were red in anger after hearing her words.

She snickers at his words, "Shohar?. Tum bus naam k shohar ho aur kuch nahi. Tum jaise buzdil insaan ki biwi honay se acha tha k meri shaadi na hoti. Agar mard the, toh us waqt mere sath hotay jub mujhe tumhari zarorat thi. Ab mujhe tumhari koi zarorat nahi. Jaise tum nae jub mujh se koi rishta nahi rakha, ab bhi na rakhna".

(Husband?. You are a namesake husband. It was better that I was not married to be married to a coward man like you. If you were a true man you would have came when I needed you. Now I don't need you anymore. Just like you didn't wanted this relationship back then, I don't need it now)

Coward.

That word irks him to the point of insanity. He wasn't a coward in his life and he was never called one. Everyone looks up at him with either pride or his fear. She looks at him with nothing but hate. Even though she says she forgives him- but did she?. Did she meant she forgives him?.

He doesn't know.

"Aur haan yeh yaad rahay k jo khana tumhari is bukwas ki waja se rah gaya us k liye koi maafi nahi".

(And remember that food I wasn't able to eat because of your nonesence I will never forgive you for it)

Damn her food. After leaving him restless from that time to now all she cares about her food. He slid down on the floor holding his head in his hands releasing an exhausting sigh. He had been on a war for 8 years and all that surrounds him was her.

What is he supposed to do?.

He closes his eyes thinking back to her in that dress he had chosen with his mother who dragged him from his studies to buy for her. He remembers that even when he had no idea about her something clicks when his eyes fell on that dress. Maybe his heart knows it that dress was made for her. Her eyes- they will be the death of him. Having her tonight around him in that dress and that jewellery that proudly shines around her had him acting like a possessive man who needs to have his possession hidden.

And she was his most precious possession.

He is surely going to lose against her it's all about time. She had turned into a woman who was now actually his equal. She won't be scared of him and fight him head-on. That lures him more towards her. She was a siren and he was drawn to her. She was right that he might end being a moth to her fire because somehow he was always the one running after her never the other way around.

Dammit!.

He pulls his hair trying to calm down his raging emotions and that agreement between them only seem to strengthen his emotions not calm them down. He was starting to crave touching her and having her around even if that foul mouth of hers will only anger him to no bound.

He holds the vase throwing it on the floor and the loud sound restoring through the house. She wasn't going to have any sleep. She knows that him confessing it will only worsen the situation. She was a psychiatrist obviously she can know and see more than an average person.

He was claiming her.

It was no secret that he had been resisting the claim and hence he had wasted all this time staying away from her. He was resisting it although he wanted to stake his claim.

She heard the loud sound and it fills her with worries as she tries to divert her mind but her heart only seems to pull her to him. The next crash was enough for her to be on her feet tying her robe around her running towards his room.

He was about to throw another vase when someone held his hand and that soft touch of hers told him exactly who it is. He cannot believe that he was this familiar with her scent, body heat and touch. And the fact that it only has his desires for her rising to an extreme.

"You shouldn't be here". He said grunting as he tries to not look at her

But this woman will never understand that when he says no, it means a clear no.

"Aur tum yeh jo kar rahay ho bilkul sahi hai?. Apna nahi toh apni maa ka toh khayal karo. Woh bechari agar sun lein gi toh kia sochein gi". She scolded angrily holding the vase that was still in his tight grip, she raises her eyes looking into his,"Choro is ko abhi".

(And what you are doing is right?. Even if you don't care about yourself at least think of your mother, what will she think if she heard this?)

He left it at once at her words watching what she will do next. She holds his hand dragging him to the bed walking away then coming back with her first aid kit sitting beside him taking his hand tending to it attentively.

"Mai buzdil nahi huin, Heer". He said and she didn't say anything,"Mai buzdil nahi huin".

(I am not a coward, Heer) (I am not a coward)

"Toh phir kia ho?. Mujhe mere sub sawaalo ka jawab mil gaya in 8 saal mai sirf is ek ka aj tk nahi mila". She said wrapping a gauze around his hand, "Aur sub se zayada takleef bhi isi ek sawaal nae di".

