Flashbacks are in Bold

Under the night hue the stillness had covered everything. The capital was all silent, nothing out of the norm, everything under control. The hills were the same giants safeguarding the secrets of this beautiful city. Away from this perfect tale of normalcy, a stray leaf thrashed still fixed to its branch. The wind prompted it to rebel, to leave and never come back for the tree was not its place. The tree was going to be its destruction only. And rebel it did. Getting out of the safe yet deadly confines of the tree the leaf fell on the ground among many like it. Yellow, lifeless, part of dirt but all together. Alike. Sending the first echo of chaos in the ever same tale of routine.

The ropes tied again. The feet became still, once again. The face contorted into an expression of nothingness. The room he had escaped just an hour back became his shelter once again.

Ismail stood right in front of his nephew. His face was turning into the visual representation of worry with each passing second. His eyes were not leaving Zaviyar's form. This was going to cost them massively.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Reconsider your question, Chachu. What do you expect from a hostage to do? Play doll house?"

"Sarcasm isn't going to help your case."

"Trying to escape also didn't. At this point nothing can help me so why should I worry?"

He was acting nonchalant just like he'd do in front of his enemy. He might be the most beloved child of his family but the same kin had betrayed him. So there was no point in trying think emotionally.

"You know that no one wanted this to happen, right?"

Zaviyar looked up. His eyes had delivered his rage right to Ismail.

"This is your life now. You should be grateful that even after all this you weren't killed off. This is your second chance at life, Zaviyar. It is not the ideal situation but it's better than what you'd be in had I not jumped to help you."

"Control me you mean."

"Think whatever you want to. I'm not even sure what your fate from here on will be. You have made things complex for your own self."

"Things were always complex. Only I was not looking closely and now that I have, here I'm."

Ismail shook his head. He was expecting Zaviyar to throw questions at him, fight with him or better hold his collar. But he had done no such thing. Zaviyar was looking more in control of the situation or maybe the idea of putting a fight had left him. Who knew?

Making sure there was no escape loop this time around, Ismail had walked out of the room closing the door behind. The click of the lock announced the arrival of upcoming hours of agony. Zaviyar rested his head at the back of the chair. Putting up a brave front when from inside you are on the verge of your breaking point is something he'd been always good at. But these days and these circumstances had torn him. No matter how alert and sharp minded someone is, the wounds afflicted on you from your own family hurt the most and leave you staggered. He had staggered the moment truth had come in front of him but then a strong resolution had raised its head. The same resolution which had landed him here and his name on the list of dead. A game. A freaking master plan and now not even his air was able to reach the people he'd never be able to live without.

A maze this was and he wasn't lost. Not yet. He had played his cards. The reason why the key was safe. As long as that key and what it was safeguarding was hidden things would be in control no matter how much confident the enemy was.

But at this point all that was secondary. He was going to have a fate he had no say in just like before. The self-proclaimed masters were trying to make him do what they wanted to. And at this moment his safest bet was to play along. He hated it but did he have any other choice?

___________________

Sheraz was eyeing his boss with uncertainty bubbling through him. Zaviyar's attempt of escape wasn't something to take lightly.

"I had specifically asked you that he shouldn't try this, Sheraz. This will complicate things even more."

"I'm aware, sir. Everything was double checked. But you should also know he isn't just any normal citizen out there. He's a trained army officer who also happens to be handling secret missions. His mind clicked and here we are."

"Then keep his mind asleep!"

"We were, Sir. But then order came from above that he shouldn't be drugged anymore as this will have deteriorating effects on his health."

Ismail raked a hand through his hair. This situation would make him crazy one day.

"We stopped with the dosage. That's why he planned this out very sharply."

Sheraz had explanations for everything but that didn't concern Ismail a bit. He was more thinking about the consequences he was dreading.

Zaviyar had pushed himself into an abyss and he wouldn't be getting out any time soon.

_____________________

Stopping his car at its designated place he pushed his bag over his shoulder and took out the house key from his pant pocket. The whole lane was suspended in peace with the only sound of the barking of that favourite bulldog of his wife. But after that incident it was no longer on her favourite list. Good.

Closing the door, he looked around. The dim light of the lounge was on as usual. Harram hated having complete darkness at night. So, it was her habit of always keeping few lights on. Putting his bag on the sofa he looked around and shaking his head walked to his room.

