Daniyal's mobile phone rang and he glanced at the name of the caller, it was Mrs Kazmi who was concerned about him. He left the home without telling where he was going but now Mrs Kazmi was satisfied that her son was safe and staying with his in-laws. After instructing Daniyal to take medicine on time she ended the call and Daniyal drew out two strips of medicine from his pocket, we'll, it was Mrs Kazmi who forced him to keep the medicines otherwise he was not going to do so.

Putting the pills on his palms he picked the bottle from the side table but it was empty, in no time Shifa walked in the room with a bottle of water and seeing Daniyal with pills she silently placed it on the bed but with a thud.

He gulped the pills and sat down straight on the bed "Shifa." His voice echoed in the silence of the room but she ignored. "Kya main itna bura ho gya ki aap hamare rishte ki har khubsurat yaad ko bhul gyi?" Asked Daniyal and Shifa glanced at him but ignored and started picking up a few things from the side table, she was setting the things silently and Daniyal was seeing the peak of her anger which was holding a moderate amount of hatred too. "Kya aap meri ek galti maaf nhi kar sakti?"

(Am I so bad that you forgot every beautiful memory of our relationship?)

(Can't you forgive me for one mistake?)

"Galtiyan to main hazaar dafa bhi maaf kar deti lekin bewafai ek baar bhi maaf nhi karungi.." she literally threw the pillow instead of putting it on the right place and turned to go but stopped by another request.

(I would Forgive you a thousand times for mistakes but not even once for being disloyal.)

"Shifa meri baat suno... Bewafai mene kabhi nhi kri..."

(Shifa listen to me... I haven't been disloyal to you)

"Aapko sirf isliye rooka hai taaki barish ruk jaye aur aap yaha se sahi salamat wapas chale jaye... Aapse baat karne ke liye nhi rooka." She cut him off and said rudely without looking at him.

(You are here so that the rain stops and you go back safely to your home... I did not ask you to stay to talk to you.)

"Lekin main yaha isliye ruka hu taki aapse baat karke aapko wapas le jaun,"

(But I'm here to talk to you and take you along with me.)

"Aapko agar soona nhi hai, bas isi tarha bolte rehna hai to bahar chale jaiye, main soona chahti hu." For another time Daniyal felt ignored.

(If you don't want to sleep and want to continue talking then please leave the room because I want to sleep.)

"Shifa, Allah ne hume ek dusre ke liye banaya hai," Daniyal said and blinked his eyes a few times, he wanted to hold back his eyes but the pills he took a few minutes ago were working well, "ek baar meri baat thande dimaag se suno, samjho aur phir subah hum dono ghar chalenge." He yawn and Shifa glared at him.

(Shifa, Allah has mad us for each other.)

(For once listen to me calmly, try to understand and tomorrow morning we'll go back to our home.)

"Aapko meri yaad kese aa gyi? Aapki mehbooba kaha hai?"

(How do you remember me, where is your lover?)

"Mehbooba (lover)... My foot! Sirf izzat karta tha uski ab to wo bhi nhi rhi." Shifa jerked her head. Ignoring him she removed the clip from the back of her head letting them fall on her back.

(I was only respecting her, but not anymore)

Daniyal laid down on the bed as now he was unable to hold back his sleepy self. Shifa tied her hair in a braid and laid down a few inches away from Daniyal, she wanted to maintain some more distance but there was no more space on this not so big bed. She was still glaring at Daniyal but he smiled.

"Meri pyari si biwi, aapko jo bhi shikwe shikayate hain wo ek taraf lekin is tarha to na karo... I love you... Only you." Daniyal cupped her face and Shifa exhaled loudly while pushing his hand away. "Stop it."

(My dear lovely wife, put all the complainants aside and please don't be angry. I love you. Only you.)

"Please Shifa, ghar wapas chalo." He muttered, this time his eyes were almost closed and voice was sleepy. He again placed his hand on her face and this time he slept, Shifa kept watching this man.

(Please Shifa, let's go back home)

Till ten minutes ago she was sleepy, she just wanted to sleep but now she was unable to sleep. Closing her eyes she wanted to savor some of the peaceful moments she deserves but couldn't. His hand was still present on her cheek, she pushed it away and again open her eyes.

