part8
1132 Words
Part8
Shayan walked up and hugged him.
Shayan: “You almost got married, bro!”
Shahaan gave a small smile.
Then his eyes met mine.
Shahaan: “You okay?”
I nodded.
He glanced behind me, eyeing Jahangir with a questioning look.
Jahangir stepped forward and extended his hand.
Jahangir: “I’m Jahangir, Janan’s brother.”
Shahaan raised his eyebrows, shook his hand.
Shahaan: “Nice to meet you. About everything that happened, I should say Janan and I—”
Jahangir cut him off.
Jahangir: “No need to explain. I trust Janan.”
I smiled.
He always trusted me like that—even when I made mistakes. He’d just say, “It’s okay, she’ll figure it out. That’s what mistakes are for.”
We left the station.
Shahaan and Shayan said goodbye and drove off. Jahangir left in his car, and Nava and I got in ours and headed home.
At a red light, I turned to her.
Me: “Can you distance yourself from Shayan?”
Nava: “Why?”
Me: “Did you know Shayan has a bodyguard?”
Nava: “So?”
Me: “Why do you think that is? His life’s probably in danger. I don’t want to constantly worry about you.”
She gave me a side-eye.
Nava: “You’re overthinking. It’s all those thriller movies you watch.”
I wished that was the reason. I wished it was just paranoia.
Me: “Look, better safe than sorry. Maybe give it some space.”
Nava: “He told me last night he loves me.”
My jaw dropped.
Me: “What?”
She grinned from ear to ear.
Nava: “He loves me, Janan.”
It felt like someone dumped a bucket of ice water on me.
Nava: “What? You’re not happy for me?”
I turned to her completely.
Me: “You need to distance yourself from him.”
Nava: “Why do you keep repeating that? What’s going on? Did something happen last night?”
Me: “No. I’m just worried.”
Nava: “Your worry is unnecessary.”
Me: “Please, Nava. Just listen to me.”
Nava: “I like him, Janan. And unless you give me a real reason—other than your gut feeling—I’m not breaking up with him.”
I stayed silent.
She was right. I had no proof.
And I couldn’t exactly tell her the reason either.
I just hoped she wouldn’t get hurt in all this...
…
That day, Jahangir stayed with us.
But we were all so exhausted, we slept through most of it.
By evening, he went back to see the Colonel for the operation details.
I sat on the couch, waiting to hear the plan.
When the doorbell rang, I jumped up and opened it.
He stepped in, looking tense.
Me: “What happened? What did he say?”
Jahangir (quietly): “Where’s Nava?”
Me: “She’s not here. She went to see Shayan.”
He brushed past me and walked inside.
Jahangir: “The less you know, the better. Just know this—I’m moving in downstairs next week. And keep Nava out of this. Why is she always around Shayan?!”
Me: “He’s her boyfriend.”
He froze.
Jahangir: “What?! What do you mean ‘boyfriend’?!”
He rubbed his forehead, clearly stressed.
Jahangir: “How are we supposed to protect her like this?”
Me: “I tried talking to her. She won’t listen. If I push harder, she’ll get suspicious.”
Jahangir: “Yeah, you’re right. That’s risky.”
Suddenly, my phone rang.
We both went quiet.
Me (answering): “Hello?”
Nava: “Hey! I’m having dinner with Shayan tonight. He’s insisting you and Jahangir join us. You coming?”
I looked at Jahangir.
He nodded.
Me: “Yeah, we’ll come. Send me the address.”
I got ready, and we drove to the location.
When we arrived, I turned to Jahangir.
Me: “I’m nervous. How should I act?”
He took my hand, kissed it gently.
Jahangir: “My beautiful sister… In this mission, just be yourself. However you acted before—stick to that. I don’t want you stressing or pretending.”
“How am I supposed to betray them? They've never done anything bad to me. I just... can't bring myself to do it.”
“They’re destroying lives by turning young people into addicts. Isn’t that bad enough for you?”
“People choose to get addicted. It’s not like they’re forcing it down anyone’s throat!”
He raised an eyebrow and said sharply,
“So, even though you know they’re criminals, you're defending them? Are you sure there wasn’t something going on in that room?”
I shot him a glare.I knew I was talking nonsense. But the anger I felt toward Colonel Davari wouldn’t let me think straight. It all felt forced—like I had no say in anything.
“Why are you talking crap? We’ve been friends with Shayan for a while now. Of course I can’t just stab him in the back!”
“Oh really? Then why did you agree to it?”
I turned my head and muttered,
“It’s getting late. Let’s get out.”
I reached for the car door, but he stopped me.
“Hey, hey, hey! Hold on. Where do you think you’re going? Why aren’t you answering me? If they mean so much to you, how could you agree to this?”
“Drop it for now. I’ll explain later.”
I didn’t give him a chance to keep pressing. I got out of the car. He followed, muttering under his breath,
“You can run now, but I’ll find out eventually.”
We walked in. Shayan, Shahan, and Nava were already seated. I kissed Nava’s cheek from behind and sat next to her.
“Hey.”
After the greetings, we ordered our food. The whole table fell silent. No one said a word during the meal.
Until finally, Shahan broke the silence.
“I’ve seen you somewhere before, haven’t I?”
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Jahangir. He was spinning his fork in his hand as he answered,
“I spent about a month in Bandar Abbas. Was getting my affairs in order before moving here. Maybe we crossed paths there.”
My eyebrows shot up. I looked at him, suspicious. A month? He said he was on a mission—does that mean he was here the whole time? In the same city, without even checking in on me?
Shahan asked,
“What do you do for work?”
“I used to run a few shops back in Kerman. Came here 'cause I heard business is booming.”
- Writer
