Flashback Continues
It was the night when Lubna had invited Maira over for dinner with her friends to the Swan restaurant.
It was warm and inviting, filled with laughter and the soft clinking of glasses. After greetings, Hadi was about to settle down on one of the chairs when, his phone vibrated sharply in his pocket. Without a second thought, he stepped aside.
The moment he answered, urgency pierced through the phone.
"Hello, Hadi?" It was Ibtisaam. His voice was taut, urgent, every word deliberate.
"Yes. What happened?" Hadi asked, his eyes flicking back at the table where Lubna was chatting, gesturing animatedly, Maira smiling politely beside her. Hadi's body remained tense, every muscle coiled like a spring.
"Bro, Pathan is back in town," Ibtisaam said.
Hadi froze. His body went rigid, anger flashing across his face, muscles tightening. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, the world around him, the laughter, the soft background music, Lubna's voice, faded into nothingness.
"Finally! Where is he?" Hadi demanded, his tone low, controlled, but edged with barely restrained fury.
"Hadi, relax. You cannot confront him right now," Ibtisaam said, his voice firm but calm, a thread of concern weaving through each word. "We're still trying to find things against him. If you appear and give him even the slightest hint of your plan, he'll become more cautious. As it is, it's already very difficult to penetrate his network, even though I've been trying for days. So please... calm down and wait."
Hadi exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. He knew Ibtisaam was right. He could feel the truth in his words, the strategy behind the caution.
"I'm telling you about his appearance because so far he hadn't shown any sign of coming back for Maira," Ibtisaam continued, "but according to my team's investigation, the recent place he went to is Nashik. And if I remember correctly, Maira is from Nashik, right?"
Hadi's frown deepened. His fists clenched at his sides, the tension in his shoulders visible even over the phone. His heart thudded hard, every beat echoing urgency and dread.
"So if, in any case, he had gone to Nashik for Maira, then it's a risk. You'll have to ensure Maira's safety. I have already assigned people to watch over her building, and cameras are installed everywhere. But Faiz is not to be underestimated, you understand my point, right?"
"I'll keep her safe. No way in hell will I allow Faiz to get anywhere near her," Hadi said, his voice low, steady, but carrying the weight of fierce determination. His hands tightened around the phone, knuckles white.
Ibtisaam paused, his tone thoughtful. "Also... I feel like we're missing something. There's something I'm still not able to figure out."
"What do you mean?" Hadi asked, a flicker of unease running through him.
"I can't tell you right now, but I'll dig deeper and see if I can find the missing piece I feel we're overlooking."
Hadi nodded, exhaling slowly, the tension in his chest easing only slightly. "Okay... thanks, man."
They exchanged a few more words before the call ended, each whispering cautiously, "Be careful."
Hadi closed his eyes for a moment, leaning against the glass window. His thoughts were a storm: It's a risk. Maira maybe at a risk. Faiz is back. His eyes flicked back at the softly lit dining room. Lubna was laughing lightly, Maira was nowhere to be seen, Hadi's chest tightened as he walked back.
---
Fast Forward to the evening in Ansari residence. When Hadi and Lubna's siblings had gathered to finalize plans for the much-awaited siblings' vacation.
Everyone was engaged in conversation, some teasing, some planning, when Mahir's phone rang. Smiling at something Laiba had just said, he had excused himself and stepped aside to answer.
"Hello, what's up bro?" Mahir asked, his laughter still lingering.
On the other end, urgency and frustration were immediately evident. "Mahir yaar, where is Hadi? I've been trying to ring him since so long!" Ibtisaam's voice was sharp, strained with impatience.
"Hadi is right here, why?" Mahir asked, confusion knitting his brows.
"He's with you?" Ibtisaam's voice dropped, incredulous. "Don't tell me you guys are hanging out without me!"
"Nah bro, we wouldn't dare," Mahir laughed, shaking his head. He quickly explained that they were all at the Ansari residence with their siblings.
"Fine. Where is he? Get him on the line," Ibtisaam said, his tone hardening, urgency slicing through the casual banter.
Understanding the seriousness in Ibtisaam's voice, Mahir called out for Hadi. Hadi stepped out onto the lawn, his expression curious, the setting sun casting long shadows across his face. Mahir handed him the phone, standing quietly beside him.
Hadi's features hardened as soon as he spoke to Ibtisaam. His voice was curt, controlled, each word measured. When the call ended, he stood still, eyes narrowed, fists slightly clenched.
