Flashbacks are in bold*



Chess is a wicked game. It demands your whole attention, every move is important and every pawn holds value. One wrong move and the whole game is out of your hands. You are left with no choice than to hear a checkmate from your opponent. The masters of this game hate that sound and will do anything to avoid it.

Sometimes, life is no less than a checkerboard. And when this happens, even those are pulled in who are totally unaware how to begin. You are playing against the masters and you can't afford to lose. Life's chess is brutal, unforgiving and inevitable.

"What are you thinking?"

Waleed folded his hands on the back of his head looking straight at Zaviyar. They were at Hamail's to meet Obaid and the lawyer to discuss the next move. The place was serving as their HQ at this point. Meeral and Soha were most of the time with Harram. With everything unfolding in front of them they had to tread very cautiously and having them all gathered at Zaviyar's Pindi residence wasn't a smart choice. They were alternating between Waleed and Hamail's place.

"I want to see Bukhari."

"Whatever he's gathered is there in the file."

Waleed pointed towards the folder placed in front of Zaviyar.

"I've gone through this one more times than I can count. Still, there's something amiss. I have a hunch Bukhari knows more than he let us know."

"Arranging a meeting with him is going to be hell a lot difficult. Khalid Aslam has used his sources well."

"Fucker."

Hamail mumbled.

"Only having Yahya Duraid and Khalid Aslam face the trail won't be enough. When you are facing fuckers of this class, proofs are never enough no matter how substantial they are. There's a missing link which we are yet to find out. I hope we get to it soon because time's short."

"We are working on everything we can get our hands on, Zaviyar. Our focus right now must be the coming court hearing."

Zaviyar's press conference had left the media, political and military circles buzzing. A range of emotions were associated with his come back. Yahya Duraid's business and political partners were in a dilemma whether to come in support of him or not. Khalid Aslam's name, though hadn't been mentioned by Zaviyar but once the legal procedure started, he'd be under investigation. A day after the press conference, Zaviyar had filed the case in the court. He was done playing hide and seek. It was time to come full force on the enemy. Obaid had taken the responsibility of finding them a lawyer he thought was best for this job. They couldn't take any chances. A lawyer having links with Yahya Duraid wasn't going to work with them, which meant almost all from Islamabad's top circle. At that time Obaid introduced them to his old friend and an unofficial legal adviser, Yasir Athar. The man had made his stance clear. He was in to see, for once power getting to knees because of someone born from the same power, something he hadn't seen happening often. Zaviyar had liked how invested the man was in the case even before its official start. The first hearing was in a week and today's meeting was to discuss that only.

They were soon joined by Obaid and Yasir and forgetting everything else they had focused their concentration on the ongoing meeting.

"Yahya Duraid had one weapon against you, Zaviyar which might give him some leverage here."

Zaviyar had an idea what Yasir was on about.

"The family card."

"Exactly. He might use his and your relation. I'm sure he will. This will give him an advantage. Also, he knows you well. Your past is all in his record. He can manipulate any detail he deems useful. Your character can be assassinated, your mother can come under queries and even your wife. We'll have to be prepared for any such thing."

He picked the file and noted down the point. Zaviyar was aware something like this would happen. He was prepared and when he told this to Khadija and Harram, they were worried but it was nothing they couldn't handle. They all had dealt with almost three months long ordeal swinging between what was real and what was a conspiracy. There was no tactic of Yahya Duraid which could deter them all. The man had given no statement till now, which was indication enough that he was preparing. Good for him. The battle should be won fair and square. Too bad he won't be winning anything now. His days of winning were over.

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The room was filled with darkness with only the TV screen illuminated. The light coming from it was throwing silhouettes of the shapes on the furniture. Wasif held onto the folder in his hand waiting for his boss to instruct him further but seemed like currently on news was more important for Rai Wahaj than his schedule of the day. There was nothing new on the news anyway. The week old family feud of Yahya Duraid and his back from the dead grandson. But Rai Wahaj was following this particular story keenly. He was inclined towards keeping his enemies in his focus and Yahya Duraid was no friend.

"Wasif."

"Yes, Sir?"

An almost dozing off Wasif immediately straightened up.

"I had given you a task two days back."

"I remember, sir."

"So, what's you've got to report?"

