Qureshi Mansion- Alhaan's room:

Some days we are extremely happy while some days we feel lonely. May be it's the passing time which makes a person both happy and sad, wise and dumb, strong and vulnerable.

Life have given everything, Inaraah wished for but surely at the cost of something else. It's true that we value things after losing it. In Inaraah's case she did value that person but she didn't knew separation from him would break her to an extent that she would loose her old self.

Sitting in the balcony of her room, Inaraah gazed at the slightly orange sky which was slowly consuming the darkness around. The sun which was all set to enlighten the world and eliminate the negativity.

Alhaan left to pray Fajr Salah while Inaraah came to the balcony as she wasn't praying these days. It was too early, yet she could hear the chirping of birds who were welcoming the rising Sun. The shining stars dissipating along with the black blanket to unfold the beautiful blue sky.

But there was something about the new day which was drowning Inaraah in a pool of negativity. The surrounding silence engulfed her and dragged her back to the memory lane which still holds the capacity to break her.

Sure enough she was beyond happy with Alhaan. He was truly a blessing in her life, Allah showered upon her. Inaraah appreciates every effort Alhaan does to make her happy but then there are times when she gets scared of being happy.

After whatever happened in the past, Inaraah was scared. Afraid that she would lose Alhaan. He is not only her husband, her friend, her better half but now he has become the meaning to her life. As he said before, he was a rainbow in her cloudy life.

With tearful eyes, Inaraah looked at the sky and prayed to her Creator. She was asking for forgiveness for every single wrong deed she committed knowing or unknowingly. Her thoughts were scattered everywhere making her want to run away from the reality.

How I wish to hide somewhere..
To save myself from despair..

Loneliness follows me like a shadow..
Not letting me enjoy my rainbow..

I am entrapped in my own fear..
Longing to live in a free atmosphere..

My heart yearns for the love..
White and pure just like a dove..

Whenever I try to move towards my flare..
I am consumed back by an awful nightmare..

Few tears spilled from her eyes carrying the pain she endured these years. After few seconds, Inaraah composed herself and made her way to the washroom to wash her face. When she came back into the room, she found Alhaan sitting on the bed waiting for her.

She smiled at him and joined him on the bed. Alhaan placed a kiss on her forehead and caressed her cheek. Inaraah was feeling weak in his arms and was trying her best not to breakdown in front of him. They both lied on the bed to have a nap. Inaraah clung on Alhaan as if he would disappear.

Fears and insecurities damage a relationship but sometimes it takes a relationship to a whole new level.

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Qureshi Mansion- Living room:

Everyone settled in the living room and all eyes were fixed on the big tv screen where Alhaan's pictures were on display. He connected his laptop to the LED to show his pictures which he clicked back in London.

In one of the picture, Alhaan was standing on the top of the mountain after his adventure of mountain climbing. He had a victory smile on his face while his right hand was fisted and placed on his heart. However Azaan found something wrong in the picture and commented his pose wasn't going with the background.

Alhaan just rolled his eyes at his silly comments which he has been passing from the time they started. Their teasing continued while the rest enjoyed their banter. Mr. and Mrs. Rahman eyed their family feeling completely content with life and mumbled Alhamdulillah many times to thank their Lord for the blessings He showered upon them.

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As it was weekend, Faizan decided to cook dinner for the family. Mr. and Mrs. Rahman was busy with their grandchildren while the younger couples were in the kitchen. The kitchen was filled with heavenly aroma.

"Masha Allah Bhai I didn't know you cook so well." Inaraah said looking at the Kadai chicken Faizan cooked.

"This was the first dish Bhai prepared when he started cooking." Alhaan replied.

"And you became a pro in cooking. I envy you Bhai." Aiza commented.

Faizan smiled at her comment and started plating the dish so Inaraah can taste it.

"Mmmmm.. this is so delicious Bhai." Inaraah stated.

"Well I am lucky then." Ghazala replied which brought a big smile on Faizan's face.

