Shahmeer was sitting in the car, lost in thought. He had made up his mind—he would never let Natasha go anywhere alone again. Shahmeer returned to Ibrahim's house. In the lounge, he found Ibrahim and Khawar deep in a heated discussion.
As soon as they saw Shahmeer, both men fell silent.
"Where were you?" Khawar asked. "Natasha said you remembered some urgent work."
Seeing the gloom on Shahmeer's face, Khawar asked with concern, "What happened? Why do you look so sad?"
"Baba… another girl died today… and I couldn't save her," Shahmeer said quietly.
He paused before continuing. "Earlier, when you and I were coming to meet Uncle Ibrahim and Natasha, I had stepped out to attend to something. On my way, I saw two guys dragging a poor, beggar child with them. Something felt off, so I started following them.
They lured the child to a deserted place under the pretense of food and money—just like I feared. Right as they were about to attack, I reached and transformed—attacking one of them as a vampire. But both of them fled in fear before I could catch them.
Instead of chasing them, I took the child back home, gave him food and some money. But those devils slipped through my hands…"
Shahmeer's face darkened further. "Then, while I was bringing Natasha back from the ice cream parlor, I saw a guy and a girl in a car in the parking lot. Baba had told you—I can sense creatures like them from a distance. I saw his face clearly, and I felt it… that same vampire again.
So I raced home and dropped Natasha off. I didn't want to put her life in danger. Even though they couldn't harm her while I was around, she doesn't know the truth yet, and I don't want to reveal it until the time is right.
When I went after them, it was already too late. They had drained the girl's blood and taken her head with them," Shahmeer said, his voice trembling with sorrow.
"How long will these monsters continue their hunt?" Ibrahim said angrily. "One day, they will fall into our hands, and we'll tear them to pieces—they'll remember it for eternity."
"No Uncle," Shahmeer replied, his voice full of determination. "Not one day… the time is now. I'll find them—and I'll end this soon."
"InshaAllah!" all three said together with fierce conviction.
"Let's go home," Khawar said to Shahmeer, and they stood to leave.
"Uncle, please excuse us. From today onward, I take full responsibility for Natasha's safety," Shahmeer said to Ibrahim, looking him directly in the eye.
Ibrahim smiled in approval.
"See how smart my son is?" Khawar remarked with pride.
"Why must you poke your nose into everything?" Ibrahim teased.
Shahmeer laughed at their banter. He knew this was their usual way—always bickering.
"Alright, Uncle. Goodbye. Let's go, Papa—you're starting again!" Shahmeer said with a grin, and both he and Khawar left, laughing.
---
The Next Morning
Ibrahim and Natasha were having breakfast when Shahmeer walked in through the gate.
"Oh, Shahmeer beta, come join us for breakfast!" Ibrahim called out.
"No thank you, Uncle. I've already had breakfast with Baba," Shahmeer replied, sitting down next to Natasha.
"Natasha beta, from today you'll go to college with Shahmeer," Ibrahim said. "Alright, Baba," Natasha replied cheerfully.
"Why are you eating so little?" Shahmeer asked with concern, eyeing her half-empty plate.
"I can't eat much… this is enough for me," Natasha replied.
"What do you mean, enough? Have you looked at yourself?" Shahmeer frowned.
"Stop worrying. I'll eat when I feel hungry," she said firmly, ending the conversation.
"Well, if I'm not supposed to care about you, then who should I care about?" Shahmeer thought to himself, stealing a glance at her.
Once they were done, Natasha bid goodbye to Ibrahim and joined Shahmeer in the car.
"Shall we go, madam?" Shahmeer asked with a teasing smile.
"Oh please! Are you my driver that you're asking for permission?" Natasha said, laughing as she got in.
Her laughter filled the car, and Shahmeer couldn't help but get lost in it. "Always keep smiling like this," he thought as he started the engine.
At a signal, the car came to a halt. A teenage boy approached, holding flower garlands.
"Sir, buy these garlands," he said.
"No thanks, son," Shahmeer replied.
"Sir, gift them to your wife," the boy insisted, glancing at Natasha.
