🖤 THE CONTRACT OF SILENCE

CHAPTER 1 — THE WOMAN WHO CAME TO DESTROY HIM “Mr. Khanna, aapko mujhse milna hi padega.” Nafish reception desk ke saamne khadi thi. Receptionist ne nervous smile di. “Ma'am, Mr. Khanna bina appointment kisi se nahi milte.” “Unhe bol dijiye appointment meri zaroorat nahi hai. “Excuse me?” Nafish ne apne handbag se ek small black pen drive nikali. “Bas ye unhe de dijiye. Receptionist ne pen drive li. “Ismein kya hai? Nafish muskurayi. “Unki neend.” TWENTY MINUTES LATER Hamdullah Khanna apne cabin mein khada tha. Uske saamne wahi pen drive rakhi thi. “Who gave you this? Receptionist ne kaha— “Ek ladki. Nafish Kapoor.” Hamdullah ka expression ek second ke liye badla. “Send her in. Door khula. Nafish andar aayi. Hamdullah ne pehli nazar mein hi samajh liya— Ye ladki job ke liye nahi aayi thi. “Sit.” Nafish nahi baithi. “Pehle pen drive dekhiye. Hamdullah ne usse dekha. “Tum mujhe order kar rahi ho? “Ji. “Interesting. Usne pen drive laptop mein lagayi. Screen par ek audio file open hui. Recording start hui. Ek aadmi ki ghabrayi hui awaaz sunai di— “Agar mere saath kuch hua… toh Hamdullah Khanna ko zimmedar mat samajhna.” Nafish ki saansen ruk gayin. Hamdullah bilkul still tha. Recording continue hui— “Asli problem Khanna nahi… uske aas-paas ka koi hai.” Phir recording suddenly cut ho gayi. Silence. Nafish ne dheere se kaha— “Woh mere bhai ki awaaz thi. Hamdullah ne laptop band kar diya. Tum kya chahti ho? Sach. “Sach tumhe pasand nahi aayega. “Try me. Hamdullah uske saamne aakar khada ho gaya. “Tumhe lagta hai maine tumhare bhai ko maara? Nafish ne seedha jawab diya Main sure nahi hoon. Good.” Lekin main ye zaroor jaanti hoon ki aap kuch chhupa rahe hain. Hamdullah ki aankhein thandi ho gayin. “Tum mere baare mein investigation kar rahi thi.” Teen saal se. Tumhari himmat kaafi dangerous hai. Thank you. Compliment nahi tha. Phir bhi accept kar leti hoon. Hamdullah ke lips par ek faint smile aayi. Tumhe pata hai tum kis game mein aa chuki ho? Nafish ne kaha— “Game aapne start nahi kiya. Hamdullah ki smile gayab ho gayi. Correct. Woh uske bilkul kareeb aaya. “Tumhare bhai ki death se pehle… Usne pause kiya. “…usne mujhe ek message bheja tha. Nafish ki aankhein phail gayin. What message? Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha— Protect my sister.” Nafish ka dil zor se dhadka. “Mere bhai ne… aapko?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because he knew…” Hamdullah ki nazar Nafish par tik gayi. “…ki agla target tum hogi.”CHAPTER 2 — THE CONTRACT Nafish ne turant kaha— Main aapki protection nahi chahti. Good. Good? Because main tumhe protection offer nahi kar raha. “Then? Hamdullah ne ek document table par rakha. Contract. Nafish ne pages dekhe. “What's this? “Tum meri company mein kaam karogi. “Why?” “Because jis aadmi ne tumhare bhai ko maara…” Hamdullah ki awaaz dangerous ho gayi. “…woh meri company ke andar hai. Nafish chup ho gayi. Tum usse dhoondhna chahti ho?” Yes. “Main bhi. “Then why contract? Hamdullah ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Because agar tum mere rules follow nahi karogi… Woh ek second ruka. “…tum zinda nahi rahogi. Nafish ne pen uthaya. “Rules kya hain?” “Rule number one—mere bina kisi par trust nahi. “Rule number two? “Raat ke baad akeli bahar nahi jaogi. “Rule number three? Hamdullah ne uski taraf dekha. “Mujhse jhoot nahi bologi. Nafish ne pen table par rakh diya. “Ek rule mera bhi hai. “What's that? “Main aapse kabhi nahi darungi. Hamdullah ki aankhon mein strange amusement aaya. “Let's see.” CHAPTER 3 — THE FIRST