Aima wonders as she watches her sister-in-law (Sarah) speaking continuously for the past hour. And the only thing Aima do is listen. Really. That's all she can actually do.

Because for years her voice was suppressed and those years left a mark on her. Her heart shakes with fear words and she overthink everything.

It wasn't the fact that her brother (Tauheed) doesn't love her. He loves her. She knows. In his every action, the way he wakes early to cook for her what she loves and other nights he sneaks snacks or asks her to tell him where she wants to go and all she has to do is say a word and he does it.

But her mother and Amir (Tauheed's twin) place a neverending fear in her. Tauheed eyes are similar to Amir's. She never looks into his eyes. No, she rarely looks at any man's eyes.

Why did she look at that man (Zubair) eyes? The one she encounters in saving Afifa. She turns to look at Afifa who looks as lost as her. She can't say she relates but she understands.

She didn't know much and how she just know something happen to Afifa. That day she was supposed to come she heard her secretary say that they can't get a hold of her. It sparks fear. She had been with Afifa for a long to know she is a responsible person. Even when she is lost she never let go of her responsibilities.

She felt fear when she found where she was after running to Yazeed's door. She should have gone for her brother but she feels as if she has burdened him enough. He tries to also be the best man for her and it can get tiring. She didn't want to put more pressure on him.

After she ran out that was when she felt the panic too. Too many damn men around her. All of them are known for the wrong reasons. Just as she was starting to panic is when her eyes met that man. That man eyes were blank and he didn't even say a word but she was lost. Gone from the earth to someplace else.

His eyes- those eyes speaks volumes. They were a light shade of green. When he stood looking at her a little light coming from the side sparkled his eyes further. There weren't emotions but there was something.

He looks agitated. She doesn't know why. Maybe he was a bad man too why else will he be there? But he didn't look like a bad person. What was he exactly? And why was he on her mind?

"How are your studies going?" Sarah asked, placing a hand over her hand in a knowing manner

She smiles, a strained smile, "It's good. I get to learn things. I have a few assignments to do".

"Do you want anything else?" Sarah asked and she knows that she meant well just that she (Aima) can't speak

She shakes her head, deciding to leave just as Afifa walks to the terrace. She can't breathe around people. Even female. Male is much worse.

She sits on the bed, trying to shut down her demon. People after people took her heart from her chest. The most frequently one was something only she knows about. She shouldn't have placed her heart on her shelves.

She heard a knock on her door as her brother's face appear taking her back to her dark memories as she remind herself that she is here not there.

"Ji, Bhai?" She asked, softly playing with the sheets of her bed that her brother has fussed over more than his wife to get her (yes, brother?)

"I have some work tonight". Tauheed said obviously not wanting to go into details, "Is there something you want or something I can get on the way back?"

She gulped, "I want you back, Bhai". Tauheed raises his eyebrows as he can't understand that the only family she had since birth was now all gone, and she felt alone, "In one piece. I want you back in one piece, please".

Tauheed eyes softened, as he skips towards her, placing his hand on her, "I promise. I am not going to do anything that will hurt me or you. I promise to protect you with my life, Aima. I am not going to break it".

She nodded, sighing, "Probably should go and speak to Sarah. I am sure she will have your head".

"Which is why I am not going to her. I am running straight out".

"Says who?" Sarah said, and his eyes widen as he looks at his sister to confirm that he heard his wife and once his sister nodded, he knew he was in trouble, "You have five seconds to leave this room so we can have a nice talk which is going to result in you probably staying in someone else house tonight".

"Per begum". Tauheed whined as he follows after his wife like a puppy (but, wifey)

She chuckles because watching those two is very entertaining. Even when her brother turns soft on her, the way he is with his wife is completely adorable. Maybe she shouldn't talk about it because apparently many say that it is inappropriate. But she wants to tell everyone how amazing of people those two are and just how they can handle anything together. Their love is something for everyone to learn from. Not to be ashamed. There is nothing wrong with showing affection to a certain level.

She decided to take her outfit for tomorrow. She needs to go to her classes. As she opens the doors she found that jacket from the man that haunts her now. She picks his jacket bringing it closer to her as she remembers how warm it felt when he place it on her and under his gaze. His scent was still there with blood.

The moment she found him she saw all the blood on him. He had bruises all over his skin and one prominent one on his face across from his forehead to left cheek- that will surely leave a scar. But she didn't find it disturbing as she should, she find it interesting.

His voice was thick she couldn't understand if it was his emotions or something else pushing it to be this deeper. She never felt that someone voice could spellbound her to say her name to them when asked. She rarely gives out her information much less tell a handsome bruised stranger in the dark side of the city her name of all things. Definitely shouldn't be her name which he can use to trace her down in instant.

She can be so dumb sometimes. No, she believes she is just plain dumb.

She packs her bag, when the door open to find her brother entering with scar lingering on his face. She held a breath watching Sarah running and fussing over him.

"At least I win, begum". Her brother said wrapping his arms around Sarah who stopped fussing when she saw the love shining in his eyes as he obviously feel amused watching her worry

She shakes her head, saying her goodbye as she went out. She didn't like watching fights. She doesn't mind. But Amir did something similar to her. She remembers those scars and bruises. She remembers the pain.

