Haider felt awkward as the doctor asked him to sit comfortably on the leather couch. He rested his head on the long armrest and placed his palms on his stomach. Dr. Geiti sat beside him with a notepad and a pen. She exhaled deeply and looked up at him, adjusted her glasses, and cleared her throat.

'Okay, Haider. Tell me something about your father.' She said, her voice a lighter tone. Haider looked at her with mild surprise. She silently urged him. He looked front and let out an unsteady breath.

'Mohd. Minhas Ali, my father. He was a very kindhearted and honest man. He was a clerk and had a decent earning.'

Dr. Geiti hummed, - 'Was? Happened to him, Haider?'

Haider swallowed hard, his voice quivered as he revealed, - 'He had cancer—he died when I was—12.' He let out a shaky breath again. Tears pricked his eyes and he quickly blinked away.

There was silence between them. Dr. Geiti spoke cautiously, - 'And your mother?'

Haider lowered his gaze, ignoring the tightness in the pit of his stomach. His throat felt parched, - 'She divorced him when I was 10 and remarried three to four months later.' – He paused massaging his forehead with his shaky fingers, rubbing off the sweat beads, - 'I stayed with my father until his death and then my ste—stepdad adopted me.' He closed his eyes feeling warm tears cloud his eyesight.

Dr. Geiti jolted down all the points and then looked at him, - 'Tell me something about your days with your parents together and then with your dad.' She leaned back, placing one leg over the other. Haider nodded and began to narrate his childhood. His lips curved into a small smile as he recollected those fun days when his parents were together. His smile widened as he narrated his memories of his father.

'And with your step-dad?' She asked. Haider's smile faded and his expressions turned serious. Dr. Geiti observed him.

'It was okay until the—' He shifted uncomfortably and concentrated on the spotlights of the false ceiling.

Dr. Geiti frowned, - 'until?'

Haider looked at her, - 'I haven't talked about it to anyone.' He confessed. The doctor smiled warmly and placed a warm hand over his hand.

'Do you have any friends?' She asked

Haider exhaled deeply, - 'No.' He replied with a poker face.

'Hmm, I want to be your first friend. Will you be my friend?'

He frowned, - 'I am not a four-year-old, Dr. Geiti.'

The doctor chuckled, - 'Of course, then why are you making childish statements?'

Haider sighed and rested his head in a comfortable position. He took a moment, gulped softly, - 'until the abuse began—' he found the irritating lump returning.

'What type of abuse?'

'Physical, emotional, and mental.' He said in a low almost inaudible tone.

'And, sexual?'

Haider stilled, he kept staring unblinkingly up at the ceiling. He felt tightness in his chest and his throat burned. Slowly, he sat up and requested water. Dr. Geiti immediately forwarded him a glass of water that was placed on a small stool next to her chair. She observed him as he gulped down the water in one go.

'So?' She inquired cautiously. Haider wiped his mouth with the back of his palm. Then, she helped him lay down again.

'Once at a house party—' He felt hot tears prick his eyes again, - 'where my step-father was drunk out of his senses, then his friends tried to—' tears trickled down from the corner of his eyes.

Dr. Geiti drew in a sharp breath. Haider recollected that night and shuddered. He could feel his heart racing, body was sweaty and his hands and feet turning cold.

'I was—' he managed to speak more to himself than to the doctor, - 'saved by an army man who was also there at the party. Before anything could happen.' He closed his eyes letting more tears fall from his eyes. Dr. Geiti was relieved. Haider felt palpitated and he sat up, rubbing his face with his palm.

'I think it is more than enough for today.' Dr. Geiti declared. Haider was glad, he was on the verge of a panic attack.

Once they sat opposite each other at the doctor's desk, Dr. Geiti forwarded him another glass of water. Haider drank it slowly this time.

'I am sure nothing that we discussed today will come out.' He said sternly. Dr. Geiti smiled warmly.

'I assure you. We keep details of our clients confidential.' She guaranteed. Haider nodded and raised from his seat.

