The Price Of Betrayal

CHAPTER NINE : A Plan in Motion

At the cozy coffee shop, Alina and Rizwan were so engrossed in their conversation that neither of them noticed the man walking toward their table until he greeted them with a warm "Salam alaikum." "Wa alaikum salam," both Alina and Rizwan chorused in response, their voices a mix of surprise and curiosity. Rizwan’s face lit up with recognition. “Oh, Amir!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "Yeah, how have you been?" Amir asked, his tone friendly, as he pulled up a chair to join them. "Alhamdullilah, I’ve been good,” Rizwan replied, his smile wide. Amir turned to Alina, extending his hand in a welcoming gesture. “Meet my friend, Alina,” Rizwan introduced her. As Alina turned around, she felt her heart race at the sight of Amir. She forced herself to stay composed, not letting the shock show. She took a deep breath before offering her hand to Amir. “Hi, I’m Alina.” “Amir by name. Nice to meet you,” Amir replied, shaking her hand. Alina tried her best to keep her voice steady, the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. As they exchanged pleasantries, they fell into an easy conversation, sipping their coffee and sharing stories. Yet, beneath the surface, Alina’s mind was spinning—here she was, sitting face-to-face with Amir, someone who was once so dear to her. The man who had been her friend and confidant, now the same person whose presence brought so many memories flooding back. Later that night, Alina returned home, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of Amir and the unexpected reunion.

When she walked through the door, her parents were waiting for her. "Where have you been so late?" her father asked, concern lacing his voice. Alina took a deep breath before telling them everything. She explained how she had met Rizwan’s stepfather and uncovered the truth about her biological father, about how Amir was part of the puzzle and how they had reconnected after all these years. Her parents listened quietly, their expressions mixed with surprise and concern, but they didn’t interrupt. After finishing her story, Alina excused herself and retreated to her room. She performed her prayer, seeking guidance, before crawling into bed, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that had transpired. Saturday arrived, and Alina had made up her mind. She had Rizwan’s address, and today, she was going to see Amir. She needed answers. When she reached Amir’s house, he greeted her warmly, and they settled in, beginning a conversation that quickly grew serious. "Amir, do you know Alina Hassan?" she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation. Before she could say another word, Amir interrupted, his voice suddenly serious. "Where do you know her from?" Alina’s heart hammered in her chest as she replied, "I’m Alina Hassan." Amir froze. “What?” His voice was barely above a whisper, shock written across his face. "I thought you... you died eight years ago."

Alina nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I was supposed to die. But the Almighty spared me. I survived... and now, I’m here, trying to find the truth. I need to tell you what happened that night, who was behind it.” As Alina recounted the events of that fateful night, the anger and betrayal that had consumed her for years resurfaced. Amir sat silently, his face a mixture of disbelief and pain, as he absorbed her words. When she finished, he stood up and embraced her, his arms tight around her as he whispered, “I thought I lost you forever. They stood there for a while, talking about the memories they shared, the old times they had spent together, and the life Alina had missed out on because of everything that had been stolen from her. Finally, Amir pulled back and looked at her seriously. “Why are you going out with Rizwan, knowing who he is?” Alina smiled faintly, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and resolve. “It’s all part of my plan to get closer to my mother’s murderer. I needed to get to you, to expose my aunt’s lies. Two weeks passed, and things began to take a turn. Rizwan started noticing a change. He had always been attentive to Alina, and his suspicions grew as he saw the bond between her and Amir. One day, unable to shake the feeling that something was off, Rizwan decided to follow her. He trailed Alina to Amir’s house, his heart pounding as he watched them from a distance. When he finally entered Amir’s home, he was taken aback to see Alina and Amir hugging each other. Rage exploded within him, and before he knew it, he was charging toward them, fists clenched.

Stop!" Alina cried out, pushing him away. "I have never loved you, Rizwan. The only reason I ever played along was to get justice for my mother. I’m sorry if I led you on, but this isn’t real. You’ve been part of her plan too. I’ve been trying to expose your mother for what she did." Rizwan stood frozen, stunned by her words. “What do you mean?” With a steady voice, Alina explained everything—how his mother had been behind the death of her own mother and how his mother had been the mastermind of the pain and betrayal Alina had suffered. "I don’t expect you to believe me, Rizwan, but if you do, please help me. I need your help to bring her down." Rizwan wiped his tears and faced Alina, his voice choked with emotion. "I’m sorry for everything. For what my mother did to you. If you can find a place in your heart to forgive me... I will help you." Alina nodded, her heart softening for him. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t know, and I can see you have a good heart.” He promised to help her in any way possible, and as they discussed their plan, Rizwan finally asked, “Are you going to confront your mother?” “No,” Alina said firmly. “She is too dangerous. If we go to her directly, she’ll destroy us. We need to gather evidence—proof of what she’s done. Only then can we expose her.” “But how are we going to get that evidence?” Rizwan asked, his brow furrowed. The three of them devised a plan, and Rizwan drove Alina back to her place afterward. She entered the house, her mind whirling with the next steps. She immediately went to her parents’ room to share the plan with them, and they prayed together, hoping that Alina’s plan would succeed.

Before long, Alina called her biological father, Mr. Hassan, to update him on the plan and her alliance with Rizwan. She knew the path ahead would be perilous, but she felt stronger now than ever before. She was no longer just a victim—she was a fighter, and with her father’s support, she would bring the truth to light.

With every chapter, we’re one step closer to discovering Alina’s strength. Thank you for your kindness and patience—I appreciate you more than words can say! 🌹