He knocks anxiously on Tauheed's front door. He could feel the pressure in his chest and he has never been this scared in his life.

She opens the door, frowning at him, "Why do you look so sick? Is everything ok?"

He purses his lips because it's been over two weeks since he last saw her. He had so much happened and there were so many decisions that he couldn't meet her.

"I need help, please". He said, desperately and she opens the door wider as he enter inside

He walks towards the lounge to find Tauheed and his wife gossiping about something and he cleared his throat as their eyes turn to him.

"Who is that?" Aima asked looking at the small baby peeking from his chest, "Is it a girl?"

"Yes". He said, nodding, "With all the crying I am pretty sure she is one". He sighs

Aima steps closer looking at her beautiful eyes, as the baby shyly hides in his chest, "She is adorable".

"Yeah. When she is in good mood".

"What do you need help with?" Tauheed asked grunting because it was good two weeks without having to play spy

"She won't sleep". He said, frustrated, "She has been awake for about twelve hours now. Is that normal? I don't know I don't know if she wants to eat or a change or-".

"Hey". Sarah said, warmly, "Relax. Hand her over to us".

Aima takes the baby gently as she sits beside Sarah who looks at it.

"Why do you think we know about babies? Do you see us with any experience?" Tauheed asked annoyed because he was spending good time with his family until the unwanted visitor came in

He sends a glare at Tauheed as he launches himself on the couch. He was tired. The baby barely made it out alive. After he rescued her a man attacked him and he had to let go of her only to find another man crushing her chest with his bulky leg.

That night was the hardest.

When he saw the innocent child eyes closing as they gaze at him, he felt his soul leaving his body.

"How old is she?" Aima asked as she touches the baby's chubby cheeks

"Almost three months". He said, relaxing as he watches the baby holding Aima finger and giggling

"What's her name?"

He rubs his neck, nervously, as he looks at Tauheed for help who was smirking at his misery.

"I didn't name her yet". He said, hesitant

"Why?"

"We found her in the wrong place. She was in doctor care until a day before". He explained briefly not wanting to disclose the rest of the information

She nodded, understanding that whatever last mission they went to was not only bad, it was horrible. Even when Tauheed came home that day he was disoriented. He kept mumbling and she didn't get a chance to say more.

She looks at the small baby, placing her head on her chest, as she plays with her hair. His eyes take in the sight as he remembers how he once wished for a happy family. This image of the woman who enters his heart along with a baby that rules over it- that will be great.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, as she place the baby in her bed and he stands leaning on her room door not wanting to disrespect her and he knows her brother is lurking around somewhere

"Just that life is hard". He said, shrugging, "This baby didn't deserve the shit that was handed to her".

"What about her parents?" She asked, quietly as she ran her fingers through her soft hair and she leans into her making her smile

He grunted, "I found them, alright. I thought they will be revived to know she was strong enough to come so far".

"They didn't want her back, do they?"

He felt the stabbing in his chest when he heard the disturbing words from her parent's mouths.

"She is so beautiful. So very precious". Aima added, caressing her cheeks, "She deserves a world". She looks at him, "A world you can provide, Zubair".

"No". It came out harsher than he intended, "No. I am a monster- a devil. I can't hold someone as fragile as her and protect her. I kill people. I murder them".

She shakes her head, with a smile, "No. You are not a monster or a devil. You are not someone as weak as a devil to devour in his ego and not understand the greatness that lies beyond. You are definitely not the devil who preaches, misguide and fraud people. You have never done half of what a devil had done". She smiles, as he monitors her expressions, "You deserve to be happy. To have a life you want, and you have that power alone and all".

"You don't understand". He said, as he slides down with his back to the wall, "I am not pure".

"Who is?" She asked, "Who is setting standards? Punishing wrong? If the system was half as good then people won't be suffering".

"M-My mother-". He chokes out because she needs to know he is bad, "I killed her".

She didn't say anything.

"Why?"

"What?" He asked, shocked, "What do you mean why? You should hate me, curse me or blame me".

"From my experience". She said shrugging, nonchalantly, "I think I have to give everyone a benefit of doubt. My brother killed my father and he is my hero so call me psychotic but that is what it is". Her eyes meet his eyes, "So tell me why you did what you did, Zubair?"

