She was sleeping but not peacefully, the nightmares were turning into reality to haunt her. In her light slumber she felt a peaceful touch when an arm wrapped around her waist and two lips pressed against her forehead. A little whisper disturbed her slumber even more and she slowly opened her eyes to see that her husband was saying something. But what? She didn't understand. All she knew was that this man made her feel safe, even in slumber she felt safe and peaceful. After a while she felt some disturbance on the other side of the bed, she tried to open her eyes but couldn't because the headache was ready to kill her but before she could sleep again she decided to glance at her husband once. He wasn't present on the bed, this thing already weaker her slumber. "Where is he?" She muttered and turned her side, Daniyal drew out something from the cupboard. Now, her slumber was completely gone when she noticed the wooden chest in Daniyal's hands, soon he left the room and she glanced at the clock which was reading eleven of the night. Going after him she peeped outside the door, Daniyal was sitting in front of Adeena passing the wooden chest towards her.

"Shifa, Daniyal aap ke shohor hain. Aap ko kuch hosh hai wo kaha jaate hain kiske sath jaate hain!" Mrs Kazmi stepped in the room and asked with anger which dragged Shifa out from the flashback of last night and she sat straight. Mrs Kazmi wasn't angry with Shifa but her son however she was feeling helpless because even after trying she was unable to do anything. Just a few minutes ago Daniyal went to see the work progress of Adeena's home and the way Adeena was walking beside him was enough to make Mrs Kazmi and Badi Amma's blood boil.

(Shifa, Daniyal is this husband. Are you aware of where he goes and with whom?)

"Ammi unki life hain, unki marzi" she muttered but Mrs. Kazmi glared at her. Shifa ignored and started folding the clothes shattered on the bed and put that in a suitcase.

(His life, his choice)

"Ye kya kr rhi hain app?"

(What are you doing?)

"Wapas Jaane ki tayyari." She shrugged like it was her daily routine and Mrs Kazmi furrowed.

(Umm... Preparing to go back.)

"What do you mean?"

"Main deni ki zindagi me tab tak thi jab tak Adeena nhi thi, ab uske aane ke baad mera yaha rehne ka kya matlab baanta hai?" Shifa was sounding as normal as she could... The great actress! But not for others' harm.

(I was in Deni's life until Adeena wasn't present, now she's back so it makes no sense for me to stay here.)

"Aapka dimaag kharab ho gya hai kya, Shifa? Daniyal ko to main theek karungi, aa jaye wo aaj... Bas bohot bardash kar liya mene..."Xa Mrs Kazmi was enraged first time and Shifa smiled sadly.

(Are you out of your mind Shifa? I'll mend Daniyal's ways, enough of my tolerance. Just let him return.)

"It's not Deni's fault but mine, he already cleared that there will be no space for love in between us... It's my fault that I come so far in his love." She didn't let the tears conquer her feelings and Mrs Kazmi just shrugged.

"What do you mean?" Shifa kept watching her mother-in-law for a few moments then slightly smiled in a bitter way and told about the reason behind the marriage. Mrs kazmi was beyond shock. "Was it a contract marriage for you two?"

"Not really but yes kind of..." Shifa replied while zipping up the bag and Mrs Kazmi's eyes filled with tears. "Weren't you and Daniyal in love before getting married?" Shifa shook her head slowly.

"No, you misunderstood us. We were just colleagues. Deni was in love with Adeena who wasn't with him, and when you and Baba pressurized him to get married he shared his past with me... I thought Adeena is married now, so she would never come back again and with passing time Deni will fall for me, but..." Shifa's voice was turning heavy but she controlled her tears.

"Beta Aapko kya mila is shadi mein?" Mrs kazmi asked with disappointment and Shifa suddenly looked up, she forgot to fold the clothes she was holding in her hand.

(What did you get in this marriage?)

"Mujhe kya mila?''

(What did I get?)

