Chapter 43: The Shadow of Threats

After the meeting with Nashir, the air in the house had grown thick with tension. Zafar had become quieter, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, a habit he couldn't shake off. Zoha noticed it, but she didn't ask about it right away. She could see how much he was struggling, and she was determined to help him face it—together.

But the calm before the storm was short-lived. The next morning, Zafar received a phone call that changed everything. The voice on the other end was cold, almost lifeless.

The Threat

"You don't know how this ends, Zafar," Nashir's voice crackled through the phone. "You've made a grave mistake. You're in my world now, and you can't just walk away from it like you think you can. You'll pay the price, all of you."

Zafar's jaw tightened. He hadn't expected Nashir to be this reckless, but it was clear now that he wouldn't back down. Zafar's grip on the phone tightened, his fingers turning white. Zoha, who had been standing nearby, could see the change in him immediately. She didn't have to ask what was going on—she could see the fury in his eyes.

"You can't scare me, Nashir," Zafar replied, his voice low and controlled. "Whatever you think you can do, it won't work. Stay away from Zoha. Stay away from my family."

But Nashir's laughter echoed through the line, sending a chill down Zoha's spine.

"I'm not done yet, Zafar. Just remember, I warned you. You can't escape me."

The line went dead, and Zafar stood frozen for a moment, his eyes cold, calculating. Zoha took a step closer, her hand gently resting on his arm.

"Zafar…" Her voice was quiet, filled with concern. "What is he planning?"

Zafar turned to her, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions—anger, fear, and something else that Zoha couldn't quite name. "He's not going to stop, Zoha. He's going to come after everything we've built. He'll use anything—anyone—to break us."

The First Sign

Later that day, Zoha went to check on the shelter's new location, eager to see how the renovation was progressing. She had barely stepped inside when she noticed something strange. The construction workers, usually busy and focused, were whispering among themselves. Their faces were tense, and some of them looked at her with hesitation.

"Is everything okay?" Zoha asked one of the workers, trying to keep her voice calm.

One of them, a young man named Ahmed, shifted uncomfortably. "We… We've been getting strange calls. Anonymous threats. They say we shouldn't work on this place anymore. That it's dangerous."

Zoha's heart sank. She knew immediately that Nashir's influence was reaching further than just Zafar. This was his way of intimidating them, to make them feel weak and vulnerable. But Zoha wouldn't back down. She was determined to see this project through, no matter the cost.

"Tell them we're not stopping," Zoha said firmly, her voice unwavering. "This place is going to be built, no matter what."

But deep down, a part of her wondered how far Nashir was willing to go. How far he would push to make Zafar's life—their life—a living nightmare.

The Danger Escalates

That evening, Zoha returned home to find Zafar even more distant than usual. He was sitting in the dark, staring at nothing, the weight of the day's events clearly taking their toll on him.

"I won't let him hurt you, Zoha," Zafar finally said, his voice rough, as if the words had been stuck in his throat for too long. "I've been a part of this world for too long. I've made enemies. And now they're coming for us."

Zoha moved to sit beside him, her hand resting gently on his. "We'll face this together," she whispered. "You're not alone anymore."

Zafar turned to her, his eyes searching hers for something. He found it—strength, determination, and a love that he couldn't deny. He had been trying to protect her, to shield her from the danger that lurked around every corner. But Zoha wasn't afraid anymore. She was ready to fight.

"You don't understand, Zoha," Zafar said quietly. "Nashir doesn't play by the rules. He'll hurt you if it means getting to me."

"I understand more than you think," Zoha replied softly. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll protect each other. We'll build the future we want, no matter what he tries."

The First Blow

The following morning, Zafar was greeted with a shocking sight when he arrived at the shelter's site. Police cars were parked outside, and a few of the workers were talking to officers. His heart dropped as he hurried inside, Zoha by his side.

A small fire had started in one of the storage rooms. It wasn't large, but it was enough to cause concern. The damage was minimal, but it was clear that it had been no accident.

"This is Nashir's doing," Zafar muttered under his breath. He clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "He's sending a message."

Zoha's eyes were wide with worry, but she took a deep breath. "This won't stop us. We'll fix this. We'll rebuild."

But Zafar wasn't so sure. Nashir's reach was long, and his willingness to hurt others was something Zafar had known all too well from their shared past.