Zubiya stood at her balcony and gazed down at the lawn.

Time

That's what she had asked for.

She still had a hard time in believing that that conversation had actually taken place between her and Asfand.

She desperately wished she had someone to talk to about such matters. She suddenly felt a desperate longing for her mother. Her mother would have definitely helped her make the right decision. She would've known what she should do in such situations.

She sighed heavily and looked up at the clear sky.

Why did you leave me, Ma? Why? I need you, Ma. I need your help..

"Zubi?" Zubiya straighted up as she heard her name being called out. She quickly wiped the remnant tears from her face and turned back, acting as normally as she can.

"Ji, Gaiti bhabi. Did you call me?" Zubiya asked Gaiti with a strained smile on her face.

Her smile slightly faltered as Gaiti looked at her closely while walking in to the room towards her as if she was trying to read something on her face.

"Were you crying, Zubiya?" Gaiti asked softly and held her face between her palms.

"N-No, bhabi.. It's just that my eyes are watering because of the windy air. And I've been standing in the balcony for a very long time." Zubiya lightly lied to her.

Gaiti bhabi watched her closely and then shook her head as she stated simply, "You're lying, Zubi."

And then Gaiti bhabi pulled her inside and made her sit on the bed while she quickly made her way to the door and locked the knob. She came back to the bed and sat in front of Zubiya, legs crossed with a pillow on her lap.

"Okay, now. Spill. I'm listening." Gaiti stated.

Zubiya, stunned stared at Gaiti bhabi with mouth agape.

"Bhabi, I'm- " Zubiya tried to speak but was interrupted.

"Don't you dare say that you're 'alright'." Gaiti bhabi interrupted her as she made quotation mark signs with her hands. "I can see right through you, Zubi. And do you know what I've found? I've found that something's really bothering you. So, please don't try to deny it. It's not going to work with me. And if you don't trust me enough to share your pain with me, you can tell me right now. To my face. I'll back off and will not trouble you again. I promise."

Zubiya stared at Gaiti bhabi for a minute and then letting her arms fall around her helplessly, she sat with downcast eyes sighing heavily.

"He proposed to me." Zubiya finally whispered slowly, her cheeks turning a crimson shade as she remembered the conversation they had the previous day.

"Oh my god, you're blushing. And he - he, who?!" Gaiti bhabi whisper exclaimed, moving her head closer to Zubiya in excitement.

"Asfand." Zubiya whispered back, not taking her eyes away from her lap as she waited for Gaiti bhabi's reaction.

Gaiti stayed silent as she stared at Zubiya's downcast head. She opened her mouth numerous times to say something but had to close it again because for once she didn't have a single thing to say.

Zubiya finally looked up to see Gaiti bhabi looking at her with a wide smile on her face.

"This is a good thing, right?" Gaiti asked slowly, trying to rein in her excitement.

Zubiya shook her head and covered her face with both her hands as she mumbled something into them.

"What? Can you please repeat again..", Gaiti asked as she looked at Zubiya confusedly and waited for her to reply.

"I have no idea!" Zubiya suddenly exclaimed as she uncovered her face and looked at Gaiti with a frustrated look on her face.

Gaiti, stunned stayed quiet for a minute before she slowly said, "Zubiya... I have no idea what you are going through. So, please tell what you are thinking. Please, share your thoughts with me."

"Gaiti.. I- I don't think I want to take a risk again. I've already fallen in a trap once. I've seen how my father has always treated my mother... how my brother treated his wife. I know not all of the men are like them. I know. I'm totally aware of that. Everyday I see how Mamo teases Mami.. how Daniyal bhai listens to your every word.. they make me realize that they are not like my Abbi and Bhai. Not at all. But- but I still fear. I- I am just that something will go wrong. And unless I'm able to have any sort of control in my life.. which I've still not achieved, I am not willing to take the risk again." Zubiya explained and waited for Gaiti to say something, probably that she was wrong or something.

"So, you're saying... that you are not ready now. But you will be once you are independent enough to have control in some aspects of your life. Is that what you are saying?" Gaiti slowly asked.

Zubiya stared at Gaiti while she thought over her words.

"I don't know.. I guess, yes.." Zubiya mumbled softly as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

"Oh my god, Zubiya! You almost scared me half to death! Okay, just answer this.. and honestly, please. Do you him? Do you think there could be any future for both of you? Just think, please." Gaiti requested and sat quietly giving her some time to think over.

Gaiti felt really bad for Zubiya. She never thought having two bad role examples and getting cheated by another can have so much impact on a person. And her life.

She looked over at Zubiya, who had head bent down slightly with her eyes closed. She just hoped Zubiya would say 'Yes'...

Finally, Zubiya opened her eyes and looked up at Gaiti with a stunned look.

She had just envisioned herself walking in an open area filled with wild flowers trying to grow one upon another. When she had looked up for some reason, probably to look at the sky.. she suddenly realized that there was another person beside her. Trying to figure out who it was, she tried to take a peek at the person beside her... but his back was turned towards her. As she went closer to the person, he all of a sudden turned towards her. And her eyes fell on the person she had least expected.

Zubiya slowly nodded her head and then Gaiti engulfed her in a warm hug.

"I'm happy for you, Zubi. You deserve all the happiness in this world and I can give you full guarantee that Asfand will make sure of it. You have no idea, Zubi. These Usman boys love with their whole heart.. and once they fall in love with someone, they are determined to make them their wives. You haven't heard Mamo's story, have you? We'll ask Mami for the story later as she describes it best.

Trust me on this one, Zubi. You don't have to worry about Asfand over this. He will keep you happy till his last breath. If you want time, he will give you time. He will wait for you. Until you are ready. And the moment you give him the green light.. nothing will stop him from making you his!" Gaiti laughed as she sat straight and looked at Zubiya, who seemed to be blushing as she listened to Gaiti.

His.

Why did she feel so happy when she thought of being termed as his?

Zubiya stood at the terrace gazing at the sky as she waited for Asfand.

As another 15 minutes passed and there was still no sign of him, she sighed frustratedly.

"Dammit, Zubiya. You're the one who asked for time and when he is leaving you alone as per your request, you start missing him!" Zubiya ranted loudly to herself as she paced from one side to another.

"Did you just say that you miss me?" A voice interrupted her thoughts and she glanced up, startled to find the person who had taken up her entire thoughts standing in front of her.

In a trance, she watched as Asfand made his way slowly towards her while she stood still for a few seconds. Coming out of her trance she quickly moved a few steps back only to be stopped by the hard wall behind her.

She gasped as she felt Asfand trapping her between himself and the wall as he stood very close in front of her, gazing into her eyes with such passion that she almost felt weak at the knees.

"So, you missed me?" Asfand asked softly, bringing his mouth closer to her ear.