It's been a week that she has given her resignation letter to Naushad. Convincing her family to let her go alone to the hospital wasn't an easy task. She made them to realize that they could not hold her back like that or go with her to every place forever! Thankfully after a lot of convincing, Jannat finally accepted Meher's decision to go out alone and helped her to convince others in the family too.

As she reached the hospital she did get emotional seeing the name of the hospital after all it was her first job although as a trainee but she earned from this job, so much attached she was to this place; to her patients; to the people here! But she controlled herself somehow and entering the building she reached Naushad's cabin escaping from the eyes of others.

As soon as she entered his cabin knocking it, she could feel the magnetic pull towards him again! Nostalgia made her feel dizzy. So many encounters with Naushad came rushing back to Meher. Naushad too didn't remain unaffected! At first her presence in his cabin skipped his heartbeat. Was he hallucinating, he wondered! But her fragrance that swirled around the room that was making him feel dizzy yet was giving him a sense of belonging, helped him to realize that she indeed was there. He kept looking at her, never blinking. What was she doing there? - he wondered!

The moment she realized that they are staring, Meher quickly lowered her eyes and cleared her throat. Naushad followed the suit. Meher looked back towards him hesitantly and found him staring her again.

"Ahmm... main wo... resignation letter dene ayi thi!",

she said hesitantly, her eyes lowered out of hesitation.

Her words clenched his heart. He knit his brows as the reality washed him. Suddenly he widened his eyes as he realized that she wasn't well! He quickly offered her to sit.

"It's okay. Waise bhi mujhe nahi lagta humare beech ab baat karne ko kuch hai. Kal I guess sari baatein ho gayi thi.",

said Meher.

Naushad slowly lowered his eyes out of hesitation.

Slowly looking back towards her he said,

"Please.... I insist!"

Reading his eyes Meher realized he is sincere about his words and hence obliged him.

Sighing, she said,

"Kahiye! Koi papers hain? Kahin sign karna hai to aap please jaldi de dijiye, I want to get it done as soon as I can."

Naushad kept staring her. His fingers of hands intertwined, hands rested at his desk.

Very calmly he asked her,

"Kyun koi intezar kar raha hai kya apka bahar?"

"Nahi! Main akeli ayi hun!",

she states clearly.

This came as a shock for Naushad.

"Meher! Tum akele kaise aa sakti ho?",

asked Naushad, raising his voice, knitting his brows.

Meher looked towards him, knitting her brows, anger surging through her afresh as she remembered the conversation they had the previous day.

"To apko kya laga Dr. Naushad Rizvi ke main apne parivar ko pareshan karungi ke wo mere saath aney ki zehmat uthayein?",

asked Meher, glaring him.

Then smiling sarcastically, looking away, she continued,

"Juzzbaatt sirf apke parivaar walon ke ander hi nahi hai!"

This skipped Naushad's heartbeat.

"Mere parivaar ko bhi bura lagta hai! Mere parivaar ko bhi takleef hoti hai!",

she stated, looking straight into his eyes, her head a little tilted towards her left.

" Waise hi wo bohot kuch seh chukey hain. Main to meri apni baat bhi unke samne nahi lana chahti thi. Agar aap mujhe samjhte to shayad wo sub karne ki zarurat hi nahi parhti!",

she stated, avoiding to look towards him out of anger.

Naushad kept staring her. His expression plain. His heartbeat smooth. As at that moment more than focusing on her anger and hence boiling his blood; he focused on his sense of contentment on finding her back in his cabin, the hope of which had diminished at a great extent yet residue of it was still left!

Taking a deep breath Naushad says,

"Meher please meri baat samjhne ki koshish kariye. Main ye nahi keh raha ke main aap par aitbaar nahi karta!"

"Kya? Kya kaha apne?",

asks Meher, sarcastically.

Naushad stares her, knowing that she understood it all.

"If I remember clearly to aap hi ne kaha tha ke main yakeen ke layak nahi!",

reminds Meher, bearing the hurt and pain she felt when he uttered those words, all over again.

Closing his eyes taking a deep breath, he says frustrated, raising his voice,

"Haan kaha tha maine!! Par tab..."

