The car was running smoothly on the highway in the calm and peaceful night but everything was not calm within Alizeh Yousaf.

The happenings of just a few hours ago were flashing across her mind. Nemrah's auntie insulting her, Shehryar standing up for her and declaring her his all over again, her mother asking her to go back to Shehryar and she obliged.

No doubt she was thinking of giving him a second chance but all this was too much to take. He stood up for her. What harm had it caused if he would have done that five years back too? She had tried brushing these thoughts away but the past was in front of her like a film and she couldn't avoid it.

She was back to the memory lane.

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She wiped her tears and put a brave face. The past was painful. She had suffered so much and now when the time was to give him hard time she couldn't be weak. She would have to make him understand he couldn't always take her for granted. Turning towards him she whispered.

"Stop the car!"

He frowned.

"Alizeh, We can talk after reaching Home. It's the highway."

"No! We will talk here only!"

She folded her arms on her chest while he looked around. They were in the middle of the road where not a single person could be seen at this moment. Sighing he came out followed by her.

"Okay. What you want talk about?"

He said giving up. She looked at his face and started.

"You were asking for a second chance and directly or indirectly you got one. But I have few conditions and rules! If you are willing to follow them I'll go with you or else there's a clear cut no from my side."

His lips stretched into a smile but he refrained from showing it to her or she might get offended.

"I'm all ears."

"One. You won't impose your decisions on me."

"Alizeh, I won't..."

"Let me finish."

He nodded zipping his mouth.

"Two. I'm coming back to your house just for the two of us. So my efforts will be for you and me only. I won't play the role of the perfect daughter in law of your family especially for your Aapa and Dado. I did many efforts to please then in past but all went in vain so don't expect me to do anything for them anymore."

"You don't have to. I'm no longer the blind Shehryar Hussain who couldn't see anything other than his family back then. I'm changed now."

"We'll see how much changed you are. Last but not least You will keep a distance from me...Umm... physically! If you know what I'm talking about."

"Excuse me?"

He stared at her amused and surprised at the same time.

He was going to have her back after almost five years and he won't be able to even hold her hand?

It was unfair.

"Yes! These are my conditions. Abide by them or else drop me back at my home in Sakardu."

And this threat worked. He immediately nodded.

"Okay! But, Alizeh can't I even hold your hand?"

"My hand you left years back Shehryar. So giving it back to you would take some time wouldn't it?"

The sentence made the atmosphere around them tensed. She opened the car door and sat inside while he closed his eyes in regret. Taking the driver's seat he glanced at her and zoomed off.

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Rodaba had tried her best to make Samia and Mrs. Naseem understand the gravity of the situation. They were as usual acting stubborn but somehow she did succeed in putting some sense into them. It was her son's future which was in question here and so did Alizeh's. She couldn't take any risks. They had reached Lahore a few minutes ago and now she was waiting for her Son and daughter in law to welcome them back home. Her wait was not much long. After an hour Shehryar's car stopped in the driveway and both Shehryar and Alizeh came out.

Alizeh glanced at the huge mansion where she had spent those painful six months of her life. Each day was a new test for her in this house but not anymore. She thought with determination and following Shehryar stood at the main entrance. Rodaba was already present there with Farhat. Alizeh smiled at her and then looked around to find Samia and Dado both giving her disapproving looks. They turned around and left from there but Alizeh didn't give it any importance. She wasn't the weak girl anymore who would try to make peace with everyone here. She was done doing that in the past.

Rodaba kissed Alizeh's forehead. Her happiness was evident from her face and it did make Alizeh happy too. She was glad at least her coming back here was a source of happiness for someone other than her husband.

Shehryar was looking at both of them with bright eyes. His phone rang and he excused himself.

"Alizeh go to your room, bacha! It has been a long day. We'll talk so many things in the morning. Now go get some rest."

Alizeh nodded and started walking towards his....their room with confident steps. The previous years had taught her so much and one of them was you can never please everyone around you. She knew she could never be in Dado and Samia's good books so she won't make any efforts too. Her main focus would be on her husband who was going to have a tough time with her. She was about to twist the knob of the door when someone stood behind her. She turned around and found Samia. She was as usual eyeing Alizeh with a hint of annoyance.

"So back to Hussain family, Alizeh Yousaf!"

"Asslaam Alaikum, Samia. Nah! Not back to your family. Just back to my husband's house, his room and life."

Samia was sensing the changes. The scared little girl was turned into a confident woman.

"You are here but let me tell you one thing. You won't ever be able to make a place in my or Dado's heart. And Shehri too will realize very soon that you are not suitable for him. Never will."

"I'm not going to make any place in anyone's heart Miss Hussain! It is the other way round this time. It's your brother who'll have to make place in my heart again. If you are so much bothered about me being here ask him to leave me. I'll go from here happily. But only if he wants. Good night."

She smiled at her and opening the door came inside. She was acting all strong the way she should've always be. Shehryar who was still on his call entered the room and that's when both of them collided with each other.

He held her from her arms when their eyes went towards the bed.

The night was surely going to be a long one with memories and more.