Before I remember

The Offer...!

CHAPTER 7



Irha was fast asleep when strange noises began echoing through her dream. There was chaos everywhere, thick clouds of dust filled the air, and suddenly, an extremely loud sound rang out.



Her eyes flew open.



She sat up abruptly, wiping the sweat from her face. Her heart was pounding violently, and she placed a hand over her chest, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself.



After a moment, she glanced at the clock.



It was two in the morning.



She got out of bed, freshened up, and stepped out of her room. Walking down the stairs, she entered the lounge downstairs. When she noticed the kitchen, she headed towards it, hoping to get some water.



However, the moment she stepped inside, she froze.



Danyal was standing in front of the refrigerator.



He was apparently helping himself to something when Irha suddenly noticed him.



A loud scream escaped her lips.



Danyal: What happened? Seen a ghost?



He remarked sarcastically.



Irha: You don't look much less frightening yourself, sir.



She retorted before taking a deep breath.



Danyal raised an eyebrow.



Danyal: Did you need something? And what are you doing here at this hour?



Irha: Uh... yeah. Just water.



She answered awkwardly.



Danyal handed her a bottle of water.



Danyal: Anything else?



Irha: No.



She rolled her eyes and rested her left hand against the back of her neck.



Irha: Actually, I...



She trailed off, fell silent for a moment, and then turned towards the door as if she had suddenly forgotten what she wanted to say.



Danyal: Are you hungry?



Irha: No.



She replied, continuing towards the exit.



Danyal: Think about it. I was just going to heat up some shami kebabs. And Nusrat's biryani is amazing. I was planning to have some myself. If you want, I can heat some up for you, too.



He paused briefly before adding,



Danyal: I mean, just in case you're hungry. Let me know.



Irha stopped.



Irha: Umm... okay, then. Heat some up for me, too.



A faint smile appeared on Danyal's face as he turned back towards the refrigerator and began taking out the food.



Meanwhile, Irha walked over to the table in the kitchen and settled into a chair. She watched him for a while before finally speaking.



Irha: Why are you still awake?



Danyal: I couldn't sleep, so I was exercising. Then I got hungry and came downstairs.



He answered without looking at her before turning his attention to the kebabs.



Irha: Oh! So that's why you have those biceps?



She glanced at his arms with a mischievous smile.



Irha: Do you seriously exercise at two in the morning?



Danyal: No. Just occasionally.



He replied without changing his expression.



Irha remained quiet for a while, lost in thought. Then, as if remembering something important, she spoke again.



Irha: I'm sorry. I should've greeted your family properly. I don't know what got into me yesterday. Maybe I was just too tired.



She sounded as though she were trying to explain herself.



Danyal continued preparing the food.



Danyal: Hmm. It's alright. I understand.



Once everything was ready, he placed the food on the table, transferred some kebabs and biryani to a plate, and set it in front of her. Then he handed her a spoon.



Danyal: Start eating.



He said quietly.



After taking a few bites, Danyal looked at her.



Danyal: Your drawing is good.



Irha: How do you know?



She asked, slightly surprised.



Danyal: When I went to collect your belongings from the hospital, I found a notebook. There were sketches inside. You didn't tell me you could draw. Honestly, I was impressed. They looked almost like real photographs. You're quite good at it.



Irha: Ah, Dr. Zee gave me that notebook and a pencil because I was bored.



She answered casually.



Then, as a sudden thought crossed her mind, her expression changed.



Irha: Wait! Did you look through the entire notebook? All the way to the end?



Danyal: No. Just a few pages.



He answered calmly.



Irha immediately stood up from her chair.



Irha: Give me back my notebook!



Danyal looked at her, seemingly amused by her sudden urgency.



Irha: What are you staring at? Just give me my notebook back. Right now!



She insisted stubbornly.



Danyal: I'm not your servant. Finish your food first, and then I'll give it back.



Irha rolled her eyes and sat down again. This time, she began eating with unusual speed, determined to finish as quickly as possible.



Danyal watched her for a moment before speaking.



Danyal: I have an offer for you.



Irha: An offer? What kind of offer?



She asked between bites.



Danyal: We need a sketch artist for one of our cases as soon as possible. When I saw your notebook, I thought you might be the perfect fit.



He paused to make sure she was listening.



Danyal: If you're interested, let me know. I know what you're going through, and I don't want to pressure you into anything. If you don't want to do it, that's fine. We'll hire someone else.



Irha stopped eating and considered his offer for a few moments.



Then she nodded.



Irha: I'm ready. I'll do it.



Her answer came with surprising confidence.



Irha: When do I start?



Danyal: Good. Be ready by eight tomorrow morning. Rizwan will drop you off at the station.



With that, he reached for the dishes on the counter.



Irha: I'm still eating!



She protested irritably.



Danyal: Eating this late at night isn't good for your health. You can have breakfast in the morning.



