"Still hurting?" Maryam asked while applying ointment on her burn and she nodded with a sad expression. "Now take rest." Kissing her forehead Maryam smiled.

"Mummy."

"Hmm"

"Papa was looking happy to meet Deni and his family. Wasn't he?" Ignoring her pain Shifa asked in a hushed tone. For her this pain was nothing in front of the pain she feels almost everyday when finds herself alone in the battle of life.

"Shifa." Maryam again sat down beside her and caressed her head with love filled touch. "Stop thinking about everything. You'll get what's best for you."

"What do you mean mumma? Isn't Deni beat for me?"

"On one hand you say that you both don't love each other on the other hand your behaviour is telling something else." This time Maryam glared at Shifa with a hint of anger which forced her to lower her gaze.

"We don't." She muttered without meeting her gaze and Maryam cupped her left cheek with right hand. "I trust my daughter."

"Mumma, we don't love each other but..." Shifa lift her sight and Maryam nodded before listening what her daughter was about to say. "Deni is the only one who helps me, when I lose my confidence he make me feel strong. He's the only person who make me believe in myself and my abilities." Maryam kissed Shifa's forehead. She found innocence and integrity in that statement which brought a smile to her lips.

"May you get all the happiness in your life. My daughter deserve every happiness." Shifa smiled and hugged her mother but soon a whimper lefty her lips when the burned skin accidentally rubbed with the clothes.

"Shifa..." Maryam break the hug and looked at her hand. "Take rest." Shifa nodded and shift back but state of her heart wasn't hidden behind the pain, a shy as well as beautiful smile wasn't leaving her lips giving mixed feelings to Maryam's heart.

On one hand she was happy to see her daughter's happiness on the other hand she was scared of her past and afraid for her daughter's future.

"Shifa pray for your happiness but don't make dreamlands." Saying that

Maryam stood up leaving Shifa in chaos. "What do you mean, Mumma?"

"Nothing. Just..." Maryam one more time embrace her daughter and let a cold sigh out with a smile. "How will I live without you after your marriage? You're grown up so soon! I still remember the feeling when I took you in my arms for the very first time. You were cute like a..." She left the statement incomplete as didn't find suitable words to continue. No one can express emotions in words, usually eyes do this work and this case also wasn't different. Eyes of both mother and daughter were filled with tears.

"Mumma, You're the nicest and the most soft hearted person I have ever seen. I want to be just like you."

"Don't be like me, you're perfect in the way you're."

"Take rest." With this loving and caring order Maryam left the room and Shifa closed her eyes while trying to sleep but couldn't. Only one face was roaming in her scenes. And it's no mystery who is the owner of that face...

Taking a deep breath she picked up her mobile phone and open Instagram. She wasn't a social media freak but in order to stalk someone she became one.

'Aap soye nhi abhi tak?' Finding him online she message him without thinking even once.

(Youre still up?)

'Aap bhi to jaag rhi ho.' In not a single second she got a reply

(Youre also up)

'How's your hand now?'

'Not fine' her short reply filled Deni's heart with guilt.

'I'm sorry Shifa."

'It's okay, Deni.' And Shifa took a few minutes break to send the next question.

'May I ask you something?'

'Yeah, sure' the short reply from the wise man gave make to that innocent heart beat fast.

'What's wrong Deni? Why were you worried?' She texted him ignoring her pain but he wasn't able to ignore his pain. Alas, the pain of heart.

Before Daniyal could reply Shifa sent another text which made him smile, but not happily. 'Please don't lie because I know how your face looks you are happy." For her shock, Instead of replying in text he called her. She immediately received the call with a "hello" and he hummed.

"Hmm... What are you saying, mohtarma?"

"How's your headache?" She asked in hushed tone.

"Thanks to painkiller, and how's your hand?"

"Going to take a painkiller."

"Deni.''

"Hmm?"

"Tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Aapko jhut bolte hue sharam nhi aati?" This time Daniyal smiled forgetting his every pain because Shifa was practically scolding him.

(Aren't you ashamed to lie?)

"Madam, you're sounding like my Ammi." Shifa felt nervous but she smiled too before she could focus on the question Daniyal knew what he has to do.

