Asalam o Alaikum and Hello beauties!!!!

Another SURPRISE update 😜😜....

But this one has a good reason...

My good friend and one of my favourite authors... Who had a book by name tark-e-talukat... It's my favourite one... Actually the story also had a second wife concept with the main lead first husband...

Her name is Soniya and she told me that someone said that my story Muntazir and her book had some similarities and the name being one of them.

It's good thing that she is my friend and she told me this because this is a coincidence... I just used my class fellow name because brainstorming for names is very tiring.

So that's why I am changing Sonia... MURAD 'second wife' name to Sanam...

So I already changed it in Qurbat epilogue and Muntazir chapter 1...

Because this is my work and I won't bear any rumors about plagiarism or copying...

I talked with her and she said to change the name so here we are...

Even when the story and plot is completely changed and the name is similar I can't afford this story being called copied...

I hope you guys understand this and don't think anything bad...

Sorry for the inconvenience but I can't update this in a author note so that's why I updated another chapter...

but I am sorry I can't update now before 7 march so wait patiently....

PLEASE READ THE NOTE CAREFULLY!!!!!!!

...........................❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️.............................

"میرے افسانے میں انکا کہیں بھی نام نہ ہو

کے جن کو لفظِ محبت کا احترام نے ہو"

(Mere afsane main unka Kahi bhi naam na ho

Ke Jin ko lafz-e- mohabbat Ka ihtaraam na ho)

...........................✨✨✨✨✨✨✨..........................

The next two weeks passed in the Hamdani House in silence. No one was chattering, laughing, and talking for the last two weeks.

Mannat was closed away in her room but she was not alone, her family was with her. Every night they camped in her room, Mirza Sahab, Hadiya beghum, Jannat, Umer, and Adam.

Hadiya beghum and Jannat sleep with her on the bed while the males just are comfortable on the air mattresses.

Mannat didn't step out of her room, she didn't want to. Shameen beghum and Shafiq Sahab didn't come out if they too, they felt guilty and ashamed of Murad doing.

They didn't have the courage to see Mannat in this condition so they just stay in their room and away from everyone.

For the first time in this house, no one eats food at the dining table and it killed everyone that's why Mannat today gets up to right the wrong.

She had cried enough, her family is also hurting so she had had enough. She was going to live for her family, they love her and that's enough.

Her hands are still healing and her heart is still in pain but she knew she will heal with time. He had done what he wanted to, now it's her turn to respect her family support.

"Mannat... breakfast is here... Everyone is coming,"

That's the routine of her family, they eat meals in her room because she always skips them.

Her days were spent sitting on the window seat looking out until her cousins and sister came and talk with her while she just sat there lost in her thoughts.

"Manna,"

Jannat gasped as she looked at Mannat who was standing in front of the mirror looking fresh for the first time. Her hands are still healing and had bandages on them.

"Take the breakfast on table manna... We will eat breakfast on the table...,"

"Really...,"

Jannat smiled at her in happiness, she knew that Mannat is still hurting but she is willing to stand back for her family.

"Yeah... I know that you are all hurting because of my immature behavior so it's about time, I correct that,"

Jannat frowned at her as she placed the tray on the table and hit mannat on the back of her head.

"Oww... Jannat you violent woman,"

"Don't call yourself bad... You are not immature... You are just hurting and heartbroken because of ...,"

Jannat stops herself from speaking further as Mannat rolled her eyes at her.

"You know you can say his name... He is not Voldemort that you can't say out loud... He-who-shall-not-be-named...,"

Jannat laughed at her words as she hugged Mannat who was just giving a weak smile to her sister.

"It takes a strong person to fight their demons for themselves but a stronger person to fight it for your loved ones... I am very proud of you Mannat,"

"I know Janna... I know...,"

Mannat pulled away from her and told her to go and call everyone else for breakfast.

"Now go, woman... Call them on the table...,"

"Ok, you boss baby sister,"

They stepped out of the room together but Mannat went into the opposite hallway confusing Jannat who called her.

