“Aariz!”

Meher’s scream tore through the darkness.

She ran.

She didn’t think.

She didn’t care who was watching.

She only knew one thing.

Aariz had fallen.

The man holding the gun disappeared into the darkness.

Meher dropped to her knees beside Aariz.

“Aariz!”

His eyes were closed.

There was blood on his shirt.

“No.”

Her hands began shaking.

“No, no, no…”

She touched his face.

“Aariz, please.”

Nothing.

“Aariz!”

His eyes slowly opened.

“You’re…”

He coughed.

“…very loud.”

Meher froze.

Then she started crying.

“You idiot!”

Aariz looked confused.

“That’s not usually the reaction people have when I survive.”

She hit his shoulder.

“Don’t joke!”

“Ouch.”

“You’re alive.”

“Yes.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you joking?”

“Because you’re crying.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Meher wiped her face.

“I hate you.”

Aariz smiled.

“No, you don’t.”

“I do.”

“No.”

He slowly sat up.

Meher immediately supported him.

“You were shot!”

“I wasn’t.”

“What?”

Aariz opened his coat.

Underneath his shirt was a bulletproof vest.

Meher stared.

“You wore a bulletproof vest?”

“Yes.”

“Since when?”

“Since you started attracting criminals.”

She stared at him.

Then hit him again.

“Ow.”

“Don’t scare me like that!”

“I didn’t know you’d care so much.”

Meher’s expression changed.

Aariz looked at her.

The smile disappeared.

“Meher…”

She stared at him.

Then suddenly…

She hugged him.

Tightly.

Aariz froze.

Her face was against his chest.

His arms slowly wrapped around her.

She whispered:

“I thought I’d lost you.”

Aariz closed his eyes.

“I’m still here.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you holding me like you’re afraid I’ll disappear?”

“Because I am.”

Aariz held her tighter.

“I won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Neither do you.”

She pulled away.

Their eyes met.

Meher whispered:

“I don’t want to lose you.”

Aariz touched her cheek.

“You won’t.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

She stared at him.

Then suddenly…

She kissed him.

Aariz froze.

It was brief.

Soft.

Almost innocent.

But it carried everything she couldn’t say.

Fear.

Love.

Anger.

Forgiveness.

Hope.

When she pulled away…

Aariz looked completely stunned.

Meher’s cheeks turned red.

“What?”

He stared at her.

“You kissed me.”

“I know.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to.”

Aariz smiled.

“Do it again.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you look ridiculous.”

“I was shot.”

“You weren’t.”

“Emotionally.”

Meher laughed.

And for a moment…

Everything felt normal.

Just two people.

Two hearts.

Two fools in love.

But the happiness didn’t last.

A voice came from behind them.

“Beautiful.”

They turned.

Samuel Cross stood there.

Meher immediately moved closer to Aariz.

Cross raised his hands.

“Relax.”

Aariz’s expression became cold.

“You knew.”

Cross sighed.

“About what?”

“Someone was waiting outside.”

“Yes.”

“You let him shoot me.”

“I knew the bullet wouldn’t hurt you.”

Aariz stared.

“You could have told me.”

“You would have ruined the plan.”

“What plan?”

Cross looked at Meher.

“The truth.”

Meher’s smile disappeared.

“What truth?”

Cross looked at the old manor.

“The reason your grandfather is alive.”

Meher froze.

“My grandfather?”

Cross nodded.

“He wasn’t supposed to survive.”

“Why?”

“Because your father tried to kill him.”

Meher stared.

“What?”

“Your father discovered what the Five Men of Blackwood were doing.”

“What were they doing?”

Cross looked at Aariz.

Aariz remained silent.

Cross continued.

“They were using their wealth to control people.”

“Politicians.”

“Businesses.”

“Law enforcement.”

“They had power everywhere.”

Meher whispered:

“And my father was part of them.”

“Yes.”

“But he wanted to leave.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he fell in love.”

Meher looked at Aariz.

“With my mother?”

Cross nodded.

“Your father wanted to escape with her.”

“Then why didn’t they?”

“Because your grandfather found out.”

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

“What did he do?”

Cross looked away.

“He threatened them.”

“Your father refused.”

“Your grandfather threatened you.”

Meher froze.

“Me?”

“You were twelve.”

