Chapter 25: On that 'GRIM' Night...

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David stormed out of the room, even more furious than he had been previously. Why did every meeting with the girl end up in heated arguments? He just couldn't get his brain to comprehend the riddle that she was. The girl was hopeless to talk to, and it was better that he banged his head in a wall, rather than go crazy getting nowhere near making her aware of the intensity of the danger she was in.

Well, whatever may happen, he had made up his mind now. At first, he wasn't really sure if it was actually a good idea. But now, going away seemed the best thing to do. Maybe, she would feel something for him at the close of the mystery, if ever it closed. It was surprising, how she had revealed so much about herself! And Dave had betrayed no emotion, in the anticipation that something more might come. But he'd had to satisfy himself with whatever she disclosed. It was a lot to give away though, by someone who was painfully reserved all the time.

He dumped his coat and tie in the car as he got in, deciding to go to only one place in particular, and that was... his father's residence. It was ironic how his words had come true in less than twenty-four hours, and Dave very well knew he'd have a hard time coping with all his sneering comments in the moments to come. Nevertheless, he repaired his way to the place he had taken his leave from in such haste, just the night before. He killed the engines of his car the minute he reached the front door, not caring to ask one of the servants to look after it this time.

David got inside without knocking even once, and seeing Meredith, the housekeeper, he asked, "Oh, hello, Aunt Edith. I hope you're well." Edith, or Meredith, was more than twice his age, and like a mother figure to Dave. She had assumed the role of his mom, when his mother had died, leaving a devastated twelve-year-old behind her to cope with the cruelty of this world, all alone. He'd always called her 'aunt', no matter the difference between their stations in life. "Have you seen my dad? Is he sleeping? If he is, don't bother to announce my presence. I'll talk to him when he wakes up."

"Good evening, Master Walworth—err... Dave," she greeted, forgetting to call him by his first name, again. "I'm good, thank you. Your father's in his room, and no, he isn't sleeping. I served him some coffee and toast a few minutes ago. He was feeling rather down today, as was expected because of the weather. I was actually going to give him his pills just now," the gaunt middle-aged woman answered, as she climbed up the stairs with a tray in her hand.

"Then, give me that. I'll take it from here, okay. You can go," Dave assured her, taking the tray of medications from her hands. "Oh, alright, my boy. But make sure that you give him half a dose from the one that has a yellow wrapping. I tend to forget their names, they are so difficult." "Don't worry, I will," he replied, amused.

When the Walworth Jr. knocked on his father's door this time round, he heard a feeble "come in" from the inside. Michael Walworth was lying in his bed, his eyes closed, and his tray of unfinished food lying on the table beside him. "Hey dad, it's me, David," he slowly spoke, and the elder Walworth opened his eyes in a flash. He sat up straight in his bed, and indicated him to sit on the chair beside him. "How come you're back so soon?"

"It seemed like you'd take ages to turn your face this way, the way you left last time," his father whispered cynically. "What happened? Did my words come true? Or have you come to jeer at me that, in spite of my prediction, she accepted your proposal?!" David gave no answer. He kept looking at his dad's wasted form, and eventually said a small sorry for everything he'd said last night. He had his head bowed in shame with the way he had behaved with the old man. He was right, even if his motives weren't really pure. The way his father had slogged all his life, he had a right to think that way, and fancy some grandchildren running about him before he died.

"Did... did you talk to Ms. Fatimah today, then?" Walworth Sr. pressed him. "Yeah... I kind of did," he replied reluctantly. "What did she say?" "She told me to leave her alone." "Just what I told you to do." "But, I can't do that, dad." His tone was helpless. "She doesn't know the risk she's running, living unsafe like that. Besides, it kills me to leave her alone, why don't you understand?" Dave retorted, his patience running low. "I do understand, son. You need to fathom how deep her situation is. If you truly love her, then you have to let her go, even if it kills you. I did, and none can know it better than you," his dad told him with feeling.

