The school bell rang signaling the end of the last class, he sighed heavily trying to think of a place he could go instead of home today, his mother had asked him to not come back till he get a call from her on the little cellular device he was given, he was the only one in his class having a mobile, they weren't allowed with one yet so he would make sure it was well hidden in the depth of his worn out bag as the device was useful for one of the days like today.

Getting out of the class along with his friends he slowly dragged himself out of the hallway, surely he can go to Sam's house but he don't want to answer all those numerous question his friend's mother ask since she saw that blue bruise on his forearm just above his wrist, though he always made sure that those horrendous bruises are hidden through those oversize t-shirts and pants but somehow Mrs. Frank saw it and now he felt ashamed in facing her, he was tired of making excuses, tired of lying.

As he got on the school bus and sat on his regular place he started thinking of the place he can go, aunt Julie's house was off limit he can't stand to be near his house and not be able to safe his mother from the misery, he cursed his father for not going to work today and ruining the only few hours of peace they get.

He chose the nearby park to spend his afternoon till he gets the call from his mother or come up with another place to spend the time of his hiding, so when the bus was two blocks away from his house he got out of it and silently started walking towards the park, hoping his mother calls him before it's too late.

Hours went by and he was still sitting in a corner of the park ignoring the curious glance from the people passing by, he sat there all alone doing his homework, busying himself in learning lessons or noticing the happy families with a sad smile but by the time sun set down he decided to pick his bag up and make his way back home , he ignored all the fears which have been engulfing his heart since last couple of hours , his father must haven't left that's why he didn't got the message but now as the darkness was increasing and fear along with hunger wasn't making it any easier to stay out he reluctantly made his way back home. Dragging himself he finally got to the lane where his house was, the porch was brightened up with the dim yellow light but what made him sigh in relief was that his father's car was nowhere to be seen.

"Why didn't mama call?" he asked himself and rushed towards his house, instead of taking the front door he followed his usual path of entering the house through the kitchen door so quietly getting there he pulled the door which was unlocked like usual he got inside though everything seemed normal but there was something extremely wrong, taking off his bag he quietly place it by the fridge while noticing his surrounding, there was a cold calmness and the entire house was drowned in silence on one hand his heart was drumming in chest telling him to run away but his mind was screaming to find his mother. He kept cursing himself under his breath for staying out, again his mother had caused herself a big problem because of him.

Taking a deep breath he went further inside not daring to make any noise, wiping his sweaty hands on his jeans he clenched them into a tight fist, he peaked into the lounge founding it completely deserted, maybe he was really gone. As he turned to his left a loud scream left his mouth, in front of him was his mother tied to a chair, her mouth was taped and her head was hanging low. He ran towards her and cupped her cold face with his small trembling hands she was unconscious but still he kept calling her while removing the tapes and untying the ropes.

"So you are back?" he turned to look at the person who was more like a monster, Wali's eyes were burning with unshed tears, "Where were you?" his father growled making him flinch.

"Where were you?" he yelled again but Wali's mouth was dry like desert sand and before he could wrap his mind around what is happening his father lunged forward grabbing his face and digging his fingers in his hollow cheeks, his jaw was aching but he was too shocked to answer. "Tell me where have you been?"

"N... no... nowhere." He meekly whispered.

"Liar!" the man yelled again and a stinging slap met his cheeks, "Tell me!" he demanded again grabbing his collars.

"Pa...park!"

"You are lying!" and then a slap followed again, his father pushed him throwing him on the steps of the stairs, "You were trying to run away from me, weren't you?" the monster yelled, throwing whatever he gets in his hands at Wali which he successfully dodged.

"Listen boy! You and your mother could never get free from me! Now look what I do to her!" and with that he moved towards her.

Darkness, I woke up to find myself in complete darkness except the light coming from the glass wall, gasping for air I looked around to assure myself that it was a nightmare or more like a memory from a very dreadful past, everyday my mother and I had spent with that man are fresh in my mind, not a day go by when I can actually forget him, shaking my head I got out of the bed to turn on the light.

So much for sleeping early!

As the light filled up the room I sighed with relief but now I wanted Khadija and being alone in the hospital room I was regretting my persuasion for sending her hotel with the others. Yesterday I was admitted as the surgery was supposed to happen the following morning and the doctors asked me to get here because I was supposed to be given some medicines hours before the surgery. A cannula was already fixed on my left hand which was used for some strong medicines earlier, running my hand through my hair I sat back on the bed, it was 1 in the morning and I was sure Khadija, Sabih and both of my parents must be awake but calling them would only cause trouble and I am sure if Khadija will found out that I woke up to a nightmare then no power in the world would be able to stop her from coming here, I found myself smiling by the mere thought of an extremely furious Khadija, how the bridge of her nose and cheeks turns flaming red, how she stare and surely her looks can kill, how she clench and unclench her fist! So it's better if she stays there because I know how restless things are going to be for her from now onwards. It's good for her to be at a peaceful place.

But she isn't in peace.

Getting up I walked towards the attached washroom to wash my sweaty face, turning on the tap I splash the lukewarm water on my face couple of times and wiping my neck I finally felt myself getting relaxed. Wiping my face I went back to the room and instead of going to the bed I picked up my wallet and took out the piece of paper I have been carrying since I have received it, opening it I looked at the neatly scribbled letter, a letter from her, a letter I have read every night for ten nights till I got the writer of the letter. Walking towards the window I glanced at the city and then start reading her words which never fail to relax my mind,

Asalam O Alikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

I hope you and everyone at home are doing fine, I wanted to talk and discuss something with you and as I am sure you must be having quite a busy schedule after your return this seem like a better way to approach.

