Third person's POV.

All of them were seated in the hall. Anaya was making tea for Kaif while Zobariya sat beside him, her eyes glued to the television.

“When will they come, Baba?” she asked, glancing at her wristwatch and then back at her father.

Kaif smiled at her impatience. After two long years, Zobariya was finally back to stay with them like before, and it filled her parents with joy. They were all waiting for Aryan, Arhaan, and Sohan.

“Assalam-u-Alaikum everyone!” Arhaan’s cheerful voice rang out as he entered the house.

“Hey, Zobi,” he greeted, immediately walking toward her.

“Bhaiiii!” she squealed with happiness, running into his arms for a tight hug.

Arhaan smiled at her antics. The two shared the same playful nature; they were best friends as much as siblings.

“Where were you by the way?” she asked, pulling back and studying him curiously.

“Shopping for you,” he said, lifting the bags in his hands. Zobi giggled, delighted.

“Where’s big bro?” she asked when she didn’t see Aryan with him.

“Where else do you think he could be?” Arhaan replied with a knowing smile before taking a seat.

“With his Sohan,” Zobi teased, sitting down beside him.

Kaif and Anaya exchanged a glance and sighed quietly.

“Not only his, but she’s ours too,” Anaya reminded softly.

“Of course, Mom, she’s ours—our cute and favorite Soha. But not Sohan. She’s only his Sohan.” Zobi giggled, making both Kaif and Anaya smile despite themselves.

“They’re so cute together,” Zobi added dreamily.

“But Bhai says she’s not his Rapunzel,” Arhaan said with a pout.

“Listen, both of you,” Kaif interrupted, removing his spectacles and fixing them with a serious gaze.

“Don’t say such things in front of them. They are best friends. Let them remain that for now.”

“But Baba—” Arhaan began, only for Anaya to cut him off gently.

“Let them discover for themselves what’s in their hearts. Until then, just let everything unfold as it’s meant to.”

Kaif nodded in agreement, looking at his beloved wife with admiration before turning to his son.

“Your mother is right. They have to understand this bond on their own. We cannot make them feel it or realize it. They’ll learn with time what this relation truly means.”

Arhaan reluctantly nodded. Meanwhile, Zobi quickly grabbed the shopping bags and began opening them with excitement. “Now show me my gifts!” she squealed.

---

Later that evening, Aryan and Sohan were in the car together. Sohan munched happily on a slice of extra-cheese pizza, while Aryan focused on the road.

“You’re late,” she said, pulling another slice from the box.

“I know. I’m sorry,” Aryan replied quietly, his eyes fixed ahead.

Sohan, unfazed, continued between bites, “You know Sana and Sabreena teased me so much today. They kept asking for your number, but I told them you weren’t available.”

Aryan only hummed in response, making her frown. But her attention quickly returned to her pizza.

“Also, Yasir and Azam challenged us to beat them in the next semester’s results,” she went on. “But they don’t know I have you. Will you help me study?”

This time Aryan turned briefly, smiling at her determination, and nodded.

“You dropped Arhaan home?” she asked again.

Another small hum escaped him.

Sohan sighed dramatically but continued to chatter nonstop while Aryan listened in silence, as always.

At last she turned to him, hesitant. “Aryan… Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” he said, glancing at her before returning his focus to the road.

Her lips curved into a hopeful smile. She placed the half-eaten pizza back into the box, wiped her hands, and leaned slightly toward him.

“You promise you won’t say no?” she pressed.

“Why would I say no? What is it you want, Sohan?” he asked gently.

She hesitated, gathering courage. “Today I saw a notice on the university board. There’s an announcement…”

Aryan frowned, sensing her nervousness. “What announcement?”

“About a trip,” she whispered. “A seven-day picnic to Swat and other hill stations.”

The car screeched to a halt as Aryan slammed the brakes, turning to her in disbelief.

“Are you mad?” His sharp gaze pinned her in place. “Seven days? Alone?”

Sohan lowered her eyes to her hands resting on the pizza box. “I want to go,” she said softly.

“No way. Forget it. You’re not going anywhere.” His voice was firm, brooking no argument.

“But Aryan, you promised—” she tried again, clutching his arm.

“I made no such promise. And this discussion is over.” His tone was final.

