_SNOWSTORM LOCKDOWN_

I felt someone pull me away from the punching bag, that is almost about to break now, I turned and looked at Wraith who pulled me from the bag.

"Breathe you are going to hurt yourself" I stopped looking at him, as he dragged me to the bench that was placed next the Treadmill. I looked at him as he started removing my gloves.

"What are you doi-ng?" I asked still looking at him.

"No more practice for today, you have been in here for 3hours"

"I don't see how that is related to you, I will do what I want when I want"

"I know, but not when it will hurt you, I feel bad for not being here with you for the past years but I am here now"

"I don't need you, I have been okay without you and I will continue to be, you don't need to pretend to be like you will always be with me when you will just leave" He stopped opening the first aid box qnd looked at me before he continued again.

"I never left you Rams, we had a little misunderstanding and the next day I found out you are miles away from me" He said applying ointment to my hand.

"Nothing hurt more than knowing, you didn't even like me in the first place"

"There is nothing like that Rams I have always loved you even before knowing you, that day-"

"I don't want to talk about this"

"Not when I want to, you always manage to make me keep me quiet but not today, you will have to listen" He snapped at me looking straight into my eyes, I really don't want this to happen.

"I-" I tried getting up but he held my hand keeping me down. I got one thing, he is still strong.

"Keep quiet, that day I went just to figure out what actually happened from Tamara, that's when you came in, I was going to follow you but Dad called me saying i should go and attend to Layla, I had to go home. And when I came back you didn't want to see me, so I left deciding to meet you in the morning but you weren't there, you just kept this and left, trusting Omar to take you to the airport, I see why you smiled at him when you met him again" He showed me his bracelet. Now I know why he hated Omar, he thinks I chose Omar over him.

"It is the only thing that made me believe you didn't hate me entirely" I looked at him and then the bracelet feeling my eyes tear up.

"I was going to come after you but I couldn't leave Dad, Ali and Layla alone when they were starting to depend on me. I came to meet you Six years back but Uncle said you are not here and wouldn't tell me where you were, because he was sure you would follow me and not finish what you started and your dreams. So I went back and built my own empire, I came back last year and think of ways to meet you, Ali brought the idea of building Q*M" I stared at him as he talked a part of me, felt like hugging him but then I can't get close to him when my family is being threatened.

"So no matter how much you push me, I will be here and I need to know about those kidnappers, they clearly want something and it obviously not money from what is happening"

"No it is not money, he wants something else" More like me

"What?" I avoided looking at him and stood up.

"No, that will not happen!" He suddenly said

"What?"

"He won't have you whoever he is, I will stop him, I have to!"

"Awn, dude chill I am not letting him take me either, how did you know?"

"He send you a ring box and a letter"

"Sometimes I forget you are smart" I laughed shaking my head.

"It is not funny Rams"

"I didn't say it is, don't worry he won't try and take me anytime soon, till then we will try and track him"

"Now I will go and get ready for work" Before he could say anything, I ran upstairs to my room.

I showered and changed my clothes. I wonder why Haroon didn't call me it is almost Eleven in the morning.

I walked downstairs meeting Dad on the corridor between the dining room and living room, dressed in casual clothes, shouldn't he be at work?

"Good morning Dad"

"Good morning Maraam, why are you all dressed up?"

"I am going to work"

"No you are not"

"What! Why?"

"It is the holidays and there is a heavy snow outside"

"That doesn't matter, I will drive fast" I said walking to the front door.

"Not when it is locked" Said Dad showing me the remote control that he happens to use around the house, I didn't know I would hate this remote someday, I always admired it.

"Dad I am not a kid!"

"Everyone is in there including Omar and Wraith, actually Wraith gave me the idea, he knew you will be stubborn" Said Dad smiling satisfyingly.

"Alright fine" I walked back into the house and stood next to the kitchen door waiting for him to go into the living room so that I can sneak out, I decided to kill Wraith later. I walked into the kitchen, seeing Mama and Aunt chatting.

"Good morning" I said and walked to the kitchen back door but it is locked when I twisted the knob.

"Good morning, he locked that one too"

"Yeah I figured" I replied and walked out as they started laughing, I rolled my eyes and went to the garden doors but it is also locked. Groaning I checked the rooms downstairs balcony doors but they are also locked, now I will kill Wraith, I can't stay in the house all day.