"My mother was a prostitute". He gulped, as he clench his hands, "S-She wasn't just that. She was the Queen of that place. She always brings in young girls. I wasn't allowed anywhere outside the world so I always thought all of that was normal. Even when I found women begging and crying that they don't wish to do it, I thought it was normal. Being abused and beaten was also normal for me".

"How did you realize it wasn't?"

"There was a young girl- Noor". He started with a small smile, "She was sixteen when she was kidnapped on her way home. She was the first one who shouted at me saying that this was all wrong". He sighs, "Everyone else always begged but she fought. She fought so hard and she shouted at everyone for doing the sins openly. She taught me. Even in a month and a few meetings here and there, she taught me. She taught me this was all wrong".

"Then?"

"I promised her that I will get her out. I told her to believe me and go along with what my mother wanted from her. For a month she did everything that she was told. She cried through the day after spending the nights in some stranger bed. She would have bruises everywhere and she used to scratch her skin so hard that they would bleed. And, I stood in the corner watching her".

He took a deep breath, "I was going to take her out". He looks at her, desperately, "I promise I was. I had the plan. I stole the money for her to run away. I had everything". He brushes his hand through his hair, "Just as I went to her room to give her everything I found her there".

He didn't speak for a good few minutes as she asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"She killed herself, Aima" She gasps, "She hanged herself. She told me every day she had enough. She said she can't indulge in these sins. She said her skin crawled every day. She felt disgusted even with all that makeup and clothes". He growled wanting to punch something when the baby make a soft sound halting his urges, "That night I took the knife that my mother used on those girls who never listened to her. I killed her. I went to her and passed it through her stomach while she bled to death. I saw her dying. I saw her soul leaving her body".

She remained quiet.

"Do you regret it?" She asked, softly as she moves from the baby to stand in front of him, "If you go back will you change it?"

"No". He said, with a sinful smile, "I want to understand sooner that it was wrong so I can kill her (his mother) before she hurt any more women". He turns his eyes to look at the baby fussing on the bed, and he stands from his place moving to her as he runs his finger on her cheeks and she stops, "When I found that place where she (the baby) was kept, all I think was that it was exactly where I ran from. It was happening all over again and there was no end to it. There is no end no matter what".

"That's not your fault". She said, standing on the other side of the bed watching them, "One Zubair can't save and change everything. Everyone needs to become their own Zubair to bring a change". She smiles when he looks at her, "And if you don't regret and don't want to change a thing in your past then you should let the past where it belongs. You can start fresh, it is in your hands. You have people who will support you and care for you. All you have to do is use your strength to build a home you want".

"I can do that?" He asked, seeming like a child asking for the right and wrong, and when she nodded he spoke, "I know I always drop my rescue belongings to you". He stands from the bed, "This is probably how I should not do this too". She frowns, "But will you help me to raise my cat and my baby? Can you give us your hope, guidance and comfort for the rest of our lives, please?"

She almost wanted to shout a 'yes' but she can't.

"I am sorry". She said, looking at the floor, "I can help you often with the baby but I can't do more".

"Is something a problem? I can improve and do better if you just tell me what seems to be an issue".

He didn't care he sounded desperate. He was damn right desperate to have her in his life.

"Is it her (the baby)?" He asked as he watches her eyes brimming with tears and she shakes her head, "Then what is it, princess?

His voice was so soft and soothing. She felt her heart leaping out of her chest.

"I-I can't be a mother". She spoke, if this was what will drive him away, so be it

"And?" He asked, confused, "What does that have to do with you spending your life with me?"

"Do you not hear me? I can't bear children".

He laughs, lightly, "It's almost a replay with role reverse". He pauses, "I don't care if we don't have children if that meant I have you. If you want children I can build an orphanage where we can raise as many children as you want". He turns to the baby, "We have her. And if we can raise just one child in the best and right manner I think that is enough. No matter if it's ours or not".

"I don't understand".

"I am telling you that there is no way I am losing you over something as small as this". He said, smiling and she thinks he should do that more because he looks ethereal, "I am saying that you were a woman to me before I know this fact and you are still the woman I love after knowing it. You will always be a woman that I want to have by my side. This is not your fault or your flaw. It is just a test. A test I will gladly let you cheat on to score well. So, my love, will do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

"Your family will moke you for having a wife like me".

He laughs, carefree, "Yeah? Good thing I don't have a family, to begin with". He smiles, "The only family I want and could have is the person I am looking at right now".

"Yes". She said and his eyes widen, "I would love to be your wife".

