𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟎𝟏

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟏

ARZO

I feel suffocated.

Not because of Faizan or the sudden change but because I can’t seem to remember anything from my past even though I get nightmares.

I wake up everyday with dried tears stains on my cheeks, Faizan’s arms around me in a protective grip, his face buried in my neck.

I can’t remember anything from the nightmares except for loud noises. But I don’t know who it belongs to.

I got out of the house today. Faizan won’t be home till after eight because he has a meeting.

I asked Salma if she wanted anything from the store, she said no so I’m just buying my painting essentials.

Faizan told me to let Shariq take me but I wanted to drive myself. Thankfully, Faizan understood.

Doctor Zahra told me that there will be changes in my behavior and that I will feel weak. She was right. I feel so tired and I barely do anything. I’m just praying to Allah that sooner or later, I just remember the night of the incident.

I thought of asking Shoaib but stopped. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to see me if I have something to do with his father’s death.

I put my things on the counter and watch as the woman in front of me scans everything.

After paying for my things, I grab the bag and exit the store.

The night is cold and silent. Like the ones in horror movies. But the breeze is cozy. I still don’t feel cozy because my body is filled with tension.

My phone rings in the silence of the parking lot. I frown, pulling it out. No one calls me.

The number is unknown.

My instinct tells me to answer it and I do, slowly placing the phone by my ear.

“Arzo, lock the doors and windows. Call Faizan. You’re in trouble.”

I freeze when I hear Shoaib’s voice.

Somewhere a car honks, indicating Shoaib that I’m not home.

“Shit! You’re not home. Arzo, get in your car and lock the door.”

I stay rooted in place, confused.

“Hurry!”

I flinch, coming out of my haze and rush towards my car.

I’m about to pull my car door when I feel a presence behind me. Panic settles in my stomach and before I could try to scream, a hand covers my mouth, tightening their grip on my face.

I scream against their mouth, dropping my bags, kicking my legs and scratching on the man’s arm.

“Stay still, you bitch!” his grip on my mouth tightens to the point tears well up in my eyes.

A syringe hits my neck. My eyelids start to feel heavy, my arms and legs go limb.

As darkness swallows me, a tear escapes my eye and those words shout in my head,

Shut up!

FAIZAN

Something’s wrong.

The thought hits me out of nowhere while the meeting goes on.

We have a meeting with Ryan, Jack and Finn today. Discussing few of the ways we can bring light to those so-called businessmen who are ruining other people’s business.

My attention starts to waver from the meeting as dread creeps into my stomach.

Grabbing my phone, I stand up, “I’ll be back,” I say and exit the meeting room.

I need to make sure everything’s alright.

I’m about to call Arzo- if she picks up then she’s fine- when an unknown number calls me.

I answer it, placing the phone against my ear.

“Arzo’s in trouble.” Shoaib’s voice comes from the other end, “I sent you a location. They will take her there. Hurry up and go there. I’m driving there as well.”

“Who the hell took her?”

“Just go and you’ll find out.” he says and hangs up.

“Faizan-”

I quickly turn around to face Farhan, “I’m leaving. If I don’t call you in under forty five minutes, tell Finn to track my phone.”

“What-”

Before he can start bombarding me with questions, I rush out of the building, hurrying to my car.

I put on the location on the phone and my chest tightens when I realize that the location is in the middle of nowhere.

I start my car and speed off, not caring about the speed limit.

Ya Allah, please protect her.