Life is not about how many breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.

Omer

The atmosphere inside the car was warm, unlike the weather outside. The rain drops fell on the windows one after the other in perfect harmony. Omer could not help but smile as he glanced outside.

It was the first rain of the winter season-water making the thirsty land bloom. The rain had freshen up his mood too just like every other resident of the city which was evident from the slow music playing inside the car.

As he sped his car on the road, Omer looked at his watch which indicated four-seventeen in the evening. He was early toady, going back to his home before time.

Today was one of those days when a man as workaholic as Omer did not feel like working at all-the pleasant weather making him go back home and ordering him to enjoy the rain with his family. And who was he to defy nature?

And now he was in his car, driving on the roads of Islamabad. The drive which usually lasted 10 to 15 minutes was now taking much longer, the heavy rain pouring outside elongating the distance excessively. He just shook his head and smiled, not minding the long distance even for a second.

As his thoughts wandered around randomly, it landed on his phone which he had powered off due to the meeting and he didn't remember to turn it on afterwards.

And as he picked up his phone from the dashboard, he had no idea about the huge mistake he committed when he forgot to turn it back on.

As he switched on the phone, he was met with this sight of 21 missed calls from Saad. His eyes widened as he dialed Saad's number hurriedly, sensing something terribly wrong and yet hoping that it was not that bad to yank the ground from under his feet. The phone was picked up from the other side on the first bell.

"Bhai!"

Saad's anxious and alarmed voice reached him through the phone and it made him push the brakes. With a palpitating heart, he freed the words caught in his throat.

"Saad, what's wrong?"

Omer questioned, trying to look calm and composed but failing terribly in it.

"Bhai, is Fariya with you?"

Saad asked hurriedly and Omer could sense agitation in his voice.

The fear in the fearful man's heart was instantly replaced with confusion. Fariya? He thought with narrowed eyes.

"Why would she be with me?" Omer asked quizzically and he sensed a storm approaching.

"She didn't call you?"

Saad's startled voice entered his brain but it never registered there. He was too confused to think.

"She did not." Omer said after checking his mobile phone log.

"What's wrong?"

After raising the phone to his ear, he questioned in fright.

"Bhai, Fariya has not yet reached home. I told her to call you but she..."

Omer's loud voice cut Saad in mid-sentence.

"What do you mean by she didn't reach home? Where is she?"

Though Omer's voice contained anger, it also contained another emotion-fear; a heart stopping fear.

"University. I forgot to pick her up and told her to call you. I don't know why she didn't do that..."

Saad's voice died at the end as he awaited his brother's outburst. Surprisingly, he didn't get one. All he got was the sound of Omer sucking in a harsh breath. Omer had decided that this was not the moment; he could deal with his brother later. Now, a more pressing situation stood in front of him which was to be dealt.

"When did she call?" Omer this time said in a composed tone but he could still hear his heart dropping in his chest.

"Almost two hours ago." Saad's voice was a whisper but it had the power to yank the ground from under him.

"I'll talk to you when I get home."

Omer fiercely said and cut the call, turning on the car engine and speeding the car towards her university. As he drove the car, he kept dialing Fariya's number but was always greeted with the annoying voice of the lady telling her that the owner's phone was powered off.

He almost threw the phone on the dashboard as he pushed the accelerator. Not caring about the heavy rain and that he might get in an accident, he drove as fast as he could. Fariya's university was 10 minutes from where he was and yet he felt like they were 10 decades.

His pulse was flying with the speed of the rocket while precipitation coated his forehead in sheer agitation. He didn't know what to expect, what to think. Fear of the worst kept nagging at his mind and he fought hard to free his mind from it, trying to think positive.

But the mere thought of Fariya all alone in this rain was enough to turn all positivity in him into dust. He knew very little about his spouse but he knew one thing-she was not brave. She might have enough courage to endure the pain life throws at her, but she did not have a heart to bear the thunderous rain all alone.

Horrifying thoughts kept coming back again and again but he ignored all of them, choosing to concentrate only on Fariya and her safety at the moment. Somehow, he was angry at himself too. Fariya was not Saad's responsibility, she was his-his wife, his responsibility. It was his duty to make sure that she was safe.

As he reached nearer to his destination, unsettling thoughts registered in his mind and he gulped down the emotions. Finally, he turned left and his car entered the road on which Fariya's university was located.

He slowed the car and looking around him in hope, in worry. The rain was making it difficult to see but anyhow, he didn't abandon search and continued roaming his eyes, the car too moving ahead continuously. He reached the main gate of the university and found it closed. He thought to go out and talk to the guard who must be sitting inside the small room.

Without turning off the car's engine, he got out and moved towards the gate. But he had only just taken one step forward when his eyes landed on someone.

The person was sitting on the seat under the shade, legs pulled up and arms encircled around them. Even from this distance, Omer could clearly see the person trembling. Was it because of the cold temperature or fear, he didn't know.

But he knew one thing-never in his life had he felt more remorseful.

The rain had completely soaked him, his suit drenching with water but he didn't care. All he cared about was the person who was now looking up at him through the distance. Omer could not clearly see the emotions in her eyes but he definitely understood the emotions flowing in his own heart-remorse, pain, care.

And everything that happened in the next few seconds was beyond the bounds of possibility. Omer saw with wide eyes as the hazel-eyed woman hurriedly stood up from the seat and after standing like that for a mere few seconds, ran towards him.

