any answer and his parents refused to answer. The next day, his brother was more active and he was going on about how he will be taking his son back from her.

From the look and talk, he realised there was something major his parents were hiding. He hadn't lived in the house enough but watching how Zahra, his parents and brother even himself treated Neil was not right. Taking him away from her will not be right either.

He needed to do something.

So, he called them to a cafe to talk and he was waiting for them.

"I am sorry, I am late. Neil was drawing something which took us time". She said as she sits in front of him, "You said, this was important how?"

She didn't even let him speak a word neither he spoke somehow his eyes were trained on her beautiful face that had his heartbeat differently, each time. He saw Neil speaking to the cashier of the cafe and very friendly too.

"Isn't it dangerous for him to talk like that to strangers?" He asked pointing at Neil

She turned her head looking at him smiling and smiled, "No, he is fine. This place is owned by my friends so they all know him".

"Ok. What is he doing?" He asked confused

"He made smiley face to distribute to people here. He said he likes to smile and wanted people to smile more". She explained smiling as she saw some people smiling at Neil's act.

He nodded turning his head back to see her smiling at Neil.

"My brother". He started seeing her smile fade and turning to him quickly, "He is on something he was babbling about taking Neil back from you".

She tensed visibly, "There is no way I am allowing that monster to have Neil back".

He nodded, "I know but you are not that strong enough. Even I can take him back my brother will use all means too".

She leaned back, "And you are here telling me about his plans. That is more suspicious".

"I know but I can see Neil is happy with you. I can help you". He suggested hopefully

"What is it?". She asked curiously

He took a deep breath, "Marry me".

Her eyes widen she looked at him for a moment for him to tell her he was joking.

"Is this a joke?". She asked bewildered

"No, Ayesha, I mean it". He said firm

"There is no way I will marry into your family. I want Neil far away from you all and you are asking me to marry you". She said angrily

He looked at her raising his eyebrows, "So, you would rather have him taken away from you which I may add by force or by playing with the law but you will not marry me because you have issues with my family?. I assure you he will stay away from them as much as possible and for how this marriage will help. I can fight my brother better than anyone else, I have strong sources to have us safe and if we marry quickly Neil's rights will be distributed in between us which will allow me to fight better".

She thought for a while looking at Neil who was laughing with one of the customers and she cannot imagine the poor boy going through what his mother had. Having him anyway near those sick people is a killing thought.

She looked back in his eyes, "I will agree but if I ever and I mean it ever finds you involved in drinking, smoking or any other harmful activities that can cause Neil any harm I will walk out of the door right that second. If you disrespect me or if this is your game since I know you hate me I will never ever reconcile with you even if you beg for it".

"Khala, I am done". Neil said smiling

"Khala ki Jaan". She said holding him to her and he giggles at the name, "You did an amazing job. But here is another one go give it to that girl in the corner and tell her everything will be fine soon".

Neil nodded taking a smiley running to the lady in the corner sitting alone and sad Ayesha had noticed her when she walked in. She had a talent of knowing the sadness probably because she went through one and at the time some good words are enough.

She saw how Neil walked to the lady and in a few minutes, she had a few tears and smile on her face.

"You taught him well". Amir commented looking at the same scene

"When is this marriage?". She asked

"Tomorrow. We need to do it as soon as possible because my brother is gathering his sources". He replied

"I am telling you this right now, Amir, if your brother disturbs Neil or confuses him in any way I will not leave him this time no matter how much someone begs me". She said her eyes hardened

He nodded, "I don't yet know the story but the look on my parents face told me they had been hiding a lot from me".

She chuckles dryly, "Oh, trust me, it is a lot alright".

The next week, it took time to change Neil's registry to Amir's name and then he had to introduce her to his family. Neil's wasn't happy at first because he hated that Amir hurt his Khala but when she lied that Amir had apologised (lies) they started talking too.

"I found a better bride than her. Why her?" His sister yelled angrily

Ayesha sighs.

"Yeah, for a change, I would like to know that too". His brother asked looking at Ayesha

Ayesha already knows that this wouldn't end well but she just stood there listening to them accuse and degrade her back and forth having just one thought that she did this for Neil.

