Unedited.

"Hello, Kanwal. Its been a while." Natasha came straight towards Kanwal and hugged her.

"Assalam o Alaikum." Kanwal Salam her in confused state.

"Wallaikum Assalam. How are you? Why haven't you come to visit me? Doesn't Ahad allow it? Is he treating you nicely? Tell me if-"

"Now now Nats, don't try to spoil my peaceful relation with her." Holding Natasha from shoulder Ahad pulled her away from Kanwal.

"Why you are being defensive all of the sudden?"

"I am not being defensive, I just want to you realize that there is another person who is standing behind you." Ahad said tilting his head towards Shahina, who was standing straight staring them with a blank look.

"Oh, I am sorry." Natasha freed herself from Ahad grip and walked over to her.

"Why are you standing here? Salam your Bhabi (brother's wife)." Natasha patted her back and she mumbled Salaam to Kanwal.

"Wallaikum Assalam, Shahina. How are you?" Kanwal tried to give her best smile. She doesn't know how to treat her. In answer, she mumbled something which Kanwal couldn't hear but she refrains herself from asking her.

Before their arrival, Ahad told a few things about Shahina and her traumatizing past. He also mentioned the fact that she is still unable to shook off the terror from her mind. What he said doesn't need any proof, her timid personality and empty eyes speak for her. Kanwal has also noticed how cautious Ahad is with her like she was a doll of thin glass that will break into pieces at any moment if manhandled. At first, she got irritated with his attitude but after knowing this girl a bit Kanwal had no choice but to change her perspective and now she was also one of those people who care for her.

"I hope you won't mind if I stayed for a night here." Said Natasha in her usual cheerful tone.

"Not at all, you are always welcome." Kanwal answered.

"Ahad can you put my stuff on Shahina's room? I will be staying with her." Natasha said and turn to Shahina who was standing silently, "You go with Ahad Bhai and put your stuff in the room." Shahina nodded in response and start following Ahad who already making his way to her room.

"She will be staying here for some time. I hope you don't have a problem with it." Natasha said as Kanwal led her to the living room.

"Why would I have a problem with a faint-hearted girl like her?" Asked Kanwal with a small smile.

According to Kanwal's intuition, Natasha was a person who somehow has an upper hand on Ahad and for her the only person who might have answers to the questions she had. The things Yawar told her was more or less already known to her. What she wants to know is the reason for Ahad joining the Black Eagles.

"...Because she is a faint-hearted girl. Most people can't stand a person like her."

"I am not one of them, so don't worry." Kanwal smiled.

"Has Ahad told you about being her guardian?"

"Yes, but... today he told me that her parents are alive then why...?"

"Because she can't go back... or you can say it is impossible for her to go back and live the life of a normal girl."

"Is it... because of her past?"

"Yes."

"What happened to her?"

"I thought Ahad have told you already."

"Not all the details."

"Have you ever heard of human trafficking?" Natasha asked lowering her voice as she sat on one of the sofas in the living room.

"Yes, and I think I understand a bit about the work of Balck Eagles too."

"She is one of the kids they rescued. Abused, half-dead,... locked inside a trunk."

"T-trunk?" Kanwal froze on her spot, unable to believe the words came out of Natasha's mouth.

"It was a miracle that she survived and the bigger miracle is how much she has recovered since then. What she suffered there is unknown to us as well, but the Shahina we first met after her regaining consciousness was a child who was scared of people. So much that she started crying and screaming if someone tried to reach her. Especially men, she is still not comfortable around them. So try to stay with her in their presence, including Ahad too. He doesn't have confidence when it comes to dealing with Shahina." She chuckled and continued, "He was so startled when we told him to take her custody."

Kanwal stared her in a daze, how easily she explains the whole situation to her like it was no big deal and now she has the same smile on her face as before.

"What would you like for dinner?" Ahad's voice brought her back to senses.

"Whatever Kanwal likes." Natasha answered.

"I am asking you not her." Ahad said taking a seat beside Kanwal.

"She is the lady of the house, let her handle these things. Um... Where is Shahina right now?"

"In her room, probably setting her stuff."

"Call Amma-Bi if you feel the need. She wouldn't say anything by herself."

"Don't worry we will take care of her." Ahad gave her an assured look.

Kanwal excused herself and went to the kitchen to take care of the dinner while thinking about the reason for keeping Shahina away from her family. If it is just as Natasha has told about her past then going back to her family is probably the best thing for her. But here the whole scenario is different, furthermore, Shahina also doesn't seem interested in going back. The more she thinks about it the more confused she gets. Every person she meets here is a mystery, all having a story behind them and none of those stories are normal to Kanwal. She wouldn't have any problem believing about Shahina's past if she were to be a fictional character, but unfortunately, it is not the case.

'Wild animals are less wild and more human than many humans in this world.'

After meeting Shahina, Kanwal remembers this quotation she read long ago and thanked Allah that she lived a blissful life compared to others.

~*~

Its been a week since Shahina came here and from then Kanwal's daily routine has changed considerably. Natasha left the next day, but during this time she told every detail about Shahina on the condition to keep everything to herself as only a handful amount of people are aware of the truth. The reason Natasha told her about keeping Shahina away for her family is that she doesn't want to go back. She doesn't want herself or her family to be questioned about her disappearance for all these years and after giving a thought, Kanwal could understand her logic behind it. To her returning home means to recall every incident she has suffered and to tell them to her family, it's just like reliving those horrible moments again.

