Thriller The Search for Amairah(Completed)

[Indian Princess]

Update 14

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in Aryan’s arms. He had wrapped his blood-soaked shirt around her body to cover her.



“My tigress is awake,” Aryan said smiling at her.



Meera was still very disoriented. They were locked in a dark room with just a dirty mattress on the floor.



“What happened?” Meera asked grabbing her head.



“You killed Qais with your bare hands,” Aryan said.



Meera looked at her bloodied fingernails that still had chunks of his flesh stuck underneath. Her mouth was smeared in blood and she could still taste it. She recalled the events just before she passed out.



“No,” Meera said, “It wasn’t me, it was Armaan. He killed Qais.”



“Really?” Aryan asked.



“Yeah,” Meera said, “I saw him stick a needle into his body. I did attack Qais but a few scratches and a bite were not enough to kill a man as strong as him. Armaan poisoned him. But why?”



Aryan took a deep breath calculating the events. “Perhaps, he intended it from the beginning. Armaan was only manipulating Qais and using his resources to get to us. He won the battle without even fighting.”



“He hasn’t won,” Meera said with determination, “And he never will. He wants Amairah and I’ll never tell him where she is.”



******************************



Meera didn’t know how much time had passed since she was locked in the dark room with Aryan. She felt something trickle down her ear. She noticed that the piece of cloth Aryan had used to bandage his wound was completely soaked in blood. She quickly tore off the other sleeve of his shirt that she was wearing and tied a fresh bandage. But to her dismay, even that was completely soaked in blood in a few minutes.



Aryan began to feel light headed and his breathing became shallow.



“You OK, Aryan?” she asked.



Aryan was just lying on the mattress with his eyes closed as blood continued to trickle down his wound.



“Talk to me Aryan!” Meera screamed.



Aryan opened his eyes and smiled weakly. “I am sorry I couldn’t do more for you Meera,” she spoke in a weak voice, “I had this little dream, of living a life with you and Amairah, take care of you both, and our little family would live happily every after…I really wish you had escaped with Amairah, I really wish…”



“NO! Aryan, no, I can’t lose you!” Meera wailed, “You mean the world to me!”



“Meera,” Aryan said lovingly touching her face, “You are such an amazing woman, you know. So strong and brave, you Meera, are a woman worth dying for…”



Aryan’s hand dropped to his side as he lost consciousness. He was still breathing but his breath was shallow. Meera broke down and cried helplessly. She banged on the heavy metal door with all her strength.



“Open the fucking door!” she screamed, “Open the fucking door! He is dying! He needs help!”



She kept on banging but no one responded to her calls for help. She sank down on her knees and cried her heart out. And then she noticed a camera just above the door. She knelt and looked into the camera and pleaded, “Please if someone is watching, please help!”



If was only after she begged over and over again, the large metal door buzzed and Armaan entered the room.



“Please,” Meera said begging on her knees, “Please save him. He is a good guy. He doesn’t deserve to die. Please I beg you…”



“I will save Aryan’s life,” Armaan said, “If you tell me where you daughter is.”



Meera was taken aback. “No…not my daughter…she had nothing to do with any of this…please…”



“The choice is between him or her, Meera,” Armaan said, “You don’t have much time.”



Meera was utterly shattered when she was asked to choose between Aryan and Amairah. She loved them both deeply.



“Fine, if you can’t take a decision, both of you can die in this very room,” Armaan said as he turned to leave.



“NO…NO…wait,” Meera begged tearfully, “Save his life, I’ll tell you where Amairah is.”



Armaan stood before her with folded hands. Meera told him the co-ordinates of the house where she had asked Yasmin to take Amairah.



“She is with a woman name Yasmin,” Meera said, “Yasmin is a good girl. She looked after Amairah for all these years…please don’t hurt her.”



Armaan signalled his men and a team of medical professionals rushed Aryan to a makeshift operation theatre.



“If I don’t find your daughter at this address,” Armaan warned, “You’ll never see Aryan again.”



************************************



Meera lay on the dirty mattress that was now soaked with Aryan’s blood. She cried silently as she was drowning in guilt for Aryan’s suffering.



Soon she fell asleep. She woke up with a toddlers delicate hand touching her face. When she opened her eyes, she saw Amairah. She instantly hugged her and showered her with kisses. Amairah was afraid on the dark, but Meera’s comforting touch calmed her down. Meera held her child close to her body.



The door buzzed and Armaan walked in.



Meera was terrified seeing him.



“Please…” she begged, “Let Amairah go…I know I have wronged you…but please not my child…”



“I remember I begged exactly like this,” Armaan said grabbing a chunk of Meera’s hair making her wince, “But you didn’t listen! You sick sadistic bitch, you enjoyed hurting Pankh even when you knew she was innocent. What kind of a woman orchestrates the rape of an innocent woman? Is that your sick definition of revenge?”



“Please…I..” Meera knew she had nothing to say in her defence. She just had to accept her fate.



“Is Aryan OK?” she asked, “Can I see him once? Please…consider it my last wish…”



“Follow me,” Armaan said.



Meera followed him quietly.



“He is in that room,” Armaan said, “You have five minutes, if you don’t come out on your own, you’ll be dragged out.”



Meera nodded and entered the room.



Aryan was lying on the bed, breathing quietly. His left wrist was chained to the bed. The bullet had been removed from his shoulder and the wound was neatly sutured and bandaged. Meera sat down on the bed next to him. She ran her hands over him.



Aryan opened his eyes. He was thrilled to see Meera. He instantly sat up on his bed and hugged her.



“You OK, baby?” he asked her.



“Yes, I am fine Aryan,” Meera said, “How are you feeling?”



“I think I’ll live,” Aryan said.



Meera locked her lips with him in a passionate kiss.



“Who saved me Meera?” he asked.



“Armaan,” she said with a faint smile.



“Armaan saved me?” Aryan asked with a concerned expression, “Just like that?”



Meera didn’t respond. She just lowered her gaze.



“Answer me Meera!” Aryan said shaking her violently, “Armaan didn’t travel all the way here to do charity. What did he take in return?”



Meera just wept silently.



“Did you tell him where Amairah is?” Aryan asked glaring at Meera.



“I had to choose between you and her,” Meera said smiling amongst her tears, “And I chose you.”



“No!” Aryan said as a tear escaped his eye, “Why Meera? You gave up everything we fought for!”



“Not everything Aryan,” Meera said lovingly touching is face, “You are most precious to me and you deserve to live. I know you are thinking that Armaan might still hurt you, but I don’t think he will. If he wanted you dead, he wouldn’t have bothered getting that bullet out of you. He killed Qais right before he could mutilate you. I really don’t know what Armaan wants, but it is pretty clear that he doesn’t want to hurt you. He wants me and Amairah, and now he has us both.”



“What?” Aryan gasped.



“She is with me Aryan,” Meera said tearfully, “She is so beautiful…it feels so beautiful to hold her. She’s got those hazel eyes that remind me of her father, his love, his kindness…his sacrifice.”



“She is only a child, and now she is at Armaan’s mercy…” Aryan said tearfully, “Why don’t you ever listen to me Meera! Why didn’t you escape with her?”



“Hey, hey, it’s alright,” Meera said hugging Aryan, “Amairah is going to be OK. She is going to be with me. We are going to be together forever. You remember where our money is, don’t you? Take the money and go home. I’ll pray the someday, you’ll find an amazing girl, and you’ll fall in love once again, and you’ll live happily forever. I love you Aryan, I just couldn’t let you die.”



“You just killed me Meera!” Aryan protested, “I…I won’t go anywhere without you and Amairah…”



Suddenly the door buzzed. Two men began to walk towards Meera.



“Goodbye Aryan!” she said as the men grabbed her. Aryan struggled violently with his restraints but couldn’t reach her. He could only helplessly watch her being dragged away. He screamed and struggled with all his strength but he couldn’t break free. He broke down and cried.

 

[Indian Princess]

Update 15

Meera was dragged and pushed into the room where Amairah was sleeping. Meera forgot all her pain when she saw her child. She gently lifted the sleeping girl in her arms and showered her with kisses. Emotion of motherhood overwhelmed her and she felt a heaviness in her breasts. A drop of milk trickled down her nipples and Meera smiled at the sleeping child in her arms.



After some time, Amairah woke up. She started crying.



“Hey baby,” Meera said, “Don’t be afraid, you are my strong girl. And mama is here, mama won’t let anyone hurt you.”



The child still didn’t stop crying. Meera realized she was perhaps hungry. She put her to her breast and she began to suckle. Meera rested her back against the wall as he held her daughter in her arms. She closed her eyes and felt the beautiful bond with her child. She had craved so much for this one beautiful moment, but she finally got to live this moment only in captivity. She shuddered at the thought of what was going to happen.



“My sweet child,” she said as Amairah suckled, “I could never be a good person, but I’ll try to be the best mother. You will have a good life, you will go to school, you will go to college, you will get the best education, you’ll grow up to be a fine woman and you will get married to the man you love, you’ll have beautiful children, a family who will always love you. You won’t have a rotten life like your mother. I’m here for you…I’ll protect you, I’ll feed you, I’ll…keep you alive for as long as I can…”



Meera could not speak any further. She had never felt so helpless before. She sang a soft Arabic song, the one that Kabir loved. Amairah calmed down by her singing and drifted off to sleep.



