Umaira is stunned, she moved her hand away from him. But before she could move, Mehran held her hand.

'In these five years, I convinced myself I have moved on and I am happy with Siham. Everything is perfect. But that night, that at our reunion. Everything went back to where I had left it. My feelings came back to me...Umaira, in just one night, just like that (he snapped his fingers) why? Why, Umaira? Perhaps it was never gone. But had gotten buried somewhere. And now, it surfaced again. I tried running, suppressing.... nothing, nothing worked...Umaira, truth be told I think...I still love you.' he finished.

I too tried running and suppressing my feelings and my love for you. But it's getting hard. I thought I too moved on. I am happily engaged with Ibrahim, everything is perfect. But that night, after I met you again I realized how incomplete my life was in these five years.

Is what Umaira wanted to say but she ended saying, 'There is no point of this, anymore.' Umaira moved her palm from his grip.

Mehran felt his heart drop. There is silence, though they stand few steps away from each other it is seeming like they are miles apart. Both what to reach out to each other but the distance...it is getting too much. Umaira's eyes pricked with tears, Mehran took a step towards her, she took a step back.

'Why not, Umaira? Why there is no point?' Mehran voice almost pleading. Umaira closed her eyes taking in her tears. She then opened her eyes and held his left hand.

'Because of this.' She pointed at his engagement ring and then hers, 'These rings mark us as someone else's. We are committed to two different people. Whatever happened between us is the thing of the past. Now, our future is Ibrahim and Siham. You can cheat your fiancé but I can't. Ibrahim was there for me when there was no one else, not even you.' Umaira said. Mehran is speechless after what she said. Umaira took a step back and then started to walk away.

'Do you love him?' Mehran said. Umaira stopped and turned around, 'What?' she said.

Mehran turned to look at her, his hands shoved into his pocket, 'You said you can't leave Ibrahim because he was there for you when you needed him. But you didn't say you love him.' he said simply.
Now, it is her turn to be speechless. Mehran walked towards her, his hand still in his pockets. 'You didn't say you can't cheat him or be with him because you love him. So, do you Umaira? Do you love him?' Mehran said, he stared into her eyes. Umaira looked away, the intensity of his gaze making her uncomfortable.

'Of course.' She mumbled. She then looked at him, before the conversation goes serious she turned around and ran, not wanting to give him a chance to stop her.

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

'What! Who!' Huma woke up as Umaira entered the room. The loud sound of the door opening and shutting broke her beauty sleep.

'Oh! It is you. Don't you know it is a crime to disturb the bride to be's sleep.' She groaned. Umaira ignored her and climbed on the bed. Huma wore her sleepers again and fell on the bed. Umaira turned to her side, she buried herself head to toe with her duvet.

'Of course, I love him. I love Ibrahim.... I love him...I love...' Umaira kept repeating under her breath. It was like she was convincing herself. Her gaze fell on her Mehendi "Ibrahran"

How did this happen? Why did this happen? Umaira blinked. Mehran gave words to her feelings. She felt everything he had said. No matter who she lies to, but she can't lie to herself. Yet, she is scared. Scared, to be truthful to herself.

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

Mehran entered the room and found Siham had slept off hugging his pillow. He kneeled beside her and looked at her. Her nose red, cheeks strained with dry tears. Mehran felt very bad realizing she must have cried herself to sleep. Mehran moved few strands of hair off her face and caressed her face lovingly. Umaira is right, Siham deserves to know. Mehran's sudden realization of his love for Umaira, she should know that too. Mehran has decided to come clean, and then let her decide. But, one thing is sure. Though Mehran doesn't love-love Siham the way he loves Umaira, yet he has a strong soft corner for Siham. Had Umaira not been in the picture ever, perhaps he would have fallen madly in love with Siham, only her. But the truth is that he loves Umaira and he can't cheat or fool Siham. He respects and admires Siham too much to hurt her. Mehran leaned forward and kissed her cheek, 'I am sorry.' He whispered.

Siham didn't wake up, she simply shifted in her side. Mehran took a small pillow and sat on the double sofa. He lay to his side and stared at the wall front, thinking about Umaira and how she rejected his feelings. Though she said something, her eyes, they said otherwise. He smiled thinking of her tear filled sparkling honey coloured eyes - she loves him too.