Chapter 6: The Truth
The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains of Hasib's bedroom, casting a warm glow across the room. He sat quietly on his bed, his back resting against the headboard, lost in thought. His mind was a maze of conflicting emotions—Shagor's disappearance still weighed heavily on him, but there was something else, something deeper that he couldn't shake.
It was Nafisa.
In the past few days, their bond had grown stronger than ever. He could feel it, like a magnetic pull between them, drawing them closer with each passing moment. He had always loved her, but now, after everything they had been through, that love felt more intense, more powerful. And yet, beneath it all, there was a tension, a longing that neither of them had fully expressed.
The quiet was broken by the sudden sound of the doorbell. Hasib's heart gave a slight jump as he got up, wondering who it could be. He walked to the door, his pulse quickening for reasons he didn't quite understand. When he opened it, there stood Nafisa, her face radiant with a soft smile that instantly sent warmth flooding through him.
"Hey," she greeted softly, her eyes shining as they met his.
"Hey," Hasib replied, stepping aside to let her in.
Nafisa entered the room, her presence filling the space with an undeniable energy. She was wearing a simple dress, her long black hair cascading down her back, and as she walked past him, Hasib caught the faint scent of her perfume—a delicate, familiar fragrance that always made his heart race.
They sat down on the bed, side by side, the quiet between them heavy with unspoken words. For a moment, neither of them spoke, both lost in their thoughts. Then, Nafisa turned to face him, her expression soft but serious.
"I've been thinking a lot lately," she began, her voice low but filled with emotion. "About us."
Hasib's heart gave a slight tremor. "What about us?" he asked, his voice equally soft.
Nafisa took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto his. "I just… I can't stop thinking about everything we've been through, everything that's happened. And the more I think about it, the more I realize how much you mean to me, Hasib."
Hasib's gaze softened as he reached for her hand, gently threading his fingers through hers. "You mean everything to me, too, Nafisa. I think about it all the time—how lucky I am to have you in my life."
Nafisa smiled, but there was a deeper emotion flickering in her eyes. "Do you remember how we met?" she asked, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Hasib chuckled softly, nodding. "Of course I do. It was at that university event, and you were arguing with the professor about that economics theory."
Nafisa laughed, the sound light and melodic. "I was so mad. I thought I had everything figured out, and then you came in with your facts and completely embarrassed me in front of the whole class."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you," Hasib said, smiling. "But I'll admit, I kind of enjoyed seeing how passionate you were. You wouldn't back down, even when you knew I was right."
Nafisa shook her head, her smile growing wider. "You were impossible. But I couldn't stop thinking about you after that. I kept hoping I'd see you again."
Hasib's thumb gently brushed over the back of her hand. "I was thinking the same thing. From that moment on, I knew you were different. Special."
They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them lost in the memories of the early days of their relationship. The way they had grown from that first spark of interest into something deeper, more profound. But now, there was something more—something neither of them had fully acknowledged yet.
"I've never felt this way about anyone before," Nafisa said quietly, her voice trembling slightly as she looked into Hasib's eyes. "Not like this. It's different with you."
Hasib's heart swelled with emotion. He could feel the intensity of her words, the weight of what she was saying, and it mirrored everything he felt for her. "It's different for me too, Nafisa. You're not just someone I love. You're… you're everything."
Tears welled up in Nafisa's eyes as she leaned closer, her hand moving to cup his cheek. "You've always been there for me, Hasib. Even when I was stubborn, even when I didn't deserve it. You never gave up on me."
Hasib's heart ached as he saw the raw emotion in her eyes. "I could never give up on you," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Without thinking, Nafisa closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around Hasib in a tight embrace. Her body pressed against his, and he could feel the rapid beat of her heart as she buried her face in his chest. Hasib's arms circled her waist, holding her close as if letting go would mean losing her forever.
For a long moment, they simply held each other, the silence filled with the sound of their breathing, the pounding of their hearts. But then, something shifted between them. The embrace, which had started as a comforting gesture, slowly deepened into something more.
Hasib's hands began to move, sliding up and down her back in slow, deliberate strokes. He could feel the softness of her skin through the fabric of her dress, and the sensation sent a shiver down his spine. Nafisa pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him, her eyes dark with unspoken desire.
"Hasib," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He didn't respond with words. Instead, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, tender kiss. It started slow, almost hesitant, but quickly grew more urgent as their emotions took over. Nafisa's hands moved to the back of Hasib's neck, pulling him closer, and Hasib responded by deepening the kiss, his mouth moving against hers with a hunger that neither of them had expressed until now.
