"Nur, do you remember the doctor who treated you when you were expecting Shuja?"

Hajra Begum was talking to Nur Jahan. She was worried about Seher's health.

"I heard that she is living in a nearby village, I think we should take Seher for a checkup"

"Ummi, Murad informed that Seher is fine "

"Murad is a male Nur, I am concerned Seher looks paler"

"As you wish, When shall we go"

"why not tomorrow, Fakhruddin is busy we will take Jalal along"

"Ummi I think we should tell Shazain about the baby, why not take him along" Nur expressed her wish to her mother-in-law.

Nur Jahan wanted to tell him about Seher's pregnancy but was not sure about Seher's reaction. She did not want her stubborn daughter to get upset. She saw Seher slowly warming up to Shazain. Yesterday night she wanted to laugh loudly seeing Shazain hiding under the bed. She saw how he was making an effort to earn her forgiveness forgetting his pride. He was impulsive but Seher was also immature.

" I agree with you Nur. I don't feel right hiding this from him" Hajra begum replied

" Ummi, he does not need to know. This is my child he lost right when he raised his hands to kill me" Seher walked in and was angry seeing her family taking his side.

" you know better than us that he can not control his anger, He is apologizing Seher, don't be difficult it is his child as well, "

"Why are you siding him Ummi, you don't know what I went through, He was flaunting his relationship with Ariana in front of me all the time"

"Seher, you should understand him, Look he did wrong but he is asking for forgiveness"

Hajra was quiet. The days Shazain was with them he won their hearts.

"You don't know him, he asks for forgiveness after doing wrong. it has become a habit for him. I don't think he will change"

"Seher, He told us everything, You both had trust issues, why don't you take it as a learning point and move on"

"You want to me forget everything and go back to him, I get it! if I am that burden on you all. I will leave"

"Seher, Listen to me " It was Hajra Begum who stopped her granddaughter and made her sit next to her.

"We all agree that Shazain was wrong, why don't you put yourself in his shoes and try to think. The world outside of our house is different . You are lucky that Shazain is coming after you you know other kings don't even give any importance to their wives. Do you know about his mother Afshan?"

"No"

"His mother Afshan was a great woman. even though she knew her husband never loved her, she stood by him, always loyal and looking after everyone around. She never had any grudge against your mother. Afshan named her daughter after your mother Nur ul Ain? "

"Shazain never talks about his family, he mentioned his sister, He just said she is happily married and could not visit us because of her pregnancy"

"Look Seher, Shazain is surrounded by conspiracies, you are fated to be a queen, stand up and take your role."

Nur Jahan came and sat next to her"SeherIf he was a bad person I would have not hesitated to throw him out of your life. He might not be perfect but he has a lot of potential. Think about it. I am sure he will be very happy to know about his child. "

Seher just walked away, She was not sure whether Shazain would change but what his family was saying was not wrong. She suddenly felt Shazan's arms around her waist.

"Seher can you not forgive me please"

Shazain was more worried that Seher might think of him as an old man after all she called him ancient this morning.

"Seher, I am not that old. I was just 15 at the time of the Spanish war. you look young standing next to me but you know in a few years' time you will be looking like my equal. "

"You came here to tell me this" She wanted to hit her head.

"I thought you don't want me because you think I am too old for you. I am just 13 years older than you, many couples have a wider age gap"

"Why do you take me as a kid Shazain? you think I am a brainless teenager isn't it?"

"No never"

"Stop treating me as a child who gets upset for little things, I never thought you are old but, Leave it, you will never understand. stay here and don't follow me".

Everyone was sat for dinner but Shazain was not there.

"Where is your husband Seher, Did he go back with his grandmother?" Jalal asked her.

"I dont know grandfather"

"I have not seen him since evening" Fakhr replied.

"I think he went back o his palace, Abasi sent a message this morning," Ayath replied and soon they all got busy with their dinner. Seher was missing Shazain's presence, how he added more food to her plate and pour water even before she asked.

He should have informed me before he left, He will never change. It was my fault I stopped him from talking. She felt like crying. pregnancy hormones were playing up.

"Look outside Ayat, it's snowing" Fakhr pointed out. "

They all retired for the night later. Seher was thinking about Shazain. He normally would sneak into her room by this time. There was heavy snowfall outside. She suddenly remembered something and took the lamp and ran on the terrace. Shazain was standing in the exact spot where she left him. He was shivering. Seher hit him hard with all her strength.

