"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

~ Seneca

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The sun had barely taken over the morning sky when Ali walked through the front door, his face weary and expression worn out. His absence throughout the night had been a source of concern for his family, and as he entered, the weight of their worry was palpable. Samad, who had taken the initiative to search for him the previous night, shot him a stern look, a mix of relief and frustration.

"Where have you been, Ali?" Samad questioned, his voice edged with a stern tone. Aabid, Ali's father, joined the inquiry, his eyes reflecting a blend of paternal concern and mild annoyance.

"I had some work to finish, and my phone died," Ali explained, his gaze fixed on the floor as if searching for answers in the pattern of the tiles.

Samad's irritation flared, "You could have at least informed someone. We were worried sick about you. Which work took you all night?"

Aabid, known for his calm demeanor, chimed in, "Your responsibilities are not just your own, Ali. You're part of this family, and your actions affect us all."

Ali listened to their scolding in silence, the lines on his forehead deepening. However, amidst the admonishments, a realization crystallized in his mind. His pursuit of Amira's truth had led him to a dead-end the previous night, and it had become clear to him that she might have left of her own accord. All were worried for him while nobody was searching for her.

"I get it, Bhai. I shouldn't have disappeared like that.I am sorry," Ali said, his words carrying a mixture of resignation and determination.

Samad and Aabid exchanged glances, skepticism evident in their expressions. Ali continued, "Can I please go and freshen up?!" And with this he just left, without any further thing. Zain followed him.

"So, what is up?"

"Last night, when I went to Noah uncle's place, it felt like they were indifferent to her disappearance. Her mother dismissed it as if it's a routine thing for Amira to vanish. Her brothers showed no concern whatsoever. Even Samad bhai and papa were all calm. Raiyyan wasn't bothered about it. And last night, everyone was worried for me. That can only mean that it is her regular habit. And I was going mad for nothing! I am not continuing to search for her. If she wants to come back, she will. Otherwise she can go to hell. As if I care for her."

"Ali, are you sure?" Zain asked, being in two minds himself.

"Very much sure!"

Zain sighed, a blend of frustration and understanding in his eyes. "Ali, we need to handle this responsibly. Jumping to conclusions won't help. We should gather more information and approach this carefully. Disappearing like this was not the solution, not for you, not for her. And you could have at least told me about this."

"As if you wouldn't have told Samad bhai or papa!"

Zain nodded, his resolve undeterred. The events of the night had fueled his determination to let the truth be and stop worrying for a seemingly careless girl who is afraid of responsibilities. Zain left the room and Ali lied down with some memories still haunting me.

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In the living room, Samad was deep in thought, contemplating the tangled web of events that had unfolded. Zain approached him cautiously, aware of the delicate nature of the situation. Amira's family had left by now. "Bhai, we need to find a solution. Ali is adamant about letting go of the search for Amira, but we can't simply dismiss her disappearance. There might be more to this than meets the eye. Amira is family, and her well-being matters. We can't let her vanish without knowing what happened. Why are you this worried about Ali but not about Amira?"

Samad sighed, a mixture of frustration and concern etched on his face. "Zain, I understand Ali's perspective, but he can't abandon the search. Get him to continue."

"Why aren't you all searching for her then? He is certainly sure that she left by her own will!" Zain's urgency mirrored the gravity of the situation.

"Because she is living with Haya and me!" Raiyyan's calm voice cut through the tension, revealing a secret that left Ayesha and Zain in shock.

"WHAT?" Ayesha and Zain almost shouted in unison, their expressions a mix of disbelief and confusion.

"Mom, the only way Ali will realize her worth is when she is not there. And it is working out. Or do you want the first divorce in our family to happen?" Samad's calm explanation tried to rationalize a decision that had been made, creating a ripple effect on everyone present.

Zain nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Jasmine, with her genuine concern for Ali, entered the conversation, "I get that, Sam, but Ali is not in the right state of mind. The pursuit is taking a toll on him, and maybe stepping back is the only way for him to find some peace. Maybe he did realize everything."

Samad pondered Zain's words, realizing the delicate balance they needed to strike. "We can't force Ali into something he's not ready for, but we can't ignore Amira's state either. How do you expect her to come back and be all normal back to life when her husband isn't even bothered about her? Let's approach this cautiously, gather more information discreetly, and then decide on the best course of action. Ali needs time, and we should respect that but he needs to realize her worth."

