"Night shift thi meri, duty se direct yaha aa rha hu tumse milne ke liye... Itna rudely baat krogi mujhse?" Madiha tried to glare at him but couldn't because a voice came from behind and she turned to see a sleepy Mohsin coming out of his bedroom while fastening the buttons of his shirt. "Kon hai aapi?" he muttered but all his slumber was gone after seeing the figure standing near the door. 

(It was my night shift, I am coming here straight from duty to meet you... Will you talk to me so rudely?)

(who's this aapi?)

"Assalamualaikum, how are you Athar Bhai?" Mohsin held his sleepy eyes back and smiled at the man standing outside the home. "Andar aaiye na, aap bahar kyu khade hain?"

(Come in, why are you outside?)

"Tumhari behen andar aane hi nhi de rhi." this time Athar passed a smile towards the lady whom he loved like no one else. Madiha was blinking blankly. What the hell was going on around her without her knowledge?

(Your sister is not letting me in.)

Athar stepped into the home and Madiha kind of huffed, Athar and Mohsin were formally exchanging greetings as if they both knew each other for a long time. "Excuse me, give me just a few minutes, I'm coming after freshening up." Mohsin took a step back and Athar took his seat. "sure, no problem."

"Ye kya chal rha hai?" Madiha asked when Mohain went to his bedroom and Athar gave her a requesting look.

(what's going on?)

"Chai nhi de rhi kam se kam pani hi de do." Madiha sighed at his demand. She, at least, couldn't refuse to give water. Filling up a glass of water she put it in front of him Athar kept watching her until she walked back to the kitchen.

(if not tea give me water at least.)

The said five minutes of Mohsin stretched to some ten but Athar was still sitting alone. But soon his wait was over with a cup of tea, an omelette and a few slices of bread. 

"Have breakfast," Madiha said rudely and looked away. She was angry with Athar for bringing up the topic of marriage, she hadn't talked to him for many days... Almost a month but she couldn't see him uncomfortable or so. 

Athar smiled while glancing at the breakfast present in front of him and then at the one who made it. She could be his wife if instead of surprising her he called her before visiting her home to bring the marriage proposal. "Tum nhi khaogi?" he asked in a hushed tone. 

(Won't you have breakfast?)

"Athar, kyu kar rhe hain aap ye sab?" this time Madiha was feeling helpless, this man was not giving up on her even after her constant denials. How could someone be so dheet (stubborn)?

(Athar, why are you doing all this?)

"kabhi socha nhi tha tumhe manana itna mushkil ho jayega."

(I never thought it would be so difficult to convince you.)

"Maine bhi kabhi nhi socha tha ki aap mujhe itna pareshan karenge," she said in a disappointed voice as she stood up to go to the kitchen. She, as usual, wanted to avoid him but he wasn't ready to back off.

(I never thought that you would bother me so much.)

"Madiha, mujhse baat to kro, reason to batao... Is tarha mujhse dur bhaag ke kya mil jayega tumhe?"

(Madiha, at least talk to me, give me the reason… What will you get by running away from me like this?)

"Assalamualaikum, Sorry for being such a clumsy host but..." Aamna came to the living room in a little hurry and sat down opposite Athar. "Waalaikum As-salam, but it's fine as it's Sunday so being lazy works well." Athar completed the reasoning but Aamna shook her head.

"No no... It's not about being lazy, it's because Mohsin and I slept after the morning... Our son had a fever last night so he was uncomfortable and we weren't able to sleep." Said Aamna and Athar nodded. 

"I should leave now, you must consult a doctor." placing the cup of tea back he said formally but Aamna shook her head. "No, he's fine. It was an after-effect of the vaccine he took yesterday." She muttered and Mohsin came out from the room holding his son in his arms. Madiha took Zayan without any delay and kissed his cheeks, she was about to walk to her bedroom when stopped by a voice.

"Aapi, Athar bhai ko humne bulaya hai." It was Mohsin, Madiha stared at him with disappointment, as if asking, why without my consent? And Mohsin shrugged as if replying, You would deny if I ask you.

Madiha could not refuse to hold a conversation anymore. She could not avoid Athar when her family was pushing her towards him, On Aamna's demand she joined the trio and looked at the three of them. 

"What? Why all of you are seeing me like this?" detecting something distinguishable in their eyes she asked.

"What's the reason behind the rejection? Just tell me." Athar asked and Madiha looked at Aamna with deadly sighf. She knew this young lady was behind all these things. 

"I don't owe an explanation." It was the crispest answer from Madiha which was enough to turn Mohsin and Aamna pale, they weren't expecting such rudeness from Madiha but Athar couldn't help but chuckle while putting back the cup of tea. Three of them looked at him with confusion. 

