Delhi had been a welcome distraction.

For the past few days, Yusra had barely had a moment to herself.

There had been the mayoon, the mehendi, the music, endless family gatherings, late-night conversations, laughter, teasing, food, photographs and enough wedding chaos to keep her occupied from morning until night.

And somehow, in all that madness, she had managed to keep one particular person out of her mind.

Mostly.

Her phone, on the other hand, had barely been in her hands.

Sometimes it was in her room. Sometimes buried somewhere inside her handbag. Sometimes left charging while she was busy downstairs and every now and then, whenever she remembered Uzair, she would check it.

Nothing.

Not a single message. Not one unknown number. Not even a stupid Good morning, sweetheart.

At first, Yusra had been relieved. Then confused and then, much to her own annoyance, slightly irritated.

What was wrong with him?

Hadn't he spent the last three days driving her insane with messages from different numbers?

And now, when she was actually waiting to see one...

Nothing.

She had eventually decided she didn't care. Which was why she absolutely did not check her phone again. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

Today was the wedding day. The nikah and for the first time in days, Yusra had something far more important to worry about.

Her outfit.

She stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at herself in the bright pink gharara her mother had chosen for her.

The entire outfit was covered in intricate hand embroidery, the rich pink fabric making the delicate work stand out beautifully. The dupatta fell gracefully over one shoulder, its embroidered borders completing the look.

Yusra turned slightly from one side to the other.

"Hmm..." She adjusted the dupatta and then looked at herself again. "Okay. This is actually pretty. Ammi has a good taste."

She smiled faintly before turning toward the bed and immediately frowned…Jewellery…That was the problem.

Her mother had packed enough jewellery to decorate an entire bridal party.

Yusra had opened almost every box.

Gold, pearls, diamonds, bangles, necklaces, earrings but nothing felt right.

She picked up one pair. "No." Then another. "Too much." Another. "Too boring." She tossed it back onto the bed.

"Why did I bring so much jewellery if I'm not going to like any of it?"

She opened another box. Nothing…. Another……Nothing.

She sighed dramatically and ran a hand through her hair. "Great. I'm going to attend my cousin’s wedding looking half-ready."

Just then, hurried little footsteps sounded outside her room. "Phuphoooooooo!"

Yusra turned and Zayan came running into the room, his little feet moving as quickly as they could.

"Slow down!" Yusra immediately warned. "You're going to fall."

He stopped right in front of her, slightly out of breath. "Ammi gave this." He held out a small jewellery box with both hands.

Yusra blinked. "For me?"

Zayan nodded enthusiastically. "She said give Phupho."

Yusra took the box from him. "Thank you my little golgappe." She crouched down and kissed both his chubby cheeks.

"You're such a good boy. Go and tell your Ammi thank you for me, okay?"

Zayan nodded seriously. "Otay, Phupho."

Then, as though his very important delivery had been completed, he immediately ran toward the door.

"Zayan!" But she called him from behind and he stopped. "Don't run." She warned him but he grinned and then ran anyway.

Yusra shook her head, laughing softly. "That little monster..."

She looked down at the box in her hands and opened it. Her eyebrows lifted when she opened it.

Inside lay a beautiful pair of ornate jhumkas.

They were unlike anything else she had brought with her. The dark blue stones, delicate gold detailing and tiny pearls around the edges complemented the pink of her gharara perfectly.

Yusra's face immediately brightened. "Oh, wow." She picked them up carefully. "Bhabijaan really is my savior."

She held one against her ear in front of the mirror. "She always rescues me at the last minute." A small smile appeared on her face. "Good choice, Bhabijaan."

She put them on then turned her head slightly. The tiny pearls brushed against her cheeks with every movement, making a soft, delicate sound.

Yusra smiled at her reflection. She moved her head from side to side.

Chhan... chhan.

"Oh, these are beautiful." She touched one gently. "They actually match perfectly."

