Until Death

On May 5, 2003, around 6:30 PM, a gray Rolls-Royce was transporting Ahmed KHAN and Mohammad SIDDIQUI to the splendid KHAN family villa. Ahmed sat comfortably in this luxury car, silent but gazing out of the window at passing cars. " Ahmed ! Can you imagine how fortunate you are to have parents who genuinely care about your happiness ? " asked Mohammad, looking at his best friend. " Your father, especially, will be happy to see you again. According to rumors, he's eager to introduce you to the Indian Prime Minister," Mohammad added, tapping on his smartphone. Ahmed quickly turned his gaze to his friend and widened his eyes. " What did you just say? " " It's completely absurd. Besides, I didn't come back to India to meet a politician. I wish I hadn't left London," Then, he sighed thoughtfully, still looking at Mohammad. " Honestly, I hate being in Mumbai. It's a beautiful city, but I'm not at all happy about my return," he concluded. Mohammad furrowed his brows slightly. " Don't be foolish, Ahmed ! You're the sole heir of a very important family, which means you need to get used to meeting politicians from India and beyond." " Furthermore, you know very well that over 50% of your family's wealth is tied to politics, and your father wants to ensure that you can manage this family legacy well after his passing," he concluded. Not wanting to continue the conversation with his best friend, Ahmed silently closed his eyes, hoping he would fall asleep before reaching their destination. Indeed, Ahmed Khan is the only son of the most powerful and wealthiest family in Asia. At the age of 22, he is very intelligent, which has already made him a highly successful young businessman. In addition to the qualities that make him an extraordinary person, Ahmed is also very charming. Despite his young age, several married and unmarried women have tried to have intimate relationships with him, but Ahmed has always managed to push them away. His only flaw is that he is very arrogant towards women, except for his mother. In contrast, Mohammad Siddiqui has a strong weakness for women, but his humility has helped him become the chief advisor to patriarch Ali Khan, Ahmed's father. Suddenly, the Rolls-Royce engine roared. " Damn ! Not now," muttered the driver. " What's going on ? " Mohammad immediately asked upon seeing the driver's grim expression. " It's nothing serious, sir. It seems there's a minor issue with the engine. But don't worry, everything will be fine," the driver replied confidently. Just as he finished speaking, a loud metallic noise echoed, and the car came to an abrupt stop near the curb. Ahmed burst into laughter. " Clearly, we have reason to worry," he declared, mocking the driver's earlier words. " However, I don't think I can wait for the car to be repaired. I'll have to take a taxi," he added, then quickly opened the car door without paying it much attention. At that very moment, a young and lovely woman approached the Rolls-Royce from the outside, unaware of its presence. She was walking slowly and playing with her phone. Unaware, Ahmed suddenly opened the car door, and the impact knocked the young woman over. She lost her balance and stumbled, spilling all her belongings onto the sidewalk. " Damn ! " Ahmed quickly exclaimed as he got out of the car. " You must be more careful where you're going now. It'll spare you from such a situation," he added, looking mischievously at the young woman. Then, he glanced at his watch and walked away, quickly hailing a taxi. However, the young woman's face turned red with anger, and she clenched her fists, not one to be easily ignored. So, she quickly got up and shouted at Ahmed. " Hey, you ! Jerk, didn't you see me on the ground ? Don't you want to apologize for bumping into me? " Ahmed immediately stopped and turned towards the young woman, looking rather irritated. " Listen... I'm sorry ! It was just an accident, and it's inappropriate for you to yell at me or insult me over it," he replied curtly. " So, I guess you're happy now that I've apologized, right ? But I don't have much time to talk," he continued. The young woman was very angry as she approached Ahmed even closer, casting him a furious glance. " Who do you think you are to treat me like this ? You think you're so superior, but you're incredibly rude. Never dare to speak to me like that again. Do you understand ? " she immediately retorted. At that very moment, Mohammed was still inside the Rolls-Royce, talking on the phone. Suddenly, he had to end his conversation to join Ahmed and the young woman. Once by their side, he naturally raised his hands to calm the tense atmosphere. " Hey, calm down and take a deep breath, please," he kindly said in a soft yet confident voice. Then, he turned to Ahmed with a concerned expression and asked, " What's going on here? " Ahmed, still seething with anger at this unexpected situation, cast a furious glance at Mohammed. " Look at this rude young lady ! " he exclaimed. " Who does she think she is to dare to reprimand me ? Does she even know who I am ? " he added, his tone heavy with anger. Mohammed, known for his calm and diplomatic nature, sighed deeply. "Ahmed, please, calm down," he said. Then, he turned to the young woman and spoke in a soothing voice. " Miss, on behalf of my friend, I want to apologize if you were