Madiha woke up when a hand grabbed her arm and shook her lightly, "Nashta bana do." Danish ordered her while turning to leave the room but stopped by her reply.

(Make me breakfast.)

"Apne bachhe ki maa ke paas jaiye wo hi bana degi." Covering her face with the blanket she turned her side and Danish saw her with shocked expressions. She gave him a befitting reply, wasn't it enough to shock him to the core?

(Go to the mother of your son, she'll make you breakfast.)

"Madiha." He yelled and she uncovered her face without any fear in her eyes. "Agar is lehje mein tune mujhse baat kari to main tujhe Jaan se maar dunga." He yelled while taking steps towards her and she smirked sarcastically "Buzdil aadmi apni taqat aurto ko hi dikhate hain." And she closed her eyes but very soon a loud scream escape her lips when she felt like her skin would be pulled off from the scalp.

(I'll kill you if you dare to talk to me in this tone.)

(Cowardly men show their strength only to women.)

Danish was grabbing the fistful of her hair from the back of her head and now her head was lifting up from the pillow. "Tu zyada nhi bool rhi?"

(Don't you think you're speaking too much?)

And he buried her head in the pillow which eventually blocked her nose and mouth. She was unable to breathe, suffocation started choking her lungs, she tried to push him away but ended up kicking the bed and hitting the pillow in order to get some space to breath in. Danish knew very well when to stop it, he took a step back and Madiha gasped loudly while sitting up. she was huffing and puffing heavily while her eyes and mouth were feeling dry. Her hands were shivering so as her whole frame. Maybe just two more seconds would kill her.

Leaving her in such condition he left and Madiha cried but for the first time she was not crying because of the pain she was tolerating at this moment, she was crying for wasting her precious time with this man. She was wrong when she was thinking that he can be changed, this man couldn't be better in any condition.

Stepping out from the bed she freshened up, changed her clothes and grabbed one of the suitcases present in the storeroom. Today she had decided to walk out of this toxic relationship. She was already done! There was no point of living here. She couldn't wait for Danish to bring his second wife and child here, enjoy his life with them and treat her like a nanny, maid as well as a s*x slave.

Filling her clothes and documents she packed the suitcase and turned to go but stopped because she had no money. Opening the locker she looked at the two bundles of 500 rupees notes, for a moment she was about to steal only one note as usual but then she furrowed. Even a maid earns five times more than this note just by cleaning the home and doing dishes once a day... why can't she take all this money after serving her three years five months of her life to this man?

Taking both bundles she put them in the purse and walked downstairs, Saad came out after hearing the sound of footsteps and felt amazed at the scene. "Where are you going bhabi?"

"Bakwaas na karo, dafa ho jao yaha se... 11 mahino se sab mil ke mujhe dhooka de rahe ho... Maine kya nahi kiya tum sab ke liye aur tum log... wo aadmi mujhe ehsaan faramosh bolta hai, main nhi tum sab ehsaan faramosh ho! Nafrat ho gyi hai mujhe tum sab se." Madiha shouted from the top of her lungs, she was panting while crying but she was unable to tolerate anymore.

(Cut your crap and get lost. Y'all have been fooling me for the last 11 months... have you forgotten everything I've done for you? That man calls me ungrateful but in reality you all are ungrateful! I hate you all.)

"Bhabi..."

"Bhabi mat bolo mujhe, main khud ko us aadmi ki biwi nhi kehlana chahti." And lifting her suitcase she walked out from the home, Saad was unable to stop him but he was able to inform Danish so he did so!

(Don't call me bhabi, I don't want to be called as the wife of this woman.)

"Haan Saad..."

(Yeah Saad...)

"Bhai... wo bhabi ghar chhod ke chali gyi!"

(Umm.... Bhai, bhabi left the home!)

"Kya? Tu kaha mara hua tha jab wo gyi?"

(What? Where were you when she left?)

"Main to yahi hu, mene bohot rooke lekin wo nhi ruki."

(I'm at home only, I tried my best but she still left.)

"Kiske sath gyi, Khali hath gyi hai ya kuch le ke gyi hai? Aur kitni deyr pehli gyi hai?"

(With whom she has gone? Was she empty handed or took away something along? And how long has it been since?)

"Akeli gyi hain, bilkul abhi nikli hain ghar se... Abhi to gali mein hi hongi. Aur... Jate waqt ek purse aur ek bada wala suitcase le kar gyi hain." Said Saad in a hurry.

(She has left just now, must be in the street only. And she was carrying a purse as well as a suitcase while going.)

"Abhi ke abhi uske peeche jaa aur dekh kaha jaati hai..." Saad nodded as if Danish was watching him.

(Go after her and see where she goes.)

"Ji Bhai, theek hai jaa raha hu..."

(Okay Bhai, I'm going.)

<><><><>

"Aapi ko pani dedo, Aamna." Mohsin told his wife while giving his shoulder to his sister for crying.

