Guilt covered her as the clouds were covering the sky. They were about to rain as same as her eyes. The only difference was— rain was about to bring happiness but these tears were nothing besides a storm of sorry.

She looked at her left side to find her husband sleeping, or better to say acting like sleeping but he was unable to take a peaceful sleep that night.

"Suniye."

And the silence in reply made her realise that it wasn't the correct time to talk about anything. After a sigh, she stepped out of the bed and took steps toward Shifa's room. The door was already unlocked, as usual. Pushing the door she entered the room with cat steps. Shifa was snoozing lightly and a diary was placed beside her. Seems she hid that under the pillow but it uncovered itself magically. Maryam slowly picked up that diary and open the last written page and the tears that she was holding back suddenly popped out of her eyes.

Dear diary,

Today, for the first time mummy slapped me. This is the very first time when her hand touched me, not to show her love but her anger. I already know Papa doesn't love me but today I understand one more thing—that's mummy's condition; Neither she could take a stand for me, nor she could go against her husband. She could have a better life if I wasn't her daughter, I know her husband loves her, but he doesn't like my presence in their life, I and mummy have been giving our best to make some space for me but we're failed miserably. Whenever mummy tries to balance between her husband and me her married life suffers. But today, I realise that Mumma loves her husband more than me and also wants me to tolerate everything silently. Since childhood, I've been waiting for him to change his behaviour towards me but now I'm sure it will not going to happen at any cost...

I don't want to talk to anyone, I don't want to think about anyone... I hate everyone and I hate myself most. Only my existence is creating problems for all, I wish I never existed.

That's how the diary reading ends and Maryam looked at the testimony of her slap present on Shifa's cheek. Without choosing to disturb her daughter's slumber she put the diary back in its place and covered Shifa properly before going back to her bedroom.

She looked at Anwar who was acting like sleeping but she knew the reality. She placed her hand onis arm and he removed that.

"What is my fault? Why are you both blaming me?" Maryam cried out while mumbling which clenched Anwar's heart. That's true he couldn't tolerate tears in Maryam's eyes, he loves her from the dept of his heart but never got the courage to confess that.

"Stop crying and sleep now." Opening his eyes he ordered and Maryam gave him a disappointed look. "Tell me what's my fault?" She questioned and Anwar furrowed his brows. "Did I say it's your fault?"

"Then what's the reason behind your cold behaviour with me?" She cross-questioned and Anwar closed his eyes while saying "I'm not saying anything to you, nor your daughter. It's your daughter's life do whatever you want but don't blame me" it was a harsh reply which made Maryam angry.

"For Shifa, I'm your wife, and for you, I'm her mother. Why can't you both understand that you both are important to me? I can't prioritise one of you." Said the defeated Maryam which made Anwar realise that she was stuck between the two most important relationships of her life.

"Maryam," a few moments long pause and he continued, "I'm not saying to prioritise me, let me sleep." Saying that Anwar close his eyes and Maryam also laid down facing her back towards him. "At least tell me what is your reason behind refusing Daniyal?" Maryam asked but did not get an answer because this time he was sleeping for real.

<><><><><>

She woke up with a headache and this feeling is enough to make everything difficult. She was not in any good mood or condition to get ready for college but sometimes we don't have an option. Drawing out faded jeans and the well-ironed long shirt which was hung by her only the day before yesterday.

After making her bed she scoot to the bathroom with her clothes and when she stepped out, her mobile was ringing. With no good intention to smile she picked that lifeless material which is an inseparable part of every life, and a smile captured her lips, without wasting a single second she received the call and "Hamdan bhai."

"Shaffo what's going on?" Hamdan asked but in reality, he already had a big amount of information. All thanks to Bilal.

"I don't know Hamdan bhai... I don't know what's going on in my life but I can say one thing, nothing good can take place in my life." Said the sorrowful voice which made Hamdan sad too.

