Meher's POV,
"Meher Qadri is my legal wife. Infact, she's not Qadri but Meher Azlaan Khan!" He announced in front of everyone and.... I just lost the conscious part of my brain.

If you even dare to tell anyone about this stupid marriage.....it won't be good for you.

That's what he said to me time and time but now....he just said it out loud to everyone himself?!

"You two are.....married?"

My heart jumped to my throat as I heard Imraan whisper that. The horrified look on his face was squeezing my heart more and more making my eyes prick with tears. It was the first time since the hospital that I ever felt like crying or my heart hurted this much.
He found out and I had no words in my head or no voice in my mouth to explain anything to him.

"How is....that possible?"
A tear slipped down his eye and seeing that I couldn't hold my tears either.

I want to marry you Meher....
I want a family as beautiful as you....

His words made me dare to desire an impossible dream.

"Im...."

My hand almost stretched towards him on its own but I was startled out of my daze as Azlaan pulled me to him by my shoulders whilst Imraan watched us.

"So don't you dare point fingers at my wife, because if anyone did ... I won't stand for it!"

Before I knew it I was being dragged away by Azlaan....away from Imraan as he watched us both and I watched him helplessly.

####
"It's over now! Everyone knows that we're married. I'm sorry I made you hide it for soo long. But now you believe me, don't you Meher? I really want to be with you and I really love you. Now, no one would come between us anymore."
Azlaan said kissing my hand as I sat lifelessly in his car with him.

The only thing I could think about was Imraan's shocked face. The pain in his teary eyes and his trembling hands. This was the thing I dreaded the most.

"Meher? What's wrong...hey...."

I couldn't breathe and my vision was getting blurry.
"How .... could you? He was right there? He....heard everything."

"Meher.... please don't cry."

It was as if a dam bursted in my and I was crying in my hands. My chest was hurting like hell as my closed eyes could only see Imraan and his only his words echoed in my ears.

"Meher...." I felt Azlaan's arm around me but I pushed him away getting a shocked expression from him.
"Don't touch me!" My anger was uncontrollable now.

"Why? Is it soo much fun for you playing with me? What did I ever do to you? I'm begging you to set me free from this marriage but you... announced it to everyone! Even in front of Imraan? HOW COULD YOU?!" I yelled at him.

"Because I cannot stand seeing you two look at eachother like that!"
He yelled too.
"You can call it my selfishness but I can't bear to see him stand for you or talk to you or even look at you with that look in his eyes.... because I love you Meh...."

"Saying a lie multiple times doesn't make it the truth!"

"It's not a lie!!!!"

"I don't care because I don't love you anymore.....I love Imraan!"

I gasped at my own words and we both gaped at eachother with the same shock.

Do I love Imraan? That's right....

It was at that moment when everything came rushing to me. The first time we ever met, when he gave me the keychain, then during the fresher's party when he helped me soo kindly, meeting his mother, laughing with his family. The way I could be myself with him forgetting about all the worries of my world. His kind words to me, his subtle doting ways, the way he respects and cares for me. His selfless love for me....
I had already fallen for him way before I knew it.

When....he first said...
Consider this the token of my friendship.

I fell in love with him the very first time we met.

How could I not realise that sooner?

"No Meher.... please.... don't go..."

Azlaan's voice felt like an distant echo even though he was right in front of me when I opened the car door and without a single glance or caring to even close the door I ran towards the college building.

"MEHER!!!"

There were two places where I could find him. The library where we always went to study and the garden where he confessed to me. When I checked the library ignoring everyone's eyes at me, he wasn't there. So, now I just had to confess to him where he confessed to me.

At the garden behind the college building.

I ran there with my racing heart and found him leaning at the railing.

"Imraan!"

I stood at a distance catching my breath and waiting for him to look at me but he didn't turn to me.

"Mrs Khan....you shouldn't be here."

That statement from him was like a slap on my face.

"Please don't call me that."

He turned towards me with his usual smile but his blood shot eyes said otherwise.

"Why? Isn't that your real name? Haha, I didn't even knew that you were married and I've said soo many dumb things to you, huh?" He chuckled.
"Sorry about that. Just forget about it. Now I understand why you rejected me soo brutally."
The tears were back in his eyes which he was struggling to blink away looking around.
"You could've just said it na. Why....why break my heart like that? I might look strong but my stupid heart is quite fragile you know." His voice was breaking.

I myself couldn't hold back my tears. If only I wasn't married...if only we'd have met under different circumstances then maybe....we could've....

"It's.... I...."

"Ah right, it was supposed to be kept a secret I guess."

"Do you hate me?" Was all I could ask him. A simple yes could've been much better from him but what he answered broke me even more.

