Sometimes it takes a life time to move on and bury the ashes of past. But sometimes it takes a breath to even think about move on in life.

Sometimes it takes a life time to see your past just a story.......... a horrible story but then your realize it has no power over you.

Sometimes the people with the worst past end up creating best future.

But the past was beating inside her like a second heart but she wouldn't master in future if she was still slave of her past. And past with who?

It was with him.

He was in her past, covered with hatred and misunderstandings which lead to horrible things that she endured. But now he was in her present too trying to fill the gaps between them and reaching to her before she could understand.

The wisdom in her made her to realized that life was going on whether she choose to move on and take a chance in the unknown, or stay behind, locked in the past, thinking of what could have been. The memories of the past were the key to her future to the door of her present.

Arzoo wanted to take a leap. A leap of faith.

A leap of trust.

A leap of everything!

After last night, she slept beside him when he hold her to himself and she felt something which she never felt before. His words were so promising and her guards were down and she wanted to put them down. She had nothing to lose but she also knew that if he hurt her this time, then she will lose herself as she had not resolve and patience now. Her thoughts became more strong when she shared it with Mrs. Zarina.

'' I am so happy Arzoo you can't believe it dear.

I prayed a lot for this day that he accept you from his heart. And he accept his mistake.''

She sighed and continued.

''I know dear you are still in reverie and I won't blame you dear but please give him a chance. Not for me but for yourself and him.

He had made mistakes but now he wants to work on it. Can you give him a chance by your heart?

Can you forgive him?

I know dear you haven't forgiven him but try at least see his good side too before you judge him from his wrong side''

Arzoo sighed as she remembered her words. Mrs. Zarina was right. Arzoo was not able for forgive him but she was ready to give him a chance this time for herself but she had fear of it too.

The beautiful and soulful rays of the sunshine made her realized it was lunch time and Amaan was his study as today was Sunday so he was home working. Arzoo was bored but she was feeling to do something. Climbing down from the stare case, she saw Janet in the kitchen. A smile appeared on her face as she made her way to the kitchen. She saw Janet busy cutting the vegetables that she didn't noticed her presents.

'' what are you cooking Janet?'' clearing her throat she asked Janet who got startled seeing Arzoo in kitchen.

'' um.. ma'am I was cooking pasta for lunch. Do you want me to make you something to eat?'' Arzoo noticed she was panicked or better to say she seemed scared which made her furrow at her.

'' No Janet but you can do me a favor'' she said to her gently with a smile and went close which made Janet confuse.

'' I am going to cook lunch. Can you help in it?'' Arzoo asked her tenderly but looked at scared Janet.

'' but ma'am .... Sir won't be happy seeing you in kitchen''

Arzoo sighed and took knife from her gently which made her further confuse.

'' ok we will talk about it later. For now I want to cook lunch can you help me with it?'' there was a small smile on Arzoo's face which was not reaching her eyes but still she was managing. Janet had no option but to agree.

Time flew in a blur and Janet was shocked to see Arzoo cooking mantu a kind of afghani food which she had once seen Mrs. Zarina cook it but later in this mansion nobody did it.

'' Janet can you call Ali for lunch?''

Janet looked at her as Arzoo was busy preparing the sauce, not hearing any answer Arzoo looked at her who nodded her head laggardly and left from there. Arzoo was so engross in her cooking while managing her long waist length hair which all of a sudden decided to disturb her as her clip was slipping from her hair and making her hair to fall on her face every now and then making her butt in on and pestering her to no end. Her hands were covered with flour as she couldn't manage her hair. She wanted to call Janet to help her and the moment she turned she froze as Amaan was standing behind her looking at her intently. Her breath hitched in her throat because of the close proximity. He came closer while she took back step and clutched the counter with her hands from behind. His warm breath was fanning on her face making it difficult for her to breath. A simple task was unbearable for her. she was looking at him but his gaze was full of emotions which she couldn't read or better to say she decided to not read. Arzoo looked down not been able to look at his intense eyes while Amaan was enjoying her state. He was not different. He saw Janet trying to call someone and which got his attention. But then he heard her telling Ali to come for lunch as Arzoo said so. This made him curious since he know that Arzoo is not talking to Ali and he himself wanted to made the situation better between them since there was no fault of Ali in all this. He was quiet but in reality he was not as every now and then Ali was trying to put some sense in his head but it was him who decide to shut his rational mind's doors. But the moment he heard the commotion in the kitchen, he decided to go but only to freeze seeing Arzoo cooking lunch since she left her room and decided to cook instead of sitting in lawn or beside the lake zoning in her thoughts. Amaan looked at her from head to toe. She was wearing a simple sky blue suit, her hair in a clip which was slipping, her delicate hands had few bangles and her wedding ring was shining in her hand. He didn't liked seeing her hands in simple bangles but her pitied form was looking simple but enchanting in her simple attire. His feet moved to her direction like they had mind of their own but the moment she turned, it took his every fiber to not hold her in his arms and...... shaking his wild thoughts, he saw her discomfort which bothered him but what more bothered him was that when his hands touched her hairs to put it back in clip, she flinched and it was not normal. It hurt his heart thinking that she thought he would hurt her or she was not ready on his touch!

