"Next is your turn," Maalik (master) said as the girl nodded her head. She was sitting quietly on a chair in the makeup room. Hooriya stared at her henna-clad hands, the maroon color stood out on her pale skin. She was donning a gorgeous long fancy skirt with a blouse, it was heavily embellished. The work on it was expensive.
She was their most thriving pawn. The girls who were dancing now were just a start, Maalik (master) loves to make his customers wait before dropping the bomb on them and Maalik's bomb was none other than Hooriya. The dancer everyone awaits to get a glimpse of.
She had lived her whole life in a brothel. She was allowed to study till twelfth grade. After that, she was made to work as a maid at the brothel. The dance teacher there taught her dancing and with time she was known in the brothel as the most graceful dancer. The first time she performed, she already snatched the hearts of many men.
Maalik was the proudest. He had told her countless times, that when she would turn 18 he would sell her off but luckily she earned a name in those mehfils (gatherings) where she danced. When the income rolled in; high, Maalik decided to keep her as a main dancer until her demand was high in these gatherings.
The days passed and then slowly many vultures wanted to buy her. In some twisted way, Maalik used to think of her as the Jaan (life) of their brothel. So when she begged him to spare her, he turned down all the offers but in compensation Hooriya had to work double. She would dance the full night until her feet would give up on her.
But she would dance her whole life if this could save her from those monsters behind those rich respectable faces.
Her mother brought her into this world and died after birthing her. She was born in the cage of this brothel. Maalik (master), was a shemale and the boss of this brothel. It was the rule of the brothel, whoever child was born in this life would serve in this brothel for at least thirty-five years. Then after that, they can leave. But how could someone leave with no soul in their bodies?
"Come on," A voice called and she stood up padding towards the door. The music was loud and blasting through the air as she took in deep breaths to control her emotions and when she opened her eyes again. She was numb.
She plastered a beautiful smile on her face and just when the beat dropped white smoke billowed on the stage as she took her place in the center of the stage just as the smoke cleared a little, the beat shoot up and there was a loud chorus and hooting as she danced with other on her sides.
The song changed and the other dancers left her side. She stayed fierce and confident. Twirling among the crowd of men who were now on their feet trying to get closer. Few of them were throwing wads of cash in the air, within seconds there was money pouring on her like rain as she danced. Their evil laughter, those sinister whistles, lust-full gaze, everything was so overbearing but she bears it all. She had to.
This was her life.
No other way out.
By the time the song was riding its high, the mass of men was immensely close to her. She still danced and finally her soul fluttered back to life when the song ended. The smoke covered the whole place again and she immediately ducked away from the group of men.
She scurried into the makeup room where other girls were waiting. She joined them as one of them offered her a bottle of water but she politely declined, she wiped her sweat with the back of her hand breathing heavily. They were waiting for Maalik to show up so they could leave this farmhouse soon.
She didn't like staying at such places after her performance. She felt so unsafe. It was obvious some of the men would try to buy her again and every time it scares her to the core. Every night after a performance she lived through this trauma, hoping Maalik won't sell her off.
The door banged open and all the girls jumped in shock. A man in his mid-30s stood at the door and behind him stood Maalik. Sweat broke on her forehead and like every other time she prayed it wasn't her.
The man stepped in and moved aside so Maalik sauntered in, towards the girls. "You all go with the driver," Maalik ordered and Hooriya was the first to stand up to leave.
"Not you," Maalik blocked her way and her heart dropped down into the pit of her stomach. The other girls gave her a sympathetic look because they all know how much she works hard and tried her hardest not to fall into the line of prostitution.
The girls left as the other man eyed her. She didn't dare to look in his way. Her eyes were cast down to the floor just the way Maalik had thought them.
"This man is Zeeshan Saifi. You've to take care of him for tonight," Maalik said calmly and all her thoughts went haywire.
Just when he was about to leave she forced her lips to move. "M..Maalik p..please," She pleaded as tears brimmed in her eyes.
Zeeshan narrowed his eyes at Maalik who paled. He turned to face Hooriya. "Don't disappoint him," Maalik warned.
