Salaam my lovely readers,

I would really love to know your opinion of 'Honeydew.'

The emotions that ran through you as the chapters turned more intense. I had my heart beating frantically the whole time. Your comments mean the world to me.

Enjoy the chapter <3

I woke up knowing who I was, and it was a huge relief not to have to pressurise myself with questions, the answers of which my mind did not possess.

If I would have asked someone else for my identity it would have only led to mockery.

Now, that all things were crystal clear the panic inside me was only increasing with intensity.

Instinctively, I raised my hands to my abdomen and promised my little one that I would protect it from the evil of the world.

I had to think fast and come up with a plan to get out of here or to get in touch with Aahil.

I missed him terribly.

The fear of taken hostage wasn't as great as the pain of being separated from Aahil. His absence made my life seem empty and the ache in my heart would only be healed in the warmth of his embrace.

I hoped that I would have the privilege of confessing my feelings to him.

I sighed deeply and looked around the room. I tried moving my limbs, which wouldn't even budge an inch. Tears welled up in my eyes and began flowing on their own accord.

I laid still after trying for hours to move, there was no way I could escape from this place if I couldn't even get myself to sitting position.

I did not wish for Aahil come and rescue me, this place was too dangerous. The people involved in this were cruel and had no mercy in them.

I kept praying fervently for Aahil's and my families safety.

But, at the same time, I did not wish to die. I wasn't going to lose hope until I fought this battle to its very end.

I strongly believed that only good could overcome evil.

I heard footsteps approaching the door, the shuffling of the keys got louder and I closed my eyes tightly shut.

Fear gripped my heart and my throat went dry. My heart began beating rapidly and I wished to see who had entered the room but was too scared to do so.

The footsteps halted at my bedside, "She hasn't still regained her senses, if her medical condition does not improve then she isn't of much help," The woman said blandly.

"I wish that she never regains her consciousness, it will make me the happiest woman of this planet," It was Safa's voice, which was filled with vile. Which meant that not one, but two women were present in the room.

My curiosity was getting the better of me. I had to see who the other woman was as the voice sounded so very familiar.

"Shut up, Safa. I shouldn't have accompanied you in the first place. You are just a nuisance. No doubt your father never approves of you."

"Save yourself the insult. I bet Aahil will be pleased to throw you out when he realises what you have done."

"Aahil will never ever come to know. He is such a fool, goes about thinking that the world is filled with candies and rainbows."

"I'll make sure to let him know that you are one of our master planners and I'll be pleased to see him breakdown."

"Do whatever you desire, but you will achieve nothing," She left the room in haste. The thud of her heels on the hard wooden floorboard was deafening. "Safa, don't allow yourself to be in fool's paradise. Nothing is going to make Aahil love you once again," She then left the room with renowned fury.

Peering through closed eyes gifted me partial view of her abaya. I knew who wore such abaya and it was equivalent to having a million cold showers at once.

But, could it really be whom I guessed it to be?

_______________

A few days had passed or maybe a lifetime had, I wasn't sure.

My condition had improved and I was able to move my hands and legs, the infection caused to my lungs was also healing significantly, Alhamdulillah.

I was sitting in one of the finest room I had ever seen, it was painted in a perfect blend of chocolate brown and cream.

The interior was fascinating, there was a huge king-sized bed in the centre with soft fluffy cream cover spread across it. The tall headboard of the upholstered bed and the brass accessories gave it an even more luxurious look and the beige carpet only enhanced the beauty of the room.

But there was no air of warmness or familiarity attached to it.

It was only a huge luxurious cage which made me suffocated to an infinite extent.

The room only succeeded in intimidating me and I screamed internally, as I looked at the handcuff that was fastened at my wrist.

I sighed and closed my eyes shut as I leaned against the wooden headboard, trying to take deep breaths to calm my unbearable volumes of frustration.

"Aleena," a voice hissed close to my ears.