Armaan watched Meera feed her child and sing to her till she slept. He was still unable to decide her fate. There was a raging storm in his head. Now that he knew the full extent of suffering, he had caused her, he was drowning in guilt. The very next moment, Pankhudi’s tearful face flashed before his eyes and he was overwhelmed with anger.



He made a video call to Pankhudi. When she answered the phone, her smiling face instantly soothed him.



“Hey my love, now have you been?” Pankhudi asked.



“I’m good Pankh,” Armaan said, “How are you? You sleep well, sweetheart?”



“I’ve been better,” Pankhudi said smiling at him, “I just miss you.”



“I’m coming home soon,” Armaan said, “My work here is almost done. Here, have a look.”



Armaan showed Pankhudi the video from the camera in Meera’s room. Pankhudi could see Meera with a sleeping child in her arms. Meera’s tear streaked face clearly showed the amount of agony her impending fate was causing her.



“Is that her child?” Pankhudi asked.



“Yeah,” Armaan said, “The only one she’ll ever have.”



“I don’t know what to say honey…I..” Pankhudi said feeling sorry for Meera’s condition.



“Tell me Pankh,” Armaan said, “What do you want me to do? If there is anyone entitled to decide Meera’s fate, it is you.”



Pankhudi became quiet and thoughtful. She knew that her word was going to be final on this matter. She knew she now had the power to decide the fate of Meera and her child. Meera had caused her extreme suffering, but a life and death decision felt like a crushing burden to Pankhudi.



Armaan allowed Pankhudi to take as much time as she needed to take a decision of such gravity. As Pankhudi continued weighing her options, Armaan got a second call from Blue Lotus Psychiatric facility.



“Pankh, allow me to call you back in a moment yeah?” Armaan said.



Pankhudi nodded and Armaan answered the second call.



“Mr. Mathur, this is Dr. Rhea again,” the woman said.



“Yes doctor,” Armaan said, “Any news about Neil?”



“Yes, but unfortunately, it is bad news,” the doctor said, “The police have found his body today, washed up at the shore. He drowned. Police are suspecting suicide.”



Armaan could barely process the shock.



“Mr. Mathur are you there?” she asked.



“There was one job I entrusted you with was to stop him from killing himself,” Armaan spoke bitterly, “And you told me 3 days ago, that he was getting better, are you even for real?”



“We are deeply sorry,” the doctor said.



“That explains everything perfectly, thank you,” Armaan spoke sarcastically.



“There is another problem,” the doctor said, “The family hasn’t come forth to claim the body, if you could…the police with contact you soon after the autopsy…”



“Thank you for taking the trouble to inform me,” Armaan said, “I’ll deal with you once I get there.”



Armaan hung up. A tear ran down his eyes. The screen in front of him displayed the image of the woman who was responsible for this. He looked at her bitterly. For a moment he wanted to go in there and strangle the life out of her.



His phone rang again. It was Neil’s lawyer.



“I just heard of Mr. Pereira’s unfortunate death,” the lawyer said, “I’m calling you because he had changed his will recently. There are several clauses that concern you. And he also left a letter for you in a sealed envelope. When can I meet you?”



“I’m not in the country at the moment,” Armaan said, “I’ll meet you in person as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, could discuss the clauses with my wife and hand over the letter to her?”



“Sure,” the lawyer said, “I’ll be there shortly.”



“Mr. Bose, I have a question,” Armaan said, “How valid is this will, considering that Neil was undergoing psychiatric treatment?”



“I’ve taken care of that part,” the lawyer said, “I had 2 psychiatrists certify that he was in a sound state of mind when he made the will, and they are willing to testify in court, should this will be challenged. The paperwork is solid. I don’t think there would be a problem with the execution of Mr. Pereira’s will.”



“Sure, thanks,” Armaan said and hung up.



Armaan called Pankhudi.



“Hey hubby,” Pankhudi said with a smile. Her smile faded when she noticed that Armaan was tearful. “You OK?” she asked.



“Neil’s lawyer is on his way home,” he said, “He wants to discuss Neil’s will. And there is a letter Neil left for me. Could you please receive it?”



“Will?” Pankhudi asked, “You mean? Neil…”



Armaan just nodded tearfully.



“I needed a moment to myself Pankh,” Armaan said, “Call me after you meet with the lawyer, OK?”



Pankhudi nodded and hung up.



Armaan began to remember the bitter-sweet moments of life he shared with Neil. Neil was always like his little brother. Armaan would always watch over him. Neil always respected Armaan fron the bottom of his heart. Armaan’s train of thoughts was interrupted by Pankhudi’s call.



“Hey sweetheart,” Armaan said.



“I just met the lawyer,” Pankhudi said, “Neil has appointed you as a legal guardian for all his properties, till his daughters attain legal age, after which everything he owns will be given to both girls equally. And there is a clause for testamentary guardianship. He has appointed you as the testamentary guardian for his daughters, that gives you a legitimate claim over the children’s custody.”



Armaan calmly closed his eyes processing the information.



“And there is this letter. It is sealed,” Pankhudi said.



“Read it for me Pankh,” Armaan said calmly.



Pankhudi opened the envelope and began to read.



Dear Armaan,



I thank you from the dept of my heart for everything you have done for me. You’ve cared for me like an elder brother, tried to stop me when I was wrong and yet you did everything in your power to protect me when I didn’t listen to you and messed up real bad.



I think back about the horrible things I’ve done. I wish I had treated Naina better. She loved me with all her heart, and I devastated her. Maybe I need to be punished for what I did, but my family didn’t deserve what came their way. Aditi was the sweetest person I knew, I remember how good and kind she has been to everyone, even to Meera. But Meera didn’t have the slightest hesitation having Aditi murdered. I did what I did to protect my daughters, but they hate me so much. My younger one, she still loves me, but they are punishing her for that. My elder daughter Avni, well, she doesn’t want to see me, she doesn’t even want to talk to me, and I am afraid Pihu will soon hate me too. Nothing is more painful than being hated by your own children.



Armaan, you have always acted for my good. I trust you, big brother, and there is no better person to take care of my estate and my children. Aditi’s parents are upset and in grief at the loss of their daughter, and I take complete responsibility for that, but that doesn’t give them the right to poison my children’s heart against me. I’ve appointed you as the legal guardian for my children, because I know that you and Pankhudi will be amazing parents. Take custody of my daughters, take them away from the toxic environment they are currently in where their minds are constantly being filled with hatred. They’ve been through so much already. My sweet girls deserve better, they deserve love…take my girls home and end this cycle of hate once and for all.



I know you are upset that I left even when you did all you could to save me. But honestly, there wasn’t much left for me anyway. My life has been damaged irreparably and I am way too messed up, you couldn’t save me anyway, big brother. I really can’t live a life without dignity. I’m just trying to find some peace. Forgive me, if you can. May God bless you and Pankh, and your children.



Love

Neil



A tear rolled down Armaan’s cheek as she finished reading the letter.



Armaan didn’t speak for a while. Losing Neil was excruciatingly painful for him.



“I am sorry my love,” Pankhudi said, “I wish I could be there to hold you.”



Armaan smiled with tearful eyes at her sweet remark.



“You OK with Neil’s decision Pankh?” Armaan asked, “Would you be OK taking care of his daughters?”



“It is an honor that he chose us,” Pankhudi said, “I would love to look after his daughters…sweet girls, they’ve been through so much, if I could bring a little joy to their lives, nothing could make me happier.”



Armaan smiled. Then he looked at the screen showing Meera with her child. His face was now clouded with anger.



“What about her Pankh?” he asked in a bitter tone, “As much as I want to rip her guts out, I leave the decision of her fate in your hands. Your word on this matter will be final.”



Pankhudi looked at video showing Meera curled up in the corner of a dark room, dressed only in a blood-soaked shirt and trembling in fear with her child in her arms. She took a deep breath to and gathered all the strength she needed to take a decision of such gravity.

 

[Indian Princess]

Update 16

Meera had lost track of time. She didn’t know for how long she had been locked in the dark room. Amairah’s presence soothed her heart but the child was getting more irritable by the hour. Meera struggled to keep Amairah calm.



Meera was thirsty, she reached for the tap, but there was no more water. Hunger made her weak with every passing moment. She realized how truly helpless she was when she couldn’t make Amairah stop crying.



“I am sorry baby,” Meera said, “I should have never come for you. I brought this upon you. Forgive your horrible mother if you can…”



Meera sang a song even though her throat was drying without water. Amairah calmed down to her singing and slowly fell asleep. Meera held her sleeping child gently against her breasts, as she rested her back against the wall. She knew her last moment was near. Her mind drifted into a void.



And suddenly the door buzzed and Armaan entered the room. Meera looked at him with tearful eyes as he came closer.



“Please let my baby live,” Meera begged, “She is only a child.”



Armaan scoffed. “The last time I let a child live,” Armaan spoke in a low bitter voice, “The woman I love was raped over and over again, and three of my close friends died!”



Meera looked at him in disbelief when he said “Three.”



