MAAZ'S POV:

"So, Adil, are you excited?" I asked Adil, while signaling my driver to move; he nodded and started driving through the parking lot of this café,

"Yup! So much excited I can't believe I am going there, I will work so hard and will enjoy my time there, I will have so many friends and I will tell them about you and your massive achivements Bhai!" he answered while taking a big bite of donut, which I buy on his request, as Areesha do not allow him to have too much sugar, so he requested me to buy him something sweet before we headed towards his boarding school, I just smiled watching him.

"But, Maaz Bhai I am worried for Api, she has suffered enough, I want her to be happy, I always wanted to help her and to protect her from Papa, but she never let me do that, she was always there with me, she kept me safe from him, but I guess I was the biggest weakness of Api, that Papa used against her, I never want that to happen again, I want to be her strength, not weakness, Promise me Maaz Bhai, you will keep her happy, please promise me," Adil said, making me stiffened on my place, What is he talking about, did Jawed hurt them? But why he would do that to his children? I was now confused again, damn! This family is really hard for me to understand.

"Did your father abuse you and Areesha?" I asked him in a low tone, he nodded, making me clench my fist, by the mere thought of that Moron hurting my Areesha! And who in the hell will like to hurt an innocent kid like him, but why he did that? He is their father after all, but what can we expect from that Bastard. Damn! He will have to pay for this as well, but I need to find out the truth very soon.

"Maaz Bhai!" Adil called me out, "Yeah?"

"Are you listening what I am talking?" he asked,

"Would tell me all the details Adil? May be I will help you both with it," I asked him, he stared me for a while then shook his head,

"Sorry Maaz Bhai, I promised Api, that I will never tell this to anyone, I want to keep that promise to her, I don't want to be a bad boy, but why don't you ask Api yourself, I am sure she will tell you everything, Aliyaan Bhai know it and he was trying to help Api as well but I don't know why he hasn't come to meet us, it's been so long," he replied wiping the chocolate from his fingers,

"Aliyaan knows?" I was surprised at this moment, that guy knows about her, even though he is just a friend and I don't have a single clue about it, I am her husband and I don't know a thing about her! Damn!

Because you never intended to know, you were blind to take revenge from her father that you never tried to listen to her you fool! I heard my inner voice, I tightly shut my eyes and recall those moments when she tried to tell me some things about her, but I never let her explain and those bruises and marks I saw on her body that day which made me angry to think about them, I asked her about those marks but she didn't answered me about that, she just lied to me telling that she fall from stairs, I clearly knew he was lying at that time, but I didn't asked her again, I wanted her to tell it by herself, I think it was my stupid ego, that I just didn't care for her.

I was right! She needs me, she needed some help, she is like me, she is a broken soul just like me and I intend to save her, to be a light for her, even though I lost mine, but surely I can help her out with her darkness, to let her fight for herself, I will do anything for her, I thought looking out of the window.

"What are you thinking Bhai?" I heard Adil,

"Nothing, now you should not be worried for your sister from now on, okay, just concentrate on your studies and enjoy your life, I promise I will keep her safe," I said,

"And happy!" he exclaimed, I chuckle, "Yeah and happy too, now come on let's go meet your principle," I said, as driver parked the car and opened my door, I got out of the car and Adil jump right behind me,

"You will keep your promise Bhai?" he asked me while walking down the stairs, 'Yes, I will keep my promise Adil," I assured him and knock on the door of principal's office,

"Maaz Jaferi! I am very delighted to meet you Sir, I have been waiting for you," Principle Owais said as I enter the office, I smiled and we both shook our hands, I look around my surrounding ,it was a nice office, big windows were showing the playground in front of me on the side was a large book rack in which different kind of books were placed neatly, on the other side were leather sofas with black wood central table, an Afghan rug laid in front of it and in front of me was this big wooden desk with two chairs set in front of it.

I knew Owais for last eight years as I have been funding this school since then and sometimes attended ceremonies and events out here with kids, he was a good guy, in his mid-forties and very devoted to his work, he introduced me to his professors and told me about the security, I ordered some extra precautions for Adil just for my satisfaction, I just can't take any risk for his safety, after all he is just like my little brother and I will do anything to keep him happy and safe, he is my responsibility, I look down at him, he was staring at his hands,

"Hey, What is it buddy?" I asked,

"I don't know, I already miss Api," he said in a hoarse voice, his big eyes filled with tears, "Come on, you are a brave boy! You can come back home every weekend and whenever you want to talk to her you can, I have given instructions here, they will not stop you with anything and if you need anything, just say it and it will be there and besides that, you are doing this for your Api, right, so be strong, buddy" I said, wiping the tears from his cheek.

