THREE MONTHS LATER

"Go for it Noorie!! Basket! Basket! Basket!", I can hear the screams clearly, Rizwaan's voice most of all poeple as I try chasing away any opponents in my path. One more Basket Noorie and the trophy is ours. I dribble a few more seconds changing directions unpredictably and finally as I reach my spot, Ashfa signals with her eyes which means the path is clear and I aim for the Basket.

It feels as though the ball takes an eternity to reach it's place and when it finally does the hooting in the background confirms any lingering doubts that we have won.

I scream in joy and the team hugs me from behind. We did it. The house trophy is final ours as basketball was the tie breaker between us Mighty Maestros and the Power Prodigies.

"Noorie, you got the winning sports trophy we have been working our ass off for. Proud of you!"

"Come on Riz, it was a team effort." I smile back

"It was a team effort alright but Riz can't help it, he has eyes only for you" Ramsha whispers in my ears and I just shake my head.

"Come on, it's nothing like that. He is just a good friend."

"For you babe, I bet Riz thinks otherwise. He was staring only at you throughout the match." Ashfa gives her two cents.

I just shake my head at them. As far as I know, he just became a good friend over time. Infact, he knows I am married.

Anyway, I packup and get back home. It's late today since we didn't foresee a tie breaker match. We thought we were getting a clear victory but they somehow managed to seize two more games in just one day and we decided to finish this off today.

The moment my car stops, I sigh. One more day of hide and seek. I don't know when this will stop. I wish so badly to be able to see him as he eats, to send him off to office with a goodbye kiss, to spend our evenings together over hot coffee sharing mundane details of our day. But reality is a bitch. The kind I wish didn't exist on earth. The kind I want so badly to eliminate.

I walk in to find a dark house. Why are all the lights off? I am sure Riyana kept them on while leaving. As I walk deeper into the living room trying to navigate my way towards the switch, I am pulled in by a pair of strong and muscly arms. I know instantly who he is.

He pushes me against the wall, pulling my chin up switching on the lights with his other hand. The first thing I see is his eyes that are red with fury. Nothing surprising there. He is always angry at me. So I just stare at him with a when-will-you-be-done look.

"Where were you for so long? Your college finishes at 2 and it's past 6 now. You should have told me before if you so badly wanted to hang out with your lover", he spits out.

I just pull his hand away from me gently, and push him away slightly to which he obliges, "I have sports week going at college and today was the wrap up. I know you asked because I am your little cousin and you are worried for my safety. You don't have to explain because that's what you keep telling me everytime you ask me something. Apart from that I am not obliged to answer you anything. I am tired. I will go to my room now", with that being said I go to my room.

Stepping out of the dirty clothes I raise the temperature of the shower to relieve the stress of my muscles. The tears fall down and mix with the shower water. He still thinks of me like his little sister. He makes sure to remind me of that everytime he has a question for me. That's the only conversation we have had. Him asking my whereabouts when I am late or about my health sometimes.

I don't think I can ever make a place in his heart. He is never going to accept me as his wife. That much is clear. Let's just not waste time over it Noorie. Focus on something else.

I walk out of the shower in my usual kurta and salwar with a red chunni(stole). My phone goes off and I pick it up, "Hey Riz, what's up?"

"Hi Noorie, actually we are all going out at that new cafe to celebrate our win tonight. Join us, will ya?"

"At the new cafe that opened near J.K street?"

"Yep"

"Roger that, boss! I will be there"

"Great, see you there then."

Distraction. That's what I wanted right now. I pick a decent red kurta that reaches my knees and pair it with denim. I put hijab over my head. I take the car keys and head towards the cafe.

I reach there in twenty and spot our troop. All of them aren't there but still the group is huge. I wave at them and occupy the only available seat beside Riz.

"Hi there! Looking gorgeous Noorie"

"Thanks Riz, you clean up good yourself" I smile at him and we all order.

The banter flows swiftly among the group laughing here and there at lame jokes. College life is fun.

"Having fun?"

"Ofcourse Riz, it's good to watch everyone being so happy."

"But you don't look that happy. All good?", he asks worriedly. I am surprised he caught on.

"And how do you know that?", I raise my eyebrows at him.

He bends slightly towards me as if he is about to let out the biggest secret.

"You know Noo-..."

"Excuse me! My friend here needs coke instead of mango juice", comes the very familiar voice of my husband. I freeze and turn around to see him sitting four tables away from ours. He isn't alone, a woman in a tight short dress is sitting before him. She looks like a model.

I didn't hear whatever Riz was saying and he senses the change in my mood. He follows my gaze to see Zaan holding that woman's hands. My coffee falls from the cup as I thrust it on the table.

"Noorie, do you know him? Oh God, Noorie the coffee is on your kurta. You need to visit the washroom"

I nod and head towards the restroom. So he is still dating women and sleeping around. That bastard, he has no humanity, does he?

Fine, I will show him what fashion and partying actually looks like. I walk out after cleaning it, not giving him another glance. I tell my friends that I have an urgent business right now.

"Riz, I need your help...."

"Ofcourse Noorie, come let's go." He holds my hand and after paying the bill we walk out of the cafe.

I rush towards my car and ask him to sit in. I know he didn't get his vehicle which he mentioned during our talk in the cafe. I start the car and swerve towards the highway, I saw Zaan rushing ohtog th hotel and staring at my car from the rear mirror. That means he knew I was here. Did he do it on purpose? But why would he?

Ofcourse to get rid of you Noorie. How stupid could you be? He is so desperate for me to give up on him that he staged this act just to push me away. Wait and watch, Izaan Saeed Durrani how much more you will have to struggle to get rid of me.

The hatred game is on. May the best hater win.

"Noorie, snap out of the dreamworld will ya? Why do you have a murderous expression on your face? And what kind of help do you need from me? And stop rushing so much. I am in no mood to die today"

"Riz, you know that I consider you as a good friend right?"

"Ofcourse I know. I consider you as a friend as well."

"You didn't get what I mean Riz. I consider you just my friend. Nothing more. Infact there could never be anything more between us. I had to clear that before I tell you what kind of help I need from you."

"Whoa, where is this coming from? This convo is taking an absurd turn for I never thought of you as anything more than a friend. How low do you think of me? You are married for God's sake. You are absolutely off-limits. "

I take a sigh of relief. I turn towards him to see a mischievous expressions.

"He was your husband right?"

"You have a quick brain for that dumb face" I laugh at him and he just pouts.

Soon my expression hardens, "I need a favour from you"

"I am all in"