"". Her grandfather said immediately before any of them can respond

She clenches her hands nodding starting to walk behind Areesha who was sent to show their room. She went inside her room throwing herself on the bed closing her eyes as exhaustion soon enough catches at her.

An hour later her eyes open again and she changes her clothes calling her mother immediately.

"We reached, Ammi". She said softly

"Allah tera shukar. Take good care of yourself, ok?". Her mother said worriedly (Thank the Lord)

"Don't worry. I am a big brave girl of yours". She said chuckling, "Did you take your medicine?. Are you resting?. Did you eat?".

"Slowly slowly". Her mother chuckled, "Yes, I took my medicine and food. I am currently reading a book on my bed anything else, Ma'am?".

She laughs softly, "I miss you already".

"I miss you too, meri bachi (My child). You don't know how hard it is to send you there and so far away from me. Please make sure you don't allow anyone to bother you. I don't care who it is I don't want anyone saying anything bad to you, ok?". Her mother said

"Jee". She said smiling, "I will call you back someone is knocking on the door".

Ending the call she went to the door not before covering her head properly opening the door. Before she can speak Rizwan pushes her aside entering the room as he owns it.

"I was wondering if you are awake so we can talk before we head to the dining room". Rizwan said looking around the room

She moves uncomfortably still in her shock state at the door. She moves out of the door to find someone who can help her with taking him out. She curses herself for not looking which room her brother went into or she could have asked him for help.

"What's wrong?". Zuhair said plainly looking at her distressed face

Obviously, he had seen the whole scene. He was walking out of his room towards the dining room but stopped the moment he finds Rizwan brushing his hair back and straightening his shirt in front of her door.

Her damn door.

He watches the whole scene unfolding and the moment Rizwan's touches her body pushing it had him clench his hand and the rage-filled his senses almost immediately. He can feel the anger coursing through him and his eyes seeing red.

"T-That-". She started

"I hope you don't mind me coming in I mean I know you won't. This must be natural since you stay outside". Rizwan said

She looks at the fire breathing Zuhair and then back at the idiot who is not even looking at them.

"I don't call boys in my room". She said angrily because he is just assuming such acts from her

She frowns in anger as she wonders what other things they must have imagined about her. Zuhair looks at the little spitfire beside him calming down his anger a little at how much she looks familiar to a small child who is denied of something. The way her pale face turns red almost immediately is just amusing for him to watch since he had never seen anything such before.

Because he was taught that only men protect the woman. He had never seen a woman standing for herself either in his life of 30 years. Even his sister he always asks her to fight for herself but she barely does that. She either runs from a fight or calls him.

"Sorry". Rizwan said turning around and his eyes widen looking at Zuhair

She watches all colours leaving his face and she ignores his half heart apology which isn't even an apology with his tone it was just to say it. But now the way his eyes widen and he looks scared had her biting her lips to not smile.

"What are you doing here?". Zuhair asked leaning on the door frame casually

"I-I came to invite her for dinner". Rizwan said

"I don't want to hear your lame excuses that I know are a lie". Zuhair said standing tall and his eyes flaring, "Be clear of two things. One, she is family so you don't have to invite her. Secondly, it is her room and unless she gives permission no one is supposed to enter inside".

She watches Zuhair walking towards a scared Rizwan standing right in front of her that she didn't hear a word he said next.

"And if I ever find you near her again in any way it won't end well for you". He said only for this weasel to hear

Rizwan immediately heads outside of the room.

"Next time don't allow anyone to come inside". Zuhair said stern

She looks at him frowning throwing her hands in the air, "But it wasn't my fault".

"It could end up being yours". He stated

She thoughts for a moment and realises that in the end, the way Rizwan judges her other would have done the same.

She nodded, "Ok. You can leave now".

Zuhair looks at her taken back but nodded heading outside when her sweet whispers stop him again, "Thank you".

He shakes his head with his lips curving up a little as he heads out of her door. He walks towards the stairs when he turns to find her brother heading towards her room.

"Who is it?". She asks from behind the door

"Your brother". Azaan said rolling his eyes

While the highly amused Zuhair chuckle at her antic walking away towards the dining room.

Soon enough everyone sits on the dining table eating the food. She adds extra biryani because she absolutely loves eating it.

"So, do you pray?. Fast?". Her phopho asked raising her eyebrows

She looks around to find if the ridiculous question is for someone else but when everyone stops and look at her she realises it's for her indeed.

"I am Muslim so of course I do". She replied nonchalantly because she is done with phopho

"I mean people living outside and like your mother I doubt she taught you much". Her phopo replied

She places her spoon down hard so it makes a loud noise halting everyone movement.

"My mother is a beautiful Muslim and she taught me good values which are the reason I am still here. Don't talk about her so lowly". She said gritting her teeth

"I can see what manner she gave you". Her phopho said rolling her eyes

"Enough". Her grandfather said stern halting his daughter words, "I don't want this nonsense anymore".

"I have the last question". Her phopo said not effected by everyone glares and her grandfather words, "How many boyfriends do you have?".

She chokes on her food coughing and her brother immediately hands her the glass of water patting her back calming her down.

"She doesn't have any boyfriends. It isn't permissible. This is the last time I am saying this do not assume and accuse my sister or my mother". Azaan said pushing his chair walking away

She sighs.

She stands from her seat ready to leave when she heard her phopho words, "That's what their mother taught them. To leave the food table and not respect their elders".

