Unspoken But Not Broken

The next evening unfolded like the last, quiet and heavy with unspoken truths. Humera remained curled in her corner of Mariyam's room, detached from the world. Mariyam, watching her closely, finally decided it was time to act.

"Humera," she said softly, crouching by her side. "You need to face him. Avoiding Aiyaz will only make things worse."

Humera's head snapped up, her bloodshot eyes wide with fear. She didn't utter a word.

"You have to face your fears," Mariyam said firmly, her voice brooking no argument. "He deserves a chance to explain, and you deserve closure, no matter what's haunting you."

Ayna and Zahra, standing by the doorway, exchanged skeptical glances. Zahra scoffed. "Closure? You think letting her near that beast is a good idea?" she said, folding her arms.

"Stay out of this, Zahra," Mariyam snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Zahra took a step forward, her expression hard. "You're being reckless, Mariyam. Can't you see she's terrified? And for good reason! We all heard her call his name that night. It's obvious he's involved."

Ayna nodded in agreement, her voice quieter but just as accusing. "She's right. You're blinded by your loyalty to him."

Humera, shaken by their words, buried her face in her hands. The accusation hung heavy in the air, but Mariyam wasn't backing down. She straightened, turning to face them both.

"You don't know Arhaan like Humi and I do, we've known him since our childhood, since we've known what life is" Mariyam said, her voice calm but resolute. "He would never do something like this. Never."

"Stop defending him!" Zahra snapped, her tone laced with frustration. "You're putting her in danger by pretending he's innocent."

"No one's pretending anything," Mariyam shot back. "But blaming him without proof? That's not fair-to him or to Humi."

"Fair?" Zahra's voice rose. No

"That's enough!" Humera's voice cut through their argument, startling everyone into silence. She stood, her hands trembling but her voice steady. "I know Aiyaz better than all of you combined. He would never hurt me. And I won't let you talk about him like this anymore."

Zahra's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Ayna looked away, guilt flickering across her face. Mariyam stepped closer to Humera, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Have you forgotten his encounter with your relatives?" Ayna interjected coldly. "How he accused them of laundering money from his uncles? He clearly still holds a grudge against your family."

"Yes, perhaps he still considers them as the culprits and last night he took the revenge by molesting you", added Zahra noddingly.

Humera couldn't justify. She didn't have the strength.

Maybe he was the culprit?

Mariyam couldn't answer either.

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit basement, Sam and Adi stood in hushed conversation, their faces partially obscured by shadows.

"This is spiraling out of control," Adi muttered, his tone edged with worry.

Sam leaned against the wall, his jaw tight. "We didn't mean for things to go this far. All we wanted was to talk to her."

"And now look at us," Adi said bitterly.

Adi ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "And what about Arhaan? He's as much a part of this as we are. Maybe more."

Sam's eyes darkened. "You think he'll own up to it? No chance. He'll let us take the fall."

Back in Mariyam's room, Humera sat silently, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. Was Aiyaz truly the man she believed him to be? Or had the storm of the past shattered the foundation of trust she had built over the years?

The lines between truth and suspicion blurred, leaving everyone grasping for answers in the dark.

Was there more to the story than what really seemed? Was truth more bitter than hallucinations? Aiyaz??? Was he ? Was he the accused? Stay tuned to find out.