Two pills on the left palm and a glass of water in the right hand, but he didn't get energy to put the pills in his mouth. Ya Allah achhe kaam karne ki bhi saza milti hai kya? His heart questioned and the very next moment he gulped the pills down.

(Oh Allah, do we get punished for good deeds too?)

His fever was not allowing him to stand up from the bed yet he tried his best and walked towards the hall because just a minute ago David called him to inform that he was coming to meet him along with... Someone.

"Adeena" Daniyal banged on her door. Badi Amma and Mrs Kazmi were standing carelessly because it was the first time when Daniyal was going to Adeena's room, very soon she opened the door and Daniyal blinked a few times because his vision was turning blurry due to high fever.

"Pack your stuff, you're going back." Without stopping to see her face which was losing the colour Daniyal walked to the hall and literally fell down on the couch.

"Badi Amma, bukhar theek nhi ho rha." Mrs Kazmi was angry with her son but couldn't see him in pain. She sat down on the couch and pulled Daniyal's head in her lap. She was on the edge of crying and Daniyal was almost unconscious in his mother's lap.

"Kiski nazar lag gyi hai is khush'haal ghar ko..."

(Who has cast an evil-eye on my happy and healthy family...)

After a few minutes the doorbell rang and David stepped in the home along with a not too tall not so short man who was wearing white kurta pajama, his head was long black beard was looking good on his average looking face and a natural smile was giving charm to his small eyes covered with glasses.

"Kya hua Daniyal? David ne bataya tum bimaar ho." The other man with David asked when Daniyal was struggling to sit down on the couch and Mrs Kazmi set a cushion behind him to support his back.

(What happened to you Daniyal? David told me that you're sick.)

Before Daniyal could reply Adeena walked out to the hall with another plan for rejecting the house suggesting by Daniyal.

"That room." He muttered and David patted Daniyal's shoulder, while nodding his head and walked towards Adeena's room.

Knocking on the door he waited for a reply, "come in."

"Adeena... After a long time..." David smirked with a sarcastic expression but Adeena's face turned pale. "What are you doing here?"

"It doesn't matter what I'm doing here. What matters is that you're not going to be here anymore."

"What's your problem David?" Adeena grit her teeth and he smiled. "I don't have any problem, I'm here to resolve your problem."

"What?"

"Daniyal ko kab tak istemaal karogi Adeena? Tumne to hamesha use istemaal kara hai, pehle pyaar ke naam par aur ab majburi ke naam par..."

(For how long will you use Daniyal? First you were using him on the name of love and now on the name of helplessness!)

"Mind your own business, David."

"Sorry Darling but I've learnt an art from you only. The art of poking my nose in others' life." David smiled like a sweet old friend but Adeena grit her teeth. "Well, I'm here on Daniyal's demand!" He smiled more and Daniyal also walked into the room.

"Adeena, can you tell me what your landlord did? And when?" Daniyal asked and she stayed silent for a moment while looking at David and Mrs Kazmi who was also standing beside her son. "What happened? Daniyal, why are you asking all these questions?"

"I have been talking to David about everything that happened to you, and he also said that you should go to the police." Daniyal state in his weak voice and Adeena's face lost the colour but the very next moment she shook her head.

"Daniyal I already told you, I can't afford animosity..." This time Daniyal didn't let her complete.

"Why are you afraid Adeena? You're the one who raises voice against exploitation for others, how can you silently tolerate sexual harassment?" Daniyal asked in a loud voice, her face was turning more pale and his was turning red due to anger as well as fever.

"What? harassment?" Mrs Kazmi asked and Daniyal nodded before telling his Ammi about Adeena's story.

"Daniyal tumne wada kara tha, tum kisi ko is baare mein nhi bataoge, tum is tarha apna wada nhi tood sakte." She was shocked to hear Daniyal telling everything to his family and David smiled like a sarcasm.

(Daniyal you promised me to not letting anyone know about this... You can't break your promise.)

"Waade aur bharosa to koi bhi kabhi bhi tood sakta hai. Khair... David ne tumhare liye ek advocate arrange kar liya hai aur usne tumhare behalf pr online FIR raise kar di hai..." Daniyal saw Adeena wiping the sweat drops from her forehead and he felt sad... not for her but for himself as well as his mistake. She was occupied by many thoughts so didn't notice such a weak lie of Daniyal! An advocate cannot raise an FIR on the behalf of his client!

