Muneeba Khan is no ordinary physics professor. Beneath her quiet academic life lies a secret identity-she's an undercover private detective, working in the shadows to solve the mystery of the murder no one else could. For the past five months, Munee...
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Armaan was not able to digest the news he just received. It was weird of his parents to do something so odd. He returned to his cabin and saw Sanjay staring at the forensic reports with a confused expression on his face.
"Hey, is something wrong?" his voice barely above a whisper.
"These reports are a mess" Sanjay muttered, tapping his pen on the table. He looked up at Armaan's confused face to explain, "There are a lot of pieces of evidence missing. The autopsy shows no sign of struggle but something doesn't sit right"
"Missing evidence?" Armaan blinked, his mind now back to the case. He messaged his temples.
"Yeah", Sanjay sighed heavily "It's almost like someone deliberately cleaned up the scene"
Sanjay passed the reports to Armaan, pointing to a particular section with a pen. He was right. This case was like an undone puzzle, missing only a few very important pieces. Sanjay was now staring at him, waiting for a solution.
"Are you even listening?" Sanjay startled him.
Sanjay was an expert at body language, he knew when something was off. Some cases did that to people. He decided to leave him alone.
"Yes, I-I know. Missing evidence, something off with the case" Armaan blurted.
"I think you should go home, maybe take some rest. About the reports, I will be heading to Dr. Shalini's" He stood up.
"Thank you, I am not in my right state of mind to focus. Will meet tomorrow again" Armaan announced. Sanjay nodded and smiled at him, closing the door behind him.
On reaching home, his mom opened the door. She greeted him with a smile. He walked in to see his father sipping tea, a book in his hands. As though nothing had happened.
"Early from work today?" his mother asked him, trying to strike up a conversation. He walked towards his dad. His heart pounding with unresolved emotions.
"I can't believe you would fix my marriage without even asking me"
His father kept his cup down on the table calmly, gesturing him to sit. Armaan knew the turmoil of emotions inside was getting hard to control. Not wanting to disrespect his dad, he quietly sat down. His mother passed him a glass of water. He drank some and calmed down.
"Armaan, beta, we thought you'd be happy. It's time you're getting older-" her mother spoke and kept a hand on his shoulder, expressing support and concern.
"Happy? How could you think I'd be happy? You didn't even bother to ask me what I want" Armaan cut her off.
His father more composed, leaned forward, "Beta, we just wanted you to settle down. She is from a very good family, I am sure you will change your mind when we get there tomorrow to her house"
"What? we are going to their house tomorrow?" he shouted, unable to control his frustration. "You guys are unbelievable"
The cold air of Delhi city made her shiver, as Muneeba was waiting for a cab. Last night had been a total nightmare for her. Her uncle had found yet another alliance for her, she had told them countless times she did not want to get married. Not now, maybe never. She was a PI Agent. Her life was crazy and risky enough, she couldn't commit to someone and put their life in danger as well. But how could she tell this to her parents?
She remembered the conversation she had with her mother the night before.
"Ammi, I do not want to get married" she rebelled.
"Beta, the boy belongs to a perfect family. He is a Criminal Lawyer" her dad spoke softly.
She sighed heavily, fidgeting with her royal blue dress. All of this was very strange and unknown to her. It was scary.
"Abu, but how could Uncle do this?" she spoke "After what happened with Sahil he still dared to offer yet a new alliance?" Her dad walked out of the room listening to this leaving only Muneeba and her mother behind.
"Beta, not every guy is like Sahil" her mother muttered softly. "Don't jump to conclusions, I am sure you will know what we mean tomorrow" she continued.
"What do you mean by that?" she blurted.
"They are coming here tomorrow to see you"
"Ammi, why do you not say anything to Abba?" Muneeba asked with a glint of hope in her voice. "He listens to you"
Her mother's lips turned dry at the view of helplessness in her daughter's eyes. "Not more than he listens to his older brother"
The sound of her cell phone's ringtone penetrated her memories as she snapped back to reality. It was the cab driver, " Mam I am at your address-" Muneeba cut him off.
"Yes I am coming"
As she sat in the car, she mentally prepared herself for the upcoming day. She knew it was going to be a nightmare.
As she opened the door of her house, her mom greeted her with a smile. The delicious aroma of Biryani spread through the room. They were coming over for dinner today.
Hannah—her mother seemed very happy about tonight. Very adamant about making preparations. In Muneeba's room, her mother had already selected an outfit for her. Neatly pressed and hung on the hanger. The pinkish-peach Pakistani suit looked even more beautiful in the sunlight. Indicating the golden hour. The golden detailing on the neck and sleeves shone when the sun rays hit them, causing them to be scattered all around the room like little flashes of torch.
Muneeba didn't want this alliance to happen. She was so sure this one was going to turn exactly like the last one. She was sick of her uncle interfering in her life, and his father not doing anything about it.
Muneeba didn't feel like getting ready. She planned to scare the guy away. But her mother was very stubborn about her dressing up beautifully. She was applying Kajal in her eyes. Even though this was the best part about getting ready, today she just didn't feel like it.
"Mashallah, you are looking so pretty" Hannah exclaimed on seeing her daughter. Muneeba forced a smile.
"I know you must be feeling very weird, don't worry. Maybe he will turn out to be exactly your type", her mother spoke.
She glanced down at her silver watch, 8'o clock. They will arrive at any moment. Muneeba had been avoiding the questions arising in her mind regarding this alliance, but running away from your problems is never the solution. So, as she sat on the old rocking chair on her balcony she started to think why she didn't want this.
Of course, she didn't want to risk somebody else's life and put them in danger as much as her. She knew her life was dangerous and she didn't want to burden someone else with this secret. Not to forget, her parents. She never saw them in love, they didn't hate each other. But they weren't the exact ideal she wished for. If her uncle had selected this guy, then it was confirmed. She was never going to have the ideal marriage she wished for. To grow old together, but still be kids at heart. To have someone understand you. A best friend more than a spouse and-
