"What happened in the night? He conquered you so calmly."
Sheema asked in an amused yet loathing voice.

Tina gave Raniya a dirty look. She could almost see her shrink under the question.

They both were in Raniya's room to get the real story.

She was out after taking a bath and watched them present in her room, she stood there as a criminal.

"Hum to samjhy thay ke iski cheekhai qayamat utha dae gi lekin iss ny to badi asani se morcha fatah kerwaliya?!" Tina chewed every word.

(We thought her screams will break hell loose but she surrendered herself so easily)

Sheema stood up to greet Raniya, "Meri bacchi, Khair se teri nath utar gayi. Sheikhu ko bheja hai mithai lanay!" She patted Raniya's head but the way she ducked her head away from her, made Sheema astounded for a moment.

(My child, now you are deflowered. I have sent Sheikuu to bring confections)

She squinted her eyes and examined her. "Look you wounded my hand but no issue since you've made that young master happy."

She was fidgeting with the hem of her towel and not meeting her gaze to respond.

Her lips were trembling.

"Buhat Sharam arahi hai na? Koi bat nahi meri jaan! Yeh to bus shrooaat ki Kahani hai. Phir konsi Sharam, kesi haya..... Hahaha!" Sheema brayed with laughter.

(You feel so shy? It's ok. It's just the beginning, once no chastity will remain to regret, you will be habitual )

"Apa, now she can fulfill the customer's demand." Tina looked her up and down in a weird way.

"Abhi kaha? Abhi tu chotay nawab ka dil iss per aya hoa hai. Mujhy mana ker ke gaya hai is ka kisi se bhi sauda kerny se." Sheema explained by wrinkling her nose.

(not yet, right now she is the favorite of that young master. He forbids me not to make any deal of her with someone)

This realization crashed into Raniya in waves of relief.
She first time looked up to see them both and released a faint sigh.

Sheema was shrewd enough to guess the motive behind her gesture.

She grimaced and rolled her eyes. "I'm getting too old to look after things if a trick like that can be played right under my nose."

Tina looked at her in confusion, "trick?" she asked Sheema.

Sheema gave her a secret signal and then spoke, "Hmm, look at her, she is too upset with me, not even answering, standing like a statue."

Tina took a deep sigh and then stood up from her seat, only to walk toward Raniya.

"Raniya, why such anger, look we are family, nothing is hidden between us. I can understand your state, please come sit." She pulled Raniya by her arm to walk around the room.

"Ah," Raniya winced because the same arm had a bruise because of Sheema's fight and then Kunan gripped there too.

(You should walk abnormally in front of them)
His voice boomed in her mind all of a sudden.

(Why? she asked. "You are innocent, don't ask now, just do the same as I said." he patted her cheeks )

This sudden recall.
She bit her lip and walked like a fresh knee surgery patient.

Tina was pulling her with herself, while Sheema was looking at her walk, "hmm, let her sit," she signaled Tina to stop.

As Raniya settled on the bed, Sheema came closer with her heavy body. "dard hai tujhy?" she asked, Raniya, nodded slowly in reply.
(are you sore)

"Teri koi cheekh hamai nahi sunai di jis se pata lagta us ny tujhy ghao diya hai?" Sheema asked like a secret keeper. "werna meri bacchi mai foran aa jati!"

(I didn't hear any scream of you to make it figure out he was hurting you. Otherwise, I don't mind barging in)

Raniya felt great humiliation at her query but composed herself, her head lowered. She was understanding what this query session was for.

She then slowly lifted her head, her eyes watered, sobbingly she lied, "he muffled my mouth all the time with his hand, he didn't want my scream to surpass the room."

"Kata ya mara tu nahi tujhy?" Sheema asked patting her shoulder.

(did he bite or beat you)

"No," Raniya shook her head.

"Thank God, he is not a sadist like that DSP," Sheema got up after satisfactory information she scooped.

"Tina send her warm milk with Gulab Jaman and don't forget the painkiller. I want her to a take rest. How pale she is after one night. In our time we were like twisting reels. In today's time, girls have no passion------" she exited the room while blabbering with Tina in tow.

