Abdullah was back at the village since he lived in the outskirts. It took him half an hour to reach home. And there he was urgently called by Saad.

"Who is injured now?"

"Seher, she fell down the stairs," his eyes widened as he rushed into the room, to find her sitting there, there was a bruise on her face, and then he saw her holding her hand, he sighed opening his bag knowing quite well that Saad lied.

He had never interacted with her, but she had helped Maheen escape and he didn't know how to feel about that.

Hadn't Maheen asked him to help her? But he didn't listen... then why was he jealous of this lady being a better friend to his wife, when he failed to do so.

He tried to concentrate, then uttered his thoughts, thanking her for protecting Maheen.

She had sacrificed herself to protect his wife.

"I owe you."

"Don’t thank me, can you find Saahil and see if he is okay."

Abdullah sighed realising that he had to chose between Saad and his wife's friend. This time he wasn't on Saad's side.

He had seen Afshan get stoned to death and he couldn't do anything.  If he failed again, another innocent man would lose his life. And he would be one of the perpetrators, the one who watched, a failure.

"I will help you".

___

It took his half an hour to find Abdullah, thankfully someone brought him to his clinic while he was looking for him.

Saahil was whipped so much that his shirt was falling apart now. Taking his scissors he cut off the clothe,  and inspected his wounds.

No part was spared the brutality so he laid there, still groaning as his wounds pressed onto the bed, bleeding.

Abdullah brought a clean clothe and dipped it in cold water wiping the wounds, making him sit.

"For a few days don't lie down".

Sahil nodded his head as Abdullah started cleaning the wounds and dressing it.

"Why did you cross Saad? He is powerful enough to kill you."

Abdullah asked, almost curious. He was never involved in this war between Saad and Seher.

"I don't know why I did so. Samajh nhi aaya"

Abdullah applied some antiseptic on his wounds, "Bewakufi mat karo, tumne Maheen ki madad kari hai isliye tumhe salah deta hu, yaha se chaley jao. You don’t know how dangerous and powerful Saad is."

"Is that why you never spoke up for your wife?"

Abdullah stopped midwork, and looked at his reflection in the mirror, "Haan, sher ke pinjre mai haath daalna bewakufi hai."

"Yaha Sher khula ghoom raha, aur Insaan pinjre mai hai, you are saying don't fight against these monsters. What about the next generation, would you want your daughter to face the same monsters?"

"She wouldn't because she would never break the rules."

"What rules? Who made these rules?"

"Our ancestors."

"Is Jahangir Shaikh your ancestor?"

"You mean to say he made all of these rules?"

Sahil shrugged, "If a man like General Sahib has the power to control everyone's life, to decide who lives and who dies, then these aren't rules. They're chains. And you've been holding them around your neck willingly."

Abdullah clenched his jaw, focusing on wrapping the bandages around Saahil's battered torso. "It's not that easy to getaway. You don’t know what it’s like, losing someone because of a single act of defiance."

"And what are you gaining by staying silent?" Saahil countered. "Another death on your conscience? You might lose your wife again."

The mention of his wife's name made Abdullah’s grip tighten on the bandage. He finished tying it off and stood up, his back rigid. "I’m not here to argue philosophy. I’m here to make sure you survive. Don’t go around antagonizing men like Saad. He won’t hesitate next time."

Saahil’s lips twisted in a grimace of pain and bitterness. "You’re right. But if I die, at least it’ll mean I tried. What does it mean for you if you keep living like this?"

Abdullah turned away, his mind swirling. Saahil’s words echoed in his thoughts long after he left the room. He had tried to protect what little he could: his own life, his fragile position. But in doing so, had he protected anyone at all? Or just buried his courage under fear?

He glanced at the small medical kit he carried everywhere, the same one he’d used to treat wounds like Seher’s and now Saahil’s. His mind drifted back to Maheen’s tearful face, begging him to stand up for her, to defend her. But he hadn’t. He’d kept his head down, made excuses, and ultimately lost her. And now Seher and Saahil were suffering because of the same system he allowed to exist.

Clenching his fists, Abdullah turned and stormed out of the clinic. He didn’t know where he was going, but a surge of resolve pushed him forward. It was time to make a choice.

___

He brought Saahil to his house, placing him in the guest room, the man quickly warmed upto his mother. At night when Abdullah’s mother was making soup for him, he asked her, "Why are you making soup for him?"

