Chapter 85: "Up in Flames"

Post your reactions as you read. I hope the length of the chapter makes up delay🙏🏻.

First draft: February 7,2022

A smile played on Zayn's lips as the kiss between him and Salma played on repeat in his mind. He was headed home after dropping Salma at her place. It had been several hours since they had shared their first kiss but he could still feel the enticing warmth of her soft lips against his, binding him in the most magnificent moment of magic, forever.

Back then, as he got hungrier and more feverish for her affection, Salma had broken the kiss, gasping for air. Out of breath, both of them leaned against each other, their hearts running a marathon in sync. Zayn kept his eyes closed, savoring the moment. He could feel her in his arms, her hands still grasping at his neck, the warmth of her breath fanned against his face and the touch of her forehead was light against his. And yet, he was still quite certain it was a dream. He did not want it to end. Scared of everything vanishing in a puff of air, but too curious to know any better, Zayn hesitantly opened his eyes.

His heart skipped a beat to see her flushed face. Zayn's eyes roamed over her heaven-kissed features, stroking her heated cheek with his thumb. It felt real.

Salma lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Zayn saw a fresh wave of blood tint her face with a blush as their eyes met, but there was also something else in there. A dash of panic. A shard of doubt. It was as if she was seconding-guessing her impulsive decision to kiss him.

Zayn cupped the side of her face.

"It's okay," he whispered.

Salma eyes went to and fro between his, searching him for answers. She swallowed.

"I . . ." She looked away. "I know it is."

A smile tugged at the corners of Zayn's lips at her reply. Yet, she still seemed conflicted about something. Or perhaps she was worried, Zayn guessed.

"You can talk to me about it," he gently coaxed her.

Salma took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly.

"I want to take it slow," she said.

Zayn smiled.

"I'm not very familiar with the Bee dance but I look forward to you teaching me," he joked. "Set the tune."

Salma frowned at him playfully. Zayn chuckled.

"I don't want you to rush things," he replied seriously. "I don't mind taking it one step at a time, savoring and enjoying every moment as it comes."

Zayn could see a heavy burden lifting off of her. She immediately relaxed in his arms, looking relieved. Salma hugged him, resting her cheek against his shoulder. Zayn rested his head against hers, smiling.

"That was my first kiss," Salma admitted quietly.

Zayn smiled again.

"I'm honored," he replied.

She stayed quiet. The laugh that Zayn was hoping to hear, did not come.

"I'm honored that you chose me to share your first kiss with," Zayn tried to reassure her that she won't regret it. "I promise I'll treasure it forever. And I'll treasure you."

Zayn felt her smiling against his shoulder.

"I'll hold you to that promise."

"Should we link pinkies again?" Zayn joked.

This time he was rewarded by her merry laughter. Satisfied, Zayn closed his eyes again, hugging her closer. The two stayed in each other's embrace; relaxed, happy and content. Their hearts now beating to a constant rhythm, their pulse easing and breathing slow and steady.

"We're going to be late," Salma said after a while, breaking the trance.

Zayn sighed miserably.

"I don't want to leave," he admitted, pulling her closer.

Salma smiled.

"If we aren't on time, they'll come looking for us," she reasoned.

"Good," Zayn grumbled, burying his face in the folds of her scarf. "Makes it easier for me to tell them to piss off and leave us alone."

Salma chuckled.

"I'd like to see Spogmae react to that," she replied.

Zayn stiffened.

"She's the one on Shadow duty?" he asked.

"I think so," Salma said, guessing her father would prefer Spogmae to guard her over their dates. "Could be Burak Kaka if he's reinstated, I don't know."

"Oh hell naw!" Zayn pulled away, then paused and brought Salma back in a bear hug, making her gasp. "On second thoughts, I want it to be him who finds us."

Knowing what he was thinking, Salma rolled her eyes, feeling amused and disappointed by his pettiness. She pushed him back. Zayn let her go.

"I don't want to be found like this," Salma said, grabbing his hand and heading towards the veranda. "Come on."