"Dinner was tasty, specifically..." And he took a pause making her heart flutter. "Biryani." She sighs and close her eyes with a small amount of sadness.

"Hmm..." She hummed and he understood the meaning of that silence. "Aapko kya lga main sheer bolunga? Ab itni bhi kuch khaas nhi thi ki main uski itni tareef kru." Shifa fake cried as she detect his mischievous tone.

(What you were expecting, I would say sheer? There was nothing special about it that made me appreciate it.)

"Deni aap bohot bure hain." She fake cried

(Deni your soooo bad)

"Haha... Ain'nawazish."

"Deni you're annoying too." She huffed

"Wow, you didn't ask me the meaning of Aain'nawazish?" He teased her making her rolling her eyes

"I already know, it means thanks for praising." And she took a pause before realisation hit her heard. "Wait... It means you use such difficult words intentionally just to confuse me?"

Daniyal laughed after hearing her cute frustration, in reality he couldn't help himself to use urdu for conversation but he didn't want to clear Shifa's misunderstanding either.

"Bohot samajhdaar hoti jaa rahi ho aap, let me tell you, ye sab meri sangat ka asar hai."

(You're getting a lot smarter, let me tell you, it's all because of my company.)

'This man never let go a single chance to praise himself.' Shifa huffed but her smile was not bidding a good buy. She was living those small moments and imagining her life with great happiness.

"Achha suno." It was enough to make her heart skipped a beat.

(Hey listen)  

"Ji?"

(Yes?)

"So jao. Kal subah baat krenge."

(Now you sleep, we'll talk tomorrow)

"Okay." She cut the call and turn her side before hiding her face in the pillow. "Subah kab hogi?"

( When will it be morning?)

The girl was unable to pass the time, she picked the mobile again to tell all these things to Afifa but then she realised it was already mid night so somehow stopped her emotions and thought to write diary but her hand didn't allow her to do so and in the end she said only one couplet to to her heart.

Wo mera passndida qissa hai

Wo meri duaon ka hissa hai.

(He's my favourite tale

He's the part of my supplication.)

<><><><><>

Not so fresh air of Delhi was playing with tender rays of sun which were going towards their maturity with every passing second. Fresh songs of birds were melting in the environmental same as the fragrance of freshly ground ginger and cardamom were mixing in the tea which was about to boil.

Carefully; she took a grip on the handle of saucepan and transfer the tea into the cups. Setting that in a tray along with a that and a half fry egg she hurriedly moved towards the bedroom.

"Suniye."

"Hmm?"

"Kuchh khaa lijiye."

(Have breakfast)

"Late ho raha hu, Maryam."

(I'm gunning late, Maryam)

She placed the tray on the bed and gave him a disappointed look.

"Itna bhi late nhi ho rahe, agar 5-10 minute late ho bhi gye to farq nhi padta."

(Not really! And 5-10 minutes doesn't even come in a count )

"Tum bohot ziddi ho gyi ho." Without looking up Anwar narrower his eyes while buttoning up his shirt and Maryam lift the cup of tea for him.

(You have become too stubborn.)

"Bilal aur Shifa uthe nhi abhi tak?" Sitting in the edge of the bed with dangling legs he asked in the same cold voice while lifting the toast and Maryam sat down beside him with another level of seriousness in her face.

(Bilal and Shifa haven't woken up yet?)

"Uth gye, tayyar ho rhe hain."

(They are getting ready.)

" Suniye..."

(Listen)

"Hmm?"

"Aapne Daniyal ke bare mein kya socha? Mujhe to ye rishta pasand hai." Maryam first asked him then shared her opinion without knowing that someone's feet stopped on the doorway of the room and her heart skipped two beats at once.

(What do you think about Daniyal? By the way, I like this proposal.)

She was no one else but Shifa, who was coming to Maryam to comb her hair as her burn hand wasn't allowing her to do so.

"Maryam, maine bohot socha, Daniyal well educated hai, achhi family se hai lekin..."

(Daniyal is well educated, and belongs to a good family but after thinking a lot about this proposal...)

"What?" Maryam asked and Anwar place the cup of tea back in the tray.

"Un logo ko mana kar do, Shifa ke liye hum koi aur ladka dhudh lenge."

