He Found Me

Chapter: One 

HOOR POV:

I checked the time. It was 9:30 pm.
"Am dead!"I said while cursing under my breath and hurriedly grabbing my bag and all things before walking out of the building.

I reached the parking lot while scrolling on my phone. Lost in my world when I heard someone clear his thought and looked up to find my brother staring at me with an annoyed face. I smiled at him apologetically.

"You are late again Hoor." He said while looking at his watch and staring back at me while shaking his head like he was disappointed.
"Not my fault I had overly much work."

Saying that I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling. We both stared into each other eyes for a minute before my brother break it and walked toward the driving seat without saying anything and started the car. Not wanting to listen to his lecture I didn't waste any second and also got in the car.

"What we will tell Mama?" I heard him asking me as I turned my face toward him and shrugged my shoulder.

"I don't know," I said then looked out of the window looking at the cars.

"She will say nothing to you but to me." I heard him mumble to himself making a small smile form on my face as I looked back at him.

"Who told you to give me so much work? now face the consequences." He stayed quiet and focused on his driving before glancing at me.

And yes I was his secretary. My brother run his Industry and I worked under him.

I placed my head on the car window and a sigh left me making me look down at my hands before looking back at the road. Thoughts started to fill in my mind making me close my eyes as I felt a sudden pain in my chest.

Sometimes I wonder what would it be like to control something. To prevent something from happening horrible to you. And If only I had powers I would do anything to stop horrible things from happening.

Tears filled in my eyes without my knowing as one tear slipped on my hand making me look down again. I bit my lips and tried to... I just wanted to forget everything so badly. Everything that had happened to me. The past brings only pain. Why can't we just forget and pretend like it never happened?

But the fact that the things that happened to you, tore you so much that the wounds take years to heal. The wound that I had was yet to heal.

"Hoor, you are crying?" I heard my brother's worried voice as I silently wiped my tears when I noticed that he was looking at me. "

I'm fine," I gave him a small smile and whispered before looking out of the window not wanting him to see me in this state.

I blinked my eyes when I notice that the car was parked on the side making me bite my lips because I was so on my own that I didn't realize when we had stopped 

"Tell me what's wrong please." His voice was soft but demanding this time making me glance at him as I shooked my head and tried to smile again.

"Nothing's wrong... Really."

He sighed.

"My little hoor you know better than anyone that I will always know if something is bothering you without you even saying it to me? Then now tell me what's got into your mind?" He stared at me and wait for me to say something as my lips started to wiggle and my eyes suddenly filled with tears again I tried to hold them but they betrayed me.

"I feel di-disgusted. From myself. I tried... I really tried bhai, to not think but it-its always came to my mind. No matter what I do it haunts me bhai. The past doesn't let me breathe. Bhai please, please just take the pain away. It's getting too much and I... I am not that strong to hold the pain."

I hid my face in my hands and let my tears out as I felt my chest tighten and I cried like a child. Arms wrapped around me as my brother pulled me toward him and I hugged him and started to cry harder.

"Shh my little one, I am here to hold you. You are stronger than anyone my little Hoor. Always remember Allah will never test you beyond your capacity. Just don't lose hope." And just like always my brother's smoothing help me to calm down a little as I nod my head but couldn't stop myself from saying.

"When everyone in our family gets to know this. They will be disgusted with me and they will never want to see me." I tightly closed my eyes while imagining it. The thoughts were hurting me but it was the truth. When people will know they will turn their back on me.

AZLAN POV:

It's a pain to see someone whom you love so much getting hurt. I know she was breaking from the inside. Seeing her crying like this hurt me so much.

Why did destiny do this to her?

I rubbed my hands over her back and arms trying to calm her and it did. We stayed quiet letting our breaths fill the heavy silence.

"Let's go before Mama calls us." I heard her mumble and she broke the hug and stare outside of the car window a gesture from her that she don't want to speak anymore. My eyes stayed on her a little longer making my heart at ease that she was okay now. But deep down I know she wasn't.

I nodded my head silently to her and started the car.

HOOR POV:

When we reached home. I noticed the lights were off. Looks like our parents were sleeping.

