His Captive 21+

42

It had been six days since they arrived in France. Anum hadn't seen much of Irtaza during that time because he had been extremely busy with his work. This didn't bother her at all. In fact, she was quite happy to have some time to herself and not have him around constantly. She enjoyed exploring the new surroundings and spending time alone, feeling a sense of relief at his absence.

Anum was talking to her mom when, to her surprise, Irtaza entered the room holding a big box in his hands.

"Ami, I'll talk to you later, bye." She hung up the phone and stood up from the couch as he approached her.

"Yeh tumhare liye hai," he said, placing the box in her hands.

She looked at him in bewilderment. "What's this?"

"There's a dress in there. Jaldi se taiyaar hojao. We're going out today." (Get ready quickly.)

Before she could respond, he turned her around by her shoulders and gently pushed her towards the washroom. "Mein tumhara wait kar raha hun neeche car mein." (I'll be waiting for you downstairs in the car.)

Anum opened the box and found a dark blue, long-sleeved dress nestled inside. The dress was beautifully modest, featuring a high neckline and flowing down to the floor in a graceful cascade of fabric. With a sigh, she got dressed in the outfit, pairing it with beige heeled sandals. She applied light makeup and decided to keep her hair open.

Glancing at herself in the mirror one last time, she left the room. She didn't want to go anywhere with him, but she couldn't decline him either; after all, she had given him her word.

Irtaza was standing against the car, lost in his thoughts. "Sirf baais din reh gaye hain ab aur hamara rishta abhi bhi wahin ka wahin hai. Mujhe kyun uski itni adat ho gayi hai?" (Only twenty days are left now, and our relationship is still the same. Why have I become so accustomed to wher?)

His train of thought broke when he saw Anum approaching the car, adjusting the gold bracelet on her wrist. She looked like the most beautiful girl to him, the most purest.

"Ek second, Anum," he said suddenly, straightening himself and rushing to the passenger side to open the door for her. (One second, Anum.)

She quietly sat inside, and Irtaza adjusted her dress before closing the door and settling into the driver's seat.

He started driving, stealing glances at her from time to time. Anum sat silently, looking out of the window, not in the mood for conversation with him.

"Ahem..." He cleared his throat to get her attention, and as expected, she turned her head towards him.

"Kya khaogi? I know you don't like French cuisine. Thori si doori pe ek restaurant hai, 'Karachi Kitchen', Pakistani khana hai wahan. Shall we go there?" (What do you want to eat? I know you don't like French cuisine. There's a restaurant nearby, 'Karachi Kitchen', they serve Pakistani food there.)

"Marzi hai apki. Par mujhe bhook nahi lag rahi abhi. I mean abhi sirf 6 baje hain, dinner ka time bhi nahi hua hai." (It's up to you. But I'm not hungry right now. I mean, it's only 6 o'clock; it's not even dinner time yet.)

"Acha okay. Hum koi activity kar lete hain, baad mein dinner karlenge. One of my business partners was telling me that he went to a chair lift with his girlfriend the other day. Hum bhi wahin chal lete hain?" (Okay, sure. Let's do some activity, and we can have dinner later. One of my business partners was telling me that he went to a chairlift with his girlfriend the other day. Shall we go there too?)

"Okay. As you wish."

"Acha phir phone pe GPS lagado," he said. (Okay, then put on the GPS on your phone)