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Meher Sultan pov
Then the door moved again... just a little farther. My eyes widened. And then I saw the person standing in the doorway.
My breath hitched.
For a moment, I could only stare, my fingers still tightly gripping the balcony railing as my heart pounded wildly against my chest. I hadn't expected this to happen... not now, not when I was only seconds away from escaping.
The door open and the same old maid come who bring my meals she enter with head bow and breakfast tray in hands first she wish me good morning maam then turn toward table to place the tray but i didnot say anything in return as i m so scared of being catche but seeing her head bow i take a deep breath then without thinking i trow the the bag aside and come in room again and closed the balcony door behind me instantly even open the curtains also so she can't see anything other side of glass door.
Then i sit on bed lazily then she turn to me with head bow please eat your breakfast maam in response i only hmm then she got out the room i run and locked the door then as i was about to go balcony my eyes fell on chai and paratha water come in my mouth i was starving from hunger so i sit sofa and tore one piece of paratha and eat it my eyes closed from pleasure and then i drink a chai as it goes to my mouth i feel like life come to my body again
After eating only a few bites, I quietly pushed the plate away and stood up. My heart was still restless, and sitting there any longer felt impossible. I glanced around the room once before slowly walking toward the balcony. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the curtains and pulled them open. Soft morning light spilled into the room, making me squint for a moment. I took a deep breath and opened the balcony door. The cool air immediately touched my face, and for a few seconds, I simply stood there, staring outside.
Then my eyes fell on my bag lying on the floor. "Oh..." I murmured softly before quickly bending down, picking it up, and holding it tightly against my chest. My gaze moved toward the railing and then toward the way down. My stomach twisted nervously. What am I even thinking? I swallowed hard. This is crazy. Completely crazy. But there was no turning back now. I carefully placed my bag aside, gripped the railing, and looked toward the other side. My heartbeat grew louder with every passing second. "Ya Allah..." I whispered under my breath. "Please meri madad karna." (Please help me.)
My hands were already shaking as I took another deep breath and reached for the sheet I had prepared. For one brief moment, I froze. What if I fall? My eyes squeezed shut as fear rushed through me. No... don't think about it. "Bas... bas thoda sa," I whispered to myself, trying to gather whatever courage I had left. "I can do this." With a trembling breath, I began making my way down, slowly and carefully. Every second felt like an eternity. My fingers tightened as fear coursed through me, my breathing becoming uneven while my heart pounded so hard that I could almost hear it in my ears. "Ya Allah..." I whispered again, my voice trembling. "Mujhe girna mat deja ga please." (Please don't let me fall.)
For a moment, I almost lost my courage. My eyes filled with tears as I looked down, and a terrifying thought crossed my mind. Why did I think this was a good idea? I took another shaky breath and forced myself to continue. One moment... then another... until finally, my feet touched the ground. I stood completely still, barely believing what had just happened. I had actually made it. A breath of relief escaped my lips, and I immediately pressed a hand against my racing heart. "Oh my God..." I whispered, letting out a nervous little laugh. "I actually did it."
For a few seconds, I simply stood there, trying to calm my breathing. My hands were still trembling, but the overwhelming fear was slowly being replaced by relief. I correct my cloths and looked up toward the balcony one last time. "Please, Allah..." I whispered softly, my voice filled with hope. "Ab bas mujhe safely ghar pohancha dena." (Please Allah, just let me reach home safely.) With one final glance behind me, I turned around and quietly walked away into the night.
Then walk toward the behind garden where no one comes. Unlike the beautiful front garden, this place felt strangely forgotten. Tall trees surrounded the area, their leaves moving gently with the evening breeze. There was something peaceful about it… almost too peaceful.
I glanced behind me.
No one.
"Thank God…" I whispered, letting out a small breath of relief.
Ever since I had arrived here, I had been trying to understand this strange place. And honestly, the first thing I had done after coming here was a complete home tour.
Not because I was nosy.
Okay… maybe a little.
But I needed to know where I was.
During my little tour, I had casually asked one of the maids about this garden. She had looked at me for a moment before saying, "Peechay wala garden? Wahan koi nahi jata, bibi."
No one goes there.
Perfect.
That sentence had been stuck in my head ever since.
I walked deeper into the garden, my eyes constantly moving around. "This is definitely the best place to escape," I murmured.
My gaze finally landed on the huge wall at the end of the garden. I walked toward it and looked up.
And immediately, my confidence disappeared.
"Seriously?"
The wall was way too high.
I placed my hands on my hips and stared at it. "How am I supposed to climb that?"
I looked around, searching for anything that could help.
Nothing.
I sighed dramatically. "Great. Brilliant plan."
For a few seconds, I simply stood there, thinking.
Then—
My eyes landed on a wooden bench sitting beneath a tree.
My eyes widened.
A slow smile appeared on my face.
"Oh…"
I walked toward it. "Sorry, bench… but I need you."
I grabbed both sides and started pulling. It barely moved.
I frowned. "Come on!"
I pulled harder.
The bench finally scraped across the ground.
Screeech.
I froze.
My eyes immediately darted toward the house.
Silence.
I waited.
Nothing.
I sighed in relief. "Okay… nobody heard that."
I dragged the bench all the way toward the wall and positioned it as close as possible. Then I stepped onto it.
"Step one… done."
I carefully placed one foot on the armrest. My heart immediately started pounding.
"Okay… okay…"
I swallowed.
"Don't look down."
Of course, I looked down.
"Bad idea."
I quickly looked back at the wall.
My fingers reached the top edge. It was still farther than I expected.
"Bas… thora sa aur."
I stretched my arms and grabbed the rough surface. My palms immediately started hurting.
"Ah…"
I gritted my teeth.
I have to do this.
I placed both hands firmly against the wall and pushed my body upward. My arms trembled, and my foot slipped slightly on the armrest.
"Ah—!"
I quickly grabbed the wall tighter.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
"Ya Allah…"
I took a shaky breath.