Why can't I hate him? A drop of water rolled down from her eye which was absorbed by the pillow.

But I don't love him anymore. She told herself with determination and tried hard to sleep. These days she was too much sleepy but suddenly all her slumber took its leave without any reason. For some two hours she kept watching the ceiling as if it was the beautiful sky with uncountable stars and the shiny full moon but right now the night sky was full of dark clouds waiting for a bright and peaceful day; as same as the sky of her life which was covered with the clouds of misunderstandings, disputes and differences. She didn't know if this dark phase of her life was going to end or not but Daniyal was sure that the morning of love will come again soon.

<><><><>

Maryam was surprised to see Shifa in the kitchen. It was unusual for anyone to awake this time but Shifa already prepared the breakfast. After being occupied with a million thoughts when she heard the Fajr Azaan she got to know that the sleepless night was already over.

After Fajr namaz she immediately went to the kitchen as she wanted to make sure that her mother take some rest in her presence.

"What are you doing Shifa?"

"Papa uth gaye?" Instead of replying she asked another question and Maryam furrowed but nodded. "Abhi abhi uthe hain."

(Did papa wake up?)

(Yeah, just now.)

"Mujhe baat karni hai aap dono se." She said while turning off the flame of the stove which was boiling the eggs and walked towards their parents room. Anwar was sitting on the bed with half sleepy eyes. "Papa..." A call and he looked at the door of his room.

(I've to talk to you)

"Hmm?" Shifa sat down in front of Anwar and he just nodded lazily.

"I've decided that I'll not go with Deni, but I want an assurance before finalizing this decision." Anwar was sleepy till a moment ago but all his slumber was gone with this statement of his daughter. He blinked a few times but Maryam sighed with disappointment, after listening to Daniyal's explanation she wanted Shifa to go back to her in-laws home and give another chance to Daniyal.

"Hmm... What assurance?"Anwar asked.

"Yahi ki aap mujhe kabhi bhi dusri shadi karne ke liye force nhi karenge. Na ab na 1-2 saal baad aur na hi uske baad..." Unwillingly Shifa's eyes filled with tears. After spending the whole night with her thoughts she understood that she couldn't give Daniyal's place to anyone else in her life, she will spend her whole life for her child without getting married to anyone else but her decision gave a big jolt to Maryam's heart.

(That you'll not force me to do remarriage. Neither now, nor after a few years... Never!)

"Shifa, don't be mad. Don't make another quick decision." Due to Anwar's grace Shifa was pretty infamous in her family regarding making quick decisions, so her mother also instructed her to give a second thought to this decision but Shifa looked at her father.

"It's not a quick decision, I've thought about it deeply. Papa, promise me that you won't bring up the topic of remarriage." Shifa repeated and Anwar took a deep breath then let it go.

"I'm not promising regarding this silly demand of yours, life is not a short period to be lived alone. For now think about this marriage not about the second marriage," it was his final call which was not difficult to understand and Shifa nodded with determination.

"If you're not promising then I'm going with him," she muttered and Anwar just shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. Go."

Shifa didn't wait and walked out of the room, Maryam saw the door from which Shifa left then at Anwar.

"Aap dono meri samajh se bahar hain! Kal is ladki ne itna hangama macha rakha tha ki Daniyal ko ghar se nikalo, phir achanak khud hi use rook liya. Aur ab aap... Kal tak to aapko Shifa ko Daniyal ke sath bhejna nhi tha lekin ab achanak usne jane ki baat kari aur aap maan gye." Maryam was actually confused.

(You both are beyond my understanding! Yesterday, this girl had created so much ruckus that Daniyal should be asked to leave the house, then suddenly she herself stopped him. And now you, Till yesterday you didn't have to send Shifa with Daniyal but now suddenly she talked about going and you agreed.)

"Tumhari beti pagalo ki tarah mohabbat karti hai us se, main use rokunga to wo do teen din baad lad jhagad ke wapas chali jayegi, is se achha abhi hi chali jaye..." Anwar picked the medicine box and his glasses from the nightstand and drew out a pill. Maryam gave him water with a disappointed look.

