Chapter 52: Chapter 52

The next day, maryam got ready very early and left for work. She couldn't even remember how she slept off. She was so dejected and irked to even get a peaceful sleep. she was afraid of how her life would turn to if she actually marries mujahid. She hissed softly when he came across her mind. She have had enough of his bullcrap and she promised to give him the taste of his own medicine if he doesn't call off the wedding. He knew her to be soft and lovely but that would definitely change the moment he makes the mistake of marrying her.

She parked the car at the parking lot and zoned out of the car. Her phone vibrated but she ignored it and continued walking to her office. The moment she got to her office, she fetched her phone out and dialled on Mahmud’s number. He picked up at the second ring. “Manha? What happened to you? I've been calling since last night but you weren't picking my calls or texting back. I came last night but mommy told me you were sleeping because you weren't feeling fine.”

She simpered wistfully and sighed. “Where are you now? I need to tell you something. I'm at the clinic,” she told him. He parked the car by the road side. “I will be there in a moment, but before that, are you okay?” He queried. “I will be okay the moment you show up.” She admitted. He puts on a happy expression. “I will be there real soon,” he said before cutting the call.

She sighed and slumped in her chair wishing she could tell him how she felt about him now. No doubts, she knew she is in love with him. Every night she dreams about him, drown in the ocean of his love. Every time her thoughts wander off, it always goes back to him. Not to even talk about when she sees him, his angel carved face makes her want to cry because she couldn't utter love words to him! And every time he speaks, her heart stops for a moment! And the sad part was, he once told her he loves her but she wrecked everything. He must have stopped loving her now she knows that.

She heaved a sigh and shrugged off her shoulders. She heard a knock from the door before the intruder appeared. “Good morning doctor, are you going to be attending to any patients today?” Amanda spoke standing from the door. “Yes but not now. Please make some tea for me,” she said and Amanda nodded before closing the door.

Amanda came back a while later and she was already done taking her tea when he came in. She looked up and smiled. “You’re really here,” she spoke as if she wasn't sure he was coming before. “Thought I wasn’t coming?” He asked settling down on the couch far away from her desk, where she sat. She looked at him in pilot uniform and swallowed hard. What was she even thinking sticking to mujahid when she could have a whole racy graceful pilot like Mahmud? He noticed she was checking him up, he cleared his throat and raised his thick brows. She blinked twice and smiled sheepishly. That was embarrassing for sure. For a moment she had forgotten about all her worries when he appeared. She sat upright and cleared her throat also. “I don't know what exactly I did to your brother that he's trying to ruin my life.”

He sulked, already starting to feel irked! “What did he do this time?” He asked acting as if he was calm. “He went to daddy and asked for my hand in marriage, Mahmud. And daddy said yes without even asking me. What should I do? I really need your help,” she lamented slumping her shoulders. He looked at her for brief seconds and looked away. What would he even tell her? That he loved her and would fight for her? That would never happen, no! He wouldn't want to get hurt again. He can't just walk up to her father and tell him what was going on or could he? He shook his head and brushed the thought away.

“You're like the only one that would get me out of this mess. Please talk to daddy because he listens to you more than he listens to mujahid or you talk to mujahid to back out.” She spoke helplessly. He chuckled and shook his head. “I can't talk to mujahid, it will worsen the situation and what do you want me to tell daddy, manha?” He raised a brow smiling at her. She loved it when he did that. It softened her heart. She couldn't help but smile back. She wished she could say what was on her mind, ‘I love you and I know you still love me so why don't you tell daddy you love me and he will ask me to choose who I love.’

“I have no idea,” she said instead. Her heart sank and ached but she simpered and masked her sadness with a smile. “By Allah I don't love him, Mahmud. He used me and I know he will use me even when he marries me. And you think his crazy wife would actually let me breathe in peace?” Her eyes bulged out when she remembered Nadia.

