THIRD PERSON'S POV

Detaching from her crying form he filled the glass with water, forwarding it towards her wobbly lips while rubbing her back, cooing her to drink it.

"Here...Have some water."

Without protesting she gulped the cold liquid feeling her throat soothe with it and looked towards Mustafa who's eyes were fixed on her, having a soft expression on his face.

"Are you feeling fine now ?"

Keeping the glass on the table near him, he sat on his knees before her, taking hold of her cold hands and rubbed them gently with his warm ones.

"Jawab diye...."

(Answer me.)

"Yes, and I am fine enough to hear your side of the story."

Her answer caught him off guard. The woman who was crying few moments ago was now sitting silently as calm as a cucumber, looking inside his eyes with concealed emotions, waiting for him to start.

"Maria I...."

He was about to say something when she stopped him, retreating hands from his hold and answered him with a tired, heavy voice.

"Does my feelings hold no importance to you ? I have been kept in dark for so long and now too, you are repeating the same thing.... Your actions are hurting me. You are hurting me."

She was hurting and it was prominent in her large brown eyes, her eyes which were fixed on him showcasing how tired she was.

"I'll tell you everything but promise me that you won't blame yourself for anything that has happened. It's all in the past and I don't want you to....."

He stretched his hand out asking her to assure him which she did instantly, her mind only revolving around one thing; to know about his side of the story.

She wanted to know everything. Every single thing which was kept away from her.

"I promise..."

"One more thing.... You won't lose your consciousness."

Mustafa began, eying her exhausted form making her roll eyes on his stupid demand.

How was she supposed to stop her body from shutting down ?

"It's not in my hand..."

"But...."

"Will you start telling me everything from the beginning ?"

She announced loudly, in a bossy tone, narrowing eyes at him for delaying the topic with his stupid demands.

"Pregnancy has made her more ferocious than ever."

His innocent, meek girl had transformed into a wild tigress in her pregnancy which was quite amusing for him. She looked cute in anger but he dared not to speak it in front of her, knowing she was serious and would grill him alive if he opens his mouth unnecessarily.

Looking at her he knew he was right finding her throwing daggers at him for making her wait. So, he sighed and held her hand tightly in his before he started speaking.

"That day at the party when you confessed that you love me, I was shocked. Never thought of someone like you loving me...."

His eyes held warmth and were twinkling with happiness, living the day when she boldly confessed love for him.

It felt surreal. Her loving him.

She was perfect in every sense whereas, he a flawed man.

"I mean look at you and me. You a bubbly personality who could light up the whole room with your mere presence and me, who is famous for silencing everyone with my intimidating personality."

At the end he cracked a sad smile, eyes crinkling a little from the corners, as he shook his head still not able to grasp how an innocent soul like her fell for him.

He was intimidating. He was cold. He was cruel. And still she fell for him.

"You are not..."

She thought he was mocking her choice and that didn't set well with her as she opened her mouth to argue with him, which he immediately stopped by concealing her mouth with his hand, refraining her from speaking.

"Shhh... Let me speak."

"My heart rejoiced when you denied loving Hassan but then my entire existence shook when you confessed loving me. I wasn't able to grasp my emotions and I blurted out the first thing which came to my mind, but you can't blame me though, People fall in and out of love at that age and I too thought the same. I thought you were infatuated with me nothing else...."

She was young and it was easy for youngsters to fall in and out of love. Also, sometimes attraction is perceived as love when actually it's not. He too thought the same.

The thought of her in love with him seemed too good to be true. He was protecting his heart from pain. The pain of getting heartbroken.

He would have crumbled to ashes if her love was just a mere attraction, nothing else. Also it would have destroyed what they had, which clearly he didn't wanted. He didn't wanted to complicate things with her, and loose her over some feelings.

She was too precious for him and he couldn't afford to loose her. Afterall, she was the only ray of happiness in his boring, gloomy life.

"I didn't wanted to hurt you at all but things I said was my defense mechanism. My words were coming out to protect myself. I was angry.... Angry at you for destroying what we had but more than that, I was scared.... Scared to loose the only girl with whom I could be myself, with whom I could let my guard down completely without fearing of getting judged...."

He knew how much he regretted shouting at her that day. He knew how much he cursed himself for bringing tears in her eyes but what could he do ? He was only protecting himself. Protecting his heart from unrepairable damage. Protecting himself from life long pain and misery.

"But you took that girl away from me... You took my little birdie away from me...."

Narrowing his misty eyes, he complained to her like a small child who was wronged when his favourite toy was snatched away from him, the one who was couldn't be replaced with any other, the one which was too precious for him to loose.

"It wasn't my fault.... I never wanted to fall in love. Nobody wants to. It just happens."

Glancing up, she tried to speak loudly with the urgency to defend herself but failed miserably at the end, with her lips wobbling, her quivering with pain.

How could he hold grudge against her for having feelings against him ? It wasn't her heart's fault that it chose to love him. He said he was intimidating but with her he was a different man.

