Khaali Raaste

CHAPTER 6

Undone by a Mole

ZAVIYAAR'S POV

"I almost got caught by Bhabi!" Arham came sprinting toward me, panting like a man running from his doom. He's an idiot—there's no other explanation for it.

I narrowed my eyes, barely containing my irritation. "And how, pray tell, did that happen?"

He was still trying to catch his breath. "I was following her... to make sure she got home safely, but her senses are way too sharp. She heard me, turned around, but I ducked just in time. She didn't see me."

I shook my head in disbelief. "You're hopeless, Arham. That's why I told Ahmed to follow her instead of you," I muttered, loud enough for him to hear.

"Zavi, yaar, this isn't fair! I'm too handsome, too charming for you two to handle! You just don't appreciate me—such betrayal, mere dost!" Arham's tone was as dramatic as ever.

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again.

And just as expected, he launched into an impromptu performance of one of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's qawali, his voice not entirely terrible, but his timing? Absolutely atrocious.

Mein ne un ke saamne awwal-to-khanjar rakh diya
Phir kaleja rakh diya dil rakh diya sar rakh diya
aur arz kiya mere bad kisko sataao ge
Mujhe kis tarha se mitaao ge
Kahan ja ke teeri chalaao ge
Meri doosti ki balaayen lo
Mujhe haath utha kar duaaein do
Tumhein ek insaan bana diya

"ARHAM CHUP KAR JA NUSRAT FATEH TERI AWAAZ SUN KR KHUDKHUSHI KR LY GA" I snapped, irritation boiling over

["Arham, for the love of God, shut up! If Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan were alive to hear this, he'd kill himself to escape your voice!"]

"Haan, but he's already dead," Arham replied innocently, blinking at me as though he had no idea what I was so upset about.

" han or agar zinda hoty toh jis andaaz ma tum na on ki kawali ka bera gark kia ha woh seh hi na paty " Ahmed added dryly, shaking his head.


["If he were alive, you'd have killed him with this performance"]

Finally, some peace. I needed to focus on what really mattered.

"bas kr do tum log jalty ho mujh sa or koi bat nhi dekna jb mar jao ga na tb yaad ...." Ahmed, never one to let drama flourish, cut him off with a solid punch to the back.

["Stop it, you guys are just jealous of me, nothing else. Just wait, when I'll die, you'll remember....."]

"tera bera garkkk hooooooo ahmed "Arham yelped, clutching his back.

"Enough of this nonsense," I said, turning back to Ahmed. "What's the update?"

"We need to move quickly. They're getting too close," Ahmed said, his voice low, the urgency unmistakable.

"If they find out, it's over," Arham added, his tone suddenly serious. "We've been careful up to now, but one slip-up could ruin everything."

"Alright," I nodded, decision made. "It's time for Plan B. We have everything we need."

Both Ahmed and Arham nodded in agreement, though I could sense the tension building. Things were escalating faster than anticipated.

"She's starting to ask too many questions," Ahmed warned, his eyes narrowing."We have to make a decision soon."

"Let her keep asking, It won't matter. Once everything's in place, she'll understand." I said coldly.

Suddenly, I caught the faintest trace of movement behind us. Voices, whispers—someone was following us. I filed the information away. Neither Ahmed nor Arham had noticed yet, but I was certain.

"Everything is on track, We just need a little more time. Make sure nothing gets in the way." I continued, keeping my voice calm, almost casual.

Ahmed nodded, though I could see the worry in his eyes. "And what about her? What if she doesn't cooperate?"

I smirked, my lips curling into a sinister smile. "She will. One way or another." My suspicions about who was following us were confirmed—her scent reached me before her presence did.