Author's POV

Everyone was frozen in their place.

The girl who was crazily in love with her husband had asked for a divorce?

Saim stared at her in disbelief. He thought she would never dare say anything like this.

And Aina—she knew he would stop the marriage but would never divorce her. Her inner voice screamed this, and she played her final bet. Now it was a do-or-die situation. She could never imagine being separated from him, but she also couldn’t share him.

She walked closer and grabbed his collar in her fist. “Aap mere hain ya nahi. Beech ka koi rasta mujhe nahi chahiye.” (You are mine or not. I don’t want any middle ground.) She stared deep into his eyes.

Reema frowned, seeing the disbelief on his face. It was clear from his eyes—he hadn’t even thought about divorce until now.

“Divorce deni hogi aapko mujhe isse shaadi karne se pehle.” (You will have to divorce me before marrying her.) She shoved him away. The look in her eyes bewildered him. There was confidence and determination in them, something that didn’t sit well with him. And then—a slow, knowing smile crept across her lips, one that did not go unnoticed by him. She turned around to walk into her room, satisfied with her threat.

His male ego burned at the sight of her prideful eyes. He wanted to hurt her, not realizing he was also destroying himself in the process.

“Thik hai. Tumhari khwaish abhi poori karta hoon.” (Fine. I will fulfill your wish right now.)

Her steps halted. She turned back slowly in shock. He walked closer.

“Koi zulm nahi karunga tumpe. Talaq kis tarah chahiye tumhe, batao. Teen talaq ya papers par?” (I won’t do any cruelty to you. Tell me—how do you want the divorce? Three verbal talaqs or on paper?) he asked cruelly.

Now Aina stared at him in disbelief. Saim smirked, satisfied with her reaction.

Just as Aina had played her card, believing he would never divorce her, Saim challenged her back with the same belief—that she would never accept a divorce.

“Yo… you will… divorce me… to marry her?” she asked in disbelief, her eyes wide.

“Yes. Because she is not a liar or a scammer like you.” He spat.

Aina stood silently, not knowing what to do. She looked around again, hoping someone—anyone—would stand up for her. But no one was hers. Everyone stood firmly on Saim’s side.

“Come on, answer my question,” he urged, but she just stood frozen, staring into his eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but her father’s voice cut her.

“No, Saim. Don’t divorce her.”

Aina snapped her head towards her father, a faint smile forming on her lips—only to vanish as she heard his next words.

“If you divorce her, then I will throw her out of this house. I will never accept a divorced daughter.” He looked at Aina coldly. “If you want divorce, then leave from here. This is only your husband’s house. We rukhsat-ed (gave away in marriage) our daughter with Saim forever. Now only his wife has the right to stay here.”

He announced his decision, shattering his daughter’s heart.

Aina listened silently before walking away. She was gasping for air as she moved. Her heart pounded, her breathing became difficult, and she clutched her chest in pain. Saim’s harsh behavior had wounded her deeply, but her father’s words had killed her.

They saw drops of blood falling onto the floor as she walked towards the stairs.

-------------------------

Saim knocked on the door of his mother’s room. He knew Reema was alone inside. She opened it, her face lighting up when she saw him.

“Saim,” she smiled widely.

“I want to say something before the nikah,” he said, still standing at the door.

“Okay, come inside.” She stepped back, giving him space.

He entered and stood silently for a few seconds.

“Reema… do you really want to marry me?” he asked, needing confirmation.

“Yes. I always wanted to marry you. If Aina hadn’t come between us, we would already be living a happy married life,” she said sadly. “But no problem—maybe it was meant to be like this. Anyway, I’m happy that we’ll get our love back.” She smiled brightly.

Saim stared at her for a moment before shaking his head.

“I don’t know what my life will be with you, but I know one thing—I will never divorce Aina.”

Reema felt as if the ceiling had crashed down on her head.

What the hell was he saying?

“Are you saying this because of your uncle’s decision? Don’t worry, Shamim aunty will handle everything,” she tried to reassure him.

“No. I’m saying this because I don’t want to divorce her. And if you can’t accept this, then this marriage will be cancelled.” He announced firmly.

Reema instantly shook her head.

