Chapter 17: 13. 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝗵𝗶..

❛Muskurate hue chehre,

Chhupaye hain raaz gehre.

Yahan toh har Chehra hai jhoota! ❜

Third Person's Pov:

The heavy cream curtains dangled softly in the air as the chilly wind swiveled through those big French steel door balconies and stroked the woman's body causing her to shudder and sink more into the warmth of the blanket.

The wind chime tinkled and the lady shifted in the bed. As the strokes of the cool breeze caressed her face, her eyelids slowly opened and she blinked.

She sat up and at an instance, she groaned in pain by holding her sore nape.

The woman looked around the room and lines of bewilderment puckered on her forehead as her surroundings weren't familiar and everything was blurred.

Her eyes widened as everything came dashing upon her as the events of the last night flashed before her eyes.

“Seyran.” She whispered under her breath and Mahoor shot up from the bed.

Mahoor ran across the massive room calling her sister's name, even though she couldn't see anything as she wasn't wearing her spectacles.

She went back to the bed and tapped on the space hysterically, trying to get a hold of those thin rimmed glasses.

Tears of helplessness gathered in her eyes, only if she could see then she wouldn't have been wasting her time in search for those eye frames.

She moved to the nightstand; squinting her eyes, she knocked her hands on the rough base, trying to get a grasp of the spectacles but her efforts went down the hill.

Her face crumpled and one by one the drop of water fell from her eyes on the wooden piece.

Standing straight, Mahoor pulled her hair and screamed in frustration.

Everything around her was completely blurry. If she needs to get out of the room, she'd need her vision back to not to stumble upon anything or specifically a person to search for her sister.

Mahoor wiped her tears hastily, “Jo hoga dekha jayega,” She looked up at the ceiling and her lips quivered, “Aye, Malik mere! Sab tere bh..bharose.”

She moved away from the bed and focusing around the things near her, she cautiously took steps to get to the bedroom's door.

She didn't have to wander around much as she could see a dark mahogany wooden piece which looked like the entrance of the bedroom.

Mahoor came near the door and saw a knob on it, she thanked her Lord a number of times and prayed for the door to be unlocked or else she wouldn't be able to get out.

She tried her luck again and turned the lever handle of the mahogany door, which unbolted smoothly in one click.

Her eyes sparkled with gratitude, “Alhamdulillah.”

Opening the door fully, Mahoor got out and her steps ceased. She stood in a long, vacant corridor and they had several doors which were a gateway to many rooms.

She narrowed her eyes and saw two staircases in different directions, leading down.

Mahoor dashed towards the staircase but she collided with someone.

The person tried to hold her but she immediately balanced herself and sprinted to get her sister.

All the shoving lessons which she unknowingly learnt while traveling through the local trains of Mumbai were now coming in handy.

Mahoor was going crazy as she didn't know how the other part of her was doing and something worse happening to Seyran, was enough to snatch her breath away.

And something in her said that maybe she was downstairs as the corridor was deadly silent.

“MERI BEHEN KAHA HAI?? AAP LOG HOTE KAUN HUMEIN AGWA KARNE WALE? MAIN POLICE BULA DUNGI, MAHOOR KAHA HAI? USEY KUCH BHI HUA NA ALLAH QASAM KISI KO NAHI CHODUNGI MAIN!”

A strong feminine voice hit Mahoor's ears and she knew who it belonged to.

“SEYRAN!” Mahoor shrieked and hopped off the never ending staircase hurriedly.

Seyran's eyes watered as she heard her sister's call and she turned around only to be knocked out by Mahoor.

Mahoor tightened her arms around Seyran's petite body. They both sobbed in each other's embrace for the Lord knows till when.

Arya and Jannat stood there, taking in the reunion.

“Seriously, that girl Arya?”Jannat asked, looking at Mahoor who was weeping on Seyran's shoulder.

Arya glanced at Jannat and his brows furrowed, “Matlab kya tumhara that girl se?”, he emphasized.

“Altan ke aage she's really nothing but just a bland and an average teenager.”

Arya lips formed into a thin line, “Tum yeh sab kahogi expected nahi tha.”

