"Why?"

That was the only thing Ozhan asked her. He didn't want to believe that the woman standing in front of her could be so vile that she won't even care for her own blood. But well, he could believe that. That woman had raised every one of her offspring to be heartless, remorseless and a cold-blooded murderer. So, she had to be ten steps ahead of all of them and be a monster in all senses.

"Because you three are becoming a threat to the family." Ozhan scoffed. She had the audacity to say it as if she was scolding them for stealing them sweets. "I'm not gonna let that happen."

"We're becoming a threat?!" He took a step towards her not knowing himself what he intended to do, but Asfandyar came in between, putting a hand on his shoulder and shoving him a bit. He glared at the hand and then at Asfandyar, and the look was enough for him to remove it. He didn't want to lose a limb like he had seen Ozhan do to their enemies a hundred times. "Me and Lala have done nothing that would harm the family. It is because of us that your family is even breathing!"

"But that's not the case now, is it? Just a matter of days now and you both would be begging the law to punish you for all you've done. You've gone weak.That's what that girl has done to you. The preacher of righteousness, she is."

"Do not speak of her in such way, grandmother. I'm warning you!" He had pointed his gun at her without even realizing it.

"Araam se, Khan. Araam se. Kahin aisa na ho baat tumhare dimagh main pohanchne se pehle tum Khuda ko pohanch jao", Nawaz-ud-Din drawled. He was standing just a few steps from Abeerah, but Ozhan in his fury failed to see that.

(Calm down, Khan. Lest you reach God before you can understand what is being said.)

"Tote apni zubaan mun main rakhein to hi ache lagte hain, Chaudhary. Nahi to tetwa dabana mjhe boht achi trhan aata hai", Ozhan's eyes challenged him to say something. And Nawaz said nothing but mockingly zipped his lips.

(Parrots look good with their beaks shut, Chaudhary. Otherwise i know how to break their necks very well.)

He turned to the woman again. "Now, wasn't it you who supported Lala in pursuing Layeba Bhabhi? If you had such a problem with her, why did you even make her your daughter-in-law? And especially when you were in support of Gul being his wife?" He thought he understood her motives but truth be told, her reasonings were way beyond him now. And before he decided what to do with her, he wanted to know why she did what she did.

"I never cared who became his wife. I just cared that he continued trusting me. Even if that meant bringing him the toy he wanted."

"It was never my father or uncles who threatened him with my and Abeerah's life", he stated. "You never cared for any of us. You just cared that you held the power."

"No, that's not true", she almost looked remorseful. Almost. "You're my grandchildren. Of course i loved you."

"As long as we benefitted you." He pulled at his hair. So many things he wanted to say, yet no words complied him. Violence was the only thing that was answering his call. A call that he didn't want to make. "Don't tell me that Shah Zaman kidnapping Bhabhi was all you too!"

Layeba had snapped at Bi Jaan just a day before. He wouldn't put it past her.

"No. It wasn't. I won't ever make deals with our biggest enemy."

"But you've joined hands with his cousin! Why? Just so you can finish me and Lala off? And you're saying we are the threat?!"

He'd moved towards her, his hand held in the air in a claw shape, as if to squeeze her throat. He was visibly shaking and if allowed to, he would've choked the life out of her. So, it was good that Asfandyar put himself between them and pushed back. But Ozhan wasn't in senses to know what was good or not.

Before anyone could even comprehend what was happening, there was a crack in the silence and the horrifying sound of a bone breaking. Ozhan had broken Asfandyar's wrist. He released Asfandyar's hand and threw him back, watching him fall to the ground. Asfandyar clutched his wrist to his chest, cries of pain escaping his lips.

Abeerah had shrieked seeing this as well, and he had spared her a look, checking to see if she was alright. But apart from the trauma she was facing, she was absolutely perfect. And this was no time to console his emotional lover.

His eyes held a challenge as they once again met his grandmother's. Have i gone weak? You need to think again, grandmother.

