Flashbacks are in bold

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

The car took another turn moving on the clear Islamabad road.

"We have to dig deeper to know who is behind it and this isn't going to be easy."

Her hands clutched the steering tight while she felt her veins would burst any point now. The reverberation of the conversation she'd just been part of was colliding with her ears making it difficult for her to breathe. She stopped the car close to a tree and leaned against the seat.

"Major Zaviyar is most probably alive."

"But not in any ideal situation."

"He's hostage."

"Major Zaviyar."

"Alive."

"Probably."

"Not."

"Any ideal situation."

"Hostage."

Covering her face with her palms she let the reality hit her and as soon as the words which were not mere words made their full impact, she took a long breath to contain her sobs but it was in vain. The tears and the cried were mingling together, getting muffled the way she had covered her face. But anyone could see how torn and devastated she was. But if the person for whom she was crying would see her right now, he'd move worlds to reach her. And that was making her cry even harder. How would they reach other? Where was he? Why was he taken? Was he alright? Was he even alive?

He had to be or else those people wouldn't go through the ordeal of his fake death.

Fake death.

Was it a joke? Who could be this cruel to be this level of twisted? Faking someone's death like this? She felt sick to the core. Her tears were telling their own story of helpless and anger. She was on the verge of breaking into pieces. For three weeks her life was in a whirlwind of agony and just now she was getting the hints that may be it wasn't their fate, it was made theirs forcibly. No one was here to tell her to stop so she didn't even try. She let the tears flow and kept on crying on this turn her life had taken. Her eyes darted towards the mirror on the front. The bloodshed eyes and tales of unfinished farewells, she could see it all. Soon, the reflection started changing; morphing into something she was so familiar with. A distant memory. A distant world. Her. His. Theirs.

"Harram, I've told you I'm used it. You don't have to try to hide your tears from me with the excuse of packing my stuff."

He stood leaning against the wall seeing her folding his clothes and wiping her face every now and then. It's been just a week they had sorted all the issues between each other. In other words just a week since he had finally gotten her forgiveness. But now he was called on a short notice back to the duty and the new case that needed his attention. His on field and off both work was increasing. He had never minded it and he wasn't doing so even today but Harram wasn't ready to let go yet. Since the time he had come back home all bandaged with bullet wound on his arm, she was always scared whenever it was time for him to go back to work. She had never let it show. He'd still seen it so now, when she was not even hiding, how would he not know?

She turned around and Zaviyar swore he had never seen someone looking like a vision even while crying. Her nose was red so were her eyes and when she looked up he was by her side in a second.

"Hey, stop."

He wiped her tears and that moment he'd realized he didn't like this torn and sad Harram of his. She'd always been so strong even when he wasn't.

"You almost died the last time you were shot."

"What? Hell no! I was doing fine. Just a bullet wound. Stop exaggerating."

"Okay, I almost died the last time you were shot."

"Did I let you?"

He placed her head on his shoulder while she wound her arms around his neck.

"This is how this job works, Harram. I don't have to go into the details but you've been seeing it being around me. This is what all we army men sign up for and that too with all our agreement. I've chosen this life."

"I know. Who knows better than me?"

She had narrowed her eyes at him making him chuckle.

"So what's the issue then? I'm not dying on you. Know it."

"Can you shut up? If you mention dying one more time I'll kick you so hard you won't be able to go anywhere."

"Who started it?"

"You, every bad is initiated by you only."

"I didn't see you complaining on what I initiated last night."

"You are a pervert!"

"Pervert, asshole, and what was that? A freaking dunce, all yours now. And being yours I want to tell you something. Sadness and dejection these two things you can't carry off other than a saree. Because these are not for you. I've always seen you so strong and I'd always want to see you like that only."

"Okay. But when will you get back?"

"When the bosses will want me to."

"Think this through, Major. If you keep me waiting my strong and badass self will unleash its wrath on you."

"I will never keep you waiting. Not intentionally."

"I know. I hope your bosses also know."

His response was just a smile.

The memory faded but its impact stayed. Wiping her eyes, she started the car and turned in towards the road leading to Duraid house. She needed some rest so did her mind.

_______________________

Zara sat in front of her daughter who was leaning against the pillows with her focus somewhere else.

"I've told Mrs. Aneesa that you were with me today."

"Thank you, Amma."

