Author pov

   It was 2 in morning when they finally reached Sukkur City. Everyone was sleeping this late since they all wake up early, Shehnaaz followed her husband inside house. His broad back and shoulders always blocks her view

    He stopped suddenly making her stop as well. She followed his gaze to see Zain who was sitting in dining table's chair, eating dinner with maham sitting beside him. She was talking about something with smile and he was just staring at her with that love look. Shehnaaz bite her lower lip before clearing her throat letting couple know their arrival because her husband was now glaring at them

   Zain and both maham immediately stood up as soon as they saw married couple and fear was visible on their faces because of harden glare of elder man in front of them

"Time dekha hai" Sidharth's deep voice made them gulp especially maham who's heart was beating faster. Her brother get things quickly

"Umm mujhe late hogaya Pir goth se ane mein toh maham bas mera khana garam karke layi hai bhai plus she stayed kyun ke mujhe company chahiye thi kisi ki" Zain reasoned. Sidharth looked between them with cold gaze not believing a word his younger cousin said

"Ary it's okay zain bhaijaan! Company he toh derahi hai apko maham koi bari baat nahi hai haina Sidharth" Shehnaaz smiled nervously lifting her head to look at her husband through lashes who lower his gaze to glance at her

"H-Haan that!" Zain nodded with nervous laugh. Maham bite her lower lip looking down and before Sidharth could say anything further Shehnaaz wrapped arm around his

"Chale kamre mein hum ap thak nahi gaye ho itna drive krke? I saw you almost got us killed because you were sleepy" She said pushing his build figure to move forward, diverting his mind from couple but he's not fool

    He looked at them before walking away and Shehnaaz followed right after. Zain send her flying kiss and she winked at him. Maham sighed out in relief dropping herself in chair and lift her head to look at Zain who also looked at her

"Kuch din bas mene baat krli hai ami aur dadi-jaan se humare bare mein they will talk to bhai" He assured young woman with gentle kiss on her forehead and cupped her face. She nodded with smile while keeping her hand over his

   After getting inside their room her husband got call and he walked towards balcony to talk while she get changed into something comfortable. Blue colour silk pyjamas with white strips, she walked outside closet to see him still gone. She glanced at balcony he was still speaking with one hand on railing and other one holding phone against ear

    Who calls him at 2 in morning? She wondered before getting in his bed, yes she will sleep in same bed as him they have slept before so she's comfortable with him now

"Bhut galat timing hoti hai apki calls ki raat ke 2 baj rahe hain" Sidharth groan at elder man who was on other side of call

"It's not like tumhari married life exciting hai ke tum raat 2 baje busy raho" Elder man scoffed. Sidharth rolled his eyes "Patch up krliya kya apni biwi se? Krlo meri maano toh" He suggested

"I don't want to get hurt again" Sidharth's words were foreign to Mr gabool. He has known him ever since he was small child and this man has never talked like this. Like devdas

    After talking for while and getting to know reason behind Mr gabool's call was to invite him for zorawer's Nikkah along shehnaaz as zorawer has requested. He doesn't understand that zorawer's obsession with his wife, he's always staring at her and speaking to her whatever he gets chance. It annoyed him very much, pissed him He should stay away from his wife

     He walked back into room to witness Shehnaaz sleeping on bed. Didn't she wanted to stay away from him and chose to sleep on couch. He thought for while before keeping his phone on side table and getting inside bed as well but kept huge distance between them and faces his back to her. He has his eyes closed and was trying to sleep when she scoot closer him and wrapped arm around him

"Shehnaaz." He warned

"Jab last time I said I'm missing muma you hugged me to sleep now also mujhe unki yaad arahi hai" She murmured into his back "You don't have to hug me I will do it" She snuggled more into him. He didn't say anything further and just let her do whatever she wants to

    His fragrance is something that gives her comfort. She feels safe when she's smelling musky and strong fragrance in air. She feels home