"How's your relationship with Daniyal?" Asked Hamdan in a serious yet polite tone but Shifa's heart skipped a beat. No matter how well educated and mature she was, a hint of innocence and a great amount of modesty were inseparable parts of her character, she couldn't discuss her feelings regarding Daniyal with Hamdan or anyone else besides her best friend.

"Shifa, I'm asking something."

"Hamdan bhai... There is nothing between us... We're just friends." She mumbled and listened to a humming from the other side. "Just colleagues? And what's the point of marrying a person who is just your colleague?" Hamdan stressed every word, it wasn't difficult for Shifa to understand the hidden meaning of his words so she gathered all her courage.

"Hamdan bhai, we don't love each other, our heart won't break if we are not get married. But he understands me without even having a word, he supports me when I lose my confidence and above all, I'm sure he will not consider me a burden like papa is doing since ever." And that's how she put her heart out in front of her brother who stayed silent for the next two minutes then a small voice fall in her ear.

"Well, Mehvish's parents know Daniyal's parents for a long time, they are family friends." Hamdan's words skipped a beat of Shifa's heart, she could see the small ray of hope which was enough to make her feel better. "Overall, I can say... Ladka achha hai,"

(He's a nice guy)

"Let's see what's papa's point of rejection, I'll talk to him." Hamdan Added and Shifa nod her head with a lower gaze as if he could see her reaction.

"Shaffo."

"Ji bhai?"

"Are you happy now?"

"Yeah, bhai.'' How could she be happy until everything become fine but just for namesake she replied? 

" I've heard that you argued with mummy. Is this true?"

"Umm... Not an argument... But... Yeah... Kind of," Shifa muttered and Hamdan didn't feel good to hear that, Bilal already told him everything including the slap which she got from Maryam. "Now go and talk to mummy and if possible... Talk to papa too. Rest leave on me, your Daan bhai will handle everything."

"Hamdan bhai." She muttered with tear-filled eyes, and somehow Hamdan understand she was going to cry.

"Hmm... Say, but without crying."

"You're the best brother in this world, you always understand me."

"This time our little boy understands you better than me. Now we can say Billu bada ho gya." This brought a smile to Shifa's lips and a weak giggle jumped out from her mouth.

(Billu has grown up.)

Wiping her tears Shifa ends up the call before stepping out from the room. Maryam and Anwar were sitting in the dining area waiting to have their breakfast. Without bothering anyone Shifa decided to leave the home but Maryam grabbed her arm and dragged her to the kitchen.

"Mumma se naraz ho?"

(Are you offended with Mumma?)

"No," Shifa replied while looking away and only her expressions were enough to tell her answer.

"I love you beta, I love you more than anyone else. I... I just... I'm sorry." Maryam cried out while taking Shifa in her embrace and Shifa cried more while hugging back her mother. "You slapped me just because of him..." Shifa muttered but Maryam kissed her head while shaking her head.

"Sorry beta... " and the mother-daughter cried out silently. "I'll talk to him about Daniyal, he'll understand you, but you also have to understand him, beta. We need to work on our all relationships not only selected one."

"Mummy I'm getting late" Shifa lightly pushed her mother's hand away from her face, it was a clear indication that she didn't want to had a word with father... And that's it

<><><><><>

After a week.

"Ma'am" Emily approached the HR manager who didn't look up and hummed while checking some files on the laptop. "I need your help." This time Adeena looked up at Emily and gestured for her to take a seat.

"Yeah Emily, how may I help you?" Adeena asked in a hushed tone, at the same time a knock on the glass door of her cabin forced her to look up. "Ma'am, the report is ready." Passing a file to Adeena, Priya looked at Emily in a questioning way to get a nod in reply.

"Is there anything serious?" Adeena observes the silent conversation between both the ladies and they hummed in a hushed tone.

"Ma'am I'm..." Emily pressed her lips together to stop herself to cry, Priya who was standing beside her, just caressed her back to give her a small amount of strength.