She looked at Abdullah, "Tumne ghar laya hai usse, you don't like him or what?'

Abdullah looked at the ceiling, "He helped her runaway".

His mother hummed, "And is she happy now?"

"Mother don't you realise how stupid this man is. Agar usee kuch hojata toh, agar pakdi jaati toh?"

His mother gave him a bowl, "Abdullah thoda shaant ho. Aur mujhe ye batao gussa kis baat par hai?"

He looked into his mother's eyes showing his vulnerability, "She left Ammi... for a man who wasn't even alive. Just like him"

Fatima sighed, as she placed her hand on his shoulders, "Abdullah your Abbu didn't leave me for another woman, he left me for money... Maheen didn't leave you, she left the village.  She hated this place".

"And why people open up to Sahil? Because he listens. Start listening to women, you are a doctor, you would recognize the symptoms quite easily."

"I know Saad isn't a good man, I am not a fool, but who am I to punish him?"

Fatimah said, "Jab kissi ke upar khuda ka azaab nazil honey wala ho unse durr rehna chahiye."

___

It was the next day when Abdullah was woken up by his mother, "Help him bath."

He laid on the bed procastinating until his mother called him again, he was unwilling, because Abdullah was fighting his own beliefs at this point. His brain and heart were at war.

He was helping his friend's enemy. He groaned as he heard her call him again, standing up and freshening. 

"Aaraha hu Ammi."

He put on his kurta and witnessed Saahil being pampered by his mother, "Desi ghee ka parantha khayega toh kaise nhi tandarust hoga."

"Ammi!"

Abdullah called her, Fatimah smiled, "Dekh aagaya. Chal fresh hoja fata fat".

She left the room, Abdullah gave Saahil a look, "Ammi kitni pyaari hai."

It was almost teasing, "Meri Ammi hai, theek hai?"

Abdullah was back at the village since he lived in the outskirts. It took him half an hour to reach home. And there he was urgently called by Saad.

"Who is injured now?"

"Seher, she fell down the stairs," his eyes widened as he rushed into the room, to find her sitting there, there was a bruise on her face, and then he saw her holding her hand, he sighed opening his bag knowing quite well that Saad lied.

He had never interacted with her, but she had helped Maheen escape and he didn't know how to feel about that.

Hadn't Maheen asked him to help her? But he didn't listen... then why was he jealous of this lady being a better friend to his wife, when he failed to do so.

He tried to concentrate, then uttered his thoughts, thanking her for protecting Maheen.

She had sacrificed herself to protect his wife.

"I owe you."

"Don’t thank me, can you find Saahil and see if he is okay."

Abdullah sighed realising that he had to chose between Saad and his wife's friend. This time he wasn't on Saad's side.

He had seen Afshan get stoned to death and he couldn't do anything.  If he failed again, another innocent man would lose his life. And he would be one of the perpetrators, the one who watched, a failure.

"I will help you".

___

It took his half an hour to find Abdullah, thankfully someone brought him to his clinic while he was looking for him.

Saahil was whipped so much that his shirt was falling apart now. Taking his scissors he cut off the clothe,  and inspected his wounds.

No part was spared the brutality so he laid there, still groaning as his wounds pressed onto the bed, bleeding.

Abdullah brought a clean clothe and dipped it in cold water wiping the wounds, making him sit.

"For a few days don't lie down".

Sahil nodded his head as Abdullah started cleaning the wounds and dressing it.

"Why did you cross Saad? He is powerful enough to kill you."

Abdullah asked, almost curious. He was never involved in this war between Saad and Seher.

"I don't know why I did so. Samajh nhi aaya"

Abdullah applied some antiseptic on his wounds, "Bewakufi mat karo, tumne Maheen ki madad kari hai isliye tumhe salah deta hu, yaha se chaley jao. You don’t know how dangerous and powerful Saad is."

"Is that why you never spoke up for your wife?"

Abdullah stopped midwork, and looked at his reflection in the mirror, "Haan, sher ke pinjre mai haath daalna bewakufi hai."

"Yaha Sher khula ghoom raha, aur Insaan pinjre mai hai, you are saying don't fight against these monsters. What about the next generation, would you want your daughter to face the same monsters?"

"She wouldn't because she would never break the rules."

"What rules? Who made these rules?"

"Our ancestors."

"Is Jahangir Shaikh your ancestor?"

"You mean to say he made all of these rules?"

