I am beyond alarmed by this unsettling revelation concerning Imran. Without blinking my state of shock shifts into that of irateness as I glare at Mister Mirza rightfully so."After knowing such horrid details about your son, you had me marry him?"Mister Mirza flinches at my words as his expression slips into guilt and deeper sadness. "It was done to save you. Listen to me, your stepmother Naheed was scheming for your execution with Razia over the phone before all of this proposal business. Khalil had overheard them speaking a few months ago and he notified me. I thought I had persuaded Razia to have you as our daughter-in-law instead, I thought we'd fix Imran's life and save yours. But I had no idea of what Razia and Imran's ulterior motives are!"My stomach churns in complete unease over the knowledge he's imparted. I feel as if I'm being suffocated by his words alone. My hands tremble, my palms developing clammy. I slide a finger under my hijab below my chin to loosen it. Mister Mir
HAZEL- It's been 24 hours since Mister Mirza revealed to me such devastating details of the webs of deceit I am tangled in.I haven't slept all night, there are bags under my eyes and my clothes are as disarrayed as the day Imran abused me.Khalil implored me to eat the food he would sneak away into my room but it was left untouched.I haven't even taken a brush to my hair and nor a bath. I don't know when it occurred but I ended up drifting into a restless nap eventually. I dreamt the same dream where my mother's voice admonishes me to hold tight to the rope of Faith. I awoke with a jolt of loud music booming from downstairs along with scores of voices hooting and laughing.Imran is probably having a party now that Mister Mirza's away for a day.My tummy aches from the lack of food and my tongue feel extremely parched from the lack of water. I rub my eyes for a few seconds thinking over the fragments of my dream.Immediate guilt washes over me for the reason that I have not heeded my
My shoulders stiffen at the sound of Imran's angered voice. I turn around and find the guy who was making out seconds ago is actually him.He's glaring up at me with complete vexation. The scantily dressed girl continues to grind on him as she monotonously peeks at me from under artificial eyelashes."Shut that fūckin window now!" Imran barks.Without a word, I slide the window pane down and then began to walk away when he addresses me again."Say hello to my girlfriend, Nasirah" he orders."Hello." I glumly state and she only throws me a dirty look."Bįtch! You thought you could steal Imran away from me?" She snaps."You can have him," I mutter under my breath."Hazel madam! Help me! Please help!!" Khalil shouts in despair as he hastily enters the lounge from the kitchen.His clothes are a tattered mess and he's suffering from a black eye. As he gets closer to me, he falls at my feet. Cigarette burn marks are trailing his arms.Promptly I reach down and pull him to his feet. "Khalil,
HAZEL - As the vehicle approaches closer, I squint my eyes hard, f ocusing on the obscure figure behind the wheel.The shape of the dark silhouette appears to have a bob cut around the head.Hmm looks like a lady. Something isn't quite right...why would baba ( dad) opt-out of driving his personal car to fetch me?In all my four months of spending time at his home, I had never witnessed him in any other vehicle but his own.He's hired employees to drive the delivery cars. So it was incomprehensible why he would need to get behind the wheels of one.An unsettling sensation crawls over me. I begin retreating backward slowly without breaking my eye contact with the car.My grip tightens on the duffel straps slung against my shoulder.A couple of seconds later my eyes distend in extreme alarm. Accosted by none other than Hamdard bulging neckless face.This was baba's favorite employee whom he had selected as a potential suitor for me to marry. I had rejected Hamdard's abhorring shameless
Within a flash of a second, a looming figure appears out of the shadows in between nearby alleyways, dressed in an equally shabby outfit as him.A hand shoots out and snatches the bottle from the grips of the homeless guy The toothless grin and cheery squinted eyes vanish into a glower. "Give me back my dollars worth! found it first"He hops onto the looming homeless guy What ensues is a crazy scuffle as they fall to the pavement, rolling about over a bottle.Inwardly I feel guilt wash over me, surely I could spare some money for these men.I reach into my duffel front pockets and fish out two crisp 100-dollar bills.I didn't have the change to spare for them since I needed that for a phone call from a pay phone. I doubt it would harm me to spare two hundred dollars.I very much hoped that would have been the case, but alas the sympathetic gesture of mine nearly did harm me. Out of major greed, the two scruffy-looking men demanded I provide them with more.Their grimy hands almost go
HAZEL -"No one a good enough matches for you Grig! You're unbeatable!" Bev remarks seriously, as she pushes herself up onto the passenger seat.Her hands clamp around my upper arm as she gently prompts me to meet her eyes. She offers me a warm smile."Sit up Hazel" she coaxes in a whisper. "It's okay now, you're safe."I'm glued to the spot, unable to move from the extreme fear coursing through my veins.Right at this moment, I'm afraid of these people.But she tugs at me again and my body is plagued with tremors as I crawl up onto the seat."Vladimir is undefeatable. I've been hospitalized a few times over shįt." Grigori corrects her. "As I've said before these puny gangster fūckers are no match anyway.""True enough, gotta give credit where credit is due!" Serge affirms ."Bev, you should see Vladimir in combat mode! Man goes berserk but yet he's all calm and shit. Gets out unscathed with the task complete. Fūckin epic.""I wish I could get to witness hardcore trips you guys go throu