Kanwal starting to admire this timid girl as she gets to know her more, on the other hand, Shahina also felt a bit relaxed on their friendly relationship. After coming from the college she usually spent time with Kanwal, talking about different things and often cooking together.

It was just a usual night, Kanwal was ready to go to bed and Ahad was watching the news on TV after dinner when the news of Yawar's arrival comes through intercome. Ahad looked at the time and got up to welcome him with a smirk which appeared on his face unintentionally.

"I wonder from where will the Sun be raising tomorrow." Ahad's said in a loud voice when Yawar entered.

On hearing her husband's unusually mischievous tone of voice Kanwal came out from the bedroom find Ahad shaking hands with Yawar.

"Yawar?" Kanwal quickly made her way to them, "What brought you here at this time? Is everything alright in the house?" She hurriedly asked out of concern.

"If something had happened someone would've called us not sent him here." Answered Ahad instead of Yawar, but Kanwal just ignored him and keep looking at him expectantly.

"Assalam o Alaikum Bhabi. Everything is fine it's just,... I was thrown out of the house." Yawar said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Did he get a call from your college?" Asked Ahad and Kanwal gaze questionably.

"Do you think he needs a call?" Yawar questioned him back with a displeased face.

"So what did he say?"

"To leave the house instantly."

"But not for coming here."

"It's late. I cannot drive without getting a nice sleep."

"You could've asked a driver."

"Are you saying that I am not welcome here?"

"It's not like that," Kanwal interrupt them. Although she was unable to understand anything from their conversation when Yawar put it like that, she had to interfere, "You can stay here as much as you want." Treating a guest with utter respect is something Kanwal's mother filled in her head from childhood. So there was no way that she could sit behind and let Ahad teased their guest.

"We only have some leftover from dinner and some snacks but if you want something else, I can cook for you." Kanwal asked gently and Ahad sighed looking at his prey leaving his trap unharmed.

"Thank you Bhabi, but there is no need to make anything special for me. I just came to take a nap and will be leaving at dawn."

"So early?" Kanwal gave him a surprised look.

"Yes, if I leave early then I might able to reach before the start of my second period."

"Tomorrow is Sunday." Ahad announced lazily looking at his phone.

Suddenly Yawar's face turns red, "Oh, sorry. I really forgot."

"No worries. It happens." Ahad's smirked widened.

"Ahad move please and let him come inside."

"I never stopped him." Ahad raised both of his hands like surrendering.

"Come in Yawar I will ready the dinner for you." Kanwal said leading him to the living room, while Ahad followed them silently.

"Please don't Bhabi, I have already taken dinner. Just a cup of tea will be fine." Yawar said as his eyes frantically roamed all over the place.

"Are... you looking for something?" Asked Kanwal.

"Ahad Bhai changes the decor, it looks nice."

"Of course it would look nice now." Mumbled Ahad turning towards Kanwal, "A cup for me too."

Kanwal nodded and left for the kitchen.

~*~

"Why you were teasing Yawar?" Kanwal threw the question as soon as he entered the bedroom.

"Because it's fun."

"But he doesn't like it." He just shrugged but didn't say anything.

"He is our guest, please refrain yourself from it."

"Then will you replace him?" Ahad asked dropping himself on the bed beside Kanwal.

"What do you mean?"

"I am asking you to replace him and be my subject of teasing."

Kanwal sighed before saying, "A person's emotions are not toys to play."

"See, you are way too mature to be teased." He said resting his head on Kanwal's lap, "Why did I fall for a humourless girl like you."

"You have my permission to fall for another girl." Kanwal startled and abruptly sits up but didn't push him away. This side of Ahad rarely surface up and to her, it is quite problematic to deal with it.

Recently Ahad noticed the positive change in Kanwal's nature and for it, he was grateful of Shahina. She was able to do something that seems impossible to him, he even began to lose hope but now he is trying to find a new point from they can start their relationship again and luckily he wasn't rejected by any approaches he made towards Kanwal.

"What is the fun if I fall for another girl with your permission? It will feel like you were looking forward to it, so I could leave you alone in peace." He smirked.

"Oh, was I that obvious?"

Ahad narrowed his eyes at her and before saying, "How can you be so calm when I say such things? Won't you be bothered if I really started to like someone else?"

"I know you will come to me, no matter how many girls you started to like."

"Such confidence." Kanwal's answer amused him.

She only shrugged but remain silent.

"You know, you are a bigger bully then I am." A smile appeared on Ahad's face.

"Learnt from the best." She said in a monotones voice.

Holding Kanwal's hand he placed a kiss on it and closed his eyes.

Keeping learning... One day you will surely learn to open yourself to me...

__________________________________

Salam and hello everyone!

Belated EID MUBARAK!

Finally, I was able to complete this chapter. The reason for being so late was only my laziness because I hate typing. Anyways, sharing a song which I heard a lot while writing and editing this chapter. Reason? Unknown. But listen to it if you want and you turn on the subtitles if you are not familiar with Urdu.

Okay, I think I should stop now.

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