Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The sound of the monitor was the only thing indicating life coming from the lifeless corpse who was lying in the bed.

Shehryaar's grey eyes were trained on her face; paleness and malnutrition evident, huge black bags under her eyes, her cheek bones hideously sticking out, her jaw sharply prominent, lips dry and blue.

If anyone saw her they would say that she was dead.

When he had found her that day, her pulse was so weak he began to think he lost her: and did almost lose her. Right now, she was breathing with the help of a ventilator.

She hadn't eaten in sixteen days: she was reduced to skin and bones. He knew she hadn't eaten anything yet he starved her.

Every night when he came to claim her, she still fought him despite her own body weakness. He was certain that this would bring her to her limits and he would finally succeed in breaking her.

And from the looks of it, he was satisfied that he indeed did break her.

Now she won't disobey him anymore: now she would know her place.

His eyes went to her hair: her once long hair was now short. He had a hair dresser come in and cut it properly.

He had to admit he was surprised at her tenacity: she knew how much he admired her long hair yet she dared to cut it thus challenging him.

Now she knows what will happen when she crosses me. He thought with contentment.

She was unconscious under drug influence so he knew that she won't be waking up anytime soon.

He made his way to his office to finish off some business.

"Shehryaar!"

Shehryaar rolled his eyes in annoyance. Zameer had been getting on his nerves lately.

"What now?" He sighed.

"What the fuck? Is this what you have to show for?" Zameer yelled.

"Careful shithead, I would hate to blow your fucking head off." Shehryaar smirked.

"Shehryaar I am not talking to you right now as your second in command. I'm talking to you as your friend." Zameer sighed. He knew talking to Shehryaar was pointless. Throughout the time Anissa was being tortured with starvation and isolation, Zameer tried to talk him out of it but nothing worked. Shehryaar was adamant and Zameer couldn't do anything about it.

"Friend?" Shehryaar's brow jumped up in incredulously.

"Whatever you want to call it. I don't care but this needs to stop now." Zameer said.

"What does?" Shehryaar feigned ignorance.

Zameer eyed him with dismay. "Seriously? Shehryaar, for God's sake just stop this already. She's already suffered enough, what more do you want?"

"Not until I've broken her completely."

"What is she? An animal? You're treating her even worse then an animal. She's your wife."

"Exactly she's my wife. That's exactly the reason why she needs to meet my standards and that damn stubbornness of hers always gets her in trouble. She's got no one to blame but herself."

Zameer gawked at Shehryaar in disbelief.

"That's bullshit and you know it!" Zameer shouted. "You're only doing this out of your obsession. For God's sake Shehryaar, you need to stop this. She's a human being and not to mention she's a woman."

"So?" Shehryaar shrugged, his demeanour utterly nonchalant. "She's a woman. My woman and I will not accept a weak woman. She needs to strengthen up. She needs to realise her importance as my wife." He claimed confidently.

Zameer sighed. He knew how strong a woman Anissa was. She had been fighting him all this time yet Shehryaar was too blind to see that.

And he knew what he was about to say would definitely land him a bullet.

"I used to think that maybe you're doing this because you're in love with her and were only hurt when Shahzeb chose her over you. But I think I was wrong. I used to,"

He didn't finish and grunted as he fell down, clutching his leg where Shehryaar shot him just now. It was a flesh wound, the bullet grazing his leg on side and it hurt a lot.

"Fuck!" He hissed and fell on one knee. Yup I was right. He thought as he clutched the bleed on his leg.

"Now shut the fuck up unless you want the next bullet between your eyes." Shehryaar pointed his gun at Zameer's head.

Zameer chuckled dryly. "Do it because you and I both know that I'm ready to take a bullet for you. That's how much I care, you fucker. You're like a brother to me." Zameer sneered.

Shehryaar clenched his jaw and threw his gun on his table and turned away.

"Shahzeb isn't here anymore," Zameer continued as Shehryaar's back faced him. "You don't need to worry about her being taken away from you. If you keep doing this then you'll only end up being hated by her. I know you love her and that's why you're so obsessive of her but seriously man, she's human and breaking her would result in her being lost completely." Zameer tried one last time to talk him. Zameer knew Shehryaar possessed a twisted mind and thus his form of love and care was different. He had observed that when the twins were together: Shehryaar was always aloof towards Shahzeb but he knew how much Shehryaar cared for his twin. After all, they only had each other.

