"Shafaq! ", a surprised voice of Saniya, forced Shafaq to look at her, her mouth opened in agape.

Saniya, a person Shafaq used to know was missing. Instead, there was a girl who was looking pale, with dark circles, her hair was now short and some sort of mess.

Shafaq got up from her place and stood beside Zaid who too was looking shocked, seeing Saniya in this way. The biggest thing which clenched Shafaq's heart was, she was on wheelchair.

" You know her?", aunt Rabia asked Saniya, getting their attention. Saniya and Shafaq nodded together.

" That's very nice. You know, she is your little cousin and this is her husband, Zaid. ", Rabia said excitedly holding Shafaq's arm.

" I know, Mumma.", Saniya said with coldness. Shafaq and Zaid looked dumbfounded at Saniya. Zaid clenched his jaw, to stop himself breaking out his anger at Saniya.

She knew that Shafaq was her sister, still she conspired for her.

" I want to talk with you all about something. Can we?", Saniya asked with pleading eyes to all of them.

Daadi had slept again due to her medications. That's why, they headed towards the living room.

******

" My family never knew about you, Zaid. ", Saniya said embarrassed. Aunt Rabia's eyes widened hearing her confession.

" I lied to you, when I said that they are happy with our relationship. ", she said looking at Zaid, " You were just a past time fling for me. I just wanted to get noticed, being with you. "

" That's why, I used to hate you Shafaq. I appointed Rehan to misguide you but you are very nice Shafaq. I was never serious about our relationship, Zaid thus I refused to marry you when you got into the accident ", she said, now tears were welling up her eyes.

" This is why, Allah has punished you. ", Rabia yelled at Saniya, and she lowered her gaze " You know, Shafaq, Saniya got into an accident after her marriage. "

Shafaq looked more than shocked hearing the truth. The day was unfolding many secrets in front of her.

" In that accident, she lost her one leg and she had become handicapped for her whole life. His husband divorced her as soon as he got to know about her condition. ", Rabia told, " I used to think, why Allah is doing this with my daughter but she was getting which she had sowed."

Saniya's sobs filled the silence of the room. " I came to know about Shafaq being my sister, some days ago, when Daadi got ill and was remembering her."

" Will you able to forgive me?", Saniya asked looking at Zaid and Shafaq. Zaid's face was blank but Shafaq's eyes were pouring tears.

" I have not the right to forgive you, it's with Allah. But I can't hold the grudge against you.", she said taking seat in front of her and taking her hands in hers, " Saniya baji."

Saniya smiled and Shafaq pressed her hands with teary smile. " You are very nice, Shafaq. I am very very sorry. Please forgive me.", Saniya said again and began to cry her heart out.

" I have forgiven you. ", Shafaq said tightening her hold.

" You both look adorable together, Mashaallah. ", Saniya said looking at Shafaq and Zaid who were sitting together.

Zaid hadn't uttered a single word, from the time he had seen Saniya. Shafaq glanced at him and found his jaw clenched. He was clenching and unclenching his fist as if he was controlling his anger in front of everyone.

******

" We should go, Shafaq. ", Zaid said to Shafaq after sometime. Shafaq nodded and got up.

He was more than furious to see Saniya. If Shafaq was not with him, he wasn't sure what he would do to Saniya. Despite seeing her in this condition, his rage was not subsided.

Aunt Rabia and Saniya insisted them for dinner tonight, but Shafaq politely refused glancing at Zaid.

Zaid caught her eyes, he was sure that she understood his foul mood. He hurried towards his car leaving Shafaq talking to aunt and Saniya.

He strongly punched the side wall where his car was parked, again and again to calm his anger. As a result his fist got bruised, blood oozing out profusely. The pain was nothing in front of his anger against Saniya.

He sat on the driver's seat, waiting for Shafaq to come. As soon as, Shafaq got into the passenger seat, he started the car and drove it in the full speed. He was driving with one hand, as he didn't want to show his wound to Shafaq.

The whole journey was going silent. He didn't said anything nor Shafaq insisted him. Was she ignoring him or angry on him? His stomach sank just thinking this. Did he offended her in some way?

He glanced at Shafaq and found her sleeping peacefully. His heart melt down seeing her sleeping. There were some dried tears beside her eyes. The whole ordeal must have tired her.

Shafaq opened her eyes as the car came to halt.She got into her room quickly without looking at Zaid. Mamu and others hadn't returned yet, from their visit. Zaid stood in front of her room, fidgeting with his thoughts as to knock on the door or not.

The door opened suddenly surprising him, he took few steps back scratching his head. He found Shafaq in front of him holding the first aid kit. She had noticed his bruise.

She took his hand and forced him inside the room. She made him sit on the bed and began to wipe his bruise.

" When will you able to control your anger?", she asked narrowing her eyes at him.

Zaid stared at her with a smile. His eyes twinkling seeing her in anger. Shafaq focused again on her work feeling his intense gaze.

" You look cute when you are angry. ", he said, his eyes hovering on her face.

" You know, you are just impossible. ", Shafaq said hiding her smile, bandaging his hand.

" I know. You have a big heart Shafaq. ", he said, getting serious all of a sudden. Shafaq looked at him confused fixing her glasses.

" I can't be so generous to forgive anyone this easily. ", he said cupping her cheek with his bandaged hand.

" Life is very short for hate.", she said holding his hand, " I had read somewhere, forgive others like you want to be forgiven. "

Zaid chuckled shaking his head and slowly put his lips to her cheek, " I will become a scholar one day, being with you."

******

Shafaq's annual exams had been started and that's why, the preparations of Zaid and Shafaq's marriage were gotten up in Hussein mansion.

Shafaq had told them, all about her visit to her father's house. Naano had apologised to her for hiding the truth of her mother's death.

She didn't wanted to worry her Shafu, neither she wanted Shafaq to hold hate for her granny. Now all was crystal clear without any secret or veil among them.

Now Shafaq was busy in her studies and left the total shopping on Mumani's and Naano's choice.

Zaid was looking happy with the preparations and all. He wanted to take Shafaq with him for the shopping of her wedding dress but Shafaq had refused, telling him that she trusted his choice.

All the Shafaq's dresses were chosen by Zaid. He wanted to make the wedding day special for Shafaq as he had done many things in his past to hurt her.

Shafaq was now sitting in the living room studying for her last paper, Mamu and Mumani were discussing about something related to the marriage preparation.

Shafaq looked at them both, their face brightened due to the happiness. She cleared her throat and got herself ready for the thing she was about to say.

" Mamu ", she called getting their attention, " Mumani, I have one condition for this marriage. "

They both looked at her in awe when she put forth her condition.