Over again

Chapter XV

"Aaliya, have you seen Ashish and Naina? How are they and little boy?"- Zain asked her.
"All are fine. Recovered from that shock and now everything is fine. Again happy family as they used to be. Ashish finally got a job and their financial situation is much better now."
"I'm so happy for them."
Aaliya became friends with the boy's parents after the rescue of the kid. Every week she went to them and had fun. Zain was glad she finally relaxes. She was no more talking about her parents. Nor she mentioned that night. He wanted to talk to her about it but was waiting for her to start the conversation. On the other hand, Aaliya impatiently waited his move but he kept his distance. She didn't want to disrupt his comfort zone.
"Oh, I wanted to ask you where are you going to celebrate Holi?"
"Actually, I won't be celebrating. When I was little, we celebrated all together. Later lot of things changed and we stopped celebrating it. So I won't celebrate this year either."
"My family organised Holi party every year so this yeas also. What do you think to come to us?"
"I don't want to bother you. It's family party, Zain."
"Many of our friends and business partners will come. I would be glad if you come too."
"I'll think about it. Thank you for the invitation."
"If you change your mind we celebrate it at our home. I'll write you address in case you decide to come."
He quickly wrote the address on a peace of paper and left it on the table next to the laptop. Then he left the office and went home.
Aaliya an hour later left the office. She didn't hurry home. She took some time for herself and walked through the city. When she came home she found a white envelope on which was written her name. She took it and went inside. When she finally freshened she opened the envelope. Pulled out a peace of paper in which was wrapped silver pendant on which was engraved 'A'. She put it aside and opened the message.
"You came here. I wondered how much time you need. But here you are. I hope you're having fun playing the cop. Good luck with that. But just to warn you. If you want to live stay away from my family, Aaliya Ghulam Haider."
Then she remembered where she saw pendant. It belonged to her sister, Aayat. With shaking hands she took it and put closer to her heart. After so many years she has something Aayat's with her. Aaliya cried. She remembered all the fun when the two of them colored each others face.
She realized that he had found her. She must be careful now. Took the message and read it once again. 'Stay away from my family.' She wondered what it means. Who's his family?
In the morning woke her up loud music and noise from the street. All were happy celebrating Holi and only her haunted memories. The one when she spent Holi at home with her parents and sister. Tears blurred her vision. She wanted to go back to the happier times.
Aaliya got up out of the bed and decided to go to Zain's house. She dressed in white as per tradition and went to his house. When she arrived she realized what he was talking about. There were so many people that she couldn't find him. Aaliya saw him standing on balcony and watching the guests. He was dressed in a white kurta that was falling over jeans. He looked so handsome with messy hair that fall over his forehead and with that sexy face that was unshaven. Fahad saw her and said hello. He explained her how to get to Zain.