"This reply was for the office staff, don't apply my rule on me only." Madiha glared at him but in reality, she was answerless in front of this man. Athar was the one who suggested Madiha use this very sentence if anyone asks about the choice of her clothes or abaya, but here she used this for him only.

"Batao Madiha kya masla hai?" Asked Athar and she stood up. Giving Zayan to Aamna she turned towards Athar. "Aap hai mera masla, please Athar, mera peecha chhod dijiye." she walked into her bedroom leaving three of them in chaos.

(Tell me Madiha, what is the problem?)

(You are my problem, please Athar, leave me alone)

"Agar tum logo ko koi etraaz na ho to main Madiha se akele me baat kar lu? Wo kisi ke samne baat nhi karegi main jaanta hu." Athar asked in a hushed tone and Mohsin looked at Aamna who was already looking at him for his permission. 

(If you guys don't have any objection, should I talk to Madiha in private? I know she won't talk in the presence of anyone.)

"Sure." Mohsin nodded and Aamna walked towards Madiha's room, pushing the already unlocked door she stepped in to find Madiha sitting in that darkness and crying silently. 

"Aapi..."

"Please leave me alone, Aamna." without removing her hands from her face Madiha muttered and Aamna gestured Athar to come into the room. He saw his love crying and Aamna left the room without making any voice. 

He slowly closed the half-door and let it half-open before walking towards the bed. "Madiha."

"Athar... Aa.. Aap yaha kya kar rhe hain? Chale jaiye yaha se." She was shocked but Athar sat down beside her.

(Athar... aa.. what are you doing here? Go away, please.)

"Athar, aap yaha mere kamre me kyu aa gye? Mohsin aur Aamna kya sochenge?"

(Athar, why did you come here to my room? What will Mohsin and Aamna think?)

"Tumhe sab ki fikr hai Madiha, lekin kabhi mere bare me socha hai? Main kya sochta hu? Mujhe kesa lagta hai? Main tumhe kis tarha se yaqeen dilau ki tumhe hadd se zyada mohabbat karta hu main. Zindagi ne mujhe bohot aazma liya hai ab tum to na aazmao. Thak chuka hu main, mere paas na paane ke liye kuch hai na gawane ke liye... Tum hi mere hisse mein aa jao... Maine tumhare alawa Allah se kabhi kuch manga hi nhi, meri zindagi ki ek looti dua ho tum, aur sab to maine Allah par chhod diya tha jo wo dein, jesa bhi dein mujhe sab manzur hai lekin Humsafar ke taur par mene sirf tumhe manga hai Madiha, sirf tumhe..." Madiha was numb, she had never known that this man loved her too... He did not confess his feelings before her marriage with Danish and now she didn't give him a chance to speak his heart out. Both of them had tears in their eyes. 

(Madiha, you think about everyone, but have you ever thought about me? What do I think? How do I feel? How can I make you believe that I love you more than anything? Life has tested me a lot, don't try it anymore. I am tired, I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose... You become my precious reward. I have never wanted anything from Allah except you, you are the one blessing of my life that I desired, I left every decision of my life to Allah, I will accept anything either good or not but I begged in front of him, I asked for you as my companion. Madiha, only you...)

"Athar... " she had nothing to say at this moment but many things to tell him. 

"Maan jao Madiha, tumhe hamesha apni jaan se zyada chahunga... Rani bana ke nhi rakh sakta tumhe... Itni auqaat nhi hai meri. Mere paas zyada kuch nhi hai tumhe dene ko lekin izzat se do waqt ki rooti, aur zarurat ki har cheez de sakta hu." Madiha kept watching this man who was promising to give her the desirable things, she had yearned for only these things for these four years, luxuries weren't her desire ever but there came a question...

(Get agree, Madiha. Please. I will always love you more than myself... I cannot treat you like a queen... I am not a king! But I can fulfil all your needs, I can give you respect along with love, and I don't have much to give.)

"Aap mujhe sab kuch dene ko tayyar hain lekin badle me main aapko kuch nhi de paungi..."

(You are ready to give me everything but I will not be able to give you anything in return…

"Badle me mujhe khud ko de do Madiha."

(Give me yourself in return, Madiha.)

"Aap mujhse shadi kar ke apni zindagi kyu barbad karna chahte hain, Athar?" she was unable to say anything in reply so asked another question and Athar smiled like making fun of himself.

(Why do you want to ruin your life by marrying me Athar?)

"Barbad to main pehle hi hu..." Madiha was silent one more time, how could she let this man know that she couldn't give him anything a wife was supposed to? He wasn't a teenager but behaving like one who gets crazy in love however, Madiha knew the reality of this phase of life. 

(I'm already ruined.)

Tears rolled out from her eyes and she just hid her face in her palms. Athar waited for her to say something but she had no words to say. He saw the figure sitting beside him, elbows resting on thighs, face hidden in palms and sobs melting in the silence of the room.

