The sun, the biggest most powerful object in the universe. A big ball of fire that some people believe, will be the cause of earth's destruction. What I am saying is, that the sun has to also rise from the darkness of the space to shine bright in the sky.

She knows.

These two words have been roaming around Aayan's mind since he saw Ruhee standing up the stairs. Aayan had stopped caring about what the world said about him being 'the illegitimate child of Ibrahim & Co.' He came to the conclusion that as long as he let that name tag along, people will mention him like that. He had to out shine that name and make his own name, only then will people shut their mouths.

But today, after so many years, for the first time, he thought that maybe just because of this name, he'll lose someone who has become precious to him. Because people left him when they found the truth, be it family or friends, only Zubair stuck by. He just stood their for awhile, thinking what would Ruhee think of him now. Would she still smile at him the same way and have the same look in her eyes when she looks at him? He didn't know, but he wanted to.

So, he moved his feet, and went straight to stand before his mother's room. He didn't enter, just stood their and heard,'You are really very nice, Ruhee. And after hearing you say those words, I want to let the pain go, by sharing it with you.' Aayan hears his mother's voice say. There was a moment of silence, then he heard his mother start to speak, 'I was 27 when I met Aayan's father, Rasheed Ibrahim, he was 32 then. We met through my father. My father was a big business man and Rasheed had come to meet and collab with my father's company. Then, we met at a company dinner, I had accompanied my father there. We met and started talking and enjoyed the evening together.' Aayan could tell by his mother's voice, that she was relishing those memories.

'We started meeting often at the company, since I used to work there. Then we started meeting daily and soon, fell for each other. One day, in a tragic accident, my father passed away, and I was all alone. My sister was married by then and I don't even remember my mother's face as she had passed away when I was three years of age.' Sahma's voice had gone solemn now. 'I was living at my sisters place, when Rasheed came over and asked my hand in marriage to my sister. My sister was reluctant, but agreed for my sake. We got married and I moved into his penthouse. He would always be gone for two to three months. After a year, my baby boy was born.' Aayan could feel the smile in Sahma's voice. 'Rasheed and I were so happy, but one day, I saw Rasheed on the news with a lady and a small boy. The anchor introduced them as husband - wife, and my whole world came crashing down.' Aayan could feel the pain in his mother's voice, now.

'I was really angry at him for decieving me. I didn't let him enter the house when he came back, but I couldn't stay angry at him for long, after all, I did fall in love with him. I forgave him after two months, but on the condition that he will take me to his first wife and we will live together as one family. He agreed, but who knew Hydari would react like that.' Aayan heard Sahma take a deep breath and continue, 'When we went home, Hydari was devastated, who wouldn't be. Her husband had married another woman and had a child with her, and was standing on her doorstep. She caused a big fuss the whole day, and later, Rasheed took me to another house of his.' Sahma's voice paused for a moment, it felt like she was collecting her emotions.

'The next day, the news was filled with us. "Multi-billionaire, Rasheed Ibrahim, has a mistress and an illegitimate child" "Woman seduces Multi-billionaire, Rasheed Ibrahim" Sure, Rasheed did his best and took down the news but it had already spread like wild fire. Somehow, people had found out where I was staying and news channels and reporters kept on banging at my door, asking me hurtful questions.' Aayan heard a sob leave his mother's mouth and he fisted his hands. Aayan didn't know his mother had to go through all this taunts from the world. He only knew that Hydari didn't accept her, but not all this.

'My sister would call me everyday, asking about me and my health, after all, Aayan was just over six months then. Physically I was healthy and fit, but mentally, I was completely drained.' Sahma's voice stops as she cries silently, but loud enough for her son to hear. After sometime, Sahma continued,'But I had to stay strong, my boy shouldn't face all this, so I made sure the world knew that I wasn't some gold digger and I had a rich family background, and my sister did that for me. After Abba's death, the company went over to Faiz, Shifa's husband, and he made a clear statement to the press about who I am, which made the media shut out for a bit, but not for long. News, that Rasheed married me for my half of shares in my father's company spread. No matter what we did, the media never shut up.'

