Bint of Gilgit ~ Pakistani Love Story ~ ONGOING ~

Saviour

Author's Note: Italics are flashback/memory.

Warning: Mild descriptions of rape/abuse.

Shivers and chills had nearly sent her soul to the next world. She had never felt so ill before in her life - two crippling fears seizing her heart and brain till all she could do was run around wild like a half-dead zombie. Her petite house owner, Shireen had tried to coax her into eating, but all that had come back out minutes later. Even something simple like drinking water made her want to violently retch.

Shireen once again looked at the clock - the evening call to prayer had just sounded and it had been five hours since Nazli had made the call. In those five hours, Nazli had passed out twice, vomited thrice times, and endlessly cried. About a gazillion times, she had nearly gone running out of the house looking for Shahrazad, but Shireen had always managed to stop her. But the same restlessness was growing in Nazli again and Shireen wasn't sure how long she could possibly stop the girl. Not to mention, she had gone from looking her best to a corpse in the span of a few hours.

Feeling slightly guilty, Shireen dropped a sleeping pill in the mint tea she had prepared for the blonde girl. Something in her heart told her that Nazli would not last another drastic episode before she truly passed out for good. Especially since she kept feeling dreadful by the passing minute indicating that any news or the man himself would be standing on their doorstep. At least this way, she could avoid an encounter with the man - Shireen only hoped that Asadullah would not turn his anger on her.

"Nazli." She muttered, holding out the cup and saucer towards the girl. The girl stared at it momentarily before continuing her stride of worry. "Drink this at least - it will make you feel better."

"I don't want to feel better!" She erupted as she had done many times before. "Shahrazad is in that state because of me! I have no right - no right at all to feel better!"

"Shahrazad will not want to see you in this state! Imagine if Asadullah brings her back - how will she feel to see you looking like a corpse? Nazli!" Shireen grabbed the girl's shoulder and shook her urgently. "You do not know what conditions Shahrazad might be in when she returns . . ." At her words, Nazli paled even further. ". . . but think of this - you need to be strong for her sake!"

Tears pooled in her green orbs at the implication of her words. She had to be strong. Strong for Shahrazad. Shahrazad had been so strong for her - when Asadullah was taking her away with him, she had stepped forward to protect her and remain with her. Had the tables been turned, Nazli was not sure if she could have done half of what Shahrazad had done for her. But Shireen was right - how could she so selfishly wreck herself in moments when Shahrazad required her to be strong?

Grabbing the tea with an urgency, Nazli downed it so fast that she felt warmth spreading from her toes to her head. For a few moments, she continued marching from one end to another of the room until the waves of the drug began to take effect. Shireen barely managed to get her to the bedroom when she hit the bed and fell into a deep slumber.

"It will be okay," Shireen whispered before draping a blanket over her and pulling her golden hair from underneath her to rest behind her on the pillow. "At least this way, he might feel some pity for you and won't kill you."

But Shireen knew that these were only false hopes. Asadullah was a man who hated betrayal - he would never forgive either of them for the escapade they pulled a few months ago. Unfortunately, men like Asadullah did not show mercy - not even to those who were innocent in his game of webs and lies.

***

An hour later, Shireen had nearly dozed off when someone pounded on her weak door. She was sure if they tried hard enough, the door would have come off its hinges, but she just about managed to get her scarf and open the door. Instantly, the air thickened, and the night became chillier.