The dust had barely settled from the confrontation with Imran, but Zoha could feel the weight of the night still pressing on her chest. Zafar was strong—stronger than anyone she knew. But even the strongest man had his limits. She had seen that side of him now: the man who would go to any lengths to protect those he loved, even if it meant facing the darkest parts of his past.
They had driven back to their home in silence, neither of them willing to speak. Zoha had so many questions, so many fears, but she didn't want to push Zafar when she knew he was carrying a heavy burden.
The next few days passed in a haze. Zafar had called in his closest allies, securing the perimeter of their property and ensuring Ezra's safety. He was taking no chances. Zoha admired his dedication, but it also made her heart ache. Zafar was always looking over his shoulder, never able to fully embrace the peace he had worked so hard to create.
But Zoha was determined to change that.
It was early one morning when Zoha found Zafar standing at the window, staring out into the horizon. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the world, but Zafar's expression was far from peaceful.
She walked up to him quietly, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Zafar," she said softly, her voice gentle, "you don't have to carry all of this alone."
Zafar turned to her, his eyes filled with the weight of everything he had been through. "I don't know how to let go, Zoha," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "I've spent so long fighting to survive, I don't know how to stop. How to just… live."
Zoha's heart broke for him. "You don't have to fight anymore. Not for me. Not for us. We're safe now, and we have each other. We'll build a future together—one that's ours."
Zafar's gaze softened as he looked at her. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You've given me more than I ever thought I deserved. You and Ezra. I won't let anything happen to either of you."
"You don't have to," Zoha said, her voice firm. "Because we're in this together. Always."
Zafar took a deep breath, letting her words settle into his heart. For the first time in a long while, he felt the crushing weight of the past begin to lift, even if just a little. He wasn't alone. Not anymore.
Later that afternoon, Zoha sat with Ezra on the floor, playing with blocks as Zafar worked on his laptop nearby. The house was filled with a sense of calm, a tranquility that had eluded them for so long. It was hard to believe how much had changed in such a short time. They had survived the storm, and now they were beginning to rebuild their lives.
But as Zoha looked at Zafar, she knew the rebuilding wasn't just about the physical world. It was about the emotional toll, the scars they both carried from their pasts. Zafar had always been the strong, silent type, but Zoha had come to realize that strength didn't mean doing it all alone.
They were a team now. And together, they could face whatever came next.
That night, after Ezra had fallen asleep, Zoha and Zafar sat together on the couch, the soft glow of the fireplace illuminating their faces. Zoha rested her head on Zafar's shoulder, feeling his warmth against her skin.
"You've been so quiet lately," Zoha murmured, her fingers tracing the lines of his hand. "I know you're still dealing with everything that happened. But I want you to know, I'm here. Whatever you need."
Zafar's arm wrapped around her, pulling her close. "I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You've given me more than I ever thought I could have. I just don't know how to thank you for that."
Zoha looked up at him, her eyes soft but full of conviction. "You don't need to thank me. I'm here because I love you. And I'll always be here, no matter what."
Zafar's gaze darkened, and Zoha could see the raw vulnerability in his eyes. "But what if my past comes back to haunt us? What if Imran isn't the end of it? What if… what if I can't protect you from everything?"
Zoha took his face in her hands, her heart swelling with love for him. "You have protected me, Zafar. You've already given me everything. I don't need anything else from you. Not now, not ever."
His eyes searched hers, and for a long moment, he simply stared at her, as if trying to memorize the very essence of who she was. Then, in a voice so soft that Zoha almost couldn't hear it, he said, "I love you, Zoha. I always have. And I always will."
The words hung in the air, heavy and full of truth. Zoha's heart leapt in her chest, and she kissed him softly, her lips lingering on his as if to seal the promise he had just made.
The next few weeks passed without incident. Zafar continued to work, doing everything he could to secure his business and protect his family. Zoha resumed her life with Ezra, finding comfort in the simple moments of motherhood. They were building a life together, piece by piece, and Zoha could feel the walls Zafar had built around himself beginning to crack.
But Zoha wasn't naïve. She knew that the past didn't just disappear. She could see the way Zafar sometimes stared off into the distance, lost in thoughts she couldn't reach. And she could feel the dark shadow of his past lingering in the background, like a storm waiting to strike again.
But for now, Zoha was content. They were together. And that was enough.