that his heart ever had this amount of fear it was today. He had a beautiful family who cares/loves and protects each other. There was never financial issues or any issues in their lives. So, he never truly had much of fears and troubles.

Now, as he speeds his car through the empty street of pure darkness he was filled with intense fear. After her mother falls on the ground she was taken to the room and the doctor was called. Latif was sent to call the doctor and Aayan asked his brother to stay back in case of any emergency while he searches for her.

It's been an hour since he had reached the university and was now walking around the street asking a few people about her but he had no clue until now.

"Uncle, please help me. Did you see her around here?". Aayan pleaded

The man who was carrying his vegetable cart looked down at the phone for a second thinking.

"Beta (son), I think I saw her down in the village". The man replied

Aayan thanked him running faster towards the village with all kind of possibilities running through his head. He wanted to reach her and find her safe. He wanted her to be safe than anything else. He prayed to the lord continuously for it.

He walked to the village which looked too old with people walking around. He walked further inside until his stepped halted as he saw a figure at the corner near a house.

His eyes widen as he ran to the less populated area a little away from the village and stopped in front of her shaking body.

"Mahira". He said breathless hoping it was her

It was too dark.

She looked at him with her red eyes and relief filled them immediately as she jumped in his arms, "Aayan. Aayaan, I was so scared that man- then I- I was so scared".

She cried harder then she had been for the past few hours hugging him tightly. Aayan holds her tightly making her feel his warmth for comfort and to assure himself she was safe and with him.

Until, Mahira was pulled from his hold by few village men and he was pulled by a few other.

"Let me go". They both cried

Aayan looked at her struggling in men hold and his blood boils.

"Let her go". He shouted angrily pushing against the men hold

"Are you both married?". The elder man asked

Aayan who was looking at Mahira glare at the man, "No, now let us go".

The things that happened after his words were extreme. Mahira was pushed by men on the ground calling her name and blaming her for spending time with a man who wasn't her mahram and then when Aayan tired breaking he was beaten too.

Aayan and Mahira were taken in a house while Mahira was in locked down away from Aayan's eyes he couldn't help but grow even more panicked. He stood in front of the village leader with other men beside him knowing he had no power at all now.

"You have two choices. One, we will marry her to one of our men and two, you leave from here leaving the girl to us". The leader said

Aayan looked at him disgusted and his anger grew as he thought about leaving Mahira to these filthy mens or even having her married to someone else.

"I will choose neither of them". He yelled angrily receiving a punch

"Then, there is one last option you marry her. We will not have two city people come here and teach our woman the blunt tradition of there". The leader said angrily

His heart stopped.

Next few hours, he was sitting lost in his thoughts and his worry to find Mahira and have her close to him. He was worried these people might do something to her since she was lockdown. He wanted to talk to her and explain everything about what was happening.

Then, around sunrise, the person came after having Mahira said the three words which bind her to him. It was his turn and his hands sweat knowing Mahira had accepted him as her husband.

"Qabool hai (I do)". He said nervously

"Qabool hai (I do)". He said knowing she had agreed already

"Qabool hai (I do)". He said accepting her as his wife for life

Then, he waited outside the house for Mahira and he wasn't even sure how he will explain himself or about this marriage. He wasn't sure himself about this all he know was he couldn't have her marry someone from here.

"Aayan". He heard her say

His heart stopped.

He turned around to find her fragile body almost falling and he ran holding her in his arms. All thoughts fly from his mind as he placed her body in his car slamming the gear as he speeds his car back to his house.

He would look at her after each minute to be sure she was here with him. Even when she looked worn out she still manages to look as beautiful as ever. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at her again.

He reached home and find everyone besides her mother there. He picked her taking her to the couch in the hall as everyone asked him to question and doctor checks her. He explained everything besides his marriage and hide the documents too.

"She is fine. She will be awake in a few minutes". Doctor said

They all waited as they informed him that her mother health wasn't good and she needed rest.

"Ammi (mother)". Mahira yelled opening her eyes

She held her head which hurt with pain as she heard people calling her but she couldn't even focus well. Until someone removes her hand from her head and holding them.

"Mahira, you are fine now". She heard him say

She looked in his eyes with tears, "Aayan".

