18 Years Ago

He was driving fast, his eyes flicking again and again to the back seat where she lay asleep, peaceful and unaware. The weather was unforgiving—thunder roared, and heavy rain lashed against the car, making it impossible to drive as fast as he wanted. But he knew he couldn’t stop. He pressed harder on the accelerator, determined to reach his destination before the darkness around them closed in completely.

As soon as his car crossed the boundary of the area, he exhaled in relief. Still, his eyes kept darting to the rearview mirror, scanning for any sign of pursuit. He knew they would be following. Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he pushed the car faster.

After two long hours, he finally reached the towering gates of his villa. The guard hurried to open them, and Kaif drove inside, parking in the porch. Without wasting a moment, he stepped out, opened the back door, and gently lifted her into his arms. She was still lost in deep sleep.

“Gul Khan, open the door!” he ordered sharply.

The servant rushed to the huge wooden entrance and flung it open. Kaif strode inside, carrying the girl tightly against his chest.

“Anaya!” he called, his voice echoing in the hall.

“Where is Anaya?” he asked when he spotted Gul Khan again.

“Nawab Sahab, I don’t know,” the servant stammered.

“And Bibi Gul?” Kaif’s voice was urgent.

“It’s one o’clock at night, Sahab. They must be sleeping.”

“Rapunzel!” Kaif called again, impatience threading his tone. Then, turning back, he commanded, “Gul Khan, lock all the doors. Quickly.”

The servant obeyed, while Kaif looked up to see Anaya descending the stairs, her eyes heavy with sleep. The moment she saw him—drenched, tense, carrying a child—she hurried down.

“Kaif, what happened?” she asked, alarm rising in her voice.

“Shhh. Don’t ask anything. Where are the kids?” he demanded, avoiding her question.

Her eyes fell on the little girl in his arms. “Who is she?”

Kaif didn’t answer. He laid the child carefully on the sofa and turned back to his wife. “I’ll explain everything later. Right now, bring the children here. Hurry, Anaya.”

She didn’t argue—his eyes carried danger in them. Sensing the urgency, she nodded and rushed upstairs.

She woke Aryan and Arhaan first. “Beta, come with me,” she whispered, her voice trembling, and then carried three-year-old Zobariya in her arms. The boys followed, stumbling sleepily after their mother with their tiny feet.

When they reached downstairs, they spotted their father.

“Baba!” they cried, running into his arms.

“My sons.” Kaif bent down, holding both close, kissing their wet cheeks. Then he looked at Anaya. “Where’s Bibi Gul?”

“She must be in her room,” Anaya replied.

“Call her. Hurry.”

Once Anaya fetched Bibi Gul, Kaif took the little angel back in his arms and gestured for them to follow. He led them through the villa until they reached a hidden door. It was already unlocked. Pushing it open, he revealed a staircase spiraling down.

“Kaif… what is this place?” Anaya whispered, unsettled.

“Just come.”

They descended. As the stairs ended, Kaif switched on the lights, and a vast underground room appeared before them—beautifully furnished like a proper living space. Carpeted floors, soft beds, a couch, wooden trunks arranged neatly at the sides.

Kaif placed the sleeping girl gently on a bed, then laid Zobariya beside her. Anaya and Bibi Gul exchanged stunned glances. Neither had known about this secret room beneath their home.

“Kaif, what’s happening?” Anaya asked, her voice shaking.

“Wait,” he said firmly, then turned to Bibi Gul. “You will stay here with the children. No matter what noises you hear, do not react. Do not open this door. Just stay here with them until we return. Understood?”

Bibi Gul nodded solemnly.

Kaif crouched in front of his sons, who were staring wide-eyed. “Are you scared?” he asked gently.

Both shook their heads.

“Good. You are my brave sons. Take care of your sister… and your new friend.”

The boys glanced at the girl on the bed.

“I’ll take care of Zobariya,” Arhaan said proudly, running to hold his sister’s hand.

“And Aryan will take care of this fairy,” Kaif added.

