Author's POV

"No yaar! Maham and Momin won't allow it," Dua said on the call.

"Please don't say no. It'll be our last party before you go back to India," Ruhan urged.

Dua wanted to go, but she knew Momin would never allow her to attend a late-night party.

"Momin..." Before she could say anything, Ruhan interrupted.

"Do you fear him so much that you can't do anything without his permission? He's just your father's employee's son, not your father himself, that you're so scared of him," he said, igniting anger within Dua.

"I'm not scared of him. I just don't want my parents to find out about me. And don't forget, Maham is here too."

"If you warn him, he won't say a word. And as for your sister, you can convince her. Just tell her it's your last party," he said. "Okay, I'll come to pick you up at night"

He ended the call before she could respond. Dua sat still, thinking about how she could possibly persuade Maham and Momin.

After much thought, she went to Maham and told her about the party. Maham just stared at her for a few seconds before nodding.

"Okay. It's your last party-you should go," Maham said casually. Dua become happy hearing her sister's approval but then thinking about Momin her excitement died down.

"No Maham, Momin won't allow it," she said nervously, biting her nails.

"Momin is not your husband that you need his permission," Maham's tone turned sharp, unintentionally. Dua snapped her head toward her. Maham quickly composed herself. "I mean, don't overthink it. I'm your sister-I'll handle everything," she said, placing a comforting hand on Dua's arm. "Don't spoil your last chance to enjoy yourself by overthinking."

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

Later, Momin came and joined them for lunch sharing small talk. He gave Dua a few meaningful, loving glances that made her blush. He wanted to talk to her, to explain his point of view, but Maham didn't let them be alone-she had so much to share with her sister.

Momin convinced himself that Dua wasn't wrong. Yesterday, her foot was injured-that's why Ruhan had carried her. And whatever she'd said was probably out of anger.

___________

That night, Momin was scrolling through his phone, waiting for Dua to come out of Maham's room so they could spend some time together. But when she stepped out, she was all dressed up in a black sleeveless, deep neck jumpsuit with her hair down.



Momin stood up and walked toward her.

"You wore this dress just for me, right?" he asked softly, eyes fixed on her. He didn't want to believe she would go out dressed like that in front of him.

"Momin..." Dua bit her cheek, his pleading eyes silently begging her to agree with him.

"She's going to the party. It's their last one," Maham interjected before Dua could respond. Momin's expression hardened.

"You're not going anywhere," he commanded.

"Momin, it's my last party! Tomorrow is my graduation, and after that, we'll leave. I'll be leaving my friends behind..."

"I said: You. Will. Not. Go." He emphasized each word sternly. Dua's face turned red with anger-especially with Maham standing there.

"Maham, can you please leave us alone?" Dua turned to her and asked softly. She nodded and left.

"I will go," Dua declared and turned to leave.

"Don't you dare, Dua! I won't let you leave in this outfit," he said, grabbing her elbows, stopping her from reaching the door. "If you want to go, then first you need to change and I will take you there.

"What's wrong with this dress? It's just sleeveless. It's not revealing at all," she said, trying to stay calm. She didn't want to argue. She'd chosen this outfit thinking it looked decent and wouldn't upset him.

"Still, it's not appropriate for a Muslim girl to wear. You've never stepped out without your dupatta (scarf), Dua. How can you be so comfortable in this when you know it doesn't conceal your figure?" he said softly, pain and sadness in his voice.

"Listen, Momin, it's normal here. Don't overthink it. I won't wear such clothes again."

"Honor remains the same-whether in India or here. Tum meri izzat ho (You are my honor)..."

"Momin yaar, please don't start again. I'm getting late," she said, yanking her elbow out of his grip.

"Dua..." he began, but she walked away.

"Dua!!" he called out, and just as she reached for the door, he said the words that froze her steps.

"If you step out of this house, then everything between us ends," he declared.

She turned around, shocked. Had Momin just threatened her?

