Dedicated to sarah20996

'I'm so glad that you agreed,' Hala exclaimed.

Zera smiled fondly.

'If you don't mind could you sort out Izaan's office and just check the appointments for the day, so that he gets busy in work and does not spend his time dwelling too much in the past.'

Izaan had been very reluctant to eat or speak with anyone. He couldn't get himself to look at his mom or Sameera in the eye. For some unknown reason he had chosen to take all the blame of thufail's murder on himself.

Even though Hala had been devastated, she was still worried for Izaan and that was the reason she had hired Zera.

Their house needed a lot of positive energy and the girl had an air of cheerfulness surrounding her. Maybe her presence in the office could lessen Izaan's unbearable guilt and he would be able to think through different perspective.

'I'll do that. Can I request you something?' Zera questioned uneasily.

'Ofcourse. What is it?'

'The place were I had applied, have their work timings from noon to evening. Is there a possibility of me working at both the places?'

'Oh dear. It is perfectly fine.'

'Thank you so much.' Zera stated, as she enveloped Hala in a warm motherly embrace.

~*~*~*~*~*

Detective Hamilton parked his car in the wraparound drive that encircled a small stone fountain, which on this cold evening, was not operating.

The landscaping was as lush and as carefully planned as the house.

He slid out of his seat, making sure that he had all the notes of his present case with him.

As he walked up to the front door, he hoped that all his time driving wouldn't be a waste.

As he cleared the top step, a voice spoke to him from the intercom.

'Can I help you?' It was the man's voice, big, solid, and, Hamilton thought, slightly threatening to an outsider.

'Dilshad, open the door.'

The door didn't budge, and the tone of the voice made it clear that unless Hamilton had more information to impart, this status was not going to change.

He looked around, suddenly conscious that he was being observed. Sure enough, above his head, recessed within the back of one of the volumes, was a vedio camera.

He waved, 'For god sake, dilshad. Please open the damn door. I need some help.'

'I'm sorry, that's not possible.'

'Well, I'd say its possible since the present case is of Aahil's cousin and as you have chosen to work as a spy, you would have a great deal of information than the rest of us.'

The next sound Hamilton heard was the front door being unbolted and thrown open.

The man facing him matched the six foot one of Hamilton's height, but was far broader across the shoulders and chest. Even though Hamilton possessed a very strong, athletic body himself, he wouldn't want to take this guy on. Dilshad looked strong enough to break Hamilton's back with ease. No doubt he had worked as an bodyguard of an billionaire for all those years. Shame that they had let him go for all the misunderstandings.

Nevertheless, he had proven to be of great help to the country. He had great sense of understanding criminal psychology and nothing ever missed his hawks gaze.

'Thufail Ahmed was murdered.'

Dilshad's face darkened, or was it his imagination, he wondered. 'So?'

'I need your help.'

'Why?'

'You had the privilege of knowing the Hussain family very closely. As Ahmed's are related to them, you might have met them too. So, what is your opinion about thufail?'

'I wasn't close to him, but I believe that he wouldn't commit suicide. That guy had nerves made of steel.'

Hamilton nodded his head, 'What do you think could be the reason behind the murder.'

'I haven't been able to reach that.'

Hamilton's eyes bulged momentarily, 'Does that mean that you have already started working on the case?'

Dilshad hesitated for a moment and then nodded, running a hand through his silky locks that had grown too much for his liking.

'What are your conclusions till date?'

'Unlike the rest of the world, I don't make conclusions, Hamilton. I dig the truth.'

'Have you been able to find any potential lead?'

Dilshad shook his head, 'This case holds more secrets than one might imagine. No evidence has been left behind by the murderer.'

'I know. But there isn't anything called a perfect crime.'

Dilshad's lips curved into a rueful smile, 'And there is something called a perfect spy.'

Even though they had no information in hand, Hamilton was fairly certain of one thing: Dilshad had still some emotional attachments with the family and this was going to prove as a very good point in the future.

He would for once love to take it easy and allow someone else dive deeper into his case.

It was time for the mystery to unfold.

~*~*~*~*~*

Zera entered the huge spacious office and look around in bewilderment.

The huge mahogany desk stood proudly in the centre which had sorted piles of correspondence and laptop, behind it was neatly arranged rows of books.

She was amazed at how organized and neat everything was, there wasn't anything she needed to do.

Quietly moving over to the desk, she reached for his journal, but the first thing that caught her eye was the paper on which someone had jotted down her name.

Surprisingly, all her information was written down.

Perspiration dewed her forehead as pure panic ran through her.

Why would anyone gather her personal information?

And why was it lying around Izaan's office?

