Zoya's POV:

I was scared he wouldn't believe it but his eyes only showed recognition and understanding. As if he had processed each word but the weight of it was only just settling in his mind.

I watched as his calm facade crumbled before my eyes. In all the years I had seen and known him, this was the most raw version of him I had seen. I stood there, frozen in the face of Kamran's shocking revelation. His entire life, everything he held dear or believed in was tumbling down before my eyes. He was breaking apart. He held his head as he let out a scream that sounded much like a pained and strangled roar.

The news of his sister's apparent death had probably haunted him for fourteen long years. I don't know if he had made peace with it or not. But now, the revelation that she was alive, coupled with Wassal's betrayal, was just something he couldn't process.

His hands were trembling, in fact his entire body was vibrating. Gasping breaths tore through him, as if trying to outrun the avalanche of emotions crashing over him. Shit. This was the start of a panic attack. He fell to his knees and tears spilled from his eyes. There was betrayal, sorrow, shock, and a flicker of happiness at the thought of Kainat being alive.

I moved closer, every step hesitant, afraid to trigger him or become a victim caught in the cross fire of his messed up emotions. I was scared he might lift a hand against me without realising it but I wanted to trust him. He wouldn't do that. The Sher from my memories and the Sher who stood before me had not changed at all.

He had only gotten more charming, more regal, more wild. Like a true lion in all his glory.

"Kamran," I murmured, my voice was a whisper amidst the chaos that engulfed us. He looked at me. His gaze that was a mixture of despair and disbelief met mine. His lips parted, but no words emerged. I reached out, encircling him in my arms, hoping to provide even a fraction of consolation in this situation. "I am so sorry for telling you like this."

To my surprise, he clung to me, seeking refuge in my arms. I held him close, feeling the tremors wrack his body, my heart aching in unison with his pain. I had to stay strong right now. For him. And yet, the tears rolled down my eyes dripping on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Sher," I whispered, my voice quivering with the weight of emotions. "I'm here. Take your time."

Time seemed to halt, our breaths were the only sound I could hear. Gradually, he calmed down, the tremors in his body stopped, but the pain and shock on his face remained.

"Is Kainat really alive?" He looked at me, his hands were holding my shoulders as if to steady himself. His eyes had the smallest hint of hope. It was like finding a distant star on a dark, gloomy night.

"I don't know, I really don't," I patted his back like a little child. "That day, we promised to meet at the sea so I waited for you there. I thought I heard a scream so I went to the nearby warehouse thinking it was a kitten or something that needed help. He, I mean Wassal, was talking to a girl there. She had the prettiest brown locks and sparking eyes. Wassal was threatening her, telling her that she shouldn't have left him. He had a gun. I screamed and he saw me. He recognised me as Anushay. That is all I remember. I don't know what happened to her or me."

The words felt like a weight lifting from my chest and constricting my throat. With every word, it got harder to speak.

"When I woke up next time at the hospital, I had no memories of you, that girl or Wassal. I remembered my family but most of my memories of Karachi were gone. The doctor diagnosed it as repressed memories as a result of witnessing traumatic events." I continued to explain. "I was sent abroad to complete my primary schooling. It was a precautionary measure. I was told that there were people from Karachi trying to assassinate our family since dad was a judge. My name was also changed for this reason. Once I was a little older. I was told that they were actually after me."

Kamran was silent. Dead silent. He focused on each word I said. As he put two and two together, he eased back, a glint of determination mingled with the storm in his eyes.

"I tried to escape from the wedding because Wassal recognised me just as I recognised his pitch black eyes from that day. He told me that I should run and that if I get caught, he won't let me get away a second time. He remembered my name as well."

The truth just kept spilling like sand slips from the gaps in one's hand. There was no stopping it at this point.

At this, Sher's body started to vibrate again, it wasn't shock though. He was angry. Very angry. He clenched his jaw as he looked into the distance. The glimmer was gone and there was only an abyss there now. Looking into his eyes was looking into the dark hole. It was endless.

"Sher, I am sorry for ignoring you and trying to escape from you all this time. Before my memories returned, I thought you were the guy in that warehouse at that time. Once I found out it wasn't you, it was Wassal, I had to leave to save my own life. I was going to send you an anonymous tip about your sister." I felt guilty. Truly guilty. For being so selfish and just thinking about myself.

As if Kamran understood what I was thinking, he squeezed my hand softly as if urging me to go on. It was such a contrast to see the anger on his face but the gentleness in his actions.

"I think she is alive Kamran, Wassal didn't kill her. That day, he never really touched her. She fell from the shock but Wassal didn't actually hurt her."

A hint of relief danced across his face, a fleeting glimmer of hope amidst the despair. There was silent gratitude in his eyes. In that moment, I felt like our bond that had shattered in the past fourteen years due to misunderstandings and lack of communication fortified again even if just by a little. In my heart, I pledged to be his unwavering support. I was already in too deep. It was too late to go back. I was caught in the tornado now. 

"Thank you." Kamran kissed my hair strand again. "I want to kiss your forehead but I will leave that for when the time comes. Thank you Zoya. For everything. For trying to protect yourself and in that way, protecting me. You did the right thing. I am sorry for doubting you for trying to leave me before. It's all coming together now. All of it. I have decided what to do. 

"What is that?"

"This is war." His words were so absolute and determined as he resolutely got up from his crouched position. He helped me up as well. I didn't know what to do with this information.

He grabbed his phone from the marble counter and dialled Fahad's number. It was turned off so he dialled Ibraheem's number. Ibraheem and Misha were in Gwadar right now. Due to Ibraheem's election duties, their foreign honeymoon trip had been delayed by a month. They went there to get some me time. I felt bad for them.

"What? I swear Kamran this better be important. You ruined my moment with-" Ibraheem's familiar voice boomed from the phone. 

"I am declaring war on Wassal and Taya Buland. Kainat is probably alive and with Wassal."

"Shit. I am on my way. Meri jaan, get dressed. We need to go find Kamran's sister." I heard Misha's soft voice in the distance and something like 'he has a sister? what kind of family did I marry into?' and felt an unbelievable amount of peace I didn't know I needed at this moment. Misha was already used to the shenanigans by now. Ibraheem hung up and just then, an unknown number called Kamran.

"Hello?" Kamran had brought his calm facade back. A little too soon. I was surprised at his ability to calm himself down to this extent. His face hardened before it relaxed as I tried to listen in on the call too. That voice definitely belonged to Fahad. "I was calling you. Where is your phone?"

"In the damn river. Long story. We have a problem. Rubab just told me something." I heard shuffling in the back following by rustling. "Begum, behave. I am on a call." I heard slurring voices in the back that most definitely belonged to Rubab. What the hell was going on?

"Yeah. We have a problem too. Zoya just told me something too." Kamran looked at me. He gave me an assuring smile. I felt my heart waver. No. nope. Calm down heart. Don't fall for it. 

"How bad is it on a scale of 1 to 10? My situation is like a solid 86 on a scale of 10."

"100. I am declaring war on Wassal and Taya Buland. Kainat is probably alive and Wassal kidnapped her."

"Damn it. We are on our way."

Author's Note:

Hello and Asalam o Alaikum Lovelies!

The gang is finally gathering again. So much for Ibraheem and Misha's me time. How are we feeling? What do you think Rubab told Fahad?