Omer could clearly see her trembling form as she reached close to him after a moment, the rain mercilessly falling on her with full force. The frightened lady halted for the smallest of moment in front of him and the next moment, she was in Omer's arms.

Omer was caught off guard. His arms were falling beside him while his eyes enlarged. To say that he was shocked was an understatement beyond comprehension. He was stunned, flabbergasted.

The man felt Fariya clutching his shirt tightly as her head laid on his chest, her frail body pressed against his strong one. Tears falling from her eyes were fusing with the rain drops as they soaked Omer's already wet jacket. Omer raised his arms and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her back to have a look at her face.

The tall man succeeded as Fariya pulled back and Omer took in the sight of her swollen face. It was not only her eyes which were red, her whole face had turned scarlet. Not only her lips were trembling, her whole body was shaking terribly. Omer felt a pang of guilt attack his heart as he looked at her face and he suddenly pulled Fariya to himself in absolute affliction.

The black-eyed man snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her more close, only their wet clothing acting as a barrier between their bodies. He could still hear her hiccups and gasps as she clutched his shirt in her palms as if her life depended on it. It was difficult to speak, but it was necessary to speak.

"Shush. It's okay. I'm here."

Omer whispered in her ears as he placed a hand on her head, patting it as lighlty as ever.

"Fariya." Omer let out her name in a breath as he heard her cry out more forcefully.

"Omer."

Omer's world caught up in a storm as he heard his name coming out of her mouth. His name was a mere whisper on her tongue but it reached him anyway, sending a strange sensation running through his body.

"Fariya, please stop crying. I'm sorry."

Omer's voice didn't seem to reach the woman who was crying uncontrollably. She just laid her head limplesly on Omer's chest as she repeated his name over and over again.

"Omer, I'd been waiting for the past 2 hours. Omer... I was frightened...Omer..." Omer shushed Fariya in mid-sentence as he pulled her closer gently.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry. Terribly sorry."

Omer's voice acted as a medicine for thr broken woman. She raised her head from his chest and looked straight up in his eyes. They didn't contain hatred and loathe like they always did. They had so much affection in them that Fariya felt her heart melting.

Omer looked down at her and for the first time ever, he didn't see someone else in her, he didn't get reminded of his dreadful past. Call it a miracle or not, but his worry and care at that moment for the lady in front of her was far more greater than the hatred he had for his past.

Omer removed his hand which was placed on her hair and brought it towards her beautiful face. Placing his hand on her face and wiping away her tears gently, the tall man lowered his head so now he was face to face with his spouse.

"Are you hurt?" Omer whispered.

He didn't know himself if he was talking about the pain she went through by standing all alone in the rain or by enduring his rude behaviour and cold eyes from the start but he asked anyway. Fariya nodded her head slightly as tears again fell from her hazel eyes. And in that moment, Omer knew that she was talking about both kind of pain. He felt sheer agony in his heart as he wiped her tears again.

"I'm sorry."

Omer's voice was not more than a whisper but it carried messages more deep than the ocean itself. Omer saw Fariya lower her eyes as she fixed her gaze on his drenched suit.

"We should go home." Omer said after a while as he looked down at her.

He saw Fariya nodding her head as she pulled back from his comforting embrace. Omer instantly felt cold and empty as Fariya retreated her steps. Omer felt like she had completed him when she was in his arms, like the pieces of a puzzle which had perfectly come together.

She was perfect, Omer had finally admitted.

Omer saw Fariya's back as she went towards the door but to his horror, her steps faltered and she hurriedly placed a hand on the car, her other hand reaching her forehead. Omer in an instant went towards her and wraped his arm around her waist, helping her move forward. Omer caught her arm and motioned her to move forwards with a gentleness he didn't know he had.

Fariya was too weak to say anything-she just let herself go with the flow. Omer had no idea how she ran upto him before but now it seemed like her body didn't have any ounce of courage left in it. Omer helped her move forward and opened the door of the car when they reached near it. Assisting her to sit on the passenger's seat, he secured her by fasting the seat belt and closed the door carefully.

He went to the other side and smoothly settled himself onto his seat. Once he had applied the gear, he turned his head around to look at his spouse who had tiredly placed her head on the headseat. He pressed his lips in a thin line and pushed the accelerator.

◇◇◇

The car entered the garage swiftly and Omer turned off the engine before getting out. He quickly moved towards the other side of the car and opened the door for the weak lady sitting inside. Fariya, though with difficulty, stood up and held onto the car door for support.

"Can you walk?" Omer asked in concern to which he earned a slight nod from her.

Omer too nodded his head as he patiently waited for Fariya to move forward. Fariya started walking ahead, her steps small and feather-like, but they were enough to calm Omer a bit.

Omer closely walked behind her, holding her bag in his one hand. She had reached the entrance when Omer moved past her and opened the door. Fariya crossed the threshold and entered the house, her eyes weakly scanning her surrounding. Omer also looked around and let out a breath as he witnessed everyone in the hall, even his Phupoo and Syra, looking towards him with worried eyes.

Fariya was completely hidden behind her, his strong and muscular body shielding her from everyone present in the room. Omer moved one step to the right, revealing Fariya to the rest of the family. Omer heard gasps and the sound of her name echoing through the large room.

He saw as his aunt-Fariya's mother-move towards them hurriedly and after she had crossed Omer, engulfed her daughter in a hug, tears falling from her eyes.

