Qurban

•43• Unleashed / بے لگام

Mansha walked over to her grandfather who stood by his study's window smoking a cigar as usual. She stopped inches away from his figure and for the very first time she was a little nervous. A tad too nervous. Gulping her saliva, she steeled her composure and called him

"There is something I need to talk to you about."

Idris turned to her, his beady eyes staring at her soul. Mansha didn't want to show him how nervous she was. No, she could take it.

"Yes Mansha. What it is?"

His voice sounded like she was a child throwing a tantrum or has come to him to complain. However, Mansha ignored his tone and continued nonetheless

"What are you going to do about Altamash?"

Idris sighed. He turned around again and took a huge puff of his cigar. The smoke coming out in rings of fogs. For a moment, he didn't speak. Mansha was sure he was going to ignore her. But she wasn't going to back down. Not without a fight. 

"We'll take care of him."

It was a clipped response. One that didn't open doors for any detail. But Mansha was ready to pry.

"How? What will happen to him exactly?"

Idris turned around once again, his beady eyes staring at her again with the same intensity.

"What do you want to know exactly?"

Mansha inwardly felt relieved. He was giving her opportunity to ask.

"What will exactly happen to him? Are you thinking of...taking him out of the picture?"

Idris eyes narrowed to slits. He knew exactly what his granddaughter was asking. She could be so transparent at times.

"He will be out of the picture, yes."

Mansha couldn't help but feel a tremor running down her spine. Her grandfather's words were scary. The look on his face was...so evil. Malevolent even.

"You need not to worry Mansha. After he's out for good, I'll need your assistance."

Mansha's eyes widened. It was the very first time her grandfather really said the words. A satisfaction gripped her heart.

She was finally been recognized.

"I'll let you know when I'll need you."

Mansha tipped her head and walked off finally a winner.

As soon as she walked off, Nafisa didn't waste the opportunity and barged inside the study.

"Whatever is it that you're planning?"

Idris was certainly, very stunned to see his daughter speaking to him like that after a long time. The last time it happened....he didn't like revisiting that memory.

"Keep your voice down, Nafisa. That doesn't suit you."

It pleased him when her clenched fists unclenched and the anger in her eyes simmered a bit.

"What do you mean you'll take Altamash out of the picture? He's your grandson."

Idris really hated emotions. After all, they were nothing but a weakness. As he stared at his own daughter, all riled up without seeing the outcome his actions would produce, he was surely disappointed.

"I mean every word I said. He's getting way out of hand."

Nafisa's teeth clattered together. God, she was furious.

"You cannot do that to him."

She all but seethed. She won't ever let him destroy her son.

"Think again Nafisa. He's tarnishing our image. Your father's image."