It is early Jan and very cold here in Dehradun. Fawaz emerged out of the airport clad in leather jacket, a muffler, and gloves. He also wore his thick leather shoes; his mother had given him monkey cap and other childish winter wear which he hid in the car when Begum wasn't looking.

He looked around searching for Zeeshan, over these five years they had been in touch via video and audio call, the time difference never deterred their friendship. Zeeshan knew about Maha and Miara, in fact, he was great emotional support for Fawaz during that low phase in his life.

Fawaz fished out his cell phone and is about to dial Zeeshan's number when he heard a familiar baritone from behind him. He turned and is greeted by Zeeshan, who is smiling widely. Before Fawaz could react, he is engulfed in a tight bear hug by his best friend. Zeeshan too is clad in a lot of winter wear, but he has lived in the US must be used to this kind of weather. Fawaz being from Delhi, this was new.

The two men quickly sat in their car, it's a Scorpio car, good for the terrain here.

All the while as they walked towards the car, Zeeshan kept talking and Fawaz let him talk. By the way, he spoke it was clear how excited his friend was.

Also in the car, he kept talking, Fawaz mostly listened and replied only when he asked him something. It is 10 pm in the night, intense fog. Even though there isn't much traffic, the terrain is tough and Fawaz had to remind Zeeshan again and again to focus on the road.

Half an hour drive later they reached their destination, it is a small bungalow house. Zeeshan called for a servant. One short middle-aged man rushed towards them, he took Fawaz's luggage and walked towards the house with the two men following him.

They chit chatted and entered the house, the lobby of the house is small yet elegant. There is warmth in the house and Fawaz instantly felt at home. He is greeted by Zeeshan's parents, Fawaz has met them many times and so are familiar.

He is introduced to an old woman in a wheelchair, she is Zeeshan's grandmother, Zubeida. She could barely speak but she greeted Fawaz with a toothless smile and a shook hands with him, her hand feeble and wrinkled.

Fawaz then met Maham, she is sitting on the sofa caressing her seventh-month-old pregnant belly.

'Hello' Fawaz greeted her, she smiled and tried getting up when Zeeshan hurried towards her and placed an arm around her shoulder. He made her sit

'Hello' she said forwarding her hand towards him, Fawaz shook her hand.

Soon the dinner was announced and everybody gathered at the dining table, the men were still engrossed informal talks taking their seat at the table. As the grandmother came wheeled by a servant everyone became quiet. She is the eldest in the family and everyone respects her a lot. They had dinner in silence, Zeeshan then took Fawaz out in the balcony for a warm cup of coffee. Fawaz spoke to his mother informing them about him arriving here safe and sound.

'So? When is the party?' Fawaz asked grinning. Zeeshan smiled shyly handing him a cup. Fawaz frowned on noticing there was wine and not coffee in the cup. He looked up at Zeeshan surprised, Zeeshan smirked at him.

'Cheers,' the men clinked their glasses together.

'Fawaz, I was thinking of something' Zeeshan said as they take sip from their cups, Fawaz who is sitting on the parapet nodded.

'You found her?' Zeeshan asked reluctantly. Fawaz froze with the cup to his lips. Fawaz knew her is Maha. Zeeshan knew this was a sensitive matter for him and so he was hesitant. Fawaz shook his head sideways.

'I have given up...but the fact remains that I still miss her so much' Fawaz confessed honestly. Zeeshan is the only person with whom Fawaz can speak honestly and not fear being judged.

'You love her?' Zeeshan asked sipping another sip from his cup. Fawaz nodded sighing sadly.

'I miss her...I want to be with her...when I think of her I feel at peace and I am worried for her.... where could she be? How is she? I am guilty for her condition...Yaar...I destroyed her life' Fawaz said, he could feel his eyes moist. She was the liveliest person he had met, though she was little crack. Because of her instability Fawaz is even more concerned for her, every minute of his days and nights he prays for her safety and wellbeing. She shouldn't have left like that.