(Give water to Aapi, Aamna.)

"Main kab se bol raha tha aapko ki bas kariye wo aadmi nhi sudhrega lekin aapko hi lagta tha ki ek na ek din wo badal jayega." Mohsin kind of scolded his sister, and Madiha realised that she was doing efforts on a wrong place.

(I was telling you for a long time that you should stop doing efforts now, that man will not change, but you were the one who believed that one day he will change.)

"Chup ho jao Mohsin, ye koi waqt hai ye baate karne ka?" Aamna sat down beside Madiha passing her the glass of water but she was only crying while resting her head on her brother's shoulder.

(Shut up Mohsin, is this the time to talk about this?)

"Main chahti thi ki main kisi par bojh na banu, wo mujhe jese bhi rakhe at least mere paas sar chhupane ke liye ek chhat to hogi, bas yahi sooch sooch ke itna lamba waqt guzaar diya mene lekin ab mere sabr ki hadd ho gyi hai Mohsin. Har rooz maar aur gaaliyan khaa kar bhi main us aadmi ke liye sab kuch karti rahi, mujhe lagta tha koi kitna lamba arsa ignore kar sakta hai? Ek na ek din to wo mujhe samjhenge, maine apni har khwahish, har armaan ko maar kar is rishte ko nibhaya hai lekin badle main kya mila mujhe? Bewafai, beizzati, badsuluki! Ab aur sabr nhi bacha mujhme. Main wapas nhi jana chahti. Kabhi bhi nhi."

(I didn't want to be a burden on anyone, I was with him because I thought, no matter how he keep me, at least I will have a roof over my head. But I'm done now. Despite being beaten up like an animal and abused every day, I kept doing everything for this man, I thought how long can one ignore me? One day he will understand me, I have killed my every wish, every desire in order to grow this relationship but what did I get in return? Infidelity, insult, ill-treatment! I have no more patience left. I don't want to go back. Never.)

"Aapi aap kahi nhi jaiyengi ab, yahi rahiye hamare sath." Aamna hugged Madiha from the other side and this poor lady cried out for her destiny. How many times would she change shelters to find out a home? She was tired!

(Now you won't go anywhere, stay here with us.)

"Ji Aapi, ab yahi rahiye hamare sath. Divorce file kariye aur sukun se rahiye yaha." Mohsin slowly patted her shoulder and Madiha only cried, however another cry echoed in the home which was enough to grab the attention of three of them. And this cry wasn't worthy to be ignored in front of Madiha's tears. Aamna stood up in a hurry and Mohsin couldn't help but pay all his attention to the door of his bedroom from where he could listen to this voice.

(Yes, please stay here with us now. File a divorce and live peacefully here.)

"Kal se bohot teez bukhar hai ise, rooye jaa raha hai... dawai do to soo jata hai phir thodi deyr baad dobara roone lagta hai." Mohsin's attention was shifted from his sister to his two-month-old son and Madiha also felt worried.

(He has been crying continuously since yesterday and has a very high fever. He falls asleep after we give him medicine, and then after some time he starts crying again.)

"Doctor ko dikhaya?" Madiha asked and Mohsin nodded but sighted too.

(Consult a doctor?)

"Dikhaya tha, bool rhe hain ki ye kamzoor hai, special care ki zarurat hai lekin abhi to hum dono mein se ek bhi ise special attention nhi de paa rahe. Main subah office jata hu aur Aamna work from home kar rhi hai, office work ke beech is par dhyan dena mushkil ho jata hai."

(Yeah, consulted. The doctor said that he is weak and needs special care but till now neither of us is able to give him special attention. I go to the office in the morning and Aamna is working from home, it is difficult to concentrate on him in between office work.)

"Bukhar kuch Kam hua?" Mohsin asked when Aamna came out from the room holding her little son in her arms and she nodded.

(How's the fever? Is it fine?)

"Jao Zayan... phuppo ke paas jao." Aamna told her son while spreading her arms towards Madiha but she got tears in her eyes and shook her head. "Mujhe na do..." she muttered and gulped her tears while bowing her head a little bit down to hide the shine of tears and remembered the incidents when Humaira's mother-in-law didn't give Humaira's baby to Madiha because she had lost her baby... same happened when Umera give birth to a baby girl. Umera's mother-in-law didn't want Madiha to come near the newly born girl, the old lady didn't want her granddaughter to come in the contact of a lady who can't become a mother. This was the reason Madiha didn't come to see her nephew yet, she didn't even ask Danish to send her to meet this little boy because she didn't want to cast her unfortunate shadow on the little figure. Moreover Madiha was concerned, if Aamna could think about evil eye cast by her then she could think about these myths also!

(Meet your phuppo, Zayan.)

(Don't give him to me)

"What's wrong?" Mohsin's tone was changed... how could he tolerate if someone was behaving rudely with his son, either if she was his sister only!

