Episode 8
Shahmeer and Natasha had been childhood friends. When Shahmeer grew a little older, Khawar sent him abroad to live with his uncle, so he could learn discipline and responsibility.
Natasha was still young when Shahmeer left. Shahmeer had always liked her since childhood. When he was leaving, both their eyes were filled with tears. He had always cared deeply for Natasha.
After Shahmeer left, Natasha felt very alone. This loneliness made her a bit timid and fearful.
Now, continuing…
After Ibrahim and Khawar left, Shahmeer and Natasha went up to the terrace.
"So, tell me… how are you? How's life treating you?" Shahmeer asked Natasha.
"I'm fine, thank God. But where were you for so long? Do you know how much I missed you?" she asked, looking at him.
"Just had some responsibilities to fulfill. Went for training. But now I've learned everything I needed to… and I'm back. Back for good." (And to make you mine forever, he thought in his heart.)
"Tell me something," Natasha said, looking at Shahmeer.
"Yes, I'm listening."
"Why were you staring at me so weirdly that day in class? And why did you come as our teacher? A teacher? You've seen your own face?" Natasha teased, laughing.
Shahmeer was lost in her laughter. How can someone be so beautiful? he thought as he stared at her deep dimples.
"Where did you go?" Natasha snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"That's just how you acted that day!" Shahmeer laughed. "I was teasing you for the surprise."
"Anyway, it was funny. You got so scared—'s-s-sir, nothing!'" Shahmeer mimicked her.
"I'll break your face!" Natasha threatened, raising her fist.
"Okay, okay, sorry! Want to go get ice cream?" Shahmeer asked.
"Of course! Why even ask?" Natasha responded quickly. Shahmeer knew very well how much she loved ice cream.
"But who'll ask Dad for permission?" she asked with a worried face.
"Your humble servant is at your service!" Shahmeer bowed dramatically.
They both went down to the lounge where Khawar and Ibrahim were having tea.
"Uncle, can I take Natasha out for ice cream?" Shahmeer asked.
"Son, it's very late. What if something happens? The city isn't exactly safe right now."
"Uncle, are you afraid of the situation outside, or do you not trust me? As long as Natasha is with me, she is safe." Shahmeer's eyes gleamed just like Ibrahim's once used to. Ibrahim saw the spark in his eyes and smiled.
"Alright son, go ahead. I trust you."
"Thank you, uncle!"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Papa!" Natasha was overjoyed.
Seeing her happy made Ibrahim smile too. "Go, my child. May God protect you."
Shahmeer and Natasha left the house. After they were gone, Khawar teased Ibrahim again.
"See how happy your daughter is with my son?"
"She's not with your son—she's with a beast," Ibrahim said.
"Oh come on, why do you always call him a beast? Are you Bill Gates or what?" Khawar laughed.
"Okay, leave that. I have something important to tell you," Khawar said.
"What?"
"Do you know—?"
"No, I don't know anything," Ibrahim interrupted.
"Oh man! At least listen! Can't you keep your mouth shut for two minutes?" Khawar scolded.
"Okay, speak," Ibrahim laughed.
"Shahmeer has a natural ability—he can sense and smell vampires and evil presences around him. And he's way more powerful than all of us."
"So, you mean if they're nearby, Shahmeer will sense them?"
"Yes, exactly!" Khawar confirmed.
Meanwhile, Shahmeer and Natasha were in the car heading to get ice cream.
"I want to eat from my favorite ice cream parlor," Natasha told Shahmeer.
"Natasha… if you don't mind, can I call you Tasha from now on?" he asked.
"Sure. And can I call you Meer?"
"Done deal. From now on, you're Tasha and I'm Meer," he said, gazing at her lovingly. (Meer's Tasha…) he thought.
He had liked her since childhood. But he didn't realize when that liking turned into love. Now that he had returned, he was afraid to tell her, fearing it might ruin their friendship.
They parked the car and walked toward the parlor, then sat at an empty table.
"What flavor will you have?" Shahmeer asked.
"Have you forgotten already?" Natasha said sadly.
"Hahaha, I know! I was joking! Chocolate—it has to be chocolate!"
"And you'll have your usual boring vanilla and strawberry combo," Natasha teased.
Shahmeer laughed, and the waiter came to take their order. Shahmeer placed it.
"So, wildcat, I heard you want to become a doctor?" Shahmeer teased.
"Yes, Meer. It's my biggest dream."
"I want to build a free hospital and help the poor."
"That's a great goal, Tasha. But you're so timid—and medicine is a field for the strong-hearted."
"You're back now, right? So make me brave," she giggled.
Just then, their ice cream arrived. They began eating.
Suddenly, Shahmeer noticed a poor man outside through the glass door. He stood up to help him.
"Where are you going?" Natasha asked.
"Look outside—I'm going to help him. Be right back."
She looked out and saw the man. Her respect for Shahmeer grew. "Go ahead," she said happily.
After Shahmeer left, Natasha focused on her ice cream.
At a nearby table, four boys were sitting. One of them had been eyeing Natasha for a while.
"Look at that beautiful girl. Let's go talk to her," one said.
"But she's already with a guy. He just went outside," another replied.
"Doesn't matter. These girls—most of them just care about money," the first said and walked toward her.
He sat on the chair opposite Natasha. From outside, Shahmeer saw this and paused to observe her reaction.
"Hey baby, want to be friends?" the boy said.
Natasha was startled but quickly composed herself. She slipped off her sandal behind her back and smiled sarcastically.
"Why not?" she said sweetly, getting up.
The boy winked at his friends and turned to look at her.
"You're really beautiful," he said sleazily.
"Yes, and so is my sandal!" Natasha shouted—and slapped the sandal right across his face.
He stood stunned, then enraged.
Shahmeer chuckled from a distance. "That's my lioness," he murmured proudly.
"You filthy girl! You hit me?" he shouted. "Who knows how many guys you've slept with!"
Just then, someone yanked him up and slammed him to the ground.
"How dare you use such words?" Shahmeer growled and threw him again.
The other three boys hid under the table in fear.
Shahmeer smashed the guy's head into the wall. Blood gushed from his forehead.
"Let me go! You don't know who I am!"
"And you don't know who I am!" Shahmeer replied with a chilling smile, punching him repeatedly.
Natasha ran to Shahmeer and begged, "Please Meer, let him go! Let's leave!"
Others in the parlor also pleaded for him to stop.
Finally, Shahmeer let the guy go. He dropped to the floor. Shahmeer gave him a final kick before walking out with Natasha.
"Wow, my lioness! That sandal hit him perfectly!" Shahmeer joked like nothing had happened.
Natasha looked at him, stunned. "Meer, you didn't have to beat him so badly…"
"He said disgusting things about you—and you think I should've let that go?" Shahmeer snapped.
He cares so much about me… Natasha thought in her heart.
"Meer, I don't even know where I found the courage to hit him with my sandal…"
"Well done! Always stay brave like that," Shahmeer smiled.
Talking and laughing, they reached the parking lot.
Just as they were about to get into the car, Shahmeer sensed something.
He saw a girl getting into a car with another woman.
He quickly told Natasha to get in the car, and he sped off.
"What's wrong, Meer?" she asked.
"Nothing… just remembered something important," he replied.
I can't take Natasha with me. Her life might be in danger, Shahmeer thought.
He dropped her in front of her house.
"Go inside. I'll be back soon…"
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