“Yeah,” Armaan said glaring into her eyes, “Neil is dead too. He killed himself just like you wanted. They found his body today. Are you happy now, Meera? You got his innocent wife murdered and orphaned his children, how good does this make you feel? Come on now, smile! Let me see you smile, let me hear you laugh!”



Meera just wept silently.



“What was that thing you did with Pankhudi’s fingernail?” Armaan said grabbing Amairah’s hand.



“NO! Please NO!” Meera begged helplessly, “I beg you please…do whatever you want with me, please don’t hurt her…I am sorry…I was mad with pain and anger, I couldn’t think straight…I…I’ve never felt love like I did when I found my baby…I..”



“So we are talking about motherhood now, are we?” Armaan said, “You knew Pankhudi was pregnant. And yet you showed no mercy! You enjoyed her screams! Now you’ll know what it feels like!”



Meera curled up and sobbed.



Armaan said fondling Amairah’s hair, “You had a grudge against me, you should have taken it out on me. The pain of an innocent person suffering because of you, you are going to feel that to the core now. You know, I am not here to avenge Aarav, Reyansh or even Neil…hell I don’t even know what your men did to Reyansh! But Pankhudi? You brutalized her for absolutely none of her fault! She wakes up screaming every night, does that make you feel proud huh? Tell me Meera!”



“I am sorry,” Meera spoke softly.



“Meera, I agree that you’ve been through unspeakable horrors, and you didn’t deserve any of that,” Armaan continued, “And I am willing to accept that it was my fault. And I am sorry, I really am. I was trying to protect my brother. I really didn’t mean to cause this much suffering to you. I even admire your strength, courage and survival instincts. You are an incredibly strong woman and a fierce fighter. But none of that gives you the right to do what you did! Two wrongs don’t make a right. You are just as horrible a person as I am, perhaps worse!”



“I had nothing,” Meera spoke in a calm tone, “When I made the plan for my revenge, I had absolutely nothing. I had lost Kabir, I had become a whore, I had no idea whether my baby is even alive, I knew I can never become a mother again, no one would love me, I had no hopes, no dreams…my life was empty…I had nothing…I had only pain…I was in so much pain that all I could think of was…”



Meera stopped midsentence as she broke down crying bitterly. Then she gathered herself and continued. “All that I could think of was inflicting pain on others…I had no control over myself…I often think back about the horrible things I’ve done, I often do…but then I feel at that point of time, I really couldn’t do any better…I was so broken, I was in so much pain…like a mad wounded animal…I had no limits to my brutality…because there was nothing to hold me back…no one to give me a little love to remind me that I am a human too…If I had maybe a little love in my life, just a little love, maybe I wouldn’t have been so bad…”



Meera wiped her tears and continued, “…and then one day, Aryan told me that he loves me, he told me that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, he killed for me, he was willing to die for me…and everything suddenly changed…I…I had never dreamed that anyone would ever love me so much…and now I’ve found my sweet baby, and now I am so happy…I have a man who loves me, I have my baby, I have a family, I have money, I have dreams of living my life with Aryan, dreams of raising Amairah with him, dreams of giving her a good life, I have everything I ever wanted…what I don’t have…is a second chance…”



Meera choked in grief as she wept holding her child, “After what I did…I know that I don’t deserve mercy…I’m willing to face whatever punishment you chose for me…but I beg you Armaan, please let Amairah live…my sweet baby…her father Kabir, he was a kind man, he helped me escape this hell and then he died trying to save me. Please let our child live, you could give her to Aryan, or to Yasmin, she is a nice girl…she’ll take care of my baby…please let there be something beautiful in the cruel world…”



Armaan was listening to her side of the story, struggling to keep his calm. The news of Neil’s death had got him really agitated so much that he just wanted to grab her throat.



“But if you still feel that my baby doesn’t deserve to live,” Meera said in a defeated tone kissing her child, “A quick death is all I ask for…”



She felt her heart break into a million pieces as she spoke the words. Begging for her child’s death, nothing could have been more painful.



“If I were to stoop to your level Meera,” Armaan said with blazing anger in his eyes, “I would have killed her and left you locked in the room so that you could watch her rot.”



Meera shuddered at his words. But she knew any appeal for mercy would be rejected.



“But…Pankhudi chose to forgive you,” Armaan said, “I am going to let both of you live because that is what Pankh wants. In spite of all your brutality, she believes you deserve some sunshine.”



Meera looked at Armaan, in disbelief. There was a hint of hope in her eyes, but her heart feared if this was just another cruel game.



“I am going to set you and your child free,” Armaan said, “You are very fortunate to be given a second chance, but that is that last chance you’ll get. If you ever cross me again, trust me, you really don’t wanna find out what cruelty I am capable of.”



Meera nodded tearfully as she held her baby close to her body.



“Free Aryan and leave this country,” Armaan said dropping a key next to her, “The poison I used to kill Qais is untraceable in an autopsy. His associates believe that you killed him, they are hunting you relentlessly.”



Armaan walked away. Meera slowly composed herself. She gently held the sleeping child in her arms and cried uncontrollably at the thought of how close they both were to getting killed.



Then she composed herself and picked up the key and walked to the next room. Aryan was sitting on the floor completely broken at the thought of having lost Meera and Amairah. When he saw them, he couldn’t believe his eyes!



Meera rushed towards him and unlocked his handcuffs.



“Are you OK?” he asked Meera.



“I’m alright,” she said wiping her tears, “Let’s get out of here!”



When the walked out of the house where they were held captive, they found a vehicle with keys in the ignition. Aryan started the car and drove off. Meera was in the passenger’s seat with Amairah in her arms. She showered her baby with kisses as she wept silently.



“Did he hurt you or her?” Aryan asked out of concern.



“No,” Meera said tearfully, “He didn’t…Pankhudi told him not to…”



Aryan closed his eyes in anguish as he remembered the brutality Meera meted out to Pankhudi.



Aryan drove to the house where Meera had sent Yasmin. They hurriedly opened the locked door. They anxiously looked for Yasmin all over the house. Meera got apprehensive when they didn’t find Yasmin.



Aryan and Meera ran upstairs and found the bedroom door bolted from outside. They anxiously opened the door and found Yasmin inside. She was safe and sound, but her eyes were red and tearful. It seemed like she had cried all night. And along with Yasmin was another woman. Meera recognized Fatima instantly and ran towards her, and pulled her into her embrace.



“I owe so much to you,” Meera said tearfully, “Thank you for saving my baby.”



“That was the least I could do for you and Kabir,” Fatima said lovingly.



“Are you OK?” Meera asked Fatima with a concerned expression, “I feared the worst when Qais found out about Amairah. I though he’ll…”



Meera broke into tears and could not speak further.



“Qais had this visitor,” Fatima said, “A man I don’t recognize…but he seemed to be the one who told Qais about Amairah. Yet he intervened when Qais ordered his men to torture me, and managed to make him change his mind. And this same stranger set me free in the end. I never quite understood his intentions, but I am grateful for my freedom and I am happy to be back with Yasmin.”



“I missed you so much,” Yasmin said hugging Fatima.



Aryan just stood there smiling at the women with Amairah sleeping in his arms.



Aryan and Meera had a quick bath and changed into fresh clothes.



Aryan called Rizwan.



“We’ve found the child, and we will be leaving the country shortly,” Aryan said, “I want to thank you for everything that you have done for us, risking your own life.”



“I’m glad it is over,” Rizwan said, “Good luck for your journey.”



“Riz there is a favor I need to ask,” Aryan said, “There is a woman who had been looking after Amairah. I’m afraid she will be hunted now. I need you to give her and her aunt a different identity and move them to somewhere safe. We will bear the costs for this.”



“Okay, I’m sending you a location,” Rizwan said, “Bring them there.”



Aryan drove to the location Rizwan had sent. Once Rizwan arrived, Meera hugged Yasmin and thanked her. Yasmin and Fatima got into the van, and Rizwan took took them away, promising to safely relocate her.



Aryan drove to the place where they had buried their money. Meera was sitting in the passenger seat of their car. She was lost in deep thoughts as Aryan dug out their money. Amairah was asleep on the backseat. Meera’s heart was now finally at peace as she was now assured that he loved ones weren’t in danger.



Aryan loaded the money in the car. Then he walked towards Meera and noticed that a lot of thoughts were running through her head.



“You OK?” Aryan asked Meera.



“Yeah I am fine,” Meera said, “I was just thinking…”



“About?” Aryan asked.



“Armaan…he…” Meera said, “I don’t know if I understand what he really wanted. He seemed really angry, but he didn’t really hurt me or Amairah. He saved your life, he didn’t hurt Yasmin, he set Fatima free, and he killed Qais and the doctor who tortured and sold me into sex slavery…why was Armaan really here Aryan?”



“I think he was trying to mend what he broke,” Aryan said, “He was trying to fix things. I think amidst all that anger, he does feel a deep regret for what you went through because of him. Now that he has chosen to forgive you, maybe, you should forgive him too.”



Meera nodded in agreement. She turned on her laptop and plugged in her hard disc. Her eyes were tearful as she viewed the evidence of her monstrosity one last time. She deleted all of Pankhudi’s videos permanently. She felt like a huge burden was taken off her chest, a burden of anger and hatred.



