Thriller The Search for Amairah(Completed)

[Indian Princess]

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

The change in emojis made me laugh out loud

Neil was awesome. I killed him on public demand.

 

[Sasha!]

“Punish her as you see fit,” Pankhudi said, “But let her live.”



Armaan took a deep breath. “You sure that is what you want Pankh?” he asked.



“Meera has been through a lot,” Pankhudi said, “Although it doesn’t justify her actions, I believe, for once she deserves some sunshine. Although you are a better judge of what the consequences might be, and I trust you to take the final decision.”



Armaan nodded and disconnected the call.



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



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, but there was no water around. 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 placed her on the dirty mattress and lay down next to her. She knew her last moment was near. Her mind drifted into a void.



And suddenly the door buzzed and Armaan entered the room. Meera sat up on the mattress. Armaan walked towards Amairah and Meera defensively crawled next to her child.



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



Armaan smirked. “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 3 of my friends died!”



Meera was shocked to hear “3”.



“Yeah,” Armaan said glaring into her eyes, “Neil is dead too. He killed himself just like you wanted. 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. I even admire your strength, courage and survival instincts. You are in incredible strong fighter. But none of that gives you the right to do what you did! You are just as horrible a person as I am, perhaps worse!”



“If you are going to kill us,” Meera said in a defeated tone, “Please kill me first…I can’t watch my baby die…”



“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, unable to believe what he just said.



“I am going to set you and your child free,” Armaan said, “But I need you to remember what will happen if you ever cross me again.”



Armaan pressed a button on a remote and Meera felt a powerful electric shock. The impact was so strong it made her fall limp on the floor. She couldn’t move her hands and legs. Her body was paralysed below her neck. She began to cry helplessly.



“This was just a demonstration; the effects are reversible. A higher intensity shock will cripple you permanently,” Armaan said, “There is a chip implanted near your spine. It will constantly transmit your real time location to me and will enable me to cripple or kill you at the push of a button. So, stay out of my life if you know what is best for you.”



Meera nodded tearfully as she felt a little strength recover in her body.



“You will recover completely in some time,” Armaan said dropping a key next to her, “Free Aryan and leave this country. Qais’s associates believe that you killed him, they are hunting you relentlessly.”



Armaan walked away. Meera slowly regained her strength. Once she recovered completely, she gently lifted the sleeping child in her arms and cried uncontrollably at the thought of how close they both were to getting killed.



The she 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 with a sense of urgency, “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.



“I didn’t even properly apologize to her,” Meera said, “I wish I hadn’t been such a horrible person. So many people were kind to me Fatima, Kabir, Yasmin, Mithila, and you…and now Pankhudi finds it in her heart forgive me…why didn’t I learn anything from all these wonderful people…”



“She believed you deserve a second chance and she gave it to you,” Aryan said, “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 be compassionate…” Meera said wiping her tears.



Aryan drove to the house where Meera had sent Yasmin. They hurriedly opened the locked door. They found Yasmin. Her hands and feet were tied behind her back and she was blindfolded. Meera untied her and consoled the terrified girl. Aryan and Meera were relieved to find Yasmin safe. Both of them 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 a different identity and move her to somewhere safe. We will bear the costs for this.”



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



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



Aryan drove to the place where they had buried their money. Both of them dug it out. Amairah was asleep on the backseat. Meera could finally breathe easy 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 cupped her face lovingly.



“Cheers to a new life, Meera!” 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.



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





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



Once Armaan returned to India, he went to Aditi’s parents house along with a lawyer to discuss Neil’s will.



Neil’s daughters were playing around the house. Armaan smiled at them. But he composed himself as soon as Aditi’s parents entered the room.



“I am here as the executor of Mr. Neil Pereira’s will,” the lawyer said, “Mr. Pereira has appointed Mr. Armaan Mathur as the legal guardian or his estate and his children.”



“No!” Aditi’s mother shouted, “He was a murderer! He murdered my daughter! My poor girls had such a horrible father! If I knew this earlier, I would have taken them away long before. And who are you? Murderer’s friend? You are not even a blood relative! I won’t let you take our girls!”



“Mrs. Pathak,” Armaan said, “The last thing I can tolerate is someone deliberately instilling hatred for a parent in the mind of an innocent child. Now either you willingly handover the girls to me, or we fight it out in court. And trust me, if it comes to that, I will not only prove in court that you are unfit to care for the children, I will press charges of abetment of Neil’s suicide on you and your husband. You are free to have your opinions about Neil, but you have no right to feed that poison to the girls.”



