The half crescent moon broke through the clouds as the hue brandished against his face carpeted in overgrown stubble. The crescent akin to the silver lining that she was okay now. Only he knew how he had spent those last hours – praying, begging for Allah's mercy.

His eyes were swollen as streaks of red marred them – the aftermaths of spending the past hours crying. Crying for the woman he loved too deeply and irrevocably. Crying for the woman who had become a part of his soul, too stubborn to leave. And he didn't complain. It was an honor for him to keep her inside him, that pure woman who had purified his haze of confused emotions, and shown him the light. The light that had led him to her and her only.

His jacket was thrown to the side as he sat on the bench situated in the back garden of the hospital. He had just seen her for the first time after she had woken up. Their eyes had met. Love against hate. Anger against calm.

And it had only crushed those broken pieces of his heart further, making him go numb. Her image of lying there amidst the puddle of blood still couldn't get off his mind. He had seen blood before. But the blood of this woman was on his hands. He was the reason she had taken this vile step. He was the reason she went through so much pain. He was the reason she was hurting so much. And he was the reason she was in this hospital, fighting for her life. The blood of the woman he loved with all his might was in his hands and there was no way in or out of hell, he'd ever find it in his heart to forgive himself. He had wounded that woman beyond repair and no amount of amendments would ever be able to fix it.

He was her criminal.

The demon of her past, her present, and he had no intention of being it of her future as well.

He had promised her he'd never show her his face ever again. But how could he fulfill that promise? How could he when all his heart yearned was to see her, even if it's just a mere glimpse. He could do with just a mere glimpse of her. Even right now, his heart throbbed against his promise as all he wanted was to hold her in his arms, and embrace her, feel her warmth and just keep her safe within the confinements of his protective cocoon.

Cold seeped through his bones as he stared at the moon and it reflected against the sky of his obsidian eyes. The combination was befitting yet lethal. It reminded him of her again, that silver chaos. They were both so same. Beautiful and scarred.

His gaze was still fixated on the moon when he felt someone sitting beside him, but he didn't shift his eyes as they still bored into that silver streak like a lost lover with unrequited love.

"Why did you say that?" Arham's voice reached his ears.

"Said what?" He asked, his eyes not moving a bit as if that moon was the only object of fascination in this world.

"That you'll never show her your face again."

"Because I won't." His voice broke at that. "And I mean it." The scent of wind whooshed through his nostrils. It was calming yet destructive.

"But you love her so much."

This time his eyes did move away as they swiveled toward him, unsaid emotions swirling in them. He needed to let the turmoil out. It was damaging him.

"Yes, but that's my problem. I'm not going to make it hers as well." His eyes glistened with determination, his chiseled jaws clenched.

He just looked at his boss as plethora of emotions buoyed up in those coal oceans. He had never seen him this miserable, that too for somebody, or to be more precise, some woman. Azlan Shehryar had never been one of those guys going gaga over girls. He never even spared a second glance on them. No woman had ever occupied his brain, and here his whole heart was in Safa's fist. His entire existence breathed around that woman.

Azlan Shehryar always said he was incapable of loving. And yet, here he was, losing himself in the exact emotion, sacrificing his entire being.

"I've hurt her enough. I won't hurt her again."

Arham didn't know what he meant by that and he didn't even want to. All he wanted right now was to hug his best friend and tell him everything would be okay. "I wish I could hug you right now." He sniffed.

"Don't even think about it, princess." He leaned away from him, making him chuckle.

Typical Azlan Shehryar.

Straightening in his position, Arham titled back towards him. "I know you have always been reserved and I absolutely respect that. But just know if you ever need somebody to talk to, I'm just a single text away...or a few calls, maybe, if I'm sleeping since you know I sleep like a donkey." The somber look in his eyes merged with the mirth his tone was laced with.

"I know." Azlan craned his face towards him with a small yet grateful smile embracing his lips before he added. "About the donkey part." The smile now turning sheepish.

And the night dissolved with their laughter weaving through the miseries embedded in his soul.

******

The room bathed in darkness as she lied on the hospital bed, the hue of moonlight scintillating from the window casting the shadow of her long lashes on her cheekbnoes. Rolling the tress of her hair with her forefinger, she was completely engrossed in deep thoughts.

Of his.

"He's just as my criminal as he is yours."

What did he mean by that? Why would he say something so horrifying? Was there more to his story?

She had always sensed there was something wrong with him. His upfront personality, his impassiveness were just a façade to keep the demons of his past hidden in the deepest corner of his soul. But what were those demons? Suddenly, she wanted to know about it all. About his past, his life. Him.

But, no! She wouldn't go down that lane again. She had trusted him once and now here she was. All broken and tattered. He had taken her trust and smothered it so brutally that the poison had spread through her veins.

But there was this still small part of hers that still trusted him. And this fact wasn't sitting well with her. She had never seen Azlan in a condition she had during their last two encounters. It was as if he had stopped living and it was all because of her, she knew. He had gone through hell and back because of her. He had bent his rules for her. Her impact had his façade off. And now here he was, swimming in the ocean of nothingness.