She looked at herself for another few seconds before smiling. "Bhabijaan has such good taste."

Finally satisfied, she picked up her phone and took one quick look at herself through the camera.

Then immediately remembered something. Her expression changed. She checked her notifications…Nothing.

Yusra stared at the screen. Still nothing. Her lips pressed together. "Good." She locked the phone. "Perfect." She placed it aside.

"Who cares?" She picked up her dupatta. "Definitely not me."

A few minutes later, she was ready.

She took one final look in the mirror, adjusted the edge of her dupatta and walked out of her room.

Outside, the entire house had been transformed for the wedding.

The lawn was glowing with warm lights. Flowers decorated the entrance, chairs had been arranged for the guests and the area prepared for the nikah was already filling with relatives.

Yusra walked toward the lawn, carefully holding the edge of her gharara so she wouldn't step on it.

She had barely taken a few steps when she heard a group of girls whispering excitedly nearby.

"Oh my God!"

"Did you see him?"

"Who?"

"That guy who just walked past!"

"Ya Allah, he was so handsome."

Yusra slowed down. She turned her head slightly.

Another girl giggled. "He looked so good in that off-white Pathani."

"I swear, I always thought men looked best in only black, but that colour on him..."

"Oh my God."

"The Pathani fit him so well."

"Did you see his kurta?"

"Which part?"

"The top was open."

A collective gasp followed. "Girl!"

"I swear, I saw his chest."

"Ya Allah..."

"You saw it too?"

"Obviously!"

"Just a little more open and..." She dramatically placed a hand over her heart. "Hayee." The girls dissolved into laughter.

Yusra rolled her eyes. "What is wrong with these girls?" She shook her head and continued walking. "One handsome man walks by and suddenly they've forgotten how to behave."

She flicked her hair over her shoulder without even sparing a single glance towards the direction all the girls were looking at and continued toward the house to meet the bride, her cousin.

Before she could reach the entrance, her mother called from behind. "Yusra!"

She turned. "Yes, Ammi?"

"Beta, go upstairs and bring the jewellery box from my room. The larger one. I forgot to give it to your Khala (aunty)."

“Okay.” Yusra nodded. "Where did you keep it?"

"In the wardrobe, on the top shelf."

"Got it." She headed inside.

The wedding noise slowly faded behind her as she entered the quieter corridor.

She walked toward her mother's room, her bangles softly chiming with every step. She had barely reached the turn in the hallway when suddenly…A hand caught her wrist.

Yusra gasped.

Before she could react, she was pulled sharply sideways.

"What the..."

A hand covered her mouth and her eyes widened.

For one terrifying second, panic shot through her.

Then she felt the familiar touch. That scent. That calm presence. Her mind clicked.

No.

She struggled against the grip and immediately bit down on the hand covering her mouth.

The person let go with a low amused chuckle.

Yusra spun around and shoved him hard. "Are you insane, you freaking stalker?"

Uzair, on the other hand, stood in front of her, completely unbothered. A slow, unmistakable smirk appeared on his face.

He said nothing. He simply looked at her. At the bright pink gharara. At the delicate jhumkas brushing her cheeks. At the furious expression already forming on her face was exactly how he had imagined while buying those jhumpkas. 

And his smirk deepened.

Yusra's eyes narrowed the moment she saw that smirk. Something inside her snapped. She marched toward him and shoved both hands against his chest.

"Peecha kyun kar rahe ho mera? Aaj toh achhe se tabiyat durust karwaungi tumhari. Samajhte kya ho khud ko? (Why are you following me? Today I'm going to teach you a proper lesson. What do you think you are?)”

She pushed him again.

"Pehle phone par pareshaan karke rakha tha. Phir achanak gayab ho gaye…(First you kept harassing me through the phone. Then you suddenly disappeared…)”

“Oh so you were missing me when I disappeared?” Uzair asked, interrupting her.