The kiss broke for a moment, both of them breathless, but the air between them was thick with the tension of what was about to unfold.
"I want you," Nafisa whispered, her voice trembling with both desire and vulnerability.
Hasib's heart skipped a beat as he heard those words. "I want you too," he whispered back, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Their lips met again, this time with more urgency. Hasib's hands began to explore her body, tracing the curves of her waist and hips, while Nafisa's hands moved over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through his shirt. There was no more hesitation, no more holding back. They were both lost in the moment, caught up in the intensity of their emotions and the desire that had been simmering between them for so long.
Hasib's lips trailed from her mouth to her jawline, then down to her neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses that made Nafisa sigh softly. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she tilted her head back, giving him more access to the sensitive skin of her neck. Every touch, every kiss sent waves of heat through her, and she could feel her body responding to him in ways she had never felt before.
Hasib's hands moved to the hem of her dress, lifting it slightly as his lips continued their journey downward. He kissed her collarbone, then her shoulder, his hands caressing her thighs as he worked his way lower. Nafisa's breath hitched as she felt the warmth of his lips on her skin, the sensation both electrifying and calming all at once.
He pulled her closer, his lips now trailing down to her chest. Nafisa gasped softly as his kisses became more insistent, more passionate. Her hands clutched at his shirt, her body arching toward him, craving more of his touch. Hasib's lips explored every inch of her skin, each kiss sending sparks of pleasure coursing through her veins.
"Hasib," she moaned softly, her voice filled with both need and affection.
Hasib's heart pounded as he kissed her deeply, his hands roaming her body with a tenderness that made her feel cherished, and adored. He kissed her shoulders, her arms, her chest—every part of her body that he could reach. The sensation was intoxicating, and Nafisa could feel herself melting under his touch.
Their movements became more fluid, and more synchronized as their passion grew. Hasib's hands moved to her back, pulling her even closer, his lips never leaving her skin. Nafisa's hands roamed his body, feeling the firmness of his muscles, and the warmth of his skin.
"I love you," she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling with emotion.
Hasib's lips paused for a moment as he looked up at her, his eyes filled with the same intense emotion that she felt. "I love you too, Nafisa. More than anything."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning, and then, without another word, they kissed again. It was a kiss filled with all the love, all the passion, and all the desire they had kept hidden for so long.
The rest of the world faded away as they held each other, their bodies pressed together, their hearts beating in unison. This moment, this perfect moment was theirs alone.
And they were finally ready to embrace it.
It was late afternoon when Newton's phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, eyebrows furrowing at the unfamiliar number. He almost ignored it, but a sense of curiosity made him pick up. "Hello?"
A low, steady voice came through the line, one that Newton didn't recognize. "Is this Newton?"
"Yes, who's calling?" Newton replied, his tone cautious.
"My name is Selim," the voice responded. "You don't know me, but I know you—and I have information about Alexander."
Newton's pulse quickened at the mention of Alexander. Ever since Shagor's mysterious disappearance, Alexander's name had surfaced in all the wrong ways. "What kind of information?"
"Not something I can share over the phone," Selim said. "Meet me at the Kolkata Economic Zone, Road 11, at Young Forever Ltd. It's urgent."
Newton hesitated, the secrecy in Selim's tone making him wary. "And why should I trust you?"
There was a pause on the other end. "Because Alexander is involved in more than you realize. And if you want to understand the truth about him and protect your friends, you'll meet me."
Newton took a deep breath, glancing around his empty room, weighing his options. He didn't fully trust this man, but something in Selim's voice felt genuine. And if there was any chance this could lead to more information about Shagor and Alexander's operations, he had to take it.
"I'll be there," Newton finally replied.
Two hours later, Newton arrived at the bustling Kolkata Economic Zone, an area filled with towering buildings and garment factories. The air was thick with the sounds of machinery, the faint scent of industrial chemicals mixing with the warmth of the evening sun. He navigated his way through the rows of factories until he found Road 11, where a sign for "Young Forever Ltd." hung above a guarded entrance.
Taking a deep breath, he approached the security guard. "I'm here to see Selim. He's expecting me."
The guard gave him a once-over, his expression impassive. After a moment, he nodded and gestured toward the main entrance. "Go ahead, but don't wander around. Factory rules."
Newton nodded his thanks, stepping inside. The factory was bustling with workers, all moving efficiently between rows of machinery. He observed the assembly line as he passed by, noting the various machines in operation: sewing machines humming steadily as they pieced together fabric, overlock machines trimming seams, and embroidery machines stitching intricate designs onto garments.