I looked at my brother to see him grinning at me and wriggling his eyebrows happy over the fact that Mama and Baba were sleeping and we won't get scolded by them. A small smile formed on my lips. We quietly opened the main door and entered without making any noise.

"You both are late. Again." The lights suddenly turned on. I froze in my place as I looked at my brother to see fear all over his face. Who knows the CEO of Azlan Industry can be scared of his mother. Poor soul.

"Assalam-o-Alikum ami (mom) you weren't sleeping?" I asked while nervously laughing she looked at me making me bite my lips as I looked at her feet like they were the most interesting thing.

"Walaikum Assalam and it's not my answer where were you both? Azlan?" My mother said looking at me and then at my brother as he looked at Ami in alarm.

"Ami uhh, we were stuck in the traffic." My head snaps towards him. Really? And looked back at my mother. She looked at us for a minute then said.

"Come with me you both." With that, she turned around and walked toward the living room leaving the two helpless souls behind. Who did nothing.

I looked at my brother. "It's all your fault," I whispered to him.

"Shut up."
It's been one and a half hours since and my brother was sitting in the living room, listening to our mother scolding us for being late.
I yawned.

"I'm leaving you both right now but never get late again." With that, she turned around and went towards her room. Finally!!!!

I walked toward my room and placed my all things and make my way toward the washroom and take a shower. I changed my clothes into comfy clothes and lay on my bed.

The moment came into my mind making me think about what had happened a while ago. I hide my face in my pillow in embarrassment. Ugh ya Allah. I was so stupid why did I do that? I shouldn't let that happen in front of Bhai( brother). Now he might be worried just because of my stupidity.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to forget about it but suddenly his face came into my mind making my eyes snap open as my heart skip a beat.

And as much as I don't want to think but I still end up wondering what he might be doing right now. Was he awake or was he sleeping? What does he look like now? Would he remember me?

I shake my head closed my eyes and scold myself for thinking like that. Why would...why would he think about me?

His hand were on my thighs and were coming dangerously closer.
"NO PLEASE!!." I begged him while trying to free my hands. Ya Allah, please save me today. Please.
"I have never seen such beauty in my life". I cried harder and harder. Please someone save me.
"Ple- please!! Don't do that to me I'm begging you. Please let me go".
His hand came to my shirt and tore it open.
" NOOO!!!."

I got up gasping and breathing heavily and looked around terrified before sighing in relief knowing that I was in my room, in my house, and safe. I grabbed the water bottle from my nightstand and take a deep sip. My heart was still beating so fast. I grabbed the b take a deep to calm myself down.

I climbed out of my bed and make my way toward the bathroom to freshen up.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"Next week we are all going to Pakistan." I choked on my bite and looked at my mother in shock. All? She was not mentioning me, right?

"What!" I gasped while hoping that she must be joking.

"You heard me we are all.going.to.Pakistan."She said while grabbing her plates.

"B-but ami(mom).." I was cut off by my mother glaring. I looked at my brother's helplessness, hoping that he will help but that idiot was smirking and didn't even look my way.

"You can all go I have work to do," I said while standing up from my seat not wanting to argue with anyone they know I can't go there. I can never face the rest of my family. Never.

"Hoor! When I said that we are all going then we are all going." I looked at her then at my brother and walked out of the kitchen.

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Ami ( mom, mother)
Bhai( brother)

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Every week one chapter will be uploaded!

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Chapter: two 

HOOR POV:

My hands were shaking while I was packing my clothes. A sudden feeling of excitement and anxiety run down my spine making me stop myself from everything and just stand there and stare at the invisible spot. The thought of being rejected by everyone made my heart skip a beat.

My mother told me that there was a wedding in Pakistan and all of us must go there. It was strictly ordered from her. I looked down at the bags while wondering if I could come up with an excuse at the last moment but later throw that thought out. My mother would kill me if she even get to know what I was thinking.

I was only 10 years old when we moved to Canada and then to California because of my dad's business issues. And because of our shifting and my phone broken reason made me lose all contact with my cousins. But the truth was, after that, I never really tried to reach out to anyone. But besides me, my brother and my mother were in touch with them.

