Samar's POV

After dropping Maryam off at the NGO, I completed my presentation for the third time, having practiced it extensively in front of the mirror. Feeling confident, I took a refreshing shower and got ready. With time to spare, I decided to pick Maryam u.

I arrived at the KINDNESS to find Rayan and Maryam getting into a car together. The sight of them together ignited a fierce anger within me.

I reverse my car and headed back to CAPITAL TECHS, my mind seething with jealousy. I had told Maryam to call me to pick her up, but she had chosen to leave with Rayan instead.

Unable to focus, I went to the meeting room and tried to rehearse for the event, but Maryam dominated my thoughts. Frustrated, I rested my head on the table, slipping into a state of drowsy contemplation, neither fully asleep nor awake.

I woke up with a jolt,I saw my mamma baking in the kitchen,I had tears in my eyes,I dreamed about her after a long time.I watched the time It was 9 pm,I had my presentation at 9:40.

I walked to my table in search of my phone Where I find out that I had 5 missed calls from Maryam half an hour ago.I dailed her number but It was switch off.I called at home where staff picked it up and Maryam is  not home yet.My heart sank ,I dialed Rayan's phone no I thought they were together.He didnt pick up ,I went to the downstairs where event was happening.

I saw Rayan on the stage,He was about to start his presentation.I went to the stage and asked"Where is Maryam"
"Whar are you saying How would i know where is Maryam"He replied in shock
"We went to dinner with an importent guest of NGO and after that I came here.She said you were going to pick her up."I remained silent and ran to my car.

I contacted Anaya "Hello,What you want Samar"Anaya said
"Is Maryam there with you"
"No,Why would she be here at this point of time."She explained
"Is she okay"She asked her voice concerned.
my world went upside down.I reached my car and about to go to the KINDNESS when I felt a hand on my shoulder.I moved and there was Rayan " Where is Maryam" His tone harsh.

"I will find her"I replied and opened my car door.

"You have to find her.Why you didnt go to pick her up."

"I will tell you later.I have to go right now."Rayan punched me on face.
"You are just like your father.selfish,arrogant and unconscious about others feelings"
"Rayan stop it .I have to go"I pushed him away He punched me again this time on the side of my eye,I couldnt see for seconds when I touched it I got blood on my hand.
"You forced her to marry you but you will never deserve her "Rayan said and went to his car.

On the way to NGO ,I was not concerned with the overspeeding,neither was Rayan.We reached  there,Anaya came with faris.We seaeched Maryam but came to know that she booked a cab.
"If she booked a cab then why she didnt reached home."

Maryam's POV

Its been 30 mins since Rayan left.I dialed Samar  two times but he didnt pick up.I decided to wait,After some time I dialed him again but I  got no response.He told me He would pick me up before leaving for event.

I started questioning, Has he forgotten about me ?Has he lose interest in me but its so soon,Its only been 1 week for our wedding.I didnt expect him to get bored of me this fast.or has he gotten into an accident because he drives quite fast,that thought gave me chills.

I diverted my mind from going wild and called Anaya but her phn was out of reachable I decided to try calling Faris but It seems like everyone decided to not pick there phones.

After all this I decided to book a cab although I never took one before as I was always scared to travel alone.Anaya use to take me èverywhere,but except taking a cab I dont have any other option.I got a call from my cab driver.I came outside.

Sitting in the car I decided to plan my next day.I started making my to do list when I felt the  driver was looking at me in the rearview mirror.

I looked into his eyes and realised I have seen those eyes,black eyes full of anger immedietly I was teleported to village camp.Ravi ,The boy who stopped the camping.

I was still in the shock when he addressed me "How's your women empowerment programme going on.I am sure you are inspiring a lot of women to dominate men." I searched for my phone in my bag,He spread his arm and took that away .

" What you thought,I would spare your life even after you get me into jail."
Jail,Last memory I have about him is from chat with Samar.I misunderstand samar as him when he was stalking me .I mentioned one time that *are you ravi from village camp and taking your revenge by stalking me* then I find out samar telling me he is in jail and I am sure Samar is the one who put him in jail.I cant unjustfy Samar's this action.

I wanted to scream but I tried my best to stay calm,sweat running down my spine."What are you doing here." My voice petrified.

" I thought you needed some lessons."He laughed wickedly.I started defencing .I tried pulling peoples attention to the car by slamming the car window.He turns the car into a dark street and I noticed his car joined by a van.

They brought me to a place behind a constructiom site.He pulled me from the car and dragged me by my arm to the ground.

I tried to run but they tied my hand and legs..I was screaming so they tape my mouth.Scared was a small word to describe my situation.I tried to release my hands but by doing so I was digging the rope deep into my skin.

Pain seething my soul,I was horrified by the fact that I can be murdered,tortured or raped.Rape a tool to supress women,a tool to show them there place that was decided by cruel patriarchal system.According to which women are not more than a thing to use and oppress and consume.

My blood freezed.I forgot to breath.I looked around me,Darkness.The only thing that I could see was darkness.Darkness around me and darkness inside these 4 boys.Darkness of illitracy,darkness of ignorance darkness of depreviation.They are deprived of empathy,love,care and human values.

He removes my tape "You were talking a lot that day in our village,Where is that voice I wonder."He smiled.

"Dont do something you will regret for life."I exclaimed .He slapped me and I felt blood running down my chin.He taped my mouth again."Lets have some fun boys." He commanded his allies.

One of the boy pulled my hijab and threw it one the ground.His body lean ,he seems weak.My blood boiled,I stared him with anger in my eyes."Are you trying to scare me with these beautiful eyes."

