She closes her eyes trying to find an alternative reality to the one she was actually living through. Maybe if she pretends she might actually start believing in herself.

Because there was no way her attacker was dragging her by her hair toward the stairs. She wiggled around trying to find a way to break free from his hands yet she couldn't. The worst part was that it wasn't one man, it was two. The more she fought the harder the other man hit her from behind. She was sure her back was red and bleeding due to the hammer he had hit her with multiple times now.

The only reason she was willing to fight was because of her husband.

She couldn't leave without saying the words back to him. Without letting him know that she loves him. That she dreamed a thousand times of a house that they will build together. The comfort that she found in him.

The home that she found in him.

"I will show you what happens when a woman steps out of her boundaries". The man yelled as he dragged her towards the terrace and pushed her to the opposite side. The other man held her hands while the man tied the ropes around her hands. The rope digs into her wrist causing her skin to redden.

She looks at the man who was smirking at him. She remembers them.

Ryan and her uncle Nasser.

She remembers them.

One is the owner of the product she refused to face because of racism and discrimination.

The other (Nasser) is her abuser.

He wasn't able to rape her at the mere age of nine years old. He was able to drag her by her hair (similar to now) push her into an empty storage room and beat her around. Fortunately, or unfortunately, someone saw that. They helped her.

She shouldn't have honestly. Because the hate her family already had for her only intensified after the event. It wasn't her fault that her father found Nasser corrupt and reported it. It wasn't her fault that her father actually did something good in his life. Her father actually did right by someone when he couldn't even do anything right for her.

Even when she lay in the empty bed of the hospital, terrified, scared, and panicking. She was alone. She remembers how she used to hide under the bed just so no one hurt her. She remembers how she cried all day and night, covered in sweats as she forget the difference between reality and nightmares. She was slipping away at a young age wanting her parent's support.

Yet, she never had it.

Her parents never visited her. They were rich and their reputation would be ruined if to find her secret. So, they hid everything. She never found Nasser ever again. She just lived with his ghost for years.

Her Nani was the one who helped her through. Who became her back. Who helped her run from that prison where she was going to be married soon. Because her parents wanted nothing more to do with her.

"I have waited so long for this". Nasser said, trying to remove her cardigan which wasn't possible because of the rope and he yelled in frustration, "I told you to let me have her before you do something".

"And I told you to wait for some more time instead of breaking in here. Do you have any idea who we are messing with?" Ryan yelled back

Nasser growled running hands through his hair and now that she focus properly. He was fidgeting and his nose was running as he kept sniffing.

Drugs.

Her eyes widen when she realized that Nasser was on drugs or maybe withdrawal. But both were awful. The prickling fear grips her heart as her breath hitched. She couldn't and wouldn't live through this. She will do anything besides being subjected to this. She fight against the rope as they both yelled at each other. The rope dig into her skin and a trail of blood covered the floor.

"Get me scissors". Nasser yelled and Ryan finally stepped back to do so

Just as Ryan left the terrace, Nasser turns towards her.

"You are still as ugly as you were before". Nasser said with a disturbing smirk, "And shameful. You ruined me. You ruined our family name. Then you said your bastard husband to beat the shit out of everyone in our family".

Her heart stopped.

"W-What?"

Nasser laughed, manically, "Oh, you don't know? Are you trying to pretend when you are about to be raped? Your bastard husband went back to warn everyone off. When your father and brother said that you were a slut who was shaming us, he went psycho. He hit every single person, multiple times until they begged him. You bitch!". Then he pauses sniffing, "It's a good thing he didn't find out that I was not there. I have been following you since the day I saw your first poster. There was no one I would have let you live when you ruined me".

"I didn't do anything". She snapped, "You are a bastard who abused a nine-year-old child. You are a sick bastard who is trying to rape a niece. If it was in my hands, I would kill you right now".

"We will, baby, we will". Her eyes snapped to the voice behind Nasser and she found her husband standing there

He could have sworn his life flashed in front of his eyes in the time it took for him to reach here. The fear like never before gripped his heart. He couldn't even breathe properly thinking about how he could lose her. How much she must be suffering or how much pain she is in. He never wanted to experience what he experienced just a while ago when she was attacked. And here he was facing the bastard who abused his wife and is continuing to do so.

His jaw clenched. His fist tightened as he takes a thundering step toward the bastard punching him. He didn't let go as he drag the bastard punching him repeatedly.

"You think you can have my wife". He yelled as he punch Nasser again, "You hurt her. You hurt my wife". Anger courses through his veins, "I will kill you. I will eliminate every threat to my wife's life".

"Ayaan". She shouted, trying to direct his attention, "No. Please. You can't do that".

