Bint of Gilgit ~ Pakistani Love Story ~ ONGOING ~

Defecting

Time had passed slowly for Imad in the last few hours - rather, it had come to a standstill. Fahad's premonitions and foreshadowing had not been wrong, but so startlingly accurate that for Imad the sole blame for the turnaround of these events was upon him. 

Had he been more proactive - more true with his feelings then perhaps things would not stand o be where they were. But on the other hand, the question of his unrelenting loyalty to Asadullah in front of his own feelings resurfaced again. If Asadullah had wanted Nazli from the start, could he have risked his life long partnership for a woman he had known merely for a few weeks? For him and his brother, Asadullah's support was not only paramount, but also significantly life changing. 

"Imad." The only form of permission Asadullah asked before entering the spacious room. After arranging for three rooms - one for the twins, another for the cousins, and the solo for Asadullah, Imad had wanted some peace of mind. But Asadullah's white shirt was now a blood-red colour and was demanding immediate attention. 

One accidental cut to his artery and he would be dead, a voice teased in Imad's brain as he pulled out his medical equipment. Reflecting off the steel medical tray were his apathetic eyes while a painful storm wreaked havoc in his heart. Why did fate always laugh in his face? Was this the punishment for the numerous crimes he had done against the innocent?

"Something is wrong," Asadullah stated, tugging his shirt harshly and ripping it open. Even the scraps of his bloodied shirt could have lasted a poor family for months. "Speak your mind, cousin. Your opinion, your thoughts, and to an extent, even your complaints are valuable to me."

"I have nothing to say." His voice came out flat even as he removed the bullet from his leader's shoulder. Asadullah's eye twitched at the sharp agony, but soon he was smiling softly. For once Imad despised the gentle look on his face. 

"I have much to say, Imad!" There was a hint of elation in his leader's baritone voice. "My victory over Baba and today, Shah Zaman has once again reassured me that I am capable of leading this organization to great heights."

Imad's brow twitched and his jaw tightened. "And the girl?" 

A thoughtful shine passed over his onyx eyes and Imad waited with much deliberation - the scalpel in his hand begging to be used. 

"She has her place." He finally said, throwing his head back and giving Imad the full view to his sleek neck. If only . . . he could be a traitorous dog for a day, then only blood would be spewing here. A soft whisper invaded his murderous thoughts, bringing him back to reality. Those words - spoken like a soft breeze that floated by held something foreign that he had not heard in his leader's voice before. Words that carried weight and . . . emotion.

 "A very special place."

***

With her face glued to the window and blue eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, Shahrazad stared at the bustling city of Gilgit from their posh temporary residence. Everything in the room was straight out of dream - the bed was so plush and soft, even a sheep's wool couldn't match it. The interior of the room was a light pink and with a click of a button, lights could be dimmed and brightened. That bastard Fahad had giggled when she and Nazli had jumped at the sudden darkness, but little did Shahrazad care. How could she care about anything except this new world that surrounded them?

When a vehicle drove by, Shahrazad squealed with joy. "Oh look! There is a car! I finally saw a car, Nazli!" But after an eerie silence followed, the girl realised with an urgency that in all her excitement to be in the city, she had forgotten about the tragic events that had led her to this in the first place. "I am sorry, Nazli . . . I don't know what-"