(Then what are you?. I found all the answers to my question in these past 8 years the only question remains is this that I never found answer of) (And this was the question that hurts the most)

"Heer". He said pleading

"Ab mujhe tum se koi umeed nahi hai. Shayeed jub mai bachi thi tub sochti thi k shayeed ek din tum mera socho gay. Socho gay k koi pagal larki hai jo tumhare naam k sath juri thi lakn tum nae ek dafa nahi socha. Ek dafa wapis nahi dekha k jis ko apna naam diya tha woh zinda bhi hai k-". She said broken

(Now I have no hopes from you. Maybe when I was young I used to think that you might be thinking of me. That you will think there is a stupid girl was tied to you but you never think about me once. You didn't once look back to see that the girl who was had your name if she was even alive or-)

"Bus". He shouted holding her hand shaking her,"Maut ka mazak nahi hai".

(Enough) (death is not a joke)

"Aur jo tum nae mera mazak banaya. Woh sahi tha?". She asked mockingly

(And that you made me a joke. That was ok?)

"Per mai-". He tried to speak but she cuts him off (But I-)

"Mai kia?. Mai kia?. Mujhe batao na. Mai poch rahi mujhe jawaab do. Woh jo dil raat maine sub ki aankhon mai apne liye hakarat dekhi. Woh jo log mujh se pochte the k kaha hai tumhara shohar. Jub jub mauka milta tha mere zakhm ko kuredtay the. Jub meri zaat, izzat aur abroo per sawaal utha tha kaha the tum?. Kyun nahi aye un logo ki zubaan parkarnay?. Nahi the tum waha jaha mujhe chahiyeh the. Batao na mujhe?".

(You what?. What you?. Tell me. I am asking you give me an answer. That when I saw day in and out the look people give me as if I was someone low. That people who used to ask me where my husband was. Every single time they had a chance they used to open my wounds to bleed. When they question my respect, self and dignity where were you?. Why didn't you come to hold those people tongues?. You were not where I needed you. Answer me now?)

"Heer, mujhe ek-". He started holding her hand to stop her (I-)

"Nahi. Mai kisi ki izaat bana chahti huin aur kuch nahi aur tum nae woh haq kub ka kho diya". She said angrily

(No. I want to be someone respect and nothing less. And you lost your chance already)

With that she looks at him with tears flowing down her beautiful eyes and that was the first time he had ever seen her this broken and it was all because, in the end, he was truly a coward. If he wasn't able to protect his honour what's the use of him?.

He falls to the ground feeling emotions rushing to him breaking his own heart.

That night- two broken heart cried with the moon until the sun came out with a new hope.

She heard her phone ringing as she groans opening her eyes tired of the day already. With the headache from all the crying, this morning call only adds to it. As she answered the call her heart stopped and she was on her feet after changing.

He waits downstairs ignoring that it's time for his work hoping to see her once so he can know she is well. He finds her running down and his eyes widen at her state. He moves forward scared that she might trip with the speed she is running and fail to realise that he was in her way and she bumps right into him.

She raises her worried eyes looking at him as he speaks, "Kia howa?". (What happened)

"W-Woh-". She stutters as she tries to hold herself together, "Woh chali gai mujhe chor k".

(T-that) (she is gone)

She broke into a sob making him worried at her words. He pulls her into his hold patting her back and whispering comforting words for her to calm down to explain what exactly is wrong.

"Mujhe jana hai". She said pushing him ready to run away from there (i need to leave)

He holds her hand dragging her with him towards his car,"Mai sath jaun ga tum is tarha kuch kar na do".

(I will take you, you might do something in this condition)

She didn't protest knowing she is not in her right state of mind. She places her hand in her lap scratching her finger with other hand nail cutting into it as she fumbles on the seat with tears still flowing down her face.