'' Mr. Amaan!

She is doing really well. Her all reports are normal. Looks like you had been taking a good care of her as her results are showing it. but after reading her reports I wanted to discuss something else with you. if you remember I told you about the chances of her infertility. Well I think you should be close to her now. And we have checked her when she was hospitalized and now when she was here for her check up, she confirm it when our Dr Alicia asked her that does she have intimate relation with you but she said no'' he paused as he looked at Amaan who was listening to him intensely with his hand under his jaw which was radiating his power while Arzoo was waiting in the other room to go home. She was never fond of hospital and the moment she entered this hospital with Amaan, she saw how everyone respected him or better to say scared of him since he was the owner of this hospital. She was feeling uncomfortable but managed to wait in a special waiting for him.

'' I will prescribe some medicines for that and if there is some problem then you can consult with a therapist ...''

'' what do you mean therapist?'' Amaan's hard voice didn't let him complete as his anger was visible in his tone making the Dr scared of his anger.

''what I m...mean sir is that maybe she is not comfortable with your touch, so a therapist can help her then she can have her medicines too but for that she needs to be clo..''

'' got it I will let you know'' he left Dr's cabin not letting him complete and the Dr breath as he was holding it.

He didn't mention any thing to her but give her a smile and sat again in car toward his mansion while he left to his office.

He turned her so that her back was facing his front and opened her hair from her clip. Arzoo shuddered feeling his breath on her back. Amaan leaned and inhaled her scent. It was intoxicating his nerves making him to lose his control. But he knew that he can't.

Taking the clip back he pulled her hair and clipped it. his hands brushed her neck while she gasped but he immediately took his hands off of her and left from there before he lose his senses. Arzoo took a deep breath and touched her cheeks which were red and hot.

'' ma'am he said he is on his way'' the sound of Janet made her aware of her state as she nodded her head to her and with shaky hands she continued her work with much difficulty which didn't go un –noticed by Janet.

'' ma'am are you ok?''

'' hm I ..... I am fine'' but she knew she is far from being fine. In an hour the lunch was ready. Arzoo went to her room and took a shower. She didn't see Amaan anywhere which she was glad for it. but it looked like there was no time for shower so she changed her clothes and wear a red color suit which was complementing her fair complexion. Tying her hair properly, she applied some lip moisturizer and lift the room as she was hearing Amaan and Ali's conversation. but what surprised her was the voices of Mrs. Zarina and Mr. Ahmad. She felt a kind of happiness when she left her room and looked at all of them sitting in the lounge talking and smiling. A smile appeared on her face.

Smile of having a family.

Smile of seeing a genuine happiness in all the faces. With steady steps she entered the lounge and all eyes stopped on her. There were different feeling in all the eyes. Where Mr. Ahmad and Mrs. Zarina's eyes had an affection of having her back in their lives and Ali's eyes showed concern that would she forgive him and Amaan!

She couldn't deciphered what was in his eyes.

Mrs. Zarina stood up and kissed her forehead while she hugged him.

'' are you fine?'' Mrs. Zarina asked her looking at her. she was happy to see her son having a genuine smile on his face and a slight beam on Arzoo's face.

'' I am fine '' she assured Mrs. Zarina through her eyes. while Mrs. Zarina nodded with a smile on her face.

'' well we came as a surprise here as Ali said that he was invited here so we thought why not we came along with him and have a food made by our daughter in law's hands. I hope we are not intruding?''

Asked Mr. Ahmad with a mischievous smile on his face looking at his son who looked back in his eyes challenging him to say more.

'' No uncle I am glad you came but trust me I wanted to have you here and I am really happy having you here'' they timid but joyful voice of Arzoo made Amaan smile looking at her. he was happy looking the change in her.

'' Arzoo thanks for inviting me'' Ali was trying to not look at her eyes but Arzoo could see he was not comfortable around her which she wanted to make him comfortable or better to say to forgive him. if she can give a chance to Amaan who was the one behind her misery then why cant she forgive Ali who was trying to help her but failed miserably.

Arzoo made her way to kitchen to prepare the lunch. She was paying attention to the tiniest things which made Janet impress. She never thought that Arzoo can cook but now looking at her she was sure that she was utterly wrong about her.

'' Arzoo i...'' Ali entered the kitchen and found her working. It was good time for him to talk to her as he couldn't talk in front of Mr. Ahmad and his wife. Arzoo turned to him and looked at Janet who left the kitchen giving them privacy.

'' No Ali not now. But if you are here to talk about what happened in the past, then I am trying to move on from it. I have given Amaan a chance not that I need but because I want. And I want to give you a chance too. it was not your fault as you chose your friend over me. I was nothing for you but your friend was. But I really called you a brother and I still have that feeling in the corner of my heart. but right now I have no feeling for any one. Amaan shattered me beyond repair'' she paused and continued

'' I am trying Ali and I hope I make it possible for my mind and heart to move on but that one month is haunting me every hour every minute and every second'' she took a deep breath and looked at Ali who was already looking at her with a concern look.