(Refuse for this proposal, we'll find out someone else for Shifa.)

Maryam's breath stuck in her chest, she practically forget to take next breath but they both were unknown about Shifa who was standing behind them. For the the whole night she was creating a glass castle in her dreamland and Anwar's decision worked like a stone that shattered it in many pieces, resulting her eyes filled with tears. In no time that precious pearls rolled down to her cheeks.

"Yeh kya keh rahe hain aap? Kya kami hai Daniyal mein?" Somehow, Maryam manage to mumble and Anwar sighed.

(What are you saying? What flaws do Daniyal have?)

"Tum ne d..." Before Anwar could speak up, his sight falls on the figure standing on the doorstep, following his gaze Maryam also turned to notice her daughter in tears.

(Haven't y...)

"Shifa..." Maryam mumbled while standing up from her place and a stubborn sob which the strong girl was trying to suppress escaped from the gap between her lips.

"Mumma, Why always with me?" Mumbling that Shifa took back steps towards her room. Maryam was clueless about what to do, she looked at Anwar who wasn't looking happy to see Shifa crying but her tears weren't going to alter his decision for sure.

"Ise samjhao, feesle dil se nhi dimaag se liye jaate hain." A rude order and he lift the cup of tea before without any expression on his face, Maryam left the room after giving a disappointed look to her husband but she was already late to reach.

(Explain her, decisions are meant to taken by mind, not from the heart.)

"Shifa beta..." Maryam entered into her room but found her picking her bag on shoulder, her hair was tied up in a messy bun and wet eyes were giving testimony of her pain. "Shifa."

"I'm going college."

"Shifa... Listen..." Maryam followed her to the main door but Shifa was fast to leave the home.

"Now what's her new problem?" Without knowing about the sincerity of the matter Bilal asked in his playful manner, he thought Shifa might be showing tantrum to Maryam.

"Mujhe to tum sab ne pareshan kar diya hai." Huffing with anger Maryam walked into the kitchen. Anwar also left the breakfast in between and Bilal looked confused at the strange behaviour of three of them.

(All of you have troubled me.)

"Ab maine kya kar diya?" Bilal asked himself but "Let it be..." He shrugged as he knew he was not at fault. However, he would be showing same careless expressions if it was his fault. 

(What's my new mistake?)

<><><><><><>

"Hath kesa hai?" A voice forced her to turn behind and he smiled. A well pretend smile which he holds to hide his broken self. But soon is smile was lost after seeing Shifa's dull face.

(How's your hand?)

"Na hath theek hai na halaat."

(Neither hand nor condition is fine.)

"Will you share your problem?" He sat down beside her and she lift her eyes towards him. For next two minutes Shifa was lost in his grey orbs and then smiled which confused Daniyak as a tear also came out from her eye.

"I'm the only problem Deni, I'm a problem." She muttered and Daniyal sighed, he knew it was not going to be easy to console Shifa's broken self but how could he give up without even trying.

"Tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing can be fine in my life." She muttered and Daniyal nodded while looking away. "This is the first stage of failure, if you want to blame your lifer your stars, it's completely fine but it don't suit you. The Shifa, whom I know is one of the strongest girls, if you're giving up it means..." he didn't complete his sentence,

"Means What?" Somehow she asked in hushed tone. "You're losing the battle of life. Life is not a bed of roses dear, and if it's one, then be watchful to deal with thorns, you can't get only pleasures, pains come along." Shifa was silently watching the man who holds her so perfectly when she was about to lose herself in front of the circumstances.

"Deni." She smiled as well as cried making him confused. 

Smiled because of Daniyal's presence in her life. 

And cried because she was seeing him going away from her.

"Shifa... Tell me..."

"Daniyal, Shifa you both are sitting here. Only fifteen minutes are left in recording." A loud and angry voice forced both them to look behind. Shifa shivered from inside after detecting anger in those not so big eyes but Daniyal nodded while glancing at his wrist watch.

"What's wrong?" David asked when he notice Shifa's tears and she wiped them in a hurry. She still doesn't like to show her weaker side to anyone, but Daniyal.

