Fiza's POV:

Allah has better plans for you!

Dadi (father's mother) used to tell me this and I wanted to believe that but my life always let me down. Until now, until the time I married Sheheryar and came into this house. It is strange how things turned out this way. After knowing the thoughts of Ehtesham on our wedding night, the beautiful picture I painted on the glass of my life cracked and smashed instantly. When Ehtesham and I divorced the pieces of the painting fall on the ground, leaving the frame of my life empty. But when I looked down to hide my tears I saw a beautiful picture formed on its own with the pieces of the broken glass. I still stare at that picture in awe, wondering how can shattered pieces be useful.

I guess Dadi was right, He had better plans for me. I am starting to believe it now because whenever I looked at the picture of my life now, it seems bigger than the picture I have painted before.

Lost in my own world I took the pieces of watermelon and start walking towards the backyard where Sheheryar and the kids were enjoying their time in the pool. This is how we spent most of the weekends going on an outing and stuff like this. Today, Sheheryar planned to stick at home and play some games with the kids. Since he has a flight tonight, therefore he doesn't want to involve himself in an activity in which he goes tired. According to him he was trying was his best to avoid this trip overseas but things didn't go as he planned. So he has no other option to go.

"Who want some watermelon?" I asked out loud putting the watermelon on the table.

"Not us, at least for now." Sheheryar's voice came from behind.

"What? But didn't you just-" I turn around to him and before I could complete my sentence a spray of water hit me.

"Sheheryar...!" I shrieked.

"Don't move or I will shoot. You are surrounded by our people." He said aiming his water gun at me.

"Why did you do this?" I questioned him.

"Because you didn't join us. Therefore, by the law of the weekend, you are guilty. Right kids?" He said looking at Sadaf and Taha who were standing beside him, also aiming their guns at me.

"Yes." They answered in unison.

"I was working in the kitchen."

"Still you are guilty. Ready Sadaf, Taha? We are going to take down your Mami (Mamo's wife). FIRE."

A loud shriek left my mouth when I was shot by three water guns at a time.

"Sadaf, Taha stop it." I said loudly and heard Sheheryar's voice in response.

"Don't stop my soldiers. We are near to victory."

"What victory?" I shouted turning my face to another side."

"Fiza, you are mine now." Suddenly I heard Sheheryar's serious voice from behind, as his arm circled around my waist. He pulled me back to his chest and the next thing I know, I was falling back with him.

~*~

Sheheryar's POV:

A loud scream escaped from Fiza mouth when I take her down into the pool with me. Holding her waist I steadied her and she starts gasping.

"Wh-why did... you do that?" She said while coughing.

"To bring you back." I remove the wet strands of hair from her face.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." I winked and turn to Sadaf and Taha, who were both laughing at the situation.

"Come on my little soldiers. Jump into the pool. Fiza, catch Taha." I said to her keeping an eye on Sadaf.

"You made me all wet." She said going towards Taha and I couldn't help myself from chuckling. Her complaint sounded like a whine. It was the first time I heard talking so openly. I was glad and anxious at the same time that I will be leaving soon for a whole week. We wouldn't be spending time like this and there will be no delicious food she made.

"Fiza, why don't you all go with me?"

"You will be busy with your work and kids will get bored staying in the room all day. Furthermore, those cities are unfamiliar to me too, means all of us would be depending on you. It will only divert your attention." She answered calmly.

"Do you think my attention wouldn't be diverted knowing that you will be here alone with kids?"

"In that case, you should properly complete your work as soon as possible and return home." She said leaving the pool and I also follow her after helping out Sadaf and Taha.

"No matter how much I do my best I cannot come before a week." I sighed.

"Um... Sheheryar." She gave me an uncertain look.

"What?"

"There is something on your head."

"What?" Unconsciously my hand reached to my head.

"Not here... wait." Fiza came to me and the next moment I was pushed back into the pool.

Startled by her sudden attack, it took me a while to understand what happened and when I was able to steady myself, I find Fiza and the kids laughing. Raising my brows I stared at Fiza, who was trying to stop her laughter.

"...It was to bring you back." She winked and smiled before, turning back to go inside. For a minute I stayed still at my place, staring at the door where she disappeared.

Was that Fiza just now???

I asked myself and recall everything that happened right now. Eventually, a wide smile formed on my face. I leave the pool and grab the watermelon Fiza brought for us. Kids also went with her, leaving me to enjoy this small moment of happiness.

So you finally decide to open up!

~*~

Fiza's POV:

It has been three days since Sheheryar left and now this house seems incomplete without him. Although kids are with me most of the time and Kaka also take very good care of us the space I feel isn't filling up no matter what I do. He was here with me from the moment I stepped inside this house. He was always there for me, even if he was in office I was never far from him but now it seems like it has been ages, I haven't felt his presence around me. It's strange that the distance between us made me realize the little things we unconsciously or consciously do for each other. Waking him up each morning, getting dress up nicely to welcome him home, making tea for him after dinner. Him selecting a dress for me to wear when I am confused, giving me compliments out of the blue, helping me making dinner and many countless deeds. Although he calls twice a day, yet doesn't seem enough.

Is this what people feel when they miss someone???

I sighed, closing my wardrobe after setting all my dresses. This is how I tried to spend time these days because I don't have anything else to do. It was Sheheryar who asked me to cook things for him or planned to go out, but now all I do is to take care of the kids and do nothing. I yawn looking at the time on the clock. It is only 9 a.m. means there is some time left for Taha to get up and Sadaf already went to school.

'Should I take a small nap?' I mumble and drop myself on the bed. I was supposed to get a good sleep because of the time I have but for some reason, I couldn't sleep at all. I feel a strange pressure on myself that I have to look after the house alone and if I will sleep something might go wrong.

Marriage brings a lot of responsibilities along with love...

The unconditional love I am receiving from Sheheryar is more than I imagined. To be honest, I never thought I will ever be privileged to receive the love of husband after getting married to Ehtesham. The indifferent behaviour of that person was enough to crush hopes of a nice family and that girlfriend of his was walking destruction of my future. He was able to waver my self-confidence, on which I had pride. Living in that house was the same as living in Baba Jani's house, where I wasn't needed. The head of the family doesn't even care if I existed or not, just like Ehtesham. I was thrown into the dungeon after coming out of jail. Both were the same, just with the difference of name. Because of one person, I was starting to question the justice of Allah.

How foolish of me!

Sometimes, comparing all three stages of my life, and in the end, this place is the best where I am being respected and loved. Now I understand what people say that a married woman got confidence from her husband. It is not about the post or social status of her husband, it is not materialistic at all. It is the love and respect he gave to his wife, the assurance that her existence is important to him and he will be there to support her whenever she faces hurdles. Such things give confidence to a married woman. I remember the night of the dinner and the words of Sheheryar's mother. That experience was much bitter for me than the Valima of Ehtesham and me. There was not a single sour word spoken to me but the compliments did the job of thorns.

"Ami...?" Taha sleepy voice brought me back from thoughts.

"Yes, Ami ke bete (Mother's child)." I quickly get up from the bed and at the same time, my phone rang.

"Aap uth gaye (You are awake)." I scoop him in my arms and take the call.

"Hello, Assalam o Alaikum." I said.

"Wallaikum Salam Fiza, it's me Ehtesham." I froze in my place hearing his voice.

"...What is it?" All of a sudden my voice hardened.

"I need to talk to you. Can we meet? I am in your city."

What???

"I don't want to hear anything from you." I quickly hung up and throw the phone on the bed.

Why the hell he called me???

I shook my head and leave the room. For some reason my heart starting to beat fast, like I have been running for miles.

What does he want now???

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