Umaira stood in front of mirror combing her hair, since her hair has natural big wave curls she needn't bother curling them. She has chosen turtle neck, cold shoulder half sleeves lemon green top matched with denim jeans slightly torn at the knees. She let her hair loose, resting it on her back. She applied nude lip gloss and black kohl. Tinge of her perfume, her watch in right wrist and some girlish bracelets with her watch. She wore her white sneakers, she chose sneakers because it will be easy to run around with them.

'Shall I drop you.' Ibrahim said entering the room. Umaira looked at him through the mirror.

'I thought you had important meeting.' She said sarcastically. Ibrahim walked towards her and stood behind her, he looked at her reflection.

'I have, but I am going to spare some time to pick and drop you. Also, I will see little of the opening ceremony.' Ibrahim said. Umaira turned around and stared at him angrily.

'I don't need anyone to drop or pick me.' she said and pushed past him, taking out someone else's anger and frustration out on Ibrahim, who looked at her clueless.

'Hey! Something wrong?' Ibrahim asked concerned. His worried voice brought Umaira to reality, she turned around she felt guilty of talking rudely with him. She placed her palm on her forehead and then looked at him.

'Sorry, I am just tensed.' She confessed. Ibrahim smiled and held her palms in his 'That is why I am coming with you.' he said and kissed the back of her palms. Umaira smiled gratefully at him.

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

'You sit at the front row, near the stage. I should see you in the crowd.' Siham advised Mehran. 'Love, why are you panicking? This is not the first time you are ramp walking.' Mehran tried to calm her down. Siham shook her head

'Of course, not. But this...this is huge...I am nervous.' Siham said fidgeting with her fingers. Mehran held her arm and made her look at him.

'Relax, you will be fine.' He assured her and kissed her cheek. Siham closed her eyes feeling better.

'Thank you.' she said and held his palm, squeezing it gently. Mehran smiled at her. She then left his hand and walked towards the back stage. Before going in she turned around looking nervously at Mehran. He smiled and slowly blinked at her. A crew member came and started questioning Siham. One more glance at Mehran, she walked in. Only after she had disappeared did Mehran turn to find his seat. He walked towards the first row, just like Siham wanted he has decided to sit in the first row.

Umaira placed her camera on the spot she had selected this morning, her assistant hasn't come yet. She glanced at her watch, 4.45, he should come here by now. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. Ibrahim stood beside her smiling. She is surprised

'Weren't you suppose to go for a meeting?' she said confused.

'I have decided to stay for the first day show.' Ibrahim said and Umaira's lips curved into a bright smile. She asked Ibrahim to take his seat, while she clicked photos from here.

'All the best.' Ibrahim kissed her cheek and she nodded smiling at him.

Ibrahim looked around. Since, they have arrived relatively early being in fashion industry where mostly everyone is fashionably late, there are a lot of empty seats to sit. Ibrahim decided to sit at the first row, from here he will be able to see the action clearly. He took out his VIP card and walked towards the front row. There is only one man, dressed in formal green shirt sitting in the row. Ibrahim decided to sit beside him.

Mehran felt someone sit beside him, he turned his head and found a tall man taking his seat beside him. Ibrahim looked at Mehran, 'Is this seat taken?' he asked before he sat. Mehran shook his head, 'No.' Ibrahim smiled and sat.

'The event looks grand, doesn't it?' Ibrahim said after a while. Mehran looked away from his mobile and nodded.

'You are here as...?' Ibrahim asked.

'Supporting my fiancé, she is one of the models.' Mehran replied. Ibrahim nodded his head slowly.

'And you?' Mehran then asked.

'Same, supporting my fiancé. But she isn't a model, she is a photographer.'

Mehran stiffened. Photographer? Is he talking about Umaira? Mehran shook his head, Of course not, there are so many female photographers here, it could be anyone of the girls. Mehran looked at the man carefully, he is Indian, there are chances that his fiancé is an Indian, but then she could be a non-Indian as well. Mehran frowned, why the hell is he thinking so much? But then thought of Umaira being someone else's fiancé hurts him.

'By the way I am Ibrahim.' Ibrahim extended his hand for a handshake.

'Mehran.' Mehran shook his head. Ibrahim frowned wondering if this man is Umaira's Ex. But then he quickly shoved the thought, thinking it couldn't be possible as Umaira's Ex is in India and him being here could only be a very filmy coincidence that doesn't happen in real life. But then, Ibrahim couldn't ignore the thought- it could also be destiny.

Mehran and Ibrahim avoided each other, both kept themselves busy with their respective mobile phones. Soon, the lights went dim and an anchor walked on the stage. As Mehran looked up, he realized how time flew. An almost deserted venue now filled with people, who were chattering first and now became quiet. The anchor stood holding a mike with the spot light falling on her. She is dressed high neck full sleeve emerald green evening gown, her hair tied in a neat French twist. Mehran shoved his mobile into his jeans pocket as the woman began talking. Ibrahim too looked at her. Thankfully, the venue was otherwise dark and the two men could easily avoid looking at each other.

