Anissa kept silent and patient.

She couldn't believe that Zameer was going to help her escape. She thought he would need a lot of convincing and if he didn't help her then she would have to manage by herself.

She fed and gathered her strength.

Today was finally the day that Shehryaar was going to leave.

She woke up that morning and joined him for breakfast. They ate in silence as usual. None of them bothered to say anything to each other.

When Shehryaar was done, he stared at Anissa as she slowly ate. After that horrible experience, Anissa savoured every bite of food that entered her mouth.

"Tara?"

She flinched when he called her and gently held her hand. She didn't dare look up at him.

"I'm leaving for China for a few days to take care of business." He said. Anissa's brows furrowed as a sign of confusion. She had to show him that she was confused as to why he was telling her this when he never told her anything before.

"You'll be staying here. I want you to grow strong and healthy by the time I get back." He said and stood up. Anissa also stood up with him.

Shehryaar was pleased that she was being so obedient.

Shehryaar went back to their bedroom. Anissa followed suit. Shehryaar quickly caught her waist and his lips came crashing down on Anissa's. It wasn't a rough or a harsh kiss that Anissa had expected: it was considerably soft and warm. His lips gently glided against hers. One of his hand steadied her waist

Shehryaar hadn't once kissed her during all this time. And now that she was a bit better, he couldn't help himself especially when he'd be leaving her.

Her heart beat began to accelerate as his warm lips gently traced against hers. Her body began to quiver. Her knees began to wobble and she had to grip his forearms to keep herself from falling as his body pressed against hers.

Shehryaar released her lips and immediately scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bed.

Anissa gasped and whimpered. "No, please," she whispered when Shehryaar sat beside her.

Shehryaar looked down at her. His cold grey eyes scanned her face. Anissa made the mistake of looking into his soulless eyes and the reaction that Shehryaar wanted to see from her surfaced.

His lips curled up into a cold cruel smile. He saw it: The fear that was instilled in her of him.

He saw utter vulnerability enter her light hazel eyes.

In the time that he as trying to break her, he borne in her a fear that she couldn't describe for herself. It all began to happen around the countless times he brutally took her. He was successful in making her mind scarred with his actions as he took her every time against her will.

And he was merciless and ruthless.

Cold hearted and without conscience.

He wanted power and control over her and now he finally got it.

He was certain that she was traumatised now. Her previous trauma was gone and replaced by the new one that he instilled in her.

But he still saw a fire burn in her hazel eyes. Her fear couldn't hide it. Somehow that still pleased him that she remained steadfast and strong.

It was a challenge in itself for Shehryaar. He had made it his life's purpose to take Anissa for whatever she had to offer.

First came her obedience then control then respect and finally her submission.

His dominant side and pride was content with the way things were going.

Because soon, she'll be his unconditionally.

Carefully, he took her wrists and pinned them beside her head as he dipped his head down and captured her lips again.

She didn't react at first but when he tugged on her lower lip with his teeth, she gave in. She didn't close her eyes though and trained her eyes on the ceiling as he cupped her jaw and used his hand to open her mouth as his tongue entered her mouth.

But that wasn't what got Anissa on edge.

Shehryaar was being too soft and gentle towards her. His usual crassness and roughness was nowhere to be felt as his hands roamed up and down her body.

She was so used to his rough ways that this new development bewildered her to no end.

Her mind ran a thousand thoughts per second as she felt utterly disgusted.

His smell.

His taste.

His touch.

Everything about Shehryaar repulsed her.

She wanted to push him away but she knew better. She had to pretend like everything was normal so that he may leave and she could finally escape.

She couldn't believe that she had one thought that she could change him: his Amma's and her parents expectations motivated her but now, all she was wanted was to escape. Because she knew he was beyond reproach.

He simply couldn't be saved because he possessed no insight for it.

When he stopped and gazed deeply into her eyes, Anissa noticed that his grey irises had softened as they stared at her. Her fear made cold shivers run down her spine.

At the moment, all that she cared about was him leaving without finding out about her plans. She was trying her best to give him what he wanted so that he may leave.

