Flashbacks are in bold*

Mehar sat in a corner of the decorated hall among all other guests. She hadn't tried to converse with many people here. She knew the women. How after few random questions their interest and their talks would turn towards her Daughter and she didn't want this. Her daughter wasn't an object of anyone's interest or entertainment. That's why she had always kept herself away from all these gatherings but Nemrah's wedding she couldn't skip. Mrs. Nadeem was one of her good friends and both mother daughter duo had invited them specially so there was no way she could deny.

Forgetting the past was never easy for Mehar. She had raised her daughter with great love, affection and trust. After all Alizeh was the only person she had in this world besides her sister. She had put her best efforts to provide her daughter with everything within her reach. But it took just one hasty decision for Alizeh to break it all. The day she told her she had married Shehryar, Mehar lost her faith in her daughter. The scars inflicted upon her trust ran deep. She had given in seeing Alizeh's continuous efforts to pacify her but in her heart she knew she could never forgive her daughter fully.

Few days after Alizeh had shifted to Hussain residence, the neighbors had come to know about Alizeh's elopement and to say Mehar was embarrassed was an understatement. Her daughter had put her in a very complicated situation. And in all this mess the property Mehar and her sister had in Sakardu came like a blessing. The house turned out to be on their name and the property dealer of the area had immediately informed them. Without thinking much Mehar had shifted there. She was relieved as Alizeh was at her In laws and now no body put a finger at her.

But her bubble of relief was short lived. She could never forget the fateful night Alizeh had come to her all devastated. On her insistence, Alizeh told her in hiccups what had happened making Mehar furious. She wanted to confront them but Alizeh stopped her stating she had nothing to do with them anymore. It took some time but Alizeh was back to her normal life where there was no place for any Shehryar Hussain and his family. Mehar had asked her many times to do something about it. But Alizeh wouldn't listen. She was busy taking care of her career. She enrolled herself in the fashion designing program of a noted institution of Sakardu and had taken a part time job too. Mehar was worried for her future. The Hussains also didn't try to contact them again which clearly stated they didn't have anything to do with Alizeh anymore. The messed up life of her daughter had made her sick.

And that was the time Umair entered their lives. He was like a blow of fresh air in their monotonous routine. A good friend of Alizeh who respected Mehar just like his mother. And all this made Mehar look in another direction. She had made her mind of marrying Alizeh off with Umair. She had announced her decision making Alizeh shock. But this time Mehar hadn't listened to her. Alizeh had done much damage to her life and Mehar won't tolerate her stubbornness anymore. She had asked her to file for a divorce, which Alizeh should have done ages ago but thanks to her stubbornness she didn't. Umair was best for her daughter and she could never let any XYZ come and ruin it all.

No matter if that XYZ was her daughter's husband.

She was brought out of her thoughts sensing a hand on her shoulder. Turning around she found an ever smiling Rodaba looking at her.

"Asslam Alaikum, Mehar."

Mehar greeted her back with a tight smile plastered on her face.

"How are you?"

"Fine. What about you?"

"I'm good Alhumdullilah. This wheelchair really does make things rough a bit but all an all it's going fine."

Mehar nodded when Rodaba spoke again.

"It has been so long. How have you been? Where were you all these years? And where is Ali..."

"Please Rodaba!"

Mehar stopped her immediately.

"It will be better if we do not indulge in past. What happened, How? Where, Why? all these questions hold no importance now. We are here for a wedding we should concentrate on it."

Rodaba nodded slightly. They were trying to ease the awkwardness when Samia's voice hit them.

"Mom!"

She came straight to Rodaba and held her wheelchair. Giving a not so polite look to Mehar she left from there taking Rodaba along.

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"Samia! What kind of behavior was this?"

"Mom, please! You asked both me and Dado to avoid having any interaction with that family but that doesn't mean you can go and have a friendly chat with them. Didn't you see? How that Mehar Yousaf was talking to you."

"That's because we have hurt her daughter. Today if Imran comes in front of us, I will talk to him exactly the way Mehar talked to me."

Samia shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

"Mom, you don't have to try mending everything. Don't forget what Alizeh Did."

"She did nothing. Just a simple attempt of saving the family from breaking. You didn't understand it then and you won't even today."

Samia huffed and walked out of there. Rodaba took a deep breath. She knew her daughter was a weak woman. She had always depended on others. Be it her brother or her Dado. She could never manage things on her own. The out most care from the family had made her what she was today. She couldn't bear the fact her husband was a leech and tried putting all blame on Alizeh which resulted in Shehryar and Alizeh's separation and the agony in which her son was living since so long.