HAZEL -The rest of the drive lasted over twenty minutes in silence. My mind was reeling from the past couple of terrifying hours of my life.The skin irritation had diminished from the allergy med I had taken. I decided it would be rude if I don't thank Grigori for suggesting the medicine and just when I'm about to, Bev interrupts."Finally! We're here," She points towards the window excitedly.I had been too lost in my chain of thoughts to have noticed that we were in a very metropolitan setting of the city.Serge parks the car in parallel. They all began departing from the vehicle so I follow along.Stepping out into the cool night air, I sling my duffel over my tired aching back and shoulders. The guys stride ahead into a glassy entrance guarded by the security of a modern high-rise skyscraper.Right above the entrance, massive golden letters etched into polished granite read Nielsen Enterprise And Corp, Gold Coast Headquarters.Bev grips my hand firmly as she tugs me behind. I cra
HAZEL -"Oh no Beverly, thank you. That'll be all." Rachael nods once in gratitude. "Have a very a goodnight."They begin to shuffle away and I jump from my seat in sudden remembrance. "Wait!"Pausing at the entrance of the doorway, their questioning gazes fixed upon me.I stride up to them with heavy steps and breath out "T-thank you for all that you've done for me tonight." I lower my vision to my shoes and continue "I don't know what would have become of me had you-" My voice ends up cracking and tears of despair slip down my cheeks as thoughts plague me of the doomed fate I could have been subjected to.Sounds of clinking bangles nip the momentary silence as warm and slender bare arms wrap around my figure. I blink away my tears, Bev has encased me into a comforting hug.She's as tall as Rachael so I can't see the expressions of the men behind her until she gently pulls apart from me seconds later. Serge scratches the back of his neck as he and Grigori stare at me awkwardly."Don't
Six Years LaterHazel POV:In a vast Santorini sky, the sun's rays beam down upon a joyful occasion. The balmy breeze was laden with the scent of wildflowers. A gentle melody of an orchestra intermingles with sophisticated murmurs of the stylishly garbed guests, seated at tables adorned by sumptuous feasts.It is the wedding day of Serge and Katie.On a raised platform, the well-dressed groom eagerly awaits his bride to walk down the aisle. Next to him stood Bilal and the ever-reserved appearing Grigori and Huxley.As bridesmaids, Rachael, Rebecca, Bev, Arielle, and I, stood on the right of the altar's platform. The five of us, assembled in similarly lavish magenta-hued bridesmaid gowns. Except for the hijab on my head."I had always thought Aunt Katie and uncle Serge would make a great couple." Arielle's remark's fond to the rest of us. "Finally today they are getting married!""It took them long enough!" Bev snorts next to me, shaking her head. "Katie really shįt tested Serge every s
Sheer dread grips my heart in a strangling hold. Gradually, I raise my head from Vladimir's chest. His garments were soaked with my tears.My eyes meet with none other than Ivan Molotov's.He merely emits a sinister cackle, halting his applause. Eyes full of undiluted malice, regard me from across the room.In his gloved hands, he holds a closed syringe. Ever so slowly, he approaches ne arer. From his other hand, he drops a pile of slashed cords that were attached to Vladimir's body. My eyes trace them back toward the hospital machinery, now nonfunctional."Wh-What are you doing?!" Immediately, I vault from my seat. I nearly stumble, my footsteps retreating backward. My voice lets out in fearful disbelief. "Wh-What do you mean?"He sighs, shaking his head in seemingly mock guilt. "I'm afraid I have no choice but to also end you along Vladimir.""What?!" My eyes widen in terror as I look from his face to the syringe gripped in his palm. "Why?! What are you talking about?!""Shhh." He
My heartbeat thundered within my ears while my eyes brimmed with scathing moisture. The air around me continuously grew thin as my lungs burned with each breath I took. My legs refused to falter, I ran through the winding corridors of the hospital along with Rachael and Katie. The hijab on my head nearly slipped off. Yet my mind was only preoccupied with him."Doctor!!!" Rachael cries out as she grabs ahold of a man in a lab coat, strolling out of the Intensive Care Unit. "Please! We can't wait anymore, we demand to see Vladimir!!""Ma'am, neither you nor your sister's blood test is a correct match for your brother. We can not allow you to see him as of yet." The doctor's expression embittered as he shuffles through the papers on his clipboard. "We've discovered he's a rare blood type.""He's lost a great amount of blood!" One other doctor rushes out in front of us. "Whoever else is related to him, must get tested for the transfusion! RHnull type blood is rare and we don't have it in
