Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 75: Details & Delirium

Zahid's P.O.V.

We left the chicken to simmer as I pulled her to the couch, "Come here."

She waited for my next action as I slipped out my phone and called Ma on speaker.

Her eyes widened, "Zahid, I can't talk to her."

"You can hear her voice."

She gripped my hand wearily.

"Hello?" Ma answered.

"Assalamwalaikum, Ma. How are you?"

"Walaikumsalam, beta! I'm doing better now that I'm hearing your voice, dear. How are you? Turn on your camera, let me see you."

Mehwish's eyes were now watery, but her mouth fell open as she silently, though half-heartedly, protested video-chatting.

"Alhamdulillah, me too and okay. It's on."

Mehwish scooted away but still peered at the screen, carefully making sure to stay out of view.

"I miss you, beta! Where are you?"

"I miss you too. I'm at a friend's house."

"Ahh, I see. Oh, Nadira Apa wants to say hi!"

Mehwish's emotional smile grew larger as I greeted Nadira Khala briefly before she left again.

"Beta, when are you coming to visit?" Ma asked.

I looked at Mehwish, "I'm working on something that I can't leave mid-way. Once I get it sorted, I'll come and that too with good news, InShaAllah."

"InShaAllah. I am waiting eagerly."

"Hopefully, I won't be too long."

"Hopefully, dear. We'll speak later, alright? You're at your friend's house, so I don't want to take any more of your time. Khuda hafiz."

"I'll call soon. Take care. Khuda hafiz."

As soon as the call ended, Mehwish wrapped her arms around my neck and sobbed silently. I pulled her onto my lap as I rubbed her back.

She moved back to look at my face, tears still streaming down her cheeks, "I feel so guilty for deceiving everyone into thinking I'm dead. I did it for everyone's good but still, I-"

"Shhh," I pulled her back into an embrace, "I know. You didn't have any bad intentions. It's not your fault."

It was because of Murad. I didn't want to even talk about him, I didn't even want to take his name out loud, but there were more things I needed to know.

I looked at her face, "Did Murad literally just leave you here when he brought you for the first time two years ago?"

She was initially confused by my sudden question but answered nonetheless, "He only briefly showed me around the area, but that's it."

"What about money? Your debit card was found in your bag at the scene."

"He opened a new bank account for me. Every month, he transfers money into it for the rent and living expenses. I only used his money until I got the job at the restaurant and the theatre group. I didn't want to be in any sort of debt towards him, I didn't want him to take care of me in any way and be his wife in any sense like that. After I became able to pay for myself, his money has just been accumulating in my account. I don't touch it."

"I'm surprised he let you work. Wasn't he afraid you would tell somebody?"

"He wasn't afraid because he knew how afraid I am of him. But I had to really beg him to let me. I told him that it was inhumane of him to want me confined in this apartment. He claimed that I could go for walks, but I craved real human interaction."