A week before:

Laith asked his mother more of forced to be back in their hometown. He needed to speak to his Chachu to know what had gone wrong in the past and was it all the truth.

He needs to find that for her happiness.

Her crying face always appears in his eyes each time she closes his eyes. He cannot stop the hurt his heart feel every single time to think that she is dealing with all this alone.

He enters inside his house greeting all of his family who is here. Immediately his mother started spouting about how bad characters those two women were.

He sits there for the longest time watching everyone who seemingly looks very interested in his mother words.

Beside his chachu (Zufi).

He looks in agony and his face control nothing but deep pure agony. He can imagine how he must be feeling but his words seem to break Zaina apart.

Zaina, she looks so beautiful when she is smiling at rare occasions.

The two days he patiently allowed his mother to put her words of hatred in front of everyone until his button was finally pushed.

"My son will divorce her immediately". His mother declared

His eyes turn to his mother, "Who said I am doing that?".

The silence was almost killing that follows his words. His mother turns to face him with a look of disbelief.

"What?. Of course, you will don't you see how she insulted your mother and how her mother slapped me?". His mother said with tears leaving her eyes

He stands from his seat," Say the full story, mother".

"W-What?". His mother said stuttering, "This is the full story".

"Is it?". He challenged

"How dare you speak to me like that?. Look now they have turned him against me". His mother said

"Bhai (brother), think before you take your next actions". Ali whispers to him

He clenches his hands, "Say the full story".

He wanted to give his mother a chance to come clean so he can make things right.

"I said what I wanted and if you say anything I will end our relationship". His mother threatened

"No, don't listen to her. Tell me what you want to say, beta (son)". His chachu finally spoke after two days

"She insulted them". He said hearing everyone listening to him intently and his mother shaking her head furiously, "We went to her home the first time and Zaina opened the door and Ammi started insulting her right that minute. Zaina didn't say anything on her insults but when Ammi insulted her mother (Khadija) that was when she asked to stop her to stop speaking. Zaina repeated asked Ammi to stop talking against her mother but Ammi never stopped. Then, Zaina's Ammi came out from her room and she didn't look well at all. She looked weak and she stumbles by taking a few steps towards us. Zaina's Ammi asked Ammi to leave but she started insulting Zaina to which she slapped Ammi and asked her to stop talking about her daughter that way. This is the full story".

He heard gasps around him and everyone in deep thoughts.

"Bhai (brother), there is something you need to know". He heard his father speaking to chachu," She lied about your wife having an affair with her previous fiance she set that all up. I am sorry I took this long to say it".

He watches his chachu falling on the ground as grief and guilt grips him.

"I broke my family". His chachu said as tears brimmed his eyes then he looks at his mother, "Why did you do it?. Why her?".

He watches his mother eyes filling with anger, "Because you were supposed to marry my sister. But you went there for a better life and then fall in love with that woman. I called her ex-fiancee paying him to do the act so you break your marriage off. I hated how she got everything that my sister deserved".

"How can you do this?". Chachu said, "What do I do now?. My wife and child lived without me. What can I possibly do now?".

"There is something". Laith said

******

Present

She opens her eyes blinking a few times to adjust to the lights.

"Beta (daughter), you are awake?". She heard the voice say softly

Then the voice registers in her head and she looks at her father leaning on her with tears in his eyes.

She pushes him away sitting on the bed but the action only cause a sharp pain in her head and she hisses.

"Careful. The doctor said you need a lot of rest". She heard another voice she wished all week to hear

She turns to look at Laith standing in front of her with a warm smile on his face.

Before she can speak the door burst open and in walk her mother looking only at her with the worry evident in her eyes. She places her hands on her cheeks, "What happened?".

Zufi breathing hitch when he finds the woman he left just a few years back tending to their daughter.

"Mother, I am fine". Zaina said smiling lightly

"That's why you are on the bed?". Her mother said strictly, "I will go ask the doctor-".

Her words stopped when she looks at the man she dies for every day. Every night the man who occupies her dreams. Every day, the man she thinks of.

"Zufi". She whispers stumbling back but Zaina hold her hand steadying her, "What are you doing here?".

"I-I-". Zufi started but no words come out of his mouth, "I came back,Khadija".

"What do you mean by that?". Her mother screamed, "Leave us, now".

Zaina looks at her father heartbroken eyes as she pleads his mother one last time before walking outside.