It was an honour for him. To have someone as strong and beautiful by his side. It was all he can ask for.

"We have to name our daughter". He said, looking at the baby, "I was thinking Noori".

"I love it".

He tilts his head, looking at the man in front of him covered in blood, "Is it fun now? To not even have the strength to fight against someone your size?"

"You are a monster".

"Thanks for the compliment". He said, shrugging as he turns when he heard sounds, "We have guests".

"I honestly thought you won't do anything about this trash". Tauheed said, patting his shoulder

"Before I marry her I need to set things straight. And set the one who hurt her on fire". He said, shrugging, "It starts with this bastard (Amir)".

"Good". Tauheed said, nodding, "The only reason I allow you to have my sister is that I believe you will do right by her".

"Always".

He holds Noori after he saw that his wife was sleeping peacefully and his daughter can shake her awake. To say his wife was obsessed with this small firecracker would not be a lie. His wife is always around their daughter. Now, Noori got sick because the condition she was after her birth has caused a health condition.

So, his wife, had kicked him out when he said he wants to look after her and instead stayed awake looking after their daughter. Now, when his wife was asleep and his daughter was wide awake he took her out to spend the rest of the time with her.

It's just been over four months of their marriage. Amir was taken care of. There was no one around them to hurt them.

He understands that the blessing that he found in disguise, he needs to thank his creator for them. It wasn't just pain that drive the creator, it's also happiness. Just as important the pain is, it is more important to remember the creator when happy.

So, before he got married, he went to the mosque to be thankful and to find his way to forgiveness and life. To pray that he can provide the best to the family he built and to be the best man those two women can look upon. He didn't want to be a disappointment and wanted to do the best for them.

He found that things weren't in his hands. It was in his creator's hands. So, he found his way and still learning his ways to the guidance. Because guidance takes time and tests and a lot of patience.

He lay on the couch with his daughter on his chest and his finger caressing her cheeks, "Being sick sucks, doesn't it?" His daughter eyes connected to his eyes when she heard his voice, "I can't cure this issue of yours as much as I want. But I promise I will pray harder so that you don't have to always be sick". His daughter frowns at his words as he holds the finger he was caressing her cheeks within a tight fist, "You are afraid I will leave you?" A smile gaze at his lips, "How can I ever do that when my heart is with you?"

She stands in the corner looking at his interaction with his daughter. They are some of the most vulnerable and beautiful moments where she realizes that she was blessed.

Having a partner who looks past everything is not easy. He even went after that man who paid to marry her when she was young. He never let her talk down on herself. And her dream- oh that dream of hers that she held so tightly was going to come true soon.

Her teaching degree was going to be in her hands soon. He never left the university because he said he wants to be around her. He never let her leave the university because he said he wants her to continue exactly the life she had before him. And, all he asks was just a few minutes, a few touches, a few words and a few closeness where he knows he was around the ones that cares for him.

They were planning to build a orphanage so they can save and protect more children. But, that will take some time. They have to spend time understanding themselves and each other before that.

He shifted into the house that her brother bought her. She thought she shouldn't ask him because it might hurt his feelings. But, when her brother spoke on her behalf, all he did was look at her and that simple look where he wants to know what is that she craves and he gives in.

She realize that ego was the issue from the beginning. Amir had the toxic ego of man that society fed him with and he portraits it perfectly.

Her brother and her husband were the true species who never had it- at least not for their women. They never did anything that their women didn't like and they always stood by them and their feelings. That was a true man. Even with strength, it was only used to protect women not harm them.

She managed to build a family with the man she loves and a daughter she never thought she will have. Every day she fell a little more for them and her respect for her husband, whenever she looks at their daughter, increases too.

Her husbands smile at their daughter, wrapping his large around her back, "I promise, you are safe with me".

That was them.

Zubair and Aima.

++++++

Uffff 🥺 finally I managed to complete this one story I have obsessed over so much. Zubair&Aima story wasn't ordinary and the reason I took time before I create their story is because they are so special and precious.

I was going to go with pain and creator which is classic and most of the time it is true. But, I wanted to change that a little as much as we remember creator in pain I believe it is far more important to remember HIM in happiness. Because happiness is exactly when we forget HIM. Hence, Zubair went closer in happiness.

There was just so much to do with their stories.

I hope you enjoyed it.

I know my updates weren't consistent this time, I had so much going on, sorry!

Your author,

Faiqa