Zain's POV

After speaking to Saba on phone it becomes so hard to concentrate on work again. Our conversation keeps playing in my head like a recording. I close the file and put my pen down and stand up to pour myself a glass of water from the dispenser. My phone rings once again, bringing me back from deep thoughts that have no meanings at all or maybe they have, but they're hard enough to understand. This time its Uncle Salim, the police inspector.

"Hello? " I ask as I answer the call.

"Hello, Zain Hassan Khan! Hope you're doing well. " he replies, his voice energetic and powerful like always.

"I'm doing great, sir. What about you?" I ask back, trying to sound energetic just like him.

"All well. Just an important thing to tell you. Miss Saba will have to file a case against Danish for attempting a rape on her. If not, we will have to let Danish go if someone comes to bail him out. " Uncle Salim tells me and my eyes pop open.

"But we caught him red-handed! How can we let him go? " I ask in confusion.

"Of course, we did. But it's not my job to decide how long he's gonna stay here. The court will decide either to keep him imprisoned or let him go. And for that, Ms. Saba will have to file a case and tell court the truth as she's the victim." Inspector Salim explains me and I nod.

"And what about that woman and child? " I ask being concerned, somehow I believe she is the victim too.

"She's his wife. And that child was Danish's son. " Inspector Salim tells me, the glass falls down from my hand and I bend down to pick it up.
"He has a wife? " I ask again, still not believing what he just said.

"And son as well. " I'm told.

Oh my gosh! Does Saba even know this?

"Doesn't she have to say anything about him? Why can't she file the case?" I ask Uncle Salim.

"She can, for being kidnapped by him.  But thats not what we've arrested him for. We arrested him for rape attempt. So the rape victim will have to file the case. However, his wife can help as an evidence for Saba's statement. " he explains me in detail.

"Alright, sir. I'll discuss it with Saba and will let you know soon. " I assure him while walking towards the door to leave. I walk out of the office and get in my car quickly and start driving to Saba's residence. My mind is all surrounded by the thought of Danish being married and cheating on his wife as well as Saba. Does Saba even know what the bastard had been doing to her all this time? He fooled her and literally moved her on his fingertips. Son of a bitch!

After reaching her place, I park my car infront of the porch and walk out. I've rung the door bell thrice and after that Aunt Sarah opens the door. Her face lights up when she looks at me.

"Zain! My child! How are you? Come in, have a seat. " she welcomes me inside and I go on. The last time I saw this woman, she was all sad and depressed. I'm glad to see her face lighten up today.

" Just today I was just telling Saba to call you. Poor girl, she doesn't listen to me. I'm glad you came by yourself. " she says and I smile.

"She did call me actually. " I tell her.

"She did? "

"Yes, we planned a dinner. " I explain.

"Oh wow! That's amazing. " she exclaims with joy and stands up. "I'll check on her then. " she says and go upstairs and I take a seat on the couch, my heart racing fast and my eyes desperate to see her face again.

*****
Saba's POV

Wearing my used-to-be favourite black top that my mother gifted me on my birthday, I stare myself in the mirror. I've always loved to go to the parties and gatherings and I would take hours to get ready for them. Yet today, it just took me ten minutes to get ready for dinner. Black top and jeans, hair tied up in a high ponytail and some lip gloss to make sure Zain won't think I am not interested in going out with him is all I've done in past ten minutes.

My mother knocks at the door and before I can say something she comes inside. "Zain is waiting downstairs. " she tells me and I look at her appearance through the mirror.

"I'll be there. " I reply and turn around to pick my purse. I put my phone and some money in it, in case I get stuck in some trouble again.

"Why didn't you put some makeup on? You look like you've been sleep walking. " my mother comments and I roll my eyes.

"Thanks. I'd take that as a compliment. " I reply, putting on my shoes.

"Seriously, he's a rich guy. He might take you to an extra ordinary restaurant, you should at least look good. Don't you think? " she asks again.

"Mom, I'm not going out for people, I'm going out for myself. If he likes me that way, it's fine. If he doesn't like, that's fine too. " I snap and walk out of my room. Is it necessary to always cover your real face with those branded cosmetics that sometimes cover your entire personality?

"What happened to your priorities? " I hear my mother complain but prefer not to answer because I don't want Zain to see us like that. As I approach the lounge, I find Zain dressed in a navy blue shirt and black pants, looking adorable. His calm face expression and gelled hair always make him look more handsome. I give him a pleasant smile when he stands up to greet me. I think I should be the one greeting him. 

"How are you? " I ask as he brings out his hand to shake mine. I hesitate for a moment but than bring my hand forward to shake his. The way Zain looks at me is alot different from the way Danish used to look at me.

Don't think about him! You're not supposed to think about him! Not after what he did to you.   I remind myself.

"Shall we? " Zain asks kindly and I nod.

"Goodbye mom. I'll be home before eleven. " I tell her.

"Have a good time dear. " my mother replies and watches us as we get in Zain's car.

"Here we are. " Zain says as he put his seatbelt on and starts the car. "So, where would you like to go? " he asks me friendly, his eyes shining bright.

"Anywhere you want. " I reply with a smile and he rubs his chin with his index finger.

"Alright, then let me take you to the best restaurant at the beach side. It's called The Ginsoy. " Zain tells me, his voice full of excitement.

"Sounds good. "

"Why are you so quiet, Saba? " Zain asks kindly and I think that's the only question I wanted to answer.

"If I were the old Saba who had a big crush on Zain Hassan Khan, I'd be on cloud nine at the moment. But I'm not. And the fact is killing me at the moment. I don't understand why you're so worried about me. All these years I lived in front of you, you never said anything! Now all of a sudden you came to rescue me from a man I actually thought I was falling in love with. And you brought me home safe. You even saw me naked. Yes, you didn't say anything but I know how creepy it sounds like. For a week you kept calling my mother making sure I was okay. And now you're taking me on a date. I don't understand why you are doing all this. All these years you and I never even got engaged in a general conversation and in just a week I am beginning to feel like my life revolves around you. " I pause for a moment, I'm glad he's listening to me quietly.

"Look, Zain, I appreciate what you did for me. I am even more than thankful to you for saving my life, but I don't find myself capable of loving anyone anymore. I feel scared of this feeling, this feeling of wanting to get close to you. I'm afraid I'll get hurt again.. I'm afraid I'll get destroyed again. I've already done enough damage to my life, I don't want to cause more. " I sigh and take a deep breath. Tears fall from my eyes, this time I don't try to hide them.

"Saba Arif?  Can we just go to the restaurant and have dinner like normal people? Like we're friends?" Zain asks me.

"Well, that's the point! We're not friends. " I snap.

"Can we become? "

I'm speechless now. I don't know what to say. I just look at him, my eyes speaking words I am afraid to say, but I'm sure he can hear them.

"I have no intentions of hurting you or destroying you. All I want is you to be safe, happy. I know how hard it is for you to trust me but I have no problem with that. You can take your time. Before my sister's wedding, you were just her best friend. But now, I feel something for you. The thing is, despite of everything that happened to you, I still want to be with you. And I can't help it. It's your life, Saba. You decide whom you want to stay with and whom you would cut off. I just want you to consider our relationship. Give us a chance. Rest is up to you. " Zain tells me and parks the car infront of a beautiful building named The Ginsoy. While I'm still trying to concentrate on what he was saying a moment ago.

Why love always comes after tons of trials and pain?

*******