"Please… please don't let me fall."
For a moment, I closed my eyes.
Why was escaping always this difficult?
I opened them again and stared at the top of the wall.
Come on. You can do this.
I pushed myself upward again, using every bit of strength I had. My fingers finally curled over the edge.
A breathless smile appeared on my face.
"Yes…"
I whispered, "Almost there."
But just as I tried to pull myself higher—
I suddenly heard a sound from the other side.
Footsteps.
I froze.
My smile disappeared instantly.
Someone's there.
My heart began pounding violently.
"Please don't be a person…"
I whispered.
The footsteps came closer.
I held my breath.
Oh no.
What if someone sees me?
What if they catch me climbing this wall like some criminal?
I tightened my grip.
I swallowed nervously.
"…don't get caught."
I tightened my grip around the edge of the wall, my fingers trembling as the footsteps grew closer.
Think. Think!
My eyes darted around desperately. There was nowhere to hide. I couldn't climb back down, and whoever was on the other side was getting closer. "Ya Allah…" I whispered under my breath. "Ab kya karun?"
The footsteps suddenly stopped. My heart stopped with them. Silence. For a few seconds, there was nothing. Then a man's deep voice broke through the silence. "Who's there?"
The moment I heard that deep, dangerously calm voice, something inside me went still.
I knew that voice.
My heart skipped a beat as realization slowly settled in.
This voice…
I swallowed hard.
I know this voice.
My eyes widened.
There was no doubt anymore.
The man standing on the other side of the wall was none other than—
Zaryab.
Zaryab…Just his name sent an unfamiliar shiver through me.
I slowly lifted my head, my heartbeat becoming louder with every passing second.
Of all the people who could have caught me… it had to be him.
I silently cursed my luck.
"Ya Allah…" I whispered, barely audible. "Meri kismat bhi na…"
And judging by the cold expression on his face, I had a feeling my little escape plan had just turned into a very big problem.
My eyes widened. Oh no. I pressed myself against the wall, barely daring to breathe. Maybe… maybe he didn't see me. I slowly lifted my head.
Bad decision.
A tall shadow appeared on the other side. Someone was standing directly beneath me. I bit my lip to stop myself from making a sound. Please go away.Please just go away.
Then he took another step closer. I could see the top of his head now, and my breathing became uneven. Then suddenly, his hand reached upward. My eyes widened in horror. He's going to catch me.
Panic took over.
Without thinking, I pulled myself over the wall. "Ah—!"
My body tipped forward. For one terrifying second, I was falling. I squeezed my eyes shut. I'm dead.
But instead of hitting the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me.
I froze.
My eyes slowly opened. I found myself staring at a man's chest. My breath caught in my throat. What…?
His arms steadied me for only a moment before he helped me onto my feet. Then I looked up.
And everything inside me went still.
Zaryab Rizvi.
Even without knowing much about him, there was something intimidating about the man standing before me. His expression was cold, his jaw tightly clenched, and his dark eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my confidence disappear.
"What exactly are you doing?"
His voice was dangerously calm.
I swallowed. "I…"
Nothing came out.
His eyebrow lifted. "You what?"
I blinked. "I was…"
Say something. Anything.
"I was just…"
He waited.
I forced a nervous smile. "…Just taking A shortcut ?"
Silence.
Zaryab stared at me.
"A shortcut?"
I nodded quickly. "Yes."
His gaze shifted toward the enormous wall behind me. Then back to me.
"You climbed that wall for a shortcut?"
I smiled awkwardly. "When you say it like that, it sounds stupid."
"It is stupid."
My smile disappeared.
"Excuse me?"
His expression hardened. "You could have fallen."
"I didn't."
"You almost did."
"I said I didn't!"
His jaw tightened. "And if I hadn't been here?"
I opened my mouth.
Nothing.
Because, annoyingly, he was right.
I lowered my gaze. "Then… I would've probably fallen."
"Probably?"
I sighed. "Okay. Fine. I would've fallen."
Zaryab said nothing. He simply stared at me.
But something had changed in his expression.
The moment he realized I hadn't accidentally climbed the wall—that I had actually been trying to escape—a dark anger settled over his features.
"You were leaving."
It wasn't a question.
My heart skipped.
I looked away. "I just wanted to go outside."
"Outside?"
"Yes."
"You were trying to escap."
I remained silent.
His voice became colder. "Why?"
"I don't want to explain everything to you."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Silence.
A dangerous silence.
Zaryab's eyes narrowed.
"You're right."
He took one step closer. "You don't have to explain everything to me."
I exhaled, relieved.
Then he continued, "But if you are under my roof, you don't climb walls and disappear without telling anyone."
I frowned. "I didn't know I was a prisoner."
"You're not."
"Then let me leave."
His expression hardened immediately.
"No."
My eyes widened. "What?"
"No."
"You can't just decide that!"
"I just did."
I stared at him in disbelief. "This is insane."
Perhaps it was the fear in my voice—or maybe the fact that I had actually tried to escape—that pushed something darker inside him.
For the first time, Zaryab looked genuinely angry.
He had expected questions. Fear. Maybe even obedience. But instead, he had found a girl willing to climb a wall just to get away. And somehow, that image had lodged itself inside his mind.
She was going to leave me.
The thought irritated him more than it should have.
Why does the idea of her disappearing bother me this much?
He didn't have an answer. And he didn't like that.
I took a step backward. "I'm leaving."
Zaryab immediately caught my wrist.
I gasped. "Let go of me!"
His grip tightened for a second before he stopped himself. His expression remained unreadable.
"Stop trying to run."
"I wasn't running!"
"You climbed a wall."
"Because you wouldn't let me leave!"
His eyes darkened.
"Exactly."
I stared at him. "You're unbelievable."
"And you're reckless."
He released my wrist, but before I could move away, he gestured toward the house.
"Walk."
I didn't move.
"No."
His jaw clenched. "I wasn't asking."
I crossed my arms. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then Zaryab turned toward one of the mens approaching from a distance.