(Your daughter loves him madly. If I stop her, she will argue with us and go back after two or three days, so it is better if she goes now.)

"To pehle kya hua tha? Jab kazmi sahab itni minnate kar rahe the tab kyu mana kar rhe the aap?" She asked with frustration

(So why your decision was different earlier? Why didn't you send Shifa back when kazmi sahab was literally requesting.)

"Tab tak mujhe nhi pta tha ki Daniyal bhi ise itni hi mohabbat karta hai, lekin kal pta chal gya. Agar ek aadmi aurat se thappad khaa ke bhi apni ana ko chhod ke usi aurat se maafi mange to is se bada kya sabut chahiye tumhe uski mohabbat ka?" Anwar didn't wait for another question and walked out of the room, Maryam was also running out of words now... She was imagining what would Anwar do if she had slapped him ever! It would be the dooms day for sure but Daniyal silently gulped that slap but didn't stop approaching.

(Till then I didn't know that Daniyal also loves her so much, but yesterday I got to know. If a man doesn't bring up his manly ego even after getting a slap from a woman and keeps asking for forgiveness, isn't it testimony of his love?)

Maryam walked to the kitchen and found Shifa doing dishes but her face was looking red due to anger. Maryam didn't know when she saw Shifa angry... Pregnancy brings mood swings but in her case pregnancy brought only anger. "Ab jaane ka feysla kar hi liya hai to zyada gussa na kro. Khush raho... Is halat..." Shifa didn't let her complete.

(If you have already decided to go then don't be angry. Be happy... In this condition...)

"Kya is halat mein is halat mein laga rakha hai mummy? Theek hu main... Kya hua hai meri halat ko?" Throwing the cup in the sauce pan in the sink she washed her hands and walked towards her room without bothering to turn off the running water. Maryam smacked her forehead and thought only one thing, it's just the second month, what will she do in the remaining seven months?

(Why do you keep chanting in this condition in this condition mummy? What's wrong with my condition? I'm fine.)

Going in the room she pulled away the sheet from Daniyal which woke him up. "Barish ruk chuki hai, ab kya puri zindagi yahi rehna hai?" Daniyal blinked blankly on such a sweet good morning greeting. He wore his glasses to turn the blurred figure into his wife and she again glared at him while folding the sheet and setting the the bed.

(The rain has stopped. Now are you going to be here only for the rest of your life?)

"Are you coming with me?" He asked and got a glare from Shifa. She didn't said a single word just walked towards the cupboard. Drawing out many clothes from it she threw them on the bed. Daniyal was looking confused but he didn't get courage to say anything in front of this lioness. "There is the suitcase." Pointing to the top of almirah she said with the same amount of anger and walked out of the room with loud steps.

He smiled and again closed his eyes as his head was bursting with pain and eyes were burning due to fever.

<><><><>

Mrs Kazmi and Badi Amma were over the moon to see Shifa back. Mr Kazmi was looking angry with Daniyal but he patted Shifa's head like a father and told her to never leave this home as it's her home. Badi Amma was embracing Shifa and was not letting her go for next few minutes, it seems she was the one missed this girl most.

"How are you now?" Mrs Kazmi asked Daniyal after checking his fever, his forehead was still hot.

"I'm fine."

"No you're not." A mother can see the actual condition of their children and Mrs Kazmi was also doing the same. "Have breakfast?" She asked and Daniyal nodded, no matter what, Anwar didn't let him go without having breakfast but he was still rude to him. "Have you taken your medicines?"

"Yeah Ammi. Won't worry. I just want to sleep now." Daniyal slowly removed her hands from his cheek and walked towards the bedroom.

"Badi Amma aapke liye chai bana du?" Shifa asked and Badi Amma smiled as if she was hungry for the last twenty days and suddenly her daughter-in-law offered her food.

(Badi Amma, would you like to have some tea?)

"Shifaaaa..." It was Daniyal's call. If those days didn't come in between then she would literally run to the room while saying 'Ji Deni?' But now she only ignored and walked to the kitchen. She ignored some more calls from her husband while making tea and walked back to the hall. Mr and Mrs Kazmi silently took the cup of tea but Badi Amma showed a good amount of disappointment.

