My eyes fluttered open and it took me a moment to adjust to the light. Something felt strange as I looked around.

The first thing I realized was that I was in a car and the newly risen sun was hitting me straight on the face.

The second thing was that my head was rested on a hard surface...

I slowly turned on my back and gasped while my eyes widened. My cheeks started heating up and I stared at Walid in shock.

I looked around only to realize my upper body was resting on his lap while the back of my head had been against his waist.

"Finally. This has been the longest and most torturous six hours of my life." He confirmed, making my eyes grow wider.

I tried to say something but my mouth would just close on it's own, no words coming out.

"Can you move, I need to take a shower." He mocked.

Coming back to my sense, I quickly sat up and scooted down from his lap. I opened the car door with much difficulty and got down from the car.

"What were you doing in the back with me? I remember falling asleep alone?" I asked as soon as he stepped down.

"I was trying out an experiment on how long a man can hold himself before his mind takes him to a dirty path. I think I set the world record." He explained.

"Very funny! Tell me what happened?" I demanded, putting my hand on my hips as I waited for him to talk.

"I only came to the back to wake you up. You were the one who put your head on my lap and cuddled me as if your life depended on it." He shrugged while my cheeks started heat up even more.

I fiddled with my shaky fingers, trying to stop the nervousness but failing miserably.

"I was asleep, I didn't know what I was doing. Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked with a glare plastered on my face.

"I already told you. You gave me the perfect opportunity to try out a experiment." He shrugged. "Even though I was so close to not being able to hold m-"

"Enough!" I let out and rushed inside the house. Away from him, away from my embarrassment.

With my whole face probably tinted red, I went upstairs and into the comfort of the room.

~

A sudden knock was heard on the door. I had just came out from the shower and was trying to dry my hair with the towel.

Putting the towel away, I made my way towards the door and opened it. "Good morning uncle." I smiled, trying hard not to think of how I had gotten in his car like a thief yesterday.

"Good morning dear, I've come with breakfast for you. Walid said you've hurt your foot and you should rest." He explained, motioning to the tray in his hands.

"My foot is fine now uncle. Please don't bother yourself. I will come downstairs if I need anything." I pleaded, not liking how he had to come to my doorsteps just to give me breakfast.

"Don't worry about it." He smiled and handed me the tray. I forced a smile and closed the door when he left. I put the tray on my bed and went back to the dresser.

As I put my hair into a messy bun, my thoughts started to wander to that night in Walid's study. I could clearly remember that I had put my hair into a ponytail. He had somehow managed to take out the band without me noticing.

That had made me realize how much he could do without me knowing or understating. He had been so close to me that night, it had made all my senses vanish. Just like the day at the river when he tormented me under that tree.

I could fully understand if he was capable to play tricks on me physically, but how did he always manage to include my mind? How did he manage to make my mind go numb whenever he wanted to...?

He had also reacted strongly when he had seen me in pain at the mall. I had tried to come to a conclusion that it was just his guilt that had taken over but still, my heart wasn't satisfied with that thought because now all of a sudden, he wanted me to rest because he thought my foot was injured.

Not to forget, he even let me sleep on him, even though he was sitting upright in an uncomfortable position. He didn't want to disturb my sleep...

Shaking away the strange thoughts, I went to the bed and finished my breakfast. I put aside the tray when I was done and looked around when I realized I didn't have anything to do.

Standing up, I went to the window and opened it. I smiled as I sat down and looked out at the sea. The wind was blowing wildly and I watched the beautiful waves.

I was confused and sad, but still thankful. I had thought of the very worst when I had first heard about my marriage with Walid.

It was obvious that I would be scared. I didn't know Walid at all back then. I still didn't know him, but the few days that I had spent with him made it clear that he was definitely not like I had expected.

Before our marriage, I had thought of every possibility. I had thought of physical abuse, martial rape....I had really thought the worst about him.

However, he didn't cross his boundaries. He liked to torment me and make me want to scream in frustration, but that was it.

I knew I didn't deserve that either but, it could've gone worse...

Sighing, I stood up and went to pick up the tray. I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I put the tray on the counter and looked around. The kitchen was empty and I assumed Razza had gone home.