'Later, we found out that Hydari had been spreading all this news in the media, because she did not want me with Rasheed. So, Rasheed began spending more time with Hydari and Mahir than with us, but that made the news stop, so it was fine. It was also fine because Rasheed cared about both his families equally, but the mental stress I had to go through, was really hard on me. Time went by and Aayan grew up with lots of love from his father. People did taunt him for being an illegal child and Hydari, raised Mahir to hate Aayan aswell.' Sahma ends. Aayan stood out and heard everything in silence. His mother had never told him all this, only the good things of the past, never the bad. He felt useless as her son, not being able to comfort his mother.

'You are so strong, Ammi. Aayan is really lucky to have you as his mother.' Aayan finally heard Ruhee's voice, and his heartbeat picked up,'Really?' he hears Sahma ask,'Of course, not everybody can go through all this and still smile this beautifully.' he heard Ruhee say, 'It was supposed to happen, so it did. And Ammi, you didn't blame anyone, nor your time, fate or your husband. You just accepted what came at you and now, the media and news are speaking highly of how well you raised Aayan.' Aayan felt a little relieved for some reason on hearing that,'The media is speaking so well, that even Hydari is jealous of it.' 'You think?' Sahma asks Ruhee, 'Yup, because she came all the way here with her son, just to drop your self esteem. She is so damn jealous and I am so happy that she is.' Ruhee said.

Aayan heard his mother's soft laugh for the first time since this conversation began, and it was all because of Ruhee,'Thank you, Ruhee. For listening to my pain and relieving it.' He hears Sahma thank her, 'Since, it is relieved, I am gonna make sure it never comes back.' Ruhee says. Aayan had heard enough, so he walked away. He ordered dinner and went off to bed. He was laying in the darkness of his room, when he heard the door open, he kept his eyes closed. He knew it was Ruhee and he didn't have the courage to face her. The door closes and he falls asleep.

A week has passed since that incident. Sahma is all fresh and happy like she never was, but Aayan, he was closed off. He would not talk much or stay at home for any reason. He would go to work early and be back home late. Seeing this, Ruhee packed his lunch at night and would keep it in the fridge. Aayan was surprised to see the sticky note on the fridge with this information, but he was grateful. He didn't wanna face Ruhee yet and he was doing his best to not cross paths with her at home, by not staying at home.

It is Saturday today and Aayan comes home late. He eats his dinner that was kept on the table and walks up to his room. He walks in to see Ruhee sleeping on the couch as usual. He walks into the closet and gets changed. He comes out, to find Ruhee standing before him with her arms crossed and staring at him sternly. He was surprised, but kept his composure, 'Why have you been avoiding me?' Ruhee asks him. 'I am not avoiding you.' he says, walking past her to sit on his bed.

'Of course you are. You have been going to work early and coming home late at night for the past one week.' Ruhee says, trying her best to not scream at him. 'I just have too much work to do.' he replies not looking at her. 'Oh really, then I wonder why Zubair called me today and told me to sought whatever happened between us, because you are staying at work late, thus making him also work late.' Ruhee tells him, getting frustrated.

Damn you Zubair.

Aayan was looking at the floor when he sees two feet appear before him, but he doesn't look up,'I get it that you don't want to face me because of what happened last week, but Aayan, running away from you problems is not an option.' he hears Ruhee say but he doesn't look up, 'Ammi wanted to let go of her pain, but didn't know how to, so I went to her. But for you, you will have to go to that person, any person, because you are holding on to your pain. It doesn't matter who comes to you, until you wish to tell that person, it useless.' Aayan still doesn't look up at her. He hears Ruhee sign and say in a soft voice,'Just because you're smiling, doesn't mean you are happy. Same way, just because you're not crying, doesn't mean you are not sad, Aayan.'

He sees her move away from before him. Ruhee was just passing by him, when Aayan grabs hold of her wrist. They still for a moment, then 'Aayan.' he hears her call out to him, in a soft voice. He pulls her by her wrist, to bring her to stand before him again. He pulls her forward, to stand between his legs, close to him, as he slowly lifts his head and rests it on her belly. He feels her stiffen at his action, but he doesn't move away. He let's go of her wrist, and encircles his arms around her waist, pulling her more closer to him, and hugging her to his head. 'Aayan.' she says again, as she hesitantly places her hand on his head, and intervenes her fingers in his hair. A lone tear, flows down Aayan's eyes as he stays that way.

I want to let go of my pain aswell.