Dia smiled widely when she saw Aman. He smiled at her before he looked at his right and then left. He jogged to her and again smiled. "Hi."

"Hi." Dia blushed as she said that.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

"No." She lied even though she had waited half an hour for him. "I came early," she told herself.

"Let's go." He said before taking her hand in his. "You look beautiful in this dress."

She blushed again. "Thank you., She whispered.  "You look good, too."

"I know," He said which made her giggle. "What were you doing in the morning? When I called you."

"I was at work."

"Oh yeah, you work."

"I do."

"That is good. You like it?"

"It's a little tiring. And I don't like my superior."

"Why? What does he do?"

"She makes me run everywhere. My legs hurt daily."

"A bad boss. That really sucks. Why don't you leave the job?"

"I don't want to run away."

"But we have the wedding preparation to handle and then soon after our wedding, we are going to travel."

"Travel where?"

"Few places. We will be busy for a long time."

"Where are we going?"

"Cuba, then somewhere and then somewhere else."

"Where somewhere else?"

"You only get to know one place."

"Why?"

"Because it's a surprise."

Dia laughed. "I don't want a surprise. Tell me!"

"No."

"Come on."

He laughed. "No."

"I won't tell anyone."

He laughed again." No."

"Please."

It was a beautiful day. Dia laughed and enjoyed to the fullest. That day she thought she could never be sad. Not until Aman was with her. She was happy. The way she never was before. Even after a year, nothing changed. She got married and her happiness knew no end. Other than Aman's anger issues which she could handle well he was a great guy and she loved him. To such an extent that she didn't see any flaws in him. He was perfect in every way.

"Hello!" Dia opened the door with a big smile.

"Hi," Aman said before coming inside the house.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. Tired. How was your day?"

"Good! I got a call from a friend today."

"Which friend?"

"Maria. I used to work with her."

"Oh, her. I don't like that girl."

She frowned "Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe I don't like her thoughts. What did she say?"

"She asked if I was interested in taking a job. There is a."

"What job?"

"Just like my earlier job. At a restaurant. A different place though but."

"Why do you want to work?"

"Because, Ah I."

"You don't need to work. I make enough money for both of us."

"I like it. I want to work."

"Why do you want to tire yourself. What's the point in working for someone when you can be the Queen."

"You don't think it's a good idea?"

"I don't. I mean I do not understand why you want to work? You really don't have to. Go shopping, join some classes, enjoy. Do whatever you want. I gave you a credit card to use it."

"I don't know."

"Don't you have something you always wanted to do but never got the opportunity? Do that."

"I always wanted to join a yoga class."

"Go ahead. Get the best instructor you can."

Dia smiled. "That would be fun."

"Then enjoy. Have fun. That's all I want."

Dia smiled widely thinking she was the luckiest girl. "OK. I will do that."

She closed her eyes. She could not remember any other conversation that was related to her job. She was trying to find the answer to Samar's question but she could not get any. She did not want to think further. She did not want to remember those memories. They were good memories. The time she was happy. She had never been happier before or after that. But those memories led to the memories of her worst days. She did not want to think about those days.

She picked up the remote and pointed it at the TV. She pressed the button a couple of times but the TV did not start. She stood up and walked up to the switchboard. She switched on the button and came back to the sofa. The TV switched on and Dia picked up the remote before sitting down. When she saw the screen she instantly frowned. On the screen, there were many options. "Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube. What is this?" She looked at the remote to understand what to do. She could not understand so she looked at the screen again. She knew she won't be able to get through it so she kept the remote down and picked up her phone. She had three messages on WhatsApp.

Anya Di

"Did you have lunch?"

Khadijah

"I love this food blogger. Check her site!"

S

"Can you do me a favour?"

It was two days ago when Samar took her number. She did not know how to save his number. Initially, she typed Samar. But she did not want to save just his name out of respect. She thought maybe she should add bhai to it. But she wasn't sure if he would be fine with it. Next, she thought maybe sir would work. But her brain found an error in that too. The psychologist felt too formal and rude to her. It was getting confusing so she saved his number as 'S'.

That was the first time he messaged her. She wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Yes"

She then replied to Anya after which she checked the link Khadijah sent her. She spent an hour going through the site and reading articles. She instantly developed a liking towards the blogger. Soon she copied her name and pasted it on Instagram with the hope of finding her there. She was lucky to find her instantly. Dia got excited. She stretched her legs in front of her and started going through the account. She had not felt excited in a long time and she was liking it.

A sudden vibration brought her out of her land. She had received a message from Samar.

"I need your help to buy something for"

Dia waited patiently for Samar to complete the sentence. He was typing, then he went offline and after two minutes he was typing again. After a long time, a reply came.

"For Anya. Can you help me?"

"OK."

"Thanks. I will get back to you then. Have a nice day."

Dia found it strange. They often talked about Anya but this short conversation was not like that. She shoved the thought and went back to her Instagram account. She spent her entire afternoon on social media apps. After stalking the blogger she went and checked out the videos she had posted on YouTube. From one account she jumped to another. She was watching food videos posted by different accounts. It kept her easily occupied.

