the mirror in her room looking at the woman in front of her.

Broken.

She was broken.

Her eyes reflect the years she have tried her best to be the best to be used by everyone.

She broke down.

She slide down to the floor curling herself crying.

"No one. She is their daughter in law".

Those were her birth mother words. She must have forgotten all about her living her life.

What about her life?. Her joy?.

She worked hard all her life to enjoy her life she recieve nothing but pain in return. It pierce my heart making her breathing heavy.

"Maria". She heard his soft concern filled voice

She raises her head looking at him as tears roll down her cheek,"I-It hurts".

He immediately engulfs her in a hug patting her back saying comforting words. Slowly she feel his warmth travelling into her body making her calm.

"Do you want to speak about it?". He asked softly brushing her hair away from her face kissing her forehead

She shakes her head,"It's useless".

"Nothing about you is useless". He said frowning

"No, it's useless that I try to be the best for people and they hurt me. I want to start building my happiness now". She said softly snuggling into him

The next day she walks downstairs when she heard voices and went she enter inside she stiffened.

"What are you doing here?". She asked looking at her grandparents (mother's side)

She found her grandfather glaring at her,"My daughter told me that you met her yesterday".

"So?". She asked gulping her emotions

"I don't want you ever meeting or going near her. I don't want you ruin her beautiful life like you did before". He snapped

"I never intend to do that if I wanted I would have done that years ago. It wouldn't have been that hard knowing about you all when my new mother was my own Khala (mother's sister)". She said

They gasped.

"How do you know?". Her grandfather asked

"Because the night you threw us both of the street I wasn't sleeping. The nights were spent on the street because of you is something I will never forget. I don't hate you for what you did to me but what you did to Ammi (Khala)- you were the one who married her to an abusive man ruining her life and when she took a divorce you did this to her and that is something I will never forget you". She said angrily

Sameer holds her hand in his feeling her emotions.

"She is not your Ammi". She heard Hoorian voice

She turns to find her glaring at her,"She is my one and only Ammi".

"No-". Hoorian started

But that moment her mother (Khala) walks inside not paying attention to anyone.

"Beta-". She (Inaya) started but stops when she finds the people around

"Meri Ammi Jaan". Maria said hugging her

"What are they doing here?". Inaya asked pulling back from her

"Nothing. It's not important-". Maria started

"Tell me". Inaya said stern

Maria starts to explain and watches how Inaya faces reddened with visible anger. Inaya moves to her sister- Hoorian slapping her hard and then turn to glare at her parents.

"You threw us out years ago and I never said anything but if you ever try to come near my daughter (Maria) again you will be dealing with a lot". Inaya said angrily

They leave quickly.

Maria looks at her amused hugging her from behind, "Meri Jhansi ki Raani".

Inaya rolls her eyes taking her hand away,"You should have told me earlier".

Maria shrugged, "It happened yesterday I had no time. So, what are you here for?".

"Oh, this". Inaya said forwarding her the card

She looks down at the card frown to find Ibrahim Bashir Khan wedding card.

"Where have I heard this name?". She mumble to herself

Inaya turns to her in law and husband smiling and greeting them.

"How are you all?". Inaya asked softly

"Oh, I remember". Maria said excitedly as everyone turns to her,"This is the nephew of Liaqat Khan".

Inaya stutter the next words,"Y-Yes, he is. They miss you".

"Who came to drop the card?". Maria asked enthusiastically

She didn't miss the little sadness in her mother eyes, "Their driver".

"Oh, right, he said he was going for a trip before he went. So he haven't came-". Maria ranted

Her mother place a hand on her mouth glaring at her asking her to stop talking and she nooded.

Inaya turn to quickly dismissing herself,"I will take-".

She stops when Maria leans into her ear and whisper, "So, he didn't bring or sent any flowers?".

"Maria". Inaya said stern but she just giggle,"Stop it".

"Ok. Ok". Maria said smiling to herself

Inaya turn to look at all the curious faces making her blush a little as she was about to speak but Maria giggle again.

"Maria". Inaya whined

"I didn't do anything". Maria said smiling and Sameer smiles looking at them bantering

"I am leaving. It was nice to meet you all". Inaya said dismissing herself

"Send me some flowers". Maria shouted behind her making her blush more

Maria looks at the card smiling when an idea came in her mind. She takes her phone out calling the number.

Not even two rings Liaqat answered,"How are you?".

"I am good. What about you?". She asked softly

"I am doing good. Is everything ok?. Is your aunt ok?". He asked worriedly

She grins thinking the next words,"Oh, aunt?. Ummm... she is not fine".

"Why?. What happened?. She was ok when I left?. What's wrong?". He asked tensed

"Can we meet?". She asked

"I am out of country but I will take the first flight and meet you". He said cutting the call

She squeal when she heard the throat clearing and she completely forgot about everyone who was looking at her curiously.

