I just felt soo akward and out of place just standing there like a dummy. Should I say Salam? Why is she glaring me like that? Even Kaif literally ran away.

I hesitantly took a step towards her. Her eyes felt like they were piercing through me. I felt soo intimidated.

"Naila beta...." Mom stopped me before I could open my mouth.

"....why don't you go upstairs beta. You must be tired. Go freshn'up."

"Um...ji." I said and turned to the stairs. I could feel her observing my every move. I stole a glance at her and noticed a eerie crooked smile. As quickly as I could, without being obvious, I climbed upstairs.

Phew! Who was that woman? Soo strange. I hope I don't have to see her again and why is everyone reacting like that. Mom proudly introduces me to all of her guests, what happened today?

I found Kaif sitting on the bed with his head in his hands as if he was having a panic attack. Idk why but I felt a bit worried for him.

"Um...hey. u ok there?"

No answer.

"Hey old grandpa...." I purposely said the nickname I gave him for the first time out loud to provoke him.

Still no response. Ok I'm scared now. Is he dead?

I walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder but he almost immediately slapped my hand away so hard that it left a sting on the back of my hand.

"Don't touch me." He growled making me flinch. His pupils contracted as if he was in a daze and his eyes had a never seen combination of fear and anger.

I gapped at him rubbing the back of my hand. Suddenly his expression changed turning to shock and his breathing became shallow as he looked at me. He just got up and went to the bathroom slamming the door behind him.

I just stood there in utter shock and confusion. What just happened?!

###

"You 2 cannot stay here any longer. I've informed the servants of the guest house. They're preparing it for your stay." Mom suddenly announced before dinner.

I just froze shocked and I thought Kaif might have the same expression as I have an idea of how much he wants to be with his parents but to my surprise he said nothing. He was silent with a poker face plastered the whole time of dinner and he even ate heartily the food Mom cooked, while I could hardly eat 2 morsels.

After lunch he just went to the room and started packing. Even I didn't dare to question Mom then. Our bags were ready and the servants brought them down. I felt heavy hearted as I had to leave Mom and Dad and even the maids and servants who had become quite friendly with me. I've been here for more than a month, it felt like home but now I had to leave it.

Before leaving Mom called me into her room. Dad was present there too. I entered knocking the door. He smiled at me and patted my head. I smiled too.... nervously.

"Here, I have a present for you." Mom handed me a jewelry box. I opened it to find a beautiful diamond set.

"I'll keep sending these to you and whatever else you like when you're there. Just stay there till the end of our agreement and I'll never let you down. I promise." She said.

I closed the box blinking back my tears.

"It's painful to see how little you think of me." I said and then looked up to find confusion on both thier faces.

"It's true that I've never seen or even dreamed about such expensive diamonds and jewelry and clothes and all the other things. So, are you trying to buy me with all this?" I said gently holding back the pain in my chest.

"Uh...n..no Naila beta...."

"I really consider you like my own parents. I would do anything you say without hesitation because I love you and respect you. So, why did you had to suppose that you'll have to buy me with expensive gifts and accessories to make me live with him alone?"

They both looked at each other guiltily lost for words. I sighed.

"You can take this back." I said handing back the box.

"Even if you don't give me any of this I'll still go with him... because I promised you to be your daughter in law and his wife. A wife should be with her husband and that's what I'll do. It won't be easy in the beginning to be away from you but.... I'll get used to it. So please, have some faith in me. You call me your daughter so believe your daughter Mom, Dad. Please."

"Oh Naila." She hugged me sobbing.

"I'm soo sorry beta."

"It's just that we feel soo guilty to ask you to move all of a sudden, so we thought we could do something for you." Dad said. "It's just getting too hard on Rubeena seeing him everyday and living under the same roof. So it was my idea of sending him away."

She held me at arm length.

"He had been telling me this for a long time but I always thought of you and was worried to send you to live with him alone but after meeting Ridhima today, I just couldn't...."

Dad circled his arm around her weak crying frame.

"Ridhima? Um...do you mean that woman from before?" I asked.

She nodded. "Ridhima is my friend. That woman.....that.... Kaif...."