She repeated the question with a smile but her tears rolled down from her eyes and very next second she sat down on the bed with a thud. "Mera to sab chhin gya Ammi. Mere paas pehle hi kuch nhi tha sirf ek dil hi to tha, wo bhi chala gya. Ab to sirf Saasein bachi Hui hain wo bhi bojh lag rahi hain." This time she couldn't help but cried aloud. Mrs Kazmi also started crying with her. Shifting away the clothes scattered on the bed, she made space for herself and sat down beside Shifa.

(I lost my everything! I already had nothing but only my heart, I lose it too... Now I'm just breathing but these are also feeling like a burden.)

"Stop crying." She pulled her in a motherly hug and Shifa cried more but silently. "Bohot mohabbat karti hain na aap Daniyal se."

(Daniyal means the world to me, isn't he?)

"Ammi, main to samajhne lagi thi wo bhi mujhse mohabbat karte hain, lekin..." Shifa break the hug and Mrs kazmi wiped her tears. Shifa composed herself and rearranged some clothes in the bag when Mrs Kazmi shook her head

(Ammi, I started believing that he's also falling for me but...)

"Ye aapka ghar hai, aap kahi nhi aa rhi yaha se." Mrs Kazmi was looking determined to her decision but Shifa laughed out a silent yet sarcastic chuckle.

(It's your home Shifa, you're not going anywhere. )

"Jaane dijiye ammi, apni aakho ke samne Deni ko kisi aur ke sath nhi dekh sakti, wo to mere sath hote hue bhi Adeena ke hi the ab to shayad mera naam bhi bhul jayenge. Main ye bardash nhi kar paungi." and she sobbed miserably one more time.

(Let me go Ammi, I can't see Deni with someone else in front of my eyes. He wasn't even mine when he was with me, now Adeena is back maybe he'll forget my name too. I won't be able to tolerate that.)

"Shifa, aap yahi rahegi. Jayegi to wo aurat."

(Shifa, you'll stay here, that woman will leave.)

"Ammi, you can throw her out from your home but not from your son's heart. You can't replace her." Shifa's reasoning was valid.

"But... I'm sure something could be done." Mrs Kazmi muttered but Shifa shook her head. "Nothing can be done now. It's too late." She muttered and wiped her tears.

"Do you remember Ammi, once you told me to blow Ayat-al-kursi on my precious thing so that I won't lose them?" Shifa asked and Mrs Kazmi nodded while furrowing as she was confused why Shifa was bringing up that mere topic at this serious moment. "Yeah I remember."

"From that day onwards I blow Ayat-al-kursi on Deni twice a day still I'm losing him." This time Mrs Kazmi couldn't help but cried out with Shifa.

<><><><>

A few hours later...

"Ye kya ho rha hai?" Daniyal stepped in the bedroom and noticed a suitcase along with his wife, both ready to leave!

(What's going on.)

"I was waiting for you only." Shifa muttered while standing up from the couch and picked up a few files from the study table. "These are the insurance policy papers, and some more documents." Showing the paper she placed them in the safe and Daniyal furrowed.

"So?"

"Take care of these things, that's why I'm showing you. "I'm going now." She wasn't crying now but she was surely broken from inside.

"Okay. It's better for you spend a few days with Mummy and papa. I'll come to pick you up in two three days." Daniyal placed his hand on her shoulder and she kept watching him for a long moment. "I'm not going for a few days, I'm going for the rest of my life."

"Are you mad?" He almost yelled

"Less than you."

"Shifa please, Adeena will leave after a few days." His grip on her shoulders tightened but Shifa smiled sarcastically. "But the question is, will you both stop meeting each other? Will she stop calling you at anytime... Everytime?" Shifa asked and Daniyal's face turned pale.

"Shifa, I'm just helping her... She really need help, please try to understand. I would do the same if it's not Adeena but any other girl at this place. I will not get married to her. Nothing like that will happen. Trust me." This time he held her both hands.

"Fine! I trust you!" For a moment he smiled but "I'm also going to have an extra marital affair, I'll only help that guy to deal with his loneliness by having coffee with him at midnight, we'll just roam around together, I'll just stay in his home but trust me... I will not get married to him. Nothing like that will happen. Will it work, Deni?" Pushing his hands away from her shoulders she grit her teeth. Daniyal was standing silently as he had no words to describe what he wanted to say.

