That week was a blessing to him because he did underestimate her. She is more compassionate and understanding than he takes her to. After his confession, she didn't treat him delicately but someone who is fighter instead.

He sits down watching her teaching Nour patiently. He can see from her eyes she wants Nour to be the best but Nour condition wouldn't allow her to be normal like other.

But he can see that both of them sure know that they can try to be normal. Nour is super sharp if he can say she knows she needs to learn and she does, at a slower pace. But Dunya knows she cannot learn in a normal way hence she teaches her in different ways the doctor asks her to.

It shows many qualities of Dunya for him. He knows she will be a really good doctor and that is something he is trying to work on recently.

He heard the loud ringing of the door making his peaceful moment break. Dunya looks at him questioning the ringing and he shrugs.

Just as he near the door looking through the hole he sees his raging stepfather at the doorstep. He immediately asked everyone to stay hidden in their rooms no matter what.

They did exactly what he asked.

He took a deep breath opening the door to his whole family standing at the doorstep. They enter inside uninvited and he follows behind them.

"What is it?". He asked nonchalantly not wanting them to be here long

His stepfather turned his rage-filled eyes to him, "Who do you think you are?. You married without my consent and then you moved here just to continue your illegal activities without my notice?".

He can see that those are lies just to beat him.

"I can marry whoever I wish to marry and I don't need any consent from you since you are not exactly my family. I moved from your house to build my house and you should know better than to accuse me of things I haven't done". He replied as his years of anger started pouring out, "I have heard enough of you over the years just for my mother sake but I will not have you come into my life anymore especially when I have a wife and her responsibility. I will not have anyone who destroys the peace of this house come in here. I did what I should for my mother for years and it's about time I do a thing for myself".

His mother slapped him hard making him wince at the impact as she screams, "I didn't raise you to be like this".

His heartbreaks.

He feels the soft touch of her hand linking their hands together.

Holding him together.

He raises his head as tears gather in his eyes from years of agony, "Why?. Was I that hard to love?".

He cannot say the words he wished for.

"W-What?". His mother stuttered

"Was I that hard to love that you abandoned me for others?". He asked again as tears fall down his cheeks

He looks at his mother broken eyes as tears brimmed in her eyes.

"How dare you?". His father said raising his hand

He holds his hand from reaching him, "Leave my house right this moment. I don't ever want to see you and I don't ever want to see you around my family. There will be consequences".

He sees them leaving quickly but then finds his mother standing in front of him.

"A-Aashir-". She started

"I need answers". He said shortly

"I am sorry. I am so sorry". His mother said crying

"No. I want to know why". He said as he tightens his hold on her hand

"Calm down, Aashir". She whispers softly making his heartbeat come back to normal," She will speak just give her some time, please".

******

The next day because of the weather conditions they had an off for a week. He was more than happy to stay in with his wife. The development of them is something he really loves.

He walks into the kitchen to find her engrossed in making them food. Soon enough, he joins her in making food for everyone. No one is necessarily petty about the food.

"I will go call the twins". He said kissing her cheeks while she blushes away making him chuckle

He loves when he does the smallest act like hold her hand randomly playing with her while she blushes all that time.

Something he adores and saves in his memory for a lifetime.

As he near the door he heard the twins shouting at one another for something which is not right since he never saw them being in a heated argument.

"Why can't you make it easy for Appi (sister)?". Azhar shouted frustrated, "Can't you see how much she is doing for us?".

"Shut up and get lost. I don't want to speak to you". Asim yelled angrily

He sees Azhar looking at him disappointed but walks away. He hides not wanting to be seen. Just as Azhar left he sees Asim holding his head as he cries silently.

He sighs.

He enters inside because he knows his wife worries about him too much and now he is losing himself like he once did.

"Want to go out with me?". He asked softly

Asim looks at him a little taken back but nodded.

He walks downstairs informing his wife kissing her forehead as they walk outside in the snow.

"What is it, Asim?". He asked

"I don't know". Asim said grimly, "Can I be honest?". He nodded as he continues, "I feel like because of us Appi (sister) is killing herself. She already sacrificed so much for us and she never thinks about herself. Her world revolves around us at all time. She is on her feet 24/7 no matter how tired she is she will always be there and I feel like we are all taking her life away from her".

He patted his shoulder, "Do you really think that?". Asim nodded, "No, Asim, she loves you and true she does most things for you but there is nothing you can do. By behaving the way (pushing her away) you are hurting yourself and her. She stresses about nothing else besides that she might have lost you already. She cares and loves you. Don't take her honest actions as something she had to do because if she didn't want to she would have left right through that door when she was eighteen".

Asim eyes brimmed with tears, "What do I do?".

"Love her and support her. That's all you have to do, Asim. I promise you I will make sure she is happy throughout her life". He said smiling

******

He walks towards the mosque with the twins beside him as they talked. Yesterday after Asim confessed they went home and Asim immediately apologised and hugged his sister.

