“ her grace, his greed

a deadly combination

of, this flaura and fauna. ”

...

|Past|

• Shajapur, India.

"I don't want to marry again." She was trembling with anger yet she kept her tone low and sweet. She couldn't raise her voice in front of her father and elder brothers. But she also wouldn't let them make any decisions for her. She was not a timid young girl anymore, she's a mother now, a single mother.

"Look Shabeena you've to marry again. You're young and beautiful and Akbar is a very good guy." Her father tried to reason with her but she didn't listened to them, she was adamant on her decision.

"Abbu....Yaman died, My husband died....but that doesn't mean I've died also, I've my children to take care off. I'm not marrying again. I'm better off as a widow." Shabeena glared them all and stood up from her chair, she was walking out of the room when her eyes fall on Akbar Mujib, her maternal cousin, who claims to love her since a very long time but lost his Chance infront of the Government Teacher Yaman Khawar....and now after His death he thought that maybe Shabeena will marry him, but he was very wrong.

"Why Shabeena?" Akbar came in Shabeena's way and she ignored him, but he wasn't letting her go.

"Akbar Bhai, if you please leave my way. I've to check on my daughters." Her tone was changed now, it was strong and her attitude.

He left her way and knew she was never hers to begin with.

Shabeena looked at her daughters Mahrosh and Sehrish, who are sleeping peacefully hugging their father's coat and a tear fell down from her eyes. She have to be very strong for them. Living alone with two young daughters in this society is very difficult, and, Shabeena is a very strong lady, she didn't think about her future, but for her children's future. Only a mother can do that.

...

| Present |

• Bhopal, India.

She was sitting on her chair, different files were sprawled on the table, her eyes were continually moving from one to another and so her forehead creases was raising. She bite her lower lip in frustration, little rebellious flicks of her midnight black hair were covering her face.

"Rakesh."

"Yes ma'am." He came in, saluting her and then standing infront of waiting for the orders.

"Rakesh, what is this? Without any permission, this people are doing illegal construction in the forest area? Who are this people? Timeline Constructions. Call his owner and schedule my meeting with him. They can't build anything illegally under my supervision."

"Yes. Ma'am. I'll do it."

"You can go now."

Rakesh left her office and she got up from her seat. She couldn't believe people can be so greedy that they feel no Shame in harming mother nature and doing illegal construction. She stood up from her chair, massaging her neck with her palms and walking slowly.

She is Mahrosh Yaman, An Environmental Officer. Strong headed, Soft-spoken and Graceful. Her personality is what attracts people towards her, sometimes it is out of admiration and sometimes out of spite. That's why she has been deported five times in her career of four years. That's what you got for speaking the truth, a transfer letter.

She looked at her watch and started packing up her things, it was her time to go home and have some relaxation.

Her car stopped in the porch, her mother was standing nearby the car parking as well. A smile made its way on her face and she ran towards her like a little girl. Hugging her tightly and kissing her cheeks.

"Ahh qalbim."

"Ashaqam."

"Ammu by the way whats new Turksih drama you're Watching nowadays. Direct Qalbim, My heart." Mahrosh nuzzled and hugged her tightly. It was not wrong to say Her mother is her whole world.

"Sehrish taught me this. I didn't knew what it meant and now go freshen up. You're smelling so bad."

"Ammi!!!!!!!!!"

"What?"

Mahrosh just shooked her head and walked inside. Her mother Always roast her infront of the helpers.

Mahrosh came out of the dressing room, wearing a comfortable pair of tshirt and loose pants. Her long wavy midnight Black hairs were covering her back, she was applying serum on them. When her phone started vibrating and she saw her office number was shinning.

She quickly attended the call, "yes Rakesh. What happened."

"Ma'am have you watched the news?"

"No? What happened?"

"Ma'am..."

"Tell me Rakesh what had happened?"

"Ma'am...our office.."

Mahrosh turned on her television and switched on the News Channel.

"So apparently there has been a huge short-circuit in the Environmental Office. Fortunately no one died, but the confidential records have been destroyed..."

