Part 3
"I fell into a burning ring of fire...I went down, down, down as the flames went higher...
And it burns, burns, burns...The ring of fire, the ring of fire..."
"You're Twin?" said Rehan is a shocked voice. "You never mentioned that you had a twin?"
"That's because I didn't know I had one! I only found out a few weeks ago. But the person you think of as Suneheri is actually Seher, my sister! We were separated in childhood after my parents were killed!" said Sanam.
"What do you mean killed? Didn't you say they died in an accident?"
"No Rehan. They didn't die in an accident. They were murdered. In fact...they were murdered in THIS house!"
"WHAT? What are you talking about Sanam? Are you sure?"
"Yes Rehan. I am sure. Because the person who told me this is my Badi Ammi. The only person who was an eyewitness to their murder!"
"But Sanam...Badi Ammi...I mean...your Badi Ammi is in Shimla right?"
"Wrong. All this time, she was in Bhopal. In fact in this house! Remember the lady in the wheelchair that Razia Begum said was her cousin who was paralyzed? Well that was MY Badi Ammi. She took her out of the van that was taking her to Shimla, and brought her here. Well in a way she saved her. Even though she only saved her for her own purposes. She saved her so that she can use her against Begum Sahiba, to get revenge from her!"
Rehan stared at Sanam, his eyes shocked. Was it just Sanam's imagination, or was Rehan looking a bit stressed. "Revenge from Begum Sahiba? What for?"
"For marrying her husband, among other things!" said Sanam squarely. Rehan's eyes flew open at that statement. "There is a lot you don't know about Begum Sahiba, or Tanveer Behg, aka Billo Rani... Rehan..." said Sanam gravely. "I know you think of her as a Mother, but she is not a good person. The truth is, she ruined many lives. Two of those lives are my Ammi and Abbu's!" said Sanam. Rehan said nothing, but looked at Sanam, the colour leaving his face. Sanam could see Rehan was distressed. However, now that she had started this conversation, she had to tell Rehan the whole truth. So she told Rehan about how Tanveer had been a part of her parent's life in Bhopal. How she had tried to separate them. How she had married her grandfather Gaffur Ahemed Siddiqui, by blackmailing him with the identity of his daughter. Her Mother Zoya. She then narrated the events that had led to Tanveer going to jail for the murder of her other grandfather Rashid Ahemed Khan. Then came the part that was the most painful part for her. How she had broken out of jail and turned up at this house, and killed her parents, aunt and grandfather.
Rehan's face had turned ashen after these revelations. They were standing in an alcove of the house that had a small couch. Rehan sat down on it. "Rehan...I know this is hard to accept. But this is actually ALL true. There would be records of the fact that she was in jail for my grandfather's murder. Also, I already found out that Aahil never killed his Abbu. Begum Sahiba did. She then made Aahil think he did it, so that she would go to jail and then keep him indebted to her forever! THAT was her plan all along Rehan. She wanted Aahil's property, his money, and for that she was willing to ruin his life! Even if I didn't know ANY of the other things she did before, that alone would make her the worst criminal in my eyes. Using an innocent child's love and trust is the most despicable crime. Allah usse kabhi maaf na karain!" said Sanam, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I found out about Aahil's father the night of the Kohinoor launch. I even had proof. I was going to tell Aahil everything, finally free him from the burden of his guilt. I even confronted Begum Sahiba. But that night, before I could say anything to him, I was kidnapped!"
"Kidnapped? By whom?" said Rehan, looking up at Sanam.
"Razia!" said Sanam.
"Razia? But why would she kidnap you? Didn't you say, she wanted revenge from Amm...Begum Sahiba?"
"Yes. This was part of her plan. She wanted to use me, well use Seher, to get revenge on Tanveer. She found out about Seher long before any of us did. She managed to track her down, and offered her a large sum to impersonate me. She wanted Seher to pretend to be me, and get Aahil to transfer all the properties in his name to HER. She had documents drawn and everything. Seher's job was to get those documents signed and hand them over to her and leave. But then Razia's plans changed when she found out Aahil wanted to get married to me again. She told Seher to marry Aahil and use the opportunity to get the documents signed, and then she was free to leave. She offered her 2 crores for doing this!"
"So the person...the person who was here all those weeks after the Kohinoor launch was not you? It was Suneheri?"
