One week later, Fawaz stood in front of the mirror dressed in a simple blue kurtha. He looked like a zombie, his eyes swollen with dark circles around it. This one week Fawaz tried his best to convince his parents and they reluctantly agreed but Maha was too stubborn, she had locked herself in their bedroom. Fawaz was worried she might be taking pills again and he feared she might take some drastic steps. Thankfully, Begum was there by her side, the only person who Maha had allowed to come close to her. First few days Maha didn't have a morsel of food but Begum somehow coaxed her to have food. Miara too wasn't happy, she felt Fawaz changed and it was making her uneasy.

Fawaz buttoned his kurtha and looked up at his reflection. He thought he should be happy right? He is marrying, Miara, someone he claims to love. Maha is just his friend, his responsibility, he never loved her, right? Then why is it hurting him so much, is it just guilt or something else?

He heard the door open and he turned to look. Maha walked in. Fawaz smiled sadly, maybe she has come here to forgive him? Maybe she has accepted that marrying Miara is his responsibility. Maybe she understood him.

She stared at him for a minute before turning around and closing the door behind her, locking it. Her condition is not much different from his, her beautiful hazel orbs puffy, her cheeks red and has tear stains, her hair messy.

'Maha' he said walking towards her, he hugs her tightly. Feeling her soft body against his made him feel at ease, he felt like all his worries go away.

Maha doesn't hug him, she is just stood there lifelessly. He parted their frames and cupped her cheeks.

'I knew you will come back to me' he said and kisses her forehead.

Maha slowly looked at him, he smiled as their gaze met.

He looked at her lovingly caressing her cheeks gently

'Today you are getting married...' Maha says, her voice hoarse. Fawaz looked at her guiltily.

'You will leave me...like my Dad once did...'she said staring at his chest. Fawaz shook his head. He wanted to tell her that he will never leave her. She slowly upped her lashes.

'I want you to give me something.' she said simply.

'Anything...anything for you...Maha' he said, she looked away for a second and then again at him.

'Make love to me, Fawaz...'she said softly

Fawaz is shocked and moved his hand away from her, he looked at her as if she is mad.

'No...'

'After today there will be another woman in your life...this is the last time I will get to spend some intimate moments with you' she said, her voice quivering. Her eyes dried and void of emotions.

He looked at her helplessly, she moved closer, placing her hand on his chest, she began to unbutton his Kurtha. Fawaz wanted to stop her but he couldn't...if this makes her happy then he will do it.

Fawaz vision got blurred with tears clogging his eye, Maha removed his Kurtha from off his head and then with trembling hands she took his hand in hers leading him towards the bed. She made him sit on the bed, she placed her fingers on the hem of her shirt and quickly removes it off her head. Fawaz closed his eyes, tears making its way from his eyes to his cheeks. This is hurting him more than anything.

Soon their clothes were off their bodies and piled up at the edge of their bed. Fawaz couldn't stop his tears, his heart pinching with pain and his guts churning with agony as he made love to her, perhaps for the last time. Maha on the other hand simply lay there like a lifeless body staring above at the ceiling, her hands resting on the bed.

Though it hurts Fawaz but he tried to pour all his love into the act and make her feel loved, she deserves love and only love.

After they were done, Maha pushed him off her. She quickly dressed not looking at him but Fawaz had his gaze fixed on her, he wanted to keep looking at her, keep admiring her all his life. She turned to look at him, her eyes still dry no tears; it is almost like she didn't feel any emotion.

'Have a happy married life, Fawaz' she said dryly, she is about to go when Fawaz held her hand.

'Please don't go' he pleaded, she jerked his hand away, got up from the bed and without a backward glance she walked away. This was the last time Fawaz saw Maha.

*********************

That's all for today guys, hope you enjoyed the back to back updates. The first half of the story is complete guys...

Thank you for being part of this journey, love you all....