"Emily, you can trust me." Adeena gently squeezed her hand which was placed on the glass tabletop. "Come on Emily, stop crying and take a stand for yourself," Priya give her strength one more time and Emily Dickinson broke down in tears.

"For the last one and a half years he's... I don't like his touch but he's..." Emily continued to tell her pain to Adeena, She accused her senior of sexual harassment.

"Emily, are you serious?" Adeena asked with a bit of anger as well as disbelief, "Are you tolerating all these things for the last 18 months?" This time Adeena wasn't angry with that guy but with Emily. "Yes ma'am."

"May I know the reason for your silence? Why didn't you raise a complaint against him? Why didn't you approach your previous HR manager?" Adeena kinda scolded her with disappointment but Emily closed her eyes for a long moment before taking a deep breath.

"Ma'am, one and a half years ago I was divorced, and from that time I'm feeling as if I'm a public property! I did complain about him to the previous HR but instead of taking any action, he told me to improve my dressing style in the office. Earlier I was ignoring everything because it was a minor touch of hands but it has been increasing to another level. Yesterday... He... He tried to force himself on me." Adeena was beyond shock, she wanted to say something but ended up crying out with Emily.  It's not so easy to be a softhearted person, giving pain to someone else is a faraway thing, you can't even see others in pain.

"Okay, let me see what I can do in this matter." Adeena wiped her tears and passed a glass of water to Emily. "Ma'am I tried to find out another job but it's not easy."

"Now stop crying. You know what my husband said once..." Adeena passed her tissues and Emily looked at her, waiting to represent her husband's quote

"He said that if you're not strong enough to stand up again, you shouldn't even complain about falling." Adeena smiled with a hint of honesty. "Leaving a job is not a solution, but making the workplace a better place is."

"It's not easy to survive in the workplace as a divorcee," Emily commented to which Priya sighed. "It's not easy to survive in your home too... Your family's behaviour changes when you come back home as a divorcee" Priya, who's also a divorcee, said in a hushed tone.

Adeena looked at both the ladies with a gentle smile and said "You both are very strong." Before the discussion could go ahead Adeena's mobile started ringing and she received the call. "Hello"

"What? How's he now?"

"I'm coming." Adeena stood up with a jolt while closing her laptop and cutting the call. "I have to go now, my son burst his head as he fell from the swing." This time Adeena was about to cry. She didn't waste much time and got busy in completing some formalities before leaving the office.

<><><><><>

"Zaryab," Adeena entered the small room where her son was sitting with a bandage on his head and sipping juice. "What you have done baby?" She mumbled while embracing Zaryab who just smiled while removing his lips from the straw which was connected to the tetra pack of juice.

"Mommy, I'm a strong boy." Zaryab chirped and his teacher came forward. "Indeed, he's a strong boy, he didn't even cry."

"But how did he fall off?" Adeena asked the teacher while caressing Zaryab's head.

"He was helping his friend climb the swing but ended up on the floor." Adeena's eyes dropped two tears and a smile captured her lips. "My son is a real hero, just like his dad." Kissing his cheeks she embraced the little boy.

<><><><><>

"Daniyal."

"Ji ammi?"

"Shifa se baat hui aapki?"

(Have you talked to Shifa?)

"Kis mutalliq?"

(About what?)

"Aap dono ke rishte ke mutalliq..." The old lady replied in a duh tone as if Shifa and Daniyal didn't even have any other topic to discuss.

(Regarding the marriage proposal.)

"No."

"I guess, I should talk to Maryam regarding this."

"Ammi please, don't do anything like this, give them time to think about it." Shifting his sight from the laptop screen to his mother's face Daniyal said and again started focusing on his work.

"But it's quite long to think... Don't you think so? It's already a week."

"Ammi, let me do this work instead of diverting my mind with this useless topic." Mumbling that Daniyal started running his fingers through the key of the laptop. But poor Daniyal forget that he was in front of his mother and mothers don't like to hear what they don't want to hear.