"Kon chali gayi?". He asked softly holding her hand so she stops hurting herself (who is gone)

"Meri maa". She replied shortly, "Jub mai yaha ayi thi toh mere professor ki begum meri maa jaisi thi a-aur a-aj woh...".

(My mother) (When I came here my professor's wife was like my mother and today she went..)

She shuts her eyes closed as she remembers the news of her death.

"Chalo". He said opening her side of the door forwarding his hand (let's go)

She ignores his hand rushing inside the hospital towards the morgue to find her professor who just confirms the news. The next series of the event was hard for her as she weeps to look at the person who tends to her heart and helped her through her life walking to a different world to continue a different life of hers. In all this, she notices that Uzair was the one taking care of the whole procedure since her professor didn't have any children. And, she notices him passing her glance every time he passes by.

She came back home leaving directly to her room without a word and he watches her leave thinking of what could he possibly do to help her. Obviously, he understands the pain of loss that had drives him insane to the point he wished to be with his father however what could possibly soothe the loss?.

His shakes his head starting to walk when he found his mother standing in front of him and his eyes widen to find the liveliness in her eyes. That beautiful smile of his mother warmth and the moment itself was surreal.

"Ammi Jaan". He whispers scared that she might be his imagination (mother)

"Ji, Ammi ki Jaan?". His mother said softly (yes, mother's life)

"Ap yaha?. Kaise?". He asked moving closer to her holding her hand (you here? How)

"Khana kah liya?". His mother asked patting his hand (did you eat)

He shakes his head as his mother holds his hand bringing him to the table where the food was already there. He sits down and so did his mother as they start to eat but he couldn't hold himself as tears fall down his face at the happiness to have his mother with him again.

His mother wrapped her hands around him as her own tears flow down, "Kia howa, beta?".(what happened, son)

"Ammi, mai bohat ghatiya insaan huin". He cried (I am a very bad person)

"Kia kia hai?". His mother asked softly patting his head lovingly (what did you do)

"Maine dil toor dia, Ammi". He whispers in her hold (I broke a heart)

"Toh wapis joor do". His mother said softly (heal it back)

"Kaise?". He asked looking at her (how)

"Kaafi dafa dil toornay wale k pass us ko joornay ki sub se zayada takat hoti hai". His mother said smiling (Most times the one who breaks someone heart has the power to heal it back)

"Sahi mai?". He asked hopefully (really)

"Mai yeh toh nahi kah sakti k jo dil toota hai us mai ab mohabbat ki gunjaish hai k nahi per dil bohat nazuk cheez hai, thore se piyaar se bhar jaata hai aur choti se baat se toot jaata hai. Agar is dafa soch lo k dil jeetna hai toh us ki hifazat ka zima yaad se pehle layna kyun k dosri dafa phir tum sirf dil ko nahi, insaan ko maaro gay".

(I cant say that the heart you broke still has hope for love in it. But heart is a sensitive thing, with little love it can be happy and with a small thing it can be broken. If this time you want to heal the heart make sure that you take the responsibility of guarding it first because if you were to break it again. You won't just break a heart, you will kill the person too)

He nodded understanding her words holding her hand he stands to kiss her forehead, "Mujhe ap bhi maaf kar dein aur mere liye dua karein. Maa ki dua toh khuda bohat jaldi sunta hai".

(You forgive me too and pray for me. Lord listen to mother's prayer very quick)

"Woh saache aur bechaan dil ki us se bhi jaldi sunta hai. Us ko apna mamla dai do woh rasta bhi day day ga". His mother said smiling (He listen to true and restless hearts more quicker. Give him your matters too and he will give you a way)

"Ji, Ammi". He said smiling (ok, mother)

The next day she quickly changes feeling her entire body protesting against it however she walks to the kitchen to cook for his mother and her professor. It was still very early since she came down after praying the morning prayer.

He walks down after praying for away and he heard some movements in the kitchen making him frown. It was early for anyone to be awake. He walks into the kitchen frowning deeper to find her working. Her face was flushed and her body looks so fragile. Her eyes were red and he knows she had been crying all night.

