The next week comes with a lot of fake smiles, forced rituals, hand holding with Mohsin which in all honesty was a hilarious task trying to hold in my laughter at his irritated self and acting the part of a Baig daughter-in-law. The word itself is foreign to me, invoking nothing but nervousness at the prospect of disappointing phupi.

She was elated to have me as her bahu, to say the least. It made me guilty, I only now realised I dragged complete innocents in my quest for justice. Phupi always treated me like her own daughter, even though their financial conditions weren't great back then but she always pampered me with gifts whenever she came home. I can't play with their emotions, it would be wrong to hide my real intentions behind this marriage.

Just a few more days, after that I will confess the truth to phupi. I will take whatever punishments she wants me to get. The least I can do now is be sincere with my emotions. I will sincerely fulfil my part as Mohsin's wife and my responsibilities towards his family. With that new determination, I get from my side of the bed looking over the other side to find Mohsin curled up in the quilt. The big, broody man sleeps like a baby at night, I am going to tease him about it some day.

He never talks to me for more than two minutes, I bet even his assistant gets more of his attention than his own wife.

Wait. What? Wife??? You are going nuts Hira! I shake my head getting ready for the day, a nervous feeling builds up in the pit of my stomach as I recall today's protocol. Your countdown begins now Amir Husnain.

I quickly get dressed, walking down and into the kitchen with the red file that has Amir's heart.

"Hira! Uth gai beta. Kahin jaane ka plan hai kya?" I smile at phupi, how a sweet lady like her birthed an obnoxious jerk like Mohsin is beyond me. Nature works in weird ways, you see.

"Phupi, meri ek security company ke saath meeting hai. Unhe kuch software hack karne mein meri help chahiye, to main wahi discuss karne jaa rahi hoon. Late hojayega loutne, agar Mohsin uthe to aap bata dengi please?" It was not a complete lie, I did have a meeting but that is in the afternoon.

I head out after a light breakfast, with a racing heart and sweating palms to bring into action what I have been preparing for, from the last three years. Every little detail about how the next two hours are going to go down has been immaculately planned to seconds, without a minor chance of mistake.

I take a random taxi to my destination, because I know if I had taken one of our cars Mohsin would have tracked me down. If I know anything about Mohsin, he must have already suspected something wrong with how I left today. So before he catches up, I need to finish the task.

I step out of the taxi looking up at the huge steel words painted in

I straighten my shoulders, excitement buzzing through my nerve endings. Finally, the day is here. Revenge time, Hira!!

As expected, Umer is standing outside the meeting room talking with investors like they have been lifetime buddies. Ah, the art of deception. That's his favourite weapon.

His eyes catch mine and he discreetly gives a mock salute, meaning the plan is in motion. I smirk, an evil smirk. Now we wait. So I change directions, heading towards the washroom to check my makeup. What? A girl's gotta do what she has gotta do.

By the time I am done, I wince seeing half an hour has already passed. Damn. I am late to my first board meeting inspite of coming early. Makeup does that to you, ladies.

I quickly rush out of the washroom, sauntering towards the meeting room. Before the doors are pushed open, I hear just what was supposed to be said here.

"As is evident, and with full approval from the board of directors, the 42% shares of H & Co have been sold successfully to an anonymous investor. This person has been diligently devoting time to the company and has worked her way in for three years now. And the most interesting part of the day, we now have a name to the investor who was behind the curtain so far. Mahira Mohsin Baig! Gentleman, please put your hands together for the biggest shareholder and implicitly the new Managing Director of H & Co, Mrs.Mahira Baig!"

That's when the doors open and I strut in, with a ferocious gait and confident eyes, a killer smile dangling on my lips which turns into a smirk as my eyes land on the very man whose downfall behind this moment, Amir Husnain, the infamous Ceo of H &Co.

I take the podium, thanking the directors, shareholders and staff for being my well wishers, all the while keeping full record of the changing expressions on a dumbfounded Amir's face. That's what happens when you don't visit your own company for months.

I feel immensely satisfied when I see the one emotion I was desperately waiting to surface on his face, fear. He knows there is something fishy.

As I settle down on my seat, the discussions on the last moths developments begin. Trivial details of the hotel expansion, profits and reviews are all discussed. Then comes the most awaited moment, when Umer steps forward, and did I forget to mention he is a shareholders as well?

Of course he is, he has 8.7% shares which along with mine crosses the 50 mark giving us the power of veto.

" As a concerned shareholder of this flourishing group of hotels, It has come to my notice that some unethical activities are going on behind our backs and after probing into it for a few days I was finally able to gather enough evidence against the accused."

Then the projector begins playing a ppt which includes pictures and the colour drains from Amir's face.

He then goes on, with a calm expression "In this bar, gentlemen I hope you can spot our CEO Mr.Husnain and the other man that he is shaking hands with is the biggest mafia gangster Rashid Zara. The police around the world is in search of him and the CBI is looking for one hint of his presence. What is our most respected CEO doing with this criminal?" He questions firmly looking disgusted at Amir who seems like tragedy has struck him. Swear is trickling down his forehead as he gulps, trying to comprehend the sudden change of events.

Amir's lack of response seems to infuriate the crowd more, as more accusing heads turn towards him when realisation sinks in their brains. The last picture is the final nail in the coffin, where Amir and Rashid both are clearly seen holding silver packets which we all know might have drugs. They are handing it over to a customer in one of the hotels.

"That's right, people. Mr.Husnain here is involved in drug dealing, that too from the most notorious mafia boss. The best part of the story is, he brings his clients to our legal hotels so nobody suspects anything, giving then a free stay for a night while the most sophisticated of drugs are sold to them under his supervision." I feel like giggling at Umer's reporter like tone. He is doing it on purpose, so I enjoy the show more.

Amir gets up slamming the glass on the floor. His red eyes trained solely on Umer, as he tries to swing at him. Somebody blocks him though, and I sigh in relief. I tap the table, which is a signal that all need to settle down in their position and listen to what I have to say. And surprisingly, they obey. Even an aghast Amir who by now has been looking at me with puppy dog eyes.

So the idiot still didn't realise I was behind this? And he is the biggest dumbhead if he thinks that puppy dog look still works on me. I gesture towards Umer to continue, he nods then talking about the legal implications dogs ctionwhih could he all the shareholders to threat. That's when they listen more keenly.

"If we do not hand Mr.Husnain to the law and vote for him to be fired as the CEO, we all might land ourselves into trouble. Moreover, we have to get the hotels surveyed for any remnants of drugs and have them cleaned. Now, time for the motion. Those who are in favour of firing Mr.Husnain, please press your remotes." He says pressing his first and the number appears on the projector.

What I initially thought was that a lot of them wouldn't vote to fire him so plan B was to use the power of my veto. But the next minute, three more buttons are pressed and we have already reached 37% approval.

If I now press my button, that will be the end of Amir Husnain and I turn to look at him who is already pleading me with his eyes. For his reputation, for his wealth, for his life. Atleast I am giving him the chance to plead and change my mind, he didn't even give me that.

He walks towards me, whispering in a broken tone the words I desperately waited to hear the day of my Nikaah but was greeted with chilled winds and mocking rain.

"Heer" He utters with utmost helplessness trying to find the same love in my eyes that he had seen years ago.

"."