"What is she doing here?". His sister asked screaming

She rolls her eyes standing waiting for him to drop the next bomb and somehow now she is actually excited for the next scene.

"Appi, please allow us to come in and I will explain". He said holding her hand bringing her into the house

That didn't go unnoticed by her sister or her husband however she felt it was the most natural thing to do so she continue to enjoy the warmth and strength of his hand over her. She looks around the house and even though it's a small house, it's quite warm. Something she hasn't felt in a while.

"The mafia leader took one of my men to her show and was about to kill him when my team went there. The shooting caused everyone to run away and she wasn't able to so I helped her. But when we exit the place we came directly to the mafia leader who shoots her. We hide in a van and went to a very rural area and the people there threaten our lives because we were destroying their culture". He paused thinking about his next words

He turns to look at her while she was still busy admiring the house and he didn't realise that he was still holding onto her hand perhaps it was really his support system. He tugged at her hand and she turns immediately looking at him frowning which only add in her beauty and he resists the urge to smile at her.

"What culture?". His sister said breaking their eyes contact

He sighs, "They said we were not married and that I made her run from her wedding which is unacceptable".

"So?". His sister asked confused

"They shoot her again and they threaten to either kill us or marry her off to their men while make me do their labour work". He explained gritting his teeth when he remembers that and this time she tugged at his hand and he calmed down

"Who cares about her getting married to their men?. Tell me-". His sister started

"Appi". He said shocked yet stern at the thought she just said, "It was because of me she ended being shot twice and further mess and you are telling me I should have let them have her?. How would you feel if God forbid Sobia-".

"Don't". Mahak said shaking her head not wanting him to bring in children in their matter, "It's not right. Just let it be and explain the rest".

He closes his eyes having enough of going around the bush, "We are married. She is my wife".

Pin drop silence.

"Is this a joke?". His sister asked angrily standing from her seat

She leans back smirking at her anger rising.

"No. There were two options and I choose to marry her". He stated unfazed by his sister anger

"I had so many better options for you and this is what you did. You deserve someone who is best for you. I will not accept a woman like her to be anyone in our house. Get her out of here right now". His sister ordered

"Don't degrade a woman when you are a woman yourself, Appi. She is going nowhere. She is my wife and will be till the end". He said with the underlying of anger and he stands from his place so did she, "I am going to leave her back to her home and come back to discuss this further. However, know this that you will have to accept her and she will stay".

With that, he turns around still angry at her sisters words for her walking out of the house. This time he took his own car and she silently sits inside not wanting to fume his anger. There was something that was bothering her but she chooses to overlook the matter for now.

"Your address?". He asked and she types in her address on the GPS of his car as he starts to drives out of the house, "Don't think about my sister. I will handle her".

"But are you sure you can handle being with me?". She asked gulping down because she isn't simple, she knows, "My life and your life is polar apart. Will, you be able to stay?".

"Do you think that people who have no differences between them live the happiest life?". He asked annoyed at her lack of interest in keeping the marriage, "Marriage only works best when both the partners want it to work".

"I will do what I can". She promised, "The only reason I asked you to not public is that the criticism that you will get might even cost you, your job and the media will come after you. I don't want them to destroy your peace".

He chuckles at her explanation because it's endearing the moment she speaks softly, "I wonder if media can have a competition with the mafia who are always after me".

Her eyes widen as she looks at him and she turns to have a better view, "So, you always have peoples after your life?".

"Yes, always. Why are you scared now?". He asked teasing

"Mahak Ibrahim is not scared of anyone". She said proudly

He shakes his head correcting her gently, "Mahak Shayaan".

"Oops". She said grinning childishly that makes him laugh, "Mahak Shayaan is not afraid of anyone. Ab khush ho?". (Now you are happy)

"Ab mera naam meri begum k saath ho, toh khushi toh huin ga". He said smiling watching how her cheeks turn red which made him laugh (now if my name is with my wife name then I am meant to be happy)

"Here I thought I have a fierce cat with me". He said amused and she narrows her eyes at him, "Here you are like cotton candy".