“I wish I had never been such a horrible person,” Meera said, crying uncontrollably, “She was innocent and I…If it weren’t for her kindness, I wouldn’t be alive today…I couldn’t even properly apologize to her. So many people were kind to me Fatima, Kabir, Yasmin, Mithila, and you…why didn’t I learn anything from all these wonderful people? I just…I feel terrible for what I did to Pankhudi…”



“She’s got a heart of gold, Meera,” Aryan said, “And through all your cruelty, she saw your pain and suffering, and she chose to forgive you. She believed you deserve a second chance and she gave it to you. What you do with your second chance now is all that matters.”



“I’ll be the best person I can be, I’ll be kind, I’ll try not to ever disappoint her for giving me this chance…” Meera said wiping her tears.



Then they drove towards the harbor as the sun set over the horizon.



********************************



Once Armaan returned home, Pankhudi welcomed him warmly.



He was cuddling in her arms at night after being away from her for almost a week.



“I missed you,” she said running her fingers through his hair.



Armaan held her closer, relishing the warm feeling of her body in his arms. His heart was finally at peace.



“I was really unable to decide Meera’s fate,” Armaan said, “Thank you for taking this burden off my chest. You know Pankh, although I had other plans for her originally, letting her go felt like the right thing.”



“When you placed her fate in my hands,” Pankhudi said, “I could have chosen death for her and her family. I just had to say the word. But killing her was not going to change anything for us. It was not going to change what happened or undo our suffering. Of course, it would have made a statement that we are more powerful and we can kill anyone who dares to cross us. But…taking a life just to make a point, no Armaan, we are better than that.”



Armaan kissed her forehead and pulled her closer as his heart melted in her sweet words.



“The responsibility to end this was on you, because you started it,” Pankhudi said lovingly fondling him, “She has been through unimaginable pain and I guess that’s what made her a monster. Love and forgiveness, it changes people.”



“She shouldn’t have hurt you Pankh,” Armaan said, “She had no right. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for this.”



“Armaan, my love,” Pankhudi said, “When I chose you as my soulmate, I also chose to share your karmic debt. I knew your dark secrets. I knew that your dark past will have repercussions in our lives, but I loved you anyway. And with that love, comes a promise that I’ll stay with you, no matter what happens.”



Armaan pulled her closer and locked lips with her. “You are the most beautiful gift God has given me Pankh, I’ll always cherish you,” he said.



****************************************



Aryan was driving and Meera was in the passenger’s seat. They had got a child seat installed in their car and Amairah was safely strapped to it. Meera looked at the child laughing playfully and smiled.



“Here,” Aryan said passing her a blindfold, “Put this on.”



“Seriously?” Meera asked, “Why? You've been gone for hours the last few days, and are being so secretive. What have you been up to?”



“I was preparing a surprise for you,” Aryan said with a smile.



Meera smiled and put on the blindfold. After driving for a while, Aryan stopped the car. He lifted Amairah in his arms and opened the car’s door for Meera. He led Meera towards a house and asked her to take off the blindfold.



Meera saw that they were standing in front of a beautiful house. The front yard had a little garden full of beautiful flowers and a swing tied to a tree. The house was beautiful and spacious.



“Do you like it?” Aryan asked.



“I love it!” Meera said beaming with joy.



“It’s ours!” Aryan said handing over a key to her.



Meera smiled and sprinted towards the door. She entered the house and found it to be exquisitely decorated. The furniture, the curtains, the paint, everything was perfect. She explored all the rooms of the house while Aryan sat down on the sofa playing with Amairah.



“It’s so beautiful Aryan,” she said, “How much did it cost? You already have another house mortgaged in Mumbai.”



“I sold that house Meera,” Aryan said.



“What? No!” Meera said as her smile faded, “Aryan, that house was special for you…It had memories…”



“I want to make new memories now Meera,” Aryan said with a hint of sorrow on his face, “I want live in this house with you and Amairah, I want to be…happy…”



Meera hugged him and locked lips with him.



“So what have you thought?” Aryan asked, “Although we have enough money to last a lifetime, but…there must be something that you’ve always wanted to do…”



“Yeah I…” Meera said, “I always wanted to run a boutique.”



“That’s wonderful,” Aryan said, “Let’s start working on setting up your boutique.”



“And I’ve got this bucket list you know,” Meera said joyously, “I’m barely educated, but I love to read, and there are so many books I want to read. I wanna learn to play the piano, I want to dance in the rain with you and I want to travel the world. What about you?”



“Me?” Aryan said with a smile, “I want to paint. Come let me show you something.”



Aryan led Meera to a room where he had mounted all his paintings on the wall.


"This is my personal collection," he said.



“You painted these?” Meera asked in total awe of his art. She lovingly touched his paintings. She found several paintings of her. All those beautiful moments she had spent with him, he had captured them in his art. There was a painting of her reading a book, there was one of her sleeping like a baby. She was amazed at how beautiful she looked. And there was one painting of her smoking with a determined look on her face. And finally, she saw a painting of her holding a knife in a threatening stance in an abandoned factory. Her hair was disheveled and she was wounded, but her stance was so aggressive, and her gaze fierce like a tigress. Meera suddenly because tearful as she remembered the day, she had first seen Aryan.



“This is where it all began…” she said lovingly touching the painting.



Aryan hugged her from behind.



“I painted this the day I first saw you. You mesmerized me that moment," Aryan said looking at the painting, "I always felt strongly attracted towards you Meera, your fierce spirit, and your strength. But I was afraid to express my feelings, because your aura has always been so intense.”



Meera just hugged him tearfully.



“And this is my latest creation, and perhaps the most beautiful,” Aryan said leading Meera towards a covered painting, “This is what was keeping me busy the last few days.”



As Meera uncovered the painting, her heart was filled with joy. It was a painting of her with Aryan and Amairah.



“Isn’t she beautiful?” Meera said touching Amairah’s face in the painting.



“She is indeed,” Aryan said.



“You know, Aryan, sometimes I wish…” Meera said, “I wish I could have a child with you. Maybe a boy, with cute dimples like yours.”



“Well,” Aryan said with a smile, “Only your uterus is damaged, but your ovaries are intact. If you want a biological child with me, we could get a surrogate. Or we could adopt a child. I know what it feels like to be an orphan, we could give a child a better life. But that’s if you really want. As for me, I am happy with our little princess.”



Meera’s eyes gleamed with joy at the thought of having another child with Aryan.



This was perhaps the most joyful day of Meera’s life. Spending a day with Aryan in this beautiful house, watching Amairah run round the house playing with the toys that Aryan had brought for her.



After dinner, she put Amairah to sleep and cuddled close to Aryan.



“Is this even real Aryan?” Meera asked, “A few days ago…everything was so different…and this…it just feels like a dream. If this is really a dream, I never wanna wake up…”



“This is real Meera,” Aryan said kissing her forehead.



“Sometimes, when I close my eyes…” Meera said as she shuddered, “All bad things…all the bad memories…they appear like a monster threatening to engulf me…I feel so afraid…I never dreamed that I would have a life so beautiful…”



Aryan held her close and gently rubbed her back.



“Armaan once told me,” Meera said with tearful eyes, “That Pankhudi is the purest soul in this world…now I see the truth in his words…she gave me this beautiful life…I’ll pray for her everyday…May God heal the wounds that I gave her, and give her all the happiness in the world…”



Meera could not speak further. Aryan hugged her tightly as she wept on his shoulders.



“Cheers to a new life, Meenakshi!” he said.



“To a new life,” Meera said and locked lips with him. They kissed passionately relishing that warmth of each other’s bodies, and a humble gratefulness in the hearts for being forgiven.



***************************************



Armaan acquired custody of Neil’s daughters. Aditi’s parents weren’t quite willing to let them go, but Neil’s will had legally enforced Armaan’s claim and, they didn’t want to fight it out in court.



“You think they’ll be, OK?” Armaan asked Pankhudi as the girls played in the garden.



“The little one is sweet. The elder one has been hurt, she’ll need some time to adjust,” Pankhudi said, “But they’ll be okay, I guess. I’ll try to be the best mother I can.”



“You’ll be a wonderful mother,” Armaan said hugging her from behind.



“I have something to show you,” Pankhudi said with a sweet smile, tugging on his hand leading him to the bedroom.



She playfully pushed him on the bed and said, “Close your eyes!”



Armaan closed his eyes, but he was curious so he opened one eye to look.



“No cheating!” Pankhudi said playfully.



Armaan smiled and closed both eyes again. Then he felt Pankhudi hug him from behind.



“Ok, you can open your eyes now,” she whispered.



When Armaan opened his eyes Pankhudi showed him a sonographic image of their child. “Isn’t our baby beautiful?” Pankhudi asked.



Armaan smiled at the image. “Come soon little one,” Armaan said, “We are waiting for you.”

 

[Indian Princess]

Sasha! story completed

 

[Sasha!]

Sasha! story completed

Not place to ask but WHY! Why you posted it all at once! I am happy but sad also that it's over

 

[Indian Princess]

Not place to ask but WHY! Why you posted it all at once! I am happy but sad also that it's over

Got a lot of worked lined up. Wanted to check one off the list

But this is a draft more or less, im open to suggestions for changes

 

[Sasha!]