My mother had gone to Pakistan three to four times and each time requested me to go with her. And each time I rejected her offer. The fact that I know... I know that I can't face them, not anymore, I can't be me anymore in front of them without bursting out crying that I don't... I don't deserve to be with them or anyone. I don't deserve to be in the same room as them.

I know my parents were trying to help me but the fact that I knew I had lost myself years ago. Their help won't work... I had no hope left in me and I also know I will be devasted when I will be facing my family but I guess I didn't have the hold of time, this time.

We had to stay there for a month and a whole month was a long period, isn't it? I will be seeing each member of my family after sixteen years. A sad smile formed on my lips when I realized that I missed them. I missed all the chances I had with them. My brother told me how they always asked about me, how my all cousins are. And for once I wanted to go back in time and change my decision for not going to Pakistan.

I zip my all things and sit on my bed and released a tired sigh. I wanted to see my family. How they are, what they are doing in their lives, I wanted to know everything, everything, especially about him. I wanted to know what did he look like.

Was it bad to desire being held by someone you know you can now never have? A tear slipped from my eyes into my open palms and I stared at it. My lips wiggle when negative thoughts sufficed my mind making me hold back a choke.

They will never, ever accept me. He will never accept me. He will not. Why would he want a girl like me? A girl who had lost everything. A girl who had no hope to live her life. A girl who was broken. Why would he stay with...with someone like me?

Deep down I had this tiny longing, a light that I couldn't kill no matter what I do. A yearning to be held by him, a yearning for him to take every pain from me and just hold me tight and never let me go. For him to come and tell me that 'Princess I am here, no need to be afraid.' It was just a tiny desire that I always wanted to crush but that desire... That stupid desire was not ending.

It was not understanding that he was not going to come for me, not now not ever. He will leave the moment he will know. So fantasizing about something that was never gonna happen... Was stupid.

My chest tightened at the thoughts and I take a deep breath and looked at the ceiling and blink my eyes to control myself.

I nodded to myself when I know I was fine and fully ready to show my face to my parents. I placed a smile on my face and walked downstairs into the kitchen only to see my elder brother who was sitting there eating his food. 

"Azlan Bhai( brother) where are ami and Baba?."

I asked while grabbing an apple.

"They went out to buy something." He said while fully busy with his food and phone while I nod to myself.

Azlan was thirty-three years old, my best buddy plus brother. To whom I can rely on no matter what happened. He was the only one that I ever let close to me and let myself open up to him.

"Do you need my help with something to pack?" Glancing at him I offered him my held hoping in silence for him to say 'No.' when he did, I grin in relief and look down at my sweet apple and start eating it.

AFTER A FEW HOURS:

Checking the time multiple times I sighed in frustration before grabbing my clothes and walking toward the bathroom to take A shower. After a nice shower, I clasped my laptop to watch a movie.

I switched my phone on and glared at the time, showing me that it was still past eleven pm. Taking a deep breath I closed the laptop with a shut and slowly walked out of my room towards my brother's room to see what he was doing. I knock on the door while looking at my parent's room to see if anyone of them was awake before slowly letting myself in. I saw Azlan laying on his stomach making me almost return to my room. But I was bored...

I gradually walked toward his bed and stand there for a while before climbing on top of him. I run my fingers through his hair before poking my finger on his shoulder.

"Bhai... Sleeping?" He opened his eyes before turning his head to the other and going to sleep again making me shake his shoulder.

"Hoor, for Allah sak--" I hurriedly put my hand over his mouth and wait for any movement from my parents before glaring at him. 

"Low your volume idiot, you wish to die at such a young age by ami slipper?" I whispered and put my hand down while staring at him. He rubbed his face with both hands and let out a groan.

"Get off me." I chuckled while climbing off him and sitting beside him before putting my head over his shoulder while closing my eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Honestly... I don't even know what is wrong with me." I opened my eyes and stared at the darkness in the room. "I guess we are going that's why I am uneasy," I said in a low voice and rubbed my hands with my shirt as they suddenly become wet.

My head turned toward Azlan when he suddenly get up from the bed and grabbed my hand and make me stand on my place while I stared at him in confusion.

