44

The morning light streamed through the windows of the hospital room, casting a gentle glow on Anam's face. The night had been long, but Feras had stayed by her side the entire time, his eyes never leaving her for more than a second.

Now, with the morning sun peeking through the blinds, it was time for them to go home. Anam's head was still bandaged, and Feras was extra careful with her, his hand constantly supporting her as he helped her to her feet. His concern for her was palpable, and despite the fact that she felt a little better, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his protective gaze.

"Are you sure you're okay to leave the hospital?" Feras asked, his voice full of concern as he helped her into the car.

Anam nodded, giving him a small smile. "I'm fine, Feras. Sach mai." (I'm fine, Feras. Really)

But he was not convinced. He adjusted the seatbelt around her and drove them both back home, taking extra care on the road. Anam couldn't help but notice how gentle and patient he was with her.

When they arrived at the house, the front door opened just as they got out of the car, and Ayub and Pari were the first to rush toward them. The excitement on their faces was undeniable as they saw Anam walking toward them, and they both launched themselves at her, nearly knocking her over in their joy.

"Anam Api! You're back!" Ayub shouted, wrapping her arms around Anam's waist.

Pari, equally delighted, threw her arms around Anam. "We missed you!" she said, her voice full of happiness.

Anam chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for her younger siblings. But before they could continue their enthusiastic embrace, Feras stepped forward, his voice firm but not unkind.

"Move away from my wife, both of you. She's still healing," Feras said, his tone carrying the authority.

Ayub and Pari froze for a moment, looking at each other, and then at Feras, their expressions suddenly turning teasing. "Oh, looks like someone's a bit possessive," Pari teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

Anam, still smiling, turned to look at Feras with an exaggerated pout. "Really, Feras?" she said, her voice tinged with playful exasperation.

Feras, not backing down, gave her a look that was a mix of affection and control. "Yes, really. You're not getting any closer to her until she's fully recovered," he said with a soft but commanding tone.

He gently led Anam toward their room, all while keeping his arm protectively around her waist.

Once inside, he helped her settle down on the bed, the sight of her fragile state making his heart tighten with an overwhelming desire to care for her. He carefully opened the medicine bottle and fed her the prescribed pills.

Anam, though grateful, looked at him with a mixture of concern and stubbornness.

"You don't need to skip work for me, Feras," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I'm fine, really. You've already done so much."

Feras shook his head, his gaze softening as he sat next to her, his hand gently tucking her hair behind her ear. "You're more important than anything else, Anam. Don't you ever think otherwise."

Anam's cheeks flushed, and she smiled at him, her heart fluttering at his words. Before she could say anything more, Feras kissed her forehead softly, as if sealing his promise to always be there for her. He then carefully tugged the blankets around her, making sure she was warm and comfortable.

"Rest, Anam," he said softly. "I'll be working from here today. I'll keep an eye on you."

He placed his laptop on the small table beside the bed and sat down on the sofa, his eyes never straying far from her. Finally, he allowed himself to breathe in peace, knowing that Anam was safe and right beside him.

A few minutes later, he glanced at her, only to find that she was attempting to get out of bed.

"Anam, where are you going?" he asked, his voice firm but laced with concern.

Anam, with a small sigh, hesitated before answering. "I need to start cooking lunch. I can't just lie here all day."

Feras' expression immediately darkened, and before she could move, he scolded her in his most serious tone. "In times like these, Anam, I really wish you hadn't gotten your memories back," he said, his voice a little too harsh.

Anam, taken aback by his words, pouted and blinked up at him with unshed tears in her eyes. She had never seen him so upset over something as simple as her wanting to take care of the house. Her heart softened, and she lowered her gaze, guilt filling her chest.

Feras noticed the change in her demeanor immediately, his heart tugging painfully in his chest. Her pouting face, a habit she still hasn't left even after getting her memories back, the look of confusion and sadness in her eyes, made him chuckle softly, though his heart still ached.

She really was too cute.

