AREESHA'S POV: (oh... I missed her!)

I took a sip from my coffee and hold the mug with my both hands, shiver run down my spine as the cold wind blew my hairs, I watched Adil playing with his friends in the ground and waves at me whenever he runs past me to chase the ball.

Miss Noreen just left to check on some kids, she was really humble and such a sweet woman, She has introduced me here as her sister and promised me she won't tell Maaz about me as she has to inform Maaz about Adil's every move, she told me how protective and caring he is towards my brother, which was a bit difficult for me to take in, because what I witnessed that day showed me the different side of him which has scared me to the core and what if he tries to hurt Adil just because of me?

I cannot let that happen!

"Here, have these tablets, you will feel better and if you want I can make some soup for you," Miss Noreen said, sitting near me on the bench and gave me the bottle of aspirin,

"No, Thank you, I am much better now, this coffee is great," I said with a smile,

"Well, you should take care of yourself Areesha, you don't look so good to me, I think you should go to the doctor," she suggested,

"No, I am fine, it's just the flu, I don't have to go to the doctor for it," I replied,

"Well, how is the job?" she asked, a bit curious to know about me,

"It's going good," I gave her a short answer; I know I can trust her, as I have told her about me briefly but I really do not want anyone to know about my ware bouts, yet. She smiled and we sat there watching the children playing football and I asked her about her son, she was happy with their progress, we talk about some random things and that is what I like, she never pushes a person, I feel comfortable talking to her. After the game, I had an early dinner with Adil in his room.

"So, buddy, what did you think about it?" I asked after he finished his meal, he looked up at me,

"Api, do I have to do this? I mean, I really like to be here, I have so many friends here and aunt Noreen is really good, I don't want to leave them, please Api, I want to be here, please, " he said the same thing he has been telling me for the last two years, I don't know why I always have this conversation with him while I know what his answer will be, but I want to take him with me to my house, to take him away from Maaz, but Adil don't want to leave this place now despite my all efforts.

"Api, please na, please don't make it hard for me, you know I can't deny you, but I don't want to leave them, I want to be with you and Maaz Bhai, why don't you go back to him? Why you are hiding from him Api?" he asked,

"Okay Adil, I won't ask you to come with me, if you want to be here, then so be it, but please you have to keep your promise, you can't tell anyone about me, especially Maaz," I said,

"Okay, Api, but please come back na, it's been such a long time," he said, watching me with his big eyes, with so much hope in them, I shook my head and looked down at my plate,

"No, Adil, I don't want to go back, you won't understand," I said, trying to push back the tears from my eyes,

"I should go now, it's getting late," I said after a few minutes silence, I got up from my place and get my things from the stand.

"I will come back to you, buddy, stay safe and enjoy," I said, kissing his cheek, he hugged me.

"Api, would you visit daddy's grave tomorrow?" he asked, I nodded,

"Yes, why would I miss it, do you want to go with me?" I asked him, he shook his head, "No, not now, you know how scary that place is, but when I will grow up I will go there every Friday to pray for them," he said,

"Okay, now go to bed, I have to go, take care Buddy, Allah Hafiz," I said, and hugged him again and close the door.

I unlocked the door and stepped into my apartment and pull down the veil from my face, taking deep breaths I sat down on the chair, watching my surroundings, I closed my eyes and lay back on the chair recalling that day again when I ran away from there.

I was so scared and shaking with fear that I couldn't concentrate on driving on the highway, ended up in an accident, but luckily I was able to jump out of the car before it drowned in the water, The traffic on the highway was low, so I guess no one saw me lying there, I lay there on the ground totally exhausted by then, that I didn't try to move, I just wanted this nightmare to over now.

I lay there for some time, but it was dark and I was getting cold, I tried to get up and slowly started to walk beside the road trying to be away from the lights, but after some time my legs gave up and I sat near the tree catching my breath and thinking about the way to go somewhere safe, but couldn't think of anything yet, I hold my head in my hands and groaned out in frustration.

I saw a car pulling over and someone getting down from it, being a bit panicked with the situation; I look around for something to my defense but could not find anything,

"Areesha? Is that you?" I heard a familiar voice; I looked up and smiled looking at him,

"Aliyaan!" I shouted, relieved to see him,

"Is that really you?" I asked, he nodded and came to me covering me with a shawl,

"Why are you sitting here in this cold? What happened? Are you okay? Oh, My Allah, you are trembling so badly, what happen to you Areesha?" he asked, concerned, I look down to my foot.