Raniya released a huge sigh and fell sideward in bed. "DSP is a sadist! my poor Aabi... Sheema, I hate you!" she clutched the bed sheet with pain and anger in her eyes.

The door got a knock,
Sheikhu came with hot milk and a plate of Gulab Jaman. "Baji may I come in?" he asked, "yes, come!" Raniya smiled as she sat straight and took the plate from his hand, "come sit here!" she spoke lovingly.

Sheiku sat down on the bed against Raniya, "baji, you all right?" he spoke stammering while handing her a strip of painkiller.

"Yes dear, you tell me, about yourself?" she asked handing him a gulab jaman and then taking one for herself, "never came to bid me goodnight?"

"I wanted to come but....but Nanna told me not to disturb you because of the client in your room," he was looking so innocent, as he not meeting eyes with Raniya.

"Did he harm you?" he asked slowly.

She felt bucketful love upon him, "Aww, my baby brother, no he didn't harm me, when I told him that I don't belong here, and despise being here, he was perceptive and empathetic towards me." She whispered and signaled him to eat gulab jaman.

She ate the piece she was holding and then after drinking half mug of milk, "Drink!" she handed the mug to him.

He shook his head but Raniya insisted, "pi lo beta, baji ki baat nahi mano ge?" he nodded and took the mug, and gulped in one go.

"Baji, was he a good man?" he asked thoughtfully, "yes may be," Raniya answered slowly, "if he is a good man why would he come here, isn't it a bad place to come?" he asked with a point, "hmm, maybe that good man had a bad company," Raniya correlated her answer.

Sheikhu thought for a second then, "Bajii may be that good man be sent by God to save you from here," he hopefully saw Raniya's face.

Raniya was in a dream-like situation as Kunan Shah barged into her thoughts.

"Baji, am I right?" Sheiku broke her chain of thought.

"Ahm, yes my dear," she handed her another gulab jaman, which he gobbled up eagerly. "you like it," she asked and he nodded in reply. "eat up," she signaled at the plate smilingly.

He ate all the rest, like a hungry kid.

'Gadho ki tarah kaam leker bachy ko bhooka rakhtay hain' she thought with a saddened heart.

(they don't feed the kid well after using him like a machine)

"You need tea?" he asked, he knew Raniya was a tea lover, but Sheema didn't allow tea for girls except in the evening.

"Leave it, You will invite danger to yourself." Raniya denied his offer for his sake.

Before leaving Raniya handed him a note (chit) and instructed, "Please ensure the safekeeping of this paper, and contact the number written on it immediately if you suspect that my safety is at risk."

"Is this the contact number for the good man?" Sheikhu inquired, acknowledging with a nod.

"Yes, let's keep this between us," she whispered as she extended her hand toward Sheiku. He placed his hand on top of hers with a sense of pride.

After Sheikhu left, she laid down to rest, feeling soreness throughout her body.

The weight of exhaustion pulled her into a deep slumber.

As the night clock struck 9 pm, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a heavy burden on her mind. Her head felt like a weighty burden, causing her to struggle with even the simplest of movements. Despite her desire to shake off the lethargy, her body felt like it was anchored to the bed, making it difficult to even lift a finger.

'What happened to me?'
She asked, checking herself.

Same time, the door creaked, and she turned her head towards the entrance.

A figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the dimly lit room.

The sound of footsteps echoed off the walls as he approached her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for some time but the trespasser was mute.

After an unbearable period of tense silence, she mustered the courage to break it. Her voice quivered as she uttered the words, "Who is it?"

Then anxiously waited for a response as her eyes fixed on the approaching silhouette. Fear gripped her tightly, yet, she couldn't tear her gaze away. The unknown figure drew closer, features shrouded in darkness.

As her trembling hand inched towards the lamp switch, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was odd and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

With a flick of her wrist, the room was flooded with light, and she was met with a sight that made her blood run cold and her heart sank. It was him. The man she had prayed not to see again.

Jahandad Chaudhary's face was illuminated in the glow.

