CHAPTER 2.

Morning rays hit her face passing through the panel of the window. She groaned lightly getting up from her place. At the same time, the clock made an ordinary sound seven times, and she sighed.

It was early seven, and she hopped off the bed and grabbed a pin. Gathering her all messy yet silky hair-like threads, she cages them into a bun holding her hairpin in her mouth. Suddenly she felt a strange heated gaze over her face. A shiver runs down her body. She was stiff. She lived alone then who was staring at her and from where.

Her trembling hands fell to her sides and her lips were still holding the small and delicate pin. Her hair fell on her face and back when she became a statue all of a sudden.

Her sweaty forehead was dripping off the droplets. She finally got the clue, the window. The damn window was open. Someone was staring her out of the house. A relief rushed over her mind, someone wasn't inside the house but someone was watching her and she wasn't wearing her hijab.

She gasps, backing off enough to not stand in front of the window and let the unknown person watch her modesty. She hissed when the bed hit her back of the knee badly.

" Oh! Allah. " She called out to Allah in pain, mind was occupied by the window too. She forwarded her cold hand and closed it shut with a loud wooden sound. She pulled the curtains and finally drew a long breath.

" How can someone peek into someone's house through the window? Don't they have shame, should I start wearing my hijab inside too, from now on? " She sighed through her nose.

Her cheeks brightened up in shame, praying to her Allah whoever it was hadn't taken a glimpse of her unwrapped chest and hair.

In the early morning, her joy for the day started to terminate. She went into the bathroom and did her business. After taking a good time in the bath she left for the kitchen. It wasn't tough for her to roam around the house because it was too small for her to be lost. The house had only two rooms, a bedroom, and a hall which seems like a combo of the kitchen and living room. On the side, she had made a small kitchen as she confront. After entering, you'll see the hall and kitchen. There is a small staircase that leads to the room. It was small, too small that only four steps were available to take and most of the place was occupied by her bed and tiny cupboard and table.

It was a small house just like the others in the town. Small, but beautiful and comfortable. Even though her breaths were stuck in her throat at the thought of the landlord. He had ordered what seemed like- threatened her to empty the house in a few weeks. She was still in the search of a new house but the town was fulfilling and houses were mostly occupied. She didn't want to leave the town, it was the place where she gained and lost everything. She just can't run away from here. She will stay here till her last breaths so she can be buried here where her love and innocent living being were.

She left the house after eating her breakfast. She was wearing brown baggy clothes which were hiding her curves. It was hard to see if she was fat or skinny, her clothes never let people's assumptions come true. Her hijab was wrapped around her face, hiding her hair perfectly.

She was walking on the street with her white stick when again her hands became sweaty with the feeling of being watched. Someone was stalking her? It crossed her mind but she let it shed thinking maybe any typical auntie was staring at her for her new gossip.

She crossed the alley and reached her destination. The bakery shop. She empathized with the rough life to work here. Thanks to her Mama-Jan for teaching her baking cakes. She was good at this and was thankful her blindness never became an objection to her job. She entered the shop and the bell above her head rang.

" As-salamu Alaykum! Auntie. " She greeted the woman who came to her quickly with her bright smile.

" Wa alaykumu s-salam! Masha Allah. Masha Allah. What a blessing. Are you ready for the new day, my girl? " She felt a warm kiss placed on her forehead and it made her grin widely. Her head nodded eagerly with a toothy grin. The woman was an old friend of her mother, she was taking care of her husband's dessert shop after his death. She was a kind and understanding lady, and Dianna was an example of her kindness. No one was giving her a job even though most of the shops and small businesses had plenty of vacant applicants. The town was not in good shape and most of the business and shops were going under loss, the requirements for new employees wasn't something hidden but still, she was facing unemployment and helplessness. Because of her past and especially her blindness didn't allow anyone to help her.

The owner of the dessert shop Rosha, held her hand when everyone let her stumble by the harsh rocks of life. Thanks to Allah, she had a place that was Rosha's kindness too and had a job to fulfill her basic needs of life. She was happy and grateful.

" Go, let me take this for you. " Her bag and stick have been taken by the Rosha auntie. She didn't need her to stick; it was more comfortable without it and her feet knew each inch of the shop. She got into the big kitchen of the shop.