“But… you were going to divorce her a few hours ago?” she asked, confused and frustrated.

“That was only to make Aina understand she cannot threaten me with anything.”

“But Saim—”

“If you have a problem, I’ll speak to Mama. I don’t know why, but… I… I can’t... leave her.” His helpless confession left Reema shocked. “I’ll stop all of this if you’re not ready…”

No! She couldn’t let this chance slip. Maybe in the future, she could find a way to make him divorce Aina. But if this marriage didn’t happen today, he would never marry her.

Reema thought quickly and suddenly said, “Okay. I don’t have a problem with it. Anyway, she’ll only remain your namesake wife…”

“I will not give you the right to interfere in my married life with Aina. Whatever happens between us is none of your concern. She is my first wife, and she will always remain that.” His cold words pierced her. Somewhere deep down, he wished Reema would refuse the nikah, but she didn’t care about anything—she only wanted to marry him at any cost.

“Fine. Whatever you say,” she agreed, making him sigh in defeat before walking out of the room.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

It was evening. Guests had started arriving.

Everyone had questions about Saim’s second marriage. They had just attended Saim and Aina’s reception a few months ago—so how could he marry again? Their questions buzzed around the room, unanswered.

Reema was ready in her bridal red lehenga. Finally, she was going to have Saim. She was on cloud nine. The thought of Saim becoming hers within the hour made her want to dance. She knew the shadow of Aina’s name still hung over her like a knife, but she was certain Saim would never accept Aina again. In a few months, maybe years, she would convince him to divorce her. Reema was his choice—and sooner or later, he would accept her wholeheartedly, leaving no place for anyone else.

She smiled proudly at her reflection, lost in her confident thoughts.

Saim, on the other hand, was restless. He sat in the guest room, while Reema was kept in his parents’ room—his mother had forbidden him from facing Aina before the nikah after hearing about the ruined sherwani. She had bought another one for him.

But guilt churned inside him. Once, he couldn’t bear to see Aina’s tears. And now, he was preparing to give her tears for life.

“Saim beta, are you ready?” Shamim entered the room and saw him still in his morning clothes. “Saim, what happened? Why haven’t you changed?” she asked, sitting beside him.

“Mama…” he looked at her like a child seeking guidance. “Am I doing the right thing?”

“Yes, meri jaan (my darling). You deserve this happiness.” She cupped his face. “Reema is a very good girl, and she’s the woman you love—”

“I don’t love her,” he interrupted firmly. Shamim frowned, but quickly composed herself and nodded.

“Okay, but she’s still your first choice. You liked her. You were so happy to marry her before. You both would have been happily married if Aina hadn’t come between you two,” she said with venom in her tone. “She proved you a rapist for two times. She made her parents and brother question my upbringing. I will never forgive her for what she did to my son. I can’t forget those two months when even I felt ashamed because of her lies. Everyone ignored you—all because of that cunning girl.”

Her words erased even the faintest doubt from Saim’s heart.

Yes, she deserved this. He thought darkly.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Stop these useless tears. And don’t create any drama in front of guests. We must look like a happy family. I don’t want anyone pitying us or laughing at us. We will say, as Bhai suggested, that Saim loved Reema and married Aina only for the family’s happiness—and that Aina has no problem with his second marriage.” Razzaq said coldly.

“She is our daughter, Razzaq!” Zubaida cried, covering her face. “I can’t see my daughter like this.”

“Then you should have given her a proper upbringing. You are her mother. You should have stopped her from all this,” he snapped without remorse.

Aina had broken his trust and humiliated him in front of his elder brother’s family. He could never look into their eyes again—all because of her.

“Baba, Mama! Taya Abu and Ammi are calling you,” Affan said as he entered the room. His father walked out, while Affan sat beside his mother.

“Please Mama, don’t cry for her. Whatever is happening is her own doing. She brought this upon herself.”

“Don’t say that, beta. She is your little sister. She is only 20 years old. How can you all forget this? She is immature, and she needs our guidance,” her mother pleaded, holding his hand.

“I don’t want to talk about her. There’s nothing we can do now.” He stood up. “Get ready, or Baba will get angry.” He walked out of the room.

