Tiara Qaleesya

A week had passed. Yet I had not been able to extract the truth about Daniel from Isma. I was growing desperate. I wanted to know the truth before Rats got to know it by any chance.

I was walking out of my bedroom one evening when the doorbell rang. I stopped in my tracks and stood by my bedroom door as Narissa walked over to open the door from the kitchen. I couldn't see who had come, standing by my bedroom door, but I heard Narissa chatting away in delight to the visitor(s).

"Ray had come over to visit me. He was about to leave. That's when I decided to bring him over here so he could meet you too before he leaves," Uncle Harris's cheerful voice made me cringe backwards in fear.

Was Rats here?

I stood still by my bedroom door. They were standing at the front door; they would not be able to see me for sure.

"Hey Narissa, how are you?" Raymond's voice sent shivers down my spine today.

"I'm fine, sir, thanks a lot for dropping in. How are you, sir? Would you like to come in and have a seat?" replied Narissa.

No! What are you saying, Narissa? Please don't let him in!

"No thanks, Narissa. I've got a few things to do. Just came over to see you since Uncle kept telling me you're right next door, we can just drop by quickly," responded Raymond.

Phew! Waves of relief washed over me.

"Are you alone at home, Rissa? Where is everyone else?" inquired Uncle Harris.

Narissa, please don't say my name. It's better for all of us that Rats doesn't know about my presence here.

"I'm here, Grandpa!" squealed Mila, running up to him from behind Narissa.

Mila? What are you doing there? Thank God, Rats doesn't know your name or how you look.

"Aww, Mila baby! You're so sweet! You're looking after my daughter well, aren't you?" teased Uncle Harris.

"Yup, but my Mommy looks after her better," answered Mila.

Uncle Harris laughed before asking Narissa, "That reminds me, how's Tiara?"

The bomb was dropped. My name had been uttered. The moment I had feared since the day I had landed in this house had arrived.

"Tiara?" Raymond's astonished voice confirmed that he had heard Uncle Harris pronounce my name.

"Yeah, she's Mila's mother. Poor girl, she came to San Diego in search of her husband. But she hasn't been able to find him. She's been staying here with Narissa for a few months now," explained Uncle Harris.

Great! Just perfect! Thank you very much, Uncle Harris. Sometimes, just the words a person says in mere innocence is enough to ruin everything forever. Like the words I spoke in haste to Rats when he was a baby, "I'll be your mommy, sister, friend and everything you'll ever need from now."

"Alright Narissa, I better get going. See you soon," stated Raymond.

He was leaving? He will be back.... His words "see you soon" confirmed it.

I retreated back into my room and locked the door. It was time for me to leave. Leave this house or Darien's life? My heart questioned me. I wouldn't be able to let myself leave either.

My heart palpitated as I remembered the gun in Raymond's hand four years ago.

Four years ago, I had been lying on my bed in the comfort of my room in my house. I was tossing and turning in bed in the dark, unable to sleep. My marriage had been fixed with Darien? How could my parents do that to me? I didn't want to marry him. I mean, I don't dislike him but I don't like him either. The way he snooped around my room without my permission the other day searching for Rats' bag, I certainly didn't like him after that incident.

Nonetheless my parents were unhappy for some reason. There was something bothering them but they refused to tell me what it was. They just wanted to get me married quickly and they were sure Darien was the best person who could become my husband.

I was lying on my bed in silence when I heard a sound behind me. I turned and saw the window in my room being closed by a shadow in the dark.

"Who-" I was starting to speak as I propped myself up on my elbow when a person wearing a black mask that covered his face except his eyes shut my mouth with his hand. Before I could push him away, I felt my hands being held together and tied with a rope. My eyes were covered; my mouth was plastered; my hands were tied and I was abducted.

After I-don't-know-how-many hours, my eyes opened sensing the presence of light around me. I squinted a bit at first, getting my eyes accustomed to the brightly lit place. I realized that I was seated in an unfamiliar bedroom. My eyes were not covered, my mouth was not plastered and my hands were not tied anymore. There was a guy standing before me, with his back towards me. Where was I? What was this guy gonna do to me? I shivered a bit in fear.

Hearing my whimper, the guy turned. Rats? Relief surged through me.

"Oh, it's you? What kind of a game is this? I was scared as hell, Rats! I was thinking of all the horrible things that might happen to me!" I cried.

Rats remained silent.

I stood up and looked around before asking, "Where are we? Why did you bring me here? Come, let's go back home before Mom and Dad find out that I'm not there."

"We are in San Diego," responded Rats.

"San Diego? What are we doing here? Oh my gosh, we're so far from home. Mom and Dad will be worried. My engagement is in two days. Come, we should rush home," I said in a hurry.

"Your engagement to Darien will not happen tomorrow." There was a tinge of bitterness in Rats' voice.

"What? Tomorrow? You mean it's morning already? Do you have any idea what you are doing? Mom and Dad will be so upset! Come, let's go home!"

"We are not going anywhere."

"What is wrong with you? Wait, are you doing this because I told you I'm not interested in marrying Darien?"

Silence.

"Okay look, I know I don't like Darien. But my parents have decided and I don't have anyone else to suggest to them instead of Darien. So-"

"Then how about me? Who am I? If they can consider my so-called brother, then why can't they consider me?"

Silence. I was too stunned to speak.

"Won't I marry you, Tiara? Won't I look after you? Don't you trust me?"

"Wh-what? Are you serious, Rats? Why are you talking like this?" I was practically spluttering words from my mouth, still shocked by his confession.

"For God's sake, Tiara! I'm not a child! Rats was the name you used to call me when we used to play together before! But we've grown up now! When will you realize that?"

