Beyond the Veil

Chapter 19. The Clock Strikes

*October 20th, 12:05 AM*

*Karachi Streets*

Aiza clutched Lubna's hand, her heart racing as they navigated Karachi's deserted streets. Kashif and Javed flanked them, their eyes scanning every alleyway.

"We need to get out of the city," Kashif whispered, his voice urgent.

"Agreed," Javed replied, glancing over his shoulder. "We can't risk being seen."

Lubna's grip tightened on Aiza's hand. "What about the evidence?"

"We'll figure it out," Aiza reassured her. "First, we need to safety."

As they turned a corner, a sleek black car screeched to a halt beside them. The window rolled down, revealing Commissioner Khan's menacing smile.

"Well, well, well," he sneered. "Looks like we have our little fugitives."

Aiza's heart sank. They were trapped.

*October 20th, 12:10 AM*

*Commissioner Khan's Car*

Khan's eyes gleamed with malice as he gestured to his men. "Take them."

Aiza, Kashif, Lubna, and Javed exchanged desperate glances. This was their last stand.

"We have evidence," Lubna bluffed, her voice steady. "You'll never get away with this."

Khan chuckled. "Evidence? Ha! You have nothing."

Suddenly, Kashif lunged forward, grabbing Khan's wrist. "We have enough."

Aiza seized the moment, whispering to Lubna, "Run!"

They sprinted down the street, pursued by Khan's men. Bullets whizzed past, their footsteps echoing off buildings.

*October 20th, 12:20 AM*

*Abandoned Alley*

Breathless, they ducked into an alley, pressing against the walls.

"That was close," Javed panted.

Lubna's eyes locked onto Aiza's. "We can't keep running."

Aiza nodded. "We need a plan."

Kashif stepped forward, determination etched on his face. "We take down Khan."

"But how?" Lubna asked.

Aiza's mind raced. "We need someone on the inside."

Javed's eyes narrowed. "I know someone."

As they huddled together, plotting their next move, Aiza's thoughts drifted to her past.

*Flashback: Aiza's Childhood*

Aiza's father, a honest cop, had been murdered by corrupt officials. Her mother's words echoed in her mind: "Justice will come, but you must fight for it."

*Present Day*

Aiza's resolve hardened. She would fight.

"Let's do this," she whispered, eyes locking onto Kashif's.

Together, they vowed to bring down Commissioner Khan and uncover the truth.

_October 20th, 12:30 AM_

_Javed's Hideout_

Aiza, Kashif, Lubna, and Javed huddled in the cramped room, surrounded by flickering candles and worn furniture.

"We need someone on the inside," Aiza reiterated, eyes locked onto Javed.

"I've got someone," Javed said, pulling out his phone. "My cousin, Ali. He's a junior officer in Khan's department."

Lubna's brow furrowed. "Can we trust him?"

Javed nodded. "Ali's loyal. He'll help us."

Kashif's expression turned skeptical. "What's the plan?"

Javed dialed Ali's number. "We'll get Ali to retrieve the evidence from Khan's office. Then, we'll take it to the press."

Aiza's mind whirled. This was their only chance.

As Javed spoke in hushed tones to Ali, Lubna grasped Aiza's hand.

"What if this doesn't work?" Lubna whispered.

Aiza's grip tightened. "It has to."

Kashif's eyes met Aiza's, his gaze burning with determination.

Just then, Javed's voice rose. "Ali, be careful. Khan will stop at nothing."

Aiza's heart skipped a beat. They were taking a huge risk.

But they had no choice.

_October 20th, 1:15 AM_

_Commissioner Khan's Office_

Ali's hands trembled as he slipped into Khan's office. The dim lighting and eerie silence made him nervous.

"Get in, get out," he whispered to himself.

Ali's eyes scanned the room, locking onto Khan's desk. He swiftly opened the drawer, retrieving the evidence file.

Just as he turned to leave, Khan's voice stopped him.

"Ali, what are you doing?"

Ali's heart sank. He was caught.

"J-just filing papers, sir," Ali stammered.

Khan's eyes narrowed. "At 1 AM?"

Ali's mind raced. He needed an excuse.

"I-I couldn't sleep, sir. Thought I'd catch up on work."

Khan's gaze lingered, suspicion etched on his face.

"Very well. But be careful, Ali. Loyalty will be tested soon."

Ali nodded, relief washing over him.

As he exited the office, he slipped the file into his bag.

"This is it," he whispered, sending a text to Javed.

"We have the evidence."

