The five months of Hafsa's pregnancy passed soon, and now it was the sixth month. Hafsa took a leave from the office because the doctor advised her for bed rest.

When she was pregnant with Huzaifa or Ayaan, she wasn't that sick. Huzaifa was her firstborn, she didn't have her mother, or mother-in-law who would tell what to do, or whatnot. Hafsa only had her father and Daniyal but her first pregnancy passed smoothly, she was hardly sick or had any mood swings, most of the time she was just sleepy or hungry. Her second pregnancy was also easy as she already knew now what she had to do or not. But this time, it was very troublesome for her as she was always sick.

"Mamma, please!" Ayaan jumped on the bed and whined.

Hafsa had her head in her hand as she told her son. "Ayaan, please, beta, I am not feeling well."

Ayaan wanted to go to the park, while Hafsa felt too weak to even walk. She has been resting in her room since morning, beside Daniyal has also prohibited her from doing any work.

"Ayaan, don't trouble mamma." Huzaifa, being the big brother, scolded Ayaan when saw Hafsa's pale face.

This made Ayaan huffed as he sat down and held his cheeks in his tiny palm. This was one of his ways to show he is upset.

A soft smile falls on Hafsa's face on this. "Achha, theek hai, jaiye aur Rani di se kahe aap dono ko ready kare.." Lovingly, she pats Ayaan's head and told him. No matter how sick she is, she could never see her sons upset.

(Alright, go and tell Rani to get you two ready.)

Ayaan cheered, as he happily ran out from the room.

•••

Hafsa also took Rani with them, as she didn't have the strength to play with Huzaifa and Ayaan. Rani was eighteen years old girl who was the granddaughter of their old maid, Raima.

Raima was an old nanny of Hafsa and after her death, there was no one to look after Rani as her parents were already dead. That's why Hafsa took Rani under her care. Rani was studying, and in her free time helps around the mansion, she mostly spends her time with Ayaan and Huzaifa as the kids were fond of her.

Hafsa tiredly laid her head on the headrest of the car, her energy drained off after the walk in the park. While Huzaifa and Ayaan were chirping, jovially.

"Mamma, ice cream khani hai..." Ayaan leaned toward Hafsa and mumbled.

(I want ice cream.)

Even in tiredness, her beautiful face broke into a charming smile.

She ordered Murad to take them to the ice cream parlor.

Murad got down from the car to buy ice cream for them, but Huzaifa and Ayaan also wanted to go. Hafsa nods her head toward Rani and told her to take them to the parlor.

Now, she was alone in her car.

Looking at the glass door of the parlor, she saw Ayaan removing his hand from Rani's grip and ran toward the counter. It made Hafsa scared as she thought of going there but when saw Huzaifa held his little brother's hand and maybe scolding him.

Hafsa couldn't hear them but she did see how Ayaan bowed his head down and mumbled something.

Shaking her head, Hafsa looked at the other side of the road.

It was the cold and breezy evening of February, grey fluffy clouds adorned the sapphire sky. Maybe it will rain today, Hafsa thought as she rolled down the window and let the gusting wind blew against her face, her open hair sway on her face.

The delightful weather brightened her mood, as her eyes roam with the passing cars of the street when her eyes fall on the other side of the road, she felt her world stopping for a moment.

It was Daniyal's care on the other road, stopping on a traffic light. But what made Hafsa's heart freeze was he wasn't alone. In his car was a young lady. Hafsa couldn't see her face but could see that she was laughing. And sitting in the driving seat, Daniyal was talking, his handsome face have a captivating smile. The smile which he rarely shows around her.

Hafsa felt someone threw chilled water on her. Even when the window was open, Hafsa couldn't breathe, a lump formed in her lungs as her eyes burned.

Hafsa didn't know for how long she was looking at him, who did not even feel his gaze on her. Maybe one minute passed, or one hour, or maybe the time stopped for her, all she could see was her husband with another girl.

"Mamma!" She got startled but Huzaifa's voice, as she looked at her son. Ayaan and Huzaifa were already sitting in the car.

"Apki ice cream." Huzaifa passed her a cup of ice cream to her. Ayaan already started relishing his ice cream, while Huzaifa was waiting for her to hold her ice cream so he could eat too.

