Unspoken But Not Broken

"8'o clock!... 8'o clock", Humera kept mumbling. "Itna dheemese kyun jaaraha aaj ka waqt ladkiyon?" (Why is the time running so slow this evening girls) questioned Humera annoyingly. The girls were all gathered to prep for the night, the big night perhaps, Humera was meeting Aiyaz. This was the night perhaps... or was it? "Chill babe, aaram kar, thoda toh sabr rakh, itne saal tune intezaar me guzaarli , aaj thode der hi sahi!" (Chill babe, patience, have some patience, you have waited all these years, just few more hours!) pleaded Mariyam.

The suspense was still as the corridor outside Humera's room lay silent, though it concealed two shadowy figures lurking nearby. Who were they? Two masked men had been lingering, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The trio of Mariyam, Ayna, and Zahra had just left, cheerfully bidding Humera goodbye after helping her get dressed for the evening. Unaware of the danger, they shut the door wishing her the best, but, perhaps, did it shut fully? The girls had assumed so.

Inside, Humera stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dupatta, her heart racing with excitement. The evening held promise-Aiyaz had asked her to meet him at 8 p.m., and her friends had teased her endlessly about it. She smiled to herself, imagining how the night might unfold.

Meanwhile, Aiyaz was already on the terrace. He had arrived early, unable to contain his anticipation. He paced back and forth, glancing at his watch every few seconds. The cool evening breeze did little to calm his racing heart. For once, he felt a mix of nervousness and exhilaration-tonight, he would finally tell Humera what had been in his heart for years.

Back in her room, Humera froze when she heard a soft creak. She turned toward the door, her stomach dropping as two masked men entered. Their movements were slow and deliberate, their eyes predatory.

"Who are you? What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling.

One of the men chuckled darkly. "Do you think Arhaan will love someone like you?"

Humera's face drained of color as the second man stepped closer, his voice colder and more venomous. "Do you think I, Arhaan, would ever love a girl like you? This is what you get for your pathetic anticipation."

The name hit her like a thunderclap. Arhaan? No, it can't be... She stared at the masked figure, her mind whirling in disbelief.

Before she could process anything, one of the men grabbed her wrist, his grip tightening painfully. The other circled her slowly, mocking her with cruel words. "Someone like you isn't even worth a second glance," he sneered.

"Let go of me!" Humera screamed, thrashing in their hold. She managed to break free and darted toward the door, but the second man blocked her path, shoving her onto the bed.

Pinned down, her fear turned into sheer desperation. One of the men leaned over her, smirking, but she acted quickly-kicking him hard in the groin. He doubled over, groaning in pain.

The second man grabbed her ankle as she tried to run. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for something-anything-to defend herself. Spotting her umbrella in the corner, she grabbed it and swung with all her might, hitting him on the shoulder.

She bolted for the door, yanking the latch open. But the men were faster than she thought. They grabbed her again, one clamping a hand over her mouth. Her muffled cries echoed in the room as they tried to drag her again, but little did they know that the latch was now open. Humera had to act quickly and smartly now. As the men prepared to push her onto the bed, he petite figure instantly dodged their advances and she was now successful in opening the door and out she ran across the hallway knocking on Mariyam's door with a loud screech.

The men were faster but not enough, as they prepared to haul her inside, the door flung open. Mariyam had heard the vague screams outside and had come out to check. The commotion didn't go unnoticed with Ayna and Zahra too who were seated in the adjacent room. Mariyam darted towards the men as she yelled out for Ayna and Zahra. The men at first thought they could manage 2 women and hence the masked men were trying to pull Humera back into the room. "Hey! Leave her alone!" she shouted, rushing forward.

The men didn't retreat. One of them tried to shove Mariyam aside, but she wasn't someone who backed down easily. "Ayna! Zahra! Get out here now!", she shouted again, her voice sharp and commanding this time.

Within seconds, Ayna and Zahra joined her. Together, the three girls charged at the men, forcing them to loosen their grip on Humera.

"Let's go, Arhaan!" one of the men yelled as they fled down the corridor, loud enough for all three girls to hear.

The name echoed in the hallway, hanging heavily in the air. Humera froze, her mind reeling. Mariyam, Ayna, and Zahra exchanged glances, their expressions filled with confusion and disbelief.

"Arhaan?" Mariyam muttered.

Humera sank to the floor, trembling. Her mind raced with questions she couldn't answer. Could it be Aiyaz? Was it really him behind the mask? But why would he do this?

Mariyam knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Humera, are you okay? Who were they? Did you see their faces?"

Humera shook her head, unable to speak. Her evening, once filled with excitement and hope, was now shrouded in fear and doubt.

On the terrace, Aiyaz continued to wait, oblivious to the chaos unfolding below. His watch read 8:10 p.m., and a faint worry began to creep into his heart. Where was Humera? Why hadn't she arrived yet?

As the clock ticked on, Aiyaz stood there alone, the cool breeze carrying with it a sense of unease he couldn't shake.