Aayan nodded smiling as he forwards her water and his heart clench at her tears.

"Ammi?". She asked

"She heard about you and fainted last night. The doctor said she is fine but she needs rest". His mother explained

Mahira closed her eyes collecting her thoughts and she knows she needed to gather herself before anything more happens.

"Beta (daughter), go clean yourself we will speak later. Aayan take her". His mother said patting her head lovingly

Aayan holds her hand and since she wasn't in her complete senses she let him as they walked away from everyone to her room. She asked him to leave even when he said he will stay and asked her if she was ok she needed him to leave.

Once, the door closed she broke down all alone. She knows she needed to collect herself and her wounds. So much had happened. She was nearly raped, chased, married and she had no idea of the future. She was scared to death even she considered death as an option instead of being a burden to her mother. She cried harder and harder on the cold floor.

Aayan, leaned on her door his heartbreaking as he heard her cry alone. His hand itches to open the door and comfort her. His heart breaks more and more knowing she was all alone. He knows she was trying to be brave and strong and wasn't speaking because she was busy building her walls around her but he wanted to be there for her and tell her she wasn't alone anymore. He wanted to go back and fight all those men in the village if he could.

Mahira, after a session of crying, walked to the bathroom to change knowing she needed to go back down and face everyone, alone. She was sure the accusation will be severe than ever. First, she met her mother who was crying but she kept her brave mask assuring her that Aayan was there and saved her missing all the details.

Then, she walked downstairs where everyone was as she walked, however, her brain started working for once. She remembers that she was finding Sumaira and she was so selfish that in her pain she didn't even see if she was there.

She ran downstairs and saw Sumaira standing there. She ran closer to her and hug her tightly.

"Thank God, you are ok. I am so sorry I was finding you and then just- I am sorry I should have looked for you first". Mahira said guilty

Sumaira hugged her but pulled back as she heard her words.

"No, Mahira, I was fine even before you went looking for me. I wasn't where Sofia said I was. She lied". Sumaira explained

Mahira brows frowned as she slowly takes her words in her brain but once they registered she turned to Sofia who was already looking at her not even guilty.

"You lied to me". Mahira said moving closer to her

She slapped her hard.

"You never thought what would have happened to me?. I was there all day running around finding Sumaira and then all night scared out of my mind and you never thought what if someone had raped me there or took me with them?. How could you?". She yelled angrily glaring at her

Everyone stayed quiet.

"I cannot believe this. God, I cannot believe you could be so childish. What did I ever do to you for you to put my honour and respect at stake?". She said gulping her tears

Sofia didn't speak and she turned around looking at Ayaan's father, "Abbu (father), I am done and I want to stay alone for some time".

His father nodded patting her head as she started moving to the stairs still holding her head high and so her shoulder.

"No one will ask her what she did staying out of the house all night?". Sofia mother said

She stopped turning around coming back near the woman.

"What did you just say?". She asked

"I said, we all know you stayed out and you must have done something. A woman staying out all night is not taken lightly in our culture. What did you-". Sofia mother said

"STOP". Aayan yelled holding Mahira's wrist pulling her behind him as he stands in front of her as her shield, "Not another word, Chachi, I have heard enough. You should know by now that she stayed out all night is because of your daughter doing. She could have been in danger or maybe we wouldn't even have found her because of your daughter stupidity. So anyone answering and receiving any punishment will be your daughter. Do not question her character again and instead check Sofia's first. I will not hear anyone speaking about Mahira like that".

With that, he held her hand dragging her along with him towards her room. He entered inside putting her on her bed and sitting in front of her.

"Mahira". He said softly

"I want to be alone, Aayan, please". She begged blinking her eyes rapidly to stop herself from breaking

"Mahira, I will leave only for today but I won't in future. I am not leaving". He said firm giving her hand a gentle squeeze

He walked to the door when he heard her calling, "Please, stay with Ammi".

He moved away from her room walking to her mother room staying at her side all day. He wasn't sure about things anymore. The next coming five days she smiled for her mother to assure her but she wasn't well he could see her suffering all alone.