Zayn followed after her, throwing his head back in protest. Salma laughed at his feigned childish behavior. He let go of her hand and draped an arm around her shoulder.

"Why though?" He smirked. "Am I your little secret?"

Salma burst out laughing, much to his satisfaction.

"Yeah," she replied, still laughing as they walked towards the forest. "You are my little secret."

"Hmm, so who are you cheating on with me?"

Salma gave him a smug side glance.

"Myself," she replied cheekily. "Never thought I'd be falling for the guy I found upside down, right about here." Salma pointed at the tree.

Zayn almost snapped his neck when he turned to her, surprised.

". . . falling for the guy. . ?"

He stopped, bringing them both to an abrupt halt directly under the spot where she had found Zayn hanging the wrong side up, ages ago.

"Is that an admission?" he asked, his eyes flitting between hers, seeking an answer.

Salma smirked, shrugging away from his arm.

"You never know," she teased, walking back before disappearing into the trees. "Pace up! We're going to be late, Harris!"

Zayn sighed. She was seriously making his head spin by her drastic shifts between shyness and confidence. He could not tell which side of her he loved, and yearned for, the most.

"I prefer you saying the words, you know," Zayn called after her as he followed, with her skipping between trees a few steps ahead. "See, I'll say it to you. I love you, Bee!"

"No," came the prompt reply with a laugh full of mischief.

"Bugger," Zayn whispered, following her trail.

He felt a little disappointed that she refused to confirm she liked him back, but he fixed his eyes on the next goal with her. A devilish smile appearing on his face at the thought.

He was going to make her fall in love with him.

***

Zayn put the car in drive once the light turned green, and turned away from the main road towards his block. He chuckled to himself knowing Claire would be back at her spot in the sitting room. She was probably bursting at the seems with curiosity, ready to pounce on him to ask if they had kissed. Zayn shook his head in amusement, imagining her excited cry of happiness when he would finally put her wait to an end by admitting to the kiss.

Zayn was busy thinking about the hundred and ten questions he was sure to get bombarded with, when a curling cloud of smoke caught his attention. Instantly and for no reason, his insides turned cold. He leaned forward to see the ever stretching twirl of smoke rise above the rooftops, dissipating into the clear sky. A terrifying dread sunk its claws deep into his gut, chasing away all thoughts of warmth and kisses and happiness. The smoke was rising above his block. His heart drummed with perturbation as he neared the source of the fire.

Zayn turned towards his block, unable to breathe freely. His subconscious knew it before his eyes could see, and his body functions reacted accordingly. Panic kicked in despite his mind working overtime to deny the possibility. His breathing became erratic. He finally turned to his street, absolutely terrified. He lost control over his thoughts and actions by the world that was up in flames in front of him.

A house charred and burned. Crowds of people. Firefighters. Ambulances. Traffic cones blocking the way.

"No!" he cried, blinking to figh his blurring vision. "No, no, no!"

That was not his house up in flames. That could not be his house. His foot stepped on the accelerator on its own. The car sped. Several policemen jumped in front of him with their hands raised, screaming at him to stop and turn away. Amid tears, fears, panic, screeching tires and screaming voices, Zayn had no realization of having stepped on the breaks and jumping out of the car.

There was only one tangible thought in his head swimming with a cold, dizzying fear.

"Claire!" Zayn screamed as several hands grabbed him. "Let go!"

Zayn fought back having just a vague comprehension of people yelling at him.

"Claire! Niall! Clai--"

He felt a powerful force push him back. Screaming Zayn fought harder.

"My sister's in there! Let go! NIALL! NIALL! NO! NO--"

He could not hear or see anything but the charred building cracking and crashing under the tongues of fires. He struggled harder against the arms pushing him back. He had to save his family.

"NO! CLAIRE! LET ME GO! MY SISTER -- MY FAMILY!"

The jets of water tried to combat the leaping flames but Zayn knew it was not enough. The roof cave in and crashed. Zayn felt his heart sink with the explosion. He stopped struggling, going completely limp. He felt weak. His legs gave way underneath him. Zayn tried to hold up but it all came crashing down. His life was up in flames and he could only stand by and watch.

