17/12/2024
IN THE NAME OF LOVE ~ (Episode 38)
The SUV rolled into the private hangar at the airport, the hum of the engine echoing in the cavernous space. Ahmad stepped out first, his movements stiff and mechanical as he scanned the area. His eyes were hollow, grief for Rafiq heavy on his shoulders, but he pushed it aside. There was no time for weakness, not now.
Humairah remained in the car, her face pale, her body trembling. She had barely spoken since the ambush, the reality of Rafiq’s sacrifice cutting through her like a blade. Ahmad opened the door and reached for her hand.
“We don’t have long,” he said, his voice low and steady. “The jet is waiting.”
Humairah hesitated before taking his hand. Her fingers were cold, her grip weak, but Ahmad didn’t let go. He guided her to the jet, the two of them moving as if in a trance. As they reached the stairs, the pilot nodded, signaling everything was ready for takeoff.
“I’ll handle this from here,” Ahmad said to the pilot. “We need to leave as soon as possible.”
But just as they began ascending the stairs, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Ahmad’s body tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.
A familiar voice broke the tension.
“Ahmad.”
He turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the figure stepping out of the shadows. Naziha. She was dressed in a sleek black coat, her hair tied back, her expression unreadable.
“What are you doing here?” Ahmad demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
Naziha raised her hands slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. “Relax. I’m not here to fight you.”
Humairah froze at the sound of Naziha’s voice, her grip on Ahmad tightening. Memories of Naziha’s manipulation and betrayal flashed through her mind, and her heart raced.
“You have no business here,” Ahmad said coldly. “Leave.”
Naziha’s smirk faded, replaced by something almost vulnerable. “I came to help.”
Ahmad’s laugh was humorless. “Help? You’ve been working with Yusuf since the beginning. Why would I trust you now?”
“Because Yusuf has gone too far,” Naziha said, her tone sharp. “This isn’t just about revenge anymore. He’s lost control. He’s… dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” Ahmad repeated, stepping closer. “Rafiq is dead because of him. Humairah is running for her life. And now you want to switch sides?”
Naziha flinched at his words but held her ground. “I didn’t sign up for this,” she said. “I thought I could control him, but Yusuf doesn’t listen to anyone. He’s obsessed, Ahmad. He won’t stop until he has her.”
Humairah felt a chill run down her spine as Naziha’s words sank in. “Why should we believe you?” she asked, her voice trembling but defiant.
Naziha turned her gaze to Humairah, her eyes softening. “Because I know where he’s keeping his men. And I know how to stop him.”
Ahmad’s jaw tightened as he weighed his options. Trusting Naziha was a gamble, one that could cost him everything. But if she was telling the truth, she might be the key to ending this nightmare.
“Fine,” he said finally. “Talk.”
Naziha stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Yusuf’s main base is in the industrial district. He’s using an abandoned warehouse as his headquarters. That’s where he’s planning his next move.”
Ahmad’s eyes narrowed. “What move?”
Naziha hesitated, glancing at Humairah. “He’s not trying to kill her, Ahmad. He wants her alive. He thinks… he thinks she’s the only way to destroy you.”
Ahmad’s fists clenched. “And you knew this the whole time?”
“I didn’t know he’d take it this far,” Naziha said, her voice rising. “I thought he just wanted to scare you, to make you suffer. But now… now it’s more than that.”
Ahmad stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. “If you’re lying—”
“I’m not,” Naziha interrupted, meeting his gaze. “But if you don’t act fast, he’ll come for her again. And this time, he won’t fail.”
As Naziha spoke, a faint sound caught Ahmad’s attention—a distant rumble, like approaching vehicles. His eyes darted to the hangar’s entrance, and his stomach sank. Headlights appeared, piercing the darkness.
“Damn it,” Ahmad muttered. “We’ve been followed.”
Naziha’s expression shifted, fear flickering across her face. “It’s Yusuf.”
Ahmad turned to Humairah, his voice urgent. “Get on the jet, tell the pilot to start the engine. Now.”
“But—” Humairah began, her voice shaking.
“Go!” Ahmad barked, cutting her off. “I’ll handle this.”