Zeeshan then began to talk about his family and his plans with Maham. Fawaz silently listened and is happy seeing his best friend well settled, if not him then at least someone is happy in his family life.

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Next morning Fawaz woke up by the knock at his door, he ruffled his hair and sat up on the bed rubbing his eyes. As he opened the door, he found Zeeshan is standing there dressed in green kurtha, his hair neatly combed and he looks very fresh. Fawaz gapes at him

'Wake up, its noon' Zeeshan said grinning.

'What?' Fawaz is shocked, he looked at the clock. Its 3pm in the afternoon, he slapped his forehead. How did he manage to sleep for so long? He wondered amazed.

After he had freshened up, Maham arranged lunch for him and soon after lunch he along with Zeeshan went out, there were many places for site seeing where Zeeshan had promised to take him. Fawaz agreed but isn't much excited, he just wanted change.

After the tiring day they returned home, Fawaz was very impressed with the place, there were few places which they missed for today but is left for next time.

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Around 11.55pm Fawaz is woken up by a soft knock and a whisper 'Yaar...wake up' Fawaz sat up straight and sleepily walked towards the door.

He found Zeeshan standing there wearing his night clothes and a cake in his hand, there were five candles on it but weren't lit.

'Come, my parents are at the door to my room. We are going to surprise Maham' he whispered excitedly.

'Won't that startle her? And is that safe for a pregnant woman?' Fawaz asked sounding concerned. Zeeshan smiled, 'She isn't asleep, she is awake and knitting, I had been pretending to be asleep.' He explained and Fawaz nodded.

Everybody barged in the room, Maham dropped her knitting kit and looked up alarmed. She relaxed on seeing them all

'Happy anniversary, love' Zeeshan said hugging her, she smiled hugging him back.

'Aww...' Zeeshan's mother exclaimed and they break their hug, Maham blushed.

Fawaz got a small table and Zeeshan placed the cake on it, he lit the candles. Zeeshan and Maham blew the candles as the rest of them sang softly wishing them happy anniversary. They cut the cake holding the knife together, smiling happily.

Fawaz felt his eyes moist as he watched his best friend and his wife feed cake to each other. His and Maha's anniversary is also in the same month, it pinched his heart when he realized she isn't there to celebrate it with him. Only if she was here with him, they too would have been happy and celebrating.

Fawaz retired to his bed that night missing her more than ever, he could give everything in this world to have her back in his life, he would treat her with all the love and respect she deserves. But first thing, he will do is fall on his knees and be honest with her, apologize for his errors and then perhaps they can be together for ever.

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

Next evening Fawaz dressed himself in a blue shervani, he stood in front of the mirror adjusting the button of his shervani when Zeeshan walked into the room looking tensed. Fawaz turned back

'Dude?' he asked concerned. Zeeshan is pacing in the room looking clearly worried.

'You have cigarette pack?' Zeeshan asked Fawaz forwarding his hand, but Fawaz shook his head sideways eyeing his friend suspiciously

'I am so tensed, we always had private celebration on our anniversary but tonight' he confessed sitting at the edge of the bed. Fawaz shook his head in disbelief and turned around combing his hair.

'You know, Dr. Haroon Zubair is coming tonight. He is dad's best friend but also one of India's finest psychiatrist. He is living in Dehradun from past five years.' Zeeshan explained rocking on his seat.

'Relax' Fawaz said calmly. He applied his cologne and buttoned his sleeves and turned to face Zeeshan, he held his shoulders and made him stand.

'Such great personalities are coming how will I manage.' Zeeshan panicked

'Nothing will go wrong...I am having a very good feeling about tonight' Fawaz said confidently patting Zeeshan's shoulder.

'You are sure?' he asked looking at him confused

Fawaz nods '200%' he said brightly.

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So, Guys excited for the anniversary party? Is something going to happen? Fawaz is 200% sure. To find out wait for the next part ;)