“Hargiz nhi! Mujhe laga chalo, museebat gale se gayi. Lekin nahi... tum toh mere peeche-peeche yahan tak chale aaye! (Not at all! I thought, finally, the disaster is gone. But no... you followed me all the way here!)”

She raised both hands again, ready to shove him. This time, Uzair caught both her wrists.

Yusra gasped. "Chhodo mujhe! (Let me go!)”

Instead of releasing her, Uzair pulled her toward him and the sudden movement caught her completely off guard.

Yusra lost her balance and crashed straight into his hard chest. Her breath caught.

For one brief second, neither of them moved.

Her softness pressed against his solid frame, her hands trapped between them while Uzair simply looked down at her and that infuriating smirk remained on his lips.

Yusra immediately started struggling against his hold. "Hath chhodo mera! Warna Abhi chilla dungi main! (Let go of my hands! Or I'll scream right now!)”

Uzair's grip remained firm, but his expression only grew more amused. "Chillao. Main toh sunna chahta hoon tum chillati hui kaisi lagti ho. (Scream. I'd like to hear what you sound like when you scream too.)”

Yusra's eyes widened but before she could say or do anything he leaned closer, his face nearing hers.

His warm breath brushed against her ear and a strange shiver ran through her.

She hated that her body had reacted before her mind could stop it.

Uzair's voice dropped even lower as he said without any shame. "Main bhi toh dekhun... mere neeche chillaati hui kaisi lagogi. (Let me see how you look screaming beneath me.)”

Yusra's eyes went even wider and for a second, she was completely stunned.

Then she found her voice. "Tum... tum besharam aadmi! (You... you shameless man!)” She shoved him with all her strength. "Ghatiya! Galeech!"

Uzair stumbled backward and his back hit the wall…and…Instead of getting angry, he laughed.

Meanwhile, Yusra's heart was hammering wildly. Her stomach twisted in a way that she didn't want to name it.

She couldn't believe this man.

She was a dark romance writer. She had written men who were arrogant, shameless, possessive and completely unhinged.

But she had never imagined someone would actually stand in front of her and say things like this to her face.

She forced her expression back into a deadly glare, then her gaze dropped and a slow mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

Uzair immediately noticed but before he could understand or predict her next move Yusra lifted the edge of her gharara slightly, raised her foot and brought her heel down firmly on his shoe.

Uzair's body jerked. A sharp gasp escaped him.

Yusra looked at him with a deadly expression. Then suddenly smiled sweetly. "Meri woh jutti yaad hai jis se maine us bhadwe Fahad ka sar phoda tha? (Remember the sandal I used to smash that bastard Fahad's head with?)”

Despite the pain, Uzair's lips curved upward. "Kaise bhool sakta hoon? Bahut hi khoobsurat jutti thi. (How could I forget? It was a very beautiful shoe.)”

Yusra's smile widened. She pressed her heel down harder and then she pointed her eyes toward her own footwear. "Ye wali kaisi hai? (What about this one?)”

Uzair looked down at her heel before looking back into her hazel eyes. His smile deepened.  "Ye toh usse bhi zyada khoobsurat hai. (This one is even more beautiful than that.)”

Yusra's expression changed instantly. Her teeth clenched. "Jab tumhare sar par padegi na, tab aur achhi lagegi. (When it lands on your head, you'll like it even more.)”

She drove her heel down again, this time with considerably more force.

Uzair sucked in a breath but didn't even hiss in pain.

Yusra immediately turned around. But before she could take another step, Uzair caught her hand and pulled her back toward him.

Yusra spun around furiously. "Uzair, main jaan se maar dungi tumh..…(Uzair, I will kill yo…)” But her words died in her throat.

Uzair had reached into the pocket of his kurta and pulled out several thick bundles of five-hundred-rupee notes.

Yusra stared at him in complete confusion. "Pagal ho gaye ho kya? Ye kya kar rahe ho? (Have you gone crazy? What are you doing?)”

