Time flew by so easily. From summer to rain to autumn to winter to spring. Changing from weather to weather. Its feels like so quick and not rightly spend when you look back. Looking back taking in the past when you have a future you wouldn't have thought about. But it still holds a powerful hold onto your present and future. Just like Imaan is still tied with Momin's name. Just like Arun is still tied with the tragedy his family faced. Just like.......

"Ammi...Ammi.... I won the competition....I won the first prize in drawing Ammi."

A little girl came running towards Imaan and her huffing voice broke the trail of her thoughts. Imaan closed her laptop and took of her glasses. Looking at the little girl with love in her eyes. She took her in her arms and kissed her forehead with much pride in her eyes.

"Mera bachha jitega mujhe pata tha. After You're Momina and Momina can do anything. Right?"

(I knew it my baby will won)

She ruffled her hairs and kissed her cheeks. Surely Momina is Momin's daughter in every possible way. The same big brown eyes and midnight black hair that reach till her waist. She's only seven years old but her love and passion for architecture is impeccable. Imaan always took her to different architectural masterpieces here in Delhi. And this love Momina had for Architecture and drawing, she'd taken from her father.

She was a premature baby. Imaan had fall down from stairs in her fifth month of pregnancy. Doctors didn't have any hope for the baby to survive. But Momina survived within a span of year she's declared as the healthy baby by her Doctor. Imaan fell in love with her more the moment she hold her in her hands. A mother is also born with a child she had thought at that time. Imaan named her Momina because she wants to give her daughter something of his father's. And she had only his name to gave her that. And that's how she became her little princess called "Syedah Momina Ali."

"Yes Ammi, Momina is always right. Do you know Ammi? Arun mamu bought a new calligraphy set for me. And Sheena mami promised me that she will bake my favourite cookies."

Momina started her blabbering while Imaan started shuffling her hair. Momina had never questioned about her father maybe because she knows its a sour topic for her mother. Arun had tried so many times to talk about her past but Imaan didn't tell him anything. The more the time passed he stopped asking about Momin's father. Arun himself got busy in his life by marrying the love of his Life Sheena. A fellow doctor he had met during his stay in Bursa when he found Imaan. Sheena was a very head strong women and compassionate one. She had loved Imaan and Momina like her family. But the struggles are written for the good ones thats why both Arun and Sheena didn't have any biological children. They both tried to have one but nothing happens without god's will. So they both showered their love on Momina as much as they can. For them Momina is their daughter. But Imaan still hesitate giving them any kind of Momin's responsibility. They both have done alot for the mother-daughter duo.

Imaan herself is a very respectable psychologist now. She works with different NGO's who rescues victims of human slavery and human trafficking. She'd heard so many horror stories that she felt and count herself as a lucky one they she'd been through so much but still she met good people like Arun and Sheena that had helped her alot. She couldn't thank them enough for giving her a roof over her head and a family to Momina.

"Momina baby. Common get up its zuhr prayer time. Lets pray together then i will drop you to your tutions. Come on get up. And yes don't forget to thank Allah SWT for His mercy and be thankful towards Him that he helped you winning the competition."

Imaan said in a very serious mother tone and held Momina's hand to lead the prayer.

"Ji Ammi." Momina said nodding her head continuosly. Imaan laughed at her antiques. Took her in her arms and started doing ablution.

They both completed their prayer. Just then Momina hugged Imaan and asked her something she didn't have an answer.

"Ammi i overheard Mamu and Mami saying they're looking a groom for you. They wants to you to marry and.......

Imaan's eyes are welled up now. Marriage is a sour topic for her and Arun is forcing her to think about her future too. He always says you're only twenty five how would you leave alone with a child that too a girl. And this society hunts on women who had no male Support. But Imaan always rejects whatever proposal he brings because she's already married and Nikah on Nikah is forbidden in Islam. She tried reasoning him on many occasions but she failed. Hence she told him that he wants feel burden because of her and her daughter she will leave his house. She knew that she's doing wrong but it was necessary. But hearing Momina's words she's now adamant to leave their house.

"And....what? Momina jaani."

"Ammi will you left me with them....i mean with mamu and mami. They're saying they'll keep me as their daughter and you'll be married to someone else. Ammi i dont want you to get married. Ammi why don't you call my Abbu. My Abbu will take us with them that way we don't have to drift apart."

Momina's every word is daggering holes into Imaan's heart. She couldn't believe that Arun and Sheena are forcing to get her married just because they wanted to adopt Momina. She felt so helpless. She can't say anything to them because they had been her Support system always been their for her. But she'll also not let anyone come in between her and her child.

She took a crying Momina in her arms and lift her up. She made her sleep while singing a lullaby. She decided to have a talk with Arun and Sheena.

"Arun lala... Bhabhi?"

She knocked on their door and then peeked inside. They both were watching something on their laptop.

"Ohh Imaan please come inside. We were just watching some random movie."

Sheena replied and stood up to greet Imaan.

"Bhabhi its okay. I'll come later."

Imaan goes out just then Arun stopped her and asked her to sit down.

"Bhai I've said this thousands time i won't marry Anyone. Yet you're pressuring me. I understand your concern but i can't. I've Momina and that's all for me. She's my everything I don't want to marry thats my final Decision. I wanted to tell you one more thing. I'm leaving tomorrow. I can't live here anymore. I can't be a burden anymore. And....."

She started crying. Because she hadn't thought her peers her friends like family would try to separate her with her daughter. Imaan had faced many betrayal but this one is paining her alot. She knows Arun lala and Sheena Bhabhi had always wanted kids but for their Wish she can't just left her daughter. That's why she decided to left silently from their life without damaging anything. She is not saying anything because she's in their debt for life.

"Don't cry Imaan if you wanted to leave you can. I've made you strong enough to fight your own battle's. Me and Sheena are shifting to USA. We are going there for her treatment. Maybe a change will help us."

Arun smiled weakly. And Sheena hold his hand to provide her husband some Support.

"Bhai i didn't knew. I will pray for you and bhabhi."

Imaan hugged both of them and left to check on Momina.

***

Its been a month since Momina had bought her own 2BHK flat and Arun lala had peft with Sheena bhabhi for USA. They both are very happy their and that made Imaan more happy. Momina is a bit lonely because she used to spent alot of time with Sheena bhabhi. But she quickly started to adapt the new environment around her.

Arun and Sheena daily calls them and talk with them for a good chunk of time.

"Ma'am your 1' o clock appointment is here. Should i send them in?".

Imaan's trail of thoughts broke. When she heard her assistant's Voice.

"Yes send them in."

Her assistant nodded and left.

Someone knocked one the door. Imaan called the person to come inside.

"Longtime no see Jaan-E-Momin."

Imaan looked up at the owner of that voice. The Voice that had haunted her every single dream. The voice that had made her so aloof and cold. The voice that had given her the most precious gift of her life her daughter.

"Mo.....ooo.....min."

"She is tired of fighting

Against the world alone

She's tired of being strong

She's tired of being responsible

All she wants to do is sleep in

His Arms till Eternity,

Do apart them."

••••••