Zayaan's POV:
It had been weeks since I'd even heard her voice. My ears ached, and my eyes begged to see her just once. Thanks to the numerous photos, selfies, and videos she had taken on my phone, I could maintain my sanity a bit. "It's for when you miss me and I'm not around," she joked. To that, I had just rolled my eyes and sneered. I had never thought that day could ever come... that too so soon. I missed her like crazy, and I was losing my mind, but because of the promise I made to her mother...

"I don't want her anywhere around your dangerous world..."

She was right! Involving her with me was like pushing her into a black hole. She was my kryptonite... my heart, my soul, my everything. The light to my darkness. The person who saves me... from me. If anything ever happens to her because of me, then...

I looked at her smiling picture on my phone. Her cute dimples were so prominent, her sparkling eyes making her look like an angel... my angel.

"No, Zayaan! She's not yours anymore."

She's getting married; she's going to be someone else's... and then, I'd never see her again.

When she expressed her love for me, I was on top of the moon, but at the same time, my heart was ripping apart because I knew... I could never have her love... I didn't deserve it!

I'd always dreaded this day to come... deep down in my heart, I knew I would lose her forever. I just hope that the man they've chosen for her keeps her happy. But I doubt... they'd do such a thing. Seeing her happy and content... Tsk, those people could never digest that.

Especially... that one person!

Inarah's POV:
After that horrible meeting... I never wanted to see that scumbag again. Yet, he dared to invite me to a club... a nightclub with all the alcohol and his sluts. My skin crawled just thinking about it.

How boldly he told me that I could have a boyfriend or two?! Astagfirullah! I know I'm not that religious and all. I don't cover my hair, don't always pray five times a day, or don't regularly read the Quran, which I am guilty of... still, I know my limits. Even if I have to marry a man that I don't love, I won't go around cheating on him and being a whore! I fear the Lord above enough. But this man! He has no fear... how can I even imagine my life with such a rascal! Oh, Zayaan! Where are you, my love?!

Abid came to pick me up personally. He didn't tell my family that he was taking me to a nightclub; instead, he told them we were going out to a fancy restaurant on a dinner date. He said he understood my parents must be strict, so he was being considerate...

Tsk! Considerate my ass.

We reached the club, and the loud music, dim flickering lights, and the crowd were already giving me a headache. The couples or... whatever around were eating each other's faces. Gross, it was so disgusting. I felt like gagging.

I flinched as that man slipped his hand down my waist, which was already around my shoulders. I glared at him, wishing I could rip out his fingernails and feed them to him, but I maintained my composure and faked a smile.

He led me down to the dance floor among the wild crowd.

A blonde girl approached us, along with two friends wearing revealing clothes.

"Hey, Abid! How are you?" She hugged him as he shamelessly moved his hands all over her bare back. I raised an eyebrow at them.

"It's been a while since we hooked up," she winked at him, clearly intoxicated.

Ugh! He brings me on a date, and I meet his hook-up. What else is this man going to show me? He's a definition of a lost cause.

He glanced at me with a guilty expression, or rather, pretended to.

"Come on now, Jess. I'm with someone here," he chuckled.

She eyed me from top to bottom. "She's cuuuuuute. How about we get together for a threesome sometime?" She winked at me.

I felt nauseous.

"Goodbye, Jess," he sang as she left, biting her lips at both of us. Oh God, get me out of here.

"Jess is just Jess... don't mind her."

"Yeah... sure," I said, looking away.

"You look bored. Let's dance your boredom away," he said, dragging me further onto the dance floor. I reluctantly moved my arms and legs, too. His hungry eyes scanned over me, making me shudder.

Calm down, Inarah... calm down! Zayaan, please take me away from here!

Of course, he wasn't here; he was miles away from me.

I can never feel like that for you. You're just a rich brat that I have to babysit so that...

My thoughts were interrupted as I felt his fingers roam over my arms. I glared at him, trying to push him away, but he grabbed my arms tightly and pulled me closer, pressing me against his chest. He smirked at me.

"Abid, stop!" It was my first warning.