"Please don't go." He again held her hand and Shifa nodded "fine... I'm not going, throw her out of the house right now." She crossed her arms on her chest and Daniyal stayed silent. "Deni, today you have to choose one from us!"

"I'm already choosing you. But try to understand, where will she go? She doesn't has a safe place to live. She's not a bad person, she's just helpless. There was no one else with whom she could stay, she wasn't ready to live with us but I insisted, she told me clearly that she wants my happiness and I'm happy with you." He cupped her face and Shifa raised her brow, "wow kazmi sahab, I'm impressed. You're such a true lover, you're not ready to believe that she is coming in between us." Shifa looked at the door which was half open and held Daniyal's hand, not letting them go away from her face.

"Adeena... Adeena." Shifa shouted and in no time she was present in the room. "You don't have a safe place to stay that's why you were here, right?" Shifa asked and Adeena nodded, her eyes fixed on the way how Daniyal was cupping Shifa's face.

"Of course! Otherwise I would never live here."

"Don't worry, Deni has sorted out this matter." Shifa smiled looking towards Daniyal who was confused. What he had done?

"David sir and his wife are coming to pick you up within an hour. You'll live with them until your home is prepared to be shifted. And since they have a son so Zaryab will also enjoy his time." Shifa told and Adeena's face lost its smile as well as shine.

"Go and pack your stuff." Shifa dismissed her but she was standing like a dumb person.

"Umm... Thanks Daniyal but... I won't be comfortable in David's home. But if Shifa was issues with me I won't love here. Bye I'm going." And she turned to go. Shifa pushed away Daniyal's hands from her face and glared at him...

"What's your explanation now? If she's really helpless then why does she want to live in your home only? Why not at other place?" Shifa asked and Daniyal looked at her with disappointment.

"You can't be so negative. Can't you tolerate her just for few days? And it's your home, she's just a guest!" He muttered and looked at the door of the room from which Adeena left.

"That's why I'm leaving. Stay with that positive woman..., Why only in this home? Give her space in this bedroom, after all, you're all hers!" She grabbed her mobile phone from the nightstand and held the suitcase but before leaving she stood straight in front of him.

"Mark my words, you'll regret one day. She doesn't love you, she's just jealous of me that's why she wants you. The day you go against her choice she'll show you her real face. Not every woman is Shifa who agrees for everything, either acceptable or not."

"I'm going." Gripping on the handle of suitable she said and Daniyal nodded. "Go. I'll come to pick you up in a few days." His voice stopped her to take another step and she turned to him with rage. Standing up in front of him she was glaring at him.

"Daniyal Kazmi, I'm not a toy! Play with me when you have nothing to pass your nights, throw me away when you get your favourite thing back and choose me again to entertain yourself." Digging her finger in his chest she grit her teeth "What the hell are you saying?" Daniyal looked at her in disbelief, Shifa saw him enraged fourth time. The only difference is, other three times he was angry for Shifa and this time he was angry with Shifa. "The same hell you're listening." She snapped and before he could react she was already gone.

"Aaaahhhhhh..." Picking up the fairy light tree lamp from the table he threw it on the wall. "Play with her to pass my n..." He grit his teeth and kicked the chair away with full rage.

<><><><>

"Ya Allah..." Bilal grimaced when he opened the door and Shifa walked in. "Can't you stay at your home?" Asking with frustration he peeped outside, Daniyal was nowhere.

"Where is Daniyal bhai?"

"In the hell." Shifa replied without wasting time, "yeah, sure. As he's with you." Bilal tried to show some humor but then he noticed Shifa's expressions as well as her suitcase.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing but my life." Saying that she took steps ahead, Maryam and Anwar came forward, they both were ready to go somewhere.

"You... At this time?" Shifa usually doesn't visit in the afternoon so Anwar asked and he noticed the suitcase present in her hand, her eyes were telling a story of her tears but what was the reason behind those tears, he didn't understand.

