Khaani FF: Mera Dushman Mera Ishq chapter 13 page 7 (Urd/Eng) upd - Page 3

Originally posted by: BurakZeynep

Next update to be on 11/11/22

English to be updated by this date

Read the third part. Was very interesting! The underlying tension within the family, that the political campaign in Khaani's family has its own internal politics as well. Someone is keeping an eye on Khaani even as she tries to keep an eye on the family.

Sarim till now seems very innocent and almost naive. Is he really what he appears to be? The fact that he has come so far within this feudal family shows he must have some cards up his sleeve.

And the club scene build-up was great! Mir Hadi has been shot here. How did Khaani escape? Eager to know what comes next!

Also thank you so much for the tag. I have been intending to sit and properly enjoy this read and simply wasn't finding that time. Now waiting for the 11th for the English update of 4th part.

Originally posted by: twerping

Read the third part. Was very interesting! The underlying tension within the family, that the political campaign in Khaani's family has its own internal politics as well. Someone is keeping an eye on Khaani even as she tries to keep an eye on the family.

Sarim till now seems very innocent and almost naive. Is he really what he appears to be? The fact that he has come so far within this feudal family shows he must have some cards up his sleeve.

And the club scene build-up was great! Mir Hadi has been shot here. How did Khaani escape? Eager to know what comes next!

Also thank you so much for the tag. I have been intending to sit and properly enjoy this read and simply wasn't finding that time. Now waiting for the 11th for the English update of 4th part.

Lets just say Khaani and her family is going to be a gift that keeps on giving.

Maybe in the upcoming chapters you'll be able to form a clearer opinion of his personality

Oooh!!! Thank you so much for putting up the English version way before time! So Abul and Khaani have this history between them! Urgh! Hate the guy but this is really very well-written and realistic. Poor Khaani. Her trauma has never been addressed. And Mir Hadi now knows where she lives. Can't wait for the next update!

Originally posted by: twerping

Oooh!!! Thank you so much for putting up the English version way before time! So Abul and Khaani have this history between them! Urgh! Hate the guy but this is really very well-written and realistic. Poor Khaani. Her trauma has never been addressed. And Mir Hadi now knows where she lives. Can't wait for the next update!

Thanks❤️Even I am excited to write the next few chapters. Spoiler alert: Hadi has plans for Khaani

Originally posted by: BurakZeynep

Thanks❤️Even I am excited to write the next few chapters. Spoiler alert: Hadi has plans for Khaani

Heeheehee! I am waiting for that! 😈

Chapter 5: Mystery Girl (Urdu)

"Main uss ladki ko nahi chhorunga..nahi chhorunga", Hadi kept saying while Mithal and his bodyguard supported Hadi on either side, as they entered the backdoor of the club. The club 'Rendezvous' was owned by Ali, Hadi's best friend. The club was situated on the ground and first floor of the building. On its second floor was a flat used for Hadi and Ali's private parties. Mithal rang the doorbell of the flat. When Ali opened the door, he was shocked at the sight in front of him. "Hadi!",he exclaimed, "Yeh sab kaise hua??". Ali moved aside as Mithal made Hadi sit on the couch of the living room. "Doctor ko bulao", Mithal ordered the guard. "Nahi!",Hadi protested,"Sabse pehle uss ladki ko mere paas le aao! Uske baad hi main apne zakhm par marham lagaunga". "Kaunsi ladki?", Ali asked confused,"Hadi please pehle doctor ko dikha it's not looking good. Mithal isse goli kaise lagi?". Mithal replied,"Ek ladki ke saath unki unban ho gayi aur usne inhe goli maar di aur bhaag gayi". "MITHAL!!", Hadi yelled, his face red with pain and humiliation,"Tum yaha khade kyun ho..uss ladki ko laao!!Sunayi nahi deta tumhe!!!". Mithal replied,"Chhote Mir woh ladki bhag gayi hai. Maine guards ko kaha hai uske gaadi par nazar rakhne ke liye...woh gaadi ke liye zarur aayegi...aap tab tak doctor ko dikha de.". Ali agreed, "Haa Hadi pehle doctor ko tujhe dekhne de phir hum uss ladki ka bhi pata laga lenge.". "Thik hai", Hadi said,"Magar Mithal baba ko iske baare mein kuch nahi pata chalna chahiye. Main iss maamle ko apne tarike se handle karunga.". "Ji,Chhote Shahji.", Mithal replied.

