Hello.. How is everyone ..??
I really loved the previous feedback I got .. and hey please don't be sad, there are still some chapters left and I'll satisfy you with the ending.. Arsalan's story is also lined up and I have a surprise for you all ..But you'll have to wait for it .. :*
Ready for an update ,
Lets move to the chapter then ,
I hope you enjoy .. :)

***

It was dark now.The city lights were illuminating as we entered the premises.The sun was gone and bright stars had decorated the sky.The wind blew my hair as I sat numbly on the passenger seat.My fingers caressed my forehead slightly, feeling the small bump and a bandage over it.

Salah made another turn on the dark road and reached over to the backseat retrieving a water bottle.The uncapped the bottle before forwarding it to me.The took the bottle from his hand and gulped the water down.

Few minutes ago I had opened my eyes from my deep unconscious slumber.From the time we entered the city, I knew we had lost our way back home.Too shaken up from the past events I hadn't spoken a word since I woke up.My headache wasn't any better.I glanced at Salah, his knuckles had blood on them as he gripped the steering wheel.His green eyes fixed on the road in front.

We took another turn before I noticed the familiar neighbourhood.The very familiar black gates came into sight and my once calm heart started to beat wildly.During the chaos I had totally forgotten about our family.

Driving in the driveway I saw everyone already out.Their faces covered with worry and sadness.I slipped out of the car as soon as it stopped.Standing on my feet felt like jelly.Mama and everyone stared at us in shook.Ahya and Zarah were also present.They sure had returned before us.My eyes roamed around my family members.Baba was in the garden a bit farther then everyone else as he shouted something into the phone rapidly in pashto.He was maybe talking to the police as we had gone missing.

Walking towards my family, my eyes searched for one face.Aunty Naheed wiped her tears, her hands raising, thanking ALLAH.Imraan came out running from outside as Zarah called out to Baba and him.His face showed worry and fear.His shirt half tucked in while his hair was a mess.His eyes roamed around before they settled on me.He made a run towards me, as he saw me running to him.Flunging me in his arms , he pressed a hand behind my head keeping me close.I could feel his tears.My own tears poured out as I wrapped my hands around my brother.

No matter how much we fought in the end only we could calm each other down.We shared this weird connection.Whenever I cried, I always reached for Imraan's comfort after Mama's.His strong hold made my feel protective.

"What happened to you guys?"He questioned as we pulled back.

My tears wouldn't let me speak.Imraan cupped my face his eyes examining the wound on my forehead.

He looked behind me, as Mama and Baba with uncle aunty came besides us,

"Tell us what happened, are you both okay"Uncle Yousuf asked his eyes moving between me and his son.

Baba wrapped me in his arms as he looked at Salah expectant.

"Salah..."Aunty Meena called out, demanding an explanation.

***

I lie in bed wide awake just hearing the creepers.The white curtains of the balcony swayed as I stared at them, my fingers curlings the ends of the long hair.

After we were taken inside the house, Aunty Naheed made me and Salah drink milk with tumeric powder.Salah was again asked about the happening with us and he told them everything with perfect details.We had lost our way back home from the place where those men robbed us.He cleaned my wound and had bandage it as we had a first aid kit in the car.With much difficultly we found our way back to highway in the dark.Our phones were already gone so we couldn't ask for help.

After he had explained everything he got his wounds bandaged with Zarah's help.Uncle Yousuf and Baba had called the police to let them know about us and also to find those men who robbed us.

Mama took me to my room after giving me painkillers and now I was here wide awake.

My legs hurt a lot as I twisted and turned in bed.My bare hands didn't look nice without the gold bangles.They were the only ones that reminded me that I was once a bride.An awaiting Bride.Shaking all thoughts away I closed my eyes as I lie on my back.

The strong essence of sleep was pulling me towards it when I felt a cold hand engulf my warm one.I jerked, opening my eyes seeing the man sit on the edge,on my side.His green eyes widened and he looked as if he was caught stealing cookies from a jar.Salah smiled a sheepish one as he pulled his hand back.To saw I was shocked would be an understatement.