Wasif glanced at his boss' schedule which was in his hand. If he was stalling all his meetings for this then it was important. Two days back Wasif was asked to know more about the case and also about Zaviyar Ali.

"Here's what I've got, sir."

Wasif held the paper out which Rai Wahaj started going through with interest.

"Hm.. so the guy used to work under Bukhari, hun?"

"Yes, sir. Colonel Bukhari who had been captured by officials two weeks back. The guy and his friend , Waleed Ibrar are trying to arrange a meeting with Bukhari. They are pretty persistent."

"Ahan..."

Lines of deep concentration rose on Rai Wahaj's face.

"Then we should help them. I can make it possible and I think it's best if I pull some strings now."

A smile had broken on his face. Wasid didn't need to ask why Rai Wahaj was doing this. It was Wasif's tenth year working for this shrewd businessman. Rai knew when to use things for his own favour. In politics, the enemy's enemy is your friend and if not, you simply try to befriend him. Rai was doing just that.

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"Are you sure they'll let us in?"

Zaviyar had just got to know that they were successful in getting a few minutes to meet Bukhari. Waleed was not sure how this was made possible but they could use it right in their favour.

"That we'll know once we get there. So hurry up."

Waleed hung up the call. Zaviyar was in deep thoughts. At this point he couldn't take any risks but talking to Bukhari was also important. Someone from high ups had something to do with sudden permission they had gotten. Someone wanted them to see Bukhari but who was that someone? This was a chance Zaviyar couldn't avoid. He pocketed his phone and started putting on his shoes when Harram came inside the room.

"Are you going somewhere?"

She was looking for something in the cupboard. Her appointment with her gynecologist was scheduled in the evening. She had insisted on taking Zara or Khadija along but Zaviyar hadn't heard any of her protests. He was coming with her.

"Yes. Something urgent. I'll tell you the details when I come back."

Her face had gone pale.

"Harram! Calm down."

Zaviyar hugged her close, rubbing her back reassuringly. She wound her arms around telling him how worried this had made her. He was aware of this paranoia of hers, and he found it completely justified. He had walked a long way to get him back and she was not going to let him go again.

"I'll be back before you know it and then we have an appointment with your doctor as well. I haven't forgotten about that."

"I was so hoping you would."

He chuckled. Making sure she was still not fretting over this, hurriedly left the house. Harram sighed sitting on the bed. She hoped all this would soon be over.

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There weren't many questions asked or procedures being followed to let them inside the building. Waleed stayed back and let Zaviyar go further. Bukhari was being kept in an isolated area away from the local scene, a military holding by the looks of it. Getting access to here wasn't easy. Their request was rejected the previous week so it was not without anyone's involvement that they had finally gotten the green signal. Must be someone not very fond of his grandfather. Zaviyar thought, opening the cell door. The constable had shown him the way and left. Zaviyar raised an eyebrow. It seemed he was being given the opportunity on a platter. He looked around for any cameras but found none. Strange.

Bukhari was sitting at the far end of the long compartment. Zaviyar quickened his pace and stood outside the bar.

"I've been expecting you since the day you got out."

Colonel stood up and came close to the iron bars which were giving out heat in this peak summer. His usually trimmed looks were all rugged up but the calmon his face told Zaviyar all was fine.

"It's good to see you back, Zaviyar."

"It's good to see you too, sir."

"Ah, sir! I'd say let's just talk like two old friends. I'm not feeling myself in that element."

Zaviyar was well aware of the concept of life in prison. But Bukhari was doing fine so far.

"The room has no cameras."

Bukhari chuckled.

"I haven't spent years serving this department for nothing. They gave me the choice to select the room. I chose this one. It's very airy as well."

The hint of scoff in his voice wasn't difficult to pick on.

"Sir, the file..."

"I presume it's in your possession?"

"Yes, absolutely."

"Perfect. Have you gone through it?"

"Thoroughly."

"So, what do you think?"

Zaviyar wasn't new to this tactic of Bukhari. He was trying to gauge how far Zaviyar had understood the situation.

"The facts are incomplete. Those added by you."

"Indeed."

"You were cautious, not putting everything on there so that if the file goes into wrong hands there won't be everything lost."

"Yes, but my lack of clear cut information was also a reason. I have few theories which might be true as well but I have no proof to back those."