"Main nhi chahti mera saya is par pade... meri qismat me bohot dukh likhe hain..." she muttered and both Mohsin and Aamna looked at each other. They weren't expecting anything like this in reply, Mohsin was answerless but Aamna sat down beside Madiha and put her son in Madiha's lap.

(I don't want to cast my unfortunate shadow on him... I have a lot of sorrows written in my destiny.)

"Pehle main bhi in baato se bohot darti thi, lekin ab lagta hai ki humari sooch kitni chhoti hai na! Kisi ki Nazar, kisi ka saya, kisi ki bad-dua... hum in sab cheezo se darte hain bas ek Allah se nhi darte jisne dusre insaan ko bhi bilkul hamari banaya hai, with a heart, soul and feelings..." Madiha was seeing this changed Aamna then she shifted her eyes to see her nephew and a big smile broke on her lips.

(Earlier, I also thought a lot about these things, but now it seems that our thinking is very limited, isn't it? Someone's evil-eye, someone's hatred, someone's curse...we feel afraid of everything other than Allah who has made other human beings exactly like us... with heart, soul and feelings...)

Madiha held this little boy closer and kissed his cheeks, this was the first time when she was showing her love to a baby in this way. She never felt such connection with Humaira's baby or Umera's children but this baby was her brother's blood and flesh. She had a direct relationship with him, how couldn't she love him in this way?

"Aapi, trust me, No one can say that he's not your son when he's in your arms, see Mohsin, he looks exactly like Aapi, only his nose is different." Aamna was excited and amazed to get the answer to her query regarding her son's resemblance. Madiha chuckled and embrace the baby while placing her cheek on the cheek of this little boy. There was another level of peace in this moment. She could feel the joy of holding a baby. Her heart wished for a miracle and savoured this joy but then she closed her eyes and sighed. Now she wanted to spend rest of her life alone. Away from Danish, away from his family, away from all toxicity.

<><>

Aamna and Madiha were lying on the bed playing with Zayan and Mohsin was doing dishes. This was his daily routine, he used to do dishes after dinner then enjoy a mug of coffee or tea with Aamna.

"Aapi, coffee." He put mugs on the side table, and Madiha smiled happily. She kissed Zayan's cheek before sitting down on the bed and looked at her brother.

"Tum dono apne office ka kaam dekh lena, Zayan ko main sambhal lungi." Madiha slowly caressed the little cheek before picking up the mug of coffee. "Aap kuch din sirf araam kariye, uske baad dekhenge ki aapko kya karna hai kya nhi..." Aamna told Madiha while picking up her mug and Madiha shook her head.

(Both of you take care of your office work, I will take care of Zayan.)

(You just rest for a few days, after that we will decide what you have to do and what not...)

"I don't need physical rest but mental peace." She was from those who couldn't take rest, after spending a long time with Danish she had learnt to work in every situation. During one of her pregnancy doctor advised her to take bedrest but Danish didn't care about any advice. If he wanted everything at perfect time then he wanted at any cost. Resulting Madiha's condition turned worse. After a few days her hands and feet started to swell following by puffing of her face. She literally begged in front of her husband to consult a doctor because she was in extreme pain and after all he agreed. Reaching the hospital when the doctor checked her up she was angry for such a carelessness and delay in the case of missed miscarriage. The baby died inside the womb many weeks ago and now started spreading infection not only in the womb but all around the body. Madiha went through a minor surgery for the removal of fetal tissues and cleaning of the uterus followed by some hard doses of medicines. In that situation also Danish let her rest only for two days, from the third day he asked her "Ab isi tarah mare rehne ka irada hai kya? Ghar ka kaam karne ke liye tere baap ne nookar bheje hain?"

(Now will you keep lying like a dead body? Has your late father sent servants to do the household work?)

"Aapii" Aamna shook her arm and Madiha came out of her trance "where were you lost, Mohsin is saying something." Madiha blinked balnkly for a few moments then sighed while closing her eyes.

"What are you saying?" She asked but before Mohsin could reply a little cry echoed in the room and they all looked at the sourse of this cry.

"Mohsin..." Aamna whispered worriedly, her hand was resting on the forehead of her son. "Starting of fever." Mohsin muttered while checking the temperature of his son. And in no time the environment was again full of stress. Both Mohsin and Aamna forgot about everything, they were only paying attention to this little boy who was crying continuously. Madiha was also worried but she didn't know what could she do for them so she was silently sitting at a distance.

"Take him to the doctor." After all Madiha said what she could but Aamna informed her that all the reports were normal so they need to give medicine to the child only at home, no need to take him to the clinic.

The environment was still tensed when a doorbell rang. Madiha stood up in a hurry to open the door while gesturing Mohsin to focus on his son.

Opening the door Madiha got a big shock. Two police men along with few lady constables were standing there. "Yes?" Madiha managed to mutter but she wasn't sure if her voice came out or just her lips moved a little.