"Yes it was Seher, impersonating me!"
"Ya Allah...there were moments when I thought...I mean I was almost certain that she was Suneheri. I felt this strange feeling around her sometimes. But I told myself I was crazy. That it was you...Sanam, not Suneheri. That I was indulging in wishful thinking! So I dismissed it."
"Your instincts were right Rehan. It was Seher. So when you thought you told ME about your girlfriend...it was actually Seher you were talking to. By the way, can you tell me exactly how you two met?"
"It's a long story!" said Rehan with a small smile. Then Rehan narrated the story of how he had met Seher. How he had at first been shocked at how much she looked like Sanam and then how he realised she was someone else. He then told her about how they got close over the month they spent together, how they fell in love, and how he asked her to marry him. But then he found out about her past as a thief and a con, and broke up with her. Sanam was shocked. So Seher had been a Con artist, a thief? THAT was the reason she had always been so vague about what she did. No wonder she tried to cover it from her. Now she understood that comment about how "Don" was the hero of "Her kind!" Despite herself Sanam could not help her lips twisting in a small smile. A con women ha? Who would have thought? Sanam looked at Rehan.
"So I suppose you already figured out that the person who ran from the wedding was not me, but Seher! Badi Ammi found her with her dupatta burning, and managed to save her. The dupatta she was wearing at the party the night before the wedding was rigged with explosives. Begum Sahiba was trying to kill Seher. Well ME! But Badi Ammi saved her, and told her the truth. Told her who she was, and Seher came looking for me to save me from Razia's goons!"
"So that day...the wedding...ALL that happened because of Suneheri?"
Sanam saw the expression on Rehan's face, and she felt a sense of foreboding. It's true she had not resorted to the "Blame game" and blamed her sister for her predicament. But Rehan was right, most of the blame for her current issues with Aahil went to Seher. But having said that, Sanam knew that if Begum Sahiba had not tried to use the situation to bring in some random third party into the fold, SOME of the current issues would not exist. But Aahil's main issue with her was that he thought she abandoned him at the wedding. THAT issue would be there regardless of this new Sanam.
"Rehan...I know what you must be thinking...but Seher, she grew up in a difficult situation. Haya and I lost our parents, but at least we had Badi Ammi. But Seher had no one and she was alone. I suppose she learned to value only money in life. THAT is why she got manipulated by women like Razia. What she did was wrong, and I am angry with her. But when you meet your sister after 20 years, you don't focus on those things. I thought that I was the ONLY sign of Ammi and Abbu left in this world. But a few weeks ago, I found out I was wrong. My sister is there too. I can't give that up out of anger regarding the mess that has been created in my relationship. I want to save my marriage with Aahil. But I can't throw my sister out of my life either!"
"Sanam...only YOU can have such a big heart. I was always right. Tumahre jaisa koi nahin hain iss duniya main! But I have to tell you...you MUST tell Aahil bhai the truth. You have to confide in him! If not, you can never resolve the issues between you. This WHOLE thing is because he thinks you left him on your wedding day. If he finds out you didn't, then everything will be fine! I know you're used to putting others and their happiness before yours. But this is one situation where you have to think of yourself first!"
"I know what you mean Rehan...but how can I tell Aahil all this, and risk Begum Sahiba finding out about Seher? I mean...Seher and I promised Badi Ammi that we will avenge our parent's death. We can't do that if we give away the only trump card we have, which is that she doesn't know there is two of us!"
"Who else knows about this? I mean about the two of you?"
"Nayi Sanam knows!"
"WHAT? Why would you tell HER?"
"We didn't tell her. She found out. Actually, she saved Seher and I one day, when Tanveer had got poison put in our food! If not for her, both Seher and I could have died. We owe her Rehan!"
"Are you sure you can trust her? I mean...it WAS Begum Sahiba that brought her here?"
"Yes. But at this point, she is a victim too. She was not told the situation she was coming to. I feel bad for her!"
"Yes, she is worthy of pity for the pit she has been pushed to. But from now on, don't share any of your plans with her. After all, we can't expect her to feel good about you and Aahil Bhai reuniting!" Sanam nodded at Rehan in agreement. He was right, she could not confide in Nayi Sanam. She honestly could not be sure of her agenda. As Seher said, she IS her Sauten and she needs to be careful of her as well.