She smiled but the strain on her wasn't hidden from Zara. Harram had called in the morning that she had to be somewhere and if Mrs. Aneesa asked Zara she'd tell Mrs. Aneesa Harram is with her only. Zara hadn't asked her much. She knew her daughter wouldn't do anything reckless but still she was a mother so to check on her she was here in the evening.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

"I wish I could but I can't, Amma."

"Should I be worried?"

"No, I don't think so. Thank you, Amma. I know I asked you to lie but trust me I had no other option."

"That I can see. Are they not good with you anymore?"

"No, no. They are good. It's just they worry unnecessarily so I had to lie to them. And about telling you where I was today, I will, Amma. But right now isn't the right time. I just want you to have faith in me."

"I do have faith in you or else I wouldn't lie for you."

Harram nodded holding her hands. She'd gotten over her frantic state and was now just in thinking mode. She had to take care of so many things without telling anyone what she was up to. She had to be in contact with Waleed and Colonel Bukhari. Waleed had told him about the clues Zaviyar had left for Harram to decipher but the key was still with her. She had to know what unlocks. The situation at home was also not that encouraging. Mrs. Aneesa was finally showing her the controlling trait she was so famous for but Harram had never been at the receiving end of it. Zaviyar had taken her to his cantt. House in Pindi a day after the reception. She had spent the almost an year of her married life with him at their house in Pindi only. She used to visit sometimes but now, living under Mrs. Aneesa's hold, Harram was getting to know she would never be able to fully go out and look for Zaviyar. No one knew Zaviyar was alive and was put in custody somewhere. For everyone around her, she was in her Iddah which was going to end once her baby was born. She herself was aware of it the moment she'd gotten Zaviyar's martyrdom news. She hadn't fully observed it in her messed up state of mind. Visiting her home where she was living with her husband was okay but she had gotten out following Waleed once where she was given the news that her husband might be alive. Then she'd visited GHQ two times. It was a breach of the boundaries set but to look at it now, she was feeling like Allah was giving her the signs since the very beginning. She hadn't breached anything to begin with. Even a normal widow is allowed to leave the house for necessities and here she wasn't even a widow. The few mistakes on her part in the beginning were there but now she knew better.

She had to start finding the clues leading her to Zaviyar. She had to begin somewhere.

"Yeah, Harram is with me."

Coming out of her terrain of thoughts, Harram looked at Zara who was talking on the phone. Must be Obaid. Harram looked on when Zara handed her the phone.

"It's Aalee."

A sad smile appeared on Harram's lips. Aaleemdar Obaid Khan in short Aalee. The eldest among her father's kids from his second wife. He was just a year and a half younger than Harram. Harram hadn't met her father's other family that much but she had a sound relation with all three brothers of hers. They had always looked up to her as the sister they'd always wanted.

"Asslam Alaikum."

"Wa Alaikum Asslam, Aalee. How are you?"

"I'm good. You tell me about you."

"I'm...fine."

"Just fine?"

"What else I can be at this point?"

Aalee felt a pang of guilt hitting him. She was sounding so off. He wished he could go and see her.

"Have faith in Almighty, Harram. Things will get better sooner than you think."

"I hope they will."

Aalee had nothing else to say. After asking her few more things which mainly related to her health and well being, he cut the call with a deep sigh.

"You were talking to Harram?"

Saad asked looking up from his book.

"Yeah."

"How is she?"

Aalee looked at his youngest brother. The concern on his face was telling he was worried about his sister.

"She says she's fine. But at this point it will take her time to recover from what's happened."

"We had seen her on the funeral day. She was devastated. I was so hoping Baba would take her to Haveli as he was saying."

"Staying at Duraid house was her decision only, Saad. We can't force our likes on others."

But the eighteen years old was still remorseful.

"It would be best if she were here, Bhai. At least we'd be around her. You know we can't go there and see her. This makes me sad. She needs us. We are brothers after all."

Aalee didn't say anything. They had gone to take part in Zaviyar's last rites. They had seen Harram too but she was unconscious that time. Their mother and grandmother had stayed back home and it was their order to come back as soon as they could. They had returned but all three of them were hoping their father would bring Harram home but she never came. Going to Duraid house to meet her was an impossible task. Mrs. Sana Obaid Khan and her mother would never allow it. They had not anything against Harram but they had everything to hold against her in laws. Reason? No one knew.

"We'll always look out for her. Don't worry."

Aalee insured Saad but he himself wasn't sure what they could do for their sister when they weren't even allowed to go and see her due to all the emotional blackmailing and orders.

