Seeking Her Forgiveness

21. I won't stop Trying

Shahana's eyes snapped open, and her surroundings swam into focus, a foggy haze clouding her mind. For a moment, everything was a blur—her thoughts, her memories, even the weight resting heavily on her hand. As the seconds ticked by, reality began to settle in. She glanced down, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Azlan. He was slumped on the floor, his head resting on her hand, breathing deeply in his sleep.

She jerked her head up, scanning the room. Nothing looked familiar. Panic gnawed at her. This wasn't where she was supposed to be. She strained to recall the last coherent memory—she had been on a plane with Azlan, hadn't she? How did they end up here? And where exactly was "here"?

The first thought that shot through her mind was as wild as it was terrifying—had Azlan kidnapped her?

Her eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief. Could it be? The intensity of her gaze seemed to penetrate his slumber, and he stirred, slowly waking up.

Groggy, Azlan opened his eyes, blinking against the remnants of sleep. When he saw Shahana fully awake and staring at him, concern immediately replaced the fog in his eyes. He shifted closer, cupping her face in his hands with gentle urgency.

"Shahana?" His voice was laced with anxiety.

She didn't flinch at his touch, but there was a hardness in her eyes. With a quick shake of her head, she shrugged off his hands. "Where are we? Did you... did you kidnap me?" The accusation hung in the air, her voice taut with suspicion.

Azlan froze, his eyes searching hers, and then, to her surprise, a deep laugh rumbled from his chest. He threw his head back, laughing so heartily that it echoed off the walls.

Shahana's irritation flared. What on earth was so funny? "Why are you laughing?" she snapped, crossing her arms defensively. "Look, Azlan, if you think you can just keep me with you like this, you're sorely mistaken. I've already told you, I don't want to stay with you anymore. Why can't you get that through your thick skull?"

She was about to continue when Azlan did something completely unexpected—he leaned forward and, with a teasing glint in his eyes, gently bit the finger she had pointed at him.

Startled, Shahana yanked her hand back, her heart leaping in her chest. She stared at him, half in shock, half in anger. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice wavering between fury and something else—something uncomfortably warm.

Azlan didn't seem the least bit perturbed by her reaction. "Well," he drawled, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "I figured this was the best way to shut you up. The other option... well, let's just say it would have been much more effective, but I doubt you would have liked it." He winked at her, his tone both light and loaded.

Heat flushed her cheeks, and she looked away, embarrassed. "Look—"

"Jan-e-Azlan," he interrupted, his voice softening as he gazed at her. "I'm looking at you. And you're beautiful, MashAllah. That pregnancy glow is already starting to show."

His words, tender and full of affection, struck her like a bolt. He still called her that, after all this time. Jan-e-Azlan—Beloved of Azlan. Her heart stuttered, missing a beat. How many years had it been since she last heard him call her that? And even now, it had the same effect, sending her pulse racing like it did the first time.

Why was he doing this? Why was he making everything so difficult for her? Haya's words echoed in her mind, the warnings she had so blindly believed. She had started to accept that maybe she wasn't meant for Azlan, that her presence would only bring him misfortune. Perhaps this was her fate, to drive away anyone she loved.