"What happened?"

"We are going out for ice cream." I heard him say while he starts wearing his shoes. I put my hands over my waist and said. "What if Ami suddenly  came and found us nowhere?"

"You are saying like it's our first time doing this and besides they are sleeping so it's not a big deal." A smile formed on my lips at his irritated voice before I walked into my room and wear on my jogger and walked back into his room.

I locked the door behind me and walked toward the opened window and poked my head out to see my brother standing there.

I climbed onto the window and with a deep breath. I jumped out of it perfectly landing on the ground and grabbed Azlan's hand.

While eating ice cream we roam on the streets for a while before coming back home and climbing back into the window as my brother said.

"Now sleep before I beat you." I raised my eyebrow at his stupid threat as pushed me out of his room and closed the door in my face making me stare at it as I sigh.

'I guess it was time for me to sleep also' I mumbled to myself and walked to my room and changed my clothes before lying on my bed.

I stared at the ceiling and suddenly his face was in my mind making me let out a groan as I say.

"Not now."

The urge to suddenly see him, to know what did he look like was getting the best of me. Just even one peak would be enough for me. For years it just felt like a high dream to me and now seeing that dream almost coming true... Feels like I was in... never mind it was just a stupid thought.

I heard that he joined the army and I was more than happy for him. He deserved better.

One tear slipped from my eyes while knowing fully well that there will be no future with him.

And even knowing this my heart beats fast for him because I know I will see him there in two days perhaps. And I was afraid.

I closed my eyes as they were burning.

"I just... For once, I just want to be happy and forget about everything. I wish my past would become a terrible dream so that the next morning I woke up and just forget about it. I hope that nothing terrible ever happened to any girl."

AT MORNING:

The vibration of my alarm woke me up making me let out a groan as I shut my phone with half-open eyes and pulled the comforter over my head hiding my face from the light coming from my room window.

I lay there for a while before suddenly sitting up I looked at the bags and hurriedly walked toward the washroom to freshen up.

I open the tab and splash the water on my face and stare at my reflection.

How the hell can I forget? We are going today and it slipped from my mind?!

After washing my face and brushing my teeth I walked downstairs and saw my parents and my dear brother eating their breakfast. They didn't even wait for me to wake up. What a nice family.

"Well Asalam O Alikum sleepy head." My brother came from behind me and mess with my already messed-up hair making me glare at him as I pushed the hair out of my face.

"Walaikum Assalam why didn't you wake me up?" I asked while taking the plate from my mother and kissing her on her cheeks.

"I did but you sleep like a koala." My mouth fell open and I stared at him in disbelief.

"I sleep like a koala?? Are you talking about me or bout yourself?" And from there our argument starts about who sleeps like a koala and of course, I did not win because my parents also agreed with him. Like I said what a nice family.

After breakfast, I walked back to my room and started to get ready. After getting ready I looked at my reflection in the mirror and nodded to myself.

I was wearing white printed kameez, which reached my knees, with red pants. I did a little bit of makeup and did my nikab, grabbed my shawl and my bag, and make my way downstairs.

I'm ready," I said and gave my bags to my dad.

We all sit in the car and after half an hour we finally reached the airport. My heart picked up its speed as we reached there.

I tried to take a deep breath but it was not helping me my anxiety was getting the best of me and I stop walking as my vision blurred. An arm wrapped around my waist And a familiar scent filled my nose making me close my eyes.

"Relax...shh... I am here." Azlan rubbed my back as I stand there for a while and then looked up and give him a small smile. He looked at me for a minute and patted my head before grabbing my hand and pulling me with him.

We take our seats on the plane and when it was full...

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen this is the captain speaking. We are now ready to take off. Please fasten your seat belt, and enjoy your flight. Thank you". I heard, what the pilot said and did.
I closed my eyes.
As I prayed to Allah that we reached there safely.

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End of Chapter Two.

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Chapter Three:

HOOR POV:

"Feeling nervous." I turn my head toward Azlan who was looking at me with concern and I give a small smile and say.

"You have no idea," I said and looked out of the plane window, I felt him grab my hand making me look at him.

