The loud ticking sound of the clock echoed in my ears as I stared at the dull ceiling. The strength in my body had drained and I couldn't move to get up and throw the disturbing source of the sound out the window.

The light in my room was on, making me feel a slight comfort. I had assured my parents I was fine so they could go and rest for the night. However, I was far from fine.

It had been quite a time since I had last endured what I did today. The hallucinations about my sister had stopped long ago. But today, it had come like a harsh surprise. I was mentally not prepared for it.

Before, when I used to hallucinate more frequently, I learned to cope with it. But this time, it took some time. It had been a few hours of me laying on my bed, sleep long gone as different thoughts were swirling in my mind.

The last question I remembered before I slowly drifted into sleep.... was there a reason?

~

After looking over the preparations in the backyard one last time, I went back to the kitchen where my mother was preparing dinner for Sammy's birthday party.

"I've checked everything and it's all good. Let me help you with the food. The kids will be arriving any minute." I said to my mother as I prepared to peel the potatoes.

" I will take care of that my love. Do me a favor and stay by the entrance to welcome everyone when they arrive. Your father left to pick up Jay because I asked him to personally do that or else the poor kid wouldn't make it to the party." She informed, mentioning the cute seven year old named Jay. He was such an miracle, if only life had showed him some mercy.

"Okay mom." I nodded and brushed off the disturbing memories as I made my way to the entrance. I left the main door open and stepped outside. Just then, a car pulled up.

My heart sank in fear when I recognized the car. The thoughts of all the possibilities and consequences happening when a certain person notices the car parked in front of my house, and the man making his way towards me, made me nervous.

"Sir?" I let out in surprise when he stopped in front of me.

My facial expressions indirectly asking him why he was at my front door.

"Hello to you too." He smiled, his words making me compose myself.

"I'm sorry I was a bit surprised seeing you here. Come on in." I forced a smile and stepped to the side. My eyes drifted to the house across and I held back a heavy sigh.

"After you." Jalil motioned, making my attention drift back to him. I nodded and stepped in, trying my best to stay calm and throw away the negative thoughts of Walid seeing him here.

Even if Walid did see him, he wouldn't dare to react in a bad way....right? At least not after how much he hurt me that night regarding Yusuf. He was aware of how much that hurt me and he wouldn't repeat what happened, would he?

I stopped once we reached the living room and turned to face Jalil. Just then, my mother walked in. "Jasmin I-" She stopped her sentence midway when she noticed Jalil. "Umm, hi?" My mother let out, curiosity written over her face.

Once I introduced them, my mother smiled and welcomed him warmly. Jalil sat down and my mother turned to me. "Jasmin! Are you just gonna stand there? Get him something to drink." My mother reminded.

"Oh no, there's no need for that. I'm leaving soon anyway, I just came to talk about something work related with Jasmin." Jalil cleared.

"Actually, you came at the right time. We have arranged a small birthday party for my son Sammy. I'm not letting you go anytime soon, you have to stay until we cut the cake at least." My mother stubbornly said, making him understand there was no room for protests.

Well, at least I had thought he would protest. "I would love to stay." He announced.

I held myself back from bursting in nervousness. There was only one thing I was scared of happening, and that could happen any second if Jalil didn't leave.

"Good, I'll make you some tea." My mother's words made Jalil stand up.

"I can help Jasmin with the kids. They must be here already. We can always have tea later." He suggested.

My mother continued to protest in trying to make him get some tea before but he managed to convince her finally.

"Jasmin, the food will be ready soon. Make sure to check on the kids and be careful so they don't hurt themselves." She said, her voice making it clear how stressed she was.

My mother had a bad habit of stressing over the smallest of things. I had told her many times to not overthink and just calm down, but I understood that it's easier said than done.

"Yes mom don't worry." I spoke and turned to Jalil. He motioned towards the entrance. I looked at my mother and she nodded for us to go ahead.

I moved to the front door, with him following behind. I put on my shoes, so did he and both of us stepped outside.

"You can sit by the table Sir, I'll take care of it here." I assured him.

"Sure, ma'am." He replied, making me fidget with my fingers nervously.

I knew he wanted me to call him by his name but I was used to being professional with him and I intended to keep it that way.

