Jacob said shaking his hand but a little too tight, "Don't hurt her".

"Wasn't planning to". He said effectively without even wincing at his tight hold

"I will show you to your table". She said breaking their staring competition

He nodded following behind her to the same couch where she had tended to him the previous day.

"Is this planned?". He jokes

She frowns until she realised, "Oh, I am sorry. If you don't like it--".

"Relax. It's fine I don't mind". He said waving it off

"What can I get you?". She asked smiling

"How about a caramel frappuccino?". He asked confused because that's the first thing he had read on the menu and she chuckles at his confusion, "I am sorry I don't usually drink coffee".

"Usually or not at all?".

"The second one".

"Then why are you here?".

"I felt like having some today".

She nodded understanding, "How about the drink I made you last night?".

"That would be perfect". He said grinning setting the menu down, "And if I can have a sandwich because I am very hungry".

"Sure. I will be back in a few minutes". She said softly as she walks away tugging at her scarf

She went to work on his coffee just as she went in the haze the last time the coffee scent and the softness of it made her forget everything that's been stressing her all day. After being done, she managed to grab him a sandwich which she made in the morning for herself because none of the sandwiches available was Halal (permissible) for him to eat.

She wonders if he will like her handmade sandwich because most of the sandwiches are made by the chef who comes in after she left. She sends a quick prayer that he likes it walking to his chair to find him engrossed in reading a book.

"I thought you don't read books". She stated as she places his food on the table carefully

"I thought to try it for once. If I sleep through it here, it will be your fault". He said grinning, "Thank you for these".

She nodded walking away but her eyes remain on him. As he opens the wrapped sandwich looking at it for a long time until he finds bite down on it. She bites her lips anxiously as she waits for any kind of reaction from him. Then as if a switch went on he took another bite, then another and another finishing it so fast.

Woah! Either he was very hungry or he loved it.

With that thought and satisfaction, she went on with her work besides looking at him a couple of time. He was wearing round glasses reading the book same page for five minutes now. She finds his eyes getting heavier and soon he lays on the couch sleeping.

She chuckles shaking her head as she cleans the counter.

"Who's the cutie?". Avni asked as she had been observing her

"Um, he is someone I met today when I had a panic attack". She didn't like lying but she had to because if Avni knows everyone will know what she had done last night which is a death wish

"You had a panic attack?".

She sighs nodding, "It wasn't that worse. He saved me".

"So he is your hero now?".

She rolls her eyes looking at him dozing off with no care, "I guess so".

"I ship it".

"AVNI". She screeched blushing but the moment she looks at her face her eyes widen, "What is this?. Someone hit you?".

Avni snickers, "I wish it was someone else that would have hurt less".

"Who was it?".

"My parents".

"Why?".

Avni gulped visibly and she holds her hand tightly, "My parents never liked me especially because I have dark skin and they said no one will ever marry me that I am a burden to them".

She shakes her head at their absurd behaviour as Avni continues, "I have always been their last priority and not even that because they hate me. They only do things when they have people watching them such as make me study but they never allowed me to work after my degree. They never allowed me to party, date and be myself. It's so hard when your parents constantly drag you down on your appearance and weight".

Avni breaks down and she holds her hand asking the other barista to watch the cafe as she took him to Jacob office knowing he was out for the moment and her room would have been far.

"You know what they say is because they are people who cannot see the beauty in people. Those are the one who only looks for outer appearance, not the inner beauty. Outer appearance will vanish, ends and disappear in time but what will stay in one's inner beauty. And you are beautiful, funny and a sister to me. No one can manage to live this far with constant bickering and fighting with their own family yet here you are so strong. You can work on yourself now and leave the toxic people who bring you down. You will always have my support". She said hugging her tightly as she cries

"Thank you". Avni said smiling as she wipes her tears, "But that's not it. Last night a man who is probably in his 40 came to look at me. My mother made my dress into this saree that showed so much of my skin and I hated it. I tried everything to have her stop but she scratched my hand saying if I dared to say something stupid or do something stupid she will kill me with her own hands. Then, I walked out like a maid and mannequin at a display for that man who sized me- his eyes take in every inch of my body and I still feel disgusted. My parents are f-forcing me to marry him and if I don't they will kill me".

Her eyes widen looking at her as no words came out of her mouth.

"You can't. Runaway or something. Please". She said furiously at the audacity of her parents

"I can't. They will find me and they will kill me. I have no way of escaping from them. I have no one". Avni cried harder

She paces around losing her brain cells. Which century are we in again?. The more she looks around she comes to the conclusion that maybe everyone is wearing a mask and walking around. Everything is still the same as ancient times just that now there are few movements but nothing has changed.

