Plug in the music and hold your hearts ..

Grab a tissue paper too because a lot of things are going to be revealed !!

I really hope you all like this chapter because its the heart of the book ..

***

Arsalan

Just as we entered another aisle, I froze seeing the woman stand a few feet away from us.Looking through the shelfs.As if sensing my eyes on her, she turned around.Her actions stilling too.That face.Her face.I could never forget it.

No

No

Please be an illusion.

Please disappear.

An unknown emotion flashed through her face as she looked at me.Her eyes staring right at me.I felt my heart palpitate and crumble at the same time.A new found boosting anger running through my veins.Clenching my jaw tightly, I gritted out.

"Sofia"

The woman besides me tensed as she looked at the Sofia.And then at me.A small smile broke on Sofia's lips as she stared at me.A shine in her brown eyes, like she had found a hidden treasure box.

Over protective, I pushed Amal behind my back because I didn't want even the shadow of Sofia to touch her.Grimacing at the woman standing away from us, I held onto Amal's hand tightly.

Each second turned into a millennia as I looked at someone, I had left behind years ago.My heart bursting with the pressure building in it.

Sofia

She looked different.Her small brown eyes were the same.Her once long dark hair were short now as they remained above her shoulders.The dark strands now dirty blonde.Her face looked much fuller now.Her once thin figure looking more womanly now.But her smile, that smile was same as always.

Supporting a white shirt, she wore a beige cardigan over it with black pants as she held a- a baby girl in her arms.

Amal hissed behind me, making me loosen my grip and avert my eyes from Sofia.Turning to Amal, I saw the questions lurking in her eyes as she looked up at me.

" She must be the lucky girl."A feminine voice said, sounding much closer now.I turned like a bolt of electricity towards Sofia as she looked at Amal with an uncertain expression on her face, yet pain showcasing.

I chose to remain silent but my eyes didn't leave the baby girl in the woman's arm.She seemed to be two years old.With dark brown hair tied in pigtails, her large eyes looked at each of us.Her chubby body in the safe of Sofia's arms.

" You must be very lucky, that he has you."Sofia said again as she addressed Amal who remained confused.

" Was she always the one? Was it because of her, that you never-"Before she could complete a new voice interrupted.Thankfully.

I glared at Sofia as she looked at me.A man came to stand besides her.His height inches smaller than mine as he looked at me.Unfamilarity running through us.His dark brown eyes then moving to Sofia's face.

She smiled at the man almost assuring.

" My husband Rahat.And this is Arsalan."She introduced.

Husband..

Husband..

Daughter..

Daughter..

Amal remained lost here, but I held her closer just wanting to have the feel of her near me.Wanting to feel that she was with me.She was here with me.

I still remained silent as the couple looked at us.Not wanting to stand in the awkwardness more, I decided to walk away.

And there was no reason to stay either.

Just as I took a step forward, Sofia's hand shot up to my arm.

" Arsalan."She said, her voice dying down.

I looked at the hand on my arm, feeling Amal pull her hand back from mine.Her face moving away from us.

" I don't live here so don't worry.You would never see my face again in your life ever."

She glanced at her husband before adding,

"We are on a world tour now, that's why we're here."She added.

Removing her hand from my arm, I held Amal's hand tightly before walking away.Like walking away from someone's heart.Like walking away from a life.Like walking away from a period.Like walking away from something bad.

It wasn't easy, it never was.It needed courage.Which I had only because Amal was besides me.

I dragged Amal away, not wanting to wait even for a second on the same ground as hers.

*

Amal

I hissed again lowly as the man dragged me.I turned once to look back at the woman we had left behind.Her stunning features turning grim as we walked away.A longing in her eyes dying.

I faced the man as he continued to pull at my hand, his long strides not matching my slow pace.We walked through aisles before the cash counter came into view.I didn't get to touch a thing as Arsalan almost dumped the things on the belt as the cashier started his work.His tensed body remained stiff and cold as he folded his arms across his chest.

I gulped feeling the anger radiate off him.My eyes glanced at the blonde cashier as he looked at me now and then.I averted my eyes before hiding behind Arsalan's large figure unnoticeably.

When we were done at the cash counter, I walked ahead ready to leave when Arsalan's low growl stopped as he banged his hands on the cashier's counter loudly.

" Eyes off my woman and onto your work."The man said as a gasp erupted from within my mouth at his rage.

What had caused him so much anger?

In a split second, he was besides me and I was being dragged again.People whispered looking at us as some looked weirdly at us as we walked passed them.

Existing the store and into the cold night, I shivered at the sudden change in temperature.Walking over to the black car parked, Arsalan opened the door to my side before ordering me to get inside.

I sat inside quietly as he placed the shopping bags in the back of the car.My mind kept replying the woman's words again and again.

Who was she?

How did she knew Arsalan?

Why was he angry?

Why didn't he talk to her?

Several more questions roamed in my mind.I worried that his anger wasn't just anger, it was a mix of something else too.Something I was unaware of.The trunk slammed shut, making me jolt in my seat.

