Nia came back from college and found it strange that aunty was not stuck to her TV show, infact she was nowhere to be seen, nor was Pari. It was extremely rare for aunty to be not at home at this hour. Usually, she would be busy watching her serials and would sacrifice anything but not her television time.

Nia knocked at Pari's room twice and entered the room. She asked her about aunty but turns out, Pari didn't know where aunty was either.

"Anyway, see what I got you!" Nia's eyes glimmed with excitement as she pulled out the present for Pari from her bag.

"Ta-da!" Nia revealed.

"A slambook?" Pari eyebrows knitted in confusion. Was this Nia's gift?

"Not just any slambook, silly. A pregnancy slambook!" Nia replied and pulled out a pen from her bag and sat near Pari, who had no idea what a pregnancy slambook is.

"This slambook will  be a reminder of your pregnancy and also how you want the baby to be. Isn't it cool that few years later, this baby and you can read the book together and you will tell the baby about your pregnancy time. Take this as a small gift from me." Pari appreciated the gesture and took it from her.

Maybe, it was a good idea to fill the slam book. Her mind was already disturbed due to the chaos that had happened. This was a good idea to divert her mind. She lifted the fancy gel pen and started filling the book.

Half an hour later, Nia came to her room to check on her and of course like the intruder she was, she wanted to read Pari's answers, which Pari allowed.

The pink slam book's first page was an introduction to the parents, with a space to stick the parents picture.

Mommy name : Pari.
Mommy's age : 32

Nia's jaw dropped. "You are 32?! Are you kidding me?" Pari had to sign her to talk quietly since her loud voice hurt her ears.

"But are you really that old?" Nia asked and she received a hit from Pari saying 32 isn't old at all.

Nia always thought Pari might be three or four years elder to her but there was a nine year gap between them. Absorbing the shock, she read further.

Daddy name :

Daddy's age : 33

'If she could write the age, she might as well write the name,' Nia said to herself.

Three traits from Mommy :
1. Honest
2. Hardworking
3. Good handwriting.

They both chuckled at the last point she wrote. But Pari said it was true! When she worked at the hotel, all her colleagues came to Pari to write notes for the guests. She was really proud of her good handwriting.

Three traits from Daddy :
1. Generous.
2. Hard working.
3. Intelligent.

"Oh! Daddy's traits seems to be impressive." Nia teased Pari a bit. She was not expecting Pari to write anything about the dad of the baby.

"Tell me more at least! Pleeaaseee" Nia insisted a lot, with pleading eyes. She felt like she hardly knew anything about Pari. Although, Nia wanted to respect her privacy but considering how good their friendship was turning out to be, she wanted to know more about her. Nia was always like an open book for her friends. She always talked her mind and wanted the people who she considers as her friends do the same. Pari was her only friend who Nia had very little clue about...and now if she remembers, she doesn't even know her last name, or has she ever mentioned and Nia forgot?

"He is... generous...yeah, that is one good thing about him that I would like the baby to inherit. He cared less about the bank balance, unlike me." While Salem had his flaws, she wasn't blind to his good qualities, which the world appreciated. Everyday, she prayed that the baby has good genes and not the evil traits from its devil of a father. She had seen how he donated lakhs of money to charity or to the ones in need without hesitating. She hated him enough to call it as show off but over the years, she realised that he had no selfish agenda while helping others with money. Alas, it was all genuine.

Three inspiring people you want baby to idolise :

"Pari, you don't even know famous people?" Nia asked her with a duh expression. "There are so many people and you couldn't pick 3?!"

"Shut up. I ... I am confused."

"Well, I know! The baby should be like Alexandra Xi, Rishabh Malhotra and of course my numero uno Salem Ahmed."

Pari had a disgusted look on her face.
"You want the baby to be like them?" The 'them' was definitely derogatory. And in no world, she wanted the baby to be like Salem.

"What is wrong with them? Alexandra is one of the leading fashion designer, Rishabh is soo dreamy and handsome and Salem? Well, Salem is love. He is the biggest star! Why won't you want your baby to be successful?" Nia defended her choices.

"So shallow! Atleast pick one world leader in the list." Pari shook her head at Nia's choices.