"Haroon what are you doing here?" I asked him as I entered the living room.

"Mr Ahmad, I mean Wraith said I should stay since it is heavily snowing outside"

"You have been here since yesterday and you didn't pick up my calls? Why didn't you tell me about the orphanage case? Did Wraith also asked you not to?" I asked glaring at him as he stood giving me answers.

"Ye-yes, I swear I told him you won't agree but he said I should be comfortable and you won't be angry"

"Wraith!" I yelled in frustration.

"You go to the library and wait for me while standing on your feet, do not even think about seating" I said to Haroon, who groaned and walk out.

I kept my bag on the couch he was seated on and walked further in looking for Wraith.

"Where is Qamar?" I asked my family members that are seated, they all shook their heads.

I turned to Omar , the only one who will tell me the truth.

"Where is he?"

"By lounge room" I turned and was about to go to the lounge when one of Ragheb's twins came to me.

"Hey Auntie Ramey, Uncle W said i should give you this" She said handing me a box and a paper

"Tell me thank you" She nodded and left her pony tail bouncing up and down.

I am sorry Bestie

"Wraith always knows how to calm you-" Said Tamara as I started opening the box and water splashed on my face. I gripped the paper, as my face started hitting up, probably turning red too.

"Or not!" She added slowly

"Wraith!!!!!!!!" I yelled throwing the box and paper on the floor.

"And the hell just broke" Said Ali

"What is wrong everyone? Why is Ram's face red?" Asked Wraith coming into the living room from the other door, eating a cookie calmly.

"I suggest you run bro" Said Ali

"I will kill you today!" I yelled and ran after him as he started running towards where he came from.

"Not after you didn't catch me!"

"How dare you?" I yelled running after him, I don't care we are grown-ups now, I will deal with him physically.

"Sorry!" He said standing behind Dadoo, who is laughing his head off.

"Not after what you did, apologise properly" I said

"Okay okay" He said and came forward I stood waiting for him to apolozise, just to have milk being poured on top of my head.

"You unorganised Moron!" I yelled and took off after him to the kitchen, we circled Mama and Auntie who are laughing at my appearance.

"Here" Said mom giving me a bag of flour winking at me, I have never seen her being playful.

I grinned and took it. I walked upstairs, as Wraith stood in the middle of living room waiting for me, I grinned evilly and opened the bag, as Omar stood next to me with eggs.

"Oh lady Maraam giving up easily? That's sad" Said Wraith laughing, I counted one to three and told Omar to start. I poured the whole bag on Wraith, and Ali who stood next to him. I came down laughing at their faces.

"You should know better Qamar, giving up isn't mine" I said and fist bumped Omar.

"Hey, why am I included? This between you two" Said Ali with face covered with flour.

"Sorry Man but you are on his team" I grinned

"How about we settle this the right way, we have two teams?" Suggested Wraith, I stood thinking, it is either I ruin this good mood or I agree and enjoy my life once again.

"You on" I said challenging him.

"Ali is in my team" Said Wraith

"I got Omar" I said as he high fived me.

"As if I care" Replied Wraith rolling his eyes.

"You will when we win, we pick Layla and Haroon" Said Omar

"Yes, Harooon!!!!!" I yelled his name, he came down breathing heavily.

"You on my team" I said looking at him, he looked confused at first but later smiled widely.

"But I prefer Wraith" He said quietly pouting.

"You said something?" I glared at him.

"I took an oath to always be faithful to you" He said raising his hands in surrender.

"Alright we got Tamara, Layan, and Ragheb"

"Alright Ridaa is with me, and there is no cheating in this game, wait what game is it?" I asked confusedly.

"Colour tag, we got the water guns filled with colours"

"You have been ready for this huh?" I eyed him suspiciously

"Oh yeah, I need to show you who the real captain is, cockroach"

"You did not just call me that!" I said. We might get the house dirty but we had to do this,t the house is getting cleaned tomorrow anyways.

I don't know how Mama is going to survive with the dirt around. For some time I decided to forget about everything and just focus on enjoying the free day I have.

"You will do whatever I ask when I win and same to you, so rules no helping the other team no matter the relation, once you get colour hit you out, all clear?"