"May I talk to your wife for a moment." Zahir doesn't look over Hasan's shoulder.

Hasan tilted his head and gestured to Anaisha. She nodded, rising from the bed. Zahir waited as she walked to him.

"You can talk to me but in presence of Hasan." Anaisha was stern in her voice and expressions. Zahir simply nodded and motioned if he could come inside. The husband and wife shared a glance and then parted to let him in. Anaisha let the door close softly behind her as they walked in.

Zahir sighed, his back facing his brother and sister-in-law, - "I don't know where to begin."- Slowly, he turned to face them, - "My wife, she left me. We aren't officially divorced but we might be. She is threatening to file a divorce. Anyway, good riddance. And it is not about Mehar also."

"If you are planning to re-marry Sehrish, then I am not going to help you. In fact, sabotage your attempt to reconcile with her." Anaisha snapped at him.

Zahir looked at her with tears brimming in his eyes. He kept staring at her with his pleading eyes and joined his palms together, - "I have lost all rights to win back Sehrish. I treated her like trash and did injustice on her."

"Now, when the same is happening to you, you are repenting." Anaisha wasn't impressed. Hasan held her hand and silently gestured her to not interrupt. She grumpily looked away.

Zahir nodded, - "You are right. I am remorseful after experiencing the same. I was blinded by arrogance and ignorance. There is no forgiveness for my jahalat. (ignorance) I want to apologize to you for my bad behavior. And please take me to Sehrish. I want to beg forgiveness from her." He fell to his knees and broke down crying.

Hasan felt sympathetic to his brother and hurried to him. He kneeled beside him, engulfing him in a side hug. Anaisha folded her arms, she felt emotionless. But there was a worry, what if this man manipulates Sehrish for patch up. She can't trust him.

Anaisha was much relaxed now that she was in her element. Music, dim lights, and alcohol. Few drinks down and her nerves calmed down. She tossed behind her sleek straight hair and asked the bartender for more. Today's event kept reeling before her eyes. Apart from Zahir, of course. Those aunties who had come to see her were strange and more so was their scrutinizing gaze scanning her for any mistake, so they can ridicule or gossip about her. Her skin tone was their permanent gossip. Sadly, love marriages are always judged harshly, even if it's in the same community.

What irritated, Anaisha Singhaniya, the most was Rumaiza aka Rumi, she was a young, delicate, and self-confident woman. She was married early in her early twenty and had birthed twin girls and a young boy within four years of her marriage. She was around the same age as Hasan. Only a year ago her husband had passed away and there were talks about her alliance with Hasan. Apparently, he liked this alliance and would have married her had he not married Anaisha.

Anaisha was miffed that he left out such a crucial detail. He should have said it before marrying her. She took a sip of some alcohol and sighed,

"It was just in talks. I had almost given my final nod, but it wasn't fixed. Her family was yet to agree."

"But why her? I mean, don't get me wrong, it is nice of you, but your family would want you to marry a virgin or someone like Zahir did."

"My mom was dead against this alliance, but like I said I was firm. I was a widower; then why should I have a problem with a widow or divorcee? If everyone wants "virgins" then what about these women? To be completely honest with you, I was a little selfish as I was wanting the reward from my Lord for the good deed of marrying a widow."

As Anaisha silently sat and gulped her drink, someone familiar stood next to her and called her name.

She turned and blinked a couple of times, then sighed, - "Yuvaan."

"What a pleas—" His gaze traveled to her sindoor and he looked puzzled, - "Who wears sindoor to a club."

Anaisha rolled her eyes, - "I do." She replied disinterestedly, twirling her glass. Yuvaan chuckled.

"Typical Anaisha Singhaniya response." He reached out to touch her, but she quickly withdrew her hand. Yuvaan nodded slightly and slid a little away but kept admiring her. Anaisha was truly different from any woman he had ever met. Maybe that is why, after their break-up, he couldn't fall in love again. Dressed in blood-red dress, she rocked her look. His gaze traveled over her long puffy sleeves and ended to the glass of alcohol that she held.

"What are you looking at?" She shrugged.

Yuvaan shook his head and then leaned against his arm on the table, - "Will you dance with me? For old time sakes." He extended his hand. Anaisha eyed him and his hand for a moment before nodding and giving her hand in his. Yuvaan was elated. Together they walked towards the dance floor. He looked around, few people glanced at them and stepped aside, assuming they were husband and wife.

This is what Anaisha likes about wearing sindoor to clubs, with no unnecessary attention and pestering men.
"Should I ask DJ for the song of your choice?" He tried to impress her.

"Nah! I am cool."

Some time passed as they danced, then Yuvaan spoke, - "Anaisha, I know you can't forgive me for what happened in the past. Our bitter breakup."- He hesitated, - "Can we put the past behind us? Can we be friends?"

Anaisha blinked at him, looking into his sincere eyes. She looked away momentarily and then nodded her head.

"Thanks." Yuvaan moved his arms to hug her but stopped mid-way. Anaisha was glad he did that. Instead, he extended his hand, and she shook hands with him. They exchanged smiles.

Hasan was waiting for Anaisha in his friend's car outside the club. He had slept off in the backseat and was awoken by a knock at the window. He assumed cops were here and jolted from his sleep. His head hit the top of the car and he winced.