I washed the dishes after me and dried my hands before leaving the kitchen. I decided to visit the beach for a while and walked towards the main entrance. Pushing open the door, it didn't open.

Confusion took over me when I realized the door was locked. I tried again but failed. Instead, I started looking around for other exits but couldn't find any.

Frustrated, I made my way towards Walid's study, knowing well that it was there I would find him. Just as I was about to push open the door,  the memory of what happened last time came into my mind.

I knocked on the door instead and waited patiently. Some short moments passed when the door finally opened. My eyes narrowed as I stared at him.

He was dressed in casual clothing which consisted of a pair of back jeans and a shirt. His hair was tidied to the side and I didn't know why I lost all my confidence just by looking at him.

"Are you going to keep staring or start ranting?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"I wasn't stari-I'm not going to rant. I'm just going to ask why the doors are locked?" I composed myself and crossed my arms.

"After your adventure yesterday, I thought you would be tired and not have the energy to go out, am I not right?" He asked mockingly.

"Sadly, you are not right. I'm not tired. I'm going to the beach and you will let me out. You can't keep me in a cage like an-"

"Elephant I know." He cut me off. "It makes me wonder where the f*ck you have seen an elephant in a cage." He let out with a frown on his face.

"I have seen...somewhere. You don't have to know." I didn't want to remember that memory either. Seeing an elephant in a cage had been more heartbreaking than I had thought it would. That had been the last time I had ever visited a zoo in a foreign country.

"Open the door for me, I want to go to the beach." I ordered calmly.

"No." With that, he proceeded to close the door but opened it again once it was halfway. "Listen to me for once and rest in your damn room. I won't have time for your pathetic self crying when your wounds get infected." With that he closed the door on my face.

Anger boiled inside of me. I wanted to break open the door and give him a hard slap across his handsome face.

Shaking my head, I stomped back to the living room and started roaming into random rooms. Nothing caught my attention until I noticed they had a laundry room.

Deciding that I would kill time by washing my clothes, I walked upstairs and picked the basket. I went back to the laundry room and put the clothes in the machine. I put the time on one hour and left the room.

I sat down on the couch and let out a heavy sigh. I didn't even have my phone, I had forgotten it back home in my room. If only I had taken it with me, I would've been able to talk to my family.

I was sure my friends, were worried about me since I didn't explain anything to them properly. They didn't even know I was married to him. If I had told them, they would barge into our house on the day of the wedding and not let me out of their sight. Knowing Walid, that would just put them in unnecessary trouble.

I missed everyone more with each passing day but tried to stay strong by not giving up hope. The only way I couldn't give up hope was if I talked to someone. To do that, I needed to get to the beach and pour my heart out to the sea.

My eyes wandered to the locked door. They looked like they were laughing at me, laughing at my misery.

Gritting my teeth in anger, I turned around and walked upstairs with determination.

If he believed he could keep me caged in the house, he was wrong.

Once upstairs, I slid open the big glass door to the terrace and walked in. I made my way to the railing and looked down.

It was pretty high...

When I bent a little more I noticed a white wooden frame window without glass, attached to the terrace. The window was really big, I could try climb down on it.

I sat on the railing and turned around. Holding it tightly I bent down and tried to put my foot inside one of the holes. It was harder than I thought it would be. I tried to not look down as I put my right foot in one of the holes.

Letting out a breath in relief, I carried on to take my other foot into the next hole. I looked down briefly to see I had a long way to go. I increased my pace but regretted it the same moment.

Both of my legs went inside one of the big holes and I let out a scream when I fell back. My legs rested inside the hole and I was hanging with my head down, making me dizzy. The only thing I could see was the view of the sea as the water swirled around.

I started to scream out for help. I was afraid of the wood breaking and me falling down to the ground.

"Walid!" I screamed out his name many times, panicking.

It didn't take long before I heard footsteps approaching. I let out a relieved sigh and waited for him to approach.

''I'm here!" I let out, realizing he probably couldn't see me.

''Where the f*ck are you?'' I heard him curse impatiently.

