Skip the second half if you have read MHHM part.

___

There was a knock on the door, that woke him up, he opened his eyes thinking he would be greeted by his wife's sleeping face. But she wasn't beside him, he shrugged, "Aaraha hu", he said as he wore his chappal, and stepped on the flower petals on the ground. Last night he had talked to Maheen, and she had listened to him, it was the first time they had a conversation without arguing and he liked it.

His lips curved as he remembered the way she held the locker in her sleep. Strangely they talked about penguins too, "What do you like about penguins?"

He had asked her, she had laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. "They mate for life," she had said. "They find their partner and stick with them through everything, if one dies, the other often dies too, from a broken heart. I think that's beautiful."

He had smiled at her answer, feeling a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt in a long time. It was a small moment, but it felt significant, like a step towards something better.

The knock on the door came again, louder this time, pulling him out of his thoughts. He walked over, opened the door, "Der hogayi hai, naashta karlo", His mother said to him, "Maheen uthi?"

His expression changed, "Kya matlab? Bahar nahi hai kya?"

It was of worry, then he realized the door was locked from inside, Abdullah's eyes went to the window. It was open, he ran towards it, as if he could catch her in time.

His eyes went to the bed and realised that he had felt cold in the middle of the night. It was from the window.

"Raat ko chali gayi.." he whispered.

"Kon chali gayi, Maheen? Kyun?"

His mother was unaware of the whole overdeal, he couldn't say it, the lies would break her heart.

"Aye bata na kuch puchrahi hu. Kaha gayi Maheen?"

Where did she go? He had no idea, where she ran off to. Where could she possibly go?

The graveyard...

"If one dies, the other often dies too, from a broken heart."

She wasn't talking about him, it was Afshan. Did she...? His eyes went to the bedside to find a note,

"Pyaare Abdullah, ye mera aakhri khat hoga, zindagi mai bas tumhe hi khat likhe hai maine. Aur jawab ka intezar karte karte badi hogayi. Abbu kehte they kabhi toh aayega jawab, bas tum khat likho aur hum jaakar post karte hai. Abbu ke saath har jummah post office jaati thi, sabse dosti thi meri waha, puchte they kiska khat hai, toh mai kehti thi, mere sabse pyaare dost Abdullah ka. Magar jawab nhi aata kabhi. Aur ek din maine socha, shayad iss baar chitthi nahi bheji toh tumhe bhi pata chalega khat ka intezar karna kitna kaisa lagta. Na tumhara khat aaya aur na mera intezaar khatam hua. Un dinon mai bridge se cycle ke saath jaari thi, wahi tumhari purani cycle jiska break fail tha, ek ladke se takra gayi. Afshan.

Galti meri thi, magar maafi woh maang raha tha. Mujhe hassi aagyi, mere ghar mai galti kisiki bhi ho, maafi Ammi hi maangti thi. Usne meri cycle apne Abbu se theek karwayi, aur mujhe ghar wapas choda. Woh jaaraha tha toh maine pucha, 'phirse cycle kharab huyi toh?' Usne muskurakar jawab diya, 'Mai bridge se guzrunga tab tumhe lene aajaunga'.

Woh humesha meri haan mai haan milata tha. Kabhi kisi baat par inqaar nhi kiya. Agar uss din kardeta toh, mai uske marne ki wajah nhi banti. Tumne meri jaan bachayi, mai nhi chahti Afshan ki tarah tum bhi apni jaan khodo. Khat lamba hai... aur aakhri. Aisa pehli baar hoga ke mujhe tumhare khat ka intezaar nhi ho. I am sorry.

Khuda Hafiz,

Maheen.

__

She was gone... his mother asked him, but he couldn't reply. 

"Kya likha hai khat mai? Abdullah kyun parieshan kar raha hai, bolna!"

She was confused, he sighed, "Ammi maine aapse jhoot bola tha...", he revealed her the truth about the whole incident.

She held her heart, standing up, "Aapka dil nahi dhukana chahta tha isliye maine..."

"Isliye apni biwi ka dil dukhata raha," she completed his sentence, "Beta thoda sochleta uske baarey mai, zalimon ke saath rehkar khud zulm karne laga tu".

He held his head, a tear fell on the letter smudging the word 'pyaare'. His heart ached, he wiped the tear before his mother could see it.

He thought the situation would improve, he thought he could live a lifetime with her.

"I am sorry."

Then he re read the words again, the letter. Maheen wasn't a woman accustomed to apologies. She was a woman who, even after a fight instigated by her, wouldn't say sorry.

And even when she would, she would blame him first, then cry a little. She wasn't the type of woman who would apologise, at least not in this way.

The traits she had been showing last night were the opposite of the woman he knew. And it came together one by one.

She wasn't that kind of woman because he didn't know her. He could never understand her, her thoughts, her pain.

A terrifying forebading feeling ran down his spine. He stood up and walked out the door. What if Jahangir Shaikh caught her?

Where was she? Did she escape properly?

He had no idea, but he had to know, the unsettling feeling in his heart, the guilt and remorse was killing him.

He could never understand her...

But he knew life had failed her, her parents had failed her and even him. If he had listened to her and helped her escape at least, he would know she was alive.

How would she manage alone?

She was afraid of dark, afraid of blood, afraid of cars, and travelling in bus gave her nausea. Maheen had been sheltered her whole life, spoilt by her family, everything she wanted was given to her.

