Samar's P.O.V.

Rocking back and forth in my office I hear Bhai chuckle, "Dude,"

"What?"  He put his hands up in defense, "It's fun to see you like this, having to chase after a girl who doesn't even want to see your face. It must be new for you."

"Bhai," I groan sitting down infront of him, "Kya karu mein?" (What should I do?)

"Haq jaataon."  (Show her that you have a right on her.) He said firmly, 

I look at him taken back, "Haq?" (Right?)  I shake my head, "Bhai,  we are in the pro-"

"Process," He interrupted me, "Not officially separated." 

I do not like where he was taking this conversation, Wafa was not going to cooperate with me if I tried playing this trump card because I knew that even though it has not been legal. processed, we were never truly together in the first place. 

"No Bhai," I sighed leaning back, "I am not going to do that or say that." That will only fuel her anger more, I needed something on her, something I could. hold over her head for alittle bit just so I can deal with this family emergency. 

"Then what?" He asked leaning back as well. 

Then it hit me, "Is the paperwork processed for the new development they want on the school. property?"

Bhai's eyes widened,  "Samar."

"Just answer the question," I said firmly as I sat up hoping that my plan would work. 

"No, the board members wanted to go over the proposal thoroughly before accepting it. " He shook his head. "The documents are in the  top drawer of your desk." Bhai had caught on. I know Wafa would be pissed off, but this is the only way that she might agree. I do not want to use family pressures, but work pressure and the passion for her kids just might push her over the edge.  Quickly taking the documents out, I smirk at him and grab my  keys, "I'll be back at home with a wife  hopefully by  tonight."

I know this is wrong, but at times extreme situations call for extreme measures.  

.  .  .

Waliyah's P.O.V.

"Alright, so tommorow I need everyone to come prepared to present the special item that they have picked and  need to have a poster board ready as well."  The class groaned, even though it was a second-grade class, presenting has always been an issue.

"But Ms. Sultan," Safa whined, "I thought you said that there wouldnt be any presentations this year."

I  chuckled, "Safa,  you all need to get used to this. In higher grades,  there are more presentations,  and I promise I will not mark too hard. So please, be  ready to present tommorow."  Presenting wasnt my favorite thing either, but it helped me get better with my communication skills, and I want that for my students as well. 

The bell  rang as soon  as I finished my sentence and the kids frantically began to pack up  their stuff,  "And at the  end  of the  week I have  a surprise for  everyone." I didnt want them to feel disappointed, so I did plan a pizza party at the end of the week. "So lighten  up, otherwise I might have to keep it  hidden for a longer time."

Their eyes lit up,  "A surprise?" Wahaj said, "What kind?"

"Wahaj," Feroze said, "If Ms Sultan told us then it wouldnt  be  a surprise,"

Iqra giggled as she waved goodbye to me, all the kids rushed out a lot happier than they were going to leave before. Sighing I sit down at my desk and begin to grade the math pop quiz I gave them this morning. I tried to get most of my grading done before I went home so I could be more present with Amma, Baba, and Malli. They always complain I talk about the kids a lot, so I try not to incorporate them into home life. 

I was on the second test when there was a knock on my door, "Come in,"  I said without looking up expecting either Bela or Bilal to come through.

The shoes clicked as they walked towards my desk, and the familiar perfume took over my senses, I looked up already knowing who was. sitting. infront me, Samar, who had a mischievous look in his eyes. I give him a bored look, "What are you doing here?" I keep marking the tests not wanting to give him that much importance. 

"Hello to you too," He said sarcastically, 

"What do you want Samar?" I knew he came here for something, and I wanted to say No and get it over with. 

"What can't a man come visit his wife at work?" I pressed the tip of my pen so hard into the paper it made a snapping noise.  

Glaring at him I harshly put it down, "Ex-Wife," I correct him, "And no, no you cannot Samar."

Samar rolled his eyes at me and slid a file towards me, it had Bilal and I's name on it. "What is this?" I questioned him. 

"The school reconstruction proposal," He said, "There are some complications."

Okay, I was listening now. "What complications?"  Samar gave me a smug look, one that I was not so fond of. "Samar."

"None that cannot be fixed if you cooperate Wafa." 