The backwards thinking, the crimes, victims blaming and corrupt leaders. Everything is just as same but people choose to believe they have advanced.

Perhaps a big part is played by the media persons. The news channel lies and the celebrity are all pretty promoting discrimination by doing those advertisements and showing off only one skin colour all the damn time. Then when they are called out they don't even admit their wrongdoing instead starts with things like "we are not promoting killing".

Yes, they are. Because every advertisement a person with different skin colour sees shows that a woman in any other skin colour will not have a man, job and will not be respected. So much so that even the washing powder advertisement shows that white clean clothes will only bring confidence and more.

She remembers watching an absurd advertisement few days ago about a woman on skateboard then she proceed to remove her clothes to show freedom and power.

How is that only by removing clothes one can feel freedom?. How is that not manipulation, discrimination, disrespect and a clear attempt of Islamophobia?.

It might be a slow process but that's just how society learns and they have learned so well that another thousand years are less to have them understand that they are just plain wrong.

Since none of the media personalities wants to admit their faults and continue to show the same things it only adds another thousand years. And their followers needs to stop them. If they don't stop that is the place to use your keyboard warrior strength and let them know how wrong and wrong they are. Those songs with equally wrong lyrics are heard by millions without releasing what discrimination is in the lyrics.

"I want to kill myself". Avni said wiping her tears, "Maybe that will be the best".

"Or not". She heard Jacob voice

Isra and Avni look behind his desk to find him coming out from there standing in front of them.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to hear you but you started talking before I can stop you and well I am kind of glad I did". Jacob said shrugging, "Do you want to marry him?".

"God, no". She said shaking her head rapidly

"Good! Then marry me". Jacob said and the pin-drop silence followed

She thoughts it's best for them to discuss the issue so she turns around leaving them behind.

"Is this a joke?". Avni asked and Jacob shakes his head, "You can't be serious".

"Why can't I be?". He asked sitting in front of her

"Because look at you".

"Am I that bad looking?".

"No! You are too good looking".

"Thanks. So are you".

"No, I am not".

"Says who?".

"Everyone".

"So if everyone tells me I am an idiot and those same people tells Isra that she is a terrorist she should start believing it?".

"No".

"Exactly! When I say you are beautiful all you need to do is take that as a compliment because the moment you start thinking of it as a compliment it will no longer matter what others say".

"But you can't marry me I will ruin your life".

"How can you?".

"I don't know. I just don't think I am capable of marriage".

"Who is?. No one can know for sure so why not give me a chance?".

She thinks for a moment, "My family will be angry".

"As far as I care about them, I don't. From what I get they are always angry at you so I could care less that they will be angry".

"What about your family?".

"Well, my family is racist I give you that and that is the main reason I am not in contact with them since I was 18 and I am almost 30 now".

"But family is important".

"A good one, yes. We can build that one if you want".

She blushes biting down at her lips as she wiggles with her hand and he places his hand on her making her shriek and he immediately pulls away.

"Sorry, I have never been touched by the male so I am just...". She said embarrassed making him laughs wholeheartedly

"I am sorry. It's just you are so beautiful and innocent how come no one fell for you?. Well, it's a good thing that their loss is my gain". He said smiling, "So, will you marry me?".

"Yes".

Isra walks back to the cafe to find him asleep shivering in his sleep which seems like a nightmare to her. She sits in front of him humming the surah she loves by heart watching him falling back to sleep. As she watches him she found he sleeps like a peaceful baby who is satisfied with everything finally giving into sleep. His glasses lay falling down so she places them on the table. As he shivers again she went to bring her blanket covering him properly and he smiles contented still asleep.

She turns back to work looking at the clock as now it is near the end of the shift. Avni and Jacob just walk in as she was taking another order and the smile on their faces tells her everything. Just as she prepared the last costumer drink she turns to close the cafe changing the sign and making one last coffee.

She brings the coffee towards Ehtisham table placing it there as she finds him moving around before he opens his eyes again. Jacob hovers over him as he opens his eyes which widen slightly.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. I nearly thought you would need a true love kiss to wake up". Jacob joked making her chuckle

"Sorry". Ehtisham said embarrassed as his cheeks flare, "I didn't mean to sleep".

"It's all good. If my sister doesn't mind why would I?". Jacob said sitting in front of him with Avni beside him while she remains standing

"Sister?". Ehtisham asked confused

"He thinks of me as his sister. We have been together since I was born and he was my neighbour and my first friend". She explained, "Your coffee will get cold. People usually drink coffee to stay awake and here you are".