Irha opened her mouth to argue.



Irha: And what about you? You—



She stopped midsentence.



Her eyes shifted towards his plate.



It was already empty.



She looked back at him, then at the green tea he had been drinking.



A disbelieving smile spread across her face.



Irha: Oh, seriously?



Danyal paid little attention to her reaction as he continued clearing the table.



Shaking her head, Irha got up from her chair and headed towards her room.



Once inside, she set an alarm for seven in the morning. Satisfied with her preparations, she lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.



---



As part of his usual routine, Danyal woke up early, offered his Fajr prayer, and got ready for the day.



By six o'clock, he was downstairs, where Nusrat had already prepared breakfast.



After eating, he headed towards his car. Before leaving, he turned to Rizwan, who was waiting nearby.



Danyal: Once Irha wakes up and gets ready, take her to the police station. Drop her there after you've dropped Rafay off at school.



Rizwan: Yes, sir.



Danyal nodded and drove away.



---



At seven in the morning, Irha's alarm went off.



She reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up, still feeling sleepy. As she looked around the room, she noticed a few dresses lying on the sofa beside her bed. A box had been placed next to them.



Curious, she got up and opened it.



Inside was a mobile phone.



There was also a note on top of the box.



She picked it up and read it.



Save my number. You may call me only when necessary. Otherwise, don't.



Irha stared at the note for a moment.



Irha: Such a welcoming personality.



She muttered under her breath.



Putting the note aside, she turned her attention to the clothes on the sofa. As she examined them, she noticed another note.



She picked it up.



I don't know what your taste in clothes is. I bought whatever I liked. If you don't like them, you can go with Rizwan and choose something for yourself.



A small smile tugged at her lips.



For someone who claimed not to be her servant, Danyal certainly seemed to be taking care of a lot of things for her.



She chose an outfit, got changed, and went downstairs.



When she entered the dining area, she found Danyal's mother, Farzana Begum, and Rafay having breakfast.



Irha approached them and politely greeted Farzana Begum before taking a seat at the table.



Irha: Assalam-o-alaikum.



Farzana Begum: Wa-alaikum-assalam!



She responded, looking Irha over.



Farzana Begum: So, you do know that when you meet someone, you're supposed to greet them first. I was beginning to think that, like other cunning young girls these days, you had no concept of manners or respect.



Irha's smile faded slightly.



Irha: I'm sorry. I know I should've greeted you yesterday. I wasn't really in my senses at the time. Please forgive me.



She explained sincerely.



Farzana Begum gestured towards the food.



Farzana Begum: Start your breakfast. If you don't like anything, tell Nusrat. She'll prepare something else for you.



Irha: Actually, I'm not hungry.



Farzana Begum: Then at least have some juice.



Not wanting to argue, Irha poured herself a glass of juice and began drinking it.



A moment later, her attention shifted towards Rafay, who was sitting quietly beside her.



She smiled warmly and extended a hand towards him.



Irha: Hi! I'm Irha. And what about you?



Rafay didn't respond.



Instead, he got up from his chair and called out to Rizwan.



Rafay: Uncle! I'm getting late for school. Please drop me off!



Rizwan hurried over.



Rizwan: Young master, your elder brother told me to take Irha Bibi along with you. I'll drop you at school first and then take her to the police station.



Rafay's expression immediately soured.



Rafay: Why? Can't she go by herself? I'm already late!



Farzana Begum gave him a disapproving look.



Farzana Begum: Behave yourself, Rafay! Is this what you've learned all these years?



Without saying another word, Rafay walked towards the sofa, picked up his schoolbag, and headed outside.



Irha turned towards Farzana Begum.



Irha: Khuda Hafiz.



Farzana Begum: Khuda Hafiz.



Irha quickly followed Rafay outside and got into the car. Rizwan settled into the driver's seat and started the engine.



Once the car was moving, Irha turned towards Rafay, who was sitting beside her with his arms crossed.



Irha: Are you always like this with everyone, or is it just me?



Rafay: Can you please mind your own business?



Irha smiled at his attitude.



Irha: Ooh! So, we have an attitude boy here?



Before he could react, she began tickling him.



Irha: Look at your age and then look at your attitude!



Rafay immediately pushed her hand away.



Rafay: Stay within your limits, Irha! Stop bothering me!



Irha raised both hands in surrender.



Irha: Fine! I'm not bothering you anymore. But can we at least become friends?



Rafay: I don't like making friends.



He replied curtly before turning to look out of the window.



Irha studied him for a moment.



Irha: Why are you so quiet?



Rafay: Then you should be quiet, too.



He answered without even looking at her.



Irha shook her head with a smile and finally turned towards the window.



A little later, Rizwan stopped the car in front of Rafay's school and got out to open the door for him.



Rafay was about to leave when Irha leaned out of the car window and called after him.



