The soft golden rays of the morning sun crept in through the curtains, casting long stripes of warmth across the wooden floor. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan. Maira lay sound asleep on the bed, her breathing now deep and rhythmic, finally at peace after the long night.
Hadi was already awake. He had woken up much earlier, having dozed off awkwardly on the small couch in her room. His neck ached, and his back was sore, but he didn’t complain. Quietly, he rose, careful not to make any sound that might wake her.
He stepped out of the room and walked into the guest bedroom to freshen up. After splashing cold water on his face and brushing the sleep away, he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.
He took out his phone and dialed his mother’s number.
“Is Zohan doing okay, Mom?” he asked the moment she picked up.
“Yes Son, he’s absolutely fine. Was a bit restless at night, but he’s sleeping now.”
Hadi smiled faintly. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll head to the office late today, so I’ll come pick up Zohan in the evening.”
He then cut the call and dialed another number, Lubna’s.
“Hey, how are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine. How are you?” she asked sleepily.
“Alhamdulillah, I’m fine. How's work? You sound tired." He asked sensing the tiredness in her voice.
"Work's good, and yes, I am tired" She said while rubbing the sleep off her eyes.
"When are you coming back?” He asked.
“I’ll be back by tonight” she replied.
“Alright, take care of yourself. I'll come pick you up at the airport” Hadi said gently.
"Okay, Bye"
With that, he went to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. He wasn’t a master chef, but he could manage something simple, egg paratha and chai. As the paratha sizzled in the pan, the scent of ghee filled the apartment.
Meanwhile, back in the bedroom, Maira stirred. Her eyes opened slowly. The first thing she noticed was the silence. Her gaze darted around.
The room was empty.
Her stomach sank.
He must’ve left last night. Why would he stay?
The memory of the night before came rushing in, like an avalanche, Faiz’s vile words, his touch, her panic, her helplessness, the tears. Her chest tightened. She pulled the duvet closer and sat still on the bed, unmoving, staring at the wall.
Everything was complicated. Her life, her relationships, her existence, all tangled in ways she could no longer unravel.
Then, the bedroom door creaked open. Maira turned her head abruptly.
Hadi walked in, the faint smell of breakfast clinging to his clothes. He looked at her, surprised to see her awake.
“Oh, you’re awake?”
She blinked, still registering his presence.
“Fresh ho jao, breakfast tayyar hai,” he said softly, then turned and walked back out.
(Freshen up, breakfast is ready.)
Maira nodded quietly, confused, and more than a little surprised that he was still here.
A little while later, she entered the dining area. The breakfast was laid out on the table, two plates, a kettle of tea, some butter, and sliced mangoes. Hadi sat at one end, looking at something on his phone.
When he noticed her, he looked up.
“Come, sit. Eat something.” he said, putting his phone aside.
She sat opposite him. They ate in silence, the clinking of cutlery against the plates the only sound filling the air.
Once done, almost instinctively, they both began clearing the table, like it was routine. There was no awkwardness, just quiet cooperation. Maira took the plates and insisted on doing the dishes, and Hadi didn’t argue. He stepped back, letting her find some sense of normalcy in motion.
Later, they sat in the living room, both lost in their own thoughts, shadows of yesterday’s storm still hovering.
Then Hadi broke the silence.
“Maira, I know yesterday was incredibly difficult... so I didn’t want to bring this up, but... I still need to apologise.”
He looked at her, his eyes holding the weight of his guilt.
“Forgive me, I’m responsible for everything that happened. I still can’t believe I introduced you to that man. I just wanted things to work out... but everything went wrong.”
Maira looked at him, silently for a few seconds.
“Koi baat nahi,” she said, her voice calm. “You don’t need to apologise. I understand. Your intentions weren’t wrong.”
(It's okay)
Her trust, spoken so gently, cut through his heart like a blade.
She looked away for a moment, then asked quietly, “Kya Aap mujhse picha chudana chahte hai?”
(Do you want to get rid of me?)
Hadi’s breath hitched.
“Aisa nahi hai Maira,” he said, his voice thick. “Please, aisa mat socho. Main bas chahta tha ke is situation ka koi hal nikal aaye. Mujhe nahi pata tha ke baat yahan tak pahunch jaayegi. Please mujhe galat mat samjho.”
(That’s not true, Maira. Please, don’t think that way. I just wanted a solution to this situation. I didn’t know it would come to this. Please don’t misunderstand me.)