"No... pl..please... I'll work triple shifts. I'll dance the whole day... Maalik... not this please..." She pleaded with eyes still on the floor.
And next thing she knows, she was on the floor. A brutal pain smeared through her cheek as she cupped the side of her face. She felt dizzy and her ear was ringing with the impact of the slap.
This wasn't the first time Maalik has raised his hand on her. He often hit them when he was pissed or angry, or when they did something to offend him.
"He has paid me five million for your one night. It'll take you a whole damn year to make me that much just with your dancing," He hissed at her venomously as she stared down at the floor.
This can't be.
But deep down she knew that this day would come. When someone would bid high enough to buy her soul one day.
Her heart pounded in her ears when she heard his footsteps retreating and the door closed behind him.
"This is the first time a woman is begging not to spend a night with me," the man menaced as he approached her.
She scrambled to her shaky legs as she stood her ground. She winced when he grabbed her nape in a brutal hold and yanked her closer. Her heart rattled in her chest when he smirked down at her.
"Begging won't work on me," He smiled at her. Letting go of her nape, he seized her arm and dragged her out of that makeup room.
He had already got the whole place deserted. Zeeshan Saifi was a well-known politician of the emerging opposition party. The man was evil.
She tried to snatch her arm from his hold but it was of no use. She tripped on the stairs but the man continued to brutally drag her.
He pushed her inside a room and slammed the door shut. Her ears were ringing in alert and panic as she looked around the room for an escape. She tried to run for the restroom door when he grabbed her arm and tossed her on the bed.
"No." She screamed as she scooted back and attempted to get off the bed when he grabbed her ankle and yanked her down on the bed.
"HELP! PLEASE! HELP!!!" She screamed as he laughed. "No one is here to hear your screams," He said darkly and her heart clenched in raw trepidation as she clawed at his face and neck, drawing out blood as a few of the buttons of his shirt snapped. Her eyes widened when she noticed the capital letter 'H' tattooed on his chest.
He slammed her wrists on the bed and with all her force she hit him where the sun doesn't shine. He grunted in pain as she pushed him away. Hooriya crawled to the other side of the bed but he was back on her. A loud cry left her lips as she aimed to grab the lamp but she was yanked back and her eyes widened as a cry of pain tore through her lips. He did exactly what she did to him. He kneed her between her legs.
She sobbed as she placed her hands between her legs and curled into a ball. It hurts so bad.
"You bloody bitch, how does it feel? Wait, you whore and I'll show you your place!"
He was cursing profanities, she could hear him working on his belt. He was still sitting on the edge of the bed.
She would rather die than let him ruin her. With everything she got, she lunged for the lamp, grabbing it, she slammed it on him not caring where it would hit him.
No words left his lips as he fell forward to the floor. He grunted and growled, "You bitch!"
She didn't look his way. She stumbled out of the bed and fell to the floor. Her legs were shaking and the pain in her lower region restricted her but this was her only chance.
She grabbed her dress and ran out of that room, descending the stairs. There was no one in sight as she hurried out of that farmhouse. The cold breeze chilled her skin.
No guards. Nothing. Just half an hour ago this place was buzzing with men but now it was deserted.
She ran out of the gates. The place was in the middle of nowhere, away from the city. Tears fell on her fluffy cheeks as she looked around.
The full moon shined brightly down at her as she stared at the inky sky in gripping hopelessness. A sound of window crashing came from the farmhouse she tucked down behind the bark and muffled her cry. It hurts so bad, his hit was hard, and she couldn't even walk.
She cannot just sit there and wait for a death warrant, with new determination she stood up and her feet took off in the direction of the highway. With her hands fisting her heavy skirt in her small fists. She ran with all she got.
The need to get away was stronger but where would she go? Back to that brothel so Maalik would kill her for hurting that client. The man had paid so much money, that it was obvious he was one of the whales of this country.
If she goes back to the brothel. She will be killed brutally. That man would surely take his revenge on her. But... she didn't know anywhere else. Where would she go?