"My family. . ." he sobbed. "My family's in there. . ."

Breaking down completely, Zayn crumpled to the ground, still wound up in several restraining arms, weeping as he succumbed to the pain of having lost.

***

Salma, Asim and their parents hurried towards the floor above. Her heart was drumming at a mad pace, terribly upset and worried about Zayn. They rounded the corner to Intensive Care. Salma's pace quickened as she noticed Zayn standing outside the ICU. He looked up to see them approaching. Salma's lips parted in surprise to see his distraught appearance. His eyes were raw from crying, and face pale and gaunt, still covered in soot marks and tear streaks.

"Bee!" he breathed out in a broken whisper, racing towards her.

Salma was a little taken aback but welcomed him into her arms. She was oddly aware of her parents and brother around her. However, the moment Zayn broke down, crying as he held onto her for dear life, everything else became irrelevant. Salma felt her heart break with each of his stifled sobs. Comforting him became her only priority.

Salma hugged him closer, rubbing his back soothingly, allowing him let it all out. She felt her eyes prick. She could not imagine the absolute horror he had been through. Just a few hours ago, they were the happiest they had ever been, having shared a personal moment of unimaginable joy, only for everything to come down crashing on him. Who knew Zayn would come back to his house up in flames.

Salma felt someone walk up beside them. She opened her eyes to see her mother approach them. Her eyes were red with tears as she placed a comforting hand on Zayn's back.

"Son," she said gently. "Come on, take a seat."

Salma felt Zayn loosen his arms around her a little. Her mother patted him on the back. Zayn straightened up. Salma's heart ached to see his tear-streaked face. Salma's father stepped up beside his wife. He put a steadying arm around Zayn, leading him towards the benches.

"Stay by him," Aliya whispered softly at Salma when she looked over to her mother, wondering if any of them should take over.

Nodding, Salma kept her arm around him, staying by his side as her father lead Zayn to the benches on the side. Zayn sat between them, resting his forehead against his hand as he continued to struggle with his emotions.

"It's alright son," Mr. Rahman comforted him. "By Allah's will, the worse was averted. They'll be alright."

Swallowing, Zayn wiped his face and nodded.

Salma knew he was grateful that Claire and Niall escaped the fire but he was traumatized by the terrorizing possibility of what could have been.

A soft gasp from Asim alerted everyone to Burak Tufan stepping out of the ICU. Salma startled to take in his appearance.

Her eyes zeroed on his heavily bandaged hands, almost completely overlooking the amount of soot and dust he was covered in, and holes burned into his clothes.

"Burak Kaka?" she cried, terrified of what he must have done to have half his hair burned to a buzz. He looked like he had had a shabby undercut by an untrained barber.

In terms of physical harm, he looked a hundred times worse than Zayn. Emotionally, however, he seemed to be taking a stroll through a park, if one could ignore his burns and injuries. And the drip stand he was casually dragging beside him, considering he was still being given medication.

"Assalam o 'Alaikom," He smiled at the lot.

"Wa'Alaikom Assalam," they murmured together, still unsure of how to take in his sudden appearance, or the indifference.

"Shouldn't you still be in there?" Aliya asked sharply, jerking her head back to the ICU.

"Should be, according to the really lovely nurse who thinks I carry the look well, but I managed to sneak out. I don't need intensive care. I'm good." He grinned.

It was only when he flipped his shirt over his shoulder did Salma realize he was just wearing his tank-top under the jacket. And also, that the jacket was just draped over his broad shoulders. She peeked his heavily bandaged arms and realized he could not really slip them through the sleeves.

"You really need to get back in there!" Aliya scolded.

"I'm quite certain the nurses agree with you, and they'll be doing exactly that once they find me --"

"How did you know there was a fire at my place?" Zayn cut in.

Everyone turned to Zayn, realizing only then that they had almost forgotten about Zayn's tragedy with the Green Coat coming out with a funny hair cut.

