Raaz ( Mystery)

Chapter 20

Sapere Aude
Dare to know

Mihrimah :

The location mentioned on the note was of Central beach Novosibirsk . It wasn't difficult for Mihrimah to find it . She just handed the chit to the cab driver and he dropped her off to the beach . It wasn't overfilled with people as she has imagined it to be . She couldn't understand if it was the beach that was spacious or there was a limited crowd present . She looked above the sky which was clear and blue . That's when her cell phone rang flashing a familiar name on the screen . She immediately answered it when she saw the name Fajr on the screen . Salam she said when she didn't hear a reply from the other side . Fajr are you there ? Mihrimah asked . Mihri I saw something today was all Fajr managed to say . What did you see ? Mihrimah asked curiously.  I saw Arhaan . It was really him . I couldn't believe my eyes at first I thought I was dreaming but I followed him and it was really him . What ? How is that possible? Fairy are you sure it was really him and you weren't mistaken? She asked . Yes Mihrimah I'm sure my eyes can't deceive me Fajr replied . Okay relax we will talk about it once I come back home.  When are you coming back home ? Fajr asked in a voice so desperate that Mihrimah could feel the desperation in her voice even from 3,426.0 km of distance. I will be back tomorrow hopefully until then please take care of yourself okay? Said Mihrimah as tenderly as she could . A sigh was all she received from the other end of the phone before she hung up . As she put the phone down from her ear she saw him approaching her .

Asher was wearing a grey sweatshirt with black trousers and white sneakers. It felt like he didn't put much thought into his dressing but he was still striking. Mihrimah glanced at him and he held her gaze for a minute before breaking the gaze and looking at the sea. Salam she said starting the conversation first. Salam he replied with a head nod. Why did you call me here ? She asked without looking at him. I wanted to make some things clear before we start working as a team to find your father he said looking straight into her eyes. I am ready to accept all your conditions if it means I will be able to see my father again. She replied looking back at him.
Great ! First of all I want you to know that this can be dangerous and if you ever find yourself in a threatening situation you will contact me right at that moment. If you want to work with me you have to follow my instructions and obey whatever I say whenever I say without asking any questions. This investigation might unravel some unpleasant information related to your father's personal life that you might want to keep a secret but if you want to move forward with this investigation you will have to prepare yourself for such situations and difficult moments and lastly I don't want any secrets if you feel something might be helpful to the case you will inform me as soon as possible. He said with a poker face. Is there anything else I'd have to do ? Mihrimah asked still looking at the sea. No this is it for now he replied. Great ! When do we start ? She asked with genuine curiosity. Tomorrow after we reach Moscow. She gave him a head nod.

I want coffee. Is there any cafe nearby? She asked after a moment of awkward silence. If they wanted to work together they would've to talk to each other and since it didn't look like he had any intentions of communicating with her apart from the necessary conversations. Mihrimah realized that she had to break the ice herself. Yes there's a cafe 1 kilometres away from here. We can get a cab from the main road he said while looking towards the main road. I think it'd be better to walk if it's fine with you she said while looking at the same direction where his gaze rested. Okay was all he said before starting to move forward. She followed him while keeping a decent distance between them. They both remained silent throughout the twelve minutes walk but it wasn't an awkward silence it was a peaceful one. By the time they reached the cafe two things got really clear If they have to co exist as partners they need to know when to talk and when to remain silent. They were already in sync with that one. Working as a team was not going to be easy for either of them.
Mihrimah was ready for all of it if that meant she would find her father again.

The cafe was small but there were only a few people inside it. The walls were blue with different neon signs. They decided to sit at the centre left table. The interior was white with patio chairs and the wall Infront of their table said Cofffee in my soul. Mihrimah ordered iced Americano and Asher asked for green tea. They were waiting for their coffee when it suddenly hit her to ask for his help in finding Arhaan's information at first the thought didn't really seem stupid but after thinking about it for a few minutes she decided not to get him involved in her personal life. She was zoning out when he finally spoke We will have to meet his colleagues and friends again. We Weren't able to get much information regarding his whereabouts the last time we spoke to them but I think there's no harm in trying again and I had my doubts the first time. There might be some of his friends we left out during our investigation before I would like to speak to them as well. Yeah I think that's a good place to start from. I will list some of his close friends and colleagues that I think might know something about him she replied while staring at the wall Infront of them.

After drinking coffee Asher opened his wallet and payed the bill before she could even open her bag to find her wallet. Mihrimah noticed something that she hadn't before it was a picture of a woman in emerald green Abaya and dark green niqab standing beside him grabbing his arm while they both smiled for the camera. She couldn't see her whole face because of the cloth covering it but it looked like she was in her mid or early twenties with beautiful light brown eyes that reflected her smile while Asher looked a lot younger with short hair and bright smile that made the dimple on his left cheek visible. She wasn't able to look at it for a long time before he closed the wallet immediately after realizing that she was staring at the picture.There was an unreadable expression on his face that she didn't recognise. She wanted to ask him who she was but she couldn't bring herself to do that. That would count as interfering in his life and it was the last thing she ever planned on doing. You didn't have to pay. It was on me since It was my idea she said trying to hide the awkwardness of the moment. It's okay you can pay next time he said now with a more composed expression. They were about to leave for their apartment when he excused himself to attend a call.

Asher :

It was Anastasia's call all his members had been investigating all the areas surrounding the main location. He didn't waste anytime on small talk Do you have any updates? Sir we've found an item I suppose is related to the case near the clothes. What is it ? He asked curiously. It is a lighter with the letter A engraved on it. And suddenly the air felt heavier until it became difficult for him to breath.I took a picture of it before sending it to the lab thought you might want to see it. I have shared it with you. He hung up the phone soon after she said that sentence and opened his messages to find the picture that's when he completely went numb it almost felt like a nightmare like the ones he kept having from time to time. It was almost impossible to believe but it was there the same lighter he had found at Raha's murder location that he had kept hidden in his side table drawer for years.