Beyond the Veil

Chapter 2. Beneath The Surface

_Flashback: College Days_

Kashif, Aiza, Lubna, and Amir sat together in the college cafeteria, laughing and joking. Kashif couldn't help but steal glances at Aiza, admiring her intelligence and determination.

"Kashif, you're staring again," Lubna teased, nudging him playfully.

Kashif's face flushed. "Just lost in thought."

Lubna smiled knowingly. "About Aiza?"

Kashif's eyes darted to Aiza, who was engrossed in a discussion with Amir. "No, just... concerned about our studies."

Lubna raised an eyebrow. "Save it, Kashif. I've seen the way you look at her."

Kashif sighed, looking away. "It's pointless. She sees me as just a friend."

Lubna placed a hand on his arm. "Maybe it's time to tell her how you feel. You never know unless you try."

Kashif's eyes locked onto Lubna's, his expression serious. "What if she doesn't feel the same?"

Lubna's voice softened. "Then at least you'll know, and you can move on. But what if she does?"

Kashif's gaze drifted back to Aiza, his heart racing at the possibility.

_Cut to: Present Day_

Kashif stood at the second murder scene, and his mind focused on the investigation. He glanced at his watch, wondering when Aiza would finish analyzing the yacht.

"Lubna just called," one of the officers said, approaching Kashif. "She's been digging into Amir's past. Wants to meet with you."

Kashif nodded, taking out his phone. "I'll call her."

Kashif dialled Aiza's number, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Try again," he muttered to himself.

Still no response.

Kashif's brow furrowed. Aiza always answered her phone, especially during an ongoing investigation.

He tried Lubna's number instead.

"Lubna, have you heard from Aiza?" Kashif asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Yes, I called her a little while ago," Lubna said. "I told her to meet me at 5 pm. I've been digging into Amir's past."

Kashif's grip on his phone tightened. "Her phone's off. I need to find her."

Lubna's tone turned serious. "Kashif, what's going on?"

"I don't know. She was analyzing the yacht after Amir's murder. Now she's unreachable."

Lubna's voice dropped to a whisper. "I have a bad feeling."

_Cut to: Rahmani Corporation Fahad Khan's Office-

Fahad Khan stood in his lavish office, gazing out at the city skyline. His rise to power within Rahmani Corporation had been swift and ruthless.

"We've acquired the desired assets, sir," his assistant, Ali, said, entering the room.

Fahad turned, his eyes piercing. "And the potential liabilities?"

Ali hesitated. "Aiza's investigation is ongoing. Her findings could compromise our interests."

Fahad's expression darkened. "Ensure she doesn't uncover anything incriminating. Our future depends on it."

Ali nodded, exiting the room.

Fahad's thoughts drifted to Amir, his former associate. Amir's betrayal had sealed his fate.

Now, Aiza posed a similar threat.

Fahad's phone rang, breaking his reverie.

"Yes?"

"Sir, Kashif is searching for Aiza," a voice reported.

Fahad's grip on his phone tightened. "Handle it discreetly. We can't afford unwanted attention."

The line went dead.

Fahad's eyes narrowed, calculating his next move.

_Flashback: Karachi, 10 Years Ago_

Fahad Khan, age 20, stood in the narrow alleys of *Karachi's Lyari Town*, watching his mother's frail form struggle to carry groceries.

"Ammi, let me help," Fahad pleaded.

His mother's worn hands pushed him away. "You need to focus on studies, beta. This life...it's not for us."

Fahad's anger simmered. Why did they have to live like this? Why did his father abandon them?

Years passed. Fahad excelled academically, earning a scholarship to *Karachi University*.

There, he met Rahmani Corporation's CEO, who promised Fahad a future beyond his wildest dreams – wealth, power, and respect.

Fahad seized the opportunity, ruthlessly climbing the corporate ladder in *Karachi's business circles*.

But his mother's struggles and his father's abandonment left scars.

Fahad vowed never to be vulnerable again.

Now, as he gazed out at his opulent office in *Rahmani Tower, Karachi*, Fahad's thoughts turned to Aiza and Kashif.

Threats to his empire.

His jaw clenched.

No one would take away what he'd fought for.

_Aiza's Captivity_

Aiza's eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. She assessed her surroundings: a small, windowless space with steel walls and a single door.

Rashid stood guard, his expression unreadable.

"Where am I?" Aiza demanded. "Who brought me here?"

Rashid remained silent.

Aiza's mind racing, she weighed options.

Escape? Unlikely, given the secure room.

Information? Perhaps Rashid would reveal something.

"Did Amir's killers do this?" Aiza asked, testing Rashid.