_October 20th, 1:30 AM_

_Javed's Hideout_

Aiza's eyes locked onto Ali as he entered, file clutched in his hand.

"Did you get it?" Kashif asked, tension etched on his face.

Ali nodded, handing the file to Aiza.

"Thank you, Ali," Lubna said, relief washing over her.

Aiza's fingers trembled as she opened the file.

The room fell silent.

"It's all here," Aiza whispered.

Khan's corruption.

The human trafficking ring.

Evidence of Lubna's innocence.

Tears streamed down Lubna's face.

"We did it," Kashif whispered.

But Aiza's expression turned grim.

"We're not done yet," she said.

"We need to get this to the press."

Javed nodded.

"I know someone."

Aiza's eyes met Kashif's.

"Let's finish this."

*October 20th, 2:10 AM*

*Newspaper Office*

Khan's men stormed into the office, guns drawn.

Aiza stood frozen, Lubna clinging to her.

Kashif stepped forward, shielding them.

"You'll never get away with this, Khan," he growled.

Khan sneered. "You're no match for me."

Mr. Hassan intervened, voice firm.

"Commissioner, this is madness. Leave now."

Khan's eyes flashed with anger.

"Shut him up."

Aiza watched in horror as Khan's men dragged Mr. Hassan away.

"We have to act," Javed whispered.

Ali nodded, pulling out his phone.

"I'll call for backup."

Lubna's voice trembled.

"What if it's too late?"

Aiza's grip on Lubna's hand tightened.

"We won't let it be."

Suddenly, the sound of sirens echoed outside.

Khan's expression darkened.

"You think you've won?"

Kashif smiled.

"We have proof. You're finished."

*October 20th, 2:15 AM*

*Newspaper Office*

Sirens grew louder as police stormed into the office.

Khan's eyes widened in rage.

"You traitor!" he spat at Ali.

Ali stood firm.

"I did what was right."

Aiza watched, relief washing over her.

But her gaze quickly shifted to the larger goal.

"We're not done yet," she said, voice firm.

Kashif's eyes narrowed.

"Zahid Rahmani," he growled.

Lubna stepped forward.

"We have to ensure his victims get justice."

Mr. Hassan nodded.

"Let's get the evidence. We'll bring him down too."

Aiza's resolve strengthened.

"We'll follow every lead, every connection."

Kashif's jaw clenched.

"Rahmani's network is vast, but we have momentum."

Ali nodded.

"I have contacts. We can get the evidence."

Lubna's determination hardened.

"Let's finish this."

As police handcuffed Khan, Aiza's mind raced.

Rahmani's empire would crumble.

"We'll bring him to his knees," Kashif vowed.

*October 20th, 3:00 AM*

*Aiza's Apartment*

Aiza, Kashif, Lubna, and Ali huddled around Aiza's laptop.

"Rahmani's empire is complex," Ali said, eyes scanning documents.

Kashif's jaw clenched.

"We need concrete evidence."

Lubna's voice trembled.

"What if we're too late?"

Aiza's hand found Lubna's.

"We won't let him silence us."

Suddenly, Aiza's phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

"Aiza Khan," a low voice growled.

"Rahmani sends a message."

Aiza's heart skipped a beat.

"You'll never take him down."

Kashif's eyes narrowed.

"Who is this?"

The line went dead.

Aiza's gaze met Kashif's.

"Rahmani knows we're closing in."

Lubna's determination hardened.

"We won't back down."

Ali nodded.

"I'll dig deeper. We'll find something."

As they continued their search, Aiza's resolve strengthened.

They were getting closer.

But Rahmani's warning echoed in her mind.

*October 20th, 3:15 AM*

*Rahmani's Mansion*

Zahid Rahmani paced his dimly lit study, fury burning within.

"Fahad, Amira, we have a problem," he growled.

Fahad Khan's expression turned grim.

"Aiza Khan and her allies are getting closer."

Amira's eyes narrowed.

"We can't let them expose us."

Rahmani's gaze fell on a photo of his late father.

"I won't let them destroy our legacy."

He turned to Fahad.

"Take care of Aiza Khan. Make an example."

Fahad nodded, his jaw clenched.

"Consider it done."

Amira stepped forward.

"And what about the evidence?"

Rahmani's smile twisted.

"Destroy it. Eliminate anyone who's seen it."

Fahad's eyes locked onto Rahmani's.

"We'll handle it."

Amira's voice dripped venom.

"Aiza Khan will regret ever crossing us."

Rahmani's eyes glinted.

"I'll never go down."

To Be Continued...