"Take her to the basement."
My eyes widened.
"What?!"
Zaryab looked back at me. The anger in his face made my stomach drop.
"You want to escape so badly?"
He paused.
"Then you'll stay somewhere you can't attempt another stunt."
"Zaryab, don't you dare!"
He didn't answer.
I tried to step away, but the guards moved closer.
"Please…" My voice shook. "I won't try again."
Zaryab's expression flickered for the briefest moment.
But his anger won.
"Too late."
I stared at him in disbelief as they led me toward the house.
What have I gotten myself into?
Behind me, Zaryab remained standing in the garden. He watched until the door disappeared behind me.
His hands curled into fists.
He should have been relieved.
The problem was…
He wasn't.
He was angry because she had tried to leave.
Angry because she had risked herself.
And, most disturbingly, angry because the thought of her disappearing from his sight had awakened something possessive inside him that he didn't understand.
His gaze remained fixed on the closed door.
It didn't take long before we reached the basement. The moment the door opened, a wave of cold, damp air hit my face. I stopped for a second, staring into the dimly lit room.
"Wait…"
Before I could say anything else, one of the men lightly pushed me inside. I stumbled forward.
"Hey!"
I quickly turned around, but it was already too late. The heavy basement door slammed shut behind me.
Thud!
I flinched violently.
For a few seconds, I simply stood there, staring at the door as my heartbeat thundered in my chest.
No…
I slowly walked toward it and placed my trembling hand against the cold wood.
"Open the door…"
My voice came out barely above a whisper.
I waited.
Nothing.
I knocked once.
"Hello?"
Silence.
I knocked again, harder this time.
"Please open the door."
Still nothing.
My throat tightened.
He really locked me in here.
I slowly turned around.
The basement was almost completely empty. There was only a single mattress lying on the floor. Nothing else. No chair. No table. No window. Just four cold walls, dim lighting, and that one mattress.
The ceiling suddenly felt too low. The walls felt too close. Even the air seemed heavy.
I took a slow breath, but somehow it wasn't enough.
"This can't be happening…"
I took a few hesitant steps forward, my eyes scanning every corner.
Where am I supposed to go?
I looked around again.
Nothing.
There isn't even a window.
My chest tightened.
What if nobody comes?
What if he leaves me here for days or weeks?
What if—
"No."
I immediately shook my head.
"No, no… don't think like that."
My voice sounded small in the empty room.
I quickly dropped my bag onto the mattress and pulled out my phone.
"Okay… phone." I forced myself to smile. "At least I have my phone."
My fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen. I immediately dialed the first number that came to my mind.
"Come on…"
I held the phone tightly against my ear.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Nothing.
Then—
Call Failed.
My eyes widened.
"What?"
I stared at the screen.
"No… no, no, no."
I tried again.
The call didn't even connect.
No Service.
My heart sank.
I quickly stood up and moved toward the corner of the room, raising my phone above my head.
"Come on… signal, please."
Nothing.
I walked to another corner.
Still nothing.
I moved closer to the door.
Nothing.
"Please…"
My voice cracked.
I tried calling again. This time, I waited longer. The phone remained silent.
Then the same message appeared.
Call Failed.
My eyes began burning.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
I switched airplane mode on, waited, then switched it off. I stared at the signal bar.
Nothing.
"Come on…"
I tried another number.
The call failed again.
I tried once more.
No Service.
My hand slowly dropped to my side.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
I'm completely cut off.
The realization hit me harder than I expected.
No calls.
No messages.
No internet.
No one even knew where I was.
My breathing became uneven.
"Ya Allah…"
I whispered.
"Mujhe yahan se nikalna hoga."
I looked toward the door again. It suddenly seemed impossibly far away.
I walked toward it and pressed my ear against the wood.
Nothing.
Not even footsteps.
"Is anyone there?"
Silence.
"Please…"
My voice trembled.
"Someone, please open the door."
Nothing.
I slowly stepped away from the door.
My eyes burned with tears.
What have I gotten myself into?
I thought about Zaryab.
The cold expression on his face.
The way his voice had changed when he realized I was trying to escape.
The anger in his eyes.
A shiver ran through me.
He was already angry outside.
What if he becomes even worse?
I wrapped my arms around myself and sat down on the mattress.
"No…"
I whispered, trying to convince myself.
"He won't do anything."
But even as I said it, I didn't believe myself.
My fingers tightened around my phone.
Why did I try to escape?
I should have waited.
I should have thought of another way.
A tear finally slipped down my cheek.
I quickly wiped it away.
"Don't cry."
I sniffed.
"Come on… you're not weak."
I took a shaky breath.
"Think."
I looked around the basement again.
There has to be another way out.
I stood up and started checking the walls, running my fingers along them.
Nothing.
I checked behind the mattress.
Nothing.
I looked at the ceiling.
Nothing.
My frustration slowly turned into panic.
"There's no way out…"
I whispered.
The words echoed faintly through the empty room.
I slowly sat back down.
My knees came up to my chest as I hugged them tightly.
I'm trapped.
My breathing became shallow.
And somewhere beyond that heavy door was the one person I was beginning to fear the most.
Zaryab Rizvi.
I stared at my phone one last time.
Still no signal.
My eyes filled with tears again.
I whispered, "Please… kisi ko toh meri awaaz sunayi de."
But the basement remained silent.
Completely silent.
I tightened my grip around my phone.
I need to get out of here.
Before he comes back.
Author's POV
The beautiful morning sunlight slipped through the curtains and gently entered the room, its warm rays falling directly across the sleeping girl's face. Aiman's eyebrows immediately furrowed in irritation, and she turned her face toward the other side, hoping to escape the brightness. But the stubborn sunlight followed her, landing across her face once again. With an annoyed groan, she blindly reached toward the pillow beside her waist, grabbed it, and placed it firmly over her face, her fingers curling tightly around the soft fabric. Just five more minutes... she thought sleepily. Why does morning have to exist?
