Raah-e-ishq

CHAPTER 8

ZIMAL'S POV :

"Ms, you need to submit a proper F.I.R," the officer said, his voice flat and uninterested. I sighed deeply. Picking up my phone, I stood up and made my way outside. The air was cool, and Zaviyar was standing beside the car, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He looked up as I approached.

"They're asking for a copy of the F.I.R.," I told him, frustration evident in my voice.

Zaviyar thought for a moment, then nodded. "Aap wait karein, Mein aata hoon" he said, and without another word, he got into the car and drove off like a bullet.

I went back inside and sat on the sofa in front of the reception. The room was cold, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and makes you shiver. The ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound.

Fifteen minutes passed, and my phone rang, the sudden noise startling me.

"Zimal, I'm waiting for the letter copy," Daniel said hurriedly, his voice tense.

"They need something. Give me some time, I'll send you the copy," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. As I spoke, someone placed an envelope on the table in front of me. I looked up and saw Zaviyar standing there. He turned and walked outside without a word.

I picked up the envelope, its crisp edges rustling under my fingers. My heart was pounding as I carefully opened it and pulled out the paper. To my astonishment, it was a proper complaint, complete with the S.H.O's signature. I was stunned, unable to speak. How had he managed this so quickly? It seemed unbelievable, almost surreal, but there was no time to dwell on it.

I quickly scanned the letter, then took a deep breath and did my work. The officers took the letter and examined it closely. After a few minutes, they nodded and one of them said, "We have sent you a mail. Now we have to wait for a reply from the British embassy."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. "Thank you," I murmured, then left the embassy, stepping out into the fading light of the day. The air was thick with the scent of rain, and the clouds above were dark and heavy, promising a storm.

*****

Zaviyar was nowhere to be found. The air was cool, carrying a faint scent of rain and the distant hum of city life. I looked around, my eyes scanning the street, but there was no sign of him. My unease grew, and I dialed his number, pacing back and forth under the dim streetlights.

He picked up after a few rings. "Mein kisi kaam se aa gaya tha, aap wait karein. Gaari abhi aa jaegi" he said calmly.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me, and hung up the phone. Walking back inside, I realized I needed to send an email to Daniel. I found a seat in the waiting area, its cushion stiff and uncomfortable, and started scrolling through my phone to do my work.

The minutes dragged on, feeling like an eternity. I glanced at the clock repeatedly. Twenty-five minutes had passed, and my patience was wearing thin. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Zaviyar.

"The car's outside."

I got up and walked outside again. The street was silent. As I looked around, I noticed someone leaning against a car on the other side of the road. He was wearing a crisp white dress shirt tucked into gray pants, with a matching gray coat draped over his arm.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing strong, tanned forearms. He was engrossed in his phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

I hesitated, scanning the area for another car with a driver, but this was the only one in sight. Gathering my courage, I crossed the road. As I approached, I cleared my throat to get his attention. He turned around, and my breath caught in my throat. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.