For her he was a big softie who had always put her before himself. For her he had always been her support whenever she needed him. For her he was her energy booster, the man who made her giddy with his beautiful smile.

How could he expect her not to fall for him when he himself pulled her heart towards him ?

"I know it's not your fault but that time I was angry and you know I loose all my calm in anger...."

Seeing her close to crying his voice softened as he drew random circles on her hand focusing on the shiny diamond ring on her finger trying to calm his emotions, watching her getting affected by it. She was doing a great work trying to hide her emotions but he knew, he knew her better than she knew herself.

"Yeah and you behave like a raging bull when angry."

Looking down she whispered meekly but it was still audible enough for him to hear her calling her a 'raging bull'. Smiling, he stood up on his knees keeping hands on her thighs and pulled her red nose, making her look at him offended with his actions.

She tried to speak when he placed his index finger on her lips, teasing her with 'Mrs. Bull' title managing to keep a stern look on his face.

"I told you to stop talking. You just sit back and listen quietly, Mrs. Bull..."

Seeing her complying to his order silently, he started speaking again.

"As I expected we grew apart and you started spending more time with my siblings, especially Hassan..."

His jaw twitched when he took Hassan's name, remembering how happy she looked while talking with his brother. It pained him. Pained him to see her giving his place, his attention to someone else.

Was he the only one who was getting affected ? Or did she already replaced him with Hassan ?

"I got jealous everytime I saw you with him. I got jealous everytime you laughed freely with him. I got jealous everytime you teamed up with him..."

The fire of jealousy in his eyes and the way his hold tightened on her wrists quickened her heartbeats and squirm on her place due to his dark lingering gaze on herself, but she managed to compose herself daring not to break their eye contact and hear him quietly.

"It was when I realised that I loved you. The jealousy, the restlessness, the need to have your attention, the need to see your beautiful dimpled smile directed towards me, the wish to have you close by my side, the promise to keep you happy always, made me realised that I loved you...."

He smiled.

Like a complete idiot, making her heart flutter with butterflies with his confession. His twinkling eyes, the grin on his face, the sparkle in his eyes were telling tales of his happiness. The happiness of discovering his love for her.

He was living everything. Living the feeling when he first realised his love for her.

"The realisation was sudden but the feelings were old, ages old. I don't know when I feel in love with you exactly, maybe it was when you cried on my shoulder when you first came here or maybe, when you called me 'hero' but I knew I did, I do and will forever."

Giving her a heartwarming smile, he brought her hand close to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the pulse of her wrist before placing it back on her thigh, intertwining their fingers this time, earning a small smile from her when she gazed down at interlaced hands.

"It was then I decided to make you mine before someone else snatch you away..... I planned to talk with Abba after Hassan's return and surprise you when..... He met with an accident and everything changed."

As soon as those words left his mouth the atmosphere turned to that of gloom. She knew what was about to come unaware of waves the pain coming towards her away. On the other hand his gaze was fixed on her hesitant to go on.

"Please....."

He needed her permission which he got when she whispered softly giving him a pleading look, desperate to know everything.

"Remember your promise... Aur Allah ke waaste ab behosh mat hona. It's a request."

(And please don't faint for god's sake.)

He pleaded looking inside her stromy eyes which were flowing with same emotion just like his, as he brought his fingers to caress her soft petal like cheeks with utmost care and gentleness.

He was going to tell her the most difficult part. He was going to narrate her the tale when he met Asmara.

The day which was the beginning of the havoc in thier lives.

"Two weeks after Hassan met with accident I met Asmara at hospital who came for abortion...."

My eyes landed upon Asmara and Tabassum aunty when I was taking monthly rounds to check management of each department. What are they doing here ?

No, what work they could have at the abortion ward ?

Leave it Mustafa. It's not your business what they do. You should concerntrate on your own work....

But it's my work. They are at my hospital and as I doctor I should aid them. Yes, I should go and help them, afterall they are Bashar uncle's family.

Yes, it's for Bashar uncle.

I was standing at a little distance when my gaze landed on Asmara who holding the hands of her aunt crying, pleading to her about something.

"Aunty please.... Please leave my baby. It's not his/her fault. Please don't separate it from me. It's a sin..."

Pain was evident in her voice making me feel pity on her. Poor girl.

It's her child. And she has all the rights to keep it. Her aunt doesn't have right to force her for abortion.

"I don't care whether it's a sin or not. Hassan died and now it's useless."

What!!!

Why is she taking my brother's name ?

Maybe I am thinking too much. There are many people in the world who share same name as my brother.

Yes, it can't be my brother. My brother won't do anything wrong.

"I don't care if Hassan died or not. It's my baby too and I am capable enough to handle it."

Her next words stopped my heart, halting my whole existence. She really is talking about my brother.

My little Hassan.

No.... It's not possible.

She is lying.

She is a liar and I can't believe her.

