WHAT! Another update!? Well, think of it as my late eid present for Y'all. *smiles smugly*

Nawal's POV

They kept staring each other for I don't know how long, and it finally dawned on them that they are just staring and not talking. Aadil was the first to break the stare and I felt like he was having trouble to speak currently.

"Mom.." His voice is so low and almost afraid that the scene in front of him might not be real but he didn't show it on his face.

"Why the doctors or anybody didn't inform me about you waking up? That you...you are finally awake from your coma?"

His mother's face was emotionless now. I was quite surprised knowing he and his mother share the same expression. She was still silent, looking as if nothing bothered her. But then came the most heartbreaking expression I've ever witnessed.

"The day you visited me. I was sleeping when you came in and talked about...everything. I almost opened my eyes and wanted to let you know, but I didn't."

As if the news wasn't enough for Aadil, hearing those words couldn't stop the tears that were fighting for so long. I was feeling so helpless right now. I wanted to do something, anything to make him feel better. Before I could go and hold him, his mother stopped me.

"You must be Nawal, his wife." She gave me a small, sincere smile. "I'm Noora Sheikh, his mother, who unfortunately wasn't with him when he needed me the most."

I understood few things - first; that his mother was in a coma and second she didn't seem to inform Aadil about it. I'm pretty much clueless about the rest. And I guess it won't be clear now.

"But WHY! Am I not that worthy enough to know that my mother is totally fine? Wait, let me guess, you don't feel safe with me. Is that why Dad and Mohsin didn't call me once? Didn't asked or got to know if I'm even alive? I almost killed myself with this fear of you not ever waking up! Are you going to explain or just..."

Aadil was literally out of words. I feel like I shouldn't be here, knowing it's a personal matter. His mother's eyes were glistening with tears, but she held herself. Aadil slowly turned to me, and I didn't expect to see him locking himself behind those walls again, but he did.

"Nawal, go and wait in my car. I'll back in a while." He said sternly.

"But–"

"Please, just go." His voice cracked at 'please' and all I wanted to do was pull him closer and hold him. But I did what he asked me to and made my way out of the room. But before I closed the door, I heard Mrs Noora say 'Sarah was there to inform...'

°♥°

It's been 1 hour, 15 minutes and 49 seconds. Aadil didn't come yet. Not that I was counting each second. Or maybe I was. But I'm feeling a bit scared for Aadil now. What happened in the past? Why was his family not in touch with him? Why was his mother here? And why did he said that they don't feel safe with him? My mind is about to burst with these many questions. I kept looking at the hospital door, waiting for Aadil to come any second.

I almost screamed seeing Aadil finally come out. Not waiting for him, I jumped out of the car and made my way, but I suddenly stopped. Aadil just stood there, on the middle of the road, god knows what he was thinking. But he didn't move an inch. As I was approaching him, a black tinted car was coming our way at full speed. Aadil still stood there, oblivious to the car coming. I was horrified. If he doesn't move, he can get injured, or worse, killed.

"AADIL!" I screamed his name and ran to push him, but he stood like a statue.

"AADIL!" I screamed so loudly that my throat was burning. I just reached him when that car came and pushed me a bit further, making me and Aadil lose our balance, then drove away quickly.

I guess Aadil finally realized what was happening, but I fell to the ground. My elbows took the most damage, but I felt fine. I turned to see if he got any scratches. Luckily, he was all good. My anger took place immediately.

"Are you out of your mind! What were you thinking just standing here?! Waiting for that car to hit you? You almost died, Aadil. DIED! Do you have any idea what would happen to me if you were injured? How can you–"

I couldn't even finish my sentence when he pulled me to his lap and tightly hugged me. Soon my shoulder felt wet and I realized he was crying.

He didn't make any sound, but I still felt him shake slightly. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly. His voice was muffled, but I still heard what he said.

"You didn't have to save me. I deserve to die. Whoever is near me, something bad happens to them. I am the main cause of people's problems. I shouldn't live."

"You are wrong. Absolutely wrong. You matter to us. To me. Come on now."