"Sanam...there is something I need to tell you! Something very serious! I am warning you that telling you this is very hard for me, because it could ruin our friendship for good!"
"I don't think THAT is ever possible Rehan!"
"Be careful what you say Sanam, in case you have to retract. The truth is...Begum Sahiba...Tanveer...the women who killed your parents, the women who ruined so many lives, the women who wants to destroy your marriage...she is my Mother! She gave birth to me Sanam. I am her son!"
Sanam stared at Rehan and she staggered back towards the pillar she was standing next to.
"Sanam are you OK?" said Rehan, gulping. He KNEW this would happen. He knew once he told Sanam exactly who he was, she will never see him the same way!
"That can't be..." Whispered Sanam.
"It IS Sanam. I am her son. But she never publicly acknowledged me. Because she and my father were never married. She had me and gave me to an orphanage. Then she obviously married your grandfather before landing in jail, and when she came out of jail and after the things that happened with your family...she must have met Aahil Bhai's father the Nawab sahaab and married him. She never told him about me. But she adopted me and brought me to live here. But I think he found out about me. Maybe that's why she..." Rehan could not finish the sentence. "I know what you must think of me Sanam! Why I have not said anything all this time? But she always told me that she wanted to acknowledge me, but could not because of society. I felt I owed her my silence out of loyalty. She IS my Mother after all! But I SWEAR to you Sanam...I NEVER knew she had done these horrible crimes. I didn't know she even KNEW your family. I mean when you asked her, she always said she didn't know them. That was obviously a lie. That photo in the newspaper of her with your parents...I guess I should have known then that she was lying...But...would you believe me if I said I WANTED to trust her?" Rehan said, closing his eyes.
Suddenly Rehan felt a hand on his shoulder and he opened his eyes. "Rehan" said Sanam in a soft voice. "I don't blame you. We DON'T choose our parents. You are no less in my eyes for being Begum Sahiba's son. Even AAHIL is her son. I know she didn't give birth to him, but SHE brought him up most of his life. If I can love him, then I can still care for you! Nothing has changed between us, and nothing ever will!"
"Thank you Sanam! And I am sorry. SO sorry for what happened to your family! I promise you...I will do everything in MY power, to see to it that Begum Sahiba is punished for her crimes! You have my word on that! It's the least I can do! Maybe that will be my redemption for hiding the truth about our relationship all this time!"
"Thank you Rehan!" said Sanam with a small smile. "NOW don't you think it's time you paid my sister a visit? She is in the room we found together, the one with the fake wall? Do you know that was our parent's room? She will be there right now. Please go see her!"
With that, Sanam turned and left the place. Rehan watched her walk away in awe. He had heard of people who were too good to be true, but had always wondered if they existed. But now he didn't have to wonder anymore. Sanam was an amazing person. A truly amazing and wonderful person. He was lucky to have her in his life. Suneheri was lucky to have a sister like her, and Aahil, his brother was the luckiest. She was his wife!
Rehan stood up with resolve. There was NO way that he was going to watch Sanam suffer even one more day. He decided. Enough is enough. Aahil had to know the truth. The root cause of ALL these issues is that Aahil was in the dark. About everything. Aahil didn't know the truth about Ammi, her intentions, the truth of his parentage, that Ammi was his Mother. He didn't know the truth about his Father's death. He didn't know that Sanam had never betrayed him, and that Ammi had brought in this new Sanam, ONLY to usurp Sanam from Aahil's life, NOT to save their "Izzat" as she called it. It was definitely time. Time he knew the truth. But first, he was going to have to talk to Suneheri, and resolve issues between them. THEN he would have to get her help to expose his Mother and her intentions, along with the fact that Sanam was a twin and that the person who ran from the wedding was NOT Sanam but her sister Seher. Yes it was time. Time he knew the truth.
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Rehan went up the stairs to the room that he and Sanam had discovered months ago. At the time they had both speculated as to who this room would have belonged to and why it was closed off like this? Now he knew. He was still reeling under the shock of the revelations that he had been made privy to about his Mother. But even through his shock, he had believed Sanam. Even when he didn't want to. He knew that his Mother was capable of deception. He supposed this was just another step in that direction. The way she had always plotted against Aahil and never cared for his happiness would be enough to know she was capable of anything. Sanam was right. Also, she had NEVER really cared about his feelings, or about what he really wanted in life. She had always tried to force her plans and her will down his throat, no matter what. His Mother truly was a daemon from hell, and it was up to him to make sure that she is not allowed to ruin anyone ever again.
