Saad's pov: 

Groaning in tiredness, I rubbed two fingers on my forehead before squeezing my eyes shut. The searing headache was making me frustrated and I didn't feel like getting up from my bed at all. A clank of glass made me peek from my eyes and I saw bhai placing a glass of water on the table before sitting down on the bed next to me, a worried look on his face. 

"Chalo utho, dawa kha lo." Keeping a hand on my forehead to check my temperature, he muttered, looking concerned. 

(Come on get up, have your medicines.) 

"I don't want to wake up bhai. Just let me sleep in." Turning away from him, I replied, feeling the stiffness of bones of my body. I was definitely going to have a backache. 

"No one is stopping you from sleeping. Bas uth ke dawa kha lo phir so jaana." I could feel him shaking his head as he replied sternly. 

(Now just wake up, have your medicines and then sleep.) 

"Dawa khane ka mann nahi kar raha hai." I muttered, stifling a yawn. 

(I don't feel like having them) 

"Mann ke hisaab se nahi chalte hamesha. Chalo, uth jao ab." 

(We shouldn't always follow our heart. Come on, get up now.) 

Humming in response, I covered my face with the blanket before snuggling in my pillow. 

"Where is Alayna? And how is she?" Realising I haven't heard from her since I woke up, I inquired, feeling tense. She always used to come to wake me up if I overslept, then what happened today? Was she too, upset with me? 

"She's fine. Don't worry about her now, focus on yourself. You can't get sick like this. Agar abhi se ye haal ho raha hai tumhara to aage kya hoga? You have to be strong na." He replied while taking something out from the drawer. 

(If you are getting sick like this now only then what will happen next? You have to be strong, right.) 

Sighing, I hummed in response. He had a point but I felt drained. I just… couldn't even bring myself to get up from the bed, let alone do anything else. Exhaling loudly, I let myself relax, only to get startled when a high pitched shriek resounded in our humble abode. 

Groaning, I lifted my head off the pillow to look at bhai questioningly, but he looked just as perplexed as me. Giving me an inquisitive look, he quickly got up from the bed before rushing out, making me moan as I forced myself to get up and head out to see what the matter could be. As far as I knew, no one in our house used to shriek like that, then who was it now? 

Ruffling my hair, I rubbed my face before exhaling loudly and entering the place of chaos, which in this case, was the living room. 

As soon as my gaze landed on the person creating the chaos, an annoyed sigh escaped my lips as I quickly averted my gaze. I was frustrated, agitated just by yesterday's events and here this girl was, ready to make my already messed up life a hell. There was no doubt about why she was here and what the ruckus could be about. "Aunty do you even know what your son has been doing behind your backs?!" She thundered, randomly pointing towards the door. No one had noticed me yet, and I wanted for it to remain that way. 

"Have you not told them yet, Saad? About your secret love and betrayal? About your secret marriage and secret wife?" Just as I was about to take a turn and head back to my room silently, unfortunately a loud shrill voice halted me, making me close my eyes in frustration. 

Deciding not to reply to her and add fuel to the fire, I leaned back on the wall and glanced in mama's direction, only to find her lost in her thoughts. As my gaze flickered to baba, I found him looking at the chaotic person empathically. Oh how much I just wanted to tell him that whoever he was empathising with, wasn't even worth it! I could feel her heated gaze on me, which made me uncomfortable. Why couldn't she just focus on her life instead of interfering in my life so much? And she still hasn't learned to lower her gaze, has she? 

"I'm going to rest." I murmured, trying to escape this turmoil and have some peace of mind. 

"Why? Are you scared to face the truth? Or are you ashamed to face me?" Once again, her rhetoric questions halted me in my place. 

"It's nothing like that." Gritting out, I closed my eyes in frustration. Even she knew that wasn't the case, but obviously she was going to bring it in, to try to make me feel guilty, which I obviously wasn't going to feel because I knew that, really, wasn't the case.

"Oh really? Then why are you going back in? Huh? Don't tell me you are trying to run away from your problems! Because no matter wherever you go, you won't be able to escape from them." Malice could clearly be heard in her voice. 