"But Rats, you're still the same person I loved playing with before. I can never think of you and marriage together. You're like my friend. I could never think of you as my husband. I'm sorry. I never realized when you started thinking like this but I have never thought of you in that sense."

"Why? What do I lack? If you've fallen in love with that Darien by any chance, forget it. I'm not gonna let you leave from here."

"Rats, what nonsense are you talking? Please, I love you like my brother but I can never think of you as anything more than that. I don't love Darien; I have nothing in my heart for him. He is a complete stranger to me but I respect him. He doesn't have any feelings for me either. I heard him trying to reason that with my parents though they refused to listen to him. He's marrying me for the respect he has for my parents and I respect him for that. And he is a good guy. His characteristics described by my parents match exactly the kind of man I'm looking for. I think I'll be happy with him."

"And what if I don't let you go to him?"

"Rats, cut out with this crap! I'm going home. And you're coming with me."

"We aren't going anywhere."

I was exasperated. What had gotten into this guy? He was acting like he's mad!

"I'm leaving!" I said resolutely before walking over to the door in the room.

As I fumbled trying to open the lock, I heard the distinct click of a gun being armed. I spun around, petrified. Rats had a gun aimed at me.

"H-how did you get that gun?" I stammered.

Silence.

"Fine, shoot me if this is what I deserve for trusting you."

I couldn't believe Rats was holding a gun but I knew he wouldn't have the heart to shoot me. I flinched at the sound of a gunshot. I opened my eyes and realized that I was unscathed. I looked up to see blood gushing out of Rat's palm. He had shot his own hand.

"Hey! Are you mad? What have you done?" I cried, running towards him and checking his hand. "Come, let's get to a hospital!"

"We're not going anywhere!"

"Fine! We'll stay here till you get all the crap out of your head. But let me treat your wound. I can't stand seeing you in this state!"

"Now, do you believe me, Tiara? I will do anything for you. I will look after you. I will protect you. I won't let them do this to us, Tiara."

I rolled my eyes and gestured to him to remain silent as I nursed his wound.

Hours passed but Rats didn't seem to be changing his mind. I was seated on the bed, hugging my knees, worrying about my parents and how distraught they would be without knowing how I am.

"I'll go get some food. Will you stay here or..." Rats' voice shook me from my thoughts.

"If I wanted to leave, I would have left earlier when you shot your hand. I didn't, right? I won't leave until you realize your mistake and send me home."

Rats left in silence. I was lost in my thoughts. I never thought Rats would do this to me. I really wanted him to realize his mistake.

Someone banged on the door of the bedroom. I didn't budge. Rats had the key; he couldn't be banging on the door. The banging continued. Finally, out of exasperation, I tried to unlock the door but I realized that Rats had locked me in and there was no way for me to open it from the inside. I stepped back comprehending that someone was breaking open the lock from the outside. The door fell to the floor before me. Darien was holding a gun in his hand as he stepped into the room followed by a few men who were holding guns as well.

"Where is he?" hissed Darien.

"He's gone out." I replied.

"Good." Darien appeared a bit relieved. "It's better you get outta here. I'll deal with him later. Come." Darien held my hand while holding the gun in his other hand, turning to go.

"I'm sorry. I'm not going anywhere."

Darien frowned. He clenched his jaw but remained silent for a moment.

"Look Tiara, it's not good for you to be here. It is too late; you won't be able to change him. Ray is having dangerous contacts. If he gets into trouble with anyone, his life will be in danger and so will yours. I'll take you to your parents. This is not just my duty; it is my promise."

As Darien spoke, I couldn't help myself but look into his deep brown eyes as he spoke and I felt something I had never felt before.

Something which made me smile for no reason....

Something which made me obey him without an objection....

Something which made me feel safe despite being with him, a stranger....

Something which made me begin dreaming without letting myself fall asleep at night....

Something which made me forget everything and everyone else other than him, the man who was holding my hand with a pure heart....

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I lay on my bed in the Sorrens house that night. Despite the tears I couldn't control, I smiled remembering the next time I met Darien after he brought me from this city, San Diego, and left me safely back at my home in New Orleans four years ago.

I was lying in bed, daydreaming about my impending wedding when there was a knock on my bedroom door. I stood up as the door slowly opened.

"Tiara, may I come in?" Darien's toneless voice surprised me. He was standing outside the door staring at the floor, seeming to be lost in his thoughts.

"Yeah, sure."

He walked into my room and glanced at me before turning his gaze away towards the window in my room.

"I think you are unhappy about our wedding fixed by your parents. I can understand your dilemma. You don't know me. You may not like me but you're remaining silent because your parents are decided about our marriage. The reason your parents chose me is because they are concerned about your safety and believe that I will be able to look after you and keep you safe. That is their trust in me but I do not want their decision to hurt you or cause you to resent your life. If you confirm that you're not interested in this marriage, I'll talk to your parents and try to find another way to keep you safe till you find the man you wish to marry, Tiara."

"Whoever told you that I'm not interested in this wedding? I'm going to marry the man I wish to marry. I have no qualms about it. My parents have found me the perfect guy."

Darien seemed speechless for a moment. A small smile slowly made its way onto his face. After a moment, he strode over to the window in my room and locked it, saying, "Then keep this window locked. I wouldn't want to lose you for any reason ever."

I smiled but there was another response more evident on my face; my cheeks were blushing.

I never saw Rats after Darien brought me back home from San Diego the day after Rats had kidnapped me from my own home four years ago. I thought he would attend my wedding at least; I wanted to speak to him that day if he had come. But he never came and I never saw him or heard his voice till I did today. I was not looking forward to meeting him but I knew I had to meet him before it was too late.

To be continued...