He grab my chin into his palm and tilt my head up.He sits in front of me and all of the sudden my body stopped working.I felt like I stopped breathing.My world ends here.I closed my eyes to think straight when I heared a voice ,voice of cars.Yes I can hear.It gave me hope.

I opened my eyes ,they started shifting me to somewhere else,Ravi caught my arm ,his grip hard,he was pulling me to stand up on my feet but I resist his power.I started screaming but only muffling sounds released from my mouth due to tape.In a matter of seconds I was surrounded by uncountable cars.People came out of it and pointed gun at my side.I was amazed looking at there number,one of the boy asked Ravi his voice petrified"Who is she,looking at this scene it feels like she is the daughter of prime minister."

Darkness is gone and brightness is shattering everywhere .Car lights hurting my eyes.I opened my eyes with force and saw Samar(hope).I can see him.He is standing tall in white shirt and black pants defenately in his office cloths.His hair messy and damp in sweat,He has a bad bruise near his eye,I wonder how he got injured.

Our eyes met and his eyes ran through my whole body and stopped at the place where Ravi encircled his fist on my arm.I can see anger in his eyes samar was boring his eyes into his hand on my arm.Ravi remove his hand and stand there very still.Samar still glaring at him.

In the meantime I saw Rayan coming out of his car.He sat in front of me on the ground and removed tap from my mouth.Samar looked at my face our eyes met but I can see his gaze was on my lips where I still has some blood drops ,I couldnt understand what I saw in his eyes anger,guilt,sadness or what .

"Are you okay"Rayan asked his voice concerned.I said nothing and tears running down my cheeks." I am sorry ,I am really sorry .I should have been there with you.I am worst I left you alone."There was pain in his words.

As Rayan untied my hands, a destructive voice shattered the air. I turned to see Samar slamming Ravi's head into the car, once, twice, three times... I lost count. The ferocity was terrifying, and I feared Samar might kill Ravi.

Samar's anger was uncontrollable, his face twisted in rage. Security guards rushed towards him, struggling to restrain him.

Finally, they managed to pull Samar away from Ravi, who slumped to the ground, battered and bruised.

Rayan wiped blood on my chin.He draps my hijab over me and said "Maryam listen,nothing bad  happened ,it will never happen to a beautiful soul like you." His words made my eyes a waterfall.

I was wondering why my pain bothers this person so much.I can see my pain in his eyes.Why is he so good.why he cares about me so much when I literally hurted him several times.Can someone show this much kindness to a stranger.His words were making me as much batter as thousand hugs would do.Anaya came with faris ,She ran fast to me and hug me.

I was watching the moon following our car from the window.Samar didnt said a word to me.There was eerily quite in the car I can even hear my heartbeat .Its still fast ,My body is still shaking.

I was wondering is samar mad at me for leaving from NGO alone or may be meeting with Rayan .I dont know anything but I know that I should be the one to be mad.He promised to pick me up but instead he forgot about me.I was expecting some kind words from him but he was silent.He held my hand all the time to the apartment,he was opening doors for me ,he was giving me water,he was taking care of me  but remained silent,ignored eye contact.

We reached our room or his room and I went to bathroom.I needed to clean myself,I had to wash there hands off my body.I opened the shower on me and cried my heart out,I was literally peeling off my skin to get rid of there dirty touch.My hands are injured ,they are red ,the rope went deep into my skin and gave me scars.

After spending 30 mins in the shower I came out ,my hair still wet and water soaking my back .

I saw Samar is sitting on the end of bed I went to my side of the bed and sat encircling my legs into my hands.I put my chin on my knees.

I wanted to confront him ask him questions but I decided to remain silent.He came to me with first aid box and sat in front of me.He took a cotton and started wiping my bruise on my bottom lip.I stopped him by my hand but he takes my hand into his and started touching my scars on my wrist gently.He is still silent and i am annoyed .Annoyed with his silence ,I felt like I will never understand him.I pull my  hands away from his touch and finally ask " Why didnt you came,Samar."

And  the next moment I find my fourhead touching to his and my face into his hands.He was crying and his eye closed,he said," I am sorry.I am sorry to put you in danger.I am sorry for everything.I will make sure they will spent rest of their lives in jail." I can feel his breath,my heart racing." I am dumbest.I could have lost the only person in my life."

I pushed  him on his chest but was unable to do so.He is strong I can feel his musles.Suddenly He started shaking ,sweating and breathing fast.I was scared may be he is having anxiety attack.

Anxiety attack  I dont know how to handle it  I have never witnessed that ever."What is happening Samar" I asked my voice tremble." You need doctor." I continue " I need you" He replied and took my hands into his, our fourhead still touching." I will be fine.Dont worry Love." He was squeezing my hands .I gave him reassurance.I hold his hands tight.I was unable to understand his situation but I can see he is in pain.

When he turned normal in 10 mins,I offered him water.I was still shaking ,still confused.I thought his feelings for me are temporary but its something different and i cant understand it.

He rested his head on my lap and I remained silent and granting him silent permission to sleep on my lap.My gaze wandered to the ceiling and  my thoughts consumed by the chaos in my life .I am not able to solve my own problems how can I solve his.

I looked at him sleeping peacefully.He is perfect ,his nose ,lips ,eyes which are closed everything about his face is an art.My attention lingered on his bruise .As I moved to take the first aid kit which is on the side table. Samar's sleepy voice whispered  "Dont leave"
"I am not leaving." I said while dabbing cotton to his bruise gently.