"Sufiaaaa" Madiha glared at the girl who was about to do some mischief with brother sitting beside her. "Have you written five lines on my mother?" Madiha asked with a strict voice. In these ten days she understood the way to handle these kids and they were performing well in their studies.

"Aunty I've done my homework as well as learning work." Usama passed his book towards Madiha and she checked it.

"Good."

"May I go now?" He asked and Madiha looked at Sufia, she was still struggling with the five lines on my mother.

"Sufia, what did you have for lunch today?" Madiha asked and the girl thought for a few moments then replied. "Rajma chawal."

"Was it tasty?" Madiha asked and the girl moved her head up and down, "so tell me who cooked that food for you?" Madiha questioned

"My mummy..." The girl shrugged but she suddenly remembered something, "my mother cooks delicious food for us." She mumbled while writing down the fourth line and Madiha pinched her cheek.

"Very nice, Do you like your mom?"

"I Love my mother and she loves me too." The girl muttered and wrote it down. "Very nice, never do parroting, first understand the meaning of the words then write it down. Fine?" Madiha asked and Sufia nodded.

"That's it for today." Madiha helped Sufia in packing her bag and Aamna elbowed Mohsin, they both were witnessing numerous students and their teacher for last half an hour.

"Yaar aapi ke padhane ka style kitna achha hai na..." Aamna whispered and Mohsin smiled proudly but he kept watching his sister for a very long minute and his eyes filled with tears.

(Dude, Aapi's teaching style is great! Isn't it?)

"Kya haal kar diya hai us jaanwar ne meri behen ka. Koi aur aadmi hota to shayad apni qismat par naaz ki itni khubsurat, itni intelligent aur modest biwi mili hai lekin us aadmi ne to..." Mohsin left the sentence incomplete and wiped his tears which didn't dare to come out from the windows of his eyes.

(Just see what that devil has done with my sister. If it was some other man he would feel proud to have such a beautiful, modest and intelligent wife but he...)

Mohsin still remembered Madiha's face on the day of her reception. She was looking scared and sad but when he asked her the reason behind her sadness she just smiled and told him that she was missing him and he believed blindly. In these years he himself was struggling for his livelihood, his identity, his home as well as family so he was unable to give time to his sister just like Madiha who was trying to make everything fine between herself and her husband, completely unaware about her brother's struggle as well as problems. Mohsin never went to Danish's home after the day when he indirectly told him to leave, or if he ever visited he just called Madiha downstairs, hugged her while giving something like a small amount of money on the name of eidi or a small gift then came back. Madiha used to wait for months just to meet her brother for only a few minutes. Mohsin also used to crave to see his sister's one glance but every time he got a different bruise on her face, sometimes on her forehead, sometimes on her cheek bone and sometimes her eyes or lips were swelled due to beating and every time Madiha had the same reason behind those injuries that she slipped in the bathroom because the floor was wet. Since childhood Mohsin had seen Madiha tackling different situations with patience, either the separation of their parents, the death of their parents or her married life and today he was seeing a different Madiha who had already lost the treasure of her patience.

This Madiha was different from the girl who was always hopeful even in the worst situation.

"Your idea was great, her mind is diverted because of these students." Aamna's whisper took out Mohsin from his deep thoughts. "I just hope that she won't feel tired in handling so many students at once." He made a wish in a hushed tone.

Madiha was busy in correcting problems of her students. A few days ago Usama's mother told another neighbour about Madiha's teaching skills, and somehow the information was spread further because of chinese whispering; resulting many students were sitting around Madiha.

"Aapi, bas aaj ke liye itna kaafi hai, tayyar ho jaiye, dinner bahar karenge. Aaj Mera ghar me khana banane ka koi mood nhi hai." Aamna came near Madiha who looked up.

(Enough for today Aapi, get ready we'll have dinner outside. Today I don't wanna cook.)

"Aaj se kya matlab hai? Tera ghar me khana banane ka mood hota hi kab hai?" Mohsin mocked from a distance and Aamna huffed. She would throw something on the face of her lovely husband if he wasn't holding Zayan.

(What do you mean by Today? When do you wanna cook?)

"Mood nhi hai to koi baat nhi main bana dungi khana." Madiha suggested, otherwise also only she was doing cooking because it would be a torture to tolerate Aamna's cooking, no matter how patient Madiha was but she didn't have courage to tolerate Aamna's silent torture in the name of cooking.

