Episode 14
The beauty of Murree was at its peak. A white blanket of snow covered everything, as if the earth had draped itself in moonlight. Cold winds brushed past tree branches, whispering an intoxicating melody. The hills spread far into the mist, creating a mysterious and enchanting view.
Meher was running barefoot through the snow, filled with joy. It was a moonlit night, and the snowfall felt like a dream. Snowflakes had stuck to her damp hair, and her cheeks had turned red from the cold.
Atish stood inside the cabin, staring at her. Wearing a warm coat, a coffee mug in hand, he watched this crazy girl jumping in the snow without socks. Suddenly, he stepped out and approached her quickly.
"Meher, come inside—you'll catch a cold!"
Meher, instead of listening, scooped up snow and threw it at him. Atish stopped in his tracks. His suit and hair were now covered in snow. Meher tried hard to stifle her laughter. Atish walked closer to her.
"You may not be able to speak, but your mischief says everything,"
he said with a soft smile.
Meher's laughter paused for a moment as her eyes locked with Atish's deep brown ones. He gently took her hands—her fingers were freezing.
"You know, Meher... these cold fingers—only I know how to warm them."
He tucked both her hands into his warm coat pockets. The bonfire's glow lit their faces. It was still snowing lightly, and in that moment, only one thing was missing:
Meher's voice...
☆☆☆
It was a beautiful private beach. Moonlight scattered over the water, and a gentle cool breeze was blowing. The only sound was that of the waves crashing in the distance.
Zaryab had arranged this spot especially for Mashal, so they could spend time together. Mashal sat on the sand, straightening her beautiful hair as she gazed at the sea. Zaryab walked over to her, holding two mugs of hot coffee.
"You love coffee, right? So I figured... this might be the only way to shut you up,"
he said with a teasing smile, sitting beside her.
Mashal glared at him while taking the mug.
"You really want to shut me up that badly? Do I talk that much?"
she snapped.
Zaryab chuckled and took a sip of his coffee.
"I love listening to you talk... but sometimes, I just want to hear your eyes speak."
Mashal paused, looking at him softly. Under the moonlight, Zaryab's intense gaze was fixed on her. For a while, the sound of the waves filled the silence between them. Then, Mashal lowered her eyes with a gentle smile.
"Why are your eyes always staring at me?"
Zaryab leaned in closer and took her hand into both of his.
"Because these eyes only want to see one thing—and that's you, Mashal."
Suddenly, he took the coffee mug from her hand and set it aside.
"Zaryab, give me back my coffee!"
Mashal looked at him in shock.
"Is it more important than me?"
he smirked.
"Don't act smart—give it back!"
Mashal pouted. Zaryab moved a little closer.
"What if I said taking your coffee was just an excuse?"
There was a playful sparkle in his eyes.
"And the real reason?"
Mashal raised an eyebrow.
"To steal a little more time with you,"
Zaryab replied softly.
"Without coffee, I can't stay romantic for long—got it?"
She smiled faintly.
Zaryab laughed quietly.
"Then maybe I should make you addicted to something even stronger than coffee."
"Like what?"
Mashal asked, confused.
Zaryab's eyes held a smile as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"My love... only for you."
☆☆☆
As soon as Aimal crossed the hospital corridor, her pace quickened—but her heartbeat was racing even faster than her steps. Momina, trying to keep up with her, finally got frustrated and grabbed her hand to stop her.
"What's wrong, Aimal? Relax, there's no one here. We'll just meet Ayat and leave,"
she said reassuringly.
Aimal looked at her with frightened eyes.
"He... he'll come back again, Momina. I'm scared. Please, let's go quickly."
Momina stopped and studied her face carefully.
"Relax. Even if he shows up, he's not going to eat you. He loves you—a lot."
She emphasized the last part.
"Momina, please..."
Aimal whispered anxiously.
"And he's not going to back off either,"
Momina added with a knowing smile.
And just then, a shadow appeared in front of Aimal. She froze.
Rafay Shah—tall, intense, and dangerous—stood there silently, like a predator eyeing his prey.
"Aimal..."
Her name slipped from Rafay's lips, and the air between them suddenly felt warmer.
"Took you long enough to come."
Aimal gripped Momina's hand tightly, but she quickly pulled her hand away.
"Talk to him, Aimal. You two need space. I'll go check on my friend."
With that, she walked away, leaving Aimal alone... with Rafay.
She instinctively stepped back, but Rafay caught her wrist. His grip was firm, yet not rough.
"You're ignoring me again, aren't you? Not picking up my calls either."
His eyes were locked entirely on her face.
"Who... who do you think you are?"
Aimal looked at him with hatred.
Rafay smirked slightly.
"Your upcoming problem."
Aimal tried to free her hand, but Rafay suddenly twisted it behind her and pinned her lightly against the wall—without hurting her.
"Rafay, what are you doing? This is a hospital—let me go!"
She almost stumbled.
"I don't care where you are or what you're doing—I only care about you."
Without wasting a second, he leaned in close to her ear. Aimal's lips went dry, her body stiffened from the chill.
He gently held her chin and turned her face toward him.
"Stop ignoring me... or else..."
There was a warning in his eyes.
"I'll teach you how to ignore me."
"You're a psycho,"
Aimal snapped.
Rafay smiled and whispered dangerously close to her lips,
"And you're mine."
Aimal's eyes widened. His words left a strange sensation along her spine.
Rafay slowly released her wrist, but let his fingers brush down her palm—a touch full of both possession and threat.
Then he stepped back, completely calm, as if nothing had happened.
"I'm leaving now..."
He cast her one last look.
"But remember—I'll come back to see you again. And next time, you won't be able to walk away from me."
