Rumaan’s POV

"How could you do this!?" Munaf yelled angrily, and I lowered my head in shame.

I had come to his restaurant office because I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and seeing my distressed face, Munaf forced me to speak. I blurted out everything.

"I don’t know, yaar, what happened to me at that time! I was terrified after hearing about her pregnancy. I thought my dream would be ruined. But now... I think I messed up big time!" I yelled in frustration.

"Why are you regretting it now? It’s already done, dude!" he taunted. I held my head in my hands.

"I don’t think Hana will ever forgive you for this," after a few minutes of silence, Munaf muttered, and my head snapped toward him.

"She will forgive me," I said, trying to assure myself.

"I don’t think so."

"Why are you saying that? I know my Hana! She will forgive me! She loves me too much," I said confidently.

"Do you even realize what you did?" he yelled, making me look up at him.

"You tainted her character, dude! You disgraced her. You said she didn’t defend herself, and instead she claimed that child as only hers... That means you broke her. And she doesn’t want you in her life anymore!" he said, and I felt my heart clench painfully at his words.

"Don’t say that, Munaf, please!" I begged, rubbing my face in despair.

"You should be happy, Rumaan! Isn’t this what you wanted... to get rid of her? I think now you got what you always wanted, because she’s not going to bother you anymore. Go and enjoy your dreams."

"I can’t live without her," the words slipped from my mouth.

"Why?"

"Because I..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"Because you love her," he announced, and my head shot toward him.

"W... what?... N... no! Love doesn’t exist," I said, looking away.

"You believe Hana loves you truly... but when it comes to you, suddenly love doesn’t exist? Great!" he mocked. I stood up and turned my back toward him.

"I... I don’t know what you’re talking about," I muttered.

"Tell me—if you had to choose only one thing, Hana or your dream, whom would you choose?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Obviously my Hanu," I replied without a second thought, and then turned to look at him. I was amazed by my own words. Munaf stared at me wide-eyed, a smile tugging at his lips.

"See?" he said, smiling as he walked toward me.

"You’re ready to sacrifice your dream for her! The dream you once loved so much, but now, in front of Hana, that dream doesn’t matter. What does that mean?" he asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"What does that mean?" I whispered.

"It means you’re in love, idiot! You’re crazy and madly in love with Hana," he announced, and a small smile touched my lips as realization hit me.

Why I found peace only around her. Why every time she called me Maan, a smile appeared on my lips. Why I couldn’t stand to see her with anyone else. Why I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

"Because I love her," I mumbled with a smile.

"I love her, Munaf," I exclaimed in happiness, feeling my eyes turn wet.

"I love my Hana... I love my jaan-e-maan (beloved of my soul)!" I shouted, feeling lighter than ever.

"Yes! You’re in love! Now go and tell her before it’s too late," he said, and I nodded, smiling.

"I will tell her how much I love her! I can’t imagine my life without her! My dream, my future—everything is Hana now. I will ask her forgiveness, and I’ll tell Mama and Baba that they should do Hana and my ruksati (sending-off ceremony) as soon as possible," I said excitedly, rushing out toward my car.

"I’m coming, Hanu! I’m coming to confess my love!"

I muttered those words as I ran. I couldn’t wait to reach home, where my wife was waiting for me. I knew she must be hurt and angry, but I also knew she would forgive me once I confessed my feelings. She had been yearning to hear that I love her, and now it was finally time.

Meri jaan (my life), I’m coming! Your wait is over! Now your Maan is only yours—for the rest of life!

I sped up my car, my chest filled with anticipation. I just couldn’t wait to see her, to hug her, to tell her how much I loved her. I wondered how Hana waited eight years, knowing she loved me. And here I was, unable to wait even eight minutes to reach her. I chuckled at the thought.

Those feelings were so beautiful, so peaceful, and now I finally knew why I had been so uneasy all these days without Hana. Last night, when I had her again, my heart found peace—because I loved her. My heart had recognized it long before my mind did.

"This is not my child!"

Those words echoed in my head, tensing me up. And then...

"...She slept with someone else!"

