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Chapter 17 - words that always turn into wound

📖 Episode 17: The Letter That Shouldn't Exist

The streets of Gulshan were quiet, the night wind carrying the faint scent of rain as Aaniya walked away from Noor Apartments.

In her hand, the old, yellowed paper trembled — Areeba's note, the words etched into her mind:

> "I never betrayed. I was just never believed."

The sentence clawed at her.

Every step felt heavier, each one carrying the weight of years of silence and unanswered questions.

She stopped under a dim streetlight, unfolding the paper again, as if it might change if she stared long enough.

But it didn't.

And that made it worse.

A sudden sound of footsteps approached. She turned quickly, startled — and there he was.

Suleman.

His tall frame emerged from the shadows, coat collar turned up against the wind.

> "You didn't think I'd just let you disappear into the night alone, did you?"

His voice was calm, but his eyes
 they searched her face like they were reading her soul.

> "You followed me?" she asked, trying to sound annoyed, but her voice softened halfway.

> "Call it
 concern. Or maybe I knew you were about to do something impulsive."

She looked down at the paper in her hand.

He noticed, stepping closer until his presence wrapped around her like quiet protection.

> "Is that what I think it is?"

She nodded, holding it out. Their fingers brushed — just for a second — but enough to send a strange, unfamiliar warmth up her arm.

---

Scene: The Café

They found a small café still open, tucked into the corner of a narrow lane. The warm glow from its lights contrasted with the chill outside.

Inside, they sat at a small table, steam curling up from the mugs of tea in front of them.

Suleman smoothed the paper flat between them. The years had made it fragile, but under the soft yellow light, something caught Aaniya's attention.

She frowned.

> "Wait
 what's that?"

Inside one of the creases was faint, almost invisible pencil writing. She gently unfolded it further.

It was an address.

Her heartbeat picked up. It wasn't Areeba's. It read:

> Locker 27 – City Storage Facility – Registered under Fariha S.

Suleman stiffened, his hand still on the paper.

> "That's impossible," he murmured. "I thought
 I thought I had all of Fariha's belongings. Why would she keep a separate locker?"

Aaniya's eyes met his.

> "Only one way to find out."

---

Scene: The Storage Facility

The place smelled of dust and metal. Rows of identical lockers stretched endlessly.

The manager, a thin man with tired eyes, led them to Locker 27.

> "This one's overdue," he said. "Was supposed to be cleared months ago. Surprised it's still here."

The lock was old but not difficult to open. The metal door groaned as it swung forward.

Inside was only one thing — a small, heavy metal box.

Suleman lifted it out carefully and placed it on a nearby table.

The lid creaked open. Inside were a few old photographs, two audio cassettes, and a single envelope.

The handwriting on the envelope made Aaniya's breath catch —

It was Areeba's.

Her name — Aaniya — was written in delicate blue ink.

Her hands shook as she opened it.

---

The Letter

> Aaniya,

If you're reading this, it means you've found the trail I left behind. I don't know if I'm ready to be found, but I do know this — the truth needed somewhere safe to survive.

Your husband — Aaliyaan — wasn't after me for love. He wanted something else. He tried to pull me into a scam involving Fariha. When I refused, he twisted everything to make it seem like I was chasing him.

You didn't believe me. And maybe I didn't fight hard enough to prove it. But I swear — I never betrayed you.

Fariha and I met once, in secret. We were going to expose him. But the night before we could act
 someone followed us.

If you want the truth, find the man who was watching from the black car that night. He's the key.

– Areeba

Aaniya's vision blurred. She had to blink several times to focus.

Her chest felt heavy, each word piercing through her.

---

> "She
 she met Fariha," Aaniya whispered. "They were working together
 against him."

> "And something scared her enough to vanish," Suleman added, his voice low.

She looked at him, guilt in her eyes.

> "I defended Aaliyaan
 I pushed her away. I
"

Her voice cracked.

Before she could hide it, Suleman reached across the table, his hand covering hers. Warm, steady, grounding.

> "Don't do that to yourself. You trusted the wrong man — that's not a crime, Aaniya. That's human."

His touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary. She didn't pull away.

She couldn't.

---

Scene: The Photographs

In the box, a photograph caught her eye — Aaliyaan, standing beside an unfamiliar man. The background was dark, like an alleyway, and the man's face was partially turned away.

Suleman took the photo, frowning deeply.

> "I know him."

Aaniya's heart skipped.

> "Who is he?"

Suleman hesitated, his jaw tightening.

> "If I'm right
 he's dangerous."

Before she could ask more, Suleman's phone rang. An unknown number.

He answered.

> "Hello?"

There was silence on his end. Then his eyes widened.

> "Who is this?"

Another pause.

And then, his face changed — a rare mix of shock and disbelief.

> "
Areeba?"

---

Scene: The Call

The voice on the other end was soft, urgent.

> "Suleman
 don't tell her where I am. Please. Just tell her
 I'm sorry."

> "Areeba, wait—"

But the line went dead.

Aaniya's pulse raced.

> "It was her? She's alive?"

Suleman nodded slowly, still processing.

> "She's alive. But she's running from something
 or someone."

---

Scene: Car Ride Home – Romantic Tension

The city lights blurred past as they drove in silence.

Aaniya stared out the window, her mind a storm.

But she could feel his gaze on her, not heavy, just
 there. Like a quiet shield.

Finally, she spoke.

> "You didn't have to follow me today."

> "I know."

> "But you did."

> "I did."

She turned to him. The low hum of the car, the closeness in the small space
 it all felt different.

> "Why?" she asked softly.

His eyes met hers.

> "Because I don't want you going through this alone."

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

She looked away, but not before catching the way his gaze lingered — not just with concern, but with something warmer.

---

Ending – Cliffhanger

They reached her street. He parked but didn't turn off the engine.

> "Aaniya," he said quietly. "If Areeba's alive, and she's still scared after all this time
 then whatever chased her away isn't done yet."

She swallowed hard.

> "And the man in that photo?"

He nodded grimly.

> "If he's involved
 then you're not just chasing answers anymore. You're stepping into danger."

Before she could reply, something caught her eye through the car window — a figure standing under the streetlamp, half-hidden in the shadows.

Watching.

Her stomach tightened.

> "Suleman
 don't look right away
 but I think someone's been waiting for us."

---

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