"Aap bolte rahiye, main to Maryam ko call kar rhi hu." And Mrs Kazmi passed her mobile to Daniyal who looked at her with wide eyes.

(Whatever, I am calling Maryam.)

"Aese kya dekh rahe hain? Mera chashma waha bedroom mein hai, aap call kr dijiye."

(Why are you looking at me like this? My specs are in my room so you dial Maryam's number.)

"Wese ammi aap hai bohot ziddi, jo kaam aapko karna hai wo karke hi rehti hain." Daniyal scolded his mother in a friendly way but fulfilled her order while passing back the mobile.

(By the way ammi, you're way too stubborn. You'll do whatever you wanna do.)

"Ziddi to main hu... Bete par chali gyi na..." She smiled and placed the mobile on her ear making Daniyal smile too.

(Yea, I'm stubborn as I resemble my son)

"Daniyal, Maryan ne to call receive hi nhi kri." Mrs Kazmi removed the mobile from her ear at the same time Mr Kazmi also came out of his bedroom.

(Daniyal, Maryam hasn't answered the call)

"She must be busy with dinner and all" Daniyal mumbled without looking at his parents as he was working on a project.

"Kazmi Sahab, main pehle hi bta rhi hu Daniyal ki Shadi ke liye main bohot sari shopping karungi. Aur main nayi jewellery bhi lungi, aakhir mere ek lote bete ki shadi hai..." Mrs Kazmi announced her decision with a stubborn expression on her face and her husband laughed.

(Kazmi Sahab, I'm telling you in advance I will do loads of shopping and I'll buy new jewellery too, after all it's my only son's wedding)

"Jo lena hai le lijiyega, sab aapka hi to hai. Lekin Khatija main soch raha hu Shadi saadgi se karenge." Mr Kazmi adjusted his specs while smiling at the demanding nature of his wife and said the last part in serious tone.

(Buy whatever you want to take, it's all yours. But Khatija, I want a simple wedding.)

"Kazmi Sahab Daniyal hamari ek loti aulaad hai. Haan mana nalayaq hai lekin inki shadi to dhum dhaam se hi krenge. Sare functions mein alag alag themes rakhenge, aur haan meri koi beti to hai nhi jiski shadi pr mehndi ka function rakha jaye to hum Daniyal ki shadi mein mehndi bhi rakhengi." Mrs Kazmi announced everything with great enthusiasm, and it's obvious for parents to plan their offspring's wedding.

(Kazmi sahab, I know Daniyal is good for nothing still he is our only child, it should be a lavish wedding. Different themes for every function. Fairy lights and flowers... And we'll do a mehndi function too)

"Chaliye jesi aapki Khushi, wese Shadi se pehle ghar mein kuch renovation karane ki zarurat hai kya?" Mr Kazmi respected his wife's decision, he knew how much Khatija loves Daniyal

(Okay, as your wish. By the way, is there any need of renovation in home?)

Mrs Kazmi nodded her head in a hurry while looking at the sofa which was yelling loudly that it was serving them for last six years and now needs retirement. "Ji Bilkul Kazmi Sahab, living area ka furniture to change karna hi hai, bohot purana ho gya hai. Aur Daniyal ke room ka interior bhi change krna hoga" Daniyal was blinking blankly while his parents were planning his wedding as if it was no tomorrow for this work.

(Of course Kazmi Sahab, we need to change all the furniture of living area, now it's outdated. And the interior of Daniel's room will also have to be changed.)

"Just a minute..." A voice raised a bit high in the air to grab the attention of the old couple. Holding a grin which was reflecting the state if their hearts, they both hummed in unison and their son gave them a cold look.

"Meri shadi kal hi nhi hai... Aap dono hawai mahal banane band kar dijiye." Rolling his eyes Daniyal faked a smile but his mother didn't like it.

(My marriage is not only tomorrow... both of you please stop building castles in Spain.)