"Fariya!" Fariya's mother exclaimed.

"Thank God you're fine." She said as she kissed her daughter on the forehead.

Slowly, Omer saw his mother and everyone move towards Fariya, clearly worried about her well being. After meeting them, Fariya moved towards Dado with her mother and Tayi Ammi beside her and lowered her head as she reached near her. Dado quickly cupped her face and kissed her on the head.

"Oh, my child! Thank God!"

She said as she pulled her granddaughter into a hug. After pulling back, she asked Fariya's mother to take her to her room and make her change her clothes, worried that she might get sick.

After Fariya and her mother had gone to her room, Omer's eyes looked for a single person around the room and he found him instantly-Saad. Saad was also looking at his brother with fearful eyes while he stood near the sofa.

"How can you be so careless? If you can't fulfil a simple responsibility, you shouldn't have taken it in the first place."

Omer heatedly said after everyone had seated on the sofa again with the exception of Saad and him.

"Bhai, I'm so sorry. It was a busy day..." Saad tried to say but he was cut off by the sound of Omer.

"I don't care if it was a busy day or not. It was your responsibility to pick her up. Do you have any idea what state she was in?"

Omer furiously said, not caring about anyone present in the room. His voice was not that loud but it contained anger and heat.

"Bhai..."

Saad tried to say something in his defence but Omer again cut him.

"You have absolutely no idea how much frightened she was. She was trembling, for heaven's sake!"

Omer bellowed but controlled himself on time.

"You should have at least informed me on time. And if not me, then Baba. Saad..."

Omer's infuriated voice reached everyone.

"I did call you. Your phone was off." Saad said in a low voice.

"Okay fine. What about Baba, driver? Everyone's phone was off?" Omer questioned crossly.

"I told Fariya to call you. I thought that she was with you so that's why I didn't call anyone. And besides, driver has gone to his village and Baba is out of city." Saad hurriedly said, fearing that his elder brother might again cut him in mid-sentence.

Omer took a deep breath as he tiredly fell on the sofa behind him.

"Bhai, I'm sorry." Saad slowly said and looked at his brother with hope that he'll forgive him.

"Omer, it is Saad's mistake. I know but he is sorry and he will never do that again." His mother said as she placed a hand on Omer's knee.

Omer opened his eyes and looked at his mother and then back at his brother.

"I'm never going to trust you again with her." Omer said as he stood up from the sofa.

"I'll go and change." With that said, he turned around and left the room.

Syra

Omer had left the room and yet there were traces of his voice everywhere. Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing-this was not the Omer they knew.

The Omer they knew was a kind man who loved his family more than he ever loved himself and yet his behaviour today shocked everyone to the core.

He shouted. A thing he would never do unless the person of concern concerned him too much. But quite surprisingly, everyone around the room seemed to be happy, very happy.

The tension between Omer and Fariya that had been going on for the past 2 months was clearly felt by them and they were happy that finally the ice was melting. Even Saad, on whom Omer had shouted, didn't seem to mind and was generally happy for his brother.

But Syra felt like she had been stabbed by a knife, in her heart, mercilessly. Syra also wanted to be happy but the love she had for Omer was preventing her from rejoicing at the relationship of Omer and Fariya.

Yes, she told Fariya that she had given up on Omer and she really had, but she can't control her heart which came to her mouth every time he came in front of her. Syra had sensed care, immense care, for Fariya hidden beneath Omer's voice and she felt like she was drowning.

She wished, hoped that it was her instead of Fariya. The worry in his eyes, the concern in his words, the care in his actions had completely tore Syra apart. Fariya Ali Sikandar was one lucky woman, she thought.

To see someone you care about being concerned about some other person was not a pleasant sight at all. And right there and then, Syra Hashim felt an unknown feeling crawling up inside her - jealousy.

She loved Fariya but the love she had for Omer was far greater, far deeper. She had no intention, whatsoever, to come between the two of them but still she had no control over her heart-a heart which echoed a single name- Omer.

Omer

Omer moved down the stairs and made his way towards the room of his grandmother. He reached the door and knocked three times before pushing the door open and entering her room. He saw his grandmother sitting on the bed, her eyes closed as her head rested against the headboard. There was a Tasbeeh in her hand while her lips moved inaudibly.

Omer smiled as he went forward towards the bed and sat on its edge. Dado, sensing someone's presence, opened her eyes and even her eyes smiled when she saw her eldest grandson sitting in front of her. She kissed the Tasbeeh and placed it on the nightstand and gave Omer her full concentration.

She raised her hands and placed them on Omer's face, kissing his forehead lightly.

"Live a long and happy life!"

She prayed as she pulled her arms back.

"Are you going to office? It's Sunday, my child." Dado asked worryingly.

"I have some work, Dado. It's urgent." Omer said in a low voice.

"Okay, go. May Allah protect you!" Dado said as she patted his knee.

"Allah Hafiz." Omer said before standing up and leaving the room.

From there, he went to the kitchen. He was really hungry as he had skipped yesterday's dinner. Though he didn't expect anyone in the kitchen, he was somewhat relieved when he saw Urwa standing in the kitchen, her back to him.

"Urwa, thank God you're here. Please give me breakfast."

Omer said as he went forward to sit on the chair but to his surprise, the lady was not Urwa. Fariya was looking at him with pressed lips, her eyes emotionless but sparkling. Omer's steps halted.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was Urwa. I'll just go."

