Episode 4: The Forgotten Library

Episode 4: The Forgotten Library

After the Zuhr prayer, Areeba stood in front of the old university library, her heart pounding with uncertainty. The building looked abandoned, with cracked windows, dusty walls, and an eerie silence surrounding it.

She took a deep breath.

"Bismillah..."

Slowly, she pushed the heavy wooden door open.

The smell of old books and faded memories filled the air.

"You came."

A familiar voice echoed through the empty hall.

Areeba turned around.

It was Zayan.

He stood beside an old bookshelf, holding a worn-out history book.

"Assalamu Alaikum," he greeted respectfully.

"Wa Alaikum Assalam," Areeba replied.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Zayan looked at the yellow envelope in her hand.

"May I see the letter?"

Areeba hesitated.

"Before I trust you... tell me how you know about it."

Zayan sighed.

"I don't know everything."

"But I do know that the person who wrote that letter was once a student at this university."

Areeba's eyes widened.

"Who was it?"

"I'm not sure yet," Zayan answered quietly. "I don't want to accuse the wrong person."

Before Areeba could ask another question, a loud crash echoed from the upper floor.

Both of them froze.

"Someone else is here," Zayan whispered.

They slowly climbed the old staircase.

Each step echoed through the deserted building.

On the second floor, they noticed a half-open door.

Zayan carefully pushed it open.

Inside was a forgotten study room covered in dust.

In the center stood an old wooden table.

Resting on it was a leather-bound diary.

Its cover was cracked with age.

Written across it in faded golden letters were the words:

"Raaz-e-Taqdeer"

Areeba's heartbeat quickened.

"That's the same title mentioned in the letter..."

Zayan looked at her in surprise.

"You never told me that."

Before she could answer, a strong gust of wind slammed the window shut.

Bang!

The diary suddenly fell open by itself.

A faded photograph slipped onto the floor.

Areeba bent down to pick it up.

The picture showed three university students standing in front of the same library nearly twenty-five years ago.

One of them looked exactly like Areeba.

Not similar...

Exactly like her.

"This... can't be possible."

Her voice trembled.

Zayan stared at the photograph in disbelief.

"This photo is at least twenty-five years old."

Areeba turned it over.

Written on the back were the words:

"The truth begins where memories end."

Just then...

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Slow.

Heavy.

Getting closer.

Zayan quickly switched off his phone's flashlight.

Both of them hid behind a bookshelf, barely breathing.

The footsteps stopped outside the room.

A deep voice broke the silence.

"The diary must never fall into their hands."

Areeba's heart raced.

She realized this was no longer just an old mystery.

Someone was still protecting the secret...

No matter what the cost

The mysterious voice faded into silence.

Areeba instinctively covered her mouth to stop herself from breathing too loudly. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest.

The footsteps remained outside the room.

Neither of them dared to move.

After what felt like several minutes, the footsteps slowly disappeared down the corridor.

Only then did Zayan carefully step out from behind the bookshelf.

"I think they're gone," he whispered.

Areeba nodded, but fear was still visible in her eyes.

"Who are these people, Zayan?"

"I wish I knew."

He looked around the room, his eyes scanning every corner.

"There has to be another clue."

As they searched, Areeba noticed a small brass key hanging from a broken nail on the wall. It was almost hidden behind a dusty portrait.

"Zayan... look."

He took the key and examined it carefully.

"There must be something it unlocks."

Areeba's eyes wandered toward an old wooden cabinet standing near the window.

Unlike the other furniture, it looked surprisingly well preserved.

"Maybe this."

They walked over to the cabinet.

With a deep breath, Zayan inserted the key into the lock.

Click.

The cabinet door slowly creaked open.

Inside were dozens of neatly arranged files covered in dust.

Most of them were labeled with years.

1998... 1999... 2000...

But one black file immediately caught Areeba's attention.

Unlike the others, it had no date.

Only a single name was written across the cover.

"Areeba Khan."

Areeba froze.

Her hands began to tremble.

"My name..."

Zayan looked equally shocked.

"How could a file with your name exist twenty-five years before you ever came to this university?"

Before either of them could touch it, the library lights suddenly flickered back on.

At the same moment, they heard the sound of the main entrance opening downstairs.

Someone else had just entered the abandoned library.

They were no longer alone.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***