The Chase Begins

Noor ran as fast as her legs would carry her. She made it to the colony's edge. The sun had started to sink behind buildings. exhausted and breathless, Noor reached the nearest bus stop and collapsed onto the cold bench. She didn't care anymore.Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.Her hijab clung to her face. Her body trembled—not from cold—but from helplessness. 

Meanwhile...

Noor's aunt stormed into the store room.It was empty.

"NOOR?!"

No answer.

Her heart skipped a beat. Panic set in. She dialed Amir instantly.

"She's gone."

"What do you mean gone?!" Amir's voice turned into a growl.

"She's not in the house!"

Amir's jaw clenched.

"I want Noor. At any cost. Find her!"

At the bus stop...

Noor sat still, praying no one would recognize her.

A black Land Cruiser screeched near the bus stop. Amir's eyes scanned the area like a hawk.

And then—they met hers.

Despite the veil, despite the disguise…those eyes.

He knew them.

"Noor," he hissed, stepping out.

Before she could stand, Amir was already in front of her.

He grabbed her wrist. Hard.

"Where do you think you're going?"His voice was cold. Dangerous."It's our nikkah today. You tried to run? That was a mistake."

Noor struggled."Let me go! I won't marry you! Please—"

"You don't get a choice."He pulled harder.

Tears sprang back into her eyes as she fought to break free."I said LET ME GO!"

And then…

A sleek silver Mercedes pulled up.Right in front of them.

A man stepped out—black tailored suit, watch glinting, eyes sharp like winter steel. His gaze locked straight on Amir's hand gripping Noor's wrist.

It was Mujtaba.

"Take your hands off her."

His voice was low. Deadly calm.

Amir laughed mockingly, not recognizing him yet."And who the hell are you—"

Mujtaba stepped closer, no fear in his stride.

"The man who owns what you're trying to steal."

Noor's eyes widened in shock.

Amir's grip faltered.

Mujtaba turned to her, "Noor, come here."

She hesitated—just a second—then broke free from Amir's hand and ran straight to Mujtaba, hiding behind him like he was her only wall left.

Noor whispered "Please... save me this time. If you do, I promise... next time, I won't even show you my face…"

Mujtaba turned his head slightly, a smirk crawling across his face "Just trust me."

Then he turned back to Amir Khan. "Huda likes me," Mujtaba said calmly. "And I like her."

Amir took a step forward, fists clenched. "She was promised to me. Her aunt agreed—"

Mujtaba raised one hand, signaling him to shut up.

Amir's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"

Mujtaba smirked wider. "Someone you don't want to piss off."

"I'm giving you one chance," Mujtaba said coldly. "Walk away while you still have your knees intact. If I lift a finger... you'll crawl back to your mansion with broken bones."

Amir looked between Mujtaba and Noor then he turned without another word and stormed off.

Once Amir was gone, Mujtaba finally turned around to Noor — her eyes were still wide with fear, her chest heaving. He tilted his head, voice softer now.

"Are you okay?"

Noor blinked, her lips trembling. "Why did you save me?"

He looked at her for a moment before replying.

"Because you asked."

And with that, he opened the car door and extended his hand.

"Come. You're not going back to that house."

"I... I can't go with you," she whispered, barely meeting his eyes. "You're not my mehram... I don't even know you like that. How can I walk into a stranger's house?"

Mujtaba's jaw tensed. He exhaled slowly, controlling the storm brewing inside him

"You'd rather go back to that hellhole?" he asked, voice low and tight.

"I didn't ask you to fight for me," she murmured. "You did it on your own. That doesn't give you the right to take me anywhere."

Mujtaba took a slow step forward, stopping just short of invading her space.

"I didn't save you because I had the right," he said, softer now. "I saved you because no one else did."

"It's getting dark," he said, gently. "This place... isn't safe. I'll take you straight home. You can even talk to my mother if you want — I'll put her on call. You know her too."

She hesitated, torn between fear, modesty... and a flicker of trust.

"You promise..." she murmured, still not looking at him, "...you won't cross any lines?"

Mujtaba raised one hand like an oath, eyes steady.

"I swear, Huda. You'll sit in the back seat, and I won't even touch the rearview mirror."