(If you're not in a mood then fine, I'll cook dinner.)

"Koi zarurat nahi hai, bas bool diya mene ki bahar jana hai to jana hai. Aap uthiye jaldi se tayyar ho jaiye. Chalo bachha party, aaj ke liye bas itna hi, kal phir milenge ek nye episode ke sath, tab tak ke liye bye bye." The last part was so dramatic that everyone including Madiha laughed out loud.

(No, you're not going to cook. I said that we're going out so that's final. You have to get ready quickly, that's it! Hey kiddo(s) that's all for today, pack your bags and see you tomorrow with a new episode, bye bye for now.)

"Ab tu betha rahega kya? Jaldi tayyar ho ja." Aamna glared at Mohsin. "Mujhe konsa makeup karna hai jisme deyr lagegi? Jaa yaha se tayyar ho, mujhe to bas shoes pehenne hain."

(Will you be sitting here only? Go and get ready soon.)

(I don't have to do makeup which will take time, I just need to wear shoes. You go and get ready.)

<><><><>

"Thodi pagal hai lekin bohot achhi hai." Madiha whispered in Mohsin's ear while seeing Aamna who was walking a few steps ahead in the market, seeing everything buying nothing but not forgetting to ask the prices of each and every commodity.

(She's a bit crazy but very nice too.)

"Yes, she's!" Mohsin smiled wholeheartedly. "Tumne ise shadi ke liye mana kese liya tha? Itne bade ghar ki beti tumhare sath in condition me reh rhi hai..." Asked Madiha and Mohsin took a deep breath.

(How did you decide to marry her, and how did she agree? She is the daughter of such a great family but living with you in these conditions.)

"Maine to saaf keh diya tha ki main iske layaq nhi hu, lekin ye thehri pagal, itne achhe achhe ladko ko thukra kar mujhse shadi karne ki zidd pakad ke baith gyi."

(I told her clearly that I don't deserve her, but she is crazy, she refused the proposals from such great boys and insisted on marrying me.)

"She loves you." Madiha smiled under her niqab.

"No doubt. She does!"

"Masha Allah, you're lucky to have a loving partner. Return her love with love only, she deserves it." Madiha gave him genuine advice and Aamna stepped into a big restaurant.

"Lekin ye ladki kharcha bohot karti hai... Just see kitne bade restaurant me jaa rahi hai." Mohsin fake cried but his sister smiled. "Aadat hai use, usne tumhare liye khud ko badal liya tum bhi uski khishiyon ke liye thoda adjust kar lo." Mohsin smiled and nodded while walking towards the restaurant.

(But this girl spends a lot of money... Just see, she has chosen such a big restaurant.)

(She has a habit, she has changed herself for you, you also have to adjust a little for her happiness.)

Three of them took their respective seats, Mohsin adjusted the carry cot of his son on another chair and Madiha felt uncomfortable. After almost three years she was in a restaurant. Holding the menu card she was not selecting anything to order but only seeing it and remembering the past.

"Aapi, order..." Mohsin, who was sitting beside her whispered and she lifted her gaze towards the waiter. With another level of discomfort, somehow she ordered something as simple as a plain dosa and a glass of sweet and salty lemonade then again bowed her head down.

"Mohsin." Aamna lightly kicked his leg under the table, he slowly looked up and Aamna gestured towards the backside of Mohsin as well as Madiha. "What?" He asked in the same lipsing but turned to see what Aamna was showing. A family was sitting some five tables away from them and a face was enough to spoil Mohsin's mood but he didn't react and turned again to sit properly. His as well as Madiha's back was facing towards the family. He looked at Aamna and slowly shook his head, as if trying to say that Madiha should not get to know about the presence of this man and his family and Aamna understood his silent gesture.

"Kya hua? Tum dono ajeeb behave kyu kar rahe ho?" Madiha after getting the order and they both shook their heads. "Aapi naqab to hataiye, warna khana kese khayengi?" Aamna asked and Madiha felt as if Danish will appear from anywhere and beat her for uncovering her face in a public place but she took a deep breath and uncovered her face.

(What happened? Why are you two behaving so strangely?)

(How will you eat? Remove your veil.)

"Khana kha kar bas chalte hain... Ya shopping ka irada bhi hai?" Mohsin asked Aamna who looked at Madiha.

