The Crown in the Storm ✔️

Hope? Maybe.

We recounted everything to Uncle EJ as we sped towards the castle. He listened without saying a word.

"Is anyone tailing us?" Zaroon asked Mehmood. He shook his head, checking the rearview mirror. I could not relax. I kept hearing Zaroons tone. He had been scarred. What if he decided to turn on us? I knew he wouldn't hurt me... but what if he did? And his mother... for a child to see his mother get killed. It was awful. To be left in an orphanage, when his father was fully capable of taking care of him.

I looked at Salaar. His jaw was clenched and he was still breathing heavily. I leaned over to him.
"Are you alright?" He nodded, his face white. "You were so good... hopefully, we can find some other alternative for tomorrow" that earned me a small smile.
"You gave her your earrings," Zaroon said from the front.
"They were the only things that I had. I had to build trust"
"They were valuable."
"Not more than us" that silenced him. We had reached the castle. I stepped out only to be greeted by a million hugs.
"You scared us!" Ammi Jaan said, smoothing my hair out. She seemed to have aged ten years in the last hour.
"This was a terrible plan," Izzy said, giving Salaar a brief hug. Hania smiled her gaze averted. What was up with her?
"Are you okay Eli?" Rania muttered. "Uncle EJ got so worried" Uncle EJ stood at the back, his gaze downcast.
"Uncle EJ? I'm fine..." I said rushing up to him. He hugged me, holding me tight.
"Glad to see no one got hurt," he said moving forward to pat Zaroon on the back. He even placed a comforting hand on Salaar's shoulder. Izzy put his arm around me and we walked into the castle.

Andaleeb rushed forward, her face full of worry.
"Begum Sahiba, we were so worried"
"I'm fine Andaleeb"
"No... I asked you to not drag Aziz into this and you put yourself in danger. I feel guilty Begum Sahiba..."
"No. No, you had every right to ask that of me. He's a child"
"So are you Begum Sahiba. So is Zaroon. Your mother... you have no idea how she handled herself." I looked at my mother. She stared at me her eyes watery. I nodded at Andaleeb and put my arm around my mother's shoulders, offering comfort.

We sat in the mirror room having tea. Izzy and Hania comforted Salaar who was now returning to his normal vibrant self. Rania and Ammi stayed by my side while Uncle EJ hovered between Zaroon and me.
"So what do you do about tomorrow, eh today, since it's 12," Rania said.
"We wait for her call. We try to find out where they are by tracking it, who's leading and who's funding this and try to get some time." I said.
"What's the end goal? Are you going to expose them? Stay one step ahead? What will you do?"
"I will figure out what they want and push them to the negotiating table knowing their weakness"
"You know what they want." Salaar said from across the room.
"We need to convince Feroze that their needs have to be met before another accident takes place," I said.
"How do you get them to come to that conclusion?" Zaroon asked.
"By acting as an emissary" I answered, a plan forming in my mind.
"Will Feroze agree?" Salaar asked.
"He has no choice," Ammi Jaan said putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Oh Uncle EJ, will you get this to forensics? I tore it off from Jojo, maybe it'll help track her down" he gave me a strange look but nodded. "And I also gave her my diamond earrings" his eyes widened in understanding.

Everyone headed to their rooms. It was late and we had a whole new day to look forward to. Before leaving, Ammi Jaan had paused and thanked Zaroon for taking care of me, her eyes full of gratitude. My heart broke at the sight. My mother was scared of me. Her humbleness was a new thing for me. She had asked me to sleep in her room. This whole event had shaken her up.

I had agreed, telling her that I would join her after I changed my clothes and wiped my face. As I walked off, Zaroon decided to accompany me. This was becoming a habit.

"You don't have to do this... you're just as tired," I said. He shrugged, his eyes focused on the corridor. I could feel my face turning red. I tried to forget about what had happened just hours before. The low lights, the thumping music... Shaking the image out of my head, I focused on the new thing I was worried about.

"What is it?" He asked.
"What's what?"
"That's troubling you."
"How do you know there's something that's troubling me?" He gave me an exasperated look.
"I think I know you quite well Begum Sahiba" the title seemed formal. Too formal after what we had been through. But I had no idea how I could ask him to call me something else.
"I'm sorry about your mother... I didn't know." I did not know the whole story, I amended in my head. I hated Uncle Azhar with a passion now.
"I didn't tell you. There was nothing to know" silence descended between us. "But thank you for your condolence. It means a lot" I nodded and looked at my twisting hands.

What to do now? Talk about the weather? Stay silent? A strong pair of fingers clasped around mine.

"Don't do that... don't overthink it" I paused and stared at him, feeling appalled and thrilled at the same time.
"Overthink what? There's nothing to overthink" the look he gave me could scorch ice.
"What happened, wasn't a mistake. I wanted to..." he paused. Wanted to what? What did he want to do? "I just don't think it's my place..." we jumped apart.
"There you are! Ammi said we're having a sleepover" Rania said, running up to me, a blue pillow in her hands.
"I'll be right there"
"No dawdling... Goodnight Major!" She called out with a bright smile. Zaroon blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. Rania was not moving. We stood there awkwardly, trying not to stare at one another.
"I'll see you in the morning," I said reluctantly moving towards my room.
"See you tomorrow, princess" the last word was uttered softly. My heart soared and a small smile crept on my face. He walked away, his shoulders hunched. I stared at his back, a blush creeping over my face.
"Tell me everything" Rania squealed.