"I-" 

"That's enough Saad. Be quiet now." Baba interrupted, his angry gaze directed towards me before he turned to give Shanzay a soft, sympathetic look, making me clench my fists. She definitely didn't deserve my baba's kindness! 

Exhaling loudly, I looked away while folding one of my legs back and leaning it on the wall. Let's just hear what she has to say and get this over and done with, I thought. 

"I'm sorry for whatever you had to go through beta. You didn't deserve it. I know that my son made a mistake but he is a human too. And mistakes are made by us humans. I hope you will be able to forgive him." He apologised, making me grit my teeth. She didn't deserve any apology for any reason for God's sake! And why was he even apologising from my side?! 

"Oh so you guys already knew? You all knew about his marriage but never told me or my family and brought his alliance for me? How could you even do that, uncle? How could you?! At least I never expected this from you, aunty. 

And mistake? You are saying that he made a mistake? I can't believe you guys! He didn't just make a mistake but he committed a sin uncle, a sin! He betrayed me! He broke my trust! How could he even do that?! Don't you think he should have at least told me about it? To not get me attached to him or say yes for the marriage?" Looking around, she exclaimed in exasperation, as a tired sigh escaped my lips. She had no right to accuse my parents like that for anything! If, according to her, I was the one at fault, then she could have accused me all she wanted to, but not my parents or anyone else! 

"No beta, you are getting us wrong. Even we didn't know anything until yesterday. And yes, I can understand you. I know how you might be feeling-" 

"NO UNCLE, YOU DON'T! You don't understand how hurt I'm! Or how bad I'm feeling! And do you even know how I got to know about his 'secret marriage and wife'? I saw him on the beach the day before yesterday with a girl! And when I confronted him about it, instead of being guilty and apologising, he yelled at me and dishonoured me in front of everyone! In front of his wife and all the people present on the beach, uncle! I was so ashamed. I came here yesterday to tell you about it but you guys weren't here. I felt so bad. I was so upset." Interrupting baba, she went on, making my blood boil. How could she even interrupt someone who was older than her like that?! 

"I don't have anything to say. I don't even even know what to tell you right now. I can just say that I'm sorry for whatever you had to go through. I know whatever we did couldn't be justified by anything, and we are sorry about that. I hope you will be able to forgive us. 

And if it's about Saad, then don't worry, you won't be getting married to him anymore. I know you might be hurt and might never want to see him again. And that's okay, I will make sure that he doesn't bother you. He won't be able to hurt you anymore so don't think about him much now." Baba calmly replied, once again making me wonder how could he be so calm in this situation. I mean, if it would have been anyone else, then maybe they would have lost their patience with me after hearing whatever she said. Afterall she is a girl, and people usually believe girls more than boys, right? Shouldn't he be angry at me after hearing my behaviour with her on the beach? 

"B- But uncle, I never said that I don't want to marry him anymore. I just-" 

"It's okay, you don't have to lie to me. I can understand. Don't be afraid of what your parents might say or what the society might have to say, we will handle them. And no one knew about your alliance anyways so it won't be hard for you to move on. And if you want, I can also ask your boss to transfer Saad somewhere else so that you don't have to face him everyday." I was still relishing in the moment of baba deciding to trust me more than anyone else when I heard him say this. Shocked, I looked up at him only to find him looking at her assuringly. 

"What?! What are you saying baba? I'm not going anywhere!" Getting out of my shocked state, I finally uttered while shaking my head, unable to believe whatever I just heard. There was no way I was going to leave this place, this city or this country just because of this one girl! 

"Be quiet Saad, I'm not speaking to you!" Baba replied, turning to glare at me sternly. 

"N- no no uncle, it's totally alright. I- I don't want him to get transferred anywhere else. I-" 

"No, it's okay. You don't have to lie or be afraid of anything or anyone now. I'm here for you. I will make things better for you. I know my son made a mistake and I'm sorry about that but from now on, I will make sure he doesn't trouble you anymore. And you should forget about him and move on now. Find a guy who knows your worth and who will love you unconditionally. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taàla didn't write your names beside each other so it wouldn't have worked out anyway. So instead of being sad and feeling bad, assure yourself that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taàla has something amazing for you in store, just trust him, believe in him and have faith. Things will get better for you, In Sha Allah." Patting her head softly and giving her an assuring nod, baba turned to look at me, making me quickly look away from him in annoyance. "Saad, I want you to come with me." 

