Hide your eyes darling,
People can see your heart through them.
______________________________

It was Friday afternoon. The masjid was filled with people to perform the Jummah Salah. Sahil was dressed in a black pathani outfit. The colour suited him perfectly. After performing Jummah Salah in the masjid , Sahil came out of the masjid and was going back to his home, when he saw Sajid.
He was enjoying an ice-cream outside the masjid under the clouds and trees.

He thought it was time to talk to that little guy and get to know more about Faikha and it was perfect time.

Sajid saw Sahil coming his way and he stood straight and greeted him with a scared smile. He was scared of this elder brother of Nadir. He could get along with Nadir but was a little scared of Sahil.

"Walaikum assalam sajid" he returned his greeting. "I heard you have some hidden guests at home" he started with his questions and raised a perfect shaped eyebrow. After all he was an LLB graduate. A pursuing Lawyer.

It had always been Sahil's dream to become a lawyer and now that he was becoming one, he was always grateful to his almighty for making him one. He wanted to help Muslims with their rights.

"Oh Voh! She's my cousin, Faikha Baji. She is staying with us from 3 months" he quickly answered him. Sajid was trembling inside but he remained calm in front of him. He didn't want to show himself as the scared little kid even though he was one.

"3 months? But I haven't seen her even once" he asked again.

"She doesn't like going out" Sajid lied smoothly but Sahil detected his lie.

"She doesn't like going out or she isn't allowed to go out?" sajid was shocked at this question. He wondered how did he know about his cousin sister.

"Woh, Mumma ne mana kiya tha unhe bhai. One day I had asked Mumma if I could take her out. But she got angry with me and even slapped me for it as I was annoying her. Since that day Baji doesn't go out and never even mentions about going out. I asked her why and she said she wouldn't want to hurt me" he sounded dejected.

"But why doesn't aunty allow her to go out?"

"Mumma thinks that she will only invite boys and will have bad company of friends and it is not good as Shaziya aapi also stays at home. But I know my Faikha baji, she isn't like that"

"How old is she? What about her studies?"

"She's 17 years bhai and I think she stopped going to college because Mumma didn't like it"

'Ye aunty ka kuch toh karna parega' thought Sahil.

Faikha had always been a dreamer. She had always wanted to become a doctor but as her parents left her at a very young age, she couldn't complete her studies.

She had just finished her 12th Std. She would be 18 years old in 3 months. She would be a legal adult and could fight for her rights and file a case against her khala and her family. She just needed a little support in life and she would reach great heights.

"I want you to bring Faikha to the terrace like that day" Sahil turned towards Sajid once again and told him or more like ordered him.

"But bhai what if Mumma gets to know about it. She will not spare me" Sajid was frightened. He could imagine his mother with the two horns of devil. She would probably murder him as well.

Sahil just glares at him and seeing him glare Sajid immediately agrees. Though he doesn't know how would he do that.

Sajid went back home and he saw his mother going out. He thought this was the best time to take Faikha out. He goes to his mother and asks her where she was heading to.

"I'm going to your Maamu's place. Don't go out and lock the door. Don't allow her to go out Sajid and I'm warning you. If I find anything suspicious, I will not spare you" she gave him a death glare.

He swallowed loudly. Obviously he was scared of his mother's warning but he couldn't forget that Sahil also would not spare him.

"Don't worry Mumma I won't let that happen"

"Khala can I also come to Maamu's house. It's been so long since I met Niyamath. I miss him khala" Faikha came forward and asked for her permission.

"If you also go, who will do the housework? Keep quiet and stay at home. I do not want to spoil my mood by talking to you" she shouted at her and left from their along with shaziya who had a satisfying smirk on her face. Anyone could tell that she was jealous of Faikha.

Faikha wanted to cry at her fate. She wasn't even allowed to meet her twin now?

How much more did she have to suffer?

Ya Allah, when will I get out of this?

When will my suffering stop ya Allah?

Ya Allah I've know you will end this. But please end it before it completely breaks me ya Allah.

She kept praying to her lord. She knew her lord would do justice to her and grant all her prayers.

After locking the door Sajid returns to her.

"Baji I want you to come with me to the terrace"

"No sajid I don't think so. Last time we were lucky enough to come back on time, but it won't be the same Every time. I can't risk you with this" saying this she walks back to her store room.

"But baji, let's go na. I want to go to the terrace. It's almost a week since we went to the terrace"

"No Sajid. Please listen to me. I'm really tired to quarrel now" she sits on a chair. She was tired after washing all the utensils, cooking, washing laundry and ironing clothes.

