Saad's pov :

When I woke up the next day, she wasn't there beside me on the bed, nor was she there in the room. Instead, a sleeping Alayna greeted me the first thing in the morning during fajr. She was sleeping beside me in her place. And that was odd. Alayna used to sleep with Amira in her room so what happened suddenly?

I was confused out of my mind but I decided to just do my wudu first and pray. Maybe she was in her ammi's room or downstairs. Maybe Alayna wanted to sleep beside me.

But when I came back from the washroom after doing wudu, the room was still empty. Deciding to go check up on her before praying, I left the room, and only then did I realise how silent it was. The house seemed eerily quiet, maybe because I wasn't used to watching it so quiet. It was usually filled with chatters or giggles. Or at least, it felt homey and warm unlike how it was giving cold vibes at that time.

My footsteps echoed as I made my way to Amira's room first, only to find it empty. Now where did she go? Furrowing my eyebrows, I made my way to ammi's room before knocking on the door a few times. When I didn't get any reply, I twisted the door knob and opened the door slowly, thinking that she might be sleeping for not answering the knocks.

But to my surprise, no one was there too. Maybe shock would be a better word. "Atifa?" Confused and worried, I quickly made my way downstairs while calling her name.

"Atifa!?" Maybe they were all downstairs in the kitchen or the living room. Or maybe in the drawing room or the guest room. Trying to keep myself calm, I checked all the rooms downstairs, hoping to find them, any of them. But to my utter horror, no one was there. In any of the rooms. They seemed as empty as they could look.

The hollowness of the house suddenly seemed too much. Like it would even swallow me up in its depth. And it scared me, the thought of actually losing them all. I never even imagined myself getting so close or attached to them so soon, but now that I think about it, unknowingly I had grown attached to them. And suddenly, life seemed empty and incomplete without them. Shaking my head, I tried to get rid of these thoughts. It wasn't the time to think about all these things.

Ya Allah! What was even happening? Where did they all disappear? Where did they all even go? I desperately hoped that this was some kind of a prank which they were all pulling up on me because I really didn't know what to do if it wasn't.

"Atifa? Amira? Ammi?" I called out as I rushed around in panic, trying to look for them. "Anyone?" I asked loudly, getting frustrated and annoyed. For God's sake, this wasn't funny in any way! I didn't even know what to feel or how to react!

Sighing loudly, I ran my hand through my hair before heading upstairs to pray. Maybe they went for a walk or something and would be back soon. I should just pray and wait for them, I thought. Maybe I was over thinking too much for I knew she wouldn't do anything this reckless. Yes, I could expect something like this from ammi but not from her.

._._._.

I woke up with a jerk due to the continuous ringing of my mobile phone. Scanning my surroundings with a frown, I remembered falling asleep while waiting for them to return. I was still sitting, leaning on the headboard of the bed. My neck and back ached due to the position in which I slept. Alayna was still sleeping beside me, I noticed.

Sitting up straight, I rubbed my neck in hopes of lessening the pain. Sighing, I looked at the source of my disturbance with annoyance. Picking up my phone from the bedside table, I accepted the call. "Assalamualikum."

Suddenly, I noticed something else there. Frowning, I picked it up. Why didn't I notice this before? The person on the line was saying something but I couldn't make it out. My mind was too busy comprehending what I just found.

It was a note which had 'Sorry' written on it. I flipped the paper, trying to see if there was some other message written on it, but it was plain. There was nothing else written on it. What does this mean? Who left it here? I was not sure but at the same time I had an idea that maybe she left it here. But it didn't make any sense. Why would she leave this note here? Was everything alright? What did this note even mean?

I was brought out of my thoughts by someone calling my name over and over again. "Y-yeah, I'm here." I replied, still in trance as I gazed at the paper in my hand. I didn't know what to feel. So many emotions seemed to be roaming around in my head that it was getting difficult to get hold of just one.

"Are you alright? What happened? You weren't replying to me." I heard mama's concerned voice from the other side, making me blink my eyes and look away from the paper.

"Jee ammi, I'm fine alhamdulillah. How are you doing?" I questioned, now gazing at Alayna. How come she was still sleeping? What time was it anyway?

Frowning, I glanced at the wall clock across the bed and realised that it wasn't even nine yet. "I'm fine too alhamdulillah. Ab suno meri baat. As I was saying, I haven't brought up that marriage topic since the past few days because you wanted some time and I understood. But now, I can't wait any longer. I have found the perfect girl for you and I'm sure even you will love her..." Mama started once again, making me internally groan as I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my face with my hand but the paper flapped in front of me instead. (Now listen to me.)

Now how do I tell her I already have a wife? A daughter-in-law for her. And that I started liking her and even she would like her if she ever meets her, I thought. But here was the thing. I didn't even know where she was anymore! Where did she even go?

"Mama, I told you, please not this again." I mumbled in a tired voice, leaning back on the headboard again. A throbbing headache already making its way towards me. Keeping the paper on my lap, I rubbed my fingers on my forehead. "We will talk about this later, please?" I requested, hoping that she would understand me just this once at least.

