Important - I am thinking of doing a chapter goal (it has nothing to do with me getting fewer comments or votes because I am not. Masha'Allah you all are so generous and showered every chapter with so many comments and votes.) I am gonna do this as an experiment. Samjha rahi hoon wait..

See, these days, or let's say as this year started, I have been so much busy that I don't get time to write... That's I am thinking of doing something as a push up to me.. So let's just see if this experiment will work or not.

•••

Ziddi hoon magar jo woh pukare toh
Jaan hazir, anaa bhool jau, guroor waar doon.

***

Hanan and Ayat were the topics of everyone's conversation, while the news of Azlan and Shahzain was supporting Ayat's decision of divorce also spread like wildfire. Everyone was adding more scenarios to the actual scene, none bothered to ask Ayat or Hanan anything. Neither they could if wanted, Ayat was in her room with Ayla while Hanan has locked himself in his room since last night.

"Aapi, sab jo keh rahe hain... Kya.. Kya woh sach hai?" Shyra hesitantly asked Rehnuma. She also wanted to know the truth, but was scared of asking anyone about it, especially her mother. Rehnuma was the only one who could tell her everything.

(Is it true? What everyone is saying?)

"Sach ka pata nahi, but Hanan ne definitely kuch na kuch toh kiya hi hoga." Rehnuma shrugged her shoulder as she sat on her bed and freed her hair from the bun. Her one-year-old son was soundly sleeping as she pats his chest.

(Don't know how much truth it is but Hanan has definitely done some.)

"Lekin woh toh bohot pyar karte hain Ayat se. Woh kabhi nahi karenge Ayat ke sath..." Shyra asked, curiously.

(But he loves Ayat a lot. He would never...)

"Zabardasti?" Rehnuma sat straight and raised her eyebrow. This word was alone enough to make Shyra embarrassed.

(Force her?)

Hamna has her morals very high just like her mother. No matter what her inner conflicts were with her sister-in-law, she never let Shyra know any of it, she never let Shyra be involved in any gossips or let her be a part of it. She always keeps Shyra away from family politics.

"Shyra, Hanan hai toh ek mard hi. Honge uske bhi kuch arman, kuch desire. Ab Ayat woh sab na samajh payi toh isme..." Rehnuma stopped talking, like thinking hard about something.

(Shyra, Hanan is a man. He has some needs and desires. Ayat wasn't able to understand....)

"Isme Ayat ki bhi galti nahi. Uss age mein kiske aqal hoti hai. Aunty aur chachi ko yeh sab baatein Ayat ko uske nikkah ke waqt samjhani chahiye thi. Ladko ka kya hai, unhe toh yeh sari baatein idhar udhar se maloom padh jati hain. Ladkiyan utna hi janti hain jitna unhe unki mummy samjhati hain. Toh yeh sab baatein Aunty aur Chachi ko samjhana chahiye tha Ayat ko. Unhone hi Ayat ko hamesha bachho ko tarah treat kiya hai toh ab woh mature achanak se kaise ho jayegi."

(I don't think Ayat was at fault either. No one is that mature at this age. Aunty should have talked to her about all of these things before her nikkah. Boys got all these know...)

"Chote mamujaan jo Ayat ke talaq ka keh rahe hain woh?" Shyra once again asked.

(What about the divorce mamu was talking about?)

"Jitna asan talaq lafz ko kehna hai, utna asan amal karna nahi." Rehnuma wisely told her.

(It is easy to say divorce word but not easy to actually get it.)

"Aur tum kyu soch rahi ho yeh sab? Ayat aur Hanan ka masla hai, wohi kare handle. Ayat aur Ayla ko waise bhi shokh hai har bade din se pehle koi na koi tamasha khada karne ki." Later added.

(And why are you thinking all of this? It is Hanan and Ayat's problem, they will handle it. Ayla and Ayat have a habit of making scene just before any function.)

"Hanan itna pyar karte hain Ayat se, uski jagah koi aur hoti toh khudko bohot khushnaseeb samajhti. Pata nahi Ayat ko yeh sab nazar kyu nahi ata. Usne sabke samne kitni insult ki unki. Hanan ko iss waqt bohot bura lag raha hoga na." Shyra said, thoughtfully. She could not stop thinking about Hanan.

(Hanan loves Ayat a lot. If there was any other girl in Ayat's place would have felt lucky. How could Ayat not notice his love? She insulted him in front of everyone. Hanan must be upset.)

"Hume kya. Tum jao, taiyyari karo apni, shaam mein function haina." Rehnuma shrugged all those things, as it doesn't concern her.

(It doesn't matter to us, go and get ready for the function.)

"Aisi situation mein function? Aapi, sab guests ne bhi sab kuch dekha tha na."

"Aisi situation mein function rokna matlab baaton ko aur badhawa dena. Let's pretend everything is okay." She advised the younger girl.

•••

"Tum nahi karti mujhse pyar koi nahi, lekin kam se kam meri mohabbat ko ek chance toh do."