''I am here, under the terrace.'' I said, almost laughing at how weird it sounded. I waited but was met with silence. ''Walid?'' I let out, not daring to look up, afraid I might fall if I moved.

''What the...." I finally heard his voice and after a few seconds, he started laughing.

Of course he would laugh. "How can you laugh at me? I can die down here! Wait until I get out of this place! Stop laughing! I said stop laughing!'' I let out in anger, and finally lifted my head to look at him.

I froze for a moment when my eyes landed on him. His hands were clutching the railing as he looked down at me. The sun was shining right on his face, making his tanned skin look golden and his eyes twinkled.

What caught my attention was that he was laughing. I had never seen him laugh so carelessly. Not to forget how beautiful his laugh sounded...

I stopped worrying about the fact that I was laying upside down. My eyes were fixed on him firmly as he laughed. My body relaxed, the sound of the waves raised.

Why, why was I smiling?

I let my head rest back as I looked at the sea. My smile faded as I tried to shake away all the unwanted thought.

"Give me your hand.'' I heard him say, after a moments silence. I looked up to see he had climbed down, standing beside me.

I took a deep breath and reached out my hand. He gripped it and I tried to ignore how my cheeks heated up at his touch and how he held my hand tightly. He pulled me up and helped me on my feet.

Walid's hands gripped my waist to hold me securely against the wooden as he put each of his foot on either side of me.

I looked up at him in panic at his sudden touch on my body, but relaxed when I met his eyes. He looked down at me intensely, his gaze making me think my legs would give up any second and I would fall down from the spot.

My attention turned to a hair strand that was disturbing my eyes. It was so windy by the sea and my hair was going everywhere. But I didn't dare to move, afraid if I let go, I would fall.

I felt a touch on my face and I froze. My eyes slowly moved to him and he was focused on the hair strand on my face. He slowly brushed it away and put my hair behind my ear.

A moment passed and he didn't look at me. And then, just as if he had realized what he had done, he quickly retreated his hand and composed himself.

I could feel my cheeks flare up even more and I felt dizzy and breathless.

Probably because of the fall...

"We should get down." I said, my voice so low I could barely hear myself.

He nodded and we both started climbing down. I was careful this time to put my feet on the right spots. Even though I felt a strange kind of safety this time, after his arrival.

I jumped down and looked up to see him already on his feet. "What were you up to?'' He asked, referring to me hanging there like a mad woman.

"Since you had locked me inside I decided to take matter in my own hands." I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Your definition of taking matters in your own hands means putting yourself in danger?" He asked.

"I was just trying to go out." I cleared.

"You're acting like I've been an animal towards you and chained you. You're the one testing my patience. Your own actions made me keep you in the house." He spoke, a look of irritation on his face.

''Really? I can't believe you always blame me for everything." I said after letting out a humorless laugh. "Did you even think for once, how much pain I've been through because of you?" I pointed towards him, his eyes turning dark in warning but the gesture only made me rigid.

"I never did you any wrong. I never caused you any pain - any problems. Still, you came along and took everything away from me just because you felt like it?"

I tried to stay calm as I spoke but it felt impossible as I slowly lost all the patience I had left in me.

''How do you expect me to feel after taking me away from my family? And then, locking me inside, holding me from going anywhere without your permission?" I asked, the traitorous tears leaving my eyes, making me feel like an emotional wreck.

''Don't cry." He ordered abruptly, his voice sounding dangerous, sending shivers down my spine, making me look away from his eyes.

"You know what the funny part is? I don't even know you." I ignored his words and continued expressing what I had kept in my heart for the past days.

"I don't know a single thing about you apart from your name and age and how horrible of a person you are. I've only met your brother and don't remind me of that meeting ever again. I don't know a thing about your family. I don't know a thing about your life, about your whereabouts, about you.'' I finished, feeling like a heavy burden had lifted from my chest as I wiped the tears with the back of my hand.

I gathered my courage to look up at him and was not surprised at his reaction. He stood there in front of me, emotionlessly. It was like my words hadn't even affected him as he stared down at me, his eyes holding nothing until he spoke up.