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Next morning

Thank God, maine subah subah car collect kar liya, Khaani thought relieved. She had asked Anjum to keep the car in her garage until she came back from Balochistan.

Khaani was sitting in the car with Sarim. They were on their way to the airport. "Khaani",Sarim's voice broke into her thoughts. "Kya?", she asked. Sarim frowned and said,"Uss din dining table par tumhe Abul se waise baat nahi karni chahiye thi.". "Maine Aisa kya keh diya?", Khaani replied defensively,"Bas wohi kaha ho sach hai. Woh dragon lady usse tumse zyada favour kar rahi hai elections mein. Woh uske campaigns mein participate karengi, uske rallies mein speech dengi aur tumne uska campaign budget dekha hai? Tumhare campaign budget se teen guna zyada hai!". Sarim argued,"Haan, kyuki Karachi ko jeetna bohot mushkil waha ki seat humesha PDP jeet ti hai. Toh zaahir si baat hai waha pe funding aur mehnat zyada deni paregi. Aur Sibi-".

"Sibi ki seat last time PDP ne jeeta tha. Haa abhi waha anti-incumbency hai aur floods ke time pe tumhare contribution ko media mein bohot highlight kiya gaya tha...par woh do saal purani baat hai.", Khaani argued back,"Yeh tumhara pehla election hai don't you think tumhe national level pe thoda aur highlight karna chahiye tha - jaise Daadi aur taaya humesha Abul ko karte hai?". Sarim replied,"Usse kya fark padta hai?Mera focus abhi Sibi hai". Khaani said,"That's great. For the election. Lekin uske baad kya?Tum saari zindagi bhar Sibi ke MNA banke to nahi rahoge ....tumhe apne political future ka bhi sochna chahiye. Tumne dekha nahi uss din taayi-ammi ne kaise sabke saamne bol diya ke Abul party ka future hai aur Daadi ne taaya ne unse kuch nahi kaha.". Sarim sighed and said,"Tum bohot overthink kar rahi ho unki baat ko. Aur waise bhi unn logo bachpan se Abul ko taiyyar Kiya tha party to head karne ke liye ab achanak main aa gaya to unka apne bete ke liye concerned hona to banta hai. Aur rahi baat mere political future ki to woh khud banaunga. Uske liye mujhe Dadi aur party ke sahare ki zarurat nahi.". There was complete silence in the car until Khaani said,"Main jaanti hu tumhe apne political career ke liye kisi ko sahara nahi banana lekin main yaha haq ki baat kar rahi hu. Uss ghar mein rules aur traditions ko humesha logo se zyada tawajju mili hai. Tradition ke hisaab se party ke agla leader ghar ke bade bete ko banna chahiye. Magar main jab se yaha aayi hu dekh rahi hu ke tumhari jagah Abul ko favour kiya ja raha hai..party office mein aur ghar mein bhi." Sarim tried to reason with her,"Khaani woh college ke time se party mein hai..ussne party ke student wing ko bakhoobi sambhala hai. Tum maano ya na maano lekin aaj uski party mein jo position hai woh uski apni kabiliyat ke wajah se hai...inn do saalo mein maine iss baat ko note kiya hai. Uske comparison mein mujhe time hi kitna hua hai iss field mein. Ab achanak agar main sabse yeh expect karu ke sab mujhe Abul jaisi importance de...toh kya yeh sahi hoga? Isse log mere aur khilaf nahi ho jayenge? Main chahta hu party mein log meri izzat mera kaam dekh kar kare na ki iss liye ke main iss family se belong karta hu.". Khaani didn't say anything. She knew there was no point arguing with her brother. Sarim, though a reasonable man, could be annoyingly dogged about his principles and integrity. Abul was a manipulative snake, Khaani knew it. And Sarim was too trusting. It would be a child's play for Abul to trap Sarim. Mom sahi kehti thi, Khaani thought, Sarim bohot simple hai. Usse logo ke mind games samaj mein nahi aayegi. Mujhe Sarim aur uske aas paas ke logo pe nazar rakhni paregi, especially Abul.