Uzair simply smiled. He lifted the bundles over her head and began slowly waving them around her.

"Apni jaan ka sadqa utaar raha hoon. (I'm warding off the evil eye from my beloved.)"

Yusra went completely still. Her mouth opened slightly but nothing came out of her mouth. For once… She had absolutely no comeback.

"Itni khoobsurat lag rahi ho. Kisi ki nazar lag gayi toh? (You're looking so beautiful. What if someone casts an evil eye on you?) I'll blame myself for not doing anything about it.”

Uzair finished the little ritual and lowered the bundles. His eyes shifted toward her earrings.

He reached up and lightly flicked one of the jhumkas with his fingertip. The earring swayed beside her cheek.

Uzair stared at it for a moment and then looked at her. "Jitna socha bhi nahi tha inhe khareedte waqt... usse zyada haseen lag rahe hain tum par. (They look even more beautiful on you than I imagined when I bought them.)

Yusra's eyes widened..Her fingers instinctively touched the jhumka. “What?”

Uzair only smiled. He didn't answer. He didn't need to.

Yusra stared at him, still trying to process it. But before she could ask anything else, Uzair stepped away.

He casually turned and walked out towards the entrance where the baraat (wedding procession) had begun gathering.

Yusra remained rooted to the spot in complete shock. She stood completely stunned as she watched him walk away.

Her hand slowly rose to her ear. Her fingers brushed the jhumka. Her gaze remained fixed on him.

Just then, Zara's voice came from behind her. "Yusra!"

She turned.

Zara hurried toward her. "Yahan kya kar rahi ho? Bahar baraat aa gayi hai! (What are you doing here? The baraat has arrived outside!)

Then Zara's eyes fell on Yusra's earrings. She immediately stopped. "Arre wah! Ye toh bahut khoobsurat hain! Kab liye? Mujhe dikhaye bhi nahi! (Oh wow! These are so beautiful! When did you buy these? You didn't even show them to me!)”

Yusra looked down at them through the window reflection and she got her answer. Zara didn't brought them. Uzair did.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "Bhabijaan..."

Zara gently touched one of the earrings. "Tum par toh bahut achhe lag rahe hain. (They look absolutely beautiful on you.)” She grabbed Yusra's hand. "Chalo, jaldi. Sab baraat dekhne ke liye bahar ja rahe hain. (Come on, quickly. Everyone is going outside to see the baraat.)”

Zara pulled her toward the lawn.

The moment they stepped outside, the sound of music and laughter surrounded them.

Zara suddenly stopped. Her gaze moved toward the crowd. Then slowly turned toward Yusra. 

Uzair was walking towards the barat. Then, as though it were the most normal thing in the world, he tossed all those bundles of notes into the air toward the baraat.

The notes scattered everywhere.

The baraatis immediately cheered and rushed forward to catch them.

Yusra's heart skipped a beat looking at him.

Uzair was standing there calm, confident and completely at ease.

Zara's eyebrows shot upward. "Wait a minute... what is he doing here?”

Yusra whispered, almost to herself, "Mujhe nahi maloom. (I have no idea.)”

Before Zara could say anything else, the same group of girls nearby began whispering again.

"Ya Allah, ye wahi ladka hai! (Oh God, that's the same guy!)”

“Dekha kaise paise udae isne? (Did you see how he threw cash in the air?)”

“Paise wala bhi aur handsome bhi…. hayeee.. kya katilana combination hai. (Rich and handsome too... hayeee... what a deadly combination.)”

"Hayee… wo kurte k button kaash thode se aur khul jate. (Hayee... if only a few more buttons of that kurta were undone.)”

“Did you see his chest?”

"Dekhi thi? Main toh dobara dekhne ke liye khadi hoon. (Did I see it? I'm standing here hoping to get another look.)”

They giggled again.

"Agar ye mujhe ek baar dekh le na, main toh apna naam bhi bhool jaungi. (If he looked at me once, I'd probably forget my own name.)”