"There's someone else involved too, other than Yahya and Khalid."

"And that someone is the mastermind. Your grandfather isn't the main enemy. It's someone else. And I have a feeling few people knew about him or her."

Zaviyar wasn't lagging behind. He'd already thought along these lines. This could be true. Chances were high.

"Sultan Bakht."

"Not only Sultan Bakht."

Bukhari looked seriously at Zaviyar.

"I have a hunch. It's going to sound far fetched but I think your father's accident wasn't just an accident."

At first Zaviyar felt nothing. But when the impact of Bukhari's words came in full force, Zaviyar felt himself staggering. Bukhari was eyeing his every move.

Uncertainty clouded Zaviyar's mind. His father? Who was Yahya Duraid's son! Could he go to this extent? Could he?

"Zaviyar! It's not the time to think emotionally. Plot, replot, look into details. We deal with these things on a daily basis. We know there's always a loophole. Find that loophole! You hear me, Major?"

"Yes, Sir!"

The hardened eyes shone with steely determination. He had gotten over his initial shock. Colonel Bukhari nodded satisfied with the outcome.

"Now, go! They won't be keeping me here for long. We will come out as winners."

Zaviyar took two steps back, masked his inner turmoil like he was trained under this same man and started walking out of there.

"By the way, ask Harram to consider changing her profession. She'll make a good investigator."

Even under the bleak circumstances, Zaviyar had smiled lightly.

______________

Ye judaiyo kay raastay barri duur takk gaye hain

Jo gya wo phir na aya, meri baat maan jao

(The separated paths had gone a long way

Whoever walked those, never came back listen to me)

Zaviyar raked a frustrated hand through his hair. This woman was going to be the death of him one day. She was a pro at testing his patience and she was doing quite a good job telling him that today.

It all started with her antics when they were in the middle getting on with kissing, lots of it. She fooled him by her talks and a stupid game of hide and seek ensued, in the middle of which he was not sure whether to laugh or cry.

"I'm out! You can keep on playing on your own!"

He announced but on finding no reaction, finally decided it was time for the brooding husband to make an appearance. Just as he was passing the backyard, his eyes lip up seeing the corner of her dupatta behind the pillar. With a triumphant smile Zaviyar leapt forward to catch hold of it only for a laughing voice to reach his ear. The dupatta came into his hand while its owner stood behind him bubbling with laughter. She had tricked him again. He turned with stern expressions but seeing her twinkling eyes, radiating face and bright smile he stopped awestruck.

"You suck at this game, Major!"

He didn't say anything in reply. Nothing to contradict her. He was way lost to do that. Harram stopped and looked on questionably.

"What?"

He shook his head like he was so helpless.

"Damn, I really love you. Totally whipped."

Harram blinked. A nervous sound escaped her lips and then her eyes welled up.

"Was my confession this bad?"

Zaviyar asked, pulling her close. He had no idea why she got all emotional but it must be something he did.

"What's wrong, Harram?"

He asked the tears off her face.

"It's nothing....actually it's really stupid."

She laughed lightly while her eyes were still teary.

"It will not make me love you any less, you know that right? Besides, you make even stupid look cool."

Harram held his hands on both sides of her face. The vulnerability in her eyes was unsettling.

"It's just...I...I never thought you'd say this to me. I never let myself dream of it."

The air around them had gotten heavy. Zaviyar's hold on her loosened while a solemn look fell on his face.

"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm just...you know what? forget it! I'm just blabbering."

Zaviyar sighed, shaking his head. He leaned down touching his forehead with hers.

"That summer you, Soha and Hamail, went camping with your class. I was there with mine as well and you decided to royally ignore me. It was the worst camping of my life. I wanted to burn the tents, take the couch's car and just get the hell out of there. That day I came to know I could never afford you ignoring me."

He didn't let Harram interrupt him. His lips traveled to the side of her cheek. It was not everyday he'd open up about his feelings like this.

"Your 18th birthday. You invited the whole city to your house. One of your class fellows had commented on how you were of legal age now. That lewd smile on his face! I could smash his skull. I tasted jealousy for the first time that day."

Harram remembered it all. Every event he was recounting. But it was living all those moments through his perspective, discovering all this again. She held his shoulders and leaned some more into him.