Agent Tufan fixed Zayn with a steady stare.

"I was stationed outside your house," he replied.

"Why?" Zayn asked.

Salma glanced at her parents and brother, feeling the tension rise. If any of this was tied back to her and the threats around her, things would take a very ugly turn.

"You were to go away with Princess and Agent Wickfield does not think it important enough care for your family, so I was told to keep an eye on them," Burak Kaka replied. "Given how things have turned out, one would think you should be grateful that we did that."

Zayn continued staring at Burak distrustfully.

"Darren is fighting for his life!" Zayn spat, his eyes brimming again. "Niall and Claire just barely survived a fire! You --"

"Burak was there on my orders," Mr. Rahman intervened. "And although, I admit he's unhinged to address your tragedy with such indifference, if you want to suspect anyone of having committed arson there, you might as well point that finger at me."

Zayn looked away, clenching his jaws in agony. It was clear he did not want to throw around blame but he was confused and in pain. And Burak Kaka walking around like he had just ended filming a scene for a movie instead of jumping into a house on fire to rescue the residents inside, had riled Zayn up more.

"I just want answers!" Zayn said in a restrained tone.

"A little sensitivity won't go amiss either," Salma added, hoping Burak Kaka would approach the matter a little more delicately.

"Agreed," Burak Kaka bowed at Salma slightly before turning to Zayn. "I apologize for being insensitive."

"Right," Asim said before the agent could offend Zayn more by his completely insincere apology. "So what happened?"

"Update us before they realize their patient is thieving upon their drip stand," Mr. Rahman said, reminding Burak Kaka of what he had sneaked out of the ICU for, in the first place.

"Yeah, yeah, I think I'd like to nick some morphine for --" He stopped again and eyed them all. "The burns hurt a lot," he explained.

"I'm sure they do." Mr. Rahman said curtly.

Burak nodded before giving his account.

"So, I was just there, keeping an eye on everything when I saw a short stocky man exit through the front door," he began. "He mounted a bike that was parked behind Miss Anderson and Mr. Flintoff's cars, hidden from direct line of vision. Before I could work out his mysterious appearance from within the house, he rode off and disappeared. Disturbed, I decided to take a round around the house to make sure everything was in order. He could be a friend staying overnight, I thought, but we had no knowledge of a guest staying at the house. I checked the backdoor and the windows in the house. It did not look like he had forced his way in. Also, he left by the front door, making it obvious that he had also entered using the same route. While I was investigating for any suspicious activity, I realized the house was very quiet. I hoped both, Miss Anderson and Mr. Flintoff were, busy wasting their lives scrolling through their social media, when I saw smoke rising from Miss Claire's room and I knew I was wrong."

Salma threw a glance at Zayn. He looked anguished. She quickly put a comforting hand on his back.

"I was on my way rushing towards the front to enter the house when I passed by the window of the bedroom downstairs. I could see the flames of a raging fire burning at the foot of Mr. Flintoff's bed, and yet he lay at an odd angle on the bed, motionless and completely unbothered by the fire leaping towards his bed."

"What?" Salma and Asim cried.

"Oh my God!" Alley's hands shot towards her mouth.

"As I forced my way into the house, I found the smoke from the room having spread to the entire house. Mr. Flintoff's room was locked. By the time I got in, the foot of his bed had already ignited. He was just lying there drenched in sweat and unconscious. The moment I yanked him from the bed, the mattress and the comforter incinerated. The flames took less than seconds to leap at us. I got a fresh hair cut."

Everyone, except Mr. Rahman who looked rather grim, stared at the Green Coat, ashen-faced. They were too shell-shocked at his and Niall near miss to comprehend he had tried to make another joke. Realizing he had promised to be wary of the severity of the tragedy, the Green Coat cleared his throat awkwardly.

"My apologies," he muttered, though no one was quite in the right mind to reprimand him for the joke.

"W-what about Claire?" Salma asked slowly.

