Waliyah's P.O.V.

Atif Bhai and Samar stared back at me in shock. . .Api lied to me, I had asked her if Samar would be in the office today and she said he wouldnt. be. . Now here I am stuck in a super awkward situation infront of my college. . .I am going to kill her.

I clear my throat say, "As-Salaam-Alaikum."

Bilal looks at me confused as to why the two men infront of us were not saying anything to us, "Bhai, As-Salaam-Alaikum." I say firmer.

Atif Bhai cleared his throat standing up he reached out to shake Bilal's hand, "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam." He greeted back after what felt like ages.

Samar stood up as well and shook Bilal's hand but his gaze never left mine. We were seeing each other after six months, he hadn't changed much except for a small tattoo I noticed on the side of his neck. Clearing my throat I sat down beside Bilal who got the hint that he was going to do most of the talking during the propose this time.

Bilal breathed out heavily, "Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present our designs to you for a remodel of our school."

"No problem," Bhai said

Bilal's voice drowned out as Samar and I looked at each other. There was a weird mix of emotions in his eyes. . . Longing, pain, confusion, and the most prominent guilt.

The one I hated the most... when he looked at me all he felt was guilt for something I know deep in my heart that I could never forgive him for.

Samar exhaled  sharply at  the end of our presentation and said, "The design is really good, the execution plan is really good, I  do  not see how it will  be a problem to fund this project and  put our resources  behind this good cause."

Bilal  smiled,  "So does that mean  our purpose is accepted?"

"We cannot you that yet,"  Bhai said smiling  back at him, "There  have  been  other  presentations as  well so  we will email you  and let you know."

"Fair enough," I  sighed, beginning to pack up my things as well as Bilal.  "Thank you,"

Bilal  stood  up as well, "Um. . before we go, would you show me  the  bathroom, Sir?"

"Of course," Bhai said quickly basically pushing Bilal out of the room leaving Samar and I behind in silence. 

"How have you been?" Samar asked me softly,  as I kept my gaze down shoving all the documents into Bilal's laptop bag not wanting to speak with him. "Wafa,'

"I do not need your fake concern, Samar,"  I said roughly, "I just came here for the betterment of our school and our kids who deserve a better environment while learning. I did not come here to talk to you clear?"

His visibility flinched but I didnt feel bad at all, this is. the same way he used to talk to me six months ago. "Crystal."

Quickly slinging my bag over my shoulder I  rush out of the boardroom and go sit in the waiting area for Bilal to come out. My hands began shaking anxiety filled my body, and my heart began racing against my chest. . .this is what Samar did to me. .  .he made me anxious, uncomfortable, and just planned out miserable.  

. . .

Samar's P.O.V

I let out a deep breath and leaned back in my. chair. as Wafa made. her abrupt exit. out of my office,  the same way she had left my life. I loosen my tie and look up. at the ceiling. . .at times I had wondered if I had done the right thing or not by letting Wafa. go, the excitement in my family. eyes when she comes to visit but then there are times like these when a simple question of mine. turned into who can hurt. who the most with words turned into a competition for her, it reminded me that this divorce process that we went through or are going through is the right step. 

The courts here in Pakistan are really slow when it comes to processing these. types of things, we still had two more hearings to go through before actually being legally separated from one another. 

Atif Bhai cleared his throat awkwardly,  "Well that went well," I gave him a pointed look before leaning over and stamping approval in green on the documents. 

I stood up keeping my composure, "Send it over to them by tomorrow morning Bhia, so they can begin doing what  they have planned." 

Bhai had thousands of questions in his eyes but thankfully he did not ask any of them because I had no right answer to them. "Got it, I will send everything in processing as fast as possible, but I do not think that I can  have these  sent by tommorow."

I  furrow my eyebrows, "Why not?" 

"Samar, we still have investors and partners who need to go over this stuff. The quickest I can send an approval to Wafa and her friend is in two  weeks." He said,

I nodd, "Makes sense Bhai, but just try to fasten the process I do not want her to hate me more than she already  does."

"Got it, Boss," Bhai tried to lighten up the mood but it seemed that Wafa and I had this effect on one another, we hated to admit it but we did care about what the other thought about the other. We made each other nervous, anxious, just. . completely different from what we truly were. Gathering my files I left the boardroom and went to my office making sure to lock it not wanting any disturbance from Bhai or anyone else. My therapist (Yes I went to therapy) had advised that when I had begun to feel overwhelmed or out of control the best thing was to isolate myself and my thoughts, so I could do no damage to the people that I care about. 

Looking out the big window I glance out at the view of Lahore, it was beautiful. . but at times I wished that I had someone to share this awe with, most of the time I wished I could share it with Amal, but then there were times I wished I could share it with Wafa. .  .

My cellphone ringtone cut through the silence of my office,  I pull it out of my pocket to see  Amma's name flashing on it.  Breathing out  I answer, "Ji Amma," (Yes, Amma)

"Bauji is coming," She said panicked, 

My heart skipped a beat, "Bauji?" I lifted my hand up to wipe some of the sweat that was beginning to form on my forehead. "Why is he coming?  Has he even healed fully from the  heart attack  that he suffered two months ago?"

"Blame your Baba," She said exasperated, I could imagine her throwing her hands up  in the air,  "He told his father that  Kashmira was getting  married, or at least that her nikkah had been finalized and now he had decided to come to a month prior before all the festivities begin."

He didn't know Wafa and I were going through a divorce procedure. . . .I mean I was going to tell him, but  I never got around to it due to his health issues, and  Baba had advised me to wait until he was fully recovered. Divorce still has an unwanted stigma around it, and if Bauji found out that a member of his family, even better that his grandson is going through a divorce. . .the amount of drama with me uncontrollable.  "When is  he coming?"  I ask afraid that I  will not be able to avoid this unwanted conversation. He was not happy with my choice of marrying Amal, so he did not show up, but then when he found out she had passed, he was one of my biggest supporters. . fell in love with  Wafa on sight as well. He had told me to keep a good hold on her, unknown to the fact that I personally was making her life hell behind his back. 

"One Week," She whispered, "Your Baba does not want to tell him about the divorce yet," 

"Amma,"  Wafa was not about to step foot back in that house as my wife, she had made it crystal clear the day she left with the papers in her hands. 

"I know," Amma sighed, "But with his health, he does not want to risk it, Samar."

I sat down in my office  chair, helpless with this situation, "Amma, we cannot ask her to  come back."

"I do not want to either, but-"

"No Amma," I say firmly,  "Not after everything that went down between us, she is doing good and is thriving in her career. I am not going to pull her back to a toxic environment, please try to understand."

Amma quieted down, "Ghar aajao," (Come home) I  exhaled sharply, "Kuck soch te hain." (We will think of something.)

"Bye," I said quietly, feeling a headache starting. . . I only had one question circling in my mind as I  stared out the window. 

Why us?