"Have you gone mad"

"you wanted me to stay here " his lips had a slight tint of blue because of the cold. She called for the guards to escorted him to her room. She made him sit near the fireplace ask the maids to bring hot water and his clothes. They all brought what she asked for. She ordered privacy. She removed his wet clothes wiped him down. her eyes fell on his back which still had purple fading marks of the whipping. There was a scar on his chest.

"Have you not tortured me enough, Just kill for once and all" Seher was in tears.

"You said you don't love me, "

"You are the biggest idiot in the whole world, I hate you" she was crying hard

*******************************************************************************

Jalaluddin stopped Nur and Fakhr when they were about to go to their room hearing Seher screaming.

" what going on Baba," Fakhr asked.

" reconciliation, go back to your rooms"

"Seher is crying " Fakhr interfered.

"I was embarrassed once and I am sure Jalal we don't want to repeat that. " Hajra begum remembered something from the past and smiled at her husband.

"Why are you standing like a statue just go back" Jalal ordered everyone.

back in their room, Shazain was still shivering Seher wrapped a warm blanket around him.

"Stop crying, don't waste them on a useless person like me" he wiped her tears.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. You were happy with your life and I ruined everything."

Seher cupped his face. "you know you are insane. why can't you be rational? "

"I love you, Seher, I am sorry"

"I am sorry too" she brought her warm lips to his cold ones. a shiver ran down her spine. his nose was freezing. She rubbed her cheeks on his pointy nose.

"what are you doing"

"Warming you up" her voice was husky. her breathing became uneven. It all felt like dream to Shazain. he was frozen like a statue and Seher took the lead. she brought him to her bed and laid on top of him

"I missed you" He replied. He did not want to initiate anything even though the intimacy was killing him. He wanted to prove to her that it wasn't about lust He genuinely loved her.

"Seher, please why do you want to torture me? if I give a reaction you will blame me "

Seher stopped for a second but then suddenly grabbed him. Shazain moaned loudly in pleasure. She slowly started pecking his body .he lips were doing wonders, igniting his desires.

"Seher my restraint will break" he clenched his teeth but as Seher's tongue traced his outline he lost it. he turned her and was on top of her. Seher winced in pain.

"what happened Seher," he was all worried.

"My wound is not healed completely" She lowered the neckline of her dress. Shazain saw the blackish spot and tears flew down his eyes.

"I can never forgive myself for this" He hit his hand hard on the bed.

Seher pulled him down. Shazain was surprised at her demeanor, He dreamed her to be like this what he was not aware of was that it was her hormones that were playing up. He was never gentle with her but this time he was very composed and held himself back. he was as gentle as he can be.

Seher was sleeping in his embrace looking very peaceful. Sleep was very far away from him. He wanted to Kill Christos for making a fool of him all these years. He looked at Seher's face, she was still red because of the intense exercise. she looked a little plumpy, maybe he never looked after her very well and here at his parent's place she was eating well and was being well looked after. He vowed never to repeat his past mistakes. He was a lost cause when Seher announced to leave him. He would never let her down. he kissed her forehead gently and tightened his embrace and slept peacefully.

*************************************************************************************

Seema was restless in the Palace, She heard of Nur and Fakhr, She wanted to go and ask their help but feared the saftey of her beloved daughter. She was not aware that Shazain was trying hard to reconcile with Seher, there was news that King Fakhruddin's daughter has returned back to her parents and there was no chance of reconciliation. Najma Begum was being very discreet. Seema knew that she was under her suspicion but all he cared about was the safety of her daughter. She was stuck in the middle of nowhere, their enemies constantly kept an eye on her. her every move will be reported back. She was thinking very hard ways to seek Fakhruddin's help.

She saw Abasi after a long time.

"Abasi where were you?"

"Ummi seema , I am fine"Seema saw the maid from the corner of her eyes.

"the news about Seher and Shazain getting divorced is it true?" she pressed Absi's hand as if signaling him.

"Yes, Seherdoesnt want to stay with him, and brother was thrown out of their kingdom"

"nobody can change what is meant t be written. Take care my son." she hugged him.

The maid who heard this was happy. This news will fetch her a handsome reward. Seema slowly handed a red ruby ring to Abasi and in the pretext of hugging him wished in his ears.