"What are you doing, beta?". His father asked softly

"I am meeting Liaqat uncle". She replied smiling

"Who are they?". His father asked

"Oh, when we had to stay on street for about a couple of month he found us and took us to there home. Their family helped us in and give Ammi cleaner job but she wanted to build herself so she took another job, bought a house and then we move out. They helped us a lot in our tough time so we meet them few times. But Liaqat uncle always comes with flowers and gifts for us at our home". She explained

"Let me meet him". His father suggested

"Ok. I will call him here then". She said smiling widely

******

"You know biwi it's bad to spy on people". He whispers leaning closer to her

She giggles at the tickling sensation turning to him with a beautiful grin adoring her face.

"But it's funny. I am too excited to see what he has to say". She reasoned innocently

He tucks a strand of her hair away kissing her forehead wrapping his arms around her waist, "Go on. I am not stopping you. Though he already said that he likes her but doesn't have any idea what to do about it".

"Why do people do that?". She asked confused

"What?". He asked

"Wait. If you like someone why don't they say it?". She asked with utmost attention to him

His heart hammered against his chest,"So if someone tells you that they liked you what will you do?".

"I will say I like you too". She said grinning

"And if someone tries to kiss you after that what will you do?". He asked gulping his emotions but his voice became thick

She blushes,"I will slap him. I am married why will someone else kiss me?".

He couldn't help but chuckle at her reply,"My innocent lamb".

"Hey!". She said offended pouting

"I will tell you a secret one of these days". He said smiling lightly

She plays with the button on his shirt oblivious to what it was doing to his heart.

"Ok". She mumble softly

"You can send your proposal to her and we will look at everything else". She heard his father say to Liaqat uncle

"I will do that". Liaqat uncle said

She looks at him beaming as she squeal in his hand,"He is doing it, Sameer".

He laughs,"Yes, he is".

She giggles.

*****

"Ammi, you love me right?". She asked sadly looking at Inaya who nodded worried, "You know when I am with Sameer I always worry about what you are doing, how you are doing and if you are ok. My heart always remain uneasy leaving you alone here".

"Beta, I am perfectly fine". Inaya said patting her head

She place her head in her lap,"No, I am worried about you all the time. Will you do something for me, please?".

"Jee, beta". Inaya said smiling

"Please get married". She blurted watching her eyes widen,"Please please don't say no. I have someone very amazing you wants to marry you and I said yes because I am always tensed and can't focus on my studies or marriage. Please, Ammi, for me?".

"Beta, but-". Inaya started

"Please, you can do this one thing. You love me right?". She acted like she was about to cry

Inaya looks at her worried nodding her head and she squeal.

"Yes, yes, yes. I knew you love me so much". She said hugging her,"I asked Ibrahim Bhai if we can marry you along with him and he agreed. So you are getting married in 10 days".

"Did you plan all this?". Inaya asked

"Of course not". She lied

"Maria". Inaya said stern

"Ok. I need to go, Ammi. My husband wants me and I have to prepare everything. See you". She said hurriedly leaving

Sameer looks at her exiting and by the way her face is lit up it was clear the plan succeeded.

He needed to make his own plan work too.

******

Inaya stands in front of the mirror looking at her henna sighing. She has no idea because her child decided that it was fun to not tell her about her own groom.

The fear of being abused clenching her heart.

"Meri Ammi kia soch rahi hai?. (What is my mother thinking)". Maria said hopping inside her room

Maria slows down when she finds the fear in her eyes.

"What's wrong?". She asked softly hugging her from behind placing her chin on her shoulder

"I am scared". Inaya said honestly

"Don't be. He won't hurt you". She said softly

"I am sorry". Inaya said looking down,"I am sorry for not talking to you all this time. I was shocked when they threw us on street and trying to survive that I never thought that I was creating distance between us".

"I don't want us to remember our past anymore. I want us to just live in present. You will be married tomorrow and I want you to be happy". She said smiling

*****

The next day she ran around looking at everything to be perfect. She never thought that her marriage will bring this many happiness together.

Yes, she suffered.

Being called names your whole life doesn't just vanish. The scar always stays but she decide to fight her.

She feel someone holding her hand pulling her away from the people. She looks at her husband smiling at her widely.

"You look beautiful, Jaan". He said kissing her forehead

"Thank you". She said smiling

"There is something I wanted to tell you". He said

She heard the Nikkah starting and her eyes still didn't leave his intense stare he have on her making her feel sensation within her.

"You told me you that if someone say they like you then you will say it back. Don't. I don't want you to say it back to random people". He said as leans closer to her making her breathing hitched, "Because the only person you should say it for life is me. I love you, Meri Jaan".

Her eyes widen looking at him but her heart had already accepted this long back,"I love you too".

He grins,"You told me you wouldn't slap me if I kiss you".

Before she can speak he kissed her.

They heard the congratulations going around for the Nikkah.

But they were lost in their own world until they were breathless. She blushes looking at him and he caresses her cheek.

"Go on". He said kissing her forehead feeling his heart at content

She nodded.

She runs to her mother watching the shock expression on her face.

"Why didn't you told me?". Inaya asked

She chuckle, "You wouldn't have agreed this easily. We have to go now".

She takes her to the stage leaving her with Liaqat wishing Ibrahim and his bride before going back to stand with her husband.

He holds her hand in his drawing random circle looking at the happiness on her face knowing he will keep it forever.

*****

She understood.

