Trigger warning.
Mention of abuse.
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The smell of something warm hit her nostrills before Safa opened her eyes. Squinting to the bright light, she adjusted her sight and sat up straight in bed. Glancing at the clock, she found it close to eleven. She hissed as she slept in too late. Normally, she's awake around nine or earlier. Maybe the incident last night had taken a toll on her. Immediately her chest filled with a bitter feeling. She was just so sad last night. The mere thought of never seeing her brother and mother again sent a chill down her spine. She knew there would be consequences of her rash decision and maybe this was it.
Complete abandonment from her own blood. Her own flesh.
The feeling was edgy and her mind complete spiralled. Not wanting to dwell to much in her chains of thoughts, she stood up and made her way inside the bathroom. There was already a toothbrush and other toiletries. She opened the shower and took a nice long bath to calm her straining muscles. She came out dressed in a cream white suit. Towel drying her hair, she let the partially wet hair dry naturally and descended down the stairs. As she neared the kitchen, the smell of chai and something else caught her nose. Heading inside, she stilled at the sight before her. There standing was her husband dressed in a t-shirt and pants making pancakes while the tea brewed over another stove. She saw a cup already in the basin, knowing he has drunk his coffee. As if suspecting her presence, he turned around and acknowledged her
"Good morning, did you sleep well?"
He asked while closing the distance between them. She felt nervous all of a sudden and gave a slight shake. He was acting....normal. like nothing happened between the two. She wanted to ask him about that, but before she could voice her question, he said
"Sit down. I'll grab your breakfast."
She nodded and took a seat on the couch in the living room. He came carrying a tray and put it before her on the table. There were eggs and pancakes on her plate while a steaming hot cup of tea was sat beside her plate.
"I hope you like pancakes." He said almost unsure and hesitant. A warm buzz went through her form and she shook her head.
"I haven't tried them before."
"Let's give it a try now." He urged and took a seat in front of her. She tore a little piece of the golden cake and put the bite in her mouth. Her taste buds exploded with flavour. It was amazing. The cakes were soft and there was this great cinnamon spice. She loved it. Looking at her husband, she found him looking eagerly at her and she couldn't help but pass a smile.
"It's delicious."
He heaved a relieved sigh and chuckled lowly. She went back to her breakfast which was so tasteful by the way. She never knew her husband can make such good dishes.
"I didn't know you cooked." She said frowning. He leaned in and said
"Apparently I do know how to make a few dishes, Phoenix."
Her heart rate palpitated at the use of the nickname. He hasn't called her that after the moment of truth. This time she voiced her question
"Why do you call me that?" She knew her question caught him off guard. He leaned back on his seat and thought deeply. She waited for him to answer her. It always came as a surprise to her of him calling her with a nickname. He's been using it since they both met. She was dying to know the reason behind it.
"Actually..." Before he could complete his sentence, his phone rang. Excusing himself, he attended the call and after few minutes of speaking into the phone, he returned back. She glanced at him while he said
"I have to go. Some work came up." She nodded standing up and said
"Can you drop me at the shelter home? I want to see it."
He softly nodded at her while she went to their room and grabbed her shawl. It was so much cold in here. When she came out of the house, he was already waiting for her in the car. She quickly got inside and wore her seat belt. He ignited the engine and they fell into a comfortable silence. Mid driving, she felt his hand closing on her's. She smiled at the feeling, but still the question was bugging her too much. Looking up at his face, she said
"Subhan?" He hummed not taking his eyes off the road.
"Is everything alright between us?"
Her question made him tense. His shoulders stiffened and his hold loosened on her hand. The whole moment worked as poison to her heart. Rotting her heart from the inside. Quietly sitting through the entire ride, she wished for his forgiveness. For her Lord's forgiveness for she has hurt him. Looking away, she gazed outside the window wishing to find peace. The car moved smoothly but there was only silence. An uncomfortable silence. Thick with tension.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The familiar doors of the shelter appeared before her eyes. The tyres screeched against the road and came to a stop. She clicked her door open and circled the car to go inside when she heard him mutter
"Be careful, Safa. Call me if you need anything."
There was this worry in his tone that didn't sit well with her. She nodded her head and put him at ease
"I will."
She took the steps leading to the main door and only when she entered inside did she hear his car moving away. She sighed and made her way inside the shelter home. Everyone was already aware of her arrival. Soon, the supervisor welcomed her and she walked with her to the veranda where everyone was present. There were females of all ages. From young girls to mid fifties. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing when she entered the room.
"Ladies this is Mrs. Safa. Wife of our Mr. Subhan." Murmurs erupted in the veranda and she smiled at everyone.
"Call me please if you need anything." Safa nodded at the lady and watched her go away. She turned around and said to all of them
"Please don't mind me. Do whatever you like."