Armaan nodded at the lawyer and they played the evidence that Mithila had handed over to him. When Aditi’s parents saw the video of Alisha’s confession of how they had planned to force Neil to murder his wife in order to save his children. They recognized Alisha as the nanny Aditi had hired, in their very own house. They where shocked to know that there was an assassin in their own house who was ready to poison the little girls, as a part of the ploy to ruin Neil’s life.



“Now you know what was going to happen if Neil didn’t kill Aditi?” Armaan asked.



Aditi’s mother had nothing to say anymore. The thought that her grandchildren could have died in her own house left her shellshocked. Eventually, they convinced the girls to go with Armaan.



Armaan returned home with the girls. Pankhudi was glad to have him back home. She greeted the girls warmly and spent a lot of time with them, helping them to get comfortable.



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



“They’ll need some time to adjust,” Pankhudi said, “But 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.”

am so happy

Motherhood is the most beautiful thing a woman can experience and yes it do change a person completely am so happy that Meera finally found her peace.

She acted so selfish in the start and in the end she finally realized that saving her daughter was the only way to save herself from the never-ending turmoil she had in her heart due to hatred and anger.

I have always believed there are two kind of people in the world The givers and Takers. And these takers don't realize that they will only survive by learning how to give. But Arman did and am happy for him.

Pankh! Well she was the angel all along. No matter how much meera tried to break her wings or snatch her halo but Pankh, she stayed the way she was, magical

Am glad Aryan survived and had his family. Men who love unconditionally are rare and need to be celebrated. I absolutely loved him as he remind me of a friend very close to my heart

So! Such a emotional journey it was! I loved and hated and truly got mesmerized by the captivating writing of yours' Indian Princess. I couldn't describe how I longed to read more of Arman and Pankh, you gave me that and I found closure that yes the monsters have a heart and they can also love and be loved.

More power to you Indian Princess, And yes I love and will always love your stories very dearly

 

[Lib am]

“Punish her as you see fit,” Pankhudi said, “But let her live.”



Armaan took a deep breath. “You sure that is what you want Pankh?” he asked.



“Meera has been through a lot,” Pankhudi said, “Although it doesn’t justify her actions, I believe, for once she deserves some sunshine. Although you are a better judge of what the consequences might be, and I trust you to take the final decision.”



Armaan nodded and disconnected the call.



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



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, but there was no water around. 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 placed her on the dirty mattress and lay down next to her. She knew her last moment was near. Her mind drifted into a void.



And suddenly the door buzzed and Armaan entered the room. Meera sat up on the mattress. Armaan walked towards Amairah and Meera defensively crawled next to her child.



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



Armaan smirked. “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 3 of my friends died!”



Meera was shocked to hear “3”.



“Yeah,” Armaan said glaring into her eyes, “Neil is dead too. He killed himself just like you wanted. 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. I even admire your strength, courage and survival instincts. You are in incredible strong fighter. But none of that gives you the right to do what you did! You are just as horrible a person as I am, perhaps worse!”



“If you are going to kill us,” Meera said in a defeated tone, “Please kill me first…I can’t watch my baby die…”



“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, unable to believe what he just said.



“I am going to set you and your child free,” Armaan said, “But I need you to remember what will happen if you ever cross me again.”



Armaan pressed a button on a remote and Meera felt a powerful electric shock. The impact was so strong it made her fall limp on the floor. She couldn’t move her hands and legs. Her body was paralysed below her neck. She began to cry helplessly.



“This was just a demonstration; the effects are reversible. A higher intensity shock will cripple you permanently,” Armaan said, “There is a chip implanted near your spine. It will constantly transmit your real time location to me and will enable me to cripple or kill you at the push of a button. So, stay out of my life if you know what is best for you.”



Meera nodded tearfully as she felt a little strength recover in her body.



“You will recover completely in some time,” Armaan said dropping a key next to her, “Free Aryan and leave this country. Qais’s associates believe that you killed him, they are hunting you relentlessly.”



Armaan walked away. Meera slowly regained her strength. Once she recovered completely, she gently lifted the sleeping child in her arms and cried uncontrollably at the thought of how close they both were to getting killed.



The she 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 with a sense of urgency, “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.



“I didn’t even properly apologize to her,” Meera said, “I wish I hadn’t been such a horrible person. So many people were kind to me Fatima, Kabir, Yasmin, Mithila, and you…and now Pankhudi finds it in her heart forgive me…why didn’t I learn anything from all these wonderful people…”



“She believed you deserve a second chance and she gave it to you,” Aryan said, “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 be compassionate…” Meera said wiping her tears.



