he held her hand in his tightly. She looked at her father smiling at her sister who had shamed him.

"You forgive her?". She asked barely audible

"Of course, I did. She just did one mistake I cannot punish her for that". Her father said looking at her stepsister with love

Her heartbreaks.

"So, why are we here?". She asked strained

"We wanted to speak to Mahr, not you". Her stepmother said smirking

"Yes, we wanted to say that now that my daughter is here you don't need to stay married to her". Her father said

Her heart stopped.

"You can marry the person you were supposed to marry and leave her here". Her father added

His senses filled with anger, "What?".

"You don't need to stay in this relationship anymore". Her stepsister said smiling, "I did a mistake I am sure you can understand how a bride can get nervous at times and make a mistake".

"I am not marrying your daughter". Mahr said angrily

"What do you mean?. She wasn't supposed to be married to you". Her stepmother said angrily

"She is right. We have already looked for her groom already. He is here too. We wanted you to divorce her here and then we will marry her to him". Her father said standing from his seat

Mahr's eyes widen at the way they said everything like it wasn't anything. But, the thought of his wife marrying any other man angers him to no bound. She is not going to marry anyone else.

His eyes burned with anger as he stood from his seat, "I will say this once, so I hope you all will listen to me very carefully. Safa, is my wife and she will stay mine until my last breath. Your daughter is running, back or dying I don't care. I have the one I want you can fix your own daughter with the man you have chosen for my wife. But, if I ever hear you trying to dictate my or my wife live again the outcome will not be good".

He forwards his hand to her and she smiles holding his hand standing by his side. She looked back at her family still smiling sadly.

"I always wished for you (father) to love or at least care for me even out of guilt of what you did to my mother. But, not even once you ever apologise to the woman who had spent the last 18 years in a bed, all alone because of your wrongdoing. I spent 18 years with you wanting to please you in some way but you took my feelings and mocked them. Now, I had enough of you and your family. I will not stand still if you come breaking my house, me or anyone I care for. I will do as I please and I don't ever want to see you or be near my family".

Even when she said those words her heart pained for years she had worked in every way possible to keep them happy, only for them to break her in every way possible. She cannot believe them to stoop that low but she should have already figured them out.

"Are you ok?". He asked as they entered inside

She nodded sighing, "You said about my mother guardianship-".

"The paper is ready whenever you want to sign them. But, are you ok?". He asked again

"I don't know, Mahr. How would you feel to be everyone second choice?. Not even once, not even for you, I was first. I have been the second choice all my life and I am sick of it". She said crying

"What are we doing here?". Riva asked looking around to the amusement park

"Obviously, fun". Zeeshan said holding her hand gently, "I wanted to do something that we can remember for later".

Riva rolled her eyes but a smile came on her lips as she saw the excitement of people around her. She walked with her husband hand in hand as they enjoyed the rides.

Day by day, for a month, he had been with her more than ever. They weren't married so they had a few restrictions but he would call her at night to be sure she was able to sleep peacefully. She always falls asleep while he keeps talking and the next day she would still find him on call. All he said was he wanted to be sure she wasn't scared at night.

Month, that's all it takes for Safa to have her mother's custody and for her husband to set everything in action. She hasn't heard from her family beside her sister threatening messages but she blocked her.

Today was another party of Mahr's success and it was a charity so she was excited. Just like last time she finds everyone busy talking among themselves. Unfortunately, her family was here but she chose to ignore them. They had been doing that all her life. Riva and Zeeshan came after them and they were welcomed by everyone since they were newlyweds.

"I have been drawing a lot lately it's just I can't stop". Safa said smiling at her friend

"That's good. I can't wait for your exhibitions". Riva said giggling

"Look". Safa said pointing to the tablet in her hand, "This is the most recent one. It's about a woman being caged of her own self. Even if her mind is filled with ideas she locked them down breaking her own wings".

"That seems very good". Someone said causing the girls to squeal a little

Safa turned to the older man and her eyes widen in realisation, "You are Abdullah Salah?".

"That is me. Can I?". He asked pointing to her drawing

She forwards her tablet for him to look as he accessed the picture he smiled, "This is great. Just a few changes and you will be able to do much more. Are you already working somewhere?".

She shakes her head as he continues, "I would like you to apply to work with me if you want".

Riva stayed quiet as excitement build in her as she saw her friend agreeing and just as the man moved away she hugged Safa.

"You will be famous". Riva said and Safa chuckle

"I have a long way but I guess you are right". Safa replied smiling genuinely

She looked around to find her husband who was already looking at her and she smiled walking towards him with a grin.

"See, you remember Abdullah I used to talk about, right?". She asked happily he nodded, "He asked me to work for him. I am so happy".

He kissed her forehead, "I am happy for you".

Riva watched Safa's sister talking to someone then pointing towards Safa who was walking towards the restroom. She immediately jumped into action as she walked behind Safa before the man but as she saw Safa going in she found someone holding her hand pulling her.