"You!?" she asked a huge amount of dread creeping up her spine, the last time she had seen him, her world had been turned upside down.

"Yes, me! You think I'm dead!?" he asked amusingly.

"Who allowed you to enter my room? Leave at once!" She pointed her shaky hand towards the door.

Jahandad laughed horribly at the game, Same to same, not a speck changed. Still, just mine to conquer."

Underneath his valley-shaped eyebrows, his downward-slanted eyes were brimming with raw malice, and madness was oozing from his face, he began to move towards her, his presence filling the room with an oppressive weight.

She could feel her heart thumping in her chest, and her hands trembled with fear.

"Look stay away from me," even as the panic threatened to overwhelm her, she knew she couldn't give up. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for what was to come.

"The way you challenge me, adorable!" he laughed.

"Aunt Sheema... Aunt Sheema!" she called aloud.

"Can a robber be trusted to keep a treasure secure? Sheema allowed me in to make shattering love with you. My magma is ready to erupt." talking about nasty things, as he drew closer, she stood her ground, she felt the room spinning but determined not to let him win.

Her mind raced, trying to escape the situation, but before she could step away, he gripped her hair and a resonating slap hit her cheek making her fall on the bed.

"Help, Sheikhu!" Her voice muffled as she fell faceward. He got on top of her and gripping her hair chunks he upturned her to face him.

"I beg your pardon, don't do this to me." she trembling like leaf pleading with great pity, and her voice broke at the end as she started crying uncontrollably.

"No speech you bitch!" he gripped her hair harder and bent in her face.
Raniya thrashed her legs as he tried to kiss her. She clawed at his chest, but he only pressed her deeper into the bed.

"Kunan!" she screamed in last before......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The autumn sun was still behind the hills; just like the landscapes, you used to draw in your childhood.
Although the thick fog that hung in the chilly morning air was making the forest eerie and foreboding it also filled the forest with an unnamed surrendering scent.

The only sound breaking through the silence was the quiet ticking of a busy woodpecker nearby but this peace was not sempiternal, for as the morning wore on, the sound of birds filled the air.

The cottage was silent too until Serkhayl stretched in the chair after opening his eyes.

It took him a moment of confusion and squinting to figure out why he was in the chair, but once he realized it, everything fell into place. Turning his head he acquired an assured look at the girl's presence in the bed.

He pulled himself out of the chair and stretched like a languor of a jungle cat.

He swiveled around to locate his phone as he was dabbing his pockets to feel the presence of the phone but the next moment he was moving forward (as his sight landed there) to grab his phone off the stool made up of empty egg crates. He unlocked it after typing in the passcode.

7:10 Am.
2 missed calls from Anton!

He thoughtfully pursed his lips and then involuntarily looked toward her. She was in bed. A light purring noise slipped past her lush lips, a girly kind of snore that was.

He let himself remember the events that unfolded in the evening and couldn't help but smile at the memories but soon felt pity for the girl who was so helpless to live and sleep in the cottage of a total stranger.

After a few moments, ponder, he noiselessly took his clothes from the trunk and headed out.

At precisely eight-forty, he was driving his Jeep slowly on the lane, headlights flashing every few seconds to illuminate a patch of dirt.

After another hour of peaceful sleep, Abeeza turned in bed and opened her eyes.
After acknowledging the surrounding for a few seconds, she got up at once with her hair a hot, tousled mess.

He was not there. She took a deep breath of relief after looking at herself. Although the drape was around her still she felt ashamed to see her dress was crisped and hugged around her body. She searched for her dupatta and found it near the pillow.

After making a loose braid of hair and draping herself securely, she got off the bed.

She bit her lip nervously before heading out. Confronting Serkhayl Shah was feeling like exploring the K2.

As she slowly came out from the haven, a hung-in-the-air chill hurriedly ate her up.

She crossed her arms and hugged herself for instant warmth.

He was not on the scene.

She getting less anxious, trudged more outside.

'I hope he is not near,' She prayed and clumped towards the restroom cabin.