“Your father knew he couldn’t protect you.”

“So he made a deal.”

“What deal?”

Cross looked at Aariz.

“Your father agreed to stay.”

“In exchange…”

“…your mother and you would be allowed to leave.”

Meher whispered:

“But my mother disappeared.”

“Because your grandfather broke the deal.”

Meher’s face became pale.

“What happened to my father?”

Cross sighed.

“Your father tried to expose the organization.”

“Your grandfather found out.”

“And that night…”

Cross looked at Meher.

“Your father was killed.”

“By whom?”

“Your grandfather.”

Meher couldn’t breathe.

“But…”

She looked toward the manor.

“He said my father killed himself.”

“He lied.”

“Why?”

“Because he wanted you to believe he was innocent.”

Meher’s hands trembled.

Aariz took them.

She looked at him.

“Did you know?”

Aariz nodded.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Years ago.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I had no proof.”

Cross interrupted.

“Now we do.”

He pulled out a small device.

A recording.

Meher stared.

“What’s that?”

“Your father’s final recording.”

Her heart stopped.

“My father?”

Cross nodded.

“Listen.”

He pressed the button.

A man’s voice filled the night.

Meher recognized it immediately.

Her father’s voice.

“If anyone hears this…”

The recording crackled.

“…then I am probably dead.”

Meher covered her mouth.

Her father continued.

“Alan has betrayed us.”

“He has taken everything.”

“My wife.”

“My daughter.”

“My life.”

“But I know one thing.”

“He will never stop.”

“So I made a copy.”

“A copy of every name.”

“Every payment.”

“Every secret.”

“Everything.”

Aariz looked at Meher.

Her father continued.

“If you’re listening to this…”

“Find the fifth man.”

“He’s the only person who can destroy Blackwood.”

The recording stopped.

Silence.

Meher looked at Aariz.

Her eyes were full of confusion.

“The fifth man.”

Aariz said nothing.

She slowly turned toward Cross.

“Who is he?”

Cross looked at Aariz.

Meher’s heart stopped.

“Aariz?”

Aariz closed his eyes.

“Meher…”

“Tell me.”

He opened his eyes.

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

“No.”

“Then why is everyone looking at you?”

Aariz stared at Cross.

Cross finally spoke.

“The fifth man isn’t Aariz.”

Meher froze.

“Then who?”

Cross looked toward the manor.

“The fifth man is your mother.”

Meher’s heart stopped.

“What?”

“Your mother.”

“No.”

“She was the most powerful person in the organization.”

“That’s impossible.”

“She created it.”

Meher shook her head.

“My mother?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying.”

Cross looked at her.

“Ask her.”

Meher turned.

Her mother was standing at the door.

She had heard everything.

Meher stared at her.

“Mom?”

Her mother was crying.

“Meher…”

“Is it true?”

Silence.

“Mom!”

Her mother closed her eyes.

“Yes.”

The word destroyed everything.

Meher stepped backward.

“No.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You created the organization?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted power.”

Meher’s heart broke.

“Power?”

Her mother nodded.

“I was young.”

“I believed I could control everything.”

“I thought I could build something that would protect people.”

“But power changes people.”

“You became one of them.”

“Yes.”

Meher shook her head.

“Then why did you save me?”

“Because you were my daughter.”

“Why did you disappear?”

“Because your grandfather wanted you.”

“Why?”

“To control me.”

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

Her mother continued.

“Your father tried to expose us.”

“He wanted to take you away.”

“So I helped him.”

“But your grandfather found out.”

“And everything fell apart.”

Meher whispered:

“Who killed my father?”

Her mother looked at her.

“I did.”

Silence.

Meher stopped breathing.

Aariz looked at her.

Her mother cried.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Your father and I argued.”

“He tried to take the evidence.”

“I tried to stop him.”

“The gun…”

Her voice broke.

“It went off.”

Meher covered her mouth.

“Mom…”

“I didn’t know he would die.”

“I didn’t know.”

Meher turned away.

She couldn’t breathe.

Aariz moved toward her.

She immediately stopped him.

“Don’t.”

He froze.

She looked at him.

“Not now.”

Aariz nodded.

Her mother stepped forward.

“Meher.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“Why should I listen to you?”

“Because I am your mother.”

Meher laughed through her tears.