But the twins grew apart when Anissa came in the picture. that's why Zameer believed that Shehryaar loved Anissa, however cruel this sense of love or showing it was.

"Zameer, did you take care of the Khaaspur menace?" Shehryaar inquired, his tone authoritative, implying the end of their personal discussion.

Zameer sighed and tried to get up.

"Yes, I've hired Abdullah and Saleem. They'll be dispatched by tomorrow morning." Zameer reported.

Shehryaar nodded and sat behind his desk while Zameer staggered towards a seat and collapsed on it.

The men who had kidnapped Anissa were hired by Nawaaz.

So Shehryaar had decided to send off his personal assassins to take care of Nawaaz once and for all. He was tired of Nawaaz getting in his way and now it was time to get rid of him. He had bigger things on his mind.

And for now, after he was sure that Nawaaz was taken care of, he was going to get rid of Azhar. The game was still afoot, yet he was growing weary of it.

He needed to speed things up now. His sources informed him that his grandfather was suffering from cancer and getting treatment in Switzerland. And they have been in hiding. But that wasn't what concerned Shehryaar.

His father, Hassan Ghulari would be the next Ameed of the Sikhai province and before that happened, Shehryaar needed to get rid of Azhar who was the heir apparent. And in order for Shehryaar to carry out his plans, he needed to get rid of Azhar and become the heir apparent then becoming the next Ameed would be one step away.

And what's more, Shehzad Atish, from the Atish clan, the nemesis and arch enemy of the Ghulari family were back to claim their lands and property that comprised seventy percent of the Sikhai. Shehzad Atish had even filed a petition against the Ghulari family for evacuation from the high court of Sikhai.

And that's why Shehryaar worked quickly and made business dealings with Shehzad Atish a week prior.

He was going to corner the Ghulari family from every side. After all, any enemy of his enemy was his friend.

"You're dealings with Atish might prove useful. After all he's the one who's filling a case from the high court against your father and grandfather for illegally seizing their lands in Sikhai." Zameer said.

"I've got them cornered. Once I'm the Ameed, I'll take care of Atish as well but for now, I need that bastard gone." Shehryaar said stoically.

"Yes Saeen." Zameer got up and staggered towards the door.

**********

Anissa woke up feeling extremely fatigued and thirsty. Her vision was blurry as her eyes opened.

She realised she was in a new room with peach coloured walls.

Her mouth was covered with an oxygen mask so she carefully removed it. She realized a canula was also attached to the back of her hand as it was hooked with an IV.

Her body ached all over. Her head hurt badly.

"You're awake."

She winced and squeezed her eyes shut on instinct when she heard his deep stern voice; fear and terror engulfing her entire being.

He chuckled as he made his way to her and sat by her side.

She began to quiver with fear and whimpered.

"Now now Tara," Shehryaar smiled, his grey eyes cold. "I bought you something to eat." He said and snapped his fingers. A maid entered the room and placed a tray of steaming hot food in front of them.

Anissa's stomach clenched painfully as her eyes watered upon seeing the food. Shehryaar brought a bowl of steaming soup bear and carefully held out the spoon towards her lips.

She looked at Shehryaar and opened her mouth. If it were any normal situation she would've doubted the contents of the food but at the moment all she cares about was eating.

Shehryaar continued to spoon feed her. She was at her fifth spoon when her stomach twisted and she retched out all the contents of the food. It was a normal outcome resulting from her stomach being empty for so long.

Shehryaar wasn't fazed the least. The maid came back and quickly cleaned the vomit by the side of the bed and left swiftly.

Shehryaar continued feeding her until she passed out. She was too fatigued and her body needed rest.

When she woke up again, Shehryaar was there and fed her again.

This routine carried out for two days.

They didn't speak.

They didn't say anything to each other. Anissa would eat and immediately fall asleep.

She woke up again that day: her body felt energised and a little less fatigued. She looked around her surroundings. She realised that the room was bright, the sunlight pouring in through the large glass windows.

Slowly, she sat upright. She realised she was dressed in a cotton night gown.

