"Well, sorry to say Arhaan Ahmed Sir, you left my sister when she needed you the most," Zain said.

"Zain, let it be" Seher pleaded to know too well that this gonna end on a bad note.

"No, Seher. Zain is right. Arhaan did wrong." This time even Ahad supported Zain.

"And she did it, right? She chose someone else other than me, other than us" Arhaan shouted.

Zain saying this, things because he left his sister is okay, but Ahad, his brother is supporting her too. He knows that everyone will support her only, but this is not expectable. For him, everyone is seeing Seher's pain only, what about him? His pain, his suffering.

"She chose your Mother Arhaan," Ahad said.

"That doesn't mean she was right" Arhaan never expected His Seher to choose anyone before him, not even his mother maybe not even Saira.

"She was, is and will always be right for us, for everything. You are the one at fault because you left her and she faced everything all alone. Her body clock literally cycles like New York.

She never tells anyone that doesn't mean don't know, she takes care of your every need even when you are not here. From your daily schedules to weekend plan damn even your bar payments were done by her though she hated drinking, and you are saying she is wrong." Zain said

"Arhaan you have no idea what.." Seher stopped Ahad before he could say anything that will cause more chaos.

"That's it okay. Let it be. We are not here to discuss our past or Ahad's present. Let it pass now. For now, I want you people to plan Hadiya's wedding. Because I am not planning to go back to the haweli today and it's Monday already Friday is her nikkah. Ask her to come here Ahad and we will plan it out."

-----

Hadiya and Ayaan come by the evening, and the planning starts which is surprisingly fun.

"Hadiya suno bhagg ke kar le paise save honge hamare" Ayaan with his nonsense.

"Ahad bhai ney chappal marni hai apko."

"Yaar kuch bhi"

"Ayaan apke waha baccho mein sirf Arsalaan hi hai?" Seher asked.

"Yes"

"Okay, then there will two close kids in total"

"Ashana is coming?"

"I asked Maa to bring her along, can't leave her alone"

"Ashana?" Ayaan asked seeing Arhaan confused.

"Yes, she is our family only. Two years ago her parents, my khala and her husband passed away in an accident, she was only five at that time, since then we officially adopted her, she lives with Maa and sometimes with me." Seher said.

"Okay."

"So as per Zain's plan..."

"Yeah... so Friday is Nikkah and Rukhsat, Thursday will be mehendi and sangeet that's basically us dancing, and Wednesday the Manjha and dholki. Today is Monday and we have booked the caterers and other things double checked so yeah anything else?" Zain said.

"And there will be only a few guests, I already told that to Nana Jaan."

"And he agreed? Well that's surprising"

"Tomorrow afternoon be I will there in Haweli for the decorations, Hadiya ask Sadia aunty to be there please."

" Okay Aapi"

"And..."

" Alizeah bhabhi left, Haider bhai himself ask her to leave."

"I will talk about it later."

Zain Amir. Hadiya and Ayaan.

The wedding decides to be simple with close relatives. Apparently, only a grand reception will be held after one week. The matter with Alizeah is still hanging with all the Haweli matters. Seher knows that she has to face it soon, but today she wanted a break for herself.

Ignoring Arhaan the whole day, she remains busy in planning. By the time night falls, Hadiya and Ayaan are ready to leave.

Walking in towards their cars, Zain stopped Hadiya.

"Hadiya?"

"Yes, Zain?" She looked at him with expectations. Hadiya knows Zain wants to say things, she herself has things to say.

"You... Have a happy life, Hadi," But Zain Amir is not someone to show their vulnerability to all, not even Hadiya Khan. And she knew that for a long time now.

So this time feels like the ultimate last meeting. Last time calling her Hadi, last time watching her leave, and finally letting her go towards the happy life she deserves.

//nazron se na karna tum bayaan

wo jis se inkaar nahi...//

"I will." The guilt is there in her voice but then one should never feel guilty for choosing their own happiness. Zain Amir held a great part of her heart once, but that's the beautiful past she can never be with.

Her eyes travel towards Ayaan, his knowing smile, and she knows what she did is right. Ayaan is the happiness she wanted for herself. Ayaan have his flaws and She has hers, they both are imperfect matching each other perfectly.

Ayaan is aware of Hadiya's past, she herself told him everything, and he really doesn't have any issue with that. Her honesty and simplicity make him fall for her, hard. So with that Hadiya left with her Ayaan, towards her happiness.

maana ki hum yaar nahi,

ye tai hai ki pyaar nahi,

........................................