Meher intervenes him,

"Tab maine subke samne, bhari mehfil mein chilla kar ye nahi kaha tha that HE RAPED ME NAUSHAD! Right?",

asks Meher, sarcastically, knitting her brows, anger surges through her.

But if someone didn't deliberately break your trust and faith, would you call that person 'bewafa'?

Naushad stares her, feeling sorry for her. His eyes bearing hurt and pain.

"Meher please....",

pleads Naushad, softening his eyes.

Meher shakes her head in utter disbelief, staring him throughout.

"Aur ab... ab jab aap ye such jaan chukey hain to mujhe ye nasiyat di ja rahi hai ke main jakar police mein complain karwa dun? Mujhse ye pucha ja raha hai ke maine kyun police mein complain nahi karwaya?",

asks Meher, spitting venom through her words.

Naushad stares her, his anger rising inside.

Taking a deep breath, he says, his anger still visible,

"Aap mujhse akar to ye baat keh sakti thi na Meher?"

(NAUHER tune begins)

Laughing sarcastically, she asks,

"Apse? Kya kehti apse akar Naushad? Ke mera rape hua hai? Meri madad kijiye?",

she stares him, knitting her brows.

"Aap mante meri baat?",

asks Meher, taunting him.

Naushad looks towards her.

"Of course manta Meher. Kyun nahi manta?",

asks Naushad, knitting his brows, surprised that she thought he wouldn't have trusted her.

Staring him, laughing silently, sarcastically throughout, Meher nods her head into positive, and taunts him,

"Zarur mante... par jaise hi apko pata chalta ke gunehgar kon hai, aap mukar jatey! Peeche hat jatey! Jaisa uss din apne kiya!"

Lowering his eyes Naushad shakes his head. Looking back towards her he says calmly,

"Agar aisa hota to kal main Bano ke mayyiyat par bhi nahi aata!"

Laughing sarcastically, Meher taunts him,

"Meherbani! Meherbani apki ke aap kal ayein!"

Naushad knits his brows, staring her. Her words hurt him. Why is it that she has to understand him wrong always?

"Meher please... mere kehne ka wo matlab nahi tha.",

says Naushad, ignoring to look towards her out of hesitation.

"After all Bano meri bhi kuch lagti thi!",

says Naushad, hurt that she took him wrong.

"Aur main?"

(NAUHER tune begins as they stare each other)

"Main bhi to apki kuch....",

she lowers her eyes and laughs sarcastically.

This pinches Naushad's heart.

"Shayad ab kuch nahi lagti! Shayad ab khaas nahi!",

says Meher, laughing sarcastically, silently.

Naushad stares her, pleading her through his eyes to stop torturing him and herself as well! But Meher chooses to ignore his silent plea.

Gaining back her composure, Meher
says,

"Bohot der ho chuki hai....",

she halts, staring him, making him to understand that indeed it's too late for him to apologize. He broke her heart and that cannot be mended now!

"Apko bus resignation letter dene ayi thi. Main chalti hun.",

saying so she gets up to leave.

Naushad gets up too.

"Main ye letter accept nahi kar raha Meher!",

he states clearly.

"Mujhe isse koi farak nahi parhta. Main yaha ab aur nahi aungi."

"Aap please mujhe bata dijiye ke mujhe kya formalities puri karni hai so that I can leave. Mera dum ghut raha hai yahan!",

she says, lowering her voice as she utters the last line.

It hurts Naushad, is his presence around her suffocating her? He suddenly gets hit by a memory of Iftaar party when they were actually trying to find a chance to get together; talk to each other. And here today even his presence is suffocating her!

Getting angry, Naushad snatches her resignation letter and throws it across his table and resting his elbow on the right handle of his chair he rests his fingers on his lips, avoiding to look towards Meher, as a gesture that she may leave if she wants!

Meher's heart skips a beat at his attitude. She looks towards the paper, her eyes widened out of shock, then slowly she looks towards Naushad, who doesn't turn to look towards her. Taking a deep breath, nodding her head, staring him with determination, she gets up and turns to leave.

Naushad turns his hand whose fingers are on his lips into fist and shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath to control his frustration. Opening his eyes he looks towards a retreating Meher and says,

"Main chor deta hun apko ghar."