Omer started to turn around and leave the kitchen when Fariya's voice made him come to a stop.

"It's okay. I'll make you the breakfast. Urwa is sleeping."

Her voice was so low that it hardly reached Omer but it was Fariya who was talking-Omer could never miss anything she said. Omer turned around and opened his lips to refuse but thought better. He was really hungry and all he wanted right now was a good breakfast, refusing the offer would do him no good.

"Are you sure?" Omer changed his words as he asked her.

"Yes. I'm making my own breakfast anyway."

Her voice was not blank, it was shy and conscious which was quite unexpected for him.

"Okay."

Omer nodded his head and sat on the chair, pulling out his phone from his pocket while Fariya turned around to prepare breakfast. Though Omer was using the mobile phone, his entire concentration was on Fariya's hair.

Her hair were tied with a small clip while they fell on her back in perfect waves. They were wet, water dripping from the end. Omer saw as her hair fluttered when she moved here and there around the kitchen They were black and silky, long enough to cover half of her back.

And suddenly Omer felt an intense desire to touch them, feel them. Almost carried away by his desire, he sucked in a breath as he shook his head and lowered his gaze. He knew the woman in front of him was his, in every way possible and yet Omer knew that they had centuries between them.

He for a second thought that he had a right on her but as a thought dawned on him, he regretted his feelings. You can't have a right on someone even if the person is yours in the eyes of the world unless they give you that right, freely and contentedly. And Fariya had not yet given him that right.

Omer was too immersed in his thoughts that he did not notice Fariya placing the breakfast in front of him. And only when Fariya sat in front of him and dived in her breakfast did he notice her presence and the breakfast. Omer looked down and started eating his breakfast too.

"How are you?"

Omer broke the uneasy silence which was hanging in the air. Fariya seemed to be taken aback when she heard Omer's voice. Omer saw her face masked in confusion and then it got replaced with understanding. They were talking for the first time after that evening and Omer's question started to make sense.

"I'm fine."

Fariya's low voice reached him and he nodded his head.

"Thank you." Fariya said after a moment of silence and this time it was Omer's turn to look up in confusion.

"For what?" Omer questioned.

"For everything you did. " Fariya replied, her gaze lowered.

Omer took a deep breath as he finished his breakfast.

"It's okay. You don't have to thank me."

Omer quietly said as he sipped his tea. He eyed Fariya who had hardly touched her breakfast and was staring at her hands.

"Is there anything else?" He asked, as politely as he could.

Fariya looked up at him. Their eyes met. Sparkle against darkness. Omer saw her tired form and swollen eyes and dreaded that there was something else too which was bothering her.

"No, nothing." Fariya said quickly as she lowered not only her eyes, but her face too.

"Are you sure? You can trust me." Omer said, awaiting her response.

"Yes, I'm sure."

With that said, Fariya stood up from her seat and left the kitchen, taking her breakfast along with her. And Omer couldn't help but think that he was the last person Fariya trusted.

◇◇◇

The evening sky was dark, a mix of dark blue and black. Omer was sitting in his room while he heard the rain falling outside. It was raining cats and dogs. Since the last week when it had rained for the first time, rain was a continuous factor. Everyday it would rain heavily, making the low temperature drop even more.

Omer sat on the chair beside the large window, his eyes fixed on the laptop placed in front of him on the table. His fingers were moving with the speed of the rain outside as he typed an email. He was fully immersed in his work but his concentration was broken when he heard cries and laughters outside.

He narrowed his eyes as he looked towards the door but turned his head as he realised that the voices were not coming from outside his room. He looked out the window and gazed down at the lawn and was met with the sight of Urwa, Maida and Fariya enjoying the rain as they talked and cheered.

Omer tried to block out their voices and concentrate on his work but his attention was interrupted and he couldn't concentrate on his work anymore. With a loud and audible sigh, he shut the laptop and picked his coffee from the table as he stood up.

He went forward to stand behind the window as he peered down towards the ladies. All of them were now standing in the open sky as rain fell on them, making them wet. Omer looked as they moved here and there in the lawn, laughing carelessly until their stomach hurt.

Fariya too was laughing like there was no tomorrow and the sight made him exhale a relieved sigh. She had been awfully silent since that evening and now as she talked and laughed with her sister and cousin, Omer could not help but feel his mind at ease.

Quite surprisingly for Omer, Fariya has started talking to Omer. Very less and very occasional, but at least there was some talking between them unlike the days when all they exchanged were cold gestures. Fariya no longer left the room when he entered, she sometimes made his breakfast when Urwa was sleeping and most importantly, she talked to him.

Omer felt as if his past was colliding with his present. He dreaded his past, hated it but Fariya's mere presence had dulled its effects a bit. He no longer thought about his past for every second of the day. His past was still there; the heartache, pain, regret.

Everything was still standing like it used to, haunting him, killing him but Omer for the first time felt that he could free himself from the shackles of his past.

He was hopeful. For the first time in all these years.

In one way or another, he was thankful to Fariya for what she had unknowingly done. She had pushed back his past a little, a thing he had been trying to do for the past five years. And for the first time ever, Omer was optimistic that after some time, he would be successful in getting over his past once and for all.

He smiled at the thought as he looked down at the three of them, now running in the lawn. Suddenly, Omer saw Fariya look up from where she was and her eyes directly landed on Omer who was standing behind the open window.

