Reshimbandh~Silken Threads

27. The Ruse

Sikander was about to begin his lunch when he heard a knock on the door.

“Hey Sahiba!” He wished her, opening the door to let her in.

“What is going on?” Her voice was icy cold.

He gave his usual charming smile, sitting on the couch. “Join me for lunch!”

Neha stood rooted away from him. “Are you done with my birthday celebration or are there more gifts to expect?”

Sikander frowned. “You didn't accept the gift I tried giving you.”

“So you're going to send me foetuses now?” Disgust and anger was evident in her voice.

The glass remained in the air as he registered her words. “Why would I do something like that? Do you think so low of me?”

“Ask your minions what they are up to. They are clearly not abiding by your words.”

Sikander walked over to her,. “I'm sorry this happened,” he cupped her face, “ I will look into it and make sure-”

She flicked off his hands. “I'm done with your sorrys, enough now.”

“Sahiba, I understand you're hurt but I promise it won't happen again. Really.” He pulled her in his arms. “I hope you're not too upset about it.”

“I didn't receive the thing, bhaiya did. He was pretty upset.” Neha looked up, Sikander held unreadable expressions.

“Now he knows how I felt. What it feels like to hold on to your shattered dreams, knowing they would never be fulfilled, no matter what.” He voiced vulnerably.

“What?” She couldn't comprehend the sudden change in his voice.

“Your brother didn't just kill my Nafisa, he killed my unborn child too.”

Neha shook her head. “No. That's not true. My bhaiya could never-”

“He did. He took away my child that didn't even see this world. A child that I didn't even know the existence of was taken away from me, all because of your brother.” His fingers dug deep into her arms, she winced.

“No,” her eyes teared up. He stepped back. She quickly sprinted out of the room.

~

Rest of the day was busy in the ETF with a new case. Neha struggled to put her mind around the new information. There is no way Bhaiya did that. Definitely not.

She pressed a small knife against her thigh to keep her brain occupied later that night as the crying sound of the child haunted her mind. As blood oozed out, she put the knife away. I need a better distraction.

~

Next evening,

ETF lab

"Karan," Neha went up to him, "did you find anything about that foetus?"

"Well it's not human but pig," Karan answered without looking up from his laptop.

"But it looked like-"

"Yeah, in the initial stages, they look quite similar."

"Ok, thanks" She tilted her head, "although you might have something for me."

"What?" Karan looked confused.

She twirled her curls, "Whatcha doin' tonight?"

"Umm, sleeping."He shrugged.

"Let's go out for dinner?" She suggested.

"Sure!" Karan smiled. Keep Neha busy. Sameer told.

After dinner at a fancy restaurant, Neha looked at Karan. "Do you mind changing your plans a bit?" She asked.