Who said falling in love will be easy,

Who said that there would be no hurdles in my way.

Who said that he will be my savior, my everything,

Guess what, whoever said this, it's a lie.

Because I felt my heart break into tiny pieces.

With his just one comeback.

-Maahirah.

Chapter Forty

Goodbye Shouldn't Have Had Hurt, If He Was Better In It.

(Maahirah)

Once, when I was a kid, I was going through this phase of becoming a detective. It was the most hilarious phase of my life.

I would wear this goggles and a black cape. I'd grab my water gun and in the dead of the night or any time of the day, I'll creep around finding something suspicious or out of place.

Mom, my stepmother, whenever she used to catch me, she used to call me a leech. Just like a leech draws blood out of your skin, by sticking on to the part of your skin. Mom used to say I don't exactly draw blood, but I do something along that line.

I'd push myself to the wall, and move along, using the wall as my support and when I'd be in the corner, I'll raise my gun. Whoever is about to cross my path, will scream in shock, as I'd jump out of my hiding, yelping in victory And, Mom would usually be the victim of this.

And, then Mom, would say that, "Maahirah, you're a leech. A magical leech. You make people's blood go stale with just one yell. Definitely, a magical bug."

I'd laugh it off. But, when this phase passed, I'm sure Mom prayed Nawafal of gratefulness to Allah. Just saying.

Anyways, I know, Mom used it as a metaphor. However, today, I really think that metaphor wasn't really a metaphor. It was more of mock kind of thing. For, right now, Aayan is using the wall as his shield, and making me do it too.

The hallways are lit with this neon-blue fluorescent bulbs, which really doesn't send off our shadows to anyone near the vicinity of the area. But, caution is Aayan's second name, I guess.

I don't use the wall, instead with a very bored expression, I follow him. He notices my gale and glares at me, disapprovingly. Twice. Thrice.

And, I know, I'm testing his patience when for the fifth time just as we round the corner, he stops, pushing me against the wall, he leans over me.

"Listen to me, Maahirah. This is no child's play. Your departure is a secret, get it? One wrong slip up will lead to a lifetime suffering for me." His hot breath fans over my face, making me go weak in my knees. He is not affected though, because he inches closer and presses my shoulder. "You've to follow my lead. Do as I do. Do what I say. I need you to be serious."

I nod, biting my lip. He moves back and the entire world's oxygen returns back to me. I take heavy gulps of air.

Aayan takes a right turn. "Wait." He says.

I peek over from the corner to find him clicking the button for the elevator to come up. When it does, he motions for me to get in. I run quickly and get in through the open door.

He comes in next. Dropping my duffel bag on the floor, he swipes his card on the card swipe thingy. The doors slams shut, at the same time, a keypad protrudes out. Aayan clicks 'Level-1'. And, the lift starts going up.

I grab the banister just for support, and he is drumming his fingers on the banister. I beg him in my head to talk, to remove this awkward tension. But, sadly he doesn't. As the ding rings in the small compartment, he removes his card, making the door open.

"C'mon." He talks in a normal pitch.

Ugh, thank God. All this Sherlock moves are killing me.

Across from where we stand is a huge door made of glass. The walls are rusted because they are made of iron and iron corrodes on this much exposure to the air.

I couldn't help but feel giddy as I'm about to face the real wind, the real world after about almost a month.

Aayan pulls out his cellphone and makes a call. "Yo, you're outside. Yeah, we are just coming."

He again swipes his card. This time I hear a distinct voice of a lock opening and I can almost picture various machines tinkering inside just to make a door open. WOW.

I step out and immediately breathe the fresh air. The crisp, chirpy cold air send tingles down my spine, making goosebumps rise all over my body. The sky is pitch black. I can hear the slow rushing of the Elton River, and the gentle sway of the tree leaves from the woods parallel to us.

"Maahirah," Aayan pokes into my blissful moment. Except when I open my eyes it's not Aayan but Darren.

His crazy coloured eyes beam at me, a light smile plays on his lips. He runs his hand through his ruffling almond hair.

"Hi," I squeak.

He laughs. "Hey, and no you can't say goodbye to me. I'll see you at school,"

"Oh. Wow. Okay." I smile.

"Yeah, but I won't." Jarred comes out of the black and white stripped Lamborghini. "It was a well spent time with you. I hope to see you in summer."

"Yeah, it was a good time."

"Take care and be careful," He hands the keys to Aayan, who snatches rather rudely.

"Maahirah, sit in the car." He instructs.

At first, I'm tempted to retort back at his condescending tone, but then I think that we have been doing so well together, and my one slip up can ruin our glass like relationship. So, I shut my mouth and wave at the guys, and make my way to Aayan's posh car.