Even from this distance, Omer could clearly see happiness in her eyes which suddenly got replaced with sheepishness. Omer, as if caught red handed, took a step back and turned around, leaving behind Fariya who was staring up at the window.

Fariya

"Fari, come on. We're going out."

Urwa excitedly said as she peeked into Fariya's room and found her sitting on the chair.

"I can't. I'm studying."

Fariya sadly replied as she motioned towards her books placed in front of her on the table.

"But everyone is going, Fari. It's a family dinner. No one will be home."

Urwa entered the room and stood in front of Fariya, even her eyes pleading.

"It's okay. I can stay alone." The woman who was sitting replied as she reassured Urwa and herself too.

"That you can but Bhai won't let you stay alone. He'll make someone, probably me, stay back. So, please. You have to go for me."

The woman who was standing pleaded. Fariya took a deep breath as she let the words sink in. Urwa was right. Omer will never let her stay alone at night. If not anyone, than he would himself stay back. Omer had changed a lot since the past two weeks. He no longer blessed her with cold stares and harsh words and always made sure that she reached home safely in the afternoon-he, indeed, has changed.

"Okay. I'll go." Fariya said as she let out a breath.

Her final semester was coming to an end and she had exams after 3 days. To say that she was studying hard was an understatement. She was burning midnight oil as she immersed herself in her books.

"I'll study when we come back."

With that said, Fariya stood up and moved towards her closet, leaving behind a joyous Urwa.

◇◇◇◇

The atmosphere in the restaurant was comforting. Unlike the weather outside, the restaurant gave away warmth and earnestness. The Lashari family sat around the table as they ate their dinner in a pleasant aura.

"After about a week, I'll be completely free." Fariya cheerfully said as she did justice with the rice.

"And after about a week, my freedom will be caged." Maida said dejectedly.

Saad patted her shoulder with an empathetic smile but Maida knew better. She could clearly see the mischief in his eyes and jerked his hand away, a frown appearing at the corner of her lips.

Saad burst out laughing, followed by everyone, as Maida lowered her head in anger but a smile made its way across her lips and she too started laughing.

"I hate you, Saad." Maida said in between her laugh.

"I love you, too." Saad mockingly said on which he only earned a glare from Maida.

"Fari, when is your party?" Urwa asked out of the blue when her laugh ceased.

"Right after my exams." Fariya smilingly said as she looked up from her plate towards Urwa.

"And will you go? I mean, it's a night function."

Urwa said, her voice low this time which was meant for Fariya alone.

"Of course. I've already asked Taya Abbu."

The woman wearing the royal blue dress said obviously.

"You know what, I've never gone on a night function. Bhai doesn't allow it." Urwa said dismally.

Fariya widened her eyes incredulously as she looked at Omer for a second who was busy talking to his father.

"Seriously? I didn't know he was that narrow minded." Fariya really was stunned.

"It's not narrow-mindedness. He just thinks it's not safe." Urwa quickly came forward to defend her brother.

"But still.."

Fariya didn't know anything to say to a woman who didn't want to hear anything against her brother.

"Does Bhai know about this function?" Urwa questioned quietly.

"I don't think so." Fariya carelessly said as she ate chicken.

"You should ask him or at least tell him." Urwa was open for suggestions but Fariya didn't think she needed one.

"I've already asked Taya Abbu. He didn't have a problem." Fariya said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Fari, Baba never had any problem. It was Bhai who always convinced him that it was not safe." Urwa said trying to make her cousin understand.

"And Bhai will never let you go now. After that incident, he doesn't even trust the air that blows around you." Urwa said, unblemished.

Fariya was going to say something when she heard her name being called out. She closed her parted lips as she looked sideways towards the source of the voice. And it was a smile, a huge, genuine smile which lightened up her face as she took in the sight of a person standing some steps away from her.

"Salaar!"

Fariya exclaimed buoyantly as she pushed back her chair and stood up. She moved forward towards Salaar who was smiling at her delightfully and halted two steps away from him.

"What a pleasant surprise!" Fariya said as she looked up at him.

"I should be the one saying that."

Salaar humbly said and placed a hand on his heart on which he earned a heartwarming laugh from Fariya.

"You've always known your way with words." She said, shaking her head.

"That's a compliment?" Salaar said raising an eyebrow.

"You have a doubt?" Fariya said and heard a laugh from Salaar afterwards.

"Aunty!"

Fariya heard Salaar exclaim as he looked past Fariya and moved forward. Fariya too turned around smilingly and looked at Salaar who was now meeting her mother.

"So much times has passed." Fariya's mother said as she placed a hand on Salaar's head.

"I heard about Uncle's death. I'm so sorry, Aunty. He was such a kind man." Salaar offered his condolences with pain visible in his eyes.

"It's okay, my child." Fariya's mother said mournfully.

This was a topic which had the power to shatter her good and cheerful mood within seconds, turning it depressed and grievous.

"Salaar, this is my family. This is my Dado, Taya Abbu and Tayi Ammi." Fariya said as she pointed towards the respective members of the family.

"And these are my cousins. Saad, Urwa and Omer."

Fariya introduced but failed to notice Omer whose face turned dark when he heard his spouse.

"And everybody, this is Salaar. My childhood friend."

Fariya smilingly pointed towards Salaar who was standing beside her. Everyone stood up from their seats and greeted Salaar as Fariya stood there, smiling. The hazel-eyed beauty saw as Omer came forward and shook hands with Salaar, a very small smile plastered on his lips. Both the men exchanged greetings and Omer let go of his hand before stepping back.

