Chapter 3 A Sense of DiscoveryIt was early morning, around six to be exact. Aahil just received a call on his phone. He answered, "Yes, Aslam bhai." It took a few seconds to hear a response. "Aahil...is the girl still there?" a man asked on the phone, whose name was apparently Aslam.
"Yes, sir. The girl is in her room," Aahil answered. "She tried to escape last night but I caught her in time."
"You and Rehan must stay with her at all times. I don't want my plans to get ruined."
"Has the emperor responded to the kidnapping?"
"Thats another reason why I've called. The emperor is sending troops to find the girl across the state. That is why you will take her out of the city now."
"Where?"
"Anywhere...Delhi, Shimla, Darjeeling...any where but here. Understand?"
"Yes, sir. I'll get to it."
Aahil disconnected the call. He changed his gray sweatshirt to a black and red shirt. He left his room to go check on Sanam. In her room, Sanam stood near the window. She had tied her hair back as she continued to despair over her current state. That was when Aahil opened the door. She turned around to him, startled. She turned away as he looked at her, coming towards her.
"If I were you, I would pack some of the clothes here now, " Aahil told Sanam. "We'll be heading for Darjeeling. Get ready in twenty minutes. " Sanam gave a surprised look on her face. We're leaving Maharastra? Sanam thought to herself. Aahil was about to leave until he said, "And one more thing...when I say only twenty minutes...I mean ONLY twenty minutes." With that, Aahil left the room. "What kind of a dominating person does he think he is?!" Sanam exclaimed angrily.
In the palace, the emperor stood, frustrated as messengers began to come to him. "Any sign of her?" the emperor asked. "No, your majesty. None of our troops have found her." one of the messengers answered.
"Is no one doing their job properly?!"
"Either that or she just isn't here." a voice smirked.
"Who's there?" the emperor asked.
From a distance, a tall figure began to make its way towards the emperor. The emperor gasped upon seeing his appearance as he came closer. He wore a pair of black shades and a white suit, with silk made shoes and a black shirt. "Leave." the man told the messengers. The messengers left the area in fear.
"Hello, your majesty...or actually...why do I call you such?" the man asked. "After all our relationship is more than that...am I right...Altaf bhaijaan."
"Aslam?" the emperor said.
"Good! Very good!" Aslam smirked. "You haven't forgotten your younger brother! The one who was always outcasted in the family! Because of which...in order to gain some sort of status...he resorted to being a gangster! Not a respectable status...but one that can put the fear needed in ones soul. Just like how you're feeling right now..."
Aslam paused as he took a look at a portrait near the emperor's throne. It was a picture of Sanam. A beautiful one at that, where she wore an orange veil with a black salwar with various patterns.
"And this here is the lovely Sanam...your so called daughter. One thing that interests me...is how even though everyone in India knows you...only the people of Maharastra could recognize her. And why? Because you never let her leave beyond the palace walls. She wanted to...but being the good girl she is, she obeyed."
Emperor Altaf gave uncomfortable vibes as Aslam continued to speak. "And you hid her identity from everyone to keep her safe from the evils of this world...like me. Well, be happy...because kidnapping her was my present."
Altaf gave a stunned look at Aslam. "Don't be so shocked!" Aslam exclaimed. "The only way to get to you was through the daughter. Which is why she is now with my accomplices...and is alive."
"Where is Sanam?!"
"I would like to tell you that...but all I can say she is anywhere but here."
Outside the cottage, Rehan was taking luggage inside the car while Aahil was checking the car's tires. Sanam slowly walked outside of the cottage. She looked out at the sky, intrigued by its blue color. She took a step into the grass. Looking around, she took her foot out of her chapel and touched the grass, feeling its prickly textures. So this is what grass feels like? Sanam asked herself. "Hello?!" Aahil snapped his fingers.
Coming back to her senses, Sanam put her chapal back on. "Just to make sure you don't try anything..." Aahil said, holding out a rope. He tied Sanam's hands together with the rope and led her with the rope's end to the inside of the car where she sat inside. Aahil and Rehan got inside the front of the car, and Aahil drove off.
In the palace, Altaf stood still, yet fearful at the same time. "I don't even understand why you care so much for this worthless child," Aslam said. "After all...Altaf...she is not even your real daughter."
Altaf gave a stunned look on his face at Aslam's statement. "I know everything, bhaijaan," Aslam grinned evily. "What Sanam is now is a product of mere sympathy from you. Her real name is Sanam Ahmed Khan, daughter of Asad Ahmed Khan and Zoya Ahmed Khan. Both parents died when the girl was only two years old. And you...being alone after your wife's death...took her in. Well done! Now...I wonder how it would be like...if she knew the truth. " Aslam gave a tensed look on his face.
Edited by meryl97 - 11 years ago
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