Azlaan heard the loud sound of her being slapped echoing through the empty office as he stands with her sister and his friend.

"This is all your fault". He said angrily to her sister who chooses to remain silent and let her sister get hurt

Her sister cries knowing she was the reason for this but didn't have the courage to fight for herself.

"Khadija, your father loves you he wouldn't have blamed you". His friend said softly watching her cry

"She always takes my blame". Her sister weeps

It was true.

She wasn't a trouble maker it just started that her sister would break or do something and she covers her getting the punishment and title of a trouble maker. They were just two naive minds but that innocence cost her the most.

"Then you need to do something". He said as his hands clenched on his side

He heard the door opening and her father came out dragging her with her hand while her head remains downcast. He drags her away but before she can go out of vision she turns around looking at them and he saw her red her face is and how her lips are bleeding again and her tired eyes.

All of it.

All of that hurts him more.

Then she smiles walking away.

He went home after taking his classes despite wanting to just leave he couldn't do that. He walks into his house extremely angry and the scene of the office where he had seen her getting slapped restored through his mind making him even angrier.

"What happened, beta?". His mother asked watching his distort state

"Hadiya". He said briefly watching his father attention coming to him immediately," Her father was called to university and he slapped her again".

His father eyes widen, "What?. That man has certainly lost his mind".

"I know". He said gritting his teeth, "I wanted to stop him and tell him everything but I know she loves her sister too much to appreciate my actions".

"She loves her family too much and they are all using her. She needs to realise that". His mother said sadly, "Arrange a dinner at their place tonight. I want to see if she is ok. If she is not she is coming with us".

"With what rights?". His father asked

No one spoke.

But he did arrange the dinner and he was more than ever looking forward to it. Soon enough they were all in their house talking with her parents and her sister sitting quietly with no signs of her. Obviously, that had everyone anxious to know about her well being even more.

"Isn't it my favourite people". She said entering inside with a sweet smile on her wounded lips

Everyone relaxes a little at her appearance which wasn't that good. Her face was now swollen even more and lips were visibly injured. He clenched his hand to not do anything that will result in something worse as he tries to just look into her eyes but the moment he did look into her eyes- those broken eyes that made his heart scattered.

"Why don't you kids go and talk among yourselves?". Her mother suggested

She shrugged walking outside followed by him and her sister to the garden. She jumps onto her rattan swing sighing.

"I am tired. You two talk". She mumbles closing her eyes to sleep

Her sister looks at him while his eyes remain on her sleepy face which looks peaceful at least.

Then it was ruined.

"Can you wake her?". Aziz said hesitating looking at her sister

"She just slept. Whatever it is can wait". He said angrily

"It's important". Aziz insisted

Her sister sighs shaking her awake. She looks at Aziz immediately sitting looking at him.

"What is it?". She asked holding her head because it hurts

Aziz forwards the tablet to her and the moment her eyes read the name of the person she became fully awake.

"Can you please bring me some coffee?". She asked looking at her sister who immediately nodded running away

Her smile vanishes the moment her sister went away looking at Aziz.

"I want Hasan away from my sister at all cost. Have some people join our university in case I am not there I want them there. I will be out for a week and I need her safe". She ordered sending then her eyes turns to Azlaan's who was glaring at Aziz, "Tumhae kia howa?".(what happened to you)

"Kuch nahi". He said grumpy, "How are you?". (Nothing)

"You have any other question?". She said playfully making him smile, "I am fine. Don't worry".

"How can I not?". He mumbles to himself, "I will take care of your sister don't stress yourself".

"Thank you". She said smiling for the first time for him and that moment he felt some sort of contentment within him

"Y-". He started

"How dare she order you to do what she can do herself?". She heard her father shouting as he appears a little away from her

She sighs.

"Why did you ask your sister to bring you drink?. She is not your servant". Her father said angrily

She takes a step away from him not wanting to be slapped this soon again because right now she is too weak to handle another blow before he can hurt her again Azlaan holds his hand coming in front of her.

His father looks at him angrily but he didn't move away and then her sister stop her father somehow taking him inside.

She sighs falling back on the rattan swing closing her eyes again.

"Why do you take all this?". He said frustrated at her not doing anything

"He is my father". She said shortly

"And?". He asked

"Aren't we told that our parents are everything to us?. That we need to bear everything they do?. I can't just leave because of a few issues or maybe I am too scared since the only one who was supposed to be my protector isn't and I just keep thinking maybe his soft side he has for my sister might come for me". She said irritated

"It's easy to fight with gun than with hearts". He said softly

She nodded, "It's just hard for me to ever be on my own. I am just 19 years old who is going for a career even if I leave my father and run away what options do I have?. The world is not as beautiful and I know I can't stay on my own".