But his blank gaze was unnerving.

She squirmed under him.

But she was caught off guard for a moment when she noticed something off about him.

She could easily tell that he was thinking deeply about something as he took in her features.

"I just realised," he spoke, his breath fanning her face. Her breath hitched in her throat.

Did he figure out about my plan? she thought. she kept a neutral expression on since she knew he could easily read her.

"We didn't go on a honeymoon." He said, much to her relief.

but Anissa's eyes widened in shock.

"H-honeymoon?" She said In a cracked whisper.

Shehryaar smiled. "Yes Tara, our honeymoon. So I've decided that when I'm done with this important business, we'll go on our honeymoon." He acclaimed. He seemed so thrilled about the idea.

Anissa didn't respond and just nodded. For now, all she had to do was get along with whatever he said so that she may be rid of him as early as possible.

"So eat up and get healthy again. I need you in the best of health for this. Something big is coming up and for that, I need you to be in your best behaviour." He said cryptically, his expression passive as if in a daze.

Anissa was curious but she didn't probe for anything especially when she wasn't going to stick around for long.

"Will you be a good girl?" He asked, his smokey gaze locking with hers.

She nodded vigorously.

Shehryaar grinned at her and leaned down to brush his lips against hers. Anissa resisted the urge to vomit as her stomach twisted painfully and her heart constructed in her chest. His intoxicating cologne was burning her nose.

Shehryaar pulled her back up and they went down to the main hall.

"Zameer will be staying here with you but he may have to leave after a few days to conduct business," Shehryaar conveyed as he strode towards the bavkseat of his awaiting limousine.

"Don't you dare disobey me in anything. I'll be calling everyday to check up on you so be sure that attend my calls." He said, his grey eyes hardening.

Anissa nodded.

Shehryaar raised a brow. He wondered why she was being so obedient but he wasn't complaining.

And he finally left.

Anissa felt a relief wash over her unlike any thing else. She gasped for fresh air to fill her lungs.

A new determination steeled her will.

It was finally time for her to regain her freedom.

**********

It was the second day of Shehryaar's departure and Anissa kept at her normal routine.

She was anxious to leave quickly but Zameer had other plans.

Zameer found Anissa perched on a bench in the patio. She was staring at the sky in a daze.

"When do I leave?" She inquired when she felt his presence near her.

"Are you still sure about leaving?" Zameer queried, histone low as hiseyes kept watch on the various guards.

Anissa removed her eyes from the sky and stared at him with conviction.

"Yes I am. I can no longer stay with a monster like him." She stated resolutely.

"Still bhabi, what if you don't succeed? Shehryaar is a very powerful man. You have yet to see what he's capable off." He tried to pacify her one more time because knew Shehryaar all too well.

"He may be powerful but even he can't do anything if I want a divorce. I'll drag this matter to the court if I have to. I have every right to demand a divorce. These aren't rights that he gave me or I gave myself. These are the right that God and Islam gave me. And there is nothing, he can do about it." Anissa relayed confidently.

Zameer looked at her. He had failed to make her understand that to Shehryaar, the legal system never mattered. He defied it in every turn. And religion, it was non existent to Shehryaar. He held no regard of the rights that Islam had given him or Anissa. All he knew was to manipulate and monopolise anything and everything that he could to gain power and control, whether it be religion or the law. And when it concerned Anissa, it was a different matter all together.

But Anissa couldn't see that. She was too naive and simple for their type of lifestyle and that was exactly why Zameer thought she would be better off without it.

"Alright Bhabi."

"When do I leave?"

"Shehryaar will be attending a very important meeting tomorrow. It'll be very exclusive that he'll have to go off radar. You see the people he's going to meet are the high end Mafia bosses of the Asian underworld. So I'm positive that in the time he'll be offline, you can easily leave here without being noticed."

"What do you mean by being noticed? The only way he'll know that I'm gone is when I won't be able to attend his phone calls." She said and raised her eyes to look at Zameer.

