gracefully through the cafe and a smile gaze his lips as he watches her every movement intently.

He had always watched her.

The day she walked into his cafe with her white shirt and black pants looking around with her doe-eyes in taking everything he knew he was gone. She was nervous that day and to this day she never changed. She is simple and beautiful.

He doesn't understand how is that beauty is associated with figures and models when a normal human can be much more charming in the way they truly are and not follow everyone else.

He had always been around her more often than she realised even Isra noticed his change. The way he was always at the cafe which he was rarely in. The way he started talking to her and never spoke to anyone in such ways. He started a tradition of bringing in flowers every Sunday for the ladies because he loved watching her grinning at him when he hands her the flowers. The list goes on.

"Baby". He said a little louder than necessary watching as her head turns to him with wide eyes as she looks around the two customers they have in early morning

She blushes.

He hides his smile biting his lips as she turns to the different counter with her cheeks flaring and he absolutely loves it. He had never seemed someone as innocent as her and he can't wait for Friday. He wouldn't have proposed a wedding this soon to her. He wanted to take things slowly like he had been in past years however he knows she values a relation that is stronger and would only be more comfortable with him.

He didn't want to offend her in any way. That day when she came in weeping with Isra he had almost lost his mind hearing such vial words that she spoke. She was a confident, young and amazing woman he doesn't know how and why someone would just want to make her life harder. However, the anger he felt was even worse he doesn't even know how he didn't leap out and punch the asshole who had made her feel dirty.

Well, he will do that for sure just not yet.

"Babe, you are not listening". He said grinning watching her glaring at him shaking her head asking him to cut it out

But it was so much fun to cut it out.

Honestly, he was nervous and he has no idea why Isra didn't answer his text all day yesterday and why she went out so early. He could have used some support and womanly skills.

He grinned standing from his seat rubbing his hand together as he walks towards her who was cleaning the table.

"Avni". He said softly as she turns around looking at him making his heart stop

"Yes".

"I-I am nervous so please just understand".

"Nervous about what?".

He bends on his knees in front of her making her eyes widen, "I know nothing went as we wanted or how you would have wished for. I wished for nothing more than to have you enjoy every moment of our lives before we set into something this big but since we have decided to go with it. I want you to know that you are the most beautiful woman in my eyes and I have always been thinking about you since you walked through my cafe doors. I am glad to have met you as an employer and employee and to finally have you like something even more. I want you to know that I will always cherish you, take care of you and be with you. Will, you marry me, baby?".

His heart was pounding so loud when she remains standing in front of him until she sits on her knees hugging him tightly.

"Yes, I will".

That's when they heard a few cheers and his lips stretched into a wide smile as he stands holding her to himself twirling her around with her rich laughter filling the cafe.

He made her stand on her feet kissing her forehead, "Thank you".

She smiles nodding.

"Have you been in touch with Isra?". He asked as they walked to the table

"No. I thought you must have met her today?".

"I have no idea where she is and there is no sign of her until now. Her phone is switched off since yesterday".

They heard the ding of the cafe and their eyes widen as they look at Isra and Ethisham entering inside.

"What the hell happened?". Jacob said running to Isra, "What is all this?".

Isra looks at Ethisham who looks barely standing then turn to Jacob, "Can I speak to you for a moment?. Just let me help him first".

Jacob nodded watching as she made him sit on the couch asking the barista to bring him a coffee and sandwich. Jacob holds Avni hand as they walked inside his office following Isra.

"Will you start speaking because I am getting furious here". Jacob said

She sighs as she first explains her part where she had the accident but stopped when it was time to speak about him.

"Jacob, he needs help right now because the doctor said if he didn't rest well enough he could get worse. I wanted to ask if you don't have an issue can he stay with you?. If I could I would have given him my room--".

"Are you crazy?. I am not allowing him in your room".

"So, he can stay at yours?".

"I don't mind. What's wrong with him?".

"It's not my place to say. We should head out and talk to him".

"Before that, you should change into different clothes while I close down the cafe".

"Ok. Let me ask him if he wishes to change too".

She walks back to his table watching him lost in his thoughts. They haven't spoken after the confession mostly because there weren't any right words.

"Is it that bad?". She asked watching his untouched coffee

He frowns looking at the coffee, "You didn't make it".

"You just want coffee from my hand that can be a trouble if someday I am not here".

"Then I will find you".

"Anywhere?".

"Anywhere".

She smiles, "Do you want to change?. I am not sure if I have more of my hoodie--".

"Wait! I think I have the last one with me. I wanted to return it yesterday and well nothing goes as planned".

"You knew where I was?".

"No. That was a coincidence. I was there to buy some supplies then text you to know if you could meet me somewhere".

He takes his bag as Jacob joined them with Avni taking out her sweater.

"Wait a minute! Isn't that your favourite hoodie?". Jacob asked looking at the sweater, "I remember you saved money and bought it on your birthday".

"Really?". He asked her who looks at him biting her lips, "You didn't have to give it. Here, take it back".

"No. No--". She started

"Why does he have it though?". Avni asked confused

Her eyes widen as she looks at him then back at them who was glaring at her. She sighs explaining everything waiting for the outburst.

"I would shout at you for being stupid but I know that won't do any good". Jacob said sighing, "How about we go to my apartment where you can change and rest?. We can take your luggage from your place on our way".

His eyes widen in horror as he shakes his head, "No. I can't live with you without paying. If I go back there I won't be able to come back out".

Jacob smiles lightly, "If you want to pay just work for me in Avni place. How about for once using some good adult support?".

"You will help me, why?".

"I hate to see my people in trouble".

"I am your people?".

"You are Isra's person so naturally you are in our family".