__________________________

"Thank God, you took time out for us, Bhai. I had almost forgotten how you look like."

Sohaira commented digging into her ice cream bowl. Hamail rolled his eyes at his sister's dramatic response. His attention was on his phone where he was conversing with Meeral and checking his Instagram feed as well. Zaviyar was lounging on the couch dressed in his casual clothes. He was in town to attend a marriage ceremony of his senior general's son who also happened to be his colleague. The function was yesterday and now all his day before getting back to his duty was reserved for his cousins. He'd missed these two jokers. Hamail and Meeral were happy in their married life. Though they were yet to disclose it to the family but Zaviyar was sure they'd be able to make them all agree as Nikkah was done. Raza's proposal for Sohaira was under consideration and by the looks of it wouldn't be long before it was accepted.

"You really need to get some rest, Bhai. For few months you are not even taking any breaks. This is not going to go well."

Zaviyar just shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not up to me, you see. The higher ups decide when to give me a break."

"Thank God I didn't take up army for me."

Hamail piped in looking up from his phone.

"The kind of thing you've pulled yourself in is nothing less than any battle out there."

Sohaira smirked hinting at his hidden Nikkah but he just shrugged.

"When did Harram adopted this puppy?"

It was a few minutes after, Zaviyar and Sohaira were discussing the new feud between Dada and Dado when Hamail asked still looking at his phone.

"Show me."

Sohaira took his phone from him. Harram had uploaded a selfie with the cute doggo just a few seconds back.

"Oh, this is Snowy. He's Sahil's nephew's pet."

"Who the hell is Sahil?"

Hamail asked but the curiosity of the world was gathered on Zaviyar's face.

"Harram's friend. She'd met him at one of the business dinners and from there on they hit up and now he's a good pal of hers."

"Just a friend or...?"

The ever ignorant Hamail asked not realizing the uneasiness on his brother's face. Sohaira looked to her side.

"I'm not sure to be honest. I haven't asked her but as of now they do look like just good friends only."

"Okay..."

Hamail wriggled his brows and got back to his phone. Sohaira's whole attention was on her elder brother but his face had gone back to its impassive mask. Sohaira sighed and got up.

Zaviyar leaned against the cushion. The picture of her smiling face was flashing in front of his eyes.

Chahta hon ke bhool jaon tumhein aur khud bhi na yaad aon tumhein

Jaisay tum sirf ek kahani thi jaisay mein sirf ek fasana tha

(I want to forget you; I want you to never remember me

Like I was just a story and you were just a tale)

(Jaun Elia)

______________________

Checking in the mirror of the rest room, Harram set her hair once more and came out smoothing the long dress she was wearing. Black was the dress color and she was aptly clad into an elegant looking dress. The conference was about to start in a few and after checking the presentations, Harram had made her way towards the rest room to check herself as well. Once satisfied, she had put on her perfect professional smile and started walking towards the conference hall of this top hotel in Islamabad. The weather outside was going on towards early winter but inside was warm and comfy. She opened the door and came inside. The guests and delegates were there and all of them were mingling together. It was still time in the presenters to start with their work so she took her designated seat and started talking to her colleagues around.

"Harram!"

Mr. Abbas came in search of her. She immediately got up seeing him serious.

"Abeeha needs your assistance with some of the points. She's mixing up few figures."

"Got it, sir."

She nodded and getting up went outside where the cabin across the hallway was designated for their workers where they could revise their preparation. Harram had just opened the door and was about to ask Abeeha what was the matter when she felt it. The weird stillness in the air. Her head immediately whipped around to see why everything had become so still in a matter of few seconds when Omran pushed her inside and closed the door.

"What the hell, Omran!"

She shouted but he gestured her to be quiet. They could hear the heavy footsteps around. Omran pointed towards the window and looking through it, Harram felt her heart stopping.

Masked men. Guns. Bombs clasped to their jackets.

They were under a terrorist attack.

She was still reeling from the shock when the dreadful noise of a gunshot reached her ears. From the window she could see a man hitting the ground and the pool of blood spreading around him. Her eyes wend wide. She felt her body getting cold and hands getting clammy.

"We are going to die."

