But piece by piece, he collected me up
Off the ground, where you abandoned things
Piece by piece he filled the holes that you burned in me
Six years old.

......

......

<<raqeeba's p.o.v>>

"Daddy! Daddy no please don't! Don't, don't please just don't!"

The little 6 year old me screamed on top of my voice as I felt him drag me out of the house. Tears brimmed down my eyes as I looked at her unconscious figure lying there, blood oozed out from her nose and the trillion scratches all over her body, her eyes closed, tired of the monster she had in her life.

"Shut up! This is all your fault!" He shouted at my face as he grabbed a hand full of my hair."

I sniffed as I looked at him tearing my eyes away from my Angel.

"Y-you can punish me daddy, not her please." I said in between my sobs."

His features softened as he looked at me and smiled. His tall figure kneeled in front of me while I was already on mine. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I actually had a Dad. But boy was I wrong. Nah I was so so wrong.

"Listen here, 'Daughter'." He said to which I smiled softly until he completed.

"You are the biggest regret of my life."

And before I could contemplate his words. His hand grabbing the fist full of my hair swung up and slammed my head hard against the wall Knocking the breath out of me, I could feel warm liquid trickle down the side of my face and see him from my faint vision as he scrunched down towards her petite figure, I raised my hand in an attempt to stop him, my back resting against the wall.

"No."

That was all I could manage to say until darkness was all I could see.

" Mrs. Khan we're here." I was pulled out of my retriever by an unknown voice. I jerked looking up from my seat towards the window only to find the car door already open by an aged man. Probably in his late 50's. I smiled at him but he had this look of pity in his eyes. I frowned and that's when I realized how I already had tears in my eyes from my past memories.

Memories I wish I could just throw out of my life and lock them up in a cage.

How I wish I could unchain myself from the past.

I quickly wiped my tears away. Poor man, he might be thinking of me as those damsels in distress. I took a deep breath as I smiled again, this time a little wider.

"Please call me Raqeeba."

"Well... I'm sorry Ma'am, I'm afraid---" He wanted to say something but I cut him off, already aware of the fact of what was coming up.

"He wouldn't mind. No one would actually. But I will if you call me 'Mrs. Khan' again. You see first, I'm very unfamiliar with it. Second, it makes me feel darn old, and lastly! C'mon, I love my name! And I'd always prefer 'Raqeeba' over anything. Do you know what it means!? It's got one of the most beautiful meanings ever! I've always adored my nam--"

I stopped as I realized what I was doing. To hell with this blabbering shit! I did it again! Geez, Raqeeba! Stop! I remember getting pages and pages of lectures from everyone because of this stupid habit or should I say disease of mine. Ugh!

"I'm- I'm really sorry... I just. You know, some habits just don't go." I laughed nervously. Oh, God! I saw him smile with an amused expression and just when he was about to say something. My big unstoppable mouth stopped him all over again.

"But I'm working on it!" Oh god! Jeez, woman stop! He gets you already! I bit the inside of my cheeks.

Way to be the unnecessary talker, Raqeeba!

He gave me his wrinkled wholehearted smile and said.

" Good habits shouldn't leave." I looked at him like he was one of the best people alive. An Angel! I smiled at him, the Cheshire cat kind of smile or what my friends call it, The Creepy Smile.

" You know what!? You're the very first person on this planet who calls my blabbering, a good habit! Like seriously, where were you!? Ever since I was born or you could say ever since I started talking, all I've heard people say about me is 'You talk too much. Like I get it! Okayyy you're not much of a talker but why stop me! You know what!? I don't talk when I don't talk like I won't utter a word but if I do, then just let me! What's the point in staying quiet like a mute person when you actually have a mouth to speak and the other person has ears to hear you out. It's not that big of an issue now, is it?

Now I'm sure it is.

Shut up!

"Not at all." He said.

See!

Liar.

I mentally rolled my eyes at my own conscious.

I saw a middle-aged woman rush to me just as we entered the porch. I smiled at her to which she answered by halting at her steps. Her expression looked like she saw the most amusing thing ever but soon regained her sense and came closer.

"Did I shock you?" I asked with a chuckle. What? I couldn't help it, especially with the expression she gave me. She looked at me for a moment and then at Gilbert, the old man.

"A little." She said with a nervous chuckle.

"Mrs. Kha--- I mean Raqeeba, meet Juliette. She's going to be the one to help you with anything you nee--"

"I'm the maid," Juliette said cutting him off.

I frowned looking at her and said.

"More like the source of my living. Guess what Juliette I can be a pain in the ass. I would definitely be needing your help every time."

As if getting exactly what I wanted to say. She looked at me and finally broke into her beautiful smile, giggling a little. Her eyes landed on Gilbert as she said.

"She's good"

"I know right," He said as he looked at me.

I did a dramatic overwhelmed gasp as I touched my chest in an oh-so-elegant-way

"Touché, I'd like to thank me, myself and I for being such an amaz---"

I stopped at the loud giggle Juliette passed my way as she slightly pushed my arm to which I smiled. She was a beautiful sweet woman if you ask me. Moreover, she had a homey vibe which I was gladly thankful for.

"So this is it," I said as I looked at the huge house, or should I say mansion.

I couldn't help but feel the disappointment as I frowned a little I don't know why but I personally have never liked them. Like okayyy they're huge and all and scream the epitome of the riches. But still. Huge houses like these only remind me of how lonely a single person alone can get in there. And me being lonely is such a no-no.

"I believe not" I turned to look at Juliette who was walking beside me, making sure my dress was perfect for the dance awaiting inside and giving last-minute touches as she continued.

"I mean this is indeed the Khan's mansion but you probably won't be living here." I frowned.

Then where?

The streets.

