to lose herself in his embrace, while her mind was telling her not to let her guard down. She was torn by the betrayal of all her loved ones, her family and her husband. The scars ran deep. He was trying his best to sooth her aching her heart and he was successful to some extent. But still it was not enough. Or maybe she was acting stubborn. She didn't know.

----------

Waniya stirred in her sleep feeling a pleasant smell hitting her nostrils even before opening her eyes. Roses? She inhaled deeply and opened her eyes slowly. Her hands came in contact with soft petals to her side. Frowning, she sat up straight when a gasped escaped her lips.

It was roses, lots of them. Soft red petals were covering a part of their bed and the rest of the room was filled with bouquets of every size and variety. Pushing the duvet off her, she stared around with a bewildered look on her face.

She was still dazed by this sweet gesture when he appeared in the door with his arms crossed on his chest. A bright smile reached his face realizing she had actually liked his surprise.

In long strides he had reached her with his hands cupping her face. She turned to him when his lips descended on her forehead in a gentle peck.

"Happy Birthday."

She held his hands and looked up at his face. In all this, she had totally forgotten it was her birthday today. But he remembered. He always did.

"I.. forgot."

She mumbled sheepishly making him chuckle.

"That's okay. As long as I'm here to remind you and I'm always here."

The honesty in his words was doing something with her heart strings. As if it gave her an assurance she was looking for.

"Today is your day. We're going out, just you, me and baby. We'll do whatever you want to do."

She had frowned thinking about it.

"Can we just stay here? I don't want to go out."

He knew her answer would be something like that. Her spirits had dampened. She was always in a sullen mood. He had noticed she'd get tired easily. Thinking about her health he dismissed the idea of going out immediately.

"That's okay. But we'll do everything according to your wishes. So what you want do right now?"

She looked at him with a duh expressions and got up supporting her now visible baby bump.

"Pee."

He wanted to laugh out loud at her irritated face but instead just chuckled. Muttering how much an idiot he was, she marched out of there towards the bathroom.

---------------

As he had said, they did everything according to her wish the entire day. He made her favourite breakfast all by himself earning approved glances from his sister and grandmother and a not so encouraging head nod from his mother. He was the kind of person who would go to any extremes to do something special for his lady love and that's what he was doing.

His heart swelled with happiness seeing her beaming face on knowing he made the breakfast for her. After that, he had suggested watching movies. He knew she had been a movie buff. She used to watch all the sappy romantic stuff and many times she had made him watch along with her much to his dismay. But that was in the past. He couldn't wait to sit close to her, see her rambling about how the hero was being an asshole or how stupid was the heroine or more precisely how they shouldn't put the songs in between. It just diverted her attention from the plot when all she wanted to do it dance on the tune. He chuckled to himself remembering the old times. Their movie dates in their own room. He wanted all that back. He wanted things to go normal between them. She was not as hostile towards him as she was before. She wasn't shutting him out completely but she also hadn't come around entirely. He knew he needed to work more on their shattered relation. And he was trying his best.

"You picked the movie yet?"

She asked making herself comfortable on the bed. He shook his head still rummaging through the DVDs.

"I want you to decide."

"Ahan."

She sat up and gestured him to show her what they'd got. He picked up the box and went to her. She had rummaged through it scrunching her face. Was she really making faces seeing the collection she once used to love?

"Waniya, that one was your favourite."

He had said seeing her putting aside the case of one of her favourite classics.

"You want me to watch the movie with you right? Then wait patiently."

He immediately raised his hand in surrender and kept quiet.

"The notebook?"

"Way too romantic."

"Titanic?"

"I don't want to cry."

"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?"

"Again, I'm not in a mood of having a crying session!"

"Alright, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam?"

If looks could kill he would be dead by now. Shaking his head at his own stupidity he pulled away from the box.

"Why we don't have one decent watch in here?"

Waniya asked disappointed making Ahmar raised an eye brow. This was her movie box. The one she had collected over the years with her favourite movies.

"I think let's just drop this idea."

She got up holding the box and placing it in its previous place. Ahmer sighed. The old he would have lost his calm by now but this was the new Ahmer Ahsan who was trying his best to have some quality time with his wife. His eyes roamed inside their room and landed on the shelf with music records on it, his and her favourite genres and artists. He smiled because he knew what to do.