(Your ice cream.)

Taking it from him, Hafsa tried to smile at him, but couldn't. She couldn't muster a smile, but kids were busy in their ice cream to see how their mother's eyes were wet with tears.

Murad started the car, while Hafsa once again looked at the road where Daniyal's car was. It wasn't there anymore.

•••

When the night fall, the clouds were roaring in the sky and pouring down the rain.

She was wearing a simple black churidaar, a shawl draped around her, as she on the balcony and looked at the rain. The rain wasn't pouring outside only, inside of her too. There was a turmoil inside her heart. As the scene of the evening keeps flashing in front of her eyes. Some raindrops were falling on her charming face. Enhancing her beauty.

•••

When Daniyal returned from the office, he found Huzaifa and Ayaan in the living room, doing their homework with the help of Rani. Hafsa wasn't present there which was strange.

Hafsa always help them with homework, but it was very rare when Hafsa leaves them with maid alone.

He asked Rani about Hafsa and was informed she is in her room, she was feeling queasy since evening and didn't leave her room since then.

Patting Huzaifa and Ayaan's head, Daniyal left for his room.

Hafsa was standing on the balcony, her huge eyes gazing at the beautiful scenery of rain, her long hair was put together in a braid but some of its locks were falling on her face, she was looking like an enchantress even in her simplicity making Daniyal's heart flutters.

Taking steps closer to her, he called her. "Hafsa!" his deep and husky voice made her startled as she turned to him.

Smiling a little, he took one step more closer to her while extending his hand for her to hold. But Hafsa had only glanced at him when she felt her vision getting blurry and the floor seemed to slip away from her feet. Before she could fall on the floor, Daniyal held her cold body in his arms.

"Hafsa!" Patting her face, he tried to wake her up.

•••

Her blood pressure was high, seems like she was taking tension about something but what?

Daniyal sees off the doctor to the door and again went to his wife, who was laying on their king-size bed.

Putting the white comforter to her waist, Daniyal sat beside her and held her forehead in his hand, she also had a fever. Although, the doctor gave her a shot, but Daniyal was still scared for her and his baby.

He felt her moving which made him sit straight.

Hafsa slowly opened her eyes and looked around confusingly.

"Hafsa, aap theek hain?" Daniyal held her hand in his and asked.

(Are you okay?)

"Huh?" Hafsa was still confused, but looking at Daniyal's face, all the event of the evening and last few months fall in her mind which made her removed her hand from his grip harshly.

"I.. I am fine..." Telling him, she tried to sit up.

"Aram se." Daniyal didn't notice her bitter behavior and helped her in sitting.

(Be careful.)

Neither he noticed her wet eyes.

"Apka b.p high tha," Daniyal informed her when she sat up properly and looks at her.

(Your blood pressure was high.)

Even in this weak state, her hair loosely falling on her face and her face as pale as a sheet, she manages to look beautiful, like a princess. But there was a uncertainty on her face too.

"Hafsa! Koi baat hai kya? You look tense." Daniyal asked her.

(Did something happen?)

Hafsa looked into his eyes, wanting to ask why he is worried about her? When all day he was with another girl.

But couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to question him. She was scared of the answer.

What if that girl was his- her heart stops by this mare thought, she wouldn't able to accept this reality.

"Hafsa?" When she didn't reply to him, Daniyal called her and tightened his grip on her hand.

"Yeah? I am okay..." She manages to whisper.

•••

In the dim light of her room, Hafsa looked at Daniyal's sleeping face, he was peacefully sleeping after dinner while Hafsa's peace was missing.

As her eyes trale to his face, she recalled his smiling face.

She was his wife and Daniyal was never this free or lively with her.

She felt a pang in her heart, as her gaze froze on his face.

She was looking at him as if seeing him for the first time.

She remembers it very well when she saw Daniyal Malik for the first time, like it happened yesterday.

•••

Hafsa Siddiqui was the only daughter of Ubaid Siddiqui.

Ubaid Siddiqui was a businessman whose office Daniyal Malik used to work.

Ubaid Siddiqui always used to praise Daniyal Malik's hard work and sincerity, the first time Hafsa saw Daniyal was also her first day at the office.