"I took Mr. Flintoff out and left him on the street, then I raced back in to go upstairs. I stupidly reached for the door knob and scorched my hand." The Green Coat waved his right hand.

Salma and Aliya winced. His palm and fingers were a mangled mess of raw sores.

"The door was jammed. I could not kick it down, so I tore it down and forced myself in. The smoke there was too thick for me to see anything or breathe. A severe coughing fit took over me. I took off my jacket to cover my mouth and nose when I knocked into Miss Anderson's dresser that was up in flames. Got a few more burns." He pointed at his left arm. "I searched for Miss Anderson but she was nowhere to be found. I had almost given up on finding her in her room and thought she was elsewhere in the house when I heard a sound. It was coming from the bathroom. There, barely conscious, was Miss Anderson in the bathtub. She was not very sober but she was not completely out of it either. I think at some point during the fire, she had headed to the bathroom. I don't know if she was aware of it or not, but she was in the bathtub, which is considered a relatively safer place during a fire. She was nearly faint when I got her out on the street though."

"Who was that man?" Asim asked, disgusted that someone would light up a house with people inside it.

Burak Kaka was about to answer when Zayn interrupted.

"What about Darren?"

The Green Coat paused and turned to Zayn.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about him!" Asim said. "Who took him out?"

Mr. Darren had suffered the worse burns. His condition was still fragile.

"Like you, Mr. Darren had completely slipped my mind," Burak Kaka replied, looking sombre and genuinely upset that he had left an old man to die inside. "I had just got Miss Anderson out on the street and was about to start making calls when Miss Anderson, coughing and barely conscious, grabbed my arm. 'Darren!' she barely whispered. 'He's in the basement.' My soul almost left my body realizing I had forgotten the old chauffeur/spy. Forgetting about everything, I raced back in and headed downstairs. At that point most of the house was already up in flames. The basement was completely dark and heat was radiating out of it like a furnace. Fire and smoke leapt out of it at me. When I saw the door to Darren's room blown off it's hinges by the explosion of the fire, I had little hope for him. Long story short, he too was lying unconscious in his bed, but unlike Mr. Anderson, he was not so fortunate, he was already surrounded by flames. As I took him out, I was quite certain he had died of asphyxiation, but God bless that old soul, he's a fighter to have survived that levels of toxic gases."

Salma said nothing. Darren may have struggled through the lack of oxygen, but she hoped and prayed that his old bones and frail body could overcome the dangerous burns he had sustained during the fire.

"The fire had caught attention of the people," Burak kaka continued. "The neighbors had called 911. By the time I got Darren out, I saw fire fighters and paramedics rounding up the corner. Good thing too. Darren needed immediate attention and oxygen. And then they got us here."

"Do you think the three targets were knocked unconscious before the arson attack?" Mr. Rahman questioned Burak.

"I believe so," Burak kaka confirmed. "All three of them were in their respective rooms, which I find slightly suspicious considering at that time of the day, Miss Anderson and Mr. Flintoff are usually out, or in the sitting room. More suspicious is the fact that they were in their beds, except Miss Anderson, who I believe was in her bed but then became conscious of the fire and made her way to the bathub. I was behind the house when the the fire started, and I could hear none of them struggle or try to escape. Lastly, from what I saw from Mr. Flintoff's window, the fire was lit at the foot of his bed, but I had already seen smoke rising from Miss Anderson's room above, so it only makes sense that a small fire was started in each room while the target was knocked out, to make sure all three of them would die."

"So the short man you saw heading out, do you believe he did it?" Asim asked.

"I'm quite certain of it." The Green Coat replied.

"Who is he?"

"We don't know yet."

"How did he even get in?"

"Through the front door."

"What? Why did you let him in?"

"I didn't."

"But you saw him go in, didn't you?"

"No?"

"Why not? Weren't you keeping watch?"

"I--"

"Asim!" Aliya snapped at her son. "Stop shooting questions at him!"

Asim, who had already opened his mouth to ask another question, paused, his mouth still slightly agape. He shut it close, looking embarrassed.

"Let Zayn ask his questions," Aliya said, glaring at her son.