We didn't get to talk much after that and I was greeting the parents dropping off their kids and welcoming them while he was in the backyard, probably with Sammy.

I sat down by the doorsteps and waited for my father to come with Jay. I didn't know if I was trying to avoid Jalil or if I was genuinely waiting for my father.

The two possibilities didn't matter anymore when Jalil appeared from the corner. "Man, these kids are wild." He stated, taking a seat beside me. I couldn't help but laugh.

"This is only the warm up, trust me." I informed and he shook his head with a smile. "So, you didn't tell me what you wanted to talk about?" I finally brought up the topic.

"You already know what I want to talk about." He said and I sighed, turning my face away from his sight.

"The fashion week is just around the corner, I know. I have to prepare for it, I know. But I'm genuinely nervous. I don't know why, but it's just a gut feeling. It feels like everything will go wrong." I admitted.

"It's okay to be nervous. That's why I'm here, I thought I would go through some stuff with you to prepare. But we can do that at my office. I didn't mean to make you work from home. I just wanted to see if you were really sure about it. So, if you're not, please inform me so I can cancel everything on time." He spoke, his words making me feel guilty.

All my colleagues at the salon have been looking forward to this. I would never allow him to cancel this because of me.

"Of course I'm sure. No need to cancel anything. I'm sure and I'm ready." I said confidently.

"That's what I'm talking about." He praised and I gave him a smile before raising to my feet when my father pulled up.

Jay was the first one to exit the car and you could tell how exited and happy he was. He rushed over to me and I bent down to receive his hug.

"How have you been my love? I've missed you." I asked, leaving a kiss on his nose, which he giggled at.

"I missed all of you more. You said you will come but you didn't." He complained sadly, making guilt take over me.

"I was out of town for some time, I had important work to do. Please forgive me?" I let out, pouting at him.

He stared at me for a few seconds before grinning. "Only if you kiss my nose again." He announced.

I stared at his playful grin before taking a hold of his arms and leaving kisses all over his cute little face. To the point where he couldn't take it anymore and ran away, laughing, to the backyard.

I chuckled at his small form running away from me and stood up. My father came in sight and I smiled at him. He returned the smile but soon his facial expression changed into confusion when he stared at something behind me.

Turning on my heels, I saw Jalil stand there, making me realize I had totally forgotten about him. I quickly introduced him to my father. My father welcomed him but I could see from his eyes that he wasn't a fan of Jalil.

"Dad, can you take Jalil with you? I'll go check if mom needs any help." I asked and he agreed. Both of them disappeared to the backyard.

Just as I was about to enter the front door, I heard familiar voices. Raina and Dania came in sight. I had told them earlier about the party and they didn't want to miss the opportunity of eating my mother's delicious handmade food.

"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Dania asked immediately.

"Wait until you see who is in my backyard." I huffed and made my way inside with them following.

"Is it Walid again? Damn why didn't you tell me I haven't done my hair." Raina joked.

"Look for yourself and tell me if you still want to do your hair." I said as we went to the living room.

Both Raina and Dania gave me a glance before going up to the big window. They stared out the window for a moment then glanced at each other. I could already tell what was coming when they turned back to me.

They stared at me for a moment, before both of them bursted out laughing.

"Of course." I let out annoyed.

~

The evening was coming and the party was coming to an end. Surprisingly everything had gone smoothly. My friends had been teasing me a bit here and there about Jalil but nothing that was new.

Me and Jalil talked a bit more about the fashion week and I tried to hide my anxiety from him. Like I mentioned before, my colleagues were really looking forward to it. I didn't want to ruin it for them.

The parents were picking up their kids one after another and soon enough it was only Jay left. Sammy had insisted he wanted to follow my father when he dropped Jay off.

My mother then decided she would follow them too just to check on Jay's parents, to make sure they weren't mad at him for coming here. The two addict parents could have their mood swings so it was good idea of my mother to follow Jay home.

They left with my father and only me and my friends were left with Jalil. I thought he would be long gone by now, but he stayed until the end.

Dania and Raina were in the backyard, tidying everything up. I planned to join them after saying my goodbye to Jalil.

"You sure you don't need any help?" He asked again, referring to the mess the kids left behind.