Jannat turned to him and a sarcastic grin broke out on her face, “Altan ki choice itni great hogi yeh expected nahi tha aur ek teenager se shadi karne ka plan kar rahe hai Sultan yeh bhi mind blowing news hai.”

Arya scoffed, “Pehli baat tou Mahoor is 21 years old. Inke khandan mein sab chote hi dikhte hai, Seyran ko dekhlo woh bhi teenager hi lagti hai.”

He shoved his hands in his pants pocket, “Mahoor is a sight to please your eyes at,” he peered at Mahoor who was caressing Seyran's hair then back at Jannat, “And any guy would like to have his chance with her.”

Arya's gaze moved to the staircase as he heard the sound of footsteps, “Aur khubsurti dekhne wale ki nazar mein hoti hai,” his eyes shifted to Jannat as he looked into her gray coloured orbs, he said in a monotone,“tumhari yeh surmai rang ki aakhein dusre insan ke liye haseen hai magar inki nazar badi makrooh hai isiliye tumhe Mahoor mein woh chamak nahi dikhayi de rahi.”

Jannat shook her head, “Aisa nahi hai, Ar..Arya.”

Arya clicked his tongue, “Ab aisa nahi hai vaisa nahi keh ke kya faida?” He shook his head as he rolled his shoulders back, “You are not a girl's girl.”

Jannat's eyes watered, “You are taking me wrong, I am a girl's girl. I didn't..”

Arya placed a finger on his lips, “Shh..” he pointed a finger at Mahoor and Seyran's direction, “Lemme enjoy the emotional drama, kyu ke Altan miya ki entry ke baad pura scene palat jayega.”

Mahoor pulled away from Seyran, “Tum thik tou ho na?” They both asked at the same time.

Wiping her tears, Mahoor nodded and so did Seyran.

Seyran held Mahoor's face in her palm, inspecting for any kind of injury, “Mai itni darr gayi thi tumhe apne paas na dekh kar. Khyal tou itne bure aa rahe the par Allah shukar tu thik hai.”

Mahoor sobbed, “Main..Main khud baukh la gayi tumhe mere paas nahi dekh ke.  Upar se mera chashma nahi mil raha, mujhe kuch bhi dikh nahi raha hai.. itna bebas mai..maine khud ko kabhi mehsoos n..nahi kia.”

She broke into a fits of sobs and Seyran held Mahoor in her arms who was weeping like a baby.

“Koi baat nahi, Mahi. Hum.. hum saath hai na abhi, hmm? Sab thik hojayega. Humne issey bhi badi musibatein jheli hai ek dusre ka saya ban ke. Yeh bhi hum saath dekh lenge. Tum se mujhe himmat hai aur tumhe mujhse.”

Mahoor pulled away. Wiping her tears away, she nodded,“Allah ke baad tum hi tou ho sab kuch mera. Woh marker chor mere haath lage bas, sahi keh rahi hu main, aisa bataungi na uska. Meri behen ko takleef pochhane ki usne sochi bhi kaise?”

“Pehle gali tou asli dena sikh lo fir mera kuch karne ki sochna.”

They both stilled at the deepy husky manly voice.

Mahoor clearly knew to whom that voice belonged. She saw Seyran's eyes widen and shock transmit her face as if she saw a tiger coming out of the woods which intrigued her.

Seyran was wearing her own spectacles and the person who stood in front of her blew her mind away. She was left astonished. If she was this flabbergasted then she wondered how Mahoor would react.

Altan gradually approached Mahoor who didn't turn around but he could very clearly see her stiff posture and the shocking face of Seyran.

Mahoor gripped her dress tautingly. The man now didn't feel like a friend or anything to her anymore. He rather felt like a stranger who she despised to an extent.

Now he didn't even provide an ounce of comfort because for Mahoor, he only oozed of repugnance and abomination from whom she only wanted to be away till the last breath she took.

Mahoor twirled around only to see a man in black shalwar kameez and everything else was blurred.

She squinted her eyes and roared in anger, “Psycho aadmi! Aapko maine kya samjha tha aur aap kya nikle!”

A deep throaty chuckle erupted from Altan as he stepped towards Mahoor and she stepped back.

“Tum yu aur apni aakhon ko takleef mat do,” He took out the spectacles from his kurta's pocket and extended his hand to her to get it.