She asked Farhat to take her from there when a figure clad in red bumped with her chair. The girl stumbled and looked up. Rodaba smiled brightly seeing the face she was yearning to see. Alizeh had tears in her eyes finding her after so long.

"Rodaba auntie.."

Alizeh whispered slowly. Rodaba didn't wait for long and pulled her in a hug.

"How are you Bacha?"

'I'm good. What about you?"

"All good. I can't believe it's you! After so long..."

Alizeh chuckled then became silent. Further talks would lead them to the past and she didn't want it.

"I gotta..go..."

She excused herself and ran from there. Rodaba sighed dejectedly. These relations were so incomplete and right now were nowhere close to be completed.

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The henna ceremony went smoothly without any fuss. Alizeh had seen Mrs. Naseem and Samia but they both looked away. Alizeh too wasn't interested in even greeting them. She had tried very hard making pace with both of them during her stay at Shehryar's house but not anymore. They were no one to her.

But right now it wasn't Dado or Samia who were making her uncomfortable. It was her husband whose continuous gaze was making her heart beat go wild. She could see the longing in his eyes which she tried to ignore but couldn't.

She won't fall in this trap again. She wouldn't be able to face all that humiliation again. But he had said he wanted to make things alright right?

As if it was possible now. It wasn't just about him and her. Hell it never was. It included both the families and reconciling with Shehryar would mean being a part of that family again and she wasn't ready for it.

She shook her head and came to a conclusion.

She would have to avoid him.

No matter what.

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He had noticed.

Noticed how she was ignoring him. And it didn't go well with him. He needed to talk to her again and soon he got the chance he was looking for. He had seen her walking towards the kitchen with that heavy tray of henna cones and turmeric paste in her hand. The function had just got over and all the guests were in the living room enjoying the rest of the night.

He stopped in front of kitchen door when his eyes fell on her. The tray was way too heavy for her and soon it slipped out of her hand. He was by her side in no time.

"Watch out."

He held her arm and placed the tray on the kitchen counter.

"I don't need your help."

"It's already done, Alizeh. And you can't do anything on your own."

"I very well can. Been managing all things by myself since last few years."

He held her hand.

"Then Let me take the responsibility of everything."

She looked in his eyes where just honesty was evident.

"Shehryar, you do not understand. It's not easy."

"I know. But it doesn't mean we can't try. Just a try. That's all I'm asking"

She looked away when he spoke again.

"There is no pressure Alizeh. Take your time. Just don't deny both of us this chance of getting back what we almost had."

He mumbled and left from there.

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"I think that's the store."

Daim said looking out of the window. Shehryar stopped the car in front of the shop and came out. This morning as everyone was busy with the preparation of the Nikkah he had gone to meet some of his clients. Daim had met him after his meeting was over and the thing he wanted to take Shehryar for left Shehryar amused.

He wanted to buy a gift for Nemrah and he needed Shehryar's help.

"Like seriously! You should have tagged Ahmed or Haris along. You know I have no experience in this department. "

He made a face and stood in a corner. Daim had shown him a beautiful set of diamond earrings making him chuckle. Love had changed Daim so much. He nodded at him when his own eyes fell on a particular section.

The glass wall was supporting bracelets of different designs. He hadn't come here with any intention of buying something but looking at the delicate jewelry, he wanted to get something for Alizeh. Their relation wasn't at the stage to exchange gifts but he wanted to. It was his way of ensuring himself that may be there was hope. He went to the counter and bought a simple and delicate bracelet of his choice. Dropping it his coat pocket he turned to Daim who was also done and waiting for him at the exit. Alizeh's chances of wearing it were next to none but maybe someday.

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Alizeh smiled seeing the happy faces of Daim and Nemrah. The Nikkah was decided to take place prior to Baraat and had just been completed. She stood near the pillar watching both bride and groom smiling at the teasing they were receiving.

A was smiled etched on her face. Nemrah was so happy and contented from her life. A feeling every woman deserved. But looking back at her past, Alizeh couldn't even put her finger on any moment in last five years when she was genuinely happy for herself.

She could also get her share of happiness if only she hadn't made mistakes in her life. The mistakes she could never work on. Her life was a mess and no one but she herself was responsible for it.

She was so lost in her self-rebuking that she didn't realize the presence of Shehryar behind her. She turned to face him when he slipped a warm hand through hers and laced her fingers with his. His hand was radiating warmth. The kind of warmth which makes you feel secure. He must've felt her aloofness and that's why he was here.