✪

"My father hates me" Zohal told him.

"Why?" He asked.

He didn't know about her family terms. He always thought that due to her father's second wife she was reluctant to meet them.

They were sitting in front of the fireplace, wrapped in blanket, in each other arms. For Zarrar, her presence in his life was everything.

"My parents had a love marriage and my mother died on my birth due to complications in her delivery. My father always held me responsible for the death of his beloved wife" She told him sadly.

"I can't believe that Zohal! Why our parents don't understand that we have nothing to do with anything" He carresed her hands.

"Only if they understands" She laughed humorlessly.

"What about Gul Bano?" He asked.

"She is a vile woman" She murmured.

"I never thought your childhood would be similar to mine" He told her.

"We never know through what other person is going through" She smiled sadly.

"I am sorry for treating you bad at the start and even now-I-I sometimes behave harshly with you" He looked ashamed.

Zohal knew it wasn't in his control. He had changed himself a lot but he couldn't change himself completely in a few months. It needed time and she was gladly ready to give it to him.

"It's okay" What else she could say?

"Zarrar!" She called him gently.

"What?" He replied, looking up at her.

"This cottage belongs to your mother. Isn't?" She asked.

"Yes"

"How did it come under your ownership?"

"She passed it herself to me when she left me at my father's place. It's the only thing she ever gave me" He told her sadly.

"If you hate your mother then why do you live at the same place that once belonged to her?" She couldn't understand.

"Maybe because-I want to have some-connection, with her" He completed with difficulty. His eyes were glistening.

Zohal saw him sadly. His mother rejected him badly and he just wanted to have some connection with her to feel the motherly affection he never had in his life.

"It's not right" She decided to discuss it with him.

"You have to let it go. If you keep holding your past, you won't ever move on. We need to move out of this place to make a future. This place doesn't matter if your mother never loved you. Things doesn't matter but people. This place will only complicate our relationship. I want to get out of it. I want you to get out of your past. We have each other. We will make our own life" She tried to make him understand.

"But I am comfortable here. I don't like crowded places" He told her.

"You will get comfortable once you starts living among people Zarrar! I feel so alone here. I will get mad if we keep living here. Do you want to lose me?" She touched his weak point.

"Never. I can't survive without you. You have changed my life. I can't even think of losing you" He said emotionally.

"Then move to the city. I will be with you. There won't be any problem. You would be comfortable" She insisted.

"I can't Zohal!" He said helplessly.

"I am not asking you to move out tomorrow. Take your time. Make your mind. I can wait" She understood him. It wasn't easy for him to change his life suddenly.

He remained silent. She rested her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her long hair and closed his eyes.

...

It wasn't easy for Zarrar to even think of leaving this place. He was emotionally attached to this place. He hated his mother but he couldn't discard the only thing she ever gave to him. The inner child in him who never got mother's love wasn't ready to give up this place.

Their lives slowly changed. Zarrar kept locking her inside the cottage but with time he realized her unconditional love. He was sure that she wouldn't leave him. So, he started giving her basic freedom.

Zohal started living again. Sitting under the open sky and beside the lake, she would fully enjoy her days because she was content at heart.

She knew he loved her and with time and care, he would be changed. She could see him making efforts to change himself.

After two months, he finally decided to move out of the cottage.

"I am leaving my past here. I hope it won't disturb me again" He said holding her hands, looking at the walls of cottage.

"It won't" She patted his back.

He sold the cottage and moved to the city with her. On his request, they moved into a small apartment building which was located at a much crowded area.

Zarrar wasn't ready to have any relationship with his parents. His mother wanted to meet him but he refused. He had moved on. He didn't want her anymore.

He never had a normal relationship with his father. In his old age Zarrar's father, realized his mistakes. He realized his mistreatment towards his son. He tried rectify himself but it was too late. His son wasn't a small boy but a grown up man who refused to have any close relationship with him.

Zohal's result had been out. She graduated with flying grades. She was very happy with her success and seeing her happy Zarrar was smiling to himself.

"I am proud of you" He smiled at him, watching her result card.

"I am glad I made you happy" She chuckled.

"Your presence is enough to make me happy and content" His held many emotions in them.

"Where is my gift?" She moved her hand forward in the air.

"Oh. I forgot" He mumbled.

"Really?" She asked sadly.

"Can I?" He asked her and turned around to his side of the bed. He took out a small case and handed it to her.

"Wow" She was happy to see the beautiful studs.

"They are so pretty. Thank you so much!" She asked him with teary eyes.

"All thanks to you for coming into my life Zohal!" He caressed her cheeks lovingly.

She smiled at him.

"This place isn't bad. I am getting used to it slowly. I am meeting new people in the area. They are nice to me. I am slowly trying to build friendships. I am changing" He expressed himself to her.

"I told you Zarrar! It would take time but you will get used to it" She nodded.

"It's not easy though" He mumbled, "I have spent my life in boarding schools. I never got along with anyone there. After growing up I had no one till you entered my life" He said emotionally.

She patted his hand to encourage him.

"I have never felt love from anyone but you. You are the only person who loves me. You treated me nicely even after my mistreatment towards you. I am sorry for my past behavior" He always apologized to her for his harsh behavior.

He would still be rude to her sometimes but when he realized he would apologize to her and tried to make up for it. Even after fighting with himself, he would still be unable to control his rage.

"It's okay. I know you are trying to control your flaws. You can take professional help Zarrar! It would make our life easy" She suggested gently at the end.

He looked at her silently.

"Think about it"

"I will. You are an angel to me Zohal! I owe you a lot" He took her into his arms.

She rested her head on his chest and peacefully closed her eyes.

"I love you" He whispered in her ear.

..................................................................

Only epilogue left.

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