“Ya Allah, please forgive my child and give her the strength to endure all this,” Zubaida prayed, raising her trembling hands.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Saim walked out of the room with his mother. His eyes lifted toward Aina’s room upstairs.

“Come, beta,” his father patted his back and took him out. everyone greeted him with smiles. Saim sat on the stage, but he couldn’t sit still. His fingers fidgeted, sweat formed on his forehead, and he felt suffocated. He got off the stage and walked down.

“What happened, Bhai?” Zaid asked, approaching him.

“Just feeling hot,” Saim muttered, opening the first button on his sherwani.

“It’s guilt, Bhai. Your conscience is telling you that what you’re doing is wrong. You will regret it.”

“You’re cursing me on my wedding day?” Saim asked in disbelief.

“No, Bhai. I’m warning you.”

“You know what Aina did to me,” Saim snapped.

“I know. But I also know she’s not a bad girl. I grew up with her. She can be stubborn, but she can’t be harmful,” Zaid said firmly.

“Uh… I was the one she targeted. She destroyed my reputation in the office. You can’t understand—you only know how to point fingers,” Saim retorted angrily.

Zaid shook his head and walked away. Saim was blinded by anger. Maybe when he came back to his senses, it would be too late.

Saim stood there, holding a cold drink, when he overheard women gossiping.

“Oh, you didn’t see her? She’s so beautiful. I always liked her for my son and wanted to send a proposal. But then I heard Saim married her,” one elder woman said sadly.

“How could they give their only daughter outside the family? And now he’s leaving her, marrying his lover instead,” the second woman added.

“I can’t understand what her fault was.”

“Maybe she cannot be a mother.”

“It could be. If that’s true, I’ll send my divorced nephew Farhan’s proposal. He has two sons, so he doesn’t need more children.”

“What’s his age?”

“He’s in his early forties. A little older, yes, but he doesn’t look it. Aina will look good with him.”

“Yes, you should talk to her mother. The poor girl’s life will be saved. She must be heartbroken.”

They kept piling words upon words, and Saim felt an urge to slam the table and scream that she was still his wife, and he never planned to divorce her.

“Saim.” His father appeared. Saim looked up with bloodshot eyes. His father placed a hand on his shoulder—he too had heard the last part of the conversation.

“Everyone is pitying Aina. Our business associates are present here. And Aina’s absence makes it look like we are torturing her. I think we should bring her here,” he suggested.

Saim just nodded. He knew they needed to show the world that Aina was not an open property for others to claim.

She is my wife.

His inner voice screamed.

“I’ll send Zubaida—” his father began, but Saim stopped him.

“No, Baba. She won’t come with anyone. I’ll bring her myself.”

“But son, the qazi will be here any moment. And look, Reema is also here,” his father pointed at Reema entering with his mother and Aina’s mother beside her.

“I’ll come,” Saim said firmly, walking past Reema and Shamim without sparing bride Reema a single glance.

Reema and Shamim exchanged a look, both noticing his urgency. Reema clutched her lehenga in anger—she knew exactly where he was going. He must have gone to Aina.

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

Aina was in the dark room. She was seated on the floor, leaning against the edge of the bed. Her arms were wrapped around her knees, and her face rested upon them. She was lost in the memories of their beautiful moments.

"You make me crazy, Ain."

"Alhamdulillah (All praise to Allah), I never thought I could be this happy and at peace with someone. You are my comfort zone, Ain."

"Mere dil ka rasta pait se nahi, kahin aur se guzarta hai.” (The way to my heart doesn’t go through my stomach, but somewhere else.)

"You…"

"Why are you blushing?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Arre! I meant your smile is enough to skip my heartbeat. You don’t need to cook… One second, what did you think I meant?" he said, pretending to be shocked.

Aina chuckled at the memory of his playful nature. Just then, the door opened. He stopped for a moment as the room was pitch dark.

"I don’t like darkness. I am scared of darkness."

He remembered her words and instantly switched on the light.

Aina looked up. He was standing there, as handsome as ever, her heartbeat skipping in response. The man still had the power to shake her heart. Seeing her condition, Saim inhaled sharply. Her eyes were swollen red, her nose turned crimson. He shouldn’t force her—but he wanted to silence everyone’s doubts.