"I am proud of you Zainu" Seher said. Seeing Zain on the terrace all alone she knew her not so little brother needs her. After all, facing the very first heartbreak is not easy.

Accepting rejection in unsaid words, in silence. Letting the first love go is not easy, never will. But Zain Amir did it, with utmost perfection and his smile. Her 23years old brother did it without a single word.

lekin muskaan ho aisi

ki jis mein iqraar nahi,

"Aapi.." Ans Zain now got it. Seher knew, she always has. There's nothing in his world, about him that can be hidden from her. Zain is her little brother, and she wants the best for him.

"I know" Seher confirmed.

"And you didn't say anything," He said the thing bothering him the most.

Seher knowing about his unsaid words is nothing new to him, but what's shocking is that she kept shut. She knew about his love for Hadiya Khan, she knew how Hadiya chose Ayaan against Zain but she kept silent.

She knew why Zain rushed to her house after getting the news of Hadiya's marriage. That night when she said those words, she was not talking about herself, she was talking about him, telling him to let it go. Hadiya is past and Zain has a wonderful present for himself.

"Why didn't you?"

"Aapi because it is not about me. I loved her and she knew it. But aapi she would never choose me. And saying everything to everyone will only make it complicated. So I let her go. And I am okay with it.

Our forever exist for some days and I am honestly happy with those memories. I don't think relationships are my thing now."

"You know Hadiya wants something from her life, something like a family, Ayaan is the family she wants. And Zain you want someone who will live for herself first then for you.

Hadiya is good but not what you ask for. She is calm and you want a storm, so it's good to let go."

And he did. Zain Amir did let Hadiya Khan go with Ayaan Khatoon. Zain and Hadiya used to be college mates but after that, they broke apart, Hadiya was never much serious about that and Zain let it pass like that.

Years later when Zain got to know about her wedding, old memories stuck in his mind. He knew he was in love with her and she is not. That the thing about unrequited love, it can never be forced. He never told Hadiya about his feelings in words, maybe because he thought she will get them without words. But her happiness lies with someone else.

//phir bhi nazrein na tum milaana

dil ka nahi...//

Even today, Hadiya waited to let him scream at her, to accuse her of the betray she had done to him.

She left Zain and chose Ayaan.

But for Zain, things are not this complicated, he likes to keep it simple.

For him it is simple, Hadiya chose her happiness which lies with Ayaan. She loves Ayaan and not him.

And he accepted the fact with open arms. Something Seher taught him to do.

No matter how bitter the truth is, we have to swallow it raw, tasting it fully and allowing it to absorb in our system.

//phool jo band hai pannon mein to,

usko dhool bana dena

baat chhire jo meri kaheen to

usko bhool bata denaa...//

Zain knew, his unrequited love for Hadiya is the bitter truth. Her choosing Ayaan, and rejection is the raw part which he swallowed that night.

And letting her go today finally is tasting it and now talking with Seher means absorbing all these in his system.

Zain loved her selflessly, unconditionally with care, but he never asks her to stay. He did ask her if she wanted to or not, and she said she didn't.

So Zain Amir let her go without a single thought.

Despite knowing her better than anyone else, he knows he can't be with her forever. So he let her go and buried his feelings.

He knows that first love will stay in his heart but he also knows he has plenty of chances to have a happy life too. It is still not his time, but it will be there soon.

So this is the happy ending of his first love, she chose her happiness, Zain chose that too, for her.

For Arhaan Ahmed Khan happiness is easy to define. It's always been one name, Seher Mirza. But since when he came back here, he never fails to observe the changes that took place in the last two years.

How Seher has mastered the skill of fake smiles, how she deliberately avoid talking to him, how Zain always tries to protect her here and now, how Ahad feels guilty around Seher for something, how she is not comfortable around the stairs and how every now and then she zones out.

She has become so silent, hardly talks more than necessary, the Ruhaan topic is avoided in front of him and mostly how she is not afraid of thundering anymore. And the last part is something he is hating the most because it proves how without him she learnt to survive on her own.

Seher had always been an independent girl but in front of him, she was just like a little kid, nagging him for his undivided attention. He used to pamper her a lot, sometimes a lot more than needed. Seher never used to ask for anything from anyone, not even to Saira, but Arhaan had always been an exception. On her 18th birthday, she asked him for her favourite novels and he did fulfil her every wish. So now seeing her like this engulfed in her cocoon, his heart feels heavy. He is dying to talk to her and now it's the time.

