". His mother yelled angrily looking at the scene

She and Adam were coming down when the security informed them about Mustafa being angry at someone. But, she saw him raising his hand and the poor girl covering herself had her on the edge.

"I-I-". Mustafa stuttered running away

His mother descended the stairs coming to the Zoha hugging her Adam went behind Mustafa.

"She thought I would hit her, uncle". Mustafa said pained

"What happened?". Adam asked sitting beside him

"He is here. He was speaking to her and that made me angry". He explained angrily, "She said that she will handle him so when she came back I was going to point to the door security but she thought I was going to hit her".

"Beta (daughter), are you ok?". Hamna asked softly

"I want to leave. Can I?". She asked sniffing

Hamna nodded and she moved away before she turned back to look at her.

"It wasn't Mustafa fault, it was re-". Zoha started

"Reflexes, I know". Hamna said sadly

Zoha nodded merely, "Please, tell him I am sorry and I knew he wouldn't do that".

Hamna walked outside where he was sitting just as she neared him she slapped him across his face and he didn't even utter a word against it.

"If I ever find you doing something like that again I will disown you. Control your anger around other people especially her. I don't care what made you angry but you have no right to scare someone like that". Hamna said angrily walking back

"But, why was-". He started

"Reflexes". His mother said shortly he was about to speak but she continued, "You are a smart boy, Mustafa, I am sure you will figure what I mean".

But, she stopped turning around, "Zoha said she knew you wouldn't do that to her".

"So, why did you looked like you have seen a ghost yesterday?". Her sister said as she was preparing for school

She didn't speak.

The day at school she had ignored him as much as possible because she didn't want him to speak to her about tomorrow or in fears that he might have found everything.

"You can have lunch, now". Her teacher informed

She smiled thinking about food. She hadn't had any since yesterday. She walked through the door of cafeteria taking her food heading to her friends.

"So, who paid for it?". She heard her sister say, "Is it your boyfriend?".

"No, the teacher said I have worked hard this year-". She started

"You really believed that?". Her sister said chuckling, "You are more stupid than I thought".

Her happiness vanishes as her words sink in. She looked at her food not wanting to eat it anymore. Maybe, she was stupid she did a mistake yesterday too. She placed her head on the table groaning to herself.

"I went for a moment and this happened". Her friend said sitting on her seat

She shrugged.

"I will come with you, today". Zunaira said as Zoha was about to walk to work

"No-". Zoha started but Zunaira hold her hand tightly

"I said I will come". Zunaira said each word slowly

They reached the mansion door and Zoha didn't want her sister to come with her. After yesterday, she wanted to pass today without worries. She rang the bell and the door opened with Mustafa standing on the other side.

He had a smile on his face but that turned when he saw Zunaira, "What is she doing here?".

"She-". Zoha started

"My sister had a mild fever yesterday so I wanted to come in case she doesn't feel well". Zunaira said half lying

Mustafa snicker at the obvious lie then his eyes turned to her but she wasn't even looking at him. His heart breaks a little as he went away to continue his work for the function project. Zunaira ran off somewhere right when they have entered and Mustafa was hiding from her.

"Why are you running?". Adam asked Mustafa, chuckling

"Uncle, that trouble is after me". Mustafa said hiding behind him

Adam saw Zunaira coming their way but he did hide Mustafa from her as she passed him.

"She is gone". Adam said sighing

"I cannot believe she will roam in our house like she owns it". Mustafa said groaning

"Maybe because she want to own it". Adam said thoughtfully

"What does that mean?". He asked confused

"Your mother asked you to pray to show you the real faces of people when they are revealed you will have more responsibility for how to deal with them. People are not what they seems, Mustafa. Your mother asked you to figure what is wrong with Zoha so I will let you work on these". Adam said patting his shoulder

Mustafa walked towards the stairs thinking about everything. He was guilty and sad for making her scared of him. He was relieved that she didn't actually think so bad of him. Then he remembers the first day he met her.

"Physical abuse". The word left his mouth leaving him numb,"Her own family?. How can they?".

The questions started coming back to him as he tries to make sense but there was no sense. Besides that, he had seen her family treating her like an outsider and her sister hitting her. The only people who truly love her are her grandparents. He wondered if they know about it.

"Appi (sister)". He heard Zoha voice

He halted looking at the stairs where Zunaira was standing a step ahead of Zoha holding something. He looked carefully to find that was the present he and Zoha had prepared for his mother because they wanted to do something special for her for the endless hours she works. He saw Zunaira ripping the dress they have bought with their heart in pieces throwing it away and then pushed Zoha.

His eyes widen, he immediately rushed towards the stairs holding her hand pulling her in his tight hold. He wrapped his arms around her scared of what might have happened if she did fall down the stairs. There were too many stairs if she did fall she would have ended in surgery. His heart clenched with the thought of her being hurt.