It was almost ten minutes to twelve. He sighed seeing her sprawled form on the bed. Without having any worry she was enjoying her beauty sleep. The long hair were in a messy bun which was undone now and he could see the locks spreading around. One arm was on her eyes while the other was placed on his side of the bed.

He stood there gazing at this picture for a long time. He'd never tell her but coming home had become his favourite thing to do, something he'd look forward to every time. The reason was this woman who had filled his life with so many colors, the color of love being the most prominent one.

He first got rid of his shoes and then took his place at the bed. Her hand which was then on the cold sheets was now right on his military jacket clad chest. She stirred in her sleep but didn't wake up. He sighed but then a mischievous smile graced his lips. Slowly coming towards her he rested his elbow on the bed with his face right in front of her. The steady rhythm of her breathing was enchanting. He slowly pushed her arm off her face when she opened her filled with sleep eyes.

"Not this again!"

She mumbled turning away from him. He was confused for a second but when the context of her grumble hit him he found it hard to suppress his chuckle. So she was thinking it was a dream. Interesting.

Turning her towards him slowly he cupped her face in his palm. How could someone look this beautiful while sleeping? He was seeing her after more than half of month. His duty was getting tougher and with the secret missions being assigned to him he was busier than ever. He wouldn't see her for weeks. She'd felt it in the beginning but it took her no time in being the accommodating wife who'd understand her husband's plight. But still they both missed each other. He now understood why his colleagues always used to make fun of him whenever his punctuality came into discussion. Just wait, they had said and now after finally getting there he was really sure why they were right. Being an army man and madly in love with your wife was a deadly combination. He'd offered her to accompany him to his base but she was making a living here for herself, trying to live her passion of being a business woman and he'd never want to come in between of that.

Getting his fill of looking at her he slowly lean down and kissed her right at her forehead. She hadn't made any movement. The next kiss was planted right at her nose and that made her grumble once again.

"It's okay. It's just another dream."

Zaviyar didn't know if he was chuckling more or falling in love with this sleepy innocence of hers. And when his stubbled cheek had grazed her smooth side of face her slow moan had made things difficult for him. A lot difficult.

"He's not real."

She'd whispered again. But the man in question was hell bent upon proving he was the realist thing at the moment. Her deep sigh on him kissing the side of her neck was just an indication. Her hand had shot out on its own accord and fisted the hair on his nape. She was coming out of her oblivion and his mild bite shook away the rest of her drowsiness. Her eyes opened with a start.

"So, you are real!"

She exclaimed feeling the sting on her neck. His response was a lopsided smile.

"Good morning."

He said looking at the clock which was showing midnight was upon them.

She glared at him and turned away.

"Good night."

Smiling at her grumpy expressions he lay down next to her and hugged her from behind. His face was in the crook of her neck.

"You said you wouldn't be able to come for next few days."

"I didn't know they'd give me a leave easily."

"You should've informed me."

"And missed on your sleepy foolishness? Nah."

"As if you didn't have your fun with that."

She massaged the mark he'd just given her.

"That's true. No denying. Now where's that dessert you were trying to master for days?"

"What? You asshole! You are spying on me?"

"Zara auntie called me in the morning. You are taking baking classes from her and how you seem to mess up simple of the recipes."

"She's a strict teacher."

"And you are not a quick learner."

"That's not true. I managed to bake a decent cake today. You want to try that?"

She'd piqued up at the prospect of showing him her hard work.

"That depends; will it be sweeter than what I have just tasted?"

"Perv!"

She giggled and turned towards him. Hugging him she inhaled deeply. She had missed this. She'd always miss this.

"Say this stay is longer than the last one."

"It is. I'm here for long and be ready I'm not leaving your side for even a minute."

"Do I look like I have any objections?"

Her eyes were almost challenging. And he'd always be up for this challenge.

"Mark your words because you are going to get tired of seeing me every time, Mrs Harram Zaviyar Ali."

"Not happening. Never happening, Major."

Her eyes opened with a start and her head immediately whipped towards her side.

Empty bed and cold sheets. Getting up, Harram leaned against the heard board.