I gasped soo loud before realizing it and quickly covered my mouth. It was.....that woman. Why was she here? That's why she was glaring at me, at the wife of the Man who ruined her life. She must truly despise me too. That's why that beast ran away. Feeling guilty, was he? Or....scared.

###

Mom and dad didn't come to see us off and the driver drove us to the guest house. It was another huge.... elegant mansion with glass walls. But what's the use, it was just an empty house which can never be a home and I was going to live here all alone with a rapist.

At last, she decided to show herself again. That wench! One huge mistake....it was just 1 mistake but she'll leave no chance to destroy my life completely. I thought she'd given up but no, that adamant witch.

She made my parents hate me, made me leave my home and when after soo long I thought I could have a chance of getting my old life back, she came again as a tornado and ruined everything again! She even saw Naila today. What now?

###

As there was no one to see us anymore, we slept in 2 different rooms. That feels more convenient and comfortable. I couldn't sleep all night because, the memories from my past haunted me.

Why did I had to go to her house that night? Why did I get drunk? Why....just WHY?!

Flashback (6 year's ago)

I was sitting in the living room of her house that night. It was past 10 already. Mom and Dad were on a vacation to Singapore, it was a gift from a client. She invited me home for dinner saying she would cook my favorite food.

"Dinner's ready~" she sang in her enchanting voice.

"Alright. Smells delicious!" I rubbed my hands excitedly and took my seat.

"Um, where's Uncle?" I asked as he didn't join us.

She sighed. "He's late again today. His work is more important to him than me. Oh well, I'm getting old so he's lost interest in me." She sighed.

"If by old you're getting more and more charming and gorgeous. Then yes I agree. You are getting old." I joked and she laughed. Ah, I would give anything to listen to her musical laugh all day.

She was wearing a red silk off shoulder dress with a shawl covering her bare shoulders which would slip down at times from her velvety skin. Her deep cleavage showing more than they should and her long fair legs slightly revealing by the long cut of her dress as she walked towards the table from the kitchen in those clicking high heels. Her dress hugged her figure perfectly complimenting her every curve. Her plum red lips and deep grey eyes. She was a masterpiece indeed. The most gorgeous woman I had ever seen.

Not just me, any man would swoon over her beauty. Her husband was the luckiest man in the world.

I just couldn't take my eyes of her and maybe she noticed that. Her lips twitched in a smile.

"Do you like my dress? I thought, if we are having a date why not do it properly." She said serving the food.

"Right. Sorry about my shabby clothes though. Soccer practice went late, didn't really had the chance to change in the best clothes for my lovely date."

I took her hand in mine kissing it.

She giggled. "Aww, you flatter me."

We had out dinner talking and laughing and at times flirting with each other. We always did that, it was normal and friendly of us.

After dinner as we sat on the couch she came with a bottle of liquor and 2 glasses. Again I couldn't take my eyes off of her

"Have you ever tried wine before?" She asked curiously filling the 2 tall glasses.

I shook my head.

"Of course not. You know we Muslims don't drink. And anyways, Mom and Dad will kill me." I did the killing action in a comic way and she laughed.

"I know a lot of Muslim people who drink."

"They're idiots."

"It's ok to be an idiot sometimes." She held a glass in front of me. I raised both my hands.

"Nope. I'm good with just water."

"Come on, no one's gonna find out. You're parents aren't even in India."

She came closer and whispered in my ear making me shiver.

"It will be our little secret."

I gulped taking the glass from her hand, her deep eyes, enchanting me, making my heart pound and....

The knock on the door brought me back to reality.

"Are you ready yet? I have to go to college and you to the office. Let's go." It was Naila.

Ugh right! I have to go to the office. I'm the CEO of course. I got off the bed and the image of the person I saw in the mirror was a complete mess.

I need some black coffee....and a shower.

Was he really that upset? Should I have waited for him? He was indirectly kicked out of the house, he must be devastated.

"Naila begum!"

Farhan snapped his fingers in front of me pulling me out of my trance.

"Hm" I looked at him.

"Where were you lost at? Did Jiju keep u up all night? Hmmmmm." He teased

Avanti slapped his arm.

"He's not your Jiju, he's your boss now you idiot!"

"Ok ok...why resort to violence yaar."

"Oye Naila, did you even take the economics notes ma'am gave?" He asked.

"What economics notes?" I asked confused.

