The ladies lead Huma from the hotel room to the venue where she will be made to sit with the groom on the throne on the stage. As they entered the venue, Umaira looked up and saw Shadab had already come and now stood at the stage; beside him stands Mehran. Umaira felt guilty and so looked away. With her head held low she helped Huma climb up the stage. Shadab gave his hand, Huma blushed and placed her palm over his. The wedding lehenga too heavy for her, she stumbled. Umaira moved to hold her but Shadab was quick, he held her arms. Huma looked at him, they stared at each other. Umaira admired them.

Some girls giggled and they broke their eye contact feeling embarrassed. Huma and Shadab are then made to stand beside each other. Umaira stood on the bride's side as they all posed for the camera.

Unable to control his urges Mehran titled his head little and looked at Umaira. Even in the crowd she shone. He smiled, her side profile had always been the best.

'Smile, honey!' Siham said and held his arm distracting him. Mehran looked at Siham for few seconds before looking back at Umaira, this time even she is looking at him. As they looked at each other the camera clicked the photo, capturing the moment forever. Mehran smiled little at her, but she didn't.

After they had dispersed and now guests came on stage to see the bride and bless the couple. Umaira stood by Huma with other girls in case she needed something -being the bride Huma has to be quiet and still.

Mehran is feeling restless. After they had accidently dashed outside his parent's room, they have not spoken a word and Mehran is desperate to talk to her. He is concerned for her, he wants to know if she is fine. He looked around, he walked to a waiter and got a tissue paper. He then gets a lipstick from Siham in pretence that Amreen needed it. He quickly jolted down a message and called a kid, 'Give this to that Didi there.' He said the kid pointing at Umaira. Mehran felt like a hero from a 90's movie only unlike in 90's movie the kid grinned and winked at him before running towards the stage- kids.

Umaira is adjusting Huma's veil when a kid comes and tugged on her lehenga. She looked at the kid and raised her eyebrows. The kid handed her the tissue paper and ran down. Umaira frowned puzzled, she unfolded the tissue, there is a message written in lipstick.

Meet me by the poolside

Mehran

Umaira looked around but couldn't find Mehran, perhaps he has already gone by the poolside. She bit her lower-lip and looked back at tissue paper she held. She fears facing him. After the blunder, she has done; how will she face him? she looked around and squeezed the tissue paper tossing it in a dustbin nearby.

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

Mehran is standing close to the pool, his hands shoved inside his pyjamas. It's been fifteen minutes since he has been waiting for Umaira. He glanced at his watch and sighed, perhaps she isn't coming. He shook his head and placed his hand back into his pocket. He turned to leave but stopped when he saw Umaira standing few distance away from him, where the chairs were. Mehran could see unshed tears glistening in her eyes. He walked up to her.

'Me-Meh-ran...I...ruin everything.' Her voice cracked, she squeezed her eyes close letting tears fall.
After debating with herself, if she should go or not, Umaira decided she will meet him. There is nothing that can be done now, at least he deserves an apology. She left the function and now she stood by the pool side facing Mehran. She felt a heavy weight rest on her chest.

'Umaira.' Mehran said. He didn't think twice and hugged her tight. As he hugged Umaira felt a strange peace being in his arms after what seemed like eternity. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his shoulder. Mehran's grip around her tightened as she shook crying in his arms. Mehran could feel his shervani wet with her tears. He felt his heart sink. 'Shh...'he caressed her hair.

'I am sorry.... I am sorry.' Umaira chanted shaking her head and gripping the back of his shervani tightly.

Mehran separated their frames and held her face in his palm, he looked at her.

'Umaira, please don't cry.' He said wiping her tears with his thumbs. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at Mehran. He shook his head mouthing a "Don't cry."

She couldn't stop her tears, she hugged him again.

'Had I not been a stupid fool we would have been together.' She whispered. Mehran placed his arms around her, 'No, I should have spoken to you. Forced you to listen to me.' Mehran said sadly.

Umaira pressed her lips together and pushed him. The force made Mehran stumble few steps back. He is stunned.

'Why didn't you? Why didn't you slap me back and told me the BLOODY TRUTH!' Mehran gulped seeing fury in her eyes.

'You know what (she is huffing by now) it is not my fault but YOURS!' She pushed him again, Mehran stumbled back.

'Umair...'

'SHUT UP! jab bolna tha you didn't speak. Now, don't Umaira me?' she hit his chest hard. He slipped, but before he fall into the pool he held her hand.

SPLASH! They both fell into the water.

'Arghh.... Idiot!' Umaira said annoyed. Mehran chuckled.

'Everything is your fault! Stupid.' She scolded him. The pool isn't deep, one can stand and walk easily. Umaira turned and is about to walk when Mehran held her. Before she could move he splashed water on her.

'Huh! Monkey' Umaira said and splashed some water on him.