"It's because of me and Lala that these bitches have never even had to endure the pain of a single broken bone. While your sons were busy coddling their sons and teaching them to be merciless without actually feeling pain, me and my brother were out in the field making sure they never had to face the real monsters! But i guess all that went into vain because the monster of our nightmares had always been you! And the only thing i've learnt to deal with my monsters is to finish them off."

He didn't wait any longer. He put his gun on her forehead, waiting for the same courage with which he'd pulled the trigger during his grandfather's time.

"But my dear, sweet child! Can you really pull that trigger? You've survived this long, for your brother had made amends with the monster and he took away every hurdle before it hit you. So now, you stand in front of me holding a gun to my temple thinking you can kill someone you've loved your whole life? Do you really think you're daring enough? Don't kid yourself, boy ", her voice didn't hold any fear, her eyes held no shock. Only gentle mocking and surety. But one thing she didn't know.

"Oh my dear, sweet grandmother! Almost eleven years ago, someone related to both of us had said something really similar. Not to me, to Yazaan Lala. And back then, he couldn't do it. If i had left it to him, maybe, maybe we would all have been happy right now. But guess what happened, Bi Jaan. Here we stand."

She was afraid. He could see it. The slightest of widening of her but it was enough.

"Ozhan!"

Abeerah's trembling voice took his attention off her. And when he looked at her, all blood drained from his face.

"Tum log bakwaas ke andar boht time lagate ho yaar. Matlab agar maarna hai kisi ko, to khatam karo wahin. Marne wale ko waise bhi yaad nai rehna. Main tumhari jaga hota to ab tak duss daadiyan maar chuka hota!" Chaudhary Nawaz-ud-Din said, with a pistol placed at Abeerah's temple, standing behind her.

(You guys waste a lot of time in rubbish. I mean, if you want to kill someone, so do it then and there. The dying one wouldn't even remember your nonsense. Had i been in your place, i would've killed a hundred grandmothers by now!)

"Main ab tak zinda kiun hun phir?" He said to buy time to think, while his eyes assessed the surroundings once again.

(Why am i alive then?)

"Kiun ke main tumhari trhan bewqoof nai hun. Mjhe pata hai tum yahan se bhaag nai skte or mere paas bakwaas ka bohhttt time. Pr tumhare paas nai tha. Moqa tha badle ka. Gawa diya tumne." Ozhan couldn't help but think that if he didn't hate this man so much, he might have actually enjoyed the lazy humor this man spewed. "Or kiun ke meri tote wali zubaan khuli hi hui hai to main batata chalun ke jee haan! Aap ke bhai shareef par hamla inhon ne hi karwaya tha or humne hi kiya tha!"

(Because i'm not an idiot like you. I know you can't escape from here and i have loads of time for spewing nonsense. But you didn't. You had a chance at revenge. You lost it. . . And while we're at it, then let me disclose it to you. Yes, the attack on your brother dearest was ordered by her and executed by us.)

"What?" All he saw was red now. There was a line which shouldn't have been crossed, if he valued his life. And apparently putting his own or even Abeerah's life at risk came in the territory of that line. He might've let him live if that were the only case. But almost killing his brother and especially after seeing him the way he had, that was way beyond that border.

"Chaudhary! Tumhare paas paanch second hain. Abeerah ko chorh do, warna mout ke liey bheek maango ge tum."

(You have five seconds to leave Abeerah. Else, you'll be begging for death.)

"Aqal se to paidal the hi, andhe bhi hogaye ho ab. Dekho apne ird gird Ozhan Saleem Khan, dhamkiyan dene k kaabil nai ho tum!"

(You already were crazy. I see, you've gone blind as well. Look around you, Ozhan Saleem Khan. You're not in a position to make threats.)

"Waqai? 1!"

(Indeed?)

"Kar kya lo ge tum?"

(Whatever can you do?)

"Dekh lena. 2!"

(Wait and watch!)

"Mujhe ginti aati hai bache! Tumhein dubara nursery main jaana hai to batao!"

(I know counting, boy. You want to go to nursery again so, tell me.)

"3!"