BETRAYAL Nafish ko Khanna Empire mein aaye sirf paanch din hue the. Aur usse ek pattern mil gaya. Har baar jab company ka koi confidential document leak hota… Ek particular employee usse pehle access karta tha. Nafish ne information copy kar li. Lekin jaise hi woh server room se bahar nikli— Lights off. Door lock. Darkness. “Damn… Uska phone bhi suddenly dead ho gaya. Phir darkness mein kisi ne kaha— “Tumhe apne bhai ki tarah marna hai? Nafish freeze ho gayi. “Who are you? “Tum sach ke bahut kareeb aa gayi ho.” “Come out.” “Tumhe Hamdullah par trust nahi karna chahiye. Nafish ne teeth clench kiye. “Ye line mujhe bahut log bol chuke hain. Suddenly emergency lights on hui. Hamdullah saamne khada tha. “Enough.” Unknown man bhaagne laga. Hamdullah ne uska collar pakad liya. “Who sent you? Man chup raha. Hamdullah ne Nafish ki taraf dekha. Are you okay? Nafish ne head nod kiya. “I'm fine.” Hamdullah ne uske haath dekhe. Tumhare haath kaanp rahe hain. Fear nahi hai. “Then?” Nafish ne uski aankhon mein dekha. Anger. Hamdullah dheere se muskuraya. “Good.”CHAPTER 4 — THE SECRET HE HID Us raat Nafish ko Hamdullah ke study room mein ek old photograph mili. Photograph mein uska bhai tha. Aur uske saath Hamdullah. Nafish ka chehra badal gaya. “Tum dono ek doosre ko jaante the… Peeche se Hamdullah ki awaaz aayi “Tumhe ye nahi dekhna chahiye tha. Nafish palti. “Kitne saal se jaante the mere bhai ko? “Seven.” “Then why did you lie? “Because your brother asked me to. “Why?” Hamdullah chup raha. Nafish ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. “Tumne mere bhai se kya promise kiya tha? Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha— “Ki agar kabhi uski behen sach ke peeche aaye…” Woh Nafish ke saamne ruk gaya. “…toh main use sach tak pahunchne se nahi rokunga.” Nafish ne dheere se poocha— “Even if the truth destroys me?” Hamdullah ki aankhon mein pehli baar pain tha. “Even then.” CHAPTER 5 — THE REAL ENEMY Nafish ne finally encrypted files unlock kar li. Screen par ek naam flash hua. KHANNA EMPIRE — INTERNAL PROJECT 17 Aur neeche— AUTHORIZED BY: HAMDULLAH KHANNA Nafish ka chehra safed pad gaya. “Impossible…” Door khula. Hamdullah andar aaya. Nafish ne laptop uski taraf ghuma diya. “Explain this.” Hamdullah ne screen dekhi. Uska expression change ho gaya. “Where did you get this?” “Answer me!” “It's fake.” “Your signature is on it!” Hamdullah ne laptop band kiya. “Nafish, listen to me.” “Don't touch me.” Woh peeche hati. “Three years…” Uski awaaz toot rahi thi. “Three years I've been searching for my brother's killer.” Hamdullah chup raha. “And maybe…” Nafish ki aankhon se aansu gir gaya. “…the person I've been trusting was standing in front of me all along.” Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha—“You were never supposed to trust me.” Nafish ne uski taraf dekha. “Then why did you protect me?” Hamdullah ne jawab diya— “Because I wasn't protecting you from the killer.” Pause. “I was protecting you from me.” CHAPTER 6 — THE TRUTH Nafish ne usse dekha. “Meaning?” Hamdullah ki eyes dark ho gayin. “Tumhare bhai ne jo secret discover kiya tha…” “What's the secret?” “Woh mere father ke against evidence tha.” Nafish stunned. “Your father?” “Yes.” “Then why didn't you tell me?” “Because my father is still alive.” Nafish ki heartbeat suddenly fast ho gayi. “And he's looking for you.” Silence. Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha— “Not me.” Nafish ki taraf dekhte hue— “Tum.” Suddenly penthouse ki lights off ho gayin. Gunshot. BANG! Glass shattered. Hamdullah instantly Nafish ke saamne aa gaya. “DOWN!” Usne Nafish ko floor par pull kiya. Doosri bullet wall mein lagi. Hamdullah ne gun nikali. Nafish ne trembling voice mein poocha Who is shooting? Hamdullah ne window ki taraf dekha. Phir dheere se kaha— “The man who killed your brother. TO BE CONTINUED Aage: Nafish ko pata chalega ki uske bhai ki death ke peeche sirf ek killer nahi, balki ek poora secret network hai. Hamdullah ka past bhi khulega—and Nafish ko decide karna hoga ki woh us aadmi par trust kare jiske khilaaf uske paas sabse bada evidence hai.CHAPTER 7—THE MAN BEHIND THE GLASS “Down! Hamdullah ne Nafish ka haath pakda aur use floor ke peeche kheench liya. Ek aur bullet window ke glass ko cheer kar andar aayi. CRACK! Nafish ne apna muh cover kar liya. “Hamdullah… “Shhh.” Usne finger lips par rakhi. “Shooter kitni door hai?Nafish ne dheere se poocha. “Far enough. “Tumhe kaise pata? “Because agar woh paas hota Hamdullah ne apni gun load ki. toh ab tak hum dono dead hote. Nafish ne uski taraf dekha. “Tum bilkul calm ho. “I'm not.” “Phir? Hamdullah ki nazar us par ruki. “Main gussa hoon. “Why? “Because someone just tried to kill you. Achanak Hamdullah ka phone vibrate hua. Unknown number. Usne call receive ki. “Hello? Doosri taraf kuch seconds silence raha. Phir ek distorted voice boli “You should have let her die three years ago.” Hamdullah ki jaw tighten ho gayi. “Who are you? “Someone who knows what you did. Call cut. Nafish ne dheere se poocha— “Usne kya kaha?” Hamdullah ne phone pocket mein rakh diya. “Nothing.” Nafish ki aankhon mein irritation aa gayi. “Tum har baar mujhse kuch chhupa lete ho. “Because some truths are dangerous. “Maybe I can handle them.” Hamdullah uske kareeb aaya. “I'm not worried about whether you can handle them. “Then?” Usne dheere se kaha “I'm worried about what they'll do to you. CHAPTER 8 — THE OLD HOUSE Agli subah Nafish ne ek decision liya. “Main apne bhai ke old house ja rahi hoon. Hamdullah ne laptop se nazar uthayi. “No.” “Tum mujhe rok nahi sakte. “I can.” “Boss ho, jailer nahi.” Hamdullah chair se utha. “Fine.” Nafish surprised hui. “Fine?” “I'll come with you.” “Main akeli ja sakti hoon. “Exactly why I'm coming.” Do ghante baad dono ek purane bungalow ke saamne khade the. Nafish ne rusty gate ko touch kiya. “Yahan mera bhai last baar aaya tha. Hamdullah chup raha. “Tum pehle bhi yahan aaye ho? “Yes. Nafish ne uski taraf dekha “Kitni baar? Hamdullah ne jawab nahi diya. “Kitni baar, Hamdullah?” “Three.” “Why?” “Your brother called me here. Nafish ka expression badal gaya. “And what happened? Hamdullah ne bungalow ki taraf dekha. “He told me someone was following him. “Who? “Your father. Nafish freeze ho gayi “My father? Hamdullah ne slowly nod kiya. “Tumhare bhai ko lagta tha tumhare father ka connection Project 17 se tha Nafish ne head shake kiya. “That's impossible. “Truth usually sounds impossible before it destroys you.CHAPTER 9 — THE HIDDEN ROOM Bungalow ke andar sab kuch dust se covered tha. Nafish old study room mein gayi. Usne bookshelf move ki. Click. Ek hidden door open hua. Hamdullah turant alert ho gaya. “Stay behind me.” “Why?” “Because we don't know what's inside.” Nafish ne flashlight on ki. Room ke andar dozens of files thi. Photos. Documents. Bank records. Aur ek wall par… Nafish ki photographs. School. College. Office. Even uski daily routine. Nafish ka blood freeze ho gaya. “Ye…” Hamdullah ne wall dekhi. Uska face dark ho gaya. “Someone has been watching you for years.” Nafish ne ek photograph uthayi. Photo ke peeche date likhi thi. Three days before her brother's