"What did he say?" Mahir asked, unable to hold back any longer.
"Faiz had gone to Nashik again," Hadi whispered, his voice tight with suppressed anger, "and this time he met someone. Ibtisaam has information that the person he met is Maira's uncle, Jaleel. He wants me to confirm." Hadi's mind raced, each thought heavier than the last.
Mahir's phone vibrated again, drawing his attention. Images had been sent by Ibtisaam, photographs of Faiz and Jaleel. Hadi's lips pressed into a thin line as he scrolled through them, each picture igniting a mix of rage and disbelief.
"This is him, her uncle," Hadi spat out, his voice low but trembling with fury, "the same man who arrived at the hospital that night but instead of taking responsibility for his niece, who was fighting for her life... he ran away."
Mahir stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Hadi's shoulder. His calmness was a steady anchor amidst the storm brewing in Hadi's chest.
"Relax," Mahir said softly, his voice carrying warmth and empathy.
Hadi couldn't understand how Faiz reached Maria's uncle? Did he even know about Jaleel's relationship with Maira or were they meeting for another purpose?
He ran his hands through his hair, exhaling sharply, then cupped his face, closing his eyes as if trying to disappear. "I don't know, yaar Mahir... I'm unable to understand anything right now. Everything's getting more complicated."
Hadi's shoulders sank, his eyes fixed on the floor. "I don't remember telling you this, but a few days back, Maira fainted while taking care of Zohan. I had to rush her to the hospital, and there she unexpectedly found out about her injury." His voice faltered, tightening with the weight of memory. "Those moments... I can't even describe how helpless I felt."
"What? She must have been so shocked..." Mahir said, concern clouding his face.
Hadi nodded weakly and went on, explaining how difficult those days had been, how Maira had reacted when she learned the truth, and how he had struggled to hold everything together while feeling everything fall apart inside.
Mahir's gaze softened. He stood in front of Hadi to meet his eyes speaking with quiet conviction. "You know, I was really mad at you earlier, but now... I feel, maybe this was written for you. In your destiny. There's an ayah in the Qur'an that I remembered just now: 'Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.' (Qur'an 2:286)"
Hadi looked at Mahir, absorbing his words.
"I feel like Allah must have prepared you, Maira, and Lubna for this. You all must have the strength to go through it. Allah forbid, if I were in a similar situation, I would have crumbled. But you... you've stood strong. You've taken responsibility for a woman who was and still is, in danger because of some of your actions. I know Lubna is being wronged, but she's definitely not the only one suffering." Mahir's voice cracked slightly as he pulled Hadi into a tight hug. His words were raw, heartfelt, filled with genuine empathy. He prayed silently for the pain of the two women to end and for Hadi to find peace out of this burden.
"Thank you," Hadi whispered, his voice hoarse, yet layered with gratitude, as they broke the embrace.
Mahir nodded, rubbing Hadi's back briefly.
"What next?" Mahir asked, his tone practical, grounded.
Hadi's eyes scanned the lawn, hearing the faint chatter of their siblings inside. "We'll have to wait until Ibtisaam figures out the connection between Faiz and Jaleel. He isn't sure whether this was their first meeting or if they already know each other."
"Understandable. But I'm sure it'll take a few days to find out. Until then, it wouldn't be wise to keep Maira here while we go to Noorabad," Mahir pointed out.
"I know. I don't have a good feeling about this. Leaving her here would be a bad idea," Hadi replied, his brows furrowed.
"You should convince her to come with us?" Mahir suggested cautiously.
"And how am I supposed to do that? What am I supposed to say to everyone?" Hadi's frustration seeped through, his hands tightening at his sides.
"Common man, you're a genius. You can figure it out," Mahir said, shrugging as if it were no big deal.
Hadi's gaze shifted and caught Maira ascending the stairs. She must have gone to her room, unaware of the storm swirling around her.
"Fine... I'll try, though I think it's going to be hard," he murmured thoughtfully.
---
After dinner, Hadi stood near the window, lost in thought. He ran through every possible excuse he could say to Lubna, then how he might convince Maira for the same. Unbeknownst to him, Lubna had already handled part of the plan.
Once his discussion with Lubna ended, he felt surprised, frustrated and worn out all at once, so he had walked into the lawn. His phone rang in his hand; he answered on the second ring. It was Mahir.