.....................................

Seher is sitting on the terrace, Zain left a few minutes ago. The cool breezes touch her face and the feeling of someone's presence make her heart lose a beat. But this time she decided to face it. How long can she avoid this? Arhaan is going to talk to her, and one day this will end. Either he will leave again or stay behind. But in both cases, they need to talk. Calming her nerves as much as she can she slightly shifts from her position making space for him to sit beside her.

The scene in front of him is nothing but beautiful. Seher is looking eternal in those moonlights. Sensing that she is ready to talk, he takes the place next to her, placing a cup of coffee.

Baitho kabhi sath mere bhi do

Baatein karo baatein karo

Silence engulfs them only the crickets are being heard.

"Coffee with extra cream and sugar, the way you like it." Arhaan started

"For what?"

"For everything Love, precisely a sorry for all my deeds."

"Don't call me that, Arhaan," Seher said with a defeated sigh.

Kaisi akeli si khamosh si Hai raat bhi khud mein hi khoyi si

Tanhaayia thodi kam hoyi si Naate karo baatein karo..

"I will, you know that I will. So stop fighting on that. For a fact we have many more things to fight for, as I think we should start talking."

"What's there to talk Arhaan? You left me when I asked you to stay, and you never came back which I accepted, so there is nothing to talk about now." She taunted.

"Well apparently Love your taunts will not work on me. So it starts from the end, okay?"

"Generally people start from the start."

"We are always been unique you know."

"Yeah of course" And this is what their relation is, mature enough to talk like friends. They knew that no matter what their relationship will be like old days only, and now they are talking like old friends do.

Aao jara rashme rone sune Pal saare deeware kone sune

Ek bewajah betuki si kahani mein Apne bhi kirdaar hone sune..

"So, who is Ashana?"

"Remember Zoya Khala ?"

"Zain's mother sister if I am not wrong."

"Yes, Ashana is her daughter. Two years ago her parents died in a road accident. Since then Ashana is living with Maa."

"That proves why she didn't stop making cookies."

"You met her?"

"Of course."

"Yeah of course"

"Love, if we have an issue that doesn't mean I will stop looking for Maa."

"You stopped looking for her as far as I know."

"I said sorry okay."

"The thing is Arhaan you sorry will not change anything. You sorry will not end the pain she endured because of you. Your sorry will never bring back things that were lost, so keep your sorry to yourself, Love"

"Seher. Look I know I did it wrong but you could have just gone there to me right. You left this place too, so why didn't you just go to me. I was waiting too. You came that night when I was at the hospital to New York but you left the very next day, without even saying a single word. I know we have differences Seher but if I was not taking a step ahead, you did the same thing right. You could have come to me, Seher."

"I could have but..."

"But what Seher? speak up. "

"I need time to tell you that. It's too painful for me to visit the past Arhaan and I am not ready for it. Many things changed after you left. You have no idea what we lost, and I don't know how to tell you even. I am just not ready. But maybe one day I will, just I need some time."

Arhaan sighed, he can't force her to tell him everything. He was not there for two years, and these two years this girl had been on her own, taking care of things that is not even her to think about. And she made herself stand here where she is today.

Ruhaan Rizwan praises her so much, and along with those praises, Arhaan didn't miss his unsaid feelings for Seher.

To say he was jealous would be understated but then again if it's Seher Mirza, there is nothing to be thought of. She will always wait for him and he is pretty sure about it.

"How's the coffee by the way?" He asked.

"Same, the way I like it."

"I love this talk, you know over a cup of coffee under the night sky."

"I know."

"Well you were spying on me, I know that. So can I know the reason for that?

"Why were you doing all these? Taking care of me when I was ill, making my schedules even checking my finances too. I pay Haris to do all these."

"I didn't spy on you okay. And Haris have never have done it before. Well initially I was not ready to do anything for you, then Haris called me one day when you fainted, so I have to rush to New York, since then I started doing everything again.

Look Arhaan I was angry, still, I am. But one thing I can never deny is my feelings for you. Taking care of you, doing all your pieces of stuff comes naturally to me, even when you are not with me. Asking Haris and Asimina about you is something I have done always, so that doesn't count."

"Seher?"

"Yeah.."

"Have you never thought of moving on in life as in with someone else, like Ruhaan is a really nice guy.?"

