Arshad's POV,

I never look back at her. Yes, I never did. Why would I? If I did then it would give her false hope which I didn't want.

I saw her standing in the corner of the living room but when I saw her, her eyes were on sofia and Amar with a frown on her face as they were saying goodbyes. But before her eyes again landed on me I averted. I wanted her to know that she didn't have to wait for me. She should focus on herself, her studies

I went to her room when she was in the washroom and put that envelope which she refused to take. I couldn't just leave her without any money. I know amma jaan will take care of her expenses but still, I couldn't forget that she was my responsibility.

"Finally we came back" sofia exclaimed as our car stopped in front of our apartment. We went inside and our servant brought our bags.

"You don't like to live with our family do you?" I asked sitting on the sofa. She stood in front of me with a smile on her face.

"Honestly, I love it when you and I are alone. In our home. So, I can get you all for myself." She said throwing her arms around my neck. I held her by her waist. I smile as she pecks my lips.

"Baby please bring me coffee my head is aching," I said as she sat beside me.

"Baby I'm too tired. Tell Sara she will bring you coffee. I'm going to take shower" saying this she headed toward our room. I shrugged and walk toward the kitchen.

After saying Sara to bring me coffee I went to my room. I called Amma jaan and told her about our arrival before laying on the bed closing my eyes. I felt calm and relax here without any worry.

*************

Isha's POV,

"Amma jaan your tea" I put the tray on the nightstand before taking out her medicine. "After this take your medicine," I said putting the medicine on the same tray. "Today I need to go early because I have a test" I informed her.

"And I'm sure you did your preparation enough to beat your all the classmates," she said with a smile on her face. I grin before nodding.

"Okay Amma jaan I'm going please don't forget to take your medicines after lunch as well. And don't take before lunch on an empty stomach, doctor strictly prevented doing that "I reminded and ready to go when she called me.

"Isha, beta here take this" she grabs an envelope and gives me. I take it and walk toward my room with the envelope gripping in my hand that had the money I know. As it was 1st day of the month she gives everyone -their servants- their salary. Whenever she gives me I felt hurt but in her part she was right. I do their work. I took care of her so why wouldn't she pay me. I wasn't her relative neither I was her daughter nor daughter in law. Which certainly I was but not for the world. So, I didn't have any rights to say that I will take care of her without a salary. Moreover, I needed to pay for my expenses cause I didn't have any mahram here who could take care of my expenses.

I open the drawer and put that envelope beside the one which was already placed there since one and half years. I never used his money it was still there. I never called on the number he gave me. I never heard anything from him. He probably forgets about me. I saw the picture inside the drawer and pick up.

"But I can't forget you. You may have another wife but for me your only one who is my mahram, who is my husband. I can't forget you even after years I will be still here where you left me as your wife. Though I'm not waiting for you because I know, you won't come back for me. " I caress his photo frame and a small smile come to my lips. "And I'm happy that you're happy. Amma jaan often talks about you and sofia baaji. Sorry, han.. I eavesdrop her conversation with your brothers sometimes." I chuckled as I remember their last conversation about him. "I heard you want a baby," I said staring at his still eyes. "I will pray to Allah. Insha Allah, he will bless you with a beautiful child soon"

"Isha Api!" I come out of my trance and hurriedly put Arshad's picture back in the drawer.

"Yes, Jawad coming" I yelled as I know he was waiting for me outside. I grabbed my bag and took a deep breath before wiping the tears which I didn't realise when fell from my eyes.

I always talk staring at Arshad's picture frame. It somehow makes me feel little closer to him even though that picture never replied to me nor response which sometimes irritates me but then it was good like that because if it will response then that picture probably say that I didn't have any rights to keep it. Which perhaps I don't.

"Baba is waiting for you" Jawad. Kubra bi (maid of the house) and the old driver bablu bhai's 6 years old son said as I walk out of the toom. We always go together to our school.

"Let's go," I said with a smile and held his hand. We walk toward the waiting car. Jawad sat beside his baba and I sat like always on the back seat.

After dropping me they went to Jawad's school. I entered my university with a beating heart. I never got used for this crowed. The uneasiness was always there.

I sat in my usual seat and open my books to ignore everyone as always. I didn't like to make friends and seeing all of them behaving so carefree with each other -boys and girls- makes me uncomfortable. I know I shouldn't judge them because they live in the city where everyone was the same but I was not. I was not the same as them. I was different and I didn't want to be like them. I like who I was and how I was.

Our lecturer came in after a few minutes making everyone silent.

**********

I was in the kitchen having my lunch when very excited Asam bhai walk in the kitchen "Isha make something special for dinner. We have a guest for dinner" he said with a grin on his face.

"Okay, bhai. Tell me what should I make? And how many people are coming?" I asked getting up from the chair.

"Make whatever you want. Cause your every hand made dish is the best than any five stare restaurant. And About how many are coming then it's about three people are coming. Its a family" he said with still that wide grin. I nodded before he walks out of the kitchen.