(Let's just go after having dinner... or do you also intend to go shopping?)

"Ask aapi." Having a mouthful of noodles Aamna replied shortly and Madiha shrugged. "let's go back home." She smiled forcefully. She didn't even want to come for dinner but it became difficult for her to refuse Aamna and Mohsin that's why she was sitting here with them otherwise she wanted to stay away from the crowded places.

The dinner was silently going on, Madiha glanced at Mohsin and Aamna, they were having some conversation with their eyes only, she immediately lowered her gaze as she didn't want to come in between the couple, she was already feeling guilty to be an intruder in their home and disturbing their privacy but she didn't know what the couple was discussing in their silent conversation.

Mohsin was looking furious but Madiha didn't get the reason, nor did she ask until a soft hand grabbed her arm. "Mamiiii," she looked at her left side and unwillingly a smile crawled to her lips but eyes saddened. It was Umera's elder son, Hadi, whom Madiha had loved like her own child.

"Happy Birthday Hadi, how are you beta?" Madiha kissed the cheek of this small boy and he smiled. Aamna and Mohsin got to know the reason of the celebration going on a few tables away. But they were also surprised that Madiha remembered the birthday of this boy! "Mami aap meri birthday party mein kyu nhi aayi? Chaliye na mere sath." The boy pulled Madiha's hand but she shook her head and turned to see those careless people who didn't even notice when the boy left the table, and she was unable to digest the scene she witnessed.

(Why didn't you come to my birthday party, Mami? Come with me.)

Danish was sitting, with a baby in his arms, beside a chubby woman who was the owner of an average face which was covered with a good amount of makeup. They all were laughing together but Madiha's eyes filled with tears. Bowing her head a little bit she blinked her eyes a few times to gulp down her tears but they shamelessly revealed themselves. Without lifting her head she grabbed a few tissues and soak all her tears in them but she wanted to go to Danish to question him...

Why is your wife not wearing a veil in a public place?

How could his wife sit with men while makeup on?

Why isn't he glaring at her when she was laughing?

"Aapi, it was past." Mohsin whispered while slowly pressing her arm and she pressed her lips together. Was it so simple to forget 3 years and 6 months in just 30 days?

"Mami aap mere sath chaliye na, mujhe wo wali mami achhi nhi lagti mujhe aap achhi lagti hain... Chaliye na please..." Hadi pulled Madiha's hand and she shook her head.

(Mami, please come with me, I don't like that mami, I like you... Come, please...)

"Beta aap jao, main thodi deyr me aa jaungi." Kissing his cheek Madiha said politely but someone pulled Hadi away from Madiha's grip.

(Dear, you go. I'll come after some time.)

"Tum yaha kya kar rhe ho Hadi?" A voice forced Madiha to look up. She was Humaira.

(what are you doing here Hadi?)

"Khala, main to Mami se baate kar raha hu."

(Aunty, I'm talking to Mami...)

"Koi mami wami nhi hain, chalo yaha se. Wo jo mama ke sath bethi hain na wo hain mami." Humaira literally pulled away Hadi. 

(There is no mami. Your mamu is the one who's sitting beside Mama.)

Madiha blinked blankly when Hadi's hands went away from her grip... It's true that Madiha didn't like Umera from the very beginning but Humaira was an apple of her eyes. She was the same Humaira whom Madiha had loved like a sister. How could she be so rude? But not to forget, she was Danish's sister, anything could be expected from her!

Madiha, one more time turned to pay glance to the whole clan. Humaira, Umaira, Danish, their children and spouse everyone was their, even Saad was also present there but no one of them feeling that a woman was missing. The woman who had been serving them for years without any complaint, without any desire for return, without any greed...

Was she really a worthless woman? If not, she couldn't believe it because no one can forget someone or something important within a few days.

"Aapi... You deserve the world. Stop crying for this man. No, man isn't an appropriate word for him, he's a monster." Aamna whispered and Madiha smiled like a sarcasm.

"Main us aadmi ke liye nhi apne waqt ke liye roo rhi hu..." She muttered and cleared her tears, that was true, she wasn't crying for Danish, but for her time that she had wasted on those ungrateful people. She was crying for the damage of her physical and mental health. She was crying for the damage of her dignity. She was crying for her dreams that she saw converting into a nightmare.

(I'm not crying for that man, I'm crying for my time.)