"Why so shy, baby girl? We are about to get married... let's have some fun before that," he winked, making me cringe.

He moved his hands disgustingly over my back and sides as I shuddered. He chuckled, getting closer to my ear.

"Excited, are we?"

"No!" I grunted. He laughed louder.

I felt so disgusted. Zayaan, where are you? Please...

I felt my eyes and nose prick with the dread of tears. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong, and my lack of strength due to skipping breakfast and lunch didn't help.

"Shall we go to my hotel room for tonight?" He whispered, making my eyes widen.

He abruptly groped my behind, making me yelp. I mustered all my strength to push him away and swung my arm, slapping him right across his face.

He stilled, holding his jaw, and glared at me. "Fuck you!" I yelled, running away, pushing through the crowd. I finally found a taxi and hoped to set free my tears, my heart thumping with fear and my body burning with disgust.

I needed him so badly right now... I wanted to be in his arms, embraced by his warmth as he assured me it was okay while cursing that bastard and letting Asad and the guys beat him up to a pulp. Zayaan... I miss you, my love!

***
I fell on my bed, burying my face in the pillow, crying my heart out. I felt so filthy... disgusting... dirty! No one had ever dared to lay a finger on me because... every time, Zayaan would protect me!

Emmad's POV:

My bedroom door creaks open. As I lift my head from my game, I catch a glimpse of someone running across.

Was that Inu Di? I remove my earphones and check the time. It's past 11 and way past her curfew. What is she doing out till now all alone? Heena Di or Zayaan Bhai isn't here either.

Ah right, I remembered. She went on a date with Abid, her fiancé. Personally, I don't like that man. He just seems like a bit too much for my Di, and I also know that Di has been in love with Zayaan Bhai for like... ever. I like him too. Zayaan Bhai is so cool, and that aura of his... man! And his fit body is the goal.

Why did she run like that, by the way? Should I check on her?

I wear my slippers, get off my bed, and make my way out to her room. I knock at her door, no answer. I can hear faint sobs from inside. Whoa! Hold up!!! Inu Di... The Inarah Qureshi was crying?! Is the world about to end or something!!!

I almost turn to leave, but something inside me makes me stop. I let out a breath. There goes nothing!

"Hey, Di... you okay in there?"

No answer. I turn the knob, and it opens.

"I'm coming in," I announce.

I see her lying on the bed with her face dug into her pillow as her body shakes while she cries. I wince seeing her like that. She's still in her dress and hasn't even taken off her shoes. Something is definitely wrong!

"Hey, Inu Di!" I say in a low voice. Damn! I'm dumbstruck right now. I don't know what to do when girls cry like that. Why do they have to be so... annoying and obnoxious?

She immediately sits up, wiping her face with her hands, looking away.

"Hey, Emmad! When did you get here?" She says calmly, trying to hide the fact that she was crying. Too late though. I already saw it.

"Just now." I sit beside her awkwardly. She doesn't call me baby bro today to annoy me like always.

There is total silence.

"Is your date over? He didn't come to drop you?" I ask awkwardly to break the silence.

A slight whimper escapes her lips, and I look at her, blinking. Did something happen with her fiancé?

I don't know what to do, so I just do what I saw in a movie once. I hug her... it's awkward at first, but it reminds me of how she used to hug me when I was younger, so I pull her to me and hug her tighter. "It's okay. Everything's fine... I'm right here," I say, moving my hand on her back because that's exactly what she used to tell me.

And she begins crying on my shoulder, wetting my T-shirt and deafening my ears. I sigh hopelessly and just hold her. This has never happened before.

"Emmad... I'm scared." She cries.

"Scared of what, Di?" I ask worriedly. "Did that Abid guy do something to you? Tell me, Di, I'll break his bones for you," I say angrily.

She stops crying after a while and just stays like that for a while. I don't mind.

"Tell me, Emmad... am I not a good person?"

"You're hopeless, but... you're still okay."

I hear a short giggle. She then sits up beside me. I wince, looking at her tear-stained face and red eyes. That's definitely something I never wanted to see in my sister, and whoever did this to her, I really want to punch that jackass in the face.

