Arham had always been good at reading people , a skill he had developed over the years, and Yusuf, Arham knew him better than he knew himself.

Arham was positive that something was majorly off with his best friend and he would ask him about it eventually, but if Yusuf needed time and space, he would respect his wishes.

As the elevator doors closed, the sudden shift in the energy radiating from the person next to him was very evident. The outspoken, childish, bubbly Meher or should he say Nur Jahan had gone and in front of him stood the plain Jane.

Arham would lie if he said it didn't bother him that his own wife was more comfortable with another man, his best friend in-fact than she had ever been with him.

After his mother had left for Islamabad the only conversation Meher had initialled was in regards to find the whereabouts of Yusuf. Meher had done all her wifely duties in silence, the past week the only two occasions she had spoken to him was to thank him and to question him.

"So how is the library ?" Arham asked as he called from his car from the valet.

"It great, thank you." She replied curtly.

"Good. When are your exams ?"

"A month and a half approximately." She replied.

"Oh. Best of luck." He said and mentally facepalmed himself immediately.
'Best of luck ? Seriously Arham, best fucking luck ?' He mentally scolded himself.

"Thank you." Meher replied politely and to Arham's luck his black sedan pulled into the driveway immediately.

Arham hopped into the drivers seat and strapped himself to the seat igniting the engine.

Meher too got in gracefully into the passengers seat.

Arham switched on the radio to kill the awkward silence he knew would come along the journey back home.

Sweet music begun to play through the speakers and a soft hum came from him left. He watched Meher lean against the window and watch the lights passing in a blur, her hazel eyes shone and the yellow lights of the street creates shadows on her face making her look softer than she was.

"Zindagi.. Kaisi hai paheli, haae
Kabhi to hasaaye, Kabhi ye rulaaye
Zindagi." Meher started to duet along with the voice coming from the speaker. Arham was surprised to hear her sing and in awe with her sweet voice contributing to the melody.

"Kabhi dekho man nahi jaage, Pichhe pichhe sapano ke bhaage
Ek din sapano kaa raahi , Chalaa jaae sapano ke aage kahaan
Zindagi"

A few things Arham had learnt today

One - his wife has two personalities

Two - she didn't trust him to be her true self in front of him

Three - she was one hell of a singer and

Four- his wife loved ice creams

Arham pulled the brakes of the car and the car came to a screeching halt, making Meher squeal.

"Sorry." Arham apologised.

"Is there something wrong ?" Meher asked innocently looking up towards Arham.

"Ice.. Ice..Ahem." Arham cleared his throat. "Ice cream." He said pointing towards the road side ice cream vendor.

"Ice cream ?" Meher asked surprised.

"You wanted to have ice cream didn't you ?"

"I..I..want-."

"I'll get it." He said and got out of the car.

"He could have at least asked me for the flavour." Meher said to herself.

•••

The empty Butt mansion had been a scare house for Meher, the only people she saw were Gul and the gardener.
Arham would some days sleep in the study or had taken shelter in the guest bedroom previously occupied by Hooriya.

Meher had barely spoken to Gul or Arham, a driver would drop her to the library and would pick her up from there as well.

Meher missed Hooriya and Safa, the empty big rooms of the butt mansion were a little too lonely.

She had tried contacting Yusuf for the entire past week but even he had been avoiding her, just like his best friend, her husband.

She felt a little relief after meeting him today, but the loneliness she felt was deeply rooted.

She watched her reflection in the mirror as she took out makeup from her face. Her face had a health glow, it wasn't clouded with worry lines her own blood relatives had bestowed her with, she was happy, even if alone at the moment, she was happy.

A knock on the door pulled her back to the present.

"Come inside." She replied to the knock.

The oak doors opened and Arham stood there in grey track pants and a body hugging black T-shirt.

"Aap ?" (You.) Meher said with surprise.

"Yes, I wanted to ask you something, for help actually."

"Help ? My help ?"

"Yes. We are redoing uniforms for our hotel staff, since you have interest and knowledge in the field, you could help us." He said.

