chapter fifty two

Khair's POV

I yawned as I woke up from the terrifying unintentional sleep I fall in. I felt my legs and hand tied. I sighed as I heard my stomach rumbles in hunger.

"Khair!" Someone called in a whispering tone. I froze and perk up my ears to be sure I haven't started hearing voices. The voice prove me wrong. I heard it saying "Khair, it's me uncle Haroon."

That's impossible. There's no way uncle Haroon can enter this house. How the hell will he even know I was here, in this house, in this room.

I kept quiet and resume the supplications I have been into since when Smith brought me here.

From nowhere,I saw uncle Haroon standing at my front. I was so scared that I almost peed

"Uncle Haroon is it really you?" I asked unsure.

"No,it's you." Yeah,he was the one. His sarcastic self. It felt good to know you aren't going to die lonely after you've lost all hopes.

"I hope you're okay?" He asked and that's when I remembered my situation.

A sob escaped my lips as I tried to keep it down.

"What are you still doing there. Come and hug me joor." I joked while crying. Uncle Haroon scratched the back of his head and squatted down to my level. He gave me the most relieving hug and tapped my back in comfort. I stopped crying and silence took over for twenty seconds.

"How did you get in here?" I asked the question I have been wanting to ask him since I heard his voice.

"Well,its a long story." He sighed while I urged him to tell me and he did. As much as the situation was funny,I couldn't laugh.

"Now,I have sent message to Ahmad. He should do whatever he has to do to bring us out of this problem." Uncle Haroon finished.

Hearing Ahmad's name made my heart twisted in an uncomfortable way.

What was he doing? Probably going to and fro from my house to the school,Steph's house and everywhere he knows I use to be.

And Maya?!

The girl might be going crazy now despite me being missing for just some hours.

I sighed and opened my mouth to say something when we heard shuffling outside the pretty large room we were in.

I roamed my eyes around the room and landed on several boxes behind me.

"Uncle Haroon,quickly hide in there. Quick" I whispered to him and he gave me a 'duh' look as he casually walked there like he owned it.

After two agonizing minutes,the door opened revealing smith carrying a porcelain tray.

"You're awake." He cooed and dropped the tray in my front.

"I brought food for you. I know you must be hungry." He smiled and loosed my tied wrists.

"Eat." He ordered and I just eyed him with the food. I was honestly hungry but I won't allow myself to look as if I was depending on him.

"What's that?" I threw the question at him without a single emotion on my face.

"Gammon steaks."

I know steak but which one is gammon again? I thought about it for few seconds before the answer finally popped into my head.

Gammon is a meat from the back leg of a pig. Nop,not gonna eat that.

"What are you thinking about?just eat" Smith said.

"I won't eat it." I declared.

"Oh well guess what? It is a must. You must eat it. I cannot waste my money for you. My partner in crime said you will like steak so I brought a freaking expensive gammon steak specially for you just for you to reject it? No. You are eating it NOW!" Smith said harshly and banged his leg on the floor showing how damn serious he was.

"I never asked you to buy me an expensive useless gammon steak so NO!" I said firmly.

He gritted his teeth for seconds before smiling like nothing ever happened.

I gulped. That was Smith's mischievous smile.

"Be a good girl and wait for me here." He smiled and left.

He doesn't have to say 'wait for me', when he knew I can't go anywhere.

"Uncle Haroon,what did you think Smith's about to do?" I asked Uncle Haroon silently.

"I don't have an atom of idea but I think.....I don't even know what to think." He sighed and I smiled painfully.

Before I have a chance of thinking about anything, smith came in with the largest smile I have ever seen on his stupid face.

"I got a little...no huge surprise for you baby girl." He announced.

The way he stressed the 'huge' made my bladder fuller.

"Are you sure you don't wanna eat?" He asked and I was just staring at him.

"Well then, whether you like it or not you have to eat that with the help of my dear puppy." Smith said.

Puppy? How's puppy gonna make me eat? Was Smith thinking the cute puppy will make it cute face so that I will feel special and eat? Oh well,it can't happen cos.....

"Tiger." Smith called stopping my thoughts.

How dumb was he to name his puppy tig.....

"Oh my Allah." I whispered and my eyes automatically widened cos of the freaking hugest beast of a dog I saw.

Smith bent down and scratched the dog's belly while it was bringing out it extremely long tongue in a terrifying way together with grunts.

Meanwhile, I was a shivering and sweating mess.

"Go say hi to Khair there." And as if the dog understood what Smith said,it majestically bounced to me and rub itself against my legs.

I let out an agonizing scream while tears designed themselves on my face.

The dog barked so loudly at me and I was screaming at the same time.

Smith laughed and said "Your screams are what tiger did not like. So stop screaming,and live in peace with him."

I stopped screaming and tiger stopped barking also.