"It's been a week. We were supposed to leave tomorrow for the Aydin mansion. I'll drop you at your parents home instead." He announced suddenly, his eyes piercing
into mine, hiding every emotion possible.

"What?" I tried to understand what he had just said. His words repeated in my mind as I slowly digested what he had said. He would let me go back home?

"You heard me." The announcement sent happiness through me but I still felt distressed for a unknown reason.

"This is not one of your jokes again, right?" I asked hopefully. I didn't know what I was hopeful for. His words being a joke or the truth...

"No." He firmly said and took a step closer. "I will drop you at your parents house tomorrow."

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a sigh. I forced a smile and looked back at him. "Thank you." I managed to say.

The thought of seeing my family again, going to my own home sent happiness through me. My life would go back to normal. He would drop me at my parents...

My eyes moved to Walid when he started moving towards the entrance. I followed him silently. He unlocked the door and pushed it open. I stood still at the entrance and stared at him as he made his way to his study, making me suddenly find it hard to move. 

Many doubts and questions lingered in my mind. But the biggest question was, how did he allow me to leave just like that? He did all of that, just to let me go back home after one week?

Something didn't make sense. But I was too afraid to ask him. Afraid if he would change his mind and not let me go back.

With a heavy sigh, I walked to the laundry room.

I should've been happy. Whatever I wanted was finally happening. He was letting me go...

Once I arrived home, I would forget everything. I would forget this chapter of my life. I would forget that this month even existed in my life. I would forget all of it and resume to my own life.

I stepped inside the room and noticed the washing machine had stopped. I pulled my clothes out and put them in the drying machine and started it.

I needed to pack my stuff. We would leave tomorrow. I needed to gather all my things...

~

After finishing praying, I sat down on the bed and put my hands on my lap. I felt at peace after praying and decided not to let any negative thoughts take over my mind.

Everything was going as it was supposed to. I would be back home tomorrow. I had promised my parents I would be back and Walid had promised me he would drop me home.

I rubbed my head with my fingers and sighed. I had a slight head ache because of all the thoughts swirling in my mind.

Looking around the room, I felt slight panic take over me. It felt like a major task to breath properly and the walls seemed to be coming closer on me.

Standing up, I started to walk back and forth, trying to calm down. I realized I needed fresh air before matter got worse and I ended up having the panic attack I dreaded.

I made my way out of the room and walked down the stairs. I passed the main door and got out as the breeze hit my face. I walked towards the beach with much difficulty. But, I didn't stop at the usual spot.

My legs continued their journey, without knowing where they were taking me. It felt impossible to stop, like something was forcing me to continue walking.

I was going home tomorrow. I should've been calm and stress free. Why was I feeling so distressed?

My steps halted when I realized the beach was nowhere in sight and I was standing at a pathway with woods on either side.

I had walked so far away....

I noticed a bench to the side and walked up to it before taking a seat. I gazed at the trees in front of me for what felt like centuries while I tapped my foot on the ground.

I didn't have anyone to talk to. I didn't have my mother here either. She used to always give me good advice when I wasn't feeling well emotionally.

I didn't like the feeling I was feeling in my heart...It felt empty. After so many years of her death...I felt lonely again.

I closed my eyes as her words echoed in my mind. Those beautiful words were the only reason I was sane till date.

''Everything happens for a reason. Allah (God) never makes mistakes....whatever life gives you, is either a blessing or a lesson." Her words echoed over and over again in my mind.

Blessing or a lesson. Blessing or a lesson.

My eyes opened quickly and I stood up. I wrapped my arms around myself as tears formed in my eyes.

"I miss you....I miss you so much." I whispered, looking up at the sky. I pushed back the tears and realized that I was not alone. God was with me.

Gathering myself and taking a deep breath, I looked around curiously. I had thought to go back to the house, but it wouldn't hurt to explore the area a bit.

Walid had said we were at a deserted area. But I had walked almost half an hour, maybe if I continued walking I would find something.

Making up my mind, I wrapped my arms around myself and walked ahead. Taking a left turn, I walked for at least twenty minutes more before I realized there was a lot of life ahead. Wanting to see where the sound was coming from, I continued and took a right turn.

