in Riva's parent's cafe as they have called her here. She hasn't talked to her after her father's scene. She had introduced the reason for her stepping down to her husband but that was it.

She saw her entering inside and sprinted towards her hugging her.

"I am sorry, Riva". She said softly

"Safa?". Riva said confused, "Of course, my father played me".

She pulled back looking at her pouting, "Please, Riva. You know he will take mother away from me".

Riva groaned, "Why is your life so messed up?".

"Please". Safa said smiling

"Don't smile at me. Why is it so easy for you to convince me?". Riva said smiling

Safa hugged her tightly happily.

"Yeah, it is easy just for her to convince you when it comes to me you don't even get convince at all". Zeeshan said

Riva pulled away from her glaring at him, "What do you mean by that?".

Safa shakes her head looking at where her husband was and she walked towards his table smiling.

"I am guessing your friend is back". He said smiling looking at her beautiful smile

"Yes, she is". She said grinning then she looked at where they are fighting

She stood to stop them but her husband holds her hand pulling her closer to him.

"We have to stop them". She said softly

"No, let them fight". He said, "I think they like each other".

She looked at him confused, "But, they are always fighting?".

He smiled caressing her cheeks, "They fight because that is all they can do to be near one another. Zeeshan is afraid of not knowing if she have same feelings so he chooses an alternative".

She grinned at him cute-ly, "That would be so good. If they like each other".

"Wouldn't that be a problem?". He asked and she frowns, "I mean their age differences?".

"How does that change anything?". She asked

"She is younger than him. She has her own dream and more". He said cautiously

She shrugged looking deep into his eyes, "If she likes him then nothing else matters".

"What do you mean?". He asked curiously

"Well, if we like a person then our dream sometime could change or they can work together to fulfil those dreams. So, an excuse as an age difference being a hurdle is not right". She explained then her eyes twinkle, "But, imagine if they get married we will all be together".

He chuckles, "Yeah, we will be".

"Who will be together?". Riva asked

"Whose wedding are you planning?". Zeeshan asked

"Your". Safa said placing a hand over her mouth looking at her husband to save her

"Yes, I have a friend and I spoke to your parents for your marriage". Mahr said smirking

"He is getting married?".

"I am getting married?".

Both Riva and Zeeshan said at the same time. They looked at one another then at Mahr who nodded.

"Yes, you are". Mahr said smiling

"I have a call to attend". Riva said walking away

Zeeshan looked at her then back at his friend, "What was that?".

Mahr shrugged, "I wasn't joking".

Zeeshan walked away too and Safa looked at Mahr.

"You were lying". She said and he chuckles, "Why?".

"Did you see Riva's face and Zeeshan's when I said all that?. We can play a little matchmaker, right?". He said and she nodded smiling, "So, my dear wife, tomorrow you will play with your friend".

The next day, she had a plan to have Riva confess to her but she wasn't sure how.

"Riva?. Where have you been all day?". Safa said as she caught her running away from her

Riva turned to her smiling forcefully, "Just busy".

"You went away yesterday we didn't get to enjoy. How about we go to the cafe?". Safa asked smiling

"If that's what you want, ok". Riva said

He looked at his friend roaming around aimlessly doing no work.

"You know I pay you to work for me?". He asked smirking to himself

"Why did you speak to my parents?". Zeeshan asked angrily

"I am married I wanted you too. I thought she was best for you". He replied

"No, you should have asked me if I wanted to marry her". Zeeshan said

"So, do you like someone?". He asked

"Yes, I do". Zeeshan said frustrated,"Ri-".

"Riva, you like her". He said completing his sentence

Zeeshan looked at him, "You know?".

He smiled.

"So, we were thinking about marrying him next month. Isn't that amazing?. We can both work together for his wedding". She said hoping for a reaction

But, she got nothing.

"Are you scared because of that day?". She asked finally

"You don't understand, Safa. That day, I felt like my world will be taken from me. I barely was saved by the disaster I am not even completely over it and I feel I will destroy someone life because of my anxiety". Riva said sadly

"But, what if someone is ready to share your burden?. What if he helps you?". Safa said holding her hand, "Look at me, Riva, I told him about my mother".

Riva's eyes widen, "What?. When? Then?".

"The day father destroyed my letter. I told him how my father marries mother a few years back to have her property and left her where she was. Then, when she had me she went to him and he rejected her. To which she committed suicide along with me only to end in coma and me in my father house". She explained blinking her tears, "He didn't judge me nor he said anything. He was just like he was even more caring. He said it doesn't matter to him and that he will find a way for me. You can give someone a chance, Riva, just one".

Riva walked around randomly after speaking to her friend. Her mind wouldn't stop the images of her past. Could she ever forget it? probably not. She looked at the sky as a tear falls down her face. She couldn't even like a guy because of her past. The fears and the pain from that night follow her everywhere. She realised it was late at night and she needed to be home just as she turned her world stopped.

"What do you mean by you have no idea where she is?". Zeeshan asked worriedly

He had only heard a call while he was on his way back home to speak to his parents about marrying Riva when he received a call from his friend telling him they can't seem to find her.

His eyes widen as someone almost hit his car. He cancelled the call going out to check who it was and his heart stopped.