"Everything is going to be fine, believe in Allah. He will make everything alright." He said softly while patted on my hand making me nod my head before turning my face away from him so he won't see the sudden tears coming in my eyes.

'I hope so too that everything went well.'

AFTER FEW HOURS:

Releasing a sigh of relief when we land in Pakistan. I stretched my legs a little before grabbing a hold of my bag.

"Come on your Abbas Mamu is here." I heard my mother say as she cut the call to which I presume she was talking with her brother.

I looked around my find my brother standing with a serious face making me bite my lips to hold a smile.

"If you stand with that sour face I am sure not even one girl will spare you her glance." He raised his eyebrow at my statement.

"Please, girl dies for me to spare them a glance."

"They must be crazy. I am sure of that or they don't have any brain." He gives me a side glance as we walk side by side.

"Shut your mouth for a while my ears start to hurt because of your horrible voice."  I nodded my head and looked down not before giving him a hurt look. My lips formed into a smile when I saw him stop walking. Suddenly feeling glad for wearing a veil so he doesn't find out that I was teasing him.

Abruptly he grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward him making me glare at him.

"Now what? You don't like my voice so don't talk to me." I said and tried to free my hand as he pinched my nose.

"Stop acting. You are the worst actor ever." I opened my mouth to argue with him when our mother cut our argument with her glare making both of us keep quiet.

Walking out of the airport. We spotted our uncle and greeted him. He first hugged Azlan, then examined me for a while, maybe he was thinking if he had ever seen me or not making me bite my lips as I could feel my face start to get heated up. When he suddenly said.

"Hoor?" I smiled at him and nod my head. His eyes widened in surprise and he hugged me tightly. "My kid! you are not a child anymore and why didn't you come before with your mother?"

"I couldn't because of university and work mamu (uncle)" I said while feeling awful that I lied to him. He was a nice person and here I was. Coming back after so many years, the first thing I did, was lied to him. Could this make me feel any better?

My mother saw my face and she started to talk to my uncle to distract him and I felt relieved at that. I noticed a hand on my shoulders, I looked beside me and saw my brother standing beside me as he smile at me before saying.

"As I said before, everything was going to be fine just believe in Allah Almighty, now smile hmm." I bit my lips and nodded my head before giving him a small smile.

We all sit in the car as I put my head on Azlan shoulder while closing my eyes feeling so tired.

"Hoor...Excited to see him?" Azlan whispered in my ear as my heart fluttered. No no no no!! Not now, please I just wanted to rest and not think about anything...

I pulled away from them and glared at him while he just... he just smiled innocently at me."Batameez insan." I get away from him and mumbled, before looking out of the window.

The thought of meeting him made my hand tremble a little as I formed them into a fist.

What will be his first reaction when he will recognize me?

I shooked my head to forget about him but my thoughts kept coming back to him. I internally cried at that when I can't get him out of my mind. My dear brother did this on a purpose as I sigh in frustration and pulled out my phone and hands-free from my bag and started to listen to songs to distract myself from thinking about him.

After A while.

"Hoor." Someone shack my head making me frown as I twisted my sleep sigh in relief when I found a comfortable position.

"Little one, wake up." I opened my eyes a little and peak at my brother. He helped me get out of the car while I rubbed my eyes. Looking up I stared at him in confusion on why the hell he woke me up after I fell asleep with a lot of difficulties.

"We reached." He said and my gaze went toward where he was pointing and an unknown feeling unexpectedly hit me hard making me take a few steps back.

A shiver run down my spine as my breath started to shorten. Black dots started to appear in my vision making me shook my head as Azlan rubbed my back and told me to count one to ten. Tears filled in my eyes as I started to repeat myself after my brother.

After calming down I looked up at my brother to see him examining at me. I smiled at him to assure him that I was okay. He bit his lips and hesitated for a minute before turning around and start walking.

We walked toward the entrance while I keep repeating. "Stay calm Allah is with you, be strong." that, is in my mind.

When we reached there. I heard the sound of laughing. I stop dead on my way. And started to panic as my hands started to shake making me take a few deep breaths.

"Clam down Hoor, you know that Allah is with you." I heard my brother's calming voice.  I nodded my head.

