one last chance (book 2 MTMK)

hate to love him

chapter 9

Alishba pov:

I had spend my time in Rameez office until it was time to pick Laila from school. Driving to school one thought went through my mind what if Ryan found out? Would he accept Laila or accusedaccusedaccused me of cheating....again? I hate how insecure and vulnerable he's making me feel. He's not my husband yet still he stared at me like I belonged to him. My only fear is what if Ryan took Laila away from me. I had no one and I am living because of her...for her. I stopped in front of the car and pull my shades over my eyes. Glancing left and right making sure nothing is suspicious, I walked towards the entrance.

I waited for fifteen minutes and started panicking when I realize Laila was not coming out. I hurried in and went straight to her class. Peeking in I found the teacher at her table sorting out some papers. Clear my throat I made my presence known. She looked up and for a minute she looked startled. Then she recovered and smiled at me as she gestured me to come in.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mughal. What can I d-" She asked as she set her papers aside and gave me her undivided attention. But I cut her in, "Where's Laila?" I rushed out without letting her finish. The truth was my panic state was imagining worst things. She frowned and gave me strange look. "She's gone, Muss Mughal." That's it. I was hyperlevating. Sweat began to form on my forehead and my hands began to shake. No. No. No. This can't happen again. "What do you mean g-gone? I specifically told you she can't go out without me, or if someone I didn't told you about. How can you let her go just like that? You didn't even informed me." I was shaking with fear and anger.

"Calm down, Miss Mughal. Mr. Nawaz came here. He said he knows you and you know him and that he'll drop her home. Beside Laila recognised him." My eyebrows furrowed and then my eyes widened, Mr. Nawaz, as in Ryan. Laila knows him. How? When? Does she know the whole truth? Did he know about her. So many thoughts were running through my mind. "Wh-where did they go?" She shook her head, "I Don't exactly know, Miss Nawaz but he said something about ice cream Parlour." I nodded as I exited the class and went out of school. I know of a Parlour near the school. I walked upto there but kept discreet. Standing at a distance I waited for a little while and then saw them coming out of the parlour. Each supporting a big grin on their faces. I bit my lip and blinked rapidly to stop the tears falling from my eyes. How I longed to see this moment? Ryan with his daughter, but now I suddenly feel hesitant. Hesitant of what would happen if he found out.

They sat on the bench across from parlour and started talking. They were both engrossed in talking, their eyes shinning. I didn't realize I was engrossed in looking them and they had finished and now they were walking back to school. I called Rameez.

"Hello, Ali beli." I scowled at his nick name and refrained myself from saying anything back, "I need you to come here at Laila'sschool and pick her up." I bit my lip as I saw them turning the corner towards the school. "What? Is everything alright? You said you wo-" I huffed and cut him in mid, "no time to talk. I'll explain later now please come." "Fine, I'll be there." With that I discreetly made my way to school making sure to keep in hiding.

I saw them standing near my car. Damn!! I should've hid it. Laila said something to Ryan making him nod and stand up before he turned and looked around. I quickly hid behind the wall, just then I saw Rameez car turning the end as he made a stop near Ryan. Thank goodness.

Due to me being far, I didn't hear what they were saying. But, Rameez got down and said something to Laila, then scooped her up in his arms. They bid farewell and got in the car before leaving. Ryan left after a few minutes of waiting. I breathed a sigh if relief as he got in his car and left. I hastily got in mine and made my way back to home.

Rameez car was already there when I parked the car in the driveway. Getting out of the car, I unlocked the main door and went in following the giggles and laughter. A gasp escaped my mouth when I saw who was there. "MAHER!!" I squealed as I saw him tickling Laila. He stopped and looked at me, his eyes twinkling as he stepped back. Laila took that time to run to me and hid behind my legs. "Mommy, look chubby cheeks is tickling me." Maher groaned and closed his eyes. "I'm burning every childhood photo of me." He mumbled but I still heard it and burst into laughter. Once upon a time, I was showing Laila our childhood pics and Maher showed up. Laila started calling him chubby cheek. And to mention how she called him this everywhere. Maher walked

us and peeked behind me to Laila, "If I'm chubby cheeks than you're chunky monkey." He smirked as Laila whined, "I'm not chunky monkey, mommy tell him to stop calling me that."