As he left, Aimal finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
Yet something strange lingered—a sense of emptiness, like her heartbeat was still dancing to Rafay's rhythm.
☆☆☆
In the middle of the forest, a narrow trail stretched ahead, where only the sound of their footsteps echoed. The air was cool, raindrops trickled down from the bushes, and every inch of the surroundings was wrapped in a magical shade of green.
It was the forest of Nathia Gali, and it was raining.
Meher was running around excitedly—touching flowers, standing under trees to feel the rain on her skin.
Atish just watched her.
This girl had a way of teaching love differently with every passing moment.
Meher moved ahead and stopped by a small pond, drawing circles on its surface with her fingers. A soft smile lit up her face.
Atish quickly walked toward her.
"Do you always feel the need to touch everything?"
He asked with a faint smile on his lips.
Meher turned to look at him, smiled mischievously—and suddenly splashed water toward him with both hands.
"Meher..."
Atish took a startled step back.
She couldn't laugh out loud, but the devilish grin on her face said it all—Don't mess with me.
Atish began to step closer.
Meher backed away, but behind her was the pond—and right in front, Atish.
"You deserve punishment,"
he said in a threatening tone.
Meher's mouth fell open.
Before she could fall into the pond, Atish grabbed her hand in one swift motion and pulled her toward him.
She stumbled into his broad chest.
Light rain was falling all around them.
Atish's warm hands were still wrapped around Meher's waist.
"You're mischievous... but even your mischiefs belong only to me now."
He brushed the rainwater from her hair gently.
Meher's cheeks turned crimson.
All around, only the sound of rain could be heard—along with Atish's breaths, and the mere inches that now separated them.
He slowly leaned in and placed his lips on her rain-soaked cheeks.
The rain had grown heavier.
Everything in the forest was drenched—and now, even Meher was beginning to feel something she had never felt before.
☆☆☆
The darkness of night had spread everywhere. The wind was growing stronger, but the storm inside Aimal was fiercer than anything outside. She looked at Momina angrily.
"We shouldn't have come here,"
she said, her heart filled with a strange restlessness. Momina didn't reply and looked away. Following her gaze, Aimal turned—and her breath caught in her throat.
He was there.
Standing on the roof of an abandoned building, as if he were the true owner of the place. The wind lightly tousled his thick hair. His hands were in his pockets, but his eyes were fixed solely on Aimal.
She cast a sharp glance his way, then glared at Momina. If she had known this was a plan between the two of them, she would've never come. She was furious at Momina for bringing her here.
She saw Rafay starting to walk toward her—slowly, confidently—as if no matter what, he wasn't going to let her escape.
Before Aimal could run, Momina grabbed her.
"Just sit and talk to him, yaar… you've run away from him enough."
Aimal's eyes filled with tears.
Before she could say anything, Rafay had already reached her.
Momina quietly walked away.
"How long will you keep running? You think ignoring me would make me stop?"
"I... I don't want any of this, Rafay."
Her voice was trembling, but she didn't move.
Rafay took one step forward.
"But I want it."
His voice was calm and deep, sending chills down Aimal's spine.
She tried to turn around, but Rafay was quick—he grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him.
Now only a heartbeat separated them.
Aimal glanced back in panic—behind her was the rooftop railing. There was nowhere else to go.
Rafay had trapped her.
"This... this is wrong. People will—"
"There's no one here."
He whispered deeply, his fingers sliding from her wrist to her fingertips.
"From now on, you'll only listen to me."
Aimal tried to pull her wrist away, but Rafay placed her hand against his chest.
"Are you scared?"
He whispered again.
Aimal closed her eyes.
Her breath was caught once again.
His touch, his presence, the intensity in his gaze—everything was shutting her entire system down.
Rafay lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Stop running from me, Aimy. Not answering my calls, ignoring my messages—none of it matters anymore. Because now I'll make you understand my way."
Aimal slowly opened her eyes. There was a burning intensity in Rafay's eyes that sent a strange uneasiness through her.
"When I need something, I don't ask. I take."
Aimal held her breath, but his grip on her hand only tightened.
"I don't like this drama you're doing. If you're smart, stop avoiding me from today. No matter how much you hide or run—I'll keep coming back. Because I'm everywhere, Aimal… in every part of you."
Aimal tried to jerk her hand away, but Rafay grabbed her other hand too.
"You're mine, Aimal. The sooner you accept it, the better it'll be for you."
Aimal's eyes welled up. He always repeated this same thing—again and again. She just couldn't understand why.
In every moment of fear, only one thought echoed inside her:
It's impossible to run away from Rafay...
Rafay gently touched her cheek, then stepped back and disappeared into the darkness.
As soon as he left, Momina ran to her.
"Why did you stop me? I told you I didn't want to talk to him!"
Aimal yelled angrily.
"I thought you were just avoiding him. You both love each other, then what is all this?"
Momina looked stunned.
"Love? Momina, if you had known that I'm actually afraid of him—would you still have pushed me into this? Would you have left me like that?"
Aimal's voice rose.
"I thought maybe you were just upset, or confused… that maybe you two were having a fight, so I—"
Momina said in a regretful tone.
"Upset? Confused? I wish it were just that…"
Aimal looked away, her voice soft and exhausted.
"Tell me, Aimal… did Rafay do something to you?"
Momina's expression turned serious.
"A lot... but when did you ever give me a chance to speak?"
Momina looked even more ashamed.
"I'm sorry, yaar. I thought it was just your stubbornness. Please, tell me everything. Whatever it is, don't worry—I'm with you."
Aimal could only look at her… unsure where to even begin.
To be continue...