Abeeha whispered. The smell of terror was permeating in the air. Harram could smell in everywhere. But this wasn't the time to just sit around and wait for a gunshot to tear her apart. She looked to her sides to find any escape. Omran also followed suit. There was a small door at the back of the room. The three of them immediately ran towards it and Omran pushed through it. In three collisions the door had opened. Harram held on to Abeeha's hand who was shivering like a leaf in wind. The door led them to another hallway. There was more firing they could hear on this level. Harram saw door opened turning the corner. Pushing Abeeha and Omran in it she was about to get inside when she felt the commotion around. Standing still leaning against the wall, she looked to her side to see if the doom was here. A man clad in all black with a gun in his hand was pacing right in front of her. Just tilt of her face and she'd be in direct view of him. Taking calculated steps backwards, Harram stopped even her breathing. She couldn't be spotted. Abeeha and Omran were inside the room and just like her they were also being as silent as possible.

The man was still not aware of her presence. He was going back slowly and she was feeling this situation would end up in her having a heart attack. She turned the corner and finally released a breath she was holding. Getting her bearings she sat down behind a heavy table. She couldn't take the risk of going back to the room Omran and Abeeha were in. The table was doing a pretty good job at hiding her. She still glanced around. There was no gunman in her view. She rested her head with the wall and started reciting duas she could remember. She was missing her mother. No one knew if she'd be going from here alive tonight. May be she was living her last moments.

But without a fight? She hadn't been attacked yet. Would she let just her panic kill her? No. She'd try till her last breath. Getting hold of her bearings, she looked around to find anything that could help her. Her eyes immediately found her clutch still in her hands.

Her phone was inside it.

Having a new hope fluttering through her, she took it out and unlocked it. Whom to inform? Her mother? No. She'd be sick worried. Police? But police couldn't do much in here. She wanted to tell someone who could help her. Who could bring help.

In just mere moments the decision was made and she was dialing a number she had never thought she'd call ever.

"Hello?"

In the silence of the corridor she was sitting in a corner of, his voice felt like her summons to that far off land of happiness and sunshine.

"Zaviyar."

She had whispered. There was commotion around him. As if he was travelling.

"Harram? Are you okay?"

Had he sensed her panic through her voice?

"I...I'm stuck here. It's a terrorist attack at Marriot and ..."

"Shit!"

He had cursed loudly.

"Okay, listen to me. Find a safe spot and hide there. Do not come out. We are on our way already and we'll come rescue you in few minutes, okay. Do not panic. You are going to make it through just don't come out of your hiding place and do not call anyone after that. You hear me?"

"Yes."

"Now, do as I've old you to. Come on."

She nodded as if he could see her and got up. Taking few steps forward she saw a storeroom and thanking the Almighty ran towards it. Once inside, she locked the door and sat down in the darkness. She didn't know what she was surrounded with. She just sat there and unlocked her phone. The call had disconnected but she still kept on caressing the screen.

After that she had no idea how many minutes had passed. Just that she was here in the darkness of this dungeon kind of room.

It was almost after 15 minutes when she felt the commotion again but now it was telling that the help had come. The forceful footsteps and the sounds of gun shots were deafening. She covered her ears and shifted some more into the wall she was sitting against. Her heart was sinking with each thump of falling body to the ground. Tears rolled down her cheeks and the intensity of her duas also increased.

It was still after minutes of ear splattering chaos. She could feel feet moving around. The flash on her phone lit up almost immediately.

"Harram? Where are you?"

His clear voice made her cry even harder. It was nothing new for him. He was used to situations like these but it was her first time being so close to death and she was terrified.

That was the reason he wanted to reach out to her. She would never know how relieved he was on hearing her voice. On knowing that she was not among the casualties. The soldier in him was mourning the lives they had lost. The Zaviyar in him just wanted to see her.

"It's okay now. We've rescued the place. You can come out of your hiding."

She put all her effort on her legs and got up with difficulty. Her disheveled hair were coming in front of her face. Tucking them behind her ears she slowly opened the door and came out. She was looking around. There were no soldiers in sight. Wiping the sweat off her face she rounded a turn when she bumped into someone. Her eyes had registered the familiar army clothing. She looked up and that was the moment she knew yes, she was alive and she yes, she'd made it out of there.

Zaviyar Ali, in his full in action glory was standing in front of her. His eyes were noticing all the blemishes on her face. Those which were telling him the tale of panic and pain she'd just gone through.

"Hey, are you okay?"

He had cupped the side of her head. She nodded vigorously.

"Come, I'll get you out to the safe zone."