Aashir saw it clearly how happy she had been since. She smiles all day today and he can feel her happiness pouring out of her.

He smiles.

Just as they entered the twins went to their new friends who are actually good for them. He walks towards Ali who sits with a Quran in his hand. When Aashir sits beside him he waits for him to finish.

After a few moments, Ali closes the Quran placing it back in it's place.

"I see the twins are here". Ali said smiling

He smiles watching them interact, "Yes. I guess it's about time they connect to their Lord".

Ali smiles, "What is that troubling you now?".

"Dunya". He said sighing as Ali waits for him to speak further, "I feel these feelings towards her and I don't know what to do. I don't know if it's love or it's just an intrigue. What do I do?".

Ali smiles softly, "Is it that hard?". Aashir nodded, "It's not hard. Love is the most simple and pure form of it all. Love comes in form physical and emotional. Nikaah is a step you took towards her by binding in a way which makes your Lord happy. He controls the rhythm of your hearts and when we follow his command he vast our heart to the one it should belong in this world. I wouldn't tell you the differences between pure love and being intrigued by a person because I have a feeling you will find out soon".

****

"What are you doing, bean?". He asked as he sits beside Nour who seems to be working on something very seriously

He had never seen her this serious ever before which surprises him.

"Look". She said softly pointing to the paper in front of her

He looks over the paper and sees a beautiful woman in the middle of the garden.

He focuses his eyes on the woman, "Who is she?".

"Appi (sister)". Nour said smiling, "Do you see her shining?".

"Shining?". He asked confused

Nour nodded innocently, "Every time Appi does something like she wanted it to be she has this shine on her face. She smiles happily and lately she has been smiling a lot more".

He looks at Nour who seems too mature for her age. He can see her being something in her life.

Artist.

He decided he wanted her to join classes that help her enhance in this so he searched all day for the best one registering her in one after a quick discussion with his wife.

*****

The dreadful day of school came by and everyone was groaning.

"Have a good day, biwi (wife)". He said smiling running along with her twin's brother to their football coach

He is meant to attend classes with her but his match is coming up for which he cannot be with her just yet.

He sighs.

He practices for a long time but his mind and heart remains with her. As he practices, he watches the time thinking about what she must be doing without him being there.

"Bhai, relax this is not the first time she is in school". Asim chuckle

Azhar looks in the lengths, "I feel something is going to happen".

"What?". Aashir asked

"Where is Appi?". Azhar asked

They all walk inside the school calling her number which receives no answer. They look in her class where they cannot find her. They searched the whole school couple of time shouting her name but there is no reply.

His heartbeat increases by every passing second. He cannot believe that he isn't able to protect her.

"Dylan dragged her to the behind of the school". He heard Zara saying, "Save her, Aashir".

Aaahir didn't need to be told twice as his feet were already dragging him in the direction. Just as he near the place he can hear her begging him to let her go making his anger rise to a level that senses left him.

He stalks towards him pushing him away from her as he punches him repeatedly without any mercy. How dare he touch his wife?. How dare he think he can even go anywhere near her?.

How dare he.

Azhar and Asim called the principal who witnessed all of it asking the boys to pull Aashir away before something big happens. The boys- after much trouble- taking one name they manage to pull him away from Dylan.

Dunya.

Aashir immediately moves away from his bloody body to his wife cupping her face in his hand looking at her tear-filled eyes. He kissed her forehead hugging her tightly as she weeps in his protective hold.

"This bastard is the one playing you". Dylan yelled angrily, "He is the one who bet with me to see if one of us can have you by the end of the month".

She stiffened.

She moves back from his hold looking in his eyes to find any reaction but she finds none.

"Is it true?. There was a bet?". She asked hoarsely scared of the answer

Everything around them stilled.

He nodded breaking her heart.

******

"That's it". Azhar said banging the door of her room entering inside

She moves her red-eye from the pillow she had been crying for a week.

"You denied to hear him out and you have been a mess and this is it. You will listen to me". Azhar said angrily glaring at his sister

She sniffed looking at him nodding as he continues, "I know you are hurt, Dunya but you didn't even give him one chance to say his part. That day I was there when Dylan and Mark were talking about you like some object. They bet on you and that was why I came home beaten because I started beating them. Aashir was the one who saved me before they can truly hurt me saying that if they came near you they will pay for it. He asked me to help him save you because Dylan wasn't backing down hence the idea of marriage. He asked your hand from me saying there will never be a day that he will intentionally make you cry and will always support you and this family. He left his family and everything helping you and us day and night. How can you doubt him?".

He moves closer holding his crying sister to himself, "He never wanted you to know about Dylan and how they objectified you because of which he didn't say anything to you when you asked him about the bet. He hates how people think of you because of your physical appearance and he never did. He never wanted you to know all this. You have to talk to him, Dunya. I don't know where he went but he seems very upset".

