When Fire Meets Ice - Completed.

93. N E E D H E R

I N A Y A

I was supposed to be asleep. But instead, here I was, eavesdropping on Ahad's conversation with Yousuf.

The call was on speaker while a few folders remained scattered on the table in front.

We were on the couch, my head resting on his lap while he kept threading his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp in a comforting manner.

And the orders from The Ahad HQs were clear-Ina, Sleep.

Like I wasn't too excited to know how we were about to ruin them further.

Ahad had been busy all day today, while Zara and I remained in my room, playing games. She hadn't left my side for even a single second, saying she'd be an idiot to risk me again.

I loved these people to the moon and back.

"Mister Firdaus," Ahad greeted him evenly. "May I ask if there have been any developments?"

Several overlapping voices filtered through the line before Yousuf finally spoke, "That depends on your definition of good news," he said calmly. "We have submitted the proof. Their records are currently under review and, from what we've been informed, Italian citizenship revocation is now a strong possibility."

I frowned slightly, wondering what that meant before Ahad asked, "What does that exactly entail?"

"It means they lose legal protection under the state," he explained further. "If the revocation goes through, they'll be deported back to India."

I made a faint 'oh', Ahad replied quietly, "I see."

"What helps is that Haamid was already under scrutiny here because of his multiple identities and inconsistent records. The financial trail is finally catching up to him."

Ahad stayed silent above me, humming after every sentence.

"How long will it take for the deportation orders to be passed?" Ahad asked.

"I wouldn't make assumptions yet," Yousuf sighed. "Given how long Haamid operated in Italy, authorities there will almost certainly push for priority access once the transfer is formalised."

Ahad's fingers paused in my hair, and I felt the way his body stiffened a little.

Meaning: eventually, two governments would get involved-Indian CBI would have to demand deportation before the Italian would grant it.

A faint ache settled in my chest.

"Fine, we'll deal with it," Ahad replied calmly, continuing to explain the plan further to him.

Ahad's hand slid from my hair to my shoulder now, thumb brushing there slowly before I heard Yousuf ask, "Has Hassan been useful?"

Ahad exhaled. "For the most part, he isn't. And after Haamid's stunt from the previous night, I haven't been there."

"It's unfortunate when a household starts carrying the consequences of outside problems. You can't always stop trouble from reaching your door," Yousuf said calmly. "just make sure Mrs. Qureshi never doubts you're standing between it and her. But from the sound of it," Yousuf added with a faint chuckle, "I doubt she questions it."

Ahad's fingers threaded through my hair again slowly, like he was silently assuring himself I was still here. "She doesn't."

Yousuf cleared his throat afterward, shifting the conversation. "And you? How are you holding up?"

Ahad chuckled low in his throat, and stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then his hand slid beneath my cheek, holding me there like something precious.

"She's fine," he answered, my eyes moistening. He had said it like my state defined him.