"Are you threatening me?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes. If you leave, then forget about us," he said coldly, making her shiver. "I love you, but I will not allow you to play with my honor, my dignity, any longer."

With that, he turned and left. He was certain she wouldn't go now.

Dua sat on the sofa, devastated. She couldn't believe Momin had threatened her. She wanted to go, but something inside her stopped her. She held her head, trying to calm her anger and frustration.

Just then her phone rang. It was Ruhan. She answered.

"Dua, I'm outside. Come quickly," he said, and disconnected before she could reply.

She was about to call him back and say she wasn't coming when Maham entered.

"You didn't go?" Maham asked, surprised.

"No... Momin didn't want me to," she replied sadly.

"Oh ho, Dua! Go and enjoy your last party. Don't think too much. I'll talk to Momin."

"But he..."

"Leave him to me. Go. Don't worry about him. You know he can't stay angry with you for long," she assured her, making Dua stand up again.

"Are you sure?" She asked still unsure.

"Yes. Go. I'll handle everything," Maham smiled reassuringly.

Smiling, Dua hugged Maham and left.

Maham's right. He can't stay angry with me for long, Dua thought.

While Maham smirked, taking out her phone.

"She left. Take care from here," she texted.

::::::::::::::::::::::

Momin lay on the bed, relaxed. He knew she'd be upset, but he also believed he could make it up to her later. For now, he needed to be strict to save their relationship.

He was lost in thought when he heard a knock at the door. He sat up as Maham entered.

"Momin, you let Dua go? I thought you wouldn't allow her. I even tried to make her understand, but she left without listening..." She started saying with worried face.

"Dua left?" he asked, stunned.

"Yes, just now. One of her friends came and she left," Maham said, as if the ground had disappeared beneath his feet.

"No... she can't have left," Momin whispered, feeling like she had just walked out of his life.

Maham looked at him before speaking again. "Momin, don't take me wrong, but I think Dua has changed. She's not like before. She likes someone else. She told me that Ruhan is her best friend... and she likes him."

"No! She can't. She loves me!" Momin said it aloud for the first time in front of Maham. "Maham, I love her-and she loves me!"

A flicker of anger and pain crossed Maham's eyes, but she quickly masked it.

"No, Momin. She doesn't love you. If she says she does, she's lying. She's cheating on you..."

"Shut up, Maham! Don't you dare say a word against her," he shouted, stepping away from her.

"If she cared, she wouldn't have left like that after you told her not to," she yelled too, frustrated at his blind love. Couldn't he see what Dua was doing?

"She's just stubborn. You know her-she does the exact opposite of what we say. But I know her. This time, I'll make her understand," he said, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Still, his heart broke knowing Dua ignored his threat.

After a while, he looked up, and Maham felt her chest tighten seeing his bloodshot eyes.

"Ask Rabiya... the address... of that party," he said, barely able to get the words out. Hurt, anger, heartbreak-every emotion overtook him.

Eventually, Maham handed him the address, and he left, calling a cab from his phone.

Her heart pounded. The intensity of Momin's love for Dua was painfully visible in his eyes. He loved her-truly, deeply.

Maham, this isn't right... It's wrong, her heart screamed.

No, what's wrong about it? Dua isn't sincere with Momin. She doesn't value his love. If she did, she wouldn't have left for the party, her mind argued.

But Momin... he'll be shattered. He loves her too much, her heart pleaded.

You'll heal him. He'll come to you. You'll give him the love he truly deserves, her mind replied.

And what about Dua? You know she loves Momin. She's just lost in the world's glitter. In the end, she'll return to him, her heart tried to reason.

Then it's her fault-she lost herself in this world and forgot her deen (faith) for duniya (the world). She doesn't deserve Momin. She deserves to be out of his life, her mind concluded.

Maham let out a slow breath, finally feeling at ease with her mind's justifications.

.......................