"Then stop calling me chubby cheeks." He grinned and Laila huffed, , "fine, uncle Maher." I burst into laughter. "Where's Rameez?" I asked and looked around the living room. Just on que he emerged from the backdoor with his phone to hus ear. "I'll call you later." He spoke in the phone before looking at me. "When did you came back?" He asked me and I shrugged taking a seat on the couch, others joining me. "Just a few minutes ago. Thankyou for picking her up." He nodded, "it's okay. By the way. How did Ryan reached Laila? Does he-" he stopped midway and stared at me, and my eyes widen. I shook my head, "he can't know. The information is confidential. Then how?

My eyes found Laila who was engrossed in her book. "Laila." I called and her head snapped towards me, "yes, mommy." "Baby, who was the man you were with?" I asked her and her eyes lit up, "he's Mr. Softy." Rameez burst out in laughter while I just stared at her although my eyes must have shown the amusement. "Mr. Softy?" I inquired and she nodded eagerly. "His name's Ryan. But I call him Mr. Softy because he was vewy nice with me. He's my fwiend." I frown and nodded.

"How did you two meet?" I asked again.

"He came to ouw school. He is nice." I nodded and decided to let it drop. But tgen I remember it. "Laila, you will never again leave the school without my permission. You had me so worried. Do you understand?" She nodded and lookeddown her lapp. "I'm sorry mommy." I sighed and pulled her to me and kissed her head. "It's okay baby, but just don't do it again. Mommy thought she lost you. I was scared." I closed my eyes as flashbacks came back.

I opened my eyes and searched frantically for my baby. Only to find Rameez with sorrow look. "Where's amna?" I croaked and realized my throat was completely dry. He looked me and then away. He looked like he was contemplating on whether to tell me or not. "Rameez?" I got his attention. He walked closer to me and a tear slipped past his eyes. "I'm sorry, Ali. I failed you." My eyes widened as my ears failed to listen. I shook my head aand started to get up but a sharp pain in my lower regions made me scream. Rameez was at my side instantly and pushed me baack. "Ypu need rest Ali. I will find that bastard. I will kill him. We will find Amna. I promise." Tears came pouring out of my eyes. I was loosing it. My body shivered and my eyes rolleed back and before I knew it darkness took over me.

...........

I woke up and looked around again to find Rameez but this tome everyone else was there too. I reached for glass of water. My throat felt raw and scratchy. Getting the glass back everyone seemed to notice for theey ran to my side. "Amna?" I questioned and everyone lookeed at each other and then at me. "She's okay, we got her. She's resting." I slumped in relief as I fell back on bed.

"What happened?" I asked and felt Rameez visibly tensed. I know whatt he was about to tell me was not good. "After you were...." His finger curled and so were my dad's and Fan. "I found you with a sheet over you and you were passed out. He was nowhere in sight. I calked an ambulance for you and called everyone here. I searched for Amna but she was not there." He paused and looked at me sorrowfully. "I'm sorry Ali. If only I had received your call early. If onky I had listened to you when you said he was creepy. I'm so sorry." He shook his head and sat on the edge. "It's not your fault." I mummered. He gaave me a pained smile and continued, "I had the security cameras checked and found out indeed you were right. That bastard of a friend took Amna with him. I tried calling him but he didn't picked. Up. When you woke up the other day we got a call from unknown and I immediately knew who it was. He said he'll give her in exchange of you." I was trembling and my hands curled around my sheet. "I'm sorry. When you got up and asked about her I was torn. I'm sorry. Then you went into shock." I nodded absentmindedly, "I checked the entrance camera again and caught on the taxi number. I had private investigators on him. They found him yesterday in..." He paused and looked at everyone. "In?" I asked as everyone shared a look. "He was going to sell Amna But we got him first. He's behind jail for thirty years for r**e, and human trafficking. He was also found with drugs." Tears were now pouring out of me as I stared at him. My baby. "Bring her please." He nodded and called the nurse to bring her.

I was anxious and a gasp escaped me as I saw her. Her face had a hand print which had turned a nasty purple and swollen. Her forehead was bandaged. A sob escaped me as I cradled her to me and cried. After that I changed my identity along with Amna.

My eyes snapped open as I felt Maher's arm on my shoulder. He looked me in confusion. "Where were you gone this past month? No call? No contact" I crossed my arms and his posture stiffened. He sighed and looked towards the window. "I'm getting married." He gritted out.

My jaw went slack.

.....................