"I..I'm not sure. I don't have a degree or any past experience I -."

"I know all of that." Arham interrupted her. "I have people with degrees and experience much more than your existence working on it as well, just needed a fresh opinion, will you do it ?" He asked her authoritatively.

"I would love to." Meher relied.

"Come to the office at 12 tomorrow." He said and walked out of the room, closing the doors behind him.

•••

Hooriya had reached back home. She was till staying with Safa's mother and sister.

"Hoor is that you ?" Kulsum called from the kitchen.

"Ji Khala, I've got Bijaan's multi vitamins and calcium." Hoor replied placing the medicines on the table.

"Oh thank you dear." Kulsum said coming out of the kitchen. "Bi jaan has already slept, I've put the food in the microwave, go wash your hands and have the food. I have a virtual date with the Sheikh I told you about." Kulsum said dreamily.

"Khala, I find that sheikh a scam, be careful." Hoor warned.

"Oh don't worry sweetie." Kulsum blew her a kiss and walked away.
Hooriya chuckled at her goofy aunt before taking seat on the couch.

Hoor opened her phone and went through her texts.

'Assalam Walekum Hooriya Baaji ! Have you reached California?'

'How is Phupho and Phupha jaan ?'

'Are my messages reaching you ?'

'Are you fine baaji ?'

'Mera dil baitha ja raha hai baaji, please reply.' (I'm worried now)

'Safa aunty reassured me that you have reached and you are busy with your family, sorry for texting you multiple times. I miss you already.'

' Assalam Walekum Hooriya Baaji ! Have you had any contact with Yusuf ?'

'Hi Baaji. Safa aunty is going to Islamabad to uncle. Everyone is leaving one after the other, only Arham and I are left behind. I miss you.'

'I've started going to the library, caught up with all the studies, I have only my books for company as of now. You are gone, Yusuf won't pick up my calls and Arham, well he never did entertain me. Come soon.'

'Salam baaji . I'm worried, it's been a week. Yusuf isn't picking my calls or even Arham's. Has he contacted you ? I'm really worried.'

'I'm going to ask Arham to take me to Yusuf. I feel very restless, is he ignoring me ? But why would he ignore Arham ? I hope he is okay! Allah miya please let him be okay.'

'Hi baaji. On our way back from Yusuf's house. He said he is fine, he looked fine but didn't seem fine. I know it wasn't work which kept him so busy that he had no time to call, I don't want to pressurise him but I hope he is okay, truly okay.'

'Omg Baaji!!!!! Arham just asked me if I could assist in making the new staff uniforms for the Hotel. Uff Allah I feel like I'll faint. He asked for my help and my first official work. I hope everything goings well and I don't disappoint him. I really miss you, Allah Hafis."

It was the last message she received from Meher an hour ago. She smiled reading her messages, her fingers itched to send a reply, but what would she write, how much more could she lie to her.

"Aye khuda, give me the strength." She made dua and wiped the tear which moistened her eye. (Oh lord)

•••

Yusuf sat by the fireplace in his house with a cup of coffee in his hand. He thought his life had complicated itself when he realised his feelings for Meher, but after knowing the truth Hooriya had been hiding he did not know what to do.

He was scared for himself earlier, but now he was scared for his best friend and the woman he loved.

The buzzing of his phone pulled him out from his deep thoughts. An unknown number flashed on his screen.

"Hello ?" He said as he answered the call.

"Hi, I'm calling for Sadarf hospital, a woman was brought in and your contact is stored in her mobile for medical emergencies, can you please come."

"Who was brought it in ?" Yusuf panicked . Was it Nur ? Was it Hooriya ?

"Ms. A..Ali. Oh ! It's doctor Alia Ali." The voice on the other end said.

"I'll be there soon."

AN: I don't know if the story is going in the right direction, if it's too slow or too fast, I'm not in my zone of writing.
Feedback's and suggestions will be positively welcomed
Stay safe
Lots of love
xoxo