I turned to look at the man as he stared up at the dark night sky above his.His face twisting in anger as he suddenly banged his fist against the back car door making me gasp loudly in fear.My heart thudding loudly at his actions.

Pain flashed through his face before he got inside the car, I didn't utter a word too fearful to mess up all the matters.His hold on the steering wheel only tightened as he reversed the car.Soon we were on our way back home yet the thick fog between us kept us drowned in our worlds.

As we entered the house, Arsalan muttered,

" Go to sleep."It was an order and so I compiled walking inside the bedroom as the man placed the grocery on the kitchen counter.I changed into my night clothes before getting inside the covers.

I waited for him to come inside but he didn't.When sleep lured me, I couldn't defy it and welcomed in with open arms.

*

I hummed in my sleep before turning to the other side.This sound.It wasn't stopping.

What was it?

I turned on the bed again.But all sleep flew away when I saw the other side of the bed empty.I sat up in bed, as my eyes read the clock.

Two in the morning.

The sound caught my attention again as I got down from the warmth of the bed.My eyes darting to the bedroom door seeing it wide open.The musical sound didn't stop as I tried to locate from where it came.

It was near, this I knew.It was the sound of a guitar.Walking down the dark hallway, I saw the office room's door ajar.Pushing the door softly, barefooted I stopped by the door.

A heavy weight settled in my chest as I looked at the man.Cross legged he sat on the cold floor with the guitar in his arms.His charcoal eyes closed as he played the instrument expertly.A sad tune surrounding us.His words weren't needed, the sad melody of the guitar was enough to express his grief.

My heart bleed as tears brimmed my eyes.

Was was he so sad?

I couldn't help myself as I walked inside the dark room where I've never been before.Sitting next to him on the floor, I crossed my legs too.As if sensing my presence the man stiffened for a second before continuing on.

It seemed like a sad song, a cry of pain.A deadly nightmare or a howl of horror.The sadness and grief splurging through the music had me tensing.The man strummed his fingers last time on the strings before opening his dark eyes.A blaze in them.

" Callum taught me how to play a guitar."He spoke.His deep voice husky and heavy at the same time.I nodded silently, appreciating his skills in my heart.He gulped making his adam apple bob up and down as my eyes followed his every move.

He rubbed his eyes making me look at his tired face.The exhaustion evident.He sighed loudly and then everything stilled.Deafening silence falling upon us.Making me almost itch at the noiseless surrounding.

" Who was the woman back at store?"I dared to ask.Although the rational thoughts stopped me but the questions swimming inside me couldn't be held back.

The man seemed to stop breathing as he stared in space.The window in the room only the source of light as it fell upon us.Arsalan kept the guitar aside, on the floor.As he stretched his legs.He wasn't ignoring my question, he was taking his time.And I wanted to wait as he had done for me.

He casted me a glance and when he looked, my breath hitched.His face was defenceless.His cold mask falling off and he stared at me with all his vulnerability.His expressions raw.

" Amal."He said my name with a pain in his voice.As if he was breaking from the inside.I nodded, assuring him that I was there for him.

" I never wanted to meet her, I never wanted to even see her again.She-"My heart beats fastened.My ears waiting for his next words, the anticipation suffocating me.He pulled at his hair strands hard making me hiss from the pain he was feeling.

" Arsalan-"I called out softly.He looked down as if he was reliving all of it again.

" It happened five years ago.As she came to work as an intern at Abbo's company.I was only starting my own work experience then.But I would go to the office and work there with my father.And then- Then came the storm .She was a storm.A horrifying tornado-"

He paused and so did my breaths.

" I wanted to avoid her at all cost but then my father wanted me to supervise her and then in a little while she became very friendly, her friendly nature turning into demanding and until one day when she confessed her love for me."

" I didn't liked her demanding behavior not her forcing me to love her but Amal-"He broke down.His tears rolling down his face.As reality slapped me hard across the face, I moved forward and placed my hand in his.

" She became possessive.She wanted all my time to be spend with her.She didn't even want me to talk to any other woman.My young mind wasn't able to understand the change in our surroundings.In her behaviour.I didn't love her and I had no feelings for her.Her forceful love only made me want to run away from her."His glassy eyes moved to mine before he shut his lids.

I felt my weak self breaking too but I wanted to be strong for him.His next actions caught me off guard.The large man moved towards me before keeping his head in my lap.His face turning to my stomach as he spoke, his voice hoarse.

I was tired of running.I was a drug to Sofia.She wouldn't quit running after me.But little did she know she was losing me.

I loosened the tie around my neck as I walked out from the now empty hall.A great conference was fixed in Islamabad by the courtesy of our Company and Abbo had wanted all of our family members to stay the night at the Grand hotel where the conference was held.

Sofia had came along our family as her father was not present in the city.Abbo was happy with her work and so I didn't wanted to overreact.As I turned the corner to go to my family, Sofia came in the way.

Her smile bright with her pearly teeth on full view.Her hair in a bun at the back of her head as she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

" What?"I asked already tired from all the arrangements.

" Would you mind walking me to my room?"She asked batting her eyes dramatically before folding her hands across her chest.

" Come."I said walking ahead of her.She was to stay the night at the hotel too.