"What are you doing?". He heard her sister yelled

He came back to his sense but he felt her body shaking from the fear something as same as his. He couldn't believe her sister could try to hurt her this bad. He pulled back glaring at the woman he thought was his good friend. He pushed Zoha behind him covering her from any danger.

"I want you out of my house, right now". He said each word slowly, "I don't ever want to see you here with any kind of excuse whether it's Zoha being sick or more. You have disrespected the people I care for more times then I could count and you should be glad that I didn't yet take any measure because these women stopped me but I will not listen to them now and do what I want. Leave".

He turned around after Zunaira was gone looking at the scared girl still shaking.

"Are you ok?". He asked softly

She sniffed looking at him with tears filled eyes nodding, "What will we do with Ammi (mother) gift, now?".

"Zoha, you need to be ok for us to think further. You are shaking". He pointed to her hands, "Please, follow me".

She nodded merely following him towards the kitchen he pointed to the stool to have her sit there. She sat down looking at her hands calming herself. She closes her eyes remembering the warmth she felt coming from being close to him. It was wrong for them to be that near to each other and she knew it but she didn't regret it.

She frowns when she realized that the jacket she wore a while ago felt the same way. She hadn't found it owner for now and whenever she would feel scared or alone she wore that.

"Here". He said placing the hot chocolate in front of her, "I hope you like chocolate".

She nodded smiling a little, "I like it".

"That's great. I-I actually wanted to say something". He said while she enjoys the drink nodding, "I wanted to say sorry about yesterday. I will never hurt you or harm you like that, Zoha".

She nodded smiling, "I know".

"I am sorry for my actions yesterday". She said looking at his mother

"Beta (daughter), will you have a cup of tea with me?". His mother asked

She agreed and they walked to the garden sitting on the bench looking at the sunset.

"You know, life is not always fair, right?". His mother asked and Zoha nodded, "You know my story?".

Zoha thought for a moment shaking her head, "I only read about your business".

His mother smiled, "I was engaged when I was 16 to someone I barely knew. When I turned 18 I was immediately married the next day sending me to Mustafa's father house. He was a rich man with factories that he used to work at. He stayed with me for two months in which he was never caring and never paid attention to me. After two months, one day, he vanished. I cried a lot thinking something happened to it until I came to know the reason".

Zoha stayed quiet holding his mother hand to support her, "After a month, I came to know I was going to be the mother of his child but when I was coming back from my hospital trip I saw him in the area. I confronted him on my own, he wasn't alone he was with his other wife. He told me I was forced on him that he never wanted to marry me, that I was useless and ugly for anyone to love. He never wanted anything besides this one factory that was transferred to his name by my father after our marriage. He stayed for two months with me for the factory to be his and left with his lover to be married".

Zoha eyes widen, "H-He-".

"Yes, he betrayed me in the worst way possible. I wasn't successful back then and for a while, I was lost. Until, his father hold my hands telling me I was worth more than what his son could see. He trained me to handle his business and then transfer them to me. It was supposed to be his but after what he did his parents refused to stay in contact with him. They loved me more than my parents who blamed me. I asked for a divorce after Mustafa was born because I never wanted to be known by his name and he was already planning for it so it wasn't an issue". His mother said smiling sadly

Zoha smiled tightly, "Then?".

Hamna sighs, "I realised that a woman is worth more and I wasn't just a simple woman to break by a man who doesn't know my worth. The world is just a place we are all sent to be tested in different ways. But, we have to decide throughout which tests are worthy. I knew my parents weren't the one, I realised my husband wasn't either. The people who were worthy were his father and my son. I worked for them and to show everyone I wasn't going to back down".

"So, you are saving yourself?". Zoha asked

Hamna chuckle, "Until recently, I thought I was just showing the man my worth. But, then someone told me that I was a person who had taken that rejection to my heart and sealed it with it so I haven't allowed anyone in. I thought it was absurd but then I thought about the time I was lonely and I didn't do what I crave for. I guess I am a little too late for that now. But, Zoha, you have a world ahead you have to fight the people that hurt you. Being silent about it will only fuel them and they will take the one you care for away from you".

"How did you realise you loved Ammi (mother)?". Mustafa asked Adam who was silently sitting in his chair

Adam sighs, "I told you I found about love when I was 19 and she was married to someone. Until some time, I did though I didn't or I should forget about it since she cannot be mine. But, Ishq is something pure and unforgettable. We do not have the power to do it either to stop it. It was when I thought of her at night, pray for her each day, her happiness meant the world to me. I would wanted to have a glimpse of her just one. She could make me smile and happy without trying. I want her safe from anything bad. Protective-ness, was a very strong emotion I still feel for her. It was always her and no one".

"Uncle, I want you to ask her on the function. Just once, please, I want you to try that day because it's her big day". Mustafa said pleading

"Dada Jaani, I wanted to talk about something". She said softly when he nodded she continued, "I wanted to move out of this house, please".