Momin stepped out of the cab and entered the club. The moment he walked in, a wave of discomfort hit him. Everyone at the party was half-naked, clinging to members of the opposite gender as they danced and laughed without a care in the world. His heart began to beat faster.

Was Dua really among these people?

He looked around, searching anxiously. His eyes fell on Rabiya, who wore a short dress and danced freely with her friends. Momin closed his eyes in shame. Did Hammad even know what his sister was doing here?

Shaking his head, he looked around again. The thought that Dua had spent the last four years among people like this sent chills down his spine.

"Stop it, Ruhan!"

He heard her voice-her voice!-from behind him.

He turned around and there she was-Dua-laughing in Ruhan's arms. Ruhan was saying something to her with a charming smile, his hand placed at the small of her back. Her hands rested on his shoulders, like she was trying to maintain some distance between them, but it was clear she hadn't pulled away either.

Momin's first instinct was to tear her out of his arms, but something inside him stopped him. Let's see how low she can fall, a bitter voice in his head whispered.

He walked to the bar counter and sat down, eyes fixed on the woman who was his entire life.

She didn't push Ruhan away.

Even though there was some space between them, the look of comfort on her face made Momin's chest ache. They swayed with the rhythm of the music, exchanging quiet words, lost in each other's presence. Then Ruhan bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek. Dua jerked slightly, stepping back with a glare and a half-hearted shove. Ruhan simply grinned and said, "Can't help it. You're looking so pretty," making her laugh again.

That laughter crushed him.

He stood up and began to walk toward them. His eyes burned. His steps were slow, but his mind screamed with a storm of emotions. He came to a halt behind Ruhan.

Dua's eyes fell on him. Her face turned pale instantly. The color drained. She pushed Ruhan away.

He walked closer.

"So this is why you came to this party? To be in his arms?" Momin growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Dua rushed to him.

"Momin, let's go! I'll come with you," she said hurriedly, grabbing his hand. She could see he was fuming, and she didn't want a scandal during her final days here with her friends.

"Why are you going? Come here."

Ruhan pulled her back toward him.

Momin's jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists.

"And you," Ruhan said, glaring at Momin, "don't pretend like you're her boyfriend or husband. You're just her father's employee's son. Her driver. She told me how much you dominate her."

"Ruhan..." Dua stepped forward, trying to calm things down. But Ruhan grabbed her wrist, holding her back.

"Go ahead, leave. She won't come with you," he sneered. Then he leaned closer and whispered into Momin's ear, "Because she's going to sleep with me tonight." The loud music didn't allow anyone to hear this.

The next second, Momin's fist crashed into Ruhan's jaw, making him stumble backward.

Gasps echoed.

The music stopped.

"MOMIN!"

Dua screamed, rushing forward. But Momin punched Ruhan again.

"How DARE you?! She's my wife, you bloody bastard!"

He grabbed Ruhan by the collar, yelling into his face.

The crowd murmured, shocked.

"His wife?"

"She's married?"

"Then what was she doing with Ruhan?"

"I thought she was innocent..."

Even Rabiya looked stunned. Maham had never mentioned Dua was married to Momin.

"Momin, leave him!"

Dua pushed between them, trying to pull him away. She was trembling with rage and shame.

He turned to her, his eyes bloodshot.

"Do you know what he just said?!" he shouted.

"I just told him to leave her here for a few hours and I'd drop her home myself, but he-"

"You liar!"

Momin roared and lunged again, but Dua caught his arm and turned him toward her-and then slapped him across the face.

Silence.

"STOP this behaviour! Everyone was right-you're a caveman! You still live in the 18th century! We didn't do anything wrong for you to act like this!" she screamed, her voice breaking. Tears of humiliation streamed down her face as her friends' accusing eyes fell on her.

He made her a liar in front of everyone.

Momin stared at her, stunned.

"You slapped me? For him?" he asked, heartbroken.

"Yes! Because he's my friend! If you have something to say, say it to me! Don't drag him into it!"