"...That bastard’s name is Muneeb! She slept with Muneeb..."

"...For this whore..."

Riya Aapi’s voice echoed in my mind, along with the memory of her slapping my innocent Hana. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, imagining what Hana must have felt being accused like that. I swore I would make Aapi apologize to her.

"I will fix everything, Hanu. Just hold on, jaan (beloved). I’m coming," I muttered, increasing the car’s speed.

I reached home in fifteen minutes, parked my car, and rushed inside.

But as soon as I stepped in, I was greeted by dreadful silence and darkness. I had never seen my home this dark and quiet. Switching on the lights, I looked around nervously.

"Turn off these lights," I heard a loud voice from behind the sofa.

I walked over and saw Riya Aapi seated, resting her head back on the sofa with her eyes closed. Mama lay on the sofa with her head in Aapi’s lap, her face covered by her arms.

"Mama," I called softly. She suddenly uncovered her face and looked at me. Aapi also looked at me, anger in her eyes. Their faces were wet and red from crying.

"Tell him, Riya, to go away!" Mama said, covering her face again.

"Mama... I..."

"I said just go away, Rumaan!" Mama suddenly yelled, her voice cutting me like a knife. I flinched. I had never seen her this angry.

"Mama..."

"I don’t want to see your face!" she spat before storming away without giving me a chance to say anything.

I turned to Riya Aapi. "Riya Aapi..."

"I thought I knew you! I thought my brother wasn’t this low! I thought Hana was the one who didn’t want this marriage because she refused the ruksati that day... but no! You made her the villain. You made her friendship with Muneeb look suspicious. How could I ever think like that? Hana—who waited for you since she was 13—how could she ever choose someone else over YOU!?" she yelled, her voice trembling with pain.

"Aapi, I know what I did was wrong," I rubbed my face, "but don’t worry. I will make everything right. I will talk to Hana, I will apologize to her, I—"

"Do you really think she will give you a chance to apologize?" Aapi mocked, cutting me off.

"Of course! In fact, she will forgive me instantly. She loves me, Aapi. She can’t stay angry with me for long. My Hana’s heart is so soft," I said confidently, smiling.

"That soft heart—you broke it, Rumaan," Aapi whispered. Tears slipped from her eyes, making me uneasy.

"I will fix her. I’ll apologize to her... and now I’m ready for the ruksati," I insisted. But Aapi only shook her head.

"It’s too late," she whispered.

"Nothing is too late, Aapi. I’ll call her here—she’ll forgive me in front of you."

"Hana!" I called, but there was no response.

"Hana!" I tried again.

"Hana!" louder this time, but still no response.

"Oh, she’s angry, isn’t she? She’s showing me her tantrums... I’ll bring her here," I smiled, turning toward the stairs.

"She’s gone!" came a voice from behind me, halting me in my tracks.

I turned, staring at Aapi, who shook her head, mumbling, She’s gone. My heart dropped to my stomach. Dread consumed me.

"Wha... what... do you mean?" I stammered.

"Hana’s gone," Aapi said, and I felt like all the air had been knocked out of me.

"What are you saying? Where is Hana gone?" I demanded, panic rising.

But Aapi covered her face, and my fear intensified.

"Hana!" I screamed, running toward her room, calling her name.

I entered, switching on the light, only to find it empty.

"Hana... jaan (beloved), I know you’re angry... I know I was wrong. But look, I’m sorry, I wi—" my breath hitched as my eyes landed on the bedside table.

There lay Hana’s locket—the one I had given her on our wedding night.

"This locket will be with me until my last heartbeat," I remembered her words as I picked it up. Then I saw the letter placed beside it. With trembling hands, I unfolded it.

---

Dear Rumaan,

First of all, thank you so much for everything.

I will never regret the time I spent with you because I loved you so much. You never forced me—in fact, you told me from the beginning that you didn’t want this relationship. But still, I clung to you like some cheap girl.

I always tried to make you mine, but now I realize you were never mine, you aren’t mine, and you will never be mine.

Sorry for giving you such a hard time. But don’t worry—you’re free now. I will never bother you again. You can do whatever you want; no one will be here to stop you.