He paused, then added with distress:
“Yeh sab mere liye bhi asaan nahi hai... aapko yaha akele rakhna, Lubna se jhoot bolna. Main khud confuse hoon. Main use sab kuch batana chahta hoon, lekin mujhe darr lagta hai... kahi vo mujhe chod ke na chali jaaye. Aap hi batao, main kya karu?” He sounded guilty, helpless, stuck, all at once.
(This isn’t easy for me either... hiding you here, lying to Lubna. I’m confused. I want to tell her everything, but I’m scared... what if she leaves me? You tell me, what should I do?)
Maira was silent for a moment, then said in a level voice:
“Aap mujhe talaaq dede.”
(You should divorce me.)
His head snapped up. “What?"
“Haan,” she said quietly. “Main chali jaungi aapki zindagi se. Phir aap Lubna ke saath phir se khush reh sakte ho... jhoot bhi nahi bolna padega... aur meri fikar bhi nahi karni padegi.”
(Yes. I’ll leave your life. Then you can be happy with Lubna again... you won’t have to lie... and you won’t have to worry about me.)
Tears welled up in her eyes, betraying her otherwise composed tone. The reality of having nobody to call her own, hit her hard. Who will she go to after the divorce? She shook her head, she can figure it out later, right now it was important for them to come to a mutual agreement.
Hadi stared at her, stunned. Deep down, he knew she was right and this wasn’t the first time she had asked for a divorce. But he couldn’t tell if it was truly her choice or just helplessness speaking through her pain.
A heavy weight settled on his chest. He felt like a coward, dragging another woman into such a mess while his own wife remained completely unaware of the storm he was trapped in.
He knew the solution. It was simple, really. He could sign the papers, end it, and walk away free.
But then what about her?
What would Maira do? Where would she go? Back to Nashik, perhaps? But could she manage on her own? Even Rubina had left the city. And what if something happened, what if her injury worsened?
And then there was the injury she didn’t even know about, the one buried deep within, silent and cruel. The one that, if ever revealed, would break her completely. How could he walk away knowing that truth? How could he leave her to face that kind of heartbreak alone?
His hands went to his head, his fingers gripping his hair as he closed his eyes tightly.
That’s when she whispered, “Aapko meri fikr karne ki zarurat nahi. Main apna khayal rakh sakti hoon.”
(You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.)
He looked up at her. He knew she wasn’t weak. But she had nowhere to go. No one in Nashik anymore. Not even Rubina. And then it hit him. Maybe if....
“If we... get a divorce, toh do shartein hain meri,” he said firmly. "Aapko maanni padengi. Tabhi main tasalli se aapko jaane de sakta hoon.”
(If we... get a divorce, I have two conditions. You’ll have to agree to them. Only then will I feel assured about you.)
“What?” she asked, her heart aching.
“I will transfer this apartment to your name. And until you get married again or become financially stable, I will continue providing you with a monthly allowance.”
Maira’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t accept any of this.”
“But why?” He asked.
“After the divorce, you won’t have any right over me and vice versa. I can’t take anything from you. Not money, not the apartment. I want to walk away with nothing. Because I came with nothing.”
Hadi wasn’t surprised. He had sensed it, she wouldn’t accept any help from him. But that didn’t make it any easier to watch. What scared him wasn’t just her refusal, it was the fear that she would walk away and try to survive on her own, without caring how much damage it might do to her in the process.
He couldn’t let that happen. The guilt would devour him.
She had to be completely fine, at least physically, before he could even think about letting her go.
And if she wasn’t willing to accept his help, then as far as he was concerned, the divorce wasn’t happening.
“Tumhe rest karna chahiye,” he said, standing up and buttoning his blazer. “Let’s not talk about solutions right now. This isn’t the right time.”
(You should rest.)
“But...” she started.
“Maira, just rest please. I’ll have to go to the office. Will you be okay alone?”
Fear flickered across her face, but she nodded. It was daytime. She’d manage.
“Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone. And if anything feels wrong, call me immediately.”
She nodded again. He offered a soft “Take care” before walking out, relieved at least that her mind was away from the horrors of last night.
Maira closed the door behind him and walked slowly to her bedroom. As she lay down, her thoughts swirled.
He definitely wanted to divorce her.
Then what was stopping him?
She hated the idea of taking advantage of his kindness. That’s why she had refused his offer without hesitation. It wasn't a normal marriage, and he wasn't entitled to help her after their divorce. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes, unsure of what will happen next.
