Muqamal mohabbat
مکمل محبت

Two months later

"The blood reports look normal. You've gained a little weight too." The doctor scanned the reports in her hand, before turning to us with a small smile. "I've included a new diet plan to help with the weight and morning sickness."

"Is the baby alright?" Aliyaar asked.

The doctor nodded, "Yes, the baby is normal and healthy, but like I mentioned before this is a high-risk pregnancy, so I'd recommend keeping up with the same treatment plan as suggested before."

"Any precautions?"

"The usual. But now I'd advise against unnecessary travels and sitting for long periods of time."

We exchanged a knowing look, before collecting the reports from the doctor and heading out of her office.

The past few weeks had been particularly difficult. I had suffered from excruciating bouts of stomach cramps and horrible episodes of morning sickness and nausea. There had been days when I had wanted to gobble the whole kitchen down and then there had been times when even the mere mention of food had me spilling my guts out. With each passing day, the carvings and mood swings had intensified and all I had wanted was to lay curled up in my bed.

But I had been thankful for my family, who very patiently had kept up with every demand and tantrum I had thrown their way. Aliyaar too had been trying very hard to manage his schedule, spending as much time as he could with me, while still keeping up with the campaign tours and meetings. But since the election was barely three months away, it had been impossible for him to give me as much time as he would have wanted. I could see the guilt in his eyes, every time he'd tell me that he'd be gone for a day or two. But much to his relief, Layla had moved in with us. It was amusing watching Layla and Shehryar trying to keep me company on nights when Aliyaar wasn't there.

This past week, with Aliyaar gone, I had been an emotional mess, crying at the slightest of things. I knew I missed him, I always did, but until now I didn't realise just how attached I was to him. I could barely control myself from running across the hall and jumping into his arms when I saw him return this morning, just in time for my doctor's appointment.

"Do you want ice-cream?" Aliyaar asked, as he held my hand guiding us through the hospital corridor.

I scrunched my nose in distaste, "No."

"Cake?"

"No."

"Chocolate?"

"No."

"What's wrong?" 

I shook my head. "Nothing. When are you going back?"

A flash of guilt sliced through his face. "I'll try to stay here for the next two weeks. The Lahore Jalsa requires attention, so I'd have to stay in town until then." I nodded and smiled, although it probably didn't reach my eyes, because Aliyaar groaned painfully, "That look on your face makes me want to kill myself."

"I wasn't trying to make you feel guilty. I know you're trying very hard." I raised his hand to my lips. "It's just— I missed you."

He was silent for a while, before he took my hand walking backwards towards our car. "Let me make it up to you. How about a date?" His gloomy features suddenly lit up with excitement.

"A date? Now?"

"Yes. A lunch date. You pick."

I giggled, "We'd be here all day if I picked."

A grin lit up his face and his expression eased, "How about Japanese?"

"I cannot stand seafood these days, Aliyaar," a wry grin fixed itself upon my face. "We can go to this new fine dining restaurant in Gulberg. I heard it's pretty private as well."

"Sure. If that's what you want."

A few minutes later, we were seated in the plush dining hall of this extremely swanky new restaurant with rich interiors and delicious aromas. There were only a few people seated by the windows, which made it easier for the waiters to cordon off an entire section for us, making the whole place a little more private and elusive. This was probably the second time Aliyaar and I had gone out for a meal like this and I was loving every bit of it. For security reasons, Aliyaar often avoided public places and I couldn't blame him for it. But a little part of me still craved such normalcy in our lives.

"I don't know what to order." I whined. "I want to try the pasta and the duck and maybe a little bit of the roast chicken as well."

"You can order all three."

"What am I? An elephant?" I sniggered.

Aliyaar merely smiled, his deep dark eyes lightening up with amusement. The waiter quickly noted our order, probably a little surprised at the amount of food we had chosen, but smiled nonetheless.

"You know I'm not even gonna eat half the stuff you've ordered."

"I thought you might want to sample everything and decide what you wanted to eat. Plus it might help you gain some much needed weight." He winked.

My eyes narrowed at him suspiciously, "Are you trying to fatten me up so you can have an affair?"