"Dulhan, kaam mayke mein hi chhod kar aayi ho kya? Daniyal awaaz de raha hai sunayi nhi deta?" Shifa passed a cup of tea to the old lady and smiled like a sarcasm.

(Dulhan, can't you hear Daniyal is summoning you.)

"Maine bhi to kitni baar bola tha ki meri baat sune, unhone bhi nhi suni thi. Maine to unse hi seekha hai nazarandaaz karna," said Shifa in a hushed tone and Badi Amma again glared at her.

(I had also told him many times to listen to me but he didn't. I have learned the art of ignorance from him only)

"Shabash! Tumne us se nazarandaaz karna seekh liya, wo tumse dil mein ranjish rakhna seekh lega, phir to chal gyi tum dono ki shadi..." The last part was a taunt which annoyed Shifa, she was already angry as well as frustrated.

(Well done, you've learnt the art of ignorance from him, and he'll learn the art of holding grudges from you, that's how your marriage will work amazingly.)

"Shifa ki narazgi jayaz hai Badi Amma, wo jo chahe use karne dijiye." Saying that Mr Kazmi walked away but Mrs Kazmi and Badi Amma were not satisfied.

(Shifa is not wrong, let her do whatever she's doing.)

"Waah, jo chahe karne do? Taake in dono ke beech mein ranjish aa jaye?" Badi Amma jerked her head but Shifa's eyes filled with tears. Instead of going to her room she said down just beside Badi Amma and rested her head backward.

(Great! Let her do whatever she wants so that differences come in between them.)

"Ranjishein to aa chuki hain Badi Amma"

(Differences are already here Badi Amma.)

"Koi ranjishein nhi hain, aap dono ek dusre se bohot mohabbat karte hain." Mrs Kazmi slowly pulled Shifa in a side hug and she didn't help her tears. She cried because right now she was sitting on the same place where Adeena was sitting having tea with Daniyal.

(There are no differences, you both truly love each other.)

"Nhi, ab main unse mohabbat nhi karti..."

(No, I don't love him anymore.)

"To aap ek aese mard ke liye roo rhi hain jis se ab aap mohabbat hi nhi karti? Agar aap unse mohabbat nhi karti to kabhi wapas nhi aati." Mrs Kazmi kissed her head and mumbled with a smile, she knew how badly they both love each other but Shifa sobbed. Only she knew why she was coming back to this home! She didn't want her child to crave for Father's love in the same way she had been craving for years.

(So are you crying for a man whom you don't love anymore? You wouldn't come back if you don't love him.)

"Dulhan, tum to yaha se chali gayi thi uske baad humne konsa Daniyal ko sar aakho par bitha kar rakha hua tha? Din raat uski itni laanat malamat karte the ki, bass... Ab maaf bhi kar do use. Mard to na jaane kya kya kar dete hain usne to sirf ek galti hi Kari thi." Badi Amma slowly caressed Shifa's head.

(See Dulhan, we weren't treating Daniyal like an apple of our eyes after you leave. We were regularly criticing him. Now forgive him. Men do many things but he had only made a mistake.)

"Badi Amma unhone meri jagah kisi aur ko de di thi... Agar maine aesa kiya hota to kya wo mujhe maaf kar dete?" Shifa asked with another level of disappointment in her voice but this time Mrs Kazmi furrowed.

(Badi Amma, he had given my place to someone else... Will he still forgive me if I did so?)

"Beta unhone aapki jagah to kisi ko nhi di! Kya Daniyal ne aapko kuch nhi bataya? Ya aapne hi unhe kuch kehne ka mooqa nhi diya?" Mrs Kazmi asked and Shifa blinked in confusion.

(Dear, he never gave your place to anyone else... Haven't Daniyal tell you about all these things? Or haven't you given him a chance?)

"Jao Bibi, apne kamre me jao. Shohor se zyada deyr naraz nhi rehte... Uski baat suno." Badi Amma's instruction forced Shifa to stand up from her place and she walked to her bedroom.