"You know Inaraah, it took me nearly an hour to surf this dish on internet." Azaan piped in.

The three ladies giggled at his statement while Faizan gave him 'you are impossible' look.

"Azaan Bhai will they ever come a time when you will praise someone else other than yourself." Alhaan asked.

"Chote if you want me to praise you, then work hard and earn it." Azaan replied.

Alhaan rolled his eyes at him and turned towards Aiza, "Aiza Bhabi you deserve a bravery award for tolerating this full of self man."

Aiza chuckled at his words and said, "Thank you so much Alhaan. I feel honoured."

A series of laughter erupted in the kitchen except for Azaan who scrunched his nose in annoyance and spoke, "Then what award does Inaraah deserve to put up with a careless man like you?"

Alhaan narrowed his eyes at him and said, "I am not careless. Think of a better comeback Bhai."

"Oh really!! I can give a list of all the events regarding your careless acts." Azaan said and looked over at Inaraah.

"Inaraah your husband was a complete brat in his teenage. All he did was create nuisance wherever he was." Azaan said.

"No I didn't." Alhaan countered.

"Yes you did. And one of your most famous careless act was playing football in Bhai's room." Azaan said and looked over to the ladies to narrate the incident.

"Faizan bhai was in his final year of MBA. His exams were near so he was busy preparing notes. Bhai stayed whole night to prepare notes for the exam.

Next day our great Alhaan Rahman Qureshi was trying to sharpen his football skills, according to him. He placed water bottle on the study table beside Bhai's notes which was his so called goal. He kicked the ball from the door and it directly hit the bottle.

The water spilled from the bottle due to the impact since the cap wasn't properly placed and all the notes and surrounding items had a nice shower. All of Bhai's sleepless night hard work faced tsunami." Azaan narrated the incident and the ladies were laughing uncontrollably at his choice of words.

Faizan smiled at the memory of his little brother's stupid act while Azaan smirked looking at Alhaan's displeased look.

"And since he is Bhai's spoiled little brother, he didn't utter a word to him and instead brought him a ice cream to make him understand how careless his act was." Azaan said eyeing Faizan who just shook his head at him.

"That's because he loves me more than you. It's high time you accept that fact." Alhaan replied.

"No he doesn't. He just didn't wanted you to feel that you doesn't belong to us and that you are adopted.

If I was in his place, I would have made you prepare all the notes again even after knowing the fact that Mamma Abbu picked you up from the hospital steps." Azaan said to irritate Alhaan.

"Bhai if you forgot, I am carbon copy of Abbu while Faizan bhai resemble like Mamma. And you....." Alhaan said pointing at Azaan.

"Sadly you don't have resemblance with anyone of us. It would be better if you accept this fact soon." Alhaan said with a devilish grin.

Before both can continue their argument, Faizan interrupted them, "Enough now. Stop fighting like kids."

"Still Bhai, how can you forgive him so easily?" Azaan said more like complained.

"Because I love him and I cannot stay angry on him." Faizan said with a warm smile. Alhaan smiled at his brother's words while Azaan muttered 'whatever' looking at Alhaan who raised his eyebrows at him in a teasing way.

However those words affected someone else bringing back one of those painful memories which are buried deep inside her.

"You are not annoyed with me?" Inaraah asked with a confused look.

He just smiled at her and said, "I love you so much Inu and this love of mine doesn't let me stay annoyed at you."

Inaraah was brought back to reality with someone's gentle touch. She looked at the hand and her gaze followed the person who was none other than Alhaan. His forehead was creased and he looked intently at her in a questioning way.

She just smiled at him which didn't reach her eyes. Before Alhaan could speak, Ayaan came in the kitchen to call everyone. They got up and moved out to the living room but Alhaan was not satisfied with Inaraah's gesture.

He kept glancing at Inaraah who was trying to show herself happy by masking her emotions. The tears in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by him. His mind was clouded with so many questions. Few minutes before she was laughing wholeheartedly, then suddenly her expression changed into a painful one with un-shed tears. As it was time for Isha'a salah (prayer), all the men got up and left for mosque while the ladies went to pray in their respective rooms.