Maheen's decision to run wasn't because she suddenly had the courage to, but because living with him was more suffocating than death.

Where did it go wrong? What should he have done? What exactly did he want?

He wanted to make sure his wife was safe wherever she was.

If he found her at the graveyard, he would apologise for not doing what he should have done as a husband.

He was on the motorbike, soon he reached the graveyard and walked to Afshan's grave. She wasn't there, where was she?

His heart was twisting so painfully that it was hard to stand, his eyes went to the grave, and he sat down. Looking at the grave of the young man, who had died in front of him, and he had done nothing.

He felt so weak, as he lowered his head, he didn't know how to apologise to this person. His heart was aching, Afshan had given up his life for Maheen, and he... he had failed to listen to her.

What if she gave up her life? He walked away from the grave and went back to his bike, going to the bus station next.

"Maheen... kaha ho yaar", his heart choked up, "When I find you..."

"I will take you to the park"

"I will take you to the city,"

"I will take you wherever you want to go."

"So please be alive and safe,"

_____

"Maheen, if we get caught, you know the consequences," Maheen nodded her head. It was death. She had grown up in this village, every place carries a distinct smell, her home village used to smell like fresh earth after rain and the sweet scent of blooming jasmine. It was a place of warmth and familiarity, but now, all she could smell was the iron tang of blood, all she could hear was Afshan's painful screams, all she could think of was how she wanted to go far far away from this place, where she could no longer hear his screams.

The car started, and they drove through familiar grounds, the land where they were caught, it almost felt like a dejavu.

The tension in the car was palpable. Maheen glanced at Seher. Fear and determination mirrored back at her. She clutched the small, frayed bag on her lap, a reminder of everything she was leaving behind.

As they drove past the old banyan tree, memories flooded back. She remembered playing there as a child, and the same place where Afshan was stoned to death.

The car bounced on the uneven dirt road, and Maheen winced with every jolt. She glanced out the window, the familiar sights blurring past her.

"Keep your head down," Seher whispered, her voice tinged with urgency. Maheen obeyed, her heart pounding in her chest. They were at the main bridge...

As they drove further away from the village, the landscape began to change. The familiar sights gave way to unknown territory. Maheen felt a mix of fear and hope.

"We crossed the village?" Maheen asked excitedly, her eyes brimming with tears, Seher nodded, "Yes, we are out. "

The car was headed for the city area, they drove for a few hours, "How did we do it?"

Seher smirked, "My father trusts me a little too much.", Maheen smiled, "Your pendant is so pretty", she said noticing the beautiful necklace around her neck.

"Was it a gift from Afshan?" Maheen shook her head, "Abdullah, "the guilt was back again, Seher's face changed as if she came to a realization.

"He is thoughtful."

"He is not. He is just like the men in this village," Maheen denied getting upset, "He told me that his traditions came first. I hate him!"

Seher's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze Maheen's hand. "The village is behind us, so is Abdullah. You can restart your life, do what you actually want."

"Why are you doing this for me?"

Seher shook her head, "I am doing it for myself, my father has ruined so many lives including mine. I don't want you or any woman to go through the pain. I want the control, the power in my hands, I want them to know how it ...feels to be powerless, to be at the mercy of someone else's whims. I want to change that, for you, for me, for every woman who has suffered."

Maheen's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Seher. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Seher smiled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You don't have to repay me, Maheen. Just live your life freely, make your own choices, and be happy. That's all the repayment I need."

The car continued to speed down the road, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the distance. Maheen felt a sense of relief wash over her. The weight of her past was slowly lifting, replaced by a cautious optimism for the future.

The car finally entered the bustling city, the noise and lights a stark contrast to the quiet village they had left behind. Maheen took a deep breath, feeling a mix of fear and excitement. This was the beginning of a new chapter, one where she could write her own story. One where she had the power.

Saahil parked the car and turned to Maheen. "Welcome to your new life, Maheen."

They were parked near a villa, Saahil opened the car door for them, "What's this place?"

"My father's second wife used to live here", Seher replied looking at the beautiful place, "General Sahib had another wife?"

"Yes, found it in his suitcase, this address and marriage registration papers. He married her for a heir secretly, thinking my mother couldn't give him one, only for him to realise that he had the problem".

Ironic it was that a man who had lost his manhood was the face of patriarchy in their village.

Maheen stepped out of the car, her feet sinking into the soft gravel of the driveway. The villa was grand, a stark contrast to the simple, rustic homes of the village. It felt surreal, like stepping into a different world.

Seher led the way to the entrance, her steps confident and resolute. She unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a lavish interior. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, yet it felt like a haven, a place where they could finally breathe freely.

"This will be your home for now, and don't worry you don't have to stay alone, I will bring in other women", Seher said, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious foyer.

Maheen looked around, "There is a balcony", she said running towards the open verandah.

Seher smiled warmly seeing her all excited. "And a terrace".

As they explored the villa, Seher pointed out the various rooms and amenities. "There are bedrooms upstairs, a fully stocked kitchen, and even a small library. You can take your time to settle in until your college starts."

Maheen couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and disbelief. "It's like a dream."

Seher chuckled softly. "The maid will arrive early morning."

That night, as Maheen lay in a comfortable bed, she stared up at the ceiling, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Abdullah must have read her letter. Did he get upset?

Or was he relieved?