"I promise you Ammi...I will make you sorry you ever gave birth to me!" Rehan told himself in a bitter whisper.
Rehan then knocked on the door of the room that he knew Seher was in.
"Since when have YOU started knocking Sanam? Come in... I was just..." Seher stopped short what she was saying, when she turned around and saw who was standing at the door.
"Rehan?" she said in shock. "Aap...yaha?" Seher then realised what she had said before. How she had called out for "Sanam!" She was hoping he had not heard what she said.
"Hello Suneheri!" said Rehan in a quiet voice. Seher started at him in shock! He KNEW? He knew she was Suneheri not Sanam? "Before you ask...yes I know. I know everything. Sanam told me everything! And I mean everything!"
"Rehan... Let me explain...I..." Seher started to say, when Rehan raised his hand.
"Please don't! I don't want to know WHY you thought it was OK to ruin someone's life for 2 crore! Actually not just someone, but two people. Aahil and Sanam. MY brother and sister in law! Yes I know it's a lot of money. But at the end of the day, it's just money!"
"Says someone who lives in a Badi Mehal" said Seher, looking at Rehan with a sarcastic smile. "If you know everything as you say...then you must ALSO know, that the Badi Mahel you are living in, used to belong to MY Father, to my family?"
"Yes I know Suneheri...or should I say Seher? But at the time you came to do your Con girl job, you didn't know you were looting the women who ruined your family did you?"
"Why have you come here Rehan? To lecture me? To make me feel bad about what I did? Because trust me, you don't have to say anything for me to loath myself more than I already do! Do you know what it feels like to finally meet your sister after 20 years, and then to find out that you are the reason for her tears? For her heartbreak? For the fact that the love of her life has turned his back on her? Trust me...I already hate myself! Nothing you can say can make it worse!"
Rehan looked at the expression in Seher's eyes and the barely supressed tears in them and he knew she meant what she said. Contrary to what she might think, he had not come here to lecture her. But he had to let her know that he was not pleased at the way she had behaved. But he also had his own guilt and burden to deal with.
"I am not going to judge you Suneheri. Because I also have done things I am not proud of. I have kept a truth hidden from everyone that I should not have, which has in some way contributed to the mess we are all in right now. I have already told Sanam, and it's time I told you. Sanam understands. Our relationship has not been effected. But I don't know how you will feel about it!"
Seher looked at Rehan puzzled. He then told her the truth about his birth. That Tanveer was his Mother. Seher was so shocked she sat down on the bed. The reaction was almost identical to the one given by Sanam. Rehan braced himself for the rejection he felt may come his way now. Just then Seher looked up and stared into Rehan's eyes.
"I am sorry Rehan...I don't know how you must feel? Finding out what sort of women your Mother is! But that doesn't make you a bad person! I just can't believe that a women like her, has a son like you!"
"So you don't hate me?" asked Rehan, looking at her squarely. Seher then stood up from the bed, and came to stand in front of Rehan.
"I could never hate you Rehan! Meeting you changed my life. It changed me. Before you...I only looked at the price of things? I never knew the value of anything. Aapki wajan seh muje mohobaat ka keemat patha chala! No matter what...I will always respect the love I felt for you...so No, I don't hate you!" said Seher, her eyes filled with tears.
Rehan took the few steps that separated them, and pulled her into his arms. "I will always love you too!" he said as he hugged her in a bone crushing grip. Seher too hugged him back and they held each other for a long moment. They then stepped away from each other, and Rehan looked at Seher with a serious expression.
"Now that we have found each other again...it's time to get two people we both love to find each other too!"
"Aahil and Sanam?"
"Yes. Suneheri...we have to tell Aahil the truth!" he said. Seher was about to argue with him, when he spoke up. "Hear me out...before you say anything. I told Sanam the same thing. She said she was only keeping the truth from Aahil because she was afraid Begum Sahiba will find out about you two, and you both didn't want to lose your trump card against her! But what if that doesn't have to happen?"
"What do you mean Rehan? You know Aahil worships that Daayan?... How can we tell him the truth about her?...Oh sorry!" said Seher as she realised that she had called Rehan's mother a witch!