'Sir, you know Mikael Jaffery, right?' – Dr. Geiti interrupted and he nodded, - 'Then, you must be knowing Amaal Jaffery?' She said forwarding him his file. Haider was taken aback. Amaal knows Dr. Geiti, perhaps she was getting treated for insanity. He mentally scoffed. To the doctor, he shook his head.

'No, Doctor. I don't know her.' He said in a dry tone.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Meera and Mikael were pleasantly surprised with Alina gracing the cabin. They thought she must have been with Haider. Meera welcomed her with a hug and Mikael greeted her. Alina felt lighter coming to work, free from a relationship with Haider. She was about to take her seat when Banerjee entered the cabin and announced to the entire intern team about their new boss. Alina and Meera passed curious glances at each other.

Alina's eyes widened upon seeing Jahangir walk in with suave. He was confident and well dressed in a crisp three-piece suit. His grey hair neatly gelled and combed and his bread trimmed. But she could see the menace in his eyes and felt goosebumps as memories of that mad night began to haunt her. She nervously wiped the sweat from her forehead and gulped softly. Meera felt her quiver and looked at her.

Oblivious to Alina's presence, Jahangir passed by her. The brush of him past her reminded her of the time he had placed a gun against her forehead. Meera enquired if she was alright. Without meeting her gaze, she nodded whilst wiping sweat from her neck. Jahangir stood facing the interns, he scanned the cabin. Alina kept her head lowered and gaze fixed on the keyboard. His gaze paused on the nervous woman and he instantly recognized her. He smirked for a milli-second then looked away.

Interesting – He thought in his head.

After the formal introduction, Jahangir made everyone sit and asked them to continue with their work. Alina almost slipped from her chair. Meera gasped and helped her steady her. She slowly lifted her head and glanced at Mikael; he was looking at Jahangir. Then, his gaze fell on Alina. They exchanged looks of confusion. And they weren't the only ones who seemed clueless and concerned. The murmurs about Haider grew amongst the interns. Jahangir let it be.

Meera elbowed Alina. She furrowed her eyebrows at her and then, turned her attention to the computer screen.

As Alina worked on her PC, she felt someone brush against her arm. She ignored the person and continued with her work. She froze feeling a palm rest over her palm that held the computer mouse.

'I am surprised to find you here.' A cold voice whispered into her ears making the hair on the back of his neck stand up. She turned her head sharply and found Jahangir's face inches apart from her. Swiftly, she moved her head back but before she retracted her hand, he grabbed her hand.

'You are sti—'

'I broke up with Haider.' Alina blurted out. Jahangir grinned evilly.

'Good! Now, begone from his life. I want you out of this office and untraceable.' He said clenching her fingers tightly. She winced; tears pooled her eyes.

'Where will I go? Please let me be here. I promise I will stay away from him.' She pleaded.

Jahangir liked the look of fear in her eyes. He let go of her hand, and he straightened towering over her. Alina gulped and looked down. She massaged her palm and closed her eyes tightly.

Mikael was shocked to know what Alina revealed. Meera was flabbergasted and she kept cluelessly gaping at her friends.

'So?'

'I don't know.' – Alina shrugged, - 'I don't want to be an ass and leave Haider now when he is very vulnerable. I broke up with him, returned everything.' – she fidgeted with her bare ring finger, - 'the villa, the ring, and the scooter, everything. Shouldn't that be enough for his evil step-dad?' She frowned.

Mikael went into deep thought as Meera cursed the man under her breath. Alina held her head, taking a deep breath.

'I think you should speak to Haider and explain to him that he shouldn't contact you, temporary.' – Mikael paused, - 'Till, Jahangir Zaidi is confirmed that you guys broke up for good.' He explained. Meera agreed and then held Alina's wrist.

'He is right. Mr. Zaidi is dangerous for both you and Haider, especially you.' Meera encouraged her. Alina reluctantly nodded. Then from Meera's number, they sent a message to Haider.

Alina in her heart made a special prayer for Haider, for his safety, health, and for his success. She hoped he gets what he deserves, and he deserves unconditional love, respect, support, and nothing else.

Okay, guys! This was the last chapter but don't be disappointed. There is a surprise in the next Update. So Stay tuned *lots of love* and Please do drop your thoughts in the comments, my lovelies *hugs, and kisses*