"I know Ruhaan is a great guy, and I am really blessed to have him in my life. But just as a friend nothing more than that. And about moving on, so Arhaan Ahmed, I was fourteen since when I knew only one person that's you, my whole life is rotating keeping you in the centre, so sorry I never thought of moving on. I was just waiting for you. Mujhe toh hamesha sey apka intezaar tha."

"Why did you even wait for me, Seher? All these years you did everything for me, taking care of my every need even when I was not with you whereas I never even called you for once?"

"Because I love you Arhaan." This made Arhaan chuckle, the same answer yet so different consequences.

"Now what made you laugh at me, Arhaan Ahmed."

"You love calling me that Seher Mirza, don't you. And to answer your question, my love, remember today Ahad told us about his divorce, I was so angry and when I asked why he let Maya go, the reply was the same, 'because he loves Maya'. Now how can this be possible? You waited for me because you love me, and he let her go because he love her."

"That's the thing about love is. It is different for everyone around. For Ahad, it cost him a lot which we don't even know, but maybe a bit late yet he understood that his Maya is his love but her happiness is not with him.

And now when they are not together, all I want is a great life for both of them, they deserve it, more than anything she deserves it.

Now coming to me, I waited because my love is a selfish one. You know I was selfish because waiting for you is a much easier job than thinking of a life without you. I know you left, but you left with a goodbye and my Arhaan is not someone to do so, I always knew you will come back to me, one day you have to come back home.

Arhaan life teaches us many lessons, and eventually, we grow up with those perhaps love is the only hope that kept us going forward. My love for you, for our family, kept me going all these years.

There were many days I wanted nothing but you next to me, then there were days I hated you and hated myself more for loving you, there were days when even death seemed a better option than living and there were days where Ruhaan became my only companions."

Ruhaan Rizwan has always been a great friend to Seher.

Sometimes Seher felt guilty because she is well aware of his feelings, then one day he told her 'when you have some sort of feelings for a certain someone, you certainly don't make a contract with them to reciprocate those feelings. Feelings are not business deal right, certainly, we don't seek profit and loses in them, we just feel them.'

And since then the awkwardness between the two was gone.

Ruhaan never crossed his boundary, he had always been there as a friend. Though he was not aware of Arhaan being Seher's husband, simply because the name Arhaan Ahmed Khan was never taken in her life for two years.

She did everything silently, taking care of all his needs.

"Zain asked me once did I stopped loving you?"

"You can never stop loving me Sherni, one can never unlove someone. And you are mine, always been mine. There is never much of sorry for all my deeds ."

"Please come to haweli, for Hadiya. She is the last one to get married."

"I will come but for you Seher. I don't trust them with you and whatever it is you are hiding from me, I will find out soon."

"I will not stop you to dig the past but I will warn you not to do so, the pain is much more you can think of Arhaan and we are not ready for it."

Looking towards the sky, silence engulfs them again, but this time it's not a scary one.

Over a cup of coffee, two souls find solace after years.

There are pains yet to share, there are secrets yet to reveal and truths yet to talk about, but that can wait for now.

At present, the beautiful night is witnessing them, sitting beside each other, hugging from the sides, just absorbing the presence of each other.

-------

"Chup chaap baithe huye khwab hai Bechain hai thode betab hai

Andar kahin jo bhi selab hai Jaatein karo baatein karo.

Clad in jeans and a red blouse, and a long chaddar, she entered the haweli from the balcony. Making sure no one is there, she walks towards her destination but Ahad and Hadiya is shocked to see her here, anyone will be.

"Seher aaj nikkah tera tu yaha kya kar rahi hai" Ahad asked.

"Nikkah mein agr dulha nahi aya toh main kya bhangra karungi?"

"Matlab?"

"Arhaan kaha hai yeh batao?"

"Room... areey kya kaha Madam koi dekh lega.."

"Toh protection doo na gadhe kadhe kya hon" Making an action like some undercover agent they started walking.

"Roger"

"Over and out"

"Knock knock" Ahad doing the knocking action without making a noise.

"Kya nahi matlab kya" Hadiya makes an amuse expression.

"Knock kar rah hu yaar"

"Muh se?"

Sighing loudly Seher wants to bang her own head in the door. Pushing her two officers she entered Arhaan's room. And without a doubt that person is sleeping like no tomorrow and Seher Mirza lost it, here she is almost ready and he is not even awake. They are supposed to get married in the next two hours.

So without a second waste, she poured the whole water of jug upon him and he is back to earth, being shocked seeing Seher with makeup done that too in the early morning.