After making herself done with the necessity, she splashed some water on her face. Squeezing a little amount of toothpaste on her finger she rubbed her teeth for good two minutes. After rinsing her mouth, she came out with a drenched face.

Wiping her face slowly from her dupatta, she looked around in the bashful hope to see him.

But he was not around.

The sweet surrendering scent of the morning dew had melted in the forest.

Autumn leaves from the tall trees lay scattered on the forest floor; each of them turning brittle brown as she walked on them, there was a sound like dried cereal being crunched underfoot, pushing their papery remains deep into the soft soil.

'Where is he?' She thought. 'We needed to go for my Sim retrieval.'

At night Serkhayl had already noted the number of her lost Sim Card.

She quietly came inside the cabin and sat on the bed. There was nothing to explore bu,t still her eyes were idly roaming around.

The Holster!

'That means he has a pistol' She thought and stood up for the mini kitchenette to find some water to drink.

A flask was there. She opened it to confirm the water's presence then drank some after pouring it into the glass.

Bread, butter, jam, eggs, instant coffee Jar everything was there.

'If I could get some tea'
She thought but the Kerosene oil stove was there; for about she didn't know how to operate it.

Just when she was thinking there was nothing much left to see, her eyes caught a glimpse of a chit on an upside-down round plate.

"Have your breakfast! It's under the plate. I'll be there soon!"

After reading that, she protectively turned the plate and found a 3-layered sandwich.

"uhm!" her eyes filled with sudden gratitude.

She came out of the cottage after breakfast.

There was nothing she could do besides wait for Serkhayl.

The time was stretching before her like a prairie road to the horizon.
Ambling to the far end of the cottage, she sat under a highrise oak tree and forked out her time doodling weird designs in the dirt.

Later, getting bored, she stood up, and after dusting off her dress she strolled ahead.

She stopped near the fat log in which an axe was stuck upright. Yesterday's scene, when Serkhayl was splitting logs, flashed through her mind all at once making her shudder.

She tried to unstick the ax but it required more strength which she had not. Quitting she moved ahead to sit on the log bench.

The autumn sun rose higher, blooming into the sky with a warm mellow glow.

She never felt such loneliness in her heart and started sobbing while putting her head on her arms on a wooden table.

Weighted down by a flood of memories, her heart throbbed with a searing ache that unleashed a torrent of rebellious tears, causing her body to quiver with each little jolt.

The silence was settling in the forest.
She cried herself up to nod off there.

Shortly, the rough sound of the Jeep's engine filled in the atmosphere.

Serkhayl Shah was back.

Hopping off the Jeep, he caught a glimpse of the girl's head-down stance on the table.

'What's she doin' here'? He asked himself as strode towards her.

'Just a little sleepyhead.' his mind proclaimed after watching her sleep carelessly.

Involuntarily, his gaze started slipping over her.
Her braid was in disarray, stray tendrils escaping, laying loose on her face. Her eyelashes were long and upturned, her nose tip pink, and her lips...

Same time, she shivered in her sleep and turned her face to the other side.

He shook himself out of his daze and cleared his throat as an awkwardness weighed down on his head.

Meanwhile, Abi opening her eyes lifted her head and registered Serkhayl's presence.
She quickly got up while rubbing her eyes, "you doing okay?" he asked looking at her swollen eyes, "umm, I was waiting..." she spoke with her downcast face.

"I was out for your Sim recovery and it's retrieved!" He told noticing her shaky figure as she was draping herself.

"Really?" You found it!" She lifted her head with a jerk.

"Yes," He with a speck of a smile reached into his pocket, and pulled out a smartphone. "your Sim card is working in this set. Now you can use it." He raised the phone towards her.

Aabi with widened eyes watched him and then phone. She was not believing in her fate.

She with shaking hands took the phone.

Finally, hope was in her hand. She was watching the phone as she was taking deep breaths.

"Mae.... call.... keroo?" Her voice shivered.

"Of course, do it. I have tried all the numbers of your family but no rep....reply." Serkhayl paused a bit after seeing panic and pain well up in her eyes.