(It's okay if you don't love me, but at least give a chance to my love.)

Putting his hands on her waist, he brought her closer to him and connected their lips. Their lips moving simultaneously. He sucked the breath from her mouth, nibbling her lips, making her moan against him.

Breaking the kiss, he put his forehead against her. "Call this hatred if you want, but even you are attract to me. Warna mera itna asar tumpe na hota." He whispered, he was breathless due to the kiss, neither's Ayat's breath was steady, as her chest rise and fall with her every breath.

(I wouldn't have this much affect on you.)

"You have no idea how hard it is for me to control myself. I can not do it anymore, Ayat. I just wanna love you, mujhe tumse durr nahi rehna. Please, meri mohabbat ko ek chance do."

(Give a chance to my love.)

Love! This word was enough to bring Ayat back from trance to her surrounding, as if getting an electric shock from his intimacy, she pushed him away from herself.

"Ayat!" Ayla shook her shoulder which brought her back to reality.

"Huh?" Ayat stares at her elder sister, blankly

"Are you okay?" Ayla sat beside her and hold her arms, Ayat was shivering very painfully.

Ayat didn't change her attire from last night, as her messy brown hair falling from her shoulder, she was seated beside closed window of her bedroom.

"Ayat, jo bhi baat apko pareshan kar rahi hai, aap humse share kar sakti hain." Ayla tried to assure her.

(Ayat, you can share what's bothering you.)

"Aapi, humne kaha tha na hume Nikkah nahi karna, hume nahi pasand woh, lekin ab sab ko bas yeh tha ki Hanan bohot achhe hain, woh lakh achhe sahi, hume nahi pasand toh hum kya kar lein?" Ayat's voice was very throaty and sore. "Aap log ne humari ek na suni. Ab dekhiye, unhone kya kya kiya hai."

(Aapi, I told you that I don't want to get married, I don't like him. But all you cared about was that Hanan is a nice guy, he must be a nice guy but I don't like him.)
(You didn't listen to me and now see what he did.)

"Ayat, khulke bataiye kya kiya Hanan ne..."

(Ayat, tell me clearly what Hanan did.)

"Aapi, Hanan bohot bure hain." Hiccuping, Ayat said and told Ayla everything.

(Aapi, Hanan is very bad.)

From Hanan's teasing to his confession, what Kriti told her, and her inner conflicts, what he did last night.

Ayla heard everything silently and calmly, and when Ayat was done, she couldn't understand which topic she should pick first to talk about.

Hanan almost went to jail? He beat Kriti's brother? He misbehaved with a girl? All these things didn't make sense to her and it made her more confused.

While Ayla's mind swirls with these thoughts, Ayat once again burst into tears when recalled everything.

"Ayat, ek baat bataiye, aap Hanan ko kabse jati hain."

(Tell me one thing, Ayat, how long you know Hanan?)

Ayla's question confused Ayat.

"Jawab dein, kabse janti hain Hanan ko aap?"

(Answer me, for how long you know Hanan?)

"Bachpan se, hum sath mein rahe hain." Ayat told her, confusingly.

(From childhood, we have grown up together.)

"Bachpan se leke aaj tak kya apne Hanan ko kabhi kisi ke sath badtameezi karte dekha? Kya unhone kabhi kisi ladki ke sath misbehave kiya? Kya apko kabhi bhi aisi koi baat sunne ko mili hai? Nahi na. Kyuki that's how Hanan is. Bohot mastikhor hain, zyada serious rehte nahi hain lekin badtameez nahi hain woh. Aap kaise kisi aur ki baat pe yaqeen kar sakti hain aur Hanan pe aisa ilzam laga diya?"

(Have you ever saw Hanan misbehaving with anyone? Have you ever heard anything about him? Never. Because that's how Hanan is. He is mischievous, he doesn't take everything seriously but he is not ill-mannered. How can you believe others and accused Hanan of something so heinous?)

"Theek hai, aap dono mein miya biwi wala bharose ka rishta nahi hai abhi lekin phir bhi... Koi akey lakh hume kahe ki Hanan ne aisa kiya, hum kabhi yaqeen na kare. Hanan aisa kabhi nahi karenge, Ayat. Apko apne chacha chachi pe toh itna yaqeen hona chahiye tha, kya ye sab janne ke baad woh kabhi Hanan ka nikkah apse karwate? Chachu apko apni beti ki tarah pyar karte hain, woh kabhi na razi hote iss nikkah ke liye agar aisa kuch hota."

(Fine, you and Hanan don't have the trust of husband and wife but still, he is your uncle's son. I wouldn't believe others over Hanan. I would never believe Hanan misbehaved with a girl.)

"Hum Hanan ke kal raat wale action ko justify nahi karenge. Unhone jo kiya, galat tha, he should have asked for your consent before touching you lekin apne jo kiya woh bhi sahi na tha, Ayat."

(I am not justifying Hanan's last night's behavior but what you did was not right either.)