"Daniyal, Can you show Hafsa around?" Hafsa was in her father's cabin when Daniyal entered there.

Dressed in simple pant and shirt, Daniyal Malik still had an aura which can make anyone stop and stare. He wasn't short, neither tall, his height was perfect. He was fit, nor too thin or muscular, his muscles were in right place to build perfect physique for him. His messy hair falls on his forehead as he put them behind by his hand and smiles at Ubaid Siddiqui.

He was clean shave, and Hafsa could see dimples on his cheeks which made her breath stopped for a moment.

Hafsa wasn't the type of girl that checked boys out. Yet with Daniyal Malik, Hafsa couldn't help checking him out. It was the first time she has seen any boy this handsome.

Daniyal showed Hafsa around the office, explaining to her some things which Hafsa didn't seem to pay attention to. Her eyes, again and again, would freeze on Daniyal. And Daniyal Malik didn't even glance at her unless talking to her about something.

It has been one month since she joined the office. And in one month, Hafsa hears many rumors about herself that her employees spread when thought she isn't paying attention.

Some young men even tried to impress Hafsa as she was the only daughter of Ubaid Siddiqui. But Daniyal Malik, he never involved himself in any rumors. he never tried to impress, he never even talks to anyone in office unless it is work-related.

Even in break hour, Daniyal would be found in his cabin with a cup of tea and sandwich, working on his laptop.

In just one month, Hafsa understood why her father praises Daniyal Malik.

And she couldn't help herself from falling for him.

Handsome face, calm personality, and soft smile always on his face but reserved nature, that's how Daniyal Malik was. And now, he had her heart in his fist. He could control all her emotions and he was unaware of it.

Hafsa wasn't kind of girl who talks to boys. All her life, it was boys who tried to talk to her, trying to befriend her, but Hafsa would always lower her gaze and walk past by him. She had saved her modesty for her husband, she had saved her love for her husband. And now, Daniyal Malik was ruling those dreams.

One evening, she was serving her father tea when he invited her to sit with him, which was unusual, Ubaid Siddiqui always has his evening tea alone with his book.

Nevertheless, Hafsa sat on the floor and put her arms in his lap.

"Although, I'm feeling weird to have this conversation with you because most of the time, it is mother, who talked to their daughter about her feelings. But what can I do? Your mother passed away when you didn't even know how to talk properly." Putting his hand on Hafsa's head, Ubaid lovingly told her.

Hafsa was his only kid, and very precious to him.

"Hafsa, Masha'Allah, You've grown into a really beautiful young lady. I think it is the best time for you to get married." Hafsa who was looking at her hand looked up to her father, shock was visible on her face. She wasn't expecting the topic of her marriage this soon.

"Baba, itni jaldi?" Hafsa hesitantly asked. Not having a mother, Hafsa has always open to her father, she could talk about her feelings with her father.

(Isn't it too early?)

"Beta, you are graduate and joined the office too. This is the best time now. And besides, I can not be with you always, that's why I want to see you settle and content in your life."

The thought of her father leaving her upsets her heart as she hugged his torso.

Ubaid lovingly brushes his hand in her hair.

"I have received many proposals for you, but before looking at any of them, I want to know about your feelings. Is there someone you like?"

"Daniyal!" Without thinking twice, Hafsa whispered. But when realized what she did, she bowed her head down in embarrassment.

A smile falls on Ubaid's face, knowing his daughter has chosen the perfect match for herself.

Exactly after a month, Hafsa got married to Daniyal. It was a lavish wedding that become headline of the news for many days.

After marriage, Daniyal Malik shifted to their mansion.

Although, her marriage with Daniyal was a bliss, but something was missing.

Daniyal Malik was still reserved. Hafsa thought maybe it was his personality. After some time, he will open up to her, but after eight years of their marriage, he was still the same, reserved. He never talked much unless it is something related to business.

He never compliments. Compliment? He didn't even say I love you to her. He never laughs with her, but she never complained to him. because she knows he loves her.

But now, she was doubting his love.

Her thoughts got distured when Daniyal removed his hand from her waist and turned to the other side.

