Chapter 48: "Freed"

Post your reactions as you read, losties!

First Draft: August 1, 2021

The days Salma spent with the boys were as expected - a pure explosion of craziness. She had visited James's studio, finally. It was a cozy little place and she had loved how he was managing it all. She kept in touch with Zayn, Sarah and Asim, letting them know she had been taken to a safe place till the dust settled. Further, she found out that it was decided that under no circumstance were the shadows to leave Salma out of their gaze. If there were potential leads or threats to follow, they would wait for back up. The risks to her life were getting serious. The on-duty shadow's primary job was now to play bodyguard. Intelligence gathering was to be left to whoever else was available on supplementary.

And so, her 'aunt' - the gun wielding Green Coat, Spogmae - had now switched to carrying a camera as she dropped in and out of the boys' house, staying out of their way with extreme level of perfection and normalcy. Not once did the boys get suspicious, or question the unfamiliar relative staying at their place with Salma, or leaving the house at random times. She always had the perfect excuse for not joining in on any of their activities, and for rushing out of the house. She was playing the photo-journalist who wanted to document the life around in her images.

"Also, Salma's mum wanted me to accompany her because of some attacks that had happened to her last year," she had said pleasantly, as if Aliya was paranoid to worry about an attack that had happened so long ago. "I don't see me making much difference to her safety but Salma begged me to come since Aliya would not allow her to visit anywhere otherwise."

"See, I love you so much!" Salma smiled at the two boys sarcastically.

"Man, Alley's impossible. She definitely beats mum in being protective!" Dean laughed, before turning to Spogmae. Salma could see the boys had sensed her intimidating aura like Salma had really early on. They were being super respectful and well-behaved in her presence. "So you're playing the bodyguard?"

"Or a baby-sitter?" James snickered.

Salma grabbed the tissue box, threatening to hit James with it. James opened his mouth to say something but then glanced at Spogmae and reconsidered.

Spogmae smiled at their silent exchange.

"Well, thank you for the tea, boys. I have to go back to work." She smiled, picking up her cup and going out to sit in the balcony of Dean's room that Salma was now sleeping in.

That's where she had stayed most of the time, keeping watch, leaving the rest of them to engage in their madness, unrestricted.

"She gives me Agent Wickfield kinda vibes," Dean whispered to Salma.

"Wickfield is a walk in a park compared to this suffocating hottie," James muttered. "Tell you what, Sally, your baby-sitter is one beauty I wouldn't mess with. She ain't no camera girl either."

"How's she your aunty, again?" Dean asked.

***

First draft: July 2018

Despite the serious cracks in the GCA becoming evident, Ghamey getting arrested was like a blessing in disguise for the Green Coats. Ghamey's blunder of an open attack gave them a high moral and political ground. It presented Salma's father and Grand Chief Sulaiman's old allies with a very good opportunity to push for all their interests in a more open and unapologetic manner. Agha Gul was desperate to get his true and only heir out of the U.S prison. Atif Rahman conditioned to assist in smuggling him out of the country and to Sthooriya only if Aunt Farhiya and Fahad were allowed to move into the US Secondly, he presented the Sthooriya Grand Council with all the activities that Agha Gul's cronies had undertaken in the US, targetting his family and demanded them to come a halt. Ghamey's attack, Toryal's attempt to threaten Sarah, and his supposed contacts with the sniper who attacked Salma and her friends were all presented as an evidence of Agha Gul's underhanded means of blackmail.

The findings created an uproar around the valley. People demanded Agha Gul's membership in the Grand Council to be cancelled. Agha Gul denied any association with all the ugly events and tried to spin the narrative as the events being unconnected actions of lone actors, and people showing their hate and distrust for those who have robbed them of their rights.

"The people are angry," he had claimed. "Though I don't condone it, I cannot control all of their individual actions either."

It did not work, considering how everyone knew Ghamey was his grandson and Toryal, his right hand man for shady business. Everything was very well connected to Agha Gul. As the political pressure mounted, Agha Gul conceded. He offered to halt all underground activities, if they stopped maligning his and his family's public image. Everyone knew the old man would never actually follow through with this promise in spirit, but Atif Rahman decided to sign the bargain by letting him know they would be pushing for this case at the very first clue of any plot being cooked to harm his family or their wider circle. Agha Gul agreed. He also agreed to send Farhiya and Fahad to the States and promised to not restrict or threaten their lives, freedom or choices in any way, shape or form. With the agreement being signed as a contract, Atif Rahman used his contacts within the US government to agree to extradite Ghamey to Sthooriya, where he would be tried by Sthooriy laws for threatening another Sthoorey with a gun.