"Kise baat kar rahe the ap?" She asked. She couldn't help but ask

"Sojao aur sone dou" He said sternly. She unwrap her around him and he suddenly missed it. Missed her warmth

    She sits up kneeling on bed with legs underneath and pull him by his arm, made him lay straight. His expressions seems pissed but she doesn't care. She wants to know

"What do you want now Shehnaaz?" His voice came out deep and cold as he looks at her who still has her hand on his arm. She scoot more closer until her knees were closer his body almost touching

"Whom were you talking to?" She asked again with eyes locked him with

"Tumhe kya" He said plainly trying to not snap at her because he's sleepy and she's not letting him sleep

"Mujhe kya? Mein apki biwi hoon!" She exclaimed with eyes little wide. What in the world has happened to her, she has never claimed herself to be his wife. Never before

"Abhi yaad aya hai?" His voice and expression held sarcasm as he utter those words and kept his both hands behind his back while looking at her

     She pouted pushing her raven hair back and getting on top of him, with legs either side and palm flat against his chest. He didn't give away much reaction to her action but she felt his well build body stiffened underneath her and he clenched his jaw. She can feel his abs when she kept hands on his chest and slowly trail down his stomach innocently. She looks at him with those doe eyes while he with his darken

"Kon tha" She asked. This woman

"Mr gabool now get off" His was rough and quick as he kept hands on her hips to push her off him but she kept her hands over his and winced

"Chore mein nahi uthru gi kya karoge ap huh! Aur what was uncle talking to you about?" His hand loses on her hips and slid down her thigh as she refused to get off. He can within seconds throw her off him but he's not doing it

"Wo mujhe keh rahe the dusri shaadi krlo phely biwi toh kisi kaam ki nahi" He told her causally "Mene kaha phely ko farq karu toh dusri ka bhi sochon ga" His lips curved in small smirk at her expressions

"Apke yahan dusri shaadi nahi hoti" She fake smiled at him

"Tumhare baap ne jo ki thi" He reminds her with smirk "You yourself are product of second marriage isliye tumhe toh koi problem nahi honi chahiye also don't worry I will do that after properly divorcing you" He completed pushing her off him now making her gasp and fall on bed beside him

    She rolled her eyes as he again turn other side. She pulled covers over her head and closed her eyes to sleep not before murmuring some cuss words and drifted off into sleep

—

    In morning Shehnaaz woke up in empty bed. Obviously her husband is early bird. She got up and made way towards washroom to shower and get ready for day

    She was drying her raven hair with towel after shower when her room's door burst open and she doesn't even have to look behind to know who's it. Who can came in without knock into their rooms? Dadi-jaan obviously

"Asalam-o-alaikum" She turned around to greet elder woman who smiled at her

"Walaikumsalam. Kesi ho? Wo tumhari darziyo wali parhai kesi chal rahi hai?" Dadi-jaan asked

"Textile designing kehte hai usko dadi aur wo bilkul theek chal rahi hai" Shehnaaz replied with small smile as dadi-jaan rolled her eyes and took seat on bed which was just beside dressing table. She glanced at elder lady who was looking at her as she was now doing her make up

"Phone per toh pooch nahi saki lekin ab pooch rahi hoon, tumne achnak sidharth ke sath ane ke liye kyun kahan Mujhe toh laga tumhe use der rehna hai?" Dadi-jaan stared at Shehnaaz to read her facial expressions

"Esa kyun laga apko?" Shehnaaz asked keeping her pink shade of lipstick down to fully give attention to dadi-jaan

"Kyun na lage Jabse Nikkah hua hai yahi toh kehti ayi ho tum" Dadi-jaan stated fact

    Shehnaaz bite her lower lip leaning against table with hands on either side beside her. That is true she has been saying that ever since they got married and start living together. She wanted to stay away from him