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Qureshi Mansion- Alhaan's room:

Inaraah returned to her room and moved towards her cupboard. She took a small box from the locker and settled on the couch. She opened the box and removed a bracelet from it. It was a handmade bracelet of shells joined with an elastic string.

She smiled looking at the bracelet while her tears had no barrier. Every moment was etched in her heart. All those pleasant memories started playing like a movie in front of her eyes which were shedding tears. The ping of her phone broke her reverie and she placed the bracelet back in the box.

After placing the box back in her cupboard, she took her phone to check the message. It was from her brother Ziyaad. She opened the message and clicked on the photo he sent her. It was a picture of Ziyaad and Shaad with their mouth stuff with Inaraah's favourite chocolate pastry while their hands pointed towards camera to show off the pastry. Inaraah chuckled at her brothers silly picture which they clicked to make her jealous.

Inaraah sat still for awhile to think of a comeback and smiled evil-ly at her reply, "Ya Allah I pray that my brothers suffer from severe stomach ache after eating that yummy pastry. Ameen."

She sent the reply and placed her phone aside. She washed her face and did little make up to hide the tear stains. She checked her phone for her brother's reply and started laughing at the selfie they forwarded. Ziyaad tried to imitate the annoyed emoticon while Shaad imitated the huffed emoticon.

Alhaan entered the room to see his wife laughing looking at her phone. He moved towards her with an amused expression and asked the reason for her laughter. She showed him the pictures of her silly brothers and both started laughing at her brothers antics.

After dinner, Inaraah and Alhaan settled in the balcony which became their daily routine nowadays. A peaceful silence surrounding them while the moon glowed with all its glory. However Alhaan was disturbed with Inaraah's earlier behaviour and decided to voice out his thoughts.

He looked at her and called out her name to gain her attention. Inaraah looked at Alhaan who cleared his throat to speak.

"Inaraah friendship is the only bond which we choose for ourselves. The only relation which is not gifted to us from birth. It is stronger than any blood relationship and grows deeper with time.

A husband and wife relationship is unique and completely different. But I believe friendship between husband and wife will only strengthen their bond.

Love will only keep two people together but friendship will bind them in an unbreakable relationship. We always try to protect our loved ones from trouble or stress.

But in friendship we share all our fears, insecurities and problems. I don't want us to be a perfect couple in people's eye. Instead I want us to be perfect for each other accepting all our imperfections.

No matter what tomorrow holds for us, but I assure you that I will be right beside you in every aspect In sha Allah (If Allah wills)."

Inaraah looked intently at Alhaan whose face held sincerity with every word he spoke. Still her pessimistic side was holding her back from speaking her heart out. She was scared of his reaction, scared that he would look differently at her after knowing her fears.

She trusted him with everything and unknowingly this trust became her weakness. She was sure that she would shatter without Alhaan. She was trying her best to keep him to herself and not wanting him to leave her. Though she didn't express her feelings in words, she was aware that she loves him and cannot live without him.

Inaraah just gave a nod not knowing what to say. Alhaan got up from his place and offered his hand to her. She placed her hand in his and both went back inside the room. Inaraah snuggled closer to Alhaan scared that she will be left alone to tackle her insecurities. Alhaan pulled her closer and stroke her hair lovingly.

After a while Alhaan looked at Inaraah who was fast asleep but her grip on his shirt was tight enough to not let him move an inch away from her. Alhaan smiled at her and placed a kiss on her forehead and let the sleep consume him.

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It was a bright day with the sun shining to spread its light in every nook and corner. The birds were freely swaying in the sky enjoying the warm weather. Inaraah looked around admiring the beautiful nature around her.

She was standing on a small broad cliff clicking pictures when her eyes fell on the bigger cliff ahead of her. The rocks of the cliff had different shine and there was a colourful tree on it. She was mesmerized with the view and mumbled Subhan Allah. Indeed Allah's creation is par beautiful.