It was hard for her to talk about herself being selfless had been hard but she was so near to it that leaving this way was the hardest decision. Her sister helped her in deciding this the day she almost fell she realised that she could have been killed if she wasn't saved and her sister wouldn't have cared.

That her sister destroyed the gift she and Mustafa brought from saving their money for his mother even after her continuous begging. But, the person that had her moved away was his mother words. She was her inspiration and she realised she could be so much if she was away from these toxic relationships.

But, her family wasn't happy they did everything to have them stay but her grandfather came to know all about his son doing which had him take her away immediately.

Mustafa and Zoha entered inside the house hearing a few yelling. They looked at one another then ran inside to find his pain mother and worried uncle.

"What happened?". They both asked running near the woman

"She burned her hand". Adam said worried as he calls the doctor

"Are you ok?". Zoha asked sitting beside her holding her free hand while the men were pacing in front of her

Hamna smiled, "I am fine. He is just overreacting. He always does that".

"Maybe, he cares for you, that's why". Zoha said before realising her words

Hamna stayed quiet.

She had been noticing that for quite some time maybe after Adam had talked some sense into her. Adam had always been on her side holding her together. She was afraid that he never married for so long and rejected so many girls that she might end in another rejection.

"Maybe". Hamna mumble

"What were you doing, Ammi Jaan (mother)?". Mustafa asked after hearing doctor instructions

"Cooking. I have to do it now". Hamna said

"No". All three of them said

Hamna looked at them confused when Zoha spoke, "I will prepare the food if you allow me".

"Beta (daughter)-". Hamna started

"Please, Ammi (mother)". Zoha said softly

His mother sighs, "Inform your grandparents they might be worried instead call them here since you will be late".

Zoha nodded calling her grandparents who came in 20 minutes to the mansion. She greeted them and then went into the kitchen working on the food that was undone.

"She seems to know everything". Hamna said to her grandmother looking at her cooking freely

Her grandmother sighs, "She is an amazing child that every parent want".

"But, her family don't want her". Hamna said sadly

"Yes, we are so worried since we are old we might leave this world any day and she will be all alone". Her grandmother said dejectedly

"Allah give you a long lifetime. But, don't worry I will take care of her for you". Hamna said smiling

"The food is done. I placed it on the table". Zoha said standing in between her and his family, "We will leave now".

"No, stay". Mustafa said hurriedly

He looked at everyone giving him a strange look beside Adam so he cleared his throat, "I meant it's already late you should eat with us".

"What is up with you and Zoha?". Adam asked the next day

Mustafa sighs, "I think I like her".

Adam chuckle, "That doesn't look like to me".

"What?". Mustafa asked

Adam patted his shoulder, "I see my old self in you. Don't waste time like me, Mustafa".

"You will ask her tomorrow right?". Mustafa asked and he nodded

The next day, Zoha was prepared in a beautiful dress after so long she felt happy wearing a dress. She with her grandparents reached the venue before anyone to check everything. She was busy with a few wires not sure about them.

She bumped into someone and looked at the man covering his face with a mask-wearing all black, "Who are you?".

The man didn't reply and she heard Mustafa voice calling her so she turned to look at him. She waves him over to her and he ran closer to her chuckling at her entangled with wires.

"Here, I will do it". He said softly taking her out of them

She looked at him again to find they were both wearing the same colour. She smiles to her as her heart flutters.

"Is the gift ready?". She asked softly

"Zohaib is in charge to show the mother that. Don't worry". He replied smiling

"Do you think your mother will like this venue for an opening for her own orphanage?". She asked

"She will love it. She only wanted a party to tell everyone about her orphanage so she will fine". He replied smiling genuinely

"Hamna, I wanted to say something". Adam said as he took her to the venue garden

"Is something wrong?. You look pale?". She asked worriedly

"Please, Hamna, you have to hear me". He insisted, "I know I am late but I wanted to do this one time to not die in regret of never trying. I have liked you since I was 17 and loved you since I was 19. I have always wanted to have you as my wife, after everything you went through I wanted to be closer to you to support you better in each phase. But, I was scared that you will reject me since you said you will never marry again. I choose the best way than to be beside you and protect you in every way possible. I wanted to confess my feelings towards you. I want you to be my wife for the rest of our life. Will, you accept it?".

Hamna stayed quiet hearing his words, "You loved me for that long?".

"Almost 20 years, yes". He replied smiling sadly

"I-I am so sorry for not knowing, Adam. But, honestly, I was blind by his betrayal that I stopped seeing anything like that. That day when you spoke to me opened my eyes. I realised I wanted to be with you in a different way too. I am sorry, I took so long and made you hesitate. I will be honoured to be your wife, Adam". She said smiling

"Mustafa". Zoha yelled looking at him passed out when some men attacked them at the back door

She was pulled by some other men thrown into a car with her mouth closed with a cloth. She saw them placing Mustafa with her before she lost herself to darkness.