She sat curled up against the wall of her dimly lit room, her heart heavy with worry. “Yes, I’m very worried,” she murmured, her voice trembling. It had been two long days since her uncle had disappeared, and she hadn’t even bothered to turn on her phone. “He told me he would return after a day, but he hasn’t. I just can’t shake this feeling of dread.” Her aunt’s voice hit her ears.Every minute stretched painfully as she thought about her. Her aunt had always been there for her, a steady presence in her chaotic life. Now, with her absence, her world felt as if it were crumbling around her. Fear gripped her tightly, squeezing the breath from her lungs. She could barely imagine stepping outside; Daniel’s threat loomed over her like a dark cloud.With tears streaming down her face, she leaned her head against the cool wall. She looked up at the empty ceiling, her heart aching for comfort. The phone rang, cutting through her thoughts, and she quickly grabbed it. It was her aunt, her voic
“Hello? Can I speak to Tasha?” A call came from an unfamiliar number, ringing persistently. Tasha hesitated, her heart racing as she considered picking up. She had been ignoring it for days, but the thought crossed her mind that it might be the office calling. With a deep breath, she answered.“Hello?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.“Tasha, it’s Shaista,” the voice on the other end said, soft but urgent. Tasha recognized her neighbor instantly.“Yes, Auntie Shaista, how are you?” she replied quickly, but a knot formed in her stomach at the tone of Shaista's voice.“I’m afraid I have some bad news. Your aunt… she’s had a heart attack. We’re taking her to the hospital. You need to come right away.”Tasha felt the world tilt beneath her as the words sunk in. A heart attack? It was as if time froze. The thought of her aunt, a woman who had always treated her like a daughter, left her reeling. She had always found comfort in his warmth, a stark contrast to the cruelty she had f
Despite the darkness that surrounded her, her anger toward Daniel fueled a fire within her, giving her strength to fight against the enemy. "I will kill you," she vowed, her voice low and fierce. "You will see. One day, I will kill you."Tasha felt utterly exhausted. Her hands were red and sore, the weight of the world pressing down on her. She could feel her body beginning to give in, the darkness creeping back into her vision like a thick fog. Just when she thought she might collapse, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, preventing her from falling to the floor.“Sit here,” he said gently, helping her onto the sofa.“Jake, get her some water!” he ordered, and immediately, Jake snapped to attention. He nodded quickly and rushed to fill a glass with water.“Drink,” he urged, bringing the glass to her lips. But Tasha hesitated, her lips refusing to part for the water. “Come on, drink some water. You need to eat too. Then we’ll take you to your aunt. He’s in the hospital.”The mention
“Why are you following me?” Tasha asked as soon as Daniel parked the car. She hopped out quickly, her heart racing. The bustling airport loomed ahead, a maze of travelers and emotions. Just as she entered, a familiar scent—his cologne—drifted through the air behind her. She turned sharply, expecting to see the face she both feared and resented.“Because whether we like it or not, our paths are the same,” Daniel replied, his tone serious and unwavering.The weight of his words sank into her. Did that mean he was going with her? Confusion and anger tangled within her. “Why would you even care?” she snapped, her voice rising slightly as frustration bubbled up inside her.He held her gaze for a moment, chewing on his lower lip as if weighing his next words. Finally, he shook his head and turned the ignition, the car's engine rumbling to life.As they drove away from the airport, memories flooded Tasha’s mind. She recalled a day long ago, a different time when she sat in a car with Daniel
As the melody played, she couldn’t help but remember the times Daniel would sing to his sister, Rukhsar. They would go out for ice cream, and his laughter would light up the room. Tasha felt a pang of nostalgia, the image of Rukhsar’s smiling face dancing in her mind. She recalled how Daniel had once kissed Rukhsar’s dupatta playfully, and her sister had jumped, laughing and teasing him back.But the joyful memories twisted into pain as she recalled the darker moments—the blood, the chaos, the danger that had threatened them all. Just then, she shook her head, trying to dispel the haunting images.Suddenly, she noticed the car’s speed increasing. Daniel’s face was tense, and he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. “Slow down!” she shouted, panic rising in her throat.“Why? You wanted to die anyway, didn’t you?” he shot back, not taking his eyes off the road.“Yes! But not with you!” Tasha replied sharply, her eyes flashing with anger. The darkness in her heart threa
Tasha was filled with unease as she made her way to the hospital. What would she say if the police questioned her? The thought nagged at her like a persistent itch, making her stomach churn. She had to stay strong, especially for her family. When she arrived at the hospital, she spotted Shaista at the entrance, heading out to pick up some medicine.“Aunt! How is Aunt doing now?” Tasha rushed over, her heart racing with concern.Shaista looked relieved to see her. “Oh, Tasha! I’m so glad you’re here. She’s stable now. They say she’s out of danger, but she still hasn’t regained consciousness.”Tasha let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Thank God. And thank you for being here.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she grasped Shaista’s hands, grateful for the support.“Don’t mention it, dear. Neighbors help neighbors. That’s what we do,” Shaista replied warmly. “Now, you go inside and keep an eye on him. I’ll go get the medicine.”“No, let me get it,” Tasha insisted, taking
