Anaya rang the doorbell; she held the sling of her handbag and fidgeted on her toes as she stood in front of a cream painted door. Soon, the door opened and Sheeraz peeped from behind the half-open door.

'Anaya, come in.' He opened the door and took a step aside. She entered the house looked around. It was a small studio apartment with a living room attached to the open kitchen, Lifesize French window facing the double sofa and a recliner chair.

'It has been a while since we met, eh.' Sheeraz's voice made her look at his direction. He was in the kitchen and just put the kettle on the stove. He smiled at her and she smiled back clenching her fingers tightly. He asked to take a seat at the breakfast table. She nodded, walked up to the table, placed her handbag and neatly sat on the high raised chair. The table had a clear view of the kitchen. She looked at Sheeraz's back and frowned noticing he had worn an apron. An apron, on a typical patriarchal Indian man. This made her smile. The sudden whistle of the kettle got her off guard and she nearly fell from her chair. Quickly, she straightened in her seat.

Sheeraz hummed to himself as he did something in the kitchen. Anaya was surprised to see this side of him. She had thought he was boring, but he seemed to have changed or perhaps this was a hidden talent in him.

A few minutes later, Sheeraz walked towards her with a sandwich and two cups of tea on a tray. Anaya shifted as he sat opposite her. They exchanged smiles as he passed a cup.

'It is so strange,' – Anaya began as she picked up her teacup, - 'We were engaged and about to get married,' – Sheeraz's smile faded, - 'but not even once did we talk to each other neither we met in private to discuss our future.' She said.

Sheeraz scoffed sadly looking down at his cup, - 'If we did,' – he looked at her, - 'then things would have been different.' He noticed Anaya retract in her seat. He took a sip of his tea and muttered something about less sugar. She watched him pick up a sugar cube and drop it into his cup.

'Don't worry.' -He looked at her, - 'I wanted to talk to you.' He folded his arms on the table, - 'I debated a lot and I have decided that, that I don't want to marry you.' He said.

Anaya breathes a sigh relief. She clenched the cup tightly and spoke without looking at him, - 'You said what I wanted to say.' – she looked at him, - 'I don't want to divorce Maaz. I love him.' She noticed him stiffened. Anaya sighed, - 'I want you to talk to my father. He isn't ready to back down. He is adamant that we marry.' She said seriously. Sheeraz pressed his lips tightly while gazing into his cup.

Slowly, he looked up, - 'I spoke to my parents, Anaya. And they are ready to break this—alliance if we can call it that. If you want me to talk to your parents, then I will.' He assured her. Anaya relaxed in her seat.

She took a sip of her tea and looked outside the French window. Deep dark clouds covered the sky dimming the city in the mid-afternoon. She looked back at Sheeraz, - 'why is Dad so adamant on getting us married?' She shrugged.

Sheeraz doesn't look confused. Calmly, he took a sip of his tea, - 'Your father had taken a huge debt from Abba and he found this way to get over the debt without actually paying anything.' He said. Anaya's mouth hung open. Her father decided to trade her because he didn't want to pay the money.

'It is outrageous. How did you guys agree?'

'This alliance—'

'Arrangement.' Anaya interrupted with annoyance.

'Whatever you call it.' – Sheeraz doesn't seem pleased with the interruption, - 'We thought it was a good alliance.'

'Trade.'

Sheeraz sighed, - 'Whatever, Anaya. It doesn't matter now.'

'It does, Sheeraz. Imagine how would you feel if your parents were trading you off.' She angrily placed her folded arms on the table with a thud. She pressed her lips tightly and avoided looking at Sheeraz.

He sighed, - 'Whatever, Anaya. You want me to talk to your father. I will. Okay?' – He paused, - 'Now, talking to you I am a hundred percent sure I don't want to marry you.'

Anaya looked angrily at him and then realized getting angry on him would get her nothing. And she didn't want to offend him, so she took a deep breath and relaxed. She took a sip of hot tea and felt calmer.

'Sheeraz, I am sure you are a nice guy and you deserve so much better.' – she boosted his ego, he puffed his chest and sat straight, - 'You should move on with a beautiful and intelligent woman.' She said and he nodded.