Aryan drove to the house where Meera had sent Yasmin. They hurriedly opened the locked door. They found Yasmin. Her hands and feet were tied behind her back and she was blindfolded. Meera untied her and consoled the terrified girl. Aryan and Meera were relieved to find Yasmin safe. Both of them 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 a different identity and move her to somewhere safe. We will bear the costs for this.”



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



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



Aryan drove to the place where they had buried their money. Both of them dug it out. Amairah was asleep on the backseat. Meera could finally breathe easy 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 cupped her face lovingly.



“Cheers to a new life, Meera!” 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.



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





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



Once Armaan returned to India, he went to Aditi’s parents house along with a lawyer to discuss Neil’s will.



Neil’s daughters were playing around the house. Armaan smiled at them. But he composed himself as soon as Aditi’s parents entered the room.



“I am here as the executor of Mr. Neil Pereira’s will,” the lawyer said, “Mr. Pereira has appointed Mr. Armaan Mathur as the legal guardian or his estate and his children.”



“No!” Aditi’s mother shouted, “He was a murderer! He murdered my daughter! My poor girls had such a horrible father! If I knew this earlier, I would have taken them away long before. And who are you? Murderer’s friend? You are not even a blood relative! I won’t let you take our girls!”



“Mrs. Pathak,” Armaan said, “The last thing I can tolerate is someone deliberately instilling hatred for a parent in the mind of an innocent child. Now either you willingly handover the girls to me, or we fight it out in court. And trust me, if it comes to that, I will not only prove in court that you are unfit to care for the children, I will press charges of abetment of Neil’s suicide on you and your husband. You are free to have your opinions about Neil, but you have no right to feed that poison to the girls.”



Armaan nodded at the lawyer and they played the evidence that Mithila had handed over to him. When Aditi’s parents saw the video of Alisha’s confession of how they had planned to force Neil to murder his wife in order to save his children. They recognized Alisha as the nanny Aditi had hired, in their very own house. They where shocked to know that there was an assassin in their own house who was ready to poison the little girls, as a part of the ploy to ruin Neil’s life.



“Now you know what was going to happen if Neil didn’t kill Aditi?” Armaan asked.



Aditi’s mother had nothing to say anymore. The thought that her grandchildren could have died in her own house left her shellshocked. Eventually, they convinced the girls to go with Armaan.



Armaan returned home with the girls. Pankhudi was glad to have him back home. She greeted the girls warmly and spent a lot of time with them, helping them to get comfortable.



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



“They’ll need some time to adjust,” Pankhudi said, “But 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.”

Pankh is a better person in the lot and finally Armaan shown mercy. Superb update.

 

[Indian Princess]

am so happy

Motherhood is the most beautiful thing a woman can experience and yes it do change a person completely am so happy that Meera finally found her peace.

She acted so selfish in the start and in the end she finally realized that saving her daughter was the only way to save herself from the never-ending turmoil she had in her heart due to hatred and anger.

I have always believed there are two kind of people in the world The givers and Takers. And these takers don't realize that they will only survive by learning how to give. But Arman did and am happy for him.

Pankh! Well she was the angel all along. No matter how much meera tried to break her wings or snatch her halo but Pankh, she stayed the way she was, magical

Am glad Aryan survived and had his family. Men who love unconditionally are rare and need to be celebrated. I absolutely loved him as he remind me of a friend very close to my heart

So! Such a emotional journey it was! I loved and hated and truly got mesmerized by the captivating writing of yours' Indian Princess. I couldn't describe how I longed to read more of Arman and Pankh, you gave me that and I found closure that yes the monsters have a heart and they can also love and be loved.

More power to you Indian Princess, And yes I love and will always love your stories very dearly

Thanks for your awesome comments darling

 

[Indian Princess]

Pankh is a better person in the lot and finally Armaan shown mercy. Superb update.

I am so glad you liked it

 

[samrocker]

another story added to bookmark

 

[Indian Princess]

another story added to bookmark

Sirf bookmark mein add karo

Padhke comment kar karoge?

 

[samrocker]

Sirf bookmark mein add karo

Padhke comment kar karoge?

kal maybe

 

[Indian Princess]

kal maybe

 

[samrocker]

Prologue​

“It’s over. He’s found her. Alex is dead,” Aryan said over the phone.



Meera hung up without saying a word. She knew this day would come. She knew Armaan is going to come to her house any moment now. She grabbed a pen and wrote him a note.



She opened her safe to the cash and valuables she owned, along with a hard disc and a pen drive. She packed all of these things into a bag and drove straight to Mithila’s house.



She called up Mithila.



