The dinner was served, it was too high end for her, the boneless chicken served with boiled vegetables although tasted delicious was too stale for her. The watch was still in her mind, should she confess it? Abraar wasn't as gentle as he seemed, he was arrogant and didn't knew how to talk to women.

She glanced at him and saw him devouring the food with no care in his mind. Miraal wanted to put him through the misery he was putting her through, the food he ate was stale, the love he had for her seemed all smoke and mirrors and his attitude was trash.

She glared at him, her eyes shooting daggers at him. The anger in her eyes was too intense that Abraar noticed it. As he was about to take a bite his eyes met hers, those brown eyes were spitting fire at him. Maintaining eye contact she stabbed the poor chicken and cut it, her eyes not breaking contact as she added chilly sauce on it.

She seemed like an angry tigress, as she finally ate the slice. The chilly sauce was spicy, but she didn't care. It was mild for her, "Stop glaring at me", Abraar said as he reached for the rice but Miraal took it before him and stood up with a taunting smile on her face. She bent towards him, and whispered as she served, her voice almost sounding seductive in his ears, "Ab iski aadat daalni hogi, if you can order me around then I can glare at you as much as I want. You know what? You have to deal with It!"

She chuckled at the end, as she took a bite from his plate. He watched her walking away, she was petty but he liked it.

After having dinner, he walked to their room and saw her sulking in a corner.

"Miraal tumhe bahar jaana tha na?" He asked as he approached her, "Maine Bakhtu ko gaadi tayyar karne bol di hai chalo chalte hain..."

Miraal was about to refuse but realised she had broken his watch, she couldn't be mean. And this might be her chance to confess before he found out.

"Abraar", she called his name, her voice almost a whisper as she showed him the watch. "Woh gir gayi thi galti se"

Gone was the tigress from before as she apologized, Abraar found his lips curving in a smile. He discovered a new side of hers today, and he liked it. She didn't back down, didn't shy away then. So he brought his face closer to hers and whispered, "Ek aur baar mera naam pu karo"

Miraal blinked and saw the dazed look in his eyes, he had backed her into the sofa as he eagerly waited for her to take his name. Those eyes weren't just intent on her, she could see the vulnerability in them as she whispered his name with love making his eyes shine. He came closer to her and kissed her cheek, his lips lingered as he whispered his own apology.

This time he didn't left her alone instead he pulled her up and intwined their fingers. And walked downstairs, Miraal sat beside him in the car wondering what kind of showroom would be open at this time.

"Hum kaha jaa rahey?" She asked after a few minutes, he saw the curiosity in her eyes and replied, "kahi nahi, long drive par gayi ho kabhi?"

She shook her head, he smiled mischievously as he saw the innocent yet curious look in her eyes. If the glint in his eyes didn't answer her question then his hand on her thighs did. He drew circles on it, it was almost ticklish but she felt hot and bothered as he rolled his palm to take a turn.

As they took a quiet lane, Abraar noticed someone laying on the road and quickly stopped the car. Miraal who didn't expect the sudden impact was saved by the seat belt.

Before she could ask him, he pointed ahead, "Lagta hai koi accident hua hai", he said removing his seat belt.

"Bhoot ne takkar maari hogi usse?" Miraal argued, there was no vehicle near her, and she was facing away. Miraal stopped him, "Jaldi gaadi reverse lele, mujhe lagta hai koi toh gadbad hai"

He stared at her incredulously, "Kaisi doctor ho tum? Usko humari madad ki zaroorat ho sakti", Abraar said ready to exit the car.

"Abraar aap aise logon ko nahi jaantey, chor ho sakti hai ye. Aap jaise hi car se niklenge iske saathi humein gher lenge. Aapko nahi pata ye mere mohalle m kitne baar ho chuka hai", she explained her eyes furiously blinking as Abraar sighed in frustration, "Kaise mohalle m rehti ho yaar!"

"Dekho Miraal... Darwaza khula hai, agar woh daaqu hotey toh humein kabka gher chukey hotey", he opened the car door and Miraal wanted to hit her head. The kindness within him was going to land them in trouble, she exited the car as well.