"Bhai can you go first? I will be right behind you." I whispered enough for him to hear because I needed a few seconds for myself.

Azlan nodded to me and started to walk where the noise was coming with me following behind him taking small steps. I was trying my best to relax. When we step inside the living room. I was right behind Azlan hiding from everyone. 

"Azlan where were you?" I heard someone ask him. When I step aside and stand beside my brother and put my veil down. Everyone's eyes went to me as silence filled in the room making me mentally fan myself as I awkwardly smile.

Okay, that was not helping.

"Assalam o Alikum." I let out loud and enough for everyone.
Everyone was quiet as they were all looking at me curiously making me hide my hands behind my back. An arm fell over my tense shoulder making me relax at the touch.

"Did you all recognize her? Of course not how can you all recognize her? She is the child that we ordered from Amazon." I bit my lips as I heard Azlan say while bringing me close to him as I glared at him.

"Azlan behave she is your sister." I heard my mother say in a stern voice making everyone gasped.

"Hoor?" The same woman said who was talking to Azlan bhai a few minutes ago looking at me shocked as her eyes filled with happiness and she stand from her place walking closer to me.

I looked at her closely not recognizing her. "She is your Iqra khalla (Mother's sister) idiot," Azlan whispered in my ear. My eyes widened.

"Assalam o Alikum khalla," I said with a small smile and stand there awkwardly not knowing what to do but the next thing I knew I was in her arms getting a tight hug from her.

"Hoor I missed you so much and Mashallah tum kitni payara ho gai ho." She said smiling while tears were forming in her eyes. She hugged me once again. I closed my eyes and take a deep breath as I was not used to this, someone else touch beside my brother. When she pulled away from me I give her a small smile.

(you become so pretty).

After two hours LATER:

They were all laughing while talking to each other. While I was sitting beside my khalla as she was grabbing my hand frequently making me feel a little irritated.

"Hoor go and have some rest I know you are tired." I heard my mother say making Iqra khalla look at me as patted my hand and smile softly at me.

"Saira going show her room," Khalla let out to one of the girls who was also busy talking with everyone. We both walked out of the living room.

"So how was your trip?" She suddenly asked making my mind process a little on what to respond to her.

"I uh good?." I bit my lips as my answer came out like a question making me form my lips in a thin line.

I know I was never good at making conversation. I was only able to talk freely to my brother because he was the only one I was close to. I had also a good relationship with my parents but I don't know why I just usually avoid being in the same room as them but not when my brother would be there.

I glanced at Saira before looking down wandering about what to say to start a conversation with her but it feels like I suddenly had no idea about how to speak.

"This room is yours and my room is right beside yours. If you need anything just tell me." She suddenly said making the trains of my thoughts break as I looked at her and smile at her.

"Thank you." She nodded her head before turning around and walking from me making me stand there alone as I shook my head and entered my room.

My room was simple just the way I liked. I closed the door behind me as I saw my bags in the corner of the room and walked toward them. I opened my bag and brought my clothes out. I make my way toward the washroom to take a shower.

After freshening up I lay on the bed doing nothing just looking at the ceiling. I met almost everyone but there was something strange like something was missing and it was bothering me a lot. My head started to hurt as s I massage my head and closed my eyes.

The room was dark I could barely see anything. Sweat was forming on my forehead. As I looked around in the dark room in which I was locked, hoping someone came and save me. Suddenly I feel someone's hand on my back making me yelp as I shiver in disgust.

I jerked up from my whole body filled with sweat as I let out a scream when I saw someone standing on the other side of my bed.

"Api Relax ho jayain. It's me Amna ap said bura khuwab dakh rahi thi." I put my hand over my heart and patted it after I was settled I looked at her and attempt to smile at her.  She looked at me with concern as my heart skip a beat.

' I guess you were having a bad dream.'

"No!! I-I uh, it's not like that um why are you here do you need anything?" I said trying to change the topic.

"Ohh yeah, I forget to tell you it's dinner time everyone is waiting for you." I looked at the clock it was  8:15 pm making me realize that I slept more than I thought.