She sighs. "I really want to tell you, but you wouldn't understand if I did," she says.

"Yo, Di. Do you think I'm a kid? I'm 13, I'm a man now!" She giggles, and I scowl at her.

"Yeah, a very short man!" She ruffles my hair. There we go again.

I shake my head, fixing my hair as she looks at me, smiling. I smile too.

"Now that's like my Inu Di," I say.

She pulls me into a bear hug. "What would I ever do without you, my baby bro?"

"I'm a man!" I grunt.

She kisses my cheek, and I wipe it out of habit. "Ew! Gross!"

"Oooh. So my kisses are gross. But when your girlfriend or your wife kisses you in the future, then it won't be gross. Huh?!"

"Women are too obnoxious for me. I'm never having a girlfriend or ever getting married. I hate girls," I say, cringing at the thought.

"Haw! Then do you like boys?!" She pretends to be shocked.

"Di!" I glare at her.

She giggles. "Sorry, baba."

"Are you really okay, Di?" I look at her seriously. She shakes her head.

I sigh.

"Okay then, let's try something to change your mood. Ever tried playing PUBG?" I ask.

She cringes. "That lame video game?!"

My mouth drops open.

"Lame?! Did you just call PUBG lame?! How dare you, woman?! It's a haven for us video game lovers... a blessing!  How dare you insult it. Forget it! I'm leaving" I announced getting up.

"Ok ok sorry sorry! I take my words back ok. Just stay for a while. Why don't you teach me to play?"
She implored grabbing my arm with a pouty face.

I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Watch carefully...."

"Yes sir!" She saluted.

I excitedly sat beside her as she crossed her arms and legs and concentrated on the phone. I watched her hopelessly as she kept on failing.
It was making me sleepy now.

"Forget it! You're a lost cause and I'm sleepy." I announced. She pouted.

I got up to leave but when I turned to her she was sulking again proving that all that smiling and giggling was just a facade. I shook my head and threw my phone at her. She watched me surprised. I know Mom has taken away her phone, and right now she needed it the most. She was missing Heena Di and Zayaan Bhai.

"You can call whoever you want. Just give me back my phone by morning before Mom and Dad find out." I said and left the room closing the door behind me not before hearing her say...
"Thanks... I love you, baby bro!"

I love you too Di. But I'll never say that out loud.

Inarah's POV,
I quickly called Zayaan. It must be morning there right now....but his call kept going to voice mail as he didn't pick up.

So I recorded a voicemail for him praying that he might at least hear them.

Zayaan's POV,
I laid my head back on the chair closing my eyes as all I could see and think about was Inarah!
Just then, my phone rang. It was Emmad. Why was that kid calling me? I answered the call but before I could say....the voice I had been dying to hear, took my name.

"Zayaan... it's me..."

I closed my eyes as I found my breath again. I opened my mouth to speak...but I couldn't.

I disconnected the call. She called multiple times and every time my hand itched to take the call but I retreated. Then she began sending voicemails.

"Zayaan.... please call me. I want to hear your voice soo badly. Please Zayaan..... please!"

"Zayaan....where are you! I miss you soo much! I don't want to get married Zayaan... I love you! I want you Zayaan.... please talk to me, yell at me, scold me, say whatever but please...call me...."

"Zayaan... Abid is the worst! Do you know what he did...." She was sobbing.
"He....he touched me Zayaan...he misbehaved with me and I felt so dirty! He's a scumbag! I hate him. I was soo scared Zayaan and I needed you soo badly....but you weren't there my love. For the first time, I needed you so desperately and you weren't there....."

I clenched my jaw fisting my phone soo tight that it could break any moment. He did what! How dare he touched my Inarah!!!

My blood fumed in my veins as I threw the heavy wooden table over growling... crushing everything on it including the computer screen.

"ASAD!!! ASAD!!!" I yelled.

He came running in and so did the others.

"What's wrong Bhai?" He said looking at the room horrified. He flinched a little as he looked at my face which probably looked like that of a beast.

"Tell Rajiv to get the car! I want to spill some blood....."

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