Ahaan made her sit on the sofa and hurried to the kitchen. He got her a glass of cold water and sat beside her. He looked at her, worried and concerned. Rifaat silently gulped down the water, the cool water quenched her parched throat and made her relax little. Ahaan took the empty glass from her and placed it on the table. Rifaat closed her eyes and took deep breathes. With each passing seconds and Rifaat's behavior, Ahaan grew more anxious.

'Rifaat.' he placed a palm on her shoulder and Rifaat opened her eyes little. Slowly, she turned her head and looked at Ahaan, his face confused and panic stricken. Rifaat could read his eyes, her pain is reflected in his eyes. This touched Rifaat, she side-hugged Ahaan burying her face into his neck. Ahaan isn't liking this, her silence is killing him. Nevertheless, he placed his one arm around her.

'Is everything fine, Rifaat? What happened? Something at home?' Ahaan asked. Rifaat shook her head and snuggled closer, 'Just be with me, Ahaan. Never leave me.' she whispered.

'Of course, Rifaat. I will never leave you.' Rifaat moved her head and looked up at Ahaan, he tilted his head little and looked down at her. Their gaze met.

Ahaan smiled at her and Rifaat forced a small smile shifting little.

'I will get dinner.' He said

'You didn't have dinner?' Rifaat asked confused.

'I didn't even have lunch. You scared me to death. I was breathing that itself is something.' Ahaan knitted his brow in fake anger.

'Sorry!' Rifaat muttered. Ahaan then left. Rifaat's heart fluttered by the thought that Ahaan was so concerned for her that he didn't even bother eating. And then there is Hariz who in these two years didn't even bother to know if she was alive or dead. It is Hariz who had the audacity to have countless affairs behind her back while still being married to her. It is Hariz who accused her of adultery and abused her emotionally, mentally, sexually, and physically. On one side, there is Ahaan who is her friend and yet is concerned for her like a lover and then there is Hariz, her supposedly lover but treated her worse.

These thoughts, the comparisons made Rifaat teary eyed once again.

She quickly wiped her tears when she heard Ahaan's foot-steps.

'Here!' Ahaan placed a bowl of paneer masala and some ready-made Rotis.

They silently had their dinner.

After dinner, Rifaat followed Ahaan to the kitchen. The two placed their plates into the wash basin. Ahaan noticed Rifaat is still sad.

'Didn't like the food? I haven't made it anyway.' Ahaan said lightly, a clear signal that he wanted to lighten the mood. Rifaat shook her head and muttered more to herself than to him, 'No.'

The two then sat silently on the sofa. Ahaan's eyes kept darting from Rifaat to the wall clock while Rifaat sat fidgeting with the hem of her dupatta.

'Rifaat,' Ahaan began cautiously, 'I think you should sleep now. You look tried and tomorrow is office also.' Ahaan said. Looking at her he is getting confused and worried him, he wants her to relax and sleep, it will give her peace. Rifaat looked at him, 'You don't want me here?' Rifaat asked, her gaze questioning him.

Ahaan for a moment is taken aback but quickly recovered and shook his head, 'No, no...I was just...' Ahaan stammered. Rifaat looked away, she sighed standing up. Ahaan quickly held her elbow and she stopped in her tracks. Ahaan stood up. He held her shoulders and made her turn to look at him.

'Rifaat!' he called her name softly, his tone made her look up, into his eyes, 'Please tell me what is bothering you. I can't see you like this, it hurts, please.' Ahaan said, his eyes pleading her. Rifaat looked away, she quickly blinked back her tears.

Seeing her melt, Ahaan made her sit on the sofa, he sat beside her.