She stood there, immobilized by a whirlpool of thoughts. A profound sense of awareness enveloped her, heightened by feelings of impending loss. Whatever experiences had shaped the years of her life seemed to weigh heavily upon her, dominating her every thought. Deep within, she knew she wasn't that person defined by her scars. She craved to embrace life wholly, to savor each moment. But the shadow of her past loomed large-

love had dealt her a cruel hand, and now fear gripped her heart. The prospect of love once again stirred a tempest of anxiety within her. What if she found herself vulnerable to heartache again? The mere thought of falling in love once more sent chills down her spine. Her encounters with love had only led to sorrow.

**Zoha's POV:**

"Zoha, you are lost in despair. Please, Allah, forgive me for my sins," I whispered to myself, eyes shut tight, seeking solace in the darkness behind my lids. Minutes ticked by, yet I remained frozen in my spot, trapped in my thoughts.

Suddenly, a voice broke through my mental haze. "Ma'am, are you okay?" The voice was warm and concerned, yet I struggled to respond. I opened my eyes to see a man standing nearby, a look of genuine worry etched on his face. "Ma'am, are you listening to me? Can I help you?"

I could only shake my head, retreating deeper into my thoughts, my feet moving forward without conscious intent. Suddenly, a wave of darkness washed over me. My vision blurred, and as my knees buckled, I reached out instinctively for support, only to find myself enveloped in a pair of strong arms.

As the darkness deepened, I dared to glimpse the man who had caught me. I tried to open my eyes, but my senses betrayed me, slipping away as I succumbed to unconsciousness.

**Author's POV:**

He was taken aback as Zoha collapsed in his arms, her features partially obscured by a hijab, leaving only her closed eyes visible to him. Panic surged through him as he gently tapped her face, hoping to rouse her from her sudden slumber. Other bystanders began to gather, feeling the gravity of the situation.

"Sir, we should take her to the hospital," one of the onlookers urged, glancing at the man who had tried to assist her moments earlier.

"Yes, open the car," he replied in a measured voice, casting a concerned glance at Zoha. Arav quickly opened the back door and he carefully placed her inside, his heart racing with anxiety. Throughout the drive, he couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized her, yet only her eyes remained visible to him. Although he doesn't know her.

Upon arrival at the hospital, their hearts sank with worry. A nurse soon approached, relief washing over their face. "Excuse me, Miss Zoha has regained consciousness," she announced. Arav exchanged a knowing look with another man beside him, before he declared, "I would like to see her."

Making his way to Zoha's room, he felt a mix of anticipation and dread. As he entered, Zoha's eyes fluttered open, filled with confusion. A jolt surged through her as she took in her surroundings-

the sterile smell of the hospital, the IV drip in her arm, and her bag resting on the side table. Panic gripped her; thoughts of her family began to swirl in her mind.

Startled, she struggled to sit up when the door swung open, revealing Arav. She gasped, and in the chaos, her bag toppled to the floor. "Take it easy," he urged gently, noticing her distress.

"You'll be discharged soon."

Her eyes filled with questions, silently pleading for answers. Arav, noticing her confusion, explained, "We brought you here after you fainted on the road."

A gentle wave of gratitude washed over Zoha as she responded, "Thank you so much for helping me." They shared a moment of silence, the weight of the situation hanging in the air. Finally, curiosity sparked in Zoha, and she asked, "Are there others with you?"

"Yes, my boss is here too," Arav replied.

Zoha's expression changed to one of realization, and she nodded. "Oh, I see. What's your name? I'd like to thank you to the person who saved my life."

With a slight smile, Arav introduced himself, "I'm Arav Ratnam. But to be truthful, my boss is the one who took charge; I was just following his orders."

A small smile appeared on Zoha's lips in return. "Well then, I'd like to meet your boss and express my gratitude," she said, her brown eyes shimmering with appreciation.

At that moment, the nurse entered, administering medication while the doctor popped in to check on Zoha's status. "You need to take care of yourself," he advised before Arav inquired about her discharge. "You can take her home now," the doctor responded.

Having not eaten or drunk anything in a day, Zoha's body had succumbed to anxiety and exhaustion, requiring medical attention. After a brief stay, she was finally allowed to leave, still weakened but relieved.

As she prepared to return home, Zoha felt a flicker of fear at the thought of encountering Arav's boss. Yet, she couldn't deny that meeting him was important to her: she owed him her gratitude.

Emerging from the hospital, she spotted Arav leaning against a sleek car, and her heart raced as she approached him.

"Please, get in. He'll take you home," he offered, his tone serious yet comforting.

"I'd love to meet your boss to thank him in person," she replied.

Arav's expression shifted slightly as he silently fumbled with his phone, then looked up, an awkward smile on his face. "Unfortunately, he's left. But I'll be sure to relay your thanks, Miss Zoha."

Confusion washed over her; it dawned on her that he might be avoiding the introduction. "Alright then, just please give him my thanks," she said softly. "Goodbye, Mr. Arav."

With that, they exchanged one last glance, and Zoha embarked on her journey home, leaving an unsaid promise lingering in the air.

As Zoha's car pulled away, Aarav waved her off from the front seat of another vehicle, a teasing smirk plastered on his face. "Why didn't you go up to her, Arsh? Are you scared to face girls or something?" he joked, laughing lightly. Arsh, trying to ignore the jab, playfully shoved his friend's shoulder. "Tu bakwas mat kar aur car chala, we're going to be late," he replied, a mix of annoyance and amusement crossing his features.

"Ouch! Come on! I'm your P.A., show me some respect!" Aarav protested, dramatically rubbing his shoulder as if he'd been seriously injured. Arsh rolled his eyes, responding, "And don't forget that I'm also your boss, so start the car, and let's get moving brat." With that, the banter continued until they departed from the hospital, making their way to their next destination.

Meanwhile, in the other car, Zoha was engulfed in her swirling thoughts. The road stretched ahead, but her mind was clouded with questions that clamored for answers. Why had he returned after three long years? What could bring him back to this place? And most pressing of all, why would he choose to come back now? The 'whys' echoed relentlessly in her mind, creating a tumult of emotions that left her feeling uneasy.

As they finally reached her house, the driver pulled up, and she stepped out, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. Approaching her front door, she hesitated for a moment before ringing the bell. The sound echoed through the stillness of the night, and within moments, her sister flung the door open, followed closely by their mother.

Without a word, her sister pulled her inside and guided her quickly to her room, an urgency in her movements that made Zoha's heart race. Their mother, who had been standing just outside, followed them, concern etched on her face. Zoha barely had a moment to process what was happening when her sister sat her down on the edge of her bed.

It was then that her sister uttered something that shattered Zoha's composure, leaving her utterly speechless and filled with a shock that made her eyes brim with tears. The weight of the revelation was over

whelming, and Zoha felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her feet.