He sat down beside her on the bed, placing his hands on her shoulders in a calming gesture. "Listen," he began, his voice now tender and patient, "I don't want you to push yourself, okay? You need to heal. If you don't take care of yourself now, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. You'll be stuck in bed even longer."

Anam tilted her head slightly, her lips quivering as she met his gaze. "Mai aik bacchi nahi hun. Ap mere sath aise kyun baat kar rhe hain?" she asked, her tone a mix of irritation and amusement. ("I'm not a child. Why are you talking to me like this?")

Feras chuckled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Because you're acting like one," he teased gently, brushing her cheek.

"And I'm your husband, so it's my job to look after you."

Anam's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and affection, and she stuck her lower lip out in an exaggerated pout. "I'm not a child," she murmured, though the playful sparkle in her eyes betrayed the feigned annoyance.

Before Feras could respond, a knock at the door interrupted their moment. With a sigh, Feras rose from the bed and walked to the door, opening it to reveal Pari standing there, looking both excited and mischievous.

"Taya-abbu wants everyone in the living room, now!" Pari announced with a bright grin, her eyes flicking over to Anam with a teasing glint.

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone, byeee" she teased. Feras narrowed his eyes, pretending to glare at her.

Pari, not missing a beat, laughed and skipped away, casting one last teasing glance at Anam and running off down the hall.

.....

As Feras and Anam descended the staircase hand in hand, the atmosphere in the living room was heavy with tension. All the family members were gathered, seated in a semicircle around Ahmed, who wore an unyielding expression. Ayan, typically full of playful energy, sat unusually quiet, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Ayub, on the other hand, kept fidgeting with her dupatta, stealing fleeting glances at Ayan but mostly trying to avoid his presence altogether.

Anam noticed the stiffness in the air and exchanged a concerned glance with Feras. Her hand unconsciously tightened around his arm, seeking comfort in his presence. Pari, seated near the edge of the room, looked puzzled and a little uneasy, her cheerful demeanor dimmed by the tension in the room.

Ahmed cleared his throat, commanding everyone's attention. His voice was grave as he spoke. "I have something important to announce." His eyes scanned the room, briefly resting on Ayan and Ayub before continuing. "The family of the girl we were arranging for Ayan to marry has refused at the last moment. This decision has put our family's reputation at risk. We cannot let this matter linger."

Ayan's head snapped up at those words, his eyes wide with shock. Ayub froze in place, her mouth opening slightly but no words came out.

"To resolve this," Ahmed continued, his tone brooking no argument, "I have decided that Ayan will marry Ayub. This way, we keep everything within the family. Pari's marriage is already arranged, so this is the most suitable option."

A wave of stunned silence swept through the room. Pari gasped, clutching the arm of the sofa she was sitting on. "Wait, what? My marriage is already arranged?" she blurted out, her voice tinged with disbelief. "No one even told me!"

Ayub's face flushed crimson, her eyes darting nervously between Ahmed and Ayan. She looked as if she wanted to vanish into thin air. Ayan, meanwhile, sat frozen, his hands clenched into fists as his jaw tightened.

Anam's heart sank as she looked at her sister, who seemed on the verge of tears. She turned her worried gaze to Feras, tugging lightly on his sleeve. "Feras," she whispered urgently, "Thoda niche hoyein-" (Get down a little.)

He looked at her, puzzled, before leaning down with a soft chuckle. "What is it, Mrs. Feras?" he teased lightly.

Anam shot him a half-hearted glare before whispering, "Please tell Taya-abbu to move the niqah to at least twenty days later. It's Ayyam-e-Fatimiya right now, and we can't have celebrations during these mourning days. Plus, Ayub and Ayan need time to digest all of this"

Feras straightened up, his playful smirk fading as he nodded. "Got it," he said quietly, his tone resolute.

He stepped forward, addressing his father with calm authority. "Abbu, I understand the urgency of your decision, but we cannot have the niqah during these days. It's Ayyam-e-Fatimiya, a period of mourning. We must wait at least twenty days."

Ahmed's face darkened. "Feras, this is not the time to think about all that. We need to act quickly. Our family's name is at stake."