He held onto her hand while she onto his arm. He was constantly in contact with his other mission members. He was totally in control of the situation. His eyes were still looking around like a hawk. Harram was seeing him in his duty action for the first time. He had eyes everywhere. But unknown to her, his constant focus was her as well. Once she was outside, she felt she'd breathed in this air for the first time. He had gone away to make sure everything was in control.

Harram sat on the hoot of the army jeep and saw the hustle around. The pain and panic was not alien to her. She herself had been a visual picture of it inside. Her phone was buzzing with in coming texts and calls. She'd ignored them all. She wasn't hurt physically so there was no need for her to get first aid. But she wanted to go home now. She wanted her mother close.

"Are you feeling better now?"

He had come back. She nodded slowly. He wanted to say more. Hold more but whenever anything had been in their favour?

"I'm calling Hamail. He'll pick you up from here."

"No need."

She mumbled. He nodded and making a mental note calling Hamail after she got her bearings. She was staring at him who was finding it hard to look away from her.

"Thanks for everything."

"That was my duty. We were half way through here when you called me."

She nodded. What else two people who had been left with nothing in between could say.

"I should go now."

She stated getting up.

"But Hamail is not here yet. I could drop you off myself but I can't leave."

"I know. Sahil is here."

He looked where she was pointing at and soon enough a guy of exact Harram's age had gotten out of his car. He reached Harram's side, patted her face, checked for any injuries, argued with her to take her to hospital first and at last took out his coat and covered her already covered in shawl given by Zaviyar self in it.

She was walking away with Sahil. Zaviyar stood there looking at the picture they were forming. She hadn't turned to look back. But he didn't move.

If anyone had seen him right there, the tales of unfinished endings and unsaid words would not be difficult to read.

With a hint of regret and an abundance of longing.

Nahi nigaah mein manzil toh justju hi sahi,

Nahi visaal mayassar toh aarzoo hi sahi

(If not destination, let me be with longing

If not the union, let me be with wishing)

(Faiz Ahmed Faiz)

_____________________

Harram kept the sandwich in the plate and taking a deep breath picked it up. She was feeling hungry but once she'd gotten to the kitchen nothing could excite her. At last she resorted to making a sandwich for herself. Zara had gone back in the evening. Surprisingly, Mrs. Aneesa hadn't approached Harram to know about why she had visited Zara today. She was thankful for this.

"Ahan. Sandwich that too alone. Wrong."

Hamail and Sohaira entered the kitchen with easygoing smiles playing on their lips. Harram felt at ease in this house after a long time today. These two were her people and would always be.

"Should I make one for you both?"

Sohaira shook her head and picking the tray of food started walking alongside her.

"We are going to have a chat session over this. It's been so long."

These two were trying to make things a bit normal for her. In the mad chaos of everything turned upside down, they were trying to provide her with a semblance of something old and usual.

"I like the idea."

She'd agreed. After the revelation today she herself needed a change of mood to have her mind think straight on what she had to do. Hamail was whispering something about Meeral when they all stopped hearing the voices coming from Dado's room. Hamail raised his eye brown in their direction and as always both of them gave in. They were going to eavesdrop.

"I know this is going to sound really absurd to all of you but this is an important matter to discuss."

Dada's voice had announced his presence inside. Up until now it was mere curiosity on Hamail's part but now feeling the seriousness inside all three of them were attentive.

"What is it about, Baba Jaan?"

Khadija asked sounding skeptical. An alarm had blared in Harram's mind.

"Harram might be Zaviyar's widow but she is carrying our great grandson. The first of our new generation. That baby is precious to us and so is Harram. But lately, we've been worried for the future of this child and of Harram."

"She's doing fine, Baba Jaan."

Khadija tried assuring him but Mrs. Aneesa cut in.

"We know, Khadija. But we also know that Harram's priorities are changing. And that is not right for us and for the baby."

"So both I and your Ammi jaan has decided that once the baby is born, which means Harram's iddah has ended, we'll talk to Obaid Dastagir and Zara and get the Nikkah done between Harram and Hamail."

It was a lightning which had struck Harram straight on the head. She looked at both of her best friends who were looking as shocked as she was.

"I hope no one has objections to it?"

Mrs. Aneesa's voice was demanding. As if daring them to object to it. Gull auntie was not someone to be quiet down but she was not raising her voice and Khadija was so under the shock that she was not able to say anything.

