Sarah pov:

After two long days of recovery, I finally returned home. This year has been filled with countless trips to the hospital, but here I am, stepping back into my comfort zone. Jake and Uzma surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Jake, being the devoted partner he is, would make multiple rounds to check on me throughout the day. Uzma even mentioned that he slept in the waiting area one night. The thought of Jake's unwavering love for me tugs at my heart, but I can't bring myself to make our relationship official and shout our love from the rooftops. It's a complicated situation, and I wish I could openly express how deeply we care for each other.

Days had gone by, and I hadn't yet fully recovered. As I was sitting alone, Ibrahim approached me and said, "I'd like to have a word with you." Unaware of what was in store for me, I simply replied, "Okay, what's on your mind?"Little did I know the shocking words that would follow.

Yes," I respond, unaware of what was coming my way.

"What's going on between the two of you?" he asks, a sense of curiosity and concern in his voice. I try to play it cool and act like I don't know what he's talking about.

"Between who two?" I say, trying to make it seem like an innocent question. But beneath my words, I dread the answer he might give, and the ramifications of his question.

"Sarah, listen to me. I want you to stay away from Jake," he states firmly, causing my body to tense up slightly. The intensity of his words gives me pause, and I can't help but wonder what could have possibly prompted such a strong reaction from him.

Taken aback by the sudden confrontation, I tried to remain calm and nonchalant, as if I had no clue what Ibrahim was referring to. "Huh, what are you talking about?" I replied, trying my best to disguise any signs of anxiety or discomfort. However, with every passing moment, my nerves grew more and more frayed, as the weight of Ibrahim's words dawned on me.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Sarah," Ibrahim said, his tone firm and uncompromising. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I took in the intensity of his words. "You've been spending far too much time with Jake, and it's not sitting well with us." The final statement seemed to echo with an ominous finality, and I had a sinking feeling that there was more to come.

"where did he even come from" I shrugged off Ibrahim's question with a nonchalant air, acting as if there was nothing untoward about Jake's presence.

"As far as I know, Jake has always been here. He didn't come from anywhere"he stated.

"So what's the big deal?" I replied, trying to keep my composure and not show any signs of the unease I felt. However, as the intensity of Ibrahim's words sank in, I couldn't help but feel like there was more behind his question than he was letting on.

I couldn't believe it. After all the time and effort we had put into keeping our relationship hidden, Ibrahim had found out everything...

"Enough with the games, Sarah. We're not kids anymore, and it's time to grow up and leave your old habits behind. From now on, if I catch you with Jake again, you won't like what happens. Consider yourself warned." The finality in Ibrahim's tone left little doubt as to the outcome if I disobeyed his orders.

Ibrahim's threatening warning made me feel like I had been caught red-handed. I knew if my parents found out about my relationship with Jake, it would be the end of it all...

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Ibrahim." I responded, trying to keep up my innocence.

"You think I'm dumb? I know what's been going on between you two." Ibrahim said sternly, his expression full of frustration and disappointment.

"B-but..." I was left speechless by the accusation, not knowing why I was even trying to convince him of my innocence when it was clear that he knew better.

Ibrahim folded his arms, his anger growing with every passing second. He didn't believe me, and I knew it.

I stayed silent, knowing that even any words of protest wouldn't change the situation at hand.

Out of nowhere, my mother enters the conversation, having overheard our argument. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I try to explain to her my side of the story.

"How can you accuse me like this? I-I mean, Jake is my friend, and he's a good guy..Mum, you must understand. Jake is my friend, and he's done so much for me. You even said it yourself--he's a good guy who saved me from James. Is it so wrong for me to want to spend time with someone who's been a good friend?"

I run towards Ibrahim and look up at him desperately, trying to convince him that Jake deserves my trust and loyalty. But it's no use, Ibrahim has already made up his mind about Jake.

"If you care anything for me, Ibrahim, please let me see Jake. Please let me continue my friendship with him," I beg Ibrahim, my voice quivering with desperation and fear.

