Umaira came home early, her office timing usually ends within 5pm, unless she has night shoots or outdoor shoots. Ibrahim gets very nervous whenever she goes outdoor, he constantly keeps calling her and knowing about her whereabouts in detail, every half an hour. Umaira at times gets annoyed but she ignores it, it is his love after all. Umaira quickly changed and wore only a loose grey thigh length full sleeves cotton shirt and socks. She tied her hair in a messy bun and walked into the kitchen. Ibrahim as usual will be coming home around 9pm, it's rare of him to stay late in work. Before getting engaged he used to be die-hard workaholic but after Umaira had expressed her displeasure of him not spending much time with her, Ibrahim had cut down on his work schedule. Umaira loves this the most about him, he is very obedient. She smiled as she cooked dinner for him. Ibrahim loves the food Umaira makes. Umaira coming from a middle-class background is trained in house hold chores, like cleaning, stitching, and cooking. After she is done with dinner, she sat on the sofa cum bed and switched on the TV. She flipped through channels uninterested, she has to kill time. Soon she dozed off.

TRING...TRING... 

Umaira sat up straight up on the sofa hearing the doorbell. She quickly untied her bun and fixed her hair. She washed her face and hurried to get the door. She didn't want to greet Ibrahim looking sleepy and messy. 'Hey, honey' Ibrahim greeted her. Umaira smiled and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. Ibrahim loves this welcome he gets. Soon, they separate and Umaira entered the apartment followed by Ibrahim. 'How was work?' she asked rushing to get a glass of water for him. 'Tiresome.' Ibrahim responded loosening his tie. He removed his coat and hung it on the coat rack. Umaira got him water. 'Come here' Ibrahim said extending his hand. Umaira blushed as he made her sit on his lap. 'How was your work? excited for Milan Fashion week?' he asked wrapping an arm around her waist. 'Very! All top models and designers are coming from all over the world...'Umaira gushed happily. Ibrahim watched her with a smile on his face. When she talks, everything else seems meaningless to him.

They spoke randomly before Ibrahim announced 'I will arrange dinner' he said. Umaria insisted he change and she will plate dinner. Ibrahim refused, but one pout and cute puppy dog eyes and he gave in. 'Fine' he sighed and Umaria smiled victoriously. He left to the room while she left for the kitchen. After dinner, both lay on the bed, both cuddled up together. In this cold December night, they felt cozy and warm wrapped up in each other's arms and covered with a huge duvet. Umaira had her head on his chest, her eyes closed as she heard his faint heartbeat. It gives her a blissful feeling. Ibrahim caressed her hair looking up at the ceiling. Umaira placed her leg over his and snuggled closer. 'You will come for the fashion show, right?' she asked looking at his chest. 'I will come for the main event.' He said. He sounded sad. He doesn't want to miss Umaira's big event but he can't help it, he can't ignore his work. Umaira shifted little and propped up on her elbow. 'What do you mean? It is whole one week event. I don't want you there last minute' she frowned.

'I know, love. But there is nothing I can do. I am helpless.' He said softly. Umaira bit her lower lip, tears stinging her eyes. She sat up straight. Ibrahim felt sad looking at her disappointed face. He hates disappointing her, he tries his best to not upset her but at times things aren't in one's control.

"I am sorry, I am helpless" the words from her past echoed in her ears, she felt terrible. Ibrahim is shocked to see tears in his eyes, he felt guilty. 'Umaira, jaan. I will try. I promise.' He assured her, he held her and made her rest her head on his chest. Umaira wanted to say, it isn't his fault she is crying, it's something else. Ibrahim wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. 'Promise, you will come. Ibrahim, you know right that I hate being second priority. You are my first priority, I want to be your first too' Umaira said looking into his eyes, more tears filling her eyes. 'Promise.' Ibrahim said. Umaira leaned forward and placed her lips over his, kissing him passionately. She doesn't want him to go away from her, like how someone had walked away from her life long time back. Someone who had once been the whole world to her. Ibrahim held her face deepening the kiss. Gently he pushed her on the bed, with their lips locked he slowly climbed over her.

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

Umaira woke up in the middle of the night, she turned her head to her right and found Ibrahim sleeping peacefully, his slight snores puncturing the silence in the room. She turned to her side and looked at him. 'I am sorry, Ibrahim. I don't know why I get so insecure...thanks for being there for me.' she said lovingly caressing his cheek. Slowly, she slipped out from the duvet and quickly got dressed. She walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. She is not getting any sleep, so she decided to do some work. There are some more editing to do with the photographs she had clicked. She made herself a strong coffee and tied her hair in a quick bun and sat in front of her laptop. As she is going through her mails, she stumbled upon a spam mail. She frowned wondering if she should open it. Something made her want to open the mail. So, going by her instincts she opened the mail. A beautiful invitation card popped up. Umaira's eyes widened as she read the card, it is her College Reunion. ST. Xavier College. She is numb for a while staring at the screen. College reunion? Will he come there too? If she goes, she might meet him. Umaira's shock turned into anger thinking about him. No, she will not go. She doesn't want to see his face, not after what he did to her. Umaira leaned in her seat and closed her eyes. No matter how hard she tried, her past always comes haunting her. 

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

It is bright Monday morning. Umaira was super excited, and why shouldn't she. It's her wedding after all. Umaira is glowing with happiness. 'How am I looking?' she asked twirling around in her golden and red lehengha. Her friend, Jasmine smiled. 'Stunning!' she complimented. Umaira blushed. She looked at her reflection, she adjusted the Ghajra around her mid-parting twisted bun. Her golden and red bangle dangled around her thin, delicate wrists. She has also taken the pain of applying Mehendi till her elbows. Even though, she and Mehran are having secret court marriage, Umaira wants to make it special. After fifteen minutes, Jasmine had to literally drag her friend.

Umaira adjusted her dress and waited patiently with her friend. Mehran and his friend Shadab were to come in a while for the marriage. Umaria felt nervous as she sat on the bench waiting for her turn. She kept glancing at her watch. Mehran was to come by now. Why hasn't he? Jasmine asked her to call him, but she shook her head, stating he must be stuck in traffic. 

Ten minutes later, 'Miss. Siddiqui and Mr. Ali.' A peon poked his head from inside the office. Umaira stood up nervously. She looked around, there is no sign of Mehran. Her mind thinking all sort of negative things. 'Five more minutes, Sir. Mr. Ali is on his way' Umaira said. The peon said her they can't wait for her as many others are in line. Before, she could request him, he called the next couple. Umaira felt tears in her eyes as she watched the other couple walk into the cabin. Jasmine placed her palm on her shoulder, 'Call him, ask him to hurry' she said softly. Umaira nodded, she went to a corner and dialed his number.

The sun is to set now, Umaira sat on the stairs to the court. Jasmine next to her. Umaira's tears have dried, her lips swollen and her eyes void of emotions. After she tried calling him many times, she failed to reach him. Finally, one hour later she got a text from him. "I am sorry, I am helpless." Umaira was shocked, there must be something wrong. This can't happen. Mehran can't do this to her. He loves her so much, he can't ditch her. After that text, he had switched off his phone. Umaira felt her world shattered. Jasmine helped compose her friend and made her sit on the stairs. Umaira simply sat there even after night fall, secretly hoping, her Mehran comes for her. But she kept waiting, he never came...