As he moved back to his seat, he looked just for a moment towards Fariya who was already looking at him. And after so many weeks, Fariya saw the cold gaze she was once used to. His eyes contained the same frostiness and intense stare which always sent a shiver down her spine. The gaze was averted from her as soon as it landed and Omer sat on his seat as he picked his mobile phone from the table.

Fariya looked confusingly at him as he scrolled through his mobile phone. What happened? What did she do? But before she could understand anything, Fariya heard her Taya Abbu addressing Salaar.

"Come, child. Join us." Salaar shook his head as he plastered an apologetic smile on his face.

"No, Uncle. It's a family dinner. I shouldn't interfere." Salaar said while looking at him.

"You are family, Salaar." Fariya assuringly said as she motioned Salaar to sit on the chair.

"Well, I wish I could but I'm here with someome. I saw you so just couldn't resist myself to come and talk. I should be going now."

Salaar said as he pointed towards his friend sitting on the table to their right.

"Oh, okay. Next time, then." Fariya said cheerlessly.

"Allah Hafiz, everyone. It was nice meeting you. I didn't know Uncle had a brother, but nevertheless, it was a pleasure."

Salaar said his final greetings and after smiling at everyone, turned around and moved towards his table. Fariya smiled at his retreating back and came back to sit on her seat, her mood more fresh than ever.

"He's such a nice kid." Dado complimented while she looked at her younger daughter-in-law.

"Yes. He is more like Hamza to me." Fariya's mother too praised Salaar while Fariya looked at them smilingly. Salaar was one of the most important person in her life, a person who was there for her through her thick and thin.

And as she smiled at the thought, she didn't notice her spouse who became agitated on seeing her smiling face.

◇◇◇◇

"Come on, woman! How many times are you going to make me say sorry?"

Saad angrily said as he stood in front of Maida who was sitting cross legged on the sofa.

"Until you say it from the heart." Maida dramatically said as she flipped her hair.

"I am saying it from the heart."

The annoyed man emphatically said as he narrowed his eyes in irritation.

"You are not."

Maida said as she stood from the sofa and began to leave the room.

"Sorry."

She heard Saad's voice from behind and instantly her face flashed with a big smile. She turned back on her heels and moved towards him. The brown-eyed woman stopped a step away from him and took his clothes from his hands.

"Now, that was a sincere apology. You're forgiven."

Maida said as she started to walk out of her room but was again stopped when she saw Fariya entering.

"Oh, thank God you've taken a break. I was beginning to get worried." Saad said as he crossed Maida and stood in front of his cousins.

"About what?" Fariya said, tiredness oozing out of her every action.

She walked past Saad and sat on the bed, stretching out her legs and placing her head on the headboard.

"That you might have passed away." Saad mockingly said as he sat in front of her on the bed.

"Well, it's a disappointment then." Fariya said without opening her eyes.

Tomorrow was her last theoretical exam and she was continuously studying for the past 7 hours for it.

"Where's everyone? I didn't see anyone on my way up." Fariya asked as she slightly opened her eyes.

"Shopping." Saad irritatingly said.

"I don't understand. The function is after two weeks. What's the purpose to do shopping this early?"

Saad's question had a point and Fariya totally agreed with him for she was never a shopper herself. But Maida was and she started debating with him on the pros of shopping early but for the first time ever, Saad was in no mood to argue.

"Omer Bhai is lucky then. He has a wife who doesn't like shopping." Saad said on which Fariya opened her eyes and glared at him.

She didn't know why, but when she heard the word wife, her heart skipped a beat. It was just for a split second, but it was there-enough to fill her heart with confusion.

And that is when, while sitting there with Saad and Maida on her bed, did she understand Omer's cold demeanour on that dinner.

Husband.

Omer was her husband but she introduced him as her cousin, a small act but large enough for a person who undergoes it. Her mind called Omer foolish for thinking that way but her heart defended him.

What would she think if Omer introduced her to his female friend as his cousin? She would feel bad, that was obvious. She would feel cold and distant, that was undoubtedly true too.

And that's when she understood Omer's personality for once. He was a normal man. A man who had hidden his heart under all the layers of coldness and silence. A man who was a coward when it came to accepting her but brave enough to protect her. He was a simple man, a very simple one. And the reality made Fariya smile, a painful but mysterious smile.

◇◇◇

They were sitting on the rock beside the creek, watching the water flow in harmonious waves as it crashed against the rocks gently. The sky was a shade of golden as it reflected upon the light blue water, the colours making them spellbound.

They talked and talked, father and daughter, while looking at the thick, dark forest on the other side of creek. Fariya laughed, her eyes dancing with happiness, when her father jumped in the water.

Her laughter rang in the air as her eyes followed her father who swam in the water carelessly. Fariya was still laughing when she heard a loud noise, a sound of a thunder, and her eyes reflexively moved up towards the sky.

To her astonishment, they sky had magnificently changed its colour to black in a split second. The wonders in her eyes got replaced with terror as she heard the sky grumble and throw lights at the creek.

She looked back down hurriedly but to her utter horror, the scene had completely transformed. The blue water was now red and it raged against the rocks placed on its sides.

But the thing that made her fall to her knees was the sight her eyes took in. Her father's body floated lifelessly on the water as it went further and further away from her. She shouted maniacally as she tried to sit up from the rock.