"This is happening because of him," Ibrahim said. "If you keep your distance, nothing will happen. After all, James is his brother, right? They have the same blood running in their veins. What do you think, he is good? I can see how he looks at you. He loves you, Sarah. I can see it in his eyes."

"Why are you so afraid of loosing Jake from your life, Sarah?" Ibrahim asks, his tone cautious.

"James is Jake's brother, yes, and perhaps they resemble each other in some way. But that doesn't mean I should stop talking and just ignore him , Ibrahim." I reply, my voice full of doubt.

"Just because they look alike, does it mean they have the same personality too? No, it doesn't. Besides, you know as well as I do that Jake has done nothing to hurt me or betray my trust. So what's the problem, Ibrahim? What are you afraid of?"

"Sarah, please listen to me," Ibrahim says, his expression growing more and more serious. "Jake may be James brother, but he's still not someone you should get involved with there's no reason to believe he is different they are same I'm telling you, what you think he is good?"

I remain silent, unsure of what to say.

Ibrahim stares at me with a frown on his face, clearly agitated by the situation.

"You know what, Sarah? I'm done with you. Go ahead and see your friend, I don't care. If you can't respect me, then why should I bother to stop you?"

Ibrahim's words made me feel like a failure, a disappointment to my parents. Knowing Ibrahim, I knew deep down that there was nothing I could do to change his mind. With a heavy heart, I left the room and headed upstairs.

As my hand shakes with emotion, I furiously dial Jake's number, craving the comfort of his voice.

"Oh... oh, Jake. I-I don't know what's going on," I choke out, as a sob escapes from my mouth. "I-I-I- I..."

"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay, Sarah. Take a deep breath. Tell me what's going on," Jake says, his voice calm and soothing, like a warm blanket wrapping around me.

As I vent to Jake over the phone, he listens patiently, his soothing voice helping to calm down my frazzled nerves. Trying my best to explain everything that happened, starting from Ibrahim's sudden confrontation and ending with him demanding that I cut off all ties with him I can still feel the tension in my body and the worry in my heart.

"He doesn't likes you Jake" I say as a sob escaped .

"You love me, that's enough for me Sarah" Despite being in such a tough spot, Jake's words are enough to melt my heart and bring a smile to my face.

"I'm so sorry, Jake. I don't know what happened with Ibrahim," I say, my voice trembling. "But you won't change, right?" I ask hopefully.

"Of course not, Sarah. How can you even think that?" Jake replies, his voice as steady as ever. I can hear his smile through the phone, and it helps to lighten my mood a bit.

After a moment of silence, I continue, "Because thats how guys are, okay not all but some of them may be"

"Why? Don't girls change?" He says but I could feel his smile behind his words.

"No, because girls believe not in friendship but in being together in life"

"Don't know what era you're talking about" he says .
"Girls nowadays aren't serious at all. They just pass time, and it's hard to find someone who wants to be with you for life."

There was again a silence for few seconds

"Well, I guess I'm just a rarity then," Jake says, his tone playful. "Not all girls are the same, Sarah, and I think you know that. You're different from the rest, and that's what makes our friendship so unique and special."

"Common.. I'm not talking about you , you know that, I'm referring to the rest of the girls"

Sitting on the bed , feeling lost in thought, my mind unable to focus on anything but the turmoil going on inside me, I manage to ask Jake a question. "Jake, what's going to happen now

With a hint of sadness in his voice, he replies, "For now, focus on your studies. You need to keep yourself distracted, or else your thoughts are going to consume you."

Feeling the lump in my throat growing, I continue, "What if...what if I can't focus, Jake? My heart is not in it at all"

Jake's voice has a hint of gentleness in it as he replies, "My love, that's because your heart belongs to me. That's why you cannot make a decision for yourself--you know what my heart wants."

At his words, I feel a wave of emotions wash over me, and I feel the tears beginning to well up in my eyes. As I think about everything that happened, and everything that could happen, I know that Jake is right. I can't make any decisions on my own anymore--not when my heart belongs to him.

"Mm..hmm"

Jake's words ring in my ears, his voice a soothing melody that I can't help but listen to.

