Mrs.Mariam:
I knocked on the door twice before hearing a response.

"Come in," my husband's deep voice welcomed me, and I entered with two cups of coffee with less sugar; he had been on the phone with Imad, and his expression was serious.

I took one mug and waited for him to explain what was going on; he told me Muskan had been kidnapped and that someone had been calling him and threatening him with money, possibly a rival of his uncle, Muskan's father.

When the call ended, there was silence between us.

"Finally! "Imad tracked down the number and traced the location," he said as I handed him his cup.

"How is Uncle?" he asked.

"He is better, but I am worried about Muskan."Sincerely, I told him that there was no getting around the Bush.

My mood dropped when he said, "I am heading to the address Imad sent me." Did he still think she was important? I should be relieved that he has moved on and forgiven them, but why insecurities?

"Why the blank face?" he inquired. I answered with a smile because I knew he could not take any more stress.

****
When Khalid, Imad and limping Muskan entered in our room my eyes widened.

A gasp escaped my mouth.
I couldn't remove my eyes from the scene in front of me I just kept staring at her; was she the same person? bruises everywhere her face pale and she was trembling, she wasn't meeting anyone's eyes her clothes a bit torn.

"Ya Allah, "I whispered

"Ruined all the respect of our family "uncle's voice snapped us from our thoughts and we all looked at him and my gaze shifted to Muskan; a tear slipped from her eyes while Imad stood frozen and Khalid came next to me,  he tried to calm down his uncle.

"Imad fought all goons there and rescued her otherwise Allah knows what would have happened," Khalid tried to explain to his uncle but he just kept staring at her daughter.

Muskan's father (Khalid's uncle)
I had loved her so much that my wife used to tell me not to give her so much freedom and spoil her because she was the only daughter; she had broken Khalid's heart fine, we forgave her because I was also included in the plan at the time, but slowly I realized my mistake, but later on when Khalid and Mariam got married, she came back and asked me for help, I denied I was not feeling well, and when Muskan saw nothing was going her way and everything was being out of her way, she liked
******
"Shameless," his father spat harshly and I saw Muskan flinch back tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Who will accept you? you know paparazzi were outside when they brought you and news would be everywhere, I told you to back off from their lives," he said angrily and coughed I tried to calm him gave hin water.

All while Imad looked lost in thoughts he hadn't said a word. I noticed he had blood on his knuckles and gestured to Khalid. he nodded, I rushed and brought first aid kit. My husband helped him.

"Am sorry," we heard her apologise in a low voice while she stood their eyes lowered on the ground as if it was the best thing at the moment.

"Thank you Imad," she finally thanked my brother but instead of being polite, my brother's words surprised us.

"No need of that just stay away from my sister's married life," he said as he stood up and left the room while I just wondered what just happened. I have never seen Imad so mad before.

"You need proper rest let's go," she needed support so I just touched her arm slowly but she flinched. I left uncle and Khalid in room while I helped Muskan.

"Am sorry," she apologised while she tried to rub her hands and legs.

"What's wrong?"I asked

"They ...they touched and hurt ... "she sobbed and wasn't able to complete sentence while I patted her back slowly she flinched again.

Ya Allah! what have they done to her?

While we sat in silence in guest room Imad was passing by and idiot just had to make some hurtful comment.

"Some people will never change," he said and left without sparing her glance she still wore his jacket.

What's happening between these two? did I miss something?

"He hates me so much," she said in low voice and laid on bed finally.

"He rescued you, "I told her but she just shook her head.

"Dad won't forgive me," she said while stared at side.

"He will forgive you give him time he's just angry," I told her she needed some positive guidance.

"I have always hurt you people and yet you all have helped me, I never prayed all five prayers I even skipped praying Qur'an," she said as if realizing all her mistakes.

"It's never too late; Allah sent someone for you at right time he saved you from being tortured, "I tried to explain to her that these are all life's trials; no matter how many mistakes we make or what we do, Allah forgives us as long as we repent.

"I apologize for hurting you," she said, and just then Khalid and Imad entered the room. Imad was here for tonight, and they had a meeting to handle tomorrow.

"It is okay; we are family," Khalid said, and I smiled. They were cousins, and he was finally beginning to forgive.

"How is dad?" she asked, her voice cracking at the end.

"He is fine and on medication," Khalid informed her.

"Imad...," she attempted to call him, but there was an awkward silence.

"Do not call me; my name does not suit coming out of your lips, got it," he said, slamming the door without waiting for her response. What is wrong with him?

"Rest for now; we will talk tomorrow, InshaaAllah," I told her.

***
They had no idea that Muskan's life would alter after hearing such news.

Do you guys like Imad and Muskan?