He sighed and looked her in the eye. "It's not that simple Bhabi. Shehryaar is an extremely careful man and not to mention possessive." he didnt need to explain since Anissa already knew very well about it. "Even if you leave this compound, he'll know almost immediately. This is a safety measure he installed in you." He said.

She frowned and sat upright. "What do you mean?"

Zameer swallowed. What he was about to tell her was going to earn him an earful.

"I don't know where but Shehryaar has a tracker in your body." He revealed.

Anissa's eyes widened. "What?!" She shrieked, immediately jumping on her feet.

"Shh, bhabi please keep it down." He said and eyed the oblivious guards.

"What the hell?" Anissa seethed, her anger flaring inside her.

"How dare he! Is that how he found out my location when I was kidnapped?" She hissed.

Zameer nodded in affirmation.

Again, Shehryaar managed to violate Anissa. He violated her body and her rights.

This was all the more reason she had to leave him for good. But she tried to calm down. She had to think with a clear head. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

"What do you suggest?" She inquired in a low voice.

"I've got it covered," Zameer pulled something out of his pocket and gave it to her. Anissa didn't bother looking at it now. She didn't want any suspicion to rise especially when she was surrounded by guards and servants. If anyone found out then they would surely report to Shehryaar.

And Anissa didn't want to ruin anything. Then she realised something.

"Zameer," Anissa called.

It still hurt Zameer that she didn't call him brother again. But he realised that she still hadn't forgiven him and even if she did, he could never earn back the respect that he once held in her eyes.

"Yes?"

"I want to leave here but I don't want him to find out that you helped me." She said in a low voice.

Zameer was moved by her concern. Even at this moment in time when anyone would only think about their safety and well being, Anissa still cared about his well being.

She was indeed a strong and admirable woman. It was a shame that Shehryaar didn't see these qualities in her and didn't try to own her with them and now he was going to lose her for good.

But then again, someone as pure and innocent as Anissa, who shone so brightly in the world, didn't belong with them in their dark world. And after what's happened, Shehryaar didn't deserve her in the least.

"Don't worry about me Bhabi."

"No, I don't want him to find out."

"He will find out Bhabi. He's just too damn smart. He's knows very well that I'm very sympathetic towards you and that's why He trusts me with you're safety. And whether he finds out or not,He will figure out eventually that i aided you."

Anissa swallowed hard against her dry throat. This arrangement didn't sit well with her.

"What will he do to you if he found out?" She croaked, feeling a lump rise in her throat.

Zameer shrugged. "I'll be killed." He replied simply as if talking about his own death was like talking plainly about the weather.

Anissa gasped in horror. She could never imagine that. "No, please." She choked. "Please, all I need you to do is help me get out from this place. Nothing else. I don't want you risking your life for me."

"It's a small step in earning your forgiveness."

Anissa felt immensely guilty for manipulating him. She didn't realise that he would be in danger at her behest.

What was she to do?

If she left, Zameer would die because of her. Could she take that? Would she be able to forgive herself for it?

And if she stayed, she'd forever subject herself to a life of torment.

And of course, the later was more acceptable for her then the former option.

Zameer saw the apparent inner battle she was fighting. Very slowly, he put his hand of her head and patted tenderly justnlike how an elder brother is suppose to.

"Don't worry about me. Even if he kills me, he won't know that I helped you out. He'll kill me for being incompetent and not being careful enough. He already gives you credit for being smart. So let's hope that he'll think on account of you out smarting him." Zameer said. Anissa felt a little better at hearing that. She'd rather take all the blame of her escape on herself rather then get Zameer in trouble.

"But still Zameer, he'll hurt you and your family. If he can kill innocent people simply because they failed to do their jobs right then I can't even imagine what he'll do to you." Anissa claimed.

Zameer gave her a sad smile. "Don't worry about me," he muttered.

"And besides, He wouldn't kill me because we've been through too much together and he wouldn't risk losing an asset like me." He conveyed, trying to ease her worries.

"Then why did you say that he will kill you?"