"Riva". He said shocked looking at her

"H-He is here. Please, save me". She begged

It didn't even take him a second before he pushed Riva behind him hiding him from whatever danger she was in. His whole body tensed as his eyes hardened when he found a man standing in front of him with a smirk on his face.

"Give me the girl back". The man said

"You will take her over my dead body". He replied anger filling his senses

They waited patiently as they have lied to both Riva and Zeeshan fathers about them staying at their house. They have received a call from Riva that they were save and on their way here.

The bell rang and Safa ran towards the door opening it to find them both. She hugged Riva tightly taking her to a guest room.

"Are you ok?". Safa asked as Riva sat on the bed silently

"I just need time alone, Safa". Riva said

Safa walked away from the room dejected towards the stairs.

"I don't know what man but I had him locked in jail for now". She heard Zeeshan voice causing her to drop the glass that was in her hand

Mahr and Zeeshan turned towards her and Mahr moved towards her quickly holding her hand.

"Safa, are you ok?". He asked worriedly looking at her

She barely nodded looking back at Zeeshan, "What man?".

Zeeshan looked at him confused but then he realised she must have known, "I don't know but he was after her and she was running away. She just said he was here".

Her heart stopped.

She ran towards the door where she left Riva and opened the door to find her on the ground. She ran towards her scared what she might see but as she moved she found her looking at the ceiling blankly.

"I didn't do anything, Safa". Riva said blankly

"Riva, he-". Safa said

"He is here". She said chuckling dryly, "After everything he is back again. You know what is more amazing?".

Safa looked at her shaking her head," Riva, please".

"He said it was all my fault". Riva rise from the ground as anger filled her, "How is him wanting to rape me was my fault, Safa?. Tell me?. He said that he was here because he didn't succeed last time. H-He ruined me and my childhood. He ruined all my happy day and goodnight and he said it was ALL MY FAULT".

"Riva-". Safa started

"It wasn't. It wasn't my fault, Safa. He was my uncle who wasn't supposed to be like that. He betrayal us. He isn't just any man he is a criminal. I am not going to leave him this time". Riva said walking out of the room

As she walked out she saw both the man standing there. Mostly, she was focused on Zeeshan.

"That was my story". Was her words as she ran away

It's been a week since Riva did what she said and not being pressured by the society she placed her uncle behind bars where he belonged. This time, her father wasn't weak like before he had helped her keep his brother behind the bar for all his life. He had once done what his mother had asked him and not support his daughter of which guilt always stayed with him.

"I don't want you to choose the university your father want you to". Mahr said laying his head in her lap

"But-". She started

"You are 18 so you can be the guardian of your mother and we will pay for her treatment. Nothing will happen to her, I promise. Just, don't let your dream go". Mahr said sincerely

"I need some time". She said sighing

"We are here for your daughter's hand". Zeeshan's father said smiling

"Riva?". Her father said confused she walked in right that moment

"What is it, Abbu (father)?". She asked confused

"They are here for you". Her father said pointing to Zeeshan and his family, "They want to have your hand, beta (daughter)".

Riva's eyes went towards his parents then at him and her heart stopped.

"Uncle, if you allow I wanted to speak to her". Zeeshan said softly

Her father nodded asking Riva to take him to their garden.

"What are you doing, Zeeshan?". She asked as they were away from anyone hearing them

"I want to marry you, Riva". He said she was about to speak but he shakes his head as he continues, "I have heard enough from you. I want you to hear me this time. I liked you before you even told me your story. If you think I will run away from you because of someone else wrongdoing you are wrong. I started loving you right at that moment I came to know everything. I knew the moment you looked at me with those broken eyes that you needed me too. You didn't heal your wounds all these years is why they hurt so much, Riva. Let's heal them together".

"I cannot believe you are getting married today". Safa said giggling at her friend nervous face

"It's not funny, ok?". Riva said anxiously, "I mean we are not exactly getting married it's just Nikaah for now but I am so nervous".

"Oh, so you are sad that it's just Nikaah I should tell this to Zeeshan Bhai ( brother)". Safa teases

"I will kill you-". Riva started when they heard the Qazi coming

"Can you believe it?. Our matchmaking worked?". Mahr said smiling looking at his beautiful wife who was smiling too

"Yes. But it was you who understand everything. I have no idea about these things". She replied

"You don't need to have any idea". Mahr said holding her hand in his, "You know that there is nothing more important to me than you, right?".

Each coming day, they grew a lot closer. He would take care of her in every way needed. He had transferred her mother's guardianship to her name but he hadn't told her that yet. He had to take her to sign in one of these days but he had started paying for her mother's treatment.

She had noticed the growing good changes between them it wasn't every day you have a man who holds everything for you. She felt complete with him by her side.

"I don't want to go there, Mahr. You don't understand that house is nothing but bad news". She said angrily

"I know but I am there with you". He insisted

Today, she was specially called by her parents to come home. She could feel in her heart that it wasn't something good. The whole day she had spent in coming up with the worst scenario possible.

But, she didn't know what was coming was even worse.

"My daughter is back". Her father said smiling looking at her stepsister who had run away from the house