Hello! 

How is everyone?

First and the foremost thing, I gave an interview to FatimaAnsari12
Here is that link! https://my.w.tt/c3LfTlDpEU please go and check it out!! 

Secondly, I am sorry for less updates.  My eyes are causing a lot of problems lately and it makes my head hurt if I use any gadget for long. I hope I feel better soon so that I can update more! 

It's a very long chapter.

Thank you:)

“Thank you. “ Samar said with a smile on his face.  He was sitting in his car,  talking to someone on his phone. “I will try my best to help. “ He nodded his head couple of times. “Don’t worry. I will not let anyone know. And I will make sure you are not in trouble because of this. “ He shook his head in a no.  “I will handle Anya and Ali.  They won’t do anything that you don’t want them to. “ He smiled this time.  “No one needs to know we know each other. It will be more helpful if we don’t let anyone know.” He smiled at kid who was running in front of his car to take his ball that came rolling toward the car.  “I will take care of them.  You go to your hometown.  Don’t worry about here." He shook his head again.  "Sure thing.  Bye. “ he disconnected the called and came out of his car. He smiled at the watchman and started walking towards the lift.  He was in a good mood.  His parents were not at home, but Ali had joined them for dinner, which Samar had just picked up.  He was worried and tensed the whole day. Anya will never let me have a peaceful day,  he thought. He kept thinking about Anya.couple of times he thought of calling and asking her if she was fine, but he didn't have her number. But now he was feeling better. He was looking forward to having dinner with his brother and his friend.  He had a feeling it would be a fun dinner. 

“What is happening? “ Samar raised his eyebrows while saying that.
Ali was lying on the floor and Kabir had a very tight grip on Ali's neck.  Ali was trying his best to remove Kabir's hand, but he was surprisingly very strong.  “I am going to kill him. “ Kabir said.  Samar shook his head and came inside.  He closed the door before asking, “What did he do now?”

“Na.”Ali tried to say something, but before he could do that Kabir tighten his grip on his neck.

“Open your mouth and I will kill you.  When it was time to say something  you decided to stay quiet. Now you open your mouth.” Kabir challenged him. Ali tried to say something but he could not say a word.

Samar kept the food on the coffee table. “He will actually die.  Leave him.”

“I am trying to actually kill him.”

“Kabir.” Samar warned his brother.

Kabir being the nice brother that he was immediately let Ali go and Ali quickly rolled away from him.  “I-I. Did not. I tr-try. Anya! ”

“Anya told you to keep your mouth shut?” Samar asked.

“Yeah!”

Samar picked up the bottle that was on the coffee table and gave it to Ali. “Drink some water. “

Kabir got up and stood in front of Ali. He was angry and looked like he would attack Ali again.  “Anya tells you a lot of things.  How many do you really follow!?  This time you wanted to follow her orders.”

“She was very clear abo-about it.” He took a deep breath.  “I wanted to tell, but she said no.” He exhaled and looked down with his eyes closed.

“You knew I was worried.  You knew I was scared.”

“Calm down Kabir. Why are you reacting like this? “ Samar was frowning now.

“Because I was worried.  How can they not tell me!? “

“Maybe they did not get time. Maybe they were scared to let many people know.”

“I am going to kill him.” Kabir said pointing at Ali.

“Kill me brother.  At least it won’t hurt then.”

“Ali did not make the decision alone. Stop taking out your anger on him.”

“I am angry at Anya, too.  She is just not here. ”

“Be grateful that Dia is fine.  That’s the highlight.  Not that they hid something from you.”

“Whatever! ” Kabir said before going to his room and closing the door with a bang.  Samar helped Ali to stand up and made him sit on the sofa. Ali was still breathless and was taking short breaths.  “I really wanted to say him. ”

“I am sure you did. Anya is persuading and demanding.”