Hurt flickered across her face. “You never say no to me,” she whispered.

“I’m saying it now,” he replied, his jaw tight as he restarted the car.

The rest of the ride was silent. Yet in her heart, Sohan was already making plans to persuade him.

---

That night, Sohan sat in Zobariya’s room, admiring the gifts Aryan had brought for his little sister.

“You liked your gifts?” she asked, watching Zobi slip a ring onto her finger.

“A lot! Thank you, Bhabi—uh, I mean Soha Api!” Zobi teased, hugging her.

Sohan laughed softly. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I missed you too, Soha Api.”

They lay together on the bed, chatting. At one point, Sohan sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. “You’re lucky, Zobi. You can go wherever you want. But Aryan never allows me. He didn’t even let me join the trip.”

Zobi giggled, though her tone carried reassurance. “That’s because he cares for you more than anything. He’s scared of losing you.”

“But he doesn’t stop you,” Sohan argued. “You’re his sister, and yet he lets you live freely.”

“That’s because you’re more precious to him than even his own sister,” Zobi said simply.

Sohan fell silent, her heart aching but hopeful. “Still, I’ll make him agree somehow,” she whispered, determination sparking in her eyes.

From the hallway, Aryan had overheard everything. A small smile tugged at his lips as he walked back to his room. She’s such a silly girl… but mine, he thought. He hated the idea of letting her go, of being away from her even for a day, but he also couldn’t cage her. For her happiness, he would allow it.

---

The next morning, Aryan awoke to the sound of her cheerful voice. “You’re still sleeping? Get up already!”

He smiled instantly. His mornings always brightened with her around.

“It’s okay, Sohan. I’m not in a hurry today,” he muttered, sitting up.

“But I am! I’ve got an important lecture.” She was already rifling through his closet for clothes.

As she turned to leave, he called out, “Sohan, wait.”

“What now?” she asked, stepping back in.

“You want to go on that trip?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Can I?”

Aryan nodded with a faint smile.

“Really?!” she squealed, her joy lighting up the entire room.

“Yes, you can go.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She jumped around in delight, and Aryan couldn’t help but smile at her innocence.

“But,” he added firmly, “I have one condition.”

She froze. “What condition?”

“No playing in the snow. No rivers, no water. You’ll get sick otherwise.”

Sohan pouted. “That’s unfair!”

“Accept it, or you don’t go.”

After a moment’s sulking, she finally agreed. “Okay.”

Aryan chuckled, heading toward the washroom, while Sohan practically skipped out of the room, already planning how to tell her friends.

-------

“You took all your things, Sohan?” Aryan asked for the third time, his restless eyes scanning the room.

“Yes, I took everything. Will you please let me finish? I’m getting late.” She replied, her tone firm, but Aryan only smiled faintly and began checking her bag again.

“So, our Soha is ready?” Kaif asked as he entered her room with Anaya.

“I’m ready, Baba,” Sohan said warmly, smiling at them.

“But you must take care of yourself,” Anaya said, walking over and wrapping her daughter in a hug.

“I will, Mama.”

Kaif’s eyes moved to Aryan, who looked anything but calm. The thought of Sohan leaving made Aryan uneasy, though he couldn’t explain why. He only knew he wanted to be near her.

“Can’t you take your mobile with you?” Aryan asked suddenly.

“Of course, I’m taking it,” Sohan reassured with a smile. He exhaled in relief.

“But promise me—no going out in the snow, no ice creams in the cold, no talking to strangers, and you won’t—”

All three pairs of eyes turned to him as he rambled on.

“What? I’m just worried for her. And why isn’t Arhaan going? I think I should go with her.”

“Really?” Kaif, Anaya, and Sohan echoed in unison, amused at his sudden insistence.

“Who said I’m not going?” Arhaan’s voice broke through as he entered the room. A muffler was wrapped around his neck, a leather jacket slung over his shoulders, and a bag hanging from him.

“Really, you’re coming?” Sohan’s eyes lit up, and she moved closer to him.

“Of course, my brother’s Rapunzel. I’m coming to protect you,” Arhaan teased. Both Aryan and Sohan narrowed their eyes at him, but Kaif and Anaya exchanged soft smiles.