"What's with all the conspiracy theories, babe?" His elbows slipped across the table, watching me with an amused expression, "If I want to have an affair I'll let you know. I promise."

"Oh, how generous of you." I bit back, taking a sip of my lemonade, the cool liquid feeling refreshing against the hot summer afternoon. I moaned.

"I didn't know you liked lemonades." Aliyaar smiled at my reaction.

"I've recently been enjoying lemons a lot."

His gaze settled upon mine, his features pulled back and drawn. The remorse and pain on his face was unmasked and discernible. "I am sorry, jaan. I am so very sorry." He reached over the table, taking his hand and lacing his fingers with mine. "I wish I could have been more involved than I actually am." His voice was raw with guilt. "You have no idea how much I miss you and our little princess when I'm away."

I knew just how much Aliyaar had wanted this child and I knew his on and off absence was eating him from the inside. But I knew what he was doing was important and this election was a pivotal point in his career. Dada Jaan had finally approved of him and given him the support he had sought to further his career, but the support came with added responsibilities. He had prove himself in these elections. He had to win.

"As much as I miss you, I'm glad you're gone. This country deserves better. The children of this country deserve a better future." I smiled at him, squeezing his hand through my fingers, "Make this country a better place for your princess—" I paused, the word suddenly sinking in. "Wait, how do you know it's a girl?"

He shrugged, a lopsided smile playing upon his lips.

"I don't know. I just hope." He dipped a nacho chip into the cheese sauce and brought it to my lips. "What do you want?"

I took a bite, chewing upon the heavenly chip thoughtfully, reflecting upon the question. "I don't know. I haven't really given it much thought." I opened my mouth to take another chip he held up for me. "I always thought you'd want a boy. An heir."

The smile from his face evaporated and his jaw ticked, seemingly offended at the suggestion. "An heir?" His brows shrivelled together.

I shrugged, "Every leader wants an heir. Someone to shoulder the burden of their legacy. And you were always eager to have children so I thought perhaps—"

He cleared his throat, his drawn expression drowning my words, "I wanted children, a piece of you," he confirmed, "—not heirs."

He was silent for a while, clearly disappointed with my assumption. His eyes tore away from mine and for a moment there was no sound except the soft clanking of silverware.

"Yeah but wouldn't you want someone taking care of your business and legacy?"

"Who knows what they'd want to do. I can't force my vision and dreams upon them. It's unfair." He looked up, his stormy hard eyes anchored over me. "You've always shied away from your family name and legacy. I'm sure you wouldn't wish the same for your own children."

Somewhere deep down his words moved something within me. He was right. Children deserved to tell their own stories, not retell the fairy tales of their ancestors.

"You're right." I gave him a wry half smile. "So, you want a girl?" I asked, suddenly curious about his preference.

A small smile curled on his lips. "My life has been awfully devoid of women. As much as I appreciate and love Ammi's presence, I've always missed having someone who was my own blood." He straightened into his chair, the deep golden brown layers of his eyes boring into mine. "No mother. No sister. No aunt or grandmother."

My eyes shifted listlessly towards him. Nothing I could do, would be able to erase his pain or take away from the years of yearning he had silently endured. As I stared into his eyes, I could feel the little life pulse within me and a hope began to flicker in my chest. Subconsciously, my hand came to rest upon my stomach.

For what it was worth, I really hoped it was a girl.

"Can you imagine how pretty she'd be?" His eyes sparkled with excitement, his voice almost soft and wonderous, "With straight black hair, amber eyes and a small button-like nose."

"Have you already started imagining how she'd look?" I laughed at his words. "And what if she has my eyes?"

The smile on his face disappeared and he looked at me like it was the most horrible idea. "No. She'd have my eyes. She can have your pretty face."

"Please don't tell me you've thought of names too."

"Oh I have. I've also thought of all the things I'll get for her. And how we'd design her room. And —"

"Aliyaar, stop! What if it's a boy?" For a moment, I was fearful he wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect of having a boy.

"Well, if it's a boy and he has his father's good looks, I'm sure he'd break quite a few hearts." An arrogant smug smile spread across his face, and he stretched his arms haughtily watching the horrid expression unravel upon my face.