Yusra's jaw tightened. Her eyes moved toward Uzair. Then toward the girls and then back toward Uzair.

Something unpleasant twisted inside her stomach.

Why were they staring at him like that?

And why did she suddenly feel so irritated?

Beside her, Zara noticed the change in Yusra's expression. The narrowed eyes. The tightened jaw. The way she was pretending not to look at Uzair while very obviously listening to every single word.

Zara pressed her lips together to hide her smile. She had understood something which Yusra clearly hadn't… Yet.

Yusra was still staring at Uzair when her mother's voice suddenly called from across the lawn. "Yusra!"

She blinked while Zara immediately caught her hand. "Come on."

Before Yusra could protest, Zara pulled her toward the gathering and she allowed herself to be dragged along, but her eyes remained fixed on Uzair.

He was still looking at her and that faint smile was still there. As if he knew exactly what was going through her mind. As if he knew she was annoyed. As if he knew she was jealous.

And, worst of all, as if he was enjoying every second of it.

Yusra finally looked away. "Idiot," she muttered under her breath.

The wedding celebrations continued around them.

Music played, relatives moved between the seating arrangements, children ran around the lawn and the older members of the family remained busy with the rituals of welcoming the groom and his family.

Afterward, everyone scattered again, some congratulating the parents while others headed toward the food counters.

Yusra found herself standing beside Zara and Zubair near one of the counters, barely paying attention to the food in front of her.

She was still distracted and unfortunately, her eyes kept wandering toward the same person.

Then she noticed him coming towards them and Yusra immediately froze.

A second later, Uzair stopped beside them. Zubair smiled and extended his hand. "Assalamu Alaikum."

"Wa Alaikum Assalam."

They shook hands warmly.

Zubair looked at him in surprise. "Aap yahan? (You are here?)”

Uzair smiled.

"Ladke walon ki taraf se hoon. Dulhe ki dadi mere Dadajaan ki second cousin hain. Dadajaan aur Dadijaan ko khud aana tha nikah mein, lekin ain waqt par Dadijaan ki tabiyat kuch nasaz ho gayi. Toh unki ghair-maujoodgi poori karne mujhe aana pada. ( I'm here from the groom's side. The groom's grandmother is my grandfather's second cousin. Dadajaan and Dadijaan were supposed to attend the nikah themselves, but Dadijaan suddenly became unwell at the last moment. So I had to come in their place.)”

Yusra's eyes narrowed.

Of course.

Of course he had a perfectly reasonable explanation. Of course he had somehow ended up at the exact same wedding and of course every girl here had already noticed him.

Her inner voice immediately snapped.

‘Oh, come on, Yusra. What difference does it make to you? So what if every girl here looks at him? He's not yours.’

She frowned.

‘Not yet.’

Her eyes widened.

‘What?!’

She immediately mentally slapped herself.

‘No. Absolutely not.’

Meanwhile, Uzair had noticed every single change in her expression.

The tiny frown. The way her eyes moved toward the girls whenever they looked at him. The way she immediately looked away whenever he caught her staring.

And he was enjoying himself far too much.

Zubair, completely unaware of the entire situation, casually kept talking to him.

Zara, meanwhile, stood beside them with her lips pressed together, trying very hard not to laugh because she's noticing everything too.

Uzair continued talking to Zubair as though Yusra wasn't standing right there. But every now and then, his eyes drifted toward her and every time they did, Yusra caught him.

The nikah ceremony finally started, everyone gathered as the bride and groom sat face to face with a flower veil between them.

Yusra stood a little farther away with her dupatta carefully placed over her head.

The Maulvi Sahab began reciting the nikah proceedings.

The groom was asked. "Qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai." He answered.

The bride was asked. "Qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai." She answered.

The words echoed through the gathering.

Yusra listened quietly then she felt someone's gaze on her. She looked up.

Uzair.

