Car journey back home was silent one for Umaria, nevertheless, she enjoyed the silence. She kept looking out from the window, looking at the chaos of Delhi traffic, she realized how much she missed her hometown. Her apartment is in the second floor of a seven-story building in a middle-class locality. They have been living here since Umaira can remember. She was perhaps living here since her birth. Her father a retired professor can afford rent for smaller apartments, but why waste money when you have an apartment of your own.

Umaira entered her room and smiled, her parents had kept her room as she had left it. Her mother came from behind and looked at her daughter. Umaira is looking around touching her wardrobe, her dresses, the bedsheets, the table lamp. Everything, just as she had left it four years ago.

'Go freshen up! I will prepare lunch.' She said warmly. Umaira nodded, she then leaned forward and hugged her mother. Tears fell from her eyes, Umaira didn't wipe it. She felt her mother shake little, she smiled realizing her mother is crying too. After, her mother had left Umaira sat at the edge of the bed and took out her phone. She goes to her speed dial and called Ibrahim. 'Hello...?'

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

After speaking with Ibrahim for good fifteen minutes, Umaira went into the bathroom for a quick bath. Taking bath here is much more comforting and refreshing than taking bath thousand times back in Milan. After twenty minutes of bathing when Umaira stepped out from the bathroom, she felt rejuvenated, like she has been born again. She quickly blow dried her hair and got dressed in her casuals -Winnie the Pooh yellow Tee; white and pink polka dotted pants.

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

Umaira's mother, Rubina, had cooked Mutton Biryani and some chips along with Raita. The entire four seater dining table is filled with food. Umaira's eyes widened. All her four years of dieting is going to go in drain for the one week she is going to stay here. She shook her head. Over the years, she is used to having less food. How will her stomach digest this much food? She gulped as her mother held her hand and led her towards the table.

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

Umaira was famished, yet her mother and father kept feeding. They stopped only when she threatened she will throw up.

'I will get you Gulab jamun. You will feel better.' Her father said hurrying into the kitchen. Umaira smiled watching her parents frantically search for Gulab Jamuns in the fridge.

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

Mehran is standing at the balcony, watching the sun set. He feels the loneliest now. He kept staring at the setting sun, the ambience serene and beautiful. He sighed sadly and took a sip of his hot coffee.

'Bhaiya!' he quickly composed himself on hearing his little sister's voice. It's been a while since they have come from airport. After hearty lunch, Junaid left for his home, Siham to her photoshoot, Mehran to his study and Amreen had slept.

Waking up, only one hour ago, she was seeing her wedding and reception photos. While browsing through her brother's laptop, she came across the reunion invitation. Amreen felt bad for her brother.

Amreen had joined college when Mehran was dating Umaira and like every single soul there she too knew about their undying love. She is also aware of the events that led to their messy breakup. The entire college still gossips about the whole incident.

Mehran is very close to his little sister, she even knows his unsaid words...his guilt.

She walked up to Mehran and stood next to him.

'What are you looking at?' Amreen asked looking out. Mehran sighed and shook his head.

'I saw your mail, Bhaiya.' Mehran turned his head, so quick he felt his neck crack. Amreen turned her head and looked calmly at her brother.

'Are you going?' she asked simply, not breaking the eye contact. Mehran looked away shaking his head. Amreen sighed and placed her palm over his shoulder.

'I think you should go.'

'No...' he said shaking his head, he walked into the room and placed his coffee mug on small table. Amreen walked in and held his arm turning him around.

'Why not? Bhaiya, you are worried that she will be there too.' Amreen said sounding slightly annoyed. Mehran stuck out his palm and shook his head

'I don't want to talk about that.' He said simply. Amreen held his other arm and looked into his eyes.

'For how long will you run from your past? Bhaiya, she needs to know the truth...you need to come out from the guilt.' She shook him slightly.

Mehran jerked his arms from her grip and turned around, his back facing her. Amreen stepped in front of him; it is always been Mehran guiding and advising Amreen but at times things needs to take a turn.

'Bhaiya. What if she doesn't come? You have moved on, right? Then why are you bothered she will be there or not....' Amreen said. Her words hit him in his heart. Mehran is hundred percent sure, he has moved on. He is happily engaged to Siham, his professional life flourishing then why the hesitance. Perhaps, she has moved on too. Then why is Mehran hesitating? He looked at his little sister, he placed his palm on Amreen's head and nodded. Amreen smiled looking at her brother.

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

Luckily, next day it wasn't much cold like yesterday and so Umaira decided to roam around Delhi. Exploring her old hometown. It seems like eternity she has been here. Her mother, Rubina, suggested she too will join her.

'So much has changed in these four years.' She had said. Umaira couldn't refuse and nodded her head.

Umaira and her mother took an auto, they decided to first go to Connaught place. Umaira has also planned to buy her clothes and accessories for the Reunion. She hasn't told her mother about the College Reunion, she doesn't want old wound to open again.

They roamed around the Umaira, shopping more than what they had planned. Shopping here, is million times better than shopping in Milan. Though there are better options and quality there, but here, this is home.

After shopping, they decided to have lunch. Rubina sat at the table while Umaira ordered lunch. She placed the order and walked back to the table. She sat opposite her mother. As she sat scrolling her mobile screen, Rubina's gaze fell on Umaira's ring, glittering proudly on her left ring finger. Rubina smiled.

'Umaira?'

'Hmmm...' Umaira said, her gaze unmoved from her mobile screen.

'Are you happy?' Rubina asked softly. Umaira looked up at her mother, who is smiling at her. Umaira then glanced at her ring and smiled nodding her head.

'Very.' She said. Rubina looked relieved.

She took her hand and stared at the ring lovingly.

'Ibrahim is a sweet heart. You won't get a better man than him.' Rubina said.

Umaira had made Ibrahim speak to her parents through video-calling. Initially, they were skeptical, after the bitter past experience they had been cautious. Ibrahim slowly won their hearts and they agreed for their relationship. Umaira is thankful to have been blessed with such perfect parents.

'Umaira, I think you and Ibrahim should get married now. It's been so long since the engagement.' Rubina said thoughtfully.

Umaira looked at her mother, she didn't know what to say. She does want to get married to Ibrahim. They both are committed and happily engaged, yet it seems too early to take a huge step like marriage. Umaira didn't say anything, she simply shook her head.

After lunch, the mother daughter went back home and then in the evening they went to take a stroll in the nearby park.