She wouldn't have said that if she wasn't breaking down and it seems with him it's all easy.

"I am not that strong to walk away on my own. I have never faced the world alone and being alone scares me. I have always being dependant even if I have my own team they are still my father people. Fighting people outside is easier than fighting your own. Even if they both don't love me I know that there is someone. I just can't undo the care I have for them that's impossible. I pray for no harm for my family. If loving them is being weak than I am". She said gulping down her emotions

"You are strong, intelligent and the most amazing person I have ever seen". He said truthfully watching a tear roll down her face but even when he wants to hold her close he didn't instead his hand clenched on the side of the chair he is sitting at, "A strong person is not someone who just fights all the time they can be someone who stays in a situation that breaks them but they hold themselves in it. They manage to stay sane, succeed and do well even with thrones all around them. That is being stronger too".

She smiles softly turning her head a little looking at him, "Thank you".

He nodded smiling knowing he has to plan something soon.

****
"Do you know this man?". She asked his father as she sits in a cafe in the early morning because she can't go to university for a week

"Yes". His father said sadly, "That's my brother- Ali".

"Interesting". She said shortly, "We need to put an end to him because if he sent a warning in VIPS party he is becoming strong every day".

His father looks at her impressed because she hasn't dug into knowing why his brother was after his life.

"You have a plan". He stated

She nodded, "I am on a week off so it's a suitable time to work on it. He has been importing from illegal sources which are very common however we need something big to have him trapped. We need to put him behind the bar but the people who support him will get him out in instant. So, we need to put him in and by the time the people tries to pull him out we will give out his background on his crimes such as killing, drugs, illegal weapons and terrorism one by one trapping him in for a very long time. I need your best lawyers on case to have him permanently behind bars so no one worries for his escape or him coming back".

His father nodded clearly amazed by her skills because he had been working on stopping his brother but not stopping his as a whole.

"I will help you". His father said smiling, "You and Azlaan are similar".

She smiles, "How is that?".

"You both understand the importance of family in one's lives but you don't understand when is the time that one has to let go". He explained smiling sadly

She nodded understanding, "Maybe because we don't see any other way".

"There is always a way". His father said smiling, "The question remains will you take it when it comes your way?".

"I will have to consider the cons and pros of it". She said shrugging

"What if I offer you something?. Will you think about it?". He asked softly

"I will". She said nodding

*****
A week:

Her father couldn't stop her like normal children whose phone and everything is taken away from them because she is an important member of the company. So, she mostly stayed in her office and working on the mafia leader to be caught- which is also his father's brother (Ali).

As promised, she has evaluated the option given by him. Pros remain freedom from her father which are very heavy on the cons of it.

She dials his father's number the moment the news of the mafia arrest came out, "I will do it".

With that, the phone ended.

She looks at the files in front of her which she has sent to Aziz to leak one after another making a case as strong as possible. Once done, she walks out of the office room heading towards the elevator. The moment the elevator opens she finds Azlaan standing in front of her.

"We need to talk". He stated

She nodded walking inside the elevator because the office is not the best place to talk. She walks beside him to the cafeteria sitting in a corner.

"My Baba suggested it right?". He asked softly, "He is clever".

"What?". She said confused

"I will tell you soon. But I wanted to know why and what's your expectations". He asked seriously

That's the most serious she has seen him in their times together.

She sighs, "Honestly I don't have expectations from the male after what my father turned out to be. I am simply scared of the male which means I keep them at distance from me. Your father suggested this and the only reason I accepted it was that I might be able to find a new path and new ways for myself".

"You want to find what you want". He said concluding her words

She nodded, "I have lost myself long back. I don't know what I want. But I know that I want to be respected".

"That's easy. Here I thought you will ask me to bring a moon for you". He laughs

She rolls her eyes, "Who knows".

"You know we are young which means there will be a lot of pressure around". He said smiling

"That doesn't stop me from going to the office at 15 and join work or my father abusing me why does it stop me from marrying?". She said shrugging, "Plus I hardly care what people have to say about my life. If I were to marry at 40 they won't be very pleased even then".

"How come we have the same views?". He asked more to himself then he speaks looking at her, "Well, I believe that one should marry whenever they like but with a strong base that the one they are marrying is going to be their life long partner. That they will fulfil every need of them and care for them until the end. I don't even know how marriage is made so difficult!?".

She laughs dryly, "Everything is made difficult now. Everyone has an issue with everything. That's just how the world works now. It's no use explaining and trying to make someone understands especially those who think of themselves as someone high".

He nodded understanding, "We will have to convince your father".

"He will love to throw me out". She said shrugging

He clenched his hand, "You are not something to throw. I will bring you to my house respectfully whether your father like it or not. Once you are my respect I will not have anyone treating you badly. That's a promise".