Mahoor snatched her eye frames, making Altan's eyebrows raise in amusement.

She wore her spectacles immediately and released a breath relief, now seeing the crystal clear vision.

Mahoor raised her head up and she felt like time stopped or as if someone had punched her in the gut.

The brute who stood in front of her had no beard on his face and he no longer had brown eyes instead they were some shade of green.

Their eyes collided.

Sea green clashing against Russet Brown.

The green eyes of the man looked like the forest green trees of whose leaves were yearning to fall and kiss the earthy soil.

Mahoor blinked and slowly looked at Seyran to see her equally astonished as well.

“Itni hairat se kya dekh rahi ho? Main hi hu, tumhara Mirza.”

“Mat..matlab?” Mahoor stuttered, not believing her eyes or not wanting to accept what her mind was screaming.

“Iss mein kya mayne jaan ne hai tumhe? Jo sab tumne Hindustan mein dekha tha kuch sacch nahi tha siwaye mere jazbaton ke.”

The man now only felt like a creep whose creepiness was scaring the poor women before him

Mahoor fearfully took a step back, “Yeh..yeh kya keh rahe hai aap?”

Her mind was already fucked up because of her and her sister's abduction. Now this beast was doing nothing but adding more to the fuckery which was only increasing the pain in her head.

Altan stepped forward but Seyran stood in front of Mahoor, shielding her little sister from the ruffian.

“Agar woh peeche hatt rahi hai iska matlab yeh hai woh aap se duri pe baat karna chah rahi hai, aap uski personal space ki laaj rakhein aur duri bana kar apni baat karein.”

Altan's face squeezed in discontent and he eyed Seyran in annoyance.

“Har waqt Mahoor se chip kar rehti ho, woh kam nahi hai ki ab hamare beech mein aa rahi ho? Tum khud side hogi ya main karau?”

“Bi..bilkul nahi! Ek tou humein bina ijazat ke utha laye hai aur dadagiri kar rahe hai! Meri behen koi khilona hai? Nahi mil raha tou chura lo? Ha?.”

Altan looked at her with boredom before flicking his two fingers in the air.

Arya marched towards Seyran and pulled her away from Mahoor.

Panic consumed Mahoor's being as she tried to hold Seyran to herself but Altan gripped Mahoor's arm, not letting her move.

“Chodein mujhe!” Seyran squawked at Arya who always had his ears shut for these screams as his loyalty seemed more important than on giving in at the side of the victims.

Mahoor tried to unscrew her arm from  Altan's clasp but failed miserably, she stared at him with pleading eyes, “Please, Seyran ko mujhse durr nahi karein. Please, meri behen k..ko takleef nahi pohchaye.”

A tear rolled down her cheek and Altan rubbed it away with his thumb and Mahoor's skin burnt with disgust at his one mere touch.

His sea green eyes softened, seeing her cry. “Koi tumhe apni behen se durr nahi kar raha, meri jaan.”

Arya stopped a good ten feet away from Mahoor and Altan, keeping Seyran in her place.

Mahoor's body relaxed, seeing Seyran not going away from her, kept the woman sane.

Altan's hold loosened on Mahoor's hand and she hurriedly moved away from him, maintaining a good few inches amongst them.

She forced herself to calm down to keep her point of view. Maybe softening her tone would help, releasing a sigh, Mahoor thought and spoke further.

“Dekhiye aap yeh gunda giri bandh karein, aur humein jane dein. Main kasam keh rahi hu, humne police ko khabar nahi karni aur naa hi kisi se ek alfaz kehna hai bas humein jane dein. Kya jhoot, kya sacch issey humein koi farq nahi padta, bass humein jane dein.”

Altan simpered arrogantly and he shook his head, “Altan Mirza ki chahat ho tum, Mahoor Durrani. Yeh jism se jab aakhri saans nikle tab hi tumhe mujhse chootkara mile.”

Mahoor's brow furrowed in bewilderment, her brain only stopped at the mention of his name and the other words of Altan didn't even reach her ears as she only concentrated on one thing.

Altan Mirza.

“Par.. par aapka naam tou Hai..Haider hai na?”