If, only and only if he knew what kind of a girl she was, maybe he wouldn't have been that empathic with her, I had thought through gritted teeth. 

"Jee baba." Murmuring quietly, I saw him making his way out of the room with mama. And it was a cue for me to go behind him and listen to whatever he had in his mind. 

(Okay dad.) 

"I can't believe you just played me!" But before I could follow him, Shanzay snarled, making me squeeze my eyes shut in frustration. Was this girl serious right now? How did I even do that?! 

"Oh no, you are mistaken. He didn't do anything." And before I could reply to her, bhabi interrupted sweetly. Giving her a grateful nod, with a sigh, I exited the room, thankful for being able to leave her behind. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to face her anymore. 

"I feel like you should actually get a transfer, you know." Once we were inside baba's study, he broke the silence around us, making me look up at him through my lashes. 

"Why? As far as I know, I'm not even the one at fault here!" Taking a few steps ahead, I pulled the chair in front of his desk and sat down, not wanting to leave at all. 

"She is heartbroken, Saad! How else do you expect her to move on from you?! In order for her to actually move on and not interfere in your life anymore, one of you has to get a transfer and settle somewhere else, even if it's just for a year or so." Slamming his hand down on the desk, he exclaimed, trying his best to stay calm and not lose his temper with me. 

"But I didn't ask her to like me or anything! She called it upon herself! I wasn't even interested in her. And you don't know what kind of a girl she is, so please don't take her side." Not being able to watch this empathy for her, for someone who was here in hopes of ruining my life, I retorted angrily. 

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he leaned back on his recliner for a while before sitting straight and looking at me directly while uttering slowly, as if trying to make me understand his point. "I don't care about all that. You can't justify your actions like that. Somewhere it was your fault too, Saad, accept it. If you would have told us about your nikkah earlier, then things might not have gone that far. But you didn't tell us anything, let alone her. And if you would have told us, you do know that we wouldn't have taken your alliance for her in the first place, right?" 

"I don't know. My mind was just messed up with everything that happened and I was just so confused. And honestly, even now I don't know what to do or say anymore. I'm just…" Chuckling slightly, I rubbed two fingers on my forehead, the feeling of just banging my head somewhere was getting prominent, and I just wanted to sleep! Was it that hard to just get a few hours of sound sleep?! 

"Well then, I'm telling you. You are going to get a transfer and no more discussion on this topic anymore." He uttered with a tone of finality lacing his voice, leaving no place for arguments. 

"B- But that's-" 

"Enough Saad! Go and have your breakfast. Let me think over some things now." Shaking his head, he pushed his chair back without even listening to me, making me sigh in irritation. This wasn't actually happening right now! Baba didn't just decide to send me off just because of that… That woman! 

"Then even you should have your breakfast before doing any other work." Muttering quietly while trying to keep my anger at bay, I stood up from my place, ready to head out. 

"Umm hmm… I'm coming, you go ahead." Humming in response, without even looking up, he waved a hand at me, dismissing me. 

"Okay." With my voice left hanging in the air, I was out of the room even before he could hear me properly. 

I still remember the day when this incident happened, it was the day after Atifa left, which was the reason why I couldn't forget about it. 

._._._. 

One month later. 

"I'm so tired." I muttered in a tired voice while leaning my head back on the car seat. 

"Yeah, I know. Afterall you have worked so hard on this project in such a short time." Halting the car at the signal with a jerk, he replied. 

"It's not just about that, you know that, right?" Peeking at him, I replied before closing my eyes again. 

"Aunty still hasn't started talking to you?" Turning to look at me, he inquired with a raised brow before looking ahead once again. 

"It's not just about talking. She… she's just disappointed with me. About how I behaved and how I didn't trust her enough to tell her about everything before. She was the last one to know, afterall. And I don't blame her for anything, because if I would have been in her place, maybe I would have behaved the same, if not worse." With a frown creasing on my forehead, I muttered. 