A few moments later, the bedroom door opened, and her mother stepped inside carrying a breakfast tray. She placed it carefully on the nearby table before walking toward her daughter. Looking at the girl completely buried beneath the pillow, a soft, motherly smile touched her lips. "Aiman beta..." she called gently. "Wake up. You have university today." A muffled groan came from beneath the pillow. "Mama... please... bas five minutes aur." Her mother shook her head, already familiar with this daily drama. "Five minutes tumhare liye hamesha fifty minutes ban jate hain." ("Five minutes always turn into fifty minutes with you.") Aiman stubbornly refused to move. "I promise, I'll get up." Her mother sighed affectionately. "Theek hai, lekin jaldi karna." ("Alright, but hurry.") She turned to leave, but Aiman suddenly pulled the pillow away and reached for her phone. The moment she looked at the screen, her sleepy expression completely changed. Her eyes widened. "OH... SHIT!" She immediately threw the phone onto the bed and jumped to her feet. "I'm late!" Without another word, she rushed toward the washroom. Her mother stood there staring after her before shaking her head with an amused smile. "Roz ka drama hai iska..." ("It's the same drama every day...") she murmured before quietly leaving the room.
After a quick shower, the washroom door opened, and Aiman stepped out wearing a white bathrobe. She hurried toward her cupboard, grabbed a pair of clothes, and disappeared into the changing room. A few minutes later, she emerged wearing blue jeans paired with a simple white t shirt. She walked toward the dressing table, quickly dried her hair, and tied it into a neat ponytail. Without wasting another second, she grabbed her phone from the bed and dropped onto the sofa, where her breakfast was waiting. She began eating quickly while simultaneously typing messages to her friends. University life really had one rule—if you weren't running late, you weren't Aiman.
After finishing breakfast, she grabbed her bag from the study table and hurried downstairs. In the hall, her mother was busy giving instructions to the servants, making sure everything was arranged properly while Aiman's father was away on a business trip. Aiman smiled mischievously before quietly walking behind her mother. She wrapped her arms around her from behind and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Good morning, Mama!" Her mother turned around, startled. "Aiman!" But before she could say anything else, Aiman was already laughing as she ran toward the entrance. "Bye, Mama! Love you!" Her mother simply shook her head, watching her daughter disappear with an affectionate smile.
Outside, Aiman quickly climbed into the back seat of the car. The driver greeted her politely before starting the engine. As the mansion slowly disappeared behind them, Aiman became completely absorbed in her phone, replying to messages, scrolling through conversations, and occasionally laughing at something her friends had sent. For the entire journey, the phone barely left her hand.
After nearly thirty minutes, the car finally stopped outside her university. Aiman locked her phone and slipped it into her bag before stepping out. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and walked through the university gates, completely unaware that this ordinary morning would soon become a memory she would wish she could forget.
As she entered the garden, she spotted her friends gathered together.
The first was Saim, twenty-three years old and nearly 6′7" tall, with a perfectly built physique and strikingly handsome features. He wore black jeans with a black shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up, giving him an effortlessly confident appearance. Beside him stood Aleena, twenty-two, with a warm brown complexion, curly black hair, and soft, chubby yet attractive features. She looked effortlessly pretty in a blue co-ord set with a dupatta resting casually over her shoulder. The third was Hamad, twenty-three, standing nearly 6′9" with a muscular build, sharp yet attractive features, silky light-black hair, and an unmistakably handsome face. He wore blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and a denim jacket.
The moment Aiman approached them, she raised her hand.
"Hi, guys!"
All three immediately turned toward her.
"Finally!" Saim exclaimed dramatically. "Madam ne darshan de diye!"
Aleena laughed. "We were about to file a missing-person report."
Hamad folded his arms. "Not a bad idea, actually."
Aiman rolled her eyes.
"Oh, shut up! I'm only a little late."
Saim raised an eyebrow.
"Little?"
Aleena checked her watch.
"Half an hour late."
Aiman groaned.
"Okay, okay! Bas karo tum log."
They all laughed, the familiar teasing instantly filling the morning with warmth.
After a few minutes of random conversations, Aleena suddenly leaned closer with an excited expression.
"Guys... what about going to a club tonight?"
Aiman's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes!"
Saim and Hamad exchanged looks.
"No."
Aiman frowned.
"Why not?"
Hamad shook his head. "Because it's not good place for you two."
Aleena crossed her arms.
"We're adults."
Saim sighed. "That's not the point."
Aiman looked at Aleena, and the two exchanged a silent glance.
Then, almost simultaneously, they said,
"Please?"
Saim closed his eyes.
Hamad rubbed his forehead.
"Fine."
Aiman instantly smiled.
"Yesss!"
Saim pointed a warning finger at both girls.
"But we're picking you up from your homes."
Aleena nodded happily. "Deal."
Hamad sighed. "And you're both staying with us."
Aiman laughed.
"Okay, Mr. Bodyguard."
Saim rolled his eyes.
"Just go to class before we're late because of you again."
They all started walking toward their classroom together, talking about random things, teasing one another, and laughing as though nothing in the world could ever disturb their friendship.
None of them knew that the decision they had just made would change everything.
Tonight...
They didn't know they were walking toward a night that would become unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
A night that would test their friendship...
Their trust...
And perhaps...
Become the reason everything they had built together would eventually fall apart.
Meher Sultan Pov
Seven hours.
It had been more than seven hours since that heavy basement door had slammed shut behind me with a deafening
Thud!,
and still…
no one had come.
I sat quietly on the thin mattress, my back pressed against the cold wall and my knees pulled tightly against my chest. The dim light above me flickered every few seconds, casting strange shadows across the empty room. The air felt colder now—or maybe it was just me.
At first, I had been angry.
Then scared.
Then determined. I had spent hours telling myself that I would find a way out, that I wouldn't let fear control me, that I would keep trying until someone heard me. But now… my courage was gone, completely replaced by fear and hurt.