Tau kya ye teh hai kaya b umer bhar nahi milna

Tu ye umer bhi kyu tumse gar nahi milna

Juda to jab bhi hue dil ko yun laga jaise

Kay abh gaye to kabhi loat kar nahi milna

(So it's decided we won't meet all life long

If that's so then what's the point of this life?

Whenever we fell apart this heart felt like

This time we turn away, we'd never turn back again)

The mild knock at the door drew her attention away from her thoughts. It was almost eleven at night. Must be Khadija checking up on her. Harram left the bed and opened the door only to see Hamail standing there.

"Did I wake you up?"

He asked looking at her tired eyes and face.

"No, you didn't. Everything's fine?"

He nodded but his scrutinizing gaze was telling her he'd looked through her façade but chose not to comment on it.

"Yes, it is. You asked to meet Colonel Bukhari. His wife has invited you over tomorrow."

"Has she really?"

"Yes, Getting to Colonel was difficult but his wife's mama's club member so through her I contacted Mrs Bukhari and she's more than willing to have you there. Though I insisted on her coming to Duraid House..."

"No!"

Harram stopped him immediately.

"Yeah, I thought about it and felt it's better of you meet her there because who knows Colonel comes with her or not. Tomorrow. I'll take you."

Harram felt a new hope filling her in.

"Thank you so much, Hamail."

"Come on, I could do at least that much for you. Go sleep now. You look tired."

She nodded. He was gone and as he was leaving she could see an expressionless face of Mrs Aneesa looking at both of them. Harram shook her head. She had no stamina left to have a talk with her. Without saying anything she'd closed the door.

_____________________

Yahya Duraid Ali was immersed in a book. It was his habit. Before going to bed he'd gave an hour to his reads and during that hour he'd want the room to bath in complete silence and calm. It usually did but not tonight. The incessant sound of his wife pacing around the room was enough to pull him out of his reading mode.

"What's the matter now?"

He asked keeping the book away. Mrs. Aneesa glanced at him and then huffed.

"I'm worried."

"That I can see but there must be a reason behind it."

"It is. Harram."

"What's with her now?"

"You told me yesterday about her frequent trips to Pindi. I talked with Khadija and as I had expected she's of the opinion that we shouldn't stop Harram from doing whatever she is doing."

"She's right, Aneesa Begam. We can't direct Harram to do things our way. But she herself should understand that's there are few ruled of living in this house. When she wasn't a part of this family that was another thing. After marrying to Zaviyar, he didn't take much time taking her to his own place. She never really got a chance to live with us and have an idea about the customs and values of this house. Khadija should make her understand this. This is not the right time to force things on her and we have no right to do so even. That's why I wanted her to stay with her parents but you openly opposed this idea of mine."

"She's carrying my grandson's baby. She's his widow and a part of our family. I was never letting her go."

"You are just paranoid that you'll lose Zaviyar's child."

"Shouldn't I be? If she goes from here we'll not know what she's up to. I know she won't keep the kid away from us but that's not enough. I want to see him or her growing in front of my eyes, the remaining life I have. Can't we do something that'll make her stay here and we even will have a say in whatever she does so that your so called values are also not breached?"

Her question had jerked his head in her direction.

"What do you suggest?"

She was hesitating is saying it but one way or the other she'd have to. It was the sake of her family after all and she'd keep them all close and together.

___________________

Shutting off the laptop, she took out the documents from the printer and looked over them finding any mistake. Once satisfied, she put the pile in a file and made her way towards her boss's cabin. The report had come out good. She was sure Mr. Abbas will like it. He was already very fond of her work ethics and the way her mind worked in business related matters.

"This is good. Very well put."

As she had expected, he was all praises for her work.

"Are you ready for the conference we are having on Friday?"

He had asked after taking the file from her and finalizing it. She nodded.

"Yes, sir. The preparations are almost done."

"Good to know. Now you should really call it a day. You worked hard today, Harram. You always do actually."

She smiled at his praises. He was almost of her father's age and his calm and gentle way of dealing with his employees had earned him her respect. Reaching her work place she picked up her stuff and soothing out the creases in her work attire came out to the parking lot.

Taking out her car she checked her phone for any important texts. There were none needing her immediate attention. Pulling her hair out of her pony she pushed them back. She had a coffee meet planned with Sohaira in fifteen minutes. Her idea was to call her to know if she was there but the best friend beat her to it.