"Kal raat ke baad se apko maloom hai sab kya soch rahe hain? Sab ko lagta hai ki Hanan...." Ayla stopped talking,

(After last night, everyone is thinking of him as..."

"Sab Hanan ko rapist samajh rahe hain. And it all because of your misunderstanding. Aap khudse puche, agar Kriti ne apko yeh sab na kaha hota toh kya aap normally aisa reaction deti? Nahi."

(Everyone is accusing Hanan as a rapist and it all because of your misunderstanding. Ask yourself, Ayat, if Kriti hadn't said all those things to you, would you have behaved this way? No.)

"Ayat, aap..."  Before Ayla could talk more to Ayat, Rubab came there.

(You...)

"Ayla..." Rubab stopped in the mid when looked at Ayat's face.

"Ayla, aap jaiye, niche driver apka wait kar rahe hain." Rubab told her, hurriedly

(Go, driver is waiting for you.)

"Kaha jaye?" Ayla looked confused.

(Where I have to go?)

"Parlour. Waqt hi kitna bacha hai function mein? Aur apko taiyyar hone mein bhi waqt lagega, jaiye aap. Apka saman humne already car mein rakhwa diya hai."

(Parlor. Not much time has left for the function. Now go, I have already placed your dress and jewelries in the car.)

"Mamma, yaha..." Ayla hesitantly points at Ayat.

(Here...)

Although, Ayat was not looking at her sister and mother, but she felt their gaze on herself.

Rubab stares at Ayat, as if wanting to say something but did not, she nods her head at Ayla, assuring her to go.

Having no other options left, Ayla had to leave. But before that, she hugged Ayat tightly and advised her to think about everything.

Rubab didn't not turn to leave, she stood there, looking at Ayat who did not raise her head to meet her mother's gaze.

Although, her heart was depressing seeing Ayat's state but she did not let herself shed any tears for the sake of her daughter. She wanted to go to Ayat and ease her worries but couldn't. Naziya Khan and Huzaifa forbid anyone to talk to Ayat about this matter. They want this wedding to pass smoothly without any trouble. After the function of reception, they will talk to Hanan and Ayat about what happened yesterday day. Until then, no one is allowed to bring this topic up.

Holding her heart and tears, Rubab left from there.

•••

There was still silence lingering between them, not like the comfortable one, but like the prickle of ice, cold and sharp.

Khushnuma keeps looking at her husband who had dark look on his face as he got ready for the function.

"Shahzain!" Not able to sit through to piercing silence anymore, she spoke up.

"Ek baar aap Hanan se baat kar lein." Khushnuma said, timidly.

(At least talk to Hanan once.)

"Kis barey mein? Yahi ki usne Ayat ke sath aisa karne ka socha bhi kaise?" Shahzain looked at her reflection in the mirror and asked, bitterly.

(About what? What he did to Ayat?)

"Aap kaisi baat kar rahe hain? Apko waqai mein lagta hai ki Hanan aisa karega? Kya apko itna hi bharosa hai apne bete pe?" She got up from the bed and stood behind him.

(How can you say that? You really think Hanan would do anything like that? Don't you have trust in your son?)3

"Aur kya tumhe Ayat ki fikar nahi?" Disbelief was written on his face as he asked

(Aren't you worried about Ayat?)

"Of course hai. Ayat mere liye meri beti jaisi hai. Main bas itna kehna chahti hoon ki shayad koi misunderstanding hogi...."

(Of course, I am. Ayat is just like me daughter. All I am saying is the there must be some misunderstanding between them.)

Khushnuma's words flare his anger as he sharply asked. "Misunderstanding? Agar Hanan ne kuch galat nahi kiya toh Ayat ka aisa reaction kyu tha?"

(Misunderstanding? If he has not done something wrong then why Ayat behaved like that.?)

"Shahzain, Dono mein chote mote jhagre hote rehte hain jissey aksar Ayat aisa react karti hai. Aaj pehli baar toh nahi woh itna gussa hui Hanan pe..." She tried to explain him.

(They always fight over small things which always made Ayat react like this. This is not the first time when she got mad over Hanan...)

At least he should support his son, or maybe understand him, if he will also stand against Hanan then who will believe him?

"Exactly! That's why I was against this marriage. Ayat ki age hi kya thi jo uska nikkah karwa rahe the? Lekin nahi, tumhe aur ammi ko sirf Hanan ki khushi ki fikr thi. Dekh liya na ab kya ho raha hai." Turning to face her, Shahzain said. Vexed was visible in his voice

(Ayat was young and you and Ammi wanted to get her married. Now see what Hanan did to her.)

"Shahzain,"

"Khushnuma! Agar mujhe maloom hua Hanan ne waqai mein Ayat ke sath kuch galat kiya hai toh..." Shahzain's dark eyes had warning.

(Khushnuma, if I got to know Hanan has really done something wrong to Ayat then...)