"Uski koi zarurat nahi hai.",

retorts Meher, not caring to look towards Naushad.

Keeping his frustration under check Naushad quickly gets up and before Meher could pull the door of his cabin to walk out, Naushad pushes the door keeping it close.

"Main chor dunga apko.",

says Naushad, politely.

Half turning her head, still avoiding to look towards him, she says,

"Wo to aap kabka chor chukey hain.",

and looks towards him. They stare each other.

(NAUHER tune begins)

"Agar apko mere apke samne rehne se dikkat ho rahi hai to nahi aunga main apke samne.",

he tells her urgently, but politely.

"But please, aap aise... mat jaiye!",

requests Naushad, softening his voice and eyes.

"Kyun? Oh! Apke employees kam ho jayenge isliye?",

asks Meher, sarcastically, looking towards him.

Naushad shuts his eyes, enduring her taunts silently.

"Meher main janta hun abhi apke liye distraction kitna zaruri hai. And I know ke apka kaam hi humesha se apka distraction raha hai.",

says Naushad, pleading her to stay.

"Bilkul nahi Dr. Rizvi! Aap bhul gaye, main apne personal kaamon ke liye apki aur meri friendship ka galat faida utha rahi thi?",

taunts Meher.

"Itna galat faida uthaya ke... aaj khud hi subke nazron mein galat sabit ho gayi!",

says Meher, her voice shaking; her eyes teary.

This clenches Naushad's heart.

"Excuse me! I must take your leave now.",

saying so she leaves, before she gets more emotional in front of him.

"Meher....",

calls Naushad as she leaves, but in vain.

~*~*~

At night Naushad reaches home, tired.

"Abbu!",

comes Aliya, beaming with joy on seeing her father.

Finally Naushad got a reason to smile.

"Aliya!",

says Naushad, smiling with all his heart, feeling relaxed on seeing his daughter after a hectic day. Naushad takes her in his arms.

Aliya kisses her Abbu on his cheek. Naushad's half tension vanishes on receiving Aliya's love.

"Abbu kitne din ho gaye Meher Didi kyun nahi aa rahin ghar?",

asks Aliya.

This skips Naushad's heartbeat.

"Ahmm... beta unhe kaam hai na isliye wo aa nahi pa rahi hongi.",

he tries to let go off this question.

Aliya feels sad about it. Naushad understands and feels bad for her.

Suddenly an idea comes to his mind and he dials Meher's number, hoping that she receives the call.

Meher's phone rings she checks the time it's 10:30 pm. All are fast asleep. Who must have called her at this moment? Is there any emergency in the hospital? But even if there were, Naushad would surely have made sure that no one disturbs her. She really could feel his concern - the thought skips Meher's heartbeat.

Shrugging off the thought, Meher checks the number, her heartbeat skips again as she reads 'Naushad' flashing on the screen. Why would he call her at this hour of the day? - wonders Meher. Glancing towards an asleep Jannat, Meher removes the blanket off her and walking out of the room, she enters another vacant room. Whilst climbing the bed, she answers the phone hesitantly,

"Hello!",

her voice low, fearing of waking up someone.

She holds her breath, as she waits for his reply.

"Meher Didi!!!",

says Aliya, beaming with joy.

Her voice skips Meher's heartbeat. Her throat chokes out of so many emotions for her.

"Aliyaa.... kaisi hain aap?",

she asks, controlling her emotions.

"Achi hun!",

says Aliya, sweetly.

Sitting next to Aliya, Naushad smiles sadly, his eyes lowered as he feels happy and guilty both at the same time.

"Aap kaisi hain?",

asks Aliya, innocently.

Her question skips the heartbeats of both Naushad and Meher. Naushad after looking towards Aliya, lowers his eyes again.

"Main bhi theek hun.",

smiles Meher, although her throat chokes as Aliya asks her that question.

"Aap mujhse milne kyun nahi aa rahin?",

asks Aliya, sadly.

Naushad's heart clenches on hearing Aliya and the same happens with Meher too. Naushad doesn't blame Meher for anything, in fact he understands how much both Meher and Aliya are craving to meet each other. Only if circumstances would have been different, she would have definitely come to meet Aliya.

