When he returns home the first things he does checking for her. Perhaps she'll see him..in his eyes and will understand what he wants to tell her.

What exactly he wants to tell her!

That sorry Naina, I brought my first wife back home because she had become suicidal and it was my duty to look after her. Not as in your case but different.

Or the most easiest...I had to do this...not because I wanted but I had to..

And then she comes out. Instead of looking at him, trying to see him she turns her gaze at Arwa. She runs away. He has no idea how to talk with her.

On dining table Arwa is all chirpy. Trying to be what she was. Full of life, vivacious Arwa.

It pleased him...few years ago.

Now it is irritating it.

Why?

He'd have told everyone if he himself knew.

She runs away to her room instead of their bedroom leaving Naushad shocked. Last but not least Arwa taking her place, going to his bedroom as if it was hers, calling Naushad to come and sleep. He spots her..standing few metres away. Her eyes showing something...mix of horror and disgust. And he knows why. He feels ashamed. Very much ashamed.

The great shock comes when Saira turns her back on her. When she happily accepts arwa back leaving naina alone. He for first time in his life wants to scold Saira. For being mannerless...for being so impulsive and ....and...

Isnt Arwa Saira' mother?

Isnt how she was supposed to act around her mom?

And how is its Saira' fault when he herself never allowed her to call naina Ammi! Isnt she a child who wanted an Ammi? Who doesn't, by the way. And now when she is with her Ammi he wants to scold her!

Who is at fault! That poor child cant be.

He sighs.

Such a complex turns of events...

Arwa does not leave his side. He has shitload of work waiting for him at base.

'Arwa. Aap dawa khakar aaram kar lijiye. Hume base bhi jana he.'

Her face falls down.

'Aap hamare liye ek din ki chhutti nahi le sakte! Ghar rahiye na aaj. Hume accha lagega.'

'Humne pahle hi teen din ki chhutti le chuke he Arwa. Abhi ek investigation me Hum leading officer he. Aur agar hum khud daily ghar baithne lage to waha ka kaam kaun dekhega! Aap aaram kijiye..Hum shaam ko milte he.'

Before she can say something he is out of the room. A little part of him mocks him for being so much lame.

There is no investigation going on right now. In fact this is the lightest week of month. He has some patrolling and checking. Nothing else to do. But the excuse she gave Arwa was so not like him.

He doesn't lie.

Immersed in his thoughts he comes to Naina' room and finds it locked. Usually she is back in lunch time. Because she told once that There is huge two or three long hours gap between her shifts. So she decided to visit khala and have home made lunch instead of buying in mess. Moreover she was getting one additional help in her department. So this meant she would get time. But since morning she is absent.

Naushad thinks of calling her. He does..but it goes to voicemail and he has no idea what to say so that she'll call him back.

She rushes to base....

Despite of Arwa being back and all ready to pepper him.

********

Night comes but not Naina. He is sitting on dining table munching on his dinner but eyes and ear all alert. One movement and noise he turns back.

'Kiska intezar kar rahe ho naushad?'

Not Arwa...It is khala.

'Kuch nahi. Bas aise hi. Aap pulaav ka bowl dengi jara please..' 

Khala smirks.

Dinner is ended but she is not there yet. It makes him restless.

He keeps himself up in his study. It is ten in night. She usually comes home around this time but not today. This is making him angry. What she had taken this house to be for! Is this an inn? Like b & b of any city? A motel?

He stands up and comes out. All set to visit her hospital when a worn out and tired her comes out of kitchen holding her plate and carelessly going to her room.

He knows she saw him but instead of stopping she has run away.

He doesn't get why she is running away. She should talk with him, ask him why the hell he bring Arwa back. Why he never told her anything about Arwa. All she knew was his sob story. No clue about his divorce. Not only this she silently accepted Arwa' sudden and unaccepted intrusion in her life. She happily left their bedroom. She happily gave Up Saira. Why!!!

And those words come back..

Agar ye shadi naam ki he to I am not going to give it meaning against your wish.

Did she take those words so seriously! She completely left her rights. She didnt complain when saira went to Arwa. She didnt complain when Arwa came and claimed what was Naina' to be her own.

'Naushad. Aap kya kar rahe ho itni der jaag kar. Sone ka waqt kab ka ho gaya..andar aayiye na.' Gleeful voice. Same it was few years back. In fact it is more sweet and inviting. But...

What stops him...he does not know.

He though goes to his bedroom where Arwa is lying with Saira and smiling at him.

He is tight lipped. He does not return her smile and lies.

The bed burns the moment his back touches it. It is the same bed. He remembers. It is the same bed where...

He feels way horrible. Way too much.

'Naushad. Aap abhi bhi naraj ho humse?'

He shakes his head.

'To phir aap baat kyu nahi karte Humse!'

'Arwa...Raat bahut ho gayi he. Sone dijiye.'

'Naushad. Aap kuch bhi kar lijiye lekin ek baat yaad rakhiyega. Is baar Hum kahi nahi jaa rahe. Aapko jo saja deni he dijiye..Hum yahi rahenge. Aapke saamne..'

'Good Night. Arwa.'  He turns his back to her.

God. This whole room never felt so horrible before. The table, the curtains every damn thing is suddenly staring at him. With ooen eyes...like glaring. He wants to hide. He wants to get up and run away...but to where. He doesn't know.

He feels a hand on his own. He places it back down. Suddenly and out of nowhere he is acting like an insane.

Arwa is his wife. He has a damn right to touch him!

But why is his skin burning with her touch? Like she is not meant to touch him. But they made a baby together. She was with him before..they shared that intimacy of nuptial bond. But now...did something happened when she was away!

Or someone????

Last time he checked he was one woman guy. Then now what....

He never sleeps that night...

Neither She...