Aryan frowned immediately. “Why would I? I don’t even know her.”

“She’s your friend. And she’ll stay with us now,” Kaif insisted.

Aryan folded his arms, sulking. “Baba, I don’t know her. How can she be my friend? I don’t even know her name.”

Kaif smiled faintly at his stubborn seven-year-old. “And if I tell you she’s your Rapunzel?”

Aryan’s eyes widened. “My… Rapunzel?”

Kaif nodded.

“But… she doesn’t have long hair like Mom. I know she’s not my Rapunzel.” He glanced again at the pretty face of the sleeping girl. “What’s her name, Baba?”

“Her name is Soha. Now take care of your friend. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Kaif clasped Anaya’s hand and left the room, leaving the children behind. Aryan kept staring at the girl, repeating her name silently in his mind.

“Bhai, is she your Rapunzel?” Arhaan asked curiously.

“No. She’s not,” Aryan muttered, looking away.

“But Baba said she is. Right, Bibi Gul?” Arhaan turned to their nanny.

“Yes,” Bibi Gul nodded with a small smile. “She is Aryan’s Rapunzel.”

Aryan scowled and stepped back. “No. She isn’t. She doesn’t have long hair like Mom. And she sleeps too much.”

“But I like her. She’s like a doll, Bhai,” Arhaan said, his eyes fixed on the girl.

As he reached out to touch her soft pink cheek, Aryan darted forward and pulled his brother’s hand away.

“Don’t touch her,” Aryan said sharply.

“But why? She’s so cute,” Arhaan protested.

“I said don’t.” Aryan’s voice was firm.

“So… we’ll call her Rapunzel?” Arhaan asked stubbornly.

“No. She already has a name,” Aryan retorted.

In the middle of their bickering, the little girl stirred. Her big black eyes blinked open as she sat up, confused. She looked around the unfamiliar room, then at the two boys watching her.

“Who… who are you? Where are my mom and dad?” she asked timidly, sliding off the bed.

“I’m Arhaan,” the younger one introduced himself brightly.

But fear welled in her eyes, and she looked ready to cry. Finding herself among strangers made her tremble.

“Don’t be scared, beta,” Bibi Gul said softly, lifting her onto her lap.

Soha’s eyes roamed the room, her small face anxious. Aryan studied her silently, noticing the innocence in her gaze.

Arhaan moved closer again. “Baba said you’ll stay with us now.”

Her panic deepened. “I… I want to go to my mom and dad.”

“Baba will take you to them,” Arhaan assured her, then tugged Aryan’s hand. “Bhai, come na. Meet your Rapunzel.”

“Who Rapunzel?” Soha asked, startled.

“Nothing,” Aryan interrupted quickly. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Soha,” she whispered.

Aryan kept staring at her, quiet and unreadable.

“And Bhai’s Rapunzel!” Arhaan added excitedly.

“What Rapunzel?” Soha’s brows furrowed.

“Baba said you’re Aryan Bhai’s Rapunzel—just like Mom is Baba’s Rapunzel,” Arhaan announced with childish delight.

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“She’s not my Rapunzel. She doesn’t even have long hair,” Aryan muttered, looking away from her face.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. She glanced at her hair, not understanding what he meant—but his cold dismissal stung. In that moment, her innocent little heart decided she wanted to become his Rapunzel at any cost.

“My hair will grow long. I can be your Rapunzel,” she insisted, stepping in front of him, forgetting everything else around her.

He folded his arms across his chest and arched a brow.

“Really? Then you’ll take care of me, just like Mom takes care of Baba? You’ll do all the things she does for him?” he challenged.

She thought for a moment, then nodded firmly.
“I will.”

“And will you love me, the way Mom loves Baba?” he asked his final question.

“Yes. I’ll love you,” she said, without hesitation.

Her innocent certainty made him pause.

“Can I ask something?” she whispered. He gave a slight nod.

Arhaan and Bibi Gul were watching silently, their hearts softening at the children’s exchange, as if they were sketching out the outlines of a future none of them yet understood.