"Okay, I will miss you too Bhai," he said, hugging me, I smiled and caressed his back gently,

"And don't forget my horse, I want to learn horse riding with you," he said,

"And my chocolates as well!" I nodded

"And please ask Alizeh Api to call me here, I miss her too!"

"And most importantly! Don't forget your promise!"

"Okay little one calm down, meet Miss Noreen, she is going to be your caretaker from now on, let's go see your bedroom," I introduce her to a lady who was standing beside Owais, she was in her early thirties and I hired her only for Adil, she was a nice lady, lost her husband a few months ago fighting with a liver cancer, she had two children and need a better job after her husband's death, so I hired her and took the responsibilities of her two sons as well.

After getting satisfied with all things out there I get back to my car and headed to my office, it has been four days didn't go to my office, I just couldn't make myself to go because of Areesha, she was angry with me and I wanted to apologize to her but couldn't find he appropriate words for it, I was not able to concentrate on my work just because of her, which was not good for me, I am a workaholic and worked my ass off to reach here, I was never like this before, but she is really a distraction for me, which was bothering me a lot!

I sighed deeply and opened my laptop and started going through my recent mails, I have this video call meeting with my clients in New York till 1:00 pm and after that I had to meet that Jawed to show him my true colors today, my lawyer had prepared all the documents and I just need one signature and he will be penniless in next one week, just wait and watch Jawed, how I am going to ruin you.

I picked up my cell phone and call Areesha, but she didn't receive my call, I tried again but no answer, maybe I should talk to her later, or I shall take her to the lunch in one of the finest restaurant and apologize for my behavior and if I got lucky, which I know I am! I will ask her about her father and the truth, I know it will be hard to gain her trust but I can give it a try at least!

I reached my office and welcomed by my assistant who was telling me about my schedule and our latest deal with Sheikh Abdul Hadi, he wanted to invest his money in my automotive industry in London, I walked into my office and started going through the files which my assistant have already set on my desk, I was busy till the afternoon and was interrupted my Nani ma's call, telling me about her recent reports and the condition of Sara, which was getting better day by day, she also told me that she will be coming back till next week, which made me grin like a five year old kid, I just cannot wait to meet her, I wanted to tell her so many things now, I wanted to lower my burden, I wanted to tell her about my past, I think it is time to reveal all the secrets, after all she is my grandmother, only blood relative I have in this world. I planned to go to her but there was so much work here that I couldn't go back to New York to meet her.

Thinking of it, I again tried to call Areesha but she didn't answered it again, making me suspicious for her, I hope she is fine, I called the body guards I have hired for her and they told me that she went somewhere in a cab, I was furious to listen to this bulshit, I have hired them to protect her and they are staying in the house and my wife is out there alone and these fools didn't even asked her where she was going and let her go on her own, freaking idiots!

I was interrupted by my assistant telling me about the video meeting with my clients, I shook my head and clear my mind and press the button on my i-Mac and started our conversation, it was only a two hours meeting, after that my lawyer came in holding the files and gave them to me, telling me the details of it, I pressed the button and asked my assistant to send Jawed in who was waiting in a lobby for last one hour, he entered the office with a silly smirk on his face, which made me clench my jaw but I control myself, just a few minutes and I will be done with him. That's when I got a call from Areesha, I instantly received it, I heard her scream, but the line was disconnected, I tried to call her again, but she didn't answer it, making me suspicious that something is not right, I called Abdul Ahad, Steve's Assistant or I shall say my right hand man, I asked him to locate where Areesha was and let me know as soon as possible and cut the call and returned back to my office and took my seat.

My lawyer passed the papers to Jawed and without giving a single glance; he just signed it up, making me grin this time,

"So, now as everything is going to be settled down, Maaz, I want you to think about the necessary adjustments for..." jawed was but in between his sentence,
"Did you just try to order me?" I asked him, standing from my place, he looked at me for a moment, then continues, "No, as I was trying to say that after the marriage you had promised me the shares from your company in exchange of my daughter, I wanted some money to invest it in my company as you know my crises, so it will be better to get my shares from now on or..." I again cut him in mid-sentence, laughing at this idiot,

"You know someone told me that money is the power and unfortunately I have abundance of it, so, I just use little bit of my power against you, why don't you just have a single look at these papers, you just signed, I am so delighted to enlighten you that those papers which you have as a proof for our deal are totally fake, they don't mean anything, and by watching these awful expressions on your hideous face, I presume you must be wondering how did that happened, it was just a simple move Jawed, I just made a deal with your lawyer, he was so delighted to take it and didn't even think twice to back stab you, so, where do you think you stands now? oh Yeah, before I forget, I should also mention that from now on your company is mine, I am the sole owner of it, I really wanted to pity you right now but I think you deserve much more than this and just wait for what I have planned next for you and your children," I said with a smirk, Jawed stayed rooted to his place, expressions of disbelieve on his face were evident.

