Maheer quite liked talking to Maryam and Meerab. Actually Maheer liked both of them as people. They were pleasant.

Even though Maheer felt woefully inadequate in their presence.

They reminded her of Anabia.

Always perfectly dressed. Elegant. Graceful. Sophisticated.

Maheer felt out of place sitting next to them. It reminded her too much of sitting beside Areeb's relatives.

As much as Maheer liked these girls, they were also a walking reminder of Areeb's mother's expectations against her reality.

So Maheer reluctantly let out a sigh of relief when they eventually left her room.

She was tired. Very tired.

She wanted to sleep as soon as soon as Saad came back.

The knock on door brought out another relief filled sigh out of her.

Great, Saad was here!

A grin stretched across her face as she opened the door, only to see it was Neelo.

She was standing there with a stern look on her face, as if she didn't want to be in her presence.

Maheer's thoughts drifted to Maryam and Meerab.

Maheer and Neelo were like that too. Cousins and Sisters in law.

Yet, compared to those two, Neelo and her felt like strangers these days.

Neelo and her were always close. Like sisters.

So how come she felt like a complete stranger to her these days?

It's like she was holding onto some big resentment towards Maheer that only seems to be growing.

It's because Maheer was forced upon Saad.

The thought always pained her.

"Is bhai here?" Neelo was curt in her inquiries.

"No, he went to talk to Murtasim." Maheer ushered Neelo in. They sat on the couch where Meerab and Maryam were sitting.

"Talk about what?"

"To tell Murtasim that he wants to leave!" Maheer smiled at Neelo at that.

But her heart thumped when she saw the look of disdain painted on Neelo's face.

No! What had she done wrong now?

"You probably put him onto it, didn't you?" Neelo's voice came out so venomous that Maheer flinched.

"No, Saad wanted to leave!"

"Did he? Or did you just weep until he gave in?" Now she was looking at Maheer with eyes full of disgust.

"No! He wants to leave! He told me!" Maheer was desperate now.

Did he? When? And didn't you cry just like Neelo said?

Oh Allah, why was she plagued with so much doubts?

"Really?" Neelo looked doubtful."Did you ask him?"

Did she?

No, she hadn't!

Neelo probably read her guilt ridden face. " I knew it! You didn't even ask him what he wants!"

Neelo looked downright furious now. "Do you even care about my poor brother? Have you ever stopped to think he might have his own thoughts about something?"

She heaved as she continued. "My foolish brother probably saw you crying and he decided he wants to continue that dead end job, wants to pay your father's bills, bear our expenses for the rest of his life!"

"Did you ever stop to think how much pressure bhai is under these days?" Neelo's shouts echoed through the guest room. "He started his new job with an old shirt because he has to save every penny! He pays for uncle's treatment too!"

"Neelo, please calm down, I will talk to Saad, I promise!"

Yes, she would do that! She would ask him!

"You will talk to him? You?" Neelo scoffed. "And tell him to do what? Leave everything he could get to make him happy and go back to work as a servent for you and your mom? So your mom can happily keep taunting him about his job? So she can keep comparing him to your lover boy?"

That stung. A lot.

But she couldn't refute.

She lost the right to defend herself when she chose the dillusional love of Areeb over her father's respect.

Fews days of love has become a lifetime of taunts.

‐-------------‐--------------=======================================================

Saad was honestly scared now.

And very very exhausted. Its like all the strength has left his body along with all the trapped emotions.

Murtasim was silently inspecting the blood that was coming out of the corner of his lips.

It was menacing.

A man with his face was observing the blood on his hand with an eery quietness. Blood was tricking down from his lips, along his chins. Few drops fell on his black blazer as the colour got even darker.

The image in front of him was unnerving.

"The only reason you are standing alive is because I promised Babashahab on his deathbed." Murtasim's eyes were still traced onto his bloody hand.

The sentence sent a shiver down his body.

He had an inkling that his twin wasn't like him. He hadn't realized just how different they were u till now.

They were different. Polar opposites.

They didn't belong together.

He didn't belong here.

This palace, this office, this power- they only suited Murtasim.

Saad didn't want any part of it.

"I am leaving. I don't need anything. "

He hoped he sounded as stern as he thought he did.
==================================

Maheer was looking for Saad.

Or atleast trying to.

This house was just so damn big for no reason!

There was no way only a handful of people needed this big of a space!

So here she was, sitting on a side stool thinking about what Neelo had said. She played with the chocolate Saad has given her.

It was their thing.

Whenever Saad wanted to silently thank Maheer, he would give her a chocolate.

Was Saad really sacrificing everything again for her?

Even if their marriage was relation written with inks of sacrifice, it was equal on both sides.

But this? Saad giving up all this? For her?

How will she ever be able repay him?

Their relation of sweet childhood memories and rekindling friendship will be lost forever.

They will no longer be equal.

Just like her and Areeb.

Maheer didn't want that!

Maheer didn't want Saad to be like Areeb.

She didn't want him to be unhappy to make her happy.

She didn't want anyone unhappy.

Nothing was going like she wanted.

Everything was a huge mess.

Maheer tried to see through her blurry vision when she heard a commotion. She didn't realized when she had started to cry.

She could vaguely see Saad's figure walking towards her with Murtasim and Maa Begum hot on their heels. They were arguing about something.

Maa Begum was begging him to stay as Saad vehemently refused. Murtasim, on the other hand, was quiet as he stared at the mother-son due.

"You can't just leave, please." Maa Begum's voice sounded hoarse. "Please, I am your mother. Your real mother!"

Saad flinched at that.

Maybe Maheer should ask now.

Yes, she could ask Saad.

And whatever his decision will be, she will oblige.

Maheer could see her uncle and aunt too. They were standing with Saad while Maa Begum sobbed.

"Please, my child. I do not wish for you to leave!" Her cries were heartbreaking.

Maheer should ask now.

Only if her damn feet moved. They had gone cold with dread.

She was scared.

She was terrified of Saad's answer.

No, she has to ask.

She must.

For Saad's sake.

It's now or never, Maheer.

But she didn't get the chance.

"And What does Saad wish for?" A voice halted everyone in their actions.

==================================

So, how do you like it? And Who do you think said that?

And what will Saad decide?

And why do rich families have huge houses? Do they even meet each other in the same house?

Hope you like it. Leave feedbacks and vote if you like.