"Miya biwi hain woh." She cried, she couldn't understand that why they are making a huge deal out of it. They are husband and wife, Hanan mus want to get closer to his wife, Ayat may have misunderstood it, they could talk it out if everyone stops mentioning divorce.

(They are husband wife.)

"It still doesn't give him any permission to force her." He muttered.

"Ab iss barey mein koi baat nahi hogi. Taiyyar ho aur bahar aao. Function start hone wala hai." Fixing his tie, Shahzain left, not bothering to glance at her again.

(Now don't talk about this matter anymore. Get ready and come out.)

Taking a defeated sigh out, Khushnuma looked at her reflection in the mirror.

She wanted to talk to her son, but Hanan was not opening the door of his room.

•••

It was the wedding of eldest grandson of Behroz Khan, the whole haveli was glimmering in light but there was not any hint of happiness on anyone's face. Everyone had apprehension. Even by masking a fake smile, their eyes had distress.

More than the groom and bride, guests were interested in what happened yesterday night.

"Toh kya yeh baat sach hai? Ayat ne waqai mein talaq manga hai?" Khushnuma was attending some guests when one of the ladies, Mrs. Fawad, asked.

(Is it true? Ayat asked for divorce?)

For one second, Khushnuma's smile was wiped off which she quickly covered with a nervous one. "Of course not, Mrs. Fawad, Ayat is just little hot-headed, aisi koi baat nahi hai."

(It's not like that.)

"Achha waise Ayat aur Hanan dikh nahi rahe." Another lady asked, roaming her eyes around the hall, expecting to find Hanan or Ayat.

(Where is Hanan and Ayat?)

"Woh... Ayat apne kamre mein hai. Aur Hanan ko toh waise bhi yeh sab function kaha pasand hai. Excuse me, mujhe bhabhi dhoondh rahi hongi, main abhi ayi." Excusing herself, Khushnuma left.

(They... Ayat is in her room. And Hanan doesn't like function or crowd. Excuse me, bhabhi must be looking for me.)

•••

Rubab was instructing the waiter to serve drinks when she heard some hushed voices.

"Waise agar meri mane toh yeh bachpan ke nikkah toh waise bhi zyada din tak nahi chalte."  A group of four ladies was standing nearby, one lady, clad in a blue saree was loudly speaking, as if she has no care of the world.

(Childhood marriage always break after a certain point.)

"Mujhe toh hairat ghar walo pe ho rahi hai. Kal itni badi baat ho gayi, aur yaha badi beti ki shaadi karwa rahe hain." Another lady spoke up, her voice was in a hushed whisper, but it reaches Rubab who was standing just some distance away from them.

(I am surprised with their family, how could they hold a function in this situation?)

"Tum bhi kaisi baat kar rahi ho. Maa baap hi jante honge ki halat mein woh ab shaadi karwa rahe hain. Choti ka ghar waise hi barbad ho gaya, badi ka thori karenge." A new voice scolded them.

(What are you saying? Only a parent would know how they feel about it. Their younger daughter's marriage is already ruined, they would not wish their other daughter's marriage to get ruin.)

"Abhi talaq thori hua hai." The second lady again added.

(They have not yet got divorced.)

"Toh ho jayega. Kal jitna tamasha hua hai, koi mard bardasht nahi karega ki uski biwi aise behave kare uske sath."

(They will but. The scene Ayat created would make any man angry.)

"Mujhe toh Ayat ke liye bura lag raha hai. Hanan ka kya hai, America settled hai, chala jayega waha aur jiyega apni zindagi apni marzi se. Ayat ko toh yahi reh kar sab cheez ka samna karna padega." They were busy in their conversation to notice Rubab, while Rubab's heart collapsed with their words.

(I feel bad for Ayat. Hanan is a boy, settled in America, he can return there and enjoy his life there but Ayat, she has to face everything.)

"Bhabhi!" Their conversation stopped when they heard Hamna's voice, who called Rubab. Turning to their back, they saw Rubab there which made them embarrassed.

"Bhabhi, woh ammi keh rahi hain ki Ayla ko niche le ayen." Hamna told her.

(Bhabhi, Ammi has told me to ask you to bring Ayla down.)

Nodding her head, Rubab left from there to upstairs.

"Sunn toh nahi liya?" One of them wondered aloud.

(Did she hear us?)

•••

Madhaniya
Haaye ve mereya daadya rabba
Kinna jamiya kinna ne lai janiya haaye
Haaye ve mereya daadya rabba
Kinna jamiya kinna ne lai janiya haaye

***

Ayla was ready in dusty lilac, net lehenga, motifs pearls, sequins, and dabka embellishments made it look more royal, Ayla's hair was in a bun, adorn by baby pink flowery gajra, soft lilac dupatta made up of net was hiding it neatly. She was looking stunning, even when in disturbance, her face showed a glow of happiness.

[Check my insta for Ayla's dress details.]

Azlan was walking her to the stage where Kaif was sitting. Raising her head to her side, Ayla looked at her father with teary eyes.