*****
He did keep his promise.

Her father had accused her of having an affair with him beforehand but she managed to stay strong with a thought that the life one decision she had made for herself will result positively.

In the middle of this remains the mafia case which was closed from her side.

Her father allowed them to have a small Nikkah and although her father surprisingly said that he would like to give her a big wedding (because of his reputation in society) after her studies which his family had declined after talking to her.

Because neither of them wanted to wait that long to leave the house (her house). She needed the escape because the more she stays here the more she breaks every day. Her father only agreed after it was decided that she will leave after Nikkah but for the world sake the marriage stays hidden and will only come in light when they plan a grand wedding ceremony after her studies.

Which Azlaan wasn't very happy about neither was she.

They haven't done a crime that needs hiding. If they do not want such grand ceremony why do they have to do it for people who will only judge and eat?. Why when the most important things are the agreement the force to do all these unnecessary functions remains?.

Weddings are simple it's the culture that is difficult.

However, her Nikkah is done and she hasn't seen him and vice versa. Because the Nikkah took place in his house so she was in his bedroom while everyone else was outside leaving her after a few minutes of her accepting him in her faith.

Yes, she has finally worn a dress for her wedding. Because she is married today whether her father or anyone else agrees to it. And she will always treat this day the best day.

The freedom she felt by just the change of her name was surreal. She hasn't felt euphoria in her life just the gloomy feelings but today she felt it. For the first time, she did felt a change and hope in herself.

"Ittna kia soch rahi ho?". She heard his voice (what are you thinking about so much)

She turns around looking at him and just like her he was wearing a traditional suit which made her smile.

"Ab apni shaadi ka na sochon?". She asked (I can't even think about my wedding)

"Shaadi toh ho gai ab mera socho toh baat banae". He said smiling (Marriage is already done think about me instead that will be fun)

She laughs rolling her eyes, "Kis khushi mai ap ka sochon?". (For what reasons I should think about you)

"Shohar huin tumhara ab yeh haq toh hai k tumhari sochon mai rahon". He said stepping closer to her and she didn't take any step back until he was right in front of her, "Qayamat lag rahi ho, meri begum". (I am your husband I think I have a right to be in your thinking at least) (You look exceptionally beautiful, wife)

"Where did you come from?. Are you sick?". She asked fake concerned

"Ishq mai ho sakta huin". He said making her chuckle which made him happy (maybe it's love sickness)

"I think I lost my Azlaan today". She said looking into his beautiful eyes

"Ya ho sakta hai tumhae asli wala mil gaya ho". He said softly tucking a strand of her hair away, "You have no idea how desperate I wanted to hold you like this". (Or maybe you found the real one)

She smiles,"Why?".

"Because that first day I saw your father hit you I wanted to do everything I possibly can to protect you. I wanted to hold you for you to know you have someone that will stay by your side and that you don't need to bear all that. Watching you not even crying when you wanted to the second time I saw him hit you made me want to kill someone so bad". He said and she saw the flare of deep anger in his gorgeous eyes

"Well, I don't know about killing someone but I need to go and talk to Aziz-". She started

And that exact moment he takes a step back mumbling incoherently which she didn't get and walks to the bed sitting there grumpy.

"What's wrong?". She asked hiding her smile

"Nothing". He replied shortly

"Your nothing is our female population nothing?. Now I have to know if nothing is really nothing or it's everything?". She said walking to stand in front of him

"No. No. Go on". He said not even looking at her, "But change your clothes".

"Why?. I look good". She said shrugging

"That's the exact reason". He said still grumpy

"Ok. I won't go". She said watching a smile appear on his face, "But I have to talk to Aziz-".

The moment his face fell again she laughs full on. He watches her amazed watching how carefree she absolutely beautiful she looks. He forgot about his frustration of her going to meet that Aziz instead his eyes looks at his beautiful wife feeling blessed for once in his life.

"Aziz se kia masla hai?". She asked after calming down (What's your issue with Aziz)

"I don't have any issue". He said shrugging

"Bilkul". She said laughing (sure)

This time however he holds her hand pulling her on top of him as they fall on the bed.

"Now laugh". He said smirking watching her cheeks turning red

"I am pretty sure this is cheating". She said narrowing her eyes playfully

"Meri begum meri marzi". He said grinning kissing her forehead lovingly (my wife my desire)

"Well, I still need to go to work because Baba will have my head otherwise". She said softly

"I don't him ordering you so you can go now but we will be having a conversation about what you want to do in future". He said firm

She nodded.

"And change your dress". He said as she moves away from him leaving him empty

She rolls her eyes heading to change her dress and quickly leave.

The minute she meets Aziz the next news shocks her.

"Baba is thinking of marrying Khadija to that man (Hasan) who harassed her?". She asked shocked