"Beta... Dr. Meher ko itna kaam hota hai hospital mein fir ghar ja kar wo bhi thak jati hain na jaise Abbu thak jate hain aur akar jaldi se so jatey hain?",

explains Naushad, lovingly to Aliya.

On the other side of the phone Meher hears everything and lowers her eyes, smiling a little.

Aliya turns to look towards her father, still holding the phone in her hand,

"Jhoot... aap to aj kal sotey hi nahi ho!"

Her bold confession, skips the heartbeats of both Naushad and Meher alike.

Naushad widens his eyes, completely at a loss of word!

"Main jab raat ko washroom jane ke liye uthti hun, aap mere saath soye hue nahi hote. Aur maine apke room ki light jali hui bhi dekhi hai.",

confesses Aliya, boldly.

This skips another of Naushad's and Meher's heartbeat. Meher's heartbeat picks up pace on hearing Aliya's words. She realizes she is the reason of Naushad's remaining awake at nights.

"Aur Abbu...",

saying so Aliya places her small hand on her Abbu's forehead checking his temperature,

"Apko fever hai kya?",

she asks, knowing nothing about how fever is checked and what confirms that a person is having fever, after placing one's hand on the forehead of a person. She only knows her father does so when she gets fever and says - 'apko to fever hai!' or 'nahi ab apko fever nahi hai!' and she is just following the suit.

Aliya's gesture while makes Naushad to laugh silently out of love for Aliya on witnessing her care towards him it also makes him go nervous as he didn't want to disclose this in front of Meher.

As for Meher, although Aliya's care for her father touches Meher's heart but simultaneously she gets tensed too on hearing that Naushad is not well.

Removing her hand from his forehead, out of nervousness, Naushad tells Aliya,

"Nahi beta... aisi koi baat nahi hai!",

whilst saying so his face turns towards the mobile, to make himself audible to Meher too. He understands she must be worrying about him now.

Meher doesn't relax still. She somehow understands that he is lying. And as if Allah is not in favour of Naushad today, he coughs! This skips another of Meher's heartbeat.

Naushad too gets nervous as he ends up coughing and stares towards the mobile in horror!

"Acha aap theek hain? To aap khans kyun rahe hain?",

asks Aliya sitting on her knees, facing her Abbu, holding her waist from either sides.

"Chup ho ja meri Ammi!",

says Naushad, feeling embarrassed and scared in front of Meher.

But Aliya is Aliya! She continues,

"Aur aap wo dawayi kyun le rahe the abhi fir? Maine kal bhi apko tablets lete hue dekha tha!",

accuses Aliya.

Naushad turns to look towards the mobile in horror!

Hearing that Naushad is taking pills for something, it could be either fever or..... sleeping pills, worries Meher!

"Beta wo dawayi khansi ki nahi hai!",

says Naushad, in a pleading tone.

"To fir kiski hai?",

asks Aliya, determined to get an answer.

Before Naushad could reply, Meher speaks up politely, though anxious inside,

"Aliya, beta apko pata hai wo dawayi kahan rakhi hai?"

This skips Naushad's heartbeat. He stares Aliya, widening his eyes and shakes his head into negative, asking her to reply in negative. But she is in team Meher Didi right now!

Ignoring her father's pleading look, she readily replies to her Meher Didi,

"Haan Didi mujhe pata hai."

Meher's anxiety increases, she although feels dizzy, but she tries to keep herself steady.

"Aap jakar le aoge please?",

requests Meher.

Naushad keeps widening his eyes to make Aliya look towards him and keeps shaking his head into negative as well, but all go in vain!

Aliya runs out of the room to get the medicines.

"Aliya! Aliya!",

calls Naushad, clutching his teeth together, to keep his voice low.

But Meher hears it all.

Naushad shuts his eyes in frustration. Opening them takes a deep breath. His sharp intake of breath skips Meher's heartbeat. She understands that he is pissed off. Meher doesn't understand why she finds his frustration amusing. She tries to laugh silently, but blooper occurs when Naudhad hears her laughing silently. This skips Naushad's heartbeat. He looks towards the phone and smiles a little, lowering his eyes.