Feras held his ground, his tone firm but respectful. "Abbu, I respect your concern, but we must also respect what is sacred. This isn't just about sentiments... it's about principles. I'm not asking for a delay out of convenience. I'm asking because it's the right thing to do."

Ahmed's jaw tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like he might refuse. But then, Feras added, his voice slightly firmer, "If we ignore this, it will feel wrong not just to us but to others who believe in honoring this time. What will people say? Please, Abbu. It's only twenty days." He tried coaxing his father into agreeing.

The room was silent as Ahmed weighed Feras's words. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he nodded. "Fine. We'll delay it for twenty days. But after that, there will be no further delays."

Feras gave a small nod. "Thank you, Abbu."

Anam exhaled softly, relief washing over her. She glanced at Ayub, who still looked too stunned to speak, and Ayan, who seemed lost in thought. Pari, meanwhile, looked like she had a hundred questions she wanted to ask but wasn't sure where to begin.

.....

Two days had passed since the announcement, and the house was a swirl of emotions. Anam found Ayub sitting in her room, staring blankly out of the window. The usually feisty and cheerful Ayub had been unusually quiet since the decision was made. Anam, who couldn't bear to see her sister in distress, sat beside her and gently nudged her.

"Ayub kinn sochun mai ghum ho?" Anam asked softly, brushing a strand of hair out of Ayub's face. "If you're against this marriage, just say the word, Ayub. I'll go against everyone in this family for you. And don't worry... Feras will back us up too." (What are you thinking so deeply?)

Ayub turned to look at her elder sister, her eyes reflecting a turmoil she wasn't ready to share. She shook her head and forced a smile. "No, Api. I'm fine with it. Really."

Anam raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Fine with it? That doesn't sound very convincing."

Ayub looked away, avoiding Anam's gaze. She hesitated, battling the urge to reveal her long-hidden feelings. But instead, she decided to play it safe. "I just don't think Ayan bhai is happy with this decision."

Anam tilted her head, trying to read her sister's expression. "Ayan bhai? Why do you think that?"

Ayub shrugged, her voice soft. "I don't know. I just feel like he's not okay with it. He hasn't said anything, and..." She paused, trying to phrase her thoughts carefully. "...it just doesn't feel right."

Anam nodded thoughtfully. "I understand... I'll talk to him. Don't worry, and stop overthinking." She gave Ayub's hand a reassuring squeeze.

.....

On the other side of the house, Ayan was pacing back and forth in his room, frustration etched on his face. For two days now, Ayub had been avoiding him, and it was driving him insane. Every time he tried to talk to her, she found an excuse to leave the room or avoided meeting his gaze altogether.

At first, he thought she was just shy or overwhelmed by the sudden announcement, but now, it was getting under his skin. Her avoidance was making him restless in a way he hadn't anticipated. He hated the knot of anxiety in his chest every time she walked away from him. He hated the way it gnawed at him, forcing him to confront feelings he hadn't even realized he had.

Before the announcement, the idea of marriage didn't faze him. He had been indifferent to the whole affair, thinking of it as something inevitable. But the moment he heard that he was to marry Ayub, something shifted inside him.

He had expected confusion, maybe even reluctance. Instead, what he felt was an overwhelming sense of joy... a feeling that startled him to his core. He hadn't even realized how much Ayub mattered to him until the thought of being with her forever became a possibility.

And now, her deliberate ignorance was like salt on a wound he hadn't known he had.

"Why is she doing this?" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Does she hate the idea of marrying me that much?"

The thought stung more than he cared to admit. Ayan sank into the chair by the window, staring out at the garden but seeing nothing. He clenched his fists, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He had always thought of Ayub as a spirited, confident girl... one who wasn't afraid to speak her mind. So why was she acting like this now? Why wouldn't she just talk to him?

"I need to talk to her," he murmured, determination hardening his features. "And this time, she's not running away."

A/N: Ah, you've said that before... so, the real question is, are you actually going to talk to her now, or is this just another episode of Procrastination Chronicles?

.....