"Because that's a very high probability. But I don't think so. Not now when things are about to heat up. You see the thing about Shehryaar is that he doesn't trust easily. I might lose my position as his second in command and I will most definitely lose his trust. And do you know Bhabi, even if he decides to kill me, I have no problem with it. He's like a brother to me. I would gladly die for him." He stated.

Anissa gaped at him in bewilderment; she could clearly see the brotherly love Zameer held for Shehryaar.

"Why are you so loyal towards him?" She inquired.

Zameer smiled kindly at her. "I wish I could say to you that he's not that bad but I have no right to say that especially with what he's put you through. But my loyalty towards him will always be unwavering."

"Then," she inhaled deeply. "Why are you helping me? Surely it can't be just to earn my forgiveness at the cost of losing his trust?"

Zameer smiled widely. He absolutely admired her for her intelligence. But he had no intention of disclosing this piece of information to her now that she was going to leave. Especially when she had no idea about her circumstances with Shehryaar.

"Tomorrow evening, there will be a supply truck coming here at the compound," he began. Anissa understood that he wasn't about to disclose his motives to her.

"You will leave through the back door. The truck will go to the mainland via a ferry. You can easily get out from the truck when you are on the mainland."

"But before you leave, you will need to wear the object I just gave you around your neck. It will disrupt the signals of the tracker, thus disabling it temporarily. Shehryaar won't know as long as he's in the conference. But you will have to take off the tracker immediately when you get to Pakistan. It will be three hours late where Shehryaar is. But by that time it will signal your location and he'll know where you are, you'll be with you family. And I will have to report in to Shehryaar that you've escaped." Zameer said.

Anissa still wanted to ask some questions but Zameer immediately excused himself and left.

Anissa went to her bedroom and looked at the object that Zameer had given her. It was a small disc tied with a chord. She wanted to ask that why would she have to take it off then she realised why. It would indicate that Zameer helped her. How else would she get something like this? Shehryaar knew that she didn't know about the tracker. But now she did and if he found out that the tracker was tampered with then it would immediately point towards Zameer since he was the only one that Anissa was in contact with here.

And of course she understood that Zameer would have to report in her escape because it was his job. He was in charge of keeping an eye on her. All she wanted was his help in Dubai and once she was back in Pakistan, she would request help from the officer who helped her learn self defence. And she knew that Harris and Ramsha would help her.

She also had to mentally prepare herself for telling her parents the truth because they would be ultimately involved and so much more was going to happen but for now, she didn't want to think about it. All her focus was on getting out of this place.

Later that evening, when Shehryaar called, Anissa didn't talk much to him. But she tried to keep the facade going. There was no way she was going to jeopardise her chances of escaping.

When morning came, Anissa couldn't help but feel elated. She waited impatiently for time to pass so that she could be on her way.

She had thrown all doubt and negativity out of her mind. If she was going to pull this off the she needed to have faith and be completely and utterly optimistic.

When night finally came and Anissa saw the designated truck enter the premises, she couldn't help but feel giddy.

She didn't bother with taking anything with her. With so much joy, she took off her wedding ring and placed it on the dressing table.

Zameer entered the bedroom and saw her standing by the window. She was dressed in a simple black shalwar kameez suit.

"Here," Zameer gave her a Manila envelope. "I had a new passport made for you. There is also some money in there. I've booked a flight for you for Islamabad. It's in five hours. You'll get to the airport within two hours by taxi." He said and pulled out a small cell phone for his pocket.

"Once you're on the mainland, the truck will surely make a stop. You will have to get out there and call for a local cab. The number for the cab service is in the phone. Go straight to the airport." He told.

"Once you're in Islamabad, you will have to rip the passport and dispose it along with the phone and that," he pointed towards her neck where she wore the disc.

He showed he how to turn it on. "Please do as I say and everything will work out smoothly." Zameer said. "I'll be calling you on that phone so be sure to be alert. Text me when you have got in the cab and then text me when your at the airport."

Anissa nodded.

"Now comes the hard part," Zameer said as his features hardened.

Anissa listened intently.