"Aliyaar!"

"Although there is a high chance it might be a boy!" He chuckled. "We haven't had a girl in this family for 4 generations. Can you believe it?" He sipped upon his drink. I opened my mouth to say something when the waiter appeared with our dishes, the strong wisps of aroma catching my attention. We had been awfully secretive with this pregnancy and couldn't risk the news getting out, at least not yet. No one, apart from our immediate family and dada Jaan, knew of this.

Once the waiter left, I dug into every dish I had ordered, but everything felt tasteless and bland. Neither the chicken nor the duck did anything for my palate. I swirled the fork in the pasta, "What's wrong?" Aliyaar asked.

I thought for a while, my eyes drifting to the steak on his plate. "Can I have your steak? I don't really care for the duck or chicken any more." Aliyaar looked at me and then his steak and then me. The raging conflict in his mind swallowed his face. I knew he loved steaks. "I don't want it—"

"Ahh—" he began, almost unsure of what he wanted to say. "You can have this." He offered reluctantly.

"No. Really I don't want it." He cautiously eyed the changing expression on my face, "Your baby wants it. I promise I don't." I said as innocently as I possibly could. "You know I would have eaten the chicken."

Aliyaar shook his head, a smile threatening to erupt on his face. "That little devil." He said exchanging his plate with mine.

"Do you want dessert?" He asked after the meal.

I bobbed my head, "Cheesecake for me. And chocolate cake for the baby. And if you're feeling extra nice you can get your wife a serving of tiramisu as well."

"Are you sure you're going to eat all of that?" His brow rose in a challenge. "You barely touched any of the entrees you ordered."

"Are you doubting my abilities? I literally finished the whole tub of ice cream Shehryar got me last night." 

"Shehryar sahab needs to stop bringing you these unhealthy desserts all the time." Aliyaar muttered disapprovingly. "Since he postponed his trip to London, he got Miraal to send a package of all your favourite treats from there. It arrived at the office this morning."

For a moment my eyes widened with sheer surprise. Yaar had been the most supportive friend and brother in law I could have ever asked for. From keeping me company to spoiling me with everything I asked for, he had been one person I knew I could count on always. "I can't believe Yaar did this. He has been so helpful this past week but this is too much."

Aliyaar smiled warmly, "Everyone in the family is very excited for the baby. Ammi was telling me she is planning a trip to New York to shop for the nursery."

Hearing him, I felt something stab my heart. This pregnancy had come as a surprise to me, but I had embraced it wholeheartedly. I had wanted to relish each moment and with every passing second I could feel the excitement budding inside me. But it seemed to be like my body had failed me; the past few weeks had been extremely difficult and taxing, leaving me emotionally and physically tired. There were so many things I had wanted to do for my baby, but I couldn't.

"I wish I could have gone too. You know there are so many things I wanted to buy for the baby."

Aliyaar smiled sadly, but squeezed my hand comfortingly, "You can order online. Whatever you want. I promise I'll get everything delivered. And dad's flying in an interior designer from Italy to do the nursery, so you can have the whole room decorated as per your liking. And as soon as you feel better, I'll take you wherever you want."

"Promise?"

Aliyaar nodded, but stayed quiet when the waiter walked in with our desserts. My mouth salivated at the sight in front of me and my eyes probably sparkled. "You didn't order anything for yourself?" I asked Aliyaar, who shook his head.

"I'm pretty sure you wouldn't finish all of it."

"Well. Challenge accepted Mr. Chaudhry." For the next few minutes, Aliyaar silently watched me put down all three desserts with much ease. I could see his face flash with a mixture of surprise and amusement, but for the most part he managed to keep his thoughts to himself.

***

"You haven't slept?" Aliyaar looked up from behind his desk. His face remained smoother than his bristly jawline, his dark midnight black hair disheveled and falling upon his forehead. His eyes darted to the clock that hung behind me before slowly returning them to mine. His dark heated gaze precariously trudged down to take in the cool silk fabric of my black nightie that ended right above my knees. His eyes narrowed intensely in my direction, the heat in his stare enough to envelop me with a burning need.