As he approached the woman Miraal stood near the car, guarding it and herself. Miraal's assumptions were right as soon as he tried to moved away the hair from the woman's face she placed a knife to his throat.

Abraar raised his hand in surrender as he removed his wallet. Miraal was present with him, he couldn't risk their safety. He motioned Miraal to get inside the car, but her stubborness stopped her instead she started her own preaching.

"Aap logon ko sharam nahi aati! Itne bhaley aadmi ko koi lut ta hai kya" More man walked out of the forest and five of them circled Abraar asking for money and the car.

"Oh Madam! Idhar aana", Miraal called the woman, Miraal wasn't scared, she was taking them too lightly. " Kya hai?" The woman asked, Miraal smirked and grabbed her hair placing her broken bangle just above her trachea.

"Mere shohar ko chod", she warned almost stabbing the woman as she twisted her hair. Abraar was in awed and angered at the same time as he witnessed the fierceness in her eyes as she dealt with them.

Miraal got carried away, and it happened too fast. The woman hit her on the knees with her shoes dis balancing her, the bangle pricked the woman's neck but she missed the trachea as Miraal groaned, the woman raised her hand and slapped her across the cheek.

Abraar's anger took control of him as he kicked the man who had held him back, someone cracked a glass bottle on his neck making him almost fall. The shards pricked his neck but he stabilized again and punched the guy.

Miraal who had recovered from the slap, couldn't believe her eyes, the way he fought made her swoon. She sat on the hood of the car watching the fight and she cheered his name, " Abraar"

All of the goons were laying on the ground and Miraal saw the woman trying to escape.

"Aye kaali billi", she caught her hand and pulled her. "Galti hogayi madam aagey se aapka raasta kabhi nahi katenge"

She said but Miraal shook her head, "Aise nahi hisaab toh barabar karde pehle", she raised her hand and slapped the woman across her cheek. The woman stumbled back and they all ran away back in the forest.

A furious Abraar came towards her, " Ya Allah aap toh ikdam Dabang nikle"

Abraar roared out, "Gaadi m baitho", he made her sit in the car and slammed the door shut. His eyes were bloodshot and Miraal realised he was bleeding.

As Abraar led Miraal back into their room, he felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He wanted her to leave, to give him a moment of solitude, but at the same time, he didn't want her to go far. His pride had taken a hit, and he felt vulnerable. As she turned to walk away, he couldn't find the words to ask her to stay, so he simply said, "Just give me a moment, Miraal."

Miraal hesitated but nodded, she closed the door softly behind her, leaving him to his thoughts. As she stepped outside, she couldn't help but worry about him. She had seen a side of him she hadn't expected, and it worried her that he had taken such risks for her.

Inside the room, Abraar let out a shaky breath as he sank to the floor. His hands trembled as he wiped away the tears that had escaped his eyes. He had tried to be strong, to keep his composure in front of her, but it was challenging. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on his shoulders, and it scared him that he might not be able to protect her.

After a few minutes, Abraar composed himself as best as he could. He grabbed a first aid kit from the shelf and began to bandage the minor cuts and bruises he had sustained during the fight. As he worked, his mind kept going back to the moment when Miraal had stood up for him.

When Miraal reentered the room with a concerned look on her face, she saw Abraar trying to bandage himself. Without a second thought, she went over to him and took the bandages from his hands. "Let me do it," she said gently, her voice filled with tenderness.

He hesitated for a moment but then nodded, letting her take care of him. As she gently cleaned his wounds and wrapped them with bandages, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did you help that woman, Abraar? You could have been hurt badly."

Abraar looked into her eyes, his expression serious and conflicted. "Kuch sawalon k jawaab nahi hotey Miraal"

Miraal finished bandaging him and placed her hand on his cheek. "Were you crying just now?"

He covered her hand with his own and leaned into her touch. "Nahi," he replied.

