Aryan's Lethal Obsession

Adah

"You are looking beautiful."

When Rudaba complimented me, I only smiled. Recollecting Aryan's words earlier, I stayed silent for the most part of the conversation. She seemed to be a nice woman except for the time she handled her bodyguards. If she didn't want to move an inch, she wouldn't budge even if you told her a tsunami was coming. Stubborn and authoritative to the core.

I still don't understand why she held so much power and who was Sir that Aryan considered a father figure. After that day's breakfast, Aryan visited me a day later to check on the wounds on my arms, and once he changed the dressing, he left without even a word. I didn't want to ruin my chance to talk to my family by irking him. That was the only thing keeping me sane and pushing me to go out with Rudaba for the appointments or the shopping.

"Aryan will meet you at the entrance and take you up the dias," she reminded, sitting beside me in the car.

Tareq sat on the passenger seat, every now and then, talking through his earpiece. For the last few days, he had been a silent companion to me. If I don't eat, he won't force me even though I know he reports everything to Aryan. Unlike the staff, he isn't bothered to earn Aryan's wrath for my shortcomings.

He doesn't mock me or ask me to stop crying and let me be when I need the space. Every time I cry, I find a box of tissue silently placed beside me, along with a water bottle. He brings me a white rose daily without fail and sometimes gets me mangas to read in the evening. He never talks to me, not like the staff or Amma, but his silence speaks volumes.

"In the driveway," when he said, Rudaba rolled her eyes before muttering, "Do he need to be informed every five minutes? Control freak."

I would have laughed if I wasn't dying of anticipation and dread. I don't have to guess she was talking about Aryan. And as she noted, Tareq had been in constant touch with him since I left the mansion for the salon appointment. Surely assuming I would try to escape the moment I got a chance.

Dressed in a pearl pink two-piece traditional skirt with a red dupatta over my head, I counted the number of pearls or crystals embedded in my skirt to divert my mind from building up my anxiety. Within a month, twice, I had to face the inconvenience of parading in front of strangers dressed in heavy attire and make-up. The majority of those that I don't have any connection to in my day-to-day life.

Sucking a deep breath again, I looked outside the window only for my eyes to widen, seeing the number of guards in black suits just in the driveway. I don't have to imagine how many more will be inside the hotel. My gaze fell at the sight of the hotel, and I couldn't help recollecting the first time Osama and Tareq brought me here.

I was still in my thoughts when Tareq's voice brought me back, "Stay inside."

Rudaba, instead of heeding his instruction, opened her side of the door and, the next moment, was surrounded by the group of her bodyguards.

"Get off my way," she ordered in annoyance and walked around the car towards my side.

Throwing one last glare at Tareq, she opened the door and forwarded her hand for me to take. Since the skirt was as heavy as my entire weight, I had to take her help getting out of the car and setting it on the ground.

"You are all set now," she said, cheek-kissing once before taking her leave. My gaze astounded, followed her to see her hugging a man at a distance and walking away with him. Probably her husband. I stood alone among the sea of black suit men and, for a moment, had the urge to lock myself in the car.

Before I could implement my thought, Tareq pulled me out, "Boss is waiting."

There was no way out, same as there is no way out of escaping Aryan. Clutching my dupatta, I took another deep breath to approach my inevitable destination of the night. A simple walk of five minutes drained me out due to the weight of the dress, and by the time I reached the entrance door, my breathing turned ragged. Soon, a bottle came into my view, and I didn't need to raise my eyes to see Tareq holding it. Murmuring thanks, I drank the bottle to half.