"Where are you going now, Manna? If you forget it... The dining room is downstairs sis,"

"I didn't forget it Dumbo... I am just going to call mama and Bade Papa,"

"Mannat...,"

Everyone knows that the elder couple was staying away from Mannat in guilt and regret but Mannat will not let her family break.

"I know Jannat that they are hurt... I know why they didn't come to meet me once... But it's time they also moved on... Staying away from everyone is not answer to our questions...,"

Jannat smiled at her sister with misty eyes, her manna had grown in few days. She nodded and saw her going toward the room.

"I hope that you will be able to normal everything manna... But I know that your heart is still bleeding... I just pray that he didn't do more damage than he already did,"

With that Jannat went to call everyone and surprise them because Mannat is not shutting them out anymore.

..........................

Mannat stood outside their room, she knew that they are awake because of the movement in the room.

She takes a deep breath and knocked at the door with her still-healing hand.

Hearing a faint 'come in' she entered the room that was engulfed in darkness.

Shameen beghum was leaning against the headboard with a photo frame pressed to her heart.

Mannat knows that it's the picture of all the kids in their childhood but it also had a picture of Mannat and Murad nikkah day. She gulped the ball of emotions in her throat.

Shafiq Sahab was sitting in the rocking chair with closed eyes. They thought the servant or Jannat came with their food.

"Place the food on the table Jannat... We are not hungry,"

"Even when I made Aloo paratha with my hands...,"

The elder couple looked toward the door in lighting speed, shock, and disbelief prominent in their eyes.

"Mannat...,"

"Good morning Mama... Good morning bade Papa...,"

She whispered with a lone tear escaping her eyes, she ran towards her mother figure and hugged her tightly leaving them shocked.

"I missed you... I missed you a lot... Both of you...,"

Mannat feels the bed dip beside her as she pulled away to smile at her bade Papa. Shameen beghum kissed her head as they also had tears in their eyes.

"We missed you too Bacha...,"

"I am naraz with you... Very naraz,"

Shafiq Sahab chuckled with his voice heavy with emotion while Shameen beghum give a wobbly smile at her cuteness.

"Why so princess? Why are you naraz with me and your bade papa,"

"Because you both broke your promise...,"

"Manna...,"

"No mama... You both promised me that day he went that you will never leave me... But you still broke that promise,"

Shafiq Sahab closed his eyes as guilt gripped his heart while Shameen beghum started crying with Mannat painful whimpers.

"We are so ashamed... He... He let us down In front of everyone... We are so ashamed to face you bacha... We are your culprits please forgive us...,"

"Mama... Bade Papa... Please don't say that and please don't feel ashamed of what he did... I don't blame him for what he did,"

"Mannat... What are you saying? He did wrong to you and you are saying that he didn't,"

Mannat just looked down at her lap as she played with her hands. As the couple looked at her in astonish.

"I am not saying that he didn't do wrong and that he is Einstein... Because he is doing stupid things for years,"

Shameen beghum chuckle at her scarscam but Shafiq Sahab still looked curious.

"As I was saying that he did wrong... But what you all did to him all those years back was also wrong,"

"Mannat don't...,"

"Please... Listen to me first...,"

They nodded at her to continue speaking, Mannat took a deep breath and started speaking.

"You all forced him to marry an immature 12 years old girl... You blackmailed him with his family and future to marry me and then he left all those years... He was bottling up his hate, anger, and frustration for years... He did what he thought was right... It didn't make him right but I know why he did it... He wanted to return the emotions, we caused all those years back...,"

Now it's Shafiq Sahab's turn to look down as he remembers the day he blackmailed his elder son who just passed his intermediate level to marry Mannat.

He forced his 18 years old to marry her or he will disown him from his family. He lost his son after the nikkah but he prayed that he will forgive them and come back.

Shameen beghum just cried at Mannat words, she was telling the truth and it hurts.