"Make sure she eats half of the steak alright?" Smith said to tiger and the dog barked in confirmation.

"Will be back soon. Bye." With that,smith left.

Tiger used its muzzle to push the tray of food to me. Since I don't want trouble with the dear dog,I picked up the plate and started eating while tears were streaming down my face. Tiger was rounding me non stop. Any moment I stopped chewing for five seconds, tiger would bark at me. That goes on until I finished half of the steak. I was almost having panic attack.

"Today is the worst day of my life." I cried out. I was sure my heart would have come out of my ribcage if not because I held it so tightly. It was beating in fear loud enough for the entire household to hear especially tiger that was curled in front of me with his face inches away from my leg.

I didn't even knew when Smith entered and annoyingly said "good job tiger. You made her eat."

"Now say goodbye to her. We are gonna leave and allow her to rest." Smith added. The next thing I saw was tiger opening his mouth close to my face. His slick saliva was all over my face in one second. I refused to shout to avoid further fun moment with tiger but the liquid in my bladder reduced by 3%.

Smith laughed and went out of the room with tiger behind him.

"Uncle Haroon I'm dead." I cried after making sure smith must have been far away from the room we were in.

"Khair I'm sorry. There was nothing I could do." Uncle Haroon said coming out of his hiding spot to hug me.

"I know."

Uncle Haroon was saying soothing words to me for minutes I couldn't count until I stopped crying.

"You need to eat also." I told him

"But that's pork."

"Yes I know its haram but this is a kind of situation where its allowed. Pls don't allow hunger to kill you for me." I pleaded

"I can't. We shall be out of here before tomorrow and I will be managing the food I have left in my stomach till then. I will only take water." The stubborn uncle Haroon said.

"OK whatever."

.......

"Uncle Haroon!" I almost shouted as I got annoyed. How can he enjoy sleeping on the floor when he was in danger?

"What?" He groaned and I sighed remembering how badly I want to ease myself.

"Its morning already and you haven't prayed." I told him.

"I know." He simply replied.

I usually assumed to be performing ablution and praying anytime we assume is prayer time. Uncle Haroon performed sand ablution and I would have dome the same but I was all tied.

"Well-done." I said to him.

"Huh...what?!"

"I thought you said you aren't eating steak."

"Well I have to. I can't allow hunger to kill me." He admitted.

After uncle Haroon showed his hatred and disgust for gammon steak, he was still the same person that stole and ate it overnight.

"You know..." I kept quiet when I heard the door opening.

The lady with pink face mask decided to visit and she did the most annoying thing. She waved at me.

"Hey miss woman. Do you know what? I want to use the toilet real quick and it will be a shame if I urinate on my body right? So can you kindly take me to the toilet? Pls?" I smiled at the familiar lady.

She raised her index finger at me and went out. What the hell did she meant by that?

Two minutes passed and she didn't came back. I decided to just do what uncle Haroon have been advising me to do.

"Don't." A voice said coming inside the room. It was still the lady with the pink mask.

Her voice prove to me that it was not who I was thinking.

She walked to me and bent down. She loosed the ropes on my leg and said "follow me."

Without wasting a second,I got up and almost fall down. I didn't blame my wobbly legs. I have been sitting in a position for 21 hours,all thanks to Smith.

I followed the lady out of the door and if I wasn't in a rush mode,I would have taken my time to look at the extraordinary garage looking back at me. It got over fifty cars,if my eyes were still working perfectly to calculate by a mere look. The cars were no cheap cars,they will cost a fortune even though I don't know much about cars but mehn,they were super luxurious. There were blue neon light everywhere giving a more beautiful view.

"Er,I thought you want to use the toilet." The lady reminded.

I gave her an awkward smile and said "oh,yeah, yes,right,oops haha."

Just how stupid does that sound?

"This way." The lady cleared the awkward tension and pointed to another door a bit far away from the one we came out from.

A toilet in a garage? How fascinating.

I eased myself and decided to pick up a small scissors from the first aid box I found in the cabinet attached to the wall of the toilet. I don't know who sent me to investigate the toilet room but the curious me did.

"Are you sleeping in there?" The lady banged on the door and started shuffling with the handle. I quickly hide the scissors in the worse place I could think of,my hair. I wore my cap and repaired my veil over it.

I came out of the toilet and the lady looked at me suspiciously. Hope she didn't notice anything.

She led me back to the room and tied me back in place.

"Tiger will bring you both breakfast soon." She laughed and my heart sank in fear. Does she know uncle Haroon was here? Was there camera in the room and they were playing to be oblivion to uncle Haroon's existence?

"Oh God." I gulped.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable so you will be the only one to eat today, not with tiger." She laughed again and walked out at the same time I released a sigh of relief.

She thought tiger and I ate those steaks together. Smith must have filled her head with lies.

"So,what did you see in the outer world?" Uncle Haroon asked.

