CHAPTER 12- LIFE HAS TO MOVE ON


Umaira woke up hearing a knock at her door. She sat up on the bed rubbing her eyes.


'Wake up, beta. Breakfast is ready.' She heard her mother say from the other side.


'Coming Ma. Ten minutes.' she called and heard her mother's footsteps walking away. She stretched her body little and inhaled exhaled loudly before picking up her phone from the bedside table.


There is a message Ibrahim: Sorry sweetheart was busy with office work. I have to impress my new clients. It's a big deal. I am sorry for not answering your calls. Everything is okay? How was the reunion?


Umaira smiled sadly, she then typed: The reunion was good, met my old friend Jasmine. It was fun. All the best with your client...I miss you and I love you.


She then placed her mobile and climbed down the bed. She walked towards her wardrobe and took out her dress for the day- blue kaftan top and white palazzo. As she walked towards the bathroom, she heard her phone beeped. She smiled, it's a message from Ibrahim


Ibrahim: Thanks love. I miss you too, and I love you too. (Kiss emoji)


She shook her head smiling, Ibrahim had always hated using Emoji especially the kiss one, he must be really missing her to use her favourite emoji- the kiss emoji.


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Mehran entered his home and is relieved to be informed that Amreen has left with Junaid to her own home. The honeymoon couple are still in that zone. Mehran's mother came to him, she greeted him but he ignored her and walked upstairs to his room.


He flung his coat on his bed and walked towards his wardrobe. His head ached after last night, the drink and everything that happened taking the toll on him. He took out his towel and walked into his bathroom. After a refreshing bath, he wore his bathrobe and stepped out from the bathroom. When he came out he found his mother standing near his dressing table. He rolled his eyes.


'What are you doing here, mother?' he said frowning. His mother looked at him.


'Where were you last night, beta?' she asked softly. Mehran looked away annoyed and walked towards his wardrobe.


'How does it matter to you?' he said taking out his electric blue formal shirt and black trouser. 'Beta, I am your mother. I care for you.' She said, her tone pleading. Mehran slammed the door to his wardrobe, his mother flinched.


'Please, Mother don't give me that cra-excuse.' He said angrily.


Even in the anger he managed to control his tongue. No matter, whatever happened, she is his mother he is talking to.


'Beta, for how long will you punish us.' She said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Mehran looked away. He always does this, he knew he will melt if he looks at his mother's pleading face. Every time, he thinks of forgiving his parents then Umaira's face swims in front of him reminding him how he lost her because of his parents and their stubbornness, and then he backs out. He doesn't reply to his mother instead he stormed into the bathroom.


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Umaira sat on the sofa with her parents. Her father is sitting in the single sofa reading newspaper and her mother in the double sofa beside her cutting vegetable and watching a dance reality show. Umaira sat there with her legs folded up and tugged under her. She looked sadly at the solitaire ring shining in her ring finger. Her mother turned her head to say something when she noticed her daughter's sad face. Her gaze fell on her ring and she smiled sadly.


'He isn't answering your calls?' Umaira's head shot up as she looked at her mother, startled. She shook her head, she didn't want to tell her mother in details. Her mother placed her knife down and placed her hand over her daughter's.


'Ibrahim is a very good man. They don't make such men anymore. I am saying you, don't waste time anymore. Marry him.' Umaira felt uneasy with "marriage". Strange it is to think that once it was Umaira who was all excited to get married to Mehran. She frowned, why is she thinking of him? It took her, five years to forget him. With Ibrahim, it became easier for her. She sighed and turned her attention back to the TV screen.


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When Mehran called Siham, she asked him to come to her photoshoot. She is doing her preps for the Milan fashion week next month. Mehran left his office asking Shadab to take over while he comes in a jiffy, as he puts it.


Mehran gets VIP treatment at the photoshoot- being head of popular Media house and fiancé of India's top model has its benefits.


He stood next to the camera man who shot Siham. Mehran smiled looking at his fiancé. Siham looked very pretty in noddle strapped lacy black and royal blue satin mid-thigh dress. Her hair flying all over her face as the fan focused on her. She posed, pouted, and smiled at the camera. Mehran kept admiring her. When Siham's gaze fell on Mehran she frowned, but quickly adjusted her expression and continued to pose. Mehran realized he would hear a lecture from her instead.