He coughs again. Meher straightens up, worried.

"Dekhiye Dr. Mirza I am fine!",

Naushad tries to assure her.

"I am not talking to you Dr. Rizvi!",

states Meher, clearly.

Aliya returns back and says,

"Meher Didi main dawayi le ayi!"

Her voice swells Meher's heart. Though in a serious situation, Meher smiles nevertheless.

"Aap le ayin? Good girl. Ab aap parh kar batayengi wahan tablet ke packet par kya likha hai?",

asks Meher, politely.

Aliya tries to read but she finds it difficult to pronounce.

"Pa... ra...",

begins Aliya, trying to pronounce the name of the medicine.

Naushad gets alert, scared that Meher would discover that he is having fever. He doesn't want to get her tensed so he quickly intervenes,

"Poly-Vent DM!",

laughing a little, he says,

"Galat parh rahe ho beta!"

Aliya glares her father, narrowing her eyes on him.

Meher too takes a deep breath understanding that he is trying to hide the real name of the medicine.

"Aliya aap Abbu ki baat mat sunno, aap mujhse baat karo. Mujhe spelling batao aap!",

says Meher.

Naushad shuts his eyes tight afraid that the truth will get revealed.

"P...a...r...a...c...e...t...a...m...o...l...",

she speaks up the spelling.

"Paracetamol!",

exclaims Meher.

"Apko bukhar hai?",

asks Meher, concerned.

(NAUHER tune begins)

His heart clenches seeing her concern.

"Doc... Dr. Mirza sirf bukhar hi hai, koi badi baat nahi hai.",

assures Naushad.

"Aur khasi bhi!",

adds Aliya, then glares her father.

Naushad stares Aliya helplessly.

"Meher Didi ek aur dawayi hai...",

says Aliya and reads,

"PM Simply sleep!"

This shocks Meher! She remains quiet in front of Aliya but inside anger surge through her.

"Meher Didi aap yahan aoge?",

asks Aliya innocently.

This skips the heartbeat of both Naushad and Meher alike.

"Nahi Aliya! Dr. Meher kahin nahi aa rahin. Bohot der ho chuki hai unhe rest karne do.",

says Naushad, sternly.

Meher lowers her eyes, sensing his concern towards her. She feels helpless about her state.

"Aliya! Abhi bohot raat ho gayi hai na, to main abhi to nahi aa paungi. But you are a big girl na? Aap apne Abbu ka khyal rakhoge until I come there?",

asks Meher, politely.

Her words, especially the last sentence skips Naushad's heartbeat.
Is she really considering meeting him again? - excitement fills his heart. He blushes.

Aliya like a good girl understands her Meher Didi's words and doesn't argue.

"Theek hai Meher Didi main rakhungi Abbu ka khyal!",

she says confidently and taking it as her duty to obey her Meher Didi and take care of her Abbu.

This swells the hearts of both Naushad and Meher alike. They smile - Naushad looking towards Aliya; and Meher thinking about Aliya!

"That's like my girl!",

says Meher in excitement.

Her words skip Naushad's heart. Meher too realizes the blooper she made and holds her tongue in between her teeth.

Taking a deep breath, Naushad says,

"Ab Dr. Mirza zara aap please apni ladli ko kahengi ke wo kuch kha kar, brush karke sone chali jaye? Apna khana kitchen se khud lene ki zehmat uthayein after all she is a big girl now?"

This makes Meher to laugh secretly.

"Aliya...",

addresses Meher lovingly.

"Ja rahi hunnnn.....",

and she is already running towards the kitchen.

This makes both Meher and Naushad to laugh together!

As their laughter dies, they again remember the prevailing situation in their relationship.

(NAUHAR tune begins)

"Meher...",

he addresses politely.

"Apne dawayi li?",

she asks, trying to divert his mind, knowing that where he is trying to take the conversation to.

Sighing, he asks,

"Apko isse kya fark parhta hai?"

This pinches her heart.

She goes quiet.

