She asked confused, "Is this a joke?".

"No, I am serious. I-". He started

"No, I don't agree". She said angrily, "How can you even think that?. Did I give you such signal?".

He shakes his head as she continued, "I am never going to agree to this. There is so much that will go wrong with this one decision. Everyone will actually think I trapped you".

"Listen to me-". He said when her phone rings

She answers the call and what she heard has her stumble in her steps.

"What is it?". He asked concerned

"M-My house". She said in a whispers

*****

She enters inside watching around her broken house. The police were spread all over her tiny apartment looking around.

"Someone broke into your house and damage everything". The police explained

"I-". She said looking around losing her mind

"Surraya". He said softly knowing who did all this

She turns to him as he speaks, "Please".

She shakes her head, "No, I-".

"Please say yes, Surraya". He pleaded

She looks at him shaking, "Yes".

*****

"So you are my mom now?". Afifa asked

Surraya nodded and in a second Afifa wraps her arms around her.

"Yes, I am so happy". Afifa said squealing, "We will have so much fun".

Surraya chuckle, "Yeah, we will".

Abdullah smiles looking at them talking after the whole discussion. He wasn't afraid that Afifa would not accept her. He had a clear idea that if his daughter will ever accept anyone in his life it will be her.

Like him.

"I have to go now". Surraya said sighing brushing her clothes, "I have night duty".

He nodded kissing his daughter forehead telling her he will be back after dropping Surraya.

"Did they find who did that to my home?". She asked stressed

He holds her hand stopping her pulling her closer to him. He can see how stressed she's been since she saw her house destroyed.

"Don't stress yourself. I will find whoever it is and deal with it. I married you so you can be free not burdened". He said softly

She nodded.

"I have to go now". She said nervously looking around

He sighs leaving her hand as she walks away. He hates they have to pretend for the people. Well, he wouldn't. She is his wife and he doesn't need people opinions on it.

******

She enters Afifa room to find her reading the book she provides her with. For now, she wants her to believe in fantasies and a better world so she hands them the books that are for younger kids.

Since she didn't get to read them.

Children need to live in fantasies at least for a while because the harsh world will gain on them one day. Until then, let them believe in fantasies.

"Woah! Flowers". Surraya squeal

Abdullah smiles looking at her happy face and then turn to his daughter who rolls her eyes at her, "You act like a child".

Surraya smiles a knowing smile walking closer to her, "You can act like a child too".

Afifa shakes her head as Surraya leans closer to her ear whispering, "Are you scared your father will leave you if you do that?. How about you start looking at him from your eyes instead of other people?".

He looks at Surraya looking at Afifa with such a tender looks that it can undo anyone.

"You will try it?". Surraya asked moving back and Afifa nodded, "Good".

Surraya moves back rubbing her eyes from the sleep.

"Did you eat breakfast yet?". Surraya asked

"She did. How about you tell us if you eat it?". He asked moving closer to her moving her hand away from her rubbing her eyes

"Maybe later". Surraya replied

He turns to look at his daughter who is shaking her head urging him to do something. He looks down at her sleepy eyes which still looks absolutely beautiful to him.

"How about you sleep first". He said pulling her to the couch

"But-". She started

He pushes her to lay down shaking his head, "Sleep".

She sighs closing her eyes and immediately she slept. He looks at her for the longest time admiring how ethereal she is. Her eyelashes are long falling on her cheeks and her cheeks are naturally rosy.

"You like her, baba". He heard his daughter say

His eyes widen as he turns to look at him, "W-What did you call me?".

Afifa smiles, "Baba".

His eyes fills with tears as he walks near her hugging and kissing her forehead, "I am so sorry, beta. I promise I will never let any pain come to you".

Afifa nodded, "I am sorry. I behaved badly".

He shakes his head, "You didn't. But I have two questions if you can answer them".

Afifa nodded as he speaks, "One, you said the voice won't stop when I first came to see you. Second, did Zoya push you off the stairs?".

"W-Will you believe me?". Afifa asked and he nodded, "Zoya and her friends used to come home partying they curse at me calling me names. Their voice is what I meant at that time. They used to say I am sick and mentally ill. Secondly, Zoya didn't push me but because I failed one of my test she didn't feed me for three days and I felt dizzy resulting in falling down".

His fist clench, "Beta, I have to take care of a few things. Can you stay by yourself?. If you need anything, call me".

Afifa nodded and he kissed her forehead one last time and then turn to Surraya kissing her forehead too before walking outside.

He will put Zoya in her place.

*****

"Did you heard that she married him?". She heard her Junior say

She sighs.

It's been a painful week with her trying to get used to the concept of being married the people around her seems to treat it like something she had done wrong. The only time she is actually not stressed is the time she spends with him and Afifa.

"We have an emergency". She heard

Immediately she jumps into actions walking with her team towards the door waiting for the patient.

"It's a child who was sick with a fever for a while and complains about liver pain". Her junior informed

She nodded.