The thought of his wife frightened her. She was scared of Nadia no doubts but she would never show that to anyone especially Nadia. “Be prayerful and leave the rest to Allah because I don't think talking to daddy about this is a great idea. And you have to be careful with mujahid, you'll be surprised with what that idiot will do,” he advised her. He stood up from the couch, taking his car keys from the couch. “I’m almost late for work,” he said looking at his wrist watch. “If he tries anything stupid, just called me,” he stated smiling before sauntering out.

What was she going to do now? She had noticed how his mood had changed and he looked so unbothered about the situation, like he didn't care anymore. She felt lost and confused. Empty! She couldn't think straight. What bothered her soul more was Mahmud. He wasn't anything like he was before. Was he still clinging on to his dead wife?

The tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks and dripped from her chin. She was even too sad and heart broken to wail. She sat there and buried her face in her palm while tears gushed out between her palms. She was so lost and confused. She felt lonely without him. Who would help her out of this now? Aydah was completely out of the zone for that. She heaved a sigh and wiped the tears away. She was really tired of crying over the two brothers. But she can't help it, they both have her wrapped around their fingers, Mujahid especially. He knew the right way to hurt her even without uttering a word to her. But every hardship comes ease.

**

She arrived home after she was done with her work for the day. She knew mommy wasn't home, she was at her parents’. Daddy was still at the clinic even though she didn't see him all throughout but she knew he was in the clinic too.

She parked the car at the parking lot and dropped out of the car and headed inside. She went straight to her room and had her bath before praying Maghrib and having her lunch which is dinner. She sat at the gazebo looking at the beautiful garden from afar and sighed. Even though she was really down, the view really calmed her soul. She checked her phone, no text or missed call from him. That was so unlike Mahmud to ignore her that way. She had called him earlier he didn't pick and the second time she tried, his phone wasn't going through.

She unlocked the phone and dialled on Aydah’s number. Few rings, she picked up. “Maryam, my love,” she chirped in. “Before you insult the living daylight out of me, I’m deeply sorry for not returning any of your calls or messages. I've been a little busy.”

Maryam rolled her eyes and shrugged, “how have you been?” She asked. “Im fine alhamdulillah. I have great news but till we meet. I will come over tomorrow or the next In Sha Allah. You better be at home because It’s a very great news,” aydah exclaimed. “I pray it is,” she spoke, smirking. Aydah scoffed and laughed. They spoke for a while before ending the call.

She headed into the house to her room and prayed isha. She was already in her pyjamas. She went to her mothers room and turned on the tv. Her eyes were fixed on the working tv but her mind was with him. What could he be doing at that moment? Was he back from work? Had he eaten? Was he even okay? How was he coping? Does he think of her like she thinks of him?

She hissed slightly and shrugged off his thought even though it was impossible to do that. Her phone shrilled from her pocket, nearly making her to run. She had forgotten she had a phone for some moment. She fetched it out from her pocket and answered the call. “Hello, doctor maryam good evening,” he greeted. His voice didn't sound familiar. She furrowed her brows and looked at the number before putting it back on her ear. “Good evening, who is this?” She asked. “I was asked to deliver a package to doctor mahdi but unfortunately he's not home at the moment, right? And I was strictly told to give him hand to hand or one of his family members. I’m outside your house as we speak now. Can you please step out for a moment to claim the package.” He spoke gently. “You can give it to the gateman outside and I will collect it from him,” she spoke coldly. The man smirked and shook his head. “Please it wouldn't take a minute, my boss had warned me about this and he would be angry if he finds out I didn't do exactly as he asked.” He pleaded. She hesitated before answering. She ended the call and stood up. She fetched a hijab from mommy’s drawer before heading out.

She didn't see anyone at the compound of the house. She hissed softly and started walking to the gate. She peeped her head through the gate but didn't see anyone till she stepped out. She saw a man fully dressed in an elegant suit. He smiled from far and waved. She didn't return any. She walked to him and greeted him. “How are you doctor maryam?” He asked moving a bit closer. “I’m fine. Where’s the package? I need to head back in,” she spoke, shifting back, already getting irritated. His perfume irritated her more. “Oh, yes, just give me few seconds,” he said and opened the back door.