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Hadi's car was parked at a distance from Anjum's house, so that he couldn't be spotted but the gate was still in his line of vision. His shoulder was bandaged. "Dopahar ho gayi abhi tak koi Ghar se nahi nikla! Tumhe yaqeen hai yeh uss hi ladki ka address hai?", Hadi asked the guard sitting in the backseat with Mithal. "Jee chhote Mir", the guard replied, "Maine khud uss gaadi ko gate ke andar jaate hue dekha hai. Aapke aane se kuch der pehle ek gaadi andar gayi thi aur kuch der mein baahir nikal gayi.". "To tumne uska peechha kyu nahi kiya?!", Hadi demanded. Ali spoke up,"Hadi tu gussa kyu karta hai yaar ladki chali gayi to wapas aa jayegi. Magar tu karna kya chahta hai?". Hadi was about to reply when the security guard opened the gate and a car exited the gate. "Ali uss car ka peechha kar!Yeh uss ladki ki car hai!", Hadi said quickly. Ali followed the car from a distance. The car stopped in front of the main gate of Islamabad University. Ali stopped the car at a distance. The duo closely watched the car, as the door of its opened. A girl emerged from the driver's seat. "What the hell!",Hadi exclaimed,"Yeh woh ladki nahi hai. Yeh koi aur hai". "Kya?", Ali asked confused,"Lekin abhi to tune kaha ke gaadi uski hai.". Hadi replied,"Car wohi hai lekin ladki koi aur hai. (opening the car door) Main abhi jaake isse puchhta hu.". Just then, Hadi's phone rang: it was Sitara, his mother. Impatiently, Hadi answered the call. "Hadi beta, kaha ho tum?Aaj shaam ko tumhe Balochistan ke liye nikalna hai nomination file karne, yaad hai na?.". Hadi replied, "Haan ma yaad hai, waise Mera aaj jaana zaruri hai kya.Main kal subah bhi to ja sakta hu?". "Hadi",came Sitara's stern reply,"Of course aaj jaana zaruri hai. Don't tell me tum kal raat ki party ke baad itne thak gaye ho ke plan cancel karna chahte ho. Tumhare campaign manager ne Balochistan ki saari arrangements already kar di hai..tumhare saath Mir Shah bhi honge. Agar tum abhi postpone karoge to apne saath saath unka bhi schedule kharab kar doge.". Hadi sighed before replying,"Haan ma, main aata hu.". Ali spoke up,"Hadi tera pehla election hai tujhe abhi uspe focus karna chahiye....kyu tu khamakha iss ladki ke peechhe para hai yaar?". Hadi replied agitatedly,"Ali uss ladki ne Mir Hadi pe goli chalayi hai. Mir Hadi pe. jisse sab darrte hai. Itni aasani se to main usse nahi jaane de sakta. Main Balochistan jaake nomination file karke aata hu. Tab tak tu pata kar iss car ka owner kaun hai.",. "Thik hai", Ali nodded

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In Sibi, Khaani and Sarim were put up at Ahmed's home . Ahmed, their campaign manager, was the eldest of four siblings. He had a teenage sister who had just passed her F.A and would be attending college soon. Two younger brothers of studying in class VII and V. Their mother was widowed six years ago around the same time Ahmed had come to Islamabad to attend college. In his college days, Ahmed joined the student wing of their party, and pretty soon rose up the party ranks and even became good friends with Sarim when he had come to Balochistan for relief work.

"Toh Ahmed", Khaani asked as they finished their dinner,"Humare agle do din ka kya schedule hai?". Ahmed replied,"Kal subah aap dono ko yaha ke local school mein jana hai jisko Sarim ne floods ke time rebuild karaya tha. Waha pe bachho ne Sarim ke liye ek special programme ka intezam kiya hai. Uske baad hum nomination file karane jaayenge. Nomination ke baad, shaam ko ek rally hai. Phir parso ko Sarim ne Jin Jin Jagao ko rehabilitate karne mein help kiya waha jayenge, waha ke logo se interaction hogi. Humare saath PTV ki ek anchor bhi hongi jo yeh sab cover karengi. Aur uske agle din back to Islamabad."

