Haider was distraught as he knew he shouldn't be kissing Amaal, yet he felt addicted to kissing her. At the same time, he was curious about Zaroon. He seemed to be a positive personality as he had motivated Amaal and instilled a strange optimism in her. To clear his mind, Haider decided to talk with Noori, she was Amaal's aunt and she will know well.

At first, Noori was surprised to find him in her office. Then, she ordered two cups of black tea for them. Haider started with casual conversation and skillfully, drifted the topic to Amaal.

'At first, I thought she was mental.' He commented with an amused smile plastered on his face. Noori chuckled, as though she recollected something funny. Haider shifted, taking a sip and then placed the cup on the saucer plate. He hesitated, - 'Was she like this since the beginning?' He asked cautiously, keenly observing her reaction. The color of her face drained and her smile instantly faded.

Noori took a moment to compose her answer, - 'Amaal was always a very cheerful child. She was naughty as well. Mikael was the complete opposite though.' She recollected, carefully choosing her words. Haider clenched his fist at the mention of Mikael.

'Amaal—was telling about her first—love, Zaroon.' Haider said, restlessly shifting in his place. Noori looked stunned, she clenched the handle of teacup and she gulped softly. Her gaze was unsteady.

'Zaroon is de—dead.' She managed to say in a wavering tone.

'I know.' – Haider sighed – 'I didn't want to ask Amaal all the details. She is still sensitive about him.' He confessed.

Noori nodded, - 'Zaroon was an important person in Amaal's life and after his death, things were never the same. She, my child, wasn't the same.' She informed. Haider listened intently at her. She was reluctant to open the secrets, she leaned and placed her palm over the table, - 'Don't tell Amaal that I told you anything.' – she whispered. Her words made Haider feel a bit guilty about getting to know about her intimate secret without her consent.

'Zaroon was murdered by—by—my brother. Amaal's father.' – Noori revealed leaving Haider dumbstruck.

He recollected the first time they had met, when Amaal had come for donations and how she had bluntly she refused favors in name of her father.

Noori exhaled deeply, leaning against her chair, - 'Amaal, Mikael, Zaroon and their friends were present there when goons hired by Hashim overtook their jeep. Poor kids, they had planned to secretly marry but were interrupted. All of this traumatized the twins especially, Amaal.' – she took a sip and shook her head. Haider noticed tears glistening in her eyes. She blinked rapidly to take back her tears.

'Amaal got into drugs and whatnot. Mikael and I had to handle her. After so many struggles, we managed to send her off to rehab. Some of the medication continues. She gets night terrors so usually, she stays awake or sleeps late.' Noori revealed.

Haider moved back; his muscles tensed. He gets night terrors too, now, he wondered what she does in the night in the top bunker.

He felt his heart heavy imagining the sadness beneath the happy-go-lucky woman, Amaal. At first glance, no one can tell how she holds a sea of emotions inside of her. He could feel the pain of her burden, it was no less than what he had experienced. Perhaps, more.

'Music lessons are about to start. I suggest you should be going.' – Noori brought Haider out of his thoughts, he looked dazed at her. He nodded slightly and rose from his chair, she interrupted him again, - 'Just don't tell Amaal anything.' – she reminded him and he nodded again, - 'She doesn't like to discuss all this. If she talks to you then pretend like you are hearing for the first time.'

Haider nodded, tossing back the hem of his muffler.

With the ringing of the bell, children soon began to collect in the large hall. Amaal kept bouncing on her heels whilst glancing towards the door. Few teachers arrived and greeted her, she greeted back with a mindless wave of a hand.

Sometime later, Haider walked in, and instantly his gaze met Amaal's restless eyes. Noori's words echoed in his mind and all other sounds were muffled even Amaal's voice. Without sparing any thoughts, he hurried to her with his gaze fixated on her. As he approached her, he opened both his arms and engulfed her in a tight hug. Amaal abruptly stopped talking and stood still with her mouth half-open.

'What are you doing?' She hissed into his ears, - 'we are in public, there are kids arou—'

'Shh!' – Haider exhaled deeply, - 'I am not going to kiss you. Just know that—that—'

'That?' She murmured

'Never mind.' He whispered.

