70.

Hashim's eyes blaze with fury as he glares at Murad, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. The tension in the room is palpable, thick enough to cut through. Without another word, he turns and storms toward the door, slamming it with a loud bang as he leaves. The noise reverberates throughout the house, causing everyone to jump.

The atmosphere in the room crackles with tension as Taliya straightens uncertainly, her heart pounding in her chest. Murad, his gaze piercing, stands firmly before her.

“You are not going to stay here anymore,” he announces, his voice cold and authoritative, casting a glance towards Haroon as he makes his stance clear.

“What do you mean?” Taliya’s eyes widen, a mixture of disbelief and apprehension flooding her mind. “You can’t just decide that for me!”

“Actually, I can,” Murad replies, his voice firm. “This is not safe for you. You need to come with me. It’s for your own good.”

“No!” Taliya retorts, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to make that decision for me. I can take care of myself!”

Before she can voice her thoughts further, Haroon enters the room, his face lined with concern. “Taliya, you can’t stay here. It’s harmful.” He steps forward, trying to reach her, but his gaze shifts to Murad, who remains unmoved.

“What do you mean it’s harmful?” Taliya questions, her voice rising. “I’m fine here! You don’t understand!”

Haroon shakes his head, his eyes filled with urgency. “Listen, Taliya. We both know this place isn’t safe. Murad is right. You need protection, and nobody can do that better than him.”

Murad steps closer to Taliya, his voice steady but filled with an intensity that makes her heart race. “And you know it too. I won’t let anything happen to you. Not again.”

Taliya takes a step back, her frustration growing. “You don’t understand what I want! I’m not a child! I can make my own decisions!”

“Making decisions and staying alive are two different things,” Murad counters, his tone unyielding. “You think you can handle this on your own? You don’t know what’s out there.”

“Then teach me!” Taliya snaps, anger and desperation mingling in her voice. “Don’t just treat me like I’m fragile. I want to learn, to be strong!”

“You’re strong, Taliya,” Haroon interjects, trying to diffuse the situation. “But strength isn’t enough in this world. We need to look out for each other. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Murad nods, his gaze unwavering. “That’s why you’ll stay with me. I can protect you in ways they can’t. This is not just about your feelings; it’s about survival.”

Taliya feels her heart race, torn between the fiery defiance surging within her and the undeniable reality of Murad’s words. “And what if I refuse? What if I want to stay here?”

“Then you’re putting yourself in danger,” Murad replies, his voice firm and uncompromising. “And I won’t allow that.”

Taliya’s breath quickens, a mixture of anger and fear coursing through her veins. “You think you can control me? You think I’ll just go along with your plan?”

“I’m not trying to control you,” Murad says, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “I’m trying to protect you. This is bigger than you or me. There are things happening that you can’t comprehend yet.”

“What things?” she demands, her voice rising in challenge. “You can’t just expect me to trust you blindly!”

“I don’t expect you to trust me,” he says, his tone softening slightly. “But you need to understand that I care about you. I’m doing this because I don’t want to lose you.”

The raw emotion in Murad’s voice catches Taliya off guard. She sees a flicker of vulnerability behind his steely exterior, and it softens her anger just a little. “You don’t get to make these choices for me,” she replies, her voice more subdued, but her resolve still strong. “I need to have a say in my life.”

Murad’s eyes search hers, weighing her words. “And if you refuse to come with me, you’ll only be putting yourself at greater risk. I can’t stand by and watch that happen.”

The room falls into a heavy silence, Taliya grappling with the weight of Murad’s words. The reality of her situation settles like a heavy blanket over her shoulders, and she knows she must make a choice.

“Just think about it, Taliya,” Haroon says gently, stepping closer to her. “We’re all trying to look out for you. You’re not alone in this.”

With a deep breath, Taliya looks at both of them, her heart racing with uncertainty. She knows she needs to protect herself but fears what accepting Murad’s offer might mean for her independence.

“Fine,” she finally says, her voice steady yet reluctant. “I’ll think about it. But you can’t just decide for me. I have a voice, and I deserve to use it.”

Murad nods, a flicker of relief crossing his features, though he knows this battle isn’t over. “That’s all I ask. Just promise me you’ll consider it.”

As the tension begins to dissipate, Taliya realizes that this moment could change everything. The stakes have never been higher, and she is now caught in a web of protection, choice, and the uncertain path that lies ahead.

Taliya glances between Haroon and Murad, their faces filled with concern and determination. She feels the weight of their expectations pressing down on her, but there’s a part of her that knows they’re right. She can’t keep fighting this alone.

“Okay,” she finally says, her voice steady but reluctant. “I’ll stay with Murad. But you both have to promise me that I won’t be treated like a child. I want to be involved. I want to understand what’s going on.”

Murad’s expression softens slightly, relief flickering in his eyes. “I promise, Taliya. You’ll have a say in everything. But your safety comes first.”

Haroon nods, gratitude washing over him. “Thank you for trusting us, Taliya. We just want what’s best for you.”

As Taliya contemplates her decision, she feels a mix of anxiety and determination bubbling within her. She knows this choice will change everything, but for the first time, she feels a sense of security in Murad’s presence. Maybe this was the right step after all.