'I told my parents and they said after all this mess is cleared, they will look for a bride for me.' He said with pride.

Anaya smiled at his confidence, she pushed aside her cup and leaned, - 'You know there is someone who might be interested in you.'

'Someone, psst.' Sheeraz exclaimed, - 'many are interested in me.' He claimed. Anaya chuckled.

'What is so funny?'

'Nothing,' – Anaya waved a hand, - 'with that dialogue you reminded me of Maaz.' She stopped laughing abruptly. She recollected she hadn't spoken to Maaz since morning. She had looked for him at home before coming here but he wasn't found.

'Maaz is a lucky man, Anaya.'- Sheeraz's words distracted her and she looked at him, - 'you are so beautiful.' He commented dreamily.

Anaya smiled, awkwardly tugging hair strands behind her ear. She took a moment to reply, - 'Thank you. But I think there are more beautiful, intelligent and strong women than me. Take Rukhsar for example.' – she smiled observing his expressions changed, - 'she was enquiring about you.' Her smile widened.

'So?' Sheeraz blushed and tried to hide his crimson cheeks with his cup. Anaya simply smiled at him.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Anaya came home satisfied after talking to Sheeraz. This meeting was very important and should have been done long before. But then, she wouldn't have gotten married to Maaz then again, she wouldn't have to cheat him either. After much debate, she decided she will meet him, confess her love and the awful fraud she has done, her reasons, her regrets and then let him decide if he wants to be with her.

Anaya entered their room and found it was empty. She walked inside and took out her mobile from her handbag. A robotic female voice spoke in French informing her that the phone was switched off. She sighed, placing the phone on the bed. She held her forehead briefly before standing up.

Fifteen minutes later, Anaya came out of the bathroom. She placed her wet tresses on her shoulder and hurried to the bed. She placed her hand on her hip as she checked her mobile. She was disappointed to not find any response from Maaz. She bit her lip as she looked around, in mind, she wondered where he could have gone. She doesn't know any of his friends, except for Rukhsar but she doesn't have her number.

'Damn!' Anaya stamped her feet on the ground. She surfed through her contact list but before she could dial Maaz's number, she heard a man's voice call her name. She looked towards the door. Rashid and Zainab were standing together.

'Sir?' Anaya spoke with uncertainty. Rashid was giving her a strange look. A look mixed with anger and hurt.

'Rashid, I had been telling you so many times—' Zainab stopped speaking as Rashid held out a palm. He kept looking at Anaya. She gulped grasping her phone tightly. He took a step towards her and spoke in a slow and soft tone.

'I heard that you have tried framing my son for—misbehaving with you that night when I had slapped him?' He asked straightforwardly.

Anaya's eyes widened and she could feel the earth breathe her move. How did he find out? She lowered her head with shame. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. She could feel his accusing gaze on her and felt tears in her eyes. Rashid was like a father figure to her and she has lowered his head, broken his trust, lost his respect.

'You have ashamed me, An—'

'Stop, Dad!' Maaz's rough baritone echoed in the room and everyone looked at him. He stood by the door. Anaya could feel her heart race. If Rashid and Zainab knew about that night, it could be possible that Maaz knew it too. She gulped, perhaps because of that he wasn't answering her calls.

Maaz walked into the room and stood beside Anaya. She stiffened and avoided looking at him even though she felt his gaze on her.

'I know there is some misunderstanding.' – she relaxed a bit when she felt him avert his gaze, - 'Dad.' He looked back at Anaya and held her hand. She shivered.

'Anaya look at me.' He said gently but when she doesn't respond he spoke sternly. Slowly, she looked up into his eyes and quickly looked away.

'Anaya!'

Unwillingly, she looked back at him.

'Anaya tell them that Mom has misunderstood you. And, I know it will be tough, but I will them what happened that night and that you are pregnant. Tell them.' He said softly.

Anaya felt guilty with his tone. She could feel sweat bead on her forehead and her throat felt parched.