A broken chuckle escaped his lips. He looked up-two tears slipped down his cheeks.

"Friend?" he whispered.

Then, louder:

"You sleep with friends too?"

"MOMIN!" Dua screamed in disbelief, her hand raised again but Momin held it. Her heart shattering seeing his

"Don't shout!" he yelled. Dua flinched. It was the first time they had ever fought like this.

He wanted to slap her, to scream, to tell her how much she had hurt him-but he couldn't raise his hand at the woman he loved with all his being.

To control himself, he turned and stormed out.

Dua stumbled backward, dazed, as Ruhan held her. She looked around, then walked slowly toward the door. Ruhan caught her hand.

"Please Dua, stay. You're not okay. You're worrying me," he whispered, gently wrapping his arms around her.

And Dua broke down.

He made her sit on a stool and handed her a drink.

"It'll ease the pain."

She looked at the glass. She knew what it was. But something in her told her to just numb everything.

She took it-and drank.

________________

Later that night

They sat in the car in silence. After a few drinks, Dua had asked him to take her home. Her head throbbed, and tears silently fell down her cheeks.

When they reached her apartment, Ruhan got out and opened her door. Dua stepped out staggering. He hugged her.

"Shh... don't stress too much."

Dua still cried silently. She felt ashamed in front of Ruhan-her true friend. Ruhan had never crossed a line.

She nodded, wiping her cheeks.

"Don't get me wrong, but Dua... he doesn't deserve you. You're too sweet, too beautiful for a man like him," he said gently, cupping her face. Dua stared at him.

"I won't ask for anything. Just remember-I'll always be here."

He leaned in.

And Dua stared at him but didn't move back taking that as an approval Ruhan closed the distance.. Dua couldn't help but closed her eyes.

She didn't know if it was the alcohol or her anger at Momin, but she allowed the moment to happen.

Ruhan kissed her.

And she didn't stop him. She didn't move back. She didn't pushed him. Breaking someone beyond repair.

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

Momin's POV

I sat outside our apartment, waiting for Dua. I needed to clear everything today.

After thinking it through, I'd made a decision-I would take her back. I loved her too much to lose her. She was right. She was just dancing. Ruhan had kissed her cheek. She'd glared and pushed him. She was right-I was acting like a caveman.

I should've trusted my Dua.

I cursed myself for walking away without her. She was ready to leave with me-but I left her behind.

It had been an hour.

Just as I was about to go get her, Ruhan's car pulled up. I sighed in relief.

Ruhan opened the door. Dua stepped out. He hugged her. Then... he cupped her face. I held myself back. Maybe he was just comforting her. Maybe it was innocent.

But then...

He kissed her.

And she... let him.

I stood there, frozen. Lifeless. As if someone had sucked the air from my lungs.

She kissed someone else.

My Dua.

The one I gave everything to. My heart. My trust. My love.

She broke me.

She shattered me.

I stumbled back, unable to look any longer. I turned around, breath shaky, and went inside the apartment.

"Momin?"

Maham saw me and rushed toward me. I looked at her once before collapsing to the floor, my legs giving out beneath me.

She knelt beside me, cupping my face. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

"What happened?" she asked, panicked.

"She broke me. She broke my trust. You were right, Maham. She cheated on me!"

Maham's eyes widened.

"What are you saying? Did you-did you see something-?"

"I saw her! " Pointing towards my eyes I said "With my own eyes. She kissed him. She chose him over me. She betrayed me!"

I cried, and Maham wrapped her arms around me, rubbing my b

ack as I sobbed.

"Momin ki Dua qubool ho kar bhi adhuri reh gayi... Woh meri ho kar bhi mujhse door ho gayi..."

(The believer's prayer was accepted, but still remained incomplete... She was mine, yet she drifted far away from me.)

I always called her Momin ki Dua-my answered prayer. But now I realize...

She was never mine to begin with.

★★★★