She dialed her father...
no response...
Dialed brother... no response...
Dialed her mother but the same perv attended, she disconnected.
Dialed ZBhabhiabhi...but no response...

She looked up at him, desperate as hell. Her body was ready to collapse.

"Fianc'e ko call kero!" Serkhayl suggested gently.

She rubbed her eyes, then dialed Ash'had.

With her heart beating inside her ears, she waited....but Ash'had's phone was powered off.

She crushed her lips and dialed once again and the result was the same.

"What's happening? Why isn't anyone picking up my phone..." She cried helplessly. Her hand was on her mouth to suppress the screams she wanted to shrill the world with.

"We have a huge time difference with the US, he must be sleeping." He comforted her first then, "WhatsApp him!" he suggested.

She wiped her cheeks and opened WhatsApp.
Tapping on Ash'had's conversation box, she pressed the little mic on the right-down corner, "Ash'had! I'm Aabi... Where is everyone? I.....I....am alive.... (she hiccuppPleaseease calls me... it's urgent!"

After sending him the message she began sobbing. Serkhayl took a deep breath and made her sit on a log bench behind her.

"Will he answer?" She asked him with tears fully laden in her eyes.

"Surely, he soon will," he promised her, crouching next to her, his voice strong and reassuring.

She was looking at him with tears trickling down her supple cheeks.

"You need to calm down." Serkhayl spoke clenching his hands into fists at his sides, the only thing that could stop his arm from reaching out as he ached to wipe away her tears.

"I can't wait...."
She raised the phone toward him to return and with the other hand, she wiped her tears.

"It's yours. Keep it with you!" He spoke.

"Why? I mean, how... can I take.... your phone?" she was stammering.

"I bought it for you because I want you to have it." saying that he stood up and moved away.

Her eyes watered and she suddenly stood up and moved towards him.

He was taking strides while she ran after him.
"please wait," hearing her, he stopped and turned, and she ran into the solid wall of his chest, only to make him close his eyes at the silken caress against his chest.

"Sorry!" quickly backing off her naively apologetic tone vibrated forgotten nerve endings in his body.

"I can't take this. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me," she said phone raising towards him.

He stared at the little girl with an unfathomable look then enquired in his deep voicWhat'sat's the problem?" "Well..in fact," she initiated with her gaze flitting around his face, searching for something.

"Tell me clearly!" his eyes grew suddenly intent and dropped to her mouth.

She was so damn achingly beautiful.

"I feel bad... It feels like I'm a burden to you." flustered by his eyes, Aabi said the first thing that came into her head. It was only when she took a step back did she realize just how close they'd been standing,

His brow furrowed slightly by hearing a dull sound in the background. His attention was drawn away from her for a moment, then he smiled and turned his gaze back down towards her face. "you don't have to. Fate has brought you here through the twists, turns, and blindsides of your life. God has entrusted you in my care. You're not a Burden!" he explained solemnly.

Abi listened as she was standing with her eyes bored on the ground

"Do you get it now?" he asked and beamed while she nodded in reply.

Serkhayl wanted to hold her or do something to comfort her but restrained himself, knowing she wouldn't be comfortable with him touching her.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke agaiWaitwait, I'll be right back!" saying this he moved away and strode to his Jeep.

Aabi saw him unloading the bags from the backseat.

She sheepishly walked to him and offered "May I help?" He turned to her with his eyes, catching sight of her fragile physique"  Hmm, you carry this bag!" Serkhayl handed her a lightweight bag which she brought inside.

He too came inside with two large shopping bags. After placing them in a place, he turned to her, "Have you had your sandwich?" before she could nod he saw the sandwich plate was covered. Moving ahead as he removed the plate, the half sandwich was still there.
"kuch khati nahi ho tum kiya?" he asked and picked up the sandwich.
"khaya hai mai nay!"