'Anaya,' – he held her arms and made her look at him, - 'I don't believe what mom and Hannah are saying about you. I thought a lot, that is why I left the house. Thinking about it I realized you can never lie about something that is so serious. You can't make such an elaborate plan. You.' – he paused, - 'are the purest soul and strong, big-hearted woman.' He concluded and looked hopefully at her. Zainab wanted to protest but Rashid held her hand and stopped her.

Anaya couldn't stare into Maaz's eyes for long. The guilt consumed her, and she looked away. Maaz forced her to look at him again. His mind knew what his mother and Hannah said were true, it made sense. But his heart didn't believe in their logic and their words.

'Anaya?' He raised his voice a little. Anaya flinched still not looking at him. Her vision blurred with tears, her lips trembled, and she couldn't find her voice.

Maaz frowned but he didn't want to conclude anything until she said the truth.

'Don't worry, Anaya. I am there with you, don't be afraid.' He assured her.

Zainab shifted restlessly. She wasn't understanding why her son wasn't believing her but trusted the lying gold digger.

'Anaya?'

This was the last straw. Anaya shut her eyes tightly and collapsed on the floor. She shook as she cried silently. Maaz looked at her in shock. Rashid took a step, but Zainab grabbed his hand. He looked at her and she shook her head.

Maaz pressed his quivering lips and clenched his fists tightly. His eyes pooled with tears and he blinked letting a tear drop from his left eye.

'I am sorry, Maaz.' Anaya pressed her palms together and apologized. Zainab's thin lips curved into a triumphant smirk.

'I had—to—I am really ashamed. I was about to tell you.' She grabbed his hand and held it tightly. Maaz jerked his hand and Anaya stopped crying. She looked up at him, but he kept staring front. She looked down at his clenched fist and closed her eyes letting more tears fall.

'Maaz, don't just stand there.' – Zainab intervened, - 'Just divorce her.' – Anaya looked up sharply. Zainab looked menacingly at her and then lovingly at her son, - 'Now.'

'Zainab what are you—' Rashid interrupted but Zainab looked angrily at him and he stopped mid-sentence. She walked to her son and held his arm.

'This girl was always behind your money,' – Anaya shook her head but couldn't say anything, - 'She wanted to frame you in a false case and extort money.' She said firmly.

'No!' Anaya mustered courage and spoke loudly. Zainab was taken aback by her tone. Anaya stood up and held Maaz's other arm.

'Maaz, I agree. That I tried to—but not for money. I was being pressurized to divorce you. Just for divorce, I didn't want a penny from you.' She confessed.

'She is lying, Maaz.' Zainab said angrily and pulled her son to her side but Anaya gripped Maaz's sleeve tightly.

'Maaz, just divorce her. And give her whatever she wants, in fact, give her more. Maaz,' – she shook him slightly, - 'Just say Divorce thrice and free yourself from this wretched woman. Just divorce her now.' Zainab provoked him.

'No, no, no, no, Maaz, please.' – Anaya cried, - 'I know I have done you wrong but please don't.' she pleaded. Maaz looked sternly at her and she leaned back, her lips tightly zipped.

'Maaz, Anaya is right. Don't act in haste.' Rashid tried to make him see sense, ignoring his wife's glares. He took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly, - 'This can't be reversed, and you will regret badly.' He added. Anaya nodded and looked at Maaz who was now looking at his father.

'Maaz!'

He jerked his arms from both the ladies and stormed out of the room. Anaya and Zainab too wanted to follow him, but Rashid stopped them.

'Let him be with himself, he needs time.' – Rashid said and then looked at Anaya, - 'I am very ashamed at you, Anaya. I never expected this from you.' – she bit lip and lowered her head, - 'you were a very sorted and intelligent woman. This—anyway, I still believe there must be some reason for you to do this but, that doesn't give you an excuse to do what you did.' He said sternly and then walked out of the room. Zainab glared at Anaya and walked out as well. After they left, Anaya crumbled on the floor, her palms covered her mouth muffling her cries.

For a moment when Zainab provoked Maaz and he had looked at her, she thought he would instantly divorce her and her whole world would shatter. She could still feel her heart racing, her palms shivered and were sweating. She leaned against the bedpost letting out a small cry.

L