Chapter 43

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Aahil stood beside the window of his huge bedroom, his hands deep in his trouser pocket and his gaze fixed at some inanimate object in the garden below.

Several moments passed by but he did not make an effort to break the spell.

I took smooth strides towards him and looked at him expectantly, but he was in another world. Aahil's face was tightly drawn, his eyes black fathomless pools, focused inward. It is was impossible to determine the chain of his thoughts.

"I have to go out," He announced.

"Sweetheart..," I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and spilt out what I felt. "I know it's none of my business, but I don't want you to build a ridge with your brother. The tough times are gonna pass by, but families are meant to stay together and strong."

"Weren't you the one who put him on the spot," He mocked.

"I agree but I just realized that we aren't sure of anything, and until he is proven guilty we should stop bothering him."

His mouth twisted into a savage grimace, "I'm not worried about him right now, there is something else that has been bothering me."

"What is it?" I gently caressed his arm.

"Mrs Mariam was lying."

"About what?"

"She wasn't at your house today. When I left your house in the morning, your mom served me breakfast. I was told that she had taken the day off."

"Then why would Mrs Mariam lie?"

He rubbed his temple with the pad of his thumb finger and shrugged his shoulders.

I sighed.

He gave a sharp dismissive shake of his head, then took his cell phone from his trouser pocket and put it on his ears, after he had dialled a number.

I stood beside him, shamelessly listening to his side of the conversation.

"Have you been able to gather information?"

There was a long silence, while he listened to the other end of the conversation. Whatever the other person said, it had a noticeable effect on Aahil's facial expression, it turned from angry to savage, "Thank you, Mr Ravinder shah."

He let out a shrill laugh, as he slipped his phone back into his pockets.

"Sweetheart! What is it?" I demanded, his grave expression making me feel jittery.

He just kept staring at the wallpaper for what seemed like forever. Finally, he spoke up, "Do you know where Mariam had been?"

"Where?" I felt my breath constrict in my throat.

"It seems like my life is a thriller movie and all are determined to play the villain," His face was etched with a deep scowl.

"What do you mean?"

"Mrs Mariam was found dining with Usman in one of the shabby little hotels in the downtown."

I gasped at the information, unable to digest it, "But isn't Usman missing after that fateful accident."

"He is Mariam's sister's son and was employed in the villa only due to her recommendation. He always got involved in illegal business and when he went missing Mariam was sure that he might have got himself involved with Rizwan in hopes of earning more money to gamble," He let out a deep sigh and sank down to the edge of the bed. "This is getting more complicated day by day."

"Aahil, there is something that I have to say."

"I hope what you have isn't as bad. I feel drained already."

"But Aahil I need to say it."

He ran a hand through his beard and bit his bottom lip, "I'm all ears."

"Today someone left a packet in my bed. It read to search the attic."

His face turned grim, "And you did not find it important enough to mention it to me earlier?"

"As we had to leave for dinner, it slipped my mind."

"We could cancel dinner. What if there is really something important in the attic."

"Should I ask Ayath to check."

"Do you realise how dangerous that could be. It means the person who can hurt us is in very close vicinity, the very thought of anyone causing harm to any of my family members makes me insane. I'll send someone to search the attic."

"I'm sorry," I whispered as I sat opposite to him in the moveable chair present beside the bed. "Things wouldn't have turned so worse if I had been able to locate the research papers," Tears rushed into my eyes and I wiped them with the back of my hand, I seemed to be over-emotional these days.

"Don't worry about it. You are not to worry about anything," he commanded. He tilted my head to kiss me then sat me down on his lap, "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" I asked as a loud hiccup escaped my lips.

"It won't remain a surprise if I tell you," His eyes twinkled and the edges of his lips curved to form a faint smile. Again he gathered me close, gently pressing my head onto his shoulder. "Don't cry darling," he said softly, stroking my hair. He laid me carefully on the pillows and tucked the quilt around.

"I wish this would end. I can't take the stress anymore," I said between my loud sobs.

"Honey, please stop crying, it hurts to see you like this," He pressed a passionate kiss and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ears, "Do you want to fly overseas until things get back to normal."

I shook my head violently, clinging to him and crying harder.

"What is it, Sweetheart?"

"Please don't send me away. My fear isn't for myself, it is for you."

"Me?"

"I have lost my dad and the huge void in my heart will always remain, but if I lose -----."

"Aleena, stop the negative thoughts. Have faith in the Almighty. His plans are always better for us."

He slid into bed beside me and we lost each other in the glorious pleasure we shared.

After long moments, when he cradled me against the slumbrous beat of his heart in the sweet aftermath of passion, I felt my heart almost swell from the sheer force of love that rushed through it.

Why I loved Aahil so much, I didn't know, I wondered whether anyone ever knew why exactly they loved someone.

Or maybe love had no reason at all...

____________

The next day I had planned to shop. I had been waiting for Aahil's arrival, sitting in the lounge, when I received a call, "Darling, A new project has come up and I can't get away. Is it alright if you drive down to my office?"

"Of course it's all right, Sweetheart. I'll be there soon."

Thirty minutes later, I reached the huge building and parked my car in the space reserved for family. I then made my way across the receptionist who gave me a huge smile and I returned the favour, after which I resumed my steps towards his office.

I felt my heart squeeze a little and my eyes grew moist as I passed through the familiar set of rooms and halted at my dad's laboratory which was kept locked for the time being.

I sighed deeply as I blinked back the tears and resumed my strides. I felt deeply disappointed when I did not find him there. I sank down onto one of the empty chair and retrieved my phone from my purse to check the message I had just received.

"Darling, Take the elevator and come straight to my penthouse."

"Ok."

I did as I was told and when I reached my destination, the door was already ajar and I stepped in to find it filled with darkness.

Sudden illuminance filled my vision and I blinked several times. The whole place was lit with beautiful soft glowing lights and the floor was covered with rose petals. I couldn't believe my eyes and I went about exploring. My phone beeped and I opened the message,

"There is a surprise for you on the table. Have a look."

I laughed out loud.

All of this was so incredible!

The huge table was lit with candles. Bouquet of roses and chocolates were elaborately arranged on it. My throat ached for something to drink and I picked the glass of juice standing on the table. My eyes landed on the blueberry muffins and a beautiful purple coloured gift box and I reached out to open it.

My phone beeped again,

"Come to the helipad area."

I picked the gift box and walked purposely until I reached there, a guard greeted me and guided me inside a luxurious aircraft.

The stewardess walked from the cockpit, "Good evening."

I smiled.

I watched as the flight attendant closed the cabin door.

I looked at the stewardess, "Where is Aahil?"

"Relax. He shouldn't be very long."

The roar of the jets started getting louder and the plane began to gain heights.

I looked out of the window and my face paled, "Ask the pilot to stop the flight. Aahil hasn't reached yet."

I was panicking.

"And you expect the pilot to follow your instructions?"

"Why not?"

The stewardess let out a wicked laugh, "Wake up from your dreams, princess."

There was a moment of silence and I looked at her my heart pounding in my chest, "Where are we going?"

She gasped, "Oh poor baby is so worried sick."

I was filled with dreadful panic, "Where are you taking me?"

"Stop wasting your energy and take a nap. The most wonderful surprise of your life awaits you."