Her mind was slowly starting to function but she didn't want to think about anything.

A nurse came in and was about to change her IV when Anissa told her to take it off completely. She didn't see Shehryaar anywhere and that made her feel a little easy.

She felt so weak and useless. She requested the nurse to help her to the bathroom. Her legs were heavy as lead as she tried to walk. After removing the catheter and urine bag, she disposed them off and took a shower. When she glanced in the mirror, she wasn't surprised when she saw her reflection: a corpse of a person.

She didn't ponder much on it.The nurse brought a dress for Anissa and she wore it. After dressing up appropriately, the nurse brought a wheelchair.

Anissa didn't say anything and quietly sat in the chair since she knew she didnt have any energy or strength to walk.

"The master said that I can take you to the back garden if you'd like." The nurse relayed. Anissa nodded her head in agreement. She craved to bask in the sun light. She had been indoors for too long.

The nurse pitied the poor creature of a woman as she wheeled her outside. She could clearly see the pain and sadness in Anissa's eyes. She wondered what could've possibly happened to Anissa that she looked so devastated and miserable. She could've never imagined the hell Anisaa had been through.

When they came out in the open, Anissa's peeked up at the clear blue sky and her eyes immediately watered.

She had taken so much for granted; never in her life had she ever felt the need to appreciate the small things around her as she did now. She had never appreciated the warmth that the sun gave out as much as she did now. The cool breeze blowing around her made her feel so relaxed and the beautiful flowers around the garden made her feel all the more comfortable.

She didn't bother admiring the garden as much as she focused around the beauty of nature. Her tears flowed endlessly as she felt so gratified.

Why? Why did this happen to me? When did I become like this? Is this what my life is going to be like? She thought wryly as her mind jumped back to the hours of devastation that she had endured.

How ever am I going to escape from this hell? She thought as her eyes trained on the white and yellow roses.

Never in her life had she thought that she would ever be in a position where she would slowly lose herself. She was tired of fighting. She wanted to give up. She didn't want to go through all that ever again.

It was too much and she couldn't handle it.

She had no way out of it either.

She breathed in and tried to think.

She was legally bound to Shehryaar. She was married to him and thus leaving him wouldn't be easy. And she knew he wouldn't let her go either.

She got punished and thrown in hell for only cutting off her hair then she shuddered to think what he would do to her if she tried to leave him.

Her mind was full of fear and doubt.

Thinking of leaving him was more easier said then done.

She had to be more practical.

She knew she couldn't escape.

She had no allies. No friends. No money or resources.

Even if she tried to escape, she had no way out of this heavily guarded island. She knew close to nothing about her way around Dubai. And however would she get back to Pakistan? She had nothing that could help her.

And even if she did escape and went back to her parents, she was certain that Shehryaar wouldn't hesitate to break his promise and hurt them. Then the option of going back to them was out of the question.

Then what were her options?

Continue fighting? And get punished in ways worst then the last?

She was tired and too terrified of that option.

Then being patient?

That seemed far fetched. She was too stubborn and integral for that.

The what about being patient and bidding for time? And working out a strategy?

After all, sooner or later Shehryaar would have to take her back to pakistan. But it was long shot.

Whenever she tried to outsmart Shehryaar, he was always one step ahead and beat her to it.

But she wasn't going to give up. She had every right to leave Shehryaar. He had failed miserably as a husband as well as a human being. He possessed no vestige of morality.

When she had seen him, there wasn't even a shadow of regret in his face for what he had done to her. He didn't care about how much he had hurt her. And now, her decision was final to leave.

The only way she could escape was by the help of an insider. And she knew just who.

"Bhabi," Zameer chirped and strode towards Anissa. He was relieved to see her up and about but his heart constricted when he saw her sitting in the wheelchair and his anger towards Shehryaar grew; if he wasn't his boss then Zameer would've killed him.

Anissa didn't bother looking at him.

"Leave us!" He ordered sharply. The nurse immediately ran from there.

Zameer turned to face Anissa and tried his best to smile and act as casual as he could.

"Bhabi, I'm so glad that you're finally up Bhabi. I was very worried about you." He said.

Anissa remained silent, her eyes on the roses.