“Don’t forget scary. ”

Samar laughed. “Definitely scary.  She would have been very angry if you had not followed her orders. “

“Correct And I did not want to talk about it.  It was not my secret.  It about between Anya and her cousin.  I knew Kabir was distress, and I wanted to say, but was I authorised to say?”

Samar shook his head. “I do not think you were.”

“Tell him!” Ali said pointing towards the close door of Kabir's room. 

“He will be fine.”

“He is acting like a kid. ”

Samar shook his head in a no. “I think he is acting like a man this time. ”

Ali frowned immediately. “What?”

“Nothing. Are you fine?  ”

“Yeah.”

“Its time to eat.”  Samar stood up and went to his room first.  Kabir had locked the room which made Samar agree with Ali.  He was acting like a kid.  “Kabir come out now and have dinner. Be out in five minutes. “ He then took the food he had brought and went to the kitchen.  Ali looked at the door,  hoping Kabir would come out,  but at the same time he was scared of him coming out.  Before Kabir his brother came out of the kitchen.

“Come Ali. Let’s eat.  He will come whenever he wants. “

Ali wanted to say no.  He did not find it comfortable to eat in Kabir's house while he was angry and locked in his room. But then the fragrance of food hit his nose and he did not think further. He did think of backing out, but then he saw the food and gave in.  They sat on the dinning table and started eating. “Kabir!” Samar was losing his patience.  Kabir knew it was the last call he will get before his brother loses his mind.  He knew better what should not be done in that situation.  He gave up and came out. He did not want to make his brother angry.  He sat opposite to Ali and kept glaring him while putting food on his plate.  Ali avoided eye contact.  Samar shook his head at their silliness.  It was pin drop silence for next five minutes.  Samar thought of talking, but he did not have energy to drop the temperature of the room.  Kabir was angry and Ali we scared. Samar tried to come up with something to talk about, but there was nothing he could come up with.  Before anyone could say anything the door bell rang.  Samar quickly got up and went to answer the door.  Ali was hoping and praying Kabir won’t attack him physically or verbally.  He knew Kabir was still angry. So when Kabir raised his hand to pull his sleeves up, Ali moved back,  scared that Kabir might hit him.

“Look who is here.” Samar said catching everyone's attention. 

Ali frowned instantly before standing up. “Sir?  What are you doing here? “

Baskar smiled weakly. “I had a fight with my wife.  Actually she was fighting I was listening. “

“Why don’t you sit down and eat with us? “ Samar said with a smile.

Baskar smiled and sat next to Ali who was confused.  He looked at Kabir and secretly motioned towards Baskar to ask him what he was doing there.  Kabir was still angry so he did not reply and quietly ate.  Samar saw that and replied, " He comes to my practice. "

“Oh. You see a psychologist? “ Ali asked Baskar.

Baskar nodded his head. “It’s a stressful year for me.  My daughter is getting married. I don’t know how to handle that.  I always cry.” Ali frowned sympathetically. “My wife was scolding me earlier for that.  I kept crying so she told me to leave the house. I came here. I did not have anywhere to go.  People mostly don’t like me. “

“That is not true. “ Samar said instantly.

“We all love you. “ Ali tried to cheer him.  He smiled and then the wind stopped. It was pin drop silence again.  No one talked. They could hear the wall clock.  The silence was awkward ,but yet no one tried to break it until Kabir could not take it anymore.

“What happened then? “ Kabir said abruptly.

Ali and Samar looked at Kabir, but did not answer.  They did not know who the question was directed to. “Ali.” Kabir made it clear.  “What had happened?  How is she at Anya’s house and how do you know about this? “

Ali looked at Baskar first and then at Samar. Samar gave a nod to his head to give him a green signal. Ali nodded back before saying, “I took her to Anya’s house. ”

Samar raised his left eyebrow.  “what!?” Kabir could not understand it. “Where did you meet her?”

“I received a call from her.”