She enters her university where everyone looks either too joyful or not. She was the second one. She knows she wants to be someone who can teach others. It isn't just that. She believes that teacher today holds the power to command an army. Those children under their care are the future of something and someone. Even if one of them learns the right values it will reach down till the end of his family. One happy/educated family. Just if teachers actually understand and value that belief.

"Why did you choose to teach? It's like all women choose this career". Omar- a senior from economic major said and she felt fear as he continues to walk beside her

She held her bag to her chest, trying to feel some security, "W-Why is that a bad thing?"

"I don't mean that. I like women who take challenging roles not basic. I feel like women try to go for easy roles".

She felt something snap within her.

"Teaching is not an easy field". She snarled, "Teaching requires patience to teach the same damn things for years to build children future. You are learning from a teacher too who is responsible for building your future. How can you think so low of us?"

The man steps into her personal bubble as his eyes sparkle at her feisty attitude.

She shouldn't have said that. Amir  told her that women should never open their mouths unnecessary especially in front of men because it is disrespectful. He also told her that the world outside will chew her to pieces. That she was better off marrying someone as early as possible just that Amir's dream broke all too soon.

"You are just the right person for me. Someone who excites me and is innocent to tame". Omar said and she felt disgusted 

With her scars, she was innocent?

"Is she?" She heard someone say and the corridor was empty since classes started but she had a free period

She turns to find the same stranger all bruised as her eyes widen. His eyes seem too focused on the man in front of her and she wonders if he recognizes her. She wasn't that much of a deal for someone to remember. She bet he didn't even remember a thing. She was just a passing wind to him.

"I don't think someone as innocent as her deserves trash like you though". He shrugged and she looks over at Omar who was growling with his face filled with anger

She took a visible step back when the memories starts to surface of what happened when men are angry. They become animals. They all do.

That step was noticed by Omar as his eyes snapped at her.

"You think she has a choice in who she wants in her life?" Omar laughs and she felt embarrassed as she steps closer towards the stranger trying to seek some security because she will hyperventilate soon

He seems to notice the shift and the way her petite body was shivering and shaking as she takes a deep breath trying to put herself together. He saw how the fear clouded her eyes and that meant she knew what could happen to her. With a little step she took towards him, he felt something happening in that slight moment.

It could be all fear for all he knew. But at that moment when she tries to take the protection, he has to offer. He felt the overwhelming emotions passing through him. He clench his jaw when he saw the look in this bastard eyes. He knows all too well. He saw the exchange. He wasn't supposed to.

He was walking his way to the principal to check if he has a lecture today. Instead, he was planning on quitting he is not the best person. Just before he could step in he saw a reflection of her. He didn't know how he realize it was her. How he knows that he isn't wrong. That she is the girl he had met under the wrong circumstances. He was hesitant because the bruises that covers him might scare the angel away from him. And that she might not even remember him.

But his legs travel towards her as he stands at the end of the empty hallway. He was good until the bastard appeared by her side. She looks- no- he knows she was uncomfortable. She was looking everywhere may be to find an escape. Unfortunately, everyone was already in their classes and this was the way to the library and principal room so not many people will be around.

Anyways, he continues to observe her light pink scarf that was wrapped around her head and how he thinks that it matches the natural blush on her cheeks that he wants to feel.

No.

He steers himself back from his thoughts because he is not someone for her. This woman even if it was just a glimpse he can see she should have someone who can provide her with the world. He was a destroyer on earth. He isn't for her. Absolutely not. 

The last words of the bastard about how she excites him caught his rage. He tries hard to not go and directly deliver a punch at the bastard face but watching the little angel shaking in front of that bastard he didn't want to show his devil to her. Even if he doesn't deserve her, he didn't want her to be scared of him. Not her. He will keep the whole world at a distance but not her if she allows that is.

He steps in front of completely covering her as he stands tall in front of the man as he whispers, "She does. She has a fuc-". He pauses because she flinch, "-choice of what she wants. And, even if she doesn't say, a bastard like you is no match to her. You are nothing compared to her".

The bastard tried to intimidate him which excites his devil as he was ready to risk it and fight him. If he hits first it will just be self-defence at his part even when he knows he won't be doing any self-defence. He will bring him near his death for having such vile thoughts and trying to intimidate her. No one gets away with that shit.

He feels her holding on to the jacket end as he turns his neck to find her pleading and those eyes stilled him. The need to have this man death starts to vanish as her adorable face even when she pleads made him want to go on his knees if that is what she wants.

Dammit!

He must be losing his mind. He knows his emotions are higher than any normal individual. His doctor suggested that he try yoga as if that shit will ever work on him. Sitting on his ass as he tries to calm down? Sounds stupid even in his thoughts.

Anyways his doctor said that his past experiences seem to do this to him. That he feels faster, harder and roughest emotions at bullet speed. It's happening again. His emotions are high not just high but they are at the top level right now.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

As the bastard took a step, he can't even raise his hand as he intended.

He places a hand over the bastard shoulder, placing pressure on it as he whispers only for him to hear, "I swear on all the blood I have spilt that even if it takes all of me to drag you to pit for intimidating or even so much so look in her way again". His voice went gravel as he growled out, "I will kill you".