The Red Rose

10. Laughter

"when you lie, everyone believes it's the truth"
Maybe because it is.

"Zeher... Zeher is here?" Alijah abruptly stops Rubina by her shoulders. "Don't lie. He's dead. He can't come. This is a joke. That's absurd!!" Her voice raises.

"I'm sorry princess, but that's what I heard." Rubina makes her way out, afraid of the princess's temper.

Alijah's dress waves on the floor while she was busy walking back and forth, thinking deeply. Trying to know where's the lie and where's the truth. Trying to find the missing pawns of her chess play, trying to figure out whether she herself became a pawn. Realising that thinking is not gonna benefit anyone, Alijah gathers her dress and runs hastily towards the general's office.

Maybe he knows the truth.

Pushing the doors open she meets with an empty office, nobody inside. Barely some documents and inkpots on the table while the maps lay open on the large table right beside the window. She looks here and there, her earings jingling in the action. Sighing she turns around and sees Arfan walking towards the office, not wasting any time she runs in his direction.

"Are you finding excuses just to meet me, princess?" Arfan asks in his usual flirtatious tone.

"Zeher. Wasn't he dead?"

Arfan's face sobers up with the mention, his eyes darkened while zoning out.

"Who told you that?"

"His death? Abbu. His return? Rubina."

"And what makes you think I have answers to all your questions?"

"Please don't play these mind games with me Arfan, or in no time I'll go crazy. I can't tolerate all this." Her eyes filled with tears of frustration.

He watches her cautiously, eyes filled with the strange feeling of worries, he finally says "Ok. I'll help you. But now I've got some work to do."

Coming out of her trance Alijah finnally realises that his office was almost empty, therefore she speaks her thoughts. "Are you leaving?"

"Was. But not now." And with that he made his way back to the office, Alijah following behind like a lost kitten.

"Why?"

"Sultan odered me to go to Zakraat's borders for three months. But he took his words back."

"When did he ask you to go?"

"Last week."

"Ah...I see."

He made his way towards the table, opening the maps and studying them cautiously.

"Arfan."

"Hmm."

"What do you know about Zeher?"

Silence.

"That he was killed by your father."

Alijah's blood boils at his mere statement, but she decides to control her anger, she can't risk losing the only chance she could get the knowledge from.

"What about him killing my mother?" Her voice low, sadistic.

"Yeah... heard of that too."

Noticing that he was having no interest she took that as a clue and started walking out.

"Stop."

She turns around and his eyes were still on the maps, keeping both of his hands on the table for support, his broad shoulders flexing in the action.

"If you know that he killed your mother, then why are you finding any answers, when you don't have a question?" This time he looks at her, suspiciously.

"I never said I knew. I have only heard about it, just like you did."

The twich at the the corner of his lips didn't go unnoticed by her.

"Ask your father Alijah. He may know why Zeher's back. Or why he's alive."

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After knowing that Sultan was in a meeting with the authorities Alijah made her way back to the chambers when she saw Rehman talking to someone. Waiting for him to end the talk, she stood there silently, noticing his every move.

"It must be hard to always behave this professionally Rehman."

"I am habitual to it now, Amira."

Silence

"Why didn't you tell me that Zeher is back?"

"Didn't want you to worry." His eyes were down as he replied to her shortly, Alijah was habitual to it, therefore she never complained.

"Alijah!!!"

A loud girlish voice made Alijah turn suddenly and her eyes sparkled seeing Inaya. Her uncle's daughter.

"Inaya!!" Alijah ran towards her and they both hugged each other like five year old kids, this was the happiest Alijah has felt in the past few weeks.

"Oh God... It's been years and decades and centuries since I last saw you." Alijah keeps her hand on her chest, dramatically.

"We met two months ago. Idiot." Inaya laughs seeing her sister's dramatic side.

"Are you here alone? Where's Sajid?"

"That rascal didn't want to come, he complained to Ami that I don't let him live peacefully. Anywhere."

"Typical siblings."

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I am here for two more days."

"No, I am not. Sajid is right."

"Okay, let me leave. Princess." She turns around slowly and Alijah stops her immediately holding her arm.

"No, stupid I was just joking." She intertwined their arms and made her way towards her chamber.

"No, I didn't come to sit in your chamber all day long."

"Then? Where do you want to go?"

"Let's meet everyone first."

"Ohhhh by everyone you mean Arfan?" Alijah rolls her eyes at Inaya knowing her intentions.

"Uh huh. I- no. It's just. I wa-"

"Shut up, I know it all. I've noticed how you eye him all the time, like you just want to eat him."

Inaya choked on her saliva hearing Alijah and slapped her lightly, without realising they were already making their way out in the garden, talking and laughing.

"Watch your words, Alijah."

"Watch your actions, Inaya."

"I-"

"Look. Look! Arfan's coming." Alijah directed in their opposite direction making Inaya cautious about herself.
Only to realise it was Alijah's stupid pranks.

"Well, to be honest. I feel that he also likes me, that the feelings are mutual." Rose tint rushed to her cheeks.

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Shitty chapter

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