The family agreed, and a plan began to form—a plan that aimed to address both Ali's need for peace and the responsibility to find Amira. The air in the house slowly shifted from tension to a tentative resolution, as they embarked on a path that would demand patience, understanding, and a commitment.

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Everyone dispersed towards their work, while Ayesha was left in a dilemma. As the day unfolded, Ayesha's worry for Ali intensified. She couldn't shake off the tension she had witnessed in him the evenings before. The unease in the house had cast a shadow over their lives, and Ayesha, in her concern for her son, decided she couldn't bear the weight of the truth any longer. It didn't take her a lot of time.

All were present in the evening. The living room, already charged with the complexities of their plans, became a stage for a revelation. They had convinced Ali to continue his search. He came home, exhausted badly. They sat there.

"What happened, Ali?" Raiyyan enquired after seeing him holding his head.

"The private investigator called. Apparently, Amira has already left the city! I am left with no clue!"

"Ali, Amira is at Raiyyan's place," Ayesha confessed in a moment of vulnerability and desperation with her voice carrying the weight of a truth she could no longer keep to herself.

Raiyyan and Haya, caught off guard, exchanged alarmed glances, along with others.

"What?" Ali's gaze wandered around everyone.

"It's not the truth, bhai!" Haya immediately interrupted. She, along with others, tried to deny it, attempting to salvage the secrecy they had maintained. But Ali, fueled by a mix of anger, frustration, and a desperate need for answers, believed his mother's words without a shadow of doubt.

"You all were together in this. And that fucking nuisance was with you as well?" He left in a rush, the scowl on his face revealing the storm of emotions within him. The once-shared mission to find Amira had now turned into a personal quest, driven by a sense of betrayal.

In the midst of this chaos, Raiyyan, realizing the imminent collision of emotions, took the initiative to intervene. He called Amira, a sense of urgency in his voice, "Amira, Ali knows you're here. You need to leave. Go to the address I'm sending you right now. Hide from him until we figure things out."

Raiyyan and Samad rushed but they knew Ali would reach there first. Amira, at the other end of the line, felt a surge of panic. The carefully constructed walls around her secret were crumbling, and she now faced the imminent confrontation with Ali, a confrontation she had been avoiding for so long. She agreed reluctantly to leave from ther. She only left a note behind.

The air in the house thickened with tension as the events unfolded. Aabid lashed out on her while Ayesha was torn between concern for her son, watching helplessly as the consequences of the tangled web of secrets began to unravel. The fate of Ali and Amira hung in the balance, and the house, once a haven of shared laughter and warmth, now bore witness to the complexities that had woven themselves into the lives of its inhabitants.

Ali reached the mansion and shouted out for her, going through every single room but there was no trace of her. Raiyyan and Samad came there.

"She is not here Ali!" Raiyyan said while panting heavily.

"THEN WHY DID YOU RUSH HERE?" He shot a glare at Raiyyan when he saw the note on the table with a cellphone on the top of it. He picked it and read it out loud, recognizing her handwriting.

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Dear Raiyyan bhai, Samad bhai and Haya bhabhi,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for everything you've done for me. I am aware of the countless efforts you've made to make things work between Ali and me. However, I must convey my deepest apologies, as I find myself unable to continue on this path.

The constant hide-and-seek, the struggles, and everything that has transpired have taken a toll on me. I've contemplated returning to my parents' home, but deep down, I know it's not a solution. I doubt they made any effort to search for me during these difficult times. I don't want to be a burden on Ali any longer.

Please convey my apologies to him—for the hide-and-seek, for the last four months of burdening him with my presence. I have been searching for a place to start anew. I am reluctant to become an additional burden on Raiyyan Bhai and Haya Bhabhi. Enclosed is a blank sign, which can be utilized for the divorce papers. Ali is then free to move forward and find happiness elsewhere.

I want to assure you not to worry about me. I am not weak enough to give up on myself. Having survived the challenges of the last 18 years, I am hopeful that this new journey will lead me to something better.

Thank you once again for everything.

Best Regards,

Amira

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