"Salah, how did you get in?the door was locked."I sat up seeing the outline of his grey tee-shirt in the dark.His green eyes turned to me as I stared back.

"The balcony."He replied casually as if it was the most obvious thing.I moved my eyes to the double doors.The strange voices that I was hearing weren't illusion.

"Why did you come?"I said softly not understanding him.

"I came to checkup on you."He said back.

I yawned, it was probably late.Leaning against the headboard I placed my head on the soft pillow, the medicine working its way on my body.Salah's face was half covered in darkness and half shined from the moonlight.His hand had a bandage wrapped around it.His lip busted and a small cut on the side of his forehead.

His fingers tapped my bandage lightly and I hissed in pain.He removed his hand asking,

"Are you okay Shahwar?"He asked very softly.I only nodded.He sat there in silence not saying a word.

"I am sorry.I couldn't save you.You got hurt because of me."He said after sometime.

"Its not your fault Salah."I said feeling the guilt ware off him as his shoulder hunched inwards.Defeated.He looked defeated.And I hated seeing him like this.

My eyes were droopy but I contained the sleep with in me.His large cold hand rubbed once again on my forehead as he gulped.Standing up he said,

"I should leave its late.Sleep Shahwar."

Before he could turn and leave I stopped him.Holding onto his hand.My head was still on the pillow as I whispered,

"Salah.."

He sighed heavily as he sits back on the bed a little closer this time.I ask him,

"What is happening Salah.You climb my balcony to check if I am okay, you apologise, you fight with the goons for me, you like the rain now, you eat chapli kabab since I've started to make them, you watch movies with me, you walk in the garden with me late at night, you smile with me,you are even afraid of losing me, you want me to stay with you.."

He just stared in my brown eyes, my hand still in his.

"I don't know whats happening Shahwar.I don't know yet.But I know I am changing and you're the one changing me.You are doing something to me Shahwar." He whispered back as his thumb drew absent circles on the back of my hand.

"Is it good or bad?"The butterflies were causing a havoc in my stomach even in my drowsy state.

"Its good." He said.

Tucking a brown lock behind my ear, he got up draping the duvet carefully around me as if tucking me.

"Sleep.We'll talk later."He said and turn to leave.

"Please use the door this time."I smile at him and he smiled back nodding.

I could hear the door open, the lights from the hallway fell in the room too.Salah's shadow could be seen on the wall as he stood by the doorframe.

"Just for a mark, I think I never loved Talia"He whispered as I closed my eyes.I smiled and whispered my eyes still close.

"And just for a mark I still love you."

Sleep engulfed me.

***

That night something had changed or many everything.Salah and I had turned into the best friends we were in childhood.

I don't know if Salah had heard me that night but even if he did he never showed.I was glad that things were back to normal.I prayed every night to ALLAH for happiness and guidance.Uncle Yousuf was very happy with Salah's progress in the company and had long forgiven him.As a month passed to that horrible event with us, we came to know that the robbers were caught and arrested and they soon awaited their punishment.

Imraan and Ahya were very excited as they had an appointment with the doctor tomorrow.Ahya's mother was also coming soon to visit her but she had sent a basket full of fresh fruits and dry fruits in advance.

I worried about Arsalan.I called him in the morning and he sounded stressed.He worked too much but what worried me the most was when he said,

I found her.

I tightened my arms around Mama as I snuggled into her shoulder.My eyes stared at the wind chime Salah had brought for me a few days ago and I had hanged it in the garden.

"What is making my daughter this happy?"Mama soft voice said as she sipped her late afternoon tea with aunties in the garden.

"Just something."I said smiling.My eyes moving to the colourful beaded wind chime.It wasn't moving.Nor making a sound.It was silent making the smile wipe from my face and I wished.

There was no storm after silence.

***

I really enjoyed the chapter alot.Its one of my favourite chapter in the book..
I hope you enjoyed it too .. :)
Your awesome feedback on the chapter will boost the energy in me to update at night .. So show some love Darlings.. :* :*

I know you'll wait for the update and so will I .. Care take sweeties,
I'll update surely to put a smile on your faces .. :)

This chapter is also not edited but I made sure to prevent mistakes ;)

Until Next Time,

_Hafsa