Half of a leather belt was wrapped around his palm leaving half of it to dangle in the air.

"Namakharaam" the dangling part of the leather belt swing in the air before landing on the naked back to produce a piercing smacking sound followed by pain filled screams.

(Treacher)

"Ehsaan faramosh," the echoes of brutality mingled with the silence of patience to create another story of pain and helplessness in that dim lit room.

( Ungrateful .)

"Dafa ho jaa yaha se, meri hi galti thi jo mujh jese kamzaat ko apne ghar me panah di... asteen ke saamp."

(Get away from here, it was my fault that I gave shelter to a dirty-blood like me in my house... Traitor.)

<><><><>

She entered in the room with a feeding bottle filled with milk and a bottle of water. A smile broke on her lips after seeing these two chunks of her heart sleeping. Anaya was sleeping on her stomach and Athar was reclining on the right side of the bed. An open book was resting in his lap, and he was sleeping resting his head with the headboard. 

Picking the book from his lap she put the bookmark on that particular page and placed it on the side table. Covering Anaya properly she switched off the light and came near this average by looks but if he was seen with the eyes of hers, he was the most lovely and handsome man. 

Sitting beside him Madiha kept watching him. He was not a hero of any fairytale. He was not a 6 feet, nor had a great muscular body and a handsome appearance. Neither he had a great amount of money in his pocket nor he owns a destiny that convert soil to gold when touched by him. He was a man as common as possible but he was a hero for this woman. 

Shifting near him she rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso. She was finding peace in the chime of his heartbeat and rhythm of his breathe without knowing that she already disturbed his peaceful slumber. 

"Yaad aa gyi aapko ek aadmi bhi hai aapki zindagi me?" she felt two arms slipped around her pulling her in a tight hug and she smiled without opening her eyes. 

(So, finally you remember that there is a man in your life.)

"Boliye begum..." he whispered without opening his eyes.

(Answer me, my lady.)

"Main kabhi bhuli hi nhi thi."

(I don't forget this fact.)

"Bhuli nhi ho to kabhi mere liye waqt kyu nhi nikalti tum?"

(Why don't you ever draw time for me if you haven't forgotten me?)

"Uffff... Athar, please... Abhi koi sawal jawab nhi, bas aese achha lag rha hai." snuggling her face in his chest she took a deep breath. He rested his head with headboard and closed his eyes while his fingers were entangled behind her back. 

(Ufff... Ather, please... No questions and answers right now, it just feels good like this.)

"Zindagi ne bohot kuch sikhaya aur unme se ek baat ye bhi hai ki Mehbuba biwi ban jaye to khaas baat nhi hai, wo biwi banne ke baad bhi mehbura hi rahe to khaas baat hai." Said Athar without changing his position and Madiha opened her eyes.

(Life has taught me a lot and one of them is that it is not a special thing if a lover becomes a wife, it is a special thing if she remains a lover even after becoming a wife.)

She understood the verbatim meaning but what about the context of his words?

"kya Matlab?"

(What do you mean?)

"Agar abhi hum phone pr baate kr rhe hote, jis tarha shadi se pehle karte the to kya tum mujhe chup karti? Kabhi nhi." he gave a disappointed look to his wife who shifted away and smiled at his possessive love.

(If we were talking on the phone now, the way we did before marriage, would you shut me up? Never.)

"Us waqt main aapse dur thi to aapki awaaz aur alfaaz sun ke sukun mil jata tha, lekin ab aapke sath hu to sirf lafzo ke sahare kyu rahu? Ab mujhe aapke qareeb hone ka ehsaas sukun deta hai. Aur ek baat... mehbuba ko sirf ek hi kaam hota hai, mohabbat karna, lekin biwi banne ke baad use kuch zimmedariya bhi nibhani hoti hain to wo sirf mehbuba ban ke nhi reh sakti."

(At that time I was away from you. Your voice and words were the only source to give me solace, but now I am with you, why should I depend only on your words? Now the feeling of being close to you has given me solace. Anither thing is... A lover has only one responsibility to love the beloved, but after becoming a wife she has some other responsibilities too, she can't be a lover all the time.)

"Kabhi kabhi to sirf mehbuba ban sakti hai na..." opening his arms he left the choice on her and she hugged him back with full of love and respect. 