And that made him remember his mother, and all those nights when his father had actually cried, believing his son to be fast asleep. He had to let her go, for the sake of setting her free from the merciless malady that was cancer. She had been diagnosed with the disease eight years after his birth, and had lived in agony for four years before eventually falling into a deep sleep that was death. "I told you I'd arrange security for her, didn't I? Don't worry yourself too much, son. She must have her reasons for not letting you into her life, and all you have to do... is be patient."

"Yeah... I guess you're right. Well, I came to tell you that... I've finally decided to take your advice and go to London." "Well then, I'm glad you finally listened to me," Michael Walworth replied, with a small smile playing on his lips. David was not angry anymore. He had been soothed by his father's reasoning, albeit reluctantly. And all he wanted to do now was to get his plan into action, as much as it killed him, and come back after a few months, with the hope that, by that time, maybe she'd have developed something like 'affection' for him. He couldn't do anything else. As disheartening as it sounded, only time could tell if their love would be just a dream, or it would actually turn into a reality.

"Enough about me, then. If you don't get well, I might haunt you with my vexatious presence a bit longer," David warned. "So finish up your toast, father. It's time to take your pills. I wanna leave you hale and hearty." "There you are! I was actually wondering where my ever-intimidating son had been all this time!" the Walworth Sr. replied, smilingly picked up the food tray and began to eat.

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Zahra was lying uselessly on her bed, tracing the patterns on the bed sheet with her fingers. For the first time in so many years, she didn't feel like typing up presentations and reports! She was tired to work by deadlines all her life now! It was strange, but unfortunately... true. Because this time, she was letting her thoughts and worries engulf her, unlike ever before. Working like a mule all the time was her only solace to get away from her wandering mind that refused to forget all the pains she had suffered in her life. If she would've given up on it long ago, her failures would've gained power over her, and she'd have ended up in some asylum full of crazy people. She didn't want to give up on life, just... not yet. There was some hope still; she believed things would actually get better.

But patience was running out of her system... and fast! She could remember every verbal discourse about her by the neighbor's back home. Bhopal, that's where she had grown up, before moving to Bangalore. She'd loved her home city, but the latter had given her much more to be grateful for, and much more to remember. But if anybody was mistaken that she'd forgotten them or their chilling words, they were in for a surprise. She forgave everyone but forgot nothing, and that was what drove her crazy. She knew each and every one by their faces! Only, it was all safely locked in a vault at the back of her mind. And today, she had placed the key in that vault all over again.

It was weird how she could recall the finest details of her neighbors' conversations when they talked about her. They whispered when she passed, but she heard them all. It mostly consisted of accusing her for anything or everything that got wrong in the neighborhood, for after all, none other than the doomed girl was actually living within the colony.

They also blamed her for everything that had gone wrong within her family. Her mother's inability to conceive after her, for at that time she believed she was her parents' daughter. Her father's inability to get a promotion, in spite of him being an educated man. The death of her friend, Avi's father. The death of Yusuf, for people had seen the two somewhere somehow. Everything went askew under the sun, was her fault. Even if the electricity went out for unusually long hours, it was the doing of that Arif's girl next door! They knew she was not related to her parents in any way, and they thought of her history, as a bit dubious.

And then the Jamals had come to spread mischief. They had filled the neighbors' ears to the full about Zahra being ill-omened and all the crap they could fill them with. And it took them no time to believe it all to be true. A woman, belonging to the same neighborhood had accompanied them to Bangalore, and she took quite a trouble to spread all the talk about her far and wide. She'd relay it to all the habitants, whenever anything happened to the girl. That was the main reason why everyone was wary of the family from the very beginning.

And it was no wonder they had known and believed her of getting in 'messy deeds' just about a few weeks ago. Her parents had their throats run dry explaining to these 'bumpkins' that there was nothing wicked about their girl. But who would listen to them in comparison to the 'word of honor' of those rich Jamal's... absolutely no one! What they wanted to achieve from it, no one knew, except maybe her parents.

It was no denying the fact that Zahra was actually pretty. And it fueled the neighbors even more. They were jealous, for there was no daughter around who had even half of her good looks, or her stainlessness, or even her polite and sophisticated personality. They secretly hoped their daughters to become like her. If they had actually recognized that she was entirely at liberty from any kind of omen, they'd have scrambled off to ask for her hand in marriage to their sons. And that was exactly what the Jamals didn't want to happen!