Meera and Aryan reached Kabir’s house. It was night, and the stars adorned the sky



Meera was instantly tearful looking at the ruined structure left behind after the flames devoured the house. She walked in through the charred door frame. Everything inside was a shade of black with a thick layer of dust and cobwebs of the spiders that made a home out of the tragic remains of the consequences of her actions.



Aryan followed her closely behind. The roof of the house was eaten away by the fire and the pale moonlight flowed in. A shiny object gleaming in the moonlight caught Meera’s attention. She picked it up. It was a photo frame. When she saw Kabir’s half burnt picture, she broke into tears. She ran her fingers over the frame as she smiled remembering a beautiful memory.



**********************



Meera was semiconscious. She was lying on the examination table with Kabir and Fatima by her side.



“What the hell?” Kabir said, “He hurts her so badly for what, like for some kind of a sport?”



“I’ve told her several times to obey, but she seems to have a death wish,” Fatima said, “So, this time, Master has ordered you to…”



Meera couldn’t hear as Fatima spoke in a lowered voice.



Kabir sighed. “I’ll go have a word with him,” he said, “I’ll see if I can make him change his mind.”



Fatima injected something into Meera’s veins and her consciousness faded as she fell into a deep sleep. When Meera woke up, Kabir was smiling at her.



“Are you OK?” he asked.



Meera was feeling numb. She sat up on the bed trying to orient herself.



“Yeah,” she said grabbing her head, “I think I am fine.”



“Why don’t you listen Meera?” Kabir asked, “Me and Fatima have been repeatedly telling you to obey your Master…why don’t you? Haven’t you had enough punishments? He beats you like an animal each time and I end up sewing you up. And this time you did what, you bit him? You know he ordered me to pull out all your teeth and nails. I talked him out of it with great difficulty. I care about you Meera, if you keep going like this…he’ll kill you.”



“Then I’ll be finally free,” Meera said with a sweet smile, “I don’t belong here Kabir, I am like a little bird, and I belong to the skies, to be free and happy, to fly away to wherever I want.”



“It is amazing to know you have such beautiful dreams, Meera,” Kabir said, “But, look around you, you are not a bird, you are a sex slave, and that is what you are destined to be. The sooner you accept it, the easier it will be for you.”



“I’ll write my own destiny Kabir,” Meera said, “I’d rather die than live in chains for the rest of my life.”



Kabir felt his fondness for Meera rising every time she smiled at him. He had every reason to admire her. She was beautiful, she was strong, she was brave, and she refused to surrender to her fate. He touched her face lovingly making an eye contact.



“You know Kabir,” Meera said, “You are a wonderful man. Could you fulfil a little wish of mine?”



“What do you want me to do Meera?” he asked.



“Will you make love to me?” she said looking into his eyes with desire.



Kabir’s smile faded. “No, Meera, I can’t” he said, “It is forbidden for me to…”



“Please…” she said, “Just once…look at me Kabir, what do I have, huh? I have woven these beautiful dreams to shield myself from the harsh reality…but I am not blind. You talked about reality, didn’t you? I know that all I am ever going to get as long as I am alive is pain and humiliation. And once Master is done with me, he will kill me for sport, or condemn me to even worse fate. All I want is a little moment of love, with a wonderful, loving, kind man like you. Just want to know how it feels like to be touched lovingly…just once…I just want to feel something beautiful that is real…”



“Meera,” Kabir said, “I really understand how you feel. But this could mean death for both of us.”



“I’ll never tell anyone, I promise,” Meera said, “I’ll never speak your name.”



“I am sorry,” Kabir said, “I can’t.”



“It’s alright,” Meera said tearfully, “I understand…I just wanted a little love…but it’s ok, I’ll live without it…”



“Hey…” Kabir said hugging the tearful woman.



Meera grabbed his hair and locked her lips with him. Her grip was so firm, Kabir could feel how deeply she craved for love. He could not resist anymore. He started showering her with kisses. Meera relaxed her body, drowning in the pleasurable sensations she was feeling for the first time. As Kabir licked her nipples, she arched her back and a faint moan escaped her lips. Along with the pleasurable sensations, she had an assurance that Kabir was not going to hurt her. He was no a sadist who would make her scream for his pleasure. He was a loving, caring man, who was touching her so carefully to ensure she doesn’t feel any pain.



Meera felt heat growing between her legs. She wanted him, she dug her fingernails into his clothes and pulled him towards her. They made love, and that felt like the most beautiful moment ever.


*****************************



Meera felt a hand on her shoulder.



“You OK, baby?” Aryan asked.



Meera hugged him and cried.



“Kabir was a good man,” Meera said as she wept bitterly, “He was kind and loving, he scarified so much for me.”



Aryan gently rubbed her back and held her in his arms till she calmed down.



Both of them began to search the house for any clues using flashlights. Most of the things in the house were destroyed by fire. But Meera found something. It was a “Thank you” card. When she opened the card, she saw a picture of two women – one older woman and one younger. She instantly recognized the older woman.



“She is Fatima!” Meera said pointing to the older woman in the picture.



Aryan leaned in to observe the picture. “Yeah, Rizwan told me that she worked for Qais as a nurse and caretaker of his slaves. But she is also more or less a slave herself,” Aryan said, “She is not allowed to leave the harem or communicate with anyone outside.”



Meera began to read the card.



Dear Dr. Kabir,



I thank you so much for saving the life of my aunt, Fatima. She is my only family, and she means the world to me. When we heard of the cancer, we were devastated. But thanks to you, she is alive and well. May God bless you with all the happiness in the word. We owe our smiles to you.



Love

Yasmin



“Fatima is Yasmin’s aunt,” Meera said, “That is why she sent Amairah to the orphanage where Yasmin worked. She was trying to keep her safe.”



Aryan was still focussed on the card.



“This looks like a very old photo,” he said and lifted off the photo of Fatima and Yasmin. Behind the photo was the address of the photo studio where it was clicked. “I think I know where we might find Yasmin,” he said.



Without losing time, Aryan and Meera rushed to their car and drove off towards the village where the photo was taken. The drove through the night, through the lonely desert road. Meera’s heart was pounding in her chest at the though of finally seeing her daughter.



By the time they reached the village, it was morning and the market was buzzing with people. Aryan found the photo studio where the photo was taken and asked in anyone knew where the woman lived.



“Oh yes, I know her,” a shopkeeper said, “She is Yasmin. She is a sweet girl. She used to live here with her aunt. But Fatima was diagnosed with cancer, and they went to the city for her treatment. 2 years ago, Yasmin returned with a little girl. She said Fatima was no more and she had adopted this little girl because she didn’t want to be lonely.”



“Where does she live?” Aryan asked.



“Take the first felt from the crossroad ahead, fourth house to the right,” the man said.



****************************************



“Any news on Fatima’s family?” Armaan asked Qais.



“Yeah,” Qais said, “You are going to love to hear this. Few years ago, my previous nurse died, so I needed an elderly nurse to look after the cunts and Fatima came forth and offered her services. She was a qualified nurse, so I considered her for the job. She knew she won’t be ever allowed to communicate with the outside world and she was paid for her lifelong services with a one-time payment.”



“I see,” Armaan said.



“She got the money transferred to the account of a girl named Yasmin,” Qais said, “I’ve got her address from the bank. My men are on the way to get her.”



Armaan smiled.



*************************************



Aryan drove to Yasmin’s house, but chose to park the car a few yards away, to avoid raising alarms for someone who might be watching. He didn’t want to risk Yasmin getting killed like Shadab.



He instructed Meera to tiptoe quietly through the house’s backyard and enter the gates without being noticed. Meera peeked through the closed window and spotted Yasmin. She was a beautiful young girl. On her lap was a little girl child who laughed playfully as Yasmin sang to her. Meera recognized her daughter and tears of joy filled her eyes.



Meera couldn’t hold herself back. She knocked the door. When Yasmin opened the door, Meera dropped her veil to let Yasmin see her.



“My name is Meera. That’s my child,” Meera said tearfully.



Yasmin was suddenly alert. She quickly allowed Meera and Aryan to enter the house.



“I know you would come,” Yasmin said, “Are you sure no one is following you?”



“Not that we know of,” Aryan replied nodding at Meera, “But I’ll keep watch. Be Quick.”



Meera held Amairah in her arms for the first time and her heart was filled with joy like never before. She showered the little girl with kisses as tears continuously flowed from her eyes.



“Thank you for looking after my baby,” Meera said.



“That was the least we could do for Kabir,” Yasmin replied with a smile, “When my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, we were devasted. The financial burden drained us completely, so much that we had to mortgage this house to raise money for her treatment. And in spite of everything, her chances of survival were grim. I couldn’t have lost her; she was my only family. But when we consulted Kabir, he not only agreed to operate free of cost, he treated her condition so well that she became healthy once more. For a few years we were happy, but the cancer returned, and this time…Kabir wasn’t around,”



“Where was he then? Kabir was an amazing man,” Meera said, “But why did he work for the likes of Qais?”



