ZARA'S POV
The day starts the way it has been starting for the past few months, but this time my chest is so heavy. I'm nervous. I don't think nervous properly describes how anxious I actually was. We're praying Fajr and I keep praying over and over and over again. Protect my husband. Keep him safe.
After prayers, Ian wraps me in his arm. Plants a soft kiss on my forehead. I've fallen too deep now. I cannot lose him, I tell myself.
"I'm scared," I admit. Ian nods. "Me too," he confesses, words I never thought he would say.
"You're not going to endanger yourself, right? If things get bad.. safe yourself first." I say, selfishly.
Ian shushes me. "Allah SWT will protect me." I nod. I know.
"But, we won't be fighting. At least.. that's not the plan. I have connections in the law enforcement. I know them through Zane, so it was risky. But, Zane is a terrible person. He made lots of enemies. They hate him more than they fear him so.. I have faith. It will work out. You don't have to worry. I have someone to come home to. Something to live for. Someone to be happy with," he continues, planting another kiss on my forehead in between his words, "I'll do my best to make sure everything goes smoothly."
"What if he finds out what you're doing..?" I question.
Ian sighs, "I can't control the what ifs.. But, I have faith it will be okay. I'll call you right after everything is done, okay?"
I nod.
We drift back to sleep awhile later. Im tossing and tuening, until Ian finally awakes again. He's groggy, but he looks calm. I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose. Given his past, his job, he was used to this. I think?
The day passes by slowly. He tells me the appointment is at 4 and I hate how much later that is that now. I want it to happen now. I cook for Ian, and I spend most of the time before 4 memorising small habits of his, analysing every inch of his face. I pray for the best, but I know I had to prepare for the worst. I know.
When Ian gets dressed he wears something dressed down. To appear less professional so, it doesn't raise suspicion. I smile at my husband.
"My beautiful wife," he says for the first time, the word "wife" falling from his lips sounds like music to my ears. It's my second favourite sound in the world. He embraces me. "I promise, I'll call you." he assures once again.
I nod. He presses a kiss on my forehead, a motion far too familiar to us by now. "I love you." he lets out. So suddenly, but it doesn't feel abrupt or sudden. Or soon. It feels perfect, just right, like it was always meant to be said from his lips to my ears. I beam.
He smiles back. He embraces me once more. "I'll see you later."
"Be safe."
IAN POV
If that was the last memory she has of me, I want it to be of me smiling at her, uttering words of love because that's the rawest, truest version of me. In love with Zahra Aishah. If that is all I am remembered for, I would be a happy man.
I didn't want to worry Zahra but the truth is, I could not tell if this policemen was trustworthy. Most of my contacts I know, I knew from Zane. The thing about this world is fear is one of the strongest human emotion. Betrayal is the worst thing you can do in this business, even if it is betrayal towards someone so horrible. I'm putting all my trust on this plan. Putting faith in Allah SWT that it will work out. I take a deep breathe.
I think of Zahra, of her smile, of her laughter. I think of marrying her again. I think of growing old with my wife and I tell myself that I will do everything in my power to make sure I'm safe, that this works out.
The moment I meet my men, my eyes land on a figure that isn't suppose to be there. Leo. Before I could speak, he approaches me, shoving me.
"Fuck you." he screams. "How dare you try to do this withour me?" he yells again. "After everything he did to you, to US, I deserve to be part of this too." he's still yelling.
I turn to my other men, ready to interrogate, when Leo interrupts. "Nobody told me. Do you think I'm an idiot? I pieced it together, asshole."
"I just wanted to protect you.. Something I couldn't and didn't do when we were younger. You were never suppose to.. be in this.."
Leo scoffs. "You did everything you could to protect me. It's my turn to do the same. I'll get angry at you later. Right now, let's do what you planned."
"You know the plan?"
"I do."
"If anything happens, if he somehow.. if anything goes south, protect Zahra Aishah." I let out. "That's my final order as your boss."
Leo nods, everyone around me nods. "I'll stand outside, in case Zane knows or tries anything. Nic can enter wirh you."
Nic nods, so do I.
"All the best, big brother."
YOU ARE READING
Before The Sky & The Sea (Completed)
Romans"50,000 years before the sky was introduced to the sea, Allah wrote your name next to me." Zahra Aishah is a Muslim woman, thriving in her line of work. She is one of the youngest CEOs for her own marketing company and she stands by her values no ma...