(why don't you eat anything?
I ate that)

She replied and saw he was relishing her leftover sandwich. At the same time, he was pouring water into the glass.
"If you don't like the sandwich, I will make you some other thing!" he turned to her with a glass of water in his hand, "lekin paratha banana mujhy nahi ata!" as he spoke with helplessness, Aabi covered her mouth with her forearm in a try to hide her sudden smile but he caught the glimpse, and froze with his glass halfway to his mouth.
(but I can't make paratha)

She was beaming, a very bright smile with her eyes shining.

It was the first time he saw her smiling this radiantly but the next moment, all at once her dewy eyes started glowing with tears.

Serkhayl got twisted in between whether she was glad or grieving then his sight dropped on her badly quivering lips.

His chest tightens up with great compassion for her. He already amit, the circumstances she was in as an alone beautiful young girl were beyond her forbearance.

"Are you all right?" he asked tilting his head a bit. She started looking down at the bag in her hand "Um yes.. where should I keep this?"
"anywhere, all your stuff inside," he kept looking at her while she was probing in the shopping bag lest he sees her tears. "well, thank you!" she uttered but still without venturing to look up, her voice coarse with a lump of tears inside her throat. "no problem," he decided to give her some alone time and walked out.

After a good 15-minute gap, she got out of the cottage.

Serkhayl was splitting logs while she stood near the hedge.

She felt composed and looked at him idly.

Unlike yesterday he was performing the task with his shirt on.

Serkhayl paused feeling her presence then started again.

He was unable to name the feelings he was experiencing. Why her tears agitated him? But along with this her smile gave him peace of mind.

He stealth a glance at her and made another hit in the log.

He wanted to stop the way his heart leading him. He wanted nothing more than to stop this foreign feeling he was sensing sprouting in himself.

She'd been there a few days now. She can't stay with him forever.

He took a dismal sigh and hit harder this time. His teeth clenched.

While Abi was holding her gaze on a thick branch of a tall tree, barren of leaves for the season. Feeling resemblance with herself, her eyes closed, uncertain if she would ever truly be home again.

Opening the lids, her gaze fell on the man again.

She had never met any stranger from the opposite gender who made her feel so comfortable with his presence. It was almost surreal, the fact that they were no one to each other but still he was taking care of her.

She was in her thoughts when Serkhayl finished the task and came closer removing his gloves. "I'm going fishing. You wanna come with me?" he asked as he stopped. She looked at him for a few seconds then nodded.

"let's go then!" he moved away and started taking strides toward his Jeep.

Aabi was following him. Her hands were moistening to imagine some adventure with him.

"Come sit," he opened the door of the passenger seat. Abi took little steps toward the side he was standing on and stepped up inside.

Serkhayl circled the Jeep to the driver's side where he hopped into the seat and twisted the ignition key making the engine roar to life.

Watching him pulling a seat belt she quietly followed the task.

Forest has its sigma environment. Although it was not even evening yet the dark shadows of the voluminous trees and the surrounding bushes were standing as passive guardians, inducing involuntary chills up her spine.

Driving in the forest is not a smooth assignment because of its ill-paved tortuous track.

As the Jeep navigated through winding paths and steep inclines, Aabi murmured a dua for a safe driver because the vehicle was swerving a lot.

Serkhayl's demeanor remained calm and collected.

After a few minutes of driving, serkhayl askeDar" Dar to nahi lag raha?"

"Nahi tu," she replied feeling his eyes on her.
"As you say." He looked unconvinced. She remained quiet.

Five more minutes went by in silence.

Behind the wheel, Serkhayl exuded a sense of confidence and adventure. His strong hands expertly maneuvered the vehicle over rough terrain, while his chiseled jawline and piercing gaze added to his rugged charm.

The sound of the engine echoed through the trees and the occasional rustle of leaves as the Jeep passed by.

Soon the canopied path led to a clearing.

Serkhayl parked the Jeep near the riverbank, and transferred his attention to Abi, "ok come out," he spoke and hopped out.

He gathered the fishing gear and other tools he needed from the backside and strode to the river.

Aabi slowly got out of her side and looked around in awe. The sight of the river sparkling in the sunlight was a sight to behold.

Serkhayl with a head nod called her near.

