𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐚𝐬𝐫 𝐀𝐥-𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐫𝐚

Chapter 3: The Call from the Unknown

The aroma of cumin and sautéed onions filled Zahra’s cozy Delhi apartment as she stirred the simmering pot of dal. It was one of those rare moments when life seemed calm.

The window beside her kitchen was slightly open, letting in the cool evening breeze, a welcome relief from Delhi’s summer heat. Zahra hummed softly to the music playing in the background an old, nostalgic tune that seemed to belong to another era. She loved the classics, both in music and in the books that were stacked messily across her dining table. Some were investigative journals; others were her guilty pleasure, horror novels. She lived alone, but that was exactly how she liked it. No complications, no distractions.

Just as she was about to turn off the stove, her phone rang. The jarring sound cut through the tranquil atmosphere, pulling her away from the peacefulness of the moment. She wiped her hands on the kitchen towel and walked over to her phone, glancing at the unknown number.

"Hello?" Zahra answered, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to make her feel uneasy. Then, a voice low, smooth, and unfamiliar broke the silence.

"Ms. Zahra Miraaj?" The voice on the other end was deep and unfamiliar, but oddly calm.

Zahra’s grip on the phone tightened. "Yes, this is Zahra. Who is this?"

The voice paused again, and when it spoke, there was a tone of intrigue, as if the man on the other end knew more about her than he should. "I have something you might be interested in. Something... ancient."

A cold shiver ran down her spine. "I think you have the wrong number," she replied, her voice more defensive now. But deep down, she knew this was no mistake.

"No," the man said firmly. "I have the right person. You’re the only one who can help me uncover the truth about  Qasr Al Sahra."

Zahra’s heart skipped a beat. The name of that palace. The cursed, mysterious ruins that had been buried under sand and secrecy for centuries. She had heard whispers about it before, but only in passing. No one dared to investigate it most believed it was a place where darkness resided.

Her mind raced. Who was this? And how did he know she would be intrigued?

She asked him firmly  "How do you know about me? And why do you think I can help?"

The man chuckled softly, a sound that made her feel both curious and uncomfortable. "Let’s just say I know more than you think. I know about your work, Zahra. Your investigations, your... abilities. Qasr Al Sahra is not just a story. It’s real, and I need your expertise to uncover its secrets."

She felt her pulse quicken. This was no ordinary case, and this man was no ordinary caller. "I’m on a break," she said firmly, trying to regain control of the conversation. "I’m not taking on any investigations right now."

"I understand," the man replied smoothly, almost as if he expected her hesitation. "But this isn’t just any investigation. This is history. This is power. And it’s waiting for you."

She wasn’t ready for this. Not yet.

"I’ll think about it,"she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You don’t have much time," the man replied. "The palace won’t stay hidden forever. But take your time, Zahra. When you’re ready, you’ll know how to find me."

Before she could respond, the line went dead. Zahra stared at her phone, the screen glowing in the dim light of her apartment. The sense of unease lingered, but so did something else a spark of curiosity that she hadn’t felt in months.

She placed the phone down and tried to focus on her cooking, but the conversation echoed in her mind.  Qasr Al Sahra. The name, the mystery, the man's voice it was all too much to ignore.

Just as she was about to shake off the feeling, a soft knock on the door startled her. She turned around, heart racing, half expecting the mysterious caller to somehow be standing outside her door.

But when she opened it, she found only Yashi, holding a takeout bag, grinning as always.

"I thought I’d drop by again. You know, just to check if you’re really resting," Yashi teased, stepping inside.

Zahra forced a smile, trying to push away the lingering thoughts of the call. "Yeah, I’m resting," she lied, closing the door behind her.

But in the back of her mind, she knew rest was the last thing she was going to get.

Author's Note~

Here the Third chapter ends
Are you curious about this palace as much as Zahra is ?
It's going to be a great adventure isn't?
Stay tuned for the next upcoming chapters

Don't forget to vote 🌟

It keeps me motivated 😞🖐🏻