"Madiha Danish kon hai?" The man with overbearing voice and big moustache asked and Madiha shivered from inside. "Ma... Main hu." She managed to utter those two words.

(Who is Madiha Danish?)

(It's me)

"Giraftaari ke warrant hain aapke. Giraftaar karo inhe." The man told Madiha the first part and the second part was for the lady constable.

(There are warrants for your arrest. Arrest her.)

"Magar... Ye kya kar rahi hain aap... Chhodiye mujhe..." Madiha tried to protest but she was unable to say anything loudly. She was scared enough to filled her eyes with tears but she had no courage to raise her voice. Mohsin came out from the bedroom to check why Madiha was taking too much time to check who was present on the doorstep.

(But... What are you doing... Leave me.)

"Mohsin aur Aamna bhi yahi rehte hain na? Unhe bhi bulao." The policeman asked when saw a young man coming towards the door

(Mohsin and Amna also live here, right? Call them too.)

"Main hu Mohsin, kya hua hai? Ye sab kya hai?" Mohsin asked following his voice Aamna

(I am Mohsin, what happened? What is all this for?)

"Madiha Danish ki giraftaari ka warrant hai hamare paas. Mohsin aur Aamna ke bhi warrants hain."

(We have a warrant for the arrest of Madiha Danish. And, there is a warrant for Mohsin and Aamna too.)

Madiha was trying to come out of her shocked situation. She was unable to say anything in response, the lady constable was holding her by her arm and she was thinking to call Danish because he was the only person who could handle police cases... She knew Mohsin was clumsy in these matters but she didn't think for a single moment that Danish was the only person behind this. Aamna also came after listening to the commotion, her son was crying in her arms and she was trying her best to hush him but the baby was crying constantly.

"Inhe bhi giraftaar karo... Le chalo in teeno ko." After the order another lady constable held Aamna with her arm and she was clueless.

(Arrest them too... take these three...)

"In what charges are you arresting us?" Mohsin asked confidently unlike his sister

"What the hell are you doing? You can't arrest women after sunset, and you can't force us like this." Aamna asked loudly but another roar stopped the commotion for a moment.

"Hame qanoon sikhane ki zarurat nhi hai, jo baat hogi thane me jaa ke hogi." Madiha shivered after listening to that roar but Mohsin stood near his wife and sister while drawing out his mobile but before Mohsin could dial a number his mobile was snatched away from his hand.

(There is no need to teach us law, now the discussion will be held in the police station.)

"You can't force us like this... It's our right, we can call our lawyer before you take any legal action against us." Mohsin shouted but no benefits.

"Aesa bhi kya jurm kar diya humne ki aap hume itni urgency me le jaa rhe hain, at least mujhe mera burqa aur mere bachhe ki feeding bottle to lene dijiye." Aamna who never wear burqa nor feed his son formula milk asked for those two things and freed her arm from the grip of lady constable.

(What crime have we committed that you are taking us in such a hurry, at least let me take my burqa and my baby's feeding bottle.)

Aamna walked towards the bedroom and picked her mobile. Dialling a number she put the mobile on the ear, her son was still crying in her arms...

"Hello." A manly voice came from the other side and... "Hello papa, papa Ghar pe police aayi hai, mujhe aur Mohsin ko arrest karne, kya charges hai kuch nhi bata rhe bas hume ke jaa rahe hain, lawyer tak ko phone karne ka mooqa nhi de rhe hume."

(Hello papa..., papa, police have come to our house to arrest me and Mohsin. They're not telling me what the charges are, they're not giving us a chance to call our lawyer, they're just taking us to the police station.

"Konse police station se hain ye log?" The old yet wise man asked from the other side of the call and Aamna looked at her son who was crying continuously.

(Which police station are these people from?)

"I don't know anything, papa. Even though I'm calling you secretly."

"Main aa raha hu, mobile apne paas hi rakhna kuch bhi update ho mujhe batana."

(I am coming, keep your mobile with you, let me know if there is any update.)

"Abhi kya karu papa? Ye log to hume sath le jaa rhe hain..." Aamna asked in a hurry.

(What should I do right now, Papa? These people are taking us along...)

"Mujhe apni live location share karo aur police station chali jao, baqi main dekh lunga, agar kuch bhi pta chale to text message karna." Aamna nodded on the instructions and cut the call. She took her scarf and purse, Madiha's purse and burqa before walking out of the room.

(Share me your live location and go to the police station, I will take care of the rest, if you get to know anything then text me.)

Aamna handed over the purse and burqa to Madiha who was crying and shivering with fear. She hadn't done any crime then why and how police can come to arrest her?

....

Three of them were in the police Jeep when Aamna realised that it all happened when Madiha came after deciding to take a divorce. She slowly drew out her mobile from the purse and typed a message, papa, I guess it's all because of Danish, Madiha Aapi's husband. He's DSP in H... But before she could complete the text and sent it a lady constable grabbed her mobile and switched it off while shouting at her to behave oversmart. Unfortunately Aamna's father, who could help them, lost the trace of the live location of her daughter.