"Your first day of university. Hamail had ditched you and Sohaira so I had to drop you two off. That happiness and excitement on your face. I stayed in the car even when you had vanished inside the premises. My heart was sending out just one prayer, so see you this happy. Always."

He looked deep into her eyes. His world was enclosed within.

"I'm going to make up for the time lost. I've always loved you, Harram. Yes, I've always tried to not show it but it was you against me. Who was going to win? No points for guessing."

Harram, who was up until now just shedding tears, started sobbing.

"I never knew I was so bad at it. You know, it's good I didn't say anything to you! Look at you!"

She shook her head and pulling him from his nape fused their lips together. The heat was new. No playing around.

Breaking the kiss, Harram held his hand and started walking swiftly towards their room. Zaviyar followed her with a raised eyebrow and concealed amusement. As she pushed him inside and locked the door, Zaviyar leaned against it.

"So, I'm finally getting laid?"

Harram's serious face turned both comical and mortified. She pushed his arm playfully not being able to stop grinning.

"You are impossible, Major! Stop being an ass!"

He ignored her insult and pulled her in his arms. She had giggled at his desperation totally forgetting her desperation had gotten them from their backyard to inside their room. Fool. Fools in love.

__________

Wo kahaniyan adhuri jo na ho sakay gi puri

Inhe main bhi kyu sunau, inhe tum bhi kyu sunao

There weren't many instances in life where Major Zaviyar Ali let his composure fall. Not even today morning when he got to know that his father might have gotten murdered all those years back. He didn't let anyone know what a shocker he had gotten. But right now, after coming back from the doctor's appointment, he could feel his rage simmering on the surface.

Harram eyed his agitated form with uncertainty. She looked away when his narrowed eyes found her peeking. He hadn't gotten angry with her. Never. But his worry was channeling itself into rage.

"Did you hear what the doctor was saying?"

Harram kept quiet.

"Lack of care has made this pregnancy complicated. Are you hearing me?"

She still chose to not say anything.

"You weren't taking your medicines on time, you weren't taking your meals regularly either. Exertion! Stress! What the hell were you doing with yourself Harram!"

Harram stood up as if stung.

"Looking for a lost husband!"

She didn't like how he was making it sound like a choice. She had to look for him. She really didn't have a choice.

"If this is what it has done to you..."

He pointed towards her form.

"You shouldn't have looked for me. Shouldn't have taken care of my mess."

Harram took a shuddering breath to calm herself.

"You don't know what you are saying!"

"I should've known what I was doing by pulling you into this! I should've known better!"

His hand fisted his hair. He was about to lose it.

"Just shut up, Zaviyar! This is not your fault! This is not my fault either! Do you think we both wanted this? It was hell for both of us! But it was inevitable! None of us could avoid it. Do you expect me to stay calm when it comes to you and your safety? Same goes for you in my case! It wasn't a cakewalk for any of us. You were there making a way out and I was here trying to make a way to you. Stop with this! You can't always keep me out of loop! It didn't do any good back then...."

She stopped abruptly and held her midriff. Zaviyar was immediately by her side in an alert.

"Harram? Are you okay? Is it hurting?"

He was panicking. They shouldn't have argued! What was he thinking?

Harram signaled him to stop.

"Should we go back to the hospital? I'm so sorry! Should we..."

He was going berserk with worry. Harram gave a frustrated sound and placed his hand on top of hers which was already on her bump. Making sure she was getting it right, she slowly pulled her hand out so that he was in direct contact. At first Zaviyar couldn't understand what was happening but after a while it all made sense.

The force his hand felt was minute but still it had an impact of moving a mountain. Slow gentle thumps. The baby was kicking or making its presence known, Zaviyar really couldn't decide.

He was still reeling from what he had just witnessed and felt when Harram held his hand and kissed his knuckles softly. Her tears rolled down on his fingers.

"I had never thought I'd get to live this moment with you."

His own tears were stinging his eyes. This one sentence had cleared so much. The haze had lifted. They both had made choices which deemed the only option that time. No one was wrong here. They had gotten stuck in a very wrong ordeal.

Our choices carve all paths for us. A same ordeal was in front of Mrs. Aneesa. The closed door of her husband's study could not contain the words coming out of his mouth and booming in the empty Duraid house. She had heard them. Now, the choice was hers, to be a pawn in this chess of life or to make her own move.

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