"Aunty gee waqai pagal e a twada khaandan!" Nawaz said to Bi Jaan. But she herself was trying to figure out what was going inside Ozhan's head. He was not an idiot, that she knew. And he wouldn't fire with Abeerah in this situation. Just what exactly was he planning to do!

(Your family is really crazy!)

"4!"

"Jaise teri marzi kaake! Mundiyon! Ihde panj te uraa dena saale nu!"

(Whatever you wish for, son. Boys! Blow him up at his five!)

Ozhan's lips lifted up in a smirk which made Chaudhary Nawaz-ud-Din uncomfortable. But just a bit.

"5!"

Bi Jaan gave Nawaz-ud-Din a nod to end it all. And he nodded at his men.

Ozhan pointed his gun at Nawaz-ud-Din and said, "Boom!"

Fifteen shots rang in the air, the shrieks of Abeerah filling the air.

•~•

"Hhmm. . . Let's see. Approximately two weeks in the hospital. Then one month of complete bedrest. One month of physiotherapy. Maybe more, depending on how you respond to it. And you shall be up and walking in about two and half months." Layeba hit the file in her hand with her forefinger and stopped her light pacing. "In that time, you are going to obey every single thing your doctor says."

Yazaan raised his eyebrows. "Says who?"

"Says your doctor." And before he could protest more, she added, "and your wife. And countless men would agree with me when i say that listening to your wife has always been beneficial."

That should shut him up. And it did. Sort of. It stopped him from challenging her. But not from protesting more.

"Look, this isn't the first time i've been shot. I know how these things work. And you might be surprised by how quickly i get to my normal routine. So there's no need for all of this."

"No, i suppose this isn't the first time you've been shot. But this is the first time you have me to take that bullet out of you. And i'll be damned before letting you do anything reckless. So, you do whatever i say, dear husband. And without a word."

"Stop it!" He said harshly. And she understood he wasn't referring to her bickering and bossiness. He would've been used to it by now.

She sat down on the stool next to his bed. He'd been shifted to a private ward as soon as he'd woken up an hour ago. And she'd been with him more or less since then.

"Stop what?", she asked, a frown marring her forehead.

"The last thing i know before i close my eyes is you cursing me to hell and when i open them, you're acting all sweet and as if all that never happened!"

Her throat clogged up. Damn! She really needed to stop doing that.

"I'm sorry. For everything i said." That's what she thought he was referring to.

"Come on! That's not what i meant. You don't have anything to be sorry for. I deserved all of that." She visibly flinched at that sentence. He didn't know all that had happened in the time that he was unconscious. "I know you know the truth. The reasons behind why i . . . did what i did." He didn't want to repeat his sins. "But that doesn't change anything. You hated me even before that particular ordeal. I've still done all those horrible things you accused me of the very first day. I'm guilty of all the crimes you know i did. This shouldn't change anything. I don't want your pity and care because you feel guilty for saying those things to me that night!"

"Wow! You're the first man i've seen who can talk this much and this loud when he's supposed to be half drugged with sleep and half with pain."

"I'm serious, Layeba."

She sighed. "I didn't hate you before. I stopped hating you a while back. A long while, it seems. And you know that." She searched his eyes, the beautiful green ones, to affirm herself that he did know that. And the way his eyes shone a bit brighter with the knowledge of it, she knew that he knew. "There's no pity or guilt involved in my care towards you, i can assure you that. Yes, i'm ashamed of the words i said to you and i believe an apology is in order. But i don't want to judge you on the mistakes you didn't even have a choice in making. Not anymore. I want to stop caring about the past. I've let it deprive me of my mental peace long enough. Let's focus on the future instead? I'd like ours to be together."

She swallowed and waited for him to say something. He lifted his hand, palm up, expecting her to take it. And she did. She placed her hand in his and let him close his hand over hers. She hated to sound cliche but she liked how it fit perfectly in his, despite the difference in size. The warmth that filled her entire being was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. She admitted to herself then and there, she didn't want to lose it.

"I'd like that very much too."

They both smiled at each other. It was such a sweet moment, yet so intimate, anyone other than him would feel like trespassing if he just glimpsed at them.