But Harram had had enough. Not caring for Hamail and Sohaira's attempts to stop her she pushed open the door and stood in front of the elderly couple.

"I have. I have objections to it."

She heaved deeply to contain her rage.

"I will not marry Hamail ever."

"Harram, calm down. Listen to us."

"There is nothing to listen, Dada. What is happening here? You guys know me since I was a baby. Is my character this doubtful? You are doing this just to keep me bound to this house and the people here. But you can do that by just asking me. There's no need to come up with these pathetic attempts."

"You go on disrespecting every boundary the religion and the society puts on you every day. And you ask us why we are showing doubts on you?"

"I admit I made a few mistakes in the starting of my Iddah. But that's the matter between my husband, My Allah and me. Why are you becoming a god for me? Look around you, Dado. There are so many other demands of religion none of us fulfill living in this social status of elite class. But I don't see you complaining about those? Talk about yourself. Do you offer your Namaz daily? No. Do you observe the kind of pardah the religion asks you to? No. All of us are work in progress and none of us make each other feel bad about not following religion the way it is expected out of us because at least we are following it to some extent. Then why so much force upon my following my Iddah period when it doesn't even concern you. It's not about the religion. You are using it for your own benefit which is keeping me under your control. But I refuse. I refuse to be under your control. I will not destroy mine and Hamail's life. The discussion is over and I'm not marrying anyone anytime soon."

She matched the glare Mrs. Aneesa was throwing her way and making sure her point was made, she walked out of there.

"Ammi! You shouldn't have!"

Khadija whispered but Hamail took a step back.

"I can't do this."

"Why can't you?"

"Haven't you listened to one word Harram was saying?"

"Harram is angry. She'll come around sooner or later."

The calm with which Mrs. Aneesa had said this made them all shocked.

"No, no, no, no way Dado!"

"Hamail, listen to me."

"I can't do this! I can't!"

"Why?"

"Because I'm already married and I'll die before doing this to my wife."

His words had shaken the remaining sound basis of Duraid house leaving everyone stunned but in the huge room only one person took a sigh of relief. Mrs. Gull Ismail Ali.

_____________________

Ye jo sang rezon kay dher hain

Yahan motiyon ki dukan thi

(The pile of pebbles you see here

There was once an abundance of pearls here)

Ye jo saiban dhuwan kay hain

Yaha badlon ki uraan thi

(The cover of smoke you see here

There was once flight of clouds here)

Jahan roshni hai khandar khandar

Yahan qumqumon se jawan thay

(Where the ruins of light lay

There were once sound lamps of happiness)

Jahan chyuntiyan hui khema zann

Waha jugnouon kay makaan thay

(Where ants have made their shelter

There once fireflies used to live)

(Ahmed Faraz)

He had always been wry of this part of the world. Reasons were many. But being kept a hostage here in the mountain ranges where the headquarters of many terrorists and enemy agencies were located wasn't what he had thought even in his nightmares. He wasn't in his senses when he was taken here but slowly he became conscious and when he had realized where Sheraz and co had taken him, he wanted to burn everything in his wake. He was constantly tied with ropes and this room was not in contact with daylight so he would never know if it was morning or evening time.

No one had come to meet him. Just a woman whose duty was to take care of him. They had stopped drugging him and this was even more painful. In his drowsiness he wouldn't know what was going around him but now that his whole mind was working, he was feeling the dejection some more.

The whole saga which started from the day he had taken up that anti-terrorism mission and had secretly worked on it day and night. How satisfied he was with the outcome and how when he had reached the biggest guns involved in this all he's ever known had become a lie.

The fight hadn't left him yet but here there was no way he could try an escape. It was hub of what he was fighting for so long. He was in the mouth of the crocodile and getting away without coming in contact with the sharp teeth wasn't possible yet. He had to wait and see. He had to think. But right now his thinking ability was also marred by the flashes of past. The betrayal of his kin and the parting from his soul who was living god knows how.

He was missing his mother. He was missing his wife and he was missing that child of his as well who hadn't even come out in this world yet. He was worried for three of them. Because he had tasted the wounds afflicted by enemy, they hurt but not like when the enemy is the one you've never thought would even think even slightly bad for you.

"It's time."

He got out of thoughts when the same woman who was appointed on taking care of his sat in front of him. Whenever it was time for him to eat or take a bath, one man would stand on the door guarding and having an eye on his every move. He sighed and let her untie his hands. She was busy untying the rope in his feet when he felt something unusual. She wasn't untying the rope but just giving an impression that she was doing it. Confused, he looked up and found the man who would always be diligently looking over him, busy in talking on phone with someone. He wasn't a local. In fact his language as well was of some foreign country.