Waniya had just turned around to go back to the bed when the all too familiar tone fell into her ears. She looked at Ahmar who was smiling slightly. Coming to her, he stared deep into her eyes. That song had always had a soothing effect on them. Waniya didn't protest or asked question, just placed her hand in his. He pulled her towards him slowly moving with the song.

I want to live life
Never be cruel
I want to live life
Be good to you

His hands were on her waist while their noses were just few centimeters apart. Staring right into each other's souls they were seeking answers to the questions which were answered before many times.

We never change do we, no, no
we never learn do we

Waniya sighed resting her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were wide opened where the stories of the past were shining. A beautiful bygone was echoing close by.

There was so much to reminisce. So much to forget. So much to live again. So much to bury under the surface.

And she was yet to decide from where to start.

Ahmer inhaled her familiar scent and hid his face in her hair.

"I wish we had never changed."

He had mumbled.

"I wish the same."

She had whispered.

The song had finished but still both kept on slow dancing on a tone unknown yet etched onto their memory.

Needless to say the day wasn't that bad after all.

__________________

"This isn't a good idea."

Waniya said for the umpteenth time making Ahmer roll his eyes. He had been invited on a business party and as usual he wanted to tag her along. She had first looked at him as he were out of his mind and then refused vehemently but he wasn't Ahmar Ahsan for no reason. He wanted it normal and he was going to try every way. The invitation card clearly stated Mr and Mrs Ahmar. They hadn't been outside of the house since the time Waniya had gotten back. They needed to be away surrounded by people who weren't aware of the storm their lives had gone through. May be this was the fresh air the stale environment of their house couldn't provide. Waniya was adamant but Ahmar knew she wanted to come. She wanted to be out but won't ever ask him to take her and if he tried himself she' just refused. That much he knew. So this party had come like a boon.

"Waniya can't we have even a tiny bit of normalcy in our life?"

She looked away not wanting to be persuaded.

"I'm not asking you to just forget everything in the blink of an eye. I'm just asking we should go out, a break from our monotonous routine. Remember how dinner dates and long drives were your favourite things back then? I know you are not up for that but we can at least start somewhere. Here."

After realizing he was in no mood of hearing a no, Waniya sighed and started getting ready. But in her heart she was relieved to be leaving the house even for just a business get together, the ones she used to abhor before. But time has its own ways. It often changes things and habits. Looking up at him she nodded slowly making a full-fledged smile appear on his face.

"Get ready. We leave in fifteen."

She got up walking towards the closet not noticing the glint in his eyes. Things were finally getting somewhere.

____________________

She rested her head against the back of the seat feeling the light breeze hitting her face messing up her hair. The car was passing over the calm and peaceful lake bridge. She loved passing by this road. The road lead to the highway which was the best way to a long drive. Her mind felt at peace. A serene silence spread in the car. Both of them were completely silent like the old times. She had always thought they didn't need words to communicate. Their silence can do all the talking but she was proved wrong.

No.

This wasn't the time to think of all that. She wasn't here to live in the old memories and mourn over what happened after that. She wanted to steal some moments from this cruel life to just live in the present, where she couldn't think of anything else other than herself and the baby inside her. Her lips broke into a smile at the thought of it. She was almost four months along. That meant in just five months or less her baby would be in her arms. The thought was overwhelmingly beautiful. A tiny life. His little hands. His chubby cheeks. His small legs. His adorable yawns. Him staring at her with brown eyes. His innocent eyes. The thought making her heart beat faster.

"Where are you lost?"

She opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Thinking of the baby."

"What about the baby?"

He asked looking at the road ahead but she could see the warmth that spread on his face by the mere mention of their child.

"Everything. How he'll look. His eyes. Cute little nose. His chubby cheeks. His..."

She was cut off when he playfully smirked.

"What if it's a girl?"

Waniya scowled folding her arms on her chest.

"Excuse me, The baby is inside me, so being in contact with him 24/7 I can say it's a boy! And no! You can't fight me on this."

"Wasn't going to. But I'm the Dad and I have a feeling it's my baby girl making her mom go crazy with the mood swings."