"And of course the truth changed something. It changed everything", she continued softly.

"And what is that change?"

"Before it, i only knew what measures you were willing to take to get me. It all just seemed like an obsession. But now i know what you're willing to risk just to keep me safe."

"And what is that?"

"Yazaan Ibrahim Khan would've never done something that could've resulted in his loss. But you were willing to risk losing me, after everything you did just so i was safe. You knew i may never forgive you for that, and you still did it."

"I know it's too late to ask, but did the bullet damage your memory or something? You weren't safe. You were shot that night, remember?"

"That's besides the point. You still did it. And can't you just shut up for once and listen?"

"Okay, okay. I apologize, miss doctor. Continue."

She left his hand and placed it under her chin, supporting her elbow on the bed. Rolling her eyes, she said, "I've nothing left to continue."

She puffed her cheeks and pretended to be annoyed at him for ruining the moment. What the hell was she doing? This wasn't like her. She didn't act like those lovesick teenagers and stupid little girls. But she admitted it was fun.

She looked at him for the corner of her eye and found him already looking at her, amused, probably also wondering 'what the hell is wrong with her?' She bursted out laughing, her eyes closing and head falling back. Seeing her so free in his company was a new sight to him, so he enjoyed it while it lasted. Though he hoped it lasted forever. And by what she'd said, she wanted that too.

But how was it possible? The elephant was still between them, just asleep for now.

•~•

Silence engulfed the night. Not even the crickets chirped after the echo of the gunshots had subsided. Birds had left their nests, their flutters too lost now.

Abeerah had her eyes shut tight and hands tightly over her ears. The only thing she could feel was the warm embrace she was in. Even Bi Jaan had closed her eyes at the loud noise.

"Dekho apne ird gird, Chaudhary Nawaz-ud-Din. Mout tumhare darwaze pr dastak de rahi hai!" Ozhan, puller Abeerah tighter and closer, called out to Chaudhary who was flabbergasted at all that had happened.

(Look around you, Chaudhary Nawaz-ud-Din. Death is knocking at your door.)

Let's rewind a few moments, shall we?

As Ozhan had started counting, Zulfiqar and his men had taken their places behind each of Nawaz's men, silent as a wraith, with a few more men to spare. On his five, fifteen bodies had fallen all around him, leaving Nawaz-ud-Din shocked and confused as hell, taking his attention completely away from Abeerah. In that moment, Ozhan had pulled Abeerah to his side, kicking the gun out of Nawaz's hand.

The metallic stench of blood filled his nose. Under the open sky and with wind blowing, he shouldn't have been able to. But it was like the beast in him had woken with the violence, feeding on the death that had taken place tonight. It was relishing in the silence of the funeral that fell over everyone. And he decided to just put more dirt over it.

"Tum mjhe tab nai maar paye jab mere paas na hathyaar tha or na taaqat. Tumne soch bhi kaise liya ke tum ab wo kaam khatam kar payo ge?" Nawaz-ud-Din couldn't speak. How could he? He had lost. And that too with such great causalities. His own words came back to him. He really had wasted a lot of time talking. He'd lost the chance to kill Ozhan and now he was going to pay with his life. "I won't waste time now."

(You couldn't kill me when i had neither weapon nor strength. What made you think you could do it now?)

With that, Ozhan brought his gun to Nawaz's chest, right where his diaphragm was and pulled the trigger. He watched him put a hand over his wound, watched it get soaked in his own blood. His face contorting in grimace of pain. He didn't scream or cry out in pain, Ozhan had to give it to him.

But after a minute, he started gagging, choking on his own blood. Ugly sounds cutting through the silence of the night as Nawaz-ud-Din fell on the ground.

But Ozhan didn't watch anymore. 'Cause there was one more person to deal with.

"Still think i'm not daring enough?" He raised his brow. "You were right. Me and Lala want nothing to do with this life anymore. And if you don't want me to destroy you and that family like you expect us to do, you will leave us all alone. Understood?"