Sahil shrugged, "If a man like General Sahib has the power to control everyone's life, to decide who lives and who dies, then these aren't rules. They're chains. And you've been holding them around your neck willingly."

Abdullah clenched his jaw, focusing on wrapping the bandages around Saahil's battered torso. "It's not that easy to getaway. You don’t know what it’s like, losing someone because of a single act of defiance."

"And what are you gaining by staying silent?" Saahil countered. "Another death on your conscience? You might lose your wife again."

The mention of his wife's name made Abdullah’s grip tighten on the bandage. He finished tying it off and stood up, his back rigid. "I’m not here to argue philosophy. I’m here to make sure you survive. Don’t go around antagonizing men like Saad. He won’t hesitate next time."

Saahil’s lips twisted in a grimace of pain and bitterness. "You’re right. But if I die, at least it’ll mean I tried. What does it mean for you if you keep living like this?"

Abdullah turned away, his mind swirling. Saahil’s words echoed in his thoughts long after he left the room. He had tried to protect what little he could: his own life, his fragile position. But in doing so, had he protected anyone at all? Or just buried his courage under fear?

He glanced at the small medical kit he carried everywhere, the same one he’d used to treat wounds like Seher’s and now Saahil’s. His mind drifted back to Maheen’s tearful face, begging him to stand up for her, to defend her. But he hadn’t. He’d kept his head down, made excuses, and ultimately lost her. And now Seher and Saahil were suffering because of the same system he allowed to exist.

Clenching his fists, Abdullah turned and stormed out of the clinic. He didn’t know where he was going, but a surge of resolve pushed him forward. It was time to make a choice.

___

He brought Saahil to his house, placing him in the guest room, the man quickly warmed upto his mother. At night when Abdullah’s mother was making soup for him, he asked her, "Why are you making soup for him?"

She looked at Abdullah, "Tumne ghar laya hai usse, you don't like him or what?'

Abdullah looked at the ceiling, "He helped her runaway".

His mother hummed, "And is she happy now?"

"Mother don't you realise how stupid this man is. Agar usee kuch hojata toh, agar pakdi jaati toh?"

His mother gave him a bowl, "Abdullah thoda shaant ho. Aur mujhe ye batao gussa kis baat par hai?"

He looked into his mother's eyes showing his vulnerability, "She left Ammi... for a man who wasn't even alive. Just like him"

Fatima sighed, as she placed her hand on his shoulders, "Abdullah your Abbu didn't leave me for another woman, he left me for money... Maheen didn't leave you, she left the village.  She hated this place".

"And why people open up to Sahil? Because he listens. Start listening to women, you are a doctor, you would recognize the symptoms quite easily."

"I know Saad isn't a good man, I am not a fool, but who am I to punish him?"

Fatimah said, "Jab kissi ke upar khuda ka azaab nazil honey wala ho unse durr rehna chahiye."

___

It was the next day when Abdullah was woken up by his mother, "Help him bath."

He laid on the bed procastinating until his mother called him again, he was unwilling, because Abdullah was fighting his own beliefs at this point. His brain and heart were at war.

He was helping his friend's enemy. He groaned as he heard her call him again, standing up and freshening. 

"Aaraha hu Ammi."

He put on his kurta and witnessed Saahil being pampered by his mother, "Desi ghee ka parantha khayega toh kaise nhi tandarust hoga."

"Ammi!"

Abdullah called her, Fatimah smiled, "Dekh aagaya. Chal fresh hoja fata fat".

She left the room, Abdullah gave Saahil a look, "Ammi kitni pyaari hai."

It was almost teasing, "Meri Ammi hai, theek hai?"

Abdullah was back at the village since he lived in the outskirts. It took him half an hour to reach home. And there he was urgently called by Saad.

"Who is injured now?"

"Seher, she fell down the stairs," his eyes widened as he rushed into the room, to find her sitting there, there was a bruise on her face, and then he saw her holding her hand, he sighed opening his bag knowing quite well that Saad lied.

He had never interacted with her, but she had helped Maheen escape and he didn't know how to feel about that.

Hadn't Maheen asked him to help her? But he didn't listen... then why was he jealous of this lady being a better friend to his wife, when he failed to do so.

He tried to concentrate, then uttered his thoughts, thanking her for protecting Maheen.

She had sacrificed herself to protect his wife.

"I owe you."

"Don’t thank me, can you find Saahil and see if he is okay."