As night fell, Abraar lay awake, haunted by the events of the day. The adrenaline rush had subsided, leaving him feeling drained and vulnerable. In his sleep, he experienced vivid nightmares, reliving a dark childhood memory. He woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for breath.

Miraal, who had been half-awake, immediately wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. "Shh, it's okay," she whispered soothingly. "I'm here, Abraar. You're safe."

"Mai... mai Ammi ko khona nahi chahta tha," he whispered, his voice shaking with emotion.

Miraal held him tighter, her heart breaking for him as she asked softly, "Kya dekha khwaab m?"

"Mai cupboard m tha, Ammi ko aawaz deraha tha. Goliyon ki awaaz thi aur unki cheekh... Usne maar diya meri Ammi ko", he described his nightmare, his eyes lost as Miraal held his hand.

"Abraar... It's okay", she tried to calm him down, he was breathing loudly.

"It's not okay... Mai bacha sakta tha. Mai Baba tak pohoch sakta tha magar mai kamzor tha. The entire village was behind him but before dying he wanted to kill my mother. I had witnessed him shooting her twice, right here", he confessed, as a kid he thought of his own safety over his mother's. He had stayed hidden in the cupboard until that monster left, for years this guilt ate him up.

As Abraar poured his heart out to Miraal, his voice trembled with emotion, and tears welled up in his eyes. The weight of his past, the memories of his mother's tragic death, and the recent events of the day were all too much to bear. He had always tried to be the pillar of strength for others, burying his pain deep within himself, but now it felt like a dam had burst, and he couldn't contain his emotions any longer.

Miraal listened attentively, her heart breaking for him as she saw the pain etched on his face. She held him closer, offering him the comfort and support he needed in this vulnerable moment. Her touch was gentle, soothing, and with each circle she traced on his palm, she tried to ease his burden.

"You weren't weak, Abraar," she repeated softly, her voice filled with empathy. "You were just a child, faced with an unimaginable tragedy. You did what you could to survive, to protect yourself, and to carry on despite the pain."

Abraar's tears began to flow freely now, and he let out a deep, soulful sob. The floodgates had opened, and he allowed himself to grieve, to release the emotions he had bottled up for so long. He clung to Miraal, finding solace in her understanding and unwavering support. For the first time, he felt that it was okay to show his vulnerability, to shed tears and express his pain.

"I wish I had been stronger," he whispered, his voice choked with sorrow. "I wish I could have protected her. And today, when those goons threatened you, I felt that same helplessness all over again. I wanted to keep you safe, but I couldn't control the situation. I felt like a failure."

Miraal cupped his tear-streaked face in her hands, gazing into his eyes with love and compassion. "You are not a failure, Abraar," she said firmly. "You are the bravest person I know. You faced your demons, you stood up for me, and you fought with everything you had. You risked your life to protect mine, and that takes incredible strength."

She wiped away his tears with her thumbs, her heart aching for the pain he had carried for so long. "It's okay to grieve, Abraar," she whispered. "Let yourself feel the pain, and know that I am here with you, holding you close. You don't have to face this alone."

Abraar clung to her, his body shaking with the weight of his emotions. He had never allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of anyone, but with Miraal, he felt safe to let down his walls and reveal his true self. He found comfort in her words, in her touch, and in the knowledge that she accepted him, scars and all.

"I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of losing you, of not being able to protect you. Scared of the darkness inside me."

He was scared that the hatred inside him would destroy everything, he could lose her.

Miraal kissed his forehead tenderly, her love and understanding shining through. "You don't have to face that darkness alone," she said softly. "I'm here with you, Abraar"

He let his weakness take over as he asked in a state of vulnerability, "Even if I was using you?"

She frowned not understanding why he was suddenly asking that, maybe he had the same distorted view of love as her. She smiled and nodded, "En... As a kid I had waited years to get a glimpse of the man I was betrothed to, when I was with Rukhsana Chachi's I imagined you saving me like a hero. And you did, I finally married you and I can't be happier. It's okay if you use me, just don't leave me"

"Because I am afraid, I won't be able to find you again"

____