A car coming in her direction had her going berserk as she jumped in front of it. The car stopped with a screeching sound as she fell back on her bump in fear of the car hitting her.
Her eyes widened when she saw Maalik coming out of the car and approaching her, she abruptly wiped her tears. "What are you doing here?" He asked vexed, looking around.
She didn't dare say a word. Her eyes were wide and brimmed with tears. "Get up," He ordered and she immediately stumbled to her feet.
"I'm impressed. What did you say to him that he let you go without any refund?" Maalik asked with narrowed eyes and she was tongue-tied. Her heart was drumming in her ears.
"I... d..don't understand..." She stammered in a controlled voice.
"He texted me, asked me to take you back as he had kicked you out and he didn't ask for his money back," Maalik (master) said calmly as he stared at her with a scowl.
Didn't that man want to kill her for what she did?
"Get in the car," Maalik hissed, giving her an irritated look. Her mind was numb and at that moment she just wanted to hide under the bed and cry her life out.
She quietly got into the car as the driver drove them back to the city. He stopped the car at their destination and she was back in the brothel.
She cried that whole night. Not a brink of sleep consumed her. Nor did she eat anything. Her heart kept on squeezing and twisting as she recalled those horrible scenes again and again.
One thought kept raking her mind and rattling her heart. For how long was she safe?
Maybe just for tonight...
Hooriya took a long shower to relax. She looked dull and worn out, if Maalik saw dark circles under her eyes, he would go mad. She didn't have breakfast because she wasn't hungry. She did her makeup and hair for today's mehfil (gathering). Changing into a heavy ghagra choli (long skirt with blouse) she was ready for the day.She quietly trekked out of her room. With her head bowed down, she immediately passed through the dimly lit corridors, taking the stairs until she reached the main hall where Maalik was waiting for her.Other girls were also there with whom she had to perform. Today she had to dance at three gatherings. Maalik stood up and strode past her to the front door when there was a loud bang and the big doors burst open.Everyone gasped and a few of the girls shrieked as everyone stepped back, their eyes wide as they goggled at the number of men dressed in black; crowding in the place."What is happening here?" Maalik asked in anger as one of those guys walked further. He
The door was knocked once before it opened to reveal Akram, the butler of the haveli (mansion)."Madam is requesting your presence, Saab (sir)," Akram said in a respectable voice as Hamza sighed. "I'll be there," he said as the butler nodded his head and left his room.Hamza closed the file he was working on. His documents were still scattered on the bed, he shut his laptop and left his room.He gently knocked at the door and heard a light come in, he ambled in and a soft gentle smile adorned his lips as soon as he saw his mother opening her arms for him.He crouched down on the floor beside his mother's chair and the elderly woman caressed his hair, a beautiful smile on her lips as she gazed at her son with pride and love."Mera sher, (my tiger)," His mother, Batool Shah patted his shoulder lovingly as the most feared mafia man became soft for his mother. He placed his head on her lap as she caressed his shoulder. He felt peace in his mother's embrace."You don't have any time for yo
He walked into the room and shut the door behind him. His eyes darted around the room which was dimly lit, he noticed her precisely when her anklets made a sound, and his head whipped in her direction.For a second he thought Farhan abducted a bride but then he recalled she was a dancer as well. Must be leaving to earn more money and kill a few guys when Farhan brought her here.He came to a pause right in front of her. Her face wasn't much visible but he cared less. He asked her who she was working for and damn. She was an excellent actor.As soon as he grabbed a fist full of her hair, he was surprised by its softness. Her hands were small as they landed on his chest. She smelled like roses. Her voice was small and timid. The girl was trembling like a leaf. She tried to struggle as he interrogated her but it was of no use. Surprisingly she seemed fragile or perhaps it was all an act, he couldn't think of anything else so he simply warned her. Trying to frighten her so she would spea