"My heart wants you to do all the things we had decided , you...wear beautiful dresses, go out, sketch me, thinking as if I'm just front of you, do everything you want to do, just have fun. I don't want you to be sad like this."

For a moment, I'm at a loss for words, feeling a mix of emotions well from within me. "But you're not with me," I say, a hint of sadness in my voice.

Jake's words are like a ray of sunshine in the midst of the dark clouds of my mind. "My love, I'm always with you."

At those words, I feel a wave of relief wash over me, and a smile spreads across my face. I know that Jake is always with me, even if he's not physically here by my side. His love and support give me the strength to face whatever challenges come my way, and I'm grateful for that.

"Really?"

"A love , so pure, A love so true,
A love that shines from me to you,
Our hearts aligned and souls entwined,
Let this love of ours never die"

A giggle just escaped from my lips

"Princess we can always meet at school right,don't be sad now"

His kind words and understanding demeanor help to ease my worries. Even though Ibrahim's words still loom heavily in the back of my mind, Jake's words are a welcome reprieve from the turmoil.

After having a long conversation with Jake, I decided to take out my book and start reading. Just then, my mother knocked on the door and entered the room.

"Hey, sweetie," she said as she walked over to me and placed her hand on my head. "I know this is hard for you, but give it a thought to what Ibrahim said. He's your elder brother, and he knows what's right,
Sarah."

"Mum, I don't know..." I respond, trying to sound convincing. "I have trust in Jake, I know his intentions are good."

My mom stands there for a moment, thinking of what to say next. She sighs, looking at me with a sympathetic expression on her face.

"I know this is a difficult situation, Sarah. I know you have feelings for Jake, and it's hard for you to let go. I'm your mother I can understand but Ibrahim and your Dad won't bare this and family is important right ?, Ibrahim is your brother. Consider what he said, for all our sakes."

I nod slowly and consider what my mother said. I know that Ibrahim is concerned for me, but I can't help but feel conflicted.

"Don't be sad, sweetie. Okay, Jake is a very good guy, but what should we do now? Should we let you both date? You just started college, honey, and there's a whole universe ahead of you. Your career and your dreams are all waiting for you, honey."

"I never said that, Mom. I can't just cut all ties with him, you know that."

"That's not what I'm trying to say, Sarah. Focus on your studies for now. That's what I expect from my bright and brilliant daughter."

Seeing my mom looking so concerned, I felt guilty for letting her worry about something like this.

"Mum, I know what you're saying is right. I know it's better to focus on my studies and put my time and energy into my career. But what about Jake? Should I really stop seeing him? And if I do, how do I tell him? He hasn't done anything wrong.."

I look up at my mom, my expression full of confusion and doubt.

My mum stares at me, her expression full of concern and sympathy.

"Sarah, I know you're confused and upset, but you have to respect Ibrahim's decision. It isn't easy, but sometimes we have to sacrifice things we want for the people we love. I know Jake means a lot to you, but right now, this is what's best for our family."

I let out a long exasperated sigh, realising that my mum was right. I might not be happy with Ibrahim's decision, but I had to do something.

"Fine, I'll do it," I conceded reluctantly, trying to sound like I didn't care when in reality, my heart was breaking at the idea of being apart from Jake.

"I'm gonna stay away from him, I swear," I lied, my voice laced with frustration and sadness.

"I'll tell Jake we can't see each other anymore." I said, hating myself for the lie that was about to come out of my mouth. "But I won't be happy about it, Mum."

"I know, Sarah," my mom replied, her face somber. "I know it's tough, but believe me, it will be all worth it in the end."

With that, my mom left me alone to deal with the painful task of telling Jake the dreaded news.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a knock on the door snapped me back to reality.

The sudden knock filled me with dread and anxiety. I knew that it could only be one person, Ibrahim, and I wasn't ready for the difficult conversation I would have to have with him.

So, without thinking too much, I quickly hid under the covers of my bed, hoping that he wouldn't ask to come in or notice that I was trying to avoid him. But deep down, I knew that this wouldn't work...