"I was—" looking for the right word, I strolled into his office. A wolfish grin adorned my lips as I took in his reaction, twisting my lower lip between my teeth, dangerously close to biting it off. He watched me carefully from under his lashes, his piercing gaze settling upon the generous swell of my breasts. I had put on a little weight just around my curves, but my stomach had remained flat, apart from a little bulge that could easily have been passed off as bloating, there was still no discernible sign that I was pregnant. "-bored."

"Bored?" His eyes lifted up to meet mine, their darkness lightening up like fire, begging me to move closer. I strolled over to his desk, and perched on the edge in front of him. His eyes shifted to the hem of my dress, as it flirtingly rode up to reveal the skin underneath. He gulped, his expression turning tormented as he spoke with much difficulty, "You were bored so decided to play with me? Here? In the middle of the night?"

I shrugged, twisting the end of my strand around my finger. "Would you rather I went to someone else?" My voice came out more salacious and inviting than I had intended.

His brow rose in challenge at my question and he rolled his chair forward, trapping my hands in his. "You wouldn't dare." He warned in a low voice, "Especially not when you're wearing that."

His eyes left mine to linger onto the places that stirred something deep within him. I could see the struggle in his dark orb as he tried to reigned over his growing need. And then with a laboured sigh, he pulled me onto the chair, his arms gathering around my waist. "You're making it so hard, baby." I smiled, feeling his lips against my neck.

"You'll be gone tomorrow." I mumbled like a child. No matter how hard I tried, the sinking feeling in my chest continued to persist.

"It's my last night," he agreed, tightening his arms around me. "I thought I'd finish all the work before I leave tomorrow."

"Do you really have to go?"

He sighed and placed his chin on my shoulder, I could feel his warm breath caress my skin, "You know I'd never go if it wasn't important. You have no idea how difficult it is for me to leave you alone in this condition. It kills me."

I turned my head towards him, cupped his jaw and leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek, "Your baby will miss you."

"Which one?" His hand slipped to my stomach while he nuzzled his nose against my temple. 

A smile curved on my lips, "Both. We both will miss you."

He groaned against my skin, "Just give me five more minutes, I'll wrap this up and be in the room in five minutes."

I shook my head, pushing the files away from him, "I want you," for some odd reason, my voice quivered with emotion. The hormones raging in my system were probably to blame for my emotionally charged state, but tonight I had an overwhelming need to be near him. To wrap him in arms and hold him close. To have him mark every inch of my soul. To memorise him in my memory. I never wanted this moment to end.

"Take me to bed, Aliyaar."

He looked at me for a long moment, something stirring deep within his eyes. Something dark and mysterious. Something I could not exactly decipher. But he never mentioned his thoughts, only leaned in to claim my lips with his, before carefully lifting me into his arms and walking us to our bedroom.

"You sure?" He lowered me to the bed, his eyes oscillating between me and my stomach. I nodded reassuredly, "Yes, it's fine."

That night he showered me with his love yet again. Slow, sweet and sweaty. He claimed me with every ounce of his being, marked every part of my body with his hands and lips. And then when he finally rolled off me, he pulled me into his arms and tenderly kissed the top of my head.

"You alright?" He asked.

I nodded. "Can you get me ice cream with melted cheese on top?" My cravings for cheese and dessert had been unreal in the past few days. And I could only imagine how good the combination of the two would be together. I sighed dreamily.

"Baby, seriously?" He looked at me with the most bewildered expression I had ever seen on his face. Was he confused or disgusted, I wasn't sure, neither did I truly care. I bobbed my head, pushing him off the bed.

"Go. I'm hungry."

"Baby it's like the middle of the night. And melted cheese and ice cream don't go together."

I shrivelled my brows at him angrily, "What the heck is wrong with you." And then without realising, hot tears began to roll down my eyes and my voice began to shake. "You're baking your bun in my oven and you can't even get me ice cream to eat." I tore myself off the bed in one dramatic move, and began marching towards the door. "I'll get it myself."

"Shany wait!" His arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground and carrying me back to our bed. "I never said I'm not going." He sighed, his expression thinned in a mixture of frustration and amusement. "Now sit." He chided, his voice endlessly deep, vibrating through me.

