Prologue
"You're already the mother of my four children," Arsalan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And you're about to bring another one into this world. And you have the audacity to tell me I'm not romantic?"
Sahira met his gaze with a steely resolve. "If you want to know how romantic you were, listen closely," she said, her voice dripping with venom. His ears burned as she recounted her tale, leaving him flushed with shame.
"And if you want to know what you've done to me..."
Arsalan's playful demeanor evaporated, replaced by a sense of unease. He released her wrist, and Sahira recoiled, putting distance between them.
Arsalan's eyes fell, his voice laced with remorse. "Was I that bad?"
"You're far worse, Arsalan," she retorted, her voice laced with anger. "This act of amnesia you're putting on could fool the entire world. But not me. I've seen your masterful acting before. But I'm not going to fall for your deception again, Arsalan Ansari."
Sahira turned to leave, but Arsalan's voice stopped her.
"Hira...can't you forgive me? I don't remember anything about my past. I have no recollection of who I was, what I did... Please believe me. Forgive me."
For a fleeting moment, Sahira's heart wavered. Her feet remained rooted to the spot.
She turned back to face him, her eyes filled with skepticism. "Well, well, well. What an incredible performance, Arsalan. You deserve an Oscar for that one," she sneered, turning and walking away.
Arsalan let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
Prologue ends...
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The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarrelled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven."
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Arsalan was running inside the forest. His steps rushed. Eyes gazing everywhere, alert. The sound of his steps on the dried leaves made some sound. He was carrying his son , Arham on his arms. His little self unaware of the grave danger lurking behind them.
"There he is." he heard. And, someone tried to attack him. He hide behind a tree and took out his revolver and fired.
Araham woke up hearing the loud noise.
"Daddy, what happened? " he asked, wondering what is happening around him. He placed a kiss on his forehead and said, " We are playing a game here. You see, your dad is playing a cop here."
"Cop?" Arham chirped excitedly.
"Yes, champ, cop." he shot another bullet.
"That's exciting. I am going to tell others." His
"Sure , champ. But, if you want daddy to win this game, then you have to do what daddy says."
" Of course, we are going to win this." He said but his voice didn't hold its usual confidence.
Arsalan had faced many dangers in his life, but never had he felt fear like this. A fear so profound, so visceral, that it shook him to his core.
He had always seen fear in the eyes of others, but today, it was his own gaze that reflected the depths of his dread. A fear that gnawed at his insides, a fear that threatened to consume him.
Was it the fear of the unknown? The fear of losing everything he held dear?
No, it was something deeper, something more primal. It was the fear of losing his son, Arham, the precious child who had brought light and love into his life.
His heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of anxiety. He, who had once been emotionally numb, impervious to the world's emotional storms, was now gripped by a fear so intense, it threatened to paralyze him.
He had been called many things in his 32 years on this earth - a devil, an angel of death, a force of nature, Ezel. But today, he was simply Arsalan Ansari, a father, a husband, a man terrified for his family.
He realized that the enemies who had invaded his home were not after him; they were after his wife, his children. And Arsalan Ansari, the man who had once embraced fearlessness as his armor, was now consumed by a fear so profound, it threatened to break him.
Life had taken an unexpected turn. Just when he had begun to awaken to his own emotions, the first feeling he experienced was fear. And it was a fear so overwhelming, so debilitating, that it made him question everything he thought he knew.
He looked down at his son, Arham, nestled in his arms, oblivious to the chaos around them. The boy's eyes sparkled with innocence, his laughter echoing through the air.
Arsalan held him closer.
His heart pounded in his chest as he realized they were surrounded. The enemy was closing in from all sides, leaving them with no escape route.
He heard footsteps behind him and quickly whispered to Arham, "Close your eyes and ears tightly, my son. If you don't, we'll lose."
Arham, eager to win, squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears with his hands. Just then, an attacker lunged from behind.
The sound of gunfire echoed through the air, startling Arham. He wanted to open his eyes and see what was happening, but his father's words echoed in his mind: "Don't open your eyes."
Arsalan swiftly disarmed the attacker and moved forward, his senses on high alert.
The situation was tense, and Arham couldn't help but feel a surge of fear. "Baba," he whispered, "can I open my eyes now?"