"Kya hua? Daniyal se lad kar aayi ho?" Asked Anwar while furrowing and Shifa took a step ahead.

(What happened? Have you come here after arguing with Daniyal?)

"Agar Daniyal se lad kar aaungi to kya kahenge aap?" Shifa asked in a tone which could be considered rude or disrespectful or maybe self-importance and confident.

(What would be your reaction of I'm here after arguing with Daniyal?)

Maryam was stunned, Shifa called him Daniyal not Deni, that's unusual! "Shifa, beta hume batao to sahi kya hua hai? Daniyal se lad kar aayi ho?"

(Shifa beta tell us what happened? Are you coming here after arguing with Daniyal?)

"Nhi lad kar nhi aayi. Aaj Daniyal ko chhod kar aayi hu." She controlled herself to cry and walked towards her room but stopped by Anwar's call.

(No, not after arguing but I'm here after leaving him.)

"Kya hua hai?"

(What happened?)

"Mummy you were correct, love is an amber that looks like a Ruby but burns you inside out." Shifa muttered and dragged the suitcase to her room. Maryam and Anwar looked at each other. Maryam was confused but Anwar's face was showing some tensed expressions.

"Shifa, tell me everything clearly." Anwar's voice came out like a roar and Shifa told them everything including Daniyal's past love, about the letters from Aatish, visiting Aatish's home, his death as well as meeting with Gudiya aka Adeena and now Adeena's arrival.

Maryam was in tears. She was unable to understand how many pains she was tolerating at once. No matter what Aatish did to her his death gave her a jolt. One can hate and love a person at the same time... When the amount of hatred increases, love hides behind the curtains of situations but love can't be undone!

But for now she had been crying for Shifa, she loves her daughter most and couldn't see her in pain moreover, She couldn't see her in the same pain once she had faced.

"Don't cry." Maryam embraced Shifa, she was also crying but Anwar didn't bother to glance at her. Drawing out his mobile from his pocket he dialled a number and waited for a few moments.

"Assalamualaikum Anwar sahab." The call was received by the wise man and Anwar's forehead filled with lines.

"Salam dua to baad mein hoti rahegi kazmi sahab, pehle kuch masle hal karne hain, aap yaha aa rahe hain ya main waha aau?" Anwar asked a straight question without any formalities.

(We can exchange the greetings later but for now there are some matters ahead to sort out. Are you coming here or should I come to your place?)

<><><><>

"Mene apni beti ko rukhsat karte waqt aapko kafeel (caretaker/guardian) banaya tha, kazmi sahab. Ab ye sab jo kuch bhi ho rha hai iski shikayat mein kis se karu?" Anwar asked a straight question, but Mr Kazmi was answerless. Daniyal was also sitting beside his father, fingers entangled, brows furrowed, jaws clenched; no one could say he's the same Daniyal whom Anwar started loving like a son.

(Kazmi Sahab, I gave the responsibility of my daughter to you at the time of farewell, now who'll justify all these things happening?)

"Mujhe Shifa se baat karni hai." Seperating the fingers of the right hand from the left one he looked straight towards his wife who was sitting opposite to him.

(I have to talk to Shifa.)

"Go ahead." Anwar was as cold as possible. "Yaha nhi, Akele mein."

(Not here. In another room.)

"Jab masle 4 logo ke beech mein aa jaate hain tab akele kamro mein baat nhi hoti, sab ke saamne hoti hai. Agar akele mein masla suljhana tha to apni biwi ko ghar se nikalne hi nhi dena chahiye tha." Anwar glared at Daniyal and Shifa also wasn't willing to talk to Daniyal.

(When disputes become public they're not supposed to sort out behind the walls. You should think about sorting out the matter before your wife could leave the home.)

"Har masla 4 logo ke beech mein rakhne layaq nhi hota," Daniyal stood straight and held Shifa's arm before dragging her along to her room, everyone including Shifa herself were shocked to see this but that small journey ended up in Shifa's room. Daniyal loudly slammed the door behind himself and turned towards Shifa. His eyes bloodshot.

