The woman disappeared before Aariz could reach the window.

He ran outside.

“Wait!”

But the street was empty.

Only rain remained.

Aariz stood beneath the dark sky, breathing heavily.

He knew that woman.

He had spent years trying to find her.

Years believing she was dead.

Years protecting Meher from a truth that could destroy her.

And now…

She was alive.

Aariz looked toward the empty street.

“Why are you back?”

Behind him, Meher appeared at the door.

“Aariz?”

He turned.

She was standing there without an umbrella.

Rain had already begun to cover her hair.

Aariz rushed toward her.

“What are you doing outside?”

“You ran away.”

“I didn’t run away.”

“You disappeared.”

“I saw someone.”

“Who?”

Aariz hesitated.

Meher stared at him.

“Her.”

Aariz nodded.

“Your mother.”

Meher stopped breathing.

“You saw her?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Here.”

“When?”

“Just now.”

Meher looked around.

“Where did she go?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know it was her?”

Aariz looked at her.

“Because I saw her fifteen years ago.”

Meher froze.

“You knew her?”

Aariz didn’t answer.

“Aariz.”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Before I met you.”

“How?”

Aariz looked away.

“That’s complicated.”

Meher’s expression changed.

“Everything with you is complicated.”

“Meher—”

“No.”

She stepped backward.

“You always know something.”

“You always have secrets.”

“Every time I ask you a question…”

“You give me half an answer.”

Aariz moved closer.

“Because I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection!”

Her voice broke.

“I need the truth!”

The rain became heavier.

Aariz stood silently.

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

“I spent fifteen years believing my mother was dead.”

“Do you know what that does to a child?”

Aariz didn’t move.

“Every birthday…”

“I wondered if she remembered me.”

“Every Mother’s Day…”

“I wondered if she was somewhere thinking about me.”

“Every time I saw a woman who looked like her…”

“I hoped.”

Her voice became quieter.

“And then I hated myself for hoping.”

Aariz’s eyes softened.

Meher wiped her tears.

“And now you tell me she’s alive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Meher.”

“Don’t.”

She turned away.

Aariz caught her hand.

She stopped.

His fingers were warm.

Hers were cold.

He didn’t let go.

“Look at me.”

She didn’t.

“Please.”

Slowly…

She turned.

Aariz’s eyes were full of pain.

“I never wanted you to suffer.”

“But I did.”

“I know.”

“You don’t know.”

“You’re right.”

He took a breath.

“I don’t know what it’s like to lose a mother.”

“But I know what it’s like to lose someone.”

Meher looked at him.

Aariz continued.

“And I know what it’s like to spend years blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”

Her expression softened.

“What happened?”

“My brother.”

Meher became quiet.

“You had a brother?”

“Yes.”

“What happened to him?”

Aariz looked toward the dark sky.

“He died when he was twelve.”

Meher’s heart sank.

“How?”

“An accident.”

“Was it your fault?”

Aariz looked at her.

“I thought it was.”

“Why?”

“Because I was supposed to protect him.”

Meher whispered:

“You were a child too.”

“I know.”

“But you still blame yourself.”

“Some guilt doesn’t listen to logic.”

Meher stared at him.

Aariz smiled sadly.

“That’s why I understand you.”

For a moment…

They simply stood there.

Rain falling around them.

Meher slowly moved closer.

“I don’t want you to blame yourself anymore.”

Aariz looked at her.

“You can’t decide that for me.”

“Maybe not.”

She took his hand.

“But I can remind you.”

“Remind me of what?”

“That you were just a boy.”

Aariz’s eyes became wet.

No one had ever said that to him.

Not once.

Meher squeezed his hand.

“You were just a boy.”

Something inside him broke.

Aariz pulled her into his arms.

Meher closed her eyes.

His heartbeat was fast.

So was hers.

Neither spoke.

They didn’t need to.

Sometimes love doesn’t begin with a confession.

Sometimes it begins with two broken people discovering that they can finally put down the weight they’ve been carrying alone.

---

The next morning…

Meher woke up with a strange feeling.

She looked at the chair beside her bed.

Aariz was sleeping there.

She froze.

Then remembered.

The night before, after the storm became worse, Aariz had refused to leave her alone.

He had slept in the chair.

Or tried to.

Meher smiled.

His head was tilted to one side.

One arm was hanging toward the floor.

He looked uncomfortable.

She quietly stood.

She picked up a blanket.

Then covered him.

Aariz opened his eyes.

“You were watching me.”

Meher jumped.

“I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

“I was checking if you were alive.”

He smiled.

“That’s romantic.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

“I wasn’t.”

Meher turned away.

Aariz sat up.

“Meher.”

“What?”

“You’re blushing.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

She threw a pillow at him.