Abdullah sighed realising that he had to chose between Saad and his wife's friend. This time he wasn't on Saad's side.

He had seen Afshan get stoned to death and he couldn't do anything.  If he failed again, another innocent man would lose his life. And he would be one of the perpetrators, the one who watched, a failure.

"I will help you".

___

It took his half an hour to find Abdullah, thankfully someone brought him to his clinic while he was looking for him.

Saahil was whipped so much that his shirt was falling apart now. Taking his scissors he cut off the clothe,  and inspected his wounds.

No part was spared the brutality so he laid there, still groaning as his wounds pressed onto the bed, bleeding.

Abdullah brought a clean clothe and dipped it in cold water wiping the wounds, making him sit.

"For a few days don't lie down".

Sahil nodded his head as Abdullah started cleaning the wounds and dressing it.

"Why did you cross Saad? He is powerful enough to kill you."

Abdullah asked, almost curious. He was never involved in this war between Saad and Seher.

"I don't know why I did so. Samajh nhi aaya"

Abdullah applied some antiseptic on his wounds, "Bewakufi mat karo, tumne Maheen ki madad kari hai isliye tumhe salah deta hu, yaha se chaley jao. You don’t know how dangerous and powerful Saad is."

"Is that why you never spoke up for your wife?"

Abdullah stopped midwork, and looked at his reflection in the mirror, "Haan, sher ke pinjre mai haath daalna bewakufi hai."

"Yaha Sher khula ghoom raha, aur Insaan pinjre mai hai, you are saying don't fight against these monsters. What about the next generation, would you want your daughter to face the same monsters?"

"She wouldn't because she would never break the rules."

"What rules? Who made these rules?"

"Our ancestors."

"Is Jahangir Shaikh your ancestor?"

"You mean to say he made all of these rules?"

Sahil shrugged, "If a man like General Sahib has the power to control everyone's life, to decide who lives and who dies, then these aren't rules. They're chains. And you've been holding them around your neck willingly."

Abdullah clenched his jaw, focusing on wrapping the bandages around Saahil's battered torso. "It's not that easy to getaway. You don’t know what it’s like, losing someone because of a single act of defiance."

"And what are you gaining by staying silent?" Saahil countered. "Another death on your conscience? You might lose your wife again."

The mention of his wife's name made Abdullah’s grip tighten on the bandage. He finished tying it off and stood up, his back rigid. "I’m not here to argue philosophy. I’m here to make sure you survive. Don’t go around antagonizing men like Saad. He won’t hesitate next time."

Saahil’s lips twisted in a grimace of pain and bitterness. "You’re right. But if I die, at least it’ll mean I tried. What does it mean for you if you keep living like this?"

Abdullah turned away, his mind swirling. Saahil’s words echoed in his thoughts long after he left the room. He had tried to protect what little he could: his own life, his fragile position. But in doing so, had he protected anyone at all? Or just buried his courage under fear?

He glanced at the small medical kit he carried everywhere, the same one he’d used to treat wounds like Seher’s and now Saahil’s. His mind drifted back to Maheen’s tearful face, begging him to stand up for her, to defend her. But he hadn’t. He’d kept his head down, made excuses, and ultimately lost her. And now Seher and Saahil were suffering because of the same system he allowed to exist.

Clenching his fists, Abdullah turned and stormed out of the clinic. He didn’t know where he was going, but a surge of resolve pushed him forward. It was time to make a choice.

___

He brought Saahil to his house, placing him in the guest room, the man quickly warmed upto his mother. At night when Abdullah’s mother was making soup for him, he asked her, "Why are you making soup for him?"

She looked at Abdullah, "Tumne ghar laya hai usse, you don't like him or what?'

Abdullah looked at the ceiling, "He helped her runaway".

His mother hummed, "And is she happy now?"

"Mother don't you realise how stupid this man is. Agar usee kuch hojata toh, agar pakdi jaati toh?"

His mother gave him a bowl, "Abdullah thoda shaant ho. Aur mujhe ye batao gussa kis baat par hai?"

He looked into his mother's eyes showing his vulnerability, "She left Ammi... for a man who wasn't even alive. Just like him"

Fatima sighed, as she placed her hand on his shoulders, "Abdullah your Abbu didn't leave me for another woman, he left me for money... Maheen didn't leave you, she left the village.  She hated this place".

"And why people open up to Sahil? Because he listens. Start listening to women, you are a doctor, you would recognize the symptoms quite easily."