"Sorry," Asim muttered, avoiding their gaze.

Salma shook her head. First the Green Coat, now her brother. Why was everyone getting so excited and losing sight of the fact that Zayn was still coming to terms with the fact that someone had tried to burn his family alive.

"Do we have a clue how the suspect got in?" Zayn asked.

Burak nodded.

I had a word with our insider in the police department just before you arrived," the Green Coat told Zayn. "He said they had gone through the security camera footage of the neighbours since the cameras at your house were disabled for some reason. The footage from today is clear so they went back and checked the footage from yesterday. Yesterday evening, around five, when you were out, a delivery guy arrived, carrying a huge parcel. The man's face is covered in a scarf when he arrived, and again from today, after he left. Claire is seen answering the door and after talking a bit, she seemed to have asked him to get the parcel in. As Claire leaves, the man can be seen placing the parcel down and running to his bike to park it behind the cars, out of sight. Then he hurries over to the house with the parcel. However, he never leaves."

"That piece of shit stayed the night at our place?!" Zayn asked.

"It seems so," Burak confirmed. "Miss Anderson and Mr. Flintoff will tell us what happened once the doctors allow the cops to interrgate them but to me, it looks like he hid in the house the first chance they were distracted. The next day, you can be seen leaving early in the morning, but then no one entered or left the house, not under my watch, or the security camera footage, till that suspect just materialized within the house and rode off on the bike."

Everyone stayed quiet for a while. Burak Kaka's account had left chills running down Salma's spine. She was especially creeped out by the delivery man slipping in to the house and staying overnight without any of them ever noticing.

"Do we know who he is?" Zayn finally asked.

Burak Kaka shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no," he replied. "He's a ghost. The bike was stolen. It was found deserted a block away and the last footage follows him into an alley and disappearing altogether. Except that he's short and stocky, no one has anymore clues or descriptions of him."

Another silence followed.

"What about motive?" Salma asked, dreading the answer.

"Can't say, princess," Burak Kaka replied. "It could be any of the drug lords Mr. Harris has ruined as Agent Wickfield informant, or . . ."

"Or?" Salma echoed, feeling her heartbeat quicken.

"Or it could be the Tor Guls," he confirmed her suspicions.

"Why?" Salma cried, feeling her heart stab. She glanced at Zayn's toremented features, feeling guilt gnaw at her insides. "What has Zayn got to do with anything. Niall and Claire --"

"We don't know why," Burak Kaka interruped. "It's just speculations at this point, but given the snake Toryal is, I'd include him in my list of suspects even if a crime happens in South Korea and he's sitting right under my nose. Expect him to be involved in everything."

Salma said nothing, feeling her heart sink with every passing second. She could not bring herself to look at Zayn. Despite what Burak Kaka had said, Salma had started praying the arson attack was not of Toryal's doing. She did not know what she would do if it was confirmed that Zayn and his family were now under attack because of her.

Salma felt a warm hand wrap around hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She looked up to see Zayn already staring at her. Salma felt her eyes water. Without saying anything, she tried to apologize to him for any injury she might have brough upon Niall, Claire or Darren. His featured etched in anguish, Zayn held her gaze, silently reassuring her that he did not blame her and that the attack was probably not her enemies' doing. Salma squeezed his hand back, desperately fighting back tears.

Zayn turned back to the Green Coat who was still explaining his analysis. Taking a deep breath, Salma shifted her attention back to Burak Kaka too.

"--I think it's either of the two parties because they clearly didn't know I was there, watching," he was saying. "If it's the drug lords, then they don't know Mr. Harris is now a person of interest for the Green Coats, and therefore we protect and watch over him. If it was Toryal's doing, then I suppose he expected me to either fly with princess to continue playing bodyguard, or, he figured I was being held back somewhere since I am on probation. He likes to account for every Green Coat before making any such moves, so it could mean that he was not behind the attack, but I think it's more likely that he is the person behind the attack, but he messed up by miscalculating my position, in which case, I'm super chuffed to have rained on his parade and rescued all three of his tragets." Burak Kaka grinned. "Almost makes up for the hair-do. Even though, I admit I have wanted to be the one to set his mane on fire."

