He turned to her with his eyes looking deep into her soul. The hardness in his stance was making her doubt her decision of coming here but what's done was done and she won't back down now. Folding her arms on her chest in a confident way she continued.

" I think its high time we end this namesake relation where there is nothing left."

"Reason?"

He asked suddenly in a calm tone but she knew this calmness was an indication of the storm awaiting her.

"We haven't seen each others face all these years. No contact. Nothing. Both of us didn't give any heed to this relation between us. Went even as far as calling it a... mistake..."

Her eyes bored into his form accusingly. A mistake. That's what he had called this marriage that fateful night. Shaking her head off the painful memories she concentrated back on the person who was still staring at her.

"In short we both know there is nothing more into this relation. Isn't it enough of a reason to end it all? Don't tell me you never ever realized we are nothing now. We both need this."

He left the window with the same calmness surrounding his being. Her eyes sans those thin rimmed glasses were something he was finding hard to become accustomed to. But she was not the same anymore. Nothing was. She might have gone as far as removing them before coming here to show him she had stopped doing everything that used to make him happy and those spectacles were one of them. He had always liked it when she was deep in thoughts resting those on her nose. But that time wasn't anymore between them. They were not together anymore.

"This isn't the answer to my question. You are a sensible woman, Alizeh. And I believe you didn't come to meet me after five damn years to say all this which I already know. I do realize we are nothing now but never ever I felt a need of divorce. An already broken relation..Why to tag it officially broken unless you want to make a new one at its place. Is that the reason?"

She started at him. This man and his ability to look into the details.

"I don't think it's necessary for you to know. I want to make a new relation or not is my personal matter. Just Ask your lawyer and start the proceeding. I could have gone to court but when a matter can be solved without dragging it then why not. You have a reputation in this society so do have I. Let's finish it without making an issue."

He knew she won't tell him the reason. Alizeh Yousaf knew how to hide things. Didn't she? Who better than he knew.

"Then I don't think its necessary for us to get divorced. After all divorcing you is my personal matter."

"You are making it your so called ego problem."

"You know me don't you? I'm not doing anything unless I know the actual reason which reminded you of this forgotten relation after all these years. That relation you hate so much that you didn't even try to so anything with it. But why so eager to end it? I would love to know. End of discussion."

She had expected him to lash on her, insult her and at last give her what she wanted but when the famous ego of Shehryar Hussain is in question everything is expected out of him.

"Look..."

"I'm not entertaining any visitors. You got lucky so thank your stars and go."

She zipped her mouth and giving him an accusing glance left from there.

______

Alizeh reached her old apartment where she was staying these days. Her mother and aunt were back home in Skardu. Her mother was a retired lecturer and Aunt was a part of a boutique business. Her father died in a car accident years back and since then her mother and aunt were the only family she'd ever known. Sabeen auntie never thought of settling down. She loved Alizeh like her own daughter but things had taken an ugly turn ever since Shehryar Hussain had entered Alizeh's life.

Alizeh directly reached her room and dropping herself on the couch took a deep breath. She hadn't told anyone why she was here in Lahore. Only she and her best friend Nemrah knew but now all this started looking meaningless. Her coming here all the way from Skardu, staying at their old house which opened the door to many bitter memories, and preparing herself for meeting that devil. Everything went in vain. He hadn't changed. not a bit. Why on Earth did she hope he would give her something right away she asked for? She would always be a fool. How could she forget this guy and his stubbornness. She shouldn't have come here. She shouldn't have met him.

She was so lost in her thoughts that didn't know when Nemrah entered her room and ran to her.

"Alizeh!"

She looked up and found her best friend giving her worried looks.

"What happened? Why are you sitting like this?"

"N..Nothing. How did you get in?"

"Spare key remember? But leave that. You went to meet him! What happened? What he said?"

Getting up from the couch Alizeh shook her head.

"He was as egoistic as he was five years back. First he threw those sarcastic little comments at me. Then finally he looked interested in knowing why was there and when I told him he surprisingly didn't lose his calm and asked me the reason."

"What? Then what did you say?"

"That he is no one to know why I want this divorce. I didn't tell him."

"Damn it! What now?"

"I don't know Nimi. But one thing is for sure. Unless I tell him the actual reason he isn't divorcing me the way I want. Without dragging court in it. Without making it an issue."