He was standing across the gathering, watching only her. His expression was calm. Almost unbearably calm. His eyes held hers.

Then, very subtly, he lifted his brows. His lips moved without making a sound. ‘Qubool hai?’

Yusra's eyes widened. She knew exactly what he meant.

Will you accept being my girlfriend?

She rolled her eyes so dramatically that Zara almost laughed beside her.

Yusra immediately looked away.

Absolutely not.

That was her answer.

The nikah was completed. Everyone congratulated the newlyweds. The atmosphere became even livelier and in all the noise, Yusra suddenly realized something.

"Zayan?" She looked around. Her little nephew had been beside her only a few minutes ago. "Zayan?"

She checked near the food counters. Nothing.

She turned toward Zara. "Bhabhijaan, Zayan kahan hai? (Bhabhijaan, where is Zayan?)”

Zara frowned. "Woh abhi toh yahin tha. (He was just here.)”

Yusra immediately started looking around. "Zayan!"

She moved through the guests, checking behind the chairs and near the tables and then she finally saw him.

He was near the decorated side of the lawn, where some of the wedding arrangements had been placed. A few children were playing nearby.

"Zayan!" She called him loudly.

The little boy turned at the sound of her voice. "Phupho!" He smiled and started running toward her.

At that exact moment, one of the decorative stands beside the lawn shifted. Someone had accidentally knocked against its base.

A large floral heavy iron arrangement began tipping toward the path.

Yusra's eyes widened as a horrified scream tore her lips. "ZAYAN!"

The little boy froze as the decorated stand tilted further.

Yusra started running toward him. But she was too far and before she could reach him, a figure moved faster.

Uzair lunged forward, grabbed Zayan around the waist and pulled him sharply away.

The floral arrangement crashed down exactly where the child had been standing seconds earlier.

The sound made everyone turn.

Yusra stopped dead. Her heart nearly stopped with it. "Zayan!"

Uzair had already crouched down checking if he's ok. “Are you okay, champ?”

The little boy had gone completely pale. His lower lip trembled. Then he started crying. "Phupho..."

Yusra ran toward them and didn't even think. She grabbed Zayan from his arms and pulled him tightly against her chest. "Zayan!"

The little boy buried his face against her while sobbing hysterically. "Phupho... phupho..."

Yusra's own tears began falling. She kissed his hair again and again. "It's ok. Kuch nahi hua, meri jaan. Kuch nahi hua. (Nothing happened, my baby. Nothing happened.)”

She held him tighter. Her own voice shook as nonstop tears rolled down her cheeks. "Maine kaha tha na bhaagna mat! Tum sunte kyun nahi hai Phupho ki baat? (I told you not to run! Why don't you ever listen to your Phupho?)”

Zayan cried harder. "Solly, Phupho..."

Yusra closed her eyes tightly. "Bas... bas. Kuch nahi hua. Phupho yahin hai. (Enough… nothing happened. I'm right here.)"

Zara and Zubair came running toward them. Zara immediately took Zayan in her arms. "Zayan!"

The little boy reached for his mother. "Ammi..."

Zara tightened him into her arms. "Oh, my baby..."

Zubair wrapped an arm around both of them. "He's okay. He's okay."

Yusra stood beside them, still trembling. Her eyes instinctively moved toward Uzair. He was standing a few feet away.

Their eyes met and for the first time since she had met him, Yusra didn't see the smirk. He simply looked at her. Quietly. Making sure she and Zayan were alright.

Yusra swallowed. "Thank you," she whispered. Uzair gave her a small nod. She didn't say anything else.

Zara immediately took Zayan inside. Yusra followed them.

Inside the room, Zayan was still sobbing. Zara tried to calm him while Yusra stroked his hair. "Bas, bas, mera sher. Rote nhi. (You are my lion. Don't cry.)"

After a few minutes, Zara managed to get him to drink some water and eat a little.

His breathing slowly settled.