"I will be disabling the whole mansion for at least 30 seconds. At exactly 7:19 pm, I will disable everything. That's when you will have to run for the back door and get in the truck. The darkness will give you a perfect cover. Can you do it?"

"Yes!" Anissa claimed confidently.

"I will report to Shehryaar some time after the truck has left the island. It has to be as random as possible, Shehryaar can easily figure out an organized plan. He won't know exactly about the time of your departure since he'll be in the meeting. The real problem is the security of this island but it'll be covered. Please hide deep within the truck because the truck will be checked at the check point by the harbour, Alright?"

"Yes."

"Good, now you have exactly," he said and glanced at his wrist watch. "Seven minutes to prepare. Be vigilant. This is your chance. Good luck." He as about to leave when Anissa caught his wrist.

He turned and saw her smiling at her with gratitude plainly written all over her face. "Thank you, Zameer bhai." She uttered.

Zameer felt a heavy burden being lifter off his chest upon hearing her words. He didn't linger much on it and nodded.

"Be ready."

He left.

Anissa stared at her wrist watch. Only two minutes left to her freedom.

And when her surroundings blacked out, her legs ran. Her mind was clear and in control. All the blood rushed and pumped in her muscles.There was a heavy blaring sound being heard and that provided her enough cover. She ran straight to the kitchen and exited through the back door.

And as expected, there was an open back of the truck facing her. She immediately climbed in. There were many crates. Thankfully, she found a partially empty crate and immediately climbed in and closed the lid. As soon as she settled down, she saw the mansion become illuminated once again through the narrow slits of the wooden crate.

Her breathing was heavy so she tried to calm herself down. But how could she when she was in flight mode with adrenaline pumping through her veins. And when she saw some men enter the back of the truck, she began to panic.

Ya Allah, please help me. I have full faith in You. She prayed and that did a lot to instill a certain calmness in her.

I am not afraid. I am not afraid. she mentally chanted.

She saw the men leave. She didn't know how long she waited but she was patient. She saw the truck close up. She felt a sudden movement and she knew that the truck was leaving. She breathed a sigh of relief. She turned on the disc.

After a few minutes, she heard the truck stop and as expected, the door was pushed up and some men entered. They inspected around the truck. Anissa kept reciting every prayer and supplication that she knew and soon enough, the door was shut down. She kept praying for strength.

Minutes passed, Anissa was silent and waited.

The truck stopped all of a sudden. She saw her watch and calculated the time. It would take around ten minutes to be back on mainland.

And than it happened, ten minutes later she felt the truck start to move again.

After another fifteen minutes, the truck stopped. She waited in anticipation. The door was pulled open and some men entered and stared to open some crates. Anissa began to panic but when she saw that they were only carrying the contents of the crates and passing them along, she breathed a sigh of relief.

When the men left, she made her way out of the crate. Looking around, she was relieved to find that there wasn't anyone around so she made her way off the truck and immediately ran.

The truck was parked by a crowded street so it was easy for her to blend in the crowd. Making sure that she was far from the truck, she immediately took the phone and called a cab.

Her senses were hyper alert. She kept looking around herself. When the white cab came, she immediately gave orders for the airport. She was relieved when the driver understood English.

She texted Zameer that she was on her way to the airport. Zameer didn't reply. After two hours, Anissa was safely transported to the airport. She gave the driver her money and made her way to the international departures. There were still three hours till her flight. The counter was open and she got her boarding pass. Time passed quickly as she went through immigration and security clearance.

There was still an hour in her flight. She sat down in the waiting lounge. She tried not to think too much. All that mattered to her that she left Dubai successfully.

She couldn't believe that she got this far. She was relieved. she kept thanking Allah for helping her this far. Oh Allah please keep me safe.

She looked around. She never thought that Dubai would leave such a bad impact on her. The memories, the horror.

Everything was linked and now she knew she would never want to come back to Dubai every again.

When it was time for her flight, she all but ran to the plane.

It was a long five hour flight.

She tried to sleep but she was so restless. And not to mention edgy and nervous.

