Chapter 26: 22. 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗶 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗸𝗶..

❛Dil dhoke mein hai,

Aur dhokebaaz dil mein..❜

Third Person's POV:

“Apne Mirza se tum bhaag kar yaha aa gayi, Hoor.”

Altan lowered himself to her side and Mahoor only tried to glue herself more in the chair.

She turned her face away from his and he whispered in her ear, in a low yet lethal voice, “Yeh khauf toh tumhare chehre par tab nahi aaya jab tum bagh ke bahar, mere kamre ki taraf apni yeh,” he slid the pad of his thumb on her middle finger, “ungli dikha rahi thi.”

Altan rested his back on the headboard of the bed in the dark while the moon cast it's white shadow, lighting up his room.

His gaze flickered to his hand, on the bandage wrapped around his hand which was tied by Mahoor to heal his wounds.

He wondered how she could be so kind as to come to his room just to apologize for her one mere mistake, ignoring the thought that he was her abductor.

“Agar aapne mujhe chune ki koshish ki toh jaan se maar dalungi.” His lips twitched slightly when her voice echoed in his head.

It was near morning, he hadn't slept yet.

As days were passing by, his insomnia was getting worse and now that he had his moment with Mahoor, his mind totally forgot the thought of relaxation.

Altan picked up the packet of cigarettes from his nightstand with the lighter. While being lost in Mahoor's thoughts, he ignited the toxic stick.

As he placed the cig on his lips, he hoisted up from the bed and pulled his trousers up with his rigid fingers and his thick soft curls bounced.

He walked towards his balcony and stared at the moon.

Holding the cancer stick in his hand, Altan scratched his eyebrow.

“Ek baat bolu chand tujhe? Tere aage mujhe koi khubsurat nahi laga. Par ab jab tujhe dekhta hu toh tu bas ek sikka lagta hai.”

He took a puff and rubbed his neck, “Mahoor ko ab dekh liya hai na toh teri bhi aukat uske saamne ab kuch nahi.”

He took a few steps ahead and threw the cigarette in the ashtray which was kept near the glass window of the balcony.

“Meri aurat ye baat se bekhabar hai ki uski ek pyari tabassum, tera wajood khaak mein milane ki taqat rakhti hai.”

Altan placed another cigarette between his lips and brought the ignitor near the end of it, his actions halted as the landline of his room rang and the muscle of his back tensed.

The telephone in his room didn't ring until and unless the estate was under attack or it was an emergency.

He threw the cancer stick away and immediately answered the call.

“Assalamualaikum, Zaeem.”

“Wa alaykummasalam. Sab khair, Saad?”

The man on the other side gulped, not knowing how to burst the news to Sultan Zaeem, that his soon to be wife was running away from his clutches.

Hearing the ragged breaths from the line only intensified Altan's cautions.

“Haramzade! Muh mein leke baitha hai kya jo chup hogaya hai?” Altan yelled through the phone and Saad pulled the cell away.

Bringing the phone near to his ear, Saad stammered, “Woh.. Malli..mallika Aanam, bhag ne ki ko..koshish kar rahi hai.”

All the color drained out of Altan's face and his complexion transformed two times paler shade, almost making him look like a ghost.

It felt like somebody threw a bucket full of ice water on him as the news was staggering.

“Mallika Aanam, apni behen ke saath bagh mein darak ke peeche chupi hui hai.”

Never in his imagination had he thought that Mahoor would try to escape. He had informed her that they are in another country, still unfamiliar with every inch of the city, and Mahoor decided to play with Altan's patience.

He was furious beyond words but the worry for her in his heart didn't subside.

“Nazar rakhi apni, bareeqi se dono par,” his hold on the phone tightened as he gritted his teeth, “Agar koi camera bandh hua, ya phir koi screen; toh teri bhi hayat unke saath khatam ho jayegi.”

“Ji.. par...”

Altan hung up the call. He marched towards the CCTV monitoring control room from where he could clearly get to see the live action.

Before leaving his bedroom, Altan pressed the emergency button, making the alarms blare in Arya and Zaviyar's room, alerting them about the crisis.

Without wasting any time further, he was in the Control Room in less than a minute with Arya and Zaviyar standing behind him in attention.

Apprehension coiled up in Arya's being as he knew that unintentionally, Mahoor blew up the tank of patience of Altan's and whatever would come her way would only cause her pain.