"Then just tell him. That you want to marry Umair. That's why you need the divorce."

"I can't..."

She whispered on which Nemrah rolled her eyes.

"It has been five years Al. You guys aren't living together. So it's obvious you would want to marry someone else after all you can't live like this all your life. He didn't need a divorce because he isn't in need of a new relation. Men! They have their own ways and Men like Shehryar Hussain! Who can have any woman they want. You are the one who is in trouble here. So just tell him and call it off! That's it."

Alizeh opened the window and stood facing the green belt going on as long as she could see. She didn't comment on what Nemrah had just said. Her mind always told her he would be happy in his life after her, expanding his business, making new ventures and enjoying the attention from opposite sex like always. He was always famous among ladies and he could have any woman he desired but her heart always did a weak protest at this. Telling her he wouldn't do any such thing. There was everything in there relation but not infidelity from his side. Not for once.

"When you are planning on telling him? And if there is a guarantee if he will give you divorce after knowing you want to marry Umair."

"Correction! Umair wants to marry me. I consider him a good friend. Honestly speaking I'm not ready to play this marriage game again. I'm doing this just for my mother and for Umair who has been a constant support to me during all these years. I can't say anything what future this marriage holds but one thing is for sure. This marriage will definitely have a better future than the previous one. And I know The stubborn guy named Shehryar Hussain. There is no guarantee what he would do after knowing that I've moved on."

"Then its useless to ask him anything Alizeh. Go for the way Auntie and Umair are suggesting. Go to court. Rest will be fine."

"Are you out of your mind Nemrah? Go to court? Is it easy? I chose to talk to him because I'm realistic. From where i'll get the money to hire a lawyer? And don't you know how this system works? He can change the whole game with his one order. I'm not a billionaire to afford all the money it requires.But Shehryar Hussain surely is! I can't humiliate my family anymore Nemrah. Whatever they've got from me is enough. Till now I just gave them insults and insults. I can't do it anymore."

She wiped her tears and left from there. Nemrah was worried for her best friend. All this was fine but one day Mehar auntie felt extreme pain in her left arm and was diagnosed with a chronic heart disease. Alizeh's world shattered with the news. She started giving her mother extreme care. Umair who was Alizeh's colleague and friend as well was there for them every time which forced Mehar to see in a different way. Her daughter's future was a big question mark for her. She started weaving her dreams of seeing Alizeh happily settled with Umair. Alizeh was shocked to know this. She never ever thought of marrying someone else when she was still Mrs Shehryar Hussain even for namesake. But Mehar's continuous attempts and pleads did their work making Alizeh agree to her. She had found solace in Umair who always gave her a shoulder to cry on. He had feelings for her and hadn't denied them but he knew it wasn't easy for Alizeh to accept him in her life where a certain someone was always there in form of painful memories. But his love and dedication paid well when Alizeh accepted his proposal though halfheartedly. They were suggesting her to go to court and ask for a divorce but Alizeh knew they weren't in a state to compete and face The mighty Shehryar Hussain. She wanted to try her luck one last time and shared it with just Nemrah. And there she was to talk to Shehryar but all felt useless now.

Nemrah closed her eyes mumbling softly.

"Allah! Please do something for Alizeh!"

________

He threw the paper weight in some corner of his cabin and dropped himself on his chair. Alizeh Yousaf had always been a brave woman but he had never expected her to come to him demanding a divorce.

Divorce.

The guts! Gone was the timid girl he used to lo...know. She wanted to get rid of this marriage. Marriage. The word gave him nightmares now. He had been taught many things by this single word.

It wasn't always like that. They were once happy in their small world. There marriage wasn't a normal one so the problems were too there. And why they wouldn't be. What you expect out of a sudden marriage which is called elopement in common words. What happens when a nineteen years old girl and twenty one year old guy marry all of a sudden without telling anyone?

If the marriage was difficult then the problems they faced after marriage were too much. When he thought everything settled down a huge blow hit them hard leaving everything shattered. A storm that drew Alizeh away and changed an understanding boy into a shrewd businessman.

He had a bad temper and he wanted to lash on her but he stopped himself. She was right at her place. There was nothing left to this marriage. He had thought many times about this divorce but every time his ego came in the way. It was her decision to leave him then it will be she who would ask for divorce because he didn't need one.