"Outer world? Why are you making it sound as if we are in a fantasy tale?" I scrunched my face.

"I don't know. I just felt like saying that. So tell me,is there a way out cos if there isn't, I will follow plan 'b' ." He said in all seriousness

"Was there plan 'a' for it to be substituted with plan 'b'? Uncle Haroon what are you secretly planning huh?"

"Plan 'b' was to climb the window and escape if plan 'a' didn't work out and before you ask,my plan 'a' was to ensure that there's a normal route other than a window to follow through. That's just it." He explained.

"Well that's dumb." I commented.

"Ohhh. Dumb right? Where's your own plan you stupid girl? At least I'm not letting my brain stay idle like yours. I think I will just go through this window and allow you to figure out your own smart plan. Wallahi ...." Uncle Haroon ranted really angry.

"Uncle Haroon I was just joking. I didn't meant what I said. I'm so sorry." I apologized

"Sorry for yourself." He hissed and I was about to talk again when the door opened revealing smith with similar tray.

"Good morning girl." He greeted and I ignored him.

"Eat,drink and rest so that you can have energy to summon your confidence cos things are gonna get more interesting." Smith squealed.

"Bye." He waved and walked out.

"But how the hell I'm I suppose to eat with hands tied?" I shouted so that he could hear me and I was sure he did but decided to ignore me.

"Oh sorry. I got so excited that I forgot to untie you." Smith said walking in after several minutes.

He untied me and watched me eat before tying my hands back to place.

"Smith! Smith! Your parents are calling." The lady's voice I recognized said barging inside the room.

"What is wrong with you?" Smith yelled at the lady while putting his hand in his jean pocket before landing a punch at me who was trying to get a view of the lady.

Dude seriously? You have to punch me to make me loose consciousness?!

I came to a conclusion that Smith's punches aren't just normal punches,there's something attached to it cos he always put his hand in his jean pocket before punching me.

My vision got blurred and dark ever so slowly before slipping into darkness. How I hate this process.

.........

Third person's POV

"Well will you hurry up." Smith yelled to his partner in crime.

"Wait a sec." She answered.

"That's what you're saying for the past two hours." Smith yelled again

"Before you eat me raw,I'm ready. Let's go." The lady said jumping out of the room she has been in.

"I don't even know why I'm being so worried for you. I think I should just stick to our deal. I will keep Khair captive while you should know whatever you have to do to make her leave that Ahmad guy." Smith sneered

"I'm sorry baby." The Lady cooed and hugged him

"I'm not your baby and get off me." Smith said trying to push her away from him.

"Fine." She hissed and started making her way to the garage.

"Take this." Smith said frowning and giving her a small device.

"Awwn. I know you care." She smiled and hugged him again but this time,he didn't pull away which gave her the opportunity to peck him.

She pressed a button and set the beetle-like device on her lower jaw and as if it was a magnet, it stuck to her jaw. She cracked her voice said some gibberish words to herself.

"I love this thing." She said a in a totally different voice and smiled.

"I know. You have been using it non stop since when I gave it to you." Smith said and started walking. She breathed in and out before trailing behind him.

"How much are you gonna sell it to me?" She asked.

"It will be so expensive cos its one of a kind."

"But you have to sell it cheaply to me as your friend right?" And that's how they both debated cutely on the cost of the device until they reached the garage.

Khair and Uncle Haroon upon hearing footsteps outside, they both kept quiet and uncle Haroon scurried back to his hiding spot.

"Hey there girl." The lady directed her sentence to Khair.

"Stop acting dumb." Smith rolled his eyes at Khair silent behaviors.

"Well we,specifically me came with a nice deal for you. If you do as I say,then you're free from me and will get out of here in less than two days but if you refuse to work with me,then I don't know how many days you will spend in here." The lady stated.

"Won't you ask me what the real is or did you prefer roting in here?" Asked the lady but Khair still kept quiet.

"I really wanna hear you say it yourself." The lady said after waiting a minute hoping to hear Khair's voice.

"What's the deal?" Finally asked Khair.

"Oh yeah." The lady started with enthusiasm all over her face. "I will call Ahmad with your phone and you will speak to him. You will tell him how much you hate him and want to breakup with him. Also er,you will tell him you are with someone right now enjoying your life yeah? And whatever question he will ask you,just make sure your answer should be revolving round the hatred you have for him. Just do whatever you have to do to make him believe you're really not into him again. You understand what I'm saying?"

Khair sat there motionless with racing heart since when the lady started listing what she wants her to do. The hell?!

"I understand you but why?" Questioned Khair

"Cos I want to have him to myself." She quietly replied. "And don't worry about thinking how will we meet and suddenly start dating. Just do your job and the rest will be easy." She added.

Khair's blood was boiling with anger. She badly wants to get a glimpse of this lady so that wherever she mistakenly meets her,a slap will be her first gift.