“Why did she call you!?” Samar widened his eyes at his brother. Kabir was acting different and Samar was getting worried for him. Ali shrugged while saying, “Thank Anya for that.”

“Make it clear.” Samar said before his brother exclaims again.

“Okay. Anya and I have similar phones.  Same company,  same model,  same colour and no cover. You know Anya had been acting strange from last few weeks and the news about her cousin messed more with her mind. So without realising she took my phone.  To be fair even I did not realise it. That day you and everyone else left before me.  I was the only one left in the office.  I mean from our group.  I was going to call it the day when I received a call. Before I could say anything the other person started to talk.” 

“Di. Dia here. I want your help urgently.  Don't tell my parents or husband. Come here. Don’t tell anyone.” 

Ali frowned as he could not understand anything.  He removed the phone from his ear and took a look at his phone. He saw there were few scratches on the left side of the screen guard.  His phone did not have that. He was very protective of his stuff and even after years his stuff looked new. He understood what happened.  “Hello.” He said quickly.  Dia went quiet.  “Do not disconnect.  This is Anya's phone.  She took mine and left her phone.  It’s a mistake.  Tell me your location and I will get Anya there in no time. " Dia did not say a word.  She was not sure if she should trust a stranger.  She was scared.  “You can trust me.  Anya trusts me.  I will make sure she comes to you in no time.  I will make her call you on this number. "

“This is not my phone. “ Dia Whispered. “An old lady lent me hers.  She will leave soon. “

“Then tell me your location and do not move.  I will get Anya there. “ silence again.  “I have never seen you.  I do not know you.  So even if I try to harm you I won’t be able to.  I will not recognise you and I have nothing to do with your husband.  I don’t even know him. I won't call him. I know it’s hard, but you don’t have any other choice.  You have to trust me. “ He paused for few seconds to give her time to think and say something. When she did not say anything for almost a minute he said.  “You don’t have much time.  Everyone knows you are missing.  Anya went to your house because of that.  If you stay out like that then police or someone will find you. Do you want them to find you? “

“No! “

“Then trust me.  Just for few hours. Your address please. “

"I don't believe she believed you. " Kabir interrupted Ali's narration.

Ali looked at Samar. "It did not hurt at all. " Samar smiled but said nothing.

"I am not saying anything about you.  But she shouldn't just believe any stranger.  What if he is a pervert? "

"Excuse me? "  Ali was offended now.

"I am not talking about you.  But she didn't know you.  She should have not believed a stranger like that. "

"Yeah." Ali said with a nod of his head.  "She should have not believed in the stranger who took her home safely. "

"Why are you being sarcastic? " Kabir asked.

Ali looked at Samar again."He is the one asking. "

"Kabir stop now and Ali continue. "

Dia hesitated for some more time before she finally gave him her address.  She was scared that if she does not hide in Anya's care then her husband will find her.  Ali sincerely wrote the address. “I have one question.  Are you trying to hide from your husband and the world? “