Abeerah never thought she'd live to see a day when Bi Jaan would be afraid of something. But seems like she did. She could see her grandmother terrified of the man standing before her. Bi Jaan's eyes seemed to widen a bit more as she nodded.

"You better. 'cause just think for a minute, dear Bi Jaan. If i could manage this in a state of helplessness, just imagine what i would do if i was determined to bring you down to the ruins."

Abeerah knew these were not empty threats. And so did Bi Jaan.

"Tell them all you've killed us. And do it convincingly. If i suspect any single soul shadowing me or Lala or Abeerah or anyone in Bhabhi's family, you don't want to know what i would do. Trust me when i say, your life wouldn't be the one i'd mind taking." He put his foot on Chaudhary Nawaz-ud-Din's throat, and looking straight into Bi Jaan's eyes, applied force, taking his life.

Hearing the cruch under his shoe, Abeerah flinched like never before. Her sweet and confused lover was nowhere to be found. The one who'd cared for her sanity was nowhere in reach. But she wasn't afraid of him being lost again. It was just a gruesome experience altogether.

"Zulfiqar!"

"G bhai?"

"Make sure she does exactly as i say."

"Of course bhai!" Zulfiqar nodded at four of his men to carry out the order. One of them picked up Asfandyar from the floor who had forgotten to get up after seeing the turn of events.

"I wouldn't have to mention the same to you, Asfandyar, right?"

He just nodded frantically, eager to just leave this place. He sat in the car with which he'd come and sagged in the seat. Two men took place in that car and other two were going to walk off to another car which Zulfiqar had wisely parked away from the location Ozhan had sent him in the morning.

Bi jaan sat in the car, shaken from everything. Her pride had been shattered by Ozhan tonight. And she knew better than to try to raise it in front of him again. It was time to let her grandsons go and let them live in peace.

Zulfiqar closed the door behind Bi Jaan and looked at Ozhan. Ozhan nodded at him gratefully, his gratitude visible in his face and Zulfiqar didn't need words to know how thankful he was.

Before the car could drive off, Ozhan had some parting words for Bi Jaan. He ran and knocked on the window. It lowered and Ozhan gripped it, bringing his face closer.

"You were wrong. I'm not alive because Lala made amends with the monster. It's because i am the monster. I always had been. And i always will be. The one that haunts you in your sleep", he whispered, making Bi Jaan visibly gulp.

•~•

Assalam o alaikum peeps!💞

How are you all? ☺️

How was the chapter?👉👈 Hope y'all enjoyed it.

I don't know if i was able to portray everything like i wanted to, but i do know just imagining some of the scenes in my head gave me chills. 🥶

This is the end!

No no, not of the story. I'm not that lame. Of the drama. Let me know if you guys think it was enough. I had like a lot of alternatives in my head, all of which were a lot more drama and more entangling. And i don't think i would have been able to pull those off. So please show me that you guys are happy with this closure🥺

If you're not, let me know that too. Maybe i'll make major changings when i edit this story.

One thing, i may get comments criticizing that such doesn't happen. You can't just get out of the mafia like that and all. And i know. Trust me, i know. But then again, none of us really know how this works. And inshaAllah we'll never have to know too. All of this stuff is purely imaginative, so in my world, it does. You have a better idea in which Layeba can live with a mafia man, then i'm open to suggestions. But you don't know her more than i do, now do you?🤭

That was not a plea to stop criticism, if it sounded like that. I love getting your reviews and working on constructive criticism 💞💞 so let them coming please.

That being said, i think the major part of the story is finished. I'm just gonna write the recovery part and the weddings and a little romance and their setting and all that stuff. Sounds alot. I know. But i will write it as much as you like. I'll deal with it at a moderate pace or if you're done with the story, then i can just sum it up in two chapters. Totally up to you guys💞💞💞

Stop talking Javeria!!!

Yess so, please vote ⭐ comment 🖋️ share and follow. Also follow me on Instagram @javeria_naeem9 for anything related to my story.

I see my notes are getting longer and longer. Sorry🤭🙈

That's all.
Thank you. 🥰🥰🥰

Lots of love❤️❤️❤️
Javeria.