When I sit, I make sure to slam the door shut, real loud just to tell him that I don't like his anger directed towards me. The heater in his car is on at its full swing. I run my car over the leather on the dashboard to find out that it's made up of silky, soft black material. In fact, the entire car's seat is having a black cover on it. It's simple, yet elegant.

Through the black tinted windows, I watch Aayan exchange hugs with the guys and do the manly handshake. I frown. Why is he meeting with them like he's leaving and not me?

Minutes later, he is rounding the car, and has opened the door and with a thud he sits. A whiff of his cologne is sucked in by the heater before throwing it over. I try not to take heavy gulps of it. He buckles his belt, and puts his hand behind the headrest of my seat. He starts reversing the car.

But, then he brings it to an abrupt stop. I jerk front with a jolt.

"Sorry, I forgot to tell you this that." He says, smiling sheepishly at me. "Um, you're not allowed to utter a single word. There are gonna be check posts on our way out of here and usually they don't ask who it is and where we are going, but in case they ask, I want you to cover up your face."

"The check posts have Wiltonians on them?"

"Yes." He then motions towards my face.

"What? You want me to cover up my face now?"

"Yes, genius. Now." He rolls his eyes.

With a shake of my head, I bring the free end of my scarf and veil the lower portion of my face. I turn off the heater and roll the window down a bit. "Okay?"

"Yeah, okay." He starts reversing again. "Don't say a word."

"Jeez. Okay." I throw my hands up. Aayan grabs my hands and bends closer. "And, oh. Never. Bang. The. Door. Shut. So. Loudly. Ever. Again."

Aayan takes a turn to the right. Darren and Jarred have already gone inside, in to the safety, in to their home.

I sigh. Aayan is tensed, I can see it. The way his whole body is rigid, his muscles tightened. If he is so worried about this whole thing, then why don't I feel it?

"Aayan what happens if we are...caught?" I ask, doubting my fears.

He gives me a one deathly glare. "Things you can't imagine. Though, the problem is here that you're with me, the most wanted."

"So?"

"They want you because they know you will bring an end to their dynasty. This freaks them out. Any sane person will want you out of their way."

I bite the inside of my cheeks.

A good silence follows us. The river runs on our right side, and on the left side is just a barren land. And, just as the sand ends, a security check post with a barrier stops us.

Aayan slows the speed of his car, and dims the headlights. A man in his late thirties comes out of the booth. The gun in his holster. My breathe hitches in; what if he knows who am I? He knocks on my window. I jump and gasp. I look at Aayan.

He nods at me. With quivering fingers, I press the button, and the window slides down.

"Good evening. State your name and what has you out at this time of night?" The guard speaks in a bellowing tone.

He can't see much of our face and nor can I see his because the only light is coming from the small bulb.

"Yasir Kareem. We are going because my wife's sister is about to give birth and she needs her older sister."

What?????? I

"Oh, where?" He asks interestingly.

"Carolina," The lies smoothly roll out of his tongue. Under the veil, I've turned red with embarrassment.

"Oh. I hope you reach safely" He yawns. "Don't be wandering around at this time of night. It might arouse suspicions," The guard whistles happily and signals us a go before smiling at me.

Aayan wastes no time in putting the car in the third gear as soon as the barrier goes up. I push the button to make the mirror shut.

"That was close," Aayan wheezes a breath out as soon as we hit the highway.

"Yes." I say.

He turns on his GPS. "Wait, lemme see do we have anymore check posts now."

His GPS loads and after some times, displays the result. "The path is clear, and you will reach your destination in about five hours," The woman speaks out.

"Five hours? What?" I pull the veil down. "That's inhuman. How will you drive?"

He laughs. I notice that his posture has eased up. He's driving in a relaxed way.

"I've driven straight for like 8 hours."

I bite my lip, unsure of how to put my question in words. He notices this.

"You okay?"

I swallow, "Yeah."

He looks at me. Seconds later, I turn away, yawning.

He sighs. He turns on the radio and a soft lullaby fills in the car. My jumbled up mind finds this soothing so I snug deeper into the seat.

**********************************

"Hey. Hey." A voice intrudes in my sleep. "Maahirah, you okay?"

I open my eyes, and immediately hissing close them back. The sun is peeking right through the windshield. Aayan laughs, as I jerk forward, the belt holding me in place.

I peel my eyelids away slowly this time and let them get accustomed to the light.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." He says.

I remove the blanket off from me, and grab the water bottle from the cup holder because my voice is parched and my throat is scratchy. After I gulp down, Aayan asks.

"Were you having a nightmare?"

I nod. "Yeah. Now, let me drive. You need rest."

He takes a deep breath, and runs his other hand over his face. "Nah, I'm fine. We've about two or maybe one and a half hour left before we reach your home."