It took Ali sometime, but he was able to unlock Anya’s phone.  He kept calling his number, but she was not answering.  He called thirteen times  before he gave up.  At first he thought he would go to Anya's house and inform her, but he remembered Anya went to her uncle and aunt's house.  He tried calling couple more times before leaving the office.  He had the address, but he had no one to go there. Dia said she was hiding from her husband and the world,  so he decided to help her.  He did not know where exactly the address was, but he had a phone with internet.  It took him more than an hour but he reached the park where Dia was. But he did know how she looked.  He scanned the whole park.  It was dark and not many people were there. There were total of seventeen people.  Two mothers who were pushing the swings their kids were sitting on. They were talking and laughing.  Gossiping,  Ali thought.  That ruled out four people.  Thirteen  more.  Then an old couple was walking slowly to the right of the first four people.  The lady had a cane in her left hand and her other hand was in her husband’s hand. Sweet couple,  Ali thought. Two more out. Eleven more.  Little far from them a teenage girl was handling a bunch of kid by her own.  Elder cousin at duty,  he thought. He took a moment to feel bad for her as he had been in that position many times.  He counted the kids and that ruled out six people including the teenager.  Five more. To the right of them there was a young girl sitting all alone.  He narrowed his eyes.  She looked in her twenties. Ali did not know Dia's age, but he knew she was younger than Anya and married. So she qualified to be Dia.  He wanted to approach her and ask if her name was Dia. But his bookworm mind told him to analyse all the people first.  He put an invisible tag which said  '1' on her and moved forward.  Four more.  Right behind that girl was another girl. She was sitting alone and looked lost. He looked carefully and realised she was crying. He put an invisible tag '2' on her and decided to quickly check the rest.  He was hundred percent sure Dia was the one crying.  Three more.  In the far right there was a couple. Having a fun time together.  Ali just glanced them once to make sure they were not Dia before moving forward. One more!  Ali was certain the crying girl was Dia.  He decided to have a quick glance at the last person before going to Dia.  But what he saw was disappointing.  Another girl,  all alone,  in her twenties. Only difference was, she was petrified. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost.  He pressed his lips together and looked at the park in front of him.  There was no one else.  There was no way to find out other than asking them their names. He cracked his knuckles and started walking towards the first girl.  He knew hesitating will only waste time.  Faster he asks them their names,  faster he would be able to take Dia home. 

“Excuse me. “ He said as he approached her.  She looked up at him.  Ali could not deny the fact that she was beautiful.  She made him freeze for a second. He gathered himself quickly and asked, “By any chance is your name Dia? “

Please say no. 

She shook her head. “No.” He nodded his head. “Thank you.  I mean sorry." he moved to the second girl quickly.  She was sitting right behind the first one.  She was the one Ali was sure about.  She was crying.  “ Excuse me are you Dia? “ he asked in one breath. 
She wiped her tears and shook her heart  “No.” Ali's eyes widened immediately. He was sure she was Dia.  For a moment he felt lost.  Within seconds he looked more upset than the girl who was crying.  “Okay. It’s okay. “He consoled himself. As he started walking she looked at him with a frown on her forehead and confusion in her mind.  “I really thought she was Dia.” He whispered to himself.  When his eyes fell on the third girl he stopped in his tracks.  She looked terrified. She won’t act normal when Ali approaches her.  Ali knew that.  He hesitated for a moment before he started walking again.  “I am sorry to disturb you.” The girl looked up.  Her eyes showed she was scared of something or someone.  “Are you Dia?” She quickly shook her head and left the park.  “Wait. Are you really not Dia? “ She did not reply and kept walking.  He did not know if he should follow her or not.  “I don’t want to look like a pervert. Oh God.”  He watched the girl walk away until she was out of his sight.  He did not know what he would do now.  He knew Anya was going to be angry. Very angry. 

“Who are you? “ A voice caught Ali's attention. He turned round to see who it was.  He could not see anyone.  He narrowed his eyes and took a few steps forward. Only then he saw someone behind the tress.  “Who are you? “ Ali asked. 

“I asked first.”

“A passerby? “ Ali was uncertain what else to say. She was then quiet for a long time. Ali frowned, thinking who it was. After almost a minute his eyes widened. “Dia? “

“Who are you? “

“I Am Anya's friend. She isn’t answering the call.  Everyone knows about you.  She went to your parents house. Would you like to go there, too? “

“No! “

Ali took a step backwards.  “Okay.” Ali thought for a second.  “Anya's house? “

“Call her. “

“She is not answering the call. “

“I will not move unless she comes. Call her. “

“Okay” Ali called Anya few more time, but still no reply.  “She is not answering. “ Just as he said that his phone started ringing.  Dia took a step forward but she was still invisible behind the tress.  Ali saw Himani written on the screen.  He answered the call.  “Himani have you seen Anya? “

“Hello Anya. “

“No time for jokes.  She took my phone and left me hers. I need her urgently. “

“What happened tiger? “

“Too long to explain. Do you know where her uncle and aunt lives? “

“No.”