I trust my brother. He won't do anything wrong.

"I don't care. I want it gone soon. It's nothing but just an extra baggage."

Glaring, she jerked her hands away from Asmara's hold, turning her head towards the other direction completely ignoring the sobbing girl beside her.

She is so vicious, so cruel.

"Aunty plea..."

She was pleading her aunt when her eyes clashed with mine making her stop an instant. At the same time Tabssum Bashar looked at me gracing me with her evil smile.

God. I hate her so much.

"Ahhhh....look who's here. The heir of the Ahwaan's."

She knew that I heard everything as her next words attacked my brother's dignity making me see red.

"Why are you shocked about ? Didn't you knew about your brother's life ? How he destroyed my niece's life by getting her pregnant...."

"Don't lie. My Hassan won't do anything you are talking about. He is too good for that."

How dare she insult my innocent brother. I won't leave her.

"Are you scared Mustafa ? Scared to say that your brother raped my niece who was in love with him...."

WHAT!!!

Rape!! Has she gone mad. Hassan won't do that ever. I trust him. This woman is lying. She is a big liar. A black spot on woman. She disgrace to the whole community. No, she is disgrace for the whole humanity.

"He did not raped me aunty...."

Hearing her aunt Asmara defended Hassan, not looking at the woman who was glaring at her for taking Hassan's side.

"Shut up!! You are too naive."

She was about to raise her hand on her when the door of the ward opened with nurse coming out of it, calling Asmara's name.

"Asmara Ahmed...."

"Yes..."

Tabssum Bashar answered completely ignoring both of our presence.

"You can come inside."

She tugged her hand ignoring her whimpers if protest. I was about to move away when I saw her pleading looking towards me, I don't know why but my heart told me to stop them.

What if the baby is really Hassan's child ?

What if my ignorance cost us to loose Hassan's baby ?

NO!! I can't let that happen. I have to find out if she is speaking the truth or not but for that I want time.

"Asmara wait!!!"

"Is it true ? I-is it Ha-hassan's child ?"

Looking inside her eyes I tried reading her and found honesty. Maybe she really was speaking the truth and if she is then I'll do anything to save the child.

"Y-yes...."

A tear leaked out of her eye when she felt her aunt tugging her hand towards the operating room.

"Let's go."

Throwing daggers towards my direction Tabssum Bashar pushed her towards the gate watching her still form pleading me to save her child.

I have to save the child.

My Hassan's child.

I can't let it die.

"Wait!!! Don't abort the child Asmara. Please.... I beg you. It's my brother's last memory."

Standing infront of them I tried to stop them form going inside.

"What about my niece huh ? She will be vilified in front of the whole society because of your characterless brother. No one woul marry her."

Tabassum Bashar attacked glaring at me. Maybe I am being selfish but I don't care. If it's my brother's child then I won't let anything happen to it.

"Please! Please! Please... Don't abort the child."

"If you want the child then marry her."

Her words stopped my heart. I was left speechless to say anything. I don't know what to do.

NO!!! I can't marry her. There must be some other way to save the child. I can't marry Asmara.

I love Maria and I will marry her only. No one else. Yes, I will find another solution to this problem.

I can't leave the girl I love. I can't...

"Marry her and your brother's child will be saved. So, senior Ahwaan are you ready to save your brother's child or should I abort it ?"

She shot an evil smile towards my direction, challenging me to deny her.

"I need time...."

I need time so that I could find a proper solution to this whole fiasco without getting married to Asmara.

"One week.... One week or else the baby would be gone.... Just like your brother."

"How were you so sure that it was Hassan's child ? And why did you never told Abba about it ?"

Narrowing eyes blazing with fire of annoyance, she held his collar jerking him towards herself shocking him, bringing him face to face to show him how annoyed she was. She didn't know why she did that but she couldn't hold herself from doing that.

She couldn't believe he actually believe those deceivers and here he couldn't believe her loving him. He was an idiot.

And maybe she was losing her mind just as he was proceeding with the story.

"I asked her for time to perform DNA test only. I used Hassan's hair and by convincing Asmara to have a proper checkup I used the samples for prenatal DNA test which came out to be positive...."

Letting her hold his collar he confessed meeting eyes with her who's face was red in anger.

"What about...."

Knowing what she was about to ask he cut her question in the middle, giving her answer to her unasked question.

"He was already mourning loss of his son and I didn't wanted to break him by telling him the deeds of his dead son. He was proud of him and I wanted to stay it that way only. Also, if I would have told him he won't have accepted the baby and even if he would have, then it would have been a burden on him. He would have hated it.... So I...."

At the end his words faltered watching her who had a pained look on her face overshadowed with small fake smile which he could easily trace miles away.

He knew it was difficult for her to hear those things and live those days again, but it was her who wanted to know everything and he respected her wish. Sighing, he again sat on his knees before her, finding her loosening hold over his collar, watching her gulping down the saliva to control her tears knowing what was coming next.