"Baby..."

"Baby key bacche... sharam hai ki nahi nikkah h mera, make up artist ko baitha key tumahare pas ayi hu agr ab nahi uthe na Allah kasam duniya se utha dungi"

"Wo ... main haa"

"GET.READY. ek min late aya tum soch lena sab ke samne chappal se marungi. Idiot."

"Haaa haa" With that she left. Even on her wedding day, she is making him ready like the baby he is.

◆●◆●◆●◆

The hustle-bustle in the Haweli started implying that the wedding preparation is in full swing. And the most active members are Zain Ahad and Haider of course, the irony.

The topic of Alizeah is still untouched. Rubina and Sadia decided to care of the jewellery. In the hall, Seher is giving instructions to all the servants and Arhaan is following like a shadow.

Though Rubina is happy for Arhaan arrival, this time she didn't expect him to talk to her. Somewhere this time around, she is the one keeping a distance from him, which didn't go unnoticed neither by Arhaan or by Seher.

For a while now, Rubina wants to talk to Seher regarding something but seeing Arhaan always around her, she kept silent.

"Seher, ek cup chai bana dogi?"

"Jee Ammi. Abhi late hain."

"Beta room lete kuch baat bhi."

"Seher is not your personal maid. Stop treating her like one." Arhaan said as if taunting Rubina.

"She is my daughter, I can ask her anything, anytime," Rubina said in a calm tone.

Surprisingly, in so many years Rubina Ahmed said something against her son. Standing for Seher is something she will always do but saying something against her son Arhaan is not something she has ever done. But today she did.

Rubina is clear about one thing, Arhaan is not going to accept her anyhow. But she can never forget the pain Seher has been through because of him.

Entering her room, Seher gives tea to her and sits by her side

"Ammi chai.."

"Seher are okay beta."

"Ammi, I am fine."

"That I know from the glowing skin you know," Rubina said in a teasing tone.

"Ammi"

"Fine, I am not teasing you."

"Seher, I talked to Saira this morning, she told me she is not coming, and I didn't ask her much"

"I know Ammi and honestly I am okay with it. I don't know how they would have behaved with Ashana, and she is just a child"

"Seher ek aur baat tha, Meri return flight book karwa doo Saturday ki, Zain ke saath chali jaungi. Yaha ab accha nahi lagta, ab toh wahi ghar hai."

"Haan Ammi karwa denge"

"Seher, if you want you can go with Arhaan but if you don't then no need to go with him..." The next second the door opens with a bang and a very angry Arhaan stands there.

"Kaisi Maa hai, apne bete ka ghar todne mein lagi hai, Ye mere aur Seher ka matter hai"

"I really hope ke yeh apke aur Seher ka matter hota sirf but aisa nahi hai. Aur raha baat Maa hone ka, I was never a good mother to you, I know I was not. But Saira was and she still is.

Eventually, for Seher, I will try to be at least a mother if not a good one. Aur apko hum bol nahi Arhaan, ap bohot bade hogye hai, lekin Seher ki Ammi hone ke haq se yeh bolenge, abhi bhi waqt hai, rishta sambhal ley apni, Seher aj bhi intezaar kar rahi hai"

"Wo zindegi bhar intezaar karne ko taiyar hai"

"Haa. Par itne lambe intezaar ke baad kya wo apko apnayegi Arhaan? kya kabhi ye socha hai? Maaf kar degi tumko par kya phirse apnayegi? Waqt hai soch lo. Seher is a daughter to me, and if she goes back with you, I will be more than happy.

I will live there in Delhi, Saira is there, both of us will manage. Now you have to think and do what's necessary. Take care of your marriage Arhaan, because if anything happens ever, I will always support Seher ."

◆●◆●◆●◆

Din shagna da chadheya

Aao sakhiyon ni vehra sajeya

Clad in a yellow suit Hadiya is looking beautiful for her Mayoon. Ayaan Khatoon never leaves a chance to display his affection towards her. From singing songs for her to taking care of her every need, he is giving her everything a bride can ask for.

Seeing them happy together, Zain is content, his decision is right, happiness is important than love.

◆●◆●◆

Arhaan decided to start doing his work which is difficult more than he thought. Zain is not even talking to him, Ahad clearly said he can't say anything because he knows Seher will tell him by herself. Other than these two, the only person having who can know something is Rubina but after that incident, it is not an option.