(Anyone can break trust and promises at any time. Well, right now I'm just telling you that David has arranged an advocate for you, and he has already raised an FIR on your behalf.)

"Aur zara bahar aao, kisi se milwana hai..." David took a step back to give her some space to leave the room but Adeena held Daniyal's hand.

(And come out of the room, we need to introduce you to someone.)

"Daniyal mujhe tumhe kuch batana hai."

(Daniyal I need to tell you something.)

"Itne dino se sab kuch bata hi ho rhi ho, Adeena. Ab thoda sun aur dekh bhi lo." Daniyal pulled his hand and walked out of the room followed by everyone else.

"Adeena meet him... Waji Bhai. An old friend of Daniyal and very close friend of mine." David smiled and Adeena blinked blankly.

"We don't need an introduction, I know her, she lives on the second floor of our home." Waji-ur-Rehman said with a smile and Daniyal looked at Adeena. "Oh... Really? Adeena you didn't tell us that Waji-ur-Rehman Bhai is your landlord." David smiled and Adeena looked at Daniyal.

"Is he same landlord Adeena?" Daniyal asked and her face covered with sweat. "Daniyal... Please." She mouthed but Waji-ur-Rehman furrowed after hearing about himself.

"Same landlord...? What does it mean?" He asked and Daniyal smiled, "Adeena was telling us that her landlord is out of station for the last one month, that's why I was just curious to know if you're the same landlord." Daniyal shrugged and wiped off the sweat drops from his forehead which was the result of medicine he took for fever.

"Oh I see, well, yes I wasn't here for last one month."

Before the conversation would be stretched more David took a part in between. "Waji Bhai, I guess Daniyal isn't fine enough to join us. We should leave now."

"Go after having lunch." Daniyal offered and David sighed.

"Lunch is due on you... Some other day, but not without Shifa." David stood up from the couch and Daniyal nodded, "Sure..."

After seeing off the guests Daniyal walked back to the hall where Adeena was standing at her spot. "So Adeena, I also want to know how one can harass a woman while living in another city for over a month!" Sitting beside Mrs Kazmi Daniyal asked and she stayed silent for a while. "Wait a minute... Is Waji-ur-Rehman Bhai lying about his vacation, because you can not lie... You don't lie." This time Daniyal's voice was louder than normal and Adeena's eyes dropped a few tears.

"Daniyal please... We can talk about it... Don't drag this matter..."

"Talk about this matter? My foot! Just get lost from here." He didn't know when he shouted like this last time... Maybe he had never been so angry before this time.

"Main tum par tars khaa kar tumhe is ghar mein rehne de raha tha ye soch ke ki tum kaha jaogi? Aur tum..."

(I was letting you live in my home out of sympathy but you...)

"Why are you still hiding her real face? Tell Waji about everything!" Mrs Kazmi said with anger and Daniyal jerked his head. "Bata to deta lekin us masoom par tars aa gya, wo bechara bhi apni maa ke sath dar-badar ho jayega." Daniyal looked at the door of the guestroom, Zaryab was peeping out from the door and looking scared because of the loud voices.

(I would definitely did but stopped just because of this innocent boy.... He'll also suffer with his mother.)

"Kya mil gaya tumhe ye sab karke, Adeena?"

(What you actually got after doing all these things Adeena?)

"Daniyal I... I just wanted some time with you..."

"Bakwaas band kro aur nikal jao yaha se, agar tum ye sab nhi karti na to shayad main tumhari izzat marte dam Tak karta rehta. Tumne to khud ko meri nazro mein bhi gira diya."

(Cut the crap and get lost from here. I would respect you till the last breath of my life if you didn't do this. But you lost respect in my eyes.)

"Ab kis baat ka intezaar hai Bibi? Hath pakad ke bahar nikal dein kya?" After all Badi Amma said a single sentence and Daniyal sat down on the couch without paying attention to anyone.

(Now what are you waiting for? Do you want us to kick you out?)

<><><><>

Today Mr Kazmi came back home late and when he got to know about Adeena's intrigue he was even more angry on Daniyal to trust her. After having dinner he was sleeping but Mrs Kazmi was unable to blink her eyes. She didn't know for how long she was staring at the roof when she started feeling restless. Lifting her head from the pillow she glanced at the wall clock which was reading sharp two.