"No thank you, you already helped enough tonight. My friends will be here and help me." I reassured him as I looked around the neighborhood.

The sun was about to set and a chilly breeze hit my face and I noticed a car I didn't recognize enter the neighborhood.

"See you at work then." His voice turned my attention back to him, making me notice his smile and his dark eyes twinkling with happiness.

"Of course Sir." I said and the smile dropped from his feature. I realized why and made my way towards him. Just when I was about to explain to him that no matter where we are I would always see him as my Boss, I stumbled on a hard surface.

I felt a sharp pain on my ankle as I tripped and fell to the ground. "Jasmin!" I heard Jalil shout loudly before hurriedly approaching me. "You okay?" He let out worriedly, holding my arm to help me straighten.

"I'm okay." I said as I looked around, trying to find out what I tripped over.

"What happened?" Raina let out as she appeared with Dania, probably hearing Jalil shout my name loudly.

"I just tripped and fell." I tried to calm them down as they examined my ankle which had turned red by now.

"Is it hurting?" Jalil asked as he pressed on my ankle. I hissed in pain and he moved his hand in panic. "I think you've sprained it. Let's go do a checkup." Jalil spoke hastily but before I could protest and tell him I'm fine, my heart started beating faster.

I could see from the corner of my eyes how someone came closer and closer. I didn't even have to turn and look who it was.

The aroma that could make my knees weak, hit my nose and by then I was more than sure who was towering over me. Even though his loud car didn't give me a warning beforehand, I knew it was him.

I slowly turned to look, not surprised at all when I saw a calm and collected Walid with a hidden storm lingering in his eyes. Beside him stood Isak.

"No need. I'm okay." I almost whispered to Jalil.

"But your ankle." Jalil protested, making the situation worse. He didn't understand if he didn't leave right now my ankle would be the last thing to worry about.

"Are you stupid? She doesn't want you here. Get the f*ck out of here." Isak spoke, irritation clear in his voice.

"Isak!" I hissed in warning. "This is my Boss! Don't be r-"

"She sprained her ankle, I'm taking her to the hospital. Why does it bother you?" Jalil cut me off, looking at Isak in annoyance while his hand grabbed my ankle subconsciously.

I felt a bit uncomfortable and tried to hide my pain when his fingers clutched even harder around my ankle.

It seemed to be the last straw for Walid and he moved towards us and bent down. He stared down at me, his eyes piercing into mine before he looked at Jalil's clasped hand around my ankle.

I didn't know what to expect. But I made up my mind...I wouldn't let him disrespect Jalil.

Suddenly, in a swift movement, Walid put his hand on Jalil's chest and pushed him as far away from me as possible.

I turned to Jalil, shocked, only to see him stumble to the ground beside Dania. "Why did you do that?" I asked angrily, turning back to glare at Walid.

Walid never looked away from me and I almost felt weak, looking into those eyes. I felt helpless. It was an emotion I wasn't used to. Feeling so helpless in front of another person. Bowing down to another person. It made me feel insecure and weak.

"He was hurting you." Walid answered.

"How? He was trying to help me!" I replied back, looking at Jalil to see Dania help him get on his feet.

"Sure, he was." He replied sarcastically and took a gentle hold of my injured ankle to inspect it.

I tried to pull my leg but he had a firm grip on the uninjured part. It made the anger inside of me finally show on my face.

"Who said you can touch me?" I asked, anger clear in my voice.

"I'm your-" Walid started with a raised voice but cut himself off when he remembered we weren't alone. Of course, he would always remember to make sure the secret of us being married remains a secret.

"It seems like my friend here doesn't want you to interfere or touch her, you better leave right now." Dania spoke as she kneeled down beside him and pushed him away, just like he had pushed Jalil.

"Dania!" I yelled out in panic. I didn't know what it was that flipped in my heart, but I didn't feel good after that.

Maybe it was the fear I had. Fear of Walid being disrespectful towards Dania. Or the other way around..

I heard Isak curse under his breath but Walid didn't even flinch. Dania wasn't strong enough to push him the way he pushed Jalil, but as far as I know him, he most probably felt the disrespect.