I stopped and examined the environment in front of me. I slowly walked ahead and looked around curiously.

There was a long and wide pathway and a lot of small shops on either side of the way. Like an outdoor bazaar. The shopkeepers were chatting with each other and a faint music was heard in the background.

The smell of freshly cooked dishes and sweets hit my nose and I smiled as I walked ahead, my eyes fixed on one particular shop that were selling antique jewelry.

I stopped when I had neared the end and looked back. Suddenly I realized a lot of people were looking my way. My heart did a flip and I felt the fear take over me.

I gulped in fear as my eyes locked with a man standing close. He winked at me. His action made me almost jump back in fear but I quickly composed myself and turned around.

I debated if I should go all the way back and risk for him to follow me on the empty road back towards the beach house or if I should just continue ahead and find another way back.

Choosing the second option, I hurried away towards the unknown neighborhood.

I walked and walked and it felt like the houses never ended even though I took a lot of left and right turns.

I was officially lost and there was no way I would find back to the beach house.

My steps suddenly halted when I heard footsteps behind me. The streets had been quite silent which is why I turned around to check who it was.

My heart started beating faster and I was close to break down in tears as my eyes slightly widened.

He had followed me. The man who had stared at me longer than necessary and then winked at me. He had followed me with two other men beside him.

I tried to stay calm as they approached me. The fact that it was only afternoon and not late or dark made me calm down a bit.

We were standing outside a bunch of houses. What could they possibly do...

''What do you want?'' I managed to ask when they stopped a bit away from me.

''Isn't it obvious?'' The man in the middle said with a raised eyebrow. "It's not always we get such a fresh meat walking around. You could make any man sin very sinfully." He smirked as I shuddered in disgust.

"You're just as disgusting as you look to be." I stated. "You can't even put a finger on me." My words were pointed towards them but my eyes were focused on someone behind them.

"Really? Should I try?" He challenged.

"If that's your last wish before getting buried ten feet under, then go ahead." All three of them turned around to see who the voice belonged to.

Walid made his way slowly towards us. His body looked calm and collected but I could see the storm in his eyes.

"Who are you?" The same man asked, sounding a bit scared. I couldn't blame him. Walid wasn't quite the innocent looking one, you could tell that he didn't have a problem with actually burying someone ten feet under.

"You can ask satan about my identity card when I've delivered you to hell." With that, his fist raised and connected to the man's face.

An uncontrollable gasp left my lips and I backed away as I watched the man spit out a small amount of blood. I could tell from the sound of Walid's fist touching the man's face that the man had been gifted with broken bones.

The man didn't even get time to register what had happened when another blow came to his face.

I watched the other two guys back away from the scene.

"I'm going to sin very sinfully by breaking you into pieces." Walid's voice was filled with venom as he kicked the man on his knee, making him fall down.

I cringed at the sound and felt my heart almost exploding. This was all my fault. If I hadn't come here. None of this would happen...

I looked away not bearing to see the man getting trashed badly by Walid. I was too scared to interfere.

Walid looked like he could commit murder any second...

Finally when I couldn't take the man's screams for help anymore, I moved forward.

Just when Walid was about to kick the man laying on the ground, I blocked his way. "Stop it!" I let out.

Walid's eyes met mine and we stared at each other for what felt like forever. I warned him through my eyes and he finally straightened up.

He looked down at the man, a satisfied look appearing on his feature. I knew that there was a lot of blood on the ground and where he was looking, which was why I didn't follow his gaze.

I noticed the other two men were nowhere in sight. They probably ran away...

"Can we leave. Please." I spoke, my soft and calm voice surprised even my own self.

Walid stared at me for a moment, his breathing finally going back to normal and his posture calming down.

He took a hold of my hand and turned around. His fingers intertwined with mine, making my heart almost burst in nervousness.

We didn't speak as we walked and I glanced up at him now and then but he had his eyes set on the different road that I had not seen before.

I realized that I felt calm by the way he was holding my hand. I knew that I should've not felt that way, but I couldn't help it.