"Us waqt mera dimag mein bas yeh tha ke wo reason hai jiski wajha se mein apni studies complete nahi kar payi jiski wajha se mujhe ap log Lahore se lekr aye. I wasn't thinking straight until mein apne mahool mein wapis ayi aur socha. Mene unko dusri nazar se dekhna shuru kiya hai" She confessed honestly. She never thought dadi-jaan will be first one to know about this

"Mujhe sab mil gaya jo chahiye tha. Freedom to continue my education and freedom to take my own decisions lekin still mujhe khali khali feel hota hai like something is missing" She continued. Dadi-jaan listens to her

"In 6 months mein mujhe unki ignorance ne bhut effect kiya hai Jo ke mujhe khud nahi pata tha kyun? Unke is rawaye se mein hurt hui hoon lekin mujhe pata hai mene unko bhi hurt kiya hai. I have started to accept him in my life and it's now hard to imagine my future without him" She spoke in soft voice looking down at her nails

"Toh ab problem kya hai? Batao usko jo feel krti ho" Dadi-jaan's tone also got softer after noticing watery eyes of Shehnaaz

"Ab unko mein pasand he nahi phely thori bhut thi and for that he even did effort lekin mene sab kharab krdiya. Now he hates me more" She whispered wiping tear with back of hand. Dadi-jaan sighed standing up and getting closer younger girl to caress her hair softly

"Wo nahi krta nafraat tumse beta zyda mat socho bas wo naraz hai manao use dekhna maan jaye ga jald he" She told Shehnaaz who lifted her face to look at her

"Sachi?" She asked

"Haan Sachi" Dadi-jaan pulled her in warm hug that feels amazing to Shehnaaz. She hugged elder woman back

"Ab rona band karo agar tumhare aur apne dada-jaan se milkr ayo subha se intezar kar rahe hain tumhara!" Dadi-jaan scold breaking hug. Shehnaaz pouted at elder woman

"MashaAllah dekho yeh sari mein achi lag rahi hona wo Laal sari toh wahiyat thi" Dadi-jaan shivers remembering her that stunt. Shehnaaz roll wiping corner of her eyes. Dadi-jaan can never change honesty she will be same

"Apne mujhe dou baar thapad mara hai mein dada-jaan se complain karogi" Shehnaaz smirked

"Krlo jao" Dadi-jaan scoffed waving off her hand. Shehnaaz forgot that instead dada-jaan is afraid of her

"Chalo mein apne shohur ko bataogi dusri baar jab apne mara tha tab wo wahan nahi the aur jab phely baar mara tha tab apko laga tha mein koi aur hoon" She kept hands on her hips

"Phely maana tou loo apne shohur ko" Dadi-jaan shake head with small smile

    Shehnaaz turned around to look back at mirror to do her remaining make up quickly. She pulled all her hair forward to rest them over shoulder and heard gasp from dadi-jaan

"Iska peeche ka kahan hai!" Dadi-jaan asked in horror looking at backless blouse holding together with single string which was showing soft and milky skin of younger woman

"It's backless" Shehnaaz said flips her hair with attitude and chuckle at reaction of elder woman who shake her head in disappointment

—

   Shehnaaz draped pallu over her shoulders to hide her backless blouse and free her hair to let them lose on her back before knocking softly and gently on white wooden door

"Ander aye" Voice of dada-jaan came which was deep even in his 70s. She slowly twisted knob and got inside room

   Her husband was already sitting in armchair opposite bed where dada-jaan was sitting with her father in chair beside. He was dressed in blue shalwar kameez with leg on another and hand against his mouth. He wasn't looking at her when she entered. They were twining coincidentally! She smiled at her father who smiled back. She met him outside earlier

"Asalam-o-Alaikum" She greeted old man

"Walaikumsalam" He greeted back with small smile as she made her way to take seat on another armchair beside her husband. Even this room was now filled with his fragrance

"Akhri baar tum dono ko sath baithe tum dono ke Nikkah mein dekha tha" He said looking between couple with sigh leaving his mouth. Shehnaaz doesn't know what to say so she stayed silent