She pulls back from him, "What?. Where?. How long?".

"About five hours". Azhar said

She immediately pulls away from him kissing his cheeks as she runs outside the house calling him.

******

She walks around looking for him for another two hours. The more time went by the more scared she gets.

Then her mind clicks.

Her feet start to run along the familiar path she took a little over a month with her family. She remembers it was Nour's birthday and she decided the best place is the beach just a little away from their house.

Just as she near the bridge she finds him standing just as she saw him that night.

The same pain reflects in his face.

She remembers that night she saw him on this bridge she clearly knew what he was trying to do. She recognises him as her classmate she used to look at a few time in the day.

That's why she sent Nour to him.

She takes hurried steps close to him holding his hand pulling him back.

He looks at his wife standing in front of him punching his chest as tears fall down her face. He didn't understand why she looks like that but it pains him to see her like this.

"What happened?. Are you ok?. Did someone hurt you?. Was it Dylan?. I will kill him". He said angrily

She hit his chest again, "You. You hurt me. How can you do this again?. How can you think about leaving me?".

"What?". He said confused

"I saw you that night almost falling down from here how can you do it again?". She said crying as she falls on the ground, "How can you leave me alone after becoming my world?. I am so sorry I doubted you. I cannot live without you. Please, don't leave me".

"Dunya-". He started sitting in front of her but her next words cut his own

"I love you, Aashir". She said crying harder

His heart stopped.

He places his hand on her cheeks making her eyes meet his own. He can see how much pain they hold because of him. He wipes her tears away shaking his head.

"You knew about me?". He asked smiling softly

She narrows her eyes, "Is that important?".

He nodded eagerly, "Yes, very".

She sniffs, "I knew about you since the day you joined our school, Aashir. I saw you changing over the year. That night I was so scared when I find you here like that".

He wipes the few tears that fall down her eyes at her remembering that night.

"I thought no one ever saw me just like my mother". He whispers, "I had no idea that you always did. You saved me that night?". She nodded, "God, here I thought I was the one saving you. It was you all along. You have no idea how glad I am that you saved me now. I am so sorry for hurting you. I never started any bet with them I just did it because I-I-".

She places her hand on his mouth, "I know. Azhar told me".

His eyes filled with tears, "I never wanted you to know this mess. I didn't want you to worry about these things with your responsibilities. I am so sorry I wasn't able to save you".

She wipes his tears away, "No, Aashir, it's good you came to me. Imagine if you didn't maybe I would be-".

"Don't say it". He said angrily, "Don't ever say or think about it. I will kill anyone who tries to come near you".

She smiles, "Forgiven?".

He kissed her forehead, "Forgotten".

******

He sits in front of his mother who has come to visit him. Fortunately, his wife and her siblings went out for some shopping. He wasn't feeling well so he stayed back.

"What is it?". He asked offering her coffee

"I-I am sorry". She started

He chuckles dryly, "Really?. For what?".

"I am sorry for everything. I know it doesn't mean a thing now. But you asked me why and I cannot stop myself from thinking about everything. But I cannot give you a solid excuse for your answer. I was a coward". His mother said sadly

He clenches his fist, "Please, speak clearer".

His mother sighs, "After your father death everyone turned on me and pushed me to marry him. I wasn't ready for that step but I had to take it for you. They said he was a nice man and when I was married my parents said that I shouldn't come back to them until death. The first day he hit you even I was shocked and he said that it was a mistake apologising to me. I agreed and then he started doing it every day. I was a coward- with my parent's words- I couldn't help you even when I wanted to. I tried having his kids so he will stop but he never did".

"So you allowed him to beat me because you had no other choice?". He said calmly

His mother nodded crying.

"Fine". He said making his mother look at his calm composure, "I forgive you. Not for me, not for you and not for anyone but my Lord".

His mother eyes widen as she looks at him completely shocked.

"W-What?. But-". She started

She looks at him and the changes she can see in her son. The one lost son is now a grown man.

"Mother, I always cared for you I don't know if I loved you because that concept is ruined for me after going through all that in such an early age. I want you to know you have no pressure anymore to take a stand. You have a full-grown son who is more than capable of taking care of you. You know my father (birth) left me enough money to last lifetime. I can provide for your needs while providing for everyone else. Please, think again". He said smiling softly holding his mother hand

*****

He looks around himself and the forest who once was so dark that it was hard for him to stand in is now completely transform into a beautiful forest where he can see beautiful flowers and trees everywhere.

He cannot believe he is back to look at this beautiful scenery again.

"It's growing beautifully, right?". She asked holding his hand

He turns towards her and for the first time, he can actually see her face.

"Dunya". He whispers

"It's me. Your Dunya". She said giving him a hearty smile, "Look around, Aashir, this is your soul".

He looks around taking steps with her this time enjoying what's around him.

No fear and no desperation.