offended in any way. His day has been particularly stressful." The young woman's anger began to slightly subside as she looked at Mohammed, who showed genuine concern. " No matter how stressful his day has been, it doesn't give him the right to be rude," she replied again. She then gave one last determined look to Ahmed. " I hope you'll think twice before offending someone in the future. Have a nice day," she said firmly before turning around and walking away. As soon as she walked away, Mohammed burst into laughter. " She's got character ! " he exclaimed, pointing towards the young woman. Ahmed shot him an exasperated look. " What did you say ? " Mohammed laughed again, " I was saying it's the first time I've seen a woman stand up to you like that." " She really isn't afraid of you, and she speaks her mind freely. I must admit her personality impresses me," he added. " No ! She was completely impolite ! " grumbled Ahmed. Mohammed shrugged while trying to ease Ahmed's irritation a bit. " At least acknowledge that it was impressive to see someone who doesn't bend to your every whim." " Plus, she's quite attractive," Mohammed joked, winking at him conspiratorially. Ahmed furrowed his brows, although his irritation seemed to subside. " I don't have time for such temptations. I need to get home quickly." Then he turned around and continued walking to a crossroads to catch a taxi. " I won't let that impolite young lady get away so easily. She disrespected me in public, and I hope life gives me the chance to seek revenge one day," he silently thought. Meanwhile, the young woman, still very angry after her encounter with the arrogant Ahmed, frantically waved her arm to hail a taxi and head back to her modest neighborhood in Dharavi. [ After a 15-minute ride ] The taxi came to a stop in front of the humble building she considered her home. As she prepared to pay the driver, she frantically searched her bag for her wallet, but in vain. " Oh no, this can't be happening ! " she exclaimed. " I must have dropped my wallet when that rude man bumped into me ! " The taxi driver's face flushed with anger. " No money, no ride ! " he declared. " Or do you think I'm going to work for free ? " The young woman pleaded with the driver. " Please, give me some time to get money from my mother upstairs. I promise I'll be back right away." But the driver wasn't willing to listen. " Who do you take me for? Do you think I'm naive enough to let you go? How can I even be sure this is really your home, and you're not trying to trick me to escape ? " he said threateningly. " You're a thief and a liar. If you don't pay me now, I'll seriously beat you ! " he added harshly. " Please, calm down ! I have no intention of running away," the young woman replied. That's how she felt powerless and humiliated as the driver continued to scold her. At this moment, another vehicle arrived and parked behind the taxi, piquing the young woman's curiosity. " Why is this car parking near me ? " she wondered. She crossed her arms defensively and furrowed her brow as the passenger door swung open. Suddenly, she was surprised to see Mohammed stepping out of the vehicle with a charming smile on his lips. In his hand, he held the young woman's missing wallet. " Excuse me, I believe this belongs to you. I found it on the sidewalk," Mohammed said politely as he extended the wallet to the young woman. The young woman cautiously accepted the wallet, unsure if she could trust Mohammed's kindness. " Thank you," she replied curtly. Mohammed continued to smile, then turned to the taxi driver. " Here, take this for the fare, and thank you for your patience." The driver's anger instantly subsided when Mohammad handed him a bundle of bills. " Thank you very much, sir ! You're truly kind," exclaimed the driver, his face lighting up as he counted the money. The young woman, who had initially been wary, finally revealed a sweet smile toward Mohammad. " Thank you, and may blessings accompany you," she said, joining her hands as a sign of respect. " I'll never know how to thank you. But you didn't have to pay the driver, as I could have done it myself," she added timidly, her eyes lowered. Mohammad smiled warmly. " It was a pleasure. I'm glad I could help you." The young woman then sighed. " But how did you manage to find me ? " she asked after a brief moment of reflection. " In fact, I was observing you from the moment you got into the taxi. When I noticed your wallet fall on the sidewalk while I was catching up with my friend, I decided to quickly catch your taxi," he explained sincerely. " In summary, I simply followed you," he concluded, causing the young woman to blush slightly. " By the way ….. I'm Mohammad Siddiqui. And what's your name ? " he asked eagerly. The young woman, instead of revealing her name, offered a mysterious smile to Mohammad while locking her gaze with his. Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed. " Saba ! " The young woman turned quickly to see her mother waving to her from their apartment window. She turned back to Mohammad and said, " I must leave now. But I'm glad to have met you." " The pleasure is mutual," Mohammad replied with a soothing voice. As the young woman walked away, Mohammad watched her disappear into the building. " So her name is Saba," he thought, and a smile formed on his face.