"I'm going crazy?"

She asked in a threatening voice making him gulp. A very pregnant and a very angry Waniya? Not a good combination.

"That came out wrong."

"No, this is what you wanted to say. You think I'm mad right?"

"Waniya, pregnancy tends to make women moody. No matter how mad you get.."

She scowled at him making him stutter.

"I mean when you get angry, cranky and all that stuff. I'll always be there with you. To fulfill every demand of yours. Because I simply love you."

At that he picked up her hand from her lap and placed a chaste kiss on it making her tremble. She withdrew her hand from his hold realizing this was the first time after her come back that they were having a moment. And what was shocking. She didn't feel repulsive.

It wasn't wrong and didn't feel wrong as well.

_________________

Dadi ran her fingers through Alishba's hair who was laying with her head in Dadi's lap.

"Everything is fitting back into its place. Ahmar and Waniya are getting somewhere. You will get rid of those leeches soon. Our family will get its peace after all."

Alishba smiled slightly.

"For that to happen, we need Hayam to be presented in the court, Dadi."

"He will. The kind of mud he himself has thrown upon his family and then his mother's doings. Spent a whole day in police custody and still has gotten a case on her. The decision is going to be ours."

Yumna put in. Alishba sat up braiding her hair.

"I hope this happens. I need the proceeding to go as quick as they can."

Both Yumna and Mrs Daud prayed for it to happen.

"You what Dadi, Mom?"

Alishba looked out of the window.

"I've learnt so many things from this incident. The most prominent lesson has been how men alone has got nothing on us. If women want to, they can surely destroy other women without having an aid from any man."

Yumna knew on whom she was directing it. She just looked away.

"Hayam cheated. Made a mockery of our relation. But what gave him the courage to do that? His mother's support. Ahmar messed up his relationship but then he knew where he was wrong. The right way of things should've been him bringing Waniya back. But he didn't. Because he knew how under pressure he'd be and how Mom would definitely repeat my fate with Waniya, without any fault of her. Why some times we women become the enemy of other women only? Don't we have men already for that?"

Her question had left a heavy silence to prevail in the sitting room. Yumna had no guts to look up at her daughter. Alishba got up and left from there. This was her mother's time to start questioning her actions.

_______________

Waniya took her seat at their table and looked around. For the very first time this crowd wasn't making her wry. Ahmer was by her sight all the time. Sometimes introducing her and sometimes just keeping her close while talking to his business associates and their wives. Not that he had never done it before whenever they'd go on these kind of gatherings, but still seeing the way he was smiling whenever someone complimented how she was glowing or congratulating them for the upcoming baby, Noor's heart was beating on a different rhythm. She'd never liked this scene. The corporate world used to confuse her so much but this time, sitting here she felt this wasn't so bad. May be the people she had always surrounded her with were not what she used to think them to be. Whatever it was, the idea of coming here wasn't that bad.

Ahmer was at the corner conversing with few of the men who were of his age. The discussion looked easy flowing. Waniya smiled when her eyes found a couple to the side. The man was clad in a expensive looking three piece suit. His handsome features were drawn into an expression of concern while the woman with him was rolling her eyes as if ensuring him about something. She finally shook her head at something he'd said and smiling staright came to the table. She didn't look around much and took the seat next to Waniya. She'd seen Waniya looking over them. That's why the words that left her mouth had deepened her own grin.

"My husband is missing the kids and asking me to go back as soon as we can. It's his gathering. Can you believe it?"

Waniya couldn't stop the chuckle escaping her lips.

"He's really the kid favourite. Seems like it."

"He is."

There was a dreamy smile on the woman's face Waniya found so endearing. As if she was reminiscing some old times. Then she snapped out of it with the smile still intact.

"I'm Noor by the way."

Waniya took her hand she's extended.

"Waniya."

"I'm not a big fan of Rayyan's business meet ups but this time around had to come along because I had my own conference here in Lahore. Business isn't one of my favourite things."

"That's make the two of us. But tonight wasn't that bad."

The conversation flew easily. Waniya liked this woman. So full of positivity. A social worker and all an all such a warm person.

"You are doing so much, Noor. This is really inspiring."

