"what the hell are you doing?"

"Noor?" Ibaad asked.

"Yes! Why did you call my dad?"

"He didn't tell you what I said?"

"Yes, he did! Now tell me what is going on!?"

"I'm sorry but We are getting married."

"No! Ibaad, directly tell me what are you thinking?"

"Let's meet and then talk."

"No! I don't want to see you!"

"Please Noor. Just listen to me once and then the decision is all yours."

Noor frowned thinking what she should do. After thinking for some time She thought it won't be harmful to meet him once so she said yes.

"I will message you the date and Time. And don't worry we will meet really soon."

Noor disconnected the call without replying and threw her phone on the bed. She was trying to understand why Ibaad changed suddenly but whatsoever she was not able to understand why someone will do that.

"Ibaad!" Ismail exclaimed looking at his son.

Ibaad did not look at his father. He was not guilty and his head was high up. He didn't care what he father thinks. He gave him importance for a really long time and now he was tired of that.

"Ya Allah." Kehara said under her breath.

Aman was very angry and just like Afzal, even Aman was planning to hurt Zeeshan so to control his actions Kehara was holding his hand. At first Kehara was confused if she should hold her husband's hand or her brother's​ but the facial expression of her husband's​ face indicated​ he was more angry so she decided to stay with him.

"What happened next?" Haajar asked.

"Ibaad did not call me for next two days."

"Why is he not calling?" Zynah asked.

"I don't know. You think I should call him?" Noor asked, biting her nails.

" Yeah, you should call him! Stop this before things get complicated."

"You are right. I should have told my parents but I don't know why I didn't. Now I feel it's too late. I don't know what is happening."

"Calm down. Call him now and ask him what he is upto and after that tell your parents everything."

"Ok."

"Call him now!"

"Ok ok. AllahHafiz."

Noor disconnected the call and started searching for Ibaad's number. Soon she was holding her phone near her ear waiting for Ibaad to answer her call. After some time Ibaad answered the call.

"I was planning to call you today."

"Explain me everything now or I'm telling my parents everything."

"Don't do that please. I'm coming today. Talk to me and then you can do whatever you want to do."

Noor thought for some time what she should do. Everything was complicated​ and Noor was not sure why. Ibaad waited for some time for her to say something but she decided to remain silent.

"You decide the time and place." Ibaad said.

"Ok."

Noor disconnected the call immediately after saying that. She was not interested in talking to him. He was complicating her simple life and she hated him for that. Next day she texted him the place and the time. It was a normal meeting for her. She was planning to shout at him and make him realise that breaking Noor's promise can be harmful. She was sure things will be under her control. Little did she know.

"Assalamu Alayekum." Ibaad said.

"Walekum assalam." Noor sat down on the chair,"You are never alone?" She asked looking at Vanessa.

"It was important for her to come."

"Whatever. Now without wasting any time please tell me what is happening."

"Few days after we met the last time my father asked me about you. I was very careful and calm but we ended up arguing again. After arguing for fifteen minutes he left the room but before leaving he said if he I want my share in his property then I have to get married to you."

"So it's all about money. How mean! I don't care what you want but why are you dragging me into this!?"

"Noor, I could have easily said you a lie and used you but I'm telling you everything."

"Oh yes, now you are telling me the truth before using me."

"Look Noor we both can help each other. So let's stay calm for some time."

"I don't need your help! You are the one who needs my help! And what makes you think I will  help you?"

"Yes, you need our help and you need it for this" Vanessa said before keeping a business card on the table.

Noor looked at it and frowned. It was the business card of Robertson and company. After staring it for a while she looked up at Vanessa.

"What are you talking about?" Noor asked.

"I know you are trying really hard to get that deal back but nothing is helping you." Frown on Noor's face vanished and her heart started beating fast. "I also know how much your father have invested in it. If you fail to get this deal then you will become poor. Very poor."

"That's none of your business Vanessa!"

"I know. I know. But I can help you get that deal."

"I don't want your help!"

"Or I can destroy all your chance to get that deal back."

"How?"

"I'm Vanessa Robertson."

Noor's eyes became wide. Her already fast beating heart started beating faster. All her confidence and calm left her. She was feeling dumb because of her overconfidence. She thought she will handle everything just like the way she thought she was capable of achieving everything and that Nothing was impossible for her. She never thought something in this world can make her weak. But one should never​ underestimate Allah's power. He can do anything, anytime without your permission.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Noor asked after few minutes. By now she had tears in her eyes and her nose had turned red.

"I'm sorry, Noor." Ibaad said.

"This will help all of us. You get the deal and he gets his share. Don't worry he will divorce you as soon as he gets his property. And then we will get married."

After a really long time Noor was finding it difficult to talk. The last time she had trouble talking was when her mom was in the hospital, fighting for her life.

"You think it's that simple?"  Noor asked after some time.

"What's difficult in that?" Vanessa asked.

"Noor, look I understand this is huge but if we all behave and do things properly it won't be that complicated." Ibaad said.

"You two are the evilest humans on earth."

"Say whatever you want ,but you need us as much as we need you." Vanessa said.