"No, I am not fine, I have to get out of this city as soon as possible, I need a ride Aliyaan, can you please help me?" I asked he nodded and helped me to get inside his car, which was so comfortable and warm; I settled on the seat and took off Maaz's jacket and throw it on the back seat, pull my legs on the seat and cover my whole body with the shawl.

"Let's go to the hospital, you don't look good to me," he said, shutting the door of the driving seat,

"No, please, I don't want to go to any hospital, he will find me, please just take me away from here, I don't want to spend a single minute over here, please," I said, he sighed audibly seems not convinced by my words,

"You don't have to be scared now Areesha, you are safe with me," he said, I just stayed silent twisting my fingers,

"Do you want something to eat?" Aliyaan asked before starting to drive, I nodded and he handed me a sandwich and a bag of chips, I thanked him and started to eat.

"So, where do you want to go?" he asked after a while,

"Do you know where Ehteshaam Ahmed lives?" I asked him while taking a bite of my sandwich; he looked at me surprised,

"Yeah, but why are you asking... Wait! You don't want to go there," he said,

"Well, I want to go there, I want to meet Mahrosh and I am sure she can help me," I said,

"Areesha, you can also trust me," Aliyaan said, he looks hurt by my words.

"Sorry, Aliyaan, I know I can trust you, you are one of my best friends and you have already done so much for me, but now I want to go away from here and only Ehteshaam Bhai can help to stay safe from Maaz, you don't know what he will do to find me, he won't sit back till he finds me and take me back to his den and I really don't want to go back, please try to understand me," I told him,

"Will you tell me what happened between you two? Why you desperately want to go away from him?" he asked, I looked at the windscreen for a minute and told him everything happened earlier,

"Oh My Allah, Areesha, you have gone through all that! I wish I was there to help you, how he can do that. But don't worry now, I will take you where ever you want to go and if you want any sort of help from me, I am just one phone call away, never hesitate to call me whenever you need me, I will be there, In Sha Allah, okay, and don't cry now, everything will be fine," he said, patting my shoulder. I sigh and lay back on the seat, closing my eyes and let the tears make their way down my face again.

Aliyaan woke me up as he parked the car in front of the huge mansion, it was so beautiful and breathtaking, I was busy watching the gorgeous land from my place when Aliyaan got down from the car and introduced him to the security guard, they both talked for a while and guard pushed the button to open the heavy gates, Aliyaan drive through the round fountain and stopped in front of the big oak wood doors.

"You sure you want to do this?" he asked me again, I nodded and got down from the car and brushes my hairs with my fingers, and covers my head with my dupatta,

"Come," Aliyaan said, walking two steps ahead of me, I followed him to the big doors and before he could knock, the doors open and Mahrosh came and pull me into a tight hug,

"Oh, my Allah, I cannot believe it is you," she said, releasing me and hold me from my shoulders,

"What happened exactly?" she asked,

"How do you know that something happened?" I asked in a low voice,
"Mr. Aliyaan told me, he called earlier and briefly told me about you, come on, let's go inside first," she said, and started walking in the house and pulls me with her.

"Aliyaan, how do you know her?" I asked him as we both settled down on the sofa in the living room and Mahrosh left to bring something to drink for us,

"Well, you told me a lot about Mahrosh and your friendship," he said,

"Oh... But how do you know Ehteshaam Bhai?" I asked him again, wondering how he knew where he lives and how easily that guard let him into this mansion.

"Well, you know I work under your husband, and Ehteshaam Ahmed is the biggest rival of Maaz, I met him a few times in the chamber meetings, he is such a nice guy and very smart though," he said,

"Here you go Areesha, I am sure this will help you, if you want to take a shower you can use guest room, Ehteshaam is in the hologram meeting with some of his new clients discussing about their new project but he will be here shortly," she said, taking a seat beside me, and hold my cold hand in her warm ones.

She started to talk with Aliyaan while I just stay quiet and let those horrible memories out of my mind, but it was not easy for me to let it out, I shook my head, but the image of Maaz's face covered in blood keep coming into my mind, I tightly shut my eyes clenching my fist tightly, to calm myself but it was not helping me out.

"Areesha! Areesha, look at me, dear, please look at me, there is nothing to be scared of you are safe now, open your eyes," I heard Mahrosh's worried voice and feel her hand on my cheek wiping the tears from my face, I slowly opened my eyes and watch both of them,

"Just relax, take deep breaths Areesha," Mahrosh said caressing my arm,

"You are safe now, okay," she said, hugging me and I just could not stop myself crying over her shoulder,

"Please Areesha, stop crying, you will get sick, please," she said still hugging me, I didn't say anything just stay there like that and weep again,

"What happened exactly Areesha?" she asked,

"I will be back in a moment," Aliyaan said and walked out, I put my head on her shoulder and told her everything from the start and after the death of my parents and all the things happened after it, I never said this to anyone before but I felt so relieved talking to her, we both stayed silent sitting there quietly holding each other's hand.