There was a sudden movement at the door and she jumped in fright, throwing the journal and the paper along the process.

'What are you doing here?' Izaan demanded, as he folded his arms above his wide chest, glowering over her.

'You scared me to death.'

'Sorry. But what are you doing in my office.' He narrowed his gaze.

'Your mom hired me as your secretary, and that applies only when you choose to work from the house.'

'What?' He spat through clenched teeth.

'I guess you heard me the first time.'

'Don't you dare try act smart.'

'What are you trying to imply?'

'I think that you have probed enough into my privacy.'

'Probed? Probed?' Zera exclaimed, her voice raising, as she held up the piece of paper. 'I could complain against you for gaining my personal information.'

'Do it by all means,' Izaan replied, his tone colored with amusement, 'You could use my phone to call the police,' He pointed towards the the source that lay on his desk.

She shook her head in annoyance and tried to walk past him, but he was quick. His huge frame blocked the exit, 'You haven't answered me.'

'I don't have any other logical explanation.'

'How did you trick my innocent mother into hiring you?'

Zera gasped at his claim, 'That is so rude of you.'

'Dont teach me etiquette, just tell me the truth. What were you searching in my office.'

'I came here to sort out your appointments for the day, but that paper caught my attention, you appeared all of a sudden and caught me off guard.'

'Ok. I'll buy your reasons. What were you doing with my brother on sameera's wedding?'

'What was I doing?'

'Ahhh, can you stop giving that blank look every five seconds.'

'Stop speaking to me in such a manner.'

'Do you atleast know what you spoke to him that night?'

'That's none of your business.'

'It is my business and I'll make sure that you pay for it. If you were involved in all this.'

Zera threw her hands in frustration, 'I wouldn't ever work for a snob like you.'

'It would be a huge favour from your end.'

'I wonder why Thufail chose to speak to you of all the guests present at the wedding.'

'Unlike you, you're brother was a true gentleman.'

'And was it reason enough for you to manipulate him?'

'Manipulate?' Zera repeated confused.

'You won't be so very confused when the police comes knocking on your door.'

'You are out of your mind.'

'Believe me I'll use every possible means to get to know your truth.'

I'm leaving.'

I'm surprised that you haven't left already.'

She glared at him, for one last time, before she opened the office door and stomped out of the room.

~*~*~*

Sameera made a conscious effort to relax the tension that was mangling her nerves and cramping her stomach.

All this couldn't ever be true. She was sick of listening to the various theories made out of thufail's death by the news reporters. The television remote went flying across the room and smashed against the pale wall, breaking into finite pieces and she sat there watching it for several seconds, still unable to comprehend her chain of thoughts.

A sensual hug made her turn around to find her husband's questioning gaze. 'You look pale. I believe you need to consult a doctor.'

'I'm fine,' She lied.

'I have to break a bad news,' Isaac delivered wryly.

' What is it?' Sameera questioned meekly, unable to digest any more worse scenarios.

'I have a crisis at work and need to leave to Australia the next day.'

Sameera swallowed the lump in her throat, 'It has only been a week to our marriage,' She cried.

Isaac looked lost, his mind was totally taken up by his professional life. 'I'm sorry, but I need to go.'

'Then I'll go to Melbourne with you. I have my cousin, Noor, staying over there and he could show me around,' She argued.

He frowned at her.

'We have just got married and I'm not going to stay here with all the tension going around the house, Isaac.'

'Sameera, it won't be pleasant for you,' he warned. 'I'll be working day and night.' He frowned again. 'I'm sorry I couldn't take you on a honeymoon.'

'No, this isn't about that, Isaac. I just don't want to stay without you,' Silent tears made their way through her pink cheeks and she rubbed them clumsily. Being separated from her husband was not the most satisfactory way to start their marriage, she thought despondently.

The dark eyes probed hers uncertainly. 'You won't mind my not being able to dance attendance on you? Not being able to meet you for lunch or dinner? Coming in late and disturbing your sleep?'

She walked over to him, slid her hands around his neck, 'You can disturb my sleep anytime, Isaac.'

He kissed her gently, 'If that's what you want,' He tilted her head, gave her another long kiss, then sat her down on the chair. 'I know that the previous days have been harsh on you and it breaks my heart to watch you like this. I just want to see you happy.'

She held him tightly, possesively. 'You are my happiness, Isaac.'

_________

Salaam readers,

How did the first encounter between Izaan and Zera go?

Who wants more of their scenes?

Dilshad is back, isn't he?

Who missed him?

Does anyone remember Noor?

Leave behind loads of comments.

Loads of love <3

Fee amanillah.