"The two weeks I spend in self-loathing and hate... It is more painful than the burden I was carrying for 13 years... I always knew that he went away because of me and I blamed myself for that but I always waited for him so when he came back... I can amend it...,"

"You once told me, Mama... That your boys are not bad... They are just hurt and they channel their hurt in the worse way... They channel it in hurting everyone and it hurts them too... Even when you allowed him to stay here and stay away from him... He was still hurting because he was close to his family but yet far away... Again because of me,"

"no... It's not your fault Mannat... Don't blame yourself,"

Shafiq Sahab spoke sternly as Mannat shook her head with a teary smile.

"I am not blaming bade Papa... It's the truth... He thought that I take his family away from that you all prefer me over him all those years ago and you are still doing it,"

Shameen beghum was now angry at Mannat selflessness. Why her daughter is so kind-hearted and amazing.

"You don't deserve it manna... No one does...,"

"I know... That why I am saying... Don't push him away... Don't forgive him but don't push him away because if he went away this time I know he will never come back and I can't live my life with that burden that I took one son from his parents,"

"You are being selfless Mannat... You are asking for a lot... He not only hurt you but everyone... I can't forgive him...,"

"Mama... Please... I am just being honest... Yes, it hurts... It hurts so bad thinking that he give someone else the title of his wife and he gives those rights to another but he never accepts me... What will I do with just his name when he didn't love me... I am not saying that I will live with him and all... We will see where this will go but I just wanted to break this tension... Also, Sanam didn't have any fault here,"

Mannat gulped as she said her name, Jannat keeps blabbering how even the servants are staying away from the girl and how she saw her crying in the kitchen because everyone ignores her presence.

Mannat talked with Hadiya beghum already about all this because Hadiya beghum had experienced this pain and survived it with two young kids.

Hadiya beghum was so proud of her when she listens to Mannat decision.

"Please Mannat... We can't accept her,"

Shameen beghum shook her head as she pulls her hand away from Mannat hold.

Mannat looked at Shafiq Sahab to see the same face. She sighed in defeat as she again holds their hands.

"No mama... I am not asking that much from you... Don't forgive them or forget... I know that's too much too also from you when my heart is not accepting it but please don't ignore her... She is a human... No matter how bad they are... They don't need ignorance from someone... It's your son fault to drag her in our family drama but now she is our guest and we should at least treat her as our guest,"

The couple looked at her in shock, how can their baby girl be so mature in this short period.

Shameen beghum hugged her as Shafiq Sahab patted her back kissing her hair.

Mannat returns the hug as she holds her bade Papa's hand.

"We are proud of you Mannat... You are indeed a Hamdani girl who keeps her family... I had always known you are just like Hadiya Appa... Beautiful yet kind-hearted... You have a heart of gold, my love... May Allah pak bless you with the best one... You are a gem and you deserve to be cherished, we love you Bacha"

Shafiq Sahab spoke proudly as Mannat smiled at him with a small smile as she mumbled 'Ameen' under her breath.

Then she sat up and wipe her back after wiping their tears making them smile.

"I love you all too... Now I want you two in the dining room for breakfast... Everyone is waiting for you... I don't want any excuse... After this emotional scene, we need some food in our body...,"

They chuckled at her words as they nodded at her who then hugged them and ran out of the room with a final warning.

"You have 5 minutes otherwise I will get naraz with you,"

"Yes, Ma'am...,"

They looked at the door, then at each other as Shameen beghum hugged her husband letting the tears out.

"I hate it to see her like this Shafiq... She is acting strong for us but she is breaking inside... She was so brave but I don't know for how long? I hope our son will not cause more damage,"

"Me too Shameen... Me too,"

They keep looking at the door with dismay and disheartened look and then get up to go before Mannat came back to drag them down.

............

They are eating breakfast at the dining table after two weeks and it's a good chance.

Mannat was just sitting there and listening to Jannat rambling. Umer and Adam were busy in business talk.

Sanam came downstairs to get a glass of water but get shocked when she saw everyone on the table.

She was going to went back but Mannat had already seen her. She gulped and turn to Hadiya beghum who smiled at her and nodded.