He smiles looking at them nodding, "Ok. We should leave then".

Jacob nodded turning to Avni kissing her forehead, "I will be back by noon. We can go out then. Stay here with her until then, ok?".

Avni nodded as the boys walked out she looks at Isra, "So, what's your plan now?".

"What do you mean?".

"You know what I mean, Isra. You are getting involved in his affairs and you know you will go to great extent to help him. Do you think it's worth it?".

"But--".

"No, let me rephrase it. Do you think he is worth it?".

"He is worth a lot than anyone can see and more than he knows it".

"Make sure you don't get your heart broken this time. I don't think you can take it again".

"I will be careful".

Jacob stopped the car at his address and he can feel his nervousness. He wasn't just nervous he was petrified. The way his hand and leg shake through the ride and he had almost convinced him to turn around because he doesn't want to come here for anything.

But, that would only have him fear whoever it is more because running from fear and enjoying temporary freedom will only strengthen the fear of past coming back to him. He knows that fear can be very harmful because he had seen his sister past catching onto her and she killed herself. She had a history with a man she shouldn't have and then he came back after years as her destruction.

"I promise that we are leaving that house together. I would not leave you there".

He nodded sighing.

They step down entering into the cold quiet mansion where the house worker informed them that his parents will come in a few minutes because the guard informed them about his arrival. He could only imagine what kind of beating they wanted him to have last night but wasn't able to so they will have to compensate for it.

"Let's get your things". Jacob said breaking his daydreaming

He walks inside his grand room taking his bag out with help of Jacob since he cannot pressure on his chest. He went to his drawer taking a few of his things and then went to the other side where his mother picture was kept in. He only knows about his mother through the pictures so he kept it inside.

That's when he heard their voices making him freeze as the fear grips him.

"Just before you think that surrendering to them is easy and less painful think of everything they have done and everything they will do to you".

"But what will I be on my own?".

"Many things that you weren't able to be with them. Maybe a real man to a woman".

"I cannot be that".

"You have a woman already all you need to do is work for it if that's what you really want".

He frowns in confusion when he heard his name being called startling him.

"You have Isra if not anyone else".

They walk down with his luggage when he finds them pacing around angrily.

"Keep a strong face don't show them your emotions. Only you know you are scared they will only know when you show your emotions on your face". Jacob said as they stop in front of them

"Where have you been?". His father said angrily coming forward to strike him when Jacob holds his hand pushing him back

"I will be careful if I were you". Jacob warned

"Who do you think you are?". His father screamed

"I am not liable to tell you that however what I will tell you is that if you don't let us walk out of here peacefully then I will call the cops on you and I am sure you will be in prison for years to come".

The fear he saw on their faces was something he never thought he would ever see and he had to say that at that moment he thought if he did fight them how would it be?.

His parents (so-called) didn't stop him after that and he walks out of the house back to his car silently.

"Thank you". He said after they were on the road

"It's nothing. But you should find your way soon enough because they will come back and you will have to decide many things".

"Can't they leave me alone?".

He was frustrated.

"Not when they have controlled you for such a long time, no, they won't leave you alone because they are obsessed with you. They know your weaknesses and they will come with them to you. Don't make people your weakness make them your strength and you can fight anyone and anything".

He nodded understanding, "I have therapy sessions that the doctor prescribed if you don't mind can he come to your apartment?. I don't feel safe anyone in open".

"As long as you get better, why not?".

The next day, she went to university and Wafra was on her head to know everything. Obviously, she told about everything beside Ehtisham story which reminds her that she had given 2 months leave for him in the office with his medical reports.

They are all dogs today.

She couldn't help chuckle at his message even when he was passed out because of the heavy dose he didn't miss to send her text so she can move on with her day and she couldn't be more thankful.

Avni looks at her mother angry face as she yelled at her for giving birth to trash like her and not being able to redeem anything from her.

Was being born her choice?.

And even if she was born was it actually her responsibility to live to all the values her family wanted?. She had worked through high school to achieve her degree, unlike her brother who was given the privilege to do nothing but breathe all day.

Was he redeeming himself by breathing?.

She had told her mother about her interview thinking she would appreciate her or encourage her however her mother did the opposite of it. She had blamed her to destroy their fragile honour by working in a company along with men and being in touch with them all day. According to her no men will ever want to marry her because she was so open-minded and liberal.

As if.

She was the shyest person when it comes to men so beside she has some work with them she wouldn't speak to them for no reason. She has seen girls who have been with men and it never ends well. The unnecessary drama and everything is not her kind of life.

Besides she has her man now.

Not her words but his word.

Jacob.

She never thought that she will ever have love in her life. But life is like a novel it starts off bad but someday (sometime) it will all end at something better. Her life was never colourful she remembers the first day she had to enter the cafe after being rejected by a million job because she wasn't beautiful she was nervous and all she did was look at Jacob and she had the job.

The joy she felt at that moment was indescribable and the days to come she had never noticed but she had drawn to him. She always comes in at the time he will come and then she walks inside the cafe with him. She had never imagined a life like this but now that she does it is beautiful.

That's when she was slapped by her father who her mother told on her. That one slap turned to a full-blown beating until she passed out but not before she found something,

Her brother laughing at her beaten body.

Her mother disgust filled eyes.

Her father hatred towards her.

She found the reason to break through this place because no one here is worth it and tomorrow she will never return again.

Then her eyes closed at the cold floor where she bleeds.

She heard her phone ringing as she tries to come with energy to answer it.

"Baby, where are you?. Are you ok?. God, my heart feels so uneasy are you ok?". She heard his voice filled with concern as she breaks down

She breaks down for the last time.

"Please save me".

Then she was gone.

*****