death. “Who took these?” Hamdullah ne ek file kholi. Usmein sirf ek symbol tha— A BLACK CROWN. Hamdullah ki eyes suddenly change ho gayin. Nafish ne notice kiya. “Tum is symbol ko jaante ho.” Hamdullah silent raha. “Hamdullah.” “It's called Black Crown.” “Who are they?” “An organization.” “Criminal?” “Worse.” “Then what? Hamdullah ne file close kar di. “They don't kill people for money. Nafish ne poocha— “Then why?” Hamdullah ne uski taraf dekha. “They kill people who know the truth.” CHAPTER 10 — TOO CLOSE Raat ho chuki thi. Bungalow ke bahar security guards khade the. Nafish balcony mein khadi thi. Hamdullah coffee lekar aaya. “Take it.” “Thanks.” Dono kuch seconds silent rahe. Nafish ne cup dekha. “Tum coffee mein sugar nahi lete?” “No.” “Of course.” “What?” “Tumhari personality jaisi.” Hamdullah ne eyebrow raise ki. “Bitter?” “Very.” Hamdullah halki si smile kar gaya. “Tum phir bhi mere saath coffee pee rahi ho.” Nafish ne uski taraf dekha. “Maybe I'm getting used to it.” “Dangerous habit.” “Maybe I like dangerous things.” Hamdullah ki eyes suddenly serious ho gayin. “Don't say that.” “Why?” “Because you don't know what you're saying.” Nafish ek step kareeb aayi. “Then tell me.” Hamdullah ne cup table par rakha. “Tumhe mujhse door rehna chahiye.” “Why?” “Because I don't know how to keep people safe once I start caring about them.” Nafish ka heart skip hua. “Do you care about me?” Hamdullah ne uski aankhon mein dekha. Long silence. “More than I should.” Nafish ki heartbeat fast ho gayi. “Then maybe…” Woh dheere se boli— “…you shouldn't keep me away.” Hamdullah ne uska face gently hold kiya. “Don't tempt me.” “Maybe I am.” Dono ke beech distance almost khatam ho gaya. Lekin tabhi— BANG! Bungalow ke bahar explosion hua. Hamdullah ne instantly Nafish ko apni arms mein cover kar liya. “Stay with me!” Smoke poore room mein bhar gaya. Aur darkness mein kisi ne kaha— “Nafish Kapoor… finally.” Hamdullah ne gun raise ki. “Show yourself.” Ek shadow doorway par khadi thi. “Tum mujhe jaante ho, Hamdullah.” Hamdullah ka face suddenly pale ho gaya. Nafish ne uski taraf dekha. “Who is he?” Shadow ne slowly face reveal kiya. Nafish ki saansen ruk gayin. “Tumhara bhai mujhe jaanta tha.” Hamdullah whispered— “Impossible…” Man smiled. “Not impossible.” He looked at Nafish. “Because I'm the man your brother thought was dead.” CHAPTER 11 — THE DEAD MAN Nafish ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. “Tum… mere bhai ko jaante ho?” “Bahut achhe se.” “Where is he?” Man smiled sadly. “Woh nahi raha.” Nafish ka face crumble ho gaya. “Then who are you?” “Adil.” Hamdullah ki gun uski taraf pointed thi. “Adil, tum zinda kaise ho?” Adil laughed. “Tumne bhi toh apni death fake ki thi.” Nafish ne Hamdullah ki taraf dekha. “Tumne…?” Hamdullah silent. Adil ne kaha— “Tumhe sach chahiye tha na, Nafish?” Woh ek file uski taraf throw karta hai. “Read it.” Nafish ne file kholi. First page par likha tha— PROJECT 17 — ORIGINAL MEMBERS Usmein teen names the. Hamdullah Khanna. Adil Khan. Nafish's brother. Nafish ne Hamdullah ki taraf dekha. “Tum teeno saath the?” Hamdullah ne aankhein band kar li. “Once.” “Then why did my brother die?” Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha— “Because one of us betrayed the other two.” Adil smiled. “Exactly.” Nafish ne poocha— “Who?” Adil ne Hamdullah ki taraf dekha. “That's what she needs to ask.” CHAPTER 12 — THE CHOICE Nafish Hamdullah ke saamne khadi thi. “Tell me the truth.” Hamdullah ne kuch nahi kaha. “Abhi.” Silence. “Was it you?” Hamdullah ki aankhon mein pain tha. “No.” “Then who?” “Your brother knew.” “Where is the evidence?” “Destroyed.” “Liar.” Nafish ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye. “Main tum par trust karna chahti hoon.” Hamdullah ka expression break ho gaya. “But every time I do…” Woh ruk gayi. “…you give me another reason not to.” Hamdullah dheere se uske paas aaya. “Then don't trust me.” Nafish ne uski taraf dekha. “What?” “Trust your instincts.” “Tum kya karoge?” Hamdullah ne apni gun table par rakhi. “Jo tum chaho.” “Even if I leave?” “Yes.” “Even if I hate you?” Hamdullah ki eyes moist ho gayin. “Even then.” Nafish ne dheere se poocha— “And if I stay?” Hamdullah ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Then I promise…” Woh ek second ruka. “…is baar tumhe koi mujhse cheen nahi payega.” Door ke bahar ek gunshot ki awaaz hui. BANG! Hamdullah ne Nafish ko apne peeche kar diya. Aur floor par ek envelope gira. Us envelope par sirf ek naam likha tha— NAFISH Nafish ne envelope ki taraf dekha. Hamdullah ne slowly kaha— “Don't open it.” Nafish ne envelope uthaya. “Why?” Hamdullah ki awaaz almost whisper thi— “Because I think it contains the truth about your birth.” TO BE CONTINUED…CHAPTER 13 — THE NAME INSIDE THE ENVELOPE Nafish ke haath mein envelope tha. Hamdullah usse rok raha tha. “Don't open it.” Nafish ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Ab main aur kitne secrets se bhaagun?” “Ye secret tumhari zindagi badal dega.” “Already badal chuki hai.” Usne envelope khol diya. Andar ek old birth certificate tha. Nafish ne naam padha. Uski saansen ruk gayin. Mother: Unknown. Father: Unknown. Aur neeche ek handwritten note tha— “Nafish Kapoor was never meant to carry the Kapoor name.” Nafish ke haath kaanp gaye. “What does this mean?” Hamdullah ne certificate dekha. Uska face completely change ho gaya. “Where did you get this?” Nafish ne note uski taraf kiya. “Tum mujhe batao.” Hamdullah ne jawab nahi diya. Tabhi peeche se Adil ki awaaz aayi— “Because your real father is still alive.” Nafish dheere se palti. “Who?” Adil ne sirf ek naam kaha— “Raza Khanna.” Nafish ki nazar Hamdullah par jam gayi. “Khanna?” Hamdullah silent raha. Nafish ne whisper kiya— “Tumhare father?” Hamdullah ne aankhein band kar li. “Yes.” CHAPTER 14 — THE TRUTH HURTS Nafish peeche hat gayi. “No.” Hamdullah ne kuch kehna chaha. “Nafish—” “Don't.” “Listen to me.” “Your father is my father?” “No.” “Then why is my name on his records?” Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha— “Because your mother worked for him.” “That's not an answer.” “It's the only answer I have.” Nafish ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. “Tum teen saal se jaante the?” “No.” “Then when did you find out?” “Tonight.” Nafish ne usse dekha. For the first time, she believed him. Lekin usi waqt— Adil ne gun nikali. “Enough family drama.” Hamdullah instantly Nafish ke saamne aa gaya. “Put it down.” Adil smiled. “I'm not here for you.” Gun Nafish ki taraf point hui. Hamdullah ne Nafish ko peeche push kiya. BANG! Bullet Hamdullah ke shoulder ko graze karti hui nikal gayi. “Hamdullah!” Woh ek second ke liye ladkhadaya. Nafish uske paas bhaagi. “Are you okay?” “I'm fine.” “Tum bleeding kar rahe ho!” Hamdullah ne uska haath pakda. “Run.” “Not without you.” “Nafish—” “Shut up.” Usne uska arm apne shoulder par rakha. “Ab main tumhe akela nahi chhodungi.” Hamdullah ne pain ke beech halki si smile ki. “Bad decision.” “Maybe.” “Definitely.” CHAPTER 15 — THE SAFE HOUSE Do ghante baad. Ek isolated safe house. Nafish Hamdullah ke shoulder par bandage kar rahi thi. “Ye