<><><><>

"Daketi ka maamla darj hua hai tumhare khilaaf." The inspector told Madiha who looked up at him with shocked expressions on her face. "Maine kuch nhi kra... Mujhe mere husband ko bulane dijiye... Wo DSP hain... Hum kisi criminal background se belong nhi karte, aapko koi galat fehmi ho gyi hogi..." Madiha uttered in her fearful voice and hoped for a positive response from the man sitting in front of her.

(There is an allegation of theft on you.)

(I didn't do anything... Please, let me call my husband, he's DSP... we do not belong to a criminal background. Maybe, you're having a misunderstanding.)

Mohsin and Aamna were in another room that is why Madiha was feeling more scared. Moreover the gaze of this policeman was making her uncomfortable. She wasn't covering her face, because Aamna only passed her the abaya and scarf, not her niqab (veil), so her face was uncovered. Before her fear could be increased a tall figure walked in and she cried out helplessly after seeing that familiar face. Maybe that was the first time when she felt like hugging him and tell him that she was waiting for him but she just stood up.

"Shukar hai aap aa gye... Bataiye na inhe mene kuch nhi kiya. Main to kahi jaati bhi nhi hu main kese kahi chori karungi..." Madiha held Danish's arm but he jerked his hand and the inspector stood up to salute him as he was DSP.

(Thankfully you arrived! Please tell them that I am not involved in any theft... I don't even go anywhere, how could I do anything like that?)

"Chori ka saman baramad hua ya nhi?" Danish asked the inspector and Madiha took a few moments to understand the meaning of his words.

(Are the stolen goods recovered or not?)

"Not yet sir, we're doing interrogation." The inspector replied in a professional tone, "And where are the two who helped her in planning?" Danish's question was enough to give another jolt to Madiha's heart.

"Sir, they're in the other room, a constable is doing interrogation with them." Danish ordered the inspector to bring Mohsin and Aamna in the same room then looked at Madiha with anger in his eyes.

"Ye sab aap kar rhe hain? Aapko sharam nhi aa rahi?" Asked Madiha loudly and Danish grit his teeth.

(Are you doing all these things? Don't you have any shame left in you?)

"Jab tak chori ka saman baramad nhi hota jaane na dena teeno ko." Danish instructed the inspector.

(Don't let them go until you recover the stolen goods.)

"Sir, us ladki ka bachha bimaar hai aur bohot roo raha hai... aur un dono ne hungama macha rakha hai ki unhe apne wakeel ko bulana hai, unhe qaboo me lena asaan nhi hai." The inspector whispered and Danish looked at Madiha who was trying to understand what was happening but couldn't.

(Sir, the kid of that woman is ill and crying too much, moreover they both are not a cup of tea to handle, they're continuously demanding to call their lawyer.)

"I don't care about anything, just keep in your mind that I need the stolen goods back."

"But sir I'm afraid... If anything happens to that child... You know na... He has high fever and he need special care right now." This time Danish think for a moment and then looked at Madiha who was again crying sitting on the chair. Handling this woman was so easy but handling a woman like Aamna wasn't easy at all. Danish knew it well.

"Let them go but do not give them their mobile phones. Tell them to collect their mobile phones from custody tomorrow."

"Yes sir." The inspector passed the order to someone else and Madiha looked at Danish. "Kis baat ki saza de rhe hain aap mujhe? Aapne to meri wo halat kar di hai ki na main jii saku na mar saku. Aapko pareshani mujhse hai na, ek baar me maar dijiye mujhe, mujhe har rooz kyu moot ka maza chakhate hain? Aur mere bhai ko kyu pareshan kar rhe hain? Usne kya bigada hai aapka? Uske masoom bachhe par to taras khaa lijiye."

(What are you punishing me for? You have taken me to a point of life where neither you let me live nor let me die. You have issues with me, right? Just kill me in one go? Why are you killing me in bits everyday? And why are you pulling my brother in this? He hasn't done anything to you! At least do mercy on his innocent child.)

"Sir, they have gone." The inspector informed Danish about Aamna and Mohsin which was another jolt to Madiha. Her brother left her alone in this situation? Really?

"Great." Danish muttered and walked towards the exit but stopped by Madiha's voice. "Kaha jaa rahe hain aap mujhe yaha akele chhod ke? Danish main aapki biwi hu aap mujhe aadhi raat ko police station mein akela chhod ke kese jaa sakte hain?" Madiha panicked after seeing herself alone in middle of many men when there was no woman present around.

(Where are you going leaving me here alone? Danish, I am your wife, how can you leave me alone in the police station at midnight?)