"I was about to call you. Are you there?"

Harram asked looking herself in the mirror. She was fine.

"Not yet. I'm ready but there's no car available and even if it is, the driver's not here."

"Ask Hamail. He'll take you along."

She was aware of how rash of a driver Sohaira was. The reason why she was banned from driving by her parents and brother.

"He's not home. Pick me up, Na. Please."

Harram sighed. Soha and her demands. Being the doted on child really does that to you.

"Be there in five. Meet me at the gate."

And as said Sohaira was actually waiting for her outside of the gate. Once she'd gotten in her car there was no stopping. Both friends were catching up with each other's life. After Harram had gotten a job and Sohaira had decided to join her father's company, they were finding it hard to keep up with the daily meets but having a venting coffee session once a week was still their thing.

"So he's your mum's friend's son?"

Harram asked reversing the car leading towards the parking lot of the café.

"Yes, his name is Raza. Mama has asked me to meet him but I'm finding it so awkward."

"What's awkward about it? You have to get married one day."

"Still, it feels too early."

"Look at your brother. It's quite late actually."

They both laughed. Hamail's Nikkah with Meeral was still a secret he was keeping from his family. Sohaira had asked him to break it to at least their parents or else one day it would come out to them in circumstances he'd rather avoid but he was not listening and taking her seriously.

"You tell me, are you well-adjusted in your office?"

"Do I not well-adjusted? I love it there. Makes me feel like I actually can do something on my own."

She's gotten this job with Azar's help. He was her project partner and was well aware of how sharp she was. After completion of her MBA Harram hadn't thought he'd keep her in his mind but he had. The moment Mr. Abbas had needed someone of her caliber in his firm; Azar had asked her to go for the interview. She listened to him and today she was thankful that she did.

"That's great. I'm actually very happy for you."

Harram nodded as both took their seats and ordered their usual. Harram was in the middle of narrating another tale of her office life when her phone pinged. She checked the message and a laugh bubbled through her lips.

"What's so funny?"

"It's Sahil. Look what he's sent me."

She pushed her phone in Sohaira's hand. There were pictures of two puppies and he was asking her opinion which one to adopt to gift his niece.

"Ask him to get both these cuties."

Sohaira was awing at the soft looking doggos. Harram herself was unable to decide which one to go with so she forwarded him the same Sohaira had told her. Poor fella was going to get his wallet empty.

The talks flew like always and soon it was time to drop Sohaira off. Harram was about to drive away but it was the time for evening tea and the family members sitting in the lawn had obviously seen her. Groaning, she parked the car and came to them following Sohaira.

"Asslam Alaikum."

She greeted them all collectively. Khadija auntie and Mrs Aneesa were pleasantly surprised to see her. Hamail was talking his own gibberish. Gull auntie was as usual in her own world. But Harram's eyes had stuck to the figure sitting next to Hamail. She didn't let her eyes linger and took part in the ongoing conversation.

"You've come at such a right time. We were just discussing your best friend's proposal."

Mrs. Aneesa said pushing the tree of snacks in front of her which she politely refused. She'd just had her favourite coffee with her favourite cake. She was full.

"Really? So when should I start my preparations?"

She asked looking excited.

"Soon."

Gull auntie took her part in the conversation for the first time. They all were laughing at Hamail teasing Sohaira but Harram had had enough of the heated gaze that was burning holes in her sides. Once she was sure that evening tea was done she got up taking their leave. She was hugging goodbye to Khadija auntie when she saw a pain in her eyes. Harram just shook her head as if telling her it was nothing.

Getting her car away from Duraid house she pushed the button and may be it was her luck today that a piece of poetry had started booming in her car through the radio.