"Will be there in a minute," I said while standing from the bed as I watched Amna walk out of the room.

"If she... If she tells anyone about it what will happen?" My heart fell at the thought as I stared at the invisible point before slowly getting up and washing my face while giving myself a pep talk. I grabbed my dupatta and walk out of the room.

I looked around not knowing where was the dining room.

"What are you going ?" I flinched and hurriedly turned over only to see Azlan before relaxing myself.

"Dining room..." he nodded and started to walk.

"Tum thk ho?" He asked while walking.

 "Yeah."

             Translation: 'You okay there?"

That was the only answer I gave him, but the look on his face told me that he knew that I was not okay. But I was glad he didn't speak about

When we reached them. We both took our seats. After a while, we all started to eat while taking. When...

"When Ayesha khala is going to come?" I heard Saira ask. I stopped in mid-air as I slowly put the spoon in my mouth and looked at my plate.

"They are all coming tomorrow." And that news made me breathless.

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End of Chapter Three.

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Chapter: Four

Hoor pov:

I kept changing my position on the bed while laying on it. Saira's words were replaying in my head since dinner. They were coming tomorrow? 

I take a deep breath and sit on my bed while running my fingers through my hair as the thoughts were making me go a little panic.

"No...I-i am not ready...this early to face them. I am... not ready... It was, it was a mistake I should have never come here. I should have refused, been stubborn...I-I what the hell will I do now?"

My mother had two more sisters and one brother. My mother was the youngest one. Aunt Aqra was the oldest. She had two twins Eman and Usman. Eman was two minutes elder than her brother Usman. Then, Aunt, Aysha had only one child. Then Uncle Abbas had two daughters Saira, who was my age fellow and Amna and then my mother. 

I still had not met with Aunt Ayesha and knowing that she and her family would be coming tomorrow, made me feel frightened. I bit my lips hard as I felt the taste of blood. I grab my shirt and tried to calm myself but I couldn't.

'They are coming to Tomorrow.' I kept mumbling that while looking around in anxiety to calm myself. I was going crazy. I had gone crazy as horrible thoughts filled in my mind.

I suddenly stand up from my place and stride straight into the bathroom recklessly. I opened the shower and step in the water as my tense body relax the moment cold water touch my head. I released a breath of relief and sit on the floor letting the water work its way. My clothes get wet but I didn't care about them. 

I didn't know for how long I just sit there letting the water run through me. I closed my eyes and slowly stand and closed the shower before changing my clothes. I walked toward my bed and lay on it thirdly.

When my thought came to him. And that time I didn't stop myself from thinking about him I was too mentally exhausted to stop myself.

I didn't know if he will come or not, because he was in the army and it will be hard for him to come, but deep down I want to see him, just for once, only for a minute. I was not gonna ask for more other than seeing his face. I could...I could at least wish that.

I looked at the clock and sigh in disappointment, it was seven A.m in the morning. I was up the whole night so there was no point in sleeping now. I slowly get up from my bed and walked toward the door and close It behind me before walking toward Saira's room hoping that she would be awake at this time.

I came after years and it was time for me to at least take a step. I can't just sit in the corner and let everyone get pointed at me for my weird behavior. Also, my brother told me that it was best for me to get along with everyone so I don't get stressed while relatives.

And I will do what my brother told me. I would come out of my shell and will convey to someone what my brother wanted me to do. I knocked on the door and opened it slightly.

I sighed in relief when I saw that she was already awake and was doing something on her laptop not noticing my presence. I knocked on the door again a little louder than before.

This time she looked up from the laptop and smiled at me. "Hoor, Assalam o Alikum hey come in. Why are you standing there?" 

"Walaikum Assalam sorry for disturbing you," I said while closing the door behind me. I bit my lips nervously and walked toward her.

"No, you didn't, I was just checking my emails." 

I nodded and sat on her bed not knowing what to do. She closed her laptop and randomly started talking about her childhood memories. We were catching up on a lot of things that we missed. The awkwardness wasn't there anymore and I was getting a little relaxed with her.

We both walked together toward the Dinning room and eat our breakfast. After that Saira dragged me toward her room as she excitedly showed me her wedding dress. They were beautiful making me smile at her. 