Neil, never deserved the suffering he had to bear losing his mother neither she deserve what was given to her but she has only one person to live for, Neil.

"I don't understand that if you were interested in Amir why did you seduce your own sister husband?. Why did you ruin their lives?" Her father said

None of the words mattered to her she even tuned out most of the conversation that was happening. But, the people that brought her in this world, taught her things, used to love her and care for her turning on her always pains and maybe it always will.

She had always wondered that if her parents knew the truth would the outcome change?. Will it matter that they weren't aware of the truth yet they didn't even stop for a second to give their own daughter a benefit of doubt?. Will she ever forgive them?.

Her heartaches.

They left his home after the whole accusation and the people who truly talk were his sister, her parents and his brother- merely but he did.

For a few days, Neil was warming to Amir. Mostly, it was because of help from Ayesha. She had taught Amir all about Neil's creative interest which roamed around art. He had his own little space where he learns the art and some classes for it too just to enhance his skills.

Amir started taking Neil to his class and provide him with things which she never was able to. She wanted them to bond so she didn't say much and not being able to provide herself she allowed Neil to enjoy those things too.

But, it did hurt.

Knowing, maybe Neil had ended his wishes and changed himself for her. Maybe, she was selfish to bring him with her.

For a month, Amir and Neil were strong bonds. They love to play and Neil loves Amir.

Ayesha, she remains in the background providing them both with their needs. Like, preparing Neil's bath, clothes and doing his work. Also, she had started doing Amir works too. Keeping his files, watch, phone, wallet and clothes ready and prepared.

But, she felt alone.

She didn't say that much but she had a hard time for a week at her work. Even if her job wasn't that well off she hadn't expected it to turn this worse for her. Just because of her own father.

She wasn't sure but he had bumped into her in her workplace. He had insulted her and said something he shouldn't have like her killing her sister and seducing her husband. The office people had turned on her big time. No one asked her anything but now she was treated like garbage. Still, she had to work to keep her house going.

She was glad Amir was providing for them. But, she didn't want to quit her work because this marriage wasn't real. It was just to save Neil. He didn't respect her. He just ignored her and she did too. He made it clear what this marriage was and it was stupid that she started acting like his wife.

Today, after a very hard day and a few insults from her colleague she was dead tired. She had wished her life for once being easy. But, it wasn't. She sat on her house front steps looking at the sky knowing she has to cook lunch but her body was too tired. She looked at the blazing sun not liking the heat.

"What are you doing here?" Amir asked as he walked with Neil

She brings her head back to look at the only source of her living and smiled.

"Meri Jaan (my life)". She said opening her hand for him

Neil smiled running into her hold and she inhales his scent reminding herself that no matter how bad her day was it was all for him. It always had been and it always will be.

"I missed you, Khala". Neil mumble

"Why?" She asked pulling back placing him in her lap, "I am always here".

"I know but I feel like we don't spend time together we didn't even go to our weekend outing". Neil said sadly

"We can go out now if you want. You and me". She suggested

"What about me?". Amir asked

Neil looked at him, "You can come too".

So, that day she spends some of the cash from her saving since she didn't have much. Amir had to pay a few bills when she ran out of money which was a very painful reminder that she doesn't have enough money to provide a little joy in Neil's life.

She sighs.

Somehow, after that day, Amir had given her some cash for errands. She was a little at ease that even if her job was becoming overbearing, Neil wouldn't have to suffer from it.

Surprisingly, he started spending time with her. He would randomly touch her, caressing her cheeks or just talk to her. That was how she started learning about his time outside of his hometown.

Little by little, they started coming closer and closer.

He started caring showing her attention she had craved for years and she gives in all her needs. All she had been waiting for years.

It's been six months and they were all together and happy. She was better with him.

"Ayesha?" Amir said cautiously

She turned around worried, "What is it?".

"It's Neil". Amir said

Her eyes widen, "What about him?"

"He doesn't look good after I picked him off his school then I asked him but-". Amir started

She pulled a warm blanket one of the favourites of Neil and walked down where he was sitting all alone and sad. She moved near him wrapping him in the blanket and pulling him on her lap hugging him tightly. As soon as he was in her secure arms he started crying which broke her heart but she remained strong for him.