He swung his head from right to left, “Woh tou jhoot kaha tha apni asliyat chupane ke liye. Mera asal naam Altan Mirza hai, Haider nahi.”

Mahoor stood frozen, unable to process what she just heard. She couldn't believe her ears and the news Altan dropped was devastating.

Not only did Altan hide his name but also his true self, also his real identity from Mahoor and deceived her for a number of times, taking advantage of her naive self, he tricked her beyond anything.

What did she do? He wasn't anything to her still it hurt to be falsified too. She was nothing but kind and generous to him but what did she get in return?

A betrayal.

“Yani ye aapki aakhein aur beard bhi nakli thi?”

Altan nodded, “Main tumse jhoot nahi kehna chahta tha par main majboor tha. Mere dushman ya fir media wale jaan jate mera thikana, tou mere liye musibat ban jati.”

Mahoor felt like her head was spinning. As one by one, Altan unfolded the strings of himself, it only stunned her and that too in not a good way.

“Dushman? Media? YEH KYA KEH RAHE HAI AAP?? SAAF LAFZON MEIN KAHEIN!” Not being able to take anymore, Mahoor yelled in utter frustration.

The crude tone of Mahoor didn't impress Altan as the demons inside him snapped and howled viciously

Altan held her nape, not tight enough to hurt her and brought her face close to him.

A shudder ran down her spine as Mahoor now feared the angry man as she could see him boiling in anger.

His eyes burned with venom and the veins on his neck and temple pulsed as he snarled like a beast, “Ainda mujhse aise baat nahi karna! Chahta hu tumhe iska matlab yeh nahi ki tumhari badtameezi sahu. Awaz unchi karna nahi, samjhi?”

The man in front of her scared her to the deep roots of the earth. She didn't expect him to turn out a raging bull and behave like a brute but then too how well did she even know him to even expect decency from him?

But she showed him her scars, shared the most dreadful incident of her life not to make him feel worthless or anything less just because his back was full with marks.

It was as if Mahoor took out a part of her own self and gave it to him.

And it ruined her.

All she could see was his lies and dishonesty towards her.

To add more to the context, he kidnapped her and her sister. And now was shoving his authorities on them.

Mahoor's temper got out of her control as her jaw clenched and her palm flew to his face, slapping Altan across his cheek.

Arya, Jannat and Seyran audibly gasped at the bold move of Mahoor.

No species had the audacity to touch Altan let alone slap him, shook Arya and Jannat to the core as they knew how major consequences would be of the stunt which Mahoor pulled.

Altan's face went into another direction and his ghost white skin had a print of her fingers on his cheek. His hand which was holding Mahoor's nape loosened and fell to his side.

Mahoor clutched her anarkali and bellowed in fury,“Ek tou hum se jhoot kaha, dhokay mein rakha, khud ki sacchai chupai aur humein kidnap kia aur badi himmat se keh rahe hain ki badtameezi nahi karo! Samajhte kya hai aap khud ko, ha? Koi Mafia ke leader? Ya koi ganv ke zamindar? JO MARZI AAYE WOH KARENGE?”

Altan slowly moved his head towards Mahoor and if looks could kill, Mahoor would have been buried six feet down.

His sea green eyes hardened and narrowed into slits. His eyes which seemed calm were now shooting lasers at Mahoor, who unknowingly took a step back, seeing the rage which was oozing out of Altan's body.

The muscles in Altan's jaw stiffened and his palm curled into a tight fist, making his knuckles go white. The veins on his temple and neck were very much visible now.

The eer silence in the haveli pricked everyone as they all could literally see Altan burning in the lava of vehemence.

And they were scared of his reaction, not only the public but Altan too.

‘Thappad laga iske ek, aurat hai akkal thikane aa jayegi!’

‘Aurat ka yahi kaam hota hai palat ke jawab dena tou tu kya sun ke lega? Thik kar isey varna aage bhi aise hi apni zaban chalate rahegi.’

The monster inside him growled in fury and demanded revenge for hurting it's pride and ego.

Altan closed his eyes, fighting with his inner demons. He could feel his head already giving up but his heart and consciousness knew better than to react upon them.

He opened his eyes and not even a pinch of anger dissolved in him.

