Assalamualaikum.

So let's get started 😅

Cover by simmi_R

*********

Author's POV,

Gasping for air she lifted her head and saw her Little sister standing there gesturing her to ran.

"Isha aapi run! Amma is here!" Her little sister najma yelled and then isha saw her stepmother coming to her view. She slapped her sister and look down toward isha.

"Khabrdar jo ek kadam bhi badaya isha! Jaan lelungi mai teri! (If you take a step then I swear will kill you) " Her mother yelled

"No! Isha aapi aapko meri kasam hai jaein is jahannam se! ( sister Isha, I swear to you just go away from this hell. ) " Najma screamed and Isha turns around and continues to ran. She couldn't let this opportunity to go. Her little sister Najma, did everything to get her from this house. Even though she was her stepsister but she always loved her more than her own mother. Isha also did the same. Isha was never ready to run away cause after that, she knew Najma had to endure her mother's wrath. Najma convinces her that her mother loved her and even if she punishes her she would never do anything which she couldn't endure. Isha was still not ready but as the day of her destruction coming closer she couldn't take this anymore and run away. She could hear her stepmother yelling but she didn't stop.

She heard many car screeching sounds and increase her speed. Isha knew her mother won't give up that easily. She would kill her but not let her go. After all, she decided to sold Isha to the richest person in this village. A 58 years old man.

"Ya Allah! rahem farma mujh par ( oh God! Please Mercy on me)" isha cried and look up the sky begging. She hears a car engine near her and turn her left side and again increase her speed. She didn't realise that she was running in the forest. Holding her bag she hides behind the tree. Sitting on the ground she looks at her bag. Najma gave her this. Putting isha's late mother's jewellery and her clothes. Sunset began to disappear and darkness came.

Resting her back on the tree she closes her eyes and felt many tears left her eyes. She was missing her father who loved her cared for her after him no one was there. Najma was 14 years old. She never raises her voice cause she also afraid of her mother and that's why Isha had to endure everything. She becomes the maid of her own house. But as the time passes and najma sees her Aapi enduring her mother's cruelty her love for her sister increase and when she heard about her mother marrying off her 17 years old Aapi to the 58 hears old man she decided that she won't let her Aapi's life destroy and convince her to run away after a month of persuading Isha agreed. Najma convinces her after she left this house Allah will show her right path and will lead her to her destination.

She felt water drop on her face and thunder making her jolted up. The rain started falling on her and thunderstorm increase. She stood up and look around but only sees darkness though she figures out that she was in the forest. First, she was scared but then thought it was better than caught by them.

Isha held her bag tightly and started walking. She didn't know where she was going just praying in her heart she continues to walk where her legs were taking her. She drenched fully but she didn't stop. Her dupatta entangled with the wild tree she untangles but her dupatta tore. She walks ahead leaving that small piece of dupatta.

Isha didn't know how long she walks but her feet stop when she saw a small Barnhouse. She walks closer but couldn't see anything clearly, not even a single lamp but seeing this heavy rain she thought to walk in there and spend this horrible night.

Opening that cracked door she entered. Isha looks around in hope to see any lights but then it was better like that, No one could find her here, She thought and put her bag on the corner of the Barnhouse. Taking off her dupatta isha hang that on the window and went to her bag and sat there feeling cold. Her all clothes inside the bag were also drenched.

Sighing she leaned back closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her she slept while tears escape her eyes and her heart prayed only one thing.

Ya Allah! Meri hifazat kar. Kisi farishte ko bhej ke mujhe is daldal se nikal

(Oh god! Help me. Please send your angel who can take me away from this hell)

*************

"I know it's going to rain baby," I said through the phone while looking outside the house where I was staying.

"Yeah yeah. Like you know everything" Sofia, my wife said in mocking tone. I smile before saying.

"Yes, I know everything. And baby its called common sense which means we should check climate information time to time" I said smiling.

"You mean I don't have common sense!" She yelled.

"I didn't say anything like this" I chuckled.

"Arshad you better be here at 7 pm," she said in an angry tone and now I know she was angry. "But baby even if I leave now I can't reach before 8 pm its already 4 pm" I tried to make her understand.

"You can. You can make 4 hours drive into 3 I know Mr Racer" she said and she was right. I've won every racing competition at the college.

"Okay. But what if it will rain?"

"I don't know! I want you here before 7 Arshad " Yelling this Sofia cut the call. I look around thinking about what should I do.

It's our 3 wedding anniversary today and sofia organized a big party for our anniversary. We didn't live here. We lived in Dubai cause mine and Sofia's business was there. But we came last month to visit our hometown where our family was. And my mother also asking me for the last 2 years to sold her village house. So I was here to do this. After I was done I was about to leave from here but then I got to know that it's gonna heavy rain and all the road will be blocked for tonight so I thought not to leave today cause I really didn't want to stuck anywhere. But when I call sofia she started yelling before hearing me. She was always like this. Shor tampered and arrogant but I love her so much. I love her more than anything. We fought, we love, we cared about each other and my life seems to complete with her. Sometimes her behaviour makes me frustrated but my love always overcome.

