Chapter 3

* 4 YEARS AGO*

Aayat's P.O. V

The following day, I woke up extremely late. I was greeted by a cute morning text from him; I smiled at the kind of cheesy situation I was in. For a girl who never believed in dating and always believed that such happiness came after Nikah only, I found it very amusing I was letting him in.

However, no matter what if I let him in my life, he would be the only person, if, by any chance this didn't work, I would let no one in my life except if he is chosen by my parents and this was a promise that I made to myself on that day!

I left my phone on charge and went for a quick shower before greeting my parents on the breakfast table. Though I tried my best to act normal and concentrate on my studies, my thoughts would occasionally drift to my date with him.

How he was smiling, how he was a complete gentleman towards me and all those. I have a stupid smile on my face every time I thought of him. My mom found my behaviour quite weird but didn't question it.

My happy bubble burst when I heard the voice of my neighbour Raina. She must have shaped an alternative way to bully me. She was shouting at the top of her lungs all kinds of swear words that came to her mind, the worst part was that her family supported her.

I tried to maintain my posture but as she kept going on and on, her mom joined her, and they began to accuse my mom about something she hasn't done, and this was all it took for me to lose my temper.

I stormed out of the house to face her; she had a wicked smile on her face as she threw some paper at me. I took a quick look at it; it was a court restriction order. She was not allowed to be near me. I smiled at her; she just dug her own grave.

"So, miss Raina, if you don't know how to let me read it for you" I laughed as she threw me a disgusted look.

"What? You seriously didn't think I would sit quietly while you try to ruin my life" I said walking away.

“You will pay for this, I swear, stay close to your dear ones you might not have much time with them,” she warned. I went for a cold shower to calm my nerves, then called up Zinat to check on her.

Thankfully, she was fine. Few weeks passed Abyad, and I grew closer with each passing day, Zinat was busy with her studies while Rania disappeared after the warning, which was oddly suspicious.

Zinat was supposed to come over, I was on the phone with Abyad when I heard Zinat's scream from outside.

I rushed out to see her lying lifeless on the ground and blood oozing out of her head. I could not stop the tears streaming down my face, I called my parents so we could rush her to the hospital. All the threats and possibilities were haunting me.

I was to be blamed, I involved her in this and now she is paying the price for being there for me. I knew exactly who was responsible for her condition, but there was not a single proof of it, and I knew that it would be best that I remained alone so that it would hurt no one.

After assuring that Zinat was recovering, I wrote a letter for her and left it on her nightstand; I pushed her away from me. As for Abyad, I knew I had to push him away as well, and I needed to be strong for that.

* present*

Abyad’s P.O.V

I watched as Rania send our picture to Aayat. I wonder how could someone stoop so low. She threatened me to kill Aayat if I did not comply with her demands. She wanted to destroy Aayat completely, and I know she managed to accomplish her task.

I helped her kill my Aayat, my innocent and sweet Aayat who believed that there was good in everyone. I wished I could turn back time to when everything was good between us.