Irha: Goodbye, Rafay! See you at home later! Have a good day!



She waved enthusiastically, continuing to say goodbye even as he walked away.



Rafay didn't bother responding. He simply entered the school without looking back.



Irha watched him disappear through the entrance before settling back into her seat.



Irha: What a grumpy little boy.



She muttered to herself.



Rizwan chuckled quietly and drove towards the police station.



---



By the time Irha arrived at the police station, the place was already busy.



The moment she stepped inside, Ali noticed her and excitedly waved.



Ali: Hey, Irha!



Everyone present turned towards her.



Irha offered them a small smile.



Irha: Hi!



She walked towards Ali, but before she could say anything else, Danyal emerged from his office.



He approached the group and gestured towards her.



Danyal: This is Irha. I informed you about her yesterday. She'll be helping us with the sketches.



He then turned towards an older officer standing nearby.



Danyal: Irha, this is Sir Raheem.



Irha immediately approached him and greeted him respectfully.



Irha: Assalam-o-alaikum, sir.



Sir Raheem: Wa-alaikum-assalam.



Irha looked at him for a moment before a mischievous smile appeared on her face.



Irha: I swear, looking at you, I can actually believe you're a police officer. But after looking at these two...



She gestured towards Ali and Danyal.



Irha: ...I was beginning to wonder whether I'd accidentally fallen into the hands of some fraudsters.



Ali stared at her in disbelief.



Ali: What do you mean? Do we look like scammers to you?



Irha burst into laughter.



Irha: No, no! That's not what I meant. It's just that, in Pakistan, it's quite rare to find a police officer who doesn't have a big belly!



For a moment, everyone stared at her.



Then the entire station erupted in laughter.



Even a few officers who had been busy with their work looked up, amused by her remark.



Ali shook his head, unable to believe what he had just heard.



Ali: Unbelievable!



Irha laughed again before turning towards another man standing nearby.



Irha: Hi! I'm Irha.



Furqan: Hello. I'm Furqan, the IT specialist.



Irha: Oh!



She nodded, taking in the information.



Danyal called her over and pointed towards a desk.



Danyal: Your seat is over there.



Irha followed the direction of his gesture and looked at the assigned desk. Then she glanced towards the empty workstation beside Ali.



Irha: But the cabin next to Ali is empty, too. Can I sit there instead, if you don't mind? I'll get bored sitting all alone over there.



Danyal shrugged.



Danyal: Okay, whatever.



Without waiting for another response, he turned and headed back to his office.



Irha happily took the seat beside Ali.



Meanwhile, Furqan followed Danyal into his office and closed the door behind him.



Furqan: Sir, I've found something.



Danyal looked up from his desk.



Danyal: Go ahead.



He gestured towards the chair in front of him.



Danyal: Sit down.



Furqan took the seat and began explaining what he had discovered.



Furqan: You asked me to investigate the attack on Irha at the hospital. I looked into it, and I found something interesting. One of the men who attacked Irha that day had the same tattoo on his arm as the man whose arm I noticed when the files were stolen.



Danyal's expression grew serious.



Furqan: And there's something else. Those men were also searching for Blackhead.



Danyal leaned back slightly, processing the information.



Danyal: Does that mean there's another gang besides the Alvdai Gang?



Furqan: Yes, sir. I'm certain of it.



Danyal rested a hand against his forehead, lost in thought.



After a moment, he looked at Furqan again.



Danyal: Anything else about them?



Furqan: Nothing for now, sir. But I'm still investigating.



Danyal nodded.



Danyal: What about the villagers' case?



Furqan: Once you give me the sketch, it'll be easier for me to identify the men responsible.



Danyal: Good. I brought Irha in specifically for that purpose. We'll visit the villagers this afternoon.



Furqan: Alright, sir. I'll get back to work, then.



Furqan stood up and left the office.



Danyal remained seated, staring at the closed door for a few seconds before slowly turning towards the glass window overlooking the station.



Through it, he could see Irha sitting beside Ali.



She was laughing at something he had said, completely unaware of the conversation taking place inside the office.



Danyal watched her in silence.



Then, without warning, a cold shiver ran down his spine.



The tattoo Furqan had described...



He had seen it before.



Not in a file.



Not on a known criminal.



But on the wrist of the very man who had brought Irha to the hospital that day, claiming he had merely been a passerby.



Danyal's gaze hardened.



That man had claimed he was just an ordinary stranger who happened to be there when Irha needed help.



But if Furqan was right, then his presence at the hospital might not have been a coincidence at all.



And Irha, sitting just beyond the glass, laughing as if the world were an entirely harmless place, had absolutely no idea how deeply she might be connected to whatever was unfolding around her.



For the first time since meeting her, Danyal felt a genuine chill of uncertainty.



Something was wrong.



And he had a feeling that discovering the truth would be far more complicated than he had imagined.