How can someone leave another person here for this long?
I slowly looked toward the door, but there was nothing. No footsteps.
No voices.
Not even the faint sound of someone passing by. I swallowed hard before whispering, "Kitne ghante ho gaye hain…" My voice was barely audible in the suffocating silence.
"Seven hours… maybe more." A bitter laugh escaped my lips, but there was no humor in it.
"Shayad kisi ko farq hi nahi padta." The moment I said those words, my eyes filled with tears. I quickly blinked, refusing to let them fall.
Don't cry, Meher. I rubbed my face with trembling hands and whispered to myself, "You were brave before. Tum itni jaldi haar nahi maan sakti." But even my own voice sounded weak… almost broken.
My eyes dropped toward my phone lying beside me on the mattress. Still no signal. I had checked it so many times that I had lost count.
No calls.
No messages.
No internet.
Nothing.
I pressed the screen again, hoping that somehow a single bar would appear, but nothing changed. "Please…" I whispered, tightening my fingers around the phone. "Bas ek call lag jaye…" I tried again, but the screen only displayed
Call Failed.
My heart sank, and I slowly lowered the phone into my lap. What if nobody even knows where I am? That thought hurt more than anything. My breathing became uneven as I swallowed hard.
"What if…" I paused, unable to finish the sentence at first. "What if main yahan se kabhi bahar hi na ja sakun?" The thought terrified me. I immediately shook my head and whispered, "No." Then again, louder this time, "No. Meher, stop it." I wiped the tears gathering beneath my eyes. "Tum bahar jaogi. You have to." But deep inside, another voice whispered, What if you don't?
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to push the thought away, but suddenly Zaryab's face came back to my mind. His cold voice. His anger. The way his words had stopped me when I had tried to leave.
"No." Just one word, yet it still echoed inside my head. My fingers curled into the fabric of my clothes as countless questions began racing through my mind.
Why does he have so much control over my life?
Why did he bring me here?
And why does he get to decide whether I can leave or not? A tear finally slipped down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away. "I hate you," I whispered into the empty room, my voice trembling. "I hate you, Zaryab." But the words didn't make me feel stronger. Instead, they only made the loneliness heavier.
I pulled my knees closer and rested my forehead against them. "Ammi…" I whispered suddenly, and my chest tightened. For the first time in hours, I allowed myself to think about home—the familiar rooms, the warm lights, the sound of people talking, the simple feeling of being safe.
My eyes burned as tears gathered again. "Mujhe ghar jana hai…" My voice broke completely. "Mujhe bas ghar jana hai." I covered my mouth with my hand as a quiet sob escaped. For hours, I had tried to be strong. For hours, I had told myself that I could handle it. But sitting alone in that cold basement, with nobody coming for me, nobody calling my name, nobody even knowing where I was… I didn't feel strong anymore.
I felt small.
Lost.
Alone.
And terrified.
I slowly lifted my head and looked toward the basement door again. Still nothing. My lips trembled as I whispered, "Koi hai?" Silence. My heart sank. "Koi hai bahar?" Again, nothing. I closed my eyes as another tear rolled down my cheek.
"Please…" I whispered, my voice almost disappearing into the darkness. "Kisi ko toh meri awaaz sunayi de." But silence was the only answer I received. I hugged myself tightly, trying to stop my trembling body as one thought repeated itself inside my mind.
I need to get out.
I need to get out of here.
But this time, there was no confidence behind those words. Only fear. And somewhere deep inside me, one question kept getting louder and louder—What will happen when Zaryab comes back?
Author pov
Aiman stood in front of the full-length mirror, quietly admiring her reflection. She looked completely different tonight—elegant, graceful, and effortlessly beautiful. She was dressed in a long emerald-green gown that flowed gracefully down to the floor, its soft fabric complimenting her figure perfectly. Her hair was left open, falling in soft waves over her shoulders, while her makeup was beautifully natural—soft nude shades, subtle blush, and a delicate touch of gloss that made her features look even more radiant. She tilted her head slightly, studying herself in the mirror before a small smile appeared on her lips.
"Not bad," she whispered to herself, a little amused. Okay, Aiman… tonight you actually look good.
For a moment, she simply stood there, looking at herself. A strange excitement fluttered inside her chest. It had been a while since she had gone out just to enjoy herself—to laugh, dress up, spend time with her friends, and forget about everything else for a few hours. She picked up her earrings from the table and adjusted one of them before smiling at her reflection again.
I really need a night where I don't have to think about anything. Her smile softened. Bas tonight… no stress, no overthinking. Just fun. She took a deep breath, picked up her perfume, sprayed a little on her wrists, and whispered, "Tonight better be worth all this effort."
Before she could admire herself any longer, her phone suddenly buzzed on the table. She glanced toward it and saw Saim's name flashing across the screen. With a small sigh, she picked up the call.
"Hello?" she answered.
Saim's voice immediately came through the other end. "Aiman, neeche aa jao. We're waiting." She rolled her eyes. "I'm coming. Itni bhi kya jaldi hai?" Saim chuckled. "Jaldi? Madam, hum kab se neeche kharay hain." Aiman looked at the time and widened her eyes. "Oh… okay, maybe I took a little longer than I thought."
"A little?" Saim repeated sarcastically. "Tumhari 'little' ka matlab minimum thirty minutes hota hai." She laughed. "Bas karo. I'm coming."
She ended the call and picked up her small clutch from the table. Before leaving, she gave herself one final look in the mirror. For a second, her smile faded as a small wave of nervousness passed through her.
I hope tonight goes well.
She couldn't explain why, but she had a strange feeling that something about tonight would be different. She quickly pushed the thought away and shook her head. "No overthinking," she whispered. "Just enjoy." With that, she grabbed her clutch and walked out of the room.
A few minutes later, Aiman stepped outside the mansion, the cool evening air brushing softly against her face. She breathed in deeply, instantly feeling a little lighter.