“If I do everything… then what will you do?” she asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
“I’ll love you, of course. A lot. More than Baba loves Mom.”

Though he kept his face stern, she broke into a radiant smile, forgetting she had been crying only minutes ago.

“And you’ll give me chocolates?”
He nodded.

“Teddy bears?”
Another nod.

“All the toys?”
He nodded again.

“Everything,” he said simply.

She squealed in delight and twirled in circles, her joy spilling out like sunshine.

“So you’re my brother’s Rapunzel now!” Arhaan exclaimed, clapping his hands before running in circles with her. Bibi Gul only watched, smiling at their innocence.

“Sohan.”

The voice stilled her steps. She turned to him.

“Here.” He held out a chocolate to her.

“My name is Soha,” she corrected, taking it eagerly.

“I know, Sohan,” he replied flatly before lying back on the bed.

She frowned. “What is Sohan?” she asked, walking closer.

“I like Sohan. So that’s your name now.” He closed his eyes, dismissing her again.

“Hi, Sohan!” Arhaan teased, but Aryan shot him a glare.

“Only I can call her Sohan,” he said, his tone sharp enough to make Arhaan shrink back.

“But I like Soha,” she murmured around a mouthful of chocolate, going to sit beside him.

“But I like Sohan,” he said firmly, sitting up, eyes locking with hers as though sealing a decision.

Her lips trembled. “I want to go to Mom,” she whispered, tears pooling again. He turned away, shutting his eyes.

“Shh, beta, don’t cry. Come here.” Bibi Gul gathered her into her lap, stroking her hair as the girl sobbed for her parents.

“Your parents will come. Don’t cry.” She wiped her tears gently, but the little one still sniffled.

Aryan muttered coldly, “She can’t be my Rapunzel if she cries so much.”

The girl turned to him, her eyes red and wet. “You know… you’re rude.”

“I—” Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps thundered through the silence.

“Shhh…” Bibi Gul hushed them quickly, placing Soha down while gathering baby Zobariya in her arms.

“Follow me.” She motioned to a corner of the room, revealing a hidden passage. Arhaan followed immediately, but Aryan stayed behind, noticing Soha frozen in fear.

“Sohan, come.” He ran back, grabbed her hand tightly, and pulled her along into the hidden room where Bibi Gul and the others had gone.

Moments later, voices echoed from the basement.

“Where is she? I’m asking you, where is she?!”

“She’s not here,” Kaif’s voice rang out, firm but tense.

Soha’s little hand squeezed Aryan’s with all her fear.

“Don’t be scared,” he whispered, his grip tightening protectively around her fingers.

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“Kaif, what’s happening?” Anaya’s voice was shaking as he locked the basement door and pulled her along.

“Don’t ask now. Just come with me.” His jaw was tight, his eyes scanning the hall.

“I’m scared… please, at least tell me,” she begged, but he only stopped to shout for his servant.

“Gul Khan!”

“Ji, Nawab Sahab!” The servant rushed in, bowing slightly.

“Check everything. Every door, every window. Double the security.”

Anaya clutched his arm. “Kaif…”

He turned to her, cupped her face with both hands, and whispered, “Do you trust me?”

Her lips trembled, but she nodded.

He forced a smile. “You don’t look beautiful when you’re worried, Rapunzel.”

She gave a faint, broken smile.

“Good. Now listen. Pack our things. All of them. We’re leaving tonight.”

“Leaving?” she gasped.

He nodded. “I made a promise. I have to keep it. It’s not safe here anymore.” His forehead pressed briefly to hers, and then he stepped away, pulling out his phone.

Before Anaya could move, the piercing sound of a horn shattered the air. Kaif’s blood ran cold.

“They’re here.” His whisper was half to himself, half to her.

“Go. To your room. Now.” He pushed her toward the stairs, and she obeyed, her heart racing, while he stormed outside to confront the intruders.

Four men climbed out of a car, their eyes burning with rage.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Kaif demanded.

One laughed bitterly. “You don’t know us? What a joke.”

