W A K I N G up to the rough palms of her husband carefully touching her cheeks, was a welcome feeling. It was not everyday that the two of them got to sleep in. Usually, it was them against time. Time that was trickling faster and faster. Thankfully, due to summers the days had become long. And yet, the ever extending lock-down and rules has made each day seem like the one that had gone by.

Things had began to loose their meaning. There was no summer travelling to anywhere. No dining and having family dinners. No lavish parties. Marriages had moved to a small scale, with social media fueling the wedding industry by day.

And yet, in such a chaos, Hoor and Mustafa had found themselves in a cocoon. Surrounded by nothing but their pure love for each other. They were each others soul mates. Their connection much deeper than that of physical intimacy.

At times Hoor was thankful for Mustafa's condition. It had helped the both of them discover that mohabbat was more than about touch. It was about the blush that spread on her cheeks when her husband smiled at her. It was when her husband cared for her without her even having to say anything. It was the late night talks they had. Or the miniscule tasks of each other that they did.

However, there was a void in both of their hearts. They loved each other unconditionally. And were at a point in life that they had no worries. With Mustafa's business touching new heights even during uncertain conditions and Hoor becoming a confident woman as a result of education, it was ideal time for them to have kids.

"Mustafa?" Hoor spoke silently.
Her heart wondered why Allah had taken away the blessing of a child from such a wonderful man.
"Ji Hoor?" His hands moving through her long tresses.
"Ap nai kabhi bachon keh baarey mein socha?" Anyone else would have been reluctant to ask such a question.
But with the depth and understanding they had, it was a given that Mustafa would not feel offended.
"Hmmm... jaan socha tou hai. Par hota wohi hai jo Allah ko manzoor hai," he smiled down at her.

Hoor let out a loud sigh. Why did they have to go through this pain. If there was one thing they wanted to have, it was children. She had seen the smile on Mustafa's face when their workers brought their kids over. How his eyes would hold a glint of pain. A pain he felt due to not having the right to have any progeny.

"Hoor?" This time Mustafa called out.
He had been thinking about something for a long time. He would however, not make a single move until his wife agreed.
"Ji Musi?" Hoor lifted herself up.
Now staring directly in his eyes, as if trying to find his soul.
"Eik baat kahun? Offend mat hona please," he started.
Seeing Hoor nod her head, he continued.
"Dekho, there is potentially a way for us to have kids. It is not 100% accurate but try kar sakatay hain," he told her.
Hoor was shocked. How could they have kids?
"There is this process called IVF". Mustafa elaborated.
"IVF?" Hoor was confused.
"Hmmm, Intra-Vitro Fertilisation," he started.
"Intra... kia?" Hoor gave up on understanding the fancy word.
Mustafa smiled. Explaining her how the entire thing worked. Hoor nodded her head, asking questions when needed.
"I think Musi.. humein doctor sai baat karni chahiye". Mustafa agreed.
He got an appointment for the day after. Perhaps there was still hope for them.

Later that evening, as Hoor and Mustafa sat in complete silence, enjoying their evening tea, a maid rushed into their secluded lawn. Ruining the bubble of peace.
"Mustafa bhai, woh Rizwan bhai aur Rumaisa baaji aai hain!" The maid huffed.
Everyone was shocked at their sudden arrival. No one had expected that the two would ever have the guts to show up.

"Ap unhein formal living room mein bithain, hum atay hain," Hoor smiled.
Getting up from Mustafa's lap, blushing that someone had seen her in that position. Nodding, the maid left. Hoor, placed the teacups in the tray, grabbing the handles of his wheel chair, she began to wheel him into the living room.
"Hoor agar ap Rumaisa aur Rizwan ki shakal nahi dekhna chahti tou mein akela handle kar lun ga," Mustafa smiled at her.
To him, the comfort of his wife was of utmost importance.
"Musi mujhe unlogon keh honay na honay sai farq nahi parta. Relax," she patted his shoulder for comfort.