Humairah hesitated but obeyed, rushing up the stairs and into the safety of the jet. Ahmad and Naziha stood side by side, their eyes locked on the approaching vehicles.
“You brought them here, didn’t you?” Ahmad said, his voice low and accusing.
Naziha shook her head, panic flashing in her eyes. “I didn’t. I swear.”
Before Ahmad could respond, the vehicles screeched to a halt, and Yusuf’s men poured out, weapons drawn. Ahmad raised his g^n, his stance steady despite the chaos unfolding around him.
“You wanted action?” he muttered under his breath. “Let’s see how good you are, Naziha.”
Naziha pulled a small pistol from her coat, her hands shaking slightly. “I didn’t come here to die, Ahmad.”
“Then stay out of my way,” Ahmad replied, his voice cold.
The g^nfire erupted like a storm, bullets ricocheting off metal and concrete. Ahmad moved with precision, taking down one attacker after another. Naziha stayed close, firing when she could, though her aim was less sure.
Yusuf’s men were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Ahmad knew they couldn’t hold them off forever.
From the jet, Humairah watched in horror while the pilot struggled with the engine to come on, her heart pounding as she saw Ahmad fighting for his life. She wanted to run to him, but fear rooted her in place.
“Ahmad!” she screamed, her voice lost in the chaos.
Yusuf emerged from one of the vehicles looking pale for the shot he got from Ahmad; his dark eyes scanning the battlefield. When he saw Humairah in the jet, a slow, menacing smile spread across his face.
“This ends tonight,” he said, raising his hand. At his signal, his men launched a final, coordinated assault.
Ahmad and Naziha fought back with everything they had, but it wasn’t enough. Yusuf’s men breached the perimeter, surrounding the jet.
“Humairah, go!” Ahmad shouted, his voice desperate. But it was too late.
Yusuf stepped onto the jet’s stairs, his g^n trained on Humairah. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as he approached.
Ahmad surged forward, his g^n aimed at Yusuf, but one of Yusuf’s men tackled him, pinning him to the ground.
“Ahmad!” Humairah cried, tears streaming down her face.
Yusuf smirked, grabbing her arm. “You’ve lost, Ahmad. She’s mine now.”
As Yusuf dragged Humairah off the jet, Ahmad’s world shattered. Naziha screamed, firing wildly at Yusuf’s men, but her trembling hands could tell of her inexperience.
Just then, the jet’s engines roared to life, a futile attempt to escape. But the battlefield was lost.
But as the chaos unfolded, a new sound cut through the night—a deafening wail of sirens. Blue and red lights flooded the hangar as a convoy of airport police vehicles screeched to a halt at the entrance.
The sudden arrival stunned everyone. Yusuf turned to his men and barked an order. “Move! We don’t have much time!”
Ahmad’s gaze shot toward the approaching police vans, hope flickering in his chest for the first time since the attack began.
Out of the lead van stepped Inspector Malik, a broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence. His uniform was pristine, and his eyes scanned the scene with calculated precision. He wasted no time barking orders into his radio.
“Secure the perimeter! No one leaves this hangar unless I say so!” Malik shouted as armed officers poured out of the vans, their weapons drawn.
One officer rushed toward Ahmad and Naziha. “Are you Ahmad?” he asked.
“Yes!” Ahmad replied, his voice strained but firm. “That man—Yusuf—he’s taking Humairah. He’s armed, and he’s got a team with him!”
The officer nodded sharply and turned to Malik. “Inspector, the woman in question is being taken by the suspects!”
Malik strode forward, his expression grim but resolute. “We’ll handle this. Stay close to us, Ahmad. You’ll have your chance.”
Ahmad grabbed the officer by the arm. “No, you don’t understand. Yusuf isn’t just some criminal. He’s a mastermind, and his men won’t hesitate to take anyone down, If you’re going after him, I’m coming too.”
Malik studied Ahmad for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But you follow our lead. We’ve already called for military backup. This ends tonight.”
Ahmad glanced at Naziha, who stood a few steps behind him. Her face was pale, but her jaw was set in determination.
“Let’s go,” Ahmad said, his voice like steel.
police vans roared to life, engines growling as they gave chase.
