It was dark outside. The rain was pattering heavily against the fragile windows. Those tiny little drops of water were making a banging sound on the roof. The thunder was making the dark night scarier than it already was. The roar of the clouds and the hoofing sound on the roof disturbed Safa's slumber. She groaned and opened her eyes. Beside her, her mother was sleeping soundlessly. She glanced at the windows which were open. She sighed and placed her steps down on the floor. Reaching towards the windows, she closed them.
Glancing at the clock, she find it close to midnight. Her brother wasn't home. She grew agitated as the rain was slowly converting into a storm. Just when she could drown herself in anymore misery, she heard the faint knock at the door. Covering her form with a shawl, she walked towards the main gate, opening the door, she found her brother drenched in rain. She hissed and was about to scold him when he cut her off
"I have a guest." Safa looked more closely and her breath got caught in her throat. There stood her nightmare in all his glory. Her breathing ragged and her steps faltered. She saw those disgusting eyes raking over her shawl cladded figure and those vicious lips curled up in a sinister smirk and she heard a hoarse
"Hello, darling."
Safa bolted upright on the bed. She was panting hard. Sweat covered her features and her hair were sticking to her neck like glue. She frantically poured herself a glass of water and drank hastily. Almost spilling it. After she calmed down a bit, she closed her eyes and rest her head on her knees.
These nightmares are back. After a whole lot of months, they are back to haunt her again. To steal whatever tranquility she has. She was there once again where she started from. Everything was repeating itself. She ran a hand through her dark straight hair and tried to relax by taking deep inhales of oxygen. It was only ten in the night, but it felt like it was midnight. Goosebumps arose on her skin, but she refused to give in to her vulnerable state.
I'm strong.
I can get through this.
You're not a little girl anymore.
She chanted those sentences like a mantra and laid back down on the bed. Covering herself with her duvet she recited Ayat Al Kursi and wished for a dreamless sleep.
~~~~~~~
The weather was sunny. It wasn't that much hot, but the little cool breeze was blowing making today a beautiful day. Safa got up as usual on her regular time. Today was her second exam. She didn't want to be a cry baby and hide in the dark corner of her soul, so she buried all those negative thoughts in the extreme back of her mind and focused on her present.
On what really matters.
After having a small breakfast, she headed to her university. Kamal Chacha was there already at the front gates waiting for her. She plastered a fake smile on her face to pretend that she was fine. That she wasn't being rotten inside. That she was still alive and blossoming. But she knew the truth and she chose to ignore it.
The cars tyres screech against the ground and she stepped out of it. Giving a wave to Kamal Chacha, she entered her university. She tried her best not to pay attention to any of the other students. The incident three days ago was still fresh in her mind. She just wished it's taken care of. She can't afford things taking a three sixty degree turn. With composted steps and a hesitant mind she entered the exam hall. Taking her assigned seat, she busied herself in staring into space, so that the monsters stay where they belong. In the dark.
A gentle tap on her shoulder jerked her and she craned her neck to see a girl looming over her chair. Safa confusedly looked at her and said
"Yes?" The girl hissed and asked instead
"Have you heard about the rumour?"
Her eyebrows further drew together and the girl before her huffed like she was living under a rock. She watched that girl as she took out her cell phone and shoved it in her face. Safa read the article with shaking hands
"The romance between the eligible billionaire and mystery girl seems to be skyrocketing as Subhan Durrani was seen at his lovers home. Looks like the couple were discussing private matters or who knows he wanted to comfort her."
There was a picture of him from the day he came to her house. Someone was aware of her residence. Her face was blurred. She was thankful of that, but anyone who knows her would know that she is the girl in the picture. Just when she thought this matter won't complicate further, it did. The monsters broke their chains and stood in front of her. Grinning at her like she was the dumbest fool in the entire world. But what scared Safa more was that she knew that they have won.
That she has lost the battle against those monsters.
~~~~~~~~
"How is this article still floating around?"
Subhan roared at his tech team. They had one job and they still couldn't done it properly. The poor employees were scared of his wrath. It was the first time they have seen their new boss angry. He wasn't prone on solving matters with anger, but he has limits. Which were crossed by whoever the hell is spreading fake news about him and Safa. How the media is portraying both of them is insulting. Cheap. Oh how much he wants to strangle the person who dare to raise a finger on his honour.
"I want this article removed in an hour. An hour not a minute more than that."
The tech team nodded their heads and started their work. He left the office and closed the door with a loud bang. He took out his phone and opened his contacts list. His fingers linger over the name Phoenix. He was desperate to call her. To know about her well being. She must be so shaken up from all this internet drama. Nevertheless, he didn't call her. For some reason he stopped.
Opening the door to his office he found his father waiting for him sitting at one the chairs. He cleared his throat and greeted him. Owais turned in his chair and said
"We need to talk." Subhan nodded. He knew what his father has to talk about. It was a mess. He sat down and said
"It's not true baba. Whatever the hell they put on the internet."
He didn't hear anything from his father. He just sat there. Not moving just observing.
"How did this happen?" He heard his father ask. Subhan sighed and shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Who is this girl?" Owais asked. Subhan was taken aback. Should he tell his father? What will be his reaction?
Owais arched his brows at him demanding an answer. Seeing no way out, Subhan disclosed
"I received a letter from Bhai. I mean his lawyer." Owais leaned in close.
"He wrote about this girl he saved months ago. You know he was always taking care of others. Helping others. You know his social working habit." Subhan said to his father.
"He told me to take care of that girl in that letter. He give that responsibility to me. An Emanet."
He sighed after completing. Owais drew in close and asked
"Why didn't he put her in the women's shelter like everyone else?"
Subhan shrugged. He didn't know that information too. And he never tried to find about that. His brother was a man of powerful decisions. He must have taken this decision for some reason.
"Whatever that reason be, we have a bigger crisis at hand. This will badly affect your reputation."
Subhan grimaced. Of course, he was worried about that. He just signed a very important deal and now there are rumours about him of having an affair. But why now? Why not before? The deal with Mr. Waleed will be the cause of his striving future and now he was labeled as a playboy. Is this some kind of a conspiracy? Is someone planning to bring him down?
He came out of his thoughts when he heard his father say
"We need to find a solution as soon as possible. This could be disastrous for all of us."
Subhan nodded. But something nudged him that this was just the beginning. There were bigger problems coming his way. Maybe he was being paranoid. But what if he's right? Is there really someone out there to destroy him? Hiding in the shadows?
Only time will tell.
••••••••••
Salaam everyone
A short update.
Enjoy.
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Till then, Allah Hafiz.