dard ho raha hai?” Hamdullah ne uski taraf dekha. “Not much.” “Jhoot.” “Tum doctor ho?” “No.” “Then?” “Tumhara face bata raha hai.” Hamdullah chup ho gaya. Nafish bandage tight karte hue boli— “Pain ho toh bolo.” “I've survived worse.” “Lekin mujhe tumhe hurt hota dekhna pasand nahi.” Hamdullah ne uska haath pakad liya. Nafish freeze ho gayi. “Repeat that.” “Nothing.” “Tumne suna.” “Forget it.” Hamdullah ki grip dheere se loose hui. “Tumhe pata hai sabse dangerous kya hai?” Nafish ne poocha— “What?” “Tum.” “Me?” “Tum mujhe mere rules bhulwa rahi ho.” Nafish ne halki smile di. “Maybe rules break hone ke liye hote hain.” Hamdullah uske kareeb jhuk gaya. “Har rule nahi.” “Kaunsa rule?” “Ye wala.” “Which one?” “Tumse door rehne wala.” Nafish ka heart skip hua. Lekin kiss se pehle… Phone ring hua. Hamdullah ne call receive ki. “Sir…” Bodyguard ki awaaz thi. “Adil missing hai.” Hamdullah ka expression instantly serious ho gaya. “Find him.” “Sir, ek aur problem hai.” “What?” “Raza Khanna has disappeared.” Hamdullah ki aankhon mein darkness aa gayi. CHAPTER 16 — THE MAN THEY FEARED Subah ke 5 baje. Nafish ki aankh khuli. Room empty tha. “Hamdullah?” Koi jawab nahi. Table par ek note tha. “Stay here. Don't follow me.” Nafish ne note crush kar diya. “Of course.” Woh safe house se bahar nikli. Dus minute baad usne Hamdullah ko ek abandoned warehouse ke bahar dekha. Wahan Raza Khanna khada tha. Nafish chupke se paas gayi. “Tum yahan kyun aaye?” Hamdullah ne palat kar dekha. “Nafish?” Raza ne smile ki. “So this is the girl.” Nafish ne use dekha. “Are you my father?” Raza ka smile aur wide ho gaya. “Blood doesn't decide family.” Nafish ka face cold ho gaya. “Answer me.” Raza ne kaha— “No.” Nafish confused ho gayi. “Then why did you put your name on my records?” Raza ne Hamdullah ki taraf dekha. “Ask him.” Nafish ne Hamdullah ko dekha. “Tell me.” Hamdullah silent raha. Raza laughed. “Still protecting her?” “Shut up.” “Three years ago you promised her brother you'd keep her alive.” Raza ki smile disappear ho gayi. “But you never told her…” He paused. “…that you were the reason her brother died.” Nafish froze. Her eyes went straight to Hamdullah. “Is that true?” Hamdullah didn't answer. And that silence was enough. CHAPTER 17 — THE BREAKING POINT Nafish slowly stepped back. “Tumne…” Her voice broke. “Tumne mere bhai ko maara?” “No.” “Then why can't you say it?” “Because the truth is worse.” “What truth?” Hamdullah looked at her. “I was there.” Nafish's eyes filled with tears. “On the night he died?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because he called me.” “Then what happened?” “He gave me something.” “What?” “A recording.” Nafish whispered— “Which recording?” “The one you brought to my office.” Silence. Nafish suddenly understood. “You already had it.” “Yes.” “Then the pen drive…” “Was a trap.” Nafish's heart shattered. “You knew everything.” “Not everything.” “Enough.” She turned around. “Nafish.” “Don't follow me.” “I can't let you go.” She turned back. “Why?” Hamdullah's eyes were full of pain. “Because I love you.” Nafish froze. Raza silently watched them. Hamdullah continued— “I didn't plan it.” “I didn't want it.” “But somewhere between protecting you…” He took a breath. “…and losing you…” “I fell in love with you.” Nafish couldn't speak. Then a gunshot echoed. Raza fell. Hamdullah immediately pulled Nafish behind him. “Who fired?” A voice came from the darkness. “Me.” Adil stepped out. And he wasn't alone. CHAPTER 18 — THE REAL ENEMY Adil ke peeche chaar armed men khade the. Hamdullah ne Nafish