"These celebs are the new world leaders." Nia snapped at her, showing her tongue out. Wasn't Nia right? She had seen how much power Salem held over people. The fans loved him like their own family member and copied everything, from his hairstyle to his dressing sense.

They continued to argue a bit more and when Pari had enough, she asked Nia to get out of the room as she wanted to sleep but not before asking Nia to give her phone for some time.

Pari was determined to leave but the only person who could help her was Riya. Usually, she would talk with Riya on aunty's phone but today, she had to take Nia's favour.

It was only after few rings that Riya finally picked up the call. She got to know from her mom, Mrs. Sharma that Pari had heard everything.

"I am very sorry for whatever Mom said. You don't need to worry. I will make her understand." Riya was apologetic as it was her plan to send Pari to her mom's place.

"It's okay. But I need you to find me other place. I am okay with an hostel as well." Pari didn't want to ponder over what had happened. Time was crucial and she needed to figure out her future stay arrangements quickly.

"No, no, no! Stay there. That is a safe place. My mom is lost right now, but she cares for you and your health. I can't trust other people with you." Riya was tensed. She knew it is hard to convince Pari once she makes her mind but she was Salem's wife afterall and her safety mattered the most.
Even though, Riya had betrayed Salem by helping Pari escape, she knew Pari is the safest here. If she shifts Pari and god forbid, something happens, Salem would not show mercy to Riya. She knows how possessive Salem is of Pari and he can't tolerate if others hurt Pari, not even a scratch on her.

"Well, your mom doesn't want me here and I don't blame her. But you need to get me a new place!" Riya had grew up in this town and spent major years here, Pari trusted Riya to help her with a good place, otherwise she will be lost here since she never even explored much.

"But Pari, that place has become your home too. I can't find you a home. Here, my mom and Nia takes care of you almost like a family. I can't trust you with anyone else."

Home. That word felt weird. What was home? And where was it? The aroma of her mom's cooking, the warm hug from her father, her sister's hair tie all over the place just like her brother's toys and her aunt's songs cassettes, all these things were lost. There was no home without these things or them.

"I lost my home a decade back. I don't even remember what is a home anymore. So, you don't need to find me a home, for now, a shelter with decent arrangements would do." She said it in a low yet firm voice.

"Pari, listen to me, Sahab'a movie releases in some days. He is busy now but after the release, he might look out for you. Our plan has been working very well, don't spoil it. If you start looking for places and move, he will come to know. Stay where you are." Riya knew they were not looking for Pari yet but she attributed it to his busy schedule. She was sure some day he is going to start looking for her. Riya didn't want the time to clash with her moving and making it easy for Salem to find her.

"Aunty is anyway going to tell Salem. I might try and die than to give up easily." Pari was a fighter. She was not going down without a fight. She knew Salem would find her some day but what if, what if luck is on her side? What if he never finds her? There was 0.1 % chance and it was worth it.
If she hadn't tried before, she wouldn't have escaped in the first place. She believed she could flee and she did. This month and a half without Salem was heaven. She realised it is very worth going through hell to reach your heaven.

"Mom will not. I will tell mom everything. Till now, I had hid the truth from her. I will tell her everything and she will not let you go."
Riya felt her first mistake was to tell her mother half cooked truth and hide the important details. She told her that the marriage was bad and Pari was tired of it. Tired of living life. But Riya didn't say exactly how bad was it.

"And? She will believe it and let me stay? Which world are you in?" She took a breath and thought of the other side,"Okay, let's assume she believes it but still she won't keep me here. Apart from you, so many of you know the truth, who has really helped? Noone!"

The fear of Salem hasn't allowed anyone to go against him. He was connected, well connected with everyone - politicians, ministers, officials and even the mafia. Nobody wanted to experience his wrath.

Riya was still adamant that her mom will change her opinion and let Pari stay there.

Pari cut the call, deleted the number and gave it back to Nia. She didn't know if aunty would let her stay there or not. Nor did she expect anything.

She went back and completed half filled slam book. Nia was right, this book will be a reminder of this time and her thoughts. She looked at the slow growing bump on her stomach with a promise, "I won't let any harm come to you. I will make sure I give you to a loving family. That's a promise."

------

6/6/23

Did you expect Pari to be 32?!

I had no time to write at all.

Also I know this chapter had no Salem but have patience! Once he comes in the book, there will be hardly any chapter without him :)

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