Throwing the blanket away from herself she walked towards Daniyal's bedroom. The door was already open. Sitting near Daniyal she placed her hand on his forehead which was burning one more time.

"Ammi." He opened his eyes and Mrs Kazmi picked the medicine box from the nightstand. "Take the pills." She said as she knew Daniyal didn't have medicine but instead of replying Daniyal put his head in his mother's lap and two tears rolled down from his eyes.

"Ammi, call Shifa... Please call her back." Seeing this condition of her only son Mrs Kazmi's eyes filled with tears and her hand stopped to cares his hair.

"Daniyal aapne kaam bhi to aesa kra hai jiski wazahat nhi kari jaa sakti..." This time Mrs Kazmi was looking disappointed in her son but Daniyal gave her a defeated look.

(Daniyal, you've done something which cannot be justified.)

"Ammi, I swear... swear to Allah... I was just helping her, I didn't have any feelings for her other than a soft corner in my heart, I just wanted her happiness, nothing else. I noticed her behaviour many times but every time I ignored it as I thought it was nothing but her fear or helplessness, she'll be alright after coming out of this problem. Even I didn't stop Shifa from going to her home because I thought she was going to her parents, she will be safe with them but where would Adeena go with a little son... Ammi I would do the same if it wouldn't be Adeena but some other woman, but our situation would be different because Shifa would also help her in that case." Daniyal sat on the bed and wiped his eyes. Mrs kazmi was unable to say anything. She was silently seeing her son who had cried out like this once in childhood. Many years ago Mr Kazmi told the little Daniyal that his grandmother will be fine soon if he prays for her health and he had prayed day and night with faithfulness. The four year old boy was sure that his father doesn't lie, if he said that his grandmother will be fine because of the prayers then it cannot be an untruth. But he was disheartened and broken when his father's lie came out and destiny took away one of the most important people of his life.

Tonight, Mrs Kazmi was again witnessing the same Daniyal who was hurt because of a lie and fear of separation from another one of the most important people of his life.

"Ammi aapne hi to sikhaya tha na, majbur logo ki madad karo, agar koi apna koi raaz ya kamzori bataye to wo kisi ko zahir na karo, kisi ki madad karo to itni khamoshi se karo ki apne saaye ko bhi pta na chale... Meri kya galti hai Ammi? Mene to sirf ek besahara ko sahara dene ki koshish kari thi." Mrs Kazmi was crying with her son and caressing his head.

(Ammi have you forgotten you had taught me to help the oppressed and helpless. Only you had taught me to keep others' secrets and weakness secret. You taught me to help others silently. What's my fault Ammi? I was trying to help a helpless woman.)

"Chup ho jaiye Daniyal aur Shifa ko wapas le aaiye."

(Stop crying Daniya, and bring back Shifa.)

"Himmat nhi hai mujh me!"

(I don't have courage)

"Himmat to karni padegi, be-aitbaari bhi to kri thi aapne." Mrs Kazmi passed him a glass of water and pills but he didn't take them and shook his head.

(You have to gather courage, after all you distrust her.)

"Be-aitbaari nhi kri thi ammi, bas uski baato pr dhyan nhi diya tha. Wo hamesha naye logo ko pehchan'ne me galti karti hai... Usne to pehli mulaqaat me mujhe bhi bohot bura insaan samjha tha... Wo hamesha aese hi krti hai... Mujhe laga is baar bhi shayad..."

(Ammi, I didn't mistrust her... I just didn't pay attention to her because she always misjudge new people. Even, in the very first meeting she believed that I'm not a good man. I thought she was misjudging this time too...)

"Daniyal, Aapko andaza bhi hai aapka is tarha kisi aur aurat ke liye had se zyada jazbaati hona Shifa ko kitna dukh de raha hoga? Mana aapki niyat achhi thi, lekin niyat sirf Allah ko dikhti hai, insaan ko to Amal aur Radd-e-Amal hi dikhte hain... Aur aapki harkato se to jo zahir ho rha tha wo koi bhi biwi bardasht nhi karegi. Khair, Jo kuch bhi hua, aap dono ke beech mein bohot bada faasla aa gya hai, ab is faasle ko khatam karna aapka kaam hai."

