The Tangled Love

𝟏𝟏.𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐭.

The old clock chimed as usual; it was half past one in the afternoon. The Khan mansion buzzed with activity, servants bustling about with their daily chores. Fayra, who had already returned from work, was in her room freshening up, eager to spend some quality time with Dadi. Yet, the encounter with the stranger lingered in her mind, his horrendous words playing over and over. She tried to keep herself composed, pushing the memory to the back of her mind.

Deep down, Fayra felt a growing fear of Musa too. She prayed that she wouldn't cross paths with him again, though she knew it was inevitable. He was destined to be a part of her life, perhaps even her fate.

❝Dadi, what if I say I love—❞ Altamash's words were interrupted as he lay napping in his grandmother's lap, with Dadi gently caressing his head, listening intently to his confession. But their moment was disrupted by the sound of someone entering the room. They both looked up to see Fayra standing there.

Dadi's face lit up at the sight of her, while Fayra glanced at Altamash with confusion. Clad in a maroon crepe gown, with her head modestly draped in a hijab, she looked both elegant and endearing.

❝Meet your Bhabhi, Altamash. And Fayra, this is my grandson,❞ Dadi said, noting the confusion between them. Altamash sat up, smiling as he gazed at his new sister-in-law. Fayra nodded politely, taking in his handsome appearance and tall stature.

❝Oh Bhabhi, you're so lucky to have my brother,❞ Altamash teased, playfully winking at Fayra, who couldn't help but smile, understanding the hint behind his words. He soon offered her a seat, and the three of them settled in for a comfortable chat, quickly becoming more at ease with each other.

❝Dadi, you loved Dado a lot, right?❞ Altamash asked, prompting Fayra to listen eagerly. They both turned to Dadi, whose blush didn't go unnoticed. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.

❝Unconditionally,❞ Dadi's voice echoed softly through the hallway, her words laced with love and affection for her late husband. The sentiment brought tears to Fayra's eyes, while Altamash smiled at her reaction.

❝Bhabhi's already getting emotional, Dadi,❞ Altamash remarked, chuckling at her innocence. Fayra playfully rolled her eyes, eager to hear more.

❝My husband, Zaid Khan, was a ruler of his time, a man of justice. He looked exactly like Musa. When I see Musa, I see my husband in him, except that Musa is ruthless!❞ Tears streamed down Dadi's cheeks as a broken smile touched her lips. Fayra was shocked by Dadi's words, feeling repulsed by Musa—a man with the heart of a monster.

Altamash gently held Dadi's hand, comforting her, while he signaled Fayra to stay composed. He knew the difficult circumstances under which his Bhabhi and Musa had married, and he was determined to bring hope, change, and happiness to their home.

❝Now cheer up, beautiful ladies—let's go watch TV!❞ Altamash exclaimed, trying to lift their spirits, and it seemed to work.

For Fayra, a sense of happiness began to envelop her bruised and wounded soul. Altamash felt like both a brother and a friend, and she was grateful to have people with whom she could share a bond. It seemed that God had a plan after all.

❝Welcome to CNN International News Network. Today, we have a very esteemed guest joining us in the newsroom. None other than the business tycoon Mr. Talha Ahmed was brutally murdered and found in a nearby alley. The police are yet to find the whereabouts of the assassin.❞

❝The Councilor of New York, Lucas Greyson, released a statement mentioning that the New York Police Department discovered the body drenched in blood. He also added that there are rape and crime cases reported under Mr. Ahmed's name.❞

The anchor's words drew Fayra's attention. Before Altamash could change the channel to distract them, Fayra's voice caught his attention.

❝This world is full of evils,❞ she whispered, closing her eyes as tears flowed freely. Her innocence and fragility made such a reaction inevitable. Dadi's eyes mirrored her revulsion at the thought of such people.

Fayra stepped back in shock at the news she had just heard. Her mind struggled to process the words, and she prayed for God to protect people from such evil. Altamash, meanwhile, couldn't bring himself to meet Dadi's eyes, knowing the untold truth would devastate her.

❝This world is corrupted, filled with devils and monsters who walk among us like humans. The world will come to an end one day when God does justice to His believers. He will destroy everything that has caused injustice to innocent souls, and when that day comes, no monster will be left alive. They will dwell in hellfire, the dreadful home they deserve,❞ Dadi whispered poetically, her words steeped in anguish and disgust.

Fayra was astonished at Dadi's words, gazing at the older woman in surprise. As for Altamash, he shut out her words, knowing that if he truly listened, they would break his heart.

Fayra's tears wouldn't stop. She backed away, intending to retreat to her room, but before she could, she bumped into something solid. Alarmed, she turned to see who it was, only to find herself held firmly by someone.

❝Watch your step,❞ a dominant voice whispered in her ear. Fayra's breath hitched in her throat, her forehead breaking out in a sweat. Slowly, she turned to face him, catching a whiff of his strong cologne, which, oddly enough, brought her a strange sense of peace.

But before she could look into his eyes, he tightened his grip around her waist, making her breathing uneven. The tension in the air was palpable, yet no one dared to break the silence.

❝See that dead body on TV, kitten?❞ His dangerous voice filled the room as he pointed to the large screen. Fayra sobbed, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. His lips were so close to her ear, barely concealed under her hijab.

Musa's heart and mind both found solace in her soft scent, and he felt the urge to rest his nose on her neck. He could have forced her, but the man, for all his ruthlessness, held a mix of fear and respect for his Dadi.

❝Next time, it could be you,❞ he muttered darkly, tightening his hold around her waist. His words sent shivers down her spine, tears streaming down her flawless brown skin. As he finally released her, his menacing voice continued to echo in her ears. Fayra clung to the door for support, standing frozen in shock.