Fifteen minutes later, Camera man called it quits. Two spot boys rushed to Siham, one handing her a satin robe while the other spoke something to her. Once the two spot boys left, Mehran walked towards her. Siham's make-up man also came but she waved him off. Mehran opened his mouth but she turned around away from him.


'Follow me.' she said sternly as she walked towards her room. Mehran silently followed.


Once inside, Mehran closed the door behind him. Siham stood by her dressing table, her head lowered and her palms resting on the table.


'Si...'


'Where were you?' she said not looking at him, her eyes closed.


'I was at the park.... I...'


'Whole night?' Siham finally looked up at him. Mehran noticed tears in her eyes and he felt guilty.


'You know,' she walked up to him and cupped his face in between her palms 'How worried I was for you. I was so scared. I called you so many times...' she hugged him and sobbed.


Mehran recollected a time he went missing from college after an argument with Umaira. She had taken the entire college on her head. Siham had called him only ten times, Umaira called him thirty times.


Mehran shook his head... why is he thinking about Umaira? Why this comparison? He was past this stage, right?


Mehran wrapped his arms around Siham as she snuggled into his chest.


'I am sorry.' Is all he could say right now.


'Don't do this ever again. If we part, I will die. I love you so much.' Siham sobbed.


Mehran smiled sadly.


Mehran used to take this phrase seriously whenever Umaira used to say him this, but after their breakup he realized, it is nothing but just a phrase.


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Next day was Umaira's last day in India and so her parents wanted to make this day special for her. Her father took them for picnic, Umaira enjoyed the fun family time.


She felt nostalgic as the picnic ended. The theme park where they had gone for picnic was the same park Umaira loved and enjoyed back when she was a child, also when she was a teen.


She sat on all the rides, the same rides, she realized she never grew out of.


They came home and rested for the afternoon and in the evening her parents took her to a mall, Umaira shopped a lot for herself and her friends back in Milan, also some special gifts for Ibrahim. She smiled every time she imagined him reacting to the gifts.


Finally, they saw a movie and had dinner and returned home.


In the night, her mother became very emotional as Umaira and she packed her bags. Umaira had to hug her mother and console her to not cry. She also promised she will return soon.


Once everything done, Umaira lay on her bed, her mother asleep beside her. Umaira had avoided coming to India ever since she left. She felt terrible, a void in her heart as she thought of returning to Milan. The night at the reunion came flashing before her eyes....


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Umaira has mixed feelings as she walked out from the Milan arrival gate. She had cried a lot when she had departed from her parents, something she hadn't done last time she had left. Last time she was more than happy to leave India.


Umaira placed her sunglasses on top of her head and tightened her muffler. She clenched her trolley bag in one hand and a handbag in the other. She looked around for Ibrahim.


Last night, he had promised he would come. Five minutes of scanning the area, she dug her hand into her hand bag and took out her phone. She felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned around and smiled.


'Hey, Love!' Ibrahim greeted her happily.


'Hey!' Umaira said happily. Ibrahim leaned forward and hugged her. For some reason, Umaira felt hesitant to hug him back.


'Just like I had promised.' He said placing his arm around Umaira, 'Give me that.' He said taking the trolley bag from her. Umaira looked and smiled, forcing herself to believe she is with a perfect man, a man she loves.


Umaira is surprised to see their home neat and clean. Everything in place.


'Impressed.' Ibrahim smiled.


'Very impressed.' Umaira said, wide-eyed. Ibrahim raised his collar, his face glowing with pride. Ibrahim closed the door as Umaira walked into their room.


'You take rest. I will order dinner.' Ibrahim said helping her remove her overcoat. Umaira nodded. Umaira unwrapped her scarf. She is about to go to the washroom when Ibrahim held her from behind and she stopped.


'Gosh, I missed you so much.' He whispered nuzzling his face into her hair. Umaira smiled slightly and placed her palms over his.


'I missed you too.' She said slightly hitting her head with his. Ibrahim kissed her cheek, his grip tightening. Before Umaira could understand, she moved his hands off her and turned around. He looked little confused.


'I need to go to the washroom.' She said. For a split second, Ibrahim looked disappointed but quickly covered up with a smile. He nodded and left the room muttering something about making coffee. Umaira frowned. What is wrong with her? Whenever Ibrahim used to return after his business trip, Umaira used to be elated and used to pounce on him. She used to cling to him like a second skin and not let go of him for at least a day. Umaira shook her head. Perhaps, she is acting oddly because of the jetlag.

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