As I took another step forward, I felt her hand slip in mine.Making me pull my hand away hearing a low huff from her.

" Your mother really likes me."She said smiling in her own world as we walked through the hallways.

Stopping before the white door, I said indicating to the door.

" Your room."She nodded before unlocking it with her.

As she stepped inside, she asked me,

" Won't you come inside?"I shook my head.Stuffing my hands in my pants pockets I declined,

" No, I am gonna retire for the night."I excused.

" Oh Okay.Well then take these files with you."She said indirectly calling me inside.

Closing the door behind us she smiled proudly.Happy that I had given into her.

" Sofia, are you afraid of nothing?"I asked.

" Nope."She replied bluntly in a second.

" I am going."I said turning to the closed door.

" Wait."She said placing her hand on my arm.

" What?"I said a little frustrated now.

" Atleast say good night to me."

" Good Night Sofia."I said through gritted teeth.

" Okay, now at least say I Love You."She demanded.

I shook my head not wanting to strat this conversation with her.These words had become hell for me.Since these past days the woman wasn't stopping feeding them to me.Always demanding me to say them to her.But I was not having it now.

" Sofia.I said no to you politely but next time I am not going to be this nice."I said glaring at the woman now.

" You're saying no to me."She stated and a smirk set free on her dark painted lips.

" Yes I am."I said trying to make her understand that love wasn't something forced.

" You'll regret it.Think about it."She said something changing of her expressions.

" Look woman, there's nothing to-"Before I could even complete she did something very unexpected.Halting ans freezing me.

Opening the top button of her white button down, she pulled at them making the buttons go flying on the ground.

" Sofia-"I yelled trying to understand what the woman was doing.

" Have you gone mad?"I yelled seeing the woman pull at her sleeve before tearing it sideways.She only shook her head before rubbing her lipstick from the side of her lips and smearing the red on her exposed collarbone.I looked away and moved to the door when she pulled the pins out of her hair bun.

" You'll regret."She whispered before opening the door.And the next thing she did, flipped my world upside down.

" Please help.HELP."She screeched loudly running down the hallway.Faking to cry as tears ran down her face.I ran after her.

" Please save me from this man."She screamed creating a scene as heads turned her way.

Pulling her arm, I stopped her,

" WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"I grit out angrily.

She looked up at me with a challenge.Turning to the side she cried out loudly before pulling away from my grasp.Running to the side I could see Ammi and Abbo stand amongst the members of my family making my breath die down.

She reached towards Ammi and cried,

" He-He was forcing himself upon me."She hiccupped hiding away her exposed skin.

Ammi arm wrapped around her as she stared at me like the others.

My eyes moved to my father's light ones as he stared at me with an anger brewing in his eyes yet his face was composed.

Reaching towards my parents I said helplessly,

" She lying.I didn't-"I couldn't say more as my family looked at me as if they had believed Sofia.

" Abbo, I didn't-"I tried again seeing him look angrily at me.

" Aunty, he tried to force himself upon me.I ran-"Sofia interrupted.

I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw her cry in the safe of my mothers arms.Feeling the anger burn my veins, I moved towards her,

" Stop lying."I yelled at her loudly seeing her cower back as Ammi stepped forward.

" Arsalan."She said with her glassy eyes.

Abbo held up his hand and said in a voice in which he never spoke to me before,

" Go home."He said making my look down.I wasn't heard.Nor was I allowed to say something.Turning around I walked away.

In the silent house, I cried like a weak human.Sitting by the fireplace, I waited for Abbo to return home.He always said that I was his pride.The reason of his head high.I was his shadow.His son.His own blood.

But that poisonous woman had changed it all.I knew when everyone would come home the wouldn't be the same with me.

Ammi- please see the truth in my eyes-I prayed.

-

Days passed in my isolation.No one was taking to me, avoiding me as if I was plague.As if I had committed a crime- which I hadn't.

Walking inside the hall, I saw Abbo read his book in the dark of the room with just the lamp on.

Collecting the courage, I knelt before my father.

" Abbo."I said seeing his eyes fixed on the book.His gaze not even wavering.My flesh was burning with the guilt.With not having my family with me.With not having my father with me.

" Go sleep."The old man said with a distant voice.I wanted to ask for forgiveness, I was craving for it.I needed it.

" Abbo, you know what the truth is?"I asked wanting him to assure me and not let me drown in guilt and distress.

" If you're not going-then I'll go."And just like that he stood up and walked away leaving my there on my own.

-

' If you don't come to meet me this instant, I would never tell the truth to anyone'

Receiving this message from Sofia on a friday night, I knew this was the only way for the fog to dust away.

Reaching her villa, I searched for her and then came her voice from the pool area,

" I am here, my love."I walked out to the swimming pool.The woman wasn't there and just as I turned to walk inside, she said,

" Up here."I looked up at her to see her stand on the parapet of the roof.The bright red dress adorned by her very prominent in the dark of the night.

" Sofia, get down."I yelled afraid that she'd fall down.

She laughed hysterically.

" First promise to marry me and only then would I get down."She said down to me.