"Untie her." Ordered the lady.

"Are you sure? Cos she might try to run away." Smith tried to reason.

"You are here and so am I then why will she think of escaping? Beside, if she is able to get pass through us,she will definitely not be able to go out through the gate when tiger is on loose right so chillax and release her." The lady said and smith nodded in understanding. He did as she said. Khair was untied but still sitting on the seat.

"Take. Call his number yourself." The lady said handling Khair her phone.

"My beautiful phone." Khair said in her mind. How she missed it.

"We are waiting." Smith reminded and Khair sighed dialing Ahmad's number. Even tho whatever she was about to say to Ahmad is never intentional,it will sound bad and unfair.

Ahmad picked the phone on the first ring.

"Loudspeaker." Smith said before Khair say anything.

"Oh my Allah Khairee." Ahmad's worried voice boomed inside the room. Khair almost let out a cry of relief?sadness? Happiness?longing? She herself don't know but she was sure it was all at once.

"Khair say something." Ahmad's voice said again.

"Hey." She managed to croaked out.

"Don't allow your voice to sound suspicious." The lady warned.

"Khair where are you? I have been calling you for two days now and it doesn't come through. You aren't in your house also. Where are you?" Ahmad ranted

"Why are you been so worried about me. I'm fine and enjoying my life at where I am." Khair said in her normal voice.

"Enjoying your life?where?are you okay?" Ahmad questioned.

"Duh,I can't be enjoying my life and not be okay. Its not like I'm kidnapped by anyone so." Khair laughed.

"Who are you with?"

"With the love of my life."

"This person doesn't have name? What the hell is his name?" Ahmad said in surprisingly calm voice. Khair was thinking of a name to convince Ahmad with when smith said "psst". She looked up at him and he pointed at himself.

Getting what he meant,she said to Ahmad " Smith. Smith Gaulten." she felt irritated as she said that. She and Smith, never!

"Khair, is someone forcing you to say this cos...." Ahmad started but Khair cut him off.

"Hear me out Mr man. No one is forcing me to saying anything ka gane ko? If you like think otherwise. I didn't call you to discuss about unnecessary thing. I want to tell you what's in my mind so better open you ears,listen carefully,think about it and translate it logically. You can record it if you want for future use and understanding. Start recording now cos if I say what I'm about to say,I'm never repeating them again. I hate you,not dislike, I hate you. I never believed I was dating you before but if you do believe, then we have to break up whether you like it or not and find another girl. There are girls out there who can do anything to have you just like the one standing in front of me. All what I'm saying are obligations and you know I love following rules and regulations so from today,don't call me,don't visit me and don't even think about me. Got it?" Khair ranted as fast as she could cos she was leaving some clues in her speech. Even though she believe Ahmad won't agree what she was saying,she will still like him to know she wasn't saying it intentionally.

Meanwhile, uncle Smith and aunty lady were busy listening with amusement. The lady was overjoyed and was already giving Khair thumbs up.

"No Khair. Where are you so that we can talk face to face? And I will really like to see that Smith." Ahmad said.

"Haha,funny joke. You can't come to where I am even tho I give you the full address. The house is a 'no go area'. High-tech securities are everywhere that you can't come 50foots close to the house. Come to house 21 Berkeley and you see what I'm telling you. Don't even try to come with cops cos they will be the synonym of useless. And oh,don't hurry to come and remember I hate you. Opposites. Byeeee." Khair rushed once again and hanging up before Ahmad gets a chance to say anything.

"Yeeessss! That was aweeessoome."the lady shouted and was jumping like a male dolphin.

"Now he will be left heartbroken and it will be the best time for me to strike. We will make a baby and whether he likes it or not, he must marry me at the end cos I born his child. Dream is coming true." The lady squealed.

"OK that does it. I cannot hear more of these. Is either I die or she dies today,no,now. I don't care if Smith will throw me in the same cage as tiger's for attacking this lady. Wallahi I must see her useless face now!" Khair whispered to herself and adrenaline pumped into her boiling blood.

She's done being so innocent.

"I will name my,no our baby after you Khair boy or girl I don't care as...." The lady have not finished daydreaming when the fully energized Khair stood up and turned the lady to face her. She took the lady off guard by giving her a very hot slap.

"You this motherf***ing bitch. I will kill you today." Khair shouted like a mad woman and removed the mask from the lady's face harshly.

Uncle Haroon was just at his hiding spot trying hard to keep his calm.

"I will....." Khair's remaining words were stuck in her throat and the grip she had on the lady loosened. She couldn't move from that spot as she gaped like a dying fish trying to say a word.

In simple sentence, she was temporarily paralysed.

The lady removed the voice changer device from her jaw and smiled.

"Hi again Khair." The lady said in her real voice and continued smiling.

"M...Maya!"

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