The next day function is Mehendi and being Arhaan he has to do something soon. It's already Thursday, tomorrow is his last day here and going back to Delhi means losing a big chance. So with a heavy heart, he goes to Rubina.

"Wo..."

"Kuch chahiye tha apko?"

"Seher kuch chupa rahi hai, apko pata hai kya hai woh baat?"

"Nahi."

"Aise kyu bol rahi hai ap."

"Apko humse baat karna pasand nahi hai Arhaan. Hum apko help kar rahe h kaam baat kar ke"

"Please agar apko kuch bhi yaad ho unusual Seher ke bare mein. You told me to fix everything, for that I need your help. I need Seher in my life, my Seher, not this one. She hardly talks to anyone, I can see her fake smiles and that thing is killing me."

"Then think about us Arhaan. You are here only for a few days and it's already killing you, what about us, Me, Saira, Zain? We are seeing her like this for the last two years now.

Do you have any idea how difficult it was for her to settle in Delhi? For the first few weeks, we were at Saira's place, but that place have too many memories of yours, so she decided to leave the place. We shifted to our new home, everything was new for us, somehow we managed.

Then after a few days proposals started coming for Seher, and every time we have to answer them the same thing. Seher cut out her social life. She hides away. Only Ruhaan's proposal was something that made her heartbroken, she told him that she is already married. No one could end her pain.

But the difference is, you can do something like this. The only unusual thing that happened in these two years was that the night you left, Seher was got into an accident."

"I know that she fell off the stairs. Anything else?"

"No. But..."

"But?"

"After going to Delhi, nearly two weeks after the whole thing, she came back home really late."

"That not something unusual."

"No, maybe it was. That day there was something very unusual. She came back with someone and the look on her face was as if she lost everything in her life. I didn't speak to her that day, and from the next day, the fake smile became prominent.

She closed herself from everyone. That was the last day I saw her feeling something, after day Seher simply refused to feel the pain. That was the last day I saw her too."

"Her?"

"Ahad's ex-wife. And I knew that Ahad had lost a gem, for good. And if you don't hurry up, you are gonna lose her too."

//Sirf muskurana se hi insan khush hota kya

Dil ka haal kon puchta hai.//

------

The Nikkah day arrives, and the Haweli is full of people. Alizeah came back yesterday, and she was really sorry for Seher. Though she didn't talk to her much, she is sorry. The nikkah is done and now the bride and groom are sitting on stage.

Everyone is running around, looking for one thing or the other. The haveli is bursting with traditional music. Everyone seems happy. It is the last wedding for this clan.

Away from everyone's eyes, a certain figure is waiting for Seher near the exit. Seher goes to meet her and as usual, Arhaan followed behind.

"How are you?" Seher asked hugging her. This is someone very special to her.

"As good as I can be Aapi." She replied with a smile. And that smile told Seher, she is okay, after years of pain, She is finally trying to be okay.

"Wanna come inside?"

"No Aapi let it be. I just came here to give you this. Please pass it on. I am leaving Aapi. I got my job, a new beginning is waiting for me."

"You deserve it, you deserve a better life. Surely better than everything you got, live your life, live your dream."

"I will. I promise I will."

"Take care. Be safe and keep in touch."

"Aapi, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Please tell Arhaan bhai everything. You have the right to be angry but he deserves to know the truth Aapi."

"I will. One day maybe."

"It's been a while now. At least tell him about the letter, he will get to everything by himself then."

"He will get to know everything at the right time."

"So...That is it. Goodbye."

"Take care." With that Ahad's Maya left.

But sudden chaos occur in her mind, a feeling she felt years ago maybe.

Unknown to her is that someone else felt that too, looking towards her back, someone's heart is beating fast again.

That's a story of some other time.

(A/N. Go and read Tainting the void canvas, y'all will know the story)
-----

By the time she comes near her car, Arhaan called her from behind.

"Listen wait.."

"Arhaan Bhai.." To say she is shocked to see Arhaan Ahmed here will be understated.

"Hey... You are grown up..." Arhaan has known her quite well too. Seher is close to her, maybe the only person Seher consider as her friend.

"Yeah." She smiles at him.

"I heard your conversation with Seher. Look I know you are close to her. I really want her to be with me. I want to clear this mess I had created. Please can you just help me?"

To be honest she was in no mood to talk to him even that alone to tell him about Seher's secrete but deep down she want to help Arhaan, that will be the last thing she will do for Seher, for this family.

Seher supported her when no one did, and now it will be a little payback from her side.