Hearing no response from me, he knocked again, this time with more force.

"Sarah, I know you're in there. Open the door...please?" His voice was full of concern, as if he could sense something was wrong.

But I refused to face him. Instead, I just lay there, trembling from fear and anxiety, waiting for the knocking to stop. But it never did, and I knew that eventually, his concern would win over my cowardice. So finally, I mustered up the courage to speak.

Hearing no response from me, he knocked
again, this time with more force.

"Sarah, I know you're in there."

"Ibrahim, what do you want?" I asked, my voice full of surprise and confusion.

"Get dressed. We need to talk." Ibrahim answered bluntly and impatiently.

As much as I wanted to argue with him, I didn't have the energy to do it. Instead, I took Ibrahim's instructions and got dressed quietly, thinking about what he could possibly want to talk to me about.

When I go downstairs, there is no sign of Ibrahim, and the house seems strangely quiet.

I step out of the front door and look around. Suddenly, I hear a horn and see Ibrahim waiting for me in his car, motioning for me to come.

With a sense of deja vu and uncertainty, I hurry out to the car and take my seat beside Ibrahim, wondering where we were going and what he wanted to talk to me about.

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier about Jake." Ibrahim broke the tense silence as he spoke.

But all I want is for my sister to stay safe. That's why I was so mad."

"Ibrahim, listen to me. I've done nothing haram, at least have this much trust in me. I know my boundaries and would never cross them." I reply, wanting to reassure him that I can be trusted despite my relationship with Jake. But also felt a little hurt that he didn't believe in me and my choices.

"Please believe in me, Ibrahim. I can handle myself and I don't need protecting. Let me live my life the way I want to."

Ibrahim takes a deep breath, considering what I've said for a moment. He seems to understand my point of view, but there's still a sense of hesitation and worry in his eyes.

"Look, Sarah, I know you're a smart girl and you're old enough to make your own choices. But I still can't help but feel protective of you, and I want to make sure that everything goes well for you."

Ibrahim's voice is full of kindness, and I can't help but feel a bit guilty for putting him through so much stress.

"I know you mean well, Ibrahim," I say with a sigh. "This is a difficult situation, and I understand that you're concerned for me. But you have to trust me, okay? I'm not a baby anymore, and I can take care of myself. I promise."

Ibrahim nods, looking at me with a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"I know, Sarah," he replies softly. "I just...I don't want you to get hurt, that's all. I'm sorry for making a big deal out of this but still I want you to maintain distance "

At that point, Ibrahim relents and decides to take me out for ice cream to cheer me up.

"Maybe some ice cream will help lift your mood," he says with a smile.

I nod, feeling a little better now that the tension between us has eased a bit, and we soon head out to get some ice cream together.

As we walk, Ibrahim tries to make small talk with me and lighten the situation, and I do my best to forget my worries and enjoy a few precious moments with my brother.

"I'm glad things worked out," he says.

After finishing our ice creams, the drive home with Ibrahim is quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. As we arrive at our house, Mumma greets us with a relieved look on her face "Ibrahim, Sarah, you're back!" She exclaims with relief as soon as she sees us enter the house.

"Ahh Alhumdulillah, I was worried when you went off without explaining anything." She looks at me with a mixture of love and concern

As we make our way into the house, I could feel the tension in the air as we approach my mumma. When she sees us, her face lights up with relief, but I can see the concern still etched in her features.

"Yes, we're back, Mum," I reply, feeling tired but relieved that the whole Jake situation is done.

"Good you're both back safely and not arguing anymore !" She hugs Ibrahim and me, her face filled with love and concern.

Ibrahim walks me to my room instead of just leaving me there. As soon as we enter, he gives me a quick hug before heading back to his own room. We say our goodnights and bid each other a sweet sleep, both feeling a sense of relief that the tense Jake situation is over. I lay down in my bed, grateful for the comfort of my own room and my own space. Despite everything that's happened, I feel exhausted and just want to sleep and let the day's events fade into the background.
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