"Hey, it is me." Anaisha stuck her face at the car window. Hasan flinched and took a moment to realize that she was his wife. He nodded rapidly and opened the back of the car to get down.

Yuvaan came there too and wasn't pleased to see Hasan. He was confused as Anaisha was handed something by him. She quickly wore it and he realized it was a burkha.

"Hey!" He rushed to them, - "Anaisha, you don't have to wear this."

And you don't interfere- Hasan thought grumpily.

"Relax! It is just for the night as I must sneak into my in-law's place. They can't see me like this, right." She assured him. Hasan was perplexed that she was talking sweetly with this man. He recollected how earlier she was rude to him. Yuvaan felt a pinch as he watched her wear a niqab covering her face as well. She waved a little at him as she sat in the passenger seat with her husband in the driver's side. 

Abhinav felt butterflies in his stomach and his heart pounding in his chest as he stood at the doorsteps of his Villa. He turned his head and passed a smile at Tahira. She smiled back. Anshuman clenched his hand tightly, urging them to move.

"Abhinav, I am nervous." Tahira cradled her baby bump. There was a small smile on her face.

"Don't worry." He held her hand firmly and together they took a step inside. Just as they walked into the hallway, Anshuman ran free from his father's grip and did a small twirl in the large hallway.

"Woah! I didn't know your house was so colossal." He exclaimed, laughing. Abhinav felt pride looking into the starry eyes of his son. He was about to reply when someone interrupted them.

"Who are these people?" a strong feminine voice startled Abhinav and Tahira.

He looked up and was shocked to find his mother standing at the stairway. She was in her usual heavy banarasi silk saree with a few gold bangles and earrings. Her hair was tied in a low bun with gajra around it.

"Maa, she is Tahira, and he is—my—our son Anshuman." Abhinav introduced them with slight hesitancy.

Babita darted the gaze to the young boy who had come to a standstill. She looked back at her son.

"Your mistress and her son will only be accepted by this family if she converts." She said straightforwardly.

Abhinav's jaw dropped, he instantly looked at Tahira. She had tears in her eyes. He felt a pang of guilt.

"She is not my mis—" He couldn't bring himself to say further. Babita scoffed,

- "Then, who is she?"

Abhinav was flabbergasted by the change in his mother's tone and demeanor, it was like she was bottling things up until Anahita Devi was out of the picture. He couldn't believe this was the same woman he had grown up with, the one who seemed like a mute woman.

Babita waited for an answer, then turned around and glided up the stairs. Tahira held his arm tightly and he looked at her. She sobbed, - "I won't convert, Abhinav. Please."

Abhinav moved her hand and held her shoulders, - "Please don't cry, Tahira. I promise you; you don't have to do anything that you don't want to. In fact, even Anshuman doesn't need to change himself. He can follow whichever he wants. Trust me." He wiped her tears and placed her head against his chest, - "I love you. You and Anshuman mean everything to me." He thought for a while and then got an idea. He suggested Tahira pretend to have converted and she can practice her religion in secret.

Abhinav drove his family to a nearby dabba. He wasn't very keen on feeding his kid with roadside food, but Anshuman began to throw a tantrum.

The strong smell of masala and meat hit them as they walked in. Abhinav quickly covered his nose with a handkerchief. Tahira noticed his discomfort and tried to coax Anshuman to drop the plan but the child was adamant.

"It is okay." Abhinav's voice was muffled. Tahira bit her lower lip, looking away. They sat on plastic chairs and a young boy, wearing a loose olive vest, a skull cap, and pajama walked to them. The youthful lad had a taweez around his neck.

"What can I get for you, sir?" He sounded exuberant.

"Butter chicken, Tandoori roti, Chicken fry full," Anshuman spoke, energized.

Abhinav glanced at Tahira, she looked back helplessly.

After taking down their order, the boy rushed to the counter. Abhinav then noticed another man, pick out two live chickens by their wings from the cage. They kicked and tried to flap their wings. The man carried on, unfazed as it was his daily work. He took them behind a stone counter. The birds' screeches were heard for a moment and then silent.

Abhinav felt bile rise up from his belly, the queasiness got better of him and he rushed without giving any excuse. Tahira called him but he ignored her as he ran inside his car.

Tahira managed to threaten her child of dire consequences if he doesn't follow her. Anshuman unhappily gave up, taking his mother's hand. She dragged him to their car.

"Why are you torturing yourself for us, Abhinav? I know you are a strict vegetarian and this is---"

"Tahira,"- he held her face, - "stop apologizing. You and Anshuman are my family, and I don't want you or him to give up on anything. So, please."

"But it makes you uncomfortable and—I promise, by the time we get married and all, I will train Anshuman the way you want him."

Abhinav shook his head and gently kissed her forehead, - "No need to change anyone, Tahira. My love for you and my family is incomparable." He looked back at his son and grinned at him,- "Son, I will take you to a fast-food restaurant. Eat whatever and how much ever you want."

The kid was overjoyed, he clapped happily. Tahira looked gratefully at her lover and smiled to herself.

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Please drop your thoughts in the comments and Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of Love* *Hugs and Kisses*