This chapter is for my friend sweetmomo2002 because we fight all the time but our bond is still as strong as ever ♥️

The incident that happened on the past Friday had shook the core of the house. No one had expected that Laraib and Fahad would succumb to something so low. They had always taught their children to tell them when they liked someone so all of them were baffled as to why the kids would take such a rash step. The weekend had been full of tension. No one had talked freely. Today, being a Monday, the men were at home as they felt that they needed more time to wrap their head around what had happened.

Aliya was worried for her children. Laraib had committed zina (Fornication) and still had little to no guilt about it. For Aliya it was not about the family's reputation in the society. For her it was the betrayal of her daughter that had pierced through her heart with a poisoned dagger. Was she not a good mother? Then Akbar. His wife was it her parents home, and he refused to bring her back until did not ask for forgiveness. Her son would not let go of the topic no matter how many times she tried to coax him. When she would ask Mahrukh to talk to Akbar she would reply in a kind tone
"Sorry mama. Zain has forbid me from coming in between the two".
And Aliya knew how Mahrukh would never go against Zain. The only reason there was some peace in her life was thanks to Zain and Mahrukh living a happy life.

"Akram you are a father. If you ask Akbar to bring back Amna he will. Your words matter a lot to him," Aliya plead. Akram sighed and removed his round spectacles, keeping them to one side.
"As you wish Aliya. But I will not force Akbar to take any step," Aliya nodded knowing that even this much was enough for her.

Akram took heavy steps to Akbar's room and knocked the heavy mahogany door. The recently oiled door, opened smoothly without a single noise. Akbar was surprised to see his father.
"Abu come in," opening the door wider he said. Akram looked around the room. It was clean but the things of Aliya that sat on top of the dresser to him were a clear indicator that he missied Amna. Akram sat on the plush ottoman, pointing to the free space next to him.
"Listen Akbar. You are my son. I will stand with whatever you want do. But it seems that you are confused about what you want yourself".
Akbar looked at his father with red rimmed eyes.
"You are right. I want to forgive her. I want to live a peaceful life like Zain and Mahrukh. But maybe that is not what is destined for me,"
Akrams heart sank seeing his son so upset. Placing both of his hands on his shoulders Akram began to speak
"Listen Akbar. Everyone has ups and downs. If your heart desires to live with Amna, then bring her back. Spend time with her. Clear out your misunderstandings. Your mother is taking a lot of tension becasue of this and to add Laraib to all this. Hmph. Please son do what you want but fast." Akbar assured his father that he would go and get Amna in the evening.

Walking inside the large kitchen, Mahrukh was met with the sight of her uncle and aunt having a romantic scene. She coughed lightly breaking the two apart.
"Mahrukh when did you come?"
Akram asked seeing as Aliya was way to flustered to form a reply.
"When you two were having a romantic moment,"
her words caused Aliya's cheeks to be coated with a deep blush.
"So who says only you and Zain have the right to be romantic any and everywhere?"
Came Akbar's voice from behind them. Now it was as if the roles were reversed. Aliya was laughing and
Mahrukh blushing.

Aliya walked upto Akbar and kissed his cheeks, her eyes filled to the brim with tears and motherly love
"Son you have made me very proud today".
Zain who had witnessed the entire show thought it was a wonderful time to end the emotional meetings.
"Ever since I have gotten married. Mama it seems you and Abu have forgotten me".
Zain's loud voice resonated through the kicthen. Aliya smiled at him  and looked at her daughter in law and said
"Nothing like that. Infact it is you who has forgotten us ever since we brought your biwi".
(Wife)
Mahrukh looked at Aliya with wide eyes and words of protest left her mouth as she left.

Mahrukh had just entered the foyer when Saad and Shifa, who had gone to Lahore, walked in. Sti oblivious to all that had happened.
"Ammi Abu when did you guys come back?"
Mahrukh spoke full of enthusiasm and jumped into her father's arms. Saad kissed her head while Shifa caressed her back. They had missed their daughter dearly.
"We just entered. So it means we came now".
Saad spoke with sarcasm. Mahrukh pinched the cheeks of her father and put her arms around her mother.
"Come mama lets talk. Your husband has spent enough time with you," she began to drag Shifa to her and Zain's room.

Taking her there and making her sit down, Mahrukh began to narrate what she had did all week long, keeping the part about Laraib and Fahad to herself as she thought that it was none of her business.

○~○

It was the evening. More specifically, the time for Akbar to go and bring Amna. He was nervous. Even in the chilly air, his palms were sweaty and knees weak. He worried about what he was going to say to her. He knew that he was not in the wrong. But he also knew that he could've handled the matter in a more mature manner.

