FARHA

chapter 6

Farha's eyes welled up with tears as she trudged back to the small room she shared with her friends. The makeshift bed, a patchwork of worn-out blankets and tattered mattresses, seemed to sag under the weight of their collective exhaustion. As she squeezed in among her friends, the familiar scent of sweat and stale air enveloped her, offering little comfort.

Farha's sobs shook the tiny frame of her body, her heart heavy with the weight of Khalil's cruel words. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. As she cried, her friends stirred, murmuring soft words of comfort, but Farha pushed them away, needing to be alone with her pain.

As the tears slowly dried on her cheeks, Farha's emotions shifted from hurt to anger. She vowed to make Khalil pay for the way he'd treated her, to show him that she wasn't the weak, insignificant thing he'd made her feel like. A spark of determination ignited within her, and she promised herself that she'd rise above the pain, that she'd be strong no matter what.

Meanwhile, Khalil couldn't shake off the memory of their confrontation. Farha's words echoed in his mind, taunting him with the possibility that he might be wrong about her. Maybe she wasn't just a dirty street girl, maybe there was more to her than met the eye. But despite the doubts creeping in, Khalil's anger and resentment toward Farha still simmered just below the surface. He felt like he hated her, like she was a constant thorn in his side, and he couldn't understand why he couldn't shake off the feeling.

As the night wore on, Khalil's thoughts remained consumed by Farha, her words and actions replaying in his mind like a broken record. He couldn't sleep, his mind racing with questions and emotions, unable to make sense of the turmoil that Farha had stirred up within him.

🏝🏝🏝

Khalil's demeanor changed as he walked into his study, determination etched on his face. He began working on finding Khairiyya, instructing his personal assistant to create posters with Khairiyya's picture and details.

"Make sure to distribute these posters in all public areas, especially around her favorite places," Khalil instructed. "Also, create an online campaign, share her pictures and information on social media, and reach out to local news outlets."

His PA nodded, taking notes. "I'll get it done immediately, sir."

Khalil then made a call to his uncle, his voice calm but resolute. "Uncle, I've made arrangements for a business trip to Turkey. I'll be away for five years, but don't worry, I've set everything in motion to find Khairiyya."

His uncle's voice was laced with concern. "Khalil, are you sure this is necessary? What about Khairiyya's search?"

"Don't worry, Uncle," Khalil reassured him. "I've made all the necessary arrangements. My team will work tirelessly to find her. I'll be available remotely, and I'll personally oversee the search."

Khalil's family was informed about his trip, and though they were worried, they trusted his determination to find Khairiyya.

As he boarded the flight to Turkey, Khalil felt a mix of emotions - the weight of his responsibilities, the hope of finding Khairiyya, and the distraction of his encounter with Farha. The flight took off, and Khalil settled in, ready to focus on his business objectives in Turkey.

Meanwhile, back home, the search for Khairiyya continued, with posters and online campaigns spreading the word. Khalil's team was dedicated to finding her, and he had every confidence that they would succeed.

🗼🗼🗼

Farha walked with her friends, Mariam pointing out a poster. "Look, Farha, this girl looks like you!"

They gathered around, surprised by the uncanny resemblance. Kulthum joked, "Maybe your family is looking for you!"

Farha laughed it off, but a flicker of curiosity sparked within her. "This isn't a Bollywood movie, Kulthum! Let's go. As they were walking Farha thought about all the possibilities of her family looking for her buh later shrugged it off.

One evening, Farha was walking alone, she closed her eyes in a playful way imagining all fantasies she didn't even heard the honk of a car and nearly got hit by a luxurious car, on realizing that she fell down due to fear. Mrs. Ali rushed out, her face etched with worry and apology.

"Oh, dear God, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there," Mrs. Ali exclaimed, helping Farha up.

Farha brushed herself off, but Mrs. Ali's gaze lingered on her face, drinking in every feature.... Her eyes widened in shock, and she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Khairiyya...my Khairiyya...is that you?"there is this striking resemblance of her lost daughter with this lady here "she thought" still in shock!!

Farha's confusion turned to frustration as Mrs. Ali grasped her arm, holding on tight. "Ma'am, I'm sorry. I'm in a hurry. Let go of me. I don't know what you're talking about."

But Mrs. Ali's grip only tightened, her eyes brimming with tears. "The resemblance...it's uncanny. And your eyes...Khairiyya, my daughter, I've been searching for you everywhere. Where have you been? I've been dying inside, thinking I'd never find you."

Farha tried to shake off Mrs. Ali's hand, but the woman's desperation was palpable. "Ma'am, I don't know you. I've never seen you before in my life. Please, let me go", Farha half yelled.

Mrs. Ali's gaze fell upon a burn scar on Farha's hand, and her eyes widened in recognition. "Wait...this burn...I...I...I re....remember...Khairiya got burned on her se.... second birthday...in the same place, Mrs Ali stammering..... Oh, my God, it's really you."

With trembling hands, Mrs. Ali rolled up Farha's sleeve, revealing a dark green birthmark. A sob escaped her lips as she whispered, "It's you...my daughter, Khairiyya. I've found you."

Farha yanked her hand away, taken aback by Mrs. Ali's emotional outburst. "Ma'am, I don't know you. Leave me alone. Whatever is bothering you, I hope you find a solution."

But Mrs. Ali's tears flowed freely, her body shaking with sobs. "Khairiyya, my daughter...I've been searching for you for so long...I thought I'd never find you. Please, don't go. Listen to me. I can explain everything. I can tell you how much I've missed you, how much I've loved you all these years."

Farha turned and left, leaving Mrs. Ali shattered and heartbroken. Mrs. Ali stood frozen, her world crashing around her. She'd found her daughter, but it seemed her daughter didn't know her.

"Khairiyya...my Khairiyya," Mrs. Ali whispered, her heart heavy with emotion. "I've finally found you. I'll never let you go again."

🏰🏙🏙

TURKEY; ISTANBUL

Khalil's frustration boiled over as he spoke to his PA. "I want you to find out everything about Khairiyya. Leave no stone unturned. I don't care about the cost or resources; just find her."

His PA hesitated. "Sir, we've tried every possible means, but there's no trace of her. It's like she vanished into thin air."

Khalil's anger erupted. "That's unacceptable! You're telling me that after all these years, we still can't find one person?"

In a fit of rage, Khalil shattered his phone and destroyed his SIM cards. "I don't want anyone to reach me until I find Khairiyya myself. Disconnect all lines, all contacts. I'll handle everything from Turkey."

His PA nodded, understanding the gravity of Khalil's determination. "Yes, sir. I'll take care of it."

Khalil's motivation stemmed from a sense of responsibility and family obligation. He felt a duty to find his cousin sister, and to bring closure to their family.

"I'll find Khairiyya, no matter what it takes," Khalil declared, his resolve driven by a mix of determination and familial loyalty.