I know you must not be really happy about the decision which have been made but I think it's for the best and to clarify it further I did my isitikhara and never before I have got much clear result like I got this time. I believe that you have your reasons and you must have thought a lot about it but I guess that this is what Allah has chosen for us.

I would be really honest with you here Wali, if an year ago someone would have taken your name in front of me I would, might or maybe for sure would have end their life and I am not that ruthless, according to some people I am very forgiving, I really doubt it because I found it hard to forgive you till seven months ago. I am not sure if you know this or not but at that Islamic conference in New Jersey I was there and I heard every single word you said, I have heard a lot of stories before but there hadn't been a time when I wasn't able to control my emotions, I don't know what it was but your voice which seemed completely honest and I know it was! Because as much fake people we witness growing up we kind of become able to differentiate between them, and those who are really guilty and you were the latter, you should be really happy that you have this regret in your heart not much people can actually realize their mistake but I am genuinely happy that you did. That day it was hard for me to sleep, those four years of Yale's were continuously in front of my eyes and I forgave you for everything, I forgave you with my heart.

I am sorry Wali, I am sorry for judging you without even thinking, I am sorry for being one of those who passed their judgment on you without even knowing half of the truth, I hope you forgive me for being so irrational.

Now I want you to know the dream I had maybe that might help you to agree on the decision I had made.

Well, I saw that I am really happy because I have finally got my visa for going for Hajj, I am happily packing all my essentials and I am satisfied like never before, then I heard someone call my name so I got out of the room to find a man standing in the corridor, the corridor is the place I have never been before anyways when I saw the man's back I have this feeling telling that the man is my husband and then he turned, his face wasn't clear but he passed me couple of papers which are the tickets and I am happily looking at them and the last paper had your name. It had prominently written Wali over it and the man in front of me was you, I knew it was you. I woke up to this dream and now the satisfied feeling I have in my heart I can't bring myself to decline this.

I hope you'll understand.

With all the prayers,

Khadija Badar.

----

Khadija's POV

Tossing and turning and wiping my continuous tears I was vainly trying to sleep but every part of my existence was wide awake, all I want is to jump out of the bed and run back to him.

Why he has to be so damn stubborn?

Why I always end up listening to him?

Punching on the pillow he slept on last night I buried my face in the pillow muffling my scream, I was furious, I want to punch the wall, I want to be with him, he knows I couldn't sleep now without him but still he said all those sweet words and convinced me to leave him. Wiping my tears all over again I sat resting my back on the headboard and rubbed my eyes, he thinks he did me a favor by sending me back well I'll show him I won't sleep and I'll stay awake whole night and make him regret his decision. He would never leave me like this ever again.

Picking up my cell phone I unlocked it, it was ten minutes past two but drowsiness was away from my existence, mentally I was exhausted but physically I can run hundred miles without a break. I went into the gallery and start scrolling through the pictures which were lately filled with all the pictures of him, in some he was busy watching tv, in few he was busy cooking while I always waited on the opposite side making fun of his cunning tactics, and there was one we took on our date or my birthday it was taken by one of the crew member while Wali and I are facing the camera with a wide smile. I looked at our picture and how satisfied and happy we both looked, how confidently I was standing beside him, his hand resting on my waist while my head resting on his chest.

I miss you, Wali.

I was busy looking at the pictures and all his other pictures which I have taken without him noticing when a message popped up from his number and I guess I have never smiled so wide the way I did when I saw those seven words,

I love you and I miss you.

Come on Khadija you are supposed to be mad at him!

Don't you dare smile!

And next moment I was dialing his number which he picked up on the first ring,

"You are still awake?" I heard his voice which was soft and husky at the same time but still I tried to control the ice which was melting inside me.

"Wow! You really thought I would sleep? Why aren't you sleeping? You send me away and you are awake!" I said trying to sound bitter but I am sure I was making no sense right now and to prove it he laughed which almost made me smile.

"You are really mad at me!" he sounded amused and I scoffed. "Okay I am sorry I shouldn't have send you, yeah?"

"Better!" I said rolling my eyes which obviously he can't see.

"You should rest Khadija things are going to be pretty tiring from tomorrow and you haven't got proper rest since days!" He whispered.

"I can't sleep without you." I confessed in a low whisper and heard him sigh.

"Khadija..." I knew what he was thinking, "Don't you dare think that! Wali Zulfiqar Ahmed I believe in my Allah and He knows that a major part of my faith in him, in life is because of you so don't you think all those stupidity." I half whispered yelled.

"Okay," he didn't argued and that's how the rest of the night we spend with each other listening to each other whisper when the world closed it eyes, sometimes being completely silent listening to each other breathe and in those dark hours our souls made some more promises, some more vows which made the connection between us more strong than it already was.

----------------

A.O.A

Well how are you guys? \

So the day of surgery is approaching us and I am trying to ignore it as much as I can! :3

Anywaysss... sorry for taking so long! I thought I should use this one chapter before I try to make all of us pretty emotional and maybe end up having you guys ready with anything in your hand to stab me! So here is that update hope it was worth the wait!

Vote and Comment, please!

Till the next...

TC,

Zehra :)