Sitting in the Black Eagles private jet, Ahad glanced down at the city, which will soon disappear from his view. It was unlike him to change his mind about something and step back from the decision he once made. It took a great effort for him to do so, but he managed to stop himself, he had to. Abducting Kanwal from her house might satisfy his ego for the time being, but then what? Would he be able to hold himself back from approaching her? Or will he be able to control himself after knowing that she rejected him?
The answer was a big 'no'. Kanwal's presence near him would only provoke him and remind him of his one-sided feelings. Ahad fears that his stubbornness and anger won't bring any good and the fact that his and Kanwal's family are acquainted, made Ahad refrain himself.
Or maybe I just love her too much...
He thought.
Therefore, giving her a few more months of freedom, Ahad flew away from his home once again, but the thought of coming back for Kanwal won't be leaving him for sure.
"You will always be mine, Kanwal...." Ahad murmured, recalling the image of Kanwal on their engagement night, as she smiled looking at the ring on her finger.
~*~
"Kanwal, you are going to be late again." Kanwal heard her mother's voice coming from the kitchen.
"Tell Papa to wait a minute, I am coming." She shouted as she quickly stuffed her notebooks in her bag.
It has almost become her daily habit to stay up late at night, struggling to find the solution of how to put her life and her mind back on track again. In doing so, she ends up getting late for college. Since the meeting with Ahad a month ago, Kanwal never saw him again. The news of him going back to Dubai reached her and she successfully hid the pain she felt on hearing the news. Kanwal pretends to stay normal before her family, her classmates, and everyone else except Mahnoor, who glares at her whenever she tries to put up a fake attitude before her. Despite having a childish nature, Mahnoor is sensitive in matters concerning Kanwal as she knows her better than others. Maybe that's why she never asked Kanwal about what happened that night and Kanwal didn't bring up the topic either. It is left hanging in mid-air and Kanwal is planning to leave it that way forever.
"Kanwal, your Papa is also going to be late!" Her mother shouted again.
"Coming, coming." Kanwal grabbed her bed and dashed out of her room towards the exit.
"Kanwal, wait. Your breakfast." She heard her Ami's voice and turns to see her coming towards her.
"Ami, I don't have time for-" Before she could complete her sentence, her Ami held out a sandwich before her face.
A wide smile spread on Kanwal's face, "Love you, Ami." She abruptly kissed her Ami's cheek and ran outside.
Saying farewell to Ahad wasn't easy for Kanwal, but she doesn't regret her decision, not even once. The love she had for her parents was stronger than the feelings she has for Ahad and she is happy that she could obey her parents without any lingering thoughts that she and others might misunderstand the situation of Ahad. But now, everything is clear as day, the Ahad she loved is gone, lost, never to be with her again. She has to move on, for the people who care for her and for herself too.
"Sorry, Papa." Kanwal said, hopping into the car.
"Should we pick Mahnoor up too?" Her father inquired while starting the car.
"No, she will be going with Hammad Bhai." Kanwal answered before taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Tomorrow I will be seeing you eating breakfast on the table." He said in a rather strict tone and Kanwal nodded in response.
"When is your tournament?" He asked after a while.
"The day after tomorrow, but we have a warm-up match today too with our seniors."
Kanwal was a typical eastern girl with a love for sports. She used to watch matches with her father. At first, she just joined him to merely accompany him but gradually, her interest in sports began to develop and she ended up being a part of the college's volleyball team. Her father is very happy about it and he always encouraged her, unlike her mother who is always worried about her skin getting damaged for being under the sun too long.
The college started and ended like a blink. At the end of the day, Kanwal finds herself to be in a much better state than yesterday. Playing volleyball helped her a lot in releasing her mental stress.
Kanwal barely managed to function well till dinner. Afterwards, she quickly prayed Isha namaz and sneaked into bed. Sleep engulfed her as soon as her head felt the presence of her pillow and it took her to a place where Kanwal might meet the person she had missed dearly.