“Can you find out some how? “

“No. I am leaving for Aurangabad now.  My grandmother is very sick.  I was calling to inform her. “

“Oh. Keep calling my number.  If she replies to you then tell her to call her!  I need her here now! “

“What on earth happened Ali? “

Ali looked at the tree behind which Dia was hiding.  “I will tell you later. “

“Okay. Look I have to go now.  I will talk later. “

“Sure. Take care of your grandmother.  I am praying for her.”

“Thank you. Bye. “

“Bye-Bye”

He frowned at the screen.  He called Anya two more times before looking at the tree. “Look. I know it is difficult for you to trust me.  I appreciate that. I totally support that.  You should never trust guys.  Men are the worst creature on earth.  I teach my sister that, too.  So I respect this decision. I really do. But. “ He looked around to see if there was anyone who was observing them.  “We don’t have a choice.  Your husband and everyone is looking for you.  You said you were hiding from him and everyone else. You need to go to Anya’s house, who unfortunately is missing.  You cannot stay here. What if someone comes looking for you?  You need a roof to hide. “ Dia did not say a word. She knew what Ali said was true, and she wanted to believe him,but she could not gather the courage to do so.  Ali waited for a minute for her to say something but she didn’t. “Okay!  I have an idea.  I will call my sister here. You can go with a girl, right?  She looks very innocent. I will call her. “ Ali quickly called his sister and asked her to come. He also asked her to bring some stuff. He had instructed his sister to take a cab and come as soon as she could.  For the first fifteen minutes he stood in the same spot,  looking around to pass his time.  Then he came to realisation that his sister won’t be enough for Dia to believe in them.  He unlocked Anya's phone again and took a few steps towards Dia.  "Like I said,  this is Anya’s phone.  You can check the phone.  She surely has pictures of all of us. And although we discussed only official stuff on WhatsApp direct message, we still talked. We have a group as well.  We chat a lot there.  You can read our chats and see the pictures.  Also try calling my number. Do whatever you want to make yourself feel safe.” He extended the phone towards her.  She hesitated at first but then took a step forward and took the phone from him.  It was the first time Ali saw her face. Just her left ear and left cheek. She went behind the tree again and now Ali could only see her shadow.  He decided to call his sister and ask where she was.  It took him few seconds to remember he didn’t have any phone now.  He was looking around, trying to pass his time.  After another fifteen minutes he saw his sister coming out of a cab. He wanted to go to her, but he was worried if he leaves the spot Dia might escape.  There was only one was to leave and he was blocking that way.  He did not want Dia to go missing again.  “How much? “ he asked his sister.

