43.

The jungle road seemed endless, the sound of the gravel crunching under the tires barely audible over the thunderous beat of Feras' heart. His grip on the steering wheel was as tight as his resolve, knuckles white with the force of it.

Zameer, seated beside him, kept a steady gaze on the road ahead, his phone pressed to his ear as he coordinated their backup.

Ayan, silent and unusually grim, sat in the back seat, gripping his gun tightly, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with deadly focus.

Feras' mind was in turmoil, flashes of Anam's smile, her laughter, and her delicate voice now overlaid with the horrifying image of her in danger. His jaw clenched as Zameer's phone buzzed with an update.

"They've stopped the van," Zameer informed, his voice steady but tense. "It's at a clearing up ahead."

Without a word, Feras pressed the accelerator harder. His BMW roared through the dense jungle path, its headlights slicing through the dim afternoon light.

He stepped out, his eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the scene. The van was parked haphazardly, its doors slightly ajar, and a man stood outside holding Anam by the arm. Her face was pale, her eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, and her hijab was askew.

Feras' heart clenched at the sight, but his face betrayed none of the chaos he felt inside. Instead, he walked forward with a predator's calm, Zameer and Ayan flanking him.

The man tightened his grip on Anam, pulling her closer and raising his gun to her temple. "Jahan hai wahin khara reh!" he barked, his voice tinged with desperation. "Aik galat kadam, aur mai goli chaladunga!" (Stay where you are! One wrong move, and she's dead")

Feras stopped, his hands at his sides but ready to strike. His eyes never left Anam's, silently conveying a promise: I will get you out of this.

"Leave her. Now," Feras said, his voice calm yet laced with deadly authority. The man flinched slightly at the sound, but he held his ground.

"You think I'm stupid?" the man spat. "Mujhe pata hai tu kaun hai, Feras Ali Shah. Agar tun isse zinda dekhna chahta hai, toh tum Aman ko abhi ke abhi azaad kar." (I know who you are, Feras Ali Shah. If you want her alive, you'll let Aman go. Now!)

Feras tilted his head slightly, his piercing gaze unwavering."Tun aik bohot bari galti kar rha hai. Agar tunne uska aik baal bhi hilaya, Toh mai tera aisa khal karunga ke teri maa bhi tujhe pehchan nhi payeghi." (You're making a mistake. If you so much as harm a strand of her hair, there won't be enough of you left for anyone to recognize.)

The man smirked, though it was clear he was bluffing his confidence. "Badi badi baatein kar lete ho, Shah sahab. Lekin bandook toh mere paas hai." (Big words, Shah sahab. But I'm the one with the gun... in urdu...)

Anam whimpered as the man adjusted his grip, the sound like a dagger to Feras' chest. His fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Tujhe lagta hai tun yha se zinda nikal payega? Na tere pas time hai, aur na hi tere pas bande hain. Chor usse, aur shahid mai tujhe yha se zinda jane dun." (You think holding her gives you power? You're outnumbered, outsmarted, and out of time. Let her go, and maybe I'll consider letting you leave here alive.)

The man laughed nervously, glancing around. Zameer, Zameer's men, and Ayan had subtly positioned themselves, creating a circle around the van. His men were surrounded, and deep down, he knew it.

"Last chance," Feras warned, his voice dropping lower. "Let. Her. Go"

The man's panicked eyes darted between Feras and his companions as the situation spiraled out of control. Deciding on survival, he shouted something to the others, and they began retreating toward the van, firing sporadic shots to cover their escape. Feras ducked behind the car as bullets whizzed past.

In the chaos, Anam's captor momentarily loosened his grip, distracted by the retreat. Summoning all her courage and strength, Anam shoved him hard, causing him to stumble. Her momentum carried her backward, and she fell, her head striking a jagged rock with a sickening thud.

"ANAM" Feras' roar pierced the air, drowning out the gunfire. His blood ran cold as he saw her crumpled figure on the ground, unmoving.

He rose from his cover, his pistol aimed with deadly precision. The man who had held Anam barely had time to react before a single, echoing shot rang out. Feras' bullet hit him square in the forehead, and he dropped lifelessly to the ground.

The other men, now terrified, scrambled into their van and sped off, leaving their leader behind. Zameer and Ayan fired at the retreating vehicle, but Feras didn't care anymore. His focus was solely on Anam.

He sprinted to her side, dropping to his knees and cradling her face gently in his hands. "Anam! Anam, akhein kholo!" His voice cracked, panic and anguish seeping through. (Open your eyes)

Blood trickled from a small gash on her temple, staining her hijab. Her lashes fluttered slightly, a faint groan escaping her lips. Relief flooded Feras as he realized she was conscious, though barely.

"Stay with me, jaan." His voice softened, though the tremor in it betrayed his fear. "Mai agya hun. You're safe now." (I'm here)

Zameer and Ayan approached cautiously, their faces grim. "We need to get her to a hospital," Zameer said firmly, glancing at the wound.