Ahmad and Naziha climbed into the lead police van, Malik in the driver’s seat. The van was equipped with tactical gear—rifles, smoke gr***des, and a mounted communication system. Officers in the back checked their weapons, their faces set with grim determination.
“We’ll cut them off before they reach the city,” Malik said, his hands gripping the wheel. “They won’t get far.”
Ahmad leaned forward, his eyes locked on the convoy ahead. “Yusuf always has a backup plan. Be ready for anything.”
The van sped through the dimly lit streets surrounding the airport, the other police vehicles close behind. In the distance, the faint hum of helicopters signaled the arrival of reinforcements. Malik spoke into his radio.
“This is Inspector Malik. We have visuals on the suspects. Requesting immediate air support and additional ground units.”
“Roger that,” came the reply. “Units en route. ETA five minutes.”
As the police closed the distance, Yusuf’s men began firing out of the SUVs’ windows, their bullets ricocheting off the armored police vans.
“Get down!” Malik barked as the van swerved to avoid the g^nfire. Ahmad grabbed a rifle from the gear rack, his hands steady despite the chaos.
Naziha crouched beside him, her face pale but determined. “I didn’t sign up for this,” she muttered, loading her pistol.
“No one did,” Ahmad replied grimly. “But we finish it.”
The chase reached a stretch of empty highway, the city lights twinkling in the distance. Yusuf’s SUVs began weaving across the road, trying to block the police vans. The lead SUV suddenly swerved, cutting off Malik’s van.
“Hold on!” Malik shouted, slamming on the brakes.
The van skidded, narrowly avoiding a collision. Ahmad used the moment to climb out of the side door, positioning himself on the roof of the van. With the rifle in hand, he aimed at the tires of Yusuf’s convoy.
“Take out their wheels!” Malik shouted.
Ahmad fired, his shots precise. The back tire of one of Yusuf’s SUVs exploded, sending the vehicle spinning off the road. It crashed into a barrier, and the men inside scrambled to escape, only to be surrounded by police.
But Yusuf’s vehicle remained ahead, speeding toward a narrow bridge.
“He’s trying to lose us in the city!” Malik yelled. “We need to stop him before he gets there.”
The police vans accelerated, closing the gap. Ahmad climbed back inside, gripping the roof rack for support.
As they neared the bridge, Yusuf’s men threw smoke gr***des out of their SUV, filling the air with thick clouds. The police vans screeched to a halt, their visibility reduced to zero.
“Damn it!” Malik cursed. “They’re trying to buy time.”
Ahmad didn’t hesitate. “Drive through it. I’ll handle the rest.”
Before Malik could protest, Ahmad grabbed a smoke gr***de from the tactical gear and hurled it back toward Yusuf’s convoy. The explos**n sent Yusuf’s SUV swerving, and Ahmad leaped from the van onto the back of the fleeing vehicle.
Clinging to the SUV, Ahmad smashed the rear window with his rifle and fired inside. The driver lost control, and the vehicle screeched to a halt just before the bridge.
Police vans surrounded the SUV, officers pouring out with their weapons raised. Yusuf stumbled out, dragging Humairah with him, his g^n pressed to her temple.
“Stay back!” Yusuf shouted, his voice filled with desperation. “I’ll take her down!”
Ahmad stepped forward, his hands raised. “Let her go, Yusuf. This is over.”
Yusuf laughed bitterly. “You think I’ll just walk away? After everything?”
From behind, Naziha emerged, her g^n trained on Yusuf. “Let her go, Yusuf, or I’ll shoot. I hired you but you took it personal and went extreme,” she said, her voice shaking”.
Yusuf hesitated, his eyes darting between Ahmad, Naziha, and the encroaching police.
“This isn’t over,” Yusuf growled. He shoved Humairah forward and made a break for the bridge.
The police opened fire, their bullets finding their mark. Yusuf fell to the ground, bl^^d pooling beneath him. The chase was over.
Humairah collapsed into Ahmad’s arms, her body trembling. “It’s okay,” he whispered, holding her tightly. “You’re safe now.”
WATCH OUT FOR EPISODE 39
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
As Yusuf’s reign of terror ends, new questions emerge. Who was the true mastermind behind his plans? And will Ahmad and Humairah finally find peace, or does an even greater threat loom on the horizon?