"I wish I could be there for you Areesha, I feel so sorry for you," she said while crying,

"You don't have to be sorry for that Mahrosh, it was really a hard time for me, but now I don't want to go back and I know Uncle Jawed will not spare me if he gets to know about Alex's death and Maaz will not easily sit back until he finds me and I want your help with that, I know he is so powerful and he can do anything, that's why I need your help Mahrosh, I don't want to go back, please," I pleaded, holding both of her hands.

"You don't have to ask that from me Areesha, you are my friend and I will do anything for you, I promise," she said,

"So, will I," we heard a deep male voice from behind, I turn and saw Ehteshaam Bhai standing there watching both of us, he came closer and put his hand on my head,

"I will do anything to keep you away from him, I promise, no one will ever find you," he spoke in a soft voice,

"You can trust me,"

"You are just like my sister and I won't let anything bad happens to you from now on, okay, now don't be afraid anymore and have some sleep, we will talk in the morning," he said, I nodded,

"Thank you," I said, he smiled, "You don't need to thank me Areesha, I am glad that I can help you, you should have asked me earlier, so all this wouldn't have happened to you," he said, I stayed quiet,

"But, it's okay now, you are safe here, no one will ever get to know where you are from now on, I will handle all the matters," he said, I thanked him again and he in return he smiled and gently tapped my head,

"I will show you, your room if you want anything, just ring the intercom," Mahrosh said and lead me up the stair after I bid farewell to Aliyaan and thanked him as well for his help.

Mahrosh left the room after telling me about the things of my need, I thanked her and closed the door and made my way into the bathroom and after doing the ablution I spread the praying mat and offered my prayers crying while making my dua and asked Allah for his help, there was a soft knock on the door, I wipe my face and opened the door, Mahrosh was there standing holding something behind her back,

"Sorry to interrupt you, Areesha, but Aliyaan gave me this, he said you forget it in his car," she said, handing me Maaz's Jacket, hesitantly I took it from her and thanked her again, and closed the door, watching his jacket in my hands, I could still smell his scent from it, reminding me again of the events happened earlier, I throw it away and run to the bed and pull my knees to my chin and cried myself to sleep.

"Areesha! Are you there?" I heard a familiar voice of my neighbor, stopping the train of my memories. I got up and opened the door and welcomed her,

"Are you okay? Your eyes are red and swollen," she asked me,

"No, I am fine, thank you," I lied, trying to look away from her scrutinizing gaze.

"You don't look fine to me, did you take your medicines?" she asked, I nodded,

"If you want to go to the hospital, I can take you with me," she offered, but I refuse it,

"Okay, you must be getting late for your shift, you should go, where is Hadi?" I asked her, changing the topic.

"Yeah, I know, I am late for today, Hadi was throwing some tantrums tonight, you sure you can handle him?"

"Yes, I can handle him, don't worry, we both will be fine, just go and do your job," I said, walking with her into the apartment across the hall, "Hadi!" I called and that three years old toddlers came running to me, giving me a toothy grin,

"Here you are, little one, ready to have some fun?" I asked, picking him up in my arms, he giggled, I picked up his bag from the table, "You sure Areesha, I can take him with me," Nazish said,

"No, we will be fine, you should go now," I assured her and came back to my apartment.

Nazish was a single mother, her husband left her a couple of years ago and married some other woman and never look back at her, she was an RN in a nearby hospital and nowadays she got her night shifts, and it was hard for her to take him with her to the daycare center in the hospital but I asked Nazish to leave Hadi with me, I will be delighted to spend some time with him, she usually returns from her shift around 12:00 am and I spend my time with Hadi, I was fond of that child, I resemble him from my past, the struggle Nazish is doing to provide him better living is just like my mother, she really worked hard after daddy's death, but Allhumdullihah Hadi doesn't have an evil Uncle with him, I just wish him a very bright future ahead and may Allah SWT bless him with everything.

I play with Hadi and then we both watch some animated movies and after that I clean the mess he made while eating his dinner, after giving him a quick bath, I changed his clothes and make him go to sleep, I gently stroke his hairs and watched him sleeping peacefully, when there was a knock on my door again,

"Is he asleep?" Nazish asked, peeking through my door,

"Yeah, he fell asleep a few minutes ago," I whisper and got down from the bed,

"I know, Areesha and I am really sorry, I have to set his time, his sleeping pattern is so disturbed because of me, he usually wakes during the nights and sleeps in the morning, but now I have hired a nanny for him, hopefully everything will be better now and you will have your time as well," she told me,

"What? Why? I enjoy his company, I have no issues keeping him with me," I said with a little huff, really don't like the idea of a nanny.