"Please pass it to Nur Jahan. she will understand"

******************************************************************************************

News about Ariana and Andrew reached his wife Althea. she marched to his palace.

"Andrew come out you pig" she started screaming.

Andrew who was busy with Ariana was alerted by her voice.

"Who is it, Andrew? " Ariana asked.

"That might be my wife Althea" Ariana was stunned.

Althea started hitting Andrew as soon as she saw him. She was tossing things his way.

"I told you to keep your whores away from my house. Is this not the same Ariana who broke the engagement and humiliated you?"

"Althea darling, She is my woman but you are my legal wife, why are you being insecure."

"Andrew,.." it was Ariana's turn to slap him.

Andrew pushed Ariana away" don't you dare, what did you think I will remain unmarried when you broke our engagement. Althea is my legal wedded wife, mother of my children. "

Althea who was insecure was relaxed. "I thought you will leave me for this mistress of yours"

"Never Althea, everyone comes after you, Every woman in my harem is secondary. you are the head and they all will abide you"

he kissed her forehead"wait for me in the carriage I will join you in a minute"

Andrew turned towards Ariana"your father already knew about Althea and I thought you were aware. Look I will give you everything, I have already declared that you are my woman. I will never tolerate any disrespect towards Althea."

"Why Andrew?"

"Ariana there was a time I wanted to make you my queen but you rejected me for that Shazain. I am still giving you a place rather than throwing you and your family on the streets"

Ariana ran to Christos"Father she screamed"

"you knew about Althea isn't it?"

"Ariana have you gone mad. He gave us a fair deal"

"He transferred a lot of property in your name and so much money that you can live a queen's life. We did not have many options"

Ariana blamed Shazain and Seher for all her suffering.

"This all because of that Seher. Shazain was mad about me that girl came and destroyed everything"

"Don't worry Ariana, Andrew promised that if he won against Shazain. He will declare you the queen of Shahbad along with him.

now don't argue with Andrew to try to gain his favor, you can toss Althea to the side slowly. He is not Shazain, He will give in to your beauty. tame him with love. He already adores you, take things slowly.

remember Rome was not built in a day"

***************************************************************************************

Everyone was happy seeing Seher and Shazain together. Fakhr came near Shazain "My daughter gave you a final chance. I still do not agree but her wish is my command. don't let her down"

"Baba, please forgive me. I will never let you down. I promise"

Seher was surprised when he addressed Fakhr as baba.

"Stop gawking, They are my family too". He hugged Murad"Thank you for taking my side"Nur mentioned Shazain that if it was not Murad who made her understand she would never have come to his rescue.

"Don't be under the wrong impression whatever I did was for Seher, you still hold no importance in my eyes"

Shazain laughed. He knew one thing that Seher was his and hoped Murad finds someone better.

" Finally my Neice or Nephew will have a happy family after this drama" Shuja sighed in relief.

Seher glared at Shuja in anger. and pinched him hard.

"I thought you forgave him because of the baby"

Shazain was confused at the conversation. It took him a minute to understand. His eyes scanned Seher, her Plump belly came to his mind.

"Is it true?" he asked her.

"yes, your wife is expecting, this is old news," Ayath said in a bored tone. Shazain wanted to scream in happiness. He started laughing loudly.

"I knew he was mad, There you go," Ayath addressed Shuja and Seher.

He wanted to Hug Seher, Seher stopped him.

"congrats young man" Hajra was smiling looking at him. Shazain suddenly lifted Hajra in his arms and spun her around.

"I am so happy grandmother"

"Put me down, " Shazain apologized to her.

"sorry grandmother"

"We thought Seher might have told you"

"Seher, why did not tell me? and when and how ?" He hugged her tight

"I was already pregnant and wanted to tell you but you brought Ariana back"

"I am sorry for everything, I promise I won't hide anything from you. no one will come between us"

Fakhr was happy "Shazeb's soul might be at peace now"

Nur was in tears, " Fakhr, Arrange for some Charity to ward off any evil eye"

They all sat down for a happy breakfast.

"everyone will offer special prayer, My family is happy after such a long time" Jalal announced

"Seher, How can you forgive him, I would never see his face if I was you" Ayath was upset that her sister forgave Shazain so easily.

"Stop Instigating my wife against me, I fear for the man who marries you"

"Shazain, now that your personal life is sorted, there are bigger things to worry about" Fakhr addressed his son-in-law.

"Your sister Nur Ain in is in danger"