"I did do that and I will do it again. Tell this man to get out of here before I do something crazy. Jasmin's parents aren't home, you can't just come here and do anything you want. Leave. Now." Dania spoke strictly as she got on her feet.

"Jalil, thank you for your help and thank you for tonight but uncle Ameer will be home any second he will have a look at her ankle don't worry." She added and turned to Jalil.

I looked down at my ankle and tried to focus on how red it had turned. I didn't dare to look up. I felt someone's eyes on me but I couldn't look up.

What was I supposed to do? Dania was right in her own place. She was just looking out for me. She had no idea who that man in front of us was. She didn't know anything. And no one but Walid himself was to blame.

He kept our marriage a secret and already made me feel bad and guilty enough for not being able to say anything to my closest friends.

"I will leave, but do give me a call later Jasmin and tell me how you feel. I'm here if you need anything." Jalil spoke, making me look up at him.

"The only thing she will need if you don't leave right now is a spade to dig a grave." Walid spoke harshly, making Jalil look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Thank you Sir. I will." I quickly interrupted before Jalil could say anything.

Jalil turned to me and I gave him a sorry look. It seemed like he understood how helpless I was and nodded to me assuringly.

"Take care of yourself." He moved to his car with a final look.

I looked up at Raina and Dania to see them look at me confused as to why I had made Jalil leave yet but not Walid...

I heard Jalil's car drive away suddenly and it felt like a heavy burden had lifted from my shoulders.

"So, aren't you leaving?" Dania asked, turning to Walid.

My eyes finally landed on Walid and he was already staring at me, his eyes dark and filled with hidden anger.

"Am I leaving?" He suddenly asked, his gaze focused on me.

I looked away and bit my lower lip in nervousness. I looked up at my friends and didn't know how to make Walid leave without him misunderstanding anything.

Which was by the way impossible because of the situation we were in. He would misunderstand...

"Can you stop acting childish?" I finally let out turning to him. "All of you, I can take care of myself, thank you very much." I added in annoyance.

"I am not desperate to take care of you like that bastard. If you weren't so stupid and clumsy you wouldn't be here now." His cold words made my whole body slowly shake in anger while my eyes followed his movement as he let go of my leg and got on his feet.

"That's the only thing you're good at, putting the blame on me. It's always my fault isn't it?" I let out angrily, my voice rising dangerously.

"No, of course not. You always know best, don't you? Whatever decisions you made, has always been the right ones, remember?" This was not the right time for him to use sarcasm as it made me sweat and shake in anger.

I struggled to stand up but managed to do it as I winced because of the pain in my ankle. It seemed to alert him in a way as he moved towards me but I raised my hand, making him stop.

"We're talking about decisions now aren't we? If I had a choice to decide anything, do you think I would be here? You're right, I am stupid. I am stupid for being here and tolerating you!" I was trying to stay calm but it felt impossible with the thunder forming inside of me.

"What's going on here what are you talking about?" I heard Raina ask in the background but my eyes were focused on the tall man dressed in all black towering over me.

"You seem to forget that I took you back home, what more do you want?" I flinched slightly when he raised his voice at the end but I composed myself quickly.

He was standing so close I could see how fast his chest was moving through the fabric of his shirt.

"You took me back home? It's that easy, isn't it?" I almost whispered, my heart aching in pain.

He would never understand the pain he had caused my parents when forcing me into a marriage with him. I doubted I would ever forgive him for it. I could move on from it, but never forgive him.

"You just took me away then left me, thinking I will forget. Thinking everything will be good now. But I won't forget. You made my parents suffer Walid. They didn't deserve it. You could've hurt me and I would get over it, but I can't see my mother in pain. You were the reason for her tears, which I will never forgive you for."

It seemed like my words affected him as an emotion of pain flashed across his face.

"I don't need your forgiveness." He finally said.

I tried my best to stay on my feet while saying what I had to say next.

"In that case. I want you to leave me and my family alone. Just go. Go away." I felt an heavy emotion take over me as I screamed out the vile words.

Like my own self wasn't agreeing with the demand. Like my heart wasn't believing what I had just confessed. Like the strength leaving my body, and darkness trying to taking over me as I collapsed to the ground.

The last thing I could see was everyone surrounded around me before darkness taking over completely.