When they reached the hall, Dadi Zohra opened an old door and pushed Areeba inside.
The room was small.
There was an old wardrobe, a table, and two chairs inside.
Dadi Zohra closed the door and immediately bolted it from the inside.
Areeba asked in confusion, “What is going on?” Dadi Zohra remained silent for a few moments.
Then she placed the lantern on the table.
“I wanted to tell you the truth.” Areeba placed the diary in front of her.
“Then tell me.” The moment Dadi Zohra’s eyes fell on the diary, the color drained from her face.
“Where did you find this?” “Upstairs.” “Where upstairs?” “In that room.” Dadi Zohra closed her eyes.
“Oh Allah…” Areeba immediately asked, “What happened to me in 2006?” Dadi Zohra didn’t answer.
“Why was I in that mansion?” Silence.
“And why does the diary say that I must not remember anything?” Tears filled Dadi Zohra’s eyes.
“Areeba…” she said softly.
“Your grandmother did a lot to protect you.” Areeba’s heart sank.
“Protect me from what?” Dadi Zohra looked at her.
“Meher.” Areeba stared at her in confusion.
“Who is Meher?” Dadi Zohra immediately placed a finger over her lips.
As if simply saying the name had been a terrible mistake.
“Don’t say her name again.” “Why?” “Because she can hear her name.” Areeba looked at her anxiously.
“What does that even mean?” Dadi Zohra was about to answer when a faint scratching sound came from outside the room.
Both of them fell silent.
Someone slowly dragged a hand across the other side of the door.
Scrrr…
Areeba looked at Dadi Zohra.
Her face had turned completely pale.
Then there were three knocks on the door.
Knock…
knock…
knock…
Areeba held her breath.
Dadi Zohra leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Whatever happens…
don’t open the door.” A little girl’s voice came from outside.
“Zohra…” Tears began to roll down Dadi Zohra’s cheeks.
The voice came again.
“Zohra…
open the door.” Areeba whispered, “Who is that?” Dadi Zohra only shook her head.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence outside.
Then the same voice came again, this time from very close to the door.
“Areeba…” Areeba’s face went pale.
There was something strangely innocent about the voice.
As if a little girl was calling out to her friend.
“Areeba…
don’t you recognize me?” Areeba stared at the door.
A strange image suddenly appeared in her mind.
A little girl…
dressed in white…
holding a red doll in her hands.
Areeba grabbed her head.
“This image…” Dadi Zohra immediately asked, “What image?” Areeba closed her eyes and whispered, “I’m starting to remember something.” “Don’t remember!” Dadi Zohra’s voice suddenly rose.
But it was already too late.