I don't know how it was possible, but I felt every single emotion he was through, just by hearing his voice. This is not the right place to talk to him. So I got up and helped him get up. I never left his palm till we reached to the car. I told him to sit in the passenger's seat while I drive. I, for sure knew he isn't in the right state to walk, let alone drive.

As we were sitting quietly, I looked to see how Aadil is holding up. What I saw wasn't the CEO, and definitely not one of the most powerful people, but the innocent child who lost everything from his grasp. The one who needed love.

We reached home, thankfully. We are sitting on the living room sofa, and none of us spoke a word. I didn't like this silence at all. But what to say? I'm not sure what is about to come. What I will be getting to know. From the inside, I wasn't ready. Not at all.

Aadil might have felt because he started talking without me saying anything.

"I was messed up from the beginning. I got into drugs and drinking alcohol at the age of 12. I thought my friends do it, so it's cool. I got my first tattoo at 13 and kept on going. It never stopped. I have removed everything through laser though. One night I was too high. Pushed my mum and she fell on the glass table. Got serious brain injuries. Was in a coma for years. Go on, tell me how much you hate me now. Tell me how disgusted you feel right now."

I was a bit offended. How could he think I'll leave him? Another part of me was hurting to see him like this.

"No. I'm not going anywhere. Who are you to make my own decisions? Name one person among us or in this world who is perfect. Tell me. Is there any? No. Don't be so harsh on yourself. For God's sake, you were still a kid! It's your friends fault for dragging you into this, but I won't be blaming anyone right one. You said you pushed your mother. Was it intentional?" He immediately shook his head, looking terrified of even listening to this thought. "Then I don't get it. You tried to change yourself. You came to the right path of Islam. Look where you are now."

"You don't get it. I am a selfish bastard. I won't be good in my life. I deserve every single– hey! Why did you slap me?"

"Because you are talking rubbish. Listen here Mr Aadil Sheikh, if you keep on telling the bad stuff about yourself, I'll be saying the good things I've got to know about you. You say you are bad and don't deserve any good, tell me, does helping me rescue Aziza makes you bad? Does helping me makes you bad? There's something I need to talk about, but that can be done later. For now, don't forget that Allah forgives anyone who begs for his forgiveness. He is the ultimate judge, not you. He gets to decide who deserves good or bad. Now tell me, what happened in the hospital? If you don't mind me knowing." I gave a small smile. He looked at me and stared for few seconds when he finally decided to tell me what happened.

"Sarah kept telling them from time to time about what's going in my life. I just got to know about that. Mohsin, my elder brother, is in Canada with his family. Dad is here, but I don't know where. Mom said he visited her regularly. Three years ago, I visited her because I was totally torn apart. That very same day she woke up but didn't let me know. Mom and Dad wanted to stay away from me. She said it was for the good reason, which, by the way, I don't get it. I guess they were right about staying away from me. God knows what would have happened if they were with me."

"Stop putting yourself down. Please. I hate seeing you do this." I suppressed a yawn, suddenly feeling too tired to do anything. Aadil saw that and without saying anything, he pulled me towards him and I laid my head on his chest, instantly feeling comfortable and sleepy. I wrapped my arms around his waist and made myself more comfortable. It also didn't help the fact that he was caressing my hair.

Before I completely dozed off, I felt Aadil kiss my head and murmured 'I love you'. I tighten my arms around him and released a sigh before I slept.

_______________________________

DAY 1

Next morning I woke up to the most amazing smell of food ever. I turned around and I realised that I'm not on my bed, but on the sofa. There was a pillow so thankfully I didn't get any cramps. I noticed I was holding Aadil's suit tightly. Why was I holding it?

My stomach grumbled rather loudly and I was thankful that Aadil was not here to hear that.

I guess my luck is not with me, because I saw Aadil coming out of the kitchen, trying to control his laugh. I instantly knew he heard that.

"I smelled something great. What are you cooking? And why am I holding this?" I tried to distract him with my questions. And I succeeded in doing it.