They stopped just in front of the stage, as Kaif stood up from the sofa to give his hand to Ayla.

Patting her head, Azlan placed her hand in Kaif's biding them together forever with dua.

•••

"Akele kyu baithi ho?" Kabir landed himself on a chair beside hers and asked.

(Why are you sitting alone?)

"Hume yeh sab achha nahi lag raha. Hume apne kamre mein jana hai." Mumbled Ayat, as she played with the ring in her finger.

(I want to go back to my room.)

She did not want to leave her room in first place if it wasn't her taya abbu telling her to attend the function.

"Ayat, kam se kam Ayla bhabhi aur Kaif bhai ke liye hi khush ho jao." Kabir instructed her, softly.

(At least be happy for Ayla bhabhi and Kaif bhai, Ayat.)

"Humse jhooti khushi nahi dikhai jati. Pata nahi yaha sab dikhawa kaise kar lete hain. Hume toh ghutan ho rahi hai."

(I can not fake happiness. I don't know how others are showing off. I feel suffocated here.)

Kabir got silent for some moment as he looked at Ayat's red face as if she is lacking breath.

"Chalo bahar chalo. Backyard mein koi nahi." After thinking a little bit, he got up and hold her hand, dragging her with him.

(Come one, let's go outside.)

Ayat let him drag her out from the hall, even she wanted to be away from this chaos.

•••

"Kya soch rahi ho?" Kabir once again asked her they sat on the swing.

(What are you thinking?)

"Pata nahi. Hume kuch bhi samajh nahi araha hai." Ayat honestly told him.

(I don't know. I don't understand anything.)

"Papa ne mana kiya hai tumse puchne ke liye ki akhir hua kya tha lekin...." Kabir started telling her. "Lekin sab jo soch rahe hain woh toh nahi hua hoga."

(Papa has forbidden us to ask you about last night..)
(But I know what everyone is thinking isn't the truth.)

"Kya soch rahe hain sab?" Ayat raised her head curiously, and asked.

(What everyone is thinking?)

"Tumhe nahi maloom?" He raised his eyebrow.

(You don't know?)

"Sab tumhare divorce ki baat kar rahe hain."

(Everyone is talking about your divorce.)

"Kya tumhe waqai mein Hanan se divorce chahiye?" The loud beat of the drum was coming from inside as Kabir asked her.

(Do you really want to take divorce from Hanan?)

Ayat did not speak for some seconds then said in a low voice. "Hume nahi rehna unke sath."

(I don't want to live with him.)

"Kyu? Don't tell me it because of his pranks and the way he teases you."

(Why?)

In return, Ayat could only bow her head down, she did not say anything. She was tired of telling everyone about her feelings, she was tired of how they urge her to speak then dismiss her feelings as nothing.

"Are you serious, Ayat? You are seriously holding grudges of your childhood? Ayat, Hanan loves you, please, don't do this to him or yourself."

"Kaisa pyar? Kaisa pyar hai jo sabko dikh raha hai, sab baat kar rahe hain par hume hi nahi samajh ata. Hume jaha tak yaad hai Hanan ne sirf aur sirf hume sataya hai aur mazak banaya hai. Toh yeh konsa pyar hai. Ammi jaan ne kaha ki jo mard bayan nahi kar sakte apne lafz woh aise hi be-zaar ho jate hain, Humne maan liya lekin Shyra se toh woh bohot achhe se baat karte hain. Even aapi ya ghar ka koi bhi fard, sabse woh achhe se baat karte hain. Toh humare sath hi itne rude kyu hain?" Ayat's silence and patience broke as she screeched at Kabir.

(What kind of love you are talking about? If I remember correctly Hanan has only teased me and make fun of me, is this his love? Ammi Jaan told me if a man can't confess his love then he gets weary of his close ones. I thought she is but Hanan is very much friendly with Shyra. He gets along with everyone except me.)

Ayat draw a sharp breath in then asked. "Yeh kaisa pyar hua?"

(What kind of love it is?)

"Mante hain, ki pichle kuch dino se woh humare sath kafi achha behave kar rahe hain.. Lekin hum yeh kaise yaqeen kar lein ki yeh koi unka naya prank nahi hai? Woh hamesha yahi toh karte hain. Achanak se achhe ho jate hain aur jaha hume lagta hai ki ab inpe trust kar sakte hain toh phir koi naya prank leke ajate hain. Hum dono hi emotionally blackmail hue the iss nikkah liye. Hum kaise maan lein ki achanak se inki feelings humare liye change ho gayi?"

(I agree he was very nice to me from the last few days but how can I trust him? He was always like this, he suddenly tarted behavior nice and when I trust him, he again pulled another prank on me. We both were emotionally blackmailed for this marriage then how can I believe that his feelings changed for me?)

"Yeh tumhe lagta hai, Ayat. You think that he was forced to marry you when in reality he was not."

(You think so, Ayat.)

"Maybe you have never noticed it but Hanan was always in love with you. I know, his way of saying was not also very good but still."