"Can you please keep quiet for a second!" Noor shrieked loudly.

"Vanessa, wait a second. Noor listen to me. I know this is not in your favour but think about it. You need that deal and we need you. This will benefit you. You want to prove yourself, right? Why don't you think it that way."

"Do you even know the value of Marriage? Getting married is not a joke!"

"We don't have any other choice." Ibaad said.

"Yes, we have a choice! You can act like a human being."

"Go home and think about it. You won't get such a great deal ever again in your life." Vanessa said.

"Think about it." Ibaad said softly.

Noor stood up and left the café. She had enough of their nonsense. She was expecting everything but this. She never thought someone will take advantage of her situation. She was feeling helpless and scared.

Noor went to her room as soon as she reached home. She was restless for hours. She was walking back and forth in her room. Once she was tired, she sat on the bed. She tried to think of a solution but nothing helped her. After few minutes she lied down on her bed. She closed her eyes hoping she will forget everything but that didn't happen. Soon without her knowledge she fell asleep.

Sleep helps us to escape from this world for some time. Although in difficult situations it's impossible to sleep but even if it's for few minutes it gives our brain some rest and we feel fresh.

After few hours she woke up when her phone started ringing. She picked up her phone in her hand before answering it.

"Hello."

"Noor, Where are you?" Zynah asked.

"Home. Why what happened?"

"Why are you not replying to my messages? And this is my fifth call!"

"Sorry I was sleeping."

"Ok. What happened? What did Ibaad say?"

"Nothing."

Zynah understood something was wrong but she didn't ask her directly. She asked,"So the wedding is called off?"

"No."

"Why!?"

"I thought of giving it a try."

"Noor ,Why!? He has a girlfriend!"

"They broke up."

"So? That does not mean you should get married to him just because he is single now. Noor, what are you doing?"

"Calm down Zynah. He is single now. There is nothing wrong in that. He is a nice guy. I want to give him a chance."

Zynah raised her eyebrows before frowning,"ok."

"Yeah."

"I will call you later than. I have some work." Zynah said, when she was not able to understand Noor.

"Ok."

Noor disconnected the call before lying down again. She wanted to tell Zynah everything but before telling her or someone else everything she wanted to find a solution to her problem.

It was not easy like she expected. As days passed her parents started preparing for her wedding. Every time she thought of telling her parents everything her inner self stopped her. She didn't want to be mean. Telling them everything will result in losing the deal which they cannot afford. There was not a second when she was not thinking about what Ibaad and Vanessa said. It was difficult but after fives days she finally decided what she wanted to do and called Ibaad.

"I'm ready."

"Thank you ,Noor. You are helping us a lot. I promise you won't have any other problem  from our side now."

"Bye."

"No, wait! Can we meet again? For the very last time?"

"Why?"

"For signing the contract."

Noor frowned,"what contract?"

"I will explain you everything when we meet. Tomorrow?"

"Ok."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow."

Noor disconnected the call. Her frowned deepened. "Contract? What are they upto?"

Noor was confused but this time she decided not to think about it. She wanted to deal with it when the time comes. For now she wanted peace. So she forgot everything and slept peacefully.

Next day after breakfast she said she was going for a walk but went to meet Ibaad. It was not shocking for Noor to see Vanessa with Ibaad, again.

"What contact!?" Noor asked.

"Why are you always shouting?" Vanessa asked.

Noor did not reply or look at her but kept staring Ibaad for an answer.

"Vanessa, wait." He looked at Noor," It's just a normal contract so that you don't back out."

"I want to include few things as well then, so that you leave my life completely after this drama ends."

"Fair enough."

"But.." Vanessa started.

"No, Vanessa. We cannot have everything in our favour. Noor, I'm calling my lawyer. You can add your conditions and then we all can sign the papers."

"Ok."

Ibaad excused himself to call his lawyer. Noor and Vanessa were left alone. There was an awkward silence and tension between them. They were not interested in talking to each other but it was impossible for Vanessa to keep quiet for a long time so she started talking.

"By the time he comes I will tell you what all is included in that contract." Noor did not say a word but she ignored it and continued talking,"He is not allowed to touch you! You cannot tell anything to anyone! You will divorce him! After that you cannot meet him ever again!"

Vanessa was talking continuously. Soon Noor lost the track and started thinking about something else. After few minutes Ibaad came back and said his lawyer would bring the documents in an hour. For that one hour Vanessa was talking continuously where as Ibaad and Noor were lost in their own thoughts. Ibaad never wanted to do this to Noor but he also loves Vanessa. He knows what he was doing was wrong but at the same time he feels it won't harm Noor or them. He promised himself that he won't harm Noor and will try to simplify things for her. Although Vanessa had other plans but he decided not to listen to her this time.

After one hour thirty minutes his lawyer came with new papers​. Ibaad and Vanessa signed the papers and then they gave the papers to Noor. She read it properly. Then she thought for some time. She knew this will change her life forever but she had no other choice. She murmured Bismillah before signing the papers. And nothing was same again.

***

A small advice!

If you are healthy then know that you are really blessed!