Once they arrived, they began their search, approaching various people in the area to inquire about the missing workers. With each conversation, Iliana felt her hope wane; it was as if the workers had vanished into thin air. No one seemed to have any leads, and the silence was deafening.
Just when despair started to creep in, one person finally broke the trend. "Two people left early this morning, miss. I really don't know where they went," he said, his tone apologetic yet indifferent. That small piece of information sparked a flicker of determination in Iliana. They had a lead, however vague, and she wasn't about to give up now.
Iliana felt her heart sink. "Shoot... my Allah, please don't tell me we've lost them. This was our solid proof against my uncle. I know he's the one behind all of this. I will seek justice for you, Eomma and Appa, with the grace of the Almighty," she murmured, her gaze lifted to the heavens, tears spilling down her cheeks. Asma stood close, sensing the turmoil within her friend.
Quickly, Asma squeezed Iliana's shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. "Mam, don't worry. We'll figure this out together," she said, her tone filled with determination. "We won't give up. We'll find a way to get to the truth." The bond between them strengthened in that moment, as they both clung to hope amidst the uncertainty.
Iliana sat in the car, feeling a whirlwind of emotions as Asma continuously reassured her. "Don't worry, Ms Iliana, we'll find them. Just keep the faith," Asma said, her voice steady and comforting. Meanwhile, in stark contrast, Jungkook was lost in a world of indulgence with Diana, completely immersed in the moment.
Diana leaned in closer, her fingers gently running through Jungkook's hair. "Oh Jungkook, are you happy now?" she asked, her voice sultry and inviting.
"Yeah, obviously" Jungkook replied, a smile on his face, but deep down, he felt a nagging emptiness.
As he laughed and played along, a voice inside him whispered, "Why am I not feeling fulfilled? It feels like my heart longs for someone else..." Jungkook thought, the internal conflict brewing within him. Despite the external pleasure, he couldn't shake the feeling that something vital was missing, a connection that he craved but couldn't quite grasp.
Jungkook lingered in that space for another two hours, fully immersed in the fleeting pleasures he found with Diana. As she finally gathered her things, she looked at him with a mix of concern and affection. "Jungkook, you seem really weird today it seems you are lost somewhere else ... I'm tired and I need to head out. " she said, her voice softening.
He chuckled lightly, still sprawled on the bed, but inside, he felt a gnawing restlessness. "Duh... What the hell? I'm still not satisfied," he muttered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Once Diana left, he reluctantly pulled on his clothes, the emptiness still weighing on him.
Making his way to the living room, he found David engrossed in a movie. Jungkook plopped down beside him, pouring himself a glass of wine. "Oh David, alcohol is my first love," he said with a wry smile, lifting the glass as if to toast to his own discontent. David chuckled, shaking his head at Jungkook's antics, but Jungkook couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was missing, a connection that went beyond the surface pleasures he was chasing.
Guards were stationed outside Iliana's house for her protection, a precaution she appreciated but didn't want to dwell on. She hurried home and decided to take a quick shower to wash away the day's stress. Just as she was starting to feel relaxed, a sudden wave of pain hit her stomach. "No, not now... come on!" she exclaimed, realizing her period had arrived unexpectedly.
Frantically, she threw on some clothes, wrapping her damp hair in a towel as she rushed to the mirror. "Oh Iliana, these mood swings are going to drive you crazy," she muttered to herself, pressing a hot water bag against her abdomen in hopes of easing the discomfort.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and called Asma. "Assalamualaikum, Asma! How are you doing?" she greeted, trying to keep her tone light. "Walaikum Assalam, ma'am! I'm fine! Why are you calling at this hour? Is everything okay?" Asma asked, her concern evident. "Alhamdulillah, everything's fine. I just wanted to let you know that we'll resume the industry work tomorrow. You'll need to head to the site to check on the workers. Make sure the guards are alert; we can't afford any mistakes this time. By Allah's grace, the medicine will be ready in a few weeks," Iliana instructed firmly. "Sure, ma'am, no worries," Asma replied reassuringly before they hung up.
Iliana held her abdomen tightly, wishing she could manage the pain without resorting to painkillers. "Ayaan will be back from the USA in three days," she thought, her heart aching a little. "He hasn't called in two weeks, and I can't even reach him—his number is unreachable. Duh, ya Allah, please keep him safe wherever he is. My little chimpanzee brother, I miss you!" she reflected, feeling a mix of worry and longing for her brother's presence.
Jungkook returned home, his demeanor noticeably subdued. He walked straight to his room, leaving his parents exchanging worried glances. Syed Ahmed turned to Esra and remarked, "He seems really down today. Didn't he go out clubbing or hang out with any girls?" He sighed, a blank expression on his face, while Esra remained silent, absorbing the tension in the air.
Jungkook overheard their conversation, and a surge of anger bubbled up inside him. Without a second thought, he stormed out, his frustration boiling over. He hopped onto his bike, affectionately named "Baby Doll." The choice of name was significant; whenever he had a falling out with his dad, he would escape on this bike, even though he owned two luxurious Mercedes. The bike represented his freedom and was his second love, right after alcohol.