Forbidden Across the Border

Smriti's POV

The night after seeing Hania felt endless. Twisting and turning in bed, I couldn't escape the whirlwind of thoughts consuming me. The words she spoke on the balcony echoed in my mind, louder with every passing moment. Someone sent her that pen drive—a pen drive that shattered everything between us. But who?

Could it be the BCCI? It wasn't too far-fetched. They'd made it clear back then they didn't want me going to Pakistan, even after I got my visa. They said my actions could "ruin the image of women's cricket" or something equally ridiculous. But to go this far? To manipulate and destroy my personal life?

I sighed, staring at the ceiling of my hotel room in frustration. Hania was somewhere in this massive city, and I had no clue where to start. How could I even reach her?

Pez and Jemi were sitting cross-legged on the bed, their faces mirroring my concern as we tried to brainstorm our next move.

"We have to figure this out," Jemi muttered, tapping her fingers against the duvet. "We can't just sit here."

"We know she's in New York. There must be some way to contact her," Pez added.

Jemi suddenly sat up, a lightbulb moment flashing in her eyes. "Wait! Smriti, remember Reem?"

"Reem?" I repeated, confused for a moment.

"Yes, Hania's best friend!" Jemi exclaimed. "You were close to her too, weren't you? You must still have her number."

The realization hit me like a jolt. "Oh... Reem." Of course, I had her number. But I'd never reached out to her.

"Call her," Jemi urged.

I hesitated, skepticism creeping in. "Woh jawab degi?"

"Pata nahi," Jemi shrugged, "par kar toh sahi!"

Reem... God, I hadn't spoken to her in over a year and a half. She had always been so fiercely protective of Hania. The thought of her reaction made me nervous, but this was my best shot. If anyone knew where Hania was, it would be Reem.

With trembling hands, I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found her name. The memories attached to that name hit me like a wave—her laugh, her teasing nature, the way she always had Hania's back.

Jemi and Pez leaned forward as I stared at the number. "Dial it," Pez said softly, encouragingly.

Taking a deep breath, I hit the call button. The phone rang, and I held my breath.

"Pick up. Pick up," I whispered under my breath, my palms growing sweaty.

"Hello?" A familiar voice answered on the other end.

My throat dried up. "Hello? Hello?" Reem said again, her tone tinged with irritation.

Jemi and Pez gestured wildly at me to speak, but their exaggerated movements only made me more anxious.

"Uh... Hey, it's me, Smriti," I finally managed, my voice shaky. "Please, please don't cut the call. Just... Listen to me once. Please."

There was a pause on the other end, then her voice turned cold. "You want me to listen to you? After all this time? You actually remember there was a part of your life that you abandoned, and now suddenly, you're reaching out? Wow."

"I know," I stammered. "I know I was wrong not to contact you earlier. But I... I was scared."

"Scared of what, exactly?" she snapped.

"Scared to find out why Hania vanished from my life like that."

"Vanished?" Reem laughed bitterly. "Vanished? Are you serious? It was you who backed out at the last moment, you selfish bitch."