She looked away and hissed a bit. She watched from far as her father’s car drove into the house. “Oh thank God he's back, you can give him the package yourself,” she exclaimed and turned to look at him but she couldn't get a glimpse of his face again when he blew a white powder to her face.

Her eyesight blurred and her head spinned. “What.... Did you....” Everything became fuzzy; then she saw nothing. She felt when he picked her up and hurriedly threw her into the car before driving away. Darn their area for not having much people around. Now she was being kidnapped and there was no one there to help her.

She fought with her body to get up and fight him but she couldn't. Her consciousness was floating through an empty space filled with a thick static. Throughout the inky space her heartbeats pounded loudly, echoing in her ears, hearing him laughing and speaking with another man beside him. She felt her body draining away until finally all was black.

**

She opened her eyes but it was as if she hadn't open them. For a moment she thought she had gone blind because it was too dark. There no even sign of a window or a door. She sat up right touching the concrete floor. She touched her hair, her cap and hijab were removed. She heard feet shuffling behind her making her to pause right where she was. She quickly stood up but almost lost her balance due to the dizziness she was feeling, she clutched her head and closed her eyes.

Before she could open her eyes, strong arms pushed her into the wall in front of her. It stung, and sent swells of pain through her body. “Please what’s happening? Where am I? Who are you and what have I done to you?” She spoke trembling with fear. Her heart pounded hardly against her chest. She opened her eyes but she wasn't seeing anything or any sign of human. She was pinned harshly to the wall, a chin rested on her shoulder. She opened her mouth to scream but he closed it with his hand. She fought with the man but he was too strong for her.

His coarse whiskey tongue licked at her skin and she felt the urge to throw up. She didn't know what to do. She wished this was cruel joke, a nightmare. She heard other voices before the lights were turned on. She blinked in horror and looked at them. “Idiot, you couldn't even wait for us,” the man who abducted her spoke and pushed the guy that was all over her away from her.

She knelt down there, desolate tears cascade down her cheeks. “Please, I’m begging you, don’t hurt me,” she spoke, hugging her knees firmly. He chuckled and knelt down in front of her. “Oh don't worry, we won't hurt you, we just need one thing from you. You will cooperate right? It will take just few minutes,” he spoke nonchalantly. She was too afraid to even look up. She was very horror stricken.

She felt his hand on her waist before he pulled her to his body. She tried to free herself but he grabbed her chin so tightly that it made her to yelp in pain. “It’s either you stay and we get our way with you or we will have to force you. The choice is yours,” he whisper yelled before letting go of her chin.

She didn't believe this was true till they each had turn with her. She couldn't believe it, she had lost her pride to some vulgar men that she knew nothing about. She had cried and pleaded but nothing stopped them from raping her. She cried till she wasn't feeling her eyes anymore.

They took her home and threw her right in front of the gate before dashing away. She slowly sat up right and wore her squeezed hijab. She looked at her blood stained pyjamas, she felt a pain in her chest, a very horrible one. They had ruined her life completely. What has she done to deserve this kind of heartless act? She hated herself, she felt disgusted.

She stood up slowly and with baby steps, she entered the house. She walked in quietly and heaved a sigh when she didn't see anyone at the entrance or the living room. There was no way she would tell anyone this, not her mother or Mahmud. It would be waste of time to speak about it because how would they even start looking for the vulgar men and get them arrested?

She went into her room and slumped on the carpet. She cried her eyes out till she was numb and empty. She slowly stood up feeling pain in every part of her body and entered her bathroom. New set of tears gushed down while she took her bath. The image kept playing over and over again in her head making her to cry more. They have ruined her life and whoever sent them would surely not end well in life.