•••

One month passed, Hafsa didn't bring herself to ask Daniyal about that girl. She was behaving normally, acting as if there wasn't a turmoil in her heart. But now, she started suspecting everything he does.

"Daniyal, where is your coat?" One evening, Hafsa asked him.

"Woh..." Daniyal avert his eyes away from his laptop and looked at her, confusingly. She never asked this kind of question before. .

"Bano has to do the laundry so that's why..." Tucking her hair locks behind her ear, Hafsa slowly said.

"Actually, I forget it in the office, I'll bring it tomorrow." Daniyal shrugged his shoulder.

When Daniyal returned his coat, the first thing she did was to check its pocket and smell.

"What I am doing?" She scolded herself.

•••

Hafsa was at the hospital, paying a visit to her maternal aunt, who was sick from many days now.

"Hafsa, why didn't Daniyal came?" Her aunt asked.

In the mention of Daniyal, her smile drops. If she thought Daniyal's behavior was weird before, now he was behaving weirder. He hardly spends any time at home, comes home late every night and Hagsa has got to know from her P.A that he leaves office on his time. Then where does he go in his free time? He doesn't spend time with kids, who have noticed too, and asked Hafsa why their father is always busy. Hafsa didn't have answer to it. She herself wants to know what keeps Daniyal so busy.

Hafsa quickly covered her frown with a smile before anyone could notice.

"Actually, Khala, he had a really important meeting." she made a lie, her khala nods her head and asked her about kids.

"I'm sorry, Khala, but I've to go now." When Hafsa saw the time in ber wrist watch, she told her khala and got up to leave.

Leaving the ward, she took her phone out from her bed to call the driver.

She was still walking and put her phone on her ear when her feet stopped in front of a room.

Her eyes widened at the sight, inside of the room was Daniyal hugging a girl. Her face was hiding in his chest, and from her shaking body, anyone could guess she was sobbing, Daniyal's hands were securely wrapped around her as he ran his finger in her hair, trying to console her.

Hafsa couldn't see this scene, but neither she can move herself. She felt as if, her world just stopped here.

Her husband was hugging another woman. This shattered her trust into pieces. Even after everything, she never questioned him because her love was greater than the doubt. And that's what she got in return? Her husband had another woman in his arms.

Feeling someone's eyes on him, Daniyal raised his head and saw Hafsa looking at him. Her hazel eyes clash against his black eyes.

"Hafsa!" He whispered when saw tears in her beautiful eyes.

The girl in arms raised her head confusingly to look at him, then turn to look where he was looking at. Shock plastered over her face when saw Hafsa outside of their ward.

Hafsa didn't wait another second and left

"Hafsa! Hafsa! Hafsa, Please, Meri baat suniye." Daniyal ran after her, calling her name.

(Please, listen to me.)

But Jagsa Siddiqui didn't stop for him. She used to love her name from his lips, whenever he calls her, she feels like as of she could give him her life if he would ask. But today, she felt only disgust.

They came outside of the hospital.

Daniyal also ran after her calling out her name. They came outside the parking lot.

"HAFSA!" She heard Daniyal's scream. The last thing she saw was a car which was coming at her with over speed.

•••

She felt as if someone is pounding her head. She tried to move her hand but couldn't, they felt heavy.

She opened her eyes, but as soon as the light hit her eyes, she shut them tightly, her head started spinning with sudden light.

Taking few deep breaths, she once again opened her eyes, slowly.

She was still confused about where she was or what happened.

She tried to get up when someone stopped her and put their arms over her shoulder.

"Lay down, ma'am, you are still very weak." This voice belongs to a lady. Hafsa looked at her left side and saw a young lady looking at her with concern.

"What.. What happened?" Hafsa manages to whisper with bee sore throat. She felt as if she hadn't drink water since years.

The lady understands it and made her drink some water.

"Are you okay, Mrs. Malik?" The lady, who was maybe a nurse, asked.

As if the question brought all the memories of what happened.

"My baby? Where is my baby? How is my baby?" Hafsa got alarmed and asked.

"Calm down, Mrs. Malik, your baby is perfectly fine." Nurse informed her.

"Your baby is with doctor for checkup." She further add when saw the crease between Hafsa's eyebrows didn't loosen up.