Social media was not new to Dia. She had all those apps earlier and she was active there. But back then all those apps only showed her what her family and in-laws were up to. More than often it only made her feel bad. They all seemed happy in their lives.  It made her feel jealous and insecure. But now an account without her family or anyone she knew brought her peace and freedom. It gave her the opportunity to do what she liked. She followed accounts she liked without hesitation. Earlier, she constantly thought of what her husband and his family would think if she followed an account or liked something. Now, she felt free. She did not follow anyone who she did not want to. It kept all the unwanted things away from her. It was the first time in many years that she could do what she likes. No one controlled it. Not even Anya. She was herself. She was free.

But there was someone who felt captive. She felt scared. Just how Dia used to feel a couple of months ago. Anya never stopped worrying about Aman. She was scared of what he would do. She worked the whole day and didn't talk much to anyone. She kept herself busy but occasionally she was found lost in her thoughts. Even when they all were leaving the office Himani was walking quieting and Anya was lost.

"Stop calling!" Anya suddenly exclaimed

"Who are you yelling at?" Himani asked her.

"Aman keeps calling me."

"Did you talk to him?"

"I answered the phone once when I didn't know it was his number. But I didn't talk. I yelled at him and disconnected the call. I was scared of what he would say."

"That's where you are going wrong."

Anya frowned. "Ali? When did you come back?"

"Yesterday. You didn't see me today?"

"No. I only saw you now."

"I sit next to Himani."

"So."

"She sits next to you. How can you not see me?"

"Ah, stop calling."

"Answer his call, " Ali said instantly.

"I don't want to."

"I am not telling you to chit chat. Just listen to what he has to say. You must always know what he is up to. And he has something to tell you for sure. He keeps calling you."

"I am sure he has nothing nice to tell me."

"Then listen to his crap. But listen to him."

"Why should I?"

"He is scaring you, Anya. Just the way he scared Dia. He is trying to influence you by his power just like he did to Dia. Do you want that? If you get scared he will scare you. Don't let that happen."

"Also if you avoid him he will keep doubting you," Himani said this time.

"But what will I say?"

"Just listen to what he has to say,"  Ali said again.

"OK."

"Now, answer when he calls."

"OK."

"He is calling," Himani said.

"Take a break!" Anya sighed before answering it. "What?"

"Where is Dia?"

"I told you that day, I told you in the morning, I will say it again. I don't know."

"I am sure you know, Anya. Tell me."

"She has been missing for such a long time and now you are starting to worry. Till now you were happy in your life. What happened suddenly?"

"What do you know, Anya? How can you say I was happy in my life? You know nothing."

"Exactly. I know nothing. So stop torturing me. Don't you dare call me again." She said before disconnecting the call. "He was just asking were Dia is."

"It is such a complicated situation," Himani said sympathetically.

"It is going to be fine, " Ali said.

"Yeah. Where is Kabir?"

"Yeah, where is he?" Himani asked.

"I don't know. I meant him for a like a second during lunch."

"What the hell is he up to? He is one of my best friends. How can he be missing while I am in a problem?"

"Something might be urgent Anya," Himani said.

"What is so urgent? He didn't even tell us about Natasha."

"I feel hurt," Ali mocked making Himani laugh.

"Be serious!"

"A kid in my society committed suicide because she thought she was going to fail her exams. Two days later when the result came it turned out that she passed and that too with good marks. Not very good but far from passing marks. Her mother is still crying after a month." Anya was looking at him with her brow furrowed. Himani had a similar expression on her face with her mouth opened a little. "What? You said to be serious."

"You are an idiot Ali. I have kids!" Himani exclaimed. 

"It's upsetting for everyone, not just you."

"Yeah, but my son in a student and it scares me more!"

"He won't do that. He is a smart kid." Anya said to comfort her.

"Also, he is a big scaredy cat," Ali added.

"That too," Anya said with a nod of her head.

"That is true. I hope he stays a scaredy cat forever."

Ali frowned and looked at her. Anya suddenly gasped. "What happened?" Himani asked.

"I forgot about Aman's cousin. She was going to tell me about him. How can I forget about that?"

"What cousin?" Ali asked.

"The girl who helped him that day when you almost killed him," Himani said.

"I didn't almost kill him, that was an accident. Why does no one believes me?"

"Do something believable then," Anya said which made Himani smile.

"You guys have so many people yet you bully me."

"What to do? I don't get access to Aman daily."

Ali rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's the problem."

"Aman."

"Where?" Ali said before looking up. He saw Aman walking towards them. "What the hell," Himani whispered.

"Why are you here!?" Anya could not control her anger.

"I wanted to ask you in person."

"I told you I don't know where she is."

"Then who knows!"

"You should know that. That was your job. To protect her and to keep her safe."

"Anya, tell me where she is!?"

"Stop yelling." A third voice said. Anya looked behind Aman to see who said that. Her uncle, Dia's father, was standing there. "I told you not to come here. Why are you here?"

Aman kept staring Anya and ignored his father-in-law. Anya did not get scared of him and she looked straight in his eyes. "Go home," Her uncle said.

"Not until she tells me where Dia is."

"Go from here. I said I will talk to her. Why did you come here?"

"Anya tell me."

"I am telling you to leave. Go from here before I call the police." Aman turned and looked at him. "Go." Aman gave Anya one last stare before leaving. Anya did not get scared in front of him. She kept looking at him with her chin high up. But once he was gone her heart started beating fast. She had never seen her uncle angry before. He was not someone who would lose his temper easily. His anger scared her.

"Anya, do you have time? Let's talk."

Anya's breath got stuck in her throat. She slowly nodded her head. "OK."