Amir joined on the couch but didn't speak anything. No one did for a long time until Neil cries decreased and he pulled back from Ayesha looking at her with his broken, confused eyes.

"What happened to my mama, Khala?". He asked sniffing

Her eyes widen, "Neil?".

"I want to know, Khala". He insisted

She caresses his cheeks, "What happened, beta (son)?. Tell me".

He pouts as tears brimmed his eyes, "Today, that man we saw in grandparents place came to meet me. He said he was my father and showed me mama and his picture. H-He told me you hurt mama and take her away from me. I told him he was lying and shouted so he ran away".

She turned her head as she glared at Amir since he had said Neil will never have to look at his brother. She looked back down at Neil.

"You believe me?". She asked

"Yes, I know you, Khala. I love you and believe you. Please, tell me". He said pleading

Her eyes wryly, "It's not that easy".

"Please". He said crying

She sighs, "Your mother and I were very close. Even more then I was with my mother. Then, she got married at first I used to miss her but eventually in a year I was normal. I used to call her all the time but then she asked me not to as she was busy. Our contact lessens to a point I had no contact. One day, I went to your grandparent's house to surprise my sister but when I went there I found her passed out in the lounge. I took her to the doctor who told me that your father hurt (beaten) her and had been doing that for a long time. Then, I would always call her, text her and always tell her to leave that house and she would say that your father will change. I was about to tell my parents when she told me she was going to have you and that your father might actually change. I-I-".

She cries as she remembers those times, "I was wrong, she was wrong. He would still hurt her but she got better at hiding it. Until, I saw him hurting (beating) her in public when you were about to be born. I went straight to the house shouting at your grandparents for allowing it and your father for doing it. My sister and your father were on top of the stairs when h-he-".

She gasps for air but Amir holds her hand as she continued, "He pushed her down, in front of me. I tried, I tried, Neil, so hard to help her or to hold her before she falls. I was late. No one helped me in carrying her to the car and I had to do it alone. I was late to bring her".

She cried even harder as the pain started coming back again. Neil hugged her crying even worse.

"I am going to open the case again". She declared as she looked at Amir holding his head

"Ok". Was all he said still looking down

It was a month, she opened the case since she had proves it was easy to win but the problem was that the criminal ran away. No one was able to reach him.

"Why did you close the case before?". Amir asked sitting beside her

She sighs, "Your parents, they begged me to allow their son a chance and promised I will have Neil's full custody. I wanted Neil and it was hard to win his case so I had to shut it down".

"What about your parents?". He asked

Her heart clenches as she chuckles dryly, "Oh, they were the best. Your brother went to them after my sister died while I was in trauma saying I seduced him and that was the reason my sister was so angry when she saw me in her house trying to seduce him that she fell off the stairs. The irony is, my parents didn't even stop to think or ask me they just slapped me, insulted me and throw me out of the house".

The next days went by until the dark night arrived. Ayesha heard footsteps but she thought it was her husband she let it go until she realized it wasn't her husband since he had told her she won't be home today. She carefully looked outside of Neil's room and found an unknown man in a black hoodie until the man turned looking right in her eyes.

His brother.

She closed the door shut pushing Neil in the washroom as she heard the loud knocking on the door room. Her handshake as she reached her phone dialling Amir's number.

"What is it?". Amir asked

"A-Amir, save us. Save Neil. He is here. He is here, Amir. Come soon". She yelled as she watched the door break and the phone fall from her hand

The last thing she remembers was being hit by something really hard.

His heart stopped.

Before he could make sense, he was in his car driving at the speed of light while he called the police and trying to dial his number. Just as he reached home he ran upstairs with his heavy heart he stopped just as he saw the broken door and a broken sight in front of him.

There she was laying in her own blood with Neil beside her crying badly trying to shake her awake. She didn't wake up.

The guilt immediately filled him.

He stood there, too shocked to work when she was taken away by the ambulance and he was following them in his daze.

He realized, while protecting his nephew, he failed to protect her from his brother. And the guilt was overbearing.

If you disrespect me or if this is your game since I know you hate me I will never ever reconcile with you even if you beg for it.