---
The sky had dipped into a deep navy as Hadi parked outside the airport terminal. The orange glow of the arrivals gate cast long shadows across the concrete as he waited, leaning against the car, hands in his pockets. He had come straight from the office. His eyes scanned the crowd steadily until he spotted her, Lubna, walking briskly, phone in one hand, wheeled suitcase in the other. Her lips moved quickly as she wrapped up a call, nodding faintly to herself.
She spotted Hadi and gave a faint smile. He returned the smile, walking over to take the suitcase from her. Then wrapped one arm around her pulling her into a side hug, while she gladly rested her head on his shoulder for a bit.
“How was the trip?” he asked casually.
“Long and exhausting,” Lubna sighed, brushing her hair back. “And the presentation in Dubai was chaotic as ever. But anyway, done and dusted.”
Hadi nodded, offering nothing more as they walked towards the exit. They settled into the car, and the drive home was mostly quiet, save for Lubna recounting snippets of meetings, a delayed flight, and the exhausting airport crowd.
As they pulled into the Ansari residence, Hadi said, “Zohan is at Mom's. I thought he’d be more comfortable there while I handled some things at work.”
Lubna only gave a brief nod. “Hmm. That’s fine.”
---
Zohan was overjoyed when Hadi picked him up from his mother’s home. The little boy clung to his father like a monkey to a tree, squealing in delight, his chubby arms around Hadi’s neck.
Back at home, Lubna greeted her son with a smile, leaning down to press a quick kiss to his forehead.
“Hi baby,” she cooed, but her tone was more distracted than warm. Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her attention away. She glanced at it, her eyebrows furrowing, fingers already tapping.
Hadi noticed, but didn’t comment. He knew this side of Lubna, caring, but distant. Her love for Zohan existed, but it took a backseat to her drive. Her ambition came first, it always had.
While she disappeared into the bedroom to change and freshen up, Hadi remained in the living room with Zohan. The toddler giggled as Hadi sat cross-legged on the floor, lifting him gently into the air and nuzzling his cheek.
“Papa ki jaan hai Zohan,” Hadi whispered, smiling as Zohan gurgled in reply.
(You’re papa’s life.)
They played for a while, with plush toys and building blocks, Hadi fully immersed in the moment, soaking up the kind of joy only a child could give.
---
Dinner was a quiet affair. Lubna sat at the table checking an email as she half-listened to Hadi recount something Zohan had done. The child sat in a high chair, happily smearing dal on the tray.
“Lubna, aap sun bhi rahi ho?” Hadi finally asked gently.
(Lubna, are you even listening?)
“Haan haan,” she said quickly, glancing up. “Zohan ne… uh, TV on kar diya?”
(Yes, yes. Zohan… turned on the TV?)
Hadi gave a small sigh, and focused back on feeding Zohan.
She wasn’t unkind, just... distant. But the distance was growing and Hadi wasn't liking it. He had agreed to not burden Lubna with Zohan's responsibilities but Zohan was still her son, she needed to take some time out of her work and look after him, he was barely one and a half years. He wanted to talk to her, but didn't want to upset her, and knowing she was already exhausted from the trip, he let it slide.
After dinner, they tucked Zohan into his crib, or rather, Hadi did, while Lubna said a quick goodnight and went to check on a work call scheduled with the US team.
---
Later that night Hadi stood near his window, the city lights beyond blinking softly in the dark. The room was dim, quiet, except for the occasional chirp of night insects outside.
His thoughts drifted again, inevitably, to the one person he hadn’t been able to get off his mind since last night.
He picked up his phone and typed a message.
He stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send.
---
At the same time, Maira lay in her bed, wrapped in the duvet like a cocoon, but peace remained a stranger.
Sleep had visited earlier, courtesy of the medication, but now, in the dead silence of night, her eyes remained wide open. The shadows on the ceiling danced with every flicker from the streetlight outside.
The room felt colder than usual, though the windows were shut.
The events of last night refused to fade, playing again and again like a broken reel:
Faiz’s words, his touch, her fear.
Her heart picked up pace.
She sat up with a jolt, breathing heavy. Her hands were clammy. She reached for the glass of water near the bed and took a few sips, but her mouth remained dry.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up, half-expecting something worse.
But it was Hadi.
Her thumb hovered over the screen. She read his message again and again.
“Are you okay, Maira?”
A simple question, but the comfort it brought wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
She didn’t reply. She didn’t know what to say. But she felt a little less alone.
Pulling the duvet tighter, she lay back down, her eyes still open, waiting for dawn to rescue her from the night that refused to end.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTci360N46U
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