"Not yet, my love," Arsalan replied, his voice filled with concern. "Not until we're safe."
Suddenly, two more assailants emerged from behind, charging towards them. Arsalan reacted instinctively, kicking one away with a powerful blow.
The other attacker lunged for Arham, trying to grab him. Arham, unable to contain his fear any longer, opened his eyes to see the man reaching for him.
A cry escaped Arham's lips as the attacker tried to pull him away. Arsalan, seeing his son's distress, unleashed a powerful punch, knocking the attacker unconscious.
Arham clung to his father, tears streaming down his face. "Baba, I'm scared," he sobbed.
Arsalan gently wiped away his son's tears, his voice reassuring. "Don't worry, my dear. It's just a game. Remember?"
"I want to go home, Baba. I want to see Mommy," Arham pleaded.
"Of course, my son," Arsalan replied. "We'll be home soon."
With Arham safely in his arms, Arsalan continued their escape, their pursuers hot on their heels.
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The chase led them through dense jungle and up a rugged mountain trail, the enemy never far behind. Finally, they reached a clearing at the top of a hill, where they were surrounded by the attackers.
"We don't want anything from you, Ezel," the leader of the group sneered. "We only want your son. Hand him over."
Arsalan held Arham close, shielding him from the approaching danger. "Why do you want my son?" he asked, his voice laced with protectiveness.
The leader chuckled coldly. "To destroy him," he replied. "Just as you have destroyed countless others."
Arsalan's eyes narrowed in anger. "What has my family done to you?" he demanded.
"You ask that, Ezel?" the leader scoffed. "Have you forgotten the countless lives you've taken? You've caused more suffering than we ever could."
He turned to his men and gestured towards Arham. "Take the boy!"
Arsalan knew he had to protect his son at all costs. He couldn't let these ruthless men take him away.As two men approached Arsalan, he swiftly incapacitated them with a well-aimed blow, leaving them sprawled on the ground. The leader was impressed by his skill. After all, Ezel hadn't gained fame in the underworld for nothing.
"Attack him together. Remember, Ezel must remain unharmed," he ordered.
All of his men converged on Arsalan at once. Arsalan stood his ground, facing them head-on. One by one, his adversaries fell to the ground.
But they knew this was coming; that's why there was already a swarm of thugs present. If one fell, another took his place.
Suddenly, someone attacked Arsalan from behind. His vision blurred, and his grip weakened. But he quickly strengthened his hold and continued to fight with renewed vigor.
The leader of the enemies, watching him with narrowed eyes, felt a pang of fear. He was alone, yet he managed to hold off so many men for so long. He aimed for Arsalan's legs.
A bullet struck Arsalan's leg, then another hit his arm. A groan escaped his lips, but he continued to fight.
Arsalan's brow furrowed as he saw five men approach him from behind. He couldn't even react before they grabbed him.
The leader grinned triumphantly as he reached for Arsalan's chest. But instead of Arsalan, his hand met a large rock.
Arsalan chuckled at the sight.
A few moments earlier:
He didn't want to reach the road under any circumstances.
Arham was still crying. He didn't like this game much. As they walked, Arsalan heard the sound of footsteps behind him again. He turned the gun in that direction.
But he was relieved to see Karim. His life came back to him.
Karim was happy to see him. He had been looking for both of them for the past two hours.
"Thank God I found you. Are you both okay?" Karim asked, stepping forward and checking that they were both okay.
"Yes. We're fine so far. Catch him."
Arsalan wanted to hand Arham over to Karim, but Arham held him tightly.
"Daddy, I'm scared," Arham said fearfully.
Arsalan's heart sank. He kissed his son on the forehead and said lovingly,
"Nothing will happen to you. Trust in Allah."
Arsalan found his own words a bit strange.
Trust in Allah. He had heard this from Sahira many times before. But today, for the first time, he was saying it himself. Karim also started looking at him in shock.
Karim knew Arsalan was a skilled actor. He knew how to hide his flaws. He knew that Arsalan couldn't feel any emotions. All his emotions were fake. He gave people the reactions they wanted. He had this genetic disorder that prevented him from feeling any emotions.
But today, Karim felt that Arsalan was not acting. He was genuinely worried about his son. He was also somewhat scared.
"Take him, Karim. Those people are after him."
"No, we'll wait here. Our people are about to arrive."
