.

looks at his Rolex watch as he exits his branded car in his villa driveway. It had been long years since he came home and it was the hardest thing to do in the first place. If possible, he would choose to run away right this moment instead of entering into a place where his warmth was long gone.

The house was pitch black from the outside and he wonders why because it wasn't a time to sleep just of now. He shrugged taking his keys to open the door entering inside.

The first thing that had his heart stopped was the familiar laughter that echoes through the empty villa followed by a series of unfamiliar tiny giggles.

"No, don't run baby you will hurt yourself". He heard her voice making his breathing hitched

He didn't realise until a figure bumped into his legs but his eyes remain on the woman that was running after the baby that had her hands wrapped around his legs. She was different was the first thing he thought. There was something that wasn't right and this doesn't feel right.

He heard another giggle that had his head turn to the baby wrapped around her leg and he moves to hold her in his hand but she beats him to that taking the baby in her hand shielding her as if he were to harm her.

"Ifat, it's me, your cousin- Haider?". The words came out as question because he hasn't grown that much for her to completely forget about him

Then again, people only remember the people they want not the unnecessary ones.

Her round brown eyes widen and her mouth open as she looks at him and his heart beams in joy at her mere realisation of him.

"A-Ap-". She started when they heard the front door opening (y-you)

He turns around to the door opening it to find all of his family standing there shocked. Then, they all start to greet him, cry and whatnot.

His family was considerably small or he thinks so since he had spent his whole life here.

To begin with- his grandparents Ayub and Qusum Khan

Ayub Khan was known for his intelligence, diligence and dignity in the whole country as he was the first one to start the business currently Haider was expanding.

Ayub Khan had three children and they were all sons;

The eldest son is Imran was married to Kashaf and they have 2 sons- Haider and Yaqoob.

Second eldest is Tayyab and he is married to Hoorain and they have 1 son and daughter- Hamza and Aiza.

The last son is Ahmad and his wife is Ayesha who had Ifat.

None of the children was married as of now.

"Bhai". Yaqoob said hugging him tightly as he weeps, "I am so glad you came. I know you will come".

"What's wrong?". He asked worriedly as he had never seen his younger brother like this

"There are things I called you here for, Bhai. I will tell you soon". Yaqoob said looking upstairs sighing, "You should rest now".

Haider nodded and greeting everyone one last time he retreats towards his room however he paused in front of his room looking across the other room which was obviously occupied by Ifat since she always loved that room.

Ifat and Hyder were 10 years apart. He is 31 years old now.

However, when the door opens as Aiza walks out wearing only her pyjama and a crop top. He averted his eyes frowning deeply because he knows Ifat had her heart in that room. Her things especially those shining stars at night that he had placed for her when she had watched them in some shows pleading him to buy it for her.

She doesn't have to plead to him because once the word left her mouth he was going to buy them immediately. It was just fun her bouncing around him for hours and pleading with those beautiful eyes solely on him.

He shakes his head because not are the thoughts he should be having for his married cousin. He enters his king sized room with was mostly black because he doesn't like any colour. It matches his personality well beside few things that had colour because of certain someone. He smiles looking around walking to his walk in closet heading to change and to his bed releasing a content sigh before sleeping.

The next day, he was energetic more than he ever been in a while. Why?. He knows why but he doesn't wish to admit it to himself. Even if he did admit it was of no use.

He went downstairs with a full-blown smile on his lips that he usually doesn't have until he stopped at the big table to find every single member of the family beside the ones he had craved to find there.

Which had him frowning.

"Haider, come and eat. We made your favourite". His mother said excitedly

His face remains blank as usual.

"Where are Ifat and her daughter?". He asked watching as everyone share looks but no words

"They are in their room. They don't like coming down". His grandfather lied through his teeth

He knows it.

He had grown with each of these families for years to know each one of them.

"That is a lie. They are lying, Bhai. You know our Ifat is not like that". His brother defended angrily standing from his chair

"Behave, Yaqoob. That is not how you should be speaking to your elders". His father said narrowing his eyes obviously asking him to mask whatever that is happening

"I have been behaving as you call it for years now. I won't do it anymore". His brother said walking where he stands, "I will not take any part in your sickening acts".

That earned his brother a tight slap from his grandfather that echo through the house.

"Don't you dare question our decisions. We are elder and we know what's best for you all". His grandfather said as anger was evident in his eyes for his brother becoming divergent

His grandfather was the man who everyone feared. His actions and words were as of line drawn on the rock and never have anyone question it and neither went against them.

However, some things need to change and some decisions as well.

He didn't speak to anyone anymore knowing they will either have him keep quiet or feed him lies to go with. And he wasn't having any of them because it was Ifat in question, not just anyone.

It was his Ifat.

He asked the maid to direct him to her room since he had seen last night that she wasn't living in her own room. He walked down the hall to the last room which was always the least favourite room of everyone because it was smaller compared to the large bedroom of this villa. His fist clench at the mere thought that her room wasn't her anymore and he wasn't sure by the end of all this if he will remain in his senses or not.

He knocks on the door before opening it after a movement to find a beautiful scene in front of him. He leans against the door frame and his muscular body on display as he watches Ifat on the bed with her daughter in front of her as she cooed to her making her laugh at her silly actions.