"Baji just for 5 mins please" he tried with his puppy eyes face but it was not helping him. So he thought to try another way.

"Actually Woh na, I think I saw Nadir bhai crying, so I asked you to come with me to check" and that definitely caught her attention.

"Crying? But why?  Ab kya hogaya? "

"I don't know. Come let's go check na"

"Acha Theek hai chalo" saying this she adjusts her stole on her head and goes to the terrace with him.

Faikha's pov:

We went to the terrace and I saw no one present there. I turned to look at Sajid with narrowing eyes and he was smiling sheepishly. This little fellow had tricked me.

Ya Allah how could I be a fool and come like this. What if khala comes and gets to know about it. I was going back when I heard someone call my name. I turned to look and found Nadir standing on his side of stairs.

He came over our terrace and greeted me. I returned his greeting and he started talking.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that, that day. Thank you for helping me out that day" I could notice he was embarrassed.

"You don't have to be sorry or embarrassed about it Nadir. I'm glad I was of help" is what I could say. I was about to leave when he interrupted me.

"Let's start over again. Hi I'm Nadir. Naam toh suna he hoga" I could only chuckle at that.

"Hi and I'm Faikha" I smiled at him.

I noticed he had a pair of grey orbs just like the grey sky when it would rain. But they were nothing compared to the blue orbs I had seen the other day. They were like the ocean, very deep. Why was I thinking about him. I mentally smacked my head.

And he continued talking with me and sajid.

I could see he was a total different person now. And he couldn't stop talking. He was just a chatter box like Sajid.

I got to know that Sahil was a lawyer from Sajid and Nadir. Both of them talked about him with love and respect. Especially Nadir. I could figure out that sajid was a little scared of him though.

Sajid excuses himself and goes down for a while. He came back after a while but he didn't come alone this time. He had Sahil by his side.

I grew a little conscious of our surroundings. I was scared what if khala would get to know about it?
What if someone sees us?
What if someone tells her about me?

A lot of what if questions were going on in my head and I didn't notice Sahil coming to us and standing in front of me. I think it would be better if I just go back.

"Faikha this is my Sahil bhai. My life. I was talking about him a few minutes ago" Nadir introduced me to his brother. I was lost in his light blue eyes. Their was something in his eyes that attracted me. It was like they were pulling me.

I immediately lowered my eyes. It was not right to stare in the eyes of a stranger but 'he was also doing the same thing ' mocked my subconscious.

"Bhai she is Faikha whom I was talking to you about the other day" Sahil just nodded his head and turned towards me again and I just avoided looking at his eyes.

"I will help you out Faikha. I got to know everything from Sajid and Nadir" I turned to Nadir and he was scratching the back of his neck. I could only glare at him. He wasn't supposed to tell his brother. But sahil again said something and I turned to look at him.

"You don't deserve to go through all of this. But before that I want to be your friend Faikha. I want to know more about you. Only if you want to" I could notice the sincerity in his voice.

His eyes had a spark in them. I knew he meant every word he said. Maybe him being a lawyer would help me out. I knew he was the one who would help me get back to my brother. I knew he would help me get out of this messed up life.

Maybe he would be my knight in shining armour. Maybe he would get me out of this mess.

So I gave him the best contented smile I could give and nodded my head.

After a while I headed back to my room and I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. When ever I closed my eyes, a pair of blue eyes would flash in front of them.

His eyes would always steal my worries away.

*3rd person's pov*

Her khala had gone to visit her brother to convince him. She met Niyamath and he had asked for his sister. But she just lies to him saying she had some assignments to finish and couldn't come.

She talks to her brother about the alliance but he doesn't agree to it. He definitely knew how his nephew was. He knew that Hamid was a playboy and was always behind girls. He had even witnessed him taking girls on bike rides. So he denies his sister.

But she wouldn't be satisfied until he would agree to the alliance. So she kept visiting her brother frequently.

Shaziya also went along with her mother as she thought she would also try her luck with Niyamath. But he wouldn't even come out of his room. He would always avoid Shaziya.

Next few days passed and Faikha somehow got to meet the brothers on the terrace with the help of Sajid. They had become close friends. Faikha had started trusting him. Both the brothers would try making her laugh. She had even met his mother once and she had liked her and missed her own mother after meeting her.

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Assalamu alaikum dear readers. I hope you're doing good. Alhamdulilllah I'm good too.

Happy birthday A. May Allah bless you.

Stay safe and keep smiling.

~Zoe.