Feras nodded, his expression hardening. Carefully, he scooped Anam into his arms, holding her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world. Her fingers weakly gripped his kurta, a small sign that she was aware of his presence.

"F-Feras..." she murmured faintly, her voice barely audible.

"I'm here," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I won't leave you."

Ayan opened the car door as Feras carried Anam inside, laying her down gently on the back seat. He climbed in beside her, keeping her head rested on his lap while Zameer got into the driver's seat and sped toward the nearest hospital.

Throughout the drive, Feras whispered reassurances to Anam, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. "You're okay. I've got you. Just stay with me a little longer."

Anam's eyelids fluttered open briefly, her gaze locking with his. "A-ap...agye..." (Y-you came back)

Feras' throat tightened, and he nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "Of course I came. Nothing in this world could keep me away from you."

Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles before muttering something she closed her eyes again, her body succumbing to the exhaustion and trauma.

Feras' jaw clenched as he looked at Zameer through the rearview mirror. "They won't get away with this," he said, his tone a dangerous growl. "Un mein se har ek ko apne kiye ki saza milegi" (Every single one of them will pay for what they've done.")

Zameer nodded grimly. "We'll find them, Feras. Don't worry. Let's focus on Anam bhabhi."

As the car sped down the empty roads, Feras silently prayed, his free hand clutching the Tasbih around his wrist. Ya Allah, keep her safe, don't take her from me. Not now. Not ever.

The moment the car screeched to a halt outside the emergency entrance, Feras was out, carrying her inside and shouting for help. Doctors and nurses rushed to their aid, quickly taking Anam from his arms and wheeling her into the emergency room.

Feras stood there, his chest heaving, hands stained with her blood, as the doors swung shut. Ayan and Zameer flanked him, their faces reflecting the same worry.

"She's going to be fine, bhai. She's a fighter." Ayan said softly.

Feras nodded numbly, his mind racing with thoughts of her. He had faced countless enemies, survived the harshest of battles, but nothing had ever terrified him like the thought of losing Anam.

.....

Feras sat on the cold metal bench outside the ICU, his head buried in his hands. Ayan and Zameer stood nearby, their expressions grave.

It felt like an eternity before the doctor emerged. Feras leaped to his feet, his heart pounding. "How is she?"

The doctor's face softened. "She's stable for now, but she suffered a concussion. It's crucial we monitor her for the next 24 hours. You can see her, but she needs rest."

Feras nodded, muttering a quiet "Shukr Alhamdulillah" under his breath. He followed the doctor into the room, his footsteps soft as he approached Anam's bed.

Her face was pale, her head bandaged, and her breathing shallow, but the steady rise and fall of her chest brought him relief. Feras pulled a chair close to her side, his eyes never leaving her face.

Her delicate fingers, now bandaged, twitched slightly, and he immediately straightened. The vulnerability in her soft, unconscious form was a sharp contrast to the cheerfulness he had come to admire in her. For the second time in years, he felt helpless, and both times it was because of his beloved wife.

Suddenly, Anam's lashes fluttered, her brows knitting together. Her chest rose and fell unevenly as if she were struggling with something deep inside. Then, with a jolt, she gasped awake, her eyes wide and panicked.

"Feras, please! Rukjaye!" Her voice cracked, filled with raw terror, and her body trembled as she tried to sit up. (Feras, please! Stop!)

Feras was by her side in an instant, his hands gently but firmly on her shoulders to keep her from hurting herself further. "Anam, I'm here! Shhh, it's okay I'm here," he said, his voice calm yet trembling at the edges.

Her wide, tear-filled eyes met his, and the fear in them struck him like a physical blow. "Please, don't leave me! Feras, you don't understand," she cried, clutching at his kurta desperately. "Please believe me... Rehan—he—he manipulated me! I never wanted—"

Feras froze, her words striking him like a blow.

He recalled the day he walked out, consumed by anger and betrayal, ignoring her pleas. Now, her broken voice brought it all back... the pain in her eyes, the desperation in her tone.

His jaw tightened, his throat constricting with regret.

"Anam, stop, please" he interrupted softly, cupping her face with his hands. His thumbs brushed away the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I believe you. You don't have to explain anything. I'm sorry. I should've trusted you."

Her sobs subsided slightly, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. "You didn't believe me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You walked away... You thought I... I... I could never—"

"Mai pagal tha," Feras said, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. " I let my anger blind me. Mai tumse waada karta hun, I promise, I won't leave you. Never again." (I was an idiot)

Anam's trembling hands clung to his arms as she sobbed quietly. His words, his presence, were a balm to her shattered spirit, but the memory of his disbelief still stung.

Anam sobbed quietly, her hand gripping his weakly. "I thought you'd hate me forever, that you'd never believe me..."

Feras shook his head vehemently. "Never. Tum meri zindaghi ho, Anam. Mere wajud ka hissa ho. Mai apne gusse se andha ho gaya tha, lekin main dobara yeh ghalati kabhi nahi karunga." (Never. You're my everything, the part of my existence. I let my anger blind me, but I'll never make that mistake again.)