"What is this about?. What did your mother do this time?". Her mother asked Laith

He explained the details about everything and he sees how broken her mother gets after hearing each word.

"I-I can't forgive him". Her mother said crying, "Take him back".

"There is something you both must know". Laith said as they look at him, "I am here to get my wife and he is here to get his wife back too. There is no way any of us will back out even if it takes us years. We have lost so much time because of these misunderstandings and we don't want to waste any more of this precious time".

******

"Mom, give dad a chance". Zaina said sitting on the couch

It's been a month.

A month since they both came back and a month since she gains her health back. Every day, her father send flowers to her mother. He always stands outside the door waiting for her. Always text her and apologise whenever he finds her.

As for Laith, he always follows her around since she cannot exactly take off from her university because her exams are near she had to attend it. He keeps saying how bad he was for assuming things about her.

It's not like he had hurt us as much as her father.

Why?. Because she never truly thought about this relation. She did it because her father one day called her mother and said he wanted her to marry Laith. Her mother saying that's the only and last thing her father had asked them she did it.

She hasn't told him or anyone about it.

But she did start to consider it again. Looking at her parent relationship and knowing his mother can possibly ruin theirs too scares her now. The thought of starting this relationship is exciting but the fears are just too big.

"I don't know, Zaina. It's not that easy". Her mother said crying

"Why isn't it?". She asked, "You loved him and for the past few years you still loved him. You never stopped for a second or a day. Each day you looked for him around you and every night you missed his presence crying yourself to sleep. Why is that whenever you take his name or think about it your heart hurts?. Why is that you even forget about me but not about him for a second? Just why?".

"I am dying. You know that". Her mother cried

She pauses then she wraps her arms around her mother, "Then give him this chance to enjoy this time with you, please. Just enjoy your time together".

"Zaina-". Her mother started

"Please, mom". She said taking her hand as she walks towards the door opening it to find her father standing there again, "Just once".

Zufi looks at his wife who seems weak every day that passes by. He never thought her love for him was this strong that it breaks her this much. But he vows to himself to love her forever.

"Z-Zufi-". She started but he pulls her towards him wrapping his arms around her securely

"Forgive me". He said pleading

"I will". She said hugging him back

******

"What are you thinking about, beautiful?". Laith asked sitting beside her in the library

"Does love really hurt?". She asked

"I think". He said, "Why?".

"My mom ruined herself over my father". She said as her voice cracks, "Enough to take her life".

"What are you talking about, Zaina?". He said hurriedly

"My mom has kidney disease". She said crying

"What?". He said shocked," Zaina, please tell me clearly".

She wiped her tears looking at their joined hands explaining everything.

*****

He sits in the cafe waiting for Zufi to come after leaving his wife at home. He looks at his wife who is silently drinking her coffee.

"Is everything ok?". Zufi asked taking his seat in front of them

"There is something she needs to tell you". Laith said

She took a deep breath and he holds her hand in his, "Mom was diagnosed with kidney disease about six months ago".

Zufi heart stopped, "W-What?".

She nodded, "She fainted at her work and they said that her exhaustion and stressed caused it".

"What about treatment?. Did you asked the doctor about anything further?". Zufi said hopefully

She looks down at the table, "We didn't have money".

Zufi frowns, "Beta (daughter), I send you checks all the time".

"No, we received them we never used them". She said, "So, when she was diagnosed she said she didn't want to know further because it was of no use. The doctor said she needs treatment or she w-won't-".

"Why didn't you use the money?". Zufi asked

"It was your money". She said pressuring the words

Zufi holds his head in his hands, "I send all of my income to you both thinking you will at least live comfortably. I never used a single penny on myself and now I come to know that the money didn't even help you in any way".

"We need to take her to the hospital immediately". Laith said

They nodded.

*******

"Why?. I don't want it". Her mother said

"Mom". Zaina said stern, "You have to do it".

Zufi shakes his head at her daughter holding his wife's hand, "I am sorry I am late and this is all my fault. But you have to live for us. If not me at least for Zaina she suffered because of us and she isn't ready to let you go without a fight. Please, don't leave us".

Zaina nodded holding her other hand.

******

A month after they stay in the waiting area as she went under the operation.

Laith heard his phone ringing and sees his mother calling him. He walks to the corner to listen to her not wanting to stress others.