She sighs taking steps towards her brother room.

"Bhai". She said softly watching him pacing around

"I don't like them pointing fingers at you". He said angrily

"I know". She said nodding to herself

"I won't allow her to do that anymore". He promised

She moves to hug him tightly, "I know you won't".

The night falls and she sits with her laptop studying her assignment while her brother sleeps beside her. She feels her stomach growling and she sighs. It's been like that since she came from the table and she misses the food already.

She heard the door opening and she screeches looking at who it is to find Hanifa standing there looking at her more like glaring.

"What?". She asked indifferently

"I came to check on your brother. Why are you not in your room?". Hanifa said walking in

"These siblings have a habit of entering the room without permission". She mumbles closing her laptop and now her hunger reaching the peak have her mood sore, "Firstly, you should not enter into anyone room without permission. Secondly, it's a boy room to be exact who is na-mahram and you should not be here. And lastly, he is my brother so I can be here. You can leave now and close the door behind".

She heard the loud bang as a very angry Hanifa exits the room.

"Thank the Lord you dealt with her. Last time she came in to say she was inviting me for dinner and it was an absolutely horrible event. I literally ran out of my room to yours". She heard her brother sleepy voice as he chuckles at his own words

She laughs, "These people are weird".

"Very". Her brother said getting down from the bed, "I will freshen myself then we can go down to feast".

They walk down after a while to find no one which has them happy because they don't want to be questioned at the moment. They enter the kitchen looking at the food sighing.

"I have no mood for this food". Azaan said groaning

"Can we go out?". She said excitedly

She heard a throat clearing making her jump out of her skin as she turns to find Zuhair and his sister looking at her.

"Hi?". She said unsure smiling lightly

"It's good you came out of your cave". Areesha said moving towards Hoorian

Hoorian chuckle at her words nodding then her brother leans into whispers, "You see that hulk?. He is the one we need permission to go out and I am not taking it".

She looks at him annoyed as she whispers back, "You are a coward".

"I choose to live". Her brother replies

"Idiot". She said shaking her head

She turns to look at Zuhair who is already looking at her as she gathers her courage walking to stand in front of him.

"Can we please go out to eat?". She said softly smiling

Zuhair gulps.

"Bhai you never allowed me". Areesha said stubbornly

Zuhair looks at his sister knowing she is absolutely right because him being responsible one he never allowed anyone to go out at these hours.

Hoorain joins her hands looking at him adorably that have his lips sealed before he can say no. He looks into her beautiful eyes shining in hope and that smile that is waiting for a yes to come out.

He will break his own heart by saying no.

"Yes, we can go out". He said breathlessly

The exact moment she squeals happily and the bright smile appearing on her face that has his heart skip a beat or two.

What is wrong with him?.

"We are getting Pizza". She said running towards her brother

While Zuhair looks at his sister who looks at him narrowing her eyes and he immediately turns to leave the kitchen.

"We leave in 10". He declared running away

And they went out for Pizza because she manages to convince everyone (Zuhair, Areesha and her brother) for it. Well, mostly she won the vote of Zuhair which ended all discussions. She sits in the car happy about eating and her stomach full and she feels the stare at her.

The same stare she had while she was busy eating.

The car stops near the Icecream shop and she jumps out heading towards the shop since it was only her who asks for it only she went in with Zuhair following behind her watching her every move.

He stands leaning on the counter as she frowns looking at all the flavours finding it hard to find one for herself. While he looks at her every feature drinking in her every move and her every action and it seems his heart was willingly recording it all.

Her smiles, giggles and teasing her brother.

Everything.

He shakes his head looking at his watch to find the time running away making it almost time for the prayer call.

"Um, Mujhe nahi chahiyeh ab". She said timidly moving from foot to foot standing in front of her (I don't want it anymore)

He frowns looking at her shine gone and the anxiety visible in her eyes.

"What happened?". He asked dangerously making her gulp and when she didn't speak he added, "Hoorain?".

"I was selecting the Icecream when that man came and pick one touching my hand I thought it was a mistake but then he stays there moving into me and pushing my shoulder". She explained visibly shaking

"Go and sit in the car. Did you select a flavour?". He asked keeping his voice strained

"Strawberry?". She said unsure but looking into his dark eyes she understands that she should sit in the car and she did

****

No one spoke in the car and she didn't tell anyone what happened. All she knows a few moments later he walks out of the shop with her Icecream and then there was silence.

They reach home.

The door opens as they enter inside to find the whole house standing in front of them.

"Where were you?". Her grandfather asked

"We were out". Zuhair spoke

"At this time?. I expected better from you Zuhair". Her grandfather said shaking his head disappointed in him which is the first for him but he was hardly disappointed by his behaviour

"It was her". Hanifa said pointing at Hoorian," She asked them to go out".

"Lord! This girl is such a hassle. Why doesn't anyone sees it?". Her phopho said angrily

"Stop it". Her grandfather said stern

"Stop what?. First, she did drama on the table and now she took everyone out what if something happens don't you know how many crimes happen at such hours?. How can she be so irresponsible?". He phopho screamed

"Phopho, there were two men with her and she asked me so I don't see how she is the one to be blamed". Zuhair said angrily

"Really?. What if she was raped then what?. Who will marry her and what about her future?. Her parents will blame us". Her phopo said

Her breathing hitched, "R-Rape".

Then she blacks out.