As they entered the living room, the sight of a frustrated Rumaisa and a pissed of Rizwan met them. It was shocking to see the usually dressed to the nines girl wear a simple lawn suit.

"Assalamualikum!" Hoor was the one to break the silence.
Both Rizwan and Rumi looked up simultaneously. They were shocked to see Hoor look so radiant and happy. The two had imagined that Hoor and Mustafa would still be having problems in their relationship. Never expecting them to have attained such peace.
"Waalikumassalam," the duo greeted.

Hoor passed them a smile, taking a seat on a two seater, as a worker helped Mustafa sit beside her. Hoor arranged the cushions in a way that they would support his back. Seeing them gel together so well, Rumi burned with jealousy.

"Mr.Rizwan kis silsilay mein ana huwa?" Mustafa inquired, adopting a stern manner.
"Woh darasal.. hum maafi mangnay aai hain. Jo humne tumharay aur Hoor-"
"Its ap for you. Tumne woh rutba kho dia hai keh tum mujhe itnay frank andazay sai bulao. And its Mrs.Mustafa apni gaandi zuban sai meri biwi ka paak naam ganda mat karo!" The rude behaviour of Mustafa shook Rumaisa and Rizwan to the core.

They understood that what they had come for was going to be impossible. This was not the same kind and forgiving man they knew of.
"Mustafa hum maafi mangnay ai hain! Hum dono sai ghalti ho gai. Uskay liye sorry!" Rumaisa fluttered her eyelids.
There was a time when Mustafa was infatuated with her. And would agree to anything if she blinked in that manner. Unfortunately, Rumaisa was still stuck in the past. Refusing to acknowledge the fact that Mustafa had moved on from his crush.

"Please Mrs.Rizwan don't take my name so informally. We have no relationship between us. You're just the wife of an ex-friend!" Mustafa brushed her off.
Hoor grabbed his hand, resting it on her legs. Providing him with comfort. Mustafa on feeling her touch smiled lightly at her.
"Mrs.Rizwan I hope ap ko pata hai keh you are no longer the woman my husband wishes to marry. Tou ap yeh jo apnay shohar keh saamne ghalat harkatein kar rahi hai band karein. Is sai pehlay ap ko ghar sai dhakay de kar bahir nikalwa dun!" Hoor spoke out loud.

The past six months and her family's constant support had moulded her into a woman that knew what she wanted. It made her strong. It made her belive that she deserved to marry her husband. Rumaisa and Rizwan were left baffled. Not only by the fact that Hoor spoke english but also at her confidence. Perhaps, everyone other than them had really found happiness.

"Rizwan sahab mera waqt na zaya karein. Bataein keh kis waja sai aai hain!" Mustafa glared at him.
"Mr.Mustafa I need a job. Iss pandemic mein jo meri job lagi thi mein uss sai farigh ho gaya hun. Aur koi jaga mujhe rakhay gi nahi. Please help me out!" He begged.
If in that moment, Mustafa had asked him to kneel and beg, he would have done that too.
"No. Jobs are not handed out. I never fired you. You came and arrogantly threw your resignation at me. Acting arrogant for a crime that you and your wife committed and not me! I have buried our friendship. You chose to destroy a woman's life. Not once but twice, siding with Shahrukh. I do not prefer to associate myself with a man like you. Ap eik arsay sai aatai hai yahan. I am sure you know the way out!"  Mustafa turned his face away.
Proof of how serious he was.

Rumaisa and Rizwan exited the home, in utter silence. Remembering the days of the past. Today, all ties had been cut officially. Perhaps it was true what their bazurg said. "Jaisi karni waisi bharni!"

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OMGG TALK ABOUT KARMAAAA ANYWAYSSS GUYSS LAST CHAPTER OUT TOMORROW!!!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THAT ONE

I AM GOING TO LEAVE YA'LL IN CURIOSITY 😌💅🏻💅🏻

BYEE GOTTA FLY 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️