She saw the patient entering inside and she started her treatment. Abdullah walks to the emergency wanting to see his wife. It's been a week Zoya was thrown away and he had restraint orders from the court to keep her away. Her crimes seem to be never-ending and now she is in jail.

He was relieved that he didn't have to worry about his family being hurt by that woman. In this week, he had been working on being affectionate towards his wife, to allow her to be used to him. He knows it was too much to grasp for her especially with the people around her constantly saying things.

He looks at her treating a patient and that is a sight to see every time. She seems so absorbed every time she looks at the patient. Her eyes furrow when she concentrates on the patient.

"My child, where is he?". He heard an older woman coming in shouting crying mess

He sees Surraya halt at her voice and then slowly her head turns to the woman. He sees the colour leaving her face immediately and she steps back almost stumbling. He takes a step forward towards her but she keeps looking at the older woman before saying something to her staff running away.

She walks away as tears brimmed her eyes but she holds herself not wanting to break in front of anyone when she heard her senior voice.

"How can you decline treatment to an emergency patient?". Her senior asked

"I cannot do it, sir. I am sorry". She replied nonchalantly

"That's is not your decision to take. You are a doctor and you have a duty towards patient". Her senior said angrily

She feels his hand holding her in a tight grip.

"I can't do it". She said looking down

"Why?. Give me one good reason and I will not ask you again, Surraya". Her senior said

"Surraya?". She heard the older woman says as she comes near her

She holds her husband hand in a tight grip almost painful but he didn't complain and hold her even tighter.

"Are you Surraya?". The woman asked

"Why?". Surraya said sharply

Both her senior and her husband looks at her shocked because the Surraya they know never speaks like that. She is a compassionate woman to everyone.

"I-I am sorry I didn't mean to upset you". The woman said stuttering, "I had a daughter whose name was Surraya".

Her throat clogs as she gulps down the tears, "Where is she now?".

"She is dead". The woman replied without even a second of hesitation, "Can you please save my son?. He needs you".

"Son?". She asked, "Is he Surraya's brother?".

The woman nodded merely, "Yes, her stepbrother. He is just a few years younger than her".

"So it was easy for you to throw away your daughter because of your conditions but it was easy to have another son?". Surraya said taking her hand away from her husband hand

The woman eyes widen, "How do you know about this?".

Surraya chuckle lightly, "I wonder how?. Maybe because I am that dead girl".

She heard gasp from all three of them.

"N-No, you cannot be. I threw you away and there was no way you would have survived that cold weather. The house had no one in there". Her mother confessed

"Isn't it ironic. You are confessing you tried killing me. But then again you didn't do it once to be ashamed". She said, "I will not save your son".

She turns to her shocked senior, "Is this good enough reason?".

Her senior didn't say anything but she runs away.

Abdullah looks at the woman who was now crying, "I thought she died".

"Well, you did your best but I guess she has to live for this day". Abdullah replied angrily running to his wife

******

She stays in her cabin wrapping her arms around herself as she weeps. She cannot believe that she looks the same and how she begged for her child life in front of her.

It still hurts.

She realised she just surpassed her emotions but she never healed from her wounds. Then again, wounds at such a young age always leave a scar on a person. A young mind filled with pain is never going to be healed properly.

"Surraya". She heard his soft voice

She raises her tears filled eyes wiping her eyes to look at him clearly but her tears didn't stop. He moves forward wrapping his arms around her not saying anything but just provide her with comfort.

For the longest time, they stayed quiet while she just cried her heart out.

"Can you call someone for me?". She asked

He nodded.

He takes the number walking outside to inform whoever it is to come to the hospital.

She cleans her face trying her best to compose herself walking outside.

"The people you will now meet is my family". She explained, "I will tell you the details later".

He nodded.

He holds her hand as they walk outside of the hospital when he sees a black old car pulling into a driveway. She takes her hand out when an older woman who looks absolutely hideous walks out and she runs towards her hugging her.

He sees two built man coming outside. Both of them older with tattoos covering their skin just like the woman his wife is currently hugging.

"Mama". She said to the woman, "She is here".

He sees the anger crossing each of their faces and he had to agree that even he was scared of them. The two men seem to be in overprotective mood. He can guess the emotions he felt those when he found out about his daughter being abused.

"How dare she?". The man said angrily, "Where is she?. What did she say?. She knows about you?".

Care.

He can see throw their emotions and how much they are similar to what he feels for his daughter.

Surraya nodded explaining to them about everything. By the end of it, they were enraged.

"That woman sure has nerves". The man said

She looks at her mother who had always guided her and she smiles at her warmly, "You do your duty, Surraya. You have to show her that she didn't manage to do a thing to do except making you stronger. You have to save her son so you can make her see that the person she tried to kill thinking she was worthless is the one saving her son".

******

"So, you are her husband?". The man whose name is Khalid asked

The other man (Mohammad) stone face was also looking at him making him nervous as he nodded. His wife went for the operation briefly introducing them.

"Yes". He said smiling

"Well-". Khalid started

"Leave the boy alone. God, you people would make sure your daughter doesn't have a man ever in her life if possible. Good thing she married without informing or the boy would have run for the hills". He heard the woman- Zahra says

He gulps.