A stone-like obstruction formed in her throat as it clogged up. She rubbed her neck to ease the pain of his brutal hold away. She was still breathing heavily, facing the floor as big fat tears poured out of her eyes and fell on the floor.The door creaked open and she felt her heart galloping to her mouth as she stumbled to her feet. She swiveled around and her eyes landed on the huge table that was being escorted into the room by two bulky-looking men. The blue-eyed guy named Farhan walked in holding briefcases in his hands.She was gazing at them terrified when her view was blocked by a wide chest, she stumbled a step back and her fear-filled eyes whipped up to meet with the darkest obsidian eyes that caused every cell in her body to rattle in absolute fear.She shook her head in fear and he hadn't even said a thing. "P..please... I... I... didn't... kill him..." She stammered in a croaky voice.He tilted his head, the cynical cold look on his face was enough to scream at her to run
Hamza stepped inside the haveli (mansion) and Akram was right there waiting for him."I told you to stay with Hafsa," Hamza gritted out. He had showered, bandaged his wound, and changed his clothes in his private penthouse where he would go often when he was not in the state to come straight to the haveli."She's with Ma'am Batool." Akram said and Hamza sighed."How's ami? (Mom)." He asked."She woke up in the afternoon, we gave her fresh fruits which she rejected, she didn't drink her soup, and also she didn't take her medicines," Akram informed and Hamza rubbed his face with a sigh."Bring something to eat in Ami's (mom's) room." He said and Akram nodded scurrying to the kitchen. Hamza walked toward his mom's room. Knocking once he opened the door. The sight in front of him made his heart wrench.Batool was sitting on the edge of the bed crying and Hafsa was sitting on the floor with her head resting on Ami's (mom's) lap as she sobbed like a broken soul."Hamza, come here," Batool c
She wanted to liquefy into the door, hoping that it would swallow her somehow and save her from this barbaric man. But fate wasn't on her side. Nothing was in her favor, never had been."Turn around," his voice was gruff and she could feel his hot breath on her ear. He was close. How was she supposed to turn around when was hovering over her and standing in her bubble?She didn't move and perhaps the man wasn't very fond of stubbornness. She gasped loudly when she felt large hands on her waist and she swiveled around. Her hands instantly went down as she tried to pry his hands away. Some inches of her skin were visible because of the dress and his hands were touching exactly there.His hand was huge and she was grasping his thumb in her whole fist trying to remove his hand, in doing so the netted veil got loosened and it slipped from her head and her shoulders but before it could fall on the floor, she grabbed it and bunched it on her chest.For a fleeting second her eyes whipped up a
The dirty floor was ice cold as she bundled her feet in her ghagra (long fancy skirt). Her skin was freezing as she rubbed her arms for some warmth. The back of her nose tickled but she refused to cry.She had changed the gauze around her wound. The stitches got pulled when he manhandled her, that was why it had started bleeding at that time.She prayed to God to save her from his lethal clutches. She wasn't even at fault. Her life was already miserable but she was coping up until now. She didn't want to be in the ruins of this storm.She was whacking her mind over and over again but ended up with nothing. Her heart jostled and lurched to her mouth when the door burst open with such vicious force that it banged against the wall and made a loud menacing noise that crashed through the tensed air.She stumbled to her feet, her legs already trembling in fear when her eyes met with the dark ones of her captor.This time he didn't start with a verbal inquiry. Instead, he opted straight for
Sheer silence surrounded them. Only her ragged breathing was heard and she was sure he could hear her heartbeat because she could hear her heart drumming in her ears."Jangli janwar huh?" (A wild animal huh?) He snickered, taking a step towards her and the blood drained out of her body and her throat clogged up. After everything she said, he only heard that."Haiwan?" (Monster?) He sneered taking yet another step toward her causing her heart to lurch to her mouth.She dared to glance at his face and every cell in her body jostled. His obsidian eyes hold a storm of wrath in them. The dark ferocity in his eyes spoke volumes of rage whereas his face was stoic. Void of any emotions."S...stop..." She whispered, stammering a step to her left to get away from him.He didn't say anything to her. He grabbed her wrist in a steel-like grip jerking her body away from the door.He opened the door and started to drag her out of there. She was barefoot and her heartbeat intensified in dread thinkin