He is close, yet so far. He was right, he is not mine. I am not his. In few minutes he is going to accept her as his wife and I will be left broken by him again.

He was not mine but why did it felt like he was ? why I wasn't able to stop my stupid heart from falling from him. why is it paining so much seeing him going away from me ? I want to cry till I can't cry anymore. My heart is paining so much seeing him unaffected. he is not even fazed by my tears, what an irony the man who wiped my tears, my worries away is the reason of my heartache right now. why do i have to fall in love with a person who can't love me back. I am in so much pain right now. I don't know what to do, I am helpless. I can't do anything.

Aamina aapi is the only one, other than him who knows my feelings. Right now she is holding my hand tightly giving me comfort.

"It's okay. He is not meant to be yours. what's yours will find you. My brother doesn't deserve you, don't waste your precious tears on him. Allah knows everything, trust him."

It was time for his Nikah. Asmara gave her consent and it was his time to accept.

"Mir Mustafa Ahwaan son of Aaqib Ahwaan do you accept Asmara Ahmed daughter of Yousuf Ahmed as your wife ?"

He looked up, his eyes clashing with mine. Not able to stop myself I pleaded him to say no but it looks like he made his decision, without breaking the eye contact with me he replied

"Qubool hai." (I do)

"Qubool hai." (I do)

"Qubool hai." (I do)

He accepted her as his wife but his gaze is not faltering from my face. He took his decision and now it was my turn to let go of him and free myself from pain. The only thing I received loving him. I smiled at him, a treacherous tear leaking out of my eye but I quickly wiped it and stood up to leave. I can't live here anymore cause if I do, then I won't be able to move on. My presence is not needed here anymore.

Controlling my shaking legs I moved towards Asmara and hugged her, my eyes searching for him now. He was standing there with his friends who were congratulating him. Mustering all my courage I moved towards him, for the last time.

Seeing me coming towards him he masked his expressions and excused his friends. Inhaling a deep breath I looked up at him who was already looking at me.

"Congratulations on your Nikah."

"Maria...."

He tried stopping me but I have to do this for my inner peace, for my own comfort.

"I am not going to stop this time. I have nothing to loose now. I just came here to thank you for freeing me from everything. Whatever we had, whatever I felt is over. I am going forever, for good. May Allah bless you and Asmara with lots of happiness. Allah Hafiz."

"You can't.... I mean dado and everyone is going to miss you."

And you ? Will you miss me too ? I wish Mustafa, I wish I could stay here but I can't cause if I do, then I'll die. I can't see you loving her. I will break if I do. Staying here seeing you both together will suffocate me till I can't breathe anymore. I won't be left with anything. Me going away from here is better for everyone.

"They are going to miss me but they'll get used to my absence with time. Asmara will fill my place and everyone will forget me in no time."

For a moment I saw guilt in his eyes but it's over. I don't care. I want to free myself from the clutches of his love. I am going to break those chains of his love which captivated me for so long. I'll move on and start my life far away from here. whatever I felt for him was over the second he said 'I do'. The ending of this chapter will be my new beginning.