And today too he satisfied his big fat ego. Unless she tells him why she wanted this divorce he won't do anything.

It was simple as that.

_______________

Alizeh dropped the towel on the couch and stood tying her hair in a messy bun. Her idea of spending rest of the evening was to just drop herself on her bed and try to come up with something to make Shehryar agree to what she was proposing. But that was easy said than done. He won't budge that easily. She was lost in her own musings when her phone rang.

"Hey"

She greeted Umair with a smile.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm also here in Lahore. Came here for a special propose and to be more precise...To see you. I still don't know why Nemrah called you all of a sudden."

"She wanted me to see her new Apartment. Her first gift to herself after joining the hospital."

"Really? How is it?"

"Beautiful. What brought you to Lahore?"

"That I'll tell you at dinner. Be ready I'll be there to pick you up."

"Dinner? But Umair? Hello?"

She wasn't in a mood to go anywhere but Umair and his excitement. Shaking her head she stood in front of the mirror to at least make herself look presentable.

______________________

She had never come to this restaurant before. She was born and raised in Lahore and had visited many places with her friends here but this one seemed new. Umair was praising the restaurant and the food. She smiled when he held her hand startling her.

"I got something for you."

He fished out something from his pocket and opened it before her.

A ring.

She looked at it and then at Him.

"I know you will say you haven't got a divorce yet. I know that. And I'm waiting for you to allow me to help you in this matter. I really want to make you happy, Alizeh. I want to give you everything you never had in your previous relationship. I saw this ring when I last time visited Lahore and thought of gifting it to you. Accept it please."

She wasn't sure if she should take it or not. Her mind wanted to embrace what Umair was offering and heart was protesting again and again that it was wrong. She wasn't supposed to be accepting a ring from a guy when she hadn't got separation from Shehryar's name yet.

She smiled and placed the box back in his hand.

"No Umair! I can't take it. Its so nice of you to think so much of me but this isn't right. Keep this with you. Once I get divorce I'll myself ask you to put it around my finger but not now. Please."

He smiled slightly nodding his head. They ate the dinner with him talking about work and updating her about anything if happened. But they both couldn't notice an angry pair of brown eyes glaring at them.

_______

Umair had gone to take his car while she stood at the entrance deep in thoughts when someone stood before her. She felt the shadow looming and looked up.

"Excuse me! What are you...."

But her words stuck in her throat seeing an angry Shehryar Hussain staring at her.

"Who was he?"

He growled hovering over her. She narrowed her eyes. The man and his audacity.

"I don't think I'm answerable to you."

"You bloody well are! Who was he! And what he was doing here?"

"Shehryar, stop making a scene!"

"Not before you tell me who he is!"

"He is Umair! My colleague! And the person who wants to marry me! Happy? Now leave!"

He narrowed his eyes bending to her level. The stare off was going strong. Neither of them willing to look away.

"And you?"

"I'm not answering any of your questions. Leave me or else I'll shout! I'll gather everyone stating you are misbehaving with me!"

"I'm not doing anything and even you know this. This is just a husband asking if she wants to marry someone else."

She flinched and with all her might pushed him.

"Husband? Don't insult this word Mr Hussain! You never acted like one! Pushed your wife away when she needed you, Never even tried to contact her or make anything alright. You call yourself my husband? Do you even know the meaning of this word?"

"That's why you are hunting for a new one don't you? What was that? My upbringing, My values have made me what I'm today. I can't let them down! Now what you are doing? You are wife of someone else and having dinner with your so called lover? These are your so called rules and values?"

She was furious now.

"That's why I want a divorce from you! I want to get out of the clutches of this relation where there is no happiness and love! Just you and your attitude!"

"After what I have seen here forget the divorce Mrs Hussain!"

He had called her this after ages. She looked into his eyes searching for something which had always there when he used to call her that. But his eyes were cold.

"You want a divorce right? I'm here so are you! We'll see how you get that from me."

She was fearing this. She knew this man. That's why she didn't want to tell him about Umair. He could bury his every emotion but not his possessiveness and ego. Wasn't it his possessiveness which started all this?

"I wanted to do it without making an issue but if its your wish then let's do it your way. See you in the court Mr Hussain!"

She said with determination and pushing his arm away left from there.