Rashid's expression didn't waver.

Aiza sensed desperation beneath his tough exterior.

Aiza's eyes locked onto Rashid. "You're not a natural at this, are you?" she said, her voice calm.

Rashid's gaze flickered.

"Did someone force you into this?" Aiza pressed.

Rashid's expression hardened. "Shut up."

Aiza sensed a c***k in Rashid's armour.

_Aiza's Flashback_

Aiza's mind drifted to her childhood. Her father, an honest police officer, smiled warmly at her. "Aiza, always seek truth and justice." Her mother's gentle voice echoed, "Be brave, beta."

Aiza's thoughts shifted to Amir. "I'll find out who did this to you," she whispered.

Aiza's gaze swept the cold, steel room, searching for any weakness. Rashid's vigilant eyes never left hers.

As he shifted positions, Aiza spotted a small, rusty screw on the floor.

Without breaking eye contact, she subtly slid her foot over the screw, hiding it beneath her heel.

Rashid's expression remained unreadable.

"Aren't you tired of standing?" Aiza asked, stalling.

Rashid's jaw clenched.

Aiza's mind raced. She needed to create an opportunity.

Aiza seized the moment, kicking Rashid's stomach. He doubled over, gasping.

She sprinted toward the door, screw clutched in her hand.

"Help!" Rashid yelled.

Aiza flung the door open, revealing a dimly lit corridor.

She dashed down the hallway, heart pounding.

Suddenly, strong arms grasped her from behind.

Aiza struggled, but multiple hands pinned her down.

Fahad's men.

"Let me go!" Aiza shouted.

One man's grip tightened on her arm.

"Fahad wants you alive, but not unscathed," he sneered.

Aiza's eyes blazed defiance.

With a swift motion, he struck Aiza's head against the wall.

Everything went black.

Aiza's world collapsed into darkness.

_Kashif and Lubna's Desperate Search_

Kashif and Lubna sprinted toward the yacht, anxiety etched on their faces.

"Where is she?" Lubna panted.

"I don't know," Kashif replied, eyes scanning the marina.

They reached the yacht, and their hearts sank.

The once-pristine vessel was now ravaged.

Windows shattered, furniture overturned.

"Aiza!" Kashif shouted, rushing aboard.

Lubna followed, her voice echoing.

"Aiza, answer us!"

Silence.

Their frantic search revealed no sign of Aiza.

Evidence they'd collected was destroyed.

Files shredded, equipment smashed.

"This is Fahad's doing," Lubna growled.

Kashif's face twisted in anguish.

"We need to find her, now."

_Kashif and Lubna's Investigation_

Kashif's eyes narrowed. "Why did you say it's Fahad's doing?"

Lubna hesitated, then pulled out her phone.

"I've been investigating Amir's murder," she said, scrolling through files.

"Amir was probing Fahad's business dealings."

Kashif's grip on Lubna's arm tightened.

"What dealings?"

Lubna's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Money laundering, arms trafficking... Fahad's empire is built on blood money."

Kashif's face darkened.

"And Amir discovered this?"

Lubna nodded.

"Amir had proof, but it vanished after his murder."

Kashif's eyes blazed.

"We need to find that proof."

Lubna's expression turned grim.

"I think Aiza's a*******n is connected to Amir's investigation."

Kashif's jaw clenched.

"We'll get her back, Lubna."

_Kashif's Vulnerability_

Kashif's eyes gazed out at the dark waters, his face etched with anguish.

Lubna's gentle touch on his arm brought him back.

"Kashif, we'll find her," Lubna whispered.

Kashif's voice cracked.

"I never told her, Lubna. I never told Aiza how I feel."

Lubna's expression softened.

"What do you mean?"

Kashif's eyes welled up.

"All these years, I've been by her side, watching her, protecting her... but I never mustered the courage to tell her I love her."

His voice broke.

"Now she's gone, God knows where, and I don't even know if she's okay."

Lubna wrapped her arms around Kashif, holding him close.

"We'll find her, Kashif. We will."

Kashif's tears fell, mingling with the night sea breeze.

Just as Lubna spoke, her phone buzzed, shrill in the silence.

Lubna's eyes widened as she read the message.

"Kashif, it's from an unknown number... 'Aiza's time is running out. Meet me at the abandoned pier at midnight if you want to see her alive."

Kashif's heart stopped.

"Lubna, we have to go. Now."

Lubna's voice trembled.

"What if it's a trap?"

Kashif's eyes locked onto Lubna's.

"We have to take that risk."

The darkness seemed to close in, fate hanging precariously in the balance.

To be continued...