But despite bewafai from so called both the sides why the wafa lies between them? Why not let go off each other? Why holding back on each other secretly? Or let that person know your true feelings and stop saying that "kar rahe hain hum 'bewafa se wafa' "!

This skips Naushad's heartbeat. Has he hurt her that much by his recent words?

"Meher...?",

he prompts to understand her current situation.

"Apko bhaley hi mere dard; meri takleef se fark na parhe par...",

and her throat chokes as it becomes unbearable for her.

Naushad gets tensed.

"Meher... I am sorry.... I didn't mean to... are you fine?",

he asks, concerned.

"Maine dawayi le li!",

assures Naushad.

Meher sighs in relief.

Trying to control herself, taking a deep breath, Meher asks him,

"Acha ek baat batayiye Naushad, apne mera withdrawal notice kiya tha, right? Main apse durr ho rahi thi; apko avoid kar rahi thi, how would you explain that Naushad? Why suddenly I started behaving weird with you?"

Naushad stays quiet lowering his eyes.

"Aur ye bhi baat main apko pehle bata chuki hun ke maine apse kuch nahi share kiya because it's not easy Naushad!!!",

she raises her voice while uttering last five words.

Naushad's heart skips a beat.

"Baat to kya main apki taraf dekh bhi nahi pa rahi thi out of guilt and shame!",

says Meher, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.

Naushad stays quiet, his eyes cascaded down, thinking.

"Aah....",

cries Meher suddenly, trying to keep her voice low.

Her cry drags Naushad's attention and he asks abruptly, concerned, knitting his brows,

"Kya hua Meher?"

"Kuch.... kuch nahi....",

replies Meher, trying to keep her voice under control.

"Bataiye mujhe please...",

requests Naushad.

"I... I am fine Naushad...",

Meher tries to let it go.

"Meher...... I request...",

pleads Naushad.

"It burns constantly....",

she confesses, lowering her eyes, keeping her voice low.

It hurts Naushad to the core!

Before Naushad could reply, Aliya climbs up the bed, resting beside him, she declares,

"Main yahin soungi!"

While this comes as a not-so-pleasant surprise for Naushad but as for Meher she enjoys Aliya's innocence.

"Beta aap... apne room mein jakar so jao main abhi aata hun.",

says Naushad.

"Nahi main yahin soungi Abbu!",

cries Aliya.

"Aliya...",

Naushad raises his voice a little on Aliya.

"Rehne dijiye na.... agar usse sona hai apke paas to sone dijiye. Hum baad mein baat kar lenge.",

says Meher.

"Nahi!",

says Naushad sternly.

This comes as a surprise for Meher.

"Bohot ziddi hoti ja rahi hai aj kal ye...",

says Naushad, looking towards Aliya, widening his eyes.

"Bilkul apki tarah!"

Meher's bold reply comes as a surprise for Naushad!

"Apse to main baad mein deal karta hun!",

says Naushad, showing his fake anger towards her.

Saying so he focuses on Aliya, still holding the phone on his ear, such that Meher hears everything.

"Aliya ab mujhe gussa aa raha hai. Ab aap ache bachey ki tarah so jaiye!",

scolds Naushad.

"Aap usse dant kyun rahe hain?",

comes Meher's question.

Her tone reflects her disappointment on discovering that he is scolding Aliya.

Her words skip Naushad's heartbeat.

"Arey dantu nahi to aur kya karun? Abhi nahi soyegi to kal uthegi kaise?",

asks Naushad.

Seeing her father getting angry, Aliya quickly slips under the quilt and closes her eyes.

"To ye baat pyar se bhi to samjhayi ja sakti hai?",

says Meher, raising her voice.

Naushad widens his eyes out of surprise, a pinch of smile spreads on his face.

"Apko kya maza aata hai humesha akdu, sadu baney rehne mein?",

asks Meher, pissed off.

Naushad blushes.

"Maine sahi hi pucha tha, pata nahi apki biwi apko chor kar pehle kyun nahi bhaag gayi?",

says Meher, pissed off.

The question that once surged anger through him, makes him to laugh out loud today!

Meher who was looking forward to an argument, finds his laughter heart fluttering. She blushes secretly, smiling.

"Agar wo bhaag jaati to Aliya kaise hoti?",

laughs Naushad.