"Baba! Baba!"

But it was as if invisible chains binded her, preventing her from getting up. She stared at her father's dead body, helpless and hopeless, and let out an agonising scream as she struggled against the shackles.

But expectantly and unfortunately, she didn't move an inch. She stared ahead and stopped moving instantly when she no longer saw her father's body- the water had taken it away, the roaring water had taken away her father.

Fariya Ali Sikandar woke up with a start. She shot up straight in her bed and hysterically looked around her, her mind going numb.

The room was dark except for the moonlight peering in through the window. She took in her surrounding but found nothing unusual there, no sign of a dead body or raging water or roaring sky.

Everything was quiet. Calm. Peace. Pacific.

As reality dawned on her, she let out an audible sigh and cleaned her forehead with the back of her hand which was coated with precipitation.

The hazel-eyed woman turned her head around to see her sister sleeping peacefully, not affected by Fariya's cries and nightmare at all. Fariya gulped down the lump that formed in her throat but it didn't do any good to her- tears had started falling without any control.

She placed a hand on her mouth and tried to control the moan that threatened to escape. The crying lady yanked the blanket away from her as she stood up hurriedly, her body visibly shaking. The nightmare was horrific, the worst she had ever seen.

She had been seeing these nightmares since the day her father died but tonight, it was a whole different thing. This nightmare took her breath away as fear crawled on her skin.

Baba!

She whimpered as she let strands of tears wet her face. Her legs were trembling as she crossed the bed and moved towards the door. The only person she could think of right now was Dado-her father's mother, a woman who was a living reminder of her dead father.

She wanted to hug her right now till her breath left her, wanted to bury her face in her lap as she cried her heart out, wanted to feel her father in her. She reached the door and rotated the knob, stepping out in the corridor on the left of the stairs.

Tears were still falling, blurring her vision, but she didn't care. All she cared about was to reach Dado and feel her father. She shakily moved down the stairs and made her way to Dado's room.

But to her utter horror, the door was locked. Her eyes widened as she tried to open it, tears falling now with more pace. When the door didn't budge, she hopelessly stopped trying and moved back. She wanted to knock at the door but thought against it and turned around, feeling more miserable than ever.

The next person she could think of was Taya Abbu. But she knew without even checking that his door would be locked too. Feeling desperate and torment, she fell on the cold ground and curled herself in a fetus position, her legs hugging her chest as she rocked back and forth.

"Baba. Baba." She repeated again and again in a whisper as tears fell on her nose, her face flushed.

"You are my strength."

A voice played at the back of her mind and her eyes shot open. After sucking in a painful breath, she finally stood up from the floor with much difficulty as she thought about her father and the promises she had made to him.

"Baba, what should I do? I want to be brave. But I can't. Baba, I'm hurting. Please come back. Your daughter is breaking. Baba...."

Fariya mumbled as she climbed the stairs and turned right. She continued walking ahead and stopped outside her door which was the at the far end of the corridor. Placing her hand on the door knob, she rotated it and turned it open before she slowly walked inside the room.

"Fariya?"

Fariya literally jumped back as her heart accelerated. Her eyes widened as she turned her head around to look at Omer who was sitting on the armchair, his eyes filled with confusion.

"What are you doing here?" Omer whispered as he looked at her.

"I was..I..."

Fariya knew she had made a mistake, a terrible mistake. Her room was the last room to the left while Omer's room was the last to right. Unknowingly, she turned right and was now standing in front of Omer who was looking at her with all the bewilderment in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I thought it was my room."

Fariya quickly said as she turned on her heels and moved towards the door but Omer's voice stopped her.

"What happened?"

His voice contained sincerity and sympathy so deep that Fariya again felt tears arriving at the brim. She turned around, her head lowered as tears fell on her face.

"Come here." Omer softly said as he looked intently at her swollen eyes and flushed cheeks while he inhaled smoke from his cigarette. His softness compelled Fariya to move ahead. She stopped one foot away from the chair he was sitting on and saw as he crushed the cigarette in the ash tray. Fariya heard him take a deep sigh as he looked up at her.

"What happened?" He repeated as he observed her.

"Baba... I saw.. nightmare..."

She tried to mouth her words but her voice broke at the end as she thought about the nightmare again. Omer saw her with narrowed eyes and the next moment, he caught her wrist. Fariya looked down at her arm but didn't have the courage to pull it away, instead this act of his made tears fall more rapidly.

Omer gently pulled her forward and after turning her weak form through 180 degrees, he pulled Fariya down, making her sit on his lap. His hands instinctively went around her as he steadied her crying and trembling body.

"Tell me. What did you see?" Omer asked tenderly as he took Fariya's cold hands in his warm one.

"I don't.. want to..." Her voice died at the end.

Omer had dreaded that he would reject his open arms and pull away but quite surprisingly, she didn't. She adjusted herself on his lap and it seemed to Omer that she wanted it at the moment-a soft embrace, tender arms and sweet whispers.

"Fariya, telling it will ease your burdens." Omer quietly said as he made circles at the back of her hand.

Fariya seemed to contemplate on his words and Omer heard her take a breath.

"We were at the creek. Me and Baba. We were happy. He was swimming while I sat on the rock. That moment was so serene, so beautiful."

Fariya got lost in her words as a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. Omer didn't push her for more, understanding her need for time and space.