Noor had just told her about the anti-smuggling program she was a part of.

"Trust me, I wasn't always like this. There was a point I felt like the most useless person on the face of this planet. Someone who's spirit had been broken and so beaten."

Waniya felt Noor was describing her.

"But that's a thing of past. I'm so happy and very much contented in my life today."

"How did you cope?"

Words were out of Waniya's mouth before she'd even know.

"I actually tried my best. But nothing really worked. Then I learnt to just live with my past. Won't go into many details but that was a rough phase of my life. I was moving on, working fine but not living. That's when Rayyan came once again into my life. I had met him before. But the version of him that came into my life for the second time was something I'd never thought to come across. He started making a place. As if he owned it. I held onto my insecurities. I had to. I didn't trust him when not even one person had kept my trust intact."

Waniya kept on listening. Noor's struggle hit at home.

"But this is life and the most important part of it is love. Love happened. I was reluctant and what not but how long was I going to refuse. He'd made a place in my heart and then claimed at all. Without even asking. Without even trying. It wasn't easy. Getting there where we are now. But we had to try. And we did. Specially me. I was the reluctant one. The one who didn't believe in us. But now I believe the most in this idea of us because when we are together things just make sense."

Noor was looking at a point far away.

"The path of love is difficult. Everyone have to face the ups and downs. Some people do it in the beginning, some in the middle, and some when their love had stood test of time. Love tests you. Make you go through things you'd rather not. But this is how it works. No love is easy but every love is worth it."

Waniya thought back to the last two months. She. Ahmer. Their baby. The way he was trying. The way she was in her shell. Was it the test of their love? And had they stood through it?

"Enough about me. I'm continuously blabbering. You tell me. What about you?"

"About me? Well, I'm a housewife and ...and..."

Noor didn't say anything. She could see there was clearly something bothering Waniya.

"A mother?"

Waniya smiled. A genuine smile.

"Yes, An about to be mother."

"The best feeling in the world."

"That it is."

"I remember I had driven Rayyan mad with my mood swings."

"I'm not doing less to Ahmer but he doesn't complain and...."

Waniya stopped abruptly. Whenever someone was going to ask her about her baby, she'd always bring Ahmer in because Ahmer was such a vital part of this experience.

After just few more exchange of words, Noor had gotten up because her husband was again around her asking they should leave. Noor introduced Waniya to Rayyan and both made their way to the exit not before both Waniya and Noor exchanging numbers and promising to meet each other again. Such a nice bonding in such a short span. Life was strange.

As Waniya made her way towards Ahmer her mind was continuously flashing back the conversation with Noor. The same question lingered there.

Were they successful in standing the test of time?

She herself didn't know. May be Ahmer knew.

Her feet halted in their tracks as she came near to where she had last seen Ahmer standing. Her eyes fell on his smiling face and an even more smiling Seemab standing close to him almost touching his arm.

She felt a sense of deja vu hitting her hard. The scene from his office flashed across her mind making her weak on her knees. All the painful memories were coming back to her in succession. She slowly turned around.

May be they hadn't stood the test of time.

___________________________

Waniya had straight went to the parking lot lost in her thoughts. She herself had no clue why seeing Ahmer with Seemab once again was ripping her apart. It wasn't like they both were doing anything. They were just talking. Then why this sudden frustration. Anger. Hurt?

She felt heavy footsteps behind her back and turned only to be bumped into his sturdy chest.

"Careful. Why you came here? Are you tired?"

He held her from her elbow making her flinch. His brows scrunched up seeing her clearly upset.

"What happened?"

"Nothing!"

"No, something's up? Should we get home? You don't.."

"Oh, just shut up, Ahmer!"

She yelled not realizing they were in the middle of a packed parking lot. He was taken aback by her outburst but without saying anything he held her hand and stopped when they both were away from the crowd in a isolated corner.

"What's wrong, Waniya?"

He asked clearly confused. She yanked her arm from his grip glaring at him. She had bottled up all her emotions inside her but she didn't know what took over her that very moment.