(Daniyal, do you know what Shifa would have been feeling when you were emotionally reserved for some other woman to this extent?  Okay, I understand that your intentions were good, but only Allah knows our intentions, other humans see and judge us on our actions and reactions. And your deeds were clearly intolerable for any wife. Well, whatever, you've created a big difference between you two. Now, it's your responsibility to erase these differences.)

"Ammi main to bohot faqr tha ki main bohot samajhdaar hu phir kyu main is tarha phas gaya? Kyu mian sahi or galat ka farq nhi dekh paya?" Daniyal was questioning his mother in the same way as Shifa questions him and his mother were seeing a little Daniyal one more time, who needed his mother in every situation, either big or small.

(Ammi I was so proud of myself to be very intelligent, then how could I be trapped like this? Why didn't I see the difference between right and wrong?)

"Ghamand, faqr, takabbur chahe kisi bhi cheez ka ho, jab tut'ta hai to insaan ko bhi bohot buri tarha tood deta hai... Aaj ke baad apni samajhdaari par ya kisi bhi cheez par takabbur nhi kariyega. Takabbur Allah ki sifat hai, jab banda use lene ki koshish karta hai to Allah ko ye baat pasand nhi aati." Daniyal kept watching his mother for a few moments and she caressed his head again.

(When Pride, conceit, arrogance go away it breaks a man miserably. Now, don't ever be arrogant of being intelligent or anything! Arrogance is Allah's asset, he dislikes when his servant tries to grab a hold of it.)

"Ab soo jaiye, tabiyat theek ho jaye to Allah se maafi mangiyega, phir Shifa se bhi..." Mrs Kazmi caressed Daniyal's head one more time and kissed his forehead lovingly. No matter how angry she was with him but after all he was her only son. The answer of her prayer of many years... She can't be angry with him in any situation.

(Now take some rest, ask forgiveness to Allah after becoming better, then from Shifa too.)

Daniyal nodded and saw his mother going out of the room. Without wasting time he locked the door and after ablution he literally fell down in Sujud (prostration).

"Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'alamin."

"Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'alamin."

"Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'alamin."

"Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'alamin."

And the very next moment the room was echoing with sobs and the very first verse of the holy Quran which means, 'All praise belongs to Allah. Lord of all, that exists! Those words were not affecting the darkness of the room but vanishing the darkness of heart for sure.

<><><><>

Next Day...

Maryam opened the door with a thought that it was Bilal but no, he was Daniyal.

"Assalamualaikum Mummy,"

"What are you doing here?"

"Shifa ko wapas le jaane aaya hu." Daniyal muttered and Maryam glared at him.

(I'm here to take Shifa back.)

"Tumse ye ummeed nhi thi Daniyal, meri beti ye sab deserve nhi krti." Maryam's voice was full of pain and Daniyal nodded without making eye contact.

(It wasn't expected from you Daniyal, my daughter doesn't deserve this.)

"I'm sorry but please give me a chance mummy. I love Shifa more than everyone, I'm here to take her back," Maryam kept watching him for a few moments then moved a few steps away to give him space. He entered in the home with hesitation and walked towards the living room.

"Assalamualaikum." His greeting brought different expressions on two faces. Anwar's eyes turned red but Rani's face turned pale as Daniyal was the answer to those comments which she passed a few minutes ago.

"Maryam Musa is coming to pick Rani, he'll be with us for dinner, so do some arrangements." Anwar ignored Daniyal and Maryam nodded, "suniye... zara ek minute..." Maryam muttered in a requesting manner and Anwar walked towards her to the corner of the room.

"Rani baji ke samne koi baat nahi kariyega. Wo pehle hi itna sab keh chuki hain agar unh..."

(Don't say anything in front of Rani baji, she has already said everything if she got to kno...)

"Main itna bhi bewaquf nhi hu, mujhe pta hai kiske samne kya baat karni hai, Rani aur Musa chale jayein uske baad baat karte hain." Maryam nodded and turned to go.

(I'm not senseless enough to talk in front of everyone. I'll talk after Rani and Musa go back.)

"Suno,"

(Listen.)

"Ji?" Maryam turned to see Anwar and he took a step closer to her.

(Yeah?)

"Shifa se kaho ki kamre me hi rahe, abhi iske samne na aaye, bekaar ka tamasha na ho jaye." Maryam nodded and walked to see Shifa. 

(Tell Shifa to stay in her room only. I don't want any drama in front of anyone.)

<><><><>