She woke up with a pounding headache, her body aching as if weighed down by unseen chains. Her hand groped around for her buzzing phone, squinting as the screen lit up with an overwhelming flood of missed calls and messages from Malik. Her heart twisted with guilt as she scrolled through each worried message, a soft pang echoing in her chest.

---

Love, are you alright?

Where are you?

You're not replying since yesterday evening.

Did I do something wrong?

Just talk to me…tell me what happened?

If you’re upset, that’s okay…please don’t ignore me.

Are you feeling well?

It’s been more than 15 hours, love. If you need anything, just let me know.

Don’t leave the bed, just rest.

Are you on your monthly cycle?

Just reply please. I'm so worried about you.

A tear escaped as she read his last message, so simple yet filled with so much tenderness. She hadn’t realized how much Malik worried about her, how deeply he cared. She wanted to reply right away, to reassure him, but before she could, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” she called softly, quickly wiping her tears as her father stepped in.

“Zain’s sister is here,” he said without preamble. “She has come to take you shopping for tomorrow’s engagement.” His words weighed down on her, bringing her crashing back to the reality she’d been trying to ignore.

As she stared blankly, he added, “Get ready and come downstairs right away.” And with that, he left.

Her gaze dropped to her phone. The sadness she’d been suppressing washed over her like a tidal wave, and with trembling fingers, she typed out a quick reply:

“I’m fine… I was just sleeping. I’m going out now. I’ll talk to you later, don’t worry.”

With a heavy sigh, she forced herself to get ready. She moved through her morning routine, her mind a whirlwind of worry and confusion.

She thought of Malik, of the beautiful dreams they’d woven together - the life they wanted, the love they had, a love her father refused to accept.

As she finished dressing, a single tear slipped down her cheek at the thought of Malik slipping away from her life.

Downstairs, she met Zain’s sister, Aliya, who greeted her with cheerful energy that felt so out of place against her own sinking heart.

The car ride to the mall was a silent one for Inaya. She stared out the window, her mind replaying moments with Malik - the way he’d talk excitedly about their future, about how they’d grow old together, raise children who would embody the love they shared.

Unconsciously, her hand drifted to her stomach, her heart aching for the life she wanted to build with him. But now, that life seemed so distant, almost like a fading dream.

In the mall, Aliya was full of energy, darting between stores, her arms quickly filling with dresses and jewelry, chattering about colors and designs. Inaya could only nod, her mind too clouded to care.

She drifted along, her eyes glazed, paying no real attention to the bustling world around her. When they passed by the men’s section, her heart lurched, catching glimpses of shirts and suits Malik would look good in, things she’d imagined him wearing.

She took a shaky breath and closed her eyes, forcing herself to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

Aliya continued her shopping, oblivious to Inaya’s struggle. Every minute felt heavier than the last as Inaya’s mind reeled with helpless thoughts of Malik, of her father’s insistence, of the life she wanted but seemed destined to lose. Finally, Aliya finished, and after what felt like an eternity, they drove back.

Inaya slipped into her home quietly, her heart too heavy to respond to the guests's greetings as they sat in the living room. She went straight to her room, closing the door behind her and sinking to the floor, feeling all the pain and exhaustion crash over her like a wave.

Grabbing her phone, she dialed Malik’s number, her hands shaking. She could barely speak through her tears as she tried to explain everything - her father’s plans, his stubborn refusal to listen, and her own despair.

Malik listened in silence, and though his voice was steady, she could feel the pain in every word he spoke, trying to comfort her as best as he could.

The call ended, but she stayed curled up, hugging her knees, feeling as if the world were pressing down on her.

"Inaya," a familiar, gentle voice broke through her sobs.

"Look...I love you this much that I'm hearing your voice in real" she said, still crying, not knowing he was here in real.

He putted his hand on her shoulder. Startled, she looked up, eyes wide. "Malik? You’re…here?" Her voice trembled, caught between disbelief and relief.

"Yes, love. I couldn’t sit back and do nothing after hearing you like that." He knelt down, his gaze soft as he cupped her face, wiping away her tears with gentle fingers.

"But…how? Didn’t the guards see you?” she stammered, still trying to make sense of his presence.

He gave a soft, reassuring smile and brushed a finger over her lips to still her questions. “From the balcony. And no, no one saw me. Right now, all I care about is you.”

His words melted her heart, and she let herself lean into his touch, finding comfort in the steadiness he brought. Then, he frowned, feeling her forehead. "You have a fever…come on, let’s get you comfortable."

He led her to the bathroom, sitting her down on the sink’s edge while he found a washcloth and ran it under cool water. With gentle care, he pressed it to her forehead, his hand steady as he held her close.

She looked at him, a flood of love and gratitude filling her heart as he fussed over her, easing away the chaos in her mind with each gentle touch.

When her temperature finally lowered, he brought her to her bed, then disappeared for a moment. He returned with a bag and pulled out a container of her favorite dish.

She smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness, as he held out a spoonful of fried rice with chili chicken, coaxing her to eat. Every bite felt like a balm, grounding her as he fed her, his thumb brushing away stray tears each time they fell.

When she’d finished, he turned off the lights and lay beside her, gathering her into his arms. She felt his warmth envelop her, the familiar scent of him easing away the ache in her heart.

This was the first time they’d ever been this close, and she couldn’t help but bury her face into his chest, breathing him in as if this moment might be her last with him.

He held her tightly, his hand moving in soothing strokes through her hair. Gradually, the pain that had been consuming her faded, replaced by a deep sense of peace as she listened to his heartbeat.

She felt safe, cherished. Her tears dried, and in his arms, she finally found the strength to close her eyes, drifting off as he held her, murmuring reassurances she barely heard as she slipped into sleep.

Malik watched her as she slept, his heart breaking at the thought of letting her go. For a long while, he simply held her, unwilling to move, unwilling to disrupt the quiet comfort of this moment.

But he knew he couldn’t stay much longer. If anyone found them together, they’d speak ill of her, tarnishing her reputation, and he’d rather face any hardship than see her hurt in that way.

Finally, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, brushed the last stray tear from her cheek, and tucked the duvet around her, making sure she was comfortable.

He closed the curtains, took one last look, and slipped out of the balcony, vanishing into the night with a heart full of love and determination. He would be back for her - no matter what it took, he promised himself, he would find a way.

--------

𝑽𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉💖