Flashbacks are in bold*

The old quivering voice of Durdana Khanum was still reverberating in the room even though she was quiet now. Her breathing was shallow and fast as if she'd just covered the distance of miles. Harram stood there rooted to her spot not knowing what to say.

A killer? Was there any stop, any end to Yahya Duraid's cruelty? Who was the victim this time and how that person was associated with Nano?

She looked back at Khanum only to find her heaving.

"Nano!"

Harram held her from her shoulders leading her to the bed. The questions which were on the tip of her tongue got swallowed seeing Nano's condition.

"Sana Auntie!"

Durdana Khanum was slowly going into oblivion and alarm bells had started ringing around Harram. She frantically shouted to get Sana here and in just mere seconds both Sana and Zara were in the room.

"What happened to her? Ammi!"

Sana was checking Durdana Khanum's pulse. She's become unconscious. The cries for calling a doctor reached a dazed Harram and she immediately dialed the known number.

"He's a killer."

They weren't just words. They were a door leading to a new reality. A reality the woman lying in front of her must've lived. Harram glanced at the pale form of Durdana Khanum and closed her eyes in unease. How many life stories were there where Yahya Duraid was a villain?

"She was fine when she left for the room. We've gone through a checkup just today. How did this happen?"

Sana was mumbling pacing the length of the lounge. Doctor was checking Nano inside where Aalee was also present.

"Auntie, I...."

Harram felt ashamed to even look at her.

"Did you say anything to her?"

Sana's tone was even. There was no hint of anger just a justified concern.

"It must be about your in laws, no?"

Harram nodded meekly.

"I see...."

Sana held her hand and sighed.

"Some things are better forgotten, Harram. My mother has a past she doesn't like to talk about even with me. Yeah, I get it that somewhere it's associated with your in laws but how? Even I don't know. But I do know that my mother is no longer that strong. She collapses easily. That's why I always try to do what I must, which is protecting her and keeping her away from everything that causes her discomfort. It's a request that please do not bring this topic in front of her again, dear. You saw what happened today didn't you? So please..."

Harram was left with nothing to say. So a slight nod was her only answer. The doctor had come out stating it was a case of blood pressure dropping to a dangerous level. Aalee had assured him that a thorough checkup had been done today itself and so far nothing worrisome had been revealed. Being satisfied, the doctor took a leave.

"Hey.."

Harram held onto Aalee's arm still feeling like this was all her fault.

"I'm so sorry I didn't know she'd get sick."

"It's not your fault. Nano is sensitive this way. That's why we never talk about the things which trigger her."

"She'll be okay right?"

"Of course she will be. Now stop worrying. You'll get yourself sick."

Harram didn't say anything. No one would know what storm Durdana Khanum had in her. She could single handedly burn Yahya Duraid's whole empire with what she knew.

But it all came to the same point once again. What did she know?

__________________

"This is insane and Sheraz is a fucker!"

Hamail mumbled hiding behind the torn wall of the house. The area was illuminated with lights given that life always became alive here during the night. Chasing Sheraz had lead them here in Qasai Gali which was once Pindi's own red light area but now it had lost its status and was turned into a crockery market. This series of houses was situated to some distance from the market but it was very well operated.

"Are you sure he was coming here only?"

"The first rule of chasing someone is to keep silence unless you want to get caught. I've done my research on the leech and yes, this area is like his second home."

Hamail felt sick to the stomach. Men like Sheraz were never in his good books and now after knowing what kind of activities Sheraz was a part of, Hamail felt repulsed.

"So what's the plan?"

"Do you have money?"

Hamail looked at Waleed and nodded slowly.

"Then we are good."

"So me having money is our plan?"

"Precisely."

"Explain, Waleed. I'm not a bright kid."

"That I can tell. Sheraz is a lightweight. Do you know what does it mean?"

"That he's full on drunk after just few drinks?"

"Yes, I gathered this while spying on him here. When someone's drunk it's easy to make them blurt out things you want to."

"Bold of you to assume he'll blurt things in front of us."

"Not us. But the woman we'll give your money to."

"You mean...."

"Yes, Captain obvious. I mean what you think I mean. Now can we please get back to our plan and not get caught?"

Hamail huffed and both waited patiently for the woman to come out of the house. The moment Hamail had showed his doubt on Sheraz, Waleed had started keeping an eye on him, just two days into this and they had gotten the idea that Sheraz surely knew more than his work description entailed. So getting to know his daily routine was mandatory and just a bit digging and they had come to know coming here on daily basis was also a part of Sheraz's routine. This was Waleed's idea to get a woman from the house involved by giving her money and trying with her prodding Sheraz in his inebriated state.

"She's here."

Waleed nudged Hamail who immediately straightened up. It was time to put the plan into action.

____________________

"That's it, Sir."

Colonel Bukhari nodded at his subordinate keeping the file closed. Worry lines were prominent on his forehead. He gestured the man to leave and leaned into his chair. He had started with the investigation regarding Zaviyar's posting orders. To know who was behind those. There was no prior plan of sending him to mountain ranges as he was already working on a top secret army mission. So whoever was behind it must want him to disappear from the scene. His posting orders were the starting point of everything that went downhill after that so getting to the root of who was behind it was necessary.

General Khalid Aslam.

It were his direct orders to include Zaviyar's name in the army officers being sent to the army base up there in the dangerous and disputed land. Colonel Bukhari was surprised but it soon turned into acknowledgment. General Aslam was once a close friend of Yahya Duraid. When Zaviyar wanted to get into army and Yahya had initially opposed the idea, General Aslam was the one who intervened and made Yahya understand.

Zaviyar had told Bukhari this over a cup of tea one time they were off duty. All his professional life he had worked under Bukhari and proved to be an asset for his unit. The reason why Bukhari was the first one to sense something was fishy when his posting orders and then the news of his martyrdom had come.

Sighing Bukhari folded the report that had been given to him. General Khalid Aslam was now on his radar and Bukhari hoped he won't be involved the way everything was insisting he was. Such an important army personnel involved in such atrocity. Everything was expected at this point.

______________________

The first morning in her new house was anything but exciting. When Harram had woken up, Zaviyar was already out of the bed and from the voices coming from the kitchen she could tell he was preparing the breakfast. She fell back on the pillow not wanting to get out of the bed. But for how long? After getting freshen up, she joined him on the breakfast table where he was sipping his tea with his eyes focused on the newspaper in front of him.

"Good morning."

Sensing the lack of enthusiasm from her, he greeted with a smile on his face.

"Morning. You could've waited for me. I can cook you know."

She pointed towards the table where freshly prepared breakfast was placed. Zaviyar shook his head.

"Doesn't matter. I'm mostly away due to work and since I can cook so I haven't hired someone for kitchen but if you want me to I can look for one."

"No need. I can cook for myself and you as well when you'll be here of course."

He nodded not indulging in this conversation more. He knew Harram was still bitter and he didn't want to start this day with an argument or by upsetting her. Once they were done, Harram sat down in the lounge while Zaviyar opened his laptop to get some work done. The house help came after some time. She was a middle aged lady who knew how to keep it to herself. Harram liked her silent aura. She was good at work as well. A respite from the talkative Mrs. Hashmi.

Around noon Zaviyar got a call from Mrs. Aneesa about the party she had organized. After reception having a party was such an absurd idea but Zaviyar couldn't say this to his grandmother. But Harram had no such restrictions when she had come to know.

"This is waste of money and time. We'd have our reception not even a week back."

Zaviyar just shook his head. Harram's protest would go on for long but Mrs. Aneesa's call made specifically to her had her shut up. She was informed about the particular dress code which was a Saree and after that the only worry Harram had was the lack of a Saree.

"I need to go shopping."

Harram announced after rummaging through her side of closet. She had arranged her clothes just today and sadly she didn't have a Saree to go by. Picking up her purse and phone she was about to exit the room when she was stopped by Zaviyar's call.

"Harram, wait!"

She turned to him with a raised eye brow.

"Take this."

He extended his credit card towards her. She looked at him and then at his extended palm and took a step back.

"I have money."

"Keep that for some other time but use this now."

Harram shook her head but he insisted.

"Look, Harram! You are my responsibility. So everything that comes with it also comes to me so don't deny this."

A bitter smile appeared on Harram's lips.

"So that's what I'm to you? A responsibility. Nice."

The honking of car from outside announced Sohaira's arrival. Harram took the card from his hand.

"For your responsibility's sake."

Not even sparing him a glance she was out of the door. Zaviyar felt her air hitting him. Shaking his head he heard the main door being closed.

"Just a responsibility? And she says I'm the oblivious one."

His phone rang getting his attention.

"Yeah, Waleed."

A scowl had set on his face listening to what was being said from the other side.

"Not today. Another party at home."

His scowl deepened listening to the laughter from the other side.

"I'm hanging up and you are an ass."

Pocketing his phone once again he heard the reverberation of what had Harram said a few moments back. Shaking his head he went inside the room.

In the car Sohaira glanced at Harram's tensed form.

"What happened?"

"I'm a responsibility and that's it."

"What?"

Harram showed her the credit card and became quiet again. Sohaira couldn't look away from her best friend's sad expressions. These two are fools. One was oblivious, other was stubborn. God help them.

___________________

It was typical Duraid house get together. Harram was expecting lashing out from Mrs. Aneesa on not wearing a Saree but thankfully she hadn't made a racket out of it. Her beloved grandson must've a role to play here.

The party was for both of them and consisted of those who couldn't make it to the reception or weren't invited due to the short notice. Harram was trying to mingle with the social circle of the family. The clans they were close to. But this wasn't her scene. It was okay as far as getting ready and coming here was concerned, but the moment she had to socialize, she started feeling uneasy. Especially the women in Mrs. Aneesa's circle were her least favourite. They were eyeing her weirdly and talking among themselves in condescending way.

Even after coming back home Harram couldn't shake the thoughts from her mind. She hadn't felt it during the reception because half of her time was spent in arguing with Zaviyar but now after being the part of the crowd which was seeing her from afar that time she got to know what people were actually talking about her.

"Lucky, even after being left on her wedding day ended up getting the Duraid grandson."

"It's Duraid clan's good heart or else who forms a relation this way?"

"Aneesa has wanted to see her as the grand daughter in law of hers for so long. Good for her but to be honest Zaviyar deserved better."

She smiled bitterly as the bangles slipped off her wrist. Harram didn't want to but angry tears had welled up in her eyes. This humiliation she was feeling since the day she'd been married to Zaviyar reached a whole new level tonight. It's never easy to get into someone's life without him wanting it. Zaviyar had never wanted her. He had made it clear to her that night of the terrace but the destiny works in strange ways and now she was his wife only.

And she wasn't the only one who was feeling this. Many out there thought Zaviyar deserved better. May be he did and maybe she was just a nuisance. She'd always be.

His footsteps announced his arrival. Harram got up composing herself but was stopped when he stood in her way.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Harram, Is there...."

"There's nothing to worry about, Zaviyar. I'm sleepy so please..."

She asked him to step aside and he did. But the crease on his forehead was an indication of his worry.

Hours after when she was fast asleep with her hand on his chest, he was wide awake tracing the trail of tears on her face and trying to remember if he did anything which made her distress.

Both the fools didn't know at this point they just needed to talk to each other to sort out their issues.

__________________

If this party had made Harram upset, the upcoming week gave her reasons to be happy again. First Zaviyar's bringing her brothers to their house was a surprise she was first skeptical about but once knowing them she couldn't stop talking and trying to know them some more. They also were so full of love for her. She didn't want to but she was thankful to Zaviyar for providing her with this support of her brothers. The hole in her life which had fulfilled.

The same week she had gotten a call from Azar. He had congratulated her on her wedding and also briefed her about a new project he wanted her to work on with him. She was surprised but more than that she was excited. Working on something like this had always been her dream and now she had the chance as well. Though she was yet to talk to her parents but Zaviyar knew. She felt it right to tell him about it.

But further contemplation hadn't gotten a chance to be started as Zaviyar's duty calling had arrived and he was leaving in a day. Harram was conflicted and it the same dilemma she'd come to Zaviyar who was packing his stuff.

"You are really going?"

Zaviyar chuckled folding his shirt which Harram had taken from his hand.

"What do you think? I can't joke around regarding this you know."

He pulled the bag back towards him but Harram took the pile of his clothes and giving him a challenging look started packing them. He shook his head and stood with his hands in his pockets.

"Amma, Khadija auntie, Baba and almost everyone want me to go with you."

"What about you?"

"Hun?"

"What do you want? Do you want to come along?"

Harram stood straight not knowing what to say.

"You aren't ready yet, moreover you have such a bright opportunity waiting for you. I'd say stay here and make the most of it."

"But as your wife it is my duty...."

"Wait a second, Harram. We are so new to this feeling of being around each other. We both are adjusting and you want me to start shoving my decisions on you? We both are two individuals before being each other's husband and wife. I have some responsibilities and dreams and so do you. What kind of husband you take me for if I go on living mine and expect you to strangle yours?"

"But everyone...."

"No buts anymore. Living there with me won't be easy and in this way you'll be sacrificing so much. I don't want this. So you can stay here and figure out thing for yourself while I go there and do what I do best. This way we'll get the needed space we both need to get comfortable around each other."

"But this settlement can't go on forever."

"It doesn't have to. One day we'll be together with you everywhere I go but right now's not the time. And don't think I'm deliberately pushing you away from me. I want nothing more than having you in front of my eyes all the time but for us let's take this leap."

He smiled and pulling the bag from her started with the packing again. Harram stood there not knowing what to say. He had made her speechless once again.

The next morning before driving towards his post he was dropping her at Zara's place at her own insistence. She had stood there close to the picket fence not knowing what to do. To walk inside or stay where she was and watch him go.

She chose the letter.

And what he chose?

Covering the distance between them, holding her from her shoulders and dropping a lingering kiss on her forehead. A touch which was fleeting but was conveying so much. Some of which Harram could understand and some, she had no idea about.

Her daze left her only when she heard his car zooming away. But why did it feel a part of herself was going away? The typical dread and dilemma of army men's family was reaching out to her with the question lurking somewhere. Would she see him again?

Kash hum tum bhi ajnabi hote

Jis tarah aur log hote hain

Wish we both be strangers

Like other people are

Be-taaruf se la-taaluq se

Na tasaadum na bandishain hoti

Unknown, without any relation between

No collision would be between, no restriction

Dil meinn chahat na khwahishain hoti

Na wafaon ke silsile hote

There'd be no love in heart, no desire at all

No ways of fulfilling the promises

Na mohabbat ke fasle hote

Phir na hoti shikayatain tum se

There'd be no distances of love

Then there'd be no complaints from you

Youn na milti aziatain tum se

Be-qarari na be-kali hoti

Then there'd be no pain from you

There'd be no restlessness, no senselessness

Youn shikista na zindagi hoti

Choor hota na aina dil ka

Life wouldn't be so vulnerable like this

The mirror of my heart won't be in pieces

Koi lamha na hota mushkil ka

Hum na milte teri nigaon se

No moment of difficulty would be there

We'd never come into your sight

Na youn do char hote aahon se

Kar ke tujh se wafa mila kya hai?

Sighs wouldn't be my destiny

What have I gotten being loyal to you?

__________________

The map was placed in front of him. His dark brown almost black eyes were boring into the paper as if some solution to his problem would materialize out of it this way. No one had come to check on him all day, another good thing. A bit of freedom in this cage.

His mind was in overdrive trying to come up with something, anything to form an escape plan. But so far he had me with just disappointment. There was no army check post close by. Just few tribes and a local market which was more famous for its black money coming from drug dealing than anything else. Moreover, he didn't know much about his captors and their dealings. It was clear as crystal, he needed a plan and he needed it quick but to think of something as elaborate and fool proof, he needed full concentration and homework.

"You are still not there yet?"

His hand immediately shot out to hide the map but seeing Palwisha he relaxed immediately.

"I'm kind of lost. This isn't as easy as I was thinking it to be."

Palwisha nodded and extended her hand to untie the ropes on his feet. His hands had been freed on the orders from above but still this chair was his fate.

Zaviyar shook his head not looking one bit interested in having this tiny bit of normalcy.

"You are getting agitated already. Imagine spending 25 years in this dungeon."

"No one deserves to be caged like this when they have dome nothing to have this fate. You didn't deserve this as well."

"Still, I got this. That's old news now."

Zaviyar looked away running his hands in his hair.

"I just want to get out from here. This prison is going to mess my mind and make me a lunatic."

This was the first time Palwisha was seeing him so angry and worried.

"My mother is out there trying believing the fact that I'm no more. I was her only support and now I'm gone. My wife, whom I had gotten after pining for years, knows my grandfather is behind what has happened but I can't expect much from that information because she'd have to tread very cautiously. My grandfather can harm her and our baby as well. He didn't spare me so how can I expect any less from him when my family is concerned. I don't want her to go out of her way to reach me. I want to do it myself not save her the hassle and unnecessary worry."

Palwisha didn't say anything. Just sat down in front of him. Ghiyas was out with his men so the atmosphere of the compound was not that strict.

"I still find it hard to believe that Abu, my own grandfather was and is behind my downfall. My broken family. I knew this was going to happen. I had an idea but to actually having this made my fate, I wasn't prepared for this cruelty. That too on the hands of Abu. The person I'd always looked up as a father."

In front of Palwisha, he wasn't a twenty nine years old army officer. He was a kid who had been betrayed by the person he trusted the most.

Palwisha caressed his head like a mother.

"Still you stood against Yahya Duraid and are still standing. You sure are your father's son. Don't lose hope, Zaviyar. Right now things are looking bleak but soon they'd make sense and you'll come out of it like the winner you are."

"You knew my father?"

Palwisha snatched her hand immediately.

"You should really hurry up. Ghiyas and his men will be here anytime now."

She untied his ropes and made him stand all the while feeling his gaze on her where she could feel the weight of his questions.

_________________

London's city life was in full swing. From the corporate world and all its chaos to the calm and serene home life, two extremes and both were being in their full element.

From the building of Duraid group of companies, a white Mercedes drove smoothly on the concrete road. From the commercial area it entered into the inner city. That's where the owner stopped his driver and asked him to wait for him there only.

Opening his side of door, Yahya Duraid walked alongside the pavement and then turned into an alley. Few steps more and he reached the other side where round the corner his destination was.

Standing outside of the almost camouflaged door, he didn't ring the bell, instead knocked at it three times. After few seconds the door was opened and an old house help peeked outside.

"Sir!"

He immediately wide opened the door letting him in. Not needing any directions, Yahya came straight to the living room.

"Sir is waiting for you in his study."

The man spoke up. Yahya nodded and giving him his coat made his way towards the huge room down the hall.

Again three knocks and he entered inside.

"As always on time, Yahya."

"Old habit, Honadir."

The sofa in front of him dipped as Yahya took his seat next to his old pal. Honadir Sahni. Both were friends since their college days, both joined the corporate world together, embarked on political journey side by side and both were aware of each other's dirty laundry very well.

But both had nature poles apart. Yahya had always been comfortable in limelight while Honadir's pet peeve had always been being surrounded by people. Yahya was good at world play while Honadir's mind was always working.

Both had their hands dirty in the lake of corruption together twenty five years ago.

Yahya kept on flashing his mechanical smile in front of masses and playing his world games but Honadir found himself a safe and calm cocoon in the city of London where he shifted after being defeated in his debut political war. But that defeat proved to be the starting point of everything that they had achieved over the years. They were not alone now. They had their whole wing of money hungry and control freaks big guns. The lobby about which no one had any idea was operating an underground terrorism moment to have the upper hand on government and army, to simply have power and thrive in it. And they were succeeding, for black sheep were there in government and other institutes both.

That was until a soldier names Zaviyar Ali had reached the neck of Yahya Duraid and before he could get his hands on others, he was taken care of. They weren't used to mercy when it came to their enemies but this enemy was dear to one of them so they all had to bend to his request of not doing any harm to Major Zaviyar Ali.

"How's your grandson?"

"How he should be."

Honadir stood close to the large window looking outside at the lane.

"Still, I must say you saved his neck."

"He's my blood, Honadir. I loved that kid with all my might."

"But the same kid was hell bent upon cutting your wings and crashing your flight."

"He's a kid no matter what he thinks of himself to be. And he's taken care of."

"That's why he tried escaping from, what you called it? Top notched security."

"That was a mishap, I don't deny. I underestimated him."

"You are underestimating him even now but I trust Ghiyas. He'll keep him in check."

"The reason why I sent him there."

"I'll say there's still time. Send him aboard."

"And leave him on your mercy? I think not."

"I won't be harsh on him."

"You will straight kill him."

Honadir's response was just a laugh.

"You know me well, old pal."

"Time has taught me well so I'm not sending him to you, yeah if I must, then he'll go where I deem fitting."

"Suits you. But one thing should be clear here, Yahya."

Honadir's stern expressions didn't frazzled Yahya one bit.

"If this grandson of yours proves to be anymore problem than he already has, do not expect any help from me. Our secrets are bigger than any blood relation out there."

Yahya's steely eyes matched his and he nodded slowly.

"I know."

____________________________

The wind slowly rocked the open window pane letting the pleasant wind inside. Zaviyar's eyes moved from the ceiling and fell on her who was sprawled on her side of the bed with her head resting on his arm. The report were in her hands where a recent sonogram was there inside.

The first sonogram of their baby.

It wasn't advised by the doctor but Harram had felt cramps and so as a precautionary attempt the doctor had taken one and to their relief everything was fine.

He wasn't here when this had happened. Harram hadn't told him as she had an inkling he was on an important mission. He had come back home just today and she had told him. He was worried and angry both but she had calmed him somehow. They had talked, a lot like any normal expecting couple would. From their past to their future and pulling the present in between. Harram had often asked him if he was okay. He was far from being okay but he had excused it as tiredness. She had asked him to take some rest and they had lied down for the same. It's been two hours she was fast asleep but he couldn't do so.

Slowly, getting up from his side, he covered her with the duvet and came towards the window standing there letting the wind ruffle his hair.

A deep sigh left his mouth. He covered his face with his palms and then twisted his hair in his fist. Each move of his was screaming he was in agony, in conflict and nothing could solve this for him.

His eyes darted towards his bag where a bomb was hidden. A time bomb which could shake the very base of many lives around him, including his own.

All the evidences were pointing towards only one person, there were more involved but Zaviyar has gotten his hands on the proofs which were telling him that demons out there had nothing on him. The angel he has given the highest place on his heart's throne, was actually the devil he should've seen long back.

Yahya Duraid. Everything in that bag was pointing towards this name only. Not today or yesterday, he was a part of this game of blood and terror for almost a decade now. Infusing fear and dread within people, destroying families, putting an end to innocent lives just for his own gains.

A tear had left Zaviyar's eyes. Family is something which can move even a stone heart and he wasn't even close to that. The pieces of the broken trust and the marred image of his Abu were piercing his eyes.

But there were people who had lost more than this.

The families who had to suffer because of Yahya Duraid's doings.

Sabtain had embraced martyrdom just two weeks back. The man on the post of captain with so many dreams in his eyes. What was his fault? Another terrorism attack and he had lost his life and all those dreams.

There was a Sabtain and in future there could be a Zaviyar too. Evil like this never differentiate between kin and enemy. There could be Harram too, Khadija, Hamail and may be years later this kid of Zaviyar's who was yet to breath in this world.

There could be any citizen on the verge of losing their life without having any idea what was to hit them.

No!

He couldn't let that happen. He had promised to protect the motherland and the people on it without any discrimination. The enemy was someone who was so close but that won't make him less of an enemy.

Abu's Zaviyar would be dead from today.

It was Major Zaviyar Ali in front of Yahya Duraid now.

A protector of homeland against an enemy.

It was his resolve now and a look at the sleeping form of his wife and that resolve had strengthened even more.

And the same resolve had sent Zaviyar here, away from his world, dead for the world outside. But did he regret it? Not even a bit. He would do this again if this means bringing forth the enemies of the country.

He'd never lose his resolve. This was his promise to himself. He won't sit quietly unless Yahya Duraid and his gang of messed up oldies was behind the bars.

Kuch dair ki khamoshi hai phir shor aayega;

Tumhara sirf waqt hai, humara dor aayega!

The silence is just for a while then there will be chaos

It's your time now but ours will be an era

______________________

After knocking at the door few times Khadija peeked inside and found Harram lost in her thought.

"How is my bacha doing?"

Harram turned towards Khadija but didn't say anything. But that wasn't unexpected. For few days Harram wasn't talking to anyone much.

"Zara told me you were asking to visit Haveli."

"Yes, Nano got sick when she was here so I was hoping to see her."

Khadija nodded understanding the reason. She hadn't met Harram's brothers and the other family of Obaid Dastagir but looking at Harram's fondness for them she could tell they were nice people.

"But you know you can't travel for that long? Doctor has asked you to take rest so we'll do that only. Call your Nano and ask her how she is doing. Okay?"

Khadija cupped her cheek. Harram nodded meekly in return. A comfortable silence prevailed there but somewhere that comfort was not that comfortable.

"Auntie, do you think someone's wrong deeds can catch up to you and destroy your life?"

Khadija's smile had vanished at this question.

"So much has happened in our life. So much that we never saw coming. They say it's fate. But what if it's the echo of someone's cry of help? Someone's ill wish? The cruelty someone had to face and their unsaid words reached us without having any fault of ours? I've never done any bad to anyone and I can say the same about Zaviyar. But what if the evil of someone close to you can also reach you? What if someone else's Karma becomes your fate?"

Khadija kept on looking at Harram's face and then a shadow passed through her eyes.

"You should take some rest, Harram. Don't stress yourself. Don't think rubbish. Come on, bacha."

Putting the duvet over Harram, Khadija patted her head to make her relax. Her eyes went towards Zaviyar and hers photo frame to the side. A smiling, full of life and happiness picture.

But suddenly Khadija could see cracks in it. Cracks unknown to everyone else but visible to her only.

"But what if the evil of someone close to you can also reach you? What if someone else's Karma becomes your fate?"

The echo of the words said just now rang in Khadija's ears and she felt her heart was sinking in the deepest pit of nothingness.