The mansion behind her seemed to fade into the background as she walked toward the waiting car. Finally… fresh air. She opened the back door and slipped inside, finding Aleena already seated there.
The moment Aleena saw her, her eyes widened dramatically. "Oh my God, Aiman! Look at you!" she exclaimed, looking her up and down. Aiman laughed and closed the door. "Kya hua? Aise kyun dekh rahi ho?" Aleena shook her head in disbelief. "Girl, you look gorgeous! That gown is literally made for you." Aiman smiled.
"Thank you. But have you seen yourself? You look stunning."
Aleena immediately smiled with satisfaction. "I know."
Aiman stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter. "Tumhari confidence kabhi khatam nahi hoti, hai na?" Aleena shrugged proudly.
"Why should it? Compliment mila hai, accept karna bhi toh chahiye." Aiman laughed again.
"Unbelievable." Aleena leaned closer and whispered, "Waise honestly, green looks amazing on you." Aiman smiled warmly. "And your dress? So pretty. You look so elegant." Aleena gently bumped her shoulder against hers.
"Tonight, we're definitely going to look like the main characters." Aiman grinned. "Bas tum koi kaand mat kar dena." Aleena gave her an innocent look. "Me? Never." Aiman raised an eyebrow. "That 'never' is exactly what scares me."
From the driver's seat, Saim glanced at them through the rearview mirror. "Tum dono ka compliment session khatam ho gaya ho toh chalein?" Aleena immediately looked toward him. "Jealous?"
Saim scoffed. "Of what?" Aiman leaned forward slightly. "Of the fact that we're prettier than you." Hamid, sitting beside Saim in the passenger seat, burst out laughing. "Bhai, accept it. Aaj toh tum dono ke saamne hum dono ka koi chance nahi." Saim gave him an offended look. "Tum meri side pe ho ya unki?" Hamid shrugged. "Jahan free compliments mil rahe hon, main udhar hoon." Aleena laughed. "Smart boy." Saim shook his head. "Great. Ab dono mere khilaaf team bana lo."
Hamid turned around slightly in his seat and looked at Aiman. "Waise Aiman, sach batao. Itna ready hone mein kitna time laga?" Aiman narrowed her eyes. "Why?" "Bas curiosity hai." "Maybe one hour." Saim immediately laughed. "one hour?" Aiman looked at him through the mirror. "What?" Saim shook his head. "Madam, hum dono ko pata hai thirty ka matlab at least two, three hours hota hai." Hamid nodded seriously. "Main toh keh raha hoon do ghanta pachaas minute." Aiman gasped. "Excuse me! Main itni late nahi hui." Aleena immediately joined in. "Actually, you did." Aiman turned toward her in disbelief. "Traitor!" Aleena burst out laughing. "I'm just being honest!"
The car finally started moving, and the laughter continued. For a few minutes, everything felt easy. No tension. No worries. Just four friends teasing each other like they always did. Aiman leaned back against the seat, watching the city lights pass by through the window. A soft smile settled on her lips as she looked at Aleena.
She felt the nervousness from earlier slowly disappearing, replaced by excitement. Tonight, she wanted to laugh until her stomach hurt, dance without caring who was watching, and make memories she could smile about later.
But before the mood could become too carefree, Saim cleared his throat dramatically. "Okay, enough. Ab meri baat bhi sun lo."
Aiman and Aleena exchanged amused glances. "Here we go," Aiman muttered. Hamid chuckled.
"Lecture time." Saim ignored him and continued, "First, don't wander off anywhere alone.
Second, keep your phones with you.
Third, if there's any problem, call us immediately. Samjhi?"
Aleena rolled her eyes. "Saim, we're going out for enjoyment, not entering a war zone." "I know," he replied. "But still, be careful."
Hamid nodded. "Exactly. Aur please, kisi random stranger ke saath unnecessary conversation start mat karna. Especially you, Aleena." Aleena placed a hand dramatically over her chest. "Why especially me?"
Hamid raised an eyebrow. "Because tumhara 'Hi' usually five-minute conversation ban jata hai." Aiman burst out laughing.
"He's right!" Aleena looked offended. "You guys are unbelievable." Saim smiled slightly. "And Aiman, don't disappear either. Tum dono agar crowd mein separate ho gayi toh humein problem hogi." Aiman crossed her arms. "Wow. Aaj toh full bodyguard mode on hai."
"Obviously," Hamid replied. "Tum dono ko kuch ho gaya toh blame hum par hi aayega." Aiman smiled softly at that. Beneath all the teasing, she knew they genuinely cared. "Fine," she said, raising both hands in surrender. "No disappearing, no unnecessary conversations, phone with me. Happy?" Saim nodded. "Very." Aleena sighed dramatically. "Okay, Dad." Hamid immediately laughed. "Don't call him Dad. He'll start giving us a bedtime." Saim glared at him. "Hamid." "Okay, okay. I'm quiet."
The car filled with laughter again, and Aiman couldn't help smiling. She looked out of the window, watching the lights blur past as the car moved farther away from the mansion. Maybe tonight really will be good. She didn't know what awaited them at the end of the road, and for once, she didn't want to think about it. She simply wanted to enjoy the moment.
Aiman looked toward Saim through the rearview mirror and smiled. "Okay, boss. We promise we'll be careful." Aleena nodded. "Promise." Hamid sighed dramatically. "Good. Ab agar dono ne instructions yaad kar li hain, toh please humein bhi enjoy karne dein." Aiman laughed. "Fine. But one more thing." Saim immediately looked suspicious. "What now?" Aiman smiled mischievously. "Drive carefully, Mr. Driver." Hamid burst out laughing. "Haan bhai, madam ne warning de di hai." Saim shook his head, trying to hide his smile. "Bas karo tum dono."
Their laughter filled the car as they disappeared into the evening, unaware that sometimes the nights that begin with the most laughter are the ones that leave behind the memories no one ever forgets.
A little while later, their car stopped in front of a café. The four of them made their way through the inner passageways until they finally reached an underground club.