Mithila answered the phone. She didn’t have Meera’s new number and couldn’t identify the caller. “Yes? Who is this?” she asked.



“Mithila it is me, Meera,” she said, “I’m waiting outside your house. I need to see you urgently.”



“Meera!” Mithila said, “At this hour? Is everything alright?”



“Meet me, and I’ll tell you” Meera said, “And don’t wake Anshul.”



“Okay give me a moment…” Mithila said trying to compose herself.



She tiptoed out of her bedroom. She walked down the stairs. Meera was standing in front of the door, but she didn’t ring the bell as she didn’t want to disturb Anshul.



“Meera,” Mithila said as she hugged her, “Come on in!”



Meera stepped into her house.



“Come have a seat,” Mithila said guiding her towards the couch, “Would you like to have something?”



“No…uh…I won’t be here long Mithila,” Meera said, “Just wanted to talk about something important.”



“What happened?” Mithila asked.



“I’m leaving,” Meera said, “I just came to meet you one last time.”



“Leaving?” Mithila’s expression suddenly became very grave, “But this is so sudden!”



“Armaan’s found Pankhudi,” Meera said calmly, “Now he’ll be coming after me.”



Mithila panicked. She began to tremble in fear, “Oh my God!” she gasped.



“He might come after you too…which is why I need you to meet Armaan and give him this,” Meera said handing over a pen drive to Mithila.



“What’s on this?” she asked.



“A video confession from Alisha. This evidence will help reduce Neil’s sentence or perhaps set him free,” Meera said, “Trade it with Armaan in exchange for a promise to never harm you or Anshul.”



Mithila was terrified at the thought of meeting Armaan. She knew how furious he was about Pankhudi and now there was nothing to hold him back.



“What if he takes it and still hurts us?” Mithila asked in a trembling voice.



“Armaan is a man of his word. If he makes a promise, he will stand by it. And Neil wants to be with his daughters more than anything now, he too wouldn’t harm a person who is helping prove his innocence,” Meera said.



“What about Reyansh?” Mithila asked, “He is the one who is after my blood.”



“That one is a remorseless character. He won’t listen. But he will be dealt with. You don’t worry about him. You’ll never hear from him again,” Meera assured.



“Will everything be okay, Meera?” Mithila asked.



“It will be,” Meera said, “Trust me.”



Mithila smiled nervously.



“I really don’t think it will come to this,” Meera said handing over the hard disc to Mithila, “But if the men try to trouble you in any way, use this as the last resort.”



“What is this?” Mithila asked.



“A huge collection of Pankhudi’s rape videos,” Meera said, “This is the only remaining copy. No one else has it. The content is explicit. If these are released, Pankhudi will never be able to live a normal life.”



“Meera, I can’t!” Mithila protested as she suddenly became very tearful, “I can’t do this to her!”



“You don’t have to, as long as Armaan keeps his word,” Meera said, “Like I said, this would be your last resort. Right now, Pankhudi is admitted at the city hospital, Armaan will most probably be with her. When you meet Armaan, do not mention that you have Pankhudi’s videos, it will put you and your family in great danger. Create a backup and store it at a safe place. You are to use this as a defense only if situation gets out of hand, clear?”



Mithila just nodded tearfully.



“Mithila,” Meera said hugging her, “I really feel terrible about what these men did to you. I blame myself of being so careless. It’s just that, now I want to ensure that you are not left to the mercy of these bastards, and the content of that hard disc will protect you. Now that I’ll be gone, I just need to be sure that you are safe for the rest of your life.”



Both women were quiet for a while.



“Just want to say thank you Mithila,” Meera said, “For everything that you’ve done for me.”



Mithila hugged Meera tightly.



“I’m just glad you got what you wanted,” Mithila said smiling weakly at Meera, “I just wish life had been a little kinder to you, and you wouldn’t have to do what you did. You deserve to be happy; you deserve to be loved, just as much as anyone else.”



“It’s alright Mithila,” Meera said, “Life isn’t the same to everyone. And the world where I lived to survive, I’ve heard such harrowing stories from so many people. I’m not alone. So many people live like this, and we find love and happiness in our own way. I’m going to be OK Mithila, you take care, alright?”



Mithila nodded and said, “Goodbye Meera.”



Meera stepped out of the house and walked back towards her car. Mithila’s eyes were moist at the thought of never seeing Meera again.



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



Meera got into her car and drove off. She dialed Suhail.



“I am sending you a photo and an address,” she said, “The guy’s name is Reyansh. Although he doesn’t actually look like the older photo anymore, but you’ll know him when you see him. He’s got a skin condition.”