The environment for Mohsin and Aamna turned heavy. They were unable to lift the next morsel. Aamna lifted her gaze to find Danish glaring at Madiha, his gaze met with Aamna who glared at him with headly sight, she wasn't a weak woman! Following Aamna's gaze Madiha also turned to see the person and she suddenly felt scared after seeing Danish. Unknowingly her hand pulled the veil on as if he could still shout for not covering her face.

Madiha held her brother's hand tightly, she was scared as well as broken, this man could do anything and she didn't want to be humiliated in front of many people, just like he did in the police station.

"Mohsin... Chalo yaha se." Madiha demanded but Mohsin shook his head.

(Let's go from here Mohsin.)

"Bhaagna koi solution nhi hai aapi. Aap yahi rahengi, khana khaiye... Agar us aadmi ko koi takleef hai to wo jaye yaha se, hum kyu jaye?"

(Running away is not a solution Aapi. You will stay here. Have your meal. If that man has any problem then he should leave from here, why should we go?)

"Sara mood kharab ho gaya Mohsin, yaha baith ke aur kharab hoga, is se achha to chalo yaha se." Throwing the fork and spoon on the plate Aamna jerked her head and Mohsin sighed. He didn't want to give an expression to Danish that they are afraid and running away from him but these ladies already announced their decision.

(The whole mood is spoiled Mohsin, it will get worse by sitting here, it is better to leave from here.)

"Achha ye to pura khaa le..." Mohsin gestured towards her favourite dessert but she made a face.

(At least finish it.)

"Nhi khana yaar,"

(I don't want to have anything dude.)

Madiha looked at her brother then at Aamna. They were so happy till a few minutes ago but now their mood was spoilt and who was the reason? She!

"I'm sorry, meri wajah se..." Madiha muttered but none of them listened to her little whisper but she felt ignored.

(It's all because of me.)

<><><><>

The drive was silent. Mohsin and Aamna didn't utter a single word and Madiha didn't have courage to say anything. She was only seeing Aamna's face which was showing red shade which was the clear indication of anger.

"Main kuchh bana du tum dono ke liye?" As soon as they all stepped in the home Madiha asked, Mohsin shook his head and Aamna walked towards her bedroom as Zayan was squalling out of hunger and Aamna had to feed him.

(Should I make something for you two?)

"Aap araam kariye, kuchh chahiye ho to bata dijiyega." Said Mohsin in a hushed tone and he also walked towards his bedroom, as soon as he locked the door from inside Madiha listened Aamna's voice.

(You take rest and tell me if you need something.)

Aamna was shouting at Mohsin, and in reply Mohsin was also shouting. She tried to understand what they were saying but the locked door didn't allow the voices to come out clearly however it was clear that they were arguing. And it was the first time in this one month when they were quarreling. "It's all because of me." Going to her room Madiha muttered and locked herself in her room.

On the other hand, "Bas kar de yaar bas kar de, tera BP high ho jayega." Mohsin shouted but Aamna threw the pillow on him in return.

(Stop it yaar, just stop it. otherwise your BP will shoot.)

"Shakal dekhi hai uski? Policewala kam gunda zyada lagta hai. Mota, adha ganja, kala bhoot... Unki zindagi barbad kar ke kitne araam se celebration kar rha tha... Agar main 10 minute aur baith jati waha main bata rhi hu main uska muh tood deti." Shouted Aamna while huffing and gritting her teeth.

(Have you seen him? Instead of a policeman he looks more like a goon. Fat, half bald, black ghost… How comfortably he was celebrating after ruining her life… If I sat there for 10 more minutes and I would have smacked his face for sure.) 

"Abey chup ho jaa, aapi sun lengi to unhe aur dukh hoga." Mohsin grit his teeth to control his anger but he forgot that he could control his anger but not his wife, she was out of control.

(Hey, shut up, aapi will feel more sad if she listens.)

"Naam mat lena aapi ka mere saamne, waha par baithi hui roo rhi thi... Unse itna nhi hua ki apni chappal utaar ke us jaanwar ke muh par kheech ke marti. Mujh jesi koi hoti na to us ganje ke sar pe jitne Baal bache hain wo bhi chappal maar maar ke khatam kar deti. Mota genda, saand... Kala bhoot, uski biwi ko dekha tha... Booni batakh, 2 kilo makeup lagane ke baad bhi to achhi nhi lag rhi thi, wo langoor aesi hi kisi aurat ko deserve karta tha, aapi jesi khubsurat ladki ko nhi... Tu andha ho gya tha jab tune aapi ki shadi us budhhe se ki thi? Ya tune hi unhe force kara tha is rishte ke liye?"

