She stirred when she found a hand caressing her cheeks. She felt the need not to be awake and just lay there allowing the hand to explore around.

She could hear the muttering in the distance. She tried hard to focus around her and to open her eyes, yet she couldn't.

"He hadn't moved from her side in two days, Zafar". She heard a woman stressing and desperation clear in her voice as she added, "He is not talking, eating, or even looking at us. He is like a robot, sitting there, just holding her hand".

She heard a tired sigh, "Inaya, he is fine. He can't leave his wife because he is scared. Let him be. The doctor said Aaira is not on drugs anymore. She should be waking up soon. I am sure our son can handle a few more hours before his wife puts him in his place".

"But, he is my son. I never saw him like this. He is always the strongest, calmest, and composed". His mother's voice pained, "He looks broken, Zafar. My child looks broken and I can't do anything about it".

"You are his mother, I understand. You were in the same situation once, Inaya. Do you remember how you were then?" His mother must have said something because his father added, "Exactly. He is as fine as someone in his place can be. He just needs to have a good talk with his wife to snap out of it. You can't force him".

She heard the door closing and the heart monitor went crazy around her. Because her heart hurts.

The little conversation she heard from his parents did something to her heart. Something that hurts more than her face right now. She heard hushed whispers of her husband in her eyes as he coax and plead for her to open her eyes this time.

She did everything possible to do that for him. If she was what he needed, she needs to be there. She had to be there.

She opens her eyes blinded by the light for a few seconds before she focused again to find the beautiful pair of eyes gazing at her. She could have sworn his eyes were red, puffy and just now they were misty.

He was crying.

Her heart clenched.

She reaches out her hand placing it on his cheeks as he leans into her touch, "Hi".

Her voice was crooked and he immediately pull away to her dismay and brought a glass of water. He helps her to sit on the bed, sitting beside her with his hand around her waist.

She drinks a little water before pushing it away and leaning into his side because her body was still exhausted. She remembers clearly what went down. She just doesn't want to panic in front of her.

She was petrified. She had been in situations where she was plain old scared. This, however, was gripping her very soul. She felt trapped. She felt suffocated. She felt terror throughout her body as she felt the dull throbbing on her face.

Whatever this was getting personal now. She had been through three attacks already.

His arms tightened around her as he can see through her inner monologue. His breath caressed the exposed skin on her shoulder. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. His silence spoke so much more.

He is scared.

He was scared for her. She was scared of the unknown.

She leans into his eyes feeling that she will combust from the range of emotions she was going through. Her heart monitor was still beating rapidly. She heard the door opening and the doctors walking in.

She hides her face in his shoulder and he lowers his voice so she can hear it, "They signed an NDA before they saw you, baby. They will not say anything about this".

She nodded. She trusted him. She knew he will do everything in his power to make her comfortable.

But, that wasn't all. She didn't want to separate herself from him. She didn't want to leave his embrace just yet. He must have the same emotions going through him. Because when he pulled away from her and she watches his eyes trained on her with conflict. Whether to push everyone away and lock her with him. Or, should he let everyone be near her. It wasn't because he wanted to command her decision, it was because he knows she is a private person. The more people there are, the more anxious she will be especially right now.

He had seen her emotions after the car accident they had been in. He knew how much they both crave each other presence more than anyone else. The conflicts in his eyes only pain her further. She didn't want to bring this mess into his life. She thought everything will be fine once the stalker or whoever found out she was married to the elite.

Apparently, it is not stopping. Instead, now she is dragging him in it. Her heart monitor just won't stop because her mind was running a mile in a few minutes.

"Mrs. Aaira". The doctor addresses her bringing her attention back to him, "You need to calm down. You are hyperventilation".

She didn't realize until then that she was indeed hyperventilation. Her breathing was rapid. Her heart rate was erratic. She was anxious and the fear was making that worse.

"You are picking on your nails". The doctor added and his voice remains calm, "You need to breathe with me, ok? Everything is ok. You are safe here".

She was safe only for a moment. She was scared to even leave his apartment at this point. She wants to hide. She needs to be away from prying eyes especially when she wasn't wearing makeup. It wasn't just the attacker and the attack that was shaking her. It was the vulnerability on display for others.

She was at her weakest.

She felt the blanket on her before she even saw it. She was covered by it in an instant. Before she could panic about someone attacking her again. Her husband's body was enclosed around her. He pulls her in his side as he pulls her impossibly close to him. He whispers words and kisses the place he could reach. She leans into his side inhaling his scent feeling the earlier panic subsiding. Her heart monitor starts to calm down too.

"Take me home, Ayaan". She pleaded, "I need to be there, please".

"I will. I am taking you back, baby. Let's go home".

He did fulfill his promise as usual. After the doctor said that her face should heal soon enough. He pushed the doctor out and ordered his guards to not allow anyone in.

When his family asked, he said he wants to take her home now. They didn't argue instead they position guards so they leave from the back door and no reporter or paparazzi could bombard them.

Now, she was finally back home. Just as she relaxes on the couch. She felt his presence before his hands reach out to her and pull her to his lap. She lay there with her eyes closed enjoying the silence.