"Leave me alone for a moment." Danish muttered and the inspector along with the constable left the cabin. Danish placed his hands on the either side of Madiha's chair while leaning over her. "Kis Bhai ki himayat le rhi thi? Uski jo ek second me chhod ke bhaag gya? Kya hua... Pta chal gya kitna achha hai tera Bhai?" Danish mocked but Madiha smiled while crying.

(Whom you were defending? Your brother. Right? What happened? He flew away within a second? Such a nice brother he's.)

"Khushi hui jaan ke ki mera bhai ek achha bhai ho ya na ho kam se kam wo ek achha shohor to hai jo apni biwi ko mushkil se nikal ke le gya... Main to apne shohor ka intezar kar rahi thi ki wo mujhe aa kr bacha le lekin usne mujh pe jhute ilzaam laga kar mujhe mujrim bana diya..."

(I am happy to know that my brother is not a good brother but at least he is a good husband who has managed to get his wife out of trouble... Here, I was waiting for my husband to come to save me but you have made me a criminal by accusing me of falsely...)

"Tujhe kya laga tu mere ghar se mera saman le ke chali jayegi aur main chup chaap betha rahunga? Kaha hai wo pese jo le ke gyi thi?" Danish came to the main point and Madiha grabbed her purse.

(What made you think that you would take my things from my house and leave and I would remain silent? Where is the money you took with you?)

"Seedha bool dete, main de deti... Itna tamasha karne ki kya zarurat thi?" She was about to open her purse when a voice grabbed their attention, Danish stood straight, soon the inspector came inside in a hurry.

(If you had told me directly, I would have given it… What was the need to create such a drama?)

"Sir, wo dono wapas aa gye... Aur unke sath koi aur bhi hai jo SP sahab ko apne sath laya hai." Danish was stunned by this information but Madiha smiled while crying, she had a hope that her brother would not leave her alone in this situation and it actually happened.

(Sir, both of them have come back... and there is someone else along with them who has brought SP Sahib with him.)

An average height man stepped in the room, Danish and the inspector saluted him formally. "Danish, what's the matter? You've accused your wife for theft in your own home?" The SP asked and Danish looked at him then glanced towards Madiha.

"Sir she has stolen gold and money from my home that's..."

"So it is your personal matter, you could resolve this inside your home. Do you have any idea what blunder have you created by involving that girl whose baby is crying outside? Do you know her father? He's such an influential person! He has his sources all around, either ministry, execution or media! And right he's now behind you for false accusations."

"Sir I have doubts that Aamna and Mohsin are involved in planning this theft. I haven't put any false allegation on them. Moreover, sir you don't know the reality. There is something behind all these things." Danish replied and Madiha looked at her husband and open her purse.

"Aapko ye chand pese chahiye na, ye le lijiye, itna tamasha kyu kar rahe hain?" Madiha put the money on the table and stood up. "Aap khud mujhe maarte peet'te hain aur chori ka ilzaam mujh par laga rhe hain?"

(If you want this money, take it, why are you making such a scene?)

(You yourself beat me and are accusing me of theft?)

"That's the thing sir... See! Yesterday I went home early to surprise her with her favourite cake but I was shocked to catch her red handed with her boyfriend. They were in a compromising situation and..." Danish took a pause and Madiha's eyes filled with tears. "Before I could do anything that man ran away and we had an argument. This morning I went on my duty as usual and when I went back home my locker was empty. She has stolen all my mother's jewelry as well as my money which I have been saving for renovation of home, just because she wanted it." Madiha was stunned by this story.

"Danish, aapko sharam aani chahiye mujh par itne ghatiya ilzaam lagate huye! Main kisi ke sath nhi thi... Sir, ye mujhe marte hain, kayi kayi din ghar nhi aate, dus..." Before she could complete her sentence was cut by her husband.

(Danish, you should be ashamed for accusing me of such a crime! I was not with anyone... Sir, he beats me, he doesn't come back home for days, he's...)

"Sir, aapki duties nhi lagti kya? Aap bhi to Ghar se bahar rehte honge kayi kayi din... Bohot se log Ghar se dur rehte hain! Kya sab ki biwiyan apne boyfriends ke sath... Mujhe to kehte huye bhi sharam aa rahi hai... Main itne waqt se khamosh tha, kabhi bhi koi baat hoti thi to ye aurat mujhe dhamki deti thi ki mere khilaaf police me jayegi, meri nokri khatam karayegi... sarkari nokri hai na, ilzaam lagana bohot asaan hai aur aaj ke waqt mein to sab aurto ko hi sachha samajhte hain. Iske aasuo ko dekhiye sir, kon kahega ki ye 3-4 saal se is tarha dhamkiyan deti hai? Bas yahi kahenge ki main hi is par zulm karta hu... bas iske inhi dramo ki wajah se aaj tak chup tha main, lekin is baar mene socha ye mujh par koi jhuta ilzaam lagaye, meri nookri aur meri izzat dono khatre mein aaye us se pehle main khud hi complaint kar du, warna main to kabhi bhi Ghar ki baat bahar na lata." Madiha was stunned by such a great story, holding her head she just sat down on the chair and cried out helplessly. She knew couldn't go against this man but she didn't know that it was so easy to accuse a woman publicly.

