THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE

28-REUNION

OMNISCIENT

"Big Hero,"

The ethereal voice repeatedly rang in his ears, the environment around him seemed to have blended away as the sound became so deafening that it consumed all of his sanity. His body went limp and he unhesitatingly dropped the weapons in his hands. He turned around with a longing so high that would've crushed him mentally if her presence was just an imagination.

And when he saw her, when he saw the only person who gave him hope and made him believe in life entirely, he could swear that nothing ever existed before then. He watched with incredulous eyes as she ran towards him while calling out his name.

With a desperate mind and renewed hope, he took off, trampling over dead bodies to get to her. The environment seemed to be a blur when compared to their moving bodies, and the run to reunite felt like a millennium.

And when they collided, when they finally collided, Sumaira hopped on his body like a kangaroo and he pulled her into his chest with an astronomical force that almost crushed her. Aarif's hands searched her face and arms to ensure that she was real. He had no idea that tears were flowing from his eyes until she wiped them with her soft thumbs.

For more than ten minutes, no other person uttered a word. The men were more than shocked to see their apathetic big boss getting expressive. An emotional Jawad couldn't help but wipe his tears, he knew more than anyone else how the two siblings got separated. As for Maheer, he was watching with a ghost smile and relaxed expression and an unreadable emotion in his shielded eyes.

"You-you're my sister," Aarif stupidly choked out, making the girl release a loud giggle.

"Yes, Big Hero. I wanted to surprise you but as it is, things didn't go according to plan," She gestured to their environment and he laughed.

"What is a better surprise than seeing you again?" He pulled out a customized handkerchief and wiped the blood on her face then threw it away and cupped her face, his eyes boring into her soul through her eyes as though he wanted to swallow her.

"Hello, reunited siblings. With all pleasure, I'd love to inform you that you can continue your little party in a much safer place. Sorry to burst your bubble but we have to go as I need a nap," Maheer's spirited voice welcomed their ears.

Both of them shot him a look that was capable of sending him six feet underground and he raised his hands in surrender. However, Aarif's eyes softened as he recalled the number of times his best friend had gone out of his way to make him happy and he stylishly saluted him with his eyes, Maheer nodded at him with a faint smile.

"Let's move it. Hold her as your life depends on it, don't allow her to walk even if she insists," Maheer clapped his hands in glee when Aarif narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

However, he masked that look with a simper that fooled his sister. The two knew there was a lot to talk about when they arrived at a stable place, and they were more than ready to address every issue now that matters were getting even more profound.

"Jawad, good to see you're doing great. I'm truly impressed," Aarif patted an excited Jawad on the shoulder.

"All credits go to my master for his excellent mentoring," Jawad proudly asserted and pointed at Maheer who was speaking to Schwid and Alexa.

"I commend you for keeping up with Maheer's shenanigans," Aarif shook his head and facepalmed and they made their way to the car where Camila was lying down.