Narrowing my eyes at him I say, "Excuse me?"  The next words out of his mouth were going to be something really stupid, my gut told me, because that stupid smug look on his face was still there convinced that I was going to say yes to him, but he still remembered the old Wafa, not the one he had created by hurting her over and over again. "Watch it. Samar,"

"Take a deep breath babe,"  He did not just call me babe. 

"Sam-"

"Bauji is coming for Karishma's wedding." Samar cut me off,   

"Karishma is getting married?" I asked shocked,  "Why didnt anyone tell me?"

"Not for a month." He said,  "Bauji wants to come alittle earlier to help with the preparations and. everything, but the problem isnt that he is coming the problem is that Baba won't let me tell him that we are going through a divorce proceeding Wafa." He wants me to come back. "Bauji suffered from a heart attack not long ago, and the doctors said that any big stressor can cause another one, and Baba doesn't want to take the risk of telling him about us. at such a sensitive time for his health." I cannot beleive he wants me to come back after everything he put me through, he is using this as a fucking excuse to bring me back.  "So all I am asking is for two months Wafa, please come back for this time period, and then after that-" FUCK NO.

"No." I said standing up I quickly began to gather my things as my body filled with anxiety, "I am not coming back Samar." Grabbing my classroom keys in a hurry I walk around my desk and begin to rush away from him but he quickly catches up to me slamming the door shut before I can escape. I kept my back to him to keep my anxiety hidden from him, my hands had already begun to shake, and I did not need him to worsen it. "Samar, leave me the  fuck alone."

"I wouldn't be standing before you if I didn't have another choice Wafa."

"It's fucking Waliyah to you!" I snapped turning around and meeting his pleading gaze with an angry one,  "You are not someone who I consider close, so do not call  me Wafa, Samar." 

Samar breathed out heavily clenching his jaw, "Waliyah," Good.  "Please come home for Bauji, it's just two months."

"I said no,"  Are my words not registering in his brain, "I am not coming back,"

"Not even for Bauji?" He is not going to use the family card with me, "Waliyah, he suffered a heart attack. If his health wasnt on the line,  I wouldn't be here! I do not want to be here, begging infront of you but here I am." Is this is version of begging? He is literally trying to manipulate me back into his toxic life again. Wait a minute. . .

"What are the school files doing on my  desk  Samar?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest, as anger began taking over the anxiousness I was feeling seconds ago. He was going to use those, and he would use my dream project against me to go back with him.  Samar's gaze wavered alittle as he looked back at the files and at me again, "This is your fucking  way of begging? Blackmailing me?"  

"Waliyah," His tone was much softer since he knew I had figured out his stupid, ignorant little plan. 

"Fuck you!" I  spat out with as much anger and animosity as I could. Samar's eyes filled with anger as I stood there disrespecting him. "Get the fuck out of  my way Samar before I do something that I regret."

"Can you take a  deep breath and just listen to me  Waliayh." Samar pushed me back against the door as I tried to push him away, "This isnt about you or me, it's about Bauji.  Our truth can cause another stroke."

"You should have told him before!"  I said irritated,  "He had a heart attack a month ago right?  We have been separated for six months, Samar! So cry me a fucking river."

"The development of your  school will not  be  passed by  any of  the  other construction companies  if you  do  not fucking cooperate with  me Waliyah." I stopped struggling against him as he ignored my statement.  "Other companies are scared of us,  and  if you try to apply somewhere out of Lahore,  I will send a notice there too."

"You are an asshole!" Finally pushing him away  I  keep my angry tears under control, "I have Shahmeer."  I said confidently, "I already have the  government grant, I just needed someone to fund the money to  build it you concedent prick."

Samar's jaw ticked so hard I thought that he  would break  his teeth, "I didnt want to ask Shahmeer, but he  said that if I needed help  I could as him, so you can take your contract and  funding and shove  it so far  up  your fucking ass that it finds  no return!"  Taking a deep breath in I try to find my composure but the sheer hatred and anxiousness he brought to me wouldnt help me.  "I am going to say this one last  time Samar, if I see you anywhere around me outside of our family gathering, I will get a restraining order."  Now it was his turn to shake in anger. "I  mean it." Quickly unlocking the door  I ran out of the hallway,  into the front courtyard, until I felt safe enough to stop running. 

I hide in a small ally and drop to my knees. .  .he is scratching back at the walls that I had built between us, and I did not like that at all. Samar wanted back into my life, and I wanted nothing to do with him. . .

Please Allah Miyaji, please help me keep him out.