"Not at all. How could I? It's not like you played with me or lied to me. I was the one who approached you, I was the one who confessed my feelings to you. You just wanted to be friends and I was the one ruined our sweet friendship by bringing love in between. It's all my fault, so I'm sorry."

I broke down crying. How can he be soo kind? Why does he have such a pure heart? I really don't deserve him, he deserves someone much better.

"Meher, please don't cry. It still hurts to see you cry." He walked towards me speaking in his gentle tone and I just sank my head on his shoulder crying harder but he didn't even touch me with his hands.

I love you Imraan....soo much....

I just couldn't say it. I broke his heart, someone as pathetic as me was never right for him anyway! I really wish he gets someone a million times better than me.

But selfishly I also wished deep inside....if only it was me.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He whispered.

Lifting my head off his shoulder, I looked up at him one last time as he looked back at me those same gentle eyes.

There were a million things I wanted to say yet I couldn't find any words to express them. So I did what I do best.... I ran away.

####
I stumbled at my doorstep but Mazhar bhai caught me.
"What's wrong baccha?"

I was tired of crying so I just shook my head.

"I was coming to pick you. Good thing you're back. Akram uncle and Rubeena aunty are inside. Go get freshnup and come."

I nodded not letting him see my face but I guess he noticed as I heard him let out a heavy sigh.

I walked in the living room soon enough and they were already sitting there and seeing me Akram uncle rushed towards me and hugged him lovingly.

"Oh Allah! Thanks a million our bacchi is alright."

"Assalamualaikum." I just said.

"That's all you have to say to your Akram uncle?"

I said nothing.

He held me at arms length and his eyes held that guilt in them.
"You're my daughter in law beta and I know we've wasted a lot of time to take you home with us where you belong and .... during this time, my imprudent son has hurted you in many ways. I heard from Mazhar . He even broke your heart, didn't he? So much that you even tried to...." His voice trembled as he looked at me with tearful eyes and hugged me again. Sometimes I feel like there's no difference between him and Daddy.

"I'll never be able to apologise enough for my incompetent son, but please forgive us all my bacchi. I'll even get on my knees to..." He began to even get down on his knees but Mazhar bhai and I stopped him hastily.

"No no uncle!!!" We both siblings almost yelled holding him up.

"Don't fall soo low Akram. What are you even apologizing for? This mentally unstable girl...she must've planned it all to trick our son and emotionally manipulate him!"
Rubeena aunty said like spitting fire.

"Shut up Rubeena!" Uncle yelled back at her.

"You don't have to apologise Akram bhaijaan. It's just a matter between these husband and wife and our Meher is a bit naive but I'll explain her well not to worry her in-laws anymore." Mumma tried to reason.

"Aunty please, my Meher would never do such a thing. Your son is the one who manipulated my innocent sister." Bhai retorted.

Aunty huffed.
"Innocent? In what way is your family innocent? You all emotionally blackmailed us into marring our precious son to your useless daughter.  This is all your plan to keep our son in your grasp."

"Rubeena shut your mouth!"

"Then why don't you free your son away from our grasp forever aunty."

"Meher!" Mumma yelled but I had enough now. I couldn't take it any longer.

"What do you mean?" Bhai asked squeezing my shoulder. Perhaps, he somehow had the idea what I was about to say and it was his way of showing he supported me.

I looked at everyone's curious faces.
"I want a divorce!"

Everyone looked at me as if I was an alien, even bhai, that I said something like that.
"It was something I'd always dreaded about because I always thought and was taught that if I didn't had Azlaan as my husband, or if he leaves me, I'll lose my worth as a woman and I'll truly be useless. No one would accept me and I'll just be a burden on this planet  a leftover. But isn't that something I already am? I'm stupid and incompetent you say, so I always feared that becoming my truth.
However, now... I don't really care how useless or useful I am anymore. I just want to be free."

"Meher! Shut up! What nonsense are you spurring?" Mumma came and slapped my shoulder to shut me and looking at Uncle and Aunty laughing nervously.

"She's just speaking nonsense. Don't listen to her. Maybe she's not well today."

I scoffed.
"Mumma, you can slap me a few more times if you want but my answer won't change. I want a divorce because I no longer want to be Azlaan's wife."

Bhai was smiling at me proudly.

"Akram uncle, you're just like a father to me and I love and respect you too, but please tell me one thing. Why did you agree to get Azlaan and me married when we knew nothing? Yes, we both hit puberty and could get married but.... neither of us was ready for it. It was just a decision that you elders made and slammed it on us. Saying that you know better but did you really think about this possibility?
Shouldn't a marriage be held by the consent of both the boy and girl but did anyone even ask us if we wanted this? No! The decision was forced on and out of fear we both agreed for it. It even ruined our sweet childhood our happiness... everything!"

My breath hitched in my throat as I was remembering the past but bhai gave me a nod, giving me confidence to keep going. So I gulped, wiping my tears and continued.