(But she can be only a lover sometimes.)

<><><><>

After a few months.

Madiha sighed while putting the dishes in the sink then walked towards the bedroom, she was hell tired, her back was hurting like anything and she just wanted to sleep now.

"Athar, please, take care of her... I can't do anything now." she muttered while throwing herself on the bed and closed her eyes.

"Madiha," His voice echoed in the dim lit room and she hummed without seeing him.

"Khana to khaa lo, tumne kuch nhi khaya."

(Have dinner, you are hungry)

"Himmat nhi hai, kamar mein dark ho rha hai." she muttered in between slumber and restlessness. Athar put Anaya beside her mother and walked out of the room.

Their living room of this little home sweet home was still decorated with pink ribbons and balloons, because it was Anaya's first birthday and now the home was showing an after party scene. Today Athar was over the moon because his little princess gave him one of the most precious gift by calling him "Pappa"

He looked at the floor that still needed to be mopped and a smile crawled to his lips, smacking his forehead he walked into the kitchen while remembering the scene from a few hours ago. 

A cute but little cake was present on the coffee table and everyone was standing around it.

Athar was lifting his little princess and Madiha was holding her hand to cut the cake which was showing a little doll at the top. The small crowd including Rosie, Mohsin, Aamna and some of Madiha and Athar's colleagues were expecting a simple cake cutting but Anaya wasn't ready to do it simply. Before Madiha could lay the knife on the cake the lillte left hand of this alive doll grabbed the doll present on the cake and boom!

She pulled the doll which eventually lead the cake to the floor. Everyone was shocked, they gasped loudly. But Anaya chuckled after holding the doll in her tiny hand. She doesn't care about anything but the doll.

"Ye kya kra Anaya?" Madiha muttered and Athar still tried to understand what happened in a single second. "Shabash beta." he muttered when Anaya's doll already messed up his white shirt.

(what you have done Anaya?)

(well done, dear)

"oh, come on, that's completely fine Athar bhai." the loud call from Aamna pulled Athar and Madiha out from this shock and they see the cake on the floor than towards the guests who just laughed because now Anaya was jumping happily holding the doll in her hands.

Serving a little amount of food for both of them he walked back to his bedroom and the ongoing scene gave him a big smile.

Madiha was laying down on her back and little Anaya was kneeling next to her, the little paws of this brown cat were resting on her mother's abdomen and they both were talking in god knows which language.

"Anaya to mumma ki doll hai..." Madiha whispered and the little girl chuckled happily. Athar sat down on the other side of the bed, Madiha noticed him but ignored his presence as she was giving all her attention to Anaya.

(Anaya is mumma's doll.)

"Say Mummy." Madiha demanded in a whisper. Her ears and heart craved to listen to this word for many years.

"Pa-ppa" Madiha rolled her eyes and planted two fake one finger slaps on those chubby cheeks but smiled too.

"Abba ki chamchi, say mumma"

"Abbbbaaa" she chuckled. This time Athar also chuckled.

"Khana khaa lo, Madiha." Athar lifted a morsel for her, but this time Anaya copied her father. "Mad-hi-ha"

(Have some food Madiha.)

"Athar... What did she say?" Madiha was in awe, she was looking at her little doll.

"Anaya, say mumma." Athar demanded but Anaya was Anaya, how could she do what her parents wanted her to do?

"Anaya, say Mumma..." This time Madiha demanded. 

"Anana..." she was busy beating a doll and Madiha fake cried. Athar lifted a morsel for Madiha, she took it but without changing her position, she wanted to sleep right now but couldn't because her husband was force feeding her. He was having one morsel himself and giving other to Madiha who didn't want to have anything right now.

"Athar bas naaaa..."

"Madihaaaa..." he fake glared at her. 

"Mad-hi-ha"

"Madiha ki bachhi, mumma bolo" Madiha kissed her cheek and Anaya chuckled. Maybe she thought that she was doing something amazing to get that kiss. 

(Little chunk of Madiha, call me mumma.)

"Mad-hi-ha" Athar chuckled and his wife pouted. She wanted to listen to the word Ammi or Mummy or anything that a child could use for her mother. 

"Anaya say Mumma."