“You were dead.”

“I was hiding.”

“You lied.”

“Yes.”

“Everyone lied.”

Her voice broke.

“Everyone.”

She turned toward Aariz.

“Even you.”

Aariz didn’t defend himself.

Because she was right.

Meher looked at him.

“Did you know my mother killed my father?”

“No.”

“Did you know she created the organization?”

“No.”

“Then what did you know?”

Aariz took a breath.

“I knew my father was one of the five.”

Meher stared.

“And I knew your father was trying to destroy them.”

“That’s all.”

“Then why did you keep me away from the truth?”

“Because I thought you would hate me.”

Meher’s eyes softened for one second.

Then hardened again.

“Maybe I should.”

Aariz nodded.

“Maybe.”

He looked at her.

“But I still love you.”

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why?”

Aariz smiled sadly.

“I don’t know.”

“After everything?”

“Especially after everything.”

He stepped closer.

“You think I love you because you’re perfect?”

“No.”

“I love you because you’re not.”

Meher stared.

“I love your anger.”

“Your fear.”

“Your stubbornness.”

“Your terrible sense of humor.”

She almost smiled.

“Very funny.”

“I’m not finished.”

He stepped closer.

“I love the way you care too much.”

“The way you forgive people who don’t deserve it.”

“The way you still believe there is something good left in people.”

His voice became soft.

“Even after everything your family did…”

“You still have a heart.”

A tear fell from Meher’s eye.

Aariz wiped it.

“And I…”

He whispered:

“…fell in love with that heart.”

Meher looked at him.

“I don’t know how to forgive you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I don’t know how to trust you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I don’t know what happens next.”

“Neither do I.”

“Then what do we do?”

Aariz took her hand.

“We stay.”

Meher looked down at their hands.

“Together?”

“Together.”

She looked into his eyes.

“Even if everything falls apart?”

Aariz smiled.

“Especially then.”

Meher’s heart broke.

She leaned forward.

Her forehead touched his.

Aariz closed his eyes.

For a moment…

They forgot the world.

Then Meher whispered:

“I hate that I still love you.”

Aariz smiled.

“I hate that I love you more.”

She laughed through her tears.

“That’s impossible.”

“Want to test it?”

“How?”

“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it.”

Meher looked at him.

“You’re assuming I want you around that long.”

Aariz’s smile faded.

“Do you?”

She stared at him.

Then whispered:

“Yes.”

Aariz pulled her into his arms.

This time…

She didn’t resist.

She held him.

Because sometimes love isn’t about forgetting what happened.

Sometimes love is about knowing exactly what happened…

And still choosing someone.

---

Later that night…

Meher couldn’t sleep.

She stood by the window.

Aariz was sitting on the sofa.

Neither spoke.

Finally…

Meher said:

“Aariz.”

“Yes?”

“If I had met you before all this…”

“Would you still have loved me?”

Aariz looked at her.

“Probably.”

“Probably?”

“Definitely.”

She smiled.

“Why?”

“Because I fell in love with you before I knew who you were.”

“That’s not possible.”

“It is.”

“How?”

Aariz stood.

He walked toward her.

“Do you remember the café?”

“Yes.”

“The first day we met?”

“Yes.”

“You dropped your coffee.”

“You laughed at me.”

“You were wearing that blue dress.”

Meher looked surprised.

“You remember?”

“I remember everything.”

He touched her hair.

“You looked at me like you had known me before.”

“I thought I had.”

Aariz smiled.

“You had.”

Meher’s heart skipped.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t remember.”

“Remember what?”

Aariz’s eyes became distant.

“Before the café…”

“We met once.”

Meher stared.

“When?”

“Fifteen years ago.”

Her eyes widened.

“At the manor?”

“Yes.”

“You were there?”

“I was.”

“What happened?”

Aariz looked at her.

“You saved me.”

Meher froze.

“What?”

“You were twelve.”

“I was hiding beneath the table.”

“Yes.”

“And you were there.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because your father had locked me in the basement.”

Meher’s heart stopped.

“What?”

“I was seventeen.”

“Your father thought my father had stolen something.”

“So he took me.”

“You found me.”

“I was scared.”

“But you came downstairs.”

“You gave me water.”

“Then you opened the door.”

Meher stared.