"You whine and bail out too much! But I'm letting you go just this once. Aage mai tumhari koi baat nahi sunne wali." I could feel the pout in her stern reply, which made me smile slightly. (From next time I'm not going to listen to you.)

The amount of relief which I felt when she dropped the topic was so immense that I exhaled loudly while closing my eyes shut. "Alhamdulillah." I mumbled under my breath as I continued to talk to her. My mind drifted off to the matter at hand so many times that I felt myself getting frustrated. I didn't even know what was I going to do when I found this crazy girl!

._._._.

I paced around in the room glancing at the wall clock time and again, hoping to see them getting back home anytime. I know it might seem weird, but I didn't know anyone here, nor did I know this place enough to go out and start searching for them.

And sadly enough, I didn't have any of their numbers to call and ask them about their whereabouts. I forgot to take it and weirdly enough, none of them even reminded me. I regretted not asking for it so much!

Alayna stared at me, her hands under her chin as she leaned forward with a bored expression on her face. My gaze landed on the brunch kept on the table in front of her, untouched. Getting annoyed, I glared at her and questioned. "Why haven't you eaten anything yet?"

Not answering anything, she continued to stare at me. Sighing, I looked away before continuing to pace around, racking my hand through my hair every once in a while. What kind of a test was this? Who even gets someone married to their daughter before leaving with her, leaving the groom alone? But most of all, why? Why would she even do this? What was the actual matter?

Wait... Were they robbers? Or were they scammers? Was it their work to marry strangers and rob them? I thought. Why didn't I think of this before? This could be it all along! Ya Allah what was this? Were they seriously like that? Was that seriously their work? I wondered, getting worried and not understanding anything.

I was lost in my thoughts, fretting over the new realisation when I felt someone pulling at my shirt. Looking down, I saw Alayna standing there, looking at me with her big eyes. Holding my hand, she took me to the couch and made me sit. "Even you haven't eaten anything yet, bhai. Please eat." She murmured as she sat beside me, looking at me, waiting for me to start eating.

I looked away before looking at the food kept in front of us. Sighing, I took some on a plate and gave it to her before taking some for myself. No matter how much I didn't feel like eating right now, I had to eat because of Alayna. If not for anything else or anyone else, I had to eat for her sake because I had to take her back home.

Alayna smiled at me before starting to have her food while I forced myself to eat. The food stuck in my throat and I grabbed the glass of water.

"Where could they have gone bhai?" I was halfway through my food when Alayna spoke, halting me midway. My heart clenched at her words, making me keep my plate away. I couldn't eat anymore.

"I have no idea." Even our whispers seem to be echoing in the empty house, reminding us of its hollowness.

"Why did they do this?" She whispered slowly, her voice heavy with emotions and her eyes filled with tears. My blood boiled thinking of the reason behind my sister's tears. How could they even do this? Here, I was being so worried about them when they didn't even for once think about us and left? She didn't deserve this pain and heartbreak at such a young age.

"Just finish your food Alayna. Don't think about them much." I muttered angrily as I stood up while clenching my fists. They were going to regret doing this.

._._._.

Rummaging through my stuff, I checked if anything was missing. But to my shock and relief, nothing was missing. I didn't know if I should be happy that they didn't turn out to be some gang who robbed others or if I should be sad that now I didn't know if I should hate them. And on what basis would I do that? I didn't know their reasons but still, that didn't mean that they could just leave us alone without any explanation.

Sighing, I plopped down on the bed beside my bag and ran my hand through my hair. What should I do now ya Rabb!? I thought. Standing up, I moved towards her closet. I never opened it or checked through her stuff but checking it once wouldn't harm anyone, right? At least not when I was just trying to find out where they were or if they were even alright.

Opening it, I was shocked to see some of her stuff missing. Although some things were still present there. What did this mean? Frowning, I moved some of her clothes aside to see if I could find something, but it was of no use. Nothing was there except for some of her clothes and books.

Moving down to the drawers, I tried to open them but soon realised that they were locked. Now where could I find its key? Slamming my hand on it in irritation, I moved towards the dressing table. Checking through its drawers, I only found some makeup products and... And what?

Frowning, I checked through the bags and found a few keys. Who even keeps their keys here? She was really careless. But maybe one of those keys is for the cupboard drawer, I thought.

Feeling hope bubble up in me, I rushed towards the cupboard and tried the keys one by one. And thankfully, the drawer was unlocked by one of the keys. But to my utter dismay, the drawer was empty save for a diary. Confused, I picked it up. Why would she leave her diary here if she took her other stuff?

Closing the drawer and cupboard, I moved towards the bed. Throwing it there, I moved behind the door. I didn't feel like reading it and I just wanted to be left alone. All this was too much to handle. Too sudden. Too much to take.

