Don't give up on me.

FORTY FOURTH

Before the attack could go viral or news could break out, they had left the restaurant. Johum was still shaken up by everything, thinking that she barely escaped death and not to mention the cut on the back of her head was giving her a headache. Zayan was busy barking orders on the phone and yelling at the top of his lungs at his men for not being useful while Slade drove the car in silence. Johum sat silently in the backseat, realizing that Zayan was mad because of the attack because they barely escaped the bullet. What if there was no pool beneath the balcony? Her bones would have been crushed. Johum shuddered at the thought. And she was still soaked, and shivering.

After the painfully long ride which seemed longer than usual because of the cold, they finally reached Ramlah's place. It was Zayan's idea because he wanted to see Ruya and also make sure things were going smoothly there. One problem wasn't over and other started and Johum could see the stress on his face. He was continuously grinding his teeth and fisting his hands.

Getting out of the car, they walked inside the cozy looking house and as soon as they entered, a warm air hit Johum making her sigh in bliss. She wanted to change her clothes and just sleep in warm blankets. The day didn't turn out like it was expected but that was the thing. You never know what to expect when living with Zayan.

Ruya, who was playing by the fire place jumped as soon as she saw familiar faces and came running towards Zayan. Zayan picked her up in his arms and placed a kiss on her cheek before turning to Ramlah, "Johum needs your clothes." He raised his eyebrows towards her direction. Johum nodded and gave Ramlah a small smile as thank you.

In a matter of few minutes, everyone was chilling like nothing rough or bad happened. Slade and Atesh were discussing something among them with a laptop opened in front of them, Ruya was talking nonstop to Zayan who was nodding absently as his eyes kept fluttering shut and Johum was sitting with Ramlah after changing in to her clothes. Thankfully she was warm now.

"Aren't you going to go back to university?" Ramlah asked as she placed a cup of coffee in front of her and Ruhshan.

"Yes, after a few days." She shrugged. University was the last thing on her mind. She knew she couldn't study with everything else going on around them. She was not a nobody anymore and people would stare at her and that wasn't something she was willing to face. Johum's gaze moved towards Zayan, who looked like he was about to collapse. She stood up on instinct and walked towards them.

"Hey, Ruya." Ruya looked up at being called and smiled. Johum smiled back and ignored Zayan's stare on her face. "Should we go upstairs and play?" She asked. Instantly, Ruya nodded and jumped down from her father's lap. Zayan looked at Johum confusedly. Johum ignored his eyes on her and grabbed Ruya's hand, walking her upstairs. Once inside the room, Ruya started talking non stop like she always did and even showed Johum her all stuff toys. And to be honest Johum wasn't bored like she thought she would be.

Yes, she had taken Ruya away so Zayan could rest a bit because even though he was a jerk, she still cared about him and he needed rest.

"I know that my dad married you." Johum blinked her eyes towards the girl who was brushing her Barbie's hair. She cleared her throat making Ruya look up. Ruya beamed. "I saw the pictures in Ramlah aunty's phone." Johum was surprised and nervous. What would she say now?

"Oh? And what do you think?" She sat beside the girl and ran her fingers through her hair. "Is it a good thing or bad thing?" Ruya removed her eyes from her doll and looked up at Johum with a blank face.

"I think it's good. I like you and baba likes you too." Johum swallowed and smiled at the little girl.

"And I like you as well." Ruya nodded and giggled. She jumped on the bed and swung her legs back and forth.