"You have always noticed his annoying behavior or how he teases you, how he calls you names. But you failed to notice his genuine care for you. Even a blind could see that. After making you upset, he is the one who lifts your mood. After making you cry, he gives you chocolate as a way of saying sorry. Tumhe kya lagta hai ki tumhare bag mein ya kamre woh chocolate kon rakhta hai? It was Hanan. It was always Hanan who cared about your comfort and like. He really loves you a lot, Ayat. Tumne yeh toh dekh liya ki sabke sath uska behavior alag hai aur tumhare sath alag, uski wajah nahi samajh nahi ayi? Because he thinks that he has rights to teases you. Dadi sahi kehti hain, Hanan ko maloom nahi kaise apni feelings bataye isliye aisa behave karta hai."

(Who do you think puts chocolate in your bag?)
(You have noticed his behavior with others but didn't try to understand the reason?)
(Dadi is right, he doesn't know how to express his feelings that's why he behaved this way.)

"Shyra ke sath woh achhe se hai lekin tumhare sath nahi kyuki tum mein aur Shyra mei fark hai. Shyra uski cousin hai, isliye uske sath zyada nahi free hai aur ek distance maintain hai politeness ka. Tum uski biwi ho, that's why he is playful with you."

(He is nice to Shyra but not you because you and Shyra are different to him. Shyra is his cousin and he is polite to her. But you are his wife.)

"And don't try to lie that you find his antics irritating. Wasn't it you, who keep asking about him when he left for America? You were so gloomy and out of life when he left, you did not speak much, and neither you were chirpy anymore. Aur yeh sab sirf Hanan ki kami ki wajah se tha."

(And this was all because of Hanan's absence.)

"Admit it or not, but somewhere, you also like his antics, you care about him, you love him too, Ayat."

"Maybe your love is not that strong enough to make you realize it.. But it is still there."

"Don't think that I am siding with Hanan. You both are important to me and I wish the best for you two. Ayat, don't end this marriage. Take as much time as you want because Hanan is ready to wait for you but don't make any rash decision."

Kabir waited for Ayat's reply, but she did not speak up.

Taking a defeated sigh out, he looked up at the sky and mumbled. "Koi fyada nahi inn baaton ka. Tumhare mind mein Hanan ki woh image ban gayi hai jo main toh shayad badal na pau. Tum khud chaho toh koshish kar sakti ho."

(There is no use of it. You have made an image of Hanan which no one could change.)

"Ice cream khaogi?" Kabir suddenly asked her. "Ruko main tumhare liye leke ata hoon." Without waiting for her answer, he stood up and left.

(You want to eat ice cream? Wait, I will get it for you.)

Ayat was once again left alone with her thoughts.

"Have you lost your mind?" Hanan's voice ranged from somewhere far in her mind.

"Galat kya keh rahe hain? Yeh sirf apki hawas hai jissey apne mohabbat ka naam de diya. Kya mohabbat aisi hoti hai? Aisi toh nahi hoti. Zabardasti nahi hoti mohabbat mein. Aap bas hasrat puri karna chahte hain apni..."

"Bas karo. Ab ek aur lafz bola toh achha nahi hoga." Hanan took a step forward to her and warned her.

"Kya kar lenge aap? Bataye? Zyada se zyada kar bhi kya sakte hain, ya toh maar lenge ya phir zabardasti." At this point, Ayat did not care if her voice raises or anyone could hear her.

"Kaisi zabardasti? Biwi ho tum meri, haq hai mera tumpe aur yeh haq mujhe sharia aur kanoon dono dete hain." Hanan's voice was still low, but filled with anger.

"Haq? Woh haq apko tab tak nahi mil sakta Hanan jab tak hum apko izazat na dein, shariat aur kanoon bhi yahi kehte hain."

Ayat abruptly shut her eyes, trying to remove the image of last night from her mind, she didn't want to think about it but her mind keeps recalling it. Tears once again filled her eyes, struggling to stop them, she raised her head and looked at the new moon.

She tried to think of something else.

"Maybe your love is not that strong enough to make you realize it, But it is still there."

Kabir's voice made her think,

She tried to search for the answer within herself. Does she really have feelings for Hanan?

When he left, she was worried for him, but only because Khushnuma was, and seeing her Chachi anxious naturally made her apprehensive too.

She did care about him because he is her chachu's son.

That's it. Right?

Maine aisa kya kiya ki tumhe hosh hi na raha? If she only cares for because he is her chachu's son then why his closeness affects her?

Kabir was also her cousin, she was more close to him, but his proximity never affected her. He never made her breath hitched, her heart never skip a beat in the sight of his, Hanan's grey eyes make her feel as if she could get lost in them, yet, she never knew the color of Kabir's eyes.

Did she really hate Hanan?

No! She doesn't. A loud noise of firecrackers startled her as she looked behind her. The beautiful color of red and green were spreading in the black sky then turned into smoke. Just like her thoughts, she didn't get time to rejoice in her love when reality slaps her hard on her face.