I just had one question. Why? Why did she do this? What was the reason? Did I do something? Was it my fault? Feeling numb, I leaned my back on the wall and slid down, bringing my knees closer to my chest, I sat down. Yes it was true that I was feeling numb, but at the same time all the emotions seemed to be fighting to take over and I felt drained.

I didn't know if I should be sad, upset and angry. Or irritated, annoyed and fuming in rage. Or if I should be worried, concerned and trying to dial numbers. All I knew was that, I felt hopeless. I-

What did I even do? What did I even do?! What was my mistake? And why now? Why now when I actually started liking her did she had to disappear, or should I say leave? Why after so much time? Why make so many memories? Why? Why? Why?...

I didn't even realise I was crying until I felt my shirt getting wet and a throbbing headache awaiting me. I tried to wipe my tears away but they didn't stop. They didn't halt. They didn't give me a break. It seemed as if after such a long time they finally found their release and didn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

And so, I let them be. I let my tears flow as I sat there, hoping to find a way. Wishing that things would get better soon.

._._._.

"Bhai?" Alayna's concerned voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I realised I was still sitting on the floor.

"Y-yeah, yeah." I mumbled, coming out of my trance and wiping the remaining tears away as I tried to stand up.

"What were you doing? Are you alright?" She asked me, confused, a frown on her face.

"Yeah, I'm fine Alayna. Don't worry. Have you packed your stuff?" I questioned instead, walking towards the bed and avoiding to look at her.

"Jee bhai. I did it." She said quietly, following me and taking a seat on the bed. I just hummed in response as I busied myself in packing my bag. "You know bhai, I miss them so much... Amira even promised me that she wouldn't leave me... But..." After a while of silence, she said quietly before stopping midway. Blinking her eyes, she shook her head, as if trying to come out of her memories.

"It's okay princess. We will find them In Sha Allah." I murmured softly, trying to ease her hurt and pain, although I didn't even know if I believe my words myself.

Glancing at me, she smiled sadly. "I should be saying that to you. Please don't worry bhai. We will find them. After all, this is just a test and we will all pass it, In Sha Allah. Won't we?" She asked me hopefully. Her words, 'this is just a test' reminded me of what I was missing from so long.

This was just a test. I would find her. I would find them. I was not sure how or when, but In Sha Allah, we would find them, I thought. I should have been relying on Allah but here I was, mopping and fretting around, thinking about where they went. I smiled at my sister, she was so innocent and young, but this time, she was the one who reminded me to be patient and look for a way instead of just wallowing in guilt and self pity. "Yes, we will. In Sha Allah." I replied, this time with hope.

Suddenly realising something, leaving my bag as it is, I quickly picked up my phone to call Zeeshan. Maybe I didn't have their numbers, but surely Zeeshan or Emaan might have them. After all, they were close family friends. Maybe they even know where they are.

Dialing his number, I ran my hand through my hair as I waited for him to pick up his call. I really hoped that they knew something about them. "Assalamualikum, Aaj aapko hamari yaad kaise aa gai dulhe raja ji?" He teased as soon as he picked up the call. (How did you remember me today Mr. Groom?)

I shook my head, a smile grazing my lips. "Walikumussalam janab. Bas aise hi, kuch puchna tha." (Just wanted to ask something from you.)

"Jee jee, puchiye kya puchna tha aapko." He replied with a laugh. (Yes yes, go on. Ask me what you wanted to ask.)

"Bas yahi puchna tha ke ammi log aapke yaha to nahi aaye hue?" I asked him anxiously, hoping for a positive response. (Just wanted to know if mom and everyone else was at your house.)

"Jee nahi. Wo log to yaha nahi hai. Kyu kya hua? Everything alright?" He questioned, getting serious. (No. They aren't here. Why, what happened? Everything alright?)

A nervous chuckle escaped my lips as I sighed. "Yes, everything is alright I guess. Just that none of them have been home since morning and I don't know where they went. They didn't even inform me so I was kind of hoping that maybe, they went around here somewhere. But can I get their numbers?" I requested hopefully.

"Yeah sure, I will just send you the numbers. And call me if you need any help." He replied in concern.

"Okay, Jazak Allahu Khairan." I said, sighing in relief.

"Waiyyakum." Saying this, he hung the call.

Pacing around the room, I waited impatiently for his message. And finally, after a while, I got the numbers. A hopeful smile adorned my lips as I quickly dialed her number. But my happiness was short lived because soon, the call went into voicemail.

Frowning, I tried calling her again but to no avail. Feeling dejected, I tried ammi's number, only to face a similar situation. Trying a few more times, when I couldn't get through any of them, I threw my mobile on the bed in frustration. What was wrong with them!?

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the wall clock. I still had to pray Zuhr and it was getting late. Deciding to pray first before doing anything else, I made my way towards the washroom.

._._._.

▪ Where do you think they disappeared? Were you expecting this? Or for something like this to happen?

Now I think you guys know how much I love to give you guys surprises.

P.S. And sorry for the late update, I have been trying to complete my assignments but to no avail. The updates will be slow for a while I guess. Until I'm done with my assignments.

._._._.