Ishq Mubarak

•10• faisla

( read the end note I'm sure there's a hint about the next chapter 😉)

The
atmosphere in the hall exuded an aura of tribal solemnity, the air heavy with unspoken tensions and familial expectations. Ahmed Ali, accompanied by his young son, had been hastily sentenced to the hospital. The gravity of their condition hung in uncertainty, leaving a palpable sense of worry among those gathered. Each heartbeat echoed the urgency of their prayers, hoping against hope for a favorable outcome.

Meanwhile, amidst the anxious murmurs, everyone was consumed with the fervent search for their missing daughter. Ibrahim, weary from the relentless pursuit, couldn't contain his frustration any longer.

"Ye ladki kaha chali gayi hai? Agar yeh dobara samne ayi, to mai isay aise sambhalunga ke kisi ne socha bhi na hoga."

he muttered, his voice tinged with exasperation.

Amir, who had remained silently observant until now, turned towards his grandfather with a contemplative gaze. He seemed poised to interject, yet something held him back, rendering him speechless.

"Khan sahab?"

Amir queried, breaking the silence that had fallen like a heavy veil over the room. The mention of his name reverberated, prompting a solemn acknowledgment from those present. All eyes turned towards the figure standing stoically in the shadows, his presence casting a profound, almost ominous, shadow over the scene.

There he stood, as he always did, cloaked in a mantle of enigmatic darkness that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

Ibrahim was taken aback to see his grandson, Arsalan, standing before him. The same grandson who seldom graced his household with his presence, now appearing unexpectedly in the midst of this tumultuous moment.

"Arsalan, tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?"

Ibrahim's voice betrayed a mix of astonishment and concern, his brow furrowing with unanswered questions.

Arsalan met his grandfather's gaze with an inscrutable expression, his silence speaking volumes.

Without uttering a word, Arsalan Khan began to stride purposefully towards the assembled group. Every man present felt a shiver of apprehension ripple through their bodies. Arsalan Khan, notorious for issuing orders from the shadows, had never before deigned to appear in person. The mere sight of him here now filled them with an inescapable dread. What could have driven him to break his own protocol?

Ibrahim, seeing his grandson approach, was rendered speechless. The shock of Arsalan's unexpected presence was evident in his widened eyes and the sudden paleness of his complexion. Deep down, Ibrahim sensed he had made a grave mistake. The dark, unreadable expression on Arsalan's face only confirmed his worst fears. Unconsciously, Ibrahim took a step back, a rare display of vulnerability that did not go unnoticed.

All eyes were fixed on Arsalan, the room falling into an almost eerie silence. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation. Arsalan's arrival could mean only one thing: serious consequences. His formidable reputation for ruthlessness was well known, and his current demeanor left no room for doubt. Without hesitation, Arsalan walked towards Ibrahim, his gaze sweeping over the blood-streaked hall. His heart pounded with a fervent hope that she had not been harmed. He knew all too well the retribution he would exact if even a single hair on her head had been touched. And that retribution would extend to everyone present, including his own grandfather.

Suppressing his turbulent emotions beneath a mask of steely resolve, Arsalan approached Ibrahim. The older man's involuntary retreat gave Arsalan a grim sense of satisfaction. Yes, it was they who should fear him. His powerful presence and the fear it instilled were justifiable.