You were right, Rumaan—this is your house. I was stupid to think it was mine too.

I’m leaving, Rumaan. Leaving YOUR house. Leaving your life for good.

I’m leaving behind this locket, which was the reason I could never move on. Do you know, the moment I took it off, I felt a burden lift from me. Now I realize this locket was never love—it was just a burden.

Anyway... can you please do me one last favor? Please, never show me your face again.

Hana Rafeeq Mirza

---

I read her letter through tear-filled eyes. My whole world crashed down, as though someone had stabbed me repeatedly in the heart. A sharp, unbearable pain spread in my chest.

I rubbed at it desperately, trying to ease it, but the pain grew tenfold. Breathing itself became a struggle. My lungs refused to take in air.

And then... my knees gave way. I collapsed onto the floor, clutching the locket and her letter to my chest.

That’s when I realized—she was my heartbeat, my breath, my strength. She was my whole world.

And when reality hit me—that she had left me—I felt my soul had gone with her.

A scream ripped through my throat.

"Hanaaa!" I screamed.

"Hanaaa!" again, louder, broken.

"Hanaaa! Hanu, please come back! I’m sorry! I’m sorry, jaan! Please come back! I can’t live without you! Please come back, jaan!" I cried, clutching her locket and letter to my chest.

I called her again and again, but she never came. My soul was shattered, my heart torn apart. I cried, and cried, until there were no more tears left in me.

*********

Hana's POV

Pain.

Hurt.

Agony.

I felt nothing. I felt as if I had nothing left to feel—no heart, no soul, nothing.

I was staring out of the window. The sky was dark, raindrops were falling to the earth. The clouds looked heavy, and the thunder rolling across the sky sounded like painful screams. The raindrops felt like tears. I wondered what happened to the sky, that it seemed to be crying and screaming like this. Shouldn’t I be the one screaming, the one crying? After all, my life was shattered. I was ruined. Then why did the sky look broken instead of me?

I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly a song began to play in the car.

Ab ke gaye ghar se jo tere

Phir na laut aungi

Tu bhi mujhe bhool jana

Main bhi bhool jaungi (×2)

As I am leaving your house now,

I shall never return.

Please forget me,

For I will also forget you (×2).

Chalte chalte karti hoon, salaam aakhri

Rab se ab toh maangun bas dua yahi

While walking away, I bid you my final goodbye.

Now I only pray to God—

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Phir na mile kabhi.

May we never meet again,

May we never meet again,

May we never meet again,

May we never.

Ehsaas na hua

Ke juda hone lage

Dekho haste haste

Hum rone lage.

We didn’t realise we were drifting apart.

And see, it has brought us to tears,

When once we used to smile together.

Kyun be-wajah maine is ishq ko chuna

Pagalpan tha mera

Woh jo kuch bhi hua.

Why did I choose this love without reason?

It was my madness—

Whatever happened, was because of me.

Tere gali mein mujhko jaana nahin

Tu yaad mujhko ab kyun na raha.

I no longer wish to walk the streets that lead to your home.

And may you never come to my memory again.

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Hum phir na mile kabhi

Hum phir na mile.

May we never meet again,

May we never meet again,

May we never meet again,

May we never.

---

The song ended, but I was still drowned in my thoughts when I heard a voice.

“Beti, hum pahunch gaye.” (We’ve arrived, child.)

I looked to my right and saw the old driver standing there, holding the car door open, concern etched on his face.

“Hmm,” I hummed, stepping out of the car. Raindrops fell on me, soaking me within seconds. I started walking toward the house ahead but stopped when the old man called out again.

“Bacche, aapka samaan.” (Child, your luggage.)

He handed me my suitcase.

“Thank you, Chacha,” I said softly, and began walking again. But then I stopped, realising I hadn’t paid him. I turned and saw him heading back to his car. Quickly, I walked toward him.

“Chacha,” I called, and he turned back.

“Why didn’t you tell me that I hadn’t paid you?” I asked, handing him the money. He accepted it with a gentle nod.