" Hello! Sweetheart. " She heard Amy say, making her smile cordially. Her hijab was slightly leaning backward so Amy fixed it.

" As-salamu Alaykum! Did you sleep well? " She carefully searches for the portion of the hook and grabs one piece of apparel. Amy helps her to wear it, making sure her hijab doesn't stick with the knots of the apparel.

" Yeah! I'm still sleepy, my Mom was making issues about not waking up early to help with the breakfast. C'mon, I'm too young for those house chaos."

" Amy, you're working in a bakery shop. " She recalled with a small chuckle.

" That's the same thing she was chanting but hello! I'm not the chef but the waitress and cashier, there is a huge difference in those two levels of service. " Amy's voice was coming out of the kitchen.

" Everything is fine here? " Rosha auntie peeked inside with her narrow eyes shutting Amy's mouth and Dianna giggled.

" Yes! Old lady, everything is fine here. I was just telling her how perfect I'm in my job. " Amy dramatically flipped her hair and rested one hand on her waist.

" Very well! Very well! We all know how perfect you're in your JOB. " Rosha auntie mocked the world at Job and sighed. " Come out, let Dianna do her work. Gossip girl. " She didn't take Amy's disappointed pout and waved her to come out.

" This old lady is cruel. " Amy murmured her breaths and left the kitchen but before going out she whispered to Dianna. " I have a surprise for you, before going home, meet me. " With that, she heard her steps fading as Amy left.

Dianna shrugged and did her job for what she was hiring for. She was busy baking when the bell rang, indicating someone entered.

She heard whispering and even a gasp from Amy. She let it go, and after a while, Amy entered with her flushed cheeks. " Oh! My God. Dianna, you can't believe what I just saw. " She heard Amy whisper near her ear in such a low voice she barely heard her.

" What did you see? " Dianna asked casually, mixing the fine flour, her face was glowing with sweat and the hot chimney was making the temperature more unbearable. She could feel the wetness under her hijab as she was soaking with sweat.

" A handsome man. " Amy hissed near her ear, more likely not believing herself. Dianna let out a huff, Amy and her craze.

" He must be handsome to catch your eyes. " She murmured, pushing her hijab back with back palms but fine-flour rest on her cheeks.

" No- I mean he's capable of catching everyone's eyes. I can see all town's townspeople making excuses just to take a glimpse of him. I swear I saw our neighbor aunties peeking inside through the panel. He's a Greek God. " Amy's tongue wasn't stopping so she held the pastry roller with narrow eyes like a cat.

" I'll hit you if you don't stop right here. Go and serve your handsome prince charm. Let me do my work. " She turned around imagining Amy pouting.

" So, mean. If you could see him then you would be drooling too. " Dianna sighed at another reminder that she was blind but turned red at the last word.

" Oh! Allah forgive us. This girl and her vulgar talks. " She looked up with a red face.

" C'mon. Give me fresh baked cookies, and the Old lady asked to give him our best hospitality. " She heard a steel sound as Amy took all the hot and freshly baked cookies. " I'm telling you, Rosha auntie is kind of slipping over his beauty too. " She left with her bright smile and Dianna rolled her eyes.

After an hour she heard the bell ring, maybe someone entered or maybe the unknown man, Amy mentioned to be a handsome man, was no longer there, finally.

She let go of her heavy breaths, unknowingly she was feeling uncomfortable and uneasy, maybe some other kind of emotion with his presence even though she was far from his eyes, hiding inside the kitchen.

" Oh! God, how can someone be so handsome and dashing? " Amy entered with her giggles but she wasn't alone.

" Stop it, girl. He is a customer. " She heard Rosha auntie scowl at Amy.

" Don't pretend your eyes weren't over him all the time." Dianna bit her laugh because auntie wasn't in the mood.

" Oh! Allah, give me patience and her some senses, and a pure mind. " She wished under her breath. " Do your job, like Dianna. Look at her, she's so concerned about her work and here you're. " She heard a long sigh when auntie added. " Go back to your work and let her work too, I'm going home for the rest. You two can go after my return. "

" So mean..." Amy couldn't complete it when auntie glared at her.