She shouted but he placed his hand on her mouth. The images of that night started appearing in her head but something blocked that fear away. Her husband.

She cannot allow someone do anything to her that she doesn't want. She was stronger than that.

I started loving you right at that moment I came to know everything.

She kicked hard on his legs and his grips loses on her to kick him again. He started shouting in pain as he falls on the ground. Riva gathered herself as her air was blocked by his hand.

She saw some people gathering around and then her husband running towards her worried.

"What happened?. Are you hurt?". He asked holding her to his chest

She smiled in his hold shaking her head as she pulled back looking at Mahr, "This man was speaking to her sister then followed her here. I followed behind her but I think he thought I was her".

Mahr's eyes widen as he walked away trying to find his wife to have her in his safety. While, Riva's husband holds the man in anger punching him hard.

"How dare you touch, my wife?". He asked angrily

Before he could hit more she hold his hand, "Leave him".

"But-". He started but she shakes her head holding his hand pulling him away

They went back to their car and no one said any word.

"Are you ok?". He asked cautiously

"Can we go to that park?". She asked

He nodded driving silently to the park she had asked him to. Once, they were there they started walking together sitting on an empty bench looking at the moon.

"I am fine, Zeeshan. Stop worrying". She said watching his stressed line, "Instead, I think I have finally found someone who can heal my scars".

Zeeshan frowned as she continued, "Before you, I was walking around hiding from everyone beside Safa to not have anyone see the real me. I loved fighting with you because that was the only thing that I used to remember all night. Our silly fighting used to help me all day to stay away from dark thoughts. Then, you actually accepted me as your wife and started being there in person vanishing my scars. Today, I wasn't scared of that man like I used to be of men or under that situation. I remember only you and your words, Zeeshan".

He smiled hugging her tightly, "I am always here, Riva, no matter what".

He proved that every single time. She had slowly healed her wounds with him being there. She started thinking about him at all time and do things that would make him happy. Her world started revolving around him a little more each day.

Safa, had started her work even before completing her senior year with Abdullah Salah it was an honour for her. To be able to learn from someone inspiring each day. She had accepted her letter after her exam from the art university and with her husband help she had managed all her schedule.

Riva ended her exam to join a business university to work with and for her father's business. She had been working with her father to understand everything with Zeeshan helping her with her work.

Each of them grew in their own way needed and together they were even stronger. They had hardships like everyone but that didn't stop their love to blossom.

After two long year, Safa had managed to work in an exhibition for Abdullah and actually able to present one of her own work gaining her fame around her. Abdullah helped her career but also filled the void of father's love in her life.

He hadn't had an idea about her family history but he had filled the role of father for her. He loves her like a father does and cares for her. She loves him too.

Today, was her own exhibition that she had dreamed about with her husband for days.

"You look beautiful". Mahr said wrapping his arms around her waist placing his head in the crook of her head

"Thank you". She said softly

"Are you excited?". He asked pulling away turning her around to face him

"Nervous would be correct". She said

"Don't be. I will be there and I know you have worked hard". He said kissing her forehead

The exhibition was successful she had received the amount of respect she had wished for and meet people she could only think of.

"I am so proud of you, beta (daughter)". Abdullah said patting her head

"It's because of you, Baba (father)". She smiled happily

"I cannot believe you are finally getting married". Safa said looking at her friend all dressed in red with her, "I mean the amount of fights Mahr and I had to solved made us think you two will end it".

Riva laughed, "Come on, those fights were fun. You will have even more now".

"Please, stop this torture. It's fun for you, not me". Safa groaned

"Come on, cheer up, we are getting married". Riva said giggling, "Everyone wishes to be married along with their friend and here we are. Isn't it fun?".

"So, how does it feel to be married to me?". Zeeshan grinned at his wife kissing her forehead lovingly

She shrugged, "Like, I will soon end up in hell".

"Very funny. You know how much Mahr had given me a lecture to least not fight tonight?". He said groaning

She laughed, "So did Safa. But, it's not me who starts a fight".

His eyes widen, "Oh, no, it is you".

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

"Yes"

"I am calling Safa". Riva yelled angrily

"I am going to tell this to Mahr". Zeeshan said frustrated

He looked at his wife looking at the moon as they sat down on the bench in their garden.

"What you thinking?". He asked smiling tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear

"Just, how far we have come". She said smiling

He wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer to him, "You know you once said you were not my first choice?".

She nodded as he continues, "It's true. But, marrying your sister was not my choice it was my parents choice. When she ran away I didn't even care because it didn't really matter to me. Then, you came to me and to be honest for straight two months I had no idea what to do about it. Slowly, I started realising that you were my wife who I meant to fulfil all wishes and duties to. But, I realised along the way that even if you might not be my choice-".

She tilted her head looking deep into his eyes, "What am I to you?".

He smiled, "You are my one and only choice".

It was a blessing that two souls bound together by faith had helped two other souls to find each other. Each faces their own hardship but together they were strong.

.