CHAPTER 17 - THE QUEST AND QUARREL CONTINUES

Cyra was fuming the entire way from the start of her ride. Her thoughts swayed between a spectrum of possibilities. She knew in her heart that something was terribly wrong, and she did not want to wait until Ahmed returned with another freaking lie. After an intense search, she retrieved Ahmed's address from his folder while he was preparing to leave for work. She stuffed it inside her bag after saving the unknown number in Ahmed's phone, just in case. She did not discuss her uncertainty with Ahmed or her mother.

Meanwhile, Aliza was all smiles her entire travel, and Fahim kept describing all the places they came across. Fahim had caught her little antics straight away after speaking to Rabiya. He had managed to stay alert and did not blurt out anything that would give her away. Aliza later had to beg him to keep her secret and promised to cook his favourite meals after their return home. Fahim had hired a taxi for Aliza, and nobody wanted her to take public transport. After they reached there, they were facing a villa that looked like the ones she had seen on television adjoining a building that looked like a miniature house in comparison. 

Ahmed was shell-shocked after finding Cyra had left for his house. He rushed his way out even though Cyra's mother had not finished talking. She was wheeled out behind him by her nurse, who was now facing a stockstill Ahmed facing a young woman pacing towards him. She noticed Ahmed softening at her sight, who a young man accompanied. Though she could not approve of the closing distance between him and the woman, she felt the young woman must mean much more than she appeared to Ahmed. 

'Aliza, Fahim, How did you get here? And you never told me you were coming.' 

'Ahmed ji, We wanted to surprise you. You hadn't been home for three months now.' She replied, pointing towards their taxi, waiting to return. Fahim came forward and gave his Salam to Ahmed after dropping the luggage he carried.

'Won't you take us in, Ahmed ji? I have a lot to tell you, and I have a surprise for you too.' Aliza pressed. A nervous Ahmed looked to his left, where Cyra's mother was watching intently. She welcomed Aliza enquiring about her relationship with Ahmed after introducing herself. 

'I am Aliza, Ahmed Ji's wife. I come from Chennai with my brother Fahim.' Aliza replied, hoping he would have mentioned her before. A silence pursued for what looked like an eternity until Cyra's mother spoke again.

'Come in, Aliza. I am happy you have come all the way.' She motioned for her to get in. Aliza had walked past Ahmed to acknowledge his landlady.

'Thank you. I think Ahmed ji is still in surprise that he forgot to invite us in.'  She mocked holding on to her little pregnant belly, which has now become her habit. 

'You are pregnant?' Cyra's mother gasped, not letting out her emotions on her face.

'I came all the way to surprise him with this news. He would be happy, wouldn't he?' She whispered. After Aliza and Fahim were shown their way in, Ahmed followed them reluctantly.

'Ahmed, Let her rest. I think you will have to return to Chennai as soon as possible. I would like to be there for her too. Cyra needs me more than ever.' She realised what had just happened. She had been here before and she thought her daughter would be immune to her fate. But life has not been kind to these three women. Now she needs to hold it until she gets to Cyra.

Rabiya dismissed Cyra's claim of having married Ahmed. She called her names and threatened to call the police if she didn't stop. But she was not even being rude as she had to be. Rabiya dragged her out and threw her belongings out of her way. Because Ahmed's father persisted, Cyra was allowed to stay back until Ahmed arrived. While Aliza rested, Ahmed's phone rang incessantly.

To be continued…

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