'' I have forgive you Ali and I have no expectations from you but I want you to feel free with no guilt'' she finished with a smile on her lips but Ali couldn't smile. He stride toward her and put his hand on her head like a big brother would do.

'' I know I have screwed things up. I have no right you call you my sister where I failed to be a brother. But I had things to see that way too. I know that Amaan will regret one day and I was hoping that, that day come soon and I was right but seeing and praying that time, I failed to reach to you but trust me I did tried every day. I couldn't sleep nor eat as I was feeling you being in that shit hole. But I am thank full that you have given me a chance and I will be there with you just like your brother first then I would see other relations. I have no family Arzoo. I have lost my family when I was to young. Uncle and aunty looked after me like their child. They made me capable to look after my father's business. Never felt that I have no parents and Amaan!

He was there for me when I used to cry at night for my parents.

He was there for me when kids were bullying me thinking that I am alone but Amaan would beat there pulp out. He was there for me when I lost the love of my life. he was every time with me Arzoo. I never shed a tear in front of him as he never let it happen but I used to cry when I was bullied in school or when I used to remember my parents. But he would catch me and scold me as he has no understanding of emotions. he doesn't know how to impress his feelings but he sure knows how to impress his anger or impose his decisions. He is a wracked emotions ball Arzoo and he needs you to caress him. Uncle was right when he said that only Arzoo can change or handle him and right now the great Amaan is sitting with his family and having his meal. it's rare Arzoo. Very rare. And at that time when you were under is wrath for no reason, I couldn't let him destroy you or I couldn't let uncle know as he would destroy Amaan. He would be doomed!

His family would leave him, your family wouldn't forgive him and he would be lost in his lonliness but I didn't want that so I was trying all that time to put some sense in him but I think I failed as I couldn't save my sister in all this.

I could feel Arzoo. Now and even when I first saw you. you know why?'' he paused and looking at sobbing Arzoo.

'' cause I was you. or I am you.

I lost my parents but uncle and aunty took me under their shelter. I was happy and fine but looked like destiny was not in my fevor or never was. I wonder how I met her how I fall for her when I my destiny was never with me. but those times were precious since I was happy. Happy at home with my family, happy having great uncle and aunty or siblings like Amaan and Anabia and happy since she was with me. but then she left me'' he finished while looking at nothing in particular but Arzoo was confuse as who is he talking about?

It looked like he had a haunting past too. she wanted to know him but she knew it was not the time to ask him any thing further.

'' but I am happy now since I have a dear family and an other sweet sisiter like you better than the naughty Anabia. And I promise I will never fail you this time'' he patted her head affectionally and left from kitchen leaving a confused Arzoo behind. She had always seen him a loving and joyful man but she never thought that behind his smile would be a painful history. A frown appeared on her face but right now was not the time to think about it. she felt bad and a kind of familiar feeling for Ali sense he was no different than her. she was feeling a pain connection between them. But she felt guilty too as she couldn't try to think about him either.

But was she at fault?

The rest of the night was spent with laughter and chat. The now and then glances of Amaan wasn't hidden from her or Mrs. Zarina as she could see her son swooning on his wife and she was glad that he was working on his promise.

But now was the time as all the guest left. And she was alone with Amaan and Janet. Arzoo helped Janet in cleaning the kitchen while Amaan with a smile left to his study to work on some important files. But his mind was roaming around her.

She has given him a home. a warm home with feeling of love and need.

She was messing with his system but he was glad about it.

Arzoo felt the need of a hot shower and she felt the warm water was opening the knots of her stiff back. she was tired as she worked really hard but felt happy looking at all who praised her food and complemented her as well. But one thing was coming to her mind every now and then.

Ali!

He was an enigma that she needed to know him. he was her brother and she needed to know his pain which no body mentioned to her before why?

But she didn't had time that anyone could tell her as after her marriage her life took a drastic turn that she couldn't find time to know things or to understand things. Coming out of her reverie, she wore her bath robe which was reaching till her knew cubs. Arzoo left the bathroom to enter the closed and change in to something but stopped in her tracks looking at Amaan standing in the middle of the room with this grey trousers and black t shirt looking as handsome as possible. His hands were in his pockets and his muscles tensed as his veins were bulging out. His muscular body was always giving her tension as how can one could be this muscular. But right now she was standing in her bath robe in front of him. Amaan lost himself looking at her beauty in front of him. he always wondered that how can she be this beautiful but right now he was feeling proud to know that she belongs to him. and he wanted to praise her, to love her. To make her his.

But was she ready?

He took fluid steps toward her while she stood rooted on her place, but her eyes were shivering under his intense gaze. Amaan stood to close to her, much to her dismay and gently touched her wet hairs. He leaned to her level and inhaled her scent. While Arzoo shivered and closed her eyes. her breathing were heavy and so her heart beat that Amaan could her it. he smirked and cupped her face while she closed her eyes, Amaan's hot lips touched her cold cheeks sending shivers down her spine.

'' tell me to stop'' he murmured. His voice had gone heavy.