"Hmm, you are right. She is right in her place. You should have told her everything beforehand. She's deeply hurt by your behaviour and it's justifiable." He murmured while tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. 

"Yeah, I know I'm the one at fault. But I just don't know what to do to make her forgive me. It's been a month Ali, a month! A month is a long time. And I feel like I'm being punished for everything I did. For hurting mama and baba and for making them upset." Heaving a tired sigh, I replied while rubbing my hands on my face. The signs of exhaustion could clearly be detected by my voice. 

"I don't know if you are being punished or not, but take this opportunity to get closer to Allah Subhanahu Was Taàla and try to make aunty see your point too. Maybe then she will be able to forgive you." Changing the gear, he replied as the car finally started moving once again. 

"Yeah maybe. Only Allah knows how things are going to get better now. They just seem to be getting worse for me." Running a hand through my hair, I muttered while sitting straighter. 

"Don't say that Saad. Look, in this mess one good thing happened. Instead of you, Shanzay requested for the transfer when she got to know that it was for the UK. So now you don't have to go anywhere." Glancing at me, he replied while concentrating back on the road. 

"Yeah, true that too. Alhamdulillah that I don't have to leave this place now. I wouldn't have been able to adjust there anyways." Sighing, I agreed while taking out my mobile. 

"I'll be honest. I was so mad at you for losing this amazing opportunity to go there, work and get yourself promoted, but I'm also kind of happy that you won't be leaving me now." Heaving a dreamy sigh, he replied, making me cringe. 

"Now I feel like I should have tried to get that transfer because I'm stuck with you again. Allah! I have such bad luck. Why?!" Making a weird face, I muttered. 

"Hey! I feel offended, you know!" He exclaimed, a pout could be heard in his voice. 

"Yeah yeah, I know exactly how you feel." Rolling my eyes, I replied. He had become one of the reasons for my sanity because if not for him, then maybe I would have gone insane because of my overthinking. 

"Then don't say anything offending because I won't be leaving you for anything. No matter what happens, I will always stick with you." Beaming, he replied enthusiastically, making me gag playfully. 

"Why are you so cheesy? And that too with me? I'm your best friend for God's sake, not your wife! Get married already if you want to use these cheesy lines." Scowling, I replied while looking out of the window. He was getting weirder day by day. 

"Allah khair kare! Why would I want to get married when I have you to use these cheesy lines on? Waise bhi tumhari halat dekh ke mera dil shaadi se bhar gaya hai. Mujhe nahi karni koi shaadi waadi, kahi meri saas bhi tumhari saas ki tarah nikal gayi to meri to watt lag jayegi yaar. Na baba na, tum hi raho iss shaadi wagera ke chakkar me, mai to khush hu aise hi alhamdulillah." Sounding horrified at my suggestion, he replied quickly while shaking his head and halting the car in front of my house. 

(God forbid!) 
(Anyways after watching you, I'm over marriage. I don't want to get married or anything, God forbid if my mother-in-law also turned out like yours then what will happen to me? No man no, you stay in this marriage thing, I'm happy as I'm.) 

"Accha, badi zaban nahi chalne lag gayi hai tumhari? Mujhe aunty ji se milne do tab mai tumhe batata hu. Ab I'm heading home, Jazak Allahu Khairan for the ride. Acche se drive karna. Allah hafiz." Shaking my head I inquired while opening the door. And before he could reply, I was out of the car and slamming the door shut, I headed towards my house. I was getting a headache due to his talks. 

(I see, haven't you started talking too much? Let me meet your mom, then we will see. Now I'm heading home. Thank you for the ride. Drive safely. Byee.) 

I heard him murmuring as a small smile broke out on my lips. He wasn't going to change, was he? "Yaar, ye kya dhamki deke jaa rahe ho, aise thodi chalta hai! Mai to-" 

(Man, what is this threat, this isn't fair! I was just-) 

._._._. 

• Ah, did anyone miss Shanzay? And what's going to happen now? Any guesses?

._._._.