"You should take care of yourself Areesha, have you look your face in the mirror? You have lost so much weight and have these bags under your eyes, your skin is getting so dry, you should get some rest, I know you have to work long shifts, but you should also take care of yourself as well," she said, holding my hand, I just smiled in response.

"Is there something bothering you?" she asked, I shook my head,

"Well, I should take my leave now and YOU go to your bed now!" she commanded,

I roll my eyes at her and bid her goodbye, she left holding Hadi and I closed the door and double check on the security locks, one of the things Ehteshaam Bhai taught me, when I move in here, he has helped me a lot to get a job and a house of my own, he offered me a job in one of his offices with a better salary and other benefits, but I refuse to take it, I know it would be so easy for Maaz to get to me from there, so I didn't take any risk and took a job in a small café near my apartment, they were short of staff, but I didn't mind the long shifts as they helped me to keep my mind out of the things I don't want to think about. Aliyaan told me the betrayal of Maaz in the contract with Uncle Jawed and how he has taken over my parent's company, so I just let down the idea of getting it back now.

The owner of this café, Mrs. Shahzaib is really a nice woman in her late forties, she lives with her loving husband, they don't have any kids, but besides that, they love and care for each other so much, that sometimes I wish, I had someone to love me like that. They treated me so well with so much love and affection which helped me to overcome from my insecurity and fear.

But now, I am alone here and have a job on my own and a small house, I don't feel happy like I wanted to be, I just can't feel myself relieved with all the worries from which I want to get out of my entire life and I have no idea what I want to do next with my life, I feel myself so lost sometimes. I do not want to go back, neither I do not know what do now, I feel that I do not belong here, I do not know why.

I locked all the windows and changed my clothes. After offering my prayers I lay down on the bed and watch the moon through the window and fall asleep thinking about him. I just wonder what happened to Maaz when I left, I didn't even ask Adil about him.

It was getting hotter every second I spend there in search for my brother, I could still hear the cry of those people, I wanted to save them, but there were so much smoke and too much heat that I was not able to open that door, they were shouting from inside, but that door was locked I tried several times to open it but it was of no use, I again heard the voice of my mama calling me again and asking me to get Adil.

I carefully took steps towards the last room in the hall way, I get inside the room and picked crying Adil in my arms and covered him with a blanket, fire hasn't reached here yet, only the curtains near the door catch fire from the hallway, I jump out of the window and lay Adil on the ground, asking him to stay there and went again inside the burning Haweli to save my mother, I called her several times but she didn't reply me, getting panicked I made my way to the living room where I last saw her, but there was no one, the fire was getting higher and it was getting so hard to breath, I cover my face again with the dupatta and looked for mama, but there was no one, stairs has caught fire and there was no way for me to go upstairs, I again shouted for her, but got nothing, I duck down and move to my other side as the broken ceiling fall from the roof, I can't leave my mother here, I have got to her by any means.

I cleared my throat and shouted for her again, but again no answer, I took few cautious steps and trip over something, I looked down and saw a pool of blood and a burnt dead body, I screamed looking at it, covering my eyes with my hands.

I jerk up from my sleep, breathing hard, I could feel my heart pumping so fast like I was running into a marathon or something, my throat was so dry and I feel my lungs were on fire, I took a glass from the side table and gulp down few sips, I was sweating profusely, I got up from the bed and turn on the fan, my hands were shaking from that nightmare, or I should say the horrible memory, I shook my head several times, but that scene came into my mind again and again, I pull my hairs and drop my head on the bed.

Still, the pain is here, why can't I forget this, I feel the same emptiness again, why I cannot live in peace, why I have to endure this pain again and again. I cried, sitting on the floor, there was no one who can help me to get me out of this misery; I just want a normal life without all this mess, is that too much to ask for.

I weep still sitting there afraid to fall asleep again, after a while I got up from my place and opened the wardrobe and pulled out his jacket inhaling his scent from it, since I came here, this jacket has helped to keep those nightmares away, his scent relaxes my nerves and I don't know why this happens, I didn't want anything from him, but his jacket helps me to sleep peacefully. I came back to my bed and tried to sleep holding his jacket close to my chest, which gave me a little comfort and helped me to fall asleep again.

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THANK YOU so much for the lovely covers PriyankaGhosh6.
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Until next time

Allah Hafiz

Iraj

Date: 10-2-18