"Naam kiya ha tumhara?"
(What is your name)
A woman same age as Bua Ji asked her. She smiled and walked to her and took a seat beside her.
"Safa." The old lady ran a shaking head on her head before asking
"Kitna arsa hogaya ha shadi ko?"
(How long have you been married for)
"Few months." She replied. The old lady frowned and said
"That's not much."
Safa laughed lightly at her and soon they were engaged in a conversation. Safa spent an hour in the shelter home before she called Subhan.
"Hey you okay?" She heard his voice.
"Yeah I was thinking of heading back home."
She said into the phone while coming to stand in the garden. She heard him sigh before he said
"I'll take another hour for me to finish." He sounded tried and she felt bad.
"I'll go on my own." She said.
"No it's risky." He immediately refused.
"I'll take public transportation. It won't be risky then."
She heard him take a long breath before he said
"Okay. But let me know the minute you reach home."
She reassured him and took the bus to go home. She felt nostalgic standing in the bus. When it stopped, she walked to her cabin. Taking out the keys, she juggled them in the lock and entered inside. Keeping her bag on the counter, she headed for the kitchen and took out a bottle of water. Taking gulps of water, she quenched her thirst.
"Still as beautiful as I remembered."
A chill went straight through her spine and her head snapped in the direction of the voice. The sight before her made her blood run cold.
No. It can't be. No it cannot be.
She chanted inside her head. Again and again. Praying so hard for it to be a nightmare. But no it was her reality. He was here. HE WAS HERE. Her deepest fear. Her tormentor.
"Great to see you again, gorgeous." His sickening voice made her jump at her place.
"Pasha." The whisper left her mouth in a daze.
"Your very own."
His eyes bore dagger in her soul. Her feet were rooted to her spot. Fear paralysed her. There was this constant buzz in the back of her head. Telling her to run. To fight. Do anything. She eyed his movements as he took slow steps towards her. Like she was his prey and he was her predator. His eyes were almost black and so vile she felt scared to her bones. She pushed herself into the kitchen counter when something sharp nipped at her skin. Realizing it was the knife, she secretly tried to reach it while eying the man's movement.
"You thought you could stay hidden from me. Never gorgeous. What's mine stays mine."
He growled in the end making her scared. Suddenly, he strode toward her at full speed and she just in time grabbed the knife and stabbed at his shoulder. A howl of cry left his lips, but he managed to slap her across the face. The knife fell from her grip as she stumbled backwards. The impact of the slap was too much. Shaking her teeth and making her taste metallic liquid. But she quickly held her senses together and made a run for the door. Unfortunately, he grabbed her elbow and slammed her to the nearby wall. Pain erupted in her back and she gasped.
"Not so fast."
He seethed. She kicked him in the stomach, but he was bulky and easily dodged it. Not thinking too much she pressed hard on his wound, drawing out blood. He cried while letting go of her. She immediately grab hold of her phone and ran to the nearest room and locked herself in. With shaking hands, she dialed her husband's number.
"Goodness, are you home?" She heard his worried voice and a cry left her lips.
"What happened,Safa? Are you okay?"
His words came out rushed and she shrieked when that monster banged the doors
"Open up, you wench!"
"He's here. Him. He'll take me."
She cried into the phone. Her voice was shivering and her hands were badly shaking, making it harder to grip the device in her hand. From the other end, she heard the engine starting.
"I'll be there. Stay on the phone."
She nodded, but a scream left her lips when the door banged again. She knew he was trying to break it open. She sobbed into the phone.
"Hurry... please."
"I'm coming. I'm coming."
She heard his ragged answer. Her hope shattered at once when the door banged open and she caught eyes with the monster. He attacked her instantly tackling her to the ground. A whimper escaped her lips and she heard her husband shout
"Don't you dare touch her. Leave her alone. GET AWAY FROM HER!"
Pasha laughed above her settling a terror in her bones. Grabbing hold of her phone, he barked
"Too late lover boy."
Smashing the phone against the wall, he delivered a punch to her stomach. The breath emptied her lungs and a sharp sting settled in the pit of her stomach. She refused to give up though, with whatever strength she had left, she grabbed hold of his eyes and pinched hard before pushing him off her. Standing up on wobbly legs, she ran toward the door. She was so close to stepping out of the cabin when she felt a prick in her neck. Realizing what happened, she thrashed and shouted
"No. Leave me. Help. Help." Slowly the fight drained from her and she felt her body gave up. Intense fear gripped her heart and she heard his malicious voice before her eyes closed.
"You lost, gorgeous."
•••••••••••••••
Asalamoaliukm everyone.
Here's an update. Tell me your thoughts in the comments. What do you think will happen next?
Enjoy. Untill the next update.
Allah Hafiz.