My eyes found Lissa standing beside me and I gasped out loud.

I hadn't expected to see her here, I had already been subjected to immense trauma when I learnt the other women a few days earlier.

"I heard that your condition was significantly improving. I never thought he would be so heartless, I cannot believe that he gave you such dangerous drugs."

Somehow it was a relief to see Lissa, and I began crying. "Shhh, don't cry loudly, you are going to alert someone."

I blinked back the tears and nodded my head.

"Lissa, I'm pregnant."

I expected her to hug me with joy or be concerned about the little one but she cast the information aside like it did not mean much.

"Aleena, I do not have much time. Please tell me the password before everything falls out of place."

I looked at her suspiciously. "I thought you knew that I would have confided it already had I known it."

She groaned. "For god sake Aleena, please say it. How can you not know it? when your dad believed that you knew. Do you need wealth?"

My headache had returned with vengeance and I closed my eyes with exhaustion. "Lissa, can you get straight to the point?"

"What point?" She asked through clenched teeth.

"How did you get here?"

"Are you suspecting me?"

"Do I have any reason not to?"

She threw her hands in frustration. "Here, I took the risk to save you and instead of being thankful you are blaming me."

"If you want to help me then get me out of here."

"That's next to impossible."

"Why?"

"You are in Rizwan Farooqui's house and it is one of the biggest bungalows in the country. There are a countless number of staff around."

"Then how did you get in?"

She sighed. "Can you stop the interrogation?"

"I can't," I screeched.

"Damm you, stop acting like a spoilt brat. You deserve to rot here."

I couldn't believe my ears, Lissa was supposed to be my good friend and well-wisher.

What was wrong with her?

"Where is Aahil?"

"He will soon be dead if you do not give us the password."

"Are you involved in this?"

"I can't seem to be able to convince you of my innocence, so you are free to conclude."

I held my head in my hands in frustration, nothing seemed to make sense.

"Aleena, we have searched the attic. We found your father's diary."

For several heartbeats, I sat still, too stunned to ask any questions.

"A special team has been assigned to thoroughly read the diary."

"Did they come across anything?"

I'm not sure.

"Lissa, what will happen if they get hold of the research papers?"

"Rizwan will never submit it to the defence department, rather he will use it to cause mass destruction."

"Believe me, Lissa, I'm helpless."

"But you don't realise it, do you? We need to get hold of it before they do."

"Which 'We' do you belong to, Lissa?"

Her face turned grave, "I'm warning you Aleena, things are going to turn worse. You might lose all that is precious to you. There will be great havoc."

We heard footsteps approaching the door and she straightened up from where she had knelt in front of me and busied herself in stacking the magazines present in the nightstand.

The door opened revealing a man in a black tuxedo, who had a crooked smile plastered on his face. He looked like he was in his fifties and was dressed to perfection.

He had all the traits of a wealthy man but unfortunately did not possess any warm friendly vibes emanating from him.

He was fair-skinned, had chestnut coloured hair and matching eyes. His soft features could make people consider him to be a softie, but I had learnt that looks could be deceptive.

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms above his chest, throwing me a huge smile as he checked me out.

His gaze made me shiver and I looked away, trying to gather myself.

"Our queen looks haggard, and I bet she isn't treated finely. See how thin she appears to be, it is gonna affect our little prince, and our mighty king will definitely turn into a monster if he witnesses his wife in such distress." He shook his head sadly, "Lissa, why don't you act like a maid for once, and feed your majesty?"

"I don't need food. I don't need anything from you."

"Of course," He snorted. "But we need to keep your strength if we have to reach our goal."

"Trust me, Rizwan. You are going to achieve nothing."

He let out an amused laugh. 'Well, you can say that until you find out about all the people who are with me in this and are real hypocrites. It will be a pretty sight to watch his reaction when he realises that Safa's betrayal is nothing compared to the huge betrayal that has been taking place all along."