I try to call sofia a lot but she didn't pick up. Sighing I decided to go. Taking my bag I sat inside my car.

I hope I will reach my destination before its too late. Thinking this i started driving.

After half an hour drive I stopped the car because as expected road was blocked.
"God! What the hell!" Yelling I hit the steering wheel. I walk out of the car and ask an officer that let me go but he refused and told me to go back. I sigh and hit my car with my foot.

"Kya hua beta ( what happen child?)" I turn and saw An old man looking at me. I told him that I want to go from here my wife is waiting for me. He smiled and pointed toward the forest I saw a small path between forest and look back at the man.

"Wo rasta chuno! Waqt se pehle tum apni manzil par pahonch joa ge (chose that path. You will reach your destination before the time)" he said smiling I smiled back.

"Shukriya baba ji. Mera waqt par pahonchna bahot zaruri hai (thanks uncle. Its really important for me to reach there on time)" I said thanking him.

"Sab us khuda ki marzi hai. Ham to sirf uske gulam hai (its all god's will. We all are just his servants)" he said and I felt awkward but nonetheless thanking him last time I sat in the car.

I took his advice and drive where he instructed. My eyes went to the mirror and I saw that old man standing there still smiling at me.

******

"Are you kidding me!" Screaming I hit the steering wheel in anger. That old man tricks me. I was driving past one and a half hour but couldn't see a single human being neither I found a way out of this forest and darkness began falling making everything even harder for me. With such difficulties, I turn my car and began driving from where I came.

"I will never trust any stranger from now on. I never thought old mans also likes to prank."

I continue to drive feeling frustrated. But maybe luck wasn't my side today cause heavy rain started falling. And with this stormy night plus this heavy rain, I don't think I could drive. Stopping the car I took out my phone and try to call my wife but as expected she didn't receive. I sat there thinking what to do. Its only 8 o clock I can't sit here all night. Thinking this I walk out of the car and look around to find some shelter. I had seen in the movie that there was always a barnhouse for a person who lost there way out of the forest thinking this I ran into the forest and started looking around.

I know it's childish of me but oh boy! I'm more than childish.

I continue my walk looking here and there and finally, I found a Barnhouse. Feeling a little happy I ran there and open the door. Peeing inside I walk in. But who I was kidding it's too much dark that I couldn't see a single thing. I took out my phone and try to on flashlights but like I said before luck wasn't my side today.

Sighing I took off my shirt and found a window from where a slight skylight coming. Hanging my shirt there I walk to the corner of the house and sat behind the wooden pillar and close my eyes.

"Sorry baby I couldn't come" I mutter before dozing off. feeling really bad for my wife who arranged our 3 years anniversary party with so much happiness.

**************

Author's POV

The sun rays hit Isha's eyes making her stirred in her sleep. After some time she slowly opens her eyes and looks around. After realising that she elopes from her house and no one could able to find her yet. She got relax. She got up and run her fingers through her hair and her dress jerking the dust from her dress.

Isha heard some voices near the house. She got startled. Fear crawl in her skin making her shiver. If they find me then they will definitely make me marry that man or worst will kill me. She thought but when no one came into the house after a few minutes she walks toward the window where she hangs her dupatta to see if anyone was there or it was just her illusion.

But she was frozen on her place when she saw someone standing in front of the window, shirtless. He was holding her dupatta while looking here and there. As he turned toward Isha she stumbled back and fall on her butt and a screamed left her mouth.

Arshad was sleeping when he heard some noises that woke him up. He stood up and walked toward the window where he hangs his shirt last night and looks out of the house. He saw a few man's outsides but didn't pay any attention but when he was about to grab his shirt he saw dupatta beside his shirt which he didn't notice last night. Taking that dupatta he looks around. As he turned around he heard screamed and was shocked to see a very young girl in this barn house. Her face was showing some kind of fear. Her eyes widened and she was looking at him as if she saw an alien.

"Hey.. who are you?" He asked. Isha was starting at him frightened. She suddenly stood up and felt a sharp pain in her foot. "Are you okay?" Isha didn't realise when he held her arms to keep her balance. He was holding her arms with one hand and holding her dupatta with another while he was shirtless and at the same time, that door burst opened revealing Isha's stepmother and her uncle (her stepmother's brother) with few more men. Isha looks at him terrified and her heart sinks in as she realised she was doomed.

********

How was it?

Is it exited?

I don't know about you guys but I'm excited💃

What do you think her stepmother will do now?

Share your thoughts guys and please do votes and comments.

Love you all💞