((((--2016--))))

*************
Samiha's POV
**************

The past week went by in a blur of shoppings and preparations. College was fine as always. I even had a chance to meet Aiman's mom. She gave me such a warm hug that it reminded me of my grandmother's hug. She always hugs me with a much similar warmth. Like the warmth of a mother. Like my mom Sajjal.

It was a wonderful experience meeting Aiman's mom. It almost felt as if I had known her since forever.

There was something about her eyes, they looked familiar. Too Familiar.
                       ******
Now here I was in front of our family mansion in Azad Pur, laden with bags and feeling ecstatic...
"Now now don't crush your poor man with these hugs Samiha. I know you love me so much but I want to live more!!" my dad said after I hugged him at first glance.
I detached myself from my dad laughing. What can I do I'm so much happy.

"Go & see Ghazala she has been waiting for you" I hurriedly went to my best friend plus cousin's room but stopped at the entrance and posed a serious and hurt expression. You see, I was still upset with her for not telling me first hand , about her marriage.

"Traitors!! Where are the traitors??? I suggest..." I stopped my rant after seeing Ghazala's face which was suspiciously looking like tear streaked. She had a solemn expression on her face and was gazing out of the window and didn't even notice my dramatic entry.

"GHAZALA!!" She jumped up at my yell and hurriedly cleaned her face with her hands "What?? Oh Samiha it's you.. when did you arrive?? She said crushing me in a hug.

"I just arrived here a moment ago and came straight here but Ghazo everything alright?? What happened sweetie??" I asked worriedly.

"Nothing at all Samiha. Why would you think something would have happened?? Come I'll show you my nikkah dress" she said.
"oh yesss.. show me! Infact show me each and everything" I exclaimed going out of the room with her.
                        ***
It was night now and I was lying in my bedroom , gazing at the ceiling. Tear stained face of Ghazala was constantly in my mind. That time I shrugged it off thinking she's marrying that's why she must be emotional. But now come to think of it, she didn't have that cheery attitude even towards the celebrations. Something else was going on. Now I was sure of it.

Thinking of going to rooftop since I was sure I wouldn't be able to sleep anytime soon, I pulled over a loose cardigan and secured a scarf around my head.

When I came out of my room I heard voices coming from the other room...
"Shahbaz you can't be serious!! Are you telling me that the past is repeating itself and that you are marrying your daughter knowing full well the original story?? How can you do this to her?? I have observed it in my own life, what such events can do to a person!! Youcan't be this selfish!!" It was my dad's voice. Yeah they were coming from uncle Shahbaz's room and apparently they were arguing. I haven't heard this much anger in my dad's voice ever.

"I don't wanna argue bhai." "Okay I'm leaving!! Do whatever you want!!" I hastily hid in the shadows as dad came out of uncle's room fuming.

With my mind buzzing with all these I went to my room again and in between tossing and turning I finally slept at some point.

Next morning I woke up with a headache but since today was Ghazala's Mehndi I decided it was best if I forget what I had heard yesteday and try my level best to cheer ghazala up and leave everything else on Allah as He knows what's best for us. With this determination I spent the rest of the wedding days and thanks to Allah it all went well.

After attending the wedding we went back to Lahore.

Did I mention that I was the only girl in my village AND among all my previous ancestors,  THE FIRST WOMAN EVER to get proper education???? This was my dad's idea. His dream. Even my mom, Sajjal is not properly educated. All my cousins including Ghazala, they barely studied at all.

After coming to Lahore, i joined The University's Sports Gala. I took part in Horse Racing event.
Yup you read it right. Me..a village girl ,above all, riding a horse. Since childhood ,My Dad has given me to freedom to choose whatever sports I wanna play.

So on Saturday I was invited over to Aiman's house. Her mom made THE MOST YUMMY BIRYANI I had ever eaten in my life. I loved it. Her mom was so awesome. She showered me with love as if I was her own child.

*************
Aiman's POV
*************

Rise and Shine.

Another day for me. Alhamdulillah

I woke up and straight away took a morning shower.

Today was the last day of the week and I was eagerly awaiting the weekend. Cause this week Dad will be coming over.

                     **
Mom was busy making breakfast. I went ahead and said my Salaam.

"Walaikum Salaam. You seem happy and lively today?" Mom said while she looked at me with a smile.

"Oh yeah Finally the end of the week! mom" I replied back with a smile.

After lunch was ready and served on the dining table mom and I started talking about random stuff.

After a while mom said "Aiman so tell me more about your friend Samiha"

"Oh her! ....well she's a nice person. I don't know much about her though." I told her.

"Friendship is indeed a treasure." Mom said but after that apparently started day dreaming.

I shook her to bring her back into reality.

"Mom..what's up?" I asked.

"Oh nothing.. nothing much." she replied.