"Neither of us knew our rights as husband and wife. I waited 10 years without a word from my husband. I loved and loathed him just the same, I protected my chastity, my heart even my gaze from getting attached to someone else even though I was on the verge of losing all hope. I became anxious and sad, causing me to lose my ability to interact well with people without the fear of being judged everytime. I started fearing people and became timid and depressed. I ruined myself all for the sake of my husband...and that to for what? He never even loved me. I thought maybe someday he'll come back for me and save me from all this giving me my happiness but it as just wishful thinking.
Maybe, I never loved him too. Perhaps, it was just for the sake that he was my husband for by name, my better half that you all made him to be, did I even waited for him.

Why did you all do this to us? What was our fault? To strengthen your friendship? Then why couldn't you just wait till we grew up, got to know eachother better, were mature enough to understand Marriage and it's importance to do so?
I bet it was the same for Azlaan. He thought this marriage was a burden and eventually started hating me. Rubeena aunty, you dislike me too, don't you? You think that your son deserved someone better? Well, I do too. Azlaan and I are not meant for eachother.
Mumma, even you hated me soo much that the only reason you forced me to be married was so that you could get rid of me. Tell me Mumma....why do you hate me soo much? I'm your own flesh and blood. My twin dying wasn't my fault! How could you hate me for such a reason?!"

Mumma was quitely listening to me as her eyes were brimming with tears. Even Akram uncle and Rubeena aunty.

"Please.... I beg you, let me be free. For God's sake please have mercy on both of us!"

I broke down crying but bhai engulfed me in his warm embrace.

"Please....think what's best for these two." Bhai just said while he caressed my back.

####
I laid on my bed exhausted. I couldn't believe I spoke soo much and finally took out all my frustration. But now, I didn't know what to do. I did say I wanted a divorce but what happens after that. I'm I capable enough to go to another city and start a completely new life all on my own?
Did I make a mistake?
What kind of people will I meet there? My whole life will be changing it's course. Will be able to handle it or will I break again?

Imraan would never accept me now. Why would he want to be with a leftover woman? He must have a hoor waiting for him.

Just then, Mumma came out of nowhere and sat beside me on the bed. Not wanting to speak to her, I turned away on the other side.

"Ow!" I yelped at she smacked my behind.

"Your mother is here and you're going to ignore her?"

"My mother has ignored me for 19 years, atleast I can ignore her for 19 minutes." I said.

"Hm. Fair enough."

There was a long silence.

"You know I was the only daughter in my family right, apart from your two mamus (maternal uncles)?"

I nodded.

"I was the oldest daughter, being the first child to be born as a girl. You know what my Abba said to my Ammi when he saw me for the first time? He said, you've ruined my reputation as a man for birthing a girl. "

I gasped hearing that and sat up immediately beside her. She looked at me with a sad smile.
"No one wanted me when I was born. I was always left out by everyone. My father didn't even look at me or held me lovingly. After an year, my Ammi had a son then soon another. My Abba loved them both dearly and even Ammi thought she'd won his favour and to be able to be by his side, she gave her affection to only my brothers while I silently watched from behind. I was made to learn and do household chores from a very young age. Even the food I got was whatever was left out of my brother's plates. Sometimes even nothing. Then, when I was only 11, I was married to your father who was 12 years older to me. I lost my first child as I was soo young and I was scared your father wouldn't favour me. Even though he was patient with me in regards to children, he was a man after all and couldn't be patient with his desires every time. I was taught to silently bear it all if I wanted to live respectfully and to only have sons. I was 16 when Mazhar was born. I always was scared of bearing a daughter thinking, my husband would be the same as my father but, then after 7 years after Mazhar I was finally pregnant at the age of 22 with twins after trying for soo long. However, you were born, a girl and I lost a son. I was scared and anxious. However, your father and brother both loved you dearly. Alas, my fears didn't let me love you the same."

She carased my face placing kisses on both my cheeks. My heart was aching for my mother now.

She was never loved by her parents....so, she didn't know how to love me.

"I'm sorry. I've been a bad mother, something I always dreaded but I couldn't help it. I didn't know what to do. The hate I received, I projected it onto you. But when I saw you in the hospital, I realised what a huge mistake I'd made. I was afraid of loving you but I was terrified of losing you too. I tried to blame you for everything but ..... inside I knew....it was all my fault. Forgive me my baccha.... please...."

I threw myself onto her bosom as she broke down crying. How could I hate my own mother? She was the reason I was alive. She's been through soo much and I understand what fear and anxiety could do to you. How it messes with your head!

"Please don't say that ... I do not resent you. You're my mother and I love you just please love me to from now on."

We both cried onto eachother for a while until...

"Aren't you two missing me out?"