"Mana kal nhi hai lekin main zyada deyr bhi nhi lagaungi, bas zyada se zyada 1-2 mahine." Mrs Kazmi announced with a hint of stubbornness which many times reflects in Daniyal's nature too.

(I know it's not tomorrow only, but I'll not wait for long, max 1-2 months)

"Ammi... Shifa abhi parh rhi hai, agle mahine uske exam hain aur masters complete karne mein abhi pura ek saak hai." Daniyal tries to explain to his mother but is this possible to make mothers understand our point? When they decide something no one can change their decision, so as Mrs Kazmi's case.

(Ammi, Shifa is studying, next month is her exams and there is still one year to complete her masters.)

"Chalein ye bhi theek hai, exam ke baad hi Nikkah ki date fix kar lete hain, aur phir Yaha aa kar apni parhayi continue krein. Maine to soch rakha hai, ek saal tak to main apni bahu se koi kaam nhi karaungi... Ghar mein itne mulazim hain, Shifa ko koi kaam karne ki zarurat bhi kya hogi, wo shadi ke baad bhi apni parhayi par dhyan de sakti hain. Haina Kazmi Sahab?" Mrs Kamzi being Mrs Kamzi again declare her decision and asked the last part to her husband who nodded his head with a smile; just like a good husband who support his wife in her every decision. 

(Well, that's even better. We'll fix date of nikkah after her exams and she'll continue her studies after marriage. I've already decided that I'll not let my daughter-in-law do any work for one year. Otherwise also, there are many helpers, she doesn't have to do any work, just focus on studies.)

"Ammi, Ammi... Meri pyari ammi... zara sabr-o-tahammul se kaam lijiye, abhi to un logo ne rishta manzoor bhi nhi kra hai aur aapne itni planning kar li." Daniyal gestured to his mother to go slow but why this man was wasting his energy in this useless work?

(Ammi... My dear sweet ammi... Have some patience. They haven't even accepted this proposal yet)

" Daniyal..." She uttered with a sweet smile and he hummed. "Mana aap nalayaq hain, lekin itne bhi nhi ki Shifa ke walidain aapko mustarad kar dein." Such a sweet gesture of a mother and Mr Kazmi burst out laughing.

(I know you're goodnf9rnjothing but not so much that Shifa's parents will reject you)

"Ammi ye meri tareef thi ya beizzati?"

(Ammi, is it a compliment or my insult?)

"Maine to sach bola hai, aapko jo lage wohi samajh lijiye. Haan to Kazmi Sahab main to soch rahi thi hamare room ka interior bhi change kara lete hain, sab kuch bohot purana ho gya hai." After giving a small yet strong reply Mrs Kazmi again addressed her husband to begin again the important discussion regarding the renovation of the home and Daniyal was blinking blankly.

(I told you the truth, you take it as you want. So Kazmi Sahab, I was thinking that the interior of our room should also be changed, everything is very old.)

"Shukar hai aap mujhe, change nhi kra rahi main bhi kaafi purna ho gya hu." The frustrated man said while resuming his work and his parents laughted loudly.

(Thankfully you're not planning to change me as I'm also very old now.)

"Beta aapke exchange mein Shifa mil rahi hai wo hi kaafi hai, aur is se achhe ki kya ummed rakhein aap se?" This time it wasn't Mrs Kazmi but her husband who was sitting beside Daniyal holding a happy expression on his face and a bowl of peanuts in his hands.

(My son, in your exchange we're getting Shifa asour daughter in law, this is quite a good deal, what else could we expect from you?)

"Lagta hi nhi hai main aapki apni aulaad hu."

(Sometimes, I wonder if I'm your own son?)

Rolling his eyes Daniyal grabbed the bowl of peanuts from his father's hands and started munching on it while shifting his eyes to the screen of the laptop. For a few moments, his father fake glared at him to snatch his snacks but he was well known for this habit of Daniyal since childhood so ignoring that he looked at his wife the old couple again began to make new plans.

<><><>