Mahrosh was standing their motionless, she was working on this cases for months. She has collected so many evidences against the illegal activities going in the forest, her head was feeling heavy and she sat on the floor like a defeated man.

"I will not let them win."

"I will not."

...

• Dubai, UAE.

Her nude heels were clicking on the floor, tic toe, Her hairs bouncing up with every movement. She was wearing a mini black dress, that reaches till her mid-thigh. Her honey like smooth white skin, shinning in the dim light. Her lips painted a dark shade of Red, she was a siren. Any man can lose his senses just looking at her.

She stopped infront of the door, two big muscular guards were standing their. Both of them shared a look and smirked knowingly.

"Julia." Her tone was a bit sultry and provoking.

"Escort Julia?" One of the guard said mockingly.

"Yes. Habibti. Escort Julia, whom you can never have." She brushed unknown dirt from that guards shoulder. Her eyebrows raised in her defiance and both of them moved away from her path.

Her mood has spoiled, but then she saw him and her vibes got alot better. There he was standing nearby the windows that overlooks the beautiful midnight view of Dubai and in centre there was standing high Burj Khalifa.

But all of them were looking useless infront of that man. He was bare chested, just wearing his dress pants. He was drinking liquor and taking huge dugs of cigars in between.

She slipped out of her heels and started walking barefoot without making any noise. She was an inch away from her, she wanted to hug him from the back. But she couldn't because in a second her neck was in His grips, the man of her dreams.

"Haider. Leave me, you're hurting me."

"And what's this? Huh?"

Haider growled leaving her neck and julia was just calming her nerves. She was trying to catch her breathe Properly.

"I'm sorry." She was still massaging her Aching neck.

"You should be Julia. Now tell me you got what I have wanted?" Haider went towards the little bar, and took out a bottle of Jack Daniels, taking a sip from it, he gestured to julia if she wants it or not.

Julia ignored it and taking out her phone from the purse, she gave it to him, "Here. I've got some videos and Photos with that sloppy minister. One more thing I'm not gonna be going to this sloppy, bald and foul smelling ministers."

"You will get your full payment. You can leave now." Haider ignored her remarks.

"Haider Talal, you atleast have said a thank you."

"Thank You Julia." Haider said in her tone and sensing his insensitivity towards her, julia went out of his room.

Julia went out of the hotel suite but not before shutting the door with a powerful thud.

Haider sat on the bed seeing the pictures and videos that would lure the forest minister in submitting to him.

The room is filled with the smell of liquors and cigar, a normal human should have coughed a thousand times. But this man is Haider Talal who finds peace in haram things.

His phone started ringing and a smiled passed his lips. It was his secretary's call.

"Sir. Its done." His secretary's chirping vouce sound from the other side of the call, and his smile grew bigger.

"Book my flight for Delhi, Sahil. And also send my deep condolences to Ms Yaman."

"Yes Sir."

With that the call went dead. Today he had gotten rid of many problems, just by playing with the people. Where Money speaks, Human sells.

A triumph smile passed his lips and he covered it soon. He was a greedy man, but not a fool. He always kept a sharp eye on his enemy.

"Ms Yaman. Another transfer." Haider groaned and laughed so beautifully. His dimples grew deeper, his midnight black eyes were shinning with power, thick curly hairs and his dark aura. He was the kind of man, nobody wanted to get on his bed side.

Greedy. Liar. Powerful.

...

Mahrosh came back from running, when Rani (maid) told her that someone has dropped a flower bouquet for her. She was a bit shocked, who'll send her flowers?

"You have to be clever as a fox and sharp as a tiger, to survive in this world. Otherwise this world will eat you up alive."

~ Haider Talal.

Mahrosh's blood pressure went so high, reading that note. How could he know that? Nobody knows about her secret investigation that she was doing. Then how is it possible? Haider Talal, got to know about it?

She looked at the card one more time and then an idea clicked in her mind. She knows she will be getting a transfer now, so why not get closer to the enemy?

She literally run towards her study cum office room and opening her laptop, she started her application to transfer to the Delhi branch.

"Let the game begins, Haider Talal."

•••••••

Note: How is it?