Altan's gaze transformed into the flames of lava as he saw the two girls at the end of Bagh-E-Azyan and Mahoor trying to open the door which led to the jungle, to the outer world.

He crossed his hand over his toned chest and a muscle in his jaw ticked seeing Mahoor engulfing Seyran in a tight hug after the door was unbolted.

‘Seyran, tera bhi bataunga.’

It was as if the Lord was keen on making his anger shoot up to the sky, his blood boiling when he saw Mahoor flashing her middle fingers towards his balcony.

Arya gasped loudly and Zaviyar placed a hand on Arya's mouth, startled by the audacity of Mahoor.

Altan gawped at the sisters in fury as Seyran dragged Mahoor in the greenery and he couldn't avert his burning stare from Mahoor who didn't put her fingers down until she got invisible into darkness.

The sight before him was in colors but all he could see was red as tremors of rage shook his body at Mahoor's daring elopement.

He jerked his head sideways and closed his eyes to take control of his temper as this wasn't the time to let the monsters in his head take the lead.

He released an exasperated breath and opened his sea green eyes which were blazing in wrath demanding answers for this action of hers.

Altan was aware that she didn't want to marry him but after being informed and taken out to another country whose surroundings Mahoor wasn't familiar with, still she decided to escape from him and only added fuel to the fire.

“Jungle mein agar aap log samjho ainvayi gaye aur kho gaye toh? Wapas lautna mushkil hai na phir?”

Her voice echoed in his ears, making the picture clear in front of his vision that she was planning to run away from the state, from him for a long time.

It was his fault that he didn't see it coming as he blindly trusted her and by neglecting all his dirty work and CEO duties, he was too engaged in wooing her.

Now that the picture was clear, the signs were too fatal and transparent which Altan could have caught them all very easily, if only his vision and senses didn't go impaired because of a woman.

Mahoor chose the correct time to abscond from the estate as at the exact time the night guards swapped their shifts with the morning security which gave her an opportunity to enter the bagh without anyone restricting her or else she wouldn't have been able to leave, even if she tried to.

His mind was still in a haze trying to process all the current scenarios.

Arya stepped forward, “Hum unhe do minute mein jaa kar pakad sakte hai, der nahi hui hai.”

Altan focused on the screen where Mahoor and Seyran were moving through the forest, by following the arrows.

He rolled his shoulders as he turned around, facing Arya and Zaviyar.

“Itni himmat dikhai hai yeh ladkiyo ne toh thodi der ke liye hi sahi, inhe shabashi ke roop mein inki azadi jee lene do.”

Zaviyar jerked his head towards the screen, “Par ye dono yaha se jayenge kaha?”

Altan spun around and his jaw clenched, seeing Seyran's hand around Mahoor's shoulder.

He jammed his hands in his front pockets, “Wahi jaha har victim jata hai..”

He looked over his shoulders, “Police Station.”

Shock coursed through Mahoor's entire being and her body froze. Her heart pounded in her chest wildly, coming down with the terms that he knew.

All along, he knew everything.

Feeling her body go rigid, Altan's lips drew into a smirk as he stood up to his whole height, towering her shaking and sitting form.

Mahoor pulled the threads of her hoodie violently. Apprehension creeped up to her skin, as one question clouded her mind.

If he was aware of her abscond, then why didn't he stop her?

The Altan she knew would have done everything in his power or go beyond the limits to grab a hold of her.

But he let her go.

Why?

Seyran held her hand, ceasing Mahoor's movements.

She looked into her eyes, “Mahi, kya hua hai? Woh aadmi ne kya kaha tumse?”

Mahoor swung her head from left to right as she didn't want to distress her, “K..kuch nahi, bas fikar ho rahi.”

Seyran scrutinized and her hold on Mahoor's hand tightened, “Sach kaho!”

“Haath chodo uska!”

Their heads snapped at the acidic voice which belonged to Altan and he was seething.

Altan groped the handle of Mahoor's chair and very effortlessly, dragged it near him away from Seyran like she weighed nothing.

Mahoor hoisted up from the chair, “KYA BADTAMEEZI HAI YEH??” she pointed a finger at him, “Ye aap ke abba ki kothi nahi hai jo aap apni dadagiri karenge yaha bhi.”

Altan smiled sarcastically, “Woh kothi mere abba ki nahi, meri hai,” his face darkened as the humor from his profile flew away, “Aur ye jagah nahi, yeh mulk ki har zameen pe meri hi hukumat chalti hai.”