''Shifa, you go and prepare the script. I'll ne there in 5 minutes." Daniyal ordered her which she followed without was a little moment as she knew Daniyal's intention behind it. He only wanted to save Shifa from being scolded.

"Ise kya hua hai? Aur tu kyu uske rone mein itna interest le rha hai?" David asked the first part about Shifa and in the second part he was showing his surprise because it wasn't difficult for anyone to see his over-caring behaviour with Shifa unlike he gives to any other girl.

(What's wrong with her? And why are you taking interest in her?)

"Can we discuss this later? For now I have to go for recording." Daniyal knew very well the technique of dropping a matter and he applies that on the right time.

"Fine..." they both started walking towards the recording room but David's next question stopped Daniyal to took another step. "Tu ne bataya bhi nhi ki teri shadi ki baat chal rhi hai? Kal ladki walo ke ghar gye the?"

(You didn't even tell about your marriage proposal? You went to the girl's home yesterday?)

"How do you get to know?" Daniyal was surprised to know that and David rolled his eyes "yesterday, I called you, you were taking shower so aunty received the call and let me know about this."

"Oh... I see." Daniyal mumbled and stepped ahead, David knew that his friend was hiding a big amount of pain in his heart, and he definitely deserves all the happiness. "Thankfully you decided to move on."

"Have ammi told you who's that girl?" Daniyal asked and David shook his head while making crease on his forehead.

"Shifa," Daniyal informed David to give him another level of shock but he felt happy too.

"Oh my God... That's no less than a surprise yaar. However, I have noticed that, After Adeena , Shifa is the only girl who has successfully gain your attention. I've seen same care for her in your eyes, I'm sure how you'll forget your past and live a lovely life with her." David placed his hand on Daniyal's shoulder, he was smiling but Daniyal wasn't happy at all.

"Do you really think I can forget Adeena and my past? No. I can't. This marriage is just a show-off." Stopping their short journey outside the recording room Daniyal shrugged but David was shocked, he couldn't believe what his friend was trying to say.

 "Just a minute... What do you mean? Daniyal, A lovesless marriage is like a body without soul, and do you have any idea what Shifa will feel when she gets to know about your past?"

"Deni... Aap aa rahe hain?" Asked the Shifa in a hurry and both friends looked her already pale face. "Yeah, coming." He muttered before stepping into the room. And two broken hearted started their work.

<><><><><>

"What's wrong with you both?" David asked after the live broadcasting was over. For the very first time they both didn't perform as well as always because their attention wasn't fixed on work but personal issues.

"I'm sorry sir..." Shifa muttered and Daniyal sigh before joining the conversation, "we'll come back to our best in next episode."

"Fine" David understand the situation of both of them and the already broken girl walked towards the exit.

"Shifa, wait. I'll drop you." Daniyal said while walking towards the car but Shifa shook her head.

"I'll manage. It's okay."

"I can't leave you in this situation. I'm dropping you to your home." This time Daniyal ordered her which she couldn't refuse and took her seat with a great amount of sorrow in her heart. 

If not Deni then whom will papa choose for me? And why not Deni? She glanced at Daniyal who just started the car.

Shifa doesn't deserve me, I can't love her and this girl need love to heal her hidden wounds. Daniyal glanced at Shifa who was fixing her eyes on her hands.

I was never wishing anything wrong for anyone then why all these negative things take place in my life? I stopped praying to get Faraz after his engagement because I didn't want Aamna to be broken hearted. Then why with me?" She close her eyes to let the years flow out but she had already cried a lot since morning so now the lake of these deep eyes was already empty.

What if David's thoughts would be proved correct?

And in those thoughts he didn't realise when he came near her home. "Shifa." That call broken down the sheer glass of silence present in between them .

"Ji?"

"I'm always with you. Whenever you need, I'll be by your side," Pushing the break in front of her home, he said in a hushed tone. Shifa was shocked to listened that. For a moment she wanted to tell Deni about Anwar's decision as well as her feeling for him but the addition in his statement broke her crystal heart one more time. "But, please don't expect love from me." He again took a pause.

"Aap bohot achhi ho, shayad main aapko deserve nhi karta."

