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Part 2

Umniya's P.O.V:-

A red car has been following me for the last twenty minutes as I turn to look at it but every time I did, it would stop making me anxious. My heart paces wildly as I take a right turn and strides faster than before. My ears ring as I feel breathless and wonder why Maseera didn't show up for tuition today.

I become nervous as sweat breaks on my forehead but the car swirls in front of me and takes an abrupt halt making my heart drop in my stomach. Someone pulls down the window and I am shocked to notice him seated behind the wheel with a frown on his face.

"I asked you not to walk alone in these streets." He reminds me of his jet black eyes on me. "Where is your friend by the way?"

I choose to remain silent as I look away refusing to answer him. He had been haunting my memories ever since I last met him. He pushes open the door and steps out striding towards me as I realize how wonderfully tall he is. Why didn't I notice it before?

He stands right in front of me towering as I steal my glances away. He has a fair complexion with jet black eyes hooded with dark eyelashes and a sharp nose with full lips.

"I am talking to you...Miss?" He says crossing his arms and waiting for my answer but I didn't reply. I try to walk away but he stops me with his arm as he towers me coming closer and I retreat making me panic. What is he doing? I am nervous as the cold walls hit my back and he is right in front of me.

Instantly my hands rise to make him stop but he grabs them and holds me in place as I try to fight him off.

"Please..No!" I almost plead as he holds me in place until I accept defeat. Then his hand comes under my face and he gently lifts my niqaab and I break myself free hiding my face behind my palms and look away.

I open my eyes and sit up realizing, I am damp with sweat. Alhumdulillah, I take a deep breath and realize I am in my bedroom fast asleep.

"Umniya, open the door!" My Mom demands from the other end as I hurry to unlock it.

"It's already 8 in the morning...You need to get dressed as we have to take you to the parlor and then I have to go to work." My Mom fills me in as she opens my cupboard and pulls out a newly pressed salwar suit.

"When is your driver coming?" I inquire still sleepy rubbing my eyes.

"Come on, Umni...We will be late." My Mom pushes me as I am uncertain about all that is going on. I follow my Mom in the kitchen as she had already prepared egg sandwiches for breakfast.

"Mamma...I am not certain about all this." I finally reveal to her. "This wedding and everything...I just don't feel ready."

"Umni, you are my most sensible daughter, and no matter how old you get...you are never ready for marriage because your life changes completely..."My Mom brushes my head gently with a loving explanation. "You share it with the other half."

"Mom, I want to share it with someone I know, someone whom I choose...." I have to tell her this. "You didn't even ask me if I love someone?'

"I know you don't..." My Mom nods with certainty. How I wish to tell my Mom about the boy who saved us in Aziziya from those hooligans. She is my closest pal and if the situation was otherwise, I would have told her how this boy influenced my heart and how he keeps invading my thoughts again and again.

"Mom, there is a possibility someday I will...and you are killing that possibility!" I try to reason with her. I want to find out what I share with this stranger and marriage is going to destroy my hopes of seeing him ever.

"Umni, I know what is best for us and I am doing that." She replies sternly. "Do I have to give you reasons for it?"

"Of course Mom!" I mutter rolling my eyes. "You married Dad twenty years back and you guys fell in love before marriage...you experienced it....you experienced love, Mamma.."

"And I experienced a lot of many other things like betrayal, heartbreak, and finally divorce." My Mom snaps at me as she places her hands on my shoulder. "Falling in love is easy but staying in love is hard and no matter what you do, you cannot keep someone in love if that person doesn't choose to stay in love with you...like your Dad."

"Mom...why did he divorce you?" I finally find the guts to ask her this question. I want to ask this for the last three years but never did I ever had the courage to talk to her about her divorce. I couldn't see her crying even though I know how shattered she is after Dad left and I try my level best to avoid hurting her as much as I can. She is aghast at my confession for a second but finally, she inhales a deep breath and speaks up.

"He didn't feel anything for me anymore.....no love....no connection."

"Mom..." My heart went out to her as hot tears fill her eyes and they start flowing.

"I did so much for him...fought with my family and married him...tried to do things that would keep him contented and satisfied but ultimately he chose to break up...and he gave me an excuse that he feels nothing for me anymore.....nothing at all....and I don't wish the same for you...."

"But Mom....what is the guarantee our relationship will work out?" I ask concerned and confused.

"If it didn't...you can at least blame me rather than yourself all your life." She replies curtly and I had nothing to say to her anymore. I need to trust my Mom and have to get through this marriage for my Mom's sake...at least I could be loyal to her love and sacrifices.

(To be contd...)