Mahoor wouldn't lie but she was still scared of this man and hiding it from him was getting nearly impossible so she averted her gaze from the brute to the police officer.

“Officer, ye insan ko arrest kare aur humein please yaha se jane dein.”

“Arrest or main?” he bent his torso and Mahoor kept looking at her side, “Badi delusional ho ladki.”

“Altan Sahab, have a seat please.”

Mahoor's eyes flared with irritation as she turned her face at him. She cocked her head, “Let the court decide, who is delusional and who is not, Mirza Sahab.”

And in reply Altan only smirked as he moved towards the sofa for the interrogation.

Rajat sat down on the single sofa and Altan sprawled on the couch.

“Altan Sahab, kya aap Mahoor Durrani ko jante hai?”

Altan pushed his ankle over his other knee and his right hand was placed on the head of the couch, the other one resting over the ankle.

His gaze flickered from Mahoor to back at the police officer, Rajat.

“Bohot acche se. Mangetar hai, Mahoor Durrani meri.”

Mahoor sprang up from her seat, “Ye aadmi jhoot keh raha hai, inhone mujhe zabardasti yaha apne saath rakha hai, mai koi mangetar nahi hu inki. Mujhe aur meri behen ko inhone kidnap kiya hai!”

The officer stood up, “Ms. Durrani, please calm down. Aap aise hi interrogation mein dakhal dengi toh problems arise hoti rahengi.”

Seyran made her sit down in the chair and Mahoor rubbed her temples.

The man was getting interrogated for his crimes but he was sitting there peacefully like he was being interviewed for the vogue magazine.

“Ms. Durrani ne jo abhi kaha kya woh sach hai?”

Altan lifted his shoulder into a half shrug, “Ji, haa. Sacch hai.”

Mahoor blinked. Her eyes fluttered close again and again in shock, trying to process the statement that Altan actually accepted the allegation, he kidnapped her.

“Aur wajah kya hai aap ki ye harkat ki?”

Altan uncrossed his leg and lowered his upper body. Intertwining his fingers in a loose grip, he spoke, “Main inhe pasand karta hu aur nikah karna chahta hu, isiliye.”

Now that Altan has admitted his crimes, Mahoor was appeased knowing that she and her sister will be away forever from the monster's claws because the judiciary will do justice to them.

A deadly silence hung in the room, anticipating the next move of the officer.

Rajat lowered his head and scratched his beard. He slightly jerked his face up as he lips curled into a lopsided grin, “Toh aap kis cheez ka intizar kar rahe hai? Le jaye apni dulhan ko.”

Altan smirked as he stood up as well as Rajat. They shook hands, “Bhabhi ka khyal rakhna, choti hai yaar isiliye aisi nadaniya chalti rehti hai.”

The mafia man looked at a horror stricken face of Mahoor and his face went neutral, “Nadaan toh teri bhabhi bilkul nahi hai, magar khyal toh ab mai inka aur zyada rakhunga.”

Altan walked towards an astonished Mahoor whose eyes were widened with panic swaying in those russet brown orbs.

She looked back and forth between him and Rajat, not believing that the officer turned out to be a corrupted malice.

He stood in front of her and extended his hand, “Aau, ghar chalo.”

Mahoor's bewildered yet painful gaze flickered from him to his hand. She was still trying to process the Inspector's words but couldn't.

She was supposed to get justice for what happened to her and her sister but the officer sold his soul at the hands of the devil instead of being loyal to the oath taken under the Lord's gaze.

Rage seeped through every sense of her mind as Mahoor whacked Altan's hand away and hastily rose from the chair with such strength that it fell with a loud thud.

“KYA GHAR CHALO, HAA? KYA GHAR CHALO?”

Hearing the commotion, Arya entered the room only to see Altan standing there calmly but he knew better. Seyran stood a few feet away from Mahoor who was facing the inspector.

Mahoor terror filled eyes fell on the inspector, “Officer..” her lips quivered as her chest rose and fell with despair.

She pointed to his uniform, “Ye uniform aap ne hum log ki, iss desh ki hifazat karne ke liye pehna hai! You have taken an oath to protect your pe..people, so please..” she bit her lips, trying to control her cries but her voice broke, “put the charges on this man and let me and my sister go to my country.”

