We Run for Love

Chapter 14

" I don't understand um-m pashto." I said looking at them as they exchanged glances. I recognized the young woman from the other day as she stood crying in a corner when the guards were beating the man.

She smiled and translated and suddenly I tensed. Not satisfied with the answer to that question.

" I-I am Zaryaab Khan's w-wife." I saw the woman give me a sharp glance before she spoke.

" Don't talk rubbish, girl. And tell me who you are and what are you doing here?" She asked.

"I-I am telling you the truth. I am his wife. He brought me here with him." I justified seeing the younger woman gasp again. The two women talked away in Pashto as I stared at them.

The older woman was short not that short just a few inches shorter than me. Her wrinkled face showed authority, her hazel eyes cold and sharp. The bridge of her nose pointed. She supported a pale blue long shirt with matching trousers, a black maroon shawl remained on her shoulder whilst her veil loose on her head. Her salt pepper hair in a bun.

The gold bangles in her wrist clanked as she probably ordered the other woman. Sparing me a sharp glance she walked off making me look helpfully at the young woman.

" My name is Norie, and what is your name?" She asked as she extended her hand.

" Afaaf." I said suddenly feeling shy.

" Come Bibi, I have some orders for you." She said as she walked back in the room and I hesitated looking at the hallways outside.

Yaar Kiya musibat hai.

I followed her inside the bedroom as she stood in a corner.

" Do you have a fresh pair of clothing or should I bring you one?"

" Yes, I have-"I reached towards my brown bag finding a grey dress in it.

" Then please come, I'll show you the guest bedroom and you can shower. I'll take you downstairs then. Dadi Gul has called for you." I gave her a curious glance but she took my bag leading me out of the room.

I felt relieved that at least I was out of the prison. Looking around the haveli I found it all white. Wood flooring with dark brown doors that had these ancient intricate engraved designs on them. The doors were on one side and on the other side were railings and I could see that downstairs was an open veranda. Wooden stairs came into view but Norie turned into the passageway making me follow her.

" Umm, do you know where Z-zaryaab is?" I asked.

She shook her head.

" No Bibi, but he is attending some important business at the moment."

" Probably finding people to beat." I muttered under my breath.

" Please call me Afaaf." I said smiling at her as she returned the gesture.

" How can I call you by your name when you are our master's wife." She opened the door to the guest bedroom and kept my bag on the bed.

" No, no. You don't have to fear your master. Believe me, as long as I stay here in this city, I'll make sure that you people never get hurt by him again." I said placing my hands on her shoulder.

She shook her head.

" Hurt by him? I believe he is the most kindness man I have ever seen in my 27 years of life"

I shook my at her this time. Were they so terrified by him that they couldn't even speak anything bad about him?

" Don't worry, I'll get you out of this."