"Mad-hi-ha"

"Mumma... "

"Mad-hi-ha"

"Mummy..."

"Mad-hi-ha"

"Ammi"

"Mad-hi-ha"

"Athar" this time Madiha took her husband's name to see the reaction of this girl and she chuckled. "Appaa"

"Ughhhh... I'm not talking to both of you." she huffed and closed her eyes to sleep but got an open mouth wet kiss from her daughter.

"Eewww.... Anayaaaa." cleaning her cheek with her sleeve in a hurry she grimaced but after watching this little doll she just giggled. "Mad-hi-ha"  

"Madiha ki gudiya" she embraced and kissed her lovingly and Anaya kept chanting "Mad-hi-ha"  

"Zyada khush na ho, Mad hi hai keh rhi hai." Athar whispered and Madiha made a fake cry face.

(don't be so happy, she is calling you mad.)

<><><><>

After A few months:

"Aese kya dekh rahe hain?" She furrowed when noticed his gaze not leaving her face for the last few minutes. 

(Why are you seeing me like this?)

"Apni Biwi ki aakho ka rang dekh raha hu." He said without showing any expression on his face.

(I am looking at the color of my wife's eyes.)

"Shadi ko itna waqt guzar gya, ab dekh rhe hain ki meri aankho ka rang kesa hai?"

(it has been a long time since we got married, you noticed what color my eyes are today only?"

"Hmm... Pehle dekh lena chahiye tha, galti kar di."

(Hmm... I should have checked first, I made a mistake for sure)

"Achha suniye, main soch rhi thi..." she took a pause and jumped out of the bed to have a seat beside her husband who was sitting on the sofa. "Kya hum aaj dinner bahar krein? Aapke sath kuch waqt guzarna chahti hu main."

(Oh... I was wondering if...)

(if we could go out for dinner tonight. I want to spend some good time with you.)

"Only dinner?" he asked, she shook her head.

"A little more shopping followed by ice-cream." the list of her demands become a little large and he hummed. 

"Kya hua hai aapko? Pichle 6-7 din se dekh rhi hu, aap itne khamosh kyu hain? Kuch to boliye."

(What has happened to you? I have been watching for the last 6-7 days, why are you so silent? Say something.)

"Zindagi mein bohot galtiyan kari hain, bas wo hi soch soch ke pachta rha hu."

(I have made a lot of mistakes in life, I am just regretting them.)

"Pachhtane se kya hoga? Jo ho gya so ho gya, ab future ka sochiye." she smiled, but it was a fake one.

(Your regrets can't change anything now, think about the future not the past.)

"Jo galtiyan kar di ab unhe sudharna bhi to hai." she faked a smile but tolled her eyes in her thoughts because she wasn't interested in listening to anything like this. At the same time his mobile beeped and he hurriedly checked what was that.

(Now I should correct the mistakes I have made.)

For the last seven days his attention was fixed on the mobile phone, he was not wasting a single second to check the new messages and emails.

This email was opened by him without any delay. It showed two DNA reports. One showed, Probability of Paternity- 99.9998% but the other report showed Probability of Paternity- 0%

"Hamza kis ka bachcha hai?" A roar followed by a slap landed on Gohar's left cheek and for the next few moments she was numb. Danish was noticing Hamza's eyes color from the last few months.

(whose child is Hamza?)

Danish and Gohar both had dark orbs but Hamza had a different eye color, his eyes were a mixture of hazel and green which were triggering this man. Using his sources he did a DNA test which cleared that Hamza was Gohar's son but not his.

"Dimag kharab ho gya hai kya?" Gohar yelled after coming out from shock.

(Are you out of your mind?)

"Dimag kharab hi ho gya tha jo tujh se shadi kri, aur tujhe us ghar me akela rehne diya... Kiska bachcha hai Hamza?" he grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her near him then showed her the DNA reports 00but she was Gohar not Madiha. 

(Yes, I had lost her mind to marry you and let you live alone in that house… Whose child is Hamza?)

"Haan, tumhara bachcha nhi hai wo." pushing him away she yelled and walked towards the bedside table. Drawing out a wooden chest she threw it on the bed resulting in some small jewellery, some bills, and some more things came out of it. Picking up an envelope from many papers she drew out a medical report.

