#Chapter Twenty Seven#

"God, who knew ring shopping could be so exhausting?!" I exclaimed with a huff as I gratefully sat down on one of the plastic chairs. Well, it wasn't very comfortable and did nothing for my aching back, but at the very least it relieved my aching feet. 

"I did," Sarah voiced with a laugh. 

"Then why wouldn't you warn us woman?!" Mira took the seat across from me whilst Ziad and Tariq sat perpendicular to us. Salem and the other two guards resigned to standing around us in a small protective circle, watching our surroundings alertly. 

I don't know if it was just my imagination playing games on me, but recently, I felt like Salem had been more on guard around me, all of us in fact. He was wary all the time but now it was like he had a reason, a motive, to be super suspicious of anyone who was around us. 

Just yesterday, a man who was the parent of one of the kids I teach at the education centre, came a bit too close to me and Salem nearly broke his hand. The poor guy was just bending over to pick us his child's fallen toy.

"If you guys are finding it difficult, how do you think we feel?" Ziad questioned and Tariq nodded his head in agreement with him. 

"Well apparently I can't get married without a ring, so until I do find the perfect one, we all have to suck it up," I said with a sigh. I observed the bustling food court and pondered on what I should eat, when I suddenly remembered Mira and I's secret hideout on the rooftop. As if she was thinking the same thing, we both shared a knowing look but we both knew we couldn't very well go and leave everyone here. It was our hideout spot and we weren't willing to give it up. 

"We've been shopping for three hours already. Why don't we just try again tomorrow and pick up where we left off?" Tariq offered diplomatically and I hid the amused smile that was creeping its way to my lips. Tariq hated shopping and I knew this was complete torture to him. However, I had to have him by my side when getting the ring, it just didn't seem right to do it without him. 

"There's just one more jewellery store I want to visit and if there's no luck with that, then we'll go home." 

Everyone let out a breath and mumbled their 'alhamdulillahs'. 

"Just get the ring made," Mira said, crossing her arms over her chest, showcasing her bright purple ring and intricate henna. "All the designs I've seen so far are hideous and I know more than one jeweller who can whip you up a design so amazing, you'll be blown to Australia." 

I chuckled loudly at Mira's comment and shook my head at her. "Getting it made is my second option, you know that." 

"Fine," she grumbled. 

After everyone had decided on eating at a traditional thai restaurant, we ordered our food and waited - not so patiently - for it to arrive. Conversation flowed nicely as it always did. Even though I tried many times to get Salem and the guards to sit down and have something to eat, they wouldn't budge, insisting on remaining at their posts. After a few minutes of useless persuading, I gave up. 

"Man, I feel like I haven't been outdoors in a while," Tariq mentioned to the group. 

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You know, the beach, parks, sun, sand and trees. I know Summer's just started but I think I spend too much time indoors." 

"Hmm, that can't be healthy," Sarah voiced, taking a sip from her lemon juice. 

"You know Sameena loves the outdoors, don't you?" Mira said with a raised brow. 

"I know...which is why I plan on spending a lot of time with her between the glow of trees and rays of sunshine," he sang, almost poetically and I rolled my eyes at him. He smiled in response and scratched at his short beard. 

"Glad to know I won't be locked up within four walls." 

He grinned. "I'm locked up within four walls all the time and believe me, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy." 

"Well you are a doctor," Ziad said, ever the one to point out the obvious. 

Sarah and Ziad began telling us about their experience when they went ring shopping for their wedding when I suddenly began to feel a little sick in the stomach. At first I was able to ignore the queasy feeling but soon enough, it got to a point where I felt like I was going to throw up. 

"Guys, I think that thai didn't go down too well," I mumbled, before I felt something rise in my throat and my hand flew to my mouth. 

"You OK?" Tariq asked, rushing to my side and I barely had time to nod at him before I flew out of my seat and ran to the nearest toilet. Thankfully, it was close by, not even three metres away. 

I dashed into the bathroom and into the nearest empty stall, barfing out whatever I had just eaten. 

That piece of broccoli did look a little off...and the rice felt a bit stale.

I threw up a second time and the feeling was almost immediate; I felt better instantly, like whatever was plaguing me from the inside just needed to be let out. I flushed the toilet and wiped my mouth before opening the door and trailing to the sink. Sarah and Mira both came into the bathroom, worry etched on their faces. 

"What happened?" Mira asked, scanning her eyes over my face. 

"I think that thai was old. I'm surprised none of you feel sick too," I said. I bent down and rinsed my mouth out. "I feel absolutely fine now though." 

"That's so weird," Sarah mumbled, more to herself. 

"Erkh, my scarf is ruined now. You girls head out, I'm just going to fix it." They nodded their heads and made their way back out as I began to unpin my hijab and adjust it back into place. I was done within a minute and after one last check to make sure I looked fine, I pushed open the bathroom door, smiling at a young mother as I walked out. 

I had only taken two steps towards our group, with Salem just less than a metre away, when I saw it. 

The slight, almost unnoticeable widening of Salem's eyes, the way he reached for the black gun hidden beneath his black jacket, his barking of orders at the other two guards. It all happened too fast for my brain to comprehend.

"Sameena, get down, now!" 

But before Salem had yelled, I had already turned around to see who he was looking at. 

I was met with a man clad in all black, complete with a mask over his face and black gloves...but what stood out the most, was the shiny black weapon in his hand. 

A shiny black weapon that was pointed right at me.

I saw his finger move towards the trigger but before I could react myself, I was roughly pushed to the ground. 

Then, the shivering, heart-stopping sound of a gun being fired sounded only milliseconds later and a large body fell down right next to me, almost, but not quite missing my small frame.

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A/N

Sorry for the EXTREMELY short chapter. It's all a part of the plot however and needed to be fed to you guys...

You would have all realised by now that Sameena and Tariq obviously have a history together...however, Sameena doesn't remember him and I know all you critters are just dying to know why.

So whoever can guess or come the closest to guessing why Sameena can't remember Tariq, wins a dedication. And also something else they desire, it's past midnight and I can't think of something else that's juicy and enticing enough to tempt you guys to guess lol.

Have a go. I'd like to see what your theories are! :)