This skips another of Meher's heartbeat. She widens her eyes. Did he really say that?

"Shh... apko bilkul sharm nahi aati na?",

asks Meher, hiding her blush.

"Sharm? Sharm kaisi?",

asks Naushad, confused.

"Aliya ke samne aap...",

she trails off, feeling shy herself she lowers her eyes.

"Rehne dijiye. Main phone rakh rahi hun.",

says Meher, hiding her shyness.

But Naushad understands it all and smiles secretly.

"Waise main ziddi hun?",

he asks her.

Meher blushes.

"Bohottt zada!",

she says, laughing.

"Kyun maine kya zid ki?",

asks Naushad.

"Ab aap abhi ki baat le lijiye. I am sure aap bohot tired honge but rest karne ki jagah mujhse baat kar rahe hain. Hue na aap ziddi?",

Meher purses her lips.

This makes Naushad to laugh out loud. Meher too laughs secretly.

As the laughter dies, Naushad turns serious, so does Meher.

(NAUHER tune begins)

"Meher please mujhse baat karna mat band karna!",

says Naushad, lowering his voice, nervous.

His straight forward and sincere request clenches Meher's heart.

Meher stays quiet, feeling his words, her eyes lowered.

"Meher?",

prompts Naushad.

"Kyun? Aap chahte hain ke main ek aise insaan se baat karun jisey mujh par bharosa hi nahi?",

asks Meher, keeping a check on her voice.

Naushad feels guilty. He shuts his eyes.

"Aisa nahi hai...",

Naushad fails to make himself understand.

"Fir kaisa hai Naushad?",

asks Meher, almost like whispering.

"Main jo kuch bhi kar rahi hun - apse baat karna abhi, sub Aliya ke liye hai.",

says Meher, reminding him that she is not doing this for him.

Smiling sadly he replies,

"Mujhe pata hai."

Meher takes a deep breath.

"And I am thankful to you for that from bottom of my heart ke aap mere aur apke beech ke differences se Aliya ko affect nahi hone de rahi. Apke aur Aliya ke beech nahi aane de rahin.",

says Naushad politely, sincerely.

Meher's eyes well up.

"Thanks to you actually for that. Main darr gayi thi ke shayad ab Aliya se kabhi na baat kar paun!",

confesses Meher forcing her voice out of her choked throat.

This clenches Naushad's heartbeat.

"I don't know main ab Aliya ke bina kabhi bhi kaise reh paungi!",

confesses Meher.

Naushad softens his eyes, his heart contracts hearing her.

"Kon kar raha hai apko dur Aliya se?",

asks Naushad, politely, understanding her feelings.

Meher gets all the more emotional.

"Aap ajeeb hain Naushad.",

says Meher.

Naushad knits his brows, smiling a little, surprised on hearing her.

"Kabhi aap mere bina boley hi mere dil ki baat kitne asani se samjh jate hain; jaise ki apse acha mujhe koi nahi samjhta!",

says Meher, lowering her eyes out of shyness.

Naushad's heart skips a beat hearing her last line and he lowers his eyes too out of shyness.

"Aur kabhi main agar chilla-chilla kar bhi kisi baat ka apko yakeen dilana chahun to bhi aap nahi samjhte!",

says Meher, hesitantly.

Naushad feels guilty!

"Does the burning sensation persist?",

asks Naushad, keeping his voice low.

His sudden question skips Meher's heartbeat. She lowers her eyes and tells him,

"No... I am fine now."

"Pakka?",

confirms Naushad.

Out of embarrassment, Meher nods her head.

"Meher main apke samne nahi hun. In case you are nodding your head so let me remind you phone se main apko dekh nahi sakta!",

says Naushad.

Meher holds her tongue in between her teeth and blushes.

Slowly she says,

"I am glad aap mujhe nahi dekh sakte!"

Naushad widens his eyes, smiling at her innocence.

"I am fine Naushad.",

Meher assures him.

Naushad smiles and says,

"Good!"

Hesitantly, Naushad says,

"Ahmm... Meher maine Aapi aur Bhaijaan se baat ki thi.",

he holds his breath to know her reply.

