004

Zynah flinched at the tone of his voice, but within a split second, she regained her composure. "The neighbor was here." She replied, curtly.

Bilal didn't move, his gaze a dark storm cloud gathering above her. "The neighbor!" He echoed, anger dripping off his tone. "Did you just say that?" He questioned, taking a menacing step forward and invading her space.

Zynah swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "I said the neighbor was-" The sentence died on her lips as his callus palm struck her left cheek mercilessly.

"How dare you! After giving you an order, you defy me?" He jabbed a finger towards his chest, his whole body taut with anger.

She remained silent and it only infuriated him further. His brows furrowed and he gnashed his teeth in exasperation. "No one! I repeat, no one can ever come into this house henceforth, without my permission. You cannot go out either." He spat; his voice laced with venom. "Is that perfectly understood?"

All Zynah could manage was a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"What was that?" he barked, leaning closer—an act of threat.

"Alright." She choked out.

"That's much better." He purred, a cruel smile playing on his lips. Then, he turned around and ambled away.

Tears prickled Zynah's eyes. Her lips quivered and her legs gave out, making her collapse to the ground. She thought she had already gotten accustomed to the way she was being treated like some piece of trash, but apparently, it wasn't the case. She was still human after all. No matter how strong she thought she was, she was slowly crumbling inside. She couldn't bear his attitude towards her anymore and the same time, she couldn't escape even if she wanted to. The reason was embedded in her heart like a glue.

She smiled sadly and subconsciously, her mind traveled down a memory lane.

FLASHBACK BEGINS

"What?" Zynah asked, perplexed. "Bilal is here?"

"Yes, Ya Zee. What are you going to do now?" She asked, worriedly.

"I know what to do. Listen attentively, Ramlah; you must not let anyone know he's here, okay? I will go speak to him now."

"I've got this. But please be careful."

"I will." Zynah replied and dashed out of the room. She dashed back in seconds later and took one last good look at her reflection in the mirror. She could see her sister from the mirror laughing and shaking her head. She smiled back before dashing out once more.

Emerging from the gate, Zynah motioned Bilal to hide quickly. He was hesitant at first, but later complied. She looked around once more and when she was sure no one saw her, she sneaked out of the house and hurried towards him. Before she could comprehend what was happening, he wrapped his strong arms around her, engulfing her in a tight hug.

Zynah stilled for a moment and when she finally regained her senses, she pushed him away with all the strength she could muster. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "What was that for? Don't you know it's haram! How could you!" She reprimanded.

Bilal held both of his hand up in the air in surrender. "I'm sorry, my Zee, please forgive me." He apologized. "I'm also aware it's forbidden for me to touch you right now, but I couldn't help it. I miss you so much. We haven't had the chance to spend quality times together and it's all because of your family. They just won't stop meddling in our affairs."

Zynah's heart melt by his explanation. She also missed him just as much and didn't know the perfect way to express it to him and the moment. Her lips instantly curved into that beautiful dimpled smile of hers and her demeanor softened. "I've missed you too."

Bilal eyes glowed with immense love for the lady standing in front of him and a smile curled up his lips as well, showing his beautiful, double side dimples.

They both had dimples, but Bilal's were on both side of his cheeks, while Zynah's was just on one side of her cheeks - her right cheek.

"Have you talked to your parents again?" Bilal inquired. His gaze never wavering from her beautiful face.

Zynah's demeanor hardened a bit and her head hung low.

"What's wrong? What did they say?" He inquired, restlessly.

"As usual." She replied, melancholically.

"But why are there like that? I just don't understand the type of parents who think it's okay to deprive their children of their happiness." He finished with a sigh and when Zynah didn't reply, he took her hands in his slowly and directed his gaze straight into hers.

Before Zynah could react, she was yanked away forcefully by someone and when she was turned around, a tight slap met her face.

FLASHBACK ENDS

The flashback faded, replaced by the harsh sting of reality. Zynah cupped her cheek, the memory of the slap still fresh even after three years had passed. The memories of every single action that took place on that fateful day was still etched in her mind. She couldn't forget. How could she even fight when it was the day her whole world started to crumble.

Tears, with no attempt from Zynah to stop them, fell from her eyes. If only she could turn back the hands of time, to reclaim the peaceful life she once lived.

"Zynah!" Bilal's angry bellow echoed through the house. His tone spoke volumes—he was in his beast mode. But this time, for some inexplicable reason, she chose to defy him, even though she knew his rage and how unbearable it was.

With a heavy sigh, she retreated to the kitchen to continue with what she was doing before she got interrupted.

She was just starting to peel the potatoes when she felt a rough hand grab her by the arm from behind. She didn't need to be told who it was. The touch was familiar and who else would dare do that? They were alone with hardly any visitors in the hellhole, disguised as a house.

He spun her around roughly, the knife clattering to the floor and narrowly missing her foot.

Zynah met his gaze head-on, showing no signs of fear or cowardice.

"Did you not hear me calling?" He boomed.

"I did," she replied, her voice surprisingly steady. Slowly, she pulled her arm back from his hold and turned back to the potatoes she was peeling. With a shaky hand, she picked the knife and continued from where she stopped. The fear of him standing just behind her was insuppressible for she knew he was capable of stabbing her in the back continuously until she'd bleed to death.

"And?" He demanded.

"As you can see, I'm busy." She replied with all the confidence she could muster, her back still turned on him.

For a split second something flashed in his eyes and just as soon, it disappeared. "I... I... Forget it! I'm going out and I won't be back until evening." He didn't wait for her reply before turning around and walking out of the kitchen.

Hearing the front door slam, Zynah heaved a deep and long sigh of relief. She was glad he was out. Few seconds later, she heard the sound of the door being locked with a key - it wasn't a new act to her, so she had no reason to be surprised. She could only pray to break free soon, from the cage he had built around her.