Before we begin, can we have a little heart-to-heart?
I know voting or commenting might seem small, but for a writer, it means everything. Just one click, one word — it matters.
And no — I don't earn anything from this. Not a coin from Wattpad. All I want is a little appreciation — a sign someone's reading, feeling, connecting. Because when you pour your heart into something and get silence in return... it hurts.
Anaya's eyes widened as she stared out the window, her breath catching mid-inhale, fingers gripping the edge of her seat.
"Hum... yahan kyun aaye hain?" she whispered, her voice fragile, shaking slightly like the rest of her body.
Her gaze locked on the tall, grim building outside.
It was that place.
The police station.
The same place she was dragged into.
The same place that stole her peace.
She spun toward Azlaan, her voice rising in panic. "Main kuch keh rahi hoon!" she snapped, words tumbling out fast and sharp, her eyes gleaming with disbelief.
Azlaan, reclining in his seat as if they were parked outside a café, turned his face slowly toward her, unbothered.
"Dadajaan ne kaha tha... tum logon pe case toh nahi kar diya?"
Anaya's knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists, breath quickening. A memory flashed—screams, cuffs, flashing lights.
Azlaan, unfazed, added with cold nonchalance:
"You know, future mein problems ho sakti hain. Criminal record kaafi unattractive hota hai."
Azaan chuckled softly at the wheel, not even looking back.
Anaya's glare shot toward both brothers, sharp as broken glass.
"Toh Azlaan bhai, aapko yahi din mila tha? Aur waqt bhi? 2 bachne wala hein!"
Azlaan raised an eyebrow lazily, as if she was overreacting.
"Aur kab aata? High court ka lawyer hoon. Bohot saare cases hain."
Anaya let out a sharp breath, like a laugh without humor "Iss waqt koi police station nahi aata—sirf criminals aur victims."
Azaan twisted in his seat, rummaging casually in a bag "Tum mera bhai ko kyu tang kar rahi ho?"
"Tumse maasla" Anaya muttered without looking at him, seething.
Azaan smirked, leaning back smugly.
"Drama queen mode on. Uss din toh poori celebrity entry maari thi—arrest ke saath spotlight bhi liya. Aaj toh shukar hai sharafat se jaa rahi ho."
She shot daggers through her eyes.
"Apna muh band rakho" she hissed, lips pressed tightly.
But Azaan only laughed under his breath.
"Main toh bas yaadein taaza kar raha hoon."
Anaya's voice cracked with rage now.
"Tumse baat karna... khud pe zulm karne jaisa hai. Main gungi ho jaungi, par tumse nahi baat karu."
Crossing her arms with a jerk, she turned away from them "Aap dono jaiye, main yahin baith jaati hoon Aqsa ke saath."
From behind, Aqsa spoke quickly, sounding desperate "Nahi, mujhe bhi andar jaana hai."
Anaya turned her head slowly, brows raised "Kyu bhai? Jail ki yaadein miss kar rahi ho?"
Aqsa shrugged like she was talking about a museum trip "Uss din theek se tour nahi mila tha. Aaj dekh leti hoon—kaafi aesthetic vibe hai na, rustic walls aur handcuffs. Full criminal vibes."
Anaya blinked at her, jaw dropped.
"Yeh koi jail hai ya picnic spot?"
"Anaa api, aapko nahi jaana? Mujhe jaana hai!" Aqsa said