Azlan Shehryar had never begged anyone but he had begged her. He had fallen down on his knees, begging for her mercy and she had provided none. He had put his heart right in front of her and she had stomped right over it, crushing it ever so brutally that no amount of amendments would ever be able to mend it. Her eyes glistened with sheen of glass as she heaved a heavy breath.

But that still didn't justify what he had done to her. Maybe it would if you gave him a chance. Her inside voice intervened, but she shrugged it off.

She was doing the right thing...she thought.

Oh, what did she know!

******

"Thank you!" Asmara chirped as her fingers weaved Safa's long thick hair into a braid. The streaks of sunlight streaming through the window announced it was time to go to her heaven.

"For what." She titled her head a bit form where she sat on the hospital bed, now neatly dressed in her own dress; emerald kameez paired with plain white trousers.

"For agreeing on coming along." She tied the lose strands at the end of her hair with a scrunchy.

"I didn't agree. You forced me. It's kidnapping actually." She quipped. "Ow! What the fuck, woman?" She squealed as Asmara pulled her hair from behind.

"What did you say?" Her hold on her hair still didn't loosen as Safa's head was still thrust backwards. "And what did we talk about your colorful language in a public vicinity?"

"I...said...you're welcome. Now, let go of me, you witch with a b." She gritted out, grabbing her hair.

"That's better." She smiled plastic as she let go of her hair and rounded the bed to come and stand in front of Safa. Grabbing the dupatta placed on the side of the bed, she settled it on her head. "Now this looks like my Safa." She grinned which was reciprocated back in a hug.

"I love you. Thank you so much for always being there for me."

"I'm always here if you need me. Even if not physically, you are and will always be in my prayers." She said as she pulled away.

"Whenever the itv soap is over." Their conversation was interrupted by Arham who was leaned against the door.

"What?" Asmara scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Whenever both of you drama queens are ready. Your driver is here all day to drop you to the valley. It's not like he has any other job or a life of his own." He curtsied, sarcasm dripping from his action.

"Shut up!" Safa roared as she crossed past him after elbowing him on the side of his stomach and he cowered.

"Mad woman!" He called after her and she rolled her eyes heavenwards.

Shaking her head, Asmara walked towards the sofa where Safa's bag stuffed with her luggage was placed. Waliya had dropped it here the first thing in the morning.

"No. Let me take it." Arham announced as he strolled towards her.

"No, it's alright. I'm not as weak as you take me for. It's not that heavy." She said and he swayed his hands away.

"I was just being polite." He deadpanned, his face stern. And with that he was out of sight, leaving behind a remorseful Asmara. But it was the only right thing to do to push him away from her. At least that's what she thought.

Traversing through the corridor of the hospital, Safa's eyes finally settled on the person she was looking for. Sitting in the far corner sat Waliya, her head cast downwards, her hands clasped together.

"There you are!" Safa exclaimed as she sprawled beside her. When no reply came and Waliya stayed still in her posture, she bent down a bit to take a peek at her. Horror occupied her expressions when she saw her tear stricken face. "Waliya, what happened?"

She turned her face to the other side, not wanting her to see her. "Hey, look at me!" Cupping her face, Safa turned it towards herself. "What's going on, meri jaan?"

"Nothing." She said through her muffled sobs, looking anywhere but her.

"Waliya Ameen, you tell me what's going on, right now, or I have other ways, too." She fumed up. "I need to know whose body I need to hide."

"Yours." This was the first time she looked at her during the entire conversation.

"What?" Her brows knitted as she stared at her sister in bewilderment.

"Yes."

"What did I do?"

"You're leaving me behind again." Tears streamed down her face as her lips wobbled, making Safa's heart skin. She gasped as she cupped her face, wiping the stubborn tears away with the pads of her thumbs.

"I won't go if you don't want me to." She tucked the strand of her hair behind her ear.

"No." She countered instantly. "It all came out wrong. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. Your going is important. See? That's why I came and sat here, because I didn't want you to see me."

"Waliya, I won't..."

"No, Aapi!" She grasped both her wrists. "You have to go. Those children need you there. Your friends need you there. And most importantly, you yourself need to be there for your own peace. I know how much you miss that place."

"Then come with me." That came out of nowhere.

A smile reached Waliya's face. "I wish I could, but you know I can't. The NGO needs me here."

She didn't compel her further. She understood her plight. Waliya was finally settled and satisfied with her life, and Safa didn't want to deprive her of this.

She was happy that Waliya had saved herself from those monsters disguised as parents. But Nataliya? Oh, that poor soul couldn't. She had faced the consequences of her parents' sins. She was abducted right out of her college and even after receiving the ransom, the kidnappers had dropped her dead body in front of that cursed house. All hell had broken lose that day on them when they saw the battered carcass of their youngest and most beloved daughter.

Safa had come to know all about it through Waliya and to say she had been shaken to her very core would be an understatement.