I giggled, finally satisfied with my little performance, as I watched his back disappear outside the door.

***

The muffled cries of a baby rang in my ear. The tornado of smoke around us enveloped me in a disorderly whirlwind of chaos and commotion. I could hear the people screaming, their heart wearchening cries stirring the dead awake from their graves. Everywhere I looked, there were pools of blood splattered across. "Blood! I see blood." Another gut wrenching scream and another cry for help. I ran. Ran as fast as I could, but wherever I went all I could see was blood and all I could hear were agonising howls. Tormented and painful.

I whirled around, trying to find the source of the cries. But there was none. All I saw was blood and whorls of endless smoke, but then suddenly, in the far distant a malevolent horrid apparition appeared with a crooked nose and broken tooth, and a face I could recognise even in my sleep. "You will have his blood." Her shrill voice rose above the cries of the baby. "There will be blood." A wicked smile curled on her lips before she disappeared in the smoke. I frantically looked around, trying to find the baby, but soon the crying began to ebb away and there was silence.

Complete silence.

Before an ear-spilling cry woke me up with a gasp.

"Shanzae! Jaan!" I saw Aliyaar sit beside me, his eyes pinned upon mine. "Jaan I think you had a dream." He pulled me into his embrace, cradling my face with one hand while the other stroked my hair. "Shh! It was a dream." He cooed in a soft voice.

But my body continued to shake with fear. I could feel the beads of sweat wet my forehead and my heart palpitating wildly within my chest. And then suddenly, my body froze as bits of the dream began to blur my vision.

My baby.

"The baby, Aliyaar! The baby!" I pulled away from him, my arms wound around my stomach protectively, every horrid thought floating in my mind. "What if something happens to our baby?"

Unbidden tears began to flow down my face and my body shook with fear and the mere possibility. Aliyaar watched me with a concerned expression, his eyes mirroring the abysmal fears swimming in mine. But he shook his head, shaking away the negative thoughts, before pulling me into his arms. "Nothing will happen to our baby." He said with absolute resolve, "It was a nightmare! Go to sleep, baby!" He leaned in to kiss the top of my head, but I gulped uneasily, pushing myself into his chest. No matter how hard I tried, there was no way I could forget the wretched face or the heart stopping cries.

***

"Can I come with you?" I finally mustered the courage to ask him. After the horrifying dream last night, I had barely gotten any sleep. Despite the doctor and Aliyaar's constant reassurances, my mind still wasn't at ease. The uneasiness persisted. The sinking feeling floated through my veins.

"You're not well, Shany. As much as I'd love to take you with me, I cannot risk it." He came to sit beside me and reached out to take his hand into mine. "I'll be back sooner than you think, besides Layla and Shehryar are here as well." 

I shook my head, unshed tears beginning to prick my eyes. "I don't want to be away from you Aliyaar. I know I'm being difficult right now, but I am scared. I don't want to lose our baby." My voice trembled while tears streamed down my face.

"How about you come drop me to the airport? I promise I'll fly back from Karachi tonight." He cradled my face, swiping his thumbs across my cheek to wipe the tears off. I nodded as my sobs began to die. "And did I show you the backdrop for our Karachi stage?" He tried to cheer me up, pulling his phone out to scroll through his gallery.

I smiled at the picture, the poster had a picture of Dada Jaan, Aliyaar and a smaller one of me on the side. Before my pregnancy, I had become a regular figure at the jalsas and campaign tours, accompanying Aliyaar almost everywhere he went. While the attention was new to me, I enjoyed every bit of it. People had begun to recognise me everywhere I went. But this was the first time my face had been printed on the promotional banner of the party. I wasn't sure how my family would react to it, but I could care less. With my husband standing beside me like a rock, I had no one to fear.

"I look prettier than you." I said sniffing my stuffy nose. Aliyaar laughed, his contagious voice echoing through our room. "Trust me the crowds love me more than you."