Suddenly, he let go of my hand but didn't move away. He was still walking close to me, our arms almost brushing against each other.

"I-" I started but he cut me off before I could explain myself.

"You don't have to justify your actions. I've already come to a conclusion that the head of yours is just for show, it's inside consist of nothing else but air." He said, still not looking at me.

"I wasn't going to." I said. "I was just going to ask you how you found out where I was."

"As expected, you are focusing on the least important part." He shook his head, probably at my stupidness.

"Where are we going?" I asked when I didn't recognize the street. I hadn't seen any of that place on my way here...

"To my car, it's parked nearby." He replied shortly. So he had come by car? I wondered how he knew exactly where I was, but then again...he was Walid and he always knew.

"Can we walk back?" I asked suddenly, surprising myself.

He stopped and turned to me. I didn't know why I had wanted to walk with him than take the car. The walk could take up to an hour, and the car ride would probably take just ten minutes because of the speed that he drives.

Walid nodded suddenly, surprising me. He changed path and we started walking silently until I finally spoke up.

"I won't commit a mistake like that again." I clarified.

"Doesn't matter. You will be at the safety of your home tomorrow. I can do nothing else than hope that you don't take such stupid decisions there." He shrugged as we took a left turn.

"You seem eager to drop me home." I muttered, crossing my arms.

"I am. So I can finally go back to my own life" He spoke.

"Yeah, I'm sure your girlfriends are eagerly waiting for you." I scoffed.

"No. I'm eagerly waiting for them. They're not causing me any headache or trouble like you do." He replied back.

My face heated up in anger. "Make sure you treat your girlfriends good and not like trash." I said, remembering every moment he had made life difficult for me.

"I treat people the way they deserve to be treated." He commented.

"If only people could do the same to you." I mused as I quickened my pace, walking ahead of him.

I wanted to get to the house as soon as possible. I had a feeling that another moment spent with that man would be dangerous.

I should've just gotten into that car...

Suddenly, a gasp left my lips when I felt a tug on my hair. I turned around to see his fingers wrapped around the lengths of my hair. "What are you doing? Let go of my hair." I demanded.

His hand twirled on my ends causing me to step closer to him with a wince. I could feel the storm building in my heart and my cheeks flaring up even more.

He continued the action until he was grasping all of my hair on the back of my neck and I was inches away from him.

I looked anywhere but him as I tried to tell him to let me go but nothing was coming out of my lips. I was stunned, once again.

"Look at me." His one demand made my eyes flutter up to his. "Do you have any idea what would happen if I hadn't come on time?" He asked, his sharp words piercing in my ears. I quietly shook my head as I gulped helplessly. "I should tell you, what would happen so you don't do such mistake again." He said, speaking slowly, his eyes moving down to my lips then up to my eyes again.

"Y-you don't have to. I won't." I stuttered out, finding it hard to talk with his eyes set on me intently.

He leaned down even more and I felt my legs shake. I would fall down any moment.

"Okay." He said. "Just remember you were very lucky today." With that, he let go of my hair and straightened up. He brushed past me, leaving me confused.

I turned to his back and tried to get a hold of myself. Patting my hair in place, I took a heavy breath and rushed after him.

I started walking beside. "Why do you do that?" I asked, feeling the anger inside of me rise.

"Do what?" He asked, his eyes fixed on the path ahead of us.

"The - the way you come close to me. All over my face, then just push me away and leave." I formed out. "I don't like it." I stated, crossing my arms and looking away from him.

"Do you not like me close to you or me pushing you away? From the looks of it, I can guarantee it's the second one." I could hear the amusement in his voice but I didn't let it affect me.

"No. I don't like either of them. You can't come close to me and you can't push me away. I'm not your toy that you can do anything you please to do with." I cleared.

"If you don't like me coming close to you, why don't you push me away then?" His question made me want to slap myself for bringing up the conversation.

"I-I-because....you don't give me time to push you away." I quickly came up with something that didn't even make sense. "Can you stop talking about such disturbing things. I was just warning you to not come close to me again. Look at the sky, I think it's about to rain. We need to hurry." With that I hurried forward, mentally cursing at myself.