"What do you want me to do?" She asked.

"Just tell me the thing she is hiding from me."

"That's not my place to say, but I know you need to know. Ummm why don't you look for a letter, with some medical reports? That is the only thing I can say. Goodbye."With that her car goes away, leaving a confused Arhaan behind.

-----

The words stuck in his mind.

A letter.

Medical reports.

That must be kept in his room only. Coming to his room he started looking for the medical reports, Seher used to keep them beside the Study table.

Opening it he found a two-year-old report and reading it dropped his heart to his stomach.

One word stuck there in his mind, Seher Arhaan Ahmed, Miscarriage.

There lies a letter, something that will haunt him to death now. With a trembling hand, he starts reading that.

Arhaan

I don't know when you will read this letter. Or when I will give it to you. But whenever that happens. I know we both will cry. That day I will mourn for my loss, love, for our lost love, together. Because it is something we both lost together, and grieving for it without you feels not right to me. I never got to tell this to anyone but I want to tell you this.

Today when you left us, we lose our child to love. Our child about whom we are not even aware of. Two-week-old lump of flesh and blood, my baby, and that is gone too soon, our baby is gone too soon love. It's paining me, choking me.

Do you remember how I used to crave a family of my own? A family we dream to have together, without fights. You promised me to stay yet you are the one to leave. You promised me a forever too, which didn't last long. But I do remember my promises well. I remember my promise to wait for you.

The day you left for Kanpur you asked me "Will you wait for me?" and I replied 'For you, I will wait. I marked those lines of The Kite Runner, only that single line where ever it comes in the book 'For you thousand times over.'

That day when you left, I saw it in your eyes, the Love, something you told me years later I had already known ever since the beginning of it. I started writing to you every single day because you always reply to me, which was quite surprising, you hate mails.

During our days in New York, there were many times, I just wanted you to hug me at night, perhaps you were too busy. But on that night, I didn't know you were home, I went to our room, got into your last nights' shirt and cried, I knew you were going for a week-long trip, but you were there, you hugged me the whole night, no words exchanged, just held me close to you. And I know, I am home.

I hate you today, hate you for leaving, hate you for not being here when I need you the most, as your wife, as the mother of your child whom we just lost. Today way back, Zain held my hand, as if he was afraid that I will shatter any moment soon. I won't. Only in front of one person, I will, that's you, always been you.

I will wait for that day to come, for you to come back, I will wait, no matter how long it would be, for one week, one month, one year, one decade and one lifetime too.

Mujhe apka inteezar rahega.

Seher

Falling on his knees, he can feel his world trembling around him. He lost his baby years ago. Seher lost everything that day. But she still decided to wait for him. Even after everything, Seher Mirza is still waiting for him.

How can she love him so much?

A question that is going on his mind. Seher stopped feeling her pain because if she did, she would have died.

On a single day, she lost her world. All because of him. She endured every pain, all because of him, for him, in a just hope that one day he will come back to fulfil his promise.

//Sari tarkeebein khali pad gayi

Sari umeedein bhi bekhar key reh gayi

Pyaar usne bahot kiya tha janab

Afsoos kisi ke nafrat ke agey uske mohabbat ki kami pad gyi//

-------

Ungli pakad ke tune chalnaa sikhaya tha naa
dehleez unchi hai ye paar karaa de

There is a thing about big houses, they hide the darkest secretes deep down their roots. And no matter what they will make sure to keep those secrets hidden because the moment they come out, everything will be ruined.

But what if hiding the secrets is destroying a few lives, perhaps they don't care.

Today there is a gloomy moment surrounding the Khan Haweli. Their daughter Hadiya Khan is Hadiya Khatoon now and leaving soon with her husband.

Marriage is the beginning of a new life, and as per some, it's the end of old life too. At least for Hadiya, that's the case. There are tears in her eyes, but these tears are not because she is leaving this family, these are because she remembers the moments she suffered here.

Everyone loved her no doubt but sometimes one seeks something more than just love, and Hadiya is one of them. Only love is not enough for survival, never was. So today as Hadiya leaves, she is happy, a new life awaits for her, a life without Khan Haweli.

Ayaan Khatoon met Hadiya Khan a few months ago when he came for a family function in Aligarh. One thing leads to another and today he is married to the girl he lost his heart at first sight. He saw something in her eyes, a certain need for approval.