Today, she finally returned to the office after being absent for many days."Ma'am, do you even realize you showed up without any warning? Do you know how long you’ve been gone?" he questioned, clearly frustrated with her repeated excuses."Sorry, sir. My uncle fell seriously ill out of nowhere," she said quietly, her gaze dropping in embarrassment."And what do you expect me to do about that? I still have to report to my superiors. You could have at least put in a leave request, don’t you think?" she retorted, picking up a file from her desk."It won’t happen again, I promise," he said, sounding uneasy."Yeah, maybe she’ll remember when her paycheck gets docked," someone muttered nearby."Stop standing around and get to work. I need the Sunny project file on my desk before four," she ordered, giving him a sharp look."Yes, sir..." She nodded, feeling the tension."Miss Tasha!""Yes, sir?" She turned around, startled."I need the boss's signature on this file. Can you handle it?" His
In a flash, the torn pieces of paper fluttered around him like confetti. She had ripped up the file, making it clear she wasn’t afraid of him and had no plans to continue working in his office. She was done living in the illusion that had kept her trapped."I didn’t say you could leave," he called out as she was almost at the door."I don’t need your permission," she said, turning around sharply. Without waiting for a reply, she strode toward the exit.But as she caught sight of Daniel, her anger boiled over, feeling like it could burst through the ceiling."Maybe you’re forgetting something, Miss Tasha. You work for me now," he sneered, grabbing the handle of the glass door to block her path.Startled by his sudden move, she froze and stared into his dark, mysterious eyes, now dangerously close."I don’t need this job anymore. I’m quitting today." Her voice was steady and determined.He leaned against the door, a mocking grin spreading across his lips. "Fine, go ahead. But I hope you
Daniel Bruno sat at the head of the meeting table, the hum of voices around him barely registering. His focus wavered when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—a message from an unknown number. Frowning, he tapped to open it.The first image made his breath hitch. His chair screeched as he shot to his feet, the blood rushing to his face. Confusion turned to a storm of rage, tightening his chest and curling his hands into fists. The veins on his neck throbbed as his jaw locked. With a sudden burst of fury, he slammed the phone onto the table. The sound cracked through the room, silencing every conversation.All eyes turned to him, wide with alarm."Meeting adjourned," Daniel growled, his voice tight, teeth clenched. Snatching up his phone, he stormed out, his movements quick and sharp.Safdar Bruno, sitting across the table, scrambled to his feet, rushing after him. "Daniel, what's going on?"Daniel didn’t even slow down. His voice, sharp and cutting, echoed down the hall. "Nothi
Tasha scrambled to get ready for university, her morning running later than usual. She chose a stylish blue top paired with crisp white capris, draping a blue dupatta loosely over her shoulders. Her glossy pink lips highlighted her natural beauty, though her expression betrayed annoyance. She hastily grabbed her bag and stepped out, her phone ringing unexpectedly as she reached the lounge.The sight of the flashing number on her phone screen startled her. Without answering the call, she paused mid-step, a flicker of panic crossing her face. Before she could act, Daniel appeared, his gaze locking onto her with unmissable intensity.In her blue ensemble, Tasha looked radiant. The rich hue of the outfit contrasted strikingly against her fair complexion, while the gloss on her lips added a soft allure. Daniel’s eyes darkened with admiration. His possessive nature made it difficult for him to let her step outside, knowing that her beauty could turn heads. But for Tasha’s happiness, he curb
When Daniel came out, Safdar was sitting in the car waiting for him. "What did you think of the people who came over for dinner today?" Daniel asked as he got into the car. Safdar smiled as he buckled his seatbelt and started the car. "He made time because before marriage, he was always busy, and no one could meet him. Now, after marriage, he’s more available, so his friends decided to take advantage of that." Daniel chuckled. "Well, it’s the opposite for you. Most people ignore their friends after marriage, but you’ve been visiting everyone. It’s good to see you and your wife getting along so well." Safdar glanced at Daniel. "Don’t rub it in." Daniel leaned back with a deep sigh. At that moment, Safdar’s phone started ringing. He glanced at the screen, surprised. "Is your phone off?" he asked Daniel. "No, why?" Daniel replied, looking curious. "Your wife is calling me," Safdar said, showing him Tasha’s name on the screen. "Put it on speaker," Daniel said. Safdar an