Zara looked at Yusra. "Yusra, you go. Rukhsati ka waqt ho raha hai. Main Zayan ko dekh lungi. (It’s time for the bride’s farewell. I’ll look after Zayan.)”

Yusra immediately shook her head. "No, Bhabhijaan. I'm here. You go. How will Ammi and Khala manage everything alone?”

Zara hesitated but Yusra gave her a reassuring smile. "Aap fikar mat karo. Ab main ise kahin nahi jaane dungi. ( Don't worry. I won't let him go anywhere now.)”

Zara leaned down and kissed Zayan's forehead. "Okay. Take care of him."

She left and Yusra stayed beside the bed. She helped Zayan change his clothes, then sat down with him.

The moment she sat down, the little boy immediately curled against her. His tiny fingers clutched her dupatta tightly as if that's his only anchor.

Yusra kissed the top of his head. "Bas... so jao. (Sleep.)" And started gently patting his back.

Zayan's breathing was still uneven. Every few seconds, a tiny sniff escaped him. The poor child was terrified.

Yusra continued stroking his hair.

A few moments later, Zayan stirred slightly. His sleepy voice came out softly. "Phupho..."

"Hmm?" She hummed while caressing his head.

"Aaj agal woh untle nahi bachate…(If that uncle hadn't saved me today…."

Yusra's heart stopped.

Zayan opened his eyes halfway. "...toh tya main mal jaata? (... Would I have died?)"

Yusra's entire body went cold. She immediately pulled him closer. "Nahi." Her voice trembled. "Aisi baatein nahi karte, meri jaan. (We don't talk like that, my love.)” She kissed his forehead repeatedly. "Nothing happened, okay? Look, you're perfectly fine.”

She hugged him tightly. "Phupho kabhi kuch nahi hone degi tumhe. Kabhi bhi nahi. (Phupho will never let anything happen to you. Never.)”

Zayan sniffled. "Main toh pata bahadul shel hoon. (I'm your brave lion.)"

Yusra smiled through her tears. "Haan. Mera bahadur sher." She continued patting his back. “Now close your eyes.”

Slowly, Zayan's breathing steadied again. Eventually, his little fingers loosened around her dupatta. His breathing became steady.

He fell asleep.

Yusra stared down at him. Her eyes filled again. She kissed his forehead. "My baby..."

Zayan means the world to her, and what happened today has truly frightened her.

Within minutes, he was asleep. But Yusra couldn't sleep. She remained beside him, staring at his peaceful face. Her fingers gently moved through his hair.

She had raised him almost like her own child. She had been there for his first steps. His first words. His tantrums. His tears. His laughter.

He wasn't just her brother's son..He was her Zayan. Her baby.

And tonight...She had almost lost him.

Yusra closed her eyes. "Ya Allah..." A tear slipped down her cheek. "Tera lakh lakh Shukr hai."

She whispered another prayer of gratitude. Again and again. Thanking Allah for sending Uzair at exactly the right moment.

But the moment Uzair's name entered her mind, everything else followed.

The money he had waved over her head. The way he'd looked at her. The jhumkas.

‘These look even more beautiful on you than I imagined.’

Then the girls staring at him..Her irritation. That strange jealousy and then….Zayan. Uzair pulling him away just before the accident.

And that incident changed something inside her because right now her baby Zayan is in her arms only because of Uzair.

Yusra stared at the sleeping child.

Maybe Zara was right. Maybe there was something about him she hadn't understood yet.

She slowly reached for her phone. Her fingers hesitated but she opened her blocked contacts. Then searched through the numbers.

The last number Uzair had messaged her from before she started blocking all the others.

For some reason, she had never blocked that one.

Her heart began beating faster. She opened the chat. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard.

She typed only two words.

Then she stared at them. Her heart pounded. Then, before she could change her mind, she pressed send.

The message delivered.

Qubool Hai.

Yusra looked at the delivered message for a moment before she immediately locked the phone and placed it beside her.