Won't let you go!

"What?" Abeera's voice rose in surprise as she looked at Zahra. They were seated at the dining table, having their breakfast and chatting casually.

"Yes," Zahra replied, her tone serious. "I think it's something serious this time. Otherwise, Laila would've contacted me."

Laila, the cook at their mansion and someone very close to them, hadn't returned after her days off. When Zahra sent someone to check on her, she found out that Laila had been admitted to the hospital after an accident.

"I think we should go see her," Abeera said, concerned.

"Yes, we should," Zahra agreed immediately.

Before they could discuss further, Abeera turned to Maham, who was serving food. "Did Hafid have his breakfast?"

Maham shook her head, looking worried. "Not yet. It's been the same for months now."

Abeera sighed. She knew her brother had been like this ever since Shanvi disappeared. He rarely left his room, except when there was news or a lead about her.

"I'll take his breakfast to his room," Abeera said, determined to speak to him.

Carrying the breakfast tray, Abeera made her way to Hafid's room.

She pushed the door open and stepped into Hafid's dimly lit room. He was seated by the window, as always, his silhouette framed by the sunlight streaming through the curtains. The tray of untouched breakfast from earlier lay on the side table, the food cold and untouched.

"Hafid," Abeera called softly, closing the door behind her.

He didn't turn to face her, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "What is it, Aapa?" he asked, his voice low and devoid of energy.

She approached him, setting the fresh tray of food on the table. "I came to talk. You've been holed up in here for too long."

He didn't reply, his fingers absently tracing the edge of the armrest.

Abeera folded her arms, her expression softening with concern. "Hafid, you can't keep doing this to yourself. Starving and isolating yourself won't bring her back."

Hafid's jaw tightened at the mention of Shanvi. "Don't," he warned, his voice laced with a quiet anger.

Abeera sighed, pulling up a chair beside him. "I know you're thinking about her. You always are. But this... this isn't healthy, Hafid. You've stopped living your life."

"She was my life," he murmured, finally turning to meet her gaze. His eyes, once sharp and commanding, were now clouded with pain.

"And what about the rest of us?" Abeera asked gently. "What about the people who care about you? The people who need you?"

Hafid's jaw tightened. "You don't understand, Aapa. Shanvi isn't just someone I care about. She's... she's everything. And I failed her."

"You didn't fail her," Abeera said firmly. "You've done everything you could to find her."

Hafid's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Then why does it feel like I wasn't enough to keep her here."

His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "She was my wife. My responsibility. How can I not blame myself?"

"Hafid, you need to admit the fact that she left." she said, her voice soft but steady.

Hafid shook his head, his hands balling into fists. "She didn't leave because she wanted to. Someone took her from me."

Abeera hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. "What if... what if she stayed away because she didn't want to come back?"

His gaze snapped to hers, a mixture of anger and anguish in his eyes. "You're wrong. Shanvi loves me."