Looking into Mahoor's dark orbs, he pulled out a pistol from his kurta's pocket and pointed in Seyran's direction, shocking Mahoor.

With his poker face and dead eyes, Altan pulled the trigger and the bullet just went past Seyran's ear and it got hit on the wall.

Mahoor's hands flew to her mouth in horror and Seyran stumbled a bit in fear but Arya took care of it.

Altan grasped Mahoor's chin and made her look at him. Looking into her eyes, he spoke without any emotion, “Aur ek thappad lagana, yeh goli seedha tumharey behen ke sir se jaayegi aur iss baar,” he lowered himself to her height and he hissed, “Altan se nishana chukega nahi.”

Scared, afraid, frightened, terrified, petrified, aghast and all the adjectives of this emotion would be less to define the turmoil of fear Mahoor was feeling right now because of this man.

Never in her dreams did she think that the outcome of her words would draw this action from anyone.

Surely Mahoor was beaten black to blue by her father because of her retorting back to him constantly since she was a child and it did hurt her to a point where she thought that jumping off of a cliff would be better than getting beaten continuously.

But someone shooting her loved one as if using that person against her just to keep Mahoor in control, blew her mind and wrenched her entire being.

Her left hand started to tremble, a sign of severe anxiety and fear.

His eyes focused on her face, as his hoarse voice echoed in the haveli, “Khud ko main ek mafia leader hi samajhta hu kyu ki main Pakistan ka Mafia Leader hu, mera maqam Sultan ka hai aur meri biwi ka meri sultanat mein Mallika ka maqam hai jo tumhare naam ho chuka hai kyu ke meri begum tou tum hi banogi.”

Altan let go of her, seeing her left palm shiver like a baby would shake in sleep if the cold air would kiss his face.

He didn't want to burst the cracker of his identity to Mahoor yet but then he thought that letting it all out at once would be better than to take a step towards his lies which would give her more trauma compared to giving it all at once.

Mahoor gaped at him and her mind went blank. He wasn't lying because the intensity behind his words was staunch, leaving no room for doubts.

She looked at Arya and expected him to deny it but he dropped his head, not wanting to let out his words.

Her eyes flickered to Seyran who was equally wrecked as her upon hearing the shattering news.

‘Ya Allah, aisa kya gunah kiya tha jo iss darinde ke haath lag gayi main?’ A voice in Mahoor screamed.

“Mera koi maqam nahi hai aap ke mafia vagaira mein, main tau manti bhi nahi yeh sab cheezon mein! Mujhe aapki biwi kya? Dost tak banna qubool nahi!”

Altan smirked, “Tum mano ya na mano, tumhara maqam hai. Tumhe qubool ho ya na ho tum meri biwi banogi hi!”

He stepped towards her and this time Mahoor stood her ground. He tilted his head and the monster in him enjoyed the sight of displeasure in her eyes.

But his heart ached for the woman because he clearly knew in what situation he had dragged her in and the last news that he was about to explode would take away the ground from beneath her.

“Aur tum yeh bhi jaan lo mujhse tum bhaag nahi sakti. Tum yaha jaha jaogi waha Altan ko paogi kyu ke tum mere mulk mein ho, Pakistan mein.”

Mahoor blanched. The remaining color on her face drained, leaving her feeling completely empty.

Her heart painfully thudded in her chest and the sound of it echoed in her ears. Her stomach twisted in knots, urging her to vomit.

Her lower lip quivered and Mahoor batted her lashes, trying her best to not to let those tears fall from her eyes.

But she failed miserably.

She shook her face as the water streamed down her face, “Aa..ap jho..jhoot keh ra..rahe hai..Mai tou si..sirf do ghante ke li..liye soi thi! Mai aise kai..kaise itni jaldi Pakistan ponch ja..jaungi? Aap m.. mujhse ni..nikah karne ke liye jhoot ke..keh rahe hai.”

Altan wished that the ground opened and swallowed him down. He threw three bombs on her, one about his identity, second about his profession and lastly third, about their location.

He wanted her to get over the hurt all at once instead of crossing the stages of getting new information daily, making a fuss about it daily and crying her eyes out.

Altan knew that after a period of time, it'd hurt less.