"Kia kar rahi ho?". He asked startling her as the knife falls down from her hand barely saving her feet from cutting, "Dehaan se". (What are you doing) (careful)

She didn't speak continuing to do her work and she walks closer feeling the heat coming off her in waves. He holds her hand turning her around placing his other hand on her forehead and his eyes widen.

"You have a fever, Heer. What are you doing here?". He asked concerned

"I need to take food to the professor and your mother-". She started her reasoning

"I will take care of them. Come on". He said dragging her weak body out of the kitchen but when he turns to look at her barely walking with him he halts

He moves closer to her holding her in his hand and she didn't protest because she was barely awake. He feels his entire body immediately responding and activating at her touch. The feelings of having her in his arms this way ignite a fire in his heart. The need to have her safe and sound. The need to be her solace occurs to him in a force. He takes her to his room.

He places her down on the bed covering her properly with the duvet. He went to bring her medicine and juice as he sits beside her shaking her awake feeding her. She went to sleep again and he walks down closing the lights heading back down. He finishes the food she was cooking and for the first time was glad that his mother always taught him all the house chores along with his father teaching him about the world.

He sends the professor food with an apology letter that he or his wife couldn't come to visit him today. Obviously, he didn't tell him that he was married to her, yet. He respects her decision and she is the one who will decide it.

He brings his mother down cancelling all his meetings to stay in the house. He made her eat breakfast and talks to her for some time until she was busy in her own work. He looks at his room door every now and then worriedly. After he was sure his mother didn't need him he went back to his room. He walks closer to find her sweating and struggling in her sleep.

"Baba, please stay with me. I am scared". She cried holding onto the duvet

He holds her hand moving closer to her placing his hand on her cheeks lovingly as he draws meaning circle humming a tone that soon soothes her heart as she falls back into sleep.

For a moment.

"Please, don't drive so fast. Please, Ammi. Please". She cried again and this time she was struggling even worse

He tries everything to calm her down but she didn't so he decided he needs to have her awake to stop her from hurting and that exactly what he did. She opens her eyes hearing an alluring voice calling her in distant until her mind came back and her eyes collided with his.

"Kia howa hai, Meri Jaan?. Kyun ro rahi ho?". He asked softly wiping her tears away (what happened, my life) (why are you crying)

"W-Woh meri Ammi..". She said crying and he holds her hand tightly in his, "She was over speeding when our car crashed on the side rolling over resulting in her death".

(T-That my mother...)

She cried harder, "I told her it wasn't a joke. I was 8 then but Baba always told me it was wrong. Ammi liked the speed and she just- she didn't listen to me. When I was awake again I found she was gone. She left me".

His heart clenched watching her crying remembering he had done something to bring her memories back too.

"Heer, woh toh chali gayi per tum toh yahi ho". He said softly tucking a strand of her hair away (she went away but you are still here)

"Aur jo woh dard day kar gayi hain?". She cried (and the pain she left for me)

"Dard toh sirf Khuda k hath mai hai k woh jis ko chahe nijaat day. Apne sub ghum, takleef aur dard us ko day do woh sub sahi kar day ga". He said smiling, "Aur jo chala gaya us ko dil mai khushi se yaad karo kyun k woh tumhay khush dekhna chahtay the".

(Pain can only be cure by the Lord. Give your pain, sorrow, hardships to Him and He will do everything right) (And the one who are gone just remember them in good memories because they wanted to see you happy)

Then she slept again. He smiles watching her sleep. He went to bring her some wet cloth to take down her temperature. This time she didn't cry or struggles and he went down around lunch to prepare her soup and his mother food. After an hour, he was done and he went to his mother first serving her.

"Meri beti kaha hai?". His mother asked angrily (where is my daughter)

"P-Pata nahi. Ghar nahi hai". He said stuttering scared (I-I don't know. She is not home)

"Wapis bolao na us se baat karti huin toh acha lagta hai". His mother said stubbornly (call her back I like talking to her)