Meher's heartbeat picks up pace.

"Fir?",

she asks calmly.

"Meher I trust you!",

he says, ever so slowly and lovingly. Pouring all his trust through his words.

Meher shuts her eyes, breathing calmly. A little smile of satisfaction comes on her face. Tears roll down her cheeks.

"I know aap jhoot nahi bol rahin. Maine khud dekha tha apko. Apka bartaw jo meri taraf badla tha wo maine mehsus kiya tha Meher!",

he confesses.

Meher takes a deep breath! Relaxed and satisfied - he trusts her!

"Main manta hun ke aap par ek baar mein maine yakeen nahi kiya...",

he trails off, frustrated.

"Par main kya karta? Mujhe uss pal aisa laga ke aap bhi Arwa ki tarah...",

he trails off again, shaking his head, closing his eyes.

Meher understands his state. She realizes as much as she is vulnerable, he is vulnerable too! Tears keep rolling down her cheeks, silently.

"Par Meher, baad mein to kiya na? Kya uss yakeen ki koi value nahi?",

asks Naushad, pleading her to understand.

"Aap khud bataiye agar aap meri jagah hoti to aap kya karti?",

asks Naushad, desperately.

Meher falls in dilemma.

"Meher yaad hai uss din jab apki behn Amaal ne Raghu par jhoota ilzaam lagaya tha?",

reminds Naushad.

Meher's heart skips a beat as she remembers the incident.

"Meher main janta hun Raghu kaisa hai? Wo ek bohot hi acha insaan hai. Mulaqat hui hui hai meri usse. Yakeen maniye bohot hi shareef aur izzatdar insaan hai wo. Par kya kisi ne bharosa kiya? Uss par jhoota ilzaam lagaya gaya tha. Koi nahi samjha tha usse. Par main samjh raha tha ke Raghu aisa kar hi nahi sakta!",

says Naushad.

"Wo isliye kyunki apko hum Mirzas par yakeen tha hi nahi.",

says Meher.

Naushad lowers his eyes. He accepts that deep down it's true.

"Main manta hun ke mujhe Mirza family ki aurton par yakeen nahi tha, par ye bhi such hai ke main ye bhi samjh raha tha ke Raghu bura insaan nahi hai! Tab Amaal ne mera bharosa toda tha Meher!"

says Naushad.

"Kamal hai na Naushad aap jisse zada baat nahi karte aap usse pehchan gaye par apke khud ke khandan ke insaan ko nahi samjh paye?",

taunts Meher.

"Aur Amaal ne jo kiya so kiya, main hun uske liye sharminda. Par aap Amaal ko theek se jante nahi hain so it's fine. Par aap mujhe to jante hain na?",

asks Meher.

Naushad stays quiet out of guilt.

"Apne ab tak jitna bhi waqt mere saath guzara, kya apko laga ke main aisi neech harkat kar sakti hun?",

asks Meher.

"Apne kisi aur se kiye gaye gunah ki saza mujh par yakeen na karke mujhe diya! Kyun Naushad?",

asks Meher, knitting her brows.

"Apne ab tak jitna bhi waqt mere saath guzara, kya apko laga ke main aisi neech harkat kar sakti hun?",

asks Meher.

"Apne kisi aur se kiye gaye gunah ki saza mujh par yakeen na karke mujhe diya! Kyun Naushad?",

asks Meher, knitting her brows.

"Uss din mujhe ye ehsaas hua ke main Mirza khaandan ke aurton ke barey mein jo kuch bhi sochta tha, wo bilkul sahi tha!",

declares Naushad, hesitantly.

This shocks Meher!

"Ky....!!!",

she doesn't complain out of anger! She understands that it's useless to make him understand.

"Mujhe nahi lagta Naushad ke humare beech ab kuch bhi baat karne ke liye bacha hai! Mujhe yakeen ho gaya hai ke aap mujhe kabhi nahi samjh sakte! Galti ki apse umeed karke. Khuda hafiz!",

saying so Meher ends the call, not waiting to listen to him.

But if you choose to go away from that person when he/she needs you the most, then surely you will be tagged as a 'bewafa'!

Is Naushad really a bewafa?