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Mir Hadi, Mir Shah, Anwar their campaign manager and Sibi's Sardar were seated in the lawn of the sardar's sprawling mansion. While the other men were discussing the upcoming election, half-listening, Hadi absent-mindedly rolled a bullet between his fingers. It was the same bullet the girl had fired. When the doctor took it out, Hadi insisted that it be given to him as a souvenir. Aakhir kaun ho tum?Hadi thought, Aur itni himmat tum mein aayi kaha se?. Mir Shah's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Ji Baba?", Hadi replied stunned. "Kaha khoye huye ho?", Mir Shah asked,"Main yeh keh raha tha AeP ka Sarim Khan bhi aaya huwa hai Sibi apne nominations ke liye. Agle do din mulk ke media ki nazar Sibi pe hone waali hai. Hume bohot dhyaan se kaam lena hai. Hume apne opponents ko koi bhi mauka nahi dena voters ko apni taraf karne ka.". Anwar nodded,"Sahi kaha aapne Shahji. Mujhe yaqeen hai inn do dino mein AeP waale Balochistan ke floods mein Sarim Khan ke kaam ko zoro shoro se highlight karenge....logon mein anti-incumbency hai humari party ko leke aise mein agar aap aur chhote Mir ek saath awaam se mukhatib hote dikhenge to hi achcha rahega.". His diffidence irked Hadi. "Anwar",Hadi said sharply,"Kisiko kuch bhi Lage Sibi ki seat humesha PDP jeet ti aayi hi ...iss Sarim Khan mein aisi kya baat hai ke tum bheegi billi bankar baithe ho?". "Hadi", his father called him trying to rein in his temper. Anwar nervously wet his lips before finally replying,"Maaf kare Chhote Mir magar Balochistan ke floods ke waqt mainstream political parties mein se sirf Sarim Khan aur Salman Khan aaye the..woh yaha logo ke saath rahe, unki madad ki..isse Balochistan ke awaam ke mann mein yeh impression hai ke unke baare mein soch waale sirf AeP waale hai...baaki parties ko unke hone ya na hone se koi fark nahi padhta.". Mir Shah interjected,"Magar government ne waqt par relief aur army personnels deploy kiya tha. Humne bas iss baat ka koi dhindora nahi peeta.". "Humare opponents ne iss hi baat ka bohot fayda uthaya hai logo ko yaqeen dilakar ke jab Karachi mein floods huye the tab sabhi mainstream parties ke members site survey karne gaye the. Yeh Balochistan hai...yaha zyada investment nahi hai iss liye yaha koi nahi aaya.Aur iss liye iss elections mein Sarim Khan ke jeetne ke kaafi chances hai.", Anwar ended in matter of fact tone.

Hadi angrily balled his palms into fists. It was his first election. There was no chance in hell that he would lose it to some nobody like Sarim Khan - whom people hadn't even heard of two years back. He was a Mir. Mirs always win no matter what the situation.

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Next morning

Khaani smiled as she watched Sarim completing the formalities at the nomination office. The kind of welcome Sarim got from the children and their parents in the school it was truly heart-warming. It made her optimistic about their chances in the election. Sarim would make a great Prime Minister some day, she thought. This country needed a benevolent leader like him.

Khaani came out of her reverie when Ahmed and Sarim approached. "Chale?", Khaani asked, adjusting the dupatta on her head. "Ahmed bata raha tha bahir Mir Shah aur unka beta aaya hai apna nomination file karne. Ek baar unse mil lete hai phir niklenge.". "Kya?!", Khaani exclaimed,"Mir Hadi bahar hai?". Sarim and Ahmed looked puzzled at her reaction and said,"Kya baat hai tum aise kyu react kar rahi ho?". Khaani quickly recovered herself and replied,"No I meant Mirs ki humari family ke saath jo history hai, I don't think Sarim tumhe unn logo se aise milna chahiye.". Sarim replied, "Dekho agar aise bina salaam kiye unke paas se guzre to bohot rude lagega. Main jaake unke gale nahi lagunga. Bas as a courtesy unse milne ka keh raha hu.". Khaani bit her lips, she can't let Hadi see her. "Thik hai," She replied,"Tum log unse jaakar Milo.Main tab tak zara washroom hoke aati hu.".

