Episode 1

Part One – The Search

It was two in the night. Islamabad's weather was bitterly cold, and the night’s darkness made the chill even more piercing. She had already crossed the threshold of her home. A black cap covered her head, hiding her face. She was staring at the door, her mind filled with doubts — “Am I doing the right thing? Is running away from home the correct decision?”

But now, she had left all those thoughts behind, on the other side of the door.

She took out her phone and made a call.

“Hello? Where are you? Okay, stay there. I’m coming.”

She hung up and began walking toward the street.

Outside, a boy stood next to a car, dressed in black — a black shirt and pants. His brown eyes, heavy with sleep, scanned the road, waiting. When he saw the girl, he waved.

“Are you okay?” he asked — the same question he always asked before starting a conversation.

Armeena removed her cap. The smile that had always been part of her face since childhood — the one Orhan Ahmed knew so well — was missing tonight.

She wore a white shirt, black pants, and a black jacket. A college bag rested on her shoulders. Orhan gestured for her to sit inside the car and took the driver’s seat himself. Without saying a word, Armeena sat beside him.

At exactly three o’clock, Orhan brought her to an apartment.

“This belonged to my mom. After she passed, dad transferred it to my name. You can live here peacefully,” Orhan said, motioning her to the sofa. Armeena sat down.

“Ahmed…” she addressed him for the first time that night.

“Yes, Meena? Speak,” he said, sitting on a stool in front of her.

“I’m doing the right thing, right?” Armeena’s fear still lingered — had she taken a wrong step unknowingly?

“Look, Armeena, you had to choose someone. You’ve made your choice. Now focus on your goal and fulfill the promise you made to yourself. Leave everything else behind,” Ahmed reassured her.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m overthinking it,” she said, resting her head on the couch.

“Alright, now sleep. It’s 4 o'clock already. I’ll come in the morning. Keep your phone nearby,” Ahmed said as he stood up.

“You’re leaving me here alone?”

“Armeena, I’m your friend. I don’t think it’s right for both of us to stay in the same flat.”

“Hmm... you’re right,” she nodded.

“Lock the door. I might be late in the morning,” he added as he left.

Armeena glanced around the apartment — small but beautiful. She went to the room and lay down. She was exhausted — and perhaps broken. Soon, she drifted into sleep.

---

Darkness all around. Armeena was lost in her dream world when suddenly a noise from the kitchen woke her. Something had fallen. Her sleep was so light that even a whisper could wake her. She got out of bed and walked toward the kitchen.

Her bedroom opened into the TV lounge, which connected to the kitchen. As she stepped into the lounge, the lights flicked on.

Balloons of every color filled the room. In the center, a table with a cake and four gifts sat, surrounded by people. On the wall, a big “Happy Birthday” was spelled out in balloons.

She rushed to Sadia Begum and hugged her.

“Thank you, Mom,” she whispered, nearly in tears.

“Oh come on! We’ve been preparing for the past three hours and all we get is a ‘thank you, mom’?” Anmol teased.

Ali joined in, laughing.

“No! You all are my life. Thank you — all of you. Now let me cut the cake, I’m starving!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Yes, don’t keep our princess waiting — cut it!” said Sajjad Sahib, amused at his daughter’s hunger. They all cut the cake and enjoyed the celebration.

---

When she woke up the next morning, she remembered — she wasn’t home. She got up and went to the washroom. Thirty minutes later, she stood in front of the mirror tying her hair in a ponytail. She wore a white shalwar kameez. Her mind still echoed the same question — Am I doing the right thing?

The sound of the door startled her. She already knew who it would be.

“Hope you slept well, madam,” Ahmed said in a waiter-like bow. She laughed.

“Yes, I did sleep well,” she replied, stepping outside.

“I’ve brought everything you’ll need — food, fruits. Hopefully, it’ll last you a week,” he said, sitting on the couch. Armeena joined him.

After breakfast, Orhan Ahmed began packing up the dishes.

“I need to talk to you about something important, Meena,” he said, sitting down again.

“Go ahead,” Armeena gave him her full attention.

“I found out about Mike. He’s hiding in a small neighborhood,” Ahmed said calmly.

“Then let’s go! Anmol must be with him,” Armeena said, ready to leave.

“Armeena... Anmol’s not there,” Ahmed stood up as well.

“What do you mean? Then where is she?” Armeena looked at him in disbelief.

“That’s what we’re going to find out,” he said as he walked through the door. Armeena followed him.

---

Three Days Ago

“Wake up, Anmol! You sleep too much. I’m not waking you again,” Armeena tried for the third time to wake Anmol, who still refused to move.

Sadia Begum called out from the other room. Suddenly, Anmol jumped up and rushed to the washroom. Armeena laughed at her speed.

The family was sitting at the dining table. Sajjad Sahib had left in a hurry for work, but everyone else was eating leisurely.

“Eat slowly, Armeena! Why are you rushing?” Sadia scolded.

“Mom, Ahmed invited me over today. We’re going to play video games and have fun — he’ll get upset if I’m late,” Armeena explained quickly.

“Armeena, how many times have I told you to stop hanging out with boys? You’re 18 now — be careful,” her mom tried to advise.

“Oh Mom, what’s wrong with that? Mehr knows all of Armeena’s friends — they’re from good families,” Ali defended her.

“Yes, Mom. Don’t worry, I’ll pick her up after university,” Anmol supported her too.

“Alright then... seems no one listens to the mother anymore,” she said with a half-smile.

Armeena received a message, kissed her mom’s forehead, and ran out.

A soft smile spread on Sadia’s face — she adored the bond between the three siblings.

---

A car entered through the gate of a mansion. Armeena checked the time — she was on time, thankfully. Ahmed approached from the other side.

Today, Armeena wore a black top and blue jeans. Her black hair was open, and the smile that always danced on her lips was shining in her deep, dark eyes.

She waved a hand in front of his face.

“Hey, hello! Fell asleep standing?” she teased.

“No, not at all. I was just admiring how beautiful you look today,” he replied as they walked inside.

“Oh really? So I only look good today? That means I looked bad before?” Armeena asked with a mock-frown.

Ahmed laughed.

“No, you always look beautiful to me,” he said sincerely.

“What do you mean?” she raised an eyebrow. Before Ahmed could reply, Dua and Hassan called them from behind, and they all went to Ahmed’s room.

---

“I’m exhausted! I’m skipping uni tomorrow for sure,” Rania said, sitting on the grass with Anmol, who had been ignoring her ringing phone.

“Pick it up already! Who’s calling you?” Rania said, frustrated.

“No one... wrong number,” Anmol replied and switched off her phone.

“I’m starving. Order something to eat,” she grumbled.

“Alright, I’ll go get something,” Rania walked away.

That’s when Anmol made her move. She walked toward the university’s main gate, turned her phone back on, and picked up the call.

“Hello? Yeah, where are you?”

“I’m in the black car parked in front of the park. Come on,” a male voice said.

Anmol ended the call and got into the car — already seated inside was a guy in a t-shirt, jacket, a chain around his neck, and a smile that Anmol had always despised.

“What’s your problem? Why do you keep bothering me? Didn’t you understand the first time?” she snapped.

“I need to tell you something important,” the boy said, leaning closer.

Before she could react, he pressed a folded cloth against her mouth. Within seconds, Anmol was unconscious. He signaled the man in the driver’s seat, and the car sped away.

---

To Be Continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***