they witness the love they wanted to cherish for their whole life falling right in front of their eyes?.

Devastated.

Broken.

Hopeless.

He wasn't any different he was fighting with himself to have hope and do not allow the bad thoughts to enter his mind but nothing was helping as of now.

His mother had been crying non-stop beside him and he did comfort her but his own heart remains bleeding.

Everyone was arrested.

Her father and the other brothers were taken in custody while Sufiyaan and Hussain were transferred to the hospital in critical conditions.

He decided not to waste his time in devil's whispering instead to seek help from the one who truly holds the power to bring her back to him.

He prayed.

With all his heart he wished for her return and believe that she will return to him and when she returns this time he will never let her go and make her his.

His eyes closed down after the doctor treated his wounds and gives him the medicine for his pain and he soon went to sleep.

He walks through the garden reaching to his father sitting beside him.

"You always come when I am scared". He said softly

"Because when you are in distress you will tend to have a difficult time staying on your faith". His father spoke

"I don't want to lose her". He cried putting his face in his hand, "I wanted to cherish her with my love but she is going too far from me".

"Have faith in your Lord and your love. That girl is a fighter she won't leave without having a life she deserves. After hardships come to a blessing. Don't ever forget that". His father said smiling, "Now leave and don't waste any more time hesitating".

His eyes open as he looks around to find his mother gone. He walks out of the room towards the room she was shifted in after a successful surgery which only returned his heart to normal.

The moment he enters inside and his eyes clashing with the same electric blue eyes he found that night for the first time ever he knew he wasn't wasting any more time hesitating.

******

"My son is an idiot". His mother said rolling her eyes making her laugh

"What did he do now?". She asked as she cooks some cake for them

"If I was in his place I would have asked for your hand by now". His mother said and she chokes on the batter she was trying

"Ammi". She whined

"You know what?". His mother said ignoring her fierce red face from blushing

She nodded for her to continue, "I am done with my son by now. I am going to have his head knocked out tonight. Just go along with me".

She shakes her head at his mother words because she really does things which amuse her.

It's been over a month after that incident.

It wasn't easy.

Not even for a minute.

Her brother and Sufiyaan were no more. They both died after they were taken to hospital and the rest of her family was arrested.

She wanted to forgive them but Waazi didn't. She remembers his words exactly when she thought about forgiving their lifetime in jail.

He looks into her eyes and she feels almost hypnotized by the way his eyes seem so beautiful.

"Mai un ko maaf kar dayta agr woh goli mujhe par chali hoti, per woh goli tumhae lagi hai aur mai yeh bardasht nahi karuin ga agr woh koi mere apne ko takleef dein gain".

(I would have forgiven them if that bullet hit me but they shoot you and I won't bear it if they hurt someone that belong to me)

She did agree to him because no matter how forgiving she was for herself they took her brother and one more life for nothing but their so-called respect.

Why was their respect attached to her?.

Why wasn't it there when they abused her?. Did that increase it?.

Questions with the endless discussion but no answer.

She hated the thought of honour in this society because even if she managed to live, every single day there are many who lose their lives.

She sighs.

They were now locked in jail and her life is finally free from her past. She had done wrong and she has paid the price.

What's wrong will never turn right for anyone. She turns to a wrong relationship to find something as precious as love and that only showed her that the wrong will never bring the right results.

But the only thing Sufiyaan managed to do right was to bring the words that her heart was telling her to her lips.

She is in love.

Not the kind of love she had for Sufiyaan, no. This was the love she wished to turn into right so she can do everything along with him. This was the love that makes her smiles the moment she opens her eyes and right before she closes them. The kind of love which have her wishing for a future with him and forever with him.

This love was all flowers, candies and love talks, no, this love was all sacrifices, care and understanding each other. To stand with one another through the hard times and to have them happy by any means possible.

To have a love that is forever.

True love.

A love that beat her heart in a different rhythm that she felt in her whole body.

He is that kind of love of hers.

She was still recovering from the bullet wound and it wasn't easy in the start. She hated that they have to do everything for her and they will stop her from all the workhouse and office.

But one thing was fun that they both stayed with her to entertain her throughout and encourage her much more. All he ever told her was to follow her heart and to be who she wants.

She can't help but love a man who respects her to this extent.