Yasmin’s eyes got tearful as he spoke, “There was a major complication in one of his surgeries leading to death of the patient, and he lost his license to practice. We couldn’t find him for a long time. And finally, one of my aunt’s old contacts told us where Kabir really was. He had starting practicing illegally for criminals and shady folks.”



“We tried several places where we could get Fatima treated at lower costs,” Yasmin continued, “We were already burdened with debts. And then finally Fatima took a decision. She decided to sell herself as a slave. She decided not to go for any treatments and live for as long as she was destined to. She negotiated a large sum of money in return of her lifelong services, so I could get our house back. Now I have money, I have this house, but I don’t have her. I continued working at the orphanage because that is where Shadab used to come as drop small letters from Fatima for me and take my letters to her. I didn’t have my aunt but at least we could communicate. Also, I loved the company of the children when I felt lonely. And one day, that driver Shadab brought your child to me with a note from Fatima.”



Yasmin showed Meera the note.



Dear Yasmin,



Please take care of this little girl. Her mother Meera, has named her Amairah. She is Kabir’s daughter. Kabir is planning an escape with Meera. Kabir or Meera, will come for the child when the dust settles. Till then, please take care of her. Consider it a repayment for the debt we owe him. Also, you are not safe in the orphanage anymore, I suggest you move back home. They will try to find our address through the orphanage’s records. Deal with that before you leave. Take care and God bless you.



Love

Fatima



Meera had tears of gratitude in her eyes for all the people who had helped her.



“But where is Kabir?” Yasmin asked, “Why isn’t he with you?”



“He’s dead,” Meera said tearfully, “He died trying to save me.”



“Meera,” Aryan said in an alarming tone, “We may have a problem!”



“What happened?” Meera asked.



“I need both of you to leave, along with Amairah,” Aryan said, “I just spotted a van full of armed men. They seem to be headed this way. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”



“No, Aryan, they’ll kill you!” Meera said grabbing his hand, “You are coming with us!”



“Meera you don’t understand!” Aryan shouted, “If I don’t stall them, all of us will be captured. I just can’t let them get their hands on you and Amairah. And those men are heavily armed, I really don’t want Amairah to get caught in crossfire.”



“No..I…can’t…” Meera said tearfully.



“Just go Meera!” Aryan said.



Meera looked as Yasmin who was holding Amairah in her arms. Yasmin looked terrified. Meera unwillingly left Aryan and grabbed Yasmin’s hand and led her safely to their car. Once Yasmin and Amairah were comfortably seated in the car, Meera got onto the driver’s seat and started the engine.

I have recently understood that self harm can be done in so many ways and beaten by Qias was Meera's one.

Fatima and Yasmin both were such beautiful souls. People who are greatful and true to thier word. I think with this update the whole back story is revealed. Felt sad for Kabir though

Am happy that our little princess had good care but very nervous to read further

 

[Sasha!]

And then suddenly she realized something. The rifles they had picked up after killing Qais’s men were in the car. Aryan just had a pistol and he wouldn’t be able to hold off several armed men for long.



“Yasmin can you drive?” Meera spoke with determination.



“Yes,” Yasmin said.



Meera quickly fed the coordinates of the house Rizwan had arranged for her and Aryan to stay into the car’s GPS.



“Drive to this location,” Meera said handing over the keys to the house to Yasmin, “Stay in this house. Once we deal with the situation back there, I’ll come get my baby.”



“You mean…are you?” Yasmin asked.



“Yeah,” Meera spoke with determination as she picked up two assault rifles from the car, “After all Aryan has done for me, I can’t leave him alone to die.”



“But Meera, they’ll kill you,” Yasmin spoke in a worried tone.



“I’ll be fine,” Meera said with a confident smile, “I’ve dealt with worse.”



Yasmin nodded and drove off. Meera returned to Aryan with the guns. He was kneeling by the window eyeing the activities of the armed men. Aryan wasn’t expecting her to return.



“What the hell Meera!” he shouted.



“I brought you guns,” she said sweetly, “I couldn’t leave you.”



Aryan didn’t respond. He was angry that Meera had risked her life. All he wanted was her to be safe. The armed men had now reached the door of Yasmin’s house. Without losing a moment, Aryan shot down two of them while the rest took cover and began firing back.



Meera ducked next to Aryan trying to escape the raining bullets. Aryan stalled the men for quite some time and managed another kill. Rashid was extremely angry as he watched his men die. He picked up a sniper rifle and climbed up to the roof of a building opposite to Yasmin’s house. He had a clear shot at both Aryan and Meera as they tried to stop his men from entering the house. He was tempted to shoot Aryan in the head but he remembered his orders that they were to be captured alive. He aimed for Aryan’s right shoulder and fired a shot.



The bullet tore through Aryan’s flesh and he fell on his knees in excruciating pain.



“Aryan, NO!” Meera screamed in utter panic as she struggled to bandage his wound to stop the blood flow, “Aryan, stay with me please!” Meera said trying to shake him awake as Aryan was nearly fainting.



“They are behind the east window,” Rashid instructed his men.



Before Meera could realize, a gas grenade was tossed in from the window a few inches away from her feet. The toxic fumes made both of them pass out in seconds.



*******************************



When Meera regained consciousness, she realized she was inside a moving vehicle. It was dark, but she could feel Aryan lying next to her.



“She cradled his head on her lap and hugged him and cried bitterly. “I am so sorry Aryan,” she said.



“Meera,” Aryan said touching her face with his blood-stained hand, “You were very brave to return with the guns sweetheart.”



Meera smiled at him.



“But I need you to promise me one thing,” Aryan said, “No matter what happens, no matter how much they torture me, you won’t tell them where Amairah is.”



“I won’t, I promise,” Meera said tearfully as she realized how inevitable their torture was.



“That’s my girl,” Aryan said smiling at her.



When they reached their destination, Meera and Aryan were dragged out of the truck and their hands cuffed behind their backs. They were roughly dragged to the room where Qais and Armaan were waiting for them.



Armaan smiled looking at the defeated couple. He casually picked up an apple from the fruit basket and rested his back against a wall and munched on the apple enjoying their plight.



Rashid forced Aryan to kneel and Qais walked towards Meera. On seeing Qais, a chill ran down through her mind. All the painful memories of how he had tortured and humiliated her spilt forth into her brain like a tide of nightmares.



“Strip her,” Qais ordered, “I need to teach the cunt her place.”



Meera felt like a deer in headlight and two men cut off her clothes with knives. She was stripped completely and made to stand stark naked in front of so many men. She wept silently. Aryan closed his eyes out of helplessness.



“So you got rid of the tattoos, eh?” Qais said boldly running his hands over her naked breasts.



Meera tried to push his hands away. Qais grabbed her hair and slapped her hard across the face and forced her to bend over the table. He forced her to spread her legs so that everyone present in the room could see her pussy. Qais started running his hand over her exposed pussy. Meera struggled with all her strength but Qais held her firmly down.



“So you finally did become a loose cunt, didn’t you?” Qais teased her, “How do you feel? Aren’t you proud?”



Meera’s face burned in shame.



“How did you manage to get so loose?” Qais asked, “You became a whore or something?”



“Yeah,” Armaan said munching on the apple, “That’s the only thing she is good at.”



“Wow!” Qais said looking at Aryan, “And look at this man here, willing to die for this loose cunt. Seriously dude, from all the women in this world you choose to love this whore?”



“She is a far better person than you, coward!” Aryan growled like a wounded tiger.



“Yeah of course,” Qais teased, “At least I have a count of the number of women I’ve fucked. But what about you, loose cunt, does your lover boy know how many men have fucked you?”



Meera broke down completely to be humiliated this way in front of Aryan. She felt dirty and worthless. She just hugged Aryan and cried.



“I don’t think she has a count,” Armaan said with an evil smile as she casually rested his back against the wall and ejoyed the show.



“Alright,” Qais chuckled, “At least tell us which is your most used hole?”



Meera felt devasted. She hugged Aryan tightly. “I am sorry Aryan,” she said in a breaking voice, “I am not worthy of your love, I am dirty.”



She wailed and began to cry loudly. Qais smiled as how he made her break down with just words.



“Meera, listen to me,” Aryan said, “You are stronger than this. Don’t let him get the better of you. I decide who is worthy of my love and not him. You are the strongest woman I know, Meera, and I need you to show that to him!”



Meera quickly wiped her tears and composed herself.



“Aren’t these two adorable?” Armaan said with a smile taking another bite of the apple.



“Indeed,” Qais smiled, “I’m gonna have so much fun with the two of you. But first things first, my guest here is interested in your daughter and you are going to tell us where she is.”



“Fuck you!” Meera growled.



“I did expect some resistance,” Qais said as he walked towards Aryan and kicked him hard making him fall to the ground. Qais then placed his foot over Aryan’s wounded shoulder making him groan.



“Stop hurting him!” Meera screamed.



“Stop?” Qais laughed, “I haven’t even started. Now you are going to tell us where your daughter is or I am going to castrate him and make you watch.”



“You might want to use a heated knife,” Armaan said with an evil smile, “He’s got a rare blood group.”



Meera glared at Armaan.



“What?” Armaan said to Meera causally shrugging his shoulders, “You didn’t know? He is A negative.”



