*** 3 days later ***
"Can we expect him to come home atleast today?" Haseena asked Vikram on the call.
"Not really Haseena ji," answered Vikram, "Salaar is taking Raj's case very seriously. Any updates from your men?"
"No," said Haseena, "Rashid bhai is looking too. Can you convince Salaar to come home?"
"I wouldn't dare," said Vikram, "He isn't his calm self anymore."
"Fine, I am coming to your place," said Haseena and cut the call.
*** A few hours later ***
"What do you mean by you missed the staff room?" Salaar shouted frustrated, "I asked you to search everywhere and everywhere means everywhere!"
"Yes Salaar, got it," said Sandeep hesitantly, "I'll send our men again."
"Do it before the kid gets killed," Salaar said angrily and continued to roam around the room in frustration. Vikram was watching from one corner of the room. He wanted to console but didn't know how. Meanwhile Haseena came in. Vikram looked at her and signalled to show how frustrated Salaar was.
Haseena patiently waited until Salaar noticed her. He paced back and forth for a while before his attention turned towards Haseena.
"What are you doing here? Go back," Salaar said the moment he noticed her.
"I want you to come home with me," said Haseena.
"I need to be here," said Salaar, "Things aren't going well."
"Yes, Vikram told me about Amira's friend," said Haseena, "but still....it's been three days since you've been home. You can continue to manage it from the palace."
"Haseena I am not a king to pass orders from the palace," said Salaar, "I am a soldier."
"But the precious treasure you are supossed to protect is in the palace," said Haseena and Salaar remained silent.
"Amira is now more open to you than she is to me," Haseena continued, "I don't even know about Raj and in Amira's eyes, I am her sensitive and innocent sister while you are her jijaaji who is capable of evil if necessary." "If she has any problem she will come to you and not me," Haseena added, "and if you continue to stay away from her, Rajkesh might actually use this opportunity to get closer to her and none of us would even know."
Salaar found that argument to be very convincing. Who is to say if this is a mere distraction? Who is to say that his men are loyal to him? Who is to say that Amira would be safe in the palace while her guardian is fighting outside?
He immediately handed over the responsibilities to Vikram and headed home.
*** A few hours later ***
Salaar felt a strange vibe the moment he entered the palace. The way his men looked at him was a little off. Usually it's just fear but today it's something else. A little bit of disgust that despite their best efforts, couldn't be hidden, but why?
Even Haseena was confused by the sudden change. However all their questions were answered when she saw Amira...or were more questions raised.
Amira's eyes were red, swollen and filled with tears. That's not how she looked before Haseena left and it didn't look like anyone hurt her.
Amira walked towards Salaar and asked one simple question. "Why?"
Salaar looked at Amira confused but the next thing they heard turned their world around.
A news announcement from the TV.
'This murder has sent the state into a havoc. All these days Salaar was considered a powerful and evil force, but only to the mafia world, but have things started to change? Jhonny's murder raised the question and Raj Vedant's murder gave the answer. The question of why still remains unsolved.'
"It's not a mystery, isn't it?" asked Amira crying, "His only mistake was getting close to me. You did the same with Jhonny and you did the same with Raj."
Salaar slightly shook his head in disbelief but Amira continued anyway.
"Jhonny is a bad guy and while it's still a crime I understand the motive," she said, "but Raj is a good guy. He has a bigger heart than you and all of your men combined. He has dreams, ambitions and a life just like me....how could you?"
Salaar was too shocked to even bother explaining himself.
"Amira beta, Salaar would never do that," said Haseena.
"Seriously Appi?" said Amira angrily, "Can't you see? Raj was murdered just like Jhonny. The weapon, the cruelity....even Salaar's name was written on his body. Not to mention your psychopathic husband has been missing for three days."
"Amira I was...." Salaar tried to explain.
"Just shut up," Amira said angrily, "You are a monster. A devil who came to destroy our peaceful life."
"Amira watch your words," warned Haseena.
"Right!" said Amira sarcastically, "How could I forget? He is your husband."
"Amira stop," said Haseena.
"Right I should stop," said Amira sarcastically, "He is more important than me, isn't he?"
"Amira what are you...."
"No no it's okay," Amira inerrupted Haseena, "Stay with him. Be happy. I am the third wheel right? I'll leave!"
"Amira don't be stupid," said Salaar raising his voice after a long time of silence. His anger sent shivers down everyone's spines. "Go to your room. Now!"
"I will not," said Amira firmly.
"Don't make me want to force you," warned Salaar.
"I've been held hostage for long enough," said Amira. Salaar knew things were getting out of control. He tried to apporach Amira but she immediately took the knife from the nearby table.
"Amira what are you doing?" said Haseena concerned.
"Don't worry Appi. I am not a murderer," said Amira. "Let me leave or I'll kill myself," she told Salaar. Haseena tried to approach Amira but she quickly pointed the knife to her wrist and she had to step back too.
"Let. Me. Go," demanded Amira. Salaar had no choice but to be stratergic and make the best out of the worst situation.
"Fine," he said, "Fine. Go wherever you want but take Albert and Einstein with you."
"I don't need anyone," cried Amira, "Leave me alone!"
"Amira beta listen to me," Haseena tried to console, "You need to travel 8km to even see people and you need someone to help guide right? Someone who could drive?"
Amira although reluctant continued to listen.
"And.... Albert and Einstein are your friends, right? They even stood up against Salaar for you...and...and they don't even speak so...they will just be around to help you....atleast till you reach somewhere safe....please....think about it...."
Amira innocently looked at the brothers. They nodded to assure Amira.
"Fine," said Amira crying, "Put your phones down."
"Phones down!" she said again firmly and Albert and Einstein took the phones out of their pocket and put them down.
"I'll choose which car to take," she told Salaar.
"Okay," said Salaar and stepped aside. Amira carefully walked out the room, still pointing the knife to her wrist and selected one of the oldest cars to avoid being tracked. Albert started the car and brought it to outside the palace.
Amira looked at Salaar and Haseena for one last time before leaving.
"Good bye, Appi," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Khuda Hafiz (May god be your guardian), beta" said Haseena.
"You need it more Appi," said Amira, "Khuda Hafiz!"
Saying this Amira stepped inside the car. Einstein and Albert sat at the front and Albert started the car. Amira looked at the watch on her wrist, the one with the location tracker. She angrily pulled it away and threw it outside the window, thereby tearing down another wall of protection!