Mariyam ate her food and went to sleep. Zoya too proceeded to her room after cleaning the dishes. She started thinking of ways to keep Mariyam away from Asad. Sleep was far from her today. As she thought about Mariyam, all the events that took place in Mangalpur ran fresh in front of her. From the moment she eloped Mariyam to her running from the wedding venue, Asad helping her, they being arrested for no fault of theirs, escaping the wrath of Panchayat to them landing at some dhaba near the highway, night spent together at the dhaba, her being so near to death. Each and everything flashed before her eyes and she turned cold feet. The sequence of events spent with Asad on their way back home, how he showered his concern and those little gestures of care played in front of her eyes making her blush a little. Soon sleep overcame her because of an exhausting day and she slept cherishing those moments with Asad.
Next day, she progressed to the storeroom and ordered Mariyam not to move out of that room without informing her. Zoya also told her that she had some work outside the house and needed to go as it was important but promised to be back in two hours. She again requested her to follow what she asked her to; before leaving the house.
Zoya had received a call that morning from a relative of the owner of an old building which was the same she saw in the photo which she thought had something to do with her past. She thought meeting that person would help her find her abbu faster. She wanted to know about her father.
What happened that day? Why did the house catch fire? Was it an accident or a planned cabal to destroy the family due to some rivalry? Where was her father all these 17 years? Is he still alive or the fire succeeded in engulfing him too leaving her alone in this mighty world? And if he is alive then where is he now? Why didn't he try to acquaint about his family? Was he the one behind this mishap?
She had so many questions but all unanswered. Her inability to find her abbu, about her identity was killing her. How much ever she tried to behave normal in front of the world; only she knew she was broken.
She thought meeting this person would prove beneficial for her research. So she agreed to meet him near the mazaar. The person lived in the outskirts of Bhopal but had visited the place for some business deals when he was informed about Zoya's interest in knowing about the owner of the building by the caretaker of that house.
Zoya reached mazaar well before time and was waiting for that unknown person. The goons who were in search of Mariyam spotted her standing near the door of mazaar and immediately recognized her to be the same NRI girl who abscond the bride from her wedding.
One of the goons," Is she the same girl who fled Mariyam."
"Yes she is her. Let's go and catch her before she again tries to escape with her lover." Exclaimed another goon.
One of them held her hand. She turned around in shock only to see those wicked men standing in front of her. She tried to slap the one who held her hand with her free arm but he caught hold of it midair. She tried to free herself but he was too strong for her; then she thought of shouting to attract some audience but failed when another goon covered her mouth with his palm. They dragged her towards their car and drove her off to a barren worn out fort not far away from mazaar.
Dilawar mamu was already waiting for her there. Upon seeing him, she fumed. Her anger had no limits when she saw him smirk at her helplessness.
"Good to see you again Videshi Memsahab."
"Why have you brought me here? What do you want from me? Just leave me or else I'll call the police and..." She roared.
"and your lover." He completed her sentence with a mock.
"You can scream as much as you want but there's not even a bird to listen to shrieks. I have nothing to do with you unless you tell me where Mariyam is. If you wouldn't have eloped her from her wedding that day, you would not have to see this day in your life." He continue.
"Allah Miyaan!!! You are such a disgusting person. I can't believe there are still people like you who bother about their reputation in the society rather than worrying for your child's future. Her well being. How can you as a father even think of your daughter getting married to her rapist." She almost screamed.
"Get real lady! This is India and not some foreign country where you came from. We have to live in a society. Who will marry her if the fact that she is raped is disclosed? At least this man is ready to marry her. This was the only solution left after she did such a shameless act." He reasoned.
"She did...? What do you mean she did..?? She was the one who was raped. She is a victim. Why don't you question the man who could not control his testosterone imbalance before being so immodest and committing such a heinous crime?"
"We cannot change the past happenings and this should be non of your concern as to what we do with our child. I must say, you and your love think much more alike. He showed same reactions as yours when he learnt about Mariyam's condition." He smirked before he continued, " Where is Mariyam? I know she is in Bhopal and she must have tried contacting you. You are her so called 'savior' according to her."
"I don't know." She answered as her mind got diverted to Asad. He knew everything yet he remained quiet she thought. Did his blood not boil hearing all this? Was his heart made of stone to not react? Why did he turn deaf ears when she was trying to justify her actions? She risked her life for his cousin. Was he silent for her?
Her chain of thoughts were broken by another question from Dilawar.
"How is that possible when she is here and haven't yet met you?"
"Yes, I don't know about her whereabouts and why would I meet her? My job was to save a girl from being forced to get married without her approval. I succeeded in it and now it's her choice to go wherever she wants. Why should I bother?"
"I just hope you are telling a truth otherwise the consequences would not be good for you." He warned her.
"If you want to believe you can or else I cannot enlighten anyone's stubborn brain to act sensible even after making him understand that forcing someone into a marriage is a crime according to Indian Penal Code. It is because of such downtrodden people like you; women are forced to commit suicide to escape the wrath of this evil society. Women cannot voice their opinions and wishes. I cannot live in this country anymore. I would prefer dying then to stay here." She voiced aloud.
Dilawar thought this girl might not know about Mariyam or else why would she be roaming around so freely. If she had any knowledge about Mariyam she would have definitely moved to court or done something big. Thinking thus, he ordered the goons to free her and left the place leaving her all alone.
Sensing the danger, now she knew she could not handle the situation herself. She needed help. His help. The only person she could trust. The only person who could help her, protect her from all difficulties. Now that he knew everything about Mariyam, she had a hope that he would understand her, help her out of this mess. She quickly ran towards the main gate and hired a rickshaw and went straight to his office.
P.S. Graphics credit: Me😳
I was so overjoyed with the response that I ended up writing a bit long update😆
Next part coming soon😳
Will pm to those who comment and like my thread😉
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