“Of course, we'll use a heated knife” Qais said, “We don’t want him bleeding out. I’m ecstatic thinking of all the fun we are going to have once we make him a eunuch, won’t we, cunt?”



Meera’s stance now suddenly changed. Her eyes were burning with anger as she glared at him. She boldly advanced towards him.


Qais just smiled and ordered one of him men, "Heat the knife. Let's see how this cunt enjoys watching her lover boy's balls getting cut off."



“Touch him and you fucking die today!” Meera growled.



She kept advancing boldly and relentlessly towards Qais and her piercing gaze now began to intimidate him. He took a few steps back but Meera held eye contact and kept walking towards him. Armaan was standing behind Qais. He was now alert by Meera’s dramatically altered stance. She was miserable and helpless when Qais humiliated her but when he threatened Aryan, she suddenly became aggressive.



Meera’s burning eyes could see only Qais. The man she hated the most in her life, the man who had brought her excruciating suffering and now threatened to hurt the man she loved the most. She pounced on him with supernatural strength and dug her teeth into his neck and her fingernails dug into his back. Qais struggled with all his strength to push her off but she was incredibly strong. And then she saw something. Someone pricked something into Qais’s back. It was a needle. With her teeth still dug into Qais’s neck, Meera raised her gaze.



Armaan was looking into her eyes. He said something. No, he actually whispered something in her ear, like the hissing of a snake. He said, “You are mine…”



Qais collapsed on the floor as Meera spit out a chunk of his flesh. She had torn a major blood vessel in his neck with her teeth and his neck wound bled profusely. She repeatedly scratched his face with her fingernails till she was pulled away by his men. And within seconds, she passed out in sheer exhaustion.

I mean am so glad Meera did that, I am really trying to control my laughter while reading this! That cunt named Qais!!!! That pathetic bastard! Is he even good at anything beside beating women and buying slaves. Just a cunt I suppose!

The charecter shift in Meera was a treat. What women can do for those who they love is shown here in a flawless manner and it's not everyday you come across such a characterization. I loved our lioness

I hope they survive

 

[Sasha!]

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in Aryan’s arms. He had wrapped his blood-soaked shirt around her body to cover her.



“My tigress is awake,” Aryan said smiling at her.



Meera was still very disoriented. They were locked in a dark room with just a dirty mattress on the floor.



“What happened?” Meera asked grabbing her head.



“You killed Qais with your bare hands,” Aryan said.



Meera looked at her bloodied fingernails that still had chunks of his flesh stuck underneath. Her mouth was smeared in blood and she could still taste it. She recalled the events just before she passed out.



“No,” Meera said, “It wasn’t me, it was Armaan. He killed Qais.”



“Really?” Aryan asked.



“Yeah,” Meera said, “I saw him stick a needle into his body. I did attack Qais but a few scratches and a bite were not enough to kill a man as strong as him. Armaan poisoned him. But why?”



Aryan took a deep breath calculating the events. “Perhaps, he intended it from the beginning. Armaan was only manipulating Qais and using his resources to get to us. He won the battle without even fighting.”



“He hasn’t won,” Meera said with determination, “And he never will. He wants Amairah and I’ll never tell him where she is.”



******************************



Meera didn’t know how much time had passed since she was locked in the dark room with Aryan. She felt something trickle down her ear. She noticed that the piece of cloth Aryan had used to bandage his wound was completely soaked in blood. She quickly tore off the other sleeve of his shirt that she was wearing and tied a fresh bandage. But to her dismay, even that was completely soaked in blood in a few minutes.



Aryan began to feel light headed and his breathing became shallow.



“You OK, Aryan?” she asked.



Aryan was just lying on the mattress with his eyes closed as blood continued to trickle down his wound.



“Talk to me Aryan!” Meera screamed.



Aryan opened his eyes and smiled weakly. “I am sorry I couldn’t do more for you Meera,” she spoke in a weak voice, “I had this little dream, of living a life with you and Amairah, take care of you both, and our little family would live happily every after…I really wish you had escaped with Amairah, I really wish…”



“NO! Aryan, no, I can’t lose you!” Meera wailed, “You mean the world to me!”



“Meera,” Aryan said lovingly touching her face, “You are such an amazing woman, you know. So strong and brave, you Meera, are a woman worth dying for…”



Aryan’s hand dropped to his side as he lost consciousness. He was still breathing but his breath was shallow. Meera broke down and cried helplessly. She banged on the heavy metal door with all her strength.



“Open the fucking door!” she screamed, “Open the fucking door! He is dying! He needs help!”



She kept on banging but no one responded to her calls for help. She sank down on her knees and cried her heart out. And then she noticed a camera just above the door. She knelt and looked into the camera and pleaded, “Please if someone is watching, please help!”



If was only after she begged over and over again, the large metal door buzzed and Armaan entered the room.



“Please,” Meera said begging on her knees, “Please save him. He is a good guy. He doesn’t deserve to die. Please I beg you…”



“I will save Aryan’s life,” Armaan said, “If you tell me where you daughter is.”



Meera was taken aback. “No…not my daughter…she had nothing to do with any of this…please…”



“The choice is between him or her, Meera,” Armaan said, “You don’t have much time.”



Meera was utterly shattered when she was asked to choose between Aryan and Amairah. She loved them both deeply.



“Fine, if you can’t take a decision, both of you can die in this very room,” Armaan said as he turned to leave.



“NO…NO…wait,” Meera begged tearfully, “Save his life, I’ll tell you where Amairah is.”



Armaan stood before her with folded hands. Meera told him the co-ordinates of the house where she had asked Yasmin to take Amairah.



“She is with a woman name Yasmin,” Meera said, “Yasmin is a good girl. She looked after Amairah for all these years…please don’t hurt her.”



Armaan signalled his men and a team of medical professionals rushed Aryan to a makeshift operation theatre.



“If I don’t find your daughter at this address,” Armaan warned, “You’ll never see Aryan again.”



************************************



Meera lay on the dirty mattress that was now soaked with Aryan’s blood. She cried silently as she was drowning in guilt for Aryan’s suffering.



Soon she fell asleep. She woke up with a toddlers delicate hand touching her face. When she opened her eyes, she saw Amairah. She instantly hugged her and showered her with kisses. Amairah was afraid on the dark, but Meera’s comforting touch calmed her down. Meera held her child close to her body.



The door buzzed and Armaan walked in.



Meera was terrified seeing him.



“Please…” she begged, “Let Amairah go…I know I have wronged you…but please not my child…”



“I remember I begged exactly like this,” Armaan said grabbing a chunk of Meera’s hair making her wince, “But you didn’t listen! You sick sadistic bitch, you enjoyed hurting Pankh even when you knew she was innocent. What kind of a woman orchestrates the rape of an innocent woman? Is that your sick definition of revenge?”



“Please…I..” Meera knew she had nothing to say in her defence. She just had to accept her fate.



“Is Aryan OK?” she asked, “Can I see him once? Please…consider it my last wish…”



“Follow me,” Armaan said.



Meera followed him quietly.



“He is in that room,” Armaan said, “You have five minutes, if you don’t come out on your own, you’ll be dragged out.”



Meera nodded and entered the room.



Aryan was lying on the bed, breathing quietly. His left wrist was chained to the bed. The bullet had been removed from his shoulder and the wound was neatly sutured and bandaged. Meera sat down on the bed next to him. She ran her hands over him.



Aryan opened his eyes. He was thrilled to see Meera. He instantly sat up on his bed and hugged her.



“You OK, baby?” he asked her.



“Yes, I am fine Aryan,” Meera said, “How are you feeling?”



“I think I’ll live,” Aryan said.



Meera locked her lips with him in a passionate kiss.



“Who saved me Meera?” he asked.



“Armaan,” she said with a faint smile.



“Armaan saved me?” Aryan asked with a concerned expression, “Just like that?”



Meera didn’t respond. She just lowered her gaze.



“Answer me Meera!” Aryan said shaking her violently, “Armaan didn’t travel all the way here to do charity. What did he take in return?”



Meera just wept silently.



“Did you tell him where Amairah is?” Aryan asked glaring at Meera.



“I had to choose between you and her,” Meera said smiling amongst her tears, “And I chose you.”



“No!” Aryan said as a tear escaped his eye, “Why Meera? You gave up everything we fought for!”



“Not everything Aryan,” Meera said lovingly touching is face, “You are most precious to me and you deserve to live. I know you are thinking that Armaan might still hurt you, but I don’t think he will. If he wanted you dead, he wouldn’t have bothered getting that bullet out of you. He killed Qais right before he could mutilate you. I really don’t know what Armaan wants, but it is pretty clear that he doesn’t want to hurt you. He wants me and Amairah, and now he has us both.”



“What?” Aryan gasped.



“She is with me Aryan,” Meera said tearfully, “She is so beautiful…it feels so beautiful to hold her. She’s got those hazel eyes that remind me of her father, his love, his kindness…his sacrifice.”



“She is only a child, and now she is at Armaan’s mercy…” Aryan said tearfully, “Why don’t you ever listen to me Meera! Why didn’t you escape with her?”