(Go girl, go to your room. It's not good to be angry with your husband for so long. Talk to him.)

Locking the door behind herself she rested her back with the door and examined the room. Daniyal was sleeping on the bed and the duvet was felling down from the bed, other than these two things everything was exactly same as she left... The bedsheet and pillow covers were also changed.

Taking a deep breath she stared at the big Arabic calligraphy hanging on the bedside wall, it was reading حُب (HUBB), which means love! This calligraphy wasn't just a piece of art for decorating the wall and the room but it was a mindful choice of her. This was the spot where every eye falls first after stepping in the room. So, without saying anything she wanted to remind Daniyal that when he enters this room he actually enters into the world of love! She wanted to make space for حُب (HUBB) in between two of them but she failed!

<><><>

"Daniyal... Shifaaaa..." A bang on the door forced Daniyal to open his eyes and he walked to the door of the room. "Yeah Ammi?"

"What's wrong with you both? I'm knocking the door for the last ten minutes. It's dinner time." Mrs Kazmi said with disappointment and Daniyal nodded while resting his head on the edge of the door.

"I'm coming." He muttered before yawning. "With Shifa." His mother instructed and he closed his eyes again but nodded and banged the door without bothering to glance at his mother. He was hell sleepy due to medicines but Shifa was sleeping like a dog without taking any medicine and her slumber was many times deeper than his that's why she didn't wake up even after so loud bangs on the door.

Daniyal turned to see his wife but his eyes widen and slumber was gone after seeing the empty wall above the headboard. The حُب was missing from his room.

After a good amount of Daniyal's efforts Shifa woke up and they both realised that they already skipped their lunch so now they were super hungry. Without bothering to glance at each other they walked to the dining area. Mrs Kazmi was happy to see both of them together after a long time. Shifa was about to take some other seat but Daniyal grabbed her arm with one hand and dragged her usual chair.

"Daniyal Kazmi ke sath bethne ka haq Allah ne aapko diya hai," whispering that he held her both shoulders from behind and forced her to sat down on that chair before occupying his seat.

(Allah has given you right to sit beside Daniyal Kazmi.)

"Just see tonight's menu..." Mrs Kazmi whispered and kissed the middle of Shifa's head. She was standing behind her son and daughter-in-law, Shifa uncovered one dish and smiled.

"Kheer..." She really felt happy because no one could make such a great kheer. "Open the other pot too." Mrs Kazmi said with a great smile but Shifa turned to see her.

"So the aroma is saying that it's biryani, I can tell you without even opening it." This time everyone laughed and Mrs Kazmi embraced their son and daughter-in-law. "Allah har buri Nazar se bachaye aur aap dono ko Khushiyan aur sehat de."

(May Allah protect you both from evil eyes and bless you with good health and happiness.)

"Aur ek pyari se beti bhi." Badi Amma added Shifa and Daniyal looked at her and couldn't help but smile.

(And a cute girl too.)

"But I want a son." Daniyal whispered in Shifa's ear and she looked at him with wide eyes. Did Maryam already told everyone about her pregnancy? But Shifa already instructed her mother to do not tell anyone, she'll tell them herself.

X

"Allah wo din jaldi aaye jab muqjhe bhi ye khush khabri mile ki main Dadi ban'ne wali hu." Mrs Kazmi added which made Shifa sure that no one of them knows yet and she looked at Daniyal who was smiling like anything. "Aameen. Summa Aameen." He was whispering and She was only trying to conclude how everyone will react at this moment if she tell them that she was already expecting? For a second she wanted to reveal but then she stopped herself without knowing any reason.

This discussion would be dragged even more if it wasn't Mr Kazmi who entered into the dining area. The ladies at least couldn't discuss this matter in front of him so they just focused on Biryani.

<><><><>

She was sitting on the edge of the bed applying moisturizer on her hands when her husband stood in front of her, she ignored but this stubborn man wasn't going to leave this matter so soon . "Listen to me Shifa." Daniyal held her hands while kneeling on the carpeted floor and she glared at him before pulling her hand away from his grip but he again grabbed her hands even more tightly.