It was heartwarming as well as heartbreaking to know that a young girl who used to laugh at silly things and go around the house doing all sort of craziness was now a mother of a child.

She was just 21 years old.

Normal girl her age might be studying and achieving their dreams and she was here with a daughter.

He cleared his throat watching her still and her eyes remain downcast as she stands from the bed. Her daughter however curiously turn on her stomach as she raises her curious eyes looking at him and he finds the utter comparison in them. Just as Ifat her daughter was chubby and her eyes were as they were of her mother. The curiosity in them reminds him of the day he had held Ifat in his arms for the first time and she had looked at him the same way until her lips turn into a toothless smile. The same her daughter had on her face now.

"I was looking for you both downstairs. Why is that you didn't come?. I am sure you know that we all eat breakfast on time". He said softly as he steps inside her room not wanting to scare her as he finds her already shaking

"I-I-". She stuttered not being able to form a sentence

"Come on, my Ifat never stuttered in front of me even when the whole world did". He said cooing her to know the reason before he destroys everyone to know it

"I..don't like-". She stutters fidgeting with her fingers when she heard a loud bang on the door startling her

Her daughter, however, claps her hand excitedly watching Yaqoob enter inside. Yaqoob passes her daughter a beautiful smile which earns him a giggle as his eyes turn to Ifat.

"No more lies, Ifat". Yaqoob said angrily

"You are coming down with me". Haider said proceeding to hold her daughter but stopped when he felt something on his feet

It wasn't just something, it was her holding his feet.

"Please, ap yeh na karein. Please, please, mujhe nahi jana nichy". She cried, "I will beg if you want-". (Please, don't do this. Please, please, I don't want to go downstairs)

"Ifat". Both the brothers roared angrily

Her daughter begins to cry loudly.

Haider's eyes widen as shocked was the first thing he felt however anger came crashing down next as he takes steps away from her looking at her weeping on the cold floor.

"What is wrong with you, Ifat. You know it's a sin to bow down to anyone but our Lord yet y-you- why?". He said lowly not to scare her daughter who was in Yaqoob hands as he coos her to stop crying

But his words and tone held underlying anger and fury in them.

"I don't want to go down because I don't like it". She lied

"Bukwas na karo, Ifat. Saach batao". Yaqoob said angrily (don't speak nonsense, Ifat. Tell the truth)

"Yaqoob, abhi zubaan ko lagam do is se pehle mai duin". He warned as his eyes narrow at his brother hating the way he had just spoken to her (Hold your tongue before I make you)

"Bhai, yeh meri ek baat nahi sunti agar is nae suna hota toh aj- yeh sub- bhai, yeh meri baat nahi sunti hai. Mai kia karuin?". His brother cried helplessly (brother, she doesn't listen to me if she had listened to me then this- all this- brother, she never listens to me. What do I do)

"Jo bhi hai, Yaqoob. Auraat ki izaat karna ghussa k bagair aur ghussa mai us se bhi zayada zarori hai. Us ki izzat kabhi kum nahi hoti toh apni zubaan se ek bhi woh lafz na nikalna jis se mera hath uth jayein tum per". He said as his eyes hardened furiously glaring at his brother although he was startled by his helplessness (Whatever the case is, Yaqoob. It is important to respect woman without any anger and even more when you are angry. Woman respect never lessen in any case so don't speak any such word that I have to raise my hand at you)

"Sorry". Yaqoob said ashamed looking down at the floor

"Yaad rakho k hamari tarbiyat un mardo se achi hai jo auraato ko apna ghulam samjhtay hain aur yeh hamara farz hai k hum apni auraato ko apne sath lein kar chalein, apni izzat bana kar. Un ghatiya mardo jaise na bano". He said firm, "Ab yeh jo bhi hai mai khud personally dekhuin ga. Chalo mere sath aur sub batao mujhe, Yaqoob".

(Remember that we were mannered better than those men who thinks woman are made for their services and it is our duty that we carries our woman with respect with us and to carry them with dignity. Don't be like those low life men)

(now whatever this is I will personally deal with it. So come with me Yaqoob and tell me everything)

Yaqoob nodded placing her bouncing daughter on the bed.

"Lock the door and open it for no one besides us, Ifat". Yaqoob said firm and she nodded hesitantly

With that, he left her room walking to his own along with his brother.

"Start talking". He ordered

His brother started talking and by the end of it, there were many holes in his room as his anger took the best of him. His heart pained and he had no idea how everything turned this worse in a matter of a few years.

"Bhai, she is hurt. I have never seen that light in her eyes again. I want Ifat back, I want our Ifat back. She never listened to me but I know she always listens to whatever you said. Please, Bhai. Save her". His brother pleaded

"I intended to do that. She will not suffer anymore here". He said as his expression darkened

"But, they won't allow it to happen. If anything they will push her out again". His brother said stressed brushing his hair in anger pulling on them

He could feel his brother frustration because he was beyond that. He was plain furious and that wasn't a good combination to have in the first place. He was a rather calm man for anyone outside even his own family. He was reserved and a man with very few words. After his grandfather, he was the most feared one by everyone. He was inspired to be as his grandfather and so he becomes exactly like him.

There was just one person who changes him into a melting puddle in a matter of seconds.

Ifat.

His Ifat.

He was going to raise hell on earth.

"Marry her, Bhai". His brother words paused his world or maybe it started functioning again after being on pause all this time