The time has gone by so fast since we came back from Iceland. A lot has happened, but Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) things are looking up for the better. Fatima and Udar plan to get married by the end of the month; I am more than happy for them. They deserve all the happiness the world can offer.Abeela is doing very well. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) she was not too traumatized by the kidnapping. She should be going back to school any time soon. She studies fashion design at the Institute of Technology in New York.Austin and Emma are also happier than ever, and Emma is adjusting well in her new role at her family’s company. Things between Ismail and me are wonderful too. We are closer than ever and although it is not helping with my feelings for him, I can’t bear to be away from him for too long either. I start to miss him, and I don’t like missing him. But right now, there is nothing more I want to do than pour this coffee I am making on

I can’t believe this happened. Was I that tired from yesterday? I slept till morning in Ismail’s house. I can’t imagine what he thinks of me now. First, he saw my bra, then he watched me get sick with diarrhea. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) I am feeling a lot better and the pain in my stomach is almost gone, but I still go to the toilet often.I walk to the bathroom to perform Wudu (Ablution) and to say my morning prayers. I also brush my teeth with a spare toothbrush in the bathroom. I walk out and perform my prayers before stepping out of the room to find Ismail, but on my way out, I find something outside my door. It is a small bag with a letter attached to it. I carry it back into the room to read it and find out what’s inside the bag.The letter reads:As salamu alaykum Umit, I hope you are feeling much better this morning. I hope the drugs I bought worked. If they didn’t, and you are not feeling better I will call a d

A few days have gone by since Ismail and I had that talk. Ismail might have seemed like he agreed with my decision of staying by his side, but he did not. I can tell he wishes I would stay far away from him as much as possible, but I can’t. The love I have for him won’t let me. It doesn’t help that Ismail has become more caring and protective of me during these past few days. He calls me every day after I leave the office, checking if I have gotten home safely. He also calls during the weekends checking if I am doing fine. These little acts make my heart flutter for him more and more every day. “As salama alaykum, Eman, Aayan, your favorite uncle is here,” Ismail calls out walking through the front door.Ismail came to the house today to pick up the kids to spend the day with him. They have been missing him and have been asking to see him for the past few weeks. Ismail decided to take them out today.“Uncle Ismai

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. I wonder who is calling me this beautiful Saturday morning. I don’t open my eyes, and answer the call, not caring to check who is calling.“Umit, where are you?” the voice belonging to Fatima asks.“Why are you looking for me this early in the morning?”“Why am I looking for you? Umit, have you forgotten we have a dress appointment this morning?” Fatima says, sounding furious over the phone.Oh, my God! Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), I can’t believe I forgot. I didn’t forget, really. I knew Fatima had a dress appointment on the 22nd, but I hadn’t realized that was today.“Fatima, I swear I didn’t forget. I just did not know today is the 22nd. I will quickly shower and be on my way.” I say getting out of my bed.“Alright, be fast because I don’t want to try on a dress when you are not here.”&ld

“Move it,” he says using the gun to direct me which way to go.I comply and walk towards where he says, without struggle as I don’t want to get him angry. We step into a room, and my fears and questions are answered.“Umit what are you doing here?” Ismail asks sounding very worried and surprised to see me. I can’t believe I was right; they have Ismail. They tied him to a chair.“Ismail are you alright? I have been looking for you,” I say trying not to sound scared, but glad at least I found him.“You can’t be here right now. You have to leave,” Ismail says trying to remove the ropes around his hands to get to me.“HEY! Enough talk. You! Fine lady, follow me. Ismail shut your mouth before I shut it for you,” the scary man says.Ismail and I don’t say anything, but I can tell he wants nothing more than to get me far away from here as soon as possible. The scary