"Jabse tum ayi ho ye sab sirf tumhare hath ka khana hi pasand karte hai (after you came they always want to have your hand made foods)" Kubra bi said smiling while doing chores in the kitchen. I only smiled and began the preparation for the dinner.

Kubra bi was tired so I sent her to her room as she was doing chores since morning and continue doing my work. First, I made dessert and put that in the freezer and then I bake chocolate cake as well which kubra bi taught me. but now everyone says I made it better than her. I learned many dishes which I didn't even hear the name before.

I grin looking at my chocolate cake. I always made cakes for any occasion and this was the secret that I make them more for myself than anyone else. Cause I got the chance to eat leftover with Jawad as the guest of their only tasted a little bit.

"Again cake" I was startled hearing Amar's voice. Settling my dupatta on my head properly I look at him he was sitting on the kitchen counter drinking his protein shake. He seems to come back from the gym.

"Uhm..wo Asam bhai ke guest ke liye (this is for Asam bhai's guest)" I said with nervousness. I always become frightened if he was around and if that too alone.

"Oh please isha.. Mujhe pata hai kis ke liye (i know for whom this)" he said with smirk. I glared at him and resume my work. "If you like cakes this much then agree to come with me. I promise I will buy you as many cakes as you want." He again said. I huffed and turn to him.

"Please stop asking this. I told you before and I'm saying this again. I'm not interested" I said in a low tone. He jumps out of the counter and walks toward me.

"How ungrateful girl you are. You should be happy that I give you attention or else your nothing but a maid here. But you are behaving like a queen of this house." With that, he storms out of the kitchen. I gulp the lump and again resume my work. He always humiliates me if I refused to go out with him. I know, now all day he won't let any chance to humiliate me like always but that didn't make me not to refuse him. I won't give in. no matter what.

******

"This is delicious" Sabiya's mother said as she took a spoon full of kheer (sweet dish)

"Yup it's yummy," Sabiya said. I smile happily.

Sabiya was the person with whom Asam bhai wanted to marry and today her family came here to meet Amma jaan. Amma jaan gladly accepted sabiya. She was a very pretty girl with a little tough nature. After dinner, they all sat in the living room when I served them kheer and place cake in front of them on the table.

"She is our best cook" Asam bhai praised me with a smile causing me to blush.

"And the best maid too," Amar said making my smile fall "You know sabiya bhabi, you don't have to worry about your any work. she will do everything you will say. She is an obedient maid," he said with a smirk.

"Yes Sabiya baaji, you don't have to worry about anything. I will do whatever you will say. I won't give you a chance to complain" I said with a wide smile. But inside I was hurting.

"That's so sweet of you" she smiled before they all continue their conversations about the wedding.

I glance at Amar who was scowling at me before going to my room. I know he likes me and my rejection always anger him, but the thought of another man disgusts me. No one harms me physically but Amar never leaves a chance to hurt me mentally and most hurting me was that no one stopped him saying this on my face that I was maid here which makes me believe I was nothing but their maid. Before Arshad leaving he said this was my house but this was not. Amar thinks if he tortured me I will surrender but he didn't know my Imaan was more strong than his cruel words. I was married to his brother and always wanted to say that but kept my lips sealed for Arshad. Only if he would have here then I wouldn't have to endure all this. I know I was stupid to think like this when I know he doesn't care about me. He thinks living in his house gives me protection from the outside world but who tell him that I needed protection inside the house as well.

"Kash aap meri bhi parwah karte (if only you care for me)" I muttered as I took his photo frame in my hand. "Kash aap jante ke mujhe bhi aapki zarurat hai. Aisi zindagi jaha mera koi nahi hai takleef deti hai (if only you knew that i need you. Living like this where no one is mine gives me pain)"

I caressed his picture with my fingers. It's not like I think maid's job something shameful. No. Every work/job is respectful on its own. but the thing pains me was that I was maid back in my father's house and now in my husband's house as well. Where girls live like a Princess and queen I live like a maid.

"Isha" I heard kubra bi's voice. I put the photo inside the drawer before she could come inside. "Isha Amma jaan calling you" she informed me. I nodded and went to amma jaan's room.

I walk inside but found no one. "Amma jaan" I called.

"I'm here in shower isha. Wait I'm coming" she said from the bathroom. I stood there in my thoughts until I heard the mobile ringing sounds. I look around and found the phone on the bed ringing. As I peek who was it my heartbeat accelerate.

Arshad.

"Isha, is it Arshad?" I heard Amma jaan's voice from the bathroom.

"Y..ye..yes" I managed to say in loud voice.

"Tell him to call me later," she said. My palm becomes sweaty. I slowly walk toward the ringing mobile and pick it up with shaky hands. I never talk to him in all those times.

Suddenly phone stopped ringing and I released a breath but before I could place it back it started ringing again. And this time I received.

"Assalamualaikum Amma jaan" I heard his voice which causes my breath to hitch. And heartbeat increase even more. "Amma jaan?" He called when I didn't respond.

"Wa..walaikum...as..asal.assalam" I stuttered to the extent I was sure he didn't understand me. There was silence for sometime before I heard.

"Isha?" He asked making my heart skip its beat.

***********

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