“Utho. Get ready.”

Aina stared at him silently. He held her arm and pulled her toward the washroom.

He made her stand in front of the mirror.

“Wash your face,” he ordered. When she didn’t move, he held her head down and splashed water on her face. As if jolted from a trance, Aina clutched his shoulder in fear.

Saim stared at her face. Water droplets made her look alluring. Her red, swollen eyes and pink nose with trembling lips tempted him to touch her—but controlling himself, he pushed her into the shower.

“Wh… what are you doing?” she stuttered.

“I’m not here to romance you,” he taunted, making her bow her head. “Get ready. You’re coming downstairs with me.” His announcement shocked her.

“No… how… how can you ask me to go there?” she asked brokenly.

“If you don’t, then I’ll drag you there and finish everything we have between us in front of everyone. And don’t forget what your father will do afterwards. His reputation is in your hands.” He left her with no choice.

“I’m waiting outside. You have five minutes to shower.” Saying this, he walked out and went into the dressing room.

After looking around for a few minutes, he picked a heavy maroon Pakistani suit. Placing it on the chair, he returned to the bathroom door. “Aina, come out fast.”

She stepped out, freshly bathed. Her damp hair clung to her face, her red nose and swollen eyes still evident. Once again, Saim found himself lost in her. Shaking his head, he gripped her arms. “Go get dressed. I placed the suit on the chair.”

Aina slowly went inside and closed the door. This dress—she had bought it to wear on his birthday, which was soon approaching. But destiny had other plans.

She chuckled brokenly.

After dressing, she came out. Saim made her sit at the dressing table. “Wear this,” he said, placing a jewelry set before her.

Aina only stared at it. Her hands lacked the strength to move.

Saim picked up the necklace and clasped it around her neck. Then he fixed the earrings to her ears, slid bangles onto her wrists, and sprayed her with his favorite perfume. Aina sat silently, letting him do as he pleased. After today, she would lose him forever.

When he was done with the jewelry, he searched for kohl and carefully lined her eyes. Then, he took maroon lipstick and gently applied it to her lips. Their eyes locked. With kajal, lipstick, and her natural pink blush, she looked breathtaking.

Before he could cross a line, he pulled back. But Aina grabbed his collar and pulled him closer. She claimed his lips.

Saim froze, his heart stopping for a second, eyes widening in shock. He wanted to push her away—but the desire he had suppressed since the bathroom overwhelmed him. He knelt before her, holding her face, deepening the kiss. She slid down from the chair and sat before him. He poured all his passion into that kiss, and Aina reciprocated fully.

After a few seconds, breathless, they pulled away. Resting their foreheads together, they panted. He pulled her into his lap, burying his face in her neck and inhaling the scent of perfume. He kissed her neck, and Aina melted in his arms, as always.

Saim forgot about the wedding waiting for him outside. The only thing in his mind was Aina. He swept her hair aside, sliding her dress off her shoulder for better access. He was lost in her when she whispered—

“Don’t marry her. You are happy with me.”

Saim’s eyes flew open.

“I love you…”

He suddenly pushed her away and stood up.

“So, you’re trying to seduce me?” His voice dripped with venom.

“I am your wife.”

“Even if you weren’t my wife, you would’ve still done this—to stop my wedding,” he spat.

Aina’s shoulders slumped.

“Now you’re accusing me of being characterless?” she asked, brokenly.

“You have character? You just seduced me knowing today is my nikah.” He yanked her onto her feet.

“Don’t blame me. You couldn’t control yourself. Like you say—you can’t keep your hands to yourself.” She showed him the mirror of truth, which only enraged him.

“I already told you… I only have need or you can say lust for you. Your beauty makes any man bow. Other than beauty, you have nothing.” His words made her retreat from him.

“Aap… jae.” (Go… away.) she placed her hands on his chest to push him away brokenly. She lost this battle.

“I came to take you—and I will.” He grabbed a few tissues, wiped her and his lips harshly, and reapplied lipstick on her lips—this time with anger.

Holding her hand, he dragged her out. And toward the garden.

______________