The excitement to meet her parents again was another thing. She calculated the time and realised it had been only seven weeks since her wedding and the last she saw them.

But then again, she thought about how disappointed they will be; she'll come back to them so soon and demand divorce. She had decided to tell them the truth but then what?

They'd be so hurt upon realizing that it was their mistake for marrying her off to a monster. They would blame themselves.

Could she bear that?

Two years ago, when she was raped, she was in the same position: she desperately wanted to share her pain with her parents. She wanted their comfort in her most difficult time but then the thought of them being hurt was too great for her.

At the back of her mind, their love and kindness held a huge debt over her. They weren't her biological parents but they treated her no different. Her debt to them was too great even though they never made ehr feel unwanted or a burden. This was all that was in her subconsciously.

This is what made her decide not to tell them anything.

But that was then. What about now?

The situation was different and more severe now.

Divorce wasn't a small matter. It was a huge issue. They would ask her for her reasons: what would she tell them?

That Shehryaar abused her, violated her rights, treated her like an animal and tortured her?

Wouldn't that hurt them? Could she bear that?

The answer was staring at her in the face.

But what about all the happiness and contentment that Anissa gave them with her marriage. They were content that they fulfilled their responsibility of marrying her off to a good reputable man but what will happen when she gets divorced?

Her parents would loose the respect and dignity that they held in society. Because a divorcee was looked down upon the conservative society of Pakistan.

She didn't have any problem with what she would have to face but what about her parents? Is this how she was going to repay them for all that they had done for her?

They never made her feel like an outsider but her debt to them always made her feel responsible for upholding their honour and their dignity.

She was utterly confused but one thing was clear: she was going to divorce Shehryaar by any means necessary.

And whatever happens after that, she was sure that she could handle it. After all, it wasn't going to be bad as what she had already endured so far.

She had been through hell and back and now, it was time for her to be free.

**********

Anissa jerked into unconsciousness when the air hostess woke her up and told her that they had arrived to Islamabad.

A sudden surge of happiness speared through her as she bolted up and ran out of the empty plane. She was the last person on board to getting through immigration was quick.

Once outside, she breathed in deeply the Pak air, her lungs filling and complete relief and joy engulfing her being. Her eyes welled up with happy tears, her emotions overwhelming her.

It was early morning and the warmth of the sun made her feel so comfortable.

She couldn't believe she was back to her country.

I'm free.

I'm finally free. She thought jocundly.

She did as Zameer had instructed her and disposed the disc, her passport and cell phone.

Quickly hailing a taxi, she told the driver her address. Soon she was passing through the familiar streets of Islamabad.

She couldn't believe how much she had missed her home.

After so long, she felt liberated and free. She had finally escaped from her gilded cage.

"Thank You Allah. Thank you so much." She murmured as she folded her hands in gratified prayer.

And when she entered her neighbourhood, her happiness knew no bounds. Her tears streamed down and she fought the urge to break down.

Home! I'm finally home! She thought as she felt so elated and complete. The taxi stopped in front of the gate of her home.

She paid the driver and immediately got out. She made her way to the door. It was open.

She halted in her movements and quickly wiped her tears away and willed herself into composure.

Opening the door, she entered her home and made her way to the living room. The familiar lavender smell of her home caused her heart to flip as her lips curled up in a smile as her eyes filled again.

"Ammi? Abu?" She called loudly as she entered the living room. No one was there. Of course she knew that her father would be gone for work at this time. Only her mother would be present.

"Ammi?" She called again but she couldn't hear anything.

Maybe she's in her bedroom. She thought and made her way upstairs.

She found their bedroom empty as well. Where is she? She thought in confusion and that's when she heard a noise come from her old bedroom. She smiled to herself realizing that her mother must be in her room.

She stride to the door and opened the door. Her heart was beating so fast in anticipation. She felt as if the mere sight of her mother would be enough for her.

"Ammi?" She called.

A gasp left her mouth when she saw what waited for her in the room.

***********

SUPER LONG CHAPTER EH :)

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