That was the main reason the whole neighborhood had seemed confused when word got round to them that old Arif's daughter was actually getting married to Jamal's unworthy offspring. They thought her omen was finally lifting up, but it all went downhill from there, when they found out the engagement broke off. They firmly believed that the girl was bewitched, even more than formerly. And nothing happened to prove otherwise. Also, her father's deteriorating health was there for all of them to see, and curse the girl for it. Even Zahra herself had come to believe of it now. And it pained her to know that they (her parents) were being afflicted with all this torment for someone who didn't even have their blood running in her veins!

In the midst of all this drama, Zahra had been called to work at the HQ of her company at Clydesville, and she believed that maybe, her luck was finally looking up. But the neighbors didn't spare her their opinions this time either! 'Sending a girl alone to a foreign country like that! What disgrace to society!! Lord knows what sacrileges she'd commit over there!!!' had been their words. She hadn't cared a might at the time. But now, she was quite sure they were right. She was bewitched! All these months of pain and humiliation had convinced her of that.

And knowing her cursed luck, how could she let in somebody who actually cared for her, only to lead him to disaster! No, she'd had enough of that! After the episode of the day, Zahra was convinced whatever David felt might be genuine, but she had no hope in her life, no hope that this time, she might get lucky in love... or luck. And she wouldn't see anyone get ruined because of her.

Zahra was as inexperienced on the theme of 'true adoration'... as any sixth-grade kid. All she knew about it, was that, it was pure and selfless. And she had witnessed, at least, the latter quality in her boss. However she may try to ignore it, the man was very gallant. She respected his feelings, but she couldn't help them. Because love, for her, was hopeless. And just feeling the same about him, would be enough ammunition to destroy the man beyond repair. Her past, present and maybe future, all warranted that.

It was past twelve o'clock now, and when Zahra least expected it to, her phone rang. Still, seeing the caller ID, her face broke into a smile, for it was Avi. The only best thing that had happened to her in all her life. It was just like her to call, instead of sending a text or two. "How's my favorite gal?" her voice rang from the other end, cheerful and happy. "She's absolutely fine. She was wondering if you had, somehow, forgotten about her." "How could I? You're my cherished possession, so don't you dare say that!"

"It isn't too hard to remember me sometimes, you know. Mom is fine with things now, sweetie. It's been years since dad died, and she's moved on. Besides, it was not your fault! How many times do you want me to repeat that phrase, hunh?!" Avi snapped, angrily. "She has even met someone, to my utter horror! And I'm totally revolted about the fact that he's an old tutor of mine. My mom and my teacher are having an affair. I mean, how 'eww' is that!" Zahra could imagine her friend's face, with her eyes shut tight and her nose scrunched up. "Don't talk about your mom like that, Avi. I know she hasn't acted on the best terms with me, but I feel really sorry for her right now. She feels lonely, since you're not home half the time. And you should try to understand that she craves for another kind of affection at this age. She feels the need of someone who could take care of her in a way that you can't."

"I'm not saying that you are inadequate in your affections as her daughter. None can fill your place. But do cut her 'love' some slack. It might make her feel better, you know." "No, I don't wanna know. And don't fill me with the crap that you don't understand yourself, okay! I hate that man's guts. I will never cut him any kind of slack, because he thinks he can replace my father?! How presumptuous of him! Even the thought of him as my stepdad... is too much an insult to dad's memory! Don't try to solve nonexistent problems like you're some marriage or divorce counsellor, whoever spouts that kind of absurdities."

"By the way, you're trying to get me off the original topic, honey. Why don't you call me anymore? I won't bite you, you know." "Alright, whatever you say. I was a little caught up with things, so I forgot to call or text you. But believe me, you're constantly in my mind," Zahra assured her, sighing.