"I know Saad isn't a good man, I am not a fool, but who am I to punish him?"

Fatimah said, "Jab kissi ke upar khuda ka azaab nazil honey wala ho unse durr rehna chahiye."

___

It was the next day when Abdullah was woken up by his mother, "Help him bath."

He laid on the bed procastinating until his mother called him again, he was unwilling, because Abdullah was fighting his own beliefs at this point. His brain and heart were at war.

He was helping his friend's enemy. He groaned as he heard her call him again, standing up and freshening. 

"Aaraha hu Ammi."

He put on his kurta and witnessed Saahil being pampered by his mother, "Desi ghee ka parantha khayega toh kaise nhi tandarust hoga."

"Ammi!"

Abdullah called her, Fatimah smiled, "Dekh aagaya. Chal fresh hoja fata fat".

She left the room, Abdullah gave Saahil a look, "Ammi kitni pyaari hai."

It was almost teasing, "Meri Ammi hai, theek hai?"

Abdullah sighed, grabbing a towel and some fresh clothes for Saahil. "Come on, let's get this over with," he muttered. Saahil chuckled, though his movements were stiff from the pain.

"You're really going to help me bathe?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Abdullah grumbled, helping Saahil stand. "If it were up to me, I'd let you handle it on your own. But Ammi's orders, you know."

Saahil winced as he walked toward the bathroom. "Your mother’s kind. You’re lucky to have her."

"She trusts strangers too quick."

"I know you don't like me.."

"Smart, aren't you?"

He exchanged the water and brought a new one, "Yet you are helping me, kind just like your mother."

Abdullah gave him a side eyes, "Nah, I am helping you because of my wife. All these village rivalries aren't my cup of tea, and I hate how you are destroying my friend's house."

"Aren't you doing that as well?"

Abdullah had a thoughtful look for a few minutes, "Nope, I am not. I am just trying to show Maheen that I can be a kind man. By the way she is coming  back tomorrow, I won’t have you use your honeyed words on her."

Sahil smiled, "Should I help you win her over?"

Abdullah raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "You? Help me? What could you possibly do to help me win my wife over?"

Saahil smirked, though his face was still strained with pain. "Come on, I’m good with words. If there's one thing I know, it's how to talk my way out of a bad situation." He leaned against the bathroom wall as Abdullah adjusted the water temperature. "If you weren’t so caught up in these village politics, you’d see the value of an outsider's perspective."

Abdullah shot him a dry look. "Oh, yeah? Like how you talked your way into this mess? Or maybe it was the way you charmed everyone into hating you?"

Saahil laughed softly. "Touché. But seriously, Abdullah. You want Maheen to see you as more than just her husband, right? You need her to see the good in you, beyond the tension with your friends or family. I can help with that."

Abdullah sighed, handing Saahil the soap. "And why would you want to help me? What’s in it for you?"

Saahil shrugged, wincing slightly as he tried to lift his arms. "Honestly? Your wife seems decent. You seem decent too, deep down. Maybe I’m just tired of all the fighting. And maybe—just maybe—if I help you, you won’t see me as the villain in your story anymore."

"I am the villain in my own story... I don't need another villain."

Saahil grinned, his usual smirk appearing despite the pain. "You’re not exactly the romantic type, are you? I could give you some pointers."

Abdullah frowned as he tested the water's temperature. "What makes you think I need help? We just—"

Saahil cut him off, his tone playful but knowing. "You just what? Coexist in silence? I’m sure that’s really winning her heart."Abdullah shot him a glare.

"I don’t need lectures from someone who can barely stand without help. Just sit there quietly."

There was silence. And now Abdullah felt curious. What if Saahil's tips actually worked?

"Accha batado."

Saahil grinned. "First, try to read her emotions, her expressions, God has made women complex yet simple, they sometimes can't convey their feelings so try to reading the room. And second—"

"Second?" Abdullah prompted.

"Second, maybe try listening more than talking. She'll appreciate that more than any grand gesture. Trust me."

Abdullah blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the advice. "That’s it? That’s your big plan?"

Saahil chuckled. "It works. You’ll see."

As they finished up, Abdullah handed Saahil a fresh set of clothes. "Well, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. But if this backfires, I’m blaming you."

"Deal," Saahil said with a grin. "But when it works, you better thank me."

Abdullah shook his head, "Hmm.."