Shrugging the harrowing thoughts off her mind, she concentrated her attention back on Waliya. "Just know that your sister loves you a lot." She dropped a lingering kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, too, Aapi!" She put her head on her chest, enveloping herself in her embrace.

******

Arham put her bag inside the car as she stood there with Waliya and Asmara, outside the hospital. It was time to go home.

Inadvertently, her eyes roamed around the premises. She didn't know what she was looking for but her heart sank on not finding it.

He stood still to his promise.

He had really left.

Left her alone.

And she didn't know why it stunk.

"Hop in ladies." Arham said as he opened the car door.

Asmara strolled forward and sat in the backseat. She could detect his smoldering gaze piercing through her, but she didn't look at him. It was excruciating enough to be in the same proximity as his and not being able to hold him.

"Safa." Asmara called her through the window but she didn't seem to listen. She was about to call her again when Arham yelled, overriding her voice.

"Hey, you, sleeping beauty!" That did it as she jerked her head in his direction. "Yes, you. Let me know when you wanna go. I'm here all day." He feigned a smile.

Shaking her thoughts off, she hugged her sister one last time and rode shotgun.

She was finally going home.

Her eyes lingered out at the damp road as her head leaned against the scoured window. She reveled at the sight of hunter green trees engulfing them from both sides. She had missed this.

By the time, they reached the valley, the sun had already started hiding behind the horizon as it bid farewell to the nomads. All three of them stepped out of the car as it pulled up right in front of the annex. She gazed around at the mountains as they bowed in her welcome. She had yearned for this solace they exuded. This place was her sanctuary.

"Are you gonna keep standing here or come inside, too?" Arham asked as he opened the door.

Tearing her gaze away from the mountains, she looked at him and stepped inside, followed by Asmara.

"Ugh, I missed this." She exclaimed as she flopped down on the sofa, rubbing her hands over the soft fabric.

"Ya, I know. I'm a pretty missable person." Arham intervened, slouching down on the opposite sofa, while Asmara went to the kitchen to fetch water for the three of them.

"That's not even a word."

"Alright." He rolled his eyes as he took the glass of juice from the tray Asmara had extended towards him. "Grammar Nazi!"

"How does that make me a Grammar Nazi?" She screeched. "Make it make sense, at least." She knew it was just his way to make her feel comfortable again. The ride here was awkward enough and he wanted her to get rid of this feeling.

"Will you two ever stop bickering?" Asmara intervened as she dropped down beside Safa.

"I never do. He does." Safa threw an accusing glance his way and they both raised their eyebrows at her.

"You are right." He surrendered, throwing his vacant hand up in air which riled her further.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She snapped while Asmara smacked her forehead.

"Seriously, woman, how did you even become a teacher? You can't even comprehend such a simple sentence."

"I did understand that." She yelped. "But that was condescending. You still think you are right."

"That's because I am." He said as he stood up and walked towards the kitchen. Washing the glass, he put it on the stand and came out. "It's time to take a leave now."

"Yes, it is." Safa deadpanned as she ambled towards the room.

He chuckled. "That's the Safa I know." Grinning a victorious smile, he strode towards the exit door, and Asmara followed suit.

He halted, opening the door, as he felt her presence behind him. She could see his muscles tensing up through the black shirt he had donned.

He spun around as he faked a smile. "You didn't have to bid me goodbye."

The coldness in his voice sliced through her.

"I just came to lock the door." Her eyes not moving away from his as the blaze in them unnerved her. "And thank you for everything you have done for us."

"I did it all for Safa." He replied back, nonchalantly.

She knew he was doing it all because of her only. She was trying to push him away and he was only doing it to make it easier for her and that made her fall for him more. If only, situation were different!

He was so selfless that it hurt.

Shaking the thoughts off, her eyes focused back on his retreating back and she called after him.

"Arham!"

He sopped in steps as he froze there. Closing his eyes, he devoured on his name interweaved with her voice. The combination was beautiful and he wanted it to be like this forever. But who was he kidding? He wasn't that lucky.

He turned around once she had reached towards him, looking at her with expectant eyes as if she had changed her mind. But what she said next snatched every last drop of hope he possessed.

"Maybe it was all written this way only. Maybe we weren't meant to be together in this world. Maybe in another life; in another world; or perhaps heaven, we are meant to be. But not just here. Here our names aren't written together."

The glistening sheet in her orbs was now cascading down her face, slowly and gradually, just the way her words were jagging through his heart. One by one. Taking every moment to kill him.

He didn't say anything. Not even a single word as he stared too deep in the brown flakes of her pools, making a chill slither down her constricted spine.

With a slight nod, he turned around, and hopping in his car left from there, leaving behind a tattered Asmara in the remnants of what they could've been.

They were brutally done by the ploy of life.

******

A/N

I'm really sorry for any grammatical error you might have encountered. I was in quite a hurry. Also, my writer block isn't showing me any mercy so there's that, too.

Anyhoo, Eid Mubarak to all celebrating it today. And to those who'll celebrate tomorrow, Eid Mubarak in advance from me and HOA. Hope you have an amazing one!