She was stupid in believing Kriti, she insulted Hanan in front of everyone just in her anger. She disrespects his love.

Kya karu tumhe pasand aney ke liye? Jaisa kahogi waise ban jaunga. He was ready to change himself for her, he was giving his 100% in their relationship, and here, she was blind by her stupidity to notice it.

I don't want to live with you, I want a divorce. She cried out on his face.

Jab durr chala jaunga tab kadar hogi meri. He said this mischievously to her, but she never understood the depth of it until now.

Suddenly, she felt lack of breath in her body, even when her lungs worked to bring much-needed fresh air, even in the open area of the backyard, she felt suffocated.

Tha thought of Hanan leaving her felt as if someone squeezed her heart out from her chest.

"Hanan!" She quickly got up from the swing as if getting new life in her.

She couldn't lose Hanan. She can not afford it.

Wiping her tears, she picked her lehenga up to her ankle and took hee steps forward to search for Hanan.

Making her way through the crowded area of aangan which suffocated her even more, she was glad that no one stopped her or even noticed her. She entered Shahzain's house, which was empty, the siren silence of his house was giving her affright which she never felt before.

Gulping down her fear, she ran upstairs to his room His room was unlocked, opening the door, she went inside, but it was empty.

She looked around then went to the door of the bathroom, it was empty too. It made her more uneasy.

Where he is? Ayat asked herself as she looked around the house, whole house was empty, Hanan was nowhere. He couldn't be in function, Hanan would never attend the function.

"Main yeh ghar chorke nana ke paas chala jaunga. Sabse durr." Once, Hanan got a really bad scolding from Shahzain because of his low grade, ten years old Hanan was telling her this.

(I will go to Nana's house, away from everyone.)

He was angry at his father, that's why he hides on the terrace on the fourth floor.

Seven years old Ayat as always found him, she was here because Khushnuma told her to pacify Hanan and ask him to get down from there.

Ayat was busy in unwrapping the chocolate in her hands. When she was succeeded, she broke a piece of it and pass him.

"Aur main kisise baat nahi karunga, papa se toh bilkul bhi nahi." Hanan added then ate the chocolate.

(And I won't talk to anyone.)

Ayat, who was busy over munching the chocolate, raised her head and looked at him with her innocent filled eyes. The melted chocolate was smeared beside her lips too.

"Kisise nahi?" She asked.

(No one?)

Hanan seem to think of it then said. "Mummy se karunga."

(Except for mummy.)

His answer made Ayat upset, with huffed cheeks, she looked down.

"Toh aap waqai mein hume chorhke chale jayenge?" She asked, naively. The innocent child did not know the depth of her question.

(You will really leave us?)

"Terrace," Ayat mumbled and again ran outside.

Hanan must be on the terrace, this is the place where he goes whenever upset or angry. Her pearl paazeb twinkling with her every step as she climbed up the stairs.

As she stepped on the terrace, her breath was already heavy due to climbing four floors but it stopped when her eyes fall on Hanan.

There was he, standing beside the railing, looking at the sky. Ayat could not see his face, his back was turned to her, but seeing him made many uninvited tears fall from her eyes.

Aap dekhiye, Mrs Hanan, mera dil kaise dharakta hai apke naam se. She recalled his every word, his every action.

Even in his teasing, he had longed for her Ayat didn't bother to clean her face as she ran toward Hanan and hugged him from back making him startled, at the same time, firecrackers lit in the sky.

•••

It was the biggest day of her life, but Ayla did not feel any enthusiasm, she was worried for Ayat and Hanan

"Are you okay?" Ayla didn't realize how cold her hands were until Kaif put his warm hand on hers, and asked.

"I am not." She whispered back as she looked at the crowd in front of her. Every few seconds later, some new faces come, and congrats them but Ayla doesn't even know half of them, yet, here she was pretending to be happy and shy for the sake of the function.

"Ayla, relax! Everything will be okay." Kaif knew Ayla was badly affected by what happened yesterday, even he was worried for Ayat, but they couldn't do anything, the function has to go on just for their reputation.

"How can I? She is my sister. I am worried about her. And Hanan, I am worried for him too."

"Hanan? Even after what he did to her?"

"You all are misunderstanding him. He didn't...." Before Ayla could complete her sentence, they were interrupted by another guest, who came to the stage to congrats them.

Both Ayla and Kaif plastered a smile on their face as Kaif stood up to meet his friend but Ayla keep seated on the sofa.

•••

Rubab was with some guests when a little girl went to her and tugged her dupatta.

"Apko Mamu bula rahe hain." She told Rubab and ran away to play with her friends.

(Mamu is calling you.)

Excusing herself, Rubab went to Azlan.

"Ayat kaha hai?" This was his first question, as worry was visible on his face.

(Where is Ayat?)

"Ayat..... Yahi thi.." Rubab ran her eyes toward the hall where Ayat was seated but when found someone else on her chair, she turned to Azlan.