"No, there isn't that much time. The enemy will reach us before our people can reach us." He forcefully separated Arham from him and handed him to Karim.
Arham started crying loudly.
"Champ, nothing will happen. Daddy will be back with you soon. Karim uncle will take you home."
Arsalan reassured him.
"Daddy, will you win now?"
Arham looked at his father with tearful eyes.
"Will you pray for me, Arham?"
Arsalan asked, turning back.
Karim found his friend strange today. He was talking about praying to Allah. This was not the Arsalan he knew. Who was this person...
"Yes, Daddy. I will pray to Allah. He will surely make you win."
Arham said. And Arsalan kissed him on the forehead.
"Karim, Sahira and the others are also in danger."
"Don't worry, Arsalan. Elias is sending his men. They will take them to a safe place, InshaAllah."
Arsalan nodded and opened Arham's shirt. He stuffed a large stone in it. Then he hid it under his coat. It looked to onlookers like there was a child inside the coat.
Then Arsalan turned to leave.
Karim's heart sank.
"Arsalan..." he called out.
Arsalan turned around and looked at his childhood friend.
"Karim, May God give everyone a friend like you," Arsalan said with a smile.
Karim watched him in amazement. His friend was smiling. It wasn't a fake smile. It was a genuine smile.
And Karim found that smile to be the most precious and beautiful smile in the world.
Arsalan sent Karim to the other side and moved to the other side himself.
"Allah, guide my friend. For You are the only One Who Guides."
Karim prayed from the bottom of his heart.
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As Arsalan advanced, the leader of the enemies grew anxious and struck Arsalan with all his might.
But Arsalan managed to break free from their grasp and began to eliminate them one by one. It seemed as if an unseen force had suddenly empowered him.
Watching his men fall one by one, the enemy leader felt a creeping sense of dread.
Then he saw Arsalan advancing towards him, bloodlust in his eyes.
"Will you destroy my family?" Arsalan taunted him.
"Look, Ezel, don't come near me. I'm warning you. Stay away from me," he said, his voice trembling with fear.
His men tried to stop Arsalan, but he brushed them aside and grabbed the leader by the neck.
One by one, he struck at him, causing the man to stumble backward. But Arsalan quickly countered each attack.
And then he began to beat him again.
Suddenly, someone attacked Arsalan from behind, causing the man to recoil in fear.
And he fell back, pulling out his gun and aiming it at Arsalan. Arsalan had just managed to recover from the attack when he noticed that the enemy leader had aimed his gun at him. He was standing on a cliff, with the gun aimed at him. And behind him was a ravine. The man was terrified. He had forgotten that Ezel had to be kept alive. But he wanted to stay alive himself. If Ezel stayed alive, he wouldn't.
Then he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Arsalan saw that Karim had arrived with his men.
But then he heard the sound of a gunshot in the air.
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Sahira, who was leaning against the bed, suddenly opened her eyes.
She kept remembering the conversation she had with Arsalan that morning.
Arsalan had come to see her.
"I hate you, Arsalan. I wish you were dead. Then I and my children would be free from you and your sins forever and ever," Sahira had said angrily then.
But she always said these things to him. And Arsalan always listened to her words in silence. But today... Arsalan had looked at her. Those eyes that had no depth, today they had pain in them. As if her words had hurt him.
There was something in those eyes that was making Sahira restless.
She felt a sense of panic. A deep-seated desire to see Arsalan in her heart, which she immediately dismissed.
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A bullet struck Arsalan's chest, and a fountain of blood erupted from his chest.
"Ah..." He groaned in pain. His footing faltered, and he fell straight into the ravine behind him.
Karim's breath caught in his throat.
"Arsalan.." Karim screamed. But Arsalan didn't hear his scream. His ears were filled with someone else's words.
"Do you consider yourself the angel of death? Watch, Arsalan, one day, the angel of death will come for you suddenly. Then you will realize the reality. First the torment of the grave. Then resurrection. Then you will be held accountable for every sin you've committed. For every pain you've inflicted on others. Then Allah will judge you. And your actions , this only leads to Hell for mankind. And this Hell is no fairytale, Arsalan Ansari. It's a living, breathing creature where disobedient servants of Allah will be burnt."
Is Hell my destiny?
He could only thought....
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