The door which was always opened just enough for the man to keep his eyes inside was wide open and Zaviyar could get a clear view of the outside.

They weren't exactly in hills. In fact it was a cottage type setting in a clear cut clearing with mountains around.

"Why it's taking you so long? You hag!"

The man cried and slapped the woman on the side of her face. She immediately held Zaviyar's hand and made him stand up. Her expressionless face gave out nothing but Zaviyar knew he wasn't alone who wanted an escape from here.

____________________

Opening the door of her room, Harram pushed through it and almost dropped herself on the bed. She was tired of crying. She was tired of this abyss her life had fallen into. She was tired of this whole fiasco. The walls of this house were closing in on her. She was feeling suffocated.

How Zaviyar was one of these? In this one year of their lives together he had never ever forced anything on her. His approach towards her was always like talking to a friend. She was free to do whatever she wanted to and that had given her an idea that may be all of his family was like him only. She was wrong. Both his grandparents were controlling in their own way. And what they had suggested today was enough to make her want to run away.

She had had enough. She had to take care of her baby. She had to find her husband and with all this she couldn't do with an elderly couple juggling her with their decisions. She was not living here anymore. Enough was enough.

Opening the closet, she started taking out her clothes. Her hands were occasionally wiping the tears from her face. Dropping her things in her bag, she was about to open the inner drawer when she felt her hand touching a compartment she had no idea was there before.

With confusion written on her face, she took out the drawer and then sat down to see the compartment. It was there in the form of an other drawer but smaller and almost discreet enough to not be visible. Harram opened it and both the flaps few open. The first thing her hands felt was a photograph. She pushed it out and seeing whose photo it was her eyes started getting wet once again.

It was the same shot of Jiya's engagement where she was dancing with Hamail and Sohaira while Zaviyar was standing there keeping her in the focus of his eyes. She didn't know whether to cry or bunch this memory close to her heart. She flipped it over.

"Ab phir poochtay ho muqam apna

Keh to diya zindagi ho tum"

(You still ask for your place in my life

How many times do I have to tell you you are my life)

She felt the last barrier of her patience slipping through her hands.

"Zaviyar..."

The helpless cry left her mouth and then the sobs just died in her throat. Trying to calm herself down, she pushed the photograph aside and pulled out the next thing in the drawer.

It was a small box with a lock over it. She examined it with confusion written on her face. In the process of checking it, her eyes fell on the lock and for a second she felt she was dreaming.

.X

The lock had clear carved on it. The dots had started joining. Leaving the box aside, she ran to fetch the key she had kept securely. Once it was in her hand she pushed it in the lock with a thudding heart and the click of it getting unlock was the countdown of something she knew was going to change everything.

It was a folder. By the looks of it, she could tell it was some kind of investigation file. She could see my many newspaper cutting in it. Photographs of the people linked to the suicide and other terrorist bombings in the last decade. Every unfortunate event was covered. The red marks were highlighting the important points and people.

It was the investigation file of the case Zaviyar was working on. The same case which had lead him where he was today.

She kept on checking every detail. All the link. The proofs. And as she was going further, her heart was sinking some more. This was no good. This was not done.

The whole work of her husband was in front of her. She was at the last page and she knew whatever she was going to see was not going to be easy. Still, with great effort, she flipped the page.

The file had left from her hand and she had covered her mouth with her palms.

______________________

They had missed on his lunch today. He didn't mind. His appetite was not good these days but he used to look forward to having that time where he'd be out of the confinement of those ropes.

He missed being him.

When he had joined the army he hadn't thought one day he'd have to go through this much physical and emotional ordeal. Physical pain was something he was always trained for but the emotional trauma he had went through? The one which was never going to leave him even if he gets out from here.

He shook his head to shake off the melancholic thoughts when the door of his room started getting unlocked. He sighed being able to distract his mind but instead of the middle aged woman who'd always come inside to take care of him, there were two men he had no idea where whom.

"Now stop glaring at him. He hadn't done you two any harm, has he?"

It wasn't a voice. It was lava being dropped in his ears. He clutched his hands tightly into fits which was an indication how angry he was.

"Now, now. What I've always taught you? Anger is the cause of all the bad in a man's life."

