'Come on, yaar don't be a spoil sport.' Shadab yelled from the stage at his best friend who stood like a statue. Umaira stood there, wide eyed as well.

The junior up on the stage began forcing them. He held both their hands and steered them on the stage. Umaira and Mehran avoided looking at each other feeling very awkward. Soon, announcing of couples were done and before Umaira and Mehran could understand or make sense of what is happening they found themselves standing in the middle of the dancing floor. The spotlight on them. Mehran and Umaira stood still few steps away from each other. They are not looking at each other. It is so strange, how time changed everything. Once a couple who couldn't have their eyes and hands off each other are now feeling awkward to even dance together.

Everyone began urging them, some expressing their displeasure booing at them while some kept beckoning them positively. Mehran looked around, he adjusted his waist coat and extended his hand. There is no way, they are getting out of this, so the best solution is to go with it. Umaira's head shot up. Their gaze met; and like it always had happened in the past- the time stopped for both. Though many things changed over time, some things never change. Umaira stared at his palm for a while before placing her palm over his. The sweet tingly feeling that ran through her spine felt oddly familiar. Mehran hesitated for placing his hand on her waist. Umaira inhaled sharply as she felt his palm on her waist. His fingers slightly brushed her bare lower back. They joined their other palm and slowly begin to sway to the music. Neither of them looked at each other.

Few seconds later, neither of them could look away any longer and slowly they looked at each other. With their gaze getting locked, everything came flashing before their eyes.

The first time they had met on the stairs of their college, their first hug in the college Canteen, the first time they said the magical three words at the terrace of girl's hostel, their first kiss in a secluded spot near the Taj where they had gone as college trip, the time Mehran surprised her by proposing her with a diamond ring in the middle of the corridor of the Science department and the first time they had made love in the candle lit girl's hostel room. Everything came back like nothing wrong had happened.

They stopped moving, and kept staring into each other's eyes, like they are hypnotized. Reflexively, Mehran's gaze fell on her lips. He realized then how much he missed the touch of her soft lips. Umaira's gaze fell on his lips too. Mehran looked up and admired her. She has matured and looking even more gorgeous than she was last he had seen her. Umaira too looked up at him. The intensity of his gaze, still made her heart to flutter. She realized then, how much she missed admiring this face. He has become much more handsome and rugged than before. He used to have clean shave look back in college, but now the stubbles are making him look more manly.

They snapped out from the trance only after the entire venue echoed with cheers and claps. They moved apart looking away. They looked around and clapped forcing a smile. Mehran turned his head and realized Umaira has left. He looked up and watched her retreating back disappearing into the crowd.

'Yaar, that was fun.' Shadab said patting Mehran on his back. Mehran kept staring at the crowd where Umaira had disappeared. The moment he just shared with her felt magical and like a dream. Shadab looked at the direction where Mehran had been looking. He understood what is disturbing his friend.

'You want drink, man?' Shadab said and reeled him towards the bar.

Mehran silently sat at the bar as his friends chatting and reminiscing "good old days". Mehran clearly lost.

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

Around 9pm, Umaira couldn't stand being here. She made an excuse stating she has terrible headache and left the party.

Outside, she kept glancing at her phone, the cab she has booked should have been here ten minutes ago. Umaira rubbed her palms together trying to heat her body. Apparently, coming to a party wearing a backless gown in December night wasn't a good idea. She shivered in the cold. 'Hello, Madamji. You want to go somewhere. We can drop you.' Umaira turned around and found two hooligan men standing few distance away from her. They eyed her lustfully. She turned around deciding to ignore them. The men smirked at each other and walked towards her. 'Madamji, it's so cold. Come with us.' One man dared to hold her hand.

Umaira panicked 'Leave my hand.' She ordered, her voice came out meek. The men sensed she is frightened and their smirk widened.

'Come with us, we will give you heat.' Another one says tugging her arm.

Leave my hand.' Umaira tried pulling her hand from the grip of one of the loafers. The men chuckled at her helplessness. The tug and pull continued for few seconds before a strong baritone interrupted them, the voice ringing in the silence of the cold December night. All three of them looked towards the source of voice.

Mehran stood few distance from them, he glared at the men. Umaira is relieved on seeing him. Mehran too had been feeling suffocated, he wanted to run away from the party and into the world he had created in these five years. When he came out what he saw boiled his blood. Two men harassing Umaira. He couldn't stop himself from intervening. The man holding Umaira's hand quickly let it go. Umaira retreated her hand massaging her wrist.

'What are you doing?' Mehran hurried towards them. Sensing danger, the two men fled.

'Are you alright?' Mehran asked Umaira. She nodded not looking at him. Mehran noticed her wrist has reddened. Reflexively, he extended his hand to hold her hand but moved away.

No, he can't fall weak. So much has changed. Now, he has lost all rights on her. He looked away. Umaira turned around.

'I...I will drop you...home...'Mehran said. Umaira turned around and looked at him. Though a part of her mind asked her to refuse the offer, but another part reasoned her to say yes lest the men returned. She nodded.

Mehran noticed Umaira shiver in the cold, he quickly removed his waist coat and offered her. Umaira shook her head refusing to take it. Mehran too didn't insist, he placed his jacket over his arm. He decided if she is freezing, he will freeze too.

They silently walked towards Mehran's car, with Mehran leading and Umaira following him. He opened the passenger seat and Umaira sat inside without any argument. Mehran sat on the driver's seat. To make Umaira comfortable Mehran played the paused song on the radio. Umaira's favourite Ghazal played. The two looked at each other.

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

'Are you mad? Who listens to Ghazals in this era.' A young Mehran argued as he and his girlfriend, Umaira sat with each other in his brand-new car.

'I do!' Umaira argued

'You have a bad taste in music.' Mehran shook his head making faces.

'And you have no taste in music.' Umaira folded her arms across her chest leaning in her seat.

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

Feeling uncomfortable, Mehran switched off the radio and backed his car. Umaira turned her head and looked out from the window. After listening to the music Umaira realized the car is the same Mercedes he had gotten back in college. Tears filled her eyes, she quickly wiped it shifting little hiding her face.

Umaira is surprised that Mehran still remembered the address to her home. Mehran himself is shocked.

It's been five years since he came here, in fact after the break-up he never had taken this route. Yet, he remembered it like it was only yesterday he used to sneak into Umaira's room climbing the piping leading to her apartment. Luckily, her apartment was on the second floor so he didn't have much climbing to do.

Umaira didn't speak a word as she climbed down, but before she closed the door she decided to be polite and thank him.

'Thank you.' she said softly. Mehran nodded, he couldn't smile nor could he say anything. Words failed them both. Umaira closed the door, she turned around and walked inside the gate of her locality. Mehran watched her enter the gate.

Once, she disappeared inside he backed his car and drove away