(Don't talk about aapi in front of me. She was crying sitting there. Couldn't she just remove her chappal and throw it on the face of that janwar (animal). If I were at her place I had completely balden that half bald man by smacking his head with my chappals. Ugly rhino, bull faced, black ghost... And have you seen his wife? Dwarf duck, even after paisting 2 kilos of makeup on her face she wasn't looking good. That monkey deserves a woman like her only not a beautiful woman like Aapi... and... Were you blind when you married aapi to that old man? Wait... did you force aapi for that proposal?)

"Aamna bas karde, bohot ho gya. Chup ho jaa, kisi ne force nhi kra tha aapi ko lekin kisi ko ye bhi nhi pta tha ki wo aadmi aesa niklega." Mohsin shouted.

(Aamna, stop it dude. Just shut up. No one had forced Aapi, but no one knew that he would turn out to be like this.)

"Tujhe kyu bura lag rha hai agar main use kuch keh rhi hu? Kaan khool ke meri baat sun le Mohsin, agar tune us aadmi ki himayat li na to main tera sar phaad dungi aur doctor ke paas bhi nhi le kar jaungi."

(Why are you getting angry about what I'm saying about that man? Listen to me Mohsin, if you take the side of that man then I will burst your head and will not let you go to a doctor!)

"Tu bakwaas karti reh adhe ghante baad aa na jaiyo mere paas roti hui ki sar me dard ho rha hai, main khud tera sar phaad dunga." Saying that Mohsin turned to leave the room

(You keep talking nonsense. And don't you dare to come to me after half an hour crying out of a headache, I will burst your head myself.)

"Dafa ho Jaa yaha se." Aamna huffed.

(Get lost from here.)

"Abey chup reh, Teri shakal dekhne ke liye yaha baithega bhi kon?"

(Oh, cut the crap. I'm not even interested in seeing your face by sitting here.)

"Wapas hi na aa jaiyo kabhi. Ab is kamre me qadam rakha to main teri tange tood dungi." Aamna shouted.

(No need to come back. And if you ever dared to step in then I'll break your legs.)

"Main to apne hath kiray par de kar aunga na? Tu meri taange todegi aur main chup chaap tudwa lunga! Tere hath tood dunga us se pehle." Shouting that he stepped out of the room and smack the door loudly before laying on the sofa of the living room.

(As if I will come by giving my hands on rent, right? You will break my legs and I will get them broken silently! I will break your hands before that. Mark my words.)

This wasn't new! Their arguments weren't new! They argue for everything, from the TV remote to the right side of the bed; from global politics to the breakup of favourite celebrities; from menu of the day to shopping of eid... All their arguments started from discussions and ended other leaving room, however one thing was unchanged, Only Mohsin leave the room, or if he didn't then Aamna kick him out. And next day everything becomes fine without any apologies or discussion as if nothing happened last night.

<><><><>

After a few days:

Mohsin rang the doorbell and the door was opened by his wife who was looking red due to anger.

"Abey kya ho gya? Kyu chalti phirti jwalamukhi bani hui hai? Kabhi bhi phat jayegi?" Mohsin asked while unfolding his cuffs and walking towards the bedroom door, he was impatient to see his son.

(Hey what happened? Why are you turning into a moving volcano that is going to burst anytime?)

"Mohsin Aapi ko ghar se bahar nikal warna... warna... warna.... Mujhe nhi pta bas inhe ghar se bahar nikal. Jab tak ye is ghar se nhi niklengi tab tak kuchh theek nhi hoga." Aamna pointed towards the sofa on which Madiha was sitting with tear filled eyes.

(Mohsin get Aapi out of the home, otherwise... Otherwise... Umm... I don't know anything just get her out of the home otherwise nothing will be fine.)

"Aamna please..." Madiha requested but did Aamna knew to listen to anyone? No. She didn't !

"Aamna? Tu pagal ho gyi hai?" Mohsin asked but Aamna glared at him.

(Aamna are you mad?)

"Main nhi tu pagal ho gya hai!" And she walked into the room leaving Mohsin shocked.

(Not me but you!)

<><><><>