Feras leaned back in his office chair, reviewing a report on his laptop, when his phone buzzed on the desk. Zameer's name lit up the screen, and Feras answered immediately.

"We've found Aman's men," Zameer said without preamble. "They tried to flee to another, but we got them."

Feras's eyes darkened. "And Aman?"

"Still at the warehouse," Zameer replied. "But with this, it's over. They've confessed everything."

Feras stood, grabbing his shawl and car keys. "I'm on my way."

He stepped out of the building, the cool breeze brushing against his skin, and with a flick of his wrist, he ignited the engine of his BMW.

Feras's grip on the steering wheel tightened when the thought of Anam lying unconscious in the hospital bed flashed before his eyes, and his jaw clenched.

The drive to the warehouse was a blur.

The warehouse was dimly lit, the atmosphere heavy with tension. As Feras entered, he found Zameer standing near the entrance with two other men. They nodded silently at him, stepping aside to let him through. In the center of the room, Aman was tied to a chair, his face ashen.

The moment Aman saw Feras, panic overtook him. "Bhai... Please, listen to me!" he pleaded, his voice trembling. "We're family! I—"

"Shut up," Feras said coldly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. His footsteps echoed as he approached Aman, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with fury.

"Bhai, I didn't mean for this to happen," Aman stammered, struggling against the restraints. "I was angry, jealous... I made a mistake!"

Feras stopped a few feet away, his face calm, almost eerily so. "A mistake?" he repeated, his voice low. "Looking at her as if she was an object? Kidnapping her on our niqah day? Trying to harm her?" He took a step closer with each question, his presence suffocating.

Aman whimpered, his eyes darting to Zameer and the other men as if hoping they'd intervene. They didn't.

"You did make mistakes... Too many mistakes. And you're going to pay for all of them." Feras said, his voice low. Then, without warning, his fist collided with Aman's jaw.

Aman cried out in pain as Feras's knuckles connected with his face again, splitting his lip. "This... is for looking at her the way you did," Feras said, his voice calm but his actions unrelenting.

He grabbed Aman by the collar, dragging him forward. His fist slammed into Aman's ribs with a sickening thud, forcing a pained groan from him. "This is for kidnapping her on the day she became my wife."

Feras's fury was palpable. He threw another punch, this time hitting Aman square in the stomach, making him wheeze and gasp for air. "This is for trying to touch her."

Aman's head lolled, blood dripping from his mouth as Feras delivered another brutal blow to his face. "And this... for trying to ruin her life... our life," Feras growled, his knuckles already bruised and raw.

With each hit, Aman's pleas grew weaker, his voice reduced to faint cries. Feras's final punch landed on Aman's temple, his body slumping in the chair, unconscious but alive.

Breathing heavily, Feras straightened, stepping back...but only for a moment.

He reached into his coat and pulled out his gun.

"Feras!" Zameer said sharply, stepping forward. "That's enough."

Feras turned his head slightly, his glare freezing Zameer in place. "Stay out of this," Feras growled, his voice icy. "I'm not killing him."

With that, Feras aimed the gun and fired. The first bullet tore into Aman's left leg, followed by a second into his right. The gunshots echoed through the warehouse, and Aman's unconscious body jerked from the impact.

A shiver ran through Zameer and the other men as they watched in stunned silence.

Feras lowered the gun and stepped closer, glaring down at Aman. His voice was low and menacing as he spoke. "You'll live, but you won't walk for the rest of your life. Consider this a mercy."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and the room seemed to hold its breath. Feras turned to Zameer. "Call Asim. Tell him to take care of the mess. I want Aman to rot in jail for the rest of his life."

Zameer nodded, his usual composure slightly shaken. "On it."

Feras looked at Aman one last time, his jaw tight, then holstered his gun. Without another word, he walked out of the warehouse, the cool night air hitting him as he stepped outside. His thoughts drifted to Anam, to her smile, her laugh, her strength. She was safe now. That was all that mattered.

A/N: Was Feras impressive enough, or am I just overthinking? Because, honestly, I might be in the early stages of developing a fictional crush here!

q(≧▽≦q)