She closed her eyes, her tears still flowing as she whispered, "I was so scared, Feras..."

Feras leaned closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I know. And I'll never let you feel that way again. You're safe now, and I promise to protect you with everything I have."

Anam's breathing slowed, her grip on his hand relaxing as exhaustion overtook her. Feras stayed by her side.

Outside the room, Ayan and Zameer watched through the glass. Ayan sighed, his usual humor absent. "He really loves her, doesn't he?"

Zameer nodded. "More than anything. He might even burn the world down to keep her safe."

Inside, Feras sat quietly, watching over Anam as she slept. His heart was heavy.

.....

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft, silvery glow through the window. Inside the quiet hospital room, Anam lay in the bed, her head still bandaged. The atmosphere of the room now shifted, feeling lighter, warmer, with the presence of Feras just outside her room.

He entered quietly, holding a small bag in his hand, his eyes meeting hers with a tenderness that made her heart flutter. She was still adjusting to everything... her memories, the recent events, the overwhelming love she felt for him... there was a calmness in his presence that soothed her soul.

"I brought you something," he said softly, placing the small bag down on the side table, his voice warm and almost playful.

Anam's eyebrows shot up, a hint of curiosity shining through her tired eyes. "What is it?" she asked, her voice a mix of exhaustion and intrigue.

Feras pulled out a box of chocolates from the bag. "You've been through a lot... figured you could use a little treat."

Anam's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened as she stared at the chocolates, but it wasn't just the gift that made her heart race. It was the flood of memories that came crashing back the moment she saw them. The teasing, the playful banter, the times she'd shamelessly flirted with him, and her own boldness when she had no memory of who she was with him... it all came back like a tidal wave.

She blinked, feeling a deep flush spread across her cheeks. Her hands instinctively went to her face, as if trying to hide the embarrassment that was creeping up on her. "Oh shoot..." she whispered, her voice muffled behind her fingers.

Feras raised an eyebrow, a soft laugh escaping him. "Kya hua?" (What?)

Anam buried her face in her hands, too mortified to meet his gaze. "I can't believe it... I can't believe I acted like that..." She mumbled, her voice thick with embarrassment, her words still muffled under her hands.

Feras couldn't hold back his chuckles, the sound warm and teasing. "Oh, tumhara matlab woh tez, pur-yaqeen aur bilkul be-jijak version tumhara?" (Oh, you mean that feisty, confident, and totally unfiltered version of you?)

Anam squeezed her eyes shut. "Feras, please bas karein" she groaned, practically hiding under the covers. (Please don't remind me)

Feras leaned forward, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Lagta hai meri shareef aur masoom Anam wapis aa gayi hai, hm? Lekin aik baat hai, mujhe tumhara woh jazbaati aur bahadur wala version bhi bohot pasand tha." he teased gently. (I think I got my timid and shy Anam back, though I have to admit, I kind of miss the feisty, cute version of you too.)

The blush on Anam's cheeks deepened to a near-unbelievable shade of red. "Bas karein," she mumbled, her voice small and embarrassed, as she pulled the covers over her head, hiding her face completely. (Stop it)

Feras laughed, finding her reaction completely endearing. "Oh no, don't hide now. You don't get to hide away from me," he teased as he reached out, lightly pulling at the blanket to expose her face again. "I really liked the confident, bold Anam who wasn't afraid to speak her mind."

Anam peeked out from under the blanket. "I swear, Feras, you're so evil."

He chuckled softly, the tenderness in his voice breaking through his teasing. "I'm just happy you're back," he said, his tone suddenly serious as he moved closer. "I love every version of you, Anam, but this shy, sweet side of you? I'll never get tired of it."

Anam's heart skipped a beat. She hesitated for a second, trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry... for everything. For the way I acted... the things I said or did..."

Feras held her cheek, his expression softening. "Anam, stop. You don't need to apologize. You were just being you... all the versions of you. I love them all. I love you."

Her heart fluttered at his words. She bit her lip, her voice soft as she replied, "I don't deserve you, Feras..."

His brows furrowed. "Phir kabhi aisa mat bolna. Tum meri rooh ka sukoon ho..." (Never say that again. You are the peace of my soul.)

Her heart raced at his words.

"Tum woh roshni ho jisne mujhe zindaghi ke andheroon mai sidha raasta dikhaya hai, aur mujhe mere Rab ke kareeb kiya hai." He continued, his voice soft and sincere. (You are the light that showed me the straight path in the darkness of life and brought me closer to my Lord.)

Anam's eyes widened, her heart swelling with emotions. "Feras..." She said speechless.

Feras leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

As he sat down beside her, Anam rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his presence surround her she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. With Feras.

And maybe, just maybe, she wasn't the only one who was feeling a little shy and flustered.

A/N: Since we are nearing the end, please comment your favorite Anam and Feras moments...

('▽'ʃ♡ƪ)