"I'm sure. Everyone loves you. But I love you the most." His voice lowered to a husky whisper, before he slowly leaned in and raised my chin to meet his lips for a slow, but toe curling kiss. I moaned, pulling him closer before opening my mouth to deepen the kiss. I knew he was getting late, I knew it was time. But all I wanted was to freeze the moment, to never let this moment end.

***

I stepped out of our car at the VIP terminal of the Allama Iqbal International airport. The place was empty, except for our security detail and protocol lining the whole driveway. Aliyaar fixed his jacket and ran an impatient hand through his unruly hair. He seemed tense, very unlike his usual collected self. For a moment I couldn't help but notice how bulky he looked with all the protective gear he was wearing underneath his clothes.

"Don't you feel hot in this?" I asked as I stepped forward to help him with the zipper.

He shrugged, "I don't have a choice. Come, we'll sit in the lounge while I wait for Dada Jaan." He placed his hand on the small of my back, carefully guiding us towards the small room near the entrance.

"Are Ibrahim Taya and Zaroon Bhai coming as well?"

"They are. But I doubt they'd fly with me." He chuckled, looking through the window at his aircraft which was parked near the runway.

"I hope you'll mend your relationship with them. For what it's worth, they are still my family." In that moment, I relived all the memories I had of them as a child. Zaroon Bhai had been my favourite brother. Always spoiling me, pampering me. But in the past year I had lost as much as I had gained. But I hoped it wasn't late.

"I hope so too. I've never wanted to hurt them and I might have made some questionable choices." He crouched down beside me, taking my hands into his, "But whatever happens, remember I'll always love you. I can never imagine hurting you." He raised my hands and kissed the inside of my wrists. "You and this little munchkin are my whole goddamn life."

The corner of my lips lifted up slightly, I knew no matter what happened he'd always love me. "We love you too." I cupped his jaw, running my thumb over the shadow of his stubble.

He chuckled, "I honestly never thought I was capable of loving someone the way I love you. It is difficult to imagine a life without you two. You will always be a part of me, there is no Aliyaar without Shanzae."

"No Shanzae without Aliyaar." I repeated, then pushed him slightly with a smile on my face, "Just do your stuff and get your ass back home quickly. Both your babies will be waiting for you."

He laughed, but had no time to respond because the manager tore through the door, informing us of the rising tensions in the city. "There is an entire mob that is moving towards the airport right now."

"What do they want?" Aliyaar straighten up.

"They are protesting against the judicial reforms and Ibrahim Sahab. There is news they've blocked his motorcade as well." The manager flipped through the news on his iPad.

"How is the security at the airport?"

"We've called for further reinforcements. But as soon as Jalal Sahab and the rest arrive I'd advise you take off. The situation can get volatile any moment." My heart sank at the news.

Aliyaar nodded, before turning to me, "Shanzae, you should leave. Now."

I nodded, picking up my bag. "Sir, I'd advise against it. The situation outside is not clear. Once you leave, I'll personally escort ma'am home safely. I've cleared the runway for your plane and a helicopter is on standby as well. If the roads aren't cleared, we'd use the chopper."

Aliyaar nodded thoughtfully. He was silent but I could see the turmoil raging on his face. Just then his phone rang, "Yeah —that would be great." He looked relieved. "—Shanzae is waiting at the departure lounge." He hung up and then turned to me with a more optimistic smile. "Shehryar is on his way to pick you up."

"Everything will be fine." He smiled, throwing his arm around my shoulders and squeezing my arm comfortingly.

We waited in the lounge for a few moments, the managers and staff running in and out with the latest updates of the development. Dada Jaan and Zaroon Bhai remained unavailable, but if the information from their security detail were true they were somewhere near the vicinity of the airport.

I turned towards the window, the skies were clear and it was a beautiful day. I watched the pilot pull the aircraft onto the runway, ready to speed away on a moment's notice.

Just then muffled sounds rose from outside the lounge and Dada Jaan's motorcade made its way down the driveway. Suddenly the whole area was swamped with police officers, security guards and political workers. Behind them, Ibrahim Taya, Zaroon Bhai and Dad's cars followed suit.

"Stay here Shanzae. I'll go meet them." I could barely make out what Aliyaar had said, his words dying under the growing chants and shouts from outside. "I love you."

