Third person's POV.

As the car screeched to a halt, Zara's panic surged. Her legs wobbled, but adrenaline propelled her forward. She sprinted out of the still-moving vehicle, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight before her stopped her in her tracks, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. The house she and her mother had lived in for the past two and half years was engulfed in flames, everything they owned being consumed by the inferno.

For the second time that day, Zara sank to the ground, her knees hitting the pavement hard. A guttural cry tore from her throat, raw and filled with anguish. She cried louder and harder than she ever had before, the weight of her loss crashing down on her. The house wasn't just a building; it was a symbol of how far they had come from the days when they had nothing.

The second car arrived, screeching to a stop behind them. Nana, Mina, Khalifa, Imran, and Habib hurried over to Zara, their faces reflecting the horror and concern they felt. Fatoo crouched beside her, trying to get Zara to stand, to compose herself, but it was futile. Tears streamed down Fatoo's face as well, though she didn't voice her own sorrow.

Ashraf was nearby, wiping away his own tears, which only Imran noticed. Imran didn't comment, understanding that now was not the time.

Suddenly, from the neighbour's house, Zara's mother and Madam Aliya, Ashraf's mother, emerged, their faces stained with tears. Zara's mother rushed to her daughter's side, kneeling and wrapping her in a tight hug.

"It's all gone, Umma," Zara sobbed. "It's all over."

"Everything is going to be fine, Zara. We'll get through this," her mother whispered, her voice breaking.

The neighbour walked up to them, shaking hands with the men present. "This was intentional," he said gravely. "It is, in fact, not an accident."

Imran's brows furrowed. "Why do you say that?"

"The smell of petrol... It's too strong. You can smell it from miles away," the neighbour replied.

As if on cue, the distinct odour of petrol hit them, and they noticed droplets of the liquid scattered around.

"This is Arson!" Ashraf exclaimed, anger and disbelief in his voice. "We'll get to the bottom of this, but for now, we all need to evacuate. The smoke is toxic, and the firefighters are on their way."

Zara felt numb, her mind unable to process everything. She let herself be guided back to the car, her movements mechanical. She sat in the back seat, staring blankly ahead, her eyes red and swollen from crying. All she could think about was what they had lost. Important documents, cherished belongings, and even their simplest garments—all gone. What would become of her and her Umma now?

As the sirens of the approaching fire trucks wailed in the distance, the group gathered a safe distance away from the burning house and piled into their designated vehicle after leaving the neighbour with instructions and a phone number he could call.