(Sir, don't you stay away from home for duties? Many people are staying away from home! Does everyone's wife make a boyfriend and get involved in... even, I can't afford to explain it in words. I was silent for a long time because this woman has been threatening me to complain to the police, so that my job will be terminated… she knows well that it is a government job, it is very easy to blame me... In today's world women are being heard everywhere and men become cruel without doing anything. She has been doing this for the last four years and I have been silently tolerating everything because I know no one will trust me, just see her crocodile tears, who'll trust me in front of her innocent acts? however, this time I thought that if someone falsely accuses me, my job and my honor are in danger, before that I myself should complain, otherwise I would never publicise my domestic matters.)

"Whatever it is, solve this matter right now! Otherwise our whole department will face trouble." The middle height man whispered to Danish and he nodded. "Main to iski har galti maaf kar ke aaj bhi isi ke sath apni zindagi guzarna chahta hu, main to compromise karne ko tayyar hu." Said Danish and Madiha looked at him while wiping her tears.

(I'm ready to forgive her for everything because I wanna spend rest of my life with her. I'm ready to compromise.)

"Sir ye mujhe maarte hain, mujhe ghar me band rakhte hain, mujhse jaanwaro se bhi badtar treat karte hain, Mujhe apne ghar ki nookrani bana diya aur khud dusri shadi kar li inhone..." Madiha told everything to the senior most officer present in the room and Danish shrugged.

(Sir he beats me, he locks me inside the home, he does not let me go anywhere, he treats me worse than an animal. He treats me like a maid of his home and he had done second marriage.)

"Here comes the new accuses. Yesterday when I caught her with her boyfriend in the bed... From that time she's threatening me to tell everyone that I've done a second marriage. And if it comes to treat her like a maid... Just look at the jewellery she's wearing. Look at her clothes, her bag, her footwear... I bought her everything but she wants freedom to do what she was doing yesterday with her boyfriend.... Free from their clothes they both were kissing wildly and not only this I was shocked when I pulled away the blanket..." and the latest on description wasn't hearable.

"Danishhhhh..." Madiha yelled and gritted her teeth but cried out while hiding her face in her palms. "Stop it... I wasn't with anyone. I wasn't with any man... I haven't even thought about any man than you... Stop your rubbish." Madiha yelled and felt embarrassed.

"Madiha, you're accusing me of beating you, right? The you must have some marks... Show some marks... show a single mark to sir... Or it will be better to send her for a deep check-up... MLC reports will clear it all... Right Madiha?" Danish asked and Madiha's face turned pale, she shook her head and her hand clutched her burqa tightly.

"Please Danish, don't do these things with me... I'm already done with you. Let me go. Let me live freely." Madiha muttered with a pale face and Danish looked at his senior.

"Sir main to aaj bhi isi ke sath rehna chahta hu... Lekin ye hi nhi chahti to theek hai... Rahe apne bhai ke ghar me, jab chahe wapas aa jaye." And Danish sat down on the chair beside Madiha, he grabbed the file present on the table and looked at the constable.

(Sir I am still willing to spend my life with her, but if she doesn't want then fine... Let her live with her brother and my doors are always open for her whenever she wants to come back.)

"Compromise ke papers tayyar kar do." Said Danish and all the other men present in the room just saw Madiha silently.

(Prepare the papers for compromise.)

"Dikhne me kitni shareef hai aur harkate kesi hain! Ek baar range hatho pakadi gyi hai pta nhi kabse ye sab chal raha hoga?" One constable told the other and Madiha hide her face in her palms... She never saw a man with dirty gaze but her own husband was proving her impure and characterless in front of other men. Every gaze was questioning Madiha's character as well as her dignity, she wanted to run away from all these things, she wanted to go away from those dirty gazes who were forcing her to hide somewhere but where? She was feeling all alone in between all these men... Mohsin was outside the room because the SP didn't let anyone enter the room.

(How noble she looks and how she behaves! Once she has been caught red-handed, who knows how long all this has been going on?)

Soon the papers of compromise came on the table, Danish picked the papers and put in front of Madiha. "Sign them..." She signed each and every paper in a hurry and stood up while grabbing her purse.

"Money and jewellery." Danish gestured and Madiha put those two bundles of notes as well as removed her earrings, gold bangles and gold chain before handling them to Danish and almost running out from the room. Mohsin was standing outside the room holding tears in his eyes. He also listens to the character assassination of his sister who was as pure divine snow. "Main to Ghar pe akeli thi Aamna, main kisi ke sath nhi thi." Madiha cried helplessly while hiding her face in her hands. Danish had given her many pains but this was the biggest till now... Today Danish didn't hurt her inside the four walls of home but among numerous men. She was the woman who bows her eyes down if her gaze accidentally falls on a handsome face which could attract her heart towards him but today her husband told everyone the condition she was in the bed with her boyfriend... He presented an oral portrait of her body in front of numerous men and later on many of them were seeing her with such a dirty gaze as if she was sitting without wearing clothes.

