Coming back to Noida only added to Haider's misery. He had left all this behind for good, but destiny always plays cruel tricks on him. Haider removed his muffler and coat, placing them neatly on his forearm as he climbed down the train dragging his luggage with him. He sighed and looked ahead. Unlike Mussoorie, it was pleasant here. But Noida seemed hotter compared to the freezing and snowy Hill station. He began to miss the weather and a certain someone. But the hurt by the special person whom he had begun to trust brought fresh pain to his heart.

Haider stepped out of the cab and stared at the luxurious villa that was once his home. He scoffed as the thought of equating this lonely mansion to home crossed his mind. Now, he realized he had profoundly changed after his return. He had lost touch with the loneliness that once made him feel comfortable. Now, it came to bite him. He sighed deeply and dragged his feet through the long metal gates.

There was an eerie silence that was occasionally punctured by the haunting murmuring of people. Only a few people. Haider gulped the tight lump in his throat and found his feet heavy as he walked into the hall. He stopped in his tracks upon seeing a handful of people gathered in the living room. The sofas were gone. He ran his gaze and paused noticing Alina. She was dressed in white Kurtha with a grey dupatta placed on her right shoulder. She sat with Mrs. Zaidi who was dressed in beige chikankari saree. Alina looked sad while Mrs. Zaidi was in tears. She kept her hands on Uzma's shoulder as a sign of support. On the other side of his mother was a grim-looking Meera.

'Haider!' Mikael's voice caught everyone's attention and they looked at the entrance. Haider felt awkward as he took the center stage. Banerjee rushed to him. He hugged him tight and began weeping. Haider was amazed by his sincerity. He never knew his employee was an emotional guy. Then, he wondered if he was crying for him or Mr. Zaidi.

Banerjee sniffed, rubbing his eyes, and let out a shaky breath, - 'Sir, I am sorry for your loss.' He cried. Haider held his shoulder and without looking at him, gently pushed him aside.

Taking slow steps, he walked forward. His gaze fixated on the lifeless body of his stepfather. He felt his eyes dry and his heart devoid of any emotions. He felt nothing for his loss.

Alina stilled upon seeing him. She observed him keenly. He wasn't looking at her but at the body that was placed in front of her. Slowly, her gaze fell on Jahangir as well. She looked at the mark on the side of his forehead. It was from here the bullet had pierced him. Alina couldn't help but think of the irony. It was once, he had pointed a gun against her head and threatened to pull the trigger on her. She looked up at Haider. He was still standing with an expressionless face.

Uzma looked up and let out a cry, - 'Haider!' She fumbled as she stood up and hurried to her son. She grabbed his arm and pressed her forehead against his upper-arm, - 'See, what happened? How did this happen?' She sobbed. He doesn't respond but stood like a zombie. Sometime later, AK came to him and cleared his throat.

'Sir, we have to be done with the last rites.' He whispered humbly. Haider hummed, nodding his head.

After Jahangir's body was washed, it was wrapped in pure white cloth from head to toe. It was then placed on the foldable stretcher. AK said this was all they could find. Without Haider they were clueless. Haider doesn't complain. He held one end while Mikael, Banerjee, Ravi held the other ends. AK had called the ambulance that will carry them to the graveyard. Haider sat numb, staring blankly outside through the window, opposite him. Mikael glanced at him then his gaze fell on Ravi and the two exchanged a look of concern.

Haider still couldn't feel any emotion as his stepdad's lifeless body was lowered down into the seven feet deep grave. Instead of feeling emotional, he felt indifferent. Then, his eyes turned moist remembering all the atrocities of the past.

Please—let—me out. It's suffocating here.

I will never accept you as my father.

You dare answer me back. This belt isn't enough for you. Butler! Heat the iron rod. It is in the storeroom—Now, we will see how you don't break.

Do you know why your father and mother left you? Because you deserve to be lonely and miserable. You little brat.

As he raised his hands in prayer, Haider was numb. He couldn't get his heart to pray anything good for him. People are not black or white, but for him, Mr. Zaidi was just black- pitch black.

Mechanically he poured sand over the grave. Each time, his mind would only think of all the cruelties. He gulped hard and with moist eyes, he performed the rituals.