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In the washroom, Khaani checked her watch. She had been hiding here for the last ten minutes. Her phone pinged. It was Sarim's text, How long will you take? Khaani gave a sigh of relief. The meeting must have been over. The coast was clear. Looking around, Khaani sneakily took the corridor towards the exit. Just then, her Birkin bag slipped from her hands, spilling the contents onto the floor. "Dammit!", Khaani cursed as she bent down and hurriedly started gathering her things. She didn't notice when a man quietly bent down and picked up her lipstick."Thanks", Khaani replied taking the lipstick from him. She turned to see who her helper was. Staring back at her with a smug smile, was none other than Mir Hadi.

Precap: "Jaisa main kehta hu, agar tum waisa nahi karogi...toh main uss CCTV footage ko media mein release kar dunga, Khaani", Hadi threatened.

Mystery girl (eng)

"I will not spare that girl... won't spare her", Hadi kept saying while Mithal and his bodyguard supported him on either side, as they entered the backdoor of the club. The club 'Rendezvous' was owned by Ali, Hadi's best friend. The club was situated on the ground and first floor of the building. On its second floor was a flat used for Hadi and Ali's private parties. Mithal rang the doorbell of the flat. When Ali opened the door, he was shocked at the sight in front of him. "Hadi!",he exclaimed, "What happened??". Ali moved aside as Mithal made Hadi sit on the couch of the living room. "Doctor ko bulao", Mithal ordered the guard. "No!",Hadi protested,"Bring that girl to me first! Once I teach her a lesson only then I will go to a doctor". "Which girl?", Ali asked confused,"Hadi please go to a doctor. It's bleeding. Mithal, how did he get shot?". Mithal replied,"He got into an altercation with a girl and she shot him and ran away.". "MITHAL!!", Hadi yelled, his face red with pain and humiliation,"Why are you still standing here..go get her!!". Mithal replied,"Chhote Mir she ran away. I told the guards to keep an eye on her car..I am sure she'll come to collect it...please...you need to see a doctor.". Ali agreed, "Yes Hadi lets go the clinic...the guards are here to keep an eye on the car. I am sure we'll track her.". "Ok", Hadi said,"Mithal baba shouldn't find out about this! I will deal with this on my own.". "Ji,Chhote Shahji.", Mithal replied.

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Next morning

Thank God, I collected the car early in the morning, Khaani thought relieved. She had asked Anjum to keep the car in her garage until she came back from Balochistan.

Khaani was sitting in the car with Sarim. They were on their way to the airport. "Khaani",Sarim's voice broke into her thoughts. "Hmm?", she asked. Sarim frowned and said,"You shouldn't have taunted Abul at the dining table that day.". "What did I say that was so wrong?", Khaani replied defensively,"That dragon lady is favouring him over you. She participates in his campaigns, addresses his rallies and did you see Abul's campaign budget? Its three times more than yours!". Sarim argued,"Yes, because Karachi is a difficult seat and a much bigger constituency. That city is basically PDP's home. So winning that seat will require effort and finding. And Sibi-".

