Bound By His Secret

"La la la la la…” Zahabia hummed joyfully as she danced her way down the staircase, her long braid swaying with every step. The kitchen smelled divine. Her eyes widened as she spotted a variety of dishes placed neatly on the counter. She looked around curiously, and there—dressed in an apron and humming to herself—stood her bhabhi, Danya. “Hm… looks like big brother is coming home today,” Zahabia said with a mischievous smile, biting into an apple and hopping up to sit on the counter slab. Danya blushed instantly, and Zahabia couldn’t help herself. She broke into a dramatic melody, her voice teasing: "Without my beloved, I carry a thousand pains inside me..." "Without my beautiful one, without my love, My life feels worthless, empty... A heart full of sorrow, a soul aching for him..." "Oh Farida, what should I do? I’m like a lone bird, separated from its flock..." And as Bulleh Shah once said: 'My beloved has returned home—oh, how my world shines red with love.'" Danya giggled, cheeks flushed deep pink. She playfully smacked Zahabia’s arm. Just then, their mother entered the kitchen, arms crossed. “What’s going on here?” “Nothing, mami. Azlan is coming today. And instead of helping me, Zahabia is doing what she does best—being a pain!” Danya complained with a pout. “When will you ever grow up?” her mother sighed, grabbing Zahabia gently by the ear. “Oh come on! I’m great for all the fun stuff,” Zahabia grinned cheekily, saluting her mother. “Fine, I’ll go check if everything’s ready for bhai.” With a dramatic spin, she walked out. Danya was her phupho’s (paternal aunt’s) younger daughter. Azlan had once been engaged to Danya’s older sister—but on the day of their wedding, the bride ran away with another man... and never returned. The first few months were difficult. Azlan had loved her. Truly. But time did what it always does—it gave them both a second chance. He eventually opened his heart to Danya. Now they were living the life they deserved, blessed with peace and a daughter named Faisha—a little bundle of joy who was both her father’s princess and her aunt Zahabia’s partner-in-crime. Spoiled by both, Faisha ruled the house like a tiny queen. Elhaan Shah “Hey brother, how are you?” Azlan's voice rang through the line. “I’m good. You tell me,” Elhaan replied calmly. “Man... things are complicated. Where are you right now?” “Just got back today. I’ll drop by tonight.” He ended the call and drove straight to his farmhouse. Parking the car, he stepped inside—only to freeze. There she was. The woman from that night. Flashback “I... I love you so much. Don’t do this to me,” Elhaan cried, voice breaking. “We promised to live and die together... how could you just walk away?” “Why should I stay with you? What do you even have?” she snapped. “You betrayed me first. You roam around in Azlan Nawab Khan’s cars, live in his mansion... and you don’t even have a roof of your own. A poor, worthless man.” She walked away, leaving him broken in the dark. He collapsed in the street, tears streaming down his face. That night, in a state of drunken agony, he found himself in a kotha. He wasn’t in his senses. And in that haze, he spent the night with a woman. The next morning, guilt hit like a hammer. Furious with himself, he shoved a thick wad of cash into the woman’s hands and warned her, “Never show me your face again.” From that day on, he never drank again. Never returned to that life. Flashback ends “Oh, what a blessed fate—Shah Jee has returned,” the same woman cooed with a seductive smile. She stepped forward. Elhaan immediately took a step back, his eyes blazing. “I warned you—don’t ever show me your face again! What are you doing here?!” “Oh Shah Jee... what’s the hurry? We have the whole night to explain everything,” she purred. “Don’t you dare come closer!” he snapped. “Bakhtu! Shams! Where the hell are both of you?!” “Y-Yes, Shah Jee!” The two servants stumbled in. “How the hell did she get inside? If she ever steps foot in here again, kill her. THROW her out!” he barked, storming away. He arrived at his haveli—his pride, his palace, built with blood, pain, and patience. The moment he walked in, warmth surrounded him. Hugs from his mother, father, siblings... But when his cousin—the one who once rejected him—approached, Elhaan averted his gaze and quietly walked past her, disappearing into his room. Later, they dined together as a family, but his heart remained distant. As soon as the meal ended, he left again—this time, to meet the only person who understood the weight of secrets. Azlan. Not just his friend. His mafia partner.