“Tum do ghante nahi, pure chaubees ghante ke liye behosh thi.”

She groped her hair in pure bafflement, “NAHI! NAHI! NAHI!” Mahoor pulled the tips of her hair too hard and at that sight, even Altan visibly winced.

“AAP JHOOT KEH RAHE HAI!”

Seyran forgot about her own worries and pain. She shut down her emotions knowing very clearly that this was the time Mahoor needed her the most.

She sprinted towards Mahoor and softly held Mahoor's hands, “Sey..Seyran, humne Philippines jaana tha na?”

Mahoor sniffed, “Maine waha sho.. shooting shuru karni thi aur yeh jh..jhoot keh rahe hai ki hum Pakistan mein hai, yeh na..namumkin hai na? Hum..hum ne fir fir apni khud ki make up brand kholni thi! hum.. humare itne khwab hai, in..insey kaho kehne ki yeh jhoot hai!”

Mahoor jerked Seyran violently, as she was crying along with her, “KAHO INSEY!!”

Altan had enough. He didn't regret his decision of revealing the truth to her but his heart stirred in agony, seeing her weep like a baby. She looked so broken that Altan only wished that if he only would have been blind then he didn't have to witness such a throbbing sight.

“Mahoor, meri jaan. Khud ko sambhalo!” Seyran tightly wrapped her arms around Mahoor but she struggled against her hold.

“Chodo mu..mujhe! Please..” Mahoor struggled and Seyran only tightened her hold on her arms.

Mahoor's body released violent sobs as she caterwauled, “Maine Philippines jaana tha Seyran ap..apna khw..khwab pure karne. Allah ne mujhe kaha la dia, yeh aadmi ne me..mere saath ky..kya kar dia.. Iss ne tum pe goli chalayi, ma..mai tumhe kho deti! Mera tum..tumhare bina koi na..nahi, yeh jaante hue bhi in..inhone yeh harkat ki! Hamesha hum hi kyu? Humein kaun bach..bachayega ab?

Seyran patted her back and wiped her own tears, “ Mujhe kuch hua nahi na.. Main h...hu na tumhare saa..saath. Allah hai na meri jaan.. woh humari su..sunega aur woh humari hif..hifazat karega.”

It was all too much for her. Mahoor couldn't believe that just one night changed her fate completely.

Mahoor was supposed to be on the sets of the drama she got selected for. She was supposed to be laughing right now with the crew and cast. She was supposed to be wandering around the streets of the Philippines with Seyran and enjoying her new life.

But..

It didn't happen as it all got snatched away from her just because a particular someone decided to marry her out of the blue..

Her body didn't feel an ounce of agony but mentally and emotionally, she got ruined and the baggage of this aching turmoil was very excessive to her.

Her brain didn't know how to handle the unwelcomed catastrophic news as her senses started to shut down.

Mahoor grappled with herself to not give into her body desires as she didn't want to leave Seyran alone with these monsters and she didn't trust anyone.

Only the Lord knew for how long she'd be gone and it scared her to leave her sister behind.

However, destiny isn't anyone's best friend.

Her body began to feel light as her surroundings blurred, her eyes fluttered shut.

Light voices of soft feminine shriek and a masculine shrill reached her ears before Mahoor sagged down to the floor, surrendering herself, unwillingly ; to the darkness.

•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•

Aap sabhi Ko Chand aur Eid Mubarak!!❤️🫂✨(2024)

Mahoor ko Altan ki sacchai ka pata chalna, Mubarak!!🤭

Altan ko Mahoor ka thappad aur behosh hona, Mubarak!!🥰🥳

Meri taraf se aap sabhi ke liye yeh hosh udau Eidi 🌚🫶🏼✨

Umeed hai aap sabhi satisfied ho ;)

This book is very challenging as the frustration and emotional turmoil Mahoor will go through is already making me see stars.

Unexpected laga kuch?🤭

Kyu ke abhi tou unexpected events ki shuruwat hui hai 🌚

Forcing blessyyy_ly to read this novel asap! Bhai main keh rahi hu tere bhi tote udenge, padh le fir baad mein kya na wow, mehek!😂

Jald milte hai agli update ke saath <3