(Yes, he is not your child.)

"Apni mardangi ka sabut dekh lo." she grit her teeth and threw the papers right on Danish's face.

(Look at the proof of your manhood, see how potent you are.)

Danish opened the papers which showed a semen analysis and sperm morphology test results. He remembered that those tests were done by the doctor when Gohar also miscarried a child in the second month of pregnancy but he never got the reports, neither did he feel the need to know the result when found Gohar pregnant one more time.

Trying not to express anything from his expressions he looked at the papers. It was difficult for him to understand the medical terms but it was clear from the red underlined figures that the reports were not normal. The third and last page showed a conclusion that clearly mentioned that it was the case of male infertility and needed a further discussion with the doctor.

Danish suddenly remembered the time when he took Madiha to a gynaecologist but instead of Madiha she doubted on his potential... After a few tests the doctor saw doubted that it was Danish's Damaged DNA that was leading misscarriages but neither he believed nor disclose this to Madiha. 

"Ye kya bakwaas hai Gohar?" Danish yelled ignoring the reality. He had been doing the same thing ever since. He had a habit to put the blame of his mistakes on others.

(What's this new nonsense Gohar?)

"Ye us bakwaas ka jawab hai jo tumne shuru kri hai aaj!"

(This is the reply to nonsense that you started today.)

"Jhuti reports hain ye," Throwing the papers towards Gohar Danish yelled.

(These are false reports)

"Theek hai, mene maan liya. Ye reports bhi jhuti hain aur wo DNA reports bhi... Baat khatam."

(Fine, I admit. These reports are altered so as the DNA reports. End of the discussion!)

"Baat khatam nhi hui, kiski aulaad hai wo?"

(It's not ending here. Whose child is he?)

"Awaaz neechi rakh ke baat kro mujhse, main Madiha nhi hu." Gohar yelled louder than Danish and he realised that it was true, She wasn't Madiha.

(Lower your voice while talking to me, I'm not Madiha.)

She wasn't the lady whom he used to beat like a freak just to draw out his anger and frustration but she still used to do everything to make him happy.

Indeed she wasn't Madiha who begged him for his love, attention and respect. She didn't demand any materialistic thing other than a necklace on their first wedding anniversary that too only because she liked it so much, it was the only piece of jewellery that managed to stop her from moving ahead from the display window of a shop. Danish bought it for her but with a statement that she would not get even a chance to hold it in her maternal home. It was the first and last time when Madiha demanded something, nor did she ever wear that necklace.

Indeed the lady standing Next to him wasn't Madiha who used to cry in front of him to believe in her purity. 

She was Gohar! 

She knew how to snatch away what she wanted.

She knew how to manipulate others.

She knew how to stop a hand that lay on her and how to suppress a voice that raised against her.

"Nikal jaa mere ghar se."

(Get out of my home.)

"Na tumhari shakal achhi hai, na aadat, na kirdaar... Na hi tum dimagi taur se sehatmand ho na jismani taur se...  Tum jese barbaad aadmi ke sath kon rahega? Ehsaan faramosh aadmi... Main tumhare aeb aur raaz chupa ke bethi hui hu, Ehsaan mano mera... Mene hi bardasht kar liya tum jese aadmi ko koi aur hoti to chali jaati jese wo pehle wali gyi thi..."

(Neither you're good by looks, nor your habits, and character... neither you're physically healthy nor mentally... who would stay with a ruined man like you? You... Ungrateful man. Be thankful to me, for concealment of your secret and flaws. I have tolerated a man like you, if there was someone else, she would have gone away like the other one had gone...)

For the very first time in his life Danish didn't react to his insult. He was deeply hurt to hear these words for himself. He was giving his best to this woman but in return he got nothing but betrayal, bitterness, disrespectful behaviour and pain. A pain that he couldn't even share with anyone.

However, this pain was just a mere fraction of what he had already given to Madiha. He had used the same words countless times for that lady who was doing everything to make him happy. But he never noticed.

Gohar packed her clothes and picked her son to go but again... She was Gohar not Madiha who left so easily. 