Shut up.

Then stop asking stupid questions!

"Master has his own house that is an hour's distance from here," Gilbert answered to my confusion.

"Oh" was all I said.

"Don't worry. I'll be there with you." Juliette said as she lightly patted my hand probably getting the fact of how nervous I already was. I gave her a thankful smile.

We finally reached the huge doorway of the castle or the mansion these guys call home. It was huge, humungous, and beautiful. Yes I did come from a rich family I mean I was adopted by a rich family but no, we didn't have a mansion. I looked at my feet with a small smile on my face. I have the best parents ever. Especially for what they did for me.

"She's beautiful." I heard someone whisper. I looked up only to find beautiful pair of hazel eyes looking back at me with so much admiration.

My mother-in-law.

I smiled at her to which she just came forward and wrapped her arms around me. I was taken aback for a moment but it didn't take me too long to reply to her embrace. To be very honest I had always adored Mrs. Khan. Both the Khans and the Hussains had always shared a really good bond. Mum and Dad were best friends with the Khans.

No doubt none of us could break this relationship for the sake of their friendship.

"You've grown to be a beautiful woman Raqeeba." She said.

"Thank you, but that's not true." I couldn't help but say it. What? The fact that this entire family is so badly blessed with good looks is just so annoying sometimes. It does make me feel inferior.

"Nonsense! Look at you! You look so much better than any model on this planet!" She said. I felt a lump form at the back of my throat.

Model...Anusha?

I don't know if she was directing her words to her or not but that's just my reflex.

"I know you're gonna be really tiered honey but we couldn't help it. Nuraan badly wanted the functions to be finished as quickly as possible. So we had to call for dance today itself at our house."

Of course, he wanted to get done with it asap.

I smiled at her and shook my head. "That's not a problem Mrs. Kha---"

"Oh, Chuck the formals. Call me Mum."

Of course.

"Mum," I said more like testing the words.

"Mom when are you planning to call her in exactly." I heard an irritated voice from inside. A brunette guy with ruffled hair came into view with a bunch of girls all around him. Jeez. He had the bad boy look, one could easily figure it out. Tabish. I always heard about him from Nush but never really met. He was her twin. His blue eyes met mine as he smirked and then winked at me.

"Now, I would be your brother-in-law, my Lady", he said with a cheeky smile to which I chuckled.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, my Lord," I said with those princes kinda bow to which I earned a good laugh.

Why do I always get so comfortable everywhere, huh? Fuck me!

"It's a pity you married a wrong Khan." He said of course talking about his so-called MIA brother as he winked at me, making me blush. Now that I think of it. Where the fuck is he? As it is he already left me once we reached here and now he's nowhere to be found. Great.

"Where's Nuraan?" Mrs. Khan asked as she tilted her head looking at Gilbert. The old man looked hesitant for some reasons I don't know.

"He's---"

"I'm here." The heavy husky cold voice boomed at the place. I could already feel my heartbeat fasten just by listening to his voice.

Damn, he's blessed with a good hot voice as well! I guess I'm gonna die out of pure envy with this guy!

I gulped and took a deep breath as I felt a presence right behind me. His tall toned figure, already making me feel like a dwarf. What can I say? I was hardly 5'1 while from what I could make out he must be 6'2 or something. I could look like his kid! Ugh!

Mrs. Khan smiled as she said. "Get in you two. You have a dance to perform, everyone's waiting!." I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement. While I heard my husband groan.

_____

We've been sitting here at the huge hall where the dance is taking place for half an hour now. Correction. I've been sitting here for half an hour now while my dear husband disappeared just after fifteen minutes since we came here. I smiled as I saw couples dancing with so much grace, some with so much elegance while some just enjoying themselves.

My eyes met that of Nushra's. She was smiling at everyone for her parents and the audience but I know how bad she felt for her brother and her best friend. Nushra loves her brother and the fact that I am the sole reason why he is not having his ideal wedding, itself would make me her so-called Enemy. Moreover, I still remember how excited and ecstatic she always used to be whenever she used to talk about Nuraan and Anusha.

I sighed as I slightly rested my head on the back of the huge seat. Everyone was laughing and giggling when I saw his tall figure emerge from the corridor.

Finally.

I frowned as I took in his appearance. His tux was all creased and crumbled, his collar hung loosely around his neck, hair totally messed up but still managed to look good.

Looks like he just had rough sex in there.

I chuckled at my own thoughts which soon stuck back in there and my eyes widened when I saw Anusha walk out from there as well, as she tried to fix her dress and hair. Her face was red like that of a beetroot.

Uh-oh. Looks like he really did.

I could feel my mouth agape as I looked at them. My eyes met that of my husband and he raised an eyebrow at me. I gulped and cleared my throat.

So smooth.

______

Unknown's P.O.V

I looked at her, smiling and laughing like she was the happiest person alive. Why wouldn't she be? After all, what can go wrong with being married to a rich guy huh?

All my life, all my life I've seen her the ugly duckling getting everything I ever wished for. Every dream I ever dreamed of. Every chance I wanted to take. Every person I wanted to be with. She took away everything from me, from family to friends to profession to the hobbies I had and now the person I loved.

Bitch.

Everybody has a strength, but what we forget is that where there is strength there's weakness, and to my delight and her dismay, I've known the girl enough to know every inch of her weakness, her fear. Every single stone that I know I can use to break that delicate wall of glass she had built to overcome her past years, just to protect herself.

But honey to bad I can break them in a matter of seconds.

An evil smirk took its place on my face.

After all, I was your best friend.

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So this is my first time writing. I hope you all will be lenient.🙈
Please please please vote and comment for Unchain my Heart! Thank you for reading!
Love you all!
XOXO
It's Sheewholoved!

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