He caught it.

“Violence?”

“Necessary.”

Aariz laughed.

The sound filled the room.

Meher looked at him.

She had never heard him laugh like that.

Without pain.

Without sadness.

Just happiness.

And suddenly…

She wanted to hear it again.

Every day.

For the rest of her life.

The thought scared her.

Because love was dangerous.

Love gave someone the power to destroy you.

And Meher had already lost too much.

Aariz noticed her silence.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re thinking.”

“I always think.”

“That’s your problem.”

“What?”

“You think too much.”

“And you don’t think enough.”

“I think about important things.”

“Like?”

Aariz looked at her.

“You.”

Meher’s heart skipped.

She looked away.

“You’re impossible.”

“You’re beautiful.”

She stopped.

Aariz smiled.

“See?”

“See what?”

“You don’t know how to respond when I compliment you.”

“Because you don’t know how to compliment normally.”

“How should I do it?”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

She looked at him.

“It makes things complicated.”

Aariz’s smile disappeared.

“What things?”

“Us.”

Silence.

Aariz looked at her.

“There’s an us?”

Meher’s heart beat faster.

“I don’t know.”

“Then why are you afraid of it?”

“Because you’re keeping secrets.”

“You’re right.”

“And I don’t know if I can trust you.”

“That’s fair.”

“But…”

She stopped.

Aariz waited.

“But?”

Meher looked at him.

“I still feel safe with you.”

Aariz’s eyes softened.

“That’s all I ever wanted.”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“That’s not all you want.”

Aariz became still.

Meher stepped closer.

“You want something else.”

“What?”

She whispered:

“Me.”

Aariz looked at her.

His eyes moved to her lips.

For a moment…

Neither moved.

Then Aariz whispered:

“Meher.”

She looked into his eyes.

“Yes?”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because if I kiss you…”

His voice became unsteady.

“I won’t know how to stop.”

Meher’s heart raced.

She stepped even closer.

“Then don’t stop.”

Aariz closed his eyes.

For one second…

He almost forgot everything.

The secrets.

The past.

The danger.

Then he stepped back.

Meher stared at him.

Her heart sank.

“Why?”

Aariz looked away.

“Because you don’t know the truth.”

“Then tell me.”

“I can’t.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

“Then what am I to you?”

Aariz looked at her.

He had no answer.

So Meher gave him one.

“Someone you protect?”

“Yes.”

“Someone you feel responsible for?”

“Yes.”

“Someone you care about?”

“Yes.”

“Someone you love?”

Aariz froze.

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

She had asked the question.

But she was afraid of the answer.

Aariz walked toward her.

He gently touched her face.

“I don’t know when it happened.”

Meher stopped breathing.

“But somewhere between trying to protect you…”

His thumb wiped away a tear.

“…I started needing you.”

Meher closed her eyes.

Aariz whispered:

“And somewhere between all your questions…”

He rested his forehead against hers.

“…you became the answer I never knew I was looking for.”

Meher’s tears fell.

“Aariz.”

“I love you.”

Three words.

Simple.

Terrifying.

Beautiful.

Meher opened her eyes.

Aariz looked at her.

“I love you.”

This time…

He said it like he was surrendering.

Like he had spent years fighting against those words.

And finally…

He had lost.

Meher touched his face.

“I love you too.”

Aariz closed his eyes.

He pulled her closer.

Their foreheads touched.

“Say it again.”

She smiled through her tears.

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.”

Aariz smiled.

For the first time…

Meher saw him without his walls.

Without his secrets.

Without his fear.

Just Aariz.

The man she loved.

He kissed her forehead.

Then her cheek.

Slowly.

Carefully.

As if she were something precious.

Meher whispered:

“Why are you being so careful?”

Aariz looked at her.

“Because you’re the first thing in my life I don’t want to break.”

Her heart shattered beautifully.

She wrapped her arms around him.

And this time…

He didn’t let her go.

---

At midnight…

They arrived at the old warehouse.

The place where Meher’s father had supposedly died.

The place where Aariz had seen the mysterious woman.

The place where everything had begun.

Meher stood beside Aariz.

“Are you sure?”

“No.”

She looked at him.

“Wonderful.”

Aariz smiled.

“You’re funny when you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared.”

“Your hand is shaking.”

“Because it’s cold.”

“It’s summer.”

“Maybe I’m naturally cold.”

Aariz took her hand.

“Then I’ll keep you warm.”

She looked at him.

“That’s a dangerous promise.”

“I’ve made worse ones.”

They walked inside.

The warehouse was dark.

Dust covered everything.

Aariz switched on his flashlight.

“Stay close.”

“I am close.”

“Closer.”

Meher stepped beside him.

Their shoulders touched.

Aariz smiled.

“Better.”