She realises something love without respect is no love. They both go hand in hand and the missing of any is not good. Love can fade at times but if one respect you- it will last forever.

She wanted respect.

She wasn't sure about his feelings yet and the visits of Maham only annoyed her at times. Though he never talked to Maham and she always finds his eyes at her even if Maham was dressed for him while she was in her comfortable hoodie with her hair all tied and her face all clear- his eyes would still look at her as if she was his world.

His mother had strictly blocked both Maham and her mother after finding various fraud in their bouquet activities. She didn't want to have such toxicity in her or her children lives so she throws them out.

She laughs.

She remembers how mad his mother looked yet how calmly she played her cards. That woman was inspiration itself because she does work in ways no woman can.

The best thing to happen was her designs were modelled in a new fashion week show and the sales were so intense that no one expected it.

She was happy that people still understand their values and cultures.

"Beta, you are here". His mother said diverting her attention from the batter

Her eyes meet his but she quickly looks away going back to her work.

"Why are you so excited?". He asked confused because that excitement does not look good

"Oh! You won't believe it". His mother said clapping her hands, "Our Gul got a proposal today".

Her hand still in the air looking at his mother dumbfounded while he looks at his mother shocked.

"W-What?". He asked again

"Yes. And I asked Gul to decide because it's a yes from me. What do you think?". His mother asked innocently

She looks at him mother shock at how good of an actor she is. She shakes her head going back to putting the batter in the oven.

"Who is he?. What does he do?. And Gul is young she-". He started

His mother waves her hand dramatically, "She is not a baby I am forcing into marriage. She is an adult who can decide for herself. And why do you ever care it's her life you don't have any say in it".

She bites her lips to stop her laughter at the way he looks at his mother while his mother looks too obvious of his expressions.

"What are you going to say?". He asked her directly

The tone of his voice was so low that she can feel the anger radiating off him in waves. The way his eyes looks so dangerous and he was too near to kill the imaginary man his mother created for her.

"Leave her. She will tell us tomorrow". His mother said interfering and she breathes out

She hates lying so she turns to leave because she didn't like hurting his mother either.

She heard the bell ringing and soon their guard brings in some clothes. His mother came out standing beside her sighing.

"Maham never learns". His mother said looking at the dresses," She sent the one who was sold highest".

She found him walking out of the kitchen angrily going out of the house and she sighs.

"I don't like your idea". She confessed

His mother laughs full-on, "Oh! I am loving it".

She shakes her head, "What are these clothes even?. Why do people wear these?".

His mother shrugged.

"The day I came home for the first time why didn't you say anything?". She asked remembering that time looking at one of the wedding type dress that Maham sent

"Because my husband came to visit me for you". His mother said lovingly, "He told me you were coming and you were someone very precious. I thought it was just a dream but the minute I saw you I knew he was right. You were something precious and similar to me".

She smiles at her mother words, "I don't know about precious but I can never thank you enough for accepting me".

"It wasn't just because of my husband". His mother said placing her head in her lap, "It was because that night you looked as if someone had snatched the world you lived in with nowhere else to live at. You seem like you had no need to live anymore something similar to what I used to think. We tend to forget the things we can still do in our pain and fears. I forgot about my own son and responsibility. You forgot that you were still young to achieve anything. I think the world today is so hard on a youngster that they often forget they are still young to achieve anything. I know you needed support just like I needed some help. That was the reason I was able to talk to you".

She sniffed, "You helped me".

"Not just me. At times we need to look at either someone who has a similar pain or someone rather strong. You had both of us. You had my son as your rock and you had me as your strength. I know my son respect and love will show you what that man wasn't able to show you. I think you found that out now". His mother said softly, "You found the value of respect and true love".

She nodded smiling when she heard the oven bell and she went to bring it out to eat. She talks with his mother for hours eating the cake when she looks at the dress Maham sent and she really wanted to try them once to see what's so amazing about them.

So, she chooses a red dress (wedding) which was sleeveless and was in two pieces with the top being small her skin was visible with any small moment she does. She looks at herself in the mirror and she remembers the day that she stood in front of the mirror as a bride.

Not by heart.

She walks out of her room to show his mother the dress which bounces around her being so big and fluffy. She holds the dress walking down the stairs standing in front of his mother.