(You are such a kind person that I don't even deserve you)

"Deni..." She tried to say something but her emotions and words didn't stand together so she stayed speechless.

"Shifa main aapse kabhi mohabbat nhi kar paunga aap bhi mujhse mohabbat ki tawaqqo mat rakhna, na hi mujhse mohabbat karna. Dosto ki tarha puri zindagi guzar lenge. And trust me, main Aapko kabhi rone nhi dunga." Daniyal's last sentence made Shifa's heart skipped a beat.

(Shifa I'll not be able to love you ever, so don't even expect love from me. And you also don't bring love in this relationship. We'll spend our life like friends. And trust me, I won't let you cry ever.)

"Ab muskura bhi do yaar, kitna roti ho, mere sare handkerchief aapke paas chale gye." passing his handkerchief towards Shifa he said in his playful tone which amazed her.

(Now smile, how much do you cry, all my handkerchiefs have gone to you.)

"Rakhiye apna handkerchief apne paas, pehle wale bhi wapas de dungi." Shifa huffed while pulling two tissues from the tissue box and clean her tears. She didn't wait and stepped out from the car and Daniyal smacked his forehead on her anger.

(Keep your handkerchief, I'll return the others too)

"Ye ladki aadhi pagal hai, ab puri zindagi is ke nakhro ko bardash karna padega." Daniyal sighed with a smile and drove away. 

(This girl is half mad, now I will have to bear her tantrums for the rest of my life.)

<><><><><><>

"Maham mujhe kuch samajh nhi aa rha, main Shifa ko rote hue nhi dekh sakti" Maryam shared her pain with her sister and a tear rolled out of her eyes when remembered Shifa's crying face.

(Maham I'm clueless about what to do... I can't see Shifa crying.)

"Aapi I liked Daniyal in very first glance, what's bhai sahab's point of refusal?" Maham asked in a hushed tone. She still feels afraid of Anwar so it's difficult for her to put a contrary opinion even on phone call.

"Yesterday, Shifa was so hap...." Before Maryam could complete her sentence a figure walked into the room and she stood up in a hurry.

"Maham, your bhai sahab is back, I'll speak to you later" and she cut the call before stepping towards the kitchen. Anwar watched her disappointed face but silently removed his wrist watch meanwhile Maryam reenter into the room with a glass of water.

"Maryam." He grabbed the glass to put on the table and held her arm. "meri baat suno."

(Listen to me.)

"Aapne dekha nhi Shifa kitna ro rahi thi."

(Didn't you see Shifa crying?)

"Abhi to main tumhe rota dekh raha hu." and he pulled Maryam in a hug, she wasn't expecting anything like this coming but that love filled hug was must needes to hold her together.

(right now I'm seeing you crying.)

For no good reason, since morning she was recalling her love for Aatish, and deep down she was also afraid for Shifa after watching an ocean of love for Daniyal. The same ocean of love which she held for Aatish. "Chup ho jao." Anwar whispered and Maryam placed her both hands on his chest and cried even more after hiding her face in his chest, Anwar knew very well that there was something bothering her, not only related to Daniyal's proposal but something else too. But what? He did not know.

"Hua kya hai?"

(what's wrong?)

"kuch nhi" how could she share the pain she was hiding in her heart but Anwar break the hug and kissed her head.

(Nothing)

"Do you trust me?" He asked in a hushed tone, she nodded with a hint of honesty in her eyes and Anwar cupped her face between his hands, "Do you still have a doubt?" she muttered and he shook his head.

"Not at all." His reply was honest which successfully vanished the pain and bitterness of past from her heart, but temporarily. His presence worked well to sooth her broken heart.

"sit here." his order was rude as usual but Maryam started finding out love in that rudeness too. She sat down on the edge of the bed, just beside him and he passed her the glass of water. She took a small sip and again rest her head on his chest.

"If you trust me then do believe that I also want to see Shifa living a happy life, and.." Before he could complete his sentence the door bell rang, Bilal open the door and Shifa stepped toward her room. "Shifa beta." but when she passed by her parent's bedroom a voice stopped her.