'My designer lehengha.' She whined.

'My designer Shervani.' Mehran imitated her. She glared at him, he laughed at her. Seconds later, her frown turned into a smile. Noticing Mehran is distracted laughing she smirked. She splashed some water right on his face. Mehran stopped laughing. Now it is Umaira's turn to laugh.

Mehran admired her as she laughed whole-heartedly. Something came over him, unable to control himself he held her arm and pulled her closer. Their gaze met and Umaira stopped laughing. A serious expression overtook her. Mehran looked into her eyes and then glanced at her lips. Her lips were wet and very tempting. Without thinking Mehran titled his head and leaned forward, his eyes closing. But before he could kiss, Umaira placed her fingers on his lips. He opened his eyes and looked into hers. She looked fearful. She shook her head. Mehran moved her palm.

'Umaira! You know I love you.' he whispered. Umaira looked at him, she didn't say a word. She closed her eyes feeling his fingertips caress her cheek. Mehran looked at her lovingly. She opened her eyes.

'I am sorry. I ruined everything Mehran...'she said. Mehran placed his index finger on her lips, Umaira felt jolt of electricity run down her spine. She shivered. Mehran removed his finger, he took a step closer to her and leaned forward tilting his head. Umaira looked at him as he moved his head closer to hers, his lips aimed towards her. She watched his lips. Feeling his lips inches away from hers, she closed her eyes surrendering.

'I love you too, Mehran.' She confessed. Mehran moved back, his eyes wide. Umaira opened her eyes and looked at him.

'Really?' Mehran asked as though confirming what he heard was right. Umaira nodded her head and smiled sadly.

'I have always loved you Mehran. Even in these five years. Like you said the feelings...they were just (she shrugged) ...there somewhere. And when I saw you after five long years.... everything came back to me, my feelings for you...just in one night.... just like that (she snapped her fingers like Mehran had done last night, Mehran smiled) ...Seeing you with Siham...it was hurting me. why? I have moved on then why didn't my feelings end? Everything resurfaced like it was never gone...now, spending time with you, befriending you again.... I realized I had never really moved on...my life seemed perfect before I met you and after five years when I met you.... I realized how incomplete I was without you.' Umaira finished. She poured in all her feelings that were bottled up since many days. She said it all.

As soon as she completed Mehran pulled her for another hug. Umaira smiled as he chanted his love for her, she hugged him back.

'I am so happy, Umaira.' He kissed the top of her head. Mehran separated their frames and looked at Umaira, she lowered her lashes. A shy smile on her face. Mehran admired her lovingly.

Slowly, she looked at him. He took a step, she too took a step. Mehran held her nape and leaned forward. Umaira closed her eyes. Seconds later, she felt her heart skip a beat as his lips touched hers, after five years. Both felt their lips ablaze as Mehran slowly kissed her. Umaira placed her palms on his chest and reciprocated his kiss. They kissed each other gently. Minutes later their lips moved in sync. Umaira held his collar as he deepened the kiss. They continue to kiss each other passionately. Years of bottled up sadness, longing, passion poured into their kiss. They stood cut off from the rest of the world. It was only them, Umaira and Mehran kissing each other in the pool, in their own world.

Mehran climbed out from the pool, he helped her stand as well. He held her not wanting her to leave, she didn't want to either.

'Huma will kill me.' Umaira giggled.

'Shadab will kill me too.' Mehran laughed. Umaira looked at him, she extended her hand and held his, 'But the death will be worth it.' she smiled. Mehran looked at her, into her eyes, he saw love. His heart filled with warmth seeing the more passionate love for himself in her eyes. The eyes are the same that were five years ago, but the love, it has advanced.

Umaira blushed under his gaze. Mehran scooped her in his arms. She gasped. Nevertheless, slowly she composed herself and wrapped her arms around his neck. Looking at her, Mehran carried her inside.

Mehran dropped her outside her room, 'Change into something warm.' he said. Umaira nodded. 'You too.' She said softly.

'Good night.' he kissed her forehead.

'Good night.' she replied with a smile. Before anyone spotted them Umaira disappeared into her room. Mehran walked towards the elevator. As he stepped into the elevator he caught Umaira peeking from inside her room looking at him. He smiled as she quickly went back into her room.

Mehran is over the moon tonight. He looked at his lips in the elevator mirror and his smile widened.

Umaira changed into her night clothes and blow dried her hair. All the while a smile on her face as she reminisced the kiss. The kiss in the pool under the moonlight felt so passionate, intense, and pure. It was full of love and longing. After drying her hair, she looked at her reflection, her gaze fell on her lips. She smiled and touched her lips with her fingers. She caressed her lips still feeling the touch of his lips lingering on hers. Just then her gaze fell on the solitaire ring glistening in her ring finger and her heart twisted with agony- she has just cheated on Ibrahim, her fiancé.