We both giggled as Mazhar bhai waltz right in engulfing us both in to his wide arms.

"Meher..."

"Yes Mumma?"
Both bhai and Mumma held each of my hands in theirs.

"We're with you....if you want a divorce and be free then, we'll be with you too." She smiled.

I looked at her in disbelief and then at  Mazhar bhai who patted my head bringing a huge smile on my face. My heart soar in my chest.

I wasn't alone anymore. Even if everything ends ... I'll have my family with me.

I nodded and was crushed into another warm hug between them.

I'd never been soo happy!

####
Azlaan's POV,
"Meher is .... asking for a divorce. What will you do?"

Dad asked me as Mom and he called me out in the living.

I don't love you anymore because....I Love Imraan.

I said nothing and just took my seat silently. He then sighed heavily sinking his head in his hands as Mom rubbed his back.

My heart was uneasy already.

"Did we really make a mistake..." He said and then looked up at me guiltily.
"You tell me Azlaan. Getting you two married, was it really a mistake?"

I sank my head back on the sofa trying to dry my tears and cleared my throat to steady my voice.
"If only...you could've asked this question 10 years ago. You never did that time.... what's the point now."

"What did you even do to that innocent child to make her take such a step?" He wasn't angry this time but curious.

"If I tell you that dad.... you'll kill me with your own hands."

Both of them looked at me stunned.

"Azlaan..." Mom began and before she could say something to console me or try to pull me out of my self loathing with her sweet words, I just said ..

"I love her! At the beginning, the pointless loathing I felt for her had overpowered my reasoning. She's shy, sweet and kind. Always trying to make other happy even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. She's beautiful inside our but the cover of hatred on my eyes, blaming her for something she didn't do .... didn't allow me to see the true Meher and when I did notice it....it was too late."

I looked at Mom.
"Mom.... it wasn't her fault. She was a victim just like me, even more so. She was just 9 and I was 14. We knew nothing about the world or marriage or anything else. We were only children, Mom and Dad!
If only, we had been Mature enough and met in different situations. If we only had time to properly fall in love, perhaps I'd have cherished her more. We could've been able to be together but now.... it's impossible.
I've already lost her!"

I gulped the big lump in my throat letting out a shaky breath. Alas, I could hold back anymore.
"I've....lost her mom....dad....if only you understood me."

I looked at Dad as he too looked back at me guiltily.
"Why did you...hate me? You always imposed your decisions on me and....left me with no choice. Why couldn't you trust me? Letting me make my own choices wouldn't had made me respect you any less. You're my father....my idol. I love and respect but....right from which school I'll go to, my sports, extra classes.... even my life partner, my career and job.... everything was dictated by you. Why dad? Then Mom had to try her hardest to make me happy and that's why she started hating Meher and so did I!"

He walked towards me and hugged me as I broke on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry.... I should've trusted you more. But Azlaan....my son, I can never hate you. I love you son.... I just wanted to protect you from making the wrong choice and perhaps, it was my arrogance too that I considered myself better. I was wrong... I'm sorry."

"Me too. I'm sorry my baby. I've done wrong to both you and Meher."

They both hugged me and I realised, I had my family but...not the woman I loved. My heart still felt hollow and the decision I'd made was about to make it even more hollow.

#####
"Mr Azlaan Khan, it's really disturbing and unacceptable that a professor is married to a student. It goes against both our morals and rules. How could you not tell us this before?! Because of this controversy, either Meher Qadri or you need to leave."

The Dean of the college raged on me as I stood in front of him in his cabin.

"I apologise sir."
I took out the envelope from my coat and placed it in front of him.
"Here's my resignation sir. Just please, let her stay in this college and complete her graduation."

He opened it shaking his head in disdain.
"You were a good asset to this college."

"Thankyou sir. Have a good day."

I came out of the cabin and found Meher on the way. She was looking straight at me as I walked towards her.

"Hey." I managed a smile.

"Hey."

I chuckled.
"Why soo down?  I've finally here to fulfill your demand."

Her eyes widened and my heart clenched tightly inside my chest. I took a deep breath and embraced her one last time, breathing her in and kissing her hair. Good thing no one was around at that moment.

"Azlaan...."

"Hold me too or else I won't say it!"

I felt her relevant arms around me and I closed my eyes holding her tighter for a few moments until I released her and she looked up at me. She's soo adorable, like a little puppy, I just wanted to grab her face and kiss her.

If only I'd realised it before, because now it was too late.

"I'll divorce you."

_________________________________

Assalamualaikum Everyone

How was the chapter?
Do u like long chapters?

What do you think will happen next?

Both their parents have realised their faults and now Azlaan has said that he'll divorce Meher.

So now?
What about Imraan? With Meher and he be together? Or will they both break apart going on their own paths?

Find out in the next chapter.