10.

                                    

                                          
Four months later.
                          
*Nikhat's POV*
                          
I push the door slowly and it creaks open, I peep out looking if someone is  around. Seeing that the coast is clear, I begin walking towards the kitchen. I finally sigh in relief. This is the what I have been doing for the past few months. 
                          
Hiding my existence from him, living a sorrowful life. Just going to college and back home. That's it. I have lost interest in life. I set up the vessel containing rice on the stove and on it. I put the pancakes back in oven to reheat them as he might come down anytime for his brunch now. I have gotten used to his routine now. I cook for him before he arrives and keep the food on the table. Sometimes he cooks when I am late. We have had very less interaction in these four months. We are mere strangers living under the same roof. But as long as I am here, I am going to fulfil my duty as his wife. That's what I learnt from Mama. Or whatever duties he let me perform because he hasn't come to me in all these months for his 'release'  again. I am glad he didn't otherwise I wouldn't hold back from snapping at him.
                          
This is exactly why I was rude and pretended to be snobbish before he came in my life because nobody stays.
They all leave. Leave you broken. He came like a whirlwind and went just like that. Leaving me shattered. I have learnt my lesson now, agreed it was the hard way but a lesson a lesson no less. 
                          
After I was done with cooking, I set it up on the table and went to Papa's home, to talk about this marriage contract and was surprised when he told that there was no such contract made up. Maan's company only provides protection for no more than a month.  Then why did Papa say I could end this whenever I wanted? He confessed he said that in the flow at the time to convince me. Papa believes Noaman is the right man for me inspite of choosing for security purpose initially. Only if you knew what his reality is Papa. He asked me to give him a chance and not think much about his status. When did I ever think when it comes to that man? 
                          
With a heavy heart I came back from Papa's home. So ours was a completely real marriage. I am sure Maan knew this. Inspite of that he insisted on me believing that this was temporary. Which means he never wanted to take me as his wife. He never wanted me for who I am. Who would want me anyway? I am a stuck up bitch. 
                          
It was good that I took those emergency pills the next day, otherwise a baby could complicate this shit on a whole different level.
He doesn't want me. He doesn't even like me. So what's next? We divorce. I think that would be the right thing to do. Set him free. Maybe he can find love somewhere else. How badly it kills me to think of him with some other woman, but I can't help it. This is my destiny. I need to walk away. Hopefully, Papa's problems have also been resolved by now.
                          
I walk towards my room and look at my reflection, I have lost weight. The dark circles under my eyes are proof enough I haven't had a good night's sleep in months. Life happened.
                          
I hear the doorbell go off as I am flipping the paratha, this is the first time in a while he is ringing the bell.
Otherwise he uses the key to get in. Maybe he lost it. So I off the stove and with a thumping heart walk towards the door. I unbolt it and the sight before me leaves me as white as a ghost.
                          
Standing right before me is the husband that I love, with a woman wrapped in his arms whom he is giving his million dollar smile and without even glancing at me takes her inside and pulls her to his bedroom. I stumble backwards as it all registers to me. He is cheating on me. Has been ever since that night. And now he took her into the room where we spent the most beautiful moment of our life together. Is he going to fuck her on our marital bed?
                          
Over.my.dead.body. I would rather die than let that happen. I walk with the vase in my hand and throw it right across his door. It crashes with a huge sound and falls down turning into pieces. The next moment, the door opens and my husband walks out with half his shirt open which makes me see red. I don't want to see his face right now, so I straight away walk into the bedroom with pieces of glass pricking my feet but I could care less right now. I see the bitch is still decent. She should thank her stars for that otherwise I would have burnt her alive for doing this. She is nothing but a fake plastic doll. With tonnes and tonnes of make up. I pull her by her hair and drag her out with Noaman shouting at me to stop. I stop and look straight into his eyes, with nothing but rage and a murderous expression on my face. He sees what I want him to and stops. I continue to drag her  until the main door and push her outside, " Next time, before stepping into a married man's life much less his house, think twice because I will make sure you are dead before you even fuck him! Now out!" I scream and she scurries away.
                          
I stand there with a broken heart and shattered dreams. I walk straight into my room, he follows suit but I cannot ask him to get out because this is his house. I pick my phone and only my purse, " Nikhat where are you going?" 
                          
" Where I go is none of your concern Mr.Ahmed. If you are worried I will expose your reality to Papa then take a breath because I won't taint your pure reputation. The divorce papers will be at your door soon. And if you are worried I might ask your money as alimony, then I assure you I won't take a penny. That should be all" I say as calmly and lethally as I can maange to say and get out of that room.
                          
He stops me at the door, " Please don't go, I am sorry!" I don't even glance back because I know I will break down before him. I shrug his arm off and continue to walk out. I don't want to take his car so I walk towards the taxi stand. I don't care if he is following me.
                          
I can't go to Papa's place right now, I don't want to worry him. I go to Rida's. She hugs me as soon as she sees me. " It's all over Ridu, it's all over. He cheated on me. Am I not pretty enough Ridu?" I begin crying so  loudly in her chest.
                          
She holds me until my sobs die down. 
She takes me into one of the guest bedrooms and cleans my face with a wet towel. I hold her and continue crying in her chest. " I hate him so much Rida. I hate him. I hate him" I shout. How could be do this to me? Why did he break me so irreparably.
Why? What did I do to him? She cleans my feet with an antiseptic and puts a bandage over them. Even though it's paining so much, it's nothing compared to the heartbreak I am feeling right now. 
                          
It's been hours since I am staring at the ceiling. Sleep is the farthest thing from my brain right now. I didn't deserve what he put me through. I never believed in taking revenge, Khala always taught me mighty are those that forgive. But this time I won't listen to anyone. It has given me nothing but misery. It's time for payback now Mr.Ahmed. Be ready to face the consequences.