"Ruko...,"

(Stop)

Sanam was shocked and scared at Hadiya beghum stern order, as she turned around and started apologizing.

"I am sorry... I didn't know... I shouldn't have come If I know,"

"Call Murad and you both come for breakfast...,"

Sanam was blabbering when Hadiya beghum cut her off with another order.

"Ji?"

"Call Murad and you both come for breakfast... I won't repeat myself... Hurry up girl,"

This time Sanam give a beaming smile to her still in shock and ran away to get Murad.

Everyone at the table was tense but they know this will happen. Hadiya beghum has already talked with them about Mannat decision.

They are not happy about it and plan to lecture Mannat after this but they keep their calm especially Jannat and Umer.

Murad and Sanam soon join them at the table and Mannat gulped the pain for her family.

She didn't forgive him and might never be able to but she can't push a son away from his parents.

She can't force her love on him like she was once forced on him.

She just let it go and waited for fate to play the next card because she knew this is just the beginning of storms.

"Thank you for inviting us...,"

"Mannat wanted to... Just please don't cause more drama,"

It's Shafiq Sahab who said those words. Murad looked at his father with hurt but still nodded, at least they are not throwing him out of the house.

The time went slow and awkward, this happens for the next two weeks.

Murad and Sanam live in the house like guests and Mannat just stays away from them.

Everyone now stays in their room, while Jannat sometimes cheats and slipped into Mannat room at night, that irritated her husband but she enjoyed doing it.

One day she saw Murad and Sanam walking in the backyard at night and they are laughing and talking.

She came into the kitchen to get water and saw them through the window.

She keeps looking at his mesmerizing face illuminated by the moonlight. She felt pain in her heart, she had always wanted that for herself.

His love, his care, his laughter, his happiness, his cries, and his pain.

She had always wanted that for herself but she is ok with whatever her LORD planned for her.

She felt eyes on her and turned around to see Adam standing behind her with a smile that means he can understand her pain.

"Are you ok Manna?"

"Just peachy... But I will be fine with time... What are you doing here Adam?"

"I can ask the same question but I know you will not answer it...,"

Mannat rolled her eyes at him knowing that he is saying the truth.

They both turned around to look at the couple who was lost in their world.

Adam felt rage in his bones at the scene in front of him but he keeps his calm for Mannat.

"He doesn't deserve you...,"

"I know...,"

"You are too good for him,"

"I know...,"

He sighed in defeat as he turned to look at her who was looking ahead with a strange emotion in her eyes.

"Then why are you torturing yourself Mannat... It's been one month... Leave him before he did... He is happy with his wife... and I... We want you to be happy too,"

Mannat turned toward him and looked at him, the intensity of her gaze and emotions shook Adam's entire being.

"He was selfish for taking revenge from his family for forcing him... He did what he wanted to do but I am not selfish enough... I can't hurt them like he did...,"

"You still love him,"

Mannat took a deep breath as she felt tear blurring her sight and her voice heavy with emotion.

"Maybe... I mean it's not easy to forget a person you are waiting for years... I have loved him the moment my name was bound with his... I can't unlove him this easily... Maybe with time I can... I still love him because being his Muntazir made him my addiction... I can't get rid of it this soon...,"

Adam closed his eyes in pain as he nodded. He can understand her words because he was feeling the same, he had loved her for years just to know that she belonged to someone else, someone who didn't value her like she deserves.

"I hope you will with time,"

"me too...,"

"Now come on it's late and you need your beauty sleep, Jannat is looking for you everywhere, but I think the kitchen is the last place she thought,"

They both laughed at that and at the same time someone saw them from the backyard window, someone who felt a sudden unknown emotion to pierce their heart.

Murad suddenly stops walking as he saw them talking in the kitchen window.

He knows that he hurt her to lessen his anger and hurt but he didn't think that she will move on this quick.

Sanam frowned at his sudden silence and followed his eyes to look at the other couple.

She called Murad who looked at her with an awkward smile and steal a glance at the window that was now vacant.

"Are you ok?"