He said he was scared of killing someone. He said he fears the days that will come after. She can't let him do that. No! He can't kill this bastard.

His head turns to her voice and she saw the anger simmering in them. The more he looks at her, the more it increases.

"Please". She pleaded, "Let him go. Let someone else do it. Not you".

He turns towards the bastard as he stands stumbling a little as he kicks his ribs hearing the satisfying sound of the rib breaking.

"Take him away". He directed his men

Just as he turns to find one of his bodyguards advancing towards his wife. Right now, he was a predator. Anyone close to his wife is his enemy. So, without even thinking, he pushed the guard away from her standing in front of her.

"Don't touch my wife". He said rage filling his eyes

"S-Sir, we need to cut her ropes. She needs a doctor". His guard replied

He took the knife out of his guard hand, turning towards her. He cupped her face in his hands, leaning his forehead, "I am sorry. I am so sorry. This is all my fault".

A sob breaks through her, "Get me out of here. I want to get out of here".

He quickly cut the rope and her crying only became louder by the second. She didn't stop when he carried her out of the place or had her in his lap while they headed toward the hospital.

That day, he felt his heart stop for the second time when his wife was taken away by the doctor. All of his family members were already there. His cousin was here to operate on her. He knew she was in safe hands because this was a private hospital just for them.

Yet, the fear didn't let go. Her cries, at least indicated that she was alive even when they pierce through him. Even though he felt each one of her sob. Even when he felt her trembling. At least she was near him. Alive.

Now, he has no idea.

He stumbles back as his father holds his hand helping him to the nearby chair. He heard everyone speak yet he couldn't reply.

How long has it been since he had her? Close to a year. How could he lose her so quickly? How could he fail so badly?

He was always a model child. Quiet, reserved, good grades and never causing trouble. He helped his parents in raising his siblings and never demanded anything from them. He was always there, one step ahead to provide safety and comfort to all of his family.

How could he fail to save her?

Maybe, if he asks for something, for his wife, he might have her. The only thing he ever need and ask for was his wife.

"Ayaan". He manages to pull himself away from his thoughts to find Kabir standing in front of him, "Let's go for a walk, son".

"I-I can't. I can't go". He was so close to tears

"Yes, you can. Come on, son". Kabir said as he place his hand on his elbow dragging his body away

"I can't leave her here. She was scared. She said she doesn't want me to let go. I can't leave her alone". He shouted as he tried to free his hand from Kabir's hold

Kabir pushed him to the wall, "Calm down". His eyes narrow, "You are losing yourself, son. If you lose to your thoughts, you will fail her again".  That stopped his struggling against Kabir's hold, "Good. Now, we will go for a walk".

Sighing, he followed behind Kabir. He rubbed his face vigorously to try to keep his calm.

"You know I felt this moment a couple of times". Kabir spoke, as they stop outside the hospital, "When I saw my daughter, when I saw her mother got killed and when I had to leave my daughter to my brother. Each time you would think it gets easy. It doesn't. Each time, I tried everything to make sure no one gets hurt. Yet, I failed countless times. I failed to protect my brothers. I failed as a father and husband. I failed so many times that failure itself would laugh at me".

"You failed?"

Kabir laughs, "No one spoke about it. Mostly because they know how much I hurt myself for each failure already. They know that I will never forgive myself. No matter what they say, the pain will always be there".

"What do I do?"

"You are already doing everything, son. Be there for her. She needs you more than ever. Be patient. Be observant. Be there". Kabir places a hand over his shoulder, "That woman is in love with you".

"She is?"

Kabir smiles, which was a rare occurrence, "She is madly in love with you. When the alarm went off, I saw the CCTV footage to neutralize the situation. I saw how she fought. I could see it in her eyes when she was determined to fight two men twice her size. No one could do that without a solid reason. She fought to be with you. Now it's your turn to make it happen".

He nodded. His eyes narrow at the blood covering Kabir's shoulder.

"You are hurt". He said, as he takes a step forward, "You killed Ryan".

"I wasn't going to sit and do nothing".

"You need to get it checked".

"That's what I have been saying". Romaisa said (Kabir's wife), "Let's go. Your time as a hero is over".

Kabir scoffed, "I was never a hero". He let his wife take his good arm to place it on her shoulder and he gazes down at her with a soft smile, "Hi, la mia bella rosa". (My beautiful rose)

"Don't talk to me". Romaisa snapped and Kabir chuckles

Now that he thinks, the only one who Kabir ever smiles and actually laughs with is his wife.

Kabir moves back inside with his wife when he calls his name before the automatic door closes.

"We go in all in love or war, son". Kabir said as he turns around and vanishes from his sight