He doesn’t talk much.

Never has. Even as a kid, Musa was the shadow behind the Sayyeds’ rise to power—silent, observant, lethal. His name sends people running. His hands have done things that stain the soul.

But now? Now he stands at the edge of a wedding stage, hands clasped behind his back, sherwani crisp, tasbeeh still wrapped around one wrist.

He got married today.

To her.

The softest girl he’s ever met. A plus-size med student who refused to make eye contact the first time their families sat down for rishta. She looked at the floor, clutched her dupatta, and asked in a shaking voice if she could finish her exams before the rukhsati.

He had just nodded. No smile. No words.

But something in his chest cracked when she whispered a quiet thank you after.

The safehouse is dark. Power’s out, backup generator humming. She’s standing at the kitchen sink in her oversized nightshirt, fumbling with the tap. She thinks he’s asleep.

He isn’t.

Musa watches from the doorway, hands in his pockets, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as she mutters,

“Yeh faucet mujhe seky kyun larai kar raha hai?” (Why is this faucet fighting me right now?)

She yelps when he reaches around her and fixes it in one swift move.

She turns—wide eyes, heartbeat in her throat.

“You scared me.”

He steps back. “Sorry.”

A beat passes.

“You don’t talk much,” she says, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s weird being married and still not knowing… anything about you.”

Musa tilts his head. Eyes unreadable. “You scared of me?”

Her brows furrow. “No.”

He steps forward—just a little. Just enough for the silence to stretch taut between them.

“You should be,” he murmurs.

She doesn’t back away. She’s trembling, sure. But her chin tilts up.

“I’m not. I pray for you,” she says, voice small but firm. “Even when you come home with blood on your shoes.”

That’s what shatters him.

The tasbeeh on his wrist tightens against his skin.

He closes his eyes.

“Tum meri halal ho. Mujhe lagta tha main tumhare laayak nahi… par tumhare saath, main dua maangna seekh raha hoon.”