“Alright,” Suhail answered, “What do you want me to do with him?”



“Make him disappear,” Meera said, “Along with his laptop, phone, hard discs or any kind other of tech that he may be having. I would like you to interrogate him and make sure he hasn’t got any data backup anywhere.”



“Consider it done,” Suhail said.



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



Next Meera called up Aryan.



“Meet at the exit point,” she said.



She kept driving for a while and reached the specified location. It was a secluded warehouse. He was carrying two large bags in his hands.



He put the bags in the car’s boot and got into the passenger’s seat as Meera drove off.



“That’s your money right there,” Aryan said referring to the bags in the car’s boot.



“That’s all of it?” Meera asked.



“No there’s more, a friend is holding it,” Aryan said, “Let’s go and pick up the rest of it.”



“So where are we headed?” she asked.



“Keep driving straight for 30km and then take a left,” Aryan said, "We pick up the rest of your money and then I take you to the harbour. A boat is waiting for you. I've arranged a safehouse for you. You'll be staying there for a few days, till I make arrangements to move you out of the country."



“Alright,” Meera said as she started driving.



“Meera,” he said, “I might have some good news for you. It’s just a tip, I am yet to confirm it, so don’t get your hopes too high…but we have a lead.”



“What is it Aryan?” she asked.



“That place you told me, Lahbab,” he said, “Around 50 miles from that place, there is an orphanage named “Blessed Angels”. If I remember correctly, in the vision your had about the child, the old woman, she kept saying, ‘your daughter is a blessed angel’. I have a feeling she was telling you where your daughter was. I’ve asked my contact to find out about any hazel eyed girl child who lives there. I really hope she’d be okay, if she exists.”



“She exists alright,” Meera said confidently, “And she is going to be alive and well. She is my blood after all. And she won’t have to live in an orphanage much longer, her mother is coming for her.”



“And mommy is one badass wildcat,” Aryan said smiling fondly at Meera.



Meera smiled back. “I really don’t know about her father though,” she said, “Her eyes looked so much like Kabir’s, but I really don’t know why he never mentioned anything about the child.”



“Well,” Aryan said, “Once we find her, you can always confirm with a DNA match.”



Meera’s eyes were tearful. She whispered a little prayer to God. “I can’t wait for the day I’m gonna hold my little girl, my sweet Amairah,” she said.



Aryan lovingly ran a hand through her hair and said, “I’ll do everything I can to find her Meera.”



Meera continued driving through the quiet night. It was dark, and they had a long way to go. But Meera was feeling safe to have Aryan by her side. She knew he had planned a safe exit for her. She quickly glanced at him and smiled. But she noticed something strange about his expression. It was as if there were a lot of thoughts in his head.



“You OK Aryan?” she asked.



“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine…” Aryan said, “I’m just thinking, how did Armaan find Pankhudi? Did you mention her location to anyone?”



“No, no, never,” Meera said, “Only Alex knew, and the guys from our trusted circle.”



“Did anyone enter your house? I mean anyone put any bugs anywhere?” Aryan asked.



“No, I watched the cameras all the time,” Meera said, “Even when Armaan himself was at my place, I had searched him thoroughly, no bugs.”



“Why was Armaan at your place?” Aryan asked with a raised eyebrow, “And how did he get there?”



“I drove him to my place…I just wanted to…hurt him…” Meera said.



"Armaan was in this car?" Aryan asked with a worried expression.



"Yes," Meera said nervously, "Is there a problem?"



"How much time ago was that?" Aryan asked getting more and more anxious.



"The night before yesterday," Meera said, "What's wrong, Aryan?"



Aryan suddenly realized something and his wide shot open.



“Meera,” he said calmly, “Could you pull over for a moment?”



Meera pulled over the car and Aryan placed a finger over his lips signaling her to keep quiet. Aryan started searching the car.



“Aryan…what happened?” she asked.



“Shhhhhh!” Aryan said placing a finger over his lips and shooting her a sharp look as he continued searching her car.



Finally, he found the bug under the passenger’s seat. It was still active. Meera was aghast to see the bug. Aryan dropped the bug on the road and crushed it under his boot.



“Get in and drive,” Aryan said with a sense of urgency, “Quick!”



“The bug was still active,” Aryan said, “If someone was listening, they probably heard everything we’ve been talking till now.”



“Fuck!” Meera said, realizing what her carelessness had cost her.



“Do you realize what this means, Meera?” Aryan said calculating the graving of the situation, “We need to find Amairah before they do.”

starting was pretty good

characterization is smooth

search for baby's gonna be difficult

intersting concept gotta read remaining updates now