"Madiha." kneeling in front of her he was about to plate his hands on her knees but maintained a distance. She removed her hands and saw him with tear-filled eyes. "Maan jao na... Please."

"Athar... Aap mere sath khush nhi reh sakenge," she muttered in such a low voice that no one could hear. It was her last attempt to deny it.

(Athar... you won't be happy with me.)

"Main tumhare bina bhi khush nhi hu..." his voice shivered and his eyes were wet. It was the end of the conversation. Madiha didn't know what to say now. She was only seeing the man of her dreams with open eyes. He was kneeling on the floor in front of her, confessing his feelings. Without saying anything he held his hand in front of Madiha, but she didn't touch his hand. 

(I'm not happy even without you.)

"I love you, Madam Ji, I love you to the infinity," he muttered and Madiha found truthfulness in his shaky voice. For her, it was the most awaited confession.

But why so late? 

But better late than never.

"Nikah sadgi se karenge... Theek hai na?" He stood up with a smile and Madiha looked at him in disbelief, he already planned everything? Only if she knew he planned everything years back but circumstances did not help him out to execute.

(We will get married simply. Fine?)

A pair of fresh tears rolled from her eyes, Athar smiled and cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs he shook his head. "Roone ke din khatam, ab Allah se khushiyan mango." and he took a step away. 

(The painful days are over, now ask for happiness from Allah.)

"Ammi ko aaj hi bhej du? Tumhe koi etraaz to nhi hai na?" Madiha was in disbelief, this man still knew how to change her mind, and how to control her actions. Just a small conversation and he convinced her for what he wanted!

(Should I send Ammi today only? You don't have any objection, right?)

"Wo maan jayengi?"

(Will she agree?)

"Tum maan gyi bas kaafi hai." he had tears while saying that. Drawing out a handkerchief from his pocket he turned and wiped his tears while walking out of the room. 

(You agreed, that's enough.)

"Kya hua?" Asked Aamna and Mohsin in unison, they were pretty shocked to see this man cleaning his tears.  Can a man also cry for a woman?

(What happened?)

"Use manana aata hai mujhe bas moqa nhi mil rha tha." Athar smiled and Mohsin smiled happily as was Aamna. 

(I know how to convince her, it's just that I wasn't getting a chance.)

"Ammi ko bhej dunga aaj. Wo shayad rude behave krein... Ignore kar dena, please." Athar walked out after formally greeting Mohsin and Aamna rushed towards the room where Madiha was sitting in disbelief. Tears were still rolling down her eyes, she could still feel those hands on her cheeks. 

(I will send Ammi, today. She might behave rudely... Ignore it, please.)

"Aapiiiiiiii.... Congratulations..." Aamna hugged her who was sitting like a dummy as if trying to believe if it was a dream or reality. 

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"Ammi... Please..."

"Ye kya zidd hai Athar?"

(What kind of stubbornness is this Athar?)

"Main chahta to aapko bina bataye shadi kar leta lekin mujhe aapki duaye chahiye Ammi," he muttered while holding his mother's hand but she pulled her hand away from Athar's grip and restarted chopping the vegetables. "Meri marzi ke bina shadi ka feysla kar liya meri duao ke bina shadi bhi kar lo."

(If I wanted, I could have got married without telling you, but I need your blessings, Ammi.)

(You have decided to get married without my consent so go ahead, get married without my blessings too.)

"Ammi Madiha achhi hai, aap kyu is rishte se nakhush hain?"

(Ammi Madiha is good, why are you unhappy with this relationship?)

"Divorcee hai wo. Log kya kahenge?" putting down the knife on the table with a thud she asked in a loud voice.

(She is a divorcee. What will People Say?)

"Madiha ki kya galti hai agar use ek zalim aadmi ne talaq de di? Hamare pyare Nabi (PBUH) ne Hazrat Khadija se shadi kari thi, wo bhi to divorcee thi, Islam ne hamare samne example rakhe hain lekin hum un examples ke bare me sochte hain jo society ne set kar diye. Aur rahi baat logo ki to rehne hi dijiye Ammi... Wo to ab bhi baate bana rahe hain kyuki Rosie apni sasural mein nhi yaha rehti hai... Kis kis ko chup kar sakengi aap?" Asked Athar and his mother huffed while glancing at his face and then again started chipping the vegetables.

(What is Madiha's fault if she is divorced by a cruel man? Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) married Hazrate Khadija, she was also a divorcee. Islam has set examples before us but we think about the examples which society has set. And if it comes to 'What will people say' then please, let them talk, Ammi. People are still talking rubbish because Rosie is living here instead of in her in-law's home.)

"Jab jana ho bata dena chali jaungi. Lekin mujhse ummeed na rakhna ki main khushiyan manaungi waha jaa ke."

(Let me know when you want me to go, but don't expect me to pretend to be happy.)

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