Hadiya never wanted many things in her life but even those few things cannot be given by everyone, but Ayaan Khatoon can, and he will. And Hadiya knew her happiness belonged with him. Her feelings for Zain was never something more than a friend, she don't even know how he started feeling something for her when they had hardly talked over these few years, but still, she felt sorry for him. But after talking with him, she is certain, she was never the one for him. Sadia hugged her daughter tight, letting her tears flow freely.

Standing next to her Seher remembers her own day, she did cry a lot. Saira Atif had been both her mother and a father to her, Mirza was there but that can't be counted completely. Saira did everything and been everything to her. Maybe because of her only, Seher gets Arhaan in her life.

Arhaan Ahmed is a person who made her live her life. Its the same thing Seher did for him too. Seher Mirza has done many things for this place, and no one can deny that.

------

Today Hadiya decides to speak, so before leaving the Haweli, she walks up to Mir Mustafa, one last time maybe, keeping her head high,

"Ammi was scared back then and Mamu only supported her, but you did what you wanted to. No one knows the things hidden there but certainly, some people do and I am one of them. I don't care who will rule this Haweli and who will not, but today as I left this place it's the end of your Legacy Bade Baba. Haider Bhai and Bhabhi will be shifting pretty soon, Ammi will stay with me now what? You destroyed many lives Bade Baba and I hope you do understand that. Anyhow, thank you for everything you did for me. Khuda Hafiz." Saying that she turned around and goes away, holding her hands with Ahad's she cried, Ahad has his eyes beamed with tears.

No one ever spoke to Mir Mustafa like this but today his little princess did. Arhaan comes and kisses her forehead and along with Haider, they made her sit inside the car.

"Ayaan she is our princess," Arhaan said.

"I will make her my Queen Arhaan, I will take care of her. Just remember one thing, there are things that need to be sorted and things need to end, do it at the right time Arhaan." With that it has done, the last marriage of the family.

Mir Mustafa Khan was shocked. Hadiya never even raised her voice in this place and today she told him that his reign ended, something he never thought of.

He controlled everyone's life for the last two decades at least and today everything is falling apart.

People know means did Seher know? Of course, she does that's why she left, that's why she never asked Arhaan to return back, that's why she didn't take Sadia with her and that's why she kept Ahad away from everything. Seher Mirza hid the secrets too but the question remains why?

Looking at Seher, he knows everything will be gone soon. It was good till she was not here and today as she enters again after Hadiya's departure she will break open the doors of the past which will ruin them.

A sudden pain in his chest hits him hard, which made him fall, a scream left his lips and a sudden memory comes in his mind, the memory of a dying son, the memory of a falling figure, karma hits back hard and today is certainly the end of his game, of his legacy.

.....................................

Sitting on the corridors of a hospital that too on the day of her daughter's nikkah is not something Sadia Khan thought of. Next to her sits a silent Praveen Khan, who doesn't even know what to feel.

She had always been a perfect wife but when the question comes for being a good mother, she simply doesn't know what she did.

First, her son left decades ago, and that ended his family, she couldn't do anything to save it because she was too busy to be a good wife and a good begum.
And now when her husband is on death bed when she knows the end is near, what should she feel?

Sorry, heartbroken or guilt above all.

She protected his husband and the name of the Haweli but she never thought what will be its consequences at the end. And today she is numb, she simply doesn't know what to feel.

Rubina Khan remembers the dreadful night when she saw her husband in a similar situation, the night she last her husband, her love and the father of her children.
That day everything changed and today history is just repeating itself but she just hope there will be good changes this time.

Ahad stands next to her, there is an unknown fear in him. In his hands, there is a letter. A letter he never wanted, a letter that signifies that his Maya has left him, and this with a proper goodbye.

He is yet to read the letter and honestly, he has no idea when will he do that. But one thing is for sure he will keep this letter dear to him and fulfil her every wish.

She deserves that.

Arhaan Ahmed was lost. Next to him, Seher keeps her head on his shoulder, he holds her hands and this time a bit more tightly.

He didn't get the chance to talk to her, but even if he did, what will he say?

Because sorry doesn't even mean anything after the pain Seher had endured for him. But this little comfort that she wants right in the moment, is the least he can do for her.

Seher didn't deserve the pain, he didn't deserve it too.

And if anything she waited for him, even after everything she waited. What's more to show how much she loves him.

Her love knows no bound for him. And Seher knows that.

For Seher, things were not this complicated. Arhaan had chosen her for many years so if for the first time he chose himself first there's nothing wrong with that.

So when he left, she waited for him, the way she always had.