There is no way people will ever stop their words. It seem that people forgot that they were taught that the tongue is the biggest and sharpest thing that needed to be in control.

Everyone seem to be enjoying using their words against wounded. Picking at their scars until they bleed is the new joy. The thrill of knowing of demeaning a perfect human being self respect, honour and dignity under their feet is never ending.

The world is fighting with words.

Sometimes they win, sometimes they don't and sometimes we let them win.

She have tried to live her life as the happiest person, without complains to other, caring, kind and being mistreated, mislead and used by everyone.

Though through her life she met a few kind souls.

Only a wounded understand her wounds to be kind to her.

Others not so much.

She have slept on street, bullied by her classmates, called names, used by her friends and assaulted. Being assaulted did shakes her existence for a while. It was when she was in high school where people called her filthy and one decided to test her innocence.

She was haunted by nightmares for a full year but her need for survival made it push the fear behind her back. It wasn't like she haven't had fear maybe she had all of them but need wins against fears.

If a person is trapped in a desert with thirst burning his existence and the need to have something to clench it will lead him to overcome his fear.

He would go to any bound in that fear- that is human survival instinct.

It was the same for her. Being alone and isolated when her mother never spoke to her she taught herself through and much. She used her instinct to guide her to live.

"Do you know how sick I am?". She heard his soft amused voice from behind her,"A doctor should do their duty well. Their patient is here dying and they are not even looking at them".

Her lips smashed together so the smile that threatened to come on it wouldn't come. She turns to her dramatic handsome husband. Over the years, she have understood that he was a different man to different people. She have been asked over and over again about how she feels to be with him.

How a woman who is loved should be.

Yes, he was scary and merciless for the world but when his eyes falls on his heart; his wife- that's a different story. His eyes soften along with his heart which she holds in her hand now, he is compassionate fulfilling all their desires. Most of all, he is someone who made her a true woman- a woman who had a dream and he fulfilled it.

Doctor Maria Sameer.

She have achieved her goal after long years. He had planned not to have a child at the time to not burdened her in any way. The people would ask and pressure her for a child but he stood like a strong wall even when her wall shakes he built them back for her like a pillar he always made her stand back. He would always ask them to mind their own business and ask her to do the same.

"What seem to be the problem, sir?". She said softly playing along

"My heart is the problem". He said stepping closer glad that they were in her cabin, "My wife had been ignoring me. She went to hospital early without giving me our promised deal and then no calls, messages or talks. Just plain ignoring. My heart seem to have a whole in it now".

"That's a serious issues". She said seriously hiding her amusement

But their eyes held it making them break into laughter.

"Sorry, it was an emergency and I have been busy since. But I missed you". She said grinning at him

He chuckle with his heart beating loudly. Even after years she holds the same innocence and he always prays that his Lord protect her innocence for life. It was amusing and rare to find such gem and he wouldn't allow any dirt come on it.

Like he have fought for her status in this society of leeches and mosquitoes sucking blood until one fell ill of it. Illness is at least can be cured but not these people who have forbidden change and that thinking all together.

But one need to fight so he did.

He had made her his respect so much that he engrave fear in every mouth that even thinks of speaking against her. Slowly but surely he made her raise her head, break down in front of him which was hard for him to watch as his heart bleeds for her and then he build her back into a stronger woman.

Slowly and steadily.

He had loved her and love doesn't meant to be perfect. Perfection is fictional and he was something his life depend on now. He wasn't allow his woman, his love, his respect to live a life of pain.

He cherish her like a man should do for a woman.

Which made her glow and develop into a beautiful being far from his own vision he had imagined.

"It very serious, my love". He said leaning down to her face level drinking in her beauty and those eyes

Those beautiful doe brown eyes that looks at him like he holds the answer to her questions. Like a man who was loved beyond.

They both were in love.

"What's the treatment?". She asked looking at him gleefully

"I know a way". He said huskily bending down and closer to her lips

"Ba da ba da". He heard his daughter squealing

He moves back looking to the side where she lays he turns to the bed where he finds her beautiful eyes like her mother open and her tiny hand and feet moving around as she tries to speak.

She is no older than a year but she have everyone around her fingers especially her father. He immediately holds her gently in his hand still scared that somehow he movement might hurt his little angel- a angel he will protect for life. He holds her tiny hand in his and the softness of her hand made her heart melts. He kissed her hand making her giggle in his hand as her eyes looks at him lively- a shine in her eyes he promise to protect just like her mother. The innocence, purity and her nature is the exact copy of her mother and he wouldn't have it other way.

He remember when he came to know about him being a father. It was such a heavy word that his heart thunders in emotions. Then he prayed and prayed to have a daughter just like his wife and he was blessed to have one. The day and the moment he saw her he cried. His hand were shaking holding such a soft fragile body and his fears and vulnerabilities on display.

Just by his own flesh and blood.

Just by a small baby.

But the way his heart crossed and promised that he will give his life for her.

"Meri Jahan (my world)". He whispers in such soft whisper as if his voice any louder would break her

His daughter equally share his joy as she wiggle in his hand then snuggle into his warmth placing her head on his chest as she tries to wrap her tiny arms around his large body only to fail.