"Tum dono Talaq lena chahite ho?" Dada-jaan asked without wasting time. Shehnaaz's heart skipped a beat as she looked at her husband

"Jee" He coldly spoke

"Mujhe nahi chahiye talaq!" She stands up immediately and refused not caring anymore who's in room. Sidharth set there silently

"Shehnaaz!" Alam glared at his daughter. She is finally getting what she wants, why is she saying this now "Baba jaan give her time to thin-"

"Nahi mujhe time nahi chahiye baba! Mujhe divorce nahi chahiye I want to remain as his wife please" She looked at her father who also stands up and made his way towards hers. He got hold of her shoulders and made eye-contact with her

"Is he forcing you?" Alam couldn't help but this. He remembers very first time how his daughter threw that red ring and refuse to marry and remain on her decision till last but what changed now?

"Nahi baba he's not forcing me. I want to be with him willingly" She said, he didn't get it nor did Sidharth who was now looking at her

"Am I joke to you?" Sidharth stands up with darken eyes on Shehnaaz who has now teary eyes "I am asking you Shehnaaz am I joke to you?" He advanced closer taking intimidating steps

"Sidharth sto-"

"Ap beech mein nahi ayo" He shifted his glare on Alam who tried to speak

"Phely tumhe divorce chahiye tha tab meri feelings matter nahi krti thi ab jab ke I have fucking moved on now you have decided that you don't want it anymore!" He shouted loud enough to make her flinched. Alam get in between hiding his daughter behind him

"Sidharth!" Dada-jaan glare at young man

   Sidharth kept his intimidating glare on her before walking out of room slamming door behind. Shehnaaz's lips curved in crying pout and she looked at her father and dada-jaan

"Mein jao unke peeche" She asked permission to leave. She wanted to tell him before he leaves

"Nahi-" Alam was cut off by his father

"Jao" Dada-jaan nodded

    Shehnaaz didn't wait for even second and runs. Making her way outside. She asked if they saw him and got to know he went upstairs, she immediately rushed upstairs and almost lost balance of heels she was wearing but hold railing before she could slipped down

    She knows he must be in their room so she pushed open door and he was there. The waistcoat he had earlier was thrown on floor, his sleeves rolled up and hand rubbing his temper as he stood facing her back in middle of room. He is filled with rage at movement but she didn't care

"Tumhe kya milta hai meri feelings ke sath kel kar Shehnaaz?" He demanded turning to look at her

"Mene kabhi apki feelings ke sath nahi khela" She shook her head speaking in low voice. If she wants him to understand her she need to make him cool down instead of pissing him off by snapping back at him

"Toh yeh sab kya hai tum batao? Tumhe chahiye tha na divorce deraha hoon na ab kyun kar rahi hoon yeh sab?" He furiously asked getting closer her. She stayed at her place

"Mujhe ab nahi chahiye yeh" She told him. He scoffed

"Phir tum kehti ho I have never played with your feeling! Toh ab jo kar rahi ho wo kya hai!" He said looking at her calmed expression. She has not once snapped at him. It made him let out sigh and calmed down

"We don't have to do this anymore Naaz. This forced Nikkah not anymore you can have your full freedom and you can be just Shehnaaz okay?" He cupped her face gently and calmly told her

"Mujhe just Shehnaaz nahi baana" She shook her head keeping hand over his. He frown "Mujhe Shehnaaz Sidharth rasheedi he rehna hai kyun ke mujhe ap pasand ane lage hou now you tell me what should I do?" She used him own lines on him with affection in doe eyes of hers

"You won't dare to joke about this to me ever again" His expressions got colder and he let go of her face immediately

"Mein mazak nahi kar rahi. Mujhe ap pasand ho sidharth" She tried to grab his hand but he pushed it away and made his way towards door to leave. She looked at dumb man in disbelief