Lost in the mechanics of the production line, Newton almost didn't notice when a young man approached him. He was around Newton's age, with a cautious look in his eyes and a worn expression that suggested he had lived through more than his years might imply.
"You're Newton?" the man asked, his voice low and guarded.
Newton nodded. "And you're Selim?"
Selim gave a quick nod, gesturing for Newton to follow him. They walked down a narrow hallway toward a quieter section of the factory, away from the prying eyes of workers and the noise of machinery. Once they reached a more secluded spot, Selim turned to face Newton, his expression serious.
"Thank you for coming," Selim began. "I know this isn't exactly how people usually meet, but I needed to speak with you urgently—and without drawing any attention."
Newton crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Alright, Selim, I'm here. So what's this information about Alexander?"
Selim took a deep breath, glancing around to ensure they were alone before he continued. "Alexander doesn't just run a mafia empire. He's also deeply involved in an illegal factory operation here."
Newton's brow furrowed. "What kind of operation?"
"He owns a factory that produces labels and printing accessories for garment companies," Selim explained. "But the problem isn't just with the factory itself—it's with how he's handling the distribution and documentation."
Newton's gaze sharpened. "Go on."
Selim's face hardened, his voice dropping to a whisper. "When Alexander ships his goods, he doesn't report the actual quantity to customs. For example, if he produces 400,000 labels, he only declares a portion of them, hiding the rest to avoid paying the proper taxes and fees. This allows him to undercut his competitors and generate extra profit under the table."
Newton frowned. "So he's hiding his production quantities from customs? That's… serious fraud."
"Yes, and he's doing it with the help of a man named Rajib," Selim continued. "Rajib works as a Customs Clearance and Forwarding agent, also known as a CNF. Normally, it's Rajib's job to verify the quantity and authenticity of Alexander's shipments before they go out. But instead, he's been turning a blind eye, helping Alexander smuggle the goods without declaring the actual quantities."
Newton felt a surge of anger and disgust. "That's… how does he get away with this? Shouldn't customs be aware of it?"
Selim let out a bitter laugh. "You think Alexander doesn't have people on the inside? He's paid off enough officials to make sure no one looks too closely. Rajib's just one cog in a much larger machine."
Newton processed this, his mind racing with the implications. "And you're telling me this because…?"
Selim hesitated, his eyes darkening. "Because I want Alexander's empire to fall as much as you do. And because this is personal for me."
Newton raised an eyebrow. "Personal? How?"
Selim's jaw tightened, his eyes clouding with a mixture of pain and anger. "Alexander didn't just ruin my life. He ruined my sister's life, too."
"Your sister?" Newton asked, his voice softening. "Who…?"
"Sohana," Selim replied, his voice barely a whisper. "Sohana is my sister."
Newton's eyes widened in shock. "Sohana? You're… her brother?"
Selim nodded, his expression darkening. "She was a bright, ambitious woman once. But when she met Alexander, everything changed. He drew her in, promising her power and influence, but instead, he used her. Twisted her. Turned her into something she never wanted to be."
Newton felt a pang of sympathy as he watched the anguish on Selim's face. "I didn't realize…"
"She wanted out," Selim continued, his voice choked with emotion. "But by the time she realized the depths of Alexander's manipulation, it was too late. He had control over her, using her to further his agenda. She's trapped in his world now, forced to do things she hates just to survive."
Newton ran a hand through his hair, trying to process everything. "And you want to help her get out?"
Selim nodded, his eyes fierce. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring Alexander down. And I know you and your friends have a personal stake in this, too."
Newton clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination. "We do. Alexander has caused nothing but pain and destruction, and we're not going to let him get away with it."
Selim looked relieved, his expression softening slightly. "Then let's work together. I'll give you all the information I have on Alexander's operations here. The locations, the people involved, everything."
Newton nodded, his mind racing with plans. "Alright. But this isn't going to be easy. If Alexander finds out we're working against him…"
Selim met Newton's gaze, his eyes filled with steely resolve. "I've made my choice. Whatever it takes, I'm ready to fight. For Sohana. For everyone who's been hurt by Alexander's empire."
They shook hands, a silent agreement forming between them. There was a storm brewing, and they both knew it. But together, they had a chance to stand against it.
"Meet me here again in a few days," Selim said. "I'll gather more intel, and we'll plan our next steps."
Newton nodded, feeling a surge of hope. For the first time, he felt like they might have a chance to expose Alexander's corruption and take him down.
As he left the factory, he couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose. This was more than just a fight for revenge—it was a fight for justice, for redemption. And he was ready to see it through to the end.
To be continued...