The event kick started after the anchor left, slow music began playing at first. The anchor walked to the extreme corner. She then introduced the first fashion designer whose designs will be presented. Amidst the clapping a fashion designer walked onto the stage, he is a famous Italian designer. Umaira focused on the stage and smiled, satisfied with the view, she has chosen the perfect location. She began clicking the photos.

Mehran kept looking at the stage but then a woman dressed in lime-green shirt caught his attention. He looked at her, she straightened and he realized its Umaira. Mehran smiled and continued to look at her.

Ibrahim wasn't much interested in the fashion show, he never was. But he has come here only for Umaira. So, he looked away from the stage and towards the spot where he had seen Umaira. He smiled on seeing her there. She is completely focused on what she is doing? Not caring about anything else. Not bothering much about the fashion show, the two men stared at Umaira.

Minutes later, Mehran realized he is supposed to look at the stage and give moral support to his fiancé.

'I Hate you. Don't talk to me.' Umaira said angrily as she walked in front of Mehran, who is walking behind her in quick pace.

He held her arm and turned her around, 'Hey! Umaira, sorry.' He apologized. She jerked his hand.

'This science debate was so important to me. I won the first prize too and...the only person I had wanted to see with me then, sharing my success was you and you were missing.' she bellowed angrily. Mehran lowered his head feeling guilty.

'Go away from my sight!' she said and turned around to leave when Mehran held her hand.

'I am sorry, Umaira. Promise, this is the last time I have missed an important event of your life. Promise, I will always be there with you in all your other important events.' He said sincerely. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Umaira melted. 'Promise?' she pouted.

Mehran nodded and pecked her pout.

She smiled and they hug.

Mehran is snapped out to reality with loud clapping sound, he looked startled. The Italian fashion designer had walked back in and now models began ramp walking. Few models, later Mehran smiled seeing Siham walking up the ramp. She looked totally opposite of what she had

been just a while back. She looked confident and stunning. She confidently carried the dress she wore. Mehran felt proud as he clapped for her. She walked towards the end of the ramp and very cleverly looked at the front row. Mehran waved at her and noticed her lips turn into a faint smile, her eyes twinkled and Mehran knew she is happy to see him.

'She was your fiancé?' Ibrahim asked

'Yes.' Mehran nodded.

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

As the first day of the one week fashion show ended, Umaira is happy with it, it was a success. She packed her camera, she took out her phone feeling it vibrate in her jeans pocket. She smiled seeing Ibrahim's message. She looked up, searching for him in the crowd. As she looked up at the front row, she smiled seeing Ibrahim standing up from his seat.

Happily, she walked towards him. Her bright smile faded and she froze in her tracks noticing the man who had been seated beside Ibrahim, the man stood too. Umaira could see his back, but she knew, she knew he is Mehran. Mehran stood for few seconds before turning around, his gaze met Umaira's and he froze as well. The two looked at each other.

Ibrahim adjusted his coat and walked up to Umaira, he didn't notice she isn't looking at him but at the man behind him. Mehran felt his heart drop when he sees Ibrahim standing in front of Umaira, she looked away from Mehran and at him. She smiled slightly at Ibrahim.

''Same, supporting my fiancé. But she isn't a model, she is a photographer.'' Ibrahim's words echoed in Mehran's ears and his heart sank lower.

'Ho-How-was the event?' Umaira asked not looking at Ibrahim but staring at his chest.

'I couldn't take my eyes off you. I saw nothing but you, and you were thousands times better than the show.' He said. Umaira looked at him, he smiled at her. Slowly, she moved her gaze from him and looked behind his shoulder- at Mehran.

He stood there looking at her, a pained expression on his face. Looking at his expressions, Umaira felt bad but she doesn't even know why she is feeling this way.

'Let us have dinner?' Ibrahim asked. Umaira nodded looking away from Mehran, the more she looked at him, the sadder she felt. She turned around and picked up her camera bag.

'I will help you with this.' Ibrahim offered. Umaira didn't argue. She handed him the bag and wore her overcoat and muffler.

'Come.' She held his hand and with her head lowered she hurriedly walked towards the exit of the venue dragging Ibrahim along with her.

Mehran looked at them, tears clogged his eyes. Watching Umaira walk away with another man is the worst that could happen to him. Mehran wondered what went wrong and what if whatever happened, hadn't happened? Things could have been so different. He would still be with her, both happy and content.

Mehran then wondered, why is he thinking this way? Isn't he happy now with Siham. She is flawless, but then why did the thought of wanting to be with Umaira crossed his mind. In these five years, was he really happy? Or was he pretending? He began thinking on this.

'Hey! You saw me. How was I?' Siham gushed happily. Mehran quickly blinked back his tears and turned to look at her.

'Ye-Yes.' He said, his voice cracking. Siham frowned

'Is everything good?' she asked concerned. Mehran nodded and held her hand.

'Come, let us leave.' Before Siham could say something, he dragged her towards the exit.