After the truth

~33~

Zayn threw a punch at the cabinet, leaving a dent and bleeding hands. He felt fury deep within him and he couldn't wait to put his hands on Hussein. He couldn't call the old fart his father. He had ruined not only Marwa's life but his as well.

He threw the papers across his table and wiped his hands down his face. He had never asked for anything from his family, ever since he moved away from Missouri. Even when all he wanted was to be with his mum and siblings, he never asked. The one thing that he truly desired was taken away by his father. He hated the man so much, he prayed for his downfall even in the hereafter. The bastard was bold. And he couldn't wait to lay hands on him.

He had called sheikhs in the UAE and even spoke to the ones in Missouri but nothing good came out of it. It was absolutely impossible to be married to someone who had bore his own father a child. And he raped her too. Zayn broke down. He was going to kill his father with his hands. The man has caused a whole lot of corruption.

He turned towards the man waiting in the corner quietly. His hands worked his tie and then his button. He knew he looked disheveled which was uncharacteristic of him. Despite dealing with the matter of his sister being missing, this totally crushed his spirit.

"Find her son! I don't care who you pay and how you get him to me. But find him and bring him to me. He should be seven now." He barked at the man. The man simply nodded and slinked out of the office.

Zayn let out a crazed laughter before throwing everything off his table. Why did he have to always fight tooth and nails before getting the things he want? He never even asked for much.

His phone let out a loud shrill and Mukhlisa's laughter followed. She had changed his ringtone and that was what she wanted for her birthday. It was his mother calling him.

"Hello ummi." He greeted.

"Don't forget to pick up Mukhlisa from Belinda's place. She has spent so much time away."

"Just say you miss her mum." Zayn forced a laugh out.

"I want her close. Please find Marwa. Please." His mother started to cry.

"It's alright mama. We'll get her soon. Please don't cry."

When he ended the call, a message from Aaron came in. It was time.

**********
Zulfa stared down at the street. Children screamed at the top of their lungs chasing each other around. Neighbours were gossiping with one another. She could smell the roadside snack all the way up and for the first time, she wasn't craving the delicacy.

She had planned to rip out Aaron's hair strand by strand. She even paid some men from the gang around to help her get someone when the time came. Oh the shock! Zulfa tugged on her hair. This wasn't happening. How could Imran do this? She thought he loved her twin?

The thought alone was maddening. Who could have taken Marwa? Could it have been Imran? Zulfa wanted to scream. She placed her finger in her mouth, biting the sides anxiously. What could she do to help? Her brothers and Aaron had told her to wait patiently but for how long? What was Marwa going through right now?

She let out a long sigh. It was the longest Wednesday of her life and approximately 12 days since her sister was last seen. Who sent the message to Marwa? And why Aaron when he wasn't the rapist?

Zulfa thought, that this case would have been solved quickly, if she had taken school seriously. She felt so useless. Her phone beeped, indicating a message. Upon reading it, she hurried back into the house and got dressed.

Her anxiety was over the roof but her twin needed her.

**********
Zayn took deep breaths feeling defeated. He didn't know how to face her. He stared hard at the large house that could pass off as a mansion and almost raced back home if not that Mukhlisa was in there waiting for him.

He got out of the car and walked up the stairs to the patio. After ringing the door bell, Belinda opened it up with a shy smile. Zayn frozed. He didn't know what to do so instead he switched to his cool persona.

"Hi. Mukhlisa has been waiting." She said minutes after an awkward silence. "Hold on, let me get her."

"Wait." Zayn called out, holding on to the door handle. "I want to ask you a question."

"Go ahead." Her eyes looked bright. It was as though she was expecting something. He had hinted his interest at her. He wanted it the halal way which was why he wanted to finish up the family issue and speak to his mum about her. He never knew he felt this deeply for her.

"Is this man familiar to you?" Zayn begged within him that she said no, he was wrong. That she had no idea who he was. His hands shook as he turned the screen towards her.

It was immediate. Her eyes went dull and hooded. She slowly looked up at him and her eyes were moist. Zayn sucked in a sharp, deep breath, refusing to breathe. She knew him. She knew him. She knew him!!!

"Oh. How do you know my daddy?" Mariam popped out of nowhere. The girl was a bit taller than the last time. Zayn staggered a bit. He corrected his posture and hoped the little girl, his little sister hadn't noticed.

"Isn't that grandpa?" Mukhlisa asked, curiosity written all over her face.

Belinda stared into Zayn's eyes soullessly. She couldn't speak nor move. Her only happiness was about to be taken from her.

"Let's go Mukhlisa."

"Go inside Mariam."

They both said at the same time. The girls wanted to argue but the look on the adults face told them otherwise.

A storm had been brewing for so long and now, suddenly, without hint or warning, the lives of innocent people were crashing down.