"What's wrong? Everything. What the hell were you doing? Why I always have to see you with that Seemab? Why she is always around! Why you can't get rid of her? I'm tired of having my faith in you. Do one thing. Just get the hell outta my face and go to her. She seems good enough for you. What I'm even in the picture! Why you came back! Just give her my place like you did when I wasn't around!"

She breathed hard after screaming her lungs off. She knew she sounded like angry jealous wife but she wasn't one. The outburst which didn't have a chance to get out at the right time was making its appearance now.

His eyes narrowed down when he looked at her.

" Enough of this. I've made myself clear before and I'm saying this again me plus Seemab equals nothing. She's just a friend, Waniya. Stop assuming things. Do you have a slightest clue she was the one who literally scolded me that I was being harsh on you? That I was being an asshole. She told me that our love was worth fighting for. She isn't what you think she is. So get over whatever problem you have with her and see through the eyes of the beautiful soul that you're, Waniya. And as far as giving your place to someone else is concerned...."

He came dangerously close to her making her look right into his eyes.

"Never. It was, is and will always be you. Just You."

He stared at her for a few seconds and then left the parking lot. She stood there feeling numb. Her emotions were all over the place. The slight drizzling was wetting her shawl but she cared less.

A loud horn made her jerk. Looking behind her she saw him sitting in the driver's seat of his car looking at anything but her. His jaws were clenched indicating how hurt he was still. Without any further word she opened the passenger side door and got in.

The car zoomed out of the parking area.

----

He had dropped himself on the couch feeling all his spirits dampen. How insecure she was? How torn. She doubted his every move. Every action. How'd he be able to make her trust him? He had no idea. All the hopes of getting back to normal were leaving his mind instantly.

He glanced at her figure standing in the window. Taking a deep breath he came close to her placing his hand on her shoulder. Her back was facing him.

"Waniya, come to the bed. The weather isn't good you'll get a cold."

When she didn't budge he turned her around. Her eyes were red rimmed. She was trying not to break down.

"Waniya... "

She cut him off and held his hands which were on the either side of her face. His thumb pads were making circles on her cheeks.

"When I...I came to know about the baby...I came to your office to tell you."

Her voice was hoarse and he could feel it cracking at the end. Thousand needles pierced through his heart seeing her face so broken. She came?

"I knew coming here was going to be futile...may be your mother won't even let me in. So...office was a safe bet."

She hiccupped trying her best to control the cries which were still lodged somewhere in her throat. He wanted to bury himself somewhere. So much she had went through.

"I knew my family couldn't be trusted. I needed you Ahmer. I cried for you. Tried for you. . I didn't have an appointment so they didn't let me in the way I always used to barge into your cabin. Things had changed. Taimoor....at last Taimoor helped me....I wanted to rush to you. To tell you that we were going to have a baby. But Instead I saw you with Seemab."

She hadn't cried but her struggle not to was showing. He could feel every fiber of his body screaming with agony. Were there any way he was going to make up to her? So much pain. So much trouble. He didn't deserve her. But she deserved for him to make up to her all his life.

"I thought I lost everything, Ahmer! Everything. You were my everything. I thought you forgot me. You moved on. You hated me. You won't want to do anything with me. And today when I saw you with her all that came back to me. That's why I...I reacted that way. "

She looked up right in to his eyes.

"I'm sorry but so much have happened. I can't bring myself to trust you easily. I think of trusting you. Moving on with our lives and then there it is. The past. The dark clouds of past never seem to leave me. Everytime my mind is telling me this is all a joke. You'll leave me once again and this time around, that might push me away to never come back.

He instantly tightened his hold on her.

"Never say that again."

He brought his lips to her hair mumbling a sorry. His lips roamed on all over her face and chanted sorrys with so much emotions that she knew he meant it.

"Waniya, I can never tell you much sorry I'm for what had happened it the past. But one thing is for sure. Sooner or later I was always coming. If I ever leave you that'll be when I will no longer be in this world. I love you so damn much. I know I'm a jerk. I can never do anything right but one thing I'll never do wrong is loving you. I'll always will. And I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you. You wanna punish me for being an asshole do it. Do whatever you wanna do but you'll always find me by your side."

"You'll stay?"

She asked. Her eye lashes were wet but eyes were shining brightly after so long.

"I will."

"Our love will stand this test of time?"

"It will."