The next few days were a slow descent into near madness for Layla. She spent her days and nights locked in that small apartment all alone. Her hours passed by sitting at the window and gazing at the bustling street below.
Some times she’d perk up at a fleeting figure similar to the lord only to wilt in disappointment. She’d admonish herself then for even thinking about him. But the more she tried not to the more she found herself lost in them. This lack of control on her own self terrified her.
Desperate to flee her mind she pleaded with the guards outside her door to let her out for a hint of fresh air. She had only been able to go out for her visits to Qais, but now that he was gone the claustrophobia was eating at her. But Pasha hadn't visited her after that day.
“Please, you can follow me. I won’t slip out of your vision."
The gaurd shook his head at her apologetically. “Pasha sir has given stern orders.”
Layla lamented in frustration, her heart was stuck in her throat. She feared another day in there and she might just die.
Summoning every ounce of courage and burying all her ego, she said, “If I die in there you’ll have to answer Qais.”
The guards blanched at the prospect. Layla waited with crossed fingers as they turned to each other with newfound fear. Would it work?
“Is it possible to die this way?” One mumbled at the other fearfully.
“I’ve heard of people dying off claustrophobia in enclosed spaces.”
“But there’s windows and all.”
They looked at the girl. Large doe eyes, and glasses too big on her demure features, the layers of shawl betraying her slender figure. From their tall and broad point of view she appeared far too tiny and delicate. Almost fragile. Yes she seemed very likely to die of claustrophobia.
“Alright. But please don’t put us in trouble, Khanum.”
Her excitement and relief was tangible in the air. The guards sighed calling for the team to be stationed around the street.
There were people hustling and bustling the moment she stepped out. Layla felt out of place. She could run away if she tried, she could stop anyone and tell them all about everything. But in that moment for some reason she found herself grateful for the company of Qais’s guards following her discretely. It gave her a sense of familiarity in this unfamiliar world.
She convinced herself that it was because deep down she knew it was futile. Even if she escaped, Qais would find her. But Qais wasn’t here…. Then why didn’t she run away?
Pasha’s promise, she thought. Yes that was it. He had promised to help her when time comes. She still had her golden ticket.
In the end there were a thousand reasons she didn’t run away. Attachment was not one of them, she assured herself. Even when the blue sky reminded her of those blue sapphires.
She shook her head, focusing on the surroundings. She had walked quite far in search of the park. There was a crowd of people going to and fro on the pavement. Her eyes widened as she saw the guards were nowhere around.
Panicked, she looked all around, desperately searching for them. Her heart began to race, anxiety filling her.
Her eyes fell on the Bus stop. 11th Avenue read the screen on its side. Her home.
♛
News of a VIP guest in the King’s infirmary spread like wildfire throughout the Palace. And when that news reached the chambers of Uzlifat Khanum she was nothing short than absolutely livid.
YOU ARE READING
QAIS
Любовные романы"She was his mirage, a dream he could only chase. He was her living hell, a nightmare she could not escape." Layla Mustafa is the only girl in her family allowed to go to university. Belonging to a strict patriarchal background, Layla, the shy and s...