He knocked on the door, and waited for someone to open it for him. Luckily, it was Amna. Amna was shocked to see her husband standing at the door. These past few days, Amna had cried and worried a lot about her relationship. She did not know what was to happen and repented seriously. The past few nights were tough. Seeing Akbar at the door she thought he had come to divorce her.

"Akbar Akbar please don't divorce me. I swear I will not do what I did ever again," seeing the woman that he so dearly loved, his heart hurt. He grabbed her hands that were in front of him and assured her.
"I am not here to give you a divorce. I am here to take you home".
Hearing those words, her joy knew no bounds. She happily ran in grabbed her bag and sat in the car. Akbar began to drive slowly. He wanted to talk things out before they reached their home.

"Amna I need you to tell me. Why do you hate Mahrukh so much?"
His question caught her off gaurd. She was not expecting him to be so blunt.
"I swear I loved her like a sister. But your aunt and cousins and sister filled my ears against her. Showed me all her actions in the light that they were not supposed to be taken in. Anytime she laughed, I just wanted to take her smile away from her," opening and saying it all out loud made Amna cringe.
She for the first time felt how much Mahrukh must have been hurt. Akbar grabbed her hands and began to speak softly.
"I understand. But you should have trusted me. I am forgiving you this time. But this is your last chance. One more time you hurt any one from our family I will give you divorce then and there. This is my final verdict. I will help you out if your insecurities but Amna you need to tell me hiw you feel okay?"
Amna nodded her head and spoke softly
"Okay".
Akbar gave her a full blown smile.
"Well then. Now that that is out if the way, lets have ice-cream".

○~○

Shifa and Saad got to find out everything from Aliya. They consoled her and told her to keep herself firm in all decisions and she will soon be out of this problem.

Laraib had come down at tea time but seeing the look in everyone's eyes she walked back upstairs. However Zain stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
Laraib huffed and came to stand next to him.
"In my room".
Zain nodded and continued to speak and have a playful banter with Mahrukh.

Aliya looking at the two had an idea.
"Zain why don't you and Mahrukh go for dinner tonight?"
The idea appealed to both Zain and Mahrukh as the walked upstairs briskly to get changed for dinner.

Zain wore a semi-formal outfit. Grey fitted slacks with a black turtleneck. Wearing is Hugo Boss cologne, and black dress shoes, he was ready to go.

Mahrukh decided on wearing something similar. Wearing a black turtleneck and black pants with black heels she was a vision. Leaving her naturally straight hair as they were she donned on a red lipstick and left the closet.

"Look Zain we are twins," she said with humor.
Zain kissed her cheeks and began praising her beauty.
"You look so pretty. Gosh! I got so damn lucky," his words caused her to melt into a puddle.
Zain intertwined their fingers and they left their bedroom. They had decided on a posh up-scale restrained that served sea food. And since wjbters were the best time to have fish, they settled on having some lobster and crabs that evening.

It was when they had returned that Mahrukh bumped into Amna. Amna without even wasting a second, wrapped Mahrukh up in her arms and spoke, with her voice full of tears
"Mahrukh forgive me please. I know that I have not done right. But please will you not forgive your friend. I have no justification for what I did to you. But you were always a person with a big heart-"
Mahrukh stopped Amna from speaking.
"I forgave you the first time you asked for my forgiveness. Its okay. I just hope you will not do what you did ever again". Amna who by now was crying over the fact that she had ever doubted this pure soul ever in her life thanked her and pulled her in for a hug  once again.
"Ugh- Amna you are squashing me," Mahrukh's muffled voice came out causing all of them (Zain, Akbar and Amna) to laugh. Mahrukh whi was now free pouted seeing them laugh so much.
"Zain! You will sleep on the couch". Saying the words Zain oh so dreaded she ran upstairs.

Zain followed her into their room and began to caox her.
"Jaan.. we were having fun,"
he said whilst scratching his head.
"Making fun of my pain?"
Zain knew that he just dug the hole deeper. Seeing his defeated expression, Mahrukh laughed
"I was kidding".
Those words broke Zain's restraint who jumped on the bed and negan kissing her.

That night before sleeping Mahrukh counted all of her blessings. She had a loving mother and father in law. A doting and caring husband. A best friend in the form of her brother. Her parents and now her soul-sister Amna was back. Her heart was content. What more could she truly ask for? She had all that she needed with her.

God truly was kind.

○~○
Comment down questions guyss from characters in the book to about me to new book plans. Ask away.....