Arslan was sitting in his jet lost in his thoughts, his mind, his emotions were just all over the place.
Emotional stress makes the person vulnerable and Arslan was no exception as he too was undergoing the same thing.
He got to know the whole truth about Aaban being her brother just before he left.
Flashback:
Arslan was coming out of his parent's room after informing his mother about his sudden change of schedules. When he stopped and asked about the thing he was dwelling on from past hours.
His mother was first shocked but after his insistence, she agreed to tell him the whole truth but not before taking a promise from him to not disclose it to anyone.
"As you know Daniya and Faeza both are distant relatives but they were more of sisters to each other. Faeza was not able to conceive after few years of her marriage and was taking treatment for infertility.
Then we got to know about the second pregnancy of Daniya and after a month also of Faeza. All were very happy to know about the good news but Faeza's health was not supporting her embryo efficiently because of the fibroid of the uterus.
Doctors have advised Faeza to abort her baby but she didn't agree with them, your Chachu (uncle) also tried to make her understand but she didn't waver from her decision.
Months were passing so was Faeza's health was deteriorating but she was adamant about her decision. Daniya was close to her due date when she slipped into the bathroom resulting in bleeding.
She was rushed to the hospital but Faeza did not take the news well as she went into early labor, her body could not support her through the phase causing her baby to die from asphyxia. On the other hand, Daniya delivered a healthy baby boy.
Faeza was out on heavy sedatives to recover from the shock when she first woke up from her sleep she started asking for her baby, not getting any reply from doctors she started hyperventilating, doctors again put her on sedatives as your uncle was out of the country for a foreign conference.
Doctors announced that she won't be able to conceive again due to some critical internal injuries. When Daniya got to know about it, she felt very bad for her sister and she couldn't see her in that state, she decided to give her baby to Faeza stating that her baby couldn't survive a blow.
Everyone knew about it except Faeza and Aamir. Two years later Daniya conceived again and gave birth to Aaliya." That's what she said to him.
Flashback Ends.
He was her brother, how she got to know about it was still unknown as elder Siddiqui's never disclosed this in front of their children.
~*~
Aaliya was laying on her bed with her eyes open staring at the ceiling. Whenever she closed her eyes dark grey pairs of eyes with blue specs stared back at her with full of misery and agony that she would open her eyes.
She went back to their conversation, she couldn't understand what his outburst was sure but why would he looked like in an engrossed in anguish and despair.
Aaban where did he come between them? She tried to recollect everything that happened before he left two years ago.
Flashback:
Aaliya was in her grandmother's room as she was showing her different jewelry. Her grandmother gave her an amazing gold ring with a beautifully leaves carved design on it. It was their family's ancestral ring and meant to be given to her at the right time. And it was the right time now so she should start wearing it as her grandmother stated.
It was a little loose but she loved the ring so kept wearing it. She went to the rooftop as Aaban has texted her saying he wants to confess something.
She wanted to go and show her ring to Arsh Bhai but then thought to finish this talk first and then to go and chase him.
Aaban has just confessed that he loves her best friend Sofiya, she had her doubts regarding this matter as the little eye locks they shared during the wedding didn't go unnoticed by her.
She was very happy to have her best friend with her in the same house all the time, she was jumping with joy when her ring got removed from her finger and fell on the floor which she didn't notice in her hyperexcited state.
Aaban picked up her ring and made her wear it but she was gone too far in her joy to notice that. This news has to be heard by Arsh Bhai, she ran from there searching for him everywhere but she couldn't find him.
She didn't even spot him during walima (reception), the next whole day was also the same. Then she got to know about his departure the next day morning leaving her heartbroken!"
Flashback Ends.
He just left like that not talking to her, or not even informing her about his departure. She didn't get a chance to show him her ring or let him know about Aaban's confession.
But then why did she felt pain in his eyes, his gaze was accusatory as if she had done something wrong. As if it was all her fault and not his?
Why did his eyes reflect pain? What was it that he is hiding from her? Why can't she eliminate his eyes from her memory which was staring back at her whenever she closed her eyes?!
What is happening to her? Why can't she sleep? What did he meant by I don't know about things? Does his touch burn me? What is that I am not getting? What am I missing?
~*~
Arslan called the only person who he trusts in the absence of him matters pertained to her.
After preliminary greetings, he directly came on the topic not beating around the bush.
"Rehaan, I want you to keep Aaliya in your proximity," Arslan stated without any break in a sentence.
"What do you mean? And why?" Rehaan's curiosity picked up the hearing of Aaliya's name.
"I can't tell you more on call but I have already allotted my trusted men around her but I want someone from the family for my satisfaction." He said with a sigh while running his hand through his messy hairs.
"I will do what you are telling me but not before you tell me the reason!" Rehaan said with determination leaving no space for argument.
"Okay, her life is in danger!" He said with an octave increase in his voice with annoyance.
Rehaan knew better that more than this he won't say anything so he accepted his wish.
"Take care of her," Arslan said at the end of his call, saying he hung up the call.
He rested his head back on the seat allowing his tears to fell free. Tears of anguish, of anger, of regret, of grief and love.
~*~
Hey Everyone!
I hope you like the update! Let me know if you have any more doubts and I would like to say that the first phase of the story is now over.
We will now enter the second phase of the story!! Excited?
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Till then the next update, Allah hafiz!