“Tch..tch..tch..” shaking his head, Altan came to her side and clapped, “What a brilliant speech!!” he placed his hand on his heart and puckered his lower lip out, “Mera toh dil bhar aaya.”

Mahoor's hand squeezed into fists at his sarcastic remarks. She never felt so powerless in her life even when her father passed away, even when every single relative of her's turned their back on her, she never felt so destitute and now here she was.

She ignored his comments and pleaded, “Inspector, please..”

Rajat shrugged nonchalantly, “Acchai aapki isi mein hai ki aap Altan ke saath chale jaye kyu ke..”

Mahoor slammed her hand on the table, her anger taking control.

“CHUP KAR! TU APNA FARZ TOH NIBHA NAHI RAHA AUR MUJHE SALAH DE RAHA HAI. pehle apne desh se wafadari kar le, NEECH HARAM KE KHANE WALE ZALEEL AADMI!”

In an instant, she was swiveled around and pinned to the wall, only for her russet brown eyes to crash with sea green one's which were seething in indignation.

Arya gestured to Rajat to leave the cabin to give them privacy so, he did.

His face clearly screamed animosity as his jaw ticked, veins popped on his temples and neck. Not to forget, Altan was heaving heavily which indicated that he was trying hard enough to not to lose his temper.

The familiar feeling of terror began to settle in her system, as the man in front of her looked like he was about to pound on her and won't stop until only her flesh was left.

“Agar tumne mujhe jaan liya hota toh tum kabhi ye kadam nahi uthati,” his voice low yet lethal, “Yeh mere log hai, aur ye wahi karenge, jo inka Sultan inse karne ke liye kahega.”

“Dur hatein!” Mahoor placed her hands on his biceps and tried to push Altan away who was already maintaining his distance from her but the way he was spitting venom through his words was making her hazy in fear.

“Ab tumse nazdeek aane ke din hai mere. Yeh mat bhoolo ki mai tumhari ghar se bhaagne wali harkat bhool gaya hu kyun ke,” he jerked his thumb in Seyran's direction and Mahoor attention snap towards her as Arya trudged his way and stood beside Seyran

A baleful smile gloomed Altan's features as he whispered threateningly, “Tum dono ko apna khamiyaza bhugatna hai.”

Tears pricked at the back of her eyes at the helplessness before her. The situation she was in felt like death enveloping her in it's arms as there was no escape from it now.

Her heart clenched painfully, seeing Seyran choke a sob. The innocent soul got dragged into this mess because of her and she was trapped just like Mahoor.

Mahoor's vision of sight stumbled upon Altan's waist, where a dagger was tugged in his pants.

Mahoor stared at Seyran and batted her lashes, pretending not to let those tears fall.

She slightly tipped her chin at Arya and blinked.

Seyran understood the assignment.

She wiped her tears and shifted a bit to Arya who was in his own dreamy worry land.

Sensing the dubious air, Altan eyed Mahoor glancing at his dagger. He somehow knew what was cooking in her head which he didn't want her to do. As the sweet and tender woman she is, she'll probably regret it.

His hawk-like eyes didn't miss the subtle gestures she gave to Seyran.

In a nick of time, with full energy, Seyran kicked Arya on his manhood, whose face contorted in pain as he clutched his jewels and fell to his knees. She also punched him in the face, making him sprawl onto the ground in double agony.

Altan turned his face to look at the back picture and he knew what was coming and he welcomed it with open arms.

Without wasting any second Mahoor took a hold of his dagger from his waist and jabbed it in Altan's shoulder, earning a deadly groan.

Mahoor's eyes watered as she pulled out the sword fiercely and Altan's gaze bored into her. Without giving a second thought, she thrusted the knife again in his injured shoulder, making him slump down to the floor.

She stared at the splashes of his blood on her trembling hands and back at him, “I..I am so.. sorry.”

Glancing at him for the last time, Mahoor sprinted to Seyran and took her hand in hers, dashing out of the police station.

•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•

Congratulations to you on becoming a Chartered Accountant in your first attempt itself! If we were on talking terms (though we are but you know our situation) I'd have texted you but.. chaddo!

Man! When I got the news, I even shed some happy tears which clearly reflects my joy on your achievement. If by any chance you'll read this, know that I have always been proud of you and I always will be. I'll watch you from afar, achieving everything in your life and I'll keep praying for you. When the time is be right, I will be on your side, ameen.

Take care, until we meet again..