His father had asked her to take off from University but she didn't. She said it was of no use but he could feel her breaking each day. His brother functions shopping was done and now after a week was his first function but he wanted Mahira to actually enjoy herself.

So, today, he had taken on himself that once everyone is asleep he is sneaking into her room and he did. He entered from the window since she had locked her door and stand in her darkroom. The first thing he heard was her crying as he walked near her figure on the bed he saw she was crying in her sleep and asking someone to stop.

His heartbreak.

She looked so fragile and so in need of help that if he could he would have jumped in her nightmares and fight whoever it was. He moved closer to her and his hand automatically hold her pulling her to his chest as he sat on the bed beside her.

"I am here, Mahira, open your eyes for me". He mumbles softly pushing her hair away from her face

He looked down at her face filled with tears clearing them away. She opened her eyes and her eyes shine under the moonlight and with tears of pain.

"Aayan". She cried hugging him

He wrapped his arms tightly around her letting her cry as much as she wanted.

"I am here for you, Mahira. I promise". He said softly

"H-He he- Aayan-". She stuttered

He pulled back making her sit leaning on the headboard forwarding her the glass of water. As she was done, he placed it back on the side holding her hands in his.

"Tell me what happened that day". He asked

"I-I went to find Sumaira and I was running around when someone told me they saw someone like her in the village. As I was looking there a man attacked me and he tried to- he tired to-". She said crying at the end

"He what?". Aayan said holding his anger

"He tried to force himself on me but I managed to run away then he chased me around and I fall somewhere and I was so scared, Aayan, I thought I will die that day and I thought I should die-". She said voicing her each thought

"Mahira". Aayan said stopping her, "You cannot think like that. You have your mom to take care of. You are not alone you don't have to suffer alone. You have my family, your family and me with you on every step. I will never let anyone harm you, Mahira. You have to believe me. Just give me a chance?".

Mahira looked in his eyes, "We are married".

His eyes widen, "Oh, Woah, I thought you forgot about that".

He chuckles nervously and she shakes her head, "I had too much, Aayan, but what will we do?".

"We hide it". Aayan said and he wanted to slap himself immediately

Her heart breaks as she cleared her throat taking her hands away from his,"Ok, I will not tell anyone so don't worry. You can leave now, it's late".

"We are married you know". He said trying to make a joke

Yeah, now marriage is a joke to him.

"Only on paper". She said

Now, she thinks marriage means nothing.

They sigh.

"Just know I am always here for you and I will keep you safe no matter what. So, I want you enjoying all the events that are coming as you planned before". He said walking away or jumping from her window

The next day, she was actually back, she feels a little light and happy for some reasons. She was out of the room early preparing with everyone else and she was beyond excited for the wedding.

Aayan, watched as she was running around the house freely and laughing with Sumaira about something. He was smiling himself looking at her happy. He was relieved that she wasn't thinking about anything anymore. He wouldn't want her to any way he had strictly asked his family member (Chacha's and Phupi's family) to not speak negatively about her or anything about her for that matter.

He remembers that last week a day after the whole incident Sofia whining about her room being smaller than Mahira. He had to shut her off about it not wanting her to stress even more.

Which reminds him, he had to now push her away too she had been a little too touchy with him and always revolve around him like a lost puppy. He was still ok with her speaking but being so close to him for some odd reasons he didn't want Mahira to see him with her.

Mahira, had seen his cousin (Sofia) clinging to him a little more than necessary but she doesn't want to be seen or show herself much concern over the matter. Aayan was an adult and he can make his own decisions like he makes one last night about not telling everyone about marriage.

She busied herself with the work that was spread around wanting to do as much as she possibly could. She had been trying her best to ignore the feeling she has when she sees Aayan and trying even harder to stay away from Latif who somehow finds his way to her.

They were both a mess.

"Yes, Latif". She said groaning to herself

Aayan heard her words and turned around at the speed of light watching exactly for what reasons was his cousin roaming around her. He looked at her annoyed expression a little happy that she wasn't giving Latif attention. But the look in Latif's eyes had him clench his fist.

"FIRE". Someone yelled

Mahira and Aayan both looked around. Then, at the room where the fire was and they looked at one another panicked.

"AMMI (Mother)". They yelled running upstairs to Mahira mother room