"It's OK! It's no more than what she deserves!" said Rehan. The vehemence in his voice and the hatred in his eyes shocked Seher.
"I have a plan" said Rehan, looking at Seher.
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Aahil was sitting in the library. He was looking at his computer but he was too disturbed to actually concentrate on anything. He felt like his chest was burning. His heart was on fire. He felt like he was caught in the middle of an inferno. When will these flames stop consuming him?
He had had his lunch delivered to the library via Lateef and not left the room since Sanam had stormed in and out. He didn't want to risk running into her again in the mood he was in. Neither did he want to meet his Fake wife "Nayi Sanam!" NO. He was better off in here. He still could not believe that Sanam had asked for a divorce. She wanted to "Move on?" Get on with her life? "Well what else IS she supposed to do Aahil?" the reasonable side of him asked. Aahil winced as he remembered her words. How she will call the Maulavi Sahaab and tell him that he had married again without her consent, and that he was forcing her to stay against her will. Forcing her to accept his second marriage.
This whole thing was SO ironic really. He had always been a man that believed in women having their freedom, their choices. He had never been one of those men who imposed his will on women! He didn't believe that HE was in charge of them. He had never thought that way about Sanam. Now he had been reduced to this man who was forcing her to stay with him. Choosing her fate for her. A man with two wives! He NEVER believed in multiple wives. So in his case, this was a very unpalatable situation to be in. He didn't want two wives. He had been more than happy with the one he had. SO happy in fact, he had wanted to take his vows again. He had wanted them to have a special day. Because the first time they got married had been less than ideal for them both. But look where that landed him? SHE had walked out, and now she had the gall to accuse HIM of holding her back?
But he knew what the truth was! He couldn't let her go. The very thought of her walking out of this house was unpalatable to him. He knew when she came back, he really should have asked her to leave. That is what his Mother had wanted as well. But he had said he wanted her to stay. As an employee. Not his wife. He had said it was her punishment for leaving him. But the truth was he was punishing himself. He was watching her in front of him every day. Longing for her. Longing for the way things had been between them. Longing to see that love he used to see in her eyes. He met her eyes time and again, still looking for that love. No matter how much he denied it. He LOVED Sanam. Loved her like crazy and always would. Even if she walked out of here today and he never saw her again, he would STILL love her till his last breath. Aahil Raza Ibrahim had never fallen in love before. But when he finally had, it was forever. Aahil knew no one could ever take her place in his life. He was doomed to loneliness for the rest of his life, if Sanam left.
Aahil closed his eyes, and then he lowered his head onto his hands. Just then he heard a noise at the door. The door of the library opened and Aahil looked up. What he saw made his eyes widen and the burn in his chest blaze anew. There, standing at the door was Rehan, and holding his hand was Sanam.
"Rehan...? What the hell is this?" said Aahil, as he stood up from behind his desk. He was surprised his legs were supporting him, considering the scene in front of him.
"Aahil Bhai...there is something I need to tell you! Well something we BOTH need to tell you!"
"Rehan...I swear...just because I am standing here watching this, and not taking a swing at you, don't think I can't! How dare you walk in here holding hands with MY WIFE?"
"That's just it. This is NOT your wife Aahil Bhai!"
"WHAT? Are you on crack Rehan?" said Aahil giving him a deathly stare, and then he looked at Sanam. "Have you not told him Sanam, that I have refused you a divorce? So you bloody well ARE my wife!"
"No she is not" said Rehan in a calm and collected tone. His tone further infuriated Aahil. How can he just stand there shamelessly holding hands with his wife and telling him she was not?
"Rehan..." Aahil started to say, as he took a threatening step towards him. But Rehan stood his ground, still holding hands with Sanam.
"Aahil Bhai...Meet my GIRLFREIND! Suneheri!"
To be continued...
Hi Folks,
Ok so this part was rather long. But I have set the stage for the showdown in the next one! I am hoping to conclude the story in the next part. Do let me know what you thought of this one. Sorry this one dosent have as much Aahil. (Kind of like the show). But it was necessary to set the stage for the next part! But it has plenty of Sanam! Enjoy!
Thanks
Mandy
Previous part - Part 2 Next Part - Part 4
Edited by MrDarcyfan - 10 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