"I love you Shifa. I only love you." He kissed the back of her palms one by one and she smiled like a sarcasm while trying to pull her hands away from his grip but he didn't let those hands go away from his grip.

"Leave my hands," she demanded with unmatched urgency, Daniyal's grip loosened around her hands but he gave an apologetic look which was ignored by his wife. "Trust me Shifa I..." Before he could complete the next part of his sentence Shifa pressed her mouth with her right hand as her stomach heaved and she rushed towards the washroom. Daniyal was seeing her back blankly and after a few moments he listened her voice from the washroom. She was throwing up.

He walked towards the washroom, "Shifa" he stepped in from the already open door, his wife was rinsing her mouth while leaning forward.

"Are you alright?" He asked placing his hand on her back he asked. "Give me another pair of clothes. Any night suit." Still learning on the marble sink she muttered and Daniyal nodded. He walked out from the washroom and now drawing out her clothes when listen to her voice again. She was again throwing up. Drawing out a nightgown from her cupboard he went to her "Shifa." He rubbed her back, she was coughing now.

"Go away, I've to take a bath." She felt disgusting with her clothes and Daniyal took a step away. "Don't lock the door, I'm just slamming it." Hanging the night gown on the stand, he opened the water in the bathtub with a thought that she would like to relax in the water but she just gestured him to go. Without any kind of debate he obeyed and for the first time Shifa realised what Maryam meant by 'is haalat' (in this condition) it wasn't a disease but seems no less.

Putting all her clothes in the washing machine she took a short shower and went to bed after wearing the loose nightgown. "Are you alright?" Daniyal asked but she closed her eyes after throwing herself on the bed.

"Again food poisoning..." Daniyal slowly caressed her head which forced her to open her and she kept watching him for a few minutes.

Should I tell him?

There was nothing in between them other than pure love.

"Take medicine for vomiting, I have a few Emset tablets." She shook her head in an ignoring way but he kissed her forehead and she got tears, before she could hide them it rolled down from the corner of her eyes. Daniyal wiped them with his fingers and caressed her head.

"Headache ho rha hai?" He asked because he knew that Shifa doesn't cry even in the biggest pain but headache makes her cry every time. This time she wanted to ignore him but lied and nodded. Daniyal switched off the lights and sat down on the bed, shifting Shifa's head in his lap he started massaging the temple of her forehead in circular motion and she forgot everything for a while.

(Having a headache?)

"Soo jao,"

(Have some sleep)

"Neend nhi aa rahi." She whispered with closed eyes and wanted to push his hand away but it was so peaceful.

(Not feeling sleepy.)

Turning her side she adjusted her head in his lap and suddenly noticed his temperature, it was higher than normal. She placed the back of her fingers on his neck and moved back.

"You have fever take rest." She shifted her head on the pillow and Daniyal laid down silently. He needed rest.

"I'm sorry Shifa, I'm really sorry. I made a mistake by trusting Adeena. I blindly trusted her but she was lying." He covered her hand with his hand and lightly held it. "Mujhe aapse baat nhi karni." She was about to turn her side when he tightly grabbed her hand as if trying to ask for a chance to explain himself. Shifa stayed silent and he started narrating everything, after almost half an hour his side of story came to an end. Shifa was silent for a while but then smiled like a taunt.

(I don't want to talk to you.)

"Adeena to jhut nhi bol sakti, kahi aapko koi misunderstanding to nhi ho rhi na?" Pulling her hand away from his grip she asked and Daniyal's face lost its color.

(Adeena can't lie, I guess it's a misunderstanding. Isn't it?)

"Galti ho gayi yaar, mere dil mein koi galat irada nhi tha." Daniyal whispered and Shifa closed her eyes like she didn't listen anything.

(I made a mistake, I did not have any wrong intentions)

"Nice... I trust you. You have given those letters to her with a good intention, and when I wasn't here she was in this bedroom with a good intention. I really appreciate your intentions." With another satire she turned her side. Daniyal was trying to resolve everything but this time she gave him a cold shoulder. Before he could try to gather some words and energy to tackle this situation his wife was dozed off and he took her in his arms. After so many days he felt peace and he also dozed off.

<><><>