He face palmed.

"Sweetheart, we had a 45 mins lecture of economics just 2 mins ago."

"Oh really?" I was still in a daze.

"Looks like she had a really interesting night~" He sang.

"Shut up yaar Farhan." She scolded him and then turned to me.

"Are you alright?"

I pulled myself out of the thoughts.

"Yeah I'm good." Then I scowled at Farhan.

"Don't call me sweetheart!"

###

I was at the library searching for the economics textbook. I really need to focus next time. Just as I removed the book from the shelf...

"Hey there!"

I almost screamed in fright but I managed to cover my mouth. It was Farhan on the other side peeking at me from the small gap between the books. This guy is really going to give me a heart attack someday.

"Did u find your book?" He asked as he came beside me.

I gave him an angry look and started walking ahead.

"Hey wait up."

I turned to him even more angrily now.

"Why do you keep following me like that? You do know that I'm married right? Stop flirting with me. I hate guys like you... I hate talking to you.... I.... I just hate u!"

Maybe I was a bit too loud as I got shocked glances from a few students. And maybe I was too harsh too as he really looked hurt and upset.

"Sorry." He muttered looking down and turned to leave.

Ya Allah! I felt bad now.

"Hey wait!" I went after him and he stopped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it when I said I hate you. It's just that... something happened in my past and... I just.... "

I sighed giving up. I couldn't explain him my story.

He turned to me.

"I'm sorry too. It's just that, I have an older sister and you kinda remind me of her. She's married now and is in USA. I miss her sometimes and you look a lot like her so, I like to talk to you freely like I do with her. I'm sorry if I offended you."

He said that so innocently and sincerely, that I felt like slapping myself for hurting his feelings.

"Is that true?"

He nodded.

"Alright then. I can be your sister." I said smiling.

His face brightened up.

"I remind you of your sister right? So I'll be your sister from now on. Ok?" I ruffed his hair like an older sister would do.

"Cool!" He raised his hand for a high five smiling and I answered it.

###

We came back to our new house together bringing silence along with us as the companion. He was all poker faced and didn't even look at me all day. I didn't say anything either.

He didn't even eat dinner and was cooped up in his room the whole time. He must've drowned himself in work again. I don't blame him. I know how it feels to be abandoned by one's family.

I took a stroll in the backyard after dinner. The breeze was nice and cool as the rain subdued and as usual my surrounding was beautiful and expensive.

I reached near the swimming pool and the memory of that night from 4 years ago flashed through my eyes.

The moment I jumped into the freezing water. It felt like all my senses were numbing along with all my fears that were drowning and sinking down along with my stained and dainted body; and broken soul. I had really given up that night. I was soo numb that I didn't even dare to struggle. Just then, in the cold ocean, a warm hand grabbed my cold one. I couldn't see, but I could feel the desperation in his touch. He saved me that night. It was as if he brought me back to life. His warm breath lingered on my lips.

I wish I could just meet him once and say 'Thanku' at least. Please, just once someday....

I thought looking up and it was a mistake as I suddenly slipped losing my balance, thanks to the slippery floor, I fell into the pool screaming.

It was like deja vu. It was all happening again. The cold water enveloping me.... my senses getting numb. It was just like that night but this time I was scared. I didn't wanted to die.

'help me..... someone.... please help. I don't want to die.... Please....save me....oh Allah.... someone....'

The sound of the water made me open my eyes slightly. Someone's here....a man? The familiar warm touch of his hand. The feel of his warm body against mine in the cold water. Is....is that really....him?

I took a big breath of oxygen and I was coughing my lungs out laying on my back outside the pool.

"Hey, Naila....wake up. Naila!"

He was screaming my name. It's the same voice. How does he know my name? I flickered open my eyes.

Kaif?

He looks soo worried.

"Oh thank God! You scared me you dummy!" He yelled.

"It....it was u..." I breathed.

"Huh?"

"You ....my savior? It was.....u...

Kaif!"

_______________________________

Assalamualaikum Everyone!!!

How are you all?!

So how do you like the story so far?

Do comment below. I keep waiting for your comments and reactions everyday my lovelies 😘

So, next week, I might give you all a surprise!!!!!

Brace yourselves and wait for it okay?!

Love ya

❣️