Salma almost face-palmed as the Green Coat grinned triumphantly, while her mother sighed in exasperation. He was just asking to be punched in the face at this point. His lack of situational awareness was less than a two year old's.

She glanced at Zayn. He was just looking at the Green Coat with an unreadable expression on his face. Salma could see he pitied him for being such an ignorant bum, but there was also this look of defeat. She figured Zayn had finally realized that the Green Coat was not insensitive, he was just conditioned that way, by the dangerous nature of his job. Everyday was war. Everyday was victory. He either lived or he died. There was no in between. There was little time for emotions and sentiment. There was just an enemy he had to outsmart and defeat. So when he did that, he celebrated the victory, and patted himself on the back for surviving another day.

"Thank you," Zayn said, "for saving my family."

The Green Coat turned to Zayn, slightly takenaback. He nodded at him.

"I was doing my jo--"

A ringing tone cut Burak Kaka midsentence. Muttering an apology, Zayn quickly got his phone out. He frowned at the caller's I.D.

"Hello?" Zayn said. There was a moment's pause in which Zayn frown deepened. "Hello?"

The call ended. Zayn stared at his phone.

"Who is it?" Salma asked.

"Grandpa's driver," Zayn replied, looking worried.

"He didn't get through?" Aliya asked.

"I don't know," Zayn replied. "There was a lot of commotion and then the call ended."

"Wait - have you informed your grandpa?" Asim asked.

Zayn swallowed, shaking his head slowly.

"I didn't want to worry him." he said as he dialed his Grandpa's driver and held the phone to his ear, waiting for the man to pick it up.

"Hello?" Zayn said again.

"Hello! Is this Mr. Harris, Sir?!" A panicked voice asked so loud, everyone heard him.

"Yes, it's me, Eric, what's--"

"Mr. Harris, Sir, your Grandpa! Mr. Walter! He -- He--"

Zayn dropped Salma's hand, taking a restless step.

"Eric, calm down, take a deep breath and tell me what's going on?" Zayn asked.

Salma shared a panicked glance with her family as everyone waited for Eric to tell them what had happened.

"We - we just came back -- Mr. Walter and I. And the house --"

Salma heard her gasp mix with multiple others.

"What?!" Zayn asked.

"It's burned, Sir! We thought you got hu--"

"No, no, where's Grandpa?" Zayn asked panicking. "Why's he here? Why didn't he call me?"

"We -- I don't know, Sir," Eric cried. "He said he got a call, telling him to visit you!"

Salma could see Zayn's face draining of all color.

"Eric," he asked in a barely restrained tone. "Where's my Grandpa."

"He -- Mr. Walter had a -- he collapsed! The house, Sir! It's burned! Mr. Walter couldn't take it! We thought you --"

Salma covered her mouth.

"Where the hell are you right now?!" Zayn almost screamed. "Where's my grandpa?! How is he? Is he okay--"

"In the ambulance, Sir!" the panicked Eric replied. "We're rushing him to the hospital!"

Author's Note:

It's all crashing down on Zayn 🥺😭 . . .

Who's after him, do you think?

On another note, Sorry, Losties, your author is fighting several battles these days so I'm struggling to keep up a proper schedule. I'm also trying to break through a very gruesome writers block. The real life issues, my education, job, even the heat and humidity has me tied down so bad.

I know! I know I'm ALWAYS complaining 😭but trust me, I'm trying and Inshaa'Allah, Inshaa'Allah I'll bounce back and I'll give you regular, juicy updates, Inshaa'Allah. Please pray for me, and that I wade through my professional and educational responsibilities on time without losing my mental and physical health.

Love you guys so much🥺. Honestly, ya'll don't know how much energy and good vibes I get from you guys in some of my down times. Thank you for your support and understanding. And thank you for making me smile 🙏🏻🥰

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Lots of Love

J.