At 7:15 am,

  The busy city named Dearborn of U.S, was awake as usual with all its hustle-bustle, people rushing here and there in order to reach their desired destinations. It seemed as if nobody had a second to waste on anything. The roads were filled with cars, buses and almost every type of vehicle. Though it was a cloudy morning in town, drizzling a bit as well. A perfect weather to have a comfortable sleep under a cozy blanket. Yet nothing seemed to halt even for a moment except for the birds, seemed to be resting on the branches of the trees in the cool atmosphere.

  The scenario of a well known hospital in the city was the same, having a rush of various categories of people. Just looking at the commotion in the hospital corridor no-one would be able to say that it was this early in the morning. Maybe that is why, it's said that 'The doctors are never off duty.'

  The lights of an operation theatre went off, raising the tension among the people waiting anxiously outside the surgery ward. And the door opened following a team of three doctors and a few well-trained nurses. As soon as they came out, the impatient family members of the patient almost ran towards the team.

  "Doctor, how is my father? Is..is he..ok..ay?" The young girl, who might not be more than sixteen years old, asked. Anxiety, impatience and most importantly fear was evident in her voice.

  "Yes, congratulations, the operation is successful,"one of the male doctors spoke out, taking off his medical mask. All the family members huffed in relief, thanking their Lord a million times.

  " This is a hospital, kindly follow the rules and stop gathering in front of the O.T.,"the lady doctor spoke out. Her tone came out a bit harsh startling the people standing there. But she didn't seem to care about anything or anyone. Instead turned her gaze towards her juniors and said in an ordering tone,"Make them understand everything and by everything I meant the regulations as well. I don't want to see another ruckus, especially not in front of the OT or ICU. Or else, I won't be so lenient on you guys,"with that saying, she took long strides and headed off towards her cabin.

  Her small warning was enough to make her subordinates follow her orders. As nobody wanted to face the wrath of Ayat Rehman.

  " Such a rude lady she is!" One of the nurses spoke out in a low voice, almost whispering. Not having the courage to badmouth her superior, aloud.

  " Maybe that's how rich people are. Arrogant and impolite. But it's not our place to talk about her," another male nurse shrugged his shoulders, knowing it was not in their capability to speak ill about their supervisor.

  " You shouldn’t judge someone when you don’t know them properly,"a sudden intrusive voice startled both of them. And the next moment their eyes filled with horror, looking at the person standing in front of them. It was Julian...Julian Matthews, the best friend of Ayat.

  " Si..sir...sir, we...we didn't mean to say..say that,"the male nurse stuttered in nervousness, gulping his saliva every now and then. The friendship of Julian and Ayat was not unknown to anyone, rather it was one of the talks of the town.

  The female nurse already started shedding tears, thinking she would lose her job now. Julian would surely not spare her now for the offence she made. Being the senior neurologist of the hospital, surely he held the power to dismiss such mere employees like them.

  "God, she needed this job to run her family," this only thought was knocking at her mind making her to repent severely for the comment she had passed on. "Sir, I'm extremely sorry. He is not even at fault. I'm extremely so...sorry, sir. Please..please forgive us," she folded her hands in front of him, sobbing incessantly. Trying her best to save her and her colleagues jobs, that she had put in danger.

  Julian shook his head, a light smile making its way into his lips,"It’s okay, relax. I will not do anything that you are getting so upset,"he understood the reason behind their reaction quite well. It was evident in their faces what they were thinking about. Both of them looked at one another and then towards Julian, unable to believe their ears. Did he really say that he would not terminate them?

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "But I'm not sure I'll be this humble every time. Hence, stop gossiping around people and focus more on your duty. That will be better for everyone, am I right?"There was a hint of slight warning in his tone. Naturally he could not bear the staff bad mouthing his best friend.

  The nurses shook their heads vigorously, absolutely agreeing with him. Though they had no other option as well. However, they both once again apologised to Julian before he dismissed them. He was not the type of person, who was fond of taking people to tasks. But for Ayat, he could do anything. After all, she is his sister, his beloved sister from another mother.

  " Ayu, for how long will you punish yourself and the people of your surroundings by being the person you never were?"Julian huffed, feeling drained not wanting to think about the past...the past that had drastically changed his bubbly Ayu into this cruel Ayat Rehman.

  ----------

  In a faraway place of the city, in one of the most small and dark rooms of a farmhouse, a small whimpering sound could be heard. It seemed as if someone was in extreme distress.

  "Wa...wa..water..water,"a boy not more than twenty three or four was moaning in pain. He was unable to bear the throbbing ache in his whole body. He was feeling as if his whole body was kept over the burning stove. Each part seemed to be on fire, having uncountable scars from the whip. His whole body had turned almost blue, carrying the inhuman brutality from some human being only.

  Suddenly the door of the room creaked and opened the next minute, with that entered a thin ray of light, cutting through the thin darkness a little bit.

  " Prin..cess, is...is that you?"A series of low, muffled words left his mouth. Though he was unable to keep his eyes open, still he struggled to look at the blurry figure. A little girl wearing a beautiful white dress came into his view. An alluring smile adoring her lips, immediately his lips also curved into a smile. For a moment he forgot all his pain just like some magical spell was cast upon him. He forwarded his right hand towards the girl trying to hold her hand. But before he could do so, his body gave up and he did not even realize when his eyes got closed. His body became as powerless as a vegetable. He became unconscious.

  His hand was just about to hit the hard floor but before that another pair of hands prevented it,"Zay, my child,"Zain's grandfather rushed towards his side. His voice was pained looking at the miserable state of his beloved grandson. But what he could even do? After all, he was just a useless old man now. A weakling he was, a worthless grandfather who failed to protect the only symbol of his dearest daughter.

  "Hasan, please call a doctor immediately. My Zay is in pain," as the words left the old man's mouth, his eyes spilled out the tears he had been holding onto. "Ya Allah! For how long this innocent soul will have to face this cruelty? Please I beg you, either send someone who can save him and get him out of this hell or just call him in Your abode. But please don't punish him for the sins I have done. Please," the old man cried out, making an earnest plea of mercy towards the Almighty. Because none can protect his Zain from those monsters, other than Allah. Just like Zain, the old man was also waiting eagerly for a miracle that will change their lives, a miracle that will change his Zay's life for good.

  But sometimes he also gets scared thinking what if nothing of that sort happens? Then what will happen to Zain? No, no, no, he does not have the courage to think ahead of this. He has a faith that their time will surely change.