005

Sitting idly in the huge house all alone, Zynah felt extremely bored, as usual. Boredom had become a familiar, unwelcomed guest. A sad smile played on her lips as she continued to stare into space. Memories of the past suddenly invaded her mind again.

FLASHBACK

Before Zynah could react, she was yanked back forcefully and when she was turned around, a tight slap met her face. "Subhan'Allah! How dare you act so indecently in front of my house?" He asked, his voice quivering from anger.

She gasped and her hand flew involuntarily to her mouth. "Dad... I— I can explain. He...he was just leaving." She turned to him. "Please leave." She pleaded as tears prickled her eyes. She could only imagine what her father was thinking of her now — what a compromising situation he had caught her in.

"Why shou—" he started to talk, but was immediately interrupted by Zynah.

"Please." She repeated as a lone tear escaped her eyes. She didn't utter too much words, but she was sure her eyes conveyed the messages her lips couldn't. She was speaking to him through her eyes and hoped he would comply. He had to.

With one last menacing look at her father, he turned around and walked away in an apoplectic manner.

"Dad—" before she could finish what she had to say, he seized her wrist a little bit aggressively and practically dragged her into the house. "Dad please listen to me. I didn't know he was holding my hand. I —"

"Quiet!" He hurled. "You didn't know he came here either, right?" He asked, sarcastically. "It seems you've forgotten what I said the last time. I will have to remind you then."

"What are you doing? Please let go of her." Her mum appeared from nowhere and begged, making the both of them avert their gazes to her.

"Just stay out of this, Hafsa. I don't want you taking her side now. This isn't the time to do that." He warned and continued dragging her towards her room. "From now henceforth, you are not allowed out of this room and if you ever leave this house without my permission..." He trailed off. "Don't test me. You haven't witnessed my wrath yet and I pray you never. You won't like me." He finished and slammed the door. Hard.

Zynah flinched. She could hear him locking the door with a key and the sound of his footsteps retreating. She couldn't keep her emotions in anymore and burst into tears. Her dad was disappointed in her for the very first time since her existence – the thought alone shattered her heart. She could take anyone's disappointment, but not her parents'. She felt like slapping herself until she was numb, but she knew better than to do that. She knew her dad well – he would never be able to stay angry at her for a very long time. He loved her too much. Maybe even more than how he loved his other kids. She managed to smile a little as the thought brought a tad bit of comfort to her.

"Zynah! What happened? What did you do to make your dad that angry?" Her mum asked from the other side of the door.

"Mom..." She cried and moved closer to the door. "Mom, please talk to my dad on my behalf. Tell him how sorry I am." She pleaded amidst tears. She couldn't take his anger towards her. She was not used to it at all. It was a foreign feeling to he; she couldn't bear it anymore.

"I'm asking you right now; what did you do wrong?" She asked again for the umpteenth time.

"I... I met up with Bilal." She confessed with her head hung low in embarrassment and regret. What she wanted last for to break her parents' hearts, but it wasn't entirely her fault. She didn't know about his visit until he arrived right inside the compound.

"You did what? Zynahhh..." She slurred. "How could you even do that after your dad gave you orders not to?" She asked. Exasperation clear in her tone.

"I'm sorry, mom. Please tell dad to forgive me. I can't bear his anger." She begged still in tears. No matter how hard she tried to keep her tears at bay, it only worsened the situation.

"I know, dear. Don't worry too much, you know how your dad is. He can never get mad at you. You know that, don't you?"

"I do, but—"

"All will be well in shaa Allah. Just get some rest and don't over think. You will create a problem that wasn't even there in the first place." She advised.

"Thank you." She smiled even though she knew she was not able to see it. She was grateful to the Almighty for blessing her with such a loving, considerate and beautiful woman as a mother.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Zynah let out a long, weary sigh, the sound swallowed by the vast emptiness of the house. Pushing away the memory was like asking a fish to survive outside water. Here, in this prison of a mansion, the past was her only constant companion. There was no one to share a conversation with, no laughter to fill the halls, no loved one to anticipate their return. She was practically existing, but not living. Even the usual escapes, the flickering glow of a movie screen didn't seem interesting to her anymore. Her life was the most accurate definition of boredom, glumness and melancholy.

Zynah picked up her phone and subconsciously, her fingers dialed a number etched in her memory. Just as the call connected and a ring pierced the suffocating silence, she flinched, unsure of what to expect. It was selfish of her, after everything that happened to want to speak to him, but she only wanted to hear his voice. Just his voice and she would be okay.

"Hello," It was his voice. Deep, firm. Years had passed, get it held the same power to evoke joy in her heart. Oh, how much she had missed him! "who am I speaking to?" The question hung in the air.

Swiftly, she covered her mouth with the palm of her hand to suppressed her cry from erupting. She choked out a strangled sob. She got what she wanted. She finally got to hear the voice she yearned to hear again.

The silence stretched with Zynah just enjoying the fact that she was on call with her father, even though she couldn't speak to him. It was enough for her.

"Is anyone there?" He asked and when he got no reply within the next minute, he repeated his question; "Is anyone there?"

Zynah abruptly ended the call, burying the phone against her chest "I miss you. I miss you everyday." She cried, pressing the phone tighter against her chest. "Will I ever get to see you again?" She asked herself as more tears ran down her cheeks. Her emotions took the best of her and was threatening to drown her in a pool of misery.

She gasped a little and quickly hid her phone behind her as she heard the sound of the main door unlocking.

Bilal.

Without being told, she knew Bilal was already back and would start a new drama. As usual. She averted her gaze to the floor and wiped all evidences of tears from her face.

Second later, she heard his footsteps approaching and it finally stopped just in front of her. She mustered all the courage she could and kept her gaze fixed to the floor. Inwardly, she was very scared of what he might do to her. Did he hear her talking? She looked up at him and when their gazes met, he sank on his knees and before Zynah could comprehend what was happening, he wrapped his arms around her waist and his tears drenched the fabric of her dress that covered her abdomen.

Zynah's eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out of their sockets and on reflex, she pushed him away. "Please don't touch me." She grimaced, her voice laced with disgust. Scrambling to her feet, she put as much distance between them as possible, her back hitting the cold, hard wall with a soft thud.

He also stood up and took two steps forward.

Her breathing quickened. She took a step backwards and immediately started backing away from him in an increased pace until her back met with a wall and she could move no further. "What... What are you doing?" She stuttered, her voice barely a squeak.

He ignored her questioned and continued to move closer to her until he was barely an inch away from her. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her once more, trapping her in another suffocating hug.

In spite of how hard she tried to free herself from his hold, her effort proved abortive.

He tightened his arms around her shoulders and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Don't ever leave me. Please."

Zynah blinked severally like a maniac. This vulnerable, pleading Bilal was a stranger. It had been a really long time since she last saw this side of his. She had even started to forget all about it until he decided to remind her, but she wouldn't be a fool and fall for his deceits. Not anymore.

"I love you so much, my Zee." He murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Now that was unexpected!