"I am giving you last chance to decide it's either her or me". His mother said angrily

"Why are you doing this?". He asked almost pleading, "You are the one who gave me birth and made me who I am. Why are you taking away my happiness?. I am happy with her, Ammi, I can't even be more thankful to be married to her. Then why can't you let this go and accept them?. Why are you ruining your every relationship for your sister who is already married happily?".

He feels the soft touch on his hand making him look at Zaina standing beside him. He realised he has been crying the whole time and she must have seen it.

"I-I-". His mother stutters

"Go". Zaina said softly but he shakes his head, "You have to go back, home, Laith. She needs you and she is everything to you. It doesn't matter what happens to us because nothing besides what our Lord wants could happen. Just go back, please".

"Zaina, I can't leave you. I love you". He pleaded

She shakes her head, "I know you do. But there are more things to look at besides that. One being your mother who is someone I can never compete with. She is the reason I was able to meet you and I couldn't be more grateful to her. So, please, leave".

*******

2 year later:

She looks around to yet again lighting on the houses making them enhance their features. She smiles as she looks at the happy faces of the people.

She has no regret.

Two years back she made him leave her. It was tough at first but she managed to get herself through. That doesn't mean in all these days she didn't miss him. Each minute seems too long when she starts to think about him.

Sometimes she remembers how much they use to come to the cafe whenever they have a free period in university to enjoy themselves and just talk. How much they use to crave each other and the need to be together.

"Beta (daughter), where are you?". She heard her mother asks as she answer her call

"I am in front of Eiffel Tower, why?". She asked looking at the tall tower covered in lights and people everywhere

"Nothing. I was worried since you weren't home yet. Enjoy your time". Her mother said

As the call ended she remembers how hard it was for her mother even after the operation. She wasn't able to do her daily routine work and with her own heartbroken she cannot do anything properly either. That was when her father appeared to be their saviour.

He handled her mother so delicately nourishing her back to health. She has seen them glowing and blossoming again.

She understands something.

Her biggest fear of loving and then hurting from the person you love is inevitable. There can be no perfect love like no perfect person and there are meant to be hurdles.

While she never confessed her love to him in her own fears and that's the only regret she didn't realise until he was no longer there that she loved him. She loved him more than words can ever say.

Being hurt is part of the journey either you choose to love or not. The pain is meant to come in any form. Being able to love someone and the feeling of having someone beside you however is beautiful. She lost her chance already.

Her parents were the reasons she was afraid. But she saw how the people in love even when hurt they still longed for one another even when they are not in contact they think of only one another.

Does he think about me?. She thoughts.

Because she thinks about him all the time. She wanted to have another chance at love. To be able to tell him she loved him.

She wipes her tears that seem to come on their own, "I love you, Laith. I wish you were here with me and I could tell you this. I miss you".

"I missed you too". She heard his voice making her heart stopped

She stiffens in her place thinking that she must have imagined it.

"Wouldn't you look at me?". He asked again

She can feel the pain in his voice. The same suffering as her. She doesn't need to be told how he spends his years without her.

Because he suffered just like her.

"You shouldn't be here, Laith". She said as she sees the people countdown for the new year

He walks closer to her each step making his heart flutter but hurt at the same time. He stands in front of her.

"My mother is here to bring my bride back home". He said knowing she is not going to speak unless he clears that, "It took me 2 years of continuous discussions to make her understand that you were the one for me. I never left you I can never do that. I just went to get everything right for the start. As we speak, our parents are sitting together to discuss our wedding. I am here for us. I love you, Zaina".

She looks at him with tears in her eyes he wipes her tears away smiling.

3...2...1

"I love you, Laith". She smiled as she heard the fireworks go off

*******

"Laith, don't be like this. He is coming any minute now". She whined trying to push her husband away but he has been clinging to her

"Well, he can deal with it because of him I lost so much of my time with you". He said grinning

She rolls her eyes, "He is your son, Laith and you have a daughter coming soon. Now imagine how much of my time will you have?".

"Are you teasing me or scaring me?". He asked stern

"You can take it however you want". She laughed

That's his favourite sound.

"Whatever. See he is not here and you are just pushing me away". He said walking away

She smiles secretly knowing in less than 5 seconds he will be back. She feels him wrapping his arms around her again kissing her cheeks and she giggles.

"I love you". He whispers softly

"I love you too". She said happily

Love last with patience and believing.

That was their story.