"What about you? How are you getting on without me? You must be relieved, now that you mustn't be hearing people whisper behind your back. After all, the bane of the society is gone." "I thought we agreed to never mention it between us, Zee. What happened to that? Don't tell me you opened that vault and are overthinking. And... I'm good, however, it would've been better if you'd asked for my well-being without inserting that sarcastic remark after it," Avi answered, chuckling dryly.

"I'm sorry. I have become sarcastic, living in this place. The perks of working at the Headquarters, I believe." "It's okay, dear. Nevertheless, when are you coming back? I really miss you here." "I really don't know. I feel better here. But yeah, I miss you too. And how are my parents doing?" Zahra asked, hoping of getting a positive answer for once. "They are fine. Your dad's better, if you were worried about that. I went to meet them, even when mom told me not to, because of the rumour, you know. I told them that I believe you, no matter what. And that they can count on me."

"Thank you so much, Avi," Zahra replied, her voice thickening with emotion. "You don't know how glad you've made me by telling me that piece of news. You're a gem for standing by me in my time of need." "Hey, it's ok. I will always be there for you. Please don't cry, everything's gonna be alright. Let's talk about you though, how's everything going there?"

"Fine, I guess," Zahra replied guardedly. "You can tell me things, you know that, Zee. What's bothering you?" Avi asked in a motherly tone, catching her reluctant tone. Nothing slipped past that girl! "I...um... kind of had an argument with the big boss, Walworth Jr.," Zahra told her friend, her voice so low that she couldn't hear it herself. "What?! You fought with David friggin' Walworth??!! How? When? Spill right now, girl! Do you hear me?" Avi threatened, jokingly. "Gosh! I didn't exactly fight with him. It was more of an argument." "I don't care. Spill it already, woman!" Avi persisted in an unrelenting tone.

"First, let me tell you how I almost became his friend." "Ooh! Now you're talking. By the way, he sure has got quite cozy with you, hasn't he? What happened to his girlfriend? She recently went to jail, right?" "Yeah, I think she did, going by what Jenny told me some days ago. I didn't get to know of it straight away, since I don't watch TV, and my phone's going crazy. It's the talk of the town, though. All I know is that, one of them dumped the other. But that's not what I was talking about! Don't interrupt me again, alright!" "Good for her. Ok sorry, proceed." And then slowly, with many gasps of oohs and OH's from Avi, Zahra related all that had happened in the last few days.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it! My stupid friend just rejected the chance of her lifetime of living in a Walworth owned frickin' villa?! You seriously need to get your brain checked up, you know," Avi exclaimed, and Zahra could almost see her rolling her eyes right now. "I told you so many things, and all you paid attention to was that darn villa! I'm disappointed in you, Avi."

"Your lease must be ending this month, if I'm correct," Avi spoke, ignoring her friend's pointed comment. "What are you planning to do, Zee? Oh! I really wish you had taken up his offer. He did mean it, didn't he?" "What... oh yes, he did. He was very much adamant that I take it, but I don't want it anymore." "You and your stubbornness, humph! What will you do, if that idiot Adel, pays you a visit once again? David's not gonna be your hero all the time! Is there any chance of him renewing his offer?" Avi asked anxiously. "I don't know. He got extremely angry the second time we argued. So, I don't think he will make any kind of offer to me in future."

"Besides, I don't want it. And Adel's a coward, he won't come back." "Easy for you to say so. And your wanting or not wanting it, isn't something you should be considering right now. You should be concerned about your safety. There could be people following you, and it is only prudent that you stay alert." "Okay, mom! I will be alert all the time," Zahra retorted, giving up. "I'm being serious here, Zee. Now that you've lost your chance of getting that cottage, get somebody to live with you. Don't live alone. You can't afford to, either! Get Jennifer to move into your apartment. And call me every day, do you get that?"

"All right, just as you say. But, in return, you have to promise me something too. Will you do it?" Zahra asked wearily. "I'd do anything you ask me to do, sweetheart. What is it?" "Look after my mom and dad. If I could, I would've done that."

"But I'm stuck, my passport's validity has ended, and these people just tell me to come some other day, the moment they take in my appearance. Besides, I can't take any more leaves from work." "Say no more. It will be done, O lovely one. Don't worry. Bye," and saying that, Avi hung up.