"Did you speak to her?" Mahir asked, straight to the point.
"No... but Lubna did, and she has agreed to go along," Hadi replied curtly.
"Lubna did? Why did you..." Mahir began, confused, but Hadi cut him off.
"I didn't ask Lubna to speak to Maira. It was Fahad who wanted Maira to come with us, and Lubna granted his request," Hadi explained, biting back his words.
"What are you saying?" Mahir asked, still confused, sensing the tension.
"Long story. The point is, what we wanted is done. She'll be going with us. So just go to sleep; we'll talk later," Hadi said, about to end the call.
"Wait... why do you sound angry?" Mahir asked, sensing the underlying frustration.
"Because I've been wrecking my mind to come up with excuses... only to realize I don't have to use them anymore," Hadi sighed, frustration evident in his tone.
"So? You should be happy. You didn't have to lie," Mahir said, then as if realizing something, asked cautiously, "Are you.... by any chance... jealous?"
"What the hell, bro! Just go to sleep, okay?" Hadi snapped, ending the call.
Mahir stared at his phone for a moment, a small sad smile tugging at his lips. 'I hope you're not jealous. If you are... then it's trouble in paradise,' he thought, shaking his head lightly.
Flashback Ends
---
Present - Noor Mahal - Midnight
"Hello, Hadi? Bro, are you listening?"
Ibtisaam's voice came through the receiver, breaking Hadi's trance. He blinked, pulling himself back to the present. The cool night breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the faint scent of the garden below. He was standing on the balcony of Noor Mahal, one hand resting against the ornate railing, eyes distant and unfocused.
Turning slightly, he looked back into the room. Lubna lay asleep on the bed, her breathing calm, one arm draped loosely over the blanket. The soft golden glow from the bedside lamp illuminated her features, peaceful and unaware.
"Hadi? Sogaya hai kya tu?" Ibtisaam mocked from the other end, a chuckle lacing his impatience.
(Did you fall asleep or what?)
Hadi glanced at his phone, then brought it back to his ear. "No, what happened?" he asked, voice low, all traces of memory and distraction vanishing as he focused.
"I have news... about Jaleel," Ibtisaam's tone shifted, serious, edged with static and the faint rustling of papers in the background.
"What about him?" Hadi asked, lowering his voice instinctively as he turned slightly, checking once more to ensure Lubna was still asleep. She hadn't moved.
"He was found badly beaten and bruised at his house... and was rushed to the hospital this morning," Ibtisaam revealed.
"What?" Hadi's body stiffened, shock flashing across his face, though he fought to keep his tone down. His grip on the phone tightened.
"How? And who did it?" he asked after a brief pause, forcing composure.
"Well," Ibtisaam began, his voice a mix of calm and frustration, "from what I've gathered, he lost a gamble and wasn't able to return the money on time. So last night, a few men beat him up in his own house."
Hadi exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing as he processed. "Gamble? Maira had told me about his gambling once, it could be that... but, are you really sure it was because of the gamble and not Faiz?" His hand went to the railing again, gripping it tightly, his knuckles turning white under the dim light.
"Nah, it's not Faiz," Ibtisaam reassured him. "I'm keeping tabs on him. And as for Jaleel, yeah, he gambles a lot. This time, though, he's gotten himself involved with someone really dangerous."
"Why do you say so?" Hadi asked, his tone cautious, curiosity and concern threading through his words.
"My men did some digging," Ibtisaam replied, flipping through his notes, the sound of pages faintly audible, "and they found out Jaleel owed someone named Scar. Let's just say he's one of the cruelest people to exist in the underworld."
"Scar?" Hadi whispered, the name foreign on his tongue. He had never heard it before, but something about it sent a chill crawling down his spine.
"Yeah," Ibtisaam continued, his voice now lower, serious. "He keeps a low profile. Nobody's really seen him, except maybe his own gang. But trust me, Hadi, this guy isn't someone you want to cross paths with. And honestly..." He paused, a faint laugh escaping him. "I feel like Faiz isn't my only target anymore."
Hadi frowned deeply. "What?" His confusion was evident.
"This Scar guy," Ibtisaam muttered, half to himself, half to Hadi. "I think I'm gonna take him down with Faiz."
"What are you saying? And where are you right now?" Hadi asked, glancing at his wristwatch, the time read almost midnight.
Ibtisaam looked around, chuckling under his breath. "I'm... at the office?" he replied, though it sounded more like a question than a statement.