Zaviyar looked up with rage filled eyes. But his anger had no effect on the person standing in front of him. Yahya Duraid was not easily scared and right now the opponent was the kid he had brought up himself.

Leaning forward he clutched Zaviyar's face in his hand.

"Yeah, they obeyed the orders. Not even a scratch."

Zaviyar looked away freeing his face from Yahya's hold.

"I'm seeing you after three damned weeks, son. Show some grandson love to your Abu."

"Don't. Insult. This. Word."

Each word was chewed out from her mouth. Yahya Duraid smirked and then sat right across him on the chair his men had just brought for him.

"Do you have any idea after how many efforts you are here and not there in that coffin? I had to convince all the members of the business that killing you off was out of the options. I fought to keep you alive, Zaviyar and this is how you show your old man the love? Disappointed."

He took out his tablet and switched it on.

"Well, we'll get other times to talk about all these matters but right now I'm here to show you how all the family members are doing. You must be missing them."

Zaviyar felt a lump in his throat. Was there any end to the cruelty of this man he had always seen at his father's place?

"This is two weeks old. From the gathering we kept to make Dua e magfirah for you."

Zaviyar glanced at the photograph. His whole family was gathered there. He could see all there faced but his jaw clenched seeing the devastated form of Khadija. Angry tears left his eyes and got lost in his growing beard.

"Yeah, she was torn. But now she is feeling far better. Coping you see."

He kept on showing him pic after pic. Dado, Sohaira, Hamail, Obaid, Zara.

"Now the most interesting one. I was keeping it for the last time. I must say Zaviyar, Your wife and my granddaughter in law is something. You know your Dado and I suggested that once her Iddah period is over, we'd marry her off to Hamail. She stood in front of you grandmother and gave her a peace of her mind. That was remarkable."

Marrying? With Hamail. Zaviyar felt pain shooting through his heart. How difficult this decision must've been for his wife and brother and how ridiculous it was to even suggest something like this.

"Don't worry. We've dropped the idea. But this is what I want you to see."

He played a video where he was in Harram's room. Zaviyar's old room. So she was staying in Duraid house only? She shouldn't have.

"I know Harram, Aneesa went overboard and it was not the right time to suggest something like that. That was really low from our side."

"Whatever it is, Dada. It has showed me that I can no longer stay here."

After how long he was hearing this voice. The video was made with someone standing in his room window. Harram was in direct focus of the camera. She'd become so pale and so weak. Zaviyar could feel it even through a video.

"Your grandson never imposed his decisions on me. And I won't let anyone else do it as well. Hamail has already told you he's married so kindly get this idea out of your minds. As far as getting settled once this baby comes is concerned. I'll do it, but on my own terms and with whom I want to. I won't tolerate anyone's interference in it."

The video had ended but Zaviyar hadn't moved.

"I know it is a kind of shocker. Your wife seems ready to start a new life. I don't blame her. Who'd mourn over a dead person all their life. This is a tiny proof of what your life has become, Zaviyar. And how you need to get this fact in your head. Your life is no longer in contact with all these people. They all are moving forward and those who can't, are trying to. So make your peace with it. I have to talk about Hamail's nikkah with you but that'd be done later. I'm leaving this tablet with you. This is the last time you are getting something from that world. So try memorizing it. Because now yours and their world is separate."

He didn't stop after completing what he had to say. Zaviyar didn't take any notice of his going away. He was continuously replaying the video of Harram.

One time.

Two.

Three.

Four.

That was it. He had zoomed it through every angle and he was sure of what he was seeing.

The closet behind Harram was open and the special key of the secret box inside was shining on it. To the side his and Harram's photo that was taken on Jiya's wedding was placed on the table.

The photo he had kept with the box containing all the clues against Yahya Duraid.

Zaviyar leaned against the chair. He was expecting her to get his clues but this? He also wasn't anticipating this.

"She knows, Abu. Be prepared, she's going to destroy this world of yours."

___________________

Harram pushed her bag inside the car and took the driver's seat. She had just bid her bye to Khadija, Hamail and Sohaira. She was going from here but what she was taking with her would take the ground beneath Yahya Duraid's feet.

Harram gave a last look to the magnificent building of Duraid House.

"I'm going to shake the foundations of this house, Mr. Yahya Duraid Ali."

The car zoomed away leaving behind the smoke of torn relations, trust and the smell of betrayal.

____________________