Raaz e ulfat chupa kay daikh liya

Dil bohat kuch jala kay daikh liya

(I have tried burying the secret of my love

I have seen burning my heart's desire)

Aur kya daikhne ko baqi hai

Aap se dil laga kay daikh liya

(What else there is to see

I've tried getting attached to you)

Wo mere ho kay bhi mere na hue

Un ko apna bana kay daikh liya

(He didn't become mine even though he was mine

I've tried making him mine)

Aj un ki nazar mein kuch hum ne

Sab ki nazrein bacha kay daikh liya

(Today I have seen something in his eyes

When I was peeking at him away from everyone)

Takmeel e gham bhi ho na saki

Ishq ko azma kay daikh liya

(Even my sorrow couldn't get fulfilled

I've tried with this love, I'm done)

(Faiz Ahmed Faiz)

Two months had it been to that fateful night when he ended everything before it was even started. That night she had cried. Shed tears over a lost love, did many complain to her Allah, reminisced the memories she had of that love. Two days later she had wiped her tears. He had gone back to his duty. Khadija auntie and Mrs. Aneesa had given her their sorrys on which she had told them it was nothing. She had never thought of him in that light anyway. All lies but were necessary to save many relations. She was thankful her mother was not aware of anything yet or else thing would definitely get more complicated.

She didn't break her relation with his family, nor she let her friendship with Hamail and Sohaira suffer on the hands of her heartbreak. No. She had just put dust over the name of Zaviyar Ali that was carved on her heart. Sohaira was aware for how long she'd loved him and for how long she'd not be able to get over that love but Harram had told her never to bring up that part of her life in front of her. She was over being in pain in Zaviyar's love. Yeah, she would never get over him but she was over pining for him. Her feelings wouldn't go away for years to come but she was not going to be that woman who let her feelings get the best out of her and took her to her worst. In those days, Azar's call came like a blessing to her. She started working and that proved to be a good decision on her part. It helped her coping up. Those were also the days when she'd first time met Sahil Asad. He was not her coworker but Mr. Abbas's business partner. He had seen her at one of the business meetings and both had instantly hit up. Now he was a good friend and confidant in her life with whom she always found it soothing to talk. She'd started working on her relation with her father as well. She was not happy but she was satisfied and that was what she needed. Her life was moving in a set pattern where she was in control of everything but today one glance at him and she knew getting over him is a far cry even keeping the dust intact on his name in her heart would be not that easy. But she'd keep on trying. He never loved her that wasn't her problem and she won't make it her problem as well. She did love him was her problem only and she'd find a solution to it as well.

But unknown to her a lone figure was still pacing in the lawn of Duraid house thinking after how long he'd seen her and how his treacherous heart was not even one percent satisfied.

Love is weird.

Strange.

And what not.

____________________

"I'm sad."

The boy pushed his head in his palms when the man to his side placed his newspaper aside and looked at him.

"And why is that?"

"It's father's day today. Hamail and Chachu have gone to attend the function his class has arranged for their fathers."

"Ahan."

"Abu, I've never attended any father's day function in my school."

"And you want to?"

"Yes. Can you go with me? You are my Abu after all."

The man looked thoughtful for a moment and then with a smile he had pulled the boy in his lap.

"I will go with you. There's no reason for me to not. But not as a father but as a grandfather because that's what I'm yours, Zaviyar. Grandfather. Abu. No matter how much someone loves you and is close to you but that person can never be the substitute for a relation you've lost. This is your first lesson today. No matter what you do in life, where you go, what you achieve you'll always keep in mind that your father is no more and no one can take his place in your life. Not even me. No one can be your Baba."

His eyes fluttered open feeling the commotion in his room and sure enough Sheraz and few others were putting things in a bag. He sat straight trying to decipher what they were up to.

"Your majesty is up, gentlemen."

Sheraz announced. Zaviyar looked around. They were three of them all with massive builds. He knew they were here to make sure he doesn't try anything.

"How does it feel to ruin everything with your own hands just because your clever mind wouldn't let you rest?"

"I'll tell that but first go bring a clever mind to ask me this."

Sheraz didn't look offended. He sat in front of him.

"Your uncle tried negotiating with the higher ups. They didn't agree and now you are being sent away."

"Where?"

"That's an interesting question. To the HQ. The hub of that same dirt you were after. You'll be a proper prisoner there. The setting will be way gruesome than here. That's what we say ruining something with your own hands."

He didn't have to ask further to know where he was being taken to. He just kept quiet.

"What now? Someone took your sharp tongue away?"

He turned to the others.

"Drug him. It's a long journey."

Before Zaviyar could protest the sharp needle was in his arm and in few seconds his brain had shut off.