"I made breakfast for my woman. Today starts the first day. I'm not losing any day and any chance. So go and freshen up, your food is almost ready. And you didn't let me go to make breakfast so I removed the suit slowly and you help and sniffed it like your life depended on it."

I almost 'awwed' out loud, but I controlled myself when he said the last past. With my burning, embarrassed face, I didn't look at his reaction and went to the bathroom.

∞∞∞

Aadil made a smoothie, oatmeal and his style of omelette – which, by the way, smelled delicious and tasted really good. I asked how he made it, but he didn't say anything, saying it's his secret recipe and he would love to make it for me whenever I feel like eating it. At that time I actually said 'aww' but he didn't listen. Thank god.

After having that amazing food, Aadil suggested that I can ask whatever I want to. So I started asking.

"Most embarrassing experience in your life?"

"Actually, they are many but the only I can think of is when I saw you dance." I raised an eyebrow. When he ever saw me dance?

"It was a long time ago. I came to get papers for our project. I knocked and ringed bell many times but you didn't open and when I entered, I saw you dancing freely and lost in your own world. As beautiful as you looked, I was embarrassed knowing it was wrong and immediately left. When I saw my face in the mirror, it resembled the darkest shade of red. Good thing I didn't ask you, because at that I got no clue what to tell you why my face is that red."

I laughed a bit. But mostly I'm embarrassed too. I mean, he saw me at my worst way of dancing! But he's not complaining so that's good.

"Favourite food?"

"Any dish of my mother's. She cooks the tastiest food ever."

"What was your dream to be before a CEO?"

"I always wanted to teach students. I don't know why but I felt this need to encourage them everytime they felt low. Not many teachers do that, even in my time." I was quite impressed with this. He cares for people but he doesn't even realise it.

"What kind of tattoos you got? I'm just curious to know." His eyes darkened a bit because it was related to his past, but he wasn't angry with me or anything.

"Meaningless. There were useless quotes, images of skulls my friends forced me to get."

"Wait. So you never planned on getting any? Those tattoos were because your friends insisted you to get?" He nodded. Guess he doesn't want to talk much about it.

Now it was the question I wanted to ask for so long. I am scared to even hear his reasons. I took a deep breath. Here we go.

"Why… why did you start to abuse me? I can say it honestly, you weren't the same Aadil at that time. Is your company more valuable than me or any other person? Was it because of me? Why you..hurt me?" I quietly said the last part, hoping he wouldn't listen. But of course, he did. He looked ashamed of himself. I waited for his response.

"Nawal....first of all, you are right. I was not the usual me. I was drugged. I felt someone was controlling me. I felt this man wanted to do every bad stuff to you, to torture you. I don't know what possessed me, but that's not who I am. The thing is, I have trust issues, it's been getting worse since my Dad and brother left me. I felt people use me just for their benefit. It happened before too, someone took all of my money and I rebuild my company again, hence me being the arrogant person. So when I saw those papers, I was heartbroken. But mostly I was fuming. I trusted you and you betrayed me just for the sake of money. I turned into the guy who wanted nothing but revenge. So I decided to marry you forcefully. But I never realized that I took it too far by beating you. By the time I knew this is all wrong, it was too late. You were hurt badly and all I could do was to say sorry and feel guilty when you, was battling to be strong. I almost turned to the young me, but thanks to Allah I didn't."

I was a bit confused now. "What papers? I promise I didn't do anything."

"You didn't Nawal, but at that time the prove in front of me was clear that you did everything. Turned out, it was Shareefa. She did what your father asked her to do, I think because you said nobody knows about your family. And she knew about him, so it's obvious he did. Enough of this. I don't get it. Why you still forgave me and gave me another chance when you could have just turned away? Why you held my hand and said that I won't be alone ever?"

My father went on destroying my life. I will never get it why he hates me so much. When I feel I'm free of anything bad, he always comes. And each time he comes, the damage is stronger than before.

A tear rolled down my cheek. And another. I don't even know why am I crying. And at this time my heart cried out loud to say those words that I always wanted to tell.

"M-maybe it's because I love you."

………………