"Ab toh ap ki shaadi pakki karni ho gi". His mother joked (Now we absolutely have to do your wedding)

"Ammi". She whines blushing

"What are you wearing?". She heard his voice

Her eyes widen looking at him and she holds her shawl which wasn't much help in covering her because it was made of net. While he tries to compose himself only for the hot coffee he was drinking to fall on his hand as he really does try to hold himself together.

It's not like she didn't look beautiful- it is exactly because she looks too beautiful.

He lowers his eyes removing his jacket handing it to her to wear which she did immediately.

"Now, why are these clothes in our house?". He asked distastefully

"Oh! She is going to wear this one at her wedding and we were just choosing for all her other functions". His mother said after having a laughing session quietly

"She said yes?". He asked confused

"Not yet. But we need to prepare because the boy is so ready to marry her immediately". His mother said gushing

He didn't even fake smile because he was done with his mother.

"Go change". He ordered

"Why I don't look good?". She asked frowning

"Gul, go and change". He said closing his eyes because both his woman are getting on his nerves

She stomps her feet angrily, "I am not talking to you anymore. You are mean".

She walks away before he can even say anything. He turns to his mother who shrugged looking away. He sits with his mother silently while his mother remains busy in her files.

"Ammi, why?". He asked

"Why, what?". His mother asked

"Why did you bring that proposal to her?". He asked

"Because she deserves to live a good life, not a life that she feels like was lent to her". His mother said narrowing her eyes at him, "This is not her life. She isn't even sure about her future or anything. Her family is gone and she has nowhere to go. With what relation and for how long without any relation she can stay here for?".

He didn't speak.

"I will make tea for you". She said to him walking into the kitchen

Then she remembers she wasn't speaking to him.

"I wasn't talking to you". She added quickly but then slap herself because lying is a sin so she speaks again, "Ok, I was talking to you but I won't from now on".

He laughs at her words obviously he had heard her and he knows she hates lying.

He looks back at his mother, "What if she has a relation?".

*****

At night she stands at her favourite rooftop looking at the stars shining brightly.

"Gul". She heard him

She remembers the first time he had taken her name right here.

She turns to find him standing at the same place as that morning.

"You are thinking of getting married?". He asked

She sighs, "That is a l-".

"Lie, I know". He said completing her sentence, "I know my mother very well".

"I didn't mean to lie but-". She started

"But you did it for my mother". He said completing her sentence again, "I know you both".

"How?". She asked confused

"My father used to always know about my mother every action and reaction. I never understood how he can know everything so well. I used to ask him and he used to tell me that men seem to notice things too deeply and even if they don't say in many words they still know a lot. He said he loved my mother and that was why he knows and would always love to know everything about her". He explained, "Mujhe bhi tum se mohabbat hai, Gul. Tum meri zindagi ka ek aham hissa ho". (I am in love with you and you are a important part of my life now)

Her eyes widen, "W-What?".

"Mujhe se shaadi Karo gi?". He asked smiling (Will you marry me)

She nodded shyly.

*******

She looks at herself standing in front of the mirror in a beautiful wedding dress and an even more beautiful bride.

By heart.

She was an actual happy bride who wasn't forced into marriage rather this time she was marrying the one she loves with her heart.

After their confession, he had asked his mother for the marriage who jumped at it right away agreeing and preparing. Since they didn't want to have any sort of lavish wedding instead of a peaceful wedding where they were just enjoying they decided a small private event with only close family.

None from her side.

They were too toxic to be called.

And she wouldn't invite them on such a big day.

However, her wedding was done and now she was back home still a little shocked at how her faith had turned so much.

"Apni kismat per rushk kar rahi ho?". He asked coming to stand behind her (Are you thinking about how lucky you are)

"Na karuin?". She asked smiling (shouldn't I)

"Nahi nahi. Mere sath karo, meri bhi kaafi achi kismat hai". He said smiling (No-No, do it with me because I am lucky too)

"How?". She asked confused

He holds her waist turning her around looking into her beautiful eyes knowing he will do anything to have her in peace and to never allow any harm to reach her without having to go through him now.

He had rights now.

She was his life now and forever.

"Mujhe tum jo mil gai". He said kissing her forehead (Because I found you)

And then they were one soul fighting together against the world with their strong faith.