After that, I was forced to sit with all the cousins gathered in one room much to dislike.  

It was complicated for me to stay in one room with a lot of people but seeing Azlan being also there made me feel less uneasy. When he saw the look on my face he smiled a little and mouthed me 'Relax.' to which I bit my lips and looked down at my hands. I mostly stayed quiet because there were also boys. 

My heart almost flew out of the window when my brother went from the room. 

I looked around at my boy cousins alerted as they were lost in their conversation but that didn't help me not even a bit. I wanted to run from there. My hands began to shack as my heart thumb in my chest. I rubbed my hands with each other. And at moment I was glad that I was sitting in the corner so no one could see my condition.

Relived washed over me as I watched my brother come into the room and my shoulder tensed again when he announced that Ayesha khalla had come. Everyone in the room went out of the room to meet her while I was stuck in my place letting my brother's words sink in me. They were here.

I looked up to find my brother standing in the doorway. As one tear slipped from my eyes unintentionally. His eyes soften as he walked toward me and sit on his knee. 

"Hoor nothing is going to happen then why are you worried?" He asked softly. "Bhai what if they will get to know?" My voice cracked as I put my head in my hands.

He shooked his head at my words making me let out a sob. 

"Stop thinking about that please you are only hurting yourself because of that and they will not know and how can they know? No one is specially gonna tell them because no one knows. Now take a deep breath and calm down your self." I nodded my head and take a shaky deep breath in and out as he rubbed my arms.

He made me stand in my place as we both walked out of the room toward the living room. There was a woman who was wearing a white kameez shalwar and dupatta over her head and was sitting beside my mother. She was my Ayesha Khalla. 

As I walked into the living room she faced her head toward my way and looked at me and a smile formed on her lips. "Hoor." She said while standing up from her seat and walking toward me.  

"Assalam o Alikum khalla," I said while restlessly glancing around and rubbing my hands with my shirt. "Walaikum Assalam meri shehzadi." She hugged me and placed a kiss on my forehead before grabbing my hand and making me sit beside her.

'my princess.'

She was talking with my mother happily while I was staring at her cautiously and glanced at her hands that were grabbing mine once in a while.

It was dinner time. Everyone was sitting while laughing and talking, enjoying their dinner. That was when Uncle Abbas asked something to Ayesha Khala something that catch my attention. 

"So when will be our major coming?"

"I don't know he never tells when he will come." Ayesha khalla answered and I looked down at my food suddenly feeling my hunger for the food vanishing away as my heart jumped at the mention of him. I take a shaky breath in and start eating my food again. Why did everyone have to discuss him at the dining table?

But a pray came from my heart for him like always whenever someone mentions his name. A pray from my Allah to protect him to give him a better life...a better life partner.

FEW HOURS LATER:

I opened the window of my room and looked outside at the stars which were shining brightly, while the cold wind passed through me making me close my eyes and take a deep breath in, and reopened my eyes, recalling the memories that I had with him. 

Sometimes thinking back to those memories just makes me want to stop those moments with him and let myself live in them. I don't remember his face clearly. I was so young when I last time saw him. 

"Hoor, are you hurt?" He asked while looking at my hand as he made me sit beside him. As he softly blows on my hands. "It's hurt." My eyes get teary as tears slip from my eyes because of the pain. "Hey hey hey don't cry my angel I will take the pain away from you." He said while creasing my cheeks softly with one hand as his other hand was still holding my hands. I looked at him confused forgetting about my pain. "How?" 

He brought my both hands to his lips and kissed them softly like he was taking all the pain away from me and then looked up at me and smiled softly. 

"Now are you feeling any pain?" My cheeks burned as I shooked my head as a no and smiled at him brightly. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you!". 

I smiled to myself crazily while remembering it, I was so crazy over for him even when I was so young. I looked up at the sky for a while my mind was refreshing all the things and a sad chuckle left me. Tears filled in my eyes making me inhale a breath and let the tears fall. 

The harsh reality remind me that he would not stay with a girl like me. 

some memories are meant to be painful and some captivating.

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End of Chapter Four.

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