ka haath pakda. “Stay behind me.” Nafish ne gun uthayi. “No.” Hamdullah looked at her. “You know how to use that?” Nafish ne safety release ki. “Learned.” Hamdullah almost smiled. “Of course you did.” Adil laughed. “You two are unbelievable.” Nafish ne poocha— “Why are you doing this?” Adil's expression changed. “Because your brother betrayed us.” “My brother?” “He stole Project 17.” “What was Project 17?” Adil looked at Hamdullah. “Tell her.” Hamdullah remained silent. Adil shouted— “TELL HER!” Hamdullah finally spoke. “Project 17 wasn't a business project.” Nafish waited. “It was a surveillance network.” “Surveillance?” “Governments. Corporations. Politicians.” Nafish's face went pale. “And my brother discovered it? “Yes. “Then why was he killed?” Hamdullah looked at Adil. “Because he wanted to expose it.” Adil smiled. “And Hamdullah wanted to destroy it. Nafish looked between them. “Then who's the villain? Neither answered. Suddenly Raza, who everyone thought was dead, slowly stood up. He wiped blood from his mouth. “Neither of them.” Everyone turned. Raza looked directly at Nafish. “The villain… He smiled. “…is the person who raised you.” Nafish's face went blank. “Who?” Raza pointed toward the entrance. A woman stepped out of the shadows. Nafish's breath stopped. She knew that face. She had seen it every day since childhood. Her mother. But her mother had been dead for fifteen years. The woman smiled. “Hello, Nafish.” “Mom…?” Hamdullah stared at the woman in disbelief. And the woman calmly said— “It's time you finally learned why you were never supposed to exist.” TO BE CONTINUED…CHAPTER 19 — THE WOMAN WHO WAS DEAD Nafish ki aankhein us aurat par jam gayin. Wahi aankhein. Wahi chehra. Wahi awaaz Jo usne bachpan se sirf photographs aur memories mein suni thi. “Mom…? Aurat ne halki si smile ki. “Tum mujhe pehchaan gayi. Nafish ki aankhon se aansu girne lage. “Lekin… aap toh mar chuki thi. “Sabko yahi believe karna tha.” Nafish ek kadam aage badhi. Hamdullah ne uska haath pakad liya. “Don't. Nafish ne uska haath hata diya. “Woh meri mother hain.” Hamdullah ki awaaz serious thi. “Maybe. But she's dangerous. Aurat ne Hamdullah ko dekha. “Tum bilkul apne father jaise ho. Hamdullah ka face hard ho gaya. “Don't mention him.” “Tum ab bhi gusse mein ho. “Tumne meri family destroy ki.” Aurat ki smile gayab ho gayi. “Tumhari family ne pehle mujhe destroy kiya tha.” Nafish beech mein boli “Enough!” Sab chup ho gaye. “Main sirf ek answer chahti hoon. Usne apni mother ko dekha. “Main kaun hoon?” Aurat ne dheere se kaha “Tum Nafish Kapoor nahi ho.” Silence. “Tumhara asli naam… Usne ek pause liya. “…Nafish Raiz hai. Hamdullah ka chehra safed pad gaya. “Raiz? Aurat ne uski taraf dekha. “Tumhare father ka secret sirf Project 17 nahi tha.” Nafish confused thi. “Then? “Tum uski sabse badi galti “Tumhe pata hai?” Hamdullah ne dheere se kaha “Yes.” “Then tell me. “Not here.” “Why?” Hamdullah ne room ke corner ki taraf dekha. “Because we're not alone.? "Sab ekdum silent ho gaye." Nafish ne dheere se poocha Kiya matlab hai “Meaning?” Hamdullah ne apni watch activate ki. Room ke andar ek tiny red light blink kar rahi thi. Recording device. Nafish ka chehra pale pad gaya. “Kisi ne humein record kiya? Hamdullah ne device tod diya. “Someone has been listening to us from the beginning.” Aurat ne dheere se kaha “Not someone.” Hamdullah ne uski taaraf dekha. “Then who?” Aurat ne sirf ek naam liya “Adil.” Nafish ka chehra badal gaya." “Adil toh hamare saath tha! Aurat ne hand shake kiya." Wahi toh problem hai. TO BE CONTINUED…....