Another snarled, grabbing Kaif’s collar. “Where is she?!”

Kaif shoved him back, his guards instantly surrounding him.

“Don’t forget whose territory you’re in. And who is it you’re talking about?” Kaif’s voice was steel.

“Amaan’s daughter. Where are you hiding her? Hand her over—or die like the rest.”

Kaif’s heart clenched, but his face betrayed nothing. “I don’t know about her.”

They forced their way inside, Kaif’s guards rushing forward—but he raised his hand, stopping them.

The men stormed through the villa, searching, their fury filling every corner.

“We know she’s here. Do you think you can keep her safe forever? We are the shadow of her death.”

Kaif stepped forward, eyes blazing. “Then I’ll be the wall that blocks that shadow forever.”

At his command, the guards drove them out. Humiliated, one spat, “Don’t think this is over. It’s just beginning.”

Kaif stood tall. “And don’t forget who I am. Nawab Kaif Hashim. Remember that name before you threaten me again.”

When they left, he wasted no time. Running upstairs, he called, “Rapunzel!”

Anaya met him at the door, eyes brimming with fear. He held her close. “It’s okay. I’m here. Let’s check on the kids.”

They rushed to the basement.

“Kids?” Kaif’s voice echoed.

From a hidden corner, Arhaan appeared. “Baba Jaan!”

Relief washed over Kaif. Soon, Bibi Gul emerged with baby Zobariya, and behind her, Aryan and Soha stepped out—still holding hands.

Kaif crouched in front of the little girl. “Hello.”

She clung tighter to Aryan’s arm, wary.

“Don’t be scared. He’s my Baba,” Aryan reassured softly.

Kaif’s gaze fell to their joined hands, then lifted to her frightened eyes.

“Didn’t you recognize me? I’m your Kaif uncle.”

She didn’t respond.

Reaching into his pocket, Kaif pulled out a small object. Her eyes widened.

“My watch!” she gasped, snatching it from his palm.

“Yes, your watch. Do you remember who gave it to you?”

She thought hard. “My Baba’s friend.”

Kaif’s voice softened. “I’m your Baba’s friend.”

Her lip trembled. “Where is my Baba?”

Tears welled in Kaif’s own eyes as he whispered, “Can I ask you something, beta?”

She nodded, blinking away tears.

“Can I… be your Baba?”

She froze, stunned.

“But my Baba…” her words broke into sobs.

He gathered her into his arms. “I’ll be your Baba. And I promise—you won’t miss him anymore.” His hand stroked her back, calming her as she wept.

Behind them, Anaya whispered, “Kaif… when are we leaving?”

“Soon,” he replied, still holding the girl close. His eyes lifted to Aryan. “So… did my Aryan find his Rapunzel?”

Aryan pulled his hand free from Soha’s grip. “She’s not my Rapunzel.” He turned away, climbing onto the bed.

Kaif chuckled softly, glancing back at the girl. “He’s rude, isn’t he?”

She sniffled and nodded. “Yes, he is.”

“Do you want to be his Rapunzel?” Kaif asked.

She shook her head firmly.

“Why not?”

“Because he calls me Sohan. I don’t like it.”

Aryan’s voice cut through the air. “But I like Sohan.”

Everyone sighed at his stubbornness, sensing how strong-willed he was already becoming.

Kaif rose to his feet, leading his family upstairs. “Let’s go.”

And so they stepped forward—together.
The monster boy and the fragile little girl.
Two souls bound by fate.
Two hearts about to be tied in ways none of them could yet imagine.

This was only their first step toward each other.

Author’s Note ✨

Assalam-o-Alaikum dear readers,

I hope you all are doing well! 💕
Here comes the new chapter—I truly enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it just as much. The story is slowly beginning to unfold, and your love, comments, and votes are what keep me motivated to continue this journey. 🌸

Do share your thoughts about this chapter—what did you like, what do you think will happen next? Your feedback means the world to me.

Till the next update,
Allah Hafiz.
Keep reading & keep smiling ✨