You take this and sit there," he handed her a fishing rod, "you have to dip this baited hook in water!" Abi bit her lip at the explanation but she nodded, "and when you feel some tug, you-" he was explaining more when she cut him off, -"I should have to be ready to reel in line if feel a tug. Fish will come out of the water." she spoke with her eyes batting.

Serkhayl gazed upon her, with a subdued smile appearing on his face, a warmth spread through his chest, yet eyes sparkling with unnamed emotion.

"Yes, do the same!" as he spoke gently, Aabi turned to the spot he mentioned for sitting.

Serkhayl rolled up his pant up to his calf then with a pointed rod in his hand, he waded knee-deep along the bank of the tumbling river.
It was a delicious spot to hunt.

Aabi was holding a fishing rod with delicate hands and the river flowed gently at her feet, she gazed out at the natural beauty around her, taking in the sights. The sounds of the peaceful river and running water in the stream are hypnotic qualities.

Before long, she coming out of a trance became focused on him.

A few minutes later, Serkhayl pegged the rod down in water quickly and when it came out, a fish was pierced in flapping wildly. He gripped it around the gills and pulled out of the rod and before flinging it towards the bucket he looked at Aabi who was already looking in his direction.

The sun's rays were casting a warm glow on his skin, accentuating his sharp features. His tousled hair blew in the wind, adding to the sense of untamed wildness that surrounded him.

Same time, she felt a tug on the line "Oh," and with a quick flick of her wrist, she tried reeling in but it was tough for her to reel in the fish because of how heavy it was.

She looked in Serkhayl's direction as if calling him for help.

Serkhayl with quick strides came closer, "what happened?" he asked, "fish is too heavy," she replied and Serkhayl took hold of the fishing rod and reeled in the fish effortlessly.

"Yeh rahi apki fish!" he released the fish from the hook and presented it to her.

It was flipping hard in his grip.

"mujhy nahi chahiye, isay wapis pani mai chor dain," Aabi felt the deepest pity for the fish.

(I dont need it, release it back into the water)

"hmm, ok," he flung the fish towards the river.

She smiled softly, feeling a sense of contentment and gratitude.

Serkhayl realized his deep secret, that he could move mountains just to keep that smile on her face.

"mujhy or fishing nahi kerni," Aabi spoke and stood up.

Same time a rock rolled beneath her foot making her tumble into the water with a howl emitting from her mouth.

Serkhayl without any further ado jumped in the water and grabbed
her waist. Her desperate cries echoed through the surroundings. Holding her head above water as he swam to the shore and lifted her out of the water where she lay coughing a spluttering.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and soothing. She nodded, but tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Her clothes were drenched and covered in mud, and her hair was a tangled mess. She felt embarrassed and vulnerable in front of him.
He sensed her distress and put his hand on her shoulder, comforting her. "don't worry, nothing happened, you are alright!"

Then moving ahead, he carried her in his arms.
He was holding her like she was a foreign object that he could break easily, and felt wrong in his arms. She'd started crying the second he had er, and then shushed by him.
"Shush...let me help you get cleaned up," he said, his voice smooth.

He led her to a stream that was somehow falling into the river, then made her sit under the water. He washed the mud from her, his fingers gentle as they moved over her head and braid.

She looked up disorientated and saw the tall, muscular man standing before her. His eyes were the color of the river, grey and serene, and his expression was one of concern.

Once she was clean, he removed her dupatta. She coiled in herself as her heartbeat went crazy. But after wringing it to dry he gave the dupatta a shake and moving her away under the stream he again draped her, Aabi watched him in a daze.
He was so strong and capable, yet so gentle and kind. She felt safe in his presence.

After that, he move to the side and removed his shirt. Aabi quickly bored her eyes into the ground. He after wringing and shaking the shirt put it on again.

"Your slippers?" Serkhayl asked as he came closer again. "they are lost in the river!" she replied looking at him. "don't worry, divers will find those out," he spoke politely, "but why will they take pain to find mere slippers," she asked as she shivered.
"mai un se kaho ga Shehzadi Sahiba ke chappal hain, dhoond ke lao!"
As he spoke funnily Aabi felt her cheeks heating up. He turned to her but lost track of his thought after watching this wet rose.