(Not every matter can be discussed publicly.)

"Mene aapko khilone ki tarha kabhi istemaal nhi kiya, agar apni raate guzaarne ki liye aapko istemaal karna hota to shadi ke baad ek din bhi nhi rukta. Mere jazbaat, mere ehsasaat, meri sharafat har cheez ko aapne ek jumle ne mitti mein mila diya. Aapke ek jumle ne mujhe ek pal mein itna zaleel itna neech bana diya. Mujhe aapse ye ummeed kabhi nhi thi, Shifa." Leaving her arm with a jerk he opened the door and walked towards the living room where everyone was waiting.

(I never played with you like a toy, If I need you to pass my nights I wouldn't wait for a single day after getting married. You cast aspersions on my emotions, my feelings and my character in a single sentence. Your sentence is enough to describe me as a disgusting man! I wasn't expecting such a low deed from you.)

"Ab to main aur meri har baat aapko buri hi lagegi, wo jo aa gyi hai aapki zindagi mein." When Daniyal was on the doorway of the living room he was stopped by Shifa's voice. He turned to glared at her and she walked towards the living room.

(Now me and my every deed will be disliked by you because she's back.)

"It's not about Adeena anymore! Now it is about us." Daniyal glared at Shifa, his voice was so high that no one had ever expected from him.

"Daniyal ye tamasha band karo, aur Shifa ko sath le kar ghar chalo. Biwi hai wo tumhari." Mr Kazmi scolded his son who glanced at everyone present in the room.

(Daniyal, she is your wife, stop this nonsense and take her back home.)

"Mene nhi nikala ghar se, apni marzi se gyi thi, jab chahe wapas aa jaye." Daniyal glared at Shifa who was not standing a few steps away from him.

(I haven't forced her to leave home, she left willingly, she can come back whenever she wants.)

"Shifa, come with us." Mr Kazmi told while throwing a glare at his son but Shifa shook her head and walked towards Daniyal.

"I'm not coming back." She grit her teeth.

"Fine! Stay here as long as you want!" He shrugged and turned to go but stopped for a moment. "Jo kuch keh kar aayi ho agar kabhi apni galti ka ahsaas ho to wapas aa jana... Main intezaar karunga." And the last part was like a challenge that hit Shifa's ego.

(You can come back if you realise your mistake about what you said. I'll wait.)

"Intezaar kariye Daniyal Kazmi, galti ka ehsaas to aapko hoga. Mujhe to pachhtawa ho raha hai ki sab kuch jaante huye bhi aapse shadi hi kyu kari." Shifa glared Daniyal so was he doing but the next moment he walked out from the home.

(You Wait and watch Daniyal Kazmi, you'll realise your mistake soon. I'm regretting to get married to you even after knowing everything.)

Mr Kazmi and Anwar both looked at each other. "There is no benefit of talking to any of them right now. Let them cool down then..." Mr Kazmi said in a hushed tone but Anwar shook his head.

"I'm not going to send my daughter with Daniyal until he himself comes to take her along that too after breaking all the ties with that woman."

"Anwar sahab jazbaat mein aa kar aesa feysla na kariye ki in dono mein faasle aur bad jaye. Jitne din ek dusre se dur rahenge utni duriya badne ki gunjaish hogi... Aap Shifa ko mere sath abhi wapas bheej dijiye. Dono ke darmiyan mein jo ranjish aayi hai use khatam hone me waqt lagega, Behtar hoga ye sath hi rahe."

(Anwar Sahab, do not take such an emotional decision which increases differences in between them. Send Shifa back with me, it will take some time to resolve the issues but it's better for them to stay together.)

"Waqt lagega to lag jaye. Main Shifa ko nhi bhejunga."

(I don't care if it takes time. I won't send Shifa."

"Bas inhe waqt dete dete zyada deyr na ho jaye." With this statement Mr Kazmi looked at the door from which Daniyal had already gone two minutes ago.

(It shouldn't be too late in giving them time.)

<><><><><>