Chapter 28

"Oh how great is my regret over what I neglected with regards to Allah."

(Garden of the pious)

***

Months had passed and  he still had a large sum of the debt to pay. He was to marry Yusaira soon and he was saving up for a house and other necessities.

He had  told Davis he would pay him soon and he hardly took drugs anymore, just once in a while, so his debt was not increasing rapidly.

He had told Yusaira that he had a dark past and still some bad habits to rid of.
She had wholly accepted him and said that his past did not matter, him being  determined to give up his evil habits is what mattered and she was no one to judge him if Allah could forgive the greatest of sins.

Unbeknowest to her, when she had uttered those words she had already carved  a special place in his heart.

They had got along well and he had realised that she was the same girl his gaze sometimes strayed towards in school, even though he hadn't thought of her as a wife, he always secretly admired her steadfastness and her modesty.

He clearly remembered how she objected against extravagant functions the day of the matric farewell. Even though it was dark and he didn't see her, nor did he really know who she was, he secretly wished for a wife like her. At that time someone with her good traits, her mindset and her bashfulness was someone of his choice. Now even though he was sure he didn't deserve her after all the things he  had done, he was still thankful to Allah for accepting his supplications.

He sighed in frustration when he saw his phone flashing with Ameera's name.

She had called for the fifth time already, and he was beyond annoyed. He hadn't given her any reason for not keeping in touch, he had just told her that he could no longer speak to her and he cut off all kinds of communication. He didn't understand  why she was being so persistent, she was aware that he would stop talking to her or seeing her sooner or later. He had warned her about it, yet she was still being so insistent. 

Irritated, he picked up the call. Greeting her in an annoyed tone.

She replied to his greeting, flinching at his tone.

"Suhaib, why are you being so distant and cold? You promised me that we would reform together and now you abandoned me."

She sobbed.

He ruffled his hair, he just didn't feel like telling her the reason.

"I told you, you can keep in touch with my sisters. They will gladly help you out."

She sniffled.

"But I don't know them, I know you and I'm comfortable around you."

"I can't Ameera!"

He said sternly.

"Can't we just meet once?"

She pleaded.

He shook his head.

It wouldn't be right, they had no need to meet or even talk for that matter, he could never be unfaithful to Yusaira.

"No, not happening and this is the last time we will ever speak."

"I miss you Suhaib."

She whispered.

He ignored her, greeting her, he abruptly cut the call.

He would speak to Zahra about Ameera, he would tell her to help her out and encourage her. She was a teacher, she was good at inspiring others.

She would be visiting tonight and he would discuss the matter with her, now he had tons of shopping to do. He dragged Taeeba along  with him, for he had no idea what kind of furniture or decor he should buy. She was good at matching and combining colours and what not and she enjoyed it, so why not take advantage of the things she liked doing.

Talha looked at Davis coldly, this man had the audacity to order him around when he had accused him of having the potential of being unfaithful. He wished he could have bluntly refused him, but he knew better than to defy someone as dangerous as him.

"What will I get in return for this favour you ask from me?"

Talha asked boldly. H

e knew it was not safe to defy him, but he was not a fool to do anything for free.

"What do you have in mind?"

Davis questioned.

"One months supply of drugs absolutely free."

Davis nodded.

"Alright."

Talha warned.

"And I'm only kidnapping her on condition that you don't harm her, take  advantage of her or kill her. I am not the best of people, but I don't encourage or approve of harming, raping or killing women."

Davis smirked.

"You have nothing to worry about. We are just going to use her to threaten him to pay us back quicker. I want the full amount, no installments and no delay. If he fails to cooperate then I can't promise we will keep her safe."

Talha gave him  a cold glare.

"There is no we, I am not part of this sick plan. I'm only kidnapping her because I fear  for my life if I defy you."

Davis  smiled, his eyes sparkled in amusement.

"Good to know you are still afraid of me, even when you're not part of my men anymore."

Talha rolled his eyes.

He walked away, he didn't want to  do what he was about to do tonight, but he didn't really have a choice. It was either caryy out his orders or be killed. He didn't want to die just yet, he wanted to live, if not for himself then atleast for that girl who he had a slight attraction towards. He had a small flicker of hope, that one day he would change for the better and propose to her, right now that seemed rather far fetched.

Gift boxes, gift wrap, ribbons, bows, cellophaine, an assortment of casual as well as fancy clothing, an array of cosmetics, handbags, jewellery and  various shopping bags were scattered all over the room. Zahra along with her mother and Asma sat and sorted out each of the gifts, separating to wrap them into fancy parcels.

Zainab unpacked and put together those gifts that were to be wrapped together.

Zahra wrapped the gifts elegantly, adding a cute bow or a fancy ribbon, while Asma cut tape and passed it to her.

There was only two weeks left for the nikaah and there was still so much to be done. Work in a wedding house never came to an end.

Even though Yusaira wanted no reception, only a Nikaah and a simple waleema, there was still much to be done. The waleema would be held in a small hall  nearby, approximately hundred guests would be invited, fifty from the girl's side and fifty from their own family. Hundred may still sound like a lot of people, but it wasn't at all. For an Indian function, hundred was a small amount of people, compared to the grand, huge functions that were held, with five hundred people or sometimes more. 

Zahra had been coming over almost every day, to lighten the burdens of her mother, and help wherever she could. The parcel making and gift wrapping was her favourite part of all, the pretty decor and cute little parcel were always her department, and she always outdid herself with the gifts.

It was well past Maghrib time when they had completed all the gifts.

After performing their Esha Salaah and devouring a hearty supper, Asma had excused herself.

Zahra walked her to the door, thanking her for all her help.

She shut the door, then glanced at the clock.

It was almost eight and Suhaib and Taeeba had not yet returned from their shopping trip.

She was about to ascend the stairs, when a knock reverberated throughout the living room. She strode back to the door, expecting Suhaib and Taeeba, but the person behind the door caused her blood to boil, her radiant smile turned into a scowl and her soft gaze transformed into an icy glare.

"What do you want here!"

She spat with so much venom, that he stepped back a little.

He smirked.

"Now now! There's no need to get so riled up, that scowl doesn't suit your pretty little face."

She sneered.

"Don't you dare flirt with me, you shameless man! And don't you even think that Suhaib will come back to a rotten person like you! Get out!"

He laughed dryly. 

"Oh I'm not here for that looser. I'm here for you!"

Zahra's eyes widened, she was about to slam the door in his face, when he jammed his foot at the bottom of the door. Before she could scream in panic, he covered her mouth, muffling her screams.

With the help of Smith, he dragged her into the car, slammed  the door and drove off.

Suhail stood frozen by the bedroom window.

Some creepy looking men had just kidnapped his sister, it happened so fast that he never even had time to scream for help.

Recovering from his shock, he sped out of his room.

Suhaib and Taeeba entered the house, their hands loaded with shopping  bags, unaware of what had transpired a few minutes ago. Just as they shut the front door, they froze in their tracks when they heard Suhail's voice bouncing off the walls.

"Two creepy man kidnapped Zahra!"

He yelled, his voice panicked.

Suhaib dropped the shopping bags on the ground.

"What!"

He yelled, shocked.

Suhail explained eveything to Suhaib, who listened attentively, his hands fisted.

He knew who had done this, and they were fools if  they thought he would be scared by this. At this  point, he didn't care how dangerous Davis was, if he dared to lay a single finger on his precious sister, he would be dead! No one harmed his sisters while he was alive. He ran out of the house, speed driving out of the driveway. He hoped she was at Davis's Den, and he hoped she was safe....

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Dun dun dun

8 more chapters..