The moment the door opened after the security check, a strong, unpleasant smell hit their noses. It was a mixture of alcohol, drugs, sweat, and sex—so overpowering that breathing became difficult for them.
Saim and Hamid had been come there before with other friends, so this world was not completely new to them. But for Aiman, Aleena, it was their first time experiencing anything like this.
The excitement and curiosity of discovering something new were clearly visible on Aiman's faces. However, Aleena showed no such emotions. She remained completely calm and indifferent, as if she saw such things every day, even though she was experiencing them for the first time in her life.
The sight of women dancing in revealing clothes made Aiman feel embarrassed, especially because she was there with her team members. Aleena, on the other hand, looked at them without hesitation, as though their revealing appearance did not affect her at all.
"You don't need to talk to anyone," Saim ordered firmly.
The three of them fell silent.
It was a completely different world.
Aiman took Aleena's hand and started walking forward. She didn't want to stand there with those two boys. After coming all this way, she certainly hadn't come just to stand around.
"Aiman, don't go any further. This place is dangerous. We'll go upstairs to a room. You can watch everything from there."
They had barely taken a step or two when Saim grabbed Saim by the wrist and stopped her firmly.
Aiman and Aleena exchanged a glance before silently agreeing to follow them.
They made their way through the crowd on the dance floor, moving between men and women until they reached the stairs. The area was enormous; as far as the eye could see, people were dancing and singing.
There were sofas placed along the sides where people were openly involved in intimate activities. It wasn't limited to men and women either; there were also same-sex couples.
Even seeing the scene from a distance made Hafsa feel disgusted and uncomfortable.
Saim walked ahead, Aiman and Aleena stayed in the middle, while Hamid followed behind. The two men kept watch over them, protecting them as carefully as someone would protect what was precious to them.
They continued toward the upper floor.
Rooms had been built along both sides, almost like hotel rooms. Strange cries could be heard coming from inside them. The atmosphere was so heated and overwhelming that all four of them had started sweating.
The flashing, colorful lights made the entire place feel even more dangerous. But upstairs, the rooms were illuminated only by dim red lights.
The room they entered was also bathed in red light.
Hamid and Saim dropped onto the sofa, while Aiman and Aleena went straight to the window. From there, they stood watching the entire underground club below.
The smell was so overpowering that even breathing had become difficult. That was why Aleena took a mask from her bag and put it over her face. Then she handed another one to Aiman, who immediately put it on as well.
The two girls were still watching the scene when suddenly, someone familiar caught Aleena's attention.
"Bhai…"
She whispered in surprise.
The very next moment, however, concern crossed her face.
He wasn't alone.
Several guards surrounded him, walking closely around him as he made his way toward the floor ahead.
Without wasting another second, Aleena pulled out her phone from her purse.
"Bhai."
She sent a message to her elder brother.
From where she stood, she could see that he already had his phone in his hand. As soon as the message appeared, he typed a reply.
"Wait… what happened? Is everything okay?"
His message made it obvious that he had become worried.
"You're okay, right?"
He immediately sent another message.
At the same time, his eyes remained fixed on his face from a distance.
"Yes. What could possibly happen to me? Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself."
What Aleena didn't know was that her brother had already known she was there.
The moment Aleena entered the café, Atif, one of her brother's guards, spotted her. He immediately called her brother and informed him.
But he hadn't let Aleena know.
And he had no intention of telling her.
"You take care of yourself too bhai."
After reading her message, he slipped his phone into his pocket.
Then he walked toward the elevator.
Aleena had no idea why he had come there.
Who had he come with? And who were all those people surrounding him?
Somewhere deep inside, Aleena had begun to feel uneasy. Her heart was restless.
There were men and women dancing, people openly involved in sexual acts, drugs, alcohol—who knew what else was happening in that place?
But Aleena's attention was fixed on only one thing.
The elevator.
As its doors slowly closed, her brother face disappeared from her sight.
Meanwhile, HE had entered a private room where the walls were bathed in red light.
His dark eyes settled on the man chained to the wall in front of him.
Blood was trickling from the man's mouth. His clothes were torn, and his body was covered in bruises from the beating he had received. Looking at him, anyone would have thought he was barely clinging to life.
Anyone would have felt pity.
But not HE.
There wasn't even a hint of mercy in those deep black eyes.
HE stepped closer, but never touched him.
The moment he approached, everyone else immediately stepped back.
With an intimidating calmness, HE asked,
"Who told you to hit Miss Saima with your car?"
"I—I didn't do anything. It really was an accident. She suddenly came in front of my car."
Despite being badly beaten, the man still lied, his voice trembling and breathless.
HE clenched his fists.
"Her daughter…"
HE paused, scratching his forehead as though trying to remember.
"What was her name? Hmm…"
"Rubab. Something like that. She studies in college. What should we do with her? Bring her here?"
HE spoke casually.
But the effect of those words was immediate.
The man's entire body trembled.
He looked at HE with terrified eyes.
"Don't bring my daughter into this! She's my honor! You have a mother and sisters in your family too!"
For the first time, the man screamed at the top of his lungs.
It was obvious that his soul had been shaken.
A daughter was a father's most precious possession. He could sacrifice his own life, but he could never tolerate anything happening to his daughter's honor.
"Oh?"
HE tilted his head slightly.
"So when it came to your daughter, you suddenly remembered honor?"
His voice was dangerously calm.
"When you were hurting someone else's mother, sister, and daughter, where was that sense of honor?"
HE stepped closer.
"The woman you hit with your car—what made you think she was nobody? Don't you think she was someone's mother, someone's sister, someone's daughter?"
People say daughters belong to everyone.
But if people truly believed that, no daughter would ever be left crying because of someone else's cruelty.
HE rested one hand on his waist, staring at the man with cold fury.
His words struck deep.
If the man's conscience had been alive, perhaps he would have felt every one of them.
But men like him rarely had a conscience.
They only screamed when the matter involved their own mothers, sisters, or daughters.