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The next morning, Zahra woke up, startled by hearing the wails of some lady, close to her apartment. She hurriedly got up, and parted the blinds of her window to look outside. There had been an accident on the road! A little girl, covered all over in blood, was being put on the stretcher by the paramedics, amid the sirens of the ambulance parked nearby. The lady, apparently her mother, was hovering over her, crying wildly, as the onlookers tried to soothe her down.

Just the sight of so much blood made Zahra feel nauseous, and she shut her eyes. But the horrible scene was already etched in her mind's eye, by now. All this made her remember Yusuf, when he had got into the accident that took his life. There had been blood everywhere, and Zahra had begun to abhor the sight of the gory liquid ever since then. And a few moments later, she ran to the washroom as the urge to throw up became uncontainable.

After doing the deed, she forced herself to look into the mirror. A ghastly, tear-stained face with bags under the eyes greeted her view. When did she begin crying? She had no idea. His memory always made her break into a million pieces. Why did he have to leave before they hadn't even begun to live that beautiful dream they shared? Oh! Why did he have to unlatch his hand from hers at the commencement itself, of their promised journey together? How she could smile like the sun itself when she was shattering from inside out, she didn't have a clue at all! She exhaled slowly, as if letting out the buried pain through her twitching nostrils.

Her hair was like 'Merida' from Brave, sticking out from everywhere. Only, hers was extremely black. She tried to tame that curly mane, but to no avail. The mad look would have to do. 'What a great way to start the day!' she thought, groaning loudly, in a very unladylike manner.

However, she picked herself up, and began to prepare herself for going to her workplace. The bloody scene, and the face of that kid's mother kept resurfacing in her mind, and she couldn't help wondering what the fate of the girl had been. She hoped that, just for the sake of her mother, she had survived the accident, but the chances seemed really slim. Even the lady had been badly injured. Zahra couldn't prevent any of it from happening, but her morning had been almost totally ruined. The frame of mind she had forced herself to keep after getting up, was all in dust now. And she didn't know what the level of her optimism would be, while facing the rest of the day.

After about half an hour, Zahra made her way towards the exit of her apartment building. Once outside, she hailed a taxi and got in, directing the cabman to take her to the 'Walworth Tower'. She hadn't gone very far from her apartment, when the taxi, unfortunately, broke down. Cursing her luck, she called another cab, and thankfully, this time, she reached her destination without any stopovers midway. Getting inside the Tower, she had to halt once again, for the darn lift was engaged, just when she'd had to use it.

Great! She was painfully late. No one could save her from hearing the supervisor's never-ending rants on punctuality now. Exasperated, she fanned her face from getting hot with all the heat she was feeling, despite the air-conditioners. She couldn't understand why the whole world conspired to worsen somebody's already bad day?! These kind of things were universal. This was something nearly everyone must've asked themselves at some point in their lives...

Nevertheless, after hearing the long lecture and believing her ill luck to be over for the day, Zahra made her way to her cabin, and finally sat down to work. She resolved to not get her head up from there, until her shift ended in the evening. But she couldn't help it when the scenes of the previous day came flooding into her mind. She had been sitting here in the same way, and Dave had knocked. She remembered all that had passed between them, but she couldn't give whatever he'd asked for.

And at the same instant, she heard a knock on her cabin door, leaving her reeling in a sense of déjà vu. She was almost certain that it was her boss, this time as well. However, it was only one of her colleagues. Zahra was disappointed, she didn't know why. She had almost hoped it was Dave. But chance doesn't knock on your door the second time round. There's a reason why it's called chance, you know.

The rest of the working hours passed uneventfully, and there was still no sign of David. The girl picked up the old-looking telephone on her desk, and dialed the receptionist several floors down. "Yeah, it's me, Zahra. Can you please tell me if Mr. David Walworth has come to the Office today? I... I had to discuss a few things with him." She didn't know why she was doing this. "Ok, let me check. Umm... no, I'm afraid, Mr. Walworth hasn't showed up today," came the reply. "Is there anything else I can help you with, then?" "No, there's no need. Thank you," Zahra replied, and disconnected the line.