"Bhabi? How are you feeling?" He knew it was a foolish question to ask but he still tried.

Where he thought that Anissa was purposely ignoring him, Anissa was actually listening to him closely. And when she detected the sound of shame and regret in his tone, she averted her eyes from the flowers and locked her blank gaze with his.

"Bhabi, please say something," he swallowed when he looked into her bloodshot hazel eyes. She wasn't saying anything yet her eyes were screaming volumes.

Zameer was also a human. He was once a brother and a son as well as a lover. He had so many human connections once so he understood well but none seemed to be as important to him right now as much as the human connection he had with Anissa.

He wanted to make things right.

He wanted Anissa's forgiveness.

He couldn't stand the painful look in her eyes or her cries any longer.

"Please forgive me bhabi," he croaked, his throat lumping. "I've truly failed you. Please forgive me." He said and slowly fell on his knees: his body cringe not going unnoticed by Anissa when he sat on his knees. His leg hurt but his heart hurt more upon Anissa's silence.

"Bhabi, please," he begged and clasped his hands together in front of her.

Anissa's heart moved at his gesture. He was truly guilty. He was on his knees in front of her asking for her forgiveness and her heart wanted nothing other then to forgive him.

But this was exactly what her mind had anticipated. And now it was time to prey on it. Living with Shehryaar had taught her the skill of manipulation.

She had to shut down her heart from screaming at her and her conscience for taking advantage of a man when he was being so sincere.

But all she cared about at the moment was herself. She had suffered enough and now it had to stop.

Nothing else mattered.

There was nothing wrong with being selfish. She could live with herself with this. It was a small regret on account of the bigger picture.

Manipulating Zameer's guilt like that was something she could live with.

But with Shehryaar, she couldn't.

"Bhabi?" Zameer looked at her with pleading eyes. There was so much sincerity in his dark eyes that it twisted her heart at what she was about to say but she had to be strong and bear with it.

"If," she croaked, realising her throat was too dry and lumped to talk. Clearing her throat and swallowing hard, she looked him right in the eye.

"If you want my forgiveness, then help me escape from Shehryaar."

Zameer's eyes widened with shock.

He hadn't thought that Anissa would say something like this. But he had anticipated as such. No person in their right mind would stay with a man like Shehryaar after what he had put her through.

He looked at her face and saw her blank expression. But there was fire burning in her hazel eyes, making them shine like bright Amber under the sun light.

The pain was still evident in her eyes.

"I would advise against it." He muttered. "If you escape and Shehryaar catches you, which he will without a doubt, you will have to bear excruciating consequences. And not to mention that you would lose Shehryaar's trust."He said in order to change her mind. Because what she was asking was for him to betray his Saeen. "You would hurt him."

Anissa resisted the urge to scoff and laugh at that. She knew Shehryaar was a psychotic maniac who had no feelings whatsoever and she knew that Zameer was aware of it too yet he had the guts to say that to her when Shehryaar was the one who hurt her the most.

And Zameer. His loyalties were dividing for the first time.

His loyalty towards his Saeen. If he betrayed him then he would lose his trust since Shehryaar didn't trust easily.

And if he failed to help Anissa then he would subject her to a life of torment.

And He had made a promise to Shahzeb.

Perhaps now was the time to fulfil his word. And also earn Anissa's forgiveness. But at the cost of Shehryaar's trust and loyalty?

He was torn.

He knew the answer yet he still hesitated.

"If," Anissa's voice pulled him out of his inner turmoil. "If you ever considered me as your sister then help me." She said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

And that was enough to make him decide.

Slowly, he sighed and got to his feet. Schooling a calm expression he looked at Anissa in the eyes.

Anissa thought that she failed. So much for manipulation. Or even emotional blackmail.

"Shehryaar is leaving for Shanghai for two weeks." He relayed. "You will have to eat up and gather your strength."

Those words had Anissa's spirit lifting. Zameer saw the look of elation burn in her eyes and his heart felt relief for the first time in a while.

"Alright bhabi, I'll help you escape."

***********

VOTE, COMMENT, PROMOTE

FIND ME ON SARAHAH beenishshaheen.sarahah.com :) IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY CONFESSIONS FOR ME :) GO T IT, I PROMISE I WON'T MIND :)