To them, everyone else's women were barely even human.
"I'm asking you for the last time."
HE stepped forward.
"Who told you to hit Miss Saima with your car?"
His right hand suddenly closed around the man's throat.
He forced him to look directly into his eyes.
His voice turned into a low, furious growl, like a lion ready to tear apart its prey at any moment.
HE saw that the man was still hesitating.
"Bring me his daughter."
The moment those words left HIS's mouth, the man panicked.
"Affan Yusuf!"
The name was completely unexpected.
"Affan Yusuf…"
HE repeated under his breath, disbelief evident in his voice.
And how could he not be surprised?
Affan Yusuf was related to him.
He was the eldest and only son of Abdul Rehman.
As far as HE remembered, he had never crossed paths with Affan Yusuf.
In fact, the last time they had even met had been years ago at a party.
Affan Yusuf had built a name and considerable power for himself in the business world.
Who didn't know him?
He even had connections with the mafia.
"What possible enmity could Affan Yusuf have with my FAMILY?"
HE released his grip from the man's neck.
He wiped the blood from his hand onto the man's torn shirt before stepping back thoughtfully.
It took him only three or four moments to connect the pieces.
"SAIM… Arsa… Affan…"
He murmured under his breath.
"So that's where the enmity comes from."
His fists tightened.
"What should we do, Shahenshah?"
A young man standing behind him asked respectfully while HE washed the blood from his hands at the fountain in the middle of the room.
"Nothing. Not yet,."
HE had already made his decision carefully.
After the accident, Affan had gone completely silent. Perhaps it had been his way of taking revenge because of Arsa.
Doing anything more right now would only provoke him further.
And Aleena was sick.
She was going through an extremely delicate stage.
He couldn't take any risks with his baby sister.
That was why he had decided to wait four months.
But he had no intention of forgiving the man who had made his little princess cry.
HE moved toward Babar from the other side.
And then he saw her.
On the second floor of the opposite section, Aleena was standing beside a window.
And Saim was standing near her.
He appeared to be talking to her continuously.
Something inside His's chest caught fire.
Saim wasn't even in her class.
Then what was he doing here?
With Aleena?
He could tolerate almost anything.
But he could not tolerate to see boy being near his sister.
Not even for a moment.
His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
The darkness in his deep black eyes seemed to ignite.
And for the first time that night, something far more dangerous than anger burned behind them.
"I heard you weren't feeling well. Are you alright Aleena?"
Aiman was only looking for an excuse to talk to her. When she couldn't find one, she simply stood there asking about her health.
"Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you," Aleena answered., but didn't even spare her a glance. She continued staring out of the window.
A little distance away, someone was watching Aiman intently.
His dark eyes remained fixed on her, following every little movement she made. There was something unreadable in his gaze—something that made it impossible to tell what was going on inside his mind.
After a moment, he slightly tilted his head and called the man standing behind him.
"You."
The man immediately stepped forward.
"Yes, sir?"
His gaze never left Aiman.
"That girl… the one standing by the window. I want her. Bring her to my room."
Sufyan Mir, the son of a well-known politician, had been sitting at the counter, drinking one glass after another. When his eyes suddenly wandered upward, he noticed Aiman standing on the first floor.
The moment he saw her, he was captivated.
She looked incredibly beautiful to him—so beautiful that he immediately decided he wanted to spend the night with her.
He looked at his men and ordered them to bring Aiman to him, as though she were nothing more than an object that could be delivered to his room simply because he had demanded it.
And for a wealthy man like Sufyan Mir, a girl like Aiman was nothing more than a toy.
Aiman was standing far away, but when she felt someone's intense gaze upon her, she turned in that direction.
There were thousands of people around them, but even among that enormous crowd, Sufyan Mir stood out.
He was a striking young man, sitting there with an air of arrogance and royalty.
His eyes were brown.
Dark brown.
And to Aiman, those eyes were terrifying—eyes that seemed capable of frightening anyone.
She couldn't hold his gaze for more than three seconds.
She immediately looked away, but she could still feel the heat of his stare against her face.
A faint smile appeared on Sufyan's lips when she turned her gaze away.
From her innocent face, he had already figured out that she didn't belong in this environment. She didn't seem like someone from a wealthy family either.
Because if she were, he would have seen her here before.
And even if she did belong to a powerful family, it made no difference to him.
He had enough power and influence to bring anyone to his feet.
Sufyan Mir twirled his moustache confidently before standing up and walking toward the elevator, while his men moved forward to bring Aiman to him.
Aiman and Aleena were standing by the window, quietly looking outside, while Saim and Hamid sat on two chairs opposite each other, casually talking about random things.
They were still inside the room when there was a knock on the door of their private room.
Everything seemed calm.
Until suddenly—
BANG!
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Saim opened it.
Four heavily built, intimidating-looking men dressed entirely in black walked into the room. The moment they entered, they came straight toward Aiman and stopped in front of her.
They were dressed in dark clothes, and each had a gun firmly gripped in his hand.
"Come on, ma'am. Sir has called for you."
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
The silence felt heavier than the sound of the doo
The casual atmosphere in the room vanished in an instant.
Aiman and Aleena froze by the window, while Hamid instinctively straightened in his chair, his eyes fixed warily on the armed men.
"Come with us."
Their tone was commanding, leaving no room for argument.
"What are you talking about?"
Aiman asked anxiously, looking at the young man who had ordered her to come with them.
Saim and Hamid exchanged worried glances.
"We don't have much time. Come with us."
One of the men stepped forward impatiently and reached for Aiman's wrist.
Aleena immediately moved between them.
"Don't touch my friend!"
Author's Note
Assalamualaikum, everyone! 🤍
Thank you so much for reading and supporting this story. It truly means a lot to me. If you're enjoying the journey of Zaryab and Meher, please don't forget to vote, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support motivates me to write more.
🎯 Target: 100 Votes
Let's reach this milestone together! Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love,
Fiza ali khan❤️