"I don't like sweets". She whined, "I like a salty thing more which reminds me that I am craving pasta but my manager won't allow me to eat".

He frowns at her words not liking it and when he was supposed to turn left he turns to the right instead.

He said softly,"Us ko pata chalne ki zarorat nahi". (He doesn't need to know)

She looks at him grinning nodding her head excitedly.

"So, where do you want to eat?". He asked parking the car on the side

"But I don't have my wallet-". She started but he holds her hand halting her words

"Mai huin na tumhare pass". He said smiling softly (you have me with you)

She excitedly grins at him adding in the restaurant name but then she stops and her smile fell.

"But if we go in together everyone will recognise me". She said sighing, "Let's just go home".

"Thora toh baroosa karo mujh per". He said softly holding her hand looking at the dark red henna tracing it, "I have a cap and mask in my car and we can sit in the corner somewhere". (Have some faith in me)

She smiles nodding entering the address as he starts to the car again driving to where ever she wants. They arrive in front of an ordinary restaurant and here he was wondering that they will go to an expensive one.

"You eat here?". He asked genuinely surprised

This place is crowded with people and it is mostly impossible to be here.

"Yes. Hanan and I always love eating here. When we were young and I think I was about 17 when I got my first salary we came here to eat". She said proudly

"17?". He asked as they start to walk inside, "Shouldn't it be at least 18 or 19?".

"Oh". She said trying to think of an excuse, "Entertaining industry needed a child artist so that's just how it went".

"Who introduced to such harmful industry in such a tender age?". He asked somewhat angry at her entering in that dirt, that soon

"Forget it. It's not important". She said wearing her mask and cap entering inside with him

"Whose name will he table under?". The host asked

"Shayaan". He said stern and she looks at how his eyes just turn to show no emotions

Obviously, she has seen him do that plenty of time by now. She had seen how when in front of the enemy he doesn't bow down to them neither show any of his emotions on displays. Besides, whenever she was mentioned, is another story because then he turned into a fire breathing dragon. He doesn't show his emotions many times even with her she feels like there is a shield of him that he doesn't let go but still there are times when he removes the shield.

They sit down and she looks around remembering the many times she came here to celebrate all of their big days with Hanan and her family. Her eyes moist at the thought of her family sitting just at another table celebrating Hanan's birthday and that day was so beautiful.

He watches her eyes turning to sorrow and he had felt that sorrow. He knows the sorrow of such kind is the one when you lose someone important of yours. Although, humans know that death is meant to come but acceptance and pain take time.

He holds her hand that was on the table and her eyes turn to him and the way her eyes closes a little he knows she is smiling at him.

"What are you thinking?". He asked softly

"Just life". She replied shortly, "Every time my life is filled with the unexpected occurrence and no one to share with and no guidance at all".

"You speak like your parents never taught you about life". He said wanting to lighten the mood but it turns worse

"They did teach me about life but only a few of it. They didn't have enough time to teach me complete lessons". She said gulping down her tears not wanting to cry, "Tell me how is your job?. Do you like it?".

"My job is one of the best besides that I don't have enough time to give my family. That remains my biggest regret and then placing my family in danger". He said sighing

"Well, there is no job which gives full security of our family lives. It's not the job, it's the world that had turned to it's the worse self". She said sighing deeply, "No one is faithful, everyone uses you, the kind heart is treated as thrash, no manners, no politeness, no religious knowledge yet everyone is a scholar and worse is that now the one in power had turned the wrongs and sins into nothing".

"Of all of them how many happened to you?". He asked curiously

"You really want to know?". She asked challenging and their food arrived which made her squeal at the sight of her favourite pasta and his throaty laugh followed her actions

"I would like to know". He said after she takes the first bite

"All of them". She replied smiling at the pasta

Not realising that his hand has to turn into a tight fist and he wishes to know more about her but due to the type of relationship they were in, he wasn't even sure where their boundaries and limits are. He didn't speak after that instead he leans back watching her devouring the delicious pasta and her little happy movement as she eats. He has never seen anyone enjoy eating as much as she did.