So, the guy hadn't showed up today. She wondered what his excuse was. Pushing the thoughts that centered on Dave to the back of her mind, Zahra resumed plodding her brain through lists and lists of names and numbers. The company was in the process of analyzing and evaluating its human resource power for the next phase, which was recruitment. But there were still a few months to go for that. Zahra was in the HR team, and days for her, were becoming hectic now.

Eventually, her shift ended when 5 o'clock came, and she wrapped up her work to go home. As she trudged along the sidewalk, Zahra heard someone's dog howl suddenly and awfully loudly, when she passed by. The old lady, to whom the cursed poodle belonged, patted her dog to soothe it from the frenzy it was in, all the while glaring at Zahra as if she had committed a horrible felony. Never had anything like it happened to the girl in all these months. Was she so unbearable that even the animals hated her? Or did it mean something serious? It was believed that when dogs howled particularly nonstop, something bad was going to happen. Just the thought of it made an unsettling feeling take root in her stomach. "Ya Allah, whatever you do, just do it for the best," she silently prayed.

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David sighed and leaned back comfortably in his seat as the jet began to take off. Private jets were so much better than the public ones. He had decided that the sooner he left the city, the better. He knew that a word from the girl would make him change his mind. He didn't want that. Even after hearing his dad's take on the matter, he couldn't discontinue being angry with her. But he had to let her go, for now. Thinking along those lines, he pulled out his phone, just to see if he still had her picture or not. "Good bye, girl," he told her snapshot. "Stay safe."

After he was quite settled in his seat, Dave pressed the earphones into his ears, and tried to lose himself in the music. He ticked all the have-done things on his fingers. He had apprised the old secretary, Ms. Andrews, about his going and the time around which she could expect him to be back. He had warned her not to tell a single soul as to where he was going, and for what duration.

He had specifically told her how to deal with Zahra, if she came asking about him, making the woman raise her eyebrows in astonishment. He had reminded his father to get the best security at her apartment and with her at all times. And he had already informed him that he had took off, just as he had told him to. David had been wary of going away when the senior Walworth was so ill, but the old man had assured him that he had able hands around to help him get up on his feet in no time. And his son had given in, just to appease his ailing, and the only kinsman he had alive.

There was one thing though, about which he was quite sure; the days ahead, were gonna be really, really long...

💎💎💎

Bangalore, India.

"I'm going to check up on Zahra's parents, mom. Lock the door when I leave, okay," Avi told her mother, clutching the strap of her bag tightly with her fingers. "Why do you have to go and check up on them? You're not their guardian, are you? It was just like that friend of yours to leave her parents like that!" Avi's mother replied, her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "Spare me the cutting words, for god sakes! I hope you don't say such things in public, or those people would get another ball of dirt to throw at her already tainted image. I hoped you wouldn't think this way about her, but I was wrong. Don't give them even more hell than they can endure, at least not you, mother!" Her tone was almost pleading.

"I was only hoping you'd stay and meet your old teacher, Mr. Srivastava," her mother started guiltily. "I...I... especially invited him to dinner, so that you could officially introduce yourself to him. You always give us the slip, dear, and I have to make excuses for you. It's not nice, you know. The last time he saw you, you were quite small." "What harm one more excuse would do? Tell him I had a party to attend. I'm sure he'd understand, the kind of a man he is," Avi said, snickering. Her mother looked crestfallen.

"Oh, and go ahead with your love life, mom. It wouldn't make any difference to me, for he can never replace dad." And with that, she jogged out of the house, out of their lives, until she could be seen no more. Who knew her mother would count away the time, crying, looking for her daughter who never came back?

"Oh, Salam, aunty. How are you?" Avi asked Zahra's mother, whose eyes lighted up seeing her second best daughter right at her doorstep. "I'm absolutely fine, baita. How come you're here at a time like this?" "I... I've come to check up on you and uncle." "That was very sweet of you, child, but it was totally unnecessary." "Also, mom had somebody come over to our house, and I didn't want to be around. So... am I welcome to stay over for tonight?" "Oh, how silly of me. Of course, come inside, my dear. Make yourself at home. Your uncle Arif will be glad to see you."