They walked deeper.

Then…

Meher stopped.

“Aariz.”

“What?”

“Look.”

On the wall…

There was a photograph.

Meher walked toward it.

Her breath stopped.

It was her mother.

Standing beside her father.

But that wasn’t what frightened her.

There was someone else in the photograph.

A young Aariz.

Meher turned.

“You were here.”

Aariz looked at the photograph.

His face went pale.

“Yes.”

“How old were you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Why were you with my parents?”

“I told you.”

“Your father knew mine.”

“No.”

Meher shook her head.

“That’s not all.”

Aariz stared.

“Look.”

She pointed.

Behind them…

Was a little girl.

Meher.

She was standing beside her mother.

Meher’s heart stopped.

“I was here.”

Aariz nodded.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“The night before your father died.”

Meher stepped backward.

“I don’t remember.”

“I know.”

“Why?”

Aariz looked at her.

“Because your mother made sure you wouldn’t.”

“How?”

Aariz didn’t answer.

Meher’s voice became desperate.

“How?”

Aariz whispered:

“She erased your memories.”

Meher stared.

“That’s impossible.”

“Not in the way you think.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your mother was a doctor.”

“I know.”

“She specialized in memory disorders.”

Meher froze.

“Why?”

“Because she was trying to protect you.”

“From what?”

Aariz looked toward the dark hallway.

“From the man who killed your father.”

Meher’s heart raced.

“Who?”

Before Aariz could answer…

A sound came from behind them.

A door slammed.

Meher screamed.

Aariz pulled her behind him.

“Who’s there?”

No answer.

Aariz moved forward.

Meher grabbed his arm.

“Don’t.”

“I have to.”

“No.”

She held tighter.

“Please.”

Aariz looked at her.

Something in her eyes stopped him.

He returned to her.

“Okay.”

They stayed together.

Then…

A woman’s voice echoed through the warehouse.

“Meher.”

Meher froze.

Her mother’s voice.

She knew it.

She had heard it in childhood.

She had heard it in dreams.

“Mom?”

Aariz grabbed her hand.

“Don’t.”

The voice came again.

“Meher…”

Tears filled her eyes.

“She’s here.”

Aariz looked toward the darkness.

“Yes.”

A woman stepped into the light.

Meher couldn’t breathe.

She was older.

Her hair was different.

Her face had changed.

But the eyes…

Those eyes were the same.

Meher whispered:

“Mom?”

The woman cried.

“Meher.”

Meher ran toward her.

Aariz tried to stop her.

“Wait!”

But it was too late.

Meher fell into her mother’s arms.

For fifteen years…

She had dreamed of this moment.

And now…

It was real.

Her mother held her tightly.

“My baby.”

Meher cried.

“Why did you leave me?”

Her mother closed her eyes.

“I didn’t.”

“You did!”

“I tried to come back.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

Her mother pulled away.

“Because your father wasn’t the man you believed he was.”

Meher froze.

Aariz stepped closer.

“What are you talking about?”

Her mother looked at him.

“You’re still protecting her.”

“Yes.”

“Even now?”

“Always.”

The woman shook her head.

“You don’t know what your father did.”

Aariz’s face changed.

“What?”

“Your father wasn’t the victim.”

“Your father was the killer.”

Meher stared.

“My father?”

Her mother nodded.

“He killed people.”

“He destroyed lives.”

“And the night he died…”

She looked at Aariz.

“He wasn’t killed.”

Aariz’s eyes widened.

“He committed suicide.”

Silence.

Meher shook her head.

“No.”

Her mother looked at her.

“Your father killed himself after realizing what he had done.”

Meher’s world collapsed.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

Aariz looked at Meher.

“Meher…”

“Don’t.”

She stepped away.

“Everyone is lying.”

Her mother reached for her.

“Meher—”

“No!”

She ran.

“Meher!”

Aariz followed.

She didn’t stop.

She ran outside.

The rain had started again.

She stood beneath the sky.

Crying.

Aariz reached her.

“Meher.”

“Don’t.”

“Listen to me.”

“Everyone keeps telling me a different story.”

She turned.

“My father was innocent.”

“Then he was a killer.”

“My mother was dead.”

“Then she’s alive.”

“You were a stranger.”

“Then you loved me.”

She laughed through her tears.

“What am I supposed to believe?”

Aariz stepped closer.

“Me.”

She stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because I love you.”

“Love isn’t proof.”

“No.”

He moved closer.

“But it is the reason I’m standing here.”

“Why?”

“Because I could have walked away.”

“But I didn’t.”

Meher cried.

“Why?”

Aariz held her face.

“Because even if the truth destroys everything…”

He looked into her eyes.

“…I would rather lose everything with you than live without you.”

Meher closed her eyes.

