'No, No, No, no...don't touch me...no, stay away...' Eifad panicked in her sleep. She felt a man touch her hand and she stopped moving. She relaxed as he caressed her palm. Recognizing Farhan's touch, she calmed. He caressed her forehead and slowly she opened her eyes.

'Eifad?' Farhan asked concerned. She smiled seeing his face hovering over hers.

'Are you, all right?' he asked. She nodded. Eifad looked up and stared at the ceiling, she frowned not recognizing where she is. Looking around, she realized she is in one of the wards of the hospital.

'Beta...' Aisha held her legs and looked on concerned. Farhan helped Eifad sit up, she leaned back against the wall.

'This is why we didn't want to tell...' Aisha stopped speaking when Farhan stuck out his palm. Eifad looked at him, he shook his head requesting Aisha to not speak. She nodded and pressed her lips tightly.

Farhan handed a glass of water to Eifad, she took a sip and felt relieved. She then looked at Aisha.

'I am sorry, Ma.' She said and Aisha looked up at her.

Eifad smiled and held her mother's hand, 'You and Farhan, you both were looking out for me and I misunderstood.'

Aisha nodded and was about to hug her daughter when Eifad said, 'But Ma! This needs a closure.'

She looked up at Farhan, she held his hand, 'You have always taught me to face my past.'

Farhan shook his head refusing but Eifad held his hand tighter, 'Please Farhan, I need to do this. I have to face my past demons...I have to...'

Unwillingly Farhan gave a small nod. Aisha looked uncomfortable with this.

Eifad smiled gratefully at Farhan.

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'Amaad was found by one of our activist on the streets one month back. Badly drunk and fragile.' Farhan said as he walked with Eifad towards the ward. She nodded not feeling a tinge of sadness for him.

'I didn't know he was your cousin who...I came to know later when Aisha told me...but as an NGO activist running a hospital for the needy, I couldn't refuse to take him in. So, we started treating him.' Farhan and Eifad stopped in front of the ward where Amaad is admitted. They looked towards his bed and then Farhan looked at Eifad.

'He is dying, Eifad.' Eifad looked away from Amaad and then at Farhan.

'He has AIDS. If he had HIV it was still chances of him to live but...' Farhan said shaking his head. Eifad looked at Amaad.

'Ten years back, he had contracted it from somewhere, he doesn't know for sure. Maybe drugs or unprotected sex, he did both that too multiple times.' Farhan said grimly.

Eifad bit her lower-lip, 'Farhan, he had HIV then....me? Do I have it too?' Eifad sounded fearful. Farhan shook his head, 'No, he didn't have the disease when he...'

Eifad felt uncomfortable. When she had confessed about her past to Farhan at the Rehab, she didn't feel so perturbed but now the equations between them have changed. Now, they love each other and discussing her rape made her feel very uneasy.

She looked down, Farhan placed his palm on her shoulder, 'You want to talk to him, shall I come with you?' he asked

Eifad shook her head still not looking up into his eyes.

'Okay, I am waiting out.' He said taking a step back. Eifad nodded, she walked towards the ward. She turned around looking at Farhan, who smiled at her, she turned around and walked in.

Amaad had his eyes closed and for a moment Eifad thought he has died. She felt anxious again but she took a deep breath to calm herself.

'A...Am...Amaad.' Eifad said, her tongue refused to talk but with great difficulty, she moved it. Her throat felt parched again.

Amaad opened his eyes, he looked at Eifad and smiled meekly. He then looked up at the ceiling and muttered, 'Thank you for listening to a dying man's prayers, God!' his voice hardly audible. Eifad had to strain her ears to hear him properly.

'You...wanted to...tell me something....' Eifad said shifting in her place. She clasped her palms tightly. Earlier, when she had met him the way he gestured towards her she knew he wanted to talk to her. After knowing that he is dying, she thought of listening to him.

'Ei...Eifad...I...know...I have...wronged...you...I have been an.... ev...evil...person...and...I know...what you...had to go through...because of me.... and I know.... I am dying...and... before I die... I wanted to....' His hands trembled as he joined his palms, 'ask for forgiveness... Eifad, I had been a very bad brother...I ruined your life...I know.... My sorry doesn't count... but as I die I want to be at peace...I hope you forgive me...and give me peaceful death...' Amaad pleaded. His voice shook as he spoke. And Eifad felt little bad for him. 

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What are your thoughts on the chapter, guys? Do comment and let me know.

and guys Rank 119 *sunglasses emoji* thank you so much for your love and support :* and guys one more thing, the story will be ending today :( I gonna miss Eifad and Farhan :(