(I was alone at home Aamna, I was not with anyone.)

Mohsin didn't had courage to face his sister. He was just not meeting his eyes with Madiha because he was unable to do anything when Danish was humiliating her.

"Hume aap par bharosa hai aapi. Ghar chaliye." Aamna curled her arm around Madiha's shoulder and whispered.

(We trust you aapi, let's go home.)

Madiha lifted her gaze to see the figure who passed her a bottle of water and she felt more embarrassment. He was Aamna's brother standing beside his father. Madiha didn't grab the water bottle just looked at Aamna. "Mujhe yaha se kahi dur le chalo..."

(Take me away from here.)

Mohsin, Aamna's brother and her father started walking towards the other side of the road because the car was parked only there. Madiha and Aamna were walking after three of them when a bike stopped near Madiha and she looked at the tall figure riding it.

"Main tujhe chhodunga nhi, meri behen ki zindagi kharab kar ke..." Mohsin grabbed Danish's collar but everyone managed to stop him before the matter could become intense to be handled.

(I won't leave you alive. You're destroying my sister's life and now...)

"Zyada na uchhal beta, abhi tu jaanta nhi hai Danish kya cheez hai." Danish pushed Mohsin away, he was not going to be afraid of a young man who was almost twenty years younger than him. Then he looked at the lady in the black burqa, she was still crying.

(Don't behave so brave little mouse, you don't know yet about my powers.)

"Tujhe bohot shokh hain na apne bhai ke ghar mein rehne ka, to reh ab wahi... Mere ghar wapas aane ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Kuch din ki baat hai ye bhi dhakke maar ke bahar nikal dega jese tere mamu ne nikala tha."

(You love to stay with your brother, right? So now live with him only! No need to come back to my home. It's only for a few days then he'll kick you out of your home just like your uncle did.)

"Aapka kya bigada hai mene? Kis baat ki saza de rahe hain aap mujhe? Itni beizzati to koi kisi whore ki bhi nhi karta hoga jitni aapne meri kardi... Main aapki biwi hu Danish... Sharam nhi aayi aapko?" Asked Madiha in between her crying but Danish jerked his head.

(What wrong have I done with you? Why are you punishing me in this way? No one would insult even a whore in such a way that you've done with me. Didn't you feel ashamed? I'm your wife Danish!)

"Ab tu is layaq nhi rahi ki meri biwi kehla sake... Main tujhe talaq deta hu, talaq deta hu, talaq deta hu. Ab sadti reh apne bhai ke ghar mein, do koodi ki aurat... Ehsaas faramosh, jab ek ek cheez ko tarsegi tab yaad ayegi meri." And he went away without any delay. Madiha was blinking blankly. She looked at the four people standing around her.

(Now you're not worthy to be called my wife... I divorce you, divorce you, divorce you. Now live with you brother, you are ungrateful, worthless woman. You will remember me when you crave every single thing)

Mohsin, Aamna, her brother and father... Four of them were looking at her only. How easily Danish pushed him out of his life after playing with her body, shattering her soul, ruining her character, damaging her emotions and poisoning her life. It was difficult for her to decide what she should do?

Should she feel happy that Danish finally freed her or should she cry for the damage in herself or should she feel afraid of the dark future?

She didn't know!

"Beta aese aadmi ke sath rehne se achha hai akele zindagi guzar lo... Bohot ghatiya insaan hai ye." Seeing Madiha crying, Aamna's father patted Madiha's head just like a father and she cried helplessly.

They all sit in the car and Madiha broke down in tears. Three years five months and almost twenty days... This was the time period of this marriage but enough to kill her from inside.

"Aapi... Kyu roo rhi hain aap? Aapko to khush hona chahiye, aap us jahannam se azaad ho gyi." Mohsin whispered while pulling Madiha in a hug and she cried out more, not because of the divorce but because of the character assassination.

(Aapi, why are you crying? You should be happy to be freed from that hell.)

"Please Aapi. Roona band kariye. Wo aadmi aapke layaq tha hi nhi..." Madiha looked at Aamna who was sitting on her other side holding her little son. "Aur wesa kuchh nhi hoga jesa us aadmi ne kaha, wo hamara nhi aapka ghar hai. Araam se rahiye hamare sath." She whispered before giving a side hug to Madiha but this lady was unable to forget how Danish was presenting her description in front of those men.

(Please Aapi, stop crying. That man didn't deserve you.)

(And, nothing like that will happen that this man said... That's not our home but yours. Live with us peacefully.)

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