"Ji mummy" she peeps inside the room. "Come here beta." Maryam open her arms and Shifa looked at her then at Anwar whose one arm was still snaking around Maryam's shoulder. For a couple of moments her poor heart again made a dreamland that Maryam bring around Anwar for Daniyal's proposal, with a dead smile she stepped up and hugged her mother.

"How's your hand now?" Maryam asked while caressing her head lovingly. "Does He got agreed?" she asked in a whisper but Anwar who was standing up from his place listened it.

"There is still one year to complete your masters degree, do focus on that more than anything else." That scolding was an answer in itself. Shifa took a deep breath to control her tears to come to her eyes and break the hug with frustration and anger. "Shifa beta." Maryam held her hand when she stood up, "Leave it," but Shifa pulled it out from her grip and moved towards her room, but not before glancing at Anwar. And for the very first time Anwar detected anger in her eyes, instead of fear.

"Shifa..." Maryam followed her to her room but Shifa wasn't in her normal mood, she was at the top of anger.

"Mummy why your husband has problems with me?" Maryam was shocked on her outrageous form.

"Shifa ye kya badtameezi hai?"

(Shifa, what is this behaviour?)

"Kya badtameezi kar di maine? Ek lafz bhi to nhi bola aapke shohor ke saamne. Sab kuch chup chaap sun kar aa gayi, is se zyada kya tameez dikhau un ke liye?" Shifa was in rage for the first time.

(Did I misbehave? I didn't even say a word in front of your husband. I come here silently after hearing everything, what else could I do to display my manners?)

"Stop it Shifa! Mind your language, and what's this your husband, your husband? He is your father too." Maryam scolds her in full of anger but Shifa smiles bitterly.

"There's a correction mumma, Not my father but my STEPFATHER"

"Shifa it's enough now, we haven't used this 'step' term in our family till now" another full of anger scolding from Maryam!

"Yeah, Mumma your husband hasn't used this word but he has been treating me like a stepdaughter for years. I've been experiencing the pain of an orphan even after having a so-called father." Shifa yelled at her mother, and tears blurred her vision, "Sometimes I wonder it would be better if I were a real orpha.." Shifa's sentence was cut in between by the sharp sound of a thump on her cheek. The hot tears flow down from her eyes, she was beyond shock because it was for the first time in her life when Maryam slapped her.

"Not even a single more word. I won't listen anything against him" Maryam glared her with full anger, it was the clear warning for Shifa who was still standing in shock, placing her hand on the left cheek which was feeling like firecrackers inside her skin. An angry Maryam turned to go back, but a cracked voice fall in her ears.

"He is my stepfather, but you're my real mother. Aren't you?" covering the sign of slap with her hand Shifa mumbled and fresh tears replaced the older one, which suddenly turned Maryam's anger into guilt. Shifa slowly remove her hand from her cheek which was displaying three red finger marks on her pale flawless skin.

"And, am I incorrect if I called him your husband? He's your husband, Bilal and Hamdan bhai's father but my stepfather. He doesn't say that but never fails to prove that." while saying the first part she was broken but in last part she was angry.

It's obvious for Shifa to react, Everyone has a limit of tolerance, which she had already crossed.

"Shifa you're misunderstanding him."

"Fine... Make me understand." Shifa asked, hiding her rage. Maryam was seeing Shifa in this form first time. "Hamdan bhai also did love marriage and papa didn't have any problem with that. In my case there is no such thing in between us, am I still misunderstanding him?" Asked the outrageous Shifa in loud voice, and leaving her mother answeless she stepped into the bathroom.

Maryam was in chaos, she was confused how to balance between her daughter's happiness and husband's will. She was in guilt too, slapping Shifa gave another level of pain. She's her same daughter whom she had been treating like a princess. But she didn't know Anwar and Bilal were already standing Outside the room witnessing everything.

"Papa." Bilal nuttered and Anwar looked at him with his red eyes which was reflecting his anger.

"I'm with my Shifa aapi, she might be your stepdaughter, but for me she's my real sister and her happiness matters for me. That's it." For the first time Bilal took stand for Shifa and turned to go to his room with anger. Anwar was shocked to see his childish son behaving like rebellion.

It was like a cold war in their home, Bilal was going to inform about the whole matter to Hamdan and he would definitely going to support Shifa. 

<><><><><><>