'How did you guess patch up?' Fawaz asked amused as he drove them back home. Maha pressed her lips tightly before saying, 'Why, we can't patch up?' she folded her arms across her chest. Fawaz smiled tilting his head looking at her for a spilt second before looking back at the road.

'It is...but was next to impossible.' Fawaz smiled shrugging. Maha too smiled but quickly fixed her expressions.

'Miara was apologizing for everything... and I said,' she looked fidgeting with her fingers, 'I said it is okay, she was crying....as in she got emotional, I saw truth in her eyes and I knew she was genuinely sorry. So, I said let bygones be bygones and we patched up.'

'Good to know. Thank God it is sorted. Now we need to sort one more relationship.' Fawaz said stopping the car at the traffic signal.

'Your parents?' Maha asked nervously

Fawaz shook his head, he looked at her. 'Your mother and you.' he said.

Maha looked at him before turning to look front, 'that is not possible. It has been years since we haven't been in good terms.' Maha said bitterly. Fawaz extended his hand and placed his palm over hers, 'If we talk like sensible adults all problems and difference can be sorted.' He explained. When she didn't look at him, he continued, 'Just talk to her, tell about your feelings and hear hers. Simple.'

Maha shook her head, Fawaz squeezed her palm, 'for me, please.' He pouted. Maha looked at him briefly before sighing, 'Fine.'

Maha walked into her house with Fawaz following her closely. She ordered two glasses of cold water to the servant who nodded his head saying, 'Ji, Babyji.' He then disappeared into the kitchen.

Maha and Fawaz walked into the living room. Majid and Faheem are seated with Tasneem in the middle reading them a story. Fawaz noticed her otherwise gloomy and stern face glowing with a wide smile. He hasn't seen her this happy before. He then looked at his kids and smiled widely, kids bring that magic with them. No one can be gloomy around them. Looking at his two kids, Fawaz felt proud.

Fawaz turned his head and noticed Maha frowning, he extended his hand and held hers, she turned her head to look at him. He gently squeezed her palm assuring her to take the step, he is with her. Maha doesn't move, she kept looking at him. Fawaz held her hand and lead her into the living room.

Fawaz cleared his throat and all three looked at him and Maha. Tasneem frowned while the kids jumped happily and ran to their parents.

Fawaz kneeled in front of them and asked them to go play in their rooms. They looked at Maha who gave them a stern look and they ran into their rooms. Fawaz straightened and stood beside Maha.

There is silence, Tasneem removed her glasses and looked up, her eyes darting from Fawaz to Maha and back again. She patiently waited for them to speak. Fawaz decided to take the step.

'Maam, Maha has something to talk to you.' he nudged Maha's arm. She glared at him before looking back at her mother and nodding.

Fawaz smiled as she took a step, 'I will go play with the boys.' Fawaz said not wanting to make the situation awkward by being here. This mother and daughter duo needs to talk, only then will their differences will be resolved. And in their heart to heart conversation, no third person is needed. Maha silently protested but he just smiled at her and walked away.

Once out of the room, he carefully peeped in. Tasneem asked Maha to sit beside her and she did. Tasneem placed her palm over her daughter's and Maha looked up at her mother.

Silence!

Fawaz silently prayed that everything gets resolved, he then turned around and walked up to his kid's room.

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

Later that night,

Fawaz stood by the window, his kids sleeping peacefully. He stared out into the darkness a smile on his lips. He turned around when he heard the door open, Tasneem entered. Her eyes swollen and nose red yet she smiled through her tears. She walked up to Fawaz.

'Thank you.' she said placing her palm on her shoulder. Fawaz smiled politely.

'For the first time in ages, I and Maha spoke with each other properly. She wouldn't have done this unless you told her too. She loves you very much. And I am glad you came around and...'

'Maam, I love Maha and I want her happiness more than me repenting for my mistakes. Her happiness lies in you, me, Majid and Faheem.' Fawaz said. Tasneem looked impressed. It is then Fawaz realized that she and he are talking calmly after ages. Before he used to butter her and be very formal with her as she was his boss, then he became rude and annoyed with her because she had forced him to marry Maha and then they had stopped talking completely.

Tasneem sighed, adjusting her glasses she looked at him again, 'I am sorry.'

'For?' Fawaz asked confused.

'I was the root cause of all this. I had become selfish and forced you to marry Maha. Instead like today, I should have just spoken to her.' Tasneem shook her head in regret. Fawaz smiled and held her shoulders.

'Maam, I am glad you did. Else I would have never met Maha and realize what love is. I would not have these lovely kids making me realize that there is more to life than just work. Family and love are important too.' He finished. Tasneem nodded in agreement.

The living room is dark except for the dim moonlight from the windows. And in the darkness, Maha sat. Fawaz walked towards her holding two cups of hot steaming black coffee. She looked up at him as he forwarded a cup.

'Don't worry, I haven't made this. Your mom has.' He smiled at her. Maha smiled through her tears and took the cup from him.

'Thank you.' she said as he sat beside. She smiled at him.

'I had mistaken her so much. Mom does love Mr. Khanna but she has recently broken up with him for me. Because I am not happy. That is why she had gone to meet him one last time last night. But I was stupid, Haina. She still loves Dad of course, but he is no more...but that doesn't mean she should stop living, stop loving again, right? After all, love is very important.' She finished and took a sip of her coffee. Fawaz blinked at her, this is the first time she is speaking so maturely. She looked at him and frowned.

He smiled throwing his arm around her, he shifted closer, 'I didn't know you can talk so seriously.'

'Old Maha wouldn't have but the new Maha, the in love Maha knows how miserable life gets when someone you love isn't there with you.' she said sadly.

Fawaz nodded, he couldn't agree more. Old Fawaz wouldn't have understood this either but the new Fawaz knows exactly how miserable a person becomes. Maha shifted closer resting her head on his shoulder. Together they sat silently drinking their coffee.