"Who is it, Zareena?" the aforementioned man himself asked his wife. "Oh, it's your daughter's partner in crime, Avantika," she replied smilingly and winked. 'Ah! She never ceases to please,' Avi thought. She wished she had an understanding mother like the one her bestie was blessed with. But these weren't her parents, she reminded herself. Well... they did make an awesome set of parents to have, and Zahra was very lucky indeed. She wondered who her parents were then, but she couldn't bring herself to break the happy pair from the mood they were in. They seldom had such nice, carefree days like this. She wanted to ask them about her friend's history, but it wasn't her place to ask such questions, so she kept her mouth shut.

"Then serve her your best-made cookies, and some iced-lemon. Send her to me when she's done, I would like to talk to my second best daughter." The old daddy was in a good mood today. She was glad that she had a positive news to give to Zahra tonight. "Surely, I will." Avi put a restraining hand on the old woman's arm. "You don't need to do all that, I'll be fine, really. I'm not a guest here anymore, am I?" she asked, and her best friend's mother shook her head, motioning her to take the liberty and go inside the sick room.

"Sit with me, child, and read this book to me, will you?" Arif asked the girl, as she came into the room. "What is it? 'Wings of Fire' by A P J Abdul Kalam. That's a nice book, uncle. Who gave it to you?" "Zahra. Zahra gave it to me. She met the man once, and he signed her copy of his autobiography for her. He was always an ideal for her."

"I remember that day, she came to me and told me all about the great man our former President was. She told me that this book was her treasured possession, and entrusted me to keep it safe for her. She is my treasured possession. And look what I did? Instead of entrusting her to somebody who could take care of her, I pushed her to marry someone who is not even fit to be called a man! He is a devil incarnate! Imagine if she had actually married him---," and Avi cringed at the thought, "I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself... ever." The book was forgotten as it slipped past his frail hands, but the memories weren't. Avi picked it up and put it carefully on the nightstand.

"No, uncle, it was not your fault. He was always a deceiver. Please don't stress yourself." "Tell my girl that I am sorry for every trouble she went through. I was entrusted by someone to give her the best life I could, but I failed miserably. Tell her she will always be 'the star that shines upon my wayward path' [1]. Tell her I love her with all my heart." And saying thus, the old man closed his eyes, and fell into a peaceful sleep.

"I will," Avi replied softly, and pulling the covers up to Arif's chest, she tiptoed out of the room.

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The whole town was deep in slumber. The night seemed peaceful as the stars twinkled above in the moonless sky. No one could know what was in store for the old couple, and the young girl, living in 24/C, for it was beyond all imagination. The building itself was sleeping. The sleep deprived watchman at the entrance, kept dozing off and becoming wary after every few minutes, his head bobbing up and down in slow motion as he did so.

They came noiselessly. There could be no guesses as to how many they were in number, for the night was dark. They were equipped with loads of ammunitions of all kinds, for which there was no need, because the poor people were defenseless. There was enough to go around a thousand times, and still, blow the whole town to dust. They moved like cats and dogs, without making a sound, in their armed suits.

As they got near the entrance of the apartment building, one of them stepped forward, and pressed the chloroform filled cloth up the poor watchman's nose, and grinned like the devil himself. Still not satisfied with his work, he pushed a few hushed bullets into his brain, and after grabbing his security card and wallet, went inside with the others. The men took the lift to get to their destination a little faster. They were impatient for some action.

The moment they reached the right floor, a girl... Avi, to be precise, came out from one of the apartments. She had come to cool off in the night air. But the scene she saw made her breath hitch in her throat. What was going on? She was about to scream, when a large hand blocked it to escape from her mouth. She was slowly dragged away from the scene. Those people wanted no distracting witnesses for what they were going to do next. The real reason why they were here today, was 24/C. And they found it, as it was the same one the girl had come out of, earlier.