“Because, beta (child), you looked upset. You didn’t say a single word in the two-hour journey… and I saw my own daughter in you. I just couldn’t bring myself to ask for payment.”

A small smile tugged at my lips.

“May Allah bless you,” he said, placing his hand on my head before stepping into his car and driving away.

“Allah has already blessed me,” I whispered, placing a hand on my stomach with a faint smile.

********

Author’s POV

“Take her, I’ll open the door,” Marziya said, handing baby Reem to Nabeel and walking toward the entrance, while Nabeel distracted himself by playing with his daughter.

“Who could it be at this hour?” she muttered, glancing at the clock. It was 11 at night. As she opened the door, she froze.

There stood Hana—soaked to the bone, clutching a suitcase.

The moment Hana’s eyes landed on her Aapi—her elder sister, who was more like a mother—every emotion she had been holding back burst to the surface.

“Aapi…” Hana’s voice broke painfully, and the very next second she collapsed to the ground, because she knew—her Aapi would take care of her now.

“Hana!” Marziya ran forward, pulling her into her arms.

“Hana! Baby, what happened? You came here alone?” Marziya asked in shock. The thought terrified her. Hana never went anywhere alone, and now she had come from the Mirza house to hers, completely by herself.

“Aapi, you were right,” Hana whispered, her tear-filled eyes locking with Marziya’s.

“Wha… what happened?” Marziya asked fearfully, cupping her sister’s face. A motherly dread rose inside her—because she knew she wouldn’t like the answer.

“Aapi, he broke me…” Hana’s lips trembled like a little child complaining that someone had broken her doll.

“Hanu…” Marziya whispered, tears filling her own eyes. She knew Hana was talking about Rumaan.

“Aapi… he broke me,” Hana repeated, tears streaming down her face.

“Aapi, he broke me! He broke your Hanu, Aapi! He broke me!” Hana screamed, her cries ripping through the silence. Marziya hugged her tighter, rocking her like a mother comforting her wounded child.

“Shhh… Hanu… beta, tell me, what happened? What did he do?” Marziya asked gently, caressing her back. But Hana only sobbed harder in her chest.

Marziya pulled her back slightly and cupped her face.

“Hanu, look at me… tell me, what did he do? Bacche (child), tell Aapi, what did he do?”

Hana continued crying uncontrollably.

“Bol beta.” (Tell me, child.)

“He… he… told eve… everyone th-that…” Hana broke down mid-sentence and hugged Marziya tightly again.

“That what, Hana? You’re scaring me, beta, tell me.” Marziya’s voice shook with panic. She knew her sister—Hana never blamed Rumaan. Even if Rumaan had killed her, she would never accuse him. Then what happened now, that Hana was saying these words?

“That… th-this baby is not his…” Hana whispered.

Marziya froze. Her hands trembled as she pulled Hana back, her face pale.

“Which baby?” she asked in confusion.

“M-my baby… I-I’m pr… pregnant,” Hana cried like a child, and Marziya’s eyes widened in horror. She felt her breath hitch as the truth struck her.

“Hanu…” was all she could say, her voice breaking.

“You were right, Aapi! He took everything from me! His intentions were never right! He ruined me, Aapi! He ruined your Hana—he broke your Hana, Aapi!” Hana screamed, clutching her head with both hands, pulling her hair in anguish.

Marziya hugged her tightly again, tears streaming from her eyes as she cried with her baby sister.

But it wasn’t just Marziya who felt Hana’s pain that night. There was someone else whose heart shattered seeing Hana like this. Someone who had loved her all his life. Someone who wanted nothing more than her happiness. Someone who would have given anything just to see her smile.

That person was… Muneeb.

He stood there silently, his soul breaking apart as he watched his princess fall to pieces.

That night, not only Hana broke, but two other souls broke with her—souls she would never know about.

Rumaan—shattered by the weight of his own sins, his love and regret eating him alive. No one knew and no one cared about Rumaan’s pain. And the girl who once couldn’t bear to see a trace of sadness in his eyes, was now the very one who would make his life a living hell—by being away from him.

_____________