Dare You To Love Me

«22» heartbeats and heartbreaks

“Okay, I get it,” he laughed. “Enough with the name-calling.”

“Flawless is an understatement, when it comes to my work and you know that. Your bride will be stunned, the guests will be enchanted, and you... you’ll be wondering why you ever had any doubts.”

“I appreciate the reassurance, JJ, thank you.”

JJ waved him off. “Trust me, the moment Yaseerah walks into this hall, it will all be worth it. Now, run along and get ready or Hayat will have all of our heads on a platter.”

With one last glance at the hall, Fou’ad retreated, counting down to the seconds until he came face to face with his wife.

Wife, it felt surreal to think that he was married now, and to the person who had captured his heart, right from the moment he had set his eyes on her.

•—۵—•

Yaseerah decked in a floor-length matte black Sadek Majed bridal dress, featuring a regal high neck and long sleeves, adorned with delicate gold lace applique and gold intricate beadings, stood just outside the hall, her bridesmaids fanning out behind her.

A gold statement belt embellished with tiny pearls and crystals wrapped around her waist, reflecting off lights with each movement.

Until I find a way, Yaseerah thought, taking a steadying breath as she focused on her steps, putting one foot in front of the other, the skirt of her dress shimmering with a golden radiance that was both enchanting and beautiful.

The desire to clutch at her aching throat nipped at her insides, but she suppressed it, unwilling to show any vulnerability.

Pressing her lips firmly together to keep the memories at bay was almost as painful as the bruises her father had inflicted upon her, mere hours ago.

Her entire body was numb, not just from the painkillers, but also from been poked and prodded by different makeup artists, all so they could hide the bruising on her body.

Yaseerah was unsure how she hadn’t cried through it all, or how she hadn’t ruined her makeup somehow. But there she was, married off to someone she didn’t know, someone whose intentions she wasn’t truly aware of, all while her mother was on a sickbed and she had no choice but to go through with it.

She had had stitches before, withstood the pain of having her bones reset multiple times, but nothing could ever compare to the raw wounds that now etched across her soul after the recent ordeal with her father.

Three hours had been all it took for him to find her. Three hours in which she had had the time to think of everything that happened.

She bit her lip at the thought and forced herself to think of anything other than the mess that had been the last twenty four hours, and how she had endured her worst beating ever, all because she had dared to love someone, dared to run away from a future that had been chosen for her.

Instead, she concentrated on getting through the day. With every step into the wedding hall, towards the man she had been bound to for the rest of her life, Yaseerah fought to keep the haunting memories at bay, pressing her lips firmly together in a silent battle.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Just like Fulan had taught her. The thought of him almost sent her crashing to her knees, but Yaseerah fought against the onset of nausea, focusing on her breath patterns.