"Wait a minute, main kyu jaau? Ye ghar mera bhi to hai? Sharyatan aur Qanuni taur par 1/3 hisse ki malkin hu main. Main kahi nhi jaungi." Pushing the suitcase away she saw directly in Danish's eyes and he grit his teeth. 

(Wait a minute, why should I go? Is this house mine too? I am the 1/3rd share owner of this property islamically and legally. I won't go anywhere.)

"Main tujhe ek minute bhi is ghar me nhi rehne dunga."

(I won't let you stay in this house even for a minute.)

"Kya karoge? Case karoge mujh pr bhi ki main badkirdaar hu? Kar do. Agar ye baat sabit hogi ki main badkirdar hu to ye bhi sabit hoga ki tum namard ho... Karoge sabit?" She smirked. Danish picked the papers from the bed. "Inhe chaho to phaad dena ya jala dena, iski 10-15 copies hai mere aur mere maa baap ke paas." Professionally he had come across some cases in which women along with their parents play a great game by marrying a rich man to become the owner of their wealth and if something goes wrong they take divorce and claim a big amount of money as alimony. But this time he was the prey of such trap, he also know that it wasn't easy to come out of it. Court doesn't listen to men in such cases, either the man is a victim or culprit. He knew Madiha would not do any harm to him even in court but this woman could go beyond limits.

(What will you do? Will you file a case against me also that I am a characterless woman? Do it. If it is proved that I am characterless then your impotence will also be proved... Will you like to prove it?)

(You can tear them or burn them if you want, I and my parents have 10-15 copies of these.)

"Itni Asani se jaane wali nhi hu main, mujhe insan ko janwar aur janwar ko insan banane ka hunar aata hai. Behtar hoga insan ban ke hi rehna mere sath... Warna..." she walked out of the room and Danish sat down on edge of the bed holding his head in his hands.

(I'm not going to leave so easily. I know the art of training animals, so better stay in the form of a human only. Otherwise...)

He was the victim this time.

For the next ten minutes he was sitting in the same position when a small disturbance grabbed his attention. A small figure woke up from his deep slumber and smiled while showing his little teeth. "Papaa" he crawled and hugged him but he grit his teeth and pushed the boy away.

He wasn't his blood.

He wasn't his son.

He was the proof of betrayal.

"Papaaaa" the boy again hugged him like everyday but today this man didn't plant numerous kisses all over his face and head. He pushed him hard resulting the boy falling on the hard marble floor. A cry echoed in the whole house and he lifted his head the white floor was showing red fluid.

"Hamzaaa..." he could not help but gased and picked him up, his little forehead was dripping blood.

"Ye kya kra?" Gohar yelled while stepping into the room but Danish was fast to take him to the doctor.

(what you have done?)

Danish loved this boy from the moment he came to this world. He was the centre of his attraction for the last two years. How could he forget the moment when he lifted this baby? He was the first person to take Hamza in his arms, he was the only man who named him.

He could not unlove him, but now he hated him too. Hamza's presence was not a bliss for Danish anymore, now it was a punishment.

<><><><>

Two Days Later:

Madiha was standing in the courtroom with a mind full of fog, heart full of uncertainty and eyes filled with tears. For the last two minutes she was numb. Before coming to the court she never expected this to incident to take place.

"Madiha, stop crying." Athar placed his hand on her shoulder and slightly pulled her in a small hug and she cried out after resting her head on his chest.

"We are in the courtroom." he whispered but Madiha cried more. Athar broke the hug to hush her but she cried after hiding her face in her palms. She forgot that she wanted to be strong in every situation, right now her legs were turning so weak that she kneeled on the floor and cried out without saying anything. 

"kyu roo rhi ho Madiha?" Athar asked and Danish stare at her with rage and loathe.

(Why are you crying.)

"Give her some water and handle her." The judge said in a soft voice and this time Madiha wiped her eyes and clean her tears. 

"Thank you sir, thank you so much." she muttered and the judge stay without any expression on his face. She smiled under her veil and Athar smiled brightly before turning towards the lawyer who was busy with some legal formalities. 

"Can we go? Or we need to stay?"

"If you can, stay for some time to collect your papers and orders."

"Fine. I'm going to the cafeteria, call me when we are needed." Said Athar and walked out of the courtroom with Madiha, he was still lifting Anaya who was seeing everywhere with curiosity. 