He never thought she could be any more beautiful.

Aabi felt something unusual in his stance, his sudden halt. She looked up at him nervously. His gaze slid over her, the intensity of it almost palpable caress. Her breath lodged in her chest. He murmured, "I thought my luck was too good this morning!" he groaned deeply, "Ah, and raked both hands through his hair.

They were both watching each other in different states of mind. Aabi was amazed while Serkhayl was holding tight to his emotions, but their attention was drawn to a sudden creaking sound.

"Who is it?" Aabi spoke but Serkhayl pressed her mouth with his hand at once.

"Awaz nahi, koi janwar hosakta hai. Khamoshi se jeep ki taraf chalo!" he whispered in her ear.

(no sound, it could be an animal. Let's move silently towards the jeep)

Aabi nodded fearfully and kept walking with Serkhayl.

She never knew she was almost clinging to him, even though he was feeling her body shiver in himself.

"God, I'm not doing anything," he conversed in his mind.

As they were close to Jeep, Aabi noticed a group of monkeys in the distance. She immediately froze and started shaking. Serkhayl, who had noticed her fear, walked over to her and put his arm around her.

"It's okay," he said reassuringly. "I'm here with you. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"They are getting close, run!" She spoke with a pale face and started to run somewhere but he gripped her forearms, spinning her around so her back was to the Jeep, and his formidable size imprisoned her there.

"They are harmless, just get inside the Jeep." He advised but Aabi couldn't move as her eyes were glued on them. Serkhayl dragged her towards the passenger seat and was in try to make her sit. Suddenly, one of the monkeys jumped out of the tree and landed right over the bonnet. Aabi let out a scream and her eyes rolled back in her head.

Serkhayl quickly caught her before she hit the ground and checked her pulse. He could feel her heartbeat racing and her breathing was shallow. He knew he had to act fast.

His fingers dug into her wet hair, pulling to force her gaze to his. "Abeeza, look at me, Hey, get up girl," he patted her pale cheeks to become red.

He thought for a second then pinched her nose with his index finger and thumb. Using another hand to hold her chin, then keep her mouth open using his thumb, he took a deep breath and bent on her. Sealing her open mouth with his, he blew into her mouth for about one second, rising and taking a breath in, he bent again and blew inside her mouth.

Despite having received CPR training as a scout, he never anticipated having to perform it on a girl.

As he worked, he could feel her heart start to beat normally again, and her breathing became more regular.

His thumb hovered against her lower lip, barely touching the moist surface, She opened her eyes and then gasped for air.

Serkhayl helped her sit up and held her close. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Aabi nodded while sobbing. Her face was drenched with tears, but they didn't diminish her beauty at all.

Serkhayl helped her sit inside the Jeep. After a few seconds, he was driving back to the cottage.

"Do you have Pithecophobia?" he asked while driving, "I have what?" Aabi turned her face to him, she was sounding off.

"Uncontrollable fear when you see monkeys," he explained,

"I get panic attacks when seeing them, it's my childhood problem," she wiped her face, then sneezed.

Serkhayl's gaze fell upon her sodden silhouette. He remembered her plunging into the river, her scream echoing off the surroundings. He recalled the fear in her eyes when a mischievous monkey perched on the bonnet, and how she crumpled like a discarded napkin when she fainted. And above all his CPR. The memory of those moments sent a crooked grin dancing across his chiseled features.

She was slightly shivering but he noticed as he reached back and produced a warm shawl, "drape it." he handed her.

She saw him with gratitude in her eyes, then draped her around.

Her glistening skin was a brushstroke in a painting of unfathomable beauty. Serkhayl was lost in the inexplicable wonder when she sneezed again.

"Whoa miss trouble magnet!" he thought as he clutched hard the steering.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~¶

Salam,

Here is an update for my awaiting readers.
So, guys let me know how did you find the update.
Don't be stingy.
Read, enjoy, vote, and comment.

Yours Gul