He chuckles shrugging, "If you think this caffeine can have me awake you are wrong. I have been drinking caffeine since I was born. I think it will be in my blood now".

"Really?".

"Yes. We love tea and I used to love it as well".

"Why not now?".

"Coffee interest me".

And you. He added in this thoughts

"If you both are done with this we would like to say something". Jacob said holding Avni hand who blushing lowering her head which made Jacob smile, "We are getting married".

"Congratulations". Both of them said smiling

"We wanted to discuss with you both for arrangements and everything". Jacob said, "What kind of wedding do you want?. I was thinking court since that will be quicker".

"I-I don't know". Avni said confused

"What do you mean?".

"I never truly thought I will get married and even if I did it would have been my parents choice in everything".

"Bad parenting sucks". Ehtisham said after a long time, "It truly drains you from your dreams, choice and rights".

"Yes". Avni said nodding, "So the court is good".

"How about you wear that saree and that thing on your hand what is that again?. I think I saw in movies". Jacob asked confused

"Henna. I love Henna". Isra said excitedly, "I went to a place once I can take her there. When are you planning to have the wedding?".

"This Friday". They said

"In three days". Isra said nodding as she plans everything, "I guess that is enough time".

"I can help with registration because my friend's father works in the office". Ehtisham said smiling

"That would be great, dude". Jacob said grinning, "Let's get married".

Everyone chuckle.

The next day the whispers were the same but she was hyper for the wedding that she didn't actually pay any heed to them which by afternoon seems to die down. Unfortunately, her sun (Ethisham) didn't show today and she had texted him in case he was sick but he had told her he wasn't sick but needed a break.

Think of them as chicken today.

And she did.

She worries about him but she continued her day anyways. Wali didn't do anything today and she was glad for that. She had decided that she would fight him head-on if she had to because he loves her fear and she hates that after everything he had done he thinks he can get away because of her hesitation.

Anyways, she had decided to take Avni for shopping and she went after the university ended.

"He told me to find a job". Avni said as they enter inside the mall

"Isn't that what you wanted?".

"I do. I am just excited".

"I am happy for you, Avni. I am happy that you are finally blossoming and I hope no evil eye ever come your way".

After shopping for a few hours she went outside alone because Avni was going on a date with Jacob. She starts to head to her car when someone pushed her forward as she fell hard on the ground hitting her head on the concrete.

"What the hell is wrong with you?". Ehtisham said angrily marching towards the man who had pushed her down

He didn't even wait for a second before punching him hard on his face and continued to hit him until few more men pull him away.

"You can stop me but you weren't powerful enough to stop him from hurting a woman". He screamed pushing away their hand bending to her level as she holds her head groaning in pain, "You all just preach about not being racist but from the inside, you are all the same".

He held onto her taking her car keys as they head to the hospital.

"Please stay awake". He pleaded as he steps on the gas

Once outside he screams for help and the doctor immediately took her inside. He paces around pulling on his hair imaging if he had been a minute late she would have been worse. To think that none of the bystanders would have done a thing for her increases his anger. He is not the person who gets angry. He is rather a calm one no matter what and then he saw that scene and his blood pumped in his head.

He had the urge to fight that man to death.

He finds her walking outside with a loose scarf around her showing some of her chocolate brown hair and he immediately lowers his gaze until he heard a gasp from her.

"Ethisham, what happened to your face?".

Oh, that.

"It's nothing. Are you ok?. Are you hurt?".

"I won't tell you anything until you go with the doctor and get treated".

He thought for a moment sighing as he enters inside the room. The doctor starts to tend to him until he gets to his chest pressing on them and a scream ripped through him until everything went black.

Now it was her turn to pace around even though her head throb in pain. His face was bruised badly and the way there was no colour had made him resemble a corpse. She felt something within herself. The unusual care for him and the way she physically feels his pain through her body. Does she even forget that she was in similar pain when she had looked at him all that matter was what had gone down with him?. Who would hit him that bad?. She remembers he was close to death when they first met and it hasn't been another day that he had met her again in the same way. She wished to know why she felt this way towards him.

"He needs to stay for the night". The doctor informed, "We need to take him for x-rays and some more tests. Who are you to him?".

She knows that if she didn't lie he might not get treatment, "I am his fiancee. He was going to propose when we were attacked".

The doctor nodded, "But some of his scars look very old".

"Scars?".

"He seems to be abused for a while now". The doctor said and her eyes widen as she feels her heartbreaking at the next words he said, "I am afraid not just physically but sexually".