Natasha blushed, her cheeks turning crimson. Shahmeer tried to hide his smile and said "InshaAllah" quietly under his breath.
He bought two garlands and a lovely rose from the boy, who beamed with joy and walked away.
Shahmeer placed the garlands gently on Natasha's hands.
"Well, I'm not married and don't know any other girl. And I can't wear them myself, so I'm giving them to you," he said playfully.
Worried she might take it the wrong way, he softened his tone, but Natasha just smiled.
Handing her the rose, Shahmeer said, "A flower for a flower."
"Don't act like a flirt, Shahmeer," Natasha said, laughing as she gave him a light punch on the arm.
Shahmeer laughed heartily, his laughter echoing in the car.
Soon, they reached the college. Before entering, Natasha removed the garlands and placed them in her bag. As they walked in together, all eyes turned toward them. Some gazes held sarcasm, others jealousy, and some admiration.
The two looked stunning—Natasha with her blue eyes, Shahmeer with his green ones—they were a beautiful pair.
"Who is she hanging out with?" the girls whispered amongst themselves.
On a nearby bench, Mabra smiled as she saw them approach.
"Sir, how are you?" Mabra asked Shahmeer.
"He's not a teacher," Natasha said, laughing. "He's my childhood friend. He was just pretending to be a teacher to tease me. Actually, Shahmeer has taken admission in our class."
"Oh, I see!" Mabra chuckled as all three walked into the classroom.
Natasha sat down, and just as Mabra was about to join her, Shahmeer interrupted, "Excuse me," nudging her aside and sitting beside Natasha.
Mabra smirked playfully and took another seat.
When all the students had arrived, they were shocked to see Shahmeer sitting among them.
"Sir, why are you sitting on a student's chair?" a girl asked.
"I'm not your teacher. That was just a small prank," Shahmeer replied with a smile.
Just then, a rowdy boy, trying to impress the girls, grabbed Shahmeer by the collar.
"How dare you play such a cheap trick on us?" he shouted.
"Let go of my collar," Shahmeer said in a menacing tone.
"I said let go," he repeated.
"What if I don't? What will you do?" the boy taunted.
Without warning, Shahmeer lifted him and threw him over the chairs. The boy charged again, and Shahmeer twisted his arm until it cracked.
The classroom erupted in chaos. Just then, the principal and a teacher stormed in.
"What's going on here?" the principal shouted.
Shahmeer turned to face him.
Recognizing him instantly, the principal softened. "Oh, it's you, Shahmeer beta. What happened?"
Shahmeer explained the entire incident.
"Don't worry, I'll summon his parents tomorrow and report his behavior," the principal said.
"I'm not the one who should be worried, Uncle… he and his parents should be," Shahmeer replied with a mysterious smile.
The principal looked nervous and mumbled to himself as he walked out, "This whole family… they're something else. Always staring like predators…"
After the principal left, the teacher re-entered with two new boys.
"Students, these are your new classmates," the teacher announced.
The boys greeted the class and quietly took their seats.
---
After class, Shahmeer and Natasha sat in the college ground.
"I'm so hungry," Natasha said.
"You stay here, I'll get something from the canteen," Shahmeer replied.
As he walked away, Natasha found herself thinking about him—the ice cream parlor incident, his concern for her, the flowers and garlands…
Her heart fluttered with an unfamiliar warmth, and a smile crept onto her face.
Just then, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello, can I sit here?" a boy asked. It was one of the new students.
"No," Natasha said firmly.
"Why the anger? What's your name?" he asked casually.
"Why? You planning to make my ID card?" a voice came from behind. Shahmeer was back, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"And who are you?" the boy asked angrily.
"I could be your worst nightmare if you don't disappear in two minutes," Shahmeer growled.
The boy glared at Shahmeer but turned and walked away.
Shahmeer handed Natasha a burger, and they ate together before heading off to their remaining classes.
After school, Shahmeer dropped Natasha home and returned to his own house.
When Natasha entered, the house was quiet—Ibrahim had gone to the office. Only the servants were around. She placed her bag down and went to freshen up...
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