" By the way! Dianna? My girl! Can you throw the trash? " Rosha auntie asked her, who smiled.

" Why not, Auntie? You go take some rest, it's not good for your health to avoid mid-day naps. " She cleaned up the counter looking pointless, feeling her hands where it was cleaning.

" Alhamdulillah! What a good girl. Learn something with her, Amy and don't you dare to get in here when I'm absent. Don't leave the cash counter alone. " With that Rosha auntie wrapped the apparel she was wearing and rested it on the counter.

" Fine." It was a small word but Amy drew it long dramatically. After auntie left for her house which was only one street away. Amy took her place on the cash counter, moreover using her phone meanwhile Dianna was taking the dustbin out of the shop, from the back door. It was opened on the small and tiny street which was usually quiet. She was throwing the trash bags into the large dustbin when heard a voice.

" I wasn't expecting you to work here. " She was stiff in the voice. It was raspy and deep, familiar. Her hand quickly went towards her hijab and clothes if she was in decent shape to be in front of a man." Did you bake those cookies? " She heard him asking, confused in her own battle, if she should get in or reply to him. She chooses to not be rude and gives him a tiny nod.

She held the rest of the trash bags from the floor and threw them into the box too, totally avoiding the unknown man who was indeed staring at her.

She felt a familiar shiver run down her spine, it was the same feeling she engulfed from tomorrow. Being watched.

Her nostrils have smelled the smoking air, she doesn't hate the man who smokes but neither like them.

She started to get nervous and took the dustbin in hurry, wanting to get out of his sight. Before she could get in she heard him saying.

" Stop right there. " It was an order that made her furrow. She half turned but it was pointless because his face was in darkness for her even on this bright day.

" The art gallery. " She heard him starting. " Tomorrow's the big opening, make sure you come. " Her breaths hitch when he ordered like she was his slave to do what he asked. She didn't see his face, unfortunately, she couldn't but still, she barely knew him.

Only two meetings she gained until now, the last one at the valley when he saved her but still left her on the end of the cliff and today when he was standing in the back street of the shop smoking like a creep.

" Excuse me? " She was happy to hear the news about the opening and at the same time confused. It was a high-paid art gallery only wealthy people could effort to get in and it was the huge opening he was talking about, not in a million ways she had a chance.

" Just be there on time, I don't like people who don't know the value of time, sharp at seven at night. Be there. " Again an order, she heard him coming closer and she gingerly backed off but he was fast enough to be close, close enough to see her face and the dust of fine flour on her cheek. His scent smells expensive, screaming his wealth. A mixed scent of fruit and smoke was filling her lungs and it was making her heartbeats fast.

" Why are you so afraid, my cupcake? " Her eyes widened in shock hearing him. She was about to take another step back, his hot breaths were ready to burn her down but he held her waist. " Careful, I can't afford to let you hurt, not right now. " She realized if he hadn't held her then she would surely bump into the large dustbin. She gulped, jerking his hand off of her and he let it go.

" I'm sorry, but I don't have an invitation. " With that, she was about to get in but he pulled her back by her forearm.

" Don't worry you'll get one. " He said in his cold tone but she was stiff when he pulled her hijab forward. She panicked, but he kept her in place, her breaths stuck in her throat with fear. She wanted to scream or push him back but nothing came to action then it hit her hard.

He was fixing her hijab, maybe it was slightly loose because he had tightened the layer around her face and again pinged it up softly.

" Don't let any man see the beauty I've right on. " First she was glad for his affords but his words made a hole into her heart, wished she could scratch his face but she was too scared to even breathe right now. " Believe me, Allah knows better what can I do if my things go out of my grip. " He caressed his fingers on her cheek where the dust of fine flour was coating her cheek. " I'm harmfully possessive. "

" You...You're too close. " She turned her face trying to stay as far as she could but he seemed arrogant. " It's wrong, please keep your distance..." She couldn't finish her words when he held her jaw in a firm grip.

" Don't try to tell me what's wrong and what's a right cupcake. I know better. " His words made her eyes widen and her numb ears maybe heard him murmuring, Subhan-Allah! She had no idea if she heard him right or if it was just the impact of the shock she was going through. After scanning her face for more seconds he left the poor soul who was trembling in fear and stumbled back brutally.