In reality, once in Sthooriya, he would be taken to the Tor Gul tribe, where his Grandfather would decide what to do with him.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Ghamey actually pleads with the US officials to let him rot in the prison here," Salma told Asim over the phone as they discussed the fresh developments.

"Tell me about it, he's definitely pooping bricks right now," Asim agreed. "Agha Gul wants him under his firm watch. He's his only heir - counting Fahad out - but he's really blown him a nice hole in his ambitious plan for becoming the sole ruler of Sthooriya. I bet he'd be chained to the Tor Mahal's courtroom for the rest of his life."

"Can't say I feel bad for him." Salma shrugged. "Its Royal Highness, Princeit Sparkles had it coming for him."

***

Once the storm died out, Salma came home from her long weekend at the boys' to a full blown party at her house. She was surprised to see even Zayn was there. Apparently, everyone had gathered for a food-filled night to celebrate the 'victory'. Farhiya had finally been set free. She had safely landed in the U.S with her son, Fahad, a few hours ago. Once the arrangements were made, she would be visiting the family but for now, she was to stay with Fahad in an apartment Agha Gul was made to pay for.

Accepting many hugs and congratulations, Salma walked into the kitchen to see Zayn leaning by the counter, a glass of water in his hand.

"Congratulations." He smiled warmly. "Big win for you lot, yeah?"

"Thank you." Salma returned the smile. It was still weird seeing him be so casual in her house. Her mother really had warmed up to him. "Yes, it's huge. I'm super relieved my aunt is finally out of that monster's lair."

Zayn nodded, smiling. He swallowed, turning his gaze to the tiled floor.

"So this is it, then?" he asked.

Salma frowned.

"What is it?"

"Us?"

Salma's heart stopped.

Us?

Her mouth became completely dry. She stared at him, wide-eyed.

"Zalma - as Niall calls it, that fool." Zayn attempted a quiet laugh, trying to sound casual. He took a sip of his drink. "You don't really need me around now, do you?"

Salma's eyes welled up without a warming. She felt a searing pain radiating off of her heart. Zayn forced a smile again, putting the glass away.

"Can I, maybe, hold you one last time?" he asked, a heartbreaking, pleading edge to his tone, though he tried to keep it light and casual. "Let's hug it out for . . . well, everything's sake."

Still smiling, Zayn leaned off the counter and opened his arms. Not able to take it anymore, Salma turned on her feet and made a run upstairs to her room, breaking down completely.

***

First draft, July 2018

Salma splashed water over her face in an attempt to stop crying.

"Salma!" Asim knocked yet again.

"I'm coming!" she called back. "I'm in the bathroom!"

"Just stop meditating there, we got food and I'm not responsible if it finishes!"

Salma let out a shaky breath. Food was the last thing on her mind. She just wanted to be left alone to sort her head out.

"I'm coming," she muttered again, sniffing as she held head in her hands.

After a while, Salma pushed off the sink and dried her face. Her eyes were still raw from crying. It would be a dead give-away. Hoping it would work, Salma stepped into her room and searched the drawers for the stick of kohl she barely used. She decided she would pretend to have poked her eye with it during application.

"Ouch!" Salma blinked rapidly to ease the sting. She had actually poked her eye. "Lovely," she muttered crossly. "Now I won't be spouting lies!"

When she stepped downstairs, she found her family feasting on all sorts of food. Thankfully, Zayn had already left. Everyone was joking around, being happy and at ease, while Salma felt burdened. She wished she could take part in their celebrations. Her family had not had such a good day for ages, but her mind was stuck on wanting to know what was to happen to her and Zayn now. The worry and uncertainty kept her from enjoying herself. She wanted them to talk about that, but no one else seemed to even remember an important decision was pending on their agenda.

"Salma, get that pizza out of your brother's reach! He's going to get sick!"

Braving a happy face, Salma stumped her desire to start inquiring what was eating her up inside and tried to join them at the dinner table. She barely ate any of delicious food, largely because of the lump in her throat that seemed to have permanently settled there. Later, when Asim suggested they go out for ice creams, Salma tried to stay back, but her father would not hear of it.

"Come on, princess! It's a good day for you!" He smiled, pulling her close.

Salma knew what he meant, but she wished, he would address her concerns. Once again, she braved a smile, hugged her father back before snatching her abaya and scarf from the stand in mock enthusiasm.

It was a good day for them, Salma told herself. She was not about to ruin it by asking them about her madness of a nikkah with Zayn.

Author's Note:

Well, well, well, looks like the ball is in their court now. The threat that preconditioned the nikkah is not longer valid. What's she gonna do?

I know, short chapter, but I was super busy. I'll be updating another soon.

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Lots of Love

J.