Today, Danish's one suit was dismissed and the other was disposed off. Madiha wasn't expecting such quick results, in only one and a half years she won a legal battle which proved her innocent. Danish was demoted and transferred, the court was still working on another suit which was demanding compensation for Madiha's physical, mental emotional, and financial loss.

"Ab roona nhi, Tumhe lagta tha na ki tumhari begunahi kabhi sabit nhi hogi, tumhare kirdaar ki pakizgi ki gawahi dene koi nhi aayega... Dekho... Ye tumhari zidd thi madiha jis ki wajah se ye sab hua. Tumne Allah se zidd kri thi tumhe sab ke samne begunah sabit karne ki to dekho... warna shayad wo aadmi kabhi ye jaal bichhata hi nhi aur khud usme phasta bhi nhi." Madiha took some minutes to dive into the depth of his words to pick the pearls of reality. 

(Now no need to cry. You felt that your innocence would never be proved, no one would come to bear witness to the justification of your character... See... This stubbornness of yours is what does all these things. Only you had demanded Allah to prove you innocent in front of everyone... And this happened. Otherwise, maybe that man would never plan this trap and does not even fall into it himself.)

"Kuch khaogi?" Athar asked softly and Madiha shook her head.

(Wanna have something?)

"Wait for a while." he muttered while giving Anaya to Madiha and walked into the cafeteria.  In no time he was back with two tetra packs of orange juice. Poking the straw in the pack he passed it to Madiha but instead of having it she gave it to Anaya who enjoyed sucking it happily. 

"Tumne breakfast tak nhi kara tha. Bhuk lag rhi hogi na... Batao kya chahiye?" Athar said in a hushed tone and Madiha kept watching him. She often sees him in the same way, it seems like a demand, but what did she want Athar never understood. For a moment or two he thought that Madiha was about to ask for something but...

(you didn't even have breakfast. You must be feeling hungry... tell me what you want?)

"I love you." she muttered. Her eyes shrink a little addressing her smile and Athar suppressed his laughter while shaking his head.

"I love you too... But... Is se peyt bhar jata hai?"

(but... Is it enough to fill you?)

"Peyt ka to pta nhi lekin zindagi me jo khali tha wo to bhar gya."

(I don't know about my empty stomach but it has filled the empty space of my life.)

For a moment Athar wished to be at home so that he could pull his wife in a tight hug and tell her that he was always ready to fill every empty space of her life but his wife already listened to the language of his eyes. They smiled and looked away while her eyes fell on a tall figure who was walking at his usual speed.

"Athar... I am coming in a while." she said in a hurry and walked ahead while holding Anaya carefully. With long steps, she walked from one side if the premises to the other and found Danish going towards a car.

"Suniye... Danish." Her loud voice stopped him in between and he turned to see the owner of that voice. "Kuch kehna tha aapse."

(I had something to say to you.)

"Ab kya baqi hai kehne ko?" asked Danish with another level of softness however it was useless now.

(Now what is left to say?)

"Aapko kuch yaad dilana tha... Aap hamesha mujhse puchhte the na ki meri auqaat kya?" she asked with a smile and controlled her daughter who was jumping in her arms. "Meri auqat nhi hai, hesiyat hai... Aur meri hesiyat ye hai ki main aapki auqat se bahar hu..." Slapping the reality on his face she walked away leaving a shocked Danish behind.

(I wanted to remind you of something… You always questioned my status, right?)

(So let me tell you today, my status is that I am out of your approach...)

"Ma... " Madiha looked at Anaya and rolled her eyes as this girl was about to say Mad-hi-ha in her language but today Anaya was in a different mood. "Mumma" Madiha was shocked for a moment and the very next moment she was over the moon.

"Athar see, she called me mumma." she told her husband and looked at the little girl. "Anaya beta say Mumma again... "

"M... " she opened her mouth while having fun with the orange juice and her mother nodded. "hmm... Say it... Say mumma." leaving the straw from her mouth Anaya looked at her mother and then chuckled and said "Mad-hi-ha"

"Bachchi sach hi to bol rhi hai... Mad hi hai" Athar laughed and Madiha fake cried but rested her head on his chest and laughed.

(So true, children never lie.)

<><><>