"Sibi was won by PDP last time. Currently there is anti-incumbency and media has done a great job highlighting your contribution in the floods...but that was two years ago.", Khaani argued back,"This is your first ever election don't you think you should be highlighted at the national level a little more - the way Daadi and taaya keep highlighting Abul?". Sarim replied,"How does it matter? Right now my sole focus is Sibi.". Khaani said,"That's great. For the election. And then what?Surely, you don't want to remain Sibi's MNA for the rest of your life. You must think about your political future ....even taayi-ammi declared Abul as the future leader of the party that day. In front of everyone!And nobody said anything!.". Sarim sighed and said,"You are overthinking now. Besides both taaya-taayi groomed Abul to lead the party since childhood. So her feeling insecure because I changed my mind and decided to pursue this field is natural. Lastly, I want to create my own political career depending on my own capabilities. I don't need Daadi or party's favour for that.". There was complete silence in the car until Khaani said,"I know you are more than capable of becoming successful on your own and that to without needing to suck up to anyone. But I am talking about your birthright. The Khans are so protective of their traditions. According to tradition, being the eldest grandchild it is you who should be the future Party Chief. But ever since I came here I noticed that it is Abul who is being favoured in the party and at home." Sarim tried to reason with her,"Khaani he has been in the party since his college days. You may find it hard to believe but he has earned his place in the party and in these two years I have understood this. I need to prove myself to the party and the people before expecting that they give me the same treatment as someone like Abul. And right now I don't want the same authority and respect as Abul because I did not earn it. I want people to respect me because of my work and not my surname or position in the family." Khaani didn't say anything. She knew there was no point arguing with her brother. Sarim, though a reasonable man, could be annoyingly dogged about his principles and integrity. Abul was a manipulative snake, Khaani knew it. And Sarim was too trusting. It would be a child's play for Abul to trap Sarim. Mom was right, Khaani thought, Sarim is too simple. He cannot fathom these people and their mind game. I need to look out for him, protect him from people like Abul.

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Hadi's car was parked at a distance from Anjum's house, so that he couldn't be spotted but the gate was still in his line of vision. His shoulder was bandaged. "It's almost afternoon and nobody has left the house! Are you sure it is that girl's house?", Hadi asked the guard sitting in the backseat with Mithal. "Jee chhote Mir", the guard replied, "I saw the car enter the gate and before you came another car entered and then left within a few minutes.". "So why didn't you follow that car?!", Hadi demanded. Ali spoke up,"Hadi calm down. If the girl left in that car then she'll come back. What do you plan to do with her once you find her?". Hadi was about to reply when the security guard opened the gate and a car exited the gate. "Ali follow that car! It's her car!", Hadi said quickly. Ali followed the car from a distance. The car stopped in front of the main gate of Islamabad University. Ali stopped the car at a distance. The duo closely watched the car, as its door opened. A girl emerged from the driver's seat. "What the hell!",Hadi exclaimed,"This isn't her. It's someone else". "What?", Ali asked confused,"But didn't you just say it's the same car?.". Hadi replied,"It's the same car but the girl is different. (opening the car door) I will go and her ask right now.". Just then, Hadi's phone rang: it was Sitara, his mother. Impatiently, Hadi answered the call. "Hadi beta, where are you? You will need to leave for Balochistan this evening to file for nomination...you know right?.". Hadi replied, "Of course ma...do I have to leave today itself?Can't I leave tomorrow?". "Hadi",came Sitara's stern reply,"You have to leave today. Don't tell me you are so wasted after last night's partying that you want to cancel now. You campaign manager has already made all the arrangements even Mir Shah will be with you. If you cancel now even his schedule will be disturbed.". Hadi sighed before replying,"Ok ma, I am coming.". Ali spoke up,"Hadi this is your first election you should be focussing on that. Why are you obsessed with finding that girl?". Hadi replied agitatedly,"Ali that girl had the audacity to shoot Mir Hadi! Mir Hadi - the person people fear! She can't get away with it. I'll go to Balochistan in the meantime you find out who owns that car.",. "Alright", Ali nodded

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In Sibi, Khaani and Sarim were put up at Ahmed's home . Ahmed, their campaign manager, was the eldest of four siblings. He had a teenage sister who had just passed her F.A and would be attending college soon. Two younger brothers of studying in class VII and V. Their mother was widowed six years ago around the same time Ahmed had come to Islamabad to attend college. In his college days, Ahmed joined the student wing of their party, and pretty soon rose up the party ranks and even became good friends with Sarim when he had come to Balochistan for relief work.

"So Ahmed", Khaani asked as they finished their dinner,"What is on our next two days schedule?". Ahmed replied,"Tomorrow morning we'll visit the local school that Sarim helped rebuild during floods. The kids over there are holding a special programme for him. Then we'll go to file the nomination. Then he'll be addressing a rally in the evening. The next day Sarim will be surveying the places he helped rehabilitate. A PTV anchor will be covering this. And then back to Islamabad.