"Are you nuts? It's almost 12 a.m.!" Hadi scolded, lowering his tone but unable to hide the irritation.
"Yes, courtesy of my dear friend," Ibtisaam shot back sarcastically, "I had to stay overtime because I couldn't work on a personal mission during office hours." He ended with a hearty laugh, his fatigue momentarily replaced by amusement.
Hadi sighed, guilt flooding him instantly. "I... I'm sorry," he said softly, closing his eyes. His voice carried a weight, of exhaustion, of regret, of dragging his friends into the quicksand of his secrets.
"Wow, this is a historic moment for me," Ibtisaam teased dramatically. "Come on, a single sorry won't do! Mr. 'I'm Loaded', you'll have to make it up to me with something better."
Despite everything, Hadi couldn't help but smile. "Anything you want," he said warmly, a genuine chuckle escaping his lips. For a brief second, it felt like old times again, before life had turned into a tangled mess of guilt and protection.
"On a serious note," Ibtisaam continued, his voice sobering again, "we won't be able to interrogate Jaleel for a few days, at least until he recovers. You'll have to wait a little longer."
"Fine. No problem," Hadi replied quietly. He couldn't bring himself to rush Ibtisaam. Not when he already felt responsible for putting him in this situation. The guilt was gnawing at him from the inside, tightening its hold.
"Alright. I'll keep you updated," Ibtisaam said.
"Thanks," Hadi murmured. "And please, head home, now. It's late. And don't get too involved in this Scar guy fiasco. He's not our priority."
"Copy that, Captain," Ibtisaam joked lightly, though both of them knew the matter was anything but funny.
When the call ended, Hadi slowly lowered the phone from his ear and leaned forward on the balcony railing. The night was silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the faint hum of distant crickets.
Even without a shirt, the cool night air didn't bother him. His mind was far too restless for that.
It had been Mahir's idea to interrogate Jaleel directly, to uncover why Faiz had met him. They needed clarity, a line connecting all the chaos. If Faiz was truly planning to come after Maira, then Hadi had to act fast, to protect her and ensure Faiz ended up behind bars. Only then could Maira live her life freely, without the shadow of fear.
But what seemed simple in words was anything but that.
Maira's confession about Faiz harassing her wouldn't hold him for long. Hadi knew men like Faiz, powerful, well-connected, always finding a way out. A single statement wouldn't be enough.
That's why Ibtisaam was digging deeper, searching for something that would stick, something strong enough to keep Faiz locked away for good. Hadi was confident they'd find it soon. People like Faiz were never spotless; there was always dirt to uncover. And that dirt would be Hadi's weapon.
But until then, one thing remained unshakable, he wouldn't be able to reveal the truth to Lubna. Not yet. Revealing the truth now would only endanger Maira. And Hadi wasn't ready to take that risk.
His thoughts drifted to Jaleel, he was beaten, bruised and lying in a hospital bed. He didn't feel bad for Jaleel, not even slightly, maybe he deserved the beatings. But, the cruelty of Maira's life hit him all over again. She truly had no one. Not even family she could depend on.
A chill ran through him as the thought crossed his mind,
What if she hadn't ran away from home that night, and would have been there today when those men came for her uncle? Would they have hurt her too?
He shuddered. The image made him clench his fists. He thanked Allah silently, over and over. Ignoring all the chaos they were in, at least Maira was safe tonight. She was far better off here, under his protection, than with an uncle who had long abandoned any sense of responsibility.
Hadi cleared his throat, feeling the cool breeze finally brushing against his bare skin. He turned back toward the room. The soft glow of the bedside lamp fell on Lubna's face, serene, asleep, wearing his shirt. She looked so peaceful, untouched by the storm raging inside him.
He walked quietly to the bed and slipped under the covers beside her. For a moment, he just watched her breathe. Then he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in his heart. "I couldn't tell you, again. But now isn't the right time. I promise, I'll tell you soon. Just a few more days... please, allow me some more time. I'll make things right."
The guilt rose like a tide, burning his chest, tightening his throat. He swallowed hard, shutting his eyes tight as if that could silence his thoughts. He turned to his side, forcing his mind to rest.
Sleep didn't come easily. It took nearly an hour, an hour of dangerous thoughts, guilt, and worry, before his exhausted mind finally gave in, pulling him into a fragile, uneasy sleep.
----
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