Haider returned home. The villa has now turned haunting with eeriness and depressing ambiance. He walked towards the fleet of stairs but stopped when a familiar voice called him. He clenched the ceramic handle of the railing but doesn't turn around.

'Haider!'- Alina sighed and she walked cautiously towards him, - 'I am sorry.' She moved her hand but before she could touch him, Haider swiftly turned around, taking her by surprise. She gulped fearfully. He glared at her for a minute. He took a step and she stepped back but he grabbed her arm and she gasped.

'What do you think of yourself?' – He paused, - 'On my way, I kept thinking about what I was going to say to you. But then,' – he pushed her, - 'there is nothing. You.'- he pointed a finger at her, - 'Because of you, I didn't,' – he jabbed his finger to his chest, - 'get to see my sister for the last time. Perhaps, I could have—', he gulped, - 'stopped her from—' He stopped letting out a breath. Alina silently listened to him; tears escaped her eyes but she kept her head lowered. She felt guilty to meet his gaze.

Haider clenched his jaw, - 'One last thing, Miss. Alina. Don't you think your tears will melt me? After what you have done, I have no feelings for you. Absolutely nothing.' – He turned around, taking a step, and then turned to face her again, - 'And same for your stooge, Amaal. You both can go to hell.' He growled and furiously began to climb up the stairs. Slowly, Alina looked up and felt her heart sink as she watched him. Truly, she has done a grave mistake by hiding such important detail from him. She deserved this hate.

A moment later, she felt Mikael's arms securely hold her shoulders and she relaxed, resting her head against him. He silently comforted her.

Haider walked into Hania's room and felt a stab of pain in his heart. This room was once very lively and filled with her loud and cheerful voice and laughter. And now, it was hollow. She was too young to die, that to this way. She was just a university student; her whole life was before her.

Haider sat on the bed and caressed the crumbled bedsheet. He silently cried, letting tears roll down his cheeks. His mind raced down memory lane when for the first time, he had his sister as a baby in his arms. She was delicate and cotton soft. He was afraid he would hurt her. Then, there was a time when he had become like a protector for her, more like a fatherly figure. Uzma and Jahangir weren't much bothered about the siblings and so, they found solace in each other.

There was a knock, Haider sniffed and wiped his tears with the back of his finger and looked up. Uzma stood at the door. Her face was swollen, red nose, dry lips that were parted, and quivering.

'This—Hania left—' She handed a paper with shivering hand. Haider stood up and took the paper from him.

Uzma let out a shaky breath, - 'After you—please, come to my room.' She requested with her gaze not meeting his. Haider hummed and nodded gently. Then, she quietly walked out of the room. Softly, he closed the door. He kept staring at the paper as he walked towards the bed and sat down.

With trembling hands, he unfolded the letter. He could feel the presence of his sister in it and felt fresh tears blur his visions.

Big Brother,

He gulped and pressed his quivering lips. Through the letter, he could hear her voice; his baby sister- Hania.

I am sorry. You have been a great brother, but I have not, I couldn't be a good sister. Forget being great. I was worse. Knowing you are vulnerable and alone I sent Dad to you. I didn't know, the big brother that he will hurt you so bad. Where are you? Are you--?

Your fiancé said that you were hurt. I hope not too much. But I can't come in terms with the fact that I, someone you so blindly trust, and love betrayed you. I can never forgive myself, big brother. I don't know if you are safe or—if you would ever read this or know what I am going through.

Big Brother, I can't bear this guilt anymore. I am sorry. Now, we shall meet somewhere else. A place where there is no pain or misery or guilt. There is only peace and there shall we be.

I love you, Big Brother, and know that I did till my last breath.

Haider folded the paper and pressed his knuckle against his lips and began to cry. He didn't bother if a loud sob escaped his mouth.

What was worse? Finding out his precious little sister was dead or finding out that she died because of him. That moment was suffocating for Haider when he realized he could have avoided this. He could have saved his sister.

Alina could have easily avoided this tradegy had she not blabbered to Hania without thinking. Sometimes over-confidence, over-acting and over-smartness kills. And in the end, it's Haider's loss not Alina's.

What do you think of the Chapter, guys? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please. And Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love*