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Mir Hadi, Mir Shah, Anwar their campaign manager and Sibi's Sardar were seated in the lawn of the sardar's sprawling mansion. While the other men were discussing the upcoming election, half-listening, Hadi absent-mindedly rolled a bullet between his fingers. It was the same bullet the girl had fired. When the doctor took it out, Hadi insisted that it be given to him as a souvenir. Who the hell are you?Hadi thought, How can you be so fearless?. Mir Shah's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Ji Baba?", Hadi replied stunned. "Where are you lost?", Mir Shah asked," I am saying Sarim Khan from AeP is also there. For the next two days, the entire national media's eyes will be on us. We have to be careful. We can't let our opponents have any chance to gain voters favour over us." Anwar nodded," You're absolutely right Shahji. I am sure in the next two days AeP will go all out in publiscising Sarim's contribution in the floods. As it is there is a lot of anti-incumbency in this region. If Chhote Mir is seen interacting with the general public it will be helpful.". His diffidence irked Hadi. "Anwar",Hadi said sharply,"No matter what people feel. Sibi has always been a PDP stronghold and we'll win this time as well....what's so special about this Sarim Khan that even a party loyalist like you is losing confidence?". "Hadi", his father called him trying to rein in his temper. Anwar nervously wet his lips before finally replying,"I beg you pardon Chhote Mir but during Balochistan floods among mainstream political parties it was only Sarim Khan and Salman Khan who showed up and helped the people. This created the impression that only AeP cares enough about people to actually do something. The other parties including ours simply do not care.". Mir Shah interjected,"But our government did send relief and deployed army personnels to aid the people. We just didn't publicise it.". "Our opponents took advantage of that. They have successfully created an impression that because this is Balochistan, which doesn't have much investment our mainstream politicians didn't bother to even survey the site. Whereas, when Karachi was flooded, all mainstream politicians visited the region. People want a leader that shows up for them. This is why there is a likely chance that Sarim Khan may actually win this election.", Anwar ended in matter of fact tone.

Hadi angrily balled his palms into fists. It was his first election. There was no chance in hell that he would lose it to some nobody like Sarim Khan - whom people hadn't even heard of two years back. He was a Mir. Mirs always win no matter what the situation.

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Next morning

Khaani smiled as she watched Sarim completing the formalities at the nomination office. The kind of welcome Sarim got from the children and their parents in the school it was truly heart-warming. It made her optimistic about their chances in the election. Sarim would make a great Prime Minister some day, she thought. This country needed a benevolent leader like him.

Khaani came out of her reverie when Ahmed and Sarim approached. "Shall we go?", Khaani asked, adjusting the dupatta on her head. "Ahmed was telling me that Mir Shah and his son are also here to file nomination. Let's greet them once then we'll leave.". "What?!", Khaani exclaimed,"Mir Hadi is here?". Sarim and Ahmed looked puzzled at her reaction and said,"What's wrong? Why are you reacting this way?". Khaani quickly recovered herself and replied,"No I meant there's so much bad blood between Mirs and us, I don't think that we should meet them Sarim.". Sarim replied, "If we pass them by without so much of a salaam it will look bad. .". Khaani bit her lips, she can't let Hadi see her. "Ok," She replied,"You go and meet them. I will come from the washroom".

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In the washroom, Khaani checked her watch. She had been hiding here for the last ten minutes. Her phone pinged. It was Sarim's text, How long will you take? Khaani gave a sigh of relief. The meeting must have been over. The coast was clear. Looking around, Khaani sneakily took the corridor towards the exit. Just then, her Birkin bag slipped from her hands, spilling the contents onto the floor. "Dammit!", Khaani cursed as she bent down and hurriedly started gathering her things. She didn't notice when a man quietly bent down and picked up her lipstick."Thanks", Khaani replied taking the lipstick from him. She turned to see who her helper was. Staring back at her with a smug smile, was none other than Mir Hadi.

Precap: "If you don't do what I say. I am going to release the footage, Khaani", Hadi threatened.

WOW!! This was so good!! I am loving the political campaign and the tensions and power struggles that go with it! You are writing a beautifully complex story here. Can't wait for Khaani and Hadi's interaction!!!! Looks like the Fates have brought them together! Am really hooked to this story now! Looking forward to your next update with great eagerness!