"Aiman today I will pick you up after your class. I will come straight after finishing my lecture." mom told me.

"Oh ok" I said.

After finishing breakfast. I went straight to my class.

The day at college was normal through out.

In the canteen I met Samiha again. She told me she would be heading over to her village Azad Pur cause her cousin's wedding is in the weekend.

After college was over. I saw mom waiting for me.

"How was your class Aiman?" she asked me.

"Anything new?" she asked.

"Just the Same old..Same old." I said with a tired look on my face.

Samiha's class had also finished and I could see her coming out too.

"Moommm that's Samiha over there." I told mom while pointing over her shoulder towards Samiha.

At that mom turned back and gazed upon Samiha and she kept looking.

"Hey mom??" I got a hold of her hand.

"Yes Aiman?" she asked while still looking at Samiha. I was sensing that I should introduce both of them to each other.

"Wait I will right back" I said while handing her my bag pack.

"Aiman wait...there is no need...." my mom tried to stop me but I went straight across the ground to Samiha and told her that my mom wants to see you. She seemed happy too. I brought back Samiha to mom.

While coming back I could see that now mom was sitting on a bench.

"Asalam Alaikum Aunty" Samiha said as we approached my mom. She had gotten up from the bench now.

"Walaikum Salaam" my mom replied and hugged Samiha. Then a weird thing happened I was a few tears come out of my mom's eye as she hugged her but she wiped them off.

"How are you?" my mom asked Samiha.

"Fine Alhamdulillah" she replied with a smile.

"Samiha why don't you come over to our house over the weekend? We live in an apartment inside the Campus." my mom asked her.

"Oh aunty I have----" Samiha was about to say something but I interrupted her.

"Mom her cousin's wedding is this weekend." I told my mom.

"Ohhh" my mom's happy reaction now changed.

"So how many people in your family?" my mom asked her.

"Just me, my mom and my brother Akbar. Dad lives in our village." Samiha explained.

"Oh Nice.. a nice and happy family" my mom said still looking at Samiha.

Samiha looked back and saw that her car had arrived.

"Opps unfortunately my vehicle is here." Samiha said.

"oh yes you should head home, you must be tired now." my mom told her.

After that we said our byes to Samiha and she went her way.

The Weekend ended very quickly as I was stuck with books even on Sunday. Although I love books. Books are my life. Libraries are heaven for me.

Monday and Tuesday. Our University held a Sports Gala.
I participated in a few sports but didn't win any. Unlike my mom I suck at sports while she was a high school champion.

As mom had told me I invited Samiha for lunch at the end of the week and she agreed.

Mom made a special lunch for Samiha on Saturday. We all had lots of fun and lots of smiles. Mom made Biryani and lots of other yummy stuff.

In the evening Samiha's brother came over to pick her up.

Mom was particularly happy to meet Samiha and cook for her.

I don't why but I thought that mom was extra happy.

After Samiha left I sat next to mom in the loving room.

"Mom I had fun today!" I told her.

"Yeah me too my child" my mom replied abs hugged me. We both were sitting on the sofa.

"Mom where is Azad Pur?" I asked my mom.

"What? ....whhh...why would....who told you that?"" now my mom was stunned.

"Azad Pur..Samiha's village is Azad Pur" I explained.

"What's her family name?" my mom asked me.

"Ohh I don't know... I can't seem recall it" I said while thinking.

"oh alright" now my mom seemed relieved for unknown reasons.

After that we just watched TV and had a normal evening as usual.

*****************
Mom's POV(Fiza)
*****************

I met Aiman's friend after picking up Aiman from her class. Her name reminded me of my own Samiha. My baby girl must be as good looking as Aiman's friend. In fact I saw my own Samiha in this girl's eyes.

When Aiman's friend approached me I hugged her tightly as If she was my own child. I couldn't control my emotions.

Somewhere out there was my innocent Samiha.

"Ya Allah Oh Merciful!! Don't let me die without seeing my Simmi ONE MORE TIME" I thought while looking towards the sky.

After that me and Aiman went back to our apartment and I made her a good lunch.

After a week We held Samiha's lunch at our place. I knew she was not my Samiha but still I saw her as my own daughter.

I cooked as good as i could and with lots of love.

After Samiha left Aiman told me This Samiha is also from Azad Pur. Now I was suspicious but still I knew that Shahzad was against Education of Women thus this MUST AGAIN be a coincidence that this Samiha is also from Azad Pur.

"Could she be my Simmi????????" I thought to myself.

"I have to take this chance and investigate further" I thought.

I am sooooo sorry for this late update. We were editing the old chapters and finalizing the full future plot.

Thanks for reading our chapter
We would LOVE your comments and votes ....

I would like to thank my co-writers:-
AimanShoaib
samichauhan

And my favorite readers
rehma5
gemini22t

I hope you guys will stay with us till the end.

Thanks in advance everyone