Aariz whispered:

“Don’t run from me.”

She opened her eyes.

“Then don’t lie to me.”

“I won’t.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

She looked at him.

“Then tell me the truth.”

Aariz became silent.

Meher’s expression changed.

“You know something.”

“Yes.”

“What?”

Aariz looked toward the warehouse.

Then back at her.

“Your father didn’t kill himself.”

Meher froze.

“What?”

Aariz’s voice became quiet.

“Your mother is lying.”

Meher stared.

“Why?”

Aariz took a breath.

“Because I was there.”

“You said you saw who killed him.”

“I did.”

“Who?”

Aariz looked at her.

“It wasn’t your mother.”

“It wasn’t your father.”

Meher whispered:

“Then who?”

Aariz’s eyes filled with fear.

“The person who killed your father…”

He looked toward the darkness.

“…is the same person who has been watching you.”

Meher’s heart stopped.

“Who?”

Aariz didn’t answer.

Suddenly…

A gunshot echoed.

Aariz pushed Meher down.

Another shot.

Then silence.

Meher screamed.

“Aariz!”

He fell beside her.

Blood appeared on his shirt.

Meher’s world stopped.

“No.”

She touched his face.

“Aariz!”

He opened his eyes.

“I’m okay.”

“You’re bleeding!”

“It’s not my blood.”

Meher froze.

Aariz looked behind her.

The bullet had hit the ground beside them.

Then…

A man stepped from the shadows.

The same man from the café.

He was holding a gun.

And beside him…

Was Meher’s mother.

The stranger smiled.

“Finally.”

Meher stood.

“Who are you?”

The man looked at Aariz.

“Ask him.”

Aariz stood.

His expression became cold.

“Leave her alone.”

The stranger laughed.

“You still don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

The man pointed his gun toward Meher.

“Why we brought you here.”

Meher froze.

Aariz stepped in front of her.

The man smiled.

“Because tonight…”

He looked at Meher.

“…you finally remember.”

Meher shook her head.

“I don’t remember anything.”

The stranger smiled.

“You will.”

Then suddenly…

A memory flashed through Meher’s mind.

A burning house.

Her father’s voice.

Her mother’s scream.

Aariz.

A younger Aariz.

And a little girl…

Hiding beneath a table.

Meher.

Then she remembered something else.

A man standing over her father.

A gun in his hand.

And the face…

The face she had forgotten.

Meher’s eyes widened.

She looked at Aariz.

Then at the stranger.

Then at her mother.

“No.”

Aariz grabbed her hand.

“What?”

Meher whispered:

“I remember him.”

“Who?”

She pointed toward the stranger.

“He was there.”

The stranger smiled.

“Yes.”

Meher’s mother began crying.

Meher looked at her.

“You knew.”

Her mother shook her head.

“Meher, listen to me.”

“You knew!”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“From him?”

“No.”

Her mother looked at Aariz.

“From him.”

Meher turned.

Aariz’s face had gone pale.

She stared at him.

“Aariz?”

He didn’t speak.

The stranger laughed.

“Now you know.”

Meher slowly stepped away from Aariz.

“What is he talking about?”

Aariz’s eyes filled with tears.

“Meher…”

“Tell me.”

He couldn’t.

She shook her head.

“Tell me!”

Aariz whispered:

“I was there.”

“You said that.”

“No.”

He took a step toward her.

“I mean…”

His voice broke.

“I was the one holding the gun.”

Meher stopped breathing.

The world disappeared.

Aariz looked at her.

Tears rolled down his face.

“I didn’t kill your father.”

“But I was there.”

Meher stepped backward.

“Why?”

“I was seventeen.”

“Why were you there?”

“Because your father had kidnapped my brother.”

Meher froze.

“What?”

Aariz closed his eyes.

“Your father killed my brother.”

Silence.

The stranger smiled.

“And now…”

He raised his gun.

“…the daughter will pay for the father’s sins.”

Aariz immediately stepped in front of Meher.

“Don’t touch her.”

The stranger laughed.

“You still love her.”

Aariz looked at Meher.

“More than anything.”

“Then you will die for her.”

The gun was raised.

Meher screamed:

“No!”

Aariz turned toward her.

Their eyes met.

And in that moment…

He smiled.

Not because he wasn’t afraid.

But because he finally understood.

Some loves are not meant to save you from pain.

Some loves are meant to give you the courage to face it.

Aariz whispered:

“Whatever happens…”

Meher cried.

“Don’t.”

“Remember me.”

“No!”

“Remember that I loved you.”

“Stop!”

“And if I don’t get another chance to tell you…”

He smiled through his tears.

“…you were the best thing that ever happened to me.”

A gunshot echoed.

Meher screamed.

And everything went black.

To Be Continued…