I nod, and stare out of the window. The highway is silent except us I can't see a car. On either sides of the road, the trees are covered with flakes of snow. They brush past us so quickly, almost making me dizzy. So, I look away to find Aayan drumming the steering wheel with his fingers.

Just when I'm about to open my mouth to ask him what's wrong; his mobile goes off. He bites his lip and looks at me. An emotion of regret or maybe guilt crosses his face, before he composes himself, clenching his jaws.

He answers his phone. "Yo, Arnold....Um, yeah I'll be there in about three-two hours...." He sighs as the person on other line says something. "Yeah, I know when the plane leaves. God, can you give me a break?" He pauses, gripping the wheel tightly. "I'll be there. No expectations this time. Yeah. Yeah."

By the time he ends the call, my heart is beating so fast that I can hear its thump-thump in my ears. A lump surges in my throat. I've this urge to throw up so I grab the handle on the door to steady myself.

"What was that about?" I ask.

He doesn't say anything

"What the heck was it about? Where the hell are you going?" I raise my voice this time.

He looks at me, and swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobs up and down. His lips move so slowly that I'm afraid I won't hear a word, but, I do hear it.

"Concert." His one word reply.

"What concert?" I gasp out.

"I'm a singer, remember. I make money through singing, through concerts." The sarcasm rolls out of his tongue.

"And, how long it is?"

"It's international. Probably six-seven months. Who knows?" He shrugs nonchalantly like those words are no big deal.

"And, you decided to keep this from me because?" I grit my teeth and ask him.

"What? Am I supposed to tell you everything?"

My eyes bulge out. His words sting directly my heart. "We're married. Damn, Aayan we are supposed to tell each other every freaking damn thing. You get this? This is what this relationship is about. Trust, communication and loyalty."

"I don't care about the stupid rules to matrimonial relationship."

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" Tears already building in my eyes.

"It's supposed to mean that," His eyes meet mine, and for a second, I think that they will soften like they always do but not this time; this time they are burning with rage, with inexplicable emotions. "In these six months, I'm going to act like I'm not married. I'm gonna be free and be myself for six months because after that I've to be your Protector, but just for six months, I need to be free. I don't need a f***ing thought in my mind, that I've a seventeen year old girl to look after."

I suck in a breath because he cursed and because his words, they are like knives stabbing me all at once. My vision sees stars as his words echo in my head. Tears freely roll down my cheeks. How can he say this? How can he say those words? How can he?

"So, it was an act. All that caring and concern was an act. All that 'I like you' was a crap?" I ask, my voice quivering.

He gives a mirthless laugh. "Of course, I had to. I had to play. I actually thought you knew that,"

"No wonder, you're in Hollywood, you're such a good actor," I say bitterly.

I'm about to say that let me out of the car, but then the rational part of my mind says that that would be utterly impossible, and utterly over-acting, and utterly Hollywood style. So, instead I tell myself to stay calm and let this drive be over.

"How far are we?"

"Now, 30 minutes." He says, pressing the accelerator, and speeding past the limit.

At this point, I don't care that we are caught be the cameras. I don't care that we might die due to such rash driving and I don't care that the pieces of my heart have been broken down into small, tiny, irreplaceable pieces. I sniff, refusing the tears to let them fall.

"It's okay to cry."

"Shut the hell up, Aayan. I swear shut up."

And, he does. My caring husband has turned into a demonic beast. The Aayan I knew before the play....

When he parks in front of my house, I get down even before he pulls the clutch. I slam the door shut as loud as I can. The thud voice echoes in the entire neighbourhood, but that hasn't ignited the spark burning within me.

I take out my duffel bag from the back seat just as I'm about to throw the door shut; Aayan grabs my hand, twists it around my back and pushes me against the car. I wince in pain, feeling like my arm is about to fall from its socket.

"Let. Me. Go." I say through clenched jaws.

He drops my hand but leans closer trapping me. "No need to be all feisty and hot-headed. Be a woman who is able to endure pain with patience." He presses his lips on my forehead. "Stop resisting, and follow my lead." He draws back, and says little loudly. "Be brave, darling. Your parents don't need to know what jerk I'm."

I push him away. "I know, very well what you're up to." Or maybe I don't.

He smirks. "You've guessed it right." He winks. "It's up to you to find out whether it is an act or all real," He takes the bag from my hand. "Shall we?"

***************************

The moment Mom opens the door, her lips quiver, incoherent words roll out of her tongue. My eyes tear up and I swing myself in her arms. She hugs me back; crying, laughing and smiling and thanking Allah for my safety.

Dad watches me quietly. He grins, acknowledges my presence. Tears dance in the brim of his eyes. But, he hugs his son-in-law.