" Tomorrow 7'O clock. If you won't come then believe me you won't like the consequences. " Those were the last words she heard from him. Maybe he was about to say more but she rushed into the kitchen through the back door and slammed it shut leaning against it. Her hand was sweaty and trembling resting on her chest, she was taking a large amount of air but it seems tough.

She wiped her half display forehead with the back of her palm, still not processing what just happened. It has been five minutes since she was in that same posture. Suddenly she remembered the dustbin she had left outside. There was no possibility of him standing there any longer.

She opened the door gulping hard and peeked first, knowing better she couldn't see but tried to sense someone's presence outside. She sighed in relief and searched for the dustbin, as soon her hand collapsed with the thing she wanted, she pulled it back and shut the door again.

Not knowing he was smirking at her childish act, letting go of the smoke through his mouth. He knows she will come out again for the sake of this dustbin, he didn't mind waiting for more minutes, though. Her one glimpse was worth more than the minutes of his life.

Meanwhile, she was still trying to get a grip over her and her heart. It was wrong. Everything was wrong. He touched her cheeks and even held her unappreciated but she was so scared to scream or push him. Thanks to Allah he did nothing wrong but from now she will avoid going out to throw trash. It can be done by Rosha auntie or Amy.

She kept her mind off his thoughts, she was glad he saved her life still he was too arrogant and rude to face. Again her mind took a flight of his words as they were ringing in her ears.

The art gallery?

He asked me to come to the opening ceremony. No, he didn't ask me, he ordered me. No. No. NO. He threatened me.

She was in her own conflict when heard Azan. It was Asr prayer time and she didn't even realize it. She informed Amy that she was going for Namaz ( prayer ).

There was a small room for rest and prayer. She used the bathroom of the shop for wudu and went into the part which was attached to the kitchen where lights were even bright with Allah's blessings.

She prayed and held her hands up with closed eyes. Her lips were trembling and her heart was beating restlessly. She asked for forgiveness for what happened today. She appeals to Allah and makes a wish ( Dua ) that Allah keeps her under his protection and blessing. She was already broken, if she became the prey of someone's evil eyes then she had no idea what she would do with broken pieces.

Something was saying to her, it wasn't enough yet. Something big or maybe horrible is waiting for her. The unknown man whose name even she doesn't know was giving her a pure shiver like danger was roaming above her head.

She left the room and came back to the kitchen when heard Rosha auntie's voice. After hours it was time to close the shop before the Maghrib prayer.

She came out of the kitchen when auntie was wrapping up the remaining things to close the shop. " Auntie, I'm allowed to go? " She asked politely to go towards the hook where auntie must have hung her purse. She roamed her hands around the corner but didn't find her stick.

" Yes! My girl. Go, it's already late. " Auntie said, resting the chairs at the corner while Amy came forward to hand her the stick she was looking for.

" Jazakallah! " She said to Amy, in a low tone.

" Old lady! we're heading out now. Stay alive. " She laughed at her last line, not taking Dianna's warning to shush or auntie's glare.

" Sure, if Allah wants. " They hear behind as they head out. Amy giggled walking beside Dianna.

" Hey! Why do you always make her angry? " Dianna whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. The cold breeze was hitting their faces as they were walking onto the alley.

" Because it's fun to tease her. " Amy again giggled, matching her steps with Dianna's. Lamp posts started to turn on as it was getting dark now.

" You're too much sometimes. " Dianna sighed through her nose. After keeping the silence Amy blurted out in a rush when she was reminded.

" Hey! Guess what? " She heard her say, she blinked continuously in suspense waiting for Amy to complete. " Ask me what? " This made her laugh softly.

" What? " She asked between her soft laughs.

" I got two VIP pass, now ask-of what? " She could practically imagine Amy twisting her fingers in her hair strand like a drama queen.

" What? " She smiled eagerly, coming to the point where they have to separate now, parting their way home.

" The art gallery's opening ceremony's VIP Pass. " Amy said, mostly shouting in excitement and she froze.

" I don't have an invitation. "

" Don't worry you'll get one. "

Her heart was saying it wasn't like what it was looking at. She was blind but not a fool.