In the distance, I could see the maddened crowd battling it out with the police, trying to barrage through the security railings. They held up posters against my family, throwing whatever they could towards the motorcade. There was absolute chaos and anarchy in the scene that was unfolding in front of me as the police used whatever force they could to push the crowds back. It wasn't hard to predict what would happen next, one wrong move and this could all combust into flames.

"Ma'am it would be best if we move you inside the building." The manager came to me with a concerned face. "Aliyaar sir and your family are ready to depart. And once they leave the crowds would disperse automatically."

I nodded absentmindedly, my mind caught up at the sight in front of me. Dada Jaan, Aliyaar and Dad stood in one corner, engaged in what seemed like an important discussion. Important enough to make them wait and not board the plane despite the growing tension. Zaroon Bhai stood with Ibrahim Taya and a few top leaders of the party, their faces pulled and their patience riding thin as they observed the rapidly developing situation.

Zaroon Bhai walked over to where Dada Jaan and Aliyaar stood. There was yet another exchange of words, yet another discussion and from afar it almost seemed like a negotiation? I could see the expressions change, some heated, some stubborn, yet none ready to give in.

I sighed, pinching my brows in frustration. This was not the time for negotiation and demands. I could see the helpless faces of the Police commissioner as they tried to convince Ibrahim Taya to board the plane and evacuate the premises, but he stood his ground. Stubbornly refusing to budge. Behind them the crowds edged near, their voices rising above the sky.

I felt my heart sink.

But then Aliyaar moved towards Ibrahim Taya. Was he trying to convince him? Or was he giving into his demands? It was hard to make out just what was happening from a distance but all I could do was pray someone would knock some sense into these men.

Unable to take it any further I sank into the chair, rubbing my temples, when a loud gunshot blared through the air.

Silence. My heart stopped.

My stomach lurched and I felt my legs beginning to give in. My body began to shake, unable to look in front of me. My heart thumbed wildly in my chest, blood coursing through my entire being. With a muffled prayer on my lips and with whatever courage I still had left in me, I turned to face the dreaded scene in front of me.

But there was no sign of him.

People ran around in utter chaos and confusion. The guards had barricaded the surrounding, forming a human wall around my family swiftly pushing them towards safety. Without a thought, I pushed the door open, attempting to run into the crowd when the manager held my hand, pulling me back inside.

"It's not safe ma'am. I cannot let you out."

"Aliyaar! Aliyaar!" I screamed mindlessly. My head tramped wildly on every side, trying to look for him, but there was no sign of him or Ibrahim Taya.

Slowly some semblance of life began to seep into my mind, I realised I had to go find him. I tugged at the man's arm, pushing him away from me when I saw my dad running towards me.

"Shanzae! Beta!"

"Dad, Aliyaar!" I cried out. Dad enveloped me into his arms, "he is right there. He is alright." He pointed towards the corner, where Aliyaar was crouched beside Ibrahim Taya while a group of medics attended to them. A sigh of relief washed over me and collapsed into my father's chest with a loud sob, still shaking  and reeling from the effects of the most torturous moments of my life.

For a moment I thought like I had lost him.

"He is alright beta. He is alright." I could barely make any sense of my dad's words as my unbidden tears stained his shirt. "Someone had tried to attack Ibrahim Bhai—"

Aliyaar looked towards me, his expression drawn and his deep eyes shining with fear and concern, before he got up and took a tentative step towards me.

How I wish he'd close the distance between us in a second. How I wished he'd be in my arms. Little did I know my prayer would be answered so quickly, because the next moment a bomb resonated through the air, pushing his body towards mine with a gruelling force.

Smoke. Blood. Cries.

Just like I had dreamt.

My hands were bloodied with his blood.

****

I'm not lying when I say I had tears in my eyes when I wrote this. I'm not an emotional person, but I'm shaking as I type this and I don't have words to express just how I feel right now.

My words failed me today and I don't know how I feel about this update. It's the second last one so I hope you all enjoyed it.

No matter what, Shanzae and Aliyaar shall forever remain in my heart and I hope in yours too.

Love salty.