"What about your job?". He asked once they were back in the car

She sighs, "That's a question I have been pondering about lately".

He turns to her wanting her to know that he is listening to her words and she sighs again continuing, "I don't know but every time I am backstage to do a show or modelling I hate when men touch me even if it's part of their job and necessity for me, I hate it. Then, there are many others who literally look at each part of my body, pass comments and I feel sick. Before going on the show, I feel like my inner screaming at me to run away from here and not go on stage however once I am on stage- it's like I am in some hypnotism that everyone and everything just blurred and I feel like a robot being controlled by someone and when it ends I am back to thinking".

"I won't say anything because if I do you won't be able to understand because sometimes we all need our times to come to acknowledge some facts and truth. However, one must guide others kindly so the point stays in their mind and that when they do their own thinking they can understand it". He said smiling

"What is it?". She asked curiously

And he spoke softly,

"Jub tum daldal k undher jao gi aur phir us se bahr anay ki koshish nahi karo gi toh woh daldal tumhay apnay undher jakar lay ga aur phir wapis ana bohat muskil ho jaye ga".

(When you enter into the quicksand and you don't soon try to get out of it then the quicksand will take you in it and then coming back up will not be easy)

"You know it's dirty and you need to leave from it but you can do that without you needing to leave it. Because unless you don't take the first step, you can't go out".

Then she was back home.

"Appi, where have you been?". She heard Hanan scared voice as she comes in view with her bloodshot eyes, "I was so scared, all alone".

Then Hanan starts to cry harder and she went near her hugging her tightly as they both cried. She explained Hanan everything and Hanan remains to snuggle into her arms.

"So, you are married?". Hanan asked excitedly, "I want to meet your armour".

She chuckles placing a strand of her hair away, "I am tired and we both need to sort things so later".

"Ugh, the news have been worse". Hanan said groaning and angrily, "They were saying like you were some bad luck because of which that happened. The police already informed their part of the story and that they were searching for you two but they all went over you and blamed you".

She sighs closing her eyes due to tiredness, "News has always been horrible".

"I hate them". Hanan said angrily, "They always hides the fact, manipulate peoples and save the one in power. They play with people lives as a hobby not even caring about if they hurt someone. How is that it is a sin in our religion to hurt someone with a single word and these people always do that on television without care?".

"It's all about popularity when you are in it, you will do anything for it". She mumbles and soon drifted to sleep

The next time she heard her manager angry voice with Hanan and she feels her whole body weakened but when Hanan is involved in a heated argument she doesn't care about anything besides taking her away. She walks outside watching her manager screaming at Hanan which caused her to see red.

"Behave yourself". She said angrily glaring at him, "What do you want?. And why are you in my house?".

"Do you even know what's the news is going around and how much of a mess you created?". Her manager taunted

"I don't care. You are there for a reason so deal with it. And I don't want any work for at least 2 months from now. Unless the work pays a good amount". She said stern asking him to leave

"You need to give a statement and tell me the whole situation". Her manager demanded

She moves to hold Hanan hand who looks shaken by the whole shouting and she pulls her in a hug.

"There is no story. We escaped and ended in a rural area and to come back, took us time. That's all". She explained briefly, "Now, leave".

The door closed and she pulls away from Hanan holding her cheeks to make her look at her and she finds her crying.

"I don't want you to stay in this field, Appi. Please leave it". She cried holding onto her, "Please".

She sighs.

She brings her to the couch and soothes her worries. She knows Hanan is sensitive towards her and her work. She always has been since she has suffered with her the most.

"We promised to fight till the end". She reminded her

"Appi, it hurts". Hanan cried

Then they heard a loud banging on their front door.

"I know you bitch is in there. Open this door right now before I break it down and enter inside. I swear I will not spare you today. How dare you went with another man?. Did you sleep with him?. Then again, someone as low as you must have done it. OPEN THIS DOOR".

Her heart stopped.