Yak lakht gira hai to jarein tak nikal ayin

Jis perh ko andhi mein bhi hiltay nahi daikha

Fell down suddenly, it had uprooted

The tree that was never seen trashing even in storm

_________________

"I had myself met Zaviyar few times. He was a very nice and intelligent young lad. Too bad life has taken him too soon."

Mrs. Bukhari exclaimed dejectedly while Colonel Bukhari stayed silent. Harram and Hamail had come here few minutes back and to say Colonel was surprised to see them was an understatement. His wife was already expecting them and upon knowing she had called them he hadn't said anything. Harram was noticing every move of his. And maybe it was her overthinking, maybe she was reading too much into the lines but the man was clearly keeping a distance from her.

"I'm glad you are staying with your husband's family, Harram. The kind of set up we live in, not many women out there do this."

Harram nodded smiling at her genuinely.

"And you gentleman? How is your grandfather doing?"

Colonel got up immersing Hamail in a conversation. Harram shifted in her seat agitatedly. She could see them going towards the lawn of this bungalow. This way she'd never be able to talk to him. She didn't come here to leave without nothing. She had questions and only Colonel could give her answers.

Mrs. Bukhari was in middle of her conversation with a worried Harram when their house help lady came to them with a pile of files in her hand.

"Ma'am these I found from sir's table. Should I put them in his study?"

"Yeah, do it. Bukhari Sahab has such a bad habit of throwing his things here and there. All his files are important and if by any chance he loses one then he'll go all mad on both me and the house help."

She was saying more but Harram was still looking at retreating back of the lady who had a pile of files in her hand. She went down the hallway and opened the second last door.

Harram was not even blinking. The date she had seen on one of the files was flashing in front of her eyes.

15-03-2019

Zaviyar's martyrdom day.

This was her lead. She looked towards the lawn where Colonel Bukhari had busied Hamail in a conversation.

"Mrs. Bukhari I'm so sorry but can you please tell where the bathroom is?"

Harram asked politely. The lady shook her head as if not liking her formal tone.

"Down the hallway. The last door. And you don't have to be this formal with me, Harram. "

"I'll take care next time, auntie."

Mrs. Bukhari was happy with the way Harram had addressed her. Harram took hurried steps towards the hallway and upon reaching the second last door; she peeked in the lounge's direction. No one was looking. She pushed the knob praying to Allah for it to be unlocked and sure enough it was. Sending Kalma e shukar she went inside and closed the door.

Colonel Bukhari's study was one maze. Books and books all around. Harram roamed her eyes everywhere searching for the pile of files the house help lady had just dropped here. At last she found it placed on the corner table. She reached it in hurried steps and started looking through the files. The one with that date was at last. That was the reason she could see it in that lady's hand.

With a thudding heart she'd opened it. There were few documents probably highlighting the initial investigation of the bombing on the check post. On next page were the printed pictures of the scene before and after the unfortunate event took place taking the lives of 8 on duty soldiers. She rummaged through the next few pages where there was more detail. It was the last page where she'd stopped. It was all battered as if it had also seen the destruction happened there that day.

It was a list of names.

Cap. Adil Pasha

Major. Shemsher Hussaini

Major. Iyaz Rehmat

Cap. Issa Anayat....

She knew these names. She's heard them so many times on the TV that day when they all were in hope that may be they'd be saved from the inevitable.

Lt. Armaghan Yousafzai

Sepoy Talal Hakim

Major. Munir Rasool

Major. Zaviyar Ali

She looked at the page closely. These were the soldiers posted on the check posts. There was a tick in front of each name. Like an attendance. She looked at the start of the paper in the time and date section.

15-03-2019

4:00 PM

The bombing had taken place at 5:30 PM, only one and a half hour after this attendance was taken. Harram looked at the red ticks in front of each soldier's name and closed her eyes.

The box in front of Zaviyar's name was empty.

With a numb mind she took out her phone from her purse and took a picture of the list. Looking at it once again she placed it on its previous position and came out of the room. The hallway was still empty and now the lounge was as well. Opening the bathroom door Harram bent on the wash basin and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

She could only see the names, red ticks and an empty box.

_______________________

The car was zooming on the highway towards its destination. Breaking through the silence it was mimicking the ride of hell. The people inside of it were not looking around the hilly surrounding. They were used to it. But the person they were taking along wasn't. But he was all oblivious to it lying unconscious on the back seat.