“Rapunzel, huh?!” Sohan smacked his stomach with her fist.

“Ouch! Okay, okay, don’t admit it. But I’m still coming to protect my little sister,” Arhaan chuckled, caressing her cheek, making everyone else smile.

“Hurry up, we should go now. Our friends must be waiting,” he added.

“Listen, you two.” Kaif’s voice grew serious as he walked toward them. “Be careful. Take care of yourselves. And Arhaan—take care of your sister. She’s precious.”

“I will, Baba.” Arhaan’s smile was reassuring.

“Good. I’ll tell the driver to drop you at your university,” Kaif said, leaving with Anaya.

“Let’s go, my brother’s Rapunzel!” Arhaan called out again, then darted away when he caught the sharp glares aimed at him.

“Aryan.”
“Sohan.”

They spoke each other’s names at the same time, smiling as their eyes met. Aryan stepped closer and carefully draped a shawl around her shoulders.

“No talking to strangers. No accepting gifts. Don’t go out without this shawl, and please… be careful,” he murmured, each word heavy with concern.

“I understand, Aryan. I’ll be careful.” She smiled softly.

“Can I have your wallet, please?” she asked suddenly, her puppy eyes blinking up at him.

Suspicion flickered in his gaze. “Why?”

“I’ll shop there, na. So, I need some money.” She opened his wallet the moment he handed it to her and began pulling out bills.

“That’s enough. You can take it back now,” she said sweetly, returning the wallet.

“You emptied it,” Aryan muttered, staring at the hollow leather fold.

Sohan only shrugged with a giggle, her laughter lighting his face into a reluctant smile. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple and watched her, unwilling to look away.

Zobariya entered just then, her eyes catching the way her brother’s expression softened only for Sohan. She smiled at the unspoken bond between them.

“Take care and have fun,” Zobi said warmly, hugging Sohan.

“You’re the first one saying to have fun!” Sohan giggled, glancing at Aryan, who had already stepped out.

---

From the window, Aryan watched as Sohan climbed into the car and waved goodbye. He forced a smile, but unease gnawed at him. For the first time, she was going far away, and it left him restless. Fear, concern, something unnamed—it pressed heavily on his chest.

“She’ll be fine, son,” Kaif’s voice came, steady and calm, as he placed a reassuring hand on Aryan’s shoulder.

“I know… but my heart is scared,” Aryan admitted, his eyes still fixed on the car disappearing down the drive.

“I can see how worried you are for her,” Kaif said softly.

“I can’t forget that night, Baba. When those people came to kill my Sohan… to kill our Sohan.” His voice cracked as memories of terror gripped him.

“For her safety, we left our hometown, moved cities… yet I still feel like they’re following us. Chasing her like death itself. We’ve saved her twice, but what about next time?” His words trembled with dread.

“Allah is the greatest protector. Allah will keep her safe. We can only pray,” Kaif replied, before walking away.

But Aryan’s heart refused to calm. She had been attacked twice before—once when she came with Baba, and again when they were shifting. That fear of losing her never left him. He had always kept her close, never letting her go alone. Yet this trip filled him with a strange, unbearable anxiety.

He pulled out his phone, his decision already made.

“Hey, I have a job for you,” he said when the line connected, stepping back inside with determination.

---

Third Person’s POV

“Only you are the one I can trust now,” Aryan said quietly, seated across from a man in his sixties.

“You can trust me. I won’t disappoint you,” the older man replied with confidence.

Aryan handed him a file. “All the details are here. But I want this confidential. No media, no leaks. Not even your agency should know. Only you.”

“No one will know. It’s between you and me. I’ll put my best man on this—young, but the best in his work.”

They stood, shook hands firmly, and walked away in opposite directions.

---

Arhaan’s POV (Converted to Third Person)

At the university, Arhaan scanned the excited crowd. Students buzzed around, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Every face lit up with joy at the upcoming trip.

Arhaan, however, felt no such thrill. He was there only because of Sohan. His brother would have been terrified if she went alone. That was reason enough for him.

“Arhaan!” His friends rushed over.

“What a surprise! You’re coming too?” Raza asked with a grin.

“Of course. Thought I’d join you all,” Arhaan said, his eyes drifting toward the buses lined up.