After such a forbidden deed, would events always unravel in contrition like this? Can guilt be any more bitter than before? Will I ever learn from past mistakes?No, since when did you develop into such a weak mess?My head had been bowed under the clouds of shame drifting around the atmosphere of the jeep ride back. Five minutes had passed since Dimitri Molotov's intrusive phone call, disrupting the forbidden tryst I was involved with Vladimir in the back seat.Awkwardness never felt so constricting before to me as it did now. Yet Vladimir appears unaffected by it as if there is nothing awkward in regard to the physical exchange between us.Instead, his visage indicates a serenity that I don't remember witnessing ever before. As if he's repleted of a satisfied contentment that he lacked previously. It was increasingly evident, that he is very pleased with no regrets.His eyes had intensely remained locked on my face while he helped me get dressed in the back seat. Suffusing my blush
His brows crease in apparent concern as they caught the glimmer of tears swimming within my stare. I wasn't resilient enough to suppress the heartache of the past seven days. It took over me tenfold in his presence.He inches forward. "Hazel, wh-"Suddenly all of the lights switch on, impeding him mid-sentence. The entirety of the kitchen and connected lounge is illuminated."What's going on here?" I recognize none other than Rachael's miffed voice.She stands in her sleeping robes on the stairwell of the kitchen lounge. Confounded, her eyes flit between Vladimir and me.But she's not the only other presence besides the two of us here. My alarmed eyes catch sight of Katie and Bev. The lights had exposed them hiding behind one of the couches in the lounge. Guilt-ridden, they were smiling sheepishly at me.Within those awkward seconds, it dawns on me that this setup was construed by the two of them. With Rachael and I being unaware, they knew all along when Vladimir would be returning h
Dear Hazel Asalaam Alaikum, I hope you are safe and well. I'm writing to inform you that I'm admitted to a private cancer treatment hospital. I've discovered from one of my lawyers, that the wealth I've allocated to you has still not been touched. I had expected you'd find it beneficial once you had turned 19, but you haven't utilized any amount of it. Please no need to remain humble regarding the sustenance that Allah has rendered halal for you.The doctors say I've got an additional month left to live. I find it amusing, that these doctors can utter such words with firm conviction. After all, life and death are in Allah's hands.However, my condition is deteriorating. I'd like to see you and Rachael before I depart this world.Enclosed within this envelope are details and directions to the hospital center. I'm expecting you both soon, and if you choose not to visit me then it's alright, I would understand.Once I've completed reading, my eyes lock with Rachaels. Hers are just as gl
"What is it?!" I shriek in repleted panic. Besides me, Bilal is just as frightened. The overpowering stench of smoke engulfs us quickly as the helicopter malfunctions."There is good news and bad news," Vladimir responds jaw clenched in apparent ire. He pours all of his strength and effort into veering the helicopter off-course away from the villa. "Which do you want to hear first?""This isn't time for such games!" I shriek again as the helicopter continues impairing."Are we crashing?!" Bilal questions with eyes wide as saucers."Not we. The helicopter will crash, that's the bad news. We've been targeted by an enemy RPG." Vladimir replies eyes narrowed in focus as he ascends the helicopter to higher heights. "It seems someone within our circles has tipped the enemy off in regard to our whereabouts.""RPG?!" Bilal gapes horrified. "Enemy?!""What the hell is RPG?!" I snap in ensuing terror."Military weapon!" Bilal promptly answers before desperately asking Vladimir. "What's the good
I awake from a slight jostling, it's dark and I hear the soft continuous humming of some sort of engine. Then I instantly remember that I was on a plane.I groggily shift my body but freeze when I realize someone else lay beside me. The weight of their arm is firmly yet gently draped over my waist and I feel their minty breath shallowly caressing my neck. It seemed like they were asleep.I turn my face in their direction and lift my hand to touch their face in the dark. My fingers splay over chiseled angular features, and my heart hammers in recognition.But before I can shove at him, he murmurs in his sleep. "Hazel... hmm...so pure..."My eyes widen in alarm and I attempt to lift his heavy arm away from my waist, yet this proves as a failure. He draws me closer to his hard chest while murmuring again in his sleep."Hazel... I need you..."My face flushes with heat as my mind processes his sleep talk. I wondered what kind of dream he had about me.I try pulling away from him, yet tha
As soon as the vehicle approaches Bilal's private boarding school, my eyes distend in alarm. "You-How did you know?! Only Rachael knew about Bilal's school!""Don't worry about details, princess. Wait here, remember I've locked the doors and windows, so stay put." He provides lightly and exits the jeep without further word.The vehicle was parked a few blocks away from the school, in a vacant lot. No one would be able to catch a glimpse of me reclining in it since the windows were tainted dark from the exterior. I wait with my hands fiddling the hem of my sleeves as I continue glancing around nervously.Several minutes later, I spot the demon approaching along with my little brother, who is happily licking an ice cream cone. In one hand he's dragging along a small suitcase. My heart swells with so much emotion as I eagerly await Bilal's arrival.As soon as the demon tugs open my door, I fling my arms around Bilal, crushing his boyish frame against me. "Billy!! Oh my God!""Hazel!" Bil