KHAARZAAR

۳۷: خلاصۃ / Revelation

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Two days have passed. Everything was normal. So normal. And it was the calm before the storm. Irtaza knew it. Demir hadn't made a move yet. Aksoy's spies were keeping a strict eye on him. So far, he was unusually quite. Which was not a good sign.

But one thing came clearer to him. Demir was involved in whatever case Taimur was framed into. All those happenings were somehow connected. Deep down he knew it in his heart. Demir's untimely visits to Pakistan and his involvement in various embezzlement cases couldn't be just mere coincidneces.

And someone was definitely helping him. He can't do it all alone. All by himself. It's impossible. But who? Who can be helping him? It was around 10 in the night now. Irtaza was sitting in his room. As usual, working. The case was taking alot of his time. They were getting out of time. They needed to reach to a concrete solution.

The door to the room opened before Miraal entered inside. When Irtaza saw her entering, he asked

"Is she ok, now?"

Apparently, Almirah hadn't been feeling well. It was a normal cold and fever. But old age played a major role in it. Her body was weak and she couldn't handle alot of chores.

"She's resting. I have given her medicine."

Miraal answered before taking a seat on the other side of the bed. She sighed tiredly. Seeing her mother in a frail condition unsettled her. She looked so weak. So fragile. She was worried for her health.

"Hey, don't worry. She'll be up and about in no time. She's a strong woman, remember."

Irtaza tried to cheer her up. She just managed to pass him a small smile.

"She asked me about abbu. His case."

She announced into the quiet of the room. Her eyes having a sheen glass in them. Irtaza gave her his undivided attention. Wanting her to continue

"She asked me about how far I've reached. And I couldn't tell her. I couldn't tell her that I haven't reached anywhere. I have no evidence. No leads. Nothing. I'm empty."

Her voice cracked. And it unsettled him to see her in that state. But he still remained silent.

"It seems like I'm lost, Irtaza. My arc is gone. My motive is somewhere flowing along the wind. I can't find it anymore. I had so much high hopes and now...seeing my mother getting weaker day by day and reaching nowhere positive in proving my father's innocence, I lost myself. I can't find myself anymore. I've never been so disappointed in myself."

She broke down. All the subdued pain. All the strangled sobs left her throat. All at once. Until, only her cries could be heard in the otherwise silent room. Irtaza turned to her before pulling her into a hug. She hid her face in the crook of his neck.

He tightened his hold on her and let her emptied herself out. He rubbed her back and stayed like that until she got ahold of herself. When they finally pulled away, he cupped both of her cheeks and kissed hed eyelids. She closed her relishing the feel of it.

Then, he kissed her forehead. Her nose. Her cheeks. He was calming her down. Distracting her. Taking her mind elsewhere from those soul consuming, mind rattling depressing thoughts. He needed to divert her attention. To make her feel herself again.

"You'll find your way, I had no doubt in that. You just need a little time. Take things one at a time. Everything will be alright."

He assured. His soft voice an anchor for her. She nodded her head before resting her head back on his chest. He tightened his hold on her and let her stay like that. She needed that. Right now.