“I paid it. What’s the emergency?  What is happening? “

Ali took a deep breath and explained everything to his sister. He was whispering  as he did not want anyone else to listen to their conversation, but he was loud enough for Dia to hear him. He did not want her to feel suspicious of them.  Once he was done he motioned towards Dia.  Khadija shook her head and went behind the tree. “Hello. I am his sister. We don’t look alike so maybe that will be a point of concern, but trust me we are siblings. And I know your cousin. She is around 5’5”. Brown eyes, cannot be called fat but cannot be called slim as well. She lost a lot of weight recently. Her face always speaks for her. Oh and she always wears her watch inside out,  right? I mean the small clock is always on the wrong side of her wrist and not outside. I really don't know how to explain that. I am not even wearing a watch. Did you get me?“ Dia slowly nodded her head. Khadija smiled. “So you know we know her. She comes to our house on Eids. Even our mother knows her.  Please trust us." Everyone was quiet for a minute before Khadija said,"We can do this,  why don’t you keep the phone.  If at any point you doubt us, you can call the police or anyone for help.  Do whatever you want, but please let’s go from here.  I really don’t want you to go back to that evil husband of yours.” They were quiet for another minute.  Dia was still in a dilemma whether or not to believe them. Khadija and Ali were hoping Dia would come with them. They waited there patiently. After some time Khadija remembered something.  She quickly opened the backpack that she had on her shoulders and pulled out a black cloth. “Bhaijaan asked me to bring this burkha.  Wear this.  No one will recognise you.  I also brought the niqab. It’s safe. “ Dia looked Khadija from bottom to top. She was fully covered and had a scarf wrapped on her head, but she wasn’t wearing a burkha.  Dia was curious as to where she got it from. As if reading her mind Khadija said, “It’s my mother's.  I haven’t started wearing that. You can take it. “ She encouraged Dia.  Dia looked at the burkha.  She wanted to take it, but she was still scared. She wasn’t sure what to do.  “Wearing this will not do anything.  Wear it to hide yourself.  After that even if you don’t want to come that’s fine. At least stay away from everyone's eyes. “ Khadija succeeded in convincing Dia.  She took the Burkha and within seconds wore it. Khadija helped her with it.  Soon Dia was unrecognisable.  “Perfect. Now we can go to Anya di’s house.  You know her house so it’s not like we are taking you to an unknown place. “

“I don’t know her house. “ Khadija’s eyes widened a little and her mouth opened a little.  “Okay.” She said slowly.

“Okay!” Ali said. “We will take the public transport. It will be crowded. So we cannot do anything to you. And by the time we reach her house maybe she will call us back or maybe she would be already home to welcome us.”

Khadija shook her head.”Yeah! .  Let’s do that. “

Dia was still not sure.  She looked away from Khadija.  She was praying to find another way.  She was praying for Anya to show up. But she didn’t. who showed up was a police in a car.  That increased Dia's anxiety. “Okay.” She quickly said to Khadija.  Ali and Khadija smiled at their victory.  As suggested by Ali they took public transport.  They first took the train and then bus.  Ali was worried that Dia would refuse to cooperate again.  He understood why she would do that, but he wanted to safely delivery Dia to Anya.  He thought that was his responsibility. Ali kept calling Anya, but she never picked up.  He gave up after a while.  Soon they were In front of Anya’s door which was close. 

“As the door was close and we did not know when she would come back, I open the door and let everyone in. “

“How did you open the door?“ Samar and Kabir asked together. 

“I found a way to open it. “.

“How? “ They both again said together.

Ali frowned. “You two are. “

“Say it. “ Samar said.

“I didn’t even tell her. Why should I tell you then? “

“What happened next? “ Kabir asked.

“Nothing. She came and we left. “

“Anya did not call you back until she got home?” Kabir asked.

“She didn’t. Although she saw all the missed calls and understood it was my phone.”

“Why didn’t she call then?” Samar asked this time.

“Because her mind was already messed up and she didn’t want to deal with me. Her exact words.”

Samar chuckled. Kabir, on the other hand was still disturbed.  He could not absorb the whole situation in.  “Where is Dia now? “ Baskar asked.  Kabir had totally forgotten Baskar was in the room.  Samar and Ali remembered him but were not fully aware of him.  “Anya’s house. “ Ali said.

"What you did was really nice Ali. " Samar said.

Ali smiled. "If something like this happens to my sister I would want someone to do what I did.  Then why will I do anything else to someone else's sister? "

"You are a nice man son." Baskar praised him.  "I am proud of you. "Ali smiled brightly. People were finally appreciating him and he could not lie that it didn't make him feel happy. Baskar smiled back before asking,  “What is the plan now? “ 

“What plan? “ Ali asked.

“What will they do now?  They cannot live in hiding forever. “

Ali raised his eyebrows.  He had not thought about that.  No one actually thought about it,  not even Anya. They were not sure what future holds for them or what they would do. All they knew was that Dia was safe at Anya's home and her husband was looking for her.