Tasha was lounging in the living room, watching TV, when a familiar scent wafted through the air. "The smell of Mr. Bruno's cologne," she murmured to herself. She closed her eyes, a soft smile spreading across her face as she inhaled deeply. Glancing toward Daniel Bruno’s room, she saw him step out, dressed impeccably in gray jeans, a white shirt, and a matching casual gray coat. His neatly styled, gelled hair complemented his effortlessly charming demeanor as he walked toward her. Tasha couldn’t take her eyes off him. A sense of excitement bubbled within her as she admired him, but as he neared, she quickly looked back at the TV, trying to feign indifference. Despite her best efforts, her attention remained firmly on him. Daniel noticed her but ignored her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and walked past the lounge, heading toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, Tasha’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Where are you going at this hour?” She rose from the
He was in the middle of an important meeting when his phone rang. "Excuse me," he muttered to the room, standing up and stepping outside the meeting to take the call. "Speak..." he answered, his voice calm but still focused. "Send greetings to me first. Then I’ll say something," came the request from the other end, her tone slightly tinged with a quiet plea. It was a request she had made for two days now, and yet each time he answered the phone, he would immediately say, “Bolo” (Speak). It was as if he hadn't yet learned the simple courtesy of greeting. "Good Morning," he quickly said, fulfilling her demand. "Good Morning... and bring food. Tell me if you want anything else," he continued, making the request casually but with a hint of amusement in his voice. Tasha smiled as she listened, her tone lightening. "Come quickly, I’m starving. And bring something sweet—my mouth is so bitter right now," she asked in a sugary voice, almost coaxing him to hurry. Daniel chuckled
Tasha snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a voice asking, "What's going on here?" She saw Daniel walking toward her with his usual confident attitude.As soon as Daniel entered, he smelled the roses and noticed the bouquet in Tasha's hands."Daniel, sir, look... Anna came to apologize to Miss Tasha even though her leg is hurt. But Miss Tasha isn’t accepting the apology," Anna’s manager said quickly, complaining that Tasha was being cold toward Anna despite her pain."Manager, why are you making me the bad guy here?" Tasha smiled and said, clearly annoyed. The manager was caught off guard by her words."What??" The manager asked, surprised, as if he couldn't believe his ears."You're supposed to take care of Anna, not drag her around when she's in pain. Do you think carrying her around won’t make her leg worse?" Tasha said sternly, and the manager was speechless."And Anna, why are you apologizing for Noor? She’s not a child, and you’re not her mother. Stop acting innocent. Firs
Daniel was deeply absorbed in his work at the office, the hum of the environment around him barely registering. He was methodical, focused on the tasks at hand. But suddenly, his phone buzzed, snapping him from his concentration. The name on the screen flashed in bold letters: PB. He knew exactly who it was. His fingers hovered for a brief moment over the phone, almost as if weighing the decision. Then, with a nonchalant sigh, he answered the call with the opposite hand and raised the phone to his ear. "Speak..." The voice that answered him on the other side was soft and sweet, and instantly, it seemed to carry him away from the sterile office air to a place much warmer. "Send greetings to me first. Then I’ll say something," the voice teased, its playful tone causing him to pause. A surge of old memories hit him like a wave, and for a fleeting moment, he was somewhere else—somewhere distant yet familiar. He had heard that voice countless times, in moments both trivial and profoun
The lady doctor was leaving after finishing her check-up, and Daniel was walking in. Tasha, noticing how handsome he was, blushed and quickly walked past him, but Daniel didn’t even look up.“How’s your health now?” Daniel asked, standing in front of her, studying her closely.“I’m okay,” Tasha replied with a smile, and Daniel seemed to soften a little.“Tasha seems to be in a good mood today,” he commented.“Hmm. You told me to make a request, right? I’ve thought about what I want,” Tasha said, smiling sweetly.“You have something up your sleeve, don’t you?” Daniel grinned, sitting down next to her confidently.“Did you say something?” Tasha asked, sitting up straight, not hearing him at first.“This is my chance,” Daniel said with a smart smile.Tasha couldn’t help but smile at him. She was in a better mood today, almost like a blooming flower. As she looked at his handsome face, she noticed beads of sweat forming on her skin.“Should I tell you my request?” Tasha asked shyly.“Hmmm
The atmosphere was thick with uncertainty and unresolved emotions as Tasha spoke to Bisma, trying to mask her true feelings with humor and bravado. Despite her tough exterior, the vulnerability in her eyes and the way her hands trembled revealed the truth—she was still deeply affected by the events that had unfolded.Bisma, noticing the subtle change in Tasha's demeanor, couldn't help but worry. "But Tasha, you were ready to get a divorce before. Why have you changed your mind?"Tasha smiled faintly, but there was a hint of something deeper, something more profound behind her words. "I don't know. Things have changed... and I’m not sure if I’m ready to give up yet. There’s a lot I still need to figure out."She shifted her position, trying to avoid confronting the discomfort in her chest. The mention of her marriage made her feel like she was walking on a tightrope—between what she wanted and what was expected of her. Her emotions were complicated; Daniel’s unpredictable kindness and