After they parted, Haider pointed out that no one in the class had noticed them as they were all busy with their work. Amaal smiled at him, pushed back her glasses, and urged him to focus on his lessons. He smiled noticing her rosy cheeks turn red.

She avoided his gaze and turned around, he held her hand and she stiffened.

'After class will you teach me a guitar?' Haider requested softly. Slowly, she turned around and nodded. Hand in hand and with their gaze locked, they stared fondly at each other until giggling kids distracted them. Amaal flashed a grin at Haider and swiftly turn around. He watched her gather all the kids around her. She was so jolly and affectionate as always.

Haider was restless throughout the session and dismissed the kids early. He felt guilty as the kids were disappointed. After that, he patiently waited for the music class to complete. He rushed the kids away as he walked towards Amaal. She was seated on a long stool, meddling with her guitar. He cleared his throat and she looked up. Her droopy lips curved into a slow smirk. She gestured with her gaze towards the stool next to hers. Haider nodded, grabbed a stool, and sat next to her. He extended his hands but Amaal moved the guitar away.

'Not this one, this is Zaroon's.' She said bending down to pick up another guitar. Haider gulped softly eyeing the wooden guitar in her hand. Amaal stuffed the other guitar into his hands, nearly toppling him from his seat. He held it like an amateur and she clicked her tongue, slapping her forehead. She placed the guitar neatly and climbed down. Haider felt his heart fluttering as she stood behind him and moved her arms around him. She caught his hand and guided him.

'There.' She exclaimed, moving back. Haider pressed his lips tightly and sighed deeply.

Fifteen minutes into the lesson, Haider got a little better and Amaal patted herself for that. Then, she slid down the stool and commented she was hungry, whilst patting her belly.

'Amaal, can you stay here?' Haider suggested in a calm tone and with politeness.

Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, she nodded slowly. He sighed with a smile and extended his hand. She gave her hand in his without any hesitation. Together they sat on the floor in corner of the empty room. Their backs leaning against the wall, Amaal sat crossed legged while Haider had his feet firmly rooted on the ground and arms wrapped around his knees.

'This is going to be the biggest regret of my life.' – Haider hesitated, the tight lump in his throat made it difficult to speak. He felt her warm hand squeeze his palm gently and that gave him instant strength,

- 'That—I couldn't stand up to him. I could have filed a police complaint.' – He titled his head, looking at her, - 'Now, I am physically stronger than him. I could have subdued him. I have taken over the entire business, it is practically owned by me. I could have easily outcasted him. But—' -He licked his dry lips, - 'I could never.'

Amaal took a deep breath and leaned, pulling up her legs, wrapping her arms around her knees and resting her chin against her wrist, - 'Sometimes we aren't ready to face an abuser.' – she admired him, - 'sometimes,' – She looked away and shrugged, - 'we shouldn't just be physically ready but mentally strong as well. Perhaps, you aren't ready yet.' She looked back. There was a moment of silence between them albeit a serene one. Haider kept staring at his sneakers as Amaal kept looking at him.

'You know,' – He exhaled deeply, - 'I haven't talked about all this, my feelings, with anyone, not even Dr. Geiti.' He informed. Amaal moved back frowning at him.

'You should have.' – She leaned placing her palm over his arm, - 'Keeping such painful thing within yourselves isn't easy.' She sighed, resting the back of her head against the wall.

Haider scoffed, - 'I wasn't lucky to have friends, family, or anyone to share anything. I had only my father and no one else.'

Amaal shifted closer and rested her head against his arm, - 'Now you have me as your friend, right?' She held his arm with her hands.

Haider smiled, nodding, and leaned his head back against the wall. He liked their bond, the unsaid agreement that they were friends. She giggled and he felt her move, she lifted her head to look at him and he tilted his head to look down at her,

- 'But I hope we are not friends with benefits.' She covered her mouth, muffling her laughs. He paused letting her words sink in and then he chuckled softly in response to her crisp pearls of laughter.

After, she had settled Amaal bounced up on her feet and gave her hand to him, - 'Come, else we will miss snacks and tea.' She grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Haider doesn't protest as she dragged him with her. He felt lighter sharing all his feelings with her and was glad he found someone he could relate to and someone who could relate to him.

Drop your thoughts in the comments, please *smiles* and my lovelies, Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *Hugs and Kisses*