Chapter 2

Bilqish POV

2 weeks later

My sleep was disturbed by the blaring sound of my alarm, which had been ringing for the past 10 minutes in a desperate attempt to wake me up.

By the way, I have a habit of setting at least five alarms, starting 25 minutes before the actual time I’m supposed to wake up.

“Oh shoot, it’s 8:20 already! I’m late. Why do I always end up late?” I muttered, hurrying to the washroom. Spending the least amount of time I’ve ever given to a shower, I quickly changed into the outfit I had already chosen for today.

No, nothing special is happening today. It’s just that we’re going on a trip organized by the university—especially for us third-year students. I’m really excited because I’ve never stepped foot out of the city where I’ve lived ever since I was born. And guess where we’re going? MUMBAI. The city of dreams and passion.

I was lost in my thoughts and didn’t even realize when I reached the university. Now, my two dumb friends were fighting over who looked more beautiful.

I’ve decided to consider Zeeshan as a friend because I can do anything for Ifra. So, tolerating him is really nothing.

“Bilqish, you have to tell us who looks more beautiful between the two of us,” Ifra demanded. This girl acts like she doesn’t like Zeeshan. Huh!

“Me,” I replied shortly, completely fed up with their petty argument that had been going on for the past 10 minutes.

“Ish, please say I look good? You always look pretty, so there’s nothing to discuss,” she said, acting all cute.

“Oh my baby, my answer is still the same. Now stop fighting or I won’t talk to you for the rest of the trip,” I warned, pointing my index finger at her, cutting off her childish act.

“Okay, I’m disqualifying myself. You won,” Zeeshan added, making her laugh. She flipped her hair back with a victorious smirk, which made me laugh too at their antics.

“Guys, let’s go. The VC is asking us to join him in the auditorium,” one of our classmates announced, making all of us groan.

“Why does he always have to do this? Can’t we just do something without all his warnings and do’s and don’ts? We’re adults, for heaven’s sake,” Ifra complained as we made our way through the swarm of students.

“Let’s go, girls. The sooner we’re done with this, the sooner we reach the metro,” Zeeshan said, trying to cheer Ifra up.

I think he likes her too. Or maybe I’m reading too much into his actions. Whatever.

Finally, after one hour, we were free—free to head toward the metro station for our trip to Mumbai. Although it wasn’t a big deal in general, traveling with friends makes everything special. But now, we were stuck in traffic for 20 minutes and had only 30 minutes left to reach the metro.

“Why is there traffic in the first place?” Zaid groaned from the back seat, muttering how unfair it was and that we should’ve reached by now for all the security procedures and formalities.

“I think the universe is making us late so my mom’s wish can come true,” Ilsa joked, blaming her mother, and we all burst out laughing.

“Wait, guys. Let me just go and check—maybe it’ll help in some twisted way,” I said. Without waiting for their response, I stepped out of the bus and started walking ahead to find the reason behind the jam.

“Bhaiyya, do you know what’s causing the traffic?” I asked a nearby taxi driver. He shrugged, saying he had no idea and didn’t know when it would clear.

Still determined, I kept walking forward, crossing multiple cars, taxis, and bikes, until I reached the front. A black THAR was parked vertically, blocking the road. Several men dressed in black were holding a guy by his collar.

Now, this kind of scene isn’t exactly new in this city. But in broad daylight? That’s unusual. No one dared say a word—probably because they valued their lives. I wasn’t foolish enough to ask them to stop like in those dramatic movie scenes. So I thought of a different way. Maybe it could get me in trouble, but if it worked, we’d be able to reach on time.

I walked toward the driver’s side of the THAR and knocked on the window. Although it was tinted, I could tell someone was inside from the way the man outside kept glancing inside, pleading for his life. The sight made me nauseous, but I forced myself to focus.

I knocked again, hoping my hunch was right. The window rolled down slightly, revealing a man around 40 years old, sitting in the driver’s seat. He stared at me as if I had committed the biggest crime in the world. Technically, I had—interrupting something I should’ve stayed away from.

“Uncle, could you please move your vehicle to the side and then continue your business?” I asked, pleading with my voice.

Minutes passed, each feeling like an hour. He had already rolled the window up, but I stayed, hoping he’d change his mind. Just then, Zeeshan and Ifra came running and pulled me back toward the bus, scolding me for doing something so reckless. Still, I turned back once—and to my utter disbelief, the THAR was moving. The road was clearing.

But the man who was being beaten… he was now lying still.

Unconscious?

No. Dead.

The whole ride to the metro, only one question consumed me: Who was the man inside that THAR? He didn’t even flinch while dumping a body. Doesn’t he fear the police?

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❀ Two Days Later ❀

It’s been two days since we reached MUMBAI. We’ve visited art museums, science museums, renowned parks, religious places, and—most importantly—the beaches. One of the things I love most about this city is its beaches and the peaceful sea breeze.

We still have so many places left to visit, but we’ve enjoyed every second of our stay so far. Ifra and Zeeshan’s friendship has grown stronger lately, so I’ve been giving them space.

Currently, I’m on a shopping spree. I love collecting unique jewelry, so I’m on the hunt for something that catches my eye.

I’ve come across many pieces, but none of them stood out enough to make me stop in my tracks. I decided to head to a nearby market—maybe I’d have better luck there.

Taking a shortcut, I found myself walking through a dark alley. It gave me an uneasy feeling, but I ignored my instincts—a terrible decision.

What I saw next froze me in place.

A man was carving something on a real, living human body. My eyes widened in horror. He wasn’t even blinking. The wailing screams were deafening, and my body went numb. I couldn’t feel my limbs—my palms and feet turned cold.

I wanted to run but couldn’t look away. My hands flew to my mouth to suppress any sound.

But when that man slit the victim’s throat in one clean motion, a sound escaped from me—a gasp, maybe a cry. I’m not sure. But they all turned toward me in shock.

I had seen something I wasn’t supposed to see.

One of them, the man with grey eyes, stared at me with an unreadable expression. If I hadn’t just seen him murder someone, I might have had a crush on him. He was breathtakingly handsome, his shoulder muscles tense, a vein pulsing in his forehead.

He was angry.

I can’t die like this. I kept chanting in my mind. I needed to do something. Anything. But my body wasn’t listening.

I was lost in his stormy grey eyes when someone jabbed something into my arm. I gasped, feeling the sting, then everything started spinning.

Before everything went dark, I saw him kneel beside me, his hand gently patting my head.

No… that can’t be true. I must be hallucinating…

And then, I lost consciousness.