For a moment, all was silent. And then the bullets rained down on the door of the apartment in question! BAM! BAM!! BAM!!! People screamed and came out from the safety of their homes. The door to 24/C was riddled with holes now. The leader of the men broke it down with his foot, and went inside, motioning some of the men behind him to control the crowd. Zareena, Zahra's mother shrieked in panic, seeing so many armed men at her door. "Avi! What is going on?" Avi shook her head to tell her that she'd no idea.

A man, who appeared to be their leader, shouted hoarsely through his balaclava, "NOBODY MOVE! One move, and you'll be history in a second!" all the while pointing his gun on her forehead. She froze. "We have our men scattered all over the place. Don't try to act clever, or you'll see everyone, including your old man reduced to just flesh and blood. The quicker we get done with things here, the lesser evil and even less blood will flow tonight."

"P...plea...please, don't hurt us. We have done nothing. Take all that you want, b...but spare us," she pleaded. "We don't do sparing, woman!" he shouted. "Now, stand by the wall, and raise your hands. I have to attend to your old man." "No! Please, he will die of shock." This time, it was Avi who spoke. "We didn't ask your permission, girl. Shut up, and go back to facing the wall." Zareena ran towards the door to Arif's room, trying the block the assassin's way. Her mouth was dry, and try as she might, words couldn't leave her lips.

"Stay where you are, woman!!" the man hollered. "Didn't I warn you to not make a move? Zeke, don't let her move." The second man who had come inside with the leader, got hold of the lady's hands and held them together in a tight grip behind her back. Another one was monitoring their young friend. He held her inappropriately by her chest, and it took her all for Avi to stop herself from kicking the man in the front. She didn't want things to be made any more complicated and nasty than they already were.

The leader threw open the door loudly with his foot, and went inside. Zahra's father was, apparently, still asleep. But, was it possible to sleep amid so much noise? Maybe, it was. He came out of the room, puzzled. "Is there a problem with your man? He's sleeping." Like it was something only people with a problem did! Zareena yanked her hand away from the death grip of the man, and saying, "Why didn't you just kill him straightaway?" she ran inside, followed by Avi and the man himself.

Avantika had finally managed to kick the man where-the-sun-never-shone, and was quickly by Zareena's side to help her. The bas*ard leader held up a hand to his accomplice, telling him to not run after her to take his revenge right now. He was very much afraid, since the boss had told him to bring the old couple alive. There was no doubt he would be doomed if anything didn't go according to plan.

After getting inside, Zareena bent down beside her husband, picking up his hand in her own, and checked his pulse. It was not moving! A look of horror passed through her face. "No...no... no!" she blubbered vehemently. "This cannot be possible. Arif please, open your eyes. Say something! You can't leave me like this! We promised each other, remember." There was no answer. The man still slept tranquilly. Avi was shell-shocked, her eyes wide. She was happy only a few hours ago that for once, she had something good to relate to Zahra. But fate had other plans.

"Avi, child, help him up, will you? I'll call the doctor." Avi nodded and Zareena sprinted out the door, frantically searching for her phone. She dialed the doctor's number. But before she could speak anything into the phone, the leader of the gang snatched it away from her. "You can't contact anybody," the man stated confidently. "For God sake, my husband's dying! Don't you have even an ounce of humanity in you?! I need to call his doctor before it's too late. It's an emergency, he's had a cardiac arrest!"

"Why am I even telling you all this, I seriously don't know. You should have killed us both, the moment you had gotten in. I'd have been saved all this torture." She hovered around the man to take her phone back but the man was quick. He kept it in his pocket and beckoned one his minions to come to his side.

"Boss told to bring the couple alive. Better not take chances," the man mumbled to his accessory, and he nodded. "Very well, we'll take him to the hospital."

[1]; 'Sir Nigel' by Arthur Conan Doyle

---------AUTHOR'S NOTE-----------

HIYAA everyone!!! :) Okay.... before you start throwing eggs at me, let me tell you my computer and my bro's laptop, both broke down.... so I was practically stuck in a messy situation. :(

Do enjoy and tell me what you think of it.... ;)