Sheraz looked behind and shook his head.

"Loyalty and love for duty sometimes proves to be the biggest bane for you."

____________________________

The GHQ had opened with its usual hustle and bustle. The army vehicles were coming in and out. The guards were all attentive to their duties. They were talking amongst themselves as well. In all this Kareem lala who was in charge of interrogating the incomings saw a young woman clad in black chadar coming towards him. He could tell he had seen her before.

She forwarded him her ID card. He checked it closely.

"Whom do you want to meet?"

"Colonel Bukhari."

A flash of recognition came to his mind and immediately his expressions turned sour.

"You had come before as well and I had told you, you can't just meet anyone you want to like this."

"I've come here to meet Colonel Bukhari and I won't go back without meeting him."

Kareem Lala kept on looking at her angry face. He was trying to place her.

"Do you have any relative in army?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"My husband."

"Name?"

She took a deep breath.

"Major Zaviyar Ali."

Kareem Lala seemed to know the full story now. He knew who this woman was.

"The one who got shaheed (martyred) in the bombings few weeks back in agency? Yahya Duraid's grandson?"

"Yes."

"Bibi, have some respect for your Shaheed husband. You are in his iddah and here you come like GHQ is some kind of a play house? Go home and seek for courage from Allah. Only pulling long chadars over you won't make you all pious. You have no work here."

Rage had filled Harram's eyes.

"One, stop looking at me and weighing my helplessness. Just because I'm a widow doesn't mean I've gotten the official damsel in distress medal from the society. Two, my being in Iddah has nothing to do with you and GHQ so take your long nose back and poke it where someone has asked you to poke it. Three, my chadar has nothing to do with my being pious. You can measure the length of my chadar but have you ever measure the amount of Haya in your eyes? Since the time I've come here you are ogling at me. Four, the instructions on your front desk, I fulfill all those so there is no point in you stopping me here. I can complain to your higher officials. And stop giving me this look. I'm my own person, a woman who can show men like you their place with or without a chadar, a mother and lastly the wife of an army officer; do you really think you can scare me?"

Kareem Lala looked like the visual spectacle of rage. But he pushed her ID card in her hand, dialed a number and gotten instruction from inside and after giving her another glare which she returned with her steely gaze, turned to the side and let her enter. She kept on looking around and moving forward. Her eyes were telling about her determination. She saw a young man clad in army uniform coming towards her.

"Mrs. Zaviyar?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Come along."

She followed the man and after taking few turns he stopped in front of an office.

"Colonel is inside."

He informed her and was gone from there. Harram looked around and taking a breath knocked at the door. Getting the cue she opened the door and for her surprise, Waleen Ibrar was sitting right in front of Colonel Bukhari. Both were looking worried.

"Mrs. Zaviyar."

Colonel Bukhari stood up. She greeted both of them and took a seat next to Waleed.

"What took you here?"

She glanced at both the men and without waiting for any auspicious moment put her phone across.

"I'm sorry for sneaking into your personal space, Colonel but this was necessary for me. I went to your study last night and there I found this. Care to explain what this means?"

She pushed the phone in his hand where the picture of the document from last night was opened. Colonel looked at it and then extended the phone towards Waleed. Instead of looking shocked and solemn like Bukhari he looked impressed and in awe.

"Before your coming here Major Waleed and I were discussing this only."

"So what you two think?"

He hadn't introduced her to Waleed which meant he already knew she and Waleed knew each other.

"This can mean many things. But after listening to Waleed and thinking about the points he's raised I can say this means we were fed a lie, Mrs. Zaviyar. A cover up if I say in clear words. This was a plan. A well thought one."

"You are trying to say..."

"Yes, I'm trying to say that a soldier who hadn't even reached the check post, how would he be killed in the bombing on it? For that he'd have to be physically present there and on 1 5th of March, Major Zaviyar was anywhere but not there on that check post."

Harram felt her heart dropping.

"Which means my doubt was correct."

Waleed piped in.

"Major Zaviyar is most probably alive but not in any ideal situation. He's hostage."

The words hit her ear and she didn't know which she should do first. Bend down in sajood as a thanks to almighty or start crying because of the impending doom catching up to her.

__________________