"what? No, how this could happen, no, this..." jawed stuttered,

I pressed the button and called my security guards in and oredered those to kick this moron out of my office, and as expected, he started cursing me and threatening me, which I did not care a bit. I kicked him out of my office and instructed my men to never let him cross this building again.

I heaved a sigh and look through the wall to ceiling windows of my office, the whole city was in front of my eyes, "You have no idea Jawed, what I am planning to do with you, it's just the starting," I said and lighting the cigarette, but I don't know why I was having this weird feeling in my heart, I again tried to call Areesha and still got no answer from her, making me a bit panicked now. I called Abdul Ahad, he told me that she went to her father's home, but hadn't returned yet, they had just tracked her through her cell phone, I instructed him to send some guards for her and make sure to bring her back safely and cut the call, but after a few minutes I got his all again telling me that Areesha was not there anymore, there was no sign of her.

"Get the men and meet me there in ten minutes," I said and cut the call and ran out of my office, I was walking to my car when I got a call from Steve,

"Yeah, Steve, what is it?? Did you find Saad?" I asked,

"Sir, I have found him and an old lady near that same Haweli, you went to, they both are in pretty bad shape, I am taking them to the hospital, there were few men trying to take them somewhere, but we were able to get here on time and rescue them," he told me, making me frown in confusion,

"Who were those men?" I asked,

"No idea, but they are dead right now, just one we have kept captive," he replied,

"Okay, take him to the hospital, I will meet you there in a few hours," I said and was about to cut the call when Steve called me,

"Sir! Saad wants to talk to you," he said,

"What is it?" I asked,

"Sir Maaz, please listen to me, Areesha is in danger! She is the same! She is the same girl, just meet me with your wife in the hospital and I will tell you everything, I can prove it to you," he was saying but I was pushed by guard to the side as the loud sound of gunshot were heard, we quickly took a cover and my guards fire back to the few men in a black car, who were shooting to us, they chased after them and caught them after a little effort, I came forward and tuck my gun back into my holder, "take them away and get all the information from them, I want to know who the bloody hell is behind this attack, let me know it in an hour, do what ever you want to do with them, I just want the name of that person who is behind all this," I said and call back to Steve, I was really confused about what Saad was saying, what does he mean? Is Areesha in Danger? How can I know where she is? I don't have a single clue where I will find her?? But right now I have to find my wife as well! Steve received the call, but told me that Saad was unconscious right now, I told him to call me when he gets awake. I was now really frustrated with all of this, what in the hell is going on!

How worst this day can get!

I closed the door of my car and started driving off to Jawed's house, hoping that Areesha might be there, but when I reached, there was no one out there, but there was a hell of a mess in the house, making me more agitated with all the situation,

"Sir, there I no one, we have checked the whole area," one of my man said entering in the living room where I was standing, "Get all the men and go back to Steve, double the security at the mansion, I will be there shortly," I ordered him and walked up to the stairs, watching everything broken and smashed, making my heart beat flutter.

"What the hell just happened in here," I thought opening the bedroom door of Areesha's room, there were few glass pieces scattered around the room, I look around and that's when my eyes landed on the blood stains on the carpet, "I swear, if anyone tries to hurt her, I will surely skin them alive," clenching my jaw, I ran down the stairs and pulled out my cell phone,

"Hello, Ehteshaam, I need you to locate Areesha, she is missing," I said right after he received the call,

"Oh, Maaz Jaferi wanted my help within his matters, it must be so devastating moment for you, brother, to ask for my help, but fear not, I will let you know where your precious wife is, just wait for an hour and my men will let you know, Good luck with it," he said and cut the call before I could give him some piece of my mind.

"Oh, Areesha why can't you just stay away from the troubles?" I thought and run fingers through my hairs, impatiently waiting for that call.

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Until next time

Iraj

Allah Hafiz

Date: 23-12-17