(Ayat... She was here.)

Azlan made a thin line of his lips in disappointment, he told Rubab to keep Ayat accompany, she was already disturbed, and leaving her alone can make her more uncomfortable.

"Kabir ke sath thi woh..." Rubab added when remembered how Kabir was talking to Ayat.

(She was with Kabir.)

"Dekhiye kahi ghar na chali gayi ho." Azlan told her, as he thought of going to the backyard to look for Ayat.

(Look if she has went to house.)

"Kya hua?" Kaif, who felt Ayla fidgeting in her place, turn to her and ask.

(What happened?)

"Mamma aur baba kaha ja rahe hain?" Ayla asked back, not sparing him any glance as her eyes were fixed on her parents, they looked tensed, which made concerned Ayla.

(Where Mamma and Baba are going?)

Following her eyes, Kaif also looked at his chachu and chachi. "Koi kaam hoga shayad." He tried to ease her tension.

(They must have some business to attend.)

"Kabir!" Ayla was not appeased even a bit, as she called Kabir to ask him if everything okay or not.

"Ji, Bhabhi?" Sitting on the single sofa, he asked.

(Yea?)

"Mamma Baba ko kya hua achanak se?"

(What happened to mamma and baba?)

On her question, Kabir first looked at Kaif, who only shrugged his shoulder then tried to find Rubab and Azlan from the crowd.

When he didn't find them, he turned back to Ayla. "Pata nahi, mujhe nahi maloom."

(I don't know.)

"Ayat kaha hai?" Ayla again asked.

(Where is Ayat?)

"Ayat..." Kabir started telling when suddenly his eyes widened. "Oh no! Ayat ko toh main bahar backyard mein chorh aya tha." He whispered when recalled how he promised her ice cream but forgot because Huzaifa gave him some work to do.

(I left her in backyard.)

"Kya?" As if Ayla got thunderstruck, she was ready to stand up and leave.

(What?)

"Ayla!" Kaif held her hand, "Kabir, how could you be so careless? She has not come inside, go and check on her." He later scolded his brother.

"Haan... Haan mein dekhke ata hoon." Kabir quickly got up and leave.

(Yeah... I will check on her.)

"How could he be so careless?" Ayla, who was already worried felt as if she would faint away.

"Relax, Ayat is not five years old, she must be fine."

•••

Rubab looked for Ayat in every corner of the house, she could not find Ayat anywhere, with every passing moment, she was feeling animus. A gut-wrenching emotion wwe stuck in her throat which she couldn't explain or understand.

Her heart was trembling as she gets down the stairs, she thought of going to Azlan.

Azlan was in the backyard, he did not find Ayat there and turned to leave,

Unknown to him, just a moment away, a disaster was waiting for them.

Everything happened in a slow-paced, Alzan didn't realize what happened.

One moment, he was about to go inside, another, he heard a loud noise of something falling, he turned to his back, only to be frozen on his feet. His hard eyes were filled with shock as he looked down.

"Uncle!" He did not hear Kabir's voice, he didn't not Kabir placing his hand on his shoulder, he did not notice when the crowd started forming there. His stare was stuck on floor.

•••

Rubab has just left her house when Faryal once again came to her,

"Mami, woh Ayat aapi..." That's all she manages to say, the little girl did not understand anything, she just remembers how worried her mother was and told her to fetch Rubab.

"Kya hua Ayat aapi ko?" Rubab asked,

(What happened to Ayat?)

Faryal could only shake her head and left from there. Having no option left, she ran outside.

"What's going on?" Kaif and Ayla, who were still sitting on the stage, saw everyone rushing out. Ayla asked as she stood up.

Kaif also stood after her as he took her hand and they both also went out to see what's going on.

Seeing everyone gathered in one place, Ayla stopped walking, her heart told her not to take another step forward. Somehow, mustering the courage, she walked forward, making her way through the crowd, she finally reached where they all were looking at.

The scene in front of her eyes made her breath stopped.

"Ayat!" After some moment, a loud voice left her lung as she looked at the lifeless body of her sister.

•••

Woah, such a tough chapter it was and 🤧... Yeh kya hogaya bhai?👀

Ik, I am too evil to leave y'all on cliffhanger but

Seh lijiye thora 👉👈

I have so many things which I want to talk to you guys... But as always I forgot 🙂

Let's get back to the chapter goal I was talking about, you guys already know I am not doing this because of getting low votes or comments, I am doing this as a push-up so there will be something which keeps nagging me to write (let's just hope this will work.)

Chapter goal is 450 votes, 400 comments, and 20 new followers.

Trust me this is nothing kyuki maine pichle chapters se compare karke rakha hai yeh goal 😬🙈

Now back to the chapter, how's it? 👉👈 IK what I did there and... Ab kya hi kahu... Maine pehle hi warning di thi this story will test your patience and you all were saying bring it on toh here it is. 🙂

-Ufaq