"Leave these idiots. So tell me do you love our daughter?". Zahra asked

The two men roll their eyes at her questions but seem interested too.

"Yes, I do". He replied confidently

"Well, then make sure she remains happy". Zahra said stern, "We don't like people hurting our sun".

He nodded, "Why sun?".

"It's her name meaning- sun. And because of wherever and whoever she meets she appears to be their sun. She always brings light to people lives". Khalid explained

He nodded understanding, "That is true".

"So, you have a daughter?". Mohammad asked, "That's the person we heard the most about from her mouth".

He nodded.

"Yeah, she is in children ward. You want to meet her?". He asked

They walk towards the ward looking and he sees how everyone even children are familiar with them.

"You are sun's parents?". Afifa asked innocently

"You are the angel she talks about. I have to say I agree with her". Mohammad said

He sees how their eyes turn gentle every time they are near someone they care for.

They talked for a long time and they told them about Surraya childhood adventures.

"I am done". He heard Surraya voice

He turns to see her walking in exhausted hugging her mom.

"She didn't tell you about my chocolate obsession did she?". Surraya asked playfully to Afifa

Afifa laughs.

He can swear that is the sweetest sound he had heard. He worries about Surraya but he waited until everyone was gone for her to speak.

"Your parents are so cool". Afifa said grinning

She smiles, "Yeah, they are".

"Where did you find them?". Afifa asked curiously

She sighs, "Remember my mother threw to some random house?. They weren't home at that time and the house beside them found me. I was taken to the hospital and later they brought me back to their home. At first, they were nice but then slowly they turned really bad. I came to know they were all bad people who hurt other people for money. One day, they hurt me enough to kill me so I decided to run away. But, I didn't eat much and with no energy, I barely made it to the next house garden where I fainted. When I woke up this time I was in a different house and then I saw three people looking at me those were them (Zahra, Khalid and Mohammad). Zahra nurtured me back to health while Khalid and Mohammad tried to have my custody secretly so the next door won't know. They never had my custody so it was easy for Khalid to do so. I came to know that they were similar to the next-door people just that they were fed up from their own life. They were deciding to leave everything and then they found me who was their final push. So, with me, they ran away from that place and we ended here where they taught me everything".

"They were nice". Afifa said smiling

"Because of them, I realised sometime stranger can do so much more than your own blood. You can find happiness and protection in strangers if you don't from your own people". She said smiling, "They brought me back to life. Each one of them taught me something in my life. Zahra was warm but fierce, Khalid was sharp and tough while Mohammad was strong and hardworking. They started earning through good ways and then sent me off to study in the best place possible. Since then, we have been family".

******

"You are her husband?". He heard her birth mother ask

He nodded.

"I never thought she would actually be worth anything. But she did make herself a good life". She said

He clenches his hand," She deserves it".

She nodded, "Yeah, she did. Tell her I thank her for saving my son".

"Why?". He asked restrained, "Why did you do that to her?".

"When you don't have enough food to feed two mouths you look for ways to stop those mouth". She replied

"That is an excuse". He said

She smiles, "That is an excuse I choose to believe in than accepting the fact that I was a coward. But to those who are at the brick of starving, they know what their decisions meant".

He watches her leaving but he cannot believe she still hasn't said anything to her own daughter. The hospital now quietens down by her senior who had warned people to say against her decision in her personal life.

"What are you doing?". Surraya asked smiling

He smiles looking at her tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear kissing her forehead, "Just thinking".

"About what?". She asks blushing

He loves showing his affection in public because she would always blush making his heart flutter.

"About how lucky I am to found you". He said softly, "I love you".

She grins at him, "I love you too".

******

"You know you look beautiful". He said watching her standing in front of the dressing table

He walks closer to her wrapping his arms around her.

"You told me that every minute of the day, Abdullah". She said smiling at their reflection in the mirror

"And that I am glad to have you in my life". He said kissing her cheeks

She nodded.

"That I and Afifa cannot live without you". He said softly

She nodded again, "I can't either".

"The new addition to our family is a blessing for us". He said smiling when he remembers about his son

"Yes, yes, I know". She said moving his hand away from her, "Let's go".

He holds her hand walking outside to find his daughter dressed playing with her brother. He has seen how free Afifa is now. It took them time with so much happening in such a small time they start to take things slow to be used to concepts.

He looks around the small family his and her family.

Her family became an important part of their lives as they continued on their journey. They were the best and most compassionate person. Even when he and his wife seem to be fighting over things they resolved it instantly for them.

They were their guide.

Now, he knows what she meant by a stranger being family. They were stranger at first and then they become a family.

A small but happy family.

Only person who believed in him and his child was his wife. She never thought they wouldn't make it instead she always said they will.

And they did.

He smiles watching everyone happily talking and his daughter cutting the cake with her brother for her birthday.

The smiles are the most precious thing in the world and it is important to save them from the harsh world.

That was their story.