“Hey, hey, it’s alright,” Meera said hugging Aryan, “Amairah is going to be OK. She is going to be with me. We are going to be together forever. You remember where our money is, don’t you? Take the money and go home. I’ll pray the someday, you’ll find an amazing girl, and you’ll fall in love once again, and you’ll live happily forever. I love you Aryan, I just couldn’t let you die.”



“You just killed me Meera!” Aryan protested, “I…I won’t go anywhere without you and Amairah…”



Suddenly the door buzzed. Two men began to walk towards Meera.



“Goodbye Aryan!” she said as the men grabbed her. Aryan struggled violently with his restraints but couldn’t reach her. He could only helplessly watch her being dragged away. He screamed and struggled with all his strength but he couldn’t break free. He broke down and cried.

This really hit different the parting scene where Meera wants Aryan to find love again... Shit! Reminds me of every moment I have tried to move on and wished the best but Aryan gave me such a feeling a very few have, a person who just not let you go

 

[Sasha!]

Meera was dragged and pushed into the room where Amairah was sleeping. Meera forgot all her pain when she saw her child. She gently lifted the sleeping girl in her arms and showered her with kisses. Emotion of motherhood overwhelmed her and she felt a heaviness in her breasts. A drop of milk trickled down her nipples and Meera smiled at the sleeping child in her arms.



After some time, Amairah woke up. She started crying.



“Hey baby,” Meera said, “Don’t be afraid, you are my strong girl. And mama is here, mama won’t let anyone hurt you.”



The child still didn’t stop crying. Meera realized she was perhaps hungry. She put her to her breast and she began to suckle. Meera rested her back against the wall as he held her daughter in her arms. She closed her eyes and felt the beautiful bond with her child. She had craved so much for this one beautiful moment, but she finally got to live this moment only in captivity. She shuddered at the though of what was going to happen.



“My sweet child,” she said as Amairah suckled, “I could never be a good person, but I’ll try to be the best mother. You will have a good life, you will go to school, you will go to college, you will get the best education, you’ll grow up to be a fine woman and you will get married to the man you love, you’ll have beautiful children, a family who will always love you. You won’t have a rotten life like your mother. I’m here for you…I’ll protect you, I’ll feed you, I’ll…keep you alive for as long as I can…”



Meera could not speak any further. She had never felt so helpless before. She sang a soft Arabic song, the one that Kabir loved. Amairah calmed down by her singing and drifted off to sleep.



Armaan watched Meera feed her child and sing to her till she slept. He was still unable to decide her fate. There was a raging storm in his head. Now that he knew the full extent of suffering, he had caused her, he was drowning in guilt. The very next moment, Pankhudi’s tearful face flashed before his eyes and he was overwhelmed with anger.



He made a video call to Pankhudi. When she answered the phone, her smiling face instantly soothed him.



“Hey my love, now have you been?” Pankhudi asked.



“I’m good Pankh,” Armaan said, “How are you? You sleep well, sweetheart?”



“I’ve been better,” Pankhudi said smiling at him, “I just miss you.”



“I’m coming home soon,” Armaan said, “My work here is almost done. Here have a look.”



Armaan showed Pankhudi the video from the camera in Meera’s room. Pankhudi could see Meera with a sleeping child in her arms. Meera’s tear streaked face clearly showed the amount of agony her impending fate was causing her.



“Is that her child?” Pankhudi asked.



“Yeah,” Armaan said, “The only one she’ll ever have.”



“I don’t know what to say honey…I..” Pankhudi said feeling sorry for Meera’s condition.



“Tell me Pankh,” Armaan said, “What should I do now? If there is anyone entitled to decide Meera’s fate, it is you.”



Pankhudi became quiet and thoughtful. She knew that her word was going to be final on this matter. She knew she now had the power to decide the fate of Meera and her child. Meera had caused her extreme suffering, but a life and death decision felt like a crushing burden to Pankhudi.



Armaan allowed Pankhudi to take as much time as she needed to take a decision of such gravity. As Pankhudi continued weighing her options, Armaan got a second call for Blue Hills Psychiatric facility.



“Pankh, allow me to call you back in a moment yeah?” Armaan said.



Pankhudi nodded and Armaan answered the second call.



“Mr. Mathur, this is Dr. Rhea again,” the woman said.



“Yes doctor,” Armaan said, “Any news about Neil?”



“Yes, but unfortunately, it is bad news,” the doctor said, “The police have found his body today. He drowned. Police are suspecting suicide.”



Armaan could barely process the shock.



“Mr. Mathur are you there?” she asked.



“There was one job I entrusted you with was to stop him from killing himself,” Armaan spoke bitterly, “And you told me 3 days ago, that he didn’t have any signs of depression, are you even for real?”



“We are deeply sorry,” the doctor said.



“That explains everything perfectly, thank you,” Armaan spoke sarcastically.



“There is another problem,” the doctor said, “The family hasn’t come forth to claim the body, if you could…the police with contact you soon after the autopsy…”



“Thank you for taking the trouble to inform me,” Armaan said, “I’ll speak to you once I get there.”



Armaan hung up. A tear ran down his eyes. The screen in front of him displayed the image of the woman who was responsible for this. He looked at her bitterly. For a moment he wanted to go in there and strangle the life out of her.



His phone rang again. It was Neil’s lawyer.



“I just heard of Mr. Pereira’s unfortunate death,” the lawyer said, “I’m calling you because he had changed his will recently. And he also left a letter for you in a sealed envelope. When can I meet you?”



“I’m not in the country at the moment,” Armaan said, “Could you hand it over to my wife?”



“Sure,” the lawyer said, “I’ll be there shortly.”



Armaan called Pankhudi.



“Hey hubby,” Pankhudi said with a smile. Her smile faded when she noticed that Armaan was tearful. “You OK?” she asked.



“Neil’s lawyer is on his way home,” he said, “He wants to discuss Neil’s will. And there is a letter Neil left for me. Could you please receive it?”



“Will?” Pankhudi asked, “You mean? Neil…”



Armaan just nodded tearfully.



“I needed a moment to myself Pankh,” Armaan said, “Call me after you meet with the lawyer, OK?”



Pankhudi nodded and hung up.





His train of thoughts was interrupted by Pankhudi’s call.



“Hey sweetheart,” Armaan said.



“I just met the lawyer,” Pankhudi said, “Neil had appointed you as a legal guardian for all his properties, till his daughters attain legal age, after which everything he owns will be given to both girls equally. And there is a clause for testamentary guardianship. He has appointed you as the testamentary guardian for his daughters.”



Armaan calmly closed his eyes processing the information.



“And there is this letter. It is sealed,” Pankhudi said.



“Read it for me Pankh,” Armaan said calmly.



Pankhudi opened the envelope and began to read.



Dear Armaan,



I thank you from the dept of my heart for everything you have done for me. You’ve cared for me like an elder brother, tried to stop me when I was wrong and yet you did everything in your power to protect me when I didn’t listen to you and messed up real bad.



I think back about the horrible things I’ve done. I wish I had treated Naina better. She loved me with all her heart, and I devastated her. Maybe I need to be punished for what I did, but my family didn’t deserve what came their way. Aditi was the sweetest person I knew, I remember how good and kind she has been to everyone, even to Meera. But Meera didn’t have the slightest hesitation having Aditi murdered. I did what I did to protect my daughters, but they hate me so much. They don’t want to see me, they don’t even want to talk to me, and nothing is more painful than being hated by your own children.



Armaan, you have always acted for my good. I trust you, big brother, and there is no better person to take care of my estate and my children. Aditi’s parents are upset and in grief at the loss of their daughter, and I take complete responsibility for that, but that doesn’t give them the right to poison my children’s heart against me. I’ve appointed you as the legal guardian for my children, because I know that you and Pankhudi will be amazing parents. Take custody of my daughters, take them away from the toxic environment they are currently in where their minds are constantly being filled with hatred. They’ve been through so much already. My sweet girls deserve better, they deserve love…take my girls home and end this cycle of hate once and for all.



I know you are upset that I left even when you did all you could to save me. But honestly, there wasn’t much left for me anyway. My life has been damaged irreparably and I am way too messed up, you couldn’t save me anyway, big brother. I’m just trying to find some peace. May God bless you and Pankh, and your children.



Love

Neil



A tear rolled down Pankhudi’s cheek as she finished reading the letter.



Armaan didn’t speak for a while. Losing Neil was excruciatingly painful for him.



“I am sorry my love,” Pankhudi said, “I wish I could be there to hold you.”



Armaan smiled with tearful eyes at her sweet remark.



“You OK with Neil’s decision Pankh?” Armaan asked, “Would you be OK taking care of his daughters?”



“It is an honor that he chose us,” Pankhudi said, “I would love to look after his daughters…sweet girls, they’ve been through so much, if I could bring a little joy to their lives, nothing could make me happier.”



Armaan smiled. Then he looked at the screen showing Meera with her child. His face was now clouded with anger.



“What about her Pankh?” he asked in a bitter tone, “Some feat this woman has accomplished.”



Pankhudi looked at video showing Meera curled up in the corner of a dark room, dressed only in a blood-soaked shirt and trembling in fear with her child in her arms.

Neil died I mean Niel died and proved that mental trauma is worse than a physical one