“I don’t remember.”

“You won’t.”

“Why?”

“Because after I escaped…”

Aariz paused.

“Your mother erased your memories.”

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

“But I remember something.”

“What?”

“A boy.”

Aariz became still.

“He was crying.”

Meher touched her head.

“I remember.”

“A boy with blood on his face.”

Aariz whispered:

“Meher.”

“I gave him water.”

“Yes.”

“I told him not to be afraid.”

“Yes.”

“I told him…”

She stopped.

Aariz smiled.

“What?”

Meher looked at him.

“I told him…”

She remembered.

The words.

The promise.

She whispered:

“One day, someone will come and save you.”

Aariz’s eyes filled with tears.

Meher looked at him.

“That boy was you.”

Aariz nodded.

“Yes.”

She stepped closer.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted you to remember me without knowing.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted you to choose me.”

Meher’s eyes filled with tears.

“I did.”

Aariz touched her cheek.

“You did.”

She smiled.

“Even before I knew you.”

“Yes.”

“Even before I remembered you.”

“Yes.”

“Maybe…”

She whispered:

“…my heart remembered you before my mind did.”

Aariz closed his eyes.

“Maybe that’s why I never stopped looking for you.”

Meher leaned against him.

Aariz wrapped his arms around her.

And for the first time…

Their love no longer felt like a coincidence.

It felt like a promise.

A promise made fifteen years ago…

By two children who didn’t understand love.

A promise that had survived lies.

Secrets.

Death.

And time.

But then…

Aariz’s phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His expression changed.

“Who is it?”

Aariz didn’t answer.

Meher looked at him.

“Who?”

He answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then a voice.

Aariz froze.

Meher watched his face.

“Who is speaking?”

A voice whispered:

“Your brother.”

Aariz dropped the phone.

Meher stared.

“Aariz?”

He looked at her.

His face was completely pale.

“That’s impossible.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My brother…”

“Your brother died.”

“Yes.”

“Then who called?”

Aariz looked at the phone.

It rang again.

He answered.

This time…

Meher heard the voice.

“Hello, Aariz.”

Aariz couldn’t speak.

The voice laughed.

“You thought I was dead.”

Meher’s blood ran cold.

Aariz whispered:

“How?”

The voice replied:

“Because your father wanted you to believe I was.”

Aariz stepped backward.

Meher grabbed his hand.

The voice continued:

“And if you want your brother back…”

“Bring Meher.”

Aariz froze.

“No.”

The voice laughed.

“Midnight.”

“Old Blackwood Station.”

“Come alone.”

“Or your brother dies again.”

The call ended.

Meher looked at Aariz.

“Your brother is alive.”

Aariz stared at her.

“I don’t know.”

“You have to go.”

“No.”

“Aariz.”

“I’m not taking you.”

“Then you’re not going.”

“Meher.”

She stepped closer.

“If someone has your brother…”

“They’re going to use you.”

“Exactly.”

“So I’ll come with you.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Then we’ll be dangerous together.”

Aariz stared at her.

She smiled sadly.

“You promised.”

“What?”

“That you wouldn’t leave me.”

He closed his eyes.

Meher took his hand.

“And I promised you something too.”

“What?”

“That I wouldn’t let you face your past alone.”

Aariz looked at her.

Then he smiled.

“You’re impossible.”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

He pulled her closer.

“More than anything.”

“I know.”

“You’re supposed to say it back.”

She smiled.

“I love you too.”

Aariz kissed her forehead.

Then he whispered:

“Tomorrow night…”

“Everything ends.”

Meher looked at him.

“Or begins.”

Aariz smiled.

“Maybe both.”

Outside…

The rain began falling again.

And somewhere far away…

A man was watching an old video.

The screen showed two children.

A twelve-year-old girl.

And a seventeen-year-old boy.

Meher.

Aariz.

The man smiled.

“They still don’t remember.”

A second voice asked:

“Should we tell them?”

The man shook his head.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because the truth is much more beautiful when people discover it themselves.”

He paused the video.

The boy was holding the girl’s hand.

The man smiled.

“Let them fall in love.”

“Let them trust each other.”

“Let them believe they finally found happiness.”

Then he whispered:

“Because tomorrow…”

“…they will discover that their love story began with a lie.”

To Be Continued…