𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐭 - 𝐄 - 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐫

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 : 𝟏𝟒 💫

                                 "Sometimes the greatest battles are fought within,
                      and the deepest scars are those unseen."

Hashim's POV :

I stood on the balcony, staring out at the city lights, trying to lose myself in the view. The night was cool, but it didn't do much to calm the storm inside me. Even though we lived in a secluded part of the city, surrounded by the elite, the distant hum of life still reached me, but tonight, it felt different.

I heard the door open behind me and knew it was Haider before I even turned around. He had a way of hesitating, like he was trying to figure out the right way to approach me. He always did that. I could feel him standing there, probably working up the courage to say something.

"Bhai Meher bohot upset ho kar gyi hai aaj yha se . I don't know what's going on between you two . But please don't hurt that fragile soul like that " he finally said, his voice cautious. I could hear the concern in his words, but all it did was irritate me more. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but please, don't hurt that fragile soul like that."

Fragile. That word just set me off. Fragile. I wasn't trying to hurt her, but I didn't have the energy to explain that to Haider. I didn't have the energy for anything right now.

"Haider for now go . I don't want to talk with anyone and yes take the dinner plate with you . I don't have appetite to eat anything.," I snapped, not even bothering to hide the impatience in my voice.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him looking at me, probably noticing how tightly I was clenching my jaw or the way my fists were balled up. I was holding back so much—anger, frustration, whatever it was that had me wound up so tight I felt like I could snap at any moment.

"Bhai, Meher brought you dinner with so much love and care. Please don't insult her like that," Haider continued, still trying to reason with me. I didn't need reason; I needed to be left alone.

I turned slowly, meeting his gaze with a look that I hoped would shut him up. Without a word, I walked over to the table, picked up the spoon, and forced myself to take a bite of the rice. It tasted like nothing. Just another chore to complete. I placed the spoon back down and turned fully towards Haider.

"I ate. Now your dear Meher won't feel insulted. You can take this and go," I said, pointing towards the door. I didn't want him here, witnessing whatever this was that I was becoming.

Haider hesitated, then picked up the plate and left, not daring to glance back. As the door closed behind him, the silence in the room felt suffocating. I slumped onto the couch, pulling out a cigarette with trembling hands. I lit it and leaned against the railing again, inhaling deeply, hoping the nicotine would calm my nerves. But tonight, it wasn't enough. Nothing was.

I threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my foot with more force than necessary. The urge to escape, to physically exhaust myself, became overwhelming. I needed to do something, anything, to drown out the thoughts that were clawing at my mind. I stormed out of the room and made my way to the home gym.

Once inside, I locked the door behind me, as if that would lock away everything else. I yanked off my loose white shirt and tossed it aside. The treadmill whirred to life under my feet, the rhythmic thud of my footsteps matching the frantic beating of my heart. Sweat poured down my temples as I pushed myself harder, trying to outrun the thoughts that were chasing me—thoughts of Amha, of Meher's hurt expression, of the weight of my own decisions. But no matter how fast I ran, those thoughts stayed with me, relentless and unforgiving.

The darkness around me felt almost suffocating, mirroring the weight on my chest. Eventually, I stopped, my body drenched in sweat, my muscles aching, but my mind still spinning. I grabbed my shirt, threw it over my shoulder, and headed for the door.

When I opened the door, I found Haider standing there, hand raised as if about to knock. The sight of him caught me off guard, and the last thing I wanted was another conversation.

"What are you doing here so late? Don't you have work tomorrow?" I snapped, the irritation lacing my words. His confusion was evident, which only added to my frustration.

"Bhai, I haven't joined the office yet. What are you talking about?" Haider asked, his voice tentative.

I blinked, the haze of exhaustion and frustration clouding my thoughts. "You haven't joined yet, but you will start tomorrow. I want you in the office at sharp 8," I said, my tone leaving no room for debate. He nodded, clearly surprised but not daring to argue.

"Am I clear?" I pressed, needing him to respond, needing control over something in this chaos.

He nodded again, and it only irritated me more. "Have you left your tongue in your room?" I barked, the sharpness of my words cutting through the tension.

"Why the hell aren't you speaking? Did you see a ghost or something?" I demanded, the frustration bubbling over.

"Umm, sorry, Bhai. I understand. I'll be in the office at sharp 8," Haider finally responded, his voice steady, but I could hear the uncertainty in it.

"Good. Now go and sleep. Don't roam around like a ghost at night," I muttered, my tone softening just slightly as I turned away, desperate for the solitude of my room.

As I watched Haider leave. I also went back to my room and headed straight to the bathroom for a relaxing shower. I don't know what to do next. My marriage with Meher has been arranged from the start, and I've always known I would have to marry her.

I also went back to my room and headed straight to the bathroom for a relaxing shower. I don't know what to do next. My marriage with Meher has been arranged from the start, and I've always known I would have to marry her. But the thought of marrying her and leaving Amha behind is something I can't bring myself to do. I don't know if I love her or not; I just know that I want her in my life, and I can't stay away from her.And the biggest irony is she doesn't even know who I am. And like a fool, I want to marry a girl who doesn't even know me . Who has just seen me only one time .

I came out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my torso, and stepped out to change into my night sweats and collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted from the day. I should prepare myself for tomorrow because I know my family will definitely start talking about wedding preparations. I have no interest in it at all .

I stir in my sleep; there are some noises around me, but I don't know what they are. I try to open my eyes, but I can't. Suddenly, a bright light blinds me. Damn, that hurts. After a minute, I see a normal room. Oh, it's mine. But why do I have a bunk bed? I'm a grown man. Then I notice a little boy leaning on the bedside, sitting on the floor and clutching a pillow to his chest. He suddenly looks at me with bloodshot eyes. Okay, that's a little scary. I hear him say something before everything vanishes and I wake up with a jerk.

"Please don't leave me. I'm alone."

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Assalamualaikum everyone I hope you all are liking this story so far .
Will meet you all again in next part till then
"Fi amanillah"

𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄D

𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐎 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 ,
𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 ❤️
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