She made her way towards her friend to show them the beautiful tree. She became ecstatic and wanted to climb the cliff. However one person was not happy with her decision. The view seemed beautiful but he knew it was dangerous to climb such bigger cliff.

Inaraah's face fell when he refused her wish and asked her to admire the view from far. Inaraah tried her best to persuade him but it all went in vain. Annoyed with his reply Inaraah yelled at him, "You don't love me. If you really did, you would have obeyed my wish."

Saying so Inaraah left the place in anger. Her friends followed her behind to explain her but she was too stubborn to listen to anyone. Inaraah kept wandering around the place when her eyes fell on him who was at the top of the bigger cliff.

He was trying to pluck the different colour leaves when his leg slipped and he fell down. Somehow he managed to get hold of the narrow rock and was trying to push himself up. Inaraah's eyes widen seeing him struggling to climb back and she ran to save him.

Suddenly there was darkness all around and Inaraah closed her eyes feeling scared. When she opened her eyes, she found herself at the top of the cliff near the tree from where he slipped. She looked down to find him still struggling to climb the cliff.

Inaraah forwarded her hand to hold him but he was far away from her reach. She looked around for something so she can pull him up but found nothing. She looked at him and said, "Hold on, I will pull you up." He just smiled weakly at Inaraah and  looked at his hand which was bleeding because of the sharp rock.

Not knowing what to do, Inaraah started calling for help. "Help somebody. Please help." She kept looking at him whose hand was bleeding and his grip was loosening. "No no. Hold on please. Stay strong please." Inaraah said crying hysterically.

His right hand started hurting and he left the rock. Inaraah screamed seeing him hanging on his left hand. She kept shouting for help but there was no one around to hear her screams. She was about to move down to reach his level but he stopped her.

"Please Inu, don't do anything stupid. Stay there. Please don't risk your life. Please for me." He pleaded. Inaraah was crying not knowing what to do. She kept shouting for help but their was none to help them.

She looked at him whose grip was loosening and he was about to fall. She yelled his name in shock. He smiled at her and his hand slipped off the rock.

"NOOOOOOO.... Save him please." Inaraah yelled with all her might.

Alhaan's slumber broke upon hearing someone's pleading. He switched on the bed side lamp and looked at Inaraah who was sweating profusely and tears were continuously flowing down her cheeks.

Alhaan panicked seeing her state and shook her gently to wake her up. He bent a little to call her and heard her mumbling, "Save him. Please save him."

Alhaan frowned at her words and caught her hand which was shivering due to fear. Inaraah gripped his hand and begged, "Please save him. Save my Iza please."

Alhaan froze at his place listening to her request. Her words kept ringing in his ears and his mind came up with all the negative thoughts. Inaraah's grip on his hand broke his trance and he looked at her who looked so vulnerable in her sleep.

He pushed those thoughts away and decided to wake her up who was probably having a worst nightmare. He tapped her cheek and called her out softly, "Inaraah. Wake up wifey. It's just a bad dream."

After few attempts, Inaraah finally opened her eyes which were red and swollen. She looked at her surroundings and finally her eyes landed on Alhaan.

Alhaan cupped her face and wiped her tears. Inaraah broke down and hugged him tightly. She kept on crying until her throat parched. Alhaan just rub her back to provide her comfort. He let her cry so that she can feel better.

After sometime, he pulled away and handed her a glass of water. Inaraah moved to the bathroom to wash her face. When she stepped out, she saw Alhaan waiting for her near the door. He brought her back to the bed and made her lie. Inaraah placed her head on his chest and tighten her hold on him. Both remained silent not knowing what to say.

Alhaan recited few surahs and blew it upon Inaraah. She kept listening to his heart beats and slowly sleep consumed her again. On the other hand, Alhaan was lost in his own pool of thoughts. His mind was clouded with so many questions, but the most important question was 'Who is Iza?'