Isra looked at him.
"The first and last person you wish to be with." she whispered, feeling happiness inside.
He kissed her forehead. He slept on her shoulder, holding onto her. Isra smiled and thought of what he just said, he too, was the only person she wishes to be with. They fell back to sleep until late into the morning. The fun was spoiled when Niran received a text message from his partner, Tao. it read:
The witness was found dead last night, traces of the killer's fingerprints matches Sombat's son. Leave for Australia on Monday.
Niran couldn't believe it, Sombat's only son killed him. Niran stood on the balcony overlooking a side of the city. He pondered on and on about Sombat's son, he never seen him before, but Isra, she saw him murder that poor innocent girl. Isra could help with the case. He looked back into the room at Isra who was looking at herself in the mirror, fixing her hair. He smiled at her. He couldn't put his wife in danger again. Isra saw him staring at her through the mirror, she stood up and walked to him in the balcony.
"I liked your messy look." joked Niran.
All was silent.
"I...I am sorry for last night, I should have-" said Niran.
"I forgive you for what happened last night." admitted Isra. "We both have been hiding our feelings, haven't we?"
"I'm sure you know how I feel about you by now."
"I do...and I..." hesitated Isra. "I..."
"You...what?" smiling Niran. "You're forgiving me, so that means...you love me too, right?"
Isra was blushing and Niran couldn't help but smile at his wife. Isra was feeling embarrassed to say those words so she tried to walk back inside before Niran suddenly pulled her into his arms.
"Aren't you embarrassed? We're out on the balcony not in the bedroom. People will get the wrong impression." whispering to Isra.
"Why? I want to scream to the world that you are my wife and you love me. Don't you want that?"
"No..."
"Fine, then lets take this inside."
Niran picked her up and brought her back inside the motel room.
They spent Saturday shopping and eating out together. Spending time today as husband and wife for the first time. Holding hands why window shopping, sharing the same plate. Niran couldn't tell her he would be leaving her behind for Australia. He doesn't know what to expect there but he was determined to find Sombat's son. Saturday evening before going off to buy dinner Niran left his phone on the table. His mother called, worried as to where they had disappeared to.
"Hun, how are you two? Your parents are worried, your grandfather is worried, everyone here is worried. When are you two coming back?" asked her worried mother-in-law.
"Ma, we're both doing fine, your crazy son can't do anything to hurt me."
"Good, I was afraid he almost killed his step-brother I heard....Awe, your mother wants to speak with you. Wait a second."
Isra's mother got on the phone.
"Honey, Dao called us." cried her mother.
"Really?" gasped Isra. "What did she say? Where is she?"
"I...I don't know. Your father is mad, he said he is disowning her. I....I don't know what to think anymore."
"You know father...he's just saying that to scare you. Now, did she say anything as to where she was?"
"No...the connection was so bad, I swear she was crying half of the time I was speaking to her."
"She was crying?"
"Yes, she sounded terrified....I have such a bad feeling about this." cried her mother. "Come back soon okay?"
"Yes, we'll be back tomorrow, I promise, Ma. Don't think too much. Good night."
Isra hung up the phone. Seconds later another one of Tao's text message came through. Isra accidentally checked it because the ring scared her, it read:
Niran, your ticket is ready for Monday. Meet with me on Sunday night to discuss the plans for the trip.
What trip was this? thought Isra. She had a bad feeling about this also, what was Niran hiding from her again.
That night, Niran had a private chat with Tao on the balcony, Isra heard every word of it as she eavesdropped on their telephone conversation. Listening through the little gap made from the sliding glass door.
"Prostitution. He sells the girls." said Tao on the other line.
"He's a bigger pimp then his father. Any idea as to why he killed his father?"
"Inheritance. He wanted his father to die quickly so he could inherit all the money his father would leave behind."
"Smart kid."
"You can say that again."
"Any of the girls come forward?"
"One. Dao."
"Dao?....Isra's sister?"
Isra's heart skipped a beat when she heard him say her name.
"Yes, she brought attention to the police. When Sombat's son found out, he wanted her dead, now no one knows where she is. She's on the run in Australia."
"I'll head out on Monday to Australia, don't send anyone out there but me. The triads here will suspect us. They know us as well as we know them. Understood. We have to find Dao before we could bring Sombat's son to trial. I'm sure she knows everything, she's our only hope now."
Isra was in tears by now. She knew something bad was going on. Isra wanted Niran to know she was there, she opened the door. Niran turned quickly to Isra.
"I'll call you later Tao."
Niran hung up the phone. They stared at one another. Niran afraid to tell her about Dao. Isra angry about him lying to her.
"You never told me...you're leaving for Austalia? For what?"
Niran took a deep breath, he couldn't hide this from her. This case was important not only to him but to her too, he understood why.
"I'm won't lie to you. I will repeat everything Tao just told me." said Niran. "This is the first time I am telling you about the case I am taking. Sombat was murdered shortly before we wedded."
Isra had no idea.
"Recently, from all the evidence we've gathered the only suspect we have on record is his son."
"His son?....the one-"
"Who is marrying your sister Dao. Apparently, he kidnaps young girls here and makes them prostitute in Australia. I'm sure he sells them in different countries as well, but Australia is where he grew up so he knows that place the best. The better you know the place the better business gets."
"Dao? We need to find her."
"You mean...I have to find her before Sombat's son gets to her."
Isra wouldn't let Niran find Dao alone. She wished to come along with him.
"I have to go too."
"No..."
"Why?" demanded Isra, she was angry with his attitude. "You can't do this alone. I must go with you."
"I can't put you in danger!" yelled Niran.
Niran walked to her and took her hands and held them.
"Look-"
"No! You listen to me!...I have to do this...for my sister, my family. This is the last time I'll be able to get through to my sister. This is the last chance to show her that she is loved by her family. She must be suffering so much right now, I have to be there for her. Its my duty as a sister." cried Isra. "I won't be in danger. I feel the safest with you."
Niran stared at her wet eyes. He agreed.
The next morning they went back to the ranch. Isra told her parents about their trip to Australia. They both promised to bring Dao back a good person. The following Monday, they flew to Australia.