"Then suddenly," Her smile disappeared. "there was no water. It was all blood. Red. I saw Baba.... he floated on the water filled with his.... own bl.. blood. He.. died. It was all so sudden.."

Fariya's voice tailed off and Omer pulled her crying body to himself as he gently placed his arm around her waist. Fariya buried her face in the crook of his neck, her tears falling on his neck in a continuous flow.

"It's okay. It was just a dream."

Omer whispered into her ear as he moved his hand up and down on her back. Fariya didn't seem to listen and cried harder. Omer continued whispering in her ear while his neck got wet with the broken lady's tears. After few minutes, Fariya felt her tears being finished as her heart felt a little better and she stopped crying.

Omer, on hearing no more voices, breathed out a sigh of relief and pulled Fariya closer. The hazel-eyed catastrophe sagged her shoulders as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Do you need to drink water?"

Omer softly asked as he slightly pulled her away and scanned her angelic face. Fariya shook her head and went back to her previous position, a comfortable and relaxing position.

Omer adjusted in his seat and Fariya's face got buried in his chest. Fariya let out a tired breath as she pulled closer to him and closed her eyes.

"Sleep."

Omer gently said as he stroked her hair. The sensation sent peacefulness and tranquillity rushing through her body and she smiled a little. She was half asleep when she remembered something.

"Omer?" Fariya mumbled.

"Yes?" Omer asked as he continued running his fingers through her hair.

"I'm sorry." Fariya breathed out, falling into the abyss of slumber.

"For what?"

Omer quizzically asked as he stopped moving his hand. Fariya instantly felt cold and agitated.

"For not introducing you as my husband."

It was the last thing she said before she fell into a deep slumber, her breaths becoming slow and even. The last thing she registered was the chuckle that vibrated from his chest as he resumed the act of his fingers, his arms closing in on her.

◇◇◇

She woke up as the light peering in through the open window drenched her face. Her eyes fluttered open but she closed them immediately when they made contact with the light. Very slowly and with much difficulty, she opened them again and looked straight ahead out of the window.

She laid there for like two minutes when she felt something move beneath her. Her eyes narrowed in confusion as she raised her head and was met with a sight of a man.

And not just any man, her man. Omer.

Her eyes widened and they threatened to come out of the socket as she glanced in those piercing, black eyes. Omer's eyes were not wide, they were half closed, red and sleepy.

And the next moment, Fariya jumped away from him as images from last night came crashing in her mind. She gulped down the emotions and tried to control her heart which was not beating-her heart was racing.

Omer confusedly looked at her and then understanding filled his black eyes and he too hurriedly stood up from the chair. Fariya embarrassingly looked up at him and her heart leapt to her throat when she found him staring at her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here last night. It's all my fault."

Fariya said as she quickly lowered her eyes.

"Leave."

Omer said and Fariya couldn't place her finger on the emotions she bore witness to. His voice was not cold but neither was it soft. It was more of pleading and confused than anything.

Fariya quickly nodded her head and turned around to leave the room she had spent the night in. She walked, half running, as she reached her bedroom at the other side of the corridor.

She opened the door and after making sure that it was hers, entered it and stood against the door, panting. She closed her eyes as images of last night flased before her eyes.

She opened them frighteningly and sucked in a breath as she looked at Maida standing in front of her, staring at her furiously.

"Where were you last night?" She shot daggers at Fariya.

"I.. I was...with..."

Fariya stammered as the sound of her palpitating heart rang around her.

"Dado!" She said the first thing she could think of.

Maida's anger intensified as she took a step forward.

"Stop. Lying. To. Me. On. My. Face. Fariya Ali Sikandar, where were you last night?"

Fariya gulped as she looked at her younger sister. She had never lied to Maida, never in her entire life. She had always told her about everything that happens in her life.

"Tell me or I'm going to Mama." She threateningly said as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"Omer."

Fariya breathed as she looked down on the floor, not before seeing colour drain from her face.

"You spent the night with him?"

Maida asked, her voice laced with terror and bewilderment. Fariya shot her head up and shook her head fiercely.

"No. Not in that way. Of course not."

She forcefully said and looked at Maida whose shoulders dropped in relief. And when this time she spoke, her voice was more even and calm.

"Why were you with him?"

Fariya pressed her lips as she moved forward to sit on the bed.

"I had a nightmare," She said while sitting on the bed.

"I went to Dado's room but her door was locked so I just came back. I was mentally disturbed so I took a right instead of left and went straight to his room. Once I saw him, I broke down and he... you know.. type of consoled me."

Fariya said as she stared down at her hands.

"Nothing happened?" Maida wanted to be utterly sure.

"Everything happened."

Fariya mumbled under her breath but Maida understood it. Her eyes widened as she sat with her sister on the bed.

"But you said nothing of that sort..."

Maida's voice was cut off by Fariya's words, words so powerful that it made her tremble. She looked at Fariya who was smiling for some unknown reason but maybe the reason wasn't that unknown after all.

"I think I'm in love."

☆☆☆☆☆

A brand new chapter after so many days! I loved every single scene in it. Did you? Finally we have some Omer and Fariya scenes. *-*

TGOTMS reached 142 in Spiritual and I can't be more thankful. When I first started it, I didn't even expect 100 reads and now look where we are. ALHAMDULILLAH!

Let me know what you are feeling right now through the comments and VOTE!

Till next time,
Salam!