Since it's seven in the morning, Vaneeza is probably sleeping. Dad asks Aayan to stay for breakfast.

"I've to leave at eight." He says.

"Oh, no problem, son. It'd be a quick breakfast. Why don't you freshen up?" Dad points at the hallway bathroom.

What I don't notice is Aayan grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him. I follow his lead, trying not to make my parents suspicious.

I wait outside and when he comes out after about six-seven minutes, he inclines his head towards me and bends down a bit. He presses his cold lips against mine. Moving back, he says.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But, you will see my reasons for my jackass attitude, but right now, can you treat me like I'm the old one. Like we're still in Elton. I cannot bear to see tears in your eyes and know the reason is me. Please."

I nod, confused by his attitude.

Exactly at 7:45 AM, Aayan gets up and thanks my parents for their hospitality. And Mom adds.

"Oh, silly, this your home too. Be here whenever you want to."

He smiles, "I'll."

He bids my parents goodbye and they send me outside to watch him go.

I shut the door behind me, when we both are outside. The garden is covered with snow. Flakes of snow fall on his car as he runs around checking the engine. I watch him with my hands folded on my chest and with heavy heart.

I haven't lost him. I haven't gain him either. He is a chapter of my life that is supposed to go on a pause, He is supposed to be there in my mind but not constant. He will be there as always but just not as Aayan I knew, the Aayan he will be for six months.

"Hey," He is in front of me. "It's a goodbye then."

I nod, bitterly. "Goodbye Aayan. Have a safe journey,"

He has other plans; he hauls me into a hug, and shoves a paper in my hand. "Read it when I'm gone."

I enjoy the warmth his body provides me; inhaling it deeply, for my sanity in long six months.

"I'm so sorry," Saying this, he pulls back and immediately cold air nips me from all side.

"Take care, Maahirah and stay out of trouble. And, just be careful."

I nod. "You, too."

With a wave, and a prolonged look, he spins around and walks to his car. Seconds later, he is reversing out of my driveway, and I stare at the retracing car, until it turns around the corner.

Then, I let the tears fall. With shaking hands, I unfold the paper, and read it.

Maahirah,

I'm sorry if my harsh words had hurt you. But I had a feeling we were being followed. Either the news of you leaving has reached wrong ears, or maybe it was just a flicker of my imagination. As you said earlier, that caution is my second name and you were right so I took precautions. However, not for that reason but I'm sure of that there is some kind of listening device in my car. It was my stupid mistake not rechecking it again even though I had done last night.

If someone was listening to us, I needed them to hear that you and I are not on good terms, because if we are it makes you an easy target. In this way, they won't get to me using you as a bait. Also, I know that, I'm leaving you unprotected in your world because I know that the Wiltonians can't enter here and even if they do, they won't be able to get to you because I'll be here, Maahirah.

I'll be always be there not as Aayan Aslam, but as a regular guy. I'll be watching you just not showing you. You need me, call me. I'll email you my other number, so no one will know it's me.

Maahirah, I'm going on concert for only a month. It's not an international concert, it's just around US.

If you've any kind of question regarding anything, don't hesitate to ask me, or, -- it kills me to say this – Darren, ask him. He can be trusted, and he'll be joining you at school, and Fadiya will too after about a month.

Remember, you're Maahirah Furqaan, and whatever happened over the winter break must be forgotten for a while, because, love, make the best of these six months and then you graduate. Act normal. Live normal.

I wish I could have had said this all to you on your face, however, your safety is my first priority and nothing else.

I should leave the washroom now, your parents must call me lunatic and you're waiting outside the door.

Love,

Aayan

I crumple the paper in my hand and take a deep sigh this goodbye shouldn't have had hurt, If he was better In It.

*************************************************

That's a wrap for this book! I can't believe I'm finally done with Star Dazed. <3 The sequel will be uploaded after 2nd June. I've finals starting from 18th May. But who knows I might upload the prologue in this week. Keep your eyes peeled. <3

Lol, anyways, the ending wasn't the best out there, but this is how I wanted the book 1 to end. InShaaAllah the plot and the name of the next sequel will be uploaded soon. I'll continue the sequel in this book! I can't wait to solve all the mysteries, all the unanswered questions.

The sequel will be intense. ;)

COMMENT QUESTION: ANYWAYS, HOW DID YOU FIND THIS CHAPTER? LEMME KNOW IN THE COMMENT SECTION; AND CAN YOU GUYS TELL ME THAT DID YOU ENJOY READING THIS BOOK AND ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SEQUEL? AND, WHAT WAS YOUR FAV MOMENT FROM THIS BOOK? (I'm looking for a dedication so comment below ;) )

Follow me on instagram @midnightwhisperer_236

Love,

Wardah <3

{c