“When do we leave?”

“Fifteen minutes,” Moheb replied.

Arhaan nodded, glancing at Sohan. She was surrounded by her friends, her face glowing with happiness.

“Hey, my brother’s Rapunzel!” he called out with a mischievous smile, walking over.

“Shut up! I told you not to say that. He’s my best friend and nothing more.” She narrowed her eyes but without anger.

“Okay, my brother’s Rapunzel. I understand,” Arhaan laughed, earning a playful punch on his shoulder. She walked away with her friends, and he returned to his group.

---

Third Person’s POV

“Where are you?”

The message made Khirad’s stomach flutter. Her fingers trembled as she typed back:

“In university.”

She slipped the phone back into her bag, trying to steady her racing heart. But moments later, another message buzzed in.

“I want to see you.”

Her breath caught. Her eyes darted around nervously, as though he might be standing there.

“It can’t happen,” she typed quickly.

“Don’t give me reasons. I want to see you.”

“It’s not possible.”

“There’s no word like impossible in my dictionary. And I hate it.”

Her frustration flared. He never listened, always pushing her into things she resisted.

“What do you even love then? You hate everything,” she typed in anger.

“I love you. And that’s enough.”

The confession silenced her, drying her throat. It wasn’t the first time he said it, but every time it felt new—each word stirring butterflies inside her.

“I have to go now. Miss me, my Khirad.”

The kiss emoji made her cheeks flush pink. She locked the phone quickly, pressing her hot hands to her face.

“Khirad!”

She turned to see Sohan calling. “Come, we’re departing.”

Khird nodded, still lost in the lingering echo of his words.

---

Third Person’s POV

“The house feels empty without them,” Kaif said, gazing at the silent hall.

“True. I’m already missing them,” Anaya admitted softly.

“Should I go bring them back?” Aryan muttered, rising. Kaif tugged him back down while Zobariya laughed.

“Is our elder brother missing his Sohan?” Zobi teased.

Aryan’s eyes narrowed, and she quickly apologized with a shy smile, hiding behind her book.

“You’re all making fun of me. I’m just… worried for her,” Aryan said, grabbing his laptop bag. “I have a meeting with the CEO of Bakhshi Group. Hopefully, we’ll finalize the contract today. Miss Alena Bakhshi is also coming. Let’s hope all goes well.”

He buttoned his coat and walked out. Kaif, Anaya, and Zobariya exchanged knowing smiles at his condition.

---

Aryan’s POV (Converted to Third Person)

At his office, Aryan’s thoughts still circled Sohan and Arhaan. He prayed for their safe return, even as work demanded his focus.

“Sir, Mr. Bakhshi is here,” his secretary announced.

“Make them comfortable in the meeting room. I’ll be right there,” Aryan said, dialing Sohan’s number quickly.

“I was wondering why you hadn’t called yet,” her cheerful voice answered.

“Sohan, are you okay? Has the trip started?”

“We’re still at the university. Leaving in a few minutes.”

“Stay with Arhaan, don’t talk to strangers. Please be careful.”

“I will, best friend. Now let me enjoy!” she teased before cutting the call. A smile tugged at Aryan’s lips despite his nerves.

Files in hand, he stepped into the meeting room, where employees and Mr. Bakhshi waited.

“Assalam-u-Alaikum, Mr. Bakhshi. My apologies for the delay,” Aryan said politely.

“You should be sorry,” a feminine voice answered.

Aryan turned—and froze.

A girl stood there, radiant in a loose red shirt paired with cream trousers. Her dark hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, a silver clutch in her hand, her phone in the other. She smiled, and Aryan found himself noticing every detail—her walk, her style, the way the colors framed her presence.

“Alena Bakhshi,” she said, offering her hand.

“Alena Bakhshi…” Aryan repeated softly, as though the name itself had cast a spell.

Author’s Note ✨

Assalam-o-Alaikum dear readers,

Here comes another chapter for you all! 🌸 I’m so glad you’re on this journey with me—the way you connect with the story and characters truly motivates me to keep writing. Every little comment, vote, and thought you share means the world. 🤍

Tell me, how did you feel about this chapter? Did anything touch your heart or surprise you? I’d love to hear your views.

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