"I was so scared, baby". His voice was cracked at the end just like the crack in her heart, "One minute we were laughing and planning to eat. The next it felt like you were slipping through my fingers".

"Ayaan". She whispers wanting to comfort her, "I am here".

"But you weren't there. I tried reaching you as fast as I could. I could feel myself losing my mind, Aaira. It was like someone passed a knife through me. You were not waking up. You were passed out on the impact. One minute I hated the thought of killing and the next I wanted that bastard's blood, Aaira. I will kill anyone if it means you will be safe".

"You can't". She said shocked and taken back

She remembers how much he said he fears the consequences of killing someone. How he fears the after-effects. He cannot go through that for her.

His hands tightened around her, "I will walk through fire if it means I will never have to go through this again. I will and I promise I will kill anyone who harms you".

She didn't say anything because she k it was useless. He had his mindset. To change his mind on a such delicate topic will be next to impossible. She had often seen how he looks at his family, the people he cares for, and he will do anything for them even if it means laying his life.

Wanting a change from this environment, she decided she needs to be productive even if her body needs rest.

"I didn't do my skincare routine for so long. I feel like I am losing all my beauty".

"Impossible". He whispers pressing a kiss on her forehead, "Tell me what you need and I will bring it to you".

"I have a bag with all the supplies. It has a label on it". She explained

He nodded, pulling away from her, and with a soft kiss on her cheek (that was not bruised) he went away. Not even a minute later, he was beside her watching with focus as she takes out the face mask. Even if she can only place it on half of her face, at least, it will be refreshing.

"You know my friend's boyfriend used to do all these routines with her. It was so cute". She said smiling as she remembers her friend always blushing when she would mention it

"I will do it with you". He said competitively and she hides her smile

"You don't have to".

"No, I want to. Teach me how".

"I will do it". She said excitedly as a grin finally reaches her lips

She takes the mask out of the packet. Looking at her husband, his skin was already so clear that he didn't need this. His eyes, however, were tired and red. He hadn't slept in two whole days and she was making him do this now.

"What's wrong?" He asked, pulling her closer, "Speak, baby".

"You need rest. You need a shower and food and I am making you do stupid things".

He shakes his head, "I need you, baby, that's all. I don't care about anything else right now. I won't be able to do anything else right now".

"But you need to". She argued

"How about you put the mask on, I will heat the food for us and then we can watch a movie while we do your routine".

"How is it that you always have solutions for everything?"

He shrugged, "I am a genius that's why".

"Humble too".

"You keep me humble, baby".

She grins as she moves to place the mask on his face. His hands wrap around her lower waist to steady her. Once she is done, she moves back.

"I want to take a picture". She declared as she was about to get her phone from the bag that was kept in her room, he took out his phone

"What?"

"Take from mine. No need to move unnecessary".

"But, I wanted to post it on Instagram".

He shrugged, "Post from my Instagram".

Her eyes widen, "Are you sure? You never post anything on your stories".

"First time for everything. Also teach me how to do it. I have no idea".

"You don't know how to post on Instagram?"

"No". He grumbled at her flabbergasted tone, "I tried once and posted on my profile instead".

She laughs, carefree, as she remembers that one picture of her's he posted, "So, you made a mistake of posting my picture".

"I don't make mistakes. You said I never post you so I did. It was on my profile instead of my story, doesn't matter to me".

"It does to me". Because the story is removed in a day, the post stays longer

So, she took their pictures and showed them how to post his story. While she was double guessing if she should be posting when some of her skin shows in the picture. He posted it before she cancel her plans to post and start her self-loathing.

He cooks for them while she moves around him, chatting about anything. He listens to everything she has to say because when she talks is when he feels at peace. He wants her to keep talking forever, if possible. Her voice changes according to the scenes she is describing. Her eyes shine whenever she talks about something she likes and he notes those points in his head. Her hands move around whenever she talks and he finds that habit of hers absolutely adorable.

"Why would you stop?" He asked once he places the plate of food in front of her and sit opposite of her

"I spoke so much". She said blushing a little

He shakes his head, "Not enough". Even when he was tired he wants to continue these moments between them, "I like hearing your voice".

She grins, and then she didn't stop talking. Even when he takes the plate after they were done eating. Even when he wipes her face from the sauce that was there. Even when he cradled her neck in his hand and his eyes narrowed on the bruise on her cheeks. The rage was still there. It never went away. He was only surpassed his rage to be present here with her, for her. He applies the ointment gently on her face, as she stands in between his legs, talking. He kissed her forehead feeling the exhaustion eating his body yet he couldn't get enough of her.

The fear he had felt at that moment was still wrapped around his heart. He was worried she might vanish this time if he let her out of his sight. He had never felt this compelling even for his family knowing how much danger they all are in every day. This feeling of helplessness. The need to wrap her like a burrito and keep her on his side, forever.

That forever scared him too. Was she ready for that? Will she want that? Will she ever stay with him?

After he watched her sleep for a few hours, he decided there were things he needs to take care of.

As much as he doesn't wish for his (uncle) help, he desperately needs it.

"What is it son?" Kabir said, sitting with his wife as he gazes at her, "Why are you here at this time?"

"I need your help". He pauses for a second as he saw the smirk on their face, "I need to go back to our home country and finish something".