HIS DOLL

4- Mourning

"Aalifa..."

"Please tell people my Asim is innocent. You know him, don't you?...Please make them listen.. I-I have faith in him... he.. he can't do this... My.. Asim.. Can't.." I broke into a miserable cry again, falling on the couch.

It was too much for me to handle this pain.

"I am afraid I cannot do anything, Aalifa. It's all in the hands of the police. All I could do was to secure your future. I can't let my admirer be humiliated." He whispered tenderly, sitting beside me and giving him a handkerchief to wipe my tears.

But, no matter how much I wipe them, they stream down on their own. My heart was screaming- 'My Asim couldn't do this.'

"Papa, I have worked for many of his charity events." I sniffled, clutching the pillow to release swift breaths so I could at least not shatter before him.

"What evil eye had been cast on my home?" Papa sighed, pulling me to him again in a hug.

"Papa..."

"That's it. You won't stay here anymore. I won't let you stay. Who knows if you are safe here or not." Papa enunciated.

"I refuse to believe that Asim could do this." I murmured, lowering my gaze.

"Does he used to take drugs before? At any point of his life?" Sir Zaviyaar asked, drying my throat in dread.

Looking down, I licked my lips, not sure if I should tell them or not.

"Answer, Aalifa. Did he?" Papa asked sternly, holding my shoulders.

With a shameful glimpse, I nodded weakly, "Yes, but, it was only rarely. When he was stressed, he was not an addict. He-"

"Enough. I have heard enough. The second this investigation will close. You will come back to America with us." Papa declared, becoming infuriated at this point.

"Asim..."

Still his name came to my lips.

"Thank you, Sir, for protecting my daughter's dignity." Papa said to Sir Zaviyaar.

"I did nothing. According to her, I saved her life once so I cannot allow it to fall apart, at least not again on my watch." He smiled, stayed for a few moments to pay his condolences and rose from his seat to leave.

"Anyways, I was only here to see Aalifa. She was all alone and only had Asim so I was worried but glad to see you are here. May Allah give you strength. You don't die with the dead, okay?" He flashed his beautiful smile.

Last time he unintentionally saved me but this time, he ensured to console me. Him coming to pay condolences meant a lot.

"Mhm..." I nodded, forcing a weak smile.

"Take care."

With this he left and I fell into my daze again to wonder how I was supposed to live this life without my Asim now.

Moreover, after knowing that the man I fell in love with turned out to be a murderer.

"It's alright, my love. This too shall pass."

... But, it didn't.

Time passed. Two weeks went by but the pain on my chest was not lessening. I began to feel suffocated in the apartment so I rejoined the dance classes, hoping it would help me divert my mind.

As I came out of the class, I saw Sir Zaviyaar outside my place. It seemed like he was waiting for me.

"Sir?"

"Hey. How are you? Where is your Father? There is no one at your place." His honeyed tone came out, probably to relieve me.

"He had some family errands in Dubai. What are you doing here, Sir?"

"If I am being honest. I was perturbed about you. If there is anything I could do to make you feel better, Aalifa. Let me know." He chuckled nervously.

His tone softened to the point it pinched me because I just wanted to hug him and cry again while telling him how agonizing this was all for me.

"Thank you so much for your concern." Controlling myself, I forced out a shaky smile. Looking down as I tugged my hair behind my ear.

"You look so weak. Come, have lunch with me and I won't take no for an answer. You are important to me and I cannot risk your health." He insisted, opening the door of his car for me.

"Important?" Astonished, I failed to grasp his context.

"You have worked in my events, right? Plus, how can I let the girl I unknowingly saved fall apart?" His voice went lower, huskier. I only blinked in return, not sure how to react to such profound words.

"You are too kind, Sir."

"Then take advantage of it and come." He laughed a little, gesturing to me to go inside but my heart was detached.

"I would love to but without Asim, I don't want to go anywhere now. I feel disheartened with everything." I told him honestly.

"I understand but this is life, Aalifa. You lose people. Who knows this might have saved you from a future ravage? Trust your destiny. Accept it." He whispered, evoking a spark in me I thought I wouldn't receive.

His words never failed to provide me with encouragement and resolve to move forward.

"I know..."

"Then come. Let me do the least I could for you."

"You have already done enough."

"I don't think I have done anything for you so let me."

Not wanting to decline his offer or become rude, I agreed, he was trying to lift my mood, show me a new path in life, I should trust him.

He had saved me once after all.

"Okay..."